“Brian, what do you think?” Justin asks, trying to stay sane. After spending three hours dealing with translators and a crap-load of paper work, all Justin wanted to do was go back to the hotel and sleep. For some bizarre reason however, Brian had a better idea. He wanted to go and choose the rings. Now of course Justin wouldn’t be so irked by this plan if it wasn’t for the fact that Brian had spent the last twenty minutes ignoring him, the jeweler and anyone near his proximity; and instead chose to argue on the phone while standing on the other side of the store. “Brian?” Justin tries again. With a sigh, he gives a polite smile to the man behind the counter before raising his voice, “Brian?!” Finally, Brian turns to face his future husband. However, instead of hanging up the phone, holds up his index finger and mouths “Wait.” “Wait? You want me to fuckin’ wait?” Justin argues as he walks over to his lover. He had given up on the crutches as soon as they arrived at the hotel and was now using a walking stick, which made maneuvering much easier. “This was your fuckin’ idea, Brian.” Brian turns his back away from Justin and continues on his telephone tirade. “I don’t fuckin’ care how long it takes, just fuckin’ do it…. What part of this don’t you get?.... fuckin’ Christ…” Impatient, Justin taps Brian’s shoulder, “Brian.” Turning quickly around, Brian whispers harshly, “Pick whatever the fuck you want.” Arching his brow, Justin asks, “Now who’s the bitchy bride?” Tightening his jaw, Brian closes his eyes briefly before telling the person on the other line, “Just make it happen,” and hangs up. Taking Justin’s hand, he leads him back to the ring section. “Which ones do you like?” He asks, his tone taking a complete 180 from frustration to sudden calmness. “Well, being that Amsterdam is one of the diamond centers of the world…” Justin begins. “Shit,” Brian starts, rolling his eyes. “What?” “Nothing. Go on.” Frowning, Justin shakes his head, “As I was saying, being that this is the place for diamonds, I thought he could have something with diamonds in it… but I don’t like anything I see here with diamonds.” Brian scans the rings in front if him, “None of these have diamonds in them.” “I know.” Confused, Brian looks up, “Then what are you talking about?” Smiling sweetly, Justin explains, “I’m telling you what my thought process has been for the past twenty minutes when you left me alone to decide on our rings.” Blinking, Brian isn’t sure what to say to the smiling face in front of him. Still smiling, Justin continues, “So since I didn’t like anything with diamonds here, I began to think about the practicality of wearing a diamond… I mean, I’d have to take it off whenever I’ll be painting and….” “Cliff Notes, Sunshine.” Rolling his eyes, Justin gives an exaggerated sigh, “So after careful consideration, I decided that a ring with a diamond would not be a good idea.” “So these rings here…” Brian asks, gesturing to the table once again. “Well I couldn’t decide on platinum, gold, white gold…” “Cliff Notes.” “Shut up.” Sighing, Brian picks up one of the rings, stating, “We’re getting platinum. It’s stronger, it won’t tarnish and it’s just fuckin’ better.” “Says who?” Justin asks, inspecting the other rings. “Me.” “Oh, so it must be true,” he teases. “Naturally,” putting the ring down, he starts to look at the selection. “What about this one?” Surprised, Justin asks, “I didn’t think you’d like it.” “How come?” “Well, it has a diamond in it,” Justin explains. “I don’t have anything against diamonds… besides, if you get paint on it, you wash it… or just take it off beforehand… it’s not a big deal.” Still frowning, Justin takes the rings out of Brian’s hand, “I just didn’t think this was something you’d like.” He inspects it closer, “I think the band is too thick for your finger.” Smiling, he looks up at Brian and comments, “But it would look fabulous on me.” “Brat.” “Mmm,” Justin smiles, kissing his lover’s cheek. Returning to the rings, he sighs, “I just want something simple.” Brian nods, scanning the rings before picking one up, “Like this one.” Smiling, Justin leans against his partner, “Like that one.” Brian studies the band carefully. “Do you like it?” “Do you?” Justin nods, “Yeah.” Smiling softly, Brian let’s his eyes travel around the ring, “I guess we found our rings.”