ellcrys70

Here's a little gift for Sam,

marilla_pm67, for making my lovely layout for me. It's just a little one-off I wrote. No sex, just some love. Enjoy!

“Are you sure you really want go through with this. I mean no one would blame you…” Ted said seriously.

The dance floor of Babylon was empty, the lights out, but to Brian there was still energy there. How many nights had he danced here? Ruled here.

“It’s time, Theodore.” The tall, still handsome man who was his boss answered. “Past time, actually.” He had been talking about selling the club for over a year. He barely came here anymore, and neither him nor Ted really wanted to take the time to run it anymore.

They walked over to the bar, and Brian signed some papers. The lawyers stood there, going over things, but more to Ted than Brian. All he was there for was to sign, Ted would handle everything else. He walked up to his office to see if he’d forgotten anything. It was empty except for a bottle of Beam.

He grabbed it, and headed downstairs. The lawyers were just leaving. Ted turned and smiled at Brian. “All done. Want a ride back to Kinnetik?”

“Nah, I’ll walk. Have a drink with me, Ted.” They had one last drink in Babylon and Brian sighed. “Okay, let’s get the hell out of here.”

At Kinnetik that afternoon, Ted came in with the figures. “You couldn’t have sold at a better time, Bri. You made a killing.”

“Well, that’s comforting.” Brian said with a sigh. “Take your bonus out of it, put half in Gus’ college fund and put the rest in my personal account.”

“Thanks, Brian. I’ll do it right now. Dinner at Mikey’s tonight?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you there. Can’t believe that Michael’s going to be 50. Wow.” Brian left out the fact that his own 50^th had just passed. Ted just smiled and walked out.

Brian was late getting to Michael’s. He had stopped to pick up his gift and it wasn’t quite wrapped yet so he had to wait. The living room at Michael and Ben’s was packed. The married couple themselves, Hunter, Emmett, Ted, Blake, JR, Debbie, Carl…

Brian walked in, handing Michael his present, a framed copy of Rage’s first and final volumes. Michael kissed him and Brian came in and sat down in the corner by the window. He wanted a cigarette, and he knew Michael hated him smoking in the house. Well, actually Ben hated it, Michael just went along with him. He lit one, taking a drag and two seconds later it was pulled from his fingers.

“Hey.” He protested.

Justin took a drag, then put it out and threw it outside.

“You know better. Ben hates it when you smoke in the house. Be considerate of your hosts.” Justin admonished him. He bent over and kissed Brian softly.

“How did it go today?” he asked, the blue eyes gazing into his piercingly.

“Fine. Made a killing. Ask Ted.” Brian smiled. “We’re rich.”

“We’re already rich. You could still change your mind, Brian.” Justin said gently.

“No.” Brian shook his head. He sighed and pulled Justin between his legs, sliding his arms around the other’s waist. “How long do we have to stay?” he asked.

“It’s your best friend’s birthday.” Justin said patiently. “We’re staying til the end. Now quit pouting and start being your charming self.”

Brian nodded and rose. “Come on Mikey, feed us already!” he called.

Michael laughed and waved at the dining room. “Come on. It’s ready. We were only waiting for YOU.” He teased.

They ate Michael’s excellent cooking and then Debbie brought out a huge cake. Brian shared a piece with Justin then they sat and visited for most of the night, watching as Michael opened his gifts, JR, who had a made a special trip for her dad’s birthday was running back and forth with new ones each time he finished opening one. Brian found himself wishing that Gus had been able to come too, but he knew the boy was busy with school and hated to miss any.

Finally, they left and headed home. The loft was in a state of redecoration again, Justin having some time on his hands between exhibitions. Brian stepped over swatches and tiles and headed for the bedroom. He stripped and then sat on the edge of the bed, lighting a cigarette defiantly.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror in the corner. The dark hair was still stylish and full, though there was a fair amount of gray in it now. The dark eyes were still bright, and he didn’t have too many wrinkles, not yet anyways. He was still slim, no middle-age spread as of yet.

Justin’s voice came from the doorway.

“What?”

“Nothing.” Brian shook his head.

“Is it selling the club? We don’t need the money, Brian.” Justin reminded him.

Brian turned and looked at the blond. At 38, Justin looked pretty much the same. He was thicker, but his face and his hair were the same; that babyface made him look much younger than his real age.

“I’m too old to own the club.” Brian sighed, lying back and taking a drag of his cigarette. “I won’t be one of those aging queers, wearing chains and Hawaiian shirts, trying to pick up boys and bribing them with booze to suck my dick.”

Justin laughed til tears fell down his cheeks. He collapsed on the bed, and it was a few minutes before he gained enough control to stop.

“Brian Kinney! First of all, you aren’t wearing chains and Hawaiian shirts and you never would, unless Armani starts designing cabana wear. And you don’t have to bribe anyone to suck your dick. Those boys still would fight for a chance to blow you. You just don’t give them a chance anymore. You haven’t in….well years.” Justin reminded him.

“I have a young boy who knows how I like my dick sucked at home. Why would I let some amateur waste my time?” Brian said gruffly.

Justin smiled. Brian had stopped tricking years ago. He was just trying to be miserable. He slid his arm around Brian and put his head on his chest.

“What is this about, really?” he asked his partner.

“I’m old Justin! And I hate it! When did I get old?” Brian snapped suddenly.

Justin could’ve laughed, but he didn’t, because he knew Brian, knew every molecule of the vain, charismatic, emotionally challenged, loyal, giving, and yes, loving man he’d lived with on and off for the last 20 years.

He sat up, and bent to kiss Brian’s lips. Then he looked at him. He was still stunningly handsome, still so sexy. Justin still woke up every morning and thought about how lucky he was that when he’d spent his year in New York Brian was still waiting for him. How lucky he was to wake up with him every day.

“Brian, you aren’t old. Michael used to tell you, remember? You’ll always be young and you’ll always be beautiful, you’re Brian Kinney for fuck’s sake.” Justin chuckled affectionately. “And he was right. You are the King of Babylon, and you always will be. And you know it.”

Brian sighed, trying to look pathetic, but he knew Justin wasn’t buying it.

“You’re just upset because you gave up a big toy today, like an adult would, and it scares the hell out of you.” Justin said, settling down with his head on Brian’s shoulder.

Brian smiled. Justin was right, as usual. He wondered if the blond ever got tired of talking him off the ledge.

“So…” Brian said after a bit. “How’d you like to pay some homage to the king?”

Justin snorted and then rolled over to straddle Brian’s slim hips. “What did you have in mind, your majesty?”

The End.