Con Brio: Todd and Ian's story

66

Ian jumps up from the couch the second they walk in the door and Todd can see straight away that he's been worried. In fact... he probably hasn't been able to practise anymore. 
Shit. 
"All good?" he asks tightly . Todd walks over to him quickly and kisses him, just chastely. They're not alone, after all.
"Not really, baby." he tells his love. "He told his mum about us and reactions were... sub par, shall we say."
"Oh fuck." Ian curses. He walks over to Eddy, who is still by the door, looking like a puppy whose bone has been taken away, and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Oh man, Eddy. What is it with her? She was always so nice to me. Remember, when I used to come and eat at your house?"
Eddy nods. Even though Todd knows that Ian will never have told him just how much it meant to him. 
"I remember." he says, blinking away the tears Todd knows he doesn't want to show here. 
"I'll make some tea." Todd says, just to say anything, to give Eddy an out. Brett made tea, earlier. The tin is still out on the work surface. He puts on the kettle and grabs a tea spoon, but before he can ask how much tea goes into the pot something unspoken passes between Brett and Eddy. Those two can basically read each other's minds, of course, so he can do nothing but stare at them as Eddy digs his phone out of his pocket and rushes off in the direction of their bedroom.
"Give me a sec. I'll be back to drink that tea." he says over his shoulder, and leaves them all behind.
"What the fuck is he about to do?" Todd asks, because his stomach is swimming uncomfortably. 
"I... don't know." Brett says. "I... I guess I'm going to go see."
"Jesus." Todd mutters. "Okay."
Brett rushes off, and Todd turns to Ian. He needs him. He throws his arms around his love and buries his head in his neck. Because it's him, right? He's done this? He's thrown them under the bus, before they were ready? 
"It's okay, Toddy." Ian whispers. "Have faith. I'm sure it'll all work out."
Todd looks up into his sweet, sweet eyes. He wishes he had half his confidence. Before he can think of something to say, though, Brett bursts into the room. 
"I'm... yeah. I'm going to go come out." he says hoarsely, looking as if he's about to throw up. Todd's heart flies into his throat and he feels Ian tense up beside him. 
"Jesus." he manages.
"Yep."
"Brett. Good luck, bro. Call me... if you need anything."
There's no need to offer to go with him. If he wanted someone to come, it would have been Eddy. So he stands rooted to the spot, helpless as Brett runs out of the door and down the stairs. He's just turning around to grab Ian again when he hears him. 
"Todd!" Eddy's voice comes through the room, and he's running already, dragging open the door to their bedroom. 
"Yeah?" he asks, doing his best to be calm. Composed. It's what Eddy needs him to be. 
"Please sit with me?" Eddy asks meekly.
Todd doesn't respond, he just walks over and sits next to Eddy on the foot of their bed as he dials and puts the phone on speaker. His mum. It must be his mum he's calling. He can't breathe, but he manages to stay composed as Eddy's mum picks up. 
"Eddy, now is not a good time." she says coolly. 
"Maybe, mum. But you need to hear me out." Eddy says calmly. In fact... Todd can't believe how calm Eddy is. There's something different, suddenly, something new about him. 
"What?" his mum asks, angry now. 
"Mum, you need to change your views." Eddy says in that same calm tone. "You really need to. Because it's okay that Todd and Ian are queer. They are just the same guys. And in fact... there's something that I have needed to tell you forever, and it's only been the way you see things that has made me, made us, live in fear, in shame, in secret. And that stops today, mum."
Jesus holy fuck. This is actually happening. Eddy's coming out.