Little Cabin on the Lane

Chapter 1

“Do you think those two will ever make up?” Bobby asked John as they watched John’s construction crew mark out the land where the new cabin would eventually sit. Every once in a while John would point or shout out a direction. The crew was made up of John’s “A-team” and select apprentices from Hunter’s kids. Gordon was somewhere amidst the fray of hard hats as well.

“Not a fucking clue,” John replied sounding a lot like his brother.

“Do we know what brought on this big freeze?”

“From what I understand, Justin witnessed a liplock between Brian and Ben,” John explained.

“You’re kidding me.”

“Nope. Apparently Ben and Brian had an argument sometime during the barbecue then Ben found out about Brian’s offer to build the cottage and was a little overly enthusiastic about showing his gratitude,” John further explained.

“Brian would never...”

“I know that and you know that, however, Justin has developed a severe case of the ‘I’m getting older while my partner is becoming more gorgeous everyday’ syndrome,” John said making quote marks in the air.

“Oh puh-leez,” Bobby rolled his eyes. “This is insane!”

“I agree.”

“So what’s Brian doing about it?”

“Nothing for the moment. Some high powered contracts came up for renewal at Kinnetik that require the man himself. Brian’s currently preparing to go to New York and from there he’s flying to L.A, leaving behind one very unhappy Sunshine.”

“Shit.”

“Yup.”

“And do we have the dubious honor of cheering him up?”

“No, I asked Brian about it and he told me to let Justin work it out for himself.”

“That’s very unBrian-like.”

“Turning fifty seems to have had a profound effect on Brian.”

“Apparently. How’s Bree taking all of this?”

“She’s happy to be back in school and she knows her dads will work it out,” John stated.

“That girl scares me sometimes,” Bobby commented.

“You and me both,” John agreed.

“So when is Brian leaving?”

“Tonight after dinner. He’ll spend the night at the loft, go to Kinnetik in the morning then take a shuttle to New York. Simon and Ken are putting him up for a few days while he deals with N’rgy and then he’s off to LA LA land. There has been some talk of him taking a brief detour to London to meet some clients of Kinnetik Isles, but I haven’t heard the final plans yet.”

“Joy. Why is he doing this all at once? Wouldn’t it make sense to spread the trips out a little? Maybe take Justin and Bree with him?”

“I asked him. He said September is a transitional month. The more he does now, the less he has to do over the holidays. By the end of October, all of the holiday ads will be out in full force. Besides, he says he can move faster on his own.”

“Holidays...we’re not even done with summer yet,” Bobby exclaimed as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. The summer heat was still hanging on even though it was September. “Are you really building a log cabin?”

“Yes, we are. Believe it or not, log cabins aren’t that difficult. It’s not like we’re felling our own trees and preparing the logs ourselves. Most cabins nowadays are prefabricated. Michael and Ben want something very simple with one large room, small kitchenette area, a large fireplace that will separate the living area from the bedroom area and bathroom.”

“Is that all,” Bobby snarked.

“It’s not that difficult. I’ve seen some log cabins that make Buckingham Palace pale by comparison.”

“Methinks you exaggerate a tad but I get the point. So what’s the challenge here?”

“Finding the right spot for it. I don’t want it placed too close to the gate or set back too much.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it. I know you’re just aching to pick up your hammer,” Bobby said with a twinkle in his eyes. Seeing John in his tool belt and hard hat did something for Bobby. And John had no doubt he’d be reaping the rewards later. Bobby pecked John’s mouth before heading back to their cottage. Perhaps he could effect a detente of sorts before Brian left on his business trip.

 

*****
 

When Bobby got back to the cottage, he gingerly let himself into the porch and up the spiral staircase to Brian’s attic office. Brian was standing on the small balcony that overlooked the porch. They stood side by side watching their own Picasso attack several large canvases with large brushes and buckets of dark paint.

“I take it he’s still upset?” Bobby ventured. Brian nodded. They watched for a few minutes longer before walking into the office. “Are you really going to let him boil over while you leave town?”

“No. He’s been at this for hours and slowly losing steam. In about an hour he’ll be exhausted. I’ll take him for a ride to the general store and buy him some ice cream.”

“Ice cream? Is this your way of fixing things?” Bobby asked incredulously. “He’s about to blow a gasket down there.” Brian shook his head, no. “What do you mean, no? You can’t deny that he’s angry.”

“I know he’s angry but he’s more angry at himself than me.”

“How do you figure that?”

“He lost a bit of his confidence in Canada, and he’s feeling his age or so he says. He’ll be forty in a couple of years.”

“Oh big whoop, its not like he’s ready for assistive living!”

“Believe it or not, I’m not the only one in this house who’s obsessed with age. I always knew he was very proud of being the youngest of us but time is a great equalizer. He’ll have to adjust and get over himself.”

Bobby stared at Brian. “Okay, who are you and what have you done with the real Brian Kinney?” Bobby asked making Brian chuckle.

“I promise, I won’t leave until I know he won’t start slamming doors and breaking his toys,” Brian said as he held up his hand.

“Or you could take him with you. We don’t mind looking after the princess,” Bobby suggested.

“Your partner already offered. I meant what I said when I told him that I can move faster on my own. I need to focus on Kinnetik right now. This is not like when Bree was a baby. She understands that sometimes business comes first. She was around for some of the long range strategy meetings so this isn’t a surprise to her.”

“Okay, so Bree’s cool, but not Justin.”

“What surprises me is that Justin thinks I harbor feelings for Ben other than friendship. We’ve been through all that.”

“Well, like you said, Justin lost some of his confidence and you and Ben are aging well. Just don’t let him stew in it for too long.”

“I won’t. Besides, it’s just the right time for some ice cream kisses,” Brian said as he waggled his eyebrows. Bobby laughed then followed Brian out of the office.

He watched as Brian went down to the porch. Justin was standing on a tarp holding a brush, staring at the bold angry lines on the largest of the three canvases. Paint was dripping off the brush making a small puddle on the tarp. Brian said something to Justin that Bobby couldn’t make out. Then he took the brush out of Justin’s hand and put it in the can of cleaning solution. Gently Brian turned the younger man around and hugged him close.

“Time for a break, Sunshine,” Brian declared as he led Justin into their room to clean up and then out of the cottage.

“I don’t want a break,” Justin murmured like a stubborn child.

“Yes, you do. I can see your hand shaking. It needs a break. Let’s get you cleaned up and I’ll take you for ice cream.”

“I’m not a baby; you don’t have to bribe me.”

“I never said you were a baby. And this is not a bribe. This is your partner wanting to spend a little time with you before I leave. We can spend the time here or at the general store. I heard they have a fresh supply of vanilla,” Brian said with a smirk.

Justin looked up to gaze into the sincere hazel eyes. “I’ve been acting like a shit, haven’t I?”

“A little, but you’re entitled now and then. Just don’t make a habit of it. So are we getting ice cream or what?” Brian asked as he stood in the middle of their room with his arms open wide. Justin laughed. The first time Brian did that, they were in the loft and Brian was naked.

“Let me wash off the smell of turpentine first,” Justin said while he shed his clothes as he was moving into their bathroom.

“There’s my little Mary Sunshine!” Brian smiled as he pulled his small suitcase out of his closet and began to pack.

 

*****
 

Brian and Justin were sitting at a picnic table just outside of the general store enjoying their ice cream cones. The sun was bright up in the clear blue sky, and they were reviewing Brian’s itinerary.

“My plans are tentative after New York but I’ll call you as soon as know if I’m going East or West,” Brian said. Justin nodded.

“It’s been a long since we’ve been separated by business. We’ve been doing things together for so long,” Justin said with a sigh.

“Do you want to come with me?” Brian asked just to make sure.

“No, I want to paint and help out at the gallery. Lindsay’s doing the Emerging Artists all by herself this year.”

“Sidney’s really retiring, isn’t he? I’ll miss him, the old queen,” Brian snarked.

“That was never confirmed,” Justin chuckled. “And he assures me that he’s still going to represent me for many more years.”

“What will you do when he retires for good?” Brian said as he took a bite out of his cone.

“Lindsay will take over.”

“Are you all right with that? There was a time when you weren’t that happy with her,” Brian warned.

“We’re good. And I’m not that gullible kid anymore. I know what’s good for me.”

“Yes you do, Sunshine. Now is there anything you want to discuss with me?” Brian gave Justin a poignant look and arched his brow.

“I know there’s nothing going on between you and Ben,” Justin sighed as he hung his head. “He came to me after to apologize.” Brian raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Not about the kiss, although he did tell me he got carried away. Why didn’t you tell me that he hit you?”

“He didn’t hit me, he just shoved me and I fell on my ass.” Justin grinned as he looked around Brian toward Brian’s rear.

“Not much padding back there,” Justin laughed.

“Yeah, if it was you, you would have bounced,” Brian snickered.

“Ha ha,” Justin said as he stood up. They were finished with their treats. “Let’s bring some home for dessert tonight,” Justin said as he gave Brian a hug. Justin took a deep breath and cleansed away any bad vibes he was feeling.

“Sounds like a plan,” Brian agreed as he kissed Justin’s temple. They went back into the store to purchase the ice cream then headed back to the lane.

 

*****
 

Justin straddled Brian as they finished one round of lovemaking. He reached over to the nightstand and grabbed the container of ice cream. He scooped a spoonful and let it drip onto Brian’s lips. Then he proceeded to lick and suck the ice cream off, making sure to get every last drop. He felt Brian get hard beneath him.

“Ice cream kisses never get old, do they?” he said to his lover of so many years.

“Not when it’s you giving them,” Brian said unconcerned by how sappy that sounded. It was the truth.

“I miss that chaise,” Justin said thoughtfully.

“This is better.”

“It is?”

“Much more comfortable.”

“You are getting old,” Justin chuckled as he spooned some more ice cream from the container.

“Asshole,” Brian reacted.

Justin merely smiled and allowed some ice cream to drip onto Brian’s nipple. Brian shivered in response. Justin smiled as he set the container back on the nightstand. Then he latched onto Brian’s ice cream covered nipple, sucking and licking until he made Brian groan in need.

“Like that?” Justin asked.

“You have to ask?”

“Something tells me you do.”

“Would it be my hard dick trying to find its way into its favorite orifice?” Brian asked with a smirk.

“Could be,” Justin grinned. “I’m going to miss you so much while you’re away.”

“We can have phone sex every day,” Brian vowed.

“Yeah, but it’s not the same.”

“I won’t be gone long,” Brian promised.

“Make sure you come back as quick as you can.”

“How be I give you something to remember me by?” Brian asked as he rolled them over and laid on top his husband, propped up on his elbows.

“I’d like that,” Justin whispered softly.

Brian smothered Justin’s lips with a kiss so deep, so electrifying that it left them both breathless. But he didn’t stop there. His tongue started its exploration of Justin’s body, moving from face to neck to chest to abdomen finding all the spots he knew drove Justin wild, bypassing Justin’s throbbing cock, sucking on the tender insides of Justin’s thighs. Justin writhed and moaned as Brian worked his magic. No one could make love like Brian Kinney.

Justin smiled in the midst of his rising passion. Brian Kinney was making love to him. Brian Kinney never made love to anyone else. Justin knew that as surely as he knew his own name – Justin Taylor-Kinney. Ben Bruckner was not important, not in this world of two that was forever theirs, forever special, forever mind blowing.

He felt Brian’s lips envelop his cock. His moan was deep and needy. Brian swallowed around him and Justin thought he was going to lose it right there.

“Easy,” Brian whispered taking his mouth away.

All Justin could do was groan at the loss of sensation. Words were beyond him. And then Brian was inside him, pounding into him relentlessly, totally, as only Brian could. Justin felt his cock strain against Brian’s belly as Brian bent over him. Brian’s mouth found his for another deep, deep kiss, and then the pounding began again. Just the way Justin liked it.

Dripping with sweat, Brian felt his orgasm building. He hadn’t touched Justin’s cock. He wanted his husband to come just from the things he was doing to him. Brian drew in a deep breath and continued his assault. Suddenly Brian heard Justin give out this soul wrenching groan, and he could see Justin’s spunk cover his chest. As Justin’s orgasm ripped through him he contracted his anus and Brian shot deep and hard. He fell forward spent, sated, exhausted.

A little while later Brian eased out of Justin and rolled onto his back. “Will that ensure that you remember me while I’m gone?” he asked in a whisper.

“Totally,” Justin said with a blissful smile. “We still have it, don’t we.”

“You bet your ass,” Brian agreed.

“Ah, my ass,” Justin chuckled.

“Always your ass.”

Justin laughed louder. “I need a nap.”

“Not now, we have to get up, because the kids will be home from school soon.”

“Fuck,” Justin reacted.

“Come on, my sweet prince,” Brian said with a smirk, as he grabbed Justin’s hand and pulled him up from the bed. “We need a shower.”

They walked hand in hand to the bathroom. Everything was right in their world once again.

 

*****
 

“Dada, are you really going away?” Bree asked as the whole family finished up dinner at the big table in the sun porch.

“You know I am.”

“But you’re coming back, right?”

“Of course I am. Why would you ask such a thing?” Brian demanded, although he tried not to sound too angry.

“You and Daddy haven’t been your usual kissy selves,” Bree informed her father.

“Kissy selves?” Brian asked with a raised eyebrow. He had never been called that before.

“You know how you kiss Daddy all the time – on the face, on the neck, on the lips.”

“Yes, I know.”

“You haven’t been doing that since the Labor Day party. I don’t want you to go away and leave Daddy sad while you’re gone.”

Justin had been listening to Bree’s explanation with some fascination. He didn’t realize how obvious he and Brian had been about their disagreement. He certainly never thought that Bree would notice the distance between his husband and himself. But then, this was Bree. She was one smart little firecracker. Justin opened his mouth to reassure his daughter that everything was all right, but before he could utter a word, a tongue was down his throat.

The kiss went on and on, until finally the increasingly loud throat clearing by the two other adults in the room caught their attention. Brian finally released Justin and they sat back in their chairs with smirks on their faces, and a slightly glazed look in their eyes.

“Does that answer your question, Squirt?” Brian asked.

“I think so, Dada,” Bree replied with a big grin.

“You could have just said that things were good between you two,” John admonished adjusting himself after the sexy display.

“A picture’s worth a thousand words,” Brian informed his brother with his sexy smirk firmly in place.

“So you two are good?” Bobby asked.

“We’re fine,” Justin stated feeling that he needed to be the one to clarify the situation since he had been the one who caused the problem.

“That’s good, Daddy,” Bree said.

Justin smiled at his daughter. “I hope we didn’t worry you, sweetheart.”

Bree frowned. “I don’t like it when you don’t kiss all the time,” she told her parents.

“I, on the other hand, could do very well without it,” John said in his most serious voice.

“And that’s why you’ll be happy to get some tonight,” Bobby whispered loud enough for everybody to hear.

“Eeeewww!” came from everybody at the table except Bree. Patrick had gone beet red.

“What’s going on?” Bree asked looking from one to the other.

“We have ice cream!” Brian announced loudly, standing up quickly to go get it.

“Let me help you,” Justin said doing the same. He and Brian made a hasty retreat to the kitchen to get the container of ice cream that they had purchased for dinner.

Bree stared at the men remaining around the table. They all refused to meet her gaze. She knew she was not going to get any answers. She vowed to herself that one of these days she would find out what was going on.

“And here’s the ice cream!” Justin announced as he and Brian came back into the sun porch with a tray holding bowls of ice cream and a carafe of coffee.

“Yum, vanilla,” Bree said as a bowl was set in front of her.

“Thanks, Uncle Bri,” Patrick said when Brian handed him his bowl. “I like vanilla almost as much as pistachio.”

“Since when did you become a pistachio person?” Brian asked his nephew.

“I had some over at Chet’s, and I really liked it.”

“Is that so?”

“Yep,” Patrick said, “but vanilla’s good too.”

“I’m glad you still like vanilla,” Brian replied ruffling Little Red’s hair.

They all dug into their ice cream. Bree watched her fathers carefully. They kissed twice while they were eating their ice cream. That was good. Things seemed to be back to normal.

 

*****
 

“Do you hafta go, Dada?” Bree asked as she watched Brian bring his suitcase from the bedroom.

“You know I do, Squirt.”

“I’ll miss you.”

“Not as much as I’ll miss you.”

Bree threw herself into her father’s arms and they hugged for quite a while.

Justin had been watching all this with a pleased smile. “Bree, let’s walk Dada out to his car. It’s time for him to leave.”

“Okay,” Bree said letting Brian go. “Do you want to take grey bunny with you for company?” she asked.

“Um, no, I think I’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” Bree said as they all walked out the door. “I can send him if you need him. He’s real good company when you’re alone.”

Brian merely smiled at his wonderful little girl.
 

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