Finding his husband sitting outside on the balcony, Brian quietly joins him. It has been a week since their wedding and today was the last day of their official honeymoon. Everyone had planned to meet back in Amsterdam for dinner that night before flying back to Pittsburgh. Everyone was flying back, except for Molly, Justin and Brian. Even though Brian slid in silently, Justin still feels his presence. “You want to go too,” Justin comments without any emotion in his voice. Leaning against the railing, Brian stares out at the river, watching a sailboat sail by in the distance. “Gus misses you.” Closing his eyes, Brian lets the breeze cool his skin. It felt good. “And Vanguard must be sinking without your brilliance.” Opening his eyes again, he wonders if Justin knew that he had been working via phone lines, conference calls and internet. Taking a deep breath, he continues to stare out at the panoramic view in front of him. “I’ve been talking with Cynthia,” Brian begins, “I’m thinking of branching out… starting my own advertising agency.” Turning to his partner, Justin is only somewhat surprised, “You should do it. I’m sure most of Vanguard’s clients would follow you. And you’ll easily get more even if they didn’t.” Brian nods, knowing it was true. Sighing, Justin looks out at the river. “You should go back.” “So should you.” Brian replies simply. “If only it was that simple,” Justin states bitterly. After several moments of silence, Brian continues, “Cynthia is already on board with the idea. Ted is too.” “He’ll head your accounting department?” Justin assumes. Brian nods, “I’ll of course need an art director.” Justin shrugs. “Interested?” “Not really, but I wouldn’t mind helping out.” Brian is surprised, but tries not to show it. Turning to Brian, Justin smiles softly, “No offense, Brian. I would love to work with you, but I don’t want to commit to something that I’m not 100% sure of.” Brian returns to smile, appreciating Justin’s maturity and thoughtfulness. “Besides, I might want to finish school…get my degree.” Nodding, Brian looks back out at the water, “At PIFA or here?” He shrugs, “There’s the Gerrit Rietveld Academie, the Amsterdam School for the Arts, The Free University of Amsterdam and of course, the University of Amsterdam.” “You’ve been doing your homework.” Justin shrugs again, “But I don’t speak Dutch.” “You could learn.” “Or I could just one day go back to PIFA.” Holding back a smile, Brian asks, “So you plan to return one day?” “I liked it there…” Looking down at his bare feet, Justin shrugs, “And it’s home.” Smiling softly, Brian nods, “It’s home.” Looking up, Justin smiles back, “And Molly would want to go back, I know she does…she’ll miss her friends too much… friends are important, especially for adolescents.” Smirking, Brian returns to the river. “I don’t want to hold you back, Brian.” “You’re not,” Brian replies casually, as if his husband hadn’t just spoken his fear. “I’m not ready to go back yet, Brian.” “I know.” “But that shouldn’t stop you.” Turning to Justin, Brian watches him carefully. Biting his lower lip, Justin looks away for a moment before returning his gaze. “You just dropped everything for me, Brian,” He says softly. “People need you there.” “I need you here.” Smiling, Justin wonders why he had ever doubted Brian’s love for him. “I’m not going anywhere,” Justin whispers. Leaning down, Brian lightly kisses Justin’s lips. Sighing, Justin closes his eyes. “I love you, Brian.” “I know.” Opening his eyes, Justin grins. “Asshole.” Winking, Brian exits the balcony and returns inside while Justin follows. “Brian,” Justin begins again, wrapping his arms around his husband, “I need you to know that I won’t be mad if you say you’re leaving to go to Pittsburgh for awhile.” “I know.” “Good.” “Because I am planning on it, Justin,” Brian replies, kissing Justin’s forehead. Justin nods, knowing full well that Brian would return to Pittsburgh to spend time with Gus and work. “And when you’re ready,” Brian says thoughtfully, “tell me, and we can go together.” Smiling, Justin nods, “I’d like that.” Kissing him softly, Brian asks, “So are we done with this conversation? Because I’d really like to fuck you now.” Chuckling, Justin nods, “I’d really like you to fuck me now too.” ******************************* I'm working on the next chapter now, but I'm not sure if it'll be posted tonight...I'll do my best!