Con Brio: Todd and Ian's story

35) Ian

Okay, so Ian knows very well that that wasn't necessarily a good thing that just happened, John making them like that. So why is he feeling so very, very proud, and so elated? Watching John grin, and shake his head, clearly well aware of approximately what they'd just been up to, he feels like he's taller than he used to be. Ian feels like electricity runs through him as he takes Todd's hand and walks back into the auditorium like he owns the place. 

Seriously, who's going to harm him now? 

After a moment he sees Eddy walk in with the flute, who he is guessing is the concert master's boyfriend. He narrows his eyes as he tries not to think about Anna. He doesn't want the painful memories of yet another rejection in his head right now, and a public one at that, that all of his friends knew about. He takes Todd's hand and listens to him tell a story to one of the cellos. 

Everyone is going to lunch at that same place again, but today Ian doesn't mind. Today he's not longing to get to their room. Today he won't have to hide in the bathroom, so no one sees him having a panic attack. In fact, he couldn't be happier as they walk through the busy streets as a group, Todd firmly by his side. He follows his boyfriend into the restaurant and takes his place next to him with more than a little bit of pride, then watches as Eddy gets up again straight away, saying something about rosin on his hands. Brett follows him to the restrooms. He looks after them with a hint of curiosity. 
They have rosin on their hands? Or they just want some time alone? 
Wait, what is going on? The flute, Ian thinks his name is Trevor, is sitting down next to Anna, looking all sullen and flushed. Ian sits back in his chair in silence and watches as the conversation starts up around him, as Brett and Eddy come back, looking... weird. That's all he can make of it. 
What's going on with them? 
Should he ask? 
It that even his place? 
Todd seems fine, though. He laughs, he chats, he holds his hand under the table, and after a moment Ian allows himself to be transported back into the happy place he's been in all day. And to be honest, after a few minutes Brett and Eddy are back to normal, so he's probably just seeing things anyway. 

He manages to stay like that all day, through the rehearsal and the buffet that comes after. More and more people realise that Todd and he together and so far everyone seems excited for them. 
No one has wondered how Todd has chosen to be with someone like him, at least not out loud. They must be thinking it though, right? But he pushes away the negative thoughts before he can start spiraling down. Todd has shown him, hasn't he, that he wants to be with him?
He'll just have to make sure he deserves it.
Tonight, for instance, when they close their hotel room door behind them. He can show him then.
He keeps looking at Todd as he stands, and chats, and eats, and every time he does Todd glances back and smiles. Is it just him, or is there more of a weight to that smile, now? Ian heaps rice into his mouth as he thinks back of this afternoon, in the bathroom, and his own smile deepens. He's starting to forget that they're not alone as he furtively rubs his thumb over Todd's hand. 

By the time they're walking back to the hotel it's like the tension crackles between all of them. Brett and Eddy only have eyes for each other, and to be honest, knowing very well that those boys were about to have sex used to make him feel insecure. Small. 
And then he used to feel bad about himself, because he shouldn't be envious like that of his friends, should he? 
Everything is different now though, because he knows what the evening holds for him and Todd. 
"Hey." Eddy whispers to Brett in the lift. "Did you have fun?"
"Yeah." Brett whispers back as he kisses the bottom of Eddy's cheek. "But not as much fun as I'm about to have."
Ian grins. 
"Get a room, you guys." Todd jokes beside him. 
"About to, Todd. Just like you are." Eddy retorts straight away, and Todd laughs out loud.
"Well, alright then."

Oh, Ian can feel the dance coming, he's sure Brett can too, he sees them both gearing up for it as the lift doors open and they all step out. And he can't help himself, he's grinning too as Todd and Eddy both breathe in at the same time and say it. 
"Have fun."