"Or we could go home… Just the two of us." The words were out of Justin’s mouth before he realized he’d said them.

"What about the game?" Brian asked, looking away.

Justin paused for only a second. "Fuck the game." He took half-a-step forward and press his mouth against Brian’s briefly. He looked up at Brian’s face, trying to decipher his expression. Amusement? Annoyance? Aversion? Brian kissed him once, quickly, then again, not quickly. They stood plastered together for what seemed like forever, their tongues dueling playfully as they embraced lightly.

Brian broke the kiss, pulling back slightly. He chose not to acknowledge Justin’s suggestion. Pushing him away, he started walking toward the stairs; he grabbed the young man’s hand at the last second and pulled him along.

Once they were on the main dance floor, conversation was all but impossible. Justin walked as close behind Brian as he could manage, his eyes locked on the back of his lover’s head. No one else in the room mattered to him; he already had with the person he wanted to go home with.

Brian walked over to the man he’d chosen from upstairs. He looks even better close up, Justin thought, as he watched Brian touch the man ever-so-lightly on the back and lean in to speak directly into his ear. Even though he’d never been the recipient of one of Brian’s Babylon pick-up lines, he had no doubt that the other man would follow them.

No one ever turned Brian Kinney down.

Brian leaned in and spoke to his prey one more time. The other man looked down at Justin and smiled. Justin hoped he was smiling back, but he wasn’t sure. All he could think about was getting out of there…

When Brian started moving through the crush of gyrating bodies toward the young man Justin had chosen, Justin caught his eye and shook his head slightly. Turning away, he ignored the questioning look on his lover’s face and started making his way toward the door.

Justin crawled in the back seat of the Jeep, allowing their guest to sit up front. Tall and slim, he had short dark hair and deep brown eyes. His face was flushed; was it a byproduct of strenuous dancing or anticipation of what was to come? Justin wondered.

Brian closed the door and started the engine, glancing at the man who sat beside him. He put the car in gear, then snaked his hand across, letting it come to rest on the stranger’s crotch.

Nothing was said during the short trip home; Justin watched the front-seat passengers intently. Brian parked quickly and started climbing out. Justin followed the two older men into the building. When they entered the elevator, he turned toward the stairs. "Justin!" Brian stood at the elevator door, waiting.

Without saying anything, Justin waved them on and started up the stairs.

All three of them arrived at the door to the loft at the same time. Brian had one arm wrapped around the stranger as he opened the door with the other hand. Justin paused to let them walk in first.

Brian and the stranger were all over each other, pulling at their clothes while Justin watched from the doorway. The other man was kissing Brian’s neck, then the side of his face.

Brian successfully dodged the other man’s attempt to kiss him on the mouth. "Sorry. That’s not part of the package," he said, without emotion.

The man looked at Justin. "But you’ll kiss the boytoy on the mouth, won’t you?" Brian didn’t answer and the man spoke again, this time to Justin. "Come on over here, Junior, and kiss your boyfriend." Holding out a hand, he beckoned to the teenager. "That’s what you are, right? Boyfriends?" He looked back at Brian. "Tell me what I have to do for you to let me fuck him." He nodded in Justin’s direction.

That’s it! Justin decided. He darted back out the door and ran down the stairs quickly. He knew it would take a minute for Brian to get his pants back on so he could come after him.

Justin ran out the front door of the building up the street. He slowed down when he was two blocks away, glancing around. No sign of Brian. He’s probably still there, he thought, getting his dick sucked.

He had been walking for a while when Justin found himself in front of the diner, so he went inside. There were a few people here at this late hour. The teenager poured himself a cup of coffee and went back to the kitchen to see if there was any food left over from dinner. He found a small bowl of chili and put it in the microwave to heat. He grabbed a handful of crackers and walked back to the front.

Justin sat down in the back booth, facing away from the door. He was sure to be recognized by someone who’d want to talk and he didn’t feel like making an attempt at conversation. He tried to push all the chaotic thoughts out of his mind long enough to eat. Then what?

"Fuck if I know," he breathed. He took another drink of coffee and thought about Brian. It continued to be a source of fascination to him how Brian was able to totally compartmentalize his life: work had nothing to do with home, his tricks had nothing to do with his friends, Justin had nothing to do with… anything?

Is that why Brian agreed to my conditions for going back so easily? Because all those guys really mean nothing to him? How does he do that? More importantly, why can’t I do it? Why did I have to fuck that guy at the party? Because he was irresistible? Justin laughed. Hardly. Because I was mad at Brian for not getting jealous when I mentioned meeting a hot, frat guy? Because it’s what Brian would have done?

Who knows?

Leaning forward, Justin closed his eyes. He became aware of the ache that was beginning behind his eyes. The headaches came much more seldom now, but they still arrived, without warning, especially when he was stressed.

Which he totally was now.

Justin’s thoughts returned to Daphne’s friend - what was his name, anyway? He could still see the look of desolation on the young face when he told him he was yesterday’s fuck. He even had tears in his eyes when he walked away. It couldn’t be helped. I had to be a total asshole, just like Brian tried to be with me. As long as he thought there was any chance at all for us, he would never have gone away.

I know I never would have.

Brian made fun of me, ignored me, but I didn’t give up - couldn’t give up. Something in the way he looked at me kept me coming back.

That guy had to know, for once and for all, that it wouldn’t do him any good to keep trying. There’s nothing here for him. I belong to Brian. We belong to each other.

Justin made a face. If that’s true, why am I sitting here drinking cold coffee while Brian fucks someone he doesn’t even know in our bed?

Correction: *his* bed.

*&*&*&*&*

The very first beginnings of the dawn were touching the edges of the horizon when Brian walked into the diner. Justin was sitting in the same booth he’d been in for the past several hours, but he was leaning forward with his head resting on his arms.

"Justin," Brian spoke softly, as he slid into the seat across from the teenager.

"Huh?" The blond head jerked up. "What’re you doing here?" Justin rubbed his eyes and looked at the other man. Brian’s hair was tousled and only two buttons were fastened on his shirt. He must have come here right after he tossed the trick out. Justin could feel his dick getting hard and Brian hadn’t even touched him.

"I might ask you the same question." The young man didn’t reply, so Brian continued, "Why did you leave?"

"I don’t know," Justin shrugged. "I didn’t want to watch you fuck that guy…"

Brian licked his lips. "The point of the game is for us *both* to fuck him. You were supposed to pick someone too; we were supposed--"

"I *know* what we were supposed to do!" When Justin realized he’d raised his voice, he looked around self-consciously. Without saying anything else, he grabbed his empty coffee cup and walked to the counter. When he came back, he carried two cups and set one down in front of Brian.

Brian pushed the cup away, spilling some of the contents on the table.

"Alan just made it – it’s not bad." Justin took a large drink, then looked down.

"I don’t want it."

"What do you want? Breakfast?" Justin glanced up. It was impossible to tell what Brian was thinking. As usual.

"I want to go home and go back to bed." Stretching his arm out, he grasped Justin’s hand in his. "With you."

Justin nodded silently and stood up. Without another word, he followed his lover out of the diner.