Early Firewords

It wasn't often that Brian started the conversations in front of the fake fireplace in the loft, but the discussions were, more often than not, especially interesting when he did, as he did a few evenings before the Fourth of July.

"I am not mad, Twink," he began the discussion.

"Which means you are mad, Bri," Justin interpreted. "I know Brianese when I hear it. Something's bothering you. Don't you want to tell me what it is?"

"Yeah, something is bothering me," Brian admitted. "And I do want to tell you what it is. I was talking to Linz today. I just happened to mention I thought we'd see her at Point Park about 4:00 on the Fourth. She looked funny at me and said that I should talk to you about it."

"And that made you mad?" Justin wondered.

"Cut it out, Twink," Brian growled. "I know Lindsayese. What she was saying is that there is something going on and everybody is afraid to tell me what it is, so you're going to do it because you're the best weasel in the bunch."

"Brian," Justin replied. "I know you love me way too much to mean that as an insult so I'm not going to get insulted at all. And you know I love you too - though I sometimes think you don't realize how much."

Brian had to laugh as he squeezed the kid a little tighter. "This is way worse than I thought," he told Justin. "I know Justinese when I hear it. OK, so I love you and you love me. Now just what the hell is going on? Or can you at least tell me when I'm going to be allowed to know?"

"Gee whiz, Bri," Justin responded. "You sure can make a mountain out of a molehill. Nobody's keeping any secrets from you. We just haven't told you yet."

"Someday I'd like to discuss that difference with you," Brian was still laughing now, "But right now I want to know all the details of the Fourth of July. We both know I'm going to do exactly what you want me to do, but I am now going to assert the vast authority I wield around here and demand to know exactly what it is I'm going to do because you want me to - and right now, which means immediately."

"You're a tough guy, Kinney," Justin told him, tousling Brian's hair with his hand, "But I like my guys tough, so, with your permission, I'm going to tell you the surprise."

"Any time soon?" Brian wanted to know.

"Right now," Justin complied. "Just like you ordered, Honey. You remember that we took Gus to the park earlier last year so he could see the patriotic skit that Malcolm's crowd was putting on. Well, they're doing it again."

"Well that show was pretty childish, I thought," Brian told him, "But Gus liked it, I think, so I guess we ought to go again."

"Gus is a kid, Bri, and the show was aimed at kids his age level," Justin smiled and added archly, "So I'm a little surprised that you thought it was childish."

"Cut it out, Twink," Brian retorted. "As I recall, you thought the show was pretty good. But that's no problem. I think we should take Gus again this year. Still I can't figure why Linz would need to have you tell me that. They usually save you for the really big things. So just keep talking, Baby - even though I can't believe I just told you that."

"Well, Sweetheart, there is one other little thing maybe you need to know," Justin admitted, "And I think you're really going to be happy about it - and proud too."

"Proud?" Brian questioned. "I don't think I'm going to like this all that much. But go ahead. Tell me what's going on and I'll wait to get mad."

"You know that skit Malcolm did last year was part of a kids' activity program at the park," Justin recited. "Well, they were just trying out that idea and it was so successful that it's being expanded this year."

"Cut to the chase, Kiddo," Brian insisted. "I'm getting pretty eager to get mad.

"There's a kids' performance section being added this year and Gus is going to play the violin on the main stage at noon," Justin dropped the bomb.

"My kid is going to play the violin at Point Park on the Fourth of July?" Brian echoed.

"Yep," Justin corroborated. "Our son is making his debut on the musical scene in Pittsburgh. Well, what do you think?"

Brian was genuinely surprised. "Is my kid going to grow up to be another Ethan?" he stammered.

"What would be so bad about that?" Justin wanted to know. "We both like Ethan, or at least I do and you pretend to. Bri, Gus is doing so well at his Suzuki class that his teachers thought he was ready and when they were asked to nominate a student to play Yankee Doodle and America the Beautiful, they picked Gus. They asked Lindsay and she didn't want to do it unless you would like it so she asked me…"

"She asked you," Brian interrupted. "Like I don't exist or something. She wanted to know if I liked the idea so she asked you? Can't I talk or something?"

"Brian, Honey" Justin told him. "You're still Brian Kinney and the general view is that Brian Kinney doesn't like anything. If she'd have asked you, you'd have had to be Brian Kinney and make a big fuss. I, on the other hand, not being Brian Kinney, could tell her how pleased you'd be."

"I guess next year you'll be having Gus play the 1812 Overture on the piano?" Brian groused, maybe suppressing a smile to maintain a grave countenance.

"I don't think anybody can play the 1812 Overture on the piano, Bri," Justin soothed him, "But if they want him to play the piano at the park next year, I'll bet you'll be just as proud of Gus as you are right now. It's OK for you to be proud of your son, Bri, just like we all are. You are proud of him, aren't you?"

"It wouldn't do any good for me to say I'm not, would it?" Brian supposed.

"Nope," Justin replied. "Not to me. I know Brianese, but better even than that, I know Brian. The Brian Kinney image does not fool me."

"But you won't tell anybody?" Brian supposed.

"Never," Justin assured him.

It did not seem that Brian Kinney was mad. It did seem that Brian Kinney was proud. A period of silence fell over the loft and Brian brought his other arm around to encircle the kid.

"You're not mad, are you, Bri?" Justin broke the silence to ask for assurance.

No," Brian responded. "I'm not mad."

"You are happy, aren't you, Brian?" Justin continued.

"Yeah," Brian responded. "I'm happy."

"About the Fourth of July?" Justin continued.

"That too," Brian said.

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