One Last New Year’s Eve
Warning: A death fic; a peaceful and loving end of our beloved couple.
*****
The death of Brian Kinney was a peaceful one surrounded by close friends and family. Gus was there as were his children and the great-grand that Brian lived long enough to see and hold. And of course, Justin was there, sitting on the edge of the great loft bed, holding Brian’s hand not even trying to hold back the tears. Brian was close to ninety, which he never would admit to but was secretly proud of and a little sad as well, outliving most of his friends. The few that were left had moved onto warmer climates for health and other reasons.
As Brian drew his last few breaths, Justin whispered close to his ear, “I love you.” Brian smirked and suddenly became that twenty-nine year old, arrogant, gorgeous man that Justin had fallen in love and lust with. Brian murmured back, “I know,” making Justin smile that smile, even through the tears.
Brian gave Justin’s hand one last squeeze and then he was gone.
*****
Justin remained at the loft for several years after Brian died. The loft had been their primary home for more than fifty years. Brian never gave up Britin, using it when Justin had finally returned from New York, but there was just something about the loft. So they used the great mansion when the spirit moved them or on holidays to accommodate their growing family. It eventually went to Gus and his family. But even though Justin stayed in the loft, he never slept in their bed again, making the futon cushions his bed. Occasionally he’d turn on those blue lights and remember.
Shortly after Brian’s death, Justin lost his inspiration to create anything commercial, but he didn’t stop painting. He had become a success so money wasn’t a problem; Brian had left him a fortune as well. And there were still enough Justin Taylor originals floating around to make the art galleries, critics and agents happy. Justin wanted to set down on canvas the faces of the “gang” and his family before they faded away from his memory. He then sent the paintings to the children of his family, so that they would always remember how young and beautiful their elders once were and how loved all the children are.
It was New Year’s Eve and Justin was determined to finish his painting. He had already finished his great masterpiece, one of himself and Brian surrounded by Gus, Gus’ kids and the infant great-grandbaby boy proudly held by one Brian Kinney. The lush brunette hair and hazel eyes decided to skip a generation only to land in the baby. Justin captured it all on a huge canvas, his Christmas present for Gus that year.
As the noise on the TV grew louder and the ball began to drop, Justin made a few last brush strokes. Satisfied, he then laid his brush and palette down. He opened a bottle of Brian’s favorite champagne and drank a toast to his long lost friends and family and to his lover staring back at him from the canvas. He sat down on their chaise and raised his glass.
“Happy New Year, Brian,” Justin said taking one more sip. He gently placed the fluted glass on the floor then laid down on the chaise facing his painting. It was them, he and Brian dancing at Gus’ wedding both so beautiful and gazing lovingly and very lustfully at each other. The deep hazel eyes smoldering only for Justin.
“I love you, Brian,” Justin whispered as he reached out for his lover.
“I know, Sunshine,” Justin heard in his head as a strong hand took his and gave it a squeeze. “I know.”
-end-