Home at Last

Pic coming soon

Love is overrated.

While Brian never explicitly said so, Justin knew by his comments and snarks that his opinion of love was just that. It didn’t mean Brian didn’t love or didn’t know it; but the traditional expressions of that emotion were rarely honest.

Love, to Brian was an illusion he sold daily at Ryder, Vanguard and now Kinnetik. Brian made it possible every day for naughty boyfriends to buy forgiveness for transgressions that wouldn’t exist if they were honest with themselves and their lovers. Love, at least its expression, was a commodity like crop futures.

Real love, that toe-curling, heart-thumping emotion, was something Brian ran from for years until Justin came along. Justin smiled as he remembered every wall he cracked or shattered. Brian’s force field was more porous than anyone realized, even Michael. It just took a little finesse and subterfuge to breach.

Justin could tell by a simple inflection in Brian’s voice whether he was being honest or retreating behind one of his barriers. Even when Brian tried to dismiss their first time as mere fucking, Justin knew Brian agreed it was love. The one part Brian could never hide his emotions was in his voice. As poker-faced as he tried to make himself, Brian’s voice always told the truth.

Even the night Brian gave his “love versus fucking” speech, Justin could hear the fear. Justin knew he could have stood and fought harder that night, but something told him to try another tactic. It was the smartest and dumbest move he’d made, but one he’d never regret.

Choosing to breach Fort Kinney sent Justin on an epic roller coaster ride that forever changed his life. Between school fights, bashings, a breakup (when he really learned the truth about love), a political uprising, vigilantism, falling in and out of PiFA, Brian losing his livelihood and gaining a new one only to lose a ball, the Liberty Ride and Justin’s career change, Justin felt like he’d lived forty years instead of twenty-one. Never let it be said that life with Brian was dull.

Sitting 35,000 feet above ground gave Justin plenty time to think about Brian, and how far they’d come in spite of their many trials. Marriage was still not legal, but they were as married as Michael and Ben, ceremonies be damned.

Justin wished Brian were able to get away from the office to meet him, but he had another strategy meeting and promised to head straight home afterward. Justin didn’t mind waiting; he was in Los Angeles for almost a year – what were another few hours?

Emmett wanted to throw him a welcome-home party, but Justin told him his jet lag would ruin it. Emmett rescheduled for Saturday night, which gave Justin two days to reacquaint himself with Brian.

Justin nearly slept during the cab ride to the loft. None of the gang was available to pick him up, it being a workday and all; plus Justin wanted a little time alone before dealing with his overbearing pseudo-family. His mother alone would send him into hives.

The loft had never felt more welcoming. Justin immediately unpacked, putting away his laundry. He knew that if he didn’t unpack right away, his luggage would sit in the foyer for weeks. A shower revived him just enough to get in bed for a nap. He snuggled under the duvet, comforted by the scent of Brian on the bedding, and closed his eyes.

Justin awoke, startled by the arms around him. A quick look around reminded him that he was home, and so was Brian. A flutter of lips grazed his shoulder; he chuckled and turned over when he heard, “I thought you’d never wake up.”

“I’ve never been good at this jet lag thing.”

“Me neither. Remember the first night I came to L.A.?”

“I didn’t tell anyone you fell asleep on me.”

“Thanks. So, when’s the big premiere?”

“January, if all goes well.”

“It will. Emmett wanted to make Rage and Zephyr costumes for us to wear on the red carpet.”

“Surely you talked him out of it?”

“And not have the opportunity to show off my body and package?”

“Brian!”

“Besides, they’re already made. We tried them on yesterday. Ben saw Mikey in his Zephyr costume and promptly took him home. I think Ma and Pa Bruckner had quite a busy night. Think about it – your partner could be at your side, incognito and hot as hell.”

“Like that would work; Brett and Connor have seen you.”

“All the more reason to show up in costume and make them jealous.”

“You’re such a geek.”

“Look at the company I keep.”

Justin laughed and kissed Brian. It was good to be home. Love may be overrated, but no one complained when they felt it.

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