Domestic Bliss

Work and Play and Death

Brian sipped his coffee at the kitchen table. He needed to get dressed and head out to the gym for his Saturday workout, but he didn't feel the least bit like doing that. Justin had given him quite the workout the previous night. He squirmed in his seat still feeling the dull burn of Justin's cock up his ass.

He thought back to Emile's and their activities between the courses of their meal. He really should go to the gym. He must have eaten at least triple the amount of calories he normally would have ingested, but he had wanted to make the evening special for Justin. And it had been special.

Brian stared off into space. Justin was still asleep upstairs. He could just head back up and curl himself around his boy. They could sleep as long as they wanted and then they could fuck. That would be a perfect day. But he really should go to the gym.

With a heavy sigh Brian stood up. He would be good. He was getting too old to ignore all those calories. He would hit the gym. He walked over to the phone on the wall prepared to call Michael and see if the boys would be there. The light flashing on the base told him he had messages. He had meant to check them last night before Justin had dragged him upstairs. Brian smiled at the memory and his dick responded accordingly.

After a momentary hesitation Brian pushed the message button. He expected to hear Michael's voice asking him if he'd be at the gym today, or Lindsay wondering if he was coming to see Gus. Instead a voice he hadn't heard for quite a while caught his attention.

"Brian," the voice said. "Brian, if you're there, please pick up." There was a long sigh. "Brian, it's Trip Bedford. I really need to talk to you. Call me as soon as you get this …

please!"

There was something in Trip's voice that didn't sound right. Brian frowned. Trip wouldn't have called if it hadn't been something important. His voice sounded almost desperate.

Brian walked to the family room and scrolled through the Rolodex of numbers that sat on the desk. He was pretty sure Trip's was in there. Finally he found it. He picked up the phone, dialed the number and waited for it to ring.

"Brian," Trip's voice came over the line.

"What's wrong?"

"It's dad. He had another heart attack last night."

"Shit! I'm sorry. How's he doing?"

"He died around 6 am this morning. There didn't seem to be much they could do. His heart was just too weak."

Brian grimaced. He liked Jerome Bedford. He even admired the man. He was very sorry to hear what had happened. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Not really," Trip admitted with some hesitation. "I've started on the funeral arrangements. I think it will be next Tuesday. That will give some relatives and business associates who are far away time to attend."

"That's good."

"You'll be here, won't you?" Trip asked.

Brian could hear the longing in Trip's voice. He must be so lonely all of a sudden. Trip and his father had always been close, had even lived together in different wings of the same house. "Of course, I will. And if there's anything else I can do, anything that you need…"

"There is," Trip said. "if you really mean it, I could use some moral support. Could you come out here maybe today or tomorrow?"

"I … I don't know," Brian hesitated. He knew Justin would not like this at all.

"Please, Brian. I need someone I can lean on."

"Okay, okay. I'll see what arrangements I can make, and I'll get back to you."

"Thank you. I really need someone. I really need you."

Brian blinked. He had stayed away from Trip all these months for a very good reason. When they were together their mutual attraction was very strong. So far Brian had resisted and Trip had done the same, not that he hadn't tried to seduce Brian a couple of times. Now he and Trip would be together if he went to Indianapolis, and without the leveling influence of the elder Bedford.

"I'll see what I can do," Brian repeated and cut the connection.

How the fuck was he going to explain this to Justin?

"Who was that?" Justin asked coming into the kitchen. He headed for the coffee pot pouring himself a mugful. "Brian?" he said when there was no response to his question.

Brian ran his hand through his hair. "It … it was some bad news."

"Bad news? What happened?"

"Jerome Bedford died this morning."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I know how much you liked and respected him."

"Yes, I did. He was one of the finest people I ever met."

"Are you going to the funeral?"

"Of course, but when I talked to Trip just now, he wants me to come tomorrow or even today if I can arrange it."

"I see," Justin said slowly. Brian was sure that Justin saw a lot more than Brian wanted him to see. "So when are you leaving?"

"I haven't made any arrangements yet."

"I guess I should have asked how soon you wanted to leave."

"Trip sounded … shaky. I think he needs someone to help him. He and his father were very close."

Justin studied his partner. He hated the thoughts of Brian rushing to Trip Bedford's side, even if the reason was one as horrible as this. Trip had wanted Brian from the first time they had met, but somehow Brian had resisted even though the attraction between the two was so evident. Without Trip's father being present Justin could only imagine what might happen, and his imagination did not allow for a good outcome.

"Then you should go," Justin said.

"I should?" Brian asked. "I thought you'd be totally opposed."

"I didn't say I like it, but I understand why you need to go."

Brian looked at his surprisingly mature partner. "You never cease to amaze me."

"Sometimes I amaze myself."

"You … you could come with me," Brian suggested. He wasn't really sure that he wanted to be alone with Trip Bedford.

"How can I come with you? I start my job on Monday. I can't very well ask for the first day off. Besides I never even met Jerome Bedford," Justin explained.

Brian sighed. "I really think I should get to Indianapolis as quickly as I can."

"I agree."

Brian's eyebrow shot up. "I … I'm glad you feel that way."

"Why don't you call Cynthia and arrange things at Vangard and I'll go online to find flights for today or tomorrow."

"Justin," Brian hesitated. "Thanks."

"You're my partner, Brian. I know you have to do this. I'll help any way that I can."

"I see that and I do appreciate it."

"There is one thing you can do for me though."

"What?" Brian asked with a frown.

"While you're in Indianapolis, just remember that I am your partner."

"I won't forget," Brian promised. He grabbed Justin's arm before the lad could move away to the computer.

Justin looked up into the hazel eyes. He knew Brian meant to be true to him. He just hoped that good intentions would be enough.

"I mean it," Brian emphasized. "I won't forget."

"You better not," Justin said and smiled. That broke the tense moment and Brian pulled Justin against him for a warm kiss. "I'll be here when you get back."

"You better be," Brian said with his own smile.

A few hours later Justin stood by the check-in area of Liberty Air. Brian was talking to the attendant and checking his bag. He was planning to stay for almost a week. Justin studied his partner. No matter how much he tried to deny it, he could feel the clench of fear deep in his gut.

He knew Brian needed to go to Indianapolis. He understood why, and on some level he was proud that Brian wanted to honor Jerome Bedford with his presence. He also knew that Brian wanted to help Trip, wanted to be there to support Trip as he laid his father and best friend to rest. That didn't make him any less afraid.

"All set," Brian said coming up beside Justin.

"Good," Justin replied doing his best to smile.

"I'll try to come back Wednesday after things settle from the funeral."

"Take as much time as you need, as much time as Trip needs."

"I'll … I'll miss you."

"Hold onto that thought."

"I will," Brian said pulling Justin in close for a hug.

"You probably should go through security. It looks like there's a long line."

"Yeah."

"Brian."

"Yeah."

"I love you."

"I know."

"Have … have a good trip," Justin said shakily.

"I am coming back, you know."

Justin nodded and with a final hug and chaste kiss Brian disappeared into the security area. Justin let out a long breath and blinked back an unwanted tear. He had forgotten to tell Brian to call him when he arrived. He wondered if Brian would remember him when he came face to face with Trip Bedford after all this time.

As the plane slowed for the descent into Indianapolis, Brian frowned and stared out the small window beside him. He would see Trip Bedford in a few minutes. The man had promised to pick him up at the airport even though Brian had said he could take a taxi to a hotel. He knew perfectly well that Trip was going to insist that Brian stay at the mansion. And he knew he would acquiesce. After all he had come there to comfort Trip and he could do that better at the mansion than from a hotel in town.

The jolt of the tires hitting the tarmac brought Brian out of his reverie. He wondered what he would say to Trip. After saying how sorry he was about Jerome's death, what could he possibly tell the man? "You look good, Trip. You haven't changed a bit. I still want you, Trip, but that can never happen. Get your hands off me, Trip. We can't do this. Justin is waiting for me at home. Fuck, Trip, you smell so good. And you feel even better." Brian shook his head. He had to get a grip before he actually met Trip in a few minutes.

Slowly he walked down the jet way letting people pass him as they hurried along. The doorway loomed ahead and then he remembered that people couldn't meet you at the gate anymore. He still had the long walk to security before he would see Trip. That was good. He'd be fine by then.

As Brian walked out of the secure area he risked a glance around. His eyes had barely come up before someone grabbed him and pulled him into a bear hug.

"Jesus, Brian! I'm so fucking glad to see you," Trip breathed against his ear.

Brian hugged back and then tried to extricate himself from Trip's grasp. Trip held on for just a bit too long, and he was sure they both felt the mutual stirring in their pants as Trip finally released him.

Trip grinned at him at the same time that he wiped a tear from his eyes. "Do you have luggage?"

Brian nodded. "I can stay for a few days."

Trip's smile grew broader. "The car's driving around the loop. James will meet us when we get outside."

Brian nodded again. "He can drive me to a hotel."

"You … you didn't make a reservation, did you? I told you I wanted you to stay with me."

"I think it would be better if I stayed in town," Brian said slowly.

"No, Brian, please. You have to come home with me. I can't stand to be in that big house by myself."

Brian groaned inwardly. He had known this was exactly what would happen, and he had come anyway. "Sure, Trip," he said giving in to the inevitable as he yanked his bag from the conveyor belt.

They made their way out to the sidewalk where they waited in silence for James and the car to appear. Very soon the car pulled up. James scurried out to open the door for them and to throw Brian's bag in the trunk. Brian settled in the spacious backseat of the limo and Trip slid in beside him. Brian felt their knees brush together and Trip smiled at him.

"Trip, nothing's changed," Brian stated hoping to put a stop to what was already becoming evident to both of them.

"Everything's changed," Trip replied.

"No, no, it hasn't. Justin's waiting for me."

"Fuck Justin!"

"Trip, how can you say that?"

"Because I'm all alone, and I need you. I know you want me too."

"Trip…" Brian began but he knew he couldn't deny anything that Trip had said.

Trip leaned towards Brian and Brian held up his hand. He had to be strong. Nothing was going to happen between them. Trip sighed and melted back into the soft seats of the limo. He stared at Brian through hooded eyes. The ride continued in silence.

When they pulled up in front of the mansion, Brian reluctantly got out of the car. Maybe this whole idea was wrong. Trip was in a very fragile state and he obviously expected more from Brian than Brian intended to give. The only problem was, Brian knew he couldn't just walk away and leave Trip alone.

Brian took his suitcase from James and headed up the stairs to Jerome's side of the house. He was going to take the room he had always occupied when he visited the Bedford's.

"Brian," Trip called. "There's an empty room next to mine. Take it."

"No, I think it would be better if I stay where I've always stayed."

"Suit yourself," Trip said heading down to his own room. It didn't matter where Brian was as long as he was in the mansion. Trip would find him. "Oh Brian," Trip called down the long hallway. "Dinner in an hour."

"Sure," Brian said as he closed and locked his door.

Brian hung up his suits and unpacked his other clothes. He was tempted to take a shower, but he knew what he really needed was to talk to Justin. He fished his cell phone out of his jacket and hit one on speed dial.

"Hey," Justin's voice came across the miles.

"Hey," Brian purred. He relaxed into the sound of his lover's voice.

"Are you at the mansion?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I know Trip a little. He wants you close."

"Too close."

"Is everything all right?"

"Yeah, no, I don't know. Trip's lonely."

"He's already come onto you, hasn't he?"

"I guess you could call it that."

"I trust you," Justin whispered.

"I wish I trusted myself."

"Help him and come home soon."

"I will."

Brian cut the connection and decided he would have that shower after all. Maybe if he was late enough for dinner Trip would have eaten and gone to his room.

When Brian appeared almost an hour after the appointed time, Trip was sitting at the end of the large table drinking. He looked Brian up and down. Brian could tell the glass of wine in his hand was far from his first of the evening.

"Took your sweet time," Trip said belligerently.

"Is there something to eat or are we having a liquid dinner."

Trip smirked and picked up the small bell that sat beside his plate. The gentle tinkle of the bell produced a maid who dished out the soup. Brian settled in a seat on the side of the table. Trip sat at the head of the table where his father had always sat before. But no more.

The soup was good and so was the rest of the meal. Trip drank more than he ate and Brian knew that was not a good sign. Brian declined dessert but accepted coffee hoping Trip would have some too. Trip had another glass of wine, port this time.

"Join me in some coffee?" Brian asked.

"No … thanks. I'll stick with the wine."

"How did I know you'd say that?" Brian mumbled to himself.

"What? You know you're bumming me out, and I thought you had come to help me."

"Maybe if you'd stop drinking and let someone help you…"

"Yeah, sure. I ask for your 'help' in the limo and you turned me down flat."

"I told you on the phone that I would help you with the funeral. I didn't say anything about fucking you," Brian said with a frown.

"You know what I need from you … what I want," Trip choked out.

"Maybe I should see if I can get a flight back to Pittsburgh right now," Brian stated standing up.

"No, please," Trip begged. "I'm drunk. I should go to bed."

"Good thinking," Brian replied watching Trip struggle to stand up. He was pretty well plastered.

Trip stumbled towards the door leaning heavily on the table as he proceeded. When he ran out of table he swayed precariously and threatened to fall flat on his face. Brian was instantly at his side grabbing him around the waist and allowing Trip to lean against him.

"I'm sorry," Trip croaked tears forming in his eyes. "I'm so fucking miserable."

"I know," Brian agreed edging the man out of the dining room and towards the stairs. He wondered if he'd be able to get Trip all the way up there and to his apartment.

Trip held onto Brian's shoulder and did his best to walk up the stairs. At one point he lost his balance and came close to tipping them both over backwards. Brian had a fleeting image of Justin finding them in each other's arms at the bottom of the stairs - with their necks broken.

"Come on, Trip. Focus! We're almost there."

They stumbled down the corridor and Brian opened the door to Trip's apartment. He had only ever been in there once before and that had been enough. He remembered the smell of leather and the masculine feel of the rooms. He dragged Trip along with him towards the bedroom. He opened the door and looked at the king sized bed that confronted him.

He groaned inwardly and hauled Trip over to the edge of the bed. He was sorely tempted to drop the man and run. Instead he lowered Trip onto the side of the bed and allowed him to fall back against the pillows. He seemed totally out of it, and that was good as far as Brian was concerned. Brian knew he should undress the man and tuck him in, but he refused to do that. Instead he slipped Trip's shoes off his feet and lifted his legs onto the bed. He grabbed the edge of the duvet that covered the bed and flipped it over the man. With a sigh he walked to the door looking back at his sleeping charge.

"Maybe it was a good thing that you drank yourself into a stupor," Brian said softly as he closed the door. He walked out of the apartment closing the outer door and made his way to his bedroom. He stepped inside and locked the door behind him. He needed to talk to Justin.

"Hey," Brian said when Justin answered.

"I didn't expect another call tonight. Is everything all right?"

"Trip's drunk. He's sleeping it off in his room."

"As long as he isn't sleeping it off in your room."

"Funny, I was thinking much the same thing."

"He sounds like he's a mess."

"He's very unstable. I wish … you were here."

"I wish I was too," Justin admitted. "But you're being a good friend. It's only a few days."

"And a funeral."

"No four weddings to go with it."

"Nothing to go with it except Trip's misery and loneliness."

"Brian, are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Brian said quickly. Then he rethought that statement. "Actually I'm fucking scared. I don't know if I can handle Trip … in the state that he's in."

"You could come home," Justin said hopefully.

"I honestly don't think I can leave him the way he is. If anything happened to him … I … I don't know how I could live with it."

"You don't think he'd do something rash, do you?"

"I honestly don't know."

"Jesus, Brian, now you're scaring me."

"I … I didn't mean to. I just needed a sane voice to talk to."

"How about a little phone sex to calm your nerves?"

"I like the sound of that," Brian said with a small grin. Justin always knew what he needed, often before he knew it himself.

"Are you naked?"

"No, you little twat, I just got to my room."

"Hey, be nice to me or I'll hang up."

"Don't you dare."

"I won't. You know that. So are you naked yet?"

"No, but I'm working on it," Brian said unzipping his jeans. "Are you?"

"Getting there," Justin giggled.

Brian felt his dick swell at that sweet sound. God, he loved that kid. "Your giggle just made me hard."

"I knew you were easy."

"Me!"

"Yes, you. I can always make you hard."

"That's true," Brian admitted leaning back against the pillows and running his hand up and down his dick. "Nobody does it like you."

Justin smiled. "Comfy?"

"Umm."

"I'm naked. I'm stroking myself and thinking about you, thinking about you lying on top of me and nibbling my ear. I can feel your tongue licking my collarbone and it sends shivers of pleasure all over me."

Brian saw the direction this was taking. Something new from his ever inventive partner. "My dick is hard and I can feel it reaching out towards you. It knows where it belongs. It's pressed against your belly while I kiss you so long and so hard that neither of us can breathe."

Justin moaned into the phone. "I can feel it. The tip is leaking and I put my finger through the slit and then into my mouth. You taste so fucking good."

"No better than you taste to me. I can feel you mouth around my cock sucking and pulling. Your mouth is so soft and warm and … that tongue of yours does the most remarkable things."

Justin giggled as he stroked his throbbing dick, pulling harder and more insistently. He loved hearing Brian describe what it felt like when Justin sucked him off. "I feel the head of your dick pressing into me and it's the most wonderful combination of pain and joy. It hurts a bit but it feels so damn good when you're inside me. I feel like I'm full, like I'm complete, like nothing can ever come between us."

"And I love being inside you. It's warm and tight and safe. I never felt what I feel with you with any other man."

"I love you," Justin whispered as his strokes became faster.

"I love you back," Brian groaned. "I'm close."

"Me too. You're pounding my ass and jerking me off and I'm so fucking turned on."

"You're tightening that sweet hole of yours and my dick feels like it's going to be cut off and there is no place else I ever want to be. And … and … and I'm coming!"

"Oh, fuck, Brian, I'm coming too."

For a minute or two all that could be heard over the phones was heavy breathing and little gasps.

"That was fucking awesome!" Brian said after a bit.

"Awesome!"

"You sure as fuck know how to talk dirty."

"Is that what I was doing?" Justin giggled. "I was merely describing the techniques of my most excellent lover."

Brian snorted. "Do you take lessons in knowing the right thing to say to an asshole like me?"

"No, I don't need to. I have years of practical experience in dealing with assholes."

"I am so fucked."

"And you love every minute of it," Justin chuckled.

"Yeah, I do."

"Feeling better now?"

"Some."

"I could stay on the phone with you all night."

"You'd do that?"

"If you want me to."

"I think I can probably sleep now," Brian said wiping the cum off his chest.

"I wish I was there."

"I wish you were too."

"You can call me any time you need me. You know that, don't you?"

"I know."

"So don't forget to call. I'll leave my phone on all the time."

"What are you going to do tomorrow?"

"It's Sunday so I thought I'd start with church followed by lunch with Debbie and dinner with my mother."

Brian snorted. "You are so full of shit."

Justin grinned. "Made you laugh. I'm going to sleep late so that I'll look youthful and well rested for my first day of work on Monday."

"Sounds like a plan, but I wouldn't try to look too young. They might put you in daycare."

"Briiaan!"

"Sorry, Sunshine, you asked for that one."

"I really loved our evening at Emile's. Thanks again for doing all that for me."

"I was really looking forward to you showing me your appreciation for that for days to come. And here I am a thousand miles away."

"I'll save up the appreciation till you get back."

"You do that."

"Have I told you that I love you?"

"Once or twice."

"Well, I do. I want you to come home as soon as you can."

"That's what I want too."

There was a long pause as each thought about being separated from the other.

"I guess I should let you go, so you can get that beauty sleep," Brian said finally.

"I suppose," Justin sighed.

"Good night, Sunshine."

"Good night, old man."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

There was a long silence while neither of them wanted to cut the connection. Finally Brian hit end and the line went dead. It would be a long time before either of them got to sleep.

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