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soulmatejunkeeTitle: 1 wedding, 4 rings and 1 almost funeral, Part 2/? (You & Me-Series)
Author:![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
soulmatejunkee
Fandom: Queer as Folk US
Pairing: Brian/Justin
Timeline: Post 5.13; POV's
Word Count: 1.936
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. It’s all CowLip and Showtime.
Beta:adoringaudience - thanks so much!
This chapter is kinda a "happy one". I have plans for this story, so far I have no idea how to put them into it! Things are going to change with that story, moving forward - finally! I hope you still enjoy it. As always: Every comment is welcome. I Love to read what you think. Thanks!
1. Listen to me
2. Trust me
3. Babylon Part 1 | Part 2
4. Find a way Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
5. ...remember what's missing?
6. The Party
7. Thanksgiving 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
8. 1 wedding, 4 rings and 1 almost funeral 1
Justin's POV
Brian had to leave early in the morning. We hadn’t slept much, but I guess we weren’t meant to be a sleeping couple, especially not when we only had a few hours together. It was so great to see him; it was so great, that he showed up – that he surprised me. I remembered the first time he did it, when I told him that everything sucked. Well, it still sucked and he was here again.
Sometimes the obvious is right in front of you, but you’re just too blind to see it. It happens very often, in almost every situation. And I seemed to be a professional in ignorance - lately. I was so fixated on being an artist in painting that I totally ignored other options. It’s not that I always wanted to become the next Picasso.
„When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a cartoonist or a computer animator“, I said.
„Yeah, that makes sense“, Noelle answered while helping me putting my application in an envelope. „I read the Rage stuff recently.“
„You did?“
„Sure, I live with the creator, don’t I?“
I put the stamp on the envelope. She was not really a part of our target group. „And?“
„It’s not bad. It’s very… pornographic. I’m not sure if I really wanted to know all that stuff about gay love, but there are some very interesting stories and the drawings are very good. Would look much cooler in color.“
I nodded. „Too expensive.“
„Yeah, I thought so.“ She looked at me and gave me the last envelope. „Okay, done.“
„Thank you.“
„You’re welcome. This is kinda cool. Let’s wait and see.“
Exactly. I waited and waited and waited. And as with the website I didn’t tell anyone about it. If it wasn’t going to work out, I wouldn’t have to justify for anything. It was easier that way. I talked to Brian every night and it was so much better than it used to be. I wasn’t sure if it was really all about Gus, but he seemed to be more relaxed; he even made jokes once in a while. It was great and funny – and hot.
„Lets talk about Christmas“, I said. „You haven’t told me what you want. I need to buy you a gift. I don’t want to come home empty-handed.“
„I don’t need anything“, he said.
I rolled my eyes. „But I do.“
„I know, I’ll take care of it.“
That made it even worse. „Come on, Brian, I can’t sit under the Christmas tree without any present for you. How would that look?“
„As if we already have everything we need.“
I sighed. I had to think about a present; it was impossible that he already had everything he needed.
And then, ten days before Christmas, it happened. Everything happened. It was like a magic Wednesday.
First, I got a call from Michael that the publisher of Rage had already ordered a second circulation for the issue that was supposed to come out a day before Christmas. More success, more money, it was great.
Second, I booted my computer and got an email from Ted, an invitation for a New Year’s Eve Party with a surprise. Why not? Of course I had to talk to Brian first, but I doubted that he would say no, since Ted was a really close friend.
Third, I had 12 emails from website customers who ordered Rage stuff through my website. Right after that I had an email from another customer who wanted to buy one of my paintings.
„O my god…“ I read it again to make sure that it wasn’t a misunderstanding. „O my god! O my god!!“
Noelle knocked on my door. „Are you coming or did something happen?“
„I sold a painting! O my god!“
It must have looked really weird, because I jumped up from the chair, ran to the door, opened it and started to dance with her like a bunny on Ecstasy. I can’t describe the feeling, it was incredible. I felt like a hero, even though I hadn’t done anything. I felt strong and successful and… just happy.
„Which one?“ she asked euphoric.
It was one of the paintings I had done when I was living in my own studio. I had offered it for 250 dollars and now it was sold.
„I can’t believe it, I can’t… o my god!“ I had waited so long for a moment like this. I grabbed my cell phone and called Brian, but I only reached his mailbox. That was a letdown, a small one. „It’s me, where the fuck are you? Call me! It’s urgent!“
„That’s great“, she said and looked at the painting on my website. „I always preferred the green one, but this is cool, too.“
„Want to buy the green one?“ I asked her.
„I’m a poor student in New York City, remember?“ Then she hugged me. „I’m proud of you and I’m happy for you.“
Right that second, my cell phone rang. She nodded and left the room. It was Brian. „Guess what?!“ I answered.
„You miss me?“
„Nooo… I mean, yes, of course I do, but no. I sold my first painting. I sold it, this morning … or last night, I don’t know, but who cares. I sold my first painting.“ I was smiling like a Cheshire cat. My heart was beating faster and I was totally breathless. „It’s so cool, it’s so amazing!“
„How?“ he asked.
„What do you mean how? Someone saw it, he liked it and he bought it. That’s how selling works, you should know that, Mr. Ad Man.“
He laughed. „Twat! Did you work on the streets again or did you forget to tell me that you had a show?“
O, right… yeah… „No, no it’s… it’s the project“, I answered. „It finally worked out, this is so cool.“
„So, can I see it now, too?“ he asked.
„Sure. I’ll show you on Christmas, okay?“ I could’ve given him the link, but I wanted to be there when he was seeing it (for the first time). „Are you proud of me? Say it.“
„It.“
„Mh“, I rolled my eyes. „O, and Michael called me earlier today and told me that the new Rage issue is already a success. I wish you were here; we could celebrate and celebrate and celebrate. It’s so great! It’s the best day in months!“
„I would love to share your euphoria, but I have a client waiting for me.“
„Okay“, I said and laughed. „I’ll call you tonight and I’ll give you the best phone-job ever.“
„Can’t wait for it.“
„And tell Ted that we’re going to join his New Year’s Eve surprise party and then tell him that it’s stupid to invite people for a party and tell them that there will be a surprise – it’s killing the surprise.“
„I will“, he said.
I hung up and looked at the computer again. The Email was still there. It was real. „O my god.“
Fourth, The postman brought three answers from my applications. Two were turndowns, but one was an offer for an apprenticeship as a computer animator. They offered to train me for one year – with compensation, and not a bad one.
I never expected this to happen. I thought maybe I’d get one or two invitations and then maybe I get a small job, but I never expected to get an offer like that.
„Wow, this is a really great offer“, Noelle said when I gave her the letter.
I nodded, still unbelieving. „It is.“
„Especially since you don’t even have secondary school qualifications.“ She shook her head and looked at me. „What? Isn’t that what you wanted?“
I shrugged. It was a great offer and it felt great to get an offer like that, but it also somehow felt weird, since I came to New York to find a way to sell my art. „Well... it wasn’t what I had in mind when I came here.“
She nodded and bit her lower lip. „Okay, do you wanna know what I think?“
„Sure.“
„If you really don’t want to do that, then don’t do it. It won’t make you happy if it doesn’t... well, make you happy, you know.“
I frowned. „Never do politics.“
„I promise“, she laughed. „Anyway, you know, I really do like your art and I have absolutely no clue about that stuff. It’s a really interesting mix, you’re never fixed on one color or style, that’s very impressive. And that you finally sold one painting is absolutely incredible. But...“
„But?“ Somehow I knew what she wanted to say.
„But I really doubt that you will ever make a living from it. At least not in the next few years. I’m sorry. This is not about you; actually I think an artist does need tons of luck and chances and supporters with tons of money to become popular during his lifetime. The world’s a fast moving place, most people don’t take time to read between the lines. It’s a shame, but it’s the truth. The Internet is the future. Being an apprenticed computer animator can’t be a bad thing.“
„You’re not very optimistic.“
„I prefer realism, I always have. I can’t deal with dreamers. So far, you haven’t seemed to be one.“
„No, I know how life works, it’s just...“
She kissed my cheek and smiled at me. „It’s okay to have a dream, everybody has. I don’t say that you should give up painting, you’re way to good to give it up and who knows, maybe one day you’ll be successful with your art and you prove me wrong. But right now, it doesn’t look like it and I think you’re wasting your time by working at the coffee shop and the gallery. You should take other chances and this is a chance.“
I looked at the offer. „When I was younger I wanted to be a cartoonist. I loved drawing.“
„And now you don’t love it anymore?“
„I can’t do it anymore, at least not for long. My hand starts trembling after a while, it’s... coming from my head. It’s brain damage.“
She frowned. „But you draw Rage, don’t you?“
„With my computer.“
„Well, just think about it. In the end, it’s your decision. Whatever you decide, you have to deal with it.“
I shook my head. „Really, never do politics.“
Fifth, In the late afternoon I got a call from Sidney Bloom who told me that he had sold my painting and that he would love to show another one. Of course I had a lot of paintings, but I had no idea how to get them there. But that was secondary. He sold my painting! Two paintings in one day! That was too good to be true.
„Wait“, I said. „Who bought it? Honestly, was it Brian?“
„Who’s Brian? Well, it was an older man in a wheelchair and he came with a younger woman, probably his daughter, but I don’t know. He paid cash, so I don’t know his name. Is it important?“
Not when it was an old man in a wheelchair, I definitely didn’t know anyone who fit to that description. „No, no it’s not. Thank you. It’s… wonderful.“
„Don’t you want to know how much he paid?“
„Well, the price was 500, wasn’t it? Less your percentage.“
„He paid 2000 dollars, Justin. Less my expenses you’ll get 1650 dollars. That’s a lot of money for a Newcomer, you should be very proud.“
*** ? ! WTF! *? ! *!
„Justin? Are you still there?“
TBC
Author:
soulmatejunkee Fandom: Queer as Folk US
Pairing: Brian/Justin
Timeline: Post 5.13; POV's
Word Count: 1.936
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. It’s all CowLip and Showtime.
Beta:
adoringaudience - thanks so much!This chapter is kinda a "happy one". I have plans for this story, so far I have no idea how to put them into it! Things are going to change with that story, moving forward - finally! I hope you still enjoy it. As always: Every comment is welcome. I Love to read what you think. Thanks!
1. Listen to me
2. Trust me
3. Babylon Part 1 | Part 2
4. Find a way Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4
5. ...remember what's missing?
6. The Party
7. Thanksgiving 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
8. 1 wedding, 4 rings and 1 almost funeral 1
Justin's POV
Brian had to leave early in the morning. We hadn’t slept much, but I guess we weren’t meant to be a sleeping couple, especially not when we only had a few hours together. It was so great to see him; it was so great, that he showed up – that he surprised me. I remembered the first time he did it, when I told him that everything sucked. Well, it still sucked and he was here again.
Sometimes the obvious is right in front of you, but you’re just too blind to see it. It happens very often, in almost every situation. And I seemed to be a professional in ignorance - lately. I was so fixated on being an artist in painting that I totally ignored other options. It’s not that I always wanted to become the next Picasso.
„When I was a teenager, I wanted to be a cartoonist or a computer animator“, I said.
„Yeah, that makes sense“, Noelle answered while helping me putting my application in an envelope. „I read the Rage stuff recently.“
„You did?“
„Sure, I live with the creator, don’t I?“
I put the stamp on the envelope. She was not really a part of our target group. „And?“
„It’s not bad. It’s very… pornographic. I’m not sure if I really wanted to know all that stuff about gay love, but there are some very interesting stories and the drawings are very good. Would look much cooler in color.“
I nodded. „Too expensive.“
„Yeah, I thought so.“ She looked at me and gave me the last envelope. „Okay, done.“
„Thank you.“
„You’re welcome. This is kinda cool. Let’s wait and see.“
Exactly. I waited and waited and waited. And as with the website I didn’t tell anyone about it. If it wasn’t going to work out, I wouldn’t have to justify for anything. It was easier that way. I talked to Brian every night and it was so much better than it used to be. I wasn’t sure if it was really all about Gus, but he seemed to be more relaxed; he even made jokes once in a while. It was great and funny – and hot.
„Lets talk about Christmas“, I said. „You haven’t told me what you want. I need to buy you a gift. I don’t want to come home empty-handed.“
„I don’t need anything“, he said.
I rolled my eyes. „But I do.“
„I know, I’ll take care of it.“
That made it even worse. „Come on, Brian, I can’t sit under the Christmas tree without any present for you. How would that look?“
„As if we already have everything we need.“
I sighed. I had to think about a present; it was impossible that he already had everything he needed.
And then, ten days before Christmas, it happened. Everything happened. It was like a magic Wednesday.
First, I got a call from Michael that the publisher of Rage had already ordered a second circulation for the issue that was supposed to come out a day before Christmas. More success, more money, it was great.
Second, I booted my computer and got an email from Ted, an invitation for a New Year’s Eve Party with a surprise. Why not? Of course I had to talk to Brian first, but I doubted that he would say no, since Ted was a really close friend.
Third, I had 12 emails from website customers who ordered Rage stuff through my website. Right after that I had an email from another customer who wanted to buy one of my paintings.
„O my god…“ I read it again to make sure that it wasn’t a misunderstanding. „O my god! O my god!!“
Noelle knocked on my door. „Are you coming or did something happen?“
„I sold a painting! O my god!“
It must have looked really weird, because I jumped up from the chair, ran to the door, opened it and started to dance with her like a bunny on Ecstasy. I can’t describe the feeling, it was incredible. I felt like a hero, even though I hadn’t done anything. I felt strong and successful and… just happy.
„Which one?“ she asked euphoric.
It was one of the paintings I had done when I was living in my own studio. I had offered it for 250 dollars and now it was sold.
„I can’t believe it, I can’t… o my god!“ I had waited so long for a moment like this. I grabbed my cell phone and called Brian, but I only reached his mailbox. That was a letdown, a small one. „It’s me, where the fuck are you? Call me! It’s urgent!“
„That’s great“, she said and looked at the painting on my website. „I always preferred the green one, but this is cool, too.“
„Want to buy the green one?“ I asked her.
„I’m a poor student in New York City, remember?“ Then she hugged me. „I’m proud of you and I’m happy for you.“
Right that second, my cell phone rang. She nodded and left the room. It was Brian. „Guess what?!“ I answered.
„You miss me?“
„Nooo… I mean, yes, of course I do, but no. I sold my first painting. I sold it, this morning … or last night, I don’t know, but who cares. I sold my first painting.“ I was smiling like a Cheshire cat. My heart was beating faster and I was totally breathless. „It’s so cool, it’s so amazing!“
„How?“ he asked.
„What do you mean how? Someone saw it, he liked it and he bought it. That’s how selling works, you should know that, Mr. Ad Man.“
He laughed. „Twat! Did you work on the streets again or did you forget to tell me that you had a show?“
O, right… yeah… „No, no it’s… it’s the project“, I answered. „It finally worked out, this is so cool.“
„So, can I see it now, too?“ he asked.
„Sure. I’ll show you on Christmas, okay?“ I could’ve given him the link, but I wanted to be there when he was seeing it (for the first time). „Are you proud of me? Say it.“
„It.“
„Mh“, I rolled my eyes. „O, and Michael called me earlier today and told me that the new Rage issue is already a success. I wish you were here; we could celebrate and celebrate and celebrate. It’s so great! It’s the best day in months!“
„I would love to share your euphoria, but I have a client waiting for me.“
„Okay“, I said and laughed. „I’ll call you tonight and I’ll give you the best phone-job ever.“
„Can’t wait for it.“
„And tell Ted that we’re going to join his New Year’s Eve surprise party and then tell him that it’s stupid to invite people for a party and tell them that there will be a surprise – it’s killing the surprise.“
„I will“, he said.
I hung up and looked at the computer again. The Email was still there. It was real. „O my god.“
Fourth, The postman brought three answers from my applications. Two were turndowns, but one was an offer for an apprenticeship as a computer animator. They offered to train me for one year – with compensation, and not a bad one.
I never expected this to happen. I thought maybe I’d get one or two invitations and then maybe I get a small job, but I never expected to get an offer like that.
„Wow, this is a really great offer“, Noelle said when I gave her the letter.
I nodded, still unbelieving. „It is.“
„Especially since you don’t even have secondary school qualifications.“ She shook her head and looked at me. „What? Isn’t that what you wanted?“
I shrugged. It was a great offer and it felt great to get an offer like that, but it also somehow felt weird, since I came to New York to find a way to sell my art. „Well... it wasn’t what I had in mind when I came here.“
She nodded and bit her lower lip. „Okay, do you wanna know what I think?“
„Sure.“
„If you really don’t want to do that, then don’t do it. It won’t make you happy if it doesn’t... well, make you happy, you know.“
I frowned. „Never do politics.“
„I promise“, she laughed. „Anyway, you know, I really do like your art and I have absolutely no clue about that stuff. It’s a really interesting mix, you’re never fixed on one color or style, that’s very impressive. And that you finally sold one painting is absolutely incredible. But...“
„But?“ Somehow I knew what she wanted to say.
„But I really doubt that you will ever make a living from it. At least not in the next few years. I’m sorry. This is not about you; actually I think an artist does need tons of luck and chances and supporters with tons of money to become popular during his lifetime. The world’s a fast moving place, most people don’t take time to read between the lines. It’s a shame, but it’s the truth. The Internet is the future. Being an apprenticed computer animator can’t be a bad thing.“
„You’re not very optimistic.“
„I prefer realism, I always have. I can’t deal with dreamers. So far, you haven’t seemed to be one.“
„No, I know how life works, it’s just...“
She kissed my cheek and smiled at me. „It’s okay to have a dream, everybody has. I don’t say that you should give up painting, you’re way to good to give it up and who knows, maybe one day you’ll be successful with your art and you prove me wrong. But right now, it doesn’t look like it and I think you’re wasting your time by working at the coffee shop and the gallery. You should take other chances and this is a chance.“
I looked at the offer. „When I was younger I wanted to be a cartoonist. I loved drawing.“
„And now you don’t love it anymore?“
„I can’t do it anymore, at least not for long. My hand starts trembling after a while, it’s... coming from my head. It’s brain damage.“
She frowned. „But you draw Rage, don’t you?“
„With my computer.“
„Well, just think about it. In the end, it’s your decision. Whatever you decide, you have to deal with it.“
I shook my head. „Really, never do politics.“
Fifth, In the late afternoon I got a call from Sidney Bloom who told me that he had sold my painting and that he would love to show another one. Of course I had a lot of paintings, but I had no idea how to get them there. But that was secondary. He sold my painting! Two paintings in one day! That was too good to be true.
„Wait“, I said. „Who bought it? Honestly, was it Brian?“
„Who’s Brian? Well, it was an older man in a wheelchair and he came with a younger woman, probably his daughter, but I don’t know. He paid cash, so I don’t know his name. Is it important?“
Not when it was an old man in a wheelchair, I definitely didn’t know anyone who fit to that description. „No, no it’s not. Thank you. It’s… wonderful.“
„Don’t you want to know how much he paid?“
„Well, the price was 500, wasn’t it? Less your percentage.“
„He paid 2000 dollars, Justin. Less my expenses you’ll get 1650 dollars. That’s a lot of money for a Newcomer, you should be very proud.“
*** ? ! WTF! *? ! *!
„Justin? Are you still there?“
TBC