London Calling

Chapter 10

“Pop, it’s time to go!” Gus said with a sense of urgency in his voice. Brian put down his coffee mug to glare at his son. Glancing at the wall clock in the kitchen, the glare became more pronounced.

“Sonny Boy, your flight leaves at eleven, it’s now eight. We have plenty of time. We are not leaving until your moms and JR get here. You know they’d skin me alive if we left without them. You’ll be with your boyfriend by two this afternoon. So chill,” Brian growled. He was tired of repeating himself.

“Fine, but if I miss my flight, it’ll be all your fault!” Gus retorted in true drama queen style then stormed back into his room. Brian merely took a sip of his coffee as he rolled his eyes.

“He’s been spending far too much time with lesbians,” Brian grumbled.

“What about lesbians?” Melanie asked as she burst through the front door.

“Oh nothing, the world probably needs more of them,” Brian quickly answered.

“Hell yeah! Now where is my son?” Mel demanded.

“In his room ready to fly to New York on his own power if we don’t leave soon. Coffee?” Brian asked innocently, waving his mug around.

“I can use a cup,” Lindsay mumbled looking a bit frazzled. The Christmas festivities had gone on far into the night.

“I did offer to take him by myself,” Brian said to Gus’ tired looking mother.

“Not in this lifetime, asshole,” Mel snapped back.

“Mel,” Lindsay admonished.

“Lindz, you’re going to be with him, I won’t,” Mel admitted sadly.

“You could have come with us.”

“I can’t right now, and JR can’t afford to miss school. You know that.” Lindsay nodded. Melanie and JR’s situation was different from Bree and Patrick’s.

“But you will try to fly over for the opening?” Lindsay asked hopefully.

“I’ve already cleared my calendar,” Mel reassured her then they sealed the bargain with a kiss.

“Gag!” Brian and JR complained in unison then pounded fists as they chuckled.

“Let’s get this show on the round before Gus explodes,” Brian said as he went to get his coat. Gus’ duffle bag was at the door. It was stuffed with a week’s worth of clothes and gifts for the Greene-Mann family.

Gus had said his goodbyes to the family on Christmas, many of which managed to stuff Gus’ pockets with spending cash for his trip to the Big Apple. Justin and Bree were still sleeping. Bree wasn’t upset that her brother was going to New York, because she knew she’d be spending most of January with him. She gave him a big hug and a kiss before going to bed.

Within a few minutes, Brian, Gus, the moms and JR were on the road toward Harrisburg and the airport.

“You call me the minute you land and when you arrive at Ray’s,” Brian demanded as he gave his son a hug just before Gus entered the gate. They had gotten there in plenty of time, so much time that Gus had time to have a late breakfast.

“I will, Pop,” Gus assured his father.

“You call us first,” Mel said with a glare as she bumped Brian out of her way with her hip.

“Yes, Mama,” Gus said as he rolled his eyes. Lindsay gave Gus a hug but no further instructions. She knew he’d call the minute he landed.

“Say hi to Ray and Jeff for me,” JR said as she gave her brother a hug. “And I want something from New York and London.”

“You’re not mad at me, are you?” Gus asked JR. He seemed to be going on an adventure and leaving his sister behind.

“Nah, it’ll be my turn soon. The moms don’t know it but I’m planning to back pack my way around Europe when I graduate high school,” JR said with conviction. Gus gulped with wide eyes. He was glad they had almost four years to wait for that to happen.

“I guess I better get going,” he said as he hugged his sister and Mel close for as long as he could. He wouldn’t be seeing them for almost a month and this was different than just going off to college. At least when he was at school he was still in the same state, soon he’d be across the Atlantic.

“I love you guys,” he said to them both.

“Just behave yourself,” Mel said trying not to cry.

“Yeah, don’t do anything stupid,” JR snarked.

“And you don’t give Mama a hard time,” Gus snapped back. JR stuck her tongue out at her brother.

“Real attractive,” Gus snarked but squeezed his sister closer.

“Sonny Boy, get your ass moving or they’ll take off without you,” Brian said to hurry him along before he had to drive three crying women home. Brian hated crying women.

Gus released his mother and sister, gave Lindsay another hug as Brian bussed his head. Gus steeled his back then walked through the gate.

 

*****
 

“Pop, we’ve landed,” Gus said into his cell phone as the plane was taxiing to the gate.

“Ok. Now listen carefully. I arranged for a car to pick you up. Go to the baggage area, a man named Harold will be holding a sign with your name on it. Ask for his ID first and then he’ll drive you into the city,” Brian instructed his son. He didn’t want Gus to deal with taxis nor did he want the Greene-Mann family driving into Queens to get him.

“Okay, Pop, I understand. I’ll call you when I get to Ray’s.”

“You do that, Sonny Boy, now quick, call your mothers before they drive back here and beat me with a stick,” Brian said. Gus giggled at the imagery.

“Dialing now, Pop,” Gus replied as he said goodbye then dialed his mothers. By the time he reassured them that his flight had indeed landed safely, Gus had his carry-on bag in his hand and was walking down the ramp to find the driver named Harold.

 

*****
 

“Who is it?” Gus heard through the intercom.

“Gus Kinney,” Gus replied with a proud smile; he could officially use the Kinney moniker.

“Well, come on up, Gus Kinney!” Gus heard the familiar reply from Kenneth Mann. The buzzer sounded and Gus let himself into the brownstone.

“Gus!” Ray shouted enthusiastically as Gus got up to their floor. All pretenses of trying to maintain that cool Kinney exterior failed the moment Gus saw Ray. The boys hugged and kissed.

“Yech,” Jeffrey grumbled then stuck his hand out to greet Gus. Gus shook Jeffrey’s hand then pulled him into a hug. They all had a good laugh at Jeffrey’s confused expression.

“Hi, Uncle Simon, Uncle Ken, I bring presents!” Gus said coyly, holding up his duffle bag. He then got crushing hugs from the big men.

“Take your coat off first. There’s plenty of time for presents after you get comfortable,” Ken said as he took Gus’ coat.

“Speak for yourself, Dad, I like presents,” Jeff joked as he rubbed his hands together in anticipation and looked at Gus expectantly.

Ken looked at Simon. “He’s your son,” Ken said.

“You say that as if it’s my fault my son likes presents, oh queen of gifts,” Simon teased his spouse.

The family laughed as they all got comfortable and exchanged Christmas stories as well as presents. They all had a good laugh as Gus described the exploits of the forlorn Christmas fairies.

After a while they all bundled up to go out to show off their New York City Christmas wonderland to Gus.

It was close to midnight when they got back to the brownstone and settled down for the night. Gus was given the guest room for the duration of his visit at the Greene-Mann house, but Ray made his way in after the family had settled.

“Is it okay that you’re in here?” Gus whispered. He was lying in bed.

“Yeah, my dads are cool. They don’t want me to sneak around. I don’t want to fuck, I mean I do, but what I really want now is just to hold you.”

Gus held up a corner of the blanket for Ray. Ray quickly crawled in. They wrestled, tickled, and teased each other for a few minutes, each vying for supremacy. Gus gave in as Ray rolled on top of him. They could feel each other’s erections through their sleep pants. Softly kissing Gus’ lips, Ray began to gyrate his hips, grinding his dick against Gus’. Gus eased both their pants down so they could feel skin on skin, velvet covered steel. Gus gently kneaded Ray’s ass as Ray ground down harder, plundering Gus’ mouth with his tongue.

“Ray,” Gus moaned as he came, wrapping his arms around Ray’s trim waist.

“Oh Gus,” Ray moaned back as he came within a moment of Gus.

“Merry Christmas,” Gus murmured once his brain made it back into his skull. Ray chuckled then nibbled at Gus’ kiss swollen lips.

“Just wait till New Year’s,” Ray mumbled. The boys did a cursory clean up, snuggled close and fell fast asleep in each other’s arms.

 

*****
 

As the younger Kinney was drifting off to sleep the elder suddenly awoke. Gently easing himself out of Justin’s arms, Brian went out into the sun porch. The full moon was high overhead, bathing the sun porch in its cool light. Brian stood by the glass wall that overlooked his snow covered garden.

“Sometimes, I wish I still smoked,” he grumbled to himself.

“No you don’t,” Justin quietly said as he came out of their bedroom wrapped up in the blanket. “You gave up that habit so you could live a long life and see your children grow up.”

“Isn’t it too late in the day for one of your PSA’s?"

“Nope, and it’s early in the day. Very, very early in the day. What’s wrong, Bri?” Justin asked as he walked to Brian’s side. Justin slipped his arm around Brian’s waist.

“Nothing’s really wrong.”

“He’s safe. You spoke with Simon, yourself.”

“I know.”

“So what is it?”

“Nothing, everything. He’s a man. I never thought I’d be around to see that happen. And now he has a lover.”

“You knew that would happen. He’s a good looking boy, just like his father.”

“Normally, flattery would work.”

“Not tonight?”

“No.”

“Brian, Gus is smart as well as good looking, and he has goals. You can’t say that about many kids his age. Don’t let your fears get in the way of his happiness. He has to do some things on his own.”

“What if he gets hurt?”

“What of it? We all get hurt and we learn from it.”

“Speaking from experience, Sunshine?”

“Yes, I am. Brian, you hurt me when you first rejected me and I know I hurt you when I left you for the fiddler, but guess what? We got over it and here we are, eighteen years later, still together and still in love. With a son in college and a daughter that will someday soon take over the fucking world.”

“I just want to protect him.”

“I know you do, and you have been. You’ve given him the tools to go out in the world and make some tough decisions.”

“He’s just a kid, Justin.”

“A kid that’s grown up with very smart, loving parents who knew the score and taught their son all about it. Now it’s his turn to take what he’s learned and make his own choices. I’m not saying we abandon him. He still has a lot to learn, but he needs to flex his wings now.”

“So you’re saying I should let him go.”

“Not completely, but just a little.”

The lovers hugged, Justin could feel Brian relax a little in his arms.

“You do know that when it’s time to let Bree fly on her own I will be reminding you about this conversation,” Brian said smugly.

“Yeah, I know, but can I just be the grown up for a little while longer?” Justin said as he sighed against Brian’s chest.

Brian chuckled. “You’re the most grown up person I know, Sunshine.”

“Is your crisis over, because this grown up person is very sleepy? Can we go back to bed now?”

“It’s over for now and yes, we can go back to bed. Shit!”

“What is it now?” Justin asked as he looked up into Brian’s face. The room had suddenly become darker as the moonlight was hidden behind a thick cloud.

“It’s snowing.”

“So?”

“Bree may wake us up at the crack of dawn to finish her snowman family.”

Justin’s eyes became enormous then he began to push Brian toward their bedroom. “To bed, Kinney, now,” Justin commanded.

“Yes, dear,” Brian said as he went willingly.

 

*****
 

“So what are we going to do for New Year’s?”

“Hm, I don’t know. What would you like to do?”

“You know, I…”

“What?”

“I don’t know if I should say this.”

“Say what?” Brian asked. It wasn’t like Justin to beat around the bush.

“I’d kinda like to stay home,” Justin said as he took a sip of his coffee. He and Brian were enjoying a leisurely morning at the table in their kitchen.

“Home?” Brian repeated, his eyebrow shooting up.

“Yeah, it was so busy around here before Christmas. I’m really enjoying the peace and quiet now that everybody’s gone.”

It was a few days after Christmas. Debbie and Carl had headed south in the motor home. All the Christmas fairies had recovered from their injuries and their hard work leading up to Christmas. They had dispersed to their homes and jobs, leaving Brian and Justin and the Morrison-Anderson’s to the sound of silence in their homes. Even Gus was far away in New York City with Ray and the Mann-Greene’s.

“It is nice having just us here,” Brian admitted.

“And Bree.”

“Of course, Bree.”

“We have to make some decisions about her wardrobe, you know.”

“Her wardrobe?”

“She’s been hauling party dresses and other paraphernalia out of her closet. She wants to pack it all. I think she’s hoping to meet the Queen.”

Brian snorted. “Well, she is a princess.”

“Just … don’t try to arrange a meeting with the Queen, okay?” Justin advised with a worried frown.

“There are limits to my power to make things happen,” Brian said with a wry smile.

“Thank God!”

“I wouldn’t try to arrange…”

“I know, Brian. I’m teasing. But we really do need to limit what Bree can take with her. It just becomes ridiculous.”

Brian nodded. “Is she in her room?”

“Yes, probably finding more stuff to pack,” Justin sighed.

“I’ll go talk to her.”

“Thanks, she listens to you when it comes to clothes and fashion.”

“Of course,” Brian smirked.

“Good luck,” Justin replied as Brian stood up.

“I can always tell her that we’ll buy her whatever she needs when we get to England.”

Justin heaved a mighty sigh. “Don’t you dare! That’s the last thing she needs to hear.”

Brian chuckled, and then he frowned. “Why were you afraid to tell me that you want to stay home on New Year’s Eve?”

“I … I thought it might make us sound old. You know, homebodies instead of hot studs dancing and carousing at Babylon.”

“We can be hot studs dancing at Babylon next year. Let’s stay home,” Brian said with a smile.

“I love you.”

“I know,” Brian smirked and then made a hasty retreat to Bree’s bedroom.

 

*****
 

“So what are we going to do for New Year’s?”

“Hm, I don’t know. What would you like to do?”

“You know, I…”

“What?”

“I don’t know if I should say this.”

“Say what?” Gus asked. He and Ray were curled up together on the sofa in the Mann-Greene brownstone.

“I kind of hate to admit this,” Ray said hesitantly.

“What is it?” Gus demanded. “It sounds serious.”

“It’s not serious, but you’ll probably think it’s stupid.”

“Stupid? What is it?”

“I … I’d love to go to Times Square and watch the ball drop at midnight.”

“Wow!”

“See, you think it’s cheesy.”

“Not at all. If that’s what you’d like to do then we’ll do it,” Gus said. “Do you go every year?”

Ray shook his head. “I’ve never gone. We usually watch it on TV like everybody else in the country.”

Gus chuckled. “Then I think we should definitely go. I like the idea of celebrating New Year’s with a million other people.”

“I knew there was some reason I liked you, Kinney.”

Gus grinned. “And you called me Kinney,” he whispered softly.

“You really like your new name, don’t you?”

“I love it. It feels so … right.”

“I’m really happy for you, Gus.”

“Thanks,” Gus whispered as he leaned into Ray and kissed him warmly. That led to a heated make out session. “Let’s go back to the bedroom,” Gus gasped when Ray let him come up for air.

Ray leaped off the couch and grabbed Gus’ hand. They laughed all the way down the hall, as they ran for the nearest bed.
 

Return to London Calling