* Search for Missing Treasure *

* 2 *

“So are you all packed?” Quinn asked as he leafed through Justin’s latest copy of Rage.

Justin walked out of his bedroom and looked at Quinn as he sat his large backpack by the door. In the month since Beltane, they had become good friends and spent a lot of their free time together, even though there had been no repeat of that night. Justin knew that the attraction was still there but neither he nor Quinn had acted on it. “Yeah, I’m all packed.”

Justin plopped down beside Quinn and leaned against him to see where he was at in the comic. “So what do you think?”

Quinn looked up and smiled. “I think it’s fantastic! And that’s not because I know the artist either."

Justin reached behind him and pulled the large brown envelope to him. “Here, this is for you.”

Quinn looked puzzled and opened the thick envelope. Inside he found one of each issue of Rage that had been released so far. “Justin, I can’t take your copies of Rage.”

Justin laughed. “They aren’t mine. I had Michael send them to me. I knew he always kept several copies of each for himself and that it wouldn’t kill him to give one up.”

Quinn looked down at the stack more closely. “Justin, these are all signed! You didn’t have to do that.”

Justin continued to smile. “I know, but I wanted to, and Michael got a kick out of doing it.”

Standing up, he looked down at Quinn and fought the urge to kiss him. “So, I don’t have to be at the airport for another two hours. Let’s go get something to eat.”

Justin grabbed his backpack and hefted it up on his shoulder. After locking the door, he turned to Quinn. “Here, can you keep an eye on the place for me?”

Quinn looked at the keys dangling from Justin’s hand before reaching for them. “Sure.”

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Two hours later, Justin had checked his bag in at the airport, and they were working their way toward security. When it was Justin’s turn, Quinn stepped out of line. “See you in two weeks.”

Justin stepped up to the security guard and looked back. “Yeah, see you in two weeks.”

Walking through the metal detectors and grabbing his items from where they’d been looked over, he looked back one more time, and waved back as Quinn waved before turning to leave.

Finding his gate, he sat down to wait for boarding. Once he was on the plane, he pulled out his sketch pad, intending to work on some pictures for Michael. Instead he found himself drawing Quinn as he had laid on the couch reading ‘Rage’. Since Beltane, he had found himself drawing more and more pictures of Quinn. Before he had time to think more about it, the plane was landing in Spain.

********************************************************************************************

Justin stepped off the plane into the airport in Madrid, and walked through security to find Vassili waiting for him with a huge smile. “Justin! Look at you! You’ve let your hair grow. It looks good.”

Justin smiled back, and stepped into the arms that were being held out to hug him. “Vassili! Thanks! You look good too.”

Vassili picked up his backpack. “Come on. Let’s get out of this airport, and go find out hotel. There is still enough daylight left that we can do a little sightseeing have a great dinner, and maybe a little dancing afterward.”

Justin laughed. “Vassili we’re going to be here for four more days. We don’t have to squeeze it all in one night.”

Vassili laughed as well. “Yeah I know, but I’m so excited to be here. I’ve been working non-stop since last we saw each other, and I’m looking forward to a little fun.”

“Okay, okay.” Justin laughed as they made their way out of the airport, and hailed a cab to take them to their hotel.

Pulling up to The Palace Hotel they paid their driver, and made their way through the lobby, the whole time looking around in awe. Checking in, they made their way to the elevators, but stopped, and went toward the main rotunda lounge. They slowed as they both began to take in the fanciful ceiling frescoes, and the custom-made carpets. When they finally stepped into the lounge, they saw the dazzling stained-glass cupola that was there.

“This is amazing.” Justin all but whispered.

“Yes it is, and this is just the hotel. Can you imagine what we’re going to find in the many museums they have here?” Vassili said as he turned to head back to the elevators.

Justin turned, and joined him. Making their way to their room, they looked around. Vassili walked toward the bed, and flung himself on it. Justin walked to the windows, and pulled back the shades, and looked over the city before him. He felt excitement flow through him at the thought of where he was, and turned to say something, only to feel a slight disappointment when he realized it was Vassili on the bed, and not whom he was wishing were there.

Vassili got off the bed, and walked over to join Justin “What’s the matter?”

Justin shook his head. “Nothing. Did you notice on the ride from the airport that while there were several old buildings that looked Spanish, a lot of the monuments and such seem like they belong in France?”

Vassili continued to look at Justin, and knew that that wasn’t what he was thinking of, but decided to let it go for now. “Yes, I did. It has to do with the royal families of the two countries being so closely tied.”

Justin nodded his understanding. “So, where do you want to go first?”

Vassili seemed to think for a moment. “Well, it’s only about three, so how about we go to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia? It’s open till nine today. That will give us a lot of time there. If not to see it all, then most of it.”

Justin smiled. “That sounds good to me. Then we come back here? Or do we want to go ahead, and change for tonight before we go?”

“Well, I know you’re going to want to take your sketchpad, but I think we should probably go ahead, and get ready. That way we can just drop it off or even take it with us.” Vassili said.

“Sounds good to me.” Justin went over to his backpack, and began to unpack it, looking for something to wear. Finding the shirt he was looking for, and a fresh pair of jeans, Justin began to strip.

Vassili had also begun to strip as well, but stopped to watch Justin. As Justin stood there in his underwear with his back to Vassili, he couldn’t help, but feel his cock grow. Justin was still as gorgeous as he remembered. Of course he wasn’t…, but no, he wasn’t going to think of that. Instead he was going to enjoy what he was here for, a vacation with a good friend, a friend who was fun to be with in, and out of bed.

Vassili walked up behind Justin, and wrapped his arms around him as he kissed Justin’s neck. “I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind taking a shower first. I never feel clean after riding on an airplane for more than an hour. Why don’t you join me?”

Justin moaned as Vassili moved his hand, and cupped Justin’s balls, and rubbed his cock as he talked. “Sounds good to me.”

Justin turned in Vassili’s arms, and quickly claimed his lips. The kiss was eager, hard, and hurried. Quickly they removed what little clothing they still had on, and made it into the bathroom. Justin turned on the water while Vassili went, and grabbed the other things they would need.

Returning to the bathroom, he found Justin already under the spray of the shower, slowly stroking himself. Stepping into the shower, he smiled. “You started without me.”

Justin laughed as he gave himself another good tug before he stopped, and reached for Vassili’s. Slowly he stroked him. “Not really. Just enjoying myself a little while I waited for you to get back.”

Vassili groaned at the pleasure that Justin’s slow, but steady strokes were bringing him. “Well, I’m here now so maybe we can share the pleasure together.”

Vassili reached out, and wrapped one of his hands around Justin’s dripping cock while his other hand brought Justin closer to him so that he could kiss him. The kiss was just as intense as the others had been, and Justin broke it off with as gasp. “Vassili, oh…, fuck me. Now!”

Vassili didn’t need to be asked twice. Especially when it was something he wanted to do. Quickly, he turned Justin around, and prepared him. Then rolling the condom on, he slowly pushed into Justin.

Justin moaned as Vassili filled him. Bracing himself against one of the shower walls he pushed back, meeting Vassili’s next thrust. Vassili leaned against Justin’s back, placing his hands next to Justin’s as he began a steady thrusting that slowly built in speed until it became nothing more then short, sharp jabs that had them both panting with the need for release. A couple of more jabs, and Justin cried out as he shot cum all over the shower wall. Vassili groaned as Justin’s ass clinched around him, and with a couple of more thrusts reached his own orgasm.

Slowly they got their breathing back before moving apart. Looking at each other from across the steam filled shower they smiled at each other, and then began to laugh, the nervous tension they had both been feeling now gone. Quickly they washed up, and got out of the shower. Drying, and dressing for the night, they grabbed their sketchpads, and left for the museum.

Stepping out of the hotel they made their way down the street until they finally came to the Puerta del Sol. They found out that Sol, as the locals liked to call it, was just a huge traffic junction that was also a bus stop. Hopping a bus to the museum, they arrived with a little over three hours in which to look over the wonderful collection of artwork by artist such as Salvador Dali, Juan Gris, Joan Miro, and Pablo Picasso. They both laughed when they heard that the museum was once called the ugliest building in Spain. After they left the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia they took a taxi to the Café de Chinitas. There they had dinner, and watched some of the best gypsy-born flamenco artist perform in Spain. The shows lasted until two a.m., and the artist in both men had them drawing pictures after pictures of the amazing dancers.

Much to their surprise, several of the dancers approached them, and asked to see the pictures they had done. With much exclamation, they were asked to draw more or if they would be interested in doing some for them for their posters. Justin laughed, and after looking at Vassili, they agreed to come back the next night to draw some more. Strolling back toward the bus stop to take them back to their hotel, they talked about what they had done, passing each other sketches, and talking about their different styles. Once back at their hotel, they slowly removed their clothes, and crawled into bed.

Rolling onto his side, Vassili looked at Justin, studying him. “You know, something is different about you, but I can’t quite place what.”

Justin laughed as he turned to face him. “Well, I don’t know what to tell you. When you figure out what it is, let me know, okay?”

Both men continued to look at each other before slowly leaning in for a kiss. The sex this time was slow, and tender. The eager releases satisfied earlier in the day. This time the nervousness was gone, and now it was just comfortable.

Afterwards, as they laid quietly in each other’s arms, Justin asked, “So what do you want to do tomorrow?”

Vassili thought about it, and finally said, “Why don’t we go check out the El Rastro’s flea market in the morning, and then in the afternoon, we can check out either Museo del Prado, the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum or Parque de Retiro.”

Justin looked slightly puzzled, “What’s the Parque de Retiro? I’ve heard of the other two.”

Vassili smiled, and bent down for a gentle kiss before answering. “It was originally the royal playground, and extends over 350 acres. The palaces are gone, but the dance hall is still there, and is now a museum, the Army museum is there as well, but what is really spectacular about it, are the numerous fountains, and statues that are everywhere as well as a large lake. With it being summer, the rose garden will be in full bloom as well, and are absolutely beautiful.”

Justin yawned, and fought to keep his eyelids open. “The flea market and park sound like a nice day.”

Within seconds Justin was asleep, and Vassili laid there watching him. He had been disappointed that Justin had talked about the next day instead of romance, but he had known that Justin wasn’t in love with him, and probably never would be. With a sigh, he pulled him close, and fell asleep; he knew he had a lot of thinking to do on this trip, and a decision to make.

The next morning they awoke still in each other’s arms. While Vassili enjoyed it, he couldn’t help but notice the confusion on Justin’s face. He assumed that it was because of waking up in a strange room with him.

Justin quickly jumped at Vassili’s excuse, and got out of bed, heading into the bathroom. Shutting the door so that Vassili knew he wanted to be alone, he started the shower. Getting into the shower and washing quickly, he couldn’t keep the visions of Quinn out of his head. That was why he had been confused when he had awakened, he had been dreaming of Quinn. Hearing the knock on the bathroom door, and his name called out quietly, he knew that he had some thinking to do, and a decision to make.

Vassili knocked on the bathroom door again. “Justin? Are you alright?”

Justin sighed. “I’m sorry Vassili, come on in.”

He knew he had a hard-on, but also knew that Vassili would think it was only his morning wood that still needed to be taken care of. Sure enough, Vassili walked into the bathroom, into the shower, and wrapped his arms around him, kissing his neck.

“Good morning.” Vassili said as he continued to kiss Justin’s neck. “I see you haven’t taken care of this yet. That’s good, because I want it.”

Vassili turned Justin so that his back was to the spray, and began to slowly lick the small streams of water on his skin until he was kneeling in front of him. Slowly he licked his cock all over before taking him completely into his mouth. Justin closed his eyes, and let the sensations flow over him as Vassili brought him to the edge, and then over it.

Opening his eyes, he saw Vassili looking intently at him before he swooped in for a hard, and passion filled kiss. Justin could taste himself, and as he felt the need for air, he also felt himself begin to grow hard again. Reaching down he wrapped his hand around Vassili’s hard cock, and stroked it firmly, but slowly.

Breaking off the kiss he said, “Turn around.”

Vassili didn’t even hesitate, but turned around, and waited to see what Justin would do. Justin began kissing Vassili’s back as he worked his way down until he was level with his ass. Spreading his cheeks, Justin slowly licked down the crack following the water until he found Vassili’s hole. With the same intensity that he had licked his way down, he licked the hole in slow circles drawing a deep moan from Vassili. Next he ran his tongue across it, but never once did he dip into it.

By this time Vassili was panting, and pushing back against Justin’s tongue. “Justin! Either rim me or fuck me, but do something!”

Justin smiled as he stood up, and grabbed a condom. He tore it open slowly, and Vassili moaned at the amount of time it took him. Rolling the condom onto his cock, he leaned back against him so that it rubbed against his ass. “Is this what you want?”

Vassili couldn’t believe what a tease Justin was being. “Yes!”

“Are you sure?” Justin asked as he continued to tease Vassili.

Vassili moaned, and wrapped his own hand around his cock. “Justin, you either fuck me now or I’m going to bring myself off, and you can keep your hard-on.”

Justin didn’t give Vassili a chance. He quickly placed his cock against Vassili’s hole, and pushed until his head was buried. Then he waited as Vassili got used to him. While he did this, he reached around, and removed Vassili’s hand from around his cock. “No, that’s mine. You can’t have it.”

Once Vassili was ready, Justin pushed all the way in, and began to set a slow teasing pace. Vassili was having none of it though. “Harder!”

Justin smiled, and squeezed Vassili’s cock tighter, and picked up his pace so that within moments, Vassili was shooting all over the wall of the shower, and Justin was cuming as well.

As they both slowly got their breaths back, Justin disposed of the condom, and began to dry off as Vassili finished up his shower.

The rest of the day went as planned, with both men turning to the other every now and then to say something, but stopping as if surprised at whom the other was. That night they went back to Café de Chinitas where they were given their food, and drinks for free as they drew sketches after sketches. As the club was being closed, they showed the sketches they had made that night, and the dancers selected several of them. They promised to stop by before they were left Madrid.

As they walked down to the bus stop neither man was really ready to go back to the hotel. “Why don’t we go, and check out one of the clubs? They won’t close for another three or four hours.” Justin suggested as after two nights of watching the dancing, he was in the mood to do some.

Vassili smiled, “Okay, which club were you thinking of?”

Justin stopped, and turned to face Vassili. “Well Black, and White is the major gay bar here, and their open until 5 a.m., and so is Refugio which is supposedly the best gay disco bar, and I hear they do theme nights. Therefore, I thought we could try them both.”

Vassili laughed. “In other words, we’re going to dance till dawn?” At Justin’s nod, Vassili continued, “Sure, why not.”

They stumbled into their hotel room around six a.m. both exhausted from their dancing, and a little drunk. Laughing they undressed, and crawled into bed. Looking at each other, they sighed, and said good night before going to sleep. Both too tired to do anything else.

They awoke around noon, and after a quick lunch, gathered their supplies, and went to Casa de Campo, another royal park. They were leaving in the morning for Seville. They had been sketching for awhile when Justin looked up as he finished his last one. Standing, he stretched, and looked over to see how Vassili was doing. Vassili, who had paused in his work and looked up to admire Justin, smiled when he turned toward him. “You know? I think one of the things that is different about you is that you seem to be happy. I mean, you’ve been happy other times that I’ve seen you, but I mean a contented and relaxed happy. However that isn’t all of it. Why don’t you tell me what’s been going on some more while I finish my last drawing.”

Justin smiled, “You know, I am. I am happy, and I feel good about my life, and more importantly, about myself.”

Justin sat back down, and continued to talk about what he had been doing lately. Vassili worked on his drawing, but also paused every now, and then to look at Justin. Justin had a smile on his face as he talked, and the happiness was there in his voice. As he finished his work, he sat, and listened to Justin, and started to get an idea of what the other thing was as well. Justin was in love. Not the all-consuming love that he had had with Brian, or the looked for romance that he thought he might have had with Ethan, but he was in love, a slow building, unsought for love. Vassili wasn’t even sure if Justin realized it or not, but he didn’t think so. He sighed, and began to put away his supplies, and Justin finished up with his, and what he was saying.

Vassili now knew that Justin would never love him, and while he had kind of hoped that this trip might bring them together that way, it wasn’t going to happen. Then he thought about home, and what could be waiting for him there if he would give it a shot.

“Justin,” Vassili said coming to a decision. “I want to ask you something, and then I want you to think real hard before you answer me, and please be honest.”

Justin looked at Vassili, and the smile slowly left his face at the seriousness on his face. “Sure Vassili. What?”

Vassili took a deep breath. “Do you wish that someone else was here with you, or here with us? There are times when you seem to turn to say something, only to realize that I’m not the one you want to say it too.”

Justin sighed. He knew he had to be honest, but to be honest with Vassili meant that he had to be honest with himself too. “Vassili, I’m glad that you’re here, but you’re right. I’ve met someone, and even though I’ve tried to keep it as nothing more than friendship, I’ve only been kidding myself. You’ve heard me talk about my friend Quinn? Well…”

Justin, and Vassili walked back toward their hotel, and Justin told him about Quinn, and what he was feeling. Vassili listened, and when they got to their room, he said. “Justin lets get cleaned up, and go back to the Prado for its last couple of hours. Then we’ll go someplace for dinner, and talk some more before we go back to the club to say our goodbyes.”

Justin looked searchingly at Vassili’s face, and nodded his agreement. This time they showered separately, and dressed without much conversation. Leaving their room, they went to a restaurant that was nearby.

After they sat down, and ordered their food, they sat in an awkward silence for several minutes before Vassili finally spoke. “Justin, while I don’t think this is a mistake, I do think it would be a mistake for us to continue on this trip as lovers. I think we should enjoy Spain, but also use this time to think over things that we both seem to have on our minds. You see, you’re not the only one with a…friend.”

Justin looked searchingly at Vassili, and then slowly a smile spread across his face as relief filled him. “I’m glad you feel that way. I was starting to feel guilty every time I turned, and saw it was you instead of Quinn. Not because you weren’t Quinn, but because I felt that I was misleading you, and you’re right, if we both have decisions to make about things going on back home, we need this time to think about what we’re going to do. So tell me about your friend.”

Vassili smiled as their food came, and as they ate, he began to tell Justin about Alexis, a new worker at the museum.

After awhile, they headed for the club, and enjoyed the dancers until they finished. The dancers came over to talk and to say goodbye, but they also gave them each some gifts in the forms of shawls, castanets, and fans, all hand made.

Finally they left with their arms loaded with gifts, and headed back to their hotel. Once there, they packed their bags so that they would be ready to go in the morning. Calling the front desk, they placed a wake-up call for eight in the morning. When they were finished, they approached the bed, and looked at each other, and laughed at their sudden discomfort.

Justin laughed, “Well, I guess we’ll need to make sure that we get double beds from now on.”

Vassili laughed as well. “I guess so. So who gets to sleep on the couch tonight?”

“Well, if you can keep your hands to yourself, then I so can I.” Justin continued laughing, keeping the moment light.

They both undressed down to their underwear, but kept them on, and crawled into bed. Each turning their back to the other as they said goodnight.

The next morning, after breakfast, they made their way to the bus station where they grabbed a bus to Seville.

The bus trip to Seville was uneventful, but relaxed, as Justin and Vassili talked, and watched the scenery. They talked about Madrid, and what they had enjoyed the most, and they talked about what they wanted to see in Seville. They both avoided talking about what seemed to be on both of their minds most of the time. The men back home.

Once in Seville, they found a reasonably priced hotel for two nights with double beds. Leaving their bags in their room, they left with their sketchpads in tow, and began to walk the city. Luckily, Seville was made for exploring on foot, as all the roads had been made for horse drawn buggies.

As they made their way through the city, they found the Barrio de Santa Cruz with all of its interesting architecture, and many shops selling andalusian handcrafts. As the sun was slowly setting, they found a little restaurant there, and had dinner. As they had heard that Seville had a high street crime rate, once they finished, they made their way back toward the hotel for showers, and a decent night sleep.

The next day they made their way to El Alcazar, the 14th century Mudejar palace. As King Juan Carlos wasn’t in residence, they were allowed to tour the palace. Making their way back down, and through the beautiful gardens, they went to the Cathedral, and climbed Giralda Tower for a panoramic view of the city. On the way back to their hotel they stopped at another restaurant in the Barrio. Once in their room, both men pulled out their sketchpads, and finished up some of the sketches they had drawn throughout the day.

Yawning, Justin sat down his pad, stood, and stretched before looking at Vassili. “I think I’m going to go ahead, and turn in. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Vassili looked, and smiled. “I just want to finish this one up, and I’ll be heading there myself. Good night.”

Justin went, and crawled into bed. Turning his back to the rest of the room he tried to go to sleep, but his mind, now unoccupied, had other things planned. He started thinking about Brian, Vassili, and Quinn.

For a moment guilt took hold, but then he tried to think of why he should feel guilty. Brian and he weren’t together. Not because he didn’t want it, but because Brian didn’t. True, Brian had admitted that he hoped that later in the future, they might be able to be together, but what about now? Was he supposed to do like Brian did? Was he supposed to start tricking? No, he couldn’t do that. That wasn’t what he was like or about, and he couldn’t become that way. Trying to become like Brian was one of the things that had help tear them apart.

Then there was Vassili, Justin knew that Vassili had fallen in love with him at one point, but he didn’t love him, and never had. He knew that he probably should have never continued the commutations after his last visit, but he really liked Vassili, and he had helped him when he had really been at one of the lowest points of his life. Now while it seemed that Vassili still had feelings for him, he was also falling for someone else, and he was glad.

And then there was Quinn. The night of Beltane had been fantastic, and he had been relieved when Quinn said he only wanted to be friends. He admitted that Quinn was his best friend, but he knew he needed to be honest with himself. When he wasn’t with Quinn, he missed him, and the attraction between them was as strong as ever. He realized that Quinn was the person he thought about first thing in the morning, and the last person he thought about at night. With a sigh he realized that he was in love with Quinn. Now the question was what was he going to do about it? With that though, he drifted off to sleep.

Vassili finished his drawing, but instead of going to bed, he sat there, and thought about his situation. He knew that Justin had never loved him, and with what he knew about not only Brian, but also now Quinn, he knew that he never would. Justin would always think of them as friends, and nothing more. Then there was Alexis. Alexis was vibrant, and full of life. He had a way of making him laugh and while they had never gone beyond the roles of friendship, he knew that the sex between them would be good. Closing his eyes, he pictured Alexis’ face, and couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across his face or the warmth through his body. Yes, a relationship between them would be good, and he knew that he was falling in love with him as well.

Hearing Justin’s sigh, Vassili opened his eyes, and looked at the bed. Sighing himself he stood up, stretched, put up his supplies, and crawled into his own bed. Thinking of the blond next to him for a moment, then thinking of Alexis, he couldn’t stop smiling again as sleep took him.

On their last day in Seville, they went to the Museo Provincial de Bellas Artes de Seville where they spent half the day roaming through the artwork there, and after lunch they strolled through the Pargue Maria Luisa before going to catch their late afternoon bus to Gibraltar.

They were spending this one night, and the following day in Gibraltar, where they were surprised upon arriving to find a British city. Finding a small hotel, they checked in, and went to find a place to eat.

After dinner they strolled around the town, getting a feel of the English, and Moor combinations. Going back to the hotel, they both pulled out their pads, and drew some of the things that inspired them. As with the night before, they went to bed when they were each ready to, and dreamed of things that they didn’t discuss with the other.

Then next morning, they made their way to the famous ‘Rock of Gibraltar’. Both men spent time just sitting, and taking in the sights, and drawing. When they were ready to leave, they found that they were ahead of schedule. They decided to go ahead, and make their way back to the bus station, and leave for Granada early.

On arriving in Granada, they made their way to the hotel they had booked before the start of their trip, and checked in for the length of their stay. Grabbing their ever-present sketchpads, they set out for the Catedral, and Capilla Real. Once they were outside the ornate Spanish Renaissance Cathedral, they paused to read up on its history. They couldn’t believe that it had taken from 1521 to 1714 to finish. Walking inside, they looked at the amazing gold-and-white decor, before making their way to the flamboyant Gothic Royal chapel where the remains of Queen Isabella, her husband, their daughter Joanne the Mad, and her husband, Phillip the Handsome. Vassili and Justin laughed as they looked over the small coffins with their effigies, their names not quite matching their appearance.

After they left the chapel, they walked to Albaicin, the old Arab quarter, and the surrounding gypsy caves. They walked among the narrow crooked streets, looking at the whitewashed houses, and villas with their cisterns, fountains, and plazas. As the sun was getting lower in the sky, a sudden noise had them looking at each other, and bursting out with laughter. It was Justin’s stomach, time to find a place for dinner.

After dinner, they went back to their room to work on their sketches until 9:30. After which they grabbed a taxi to take them up to Alhambra for a short floodlit tour. They were going to go back the next day for a bigger tour, but thought that a night tour would also be fun.

The next morning they were up early, and at Alhambra by nine. The line to go in was amazing, just as they had heard, and they were glad that they had taken the advice about getting there when it opened. As they were roaming around the open aired rooms with their lacelike walls, and courtyards with fountains, they heard that no more visitors were being allowed in.

The next day, they checked out of their hotel, and made their way to Generalife before they left town. Built in the 13th century, it overlooked Alhambra, and was the summer palace of the sultans before the Moors were chased out of Granada. Justin and Vassili strolled through the gardens, and courtyards, admiring their beauty, and imagining the past. Justin was also making notes, as he got ideas to talk over with Michael about a possible storyline for Rage among other things.

At noon, Justin, and Vassili made their way to the bus station where they grabbed a bus to Valencia.

Once they were in Valencia, and checked into their hotel, Vassili, and Justin went down to the café in the hotel, and planned their days. Valencia was a more modern city then most, and not considered to be beautiful. However, they did have several museums, and professed to have the Holy Grail.

After visiting the Grail and spending a day visiting the museums, they were sitting in their room when Vassili finally looked at Justin, and asked. “Do you know what you’re going to do when you get home?”

Justin sighed. “No, I don’t.”

Vassili sighed as well. “You love Quinn. What’s to think about?”

Justin looked up at Vassili a little taken by surprise. “How do you know I love Quinn?”

Vassili smiled. “It’s in your voice and your face every time you talk about him. Is it because of Brian?”

Justin slumped back into his chair. “Yes, to both questions. I love them both, and I don’t know what to do.”

Vassili shook his head sadly. “Justin, who is it you think of first thing in the morning, and the last thing at night? Be honest with yourself.”

Justin didn’t pause when he answered. “Quinn.”

“Then I think you have your answer. You love Quinn now, and you have for awhile, you just were unwilling to admit it, or even face it. You’ve told me yourself that you and Brian aren’t together, and might not ever be. Don’t blow this chance at happiness here and now for something that might not ever happen. If you and Brian are meant to be, then you will be together when you are meant to be together, but allow yourself to be happy now as well.”

Justin thought about what Vassili had said to him. “What about you? What are you going to do?”

Vassili smiled, “I’m going to ask Alexis out. Not for dinner as a co-worker, but on a real date. I really like him, and I think that we could really be happy together, but with us being co-worker, it’s a little unnerving, and whether if it’s the right thing to do.”

Justin smiled at Vassili. “As you just told me Vassili, don’t deny yourself happiness now when ‘what if’ might not ever happen.”

Vassili laughed, and Justin joined him. “Thanks Vassili, this talk actually helped. I miss Brian, but the pain of not being with him has lessened to a dull ache. However, I miss Quinn so much right now that it hurts. I guess I already knew the answer to what I was going to do, I just was afraid of making the same mistake that I made with Ethan.”

Vassili shook his head. “You didn’t love Ethan. You were looking for something, and had hoped you had found it with him, but you didn’t. With Quinn, you weren’t looking for anything, and something found you instead.”

Justin smiled. “You’re right. When I get home, I think I’ll have a talk with Quinn, and see what he thinks about us. I don’t want to lose the friendship with him, but I do want more.”

Vassili laughed. “I think that you will probably find that he has been waiting for you if what you have said about the two of you is any indication. He’s been waiting for you to see him, to realize that he’s right there, and all you have to do is say the word.”

Justin nodded as Vassili went on. “What are you going to tell Brian?”

Justin sobered up a little. “I don’t know yet. I guess I’ll think of something, but first I need to find out if what you say is true with Quinn first. Then I’ll deal with telling Brian.”

Vassili nodded in agreement. “That sounds reasonable.” Looking at his watch, he saw that they had actually been talking for quite a while. “It’s getting late, and we should be going to bed. We can talk about this some more in the morning.”

Justin nodded as he followed Vassili’s suit, rose, stretched, and walked to his bed. “Thanks Vassili, this really has helped.”

Vassili smiled. “Yes, it has for me too. Good night Justin.”

Both men climbed into their beds, and fell almost instantly asleep, their problems straightened out, and action ready to be taken once their trip was over.

Their last day in Valencia was spent at the La Lonja de la Seda. The former silk exchange dated back to 1498, and was still considered the most splendid example of secular Gothic architecture in Spain. Once they were through looking over the twisted spiral columns, and stained glass windows, they made their way to the bus stop for the last leg of their trip. Barcelona.

Arriving in Barcelona, they checked into their last hotel. They would be flying out of El Prat de Liobregat Airport in three days to head home. While the sun was still out, they decided to make their way to La Sagrada Familia. Both men marveled at the incomplete masterpiece of a building. The Church of the Holy Family is a bizarre wonder. Started in 1882, it still wasn’t complete when the designer died in 1926. However work been continued on it to this day. Some say that the design is art nouveau run rampant.

Leaving there, they found a restaurant for dinner, and then made their way back to their hotel, where they got cleaned up, and ready for a night of clubbing. First they made their way to Punto BCN, the largest gay bar in Barcelona, which set out to attract not only young locals, but tourist as well. The good thing about going here though, was that when they bought their drinks, they were given directions, and an entry pass to Arena, a seventies, and eighties popular gay bar. Vassili, and Justin danced until the wee hours of the morning, and then tired, they happily made their way back to their hotel.

The next morning they made their way to Barri Gotic, the old aristocratic quarter. They spent several hours roaming its narrow streets and squares as they made their way to the Catedral de Barcelona, and the nearby roman ruins, before heading to the Museu Frederic Mares where they walked among the medieval sculptures.

Going back to the hotel after grabbing something to eat, they finished up some of their drawings before once again going out for the evening. This time they went to one called El Convento. A bar decorated like a church. In a rare moment on the trip, Justin actually wished that Brian was there as he would have gotten a kick out of the club. Later they made their way to a club called Metro, and had a fantastic time dancing to the regular dance music. But what really got them, was watching the men dance gracefully to the more traditional Spanish music.

The next day was spent almost completely at the Museu Picasso. They were amazed to find that it was not one, but two old palaces that held the 2500 paintings, engravings, and drawings of Pablo Picasso. That night being the last night of their stay, they took it easy, and had a light dinner, went back to their room, packed, and finished up some drawings as they talked.

Their last day in Barcelona was only until four o’clock, so they went to the Museu Nacional de’Art de Catalunya. They roamed around looking at the art work before finally deciding it was time for lunch. After finding a little café, they sat and ate, but didn’t talk much. They were both quiet, thinking about their trip, and the fact that it was coming to an end.

Finally it was time to make their way to the airport and wait for their flights. Vassili’s flight was leaving first, so Justin walked with him to his gate to wait with him until it was time.

After they had sat quietly for several minutes, Vassili finally spoke. “Justin, I know that you know that I care for you, and I know that you don’t feel the same way for me. And as much as I value your friendship, until I know how things are going to go with Alexis, I think that we shouldn’t talk to each other for awhile.”

Just then Vassili’s flight was called for boarding. “I hope that you understand and will accept it. And who knows, maybe one day, you’ll hear from me and we can get our friendship back on track.”

Justin began to say something when the call went out again. Vassili stood up and faced Justin. “Justin, please. I will always think fondly of you but I need to do this. Otherwise, I don’t know if I can move forward with Alexis.”

Justin felt his eyes begin to water and he nodded his understanding. Vassili drew Justin in and they hugged each other tightly. “I’ll miss you Vassili.”

“And I’ll miss you.” Vassili said as he released Justin and began to walk away from him. At the gate, Vassili turned, and with a sad smile, waved one last time to Justin before turning and boarding his plane.

Justin watched as they closed the door leading to the plane and felt a tear roll down his face, and he felt that he would never see or hear from Vassili again. Turning he walked to his gate and sat down, fighting the tears that he felt building. Instead he opened his sketchpad and began to draw a picture of Vassili, one where he was happy and laughing, a time in which Justin was happy as well. A happy memory that he would carry around with him forever.

As he finished the portrait, Justin heard his plane called. Closing his sketchpad, he boarded his plane and pulled out a different pad. Opening it, he looked at the pictures of Quinn and smiled. He was going home.

********************************************************************************************

Justin walked past airport security and headed for luggage pick-up to get his backpack. As he made his way through the crowd, he looked at all the activity going on around him. He stopped in surprise when he saw Quinn standing there waiting for him. He couldn’t help the smile, nor the thrill of seeing him that coursed through his body. Without thinking or breaking eye contact, Justin walked up to Quinn, cupped his face with his hands, and kissed him in a slow tender kiss. Pulling back, he looked deep into Quinn’s eyes and said, “I missed you.”

Quinn’s face lit up with his smile. “I missed you too.” And brought his hands up to cup Justin’s on his face and sighed in contentment. He knew that something had now changed for them. “Come on. Let’s get you home.”

The two men released each other and continued to walk toward the luggage pick-up. After a couple of steps, Justin reached over and took Quinn’s hand in his, and refused to let go until he had to.

The ride back to Justin’s place was made in silence as was the climb up the stairs. Quinn opened to door and ushered Justin in. “Are you hungry? I know you must be tired of hauling this thing around.”

Quinn took Justin’s backpack from him and sat it in the bedroom. “Why don’t you go take a shower or a bath while I fix something to eat. Then I want to hear all about your trip.”

Justin smiled at how nervous Quinn appeared and walked over and wrapped his arms around him. “That sounds like a great idea. Thanks.”

Justin kissed the side of Quinn’s neck and walked around him and into the bathroom. Turning on the shower, he couldn’t help but smile as he thought about how he hoped the rest of the evening would go.

Twenty-five minutes, later Justin stepped into some sweatpants and walked back into his living room, the smell of food making his stomach rumble. However, he had to stop and stare at the sight that greeted him. Everywhere there were candles lit and flower petals of every hue covered the floor and every available surface.

“How did you…?”

Quinn blushed and pulled a bouquet of flowers from behind his back. “I was planning on seducing you tonight, so I had these all at your neighbors. You see, I felt that I had given you enough time, and I missed you so much while you were gone. I wasn’t sure how you felt but…"

Justin walked barefoot across the petals and marveled at how soft they felt. Reaching Quinn, he took the bouquet and leaned forward stopping Quinn’s nervous flow of words with a soft, gentle kiss. Just then, Justin’s stomach rumbled again and both men couldn’t keep from laughing despite the romance that filled the air.

Quinn watched as Justin brought the flowers to his face and couldn’t help laughing again when he sneezed. “I forgot about your allergies.”

Justin grinned and went and sat down on the couch still holding the flowers. “That’s okay. I don’t mind them acting up on occasion.”

Quinn went into the kitchen and returned with two bowls of a hearty stew and sat them on the coffee table. Then he brought over thick slices of bread and two bottles of beer. “Sorry that this isn’t a little bit more fancier.”

Justin leaned over and kissed Quinn. “This is just perfect.” Lifting up his beer bottle, Justin said, “To us and what the future will hold.”

Quinn smiled, “To us.”

They quickly finished the food and Quinn cleaned up the dishes as Justin put the flowers in some water.

Justin went back to the couch and Quinn walked over with two more beers. Justin reached for the beer that Quinn was handing him but instead of taking the bottle, he pulled on Quinn’s wrist to get him to sit with him.

Quinn settled himself between Justin’s legs “So tell me. What changed your mind about us?”

Justin took a large drink of his beer and signed. “There I was touring around Spain with a beautiful man who I enjoy being with, and all I could think about was how much I wished you were there with me.”

“Really?” Quinn asked.

“Yeah.” Justin sighed again and pulled Quinn tighter against him. “It got so bad that Vassili finally asked what was wrong. I felt bad, but I told him the truth.”

“Was it bad?” Quinn asked, concerned that Justin might have ruined his vacation.

Justin laughed. “Actually No. It turned out that Vassili has met someone as well and was using our vacation together to see how he really felt. We spent the rest of the trip telling each other about the people we hoped would be waiting for us.”

Justin kissed the upturned face. “Thank you for waiting for me.”

Quinn whispered against Justin’s lips. “I knew you would come around at some point.”

Justin moaned as he claimed Quinn’s lips and deepened the kiss immediately. Quinn turned till he was on his side with his hip pushed against Justin’s hard-on. Justin broke off the kiss with a gasp. Quinn used Justin’s release to run his tongue up Justin’s neck and slid the fingers of one hand into the waistband of Justin’s sweats to caress the hot tip of Justin’s cock. As he raised his head, Justin lowered his and they locked eyes as Quinn continued to lightly stroke back and forth, drawing beads of precum. Slowly, without breaking eye contact, Quinn lowered his head until he could lick Justin’s nipples.

Justin glanced down to watch Quinn’s tongue as it came out and licked first one nipple and then the other. Looking back up, his breath caught, not at the lust that he saw there, but the love that was shining there for all to see.

Quinn pulled the waistband down to uncover all of Justin’s cock and proceeded to kiss his way down Justin’s chest and stomach until he could lick the drops from the leaking head without ever breaking eye contact.

Justin smiled and brought his hands up to run through Quinn’s hair and caress his face. When Quinn finally wrapped his lips around the head of his cock, Justin couldn’t keep his eyes open or the moan of pleasure from escaping.

Leaning his head back, he enjoyed the feeling of Quinn's mouth surrounding his cock, and before long, felt himself about to cum. Reaching down, he stopped Quinn, and drew him back up for a deep kiss. When he released his lips, Justin looked him in the eyes and said, "I don't want to cum with you like this. I want to cum inside you of you after we've made love."

Justin climbed out from under Quinn and held out his hand. "Come on. Let's go to bed and let me show you just how I feel about you."

Quinn looked up at Justin and gave him a smile that made Justin's breath catch. Reaching up, he took Justin's hand, and together, they walked into the bedroom.

********************************************************************************************

Almost a week later, Justin and Quinn were on their way to their weekly dinner with Arden and Bruce. As they walked, they held hands and talked to each other as if there were no one else around, the love they felt for each other clearly showing for everyone to see. Meanwhile, a figure standing in the shadows, continued to watch them until they disappeared, before slowly turning back toward the way he had come from. As he climbed back into the car that he had recently left, he looked one more time in the direction that he had just come from, then, with a sigh, he started the engine and headed back to the airport. His surprise visit, it seemed, was over before it had ever had a chance to begin.

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