Domestic Bliss

Work and Play and Drinking

Somehow Brian got through Sunday. Trip woke with an almighty hangover. He was rather contrite about his blatant play for Brian. Brian hoped that boded well for the rest of the visit and Trip would back off.

They spent a good portion of the day at the funeral home choosing a casket and all the trappings. Brian was always amazed at how much a funeral cost and how time consuming all the decisions were. He thought back to the death of a man who worked for him. His name was Jack just like his father's and he was dead just like his Jack and like Jerome Bedford.

Brian wondered how Jack's wife was doing and little Emily who was the same age as Gus. He wondered if she was growing up without a father. Maybe she had a stepfather, someone nice that her mother had found. Maybe she had moved on. It was the way of the world to move on.

Brian and Trip had then moved on to the florist who opened especially for them on a Sunday. The proprietor knew that Trip would be laying down an ungodly sum so it was well worth their while to open. Brian helped Trip choose some ostentatious bouquets knowing that Jerome Bedford would have preferred something much more simple and frugal. But this was Trip's tribute to his father. Brian didn't want to interfere. He bit his tongue and just made sure that Trip didn't choose anything too ugly or too huge.

By the time they had accomplished all that, Trip said they should find a restaurant and have a nice early dinner. Brian agreed and they found a pleasant place to dine. Trip started in on the wine.

"Trip, tomorrow you have to be at the funeral home all afternoon and evening. Don't get sloshed. You need your wits about you," Brian cautioned.

"I'll just have a couple of glasses," Trip conceded.

"You want to make your father proud, don't you? So two glass limit."

"That's what I fucking said," Trip scowled.

They ate in silence. Brian was glad to see food disappearing into the man and only three glasses of wine to go with it.

When dinner was over, Trip suggested they go to a club. Brian did his best not to be too blunt in his response.

"Trip, for Christ's sake, your father just died. Leave the clubs until the fucking funeral is over."

Trip looked properly chastised. "I can't face a whole evening with nothing to do," Trip said staring at the sidewalk.

"Let's rent a fucking movie. That ought to take up an hour or two."

"I guess Justin really has domesticated you."

Brian made a face but didn't say anything. They climbed into the limo and headed for the nearest Blockbuster store.

They spent the rest of the evening watching Spiderman I and II. Brian hoped he never had to watch it again no matter how cute Toby Maguire might be. Trip drank again but not as much as the night before. Finally Brian convinced him to go to bed and Brian retired to his own room. The first thing he did after locking his door was to call Justin.

"Hey."

"Hey, you sound in a better mood tonight," Justin observed.

"Trip's gone to bed and we didn't have any major confrontations this time."

"That's good. How drunk is he?"

"Not as bad as last night."

"So what did you do today?" Justin asked.

"Caskets, flowers, music. Fuck, I hate funerals."

"Sounds depressing."

"It fucking is."

"Only a few more days."

"So they tell me. What did you do today?"

"I actually did have lunch with Mom. She wanted to wish me well for tomorrow, tell me how proud I make her."

There was a long pause. Brian knew that Justin was thinking about his father. He would be wishing his father would call and tell him how proud he was and how he knew Justin would be a big success in his job.

"You're going to do great tomorrow," Brian said hoping that might help.'

"Thanks."

"Don't laugh but I spent the evening watching Spiderman I and II," Brian admitted.

"You didn't!"

"I did so. The sacrifices I make for some people."

"I can't believe you did that. You've seen those what … four times now?"

"Four times too many as far as I'm concerned."

"You secretly love them."

"Do not. I just happen to attract people who are crazy about comics."

"Yeah, you do. Me, Mikey, Trip. Who knew?"

"And I suffer in silence."

"Yeah right."

"I miss you."

"I miss you too. Want to … um … you know?"

"Of course, why do you think I called?"

"Asshole!"

Brian chuckled. They had an intense bout of phone sex with Justin using his best techniques to get Brian off and make him forget about Trip Bedford, at least for a while.

When breath returned to normal and clean up had been done, Justin asked, "So what do you have to do tomorrow?"

"Hours on end at the funeral home."

"You have to go?"

"No, but Trip really wants me there with him. I think he needs someone to lean on."

"You're a good friend."

"I hope so."

"Night, Brian."

"Night … Sunshine."

Brian went to take a shower. When he returned to the bedroom he lay naked on the bed thinking about Trip and Justin and the funeral. He hated funerals. He wished he was home in the loft, wished Justin was in bed with him, wished his dick was up his lover's ass. He groaned loudly.

"Brian!"

Brian jumped and sat up abruptly. There was a sharp rap at the door and someone jiggling the door handle. Brian knew immediately who it was.

"Brian. Let me in."

"Trip, you've been drinking again, haven't you? Go back to bed."

"Let me in … please! I'm so lonely. I need you."

Brian sighed and shook his head. "Go back to bed. I'm not letting you in."

"Please, just let me sleep with you. I won't do anything else."

"No, Trip. Not gonna happen."

"Please, Brian, please."

"No."

"I'm not going away. I'll sleep here on the floor."

There was a loud thud as Trip hit the floor. Brian knew he would never get any sleep knowing Trip was lying on the floor outside his door. He got up and threw on some sweat pants. He opened the door slowly only to have Trip fall over backwards into the room.

"Jesus, Trip. C'mon, get up. Here I'll help you."

Brian struggled to get Trip back on his feet. He tried to help the man out the door to take him back to his suite. Trip resisted and tried to stagger towards Brian's bed. Finally Brian gave up and let the drunken man fall onto his bed. He was sure there was another bedroom nearby where he could sleep.

He began gathering up a few things when he heard a strange sound. He stopped and listened. He looked over at Trip who had his face buried in the pillow. He was sobbing as Brian could tell from his heaving shoulders.

"Trip…"

There was no response just more muffled sobs.

"Trip, you have to get hold of yourself. Please."

"I … I'm sorry," Trip said from the depths of the pillow. "I don't know how to do that."

"You have to try."

"I will. I'll try."

"Good."

"Please don't leave me alone," Trip begged.

Brian turned to stare at the back of the man who still had his face buried in a pillow. He was such a fucking mess. Brian ran his hand through his hair. He went over and closed the door to his room. There was no need to lock it this time. The man he was trying to keep out was already inside. Brian walked slowly to the bed. He sat on the edge next to Trip and gently squeezed the man's shoulder.

Trip rolled onto his side to look at Brian. Tears stained his face and he looked so pathetic. But through all that he managed a little smile at Brian's tenderness.

"Stay with me," Trip pleaded.

"I'm here. I'll stay. Go to sleep," Brian said softly.

"Hold me."

Brian sighed and took the man into his arms. He slowly rocked Trip like he would do with a scared or hurt Gus. Slowly Trip's eyes closed. After a bit his steady breathing told Brian that he was asleep. Gently Brian released him and walked around the bed. He crawled in beside Trip and felt the man lean against him. Eventually Brian slept too.

The next morning Brian woke early. He looked over at Trip who slept on peacefully. Brian didn't want to wake Trip until he was fully clothed. Besides he knew Trip could use the extra rest before he had to face the day at the funeral home.

Brian dressed quietly and decided to go for a run around the estate. When he returned about an hour later Trip began to stir as Brian grabbed some clothes to take to the shower with him. Brian quickly entered the bathroom and locked the door behind him. He hoped Trip would be gone back to his own room by the time he came out.

Luckily Trip got the message and was not there when Brian reappeared. Brian dressed and went downstairs for something to eat. He found Trip in the dining room eating and thankfully not drinking.

"Morning," Brian said.

"Morning," Trip replied. "Thank you for letting me stay last night."

"I knew you needed company."

"I did. I didn't know how I was going to cope with today. I needed to know you were there for me."

"That's fine," Brian said trying to distance himself from what had happened. "Are you ready to hit the funeral home?"

"I guess I have to."

"Yes, you do."

"Then I'm ready. We should leave here about one. You are coming with me, aren't you?"

"I said I would."

Brian could see Trip visibly relax. He supposed this was for the best. Nothing had happened last night except for Trip's meltdown. Maybe he had finally realized that nothing was ever going to happen.

When they arrived at the funeral home, the manager met them and ushered them into a room. There was an open casket which Brian detested. They had to stand near the body and talk to all the mourners who presented themselves. Brian knew the thing in the casket wasn't Jerome Bedford. His essence was somewhere else.

Somehow they got through the day. They went out for a bite before returning to go through the same process with all the people who arrived at the funeral home in the evening.

By the time they got back to the mansion it was almost midnight and they were both exhausted. They said goodnight at the top of the stairs and each headed off to their room. Brian didn't think Trip would have the energy or the inclination to bother him after the trying day they had both been through.

Brian's call to Justin was short and to the point. A brief check about how each other's day had gone, a bit of phone sex and a reluctant goodbye. Brian sank into his bed and was asleep immediately.

----------

Brian could feel Justin's hot breath on his groin. He shivered at the feel and also at the fact that the covers had been pulled back from his upper body. He felt Justin's warm mouth engulf his cock and he arched his back. A moan escaped his lips. He licked his lips as the warm mouth moved up and down his shaft. He thrust involuntarily and Justin's mouth took his length. A few more thrusts and he came with a loud groan.

"Justin," Brian whispered reaching for the soft blond hair that hovered over his groin.

The hair felt strange and he opened his eyes. Trip Bedford looked up at him as he licked his lips having just swallowed Brian's load.

"Morning," Trip said with a smile.

"What the fuck…?"

"That was your wake up call. It's late."

"Trip…"

"Got to go. I'll arrange some brunch and then we'll be off to the funeral."

"Trip…" Brian began but the room was suddenly empty. "Shit!"

Brian flopped back against the pillows. How the fuck could this have happened? He had been sure that it was Justin sucking him off. How did Trip get in? Then Brian remembered that they had both been so tired after greeting people at the funeral home that he had been sure they would both sleep through the night. And they had. But he hadn't locked the door and Trip had taken advantage of that. How was he going to explain this to Justin?

An uncomfortable silence followed them around for the rest of the day. Brian didn't know what to say to Trip and Trip seemed more than satisfied with what he had done that morning.

When they arrived at the church for the funeral, Brian wanted to sit at the back by himself. Trip made it clear that he would not allow that especially since Brian was going to say a few words about Jerome. As a result they sat side by side in the front row of the church.

There was a minister and a couple of other speakers before Brian was called. They were kind of a blur. Brian climbed to the pulpit and had a fleeting thought about his mother seeing him up there like the preacher from Hell. He cleared his throat and drove away such thoughts.

"Jerome Bedford was an amazing man," Brian began. "He was one of my clients in my advertising firm, but he was much more than that. He was a gracious host, a kind and understanding confidant, a loving father and a gentle friend. If you were defining what makes a gentleman, all you needed to do was describe Jerome Bedford." Brian looked down at Trip who smiled up at him. "It is my hope that Jerome's son Trip will carry on that fine family history of honesty, integrity and caring."

Brian glanced at Trip before returning to his seat. He hoped his message had come across loud and clear to the father and the son. Soon the speeches were done and the procession to the cemetery was completed. The clods of dirt that each person dropped on the coffin reverberated somewhere deep inside Brian. He hated the thought of never seeing Jerome again. And then there was Trip.

There was food and drink back at the mansion following the laying to rest at the cemetery. Brian wondered if the day would ever be over. Trip seemed to be handling it well. It was like his visit to Brian's room that morning had given him some kind of renewed courage or energy. Brian didn't like that one little bit.

When they ushered the last guest out the door, Trip turned to Brian and said, "I need a real drink. Care to join me?"

Brian followed Trip into the library where a bottle of Beam was waiting for them on the bar cart. Brian had to admit that a slug of Beam would really hit the spot. Brian downed his in one gulp and held out the glass for a refill. Trip poured Brian another and one for himself.

"What the fuck did you think you were doing in my room this morning?" Brian demanded deciding he had held this in far too long.

"Having my way with you," Trip smirked.

"Trip, for God sake, what were you trying to do?"

"Do you really want an answer to that question?"

"Yes, I do."

"I came to wake you up, and I was totally surprised to find your door unlocked. I know you think you can lock me out but it's not that easy.

"Apparently."

Trip ignored the jibe. "So when I knocked and you didn't answer I tried the door, and lo and behold, it opened."

"And you just had to come in."

Trip nodded. "I wanted to look at you. You're beautiful naked. Hell, you're beautiful any way at all."

"So you pulled the covers off and had a good look."

Trip nodded again. "You know I want you. And you had some morning wood. It looked so tempting I just couldn't resist."

"I bet!"

"I'm serious. You are quite irresistible. You seemed to think I was Justin, which was fine with me."

"I did think you were Justin, otherwise I wouldn't have…" Brian let that trail off.

"Oh yes you would. I must be at least as good as Justin if you couldn't tell the difference."

"I was thinking of Justin, not you."

"The outcome was the same," Trip smirked.

"I think it's time for me to go home," Brian said turning on his heel with every intention of getting out of there immediately.

"Wait," Trip said loudly. "Don't go yet. I … I really appreciate everything you've done. Don't leave like this."

"Why not? I think we're through. I'm scheduled to go tomorrow anyway."

"Stay tonight. Let me take you out somewhere … one last time."

Brian knew he should just leave, but he didn't want his friendship with Trip to end like this. "All right, I'll stay until tomorrow morning, but no more … you know."

"Okay," Trip agreed. "Let's go to that club I took you to last time you visited. You liked it, didn't you?"

"Yeah."

"It'll help me forget … everything."

"Okay, but I'm going to lie down for a while. This fucking funeral stuff sucks all the life out of me. Oh, and the door will be locked."

"Thanks," Trip said in a very small voice.

Brian headed upstairs. It was afternoon in Pittsburgh so Justin wouldn't be home from work yet. He really hadn't asked him much about his job yesterday. He had been so tired after talking to all those people at the funeral home. He would be sure to ask Justin tonight.

Brian pulled off his funeral clothes and crawled under the sheets. He needed to relax and forget about funerals … and Trip Bedford.

When Brian awoke it was dark. He realized he had slept much longer than he thought he would. He felt an overwhelming need to talk to Justin. He picked up his phone and hit speed dial. It went to voicemail.

"Shit!" Brian griped as he waited for the message to end. "Justin, it's me. I … I miss you. Trip wants to go out to a club now that the whole funeral thing is over with. Don't know what time we'll get back. I'll try to call you. I'm coming home tomorrow."

Brian shut off his phone and went to take a shower. Some time later he met Trip in the library. Obviously the man had been drinking … again.

"Are you ready to go?" Brian asked.

"Shuure," Trip slurred.

"Have you been drinking the whole time I was upstairs?"

"Not quite."

"Let's go," Brian said frowning with distaste.

They made their way out to the limo and very quickly James had them at the club.

"Pick us up around one," Brian said as Trip made no mention of how they would get back. James nodded and got back into the car.

Trip and Brian entered the club. Trip seemed to have sobered up a bit on the ride from the mansion. He wanted to dance. Brian agreed hoping to keep Trip away from the bar at least for a while.

They actually had a good time at the club. Brian had forgotten what a good dancer Trip was. When he wasn't drunk Trip was an interesting, intelligent companion. They were a very striking couple when they were together.

By the time James picked them up they had had a couple of bumps and several drinks, but they had also had a very good time. Laughing and falling all over each other they got into the limo. Trip pulled a bottle of Beam from the liquor compartment and they tossed back shots on the drive home.

Trip took the remainder of the bottle with him as he and Brian climbed the stairs to their rooms. "Come and have one last drink in my apartment," Trip invited Brian.

Against his better judgment Brian agreed knowing that in the morning he would go back to Pittsburgh and Justin. He found a comfy leather armchair in Trip's apartment and accepted the large glass of Beam that Trip poured for him.

"Here's to my father," Trip said saluting with his glass of liquor.

"To Jerome," Brian said downing a good portion of his drink.

"And here's to you, Brian. I don't know how I could have possibly gotten through this without you."

"You're welcome. I was happy to help."

"The only problem now is where do I go from here."

"You have your whole life in front of you," Brian said. "You have money and the chance to do anything you want."

"The only thing I want to do is you," Trip said with a lopsided grin.

"Don't start," Brian cautioned.

"I know you don't like to hear that, but it's the truth. What good is money if I'm alone and so fucking unhappy."

"Could we just have a friendly drink and then I'll go to my room?" Brian asked not wanting to get into this whole mess once again.

"Sure, I'll shut up."

"I don't want you to shut up. I want us to be friends but that's all I want us to be."

"So what will you be doing when you get back to Pittsburgh?" Trip asked taking a different ploy.

"Don't know exactly. I'm sure there will be accounts to win, execs to dazzle…"

"And nobody dazzles like you."

"Thanks," Brian said.

Trip smiled. "You are extremely good at what you do."

"I'm good at a lot of things. In fact I'm fucking brilliant."

Trip laughed. "That's what I like about you. You're so modest."

"No shit!" Brian grinned. "I could use another drink," he added holding out his glass.

Trip poured and then sat back down. "I was thinking that maybe I should consider doing some charity work … in my father's name."

"He would like that."

"Yeah, he would. Any suggestions?"

"I did some stuff for the local gay and lesbian center. Some of the proceeds went to the AIDS hospice. What about something like that?"

"That sounds good," Trip said brightening up. "What did you do?"

"I ran a carnival to raise money for them."

"A carnival? That sounds like fun."

"It was … different."

"Tell me about it."

"I invented some games. My favorite was Butthole Bingo. This guy shot the balls out his ass. It was the funniest damn thing."

"I bet. Does he travel?"

"I'm sure he could be persuaded. He's very talented."

They both laughed and Trip moved over to sit on the arm of Brian's chair.

"I would love to see that guy perform," Trip chuckled.

"It's a sight to behold."

"What other stuff did you have?"

"We had Ring Toss."

"And how did that work?"

"Oh, you know, an erect penis and a plastic ring. Toss it onto said penis and win a prize."

"No!"

"Oh yes!"

"That's genius. What was the prize?"

"Guess."

"A good fuck with that erect penis."

"Only if you are a bottom," Brian chuckled.

"I am."

"I know."

"And you're a consummate top."

"Of course."

"Could we have a demonstration?" Trip asked the lust clear in his voice.

"Trip," Brian said but it came out more as a moan than an admonition.

"Yes."

"We can't."

"Just once, Brian. That's all I want."

Brian blinked and somehow Trip knew he had won. He leaned down and his lips found Brian's and the kiss held all the longing that they had felt for each other since they first met.

The kiss deepened and Brian felt his cock respond. Some part of him knew that he shouldn't be doing this but he wanted to. He had always wanted Trip almost as much as Trip had wanted him. Trip needed him and it would only be this once.

All thought escaped Brian's head as he felt Trip's hand squeeze his dick through his pants. He groaned and rammed his tongue down Trip's throat. Trip began pulling at his clothes and the next thing Brian knew they were naked on Trip's bed and he had a condom on his dick and it ached to be inside this handsome man.

"Fuck me," Trip begged, and Brian did. He fucked this man for all he was worth. There was nothing pretty or romantic about it. It was a hard fuck full of need and desire. They bucked against each other and Trip called Brian's name again and again. He had finally got what he wanted and Trip would not be disappointed. Brian knew he never disappointed.

When it was over and Brian pulled out, he felt Trip curl up against him and the man was asleep in a matter of moments. Brian looked at his handsome recent fuck and felt his stomach flip over.

"Justin," he whispered. What the hell was he going to tell Justin?

He quickly slid off the bed and recovered his clothes. The trip down the hall to his room seemed to take forever. As he opened the door he felt a shudder course through his body. He locked the door and headed for the shower. Maybe the hot water could wash away what he had just done.

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