Gusmas 2011 - 7 Picture Prompts Title: Surprise. Author:vitalspark Prompt: All 7 pictures. Words: 700 words. Notes: For not_yet_defined's 7 picture challenge. Un-beta'd. Wanted to get it in before the EST deadline. Hope I remembered how to do the cut correctly, haven't written fic in years.
Monday.
The park was covered in dead leaves. Justin mentally thanked Brian for hiring a gardener. Britin probably would’ve looked similar, had Justin continued to insist he could do the raking himself.
Gus kicked a rock in his path. “Why are you telling me?”
“You know Lindsay. And Emmett.”
“Don’t forget Debbie and-” Gus’s voice cracked. He trailed off.
Justin suppressed a sympathetic smile. Puberty was a bitch. “We’re only telling you.”
Gus quietly pondered his new information. He kicked another rock.
Turning towards Justin, he gave a curt nod. Brian’s nod. “Cool.”
“Cool,” Justin agreed.
They continued their walk.
---
Thursday.
The car had just begun to warm when the officer knocked on the window. Justin shivered at the cold that rushed in over the descending glass.
“Airport loading only, son. No parking. Gotta circle if her flight’s late.”
Two quick, familiar taps on the trunk and Justin pressed the release. “Leaving now, sir.”
Brian slid into the passenger seat. He clicked his seatbelt and reached over, unbuttoning Justin’s jeans.
The officer smiled. “Enjoy your holiday, boys.”
Justin blushed, and took the car out of park.
By the highway, the car was still a little cool. Brian’s mouth was warm.
---
Evening.
When the towel circled his head, Justin closed his eyes and let Brian wordlessly dry his hair. He opened his eyes when the movement stopped, catching a rare soft look on Brian’s face. His heart swelled in response.
“You sure?”
“Yeah.”
Pause.
“Gus?”
“Nobody else.”
A sigh of relief. “Good,” Brian said. “After last time, the shit Debbie would say if given an opportunity.”
“It’s cute you think Debbie needs an opportunity to say anything.”
Brian stared. Justin grinned. “What did I tell you about Sunshines getting sassy?”
“Must have forgotten. Remind me?”
The towel fell to the floor.
---
Friday.
Debbie stirred the sauce on the stove, lost in thought. Ted worked on a salad while Carl set the table. Emmett was a step behind, adding festive touches.
“Well it’s no rooftop party, overlooking the beautiful city skyline,” Emmett paused, smiling at the memory of his engagement party to Drew, “but I suppose it’s fitting for those two. It’s practically where they met.”
“It’s Brian’s club, hasn’t someone’s told him by now?” Debbie asked.
Ted shook his head. “It’s a need to know basis. Most of our staff are too afraid to have a friendly chat with him anyway.”
---
Dinner.
Brian passed the salad bowl to Lindsay, and returned his arm to rest against the back of Justin’s chair. Fingertips lightly brushed against his thigh, and Brian met Justin’s smile with one of his own.
“So boys!” Debbie shouted gaily. “New Years Eves at Babylon? Hear you’re throwing the party of the year, Brian.”
“Would you expect anything less from my club, Deb?” Brian asked without tearing his eyes from Justin.
The fingertips against his thigh moved to his pants pocket, and Brian felt a small ringbox push in.
“Picked up our presents today,” Justin whispered against his ear.
---
Sunday.
Stirring between the sheets, Justin reached out and wrapped his arm around Brian’s bare chest. Without hesitation, Brian rested his palm against his warm skin.
“How soon until we’re interrupted by one pissed family?”
“January 3rd.”
Justin lifted his head. “Huh?”
“No service here at our cabin, Sunshine. Nobody can reach us once they’ve figure it out.”
“Really? What if there’s an issue at Babylon?”
“Theodore’s a smart boy.”
Brian traced the new wedding ring around Justin’s finger. “This is just for us. Everything would have gone to shit if we had stayed. This way, Gus is still involved.”
---
NYE.
The party was in full swing as Debbie slammed her beer against the bar of Babylon. “Where is that asshole? Aren’t we allowed to throw Sunshine a surprise engagement party?”
“Could Brian have figured it out?” Lindsay asked.
Debbie glared at Gus. “What do you know?”
Gus smiled, shrugged. “I know nothing.”
Emmett leaned against him. “Baby, why aren’t your fathers here?”
“Believe the breeders call it an elopement, Honeycutt.”
Gus would always remember the looks on everyones faces. Totally worth keeping his fathers’ secret.
“Oh, they have trained you real well,” Emmett scowled. “And don’t call me Honeycutt.”