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Brother's Keeper
by Vamphile
Twelve
When they finally came to both Brian and Justin were more sore than either was willing to admit to the other. Justin bit back a groan as he stretched and Brian was flexing the fingers on his hand and staring at it intensely trying to determine if anything was broken.
Justin moved to sit next to him on the bed. “X ray?”
Brian shook his head. “Shower. I’ve got back to back meetings all day.”
Justin called Alicia's house and told Aaron he was on his own to get to school today, but plans were off if he didn’t go.
Aaron balked, but Justin reminded him that they called his mother if he didn’t show…so he could always check with Alicia. Aaron caved. And Justin promised to pick him up by three in front of the school.
Justin walked slowly to the bathroom and finished taking a piss just as Brian winced while turning the shower knob. “Brian.”
“Don’t fucking start.”
Justin slid into the shower behind Brian. “I just think that…”
Brian silently wrapped his left hand around Justin's damage wrist and held Justin's still cramped fingers under the hot water. He said nothing. His determined expression and raised eyebrow spoke volumes.
Justin sighed in defeat. “So we nurse our wounds together in private.”
“Seems to be our M.O.”
There was no time for anything more interesting than actual hygiene in the shower. Well not much more than actual hygiene. They were both getting dressed and waiting for the coffee to finish brewing.
“You in the studio today?”
“Yeah. I’ve got to call the gallery… I ignored their last two emails but they called sometime last night, left a message about some changes or something.”
“I’ll be there at around one.”
“There might be paint all over the place by then.”
“Not coming there for that.”
“Then for what?”
“Got a planner coming in to do an estimate on turning the place back into a club.”
“You’re gonna re-open?”
“Considering the option. Have to decided soon. Three weeks and the liquor license runs out. They’re a bitch to re-apply for.”
Justin kissed him on the cheek. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“Not like I’m gonna be there every night. No time. No energy. No inclination.”
“Pfft, you’ve got the energy. You could make the time.”
“The inclination’s the one that’ll keep me away.”
“Really?”
“Already told you. Not looking to be the aging club boy.”
“It’ll still be nice, to have our place back.”
“It’ll be a little different. Time to update.”
“It’ll be fabulous.”
“Don’t talk like Emmett.”
“Sweetie why not?” Justin used his best Emmett voice and Brian laughed over his coffee cup.
“You really think I should re-open?”
“I think you should do what you want. I think you want to re-open.”
“I think I do too. Have to start marketing heavily before it’s ready though. Get the buzz going. Not really in the mood to hemorrhage money on the first few nights.”
“Look who learns from past experiences.”
“Yeah, trying something different. Brand new mistakes instead of the same old ones.”
“I like it.”
“See you at one?”
“You want me to be there for the meeting?”
“You have a good eye for shit like this…”
“I’ll come down and hear what the guy has to say.”
“It’s gonna cost a fortune.”
“The insurance money will cover some of it.”
“Yeah, the profits better cover the rest.”
“Is that really an issue?”
Brian looked up… “What?”
“Money?”
“No.”
Justin smiled. “Okay then, I’ll see you later.” He kissed Brian one last time before he headed to his studio. He called the gallery while he was driving.
The gallery conversation was actually necessary, and frightening, and exhilarating. One of the other two artists had dropped out. Some London show had picked him up and he was focusing on that. This meant they were only going to feature two artists. Himself and some guy whose work Justin had seen. He was impressed. But they needed more pieces from him, and the show was seven weeks away.
Bypassing the editing equipment and started to stretch a canvas. He realized his hand was hurting more than he thought, and his back was more than a little sore where the bruise had started to turn from dark blue to an angry purple.
He gave up and went back to work on the computer, cursing his fucking father for putting him back to having to rely on manipulating his art digitally instead of with brush and oil the way he preferred.
He worked hard; ignoring the pain in his hand as he mentally killed his father in about a hundred different ways. The creative ideas found their way into some very angry and powerful art. And he’d lost track of the time completely when he heard Brian calling for him.
He came down the steps slowly, his body still hurting when it was jarred too roughly. He needed a fucking aspirin… or something stronger.
Brian leaned in and kissed him. He was a little surprised because the contractor was standing right there but then he remembered, the contractor was there to design the newest gay dance club in Pittsburgh. The guy was probably gay, or at the very least comfortable with the concept. He kissed him back.
“Not covered in paint.”
“Fucking father. Fucking hand. Working on the computer.”
“Fucking Craig.”
“Yeah, and they want more pieces than they originally asked for. Gonna have to buy pre-fucking stretched canvases.”
“I’ll help you later.”
“Because you’re hand’s up to it.”
They heard a cough and remembered that there was a guy here to discuss Brian’s vision for Babylon. And what a vision it was. Larger stage, fewer cages, better sound system. Entirely new light show design. Entirely new layout.
More bars, smaller, easier to cruise, Brian said. Positively pornographic ideas for the back room. And a couple of elegant VIP lounges tucked away in cozy spots.
Justin added his input here and there and the contractor nodded and took copious notes.
“I’ll run an estimate, can have it to you by Monday.”
Brian nodded and the guy, not so discreetly, cruised Brian, raking over his body with his eyes.
Justin pulled Brian closer and kissed him, letting his tongue slip inside his mouth. He pulled back a little. “Come upstairs, I want to show you something.” He whispered, so that the contractor could hear him. He pressed his body suggestively against Brian's.
Brian nodded to the guy. “Early Monday. I’ve got decisions to make.”
The contractor left while Justin was dragging Brian up to the studio.
“You know…we’ve got the entire building. We don’t need to disappear up here.”
“The rest of the place just feels wrong without all of gay PA watching.”
Brian laughed again. “You were less than subtle there with Paul.”
“Who?”
“The contractor.”
“Fuck Paul.”
“I thought the whole point was to keep me from fucking Paul.”
“Not keeping you from doing anything. Want you to fuck me. Now.”
“You’re going to kill me you know that.”
“You’ll die smiling.” Justin had kicked off his shoes and was removing his pants.
Brian faked a very put upon look. “If you insist.”
Justin was laying on the table now. He’d left his shirt on. The large bruise on his stomach was less than an aphrodisiac to Brian. “I insist.”
Brian’s pants were off and the condom was on in seconds. He was inside Justin just as quickly.
Later, they were sweaty and Brian had pushed Justin’s shirt up to get to his nipples. Now his hand ran soothingly over the large purple splotch on Justin's belly that ran from his navel to below his sternum. “You okay?”
Justin stretched languorously. “Mmm fine.”
“I mean.”
“Fine.” Justin’s tone was more firm this time.
Brian removed his hand. “Just checking. I’ve got to leave soon. I have a meeting at three.”
“I’ve got to go get Aaron. Probably bring him here while I get some more work done. Figure we can hit the clubs early and get the half-breed to bed at a reasonable hour.”
Brian snorted. “You’re deluded.”
“What?”
“He’s gonna stay 'til closing unless you drag him out of there and you’re not supposed to do that tonight as long as he’s not trolling for his own sugardaddyclubfreakchildmolester.”
Justin leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“We’re gonna find out. And here.”
Justin was scowling. “Brian. If you ever take out your wallet while I’m still laying here naked again I’m going to kill you.”
“What?”
“Could I look more like a common whore right now?”
“Yeah, but that’s a fantasy we’ll save for later.”
“What are you doing anyway?”
“Giving you my card so you can get the kid decent club gear. Don’t even want to think about what he might decide is appropriate.”
“Like what, leather chaps and nothing else.” Justin shuddered.
“Actually I was thinking scuffed sneakers, and a flannel shirt.”
“Hey! Those sneakers were practically new.”
“Whatever. If I’m going with you make sure the kid doesn’t embarrass me. And get yourself some fucking clothes. I’m sick of you doing laundry every day.”
“I only brought two days worth of clothes. Didn’t know I was gonna be here that long. And everything left in the loft is sweatpants and hoodies.”
“So buy a couple pairs of jeans… and a shirt or something.”
“Okay seriously. Now I am your whore.”
“No, you’re my whatethefuck ever… boyfriend or something.”
“I’m your boyfriend?”
“Or something.”
“Fine, I’ll buy some clothes but only because I’m just as tired as you are of doing laundry every day.”
Brian kissed Justin who was still lying in a slightly post-coital haze on the table. “Glad you got the sturdy table.”
“Well, didn’t want either of us to get hurt.”
Brian looked pointedly at Justin's bruise and Justin self-consciously pulled his shirt back down. “Hurt when the table collapsed.” He added.
“Good thinking. See you tonight.”
“We’ll be back to the loft by seven”
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~***~***~*~*~*~*~
Justin found Aaron in his usual spot, by the soccer goal on the field across from the school. He was talking to a couple of kids and Justin hoped maybe his friends had gotten over the shock.
Then he saw one of them push Aaron. An all to familiar scene was playing out in front of him. He stalked over to the escalating fight. Aaron was cursing, and pulled back an arm to throw a punch when Justin caught it.
“Get the fuck off me.”
“He glared at the boys who were currently unsure about what to do regarding the new player on the scene. One of the kids was already taller than Justin, but he didn’t fucking care. “Aaron, we had a deal. Go to the car.”
Aaron started to say something when Justin growled and hit the guy who was currently about to sucker punch Aaron in the back.
“Nice, hit a kid while he’s immobilized. Fucking asshole.”
“Justin had caught the kid in the chin and he was holding his face. “Who the fuck are you?”
“His brother. Go away before I kick all your asses.”
All three of Aaron’s would be assailants moved away, trying not to look like they were running.”
“What the fuck was that?”
“Me saving you from getting suspended.”
“I could have handled it.”
“I’m sure but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t, in the end, suspend you. Besides we had a deal, no trouble for four days in a row.”
“Hey, if we’re gonna talk about who’s been trouble this week…”
“We’re not. And we’re not gonna count this cause I don’t blame you. And I’m not as much a hypocrite as I can sometimes seem. Now come on. I fucking hurt my hand again, for which I’d like to kill you and them and Craig, but we don’t have time.”
“Why not?”
“Well, killing people takes planning and there could be a huge mess involved and we’ve got shopping to do.”
“Why?”
“Because we’re out of milk.”
Aaron sank further into the front seat. “I hate shopping.”
“I’m fucking with you. Brian says that if he’s coming with us you have to look decent. We’re getting you club gear.”
Aaron perked up. “Brian’s coming.”
“You knew he would.”
Aaron smiled. “I get new stuff.”
“Yeah, but nothing so twink like I have to kill you.”
“Whatever.”
Justin smiled and lit a cigarette. Aaron took a pack out of his pocket and lit one too. Justin glance over…was going to say something and stopped. “Fuck.” He thought. “I am a goddamned hypocrite.”
“You need anything from home?”
“Nope I’ve got what I need in my bag.”
Justin headed towards the mall. He hated the mall, but shopping with Aaron on Liberty Avenue was an even less appealing option.
They finally found something suitable for Aaron, after some lengthy discussion. He looked okay. Not too skeezy, not too much like a rent boy, and not covered in anything really shiny. Justin grabbed a few pairs of jeans a couple pairs of boxer briefs that he knew Brian was going to complain about.
Brian would pay for just about anything, but not Justin’s underwear. It wasn’t a domestic thing, it was very much a “why the fuck are you wearing underwear” thing. But Justin didn’t care. And if Brian was gonna act like a sugar daddy…he was gonna treat him like one for the day.
He also picked up a couple of shirts that probably would stay at the loft. To avoid the paint contamination that everything in his apartment seemed to be suffering from.
He was looking at a couple of the newest Hugo boss ties for Brian when Aaron started whining about being bored.
“Deal with it.”
“But…”
“Shut up.”
Aaron did and Justin found a tie the exact shade of red as the shirt he’d found for Brian earlier.
Aaron shrugged and they finally went to a register to pay for their purchases. When the salesman, who was seriously cruising him, called him Mr. Kinney, Justin smiled thanked him and walked away without a second look.”
“Brian paid for all that stuff?”
“Yeah.”
“Does he know?”
“Yeah, or he will in a few minutes.”
“Wow, he really is a sugardaddyclubfreakchildmolester.”
“You have no idea.”
“Watch.”
“What are we watching for?”
“Actually we’re waiting. You want a pretzel?”
“Can we go to Cinnabon?”
Justin shrugged. “Why not.”
They got their orders and sat at one of the tables in the food court. “Are we still waiting?”
Justin looked at his watch. It was almost six, five more minutes tops.
They ate the sugary sweet rolls that Brian would never allow in the house and as Justin was finishing his phone rang. He smiled.
“Hi dear.”
“A thousand dollars on jeans and a t shirt?”
“I got stuff for you too.”
“At the fucking mall?”
“No, I magically discovered an a Sacks that wasn’t at the South Hills Mall.”
“Whatever.”
“See you at the loft?”
“Be home soon.”
Aaron looked confused. “How did he know?”
“He can look online and check his credit card activity.”
“How did you know?”
“He looks online and checks his credit card activity.”
“So he tells you to buy stuff, then checks and calls and yells?”
“Aaron, remember when you said we were twisted? You were right.”
“I really was.”
“First thing you’ve gotten right so far.”
“Fuck off.”
“Whatever. What do you want for dinner?”
“I don’t know.”
“There’s nothing at the loft so decide now. I have to pick it up.”
“Whatever’s fine.”
“If you go with ‘whatever’ it’s gonna be Thai food. Brian’s a sucker for it.”
“I hate that crap.”
“Then pick something else.”
“Pizza?”
“Uno’s or Tony’s?”
“Uno’s I want a deep dish special.”
They stopped at the one in the mall, bought something that wasn’t covered in three kinds of meat and four kinds of cheese for Brian and headed back to the loft.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Brian slid the door open when he heard the elevator.
“Thanks. Little fucker here is no help at all.”
Aaron harrumphed and put the food on the kitchen counter. Justin dumped the shopping bags on the sofa.
“So what’d you get?”
“Jeans, t shirts, something far too tight and twinkie for him. But at least it’s not shiny and trashy.”
“I’m sure.”
“What? You wanted him in ridiculously expensive black jeans and a four hundred dollar sleeveless button-down?”
Brian smirked. “You love that look.”
“On you. Not looking to turn him into a little clone.”
“He couldn’t pull it off.”
“Right here…in the room.” Aaron said as he stuffed almost an entire slice of pizza into his mouth at once.
“He’s talented.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
Brian was sorting through the bags. He came across the deep red shirt and tie. “Nice.”
“For you.”
“Boss.”
“For your label queen tendencies.”
“I guess I’ll keep them.”
“Thought you might.”
“What the fuck is this?”
“Don’t start.”
“You know I hate it when you…”
“Kid in the room, right there.”
“We’ll discuss this later.” Brian shoved the underwear back in the bag. He held up something else offensive to his personal sensibilities. “What are these?”
“Socks.”
“Big thick ugly socks.”
“You keep this place like twelve degrees. My feet get cold.”
“You’re not wearing them to bed.”
“Whatever.”
“Not.”
“Whatever.”
Brian sighed. “You’ve regressed to your half-breed’s age.”
“I though you perved on that.”
“Kid, in the room, right there.”
Aaron snorted and Justin went to grab a slice of pizza before Aaron ate the whole damn thing.
“There’s edible stuff in the bag for you.”
Brian pulled out a salad, picked off the croutons and glared at Justin. “Sorry, forgot the no crouton policy.” He said as he popped one in his mouth. “They’re good.”
“They’re fried.”
“You do eat you know. I’ve seen you.”
“Yeah but Jesus, you’ve been here four days and I’ve put on half a pound.”
Aaron snorted around a mouth full of pizza again. “Beer or milk?” Justin asked as he stood in front of the ‘fridge.”
“Beer” they both responded.
Justin grabbed a soda for Aaron, and a couple of bottles of beer for himself and Brian.
“Hey!”
“I’m sorry did you want the milk?” Justin asked innocently.
“You’re taking me out but I can’t have a beer here?’
“Right.”
Aaron pouted and Justin looked at Brian. “It’s okay princess, he said, running his hand over Justin's. You still do it better.”
“Fuck off.”
“Hey.”
“What.”
“C’mere.”
“What?”
Brian took Justin’s hand. “It looks worse.”
Justin tried to shrug it off but Aaron launched into a description of the little scene on the soccer field. Brian drank his beer and listened not taking his eyes off of Justin for the entire monologue.
“Jesus fucking Christ.”
“I was supposed to let him get suspended?”
“Better than you getting arrested. You may look twelve but, in jail, that’s a bad thing.”
“Brian.”
“I know. You were a good big brother.”
“Just doing my job.”
Brian shook his head wondering exactly how taxing of a job this might end up being.
Once they finished eating and Aaron was in the shower they had a chance to talk privately. Justin was straddling Brian’s lap on the sofa, trying to distract him. It wasn’t working.
“How close did they come to hurting him?”
“He can take care of himself.”
“Or you will.”
“Someone has to.”
“Justin. You can’t do this.”
“This?” he asked as he ground his ass against Brian.
“No,” Brian’s voice was a little deeper now. There was a catch in his breath when he started to speak again. “You can do that all you want. You can’t make yourself responsible for him.”
“He’s my brother.”
“Your family may be as toxic as mine.”
“No. He’s just a kid trying to figure shit out.”
“Yeah well, can he do it without you being the punching bag in the middle.”
“I wasn’t the punching bag. I was using the other kid as one.”
“Well I feel better now.”
“Let it go.”
Aaron came out then, dressed in his new clothes. Brian eyed him. “Not bad.”
Aaron smiled a little and sat down, draining the last of Justin’s beer before either of them could say anything about it. “Are we ready to go.”
“I’ve got to shower.”
“I’ll join you.” Justin said and Aaron let out a long sigh. “We’ll never get out of here.”
“There’s nothing but trolls this early anyway, keep your pants on.”
Aaron smirked. “I will…at least 'til we get there.”
They both shot him a look and disappeared into the bathroom.
Justin was dressed and Brian was appreciative. “Those look hot on you.”
“That’s why I bought them.”
“I bought them.”
“I chose them.”
“Whatever. Too bad you have to wear long sleeves.”
“Don’t really feel like getting hit on by guys who think I’m kinkier than I am.”
“You could be kinkier?”
Justin smiled “probably, but not looking to become dungeon Don… or do dungeon Don. Or anyone who KNOWS dungeon Don.”
“You sure?” Brian slid his arms around Justin's waist, feeling the soft dark brown leather against his still naked body. “You might like it.”
“Don’t be gross and go get dressed.”
He sat down next to Aaron who was looking guilty. He looked around to find the possible reason. “He’s gonna kill you for raiding his stash.”
“It wasn’t his it was mine.”
“You brought weed to school?”
“Just cause I wanted it for tonight.”
Justin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don’t do it again. Don’t fucking think about doing it again. And…” he picked up the roach and sniffed it. “Fucking kill the guy who sold you this skunk weed.”
“When can we go?”
“It’ll be a while longer, he’s fucking with his hair.”
“His hair looks fine.”
“Because he fucks with it.”
“It’s not naturally mussy?”
“Are you sure you’re gay?”
“What?”
“Takes a while to look that good…” Justin could feel Brian listening to him, “at his age.”
He heard the snort and let it go. The he figured, damage already done, what could it hurt, and rolled a joint from Brian’s stash. He took a hit and passed it to Aaron. “It’s stronger than you’re used to so…”
Aaron was coughing before Justin cold finish the words.
“Christ he’s as bad as Mikey.”
“No, he has an excuse. He’s not used to it. You’d think Michael could remember from one hit to the next that this isn’t some bullshit you grew in your closet last week.”
“Leave Mikey alone.”
Justin said nothing. He didn’t hate Michael. He was really mostly fine with him but sometimes he wondered if Deb had dropped him on his head a lot as a child.
“You ready?”
Brian nodded, shoving some condoms in his pocket and a couple of packets of lube. Justin frowned.
“You’re not gonna let me take you to the back room. Justin’s frown disappeared. “Christ. You really think I’m still that big an asshole?”
“Old habits die hard.”
They headed out. Justin went first and Brian grabbed Aaron's arm handing him a couple of condoms and lube for his own pockets. “You fuck anyone without a condom you won’t have to get tested. I’ll kill you myself.”
Aaron smiled. Brian put his fingers to his lips and pointed towards Justin and Aaron nodded in understanding. Justin was right sugardaddyclubfreakchildmolesters did have their uses.
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