Justin's painting professor was holding a class discussion on a topic Justin was actually interested in, "personal visual direction" or what they as artists chose as subject matter and the different ways they could choose to present it, but Justin was only half listening.

Justin was distracted. Brian had asked him out on a date. He knew he shouldn't be so thrown. Technically, Brian had asked him out on two others before that … The day after they met, Brian had asked Justin to have dinner at the loft. Then Brian had actually used the word "date" after rebuffing Justin's attempts to seduce Brian in his office. In the rain, he'd held Justin's hand and walked with him and even kissed Justin, so slow and deep. Then he'd taken him to dinner at Ocean … and had drunk champagne with Justin up on Justin's roof. This would be "official" date three. All of their other dates had been very informal. No real asking or special planning. Still, three was kind of a lot. Much of the time, Daphne didn't really go on dates. She "hooked up" and then "hung out" with guys. Formal dating was, for many millennials, obsolete, completely unknown, as foreign as CDs, landlines, and even DVDs. So every "date" he had with Brian was kind of unicorn-esque. Why was this date especially special?

First, Brian looked nervous about asking. As if Justin would have declined. AS IF! The very thought made Justin feel like he was floating.

Second, this was their first night out together after becoming monogamous. After Brian admitted OUT LOUD that they were boyfriends. SO … Brian would theoretically be introducing Justin to at least one person as such (the Flash Vodka guy) and more if Brian happened to see anyone he knew.

Third, Brian was dressing Justin. Justin knew he should probably feel uncomfortable about that. Brian had actually said out loud that he didn't want Justin to embarrass him. But Justin had felt certain, despite Brian's attempt to sound cool and matter of fact, that Brian didn't really think Justin could embarrass him, not because of his clothes anyway. Justin was very excited about the suit for a lot of reasons. It was sweet. Brian was "providing for" Justin, and no one had done that in quite some time. And he had no ulterior motive, not that Justin could discern anyway. With the internship, Brian had gotten something in return (a new, more youthful perspective). Better yet, the suit felt like a ticket into Brian's world. Like he wanted to really share something of himself with Justin. It sounded stupid unless you'd seen Brian's wardrobe chock full of designer clothes. No. Fashion meant A LOT to Brian. Image was everything. So sharing that with someone else was a BIG DEAL for Brian. Justin had seen Brian's "friends." None of them, Mikey, Emmett, Ted, or Lindsay, had been fashionable. Brian hadn't shared his sense of taste with any of them. No. This was another sign that Brian viewed Justin as special.

Justin's professor concluded class with a mini-summary of the various ideas Justin's classmates had shared (Justin had been uncharacteristically quiet during class, distracted as he was by thoughts of Brian): "Okay, so whatever you choose as your subject, it must somehow give nuance to the human condition, being both personal and universal in appeal. We can use various methods of presentation, but first we need to choose a perspective. Is the subject larger than life? Should we magnify the subject to gigantic proportions? Do we view it from the margins … skewed or from a distance? Do we see it through a lens of reality or surreality? What aspects of the subject do we highlight? Color? Texture? Shape? Lines? Do we incorporate it into a narrative? A bigger story? Or is it the lynchpin, based on which all else must be viewed? Think! Brainstorm! Experiment! I want a two-page proposal for your final project, which, as you know, is due in 6 weeks, and I want that proposal by next Monday."

As Justin's classmates started packing up and filing out, the professor called Justin over. "Mr. Taylor?"

Justin colored slightly in embarrassment. Had his professor noticed how lost in his own thoughts he'd been the whole period?

"Yes, Professor Frank?"

"I was surprised to note that you seem to have no opinion on personal vision. At your show, you seemed to have a well-defined vision. And you used several different perspectives to convey that vision."

For the most part, since the bashing, Justin's art had been a vehicle for expressing his feelings about that trauma. For showing how Justin's sense of self had been forced into crisis … needed re-definition.

"Yes, Professor Frank."

"Are you okay? Has something happened?"

Without even thinking, Justin smiled brightly and half-whispered, "Nothing bad." Then he blushed more deeply and gasped. He hadn't meant to say that.

Justin's professor caught the insinuation but wasn't shocked or disgusted. He actually smiled and patted Justin on the shoulder. "There's more to the world than darkness and ghosts. I would love to see some light in your work. Remember, artists must draw the eye to and magnify ALL aspects of the human condition. We must do more than connect. We must INSPIRE. Whatever has taken residence in your mind, I look forward to seeing that on canvas."

Justin smiled and turned to grab his books.

"But Mr. Taylor, in the future, I expect more than your body in class. Part of what students come here for is the insight other bright, talented artists can offer. I expect you to pull your weight."

Justin blushed again and nodded. "Yes, Professor Frank." Justin's face remained pink and hot even after he'd exited the classroom. But now, more thoughts of Brian were the source. Professor Frank wanted Justin to somehow express his current joy on canvas, as his final project. The mere thought exhilarated Justin but also caused him to panic. Justin's feelings were … SO BIG. Encompassing so much. How could he convey even a small fraction in one painting? And did he want to? Justin's feelings for Brian were his and his alone. Did he want to share them, to share Brian, with the world? Did he even know how? He didn't know. But the thought, the maybe, thrilled him.

Quite a few hours later, Justin was brimming with enthusiasm. He was looking in the mirror and running his hands all over himself his arms, chest, stomach, legs. Daphne was laughing at him.

"Seriously, Jus, you need to stop feeling yourself up. You look like part of a PSA for public indecency."

Justin dropped his hands and whipped his head around (to look at Daphne, who was behind him, sitting on his bed). "What?"

"You look like any second you're gonna whip "IT" out and start jerking off with a sick grin and crazy eyes."

Justin blushed a little and sighed. "What? I just … I've never owned anything like this. The material is so soft. And I look so COOL! You know, sophisticated. And it fits perfectly! Like it was made just for me." Justin turned back to his reflection and smiled. "AND it's a present from Brian."

Daphne scrunched her nose. "I guess it's sweet."

Justin turned around and walked over to Daphne. "You guess?"

Daphne shrugged. "Well … isn't it a little possessive? A little 9 ½ weeks. Is he gonna start calling you at school and 'ordering' you to jerk off?"

Justin laughed. "No 'ordering' would be necessary."

"What if he starts stalking you?"

Justin scoffed. "What? You're crazy!"

"Am I? It all starts with wanting to dress you. It's a sign of a jealous, possessive person. Like he wants to own you. Next thing you know, he's following you around and interrogating you about everyone he sees you talk to."

Justin almost sat down but then caught himself. He didn't want to wrinkle his pants. "I thought you liked Brian."

Daphne's voice jumped a couple of pitches. "I do. I do. I just … I don't know. The suit has me a little worried. Like he's trying to lay claim to you or tell you who you should be."

Justin chuckled. "Daph, it's just a suit. If I'd had one that fit, he wouldn't have bought it for me. Plus, I know he's a little jealous … and I like that. It's HOT. And sweet."

Daphne scoffed. "Until he starts monitoring your email and text messages."

Justin squeezed Daphne's shoulder. "Not everyone is like Allen."

Daphne nodded. "True. Just be on the lookout for warning signs, okay?"

Justin shook his head. "I will, but I don't need to. If anything, I wish he were more possessive."

Daphne widened her eyes and nodded. "Daddy issues."

"For Christ's sake, stop watching Dr. Phil. It's seriously messing with your head."

Daphne would have responded (with an indignant tone), but someone started knocking at the door.

Justin's body reacted in a number of ways. His entire body shivered and then, oddly, grew hot, which caused his face to flush. He said, "Oh God."

Daphne giggled. "What's the big deal? You've gone on dates before."

Justin shook his head. Breathlessly, he replied, "I don't know. But this one is different."

The knocking grew more insistent.

Daphne laughed. "It certainly will be if you leave him in the hall knocking. He might think you stood him up."

Justin muttered, "Fuck" and half-walked, half-ran to the door. He yanked the door open, eyes wide and slightly out of breath. Catching sight of Brian, Justin felt like someone had knocked the wind out of him. Brian looked breathtakingly gorgeous. He was wearing an ebony Armani pinstripe suit that looked painted on … and a red tie. His eyes were a melty amber with flecks of green and chocolate. His hair had a super sexy rumple. And his voice … it was soft and a little husky … it was half sex and half laughter. "Did I interrupt something?" Brian's eyes danced. Justin felt desire flood every inch of his body. Then, as if that weren't enough, Brian let his guard down a little, his face suddenly growing serious, just for a moment, long enough for the older man to proffer Justin something he'd been holding behind his back … a single red rose. Justin's chest ached and his head swam.

TBC…tomorrow