Con Brio: Todd and Ian's story

24

Even Taipei looks different. The colours seem brighter, the sky clearer. He's missed so much where he was, obsessing. It's like he only realises now that he's out of it how much it has sucked. He looks proudly at the sweet man who walks beside him. 
His sweet man. 
Like he knew they would John's eyebrows make their way towards the ceiling the second he sees them. And he looks at Eddy, of course, for an explanation. 
"Er, yeah." Eddy stammers. 
Yeah, what is he going to explain? 
Todd steps forward with a smile and waggles his eyebrows at John. He's never said, but he's absolutely positive John knows he's gay. 
"I'm sorry, John." he says calmly, even though his insides are trilling with what he's about to say. ""I'm guessing we looked a little rough this morning. So I guess I'll explain... please, if you would, don't tell anyone yet, because this is very new and nobody knows, but can I please take this opportunity to introduce you to my new boyfriend, Ian."
John's reaction does not dissapoint. He's completely shocked for just a second, and then he starts laughing.
"Whoa, did I ever have a gaydar fail?" he says. "That one I had not seen coming!"
"Oh, you didn't know I was gay?" Todd jokes, but his eyes are on Ian, to make sure he's happy with how this is going. He looks elated. 
Good.
"Ha! No, yes, that one I got, Todd." John says. "Wow, congrats, I guess! You're both looking a lot better."
"I'm feeling a lot better." Ian says as he steps out to be next to Todd. He hesitates for just a second. "And, um... I guess I'd have to say I'm bi." 
Todd reaches out and grabs his hand. He knows that tone. He recognises the weight behind it. This is Ian's official coming out, right here. 
"Cool. Well, I'm very happy for you both!" John says, who clearly realises the very same thing, because his eyes are kind, and he knows not to make any fuss. "Now, let's see how this Dvorák sounds now then."

Todd is elated as they tune. He remembers what it was like, just this morning. It seems like a lifetime ago. Now he gets to sit here, play the cello, which is quite simply his most favourite thing to do in the world. 
Well. After this morning maybe his second favourite thing. 
And he gets to do it with his love, and his best friends. Has any one guy ever been luckier than this? And yet, as the rehearsal carries on his eyes keep getting pulled to Eddy. 
He's looking pale, and very, very tired. He's playing alright, but Todd can tell his heart isn't in it. And when at the end of rehearsal John takes him to one side and talks to him quietly enough that he can't hear he worries more. 
Is Eddy okay? And what can he do about it if he isn't? But when Eddy glances at him from where he stands with John he knows it's because of what happened earlier. 
And he'll have to make that up to him. 
Brett's on the case though, he can see that bright as day as they walk back. He's right next to Eddy, brushing the back of his hand with his own the way they always do, the way they think nobody sees them. And Todd knows to leave them alone for now. 
So as they walk into the hotel and ride up in the lift in silence he gives Brett one nod, who nods back. 

He has all night to show Eddy how much he loves him for what he's done for them. So now his first order of business needs to be to show Ian how happy he has made him this afternoon.