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freakykat
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qafmaniacTitle: Indebted
Chapter: Twelve - Where It Takes You
Sequel/Series: series
Author:
freakykatTime Frame: Takes place during 3rd season starting after 3.04 - AU timelime
Summary: Justin and Brian find their lives intertwine no matter what they do.
Rating: NC-17
Notes: I know this took forever. Hope it's worth it. Feedback loved and appreciated but not required. Beta by the awesome
wouldbedorothy! Thank you, darling!Disclaimer: I own none of this. I has no money. Please don't sue.
All previous Indebted chapters
Indebted
Chapter Twelve: Where It Takes You
“Why the fuck didn’t you call me, you asshole?”
Vic gave a soft grunt when Debbie’s arms wrapped around him and squeezed, her warmth making him smile. She was always that way. Giving, even when you didn’t ask or want it. He gave her credit. In the end, it was what you needed.
“Hey, sis.”
He set down his bag, returning the affectionate hug and pulling back when her hand smacked him sharply on the shoulder.
“Don’t ‘Hey, sis’ me, Vic. Why didn’t we hear from you?”
Vic rolled his eyes, grinning at Michael as he walked out of the kitchen, opening his arms and holding him just a second longer than necessary. He sent up a silent prayer of thanks that Michael was healthy, despite all the risk there was. He took a step back and turned, saying, “I called when I got there.”
“Yeah, Ma. I’m sure Vic and Rodney were busy,” Michael said, grinning at his uncle and wiggling his eyebrows.
Vic smiled without comment.
“Well, he could have taken a minute from fucking to call his sister and tell her he was doing fine.” She smoothed hands over Vic’s shoulder’s, sighing, “I just worry.”
“I’m fine, sis.” He twirled to give her a full view. “See, all parts still here.” He fought back a yawn, waving Debbie away when she gave him a concerned look. “The plane ride was long.”
“Florida isn’t that far away.”
Vic shrugged, picking up his bag and slinging it over his shoulder. “It was a long week.” He laughed when Michael wiggled his eyebrows again. “I think I’ll go up and get some rest.”
“I’d think you were rested out.” Debbie grinned at him and Vic rolled his eyes, heading up the stairs and into his room.
He dropped his bag on the floor, pressing his ear to the door for a moment, making sure Debbie hadn’t followed to tell him something. She was known to burst into his room without knocking. With that thought, he locked the door, pulling out his cell phone, hitting the numbers quickly.
“This is Brian Kinney. Leave a message.”
“Brian, it’s Vic. I wanted to check, make sure you got home, okay. Don’t roll your eyes, you little shit. You were practically unconscious when we got in. I’m not going to bother asking you to call back, ‘cause you’re Brian fucking Kinney. You can do this on your own. I’m just giving you fair warning that if I don’t get some sign that you’re alive in the next forty-eight hours, I will forego my promise to keep it quiet and tell Michael. Or better yet Debbie. You got forty-eight hours, my friend.” Vic grinned at the image of Brian’s face as he heard the message, paused and finished with, “Call me if you need something.”
Pressing the end call button, he set it down and sat on the bed slowly. He was exhausted, and Brian’s radiation started in a few days. He’d have to come up with excuses for when he was gone during those times. Vic fell back onto the pillow, sighing, the weight of the situation starting to feel heavy.
Brian needed someone.
Vic would have to do.
At least until he figured out a way to get the person Brian really needed and wanted to be there for him.
***
“So.”
“So?”
“How’d… how are you?”
Brian rubbed the throbbing ache in his brow, sitting into his desk chair slowly. It hurt to move. It hurt everywhere, even places Brian hadn’t realized existing on his fucking body. All he wanted was to crawl under the covers and forget anyone outside existed. He wanted to sleep. Fall into a black hole where he couldn’t feel a damn thing.
“I’m fucking fabulous, Cynthia. Thanks for asking.”
The pause was pregnant with things he knew she wanted to say but would never.
“Fine. Well, there’ve been a few developments while you were gone. One just this morning. Apparently, our wonderful Chief has pissed off some people.”
“No shit.”
“He shut down two gay bars for having charity events. Not to mention the scores of gay websites and clubs that have been closed.”
He closed his eyes. What the fuck was that motherfucker doing? “And there’s been backlash, so he’s mad.”
“Rallies, petitions, some pretty good protests led by Debbie. The one in front of police headquarters is becoming legend.” There was pride in Cynthia’s voice. Brian’s worst fear in life (well, next to dying from fucking cancer now) was for Debbie and Cynthia to join forces. They’d take over the world.
It wouldn’t end well for him.
“He was pretty upset when he found out you were on vacation and that I was handling it until you got back. He wants to talk about what his reaction should be.”
“Right.”
“What should I tell him?”
“To get his homophobic ass fucked. It might enlighten him.”
Cynthia laughed, and Brian’s lips tugged upward slightly when she said, “That must have felt damn good.”
“Been swallowing it for a while, yeah.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair, rolling his neck as he said, “Set up a meeting for lunch tomorrow. I’ll get some things together by then.”
“Is that -- I mean --”
“Cynthia. I’m fucking fine. Just set it up.”
“Okay.”
He opened his mouth to say something else, he wasn’t sure what, but she cut him off.
“Brian, I don’t know why you want this so badly. I know you well enough to know that you hate Stockwell. Is it really worth it?”
And there it was. The reason why he’d hired her. Why she’d managed to get past his shit and still work for him. She got right to the point. No bullshit. Like him. There was no way she’d missed his reactions to Stockwell, physical and otherwise. He hated everything about the man. He’d never admit how much energy it was taking to keep going. Energy he didn’t have to spare.
But he could never say any of that.
When he didn’t answer, she sighed and said, “I’ll call you in the morning with the place and time. Get some rest. And Brian… I’m glad you’re fucking fine.”
“Yeah.”
“Oh. And I meant to tell you. I got you some help.”
“Help?”
“Well, I can’t be at your beck and call while I handle all your other clients, so I got you a second assistant. Someone that can work from your loft while… well, someone that can work from there. New intern… damn good one, too.”
Brian blinked, glancing around his loft, realizing that this was the only place he’d really be for months. It was a depressing thought. And normally, the thought of some overly caffeinated, too helpful intern made him want to slit his wrists, but under these circumstances…
“Is he hot?”
“Oh, yes. I think he’s your type.”
“They’re all my type, Cynthia.”
“Exactly.”
The line went dead and Brian shook his head, smiling slightly, wondering what exactly he had done to be cursed with Cynthia.
Just so he made sure he kept doing it.
He stood shakily, gripping onto solid surfaces until he reached his bedroom, and then he let go, falling forward on the bed, letting the darkness take him.
***
“We need to help Teddy.”
Mel glanced over at Lindsay, her eyes shining with the same thoughts as she was sure hers had. No one could help Ted unless he wanted it.
“I’m more worried about you, Emmett.”
“I’ll be fine when he is.”
Mel shook her head. “I’m not sure it’ll be that easy, Em.”
Lindsay sat down, one hand rubbing over Emmett’s shoulder’s. “It’ll be okay, honey.” She glanced at Mel, nodding to the other room, and they quietly left Emmett for a moment.
“Maybe we can do something more.”
Mel took a deep breath, turning to Lindsay and shaking her head. “Sweetie…”
“I know that Ted is the one that needs to fix this, but we can try to get through to him.”
“We’ve all tried, Lindz. He doesn’t want to get better. Not yet.”
“We haven’t all tried.”
“No.”
Lindsay raised her eyebrows at her. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I was asking permission.”
Mel rubbed her stomach gently, taking a moment to calm her nerves down, and faced her wife. “Brian cannot help Ted right now.”
“Mel, what the hell is going on? Every time we mention Brian…”
“Lindz. Please. Just trust me. Brian can’t help. Besides, he isn’t even here.” Mel felt the lie slip past her lips. It was becoming easier every time to keep this secret. She thought of the text she’d received late the night before. Vic and Brian had gotten back. Brian had asked that she not tell anyone just yet. He wanted some time alone.
Lindsay searched Mel’s face and she tried her best not to give anything away. “Whatever is going on, Mel, you need to tell me.”
She should have known she couldn’t keep this from Lindsay. “I have nothing to tell, Lindz.” This wasn’t her secret, and even if she could have told Lindsay what she wanted, Brian was still her client. That was a confidence she wasn’t willing to compromise.
“Okay. I’m letting it go for now because we have a friend in need in the other room. But I’m not forgetting this. I want to know, Mel.”
She watched her walk way, dragging one hand through her hair.
Brian needed to come clean and soon. Because she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep Lindsay or anyone else from learning the truth.
***
He crawled out of bed before the sun had even come up fully. Sweat-drenched and aching, Brian eyed the distance from where he sat to where the bathroom was. It took him half an hour to find the energy to walk it. Then, another hour to shower and do all those things he always took for granted in the mornings. Except for the one thing he enjoyed the most.
His morning blow job had been relegated to jerking off for the most part in recent weeks since he’d found out he was sick. And now… there was nothing.
One fucking ball and a useless cock.
His chest constricted with what that could mean. He was Brian fucking Kinney. If he couldn’t… if he’d lost the ability to fuck… he’d lost himself. It was what he hid behind. That wall he’d constructed, and without it… he was vulnerable.
Something told him that would be harder than the surgery, the chemo, and the radiation combined.
He walked with care to the kitchen, opening the fridge and blinking rapidly a few times when he did. It was overflowing with food, containers, drinks… more than he’d ever seen inside it. Things he knew he needed to eat to get him through. He had a list in his briefcase with instructions on his diet.
He knew Vic couldn’t have done that so that left…
Mel.
He pushed away any feelings about it. He and Mel… whatever understanding they had would vanish when he was better. That was their way. They formed truces during crisis mode and forgot it all when the time was over.
Reaching inside, he pulled out his guava juice, and closing the door, reached into the bowl on top of the fridge for an apple. His stomach revolted at the thought of any real food. No diner for him in the immediate future.
That thought led to Debbie and Michael.
He knew he should call. Let Michael know he was okay. But he knew the minute Michael found out he was back, he’d be at his door.
Brian couldn’t take that. Not right now.
“You know you’re going to have to tell them eventually.”
Brian opened one eye, head falling to the right, and stared at Vic. “Why? I haven’t yet. I don’t plan to.”
Vic sighed, flipping the page in his magazine over and not looking at him. “There was no surgery before, Brian.”
“Well, radiation wasn’t a fucking walk in the park, Vic.”
“I know that, you asshole. So imagine the combination of radiation and chemo and a recent surgery. No matter how you try to hide it, one of them will figure it out.”
Brian closed his eye, breathing in and ignoring the pang it sent through him. He hurt everywhere. He didn’t want to worry about who would be angry. “I just need to get through this round, Vic. Fuck all what anyone else will think.” He was shivering, pulling his jacket tighter around him. Moments later, he felt warmth and slit his eyes open to watch Vic cover him with a blanket. He bit the inside of his mouth and mumbled a quick, “Thank you.”
Vic nodded, turning back to his magazine. They sat in silence for a long while and Brian drifted in and out, the plane’s slight movements soothing him.
“Okay. I’ll make you a deal. You don’t have to tell them right away. If you let me come with you to treatments. Then, once this round is over, you tell them. Deal?”
Brian swallowed down the relief he’d felt at not having to do this alone. He never needed anyone, but…
He pulled one hand out from under the blanket and reached for Vic’s hand, shaking it. “Deal.”
The steady pounding at the door brought him out of his thoughts and Brian scowled at it. He wasn’t sure who was on the other end. Vic had called earlier and left a message to call him back. Mel had emailed him with updates on what had happened while he was gone. So whoever was on the other side wasn’t someone he’d want to deal with.
He remembered Cynthia mentioning the new intern she’d hired to help him and that he had a meeting for lunch. He glanced at the clock. It was nine a.m.
Right on time.
Good.
He glanced into the mirror, balking when he saw pale skin and dark circles. He ran a hand through his hair and straightened the shirt he’d thrown on. Rubbing his hands on his jeans, he stood cautiously, his stomach rolling and protesting his breakfast.
What the fuck. It had been fruit.
The pounding started again and he glared at the door. Better get it over with. He had work to do.
Sighing, he moved to the door, taking a moment before pulling it open.
Freezing when he was met with familiar eyes and a smile that only belonged to one person.
“Justin.”
“Good morning, Brian. I’m here to work. Where do you want me?”
Chapter Thirteen
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 08:11 am (UTC)How're you doing, hon? *sends hope, love and hugs*
Take care. :)
The chapter was great. Brilliant as always!! :D I can't wait to read Brain's reaction to Justin being there... He's going to figure it out isn't he... and then they'll have the "eat your fucking chicken soup" moment, right? I love that scene. Justin... with his hair and bossiness... and Brian with his *bites lip* and woobie face letting Justin yell at him... That scene is love.
But you know, your story is wonderful, and anything even remotely B/J by you is perfect.
♥
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:22 am (UTC)Oh, Justin gets his moments in this one. I love him in what I've got written. :)
That's one of my favorite Justin scenes ever.
Thank you for reading! More sooner I promise.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 09:08 am (UTC)I'm glad that, if not Justin, Brian at least had Vic with him in the hospital, and that Vic will continue to stand by his side.
I can just imagine the screaming and shouting that will going on when Debbie, Michael and Lindsay find out that they were deliberately kept in the dark ...
And Justin ... he'll figure it out soon enough I guess ... and make some fucking chicken soup.
He pushed away any feelings about it. He and Mel… whatever understanding they had would vanish when he was better. That was their way. They formed truces during crisis mode and forgot it all when the time was over.
It's so sad, because they have so much in common. Maybe this time it will be different.
Thanks for the new chapter!
*hugs*
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:24 am (UTC)Brian and Mel on the same side are a force to be reckoned with as it will become clear here.
Oh, I cannot wait for Justin to find out honestly. LOL. His reaction will be the best I think.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 10:06 am (UTC)YES!!! =)
Thanks for the chapter, love! Hope you are well. *hugses*
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:25 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 12:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 01:19 pm (UTC)Big Hugs,
Amy.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 02:20 pm (UTC)nice to see this still being updated.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 02:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:31 am (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 03:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:31 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 06:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 07:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:33 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 10:51 pm (UTC)Oh, I adore how devious Cynthia is. hehe
I feel bad for Mel and Vic trying to keep Brian's secret. Especially with how determined the rest of the family is.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:35 am (UTC)Cynthia is a goddess. I love her.
Mel and Vic are quite the awesome and at least now they have each other to talk to about Brian. That's good. :) As for the rest of the family... yeah, they are pretty determined lol. Thanks for reading!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-27 11:20 pm (UTC)Hope you are feeling better darhlin'. I'm sending you whatever good car karma I got these days. [pets you gently in case you still have soft tissue fun going on]
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:36 am (UTC)Thank you! I do. :)
(no subject)
From:All Rolled into One
Date: 2009-06-27 11:49 pm (UTC)I'm glad you're recovering but I'm sorry work stuff stinks about situations like this.
The week has been mad crazy. A lot of the reports about MJ were loopy at first too. I just feel bad for his kids. What's going to happen to them now? And I've been craving 'Star Search' and Ed in a tux. That man's career was all over the board with that and 'The Tonight Show.' Poor FF too.
[squeezes you nicely]
Ok and now on to the chapter (by the way the future link you put at the bottom is always such a tease, it gets me SO excited... and then I cry):
"Where do you want me?”
Oh, you are evil. What a cruel question. And a deliscious turn of events.
I am going to have to reread because I don't get the Ted and Emmett issue that has Mel and Lidz all concerned. I remember Ted was arrested for somethig and that Brian got him out of it but then I'm at sea.
Also... ummm, I kinda feel like an idiot [whispers] I didn't realize Vic was gay... until like... two minutes ago.
[pets you]
It was ab fab, feel better!
Re: All Rolled into One
Date: 2009-06-29 02:39 am (UTC)Justin is going to drive poor Brian nuts.
And Teddy is addicted to drugs. It was sort of implied in the chapter where he was arrested for the gay porn site.
Also... ummm, I kinda feel like an idiot [whispers] I didn't realize Vic was gay... until like... two minutes ago
Ahahahahahahaha!!! Yes, very much.
And just so it isn't a surprise later, Vic has HIV. So he totally gets where Brian is coming from in aspects of not wanting to tell anyone and how he feels about treatments.
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Re: All Rolled into One
From:Re: All Rolled into One
From:no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 02:25 am (UTC)Hope you are feeling better.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:39 am (UTC)I'm doing well. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 05:22 am (UTC)Great chapter - love Mel reluctantly keeping Brian's secret. Glad she has kept her word and allowed Brian time to handle some things. Can't wait to see Brian's reaction to Justin being his new intern assistant, LOL. Looking forward to more!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:40 am (UTC)Brian's reaction... yeah, not pretty lol. And Mel is being pretty awesome. I think it's killing her, mostly, because she has to keep it from Linds and know she's not going to be happy when she finds out.
Thanks for reading!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 12:47 pm (UTC)I truly love this story, I can't wait to see what's next ;) Justin has a great fight ahead of him now *nods*
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 06:06 pm (UTC)I've got to give Mel and Vic credit for keeping Brian's secret. It can't be easy.
I love Cynthia and Justin! I can't wait to see Brian explain his way out of this one, not that I think Justin will buy it. He knows something is up and isn't going to go quietly.
Kim
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:42 am (UTC)Cynthia is awesome! Even more so next chapter. You'll see! And yeah, Justin catches on pretty fast.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-28 11:43 pm (UTC)Loved the chapter! Gave me the impetus to save all the chappies to read in one go!
Hope you're doing ok!
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 12:15 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 02:44 am (UTC)YESSSSS!
Date: 2009-06-29 03:56 pm (UTC)Cynthia and Debbie, the Dynamic Duo! So true.
I'm so glad to discover this series and thrilled you are continuing. I'm so sorry you had to go through this twice, but you have certainly spun your pain and suffering into gold. All my favorite characters are alive and in fine voice here.
Does Justin get to be a singing waiter in this AU? And wear shorts:)? Pweeeze?
I'll be here to cheer you on as the updates arrive. In the meantime I can catch up on your other fic.
Re: YESSSSS!
Date: 2009-07-13 07:25 pm (UTC)OhMYgod! That is brilliant. I may JUST have to do that. LMAO.
Thank you so much for the comment. I get so happy when new readers find this fic.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 09:03 pm (UTC)Hugs, Sunny
no subject
Date: 2009-07-13 07:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-29 10:27 pm (UTC)So many things come into my head when reading that last part of the sentence lol. Awesome update :D
no subject
Date: 2009-07-13 07:59 pm (UTC)Thank you for reading!
no subject
Date: 2009-07-01 12:33 am (UTC)from the first chapter to this now, and I have to tell you that I LOVE it. Justin realizing what a
huge mistake Ethan was always makes me happy. I like your story line and look forward to seeing
where you are going with it. I am SO enjoying this, so please, update soon.
Pam
no subject
Date: 2009-07-13 08:00 pm (UTC)Ethan was never a bad guy. Just a dumb kid. I always thought Justin was just way to past that kind of relationship. So yeah... :)
no subject
Date: 2009-07-19 06:34 am (UTC)Longing for update. I feel worried and involved about Brian and Justin. They just gave me my pain relief so I'm not entirely making sense but I do know you write amazing fiction and I can't wait for the next update. Thank-you for the wonderful pleasure one gets from reading your story.
Love from 6frog
no subject
Date: 2009-10-11 09:53 am (UTC)::blushes:: Glad that the characters are all true to form. Yay!
More very soon. :)
no subject
Date: 2009-08-09 04:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-10-11 09:53 am (UTC)Soon!