“I'd drive forever to see Depeche Mode in concert," Brandon said. "Seriously, forever."

"Depeche Mode?" Aydin sighed. He loved Brandon, even if he didn't share Brandon's taste in music. "If you drive forever, you'd never see them. You'd be driving."

"You knew what I meant." Brandon stuck out his tongue. "I'm going to sit on that website until the tickets go live."

"The radio station's been promoting the concert pretty heavy all week. What if you don't get the tickets?" All Brandon had talked about was getting into the concert. He had no real plan other than to hope he'd be quicker than everyone else trying to get tickets. The concert hadn't been announced until three weeks before the event. The tickets weren't going on sale until two weeks prior to the concert. "You might not get on the site, let alone nab those elusive tickets. Everyone wants to see the band."

"I'm thinking positive." Brandon grinned. "My parents or sister might be able to help. Chris knows people."

"He's only got a part-time job reading the news at the radio station. He's kind of low in seniority." But Chris, Brandon's brother-in-law, did know people in the music business and could help.

"So? They owe me." Brandon fluttered his hand. "My birthday's coming up."

"I know." Aydin plunged the last plate into the soapy water. He'd been with Brandon since the beginning of the year. He hadn't thought he had a chance with Brandon. His boyfriend was so flamboyant and loud. Brandon knew everyone. He wore makeup and colored his hair according to his mood. How he'd ever noticed Aydin was beyond Aydin's understanding. He was plain, quiet and nothing like Brandon, but they worked as a couple. Opposites attracted. He washed the plate and tried to ignore Brandon's whining.

"I'm dying here. Do you know how it feels to need to see the band that's been the soundtrack to your life? How it feels to not get to see them live? It's killing me," Brandon said. "Killing me."

"Aren't you being overly dramatic?" Aydin asked. He rinsed the plate. "Your entire life? You listened to Depeche Mode at age three?"

"You knew what I meant."

"I did." He dried his hands, then wrapped his arms around Brandon. "Don't freak out about not getting those tickets until you don't have them." He paused. "Oh, and I know how it feels never to see my favorites live. I'll never see Glenn Miller's orchestra, Judy Garland, or George Michael since they're all dead. I never saw any of them on stage, but I'm still breathing."

Brandon frowned.

"Can't argue, can you?" He kissed Brandon. "I know what you mean about the band, though." He had to smooth it over. Brandon hated to lose arguments or be discounted. Aydin let go of him. "I do understand, though. You've had music at each of your gallery shows, and most of the songs are Depeche Mode. I listen to you working to music." He was more of a showtune kind of guy, but he appreciated Brandon's taste. "You go with what you like best."

"Then you know why I have to be there. My creative spirit depends on this concert," Brandon said. He dried the first plate. "I need it."

Aydin rolled his eyes and resumed washing the rest of the dishes. "Careful. If you get any more dramatic, people will think you're auditioning for a film role or a play over at the theater." He bumped shoulders with Brandon. "Thanks for helping me finish these."

Brandon sighed, drawing the noise out. "I've got to see that band."

"I know."

"I need a plan."

"You do." He wouldn't argue. Brandon was too driven.

Brandon snapped his fingers. "I'll get your computer and mine going at the same time, and whichever one gets onto the site, plus to the ticket page first, that's the one I'll use."

"Whatever works."

"Aydin."

He rolled his shoulders to crack his spine. "What?"

"I wish you understood. Glenn Miller and Judy Garland have been dead for years. You'd never be able to see them. You don't get how important this is," Brandon said.

"I do understand." Why wasn't Brandon letting this go? "You love them. You want to see them. Do it. I don't care."

"You're making light of this," Brandon said. "For me, it's do or die."

"No, it's not. You won't drop dead if you miss the concert." He finished washing the dishes and drained the water. "But I do get the importance. What I meant with the 'whatever works' comment was, do whatever you have to do in order to get those tickets--as long as it's not illegal. I'll help you and won't get in the way."