Moving closer to Justin in bed, Ethan gave him a light kiss before Justin leaned away.

“Wanna go to Babylon tonight?”

Ethan blinked in disbelief. “I thought you hated that place.”

“I never said I hated it. Emmett and Ted invited us. Besides, I feel like dancing tonight.”

“What about your ex?” Ethan’s face darkened.

Justin looked off to mask his discomfort. “Emmett says he hasn’t showed up since the Rage party, and he probably found a new hangout.”

Ethan waited until Justin’s eyes were on him again. “I’m not much of a dancer. But you go ahead and have a good time with your friends,” he smiled. “It’ll give me a chance to practice Vivaldi’s three-fifty-nine.”

Justin smiled back and kissed Ethan’s lips before rolling to face away. He felt Ethan change position, closed his eyes and wished he hadn’t heard the tear of a condom wrapper.

Ethan molded to his back and angled his hard dick into the crack of Justin’s ass.

“No,” Justin reached back, wrapped his hand around the hardness and slow-stroked.

Ethan kissed Justin’s neck, nosed his ear. “I can wait if you have to clean up.”

“That’s not it. I just don’t…feel like it.”

Ethan’s hand encased Justin’s and stopped the movement. “You haven’t felt like it for days, and it’s making me crazy. What’s wrong?”

“Maybe…if you go down on me for awhile.”

“Sure,” Ethan kissed Justin’s hair, knit his brows in confusion when Justin rolled flat on his stomach and folded his arms under his head. “I can’t get to you like that,” he giggled, expecting Justin to explain this game.

Justin tilted his head up, not sure Ethan understood. “You don’t wanna go down on me?”

Ethan looked at Justin’s ass. Then the bulb lit. “You mean…” Ethan’s face twisted. “I never got into that disgusting practice.”

Justin turned away shocked, and for the first time embarrassed by an activity he enjoyed so much. He pulled the sheet to cover his hips and faced away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know…”

“I’ll do it, if you want me to,” Ethan stroked Justin’s hair and shoulder. He gambled that Justin would refuse, but be impressed enough with the verbal gesture to change his mind about other things.

“It’s not important,” Justin lied. He loved being rimmed, but with someone willing. Someone who didn’t taint the joys of being uninhibited.

First Friday night at Babylon since the Rage Party three weeks ago.

Brian stood at his mirror, undid one more button on his sleeveless black shirt for sexier exposure, then gave his best smile.

“Image is –“

Miles away, Scott finished, “ – everything,” as he undid another pearl button on his own navy tank shirt. Pleased with his mirror self, he responded, “Yes. It’s all in-”

Back in Pittsburgh, Emmett smiled in his mirror, “ – the look. Something you definitely have to work on.”

“But I’m not looking for anything,” Justin rolled from his back to his stomach on Emmett’s bed, his cargo pants and baggy sweatshirt obviously on Em’s nerves. “If I add one more complication to my life, I’ll have to incorporate.”

Emmett swung his head around and rolled his eyes up at Justin. “Honey, it’s okay to look. And frankly? If you have to be seen with me? We’re doing something about that right now.”

Out waiting in the living room and dressed for a casual workday, Ted sat on Emmett’s couch and glanced at his watch. Emmett’s flamboyant entry made him stand and stare.

“Your dates are here,” Emmett waved his arms and swished along in red leather pants, gold accent belt, a shirt in black solid and red fishnet combo.

Justin looked respectably hot in black jeans and a sleeveless pewter lycra top, leftovers from Emmett’s leaner days.

“You’re both exquisite,” Ted looked at himself in response to Emmett’s silent scrutiny. “What?”

Emmett leaned toward Justin. “He’s a work in progress.”

Justin chuckled quietly. It was good to feel that way again, going dancing, looking hot, out for some fun with a couple of fun guys – well, one fun guy and his significant work-in-progress.

Emmett noticed Justin’s bright expression and kissed his cheek. “Now that’s what I meant about being a normal part of everyday life.”

Babylon thumped and glittered with the sound and sweat of a Friday in full swing.

Ted, Emmett and Justin leaned on the bar, sipped drinks and scanned the crowd. Justin could barely overhear Emmett telling Ted that Michael and Ben were due by, when a young guy tapped his shoulder. Justin turned a questioning eye on the unfamiliar Steroid Brunette.

“Hey. You’re the guy who dumped Brian Kinney,” Steroid gawked in awe.

Justin grit his teeth. “Where do you get your news? The truth is, he dumped ME. Kicked me out. Don’t get it wrong again.” Justin turned his back.

“Sorry, man,” Steroid wandered away.

Justin cringed at the thought of what he might have done to Brian’s reputation, and why Brian no longer came to Babylon. He gulped his Marguerita, leaned over the bar and demanded another.

Emmett touched his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

“Should I be? Does everybody here think I dumped Brian?” Justin reached over and grabbed an unsuspecting Shirtless Patron’s shoulder. “Did you know I was dumped by Brian Kinney?”

“Who wasn’t?” Shirtless growled, pulled his shoulder back and edged away.

“See?” Emmett lightly smacked Justin’s cheek, making Justin grin. “Rumors are flying wild. But for every man who’s gloating, there are five more with renewed hope that Brian still does boyfriends.” He touched his forehead to Justin’s and the world looked better. “If and when Brian comes around again, he’ll be just as hot as ever.”

Justin flashed a weak smile at what he did and didn’t want to hear at the same time.

Ted invaded the cozy space. “Let’s all hit the dance floor. I want every stud here to envy me for once.” Ted took center position, linked arms on each side and steered his flashy couple into a swarm of bodies.

While they were swallowed into a churning crowd, the opposite was happening further down the bar where the crowd parted and heads swiveled to watch a striking twosome, Brian and Scott, strut their way to the center of the bar.

Playing in the dim light of his apartment, Ethan ran a melody across his violin, stopped short with a quiet, “Shit.” He stared down at the bed, roughly snatched up and perused a sheet of music. Unable to concentrate, he replaced the sheet, set his violin and bow on top of it and stared in deep thought.

Despite the Rage fiasco, Brian felt a comforting confidence in returning with a looker like Scott. For Scott, it was like it had been two years earlier, when their combined heat drew so much attention they had to leave early. Attention on which he thrived. But tonight, they were both hunters of other game.

Leisurely sipping their drinks, they stood in a wide aura even the boldest tricks hesitated to enter unless it became more obvious that they were each available and not with each other.

“See anyone you like?” Brian waved his hand across the crowd. “I know just about everyone here.” Brian’s gaze stopped on who he thought was Chris in black leather and a light shirt further down the bar. The blond slipped into the crowd too quickly to be sure. “Hold my spot for me,” Brian decided to check it out.

“Don’t waste any time, do you?” Scott answered, but Brian was already out of earshot.

Scott watched the crowd. Through a temporary portal, he first noticed Emmett’s gaudy red outfit, then Justin’s back. He had to crane to glimpse Justin between fluctuating bodies.

Shouting over the music, Steroid Brunette cruised Scott.

“Hey. Wanna dance?”

“Maybe. Who’s that blond, the one with the ass that doesn’t quit?” Scott pointed through an opening in the crowd.

Steroid squinted. “Silver shirt? That’s Brian Kinney’s ex-boyfriend.”

Scott split a wide smile. Anyone who could hold Brian Kinney’s interest was worth a look. Scott set his drink on the bar and parted the crowd on his way to his target.

Justin danced with high intensity, courtesy of two Margueritas and the shear pleasure of melding with the music. When Scott swerved in front of him, Justin smiled at the attractive casual partner who saved him from third wheel status. It reassured him that, as Daphne once told him, he wasn’t exactly a troll, and he really needed that lift tonight.

Scott quickly noted that Justin was with another couple, but basically alone. Using only eye contact for guidance, Scott soon had Justin matching his moves. Incredibly hot. Yes. This was the one.

Watching the two, Emmett and Ted continued dancing with each other. Emmett kept a droll eye on Scott. Another guy like Brian was exactly what Justin didn’t need. But they came for fun, and Justin seemed to be okay with it.

Brian scanned the crowd. He didn’t like hostile hounding and intended to clear the air. Failing to locate Chris, Brian returned to where he’d left Scott. That’s when he saw them – Scott courting Justin. Flying on automatic, Brian sliced through the crowd.

Emmett saw Brian closing in. Ted’s eyes tracked Emmett’s and both men accidentally tripped each other while volleying glances and bracing for fireworks.

Before Brian could cut in, Chris stepped between Scott and Justin, blocking Justin out of the way and matching Scott’s moves without missing a beat.

Unfazed and still in rhythm, Justin backed off, turning right into Brian’s space. The two connected with anxious eyes, a shared smile and a passion for dancing with each other that had Brian swaying with Justin. He raised his arms to circle Justin’s shoulders but caught himself and dropped his arms to his sides like a planned dance move.

Justin hooked his thumbs into his pockets and clenched is hands, a new dance move for him. Hairs on his neck and arms stiffened out from the charge running through him as he tried to look coolly detached.

Emmett bit his lip. It was so painful to watch two people who so wanted to touch, keep their distance. Brian was actually backing slowly away.

Separated only by their ex’s dancing back-to-back, Scott and Brian eyed each other past shorter shoulders. Scott had no intentions of continuing with Chris. Brian knew he had to leave Justin before his stiffening cock drove him mad.

In sync, Scott and Brian stepped out to the side away from their partners and moved closer together, each dancing his own steps but holding eyes on each other.

Chris and Justin were quickly joined by elated bystanders. Though the two sexy blonds danced with new faces, their eyes scoped the couple beside them and their moves mimicked only those of their preferred partners.

Brian tipped his head toward the bar. Scott nodded. The two turned shoulder-to-shoulder and left the floor without a backward glance.

Brian hadn’t expected Justin to be there. Surely Ethan was around. The thought of tricking lost all appeal, as did the thought of Justin with someone else. Leaving was not an option. He needed a drink to douse his smoldering desires and bolster his concrete façade.

Scott wondered why Brian cut in on the dance floor. Maybe an invitation to another round together if they couldn’t find more deserving game. A real win-win situation.

Chris’s eyes followed Scott. They were made for each other and he wouldn’t let Scott forget that if he had to mow down every pawn coming between them.

Justin lost the beat the moment Brian turned and walked away with Scott. Justin didn’t notice how long he’d stared before finding enough rhythm to rejoin the man with him. The fun had drained away and he was ready to leave but not willing to show it. Leaving hadn’t burned like being left. Or like realizing that Brian Kinney would always have someone new to replace anyone who left…with no regrets.

Ted and Emmett saw Justin’s eyes fix on Brian. Emmett shook his head. He had been secretly pleased that Justin had broken away from the beautiful, conceited, fucked up mess proclaiming to be Pittsburgh’s Most Fabulous Fag. Now he wasn’t sure what to think. He just knew Justin deserved to be happy.

Ethan leaned on the railing of the stairway beside the dance floor and also watched Justin’s eyes follow Brian. Mixed with anger and hurt, he straightened, started down the steps, stopped and bit at a fingernail, then turned and headed for the exit.

Dance partners change. Justin dances with Ted and Emmett; Justin with Scott; Scott with Chris; Brian with Justin; Justin and Chris back-to-back; Brian and Scott;Justin, Chris and two strangers. Justin and Chris watch Brian and Scott leave. Ethan watches Justin from a stairway.

Song: “The Perfect Drug” by Nine Inch Nails.
or for the d(tr)ancers among us: “The Lonely One” by Alice Deejay

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