Chapter 4

You don't want to get a new place together?" Justin asked. He could feel the tears that wanted to spill out of his eyes, but he fought them for all he was worth. He would not show weakness to Brian, not over this. If Brian didn't want him anymore, if he didn't want them to live together, then so be it. It would hurt like crazy, but Justin knew he could walk away if he had to.

"Whoa, Justin, I didn't say that," Brian said hastily.

"That's sure what it sounded like."

"Well, it's not what I meant. We do have some things to talk about in relation to our living conditions."

"We do?" Justin asked wiping at his eyes that were about to overflow.

"We can't get just any house or apartment. I have certain restrictions that come with living somewhere," Brian said gesturing to his wheelchair that stood beside the bed.

"I know. The place will have to be wheelchair accessible," Justin said trying to allay Brian's worries. "I told my mother that."

"And just how many places do you think she is going to find that meet that criteria."

"I bet there are lots."

"Well, you'd be wrong. And the ones that are, won't be up for sale. Other cripples like me will already be living in them." Brian turned away not wanting to look into Justin's worried eyes.

"But this place…"

"This place is accessible because I made it that way. I had to add everything that makes it possible for me to live here."

"Didn't the landlord…?"

"Fuck the landlord! He wouldn't raise a finger to do anything."

"I … I didn't know."

"Most people have no idea what we put up with … what families have to go through," Brian said as he stayed turned away from Justin. He didn't like to sound bitter, but sometimes the anger and despair just came to the surface.

"But you didn't have any family," Justin said gently. "You had to do it all by yourself." Justin ran his hand up and down Brian's arm to comfort him and hopefully to get him to turn over and look at him.

"Yeah, all by myself."

"That just shows how strong you are," Justin told him.

"Or how alone I was … until you came along," Brian admitted as he rolled back to look into the blue eyes.

"We can find a place, Brian. I know we can."

"I like your optimism. It almost balances my pessimism."

"You are such a…"

"Pessimist?" Brian supplied.

"Pesky pessimist," Justin teased. "I'll cure you of that one of these days."

"I don't think you'll live long enough for that."

"Guess I'll just have to stick around and prove you wrong," Justin said leaning against Brian and kissing along his neck and shoulder.

"I think I'd like that," Brian said as he latched onto Justin's lips for a long, soft kiss.

"I bet my mom will find some places for us," Justin said after a heated session of necking.

"How much do you want to bet?"

"A million dollars!" Justin said confidently.

"You'll be in my debt for the rest of your life."

"Would that be such a bad thing?" Justin asked coyly, loving the look of lust that came into Brian's eyes.

"Not so bad."

"See, and if I'm right I get a million from you."

Brian snorted. "I never agreed to the bet."

"You're not so sure that my mother can't find a place for us, are you?" Justin asked with a wicked twinkle in his eye.

"I'm sure she won't be able to find anything suitable," Brian said rather forcefully.

Justin frowned. "Do you really think there are no places out there?" Brian nodded. "Shit! I didn't think it would be that hard."

"It will mean that we have to find a place we like and then renovate," Brian said slowly.

"You're willing to do that?" Justin asked with a big grin.

"Sure. Why wouldn't I?"

"But you sounded like you didn't think my mother would find any place that would be suitable."

"She won't find anything that will work … as is. Are you ready to go through the hell of renovating?"

"Hell? Why would it be hell?"

Brian snorted again. "You are so fucking naive! I nearly went out of my fucking mind trying to do this place over and there was only me to answer to. If we get a place together we have to fucking agree on what we're going to do with it."

"We can do that, can't we?'

"How the fuck should I know?"

"Brian…" Justin said with a worried look on his face.

"I … I'm willing to try if you are," Brian conceded. "It'll either make us or break us."

"It'll make us for sure," Justin said confidently.

"Just remember that, when we're fighting about where we want an office or a studio or the color of the fucking paint in the kitchen."

"We could have wallpaper instead," Justin said with a little boy grin.

"Wall-fucking-paper it is, Sunshine!" Brian laughed.

"I'm starved. I'm going to cook dinner."

"I'll help," Brian volunteered sitting up and pulling on some sweats.

"See how well we get along. We're going to be fine."

"Yeah, fine," Brian muttered as he watched Justin's perky butt disappear into the bathroom.

 

*****
 

Brian and Justin were just finishing dinner when the phone rang. Justin walked over to the computer desk and picked up the cordless. Instead of answering it he carried it over and handed it to Brian.

"I could have got it," Brian said. "I thought you were going to answer it."

"I know you could have got the phone, but you had a hard day at work," Justin said with a smile.

"You are so full of shit," Brian joked. He couldn't believe how much better he felt now that he was home with Justin.

"Are you going to answer that thing or let it ring all night?"

"I don't really want to talk to anyone … except you."

Justin smiled, one of those beautiful sunshine smiles that grabbed at Brian's seldom used heart. "Answer the fucking thing."

"Yes, sir," Brian said mock saluting before pushing the talk button. "Hey, Mikey."

"So how was it?'

"How was what?"

"Work, you idiot. How did the first day go?"

"It went."

"Are you going to fucking tell me what happened?"

Brian sighed and winked at Justin. "I arrived on time, was met with an acceptable welcome, got my old office back and…" Brian stopped not sure whether he wanted to admit what had happened with Kip.

"That sounds good so far. What happened after the 'and'?"

"I had an encounter with a new ad exec. It wasn't very … pleasant," Brian admitted slowly.

"What did the fucker say? I'll go over there and kick his ass for you. All you have to do is give me the go ahead."

Brian chuckled. "You'll have to get in line behind Justin."

"Just so he gets his face rearranged," Michael said seriously.

"I thought it was his ass you were going after, not his face," Brian chuckled. "Think you could take him?"

"For you, I know I could."

"Thanks, Mikey. I … appreciate the thought."

"I'm serious, you know."

"Yeah."

"Are you going back again tomorrow?"

"I'm thinking about it."

"Do it, Brian. You need to get out of that loft."

Pretty soon he might be leaving it altogether, Brian realized. "I'll take that under advisement."

"You go to work and show that fuckhead what a great ad exec looks like."

"I'll try, Mikey. Talk to you later." Brian pushed the off button and set the phone down on the dining room table.

"Michael looking out for your interests?" Justin asked.

Brian nodded. "He wanted to go over there and kick Kip Thomas' ass."

"It's a good job you won't let us go. Kip would be mincemeat."

Brian laughed at the image of Justin and Michael beating the crap out of Kip. He was smiling to himself as the phone rang again. "Fuck! Who could this be?" He looked at the call display and let out a breath. "Hello, Lindsay."

"Brian, how was your first day back at the office?" she asked.

"Peachy."

"Really?" Lindsay chuckled. "Truthfully, was it okay?"

"Yeah, it was okay."

"So, tell me all about it."

"I arrived on time, was met with an acceptable welcome, got my old office back and…" Brian stopped once again. He thought he'd be smart and repeat verbatim what he had told Michael, but he didn't stop soon enough. He waited for the reaction.

"And…?"

"I had a run in with a new adman," Brian said carefully. "He called me old." Brian deliberately left out the other word that Kip had used. He hated that word and refused to let it come out of his mouth for Lindsay to hear.

"That must have pissed you off," Lindsay laughed.

"It did."

"Want me to kick his ass for you?"

"Jesus, does everybody want to beat up Kip Thomas?"

"Is that his name? I'll fix him for you."

"Maybe you should send Melanie," Brian suggested with a snort.

"I could take him … for you."

"Yeah, I'm sure you could. How's my Sonny Boy?"

"Growing like a bad weed."

"Or a good weed."

"Maybe. Anyway, you should come see him this weekend."

"I'll try."

"Good luck at work tomorrow. Show that Kip Thomas what you're made of."

"I will. Bye, Lindsay." Brian hung up once more and set the phone down.

"Is Lindsay going to beat up Kip too?" Justin asked with a grin.

"Kip better stay away from me or he won't know what hit him."

"It'll be my fist," Justin declared.

"Didn't your mother ever tell you that violence wasn't the answer?"

"I learned a few things since my mother told me that," Justin said with a sad look on his face.

"I sense a story there."

"Maybe another time."

The phone rang again. "You were saved by the bell," Brian told him as he picked up the phone. "What can I do for you, Theodore?"

"Just wondered how your first day back at the office went."

"I arrived on time, was met with an acceptable welcome, got my old office back," Brian rhymed off. He made sure not to add an "and" at the end of the sentence."

"Great, but why do I feel like there should be some more to that statement. Did you have some kind of problem?"

"There was a new asshole at work who called me old."

"Well, the nerve of him, trying to take over your position as resident asshole."

"You always know how to cheer me up, Theodore."

"I try," Ted laughed. "Seriously though, if this asshole says anything again just tell him that your hulking friend Herr Schmidt will come over and kick his ass around the office."

"Hulking, huh?"

"Well, you wouldn't want to tell him that I'm an accountant. It doesn't hold the same sway as hulking."

"You got that right, but thanks for the offer."

"Anytime, Bri, anytime."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You can count on me," Ted said meaning every word of it. "I hope tomorrow goes better."

"Yeah, me too. Bye, Ted."

Brian set the phone down again. "This is getting ridiculous."

"I think it's kind of sweet," Justin said with a smile. He was loading the dishwasher while Brian fielded all his calls.

"I don't do sweet," Brian declared as the phone rang again.

"Must be Emmett," Justin laughed.

"Fuck! It is. Hello, you big fairy."

"Hello to you too, you big bad advertising agency office working man."

Brian laughed. "I've always been a working man."

"And I've always been a big ole fairy."

"Touché."

"So how did it go?"

"It went."

"Tell me."

"I got a nice welcome and they gave me back my old office. That pissed off the new guy who had been using it."

"I bet. I'd be pissed too."

Brian chuckled. Trust Emmett to make him laugh.

"So what did this new guy do about you taking his office?"

"You mean what did he do about me taking back my office?"

"Whatever? What happened?"

"He called me old."

"He didn't!" The shock in Emmett's voice was evident. It made Brian smile.

"Yes he did."

"Well, fuck him!"

"I wouldn’t stoop that low."

"You'd fuck anything that moves, Kinney. Don't hand me that," Emmett said amused.

"That was the old days."

"I guess that little blond tidbit has reformed your life."

"That and a car accident."

"Fuck, Brian, I didn't mean to go there," Emmett apologized.

"I know."

"Listen, sweetie, if you want me to kick his ass for you, just say the word."

Brian laughed out loud. The image of a cat fight between Emmett Honeycutt and Kip Thomas was too funny. "I wouldn't want you to break a nail," Brian snarked.

"For you I'd risk it. And broken nails make good weapons. I'll rip his ugly little face off."

"Down, tiger! I don't think that will be necessary."

"So you're going back to face him down, are you?"

"Looks like that's what I may do," Brian said with a grin.

"Well, my money's on you, sweetie."

"Thanks, Emm, I'll remember that."

"You do that. I'll be thinking of ya tomorrow."

Brian cut the connection. Emmett always knew the right thing to say in some convoluted way. He was a good friend, and fiercely loyal when he thought a friend needed help.

"Emmett going to kick some ass for you too?" Justin asked as he came over and kissed Brian's cheek.

"Yep."

"Your friends are weird. How do they all know when to call … one after the other like that?"

"Probably some kind of synchronized pester Brian game that they're playing."

"A pretty nice pester Brian game," Justin said knowingly.

"Yeah," Brian admitted.

"You think they're organized?" Justin asked with a laugh.

"No," Brian snorted. "They couldn't organize their way out of a paper bag."

Justin shook his head. "Well, we haven't heard from Melanie yet."

"She won't call. Lindsay took care of that for her."

Justin shrugged. "Then do you think it's safe to put the phone back?"

"No," Brian said definitively.

"Why not?" Justin asked as the phone rang once again.

"That's why," Brian said as he picked it up one more time. "Hello, Ma."

"Hi, kiddo. How did it go?"

Brian sighed and shook his head. "Really well until the asshole who was using my office called me old and … incapacitated."

"He did not!" Debbie's indignant voice came over the line.

"He did."

"Well, I'll fucking rip him a new one!"

"At least you aren't going to kick his ass like everyone else."

"I'll do that after I'm finished reaming him out," Debbie declared. "Who else is going to kick his ass?"

"Let's see – Justin, Michael, Lindsay, Ted, Emmett and now you."

Debbie laughed. "You see how much people love you, Brian. We all want what's best for you."

"I see, and I can kick my own ass when it's required."

"You're going to kick your own ass?" Debbie laughed.

"You know what I mean."

"Yeah, I do, and there's nothing that you can't do if you put your mind to it."

"Nothing … except walk."

"Brian, I…"

"It's okay, Deb. I guess the most important thing I want to do has to be the one that's impossible."

"It doesn't have to be impossible, but for now…" She let her voice trail away wishing that there was something more positive she could say or do.

"Don't, Deb. I don't want to hear that right now."

"I wasn't going to call but Vic wanted me to. He was worried about you."

Brian could hear Vic protesting in the background, saying that he knew Brian would handle the office just fine and that it was Debbie who was worried. "Neither of you needs to worry. I'm fine," Brian told her.

"Are you sure?" Debbie asked. "Are you going back tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm going back," Brian told her. He could see Justin smile when he said that.

"That's good. Don't let that fucker put you down."

"I'll handle him."

"I know you will," Debbie said confidently. "You're the strongest person I know.

"Thanks for the pep talk, Deb. I'll talk to you later."

"Bye, kiddo."

Brian handed the phone to Justin. "There, I think we're finished."

"You sure?"

Brian nodded. Justin carried the phone back to the computer desk and set it on the base to recharge after its mega-workout for the last hour. On his way back Justin stopped at the kitchen and got two beers.

"Thought you could use this."

"Thanks. I can."

"That was quite the marathon."

"I'm surprised that they all had the nerve to call. I thought I had scared the shit out of them."

"I guess they figured out you're really a big old pussycat."

"Pussy! Eiw!"

Justin laughed. "Let's go see what's on TV."

"Great! I need something mindless."

"Then TV will fill the bill."

"Want a ride over there?"

"Sure," Justin said with his sunshine smile. "I thought you'd never ask." He slid onto Brian's lap and let himself be transported across the room.

 

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