This was bullshit. Brian was a partner now, and partners did not pitch potential clients in airports just because, "...you'll be there; he'll be there - it's kismet." Christ, he needed to set some ground rules with Vance ASAP. For the last month or so he'd been very keen to travel consistently and do some rainmaking on behalf of Vanguard, but that meant fancy restaurants, five-star hotels, 24-hour room service and all the anonymous ass he could fuck. It did not mean schmoozing a client they'd had no preliminary contact with, in the middle of La Guardia's fucking VIP lounge ...on a fucking Saturday! This was insane.
No - he was insane. Deep down he knew the reason Vance had been able to talk him into flying home today instead of last night, and spending over half an hour coincidentally bumping into and chatting up the Chairman and CEO of Michaud Industries. He knew why he suddenly found it preferable to be working from the road most of the last month, when actually he'd never felt more tired in his life. He'd officially become a type A, lunch skipping, stressed out, no life workaholic.
It was just that...no... he would not ascribe it to that fucking little twink. Jesus - he'd finally gotten to a place professionally that was far more senior than his age would normally permit and he had no time for distractions. He needed to keep his eyes on his career right now, instead of constantly seeking a pair of blue ones that he'd always thought really saw him ...in ways no one else could.
Just now in the mirror over the bar, for example, he could swear he saw a fair head the exact shade of his lov...no, of Justin's hair. He was someone else's lover now and Brian had to remember that. Maybe after reminding himself often enough, he'd get over this craziness of thinking he saw him everywhere. Felt him everywhere. Smelled him... got that little tingle in his belly like he had now. The one that usually told him...here comes trouble - of the best and blondest kind. He looked back at his companion and tried to pretend that the stories of old vineyards and why mold was not always bad for grapes fascinated him.
"...don't you agree?"
"Absolutely - a classic year. I've had opportunity to try several '89 Bordeaux. Although I do have a few bottles of 1990 Petrus and I feel it was almost as good a year."
"I must tell you Monsieur Kinney, that I am amazed at, shall we say, your multi-tasking abilities."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Oh please don't think I mind, but it is quite obvious to me that while you may have absorbed my remarks of the past half hour and formulated thoughtful responses, you, for all intents and purposes, haven't heard a word I've said."
"Monsieur Michaud, I'm sorry if I gave the impression I..."
"Gilles, please. And it is I who apologize. It was rude of me to point it out."
"Forgive me Gilles, if I'm confused as to what exactly you are pointing out."
"Just that, while it is kind of you to humor me by listening to stories of my pet hobby, you are obviously miles away mentally, and you seem almost to be looking for someone." The distracted, but polished, businessman he had fallen into conversation with intrigued Michaud.
"I assure you, listening to stories that involve fine wine is never a chore, and I'm not looking for anyone." Brian wished with all his heart that it were true.
Gilles Michaud had not become one of France's, indeed, one of Europe's most prominent businessmen without learning to read people and to discern whether they were being truthful with him. While he knew that the urbane Brian Kinney wasn't exactly lying, he was certain the man was indeed looking for someone - whether he realized it or not. "Just so. It was my mistake, Mr. Kinney. I apologize again."
"Brian - and no apology necessary." Michaud was far too perceptive for Brian's taste, which made him feel foolish about the mission Vance had talked him into. He might wish to avoid Pittsburgh, but this was getting ridiculous. He was starting to like this man and he suspected Michaud was too smart for his usual bullshit. He resolved to tell Vance that the next time he wanted to ambush a potential client, he could goddamn well do it himself. "I think you've just picked up on some preoccupation on my part. I had several meetings this week and, regardless of what else I might be doing at the time, I tend work on problems in the back of my mind until I come up with a game plan. It's a terrible habit, I know."
"One that has at least a few exceptions I hope." Michaud smiled indulgently. "You're a young man Brian, you mustn't let work consume you too wholly, although your dedication is admirable. I hope half my executives have it."
"Given that your company ranked seventh of the top 10 emerging companies of Europe, I suspect that you have nothing to worry about."
"Nothing perhaps, except throwing our hat into the North American ring." Gilles let his frustration with this trip show a little. "I too, had several meetings in New York which, I am disappointed to say, felt like a waste of time.
"I'm sorry to hear that, but a man of your capabilities will come up with plan B, I'm sure."
"I appreciate your confidence in me, Brian." Gilles laughed. "Not to mention your impressive knowledge of my company." He was reasonably sure there was more to this, but couldn't put his finger on what it might be. "And your business - it has you flying now to...?"
"Pittsburgh, actually." Brian grimaced. "Home of Andy Carnegie, Andy Warhol, Mr. Rogers... and me." Brian decided enough was enough. There were certain things he had become unwilling to do in the name of success, and this was becoming one of them. "To which, sadly, I shall be returning shortly." He looked at his watch and figured that if he got going soon, he could catch the next shuttle back.
"I'm not familiar with this Mr. Rogers. What does he do?"
Brian laughed, realizing that, although the man was extremely well traveled, Mr. Rogers' neighborhood wasn't likely to be on his itinerary. "He was in the business of warping young minds on television when I was a child. You aren't missing much."
Gilles smiled. "Ah yes - I know this Rogers, of course. The lovely fellow with the dreadful clothes and the bad hair; constantly changed his shoes and jacket. Quite obsessive-compulsive, really."
Brian laughed deeply for what felt like the first time in...he didn't know how long. "That's the one! How did you know?"
"I went to school in Boston for a time in the early seventies, and he was on one of the few channels I got. I used to watch television and practice speaking without an accent."
Went to school in Boston indeed. The man was clearly no braggart - that was certain, because Brian knew perfectly well the man had degrees from at least two North American Universities, Harvard being one. "Now that I've ensured your familiarity with most of Pittsburgh's claims to fame - I really should be going." Brian was enjoying the man's company, but had no wish to continue doing Vance's dirty work. "It's been a pleasure, Gilles."
"Likewise." Michaud returned. "By the way - you never mentioned - what exactly do you do?"
"Advertising."
"Is that so? I had despaired that all American advertising people were rather on the gauche side." Gilles smiled. "And you don't strike me as nearly unscrupulous enough."
"Trust me, Gilles - there are those who would give you a good argument to the contrary." Brian ruefully admitted.
"I find that hard to believe." Michaud was sure there was more to this man than met the eye and he found himself sorry he wouldn't know him better. In spite of what he guessed had to be easily a 20-year age difference, he thought they might have been ...not friends exactly... since something told him this man had few actual friends... but at least friendly. "Well despite my lack of conviction in the plausibility of your membership in that dreadful race known here as 'ad-men', I trust that your business here will conclude more auspiciously than mine, Brian."
"All but the last bit, yes." Brian gave his trademark devilish grin "My asshole of a senior partner talked me into ambushing a potential client while he waited for his plane. How's that for unscrupulous?". He stood, picked up his suit bag and began to walk away and remarked over his shoulder, "I plan to tell him to fuck off when I get back. Surely that ought to qualify me as reasonably gauche. Have a safe flight, Monsieur." The last thing Brian heard as he walked away was Gilles Michaud's boisterous laughter.
xxxx
Michael had been a little dubious of his reception, but Brian had let him in and agreed, albeit reluctantly, to take a night off from working and come out dancing instead. Well, out fucking more than likely, but social intercourse was social intercourse. Michael wasn't prepared to get picky, since he hadn't seen much of Brian lately. No one had with any frequency - for reasons that were better left uncommented on in the man's presence, as Michael had discovered the hard way.
He thought back to the day after Justin's infamous walk out on the Avenue's most legendary lothario. Brian had shown up for breakfast the next morning the same as always, but Justin's absence had been more obvious than his presence and Brian had looked like shit.
Ted and Emmett stopped acting mysterious long enough to glance at Brian and everyone silently screamed somebody please say something, each of them wild with curiosity over the man's lack of acknowledgment.
Michael, his sensible better half not there to advise him, had looked over at the other two as if to say, Okay - I'm going in, and then recklessly did just that. "So...where's the Boy Wonder this morning?"
Brian's continued silence combined with his pointed glare should have made Michael hesitate, if not retreat entirely. But Debbie Novotny's son could hardly be expected to escape the gene for meddling. "The ungrateful little shit - I can't believe he just walked out like that."
Michael had clearly not seen the twitching of Brian's jaw muscle or he would've known not only to shut the hell up, but perhaps to run and hide as well. "I mean...what the fuck did he think he was doing last night?"
The fact that Brian's answer was uttered sotto voce, might have made it seem as though the danger were minimal - unless you knew him. "Stay the fuck out of it, Michael."
"Brian, I only..."
"I mean it. If you plan on bringing this up again, don't bother talking to me at all." Brian stared at him intently. "Have I made myself clear?"
Emmett and Ted both stifled the urge to say yes sir, and settled for merely looking sympathetically at their fallen comrade. Brian put down his cup, rose and stalked out of the diner without a backward glance.
"Well..." Ted had commented once they'd regained powers of speech. "That was predictably rude. At least we know his personality hasn't been affected."
Newly in-love Emmett was feeling kindly towards just about everyone - even Brian. "Oh Teddy, don't be mean. He's obviously upset." There was a pause and finally, the gossip in him couldn't help make its presence known. "I wish I had been there to see the drama unfold."
"Oh really?" Ted had inquired with a smirk in his voice. "What kept you from it?"
"I was... otherwise engaged."
Emmett actually blushed, something Michael hadn't seen in ages. He didn't have the patience for their secrets, however; he was too pissed. "Well, Brian wouldn't be upset if Justin hadn't been otherwise engaged with some fucking fiddler with a cockroach under his lip."
"What?!" Both his companions had cried.
"You know something!" Ted burst out at the same time as Emmett's "How could you not dish?"
"I don't know anything except that Justin has been cheating on Brian - probably for weeks." Michael had been furious just thinking about it.
"Cheating? How is that even possible?" Emmett pointed out. "All those two do is fuck around."
"Yeah, Michael." Ted agreed. "I mean, calling their relationship open, is like calling the Grand Canyon a ditch."
"It doesn't matter." Michael had stubbornly insisted. "They had rules and Justin broke them."
"Honey, I think maybe there's more going on here than any of us can see at the moment." Emmett knew both parties too well to believe the situation was that simple.
"Well what I saw was Justin kissing his fiddle player in the middle of the street and what I know is that Brian called twice last week thinking that Justin was with me."
"Maybe so," Emmett conceded. "But Brian isn't an easy person to deal with - you of all people ought to know that."
Ted backed him up. "Definitely. And this hasn't exactly been an easy year for Justin. He's had a lot to deal with."
Michael softened a little at that. He knew that as Justin's art for the comic reflected what had happened to him, it also reflected that the kid was still pretty torn up. He remembered that when they had first begun to work together Justin had lamented not being able to talk about things. Michael had been as guilty as the rest of treating the teen like everything was normal, when of course it couldn't possibly have been. "Maybe so, but he should still have told Brian what was going on."
Emmett started to have a bad feeling about this. "How did the selectively perceptive Mr. Kinney find out, anyway?"
Michael didn't respond and simply stared guiltily into his coffee cup.
"Tell me you didn't." Emmett shook his head. "Michael...that was..."
"Unwise." Ted supplied.
"And probably unfair." Emmett continued.
"But..."
"But nothing." Emmett was firm. "You should have stayed out of it." Once he had taken a look at Michael's hangdog expression he felt a little sorry for him too. "Sweetie, I know you meant well, but Brian can look out for Brian. Honestly."
Ted agreed. "And despite alleged appearances to the contrary, I think Justin probably looks out for Brian pretty well too - but sometimes a person has to look out for themselves first. It's hard being the only one trying to make a relationship work."
Michael protested. "We don't know that's what was going on..."
"No, we don't." Emmett agreed. "That's my point; we don't really know anything about what is, or was, going on."
"I guess not." Michael conceded.
"Right. What we do know is that they are both our friends and maybe we should just stay neutral and be there for either of them if they need us."
"Justin has somebody else to be there for him now." Michael was still a little bitter. He simply couldn't understand how Justin could do this. If it were he with Brian, he would...but he wasn't with Brian. Maybe that was what had him so bent out of shape. He liked Justin, he really did. What's more he had trusted him. Michael had finally made Justin an equal partner in looking after what he assumed both of them thought of as something valuable. Though he couldn't explain it, he felt that Justin had let him down too and he was angry.
He understood that Brian must be angry, too - maybe that's why he'd gone off on him. Sort of a shoot the messenger type of thing. Or it could be that Emmett and Ted were right - perhaps he should've kept his mouth shut and let them work it out themselves. Either way, he resolved that whenever he saw Brian again, for once he would do as the man said and just leave it alone.
The next time they had gotten together it was as if the whole thing had never taken place. Brian had become caught up in work over the last several weeks, but they had seen each other. Breakfast with the gang occasionally - when he wasn't away on business. A night out at Babylon here and there - since even the newly career driven Brian Kinney had to get his dick sucked.
So Michael had been hopeful that after having been gone again last week and no mention yet of another trip, that Brian would be ready to unwind a bit and come out with the boys tonight. They were going to Woody's first to shoot a little pool and Michael was hoping for a relaxing evening. The last few times they'd been out, Brian had seemed almost like his old self. He joked, he insulted, he ditched them every so often in favor of the back room. It was business as usual, or so it seemed.
At first Michael had waited for Brian to give some outward sign of what he felt sure had to be inner turmoil, but there were none. Brian drugged and drank, but not any more than he used to - not like when Justin was hurt. And he fucked, but not with the vengeance it sometimes took on when he was trying to drown himself in it. If you didn't know any better, you might think he was just fine with how it everything had played out. But Michael was pretty sure he knew better - he just couldn't do anything about it. Not this time.
"Where are dumb and dumber?" Brian's question snapped Michael out of his reverie.
"Hopefully on their way to Woody's, like we should be." He did not want to set Brian off, but a good friend would at least make the effort to ensure he was all right. Or as all right as Brian ever was. "Listen, don't take my head off, but ...how are you doing?"
Brian barely acknowledged the question. "I'm just peachy."
Michael rolled his eyes and almost gave up in frustration. "Look, I just want to make sure everything is ...okay."
Brian turned and raised his eyebrow. "Well, Vance and I had a little spat week before last because I let a big account slip through my fingers. He seemed to think that eight new clients in half as many days wasn't good enough. Apparently, I was to pull that one out of my hat as well. Let's see...the idiot twins may be long gone, but Vance hired the bungler brothers to take their place. Also, Cynthia informs me that some big mouth in payroll has let other assistants know what I pay her and sooner or later Vance is going to have some irate subordinates demanding raises - something I am certain he will blame me for..."
"I wasn't asking about work, asshole and you know it."
"Well then, what were you asking about?" Brian narrowed his eyes.
Any thought that Brian might be over the whole Justin thing and safe to approach about it fled when Michael took in his friend's changed demeanor. "Just... you know... life and stuff I guess."
"Life, Michael, is proceeding apace." Brian informed him and hoped the man had the sense to drop it.
Michael shook his head and gave up. There was no point in pushing because Brian was certain to push back - hard. "We should do the same. I don't want to keep Ted and Emmett waiting."
"No no, God forbid they had to sit there alone together because you know how they hate that."
"Be nice. I think it's sweet that they've found each other."
"Too bad they didn't get lost first." Brian smiled at Michael's scowl. "Come on, Mikey. Let's not keep the lovebirds waiting - Cynthia fed me a hideous sandwich before leaving the office and I'd be just as happy to toss it back up."
Michael couldn't help but laugh at Brian's crass humor as he accompanied the man out the door. Now that he'd lightened him up a little, he thought maybe he'd try just one more time. "Brian listen, about...uh...I just..."
"Mikey?" Brian locked the door, set the alarm and turned to his friend.
"Yeah?"
"Do you remember when we were kids and I accidentally ran over you with my bicycle?" Brian put his arm around his friend's shoulder.
"Yeah."
"I drive a jeep now."
"Understood."
xxxx
I ~ The Magician
He creates reality through his will and imagination. As an alchemist and transformer he epitomizes the ability to translate ideas into action. He relies on self-confidence, power and determination to see him through. The astrological counterpart to this card is Mercury - the planet of mental agility and quickness.
In a reading, seemingly magical influences come into your life and solutions to your most pressing problems present themselves. Synchronicities seem to point to greater order and organization. Although the results can take time to manifest, synchronicities begin their work and set a course.