The 37 Days Of Gusmas
Title: I Will Be With You Again Author: vl_redreign Prompt: New Year’s Day
Notes: Well, this is the end…for now. 131 drabbles for the challenge. And honestly? I can’t remember having so much fun writing. I didn’t think about any kind of cohesive storyline, just little snippets to fit a prompt. Then, as stories do, it took on a life of its own.
Thanks to everyone that came along for the ride, I hope it was comfy. Special thanks to xie_xie_xie for hosting this challenge, and for her help last night when I thought I was being cheesy. Not showing her these in advance, cause I think they really are cheesy. Lol The really cool thing about these drabbles is that I somehow managed to create a ‘verse that I’d like to revisit sometime in the future. See you guys then!
I
Ben sat on Hunter’s bed and watched as his son packed the rest of his things. His son…the one thing he never thought he’d have. It had been challenging, no doubt. The first few years were traumatic and turbulent, and Michael’s injury had put many things into perspective.
“Ben…Ben!”
Ben shook his head. “Sorry. I was just…remembering.”
Hunter nodded. “I was a real dick, wasn’t I?”
“Well…yeah.” They laughed. “You were also brave. And resilient. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone come back from the brink like you did.”
“I’m gonna make you and Michael proud.”
“You already have.”
II
Since he started playing ball, Drew had lived in some pretty nice places. The house he’d shared with Sierra was the best by far. After losing it, along with a huge chunk of change in the divorce, he realized that it was just a house. Home was where your heart was. He just never thought it would be a smallish kitchen, surrounded by kitschy figurines and the smell of marinara.
Debbie was loud and crude, and she had the best ear of anyone he knew, save Emmett. Her advice was usually good, and always heartfelt.
He needed her counsel.
III
Debbie liked Drew. He was quiet, unlike her other boys. Whenever he came to see Emmett, they usually had a minute or two to talk.
“So, your new job is based in New York, then?”
“That’s where HBO home office is.”
“Do you have to live there?” she asked.
“No, but…I don’t mind commuting, it’s just, I don’t want to lose Emmett in all the back and forth.”
“Sweetie, I know this job is important to you. I know how hard it’s been for you. Don’t worry about Emmett. He can handle anything, as long as he knows you love him.”
IV
“Blake, the last time I did this, it was an abysmal failure,” Ted argued.
“True, but look at the differences. Then, you were running a porn website. Lucrative, yes. Legal, mostly. And it may have been fun for you, but it was also the beginning of your addiction. Your life is so much more stable now. You have a job you love. You’re healthy, physically and mentally. And we’re in a good place.”
“Exactly! And I don’t want to fuck that up!”
Blake smiled. “Buying a larger place won’t destroy what we have. Think of it as the next step.”
V
Justin had always known that he and Brian communicated best in bed. It was what they did. And he saw no reason to change that.
It had been the best holiday he could recall since he was a kid. Everyone had come home, he’d reconnected with his mom and sister, and Brian had kept his house. He really hadn’t thought about it much after arriving in New York; he’d been too busy getting set up. He dreamed about it on occasion, dreams of creating, entertaining, and fucking in every room. He rolled over and rubbed Brian’s stomach.
He was asleep.
VI
“Brian, wake up! I’m horny.”
Brian cracked an eye. “It’s been five minutes, twat. I need a minute.”
Justin gasped. “Oh my God, Brian Kinney needs a minute! I wore you out, admit it!”
“You wore me out. Now shut up.”
“You’re no fun now that you’re old.”
Brian smacked Justin on the ass, hard. “I’m gonna send you back to New York bowlegged for that.”
“Promise?”
Brian laughed.
Justin settled back against him. “You gonna stay here, now?”
“I thought I’d stay at the loft during the week, and come here on the weekends. Get the place ready.”
VII
“Ready for what?”
“For when you come home. I need to get the pool resurfaced, put the spa in-“
“We’re getting a spa?”
“And a sauna. It’s already set up, just need to finish the install. And decide which room you want for a studio.”
“I was thinking the attic.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. It’s plenty big enough, there’s plumbing up there…”
“Like Lindsay’s old studio. Just don’t watch that “it’s a snap” bitch. You’ll flood the place.”
“You’re gonna let me do it?”
“If you want. Your house, your studio.”
“Okay.” He turned to look at Brian. “Thank you.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
VIII
Later that evening, after more sex and sleep, Justin wandered downstairs. The fact that Chinese could be delivered out here was definitely a plus. He sat at the kitchen table with his laptop and opened a graphics program while waiting for delivery. He began designing his studio, expanding the windows, playing with the cabinet and sink placement.
He was looking forward to his show, but really didn’t want to leave. Soon, though. Soon, he’d be back here. Just a little while longer.
He thought of the red velvet box he’d discovered a few days ago, and knew it was time.
IX
Lindsay climbed into bed. It had been a long week, and she was wiped out.
Melanie threw an arm out and pulled Lindsay closer. “Long day.”
“Yeah.” Lindsay snuggled closer.
“It was good being in Pittsburgh.”
“It was. I miss it, but…I like our life here. I wasn’t sure I would.”
“Like our life, or being here?”
“Being here. And knowing that when we get homesick, we can go home for a visit.”
“Yeah.” Mel sighed, then laughed, hard.
Lindsay looked up. “What?”
“Brian.”
“What about him?”
“I still want to kill him about that underwear thing.”