Don't Stop Looking for Love

While the World is Going Crazy

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Sunday dinner at the Novotny's was never what you could call "a small gathering" but this time the house was full with extended family as well as extra-extended family because Justin's family and even Daphne had been invited. When the "new people" had been introduced to the old gang, it was time to sit at the table. Like always, Debbie had made food for the whole army – it was the Italian in her. The food was delicious and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Jennifer was a little overwhelmed with everything at first but she relaxed quickly and felt like home with all the new people she had just met. She realized that Justin could've chosen far worse people to hang out with. And Brian seemed like a good man although she wasn't quite sure how serious he was about Justin. Jennifer knew that it wasn't her concern; everything would clear up eventually. The only problem Jennifer had with Brian was that it was difficult for her to look him in the eyes – it was all Molly's fault. At the GLC art show, Molly had enlightened her mother that the naked guy in Justin's painting was actually Brian. Now, every time Jennifer saw Brian, the image of naked Brian appeared before her eyes. She felt uncomfortable talking to a guy whose penis she had seen – well, kind of seen. She really hoped she could get over it someday.

After dinner Jennifer and Lindsay offered to help Debbie with the dishes. Although the three women were very different and in different phases in their lives, they all were mothers so they had a lot to talk about.


 

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"Why did Brian have to bring him?" Michael whined. "It's not like he's family or anything."

"Brian seems to really like him," Ted said. "Brian is so relaxed and comfortable with him.

"But he's not Brian's type! And he's just a kid."

"He's not a kid, Michael. He's 24," Ted said calmly.

Michael didn't listen.

"Brian deserves someone better. Someone older."

"Someone like you?"

"No but…"

Ted knew that was exactly what Michael meant. Ted had been watching Michael lusting after Brian for years. Ted couldn't figure out why Michael couldn't accept the fact that he and Brian would never be a couple.

"I don't think I've seen Brian in Babylon's backroom much lately either," Ted pointed out.

"And you think Brian is exclusive with Justin? Come on, he might be fucking Justin but he won't stop tricking."

"You never know," Ted said.

Michael huffed. "You don't know Brian at all!"

With that said, Michael left.

'You might be surprised,' Ted thought.


 

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Emmett and Molly were sitting on the couch talking vividly about clothes and fashion. Emmett was excited that he finally had someone to talk to who was as enthusiastic as he was about fashion. Well, of course there was Brian but their taste in clothes was slightly different.

"So tell me, Em, what's the hottest color this season?"

"Purple. Definitely purple."

"Great, I love purple!"

"And you'll look fantastic in purple – just don't go for the darkest shades 'cause they'll suck all the color from your beautiful face."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"Oh! We got some fabulous tops on Friday and there's one I know you'd love! You have to come by the store tomorrow – I'll even give you a discount," Emmett said and winked.

"Really? That would be awesome! When do you open?"

"Umm… shouldn't you be at the uni or something?"

"Nah, that's not important."

Emmett raised his eyebrow.

"My classes won't start until 1 pm," Molly explained.

"Oh, in that case, come at ten and we'll shop away!"

"It's a date."

 

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Mel noticed Daphne sitting alone in an easy chair looking thoughtful.

"Daphne, are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine, I was just…"

Daphne's eyes drifted to Molly but quickly back to Mel. Not quickly enough though for Mel not to notice.

"Ah, I see."

Daphne blushed a bit.

"Is there something going on with you two?" Mel asked and sat on the arm of Daphne's chair.

"No. I mean we kissed at the GLC and slept together later but that was kinda accidental."

"Okay, now you lost me. How do you accidentally sleep with someone?"

"Well we were talking and then we just fell asleep."

"Oh, you meant sleep sleep!"

"Of course! What kind of girl do you think I am?" Daphne asked with fake horror on her face.

"I'm sorry but you never know with today's youth," Mel said smiling.

"So, anyway, nothing serious between us."

"Would you like there to be?"

"No. Yes. Maybe. I don't know. All this is so new to me; I don't know what to think."

"Yeah, it's hard sometimes. Maybe you should take it slowly; give yourself time to figure out what and who you want. Sometimes it's good to be friends first but sometimes love comes all of a sudden. And let me tell you, there's no point fighting against it. This might sound like a cliché but love will win. At least eventually."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"I hope you're right."

"I'm always right – goes with my job description."

"Oh? What do you do?"

"I'm a lawyer."

"Really? I'm studying law."

"You are? Do you like it?"

"Yeah, I really do. I had dreamt about becoming a lawyer so long that when I finally got in, I was in seventh heaven. The only problem is the firm I'm clerking for."

"Oh? What's wrong?"

"Well, the work is okay, I can do more than just make coffee for everybody. It's their attitudes towards sexual minorities that annoys me – they're total homophobes. I can't understand how they can be like that in today's world, you know. If they have gay clients, they can be civil with them face to face but afterwards they mock them and tell stupid jokes. I can't believe they can be so disrespectful."

"Oh, you're working at Horwitz, Kartzen & Watkins?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"Let's just say they have a certain reputation. They have harsh attitudes towards minorities – especially sexual minorities. They've been around for a long time and somehow they get away with it all the time. They're all just old bigots who don't realize that we're living in the 21st century."

"I'm glad someone agrees with me. I've wanted to say something to those old farts for ages but I can't afford to lose my job so I just bite my lip. And let me tell you, my lips are suffering."

"I bet," Mel said. "You know, we have an opening in our firm… Would you be interested?"

"You're serious? Of course I'd be interested!"

"I can't promise anything though because all the partners make the decision together. But I can get you an interview."

"Really? That would be great! I'd really appreciate that. Thank you so much!"

"Well, it would be good to get you out of that lousy firm. And maybe your lips could use a break of that biting; I'm sure you'd think of something more pleasurable action for them."

"I just might," Daphne said winking.


 

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Justin was sitting on the floor with Gus who was enthusiastically explaining something to him.

"He's good with Gus," Vic said smiling.

"Yeah, he's great with kids – he definitely has chosen the right career," Lindsay said.

"So, what do you think about him and Brian? There must be something really special about him; this is the first time Brian has ever brought his boyfriend to a family dinner. On the other hand, there has never been a boyfriend before either."

"I think Brian wouldn't admit that Justin was his boyfriend if someone asked. Because as you know, Brian Kinney doesn't "do" boyfriends."

"I can't believe I'm saying this but I think Brian has changed. Not all of him of course but something has definitely happened."

"You know what I think?" Lindsay asked.

"What?"

"I think Brian is in love."

Vic looked surprised.

"I know it sounds strange but I've never seen him like this. And every time I've asked him about Justin, he desperately tries to be as nonchalant as possible to distract me. But you know, I can see through him. I just hope he doesn't push Justin away when things get too serious."

"Yeah. Let's also hope that Justin can handle Brian's stubbornness."

"I'm sure he can – he has worked with kids, you know," Lindsay said.

"You're comparing Brian to a stubborn child?"

"Well, if the shoe fits…"

Vic silently agreed.


 

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"You should lock the door when you go to the bathroom," Brian said.

"Shit, you scared me!" Justin exclaimed.

"You were lucky – anyone could've walked in. You should be more careful," Brian said and locked the door behind him.

Justin turned around from the sink and saw Brian's smirk. "Umm… what are you doing?"

"Well, this dinner party isn't that entertaining so I thought we could have some fun of our own."

"You've got to be kidding! Are you out of your mind? I am not going to have sex in this house. My mom and my little sister are here, for God's sake!"

"I can be quick," Brian said seductively.

"No."

"So you're saying you're not excited at all?" Brian asked standing very close to Justin.

"Uhh…"

Brian let his hand move towards Justin's crotch. "Ah, I think someone wants to play," Brian whispered in Justin's ear.

'Damn non-existing self-control,' Justin thought. "Brian, stop that."

"Stop what? I didn't do anything," Brian said and squeezed a little.

"Brian…"

"I could always blow it away…"

At this point Justin was so turned on that he just couldn't say no. Brian quickly lowered Justin's pants and – well, blew him away.

"You're evil," Justin said when he got his breathing back to normal.

Brian just cocked his eyebrow as an answer.

"I need some fresh air to get this redness off my face," Justin said.

"And I'll need a smoke. Let's go to the backyard."

Everybody was so enthralled in their conversations that Brian and Justin managed to sneak out to the back yard without anybody noticing.

Brian and Justin were sitting on the porch steps when the door opened.

"Well here you are, I was wondering where you two had disappeared," Emmett said. "Justin, are you a bit flushed?" Emmett asked studying Justin's face.

"No!"

Emmett looked contemplative and then…

"Oh my God! You didn't? You didn't fuck him in the house, did you?"

"Unfortunately not. He didn't want to," Brian said looking a bit disappointed.

"Thank God!"

"So I just blew him," Brian stated.

"What?!"

"Brian!" Justin wailed.

"You gave him head in the house?"

"Well I had to get rid of his hard on somehow."

Justin had buried his head in his hands. "Please Emmett, don't tell anybody."

"Don't worry Sweetie, who would I tell? The gang? They wouldn't care that much anyway. Your mother? 'Dear Mrs. Taylor, Brian just corrupted your son in the bathroom.' What would be the point? I think she has figured out by now that you two are fucking."

"Oh God, don't talk about my mom and fucking in the same sentence," Justin said shuddering.

"Sorry."

"Okay ladies, can we go inside now?"


 

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"Molly honey, you want a ride home?" Jennifer asked.

"I can take her," Daphne said. "I mean if that's okay with you, Molly."

"Yeah, of course."

"I'm going the same way anyway."

"That would be nice; saves me the trip," Jennifer said.


 

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All in all, the dinner was a success: people got to know each other better and enjoyed good food and good company. Debbie loved to have the house full of people – people who genuinely cared about each other, even if their own families always didn't. Debbie had always said it didn't take blood to be a family, it took heart.


 

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"Thanks for the ride. Wanna come up?"

"No thanks, I have an early morning tomorrow," Daphne said.

"Oh, okay. I guess I'll see you around then."

"Yeah."

"Well, good night then," Molly said.

"Night."

'Was she a bit disappointed that I wouldn't go inside? Nah, must be just my imagination. Fuck. Why does this have to be so difficult?'
 

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