Who: Justin Taylor and Margrave Royston When: Backdated: Mid August. Afternoon Where: An Outdoor Art Installation What: Justin is playing tour guide Rating/Warnings: Family Friendly Status: Complete
Justin had never really acted as someone’s tour guide before unless one counted when family from out of state came to visit when he was younger, but how could he have passed up the request? The guy was a celebrity and a pretty hot one at that. He had to admit that he wasn’t super familiar with all of the man’s work, but the last few blockbusters had definitely had his name attached. And of course his name had been in recent celebrity gossip and working at one of the studio lots, Justin heard a lot of gossip.
He’d tried to figure out where he could take Royston that wouldn’t be boring and he’d finally found an outdoor art installation that was also near some shops and other things so it gave them a few options in the long run.
This outing was probably irresponsible. He was already in trouble for his indiscretions and he was supposed to be keeping a low profile. But he had a weakness for attractive, young men. It was part of what had gotten him into this mess in the first place. Things changed and politicians were not people the sort of people you wanted to end up in an uncomfortable dance with. It was easy enough to just ignore the possible negative backlash and focus on the tour and Justin.
The art installation was a surprise, but a pleasant one. He couldn’t say that he’d really looked for anything to do when he was originally told he had to take a break. He spent the first week or so wallowing and barely eating. The following week was just sitting in the house wondering when the boredom would end. Now he was outside, managing to look like (and feel like) a real human again. He’d gotten a haircut, put on clothes that didn’t involve an elastic waistband, and remembered to brush his teeth. Glancing over at the young man who was with him, he smiled. “Thank you for agreeing to show me around. Hopefully we can avoid the paparazzi and me being a terrible bore.”
He moved closer to inspect the installation, focusing on all the little details. “It still amazes me that people can picture things like this in their heads. Not just that, that they can get it out of their heads and into the world.” He was quiet for a moment as he thought something over. “I would say with minor complications, but then I can’t say what it was like for them to get it all set up. I have an eye for art, but certainly not the mind or talent for it. Outside of acting, but that’s different.”
“It was no problem. Besides, what's the worst thing the paparazzi can do?” So far they hadn’t run into any paparazzi and while Justin wouldn't have cared if they did, he had a feeling that Royston would have preferred that it remained that way, “I might have to invite you to the next art show I’m in.” Justin wasn't sure of the exact date of the next show, but he was pretty sure it would be before Christmas and had already started working on a few new pieces so that he wouldn’t become stressed out as the time got closer. “I mean, I don’t do anything close to this, but some of the other artists have done some pretty crazy models and installations in the past.”
Royston opened his mouth to reply to the question, but thought better of it and let out a long breath. They’d been most of the reason he was in this mess. The other reason being that he wasn’t always very careful when it came to choosing his partners. Of course the ones that stand to lose something always go with what they’re told to go with. Of course it was a mistake, of course it was Royston’s fault it occurred. How could it be mutual? But he supposed he couldn’t blame him. Social standing was difficult to part with and being an outcast in your family even more difficult. If you were inclined to be disappointed by the loss. But Royston preferred to be out on his own and around others. He just didn’t feel the need to have people taking pictures of him while he did it.
Instead of focusing on the first comment, he focused on the second. “Oh. That must mean you are one of the talented sorts that can make something from varied supplies and an idea.” He smiled a little, watching Justin as he spoke. “Ah. But even the little things can be as amazing as things like this. I don’t know what precisely it is that you make, but I’m sure the impact is just as much as things of this nature. Even without the ability to be seen without really trying.” Architecture and art were two of his favorite things. Of course, books still held his heart in a way nothing else could, but to see things that took so much time, energy, and passion come to life...That was truly amazing.
“I’d love to come. I suppose is the short of it. Whenever it is.”
“I do mostly sketching and painting. I’ve tried sculpting and stuff like that, but it’s not what I’m really good at.” Justin usually gave most mediums of art a try at least once to at least say that he’d tried it. “You can take a look at some of it, if you want.” Justin gestured towards the messenger bag draped across his body where he kept his sketchbook. Or to be more exact, one of his sketchbooks. He had a number of them, but never went out without at least one in case inspiration struck or he was simply bored and wanted to draw. “And I’ll be sure to let you know when the next one is.”
Royston arched an eyebrow. He’d met a few artists in his time, none that so openly let him peek at their work. Which probably meant the only way to respond to this was to take a look before the chance to do so disappeared again. “Are you sure? Not that I don’t want to. I do. I’m just surprised you’re so willing to let me.” He smiled at that. “Good. I haven’t been to any galleries that didn’t have very old paintings in a while.”
Justin couldn’t help but smile at Royston’s reaction to his letting him see his work, “I’m totally sure. I’m not usually very secretive about my work unless I’m working on something for someone as a gift or something.” Justin glanced around for a place where they would be out of the way so Royston could take a look at his sketchbook, “There’s a bench over there, if you wanna sit and look at it. And my friend’s gallery is pretty cool. He’s got some of his own stuff up, but he generally does shows that showcase local artists.”
“I’ve known a lot of artists who don’t like to show things unless they’re done or they trust people.” He took it as a matter of pride that he was being allowed to see them. “I can’t wait to see it.” He made his way over to the bench that Justin pointed out, waiting for him to pull out his sketchbook before taking it. He opened it carefully because if there was one thing he knew, it was that you had to treat other people’s art with care. “These are quite good. Have you shown any of these at the gallery or are these ones more for yourself?”
“I knew people like that when I was in art school.” Justin said as they made their way over to the bench. Once sitting down, he took out the sketchbook and handed it over to Royston. Most of the pages held random sketches of various things; some skylines or objects. There people as well, some strangers, some people he knew and of course there were sketches of Brian. He’d dreamed of the other man so many times that he could draw him from memory. And of course there were a couple of nudes of Brian. “I don’t usually show my sketches at the gallery. I usually display my paintings, but some of them have started as sketches.”
“Ah. I believe some display sketches, so I thought I’d ask.” Royston spent a little time on each picture, trying to take in as much of the details as he could. It wasn’t difficult to notice that there were multiple sketches of the same person. He assumed it was enough to prove that he wasn’t barking up the wrong tree. Technically. He could still be in a relationship with the nameless man. Then again, maybe he was just someone that modeled for classes. Royston was aware that people modeled nude for classes, but he felt like it might be different. Pausing on one of the nudes, he glanced up at Justin. “A friend of yours?” There was a hint of amusement in his eyes and a smile on his face.
“Every now and then I do, if I’ve done a sketch that I think is better that way,” Sometimes Justin forgot which sketchbooks contained the nudes of Brian, considering he never used only one sketchbook at once, but he wasn’t exactly surprised when Royston came across a couple of them. “Um, sort of.” Royston was new to Valar and he didn’t know if the other man knew much about the dreams or if he’d had any of his own yet, “I dream about him actually.” Whether or not Brian existed in the waking world, Justin didn’t know.
Royston had read a bit about the place and these supposed dreams that people talked about. He didn’t know what to feel about them, but it seemed that people really believed that they were real. If they wanted to believe in that, he wasn’t going to argue. “Ah. You have them, too? I haven’t experienced said phenomenon yet, but I hear they are...intense at times. And quite realistic. I suppose there are worse things to dream about than nude men.”
“I do. Been having them for two years….maybe three.” Justin had lost track of exactly how long he’d been having the dreams now considering how spaced out they had been. He hadn’t had any for quite awhile now, but he knew they weren’t over. They couldn’t be, because he wasn’t that lucky. “I’ve experienced some of the worse things actually. I got attacked by a classmate after prom, in one, woke up with a huge gash in the side of my head.” Despite the fact that Billy had healed him, the injury had still left him with the brain and nerve damage he’d sustained in the dream world.
“That’s quite a long time.” Royston was beginning to wonder whether he was going to have to deal with these dreams. Not that he knew what he might dream about himself. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad. Only if you could wake up with dream injuries, who knew what would happen. “Ah. I’m sorry that you had to live through that.” His expression was momentarily more serious as he studied the other man. “I hope you haven’t had to deal with anything else like that since, but I can’t be sure what these dreams are like.”
“It was pretty scary, but my ex was a warlock and he healed me.” No matter how many times Justin said it, even to dreamers who had been dreaming for a long time, he thought it sounded crazy. “Left me with a little nerve damage though, which does affect my drawing, but I’ve been able to work through it.” He smiled at Royston despite the nature of their conversation, “Since then nothing too terrible has happened though. Hopefully if and when you do start dreaming, it won’t be too bad.”
“Warlocks and wizards. It seems a popular thing to be in these dreams.” He could still remember the conversation he’d had with a young man about his school where you could see mermaids in the dungeons. He was curious about that, mostly because he’d never seen a mermaid up close and he’d never experienced anything particularly magical. “It’s good that you’re still able to do what you love to do even though you’ve had to deal with those difficulties.” Royston had to wonder if Justin hadn’t managed to read his mind just a little. “I believe you may have some innate mind reading abilities as I was wondering about that just a little earlier. I can’t even imagine what they might be.”
“Those and superheros or other supernatural creatures seem to be the popular dreams. For the most part, mine are mostly super exaggerated real life stuff.” Justin still couldn’t get over just how naive his dream self was despite the things that had happened to him during the three years he’d dreamt of, “Well hopefully you get something exciting. Something that will take your mind off real life stuff.” He said, smiling at the other man.
“I guess I’ll have to wait and see what category I fall into.” He hoped he wasn’t just some mundane human with nothing interesting, but at this point, perhaps a little dash of boring was necessary to counteract all the drama he was dealing with currently. “If only, if only…” He sighed. This whole deal with what had happened recently was frustrating. He knew how it looked, but it wasn’t his fault that the man’s son was interested in him. He was just as much a part of the decision as Royston had been. “Hopefully it will all pass over soon and I won’t have to worry about any more politicians.” Or their sons. He had a feeling he did not need to deal with anymore sons of politicians. Not in this lifetime or any other. But then he was never very good at self control, so it was a mystery as to who he would be drawn to until he was already drawn. “That and I’ll be able to go where I please without checking in.” He smiled again. “But as you can see, I’m very bad at following those directions.”
Justin shrugged, still smiling, “Some people just aren’t meant to follow the rules. Honestly, I don’t think what you did was so bad, but then again, in my dreams, I was seventeen and Brian was twenty nine when we met and we’ve been on and off ever since. So I’m probably not the best person to judge you. Not that I would.”
“No. I suppose they really aren’t.” Royston sighed again. “You and I feel the same, but apparently I am the reason he did what he did. And I can’t go around ruining perfectly good families with my homosexuality like this.” He cleared his throat. “Paraphrasing, naturally, but that’s what’s bothering him. His son likes to company of men. But of course, said son is denying it and claiming that I somehow talked him into it, so it’s being pushed back on me because no one wants to lose their trust funds these days for the horrible crime of being gay.” He shrugged. “So I guess I’ll have to live with being the bad guy in the equation because apparently telling a politician to get fucked is not the appropriate response. Neither is telling them to get over themselves and their bigoted opinions.”
“Isn’t that always the way it? It’s fun and games until daddy threatens to cut you off for being gay.” Justin was glad that his father was only a homophobic asshole like that in the dreams and not in real life, “Just shows that he cares more about the money than you.” He smiled at Royston once again, “His loss.”
“And here I had money the whole time.” Royston shrugged. It didn’t really matter. In the end, he learned a lot about what he didn’t want to deal with. “But that’s the way of things unfortunately. Too much publicity and a lack of a trust fund.” Justin’s smile made him smile as well. It was foolish, probably, to even let such little things influence his mood. Likely it was a kind gesture and nothing more. He was in a very strange, sad state of existence at the moment. People naturally felt bad for him. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Some people are just scared of losing their social standing.” Part of Justin could understand where the politicians son was coming from, but at the same time he thought that he was a coward. Justin had always stood up to his parents and anyone else who opposed him no matter what it was. He didn’t let anyone push him around or scare him into doing something. “And if that’s the case with this kid then he’ll likely have a miserable life denying who he really is.”
“I want to say it’s easier living your life as exactly who you are, but it’s a mess either way.” He looked back down at the sketches. “It’s just less of a hassle pretending to be something you’re not.” A pause. “Except when you’re getting paid for it. But that’s another matter entirely. I still doubt I’d be very good at being anyone else outside of film. I don’t have the patience for it.”
“Maybe you’ll get lucky and this can become your chance to live the way you want without consequences.” Sometimes things happened that seemed crappy at first, but turned into something good and despite having just met, Justin hoped for that for Royston. He may not have been as naive as his dream counterpart, but Justin tried to be optimistic as often as possible now.
“Maybe,” he agreed. He was far more of the pessimistic sort, but he did his best to at least try to accept the optimistic opinions he was given. He took in a deep breath before letting it out. “Thank you for humoring me with this and letting me see your artwork. Hopefully it wasn’t too boring for you.” He offered him a smile. “And thank you for treating me like a normal person.”
Justin smiled and shook his head, “Oh course. I mean, you are a normal person. Just one with a slightly more exciting job than others.” While it was exciting, hanging out with a movie star, Justin didn’t see any reason to treat him any differently than anyone else. Working at a film studio probably helped a little with that, “And anytime. I’m always up for showing off my stuff.”