Revenge

Chapter 1

Brian signed off the internet.

"Shit!" he grumbled aloud. This was getting fucking complicated.

He had spent the last two months trying to set up that little prick Rue. Brian was determined to make the slimy little toad pay for what he had done to Justin and now it looked like all his hard work might be for nothing. It had taken no time at all to get Rue to talk to him. Pretending to be Pollock's Pole, Brian had insinuated himself into the culture of the Art Nouveau internet group. He had actually learned quite a bit about modern art while letting on that he already knew all that stuff anyway.

Rue was always on the net, probably looking for new marks, as Brian surmised. But he had not taken Brian's bait, no matter how many times Brian told him about his great life in Philadelphia. Maybe Rue was leery of selecting his next mark in a city so close to his last one. Maybe he was smart enough to realize that nobody had a great life in Philadelphia. Maybe he had heard the old W.C. Fields crack about the only thing worse than a week in Philadelphia … two weeks in Philadelphia!

Whatever the reason, Rue wasn't biting on Brian's subtle insinuations about coming to the capital of Pennsylvania. Maybe Brian should have made his home base as being in Florida or Nevada, somewhere warmer and more … exciting. Brian had chosen Philadelphia because it wasn't Pittsburgh, but it wasn't too far away if he had been able to convince Rue to meet him there. He would have enjoyed the expression on Rue's face when he realized his internet "friend" was Justin's boyfriend. Brian could have really made the little asshole squirm and he would have enjoyed every minute of it. However, that didn't seem to be the way things were going to go. Brian leaned back in his computer chair and let his mind wander.

He and Justin had struggled to pay off Justin's credit card and some of his own debts. There had been a few weeks when he didn't think they were going to make it. But then he had finished the "Buttery Bagels" account. That had been a godsend. The ads in the local papers had been a huge success and other local businesses had begun to call. He was still working from the loft but he knew that it was just a matter of time until he pulled in a big account and could open his own agency.

Brian thought about Justin and his current state of mind. Somehow the whole Rue fiasco had eroded the blond's confidence. Justin no longer seemed to be the happy and self-assured young man that Brian knew. He understood how hard it had been for Justin to come back from the bashing and the Ethan catastrophe. And then he had finally gone back to school, and even though money was tight, everything seemed to be going relatively well. Until! Until Justin had met Rue in that fucking internet group.

Brian knew Rue ripping Justin off to the tune of $500 had hurt Justin, but it was nothing compared to what Rue's internet activities had done to the young blond. Justin had lost most of his friends in the Art Nouveau group. They had all bought into Rue's story about Justin stealing his ideas for his artwork. Everyone had blocked him from the group except for Wyeth's Whimsy, and Justin rarely talked to her anymore.

That was probably a good thing because Brian was talking to her all the time. She had remained a staunch friend to Justin and had managed to convince Lily to converse with Brian. Gradually Brian had won Lily over too. Between the three of them they had been trying to come up with a way to pay Rue back and to show the other members of Art Nouveau that it was Rue who was the thief of art ideas not Justin.

But Brian was about ready to give up. He had hoped to confront Rue at some point, but that seemed less and less likely as time wore on. He wished he had proof that Rue had stolen his lighter. That could have gotten him arrested, but he had no real proof and he wasn't even sure what Rue's real name was. He had told Justin that it was Ruben but had given no last name. He had told the guy he met at Babylon that he was Roy Elson, but Brian hadn't been able to find anyone by that name in the phone book or through the internet. It was probably another alias. Who the hell was this Rue anyway?

Brian heard the key in the lock and he smiled slightly. The loft door slid back and Justin stepped in dropping his portfolio by the door. He glanced over at Brian and softly said, "Hey."

"Hey yourself," Brian said getting up. "You look tired."

"I guess I am. I have been working on this fucking design all week and it's driving me nuts. I still don't like it."

Brian stared at Justin. This was the kind of thing that had him worried. Justin used to produce his work, and he would know immediately if it was good or what was wrong with it if he didn't like it very much. Now he just seemed indecisive. Nothing ever really pleased him. He couldn't enjoy his work anymore, and that was the fault of that fucking Rue.

"Want me to look at it?" Brian asked.

"Um … maybe later," Justin replied hesitantly.

"Just say the word and I'll give you my expert opinion."

"Um … thanks."

Brian hated this hesitant and insecure Justin. This Justin had developed gradually over the two months since Rue had fucked with his life and his art. And maybe the mess with the art was the worst of all. Brian wanted his Sunshine back. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen a sunshine smile from his partner. "Are you hungry?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, a bit. I think I missed lunch."

"Let's order in," Brian suggested.

"That would be nice. I don't feel much like cooking."

"Sit down and I'll bring you a beer after I order dinner."

Justin looked at Brian wondering where the real Brian Kinney had disappeared to. He sighed and decided that he would take whatever Brian was offering and just enjoy it. It wasn't often that he got pampered. He slid onto the sofa and leaned against the cushions. He could hear Brian ordering dinner and he liked that sound a lot.

"Justin, Justin, dinner's here."

Justin sat up slowly. There was a blanket over him and he felt warm and safe. "Did I fall asleep?" he asked rubbing his eyes.

"For about a half hour," Brian said setting down the plate that he had prepared. "I thought you might like your food hot and fresh instead of nuked later on."

"Thanks," Justin replied. He took the flatware that Brian handed him and dug in. He really was hungry and the lasagna was great.

Brian picked at his slice of lasagna and watched Justin. "Feeling better?" he asked as Justin cleaned his plate.

"Much," Justin said with a pale imitation of his sunshine smile.

"There's more in the oven, if you want it."

"Great, I'll get it." Justin got up and moved to the kitchen. Brian watched as Justin loaded the rest of the lasagna onto his plate and brought it back to the sofa.

"Think that'll tide you over till morning," Brian chuckled.

"Oh! Um … did you want some more. I'm sorry if I took too much."

"Justin, for Christ's sake! I haven't even finished this. Eat as much as you want."

"Sorry," Justin said with a frown.

Brian sighed. He could barely stand this apologetic and fragile Justin. He wanted his fiery and energetic young lover back. "Let's see your artwork," Brian said hoping to redirect Justin to a more positive topic. Besides he always enjoyed looking at what Justin's inventive mind had come up with.

"It's not very good," Justin protested meekly. "I'm not sure I want you to see it."

"Everything you do is wonderful," Brian said sincerely.

"Okay, but be honest and tell me if it sucks."

Brian knew he would say no such thing, but he doubted that Justin's work could possibly suck. Justin took his empty plate to the counter and retrieved his portfolio from beside the door. He zipped it open giving Brian a few furtive glances as he did so.

"Are you sure you want to see this stuff?" Justin asked.

"I'm sure."

Justin pulled out something on stiff paper keeping the blank side towards Brian. Slowly he turned it around, his gaze fixed on Brian to get his initial reaction. Brian inhaled a deep breath. This wasn't at all what he had expected.

The board was filled with misty images and words. He could make out a chubby figure that reminded him of … Rue. There was a façade of a seedy looking motel. He could see a computer screen with words like in an IM session. He noted a little stack of money and what looked like credit card receipts. In one corner was what he identified as his gold lighter that Rue had helped himself to, and over all this was a sad face that could be Justin or maybe someone else. It was very vague and fuzzy, but Brian was sure it was Justin's face full of disappointment and betrayal. He began to notice the words: betrayal, theft, insincerity, lies, and net friend.

Justin studied Brian's reaction and saw the light dawn and then the severe frown that creased Brian's brow. "I knew it wasn't very good. You hate it," Justin said trying to stuff it back in his portfolio.

"Don't put words in my mouth," Brian demanded. He snatched the board from Justin's hands and held it out to look at it more closely. That was when he noticed that across the canvas on a diagonal was a large but subtly integrated word - BEWARE. Brian continued to stare at the piece of art gradually taking it all in and letting the impact of it wash over him.

"See," Justin said trying to grab it back. "It's so bad you can't even find words to describe it."

Brian put his hand on Justin's chest and held him away. "This is incredible. How did you feel when you finished it?" he asked softly.

"It's not finished. It's no good." Justin's eyes were filling with tears.

"It says so much. It's everything that Rue represented and did to you, and yet … it's a message for everyone. I didn't see the "Beware" at first, but it's perfect, the way you've done it. Anyone might not know to beware of the internet at first, but after you get your eyes opened…" Brian let his voice trail away as he continued to look at Justin's work.

"You see that message?" Justin asked hopefully.

"Of course I do."

"But that's only because you know the story. Nobody else would understand it."

"The fuck they won't!"

"Give it to me, Brian. I don't want to look at it anymore."

Reluctantly Brian handed it back to Justin who rammed it into his portfolio and zipped it up. It was almost like he was afraid to touch it or let it see the light of day.

"That is a great piece, Justin," Brian began trying to infuse some confidence back into his lover.

"Yeah, right!" Justin replied sarcastically.

"I mean it," Brian protested. "You know I wouldn't say that if I didn't mean it."

"Maybe," Justin said not even having the certainty of his own skepticism.

"I do have a question for you though."

"You do?"

"You included all the things Rue was involved in but you didn't show the fucking keychain that he so graciously bought for you with your own money."

"Actually he paid for that himself. It was the only thing he did pay for," Justin replied with a rueful look. His hand involuntarily reached into his pocket rubbing the damn keychain that he always carried with him as a reminder of how fucking stupid he had been about Rue.

"So why isn't it in the painting?" Brian asked.

"Didn't you see it?" Justin asked with the glimmer of a smirk on his face.

Brian frowned. "Should I have seen it? I didn't notice it."

"It was there."

"Where? Show me!"

"No, too bad, so sad. You missed it."

"Let me see."

"No," Justin persisted pushing the portfolio behind him and away from Brian.

"Justin," Brian threatened.

Justin giggled and shook his head. At least that was better than the usual glum face Brian saw every day. "Wanna wrestle for it?" Justin demanded.

"You think you can keep it away from me, little boy?"

"I know I can," Justin grinned.

Things were looking up and so was Brian's cock. That happy face always made him hard. He reached for Justin who went willingly into Brian's arms as he shoved the portfolio farther away. He knew he could distract Brian. Sex would always let him win something like this. Justin's hand reached for Brian's cock and squeezed. He heard the responding groan and knew he would be victorious. He kissed Brian passionately and then broke away before Brian had a really good hold on him. He made a beeline for the bed and let Brian catch him just as they reached the edge of it. Brian spun him around and began ripping off clothes. Justin let Brian do as he wanted and tumbled onto the bed when he was naked.

"Come and get it, big man!" Justin taunted splaying his legs and stroking his cock.

This was more spirit than Brian had seen in weeks. He quickly got rid of his own clothes and climbed on the bed hovering over Justin. Justin licked his lips and looked up at Brian. Brian leaned in for a slow, sensual kiss. Soon they were wrapped around each other, grabbing and squeezing and kissing and rubbing. Brian found himself inside his lover and they rocked together towards the edge of the world. With a final thrust they both slid off into freefall and the stomach flipping orgasms that carried them away.

A while later they lay in each others arms spent and relaxed. "You'll have to let me critique your artwork more often if this is the result," Brian purred.

Justin frowned. "Did you really think it was all right?"

"I thought it was some of your best work."

"Really?"

"Absolutely. If you were going to mount a show that should be one of the main pieces."

"You think so?" Justin asked softly.

"I do," Brian whispered his lips finding Justin's and his hand finding a growing dick.

"Let's talk about it later," Justin said as his mouth devoured Brian's.

-----

Some time later Brian slid out of bed and went to piss. When he was finished he stepped back into the bedroom and stood just inside the doorway watching Justin sleep. The young man looked so peaceful and content. Brian wished he felt like that all the time. He wanted to relieve Justin of his anxiety and insecurity.

He pulled his eyes away from the sleeper and made his way down the steps. He poured himself a glass of Beam and went over to the sofa where Justin's portfolio still lay. The lad had been good at distracting him, but he wanted to see where the infamous keychain was located in the picture. He pulled out the board and stared at it. It really was very good, but he didn't see the keychain anywhere. However, that didn't lessen the overall impact of Justin's work. He knew Justin would be the best if there was a competition and his artwork was included.

Brian leaned back and continued to study the painting. Something was nagging at the back of his brain, but he couldn't put his finger or the right synapse on it. He continued to search for the keychain. Why couldn't he find it? Justin had won the preliminary bout of their struggle but Brian wanted to win the war and find the prize - a certain keychain depicted in this fucking painting.

Competition, war, battle, win - the words rattled through his brain and the germ of an idea began to take effect. He wondered if it could be done. He would probably need help to carry it off, but he might be able to use some of his and Justin's friends. They would want to help Justin. He began mapping out a campaign in his head. It was just like organizing an advertising campaign. He did lots of those so he could do this too. He was sure he could. It was all he could do to keep the smile from covering his whole face.

He got up and went to his computer. He logged on and went to Art Nouveau. He needed Whimsy to be there. "Please, please, please, be there," he willed as he waited for the site to come up. And there she was. He requested an IM.

Pole: Hey, Whimsy, I have an idea I want to run by you.

Whimsy: Sure, go ahead.

Pole: This could help Justin to get even with Rue, I mean Pet.

Whimsy: That would be sweet. Pet deserves whatever he gets.

Pole: My sentiments exactly.

Whimsy: So what are you planning?

Pole: Before I tell you, I need your word that this goes no farther than us.

Whimsy: You got it.

Pole: It's kind of complicated and we may need help from Lily and any other people you can pull in.

Whimsy: I keep in touch with several others on the site. Mondrian's Myth is the webmaster. He's been saying a few things lately that lead me to believe he's had some complaints about Pet. Maybe we can enlist him in our little enterprise.

Pole: That sounds good, but only if we can trust him. We can't reveal this to anyone who might tip Pet off. He still has his followers.

Whimsy: I know that only too well. I'll be careful.

Pole: Good.

Whimsy: So tell me this big plan.

When Brian crawled back into bed a couple of hours later, he sighed in satisfaction. Whimsy was already setting his plan in motion on the internet. He loved the irony of it, using the internet to make Justin's so-called net friend pay up. What could be better?

Tomorrow he had to go talk to Lindsay and probably Carl. He was sure they would help. They loved Justin almost as much as he did. He chuckled quietly to himself. He could admit that to himself now. Someday soon he would have to admit it to the beautiful man sleeping beside him.

Brian slid down under the covers and draped himself against Justin's back. He was ready for sleep now.

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