Not Like All The Others

EMMETT’S POV


I lean against the bar and sip my Cosmo as I listen to the loud music pumping out of the speakers. A gorgeous man strolls by me on his way to the dance floor. God, I love Babylon. I’m pulled out of my thoughts by Ted and Michael arguing over some nonsense. Ben had work to do so he’s not here to amuse Michael. I roll my eyes at them and start to go back to my daydreaming when I see Justin coming up the stairs. He comes over and stands beside me, giving me puppy dog eyes so that I know he wants me to get him a beer. How could I say no to that look. I turn and get the bartenders attention and ask him to bring me a beer. He hands it to me and once he leaves I give it to Justin.

“Thanks.” he tells me. I wrap my arm around his shoulder, something that has become a habit since the day I met him.

“No problem sweetie.” I say back. “I’m just doing my part to help with the deconstruction of today’s youth.” He laughs at my comment. I look down into the crowd and see Brian is still dancing. “Don’t tell me at your tinder young age you had to take a break from dancing, because if that’s the case than none of us stand a chance.” I say to him. He laughs again before shaking his head.

“Don’t need a break. Just wanted to get a drink.” He holds up his beer as evidence. “And trust me, you’re far from old Emmett.” I bring my hand up to my chest at what I consider to be a touching statement.

“Oh. Thank you baby.” I say pulling him in to a hug. “You sure know how to make an old queen feel good about himself.” A smile spreads across his face. He nods his head in the direction of Brian.

“Of course I do. I have to deal with him.” he tells me. I can’t help but laugh at that. I know that he doesn’t mean it. I can tell by the look he has in eyes right now as he watches him dance. But after a couple of seconds that look quickly vanishes and is replace by a wounded looking one. I follow his eyes back to where Brian is and see the problem. Another guy has practically wrapped himself around Brian, and Brian seems to be doing very little to remove him. I watch as Brian and the trick exchange whispers for awhile before Brian grabs the front of the tricks shirt and pulls him towards the back room. I let out a long sigh and turn my attention back to Justin, who is dejectedly staring at his feet, arms crossed over his chest. I feel bad for the kid. I know how much he loves Brian so watching Brian go off with someone else has to hurt.

“Brian said that you and him talked about his tricking. He said you didn’t mind.” I tell him, recalling a conversation I had with Brian in the diner after Justin caught him in the act. He shrugs his shoulders and pulls his arms tighter to his chest.

“I accepted the fact that he wasn’t going to stop. I didn’t say that it didn’t hurt to see him do it.” he tells me, still staring down at the floor.

“Don’t let it get to you baby. It’s just the way he does things. It has nothing to do with you.” I tell him. I wrap my arms around him protectively. He brings his eyes up to mine for a moment before lowering them back to the ground.

“I know. I just can’t help it.” he says. He moves his gaze from the floor to the entrance of the back room. “He doesn’t know what it feels like.” He’s right. Brian has brought Justin here more than a few times. And in all of those times I have never seen Justin hook up with anybody else. I’m pretty sure Brian’s tune would change if he had to watch Justin do the same thing that he does night after night.

“Well then maybe you should show him how it feels.” I suggest to him. He drags his eyes away from the backroom and looks at me with a raised eyebrow. “In all the short time I’ve known you, I have never seen you with anybody but him. Maybe you should give him a taste of his own medicine and see how he likes it.” Justin seems to think about it for a minute before shaking his head.

“I don’t think I could do that. I don’t want to be with anyone but Brian.” He runs his hands over his face before he continues. “Besides, he probably wouldn’t even care.” I reach out and take his chin in my hands to make him look at me.

“Baby, you might be very surprised.” I tell him. He smiles a little but it’s forced. I feel like I should try and cheer him up. “Come on. Let’s go dance. We can use the time to check out good looking guys in the room.” I say, trying to pull him towards the stairs. I get another small smile but this time it’s genuine.

“No I think I’m just going to go.” he tells me, halting my movements. He starts to head towards the stairs so he can leave.

“How are you going to get home? You came here with Brian.” I question him. He shrugs and keeps walking.

“I’ll walk or call a cab or something.” he tells me. I can’t let him walk home by himself and I don’t want him to have to wait for a cab at this time of night.

“Let me give you a ride.” I say as I catch up with him. He stops for a second to consider it then nods his head, apparently not liking the idea of being alone this late too much either. We leave the club and head for my car.


JUSTIN’S POV


Emmett and I ride in silence for a minute or two, the silence only being broken when I tell Emmett to turn down the street we were approaching. He looks over at me confused but turns anyway.

“Why are we going this way?” he asks me. “This isn’t the way to the loft.”

“I know. I’m not going back to the loft.” I tell him. He looks over at me and waits for an explanation. “I haven’t been back home since Brian and my dad had that run in a few days ago. They are probably either extremely worried or extremely pissed by now. So, I figured I should make an appearance to let them know I’m still alive before I disappear for a few more days. Plus, tomorrow is Monday. I need to go to school” I explain to him. He seems to accept this answer and follows the directions I give him. The answer I gave him is true. I probably should go home for a couple of days. But it’s not the only reason. I really don’t want to be at the loft if Brian decides to bring someone home tonight. He’s never brought anyone back when I was with him before, but he’s never said that he wouldn’t, and I’ve never left without him before. So, I just don’t want to take any chances. After a few minutes we pull up in front of my house. “Thanks for the ride Emmett.” I say as I get out of the car.

“Not a problem sweetie.” he says. I wave goodbye to him and turn to go inside.


All the lights are off in the house. Maybe I got lucky and both my parents will be asleep. I slide my key into the lock and quietly open the door. I hang up my coat and am about to go upstairs to my room when a voice stops me.

“So you finally decided to come home.” my mom says from where she is sitting on the sofa. I turn around to look at her. The living room is so dark I have to squint to see her. I walk over and sit down next to her on the sofa.

“Did dad tell you why I disappeared in the first place?” I ask her. Now that I’m closer I can see her nod her head. “Why are you up this late mom?”

“Because my husband got in a fist fight with my son’s boyfriend and my son went missing for three days. I couldn‘t sleep too well.” she answers. I feel kind of bad about making her worry so much. “You could have called you know.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” I tell her. “Is dad pissed off at me?” I ask her. She’s quiet for a second before she answers.

“I think he is more upset about the fact that what he did caused you to disappear with your boyfriend for this long.” she says with a little laugh. “That is where you were, right? With Brian?” She looks over to me for the answer.

“Yeah.” I decide to bring up something that has been bothering me since Brian and my dad got in a fight. “Dad doesn’t have the right to say anything about me being with Brian. He doesn’t even know him. Neither of you do.”

“Well, maybe you should make time for us to get to know him.” she suggests, catching me completely off guard. I look over at her to see if she’s joking but she just calmly stares back.

“I don’t know. I’ll think about it.” I tell her. I’m not sure if Brian and my dad could be in the same room without killing each other. “Right now I just want to go to bed.” I stand up and she does so as well.

“I probably should too. I haven’t slept good the past few nights.” she says. I start to apologize again but she holds her hand up to stop me. “You don’t have to apologize, just next time call and let me know you are alright.” she tells me. I smile and kiss her on the cheek. I go up to my room, strip off my clothes, and flop down on my bed. I lay there thinking about what Emmett and my mom said, until I fall asleep.