inviting the fire, chapter seven
Nov. 12th, 2007 03:12 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wouldbedorothy
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Title: Inviting The Fire: Chapter Seven
Author:
wouldbedorothy (AHS)Pairing: Gale/Randy, OFC/G/R
Rating: PG-13ish chapter, NC-17 fic
Series/Sequel: my guess is still prologue, eleven chapters, epilogue... but subject to change
Summary: my new summary, courtesy of
we_dreamerz... "Gale on the fence... Randy pushing him off" lol... In this chapter, the boys take a trip :) 2700 words.Author's Notes: She's only in the first scene! lol... This chapter makes me happy, so I hope ya'll like it.
Disclaimer: I don't know G or R, and obviously this didn't happen, because there definitely *was* a QAF. Dylan's my character so I don't have to apologize for her (or do I? lol).
Inviting The Fire
by AHS
Chapter Seven
“What would you think if I talked to Travis about being an understudy?”
Dylan’s coffee cup paused on the way to her mouth. “Why would you want to do that?”
“Just figured it couldn’t hurt,” Gale replied, not liking having to explain himself.
Serendipity was a small and very dedicated theatre and didn’t generally need understudies. In the rare event that someone couldn’t go on, there was always a tech who knew the lines and could fill in. Gale had never done it, but Randy had gotten him thinking about maybe offering.
“Probably wouldn’t have to do anything, but there’s not really anybody to go on for Tom or Booker if they can’t. Except maybe Travis, but he’s the director.”
“So, do you want to play my uncle/husband or my father/brother/lover? That’s kinky, even for us.” He didn’t quite miss the roll of her eyes.
“Dylan.”
“Since when are you interested in acting?”
“Maybe since always. I don’t know. I’m not talking about a fucking career.”
“That’s good. I never would have gotten involved with you if you were an actor. Two actors in a relationship never works.”
“You don’t want me to do it, then?” Gale wasn’t sure he gave a fuck at this point. He just wanted to know where her head was at.
“Don’t be silly, Gale. You should. Really.” Dylan rinsed her cup and placed it in the sink. When she turned around, her smile was plastic. “I have to go.”
“Where are you going?”
“That acting workshop… I told you about it.”
“I don’t think you did.”
“Oh. Well, it’s in Elmira. It’ll probably last all day.”
“You’re doing that… today?” Things had been pretty strained between them for the past couple of days, but he still couldn’t believe she was taking off.
“Today is when it is. It’s a one-time only workshop.”
“Who has a workshop on a Monday?”
“Cliff Osmond. He’s a legend visiting from L.A.”
Gale shrugged. “Can’t miss that.” There was sarcasm in his words, but he wasn’t sure she heard it.
Dylan stepped up to him and kissed him briskly on the cheek. “I’ll call you when I get out, okay?” He nodded and walked her to the door. She picked up her purse, her shoulder bag, her keys, then tilted in the doorway, regarding him. “What are you doing today?”
“Not much,” he answered truthfully. “Have fun.”
It was just a day, he thought as the sound of the car faded. Happy fucking birthday to me.
*****
It was almost noon when Gale heard a knock that by now he recognized, so he wasn’t too incredibly shocked to open the door and find Randy. But the cupcake in his outstretched hand, bearing the flickering #1 candle, was a surprise.
“What are you…?”
“Happy birthday!”
Gale smiled in spite of himself, even as he demanded, “How the fuck did you know?”
“You think I really needed to see your driver’s license to sell you a book? Please, Gale.” Randy walked inside, bumping Gale’s hip, and set the cupcake down on a small table in the entryway. “You mentioned, uh… the first night… that you had a birthday soon. So, I made sure to find out how soon.”
“You’re a sneaky one, Randy.” He dipped a finger into the top of his treat and sucked off the chocolate. “This is damn good.”
“I made it, thank you,” Randy beamed proudly, trying not to stare at Gale with his finger in his mouth.
“You made one cupcake?”
“No, I may have eaten one or two… or three,” he admitted, laughing. “I also dropped a couple. You’re lucky that one survived.”
“I’m sure it’s the best one.” Gale smiled, realizing Randy had managed to somewhat salvage a fucking lousy day. “Really… thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Randy reluctantly broke their eye contact and looked towards the door. “I should go, huh? You and Dylan probably have big plans.”
“She’s not here.”
“Oh. You meeting her out later?”
“No, she had something else to do today.”
Dylan was always with Gale… at least that’s how it seemed to Randy. But not today, of all days? He didn’t understand. “But it’s your birthday.”
Gale did a good impression of looking like he didn’t care. “It’s not like thirty-one is a big deal.”
“A birthday’s always a big deal. I wish I had something for you… besides the cupcake.”
Randy was sporting another memorable T-shirt. This one was sapphire blue… went nicely with his eyes… and said Broadway Baby on it. Gale took in the shirt, and this man who made him smile, and made a decision. Then he bent towards his still lit birthday candle and blew it out.
“I just made a wish. So, whatever I ask you, you’ll say yes.”
Randy found he was ready to say yes, without knowing the question, so he nodded. Dylan was gone. Did Gale actually want to…?
“Get in the truck.” Gale grabbed his keys, his wallet, and took a big bite out of his tiny birthday cake. “I wished for a road trip. You and me.”
*****
Following a stop at the gas station down the road for a fill-up, snacks, and a new road map (because Gale’s old one was nearly unreadable from coffee stains) … plus many assurances from Randy that he did not have to work that day (he’d asked for the day off just in case he got the chance to spend time with Gale, but didn’t tell him that), and they were off.
“Um, where are we going?”
Gale glanced at Randy, who was nibbling a cheese puff, and back to the road. “Maybe you should have asked that before.”
“No, I trust you,” he said, without pause, turning to look out the window. “I would think that was obvious by now.”
The meaning of that flashed across Gale’s mind in the form of Randy beneath him, letting him…… but he quickly shut that out, nodding simple acceptance. “We live in New York. Where do you think we might go for a little fun? Take us about… four and a half hours.”
“We’re going to the city?” Randy had hoped, but he still couldn’t believe it.
“Yeah… if you put your seatbelt on, asshole.”
“Oops, sorry.”
Gale laughed and turned up the radio. As the trip went along, it seemed that Randy liked most of the same music he did. David Bowie’s “Fame” came on and he was treated to some rather interesting seated dancing from the passenger side. He also noticed that Randy had a really nice voice, which made Gale more reluctant than usual to sing along.
“What’s the matter? Don’t you like Santana and Rob Thomas? I know it’s a little Top 40, but still…”
“They’re fine, but that song got way overplayed.”
Randy started getting louder, stretching over towards the driver’s seat and tilting his head back, the seatbelt holding him up as he sang at Gale upside down. “You’ve got the kind of lovin’ that can be so smooth, yeah, gimme your heart, make it real, or else forget about it.”
Gale playfully pushed Randy upright again. “You are silly, Harrison.”
“Yeah.” He looked thoughtful. “Except I’m usually not. People tell me all the time that I’m too serious.”
“So this is just for my benefit?”
“No, I think it’s by your association.” Randy smiled. It was true. He felt happy when he was with Gale. Not that he wasn’t happy generally, but he felt… freer maybe, and not just in the bedroom. Like a better version of himself.
Gale got quiet and Randy let him. The rest of the ride passed rather quickly in this sort of comfortable silence. They hit NYC and its accompanying traffic at just about the worst time -- near 5 pm. It took another hour to get into Manhattan and actually find a lot to park in. At last, Gale turned off the engine with a thankful sigh, then turned to Randy and realized he was asleep.
“Randy, wake up.”
Gale touched him lightly, one finger tugging on the neck of his shirt. Randy’s hand, which had lain curled against his chest, found Gale’s hand and closed around it, but he was still asleep.
“Fucking hell,” Gale cursed to himself, looking at their hands, the peace and perfection of Randy’s face, and out the windows… wondering what he was doing. He wasn’t even there to try and make something out of his birthday. He was there because he knew Randy loved it and he wanted to share it with him.
“What’s wrong?”
Randy’s eyes were open now, trying to solve Gale’s puzzled expression. Gale snapped out of it.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he said, brushing some orange cheese puff residue from the side of Randy’s mouth with one quick swipe of his thumb. “C’mon. We’re here.”
*****
“Fuck my birthday for being on a Monday!”
“Gale, you can’t help that. It’s okay.”
“You’re here, so you should see a Broadway show. I bring you on the one day of the fucking week when nothing’s playing.”
“It’s your birthday, not mine! We should be doing what you want, not trying to make me happy.”
“That is what I want.”
Randy sucked in a breath and watched Gale pace outside the TKTS booth. Breathing in the life and excitement of Times Square, being so close to Broadway… with Gale… he was happy. But he could tell Gale wouldn’t be unless he managed to make this happen.
“Okay, then,” Randy said, taking Gale by the sleeve and pulling him up to the booth’s window. “Let’s not give up.”
*****
While most shows on Broadway take Monday off, a few do have Monday shows to take advantage of the lack of competition. They ended up getting two tickets to an Arthur Miller play, The Price, which Randy had read but never seen or acted in. He was excited, but Gale was even more so, to see the little bounce in Randy’s step.
They just had time to grab some food at a diner near the theatre. Randy lamented, around sips of the world’s best vanilla milkshake, that he wasn’t respectfully dressed for a show. Gale reassured him that there wasn’t a dress code, they both looked fine, and that his T-shirt’s nod to Broadway was the most respectful thing he could have worn.
It was this really interesting play about the importance of money versus integrity. There were only four characters, and all the actors were excellent. At the end, when they were taking their bows, Gale whispered to Randy over the applause.
“That’s gonna be you, you know.”
“You think so?”
He nodded. “Soon.”
*****
After the play, Randy was drawn to the music emanating from a piano bar across the street. A drink didn’t sound like a bad idea, so Gale went for it. It was a restaurant, too, and he prayed Randy was kidding when he said something about getting a real cake with a complimentary serenade.
The place was small and crowded, but delightfully smoky. As soon as they were seated, Gale took out his cigarettes and lit up. He was surprised when Randy didn’t follow suit, but blue eyes seemed to be focused on some woman who was leaning against the piano, trying to do the chanteuse thing. Gale thought briefly that she was attractive and a fair singer, but neither as good-looking nor talented as she obviously thought she was.
Gale ordered a beer and was surprised again to hear Randy pipe up a request for a whiskey shooter.
“Whoa.” Gale watched Randy knock back the shot without a cough or even a grimace, and he patted his back in admiration. “Where’d that come from?”
“Just a little liquid courage,” Randy answered, then hopped up and made his way through the tables to the piano. He said something to the player, who was on a break, and then returned to the bar.
“Are you…?”
Randy shushed him with a smile. “Quiet. That old guy’s about to sing.”
They sat through Old Guy’s rendition of “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha, followed by a girl of about eleven (Gale wondered why she was even up, let alone in a bar) singing both “Castle on a Cloud” from Les Miserables and her favorite Madonna song. Gale was long ready to leave, but he let the fact that he was pretty sure he knew someone more entertaining was soon to go up keep him shut up and sitting. And he was rewarded when “Randy Harrison!” was called.
Randy slipped away and was at the piano before Gale could even say anything. Gale smiled supportively and steeled himself for the “Happy birthday to you” sing-along he was no doubt about to be treated to.
“This is the one song I actually heard you sing today, so I figure you must like it.” Randy was talking to Gale, but he kept his eyes on the microphone. “Thank you for… everything.”
And then he started to sing.
Another night slowly closes in
And I feel so lonely
Touching heat freezing on my skin
I pretend you still hold me
I’m going crazy, I’m losing sleep
I’m in too far, I’m in way too deep over you
I can’t believe you’re gone
You were the first, you’ll be the last
Gale’s cigarette had burned to his fingertips and he couldn’t manage to swallow his beer. He was transfixed and holding his breath watching… listening to Randy.
Watching shadows move across the wall
I feel so frightened
I wanna run to you, I wanna call
But I’ve been hit by lightning
Just can’t stand up for fallin’ apart
Can’t see through this veil across my heart, over you
You’ll always be the one
You were the first, you’ll be the last
Randy’s voice was clear and tender. The room was filled with people, all listening, impressed, but there was really only the two of them. Randy trying not to look at Gale, afraid his voice would leave him. Gale unable to look away, and afraid to think about any meaning the chosen song might hold beyond what Randy had said.
Wherever you go, I’ll be with you
Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you
Whenever you need someone to lay your heart and head upon
Remember, after the fire, after all the rain
I will be the flame
I will be the flame
When the song was over, the room became loud with applause. Gale didn’t realize until it had died down that he hadn’t clapped. He’d been too… what? He felt too hot to be frozen. Fuck…
“Poor thing,” he heard Randy saying. “Sorry I kept you here so long. W-we can go now.”
He saw fear in Randy’s eyes that hadn’t been there when he’d been up in front of all those people, probably because Gale still hadn’t spoken or acknowledged what had just happened. He started to put money down for the drinks, found that Randy already had, and got up to follow him out.
The few paces of distance that Gale had left between them had given some guy… curly, brown hair, mid-20’s… an admirer of Randy’s performance and more… the opportunity to come up to Randy and start hitting on him. The guy touched his arm unnecessarily as he gushed compliments.
“You looked great up there. And you sounded amazing.”
Gale’s eyes narrowed and he closed the gap between them quickly, putting an arm around Randy and addressing his fan. “Yes, he did. And he was singing to me.”
The guy had the decency to look apologetic and slink off. Gale walked Randy along, not stopping to look at him until they were outside. Then he was the one who looked apologetic.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I did that. Maybe you wanted to… If you want to go back and find that guy…”
Gale’s arm had left Randy’s shoulders. Randy wanted it back. He put an arm around Gale’s waist and smiled up at him.
“Nope. I’m good.”
When he felt that strong arm fall around his shoulders again, he really was.
(Lyrics from “Smooth” by Santana f./ Rob Thomas, and “The Flame” by Cheap Trick)
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2007-11-12 01:00 pm (UTC)Lmao about Dylan. I'm trying to keep you confused about her! Next chapter you might feel a little bad for her again, but after that I bet you'll hate her with the fire of a thousand suns! lol
Thanks, Anna!
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Date: 2007-11-12 01:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-12 01:17 pm (UTC)My philosophy on life has always been, "You never get anything unless you ask for it and be careful what you ask for. You just might get it"
Me thinks Dylan is probably wishing she never had her brilliant idea.
She left him on his birthday. *pets Gale*
It looks like the boys are having fun on their road trip. Can't wait to see how the trip ends.
I've never been very good at sharing, so a threesome just wouldn't work for me. I hope it doesn't work for Gale. bawhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa of course I'm sure you know that.
Thanks for the morning entertainment.
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Date: 2007-11-12 01:35 pm (UTC)Icon's been a big hit :)
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Date: 2007-11-12 02:24 pm (UTC)And jelous Gale (ahah) and sweet Randy...and fuck you, Dylan, as always ghgh!!!
Thaaaaanks, April!!^^
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Date: 2007-11-13 12:49 am (UTC)Yup, Gale didn't like that guy hitting on his Randy :)
Thank you!!
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Date: 2007-11-12 05:42 pm (UTC)And the singing! So cute.
Thank you Dear! Loved it!
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Date: 2007-11-13 12:52 am (UTC)He really was with who he wanted to be with. Thanks, hon!
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Date: 2007-11-12 09:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-13 12:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-13 12:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-12 10:54 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-13 12:57 am (UTC)Thank you so!
I'm such a Sucker for romance!
Date: 2007-11-13 12:45 am (UTC)Awww Randy serenaded Gale!! I didn't see that one coming!
and How can Dylan not know it's her boyfriends birthday?
Good Chapter! (not Great because there were no sex between G/R)
Re: I'm such a Sucker for romance!
Date: 2007-11-13 01:01 am (UTC)Eh, she knew, but she forgot. They're not as close lately as they have been.
Sorry, lol... I'll see what I can do ;) Thanks!
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Date: 2007-11-13 05:53 pm (UTC)I am so glad that Gale got to enjoy his road trip with Randy. Please tell me it is too late for them to drive back and they have to stay overnight!(together!)
Looking forward to the next eagerly. I am anticipating lots of G/R interaction. After all Randy has to thank Gale for the play and Gale has to thank Randy for the cupcake. lol
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Date: 2007-11-13 09:59 pm (UTC)Hehe, you're so smart :)
Thanks!
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Date: 2007-11-14 04:46 am (UTC)adorable, made me smile and cry all at the same time.
wonderful job, once again, I can wait for the rest of it!! Ooohhh... Dylan's reaction when she finds out the boys went on a little field trip...
and you'll have to make up for it that there is no smut in this one! lol although, shit, I like the foreplay.
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Date: 2011-10-15 06:09 am (UTC)It was just a day, he thought as the sound of the car faded. Happy fucking birthday to me.
I had to read that twice to make sure I understood. Not because it's hard to understand, but, rather, just too freaking sad. Poor Gale.
“Get in the truck.” Gale grabbed his keys, his wallet, and took a big bite out of his tiny birthday cake. “I wished for a road trip. You and me.”
AWWW
Randy started getting louder, stretching over towards the driver’s seat and tilting his head back, the seatbelt holding him up as he sang at Gale upside down. “You’ve got the kind of lovin’ that can be so smooth, yeah, gimme your heart, make it real, or else forget about it.”
Okay, first of all, I hadn't heard that song in like three years, and then I heard it today with my sister, on the way to the donating place. Coincidence? And, also, this whole roadtrip defines cute. Kinda makes me want to take one too.
He was excited, but Gale was even more so, to see the little bounce in Randy’s step.
So cute.
“That’s gonna be you, you know.”
“You think so?”
He nodded. “Soon.”
I cannot get over how sweet and supportive Gale is being. He's such a good (boy)friend.
Gale’s eyes narrowed and he closed the gap between them quickly, putting an arm around Randy and addressing his fan. “Yes, he did. And he was singing to me.”
Ahh, yes. That familiar emotion, jealousy.
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Date: 2011-10-15 06:17 am (UTC)They make me grin here :D
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Date: 2011-10-15 06:24 am (UTC)