One Plus Two Equals... - 39

At first, when Julyan approached him with his idea, Auden protested vehemently that it wasn't safe and they were insane if they thought he'd go along with it. Of course in the process he sort of forgot to mention he'd known about it from the moment it had been suggested and had already decided it could work. After all, he had to show them who was in charge.

It didn't take Julyan long to figure out what he was doing once it occurred to him that, just as Duane knew what Auden did when he was 'out', so Auden would have known about the plan even as it was being hatched.

"I should shoot you for being such an ass," Julyan growled, shaking a finger at Auden.

Auden laughed. "Wouldn't do any good, I'd just heal and then make you pay."

When Julyan asked how, Auden demonstrated. They both fell asleep very happily sated, and then in the morning, Julyan awoke in Duane's arms at which point he was more than adequately rewarded for convincing Auden to accept the plan.

The next few days passed in a flurry of activity.

Duane went through the official process of turning the restaurant over to the new owner and then started to pack up what he planned on taking with him for the move to New York.

While that was happening, Julyan was playing his part, which consisted of sulking around because Duane was leaving and then very overtly announcing it was time to find a new job, and a new boyfriend who would 'respect' him. He showed up the next morning with said 'boyfriend' in tow, had a big fight with Duane and then left to 'Pick up my things and take them to Mitch's place.' Mitch being the 'boyfriend', an old friend of Julyan's who had agreed to play the role after Julyan told him he had to get out of a bad relationship. Everyone, including Jack, bought his story.

He did go back to the condo, leaving again with a suitcase full of old newspapers to make it look heavy enough to contain his belongings. Much later, under the cover of darkness, he snuck back, settling in until it was time for them to head to New York.

Sunday morning was spent with Duane working to transform Julyan into someone who looked quite different from the young man he was in love with. Julyan's light blond hair was now a much darker shade and since it was longer than it'd been when they'd first met Duane decided to split the difference, trimming and parting it. Julyan grimaced at how severe it looked but accepted it. Duane had picked up a pair of dark-rimmed glasses with clear lenses, as well as brown tinted contacts from an optometrist the agency used on occasion.

"Now I look like a nerdy college student," Julyan grumbled as he stared at his reflection in the mirror.

"A very cute one. I'd do you anytime."

Julyan snorted. "You already do."

"Complaining?"

"As if." Julyan turned to kiss him quickly before heading back to the bedroom to finish the last of his packing.

He had already, at Duane’s suggestion, let his family know he was leaving the city, giving them almost the same excuse he’d used to explain to his co-workers why he’d quit working at the restaurant. “I can’t stay in the same city as him,” he’d told them mournfully, playing it to the hilt. “When I figure out where I want to live I’ll let you know, I promise.”