My Liege

 

 

Planning, weighing options, delegation, all key elements to a successful Babylon Halloween costume party, an annual tradition instituted by one Brian Kinney, proprietor of Babylon, the hottest club, gay or straight, in Pittsburgh.  He was in control of everything.  But the one thing Brian Kinney could not control was the day that Halloween actually fell on.

Monday!

What club goes out of it’s way to hold the hottest party of the year on a Monday?!  So Brian Kinney did the only thing he could do, he turned Halloween into a two and a half day festival starting on Friday and ending on Sunday.  For two nights the patrons of Babylon could strut their stuff and dance their booties off in costume.  The theme, damsels and knights of the realm, the realm being, of course, the kingdom of Babylon.  The only caveat to the costumes was that no one would be allowed entry into the club dressed as a king.  There could be only one king and everyone knew who that would be.  Other than that, it was anything goes.  But hey, who cared, this was Babylon!  The music was thumping, the bodies were hot, the drinks were cold and flowing and the backroom was open for business except on Sunday. 

For Sunday, Brian had been convinced by a certain influential blond person that the serfs of the realm deserved something special for assisting their lord with his successful endeavors.  Being a most magnanimous ruler, Brian planned on turning Babylon into a haunted mansion, complete with fog, witches and other hobgloblins for the little ones of the kingdom.  With the backroom securely chained shut, anything rated PG and over removed, and the alcohol locked away, the hottest night club in the Pitts would be transformed into the greatest haunted house ever seen!  Parents of all sorts of families could bring their children for a few hours of Halloween entertainment with all the candy and ghosts that went with it!

“Boss!”

“Theodore,” Brian responded with an exaggerated drawl from in front of his computer screen.

“Come out and join the fun,” Ted said trying to urge Brian out of the office.  It was the first night of the festivities.  Even though Brian’s office was practically soundproof the floor vibrated with the steady thumpa beat.  Brian was working on his computer, reviewing contracts and tweaking ad campaigns for Kinnetik.

“Maybe later,” Brian replied as he glanced longingly at the costume hanging from a hook on the wall.  The gesture was not missed by Ted.

“Where is he?” Ted asked gently as he edged closer to Brian’s desk, the bells on Ted’s court jester hat delicately tinkling as he moved.

“Boston,” Brian murmured.

“When does he come home?”  Brian answered only with a shrug.  Ted squeezed the nearest shoulder as he turned to go back down into the main club.  “Can I send you up anything or anyone?” he asked with a thin lipped smile.

Brian smirked then sent Ted away with a royal wave of his hand.  Teddy left Brian to his computer.

 

***** 

 

On the second night of the Halloween fun at Babylon there was a bit of extra excitement when one “swashbuckling” young man took his costume a bit too seriously.  He attempted to swing from one of the banners hanging near the catwalk.  He almost made it to the dance floor until he thought he was Errol Flynn or Daffy Duck.  With a “Yoiks and away!” the kid made a try for the next banner.  Most of the patrons thought he was part of the floor show even when the kid fell onto the crowd.  Fortunately he wasn’t seriously hurt.  The crowd cheered as the “Merry Man” waved his saber in the air as the volunteer squad took him to the closest emergency room.

“They showed up fast,” Michael remarked to Emmett as they watched the EMTs wheel the fallen Merry Man out of the club. 

“You know Brian and his plans within plans.  He has the emergency squad parked in the alley just outside in case,” Emmett said proudly.  Emmett had made the call to the squad on behalf of one Brian Kinney to arrange their presence during the three day soiree.  The rescue squad cheerfully sent one of their ambulances especially when Brian made a generous donation to their station.

“That was smart,” Michael commented with a nod.  The feathers on his cap wildly bobbed making Michael look like some insane bird.  Of course, no one was going to mention that to Michael.  Not even his spouse.  Ben looked dashing in his knight costume.  He left a wake of drooling knaves behind him as he walked through the club, his tight leggings accentuating his firm assets.

“Where’s Brian?” Ben asked as he handed a beer to Michael then sipped his sparkling water.  “I thought he’d be around to survey his kingdom,” Ben commented.

“He was here last night,” Emmett said knowingly.

“And tonight?” Michael asked with some concern.  Emmett merely pointed up.  “Where’s the Boy Wonder?”

“Out of town,” Emmett stated.  Sensing an imminent Mikey melt down, Emmett decided he needed to dance.  Throwing propriety to the wind, the ever young and beautiful Emmett joined the throng of young bodies on the dance floor.

“He should be here,” Michael grumbled into his beer. Ben nodded for Michael’s sake and placed a muscled arm around his spouse in support.

 

*****

 

“Hasn’t anyone told him that an over forty fag on the dance floor is pathetic,” Brian sneered from his office.  From the thick glass walls he was able to see the dance floor.

“Apparently not,” Ted replied.  “He’s having fun, Bri, and looking good doing it,” Ted said.

“Yeah, I have to admit, he’s the only one of us who can get away with it, but if you tell him I said that, I’ll deny it.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it but he’s not the only one who still looks good on the dance floor.  And everywhere else,” Ted commented with a poignant look.  “Are you joining us for the costume contest?  You are one of the judges,” Ted reminded his boss.  “The celebs are arriving now.”

The culmination to the festivities was a contest for the best costume.  Brian enticed several of his clients to donate some of their products as prizes, stating it was good PR for business.  And Brian was never wrong when it came to business.  He also enlisted some local and not so local celebrities that were LGBT friendly to do the judging.  But no matter how much he tried, Brian couldn’t hide from his obligations.

“Yeah, I’ll be there.  Just make sure they’re all tended to in the guest lounge while Emmett does his thing,” Brian commanded.  Brian had ‘hired’ Emmett to be master of ceremonies and to do the catering as well.  It didn’t take much convincing, Emmett was overjoyed to do it.

“Consider it done,” Ted said as he backed out of Brian’s office.

Brian sighed as he stared out over the crowded dance floor; the last song ended and the lights were turned up.  As Emmett stood on one of the platforms and began to announce the contest, Brian took a deep breath and steeled his spine.

“It’s showtime,” Brian growled to himself then left his office to attend his kingdom.

 

*****

 

“It’s going well,” Ted whispered into Brian’s ear.  Brian nodded.  He and the other judges were sitting at the dais watching the parade of costumed men and women.  With Emmett’s running comments and sharp repartee, he had the clubbers and the judges laughing.  Even Brian Kinney couldn’t help cracking a smile.  “Too bad Justin is missing this,” Ted commented.

“Yeah,” was all that Brian said.

Just before it was time to announce the winner and runners up, Brian stood to thank the guest judges and his patrons of Babylon.  Cheers were deafening when Brian sincerely expressed his pride in his community and announced that a large portion of the proceeds from the Halloween weekend would go the GLC, the Vic Grassi House and other similar endeavors. 

As the winner stepped forward and Brian stood holding a bling encrusted crown, hushed whispers swept throughout the crowd.  Brian turned.  Looking regal, in spite of his stature, the true King of Babylon came forward in costume replete with an impressive codpiece.  Brian smiled. His eyebrow arched; the smile became a smirk as Brian spied the codpiece, planning all sorts of ways around it and under it.

“My liege,” Brian said, quickly recovering his wits and getting back to the task at hand as he knelt before his king, holding up the crown.

“My prince,” came the response followed by a full watt sunshine smile.  The king took the crown then proceeded to anoint the winner of the contest.

 

*****

 

“He missed you last night,” Ted murmured into Justin’s ear when they had a private moment in Brian’s office, while Brian was thanking the judges and seeing each one to their cars.

“I know but the addition of one of my paintings in the Boston show was a last minute surprise.  I had to be there at least for the first night,” Justin explained.  Ted nodded with understanding.  “I’ll be here with him tomorrow.  Little kids make him testy.”  Justin and Ted chuckled.

“Other than his own, you mean,” Ted remarked.

“Yes, but Gus isn’t so little anymore.  He’ll be here too.”

“Good,” Ted said.  “Hey Boss,” Ted greeted Brian as he strolled into the office.  “All the celebs taken care of?” Ted asked his boss, already knowing the answer and seeing the familiar leer on Brian’s face.

“Yes,” came the succinct response as Brian stood in front of his king, gazing into the deep blue eyes. 

“Uh okay, then I’ll leave you two to, um...” Ted sputtered, getting no acknowledgment from either man who only had eyes for each other.  Ted smiled as he backed out of the office.  “Good night, guys,” Ted said as a parting remark that neither man heard.

Brian swept his King up into his arms for a searing kiss that left both men gasping for air.

“Home,” Justin said in a breathless command against Brian’s lips. 

“My liege,” Brian whispered back, punctuated by another kiss.

Then the lord of Babylon took his King home.

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