Chapter 1
	Brian sat cross-legged on the plush carpet, the tip of his tongue poking out between his lips as he concentrated on his nails. Slowly and expertly, he painted a dark streak across his thumbnail. “Brian?” “Mmhh?” Brian didn’t look up, his eyes fixed on the black brush as it swept across his nails, currently scrubbed clean of colour. “Did you ever call Dmitri back?” Brian shrugged, still refusing to look up. “Nope.” Stefan sighed and rolled his eyes. “Baby, it’s kind of important.” “More important than my nails?” “Significantly.” “How?” “Because it concerns the band.” “Can’t it wait?” “*No*, Brian.” Brian scowled and moved on to begin his right hand before hesitating. “Steffie, be a love, and do this hand for me?” He looked up finally to see Stefan standing over him, his hands on his hips. He batted his eyelashes innocently. “Brian—” “C’mon Steffie, you know I’m shite at doing my right hand.” He pouted. “Fine, if I paint them for you, will you call Dmitri?” Brian wrinkled his nose. “Alright.” He sighed finally. “Good.” Stefan dropped to the ground, gracefully folding his legs under him. Brian handed the black bottle of nail varnish to Stefan, who accepted it and allowed Brian to set his bare hand on his knee. “You know I love you, Stef.” He cooed. Stefan rolled his eyes and began to delicately paint Brian’s tiny fingers. “Yeah, yeah.” Brian beamed at him and started humming to himself as Stefan carefully plastered the singer’s nails (knowing full well Brian would throw a hissy fit if they weren’t perfect, and then demand he redo them). Several minutes later, Brian waved his hands around; gently blowing on the nails to help them dry more quickly. “Ok, they’re done.” Stefan decided for him, slightly annoyed. “Now call Dmitri.” “But he’s gonna yell at me.” Brian pouted. “No he’s not---” “He is, because I haven’t called him back on time. And he’ll go off on how I’m supposed to be more responsible, and I should grow up and---” “BRIAN! Just fucking, call him all right? I painted your nails and you promised!” “I didn’t promise.” Brian pointed out smugly. “You assumed that I promised, but in reality, I really, really didn’t.” Stefan glared at Brian. “Get off your ass, now!” Brian folded his arms and cuddled further into the couch. “Make me.” He said, batting his eyelashes. Stefan put his hands on his hips. “Get up, *now* or no sex for the next month.” Brian’s mouth dropped open. “That’s *way* below the belt, Stefan!” He protested. “What happens if I don’t meet anyone when we go out? You expect me to go home *alone*?” “I do it every night you find someone else, Brian. Maybe its time you learned how it feels to be the back up fuck buddy.” Brian’s lips parted slightly. “Stef! That’s not what you are to me---you know I love you more than that, don’t you?” “That doesn’t change the fact that I won’t fuck you for a month if you don’t get up now.” “But Stef, I don’t *want* to.” Brian whined, his mind still whirring slightly from Stefan’s sudden outburst. “Get. Up.” Brian glared at the bassist and then heaved himself off the couch. “Fine.” He stomped over to the phone and promptly turned his back on Stefan. “I hate you.” “Of course you do. Now shut up and call him.” “I can’t call him if I shut up---” “BRIAN!” Brian snatched up the phone and roughly punched in the numbers before banging himself down on the table that sat by the phone. Stefan watched in amusement, at the lead singer’s tantrum, thinking how hilarious it would be if the small table were to collapse under Brian… “It’s Brian.” The stroppy rock star said shortly, as the other line picked up. Stefan could just faintly hear the response. “Ah. I see Stefan got you to the phone.” “No. I was being responsible.” Stefan rolled his eyes, and there was the sound of laughter from the earpiece. “Of course you are. Now listen Brian, this is a group effort, and you need to be there for the rest of the group.” “I am, but you bloody called me in the middle of the night!” “Brian, it was ten in the morning.” “The fucking middle of the night!” Dmitri sighed on the other line. “Alright fine. I promise not to call before three anymore.” “Good.” There was a short pause. “So *why* did you call me in the middle of the night, now that we’re on the subject?” “The band has been invited to a private charity party. And I really need you guys to be there. A friend of mine is calling in a favour, and I promised him that you three would go.” Brian grimaced. “Do we *have* to?” “Yes, Brian. Remember what I said about growing up? This would be the time.” Brian sighed. “I suppose I’d be on a severe dress code?” “Nope.” Brian blinked. “What?” “Wear whatever you’d like….” Dmitri hesitated. “Just make sure you’re covered, and it’s not trashy...remember it’s a charity. So if you want to wear a skirt or a dress, and come looking like the gorgeous lady that you are, go right ahead.” Brian beamed. “Alright then.” “Alright then? I don’t have to bribe you?” “Well, what were you going to give me?” “I don’t know—sex seemed pointless as you’ve got Stefan…” Brian giggled. “Ooh, Dmitri! You must have *really* done something bad to owe a favour like that, where you’re willing to sleep with me to get me to go...if I back out now, does the bribe still stand?” “No.” “Damn.” Dmitri sighed. “Just make sure you’re ready on Friday. I don’t want you guys to be late.” “Well, how am I getting there?” “Brian, how do you get to rehearsal?” “Stevie drives me.” “There you go.” With that, Dmitri hung up the phone. Brian wrinkled his nose and let the phone fall back onto the receiver. He turned to face Stefan who had smugly taken Brian’s position on the sofa. His long legs were stretched out luxuriously, taking up all of the available sitting space. Brian scratched his nose, and fidgeted with the seam on his shirt for a minute before crossing back to the couch and falling to his knees right in front of Stefan. The bassist raised his eyebrows. “Steffie, I didn’t mean it like I said.” He said softly, his eyes wide and full of anxiety. “I didn’t mean that you were only my backup…” “I know Brian.” Stefan sighed. “It’s just hard—you know? I—I haven’t ever been able to hold a relationship together---and you---well you’re always there for me—and I love you---I guess I just don’t show it very well.” He made to sit back on his heels, but Stefan caught him, pulling him up onto the couch into his lap. Brian curled up against him, resting his head on Stefan’s chest, and listening to the gentle rhythm of his heart. “I know, Bri. I know it’s been really hard for you. And I *am* here for you. Maybe though, you should try---” He paused and Brian moved his head so he was looking up at him. “Maybe you should try, waiting a bit longer before you shag people. Get to know them a bit more first. It might help you build a stronger relationship.” Brian looked away again, and Stefan could almost hear his thought process. Stefan knew what twisted thoughts flitted through Brian’s brain: The only worthwhile thing about Brian was his talent in bed. “People---people don’t like the real Brian.” He said meekly after a minute. “I like the real Brian.” “But that’s because you’re Stefan—you *have* to like me. You have to like everyone.” Stefan laughed shortly. “Hardly. There are many people I dislike. I just don’t show it.” He paused. “But you, baby…I love you the most. And so does Steve. We both love the real Brian, and I’m sure there’s plenty of people out there that want the real you. You just have to find them. And that takes time. But until that time, Steve and I are here for you.” Brian cuddled up against Stefan’s chest, his eyes fixed unseeingly on a spot on the carpet. “It’s just that people see only one side of me…the side that I show to the cameras…but that’s not *just* who I am.” He sounded desperate, as if he was trying to convince himself. “The other side of me is—is—” Brian struggled for the right words. “I’m so fucking insecure.” He said finally, burying his face in Stefan’s chest. “It’s okay, honey.” Stefan soothed. “It’ll just take time. You’ve been through a lot. We’re here for you.” Brian remained silent. ******** Brian made a face in the mirror, turning slightly so that he could see the side of his hair. There was an impatient pounding on the bathroom door, causing Brian to scowl. “What?” He demanded. “Brian, we’re going to be fucking late!” It was Steve. Brian rolled his eyes. “Beauty takes time, Steven.” Brian responded haughtily, wiping away the slight smear of his eyeliner. “Brian, Dmitri is going to kill me if we’re late. And that means I’m going to have to kill *you*.” Brian ignored this, and took one last glance in the mirror before wrenching open the bathroom door. “I’m ready. Happy?” Brian put his hands on his hips and smirked as Steve blinked. “You look…fuckable.” “Aw thanks Stevie.” Brian purred. “You do realize that no one’s going to be able to tell you’re a man, though, don’t you?” Brian nodded happily. “Yep.” “Just making sure.” Brian wrapped his satin covered hand through Steve’s arm and followed him out into the living room where Stefan was waiting on the couch. Stefan glanced up as they entered, and a flurry of emotions passed across his face, before he stood up grinning. “Gorgeous, baby.” Brian beamed. “Right back at you, Stef.” Steve grabbed his keys from the door side table and ushered Brian outside towards his car. “Do I have to sit in the back again?” Brian whined. “Oh c’mon Brian. You’ve got shorter legs than Stefan. He doesn’t fit in the back.” “You need a new car. I hate sitting in the back.” Steve rolled his eyes and opened the back door for Brian. “Maybe you need new legs.” Stefan teased. “Here you are M’lady.” Steve said in mock seriousness. Brian glared at him, and then gracefully slid inside, folding his arms across his chest. Steve shook his head and closed the door, before opening his own door and sitting down. Stefan crossed to the opposite side of the car and settled down, glancing back at Brian. “Cheer up, honey. You’ll be the bell of the ball.” Brian rolled his eyes, but allowed a small smile to play on his lips. Steve turned on the car, and pulled away from the curb. “So do you know who else is going to be there?” Stefan queried, watching the buildings as they sped by. Steve shook his head. “No. All Dmitri said was it was a private charity or something.” “God, I hope there aren’t a lot of journalists.” Brian moaned from the back. “But baby, you’re certainly dressed for it.” Stefan pointed out. Brian shook his head. “That doesn’t mean that I’m in the mood to be made fun of.” He said referring to the last press shot, where Brian had been cruelly mocked for nearly twenty minutes before Steve became enraged and decked the guy. “Don’t worry, Bri. If anyone tries to make fun of you, Steve’ll knock them on their ass.”
		Back
								Next