#monmonton

Étienne loved the vibe of Boulevard St-Laurent as people walked on the closed off street to observe the various artists that were stationed here and there that were working on various different mural projects. He loved overhearing them ooh and ahh over his creation and loved to stop for a chat, or to pose for a photo when they asked him about his work. It was great exposure and great fun. It also helped that the weather was holding up and so far, he had gotten three really decent, warm days and the vibe was absolutely fantastic.

“Excusez-moi, êtes-vous l’artiste de c’t’autobus là?” Étienne turned around and looked down from his stepladder, to see who had called out to him and he let out an excited shriek when he found Edward standing below, “Eddy!” He nearly threw his paintbrush in his haste and excitement, as he went down one-step and then decided to jump off the ladder towards Edward – the ladder wobbled precariously and Étienne nearly managed to topple them both over and into the crowd of people as he enveloped his boyfriend into a tight hug. Étienne realised that he was probably covered in paint, but by now it was already too late and he hoped he hadn’t stained Edward’s clothes. Edward somehow or other managed to remain upright while maintaining a grasp on a very excited Étienne, who seemed far too pleased to see him, “I can’t believe you came!” Étienne said, releasing him from his hold to get a proper look at him, before planting a firm kiss to his lips, laughing. In truth, Étienne had absolutely wanted Edward to come and see him, but Edward hadn’t wanted to bother him while he worked, knowing he had a lot to do and that he only had four days to finish the bus. However, he was curious to see the progress of the bus and he wanted to scope out the festival. It was the first time he was actually in the city for the summer, and even though the heat was insufferable, he had to admit that the plethora of festivals and the myriad of activities that were offered were certainly luring him in.  

“I figured you could use some refreshments,” Edward took the grocery bag from the floor that Étienne hadn’t even noticed and pulled out two ice cold bottles of water, an apple, and a bag of cookies. Edward’s rewards for his troubles was another hug and a series of “You’re the best!!” followed by another kiss to his cheek. “I also brought you sunscreen, since you seem to have discarded your work shirt, again and I don’t want you to turn into a lobster,” Edward knew there was no sense in arguing with Étienne, since Étienne would say that it was very hot outside and that he was melting, even if all he was wearing was a pair of short-shorts and the flimsiest, thinnest tank-top Edward had ever seen. “I bet you I’d be a sexy lobster, though,” He pouted and Edward rolled his eyes and told him to turn around so he could apply sunscreen on his back.

“Curly, how do you manage to always get paint all over yourself?” Edward admonished gently as he quietly marvelled at the paint splashes on Étienne’s back – he could have understood if he had accidentally leaned on the wet paint, but this was a whole other level. Étienne shrugged and let Edward apply the cream, leaning further into his contact, enjoying the small reprieve, “Are you going to stay out late?” Étienne nodded and Edward sighed, taking the sweater he had brought along and placed it in the bag of provisions. He thought he would need it, but apparently, when it was thirty degrees in Montreal, without the humidex, they meant thirty degrees for the entire day and it wouldn’t even dip that much at night. Knowing Étienne, however, Edward knew that he wouldn’t have anything warmer to throw on when he was done and that he would freeze the moment the sun went down. The last he needed was for Étienne to get sick.

“Give me a call when you’re done? I’ll come pick you up with the car,” Étienne picked up his paintbrush and resumed his work, frowning at Edward’s offer, “But I might be out ‘til late…” The last thing he wanted to do was bother Edward, “I know; which is why I’ll come pick you up. I don’t want you taking the metro at some godforsaken hour with all your stuff and I don’t want you to take a cab either,” He paused, “Or worse – walk.” Étienne gave a sheepish smile at that and pretended not to know what Edward was talking about, even if he had actually walked back all the way home, lugging his cart of supplies with him, at somewhere close to three the other day, “Are you sure you don’t mind?” Étienne asked, hesitating before applying the next stroke of purple paint to the bus. Edward rolled his eyes and handed Étienne the water bottle – before his boyfriend got too engrossed in his work and forgot he had one, “I wouldn’t have offered if I wasn’t sure – drink.” He added; Étienne uncapped the bottle and took a long drink, “Thanks and okay then, I’ll call you,” Étienne finally agreed, much to Edward’s relief.

They chatted for a little longer while Étienne took a break to eat his apple and Edward was so very glad to see that his boyfriend was doing better. Winter had been particularly hard on Étienne and Edward was happy to see that same familiar spark of joy and life back in Étienne’s eyes. He was back to his usual enthusiastic self and this project was a good look on him. Edward became engrossed in his conversation with Étienne, pulled in by his animated way of talking and his ever-contagious smile and he probably would have spent the rest of his evening leaning against a dry part of the bus, talking with Étienne, listening to his excited ramble, had it not been for a woman who politely interrupted them to ask Étienne about the project. Edward stepped back to give them a bit of space and watched Étienne interact with her. He observed as Étienne’s face lit up at the sound of the positive feedback he got from the woman and hoped it was all Étienne would ever get. He knew how hard Étienne worked and knew he had spent countless hours on this particular project.

 “Let’s go to pride together,” Edward said, once the woman thanked Étienne for his time and left; Étienne was surprised by the suggestion, never thinking Edward would want to go, “Let’s celebrate your success, your bus… us…”Edward’s cheeks took on a pretty shade of pink, but he wasn’t the only one with a flush on his face, “Y-yeah?” Étienne asked, making sure he had heard correctly and that this wasn’t some weird daydream he was having. “Yeah,” Edward said with more confidence, “I’m proud of you – I’m proud of us and this bus already looks great – I can’t wait to see it finished,” Edward rose on his tippy toes to peck Étienne’s cheek and Étienne responded by enveloping him in a hug, “It’s a date then!” Étienne laughed – he loved having Edward around for the summer – loved all the different outings they could do during his favourite season – loved being able to show Edward this other vibrant side to the city and further expand their relationship. Sometimes, he found himself thinking of what it would be like to have this forever – for him and Edward to grow together and the thrill of it had him smiling – there were so many things they could do together, so many things he wanted to do with Edward and it was crazy to think that this was something that was on his mind now, when before he would have never even considered it.  

“Oh, before you go, I want a picture with you!” Étienne fished out his phone from his back pocket and motioned for Edward to get closer. Étienne slung an arm around his shoulders and made sure his phone was on the selfie setting before snapping a few pictures, “Thanks for coming by and I promise I’ll call you when I’m done,” They exchanged one last hug, before Edward headed back, with a final wave. He paused before turning on the street corner for one more glance; Étienne was already back on his stepladder, paintbrush in hand, back in his little bubble, painting away. Edward shook his head, fond, and walked towards the métro; he loved this ridiculous man, he did, truly, and he couldn’t help but wonder what other crazy projects they would get involved in.

As expected, the bus turned out great and Étienne managed to finish on time. During the pride parade, the STM put large speakers on it and blasted a remixed edition of an old song they had made back in the 70s as an advertisement. The overall effect with the crowd and the people dancing around the bus was amazing and Étienne had been so very pleased with the outcome. Étienne and Edward walked proudly behind the bus, holding hands, and it was quite honestly, a really good day. When one of the parade organisers found out Étienne was in the parade, they got one of the local papers to interview him and the photographer snapped a picture of him and Edward together, next to the bus.

It had begun as these things usually do, unexpectedly. Their bodies tangled together, Edward kissing Étienne into oblivion, their plan predetermined from the touch of fingers against skin. A mistake had been committed, however, he had not been thinking, an error of judgement which only occurs between two persons where intimacy did not rely simply upon touch. Usually when one is about to orally stimulate their partner, one focuses on the task at hand, making sure that ultimate pleasure is achieved. If Edward had spared a thought to consider his actions, he would have known that tonight might not be the best night to fellate Étienne. That tonight was not the night to leave Étienne’s mouth unoccupied.

He was working up to the main event, gently kissing Étienne’s inner thigh, teasing touches against his scrotum, when Étienne opened his mouth not to demand more attention, or even applaud Edward to his skill. Instead he continued their heated conversation from earlier.

“I really am not sure why they had to focus so much on the incest,” Étienne burst out passionately, making Edward pause for a moment. Choosing to not reply, hoping that Étienne would be distracted by the touches, he brushed teasing fingers against his boyfriend’s erection, however, Étienne took this as a sign to continue, “I understand the need for titillating sex in these trashy TV shows, but do they really have to eroticize incest?”

Edward in a last-ditch attempt to shut Étienne up, began to suck the tip of his cock, which momentarily threw him off his musings, his body relaxing into the expert mouth that knew the best ways to drive him over the edge. In retrospect, Edward realized he was being too efficient, for Étienne did not last too long, and as he regained his breath, continued his arguments concerning the TV show they had been binge watching.

Wiping his mouth, Edward sat up, knowing that any thoughts of sex were probably out the window from the expression on Étienne’s face when he began to rant about the inaccuracy of the portrayal of one of the Cardinals, complaining how whenever these miniseries were created the focus was on the corruption. Shifting upward, Edward decided to needle Étienne, figuring that if sex was off the table he might as well enjoy the debate.

“You’re so focused on the incest, Étienne, is there something between you and Élyse you’re not telling me about?”

Étienne made a face, “Please.”

“Ah right, Élyse has too much common sense,” snuggling up to Étienne, Edward kissed his forehead, and then added with a wicked smile, “the obvious person would be Samuel.”

Giving Edward a slight shove, Étienne’s face crumpled up in disgust, and then he made a fake retching sound, “Never on this green earth-”

“So if it was purple? “

“Currently reevaluating why we are laying in bed together,” Étienne deadpanned.

“Hmm let me think…” Edward kissed his boyfriend’s neck, then whispered in a slight sing song, “Because you got all mushy and looove me?”

“Reevaluating that too,” Étienne added as he twined his fingers into Edward’s hair, pulling him up into a kiss.

“Because obviously,” Edward murmured, as he pulled away from the kiss, “the writers figured the best way to portray the corruption of the family was through incest. They had strayed so far from the doctrinal tenets, their children were corrupted by the sins of the father.”