Con Brio: Todd and Ian's story

23) Todd

Oh, he could lie here forever like this, his arm around Ian, keeping him close. He can't believe Ian was brave enough to do that to him, just now. 
Who knew? 
But he knows they have to get up, because he's sure Eddy will come knocking soon enough. He wonders what John will say. He'll make them straight away, he's sure. 
"Um. Can... I mean, there will be questions." he says gently against Ian's hair. He sits up so he can see his face, so he can be sure Ian means what he answers. Is this going too fast? But he wants this, he needs the confirmation, he needs to know his heart won't be ripped out and pulled to shreds in the near future. So he nods once and says it. 
"I would like to tell them you're my boyfriend."
Nothing could have prepared him for Ian's reaction. He's expected a yes, or a maybe, or a let me think about it. But he gets an open mouth, he gets elation, he gets shiny, moist eyes. 
"Oh my God, Todd. Yes. Please. Yes."
So he breaks out in a huge smile of his own, and he leans over to kiss him. 
"Good." he whispers. He slaps Ian playfully on the side of his cute bum as he jumps up so he has a chance to pee and clean himself up before Eddy knocks.
"Up, you wench." he jokes, and Ian grins and sits up. 

He's only just out of the bathroom when there's a hesitant knock at the door. 
"Er... sorry to disturb, guys." Eddy's awkward voice comes through the door. "Erm... we kind of need to go to rehearsal. Do I need to tell John you're sick?"
Todd checks Ian's up and dressed, then swings the door open. And he has to smile as he sees Eddy's face, so obviously just post-orgasmic. How cute are these boys? And usually he'd shut the fuck up about it, but there's nothing in the world that can harsh his buzz today. And look, it's not like the boys can't guess what he and Ian have just been up to, right? 
"Ah! I see you have your I-just-had-sex face on, Eddy." he jibes. "Good on ya. You as happy as I am? Let's go rehearse! Ian, you comin'?"
He doesn't wait for an answer, he just turns around to Eddy's astonished face and grabs his cello and the little linen bag that he bought on the night market earlier in the week.
When everything was still so, so different. 
"Wait, what?" Eddy calls after him. "I have an I-just-had-sex face?"
Brett laughs. "He just knows you too well."
"Well, I fucking well do hope that John isn't about to tell me the same thing." Eddy sulks.
"I'm sure he won't."
"Oh, Brett also has one, by the way." Todd remarks casually as he steps out into the hallway with his cello. He's one hundred percent confident that John won't tell Eddy that, but, knowing John, he would not be the slightest bit surprised if he could silently read Eddy's face just fine all the same. "Or maybe I know him too well too. So, can I just introduce you to my boyfriend, Ian?"

Oh, the sound of that. It rolls of the tongue, just like that. He's been with many, many guys, but he's called precious few his boyfriend. 
And never one like this. 
Eddy's response is the sweetest. He doesn't look surprised, no, he looks... touched. Almost emotional. 
He's such a good friend. Without whom they would still be stuck in limbo, he's sure. 
"Wow. I'm so happy for you guys." Eddy says quietly.
"Yeah, me too, guys." Brett adds. "This is awesome."

He needs to make very sure those guys know how grateful he is to them. He needs them to know that he owes them everything.