Domestic Bliss

Moving III

Brian awoke on his new mattress in his new home in the middle of his new life. He nuzzled the back of Justin's neck as the boy slept on, Brian curled against his back. They had been in their new house for three weeks, and what a three weeks it had been. None of their friends knew yet that they had moved. Nobody had gone to the loft looking for them. Brian smiled. He had loved this little island of time alone with Justin as they set up their house and made their first attempts at domestic bliss.

He and Justin had spent the last couple of weeks making their home the way they wanted it. They got the furniture arranged in Gus' room and could hardly wait to have the little boy come and spend the night in his own room. The dining room and the kitchen were all taken care of. The family room contained the futons and the bar cart and the computer desk and the plasma TV, but they had still not been able to find the sofa and chairs that they wanted. The living room sat totally empty.

They had, however, managed to christen each room except Gus' which they both agreed should be left untouched. Justin had been true to his word and had thought up inventive and very satisfying ways to fuck in each room, furniture or no furniture. Brian's favorite had to be the bathroom. The new walk-through shower was a real turn on. Water jetted from all sides and there was lots of room and lots of tile to press Justin up against. Just thinking about it made Brian hard. And then there was the dining room and the spare bedroom and the small room off the master bedroom and the futon in the family room and the tile on the patio outside. Brian knew there were still spots that deserved a proper sample of their fucking skills, but until they were able to get to every nook and cranny they both agreed that they had managed to do justice to most of the house in one way or another.

True to his word Brian had bought a fabulous barbecue that they used almost every night for dinner as spring worked its way towards summer They had bought a table and chairs and a couple of loungers so that they could enjoy the cool spring weather outside. They ate on the patio almost every night.

The service that had looked after the pool since the previous owners had left had been retained by Brian to keep the pool in pristine condition. Justin had volunteered to do it, but Brian wanted Justin to finish off his last weeks at PIFA and get ready for graduation. He didn't want anything to distract his lover.

They had heard from their friends on and off over this period of time. They had had breakfast at the diner with the gang a couple of times. Both of them had been so tempted to spill the beans, but they still didn't have the house the way they wanted it. Their bed would arrive in less than a week. After that they thought they would tell everyone and maybe have a party.

Brian smiled. He knew Mikey would be pissed at him for keeping the house a secret, but he didn't really care. The time alone with Justin had been well worth any subterfuge they had had to carry out. Lindsay wouldn't be too happy either, and Mel would be royally ticked off. Brian smiled wider thinking of how the new house would rankle the bitchy lawyer.

"What are you smiling about?" Justin asked without turning around.

"How do you know I'm smiling?" Brian asked smiling even wider at Justin's ability to read his mood without even looking at him.

"I know these things," Justin said smugly.

"Are you up?" Brian asked. Justin felt Brian's hand explore his morning wood and he let out a little grunt. "I was thinking about how much I like fucking you in our shower."

Justin smiled. "Then what are we waiting for?"

Quite a while later they sat in the breakfast nook sipping coffee and eating scrambled eggs. They each had a section of the morning paper which they now had delivered to the house. Brian looked across the table as Justin munched on his toast and read the Entertainment section.

He wished their life could always be like this - no outsiders, no family, no friends, just them. He thought about the party he knew Justin wanted to have, a kind of housewarming, next weekend. They would have to start inviting people and then there would be questions and negative comments and stares and prying into their lives.

All of a sudden Brian felt kind of funny. He shook his head wondering what had come over him. The image of Justin blurred in front of him. He shook his head again, closing his eyes and trying to clear his vision. He felt his heart pounding in his chest and his breath wouldn't come easily. As he opened his eyes, everything remained out of focus. He felt slightly sick to his stomach.

"Justin," he managed to croak out.

"Brian?" Justin said looking up from the paper and seeing the strange apparition in front of him. "What's wrong?" he gasped as he stood up quickly knocking over his chair and rushing to Brian's side.

"I … I don't know," Brian practically moaned. "Everything's blurry."

"Are you sick? Are you having some kind of attack?" Justin asked feeling Brian's forehead. It felt all right, not overly warm.

"Ummm…" Brian moaned.

"What? Please tell me, Brian. What can I do?"

"Don't know."

"Should I call 911?"

"Fuck, no."

"Then what? What's wrong?"

"Everything went blurry."

"Blurry?"

"Are you having a stroke?"

"Jesus, I hope not."

"What happened just before you felt like this?" Justin asked noting that Brian seemed to be regaining some of his equilibrium. With Justin's hands on him gently holding him Brian didn't seem so out of it or so tense.

"I was looking at you and thinking how great this time in the new house has been. And … and then I thought about the party and facing everyone … and everything started to go blurry."

Justin chuckled trying not to be too obvious. "Is it blurry now?" he asked with as solemn a voice as he could muster.

"No, it got clearer when you came over here."

Justin smiled. "I think you'll be fine," he said softly standing up from where he had squatted down beside Brian.

"You do? But what the fuck happened?"

As soon as Justin heard that, he knew Brian had returned to his old self. "I think it's what's called a panic attack."

"I fucking don't do panic attacks," Brian protested.

"You feel all right now, don't you?"

"Ye…yes."

"Then I bet it was a panic attack."

"Panic about what?" Brian asked.

"Facing the family with our news."

"Fuck! Are you sure it wasn't a stroke?" Brian asked with big, sad eyes staring up at Justin.

"You'd rather have a stroke than face Michael and Lindsay and Melanie," Justin chuckled.

"This is so not funny. And I'm never afraid to face Melanie." A little shudder ran through Brian despite his bold statement.

"Don't worry. I'll be right there beside you," Justin said putting his arms around Brian's neck.

Brian grimaced a bit, but decided not to protest anymore. He nuzzled his face against Justin's belly smelling the scent of the man he loved. It made him feel better. He had a sneaking suspicion that Justin was probably right. Brian had loved this time with just the two of them, and the thought of losing that did bother him … a lot. "Do we have to tell them?" Brian asked.

"You know they're going to figure it out soon anyway. We need to get it over with. We can always lock the doors and keep the world on the other side."

"Promise," Brian said slowly.

"Absolutely."

"Thanks."

"We've got one more furniture store to check out today," Justin said deciding to refocus Brian's attention on something else. "It's way across town out in the suburbs on the west side."

"Do we have to?" Brian asked. "We've been to every fucking store and we never find anything that both of us like." The panic attack seemed to have been forgotten.

"It's worth a try, and who knows, the fifty-fourth store might be the charm."

"Not fucking likely!" Brian snarked.

The furniture store was hard to find even though they had called for directions. Brian was all for giving up, but Justin said that they had come that far and they were going to look at the merchandise. Finally they pulled into a strip mall trying to get their bearings only to discover that the store they were looking for took up the large end unit. Justin took it as a good sign that they had found the store almost by accident.

Once inside Brian had to readjust his thinking. The store had high end furniture ranging from traditional to futuristic. Both he and Justin immediately found some things they liked. They were both drawn to a taupe colored set of leather. There was a large traditional looking sofa with rolled arms, and a matching chair that was huge and oh so comfortable looking. The leather felt like butter and when they each sank into a piece, they knew they had found the furniture for the family room.

"I can even stretch out on this," Brian said smiling and extending his long legs the length of the sofa. "It kind of molds itself to your body. What do you think?"

"I love it," Justin said sitting in the big armchair and feeling like he never wanted to leave it.

"These taupe, black and cream accent cushions look great with it too. We should get them as well. And the end tables and coffee table are not half bad."

Justin nodded and smiled over at his partner. Brian's panic attack seemed to have been forgotten, and that was a good thing. And now they had found their long sought after furniture. Sometimes life was good.

A clerk found them at that moment. Brian forced himself to get up from his comfortable nest and went off to finalize the sale. They were both so relieved to find something they wanted and that they agreed on that there was no point in looking further. The clerk was punching in all the numbers when Brian heard his name being screamed from an adjacent gallery of the store.

"Excuse me," he said to the clerk who just kept punching in numbers.

Brian followed the sound of Justin's voice and found him sitting on a burgundy sofa that looked like it was made of suede. It was square but comfortable looking.

"Brian, I absolutely love this, and … and we need some color in the house," Justin said looking hopefully up at his partner. "And look at the matching plaid armchair. Do you like it?"

Brian looked at the sheer joy on Justin's face. He knew that the set had far more color than he would ever choose, but it was nice and Justin obviously wanted it very badly. "It's nice," he said. "For the living room?"

Justin nodded. "What do you think?"

Brian watched the hope in Justin's eyes. He could live with this. Hell, if Justin liked it this much, he could learn to love it too. "I say that you have very good taste, and I think we should take it."

Brian saw the sunshine smile light up his favorite face, and then he found his arms full of blond. Justin kissed him again and again whispering, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

The clerk cleared his throat watching the young men. They were obviously a couple. The older of the two was making the purchases, but the young man wielded a lot of influence. "Shall I add these to the total," the man asked with a smile.

"Sounds like a plan," Brian said extricating himself from Justin's embrace but holding on to the hand of his lover.

A short time later and several thousand dollars lighter they walked out of the store the proud owners of two rooms of new furniture. It would be delivered to the house Wednesday of the following week.

Having successfully completed their shopping expedition they decided to find a nice place for lunch. They headed back into the city looking for a likely spot to stop and grab some lunch. Brian wasn't really hungry and kept driving right past each place that Justin suggested.

"Brian, what was wrong with that last place?" Justin asked.

"Looked like a typical greasy spoon. We can get the same thing at the diner without the hassle from fucking bikers."

"I didn't see any bikes out front," Justin protested.

"You never know."

"I'm hungry," Justin sighed.

"You're always hungry."

"So!" Justin demanded. "Can we please stop?"

"I was thinking…" Brian began.

"Thinking what?"

"Why don't we go to the diner? You can pig out on your favorite junk food and…"

"I do not pig out," Justin protested.

Brian snorted. "And Debbie will probably be there," Brian continued ignoring the interruption. "So will Michael and maybe Emmett."

"So what?" Justin asked exasperated by the apparent non sequitur of Brian's thinking. His stomach rumbled ominously.

"So," Brian said like he was talking to Gus. "We can invite them to our big party next weekend."

"We can?" asked Justin in amazement. He figured Brian would fight him on the party idea especially after what happened this morning. "What happened to Mr. Panic Attack?"

Brian scowled at Justin. "I do not have panic attacks," he said sternly.

Justin made a mental note not to bring up panic attacks again unless he was looking for a fight. He already knew better than to bring it up in front of the family. "So you want to have a party?"

"As you said, we might as well get it over with."

"Shouldn't we plan a few things first?"

"Like what?"

"How are we going to invite them to a housewarming party without telling them that we have bought a house? Are you ready for that?"

Brian looked thoughtful for a minute. "We don't have to tell them that it's a housewarming," he said. "We could call it a surprise party. That way we won't get any tacky gifts for the house."

Justin chuckled. There was always some sort of weird method to Brian's madness. This way they wouldn't have to display the tchotchkes that they would be given and pretend that they liked them. "How will we get them there without giving them our address? And you can be sure they will check it out before they come."

"True," Brian agreed. "We could have them meet us somewhere and then we could lead them over to the house."

"Maybe we should make it like a scavenger hunt and then see who could follow the clues to our place," Justin giggled.

"You don't want anyone to come to the party, do you?" Brian chuckled. "I think we need to give them more help than that or they'll never find their way."

"Oh, ye of little faith!"

"I just know them too well."

"So what are we going to do?"

"What if we had them meet us at the GLC?" Brian asked.

"That ought to peak their interest, especially if you ask."

Brian chuckled again. "Yeah, they'll be dying to know what's going on."

"They'll think you've gone off the deep end."

"Some days I think I have too."

"Brian?" It was part question and part accusation. Brian could hear the hurt in Justin's voice.

"I … I didn't mean anything by that, Sunshine," Brian said trying to soften his words. "I meant that I never fucking thought that I would settle down, that I would have a partner … or a house … in suburbia."

"It's all right, dear," Justin said leaning against Brian's shoulder in the narrow confines of the Corvette. "I'll take care of you."

"If I didn't think that was true, Justin, we fucking wouldn't be doing this." Brian sounded totally serious, and Justin realized that he was.

"I meant what I said. I know how many things about your life that you have changed for me … and I appreciate it. Really, I do."

"I didn't change them for you. I changed them for me … and for us."

Brian stared straight ahead. He couldn't look at Justin at that moment. He knew the emotions were too close to the surface … and he was driving for fuck's sake. He felt Justin shift a little and hold tighter to his arm. He felt a soft kiss on his cheek.

"I love you," Justin whispered.

Brian nodded. That was all he was capable of at the moment. They continued to drive in silence for a while.

"So, let's get our story straight," Justin said finally. "We tell them we're having a surprise party, and that they should meet us at the GLC … what, on Saturday night?" Brian nodded continuing to stare ahead. "We meet them there and form a convoy of cars." Brian nodded again. "We lead them to the new house, leap out of the Corvette and yell, 'Surprise!' What do you think?"

Brian snorted. Justin could see that he was regaining his infamous control. "Sounds about right."

"Then let's eat. I'm fading fast," Justin said as Brian slid the Corvette into a spot up the street from the diner.

"Remember," Brian admonished. "That's all we tell them."

"They're going to split a gut trying to figure out what we're doing," Justin smirked.

"I'm going to enjoy every minute of this," Brian said as he strode towards the diner.

Debbie looked up as she heard the bell above the door. Things were settling down. The lunch rush was just about over. She picked up the dishes from the table she was clearing and let out a loud, "Hey, you two! Where have you been hiding?"

"Hi, Deb," Justin said giving her a kiss. "We've been around."

"The guys were all here but they left a half hour ago," she told them.

"Justin's starving," Brian said. "He needs a burger and fries. Right, Sunshine?"

Justin nodded. "And a large chocolate shake."

Brian grimaced. "I'll have my usual turkey sandwich."

"Of course you will," Debbie grinned eyeing them up and down. "Grab a booth."

"Should we tell Deb?" Justin asked as they slid into a booth. "Or should we wait until they're all around?"

"Let's eat first and then tell her. We can beat a hasty retreat when she starts to grill us. That way your stomach won't be rumbling at me all the way home."

"Home," Justin whispered, "our home … and soon everyone will know." He couldn't stop the smile from covering his face.

"You look like a cat who just spilled a pint of cream and lapped it all up before anybody found out," Debbie said as she gave Justin his milkshake and Brian his usual cup of coffee.

"That's exactly how I feel," Justin said continuing to grin. Brian pinched his thigh under the table. "Ow!" He gave Brian a withering look.

"What's up with you two? Something's going on," Debbie said glancing from one to the other.

"Is my burger ready yet?" Justin asked changing the subject and trying to divert Debbie's attention. "I'm so fucking hungry."

"Doesn't this big asshole ever let you alone long enough to eat?" Debbie asked as she went over to the order window to see if she could speed up the process.

"Thanks a bunch," Brian said. "Now she thinks I'm fucking you so often you don't even get to eat."

"She always thought that … and it's true. I never get enough to eat." Brian groaned in response. He could never win.

"Here you go, boys," Debbie said as she set their meals in front of them. "I need to clear a few more tables and then I want to know what's going on with you two."

"Yes, mother," Brian said with a smirk. Debbie grinned at him. She pinched his cheek and then bustled away. He knew she liked it when he called her mother.

Justin was already half way through his burger. Brian took a bite of his turkey sandwich. Sometimes he wished he had Justin's metabolism. That burger looked awfully good. He snatched a French fry off Justin's plate. The boy looked murderously at him, but he dared to take another one. They could always order some more if Justin was still hungry. He'd probably want a lemon bar for dessert anyway.

By the time Debbie was finished with her tables Justin had cleaned his plate and Brian had eaten about half his sandwich and a few more French fries.

"Deb, could I have a lemon bar and a coke?" Justin asked.

"Sure, sweetie," Debbie replied removing his plate and returning momentarily with his requested food.

"Thanks," Justin said taking a bite of the lemon bar. "Want some?" he asked Brian holding the lemon bar an inch from Brian's mouth. Brian thought for a moment and then took a bite out of the end savoring the tangy flavor that exploded in his mouth. Justin chuckled as he took a big bite demolishing almost all of the square. "Hey, Deb," he called. "I need another lemon bar."

Debbie smiled shaking her head at their antics. She loved that Brian was happy and relaxed even if she didn't see much of him anymore. Justin was the best thing that had ever happened to him. And if she was truthful Brian was pretty good for Justin too. They seemed happy.

"Here you go," she said setting down the plate containing the lemon square. She slid into the booth across from Brian and Justin. "So what's up … and don't fucking tell me nothing is."

"We're going to have a party," Brian said with a glint in his eye.

"Ooh, I love parties," Debbie said. "What kind of party?"

"A surprise party," Justin said.

"Oh?" Debbie said looking at them intently. Something didn't seem just right. "At the loft?" she asked.

"No," Justin said. "We've made other arrangements. Meet us at the GLC at seven o'clock on Saturday night and all shall be revealed."

"You're having a party at the GLC?" Debbie demanded looking incredulously at Brian.

"We didn't say that," Brian responded. "We just said meet us there."

"And then what?"

"You'll find out on Saturday night," Brian said. He stood up and gave Debbie a kiss on the cheek. "By the way pass the invitation on to the others," Brian added as he pulled Justin out of the seat.

"Bye Deb," Justin called as they made their way to the door.

"That's all you're fucking telling me?" Debbie yelled.

Brian and Justin smiled serenely back at her as they exited the building.

"The phone lines will be humming any moment now," Brian said. "Let's get out of here."

Justin chuckled as he followed Brian to the car. "I would have liked to play Debbie a little longer," Justin grinned as he got into the Corvette. "She was about ready to explode."

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to bait a mother bear?"

"No," Justin said. "You don't think she'll be mad at us when she finally finds out about the house, do you?" Justin asked suddenly concerned.

"Remember that panic attack I didn't have this morning?" Brian asked looking knowingly at Justin.

"Shit!" Justin reacted as Brian pulled away.

His worries soon evaporated though as he began thinking about the party and being the host in his own home. "Brian," he started, "will I be the host or the hostess of the party?"

"What?"

"I assume you'll be the host. Does that mean that I have to be the hostess?" Brian glanced at Justin and was about to make a joke. One look told him that Justin was being serious. He bit off the joke before it could escape his lips.

"There's nothing that says a party can't have two hosts. Especially since we'll be working so closely together to pull off this masterpiece of entertainment."

Justin chuckled and then flashed Brian one of those radiant smiles. Brian knew he had said the right thing and he grinned back.

Justin's mind began to check off the list of things they would need to do for their party. There were so many things to be taken care of before next Saturday. He wanted the house to be perfect and they had to decide about food and decorations. This was going to be so great. He could hardly wait.

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