Brian didn’t move when he felt two arms wrap around his waist as he was taking his shower. He knew only one person had the new key to the loft. Not to mention he had no trouble recognizing the smell of greasy food from the diner.

“I take it things went about as well as we thought they would,” Brian commented as Justin leaned his head between his lover’s shoulder blades, taking comfort just from the older man’s presence.

“I knew it was going to be bad. Hell, considering its Mel and Lindsay that we’re talking about, I knew it was going to be worse than bad. You and Mark did everything you could to tell me what to expect,” Justin answered.

“What happened?” Brian asked, turning and taking Justin into his arms. Justin relaxed in the comfort of his lover’s arms, loving the feeling of safety he only could get from Brian. And as much as he knew he had to tell Brian about what had happened at the diner, he didn’t want to ruin his memories of their times together in the shower.

“Can we get out of here first?”

“Sure,” Brian kissed the top of Justin’s head before turning the water off. The two men were quiet as the dried off, both dressing in sweat pants. They then headed to the living room, with Brian making a detour to the kitchen to grab a couple of beers. He had a feeling that both of them were going to need it. Brian joined Justin on the sofa, setting the beers on the coffee table. He leaned back, opening his arms to his lover, who gratefully sank himself into them. The two men sat quietly for a few minutes, both knowing that the conversation they were about to have was important, but not wanting to have it all the same. Eventually though, Brian decided to get Justin to tell him what had happened.

“So, should I make a guess as to what happened or do you just want to tell me?”

“It was just as bad as we thought it would be,” Justin sighed. “Fuck, even Michael seemed to be siding with Mel and Linds about the case.”

“And you didn’t see that coming?”

“Considering how many times he seemed to support you, no matter what you were doing, no I didn’t see it coming,” Justin answered. “Actually I was beginning to think that I might even be able to get away with not have to fucking deal with it at all.”

“Why?”

“Because Mel and Linds didn’t show up until the end of my shift,” Justin explained. “It they had come five minutes later I would have been gone and they could have all fucking ranted to themselves. It’s not like they were fucking listening to me anyway. All they could do is bitch how you were just doing this because you wanted to fuck over their lives. None of them could see what they’ve been doing to poor Gus. Bitch is, they almost proved our point that they seemed to be ignoring Gus for Annie because they had brought her with them but Gus was no where in sight.”

“That seems to be the case a lot lately,” Brian agreed. “I can’ t even begin to count how many times they’ve come to the diner with Annie and left Gus with a sitter.”

“And yet they still can’t see that they’re doing anything wrong,” Justin continued. “And of course you’re going to be the bad guy in all of this even though all you’re doing is try and look out for your son. I don’t understand how they can be like that.”

“Considering the history all of us have with our families, why should we be any surprised that this is just one more fucked up example of parenting?” Justin snorted at Brian’s comment, knowing it as all too true. None of their little family had the best relations with their parents. Other than Justin and Jennifer, who still wasn’ t able to truly accept Brian as Justin’s chosen partner, and Michael and Debbie and Vic, none of their parents accepted their children.”

“I know. It’s just that…”

“It’s just that you hoped that this time it might be different. That after what happened at Gus’s party on Saturday that they might have been willing to see what has been going on,” Brian grinned down at his lover, kissing his forehead. Brian understood exactly what Justin had been thinking. Even after everything that the younger man had gone through, Justin still refused to think badly of people. There was still innocence about the blond and, as much as Brian might joke and tease his lover about it, it was one of the reasons that Brian had fallen in love with the boy.

“Yeah,” Justin nodded his head. “It’s just that Gus is such a great kid, he doesn’t deserve this shit.”

“No kid deserves to have his parents treat him like shit,” Brian told him. “But life’s not perfect so there’s not one fucking thing we can do about it.”

“Except what you’re trying to do, which is make sure that Gus knows that he is loved and wanted, by at least one of his parents.”

“Two parents,” Brian corrected, pointedly looking down at Justin. “No matter what you say, you are Gus’s other dad.”

“Brian…”

“Don’t even start, Sunshine,” Brian kissed his lover. “You are Gus’s second father. Hell, if the munchers had their way, you would probably be his only father. Then again, if you were his only father, I have a feeling we wouldn’t be going through all this shit in the first place.”

“What do you mean?”

“What I mean is,” Brian explained,” I think the main reason Mel is treating Gus as a second class citizen is because he’s mine and Lindsay is getting caught in the middle because she wants to do what’s right for Gus, but she also doesn’t want to upset Melanie by making her think that Lindsay is treating Annie as a secondary child.”

“But it’s okay that they’re treating Gus like he’s the secondary child? That’s bullshit.”

“I’m not saying it isn’t bullshit. It’s complete bullshit. Then again, when have those two ever made any sense?” Justin and Brian laughed together for a bit, releasing some of the tension that both men had felt. “But that’s why we have to make sure Gus knows that we love him and that we want him. He has to know that we are there to make him number one.”

“And that’s just what we’ll do,” Justin told Brian. “Hopefully the rest of the gang will understand why you’re doing this.”

“I’m not going to hold my breath for that to happen.”

“Well, I think you might be surprised.”

“Why?”

“Before I left, Mel and Lindsay told everyone that you had changed the locks and Ben and Emmett stuck up for you, saying that they weren’t surprised that you had done it,” Justin informed his stunned lover. “In fact, Emmett even said that he was surprised that you hadn’t of done it before.”

“Just because they seemed to agree with that, doesn’t mean that they’ll agree with the case,” Brian pointed out.

“I know, it’s just that, I saw their faces when they found out that the girls had lied and that you still had your parental rights. They were shocked. I honestly think that because of that, they may be a little more willing to see why you are doing what you’re doing. Especially Emmett. You’ve been a good friend to him through the whole Ted mess. You were the only one who wasn’t willing to just forgive and forget everything that Ted had done while he was on crystal.”

“Just because Ted was trying to fuck up his life becoming a crystal queen didn’t mean that I had to let Emmett do the same,” Brian replied, brushing aside Justin’s comments.

“You still did a good thing,” Justin leaned up kissing his lover. “You did the right thing. Just like you’re doing now and if the others can’t see it, that’s their own damn fault.”

“You know things are going to get ugly, Justin, and they’re going to try and put you in the middle.” Justin shifted, turning and straddling Brian.

“Brian, you aren’t telling me anything new. You and Mark made damn sure I knew what I was getting into if I decided to support you. I told you before, and I’m telling you again, the only thing important in this is making sure that Gus gets what he needs. And I think what you’re doing is best for Gus.”

“What are you going to do about working at the diner?”

“Well,” Justin smiled, leaning forward until his forehead touched Brian’s. “I was thinking. I’ve been offered a job doing something I love.”

“Really?” Brian smirked. “And just what would this job have you doing?”

“It’s an up and coming advertising agency and I would be working in their art department,” Justin answered. “It’s really a good opportunity. And it has the best benefits.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I would be getting a chance to make a living doing my art, which is something that I’ve always wanted,” the blond kissed his lover. “Not to mention I’ll get a chance to work with the owner of the company, who happens to be the hottest man I’ve ever seen.”

“I see. And just what do you plan on doing with this hot man.”

“Oh a little of this,” Justin leaned down and lick up the left side of Brian’s neck. “And a little of this,” he moved up to Brian’s ear, nibbling on it, feeling his lover harden under him. “And a whole lot of this.” Justin kissed Brian, hard, tongues dueling for supremacy, both losing themselves in their lust and putting aside the rest of their conversation until later.