AQUILONIUS
Justin’s car pulled up in front of a large rundown building along
the
Satisfied he was in the correct spot, he parked the car and got out. He slowly made his way to the only visible door, hoping that his new shoes wouldn’t end up in one of the many mud puddles that lined his path.
Just as he was about to knock on the door it slid open, a burley man, in denim pants and a white tank top looked down at him. From the appearance and aroma coming from the man, he hadn’t bathed in days. “What the hell do you want pipsqueak?” He bellowed.
Justin used all the reserves he could muster to keep himself steady,
“I’m Justin Taylor, from the Quoin in
“Oh, from Canadia, huh?”
“
“Wherever the fuck, doesn’t matter. The boss told me to give ya the grand tour so follow me and don’t touch nuttin.”
“Right,” Justin mumbled as he looked over the dirty office he’d been ushered into.
“So how is business in Monkville?”
“
The smelly man finally seemed to notice Justin’s appearance for the first time, starting at the blond’s feet he worked his eye’s up. “Little young ain’t ya?”
“No,” Justin said indignantly. “I’m nineteen. Now, shall we stop wasting time and get on with the tour?”
Stinky seemed to consider it for a minute before shrugging, “Follow me.”
As Stinky gave the guided tour Justin tried to remain expressionless, truth be told he was stunned at the filth that was the Quoin Pittsburgh. The facilities were old and run down, many of the men looked like they were on deaths door, either from being physically harmed or malnutrition.
“And finally,” Stinky’s voice refocused Justin’s attention, “we have the discipline room.”
“Di… discipline room?” Justin asked with an audible gulp.
Not hiding his enjoyment at the young man’s displeasure Stinky let loose a belly laugh, “Yeah, discipline.”
“Wh… Why do you need this?”
“Not all the boy’s are well behaved. So, we use this room to break them.”
Justin wanted to run out of the room, the building, and the city more than breathing, but he was drawn inside. His eyes followed the far wall, lined with cages just large enough for a person. His blue eyes stopped on one cage that wasn’t empty. He could see the outline of a naked man within the bars. Justin inched closer and knelt, looking at the incarcerated man, who appeared to be barely breathing and by the looks hadn’t eaten a meal in a long while. Justin focused his eyes up at Stinky, “Why is he in here?”
“That one?” Justin nodded. “He’s gotten to be more trouble than he’s worth. Boss wanted him in here for a while.”
“But… he doesn’t look well. Maybe we should get him some help?”
Stinky laughed thinking the blond was joking.
Justin stood and turned to the man, “Let him out.”
“What?”
“Let him out of there,” Justin slowly repeated.
“Uh… look, you got your tour, maybe you should just get on outta here.”
“Look asshole, I’m nineteen but I know how this business works,” Justin reached behind his back and started to pull something out of his back pocket.
Stinky grew alarmed and raised his hands, “Whoa now… no need to get upset, I’ll…”
“How much?” Justin asked as he whipped out his checkbook.
Stinky chuckled slightly, letting loose the breath that he had been unknowingly holding. “Look kid, he’s not worth anything, why don’t you just get on outta here, huh?”
“How much?” Justin asked again.
Stinky looked at the cage and back to Justin, he scrubbed his palms over his face and took a deep breath, “Uh… I don’t know… 200.”
Justin was almost stunned speechless, “dollars? American dollars? I don’t have $200,000.”
“Well, then you might as well get going.”
“No, wait a minute.” Justin flipped through his checkbook and silently cursed himself for only bringing his personal one, not the company book. “Uh… I can give you $17,611 and 12 cents.”
Stinky stared blankly at Justin for a few moments before bursting into laughter, “Oh,” he wiped his eyes, “kid, you should go on the road, you’re damn funny.”
Justin took a lunging step forward, stood on his tippey toes, and glared into the fat man’s eyes, “Look asshole, I’m going to write you a check for $17,611 and 12 cents, you’re going to take it, thank me, and then help me load that man,” Justin pointed towards the cage, “into my car or I’ll call the cops and have them busting down your doors before you can blink.”
“Uh, okay, okay, let’s be rationale here. Mr. Fielding would get pretty pissed at me if I sold him for that.”
Justin took a deep breath and looked at the cage, “Mr. Fielding had no intention of ever letting that man out, did he?” Justin refocused his gaze on Stinky.
“Nnn…No, no… well, he’d pretty much used up the last of the goodwill around this place.”
Justin’s jaw clenched, he couldn’t believe that one human being could be so cruel towards another, “Fine, tell Mr. Fielding that he died, and pocket the money yourself. It’ll be our little secret,” Justin motioned his index finger back and forth between them, “just yours and mine.”
Stinky contemplated for a moment, “Yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, you got yourself a deal kid.”
Justin wrote the check, and helped Stinky drag the man into the backseat of his car. Justin wrapped the naked man in a blanket before fastening the seat belt around him.
~~~~~
“Gah!” Brian shouted as he sat upright; as soon as he did he regretted it, his head was pounding and he felt as though he were a human ice cube.
“It’s okay,” Justin said as he got up from the desk and moved over towards the bed.
Brian saw the approach and shuffled back against the headboard, “Who… who are you?”
Justin smiled gently, “Justin, Justin Taylor. It’s funny, we’ve been together for a week now and I don’t even know your name.”
“A week?” Brian asked in confusion.
Justin nodded, “Yeah, you’ve been pretty much out of it the whole time though. I’m glad to see you’ve finally decided to rejoin the living.”
Brian stared at the blond. It must be a dream; it had to be a dream. He slowly moved his head around, to take in his surroundings. “Where am I?”
“We’re in
“Why? How’d I get here?”
“Well,” Justin paused, “I was in
“You bought me, didn’t you?” Brian finished for him.
“Well… yeah I guess.” Justin mumbled. The fact that slavery was something he’d read about in his history books was bad enough, but the idea that there was still a modern day slave trade made him want to vomit.
“Is this your home?” Brian asked as he readjusted himself against the headboard.
“This shit hole?” Justin couldn’t help the laugh that escaped as he looked around the room, “no, it isn’t. It’s just a hotel.”
The two sat in uncomfortable silence for a while before Justin spoke, “Well, I wanted you comatose before we crossed the border, I don’t think I could have explained an unconscious naked man to the border guards.”
Brian smiled slightly, though there was no joy or humor in his action, it was simply the emotion that was expected of him and he obliged.
“Are you hungry?”
Brian nodded, “Yes, it’s been a while.”
“I know, I couldn’t believe those assholes left you in that cage, it must have been a while since you ate?”
“Yeah,” Brian admitted. Truth be told he couldn’t recall the last time he had eaten.
Justin made his way over to a small wet bar near the television. “I uh, I’ve been sorta pouring these energy drinks into you during some of your more lucid moments,” Justin paused and looked back at the bed, “I bet you’re ready for something more solid now?”
Brian nodded, tossed the sheet that had been covering him off and tried to stand. He quickly fell back onto the bed. Justin hurriedly approached the bed and used his hands to steady Brian’s shoulders. “Maybe you should take it easy, huh? I’ll order room service.”
“Okay.”
Justin ordered the food, asking Brian yes or no to a variety of menu items. Brian watched the man’s movements with curiosity and trepidation. Not knowing what to expect from his new life.
Justin put the phone down and focused on Brian, “so, care to share your name with me?”
“Brian.”
“Brian?”
“Yeah.”
“I like that, it suits you.”
Brian didn’t respond.
“Uh, oh, the food’ll take about an hour. Want a shower?”
“Yes please.”
“Okay, here,” Justin held out his arms, offering support, “Let me help you up.”
Brian was a little surprised that the man was offering, but he was in no condition to argue or refuse. Justin was surprisingly strong for his size; wedging himself under Brian’s left arm he helped the man into the bathroom, and into the tub. Brian sat on the cold porcelain and began to shiver, as Justin made use of the water controls and turned the spray on as hot as he dared. The shower head sputtered for several seconds before beginning to rain down onto the seated Brian.
“I’ll be in the other room if you need me,” Justin said as he turned away.
“Thank you,” Brian said quietly just before Justin left the small bathroom.
~~~~~
A half hour later a refreshed Brian emerged from the bathroom, clad in a flannel robe that the hotel provided.
“Feeling better?” Justin asked as he smiled up from the newspaper he had been reading.
Brian nodded, “Yeah.”
“Have a seat, food should be here soon.”
Brian quickly moved to the hotel room’s couch and planted himself
on it. Justin watched the man, trying to figure out how much damage had been
done by his captors. “So, how long have you been at the Quoin in
“I’m not sure to be honest, about five years I suppose.”
“Have you always worked there?”
“No,” Brian said carefully. He wasn’t comfortable sharing his life with people; it often gave them a better opening for hurting him.
“What else have you done?”
“I went to college.”
“Really?” Justin asked with surprise.
“Yes.”
“What did you study?”
“Advertising.”
“Didn’t you like advertising?”
“I liked it fine.”
Justin sighed quietly. The man wasn’t making conversation easy. “So, why did you quit?”
“It wasn’t my choice.”
“You were fired?”
“Laid off, not that there was much of a difference at the time.”
“What happened?”
“The company went bust, belly up, and laid everyone off.”
“And that’s how you got started at the Quoin?”
“No.”
Justin sighed again, “Look, Brian, I’m not trying to pry or anything, I just thought maybe we could get to know each other.”
Brian eyed the blond suspiciously, “You don’t need to know someone to fuck them.”
“What?” Justin shook his head, “Is that why you think you’re here? Some fucking play toy?”
Brian nodded.
Justin chuckled lightly, but not from humor. He was beginning to understand just what Brian must have been dealing with the past few years. “Brian, that’s not why I got you out of there… I’m opening a Quoin and needed…”
“Fresh meat?”
Justin’s mouth remained open in silence for several seconds, “Is that what you think? That I bought you,” Justin scoffed, “look, I did buy you yes, and I wanted to get you the hell out of that fucking cage that you were in, you were laying in your own god damn filth!”
Brian looked at the floor and didn’t respond.
“Brian, look at me.” Justin demanded.
Brian complied.
“You’re free. You can get up of that couch and march out of the god damn door if you want. I don’t own people. I won’t own people.”
Brian’s eyes widened, “Free?”
“Yes.”
“But… but… I…” Brian trailed off; he sure as hell hadn’t expected to hear those words from the man he was looking at.
“Brian,” Justin sat on the couch next to Brian, facing the older man. “I saw you in that cage, in a fucking cage, and I couldn’t stand the thought of someone being treated that way. I didn’t buy you for a fuck buddy, or for a servant, or a… a…. well anything else!”
“So,” Brian looked Justin in the eyes, “if I get up right now, and leave here, you won’t send anyone after me.”
“No.”
At that moment there was a knock on the door. Justin got up and ushered the delivery man inside, helping put the food on the table before tipping the man and dismissing him.
“Come on, let’s eat.” Justin said as he began to unpack the bags of food.
The two men ate slowly and quietly, stealing the occasional glance at the other.
“So, what’s your story?” Brian asked quietly as he finished the last of his bottled iced tea.
“Me? Nothing special.”
“No?” Brian pushed.
“Nah, not really. Both parents are very
successful business people in
“What are you studying?”
“Double majoring in business and art.”
“Interesting combination,” Brian stated.
“Yeah, I guess so. The art is more for me, but I wanted to have something to fallback on, hence business.”
Brian nodded.
“So, wanna tell me why you’re not a hotshot ad exec?”
Brian chuckled lightly which earned him a smile from Justin, “Well, after being laid off, I sort of developed a… bit of a drug… habit.”
“Ah.”
“And one thing led to another; before I knew it I was selling myself to support the drug addiction.”
“That’s how you ended up at the Quoin?”
“Partially… I got into a lot of debt with my dealer; he finally decided it was payback time. He delivered me to Mr. Fielding in exchange for cash.”
“I’m sorry,” Justin said sadly.
“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. It was mine. I was an idiot and I paid for it.”
“So,” Justin asked as he wiped his mouth on the corner of a napkin, “what’ll you do now?”
Brian looked across the room and thought long and hard for a few minutes, “I honestly don’t know. I guess I never did much in the way of planning. I didn’t think I’d last as long as I have.”
“You’re welcome to come home with me. You’ll have a roof over your head, hot meals.”
Brian looked at the blond, “I’ll pay you back whatever you paid to get me out of there.”
Justin shook his head, “don’t worry about it.”
Brian became slightly defensive, “I will worry about it and I’ll pay you back. I’m not a charity case.”
Justin held up his hands in surrender, “Fine, no argument from me. But my offer still stands; you’re welcome to come with me.”
“I need to look for work.” Brian said absent mindedly as though he hadn’t heard Justin’s last comments.
Justin thought for a second, “You said you were in advertising, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Any good at it?”
“Third in my class.”
“Really? Well, maybe I have a better proposition for you.”
Brian arched his right eyebrow slightly, “I’m listening.”
“Well, like I said, I’m getting into the business, and frankly I have no clue how to run a whorehouse.”
“So why get into it then?”
“Well, it’s kinda complicated. My uncle was starting the business, he died, left me the estate. I guess seeing that opening a new Quoin was one of his last hopes, I want to help him accomplish that.”
Brian nodded. The longer they talked the more he began to understand and like the blond. Yes, the man was naïve, but that was part of his charm.
“Anyhow,” Justin said, “I’m going to need a business manager, someone who has some idea about the sorts of things that go on in a whorehouse.”
Brian laughed, “Well, it isn’t that complicated you know.”
Justin averted his gaze and blushed, “No, I don’t really know.”
“Are you gay?” Brian asked.
Justin’s jaw dropped, “I uh… well… you know…”
“It’s okay, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked, it isn’t my business.”
“Oh, no, it’s okay Brian; I just… never thought about it a whole lot. I’ve always been attracted to boys over girls, but I’ve been too busy to really, you know…”
“You’re a virgin?” Brian asked in disbelief.
Justin groaned, “Yeah.”
“It’s okay you know.”
“I’m nineteen.” Justin said as if that explained everything.
“Doesn’t matter, it’s still okay. I wish I had the opportunity to share something like that with someone I loved instead of getting bent over a garbage can in a back alley.”
Justin winced slightly, “that was your first time?”
“Yeah, mean old prick he was too.”
“I’m sorry.”
Brian gave Justin a reassuring smile, “Didn’t someone once say that sorry is bullshit?”
Justin laughed, “Maybe, doesn’t sound like a very nice person that would say that though.”
“True,” Brian conceded.
“So, if you want the job,” Justin said, “It’s yours.”
It was Brian’s turn to blush this time, “Uh… introducing you to manhood?”
Justin’s face twisted into a horrified expression, “No! The job at the Quoin.”
Brian chuckled, “Sorry, just trying to relieve the tension in the air.”
“Right,” Justin said. For the first time he noticed just how attractive Brian was, even though he was a bit too thin. “So?”
“I’ll take it, on a few conditions.” Brian said as he became all business.
Justin was enthralled by the change of attitude in the man, “Ok.”
“First, no discipline room, second only those who want to work there do, no buying or selling the guys.”
Justin had honestly never considered doing any of those things to begin with so had no problem in agreeing, “Fine.”
“Fine?”
“Yes. Brian, I’m not like the people you worked for in
Brian’s eyes narrowed as he stared deeply into the blue ones across from him. He was certain if he looked hard enough he’d find lies or deception hidden within the blue pools, but he didn’t. He saw… honesty. “Ok, we have a deal then.” Brian said as he held out his hand.
Justin let loose a wide smile and took the offered hand, “Deal!”
~~~~~
Justin pulled the car up in front of a huge Victorian mansion, settled on a slight hill. Brian got out of the car and looked around, taking in the wide open fields and scattered trees.
“We… uh… we’re on the edge of the city. We’ve got plenty of room to roam out here.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
“Come on,” Justin said as he pulled his suitcase out of the trunk.
Brian followed the blonde up a wide set of stone stairs. As they approached a set of double doors, they opened inward revealing an older pair, a man and a woman.
“Brian, this is Matilda and Jenkins. Matilda and Jenkins, may I present Brian.” Justin said as Brian shook hands with the old couple. “They’re the caretakers Justin clarified.
“Nice to meet you both,” Brian smiled.
“Come on, we’ll get you settled in.” Justin said.
“Wow, this place is enormous,” Brian said as they made their way down a long hall.
“Yeah, too big for my tastes, but it’s been in the family for over two hundred years… my uncle didn’t have any kids to pass it along to. I guess I was the closest person to him.”
“I see,” Brian said as he stared at a wall of tapestries.
“The uh, turret, is where I keep my apartment. I planned on the rest of the house being converted into the Quoin. Places for play, places for the guys to live if they choose, a small boutique hotel, a restraint, that sort of thing.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Brian said.
“Uh, the turret has five floors; I’m on the top two. If you don’t mind you can have the floor below my living area?”
“I’m sure that’d be fine.” Brian said as they began to ascend a spiral stone staircase.
After a few minutes of climbing, Justin stopped on a landing and opened a thick wooden door. Inside was a large circular room. The curved wall on the opposite side of the door was covered by a row of windows. Justin walked in and gestured for Brian to follow him, “Here you are.”
“Wow, Justin, this is… amazing.”
“Yeah, it isn’t bad.”
Brian chuckled at the comment as he walked around the room. There was a large bathroom with shower and sunken tub, a Murphy bed, several tall dressers, and a small closet.
“Uh… here,” Justin said as he approached the closet, “There is actually a passage in here, that goes up to my floor.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, to make it easier for the master of the house to have his… fun… I can have it sealed if you aren’t comfortable with it being there.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Ok. Uh… well,” Justin held his hands up, “this is yours. Decorate it as you see fit, I’ll make sure that Matilda and Jenkins know you have free reign and whatever budget you need.”
Brian was surprised at Justin’s generosity, “Uh… thanks. Really, thank you.”
“No problem,” Justin smiled. “Get settled in, we’ll get started tomorrow.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
~~~~~
“Good morning, Brian.” Justin smiled as the auburn haired man stumbled into the kitchen.
“Would you like some coffee Mr. Brian?” Matilda asked.
“Just Brian, and yes, coffee would be fantastic.”
Matilda gave the man a smile and slid him a cup of coffee.
“So, what’s on our plate today?” Brian asked Justin.
Justin closed the newspaper and tossed it aside, “Well, I thought we’d go into town and get you some clothes. Not that I mind you wearing mine, but they are a little tight on you.”
Brian wiggled slightly, “Yeah, they are a bit tight.”
Justin laughed, “Yeah, go get cleaned up, when you’re ready let me know.”
“Right.”
Forty five minutes later Brian came back downstairs, “I’m all set.”
Justin looked the man up and down, appreciating the tight clinging khakis that he had on. “Great, let’s get going.”
~~~~~
Brian and Justin trudged into the mansion and up the staircase, to Brian’s room. They dropped the dozen shopping bags on the floor. Both men were exhausted after the nearly nine hour shopping trip. Justin was impressed with the taste that Brian had in clothes.
“Thanks.”
Justin looked over to see Brian sprawled across his bed. “No problem.”
“I’ll pay you back.”
“I know you will, Brian. Whenever you can, there isn’t a rush.”
Brian nodded.
Justin stifled a yawn, “I’m heading to bed.”
“Me too. Later.”
~~~~~
“And here are the offices,” Justin said as they walked into another portion of the immense house.
“This place is amazing,” Brian said in awe.
“You can take your pick of offices, Brian. I’m down there at the end.”
Brian walked down the hall looking into the various offices; he finally arrived at one next to Justin’s. He looked in and knew immediately that this was the one he wanted. It was the smallest, but the walls were in dark blue with small silver diamonds. Thick Romanesque molding encircled the room at the floor and ceiling. There was a single plain chandelier hanging in the middle of the office. “This one,” Brian said.
“This one?” Justin asked in surprise.
“Yeah, it’s perfect.”
“It’s kind of small for the manager of the establishment.”
“It’ll be fine, I don’t need anything flashy.”
Justin smiled, Brian was amazing. Yes, he could dress to impress but he wasn’t pretentious. An office slightly larger than a closet would work for him. Justin also appreciated the fact that Brian would be next door to him.
~~~~~
Five weeks later renovations of the Quoin had been completed. Brian oversaw the hiring of the entire staff, to Justin’s amazement. The auburn haired man seemed to have a natural head for business.
Justin sat in his office looking over the new employee records. Over one hundred people had been hired to keep the Quoin running. Including thirty five “boys” for entertainment and pleasure; Brian had hired a variety of different looking men, ensuring the business would be able to please even the pickiest of clients.
Justin looked up when he heard a knock on his door, “Hey Brian, come on in.”
“I was just finishing up for the night.”
“Have a seat,” Justin said as he motioned towards one of the chairs across from his desk.
“What’s up?” Brian asked as he took a seat.
“I uh… just wanted you to know how truly impressed I am with what you’ve done so far.”
Brian blushed, “It’s not that big a deal.”
“I think it is Brian, I mean… I’ll be honest, I underestimated your abilities. You’ve done amazing work. In a little over a month, you’ve almost single handedly built this business.”
“Justin,” Brian took a breath, “I really think you’ve overstated what I’ve done.”
“Maybe,” Justin smiled, though he didn’t believe that for an instant.
“Anything else?” Brian asked as he got up.
“Nope, have a good night.”
Justin watched Brian as he walked down the hall, admiring the man’s form.
~~~~~
The first month of operations had been a resounding success. The Moncton Quoin even got a fabulous write up in Tricks Monthly; the monthly magazine for their line of work. Justin was under no delusions; he owed the success to Brian.
One late evening while both men were still in their offices, Brian’s desk intercom buzzed. “What?”
“Uh, Mr. Kinney, it’s
“On my way,” Brian said as he leapt to his feet, exited his office and ran down the hall.
Justin had noticed his friend’s sudden departure, the hurried manner totally uncharacteristic, so he was curious. Justin got up and slowly followed the auburn haired man down the hall.
Brian arrived at the reception area of the Quoin and immediately scanned the room. He saw an older man well dressed in a sleek gray suit, with a young man, one of the “working boys” on the floor in front of him. The man had the boy’s hair in one hand and was slapping him viciously with the other.
“Hey!” Brian shouted as he moved to intercept.
The businessman barely glanced up, “Mind your own fucking business. I paid, I’m getting to get what I want, and this little cocksucker is going to help me.”
The man raised his hand to strike the young man again but this time was stopped by Brian. Brian’s hand clenched the man’s wrist in mid flight and held on tightly. “You won’t hurt him anymore asshole.” Brian spat through gritted teeth.
The businessman chuckled, “Do you have any idea who I am?”
“Yeah, as a matter of fact I do. A fucking prick you gets his jollies by hurting people.”
The man glared at Brian, “I’m Webster Montgomery Riddell the fourth, I own QuontoSec Telecommunications.”
Brian squeezed the man’s wrist harder, “I don’t give a fuck. Now, let go of the boy.”
Riddell took a deep breath, “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll leave. Now!”
Brian had had enough; his free hand gripped the man’s throat in a lightening fast move. Feeling his windpipe in a vice like grip, Riddell’s hands both gripped Brian’s and tried in vain to pull them away from his throat. This gave the young man who had been the brunt of Riddell’s earlier fury time to escape.
“Now, I’ll give you one more chance,” Brian said. “Are you going to leave or am I going to help you?”
“I paid good money fo…”
Brian cut him off, “Wrong answer.” Brian looked to
Brian’s left hand grabbed a hold of Riddell’s belt. His right hand held onto the man’s neck. Without any further word, Brian half lifted the businessman and dragged him to the front entry, through the doors, and gave him a not so gentle toss down the stone stairs. “You’re not welcome back.”
Riddell pulled himself off the ground and brushed himself off. He glared at Brian and held up a finger, “You’re going to regret this. No one treats me this way.”
Brian smiled, turned his back on the man and went inside.
Justin had witnessed the entire event from the seclusion of the hall that led to the offices. When he saw Brian come back inside he slowly approached the man, but Brian held up a hand indicating that he should stay away. Justin complied.
“
“Yes, Mr. Kinney.”
Brian next focused on the wide eyed and frightened black haired youth that had taken the brunt of Riddell’s anger. “Scotty, right?” Brian asked as he moved closer, but kept enough distance as not to make the man any more nervous.
The youth looked up at Brian and nodded, “Ye… Yeah.”
“Are you okay?”
“I think so,” Scotty said as he pulled himself up to his full height.
Brian took another step closer, “Go on up to your room and get some rest, you have the next week off with pay. I’ll call for the doctor and see if he can come check on you tonight.”
“Uh… that isn’t really…”
“Don’t argue.” Brian said, ending the discussion.
“Yes, sir.” Scotty said as he headed upstairs.
“Mr. Kinney?”
Brian turned to look at her, “Yeah?”
“I have an appointment at one tomorrow for the security company to come out.”
“Okay, good.” With the Brian headed towards the private section of the building and towards his apartment.
Justin remained behind and stared at Brian’s departing back.
~~~~~
A few hours later, Justin stood outside Brian’s bedroom and gently knocked on the door. There was no response. Waiting a few moments he knocked again to no avail. Letting out a sigh he decided to open the door, he reached forward and turned the handle, it was locked.
Justin didn’t want to invade Brian’s privacy but he wanted to make sure the man was alright. The look that Justin saw in Brian’s eyes earlier that evening reminded him of the look he saw the first time he had met him. The look of such sadness and emptiness was tugging on Justin’s heart and he just wanted to help the man overcome it.
Justin made his decision. He ascended the stairs to his room and used the hidden passage to go down into Brian’s bedroom. He exited the closet and quietly spoke, “Brian?”
There was no response.
Justin inched out of the closet and into the room. He heard soft sobbing coming from the bed. “Brian? It’s Justin, are you okay?”
“Go away.”
“Are you alright?” Justin asked.
Hearing no further protest, Justin moved to the bed and sat on the edge. He tentatively placed a hand on Brian’s shoulder. The man moved closer to it, relishing the touch.
Brian’s sobs quieted as he focused on Justin’s hand as it gently patted his shoulder. Brian rolled on his side so he could face the blond.
“Want to tell me about it?” Justin asked.
“Why do people act like that?”
“I don’t know.”
“What gave that fuck the right to hurt the kid?”
“It wasn’t his right.” Justin reassured.
“People can be such assholes,” Brian said has he stifled a small sob.
“Shhh, it’s okay, we won’t let anyone hurt any of the guys like that again.” Justin promised quietly. He started to get off the bed, “I’ll leave you so you can rest.”
“No! Please, stay here with me tonight.” Brian asked, sounding like a small child.
“Okay,” Justin said as he toed off his shoes and climbed on
the bed, lying next to Brian. He gently stroked the older man’s hair.
“Did similar things happen to you in
Brian let out a chuckle but there was no humor in it, “Yeah.”
“Tell me?” Justin gently asked.
“Are you sure?” Brian asked as he stared into Justin’s blue eyes.
“Tell me.”
“Okay.” Brian spent the next hour telling Justin about his
life in
Justin’s teary eyes never left Brian’s as he silently listened
to the man’s account of his life in
~~~~~
Brian awoke to find a pair of blue eyes staring at him. “Good morning,” he mumbled softly.
“Good morning,” Justin replied with a smile and a gentle kiss to Brian’s nose.
“I’m… I’m sorry about last night. I don’t usually get that gushy.”
Justin laughed slightly, “I’m glad you did. We’ve been working together for a few months. It’s about time we got to know one another a little bit better.” Justin let his fingers glide up Brian’s sheet covered thigh.
Brian’s hazel eyes watched the blond’s lithe fingers for a moment before returning his eyes to Justin’s own. “What are you doing?”
“I told you, I want to get to know you better.”
“I… I don’t do boyfriends.”
“Oh, really?” Justin asked as his fingers continued their journey over Brian’s body, not stopping in any one place for to long.
“Well, I’ve never had a boyfriend.”
“Neither have I. Something else we share in common.”
“Look, Justin… I appreciate what you did for me last night, I really do. But I don’t think we should get involved.”
“Why?” Justin asked.
“You’re my boss, it wouldn’t be seemly.”
“Wouldn’t be seemly?” Justin asked half mockingly.
“Well… yeah.”
“Brian,” Justin chuckled, “welcome to the twenty first century, few things are seemly.”
Brian laughed too, “Yeah, that’s true. But still, maybe…”
Justin’s fingers went to Brian’s lips and silenced the taller man. “Are you going to keep coming up with excuses or are you going to give me a chance? I know you’re worried about being hurt,” Brian started to protest but Justin silenced him. “I know you are. Don’t deny it. But that’s okay, I’m afraid of being hurt too.”
“So… what… we’ll just have to not hurt each other?” Brian asked coyly.
Justin laughed and stole a quick kiss from Brian, “Now you’re getting the idea.”
Brian looked longingly into Justin’s eyes; he started to speak but caught himself. When Justin was sure Brian was about to declare his undying love, the older man leaned forward, pressed his lips against Justin’s ear and whispered, “I’m… starving!”
Justin jumped back and gently struck the man on the arm, “Asshole!”
Brian laughed, knowing there was no malice in the blond’s outburst, “I’ll always be honest with you Justin… and… I’m hungry.”
Justin couldn’t help the giant grin that spread across his face, “Me too, come on.”
~~~~~
Over the next several weeks the two men grew closer, spending most of their free time together. Matilda gushed over them, thinking they made an adorable couple, and Jenkins couldn’t help but agree.
The boys made their way down to the kitchen hand in hand, upon seeing them Matilda smiled, “Good morning Double Trouble.”
Brian and Justin both grinned like school kids at the nickname that had spread quickly around the Quoin. Apparently much of the staff thought that the two men were spending more time engaging in extracurricular activities and not running the business. The truth however, was that Brian and Justin hadn’t yet spent the night together. They’d both decided that a slow approach was the best answer to their new found relationship.
“So, what are you boys up to today?” Matilda asked as she placed a cup of coffee before each of them.
“We’re going to spend the day in town,” Justin said as he took a sip of the black nectar.
“Oh, a date huh?”
Brian and Justin turned to look at each other and giggled at the same time, “yeah!”
~~~~~
Later that evening after enjoying the day out together: lunch, two movies, dinner, and dancing; the men made their way back to the Quoin.
“That was a perfect day,” Brian sighed.
“Yeah it was,” Justin agreed. “You know,” he paused; “I was thinking, maybe we are ready… for… you know…” he trailed off.
Brian wrapped his arms around Justin’s shoulders and looked down at the man, “are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m nineteen. I’m more than ready… and… I want you to be my first.”
Brian arched a brow and pressed his lips to Justin’s. Brian pulled back several moments later to allow them each a needed breath before gently grabbing Justin by the belt and pulling him up the stairs.
They arrived in Brian’s room and unceremoniously stripped the clothing off one another. Once naked they stood a few feet apart taking in the other’s body. Their combined patience soon ended as they embraced, Justin claimed Brian’s lips as his own, and pushed his tongue in to playfully fence with Brian’s.
Without breaking their hold they moved towards the bed. Brian slowly pushed his Justin down onto the duvet; he remained standing, wanting to take in the shape and form of Justin’s body.
Both were extremely excited and anxious, cocks stood at full attention, but they didn’t want to rush it. Justin slid further up onto the bed making room for Brian to join him. Brian crawled after him, slowly, seductively, like a cat stalking his prey. They finally met and kissed passionately as Brian moved his hands through Justin’s hair.
Justin reached his hands down to Brian’s ass and massaged it. Brian shuddered at the feeling. Justin’s cock was pushing hard into Brian’s stomach, Brian let go of the other man’s lips and started to lick his neck, slowly.
“Uhhhhhhh….” Justin moaned.
“Like that do you?” Brian teased.
He worked his way down further to each nipple, giving each a tender kiss. Continuing down his tongue lapped at Justin’s stomach, into his belly button making the teen giggle with delight.
Brian’s face stopped in front of Justin’s cock, he blew air softly along the shaft, over the head, but being careful not to come in contact with it. He continued down, licking his balls, lightly tossing them around with his tongue.
“Ggggggggooooood…” Justin groaned.
Slowly Brian accepted each of the balls into his warm mouth, salivating over their taste; the scent of the blond intoxicated him.
“Briiiiaaaan…” Justin moaned.
Brian slowed for an instant to make sure everything was all right; he decided that it was when he saw Justin’s head thrashing back and forth with a big smile.
Brian lifted Justin’s legs up slightly so that he could see his lover’s hole. It almost seemed to wink at him, inviting him in. He blew air across the tightly closed opening, eliciting moans of pleasure from Justin. Slowly he used his tongue and made sweeping motions around the opening.
“Please…now…” Justin groaned, unable to wait any longer for the experience.
“Okay.” Brian smiled; he reached to the nightstand, opened the drawer and retrieved a condom and bottle of lube. “Good thing I went shopping,” Brian chided as he waved the supplies in front of Justin’s lust filled face.
“Fuck you!” Justin giggled.
“Patience,” Brian teased.
Brian ripped open the condom and slid it on; he spread lube over his cock and rubbed it in his hands to warm it. He slowly worked a finger around Justin’s opening, slipping in just a bit; he was rewarded with another moan. Comfortable that the single finger was no longer a problem Brian inserted a second, and slowly worked them inside Justin to loosen the man for what was to come.
“Brian…” Justin moaned.
Brian positioned himself between the teen, lifting Justin’s legs up over his shoulders, he positioned the tip of his cock at Justin’s opening and waited a moment. Justin made eye contact and nodded for him to continue.
Brian pushed ever so slightly, not wanting to hurt the youth; he slid in waiting until the first ring of muscle had loosened enough for him to continue. Once he felt Justin relax he pushed the rest of the way in and was rewarded with gasps of delight.
Their eyes met, they stared at each other for what seemed an eternity. They started to kiss as Brian slid slowly in and out, Justin gently bucking his hips until they had reached a slow but steady rhythm. Both were moaning with pleasure.
When Brian knew that his climax was rapidly approaching he wrapped a hand around Justin’s cock and started to stroke him, matching his own rhythm; letting his thumb tease Justin’s slit, rubbing the blond’s precum over his shaft. The combination of sensations sent Justin over the top, “Briiiiiiiiaaaaan…” Justin screamed as his cocked surged and gushed creamy cum over himself and Brian’s hand.
Brian shuddered as he climaxed, he collapsed onto Justin feeling the warm wet cum that lay on his lover’s chest and stomach. They stayed this way for several minutes before Brian slowly pulled out of Justin.
They were both exhausted, Brian removed the condom and threw it into the trashcan next to the bed, he repositioned himself so that he was lying next to Justin, who just looked over to him and smiled.
“Well? Was it worth the wait?” Brian asked.
“Uh huh,” Justin moaned. “It was… so… incredibly amazing.” Justin said with a slight yawn.
Brian chuckled, “Don’t fall asleep on me yet, we’re just getting started.”
Justin’s eyes widened, “what more is there to do?”
Brian loved the innocence that was such an integral part of the blond, “you can return the favor.”
“Really?” Justin asked excitedly, forgetting about sleep.
“Uh huh… assuming, you want to,” Brian grinned.
Without further comment, Justin jumped up and pounced on Brian’s chest, ravaging the older man’s mouth.
“I’ll… ugh… take…ahhh… that… as… owww… a… yes?” Brian managed.
Justin pulled back so his smile was visible, “hell yeah!”
Justin slid down Brian’s body, stopping long enough at the man’s cock to give it a quick kiss before continuing south. Brian lifted his legs and splayed them out, giving Justin free access. The blond moved his tongue between his lover’s cheeks, circling his hole, slipping his tongue in and out slowly. He moved to kiss Brian’s lower back while running his hands through the older man’s hair.
“Arghhh,” Brian moaned.
Justin paused and looked up, “Did I hurt you?”
Brian laughed at the sincerity of the question, “No, you’re a natural!”
Justin smiled and dove back to the man’s pucker, his tongue gently poking and exploring. He finally decided that his own throbbing cock needed release, so he squirted a little of the lube onto his hands and readied a finger. He placed it near Brian’s opening and pushed ever so slightly. Brian moaned and moved forward a bit. Justin pressed again, a little more forcefully this time, his finger entered Brian, and he allowed Brian to adjust to the intrusion before pushing in more.
“Ohh…” Brian groaned.
Justin smiled, he was happy that he was able to give so much pleasure to his lover. Feeling Brian relax he pushed the finger all the way in, Brian’s sphincter spasmed, tugging on Justin’s finger.
Justin entered a second finger, slowly, being cautious not wanting this to be a bad experience for the man he was quickly growing to love.
“Justin, do it.” Brian commanded with a lust filled voice.
Justin removed his fingers, ripped open a condom and slid it down his cock; he applied a generous amount of lube to his hands and smeared it up and down his shaft, with plenty on the end of his cock. He took a deep breath, “Okay Brian, ready?”
He saw Brian nod his head, Justin placed his hands around Brian’s hips holding him steady, he maneuvered his cock and placed it at Brian’s opening. He pushed, slowly, steadily, and gently.
Brian let out a thunderous moan as Justin continued to enter him, this only helped to encourage Justin and he continued in until his cock was completely engulfed. He stayed there a few moments, allowing Brian to get accustomed to the invasion. He looked down, at his lover, impaled on his cock, he shuddered, “Are you okay Brian?”
“Goooohhh,” Was Brian’s only response.
Justin smiled, and pulled almost all the way out, and then pushed back in slowly, he repeated this over and over.
“Faster.” Ordered Brian.
Justin complied and increased the rate of his thrusts. Justin rolled his head back in absolute pleasure; he couldn’t have imagined it would have been this good. He released one hand from Brian’s hips and began to stroke his partner. Justin started moaning, low guttural noises emitted from deep within. He was close; he increased the rate of his thrusts and timed his strokes of Brian’s cock to coincide.
Justin felt a shudder as warm liquid began pouring down his hand, Brian’s ass clenched tightly as he pumped Justin’s hand. Justin was lost in oblivion as he felt Brian’s ass clamp down on his cock, he climaxed and collapsed onto Brian’s chest.
Justin remained in Brian for a few moments before pulling out. He threw the condom in the trash and curled up in Brian’s arms. They didn’t speak; they slowly kissed before drifting to sleep.
~~~~~
He wasn’t sure what exactly alerted him to the problem. Perhaps the fact that he was coughing or that he could barely breathe, or maybe it was the fact that the room was filled with smoke. Regardless of what set him off, he sat upright and immediately realized what was going on. The building was on fire.
Justin looked down at a sleeping Brian and shoved him roughly to wake him up. Brian jumped into a seated position, “What?” He coughed.
“Brian! Wake up! There’s a fire!” Justin shouted as he scrambled out of the bed and ran to the window. He could see fire trucks approaching in the distance, and down on the lawn he saw several people that he recognized as Quoin staff that lived on premises.
Justin looked to the bed and saw that Brian was climbing out of it. The blond ran to the door and could feel the heat emanating from the other side. They weren’t going to get out that way.
“Brian! Come on!” Justin shouted as he ran towards the closet, and opened the passage doorway to his room. Brian was now fully awake and they ran up the cramped staircase hand in hand.
Once in Justin’s room they went out onto the small veranda that his room had. They were much too high to jump down; they’d surely both be killed by the fall. Luckily some of the employees that were watching the building burn saw them and motioned the fire and rescue officials their way.
Within minutes one of the fire engines had extended a ladder towards them and an official helped them down to the ground. They stood naked staring at the building that they had both poured so much heart and time into as it burned.
Someone wrapped a blanket around them, Brian pulled it tighter making sure they were both covered, but his gaze never left the fire.
~~~~~
The six months since the fire had flown by for Brian and Justin. Though that night had been hard on both of them, it had set into motion a course of events sure to make the rest of their lives happier.
The fire at the Quoin had been ruled arson. The person ultimately responsible, Webster Montgomery Riddell, was sentenced to twenty years in prison. The man had actually been arrogant enough to send a letter all but claiming responsibility for the act. He was still angry over having been kicked out of the establishment and apparently that led to his want of revenge.
“We’ll rebuild.” Justin said as he stared at the carnage of the burned out building. It was the first time that he and Brian had been back to the place since the night of the fire.
“I’d like that.” Brian said as he squeezed Justin’s hand in a show of support.
Justin smiled and looked up at the man who had won his heart. “This time though, as equal partners.”
“In every sense of the word,” Brian agreed as he pulled their hands up so they could both see the rings on their fingers.
End