Coming Home-B/J One Shot

[guavejuice]

Author:guavejuice
Pairing:Brian/Justin
Timeline: 29 August 2005, A couple of weeks post 513
AU
Originally written for EKG_club August challenge.
Justin's POV
Disclaimer:I own nothing but this story.
Comments are love.

It has been my second week alone in NYC.

As soon as I arrived there the week before I made sure to find the hall in the wall I would be sharing with Daphne's friend . She was very accommodating and friendly but that didn't make things easier. I was always considered to be the messy roommate- especially after living in Brian's loft for so long- but I found her place so cluttered and busy and distracting it was almost too much for me. Maybe it was ME. I felt so restless I couldn't even put my thoughts together.

First thing Monday morning on my second week in the city I decided it would be about time to try and focus on my goal and get out there to find a space for my studio where I was planning on spending most of my days painting anyway.

As I strolled down the street to where Daphne's friend said I might find some open spaces to sublet thoughts started floating in my mind, drifting towards Brian. I couldn't help thinking how Brian would say our timing sucked and he would be right. We've been through it before more than once but it became more poignant when I traveled to L.A to work on Rage the movie just as HE felt it was the right time to officially ask me to move in with him. With these thoughts swirling in my head I was waiting on the curb for the red light to turn green so I could cross the street amid relentless traffic and a surge of energy rolling off the crowd that rushed up and down the street. It's not that I wasn't expecting the hive of activity that is New York City. I did. After the raving article about my solo show was published in Art Forum magazine I told Lindsay how Brian was my change of a life time, not New York, but deep down I wanted both. Brian was being so supportive. More supportive than I ever could have imagined. That night in bed he told me he wouldn't want me to sacrifice anything to be with him and call it love. I remembered it took me a few minutes to realize he really meant it. He'd offered to help me with everything I needed to get started in the city even before I left the Pitts but I declined. I wanted to get by on my own.

The day I left I kept roaming around the loft until it was time to leave for the airport. We'd called off the wedding but I didn't want to think about that. I wanted to savor the very moments in which he held me close, promising me-and himself- it's only time.

I KNEW It would have a new beginning, I knew it wasn't the end, yet I couldn't help the tears.

As soon as I stepped off the plane from Pittsburgh at La Guardia airport I expected to be washed by a title wave of inspiration so I could become the next Andy Warhol just as Lindsay said.

I craved the hustle and bustle, I wanted to feel the pulse of the city but at the same time I ached for Brian, longed for his touch, his voice, his scent, the ways in which he told me how much he was in love with me without having to speak at all.

Later that morning I found a space. It was raw and exposed but brightly lit. I stood by the large window overlooking the Hudson river. I stood there on that day in late summer waiting for that title wave to come. I pulled out my sketch pad and drawing pencils and decided to sit on the window ledge gazing at the way the late summer rays of sunshine reflected upon the murky waters. Still the desired title wave didn't come. At least not the way I thought it would.

I couldn't remember how long I set there until I eventually decided to call Brian, hoping the sound of his voice might bring me the comfort I longed for. I pulled my cell phone from my backpack and pressed the speed dial. Brian would always answer my calls right away-even if he always denied that- but not this time. I shrugged, thinking I shouldn't be reading too much into it because it's only been a little more than a week since I left the Pitts. I knew he was planning on reopening Babylon and bring it back to it's former glory after that ill fated night so I figured that might be the reason he wasn't able to return my call. Still I felt the heaviness at the pit of my stomach and I swallowed hard trying to get rid of the dryness in my mouth. I couldn't explain it but it felt the same way it did that ill fated night at the club. The helplessness, the distraction, the pain…

Trying to shake those memories away-before more dark shuttering memories would emerge from the back of my head- I decided to grab my stuff and walk outside for some air. Just as I stepped out, leaning against the exposed break wall by phone rang and Brian was at the other end of the line.
He sounded so broken, almost lost that I couldn't contain myself.

"What is it, Brian?" I whispered, clutching the straps of my backpack so tight it almost cut through the palm of my hands.

"Didn't you hear?" He said eventually.

"What? Tell me please… is there anything wrong?" I pleaded.

"We… we were just at the club, we thought we might even make it in time for the reopening tonight but then… it's all over the news..." he stopped.

"What is it Brian? What the fuck happened?" I could feel my frustration building. I was at the heart of the greatest city in the world yet I felt so isolated and alone as if I was left on a deserted island.

"There was a hurricane down south, In New Orleans, It's all over the news. Where have you been? Where the fuck are you?" he answered in a low voice. "It's so… terrible, It's… I can't understand it… people lost EVERYTHING… just like that," his voice sounded distorted and it didn't help that there were lots of static noise on his end of the line. I've never heard Brian react like that before. THEN it hit me.

There's a moon over Bourbon Street tonight
I see faces as they pass beneath the pale lamplight
I've no choice but to follow that call
The bright lights, the people, and the moon and all…

Out of nowhere this tune was playing in my ears like someone was playing in the street while I was leaning against a lamppost, singling out one face in the crowd while HE was obviously noticing me. It wasn't Bourbon street New Orleans, it was Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh , but it changed everything.

"Brian? Are you still there?" I asked in a trembling voice. "I'm … I'm here but I… I miss you so much. I… I'm coming home. Do you hear me? It's too important to let go. YOU'RE too important... so I'm coming home to YOU... to US, "

That day as forces of nature ripped through the country, changed the landscape, tore people's lives apart leaving them shaken to the core I realized more than ever what I've known all along ever since that night under the lamppost – how lucky I was to still have the man I love in my by my side.

Comments

[bksbracelet.livejournal.com]

Stronger together than ever apart

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Yes, they are!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave such a heartfelt supportive feedback Chris. It means a lot to me. It just so happened that it's been Ten years to Hurrikan Katrina hit New Orleans and it's been Ten years since QaF ended *sigh*

[techgirl-on-ij.livejournal.com]

Aww, so nice that he'll go back home to be with Brian.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much for taking the time to read and comment dear techi. Your ongoing encouragement and support mean so much to me.
Hugss

[ls1966.livejournal.com]

Love this story very much V, great job xx

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Hi Linda *waves* SO lovely to 'see' you here!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and leave such a heartfelt supportive feedback. It means so much to me.
Hugs

[ls1966.livejournal.com]

I know, I am not being around a lot lately. RL is very busy and a lot is going on, mostly at work. Looking forward to read much more from you ;-)
Hugs Linda

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Aww... thank you so much for saying that, Linda. Much appreciated.
Take care
Hugs back

[blossomlegs.livejournal.com]

Very powerful!
Always stronger together. The need to be ONE together.
Thanks for sharing!
JoAnn

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. Your thoughtful supportive feedback means a lot to me.

[hikinggirl70.livejournal.com]

That was terrific! ♥️

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your wonderful supportive feedback. It means a lot :)