Justin sat at the table in Michael and Emmett's apartment. He and Michael had just finished working out a possible story for the first issue of Rage. It was all about a gay kid who gets bashed by some homophobes. Then Rage comes to his rescue and makes the homophobes beat themselves senseless. Justin was sketching the scene where Brian - Rage saves the boy. He had to make the boy blond. He looked a lot like Justin. Justin smiled to himself. He liked the idea of Brian rescuing him from evil and mean people. He felt safe with Brian … most of the time.

That's really good," Michael said as he set a can of soda down beside Justin and took a drink out of his own.

"Thanks."

"The boy looks like you," Michael observed staring at the sketch.

"Well, I had to base him on someone."

"Yeah, but why you?"

"I don't know. I guess I like the idea of being rescued by a handsome superhero."

Michael made a little huff as air escaped his lips. "We should give him a name."

"Yeah, I guess," Justin said thoughtfully. "We could call him JT."

Michael chuckled. "Very subtle."

Justin grinned. "I've always been noted for my subtlety."

"I bet."

"Maybe JT should fall for Rage and help him in his adventures," Justin suggested.

"That's Zephyr's job," Michael stated. Zephyr was the name Michael had chosen for Rage's sidekick and best friend.

Justin thought about that. "But Zephyr is Rage's friend, not his love interest. If this is going to be a gay comic then we need someone for Rage to be with."

Michael frowned. This wasn't going quite the way he had planned. However, he did see the wisdom of Justin's statement. "What if JT can heal Rage if he gets hurt. The power of their sexual encounters can save Rage."

"Wow," Justin reacted. "I like that. But it should be the power of JT's love that saves Rage."

"Rage doesn't believe in love," Michael insisted.

"He could learn to," Justin said hopefully. Art should imitate life, and he hoped Brian had learned that he could rely on Justin's love.

"I doubt it," Michael protested.

"We could … um … start off with it being all about sex and then it could develop into something else."

"Okay," Michael gave in. "We'll start with the sex thing and then see what develops."

"Great," Justin replied. "I should get going. I have some homework."

"How long do you think it will take to draw up the cells for this episode?" Michael asked as Justin gathered up his papers.

"It won't take too long, but it depends what else I have to do. I'll try to have it ready for the weekend."

"Good, and then we start on the next part."

"About JT and Rage falling in love."

"Having sex."

"Sure."

Justin walked out of Michael's apartment satisfied that they had made a good start to their Rage collaboration. The idea of the bashing made Justin shiver a little in fear. He certainly knew there were homophobes out there, but he had had very little contact with them … at least so far. He couldn't imagine having someone attack him. He had always been so careful and so timid. He never wanted to be in that kind of situation.

He had begun to realize from Michael's comments that he wanted Zephyr to be Rage's great love. But that was not going to happen as long as Justin was drawing the comic. He had to wonder if Michael actually harbored those feelings for Brian, that he was putting his fantasy into the comic just the way Justin was doing through JT. That might explain some of Brian's trepidation about Michael and the Liberty Avenue gang knowing that he and Brian were together.

Justin headed for Brian's place. He hoped he could get some homework done before Brian was all over him. He could never refuse Brian and Brian never seemed to get enough. He was falling behind in some of his courses and they had barely started. If he was going to go to school, work at the diner, draw Rage and fuck Brian, he was going to have to come up with some kind of miracle schedule. Otherwise he was screwed.

When Justin arrived at the loft Brian was waiting for him. He seemed happy to see him.

"Michael and I got a good start on the comic tonight," Justin explained.

"That's good," Brian replied studying the young man and wondering what was going on in his head.

"I want to talk to you about something."

Brian tried not to wince, but he hated what always followed that statement.

"It's nothing bad," Justin felt compelled to say.

"So, what is it?"

"I … I'm having trouble getting everything done. I think I need to make a schedule that will let me accomplish everything."

"Does that include fucking?"

"Of course it does," Justin giggled. "But maybe not for hours on end." Brian made a face. "I know that will be a hardship for you, but I really need some time to do my homework."

"Then get at it."

"You mean it?" Justin asked staring at Brian. "You're not going to drag me up to the bedroom?"

"I haven't done that yet," Brian smirked. "I can show self-restraint when it's required."

"I kind of like you without any self-restraint," Justin smiled.

"I thought that was the problem you were trying to solve," Brian smirked.

"It was, but maybe we could do that later."

Justin flung himself at Brian who was only too happy to catch the delectable blond package and begin ravishing him. Justin found his clothes stripped away and Brian inside him before he could take a breath. He never quite knew how Brian did that, but he was the most efficient as well as the most consummate as well as the most prolific lover. He could go on and on but the feel of Brian's dick pulsing inside him made him forget all those thoughts and just try to survive the blinding orgasm that was about to consume him.

"Glad you could fit that into your new schedule," Brian breathed as he rolled off Justin and disposed of the condom.

"I'll always have a place for that no matter what," Justin gasped trying to force air into his body.

"Good, but now you need to do your homework."

"What?"

"You heard me. Get up and do your homework."

"But don't I even get a kiss of appreciation?" Justin asked all wide-eyed at this change in Brian.

"I guess I could spare one," Brian chuckled leaning over to lay a soft, sweet kiss on Justin's lips. He felt Justin's arms go around his neck and press his head in demanding more. "Stop that, twat!" Brian ordered. "You are going to do your homework and pass your courses. I will not have Jennifer Taylor coming here from Cape Cod and reaming me a new one."

Justin laughed. "My mother wouldn't even know what that means."

"I'd be happy to educate her as long as she does it to someone else."

"You are so silly sometimes, and … I love it when you are," Justin said with a radiant smile.

"Homework," Brian repeated.

"Yes, master. I'll finish as fast as I can."

"I'm counting on that," Brian replied lighting a cigarette as he watched Justin get up, throw on a robe and make his way to his bag by the door. He had a brief moment of wondering what the fuck he was doing with a school kid, but then he thought about what they had just done and he knew why. His cock was growing hard just thinking about it.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-

Saturday morning Brian was up early. He sent Justin out for bagels and cream cheese feeling like something positively sinful for breakfast. He also wanted Justin out of the loft for as long as possible so that he could arrange everything.

He checked the supplies he had stocked in the cupboard and fridge. He knew he wouldn't need half of them, maybe none of them, but he didn't want to take any chances. Everything seemed to be ready. Now if they would just get here before Justin came back.

When the buzzer rang, Brian raced to the intercom and released the door. A few minutes later the elevator arrived carrying Lindsay and Melanie and a sleeping baby. That was good. They would leave more quickly if Gus wasn't crying.

"Hi, Brian," Lindsay said giving the father of her son a kiss on the cheek as she carried the car seat into the loft.

"Brian," Melanie said with an abrupt nod of her head.

"Mel."

"I'm so pleased you want to do this, Brian. Mel and I can really use a day to ourselves without the baby."

"I'm always happy to make you … both happy," Brian said with his best smile.

"Fucking bullshit," Melanie replied. "What are you up to, Kinney?"

"Mel, you wound me. I merely want to spend some quality time with my son. And you two get the benefit of that desire."

Melanie gave him an incredulous look. "Are you sure you can handle this?" she demanded. "There will be no booze, no tricking, no porn while Gus is here."

"I'm not that depraved," Brian said trying to look offended.

"You could have fooled me."

"Mel," Lindsay protested. "We do appreciate this, Brian."

"Good, then go. Get your day of muff diving under way."

"Brian," Lindsay protested.

"See, he's incorrigible," Mel said. "And we're leaving our son with him."

"He's my son too," Brian retorted getting sick of Mel's sniping.

"Everything you need is in this bag. There's formula and his schedule and diapers and wipes and…"

"Okay, okay, I'll figure it out. Now go," Brian said ushering them towards the door.

"Are you sure you'll be all right with him?" Lindsay asked.

"I'm sure, and I'll call if there's any problem."

"Bye, sweetie," Lindsay said kissing Gus as Brian half shoved her past the counter where they had set Gus' car seat.

"We'll be back around five," Melanie stated. "Have Gus ready."

"But of course," Brian replied with all the sarcasm he could muster. He raised the gate for the lift glad that it was still there. He hoped Justin would take the stairs if he arrived back before the girls left the building.

Brian left the loft door open as he went back inside to check on Gus. He had barely looked at his son when Justin appeared in the doorway.

"Brian?" Justin asked looking from the baby to Brian and back again.

"Justin, I'd like you to meet my son. Gus, this is Justin."

Justin's smile lit up the room if not the block. "He's so cute. Can I hold him?"

"Let him sleep. You can hold him when he wakes up. I'll even let you change him."

"In your dreams, Kinney."

"It was worth a try."

Justin laughed. He liked this side of Brian. "How long will he sleep?"

"Long enough for you to get some work done."

"Can I play with him when he wakes up?"

"He doesn't really play yet," Brian said like this was all old hat to him. "He eats, sleeps and poops. That's about the extent of it."

"Sounds like a good life to me," Justin giggled.

"What? I didn't hear anything about sex in that list, so how can it be good?"

"True, but I could use a break occasionally."

"Then get to work, so we can have sex when Gus goes home."

"I'd like to meet his mothers."

"They'll be back around five, if they last that long."

"What do you mean?"

"Melanie has great reservations about leaving Gus with me. She thinks I'm going to have sex in front of him and play porn tapes and…"

"Then she's an idiot. You would never do that in front of your son."

Brian had to smile. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Sunshine."

"Anytime, now I want a bagel and then I better get to work."

The day went by quickly with Gus waking and needing to be fed. Brian and Justin shared the feedings and helped each other with the diaper changes. They even managed to play with Gus, dangling things over him and shaking his rattle. Gus would reach for the item without much hope of grabbing it. He loved having a finger that he could hold onto.

Justin watched Brian with his son, and loved the look of love and contentment that fell over Brian's features when he held the baby. This was the Brian he loved. He managed to get some work done. He wanted there to be plenty of time for fucking later. As five o'clock drew close Justin noted Brian's agitation growing.

"If you would rather me not be here when they come to pick up Gus, I'll leave," Justin volunteered. He noted the look of relief that crossed Brian's face even if it hurt Justin to know that Brian didn't want anyone to know about him. "I'll take some things and go to Daphne's for a couple of hours."

"No."

"Pardon."

"I said no."

"But you don't want anybody to know about us."

"Maybe I'm rethinking that."

"You are?" Justin smiled. Brian nodded.

A few minutes later the buzzer indicated that Lindsay and Melanie had arrived. Gus was awake and Justin was holding him in his arms cooing to the baby. Brian opened the loft door as the elevator began to appear. He glanced at Justin and his son and hoped that the two women would like the man in his life. He smiled at that thought.

As the two women crossed into the loft, they both stopped as they saw the blond stranger sitting on the sofa holding their son.

"Asshole," Melanie started. "I told you no tricks while Gus was here. And you fucking let him touch my son?"

"Ladies," Brian said with an ominous tinge to his voice. "This is Justin Taylor. He's not a trick. He's my … boyfriend." Brian closed his mouth and waited for the reaction. Justin beamed at Brian.

"Are you serious, Brian?" Lindsay asked. "About the boyfriend part, I mean?"

Brian nodded. "Never more serious, and Gus has been fine with us all day."

"Hello, Justin," Lindsay said moving over to the sofa. "It's nice to meet you. How long have you known Brian?"

"A little over a month," Justin said handing Gus to his mother. "Gus is a great baby."

"Why thank you. I think he's pretty special."

"What playground did you find him in?" Melanie hissed at Brian.

Brian gave her a withering look but didn't reply.

"He didn't find me in a playground," Justin replied trying to keep his voice level. He had heard the implied criticism of Brian and he didn't like it one bit.

"Where did he find a second baby?" Melanie continued.

"I'm a student at PIFA, not a baby."

"You go to PIFA?" Lindsay asked. "You must be very talented."

"He is," Brian said with a smile.

"Well, we need to get Gus home, but I hope to see you again. Maybe I could have a look at some of your work. It was nice meeting you."

"Thanks," Justin said. "Nice meeting you too." He couldn't say the same about Melanie. "I'd enjoy showing you my work."

"Here's Gus' bag," Brian said handing it to Melanie. "Everything's in order."

The two women made their way out to the elevator with Gus. They both looked rather shell shocked as they disappeared from view leaving Brian standing by the loft door with his arm over Justin's shoulder. They weren't quite sure what to make of the whole thing. No one in the Liberty Avenue group had told them anything about Brian having a boyfriend.

"The phones will be humming tonight," Brian said as he kissed Justin heartily and dragged the boy inside. Now was time for sex.

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