resolution and aim

“No.” “What?” Daniel hopes he misheard. “No.” Justin repeats his answer plainly. “I’m not going with you.” “Justin,” Daniel takes a step closer to the artist and speaks as he would to a young child, “It’s not safe for you to be here.” “I’m not leaving Brian.” “Who?” Daniel shakes his head, obviously interpreting Justin’s refusal as simply shock, “Justin, we need to leave. My car is so close! Just you and me… and you’ll be free of this.” Shaking his head, Justin takes a step back, “No.” Looking back towards the museum, he whispers, “We’re doing this together.” “What?” “Brian. My husband,” walking away from Daniel, he hurries back up the steps towards the fountain as Daniel follows, “Justin, you’re not thinking clearly! You just married him out of convenience.” “No, Daniel. I married him because I love him and he loves me,” he explains without turning back. He hurries around the cylinder building towards the revolving doors. “Whatever happens: we’re doing it together.” Stopping at the doors, he finally turns to see Daniel and smiles softly. “I know what happened, Daniel.” Daniel looks surprised and then confused. “I know it was you that told them I was alive. I knew it all along.” “Justin…” “My life is with Brian.” Justin announces and he is surprised with how calm he feels. Taking his arm, Daniel insists, “They’ll kill you.” Justin opens his mouth, wanting to tell him that he has his own plan; wanting to tell Daniel to fuck off. But he doesn’t. He doesn’t have time to. Because as soon as the words enter his mind, he hears another voice; and it isn’t the voice that causes the color to drain from his face. It’s the words. And Justin has to ponder about the irony of it all. For so long he has voiced how important words were to hear, and how he wanted to hear words from Brian. Different words were being heard now. Words not about love. Words not from his husband. Words from a man he has never met. Words that were meant for him to hear. “Justin Taylor: we’ve been waiting for you.”