Maybe This Time Book III
Chapter One
Rating: Adults Only
Category: Fanfiction
Pairing: Brian Kinney, Justin Taylor
Genres: Angst, AU, POV, Drama, Romance
Warnings: OOC
Summary: The final book of this series. Justin and Amos resolve their differences and act as a team to move towards integration.
Disclaimer: All characters and situations from Queer as Folk are properties of Russell T. Davies, Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, Showtime, and others. No copyright infringement is intended. This story is rated by the author and not by any independent body.
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When Brian woke the next morning, Justin and Amos were already gone. They were returning to Farnsworth’s today and there was a note on his nightstand to remind him of their date. Brian smiled. Date? The word was so unfamiliar to him. He wasn’t very big on dates, but Brian knew tonight would be special. They promised they would give him a replay of a memory, something he had done to them. Mmmmm, it could be anything. If the way Amos had fucked him in the garden was any indication, tonight would be more than interesting. He showered then dressed quickly. Brian had a meeting himself at nine.
Harry and Franklin were eating breakfast.
Brian smiled as he sat down. “Just coffee, Mrs. Craven.”
She frowned at him. “Breakfast is important, Master Brian. You must at least have fruit.”
Brian scowled for a moment. It was strange being told what to do, but he knew she had his best interests at heart. “Okay, fruit then,” he conceded.
She smiled as she put the plate in front of him and waited until he picked up the first piece to make sure he was going to eat. As he lifted the first piece to him mouth, she was satisfied and went back to her duties.
Brian smiled. “She’s tough, isn’t she?”
Harry nodded. He’d never been a breakfast man either until he started living at the house. “We have an early meeting, remember?”
“I remember, but I need to at least eat some of this,” Brian looked to see where Mrs. Craven was.
“How did you sleep?” Franklin asked.
“Great, I was exhausted. Yesterday was a full day," Brian smiled. "We’re staying at the loft tonight. Justin has a surprise for me.”
Harry and Franklin smiled at each other.
Brian was usually a private person, but there were so many gaps in his knowledge. He had no choice but to ask for information. These people were close to him. He wanted to be able to trust them as he had in the past. He could, he hoped he could. “Do either of you know what this means?” He handed Franklin the invitation. “Apparently, I sent it to Justin when we first got together. They're recreating it for me tonight.”
Franklin and Harry looked at each other and shrugged.
Franklin smiled. “Not a clue. It must have been before my time. How about you Harry?”
“I haven’t seen it before,” he shook his head. “Sounds interesting, though.”
“Yeah, I thought so too,” Brian smiled. “Justin said I sent it to him for New Year.”
“Well if you sent it originally, it came out of your mind,” Franklin smiled. “Give it some thought.”
“I don’t think I’ll be thinking of anything else today,” Brian laughed.
********
Justin was reading the brief on the Property Division his assistant had prepared. There were briefs for each division so it made Justin’s work a lot easier. William had engaged Patrick when Justin first expressed an interest in Farnsworths. Patrick had been busy ever since, simplifying the duties of each department for him. William poked his head around the door and smiled.
“How’s it going?”
Justin smiled. “Patrick has done a marvelous job with these reports.”
“His work is excellent,” William smiled. “He’s part of our Junior Executive Program... top of his class.”
“Junior Executive?”
“Yes, it’s a program your Grandfather started for graduates. He felt just because they had the paper qualifications, they still needed experience in all divisions before securing an executive position here. They spend five years in the program and when they graduate, a suitable position is found. Patrick has been in the program for four years now, so, he has extensive knowledge of all divisions.”
Justin suddenly felt intimidated and grew quiet.
“Thanks, William, I’m sure he will be invaluable,” Amos smiled. *There is nothing to feel inadequate about. He’s just a kid.*
*I know that, but he’s a kid who knows a lot more than us.* Justin replied.
*And he’s had four years to learn it.*
*I guess,* Justin sighed.
*I know.*
“Do you have a copy of his personnel file? I’d be interested to read it, William?” Amos smiled.
William smiled. “I’ll have it sent up for you.” He knew Justin was a little insecure. “You will be fine when you know your way around. You are a Farnsworth, this company is in your genes and business in your blood, my boy,” William smiled. “How is your mother?”
“She’s coming home again, soon. I can’t wait,” Justin smiled.
“And Brian?”
“He’s had some of his memory return. Mostly his earlier life, but we are grateful for anything about his past.”
“That’s wonderful news,” William smiled. “And Jake?”
Justin frowned. “No change unfortunately, but we keep hoping.”
William nodded. He missed Jake a lot. They were friends. William loved his ‘no bullshit’ approach. There was far too much bull in the world these days. “I have a meeting, I’ll catch you later,” William smiled.
Justin nodded. As William left, Patrick appeared in the doorway. “Mr. Taylor, here is the final report on the Property Division. Mr. Fry is expecting you in an hour to discuss it.”
“Thank you, Patrick,” Justin smiled.
Patrick moved closer to Justin. “If there is anything you want, just ask. I mean anything,” he smiled. Patrick hesitated a few seconds as he looked into Justin’s eyes, then turned and left.
*Did he just come on to us?* Justin gasped.
Amos laughed. *I’d say so.*
Justin was amazed at how brazen Patrick had been. He was his boss, fuck. *He probably doesn’t know we’re involved with someone,* Justin sighed.
Amos laughed again. *He probably doesn’t know we are a ‘we’ and I don’t think he cares whether we are involved or not.*
*Do you think so?*
*Positive,* Amos laughed again. *Now, let’s read this report.*
Patrick sat in the office outside Justin's door. Fuck his new boss was hot and so young. He'd always been serious at work, his career was important to him. He was determined to get to the top at Farnsworths and you couldn't get closer than Justin to the top. He was going to enjoy working with him. Patrick already knew Justin would be relying on him. This gig was going to be his stepping stone to the big time. If he made Justin happy then his future would be assured. Over the course of the afternoon, Patrick made various unnecessary trips into Justin’s office, standing too close and a few times allowing his fingers to gently touch Justin’s as he handed papers to him. Justin seemed shy, but Patrick intended to take care of that.
Justin was a little uncomfortable as Patrick leaned over his shoulder to explain something. He could feel Patrick’s breath on the side of his neck as he spoke.
*Tell him to fuck off,* Amos roared in Justin’s head.
*He isn’t doing any harm, ignore him.*
*By not telling him to fuck off, you are encouraging him.*
“Thanks Patrick, I’ll call you if I need you,” Justin smiled.
Patrick straightened up and smiled. “Anything Mr. Taylor, anything at all.”
Justin waited for Patrick to go and roared at Amos. *Are you yelling at me again?*
*I wasn’t yelling, but I am serious. With Patrick, you will need to tell him to fuck off or you will have an incident on your hands. I thought we were going to work as a team. If you don’t want to use my knowledge and intend to have to learn everything yourself, the hard way, mastering Farnsworths will be impossibly slow.*
*Do I always have to agree with everything you say?*
*Not at all, but you do need to remember that I get a vote to, every decision isn’t only yours to make.*
*So, you think we should tell Patrick to fuck off and I think we should ignore him.*
*That sums it up. I think you are encouraging him and you think he’ll get the message. Fair enough, we’ll try it your way and see.* Amos decided Justin would need to see first hand he knew what he was talking about.
*I think he’ll back off when he sees we aren’t interested,* Justin explained.
*And if he doesn’t back off?*
*Then you can tell him to fuck off,* Justin smiled. *I think I’m right about this though, Amos.*
*Okay, but we better read that report, we have Nick soon.* In the spirit of cooperation, Amos didn’t say he knew Justin wasn’t right about Patrick, but okay, they would try Justin’s way this time. Before, Justin would accept his knowledge without question, now he tested everything. They needed to get to the point where they accepted each had expertise and together they knew what they needed to know. Sometimes he would be right and sometimes Justin would be. The trick was how to work out who knew best for each situation. Removing the dilemma would speed up their decisions. Fighting took up too much time.
The meeting with Nick was uneventful with both of them pooling their knowledge. The things Justin wasn’t sure about; Amos was okay with and vice versa. At the meetings end, they were both pleased. By the end of the day, Patrick’s intention to persevere was obvious. Justin was putting on his coat, getting ready to leave, when Patrick made a final run at him. He came in to tell Justin he was leaving.
“Is there anything else I can do for you before I leave?”
Justin smiled. “No thanks, Patrick. I’m leaving now myself. I have a special evening planned with my partner.”
Patrick frowned. He hadn’t realized Mr. Taylor had a partner. “Have you been together long?”
Justin nodded. “Yes, I love him a lot.”
Amos didn’t say anything.
Patrick smiled. “Yes, I know what you mean. I’ve been in the same relationship for two years now. We are deliriously happy together.”
“That’s nice,” Justin smiled.
When Patrick reached out and grabbed his cock, Justin jumped back amazed.
“What are you doing?” He gasped.
“I thought you might like me to take the edge off for you before you go home to enjoy your evening,” Patrick smiled and reached for him again.
Justin stepped back. “Patrick, I want this to be clear. Thank you for the offer, but I’m not interested. I love my partner and we are monogamous.”
“You’re joking, right?” Patrick gasped. “You’re too young to be monogamous, that’s for old queers who can’t trick anymore.”
Justin didn't wait for Amos to tell Patrick to fuck off. “Then I must be older than you thought because I don’t, I don’t want to and I’m not interested,” Justin growled. He was angry, angry with Patrick for being such an ass and angry because Amos was right. At least Amos wasn’t gloating, at least that was something. Justin picked up his briefcase and left Patrick standing with his mouth open.
Frank noticed Justin was very quiet on the way to the loft. “You okay?” he asked.
Justin nodded. Realizing Amos was right about Patrick had thrown him. How could he have been so blind?
*As your experience base broadens, you’ll know,* Amos whispered.
*How did you know?* Justin replied.
*I’ve been watching our body have sex for years. Trevor was always fucking some jerk or being a jerk himself.*
Justin wondered how he was supposed to broaden his experiences and still be monogamous. Besides, even if he decided to fuck around on Brian for the experience, his heart wouldn’t have been in it. He only wanted Brian.
*I’m glad, that’s a wise decision.* Amos whispered, reading Justin’s thoughts.
*I guess I need to listen to your advice. You have experience that I don’t,* Justin said thoughtfully.
*If you need to gather your own experience......* Amos paused.
*No, that would mean being unfaithful to Brian and we can’t do that.*
*So, it’s okay to tell you if I think someone is a sleaze,* Amos smiled.
*Yes,* Justin laughed, his anger dissipating. He had to stop thinking about everything in terms of who was right and who was wrong. If they worked together, everything would always work out.
Amos resisted the urge to say he was always right about some things, but Justin could feel what he was thinking. It was true. About some things, he was always right, but Justin could be right too and Amos knew that. Now they had stopped their power struggle, They could keep moving towards integration.
Finally, Justin thought when they reached the loft. The traffic was a real bitch tonight. He ran up the stairs to make their preparations.
*I think you should take the lead tonight. You know what happened, you were there. I want to join in so don’t forget me, okay?* Justin said meekly.
*I can’t forget you, you’re me,* Amos smiled. He was happy to do everything with Justin. He liked them being so close. *There are some things we’ll need. I'm sure, after that night, Brian packed it all away in his closet.*
*Okay.* Justin was excited. It wasn’t just a forgotten memory for Brian. It was one for him too and he wanted to hang around this time and live it. He hoped he wouldn’t go AWOL again.
*You won’t, you aren’t scared anymore.* Amos assured him. *You’ll love it and it will drive Brian crazy,* he laughed. “I want to do the first part. I owe him for when he did it to me, the ice was torture,* Amos paused. *You know when he finally gets loose he’ll be like a madman. Are you up to it? He may be rough.”
*From the sound of it, you’re right,* Justin laughed too. “I like rough sometimes. We better put some time into preparation to be safe.”
Amos agreed. *Good thinking. So he fucks you first and then I take care of him.* He liked Brian to fuck him occasionally, but he knew Justin enjoyed it more.
*Okay and you’re right. I do like it when he fucks me. I love to feel him inside me. I like to fuck him too, but not as much as you do. It’s your bag more than mine,* Justin smiled. *If I like to bottom and you like to top…. What will happen when we integrate?*
*Not sure,* Amos frowned. *That’s a question for Franklin.*
*If we join together then we’ll still probably like to do both,* Justin suggested.
*I hope so. I like to fuck,* Amos said nervously. The question needed to be asked. He hoped they would stay fabulous at both and not become a mediocre all rounder.
*That won’t happen,* Justin laughed. “Look, here’s the box.* He rummaged through it and found everything they needed.
********
Promptly at nine, Brian and Harry arrived at the loft. Brian had his chair in tow, which he’d been forced to buy on the way home. When he’d enquired what officially classified as a kitchen chair, Justin suggested wood without arms. They didn’t have anything like it in the loft, so, much to Brian’s disgust; a trip to the Mall was required. He carried it up the stairs to the studio and found the place in darkness. Calling out to Justin, but receiving no answer, he walked to the bathroom and saw the note on the door. It told him to leave the chair and come back in twenty minutes. He looked at his watch it was 9.05pm. He placed the chair inside the door as instructed and went back downstairs to wait.
Twenty minutes wasn’t very long to make a fantasy come true, Brian thought. There was certainly no indication of it yet. As he walked downstairs to wait, he wondered what the fuck the chair was for? He constantly checked his watch, fearing he’d be late and spoil the surprise. Justin had given him the invitation, but Amos said they would be doing everything together from now on. What did that mean? He was a little nervous if he could survive the two of them going to town on him. He was still a little sore from Amos the day before. Surely Amos would take that into account…..he hoped.
Frank was staying at Mikey’s and Franklin was working late, leaving Harry unoccupied. Harry knew Brian was nervous and excited all at the same time. Most of the day, Brian had been distracted. This trip to the Mall with Brian was interesting. The place seemed to genuinely disgust him and Harry thought it was funny. Getting him inside had been a real challenge. If he hadn’t been so excited about Justin’s surprise, Harry wondered if Brian could have gone through with it. It was as if he felt he stood a chance of being infected with something if he entered the place. His natural, basic snobbery had never been so obvious before. When he lost his memory, trips to the Mall to purchase video games were commonplace. This time was different, Brian was different.
Finally, Brian’s watch ticked over to 9.25pm. He walked back up the stairs, without saying a word to Harry, who was making something to eat in the kitchen. The lights were still turned out, but candles were strategically placed to light his path to the bathroom. Brian’s heart was already pounding with anticipation as he opened the door slowly.
The music was soft and low and the bathroom was illuminated by what seemed like hundreds of candles, which were flickering gently. The air was fresh and musky.
”Close your eyes,” Amos ordered from behind the door.
Brian did as he was told and closed his eyes.
Amos led him to the chair and pushed him down to sit.
Brian knew it was Amos. The tone of Amos’ voice was commanding.
Suddenly, Brian felt something being draped across his eyes and tied tightly behind his head. The smell of the fabric was musky too and it was soft against his skin. As Brian felt his shirt unbuttoned, he dropped his shoulders to allow it to slip off easily and onto the floor. His pants were really tight. Thinking about what they had planned for most of today had guaranteed he needed to jerk off regularly at various intervals. He'd barely done any work at all. Now he was here, he was hard again. Surprises were always good, but a surprise with a fantasy attached and a memory of his past was titillating. When the top snap of his pants was opened and zipper pulled down slowly, he felt his breath catch. Brian obliged by lifting his butt to allow the pants to be slid down to pool at his ankles.
“God, not being able to see was a real turn on,” Brian thought.
The music continued to waft through the room.
Amos still made no sound and Brian waited to see what would happen next.
As he waited, he noticed the room smelt of sweet musk with undertones of come. Brian knew they had been jerking off too. As he felt his pants sliding slowly past his thighs and down his legs, he’d sighed. Having the blindfold in place was making this hot. The chair was cold on his bare butt and he shifted uncomfortably on the hard seat. Brian’s cock was hard and needed attention, but with his hands tied with silk behind him to the support bar under the seat, there was no way, he could touch himself. Amos wasn’t saying a word now and the only sound was coming from the music. Each minute seemed like an eternity as Brian waited to see what would happen next.
Suddenly, the water came on. He couldn’t see, so he listened to the water running as a diversion to the music. It fell slowly, the way you would expect a small stream with a waterfall would sound. When he felt thighs straddle his lap, he could only feel him at the sides. The skin was hot. Was it Justin or was it still Amos?
“Wait, what’s that?” Brian thought. Something else was brushing against the front of his thighs. Shirt tails, that’s what it was, he could feel shirt tails brush against the skin of his lap. Brian wanted to feel more skin, to touch his lips, to feel his lover’s tongue in his mouth. His heart was pounding with anticipation and he wondered how much longer he would have to suffer the waiting.
Brian’s wandering mind was dragged back to reality with something teasing his nipples. He wasn’t sure what it was, it felt like fabric. Something was around the back of his neck. He could feel a lump on his chest with something hanging down.
“Damn this not being able to see,” Brian thought. It took him much longer to work out what was happening. “A tie, that’s it,” he thought. “He’s put his tie loosely around my neck. It was still done up and he was tickling him with it.” Brian felt the gentle dragging on the back of his neck as the end was used to tempt his nipples. He felt a soft kiss on the side of his neck and as an ear passed close to Brian’s mouth, he kissed it softly, the next time it nuzzled past him.
“Ugh ugh,” Amos said and moved away.
Brian wasn’t sure what was happening now. Everything seemed to have stopped. He hoped he hadn’t ruined it by moving. By the voice he knew it was still Amos and sat waiting to see what was going to happen next. He heard the water again. “What’s that for?” He wondered. Nothing was happening. “Fuck, Amos, where are you?” He thought.
His thoughts were interrupted as he felt something brush past his now leaking cock. It was so light, so gentle. Brian wondered if Amos would touch him again and sighed loudly.
Without any warning an almost frozen mouth engulfed him for a few seconds. He openly shivered and his cock went soft as the mouth released him.
“Ahhhh, fuck,” Brian gasped, but as the words escaped his lips, the mouth swallowed his cock again. This time it was hot and it felt like he’d plunged into a volcano. “Mmmmm,” he moaned, the warmth soothing his frozen cock.
The relief was only for a moment before the cold mouth surrounded him again. There was something small and hard against his dick. “Fuck, I think its ice,” Brian thought.
Amos released Brian and the hot mouth was back again. He knew this was sweet torture as he continued to tempt Brian bringing him to the boil and cooling him off so he couldn’t come.
Brian didn’t dare to speak and ruin their plans for him. Fuck, this was driving him crazy. He wanted his lover so much. This time there was warm liquid in Amos’ mouth and he struggled to stop thrusting into it. “Oh godddd,” he moaned.
Had he really done this to them? Fucking hell this was good.
Brian shivered as the temperature altered again. Amos was torturing him and it feel so wonderful. What a rush, but he wasn’t sure how much more he could take.
Every time Amos took Brian into his mouth with the ice, he could feel Brian tremble. Cold for just a few seconds each time kept bringing Brian back down so he couldn’t come. Amos smiled to himself. He was so horny. Fuck, he wanted Brian. He licked the shaft of Brian’s weeping cock, took a mouthful of his tea and swallowed him with a warm mouth again, marveling at the way the warmth brought him back up so quickly. Amos could tell Brian was almost beside himself and decided he’d tortured Brian for long enough. He released the ties, leaving Brian only bound enabling him to wriggle out of his restraints if he became desperate enough.
Amos pulled Brian’s blindfold off and slowly backed away. *You ready, Jus?*
*Fuck that was hot,* Justin sighed.
*It won’t be long now,* Amos laughed.
Brian blinked a few times, allowing his eyes to adjust to the light and bring the room back into focus. The water was running in the shower. It was Justin backing away from him. When Justin stepped under the running water still in his shirt, he used the hand shower nozzle to hose himself down so the cotton clung to his body and became transparent. He sat on the lip of the shower dripping before lowering himself backwards. The shirt gaped and Brian moaned loudly when he realized Justin wasn’t wearing anything from the waist down. He wanted to touch Justin so much. His cock was aching.
Justin positioned himself directly in front of Brian and smiled as his lover tried to moisten his lips.
Brian’s mouth was dry and his breathing was short and labored. His eyes were fixed on his partner and as Justin pushed his back against the shower wall and spread his legs wide, Brian was struggling to get free.
Justin started to stroke himself, making Brian’s eyes become even wider. Justin wasn’t sure how much more Brian could take. It wouldn’t be long now. The perspiration was beading on Brian’s forehead and he was still fidgeting with his ties, but as Justin wrapped his hand around his cock and began to sigh loudly, Brian stood up, the chair still attached to him. As Justin slowly pushed into his tightened fist, he moaned, positive it wouldn’t take much longer for Brian to get loose. He picked up the wet ‘n’ dry and turned it on. Justin covered it in lube before sliding it down his chest, across his abdomen, past his cock to his entry. His eyes had remained glued to Brian’s, never leaving them for a second, but as he slid the buzzing wet ‘n’ dry inside him, he closed them and moaned, loudly.
That was the push Brian needed.
When Justin heard the chair hit the tiles, he and removed the wet’ n’ dry.
Brian was free with a kind of crazed expression on his face as he lunged at Justin.
Thank God, Justin thought. He was so fucking horny.
Brian reached the shower and dropped to his knees. His hungry mouth found Justin’s cock at last. He wasn’t gentle, but Justin didn’t mind. His cock was leaking now too, in desperate need of relief.
Justin needed to come. He didn’t know how Brian was still going. Ice was fucking amazing.
Brian pushed Justin down onto the floor of the shower. A thick layer of towels on the floor cushioned his landing. He allowed Justin’s cock to slip from his mouth and lubed up quickly before sliding fully inside Justin in one movement.
Justin was glad they’d spent the time preparing before Brian arrived or the way Brian was, he would have seriously hurt them. Justin knew this would be fast. He’d never seen Brian so desperate before.
“Oh Brian,” Justin moaned. He wanted Brian inside him so much. “It feels…..Ohhhh fuck me,” he begged.
Brian had Justin’s legs over his shoulders and was hitting his prostrate with every stroke.
Justin needed to keep his wits about him. They hadn’t spent the time wanking for nothing.
Brian came with a loud groan, crying Justin’s name over and over again. This was so hot. He stopped thrusting and his whole body shook as he tumbled over the edge headlong into his orgasm.
Justin’s legs fell from Brian’s shoulders when he stopped moving. Amos pushed Brian up and edged out from underneath him forcing him to withdraw.
Brian’s body fell forward onto the towels. He struggled for air, trying to catch his breath, his eyes still closed.
Amos changed position and circled Brian’s opening until it softened. He pushed one finger inside Brian, who moaned at the intrusion. He was still so lost in his orgasm that he didn’t move to stop him. Brian was sighing again as Amos’ finger moved inside him. When he loosened, Amos removed his finger and positioned himself at Brian’s entry. He’d lubed up heavily, knowing Brian would still be tender from the night before. Without a word, he pushed the head of his cock slowly into his partner.
Brian cried out. He wasn’t expecting Justin to fuck him. He could barely breathe from his orgasm a few minutes before. His eyes shot open and looked over his shoulder. Seeing the expression, he knew it was Amos pushing inside him. “Oh godddd,” he moaned as the pain turned into pleasure.
Amos tangled his hand in Brian’s hair and pulled his head back towards him as he slipped fully inside his lover. He waited for Brian to adjust to his girth and when Brian pushed back against him, he began to thrust.
Brian pushed back against him hard as Amos fucked him.
“Fuck, Brian, you feel so good,” Amos moaned and wound his hand tighter into Brian’s hair.
Brian was almost whimpering now, as Amos drove his cock deep inside him over and over again.
When his balls tightened, Amos reached for Brian’s dick and as he took hold, Brian began to shoot. The jiz flowing through Amos’ fingers pushed him into his own orgasm.
Brian’s muscles milked Amos until the last drop was pumped inside him.
They lay on the wet towels, exhausted.
Amos wrapped his arms around Brian and whispered. “Are you okay?”
“Mmmm,” Brian moaned. He was better than okay. He could still feel Amos’ cock pulsing.
Amos began to pull out, but Brian stopped him with a hand against his thigh.
“Stay,” he whispered.
After a few moments, Amos said softly. “I love you, Brian.”
Brian smiled. "Mmmm."
********
Harry and Franklin heard a large crash from upstairs. They looked at each other, wondering if they should respond. They knew about Justin’s surprise and decided when there was no screaming, it must be okay.
“Did Justin tell you what he had planned?” Franklin asked.
“No, I was with Brian today. He was like a man obsessed. I don’t think he managed a minute’s work. He was in his bathroom most of the day,” Harry laughed. “Justin wanted a wooden kitchen chair.”
“Yeah, I saw that in the email,” Franklin smiled. “Do we know what for?”
“Haven’t a clue,” Harry shrugged. “But we had to go to the Mall on the way home to get one,” he smiled. “I was surprised. Brian is a real snob. It was as if he thought mediocrity would infect him if he went inside one. He kept mumbling they were crap emporiums,” Harry laughed. “If he wasn’t desperate for Justin’s prop, I don’t think he would have gone in. I was just lucky he didn’t source something which was hand carved and one of a kind.”
“You and Brian used to go to the Mall all the time didn’t you?” Franklin said confused.
“Yeah, but that was young Brian. About some things, I don’t know this Brian at all. We’ve been close since the shooting and he’s been a particular way, but when I first met him he was different again. He must have mellowed a lot after he and Justin got together.”
Franklin nodded. He thought about his dealings with Brian since part of his memory had returned and his dealings with the Brian he first met. Harry was right. Brian was different. He wasn’t sure, but Brian seemed more detached from everything, except maybe from Justin and Amos. When Amos had led Brian into the garden, he’d seen how much Brian trusted him. Even though he and Brian had been relatively close since the shooting, Franklin sensed a new aloofness, like a wall between them. Brian was softer when he dealt with Amos and Justin. Perhaps it was a wall which Brian only dropped for his lover. No, the wall wasn’t there when he was dancing with Michael at Babylon.
Interesting, he thought. When Justin had challenged Brian that night, Franklin clearly saw the wall go up. When he first met Brian, he was consumed with concern for his partner, much softer than he was now. Franklin couldn’t put his finger on it, but Brian was different. Only time would tell what the changes meant.
“Are you going to spend the night thinking?” Harry laughed.
Franklin smiled and stood up. “Sorry. Let’s go to bed.”
Harry took his hand and turned off the lights. “I’m still stumped by the kitchen chair.”
“Get Justin to tell you about it and you can surprise me. I’m sure Brian will lend us his chair,” Franklin smiled.
“Sounds like a plan,” Harry winked. “Tonight I guess we’ll just have to wing it.”