The First Touch

Saturday night at the loft

Brian was reading Gus a new storybook he had bought him a few days ago. The book was called "Adam's Adventures". The story was about a puppy that wanted to go on an adventure all on his own. 'Why on earth did I buy something like this?' Brian thought. 'Am I getting soppy with Gus around me too much?' The real reason Brian had bought the book wasn't the story; it was the illustration of the book. There was something intriguing about it - it was different. Brian couldn't put a finger on it but he knew there was something.

"Daddy", Gus' sleepy voice snapped Brian out of his thoughts, "why did you stop?"

"Oh, sorry Sonny Boy", Brian said and started reading again.

About ten minutes later Gus was sound asleep so Brian carried him to his so called room, which was actually just a little space in the living room divided by a tasteful divider. Anyway, it gave Gus privacy when Brian was... well should we say preoccupied on other things. Though it was very rare that Brian had a trick at the loft when Gus was there. Brian really liked spending time with his son and enjoyed watching him grow up. Sometimes he surprised himself and the others by offering to take Gus with him the whole weekend so Lindsay and Mel could spend time together. 'Jesus Christ, I AM getting soppy', Brian thought.

Brian decided to watch Moulin Rouge on dvd before he went to bed. The movie always seemed to relax him and after the week he had, he really needed to unwind. Michael had whined more than once that Brian didn't spend enough time with his best friend. Why couldn't Michael understand Brian being a busy ad exec? Speaking of the devil, the week at the office was from hell. It never did cease to amaze Brian how much damage the two idiot twins could do. And what was about those stupid names? Was it Brad and Bill or Brad and Bob? Well whateverthefuck - they were useless anyway. Brian had tried to convince Ryder to get rid of those two but no, they are relatives of Ryder's old friend's so no escape there. Fuck, he was stuck with those idiots! 'Maybe I should set up my own office; then I would at least be working with the people I want', Brian wondered.

Brian couldn't really concentrate on the movie; his mind was on the book. He switched the dvd player off and took the book and started to browse it. The pictures were beautiful and in some way artistic but not in a way Picasso would've made them, thank God! Brian checked the illustrator: Justin Taylor. Brian had never heard of him though he knew quite a lot of different illustrators. 'Maybe Internet has something on him', Brian thought and went to his computer but came out empty handed. So no one knew this Justin Taylor. Brian felt frustrated but decided to give it up and go to bed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A week passed like every other week and Brian had forgot all about Justin Taylor. Until Friday evening. Brian was walking on Liberty Avenue and saw a poster in a bookstore's window. There'd be some kind of promotion thing about "Adam's Adventures" at the store on Saturday afternoon. The poster didn't say who was going to be there but Brian thought he might as well go and check it out with Gus. Maybe he could get some information about the illustrator then.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Saturday afternoon at the Peterson-Marcus residence

"Don't let him eat too much candy. And be careful. And bring him back by five. Brian, are you listening?" Lindsay asked.

"Yeah yeah, I heard you - back by five. Don't worry, we'll be alright aren't we Sonny Boy?" Gus just giggled in response.

"Okay. By the way, what are you boys going to do today?" Lindsay asked.

"I thought we might pop in to a bookstore on Liberty and then go to a park and have maybe an ice cream", Brian said.

"Bookstore? I didn't know you liked the bookworm type", Melanie chuckled.

"Ha ha very funny Mel. You should know me better than that. I don't do the bookish type", Brian answered with a grin.

"So if it's not the men, what is it?" Melanie asked.

"What is this, the third degree? If you must know there's a promotion about a book and I have an interest in the illustrator", Brian answered a bit irritated.

"Oh, is he hot?" Melanie asked.

Brian rolled his eyes and said: "Christ, I meant *professional* interest. Besides I haven't even met the guy yet so I wouldn't know", he added with a tongue in cheek smirk. "Come on Gus, I think we better leave or we'll never get to the store."

"Bye Momma, bye Mammy", Gus said and waved to his mothers.

"Bye bye Gus, bye Brian", Lindsay and Melanie said in unison and waved back to their son.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

At the bookstore

Justin saw a man with a little boy in his arms enter the store. Justin couldn't keep his eyes off the man - he was drop dead gorgeous. He was tall, well shaped and wearing a black Armani overcoat and his suit didn't look any cheaper. He had auburn hair and those eyes - fuck, now Justin realized what people meant when they talked about "bedroom eyes". A man could drown into those hazel orbs, especially a gay man. Justin looked more closely at the boy in the man's arms and saw the resemblance quite clearly. 'So, the man has a son so he must be married or have a girlfriend or something stupid like that. Fuck, just my luck', Justin thought.

Brian enters the store holding Gus in his arms. He looks around and then he sees a blonde behind a table in the middle of the store. The table is full of Adam's Adventure -books so that must be it. A woman in her forties is signing books so Brian figured she must be the author. 'But what about the blonde? He can't be the illustrator, can he? God he's hot! Though he looks about fourteen years old. Damn, I don't even like blondes. Well, I guess I could make an exception - it's a good cause, isn't it? Shit. I shouldn't be staring… but could his eyes be any bluer? And that smile, who could say no to that? Not that I would like to say no. Okay Kinney, get a grip, you're not here to cruise.'

Just then Brian hears someone call 'Justin' and the blonde turns to talk to an older man. 'So he is Justin Taylor. This isn't going the way I thought but I'm not complaining', Brian thought. When Brian noticed Justin end his talk with the man, he approached Justin.

"Hi, are you Justin Taylor?" Brian asked.

"Yes I am. Can I help you?" Justin answered trying to act calmly although his heart was racing a mile a minute.

"Hi, I'm Brian Kinney. I just wanted to say that I really like your work. And Gus likes it too, don't you Gus?"

"Yeah. Did you really draw all the pictures in the book?" Gus asked.

"Yes I did. I'm glad you like them", Justin said to Gus. "And I'm glad you liked them too", Justin said turning his gaze to Brian. "So are you in art business yourself?"

"No, I'm in advertising but we do have an art department so I'm involved in art to some extent. So, do you do this for a living or is this just a hobby?"

"Well, I hope someday I'm going to be a successful artist but at the moment I'm studying at PIFA. This book thing was just a one time thing unless the author wants me back for her next book someday in the future."

Gus tugged at Justin's pant leg and asked: "Are you famous?"

Justin bent down and gave Gus a wide smile and said: "Well not yet but maybe someday."

"Oh, okay. Can I have your autocrap?"

Both Brian and Justin laughed and Justin said: "You mean an autograph, sure. Where do you want it?"

"On my book."

"Do you have it with you?"

Gus' face fell and he said: "No it's at daddy's." Gus gave Brian a pleading look and asked: "Daddy, can we get it?"

Brian looked at his son's sad hazel eyes and answered: "Tell you what Sonny Boy, I'll buy you another book and you can take that one home. What do you say?"

"Yippee!" was all Gus said and clapped his hands happily.

Justin took a copy of "Adam's Adventure" from the pile of books at he table and signed it 'To my biggest fan, Gus - Love Justin Taylor' and then he handed the book to Gus.

Gus smiled widely and thanked Justin.

Justin returned the smile and said: "You're welcome."

Brian watched the two in awe; both of them were so cute. 'Cute? Where the fuck that came from? I don't fancy men who are cute. Okay, it's official, I'm losing it', Brian thought.

"I live with my mommies but today I'm at daddy's place", Gus said to Justin. Justin had obviously asked something which Brian hadn't heard.

"Do you like being at your daddy's place?" Justin asked.

"Yeah but I think daddy's lonely", Gus said a bit sadly.

"Oh, why would you say that?" Justin asked.

"'Cause he lives all alone. Sometimes he has sleepovers though."

"Oh he does, does he?" Justin said with a grin.

"Uhh uhh. But those men don't live there."

'Ookay. My mistake - definitely NOT straight. Am I smiling a little too widely?' Justin thought a bit triumphantly.

"Okay Gus, I think you've babbled enough", Brian said.

"Can Justin come with us to the park?"

Brian was little dazzled about Gus' bluntness but he pulled himself together quickly and said: "Sure if he wants." 'Please want', Brian thought to himself.

Justin looked a bit confused and Brian abruptly said: "You don't have to..."

"No, I would love to come with you and Gus." 'And fuck would I want to come with you more ways than one', Justin thought. "I can leave in about fifteen minutes if you don't mind waiting."

"Sure, we'll wait. Gus, what about we look something for Debbie for her birthday?"

"Food book, food book!" Gus yelled enthusiastically and ran towards the cookbooks. Brian rolled his eyes to Justin and went after his son.

About ten minutes later Justin went to the backroom to get his things and he just had to call Daphne. Justin got his cell from his backpack and hit the speed dial. After a few rings she answered: "Hi Jus, what's up?"

"I met the most gorgeous man."

"Really? Where?"

"Here, at the store. He came with his son and I'm going to the park with them." Justin simply beamed when he told her about Brian and Gus.

"Wow, back up! You're going to the park with them? How did that happen?"

"It's a long story, I'll tell you later. I just thought I'd call to tell you that I wont be home for a few hours so you can invite your lovely boyfriend for a visit and I won't disturb your activities."

"Geez, do you think about anything but sex?"

Justin laughed. "If you'd have seen Brian, I guarantee, you too would think about sex."

"Fine, whatever. For your information, I expect a full summary tonight, OK?"

"Yeah yeah. Look, I have to go now, see you later. Bye!"

"Bye Jus."

Justin went back to the store and saw Brian and Gus waiting for him.

"Sorry it took so long, I had to call my roommate to let her know I'd be late. She's a bit of a worrier", Justin explained.

"That's okay. Shall we go?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, sure", Justin said. So the three of them left the store.

When they were outside, Brian and Gus approached a silver Lexus that was parked a little farther on the street.

"Wow, nice car", Justin exclaimed.

"Thanks. Sorry, I didn't notice to ask, do you have a car or will you be coming with us?" Brian asked when he was putting Gus into his car seat.

"I share a car with Daphne, my roommate, but she has it today so I guess I'm coming with you guys.

"Okay, get in", Brian said. And so they drove off towards the park.

Justin felt little uncomfortable sitting in Brian's car. Not that he was afraid that Brian would strangle him or something but 'come on, this was a bit weird', Justin thought. He was luckily rescued by Gus who babbled about Adam and asked Justin a various questions about the book which Justin tried his best to answer.

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