Lesson Learned

 

Brian was awakened by an unusual emptiness on his left side. Where was Justin? He found his robe, and made his way to the bedroom doorway. Brian’s eyes panned the darkness of the loft, finally coming to rest on a slight figure standing near the living room window. Gazing over the sleeping city, wrapped in blue sheeting, with the moonlight illuminating his hair, Justin appeared almost angelic. Brian walked over to him. “Justin, it’s three o’clock in the morning. What are you doing up?” he asked.

 

Justin continued to stare out of the window. “I don’t want to go.” he said. “I don’t ever want to go back there again.”

 

“Your parents are expecting you to go, and so is Daphne.” Brian searched the teen’s face for some sort of reaction. There was none. “I’ll be there.” he added.

 

“They hate me.”

 

“No one hates you.”

 

Justin turned to Brian. “Yes they do.” he said “That’s why they set my locker on fire. They shove me on purpose. They even tried to kill me.”

 

“That’s just one crazy fuck. Chris Hobbs doesn’t represent everybody Justin.” Brian tried to sound convincing.

 

“I hear what they call me when they think I’m not listening.” Justin said bleakly. “Sometimes they know I’m listening.”

 

“Your parents spoke to the principal, none of that will happen at the graduation. Everything’s going to be fine.” Brian almost choked on his own words. Who was he fooling? He could hear the deception in his own voice, and the look on Justin’s face told him that his boy wasn’t buying it either. Justin looked back over the Pittsburgh skyline, as Brian tried another tactic. “Fuck them, you’ve earned the right to be there. Don’t let them deprive you of your graduation day. My Justin would never back down from a fight. He’s the bravest person I know.”

 

Justin took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He exhaled slowly, trying desperately to hold back the tears that threatened to give away his teenage vulnerability. Brian gathered the boy in his arms, and Justin buried his face into his lover’s chest. “I’m tired of being brave Brian.” he whimpered. Unable to contain the hurt any longer, Justin emitted a muffled wail the likes Brian had never heard before.

 

Brian gently stroked his fingers through Justin’s hair, as he rocked him ever so gently. “You don’t have to go.” Brian said, now fighting back his own tears. “We’ll do something else.”

 

Brian accompanied Justin to break the news to the Taylors. Justin would not be going to graduation practices, or attending the ceremony. Jennifer listened sympathetically, while Craig ranted about the tuition he had shoveled out over the past four years, and why this could have been avoided if Justin hadn’t insisted on flaunting himself. Brian bridled his tongue, and watched in amazement as Justin verbally went head to head with his father. A far cry from the boy weeping in his arms last night, Brian concluded that the teen didn’t know his own strength.

 

Eventually Brian had heard enough. “Justin’s not going.” he said conclusively.

 

“This is none of your business Kinney. This is between me, and my son.” Craig growled. “What the fuck are you doing in my house anyway?”

 

Jennifer tried to keep peace. “Craig please.”

 

Brian stood to leave. “Let’s go Justin.”

 

“I’m not finished Justin!” Craig insisted.

 

“Yes you are!” Brian said with authority. “Let’s go Justin.”

 

Jennifer watched as Justin slowly paced the floor, his hands on his hips, his eyes tracing the pattern of the carpet in front of him. In deep thought, he seemed oblivious of the two men fighting over him. She couldn’t help noticing how much the young man looked like his father.

“Sweetheart, it’s your decision.” she said.

 

Justin lifted his head to meet his mother’s eyes. “I’m not going.” he said.

 

It was graduation day. Justin had been unusually quiet all week, but even more so today. The ceremony was at one o’clock. Brian was going to make sure that Justin would be distracted at that time. “Shopping.” Brian thought. Justin loved to shop. What better time could there be to start a new college wardrobe? The plan was simple, leave early, and come home late.

 

Brian, and Justin bypassed the usual shopping malls, and headed for a trendy strip uptown. Justin came to life dashing about the shops, while Brian braced himself for the beating his credit cards were about to take. The two men spent the morning trying on sweaters, and slacks of various labels. Brian visited his tailor to view the new Armani collection, and Justin talked Brian into buying matching Air Jordan athletic shoes. Justin browsed the art supply store until Brian became agitated, and Brian tried on shoes until Justin threatened to go back to the art supply store. Brian choose a pale blue silk robe for Justin, and Justin choose a red one for Brian. The morning passed quickly.

 

By one o’clock they were both exhausted and hungry. Brian was in a red-meat mood, so they chose a nearby steakhouse. As usual, all heads turned when Brian entered the room. The couple was escorted to a booth, where they quickly ordered the house special, medium rare. The lovers recapped the morning over lunch, what they bought, what they didn’t buy, what they should have bought. Brian complained about the cost of athletic shoes, while Justin added up how many Jordans he could buy for the cost of one Armani suit. Both men agreed that the steaks were delicious, and Brian calculated how many sit-ups he would have to do to work it off. Justin ordered chocolate death for desert, and a stuffed Brian wondered where the boy was putting it all. The graduation came, and went without the subject of St James Academy ever coming up. Brian signaled for the check. “So, what do you want to do now?” he asked.

 

“You have to ask?” Justin smiled.

 

“Let’s go home baby. We can take a shower, and try out our new robes.” Brian flirted.

 

“Can we have ice cream?” Justin asked coyly.

 

Brian played along. “Oh yeah, we can have ice cream.” he cooed.

 

His eyes followed Justin’s tongue as it slowly traced the boy’s plump lips. “Can I lick it off your spoon?” Justin teased.

 

“As much as you like.” Brian purred.

 

“Then will you put me to bed?” Justin continued.

 

Brian placed his elbows on the table, and leaned forward. “Yeah baby.” he whispered. “I’ll put you to bed.”

 

Justin took Brian’s hands, and leaned in for a kiss. “Will you rock me to sleep?”

 

Brian brushed a kiss across the teen’s lips. “I’ll rock you.” he moaned.

 

The lovers didn’t noticed that conversations at nearby tables had all but stopped. Patrons were beginning to sneak glances at the “gay couple” in the booth engaged in the hot conversation. “Sir, your bill has been taken care of.” the reddened faced waiter said.

 

“By who?” Brian asked.

 

“The gentleman over there.” The waiter motioned toward a tall, graying man making his way to their booth.

 

“Brian Kinney, Justin.” The stranger smiled, and extended his hand.

 

Justin smiled, and returned the greeting, but Brian was hesitant. He certainly wasn’t one of his tricks. Too old, well preserved though. Tall, tanned, tailored, definitely of money, perhaps he was a client, but how did he know Justin? “Have we met before?” Brian asked, finally extending his hand.

 

“My name is Anthony Massey. I’m one of the owners of “Babylon”. he said. “I don’t mean to interrupt your lunch. I recognized you and Justin, and I wanted our young king to know that we’re glad he’s feeling better.”

 

“That’s very kind of you.” Brian said. “Please sit down.”

 

Justin graciously thanked their guest. As usual, the teen came across as poised, and polished. That was another thing Brian loved about his boy. Justin never appeared uncomfortable in any situation. The Taylors had groomed him well. The three men chatted briefly before Anthony Massey stood to leave. “We hope to see you back at “Babylon” real soon Justin. The place isn’t the same without its king, or its main attraction.” Mr. Massey’s last remark was directed at Brian.

 

Justin watched as Anthony Massey returned to his table. “I think he likes you.” he said.

 

Brian shrugged his shoulders. “What’s not to love?” he said smugly.

 

Justin excused himself to the washroom. All eyes joined Brian’s as he watched the teen stand, then saunter the length of the restaurant. Impeccable posture, with just enough sway in his hips to draw attention to his tight little ass, God how Brian loved Justin’s ass. Each round little cheek fit neatly into his hands. Firm, but not too hard, it gave a cute little twitch when he walked, and made the perfect cushion for fucking. Brian felt a rumbling in his briefs, as a smile unconsciously swept across his face.

 

“Faggots, what a waste.” A woman’s voice from the neighboring booth interrupted Brian’s daydreaming.

 

“How old is that child?” a second female asked.

 

“You know they like them young.” the first woman said.

 

“Sugardaddy.” The two women giggled.

 

Brian closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat. He clinched his fist, fighting off the urge to leap over the wooden barrier. It was Justin’s day, and he wasn’t going to let two cunts spoil it for him. Justin returned. “Are you ready?” he smiled.

 

Brian opened his eyes, and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m ready. I can’t wait to get into those hot little pants of yours.” He said, a little louder than necessary.  Brian then stood, and wrapped his arms around Justin’s waist, pulling him close, and causing the boy’s back to arch. Justin’s eyes widened as Brian shoved his tongue down the teen’s throat, drawing cheers from the captivated diners. Brian finished his kiss, grasped Justin’s hand, and tossed a twenty onto the table. The lovers made their exit, pausing briefly at the neighboring booth, where Brian flashed a wicked smile at the two red faced women, and seductively snaked his tongue at them.

 

Brian paused for a cigarette just outside the restaurant door. “What was that all about?” Justin laughed

 

“I just wanted everybody to know that you’re mine.” Brian smiled.

 

“Am I yours Brian?”

 

You’re mine, the words had come so naturally. Brian mentally kicked himself for being so careless. He could feel Justin’s eyes on him, daring him to answer. Brian quickly turned away, fearing that his eyes would betray his heart. For not only was Justin his, tethered, tied, kicking and screaming, Brian knew also that he belonged to Justin. Brian flung the half smoked cigarette onto the ground. “Let’s go.” he said.

 

A group of reporters emerged from two vans that were parked outside of the loft. They surrounded the jeep as Brian attempted to park. “Justin, can we get a statement from you!” they called.

 

Brian slammed his hands on the steering wheel “Fuck!” Then looked over at Justin.

 

The color had drained from the boy’s face, and beads of sweat was beginning to form on his forehead. “Oh god no.” Justin whispered as his breathing became more rapid, and shallow.

 

Brian had been warned about post-traumatic shock syndrome, that Justin may at any time relive the trauma of the assault. Until now it appeared that he had come through the event mentally unscathed. The reporters had obviously unnerved him. “Hold on baby.” Brian said. “We’re going straight through these assholes.”

 

Brian opened the driver door. “Mr. Kinney were there any charges brought against you for the underage boy!”

 

Brian pushed the microphone away. “Get the fuck away from me!”

 

Four more microphones were shoved in Justin’s face as the teen opened the passenger door. “Justin, did you organize the boycott! Has there been any more violence!”

 

Brian hurried to Justin’s rescue. He put his arm around the boy’s waist, and proceeded to push their way toward the building’s entrance. “Justin, who’s Daphne! Will you be filing suit against St James Academy!” The questions were coming from everywhere.

 

Justin stopped just short of the building entrance. He spun around and shouted at his tormentors. “WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT FROM ME!”

 

“The senior class of St James Academy, one of the most prestigious college prep schools in the country, boycotted their commencement ceremony today. A student spokesperson, Daphne was quoted as saying that if you didn’t march, no one would march. Did you know about the boycott?”

 

“No I...I didn’t know. I’m sorry, I...I didn’t know anything about it.” Justin stammered.

 

“Surely you must have....” Brian pushed the reporter aside. “No more questions!” he said.

 

Brian, and Justin rode the elevator to the loft in silence. Upon arrival, Justin hurried to the washroom, and Brian went to check his answering machine. After scanning his calls, Brian proceeded to the washroom where he found Justin standing in front of the bathroom mirror. The teen’s face was still wet from the cold water he had splashed on it. “Everybody’s been calling.” Brian said. “There’s a party going on at Daphne’s. Your whole class is there. They want you to come.”

 

When Justin didn’t answer, Brian changed the subject. “I’ll go get the packages from the car. It looks like things have quieted down outside.” he said.

 

“Why’d they do that?” Justin asked. “Most of them never said two words to me the whole time I was there. Some of them were downright mean to me.”

 

Brian leaned against the bathroom doorway. “Maybe they didn’t understand you.” he said. “Maybe you were too evolved for them at the time, but now after all that’s happened, after everything that you’ve been through, maybe they’ve come to respect you. Maybe they’ve finally come to recognize the hero that I see in you. I’d call it a lesson learned.”

 

Brian returned from the jeep laden with packages. “I’ve changed my mind, we’re going.” Justin smiled.

 

“We?” Brian put the packaged down.

 

“Yes, we.” Justin purred. The teen walked over to his lover, and wrapped his arms around Brian’s waist.

 

“Justinnnn, no.” Brian whined.

 

“Come on.” Justin cooed. “I want everybody to know you’re mine.”

Return to O.G.'s Fanfic