Justin has a surprise for his partner upon his return home; Brian presents Justin with his last flower.
oOo
Later that Afternoon...
As the small, private jet slowly came to a stop on the tarmac and Justin peered out the window, he had to admit that flying this way definitely had its advantages. One was being able to land at a smaller, municipal airport away from all the bustling activity at the larger international airport, as well as flying in more comfort with only a few other passengers, all Kinnetik employees who were returning from a business trip to the Big Apple. He even knew a few of them, some of whom politely acknowledged him - knowing his relationship to Brian - but also kept an unobtrusive distance from him on the relatively short flight back to Pittsburgh. Yes, there was a distinct perk to having a partner who owned his own mode of sleek transportation.
But the main benefit was being able to see his partner standing by the glass panels of the lone terminal, waiting for him when the jet taxied up. As he peered through the jet's window, he couldn't help smiling as his eyes honed in on his lover; he noticed Brian's handsome face relaxing as he gave him a slightly crooked smile of acknowledgment in return, his tall frame perfectly silhouetted in the tailored, black suit he was wearing. It made Justin feel so special that his partner would take time out of his work day at Kinnetik to come out and greet him, and he couldn't wait to be held in his arms again.
Waiting impatiently a few minutes later for everyone to retrieve their luggage from the overhead bins, he walked hurriedly with his overnight bag slung over his shoulder toward the gateway. Descending onto the tarmac along with the others, he headed toward the door leading him into the terminal where Brian and a few others were waiting for their loved ones to return.
He noticed as he emerged from the doorway that Brian was hanging back slightly, away from the small crowd, but from the moment he emerged the hazel eyes were fixed upon his every step. His heart immediately accelerated as he hurried over as quickly as he could to his partner, his warm smile promptly turning him into mush.
As soon as Justin was within reaching distance, Brian closed the remainder of the gap by sweeping him into his arms as Justin sighed with pleasure; finally, it felt like home. It always felt like home whenever he was held in Brian's arms. But to know that he would now be able to wake up each morning with the man he loved, and go to sleep nestled against his warm, familiar body filled him with joy. They stood there embracing as the others exited the waiting room, oblivious to anyone else, until finally they pulled back to gaze into each other's faces.
"What? No flowers?" Justin asked at last with a teasing smile.
Brian shrugged, rolling his lips under and belying his serious expression. "Sorry, Sunshine; too much trouble getting them through security."
Justin nodded solemnly. "I see. I come back home, and the flowers immediately stop." He sighed melodramatically. "Well, I guess I should have sent YOU Forget-me-nots, then." He grinned to let Brian know he was being facetious; the flowers had been wonderful (at least after he figured out who had been sending them), but being here with Brian right now was more important than any romantic gesture could ever be. He was expecting an answering snort in response, but instead his partner stared at him intensely; so much so that Justin wondered if he had said something wrong.
Brian peered into the beautiful face he knew so well for a few moments before he softly replied, "You've always been unforgettable to me, Sunshine." Before his partner could commence with his 'allergies' - and Brian could see the blue eyes watering with the telltale signs of a pending outbreak - he released him to tug on his wrist. "Let's get going," he suggested as he began to pull him toward the escalator heading down to street level. He did not want to waste one second of their time together.
But Justin surprised him when he shook his head and replied, "Can't. We have to stop at baggage claim first."
Brian chuckled. "For a week? You normally wear the same pair of Chino's two days in a row. What could you possibly have down at baggage claim that you couldn't fit in that god awful duffel bag to last for a week?" Justin still had the ratty, horrid bag he had toted from place to place for years, ever since his father had unceremoniously kicked him out of the house. It was torn in spots and faded, but it did have ample room in it, and Justin seemed to have some odd, sentimental attachment to it for some reason. "I know!" Brian exclaimed. "We need to retrieve a pet."
Justin appeared shocked as he played along. "Fuck, how did you know?" He saw Brian gape at him in reaction; as much as he might actually like having a pet to keep him company, he knew his time was much too limited to devote proper attention to one, and most of all, Brian would be aghast at the thought. Of course, that was what made it all the more enjoyable to tease him about it, though.
"Justin..." came the warning.
Justin hefted his bag onto his shoulder, one hand resting on his hip. "I'm kidding, Brian! Now do you want to stand here, wasting time, or go get the rest of my things so we can head back to your place and really get reacquainted?"
Brian sighed in relief. "Asshole," he grumbled good-naturedly. "Okay; let's go pick up Fifi, and then we can get to know each other again in the biblical sense."
Justin rolled his eyes and grinned back at him as Brian's hand released his wrist to intertwine their hands together before they proceeded toward the escalator.
A few minutes later, the two men stood next to the small baggage carousel with a few other passengers from some other flights, watching as the luggage began to emerge from below. It didn't take long for Justin to point out two nondescript, plain boxes taped shut that soon appeared on the conveyor belt. "There they are," he told Brian. One box was a medium-sized, square shape, while the other one was wide and flat; Brian assumed that one must contain art supplies, even though he couldn't for the life of him figure out why Justin had brought them with him. He had plenty of supplies back at Britin to use. Besides, Brian had no intention of his partner squirreling himself away in his studio while they were together; he got to see him far too little as it was, and he was determined to make the most of their time.
"Grab that," Justin told him, as the flat box approached where they were standing. Tongue firmly in cheek, Brian reached over to squeeze a certain part of Justin's anatomy, evoking a sudden squeak from his lover, who promptly blushed a deep red as everyone nearby turned to see what had startled him. "Brian!" he hissed under his breath as he snatched his wandering hand away, remembering a similar time several years ago when they were at Debbie's, right after he had obtained permission to return to PIFA. "Behave!" he admonished him, unable to keep a half-smile off his face as Brian grinned back at him impishly.
Sighing in disappointment, his partner reached for the flatter of the two boxes as Justin retrieved the square one from the carousel. Adjusting the weight of the overnight bag on his shoulder, Justin nodded. "That's all of it." It didn't escape his notice how his entire life in New York City had been contained within these two boxes and the overnight bag; at least, the important things. But the MOST important part was the man standing next to him, frowning over the heavy weight of the box in his hands and the awkward shape.
"Justin, what is IN this? Please don't tell me it's art supplies," Brian pleaded, leaning closer so only his lover could hear, "...because I have no intention of sharing you with any other hobby except me this week. You'll be lucky to even get out of bed."
Justin laughed softly as he replied, "Brian, I'll need to at least use the bathroom and eat while I'm here."
"Bathroom for showers - with the two of us - and to piss, yes," Brian agreed. "We'll order takeout deliveries for the food; end of problem."
They began to walk toward the exit now as Justin chuckled. "I expect our friends, Debbie, and my mom may want to see me, too."
"They can watch."
Justin giggled. "Well, that should make for some interesting conversation," he agreed. "But I don't think that will go over too well with my mom and Debbie. Although they've both seen it over and over by now, I think they would prefer I visit them in more of a vertical position." There had been numerous occasions where both women had interrupted them before in a 'compromising position.' And they had never made any secret of their sexual shenanigans in the back room at Babylon, or in Brian's private office at Kinnetik.
"So I'll fuck you on the steps going up to the second floor; that should be hot. I don't think we've tried doing it there yet. And there's always the dining room table, since we won't be using it to eat."
Justin's face grew hot as thoughts of him and Brian christening Britin on practically every surface of the home swirled through his mind. The day after Brian had proposed, he had worn him out that morning as they had discovered the best places to satisfy their sexual appetites, learning that Britin - with its angled furniture, soft, plush rugs, stables, pool, and tennis courts, provided them will all sorts of kinks for their pleasure. He shook his head as Brian grinned. "Nice try," he murmured as they reached Brian's company vehicle - a medium-sized SUV used on Kinnetik business; his partner had fortunately chose that over his 'Vette, which would have posed a storage problem.
As they put the boxes into the back of the vehicle and slid inside, Brian glanced over at his partner, pausing for a few seconds to admire his beauty. Even now, even after all these years, Justin did something to his emotions that no one else ever had. Whether that was another name for love, he wasn't sure. He DID love him - deeply, truly, and irrevocably - and this man was the perfect match for him, physically and mentally. He would always be grateful that they had met that fateful night so many years ago. Where had the time gone? He wondered.
"Brian? You okay?" Justin asked softly as he latched his seatbelt, noticing the odd look on his lover's face.
Brian blinked, seemingly coming out of a trance as he nodded with a reassuring smile, focusing once more on his partner. "I'm fine," he told him. "I'm...just glad that you're back home, at least temporarily." He paused before inquiring quietly, "Justin, it IS home to you...isn't it?"
Justin reached over to lightly cup Brian's cheek with his hand, stroking the slightly rough skin as he replied, "Of course it is. This will always be my home. And you will always have my heart." He caressed Brian's jaw briefly before smiling softly at him and reaching over to squeeze his leg.
Brian nodded, satisfied, as he turned to start the SUV.
"Wait...Brian..."
Brian turned to peer over at his partner, arching an eyebrow questioningly as Justin stated, "There's something I need you to know."
Oh, boy, Brian couldn't help thinking. Here it comes. He's going to head somewhere else now; somewhere where his career can progress even more rapidly than it already has. Will it be overseas? Somewhere that will severely limit our time together, even more than it already has? Well, he decided, wherever it is, I will support him, because I want him to succeed and be happy. "Okay," he finally replied simply as he gazed over at him with apprehension.
Justin took a deep breath. This wasn't the most appropriate of places to tell Brian about such an important decision, but at least they were alone. And he could no longer hold back from telling him. He had to know what his reaction would be, and he was way too excited to keep it inside any longer. "Those boxes I brought home with me?"
Brian nodded.
"Well, they weren't just for my trip back here for the week." He took another deep breath. "I sold most of my furnishings that I had in my apartment," he revealed. "Those two boxes are pretty much all I have left now."
Brian swallowed hard. So he WAS moving somewhere else. "So where are you moving to?" he asked quietly, hoping it might at least be in the same time zone.
Justin frowned. "Nowhere." He hid a smile, then, as he realized why Brian had asked him that. He must think he is moving somewhere else for his art. "Well, that's not exactly true," he added with an enigmatic smile, deciding to play along just a little.
Brian stared over at him in dread, his impatience and anxiety growing with each second. "Justin, just fucking tell me!" he finally growled, rubbing his hand over his face in exasperation. "Where are you going now?" Did it really matter where, though? Anywhere was too far away for him.
Justin quietly unlatched his seatbelt and scooted closer to his partner, squeezing his thigh. He could see the anxiety written all over his face, so perhaps now was not the time to be joking. "Brian...that's what I'm trying to tell you. I am moving; but I'm moving back home. Back home to you, to us. Sylvia still wants to represent me; hell, she practically begged me to keep her as my agent! And I'll still need to take trips back to New York City whenever there are exhibitions at the gallery, and I've assured her that I won't have any problem with that. But there's no reason, especially in this day and age, why I can't conduct a lot of my business over the web. If I have to take quick trips back to the city, also, it's fine. What's important, though, is that that's exactly what it will be: short, temporary trips, just to take care of business."
Justin paused, peering over thoughtfully at his partner. Brian was facing forward, staring out at the parking lot, and hadn't said a word during his entire explanation. Was he disappointed in his decision? Did he think he was making a big mistake coming back home? "Brian...this is right for me. It's time. I don't want to keep commuting back and forth between here and New York City. This is where my mom and sister live, and where all my friends are. This is my home, Brian; you're my home. It's time to come back to where I really belong." He observed his partner purse his lips together then, his hands still firmly on the steering wheel. "Brian, please...say something. Say I'm a fucking idiot to be doing this. Say I'm making a bad decision. Say something! But I want you to know - I'm NOT going to change my mind. I'm here to stay, whether you agree or not." Justin bit his lower lip anxiously before he added in a whisper, "And I want to live at Britin with you...if you'll still have me, and if that's what you want, too."
At last, Brian turned his head to peer over at him, his eyes dark and intense. Had he heard all that correctly? Was Justin actually coming home for good? No more back-and-forth, hurried dalliances between them, a few days at a time? No more jerking off through the computer, only imagining what it felt like to be holding him, loving him, touching him? No more days of loneliness, craving his skin, his mouth, his voice? Could he really drift off to sleep, sated and contented after a lusty round of fucking, legs and arms tangled together? And would Justin be there every morning now, as the first rays of sunlight streamed in through the majestic, tall windows? He wet his lips, his voice sounding hoarse as he replied, "You really do mean that? You want to come back here to live?"
Justin smiled as he reached to clasp Brian's hand, finding it tightly held in return, almost as if Brian were trying to ensure he really was here. "Yes," he told him firmly with a smile. "I can't think of anything I want more; unless you can somehow arrange to have some of my work displayed at MOMA, too."
Relaxing now, Brian stared into his eyes before he smiled. "It will be one day," he answered him. "And I want to be there when it happens. I can tell everyone I knew you when."
Justin grinned. "When I was a stalker who wouldn't go away? Or when I was being stalked by some flower-obsessed fan?"
"No," Brian whispered with a half-smile of his own, his heart swelling over the news that one of his most fervent desires was about to come true. Tomorrow - and every day going forward now - when he woke up, he knew Justin would be there with him. And every night he would also be the last image he saw before slumber overtook him. He had long realized that being with Justin was a lot more than just physical attraction. Certainly, that had never wavered. But their relationship had progressed to something a great deal deeper than that. To be able to nurture it - and to be able to be together permanently again - was something he could have only dreamed of before. Now, however, it was going to be a reality.
He shook his head as he realized Justin was expecting a response. "No...I'll tell them I knew you when you were this amazingly courageous man who let nothing or no one get in his way of acquiring his dreams and remaining true to his convictions. And I'll tell them how he managed to capture the heart of someone who didn't even know how to truly love until he showed him how." He pursed his lips together, always feeling a bit exposed when he expressed his emotions aloud. Only Justin and his son could encourage him to say such sentiments, but that only proved how deep his love was for them.
Justin shook his head. "No, Brian," he corrected him softly. "You always felt love all along. You showed it every day; you STILL show those you love how much you care about them. I just maybe allowed you to be more open about it."
Brian nodded as he turned to place his other hand under Justin's chin. "I'll accept that," he agreed with a soft smile as he leaned in to sample the soft lips he would never stop craving.
"So you're okay with my decision?" Justin pressed him as they pulled back. "Because either way, it doesn't really matter. I'm staying here regardless."
Brian slowly caressed his lover's jaw as he grinned. "You always were a persistent, stubborn little shit, weren't you? In everything you do."
"When it comes to things - and people - that I care about, you're damn right I am. Now can we get going? I have some unpacking to do, and a mother who will be knocking on our doorstep if I don't go see her sometime today."
"Yes, Sir," Brian dutifully replied in amusement as he started the vehicle and put it in gear. "Does Jennifer know you are back home to stay?" he asked as Justin reattached his seatbelt.
Justin nodded. "Yeah, I thought it best to just go ahead and let her know beforehand. I talked to her last night. I figured that way, she could take care of telling everyone else, and I won't have to."
Brian chuckled knowingly. "You mean by virtue of DT&T...Debbie Telephone and Telegraph." He slowly backed the SUV out of the parking space, and proceeded toward the pay booth to exit.
Justin smiled. "Exactly."
"Well, then, that part is taken care of. So now all we have to do is head out to Britin...get your stuff unpacked - and then I'll be in charge of unpacking you."
One Year Later...Justin's Birthday - 7 a.m.
The sunlight was flooding into their bedroom as Brian slowly opened his eyes. Normally he would have felt chilled in the cavernous room at this time of year, because invariably he would kick his sheet and duvet away during the night. At the moment, though, he felt incredibly warm and snug, due in large part to his partner's slender frame snuggled against his, Justin's leg hooked over his lower body, almost as if he were afraid he might try to escape during the night. He smiled as he gazed down at the familiar, blond head, his arm tightening slightly around his lover's shoulder. He couldn't think of a more perfect way to wake up in the morning, and he had been enjoying this wake-up method for several months now. He hadn't even realized how much he had missed this until Justin had returned from New York City. Just to wake up each morning holding Justin in his arms automatically meant that no matter how shitty the rest of the day might wind up being, he knew it would start out incredibly well, and end in much the same way.
He leaned his head down just enough to kiss the soft strands of hair on top of Justin's head, regretting that he had to leave his embrace, especially on his birthday. But an important client had insisted on a meeting today while he was in town for the week, and Brian wanted to handle it personally. For now, then, he would have to make do with a little 'celebrating' until later, when he planned to take his partner out for dinner for a more traditional recognition of his birthday. He had been lying to Justin - and to himself - all along those many years ago when he had proclaimed that he didn't think just being born on a particular day was anything to really commemorate. He may have felt that way before, but when his beloved son was born - and when he met Justin the same day - he realized that birthdays could be a very special event. Now, he wouldn't think of not recognizing both of their birthdays; the son he loved so deeply, and the man he could not ever envision being without.
Gently nudging Justin's leg so it was no longer tangled with his, he twisted his body to drape himself on top of his partner, his arms braced to either side of his lover as he peppered light kisses, licks, and nips along the pale neck cord. He heard Justin sigh as he stirred, the signs of a smile beginning to form on his face as he realized he was getting his favorite wakeup call.
Brian smiled in return as he softly kissed the warm lips. "Wake up, Birthday Boy," he murmured, his breath ghosting across Justin's cheek. He could feel Justin's desire ramping up between them as his own cock began to do the same; he groaned as they rubbed together and his desire grew.
Kissing both eyelids, Brian pulled back enough to witness the golden eyelashes flutter open, and a pair of expressive, blue eyes slowly appear. Justin's smile grew wider as he at last gazed into his partner's loving face, and he registered what Brian had whispered to him. "Best birthday ever already," he whispered back. It didn't matter how little or how much he and Brian did today to commemorate the occasion; just being back home and waking up in his arms each morning was like having every previous birthday rolled into one.
"You're so easy," Brian teased back, his voice low and smooth as silk. His hand slid, palm down, to the middle of Justin's chest, making his partner shiver in reaction, before it reached its desired target. He heard Justin gasp as he curled his hand around the base of his hot shaft, feeling it throbbing under his ministrations. "I see you're fully awake now." He licked his lips and smiled at the expression on his lover's face, knowing that his hand was having its desired effect, as he felt the organ expand under his touch. "I guess we can start with the proper birthday blowjob first," he decided, as he slid his body downward until he could briefly inhale the unique, enticing scent of Justin's skin; attribute it or not to good old pheromones, perhaps, but an aroused, sweaty Justin always seemed to smell a little differently than 'artist' or 'cooking' Justin who was not in the throes of passion. No matter what role he might be playing at any given time, however, his partner always smelled so damn good. He was glad that they had not showered yet, for he had told the truth so many years ago - he would always prefer smelling his partner's skin to smelling his latest soap or shampoo. There was just something utterly intriguing and masculine, yet almost sweet in a way when it came to the way he smelled.
A loud moan escaped Justin's parted lips as Brian's hot, wet lips plastered themselves onto his cock, and his partner's tongue did some sort of crazy swirling motion; an action that always drove him crazy. "Ahh...Brian..." he loudly moaned. He could feel, rather than see, Brian's lips spreading farther apart into a smirk as he squeezed his eyes tightly shut and clenched one hand in the sheet to the side of him, while the other grabbed a thatch of soft, brown hair as he desperately tried to hold onto some sense of restraint. His need was much too great, however, and his desire way too strong to hold on for very long as Brian sped up his motions with his lips while one hand cupped his balls, the other gripping the base firmly with his fingers. After a few seconds, he made a type of vibration against his skin, sounding like an 'mmm' sound, and Justin was lost, erupting down his lover's throat as he cried out and arched off the bed, almost taking some strands of Brian's hair with him along the way. As his partner released him and took a few seconds to lap up any remnants of his come with his talented tongue, all Justin could do was lay there, sweaty, exhausted, sated, and completely and utterly content. His chest heaved up and down and his heart pounded like someone schussing down the steepest, snowy slope as Brian gave the tip of his cock one last, quick kiss before sliding back up so they were face-to-face.
Smiling lazily up at him, Brian couldn't help returning his smile as he brushed some sweaty hair back from his lover's face and pecked him playfully on the nose.
"The Birthday Boy wants a birthday fuck in the shower," Justin decided as he pulled Brian down by the back of the neck to kiss him deeply before pushing him off. "Now." He grinned as he slid off the mattress and tugged on Brian's wrist to join him.
Brian rolled his eyes and sighed. "Well, it'll be a hard job, but I think I'm up to the task, Mr. Taylor," he told him as he joined him by the side of the bed. "But we need to change things up just a bit," he added.
Justin raised an eyebrow in question. "We do?"
Brian nodded as he leaned in to whisper, "Birthday Boy's choice, just for today. Fuckee...or fucker."
Justin's smile was radiant with delight. This was definitely going to be a birthday to end all birthdays, even if it ended right here. "Can the Birthday Boy have both? I can be very selfish."
Brian grinned. "Selfishness does have its place." Taking a moment to tickle his partner's side, eliciting a round of giggles, he took advantage of Justin's temporary incapacitation to get a head start. "First one in the shower is the fucker!" he told him as he took off in a trot.
"Hey!" Hearing Brian's laughter ringing throughout the room, Justin laughed as he scampered after him.
Later that Evening
"I am SO stuffed!" Justin groaned as he stumbled into the family room and fell down onto the couch. "Why did I eat so much?"
Brian snickered as he sat down next to his partner. "Maybe because your eyes are a lot bigger than your stomach, Sunshine? I don't recall having to twist your arm to eat a second piece of tiramisu earlier."
"But it was so fucking good, Brian! You don't know what you missed!"
"An hour on the treadmill tomorrow for that? Yes, Mr. Taylor, I know exactly what I missed. I don't have the same metabolic rate as you. Just you wait, though; one day Mother Nature will catch up with you, and you'll be some old man with a pot belly from all the desserts and beer you've drunk, and you'll be sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch, holding binoculars in one hand as you watch people go about their business all day, and a fly swatter in the other."
Justin stared over at him before he burst out laughing. "What? Fuck you, Kinney!" He punched Brian in the arm as his partner grinned back at him. He smiled as he leaned his head over to rest against Brian's shoulder and simply whispered, "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For indulging my more sentimental side today. For making this one of the best birthdays I ever had. For..." He felt his voice breaking as he added, "For being the best partner a man could ever have. For loving me."
Brian was about to reply with some snarky remark of his own, but suddenly found that he couldn't do it. "Ditto, Sunshine," he murmured instead as he played with the top of Justin's hair before reaching down to take his hand in his. He stared down at their clasped hands, silently thinking about how grateful he was to have Justin back home with him, and just how incredibly happy he was; how he could live this way for the rest of his life.
"This is nice," Justin whispered as he snuggled closer and closed his eyes, breathing in Brian's cologne. He would never be able to go anywhere without associating the expensive fragrance with anyone but him.
"Well, I guess you don't need my last surprise, then," Brian murmured unexpectedly, chuckling as his partner's eyes immediately popped open and he quickly raised his head to peer over at him like an eager, little boy.
"What surprise?" he asked, his eyes alight with excitement. "Tell me!"
Brian shrugged. "I was just joking. Hey, cut it out!" he exclaimed a few seconds later when Justin promptly launched himself on top of his partner and began tickling him. He squirmed, trying to throw his partner off, but he was surprisingly strong as he continued his attack.
"Tell me where it is!" He demanded as Brian laughed, vainly holding up his hands in defense to try and ward him off.
"Okay, okay!" his partner finally acquiesced, pulling Justin's head down for a toe-curling kiss; it seemed to be the only way to take his mind off torturing him. Releasing his breathless partner several seconds later, he grinned at the dazed look on his face as he informed him, "It's inside the piano."
Justin punched his arm and laughed. "You fucker! I would never look there!" When Brian had purchased Britin, some of the furniture - along with a baby grand piano - had been included, even though neither of them played; well, Justin knew how to play chopsticks from his childhood - to Brian's consternation - but at least for the time being, it was more for other guests to enjoy.
Brian smiled as if he were proud of himself. "I know."
Justin scrambled off his lap to quickly head over to the white instrument, lifting the lid of the piano to retrieve a small, square box before carefully closing the heavy top and returning to sit by Brian's side. His partner watched silently as Justin carefully slid the silver ribbon away from the white box and, setting the ribbon aside - no doubt to wind up in some sort of memento box or scrapbook later - he carefully lifted the lid to peer inside. He smiled as he lifted the object up to get a better look at it. "I see you found one more," he told his partner as he held up the lone, yellow rose and sprig of baby's breath,bringing it up to his nose to inhale the sweet scent.
"But I'm a little old to be going to some dance, aren't I?" For an instant, Justin regretted his statement, as he noticed a glimmer of pain on Brian's face; no doubt from another time when they had danced. A time that he desperately wished he could remember, but sadly assumed he never would.
Brian recovered quickly, however, as he explained, "It's not for a dance, Justin."
His partner frowned. "But it's a boutonnière. What else would it be for?" He chuckled. "Was I supposed to wear it to dinner earlier with my cotton shirt and jeans? If I was, you're about two hours - and two tiramisus - too late." Dinner at the Italian restaurant had been distinctly casual, which had been fine with him. He didn't need some ostentatious, five-star restaurant to celebrate his birthday; all he needed was the man presently sitting next to him.
Brian paused for a second before he replied, "Well, you can also wear it with a tux to celebrate other occasions. Like...weddings," he added quietly.
Justin frowned. "Someone we know is getting married?"
Brian smiled at his question. "Maybe. That depends."
"Maybe?" he took another whiff of the delicate fragrance as he admired the single flower's beauty and symmetry, taking a moment to marvel at how amazing nature could be.
Brian sighed as he took Justin's other hand in his, his thumb slowly caressing his skin; the mere sensation made Justin's body tingle and his pulse race. "You know...for someone who is so intelligent, Mr. Taylor, you can sometimes be really dense." He waited a few seconds, watching Justin's face until he could tell he finally knew what he was trying to say.
"Brian?" his partner asked, his mouth agape in shock as his eyes widened in comprehension. "You're not...You don't...This isn't for..." For once, he was less than eloquent to the point of being nearly speechless. Surely Brian didn't mean what he was thinking he meant. His gaze rapidly shifted back and forth from the flower to Brian's face. He refused to believe it. He was simply jumping to conclusions. He took a deep breath. "Never mind," he muttered. He laughed at himself. "I think I might have a new superhero companion for Rage now - The Babbler." He tried to rise to his feet, suddenly feeling ridiculous, but Brian's grip on his wrist stopped him.
"Justin..."
The quiet tone of his partner's voice caused Justin to sit back down and slowly turn his face to peer over at him. He swallowed hard. Was this really happening? He had dreamed of this day - of getting another chance one day - but he had never really believed it would ever occur.
Gently extracting the boutonniere from his partner's hand and placing it down beside him on the couch, Brian reached to take both of Justin's hands in his as he turned his body so their knees were touching. His heart was thumping in his chest. This was so foreign to him, even now. When he had first proposed to Justin in that shithole of an apartment Justin had called a home, he had to admit Justin had at least been partially right; at the time, he had done it somewhat out of fear. Fear of what might happen in the future, and fear of what could have been - that Justin could have been one of those killed or seriously hurt. The mere idea of that had made him extremely fearful, and at the time he didn't want to waste one more moment letting this special man know just how deeply he loved him; how he couldn't survive without him. When he had been rebuffed, he had still persisted, and proposed to Justin again - here in front of the fireplace in this same room - where he had made sure to show with his actions as well as his words how sincere he was. They had almost made it that time, too. Almost.
In hindsight, however, Justin had been right. It had not been the right time for either of them. But now...now he knew it was. He knew this was his soul mate, and the person he wanted to spend every day with. The person he wanted to share his hopes, his dreams, his fears, his sorrows, and his joy with. Now, all he had to do was convince Justin of that.
"Justin, you know exactly what I mean." He half-smiled as he added, "Just don't expect me to get down on my fucking knees to do it."
His lover's eyes grew even wider, and his hands trembled beneath the larger, stronger ones gripping his gently but firmly. There was no doubt now what Brian was trying to say. "Brian...I...I don't need you to..."
"I know you don't," his partner replied. "But I'm no longer afraid of the 'Big C,' Justin. And it's not cancer this time."
"But I'm happy, Brian. I told you before...I know you love me, and you know I love you. I'm so fucking happy here - with you. A piece of paper or rings won't change that."
"No, they won't," Brian agreed as he stared into the fathomless, blue eyes; the eyes that held so much emotion and love in them. "But that's not really the point, is it? Needing it - and wanting it - can be two very different things. And I know you, Justin Taylor. I know you better sometimes than I know myself. And I know you want that confirmation in front of our family and friends. You want to share our happiness with them. And so do I." He curled his lips under, determined to convince this man that he wanted the same. "Yeah, I could do without the outward, hetero signs of commitment. But God forbid, if anything should happen to me...I want there to be no question about where everything goes, or who makes the decisions for me." He sucked in a deep breath before letting it out. "Rest assured, though...If something should ever happen to you...whether there was a piece of paper or not, nothing would stop me from being there with you every step of the way. But making it all legal would mean there was no question about it."
"I know what you're saying, Brian. I would be there, too; you know that. But that isn't enough to get married! We can sign legal papers for that."
"Maybe. Maybe not. Even with all the changes in the past few years, there's always going to be some loopholes. I want to avoid that. Justin, you need to understand. There's more to this than that. I...I don't mind anymore, Sunshine. You already had me anyway; this is just an outward sign of it. I don't mind the idea of wearing a ring, your ring, anymore." He smiled a crooked smile as he explained. "As long as it's in good taste. And fortunately for YOU, I have excellent taste...in jewelry, and in husband material."
Justin had to grin at that; so typically Brian, and one of the reasons why he loved him so dearly. "I'm flattered," he murmured as his partner smiled back at him. His smile faded a little into uncertainty as he asked, "Brian, are you sure? Absolutely sure about this? I'm not going anywhere, whether we're partners...or anything else."
"You're damn straight you're not," his lover growled, making Justin's face warm over the possessive tone of his partner's voice. "I won't let you go," he added more softly.
Justin blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. "I won't let you go, either."
Brian waited anxiously for several seconds before he couldn't stay silent any longer. "So what's it going to be, Sunshine? Here, Hawaii, Babylon, the diner? Even the fucking justice of the peace; I don't care. Just say it." He arched one eyebrow expectantly.
Justin licked his lips. He believed it. He believed that Brian was being sincere and honest. Well, it was time for him to do the same. The thought of being this incredible man's husband filled him with boundless joy. He finally nodded before a radiant smile broke out on his face. Squeezing Brian's right hand, he simply replied, "Yes. And I don't care where. Anywhere."
Brian's face relaxed as he squeezed his hand back. "But you want our family and friends there."
Justin nodded. "Yes."
Brian smiled. "Consider it done, then." He let go of Justin's hands as he fished inside his jeans pocket to retrieve something. Grasping it firmly, he turned his hand, palm up, to display a simple but elegant titanium band with one brilliant diamond in the center. It was not the ring that Justin remembered from before, but it was still stunning.
Now a couple of tears did fall as Justin whispered, "Brian...it's beautiful."
Brian shyly curled his lips under as he replied - unable to help himself, "Not as beautiful as you." Grasping Justin's right hand in his, he slid the band onto his ring finger; it was a perfect fit. Gazing up into his partner's face, he surprised Justin by explaining, "This is not your wedding ring. This is your engagement ring to let everyone else know you are officially off the market, Mr. Taylor."
Justin flushed with pleasure as he admired how the ring gleamed under the light, turning his hand slightly so he could admire how it reflected like a multi-hued prism. "It's...I love it," he murmured, his heart swelling with joy.
"When we DO get married," Brian advised him, "...I have the rings. The same rings as before. You just name the place and the day. And I'll make sure someone's there to marry you. Someone hot."
Justin grinned in amusement. "Well, whoever it is, make sure he's as hot as you, okay?" What Brian just said about the rings finally registered as he asked, "You've kept them? The same rings as before? You never DID return them? Even after I left?"
Brian shook his head. "No," he whispered, feeling a little uncomfortable and vulnerable. He took a deep breath to steady himself as he explained, "I didn't have the heart to. Whether we ever made it legal or not, I guess I still hoped that one day we would be wearing them. Somehow I think I knew, even back then." He shook his head in amusement and smiled as he reached to gently brush the tears away from his partner's cheeks. "You always were such a damn, sentimental twat," he chided him as his hand slid around to grip the back of Justin's neck. "And I wouldn't have you any other way." He paused for a moment as Justin's eyes lifted to meet his. "Fuck, I love you," he blurted out before he lost his nerve. The beaming smile that broke out then on his partner's - now fiancé's - face was worth any uneasiness he continued to feel whenever he was so verbal about his feelings.
"I love you, too, Brian Kinney," was the fervent reply as they kissed deeply, their hands sliding around each other's backs to pull their bodies closer together, the yellow rose - lying beside them -temporarily forgotten.