Don't Stop Looking for Love

Good Conversation

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The next day at the Peterson-Marcus residence

Justin was sitting on the floor playing with Gus when the doorbell rang. Gus gave Justin a questioning look.

"I shouldn't open the door to strangers."

"You're right, you shouldn't but we can see together who it is, okay?"

"Okay." Gus said and took Justin's hand and they went to the door. Justin opened the door and was more than surprised to see Brian standing there.

"Hi." Justin managed to say.

"Daddy!" Gus exclaimed and extended his arms to Brian to pick him up.

'Fuck, those eyes again! Why is he here? Not that I mind', Brian thought. Brian had to move his attention from Justin to Gus.

"Hey Sonny Boy, did you miss me?" Brian said picking Gus up.

"Yea. I didn't know you were coming."

"I thought I'd surprise you but I guess you surprised me more. Aren't your mommies home?"

"Nope."

"Where are they?"

"They went to dinner and… theory."

"Theater." Justin corrected.

"Yeah, theater. So Justin came to play with me." Gus explained.

"That was nice." Brian said and that granted him a smile from Justin.

"I thought Katie was your favorite bab… umm friend."

"I changed my mind." Gus said.

"Did you now?"

"Yep."

'I can't blame you though', Brian thought. "I didn't know you did this child caring thing on your own time too. Can't get enough of them at work, huh?"

"Well I don't usually do this but I thought I could make an exception. 'Boy I'm glad I did!'

"I asked mommy and mommy asked Justin." Gus explained.

"Sounds like a threesome." Brian grinned. Justin rolled his eyes.

"What's a treesome?" Gus asked.

Justin chuckled.

"You don't need to know that yet; you'll find out when you're older." Brian answered.

Gus thought it for a moment and said: "Okay."

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Justin asked looking at Brian.

"You actually cook?" Brian asked surprised.

"Yeah I do but this time I have to give the credit to Lindsay; I just put the dinner in the oven."

"Stay daddy! Pleeease!" Gus pleaded.

"Well I guess I could stay."

"Yay!" Gus exclaimed clapping his hands. Justin felt he could do the same but decided not to.

"Good. It should be ready in ten minutes or so. If you'd be here with Gus and I'll check the dinner and set the table?"

"Sure." Brian answered and watched Justin walk into the kitchen. 'God what an ass he's got; I just wish I could… Fuck! Stop that; you're here to see your son, not to think about sex!' All of a sudden Brian found his jeans a bit uncomfortable.

"Daddy, look what I drew." Gus said showing a drawing to Brian.

"That's very good. Who's in it?"

"That's me and that's Justin and that's Susie." Gus explained pointing the figures.

"Who's Susie?"

"She's my friend at the daycare."

"I see. I bet she's nice."

"Yep. I like her the best."

Brian raised his brow at Justin who came back into the living room. "Are you trying to turn my son straight?"

"Hey don't blame me; I'm innocent." Justin said raising his hands up defending himself. "I think he's doing it all by himself."

At this point Gus wasn't paying much attention on Brian and Justin's discussion; he found his blocks much more interesting.

"He's been charming other girls too, you know. Maybe it's in his genes or something." Justin said with a smirk.

"Well, I would never charm a girl." Brian said tongue-in-cheek.

"I'm glad about that." Justin said. 'Fuck, did I say that out loud? Fuck! Fuck!'

Brian looked at Justin, who was slightly blushing but didn't say anything.

"Justin, I'm hungry, can we eat now?" Gus asked breaking Brian and Justin's little moment.

"Umm… yeah sure, it should be ready." Justin said and took Gus' hand into his own and they went into the kitchen and Brian followed grinning slightly.

The three of them ate and talked. Well, to be exact, it was most of the time Gus who talked and Brian and Justin would listen. Justin was really enjoying his time with the Kinney men and time-to-time he found himself staring at Brian a little too long. 'God I hope he hasn't noticed', Justin thought.

After dinner they cleared the table together and put the dishes into the dishwasher.

"Daddy, can we read a book now?"

"Sure Sonny Boy, you can choose one." Gus went to his books and tried to decide what book he wanted to read. Justin sat down into an easy chair although he'd have rather sat on the couch with Brian. Finally Gus decided on the favor of "Winnie the Pooh" and climbed on the couch next to Brian but didn't look satisfied.

"Justin, here." Gus said padding the space next to him on the couch.

"You want me to sit with you?"

"Uh huh."

Brian and Justin took turns reading the story and Gus commented occasionally. After a while Justin noticed Gus had fallen asleep.

"I think someone is ready for bed." Justin said quietly nodding towards the boy.

Brian glanced at his son. "Yeah, you're right."

"Would you like to put him to bed or should I?"

"I'll do it." Brian said and lifted Gus into his arms and headed upstairs.

After a few minutes, Justin realized Gus' sleep buddy had been left behind. Justin took the teddy bear and went upstairs. He entered Gus' room and saw Brian standing beside Gus' bed and watching him. Brian didn't actually hear Justin coming but he felt it.

"He looks so beautiful and peaceful when he's sleeping." Brian said.

"Yeah he does." 'I bet it's heritable too.' "I just thought I'd bring Gus' sleep buddy 'cause he'll be upset if he doesn't see it when he wakes up." Justin explained and placed the teddy bear beside Gus.

"Thanks." Brian said smiling at Justin and was again rewarded with a sunshine smile.

Brian and Justin left Gus to sleep and went downstairs.

"Do you mind if I hang around a bit longer?" Brian asked.

'Do you really need to ask?' "No, I don't mind."

"Would you like something to drink? A beer?" Brian asked.

"Sure. Are you sure Lindsay and Melanie won't mind?"

"Yeah I'm sure. Let's just hope they have beer 'cause you never know about munchers. Sometimes they drink only sherry or some other shit." Brian shuddered.

Justin grimaced. "God, I hate sherry. Good luck!"

Brian found the beers and gave the other one to Justin.

"Thanks."

Brian and Justin both sat on the couch. Brian saw a sketchbook on the coffee table. "Is that yours?"

"Yeah."

"May I?"

"Sure."

Brian leafed through the pages.

"These are very good; I guess this is more than just a hobby for you?"

"Thanks. I've been drawing as long as I can remember so I guess it's more like a lifestyle than a hobby."

"Have you studied art?"

"Yeah, I've taken some courses but mostly I'm self-taught, so to speak."

"Did you know Lindz is an art teacher?"

"Yeah, we've discussed art many times. She even suggested that I should submit some of my works for the show at the GLC but I'm not so sure about that."

"Why not?"

"I don't know; people seeing my stuff… I don't know if I'm ready for that."

"Well I think you should go for it."

"Really?"

"Really. These are so much better than vagina sculptures."

"Gross! Is there really those kinds of things there?"

"Oh yes and usually they're red or pink."

"Oh please stop, you're gonna make me vomit." Justin pleaded.

"Sorry about that graphic description." Brian smirked. "But seriously, you should submit your works. For example this one is very nice." Brian said showing Justin's mother to Justin. "Is she your mother?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"Well you two look a lot alike."

"I guess we do."

"Do you have any sisters or brothers?"

"A little sister, Molly. I think there's a picture of her too."

"This one?"

"Yep."

"No pictures of your father?"

Justin's face fell and Brian noticed it. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude."

"That's okay. It's just that we aren't in speaking terms anymore and I hate even thinking about him."

"Did he do something to you?" Brian was sure he wouldn't want to hear what was coming.

"Well not physically; he didn't hit me or anything. Although I'm sure he would've liked to. But he sure as hell told me exactly what he thought of me and my choices."

"So what did you do? Rob a bank?"

"Maybe I should've; then I at least would have a valid reason to be hated. My father thinks he has at least two good reasons to hate me. First, I'm gay and that means I'm a pervert and have a disgusting lifestyle, you know."

"So I've been told." Brian smirked.

"By bigots like my father. He even tried to stop Molly from seeing me. I guess he's afraid that I'd take her to some dyke bar and turn her into lesbian."

"Yeah 'cause it's so easy to turn people into something you want." Brian huffed.

"You know, I really hope she turns out to be a lesbian or even better, a bisexual - that would drive my father nuts."

"I keep my fingers crossed. So, what was the other reason? I'm sure it was as good as the other."

"He wanted me to study business and after graduating I'd work in his firm. Well, I didn't want that and told him about my own plans and he was furious."

"He didn't think the child caring field was really manly, huh?"

"That would be an understatement. He tried to make me change my mind but I told him I'd already decided. I guess he thought I'd do anything he wanted like a scout or something. Anyway, we haven't talked since. And honestly, I don't really care. I mean I'm disappointed that my father treats me like shit just because I live my life the way I want but I think I'll be better off without him."

"It's his loss."

"Thanks." Justin said sheepishly.

"I guess your mother took it better?"

"Yeah, she's been great about everything. Although the fact that I'm gay was a little hard for her to digest at first. You know, she even took me to a shrink 'cause she was sure I'd grow out of this 'gay thing' as she put it. I was pretty pissed at her so I thought I'd make things clear once and for all."

"So what did you do?" Brian asked curiously.

Justin smiled at the memory. "I said I liked dick."

Brian almost choked on his beer. "What?! You didn't!"

"I did. You should've seen their faces! I thought my mom was going to faint 'cause she was kind of pale. And the shrink wasn't very talkative either; I bet she didn't expect me to say something like that."

"I wish I'd been there." Brian said chuckling.

"Yeah, it was an experience. But it was effective: ever since that my mom has been supportive with all I do."

"Well shocking is sometimes the best way to reach one's goal."

"I guess." Justin said smiling.

'God, I so wanna kiss those sweet, luscious lips. I'm sure they taste like velvet. Fuck! Even thinking about that makes me hard!' Brian thought.

Brian and Justin heard a car door being shut.

"They're back early." Justin said. Then he glanced at his watch. "Oh, they're not so early after all; it's after midnight already."

"Really? I didn't realize it was so late."

The front door opened and frantic Lindsay came in with Melanie on her heels.

"Brian, Justin! What's happened? Where's Gus? Is he alright?"

Brian and Justin looked perplexed.

"For God's sake Lindz, calm down! Everything is fine; Gus is sleeping in his room."

Lindsay sighed deeply.

"Hon, I said everything was all right, didn't I?" Melanie said hugging her wife from behind.

"You know, I would've called if there was any problem." Justin said.

"Oh I know you would have. I'm sorry Justin; I didn't mean to accuse you of anything. I totally trust you; I wouldn't leave Gus alone with you if I didn't. I just panicked when I saw Brian's car. Can you forgive me?"

"It's okay, there's nothing to forgive. I know how parents worry about their kids."

"Good. So Brian, what are you doing here?"

"Well I came to see my son and I stayed for dinner. Then I thought I'd keep Justin company for a while."

"Did you now?" Lindsay asked raising her brows. Brian gave her a glare.

"Justin, are you ready to go? I'll give you a ride home." Melanie said.

"Yeah, I'll just grab my stuff."

"You don't have a car?" Brian asked looking at Justin.

"No, I'm not rich enough yet." Justin answered.

"I can give Justin a ride so you don't have to drive back and forth." Brian said to Melanie.

"Would you? I am kind of beat."

"Sure. If it's okay with you?" Brian asked Justin.

"Sure." Justin said trying to act as nonchalantly as possible.

"That's all settled then. Thanks Brian." Melanie said.

"My pleasure."

'I bet', Lindsay thought to herself.

"So, are you ready to go?" Brian asked putting his leather jacket on.

"Yeah."

"Thanks Justin for coming; it meant a lot to Gus. And to me too. Gus can be really stubborn when he feels like it. You know, he takes after his father." Lindsay said emphasizing the 'father'. "He has to have everything he wants. And everyone for that matter."

Brian rolled his eyes at her.

"Really?" Justin asked giving Brian a flirtatious look.

"Okay, enough already. I think we should leave now." Brian said shoving Justin towards the door.

"Night Lindsay, night Melanie. I'll see you next week." Justin said.

"Night Justin, night Brian. See you!"

"Night ladies." Brian said smirking and followed Justin outside.

"So, where to?" Brian asked when they sat in the car.

"Home James."

Brian raised his brows.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist. I live on Tremont."

"You've got to be kidding."

"What?"

"I live on Tremont too."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I haven't seen you around though."

"Well, I've lived there just for a few months."

"So, here we are; where do you want me to stop?"

"You know Sally's?"

"Yeah."

"You can drop me there."

"Okay."

Brian pulled over.

"Thanks for the ride. And for the company; it's nice to talk with an adult for a change. Maybe I'll see you around." Justin said opening the door.

"Maybe."

Justin smiled at Brian and got out of the car. "Later."

"Later."

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