Con Brio: Todd and Ian's story

53) Todd

Todd has to laugh as he sees Brett and Eddy's hobbling into the cafeteria at about half their normal speed, looking like they're still mostly asleep. He himself is feeling refreshed, courtesy of having zonked out the second his head hit the pillow, and never waking up until the alarm clock told them it was time to go. 
To leave, back to Brisbane. 
Which, to be honest, would have sucked big style if it didn't also mean that he would get to go back into their apartment with Ian on his arm. He sees his bed in his mind's eye, the bed that seemed so big before they left. 
Will Ian want to sleep in his room from now on? He's not sure, but surely he'll spend time there? And his bed will feel full, and warm. 
He smiles up at Eddy, who is coming to their table with a bowl full of the rice balls they've all become addicted to this week. 
"Good morning, sunshine." he quips. 
"Fuck you, Todd." Eddy says as he sits down and digs in. "Are you guys all packed?"
"Yeah, pretty much. Just a couple of bits to go I think. We have like fourty minutes before the transfer comes."
Brett joins Eddy now, and to be honest he's looking just as rough. Dark circles under his eyes seem to be drawn on there with eye pencil and he yawns for the third time since they've walked into the cafeteria. 
Yup. They'll be sleeping the whole way back, won't they? Which, to be honest... suits Todd fine. A ghost of a plan is forming in the back of his brain, but he doesn't want to consider it consciously, not really, not until he knows if the situation is right for it. 
Because he owes Ian something, right, after last night? 
In fact... is it just Ian he owes something to?
"So... yeah, now that we're still here, I'd just like to say how much I've loved everything." he says when everyone is tucking into their food. "It's been great, so thanks for the invite, again, and thanks for... you know... the rest."
Eddy looks up at him and breaks out in a wide, tired smile. 
"Of course. I feel the same way. It's been awesome. Let's have lots more trips like this."
Todd grins. 
"Yeah, but maybe next time I should be the one getting us invited somewhere to keep it fair, huh?"
Eddy looks puzzled. 
"Don't be ridiculous, Todd, what difference does that make?"
Well. It may not make any difference to Eddy.  
"You all ready to go?" Todd asks as the last rice ball goes into Brett's mouth, and everyone nods and moves upstairs to grab their suitcases. 

The trip to the airport is quiet, all of the boys seemingly lost in their own thoughts. Ian is looking okay, pretty well rested, Todd thinks. Him being quiet is nothing weird, but still he can't wait to be alone with him so he can ask him if he's good. Happy. Satisfied. 
It's been one hell of a trip, this, really, and now they are going back home with their lives changed forever. What if... what if Ian isn't happy about that? 
But no, he can't think like that. He knows what Ian has said to him, time and time again, so he can't think negatively, because if he does it'll only invite in the very thing he's afraid off. So he grabs himself together firmly as the van stops in front of the airport and the whole group piles out to grab their things. And leave. 
Cello on his back, backpack slung over what's left of the space on his left shoulder, suitcase in his right hand, he pauses in front of the revolving doors and looks back to Taipei for a long moment. 
It's been awesome here.  Now let's go home and make it more awesome. 
And first order of business will be making sure they don't give his cello's seat away.