This is a love story following the life of two young men who fall in love and have to overcome tragedies in their lives. All the characters are fictional.
Warning - it contains some m/m sex.
The Earl's Son
The contractors finished their work at the new theatre just within the allotted period. Kyle and Jason's firm, which was called J & K Services, had done some of the work since it had been decided that Jason, who was a plumber by trade, would handle most of the maintenance items required. Kyle had decided he didn't want to handle blocked drains or whatever else might crop up since he was a qualified electrician, so Jason said he'd be the on-call maintenance guy.
Julian congratulated Craig and Adrian for making it all happen. He knew of course that Robin had also kept the pressure on but the guys on site had done a good job. Having done a tour round the whole building and been shown how everything worked, he invited the pair of them out for a slap up dinner.
"Are you free this evening Craig or have you got someone lined up for tonight!" Julian teased him.
Craig grinned and said he was free and would love to be wined and dined. Robin had already checked that Adrian was available and he'd jumped at the idea of spending quality time with the others. Julian called Kevin and told him to meet them at the restaurant he'd booked. Kevin was more than happy to attend since he would see Craig. They hadn't actually had any time together for a week or more so he looked forward to it.
They first had drinks and then went in for the meal which as usual was very nice. It was way above the type of restaurant Adrian was used to so enjoyed every second. Throughout the meal he watched Craig and Kevin flirting with each other and decided he couldn't really understand Craig. It was clear that he was very fond of Kevin who in turn loved Craig yet he knew that Craig had other guys on the side.
"If I'd found someone I loved I wouldn't behave like Craig" Adrian commented to Robin later on when the others weren't around.
By the time the meal was finished Adrian was feeling somewhat merry. In addition to the pre-dinner drinks they'd had wine with their meal and brandy afterwards. Adrian wasn't used to so much drinking and Julian was slightly concerned about him making his way back to Camden where he lived. Knowing he lived alone, Robin suggested he come and stay the night with them. Julian grinned and said 'yeah, good idea'.
"You and Kevin going back to your place" he asked Craig guessing that Kevin was up for that.
The pair of them grinned and nodded so when a taxi came along Julian told the driver to drop them off at Craig's flat before taking the rest of them to the apartment.
Adrian had never seen Julian and Robin's apartment before and gasped when he walked in.
"Wow, this is gorgeous" he exclaimed.
Robin was tempted to add 'and that's not all'!
Julian led Adrian into the living room and told him to make himself comfortable. Adrian did precisely that and slipped off his shoes and unbuttoned his shirt. He was sloshed and giggly.
"Anyone for a drink?" Julian asked grabbing hold of the bottle of brandy and some glasses. Adrian nodded that he would and grinned at Robin.
"Do you think he should?" Robin whispered to Julian.
"He's enjoying himself; allow him to let his hair down."
Robin grinned. That was the problem, he wasn't sure he could trust himself if Adrian did that!
"Why don't you sit beside Adrian" Julian suggested to Robin and grinned.
Robin looked at Julian wondering what he was up to but did just that. Adrian turned to Robin and giggled as he took the brandy from Julian.
When he'd drunk it he slumped sideways and his head landed on Robin's lap. Robin stroked his soft brown hair and looked at Julian.
"Now what?" Robin asked.
"I think we'd better put him to bed don't you" Julian grinned.
Between them they lifted Adrian and got him into the spare room. They then stripped him of his clothes and tucked him up in bed.
"He sure is gorgeous" Julian commented admiring Adrian's naked form before covering him with the sheet.
"You're incorrigible" Robin giggled.
The following morning Adrian appeared mid morning looking the worse for wear.
"Sore head?" Robin grinned.
Adrian nodded, "I take it you guys put me to bed last night".
Robin grinned.
"Thanks; not used to drinking like that; hope I didn't embarrass myself."
Robin assured him he hadn't and kissed him on his cheek. Adrian savoured the kiss for a moment before kissing him back.
On the Monday morning the Steinway piano was being delivered so Robin wanted to be there to supervise its arrival. Julian had decided it would be better to have their own, rather than having to hire one each time. Apart from that he knew that Robin loved playing a grand piano so this meant he could do so whenever he wanted. Robin had chosen a restored piano rather than a new one and when the salesman heard where it was going to be used he gave him a significant discount. Julian reckoned it was because the salesman fancied Robin but either way they got a good deal.
Once it had been unpacked and tuned, Robin sat down to try it out. He played part of Liebestraum by Franz Liszt which was one of his pieces for the concert. At the time, Adrian was checking the newly refurbished seats which had been re-upholstered in the original dark pink that they'd once been when the cinema first opened. Julian had researched the original colour scheme which had been cream and dark pink so he'd decided to use the same colours. The only thing he couldn't find out was what the carpet had been so they chose a dark grey with a dark pink fleck in it.
"Rather apt don't you think now that two poofs own it" he'd joked with Robin.
As Robin played, Adrian was spellbound. He'd never heard Robin play before and the beautiful music almost brought him to tears. He stopped what he was doing and just stood to listen.
"Beautiful" he muttered to himself.
"Robin or the music" Julian suddenly said. Adrian turned not realising that Julian was standing behind him.
"Both" he grinned.
"I'm a lucky guy aren't I?" Julian whispered, "He's talented, gorgeous and has a beautiful personality, what more could you want". Julian had nearly added `and brilliant in bed' but decided that was probably too much information to share.
Adrian just nodded as a tear started falling down his face. Julian placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it.
"I can see we're going to have to find a nice young man for you to love Adrian" Julian said sensing Adrian's thoughts.
"If only I could" he replied thinking the chances of finding another like Robin was probably very slim.
When Robin had finished playing he ran over to where Julian was still standing. Adrian had been called away because his two new recruits had arrived for their induction.
"How did it sound?" Robin asked excitedly.
"As beautiful as always" Julian replied pulling Robin into a tight embrace, "I love you so much".
Robin grinned and felt a stirring down below but now was not the time to let his sexual desires get the better of him, "And me you" he replied.
"I'd better go and say hello to the two new recruits" Robin said and made his way out into the foyer.
They'd recruited two people to help Adrian. A girl who seemed jolly enough and a young guy who admitted that he too was gay so was looking forward to being part of the team. The plan was that between the three of them they'd manage the ticket office and the cafe bar area. Robin had set up an online booking system which allowed people to print off their own tickets so it meant the ticket office didn't have to be open for hours on end.
The four of them sat down at one of the low tables they'd purchased for the cafe bar area and Robin welcomed the two newcomers to the team and went through his induction list.
"Any questions?" Robin asked when he'd gone through everything.
The two shook their heads and said everything was fine.
"And don't forget" Robin added, "Always smile at the customer and be nice however much they may annoy you". The two giggled and said they would.
"Right then, I'll leave you with the lovely Adrian for him to show you the ropes so see you both on Friday for the grand opening."
Adrian grinned and felt his face go red for a moment so quickly got up and took the two new recruits over to the counter where he started to show them how the electronic till worked, where everything was situated and how to use the new coffee machine. Robin watched for a few moments but was soon satisfied that Adrian had everything under control. He'd laid the stock out beautifully and Robin was impressed. It looked attractive and had been done logically. As he left to go and find Julian he decided he was pleased he'd recruited Adrian to do the job in more ways than one!
On the Wednesday evening the orchestra arrived for the first of their rehearsals on the new stage. Everyone was very impressed with the venue and once they'd settled they got down to work. Everything went well and Robin was pleased with his contribution. Kyle was also there to test out the new computerised lighting system that had been installed in what had originally been the projector room. They had also installed a radio intercom system so that he could communicate with the stage area and those behind.
The musical director was delighted with the way everything had gone but they decided to come back the following evening just to go through one or two things again since the first night on the Friday was important to all of them. Julian had invited a number of local dignitaries as well as members of the local and theatre press. In addition he'd invited the lady who'd previously owned the Old Cinema to officially open the new theatre.
The new `Drayton Theatre' sign was now in place outside along with posters advertising the opening night for the concert and the play that would be opening the following week. Ticket sales were already doing well and the first two nights for the concert were fully booked. It seemed the new local theatre had caused a lot of interest and people were keen to see what these two guys had done to the place.
Finally the moment came to declare the `Drayton Theatre' open and the little old lady cut the ribbon that had been fixed across the entrance. As she walked in on Julian's arm she gasped as she looked round the foyer and saw what had been done. On one wall Julian had organised a collage of old pictures of the cinema in its heyday along with a script describing its history.
"It's like walking back in time" she declared as he led her into the auditorium and she saw the original colours. "It's beautiful" she declared, "My husband would have been so proud to see what you've both done" she added and gave Julian's hand a squeeze.
The concert was a great success and there was a standing ovation at the end. The conductor brought Robin out to the front and allowed the audience to applaud him once again. When that had died down he invited Julian to join them on stage.
"I feel we should thank Julian and Robin here for saving this wonderful place and for bringing it back to life" the conductor announced, "Without people like them, places like this would just die and be turned into another boring supermarket or bingo hall". This caused the audience to roar their approval and stamp their feet with more applause. Julian and Robin looked at each other and grinned. It had been hard work but it looked as if it was all worth it.
The next two nights of the concert were just as successful with a full house for each. The play that opened on the following Wednesday was also successful and ran with a full house for the first week. That ran for a further three weeks and although there were some empty seats during those weeks it was still successful. The local press had praised what Julian and Robin had done to the Old Cinema and gave good reviews for the concert and the play. They even had a write up in Time Out which was always a good advert!
Whilst the play was running, another was in the process of being rehearsed in the room upstairs. It was a gay play that Julian had come across and had asked one of his fellow class mates he'd met at the drama school to direct for him. Giles was chuffed at being asked and when he saw the theatre he was going to work in he couldn't believe his luck. In response, he flung his arms round Julian and kissed him, much to Robin's amusement. Giles was as camp as Christmas and a lovely guy to work with so Julian was happy to give him as much help as he needed!
"You okay Kevin?" Robin asked one day when Kevin seemed very much under the weather and by no means his usual bouncy self.
"Think I've picked up a bug of some sort" Kevin replied trying to push the matter to one side but Robin could see he was not at all well.
"Perhaps you should see the doctor" Robin said looking rather concerned.
"Nah, I'm fine really" Kevin replied but Robin was not convinced.
He decided to leave the matter for the moment but kept a tight watch on how things went over the next few days. He spoke to Julian about his concerns and he agreed that Kevin didn't look at all well. He was looking drawn and thinner. They also noticed that he wasn't eating as well as usual so in the end they told him they were going to march him along to see the doctor.
The doctor agreed that something was wrong so immediately arranged for blood tests to be undertaken. Kevin still said everyone was fussing too much and it was only a bug of some sort but Robin could see the doctor did not agree. It was agreed he would see Kevin in three days' time when the results of the blood tests would be back.
"The good news is" the doctor was telling Kevin three days later, "is that the HIV test we discussed is negative". The doctor then paused before continuing and Robin could sense Kevin becoming concerned.
"The bad news is that you have a rare blood disorder and you are anaemic" the doctor eventually continued.
"Is it serious?" Robin asked seeing that Kevin was speechless.
"Could be unless we get him on treatment immediately" the doctor replied, "the anaemia is simple to treat but the other is not so; we may have to try several different drugs to see what works best".
"Any idea how he could have picked it up?" Robin asked trying to get as much information as possible.
"Not sure, it is extremely rare in this country but it's possible he picked it up in Sri Lanka where I understand it is more common and it has remained dormant for some while. But what has triggered it I can't say."
By this time Kevin was almost in tears so Robin held his hand and tried to comfort him.
"We'll get it sorted for you Kevin but it may take time" the doctor said trying to be positive, "I've discussed it with one of the leading blood specialists at UCL and he's suggested two drugs; one to improve the anaemia and another to combat the other problem but you need rest and good wholesome food for a while".
The doctor then asked if it would be possible for Kevin to spend a few weeks at Julian's estate since that would provide rest and would be in the country. Robin said that could certainly be arranged and he would drive him down the very next day. Even if he couldn't stay to look after him he knew Thomas would and no doubt Julian's mum would too.
They left the clinic armed with bottles of pills and strict instructions on when to take them. The doctor said he would contact Julian's doctor in Abingdon and fill him in so that he could visit once a week to take more blood tests and monitor things. It was agreed that Kevin would come back in four weeks so the doctor could see how things were going. It seemed it would take that time to see whether or not the drugs were having any effect.
"You'll be okay" Robin told Kevin as they made their way home to break the news to Julian but secretly he was as worried as hell. Surely they wouldn't lose someone else who was close to their hearts.
The next part of 'The Earl's Son' will be available shortly.
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See Prolific Authors for a list of other stories by Adam Stewart