Devil's Playground

Chapter 9

Justin hurried from table to table, taking orders and serving them as they came up. Weekends were the worst and now that he was more comfortable with the job, Deb had told him all wait staff was required to work one weekend shift a month. He'd quickly agreed figuring that if it was busy, he would get more money from people liking him and appreciating his looks, and as Debbie liked to call it, his bubble butt.

The doorbell above the diner door jingled and without turning, Justin knew that Brian had walked into the place. Smiling, he leaned into Brian as he felt the familiar arms come around him, pulling him close.

"Hey," he said, closing his eyes and biting his lip to keep from moaning out loud. Brian had decided to lean down and suck on his neck in greeting, as opposed to just kissing him. Bringing his hand up, he threaded his lean fingers through Brian's tussled brunet locks. Forgetting where he was, he pressed his ass against the rapidly growing hard-on Brian was sporting, his actions rewarded by a grunt coming from deep within Brian's throat. He loved knowing that he'd caused those sounds of pleasure to happen.

"Asshole! He's working here! He's no good to me if he's knocking shit off the table with his stiff dick. Get off of him and eat something," Debbie muttered, walking past them and lightly smacking Brian on the back of the head.

"I already am," Brian replied sarcastically, but releasing Justin anyway.

Debbie turned to look at Brian, absently sticking her pen behind her ear, "Don't you get smart with me, you little shit. I've known you since you thought a blow job meant physically puffing air on a God damn cock, so show me some respect!"

Brian gave her his tongue-in-cheek smirk, "I was born with the knowledge of a sex god."

Rolling her eyes, Debbie added, "Yeah, right; and I was born with red hair." Brian just shrugged and arched an eyebrow at her, "Don't make me show my--"

"MA!" Everyone jumped, noticing Michael for the first time. He slid across from Brian, glaring at his mom before continuing, "Don't even finish that sentence. I'll be scarred for life!"

"Yeah well," she shot Michael a quick look, rolling her eyes before turning back to Brian, "touch him again while he's on shift, and I'll make sure you have nightmares." She wagged a finger tipped by a bright red nail in his face to emphasize her point.

As Debbie walked away, Justin moved towards Brian until he saw the older man holding up a hand to stop him, "Come near me before you have an official break, and I won't fuck your tight little ass for weeks. Not because I don't want to, but because he'll be in hiding, traumatized."

Eyes wide, Justin turned around quickly and put in the order for Brian and Michael, determined to avoid Brian like the plague. 'No, no no…if he couldn't fuck…well that just wouldn't do!' he thought to himself. Things began to slow down and he stood by the kitchen, waiting for some of his food to be up. He noticed a couple of regulars take the booth behind Michael and Brian, and grabbed glasses of water for them. He moved over to the table, all smiles, asking if they were ready to place their orders. As he stood there joking around with the guys, he heard Michael ask Brian if they were going to Babylon. Attempting to keep an interested face on the guys, he strained to hear Brian's response. Sure enough, Brian muttered a "sure". Grinning, Justin knew what he was going to do that night.

"Ok Daph. So what should I wear?" Justin asked, surveying the growing number of clothes in his closet.

"Why even bother? You're only going to end up horizontal again anyway?" Daphne replied, smirking.

"Daphne! That's not true!"

"Whatever. I still don't see why you won't give up some details!"

"Daph, it's not that. I just don't want to tell you, it's just....I don't know. I mean, it was special, it was amazing. Whatever I have to say about it, it just won't do. There aren't words in the human vocabulary."

Daphne rolled her eyes and muttered, "Whatever. At least give me this. What did it feel like when he, you know, went in? Didn't it hurt?"

"At first it felt like someone shoved a broom up there."

Daphne's eyes widened, grimacing and shaking her head to lose the mental image. She decided to let the topic go. There would be plenty of time to grill Justin in the future.

"Well, let's see what you've got, and once we find your outfit, we can go over to my apartment so I can get ready and then head out to Babylon."

Grinning widely, Justin turned to her, "Daph, you're the best friend a person could ask for."

Blushing, Daphne elbowed him gently as she walked past him to look in his closet, "Yeah, yeah. Don't get all gooey on me now."

Puzzled, Justin stared at the back of her head and asked, "Gooey?"

Justin was prepared for the flashing lights and the pulsating music that seemed to penetrate your bones this time. Scanning the dance floor quickly, his shoulders drooped as he found that Brian was nowhere to be seen.

"It's going to be impossible to find him in here. Look at all these people."

Craning her neck to look over towards the bar, Daphne nodded towards it, "Well, there's our favorite little weasel and Emmett. Brian's probably not too far away. Let's go."

Grabbing onto Daphne's hand, he stuck close as she moved through the bodies of people. He felt hands run over his body as he walked through. It was no surprise to him by now. Working at the diner, he quickly grew accustomed to being groped and touched. Daphne had assured him that he would have the guys drooling because of his outfit. He was wearing skin tight black leather pants that hugged his rounded ass perfectly, and a skin tight black t-shirt that molded to his torso, showing off every inch of lean, toned muscle. He'd told Daphne that he thought it was too small; that it was really tight. The girl had simply rolled her eyes and replied, "That's the point, Justin."

"Hey Emmett, Mikey," Daphne said the last name with a curl of her lip, implying her distaste at having to be around him.

"Oh sweetie! Aren't you just fabulous looking! Why, if I was a couple sizes smaller, I would ask if I could borrow those pants and shoes!" Emmett greeted her, clapping excitedly. He lifted a hand and twirled his index finger around, silently telling Daphne to turn so he could appreciate the full outfit. Grinning, she indulged him. Holding her arms out, she spun slowly so he could get the full effect. She spent most of her last paycheck on this one outfit, so she was pleased that it won approval. She was wearing a glittering ruby red halter top with black leather pants, topped off by closed toe heels that looked like Dorothy's slippers. On every inch of exposed skin, she'd rubbed on body glitter.

"Fabulous! OH! And look at you sweetie! Aren't you just a vision in black! You look so fragile and beautiful, you look like a ghost!" Emmett walked around Justin, pausing behind the younger man, staring at his ass appreciatively. Reaching down and giving it a quick pinch, Emmett finished, "A ghost with a FANTASTIC ass!"

Justin yelped, more out of shock than pain, when Emmett pinched him. Covering his ass with both hands, Justin looked at Emmett wide-eyed. Daphne laughed, and leaned over to Justin.

"Do you want something to drink?"

Justin looked out on the dance floor, still searching for his lover, "The same thing that Brian got me last time. Beam, I think he called it."

Daphne nodded, looking at Mikey and Emmett one last time, satisfied that Justin would be safe with the two men.

"OH! Stud muffin at 10 o'clock. I'll see you boys later!" Emmett waved as he walked off, following the trick of the hour. Justin stared as his friend wandered off, not exactly sure what the other man meant by his statement, but figured it had something to do with the man he was now whispering too and touching intimately. Justin looked at Michael and considered his options. He didn't want to have to talk to the man, but he wanted to find Brian even more.

"Did you come here with Brian?"

Michael looked over at him and glared, not saying anything, before looking away again.

Rolling his eyes, Justin tried again, "Is he out there dancing?"

Mikey turned towards Justin, ready to tell him to fuck off and leave him alone, when suddenly he changed his mind.

"Yeah, he's dancing. He figured you might show up though, and he told me to keep an eye out for you."

Justin looked at Michael skeptically. Something about his smile just didn't seem right, "Really?"

The older man nodded, "Yeah. He even told me where he'd be in case you got here before he came back for a drink. You see that door back there?"

Justin looked in the direction that Michael was pointing. He nodded.

"Well, he's back there. If you go through that door and walk into the room a bit, you'll see him."

Tilting his head, Justin bit his lip, considering his options, "He told me to never wander off by myself though."

Mikey made a show of shrugging, "Whatever. I'm just the messenger. You do what you want with the information," and then he turned back to the crowd. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the look of confusion and consideration on Justin's face. Sure enough, he did an internal happy dance as Justin walked in the direction of Babylon's back room. Brian would thank him for this later. The kid needed to know that just because he got a Kinney fuck, it didn't mean that they were married, or friends even. It just meant that he was just like every other trick who pined for his best friend in Babylon, and nothing more.

Justin pushed through the crowd, getting closer and closer to his destination. He wasn't entirely sure that this was the right thing to do, but he really wanted to see Brian. At the entrance to the room, he paused as he felt his wrist circled by a hand. Turning, he looked into the face of a shorter, shirtless red head.

"Want some company back there?"

Shaking his head, Justin found his voice and backed up his motion with a quiet, "No."

As he stepped over the threshold, he stopped dead in his tracks. People weren't dancing back here. No, no, no. They were engaging in various sex acts! Justin recognized most of the things that people were doing as things that Brian and he had done themselves the other night. What was this place? And where were the dancers?

Determined to find Brian, Justin walked deeper and deeper into the room, slowly looking at the men in all different positions. Against the wall, on their knees, thrown over benches; their moans melted together as one. He was staring at one man who appeared to be in quite a predicament; he was lying on his back on a bench, one man fucking him, another man trying to suck on his dick as a third man tried to get him to suck on his all at the same time. Justin turned away, shuddering, wondering if the man indeed knew all of the actors in his little sexual group. That's when he saw him. Brian, in all his beautiful glory, with his dick buried to the hilt in the ass of another man. Who was inconsequential, because Justin couldn't tear his eyes away from the man he'd been thinking about all day long. His head was thrown back, mouth open, in an expression that Justin recognized as meaning that he was close to completion. Brian had made that face when he was inside of him.

"JUSTIN! JUSTIN! Where are you?!"

He turned when he heard Daphne's frantic shouting, looking in the direction that he had come. Turning back, his blue eyes locked with familiar hazel ones. He felt Daphne pull at his arm, but he jerked himself free. Not breaking contact with Brian, Justin held the gaze for a moment longer, recognizing the look of shock in Brian's eyes. Turning, he didn't even spare Daphne a glance before he ran off. Dodging bodies left and right, Justin tore out of the backroom and out of the club, not stopping or slowing even when he hit the alley. He kept running, until his right knee slammed into something, or rather, someone. Stumbling, he landed on his stomach, and he heard a muttered oath as the sound of another body hitting the pavement hit his ears.

Groaning, he pushed himself up slowly, wincing at the pain that he felt in his right knee and hip. Moving into a sitting position, he ran a hand over his face. He felt a shove on his shoulder, and he leaned his hand on the ground to keep from toppling over.

"Asshole!" The person muttered heatedly, before turning away and stalking off in the direction that Justin had come. Groaning again, Justin moved to stand up when a hand on his shoulder stilled his movements.

"Not so fast, kid. You just ruined my night there. Granted, the guy was mediocre at best, but still."

Justin looked up and saw a big, beefy guy standing before him. Clad in leather from head to foot, he stood now with his arms crossed in front of him, gazing down at Justin, a hard look in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I didn't see you. I'll get out of your way and you can just, uh, find someone else."

The man reached down and wrapped his monstrous hand around his bicep. Pulling him up on his feet in one sudden movement, the guy pulled Justin tight against his body, using his free hand to roam the line of his back freely.

"Let me go!" Justin whimpered, struggling against the man that currently held him captive.

"I don't think so. I think, I mean it's only fair, you should finish the job. You look like you could suck cock with the best of them. Though, honestly, as long as you don't use your teeth...."

Justin increased the ferocity of his struggles, determined to break free. He felt, as well as heard, the laugh that erupted from deep within the man. Managing to loosen one of his arms, he tried to use it as leverage, kicking wildly with is legs and pushing against the bigger man's shoulder at the same time. Suddenly, he felt his foot connect with the other man's shin. He stilled, afraid of what was to come.

The man in leather swore and leaned back against the wall, never loosening his grip on Justin. Turning his angry stare on the younger man, he swore again and finally letting go, he brought his arm back and before Justin could register what happened, the beefy man's closed fist was connecting with his face. He fell to the ground, a short scream of pain breaking through his lips.

Brian reached the outside of the club, Daphne on his heels. Looking up and down the dark alley, he saw no sign of Justin.

"SHIT!" he raged, kicking the wall outside of the club. "What the fuck were you doing leaving him alone?!" he asked Daphne, turning towards her.

"Don't even, you asshole! I went to get us drinks. I left him with Emmett and Mikey. You wanna know what he was doing, ask your precious little best friend back there why Justin was wandering by himself! Or wait, look! Surprise, surprise, he's not here? Know why? Because he doesn't give a flying fuck what happens to him!"

Brian shoved his hands into his hair and tugged. He tried to think quickly. Turning to Daphne once more, he began to speak, "Ok, look. You go up that way, and I'll...." Brian trailed off as they heard a scream that sounded frighteningly like Justin's. Daphne's eyes widened in horror as she looked up at Brian, before they both took off running in the direction of the sound.

"Justin!" Brian called out the other man's name, terrified that he was too late as he saw the leather daddy standing in front of the fallen blond.

Justin turned in the direction of the voice, his hand cupping his injured cheek. The tall man in front of him turned as well, his temper getting worse with each moment that passed.

"Who the fuck are you?" he demanded as Brian drew closer.

Overtaken by rage, Brian never stopped as he shoved the bigger man against the wall, and in a harsh whisper spoke, "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave before I use your fucking leather to choke the shit out of you."

Releasing him, Brian stared him down as the guy moved away from the wall. Looking from Justin to Brian, he sneered at Brian, "Blond boy ass is not worth the hassle," and he walked off.

Running to Justin's side, Brian moved to help the younger man up.

Shaken, Justin jerked out of his grasp, "Don't touch me!" His hand still covered the cheek that had been hit. Blood was running down his jaw, some seeped out between his fingers.

Brian brought his hands up trying to calm the blond down. "Justin, let me see what he di-"

"I said don't touch me," Justin repeated, sounding eerily calm. Breathing deeply, he stood up on his own and looked Brian in the eyes. He removed his hand tentatively, the tips of his fingers gently touching the source of the blood. The corner of his mouth had been smashed against his teeth when the leather monster had hit him. Brian sighed as well, and stood with Justin, maintaining the distance that Justin had put between him. Tears were shining in the blond's eyes as he spoke.

"When we were together it felt special. I've never experienced something like that with anyone, Brian. Why? Why would you do that? Why do you give that to someone else?"

Brian looked at the ground and at the brick walls on either side of him; basically, anything that didn't involve looking at Justin. Finally, submitting to the inevitable, he locked eyes with the younger man. "Look Justin, I don't believe in love, I believe in fucking. It's honest, it's efficient - you get in and out with a maximum of pleasure and a minimum of bullshit."

Justin's face scrunched up as he attempted to stop the tears from falling. This night just couldn't get any worse. Brian moved to touch him again, and for the third time, Justin moved out of reach. Brian swore in frustration.

Speaking quickly and passionately, he continued, "Justin, we aren't lesbians and we aren't like your mom and dad. When we're together it's because we want to be and because it's fun. We don't need to be in a relationship. Relationships are bullshit constructions built to help people get through the day and to help them feel better about their own sexual inadequacy. I, on the other hand, am more than adequate, as you well know. I like to fuck and I'm good at it. So what? I'm not going to hide, or justify my sexual habits by entering into a relationship just to appease others."

Justin wiped his eyes with the back of his hands. Nodding, his movements sharp and stiff, he swallowed to try and dissipate the lump in his throat. "So, what you're saying is, that because we're gay, we don't function like normal people."

"I'm just saying that it makes us free. We're liberated by the fact that we don't need to see validation or justification in the things that we do," Brian argued.

"Validation? Justification? Since when did the concept of monogamy become synonymous with those? Monogamy in a relationship has nothing to do with justification or validation. It's about committing yourself to one person and showing them that you love them; that you care. Love isn't bullshit, Brian. Love is an amazing and powerful feeling. Brian, I l-"

"Don't. Do not even finish that sentence," Brian interrupted. "You can't even know what love is, let alone fool yourself into thinking that you feel it. You love my dick. You love my dick in your ass. Romantic love is bullshit."

"Why? Because it isn't tangible? Because you can't define and compartmentalize it? Brian, I may be Amish and sheltered, but I'm not stupid. I didn't just give my body to you. What we did together, how we did it, you can't tell me that you do that with each and every man you encounter. Just the fact that you're doing it in an open room against a filthy wall is proof that you don't! You know why? Because I mattered. Because I meant something."

Brian stiffened. Walking over to Justin slowly, he stopped when their faces were inches apart. Moving down so that his mouth was centimeters away, he replied.

"You're right," sucking his lips into his mouth; his eyes took a hard edge as they looked over Justin's face. He hated to be the one to destroy the innocent idealism, but it was for the best. He couldn't, wouldn't, be placed on a pedestal. He couldn't handle another puppy like Michael, another person full of expectations. Justin was better than that, he deserved better than that, so he continued, "You were uncharted ass. If you think any man is stupid enough to pass up on that, then you're fucking wrong. I was showing you the ropes. You were lucky. The first guy who fucked me didn't give two shits about whether or not he hurt me and how I felt throughout. I'm just not a selfish lover."

Justin stepped back, paling visibly. Brian's words were worse than the blow to his face. Shaking his head, he didn't want to believe in the cruelty that Brian was showing him.

"No. No. Don't say that. It's not true!"

Turning away, heading back into Babylon, Brian refused to think about the situation anymore, "If you want a little lezzie relationship, find yourself another guy, or better yet, go find yourself a sweet little Amish girl."

Justin tried to keep from crying, but it was useless. Dropping his head in his hands, he just let it all go. Suddenly, he felt arms wrapping around him. Having thought he was alone, he struggled to free himself.

"Justin, Justin. Stop! Please! Calm down," Daphne's gentle voice broke through the panic.

"Oh Daphne!" he clutched at the smaller girl, seeking comfort that nothing would really provide. Daphne stood there with her arms wrapped around her friend, cursing the day that Brian Kinney was born.

"Justin, come on. Stop crying, ok? He's not worth it. No man is. C'mon, look at me." She pulled away, looking into his red rimmed eyes. "C'mon, let's go back home. I think the night is pretty much over." She used her fingers to wipe away the tears that were flowing down his face.

"I don't want to go to the house. Deb will ask questions," he replied, using the back of his sleeve to wipe his face.

"Ok, c'mon then. We'll go to my place. My roommate went away with her friends this weekend so it's all ours."

Nodding, Justin sighed one last time, attempting to get his emotions under control. Smiling thinly, he turned to follow her out of the alley. As they walked, Daphne snuck her hand into his and intertwined their fingers, smiling widely at him when he looked at her, confused. He returned the smile, laughing quietly, before releasing her hand and putting an arm around her shoulders. He sent up a silent prayer, not for the first time, thanking the Lord for sending Daphne to be his guide, teacher, and most importantly, friend.

They were seated on Daphne's king-sized bed eating ice cream out of a container. She'd taught Justin early on about the true value and greatness of the two men whose names lived in the hearts of all women in pain. Ben and Jerry.

"How's your lip feel?"

Justin shrugged, his tongue sneaking out and gingerly running over the small cut. When they had gotten to Daphne's apartment and cleaned him up, they'd realized that it was really a minor cut; it had just bled a lot. Daphne had explained that she'd learned in school that facial wounds had a tendency to bleed a lot, even if they were minor. Something about a lot of blood vessels.

"It's fine I guess. Doesn't hurt anymore," he replied.

"So," Daphne licked a drop of ice cream that had fallen on the back of her hand up, "what's the problem then?"

"I just...well, maybe I'm not cut out for this, Daph."

"What do you mean? I KNOW you're not telling me that you want to go back to the colony. Not for some dumb ass man who isn't even that good looking!"

Justin stilled, a spoonful of ice cream halfway to his mouth, and gaped at Daphne. She rolled her eyes and stuck her spoon in the ice cream, pulling out a healthy sized scoop.

"Ok, so he's fucking hot...but still! C'mon Justin, he isn't the only guy out there. In case you haven't noticed, he's not the only guy on the planet! And HELLO! More than half of the ones on Liberty Avenue want into your pants. Don't stress."

Justin stuck his spoon in the ice cream and left it there. He tucked his fist under his chin and puffed out his lips, thinking.

"It's just...I don't know. I mean, when I was younger, Bishop Farron told us all in Bible study that God would let us know when we found our mate. He said we would know in our hearts when it was time. I felt that with Brian, Daphne. I really did. I know he's for me. But I can't, I won't do what he does. It's not for me - it's not who I am. I can't abide by his beliefs, and I won't go into a loveless union. My parents have that, and it's not the way. If I wanted that, I would have just taken Rebecca for my wife."

"Rebecca? WIFE?! What are you talking about?" Daphne interrupted, dropping a glob of ice cream on her chest as she sat up quickly, in shock.

"Remember when you asked me why I was released?" Justin looked over to Daphne, continuing when she nodded, "Well, I told you it was because I didn't want to get married. Well, they had mentioned me getting engaged to Rebecca Parish. Well, I didn't want to. It didn't feel right. My mother and father are in a union without love. It serves its purpose within the colony, but I don't just want to serve a purpose. I want to marry because I'm in love. Because it feels right."

Justin paused, running a hand over his hair. He would have to look into getting it trimmed soon. It was almost to his chin.

"Daphne, you know what it's like in the colony. We live our lives to meet the expectations that are set out for us. We have to conform to the rules. I came into the English world to experience freedom. I don't want to have to conform to anyone's rules. If being with Brian means that I have to act as he does, do as he does, well, then perhaps I'm not meant to be with the one that is right for me. If that is the case, then I might as well go back and marry Rebecca Parish."

Daphne wrinkled her nose as she tried to think back on the colony. Since they had shunned her, she tried not to think about that life too often. She remembered Rebecca though. She'd been a plain little mousy girl, the Amish image of perfection.

"Justin, no. No. First of all, if you're going to go for a girl, you can so do better than Rebecca. Second of all, you aren't going back yet. You have a year. A whole fucking year. If you go back now, you're doing exactly what you say you don't want to do. I mean, so it didn't work out with Brian. There are lots of other guys out there. So many more things for you to experience. You say you don't want to let anyone close any doors to you anymore, but what if you're the one closing the door? Does that make it ok?"

Justin looked at her, sighing before shaking his head. Daphne had a point, as much as he hated to admit it.

"Besides blondie, the asshole may not want to admit it, but he so cares about you. He totally loves you. I've NEVER seen him act the way he did with you, EVER. Not even with the king of douchebags himself, and he's the guy's best friend."

"Douchebag?" he asked, arching an eyebrow. Daphne rolled her eyes, "Don't ask," she muttered, "Anyway, this gives you time to tantalize and torture."

"What do you mean?" Justin licked all traces of ice cream off of the spoon.

"Well, make your point. Don't give in to him. Make him see that he can't have you. It'll be pure torture for the guy. You'll have him on his knees by Christmas, you'll see."

Justin scooped out another spoonful of ice cream and considered the possibilities.

Walking out to Deb's garage, Justin headed over to his makeshift worktable. It had been about a week and a half since he'd fought with Brian. Having resolved not to have any more contact than necessary with the other man until Christmas, Justin distracted himself by working on the presents he was making for everyone. Earlier in the week, Melanie had delivered a lot of the power tools that she'd had, saying he could use them for as long as he needed to.

He already had the presents for everyone mapped out. Brian's was going to take the longest, but it would be worth it to see the look on the man's face. Hopefully he'd accept it, along with the proposition Justin was going to make to go along with it. Melanie, Lindsay, and Gus had been easy. Melanie and Lindsay were getting a joint gift, and Gus had the quilt that was already completed plus another idea that had occurred to Justin when he had been at Mel and Lindsay's house babysitting. Emmett, Deb, and Vic had been very easy to plan, and Michael…well he'd known what he was making Michael for quite some time. Justin grinned as he thought about it again while he sorted the wood for the current piece he was working on. He'd even come up with a gift for Ted.

Whistling one of his favorite Amish hymns, Justin went to work on the presents. He had a lot to make, and not a lot of time to make them in.

Justin blew a breath out, trying to direct it towards the hair that kept falling in his eyes. He'd let Daphne take him to her hairdresser yesterday, and he'd gotten his hair trimmed. It was nice and feathered now, cut stylishly so that the locks teased across his forehead, occasionally falling across his eyes. It was a big step up from the angular, boxy cut he'd had in the colony. This suited him more, and if the way men kept at him was any indication, it made him even hotter than he'd been before.

The bell above the door opened, and Justin felt the familiar tingle in his stomach that he got whenever Brian walked into the room. Forcing himself not to turn around and stare, he finished pouring the cup of coffee, before fixing his face in a pleasant, carefree look, and turning to greet the brunet as though he were any other customer. His gaze hardened when he noticed the short, beady eyed jerk behind him.

"Brian, Michael," he spoke shortly, nodding quickly. He grabbed a couple of menus and walked the two men over to the table. He could feel Brian's gaze burning into him. Looking up, he glared back edgily, asking, "What?"

Brian's eyes got smaller in a sort of squint before he spoke, "You got a hair cut."

"About time, you were looking more Meg Ryan than Brad Pitt," Mikey snarked.

"Fuck off, I'll be back when you're ready to order," Justin muttered, turning to head towards another customer that was flagging him down. Brian's eyes widened as he tried to hide a chuckle.

Michael pouted, "Can you believe the asshole? I mean really! It was a compliment!"

"Yeah, behind an insult. Buck up Mikey, you've created your own villain."

"Yeah well, I think I'd prefer Serpentina." Mikey opened the menu and studied it even though it hadn't changed in the 20 or so years he'd frequented the diner.

Justin silently seethed at Michael's dig. He was sick to death of the shit that the man felt he could put him through, that and the fact that he blamed Mikey for the fight he and Brian had didn't leave the annoying twit on his good side. He chuckled as he thought about the Christmas present the idiot had coming.

He neared the table, brightening visibly now that his thoughts were on his indirect revenge. The customer unwittingly assumed the smile was for him, and returned it with his own. Justin could feel Brian watching his every move, and his earlier conversation with Daphne played out in his mind.

"Anyway, this gives you time to tantalize and torture."

"What do you mean?" Justin licked all traces of ice cream off of the spoon.

"Well, make your point. Don't give in to him. Make him see that he can't have you. It'll be pure torture for the guy. You'll have him on his knees by Christmas, you'll see."

Widening his grin, he came up with an innocent little plan.

"So, what do you need?" he asked the customer, cocking a hip, thrusting his crotch slightly forward, and grinning.

The customer, a lanky raven haired teen with gray eyes, did exactly what Justin wanted him too, openly gaped at his cock. "Uh, can I, uh, get a refill on my drink?" he asked, finally looking up into Justin's eyes.

Tilting his head to the side, Justin ran his tongue across his lower lip slowly, rejoicing silently when the kid's eyes followed the movement, "I suppose. What did you have?"

"Coke," the boy's voice broke, and he cleared his throat in a futile attempt to try and cover it up.

Winking, Justin grabbed his glass and walked away with it. Refilling it quickly, glancing at Brian out of the corner of his eye, he was pleased to note that the older man was still watching his every move. Returning the glass to the customer, Justin began taking away some of the empty dishes.

"Me and my friends, we're going to get going. Can I call you sometime?"

Justin smiled at him and shook his head, "I don't like mine; I'm not a fan of phones. If you leave me yours though, I'll try to give you a call sometime."

The customer nodded, resigning himself to the fact that he probably wouldn't get a call. Regardless, he jotted his name down on a ten dollar bill along with his phone number and boldly dipped his hands deep into Justin's pocket, depositing it there. Smiling one last time, he took a sip of the glass of Coke that Justin had brought him then walked out with his friends, looking back at the blond once to give him a shy smile.

Justin hummed to himself as he cleared off the table. Grabbing the abandoned dishes, he went to put them in the sink. Brian watched from the booth he and Mikey were in, seething. When he'd seen Justin shake his head at the kid, he'd been satisfied thinking that Justin had turned down the advances. Then, he'd seen Justin smiling and flirting, and the black haired shit that was hitting on him had the balls to stick his hand in his lov-in Justin's pockets!

He glared at the blond when he came out of the kitchen, pad of paper in hand to take their order. Pen poised, Justin looked at him expectantly, ready to take his order as if nothing was amiss. He stared at the younger man, taking in the new hair-do and Brian could think of nothing that he wanted to do more, other than burying himself to the hilt in Justin's hot, plump, --

"As much as I enjoy standing around and waiting, there are other customers that demand attention. Are you ready to order or no?"

Brian opened the menu and pretended to study it intently. He heard Justin's sigh.

"You always order the same thing. Why pretend otherwise?"

"Variety is the spice of life, Sunshine. I want to live on the wild side, try something new."

"Yeah, that's true. You know, that's exactly what the elders at the colony tell us kids. We need to appreciate nature because it's so different and unique. Variety is the spice of life because it's what makes it so different. It must be one of those wisdom, knowledge things you just kind of acquire with age, you know?"

"Turkey on wheat, no mayo," Brian snapped the menu shut and shoved it at Justin, gritting his teeth and counting to ten. Michael was doing a poor job of hiding a grin as he gave Justin his own order.

As Justin walked away, Michael turned to Brian, practically dancing in his seat, "So, Superman, looks like you've got your very own Lex Luther."

Brian glared at Michael pointedly, and between his still gritted teeth, he muttered a "fuck you."

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