Who: Justin Taylor and Royston Graves When: Backdated: June, Saturday 24th. Evening Where: Royston's House What: Relaxing Post Pride and the L Word Happens Rating/Warnings: Family Friendly Status: Complete
Justin went to Pride almost every year, either in Orange County or somewhere else, but the last two years or so, he hadn’t had as much fun as previous years, because it only reminded him about how he and Billy had met during Pride a few years earlier and after the way things ended with him, it had taken awhile for Justin to enjoy certain things again and Pride was one of those things. So he had been looking forward to spending this year’s Pride with Royston. He was fully aware that going to the Pride Parade with someone as famous as his boyfriend meant that there might be paparazzi, but at the same time, it meant that the parade would get even more exposure if photos of Royston at it were published.
However, considering the amount of reporters present, covering the parade for various news outlets, it wasn’t as if they could pick out which ones were paparazzi so they were still able to enjoy the parade without being bombarded. Aside from that, it had been a perfect day for the parade and the last thing Justin thought of was his ex.
After the parade and the various celebrations that followed it, Justin and Royston had gone back to the actor’s house and were currently laying in bed, exhausted after a long day, “So, did you enjoy your first Pride?”
Royston counted himself lucky that the paparazzi weren’t as ‘in your face’ as they usually were. He was sure they were there and he was sure that there were pictures and there would be articles and things. He’d deal with that tomorrow, though. He didn’t really feel like worrying about it now when he was in bed with Justin.
At the moment, his eyes were closed and he was just letting himself enjoy the moment as it was. He was comfortable here, lying next to Justin. “I did enjoy it. I’m torn between surprise at this revelation and entirely unsurprised. I’m glad you asked me to go.”
Justin grinned and moved slightly so that he was looking at Royston, “I’m glad. I’ll be honest, I’d had second thoughts before asking you cause I wasn’t sure if you’d really want to go or not, but I’m glad I asked you too.” Technically Royston had moved to the OC to lay low while his previous scandal blew over, so Justin hadn’t really been sure if something as high profile as the Pride parade was something Royston would want to do, but it wasn’t as if there hadn’t already been photos of them together, published in magazines over the last few months. So really, Royston wasn’t doing a very good job of laying low, if that was what he was still attempting to do.
“Well…” The truth was that he’d already sort of messed up on the whole ‘keeping a low profile’ thing. But things were different now. They’d settled down with Erik and his father. He’d been humiliated and humbled in front of the public, which was the thing they wanted out of the whole situation anyway. At least that’s how he figured it was. Punishment. “It’s probably good for my reputation. And you asked, so I couldn’t really say no.” Which was a bit of a lie. He could have. He didn’t want to. “Or, at least, I didn’t want to, so there we have it.” He smiled. “Are you prepared to have your face all over the magazines again?”
Still smiling, Justin leaned in and pressed a kiss to Royston’s lips, “That’s a good answer.” He would have understood if Royston hadn’t wanted to go, but he was glad that he had. “I think I’m prepared to once again be your mystery blond.” The magazines that had published the few pictures of them together had yet to find out who he was, but Justin knew that that would probably change sooner or later and honestly, he didn’t mind.
Royston smiled into the kiss, moving to wrap an arm around Justin and pull him closer because space was particularly overrated. “I have all the best answers lined up, of course.” He chuckled at the mention of his current title. “Ah yes. My mystery blond. I wonder if they’ll eventually find your name. Then it’ll probably be worse. Cameras everywhere.” But he’d do his best to keep them from getting too obnoxious. It was more difficult these days to go around without being spotted since they’d first discovered him. Or re-discovered him, as it were. “But as long as they don’t take up too much of your time, I won’t get too jealous and have to overcompensate by making you spend more time with me. In the form of staying very late, of course.”
Justin didn’t mind the lack of space one bit. In fact, he enjoyed being as close to Royston as possible. “They’ll probably figure it out somehow. It’s only a matter of time,” In fact, Justin had a feeling that if they were smart, chances were they would find out soon since Justin was going to be taking part in yet another of his friend’s art exhibits and if Royston went, like he was hoping, they would likely follow. “Oh, no, spend more time here? With you? Well, I guess it’s a good thing that I love you, otherwise that might be an awful situation.” The fact that neither of them had yet to actually say ‘I love you’ hadn’t occurred to Justin as he’d said it. Justin had felt that way for awhile now, but had been worried about saying it, because he hadn’t been sure if Royston felt the same way.
“You’re probably right.” Because they always managed to figure those things out. Erik’s father had spun the story to his own end and Royston’s people had made sure his reputation didn’t suffer too bad.
Everything about the situation narrowed for a moment to one phrase. I love you. Granted, Royston hadn’t considered it much...or really, he hadn’t allowed himself to consider it. Being an actor, it was hard to really consider something like love. Or perhaps that was just the terrible experiences with partners talking. Ever since Erik, he’d been exceedingly cautious. Especially with the strangeness of the dreams interfering and making things confusing. He was well aware that he hadn’t said anything and that time had passed. More time than he meant to let pass. “Are you sure?” He almost winced at the fact that that was the first thing he said. “Forgive me. I suppose I was caught off guard.”
He was torn between the act of figuring out his own feelings and trying to focus on the situation without leaving a lot of awkward silences. He knew that he liked Justin. More than he’d liked anyone before. He’d made him an extra key that he’d intended to give to him. He’d even considered asking him to come meet his brother and his insufferable wife and the children. He wanted to be around him as often as he could be and enjoyed even the little things like watching him sketch. But what said that a person loved another person? Did all of that make it a fact or did the happy feeling that seemed to fill his whole body before his mind took over mean something?
It wasn’t until Royston was staring at him that Justin realized what he had said. Sure, he could have pretended that he hadn’t said it, but they both knew he’d said it so there was really no point in that and he had a feeling that pretending he hadn’t said it would just make things more awkward. Besides, Justin wasn’t usually one to not own up to the things he said, “Yeah. Yeah, I’m sure.” He bit his bottom lip as he watched Royston carefully, trying to gauge his reactions, “I’ve felt this way for a little while now.”
Royston stared for a moment longer before looking away. He needed to say something. He felt like an idiot for his initial reaction. “I don’t think I’ve ever loved someone. Romantically, I mean.” Familial love wasn’t the same thing. He could claim that, but past that? Well. He knew, in his dreams, he had feelings for Hal, but outside of them, he reasoned, there was no Hal. Or at least if there was, he didn’t know him and likely had no reason to. He couldn’t possibly be the same person here that he was in the dreams.
“Nothing's been serious up to this point. Not even Erik. This is the longest I’ve been with anyone ever. This is also the first time I’ve had a spare key made for someone else.” Not even his parents got spare keys. “I guess I don’t normally trust people and for the most part, it’s pretty obvious where I’ve stood before and where the other person did.” A beat. “Not to mention the fact that I am jealous of a man that doesn’t even exist in this world. Or at least he isn’t here, with you.” Which Royston was eternally grateful for. “But I trust you and I made you a spare key and I have absolutely no intention of letting you get away. Combined with about a dozen unexplainable things. I suppose I’ve never considered the possibility of it because I’m an actor and Hollywood is a terrible place for romance and love. As far as I can tell.”
He gave him a small smile. “I felt a surge of joy the moment after you said it. I’m not sure what that means, but that was my immediate reaction before the confusion set in. I think you may very well be stuck with me, which is quite possibly an unfortunate situation for you.”
When Royston looked away and began talking, Justin wasn’t entirely sure where this was all going and for a moment he thought that he had just screwed things up, but as he continued talking, he realized where Royston was going with all of this and he couldn’t help but smirk a little, especially at the part where Royston said he was jealous of a man who wasn’t there which made Justin wonder if he meant Brian. It wasn’t like Justin didn’t talk about him when he had new dreams, but he hadn’t expected that Royston was jealous of him, “So, is that going to be our, I love you, I know? I say I love you and you say, you’re stuck with me?” He was grinning now, a hopeful expression on his face.
Royston meant Brian. He didn’t know him, but he knew that in the dreams, Justin had particularly serious feelings for him. So Royston was forced (okay, not actually forced at all) to dislike him. Not that he worried about what would happen if he showed up. Well, not entirely. Perhaps a little. The point was, Justin said he loved him, so he’d just hope that would hold up against some dream relationship. “Well, there are certainly worse couple to emulate. I think we’re doing pretty well for ourselves if we’re Leia and Han.” He smiled a little. “But yes. I suppose that does seem to be the case.”
As far as Justin was concerned, if Brian ever did show up, he had no intention of dropping Royston for him. As much as Justin loved Brian, in the dreams, chances were he’d be an entirely different person and considering Justin wasn’t seventeen, it was less likely that he’d fall as hard as he had for Brian. The circumstances were different and here, in the waking world, Justin was in love with Royston. “It’s definitely better than being like Romeo and Juliet. It didn’t end well for them,” Still smiling, Justin leaned in and pressed a kiss to Royston’s lips, “And by the way, if I’m stuck with you, I’m totally alright with that.”
Royston snorted lightly. “Please let us never emulate Romeo and Juliet. I do not wish to die and cause a war between our families.” He smiled into the kiss, making a point to wrap his arms around Justin’s waist. “You are stuck. Especially now. I’ve trapped you.”
Justin laughed and settled into Royston’s arms as he kissed him again, “I guess I’ll just have to surrender then.” As worried as Justin had been when he’d thought Royston was going to freak out, he was glad that it was out in the open because as far as he was concerned, it was better to have things out in the open and now he didn’t have to wonder if they were on the same page.