“All right, but there’s something I need to do first,” Michael said. “What’s that?” Brian asked suspiciously.

Part 8
Brian P.O.V.

He looks like a damn deer caught in the headlights. Why couldn’t he tell me? Still after all this…after last fucking night, he’s still hesitating. But that is my Mikey. Pathetic little shit, in all the best possible ways. And I wouldn’t change him for anything.
“What do you gotta do Michael,” I look at him in a way that makes him nervous and excited. I’m eyeing him up like prey. But really, I just want to know. I want to know every little thing that’s running between those adorable little ears of his. See what he’s done to me…he’s taming the wild Kinney. I’m putty in this guy’s hands…hell he’s turned me into a boyfriend for Christ’s sake. “Tell me,” I bait him.

“It’s nothing, really. Just something…I have to do alone,” he sputters out the last bit, knowing I don’t want here it. He can’t even look at me when he says it. His eyes darting around on the table.

I just nod slowly. To be honest there’s a few things I want, no need, to do too. A few things I want to look into before we go at this together. And letting him get away without telling me just shows Michael how much I trust him…even if I am scared shitless. Brian Kinney is not someone who gives up control. Certainly not someone who is going to let some fucking envelope full of glossy paper ruin the best thing in his life. Brian fucking Kinney bows down to no one…but there is always that one exception.

And he’s staring at me now…wide, sad eyes across the table. I love staring into those chocolate brown pools, but not when they’re scared like that. Not when they look like his goddamn dog just died. “Mikey,” I reach across to him, taking him hand in mine, “It’s okay,” I squeeze his hand so he gets it, “What kind of lover would I be if I didn’t let you get what you need?” A wicked grin flashes across my face; I can see it reflected back on his, followed by a little blush. After two years I can still get that adorable blush to come out of him. Bedroom Michael and everywhere else Michael are two different men in so many ways. Not that I’d have it any other way…I love having the wild one all to myself. That’s something I would never share with anyone else…like the me that Michael brings out. This soft shelled pussy he’s reduced me to. But all I can think about is how much I love him right now. Have always loved him. Will always love him. I can’t let someone else ruin that.

“Although I’d love to sit here and hold hands with you all day Brian,” he giggles, “I really need to get going and open the store.” He says the words but makes no attempt to pry his hand away from mine. And to be honest, I could sit like this all day too.

“Then go,” I tease, still holding his hand in mine. Actually adding the other to encase them. It’s become a stand-off to see who let’s go first.
“Brian,” he tried to sound stern but it came out as a desperate whine. There was no way around it; he was just always freaking adorable. “I really do need to get ready for work.”
“Then let go,” I challenged, locking eyes with him.
“Never,” he replied. His voice was just over a whisper. His gaze is never wavering from mine. I know what he’s doing, and I’m glad he is. He’s reassuring me, the relationship, everything, with one simple act: a gaze and hand squeeze.
I lean across the table and capture his soft mouth with mine. The flavour of his mouth is intoxicating, has always been intoxicating. Since that first taste of his lips and tongue I’ve been hooked. It’s stronger then any other addiction know to man – this is Mikey.

But I pull back, satisfied with his groan of protest at the loss of heat…not to mention my skilled tongue.
“Go get ready for work Mikey,” I can’t help but be smug when I catch that heated look in his eyes. And hell, I’m a prick that’s what I do.
“Right,” he let out a haggard breath, “work.” It was taking him a few moments of relaxed breathing before he was able to stand and leave the table.

“Wipe that look off your face,” he threatened as best he could from behind those lust glossed eyes.
“What look?” I shrugged at him, but could feel the giant grin spread across my face. I just couldn’t help it; I love being able to do that to him. Sure I’ve given many a guy a hard on before…but this was Mikey. And this was between us. Not explaining it, but it was always special. Like we weren’t ashamed of our love for each other…no matter how sappy that sounds.
He shook his head, holding back that smile I could see fighting its way onto his face, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Trust me, it took all my personal will power not to follow that hot ass into the steaming water. But there was something I needed to do too before I could dive into such pleasure… again. The very thought of it made me take a moment before I could get up away from the table myself. Mikey has one hell of a hot ass.

Making quick work of it, if I do say so myself, I cleared and cleaned away our mostly uneaten breakfast. I wanted everything to run as smooth as the skin on his ass for the next little while. Even after last night I know he’s still shaken by the thing. And that makes me uncomfortable as all hell. I’ve never given a shit about anything or anyone before…and anyone threatening this is going to pay. I’ll make sure of it. Whoever this was, was making me run scared…and no one makes Brian Kinney run scared!

Being sure I heard the water running, I slipped into Michael’s room. One I had to get dressed. And two, there was something I needed. Pulling myself into my clothes, I searched the disarrayed room for the plain brown envelope. I’m not sure what I want it for, since it was unmarked, but I know I need it. I’ll figure out the why later. Shoving it into my pocket I was prepared to slip out of the apartment…but something stopped me.

“Hiya sweety!” It was Emmett. Standing tall and louder then life, as usual, on the other side of Michael’s bedroom door. “I see you two reconnected last night,” he peeked over my shoulder at the sprawled sheets and general mess.
Even as I try to slip safely under my sneer, my face cracks into a smile. “Could you tell Michael I had to run but I’ll meet him at the store for lunch?” I push past him not bothering to wait for a reply. There’s no need, I know he will.
“Sure hun, no problem,” he waves me goodbye as I disappear out the door.
My hand is grasped around the envelope, like I truly believe that this one thing with give me all the answers I want. Like it will lead me to who sent it…if I only knew where to start looking.

****
Michael’s P.O.V.

I actually didn’t expect Brain to still be there when I got out of the shower…but it was still a disappointment that he wasn’t. For a split second it made me wonder if that’s what living with him would be like. Him being gone without a word. But Emmett’s presence surprised me out of my pathetic, little mental wanderings. He had a smile on his face like a cat that swallowed a canary. But I think my face matched.
“What?” I asked him as he watched me walk across the living room, the towel tied tightly around my waist.
“You’re finally moving in with Brian,” he said his matter of fact tone.
I stopped cold in my tracks, “Jesus Em, I haven’t even said two words to you this morning.”
“No need to,” he perched himself on the arm of the couch, “It’s written all over your face…not to mention Brian’s…and those poor sheets,” he motioned toward my room in mock sympathy for the linens.
I blushed. I’m fucking over thirty years old, and I still blushed. I am pathetic.
“Aw sweety, I think it’s about fucking time,” he nodded his head with his approval, and canary happy smile.
“Well, thanks,” is all I could muster as he sprang, wrapping his arms around me in one of his Honeycutte hugs. You’d think after all these years I’d be used to them…but I’m not.
“You two deserve to be happy, no matter what anyone else thinks.”
Now that got my attention. I had almost made myself forget those awful, taunting pictures up ‘till now. It’s amazing what a hot shower and images of your hot boyfriend will to for your head…er, mind.
“What who thinks?” I look at him all serious again, and I can see the change in me reflected in his features.
“What?” he looks confused: his brow all furrowed.
“Who thinks we don’t deserve to be happy?” Have I even mentioned how unbelievably paranoid I am? But that letter’s got me spooked. Not that I wasn’t already trapped in my own web of self-doubt.
His face relaxes. At least someone can. “No one. You know what I mean…” he’s light hearted again and shrugging me off with a flip of the wrist, “There’s always someone rooting for the losing team.” He tosses his head around, “If I learned anything in the last two years…with Brian’s settling down, it’s that you two belong together. Screw the nay-sayers!” He smiles at me, but I don’t return it. “Michael, what’s wrong? What did I say?” He looks generally concerned.
“nothing,” I shake my head. It’s amazing how quickly I can fall back into the moping. Second nature really. Or maybe more of a first. “I’ve gotta go open the store,” I retreat into my room. It really is a good thing that Brian’s not here, it gives me time to call Uncle Vic and beg him to do me a favour. I really need to do that something now. And Brian can’t know about it.

******

I don’t think I’ve even been this nervous in my life. I wasn’t even this scared when Mel had our baby. Hell, even waiting outside of Brian’s loft on the night I told him how much I really love him was easier. And that night I almost wet myself. Right now I could puke all over the floor. Or better yet run down the stairs…but no. I have to do this. I need to do this.

My sweaty, fidgeting hand finds the pictures burred in my pocket. Why’d I bring them? What if I’m wrong? Hell, these aren’t the only reason I need to be here. They just reminded me. They just forced me to confront this. Where the hell are my superpowers when I really need them? Invisibility would be great right about now…or the ability to read minds. That would just solve it. Or fast forwarding time, like Superman rewinds it, and just skip this whole thing. That would take care of everything…ever rewinding time would work…go back and never open that envelope. If only I hadn’t opened the godforsaken thing…But I’m just stalling now. So here it goes.

I give one sharp knock on the door and wait. Maybe he’s not home and crisis averted. No, that would just postpone the inevitable. I’ve already put it off for two weeks…since I knew he was back. Not to mention the two years I’ve been with Brian. And I know he’s home. I lived with him…I know.

The door’s pulled open and I freeze. He freezes too…then his eyes narrow, “Michael?” I look up at him, swallowing the lump that formed in my throat, “Ben.”


********