Fiddling with Worry

"Shit Brian, can the engine of your car get any louder? You scared the hell out of me!"

"Shut up and get in."

"Well hello to you too."

"Get in now."

"What's got your thong in a knot?"

"Shut up till we get there."

"Brian, where are we going?"

"The river."

"The river? Planning a swim?"

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"Out!"

"Humph, I thought you and Justin were working on your social skills."

"Walk."

"Not until you tell me where you're taking me."

"Over there, near the edge."

"The rocks?"

"Yeah."

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"Sit."

"On the rocks."

"Yes."

"Honey, risking your wrath, what's wrong?"

*SIGH*

"Brian?"

"He's back."

"Who's back?"

"The fiddler."

"How back do you mean? Back in town or back in Justin?"

"In town, I don't think Justin knows yet."

"And how do you know?"

"He's been fiddling on my corner."

"On Tremont?"

"No, near Kinnetic."

"Wonderful. Does he know that's your building?"

"Don't think so, he just showed up in the middle of the day, around lunch."

"He didn't see you."

"No, but I could see him, hear him too; the fucker."

"Did you call the cops to complain?"

"Emmett you know I'm not one of their favorite people, besides what would they do?"

"Yeah, right. What are you going to do?"

"Not sure."

"Tell Justin."

"No."

"Yes, tell him before Justin sees him first."

"What do I say to him? ‘Hey Justin, oh by the way your ex-fiddler is back and he's diddling his fiddle on our corner.'"

"Phone."

"What?"

"Give me your phone."

"Emmett."

"Brian stop procrastinating and give me the fucking phone!"

"Here."

"#1 in the speed dial, how sweet. Ooo, it's ringing. Justin, baby, no it's your Auntie Em, hold on Sweetie, someone needs to speak with you. Take it."

"What do I say?"

"Try saying ‘hello'."

"Hey Sunshine."

"Hey Brian, what's up?"

"Uh, I, uh, oh fuck."

"Give me that. Honey, tall, dark, and brooding over here saw someone today that upset his majesty's world and he thought he should let you know."

"Ethan."

"How did you know?"

"I was heading for Kinnetic when I heard him. I got so nauseous that I turned around and went back to the diner. He didn't see me."

"The Queen here is worried, nearly kidnaped me off the street and brought me to the river. By the look on his face he may throw me in."

"Hand it over."

"Gotta go Baby."

"Justin."

"You don't have to say it."

"Yes I do. I heard him right outside Kinnetic, it made me..."

"Sick? Me too. Lost my lunch. Brian, we're partners, we'll get through this together. Trust me. You do trust me?"

"With my life."

"Then it'll be okay."

"See you later?"

"Yeah, at the loft, in about an hour."

"Works for me, later."

"Bye Sweetie!"

"Emmett says..."

"I heard, tell him..."

"He says bye."

"Later."

"See, that went well."

"If you ever touch my phone again I'll..."

"You'll what, throw me in the river? I'm practically swimming in it now. Relax, Brian, he loves you. No little grease ball fiddler will ever change that."

"So what do I do now?"

"Am I hearing right? The great god Kinney asking little ole me for advice?"

"Well you're the only one here."

"Not by choice. Ok, ok, enough with the Kinney death glare. Look, it's simple. You love him and he loves you and don't you even try to deny it. I don't have time for your Brian Kinney doesn't do love bullshit."

"You haven't answered my question."

"I'm getting there. As I said, it's simple. You go right on living and loving."

"Emmett, he's fiddling on my fucking corner. How do I, we, ignore that?"

"You don't."

"Why do I bother? Emmett, you're not making any fucking sense."

"Yes I am. You go to work with Justin, you go out to lunch with Justin, you walk right pass the fiddler with Justin; hell fuck Justin up against Kinnetic's door. The point is that you don't run away, don't hide what you two have. You're out and proud. The fiddler will get it and move on. He probably doesn't know anything about Kinnetic or that the two of you are partners. It's just a high traffic area with a newly renovated bath house."

"Office building."

"Right, we should all own a piece of our community's history like you do. I'm sure you made a little history in there at one time."

"Yes I did and I'm making even more now."

"Now there's the Brian Kinney we all know and fear. Confident, successful, proud."

"You forgot devastatingly handsome with a fabulous fashion sense."

"That too."

"And hung."

"I wouldn't know, although I have heard rumors to that effect. Sooo, Brian, what are you going to do?"

"First, I'm going to drop you off at..."

"Home, I have a party to plan."

"Then I'm going to meet my b, uh, Justin, at the loft. Fuck his brains out, call out for dinner, then fuck his brains out again. After that, I have no idea."

"Well it sounds like you have this evenings agenda worked out."

"It's tomorrow's I'm not so sure about."

"Honey, talk with Justin, I'm sure he'll come up with an idea or two. Uh, Brian, why are you looking at me that way?"

"I was contemplating your reward for allowing me to kidnap you; you look so ‘fetching' sitting there. The sun shining in your hair. I was trying to ‘cum' up with a proper thank you."

"Brian, this is way too weird."

"Yes it is; had ya going for a second."

"Fuck you Brian, I was starting to panic; all I kept thinking was how the hell am I ever going to look Justin in the eyes again. Don't ever do that again! Shit."

"Come on, time to face the music."

"So to speak; it'll be okay."

"That's what he said."

"He should know, he's one smart little twink."

"And he's all mine."

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"Hey."

"Hey Brian, are you finished scaring the shit out of Emmett?"

"He told you?"

"Called me after you dropped him off, babbling on about how you were either going to fuck him or throw him in the river."

"I'm happy to report I did neither."

"So was he. I think we should take his advice."

"Which is?"

"We live Brian, we get on with what we have to do; go to work..."

"Go back to school."

"Go back to school, fuck right under his nose if we have to but I wont let his presence change my routine, not like this afternoon."

"Makes sense."

"Yes it does and so does your other plan."

"My other plan?"

"Yeah, the ‘fuck Justin's brains out' plan."

"Oh that plan, you know what they say about the best laid plans of queers and dykes."

"So let the fucking begin."

"Right behind ya Sunshine."

"Just where I want you big guy."

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"Morning Sunshine."

"Morning."

"Get up sleepy head, big day today."

"What?"

"Brown Athletics, you do remember don't you. I picked up your sport coat from the cleaners especially."

"Shit, that's today?"

"Yes, please tell me the boards are ready."

"They're ready but I didn't bring them home."

"Not a problem, it's a lunch meeting, we go to Kinnetic first then meet Leo downtown."

"Why doesn't he come to us."

"Said he had other appointments, couldn't get away."

"Oh."

"Come on kid, time to hit the showers."

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"Good morning Justin, looking good."

"You really think so?"

"Yes I do, artsy casual with a hint of business."

"That's what Brian said."

"He should know; you'll do fine Justin."

"Thanks Cynthia."

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"Brian, are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, all set. You have the boards?"

"All packed."

"Cynthia we're going to meet Leo, oh shit; what the hell is that? Sounds like cats are being murdered out there."

"Warm up."

"What?"

"He's warming up."

"I'll warm him up. Where's a hose; we still have plenty of faucets around here to hook up a hose."

"Cut it out Brian, remember what Emmett said."

"Fuck."

"If we must, but I think we should just walk past him; I'll even toss him a buck."

"You'll do no such thing, besides you need the money more than he does, school expenses."

"Yes Dad."

"Fuck you."

"Yes please Daddy"

"Brian, Justin, as entertaining as your little banter is, don't you think it's time for you two to do what you do best."

"Fuck?"

"No, make us some money, now go."

"Theodore, do not make me regret hiring you."

"Love you too Brian."

"Brian! Go!"

"Et tu Cynthia?"

"You want to continue to afford me right?"

"We're going."

"What did I ever do to deserve this bunch, Sonny Boy?"

"Besides save our world, I have no idea."

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"Justin?"

"Hi Ethan."

"You work in there?"

"Yes, for a while now."

"Since when did you start selling it?"

"You little fucker!"

"Brian, let me handle it."

"Well handle it quick, we have to go."

"Ethan I don't have time for this. If you want to talk, my cell phone number is the same."

"Justin! We have to go now!"

"I gotta go."

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"Don't say it."

*silence*

"And don't start with the silent treatment either."

*sigh*

"Big drama queen."

"Justin!"

"Brian, I need to concentrate on business. I'm nervous about this meeting. Please, for me, step by step, tell me what I need to do."

"Okay Sunshine, here's the deal..."

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"You're vibrating."

"Huh?"

"Your leg is vibrating."

"My phone."

"You gonna answer it?"

"Hello? Yeah, hi, no, it's okay, I can talk, dinner, no I can't, still working; yeah, okay, Woody's at eight, bye. That was..."

"Ian."

"Brian if you don't want me to meet him I won't."

"You're an adult, you make your own decisions."

"That's right I am and I do but I want to consider your feelings, I value your opinion."

"My opinion, you want my opinion. Here's my opinion. THIS FUCKING SUCKS! I DON'T LIKE THAT HE'S HERE. I DON'T LIKE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO MEET HIM AND I DON'T LIKE THAT HE STILL HAS YOUR PHONE NUMBER. IF IT WERE UP TO ME I'D CHANGE IT AND ONLY I'D HAVE THE NUMBER; MAYBE YOUR MOTHER AND DAPHNE CAN HAVE IT BUT THAT'S IT! FUCK! That's my opinion."

"I won't go."

"Yes you will. You and I have been through a lot and seemed to come out of it together. That must mean something. So you go meet the fiddler. Maybe we've, I've blown this all out of proportion. Find out what he wants then come home to me."

"I will, I'll always come home to you."

"You better Brat."

"Asshole."

"Let's finish up."

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"Hi Justin."

"Hi, sorry I'm late, my meeting ran late."

"Is that what they're calling it now?"

"Huh? I was doing a few sketches and the time got away from me."

"Whatever. You look good, tired but good."

"Working two jobs. What about you? I thought you were on a concert tour?"

"I was, all done."

"So why playing the streets, I thought you were doing well?"

"I am, very well, but playing the street keeps me grounded."

"That's how I feel about the diner, but I may have to give it up."

"Your other job keeping you up late?"

"Something like that, I'm returning to PIFA."

"I heard about your suspension."

"Things happen. But my new job is great, I'm getting a lot of experience and the fringe benefits are the best."

"I can imagine. Justin why are you working there? You're so beautiful and talented; I'm sure you make good money but you're wasting your talent."

"Wasting my talent? What are you talking about? I put my talent to good use. Brian says its brought us good business."

"He your pimp."

"Pimp? What the fuck?"

"Justin please come away with me. I can support you, you don't have to whore yourself."

"Whore? I'm an artist not a whore."

"Different word, same thing."

"I'm leaving."

"Wait, please Baby, come back to me. I promise, really promise, no other guys and I can afford a better ring for your finger. He'll never give you that."

"Ethan, you'll never understand what Brian gives me."

"What's that?"

"Respect, something you know nothing about. Bye Ethan."

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"Hey Baby."

"Hey."

"You okay?"

"Yeah, need a shower, I feel dirty."

"He didn't?"

"No, he didn't but he got me skeeved."

"Want company?"

"Yeah."

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"Better?"

"Much; Brian I know you hate to do this but can we cuddle?"

"Sure Baby."

"I need to feel you around me."

"Want to tell me about it?"

"He thinks I'm a whore."

"What? Wait till I see him, I'm going to rip him a new one."

"No you won't. I don't understand. First he insults me, calls you a pimp then he wants to put a ring on my finger."

"Justin, do you want a ring on your finger?"

"Honest answer?"

"Yes."

"Sometimes, someday but not now, I'm not ready. I'm happy the way it is."

"Honest?"

"Honest."

"Called me a pimp?"

"Yes."

"If I did pimp you out, we'd certainly make a lot of money."

"Mmm. Brian?"

"Yes."

"How ‘bout you get me a cock ring."

"Think you're ready for that?"

"Oh yeah."

"I'll see what I can do."

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"Shit! He's killing cats again."

"Relax Boss, he is good."

"For a fucking pest. I wish he wouldn't do it right outside our door."

"Want me to move him?"

"Think you can?"

"I'll give it a try. You know there could be worse things outside our door."

"Yeah like a dead fiddler. Go move him Cyn."

"Right on it Boss."

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"Excuse me."

"Yes?"

"Ethan, right?"

"Yes, do I know you?"

"No, but you know my employer and we would appreciate it if you could move it down the block."

"Your employer?"

"Brian Kinney. He's the senior partner of Kinnetic."

"Interesting name for a bath house."

"Bath house? This is an ad agency."

"Ad agency?"

"Ad-ver-tising."

"He runs an ad agency from a bath house?"

"No, short version; Brian started his own agency, I and a bunch of others, work for him, and although you are a very talented young man, it's a bit distracting right outside our front door. We'd appreciate it if you could move a few feet."

"And Justin?"

"Justin is the other partner and artist, of course."

"Of course; that's why he got angry last night."

"Pardon me?"

"Nothing; sure, I'll move, traffics good down there."

"Thanks."

"You his secretary?"

"Assistant, for years."

"How do you put up with the arrogant bastard?"

"It's a talent."

"And Justin?"

"He has his own talents."

"I know."

"Thanks for moving."

"No sweat, and tell Justin I understand now, he doesn't have to worry about me."

"Worry about you?"

"He'll understand."

"Consider it done."

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"Do you hear that Theodore?"

"I don't hear anything?"

"Exactly."

"You know Brian, we've know each other for years and sometimes I still have no idea what you're talking about."

"Good, get back to work oh and order me a dozen roses."

"Isn't that Cynthia's job?"

"Now it's yours and I want them within the hour, better make it two dozen."

"What ever you say Brian."

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"Cynthia!"

"You barked Boss!"

"There's a delivery out here."

"Can you please sign for it, I'm busy."

"No, I can't."

"Shit, asshole, why am I the only one who can, OH MY!"

"For you."

"Me?"

"Do you see another miracle worker here named Cynthia?"

"Brian Kinney giving flowers, the first sign of the apocalypse."

"For getting rid of the cat killer."

"Thank you Brian, they're beautiful. Who'd you get to order them for you?"

"That would be me."

"Thank you Ted."

"Theodore."

"Shush Brian, thank you, both of you."

"Can we get a little work done around here?"

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"Justin?"

"Hi Ethan."

"I'm sorry about what I said last night, I didn't know."

"It's fine."

"No it's not, I guess I was hoping that you'd need me, come back to me if I were successful."

"Ethan being successful has nothing to do with it. We weren't meant to be together. I'm sorry Ethan but I don't love you, I thought I did once but then I woke up and knew where I belonged."

"I guess I always knew that but I was hoping."

"I had hope back then too but I know better now."

"Brian?"

"Brian. Good luck Ethan, I mean that."

"Can we be friends?"

"I don't know but I certainly don't want to be enemies."

"Me neither."

"So let's leave it at that. See ya around Ethan."

"Bye Justin."

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"Hey Bri."

"Hey."

"How's it going?"

"Better now that Cynthia got the fiddler to take it down the street."

"I noticed."

"You okay Sunshine?"

"Yup; what's on the agenda for today?"

"Besides the ‘fuck Justin's brains out' plan?"

"Yeah."

"Okay Sunshine, here's the deal..."

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