Brian and Justin were lying on Justin’s bed talking. Both had donned their pants, but were still shirtless. Occasionally, Brian or Justin would touch or kiss casually. Brian was really enjoying Justin’s company, much to his surprise. He had been in a few relationships in his life, but the last one had been about five years ago. Brian had thoroughly fucked up that relationship by cheating on Jacob. He came to understand that he might never be monogamous. He enjoyed sex too much and had yet to find an equal to keep up with his libido. Brian had spent the last five years single and decadent. Brian shared a bit of his relationship past with Justin. He told him about Jacob and his few other serious partners. Brian confessed to Justin that he had grown up with the worst example of a marriage with his parents. He explained, without going into great detail, about the physical and verbal abuse doled out by Jack and Joanie Kinney on a regular basis. Brian found himself telling Justin things about his life that he hadn’t shared with many people. Justin was surprised when he told Justin that he had a lot of fears that he would be a bad father to Gus because of the way he had been raised. “You have a kid?!” Justin exclaimed incredulously. “Yeah, his name is Gus. He’s three.” Brian reached for his wallet to take out a recent photo. It was a family photo with Melanie, Lindsey and Brian posing with Gus. Brian pointed out each member of the family. “Melanie and Lindsey are a couple?” “Yeah. I’ve known Lindsey since college. She’s my best friend.” “Like me and Daphne.” Justin told Brian about his high school boyfriend Ethan. He was the boyfriend that he had brought to his high school prom. Brian was impressed with Justin’s maturity about the bashing and the break up of his and Ethan’s relationship. Justin told Brian about the physical therapy he had had to endure to get his drawing hand to work again. “I’m glad you were able to make a full recovery. The world may have been deprived of all of these paintings!” He was again breathless while he looked around the room at the amazing work there. Justin was deliriously happy just talking to Brian. Justin found him so easy to talk to. From Brian’s own descriptions of himself, he had come a long way emotionally from his abusive days in the Kinney house. Justin had his own problems with his mother and father accepting him. He knew how much work it must have been for Brian to get where he was, both professionally and emotionally. He was very impressed with Brian. He was aware that Brian was a good fuck and a good teacher, but it surprised him to learn he was also a good listener. Justin and Brian chatted non-stop. When they heard Daphne enter the apartment, they realized that they had been talking for almost two hours. “Get dressed. I want you to meet Daphne.” Brian and Justin put their shirts on and walked out to the living room. They caught Daphne running her fingers over Brian’s suit coat that was still draped neatly on the couch. “Hey, Daph. You’re late tonight.” “Yeah, sorry about that. I stayed late with my study group.” Daphne eyed the dark haired stranger at Justin’s side. Daphne quickly put two and two together—label queen, gorgeous, older man. “You must be Brian.” She reached to shake his hand. “How did you guess?” “Justin has told me enough about you to guess.” Brian arched an eyebrow at Justin and Daphne. “Really?” Daphne was quiet, thinking that she had really made Brian mad at Justin for telling her things. “I’m sorry,” she said to no one in particular. “Don’t be sorry, Daph. He’s just kidding. Tell her you’re kidding, Brian.” “I’m just kidding.” Brian said with a smile on his face. He could see Daphne relax. Brian walked up to Daphne and raised her chin to meet her eyes. “I don’t mind that he talks about me. As long as it doesn’t get back to the school, I am OK with it. OK?” “Yeah. So what are you guys up to tonight?” Brian looked at Justin. “Have any plans, Justin?” “Nothing.” “Would you like to come out with me and my friends? I usually meet them for dinner and then go to Babylon. Are you two interested?” "Me?” Daphne questioned. “Yeah, why not? Justin’s never taken you to a gay bar before?” “Well, I went to a gay bar with him before but not a club. Oh, this is going to be so cool! I need to find an outfit! Justin, you have to help me!” Justin laughed at Daphne. “Of course I’ll help you!” “I’ll need to take a shower first!” Daphne said. “Me too. So go! Hurry up!” “I’ll go back to my place, shower, and then I can come pick you guys up. Is that OK? An hour or so?” “Yeah, that would be great, Brian. Thanks!” Justin walked Brian back to his room to collect the rest of his clothing. “Thanks for inviting me and Daphne. You didn’t have to do that.” “No problem. I want to show you off to my friends.” "Oh, really?” “Yeah.” Brian looked into Justin’s beautiful eyes and kissed him softly. “So…” how could Justin put this? “How will you introduce me to your friends?” “Everybody, this is Justin. Is that good?” Brian laughed. “I don’t know, Justin. How do you want me to introduce you?” “I don’t know,” Justin said shyly. “How do you feel about me?” Brian let out a huge breath. “I…uh…I’m…I’m not good at this, Justin.” “Just tell me how you feel. It’s easy.” “Yeah, for you it is, but not for me.” “Fine. I’ll go first.” Justin cleared his throat. “I think you’re incredible. You’re sexy, smart, kind. I feel great when I’m with you. I enjoyed just talking to you earlier. I also think you’re a great teacher. I’d love to get to know you better. If you want to.” “I…yeah…I would like that.” “Yeah?” “Yeah.” “So, how will you introduce me?” “I don’t know yet. We’ll see what comes out of my mouth when they ask.” Brian and Justin laughed as Justin walked him out. He gave Brian a kiss and said, “I’ll see you in about an hour.” Justin heard a low whistle behind him. Daphne was standing there in her robe with a big white towel on her head. “That was some kiss!!” Justin chased her all the way to her room and tackled her to the bed while tickling her. “Spying on me, huh?!” “No, no,” Daphne gasped in between tickles. “I just walked in, I swear!” “Yeah, right! Perv!”