Precious
folder
Original - Misc › -Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
23
Views:
3,826
Reviews:
51
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
Original - Misc › -Slash - Male/Male
Rating:
Adult +
Chapters:
23
Views:
3,826
Reviews:
51
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The Author holds exclusive rights to this work. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited.
Chaper 14
Disclaimer: These characters are mine.
Chapter 14
Nick’s destination was none other than Adrian’s house. The budding friendship between two had been possibily the best acquisition since meeting Vinny.
“Now, who do we have here?” Adrian purred as he opened the door. He was all glitz and glam even in his 1950s style button chiffon braced dress like June Cleaver. It was a stunning blue and white, which made Adrian look even more like Elizabeth Taylor.
“It’s just me.” Adrian embraced Nick quickly, allowed the younger man entrance into his home. They exchanged pleasantries and Nick followed Adrian out to the back of the house. He’d always loved Adrian’s veranda.
They drank lemonade and watched the streets below. The silence was comforting in a way that Nick truly needed. Words suddenly started pouring out of him, personal or not, he couldn’t control the rate. “Have you seen Johnny and Peter?” Nick asked while swirling his glass of lemonade.
Adrian took a long drag off his cigarette. The grey smoke curled and danced in the open air, but still managed to tickle Nick’s nose with the desire to sneeze. “Yeah, he’s doing better, but Peter’s still worried sick about him.”
Nick couldn’t imagine what he’d do if he saw Vinny hurt like that. Since the afternoon, he’d spontaneously set up an emergency triage in their den, he couldn’t help the anxiety that something like what happened to Johnny could happen to Vinny. “Do you ever worry about Sal, Adrian?”
Adrian turned those beautiful wise eyes on Nick. They were loaded with wisdom and their regard washed over him like a swell of peace. “Sure, I do. We all do. It comes with being married to someone on the darker side of the line that colors things in terms of right and wrong.”
Adrian reached a hand across the table. A warm hand lit on top of Nick’s. “I can see it all over your face.” Adrian smiled softly, and moved his hand to stroke the smooth contours of Nick’s face. “It seems like forever ago that I was your age, but I remember well what it felt like to be scared that something would happen to Sal…maybe, I take it for granted now, but I used to be super frantic back then.”
“So, how you change your feelings?” Nick questioned, breaking Adrian’s gaze.
“You can’t. You don’t. You just pray that God has a soft spot for big danger seeking lugs.”
They shared a short laugh. Nick felt the tension leave him, the worry dissipate. They talked about Nick’s experiences in the ICU, and Adrian joked about Nick’s fondness for taking care of people. Nick listened attentively as Adrian described his new designs and outfits for his shop. He’d been amazed to learn the Adrian was famous throughout the city for his fashion designs. Women—natural, transitioning, and impersonating, clamored for a chance to get hold of a dress or an outfit designed by Adrian.
It was no surprise how much he looked like Elizabeth Taylor. She was his icon after all. Nick could feel Adrian’s eyes raking over him again. “What do I have to do to get you in one of my designs? Do I have to bribe you with cookies….Don’t think that I forgot about your penchant for the sweet stuff.” Adrian teased.
“Well, you know I’m not really into the whole impersonation thing….” He hoped he hadn’t offended Adrian, so he added, “I think my inner diva must be dead.”
Finding nothing offensive in his tone, Adrian poured Nick another glass. “It doesn’t matter if you’re into it or not. You’re one of those lucky people that have a face for anything. I’ve already come up with a dozen different ensembles.”
Nick was pleased with flattery. Instead, he declined the offer good-naturedly. They chatted for the rest of the afternoon. The veranda was cool and inviting, the smell of jasmine and orchids hung in the air. It battled and defeated the old scent of burnt cigarettes.
“You ever wonder about kids?” Nick asked quietly. He glanced at Adrian from his peripheral vision.
Adrian’s laugh was sharp, loud and resonating. But at the heart of it, it was sad and hollow. The type of sound a person made after years of resignation, of settling. “Back then kids weren’t ever really an option, unless Sal or, heaven help us, me knocked up some woman.”
Adrian clamped his hands over his mouth. “Sal has always been faithful, sometimes I think too much so….” Nick gave him a questioning look. “You know me. I’m an adamant flirt. Sometimes, I think I’ll give my man a heart attack.”
“Sal’s a great guy.” Nick added. Of all of Vinny’s friends and partners, he’d come to like Sal the best. The older man was so gentle and full of sprite. He’d made Nick feel so welcome before and after he’d married Vinny. Not once had he looked at Nick like he had an unsavory past.
“But you asked about kids.” Adrian sighed deeply. “You get used to what you don’t have. Plus, I feel too old to handle a baby. I’m not saying that wouldn’t want one if we somehow got one, I just think I might me past my childrearing years.” He chuckled lightly.
Adrian walked to the veranda edge. “Young people now have all the advantages. They hadn’t discovered the AP positives or made the transplants when I was your age. If they had been available, I would have jumped at it.”
“I’m sorry.” Nick said earnestly. Moments like this made him feel selfish for receiving something he really didn’t want. He had the gift of time and opportunity. Adrian never did.
“Don’t sorry.” Adrian lifted his chin with his fingers. “Just remember I have first dibs at being an auntie when you’re ready.”
Nick already felt better. He wondered how much his feelings had to go with losing his own family. It didn’t matter now. His new family was far better.
Nick still had time to make Vinny understand. That’s what relationships were all about, compromise.
TBC
Chapter 14
Nick’s destination was none other than Adrian’s house. The budding friendship between two had been possibily the best acquisition since meeting Vinny.
“Now, who do we have here?” Adrian purred as he opened the door. He was all glitz and glam even in his 1950s style button chiffon braced dress like June Cleaver. It was a stunning blue and white, which made Adrian look even more like Elizabeth Taylor.
“It’s just me.” Adrian embraced Nick quickly, allowed the younger man entrance into his home. They exchanged pleasantries and Nick followed Adrian out to the back of the house. He’d always loved Adrian’s veranda.
They drank lemonade and watched the streets below. The silence was comforting in a way that Nick truly needed. Words suddenly started pouring out of him, personal or not, he couldn’t control the rate. “Have you seen Johnny and Peter?” Nick asked while swirling his glass of lemonade.
Adrian took a long drag off his cigarette. The grey smoke curled and danced in the open air, but still managed to tickle Nick’s nose with the desire to sneeze. “Yeah, he’s doing better, but Peter’s still worried sick about him.”
Nick couldn’t imagine what he’d do if he saw Vinny hurt like that. Since the afternoon, he’d spontaneously set up an emergency triage in their den, he couldn’t help the anxiety that something like what happened to Johnny could happen to Vinny. “Do you ever worry about Sal, Adrian?”
Adrian turned those beautiful wise eyes on Nick. They were loaded with wisdom and their regard washed over him like a swell of peace. “Sure, I do. We all do. It comes with being married to someone on the darker side of the line that colors things in terms of right and wrong.”
Adrian reached a hand across the table. A warm hand lit on top of Nick’s. “I can see it all over your face.” Adrian smiled softly, and moved his hand to stroke the smooth contours of Nick’s face. “It seems like forever ago that I was your age, but I remember well what it felt like to be scared that something would happen to Sal…maybe, I take it for granted now, but I used to be super frantic back then.”
“So, how you change your feelings?” Nick questioned, breaking Adrian’s gaze.
“You can’t. You don’t. You just pray that God has a soft spot for big danger seeking lugs.”
They shared a short laugh. Nick felt the tension leave him, the worry dissipate. They talked about Nick’s experiences in the ICU, and Adrian joked about Nick’s fondness for taking care of people. Nick listened attentively as Adrian described his new designs and outfits for his shop. He’d been amazed to learn the Adrian was famous throughout the city for his fashion designs. Women—natural, transitioning, and impersonating, clamored for a chance to get hold of a dress or an outfit designed by Adrian.
It was no surprise how much he looked like Elizabeth Taylor. She was his icon after all. Nick could feel Adrian’s eyes raking over him again. “What do I have to do to get you in one of my designs? Do I have to bribe you with cookies….Don’t think that I forgot about your penchant for the sweet stuff.” Adrian teased.
“Well, you know I’m not really into the whole impersonation thing….” He hoped he hadn’t offended Adrian, so he added, “I think my inner diva must be dead.”
Finding nothing offensive in his tone, Adrian poured Nick another glass. “It doesn’t matter if you’re into it or not. You’re one of those lucky people that have a face for anything. I’ve already come up with a dozen different ensembles.”
Nick was pleased with flattery. Instead, he declined the offer good-naturedly. They chatted for the rest of the afternoon. The veranda was cool and inviting, the smell of jasmine and orchids hung in the air. It battled and defeated the old scent of burnt cigarettes.
“You ever wonder about kids?” Nick asked quietly. He glanced at Adrian from his peripheral vision.
Adrian’s laugh was sharp, loud and resonating. But at the heart of it, it was sad and hollow. The type of sound a person made after years of resignation, of settling. “Back then kids weren’t ever really an option, unless Sal or, heaven help us, me knocked up some woman.”
Adrian clamped his hands over his mouth. “Sal has always been faithful, sometimes I think too much so….” Nick gave him a questioning look. “You know me. I’m an adamant flirt. Sometimes, I think I’ll give my man a heart attack.”
“Sal’s a great guy.” Nick added. Of all of Vinny’s friends and partners, he’d come to like Sal the best. The older man was so gentle and full of sprite. He’d made Nick feel so welcome before and after he’d married Vinny. Not once had he looked at Nick like he had an unsavory past.
“But you asked about kids.” Adrian sighed deeply. “You get used to what you don’t have. Plus, I feel too old to handle a baby. I’m not saying that wouldn’t want one if we somehow got one, I just think I might me past my childrearing years.” He chuckled lightly.
Adrian walked to the veranda edge. “Young people now have all the advantages. They hadn’t discovered the AP positives or made the transplants when I was your age. If they had been available, I would have jumped at it.”
“I’m sorry.” Nick said earnestly. Moments like this made him feel selfish for receiving something he really didn’t want. He had the gift of time and opportunity. Adrian never did.
“Don’t sorry.” Adrian lifted his chin with his fingers. “Just remember I have first dibs at being an auntie when you’re ready.”
Nick already felt better. He wondered how much his feelings had to go with losing his own family. It didn’t matter now. His new family was far better.
Nick still had time to make Vinny understand. That’s what relationships were all about, compromise.
TBC