Equity Part Forty Eight

[dysonrules]

Adam downed another bottle of water and then scrubbed at his hair with the towel he'd draped around his neck.  He hated being drenched in sweat, but it was the price he paid for running around on stage beneath hot lights.  He felt good--it had been a great show and he was still wired on adrenalin.  He knew he'd feel it later, though, especially considering how little sleep he'd gotten the night before, and how much energy he had expended with Stephen.

Having Stephen in the audience had been surprisingly nerve-wracking.  Had he liked it?  There had been a moment or two when he had thought they were connecting, and once Stephen had even shouted out loud, but later he had seemed somewhat subdued.

"Good show," Adam heard and turned toward the doorway.  His heart flipped over alarmingly when he spied Stephen leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Thanks," he said with a grin and rubbed the back of his head with the towel to cover his sudden nervousness.

"The waitress said I should come back here," Stephen said.  "It was hard to traverse the glut of screaming girls waiting for you in the hallway."

Adam wrinkled his nose.  The girls were a necessary evil in his chosen profession, but he didn't have to like them pawing at him and tossing their undergarments on stage.

"I'll take one hot fellow over a hundred screaming girls, thank you," Adam admitted.  "Happen to know where I can find one?"

Stephen pushed away from the door and walked forward.  His fingers brushed over a rack of sequined clothing that belonged to the late-night entertainment.  He did not meet Adam's eyes.  "I don't know.  What sort of specifications do you require for this fellow?"

Adam dropped the towel over the back of his chair and took off the white shirt, hoping to draw Stephen's attention.  It didn't work.  "Well, I suppose it would be nice if he was... about this tall."  He made a gesture with his hands to indicate his own--and, consequently, Stephen's--height.

Stephen glanced at him and made a noncommittal noise before returning his gaze to a rhinestone-bedecked bit of green lace.  "That seems fair.  Anything else?"

Adam tossed the shirt and picked up the towel again to scrub it over his chest.  "Well, I am very partial to blonds."

"Are you?" Stephen asked.

"Mmmhmmm.  And I seem to like the sort with unusual eyes.  Nothing common like brown or blue for me," Adam went on.  He rubbed at his shoulders and then dragged the towel downward, over his abdomen.  "And for some reason, I am attracted to men whose names begin with S."

Stephen's gaze slanted toward him and a hint of a smile curved his lips.  "Really?  Such as?"

"Well, you know.  Sven."

Stephen strode forward with a growl and wrapped his arms around Adam's neck, drawing a relieved laugh from him.  "Sven?" he demanded.

"You know, the blond Nordic type," Adam said and hooked his fingers around Stephen's hipbones.

"Aren't they too tall?" Stephen asked, sounding somewhat breathless.  His nearness was wrecking Adam's ability to think properly.

"You're right," Adam said.  "I'll have you, instead."  With that, he fastened his lips to Stephen's.  It felt like days since he had last kissed him, rather than mere hours.  Stephen seemed to melt into his embrace, soothing his fears like a hot bath after a workout.  "Did you like the show?" he asked after long moments.

Stephen groaned and bit at his jaw on the way to his ear, where he breathed hotly as he spoke.  "God, you are so talented."

A burst of pride rocked Adam and he pulled back to stare into Stephen's amazing eyes.  "You are talking about my singing, right?"

Stephen burst out laughing.  "Well, I was, but now that you mention it, I believe you are even more gifted in other areas."

Adam pulled a skeptical face.  "You don't sound convincing.  I think you might need additional proof of that."

"Promises, promises," Stephen said and pulled him into another kiss.  A knock on the door interrupted them.

"Five minutes, Adam!" someone called.

Adam sighed and reluctantly pushed Stephen away, knowing if he didn't put space between them that someone would soon have to pry him away with the Jaws of Life.

"They need the room," he explained and reached to pick up his shirt.

"Come home with me," Stephen said.

Adam stared at him, not quite able to believe his words.

Stephen flushed and looked away.  "I mean... Oh never mind, you have to be exhausted and you have to work tomorrow and..."

"I'd love to," Adam admitted, not caring that he would have to rise insanely early to return home for proper attire.  He realized he didn't care about much of anything next to the thought of waking up in Stephen Hudson's arms, especially when a wry smile twisted Stephen's lips.

"Well... good," Stephen said.

Adam chuckled.  "Good," he repeated.