South of the Border

Justin was feeling guilty as the guys settled down in front of the fireplace one evening. He was keeping a secret from Brian - actually just not telling him something he did not really need to know - but still Justin felt guilty. He knew it was the only way to handle the situation but that did not make him feel any better.

Brian started the conversation after they got the flames flying to and fro. "I got a phone call today I need to talk to you about, Baby," he said.

"Who from?" Justin asked with some unease.

"Abelard," Brian told him.

"Malcolm's brother, Abelard?" Justin wondered.

"How many Abelards do we know?" Brian grinned, "Malcolm's brother is the one all right."

That information did not relieve Justin's unease. "What did he want?" he asked warily.

"I think maybe you have some idea about what he wanted," Brian responded. "Well that is exactly what he wanted."

"Damn Malcolm," Justin replied, "He's not supposed to tell you every thing he knows. I don't even know how he knew. I'll kill him. I'm not going, Brian, and you can't make me. I'm not going."

"Did I say anything about making you go?" Brian wanted to know.

"No," Justin admitted, "But you are going to make me go, aren't you?"

"Yeah," Brian admitted back, "But first I want you to tell me all about it, just like I know you were planning to do even before I brought up the subject."

Justin had to laugh just a little at that. But there was nothing to be gained by further obfuscation so he told Brian the whole story. "Dean Anderson called me into his office this morning," Justin began, "Seems some anonymous donor heard that a couple of faculty members were going to Mexico City for two weeks to see an Aztec art exhibit and visit some old ruins. He asked the dean if the trip would benefit students and then donated enough money for three students to go along. I got picked as one of the students but I told Dr. Anderson that I couldn't go. I don't know how Malcolm found that out or why he told Abelard, or why Abelard thought he had to tell you."

"I don't know either," Brian laughed at him, "Seeing as they knew you'd be telling me all about it yourself. I guess they just wanted to congratulate me on having such a talented boyfriend. I know you're interested in Native American art. This trip would be valuable for you. Malcolm thought the offer was so neat he told Abe and Abe thought it was so neat that he called me. He's a better friend of mine than he is of yours, I guess."

"Well the other two students that are going are really hot, Brian," Justin cajoled, "Do you think you should trust me away from you for two weeks with so much temptation available?"

"The other two students are female, Honey," Brian laughed at him, "If I can't trust you with them, I've lost you already."

"Geez," Justin grouched, "Malcolm the Fink didn't leave anything out, did he?"

"Actually, Malcolm did not intend to tattle on you, and he didn't provide that information," Brian informed him, "I got that from Dean Anderson."

"You talked to Dean Anderson?" Justin moaned.

"You know I know Dean Anderson," Brian said, "I've worked with him on a lot of projects. He told me when I called to tell him you had changed your mind and would be going to Mexico."

"Brian, you're a great boyfriend and I wouldn't ever want to trade you in," Justin groused, "But sometimes you act like a father and that's a pain."

"Fathers can be a pain, Baby," Brian allowed, "But I told your dad I'd sub for him when necessary, and I think it's necessary right now."

"But I don't want to go," Justin insisted, "I don't want to be away from you for two weeks."

"I don't want to be away from you for two weeks either, Twink," Brian answered, "But you do want to go. You know it will be of use to you and you do want to go."

"Well I'll think about it," Justin said grudgingly, but he knew the fight was over. He was heading for Mexico.

They cuddled there quietly for a fairly long time, assuring each other of their affection without saying anything.

"An anonymous donor?" Justin broke the silence. "You know what crossed my mind, Bri?"

"Forget it, Baby," Brian assured him, "It wasn't me. I didn't know anything about any Mexican trip. Would I ever pull something like that on you? Maybe. But I'd be sure not to let Malcolm know. I don't think I'm devious enough though to get away with it yet. But living with you is a learning experience."

"If you were devious, Bri," Justin smiled knowingly, "You'd be really dangerous. But I still don't know how I can get along for two weeks without you."

"Remember when I told you I had to go to Los Angeles sometime soon for a couple of days to visit Amalgamated out there?" Brian asked him. "Well, I'm going to be able to do that while you're away so we wouldn't have been together those days anyhow."

"That helps a little," Justin conceded.

"And Cynthia suggested," Brian continued, "That I ought to stop in Mexico City for a few days on the way back to scope out any business opportunities there."

"Business opportunities indeed," Justin beamed at Brian. "You're just stopping in Mexico City cause I'll be there and you don't want to admit it."

"So you're going to Mexico City then," Brian concluded.

"Cut it out, Brian," Justin laughed, "You're making me go and you're coming south of the border too cause you can't stand to be away from me."

"You're entitled to your opinion, Baby," Brian said with a smile, "But I'll have to stop in Mexico City whether you're there or not."

"Well just let me live in my fantasy world then," Justin replied.

"Don't I always?" Brian reminded him and that led into another contented quiet period.

Eventually Justin rekindled the conversation. "It's OK for you to boss me around every once in a while, Brian," Justin told him, "Actually, I know you only do it when I want to do something that's not good for me. You always make me do what's best for me. I appreciate that even when I don't act like I do."

"You do pretty well for yourself, Honey," Brian pointed out, smiling at him, "It won't be long till I won't have to boss you around at all."

"Well I'm not sure I like that either, Bri," Justin responded, "How will I know how much you care for me if you don't boss me around sometimes?"

"You'll know," Brian assured him.

Justin rested his head on Brian's chest. He already knew, and he knew it was no fantasy.

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