"What if ..."

Brian had Left the Carnival with Justin

Take 1

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All Justin could think about was Brian. As Ethan introduced him to yet another self-centered musician, his patience was wearing thin and his boredom was becoming more and more evident. He finally had his chance when Ethan's friends left him alone after his little remark about having a "pretty big cock , too". He told Ethan he was beat, and would see him back home. He didn't care that Ethan knew what he was really going to do. He told himself that he just wanted to see how things turned out, but he knew deep down, that he want to see Brian again. Working on the posters with him was more fun that he expected, not to mention the $500 he was paid. Yes, he learned from the master, alright.

Brian walked around the Center with a smile plastered onto his face. He had worked hard on the carnival, calling in a lot of IOU's among his many tricks and acquaintances. With few exceptions, everyone was eager to join in for the money raising event, not to mention the shock value of the different games and entertainment he had set up. He didn't care what his proposal said, he gave the community what it wanted.

His only problem now, was how to get what HE really wanted. Oh, he got the `vette, alright, with his percentage, but that was a possession. What he really wanted was a certain blond who had been so helpful with the posters. No doubt, they were a big part of the extraordinary turnout. As he maneuvered through the crowds, he kept his eyes open for Justin, in the hopes that he would find a way to be there. His mind was only half on the people who stopped him to offer their congratulations.

As Justin walked up to the Center he couldn't help but notice the multicolored lights strung across the building like a large rainbow and the large number of people going in. He smiled, knowing Brian never did anything halfway. He only hesitated a moment before climbing the stairs.

His eyes opened wide in surprise at the activity in the building. A small smile crept onto his face as he surveyed  his surroundings. "Yep," he thought. "Brian Kinney never does anything half way."

Brian was talking to a dark-haired man when Justin spotted him. Somehow, Brian knew, and turned, giving the man he was talking to a wait-a-minute gesture. Brian and Justin walked slowly toward each other.

"I see you made it."

"Yeah. Wanted to see what my posters were for."

"Mmmm. What do you think?" Brian asked, with his patented tongue-in-cheek smirk.

"It's...you," Justin said, smiling.

"Well, we wouldn't have had the turn out we did, if your posters weren't so hot."

The dark haired man Brian had been talking too walked up to them. He wanted to stake his claim before the young blond could get him.

Justin saw him come up behind Brian. "Well, I guess I'd better be going."

"Wait." Brian grabbed his arm and smiled. "Need a ride?"

Justin nodded, indicating the stranger standing behind Brian. Brian turned to face the once promising trick.

"Maybe another time, huh? I have plans." The man scowled and walked off.

"You sure you want to leave? This is your `baby', you know."

"No one will miss me. In fact, a few people here will be glad to see me leave. Come on. We can go to the diner. It shouldn't be too busy right now."

"I'd like that. I could use something to eat."

"What else is new?" Brian said as he got his coat from the coat check. Putting his hand against Justin's back, he guided him out into the cold air. It felt good after the hot crowded room.

"Where did you park? I don't see the Jeep out here."

"I didn't come in the Jeep. Look around."

Justin's eyes scanned the cars on the street, finally spotting the vintage `vette partially in an alley. Even though some hot guy was leaning on the hood, Justin knew it was Brian's.  He quickly walked up to the car.  "You didn't. You did. This is yours, isn't it?"

Brian smiled, always impressed with how well the younger man knew him.

"Hey, get your ass off my car," Brian said to the guy.

The man stood, facing Brian. "Oh, is this yours? Nice, man." Then he looked at the young blond by his side.

"Yes it's mine. Now move it."

"Asshole," the man mumbled as he sauntered out of the alley.

Brian opened the passenger door for Justin and waited for him to get settled before closing it.

"This is great, Brian. When did you get it? It must have cost a fortune."

"Yesterday. With my percentage of the take for the carnival."

Brian listened to Justin, jabbering like nothing had happened between them. When Justin stopped looking through the glove compartment, he smiled at Brian.

Brian leaned over and placed a soft kiss on Justin's red lips. Startled, Justin pulled away.

"I'm sorry, Sunshine. I..it won't happen again." Brian reached to start the car, but Justin's pale hand stopped him.

"Why not,  Brian?"

The words were only a whisper, but Brian could feel the hot breath on his cheek.

"Why not, Brian?"

Brian turned his head as Justin leaned in to return the soft kiss.

"Why not, Brian?"

Brian reached up to grasp the younger man by the back of his neck, pulling him closer. Their lips met again, at first soft and tentative. Then harder as each man opened his mouth, tongues probing. After seconds, minutes, hours, days, they broke away.

"That's why not, Baby. That's why not."

Brian started the car as Justin sat back in his seat, thinking about what happened.  His mind was reeling. He knew what he wanted and evidently it was the same thing Brian wanted.

As they found a parking spot in front of the diner, Justin found his voice. "I don't think I'm all that hungry, right now. Maybe we can go somewhere special."

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