by Semirhage
Rating: R for SLASH!! ^.^ (Like that's a bad thing! ::winks::) And, err, cussing.
Prolouge
"So, Mr. Wilson, I know we have only a limited amount of questions, but there's just so much the public doesn't know!"
Reclining in the soft, velvet armchair, Adrian smiled. "Perhaps if you ask the right questions, you'll get more information out of me," he joked, eyes wandering across the stage to where the audience sat. Although he had been to many shows, he was still nervous at being the focus of hundreds of inquisitive eyes - and that did not even count the ones staring from the television sets.
"All right, then. Let's see how I do," Estelle, the host, returned, her black eyes twinkling in humour. "We all know about your mother's story, and though we know of you, we don't know you. Tell us, do you have a specific Mrs. Wilson in mind?"
"Not a one," he replied honestly, the question provoking an amused chuckle. "Of course, that's a question I've become very familiar with over the past few years."
For a few moments, the host studied him, tapping her fingers against each other. "And yet, you haven't had any serious relationships in that time... Have you just not met the right woman?"
"Oh, I've met plenty of women." Adrian shrugged, shifting on the cushioned seat. "And I have relationships with several."
"Ah, but no romantic ones. There are several happy ladies at that, Adrian," Estelle said, winking one of her heavily decorated eyes.
"Actually, if it weren't for a certain guy, I might have a wife right now," Adrian announced, eyes studying the host's face for the intrigued reaction he was sure to come.
"Really?" Estelle asked, her penciled eyebrows lifting and eyes twinkling. "So this certain guy stole her from you?"
A laugh erupted from Adrian. "No, not at all. He just helped me realise some things. I am grateful to him, actually."
"And so are many girls - for their opportunity to snatch you." Estelle stood and walked towards the audience. "Now we're going to open questions to the guests. Adrian has limited the selection to three questions, so we're going to ask the really good ones."
In a wild surge, people jumped to their feets, their fingers extended towards the ceiling. The first chosen was a young, blonde haired girl with big blue-green eyes who looked about fourteen. Her name was Louise Sharlet.
"So, umm, my question is..umm..well, what do you look for in a girlfriend?"
This was the part of the show that Adrian enjoyed the most. "In a girlfriend?" he asked, pursing his lips thoughtfully. "Well, I like honesty. If I'm going on a date, I want to know if my outfit looks like shit. Oops, I cussed. Sorry, Estelle." Flashing a small smile at the host, he turned back to the girl. "I like for us to have things in common - but we also need to have some differences. I enjoy overcoming the hinderances that threaten to destroy a relationship. Oh, and open-mindedness is a key quality. Generally, some kind of love of the arts is a good idea. Does that answer your question?"
"Oh, yes, thanks," the girl squeaked, her face flaming as she hurriedly resumed sitting.
The next questioner was a middle aged man who quickly flipped through a small notebook. After arguing with his female companion, a pretty brunette who looked too young to be his significant other, he asked, "Are you planning on showing any of your works soon? Your art, that is."
Before he answered, Adrian noticed the girl rolled her eyes and flipped her glossy hair as she sat. "Well, I do intend on it - of course, some are not for sale or reproduction."
"Such as Self-Portrait, right?" the man prodded.
"Correct."
The man looked ready to make another query, but Estelle silenced him with a look. Adrian bit his lip to hold back a snigger at the furious expression splashed across the man's face.
"All right, last question," Estelle said as she looked across the stadium. "What about...you, in the green vest and mesh black shirt - yes, you."
After watching the man and young woman bicker for a few moments, Adrian swept his gaze across the audience in search of the last questioner. Of course, the finding was not too difficult since everybody else had sat again.
His eyes widened as they landed on the questioner. Yes, he was clothed in a green vest, a mesh black shirt, and shiny black pants that appeared to be leather. Messy, auburn hair fell ungracefully across his forehead, and a pair of dark sunglasses prohibited view of his eyes.
"My question is," the young man said, his voice carrying through the room better than either of the first two questioners', "who is this certain guy who ruined your chance at happiness with that girl?"
"Gavin!" Adrian exclaimed, bounding towards the distant figure.
His old friend met him halfway and they hugged for what felt like minutes. Finally, Adrian led him down the stairs. He shook Estelle's hand, then hurried off the stage with the red haired man.
"Just like you to show up in the most dramatic way possible," he exclaimed as he gratefully accepted a water bottle from one of the set workers then led his old friend into what he had earlier dubbed the 'relaxing room' for its comfy sofas and large television. "Damn, Gav, where have you been these past four years?"
Shrugging, Gavin slouched in a nearby chair and removed his sunglasses to reveal forest green eyes. "Surviving through college, experiencing the European life which, let me tell you, is one helluva life."
Arching an eyebrow, Adrian took a gulp of water. "Yeah, I bet you did a little experiencing, as you call it."
"Oh, Adrian, you should have been there! British accents are so incredibly sexy - I get turned on just thinking of them. Oh, but I bet you've been keeping yourself busy enough, eh? Heh heh..."
Rolling his eyes, Adrian muttered, "Pervert."
"Wow...it has been such a long time."
"Too long," Adrian agreed, standing. "Where are you staying? You should drop by and visit with me while you're in town. I hate being all alone in stinky hotel rooms, you know."
"I'm surprised you don't have company, you being famous and rich and all."
Taking another long gulp of water, Adrian shook his head. "You know I'm not the type for the company you're referring to."
"Ah, yes, good 'ole Adrian - no one-night stands and noncommitment relationships for him!" Gavin laughed as he stood. "Oh, Adrian... You'll never guess what I got pierced while I was in Britain."
"Oh, Gavin, I did not need to know that," Adrian said, covering his eyes with his hand.
"Not that, Adrian. There are only a few kinds of rings I let near that area, and none of them go pokey-pokey." After a few moments, he sighed. "Nothing big, just my nipple. I met this guy who got really turned on by pierced nipples... He was hot."
"Too much information in a different kind of way, Gav," Adrian teased, poking his old friend in the chest. When he felt the obvious ring through the vest, he could not resist feeling a second time. "Nice," he finally commented as he pulled his hand away.
Gavin stretched so the edges of his shirt rose to bare inches of prefect, tanned skin. "You can see all and touch all you like later," he promised, waggling his eyebrows.
"Hah hah," Adrian said, holding his hand in the air, this time to silence his friend. "Listen, why don't you come by and visit me some time tomorrow? I'll scribble my address and phone on a paper for you... I'm sure you won't have much difficulty finding the hotel, and if you do just call." Adrian quickly found a pad to write his address and phone number on, then handed it to Gavin. "Now, don't lose it-"
"Geez, I won't. You act like I'm still the same guy you knew in high school." Shaking his head, Gavin affected a look of hurt.
"Perhaps if you acted like a mature man, I wouldn't make snide comments questioning said maturity."
Sniffling, the green-eyed man touched his hand to his chest. "Oh, the pain!" he exclaimed, closing his eyes.
The door opened to admit Estelle into the room. The tall, willowy woman looked as if she had just received a pay raise and a rather large bonus. Adrian could not wait to see the kind of rumours that would brew because of Gavin's unexpected appearance.
"You should go," Adrian said, "unless you want to get pulled into the rather long and tedious inquisition. Call me sometime tonight and tell me when you plan on visiting, 'kay?"
"You got it, sugar," Gavin replied, eyes twinkling. Without a second of hesitation, he pulled Adrian into a tight hug and brushed his lips across the slightly shorter young man's cheek. "See you tomorrow," he whispered before gracefully exiting the room.
Dramatic exits and entrances were Gavin's forte - and he loved them. Adrian still could not quite understand how the red-head managed to flow across the floor and barely make any sound; however he could understand why several modeling agencies had never left him alone.
Sighing, he pulled his cigarette box and lighter from his pocket. Smoking was the only way he would survive through Estelle off-air for another few minutes.
Ding-dong. Ding-dong. Ding-dong...
Cursing the stupid bell, Adrian flipped the stove's switch to 'off' and hurried to unlock the door.
"Come on in," he said to the man standing on the other side of the door.
Grinning, Gavin pulled a bouquet of assorted flowers from behind his back and held them towards Adrian. "I was going to go and pick them myself, but then remembered how much you had complained the last time because of the chiggers and other bugs that infested your place. So I found the best florist and told him how to arrange them and what ones to add."
Same old Gavin, Adrian thought fondly as he took the prettily wrapped present. "Thanks, Gav. It wasn't necessary, but thanks." He strode into the kitchen and found a vase to put them in. "I did notice that the best florist happened to be a him."
A laugh erupted from behind him. "Well, what can I say? Some guys are just really good with flowers. The facts that he was single and gay had absolutely nothing to do with my choice. You know I wouldn't go somewhere that sold lousy flowers, Adrian." Still snickering quietly, Gavin left the kitchen - probably to explore.
"Yeah, yeah," Adrian muttered as he carefully placed the bouquet in the vase and filled it with water. "I'll find you a good home later."
"Shit, Adrian, this place is nice!" Gavin yelled.
Giving the flowers one last, admiring look, Adrian followed the direction of the voice. "Oh, the hotel employs maids to keep the place clean."
"No, no, not the cleanliness! Damn, how much do you pay for this? Shit, it looks expensive. I never thought I'd see you in a place like this."
"The shows pay for the rooms - I really wouldn't care if they gave me just an ordinary place, actually," Adrian said with a shrug. "It would be a lot easier to keep up with my stuff."
He glanced around the room - Gavin was right; Adrian would never choose a place that looked like this. The window curtains were cream-coloured velvet embroidered in emerald green, a large chandelier hung from the dining room ceiling, a beautiful fireplace sat boldly in the living room; and a large balcony overlooked the city. The bathroom and closet could each make a bedroom big enough for Adrian.
Adrian watched as Gavin's eyes flew over everything, from the few pictures standing on the tables, the cigarette pack on the little table by the suede, emerald-green armchair, to the old coat laying across one of the chairbacks at the big table. "Well, I think it's nice," the red-head finally said. "But what's that?" he asked as his eyes focused on the table, pointing at a bound stack of papers resting on the elaborately designed table.
"My book," Adrian replied softly. "I was actually wondering if you would like to read it and tell me if I've got anything wrong. You weren't around for me to consult, you know."
"You should have sent the FBI looking for me or something...I'm sure you could have found me with all your millions, y'know."
Picking up the string-bound book, Adrian led his friend into the living room. He motioned to the emerald sofa with his free hand and quirked a smile. "Try it - I assure you it's even more comfortable than those at Estelle's set."
First, Gavin poked a finger into the seat. "Oooh, it's suede!" he exclaimed before prompty plomping onto it. "Niiiice," he purred, wiggling. "I could fall asleep right here..."
"You can't until you've read my story, but afterwards you can stretch across it and sleep all you want," Adrian promised as he handed his friend the book then collapsed on the emerald chair across from the red-head. "I haven't sent it to the publisher's yet...but my agent's seen the rough draft - that is, what you're holding in your hands right now."
Gavin flipped to the first page, then looked at the other young man. "This isn't going to take hours, is it?"
Rolling his eyes, Adrian gritted his teeth. "Knowing the way you read in school, it'll take you days!"
"Fine, fine, I'm reading..."
Sighing, Adrian relaxed into the suede armchair and let his head rest against the back of the chair. For a few moments, he found himself wishing this one had massage capabilities but soon his mind wandered to the story Gavin was working through...
Sighing, Adrian relaxed into the suede armchair and let his head rest against the back of the chair. He reached for his cigarette box and lighter on the table.
It has been such a long time since I've seen you. A sudden, stray thought that Adrian did not wish to contemplate or even have in his mind.
He lit a cigarette and immediately raised it to his lips, forcing his mind to wander to the story Gavin was working through...
||Chapter One||
Send the author feedback!