Neighbors Ch8
Title: Neighbors
Author: a_life_defiant
Beta: lexa4227 (You're awesome! ♥♥♥) [all remaining mistakes are mine]
Genre: AU, WIP
Warnings: abuse, mentions of rape, angst.
Word count: 1,259
Summary: Just because you live next to someone, it doesn't mean you know shit about them.
Disclaimer: Not mine && they aren't paying the rent! Strictly an obsession!
Banner by the goddess that is foreverbm (Thanks so much Viv! )
Previous chapters HERE
A/N: I know it's been a long time coming. I hope you're still around to read! LOL Thanks to blueberry_09 for her help, kicking me in the ass and getting me to where I needed to be for this.
The next morning Brian awoke to Justin curled around him; his hot breath forming moisture on Brian’s bare shoulder. He felt over-heated because he’d essentially had a human blanket on him all night. His skin was damp at all the places where Justin was pressed against him, but he didn’t move away. The sun had started to come in through the blinds; illuminating the loft as well as Justin. The light cast a halo around the boy as it glinted off his hair. Brian knew he was staring again, but he couldn’t help himself.
“You know that’s a really creepy way to wake up.” Justin whispered with his eyes still closed; startling Brian.
“You’re awake.”
Justin shook his head and nuzzled deeper into Brian. “No. Sleep.”
Brian chuckled softly. “No. Awake. I have to get ready for work anyway.”
Justin responded with a grumble that would most definitely have been classified as cute - if Brian ever used such words. The blonde disentangled himself, grudgingly, from the brunet and buried his face in the pillows.
Brian couldn’t remember the last time he smiled so much in the morning; chuckling to himself as he went to shower.
He was in the middle of shampooing his hair when Justin walked in; sleepy eyed and stumbling toward the toilet. He watched as the blonde proceeded to piss, tuck himself back in, and then turn around to give Brian a devious look. Before he could even process what was happening Justin had already flushed the toilet, while laughing maniacally.
Brian jumped back against the glass as the water went scalding.
Justin stuck his tongue out and then ambled back into the bedroom.
“Twat!” Brian called after the blonde as he felt a wave of laughter bubbling up in his chest.
And just like that, things were different. Whatever osmosis had occurred during the night, from them being pressed together, had taken away the awkwardness and unsure feelings toward each other. It was like Justin had finally decided to let Brian in; finally let himself trust and be helped.
For some reason that made Brian feel happier than he had in he couldn’t remember how long. It wasn’t a feeling he was used to - but he wasn’t ready to push it away. Yet.
Brian showered and dressed while Justin lay snuggled under the covers. He checked his clock - 30 minutes until he had to be at Kinnetik.
He patted the lump under the covers gently, in what he assumed to be Justin’s back. The lump squirmed and moved away slightly. Brian huffed out a laugh and then pulled the covers back.
“Hey. Get up, shower, and get dressed.”
Justin cracked open one eye at him and then shut it. “Nuh uh.”
“Get up. I have to be at work in 30 minutes and I don’t feel comfortable with you being alone here all day, especially after last night.” Brian stated softly.
Justin opens his eyes all the way and stared at the older man; blinking back tears.
“I know.” He breathed out shakily.
Brian nodded. “So pick out one of those new outfits and get to it. We’re leaving in fifteen minutes.”
Justin stretched, noting that most of the soreness from his last beating was gone, and then got up. He showered quickly; slipping into a pair of jeans and a dark blue t-shirt. He found Brian in the kitchen sorting papers into his briefcase.
“So am I just going to stare at you all day while you do…..well, whatever it is that you do?”
Brian snorted. “It’s not ‘take a twink to work’ day. I’m dropping you off at the diner.”
Justin felt unease creep up on him. “But…”
Brian shook his head slightly. “No buts. I already called Deb and told her you were coming.”
Questioning blue eyes stared back at him.
“Don’t worry. You’ll like her. She can be loud and obnoxious as hell, but she’s also got bigger balls than most guys I know - not to mention a protective streak a mile wide.”
Justin swallowed hard and nodded in assent. What other choice did he have? He really didn’t want to be alone all day, especially in a place where Cody could find him easily.
“Come on twat.” Brian teased as he ushered Justin out of the loft.
***
As soon as they entered the diner Justin was accosted by a very loud woman with even louder clothes. She hugged onto him tightly and he winced a little as a few of her bangles dug into his bruises. Before her could say anything Brian was already giving the woman, who he’d assumed was Deb, a death glare while prying her off of him.
“Oh shit. Sorry kiddo.” She rasped; looking sheepish.
“Maybe I should bring him with me instead…”
“Bullshit. He’ll be just fine with me, won’t you Sunshine?” Deb exclaimed as she slung a possessive arm around Justin’s shoulders.
Brian arched a brow. “Sunshine?”
“Yeah, Sunshine. You got a problem with it? Just look at him!”
Justin smiled brightly at her exclamation and Brian had to admit that the name was kind of perfect.
Brian rolled his eyes. “Ok, I’m going to work.” He looked at Deb pointedly. “Behave.”
With that he left and Deb herded Justin to a booth in the back.
“So what’ll it be?” She asked while pulling out her notepad.
“Uh…” Justin looked slightly worried. Brian hadn’t actually left him with any money, and he didn’t have any of his own.
“Hungry bear special - on the house.” Deb replied knowingly; pinching him on the cheek and going behind the counter.
Justin let out a relieved sigh and took out a small sketch book and pencil he’d remembered to grab. Flipping to a blank page, he let his hand wander.
By the time Deb came back with his breakfast he had already had a perfect likeness of Brian rendered on the page; right down to the arch in his brow.
“Holy shit.” Deb exclaimed as she set the plate down. “You’ve got real talent kiddo.”
Justin smiled up at her. “Thanks.”
A bell dinged behind the counter.
“Eat up; I’ve got to get these orders out.”
Justin surveyed the plate. Pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, and fruit. It was then he realized how hungry he actually was; considering he hadn’t eaten since lunch time the day before. He wasted no time in digging in; moaning slightly at the taste of fluffy, syrupy pancakes and juicy sausage.
***
Lunch time rolled around, but Justin was still full from breakfast. Debbie had stopped several times to sit and chat; learning more about him each time. At the present moment, however, she was running around like chicken with its head cut off. Apparently one of the waitresses had called off and Deb was short-staffed for the lunch hour rush.
“Hey Sunshine.” She called out to him while carrying a stack of plates. “You ever bussed tables before?”
Justin shook his head. He’d never had a job of any sort - unless you counted being forced to fuck strangers for money so his mother could feed her drug addiction.
“Well, you’re young, you’ll learn quickly.” She threw an apron at him gestured to an empty table.
“Grab that bin on the counter. Dirty dishes go in there and then back to the kitchen.” Deb waved to the door at the back of the diner.
Justin’s face registered surprise, but he did as he was told. It was better than sitting in the booth by himself thinking about things he’d rather not.
TBC…