I guess this is my first season 4 story, although it takes place just before the beginning of 401. As season 4 begins, both Brian and Justin not only consider themselves partners, but seem rather blasé about it. This caused me to wonder about the moment when the ‘P’ word was first used. This story contains very slight spoilers for 401.

Partners

by Cathy

The early morning sun streamed through the large windows and into the sparsely furnished apartment, giving it an air of vacancy. Only a few days earlier, the empty spaces had been filled with beautiful and expensive furnishings. The only room left untouched by the upheaval, other than the bathroom, was the bedroom.

In this most sacred of rooms, the large platform bed stood as it had from the day its owner had moved in, with the obligatory collection of clothes scattered on the floor around it. The aforementioned owner slept soundly in the aforementioned bed, but he wasn’t alone.

He hardly ever slept alone.

You see, this was the morning after election day in the metropolis of Pittsburgh. After a long and rancorous campaign, a new mayor had been chosen. During most of that time, things had looked bleak for the inhabitants of nearby Liberty Avenue. One of the candidates, who also happened to be the police chief, led the polls week after week. The gay community didn’t take any of it seriously, though, especially the owner of the beautiful loft. He had even helped the police chief in his campaign to rid Pittsburgh of all those nasty things that threaten the sanctity of mom and apple pie. But, thanks to the good example set by someone very close to him, he pulled off an eleventh-hour advertising blitz, which opened the eyes of his fellow Liberty Avenuians. They voted in droves against the police chief, causing him to lose the election. This triggered a huge victory celebration, which spilled out onto the streets and lasted until the long fingers of daylight began clawing at the night sky.

Oddly enough, the two inhabitants of the large bed in the even larger loft were not around when the combination Halloween, Mardi Gras and New Year’s party came to a not-so-quiet close.

Notice, I said there were two people in the bed.

I told you he hardly ever slept alone, even on an ordinary night.

And this definitely was *not* an ordinary night.

But things had changed as much inside the loft as they had outside. The owner, Brian Kinney, had brought home a blond-haired, blue-eyed young man, Justin Taylor, after the public victory celebration. They held a private, but no less joyful, celebration of their own. The clock hadn’t even struck twelve when Brian extended a short, but very heartfelt, invitation to continue the party at the loft.

"What about the guys?" Justin looked around, trying to find their friends in the mass of humanity that surrounded them.

"If anyone doesn’t get laid tonight…" Brian pulled his lover close, "they’re not trying." He started walking in the direction of the loft. "I never realized how horny politics makes me. C’mon."

"I guess we’d better hurry, before you have to sell your bed." Justin laughed into the older man’s ear.

"Bite your tongue!" Brian kissed the younger man. "If you’re a good boy, I might let you bite--" The rest of the sentence was lost in yet another kiss.

*&*&*&*&*

Their first round of lovemaking was very short and very fast. Two sets of hands tore at clothes, scattering them on the floor around the bed as they tumbled together onto the dark sheets. A condom appeared out of thin air. Justin held his lover’s kiss as he slipped latex onto the hardening shaft and rolled it down. His whispered command to ‘fuck me’ was obeyed immediately.

The next round was slower but no less enthusiastic. It began as Brian was trying to regain his equilibrium from the first orgasm. He’d rolled over on his side, pulling his lover’s body over to lie beside him. Justin removed the condom and took it to the bathroom. When he returned, he was wiping his stomach and chest with a towel. Brian pushed the towel away and started licking the pale skin. He pulled the young man onto the bed, on his back, burying his face in pubic hair. Not to be outdone, Justin quickly shifted over so that his face was in front of his lover’s groin. One quick lick along the length of the hardening shaft and round two was begun in earnest.

*&*&*&*&*

An indeterminate amount of time later, the two men moved around so that they were lying side by side again. Suddenly, Brian rolled off the bed and disappeared into the kitchen. He returned with two bottles and held one out to Justin, who was sitting propped up on the pillows. "What?" The young man looked at the bottle. "Tonight doesn’t rate champagne?"

"I don’t have any champagne." Sitting down, he took a drink. "And these are the last two beers."

"In that case…" Justin touched his bottle to the other one. "To victory."

"No matter the price," Brian uttered, solemnly.

Justin moved close to his lover. "I still can’t believe you did all that because of…" he hesitated, unsure of how much more he could say.

"You?" Brian glanced at Justin’s face and then looked away. "What makes you think I did it for you?"

"Not *for* me," Justin corrected. "Because some asshole said you had to be willing to sacrifice everything for what you believe." He nuzzled his face against his lover’s neck. "I’ve never been prouder of you than I am right now…"

"Thanks…" Brian paused, for effect, "Obi Wan." Moving his head around, he captured the small mouth in his, kissing it slowly.

A short time later, he broke the kiss and took another drink. "Hurry up and finish your beer. I want to go to sleep."

Justin looked at the clock. "It’s not that late."

Brian drained the bottle. "Don’t you have to work tomorrow?"

"Yeah. At eleven." The young man finished his beer. Grabbing the other empty bottle, he took them to the kitchen and tossed them into the garbage. As he walked back to the bedroom, he tried to adjust to the emptiness. Pausing at the window, he surveyed the street below. "It looks like the party is still going strong."

When Justin returned to the bed, his companion was still sitting up, smoking. Justin slid in beside him, took the cigarette and inhaled.

"Do you wish you’d stayed? Out there?"

Justin shook his head. "I prefer a more exclusive party." He replaced the cigarette in his lover’s mouth.

Brian shifted down in the bed, pulling the slight body with him. One more drag and he crushed the cigarette out in an ashtray on the bedside table. He turned off the lamp, plunging the room into darkness. Justin turned on his side and wrapped his body around the larger form of his lover. Neither of them said anything for a long minute before Brian cleared his throat and then spoke, "You said, earlier, that you couldn’t believe I did it all because of you." He stroked the fine blond hair. "You gave up as much as I did - more, really."

"No." Justin spoke quickly. "Not more…"

"Yes," Brian said, emphatically. "You gave up your education - your chance to get a degree, and all because--"

"Of something I believed in. That really wasn’t a decision, Brian. I’d do the same thing again, tomorrow…"

"Have you given any thought to…"

"What I’m gonna do?" Justin chuckled softly. "I’ve hardly thought of anything else. I was suspended, not expelled. Dr. Chandler, my adviser, said I can re-apply in a year."

"Won’t they still expect you to apologize before you can go back?"

"I guess I’ll have to wait and see. Who knows what might happen between now and then?" He paused for several seconds. "What about you? What’re you gonna do?"

"I don’t know. File for unemployment…" he said, vaguely.

"What about the hundred grand you owe? For the ads?"

"Actually, it’s down to about fifty thousand now. I paid off three of the credit cards with the money I got from selling my stuff."

"I can’t imagine you not being able to find a job. You’re the best ad exec in… anywhere." Justin’s voice raised in anger at the way things had worked out for his lover.

"Well, for starters, I went behind my partner’s back and sabotaged our firm’s biggest account. And, don’t forget that I used my senior status to initiate and maintain a illicit sexual relationship with a teenage intern."

"That is *not* what happened and you know it!" Sitting up, Justin looked down at his lover’s face. "*I* was the one who seduced *you*! And there was nothing illicit about what we did!"

Reaching up, Brian placed a hand on Justin’s mouth, silencing him. "You don’t have to tell me, I was there. Remember?" Nodding, the young man remained silent as he lay back down. "Besides, it doesn’t matter what actually happened - only what people have heard and believe."

"I know, but we were right. Stockwell lost. Doesn’t that help us?"

"I don’t know, Justin. I really don’t know." Brian pulled the hot young body closer still. He felt lips against his neck.

"Tell me everything’s gonna be okay…" No response. "Please?" The last request was no more than a whisper.

Words of hope remained unspoken, though. Brian kissed the blond hair. "Go to sleep."

Rather than following his own command, the older man lay awake, staring into the darkness. His mind wandered back to a time, two years earlier, when Justin had trusted him to protect him. He’d failed him then and had almost lost him forever. There was no way he could give his lover a false sense of security when he had no idea what was going to happen.

*&*&*&*&*

Justin opened his eyes and looked at the clock. He had fifty minutes to get to work. Crawling out of bed carefully, he headed for the bathroom. Fifteen minutes later, he hurried back into the bedroom, his blond hair still dripping. Dressing quickly, he started looking around for his shoes. His search was interrupted by a sound coming from the bed: a cross between a snort and a moan. Pausing, he leaned over to look down at the lone occupant, who was stirring slightly. As he gazed at his lover’s face, he wanted nothing more than to strip off his clothes, slide back under the sheet and forget about everything except how amazing it felt to be with his love.

The inner struggle between obligation and desire lasted only a few seconds. He kissed the dark hair lightly, pausing for another minute to take in the full effect of the beautiful face. As he turned away, he was already thinking about what he wanted them to do when he returned in a few hours.

*&*&*&*&*

There were few people out and about that morning. Justin walked through the detritus of the celebration, realizing that it wasn’t all a dream. Stockwell had lost. They had won.

The diner was filling up quickly. Everyone was looking at the newspaper and talking about the election. For those people, victories were few and far between; they wanted to savor this one for as long as they could. Smiling, Justin grabbed an apron and set to work.

*&*&*&*&*

It was after three when Justin looked up in time to see Brian walk in and sit down at the counter. He hurried over. "You’re up." He kissed the older man on the cheek.

"In more ways than one." Reaching down, Brian brushed his hand across his lover’s crotch. "I woke up with the idea of an early morning fuck. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was afternoon and you weren’t there." He continued lightly stroking Justin’s cock through his jeans.

Justin spoke softly into his lover’s ear. "There’s always the bathroom and I’m due for a fifteen-minute break--"

Brian chuckled. "That is tempting." He moved his hand away from Justin’s groin. "But I’d rather wait till you get home tonight. What time do you get off?"

"Seven," Justin growled. "We can get off together shortly after that."

"Now, *that* sounds like a plan." He kissed the young man lightly before allowing him to walk around the counter. "Can you get me some lunch? I’m starving."

"Sure." Justin pulled a ticket book out of his pocket. "What do you want?"

"A bacon cheeseburger with everything, and fries," Brian said, without hesitation.

"Are you sure?" Justin paused. "What happened to turkey on whole grain, no mayo?"

Brian shrugged. "I decided to live dangerously."

*&*&*&*&*

Half an hour later, Brian pushed his plate away and stood up. "I’ll see you at seven, okay?" He spoke to Justin, who was walking by.

Justin paused, nodding. "Are we going to Babylon?"

"I-I don’t think I want to go out tonight." He kissed the blond hair. "Let’s stay in."

"Okay." Justin beamed. "You’re out of beer. Do you want me to pick some up?"

Brian shook his head. "I’ll get it. Just hurry up and get your ass home." He dropped a twenty on the counter and walked out.

*&*&*&*&*

It was a few minutes after seven when Justin pressed the buzzer in the lobby of Brian’s building. Without a word, Brian unlocked the door and Justin started climbing the stairs.

The door to the loft was ajar and Justin walked in to find Brian sitting in front of his computer. "What’re you doing?"

"Working on my resume," Brian said, without looking up. "I’ve got to put myself out there if I expect to get another job."

Standing behind his lover, Justin nuzzled his face in dark hair. "They’ll be climbing all over each other to hire you."

"Yeah," the older man laughed.

"Come on, Brian," Justin stepped around so that he could look at his lover’s face. "You’re the most brilliant, creative man in Pittsburgh. You won that award a couple of years ago…"

Brian couldn’t help smiling in spite of himself. "Many thanks to the president of my fan club for his touching testimonial."

Justin knew when he was being teased. "What I’m saying is the truth and you know it." He mock-punched his lover on the arm. "Do you want a beer?" Turning away, he headed toward the kitchen.

"N-no!" Brian stood up quickly and hurried to the refrigerator. "I’ll get it. Go on and sit down."

Since the departure of most of the furniture, the only place to sit was on the bed. Justin ascended the stairs, pulling off his clothes as he walked. He was naked by the time he sat down on the dark sheets. Brian followed him carrying a bottle and two glasses.

"When did they start putting beer in champagne bottles?" Justin laughed.

"Smart ass." Brian handed both glasses to the young man. "You wanted champagne last night." Brian popped the cork and filled the glasses. Setting the bottle on the floor, he took a glass and started to take a drink.

"Wait!" Justin cried, startling them both. "We have to have a toast."

"Okay." Brian gazed at his lover. "Go ahead."

"I-I’m not good with words. You say something."

Brian thought for a minute before speaking. "I’ve never said it, Justin. I never thought I had to. You know what you mean to me…" He looked away.

Justin moved close, wrapping an arm around the other man’s back and laying his head on the muscular shoulder. "You’re right - I’ve always known… what we mean to each other." Raising his head, he moved forward and covered his lover’s mouth with his. Brian reciprocated immediately, pulling the slight body close.

It was several minutes before they broke the kiss. "Will you drink this before you spill it? I can’t imagine how to get champagne stains out of Egyptian cotton sheets." They laughed as they sipped the cold liquid. When their glasses were empty, they set them on the bedside table. Justin began pulling at Brian’s clothes as they resumed the kiss.

When Brian was naked, he stretched out on the bed, pulling his lover to lie beside him. His hands roamed over pale skin as his tongue plundered the small mouth. They both knew they had all night, which took away any sense of urgency. Their overwhelming desire was to give and receive as much pleasure as they could manage.

Justin rolled over on his back, pulling his lover over to lie on top of him. Their cocks ground against each other slowly, almost tortuously, as they writhed together. The young man reached up to retrieve a condom. Brian broke the kiss and sat back, allowing his lover to put it on his hard shaft.

Brian pulled his lover’s legs up to drape across his shoulders. Positioning his dick at the opening of Justin’s body, he moved forward slowly, eliciting a groan from the young man. He sheathed himself completely before pulling out. Lowering his head, he kissed the small mouth as he pushed in again.

"Faster, Brian - oh, shit!" Justin gasped. His lover smiled down at him. He knew just what to do to make it last as long as they could stand. Seconds later, Brian grasped the young man’s cock and stroked it slowly, matching the rhythm of his thrusts.

Sometime between a minute and an hour later, Justin cried out as orgasm overtook him. He squeezed his anal muscles, plunging the older man over the edge as well.

Justin sighed softly as Brian pulled out of him and rolled them over on their sides. The young man removed the condom carefully. "I’ll be right back." He started crawling off the bed.

"Wait - I’ll go." Brian took the condom and started moving toward the bathroom. When he returned, he threw a towel on the bed and sat down. "Do you want more champagne?"

Justin wiped off his chest and stomach and threw the towel on the floor. "It’s not cold anymore." He turned up his nose.

"Bitch!" Brian scoffed. Justin laughed. He poured champagne into both glasses and handed one to his companion. They sipped silently for several minutes.

"Are you sure you don’t want to go out tonight?" Justin asked.

Brian shrugged. "I don’t know - do you?"

"I’m fine," Justin replied, as he shifted closer to his lover. "You’re always the one who wants to go out."

"Maybe later," Brian said, vaguely. He fetched a cigarette and lit it, inhaling deeply. "I bought you something today."

"A gift?" Justin eyes lit up and then he looked serious. "Brian, you don’t have to keep buying me shit."

"Don’t worry - it didn’t cost much." Leaning over, he retrieved a small box from the drawer in the bedside table and handed it to his lover.

Justin opened it quickly. Looking up, he smiled shyly. "It’s… a key."

"It’s not just any key." Picking up the small metal object, Brian handed it to his companion. "It’s the key to my kingdom." He looked around at the empty apartment. "Such as it is."

The young man fondled it gently. "I don’t know what to say…"

"What about thank you?"

"Thank you." Justin said, quietly.

"I should have given it to you a long time ago. Now you can come and go as you please."

Justin laughed. "Does this mean that I have to give you a key to *my* apartment?" He crawled off the bed and grabbed his jeans.

"Didn’t Daphne tell you she already did? We’ve been meeting there while you were at work."

"I guess that explains why she’s been so happy lately." Justin attached the key to his key ring and replaced it in his pocket.

"She’s really amazing in bed, Justin," Brian teased.

"I’m not surprised." Justin smirked. "I taught her everything she knows. Remember?"

They shared a laugh.

Justin was back on the bed, snuggled up against Brian. They kissed briefly before the young man pulled back. "I know you don’t want to go out but, can we get something to eat?"

"Are you hungry again?" Justin nodded and Brian looked incredulous. "Do you want to call Hong Kong Palace?"

"Yeah!" Justin replied. "We can eat in bed!"

Brian shook his head. "You’re determined to stain my sheets, aren’t you?"

Justin smiled. "Any way I can." They laughed again.

*&*&*&*&*

Several hours and five cartons of Chinese food later, the two men lay together in the bed, in the dark. Satiated, they snuggled close as sleep slowly overtook them.

"Brian?"

"Hmmm?"

"Are you asleep?"

"What do you think?" They chuckled quietly.

"I-I just wanted to thank you… again."

"I enjoy sucking your dick - I thought you knew that."

"That wasn’t what I was talking about," Justin snorted. "Although I *did* enjoy the blow job. Thank you for the key. It means a lot."

Brian closed his eyes. "Don’t you think it was time you had a key to your partner’s apartment?"

It took several seconds for the word to sink in. Brian had said it before, but Justin had never heard it. "What did you say?"

"You heard me." Brian wrapped an arm around the slight body, pulling it close. "Now, go to sleep."

"Partner." Justin said it aloud, almost delirious with joy. It was all he could do to keep from getting up and dancing around the room. "Do you really think of me as your partner?"

"I said so, didn’t I?" He hoped the serious tone of his voice was a sufficient warning. "It’s not a big deal. Okay?"

"Okay." Justin forced his voice to sound calm. "Good night." He placed a chaste kiss on his partner’s cheek and descended, blissfully, into slumber.