Title: Educating Justin - Chapter 27: He’s with Me
Title: Educating Justin - Chapter 27: He’s with Me Characters: Brian/Justin Rating: Story - NC-17 Warning: AU (characters are in canon along timelines 1-3) Disclaimer: All characters and situations from Queer As Folk are the property of Russell T. Davies, CowLip Productions, Tony Jonas Productions, Showtime Networks Inc. and others. No copyright infringement is intended.
Story Summary: Justin Taylor and his boyfriend Ethan Gold, with whom he is living, are Juniors at PIFA. When Justin discovers that Ethan has been cheating on him – again – he confronts him, Ethan states that he has to seek other companionship because Justin is frigid. Justin enlists Brian Kinney to teach him how to be more sexually alluring and responsive so he can win the heart of the man he loves. But just who is it that Justin loves?
A story index and earlier chapters can be found here
For tootiredtosleep and vlredreign because meeting your internet friends in person for dinner is fun and interesting. It's really nice to have friends like you two; and besides I promised. Okay, it was a month ago, but eventually I keep my promises.
Currently working without a Beta net - all mistakes are mine. Probably only one or two more chapters, then back to Turbulence.
Educating Justin
Chapter 27: He’s with Me
Justin watched as Brian turned the Jeep down the street lined with parked cars and red brick row houses. The jeep stopped in front of one of the nondescript homes, it’s narrow lot framed by a row of small hedges and an iron gate.
“You going to get out?” Brian had his hand on the door handle, when he looked back at Justin who was still seated.
Justin’s brow furrowed. “Aren’t we going to the diner?”
“No.” Brian alighted from the Jeep crossed to the sidewalk.
Finally, it dawned on Justin that he was at Debbie’s house. The infamous Sunday night dinners. He’d heard Brian and his friends talk about the weekly family dinners. He’d never been invited to attend before. Of course, he hadn’t really been invited tonight. He was a guest in Brian’s loft for the weekend through a series of unfortunate circumstances. On the other hand, Brian could have just left him at the loft...
“Justin.” Brian’s voice was commanding and clear. “You coming?”
Justin scrambled out of the Jeep and up the walk to the door moments before it was flung open by Debbie herself.
“About fucking time!” Debbie stopped short, the annoyance on her face giving way to a smile as she recognized Justin. “Sunshine! What are you doing here?”
Brian climbed up the steps unhurriedly, joining them on the stoop. “He’s with me.” The statement brooked no further discussion. Debbie looked Brian in the eyes, but wisely kept her mouth shut. They were ushered inside with a minimum of fanfare and fuss.
The tableau in the living room became silent as Brian and Justin divested themselves of their jackets and moved down from the landing into the midst of seated people.
Totally oblivious to the awkward moment Gus broke the silence.
“Justin!” Gus flew across the small living room and barreled into Justin’s knees. Luckily Brian was directly behind him, or Justin would have found himself flat on his glorious ass courtesy of the younger Kinney.
Gus grabbed Justin’s hand and tugged him into the living room where he was constructing a fort with Legos.
Silence broken, discussions started up once again. Michael moved to where Brian still stood near the foyer. “What is this? Adopt a Trick? What’s he doing here?” he hissed at his best friend.
“He not a trick.” Brian kept his voice low, but the censure was apparent. “Besides, he’s staying at the loft...”
“At the loft?!” Michael’s voice rose perilously high and loud, so much that most of the room turned to the men near the landing. “What the fuck is he doing at the loft?”
Justin, who along with everyone else in the room, couldn’t help but hear the question, answered. “I got locked out of my apartment. My roommate is gone for the weekend and I can’t get to the management office until Tuesday because of the holiday weekend. Brian’s letting me stay at the loft until I can get back into my apartment.”
“But! But!...” Michael sputtered.
“He invited me to join you...” Justin looked around the room at the faces, “... all of you, for dinner.” He looked at Debbie. “I hope that’s all right?”
Debbie gave Justin a big grin. “Of course it is, Sunshine. You’re welcome anytime.” She gave Michael a withered stare. “Even if you’re not locked out.”
The room resumed the clutches of conversation. Michael went to sit next to Ben, pouting a bit. Which Ben, thankfully, found the look kind of attractive. He attempted to soothe his boyfriend’s ego.
Brian moved further into the living room, intent on joining his son and Justin, but Deb pulled him aside. “You did good, kiddo. You stick up for your man, and he’ll stick up for you.”
“He’s not my man!” Brian whispered sharply at Debbie, who merely gave him a knowing smile and headed for the kitchen.
“You won’t win.” Vic told him.
Brian gave a perturbed grimace. Vic laughed and slapped him on the shoulder. “How about some wine?”
Brian nodded and followed Vic into the dining area.
...
All in all, dinner was fairly uneventful. Lindsay engaged Justin in discussion about his artwork and plans for after graduation.
“I’d like to work on my art full time. I’m really enjoying my internship at Ryder...”
That caught Michael’s ear and he glared at Brian seated next to him. “He’s at Ryder? What’s he doing? Servicing Accounts?” Michael snorted a laughed at his own joke.
Brian turned and spoke clearly. “Actually Michael, Justin’s internship has benefited both himself and Ryder. The work coming out of the art department has improved since he joined us. He’ll be sorely missed when internship is over.” Justin blushed under Brian’s unexpected praise. “He could have a good future in advertising if he wanted.”
“Well,” Lindsay breathed. “High praise indeed. But if you want to pursue your art, you should go to New York.”
New York? What the fuck? Brian’s swung his head around to face Lindsay and Justin, before he could stop himself. The movement not missed by Emmett and Ted. Brian schooled his features to relax as he asked nonchalantly, “New York?”
Lindsay turned to Brian. “Of course, Justin’s young, he’s talented, he has nothing to tie him down.” She smiled at Justin, “He’s foot loose and fancy free. Think of it Justin, the galleries, the museums, New York is the center of art world.” Lindsay allowed herself a giggle, “of course, that is if you don’t include Paris.” She sighed, “Paris, if you could go to Paris...”
Paris?! Justin didn’t need to go to fucking Paris. “Paris?” Brian couldn’t stop the question before it left his lips.
Justin oblivious to thoughts of the man seated next to him. “Wow, Paris. I’d love to go to Paris. And New York... it’s great... But I can’t really see myself living there. I mean, I want to be an artist, but New York, Paris, they’re so expensive.”
“But think of the opportunities!”
“Justin’s right.” Everyone at the table turned to look at Brian. “New York’s expensive. Unless he had a full time job -- one that paid very well -- he be living in some rat infested tenement learning what what it truly means to be a starving artist. At least in Pittsburgh he’d have time to refine his talents and pursue being an artist instead of it becoming a hobby that he gets to when he has the time or isn’t too tired from working two jobs to pay the rent.”
“That’s an interesting perspective coming from you.” Michael joined the conversation. “When you thought you had a job in New York, you couldn’t get away from Pittsburgh fast enough.”
“You were going to move to New York?” Justin looked at Brian in puzzlement. Had this been before or after they’d met?
“It’s different. If I had taken the job, it would have meant a six figure salary. As it is, it didn’t work out, and it was for the best. I’m up for partner at Ryder, and that deal should be closed by the end of the month. Partner at Ryder will pay the six figure salary and give me a piece of the company. If I had gone to New York, it would take me ten years to get to that position, and I’d be one of twenty-five or so partners.”
Brian turned to Justin. “Don’t let them blow smoke up your skirt, Sunshine. New York is a great place to be when you’re at the top of the heap. And with your talent, you’re sure to get there. But you have more opportunity in this burg where you can live for a fraction of the cost and devote your time to pursuing your dream.” Fuck! Did I really just plea for Justin to stay here in the Pitts?
“Brian!” The censure in Lindsay’s voice was evident.”
Justin thought about Brian’s words and smiled. “He’s right Lindsay. It’s not like I haven’t thought about it. Actually, Ryder has offered me a full-time position once I graduate.”
“They have?” It was news to Brian.
Justin turned to the older man. And smiled shyly. “Yeah, it seems that one of their senior account execs has commented positively on my work. Rare praise from the man, as they tell it.”
“Yeah, well...”
“I told them that I wasn’t really interested in full time, and they’ve offered me free lance work -- as much as I want.” Justin turned to Lindsay. “It’s really the best of both worlds, I can make enough to live and work full time -- well, almost full time -- on my art. I’ve actually been working on putting my portfolio together so I can visit some galleries here in town. I’ve gotten good reviews at the PIFA shows, and now I need to move to the next level. If I can get into some group shows here in town, eventually a solo show, I think I’ll have enough momentum to try the New York galleries.”
“Then you are thinking about New York.” Lindsay smiled, pleased.
Brian felt himself tense.
Justin shook his head. “Not to live.” Brian could feel himself relax once again. “But sure, New York... or Chicago... they both have opportunities for an artist once he’s established.”
LIndsay seemed satisfied. “So what are you working on now? What medium do you prefer?”
Justin dove into the change of subject. He hadn’t been oblivious to the man seated next to him throughout his discussion with Lindsay. He hoped that he’d managed to hide the smile that pulled at the muscles in his cheeks. Brian Kinney gives a damn!
~~~
“Did you really mean what you said earlier?” They were in the Jeep headed back to the loft.
“That you should stop at three servings of lasagna?”
“No,” Justin laughed. “About staying in Pittsburgh. That you really think that I’d be better off as an artist; that I’d have more opportunities here.”
“Justin, you have to make that decision on your own. But, yeah, I meant what I said. I looked at the whole New York thing and figured that I could build my future here, and when the opportunity was right take it to New York if I wanted... On my own terms. I have a certain lifestyle I can afford here. I have Gus... and Michael... Debbie, Vic and Linds.” And maybe, you? “I’m too fucking stubborn and unwilling to give up Armani, Prada and Gucci to live hand to mouth in New York.”
“But you said the job was six figures!”
“It doesn’t go very far when the government gets a third and you’re paying two thousand a month in rent for a eight hundred square foot studio apartment.”
“Fuck!”
“Exactly.” Brian wheeled into his parking space. “And, Chist, you should see how much it cost to insure a car and pay for parking.” He hopped out of the Jeep and waited for Justin to get out.
“I figure, with the partnership and my bonuses, I can fly to New York once a month, stay at the Plaza and fuck all weekend.” He leered comically at Justin. “And maintain myself in the lifestyle to which I’ve become accustomed. Who knows, I might be able to afford two plane tickets.”
Justin laughed. “I think we should try out the Four Seasons... and the Court... check out their bathrooms.” Donning a fake British accent, he continued, “I do believe that the Plaza’s shower left something to be desired.”
Brian laughed and slung his arm around Justin’s shoulder, pressing a soft kiss to Justin’s forehead. They walked companionably up the stairs to the loft.