soulmatejunkee: (bjlove)
[personal profile] soulmatejunkee
Title: 1 wedding, 4 rings and 1 almost funeral, Part 9/? (You & Me-Series)
Author: [livejournal.com profile] soulmatejunkee 
Fandom: Queer as Folk US
Pairing: Brian/Justin
Timeline: Post 5.13; POV's  
Word Count: 1.909
Disclaimer: I don’t own anything. It’s all CowLip and Showtime.
Beta: Anna - thanks so much!

This is a short chapter, with a lot of talking - the next "honest" part, so to say. But hey, there can't be angsty drama in every single chapter, right? Hope you enjoy it anyway.

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 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8




Brian's POV

Had he always been so fucking complicated? I’m the last person that would tell him to take an uncontrollable risk, but he’s practically avoiding any kind of risk lately. That was not the Justin I knew.

“What’s your alternative?” I asked him and frowned. “Serving coffee and smiling at artists who are getting a show at the gallery you’re working at?”

He made a face and sighed. “Ahhh…” Then he fell on his back and lay right in front of me. “This sucks!”

“Why? This is a really great offer and I think that you’re just afraid that you might like being a computer animator and that this could really work out for you, other than the artist thing, which doesn’t so far.”

He looked at me, obviously not pleased by my words. I had no intention to hurt him, but when it came to his career, to his art and to his plans – except the ones for us – I had my problems to understand his decisions, especially since he didn’t decide anything.

“Of course you can keep living in that ugly apartment and serving coffee for people who are way more successful than you and smiling at artists who had more luck or money or talent than you… but then your plan for the weekly reunion stops at the end of April and we only see each other every other weekend , since you won’t let me pay for your flights.” I shrugged. “It’s your decision.”

“Stop it”, he complained.

“Stop what? That’s reality, Sunshine.”

I knew he wasn’t angry at me, but he was angry when he stood up, grabbed his clothes and left the room. A few minutes later I saw him at the studio and remembered why I had built in skylights. Anger didn’t have to be a bad thing, not always. He had to stop thinking about everything all the time and had to take some risks.

After almost six hours I was done with all the work I had taken home from office before Christmas. I hadn’t seen Justin since he had left the bedroom and so I took my shoes and my jacket and went to the studio. I knocked on the door before I got in and saw him sitting on the floor, staring at the wall. Everything was still untouched, the brushes, the paints, the canvas.

“Wow, I didn’t expect such progress”, I said ironically and shook my head. What the fuck was going on here? What the fuck was going on with him? “It’s absolutely overwhelming.”

“Fuck you. I was thinking”, he mumbled.

“For six hours?”

“And I’m still not done.”

I took off my jacket and sat down beside him and helped him stare at the white wall. After a few minutes I got bored. “What are we waiting for?”

“A sign, a sudden inspiration… anything.”

I tried, I really did, but I still couldn’t see the problem. It wasn’t that he had to make a choice or that he had to give up one thing for the other. How could he deal so easily with this long distance bullshit but then totally fail at his own career?

“I can give you a sudden inspiration”, I said. “Take the offer, work your ass off, make some money and start living! And when you’re here on the weekend take your brushes and start painting; otherwise you won’t have anything to sell anymore pretty soon. And stop thinking so fucking complicated. What bad thing do you expect to happen when you take that job?”

I didn’t get an answer, but now I became annoyed. What did he expect me to say when he showed me the offer? And what did he expect to happen by staring at the white wall? I rolled my eyes, stood up again and took my jacket. Helping him think about whatever wasn’t my plan for the evening, especially not without a cigarette and Beam.

“I can’t paint…”, he whispered and looked down. His fingers were now stroking the wood floor.

Well, that wasn’t a statement I expected, but at least it was a statement. Not an explanation for his struggling with that offer, but an answer. I cleared my throat. “Your hand?”

And then he looked at me and he looked really angry, almost pissed. “No, it’s not my hand, Brian! It’s my fucking mind! It’s empty! And it’s been empty for months! Living in New York, in that small room in that small apartment gives me a good excuse for not painting, it’s simply too small! But that’s bullshit! It’s gone, it’s not there anymore! I can’t see anything, I can’t feel anything! This beautiful studio is just a beautiful studio with white canvas, there’s no inspiration! Not in New York, not here, nowhere!”

I didn’t see that coming.

“With everything that had happened in the recent past, my head should be full with stuff, inspirations, feelings, colors and ideas”, he continued. “But it’s not! And I can’t… I can’t… I don’t know what the right decision is, because I don’t feel it! That job isn’t an inspiration either! What if I take the job and it sucks?!”

I shrugged. I admit, he caught me off-guard here, I didn’t expect an outburst of temper like that. And I also couldn’t see the connection between being a computer animator and being a painter, but obviously there was one. “Guess that’s the risk with new challenges.”

“No! No, it’s not!” He still looked at me and shook his head. As if I already had to know everything he would now tell me. “I always knew what’s gonna happen, I could see it. I had a picture in front of me, an inspiration, and an idea! I knew why I did it, always! No matter what! Leaving home, being onto you, doing Rage, going with Ethan, leaving Ethan, leaving school, going to Hollywood, coming back, moving in with you, living in my own place, marrying you, going to New York – but it’s like living in New York was the end of the road, the end of the inspiration! In the beginning it was great, it was new and I had tons of ideas, colors in my head and every person on the street seemed to be an inspiration! But now… it’s all gone!”

I guess, I wasn’t artist enough to understand how he felt and why it was so hard for him. But I still tried. “And you can’t see that offer as a new inspiration? As something that maybe gives you some new prospects?”

He still looked at me. “No.”

“But working at the coffee shop gives you an inspiration?” I couldn’t smother the sarcasm, he really confused me.

“I just told you, that my mind is empty!” He repeated with a sharp voice. Then he shrugged. “But yes, when I took the job at the coffee shop I had a vision.” He bent his knees and embraced himself, lay his head down and closed his eyes. “I was hoping that being here would change something, that this house would be an inspiration and this studio.”

I sat down again and looked at him. I wasn’t sure if I should touch him, I somehow doubted that he wanted to be caressed and I still had my problems to follow his thoughts.

“You drew this picture of Gus and me, it was just a few weeks ago”, I said. “It’s good, it’s very good.”

He kept looking at me, his head still on his knees. “That’s not the same. I can draw you in my sleep; I know every wrinkle you have.”

“Yeah”, I laughed and then frowned. “I don’t have any wrinkles.”

He bumped against me and even smiled a little. “It’s not the same. I can draw anything I see, anytime and anywhere. Just some lines on a white paper, no color, no vision, nothing. I can see the picture in front of me; it’s not in my mind. It’s already alive; I don’t have to bring it to life. Can you understand that?”

I shrugged. “I try.”

“Drawing is easy for me. Normally I draw everything beautiful I see; which is probably the reason why every sketch book is filled with your picture. With painting it’s different. I mean, of course I can paint you, but mh… I don’t think that I would like your portrait hanging all around the world. I prefer it to be just in my sketch book.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Can I say something to that?”

“I won’t paint your portrait.”

I laughed, grabbed him and pulled him back, so that we were now lying on our backs and staring at the ceiling.

“You know, I think you’re expecting too much”, I said.

“From New York?”

“No, from yourself. Why do you put so much pressure on you?”

He looked at me and then he turned around so that he was lying on his side, his head placed on his arms. “Do I?”

“Yes. Everything has to make sense, everything has to work out, everything has to be a success – and all of it has to happen immediately. You have so much time to find yourself, why do you think you have to do it with every project or every idea you have? That’s not necessary. You have your plan and you have your talent and no one can take that away from you. With so much pressure it’s no wonder that you can’t find any inspiration, you’re not really looking for it; you’re looking for the success, the breakthrough and that doesn’t work.”

“It worked for you.”

“God no, it didn’t!” I laughed. Sometimes I was really happy that we didn’t meet earlier, because that would’ve been a really big let down for him – and for me, too. He wouldn’t have admired me the way he did if we would’ve met a few years earlier. “The more dogged you try, the less it works. Keep your dreams, work them out and one day it just happens. But sitting around and waiting for it won’t make it happen faster.”

He seemed to calm down, to relax. Maybe I really said the right things.

“But sometimes it doesn’t happen”, he said. “There are so many artists out there who never sell any piece of art.”

“You already sold some pieces of your art, so you won’t be one of them. And your website already is a success; you just don’t want to see that. Rage is a success, too. And you sold two of your paintings two weeks ago.”

“One”, she sighed. “The one my father bought doesn’t count.”

“Of course it does”, I disagreed. “Everything counts. And sooner or later someone will buy another painting. And maybe one day it’s enough to live from, but maybe it’s not. What do you want to do then? I mean it Justin; do you really want to keep serving? You have other chances, you have a talent, and you should use it.”

“I thought I could live as a painter in New York.”

I nodded. “I know.”

“I just don’t want to disappoint you.”

“You can’t.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be.”

He leaned forward to kiss me, when his stomach rumbled. He fell on top of me, laughed and sighed.

“Have you eaten anything today?” I asked.

“Nooo,” he giggled.

“Come on, Debbie gave me tons of food for you.”

TBC

on 2011-02-10 09:29 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] rainbow1907.livejournal.com
Yes, Brian, feed the boy... who can think clearly on an empty stomach :) I guess this here shows clearly how very young Justin still is. He may be mature for his age, have been through a lot already... but he's still painfully young with the impatience and idealistic vulnerability of a very young man. Great update, many thanks! Hugs you, Rena :)

on 2011-02-10 09:40 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Thanks Rena :)
I was afraid it might be a little boring, but hey, you liked it, so I'm happy.

on 2011-02-11 04:32 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] pet0511.livejournal.com
I like to comment here because Renate said exactly what I thought. It´s the "Hello world - here I am!" thing you only have in the youth - also the breakdown if you realize that nobody is waiting for you or coming to you - you have to get up and do something by yourself. I think many of Justin´s expectations were made over the last years by his family and Brian too, and it´s a good thing. Otherwise he would never had the strength to go to NYC in the first place.
I loved Brian´s words here, his reaction. His admittion that even he wasn´t always the best of the best. It made him human, more human as Justin saw him before businesslike. Maybe it makes it easier for him to break out of his paralyzed state, to accept/hear what Brian meant and to realize that he, Justin, didn´t need to proof anything to anyone, esp Brian, because in their eyes he already is all he wants for himself: brave, successfull, determined....it´s just a matter of the definition.
I absolutely enjoyed this non-boring (!) chap, in some ways it has been one of their best hours and talks.
I`m curious to see what they will do next.
Thanks, dear soulmate! Pet

on 2011-02-12 07:47 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
My dear Pet, I missed you yesterday.
I didn't read your email before tonight - so I waited the entire day yesterday on LJ for you and I started to worry.
Hope you're okay and hope everything is good :)

Thanks for your comment, as always, I love how you analyze my words :)

on 2011-02-10 09:41 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] guavejuice.livejournal.com
awww,have I told you lately how I love you? *sighs*
great chapter,hon,thanks for that.
V.

on 2011-02-11 07:15 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
I'm sure you did but you can keep going on as long as you want to :)
Thanks V.

O, and... love you, too <3

on 2011-02-10 09:57 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] rulisteningbj.livejournal.com
It appears that Justin is open to Brian's wisdom and mentoring. So happy our boys are getting along. Now feed Justin and have some great make up sex.

Dee Dee

on 2011-02-11 07:16 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
That's my plan ;)

Thanks Dee Dee.

on 2011-02-10 10:19 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] sexy-pumpkin.livejournal.com
Great update babe.

So we finally see the impatience in a very young & immature at times Justin Taylor. Yes he's always wanted everything "right now" & he's usually gotten it,,but not now

& Brian's right,,not many artists make it in the art world, I really hope that Justin gives the job a try, who knows where that can lead?

At least there talking, but hey where's the sex:) See you soon, off to the shops!!

later jx

on 2011-02-11 01:38 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] sjmarv.livejournal.com
"At least there talking, but hey where's the sex:)"

LOL! I agree!

I know for some people the age spread between Brian and Justin is uncomfortable at least; sort of pervy at worse. I think you have it right with Brian realizing that if they were closer in age, they probably wouldn't have as much to offer each other.

I can imagine this couple at the ages of 70 and 82 when the age spread will hardly matter, a couple of old geezers teasing each other with their life-long knowledge of what buttons to push to get each others' goat and still just as hot to bed each other on a daily basis.

Susan

on 2011-02-11 07:21 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Honestly except for S1 I never found it weird that there was an age spread between them. Sometimes I even forgot. It was only S1 when I found it extremly obvious.

Thanks for reading and for your comment.

on 2011-02-11 07:23 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
You know I'm not so good with the sexscenes *sniff*
I try my best.

Thanks for reading and I'm glad you liked it :)

on 2011-02-10 10:56 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] shenova.livejournal.com
Brian is always there for Justin and help him to see that he can do things and not to put to much pressure on himself as it will all come together in the end. Justin is trying to work through things and not worry so much. Nice update.

on 2011-02-11 07:23 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Thanks :)

on 2011-02-11 02:50 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] petulant2u.livejournal.com
I don't know why, but this chapter saddens me. I have a feeling Justin is growing up, and it feels like he's going to out grow Brian. Maybe I'm way off, but things Brian said made so much sense. Justin is just finding his way, once he feels comfortable in his own skin, he may find that skin is better suited in NY, or LA, or somewhere, where Brian isn't.

I don't know where you are taking this story, and it doesn't really matter. whether they stay together, or not, this is one hell of a story and I'm loving it.

on 2011-02-11 07:26 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Don't worry so much :)

this is one hell of a story and I'm loving it
That's such a wonderful line for me *sigh*
Made my morning, thank you sooo much.

on 2011-02-11 03:39 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] sjmpets.livejournal.com
if they could get away for justin to just recoop it just might help.
i hope brian's words of wisdom sink in.

on 2011-02-11 07:26 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Normally Brian's words always sink in ... sooner or later :)

on 2011-02-11 08:59 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] nivahl.livejournal.com
I like when Brian does the "realistic grown-up" and tries to make Justin think.
This is an interesting chapter to know what is going on inside Justin's head ... and lately is a lot!
Maybe when everything will calm down, the inspiration will return.
And by the way, I'll paint Brian anytime ;P

on 2011-02-11 09:02 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Me too *LOL*
But I guess Justin is a selfish little brat, doesn't want to share Brian with the world - except for Rage of course *gg*

Thanks for your comment.

on 2011-02-11 09:48 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] bksbracelet.livejournal.com
I love this story the boys just keeping helping each other

on 2011-02-12 07:47 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Thanks :)
Glad you liked it

on 2011-02-11 10:51 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] altair65.livejournal.com
to say first.... I didn't read the chap yet! Just you made my week end happy again by checking out. I can't wait.... but must work... damn! Thank you anyway: it takes so little to make people happy!

on 2011-02-12 07:48 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Saw your other comment ... will read it right after I answered this one and the others.
You know, it's really cute that a little update can make you so happy :)
Thanks a lot.

on 2011-02-11 11:05 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] pam81.livejournal.com
Where did my evil soulmate go???? ;)

Just kidding, I've loved this update so much sweetie.
And just so you know... I will never get bored by reading one of your chapter.

It's so good to see them talking, to see Justin express all his feelings, his fears, his expectations.

I think that Brian gave him the right advices, a good perspective of reality.
Hope Sunshine will listen to him.

Thanks hon ♥

on 2011-02-12 07:50 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Evil Soulmate is still here... somewhere... don't force it *LOOL*
And I enjoy the "I love soulmate" Icon *gg*

Thanks for reading and for your lovely comment.
Have I told you lately that I really love your comments. They're always so lovely and heartwarming... just cute.

*hugs you*

on 2011-02-11 02:49 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] paoloqaf.livejournal.com
Hi! I really appreciated this update and I hope Justin starts doing something useful to use his talent... I also hope he can stay with Brian in Pitts.. I told you before, I can't understand why Justin needs to be in NY... he can be an artist in Pitts and I'm sure he would be very much inspired than in the Big Apple... hugs and thanks for sharing!

on 2011-02-12 07:52 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Other than you I think Justin needs to be independent and I think it's easier for him to become independent when he's not around Pitts, the family and Brian 24/7, because he's the baby and they always want to help him. That's of course not a bad thing, but he needs to do it on his own this time :)

Sure he can paint at BriTin - and he probably will soon, we'll see - but he won't move back there until he made it on his own ;)

on 2011-02-12 03:44 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] paoloqaf.livejournal.com
Well, I'll wait for that! :)
I wish you a great week end ! thanks a lot!

on 2011-02-11 10:02 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] tv-fan-2008.livejournal.com
Wonderful chapter!! I like that Brian is able to help Justin work through his insecurities regarding his career. Another reason why they are perfect for each other :)

I have to say that I am really enjoying your version of post 513 events and I love this series so much!

Can't wait to read the next chapter :D

on 2011-02-12 07:53 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Thanks a lot :)

on 2011-02-11 10:12 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] bknjt.livejournal.com
OMG.... I never realized what a Drama Queen Justin really is...lol... If he's not inspired by something immediately..he thinks he will never paint again or sell a painting or he can't take a job that's perfect for him because it doesn't have vision!!!...Brian is sooo right... Justin is very impatient and puts too much pressure on himself to succeed... I mean it took Michaelangelo years on his back to paint the Sistine Chapel.... now that man had alot of patience...lol...

on 2011-02-12 07:57 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
S1 Justin was a wonderful Dramaqueen, don't you think? *lol*
Anyway, I think Justin never had to be very patient in Pittsburgh, it somehow always worked out for him, because there was always someone who took care of him. No matter what...

And in New York it's different. And now he has to learn to be independent, patient and successful.

Thanks for reading :)
And thanks for your comment.

on 2011-02-11 10:51 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] altair65.livejournal.com
Sweet sweet Brian. Loved him so much in this chap. Remembered his words in s5ep12 "I'd be anything to make him happy"... not his lover only (though the main thing is), but his friend, his brother and... father. Even if he's conscious to not understand all the artist thing about Justin, he tries a lot; and that line:
"I wasn’t sure if I should touch him, I somehow doubted that he wanted to be caressed and I still had my problems to follow his thoughts"
gave us a so tender Brian: it carried me out of my mind! So tender but even so realistic with an unusual stuck Justin.
As paoloqaf wrote: Justin could be an artist and do whatever he has to do even in Pitts... no need to go anywhere apart from Brian, I'd want to see them always together but... you opened several chances for them in previous chaps, finally the compromise of weekend reunions... until april! And what about the possibility for Justin at the end of part 8, to work with that guy who Brian knows... maybe a possible move for Brian to develop the story in NYC? But I loved the plans with Gus enjoying the soccer ground in his father house too. So... you'll have a though choice to do now! However your choices until now never disappointed me!

on 2011-02-11 10:53 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] altair65.livejournal.com
E.C. it was s5ep11 not 12.

on 2011-02-12 08:01 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
However your choices until now never disappointed me!

Good to read that, hope it'll stay that way :)

Honestly, it was never my intention to scare people with that April line *lol* It was just that Justins money wasn't enough for more tickets. But IF he really takes the job offer, he's going to have some money and... can buy some more tickets. *gg*

Thanks for reading. Enjoyed your post.

on 2011-02-13 10:42 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] galehot.livejournal.com
I think Justin is still afraid Brian's reaction about the things that he do or think about NY and the new job. He's fightning himself because he can't take a decision: take the job or continue struggling to find a way.
Brian's reaction about the website is still worry Justin.

But, hey, they are talking, eventually.

You see, you're good, I'm your unconditional fan.

on 2011-02-14 08:55 am (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Ah, I already missed you here :)

And no EVIL!Soulmate Icon *gg*
I love having you as an unconditional fan.

on 2011-02-15 10:50 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] anno53.livejournal.com
I'm glad Brian put everything in perspective for Justin. He did it in a nice way, too. Justin has a new way to look at things now. Maybe it will help him.

on 2011-02-17 07:28 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] lemondrop34.livejournal.com
"...With so much pressure it’s no wonder that you can’t find any inspiration, you’re not really looking for it; you’re looking for the success, the breakthrough and that doesn’t work.”

And I think that is it, in a nutshell, for almost every artist everywhere. Its v. cool that Brian was able to get to the essence of the problem - I hope Justin sees that he's on his way. Being a successful artist doesn't always equal making a lot of money but it does equal creating cool stuff. I think Justin has it in him and I hope we get to see it!


on 2011-02-17 11:23 pm (UTC)
Posted by [identity profile] soulmatejunkee.livejournal.com
Really, I missed your comments :) *smiles happily while reading*

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