Gift # 25 of 36 TO: Netlagd FROM: Sxysadie21 TITLE: Payback GIFT REQUEST: Fic Humor Brian and Jennifer conspiring to a play an April Fool's joke on Justin. Something fun with Brian and Justin with some Jennifer interaction. Other Specifications: Jennifer and Brian team up that has Justin cringing in a TMI, that's my mother you're talking about kind of way. NOTE: I tweaked the “April Fool’s” part just a bit. I hope that isn’t a problem. I tried really hard. But there was nothing but whoopee cushions in my brain that day. ;) I apologize for any and all mistakes you may find, there wasn’t a lot of “beta” time. December proved to be the busiest and worse month of the year. So it was a rush to get this to you. If you hate it? Santa’s elves did it. If you love it? It was all me! Enjoy! Thanks for the great prompt.
He had warned Justin numerous times. The months preceding his birthday had been filled with threats of what would happen if he threw him a birthday party. There was no need to be celebrating a birthday, anyway. But he certainly had no desire to be celebrating his 40th birthday. The little snot thought he was free and clear since he whispered “Michael planned it!” as Brian walked through the front door to a giant “Surprise!” There they all were. People he hadn’t wanted to waste a normal Friday night on, but now he was stuck there with them all. On a Friday. And his birthday.
Justin was sure those had all been idle threats. What would Brian really do to him, anyway? What could he do? Nothing. And of course you needed to celebrate your 40th birthday. Emmett had said it best when he flippantly threw out, “With all the stupid things that man has done, we’re celebrating that he has lasted this long, boys.” Clearly, Justin had gone along with it. He hadn’t put up a fight. And truth be told, he had genuinely enjoyed the look of surprise on Brian’s face. If forced to admit it, he knew Brian would have said he had a good time that night, as well. Justin hadn’t given it much thought. That was ages ago, to him. In fact, he had totally forgotten about it.
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Brian’s entire plan had revolved around the idea that the other man had forgotten all about his threats. He also really knew, by now, that Justin was expecting a party. He wasn’t going to throw him a surprise party. There was no surprise at this point in their relationship. Justin knew he if wanted something? He would get it. But that didn’t mean that Brian couldn’t add his own flare to the party, he said to himself. That was, in fact, how he ended up at Jennifer’s house two weeks before Justin’s 30thbirthday.
Jennifer couldn’t help but smile as Brian held out the flowers he had hidden behind his back.
“Brian!”
“Jennifer.”
She grabbed the flowers and ushered him in quickly. “What are these for?” She was in the kitchen searching under the sink for a vase and looking at Brian over her shoulder.
“Can’t I just bestow gifts upon the mother of my favorite blond?”
“You could. But you don’t.” She had her hand on her hip by now and her head cocked as she tried to figure out his motive.
“I’m wounded, Jennifer. Wounded.” He feigned a heartache with his hand over his chest.
“I’m not buying it, Kinney.” She was smiling at this point.
“I need your help.”
“Ah! I knew there was a catch,” Jennifer finished filling the vase and turned towards Brian.
“You know me so well.”
“That’s what mother-in-laws are for.” She was grinning at Brian. He couldn’t help but notice that her smile reminded him of Justin’s for a moment.
“I hate that term.”
“You did marry him, didn’t you?”
“What if we start to use monster-in-law instead?”
“Do you want my help or not?”
“Touche. You’re getting good at this.”
“You have forced my hand,” she winked at him. Over the years she had not just grown accustomed to the older man in her son’s life, but had also grown fond of him. This last year Justin had been back in Pittsburgh full time. That time had only strengthened how much she cared for the both of them. And she could see the benefit, to both men, in being together.
They were working on their second pot of coffee, and the sun had gone down before Brian thought to check his watch. “Fuck.”
Jennifer peered up from the photo album in her hands and stretched the leg that had been tucked under her. “I can’t believe we’ve been looking at these for so long.” She glanced at Brian as he stood up quickly.
“I had promised Justin I would be home for dinner,” he paused as he looked at his watch again, almost as if he wished the time had changed since the last time he checked it, “about an hour ago.”
“He’ll understand.”
Brian rolled his lips into his mouth, cutting the smirk that was threatening to come out short. “You’ve met your son, right?”
“Good point. Hurry then,” she closed the album and set it on the table. “This has been fun,” she said non-chalantly. “It’s been ages since I looked through all of these pictures, you know. It seems like just yesterday.”
He tried to stop himself from rolling his eyes, but couldn’t miss Jennifer crossing her arms as she caught him. “Sorry?” He shrugged.
“No you aren’t. Go. We’ll finish later.”
Without thinking he leaned forward, kissed her on the cheek and smiled a genuine smile in her direction. “I’ve heard that before. But never from a cougar.”
“I’ll tell him everything.”
“Idle threat, Monster-in-law,” he threw over his shoulder as he made his way out the door.
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Justin was fuming. Brian had promised to be home. He had guaranteed him weeks ago that they would start having dinner at home at least one night a week. It had been a long shot that Brian would even agree, he had thought at the time. So when he relented so easily, Justin knew it had been too easy.
“Honey, I’m home!”
Brian’s voice rang out as the door shutting behind him snapped Justin back to reality. He crossed his arms and tried not to smile. He liked the way that sounded. But he’d be damned if Brian knew that. No way.
“Just in time to watch me put away the leftovers.” He tried to keep his voice even.
“Oh come on, I’m just a little late.”
“An hour and a half.”
“Important meeting?” Brian was attempting what Justin called his “I’m in trouble so I should lay on the charm” act.
“Aren’t they all?”
“Oh come on, Sunshine.”
“Not going to work this time.” He had his back to Brian as he started putting what he could away in the refrigerator.
“Lies,” Brian’s voice was whispering into the back of his neck, his hands running along Justin’s sides.
He tried to fight it. “No. I’m serious.”
Brian spun him around quickly, the door to the fridge closing and Justin’s back against the cold metal door. He didn’t wait for a response but instead just caught Justin’s mouth with his. Try as hard as he could, the younger man couldn’t fight the urge to give in. He let his hands wrap around Brian’s neck and felt his body melt into the other man’s, their tongues darting against each other, Brian’s hands tugging at the hem of his shirt quickly before they slid underneath, his fingertips finding Justin’s bare skin.
When they parted Justin flicked his tongue along his lips before he opened his eyes, felt a flush run under his skin and remembered how mad he was supposed to be.“We’re getting a dog.”
Brian pulled back just enough to look him in the eyes. “I’m sorry, what?”
“A dog. To eat your portions when you don’t show up on time.” Justin crossed his arms in front of his body and challenged Brian by looking him in the eyes.
“Whatever. Just get your ass in the bedroom. I’ve been thinking about it all fucking night.”
Tomorrow would be a better day to talk to Brian about keeping his dinner promises, Justin thought as he let the older man lead him down the hall, a trail of both of their clothes appearing quickly.
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The last few days before Justin’s party were flying by and Brian was having a hard time containing Michael’s excitement. “What did you get him?”
“I’m supposed to get him something, too?”
Brian had to fight the laugh threatening to leave his throat as he saw Michael’s jaw fall open. “Brian.”
“Mikey.”
“Seriously, you didn’t get him anything?”
“I’m throwing him a party.”
“And?”
“And what else? Isn’t that enough?”
“You had better get him something!” Michael’s voice was reaching the shrill-level that made Brian want to pull out his own hair had he not just paid far too much for a haircut.
“Relax, I did.”
“I knew it!”
Brian rolled his eyes at his best friend’s idiotic grin. “And I’m not telling you what it is.”
Instantly the grin turned into the trademark pout Michael had been giving him for years. “Come on, Bri!”
“Absolutely not. I already heard from Ben that you almost spilled the beans about me getting Daphne to come into town for his party.”
“That was an accident.”
“Twice?” Brian raised an eyebrow.
“Fine,” Michael huffed. “It better be good though.”
“Oh, it is.”
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Jennifer had been kind enough to take her son to lunch, mainly to keep him out of Brian’s hair. Justin had been so excited about the party that he couldn’t even sleep well, which wasn’t due to lack of trying on Brian’s end. There was nothing that could keep Justin from looking (and acting) like a kid on Christmas morning. So when he left with his mother, Brian breathed a sigh of relief. The girls were on their way to the house, to help him finish setting up, and Michael and Ben had agreed to bring Daphne back from the airport.
They had no sooner than set down the last part of Justin’s “gift” when the blonde came barreling through the front door with a quick-following Jennifer behind him. “Sorry,” she mouthed at Brian as she removed her coat. “Justin was certain he was missing something if we didn’t get back quickly.”
“Daphne!” Justin was moving across the room at break-neck speed, immediatedly. “I thought you couldn’t make it? I thought you said I wouldn’t miss anything, Mom! ” The words were tumbling out of his mouth so quickly it sounded like one long word. He wrapped his arms around his friend tight, not even letting Daphne get a word out.
Justin looked over his shoulder, his arms still around Daphne’s waist. “Brian! I don’t even know what to say!” He was beaming in his husband’s direction.
As he turned back around to Daphne he spotted the frames and picture boards scattered around the entire room. “Oh. My. God.” He was scanning the room quickly, taking in the hundred or more pictures scattered about.“How?”
Brian had hooked his arm around Jennifer and was pretending to not notice her wiping away tears. “I was busy missing dinner.”
“You included my graduation picture?” He turned with his arms crossed. “How embarrassing.”
“Just wait,” Brian whispered to Jennifer.
The rest of the guests had started to arrive, causing Justin to be engulfed in hugs and good wishes. The idea was still lost a bit on Brian. People were acting as if Justin had won an award for becoming a year older. But he had conceded, a few years ago, that he would endure certain things for Justin. He knew the younger man had done the same for him, many times over. And, even if he’d never admit it, he was thoroughly enjoying seeing Justin go from person to person, a toothy grin on his face the entire time.
He was watching out of the corner of his eye as Justin and Emmett made their way over to other side of the room, where Justin’s baby pictures were displayed. He could tell, even from across the room, that Emmett was spotting a few Justin hadn’t had the chance to take in, just yet.
Jennifer had noticed the interaction and was standing next to Brian as Justin made his way over, teeth gritted into what could only be considered a fake smile. “Really?”
“What?” Brian feigned stupid for a moment. Thanks for the good example all these years, Mikey, he thought.
“Bath pictures?”
Jennifer was grinning. “You were such a cute little boy, Justin.”
“Yes, little.” Brian was holding back a laugh.
“Naked bath pictures?!”
“Well you certainly couldn’t be there fully clothed. That would be odd.” Brian quipped as he peered over the other man’s shoulder, watching as Emmett called everyone he could over to see the pictures. There were “oohs” and “ahhs” and giggles everywhere.
“You’re my mother!”
“And,” Jennifer said quickly. “As Brian pointed out,” she was trying to hold back a laugh. “It isn’t anything we haven’t all seen before.”
Daphne had shown up with a drink in one hand and smiled. “True! We have all seen it.”
“Daphne!”
“And like I told your mom, it’s nice to see a before picture to put with my afters.” Brian winked.
“Brian!” Justin could feel the heat creeping into his face.
“What?” Brian raised an eyebrow. “I just told her I had a few ass shots on my phone.” He shrugged. “We were just sharing and comparing.”He took a drink, waiting for Justin to explode. “You wanted us to bond.”
“Not like that.”
“I didn’t even tell her about the bondage. That would have made for good bonding, yes Jennifer?”
Jennifer was stifling a laugh.
“That’s my mother!” Justin was almost whining as this point, as he looked at Brian with his arms crossed.
“I just wanted her to know that you’d grown into a fine young man. That’s all.”
“I can’t believe the two of you.”
“Me either,” Jennifer said quickly and truthfully. “But I did enjoy reliving some of your childhood moments. You were always my little boy, you know.”
Justin groaned. “I am so getting you both back.”
Brian reached down, wrapping his arm around Justin waist and pulled him close, kissing his lips fast but hard. “No, this was payback.”
“You.” Justin tried to fight a grin. “That was years ago.”
“Happy Birthday. Your ass is mine later.”
“You’ll be lucky if you ever see anything other than an old picture.” Justin said as he stalked off, leaving Brian and Jennifer in a fit of laughter.