vamphile (![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} vamphile) wrote in ![[info]](http://www.insanejournal.com/img/community.gif){kind=small} qaf_drabbles,@ 2008-01-15 17:14:00 |
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| Entry tags: | author: vamphile, epic series: hustler!j/whore in a hoody, outside of challenge |
Whore In A Hoody
Title: Hustler!Justin LXI (Whore in a Hoody)
Author: Vamphile
Condoms: None
|Hustler!Justin | II | III | IV| V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII | XIV | XV | XVI | XVII | XVIII | XIX | XX | XXI | XXII | XXIII | XXIV | XXV | XXVI | XXVII | XXVIII | XXIX | XXX | XXXI | XXXII | XXXIII | XXXIV | XXXV | XXXVI | XXXVII | XXXVIII | XXXIX | XL | XLI | XLII | XLIII | XLIV | XLV | XLVI | XLVII | XLVIII | XLIX | L | LI | LII | LIII | LIV | LV | LVI | LVII | LVIII | LIX | LX |
Hustler Justin LXI
Whore In A Hoody
My days fall into a rhythm. I pick him up at eight and drop him off with the tutor. At one I take him to Peter's. Debbie, or Vic, sometimes Emmett or Michael, take him from Peter's to Debbie's, and I’m there by five. We eat there or I take him out, especially if Debbie’s working. He falls asleep around ten; his new meds are knocking him out. I change clothes and go to Babylon. I get home in time to pass out for a few hours and then I’m there to pick him up at eight. He’s never alone.
~~~730~~~
I’m walking around in a daze. I try to pay attention when Lisle, the tutor is going over test skills, but it’s hard to concentrate. Peter and Brian both told me to tell the psychiatrist about it but I’m not scheduled to see him again for six weeks. Brian’s around a lot but he keeps his distance. He touches me. He still runs his fingers through my hair, or hugs me but it’s like he’s afraid to be alone with me. Peter says that I need to learn to be by myself. It’s a little difficult since I’m never alone.
~~~731~~~
He’s staring at me and I don’t know what to tell him. He’s right, he shouldn’t need a babysitter anymore but Christ, the last time he was alone… I panic thinking about it. If I hadn’t gotten there, if he hadn’t called Peter. I shake my head and he crosses his arms.
“I can walk from Peter's to Debbie’s. I’m an adult. I want afternoons to myself. Call off the guards.”
“You ready to make me a promise?”
“I’m not going to try anything again.”
“Ever?”
“It’s my option. You can’t have it.”
“Then you can’t have afternoon’s to yourself.”
~~~732~~~
We’ve had this conversation before. I’m really tired of it but Brian won’t budge unless I make a commitment I’m not ready to. I sigh. “I’ll call you before I try anything. I swear.”
“And if you think it’s because I don’t want you?”
“I’ll…” he waits and a part of me feels a little special knowing he’s this invested in whether I live or die. Part of me is just exasperated. “I’ll call Peter.”
“And if you can’t get in touch with Peter?”
“Brian… I promised, now can I have a goddamned afternoon to myself?”
“On Monday.”
I smile.
~~~733~~~
What did I just agree to? He could conceivably be left to his own devices for several hours every day. Fuck, I forgot to elicit several other promises from him while he was in the mood to make them. It’s like he can read my mind though.
“Don’t push, Brian, that’s all you’re getting. And no, I’m not checking in or giving you an itinerary.”
Fuck, he saw that coming. “The GED test is in three weeks.” Did I just tell him not to slack off on homework?
“I’ll be fine and I think my babysitters will also be grateful.”
~~~734~~~
I know he worries. I don’t blame him; I’ve put him through the ringer since I met him. I’ve been out of the hospital for two months though and I’m ready to try some of the independence they all keep telling me I need. I’m going to get a job soon too, but he’s so not ready to hear that yet, but I have an idea he can’t possibly object to.
He drops me off at Peter's. I remind him that he promised to take me to Lindsay’s tonight so I can use her studio.
He nods but he’s distracted.
~~~735~~~
I’m fixing creative’s latest screw-up when Peter calls. “What happened?”
“Brian, he’s fine.”
“So…”
“We need to talk about changing his schedule.”
“Do you want to see him later in the day? He’s got his…”
“He doesn’t need this every day. He needs to practice his newfound skills in the real world. He can’t do that if every minute of his day is scheduled by you.”
“I gave him the fucking afternoons.”
“They’re not yours to give.”
“What if he…”
“Brian, I’ll still see him Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, but he needs some time that doesn’t revolve around his issues.”
~~~736~~~
Emmett’s the one who walks me home from Peter's today. “This is stupid you know.”
“Baby, we worry about you.”
I don’t know how much Emmett knows. He’s seen me come out of Peter's office red eyed and quiet. And I guess he knows I’m a hustler. When we get home he shows me the movies he brought. “Every gay boy needs to know who Lana Turner is.”
I shrug but we eat ice cream and popcorn and the movie is so stupid that I laugh but Emmett’s crying. He pulls a blanket over us, calling himself a silly queen.
~~~737~~~
When I get to Debbie’s Justin is curled up with Emmett, asleep. I yank the covers off of them. They whine but Emmett sees my expression and leaves quickly. Justin folds his arms and glares. “I was tired.”
“You complain you’re always tired”
“Well, if you let me sleep...”
“What do you want for dinner?”
“Uggggh, nothing. I ate too much popcorn and ice cream with Emmett.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Brian, wait!”
There’s a note of desperation. “What?”
“I, um… did you talk to Peter?’
“Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Congratulations.”
He smiles launching himself into my arms. “Thank you.”
~~~738~~~
He’s smirking at me. I kiss him and he pulls back. “Justin.”
I don’t care. I have weekends free. I have two days a week when I’m done by one. I’m giddy. I kiss him again. He shakes his head and laughs. “You want me to make you something for dinner?”
“You graduated beyond grilled cheese?”
“Not quite. I can make spaghetti.”
“I’m not really hungry. We can go to Lindsay’s if you want.”
I smile wider. Today’s a good day.
In they car he asks what Emmett and I were doing. I can’t tell if he’s jealous or suspicious.
~~~739~~~
He’s so happy. I don’t trust it. I ask him what he and Emmett did this afternoon primarily to get him to talk about something other than his four days a week to himself. The idea doesn’t sit well with me.
When I hear the note of apology in his voice I start listening more closely. He thinks that I’m mad. “Justin, I just want to know about your day. You’re not in trouble.”
He visibly relaxes and I want to scream again. He still hasn’t figured this out?
Lindsay and Melanie fawn over him while he fawns over Gus.
~~~740~~~
Brian seems hesitant to join us when Lindsay takes me upstairs. I wave and he follows. He hasn’t been up here in a while. He seems surprised. “These are yours?”
I nod. Lindsay stands behind one of them. “Several of his pieces are going to be at the GLC charity auction.” Brian makes a face and Lindsay just smiles at him. “The one you’ll be attending.” He nods but I can tell he doesn’t want to go. I pull on a smock that’s just one of Brian’s old shirts and start trying again to capture the way the light falls.
~~~741~~~
I sit back and watch as Lindsay gives him a few pointers. He listens so intently. I want to think he’s just interested in getting it right. I know there’s a part of him that’s scared to death to get it wrong. He doesn’t though. He’s really good. The images are powerful. Not the bowl of fruit, although there’s a sinister shadow to that too… but the ones that seem to plucked straight out of one of his nightmares, or possibly one of mine.
Lindsay sits next to me and smiles. Justin’s focus is entirely on his painting. It’s refreshing.
~~~742~~~
When I finish Brian’s gone. Lindsay helps me to clean up.
“He’s downstairs with Gus. Justin, I think it’s time to start putting together a portfolio for you.”
“What’s the point?”
“There are several good art schools in the area. With your history and financial situation, you might qualify for financial aid, or even a scholarship.”
“The give scholarships to whores now?”
Her expression reminds me of my mother when I ate all the cookie dough. “They give scholarships to talented young men.”
“Yeah, maybe.” Downstairs Brian is asleep with Gus on his chest. “He needs the sleep. I’ll walk.”
~~~743~~~
The room is dark and Gus is drooling on my shirt. I shift him gently. He gurgles. Melanie’s in the dining room.
“Where’s Justin.”
She’s doesn’t look up from her work. “He left hours ago.”
I and hand her Gus. “You let him walk, alone?”
I recognize the anger as irrational and can’t help it. Lindsay stops me at the door. “Brian, he’s fine. He said you needed your sleep. You look like he’s right. I’m sure he’s…”
“Did he call when he got home?”
“He’s eighteen, he knows the city.”
I leave, dialing Debbie’s while I start the car.
Cont...