Not Again

Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor were in love. Nobody could deny that, and nobody wanted to. Things were perfect for them most of the time but there were occasions when a stray word here or there led to misunderstandings. Mostly Brian turned out to be the peacemaker on these rare occasions.

Labor Day was approaching. It had been a custom for Melanie and Lindsay to host a cookout for the gang at home on Labor Day, but they had changed their plans for this year. Since Gus had loved the fireworks at Point State Park on Independence Day, Mel and Linz had decided to repeat that event and hold their party there at the park since another fireworks display was scheduled.

The problem was that Brian and Michael had gotten carried away on the Fourth of July, and engaged in some extra-curricular activities that later they were not proud of. Justin and Ben had been very tolerant of the miscreants, who had been harder on themselves than anybody else had been. They were still embarrassed by their behavior, and the upcoming celebration would serve as a reminder.

Mel and Lindsey had issued verbal invitations to Mikey and Brian at the diner. Debbie cautioned the boys about their prior behavior, and warned them against the possibility of a repeat performance.

Justin had not been present for the invitation and Brian was telling him about it over dinner in the loft when a stray word led to a misunderstanding.

"I didn't think you'd let me go," Brian was saying to Justin.

"Now just what does that mean?" Justin asked him, " I don't decide for you where you go or when or anything remotely like that. I hope you didn't tell Lindsey that you thought I wouldn't let you go."

"I did," Brian admitted, "And she took it just like I said it. She wasn't a bit surprised. She knows. They all know. And the truth of it is, Sunshine, I'm not complaining."

"Well I am, Brian" Justin declared, "We share things. Sometimes we do what I want and sometimes we do what you want but mostly we do what we both want. I don't want people to think I can boss you around. I don't want to boss you around. I don't boss you around. Brian, I'm mad at you and it's all your fault."

"Yes, sir," Brian responded, "Whatever you say."

Justin gritted his teeth just a little. "No, I am not going to get mad at you. I am not going to give you the pleasure of my getting mad at you. But I think we should go. We have to go. We can't have people thinking that I would keep you from going - that I could keep you from going. Maybe I will get mad at you after all."

"Honey," Brian reasoned, "I don't care if we go or not. If you want to go, we'll go. If you don't want to go, we'll stay home."

"Now you're patronizing me, Brian," Justin complained, "You can't just go because I want you to go. You have to go because you want to go. And you can't want to go because I want you to go. You have to go because you really want to go."

"I guess you know what you're saying," Brian laughed, "I'm not sure. Just let me know in time if we are going or not."

"Maybe one of us should go and one of us shouldn't," Justin suggested, "That way everybody will know that we make our decisions separately and that neither one of us bosses the other one around."

"We could do that if that's what you want, Baby," Brian agreed, "But I wouldn't enjoy myself if I were there and you were here, or vice-versa. I like being with you."

"I want to be with you too, Bri. Shit, I want to be with you now and I'm mad at you" Justin said, "Get out of my, er, our kitchen and I'll clean up, and I don't want any help."

Brian wasn't completely upset about being thrown out of the kitchen, but he wondered what he should do next. He decided to light the fireplace. When the fake flames were flying just right, he positioned himself in his usual spot to await developments.

When Justin entered the room, he smiled, then scowled, and informed Brian, "That is not going to work, Honey."

When Justin sat down next to Brian, Brian thought maybe it was going to work. He put his arm around Justin. "OK, Brian," Justin announced, "You can put your arm around me if you want to, but I am not going to lay my head on your shoulder, and that's that."

"Baby," Brian cajoled, "We are going to be together for fifty years or so. Aren't you ever going to put your head on my shoulder again?"

"Well," Justin said after a moment's thought, "Maybe in about ten years."

It was about ten minutes later that Justin's head plopped onto Brian's shoulder. "I love you, Bri," Justin said, "I'm sorry I get upset sometimes. I don't boss you around, do I? If I ever try to do that, just tell me. I don't want to be such a pain. I can't stay mad at you. I guess though if I really do boss you around, and you don't mind, I'll just have to learn to live with it."

"You're perfect, Baby. I know you'll adjust. I don't want you to change at all." Brian answered, "I was not complaining about you to Lindsey. Believe me, I trust your judgment more than mine. I wouldn't want to embarrass you like I did last time at the park, and I wouldn't."

"I trust you too, Brian. You know that. I told you on the Fourth I wasn't mad at you and I wasn't," Justin assured him. "I always trust you."

"Well then, do you want to go to the park on Labor Day? I promise you that I'll be the one to hold Gus for the fireworks this time," Brian asked Justin.

"I would like to go, Brian," Justin replied, "We don't see the whole gang together as much as I'd like - as much as we used to."

"That's decided then. We both want to go. I'm glad of that." Brian said sounding relieved.

There's just one other thing I want you to know, Brian." Justin told him while running his hand through Brian's hair, "You know the Symphony will be playing again too. It's their new season. Ethan will be with them this time. It will be his first performance with them. Is that OK with you?"

"I'm not exactly in charge of the Symphony, Honey," Brian responded, "So it doesn't really make much difference what I think, does it?"

"You know what I mean, Brian," Justin groaned.

"Ask him if he would have time to eat with us before they play. I wouldn't mind having him and he can get to know the gang better," Brian responded.

"Brian, I don't deserve you," Justin cooed.

"That can be taken two ways," Brian was going to say before Justin kissed his mouth shut.

That was usually the way Brian-Justin disputes went. The arguments were only prelude to the making-up. They did go to the celebration, and enjoyed themselves. Brian and Michael behaved exemplarily. Brian held Gus during the fireworks. Ethan ate with them and seemed to get along well with everybody.

On the way home, Brian smiled at Justin and asked, "Well, were you satisfied how things went tonight, Honey?"

"Things were just great, Brian," Justin grinned, "So you can go again next year."

"Only if I want to," Brian laughed.

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