Kindred Love

End Of The Year Challenge

The months had gone by in a whirl, and before they knew it, it was nearing the end of the school year. Brian and Justin had kept in touch a lot, but somehow avoided talking about their biggest issues or concerns, since it all pretty much related to being gay, and neither of them knew about the other's sexuality. When they spoke, they usually kept the conversation with the safe topics, such as school, family and activities outside of school, such as Justin's art and Brian's soccer.

Justin had no idea that Brian had been out and about experimenting sexually, with other boys for the last six or seven months. He didn't know about Carter. He didn't know much about Brian's friends either. Brian was worried about revealing too much about his friends because the more he told Justin about them, the more Justin would want to know, and then he might have to lie to him in order to keep his secret. He knew he would probably tell Justin when he came out to visit. It would be almost impossible to hide it then. He was out to all his close friends and family, and had become accustomed to his new lifestyle. He didn't want to hide, and most of all, he didn't want to lie to his best friend.

Brian was not aware of Justin's secret either. Justin would always talk about Daphne and her new boyfriend, Jason, but Brian was clueless about what was going on with Rachel or what had happened at Justin's birthday party between them. He didn't want to explain that he was completely grossed out when he thought about kissing Rachel, and that the only reason he was able to get through it was by thinking about Brian.

The stress of keeping his secret was really starting to get to Justin. He didn't know how people were able to stay in the closet for years. He felt as if he would burst if he didn't tell somebody soon. It was such an incredibly lonely feeling for him to have to hide who he was. He wished he could talk about it with someone. He wished he could tell his parents. He had always been so close to them and felt like he could tell them everything. They were always so patient and understanding with him. He wondered if it would change things if they knew he was gay. He didn't want to think they would, but he had read horror stories on the Internet about some gay people's families disowning them, kicking them out of the house, sending them away to a place to turn them "straight", etc. And a lot of these parents had always been loving and supportive to their kids all their life up until he they found out that they were gay. Justin was terrified of losing his parents.

Justin briefly wondered if he should try to talk to Brian's Uncle Vic. Brian had told him before that his uncle was gay and HIV positive. Maybe the man could answer some questions for him. Little did Justin know that the house he would be visiting this summer, was full of queers. All except Debbie, who might as well have been one herself, except that she wasn't gay. She was, however one of the most educated people Brian knew, when it came to homosexuality.

Both Brian and Justin were in for a surprise.

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Brian, along with Todd, Micheal, Josh and Emmett were sitting in a booth at the Liberty Diner having some lunch. As always, the conversation was lively with joking and laughing and chatter about the latest gossip.

"So, Brian, are you excited about your little friend coming to visit this summer?" Emmett asked, dipping a french fry in ketchup and popping it in his mouth.

"Shit, Em, you make him sound like a dwarf," Brian smirked and took a bite into his bacon cheeseburger. "And his name is Justin," Brian added with his mouth full.

"Does Justin know that you're gay?" Josh asked. Brian didn't look up when he answered.

"No. I kind of figured that I would tell him when the time was right," Brian said.

"Well, you know, he's coming in like, a week, sweetie," Emmett pointed out.

"I know. I'm going to tell him soon after he gets here. I don't want to have to pretend I'm someone else," Brian told them. Todd smiled at him and tucked a piece of hair behind Brian's ear.

"It's a good thing, because I want to be able to just grab your ass whenever I feel like it," Todd said. Brian smiled back at him, and continued to eat his food.

Brian didn't really know what to call his relationship with Todd. They were friends. Good friends. Friends who hung out, and told each other things, and on occasion made out and gave hand and blow jobs to one another. They had sort of a silent mutual understanding. They weren't really interested in being boyfriends, but they enjoyed hanging out and messing around sometimes. Brian had seen Todd with other guys, even kissing them in front of him, and it didn't really bother him. It was the same for Todd. He had even watched Derrick Jones give Brian a blowjob, once, and had got off on it.

It was sort of a strange relationship, but it was comfortable for them, because they had no expectations toward one another, and that was the way they liked it. Their friends didn't understand their weird arrangement. It only made sense to the two of them. They were quite the opposite of Michael and Josh, whom not only were committed, but also had fallen hard for each other. Brian was happy for Michael, but it was sometimes sickening to be around the lovebirds. They couldn't keep their hands off each other. Of course Debbie couldn't be happier. She adored Josh and treated him like family.

The five friends continued to talk, when someone came over to their table. They all stopped talking, and Brian looked up and smiled at the man.

"Hey, stud," Carter greeted Brian.

"Hey," Brian replied, sitting up a little straighter. Carter looked at the other boys sitting at the table and smiled.

"Are all the kiddies getting ready for some summer fun?" he smirked. They each rolled their eyes and ignored his obvious insinuation about how much younger they were. He enjoyed teasing them, and they were used to it by now.

"As a matter of fact we are," Todd said with a smile, and casually put his hand at the back of Brian's neck and played with his hair. Carter's eyes watched Todd's hands and he smirked as he raised one eyebrow. He knew the game Todd was playing. This kid had always had some kind of competition going with him when it concerned Brian.

"So, stud, I was on my way to Torso. I've gotta shop for something hot for the White Party. I was wondering if I could borrow you, get your opinion on some potential fuck attire?" he asked Brian. Brian looked at his friends.

"Sure, sweetie, go ahead. We don't mind. We'll see you later at your house. We were all going to watch Gay As Blazes," Emmett told Brian. He nodded back at him and looked at his other friends.

"Guys?" he asked.

"Yeah, go ahead, Bri, we'll meet up with you later," Michael said. They all agreed, except for Todd, who just slightly smiled, but didn't say anything. Brian got up from the booth.

"All right, I'll see you guys later," Brian said, and followed Carter out the door.

Carter and Brian entered Torso and were looking through the racks of outrageous outfits. Most of the stuff Brian saw he could picture Emmett wearing. Especially the brightest flamboyant clothes.

"So, uh, you and Todd look a little cozy," Carter said casually as he thumbed through some shirts. Brian looked over at him and rolled his eyes and smiled.

"I told you, Todd and I are just friends," Brian said.

"Uh-huh. It sure doesn't seem that way. Did you see how he put his arm around you the minute I walked over to your table?" Carter pointed out.

"He's just a little overprotective of me sometimes, but trust me, he doesn't like me more than a friend," Brian assured him.

"Have you fucked him yet?" Carter asked, still not looking directly at Brian. Brian's eyes shot up at the older man.

"What if I have?" Brian said. That got Carter's attention and he finally met Brian's eyes.

"Well, then I would ask you first, if you were safe. Then I would ask how your first experience was," Carter told him calmly. Brian couldn't read his expression as he looked at him. "Have you?" Carter asked. Brian shook his head.

"No," Brian answered. He saw Carter's face relax a little. Was that relief that he saw?

"Is there any particular reason why you haven't?" Carter asked.

Brian shrugged. "I don't know. It just hasn't happened. I'm not sure why. I mean, we've screwed around plenty of times. We just haven't taken that next step. I think I would want it to be with him though, when I fuck for the first time. I trust him," Brian said.

Carter nodded at him, and Brian noticed the slightly apprehensive expression on his face.

"You know, you don't have to worry. I can take care of myself," Brian told him.

"I just want to make sure you're okay, that's all. I want you to know that you can talk to me, Brian. You know that, don't you?" Carter asked. Brian smiled at that. Carter SO cared about him.

"Yeah, I know," Brian said quietly.

"So, your friend Justin is coming soon, right?" Carter asked changing the subject. Brian grinned at the thought of seeing Justin again. He couldn't wait until he saw him. He wanted to tell him everything. To share everything with him. To show him Liberty Avenue and introduce him to his crazy friends.

"Yeah, after school ends next weekend," Brian answered.

"You seem excited," Carter said.

"I am. I've really missed him," Brian said. He paused a moment. "I'm going to tell him that I'm gay," he finally said.

"Are you afraid of how he'll react?" Carter asked.

"Yeah. I mean, I guess I'm more afraid that I'll lose him. I think I know him well enough though to guess that he'll be okay with it. He's always been so easygoing about everything. I don't see him having a problem with it," Brian said, thoughtfully. " I just don't want it to cause any weirdness between us," he added.

Carter nodded. He looked over at Brian while the boy continued to look through the racks of clothes, and he smiled. Brian was different now than when he first came to Pittsburgh. Not in a bad way at all; he could see that the boy was very smart and he kept evolving in most everything he did. He knew that Brian's life in Philadelphia had been rough, but he seemed to have accepted it and moved on from it, and was happy. Carter was sure that Brian still had unresolved emotions where his parents were concerned, but he didn't let it affect his focus on his new life. He was now surrounded by people who loved and cared for him and seemed to embrace that.

Carter was also pleased to see that Brian had really taken to him and often listened to him when he offered the boy advice. He was pleased when Brian had told him about his straight "A" status with his grades all year long at school. He had also been to a few of Brian's soccer games and had been proud to see how well Brian played as he helped his team keep their undefeated reputation.

It hadn't escaped him how much growing Brian had also done physically. He was taller, and had filled out more. His body was still lean, but now had more muscle from all the soccer practice and swim training. He had encouraged Brian to join the swim team with Michael and it had done the boy's body good; and it definitely had not gone unnoticed by most everyone Brian met. He was a very handsome boy. He wore his auburn hair a little longer now, making his sexy hazel eyes stand out. He had a killer smile, which earned him a lot of friends and admirers. He was very genuine, and had a way of making people feel good when he was around them.

Yep, this kid was going to be the hottest thing Liberty Avenue had ever had the pleasure of knowing. He not only had wit, charm and intelligence, but he was handsome and a nice guy too... oh yeah, and a great kisser...

Brian looked up and noticed Carter staring at him and raised an eyebrow.

"What?" Brian asked with a shy smile. He had noticed Carter giving him that same look a few times in the last couple of months. He couldn't quite place what it meant. Carter could be so cryptic about his feelings.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking about how much you've changed since you moved out here, is all," Carter admitted.

"In a good way, I hope," Brian said with a look that showed a slight insecurity.

"Of course. You know, Bri... you've done really well," Carter said seriously. Brian gave Carter a curious look.

"Is everything all right? You're acting a little strange," Brian said.

"What, I'm not allowed to be proud of you?" Carter asked defensively. Brian furrowed his brow a little.

"I didn't mean anything by it," Brian said softly.

Carter had a problem with saying how he felt at times, which was why Brian was surprised at Carter's comment. He hadn't meant to offend the man. In fact, it made him feel good that Carter was pleased with him. He really looked up him. He had taught him so much and had been a good friend.

Carter didn't really know how to explain his feelings at that moment. Brian reminded him so much of himself, and he was so proud that the boy had done so well for himself since he came to Pittsburgh. He could have turned out so differently. He could have been a bitter, unapologetic, asshole who pushed people away. It was possible that could still very well be the result when Brian got older, but Carter didn't see that happening. The boy was really happy with how his life was now, and had no bitterness in him or anyone to shoot him down all the time.

Brian held up a white, silk button up shirt and raised his eyebrows as he looked at Carter. The man smiled in reply.

"It's not bad, stud," he said as he eyed the shirt, already picturing what it would look like on himself. He took it from Brian, along with the other clothes he had been carrying and went to the fitting room to try them on.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The bell rang for the last time that school year, and kids were fleeing from their classrooms, excited that summer had officially started. Brian was glad that school was out and was looking forward to having more free time. The whole school year had kept him so busy with studying and sports that he often didn't have time to do a lot of things that he wanted to do. Most of the time he just wanted to stay home and do nothing, but it just always seemed that there was something that he had to do or somewhere he had to be.

Michael and Josh met Brian outside of his last class, like they usually did, both of them with smiles on their faces.

"Schoooool's, out for-EVER," Josh sang and did a little dance, making the other two boys laugh.

"Are you sure you want him as a boyfriend, Mikey? He seems little off," Brian teased, earning him a light punch in the arm from Josh, and an eye roll from Michael.

"If I were you, I wouldn't talk. Whatever it is you and Todd have going on, is more what I would call a little off," Michael retorted. Brian just smiled and shook his head. He had given up explaining that one.

"Well, guys, what shall we do for our first hour of freedom?" Josh asked putting each arm around both boys' shoulders.

"Hmm, we could go to the community pool and go swimming," Michael suggested. Josh and Brian gave Michael a knowing smile. They often teased Michael about his love for the water. He always wanted to go swimming. Not that they minded; they just liked giving the other boy a hard time, and had even given him a nickname.

"Okay, Flipper, I guess we could do that," Josh teased. Michael pretended to look hurt, and then Josh leaned in and kissed his pouted lips.

"Aw, I didn't mean it, baby," Josh told Michael, smoothing his hair out of his eyes, seeing the smile at the corner of the other boy's mouth, which he was failing to hide.

Brian smiled at the two boys. He was so happy that Michael had someone. Josh was a good guy, and he considered him to be a good friend. Michael was so happy with him, and that's all that really mattered to Brian, anyway.

"Well, what Flipper wants, Flipper gets," Brian teased. Michael glared at Brian and then pinched him in his side.

"Ouch!" Brian cried out but was laughing.

"Serves you right, meanie," Michael said, sticking his tongue out at his cousin.

"Oh, real mature, Mikey," Brian told him. "Well, you guys, I've got to get a few things from my locker in the gym, so maybe I should just meet you at the pool," Brian said.

"All right, we'll see you over there," Michael said as Josh took his hand and they exited the campus.

Brian walked into the locker room and found his locker. He smiled as he sat on the bench in front of his locker and took the contents out of it, thinking of all the memorable games throughout the year. He'd really enjoyed being on the team. He felt important and needed.

Even David Conner had somewhat warmed up to him in the last few months. David hadn't picked on Michael since the day Brian stood up to him, so after that, Brian really had no reason to start anything with the other boy. His snide remarks didn't really bother Brian that much; he just ignored him. After a while, there seemed to be a silent mutual understanding between the two young men. They were far from friends, but eventually, David had accepted that Brian was there to stay; and after playing along side him, he also knew that Brian was an asset to their team. Truth be told, he was glad that Brian was there to help them win all their games. It was nice having another strong player on the team, since once Brian joined, the pressure was no longer all on David to keep the team undefeated. Still though, the competition between the two boys had remained constant.

"Some good games this year," a voice said behind Brian, startling him. Brian turned around and saw David Conner standing behind him and gave him a small smile.

"Yeah," Brian said softly, and then continued to empty out his locker.

"Look, Kinney, I know we've never liked each other, but you are a good player, and I'm glad you were on the team this year," David admitted.

Brian turned to face him again and gave him a slight look of surprise. He didn't expect to ever hear David say anything like that to him.

"Thanks. You're a good player too. But it's not like like you didn't already know. You've been in my face about being the best at everything since I started school here," Brian said.

David smirked at that, then smiled.

"So where's your buddy, Todd?" David suddenly asked. Brian could swear he heard an irritated tone as he said his friend's name.

"I don't know, somewhere else, I guess," Brian said, avoiding David's eyes and continuing to go through his locker.

"You know, I've heard some things," David said. Brian didn't look at him.

"Oh, yeah? And what would some of those things be?" Brian said trying to sound uninterested.

"Just that you and Todd... well, that you are more than friends," David said.

Brian put the last of his things from his locker into his backpack, and closed his locker. He zipped up his bag and then finally turned around to face David.

"It's none of your fucking business," Brian told him in a calm tone.

David studied his face. "It's true, then?" he asked.

Brian looked into the other boy's eyes. "I just said it's none of your business," he repeated sternly.

"Well that explains why you never had a girlfriend this year. I know for a fact that like me, you could have any girl you wanted," David said.

"I'm not going to talk about this with you," Brian said, getting up to leave. He put his backpack on one shoulder and started to walk away, when suddenly he felt David grab him by the elbow. He looked back at him and frowned, then jerked his arms free from the other boy's grip.

"Get the fuck off me," Brian warned.

David smirked. "Or what?" he challenged.

Brian dropped his bag onto the floor and got in David's face. "Or I will have to make you," Brian said with a hard stare.

Suddenly, the look in David's eyes changed. Brian was confused as he saw anger replaced by the now-familiar look of lust in the other boy's eyes, and before he knew it, he found himself being pushed back against his locker and felt David's mouth on his. Brian was stunned, but it didn't take him long to recover. They fought for dominance, as they kissed urgently, their tongues battling it out, just as they had battled the whole year; challenging who could play this game better.

Brian moaned, and kept the urgent kiss going, not wanting to lose this last challenge with his rival. He decided to take it to the next step. 'Let's see if he can really take the heat,' Brian thought, as he reached down between their bodies and put his hand on David's crotch, feeling the other boy getting hard as he rubbed his cock lightly through his pants. He heard a moan escape David's mouth, and smiled into the kiss.

"You think you're the best at this too?" Brian said breathlessly in between their kisses.

David immediately put his hand on Brian's hardening cock and started mimicking his movements, stroking the boy furiously, as if taking on the challenge. Brian found the button to David's jeans, and opened it. He pulled the zipper down and reached into his underwear, grabbing the naked cock, feeling the pre-cum at the tip and smearing it around the head with this thumb, forcing a gasp from the other boy.

"God," David moaned, his eyes half closed.

Brian stopped kissing him, and then moved his mouth to his neck, and lightly sucked on it, causing David to moan once again. Brian smiled again. This was too easy. He felt David start to fumble with his pants, desperately trying to feel him and give him pleasure as well.

Once David got Brian's pants undone, he hesitated a minute, and then looked into Brian's eyes. Brian recognized the slight fear.

"Do you want to?" Brian asked in a soft whisper. David nodded yes slowly.

"Good. Then let's see who can make each other cum first," Brian said with a teasing smile. David smiled at Brian and then brought his hand to his mouth and licked the palm. He then stuck his hand into Brian's boxers and started jacking him off, enjoying the feel of another man's dick for the first time.

The two boys started making out again, stroking each other furiously as if their lives depended on it. They were both moaning like crazy, and their breath became more shallow, as they got closer to cumming. They kept stroking until finally they were both reaching orgasm; David exploding first, with Brian right behind him. It was a close race. They were both out of breath and stared at each other for a moment without saying anything. Finally they smiled at one another.

"I love a good challenge," David whispered, catching his breath.

Brian laughed. "So do I."

They continued to stare at each other, another mutual understanding becoming clear to one another. It seemed that they had come to a silent truce. Brian wasn't sure if David was gay or not. He figured that most likely he wanted to prove that he could do anything that Brian could do, and would be just as good or better than him at doing it.

Brian grabbed a towel from his backpack that had been in his locker, and wiped his hands with it, and then handed it to David. They both buttoned their pants up, and Brian picked up his backpack.

"I'll see you around," Brian said.

David smiled at him and nodded. "See you," David replied, and tossed the towel back to Brian. They walked out of the locker room, and each headed in opposite directions, smiling and deep in thought.