Shine Like a Diamond- B/J AU series Part 3/12

[guavejuice]

Banner by urugwaj Than you SO much!!!

Author:guavejuice
Pairing:Brian/Justin
Beta:Kim predec2 Can't thank you enough!!!
A/N:This is NOT a WIP.
Click HERE to read previous chapters
Disclaimer:I own nothing but this story.
Comments are love.


Part 3

-Later that evening-

"I can understand your slight fascination with those bloody drop crotch pants, but please ditch the thick, gold chain," Justin pleads as Emmett walks into his flat wearing yet another mid-1980's inspired get up.

"Laugh all you want, dah-ling," Emmett replies dramatically in response to his friend's fashion critique. They are both about to leave to attend the opening night at the gallery. "If I recall, you created the same sort of pants not so long ago. Yours even had geometric shapes on them!"

Justin grins back at him sheepishly. "Guilty as charged, but I would never leave home wearing them!" He counters. "They have proven useful as pajama bottoms for about a month, though," he informs him with a grin, checking his reflection in the hallway mirror. He’s wearing a pair of dark, skinny jeans and a gray, long-sleeved top as he nods slightly in satisfaction.

"Speaking of which…What's the situation with that American fella?" Emmett inquires, weaving his arm with Justin's as they walk to the tube station.

"I rang him earlier today to invite him to our event. I told him no morning suits are required, so we’ll just have to wait and see," Justin grins back.

"Cheeky little bastard," Emmett teases him with a wink, giving his friend a pat on the shoulder.

"I've been called worse," Justin replies with a smile. "And just so you know, he asked ME if I could help him with his art collection, that’s all."

"Uh huh…" Emmett nods with a meaningful look as Justin rolls his eyes and bumps him playfully with his shoulder.
_ _ _ _ _ _


-Later that evening, at the art gallery-

"Hi, darlings!" Daphne beams as she greets Justin and Emmett outside the gallery’s entrance. She’s there to support her long-time friend, spreading kisses all around as she hands Justin a large serving bowl covered with tin foil. "My mom sends her good wishes, and one of her traditional, festive, Caribbean dishes, of course," she adds with a grin.

"Thank you so much, Daph.” Justin smiles back as they enter the gallery space

"Mr. Kinney. Good evening; nice to see you here," Justin greets his invited guest after locating him standing at the bar area. He didn't think he would find him there; he just thought he would go check the bar area and refreshment table that had been set up for the event tonight.

Justin bends over slightly to place Daphne's mom's dish in the middle of the long, wooden table among other homemade offerings other friends have brought in for the event, since Justin and Emmett decided they didn’t want to enlist a catering service for opening night like with other dinner parties. When he stands upright again, the tall American is still standing beside him, flashing half a smile and slightly crooked bottom teeth.

"I like spicy food," Brian notes, eyeing the vibrant colors of the dish as Justin takes the tin foil off the bowl.
I’m sure you do…is the sneaky thought that crosses Justin's mind.

He coughs slightly instead and clears his throat. "Would you like to see the show?" he asks, gesturing towards the main area of the gallery where all the exhibits are displayed.

"Don't mind if I do," Brian nods back, still smiling. Justin KNOWS that smile. It's the 'I want to have you' smile that sends a warm rush all through his body from the back of his neck to his toes…and bloody hell, straight to his cock.
Yet Justin senses that there's something else about this bloke, or should he say, about this gentleman. He senses something so utterly fragile and expressive, something so vast and beautiful, something that lies beneath. Something that has just the right amount of a rough, anti-hero exterior that's hiding a sweeter, vulnerable, softer core and a tortured soul fit for a Dickensian David Copperfield or a Jane Austen ‘Mr. Darcy.’ Something that – if not handled properly – could turn into the biggest, corniest, gay love story of the century. But If there would be a way to find the right quantity of sense and sensibility maybe it just MIGHT, COULD, WOULD be what Justin was always looking for but was always too scared to admit out loud?

"Umm… so sorry for that, Mr. Kinney, I mean, Brian." Justin's complicated line of thought is interrupted as he notices the other man eyeing him curiously. "I guess I got a bit distracted," he mumbles self-consciously.
- A bit?? That's an understatement-

"I do apologize. Let's just go this way, shall we?" Justin manages to salvage his dignity at the very last minute…or so he thinks.

He smiles a very reserved, Aristocratic smile towards the tall, dashing man as they walk along the room while Brian takes a closer look at some of the paintings.

"I can tell you're quite fond of the more figurative aspects of visual arts," Justin comments. Brian turns his head toward the younger man and nods. He then turns to a large oil painting of a male nude on the wall and stares at it for several minutes.

"Did YOU paint this?" Brian eventually asks.

Bollocks! -Wonder how he realized that!-

"Yes, I did,” Justin reveals, “but, really, if you're planning on expanding your art collection you should explore more than a few options.” Justin’s mind is working on overdrive, sending the young artist a million and one warning signs. "You might want to explore the more conceptual areas of our exhibition as well; it's right through there," Justin says, trying not to press his guest despite the growing urgency in his voice.

"You're an amazing artist, Justin," Brian elegantly but pointedly ignores each and every one of Justin’s attempts to divert the conversation from the direction they both know it's heading.

"Dinner afterwards?" the dashing American whispers raspingly into Justin's ear, his warm mouth traveling to the soft spot behind his ear, then into the blond strands of his hair, before latching onto his willing lips.

"God, yes," Justin responds breathlessly, thoroughly enthralled.

TBC…

Comments

[michellel23.livejournal.com]

Love the start of the story

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave such a supportive feedback. I really appreciate it :)
More to come...

[later2nite.livejournal.com]

This fic is so different from your usual stuff. You must have 101 little plot bunnies hopping around in that B/J brain of yours! LOL

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Aww... Thank you SO much for such a supportive thoughtful sweet feedback my dear Linda. It means SOOO much to me. (and yup, you might be right :D )
It was quite a journey to write this story. I'm pleased to know you're enjoying it so far.
More to come...

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

I am enjoying the storyline of this fic so very much!!

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

I can't tell you how thrilled I am to know you're following this story my dear Lyn. Your kind supportive feedback means a lot. Thank you SOOO much for that :)
More to come...
*hugs*

read all 3 chapters

[908718.livejournal.com]

I am new to Qaf just discovering the show 3 months ago. With that I am finding all these wonderful brain and Justin stories. And I am live this story. Can't wait for more

Re: read all 3 chapters

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it :)

[yumyumpm.livejournal.com]

Looks like this just might turn into the biggest, while not corniest, gay story of all time. Loving it.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Aww... thank you SO much for taking the time to read and leave such a warm supportive feedback. It really means a lot to me. I'm so pleased to know you think it might turn our the be the biggest while not corniest gay story ;)
More to come...

[hikinggirl70.livejournal.com]

This was terrific! Can't wait to read more.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much for your kind supportive feedback. I really do appreciate it. I'm thrilled to know you're following this story.
More to come...