Sous le soleil

Author's notes:

A big thank you to Mumu for the corrections on my French! The names of the paintings are real but they're not necessarily on display in the said museums.

===================================================================

Brian was driving to PIFA smiling; he was thinking about the coming week. He had been planning this a while now and he was excited that it was finally happening. Brian turned to PIFA and parked the car near the exit. He had come a little early 'cause he didn't want to miss Justin. A few minutes later, Justin and some of his friends walked out of the door and Brian got out of the car. "Justin!"

Justin turned and saw Brian and gave him his patented smile.

'Fuck, that smile is gonna be my doom someday', Brian thought.

Justin said something to his friends and walked to the car.

"Hey."

"Hey. Get in."

"What are you doing here?"

"Nice to see you too", Brian said a bit irritated.

"Sorry", Justin said sheepishly and leaned forward to give Brian a kiss. Justin meant the kiss to be a quick one but Brian wanted more so he pulled Justin closer and kissed him passionately. When they broke the kiss, they heard people whistling and cheering outside. Justin gave them a finger but at the same time he was happy that Brian would kiss him like that in front of everybody.

"Okay, maybe we should leave now", Brian sighed.

They drove a few minutes in silence.

'Three - two - one', Brian thought.

"Where are we going?" Justin asked.

'On the dot.' "I'm not telling you."

"Why not?"

"Because it's a surprise."

"Really?" Justin asked excitedly.

"Really."

A few minutes later.

"Brian?"

"Yeah?"

"Is this a good surprise?" Justin asked trying not to sound worried.

Brian felt bad that Justin had to ask that. He did understand Justin's worry, considering the surprises he had gotten being with Brian. "Yes, this is a very good surprise; I'm sure you'll love it."

Justin sighed inwardly. "Good", Justin said and placed his hand on Brian's thigh.

Brian glanced at Justin and was happy to see the relief in his blue eyes.

About twenty minutes later Brian turned to the ramp that led to the airport.

"Are we going to the airport?"

"Well well, aren't you perceptive today."

"Ha ha. What are we going to do there?"

"I don't know; watch some planes. And pilots."

"Briiian!"

"It won't be a surprise if I told you, now would it?"

"You're no fun at all", Justin pouted.

While Brian was driving, he saw Justin's pouting face from the corner of his eye and couldn't help but grin.

"What?" Justin asked.

"What 'what'?"

"Why are you grinning like that?"

"You're just so cute when you're pouting."

Justin blushed. "Fuck off!"

"I'm serious", Brian said and was rewarded with a wide smile.

===================================================================

When they arrived at the airport, Brian drove to the long-term parking. Justin was about to ask something but Brian's stern look made him change his mind. Brian saw how hard it was for Justin not to ask anything, so he decided to give in. A little.

"Okay, let's go."

"Go where?"

"To start our trip; I don't think we'll get anywhere just by sitting in the car", Brian said and got out. Justin was stunned; Brian was taking him on a trip? Justin too was outside in a few seconds.

"You're taking me on a trip?" Justin asked beaming.

"Well yeah", Brian said matter-of-factly.

Justin flung himself into Brian's arms.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Justin singsonged while giving Brian little kisses.

"Okay okay, calm down."

"How long are we going to be away? The weekend?"

"I was thinking the whole week. Unless you have better plans."

"Well…" Justin started and furrowed his brows.

Brian was afraid that Justin would turn him down.

"I was planning to go shopping with Daphne but I guess I can take a rain check on that.

Brian sighed inwardly. "Brat."

"But Brian, I don't have any clothes or other stuff with me."

"That's okay, I've packed our bags."

"You have?"

"Yeah."

"All by yourself?"

"You know, I am able to put clothes into a suitcase. It's not that difficult."

"I know that, I was just wondering how you found all my stuff."

"Well, I had to call Emmett to come and help me 'cause I couldn't find your passport. Who on earth keeps his passport in an underwear drawer?"

"I had to find a safe place for it."

"Whatever. Now, let's go and get our bags."

===================================================================

Brian and Justin went inside and almost immediately they heard a familiar high-pitched voice.

"Sweetie! Brian! I'm here!"

Brian sighed. "Does he always have to yell? Like we wouldn't notice him otherwise."

"He does stand out with his pink shirt and purple leather pants", Justin said.

"Hey Em, what are you doing here?"

"Hey Sweetie. Brian asked me to bring you luggage so I did."

"Oh. So how long have you actually known about this?"

"Four days", Emmett sighed dramatically.

"And you managed to keep it a secret? Geez Em, I'm really proud of you!"

"Thanks Sweetie, it wasn't easy but I did it!"

"I really appreciate you doing this, Em", Brian said. "I hope I can pay you back somehow."

"Well, now that you mentioned it…" Emmett said seductively.

"Besides that", Brian said.

"You're no fun at all", Emmett pouted.

"So I've been told."

"Maybe you're just too tall. You know, I'm not too tall not too short, but juuuust right", Justin grinned.

"Aren't we sure about ourselves today", Brian pointed out.

"Well I'm here, aren't I?" Justin said a bit smugly.

Brian raised a brow to that.

"You go, girl!" Emmett gushed. "And Brian, I'm sure I can think of something for you to do for me."

"I bet."

"So, where are you going?"

"Yeah, where are we going?" Justin asked looking at Brian.

"He hasn't told you?"

"Nope."

Both Emmett and Justin stood before Brian with their arms folded. "Well?" they asked in unison.

Brian gave a deep sigh. "Okay, France. Happy now?"

Justin eyes brightened. "Europe? Oh my God!"

"Oooh, I love France! I've always wanted to go to Paris", Emmett exclaimed.

"Well we're not going to Paris."

"Oh. Well where then?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you're nosy?"

Emmett rolled his eyes at Brian. "Well duh, how else could I find out about things? I can't gossip without any material."

"Really?" Justin smirked.

"Well at least it's more difficult that way."

"Well I'm not telling you. Justin can fill you in when we get back."

"But Brian, you're no…"

"… fun at all, I know. We have to go now if we're going to catch our plane. You can tell the gang that we're off this week. And don't call us, we'll call you."

"Fine. You two have a great time in that cradle of love and romance", Emmett sighed.

"We will. Thanks Em, we'll see you next week", Justin said hugging Emmett.

"I'll miss you. You too Brian", Emmett said on the verge of tears and hugged Brian.

"It's only a week, I'm sure you can handle it", Brian said.

"I guess I have to. You two come back alive, you hear?"

"We'll do our best", Justin assured.

"Okay. Bye Sweetie, bye Brian!"

"Bye Em!"

Finally Brian and Justin were sitting on the plane, in the first class of course - Brian wouldn't have it any other way. They had to change in Atlanta and in Paris but besides that, the flight was uneventful. They ate and then slept because it was getting late. Before they knew it - well after almost fifteen hours - they were at the Aéroport de Nice-Côte d'Azur. After all the security checks they were eventually ready to leave the airport. They got a cab and rode to their hotel.

At the hotel

"Bonjour. Bienvenue à l'Hôtel d'Orchidée."

"Bonjour", Justin said smiling.

"Hello. I have a reservation for two. Brian Kinney."

"Yes, a suite. La suite d'Orchidée mauve. Can you please sign this for me ?" the receptionist said with a slight French accent.

Brian signed the form and the receptionist gave him a key - a real one, not one of those card keys that never work.

"Here, the fifth floor. If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact us. I hope you enjoy your stay."

"Thank you", Brian said.

"Merci et bonne journée", Justin said beaming.

"Bonne journée, messieurs."

Brian and Justin stepped into the elevator and the moment the doors closed, Justin jumped onto Brian kissing him. "I love this hotel."

"You haven't even seen our room yet."

"I know I'll love it too. I'm sure it's perfect."

"Or maybe you're just too easy to please", Brian grinned.

"Is that so?" Justin asked and pulled Brian down for a kiss.

A few minutes later the elevator stopped and a young woman stepped in. "Bonjour", she said smiling.

Justin untangled himself from Brian's arms. "Bonjour", he said a bit sheepishly. Justin saw how the woman looked at Brian. "Ne pense même pas à cela! Il appartient à moi. SEULEMENT à moi", Justin emphasized.

"Quel dommage", the woman said and grinned at Brian. Brian gave her a questioning look.

"Il ne parle pas français", Justin explained.

"Ahh", the woman said. "Tu sais, il est trés beau et tu es si mignon - vous êtes un couple trés adorable."

Justin gave her his patented smile. "Je sais."

The woman laughed. "Eh bien, c'est mon étage. Appréciez vos vacances!"

"Bien sûr! Toi aussi!" Justin said.

===================================================================

Brian opened the door to their room.

"Wanna carry me over the threshold?" Justin asked smirking.

Brian just rolled his eyes at Justin.

Justin shrugged. "Well, a boy can always hope."

Brian couldn't wait to see the look on Justin's face when he saw their room. Brian of course already knew how the room looked like - he always did his homework.

"Oh my God Brian, this is beautiful!" Justin exclaimed.

"I thought you might like it."

The suite was very spacious and light. The two sofas and the armchairs were ivory and the whole coloring of the room was very distinguished. Debbie and Emmett might have said 'dull' but Ted would've seen the simple beauty of it.

"Ooh, there's a balcony too!"

Brian couldn't help but smile at Justin's enthusiasm and followed him to the balcony.

"Oh Brian, the view is incredible - I have to paint this."

"Can't wait to see it. So, I take it you like the place?" Brian asked while wrapping his arms around Justin's waist from behind.

Justin gave a deep sigh. "I love it. I've always wanted to visit France: the culture, the museums, the atmosphere, the language…"

"Speaking of language, what did you and that woman in the elevator talked about?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"Will you tell me or do I have to tickle it out of you?"

"Okay okay, I'll tell you. I just warned her that you're mine, ONLY mine. She thought that it was a pity but then she said that we are a really adorable couple 'cause you're very handsome and I'm so cute."

"She was very sharp-sighted", Brian chuckled. "By the way, I noticed one thing in the elevator."

"Oh, what was that?"

"You sound extremely sexy when you speak French."

Justin smiled. "I do?"

"Definitely. And wipe that self-satisfied grin off of your face."

"You can't see my face; you don't know if I'm grinning or not."

"I know you."

"Damn."

Brian smiled. "So, wanna christen the bedroom?"

"You're tired?"

"I wasn't talking about sleeping", Brian said while giving Justin's crotch a squeeze.

"Oh", Justin said and turned around to face Brian. "You know how much I appreciate traditions."

Brian leaned down and began kissing Justin while leading him towards the bedroom.

A few hours later

Brian was watching Justin; he looked so young when he slept. Justin interrupted Brian's guilty pleasure by stirring.

"Hey", Brian said.

"Hey. What time is it?"

Brian looked at the digital clock on the nightstand; it said 16.57. "Well it's almost seventeen… so that's…"

"Seventeen? Why can't they use normal numbers like we do?" Justin sighed.

"I'm sure they think the same about our am and pm system. Anyway, it's almost 5 pm. Are you tired?"

"Not really but I need to use the bathroom. You know, I didn't even had time to check it out 'cause SOMEONE distracted me."

"So sorry", Brian said tongue-in-cheek.

"Sure you are."

"I think I need to come with you; you might get lost."

"If you must."

Justin opened the door to the bathroom and stopped on his tracks.

"Christ, this is big! A Jacuzzi - we have to try that. And the shower: it's even bigger than at the loft!"

"Do you feel dirty?"

"Oh yeah, I feel extremely dirty. We really need a shower. A long one."

"You start the shower; I'll be right back", Brian said.

Justin was standing under the spray when Brian stepped inside with a stack of condoms.

"Are you gonna use them all at once?" Justin asked.

"I know I'm good but even I have my limits. Later. I promise."

"Can I use one too?"

"If you're a really good - wait I mean bad - boy, then maybe."

Justin simply beamed. Brian started kissing Justin passionately and let his hands wander to Justin's butt cheeks and then one finger found its way to Justin's crack. Justin moaned in pleasure and the sound went straight to Brian's cock. Justin felt Brian's hard cock on his stomach and got even more excited. Finally they had to break the kiss that left them both breathless. Justin smiled wickedly at Brian.

"What?"

Justin didn't say anything; he just got down on his knees and started sucking Brian. Brian's head lolled back and he had to put his hands on Justin's shoulders for support. "Oh fuck…"

After a few minutes, Brian had to pull himself out of Justin's mouth because although he really enjoyed Justin's ministrations, he wanted to be inside of Justin when he came. He pulled Justin up and gave him a kiss and turned him around. Justin leaned a bit forward so Brian would have better access. Brian slid first one, then two fingers into Justin's ass and scissored. "Feel good?" Brian whispered.

"Oh God yes!" Justin panted. "I need more… please."

Brian added a third finger and kept the steady rhythm to loosen Justin. Brian leaned towards Justin's ear.

"You want me to fuck you?"

"Yes", Justin managed to say between moans.

Brian removed his fingers from Justin's ass and Justin groaned at the loss.

"I have only two hands", Brian said matter-of-factly. He took a condom from the shelf and put it on and placed his dick at the entrance of Justin's hole but didn't push in.

"Tell me what you want", Brian said seductively.

"Fuck me. Now. Please", Justin begged.

Brian began pushing his way in, but at an agonizingly slow pace and Justin was getting frustrated.

"Today if you will", Justin said.

Brian smiled at Justin's impatience.

"Getting bossy, huh?"

"Well someone has to."

Brian pushed abruptly all the way in.

"Fuck!" Justin exclaimed.

Brian stopped for a moment, then pulled almost all the way out and then plunged back in. Both of them moaned in pleasure and started their familiar rhythm. They knew it wouldn't be a long one 'cause they were so turned on.

"Christ Justin, I need to come…"

"Aaahhh… me… too…"

Brian grabbed Justin's dick and started jacking him off.

"Oh God… yes…"

"Fuck… yeah… aaahhhh…" Brian didn't even try to stop the sounds coming from him like he used to do. He didn't care anymore; he didn't need to play the role of the Stud of Liberty Avenue anymore. He wasn't the man who just fucked and got off - now he actually enjoyed the sex and cared about the person he was having sex with. Okay, he loved Justin - one thing he thought would never happen. But it had, bit by bit.

"Ooohhh… Brian… now!!"

Brian felt Justin's ass muscles clenching around his dick and it sent him over the edge too and he came crying Justin's name.

Justin's legs and arms felt like jello and he thought he couldn't stand upright anymore. Brian noticed that Justin was turning a bit limb so he wrapped his arms around Justin to support him. They stood in the shower for a few minutes so that their breathings turned to normal again.

Brian's cock slipped out and Justin didn't like the loss of contact so he turned around and put his arms around Brian's neck.

"I really like this shower, it has some pretty good qualities", Justin grinned.

"I have to agree you on that", Brian said and pulled Justin into a kiss.

Brian and Justin finally left the shower after they actually showered. They went back into the bedroom to dry off and get dressed. Well, after they unpacked of course. Somehow they had managed to forget all about their suitcases earlier.

"So what now?" Justin asked.

"I don't know, I haven't got anything planned. You have any suggestions?"

Justin looked a little embarrassed. "I thought maybe we could…"

"…get something to eat?" Brian finished grinning slightly.

"Well yeah. Haven't we worked out enough already?"

"I guess I could eat something. The hotel restaurant is supposed to be quite good; wanna check it out?"

"Sure."

===================================================================

Brian and Justin enjoyed their dinner; the food was excellent and the atmosphere was good too. When they came back to their room, Justin seemed a bit distant and quiet.

"Justin?"

No answer.

"Justin?" Brian tried again.

"Huh?"

"Are you okay? Is there something wrong?"

"Yeah I'm fine, I was just thinking… Did you feel something off at dinner?"

Brian had thought that the dinner went fine. "No, did you?" Brian hadn't a clue where Justin was going with that.

"Yeah."

"What?"

"Nobody was staring at us."

"Okay, you lost me there. You would've liked them to stare at us?"

"No, of course not. I just meant that we didn't get any disapproving looks like we usually do. It felt odd, in a good way. And the staff acted like we were a normal couple."

"You don't think us as a normal couple?"

Justin rolled his eyes at Brian. "You know what I mean."

Brian turned serious. "I know. Maybe people are more open-minded here in Europe."

"Well fuck me, I'm gonna move here!"

"Didn't you forget something?"

Justin looked perplexed.

"Me", Brian said.

"Huh?" Justin asked.

"I don't do long distance relationships."

Now Justin started to understand. "I didn't know you did ANY relationships."

Brian just smirked.

"Anyway", Justin continued, "naturally you'd move with me."

"Naturally?"

"Yeah, we come as a package: where I go, you go."

"So I don't have a choice, do I?"

"No, not really. You just can't resist my lovely charm and my hot body", Justin said innocently and wrapped his arms around Brian's neck. "Or can you?"

Brian knew he couldn't resist Justin but he didn't even want to, so… Brian kissed Justin, first gently, then with more passion. When they broke the kiss, both of them were smiling lovingly at each other.

===================================================================

Musée des Beaux Arts / Jules Chéret musée

"You have any idea why this museum has two names?" Brian asked.

"No, but I think it's something political."

"How do you figure that?"

"Isn't everything linked to the politics in some way?"

"You might be right."

"Ain't I always?" Justin grinned. "Anyway, did you know that Chéret was the first one to ever use color lithography in poster art?"

"He used what?"

"Color lithography", Justin repeated like it was an everyday thing.

"Okay, I'm not following."

"Well, color lithography is one method of lithography. In color lithography a separate flagstone is made for every color. Then the right color is spread for every flagstone and after that the colors are printed onto the paper one by one."

Brian looked impressed. "So you've actually learned something studying at PIFA."

Justin rolled his eyes at Brian.

===================================================================

"Hey, I think I know that one - isn't that Sisley's "Avenue of Poplars"?

"Yeah it is. "Allée des peupliers près de Moret" Justin read at the nametag on the wall. "That must be one of Sisley's most famous works."

"What's so special about it?"

"I guess it's the colors and the atmosphere."

"I think it's kinda boring."

"You think everything is boring that doesn't involve sex."

Brian gave Justin his tongue-in-cheek smirk.

"You're hopeless", Justin sighed.

===================================================================

Brian and Justin were walking around the museum when Justin noticed a restroom sign and started to smile at the memory.

"What are you smiling about?" Brian asked.

"Umm… nothing."

"Come on, what is it? I can't see anything humorous in that piece", Brian said referring to the nearby painting.

"I just remembered something."

"Go on."

"Okay." Justin took Brian aside. "Well, I was visiting the Pittsburgh Art Museum with my mom. She had just found out that I was gay and she was trying to re-bond with me. Anyway, while we were there, I noticed this dirty blonde cruising me."

Brian cocked his brow.

"Then I saw him going to the restroom so I followed him."

"So he fucked you in the museum restroom?" Brian asked surprised.

"Well actually I fucked him", Justin smirked.

"You don't cease to amaze me. I didn't think you'd do something like that. And without me!" Brian said trying to act offended.

"You know, you were in denial at the time", Justin commented.

"Well I'm not in denial now", Brian said seductively.

"No. We can't do it here."

"Why not? You've had practice already. And for your information, I've never done it in a museum before."

"You haven't?"

"You know that museums aren't my favorite places. I don't have time for everything." Brian leaned closer to Justin's ear. "It would be my first time."

Brian's words went straight to Justin's crotch. "Let's go", Justin said and pulled Brian with him into the restroom.

===================================================================

The week was full of action: Brian and Justin visited museums, like Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, Musée Masséna, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée Marc Chagall and Musée Matisse. They spent one day at the beach and of course Justin managed to burn himself a bit. A burned back wasn't what he had hoped for but he did enjoy himself when Brian applied some cooling after sun lotion onto his back. Brian suspected that maybe Justin burned his skin on purpose - not that Brian was exactly in agony either…

They also ate in different restaurants and checked the nightlife in Nice and even managed to find a gay bar called Arc-en-Ciel that was a lot like Babylon. Like in Babylon, they got a lot of attention in there too: if either one left the other just for a few minutes, there were many guys cruising and propositioning. Both of them declined politely and left a wake of drooling men behind. When Brian and Justin realized there was a backroom, they just HAD to try it. Although the language was different, you could get the point loud and clear. Loud literally.

===================================================================

One day when they were walking down on Avenue Jean Médecin and shopping, Justin noticed a small white wooden train that obviously had tourists on it."

"Oh Brian, we have to try that!"

"That wooden thing? Are you sure it'll stay in one piece?"

"Of course it will - you don't have to be so damn cynical all the time!"

Justin saw a middle-aged woman standing in front of a shop. "Excusez-moi, pouvez-vous dire quelque chose de ce train là-bas?"

"Oui, celui-ci fait le tour de la Vieille Ville. Le train part toutes les 30 minutes dans la promenade des Anglais. La route est très belle - je la recommande chaleureusement."

"Merci beaucoup, Madame."

"De rien."

Justin turned back to Brian. "Il faut que nous l'essayions."

"If it wouldn't be too much trouble for you, could you speak English with me?"

"Oh, sorry. We have to go to that ride; she said that the route is very beautiful."

"You realize it practically screams 'tourist'."

"Oh come on, it doesn't hurt if you do something touristy. Can we go? Please?"

Brian sighed. "Fine but not today."

"Great! We'll go tomorrow."

'How does he do it? Why do I end up doing things that I really don't want to do?' Brian thought to himself. 'I just can't seem to resist him. And he knows that. Damn!'

"Oh Brian, look at that little patisserie over there! We have to go in there and buy something!"

"I don't do buns."

"No? I thought you liked my buns", Justin said smiling mischievously.

"Christ, you have a one-track mind."

"I had a good teacher."

Brian sighed.

"Come on, let's get some pastries and then some rosé to go with them. We can eat them on the balcony later."

"But…"

Justin gave Brian a pleading look.

"Fine."

"Thanks."

"I'm gonna get fat on this trip", Brian muttered.

"Few pastries won't hurt your delicate form."

"You're sure?"

Justin rolled his eyes. "Come on."

===================================================================

Shopping on la rue Paradis

Brian and Justin shopped a lot during the week: they got stuff for themselves but also something for their closest friends and family. For Jennifer, they bought a perfume and for Debbie a nice colorful silk scarf and some Provence cotton fabrics. For Lindsay, they found a beautiful silk dress and for Melanie, a leather briefcase. Justin dragged Brian also to a shop that sold children's clothes 'cause Justin wanted to buy something for Gus. He found pajamas with little La Tour Eiffel -pictures on it and was happy with that.

"Hey, there's that jewellery shop that woman talked about, "Nereides". We have to go there; I wanna buy something for Molly."

"Yeah, sure. I could get something for Lindsay."

Justin bought Molly a silver necklace with blue sapphires and a matching bracelet and Brian got a pair of earrings for Lindsay.

===================================================================

Brian and Justin were strolling around in a bookstore when Justin made a remarkable discovery.

"Oh. My. God. Brian, come here! You'll never believe what I found." Justin showed a book titled "Tu es 1 aussi?" to Brian.

"A book? I can't believe you found a book in a bookstore."

"Ha ha, very funny. Look at the author."

Brian looked. "Well fuck me."

"Maybe later."

Brian rolled his eyes at Justin. "How come Ben's book is in France?"

"Obviously it has been translated into French. I don't remember Ben ever mentioning about it though. Maybe he doesn't even know about it. Anyway, we have to buy this for him.

"Okay. I found some comics for Michael."

"But they're in French."

"He doesn't have to actually read these; he can just check the pictures like he usually does anyway. Did you really think he reads them for the plot?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. Oh, you know what we have to get for Gus?" Justin asked excitedly.

"No, but I'm sure you're gonna tell me."

"Le Petit Prince", both in French and in English. I'm sure he'll love it!"

"You know he can't read."

"So WE'll have to read it to him. And I can read the French version for you later", Justin said raising his brow.

"In that case, we have to get it", Brian said tongue-in-cheek.

===================================================================

"What else do we need? Something for Vic and Ted", Justin said.

"What about some movies?"

"Yeah, let's check the DVDs."

Brian and Justin walked around the store inspecting its selection.

"Found anything?"

"Yeah I think so. Isn't this the original version of "The Birdcage" - you know, the movie with Robin Williams?" Brian asked.

""La cage aux folles", yeah it is."

"I thought Vic would like this."

"Oh, I'm sure he'll love it! Doesn't he collect French movies?"

"You're right, I didn't remember that. So, did you make any finds of your own?"

"I found a perfect thing for Ted: "La Traviata" performed by the Paris Opera."

"Sounds really interesting, can we get a copy for us too?" Brian asked with mock excitement.

"Brian."

"Okay okay, I'm sure he'll enjoy it. God knows why. What else you got there?"

"Darude's CD, he's really good. I don't know why but his music reminds me of the first time we met."

"You know, I could SHOW you something more concrete to remind you."

"I know but I can use this to memorize when you're not around."

"Well I guess you have to get it then. Are we ready to go?"

"Sure."

Brian and Justin stood outside the store and saw a clothing shop on the other side of the street and decided to go there. The shop looked like a French version of Torso: a lot of colorful and not-so-concealing clothes. In other words, a perfect place to shop for Emmett.

"Christ, there isn't a thing I could wear", Brian wailed.

"No? I thought those bright green vinyl trousers were just for you."

Brian just shuddered in disgust.

"Maybe they would look better on Emmett. Don't worry, you don't have to buy anything here, we can go to "Façonnables" later, okay?"

"Yeah, fine."

About fifteen minutes later Justin had found T-shirts for both Emmett and himself.

"Look, this is for Emmett", Justin said showing Brian an orange T-shirt that had a text "Ce n'est pas de ma faute si tu es si intolérant" on it.

"What does the phrase mean?"

"It means "It's not my fault that you're so close-minded". And this is for him too."

Brian was looking at a purple tank top with the text "L'armoire est destinée aux vêtements". "Army is destined for veterinarians?" Brian tried.

"Not quite. It means "The closet is meant for clothes". I thought it would be something Emmett could say. And this is for me." The T-shirt was light blue and it said "Je suis mignon, mais dangereux".

"So "you're something but dangerous".

"Yeah, "I'm cute but dangerous".

"Well that's true."

"This one I really like", Justin said presenting a black wife beater with the text "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?"

"Okay, I know what that means but I'm not sure I like it very much."

Justin turned the shirt around and the back said "Je suis désolé, mais je suis déjà pris".

Brian looked perplexed. "Care to clarify?"

"It means "I'm sorry but I'm already busy".

"If you're busy with me, you can buy it."

"It's a deal."

When Brian and Justin were sightseeing la Vieille Ville on the wooden train, Justin spotted a lot of little galleries that they visited the following day. Justin was in his element: he loved looking at all the different pieces and talk about art with the gallery owners. Brian wasn't even nearly as interested in art as Justin but he loved to see Justin enjoying himself. One gallery owner wanted to see Justin's work, so they came back to "Galerie Nadine". Justin and Nadine, the gallery owner, were looking at his sketches and Brian was sitting on the bench nearby.

"Are you his partner?"

Brian looked at an elderly man standing beside him. "Umm… yeah."

"My name is Claude Rézeau, I'm Nadine's husband", the man said extending his hand to Brian.

"Brian Kinney."

"Justin is very talented; you must be proud of him."

"I am. Actually I was the first who bought his work but he doesn't know that so don't tell him."

"I won't. What was the piece about - if you don't mind me asking?"

"Me."

"Aah, how sweet."

Brian chuckled. "Well, his mother didn't see it quite that way."

"Oh, why not?"

"I was naked in the picture."

"Ahh, I guess mothers aren't fond of those kinds of pictures."

"You got that right."

"Have you been together long?"

"Almost three years."

"He must've been very young when you two met."

"Yeah, he was seventeen and I was twenty-nine. Do you have a problem with that?" Brian asked a bit irritated.

"Non non, absolument pas. I mean I don't have any problem with that. My wife also is fifteen years younger than me."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just a bit sensitive with the age issue."

"That's perfectly okay, I know what you mean. When we met, my wife was sixteen and her parents were shocked when they found out my age. Anyway, we've been together ever since - 35 years", the man said looking lovingly at his wife.

"Wow!" was all Brian could say.

"Yes, a long time. It hasn't always been easy but I think life never is. But age itself doesn't cause all the problems. Age is just a number, non?"

"I guess so."

"So, when are you going back home?"

"On Friday."

"Do you have any plans for tomorrow night?"

"I don't think so."

"Good, I'd like to invite you two to have dinner with us."

"Shouldn't you ask your wife first? I've learned that women don't like surprise guests."

"Oh, I'm certain Nadine won't mind; she loves to have people with us."

"I have to ask Justin but if he hasn't anything, we would love to come."

"Wonderful!"

===================================================================

Justin and Nadine came over to Brian and Claude.

"Hey."

"Hey."

"Nadine wants to put some of my drawings on display in here, isn't that great?"

"Sounds good. Soon you'll be famous here too."

"I wish."

"Well you never know what'll happen. Maybe we have to come back here someday."

"Well we all have to make sacrifices."

"And a trip to Nice would be a sacrifice you'd love to make."

"If I had to", Justin grinned.

"Ma chérie, I invited Justin and Brian for dinner tomorrow night, is that fine with you?"

"Aah, c'est une excellente idée! You will come, n'est-ce pas?" Nadine asked looking at Brian and Justin.

Justin gave a questioning glance at Brian. "It's fine with me", Brian said.

"We'd love to come", Justin said smiling.

"So it's a date, like you Americans say", Claude said.

"I don't do…" Brian started.

Justin poked Brian lightly in the ribs with his elbow.

"You don't do what?" Claude asked.

"Oh, nothing", Brian said.

"So where do you live? Is it hard to find?" Justin asked.

"Actually we live quite near but I think it might be a little difficult to find if you're not familiar with the neighborhood."

"I have an idea", said Nadine. "I think it would be best if you would come here and meet Claude in front of our gallery. That way you won't get lost because the streets can be quite… what's the word… tricky."

"That sounds good. What time should we come?"

"How about six o'clock?"

"That's fine, we'll be here."

"Wonderful, we'll see you tomorrow!"

"Till tomorrow! Bonsoir!"

"Bonsoir et bonne nuit!"

===================================================================

Musée Marc Chagall

"I like the one in the middle", Justin said and got closer to the painting. "La danse et le cirque" - "The Dance and the Circus".

"Yeah, that's quite good."

Brian and Justin went to the next room and Brian stopped on his tracks and Justin bumped into him.

"Oh, sorry. What now, you saw a ghost?"

"Well more like a blast from the past. I hate that painting."

"What painting?"

"That one", Brian said and pointed a painting on the left wall.

Justin looked at the picture and grimaced. The picture was Chagall's "The Violinist".

"I don't like it either. Let's just hope that you-know-who is in the neighborhood of Chagall's childhood."

"Where's that?"

"In Belarus."

"That sounds extremely good", Brian smirked.

"I knew you'd like the idea."

"Do you think we've had enough museum for today?"

"Yeah, you have some plans?"

"Are you… never mind, an unnecessary question."

"Am I what?"

"I was just wondering if you were hungry but I should've learned by now that you're always hungry."

"Am not", Justin said and as on cue, his stomach rumbled. Brian gave him a satisfied grin.

"Okay, maybe I'm hungry now but not always", Justin tried.

"Whatever. We could go to "L'Ane Rouge"; it's a fish restaurant. What do you think?"

"Sounds good. I heard it's one of the best restaurants in Nice."

"So it should be good enough for us too."

"Only just", Justin smirked. "But we have to be careful with our pronunciation 'cause the words 'fish' and 'poison' sound a lot alike. We wouldn't want end up dead, would we?"

"I would prefer to be alive."

"I thought so. You see, fish is 'poisson' and poison is 'poison'." Justin tried to pronounce the words as well as he could. "So did you hear the difference?"

"Hmmm… huh?"

"Brian, you're not concentrating."

"I am. I was concentrating on your lips but my thoughts kinda wandered."

"Brian!"

"Don't you 'Brian' me - it's not my fault if you do those things with your lips."

"I should be mad at you but it's damn hard", Justin said smiling and pulled Brian into a passionate kiss.

"Besides, do you really think they would serve us poison in a restaurant?" Brian asked when they finally had to break the kiss.

"You never know with French people."

Brian looked a bit suspiciously at Justin and shook his head. "Anyway, let's go. I'm starving."

Brian and Justin were lounging on the sofa in their suite after a long day of shopping and sightseeing.

"Women always try to woo you", Justin said.

"Yeah, even the stewardess tried to hit on me."

"Why am I not surprised?"

Brian smirked. "She asked me if I had ever done it in a plane and that she'd be more than happy to introduce me to the mile high -club."

"So, what did you say to her?"

"I pointed you out to her and said that I had done it with you and that it had been great. She seemed a bit disappointed."

"But we've never done it in a plane."

"She didn't know that."

"Maybe we should fix that on the way home so you wouldn't have to lie to people", Justin said mischievously.

Brian arched a brow. "Sounds like a plan."

"You know, the steward was very friendly to me when you were in the restroom."

"Oh he was?"

"Yeah, he even gave me his phone number and his hotel room number. He told me to come ANYTIME."

"Why is it that you get the men and I get the women?"

"You look too straight."

"Too straight?"

"Yeah, you're not obviously gay."

"Oh, like Emmett?"

"Yeah, no one would make a mistake on him, would they?"

"So I guess I have two options: either I look like Emmett and get cruised by men or I look like me and get cruised by women."

"More or less."

Brian thought for a second. "I think I'll stick to my own wardrobe and stand women's come-ons."

"Thank God."

"But what about you? You don't wear any flamboyant clothes and still get hit by men."

"That's simple - I'm just too darn cute to be straight", Justin smiled.

"Is that so? I haven't noticed."

That comment earned Brian a light slap on his thigh."

"Ouch!"

"Queen."

"Twink."

Then they were all over each other again.

===================================================================

"I thought we could try "Le Chantecler" tonight for dinner."

"Sure, where is it?"

"It's in Négresco, this same street."

"Good, so we can walk there. Isn't Négresco that really expensive hotel with the good-looking uniformed doormen?"

Brian raised a brow. "Yeah and that's why we're staying here and not there. I thought it would be nicer to stay here and eat than stay at the Négresco and not eat for a week."

"You always make the perfect decisions", Justin grinned.

"Well I thought I couldn't stand a week with a famished twink - I know how moody you'll get when you're hungry. You know, moody like a girl. I just couldn't take that risk."

Justin stuck his tongue out at Brian.

===================================================================

On the balcony

"What do you think was the best thing on this vacation?" Justin asked.

"Well… shopping was great; I really liked the little boutiques they have in the Vieille Ville."

"Yeah, me too. Can you believe I almost forgot to buy something for Daphne? I must be getting old."

"Must be."

Justin slapped Brian's arm lightly. "No need to comment everything. I hope she likes the bracelets and the calendar I got for her. Anyway, I really enjoyed our dinner with the Rézeaus. They were so open-minded and nice."

"Yeah, they were."

"Brian?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you think we'll be together for 35 years?"

"Christ, I don't know. I'd be… geez, 64! Do you think I would even get it up at that point?"

"Sure you would - a certain young twink would keep you young too."

"You do realize you'd be 52 by then?"

"Yeah well, I'm always younger than you", Justin said and gave Brian a kiss. Brian rolled his eyes.

"Do we really need to leave tomorrow? I wanna stay here forever", Justin said cuddling closer to Brian.

"Yes we have to. You knew the reality would strike sooner or later. Besides, I think we've spent all of our money already. It's time to go home to the glorious Pittsburgh."

"Well, we will always have Nice."

The End

Return to Vacation Challenge