QaF: Recovery 7-Complete
Title: Recovery 7-Complete
Author: Tena
Fandom: QaF
Pairing/Characters: Brian/Justin, Joan, Gus
Rating: NC-17 overall
Warning: AU
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and am making no money from this story.
Beta: The most wonderful chaotic_binky!
Summary: Brian and Joan reunite and Joan vows to see Brian happy.
Author’s note: After worrying about this and then talking to my beta (bless her) I am ending this story here. I usually have a clear idea of where the characters will end up, but with this story I did not. I felt like I would only write an ending I had written before. So when I finished this chapter and re-read it I just smiled and said that’s the ending. As my beta pointed out I had filled all the expectations I set out to and now the reader could imagine what came after. I hope you enjoy.
Gus came down the stairs, his stomach grumbling, and as he passed the living room and saw his dad and Justin together asleep on the couch, he smiled. He really liked Justin, and his daddy smiled a lot when he was with him. Gus continued into the kitchen for a bowl of cereal.
Transferring into her wheelchair on her own, Joan smiled at Kelly’s praise. “Thank you, I think I’m going to go to the kitchen. I think I heard Gus come downstairs. Joan slowly navigated her wheelchair out of the room and down the short hallway. When she came to the living room and spotted Brian and Justin on the couch she went cold. The old feelings of disgust were trying to push their way to the surface, but then Joan noticed something and moved closer.
The men rested so peacefully, Brian’s arms around Justin and their fingers intertwined. Justin had their hands pulled against his chest and her son’s face calmly rested at the back of his neck. Joan felt her heart warm and a smile began to grow. They were really very beautiful lying in each other’s arms. She began to think back to her own marriage and could not recount one time that Jack held her in the same way. Her own husband never embraced her so lovingly, so protectively. She never felt as peaceful in bed with Jack as Justin appeared to in Brian’s arms. Why had she ever thought loving someone, anyone, could be wrong. She shrugged, smiled and continued into the kitchen.
“Morning, Grandma,” Gus greeted her cheerily.
“Good morning, Gus, what’s for breakfast?”
“Well, I wanted pancakes, but I don’t know how to make them so I’m having cereal.”
“I know how to make pancakes. If you’ll help me we can make breakfast for your daddy and Justin.”
“I’ll help. Tell what I need to do.”
Joan and Gus worked together to make the pancake batter and began cooking the pancakes. Their laughter woke the men on the couch.
“Good morning, Sunshine,” Brian whispered nuzzling Justin’s neck.
“Good morning and thank you for keeping me safe last night. I can’t think of a time I slept so good.” He looked back over his shoulder and kissed Brian.
“It sounds like something interesting is happening in the kitchen. Come on; let’s go make sure they don’t burn the house down.”
Brian pulled Justin up and the headed to the kitchen. When they opened the door, neither could hold back their smiles. Gus had flour on his cheeks and Joan had a flour handprint on her back. Gus stood on a chair at the stove and Joan stood carefully next to him with Kelly nearby for safety.
“That’s it, Gus, now see how the pancake is covered in bubbles?” Gus nodded. “That’s how you know it’s time to flip it. Now slide the spatula under the pancake…that’s right…now carefully turn it over.”
Gus flipped the pancake like an expert. “I did it!”
“Yes you did, sweetheart. Now wait just a few moments and you can take it out,” Joan said proudly and sat down to rest.
Brian was so glad his mother was so loving with Gus. Part of him wished she had taught him to make pancakes the same way; unfortunately, Brian had taught himself as Joan was usually too hungover to make him breakfast. Watching his mother and his son interact seemed to make up for some of the childhood he missed.
Gus saw his dad standing at the door. “Daddy! Grandma taught me to make pancakes.”
Brian smiled and walked over to the stove. “I see that. It smells delicious.” Brian kissed his son’s head and his mother’s cheek. “Thank you, Kelly.”
“No problem, Mr. Kinney. Your mother’s doing so well she won’t need me soon.”
Joan laughed. “Oh I still have a way to go yet. Don’t I Justin?”
Justin was enjoying watching the family moment from the door. Brian with his son was such a beautiful thing to watch and he was trying to commit it to memory to paint it later.
“You’re doing very well, Joan. I think Kelly will need to stick around for a little while.” Justin took her offered hand.
“Did you sleep well?” Joan smiled.
Justin blushed and looked over at Brian. “Yes I did, very well.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Now let’s eat.”
Brian just smiled at his mother. He knew she had seen them on the couch and here she was fully accepting him and his lover. Brian turned back to Gus. “Let’s make some more pancakes, Sonny Boy.”
Justin had said his good-byes and was now standing at his car with Brian. “Thanks for letting me stay last night…and for keeping me safe,” he said and leaned forward to kiss the man.
“My pleasure…maybe next weekend we can go out. Babylon perhaps?”
“It’s a date, Mr. Kinney.” Justin smiled brightly, got in his car and drove away.
Brian watched his car until it disappeared. “Fuck, I have a date.” He returned to the house smiling and shaking his head.
The rest of the day was quiet. Brian and Gus played video games and Joan joined them to watch some movies. After Brian put Gus to bed with a promise of taking him to the diner for breakfast, he noticed his mother’s light still on so he knocked.
“You okay, Mom?”
“I’m fine, Son, just reading a bit. Come on in.” Joan put her book down and waited for Brian to sit down. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I am. For the first time, in a long time, everything is really good. Gus is such a great kid, business is doing very well, you’re getting stronger everyday…”
“And you and Justin seem to be close.” Joan interrupted.
Brian studied his hands and nodded. “I like Justin.” He looked up at his mom who had a small smile. “Are you okay with that?”
She was quiet, and then reached for his hands. “I watched you both on the couch this morning and I’ll admit that for a moment it was…uncomfortable. You have to remember this is the first time I have seen you with another man, Brian.”
“I understand.” He rolled his lips inward.
“But the longer I watched you I realized how amazing it was. You held Justin so lovingly and he held your hands to his chest. You looked so protective of him and you were both so relaxed and at ease. It was beautiful.” Brian looked at his mother warily. “Do you know in all the years we were married your father never held me like that. I never felt as safe and comfortable as Justin seemed to be. That’s when I realized that two men can love and care for each other better than a man and a woman sometimes.”
Brian was speechless at his mother’s revelation. He knew his parent’s marriage wasn’t good, but he never realized that his father never showed affection for his mother.
“You are a wonderful father, Brian and despite anything I have said in the past, you are a wonderful son. I am very proud of you and I love you.”
Feeling tears threatening to appear, Brian cleared his throat and squeezed his mom’s hands. “I uh…I love you too, Mom.” He kissed her cheek and stood. “Good night.”
“Good night, Son.”
The house was quiet, too quiet for Brian. He poured a glass of whiskey and walked out onto the patio. Off in the distance he could see lightening flash and thunder rumble. He wondered if Justin could hear it too. He flipped open his phone and dialed.
“Hello,” answered a nervous voice.
“There’s a storm brewing.”
Justin smiled and let out a very relieved sigh. “Brian.”
“I heard the thunder and thought you might need some help sleeping.”
“What did you have in mind, Mr. Kinney?”
“Get naked and we’ll ride this storm out together.”
The End
I have thought of writing a brief epilogue, but I have no idea when I will have time to do this so this will have to do for now. Thank you all so much for reading.
by elflover59
Author: Tena
Fandom: QaF
Pairing/Characters: Brian/Justin, Joan, Gus
Rating: NC-17 overall
Warning: AU
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and am making no money from this story.
Beta: The most wonderful chaotic_binky!
Summary: Brian and Joan reunite and Joan vows to see Brian happy.
Author’s note: After worrying about this and then talking to my beta (bless her) I am ending this story here. I usually have a clear idea of where the characters will end up, but with this story I did not. I felt like I would only write an ending I had written before. So when I finished this chapter and re-read it I just smiled and said that’s the ending. As my beta pointed out I had filled all the expectations I set out to and now the reader could imagine what came after. I hope you enjoy.
Gus came down the stairs, his stomach grumbling, and as he passed the living room and saw his dad and Justin together asleep on the couch, he smiled. He really liked Justin, and his daddy smiled a lot when he was with him. Gus continued into the kitchen for a bowl of cereal.
Transferring into her wheelchair on her own, Joan smiled at Kelly’s praise. “Thank you, I think I’m going to go to the kitchen. I think I heard Gus come downstairs. Joan slowly navigated her wheelchair out of the room and down the short hallway. When she came to the living room and spotted Brian and Justin on the couch she went cold. The old feelings of disgust were trying to push their way to the surface, but then Joan noticed something and moved closer.
The men rested so peacefully, Brian’s arms around Justin and their fingers intertwined. Justin had their hands pulled against his chest and her son’s face calmly rested at the back of his neck. Joan felt her heart warm and a smile began to grow. They were really very beautiful lying in each other’s arms. She began to think back to her own marriage and could not recount one time that Jack held her in the same way. Her own husband never embraced her so lovingly, so protectively. She never felt as peaceful in bed with Jack as Justin appeared to in Brian’s arms. Why had she ever thought loving someone, anyone, could be wrong. She shrugged, smiled and continued into the kitchen.
“Morning, Grandma,” Gus greeted her cheerily.
“Good morning, Gus, what’s for breakfast?”
“Well, I wanted pancakes, but I don’t know how to make them so I’m having cereal.”
“I know how to make pancakes. If you’ll help me we can make breakfast for your daddy and Justin.”
“I’ll help. Tell what I need to do.”
Joan and Gus worked together to make the pancake batter and began cooking the pancakes. Their laughter woke the men on the couch.
“Good morning, Sunshine,” Brian whispered nuzzling Justin’s neck.
“Good morning and thank you for keeping me safe last night. I can’t think of a time I slept so good.” He looked back over his shoulder and kissed Brian.
“It sounds like something interesting is happening in the kitchen. Come on; let’s go make sure they don’t burn the house down.”
Brian pulled Justin up and the headed to the kitchen. When they opened the door, neither could hold back their smiles. Gus had flour on his cheeks and Joan had a flour handprint on her back. Gus stood on a chair at the stove and Joan stood carefully next to him with Kelly nearby for safety.
“That’s it, Gus, now see how the pancake is covered in bubbles?” Gus nodded. “That’s how you know it’s time to flip it. Now slide the spatula under the pancake…that’s right…now carefully turn it over.”
Gus flipped the pancake like an expert. “I did it!”
“Yes you did, sweetheart. Now wait just a few moments and you can take it out,” Joan said proudly and sat down to rest.
Brian was so glad his mother was so loving with Gus. Part of him wished she had taught him to make pancakes the same way; unfortunately, Brian had taught himself as Joan was usually too hungover to make him breakfast. Watching his mother and his son interact seemed to make up for some of the childhood he missed.
Gus saw his dad standing at the door. “Daddy! Grandma taught me to make pancakes.”
Brian smiled and walked over to the stove. “I see that. It smells delicious.” Brian kissed his son’s head and his mother’s cheek. “Thank you, Kelly.”
“No problem, Mr. Kinney. Your mother’s doing so well she won’t need me soon.”
Joan laughed. “Oh I still have a way to go yet. Don’t I Justin?”
Justin was enjoying watching the family moment from the door. Brian with his son was such a beautiful thing to watch and he was trying to commit it to memory to paint it later.
“You’re doing very well, Joan. I think Kelly will need to stick around for a little while.” Justin took her offered hand.
“Did you sleep well?” Joan smiled.
Justin blushed and looked over at Brian. “Yes I did, very well.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Now let’s eat.”
Brian just smiled at his mother. He knew she had seen them on the couch and here she was fully accepting him and his lover. Brian turned back to Gus. “Let’s make some more pancakes, Sonny Boy.”
Justin had said his good-byes and was now standing at his car with Brian. “Thanks for letting me stay last night…and for keeping me safe,” he said and leaned forward to kiss the man.
“My pleasure…maybe next weekend we can go out. Babylon perhaps?”
“It’s a date, Mr. Kinney.” Justin smiled brightly, got in his car and drove away.
Brian watched his car until it disappeared. “Fuck, I have a date.” He returned to the house smiling and shaking his head.
The rest of the day was quiet. Brian and Gus played video games and Joan joined them to watch some movies. After Brian put Gus to bed with a promise of taking him to the diner for breakfast, he noticed his mother’s light still on so he knocked.
“You okay, Mom?”
“I’m fine, Son, just reading a bit. Come on in.” Joan put her book down and waited for Brian to sit down. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I am. For the first time, in a long time, everything is really good. Gus is such a great kid, business is doing very well, you’re getting stronger everyday…”
“And you and Justin seem to be close.” Joan interrupted.
Brian studied his hands and nodded. “I like Justin.” He looked up at his mom who had a small smile. “Are you okay with that?”
She was quiet, and then reached for his hands. “I watched you both on the couch this morning and I’ll admit that for a moment it was…uncomfortable. You have to remember this is the first time I have seen you with another man, Brian.”
“I understand.” He rolled his lips inward.
“But the longer I watched you I realized how amazing it was. You held Justin so lovingly and he held your hands to his chest. You looked so protective of him and you were both so relaxed and at ease. It was beautiful.” Brian looked at his mother warily. “Do you know in all the years we were married your father never held me like that. I never felt as safe and comfortable as Justin seemed to be. That’s when I realized that two men can love and care for each other better than a man and a woman sometimes.”
Brian was speechless at his mother’s revelation. He knew his parent’s marriage wasn’t good, but he never realized that his father never showed affection for his mother.
“You are a wonderful father, Brian and despite anything I have said in the past, you are a wonderful son. I am very proud of you and I love you.”
Feeling tears threatening to appear, Brian cleared his throat and squeezed his mom’s hands. “I uh…I love you too, Mom.” He kissed her cheek and stood. “Good night.”
“Good night, Son.”
The house was quiet, too quiet for Brian. He poured a glass of whiskey and walked out onto the patio. Off in the distance he could see lightening flash and thunder rumble. He wondered if Justin could hear it too. He flipped open his phone and dialed.
“Hello,” answered a nervous voice.
“There’s a storm brewing.”
Justin smiled and let out a very relieved sigh. “Brian.”
“I heard the thunder and thought you might need some help sleeping.”
“What did you have in mind, Mr. Kinney?”
“Get naked and we’ll ride this storm out together.”
The End
I have thought of writing a brief epilogue, but I have no idea when I will have time to do this so this will have to do for now. Thank you all so much for reading.
by elflover59