As Justin Taylor carried dirty dishes to the kitchen, he glanced up at the clock and smiled. Only thirty minutes left in his shift, then he could go home… to Brian. He’d hoped that Brian would come by after work but he must have gone home instead. At least, he hoped he was at home, and alone.

"Hey!"

Recognizing the voice, Justin turned around, a huge smile overtaking his face. "Hey, yourself." Brian sat down at the counter and Justin strolled over to stand beside him.

They kissed lightly, then Justin paused. Something in the older man’s body language told him that everything wasn’t okay. For starters, Brian still had his suit on. "Are you just getting home from work?"

"Yeah," Brian sighed. "We were on an hour-long conference call with a client who thinks the sky is falling." Fatigue was evident as he massaged his temples.

"Well," Justin placed another quick kiss against Brian’s hair, "if anyone can reassure him, you can."

"Thanks," Brian smiled wanly, "and it’s *her*, not *him*. Bill Akers, the frozen yogurt king of south central Pennsylvania, just retired and turned the business over to his daughter, Carolyn. She’s been calling us twice a week for a month and Marty decided that someone needed to go there for a couple of days and dazzle her."

"Don’t tell me - he’s sending you."

Brian smiled sweetly. "It seems that Ms. Akers’ head can be turned by a pretty face and some charm. I seem to be the only one at the Ryder Agency who has both."

"Brian," Justin stared in disbelief, "doesn’t your boss know you’re gay?"

"Of *course*, he does, but she doesn’t. He’s not asking me to seduce her - I just have to impress the hell out of her and to remind her why her old man was a customer of ours for the past ten years."

Justin remained skeptical. "I still don’t understand…"

"What don’t you understand, Justin?" Hazel eyes flashed. "Do you like living at the loft? How do you think I pay for all those little luxuries you’ve started taking for granted? I’ll tell you how: I work my ass off every single day, and I go the extra mile for every single client." He paused for several seconds. When he spoke again, his tone was even. "I just came by to tell you that I’m leaving for Harrisburg."

"Tonight?"

Brian nodded. "I have a meeting with the newly-crowned yogurt queen first thing in the morning."

"W-when will you be home?"

"Sometime Friday afternoon." Reaching out, Brian wrapped his arms around the teenager. "And I promise we’ll go out Friday night - have dinner anywhere you like."

Justin tried to pull away from the strong hands, which were massaging his back and ass. "Don’t you remember what tomorrow is?"

"Thursday," Brian said, matter-of-factly. "I know it’s Valentine’s Day." Justin didn’t answer, so he continued, "What do you want me to say, Justin? It can’t be helped. Besides," he stood up and took a step back, "it’s not like we had plans or anything."

"I was hoping…" His voice trailed off.

"Hoping for what? I’m not going to waste my time or my money on a holiday that was practically invented by some marketing department, so Hallmark and FTD could sell cards and flowers in the middle of winter."

"But - it’s *Valentine’s* Day!" Justin took a step forward.

"As far as I’m concerned, it’s just another day. I told you - we’ll go out Friday night." Brian glanced at his watch. "I’ve got a plane to catch." He kissed Justin lightly, then walked out the door.

Justin collapsed onto the stool where Brian had been sitting and watched his lover leave. Biting his bottom lip, he looked down for a long minute, trying to compose himself. Debbie, who had been hovering nearby during the conversation, stayed close by in case he needed her.

When he looked up, Justin looked sad, but calm. "Debbie, would you tell Maria that I can work for her tomorrow night after all? She asked me last week and I told her no, but…" He attempted a smile. "I’d rather be here than home alone."

Debbie closed the space between her and her young friend quickly, gathering him in a hug. "I’ll be here too, Sunshine. We’ll have our own party!" She kissed the teenager on the cheek.

*&*&*&*&*

Justin Taylor made his way from the kitchen to the booths through the maze of red and white balloons and streamers. Silly French instrumental music played and the lights were dimmed slightly; leave it to Debbie to go overboard when decorating for anything, Justin thought. Everyone seemed to be having a good time, though; he found himself smiling in spite of the sadness he felt at being alone on Valentine’s Day. It’s probably better this way, he thought. If Brian was here, he *still* wouldn’t be celebrating the day that’s universally set aside for lovers. Brian just didn’t *do* holidays or birthdays or romance. The sooner I make my peace with this, Justin decided, the better off I’ll be.

Justin was surprised at how busy they’d been all evening. If I had to choose a romantic place to have dinner, this wouldn’t even be on my list, he thought. There’s no accounting for taste, he decided, as he delivered another order to an older couple who sat holding hands quietly.

It was getting later and, much to Justin’s relief, his shift was almost over. He considered taking a detour to Babylon, just to see what was available. I can’t be the only cute unattached guy in Pittsburgh tonight, he thought. Can I? I could take him home without worrying about getting caught. Somehow, the prospect of getting laid tonight wasn’t as appealing as it once would have been. Their relationship - Justin still smiled when he thought of he and Brian in those terms - allowed for anonymous sex without retribution but he liked the idea of saving himself for his lover. Maybe I’ll go home, go to bed and think about Brian. And jerk off.

Justin turned around in time to see Brian walk in. The older man paused, waiting for his lover to cross the floor to where he stood. "Brian! What are you doing here?" He raised his face to receive a kiss from the taller man.

"After all the trouble I went to so I could get home tonight!" Grabbing Justin’s ass, he pulled him forward. "Aren’t you glad to see me?"

"Of course, I’m glad to see you." They kissed again, their tongues dueling playfully. When they separated, Justin’s face was shining. "I wasn’t expecting you ‘til tomorrow. How’d you get away?"

"I told the yogurt queen that there was a special someone waiting for me at home." As he spoke, he placed a hand gingerly on his heart, a look of longing on his face. "Middle-aged straight women are so *fucking* romantic, it’s pathetic." He shook his head. "They’ll believe anything."

Justin giggled. "Sounds like you made a good impression on her. I take it you saved the account?"

"Thirty minutes after I arrived, I had her eating out of my hand." Brian smiled. "By the time I was finished with her, she wanted to have my children. Like I don’t already have one kid too many." He tried to look scared, but only managed to look bemused. "Let’s get out of here." Grabbing the young man, he started walking toward the door.

Justin resisted being pulled. "My shift’s not over yet." He looked up at the face of his lover. "You look tired. Why don’t you go on home? I’ll be there in a while."

Debbie had been near the door when Brian came in and she’d heard his conversation with the busboy. She understood the connection between the sexy ad exec and her teenage co-worker, as well as anyone did. She continued to wish that Justin would at least try to meet someone nearer his age and experience, just as she wished that Brian would treat him better; there was nothing she could do to change either person, so she decided to keep herself occupied by watching out for them. "We’ve got everything under control here, Sunshine. You go on home with your Valentine."

Justin didn’t have to be told twice. "Thanks, Deb." He was removing his apron as he and Brian walked toward the door. "See you tomorrow afternoon."

The young man crawled into the Jeep for the short drive to the loft. He watched Brian in silence, not sure yet whether he was in a good mood or not. The older man looked amazing, dressed in a black tank top and black jeans. If the yogurt queen had seen him in that, Justin decided, he’d still be in Harrisburg.

*&*&*&*&*

Brian opened the door of the loft and walked in first. "Take a shower while I heat up something. I’m starving."

Justin pulled his shirt off. "Why don’t you join me? I’m not hungry."

"Well, I am." Brian’s head was buried in the refrigerator.

Justin removed the rest of his clothes on the way to the bathroom. Any hopes he’d had that Brian had come home early so they could celebrate Valentine’s Day were disappearing. That’s okay, he thought. We’re here and we’re together and that’s going to have to do.

The water was beginning to run cold when Justin turned it off and stepped out of the shower. As he picked up the towel, he saw Brian’s dark blue robe hanging on the doorknob. Slipping it on, he walked back to the kitchen.

Brian was sitting at the table, dressed in his blue robe. Justin looked down at the robe he was wearing, then he looked at Brian questioningly. "It looked good on you that day you wore it, so I bought one for you." Brian’s face was full of pride. "That’s a good color for you, Justin."

"Thanks." Justin mumbled, not knowing what else to say. Stopping, he looked around. The only illumination in the room was provided by candles scattered around the room; there were at least a dozen, each one a different size and shape. "What’s this? I thought you didn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day."

"I don’t - we’re celebrating the fact that it’s Thursday."

Justin touched the soft material of the robe he wore. "And you gave me this robe because it’s Thursday?"

"No," Brian explained patiently. "I told you - I liked the way you looked in mine."

Justin nodded, finally beginning to understand what was happening. Is this the way Brian does everything? he wondered. By pretending he was only doing it for someone else? Whatever, he decided. I can play along. "All that food," he pointed at the takeout containers on the counter, "is that also not because it’s Valentine’s Day?"

Brian shrugged. "I’m starving." He grabbed a plate and started spooning Chinese food onto it. Even though Justin had said he wasn’t hungry, it smelled good. He filled a plate and joined his lover at the table.

They ate quickly, then washed off their plates and put them in the dishwasher. "Brian," Justin looked up at his lover’s face. "I-I know you don’t believe in Valentine’s Day, but…"

Brian looked annoyed. "But you bought me something anyway, didn’t you?"

"Not exactly," Justin looked down. "I made you something - a drawing, with my new computer."

"Okay," Brian sighed. "Let’s get this over with." As Justin hurried away, the older man opened the refrigerator door.

By the time Justin had retrieved the gift, Brian was sitting on the couch. He had a bottle and two crystal flutes on the table in front of him. "Champagne?" He was surprised.

"It’s not Dom Perignon or anything, but I knew you had me something and that you’d want to make a big deal out of giving it to me."

Justin was getting the feeling that Brian was enjoying this, despite his teasing. He accepted the glass Brian held out, but didn’t take a drink. "What are you waiting for?" Brian asked.

"I don’t know," Justin cocked his head sideways. "I thought there might be a toast…"

"Christ!" Brian laughed. "Aren’t you ever satisfied?" He started to take a drink, then paused. "You do it."

"What?"

"If you want a toast, go ahead…" Brian looked at him expectantly.

Justin looked down, not knowing how to proceed. He’s going to laugh at whatever I say, Justin thought. Why not go for it? "For everything we are to each other now and for whatever we may become…" He waited patiently for a laugh or a teasing word - something to let him know how silly Brian thought he was.

Instead, he got a kiss - short and chaste, but sincere. When it was over, they took a drink of champagne. "So," Brian asked, "where’s my gift?"

Justin picked up the drawing from where he’d laid it on the floor next to the sofa. "I didn’t frame it ‘cause I didn’t know where you’d want to hang it, or even if you’d want to hang it at all."

Accepting the gift, Brian removed the ribbon and paper carefully. He looked at it for a long minute, not saying anything. His face was unreadable. "Brian…? Do you like it?"

"It’s…" Brian continued staring. "Does it have a title?" He glanced over at his lover.

"I call it ‘Two Hearts’. I guess it’s a little abstract, but that’s how I see us, intertwined like they are. The larger heart is you and the smaller one is me."

"Justin, your heart is definitely larger than mine." Brian couldn’t look at his companion. "Everyone knows that."

"I know that’s what you want everyone to think, but I’m not everyone. Am I?" Brian shifted uncomfortably. "Don’t worry - your secret is safe with me," he added quickly.

Laying the drawing down, Brian grabbed Justin’s head in his hands and kissed him, gently and thoroughly. It was several minutes before the older man pulled back. When Justin caught his breath, he spoke again, "I-I got you a card too."

"Sure, you did," Brian smirked. "Okay, let’s have it." Justin handed it over and Brian opened it quickly. Dreading the worst, he looked at the front before opening it and reading what was inside. The inscription was simple: ‘Happy Valentine’s Day to My Best Friend, Love, Justin’

"Thank you for not embarrassing yourself with some fucking ridiculous card." His words belied his expression, which was one of appreciation. "I apologize for not getting you a card," he continued as he walked quickly to the bedroom and retrieved his carryon bag.

When Brian returned to the sofa, he tossed a box in Justin’s lap. The young man looked up in surprise. "What’s this?"

"Open it and find out."

Opening the box, Justin looked inside. "Brian!"

"Go ahead - put it on."

Justin tried to pick up the gift, but his hands were shaking slightly - not because of his injury but because of emotion. "I can’t - it’s too beautiful."

"Here - let me." Picking up the gold chain, Brian held it out for inspection. "Do you like it?"

"Yes - it’s exquisite! It looks so thin, almost like a spider web.

"Yeah, that’s what I thought too, when I first saw it." Brian held out the chain so Justin could touch it. "But the more you touch it, the more you realize how strong it is, and how beautiful." He glanced at Justin’s face. "Kinda like you. You look like this fragile little queer, who’ll run away if anyone yells ‘boo’. But the more I know you, the more I realize you’re one of the strongest and bravest people I know."

The tears, which had puddled in Justin’s eyes, were escaping down his cheeks. "This is the most amazing gift I’ve ever received." He sat still long enough for Brian to fasten the chain around his neck, then hugged his lover tightly.

When they pulled back from the hug, Brian fingered the chain lightly. "Besides, I could picture how beautiful gold would look against the pale skin of your neck." Leaning forward, he licked the area surrounding Justin’s newest piece of jewelry before moving up to kiss the perfect mouth.

It only took a few minutes for them to extinguish all the candles except the ones in the bedroom. They removed their matching blue robes before crawling onto the bed.

As Brian crouched on the bed with Justin lying on his back before him, he smiled. Neither of them had spoken since they’d come to bed but that was okay - words were unnecessary. The feel of the young body responding to his touches and kisses was more of a turn-on than anything he’d experienced. He entered Justin slowly, watching his face as he moved inside him. Leaning forward, he covered the small mouth with his, plundering it completely and allowing his tongue to be sucked into the young man’s mouth.

Justin shifted in an attempt to increase the penetration, but Brian’s weight rendered him immobile. The thrusts were becoming faster, more frantic. Strong fingers grasped his cock, stroking it firmly as their breathing became more labored. Brian was moaning softly as he neared completion.

Justin closed his eyes, knowing he wouldn’t last much longer. Brian kissed him once more, then moved his head so his mouth was close to Justin’s ear.

"I love you."

Justin opened his eyes in surprise, just as orgasm overcame him. He contracted his anal muscles around Brian’s cock, pulling him over the edge as well.

Five minutes later, they lay together, their bodies intertwined. Brian’s breathing was regular and Justin assumed he was asleep. The young man remained awake, though, trying to decide if he’d actually heard Brian say what he thought he’d heard Brian say.

I know he loves me, Justin thought. I just don’t know if he’d actually *say* it. Maybe I was just imagining it, or maybe he said it without realizing it. Justin argued the pros and cons for a while, until he felt a pain beginning behind his eyes. He shook his head slightly, trying to force all the thoughts out so he could go to sleep.

"Yes, Justin, I said it," Brian spoke softly. "Now, go to sleep."

Without answering, Justin snuggled closer and closed his eyes.