A Little Reassurance

Justin and Brian had adjusted the fireplace so that it did not give off any heat. That way they could enjoy the crackling fake flames and the fireplace's other attractions in the warmer months without heating up the loft. Justin was especially glad that the fireplace was available because he had something to discuss with Brian. Justin had found that the fireplace made some things easier to do, and he was not sure how Brian would react to his news. He wasn't even sure how he wanted Brian to react to his news.

When Brian got home from work, he found Justin waiting for him, already seated on the floor in front of the darting flames. Brian threw off his coat and sat down beside Justin without changing into more comfortable attire.

"This is bad, isn't it?" he began the conversation. "I thought you liked sitting in front of the fire with me," Justin answered. "You know I do," Brian smiled, "And you know what I meant, and that was not what I meant." "Well, I just like a little reassurance every once in a while," Justin defended himself. "More than every once in a while, but that's OK with me, too," Brian told him, "These days I don't mind you knowing I like having you around." "Thanks for saying that," Justin purred.

"But," Brian responded, "That does not mean that I approve of every little scheme you come up with, which is exactly what I hope this isn't." "I am not a schemer," Justin insisted, "I do get ideas sometimes, pretty good ideas, but not schemes." "Call them what you want to, Sunshine, is it one of your latest 'ideas' that you want to tell me about?" Brian asked.

"No, it is not," Justin responded, trying unsuccessfully to sound peeved, "I have some news that I want to tell you so you cannot accuse me later of not telling you as soon as I found out." "Now that sounds interesting," Brian laughed at him, "I would never accuse you of keeping anything from me because I know you would never ever do that." "Are you being sarcastic, Mr. Kinney?" Justin asked though a broad grin. "Not at all. Never, Mr. Taylor," Brian answered through an even broader grin.

"How long is this going to go on," Brian wondered, "Before you get to this wonderful news that you are going to tell me? "As soon as I can get a word in, I'm going to tell you," Justin answered. Brian wrapped both arms around his little twink. "Take your time," he said, "I've got all night."

"Well, today I was walking by the music building at school and I saw some of Professor Green's violin students," Justin began, "They know me from…" "I know how they know you," Brian broke in. "Are you going to let me tell you the news without interruption?" Justin complained before continuing, "Anyhow, they told me that Ethan is coming to town in two weeks to audition for the Pittsburgh Symphony."

"That's a big break for him, isn't it?" Brian said, "Will he get it, do they think?" "They say he might," Justin answered, "Professor Green told them that Ethan has made a lot of progress since he went to New York and he was our best when he was here." "That's pretty good news then," Brian said, "'From the Street Corner to Heinz Hall - A Major Success Story' is what they can call Ethan's biography."

"You're all right with that then?" Justin asked, "You don't mind having Ethan living back here in Pittsburgh?" "Why would I mind?" Brian asked him back, "You know I don't go to the symphony that often, and when I have gone, I have never taken much notice of who was playing the violins. It will be no bother to look for Ethan up there on stage."

"That's not what I meant and you know it," Justin told him, "It's just that some of the guys thought that maybe…" "Did that thought occur to you?" Brian asked him. "Of course not, Brian, there is no way I'd ever pick Ethan over you. Do you think I'm dumb enough to repeat the biggest mistake of my life? I was just a little afraid that you…. That did bother me a little."

"Sunshine Baby, I'm not at all worried about Ethan coming back to town," Brian told Justin, running his fingers through the twink's blond hair, "You can even invite him over here to dinner, as long as what's served are my favorites and not his. And let me also give you a bit of advice, Kiddo, if you ever need a violinist, pick Ethan over me every time." Justin was relieved. He reached over and kissed Brian on the cheek.

"You keep in touch with Ethan by e-mail, don't you?" Brian remarked to Justin, "I wonder why he didn't tell you he was coming in for the audition?" "Oh I'm sure he will," Justin replied, "Professor Green may have known even before Ethan did." "Make arrangements to see him while he's here for the auditions. You can see him by yourself if you want to but I'll be glad to come along if I can schedule it," Brian told him. "That's a good idea…. But you wouldn't mind if I saw him alone?" Justin queried.

"Justin, you know I trust you. I have no reason to be even a little bit jealous, do I?" Brian responded. "Of course not," Justin replied. He was pleased about the trust part but he had some mixed feelings about the jealousy.

"Anyhow," Brian assured Justin, "Ethan will probably have what's-his-name, the piano player boy-friend, with him to inspire him at the audition." "Probably not," Justin said.

"He insisted you be there when he lost the violin competition, didn't he?" Brian responded. "They broke up," Justin informed Brian, "Ethan told me last month that they had separated, at least for a while."

"The fireplace didn't get lit up for that news. How come you didn't tell me that?" Brian wanted to know. "I guess I forgot, or didn't think you would care …" Justin replied. "Or that I would be worried or jealous?" Brian completed the sentence for Justin. "Not at all," Justin whimpered.

"Well," Brian smiled, "You can tell Ethan that if he needs a muse for the auditions, he can borrow you, but remind him he lost the last time." "Brian," Justin whined.

"You know, Sweetheart," Brian decided, "I have checked my schedule and found that, whatever time you meet Ethan, I am free, and really want to come along, if that's OK with you, and it better be."

"Thanks" Justin smiled at him. "For what?" Brian asked. "For everything," Justin told him, "And a whole lot more."

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