Life Forward

Part 1

"Justin, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Your work has arrived and let me just say that it's simply marvelous. I'm thrilled to have your paintings adorn our walls. The gallery will be packed."

Smiling, Justin appreciated the kind words being lavished on him, but still, he was a little weary of Leon Thompson, the owner of the prestigious Thompson gallery in New York, where his show was scheduled in just a few days.

He'd heard rumors, and though he was usually one to ignore such things and form his own opinions of people, the gossip amongst the art-world was just too strong.

Leon Thompson was one of those can't do, then *leach*, kind of people. He lacked the luster to produce any salesworthy art of his own and therefore fed off the talent of others, soaking it up, saturating himself off another artist's blood and sweat.

Rumors wove through the art community of missing paintings, mysterious sales, even once or twice unauthorized replicas of certain artists' work had been found with strings tying them back to Leon Thompson.

But still, his gallery was well known and artists clamored to be shown there. The pros far outweighed the cons and having your art at Thompson gallery was always a guaranteed hit. And that's just what Justin was counting on. He wasn't going to worry about the rest.

"So, why don't we get started? If you have any suggestions on where certain pieces should be hung, please let me know."

Justin nodded and followed Leon toward the back where his work had been stored.

**************************************************

"You really think it's gonna be a problem"

"No, I guess not. I just hope I'm out of here in time. Shit, Justin, I can't believe this fucking client. They think that changing their mind a thousand times can't possibly affect the schedule of their campaign. Are they *that* fucking stupid?"

Justin bit his bottom lip. He knew business was business, but he couldn't stand the thought of having to go through five days in New York without Brian. They hadn't been apart that long since they'd first gotten together. He smiled, realizing that that was already six months ago.

"Hey, Brian?" Justin's smile was evident in his words.

"Yes, Sunshine." Brian heard the tone of his partner's voice and knew something was up.

"You *do* know what it'll be next week, don't you?"

Brian decided to play. "Sure."

"You do?" Justin was excited.

"Of course, it'll be time to take the cars in for their oil change. Thanks for reminding me, Justin. Can't lapse on things like that."

"Brian!"

"What?"

"Shit, you, I can't believe…" Justin was pissed.

Brian could feel his lover's pout across the line and lowered his voice to an almost whisper. "Of course I know what next week is. It'll be six months exactly since I so graciously allowed you into my life."

"Ha, graciously. You fucked the brain cells right outta me, and I was oblivious to the fact that you insinuated yourself upon me…rather against my will I might add."

"Right," Brian nodded, even though Justin couldn't see it, he knew the man felt it.

"You did. I was going along fine, and then there you were. All gorgeous and overwhelming, I just couldn't say no."

"Hmm, and you were pretty and…"

"Fuck pretty!" Justin said, annoyed at Brian's description.

"I do. As often as I can," Brian purred.

"Brian," Justin breathed with a warm smile.

Brian closed his eyes, basking in his lover's voice.

**************************************************

"Justin, calm down."

Justin pulled his thumb from between his teeth and tried to smile at his agent, Mark.

"It's just another show. Same as always."

Shaking his head, Justin said, "No, it's not. And I'm not sure if Brian's gonna make it. He was supposed to be here yesterday, but…"

Mark wrapped his arm around Justin's shoulder, pulling him against his side. "He'll try. You know he will."

"I know, it's just…"

"Isn't that *my* duty? To calm the temperamental artist?"

"Brian!" Justin turned, freeing himself from Mark's grasp, throwing himself into his partner's arms. "You're here."

"Of course. Where else would I be?" Not waiting for a response Brian claimed Justin's mouth in a passionate kiss, the room and occupants around them slowly fading away, until…

"Hmph," Mark cleared his throat. "Um, guys, remember where you are?"

Pulling apart, rather breathless, Justin looked around sheepishly. "Shit, I forgot," he mumbled into Brian's chest.

Brian just laughed. He couldn't give a shit that most eyes were on them. He'd been apart from Justin for four days and that was exactly three days, twenty-three hours and fifty-nine minutes too long. His arms tightened around his blushing blond as he dropped a kiss to his temple.

Justin smiled, reaching up on his toes to plant a sound kiss against Brian's lips before pulling back, feeling Brian's arms drop from around his shoulders, one sliding along his waist, still holding him close.

"So, how's it going so far?" Brian asked.

"Great. Seventy-five percent are sold. I'm sure a few more will go tonight. Should hopefully be a sell out, as always."

Justin smiled. Mark really was a great guy. Always so certain of Justin's talent.

Brian nodded. "Any problems?"

Justin tensed.

"Justin?"

"Well, um, not *really*."

Brian pulled his arm free, turning Justin to face him, Mark at Justin's side. "Tell me."

Justin twisted his lips, not sure what to say.

Mark watched his friend's hesitation and answered, "It's fine. Taken care of. Not to worry."

Brian's fixed hazel glare bore into Justin and he broke.

"Okay, we had a little problem. Nothing major. It's alright now."

One brow raised in silence, Brian urged him on.

Justin sighed, twisting his fingers, glancing across the room nervously before looking back at Mark first, then Brian. "We, um, I sort of got a threat letter, but it was…"

"You *what*!?"

Justin looked out at the crowded gallery again, noticing some stares their way and moved closer to Brian. "Keep your voice down. Shit, Brian."

"You *sort of* got a threat letter? What the fuck does that mean *exactly*?"

Hearing the no-bullshit tone of Brian's voice, Justin spilled. "Fine, well, it was the first night here. The gallery was packed and all of a sudden this guy, who I've never seen before, comes up and hands me an envelope. And I was like, okay, but when I looked up to ask him what it was, he was gone."

Brian nodded, eyes intent.

"So, I opened it, the letter, and if was just a typed piece of paper that said 'watch your back', that's it. Just those three words. So I showed it to Leon and he said I'm not the only one who's been harassed, he said…"

"Who the fuck's Leon?"

Justin huffed. "Leon Thompson, owner of the gallery."

Brian nodded, remembering about the rumors he'd been told.

"Anyway, other artists have had the same thing. The same letter. He said it was just some guy that he'd shown several years ago who wasn't all that happy with the way things went. Wants to cause problems for his gallery. Shit like that."

Brian wasn't so sure that was it. After the things Justin had told him about this Leon guy he figured there was probably a lot of backstabbing-bullshit that went along with it. But if Justin was willing to leave it alone, then…

"So like I said, it's all taken care of. Nothing for you to worry about."

"Right," Mark added with a smile.

"Right," Brian added, skeptically.

"Ah, Justin, another piece just sold. How wonderful."

Smiling, Justin said, "Leon, this is my partner, Brian Kinney."

"Leon Thompson," the man offered along with his hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Brian shook his hand, pulling it back with a slight cringe, instantly wanting to wipe it off on something clean.

"You must be very special to have captured such a beautiful little thing like Justin."

Justin grimaced at the mention of the word 'little'.

Brian smiled, falsely. "Of course."

Hearing someone call his name Leon smiled. "Off to please the critics," he offered before disappearing into the crowded room.

"What a slime ball," Brian said.

"Brian, quiet."

"I don't care. Let me just say that I'm certain this letter problem had a lot more to do with Leon's unethical business dealings than with some unhappy artist."

Brian, Justin and Mark's heads turned to watch Leon work several patrons with his boisterous laugh and plastered-on smile and they nodded in simultaneous agreement, each one coming to the conclusion that the Thompson gallery may put a substantial sum of money in your hand, but its owner left a bad taste in your mouth.

**************************************************

"I can't believe what he said. I mean, I'm not little. I'm…I'm…" Justin curled up on his side, pout in full force.

"Compact?"

"Fuck you! Compact…" Justin grumbled.

"Mmm, but I like compact." Brian nudged Justin onto his stomach and lay over him. "Compact's great," he whispered, his chin pressed firmly against Justin's shoulder, his words washing warmly over his face.

Having already prepared himself Brian slipped his hand down, taking hold of his slick, latex covered cock, positioning it at Justin's hole, and pushed.

"Fuck, Brian," Justin groaned, arching back involuntarily, helping Brian slide in.

"You're perfect for me. See how our bodies fit together just right." Always one for actions over words, Brian pressed himself tightly against Justin's back, wrapping his arms and legs along the length of Justin's, totally encasing the smaller body.

"Brian…"

Brian's cock pulsed at the sound of his name rolling off Justin's tongue so velvety smooth and Justin's muscles tightened in reaction, causing both men to moan in synch.

Not wanting any space between them Brian's hips rocked back slightly before pushing in again, hard, angling to meet Justin's prostate head on.

Justin grunted his pleasure and Brian tightened his arms and legs around him, his long fingers grasping Justin's, encasing those too.

"You like this. Being taken. Confined."

Justin nodded just the slightest bit, having no room to do much else, but Brian felt it, along with the whimpered-gasp as his hips moved furiously, pounding harder and harder against Justin's ass.

"Fuck, so tight…so…ahhhh…Justin…you make my cock feel so good" he breathed against his ear.

Another whimper and Justin was falling. All he felt was Brian…covering him…filling him…his ass…his head…everywhere.

Brian winced at the almost painful squeeze on his dick as the body beneath him froze, pulling his own orgasm out of him with lightening speed.

"Fuck!" Brian grunted, slamming into Justin, riding out his contractions, his cock shooting over and over, Justin's ass milking every last drop out of him.

Boneless Justin melted into the mattress, smiling at the press of Brian's body firm on top of him.

"Mmm," Justin rasped.

Kissing the side of his face Brian smiled. "See, compact is good."

Justin huffed out a laugh. "Yeah," he answered softly. "I guess it is."

**************************************************

"I don't wanna go home already. New York was so great."

Brian smiled. "It was." Although they'd only had two days to themselves they'd thoroughly enjoyed it. While leaving the room wasn't big on their list of priorities, they had ventured out a time or two and the sites that New York had to offer were spectacular.

Justin huffed, slipping further down in his seat, listening to the constant hum of the airplane's engine.

"Come on, Sunshine. Don't go all maudlin on me."

Another huff.

"You know what next week is, right?" Brian tried, wanting to bring Justin out of his funk.

"Yeah, it's time to defrost your freezer…" Justin pouted.

"Hey, sarcasm's my gig," Brian gently elbowed Justin's arm.

"Bad me."

"Let's try this again. You know what next week is, right?"

"Yeah." Justin still sounded down.

"And since it's a milestone occasion…"

"Yeah?" he was perking up.

"I thought that we should celebrate."

Justin sat upright, turning toward Brian with a bright smile. "You do?"

Nodding. "Of course."

"What're we gonna do?" Justin asked, excited.

Brian bent forward, brushing his lips across Justin's before pressing their foreheads together, and whispered, "Now if I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise."

"Brian…" Justin whined.

Brian was silent.

Justin sat back and huffed, but this time with a smile on his face.

**************************************************

"They've gotta be what I chose. Don't go improvising on me."

"Of course, Brian. I wouldn't dream of letting the princess have anything but what you personally picked out."

Brian nodded, appreciative of Emmett's help.

"And you can't let on that you know anything," Brian warned.

"Understood."

"And…"

"Brian, I get it. The flowers you want, the meal you want, the whole entire package you want. Get it."

Sitting back in his chair Brian let out the breath he'd been holding in anticipation. He'd never done this kinda thing before…ever. Everything was new to him and he couldn't have been happier, getting to experience all his firsts with Justin.

He smiled, remembering the major 'first' that Justin had experienced with him.

"Brian?"

"Huh?" For a moment Brian forgot that he wasn't alone.

"Anything else?"

"Um, no, I think that's it. So you'll be gone by seven, right?"

Nodding, Emmett checked his list before confirming, "Seven it is."

"Good."

Knowing he was dismissed Emmett got up to leave.

"Oh and Emmett."

"Yes," Emmett turned back, his hand still on the door.

With a slight but genuine smile, Brian said, "Thanks."

Clasping his hand to his chest, Emmett gasped softly in surprise. "You're welcome." And with a giddy wave he left.

Brian tried to work. Had to get the details done on a board he was putting the finishing touches to, but his mind just wouldn't cooperate.

He wondered what Emmett thought of the way he was acting. None of his friends were quite used to the new and improved Brian Kinney, the one who let them know that he gave a shit instead of pretending that he didn't. He knew that Justin had helped him in becoming that person, and he was grateful.

He was a little nervous about what he was planning on doing, but felt that his and Justin's relationship deserved the next step.

Brian smiled, picturing the surprised look on his lover's beautiful face when he saw what he had in store for him.

Feeling the tightening in his pants at the thought of Justin's gratitude Brian adjusted himself with a loud sigh. Stealing a quick glance at the time on his computer he mentally counted down the hours until seven o'clock, before forcing himself to focus back on the work spread across his desk.

**************************************************

"Daph, you've gotta help me."

"Justin, what makes you think that I have *any* idea of what you should get Brian for your anniversary?"

"Shit, I don't know. But I've gotta get something good. I just *know* he's got something planned. I keep catching him staring at me, and when I ask him what's up, he fucking smiles a goofy little smile and just shakes his head."

Staring blatantly at Justin, Daphne said, "I refuse to believe that Brian Kinney smiles goofily."

Justin laughed. "He does."

"Uh-huh," she added skeptically.

"Kinda like this." Justin tried to capture his lover's odd smile.

"You're fucked!" Daphne laughed as Justin continued to make faces.

"No, I swear, it's like this…" and he tried again.

"Justin, shit, stop, I'm gonna wet myself!"

"Daphne!"

"Ooops, I made you mad. Does that mean you're gonna try and show me his mad faces now?"

"Hmph," Justin huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I guess it's his drama queen faces now. Okay, let's get to it."

Justin just glared.

Daphne couldn't stop laughing.

**************************************************

"So I'll pick you up at six-thirty or so. And please try and wear something that isn't covered in paint."

"Yes, Sir."

"Mmm, now *that's* what I like. An obedient man."

"Fuck you," Justin laughed.

"Promises, promises," Brian whispered into the phone, smiling at Justin's gasp.

**************************************************

"Brian!"

"Hey, Mikey. How's the life of a comic-book mogul these days?"

Michael laughed, accepting a brief kiss from Brian before continuing to ring in a customer's purchase…a customer who was about sixteen years old and practically drooling, staring blatantly at Brian.

Brian looked at the kid, brows raised and the kid had the decency to turn fifty shades of red before looking away.

"Here you go. Come back any time. I think the new Superman's gonna be in next week," Michael said with a smile, handing the customer his bagged purchase.

"Um, th-thanks, Michael. I'll be back." And the kid stared starry-eyed at Brian one last time before making a mad dash for the door and running out.

"Kids," Brian scoffed.

Michael teased. "You've got one at home. I'm sure you're used to it by now."

Smirking, Brian said, "Not at home. Not yet, anyway."

"What?!"

Brian's eyes met Michael's then flitted downward, suddenly intently interested in a scuff in the counter. His finger picked at it aimlessly as he answered, "I think I'm gonna ask Justin to move in with me."

"You are?" Michael was shocked. He knew things had been going well. Brian had told him that much over the past several months, but he had no idea…

"Yeah, I think it's the right decision." Again, Brian's eyes lifted briefly then shifted back to the paint-worn counter.

"Are…are you sure?"

Brian just shrugged silently.

Michael wanted to support his friend. Hell, he'd been a fucking saint since Brian had asked him to give him some space, but this? He watched Brian and realized that finally the man had truly grown up.

With a smile, Michael said, "I think it's a great idea."

"You *do*?" Brian met Michael's eyes with hazel ones so scared and unsure.

Resting his hand encouragingly on Brian's shoulder, Michael replied, "I really do."

Brian smiled, suddenly feeling much better about his plan.

**************************************************

"Shit, Justin, hurry up."

"Okay, I'm coming. Sheesh, you'd think we were on some goddamn timetable."

Brian looked at his watch for the tenth time in minutes as Justin rummaged in his studio closet for a clean shirt.

"Just wear that one, it's fine."

Pulling the t-shirt over his head Justin looked at himself in the mirror, noticing only one small pain stain along the left hem and decided it was good enough.

Catching Brian staring down at his watch, Justin said, "I'm ready."

"It's about fucking time," Brian announced, tugging Justin out of the studio and into the car.

"Why are you in such a rush?"

Brian shrugged.

"Right, of course, *now* I understand. And you think *I'm* a drama queen."

Once parked Brian leapt out of the car, turning to make sure Justin was following as he hurried into his building.

"Brian, wait up. Not all of us have such fucking long legs, you know," Justin muttered, climbing the stairs behind Brian, not even bothering to ask why they couldn't have taken the elevator. "I hope…"

But the rest of Justin's words were lost as he rounded the corner and stood on the platform just outside Brian's loft, the door open revealing a glowing room of amber candles. Taking a step forward into the main room Justin's breath hitched as a crystal vase flooded with yellow roses caught his eye.

Justin sank back against Brian who'd come up behind him, his arms wrapped securely around Justin's waist.

"This is for you. Happy anniversary."

"It's beautiful." Justin was in awe.

"Just like you."

Justin turned. "This is why you were such an ass?"

Brian nodded. "Didn't want the place to burn down."

"Thank you," Justin whispered, his lips brushing Brian's.

"Thank *you*," was all Brian said, but Justin understood everything.

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