On the Scout

At Justin's and Daphne's

Justin thought he'd found the perfect thing to write as an inscription for Brian to "Adam's Adventures". He had come across a song called "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" and immediately he had thought about Brian and his beautiful hazel eyes. Although Justin wasn't really sure how Brian would react to it.

"Do you think it's too much? I know it's fluffy, but is it too much? Do you think Brian will laugh at me?"

"Do you really feel this way?"

"Yeah."

"So you are telling him about your feelings - why would he laugh?"

"Maybe he thinks I'm just some love sick twink."

"Has he ever treated you like one?"

"Well… no."

"So why would he start now? I'm sure he'd never laugh at you; he wouldn't be so cruel. Even if he didn't return your feelings - which I highly doubt - he would appreciate your honesty."

"You think he has feelings for me?"

Daphne gave Justin a 'duh' look. "Of course he has. But to what extent, that I don't know."

"I hope you're right."

"Ain't I always?"

Justin rolled his eyes at her. "Women!"

Phone

"Lindsay Peterson-Marcus."

"Hi Lindz, it's Justin."

"Oh hi Justin."

"Are you busy?"

"No, I just put Gus for a nap. Is there something wrong?"

"No, I'd just like to talk to you about something."

"Okay. What is it?"

"Actually I'd like to talk face-to-face if that's okay."

"Sure. You can drop by now if you're free."

"Great, I'll be there in about fifteen minutes."

"Okay, see you then. Bye!"

"Bye!"

At the Peterson-Marcus residence

Justin was sitting on the couch and he was quite nervous.

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"This stays between the two of us, right?" Justin asked.

"Sure, if you want."

"Good."

Lindsay waited for a few minutes but Justin didn't say anything. "Spill it. What has he done now?"

"Huh?"

"I assume this is about Brian. So, what did he do?"

"Oh, he hasn't done anything."

"But this is about him?"

"Yeah."

"So…?"

"Well the thing is he asked me to sign the book - Adam's Adventures - for him and I wanted it to be something special."

"Yeah?"

"Well I think I found something."

"So what's the problem?"

"I'm afraid it might be too soppy."

"Oh. Do you have it with you?"

"Yeah." Justin took the paper from his backpack and handed it to Lindsay. "Here."

Lindsay read it twice and looked at Justin who was waiting anxiously.

"Justin this is very beautiful. This shows that you know the real Brian - not only the steely ad-exec. You know, very few people notice Brian's soft side. I'm very glad you're one of them."

Justin smiled. "Thanks. But do you think it'll scare him away 'cause that's the last thing I want to do?"

"To be honest, if you would've asked that a year ago, I would've definitely said 'yes'. But Brian has changed quite a lot since he met you and that's why I'm confident that he won't go anywhere."

Justin felt much better after hearing Lindsay's words 'cause he trusted her and she had known Brian for a long time. "You really think so? You're not just saying that to make me feel good?"

"I mean it. You just have to be careful not to push Brian too much 'cause then he might put his walls up. Just give him time, okay?"

"Okay."

"And one more thing…"

"Yeah?"

"Don't talk about marriage; I think that would be too much for him to handle."

"I won't. Not yet." Justin smirked.

Lindsay smiled. 'God, Brian is so deep in trouble with this kid. Brian is so lucky to have him; I just hope he doesn't fuck it up.'

At the diner

Daphne was sitting at the Liberty Diner waiting for Justin when her cell rang.

"Hi Jus, what's up?"

"Hi Daph. Look, I'm sorry but I can't make it for lunch."

"Oh." Daphne said sounding disappointed.

"Sorry about the short notice but one of our lovely profs decided to give an extra lecture and I have to be there."

"That really sucks."

"Yeah, and not in a positive, life affirming way."

"Yeah well I guess I see you tonight then?"

"Yeah, if I'm alive."

Just then the door to the diner opened and Brian walked in.

"Oh oh." Daphne said.

"What?"

"Guess who just walked in."

"Who?"

"Brian."

"Fuck! I so wanna be there right now."

"I bet. At least I'm here."

"Yeah and what good will that do to me? Zip."

"Tough luck."

"Are you gonna stay there for lunch?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Well, I just thought it's kinda a gay place and all…"

"You know Jus, I'm a big girl; I think I can handle it."

"Yeah yeah. Look, I really have to go now, I'll see you tonight."

"Okay, bye!"

"Bye!"

"Well well, what is a girl like you doing in a place like this?" Brian asked standing beside Daphne's booth.

"I thought I could eat something." Daphne grinned.

Brian raised a brow.

"And I was waiting for Justin but he stood me up."

"Did he now?"

"Yeah, he had some important lecture to attend to."

"In that case, would you mind if I sat with you?"

"Not at all; it's always good to be seen with Mr. Wonderful."

Brian rolled his eyes at the nickname.

"What? I like it."

"Whatever."

"Shouldn't you be at work?"

"Ever heard of the concept of lunch break?" Brian asked cocking his brow.

"Yeah well I've had the impression you didn't eat."

"You thought wrong; I have to eat something or my brain doesn't work and if my brain doesn't work, I can't be the best ad-exec in the world."

"Awww, I love your modesty."

"So, don't you need to be somewhere, studying like a hard-working student?"

"Who has said I'm hard-working?" Daphne said smirking. "Actually we have self-instructional day today and I should be writing an essay but I decided I could take a break and have a lunch with my friend. Who isn't here. So I guess it's your job to entertain me."

"Oh?"

"Yes."

"And how do you think I'll do that?"

"Well you could start by telling me some nasty details of your and Justin's private time. Justin won't share." Daphne pouted.

"Are you serious?" Brian asked staring at Daphne.

"Yeah and I could tell you about my…"

"Okay, stop right now! You're gonna make me sick."

"Oh damn, I guess this works just one way. Can you at least leave the door open for me next time?"

Brian glared at Daphne.

"Is that a no?"

"Yes."

"You're no fun."

"Well, life isn't fair."

"I've noticed. You know, I'm gonna catch you two sometime."

"Good luck."

"Anyway, how are things between you two?"

"Fine."

"Justin told me you ate some cake at Gus' birthday party. I would've liked to see that."

"Yeah well, Justin used extreme measures. I had no choice."

"I guess you punished him afterwards?"

"Oh yes. For hours. Though I'm not sure if that was really a punishment. Justin was very consensual."

"Who wouldn't?"

Brian gave Daphne his patented tongue-in-cheek smirk.

"So I guess you won't tell me any details?"

"No. God, why are you so obsessed with gay sex?"

"Well, duh. Imagine this: two guys - in this case very hot guys I might add - in bed together - what more could a girl wish for?"

"Tell that to Lindz and Mel." Brian grinned.

"Well I think they don't recognize a good thing when they see it."

"I'm with you on that one."

During their talk Brian realized Daphne was very smart and ambitious about her future. He understood why she and Justin were so close. 'This would've been the perfect lunch if Justin would've been here.'

Daphne noticed how Brian's features softened every time he talked about Justin. 'He's so in love with Justin. I just wish he could open up with him and tell him about his feelings', Daphne thought.

"I guess I should be heading back to the office. Do you need a ride?"

"Well I should drop by the campus…"

"Okay, I'll drive you."

"You don't have to do that, I can catch a bus."

"It's no trouble, it's on my way."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Now, come on."

"Hey, there's my friend Cassie. You can drop me here."

Brian pulled over. "Thanks for the company." Brian said and gave Daphne a little kiss on her cheek. Daphne blushed. "Uh… you too. Thanks for the ride." Daphne said opening the door.

"My pleasure. Bye!"

"Bye!"

"Christ Daph! Was that gorgeous man your boyfriend?" Cassie asked excitedly.

"I wish! He plays for the other team."

"So it is true: all the best of them are gay. What a waste!"

"Yeah, in a way it is. But I don't have time to be bitter 'cause he's seeing Justin and they look so perfect together - you just can't break them up, that would be too cruel."

At the loft

"Yeah?"

"Hey, it's me."

"Oh, hey."

"Are you busy?"

"Well, I have to work for a few hours but nothing after that. Did you have something in mind?"

"I just thought maybe we could watch a movie or something."

"Sure. What time are you coming?"

"Actually I'm nearby now and I thought I could come right away so I wouldn't have to drive back and forth. Is that okay? I won't bother your work."

'I wouldn't be so sure about that.' "Yeah, sure. See you in a bit."

"Okay, see you."

Brian was reading a file when he heard a knock on the door and couldn't help the tiny smile that crept on his lips. He opened the door and was rewarded with a sunshine smile.

"Hey."

"Hey yourself." Brian said and pulled Justin into the loft. Before Justin had any time to think, he found himself pushed towards the wall and Brian's lips attacking his. Justin was immediately lost in the kiss; he opened his mouth and felt Brian's tongue fondling his teeth and his own tongue. Justin sucked Brian's tongue and ground himself closer to Brian and felt Brian's hands on his ass. Both men were moaning in pleasure. When they broke the kiss, they were both breathless. Justin grinned at Brian.

"What?"

"I guess you're glad that I'm here, huh?"

Brian cocked a brow. "Whatever."

"Asshole!" Justin exclaimed and slapped Brian on his ass playfully.

"Ouch!"

"Oh please, like that really hurt."

"My skin is very sensitive." Brian said rubbing his ass in an exaggerating way.

Justin rolled his eyes. "I guess I should let you back to work."

Brian sighed. "I guess so. What are you going to do?"

"I have some reading to do and then I thought I'd sketch."

"Okay, I think I need a few hours."

"Okay, I leave you alone now." Justin said and gave Brian a quick kiss and went to the couch.

Brian went back to his desk, although quite reluctantly. To his surprise, he managed to forget the blonde sitting just a few feet away and concentrate on his work. Justin was reading his art history book and when he was sure Brian wasn't paying attention, he searched for "Adam's Adventures" and found it in the self. He opened it and started writing. When he was finished, he put the book back. Justin was a bit scared how Brian would react when he read that so he thought it would be better if Brian were alone then. Justin took his sketchbook and started sketching. He was so into it that he didn't notice Brian coming to stand behind the couch and watching him sketch.

"That's good."

Justin jumped. "Christ! Are you trying to cause me a heart attack?"

"Sorry." Brian said and went to sit with Justin on the couch. "Is that for school?"

"Yeah, we're supposed to draw 'nature's power' and rain and sky have always intrigued me so I decided to draw them."

"So this is for drawing class?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I'd like to have this as a painting. Would you do that? I do know you aren't exactly fond of painting landscapes."

"You want me to paint this for you?"

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Why not? I really like this picture and I think it would match with the other 'Justin Taylor original' which I *already* own."

Justin smiled. "Oh yeah, you were my fan even before you knew me."

"Well, talent is hard to miss."

Justin looked at Brian and saw that Brian really meant that.

"And of course I thought you'd do it cheap and when you are the most famous artist in the world, I could sell them at high price." Brian smirked.

"No, I don't want any money of it."

"You know, with that attitude you'll never be rich. Anyway, I'll pay you; it's only fair."

"But…"

"No buts. I won't take it for free. You paint, I pay - do we have a deal?"

Justin thought for a moment. "Okay."

"Good. But don't take any stress over it; you can paint that whenever you have time and energy 'cause it doesn't have to be ready right away."

"Okay."

"Okay, that's settled then. So, have you eaten?"

"No."

"Well I think we need to order something. You like Chinese, don't you?"

"I love it."

"Chinese it is." Brian ordered the food and grabbed them beers. "So, is there any good movie on TV?"

Justin leafed through the TV guide. "Well there's 'Gone with the Wind'."

"And it takes only three and a half hours."

"I take that as a no."

Brian raised his brows.

"Ookay. Well we have 'Shakespeare in Love' - that's got Joseph Fiennes and Ben Affleck."

"And way too much poetry."

"Not a poetry lover, huh?"

"Not in that extent anyway."

"So you've actually seen it?"

"Well yeah, but I'm not looking forward to see it again."

"What about 'Good Will Hunting'?"

"Isn't Affleck in that too? Are you obsessed with him or something?"

"No, Matt Damon is in that too." Justin grinned.

Brian rolled his eyes. "Do you pick a movie only by the cast?"

"No, but it helps." Justin said and gave Brian a smile.

"Well 'Good Will Hunting' is a pretty good movie, so I'm okay with that."

"Great! Ben and Matt it is."

Brian and Justin ate their dinner while watching the movie. At some point they snuggled into each other's arms on the couch and neither one of them really paid much attention on the movie. They just relaxed and enjoyed each other's company.

"What are you thinking about?" Justin asked.

"I just thought that Mel would have a fit if she'd see me now."

"Why?"

"Well I've never been the cuddling kind of guy."

"Oh."

"At least not until now. But to be honest, this isn't so bad." Brian said and gave a little kiss on Justin's head.

Justin smiled and grabbed Brian's hands a little tighter.

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