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cloversworld) wrote2011-12-06 08:10 pm
cloversworld) wrote2011-12-06 08:10 pm
Entry tags:
AU Fic: [NIGHTQUEST] Night In The City Of Angels, ch.3
[NIGHTQUEST] Book1: Night in the City of Angels, 3/10
American Idol, David C./ David A | Kris A./ Adam L., NC-17 (for the entire fic)
Disclaimer: This is just fiction, none of the contents are real. I do not own the characters and the concept used in this story. No profit was made.
A/N: Just a friendly reminder that this was written in 3rd person POV omniscient. Not beta'ed.
For more info: MASTER POST
Chapter 3
The rhythm of the music pulsated through his bones, bass pounding hard against his skull and ribcage. Smoke permeated the room, the smell of pot mixed with alcohol sharp against his nostrils.
David wormed his way through the crowd, searching for his friend, Benton. He finally made it outside but the loud sound still rang in his ears. He found Benton pushed up against the wall with a boy, who David didn't recognized, pressed against him, their mouths fused together in a messy kiss. He turned away sharply, his stomach twisting in knots.
It wasn't jealousy. David was sure of it. It was something else. There was a need that boiled deep in the pit of his stomach, a need David couldn't identify. He had the urge to contact Dave telepathically, but no…. He had been bothering Dave enough for the past four months.
Merging with Dave's mind no longer perturbed David but he was still confused as heck. Dave hadn't said much though, only explained that David was obviously different. David knew that bit of fact already.
It felt uncomfortable when Dave asked stupid questions – like if his parents were also different and when David said he hadn't noticed anything off about them, Dave asked if David had been adopted. Of course he wasn't. But he had the compulsion to ask his parents about it.
The patio was less crowded than it was inside but it was still cluttered with college students – some making out, some drowning themselves in beer and liquor.
David scanned the area, hoping he would find someone he knew. This was what he didn't like about inter-campus parties. The place was packed with strangers and he wasn't even sure if all these people were from the university. He had a limited number of friends and that was something David didn't plan to change soon.
Someone offered him a drink and he politely turned it down, but the girl was insistent, saying, "Just a sip?" David stiffened when she laid her head on his shoulder, her red hair cascading down his chest. She reeked of alcohol but David caught a different scent that made his gut churn. He could… he could smell her blood.
He stepped away from her quickly, muttering, "Excuse me," and she almost lost her balance. Hunger clawed at his entrails, his throat throbbing with thirst. His gaze landed on someone else's neck. He could hear the rush of blood through the carotid artery and he craved to taste it, to sink his teeth in that boy's flesh. His knees weakened at the thought but David didn't falter. He pushed his way through the throngs of college students, eager to get away from temptation.
Too lost in thought, David didn't see where he was going and he ended up crashing against someone's back. He was quick to say, "Oh gosh, I'm sorry," before his head snapped up and to meet pale blue eyes.
"Hey! I know you," the man said and David winced when the man's spit splattered on his face. "You're from the Music Department, right? Um…" He rubbed his chin, the corner of his eyes crinkling. "David! Yeah. David Archuleta."
"Right" was David's perfunctory response. He was about to turn but he felt a warm hand grab him by the arm.
"Wait. Where are you going?"
"Back to my dorm." David was tempted to yank his arm out of the man's grip but he didn't. He was mesmerized by the erratic rhythm of the man's pulse.
"Well, let me walk you there then." The man coaxed him to fall in stride and when David was about to tell him that he'd rather not go with a stranger, the man said, "My name's Rick, by the way. We did theater together last year," which triggered a sense of familiarity.
David uttered, "Okay," despite half of him knew that this was a bad idea.
It was a long walk back to his dormitory and the path through the campus seemed darker than it should be. "I know a short cut," Rick said and led David into an alley that sat between two buildings.
David sensed it before Rick pushed him against the wall, pressed his palm against David's crotch and his mouth latched onto the side of David's neck. "I've been wanting to do this ever since I laid eyes on you," he growled against David's ear.
Rick stumbled back when David pushed him. But despite being inebriated, Rick was able to regain his balance and he was all over David almost instantly. His hand framed David's jaw, forcing David to look him in the eye. "Don't fight this. I know you want this, too," he said and David winced when he inhaled Rick's liquor-laden breath.
David clasped at Rick's arms when Rick started nipping at his jaw. His eyes slid down to Rick's neck. The compulsion to bite was too strong that it tore mercilessly at David's chest. The smell of Rick's blood made David's stomach roil. Every thump of Rick's heartbeat sounded more like an invitation that David couldn’t resist.
David's tongue brushed against the sharp tip of his fangs, feeling them slowly protract. His hand crept all the way to the back of Rick's head and when his fingers tangled with Rick's curly hair, David yanked Rick's head back, exposing his neck.
Rick whimpered when David's lips came in contact with his skin and he started struggling when David's fangs sank into his veins. Rick had gone limp when his blood gushed into David's mouth.
The sharp taste of the liquid clung on David's tongue. He unlatched his lips from Rick's neck after he had gotten a mouthful. It was enough to quench his thirst. He licked the blood left on the wound, sliding his tongue over the pricked skin.
The reality of what he had done suddenly overwhelmed his senses. David released Rick and he watched Rick's limp body drop on the ground.
David was quick to recover from the shock. He bent down to check if Rick was still breathing. When he was certain that Rick was still alive, he fled, not returning to his dorm as planned. Instead, he took a bus to Murray, thinking of heading straight to his parents' house.
The three-hour drive was unnerving. It gave David time to contemplate on the most recent events. It wasn't the first time he'd been hit with the thirst for blood but it was the first time he felt the urge strong enough that he inevitably relented.
What's happening to me? David screamed in his head and was almost startled when he felt Dave's psychic connection.
What's wrong?
Dave! I did something horrible! David stopped before he sent out another thought. He hesitated telling Dave what happened, fearing what Dave might think if he found out that David had vampire-like tendencies.
David? What is it?
Nothing. I mean, I can't tell you right now. I'm on my way to my parents'. I'll tell you about it later.
If Dave could tell that David was lying, he didn't say anything about it. David closed his mind before Dave could send out another thought.
*
David had sought sanctuary in his parents' house, keeping himself locked in his bedroom most of the time. He learned from Benton that Rick was found unconscious in the Liberal Arts campus the next morning. It was a relief to know that Rick was alive and was able to recover fast. Everyone seemed to assume that he got too drunk the night before.
No one ever asked David about Rick. Benton said no one could remember seeing Rick leave the party that night. He also said something about Rick not able to remember what happened. Despite all this, David still chose not to return to school, too afraid that the same thing might arise again and he would be weak to resist the temptation.
Rick's blood was enough to sustain him for four days. After that, he started to crave and crave and the burn in his gut was nearly driving him insane.
Talking to Dave telepathically didn't help either. David couldn't risk telling Dave about Rick, about all the weird things that had been happening. He had this strange paranoia that Dave might turn him in or something. So David did his best to learn how to break the psychic connection and block Dave's telepathic link. He wasn't sure how he learned to do that but he did.
More than a week after the incident, David's mom came to his room armed with determination and shielded with caution. "Tell me what happened," was all she uttered and it broke David's resolve. She had given David the space he needed and he thought she deserved to know the truth.
David threw himself into his mother's arms, muttered, "Mom, I think there's something wrong with me," and did his best to stay coherent while he told her everything. Everything.
His mom was still and quiet once he was done babbling. He could sense her thoughts – knew that she wasn't alarmed somehow. Then David felt her arms tighten around him. She buried her face in David's hair and whispered, "There's something important you need to know, David."
*
His eyes skipped between his mom and his dad and he knew it was unethical but he tried to look into their minds, hoping to find a clue that they could be lying. He found no trace of agitation or guilt. It must be true then. David was adopted.
"We still lived in Florida back then and one night, I was on my way home from work when a woman stopped me," his father, Jeff, recounted. "You were only a few days old and she just handed you to me, said that your mother died at childbirth and she was gone before I could ask her anything else."
"But that doesn't explain why I'm changing." David was nearly getting frustrated. He could sense that his dad was holding back something but David chose not to pry – either vocally or telepathically.
"I'm sorry." Jeff couldn't meet David's eyes so his gaze slid over to the window and he saw lighting slice across the dark sky.
All these years, David presumed he was different, nothing like his brother and sisters, and now he knew why. But his origin and his nature remained a mystery.
The changes were gradual at first, but then everything happened rapidly that David found the need to live a new lifestyle.
There were times he could go out during daytime without any trouble. Then there were times he couldn't because the sun hurt his eyes and the rays stung when it come in contact with his skin.
Eventually, he found it futile to fight the thirst for human blood. He had labeled himself a vampire because of his blood-consuming urges, but he had read that vampires normally kill their victims. That was something David could never do. He had been keen in making sure that he kept his victims alive.
Seven years rolled by and weird things continued to happen. David had discovered that if he focused hard enough, he could make the clouds form some sort of shield to protect him from direct exposure to sunlight. What he found weirder was while his siblings and parents aged, he didn't. He still looked young as if time had frozen around him and David knew that the townspeople would soon notice, would know that David was different and they might shun his family as a consequence.
One night, David decided to leave. He told his mom and his dad that he had to find others like him.
"You don't have to go," his mom said, tears pooling in her eyes.
His dad didn't utter a word, just wrapped his arms tightly around David. His thoughts were palpable enough for David to hear so he could almost hear his dad thinking, Take good care of yourself, son. Be safe.
"Thanks Dad. For everything."
It was sad that his sisters weren't around, but his brother Daniel was there to see him off. "If there's anything I can do to help, just call me, okay?" were the last words Daniel said to David before David left Murray.
*
For over a decade, he had moved from one city to another and had lived under dozens of aliases, keeping his real identity hidden for fear that people would be appalled to discover that he was more than fifty but he still looked exactly like he had been at twenty.
He settled in Los Angeles and assumed the name 'Archie'. He was wandering around the busy streets downtown, broke and in desperate search of a job, when he heard an enticing melody.
Archie followed the sound and saw a young man strumming eloquently on his guitar amidst the small crowd that was gathered around him. The song falling from the young man's lips wasn't familiar but it was pretty and his voice was soft and beguiling.
When the young man was done singing, applause rippled through his small audience and the onlookers started dropping coins in the jar sitting next to the young man's foot.
The crowd dispersed but Archie stayed where he was, standing there like a lost puppy. The young man took notice and the corners of his mouth lifted, pulling a smile on his lips.
"You're not gonna request for an encore, are you?" The young man's eyes gleamed.
"A what?"
"An encore." The young man's lips parted, as if he had more to say, but then he seemed to have changed his mind and snapped his mouth shut. "Forget it. My name's Kris, by the way." He offered his hand to Archie, which Archie took in a genial handshake.
"I'm Archie."
When Archie told Kris he played the piano, Kris dragged him across four blocks. "The music club I work for is in need of a pianist," Kris explained. "Maybe you can show them what you've got and they might offer you a job."
The Basement sat in one of the inconspicuous part of the city and living up to its name, it was located beneath the ground.
There were a handful of people blocking the stairs near the main entrance, some smoking, the others seemed to be immersed in casual conversation.
Inside, the place looked almost empty with only a couple of men lingering along the corridors. Curiosity swelled in Archie's chest and he was inclined to ask, "Is it always this quiet and empty?"
"Not really," was Kris cursory reaction before he led Archie past the entrance hall and into the back office. "The place isn't even open yet. It's usually full, especially on weekends."
Kris explained that The Basement was more like a music club where people come to have drinks and unwind. He was about to say more but the words died in his throat when something caught his eye.
Adam stood at the end of the hallway, obviously watching them. Kris met Adam's gaze and sent out a thought. I hope you're right about this one, Adam. I'm already guilty for luring the kid. He seems innocent and naïve.
He's not a kid, trust me, Adam thought and he took a step back, blending in the dark shadows.
Kris introduced Archie to the club's owner, Nigel, who asked Archie to play a couple of pieces on the piano sitting on a small stage. Nigel also asked Archie to sing one song then hired him on the spot.
Archie took notice of the strange expression that veiled over Nigel's face but he dismissed it, pushed the thoughts aside and was happy to get the job.
"That was awesome, man," Kris said as soon as Archie climbed down the stage to join him in the table. He wasn't even faking it. He did think Archie was good enough that he could give Jean-Yves Thibaudet or even Elton John a run for their money.
Despite Archie being good, Kris suspected that Adam had something to do with Nigel hiring him. The man had never hired anyone that quick before. He usually gave them a hard time even if he was deeply impressed and in dire need of people.
"That was remarkable, kid." Adam ambled over to their table, eyeing Archie like he was some important discovery.
Kris couldn't blame Adam though. He knew Adam had been anticipating Archie's arrival and had been eager to take Archie under his wing. He should be jealous but Adam hadn't had anyone under his charge for the past year and Kris didn't want to see his boyfriend feel useless.
Introductions were necessary at this point so Kris said, "Archie, this is Adam. He also works here as a fortune teller."
Archie quirked an eyebrow up and said, "Fortune teller?"
"Yeah. Got my little booth back there." Adam jerked his thumb, gesturing at the corner of the club. "You want me to tell you your fortune?"
Kris snorted. "A friendly advice, Archie. Don't." He got up, the chair's legs scratching against the floor. The sound reverberates around the empty space. He patted Archie on the shoulder. "Let's get you settled. You said you haven't found a place to stay. There's a vacant apartment upstairs. Maybe I can talk to Ms. Abdul so she'll let you rent it without asking for an advance or something."
"I guess I'll see you later?" Archie told Adam and he followed Kris outside.
Adam watched his boyfriend and Archie leave, one corner of his mouth twisted in amusement. He thought that having Archie under his tutelage would certainly be a challenge but he couldn't wait to start.
~ tbc ~
American Idol, David C./ David A | Kris A./ Adam L., NC-17 (for the entire fic)
Disclaimer: This is just fiction, none of the contents are real. I do not own the characters and the concept used in this story. No profit was made.
A/N: Just a friendly reminder that this was written in 3rd person POV omniscient. Not beta'ed.
For more info: MASTER POST
Chapter 3
The rhythm of the music pulsated through his bones, bass pounding hard against his skull and ribcage. Smoke permeated the room, the smell of pot mixed with alcohol sharp against his nostrils.
David wormed his way through the crowd, searching for his friend, Benton. He finally made it outside but the loud sound still rang in his ears. He found Benton pushed up against the wall with a boy, who David didn't recognized, pressed against him, their mouths fused together in a messy kiss. He turned away sharply, his stomach twisting in knots.
It wasn't jealousy. David was sure of it. It was something else. There was a need that boiled deep in the pit of his stomach, a need David couldn't identify. He had the urge to contact Dave telepathically, but no…. He had been bothering Dave enough for the past four months.
Merging with Dave's mind no longer perturbed David but he was still confused as heck. Dave hadn't said much though, only explained that David was obviously different. David knew that bit of fact already.
It felt uncomfortable when Dave asked stupid questions – like if his parents were also different and when David said he hadn't noticed anything off about them, Dave asked if David had been adopted. Of course he wasn't. But he had the compulsion to ask his parents about it.
The patio was less crowded than it was inside but it was still cluttered with college students – some making out, some drowning themselves in beer and liquor.
David scanned the area, hoping he would find someone he knew. This was what he didn't like about inter-campus parties. The place was packed with strangers and he wasn't even sure if all these people were from the university. He had a limited number of friends and that was something David didn't plan to change soon.
Someone offered him a drink and he politely turned it down, but the girl was insistent, saying, "Just a sip?" David stiffened when she laid her head on his shoulder, her red hair cascading down his chest. She reeked of alcohol but David caught a different scent that made his gut churn. He could… he could smell her blood.
He stepped away from her quickly, muttering, "Excuse me," and she almost lost her balance. Hunger clawed at his entrails, his throat throbbing with thirst. His gaze landed on someone else's neck. He could hear the rush of blood through the carotid artery and he craved to taste it, to sink his teeth in that boy's flesh. His knees weakened at the thought but David didn't falter. He pushed his way through the throngs of college students, eager to get away from temptation.
Too lost in thought, David didn't see where he was going and he ended up crashing against someone's back. He was quick to say, "Oh gosh, I'm sorry," before his head snapped up and to meet pale blue eyes.
"Hey! I know you," the man said and David winced when the man's spit splattered on his face. "You're from the Music Department, right? Um…" He rubbed his chin, the corner of his eyes crinkling. "David! Yeah. David Archuleta."
"Right" was David's perfunctory response. He was about to turn but he felt a warm hand grab him by the arm.
"Wait. Where are you going?"
"Back to my dorm." David was tempted to yank his arm out of the man's grip but he didn't. He was mesmerized by the erratic rhythm of the man's pulse.
"Well, let me walk you there then." The man coaxed him to fall in stride and when David was about to tell him that he'd rather not go with a stranger, the man said, "My name's Rick, by the way. We did theater together last year," which triggered a sense of familiarity.
David uttered, "Okay," despite half of him knew that this was a bad idea.
It was a long walk back to his dormitory and the path through the campus seemed darker than it should be. "I know a short cut," Rick said and led David into an alley that sat between two buildings.
David sensed it before Rick pushed him against the wall, pressed his palm against David's crotch and his mouth latched onto the side of David's neck. "I've been wanting to do this ever since I laid eyes on you," he growled against David's ear.
Rick stumbled back when David pushed him. But despite being inebriated, Rick was able to regain his balance and he was all over David almost instantly. His hand framed David's jaw, forcing David to look him in the eye. "Don't fight this. I know you want this, too," he said and David winced when he inhaled Rick's liquor-laden breath.
David clasped at Rick's arms when Rick started nipping at his jaw. His eyes slid down to Rick's neck. The compulsion to bite was too strong that it tore mercilessly at David's chest. The smell of Rick's blood made David's stomach roil. Every thump of Rick's heartbeat sounded more like an invitation that David couldn’t resist.
David's tongue brushed against the sharp tip of his fangs, feeling them slowly protract. His hand crept all the way to the back of Rick's head and when his fingers tangled with Rick's curly hair, David yanked Rick's head back, exposing his neck.
Rick whimpered when David's lips came in contact with his skin and he started struggling when David's fangs sank into his veins. Rick had gone limp when his blood gushed into David's mouth.
The sharp taste of the liquid clung on David's tongue. He unlatched his lips from Rick's neck after he had gotten a mouthful. It was enough to quench his thirst. He licked the blood left on the wound, sliding his tongue over the pricked skin.
The reality of what he had done suddenly overwhelmed his senses. David released Rick and he watched Rick's limp body drop on the ground.
David was quick to recover from the shock. He bent down to check if Rick was still breathing. When he was certain that Rick was still alive, he fled, not returning to his dorm as planned. Instead, he took a bus to Murray, thinking of heading straight to his parents' house.
The three-hour drive was unnerving. It gave David time to contemplate on the most recent events. It wasn't the first time he'd been hit with the thirst for blood but it was the first time he felt the urge strong enough that he inevitably relented.
What's happening to me? David screamed in his head and was almost startled when he felt Dave's psychic connection.
What's wrong?
Dave! I did something horrible! David stopped before he sent out another thought. He hesitated telling Dave what happened, fearing what Dave might think if he found out that David had vampire-like tendencies.
David? What is it?
Nothing. I mean, I can't tell you right now. I'm on my way to my parents'. I'll tell you about it later.
If Dave could tell that David was lying, he didn't say anything about it. David closed his mind before Dave could send out another thought.
*
David had sought sanctuary in his parents' house, keeping himself locked in his bedroom most of the time. He learned from Benton that Rick was found unconscious in the Liberal Arts campus the next morning. It was a relief to know that Rick was alive and was able to recover fast. Everyone seemed to assume that he got too drunk the night before.
No one ever asked David about Rick. Benton said no one could remember seeing Rick leave the party that night. He also said something about Rick not able to remember what happened. Despite all this, David still chose not to return to school, too afraid that the same thing might arise again and he would be weak to resist the temptation.
Rick's blood was enough to sustain him for four days. After that, he started to crave and crave and the burn in his gut was nearly driving him insane.
Talking to Dave telepathically didn't help either. David couldn't risk telling Dave about Rick, about all the weird things that had been happening. He had this strange paranoia that Dave might turn him in or something. So David did his best to learn how to break the psychic connection and block Dave's telepathic link. He wasn't sure how he learned to do that but he did.
More than a week after the incident, David's mom came to his room armed with determination and shielded with caution. "Tell me what happened," was all she uttered and it broke David's resolve. She had given David the space he needed and he thought she deserved to know the truth.
David threw himself into his mother's arms, muttered, "Mom, I think there's something wrong with me," and did his best to stay coherent while he told her everything. Everything.
His mom was still and quiet once he was done babbling. He could sense her thoughts – knew that she wasn't alarmed somehow. Then David felt her arms tighten around him. She buried her face in David's hair and whispered, "There's something important you need to know, David."
*
His eyes skipped between his mom and his dad and he knew it was unethical but he tried to look into their minds, hoping to find a clue that they could be lying. He found no trace of agitation or guilt. It must be true then. David was adopted.
"We still lived in Florida back then and one night, I was on my way home from work when a woman stopped me," his father, Jeff, recounted. "You were only a few days old and she just handed you to me, said that your mother died at childbirth and she was gone before I could ask her anything else."
"But that doesn't explain why I'm changing." David was nearly getting frustrated. He could sense that his dad was holding back something but David chose not to pry – either vocally or telepathically.
"I'm sorry." Jeff couldn't meet David's eyes so his gaze slid over to the window and he saw lighting slice across the dark sky.
All these years, David presumed he was different, nothing like his brother and sisters, and now he knew why. But his origin and his nature remained a mystery.
The changes were gradual at first, but then everything happened rapidly that David found the need to live a new lifestyle.
There were times he could go out during daytime without any trouble. Then there were times he couldn't because the sun hurt his eyes and the rays stung when it come in contact with his skin.
Eventually, he found it futile to fight the thirst for human blood. He had labeled himself a vampire because of his blood-consuming urges, but he had read that vampires normally kill their victims. That was something David could never do. He had been keen in making sure that he kept his victims alive.
Seven years rolled by and weird things continued to happen. David had discovered that if he focused hard enough, he could make the clouds form some sort of shield to protect him from direct exposure to sunlight. What he found weirder was while his siblings and parents aged, he didn't. He still looked young as if time had frozen around him and David knew that the townspeople would soon notice, would know that David was different and they might shun his family as a consequence.
One night, David decided to leave. He told his mom and his dad that he had to find others like him.
"You don't have to go," his mom said, tears pooling in her eyes.
His dad didn't utter a word, just wrapped his arms tightly around David. His thoughts were palpable enough for David to hear so he could almost hear his dad thinking, Take good care of yourself, son. Be safe.
"Thanks Dad. For everything."
It was sad that his sisters weren't around, but his brother Daniel was there to see him off. "If there's anything I can do to help, just call me, okay?" were the last words Daniel said to David before David left Murray.
*
For over a decade, he had moved from one city to another and had lived under dozens of aliases, keeping his real identity hidden for fear that people would be appalled to discover that he was more than fifty but he still looked exactly like he had been at twenty.
He settled in Los Angeles and assumed the name 'Archie'. He was wandering around the busy streets downtown, broke and in desperate search of a job, when he heard an enticing melody.
Archie followed the sound and saw a young man strumming eloquently on his guitar amidst the small crowd that was gathered around him. The song falling from the young man's lips wasn't familiar but it was pretty and his voice was soft and beguiling.
When the young man was done singing, applause rippled through his small audience and the onlookers started dropping coins in the jar sitting next to the young man's foot.
The crowd dispersed but Archie stayed where he was, standing there like a lost puppy. The young man took notice and the corners of his mouth lifted, pulling a smile on his lips.
"You're not gonna request for an encore, are you?" The young man's eyes gleamed.
"A what?"
"An encore." The young man's lips parted, as if he had more to say, but then he seemed to have changed his mind and snapped his mouth shut. "Forget it. My name's Kris, by the way." He offered his hand to Archie, which Archie took in a genial handshake.
"I'm Archie."
When Archie told Kris he played the piano, Kris dragged him across four blocks. "The music club I work for is in need of a pianist," Kris explained. "Maybe you can show them what you've got and they might offer you a job."
The Basement sat in one of the inconspicuous part of the city and living up to its name, it was located beneath the ground.
There were a handful of people blocking the stairs near the main entrance, some smoking, the others seemed to be immersed in casual conversation.
Inside, the place looked almost empty with only a couple of men lingering along the corridors. Curiosity swelled in Archie's chest and he was inclined to ask, "Is it always this quiet and empty?"
"Not really," was Kris cursory reaction before he led Archie past the entrance hall and into the back office. "The place isn't even open yet. It's usually full, especially on weekends."
Kris explained that The Basement was more like a music club where people come to have drinks and unwind. He was about to say more but the words died in his throat when something caught his eye.
Adam stood at the end of the hallway, obviously watching them. Kris met Adam's gaze and sent out a thought. I hope you're right about this one, Adam. I'm already guilty for luring the kid. He seems innocent and naïve.
He's not a kid, trust me, Adam thought and he took a step back, blending in the dark shadows.
Kris introduced Archie to the club's owner, Nigel, who asked Archie to play a couple of pieces on the piano sitting on a small stage. Nigel also asked Archie to sing one song then hired him on the spot.
Archie took notice of the strange expression that veiled over Nigel's face but he dismissed it, pushed the thoughts aside and was happy to get the job.
"That was awesome, man," Kris said as soon as Archie climbed down the stage to join him in the table. He wasn't even faking it. He did think Archie was good enough that he could give Jean-Yves Thibaudet or even Elton John a run for their money.
Despite Archie being good, Kris suspected that Adam had something to do with Nigel hiring him. The man had never hired anyone that quick before. He usually gave them a hard time even if he was deeply impressed and in dire need of people.
"That was remarkable, kid." Adam ambled over to their table, eyeing Archie like he was some important discovery.
Kris couldn't blame Adam though. He knew Adam had been anticipating Archie's arrival and had been eager to take Archie under his wing. He should be jealous but Adam hadn't had anyone under his charge for the past year and Kris didn't want to see his boyfriend feel useless.
Introductions were necessary at this point so Kris said, "Archie, this is Adam. He also works here as a fortune teller."
Archie quirked an eyebrow up and said, "Fortune teller?"
"Yeah. Got my little booth back there." Adam jerked his thumb, gesturing at the corner of the club. "You want me to tell you your fortune?"
Kris snorted. "A friendly advice, Archie. Don't." He got up, the chair's legs scratching against the floor. The sound reverberates around the empty space. He patted Archie on the shoulder. "Let's get you settled. You said you haven't found a place to stay. There's a vacant apartment upstairs. Maybe I can talk to Ms. Abdul so she'll let you rent it without asking for an advance or something."
"I guess I'll see you later?" Archie told Adam and he followed Kris outside.
Adam watched his boyfriend and Archie leave, one corner of his mouth twisted in amusement. He thought that having Archie under his tutelage would certainly be a challenge but he couldn't wait to start.
~ tbc ~