Living in Hope AU series Part 3/10

[guavejuice]

Banner by urugwaj thank you SO much!!


Author:guavejuice
Pairing:Brian/Justin
Gus' POV
Beta:Kim predec2 Can't thank you enough!!!
This is NOT a WIP.
Click here for previous chapters.
Disclaimer:I own nothing but this story.
Comments are love.


Part 3

-Next day, early morning-

When I walk downstairs and into the kitchen to grab a bowl of cereal and milk before I head off to school, I notice that Mom had already left, probably giving JR a ride on her way to work. Mom still works as an art teacher at a local preschool, just like she did when we returned from Canada, but she claims she doesn’t regret anything.

Mel has left for work as well, so I'm just finishing off my breakfast as I stand near the kitchen counter. I'm suddenly reminded of a time in first grade when my mom would leave nice little notes in my lunch box, wishing me a bright day and all sorts of cute things on those pastel-colored sticky posts. I don't know why, but I feel I like doing the same thing now. There's not a sticky post in sight, however. I decide to send her a text message instead. It's about time she embraces 21st century technology. I add a smiley face to my message and press ‘send.’ I'm not telling her anything about my conversation with Justin yesterday, nor about my decision to join them at the fundraiser tonight, though. Not at this point, anyway.

Usually I'm not one of those teenagers who gets a kick out of 'challenging' their folks with the newest technology, not to mention that as much as my dad is quite tech savvy, he's not too keen on any form of 'social networking.' If anything, he claims, it's hardly ‘social’ to sit with your nose buried in your phone all day, instead of lifting your head to actually look around you and be able to see the person you're talking to. My dad still sticks to emails when needed and prefers more low-tech forms of socializing, as he calls them. I've been around more than once when this topic was being discussed while I stayed over at their house. My dad usually shrugs his shoulders and folds his lips inward, while Justin usually snorts at him and tells him that even during the height of his clubbing days, he wasn't exactly engaging in much conversation anyway. I have to admit I still can't find anything wrong with the way these two interact. I mean, my dad is in his late 40's, and Justin in his in mid-30's, which might seem ancient to an 18-year-old such as myself, but every moment I spend time with them I feel like there's so much they can teach me, and there's still so much for me to learn from them about life, love and sacrifice.

Speaking of sacrifice – since both my dad and my mom joined forces and decided to stand united in their refusal to let me drive my own car – I take one glance at the kitchen clock, knowing I can't afford to be standing here contemplating the mysteries of life, since I need to hurry and catch the next bus to school.

A few weeks earlier, when I had stayed with my dad and Justin for a few days during spring break, I had actually raised that issue again, since I'd already gotten my driver's license a few months before. Dad had just shrugged his shoulders and told me that it's not that he CAN'T allow me to drive, because he obviously could afford to buy me any car I wanted, but it's just that he WON'T allow me to drive my own car yet, because I've yet to ‘pay my dues.’
As often happens when I get to stay at the country house, I had turned to my dad's younger partner, who at the time was busy in his studio outside the main house where the stables used to be. I was hoping I might find some encouragement there.

"I know it might be difficult for you to understand this at the moment, but trust me, Gus, if your dad uses his ‘it's not that I can't, but I won't’ spiel, you should know he's not just saying that. He's not trying to be some heartless, unsympathetic asshole. He just wants you to be the best person you can possibly be,” Justin explained.
He obviously noticed I'm not too happy with that response, so he smiled at me again and gestured for me to come over and look at his painting. "It's not finished yet. I… I don't usually show people an incomplete work, but I'll make an exception this time.”

He waited for me to study it for a few moments. “So… what do you think?" he asked, letting me take my time to observe the bold brushstrokes in red, maroon and dark blue that had thin, gentle strokes of gold almost embroidered in them.

"It's beautiful…quite disturbing, in an enchanting, quiet way," I murmured. Justin looked over at me and smiled again, apparently pleased by my critique. I meant what I had said. The abstract shapes and lines, with the bold, almost tangible color he had so skillfully applied onto the canvas, sent an elusive message that had a captivating effect. It was almost like reading one of those children’s fairytale stories that was so fantastic and sweet, yet also filled with danger and angst. Knowing from my own experience how amazing it can be to find comfort in letting your imagination run free on canvas, I obviously didn't want to ask him what the piece was about. I was thrilled enough just to know that he had shared it with me, especially since it wasn't complete.

"Say, Gus… isn't your senior prom just around the corner?" Justin asked me after a slight pause while carefully wiping the paint off his brushes with a damp cloth.

"It is, but I'm not even thinking of going…" I answered, shuffling my feet a little uncomfortably. I expected then to receive some sort of gentle reprimand from him about how I would be missing one of the most important events of my life, but Justin surprised me.

"It's your decision," He said instead in a soft, comforting voice which I found very reassuring.
Later on that evening when Justin, my dad and I sat outside on the wide porch overlooking their amazing back yard, enjoying a light dinner, I turned to my dad and nodded quietly at him. He smiled back at me and took another sip from his beer bottle. I think he knew I wouldn’t be bringing the car issue again up anytime soon.

About a week later, we were all stunned by the LGBT Youth Club shooting, and we were all too caught up with supporting Ben and Michael and each other that the issue didn't seem that important, anyway, so I decided to put it aside until the time was right.

Another quick glance at my phone tells me I'm really running late now. I grab my backpack and my keys and head out. On my way to the bus stop, I decide to send a message to my dad as well. Nothing too important; just to let him know I'm there.

TBC…

Comments

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

I can feel Gus's emotional issues throughout this chapter.

Another winner!

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Oh wow... I'm SO thrilled to know you feel that way my dear Car.
Thank you SO much for your ongoing support and encouraging feedback. It means the world to me.
More to come...
*hugs*

[yumyumpm.livejournal.com]

It's nice to know that Gus really cares for his dad and Justin. The shootout is still on his mind as well as a car. At 18 I don't see why they are refusing.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful supportive feedback. It means a lot to me to know you're so involved in this story :)
As for the car- I'm sure they'll sort it out eventually ;)

[ls1966.livejournal.com]

Love it, love it, love it!!
Please don't let me wait to long for the next chapter.....

Hugs Linda

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much for your heartfelt supportive feedback dear Linda. It means so much to me to know you're following this story.
More soon...
*hugs*

[techgirl-on-ij.livejournal.com]

I really like your Gus in this story. And I like the way he looks at Brian and Justin's relationship. Great update!

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much for your moving and supportive feedback my dear techi. It means so much to me. Brian and Justin are very much a part of Gus' life esp as a teenager so I thought it was important for them to be integral part of this story.
More to come...

[rulisteningbj.livejournal.com]

What a wonderful sweet boy.

Dee Dee

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

aww... thank you so much for your kind words and sweet supportive feedback Dee Dee. It means a lot to me. Thank you for following this story :)

[jg1225.livejournal.com]

I'm really liking this story! I don't typically read Gus stories, they're just not my thing but I decided to give yours a chance and I'm glad I did. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

Julie

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you SO much for your honest supportive feedback. I really appreciate it. I'm so please to know you enjoy it.
In this 'verse Gus is almost 18 but it's so important to him to have Brian and Justin in his life and vice versa so B/J are very present in this story.
More to come as the story unfolds.

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

Really liking your Gus in this story.

Look forward to more as I play LJ catch up.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

I'm Sooo pleased to know you're following this story my dear Lyn. Thank you so much for your warm supportive feedback. It means a lot to me.
I'm glad you're playing lJ catch up :)
More to come...

[urugwaj.livejournal.com]

I love conversations between Gus and Justin and the way Gus looks at his dad, how he listen to him, cares what he think.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

It's important for Gus to have this bond with his dad but Justin has an important part in his life at this point. Thank you SO much for your heartfelt supportive feedback my dear. It means SO much to me.
More to come...
*hugs*

[hikinggirl70.livejournal.com]

Great chapter looking forward to the next one.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your encouraging supportive feedback. I really appreciate it.
More to come...