Roommate Wanted! Must Love Cats!

Title: Roommate Wanted! Must Love Cats!
By : Phoenix Ghost
Rating: Adults Only
Category: Fanfiction
Characters: Justin Taylor, Brian Kinney, Daphne Chanders, Debbie Novotny, Michael Novotny, Emmett Honeycutt, Ted Schmidt, Marty Ryder, Lindsay Peterson, Melanie Marcus, Gus, Cynthia, Jennifer Taylor, Craig Taylor, Molly Taylor, OMC's and OFC's, with a brief Chris Hobbs mention or two.
Genre: AU, Dramady, General/Misc. Angsty/Romantic Comedy
Warnings: Strictly AU, and Very OOC, with some graphic language.
This isn't PWP and I'm trying to tell ya a story, so sit back and enjoy! Also? it is a b/j fic.
Summary: Set in present year, TOTAL AU! Daphne Chanders is moving out and quirky artistic Justin Taylor needs a new roomie!
Will jaded X Ryder Advertising genius Brian Kinney be able to fill the empty spaces in Justin's condo and in his lonely heart?
Disclaimer: All Characters and situations from Queer as Folk are the properties of Russell T. Davies, Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, (Cowlip) Showtime, and others. No Copyright infringement has been intended by this author or this website. This story has been invented for entertainment purposes only and has been rated by the author, and not by any independent body.
A/N: All mistakes are my own, as I have decided not to have a beta for this fandom any longer.
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CHAPTER 1


~Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, late Summer, Early Sunday morning August 28th, 2005~

"Well, it looks like that's everything then!" Bubbled a bouncy Daphne Chanders after she helped her best friend and now soon to be former roommate Justin Taylor finish loading the back of her red 2005 Lexus with the last of her boxes.

All of the big things like her half of the furniture, her bed and a lot of her personal things that wouldn't fit into her car had been shipped to her new roommate Ariel's home a week ago.

Dusting off her palms on the seat of her form fitting black jeans, she frowned slightly as she tugged down the front her caramel colored baby tee shirt.

The movement causing her to slip slightly on her black Gucci boots.

Brushing her hands across the large cursive multi-colored sparkling frosted letters forming the word 'Beotch' that was a private joke between the two long time friends caused the material to lose some of the colorful flakes as she reached out, tilting up Justin's sinking chin, leaving a bit of their fairy dust along his slender jaw-line.

Giving him a watery smile she said, "I can always cancel ya know. I can just move it all back inside and unpack and stay here if you want me too," She babbled, trying to fight off the urge to give in, and hit her knees begging him to reconsider and to come with her to New York City.

Carefully wiping her finger tips just under her lashes to remove traces of her tears as she tried one more time to reach him, as she said jokingly," We can grow old and grey together with a house full of... "

Justin sighed, biting his lip as he was watching her add more color to her face with the sparkles. He couldn't help but giggle at her as he smiled slightly at her antics. But, this time, this time he was more determined for her to let go and leave as he said, "Daph, don't...Just, go, I'll be alright, really, I'll be just fine. It's time now, YOUR time, so just, go."

Justin returned her smile with a similar one of his own.

But, Daphne wasn't so easily fooled as she reminded him, "Ariel TOLD me, she could find you work there as well Jus! Just think about it! While she didn't promise it, she also told me to tell you NOT to rule it out! Justin! It's your dream! How can you turn your back on it? It's what you've always wanted! You trained for it ALL through High School for God's sake! But, now that you're this close,"

Demonstrating just how close with her thumb and forefinger Daphne dropped her hand as she snorted saying, "And for what? To work as a damn gopher for some rude English jerk?"

Holding him firmly by both shoulders she said, "I told you Justin, after mom and dad died if it hadn't been for you, for your friendship, I don't know what I'd of done! I just can't lose you too Justin and it really feels like I am, like I already have, and it hurts Jus, it hurts so damn bad! Please, won't you change your mind and come with me to New York? You could go to school there! You could Intern there! Please, Justin, please?" She pleaded, bouncing lightly on the balls of her toes slightly as her tears once again found release.

Justin wanted to roll his eyes. He really did.

But fighting against the urge, instead he opened his arms and cradled the 5'5 slender bundle that was his best friend as she wrapped her slim arms around his neck and wept tears and snot all over the shoulder of his black tee shirt.

As he held her he had to fight a smile.

Daphne was such a drama queen. She really would make it just fine.

And, if by that slim chance she didn't, she could always fall back on her Dr. Degree.
Or her mountains of money.

But she had promised him, promised that she'd try not to just exist on that money, but to live her life, and she had promised Justin she would also pursue that degree at NYU along with her star search.

Ariel T. Davies was Daphne's talent agent.

She had gotten Daphne a few good local gigs here in Pittsburgh as well.

But, when Ariel decided to move to New York City earlier this year, she had all but begged Daphne to join her in taking a bite out of the 'Big Apple.'

She had been impressed with Justin as well, and had offered him the opportunity to join them and chase his dreams.

But, Justin had turned the beautiful red head down flat.

Thanks to Daphne's generosity, Justin was finally doing what he loved.

He was enrolled in PIFA, and he'd also landed a wonderful opportunity to work as an Intern in one of Pittsburgh's finest Ad Agencies, Vanguard, formally the Ryder Ad agency.

Justin's silly little theatre dream, was and would always be just that, a dream.
Because for now, it just wasn't practical.

He wasn't like his best friend, he had no vast estate with which he could use to dabble in his greatest desires and wants at whim, which Daphne had been able to do since her parents deaths three years ago.

Less than 2 weeks after their burials, Daphne had begged him and he'd relented and had joined her on a year long wild ride.

They had traveled to places far and wide, places that before had just been colorful photos in their history and other school books.

While Justin had truly enjoyed himself, he wasn't a fool.

Knowing her oh SO well and all of his life as he did, Justin knew what she'd been leading up too and had he been straight, he'd of taken her up on her un spoken offer in a New York minute.

Now,. really seeing his beautiful friend, looking deeply into her caring big brown eyes the realization that she really was leaving him hit, and it hit hard.
Daphne Chanders and Justin Taylor had been friends, best friends ever since they could pronounce the word.

She had been his 'rock' all through their childhood. And, especially in the last five years.
At age 17, Justin had got up the nerve to come out to her about his sexuality.

And, in the aftermath of that discovery, it had been Daphne that had helped him to hold his head up and survive.

Daphne had held him when he'd cried on her shoulder about what that jerk and school bully Chris Hobbs had done and said.

And, when Justin had showed up on her doorstep bloodied and beaten by his enraged and homophobe father Craig Taylor, Daphne had hid Justin in her room for two weeks until Justin's mother, Jennifer had found a new place for herself and Justin and Molly, Justin's little sister.

While she was going back to real estate school, Jennifer had met and fell in love with a young man only a few years older than Justin named Tucker.

Although Justin didn't approve, as he'd thought it gross their huge several years age difference, he was happy for his mother.
One year to the day later, Jennifer and Tucker were married.

Jennifer had won full custody of Molly since Craig had been investigated and found guilty of income tax evasion and had been sentenced to prison for 10 years.

Tucker and Jennifer had been offered amazing real estate work in Manhattan and the new family soon moved away from the Pitts of PA to the bright lights of New York.

Tucker and Jennifer had wanted Justin to join them, and Molly had cried at the thought of not seeing her big brother, but Justin had been firm in his wishes to stay in the Pitts and try and make it on his own.

Later that year, Daphne and Justin had moved into the beautiful two bedroom condo that Jennifer had previously owned.

After the deaths of her parents, Daphne had purchased the condo.

She had offered to just give it to Justin, but he had firmly declined the offer, insisting on a rent to own arrangement only.

Daphne had finally agreed, and now, Justin Taylor at age 21 almost 22, was the proud owner of a lovely 2 bedroom condo.

On a rent to own arrangement, of course.

But, without Daphne's help, the upkeep and taxes and other things that go along with being a home owner was just too much for just one person to handle. Especially if said person was still in College.

So, with giggles and grins, Daphne had helped to pen the ad he'd placed in the Pittsburgh Gazette.

It read, "Roommate Wanted! Must love Cats! For more information please call,"
And it had Justin's cell phone number given as the query number. And not a letter more of information.

While Daphne had thought it a bit vague, Justin had thought it quite funny, and could hardly wait to see what kind of individual would answer it.

Holding her at arms length now, he hated to see her so sad, and he knew just what to do to cheer her up, perhaps?

Justin sighed deeply.

It was time for him to let go of Daphne Chanders so that she could get on with her own life.

Justin almost felt guilty as he though of all that she'd given up for him.

All of the dates she'd refused to go on. Of the many friendships she'd let go of. Just to be with him. To help him get through everything he'd gone through.

All of those years filled with his tears.

And, in the last three years, how he'd helped her as well.

How he'd held her as she cried, and how he'd saved her life when he'd found her right after the will reading, when she'd taken a whole bottle of pills to just sleep away her sorrows.

While she'd never been all that close to her jet-setting parental units, Daphne had missed them, and had been so depressed at the thought of never again having the chance, never telling them just how she felt, letting them know how much she had loved them.

Never knowing if they were really proud of her. And left wondering if they really had loved her at all.

During her small stay at an institution, it had been Justin who had helped her to realize that she did want to live after all by fuelling her dreams to travel. To far away places which of course, he'd let her talk him into going along with her.

They had both been so much to the other.

Mere words could never express, but, he could try.

Taking a deep breath, he began to sing one of her most favorite songs from one of their favorite Broadway Musical shows, Cats!

As the first note left his lips, it was Daphne's turn to roll her eyes.

But, as she watched him, she saw the happiness surrounding him as he did something he truly enjoyed, something he truly loved, and, had always dreamed of doing professionally since he'd done so on stage, all four years at their High school.

Closing her eyes, Daphne sighed a content little sigh, letting the gentle tones of his beautiful voice wash over her senses as she listened to her best friend sing to her one of her most favorite songs, 'Memory.'

"Daylight
see the dew on the sunflower
and a rose that is fading
Roses wither away
Like the sunflower
I yearn to turn my face to the dawn
I am waiting for the day..."
"Midnight
not a sound from the pavement
Has the moon lost her memory?
She is smiling alone
In the lamplight the withered leaves collect at my feet
And the wind begins to moan"

Justin slowly then twirled Daphne as he belted out singing,

" Memory
All alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days
I was beautiful then
I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again"

Daphne couldn't help but giggle as she watched him do some fancy foot and hand work as he sang,

"Every streetlamp
seems to beat a fatalistic warning
Someone mutters
And the streetlamp gutters
And soon it will be morning"

Down on his knees now he has both small hands together as he pleads, his words hauntingly true to life for them both as he sings,

" Daylight
I must wait for the sunrise
I must think of a new life
And I mustn’t give in
When the dawn comes
Tonight will be a memory too
And a new day will begin"

Now standing once more as he dances around her he's singing,

" Burnt out ends of smoky days
The stale cold smell of morning
The streetlamp dies, another night is over
Another day is dawning"

As he holds up his hands, his fingertips barely touches hers and now tears are streaming down their faces as they both are singing,

"Touch me
It's so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
of my days in the sun"

Slowly, Justin walked Daphne over to the drivers side door, and opening it up, he gently pushes her inside as he sang,

"If you touch me
You'll understand what happiness is"

Wordlessly she shook her head, her eyes pleading for him to come with her.

He smiled sadly at her as he shook his head and mouthed 'no.' at her, and after leaning over to buckle her in, gently but firmly closed the door.

He squared his shoulders as she fumbled for her keys, and then started the ignition.
As she backed out of the drive, and pulled away, driving off until he couldn't see her anymore, Softly he sang, finishing the song,

"Look
a new day has begun"

As he was walking into the house, he jumped as his cell phone rang. Wiping away his tears, he smiled a watery smile as he recognized the caller. Closing the front door and locking it, soon he was pushing the button as he connected the call.

"Hey," she softly said sniffling, "I love you, you know that right?"

"Yeah," Justin replied just as softly, "I love you too. Now, drive carefully, call me at every rest stop, and don't talk to strangers! But if you need to just talk to someone, I hope it's me you do call. I miss you already, Daph. But, this is for the best, for us BOTH. Now, you be strong, and I will too, okay? Hey, I don't care what time you get in, you'd best call me!" He warned.

She paused and then said, "I didn't get to hear the last part of the song."

Softly he sang,

“Look a new day has begun"

She then sniffled lightly as she asked, "It is our 'new day' isn't it Jus?"

He wiped at the fresh tears she couldn't see and taking a deep breath firmly said, "Yeah Daph, I guess it is. now, you better call me, as soon as you get there to Ariel's! I mean it."

She chuckled softly, "Okay, Jus, I will, Later." She whispered. And then she was gone.
"Yeah, Later." He softly told the dead phone as he clicked at the off button.

Looking around the half empty rooms he sighed.

Without the colorful splashes of Daphne's things, of her furniture, of her life, of her, the place felt empty.

But, when his phone rang again, he rolled his eyes and became a bit irritated.

Thinking it was time for some tough love, or she just might turn back around and come home to him, Justin growled into the mouth piece without even looking at the caller ID.

"What NOW!? Damn it Daphne! Just, just go already!" He sputtered exasperatingly into the phone.

He almost dropped it when a very sexy smooth voice all but purred sarcastically, "I take it Daphne was the old roommate huh? What's a matter, she didn't like your cat?"

Justin had a puzzled look on his face as he looked at the blocked caller ID.

Not recognizing the caller, and forgetting all about the tongue in cheek ad he had placed in the paper a week ago for a roommate, shrugging to himself, he clicked off the phone, and disconnected the call.

Then he reached down to re-arrange his tight blue jeans.

Jeans that had become tighter at the silky tones of that callers voice.

Waking over to the nearly empty stainless covered refrigerator, Justin opened it and took out the gallon of milk.

Walking over to the cabinet he took out a bowl and the large box of Cheerios he just had to have.

Smiling at the memory of them arguing about saving money versus the quantity, he reached into a drawer and pulled out a big spoon.

Closing the fridge door, he tried to smile as he thought of his friend, and the many adventures that awaited her.

After spending half of the morning watching his Sponge Bob and his Power Puff Girls movies, he picked up his empty bowl and spoon and put them in the sink.

Justin then walked upstairs to his room, stripping down to nothing as he walked out of his bedroom and upstairs one more level into his 'art' room.

Daphne had had it built for him as a birthday gift. With floor to ceiling windows it was the perfect place for him to indulge in his other passion. Creating art.

Closing the door, he began.

Noticing the shadows on the wall, Justin frowned, realizing he'd done it again.
Without Daphne there to nag at him to eat, he'd skipped lunch and what looked like dinner as well, if the darkness of the outside was any indication.

After his meal of cold pizza, he cleaned up his mess and did the dishes.
Where there was once two of everything, there was now just one.

Pushing the thought's of missing her out of the way, Justin had a quick shower, and got ready for bed.

After setting his alarm for school, and dreading the new early classes he'd signed up for, just as he was closing his eyes, they popped open.

'Shit!' He thought, 'That call earlier could of been about the roommate ad!'

Mentally smacking himself in the head, he groaned and rolled over trying his best once again to will away his erection and not to dream of that voice.

Then, when his phone rang again, he just knew it was her.

Smiling, he listened as her happy babbling voice calmed him.


~Earlier that day across town~


"Would you care for another waffle Brian?" Asked Ben Brunkner, Brian's friend and the spouse of Michael Novotny, Brian's best friend since late middle school.

"Sure, load me up!" Grinned Brian Kinney, former Advertising sweetheart of The Ryder Advertising agency.

Winking slowly at a blushing Ben, Brian added, "While you're up sweet cheeks, I could use some more coffee too!"

"Brian!" Whined Michael, "Quit flirting with my husband!" Pouted the little dark haired man, who was eating his waffles holding his fork with his fist and talking with his mouth full, as usual.

Brian and Ben just rolled their eyes at Michaels jealously and of course his poor table manners.

No matter how hard they tried, they just couldn't get the stubborn little guy to eat properly.

Because Ben was such an important Professor at Carnage Mellon, and he was required to attend many dinner parties and such, early on Brian and Ben had devised a way for Brian to attend the affairs with Ben and NOT Mikey.

Being that the childlike man was more into his comic book store than into the goings on of his famous husband, Michael remained blissfully unaware.

While both hunky men had fucked each other silly at a Miami White Party years ago, they had no real attraction for each other except for a fondness, that was strictly a friends only thing.

But, Brian, being the brat he was, loved to jerk the smaller man's chain.

And, although Ben loved having Brian live with them, after almost five years, it was starting to take it's toll.

Ben had been very understanding, and had helped Michael help Brian through the shock of losing everything dear to him after a younger upstart of an ad man named Kip had filed sexual harassment charges against Brian.

Of course the owner of the company Mary Ryder had promptly fired Brian and had sued him as well, leaving Brian without a job, a home, or very many of his once many possessions.

It had back fired on the man though, as most of Marty's clients were actually Brian's clients and they had pulled out of Ryder Advertising, once they had found out the truth.
Brian Kinney was no longer a part of the scene. Even Cynthia, Brian's long time friend and secretary had quit as soon as she'd found out Brian had been fired.

It all wouldn't of been so bad, but not only had Brian lost so much, he had also been blackballed in the advertising community.

True to his word, Marty Ryder had made sure that Brian Kinney couldn't even get a job at Hallmark doing crap sap copy work.

It had been Ben who had coaxed Brian to go back to College and get his teaching degree.
In less than 5 years, Brian had done just that, and now he was a marketing and advertising professor as well as a graphics art professor.

While he could now afford a modest home of his own, Brian still refused to get one, preferring to live with Ben and Michael instead.

Michael had been over the moon, having his best friend and his love living with him.
But, Ben wanted more. He wanted a family. And, with Brian currently residing in the third bedroom that should by now of been a nursery, Ben was determined to get things back on track.

Handing Brian not only his now full cup of coffee but a copy of the rentals section of the newspaper, he glared hard at Mikey's pout, and then smiled at Brian as he said, "I circled ones I thought you might be interested in."

Brian snickered slightly as he took both items. Drinking a small sip of one and laying down the other, his eyes quickly scanned it's contents.

He had wrinkled his nose at most of the ones Ben had circled, for they held no interest for him.

But, when his curious honey hazel gaze fell on one Ben hadn't circled, Brian had smirked, and had mentally marked it.

Folding up the paper, he took another sip of his drink and announced he'd be in his room.
As soon as his door was closed, he pulled out his cell phone and punched in the numbers.
He almost dropped his phone as he heard a very authoritative sexy voice bark, "WHAT NOW!? Damn it Daphne! Just, just go already!"

Taken a bit aback by the angry tone, Brian had drawled sarcastically, "I take it Daphne was the old roommate huh?" Not able to resist he purred, "What's a matter, she didn't like your cat?"

He had been about to say something else, but the arrogant little shit had hung up on him!
No one hangs up on Brian fucking Kinney!

Quickly he re-dialed the number, but had gotten the answering service instead.

And, when a young chirpy voice quipped, "Hey, I guess you've reached me, well then, you know what to do!"

Brian called the number several times, thinking he'd punched in the wrong buttons.
Frustrated, he decided not to leave a message, but to instead take a shower. After his shower, he sighed as he got quickly to work, putting together his notes for his first class, and then his other two.

Looking up he noticed the day had passed.

The house was quiet as he made his way down the stairs to raid the fridge.

After an unsatisfying supper of leftover tofu veggie pizza, Brian went back upstairs and got ready for bed.

He set his alarm and tried to sleep, but that voice, and the differences of it, kept him awake until the wee hours.