Not Normal People, Chapter 2: Directions

Brian and Justin were at the diner eating breakfast. Brian had taken the day off of work, and they waited until they knew the gang would have already come and gone, so they'd have a chance to talk. Much needed to be decided.

Brian asked, a little hesitantly, though attempting to appear indifferent, "So...did you want to move back into the loft?"

Justin wrinkled his nose and looked down at the table. He squinted a little as he looked back up at Brian and replied, "Actually…I thought that I'd stay at my studio, at least until we're married."

Brian wasn't too surprised. Justin had spent a great deal of time fixing the place up. He tried not to show his disappointment. He rolled his lips into his mouth and nodded, his eyes losing focus. Justin ran his fingers over Brian's hand gently until they reached Brian's ring and, then, traced it with his index finger, an intense look in his eyes. A few moments later, still absently running his finger over Brian's ring, he added, "It's not that I don't want to live with you. I mean, I missed you SO much over the last month."

Brian's eyes met Justin's.

"I just want to somehow mark the transition we'll be making."

Brian shot Justin a puzzled look.

"We've already been engaged and living together…and that didn't end too well. I want things to be different this time. We're in a much different place now, and I want to keep that going. I don't want us to fall back into any bad patterns. Plus, it will give us even more reason to look forward to the wedding."

Then much more lightly, laughter permeating his voice, he added, "Be glad I don't want to stop fucking until the wedding night. I've heard that some couples do that to make their wedding nights special."

Brian looked horrified, which made Justin giggle. Then, Brian smiled and said softly, "It's a good idea, though, of course, I am a little disappointed."

Then he asked, "So when do you want to get married?"

Justin hesitated for a moment, but, then, answered nervously, "I was thinking October. I…I'm not really anyone yet."

Brian's eyes darkened, and he tensed up. He was about to dispute Justin's statement, but Justin continued, "No…it's true. I didn't finish school, and I've had no major shows yet. How would you introduce me to clients or whomever…as a college drop-out and unknown artist? No. Hell fucking no. I want you to be able to introduce me proudly…"

Brian retorted angrily, "I already do!"

Justin looked down and tried to quell the tears that had sprung to his eyes, but the tears were still evident in his voice as he continued, "So…I want to wait until after my show."

He paused, looked up at Brian uncertainly, as though deciding something, and, then, declared, "I think I might also want to go back to school...take some different art classes and some classes in a compatible field…maybe advertising."

Surprised and a little concerned, Brian asked, "Really? I thought you wanted to be a famous artist and exhibit your art in galleries."

Justin responded a little hesitantly, "Well…I still do, but a few weeks ago I was reading about this artist in Japan. Yoshitomo Nara. He's part of the Japanese Neo-Pop movement, but he was classically trained. What I find most intriguing about him is that he has commercialized his art, though not for the reason most pop artists do."

This piqued Brian's interest. He quirked an eyebrow.

Justin laughed. "I thought that part might interest you. He works with images of wide-eyed little girls, who are usually depicted alone and sad or jaded (often shown 'packing'). He exhibits his work in galleries, but he also started mass producing these images on stickers, T-shirts, and so on, not so that he can make more money, but to give wider segments of the population access to his work. This move was inspired by his loyal but poor fans. He had developed quite a following, but they weren't wealthy enough to purchase the pieces he exhibited. He has even used objects they send him in his artwork for galleries. He has such a unique connection to his audience. He doesn't necessarily interact with them face to face more often than other artists, but he gives email interviews and participates in moderated chats."

Justin could see the gears in Brian's head moving, could almost hear the whirring. He smiled softly and continued, "In addition, he was quoted as saying that he doesn't have the career of an artist, but that he lives life as one. Such an inspiration. So I thought that maybe I should explore pop art further. I mean, I spent some time in Vanguard's Art Department, some time making protest posters to incite the masses, a great deal of time drawing comic book characters, and, thanks to Chris Hobbs, I've been forced to express myself through art differently from traditional painters. I don't know. What do you think?"

Brian smiled, his eyes shining, and replied, "I think it's a fabulous idea. It sounds like a perfect way to expand your horizons while still remaining true to who you are and what you stand for. Just more proof that you're fucking amazing."

Justin smiled brightly, while, oddly enough, also blushing. Brian was so getting a bathroom blowjob after they ate.