Making Plans

Co-written by: Myst, Mel and LJ

(Crossover with Zack & Rene)


Kadyn merrily made his way down Main Street. It was a warm, sunny day and he was enjoying a sense of freedom. He rounded the corner and stopped when he spied the scaffolding half way down the block. The painter was working on the high false front of the barbershop. He had wanted to meet this man for sometime and now was his chance.

Hurrying over, Kadyn put his parcel on the ground and quickly scaled the sturdy framework. Once at the top, he plunked himself down next to the man sitting there. The fact that he was uninvited never crossed his mind. He smiled at the black-haired man who was holding a pallet in one hand, a paint brush in the other and a second brush between his teeth.

Giving the young artist a wide grin, he enthusiastically commented. “Man, you sure are doing a great job at beautifying this old town of ours. I really like your art work. I want my Dad to get some done on the store and maybe I can talk Vincent into adding a bit of colour to his book store. It may be a hard sell though; they’re kinda old. Well, maybe not so much Vincent, but my Dad sure it. He’s my partner; Vincent that is, not my Dad.” Kadyn babbled on.

Taking a deep breath, he blinked and held out his hand. “Oh, by the way, my name is Kadyn, Kadyn Hart.” His eyes were sparkling as his grin widened even more.

Rene tended to concentrate fully on his work, so he was quite startled when this exuberant fellow just plopped himself down on the scaffolding and began to talk. However, one look at the smiling, friendly face caused him to forget all about being interrupted.

He put down the brush in his hand and extended it to the happy intruder. “U’m Rinni Wibsom,” he mumbled around the brush held in his teeth. He realized he must sound like an idiot and pull out the offending item. “Sorry about that. I’m Rene Wilson and I’m pleased to meet you.”

Kadyn laughed at the mumbled speech. After shaking hands, he turned his attention to the wall and carefully studied the characters slowly coming into being. “These are so neat,” he murmured, a note of awe in his voice. “Would you paint pictures like this on large, store-front windows?”

He had seen several murals about town, but all had been on walls of brick, wood or interior plaster. He wondered if glass painting required a different technique. “I mean, is it harder to work on glass? Would you need different materials? And if you did, where can you get them?”

Kadyn grinned when he realized he was getting ahead of himself. “Of course, you’d have to be willing to take on the job to begin with, wouldn’t you?”

Rene looked thoughtful for a moment. “I’d certainly be willing to discuss the job and if we could come to mutually agreeable terms, I’d be happy to take it. As far as supplies go, you have to have special paint that will adhere to the glass, I mean assuming you want it to be permanent. There is an art supply store in Kelowna. I’m sure they’d carry it. I’d also need to know what style of painting was wanted. On glass, you can paint with translucent colour and use a leading medium that makes it look like stained glass or you can use opaque paints to give a more solid appearance. Both are very nice, it just depends on what you’re looking for.”

Kadyn blinked at the amount of info he was receiving. He knew very little of what Rene was talking about and was somewhat confused. However, one word did manage to attract his attention.

“Oh, I’d want it to be permanent. I sure don’t want it washing away or anything.” Deciding an exchange of information was a good idea, Kadyn continued. “We own a convenience store; we carry the everyday staples that people run out of and buy at the last minute. It helps being the only store opened late seven days a week. We also sell tons of junk food, especially candy, as well as rent out movies and games, mostly to kids. And of course there is the mini-snack bar along with magazines and comics. We’re really quite busy.”

Not sure if these facts were helping or hindering, he opted for adding more. “It’s a family business. Dad has been kinda preparing me to take over and even now goes along with a lot of my ideas. I’m pretty sure he will like this one, but Vincent on the other hand, is going to be a tougher sell.” He grinned mischievously, not at all deterred by the task he had set up for himself.

“So, you got any ideas? You know, for the people and things you can paint that might look like a similar store from the past? I really like the scenes you’ve been painting of by-gone days.” Kadyn waited expectantly for Rene’s answer.

Rene was caught up in the enthusiasm the other man was expressing. “Thanks, I’ve really been having fun doing these peeks at the past. I should be finished this mural by the day after tomorrow. I have another possible commission coming but the owner of the restaurant said it would have to wait at least a month, so I’ll be free for the next while.”

He paused for a moment to consider the needs of this possible new project. “Before I do anything I’d have to look at the windows you’re considering, to get an idea of the dimensions. Then I could do some sketches for you along with details on the different styles for painting on glass and provide you with written estimates of costs and the like. Then if you decide to go ahead, I’d have to drive down to Kelowna for the supplies. That’s kind of an all day trip getting there, shopping and then coming back.”

He thought about how nice it would be if Zack could accompany him on the trip but knew it was doubtful his lover would take the time off from the pharmacy. Rene had spend so much time traveling alone the last year that he didn’t relish the idea of making that drive by himself.

“That can be arranged. I usually spend as much of my evenings with Vincent as possible. Sometimes that gets a little tricky as I work in a business that stays open late. I’ll be at the store all day tomorrow though, if you have time to drop by. It’s called ‘Hart’s Forget-Me-Nots’; a couple of doors down from the Book Market…you can’t miss it.” Kadyn rubbed his hands together, something he was unconscious of doing when excited.

“Oh, if you go to Kelowna, can I go with you? I don’t think Vincent will mind and I can arrange for someone to take my shift……bet my Dad will do it for me.” Kadyn’s mind was already going a mile a minute in anticipation of a trip to the city.

“That sounds great,” Rene replied, happy at the thought of a new commission and company on the road trip. “I’ll come by tomorrow with some rough sketches and we can sort through the details then.”

Climbing down from the scaffolding, Kadyn grabbed up his parcel and headed back down Main Street. “This is going to be great. But now I have to figure out a way of getting Vincent to agree to me going to Kelowna for the day,” he mused out loud. Moment later, he spotted Vincent standing in front of the Book Market, waving farewell to a customer.

“Guess he wants a bit of the sunshine too.” Kadyn smiled his understanding. It was a glorious spring day and suddenly he was anxious to spend some of it with his partner.

Unconcerned about possible mishap, Kadyn rashly wove his way through oncoming traffic to get over to Vincent and share his news. He seemed oblivious to the screeching of breaks or the shouts from a couple of rather irate motorists, as he dash across the street and all but threw himself at his lover.

“You’ll never guess who I was just talking to, Vincent, or what plans we’re making.” As usual, he was all but bouncing with excitement. “Oh, here’s the parcel you sent me to pick-up at the post office,” he announced and thrust the package at the older man. It was obviously an afterthought as he had more exciting things on his mind.

Vincent had turned as white as a ghost, seeing his partner make his way through the traffic, unmindful of the danger. As soon as Kadyn stopped talking, he opened the bookstore door, grabbed Kadyn by the arm and hauled him inside the store.

Once inside, he whispered, “Go wait for me in my office,” and walked to where Emily, his clerk, was ringing up some books. “I’ll be in my office for about half an hour, Emily. When you’re done here why don’t you lock things up and go to lunch?” he suggested. Seeing her nod of agreement, he put down the parcel Kadyn had given him and went to the office, locking the door behind him.

“What do you think you were doing out there?” he asked sternly. “Don’t you realize you could have been hurt, maybe killed even?” he demanded.

Kadyn had hurriedly followed Vincent’s whispered directive and was twirling around in his partner’s chair behind the desk when the older man walked into the room. He was momentarily stilled by the sternness of Vincent’s tone. He got to his feet and walked around to the front of the desk with a confused frown marring his usually smiling face.

“I was just crossing the street, Vincent. I was in a hurry. Besides, it’s not like it was the Trans-Canada highway or something. There was hardly any traffic……well, not as much as there could have been, that is.” He grinned as he leaned against the side of the desk with his legs crossed at the ankles, content in the belief he had set his partner’s mind at ease.

Taking Kadyn’s hand, Vincent turned him and bent him over the desk and landed a dozen hard spanks on his rear, telling him at the same time that he had to be careful and that putting himself in danger would always result in a spanking, if not worse. Once he was done, he gathered Kadyn in his arms and kissed him. “I love you, but you’ve just got to be more careful! I don’t know what I would do if something happened to you!”

Needlessly to say, Kadyn was more than a little surprised to find himself face down over the big wooden desk. He yelped each time Vincent’s hard hand landed on the seat of his jeans. Moments later, he was enfolded in a loving embrace and was being assured he was still loved.

After Kadyn had settled down, Vincent smiled at him and kissed him again. “Okay, now tell me, what was so important that you endangered your life to tell me about?”

Kadyn accepted his lover’s kiss; then gazed up at him through tear-filled eyes. He blinked and a tear slowly rolled down his cheek. “You didn’t have to do that, Vincent. The cars were going slow and nothing happened to me. I was perfectly all right until you got a hold of me.” He pouted and rubbed his backside. “And now, maybe I just don’t feel like telling you my news.”

“Oh, really,” Vincent said with a smile as he sat down and pulled Kadyn gently onto his lap to rub his back for a few minutes. “Tell me now?” Getting only a negative shake of the head in response, he began kneading Kadyn’s shoulders. Feeling his partner relax under the massage, he again requested. “How about telling me now?”

Kadyn rigidly sat on Vincent’s knees, not quite ready to relinquish what he considered righteous indignation. His hurt feelings were hard to hold on to under the onslaught of loving hands. He leaned against his lover’s broad chest and sighed as he melted into Vincent’s embrace.

“Yeah, I guess I’ll tell you,” he murmured as he kept his smile hidden. “You know the guy who’s been painting those neat pictures around town? Well, I finally got a chance to introduce myself and talk with him for a bit. And you’ll never guess, but he’s going to come see me and Dad about painting the big display windows at our store.”

“Well, that is good news. I know you were impressed with his work,” Vincent replied, happy that Kadyn decided to share the good news with him.

His excitement returning, Kadyn sat up and looked Vincent in the eye before enthusiastically announcing, “And we might even be taking a trip to Kelowna to pick up the necessary supplies. Won’t that be great?” He bounced a bit, his eyes sparkling as he waited for Vincent’s reaction to the news.

Vincent was startled, to say the least, at the plans Kadyn was so enthusiastically telling him about. Yesterday had been totally normal, now Kadyn was taking off on a trip to Kelowna with someone he’d only just met this morning.

“Wait a minute. You’re thinking of taking a trip to Kelowna? When would this be and who all is going? Kelowna is quite a ways off, over an hour’s drive. And are you going on your day off work?” Shaking his head a bit, he added, “I need more information, love.”

“Well nothing’s definite, Vincent. First, Rene has to come over and see what can be done with the space we have available. Then he’ll draw us some sketches and once we make a decision, he’ll give us an estimate. Then if it’s a go and only if he needs supplies, we may be going to Kelowna. Most likely it would just be Rene and I going. But of course, it is all subject to change depending on any of his other commitments.”

Bending his head to one side, Kadyn looked pensively at the older man whose lap he was still sitting on. “Hmm, you wanna come with us, Vincent?”

“Well, let’s not make too many plans before anything’s decided, okay? After all, it sounds as though a lot of your plans are subject to your Dad and Rene agreeing on what is to be done and the price. And as for me coming with you, as much as I’d love to, it would depend on what day you decide to go. Unless it’s a Sunday, I probably won’t be able to go. It wouldn’t be fair for me to take off and leave the running of the store to Emily by herself. After all, it is my shop.” Vincent gave Kadyn a quick kiss. “Don’t forget, we’re going to Vancouver for a week in just a little over a month; just the two of us!”

“Yeah, I know everything is kinda up in the air just now, but it is something to look forward to.” Kadyn smiled and pushed himself off his partner’s lap. “And I am so pumped about the two of us getting away next month……but man, waiting is just sooo hard,” he muttered his lament over a fun time taking so long to transpire.

Short on patience and always looking for immediate fulfilment, Kadyn resigned himself to hang in there and settle for periodical day-dreaming about the upcoming event. He had already written out a list of places he wanted to see, beginning with Granville Island and Stanley Park.

“Maybe this painting idea and a trip to Kelowna will help fill in the time, huh?” he asked, rubbing his hands together is delight. “Yep, exactly what I need, something to make the time go faster.”

He threw his arms around Vincent’s neck and soundly kissed him. “Now, unless you need me for something else,” he wagged his eyebrows and smirked. “I best be off to grab a bite to eat and head to work. See ya later, big guy.”

*******************************

Zack had left the pharmacy in the capable hands of his assistant and had come upstairs to the apartment to shower and change into comfortable sweats. He was on-call until nine o’clock when the store closed for the day, but for now he was going to start supper and wait for Rene to get home.

Fifteen minutes passed, during which time he’d mixed up a salad and cut up veggies for a stir-fry. The rice was steaming and the chicken frying as he set the table. He glanced at the clock on the wall and wondered how much later his partner was going to be. They had talked about time management not that long ago.

Zack smiled when he heard the door slam downstairs and Rene hurriedly taking the stairs two at a time. Moments later, Zack had his arms full of one excited young man in paint-splattered clothing.

Rene drew back from Zack’s arms and looked up into the handsome face. He still found it hard to believe he had found so much happiness in this small back-water town. Being held in Zack’s arms was the best feeling on earth; well, right after making love with Zack, that is.

“Hey, Zack, guess what?” He didn’t wait for an answer but delved right in. “I met this guy, Kadyn, today. He runs the convenience store with his father. Anyway, he wants me to do a mural on the glass at the front of the store. I haven’t done much work on glass but I’m really looking forward to it. Though it means I’ll have to go to Kelowna to buy the right kind of paints. I don’t suppose you’ll have the time to go with me, will you?”

Zack couldn’t help but chuckle at his partner’s enthusiasm and he loved watching Rene’s beautiful blue eyes sparkling. He planted a firm kiss on his lover’s lips.

“Why don’t we talk about it over supper, love? You’ve five minutes to grab a quick shower and change before I put the food on the table.” With that he gave Rene another kiss, turned him around and landed a light swat of encouragement to help him on his way. He hummed softly to himself as he dropped the veggies into the hot wok and set about completing the meal preparations.

Rene laughed as he headed off to wash away the day’s worth of sweat and paint. Minutes later, he returned to the kitchen in fresh clothes; his hair still damp and curling around his neck. “Mmmm, that smells good.” he remarked as he reached into the sizzling pan of veggies and pinched a slice of green pepper.

Zack grabbed the hand getting ready to take another veggie out of the hot pan and swung Rene around. “Come here,” he softly invited as he picked up the spatula to give the cooking food a final stir. He pulled Rene into a one-arm embrace and kissed the top of his head. He slipped a hand into the back of his lover’s sweat pants and gently kneaded a damp cheek while stirring cooking food with the other.

“Missed you,” he murmured in his lover’s ear and then proceeded to nibble on it. The two men cuddled in companionable silence for several moments before Zack sighed and moved to set their meal on the table.

Taking a seat, Zack began helping himself while Rene did the same. “So, you met Jade Heights’ version of the Energizer Bunny today,” the older man commented with a wide grin. “And what’s this about a new commission that entails a possible trip to Kelowna?”

“Energizer Bunny?” Rene laughed. “That is a rather good name from what little I've seen of him. Kadyn certainly keeps going and going. But he seems genuinely interested in having me do a mural on the store front glass.”

As he tucked into his meal, Rene explained. “I would have to make a trip to Kelowna because painting on glass requires a special type of paint that I can’t get here in Jade Heights. There is an artists’ supply store there where I’m sure I can get what I need.”

“Well, I’m afraid I’ll not be able to get away any time soon, love, so looks like you’ll be making the trip alone.” Zack felt bad as he knew how little that would appeal to his partner. He chewed thoughtfully for a moment or two. “Unless, you’re willing to wait a couple of weeks,” he suggested.

Rene sighed; he’d been expecting as much but still he’d hoped Zack would be able to find a way to accompany him. “No, I really couldn’t wait that long. If I’m going to fit this commission in before I start on the one for the restaurant, I have to get the supplies soon. Kadyn did say he’d like to go with me so I won’t be alone. Of course, none of this is written in stone. I still have to submit some sketches and see if we can come to an agreement.”

“I have a feeling Mr. Hart will approve anything you propose, even if he himself personally didn’t want his window painted. From what I understand, he has never been able to say ‘no’ to that youngest boy of his. It’s little wonder Vincent has his hands full.” Zack chuckled and shook his head. “I’ve heard of several of Kadyn escapades since coming to town. You did know he had a partner, right? And that he would have to clear a trip to Kelowna with Vincent?”

Zack was beyond pleased that his partner was getting to know folks about town. He had hoped Rene would make some friends around his own age but until now Rene had seemed disinclined to do so. Zack thought Kadyn would make an interesting and entertaining friend. He wondered what Rene would think of the idea but didn’t bring up the subject.

“Kadyn spoke about Vincent and his book store; even suggested that he might also be interested in my doing some work for him.” Rene looked thoughtful for a moment. “You said that Kadyn would have to clear the trip with Vincent. Do you mean he’d need Vincent’s permission? Do they do things like us, where Vincent is in charge?” Rene had been doing some reading on the internet about discipline relationships and was curious to know if there were others around who chose that lifestyle.

“Although I can’t be one hundred percent sure they are in a similar relationship, I have seen a few signs that lead me to believe they may be. It doesn’t really concern us one way or another, I guess, except to be aware that Vincent may not want his partner going off with someone he doesn’t know well.” Zack finished his supper and got up to turn on the coffee pot. “Now where you’re concern, as long as you drive safely and come back to me on time and in one piece…..” he smiled and left the rest unspoken.

Rene felt an inner-warmth from Zack’s words. It was such a good feeling to know that someone cared so much about his welfare. “I promise to drive very safely. After all, I have someone very special to come home to.” He reached across the table and took Zack’s hand in his and gave it a squeeze. “I sure hope it will be okay with for Kadyn to come with me, it would make the long drive a lot more fun,” he softly added.

The End