Call Me When You're Sober (WIP)
Here is my newest Queer as Folk WIP: Call Me When You're Sober. Comments are love and are needed in order to continue ;)
Title: Call Me When You’re Sober
Author: Leslie (puddle_jumper2)
Rating: R
Pairing: Brian/Justin
Warnings: au, angst, h/c, partner betrayal, anti-Ethan, drug use, abuse, suggested non-con
Summary: How could I have burned paradise… how could I… you were never mine
Disclaimer: They aren’t mine, mores the shame. If they were, well, it’d still be on the air. *sigh*
A/N: This is a season 3 AU…. Instead of Theodore getting hooked on Crystal Meth, Justin is the one hooked… what happened, why did it happen and can anyone save him before it’s too late?
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Brian watched Justin as he bussed tables at Liberty Diner and did his best to keep to himself. Something was wrong with his boy and he was fairly certain it had something to do with the fiddler. Justin had only ever looked this out of place once before; right after he’d returned to work after recovering from the bashing. Something was definitely going on and Brian was going to find out.
He watched as an overly friendly customer, a regular named Jimmy, reached out to hug Justin and Justin freaked out, backing away and dropping his bucket. Justin backed himself into a wall and his breathing was sporadic at best. Jimmy reached out to try and help him.
“Sorry, Justin,” he offered quietly, reaching out for Justin’s arm.
“Don’t touch me!” Justin yelled, causing the diner to go silent. Brian slid out of his seat and slowly made his way towards the panicking teenager.
“Justin, do you want some help?” Justin quickly shook his head and Brian frowned, kneeling next to him. He reached out, brushing a lock of hair out of Justin’s face. That’s when he saw the first bruise. He brushed a finger over it and Justin pulled back and quickly pushed himself to his feet.
“Sorry,” he whispered brokenly as he picked up his bucket and quickly moved away. Brian stood slowly and watched him. He was going to have to keep a more watchful eye on his boy.
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At Babylon that night, Brian watched Justin dancing in the midst of about four very hot guys, two of whom had at least one hand just below the waist of Justin’s black leather pants. Justin also had on a long sleeved, form fitting red shirt that was clinging to his body and leaving nothing to anyone’s imagination, least of all Brian Kinney.
“Oh my gosh!” Emmett Honeycutt gushed as he came up next to Brian. “He looks so hot! I’ve never seen him in leather before.” He smacked Brian on the arm and Brian looked at him curiously. “Why didn’t you ever get him to wear that kind of stuff when he was with you?”
“Uh, because I’m not his personal dresser.” He glanced at Emmett a moment longer and came to a decision. “Do me a favor, Em.” Emmett raised a brow curiously. “Just go dance with him and tell me if you think he’s okay.”
“Are you going to tell me why?”
“You love him,” Brian said and Emmett knew it wasn’t a question. “I think something is wrong but I want another opinion.”
“Good enough,” Emmett said before he turned and took to the dance floor. If Brian thought something was wrong with Justin, and was worried enough to ask him for help, Emmett was going to do what he could to figure out what was wrong. The guys around Justin parted and Justin looked happy to see him. Emmett secured his place with Justin by settling his arms over the boy’s shoulders. Justin grinned and looked up at him, his blue eyes almost wild and fully dilated. Emmett also saw the hint of a bruise at his temple and another just below his jaw that looked new. Emmett decided to tackle one problem at a time.
“Baby, what are you on?” he yelled above the music.
“A little bit of everything,” Justin answered, jumping around a little bit more. “Helps keep me up!” Emmett reached out to try keeping him still for just a moment.
“I can tell,” he yelled back. “Let’s get you some water.” Justin nodded in agreement and followed him off the dance floor, still bouncing with energy. Brian was waiting for them and shoved a bottle of water into both of their waiting hands. Justin grinned at him and drank the water but never stopped bouncing. Brian’s eyes narrowed a little.
“Aren’t you hot in that shirt?” Brian asked loudly.
“God, yes,” Justin shouted as he poured half the water bottle over his head. Brian took the bottle from him and handed it to Emmett as he pulled Justin closer to him.
“I meant for you to lose the shirt, Sonnyboy.” Justin’s wild-eyed look seemed to turn into something more fearful and less lust-filled. He swallowed and for a moment, Brian thought he was going to be sick. “Justin?”
“I gotta go,” Justin said, pulling out of Brian’s grip. “Later guys.” He turned and practically fled from the bar and back out into the dance floor. Emmett watched him go then turned to Brian.
“I think he’s in serious trouble, Bri,” Emmett said quietly. “He’s on a lot more than just E these days.” Brian nodded slowly.
“Yeah and I think the fiddler has something to do with it.”
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“Justin, get up.” Ethan brushed the toe of his boot against Justin’s side. “I said, get up!” Justin moaned softly and Ethan rolled his eyes, expelling a sigh of frustration. “You’ve got five minutes to get your ass up and dressed or you’re going to be staying in bed all day. Now move it.” He punctuated the final words with a soft kick to Justin’s side. Justin moaned again and rolled to his back, trying desperately to get his eyes open and focused. He didn’t remember much about the night before, except that he’d gone to Babylon and he’d seen Brian and Emmett. He didn’t remember much else.
Justin slowly pushed himself to his feet, not sure he wanted to know why he’d slept on the floor last night, and slowly made his way towards the closet. He grabbed a change of clothes and then headed into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He turned on the hot water and stripped quickly. As he leaned back up, he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. There were more bruises on his face, his arms, chest and back, not to mention the wicked headache he was sporting and the fact that his heart rate seemed a little out of whack.
Justin sighed heavily and stepped into the shower. As he washed himself off, he tried to figure out a way to get out of working for the next couple of days, at least until the bruises healed. Debbie hadn’t started asking questions yet, but he had a feeling if she saw him today, she’d do more than just ask questions. She’d alert Brian and everyone else to his new problem. Justin leaned against the shower tile and felt the tears spill down his face. Everything he was going through he knew he deserved. He never should have left Brian. He should have just taken what was offered and been happy with it. Now, he knew, he’d never be free of Ethan; never be free of the abuse; never be free of the drugs.
“Hurry up!” Ethan banged on the door and Justin straightened up and rinsed off quickly before turning off the hot water and stepping out of the shower. He dried himself off and quickly dressed in faded blue jeans and a grey long sleeved shirt. He pulled on socks and then stood up, combing his fingers through his damp hair as he walked out of the bathroom and into the living room. Ethan was dressed, had on his jacket, keys in hand, watching his every move. “I’m going to be late,” he warned. Justin quickly slipped on his shoes and then walked slowly towards Ethan. Ethan looked at him a moment and sighed softly.
“How long do I have to stay gone today?” Justin asked quietly. Ignoring the question, Ethan picked up a syringe and held it towards Justin. Justin slowly shook his head and backed away.
“Don’t start with me, Justin,” Ethan warned quietly. “Get back here and roll up your damn sleeve. Now.” Justin stood where he was and Ethan shook his head, moving towards him. “Why do you have to be so damn difficult? You know the rules!” He grabbed Justin by the arm and pulled him closer, pushing up the sleeve and jamming the needle into the vein. Justin whimpered but stayed still. Ethan pushed in the plunger then removed the syringe and dropped it into the trashcan. “Now. Be back at five and I want to see money this time. Do you understand me?” Justin nodded slowly and Ethan stepped away from him. “See you later, baby.” Ethan turned and left the apartment, slamming the door behind him.
“No,” Justin whispered. “You won’t.” Justin moved slowly through the apartment, even as he felt the effects of the drug begin to course through his body. He grabbed up his backpack and threw in what few clothes he had left along with his sketchpads and pencils. When that was finished, he grabbed his jacket and walked out of the apartment for the last time. Walking down the stairs, he pulled out his cell phone and called the one person he knew he could count on.
“Hello?”
“Emmett…”
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Brian walked into Liberty Diner with every intention of insisting that Justin come home with him. Something was wrong, something or someone was hurting Justin and Brian couldn’t stand it. Not that he’d ever admit it, but he loved Justin far too much to just sit back and watch him be hurt like this.
Glancing around, he noticed that Deb was here but there was no sign of his boy. He walked over to the counter and took a seat, waiting for Debbie to notice him. When she looked up and saw him, she came over to him immediately.
“Have you seen or heard from Justin today?” she asked him worriedly.
“Haven’t seen him since Babylon last night. What’s up?” He tried to sound casual and non-chalant, like he didn’t care, when it truth he cared far too much.
“He didn’t show up for his shift today and he’s not answering his cell phone. I tried calling his apartment but no answer there either.” Brian sighed heavily and pulled out his cell phone.
“Let me give Daphne a call. Maybe he’s there.” Before Brian could dial the phone, though, the door opened and Emmett walked in looking very upset.
“Is Justin here?” Emmett asked as he stopped by Brian and Debbie.
“He hasn’t shown up today,” Debbie told him. Brian saw the tears in Emmett’s eyes.
“What happened?” he asked almost angrily.
“He called me this morning and told me he needed a place to hide; that Ethan was hurting him and he was scared. I told him he could come stay with me but then the phone went dead and I haven’t heard from him since.” Brian shoved his phone in his pocket and slid off the stool.
“Anyone know where the fiddler lives?”
“What’s going on?” Michael asked as he came up beside them.
“We’re trying to find Justin,” Brian told him quietly, his gaze still on the distraught Emmett.
“You’re kidding me, right? I mean, come on. We just got rid of the kid. Why go out looking for him?” Brian rounded on him and grabbed him by the collar.
“Why? Because that’s what you do for the people you love, Mikey. You find them and you bring them home when someone is hurting them.” With that, he released Michael and walked out of Liberty Diner. Michael looked at his mother.
“What’s up his ass?” Debbie shook her head and walked away. Emmett glanced at Michael then took off after Brian. Michael sighed and sat down in the nearest booth, content to leave things as they were for the moment.
Outside, Brian had his cell phone to his ear and was calling information. Emmett came up and stood next to him. Brian slung an arm around Emmett’s shoulders and pulled him closer.
“Yeah, I need the listing for a Mr. Ethan Gold. Yeah, I’ll hold.” He glanced down at Emmett. “We’ll find him, Em. I promise.” Emmett nodded and Brian drew back his arm. “Do you have an address for that listing? Uh huh… okay. Thanks.” Brian slid the phone into his pocket and gave Emmett a quick smile. “You coming with me?”
“Of course,” Emmett answered. They walked to the ‘vette, bumping into Ben Bruckner as they did so.
“What’s up guys?” Ben asked with a curious smile on his face.
“We’re going after Justin,” Brian said quietly, opening the door for Emmett. “You’re boyfriend thinks it’s wasted effort but I’m not leaving him where he is. He’s being hurt.” Ben heard the pain in Brian’s voice and nodded slowly.
“Need some help?” he asked, honestly wanting to do what he could to help.
“Just keep your cell phone on, would you? If we find him, we’ll call.” Ben nodded and watched as Brian closed Emmett’s door then walked around to his side and slid into the ‘vette, closing his own door as well. He gunned the engine and took off down the street. Ben watched them leave, sighed heavily, and walked into Liberty Diner to wait with Michael.
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It was fifteen miles to where Ethan lived from Liberty Avenue. Brian’s grip on the steering wheel was so hard that his knuckles had turned white. He turned to glance over at Emmett who was staring out the window and twisting his hands in his lap. Brian sighed heavily.
“We’ll find him, Em,” he said quietly. Emmett nodded slowly and Brian saw the tears on his face.
“I’m not sure we’ll find our Justin, Bri,” he answered. “Remember last night when I told you that I thought he was on more than just E?” Brian nodded, his gaze on the road before them. “I think he’s been doing crystal meth.” Brian almost slammed on the brakes then and there out of shock, but managed to keep on driving.
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, you remember Teddy’s little friend, Blake? The one who Teddy found in the bathroom at Babylon and took to the hospital?” Brian nodded slowly. “Well, last night, the way Justin was acting, his eyes, everything about him reminded me of Blake.”
“If he’s on meth, I don’t think he’s taking it willingly,” Brian said quietly. “That doesn’t sound like Justin. He’s allergic to everything. He knows better.” Emmett nodded slowly and reached over, putting a hand on Brian’s arm.
“I know that, Brian, but I think that maybe Ethan has been doing more to him than just hitting him. If he’s gotten Justin hooked on meth, we may never get him off of it without sending him away.” Brian slowly shook his head.
“I’m not sending him anywhere, Emmett. I’ll do whatever has to be done for him myself.” Emmett nodded silently and pulled his hand away but before he got very far, Brian reached out and took it in his own and squeezed it tightly before releasing it once more. Emmett raised a brow in surprise then turned to look out the window once more.
As they drew closer to Ethan’s home, Brian felt a sense of dread come over him. Something was wrong and the feeling kept getting stronger and stronger.
“Emmett, try reaching Justin again.” Emmett pulled out his cell phone and hit the speed dial number for Justin. The phone rang three times before it was answered.
“ ‘lo?”
“Justin, baby, is that you?” Brian listened intently and pushed the gas pedal down further.
“Em? Need you… it hurts so bad…”
“I know baby, where are you so we can come get you.”
“House, Ethan’s. Can’t be here when he comes home. There’s no money. He’ll hurt me ‘gain.” Emmett could hear the pain in Justin’s voice and it sounded muffled as well.
“Where in the house are you, Justin?” Brian’s foot went even further to the floor and the corvette sped up.
“Bedroom. It hurts, Em. I’m sorry.” The house came into view and Brian slowed, pulling into the driveway.
“Keep him talking so I can find him,” Brian said as he slid out of the vette and headed for the door of the house. Emmett watched him get to the door and open it, walking inside.
“Justin, Brian’s in the house, baby. He’s coming to find you but I need you to keep talking so he can hear you.”
“No… hates me…”
“He doesn’t hate you, Justin. Brian loves you. That’s why he came to get you. I promise you.” He could hear Justin start to cry. “Justin, it’s all going to be over soon.”
“That’s what he said…” Emmett heard Brian’s voice on Justin’s side of the phone and sighed in relief, knowing Brian had found him.
“Justin?” he heard Brian calling. “Oh God, no… Justin, look at me, baby.” There was a rustling sound and then Emmett heard Brian’s voice loud and clear. “Emmett, call an ambulance. Now!” The phone was disconnected and Emmett immediately dialed 911 as he got out of the vette and headed for the house himself.
Brian had entered the bedroom to find Justin lying on his side near the bed, his right arm at a strange angle beneath him, unclothed, his body bruised and scraped. When Justin had turned towards his voice, Brian had seen the blood on his left arm and had followed it to the stab wound in the middle of his chest…
Brian acted quickly, grabbing the phone, telling Emmett to call for help and then grabbing a nearby sheet and using it to stem the flow of blood from the wound at Justin’s chest.
“Don’t talk, Sunshine,” he whispered softly. “Everything’s going to be okay now. I’m here and nothing will ever hurt you again. Do you hear me? I’m here. I’ve got you.” Justin’s eyes opened slowly and for a brief moment they focused on Brian.
“I’m sorry, Bri,” he whispered softly. “I never should have left you. It’s all my fault.” In the distance, Brian could hear the faint sound of sirens growing closer. He heard footsteps and knew Emmett had found them.
“This is not your fault, Sonnyboy,” he whispered back. “You don’t deserve this. You deserve to be loved. I will love you. I promise you. Just stay with me. Please.” Justin’s eyes closed but he kept on breathing as well as he could with a stab wound to the chest and Brian’s hands holding him together. The sirens grew louder and then there was shouting and Emmett was directing everyone into the bedroom.
“Sir?” Brian looked up slowly. “I need you to step back so we can check him out and get him into the ambulance.” Brian nodded and Emmett stepped in to help him move back from where Justin lay. The medics came further into the room and quickly assessed Justin’s condition before getting him onto a backboard and then onto a stretcher. Brian and Emmett followed them outside towards the ambulance. As the medics loaded the stretcher, Brian turned to Emmett and handed him the keys to the ‘vette.
“Go back to the diner and tell them what’s happened. Tell them we’re going to Alleghany hospital.” Emmett nodded as Brian turned back to the medic. “He’s my partner. I need to stay with him.” The medic nodded and allowed Brian to climb in beside Justin. The doors closed and the ambulance slowly drove away. Emmett watched it leave then climbed into the vette and quickly followed behind it...
TBC...?