Saturday Night

Justin was patiently waiting in the loft for Brian to get home from the office. Finally the door opened and Brian entered, smiling at him. Justin smiled back, but then Brian's cell phone rang and he answered it.

It was Michael. Justin knew that, because Brian's face took on a special look when he talked to Michael on the phone. Justin wondered if Brian was remembering the old days when he talked to Mikey - and maybe even missing them a little. But Justin could always tell from Brian's face if it was Mikey, and that caused him to wonder.

Justin did not hear the conversation as Brian threw down his briefcase and shed his jacket but he watched Brian's face and wondered. Brian had given up so much for him. But Brian seemed to be happy with the status quo, Justin told himself.

When Brian hung up the phone though, and looked over at Justin, the smile was gone. Justin didn't know what to say but he didn't have to say anything.

"Sunshine," Brian said, "You are about to hear something from me that you haven't heard before so listen carefully. I - am - mad - at - you."

"But you never get mad at me. I'm the one who's always getting mad, but that's OK because we both know I can't stay mad at you for more than an hour," Justin stammered back. "You usually just smile at me even when I am at my most infuriating, and I haven't done anything now. Did Mikey tell you something? He wouldn't. He's my friend too. And there's nothing to tell. I haven't done anything. I don't want you to be mad at me. You're mean enough to stay mad for hours." Maybe that wasn't the best way to phrase his objection, but Justin had not thought the matter through.

"Saturday night," Brian told him.

"What about Saturday night?" Justin replied.

"It was your idea that we always spend Saturday night together," Brian answered, "It's a good idea and I like it, but it was your idea, and we've always done it except that once when I had the business emergency."

"And I didn't complain about that, Brian," Justin protested, "What are you talking about?"

"You made plans for this Saturday night," Brian accused him.

"No I didn't," Justin defended himself.

"So Mel and Linz aren't going to some lesbo dinner on Saturday night?" Brian wondered.

"Yeah, they are," Justin said. "And I promised that we would take care of Gus that evening but it was going to be both of us taking care of him. We were going to be together. You can't be mad about that, Honey. Gus is your son and we both love him."

"You didn't tell me," Brian complained.

"I forgot last night, Brian," Justin explained, "I intended to tell you tonight, but I still don't see why that would make you mad at me. And how does Mikey's phone call fit into the situation? I don't get the whole picture, so you have to tell me what's really going on before I try to weasel my way out of this, whatever it is."

Brian had to stifle a smile. The truth was that he didn't think he could stay mad at Justin for any longer than Justin could stay mad at him. Brian did not think however that Justin needed to know that.

"You just might have a point, Baby," Brian admitted, "I guess I shouldn't blame you for ruining something if you didn't know you were ruining it?"

"Well that makes me feel a lot better, Sweetheart," Justin replied, "But it doesn't actually explain very much."

"It's just that I had something set up for us too," Brian told him. "Mikey and I had a big party planned for you this Saturday night at Woody's. It was just for guys. Mikey, Ben, Hunter, Vic and his boy friend, Ted and Emmett, Ethan and Tom, and some other guys you go to school with that Ethan was rounding up for us. We invited Malcolm separately from Hunter just in case they're not still together by then, but it would be good if they are. Mike and Ben would get to know some of the guys Hunter is meeting through Malcolm too. That was the plan. Then Mikey heard from Linz about your baby-sitting plans and called me"

"And this party was for me?" Justin puzzled, "What's the occasion?"

"No special occasion," Brian responded. "Actually I guess it was Mikey's idea, but I thought it was a good one. He said we didn't know your friends from school and it might be nice to get them all together. Then we asked Daphne and she thought you would like it. So we went ahead."

"I would like that. I really would. That was so nice of you, Brian, and Mikey too. You guys are great." Justin said, "And that's what this is all about."

"Actually one thing more. I guess I may as well tell you that too." Brian confessed, "You know how weird Mikey is. He told me there is a special look on my face when I talk about you, and that it was about time I let you know how much I - admire - you."

Justin threw his arms around Brian who returned the favor enthusiastically. "Mikey doesn't know," he told Brian.

"No, he doesn't," Brian agreed.

"Then you're not mad at me?" Justin wanted to make sure.

"Not too much," Brian kissed him, "But maybe just a little bit, and that could last for hours since I'm so mean."

"Maybe we can get Deb or Vic to baby-sit Gus just this once," Brian added. "I don't think we can cancel the party."

"Oh no," Justin agreed quickly, "We can't cancel the party but I wish we could have Gus too. Linz already promised him he would be with us on Saturday and we don't want to disappoint him either."

So Brian and Justin were reconciled, but the dilemma remained. It might have been better if they had worked on that together but they didn't. They both did some thinking about the matter though, searching for a solution.

It was a while later that they lit the fireplace and got themselves into position to watch the fake flames fly. When discussion began, Brian opened the conversation. "I think I have solved our problem for Saturday night," he told Justin, "I called Mel and Linz about the party and they said it would be all right to take Gus along to the party if we wanted to." He smirked as he continued, "They said that since the party was for you, they were sure it would be suitable for Gus."

"That was a neat idea, Honey," Justin admitted, ignoring the pretended sarcasm, "But I had a solution too and Daphne, Mikey and Ethan thought it would work. They're making the arrangements right now. Your solution was ingenious but if you don't mind, could we use my solution since it's my party we're talking about?"

"What else?" Brian agreed, "But your solution better be as good as mine. When can I expect to hear what it is, or will I have to wait till Saturday? Then I'll be the one surprised at the party and not you."

"Of course you won't have to wait till Saturday," Justin began, but this time it was his cell phone that rang. It was Mikey telling him that everything Justin had suggested had worked out.

"That was Mikey, Brian, and everything has been taken care of," Justin told Brian.

"And?" Brian wanted to know.

"The party is being moved from Woody's to Chuckie Cheese," Justin announced.

"Chuckie Cheese," Brian laughed. "The whole world is going to find out that Brian Kinney hosted a party for his boy friend at Chuckie Cheese."

"Guess so, " Justin laughed back at him, "You don't mind, do you?"

"No, I don't mind," Brian told him, "If you're not embarrassed, why should I be? But it wouldn't make one iota of difference if I did mind. Since I'm so mean though, I am going to stay just a little bit mad at you for a few more hours, but I will definitely get over it, Sunshine."

Justin decided he would have to accept that decision on Brian's part, so they just sat quietly for a while.

"You know," Brian finally broke the silence, "Mel and Lindsay really had something there."

"What are you talking about, Brian?" Justin asked.

"If a party is suitable for you, it's suitable for Gus," Brian told him, "And vice-versa."

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