Chris and Blake Forever!

sublymonal: my heart (can't take this cover up) - chapter 1

2008-03-01T01:12:09Z

Title: My Heart (Can't Take This Cover Up) - Chapter 1
Author: Andrew / sublymonal
Beta: Rachel / obsessionful & Keri / onesong
Pairing: Cake - of course.
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: The only cake I own comes in a box and requires an egg and some oil. (Wow, that sounded dirty)
Summary: What happens when they fall apart, lose hope and find themselves at a dead end.
Author's Notes: NEW SERIES - this first chapter is slightly vague right up until the very end, when the doors are thrown open for the rest of the story. I hope you enjoy it.

"I don't believe in it... I don't think I ever will."
"Oh come on Blake, you're being a little pessimistic."
"No, Gina, I'm not, I'm being realistic."
"Not even..." Gina started, trailing off before Blake interrupted her.
"No. Gina, wake up. Look around. You do realize what day it is..."
"Yeah, all the more reason to believe love exists." Gina retaliated.
"I never said love doesn't exist..."
"You may has well of..."
"Love... and love at first sight... are two different things." Blake stated.
"Not in this case they're not..."
Blake's eyes flicked up from his hands and looked into Gina's dark ones, visible beyond the fringe of her black hair - long having lost it's pink streaks from their days on Idol.
Idol was the reason they were here - if it weren't for those few months of Blake's life, he wouldn't be here, feeling like he was about the whole ordeal.

- - -

He remembered sitting in the Opium, the old theatre where those lucky enough to get a ticket to Hollywood were judged and eventually cut down to the Top 24. He was sitting in one of the back rows with Rudy, watching several of the guys perform on stage. They were good in comparison with the other groups they had seen so far.

One of them, broad shoulders, thick arms, brush cut hair - annoyed Blake. He was like a copy of Justin Timberlake, only not nearly as good of a dancer. Blake turned to whisper to Rudy, "What's that guy's name?" He said, pointing to the one singing.

"Chris, I think. He's pretty good..." Rudy commented, looking over at Blake.
"He's a little boring..." Blake said, turning to tuck his feet under himself. When they finished, everyone clapped, except Blake, who yawned and watched them assemble in the middle of the stage. He could care less what the judges had to say.

Blake got up and made his way down the aisle and into the foyer of the theatre, trying to find the bathroom. The four on stage came out, talking about how it went. Everybody clapping Chris on the back. Chris said he'd see them back in the theatre and headed into the bathroom behind Blake. Blake went to the sink and washed his hands - which is all Chris went in for, his hands slightly clammy. He looked up at Blake in the mirror.

"You guys sounded good..." Blake said awkwardly - not sure if he actually believed that.
"Really?" Chris said, looking up at Blake. "I thought we were kind of boring..." He said, sounding unsure of himself.

Blake looked up at Chris again to say something but stopped for a moment. His eyes were drawn to Chris's own - the colour of them was like the water surrounding a lone island and for some reason he couldn't remember what he was going to say in response. Suddenly the water scorched his hands and he drew them back, sending him back to reality. "No, you guys sounded good." He said, turning to dry his hands on a paper towel.

"Oh good... if you think so, I mean you guys rocked today. You're definitely more than just a beat boxer." Chris said, stumbling with his words, in a vain attempt to not sound like he was swooning over Blake's performances. He dried his hands too and looked over at Blake.
"Really? Thanks, man. I was worried people would think I couldn't sing." Blake said, his hand running up to flatten his hair, noticing it was a little out of place in the mirror.

"No, dawg, you can definitely blow..." Chris said, mocking Randy in a voice deeper than his own. Blake burst out laughing, his infectious wide-mouth laugh. Chris couldn't help laughing too, glad someone understood his humour. The two of them walked out of the bathroom together and Chris followed Blake back to his seat, the two of them mocking Randy and Paula silently in their seats. Blake looked over at Chris as he clapped like a goof, mimicking Paula. Maybe this guy wasn't so boring.

- - -

Blake and Gina looked up when Haley entered the room. "What're you guys doing in here? It's about to start..." She said, looking between them and sensing something was up. Gina looked exasperated, as if she had lost all motivation to make Blake see her way.

"Give us a second..." Gina said quietly. Haley looked at them again, before turning and leaving. Once they were alone, Gina turned to look up at Blake again. "Can't you just be happy for them, just for today?"

"Were you not listening to me? Were you not listening when I told you what happened? What he said to me when like, a week ago?"

"Blake... drop it, he was drunk. So were you, you could of been hearing things or be blowing something way out of proportion that meant nothing. Did he not pass out right after saying it?"

"Yeah..." Blake sighed, wishing Gina didn't make everything seem like nothing. It wasn't nothing, Blake knew that much.

- - -

As soon as Chris burst from the doors into the holding room, Blake knew the answer to the question he was about to ask. "Did you make it?"

Chris tried to keep his face clear from any dead giveaways, but his face nearly split with a massive grin as he pulled Blake in for friendly hug. Blake cheered, arms above his head before settling on Chris's shoulders. "Top 24, here we come." Blake said, drawing back from Chris who held out his hand and Blake gave him a high-five.

"America just better watch out with the two of us around..." Chris said, pointing at each of them in turn. "You know, we should invent our own handshake, you know. Every time were both safe." Chris said, taking Blake's hand and wiggling his fingers against it.

"Like that?" Blake said doing the same and laughing when his fingers got tangled in Chris'.
"Yeah, just like that..." Chris said, looking up to meet Blake's eyes and grinning, putting off the flush in his cheeks to the excitement of the moment.
"Cool..." Blake said, his ears suddenly warm, worried he sounded like a dork.

- - -

Gina was standing - Blake didn't remember her doing so, but she was, looking at him with a mix of pity and fatigue. "Blake... you need to make up your mind." She stated flatly, her eyes a bit watery. Blake could tell that that was Gina's way of saying she didn't want to talk about this anymore. It was up to Blake to decide where to go from here. Up until now, it had been Blake plus his friends, all moving forward together. They were a team, even if sometimes they argued and fell apart. But now, Blake had no one by his side. He was playing a one-man sport, not that ever liked sports - but he needed to decide if that was the way he wanted it to be. He looked up at Gina one more time before she turned away from him and hurried from the room, her hands holding up the hem of her dress, so it didn't drag on the floor.

Blake stood as the door clicked shut to the room, looking into the mirror. His face was flushed, his hair was trimmed short and the colour in it was beginning to fade - turning it back to dirty blonde, the way Chris said he liked it. The side of Blake's mouth twitched, attempting a smile, but it failed half way and his eyes began to sting.

- - -

Twelve seats, sixteen people - it was like one of the world's worst games of musical chairs. For four people, the music would stop and they wouldn't get a seat. They wouldn't be going any further. Blake stood as Ryan called his name and, in what felt like a blur, he walked over to him.

"Blake..." Ryan said, looking down at the cuecards. "I'm sorry..."
Blake's heart shifted in his chest. His mind groped his insides to find it again, but couldn't. His breath was stuck in his throat. When did this competition become so important to him?

"You're going to be seeing a lot more of Simon..." Ryan said, looking up at Blake again. Blake's mouth fell open. "What?" He mumbled, his mind still blank, but no one heard him beyond the applause coming from the audience. He turned to look Chris, who had his typical huge grin plastered on his face and was clapping as loud as he could. Blake looked at his feet for a moment, a flush creeping up into his face from all the whistling and cheering, before Ryan steered him over to the twelve empty stools on the other end of the stage. Another girl, Jordin, was already there. Blake sat next to her. He had only vaguely talked to her up until now, but he figured he should get to know her better. He turned to look at her and offered her a smile.
"Hey... looks like we made it." He said awkwardly.
"Yeah..." She said quietly, her curly hair bobbing a bit as she vaguely turned to look at him.
"You still look nervous..." Blake said, looking back at the others.
"Yeah, I just... Melinda's next. She's like my big sister here so..." Jordin was young, Blake noticed, and nervous. She seemed like a sweet girl and he could tell she cared a lot about the others. The same anxiety was starting to settle into Blake now. Gina. Brandon. Chris. They had to make it, they just had to.

Jordin squealed when Ryan said Melinda had made it as well. Melinda took the next seat, in front of Jordin, after giving her a hug. Next, Jared was cut. People applauded and he sang for the last time, but Blake was still fidgeting nervously. Next, Sabrina went home, sang her song, polite applause. Phil made it, then Lakisha joined them, then quirky Sanjaya and the pretty girl, Haley, who all took their places on their silver stools, shining below the spotlights above. The tension in the room was mounting. When Brandon joined them, Blake gave him a hug, patting him on the back then settling back down in his seat. Before long, the only four left on the bench were Gina, Antonella, Paul and Chris. Two seats were empty. One in front of Blake, and one in front of Haley. One guy and one girl.

"The two of you... going to the top twelve..." Ryan drew out his sentences, creating unbearable tension. Blake gripped Jordin's hand. Jordin and Chris had bonded too, as far as he knew, so she was rooting for him too. And after all, Blake had already lost Rudy earlier in the competition - so he definitely needed a friend to keep him company.

"...Are Gina Glocksen and Chris Richardson!" Ryan said. Gina immediately broke formation and leapt on Chris, squeezing him until he looked like he might suffocate. He looked over her shoulder at Blake with a huge grin plastered on his face as he stuck out his tongue. Blake did the same, before watching them hug Paul and Antonella.

Blake stayed in his seat as Chris came towards him. He leaned in and looked Blake in the eyes, pointing at his seat. "Is that seat taken?" He said with a chuckle. Blake laughed too. "No sir..." He said, mocking formality. Chris laughed and turned to look at the stage again. They all watched Paul sing, then got up near the end of Antonella's song to say goodbye to the four who had left. Once Blake had hugged Antonella midway through her song, Chris leaned in and whispered in his ear. "Hey, what about our handshake?" He said. Blake turned to him and smiled broadly before sticking out his hand. The two of them wiggled their fingers, actually not getting their fingers all tangled up this time. Blake laughed before Chris wrapped an arm around him and the two of them looked over at the camera as Ryan led them into the video of the twelve of them dancing and singing. "These are you top twelve, America..." He said, and the top rolled.
"Nice dance moves..." Chris said when Blake came on the screen, nudging him in the ribs.
"Shut up..." He teased, nudging him back and turning to look up at him with a smile.

- - -

"Where're you going?" A voice said from behind Blake, its southern drawl making his heart ache. Blake was standing in the arched double doors of the small building, getting ready to descend the steps, back onto 72nd street in New York City. He'd take a cab back to his apartment, lock himself in there until this was all over. But, right now, he couldn't exactly ignore the person standing behind him, he had to face him. He turned around and his eyes met Chris's anxious expression. His eyes, normally crisp and clear, had been greyed with apprehension. "You can't leave Blake."

"Yeah... I can. I shouldn't be here." Blake muttered, his voice unnaturally soft, almost graceful with his words, which came from his need to just escape right now.
"Of course you should." Chris replied softly, his fingers twitching like the wanted to take his friend's hand and bring him back into the church with him.
"Chris... go back inside." Blake said, his voice a bit stronger and firmer this time.
"Not without you." Chris replied, trying to sound equally confident.
"It's your wedding Chris. Just go." Blake said, meeting his eyes once more before turning to leave. He quickly descended the steps of the church into the street and held out his arm, limp with hesitation, at the curb, hoping a taxi would come soon. He bit his lip, setting all his will against looking back to see if Chris was there watching him. But when he heard the door clap shut inside, a trail of tears cut down his dry cheek.

*fin

so who is Chris marrying?
and what did he say to Blake that made him come at all?
and is Blake gone for good?
chapter two is coming soon.

*in the words of janet jackson: feedback, yo. always appreciated.

Smack That Richardson

2007-11-23T05:20:46Z

I found this on Photobucket and went nuts. Don't know if this was already posted but....OMG Richardson!!!

I need some Cake TLC!

2007-09-24T13:50:20Z

Hi, everyone.

I'm sort of sad right now (I have the birthday blues), and I need some Cake to cheer me up.

Can y'all (I love that word) post a link or two to some fluffy Cake fanfic? The kind with happy endings, mind you, because I so need a happy ending right now.

Thanks.

Blake Album news Arista Records.

2007-08-24T13:32:11Z

Umm, is this old news?

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-24-2007/0004650870&EDATE=

Blake Lewis signs with 19 Recordings / Arista Records - album due in by end of year 2007.(PRNewsFoto/ARISTA Records, 19 Recordings)

LOS ANGELES, CA UNITED STATES

Beatboxing Singer Working on Debut Album Due for Release Late 2007

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Blake Lewis, the popular runner-up on the sixth season of "American Idol," has been signed to 19 Recordings / ARISTA Records and is already working on his debut album with a stellar line-up of producers and songwriters. The album is due for release in late 2007.

"Blake has a strong music sensibility and knows who he is and what his music should represent." Says Clive Davis, Chairman CEO BMG Label Group "His collaborators are all knocked out by him."

Among the producers working with Lewis on his first album are Jonathan "JR" Rotem, who has worked with Rihanna (on her No. 1 single "SOS") and Sean Kingston; Ryan "Alias" Tedder, who has worked with Timbaland and new artist Leona Lewis; and S*A*M & Sluggo, who have worked with two of the year's biggest new artists, Gym Class Heroes and Boys Like Girls.

Lewis, who has already charted on The Billboard Hot 100 with his versions of Bon Jovi's "You Give Love a Bad Name" and the Zombies' "Time of the Season," has been finding time to go into the studio to work on his first album while touring the United States and Canada on the "American Idols Live" tour. The tour began in Sunrise, Florida on July 6 and continues through a Sept. 22 concert in Manchester, New Hampshire.

"I love performing, so spending the summer on the road has been a great experience," says Lewis. "But I'm also enjoying my time in the studio and I'm very excited about recording my debut album. I'm thrilled to be working with 19 Recordings and ARISTA Records"

The 26-year-old singer was born in Redmond, Washington. He started singing at age five and competed in statewide talent contests while in high school. He became a beat-boxer at 17, inspired by the then Seattle-based a cappella group M-Pact. Lewis was a member of the Pacific Northwest a cappella group Kickshaw for four years. He also recorded several music videos and wrote a number of original songs.

"Blake is one of the most unique 'Idol' contestants I've ever seen," says Simon Fuller, creator of the popular TV series and chief executive and founder of 19 Entertainment Label Group "He brought something new to the competition and won fans all over America. I know they're going to love his first album, because it shows him off as his very best.

SOURCE ARISTA Records

Fics: Point/Counterpoint

2007-06-17T10:20:59Z

A Joint Effort of lillijulianne and hearthisvoice

Our own version of fic exchange, for expatiates.

McCake and Pete Wentz-centric. You have been warned.

Title: This Ain't a Scene/Thnks fr th Mmrs
Starring: McCake/CakeWentz but there's no sex except between the boys.
Rating: NC-17
Fiction: from the Latin fingere, to form, create. IOW, made it up.
Notes: In which Officer Richardson returns to teach Blake a lesson. Takes place some time during tour rehearsals. I have no idea where the band in question will be at that time, nor any idea if they have parking lots next to California beaches.

Point

He feels good. It's unseasonably cool and damp, so the night air feels a bit like home, and Pete Wentz turned out to be a great guy with some amazing ink, and yeah, they flirted a little, and it was fun. He noticed that Chris was quiet but chalked that up to exhaustion from a concert and a party on top of a day's rehearsals. So it doesn't seem strange when Chris slumps into the car and puts his head back. But he doesn't speak for miles though his eyes are open, and when Katharine, stretched out in back with her shoes off, says something to him he gives her a quick, apologetic glance and a shake of the head.

"Something wrong?" says Blake.

"Can you just be quiet, B?"

This isn't good. He looks into the rear-view mirror- Kat is watching Chris intently. They're driving along the beach, sky and water an indistinguishable dark, sand the color of dull silver.

"Pull over," Chris says softly.

"What?"

"Pull over. Stop the fucking car."

He looks back at Kat. She's sitting up, smiling slightly. Sex? Well, OK. He swerves into a deserted lot, comes to a stop behind a stand of palms and tall beach grass. Chris gets out of the car, closing the door hard behind him, and Blake hears the crunch of gravel as he walks toward the water, then no sound. It's very dark. Chris' footsteps sound again, slow and deliberate.

"License and registration."

Blake squints up at him. He's got his shades on.

"Rich. What the fuck?"

"What did you say to me, boy?" Chris pulls the sunglasses down, and Blake feels two soft punches in his gut: fear and anger. They never talk about the rules but one of the rules is that when it's the three of them the only one who gets dominated, unless it's very playfully and jokingly indeed, is Kat. That rule exists for Chris, so Chris knows he's safe and equal, and Blake has been trying like a sonofabitch to follow it for months now and here Chris is fucking breaking it?

And then Chris reaches one arm into the car and his hand clamps down on Blake's shoulder, and there's a third punch: lust.

Chris tips an imaginary hat to Kat and smiles wide. "Hey there, pretty lady." To Blake, under his breath: "Nice piece of ass. Unless you want to watch me fuck her on the hood of this car I suggest you get out now and don't give me any trouble."

His lips are so close Blake could turn and kiss him and the thought makes him shiver. Chris is opening the door, hauling him up against it, slamming him into the position. His hands move up Blake's arms, down his sides, very slowly over his ass and his thighs, back up between his legs, and Blake can smell the Chris-smell and that and the hard, probing hands are so fucking hot he shakes, tosses his head to the side the way he does to take a breath onstage, and Chris sees that and leans forward, pressing his chest to Blake's back but holding his lower body away.

"You know what's gonna happen to you if I have you thrown in lockup, boy? They take one look at that fine ass and they're gonna have you bent over. That what you want? Grab your ankles 'cause some biker's gonna put it up there so hard you won't sit for a week?"

His hand goes around Blake's hip, stops at his crotch.

"Well looky here. I spoke too soon. I think maybe that is what you want. Unless you usually get a big fucking hard-on thinking about being ass-fucked." Chris' hand is tight around his erection through his pants, clogging his breathing. He brings his hips in, his own hard cock insinuating itself where it feels maddeningly good, and Blake has to press back against it. Chris chuckles- he even chuckles in Southern, how does he do that?- and says to Katharine, "Honey, did you know your boyfriend likes dick?"

He pushes Blake to his knees with one efficient shove and the way his biceps stretch his sleeves makes Blake bite his tongue. He reaches for his zipper.

"I don't really swing that way but you're so damn pretty I don't think I mind letting you have a little taste of mine." A thoughtful pause. "But I also don't think I can trust you not to try anything funny so I better-" and he's pulling Blake's arms back, slapping the handcuffs on.

Damn him, he knows confinement is the thing Blake hates most. But he's got his jeans open and he's adjusting his boxer briefs so his cock springs out, stroking it gently, running the tip over Blake's closed mouth, and the feel the sight the scent the taste are too much for him and he's taking in as much as Chris can feed him, not closing his eyes, keeping them locked on that green gaze, defying Chris not to love it, because he knows Chris can't fake that, knows what he can do to him with his lips and his tongue and his throat.

Chris doesn't fake- his fingers press into Blake's hair, his hips make that sideways motion that means harder, deeper, more. But he keeps talking.

"Oh, girl, you need to have a come-to-Jesus talk with your boy here. He is no amateur. He's been practicing. What you do, boy, go down to truckstops and give out blowjobs? You have one talented mouth. If he's anywhere near as good with pussy, sweetness, you are one lucky woman."

He's fucking Blake's mouth now, and it's infuriating and scary and violently hot, but just as Blake feels that familiar tightening Chris pulls out and drags him to his feet again and slams him back against the car. He curses and Chris says "You still haven't learned to speak when you're spoken to."

Hands on Blake's trousers, hauling them down, licked fingers invading. Chris' big hand closes over his cock, protecting him from the metal beneath, but there's no motion, he's holding still, and Blake tries to hump the hand and Chris uses his other arm to shove him face down against the hood. He knows it's going to hurt and he can't fucking wait and Chris is pushing inside him, just the first inch or two, swelling pressure, raked skin, and he pauses and touches his tongue inside Blake's ear and speaks so quietly:

"Blake. I love you. And I'm only going to say this once, so listen good. You will make sure fall-out-of-pants-boy keeps his motherfucking hands off you or I will rip his dick off and put it up his ass, do you understand me? And it won't be difficult, because he's even shorter than you are. No flirty, no lemme see your tattoo, no little huggles slapping each other on the back, no hey dude we should work together unless it's clear I'm gonna be right there and you and me own each other's asses, nada.

"Say you understand me, Blake, or I'll take your fucking car and drive the fuck back there and do it now, just to be sure."

"I understand."

"Good. Now what do you want me to do to you?"

He's so hard and so close, everything around him warping together as his eyes struggle to focus, the car hood bruising his stomach, the girl with her long hair falling around her huge eyes watching, the pungent smell of the waves he can hear but can't see, nothing clear or solid but the power and force of the man behind him.

"Fuck me."

And Chris does.

Counterpoint

“Wow you are a really little guy, aren’t ya? Here stand up…I wanna see…oh my god you are actually shorter than me! No one is shorter than me, man!” Blake giggled drunkenly onto Pete’s shoulder, Pete being so caught off guard by both the shameless flirting and contagious laughter that he found himself giggling too. “I am not! Look, dude, my hand goes right over the top of your head…I’m taller, I’m 5’7”, what are you like 5’5”?”

Blake snorted vodka and seltzer out of his nose on that one. “Oh, right, ok! Yeah, my bio says I’m 5’7” too, join the fucking club, man. You wanna hear another one? Ryan Seacrest is 5’9”!”

“No fucking way! I’ve stood next to that bitch, no way he is more than 5’6”…. and you aren’t even that tall so I don’t see what’s so funny about it,” Pete was laughing so hard he could barely finish his sentence, and accidentally dropped a hand onto Blake’s thigh as they both fell back onto their barstools, still giggling as they banged their empty glasses down on the bar and Blake yelled for the scantily clad bartender, “two more here for the birthday boy, m’lady!” She rolled her eyes and reached for the bottle of Hangar One.

There was a sudden moment of relative quiet, and Pete was suddenly very aware that his hand was still on Blake’s thigh. He grabbed it back, trying to act cool and pushing a long piece of black hair behind his ear. Blake smiled to himself, and simply grabbed the hand back, placing it back onto his own thigh and stroking a finger up Pete’s arm, tactilely admiring his many beautiful arm tattoos. “Don’t worry about it…I liked it there.” Blake said with a lascivious smirk, picking up his new drink.

Pete picked his up too, albeit nervously. “Don’t you have a, uh, boyfriend, around here?” he asked, eyes darting nervously around for the big guy with the buzzed hair and the arms about the size of his own waist.

“Yeah, but he’s cool…” Blake began, looking around himself for Chris and finding him immediately. He could always find him, no matter the size of the crowd, and vice versa. Chris caught his eye and gave him a wink, nothing more. Blake smiled and turned back towards Pete, brushing leg against leg as he stood up, pulling on his hand, “hey, you wanna get out of here?”

“Uhhhh…” Pete responded dumbly, his judgment obviously clouded by vodka and Blake’s seemingly Jedi-like powers of easy persuasion, and found himself on his feet stumbling along behind the ever-so-slightly taller (shhhhh) Blake.

The next thing he knew, they were in an empty ballroom of the hotel indulging in one of the hottest boy-on-Fall Out Boy makeout sessions Pete could ever remember. “Beatboxing must be like yoga for your mouth” Pete found himself thinking and then wondering what the fuck that even meant, when Blake stopped him thinking altogether by pulling back from the kiss and sucking hard on his lower lip before plunging his tongue back into Pete’s mouth, pressing palms hard against his chest as he began to slide down his body.

Pete whined against Blake’s mouth as he felt quick and sure hands working on the zipper of his jeans. Blake rolled his eyes as he broke the kiss, annoyed, but didn’t stop working on the way too tight pants that were keeping him from what he wanted. “Problem, Wentz?”

“Uhhh, whoa…yeah, I don’t know, you might not have heard this, but I’m kind of a strictly above the waist guy.”

“Oh, really? That’s very interesting,” Blake quipped as he finally got the jeans undone and reached in for Pete’s cock and smiled. “God you’re so hard…” Blake leaned down and gave him a quick lick across the tip, catching a drop of pre-come on his tongue. “Look at it this way. It’s only your own waist that I’m below, right? And for my part it’s all above the waist…so what’s the problem?”

Pete’s heavily lined eyes furrowed, trying in vain to find the flaw in that logic, losing his concentration as Blake slipped his mouth around the swollen head of his dick. “I…oh god you’re really gonna do it…um…what about your boyfriend?” Pete gasped, looking for one last way out, though he wasn’t quite sure why.

“S’alright,” Blake garbled, his mouth full of Pete…”he loves Fall Out Boy.”

Blake’s special mouth skills went way beyond kissing, as Pete soon learned. In an embarrassingly short time, he felt himself tensing inside Blake’s thrumming mouth. He tried to warn him before he spurted right down his throat, but Blake just sucked even harder, enlisting his hand to coax out every last drop. Blake sat back, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand and watching Pete try to make sense of what had just happened.

“Wow…god…wow.”

Blake smirked with self-satisfaction. “Yep.”

Pete pulled himself together and started to zip up to return to his party. “Hey, uh, thanks man. For the birthday present.”

“Oh, that wasn’t a present from me,” Blake smirked, straightening his clothes and glancing up at the curtains at the front of the ballroom, which were suddenly parting open just enough for Chris’s shaved head to poke out.

A sweet, sexy Southern drawl explained to the slightly freaked out Pete, “it was from me.” Chris stepped into full view grinning at Blake, and Blake just beamed at him, stepping toward him and grasping his hands to be pulled into a full body embrace.

“Little frosting for your Cake, Richardson?”

“Mmmmm, don’t mind if I do,” Chris lifted Blake up to his lips, tongue snaking in to sample Pete from his mouth. Chris pulled away from the kiss, turning to shake Pete’s hand before leading Blake up to their room.

“Like he said, I’m a fan. Happy Birthday, Wentz.”

ladycleio req. fic. / part 1

2007-06-17T05:09:21Z

Title: The Rise of the Ex! Part 1 of 3
Author: sublymonal
Rating: PG-13. This chapter only contains a bit of foul language.
Disclaimer: No pwnage, just boneage.
Summary: Request Fic for ladycleio: Chris is dealing with the idea of dating a man, when his ex-girlfriend comes visit. She is very good at manipulating Chris' mind while Blake is also a veteran of mind games. So... the ultimate fight for Richness?

Part 2
Part 3

"And then I fell in the water, clothes and all..." Blake's stories were always thrilling. Perhaps it was because he was a good story teller, or because they always ended in him wet, naked or something rather similar. Perhaps this was why Chris enjoyed them so much.
Both he and Blake were sitting in the space between their beds in the hotel room. Chris had a bottle of Corona in his hand that he was balancing on his knee as he listened to Blake.
"And so, I'm swimming and swi-" Blake stopped short, staring down at a patch of carpet beside Chris's leg. Chris's phone lay there and it was vibrating rather noisily. Chris, on the other hand, didn't seem to notice it. "You going to get that?" Blake said, his fingers reaching for the phone. He flipped it open and looked at the screen. It read "Rachel".
"It's some girl named Rachel..." Blake said, looking like he had just swallowed a mouthful of expired beer.
Chris seemed to immediately sober up and snatched his phone from Blake's palm. He hit the answer key and spoke.
"Hello?" He said, bracing himself. His eyes were fixed on Blake, worried he'd think Chris was whipped for answer the phone when his ex-girlfriends called.

Blake sat across from Chris, his legs bent so his knees were up near his chin. He rested his head there and started to blow at the neck of the bottle, causing it to emit deep, hollow noises. Chris pressed a finger to his lips, shushing Blake, but Blake just continued, being even louder. As if Blake could ever be quiet.
Chris groaned.
"What the hell is that noise, Chris?" Rachel asked.
"It's my friend, he's taken it upon himself to drown you out." Chris replied, giving Blake a glare, only wanting to get off the phone faster, but Blake was making that difficult.
"He? Chris, did I turn you gay?" Rachel asked, her voice sugary and girly.
"What? No." Chris said, realizing moments later that he may have taken too much offence to what was clearly a joke.

Blake got up, turning to go to the bathroom. Chris snatched his hand and mouthed "don't leave me with her". Blake laughed and shook from his grasp, waving dramatic back at Chris as he disappeared in the bathroom.

Crap. Chris thought. Now he had no excuse not to listen to Rachel and what was worse, he might have made Blake feel like a third wheel. Which was hardly what he wanted, if anything, Rachel was the third wheel to Blake's distractions & Chris's shushing.
"So I'm going to be in town Tuesday, after the show. Did you and your friend maybe want to go for dinner? He can bring his girlfriend, if you like." The emphasis Rachel put on certain words made Chris want to strangle her through the phone sometimes. However, he didn't exactly have an excuse to brush her off. He, Blake and Gina had planned on going to dinner that night anyway, so it was like it'd be so bad if she joined. He could just bounce conversation off the other two. Before he knew it, the night would be over.

Blake stood in front of the mirror, running his hands beneath the warm water. Rachel? He thought. She even sounds annoying.... Blake ran a hand through his dirty blonde, flat hair. Why did he care who Chris dated? There was only so much he could do, as Chris's friend, to protect him. Chris's love life was none of Blake's business. Blake re-entered their room and plonked down on the bed, laying on his stomach and staring at Chris, who's expression resembles a mix of nausea and fear.
"Whasamatter?" Blake asked, surveying Chris's features before snatching up his beer again.
"I..." Chris stuttered. He took another drawl of the fizzy gold liquid, trying to drown the lump in his throat. "I told her she could join us for dinner on Tuesday..." Chris's eyes fell to the bottle, slowly spinning the neck of it between his fingers.
Blake wheezed when his beer went down the wrong way. "You what?" He asked incredulously. Blake had just gone from indifferent about Rachel, or close to, to hating her, in one fell swoop. She brainwashed Chris into shoving her into their dinner plans.
"And what am I supposed to do while she's all over you?" Blake said, wishing he hadn't moments later. But correcting himself would sound even more suspicious. It wasn't Blake's business who was all over Chris.
"You have Gina, I said it was the four of us. It's friend, we're just... going as friends." Chris's voice and gaze was distracted, he drank again, trying to avoid Blake's piercing glare.
"Chris!" Blake whined. "She just set you up on a double date!" Blake sat up, his legs curled under him. "I can't believe you let her trick you into that." Blake said, sounding genuinely appalled.
Chris just sat looking disgruntled. "She did not trick me into it. She's hot! I accept so I could get laid! That's it." Chris had turned red all over, he was so blatantly lying, he figured Blake would see right through him.
But Blake turned red too, suppressing a sudden feeling that he couldn't describe, all he knew is he wished he never let Chris answer that call. "I better go talk to Gina..." Blake said grudgingly, not even looking at Chris as he got up from the bed and left their room.
Chris sat there, still pale as a ghost, staring at the door. Rachel, the Siren of Chesapeake, was coming here, to Hollywood, the place he thought was separate from all that. She had been a waitress he'd hired at Hooters and, damn was she fine. After all, you didn't hire ugly waitresses at Hooters. Somehow, though, the scariest thing of all, was Blake's reaction - and Blake's future reactions - to all of this. The last thing Chris wanted Blake to think was that Chris was unable to say no to a girl. But, really, why had Blake cared so much?

To be continued...

ladycleio req. fic. / part 2

2007-06-17T05:06:31Z

Title: The Rise of the Ex! Part 2 of 3
Author: sublymonal
Rating: PG-13. This chapter only contains a bit of foul language.
Disclaimer: No pwnage, just boneage.
Summary: Request Fic for ladycleio: Chris is dealing with the idea of dating a man, when his ex-girlfriend comes visit. She is very good at manipulating Chris' mind while Blake is also a veteran of mind games. So... the ultimate fight for Richness?

Part 1 to come
Part 3

"Blake. Why is this bothering you so much?" Gina was trying to help him but Blake, as always, was being extremely vague and temperamental.
"No. Gina. It's just that he invites her along and doesn't even ask me if it's okay." Blake was trying to keep his voice calm, but every so often his tone would quiver, causing his face to redden further. What's more is Blake is talking so fast that at the end of his explanations he has to take deep breaths.
Gina's sitting beside Blake on the her bed, her colder hand on his warm one. Haley's out, for now, so Gina lets Blake rant, stopping him every so often to give him advice.
"Blake, do you..." But Gina trails off, her tone thoughtful, as if she didn't quite know what she was going to say before she began speaking.
"Do I what?" Blake says defensively, shifting a bit in his spot on the bed.
"Nothing. Nevermind, anyway, Blake, listen, I'll play along, pretend I'm your girlfriend, we'll have a good time." Gina offers Blake a consoling smile but it does little to cool his temper.
"Fine..." He eventually says and the pair change the subject.

***
Blake's performance has just ended and he's making his way off the stage. Oddly enough, he's more nervous about the dinner than his performance tonight. When he enters the corridor Gina's leaning against the wall and she turns to follow him to the contestant's lounge.
"You sounded great." Gina notices that Blake is deep in thought, so she tries to steer him in another direction.
"Yeah, now comes the hard part." Blake says, finally looking up at Gina.
Gina sighs and the pair settle down in the lounge, in chairs opposite from each other, a coffee table in between.

Chris had just finished performing and everyone pats him on the back as he emerges into the hall, but he's focused on finding Blake. "Hey guys..." Chris says, sauntering into the lounge as well. An awkward silence follows. Blake hasn't really been talking to Chris since he broke the news about Rachel. Chris wasn't too sure why, he figured Blake was just mad, but it was becoming too much.

Gina's eyes shot between the two boys. "Well, you ready guys?" She said, standing up. Blake's eyes remained fixed on Gina. "Yeah, whatever..." He said, standing and leading the way, Gina between the two of them.

Emerging from the theatre, onto Sunset Boulevard, the pair walked on for about two minutes, Gina forcing small talk between them.
"So Chris... what's Rachel look like?" Gina asks, hands in her pockets.
"Ah, well..." Chris pauses, watching Blake's back as he walks. Chris's grudge against Blake right now is consuming him, so he plays it cool. "She's really hot. Got shoulder length brown hair, and gold eyes." Gold like Blake's, Chris thinks. "And she's tall, thin too, very nice legs..." Chris finishes a bit lamely.
Blake's shoots Gina a glare for her question and walks on, trying to drown out Chris's description of Rachel. Who cares how pretty she is? Chris ruined the time they had as friends. It was just supposed to be them two and Gina.
"She sounds... pretty." Gina chooses her words carefully, feeling incredibly out of place, like she should just lock the boys in a room and let them go at it.
"She is, she's... Hey!" Chris raises an arm and walks past Gina and Blake to a tall girl in a beige tank top and black mini-skirt outside of the restaurant. Chris gives her a hug just to piss Blake off. Even Rachel seems taken aback by Chris's affection.
Blake turns away as Chris wraps his arms around her. It made Blake want to pick up a patio chair and slam it over her head.
Gina's hand flies to Blake's instantly, taking it and looking over at him. "Aren't they cute, honey?" She says through semi-gritted teeth, trying to get Blake to smile, at least.
Blake looks at her and, in the same tone, utters, "Adorable."
The foursome enter the restaurant.

Once seated, Rachel's already questioning Gina and Blake. The two girls are sitting next to each other on one side and Blake & Chris are on the other. "So, Gina, how's the sex?" Rachel asks abruptly.
Gina's panicked stare flickers to Blake. She stutters for a moment then turns back to Rachel. "Fantastic. Blake's a beast." Her voice is so staunch and monotone that Chris nearly spits out his water. All eyes flick to him.
"What?" Blake snarks at Chris.
"Nothing..." Chris said, the back of his hand over his mouth as he tries to suppress his laughter through coughs and splutters.
The conversation continues. Rachel tells the story of how her and Chris met. Gina feigns interest, but Blake doesn't even try to seem compelled. He uses his straw to blow bubbles in his coke then tries to fold an origami swan out of his napkin.
"And then, I broke up with him." Rachel finishes, very anti-climactically.
"Yeah, well, I never liked you anyway." Chris says, sticking out his tongue and laughing. Rachel shrieks with fake laughter too, her hand taking Chris's.
"You're so cute." She says, her fingertips grazing the stubble along Chris's jawline.
Blake flushes red, suddenly feeling nauseous. He jumps up from his seat and, this time, all eyes flicker to him. All but Rachel's, which are still watching Chris.
"Where are you going... baby?" The baby's a bit delayed, but Gina's observing Blake with a worried glance.
"The bathroom, I'll be back." Blake says, turning and walking, deadset, towards the men's room.
Gina, Chris and Rachel sit in silence for a moment, Rachel playing footsies with Chris under the table, until the waiter brings them their desserts.
When Chris finishes a whole slice of chocolate cake, his eyes shoot to Blake's untouched slice. Then his eyes meet Gina's, who hasn't touched her dessert, clearly waiting for Blake.
"Maybe you should go check on him..." She says to Chris. Chris gives her a look that reads he'd rather not. Gina fires back an equally reproachful look.
Chris gets up, throws down his napkin and heads into the washroom.

Blake's standing in front of the sink, water running endlessly, staring at himself. What the hell was wrong with him? Sure, he hated the fact that Chris invited Rachel, but why did he hate her? Yes, she was the cause but... somehow that didn't seem like enough of a reason to want to stab her with the butter knife.
Chris enters through the door behind Blake. For a while, neither of them says anything. Then Chris speaks rather staunchly. "Just came to see if you're alright..." He says, ringing his hands, "But, I can see you are so... I'll just go."
For a moment, Blake figures he'll just let Chris go, but then his tongue slips. "Wait."
Chris shoots around like he had been hoping Blake would say that, but his expression is just as unreadable as ever.
"I don't hate you. I don't really know why I'm angry." Blake says, feeling Chris's gaze on him, but unable to look up at the mirror, in which he would see his friend.
"Honestly..." Chris begins, "Seeing you and Gina acting like that has been bothering me too. Mostly because I know you're just doing it to annoy me. That's... that's the only reason I'm flirting with Rachel."
Blake looks up now, Chris's pale green eyes staring back at him. "Really?" He says, almost hopeful.
"Yeah..." Chris says. "I know she still likes me, and she's got her ways of trying to get me to like her. But I don't, I never will..." Chris's tone is serious, resolute.
"I'm glad." Blake says simply. He turns to face Chris, "Is my cake still out there?" Blake cracks his first smile all night.
Chris's lips follow suit. "Yeah, as long as Gina didn't eat it. After all, that's what girlfriends do. Especially if she's pregnant..." Chris joked, "You didn't actually bang her, did you?" Chris's tone is still joking, but the question is serious.
"Oh come on, Chris. Really?" Blake approaches him and nudges him, causing Chris to stumble.
Chris nudges back. "Good."
The pair leave the bathroom and return to their table, Blake's slice of cake, still in tact.
Gina begs for a bit, but Blake refuses. He's hungry from not eating his main course, which didn't seem all that appealing earloer. Chris begs for a piece, giving Blake the pouty lip and, after a while, Blake finally caves in. But only because he's had too much.
When Chris takes some from Blake, Rachel whines for a bit. Chris offers her his forkful of the dessert and Blake immediately pipes up. "Hey! I never said she could have any." For a moment, everyone stares at Blake, looking like they're all going to tell him off for being rude. But then Chris retracts his fork and shoves it in Blake's mouth. Blake smiles and blushes red, glad, more than anything, that he got his way. Chris takes some more and continues eating, Rachel looking appalled.

To be continued...

ladycleio req. fic / part 3

2007-06-17T05:04:41Z

Title: The Rise of the Ex! Part 3 of 3
Author: sublymonal
Rating: PG-13. Ohemghee, kissing.
Disclaimer: No pwnage, just boneage.
Summary: Request Fic for ladycleio: Chris is dealing with the idea of dating a man, when his ex-girlfriend comes visit. She is very good at manipulating Chris' mind while Blake is also a veteran of mind games. So... the ultimate fight for Richness?

[Part 1 & 2 above!]

The foursome split once they had left the restaurant. Rachel said she had quite a drive back to her hotel so she couldn't stay, Blake looked pleased, a sour smile grazing his features.

The trio walked back to the hotel. Blake in the middle, Chris on his left. Gina looked over at the pair, just smirking her all-knowing smile.
"What?" Blake said, though he was smiling too. He was unsure why, but Gina's grin seemed contagious and Blake was glad he and Chris were on speaking terms again.
"Nothing..." She said simply. Blake shot a glance over at Chris and Chris just raised his eyebrow and shrugged, looking over at Gina too.
Not much was said on the way back and when they reached the 7th floor in the elevator, Gina bid farewell to the boys, stifling a very dramatic yawn. They continued on to their room.

During the long walk in the hall, Blake's hand casually took Chris's to hold. At first, Chris almost snapped it away, but thought better of it. Perhaps it was just Blake's way of showing that things were better between them. Moments later, however, Blake took his hand away and unlocked the door, showing no sign he had ever touched Chris.

As soon as they were inside, both of them removed their jackets and pants, laying around in their dress shirts, ties and boxer shorts. Blake had a beer in one hand and Chris was flicking through the channels on television. He stopped on the news, but as soon as he did turned to Blake. He guzzled a mouthful of his own beer. "So why did Rachel piss you off so much?" Chris asked.
Blake's glance casually flicked to Chris, but his mind was clogged. Hadn't he already told him why? "Because she's annoying..." Blake said, as if it were obvious.
"Oh, right." Chris said, but he sounded far from convinced.
"You don't believe me, do you?" Blake said, sitting up a bit.
"No, I don't." Chris stated, drinking another mouthful, eyes on the TV.
"You think I'm lying?" Blake replied.
"Not exactly..." Chris said casually.
Blake just stared. Then what did Chris think?
Chris's voice cut through Blake's train of thought, "I think you're jealous."
"Of what? Of her?! How?" Blake's questions stumbled out his mouth like a train wreck, his face flushing a deeper shade of pink, which couldn't be blamed on the alcohol.
"Gina does too." Chris said, avoiding Blake's question.
"What?" Blake replied. Though this came as less of a shock than Chris's previous accusation. Gina had almost asked him earlier this week. And that must of been what she had been smiling about. "Well she's wrong. I'm not jealous."
"If you say so..." Chris teased, another sip following.
"I'm not." Blake sat up completely and placed his beer loudly on the night table. Chris placed his next to it, but remained on his back on his bed, watching TV. Blake, however, jumped on Chris, play fighting with him like they often did. "I... told you... I'm not." Blake struggled to get out, snatching Chris up in a headlock around his neck with his arm.
Chris immediately sprung into action tickling Blake until he gave up. Blake laughed his contagious laugh and Chris's giggling followed suit until the pair fell next to each other on the bed, feet near the head of the top now. "Are so." Chris said panting, his pale eyes running along Blake's features. But Chris hardly knew what he was arguing about anymore.
"Maybe a little..." Blake admitted, also out of breath. He was hardly aware of what he was admitting to.
"Then that means... I win." Chris said, still breathless. They were laying awful close, their noses almost touching, the warm bed sheets pressing against one of their cheeks as they rested side by side, facing each other.
Chris edged closer. "Can I..." He paused, his brain now registering what he was about to ask, but he pushed that worry aside. "Can I kiss you?" His tone was quiet, as if afraid the others next door would here.
Blake's warm eyes flickered between Chris's. "I... yeah." He said, equally quiet. Blake edged closer and pressed his lips to Chris's, closing his eyes and just inhaling. He hadn't realized how much he wanted this until now. The scent of Chris, the taste of him on his lips. He had been jealous.
Chris didn't think Blake was going to say yes. He figured Blake would jump up and leave. But now, he was glad he hadn't. The taste and feel of Blake against him was beyond anything he had experienced that night. His palms grazed their way under Blake's dress shirt and up his bare back, keeping him close.
The pair pulled apart for a moment, the impact of the kiss hitting them. A drowsy smile grazed Blake's lips. "Seems you were jealous too..."
"Seems I was..." Chris replied, smiling just like Blake. Suddenly, from Chris's pocket, came the sound of vibrations. His phone, again.
Chris reached down, pulled it out and took one look at the caller ID. Without a word, he flipped the phone shut and tossed it aside.
"Who was it?" Blake asked, unsure if he actually wanted to know.
"Doesn't matter." Chris replied.
"No, I suppose it doesn't." Blake said with a grin, glad that whoever it was, wasn't going to interrupt this.
"Again?" Chris asked.
"Mhm..." Blake muttered and, instantly, felt the collision of his lips against Chris's once more.

The end.

Comments make me feel sexy.

fictional storytime : "Just Friends"

2007-06-16T07:47:56Z

So i heard that the great fictional story exchange movment was happening. I thought I would jump on the bandwagon and write a story. By the way, i've been watching a lot of Simple Life lately... that might explain some of the peculiarity.

Title: Just Friends
Rating: pg-13? perhaps R for suggestive themes.
Summary: Blake Lewis/Chris Richardson featuring a Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie showdown!
Disclaimer: This story is 100% true and happened yesterday. I was there to report. [ if you believe this, you have retardia ].

read it betch <3

By the way -- I'm the first person to call Chris Richardson a "ninja turtle". So suck it! :]

“This is going to be so hot.” Exclaimed Chris, putting on his Pacsun hoodie.

“Isn’t it though? I heard the urinals there are made of gold.”

Blake loved gold. He was so fascinated by shiny things. His favorite drink was Goldschlager just because of the gold in it. He just loved to watch the sparkly gold flakes swirl around inside the bottle. In fact, when he and Chris stayed in on some nights during American Idol drinking Goldschlager, Blake would absolutely refuse taking a shot unless there was gold in the glass. Just about anything shiny tickled his fancy- well, never like the way Chris tickled his fancy, but sparkles still tickled his fancy rather well. Like the sparkling letters of the “Rich Bitch” shirt he was going to buy for himself. It was more of a joke for Chris, so that one night he could come out of the bathroom wearing only the t-shirt and a pair of socks. Which would of course be followed by him pouncing on an instantly aroused Chris, straddling him, biting his neck, and asking if he loved it.

But more on that later... The important thing is that Blake and Chris were on their way to the hottest club in Hollywood. VIP access only – no paps inside. They were thrilled. The paparazzi had been so worked up about their relationship of late, so it was difficult for them to have some fun. But tonight was their night.

“Uh… Blake?” Chris said as Blake met him out in the hall.
“mHmm?” Blake tried to ask what was wrong, but it was particularly difficult to do that with a mobile device in one hand, car keys to his Mustang in the other, backpack on his arm, shades on the collar of his shirt, one untied shoe, and the key card to their hotel in his mouth.
“We’re not going to the fucking round up rodeo, you know.”
“Yeah…”
“Why do you have all that shit?”
“It’s best to be prepared, ya?”
“I have condoms.”
“Oh.”

Five minutes later came back out of their hotel bearing only the more necessary items.

“No, Blake.”
“What now?”
“I know you love your Mustang, but put your keys back.”
“But Chrissssss…. Whyyyy?”
“Because we’re both going to be shit faced drunk, and we’re not spending the night there.”
“Ohhh Chris…. Pleeaaasee? I’ll do…” Blake wrapped his arms around Chris’ bold shoulders, gazing into his eyes. “…anything.”
“First of all, you definitely won’t be able to limit yourself, and second, you’d do anything for me anyways.”
“I’d do anything to you.” Blake giggled. Chris showed his beautiful teeth.
“Besides, don’t you remember what happened when Brandon and I left that one club, completely plastered? Brandon died! And I was hospitalized for days!” Chris said dramatically.
“You spend way to much time on live journal reading all them hot stories about us.”
“Hey… I’m just trying to get inspiration on new places and/or ways that we can…”
Chris looked up and down the hallway, to find they were alone, before looking humorously back into Blake’s deep eyes, “… Foooooooook!”

Blake burst into a fit of laughter while playfully covering his hand over Chris mouth. He slowly let his hand drop, replacing it with his lips, and unconsciously lifting one leg. Chris deepened the kiss, sliding his arms around Blake’s back. Their worlds became one, spinning around them. They were the only two stars left in the sky. All they needed was each other, and that’s exactly what they had.

Blake pulled away and Chris regained his balance.

“And I love you for it!” Blake proclaimed, sliding the key card to unlock their hotel room again, “Now call a cab, you ninja turtle.”

An hour later they got through all the paparazzi outside, and entered the club, happy to see no reporters inside. They also loved that nobody inside the club approached them. The privacy was nice until suddenly, two girls entered the club: Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie.

“Oh God…” Blake whispered to Chris.

Paris and Nicole, being incredibly sexy as usual and scoping the men, laid their eyes on some cake. Paris was checking out Chris Richardson first, who she noticed in the media of late. Then she turned her eyes to Blake Lewis. Scowling, she approached them.

“So Blake,” Paris boldly interrupted anything that Chris was saying, and didn’t introduce herself, “I heard you were saying some stuff about me.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Blake replied smugly.

“Oh I don’t know. Some shit like you’d rather date some skanky hoes and not me. Was it Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears?”

“Oh yeah.” Blake kept his cool. Chris, sensing a fight, backed away, leaning on a bar counter, enjoying the show. Nicole, being used to the spews that Paris had, went to join Chris, introducing herself.

“Uh, Yeah! That definitely doesn’t make sense seeing as those sluts will never be as hot as me.” Paris said, flipping her hair back in a casual and hot way.

“Yep, Paris. You’re right.”
“Don’t use that sarcastic tone with me, bitch!”
“You’re the bitch.”
“No, you’re the bitch!”
“Whatever bitch.”
“You’re such a bitch!”
“Are you done bitch?”
“Not until I smoke your ass bitch.”
“Just try it bitch!”
“Bitch, don’t make me get the Vaseline and straight razors!”
“Is that what you did in jail, bitch?”
“I owned jail, bitch.”

Nicole nonchalantly explained to Chris that Paris does this often and that Blake had nothing to worry about. Chris chuckled and said, “That’s hot.”. Nicole playfully slapped his shoulder and laughed saying, “You bitch.”. They both suffered a fit of giggles.

One week later, Chris was on a radio show. The host asked, “Recent reps tell me that you’re dating Nicole Richie. Is that true?”
“Nah, man. We’re just friends that’s all. Just friends.”

Fin.

P.S.: Is it not the most adorable thing ever the way Chris says “just friends” every time there’s rumors about him and a girl? It kills me.

cakeforever @ 2007-05-23T11:51:00

2007-05-23T15:54:45Z

Title: You and me? Maybe (8/8)
Author: Suedette
Pairing: Cake
Rating: NC-17 not really.
Disclaimer: Don't own any of them, just for fun.

Notes: This is the last chapter, thanks for reading.:) I wanted to post this before the finale. No matter what happens I think Chris and Blake already left something special, something so much grander than the show, for everyone one of us to carry on, and on that note, I wish them all the love, success and creativity in the future and if many years later we do find out they have been in love since day one, what can I say, that will just be icing on the CAKE.:)

the rest can be find here:
http://ladycielo.livejournal.com

[Cake]You and me? Maybe (8/8)

(8)

Blake never loved anyone in his life. Sure he loved his family and friends, and sure he LOVED music and a good slice of pizza, but he never loved anyone romantically.

So when Blake said “I love you” for the first time, he was fully expecting the other person to say it back, because hell that person must have been so damn lucky to be his first love. So Blake thought.

When Blake saw Chris’ face darkened after getting a phone call, stumbled out of bed and ran to the TV and turned it on, when Blake sat up, saw the images of Virginia Tech shooting on the screen, and Chris’ shoulders, almost shaking with fear and anger, when he walked over, took the phone away from Chris’ hand when the younger man desperately tried to reach his friends but unable to get through, and when he let Chris cry in his arms, and held him tight, it was the perfect timing to say “I love you.” So Blake thought.

When Blake stood in the bottom three of country week and looked over, saw the pain in Chris’ eyes, when he found out he was safe and walked back to his seat, shook hands with Chris and their fingers touched a bit longer, eyes locked, and it was the perfect timing to say “I love you.” So Blake thought.

When Blake came, fingers dipping into the pillow under his face, hips still firmly held by Chris’ hands, when Chris collapsed on top of him, hot breath burned his neck, words mumbled he couldn’t understand, when he turned around and climbed on top of Chris, kissed his forehead, eye lashes, and then lips, it was the perfect timing to say “I Love you.” So Blake thought.

And then, when Blake sat across from Chris, with the rest of the contestants at Sanjaya’s farewell dinner, when jokes were exchanged, laughs were shared and wishes were made, when Sanjaya and Jordin made a flower out of the fruit plate, Phil built a small cheese castle out of the cheese platter, Melinda and Lakisha made little toy chairs out of champagne bottle cups, and when Chris waved a piece of celery in the air, brushed against his own lips, looking at Blake suggestively before putting it in his month, it was not the perfect time to say…

“I love you!”

Chris blinked. The table was silenced. Phil’s cheese castle collapsed. All you could hear was Chris’ attempt to chew that piece of raw celery, once, twice, three times…

“Spit that shit out!” Blake panicked, stared into Chris’ face, demanding some response. The table still silenced, no one moved since that three words were blurted out by Blake fifty seconds ago.
Blake still stared at Chris, who still had that piece half chewed celery in his mouth. So Blake kicked Chris under the table.

“Ouch!” Chris almost jumped, quickly swallowed the celery, smoothing his throat, feeling lucky he didn’t choke to death. “What the fuck Blake?”

“Did you just hear what I said?” Blake knew they had audience, but then Blake never cared about that sort thing.

“Can we…” Chris looked around the table, and leaned forward, whispered as low as he could. “Can we talk about this later?”

Blake threw the folk in his hand on the table, causing a sharp sound, before leaning back on the chair, arms crossed in front, stared at Chris in anger.

“Ok! Who is gonna miss me?” Sanjaya quickly broke the uncomfortable moment by flashing his signature smile.

“We are!!” Everyone raised hands, even Chris nodded. Blake, arm crossed, eyes glaring, stared on.

**

“He doesn’t love me! The asshole doesn’t love me!” Blake screamed into the phone, standing in the parking lot outside the studio.

“Will you calm down?!” Ginger laughed into the phone. “I’m sure he cares about you. But wow, Blake, you said I LOVE YOU, you finally did it! Chris Rich took your virginity!”

“Funny.” Blake squinted knowing his childhood friend won’t see. “At least you aint as cynical as Jake the original asshole.”

“Oh…” Ginger’s voice stirred a little, she was quiet for a moment before speaking up again. “How is he… Jake…” Before Blake can say anything, she added, a little desperate, “did he… did he ask about me? I mean… at all?”

“Ginger…”

“I know. He is… like dating some model now right? That’s… I rather he end up with you.”

“Jake is not gonna end up with that girl.” Blake sighed and lowered his voice. “Gin, the only girl, the only person Jake ever loved is you.”

“Yah.. whatever… that’s why he hasn’t called for month.” Ginger tried to hide the sadness in her voice. “He is a big shot now, like you, and me? I work at a coffee shop, like he is gonna look my way again.”

“Gin, you broke up with him.”

“……” Ginger sighed, gathered herself, “Never mind! Cheer up Blakey! Are you getting ready for the big show?”

“Hey, you know what?!” Blake suddenly had an idea. “Why don’t you come to Hollywood? I could invite more friends to the Idol Gives Back show! Come Ginger come!!!”

“But… I have to work…”

“Do you love me?”

“Blake…”

“Good. I’m calling my parents to go get you on their way to the airport!” Blake shouted into the phone, “love ya!” and hung up. Before he could sneak back into the rehearsal studio, he ran into Simon who came out for a cigarette.

“Oh hey, sorry…”

“Wait Blake.” Simon stopped him. “…About the meeting we had…”

“It’s ok Simon. Chris and I are OVER. So you can tell the assholes not to worry about it.” Blake snapped a little thinking how Chris reacted to his declaration of love.

“Why, cause ex-girl is in town?” Simon said casually.

“What?” Blake’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”

“Oh…” Simon took a drag of his cigarette. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Caitlyn is in town? Since when?”

“Blake!” Simon wouldn’t look into Blake’s eyes, thinking he had said too much. “Go in there rehearse! That’s what we pay you for! Now off you go!”

Blake squinted at Simon, cursed silently and walked back to the studio.

**

The hotel room looked a lot smaller than theirs. Chris looked around and sat down on the edge of the bed, watching Caitlyn, his girlfriend for the longest time, pulling out a bag from her drawer.

“Here.” Caitlyn sat next to Chris. “I know you’re gonna love this.”

Chris opened the bag and it was an OBEY t-shirt. He smiled. OBEY became his favorite brand because it was the first gift he got from Caitlyn on their first Valentine’s Day. On that day he thought he could spend the rest of his life with this woman, he was young, but he knew exactly what he wanted in life. He was very in love, with Caitlyn, with her smile, her cooking, her humor, the small freckles on her shoulder and the gray OBEY t-shirt she gave him over a candlelight dinner she cooked.

Now Chris looked down at this OBEY t-shirt, it was a shade of green, mixed with black patterns. It looked flashier than the grey one he wore so very often.

“Do you still have that one?” Caitlyn smiled at Chris, sharing his memory.

“Yes…” Chris answered quickly and then realized, he hasn’t seen it since he lent it to Blake that night before their so called “relationship” ended with Blake’s cheating.

“That one must be old now.” Caitlyn moved a little closer to Chris. “I bought a new one for you Chris, I wish… everything could be new, like us, starting over…”

“Caitlyn you broke up with me. What made you change your mind?” Chris ran his hand over his hair, unable to look at the girl who broke his heart a little over six month ago.

“I know Chris, but…” Caitlyn sighed. “I know you… you probably think I’m here because you are on some show… but…”

“What is it then?” Chris asked, looking up for the first time.

“I went to see Andrew.” Caitlyn looked into Chris’ eyes. “Andrew was with the boys, you know, Brad, Justin and Jamal.”

“They were together?” Chris smiled, looked at Caitlyn’s hands, resting on her knees.

“They were all at Andrew’s house… I guess they wanted to head back to school together for the memorial service, you know how they are, all dressed in their Hokies jerseys. Except Andrew, Andrew was wearing your CNU jersey, the one you left for him…”

“When we were at CNU, he made me promise him that we are gonna play for the Hokies someday, together…” Chris lowered his voice, rubbed his hands restlessly. “But then… I guess… I disappointed him, went for music instead… I disappointed him…”

Caitlyn put her hand over Chris’. “No… the boys wanted me to tell you…” Her voice was shaky, barely recognizable. “They all saw you that night on the show, they heard you, and they knew you cared. You did them proud, so, so proud, Chris, we are all so proud of you, so proud…” Caitlyn couldn’t finish her sentence, let Chris embraced her and sobbed in his arms.

**

No one was eliminated. Blake, Chris, Melinda, Phil, Lakisha and Jordin, and even some of them would never admit, they had never felt happier, not only because of themselves, but the advancement of each other. All their families and friends were there, and they all left spending time with them after the Idol Gives Back show.

At the Goblin Market, a casual and delicious West Hollywood restaurant, Dinah, Dallas, Ginger, Blake and Jake sat around a table in a quiet corner, just a little uncomfortable in a setting that could have been a circus two years ago.

“So kids, why you all so quiet?” Dinah finally spoke up, exchanging a concerned look with Dallas.

“Huh mum?”

“Nothing.”

“We are fine, Dinah, how is your salmon?”

“It’s delicious, best I ever had, Jake.” Dinah smiled at the man she saw as her own son. “Thank you so much for taking us to all those places and let us stay with you.”

“I should be the happy one.” Jake quickly put his drink down, without the usual cockiness he carried around. “I’m just so… so happy to see you…” He quickly glanced towards Ginger who immediately looked down. “..to see you all.”

“Now Blake.” Dallas looked at Blake who was drinking his fifth beer. “Should you drink this much?”

“Nah, it’s nothing.” Blake flashed his dad a big smile. “I just need to relax, ya know, and this is the last one.”

“LAST ONE.” Dallas looked into Blake’s eyes.

“Yessir!” Blake nodded obediently.

Two hours later Blake was completely trashed. After Jake’s driver drove Dallas and Dinah back to Jake’s house, Blake made Jake and Ginger take him to a bar, had couple more rounds of different type of liquors, while Ginger had soda and Jake only sipped on one drink. Blake continued his complain about Chris that made less sense by the minute, until it was twenty minutes before curfew, Jake dragged Blake out of the bar and shoved him in the car.

The drive back to the hotel was awkward. Blake passed out at the back of the car. Jake, who drove slower than he usually would, glanced over at Ginger who kept her eyes on her hands at all time.

“Gin…”

“Yes?” She quickly looked up, realizing her overly eager reaction, her face turned bright red.

“…I…I’m glad you are here.” Jake smiled at him, turned to look at the road.

“Blake needs me… so…” Ginger knew it wasn’t the whole truth, but she couldn’t give Jake more power than he already have over her.

“…Well, I really miss you…” Jake stared at the road, a little flushed too.

“Is that why you haven’t called for four month?” Ginger now turned to look at Jake, who still stared at the road. He waited for a moment and let the secret he kept away even from Blake.

“I went back to Bothell to see you, two weeks after you broke up with me.” Jake said, voice deepened. “I wanted to surprise you and… hopefully get you back… I went to Ruby’s because I knew you’d be working on Tuesdays…”

Ginger still stared at Jake, shocked and speechless.

“I saw you and Ethan kissing and you looked… happy. So I left. I thought if Ethan makes you happy, then that’s the way it should be.”

“……” Ginger turned her head and now joined Jake looking at the night street. “What else am I suppose to do? You were with some woman or… man… and you lied to me. And after we broke up I started to see pictures of you with Hollywood starlets on the gossip magazines one after another, and Blake, Blake left for Hollywood too, I just felt like I lost you both, And Ethan… he had always been there for me… so I…”

“Gin…” Jake stopped the car in front of the hotel, looked at Ginger in the eyes. “I’m sorry for everything.”

“I’m sorry too.” Ginger smiled sadly at Jake. Jake reached over, and gently touched the side of Ginger’s face. “I can do better if…” Before he could say anything else, Blake almost jumped out of the backseat, grabbed Jake and Ginger’s shoulders and growled.

“HE DOESN’T LOVE ME!” With that said, Blake paused, had a moment of blankness on his face, before putting his hand over his mouth. “I don’t think I feel very well.”

Jake and Ginger both sighed and laughed, pulled Blake out of the car and carried him upstairs. Jake made sure Blake who ran into the bathroom and got everything he ate and drunk out of his system, and forced Blake to take a shower and waited outside with Ginger who had cleaned the room. Five minutes later Blake was out of the shower, naked, Jake laughed and Ginger shook her head and looked away and Blake who had sobered up, apologized and went to look for something to wear. The three best friends talked briefly until curfew time.

**

Chris and Caitlyn hurried into the lobby while Chris’ parents waited in the car. They needed to get some gifts and things Chris bought for his family back home. As they walked pass by the café on the side of the lobby, a familiar voice stopped Chris.

“Blake is going to be ok.” Jake put his coffee cup down.

Ginger nodded and sighed. “I hope so. He has never been this confused in his life, you and I should know better than anyone.”

Chris stepped closer almost unintentionally, Caitlyn followed.

“He really is in love.” Ginger smiled. “But Chris… he seems so… straight.”

Chris blinked, realized he wasn’t the only one who was listening to this conversation. Just when he was about to grab Caitlyn who looked shocked, Jake’s voice spoke up again.

“He is straight. But I believe the feeling is nevertheless mutual.”

Caitlyn glared at Chris with questions, and Chris grabbed her hand and quickly walked into the elevator.

“It’s not what you think Cat.” Chris held Caitlyn by the shoulders as soon as the elevator door was shut. “It’s complicated, but there is nothing going on between Blake and I. You believe me right?”

Caitlyn looked into Chris’ eyes, first with doubt, then a moment later, her gaze fell, and she nodded. “You are not gay Chris. You can’t be.”

“I’m not!” Chris quickly reinsured the statement.

The elevator door opened. Caitlyn looked to the hallway and waited for Chris to let her go. They stood for another moment, before Chris finally gathered himself and let go.

Blake was sound asleep, with his back to them, when they walked into the room. Caitlyn glanced over at Chris who quickly packed the gifts. She looked around the room that was rather clean for two boys, saw the pictures of their families and friend on the bookshelf, and then a ring, a silver ring with a black onyx stone.

“Isn’t this the ring your grandma gave ya?” Caitlyn picked it up and inspected it.

“Uh… yah…” Chris mumbled, quickly put the last box in the bag. “All done.”

“Don’t see you wear it at all.” Caitlyn put the ring back on the shelf. Chris knew lying was hopeless because since he gave Blake this ring for good luck when they made to top 24, Blake always wore it out in public and Caitlyn would see the pictures sooner or later.

“Nah, it’s a little too… flashy for me… so uh… Blake borrowed it… it does suit him better, so whatever.” Chris picked up the bags, smiled nervously. “Ready?”

“Yah… I will get this one.” Caitlyn saw a smaller bag on the edge of the bed, walked over and picked it up, it was right then, Blake stirred lightly in bed, and rolled on his back, still sound asleep.

Caitlyn froze, the bag in her hand fell on the floor, she stared at Blake, took a step back. Chris sensed something and turned around, immediately was short of breath from the view of Blake.

Blake was wearing his grey OBEY t-shirt.

Caitlyn shook her head, let out a bitter laugh and walked towards the door. Chris quickly followed her into the hallway, caught up with her and blocked her way.

“Caitlyn, let me explain…”

“Do you think I’m stupid!!!!??” Caitlyn pushed him, shouted angrily. “This is… this is disgusting!”

“Caitlyn wait.” Chris grabbed Caitlyn’s wrist as she approached the elevator door.

“Don’t touch me!” Caitlyn glared at Chris, her eyes were filled with tears, her body shaking with anger. Chris knew the situation was already out of control, so he let go of her hand. Caitlyn quickly got into the elevator.

“Please don’t tell my parents…” Chris struggled to finish the sentence as the elevator door was shut.

**

Blake woke up with a bad hangover. He sat up and reached for his glasses and saw Chris sitting on the sofa with his laptop.

“Hey man.” Blake put his glass on, waved at Chris who looked as if he hasn’t slept.

“Hey…” Chris pulled his earphones down, and looked at Blake, hair messy, glasses, wearing his OBEY t-shirt, buried in a bed of wrinkled sheets. Under other circumstances it would be such a turned on, but right now it merely felt exhausting.

“I’m surprised to see you here.” Blake leaned against the headboard, pouted a little. “Thought you’d wake up next to Caitlyn right now.” Then he smirked, with such despite that even angered Chris more.

“Shut up Blake.” Chris lowered his eyes, and put his earphone back on. Before he knew it, a pillow hit his face, he jumped in shock, almost knocking his laptop off the sofa. Chris growled, threw the pillow on the floor. “What the fuck is your problem?!”

“You are my problem!” Blake shouted back, his head was hurting like hell and Chris wasn’t making it better. “You’re loving this right now aren’t you??”

“What?”

“What I said to you at Sanjaya’s stupid dinner?!” Blake crossed his arms in front of him. “It must feel really good to keep me hanging!”

“I’m not keeping you hanging.” Chris sat his laptop on the floor, ran his hand over his hair, exhausted. “You are too over the top Blake, one day you go fuck someone else and lie, the next day you tell me to fuck off over the phone, and then the next day you tell me you love me. You are too much! And it’s… it’s exhausting Blake…”

“Sorry I’m not like your boring girlfriend.” Blake knew it was harsh, but words just slipped, like they always do when he argued with Chris.

Chris sighed. He looked into Blake’s eyes, almost hopeless. “Fine. Whatever you say.” Then he stood, picked up his laptop. “We need to go rehearse now… just… give me that t-shirt back.”

“What…?” Blake looked down at Chris’ favorite OBEY t-shirt. “Why?”

“Just give it back.” Chris said with a low voice, he just didn’t understand why Blake was always so difficult.

“No! I want it.” Blake wrapped his arm around himself. “You gave it to me!”

“I didn’t give it to you and I will never give it to you.” Chris snapped. “Because my boring girlfriend bought it for my on our first Valentine’s Day, ok?! So give it back!”

Blake’s arms slowly unwrapped and rested on the bed. He looked at Chris, who didn’t know how to stand in the same spot, paced around the room before walking out, and knew somehow this was the end of the road for them.

**

After their last rehearsal for Bon Jovi night, Blake left the group first. He didn’t know where to go, didn’t call Jake or Ginger because he knew they’d be together, didn’t call Chris because Chris must have been with Caitlyn for all he knew. Blake wondered around the Fox studio, felt sick in the stomach. He was surprised he actually went through with the rehearsal. Maybe he did grew up through out this competition, seeing the grander music business, the reality of the media, the competitive nature and finally, falling in love for the first time, maybe he did grew through all these new experiences and didn’t just quit the show on the spot like he would have done.

Miser record called him this morning and informed him they wouldn’t be able to carry out the contract they had signed with Blake. They understood if Blake wanted to sue, but the damage would be worse if Fox decided to sue them. Blake was angry and disappointed, knowing Miser Record knew well he was on the show and yet still offered him a contract, and knowing Fox or whichever record company that was behind it had everything to do with Miser Record’s now withdraw.

Blake told them calmly he had no intention to sue and he would have his lawyer gather all the paper work to cancel the contract. Taylor Shaw called him and welcomed him to Brooklyn anytime he wanted to jam together. Blake suddenly, just for a moment, regretted to be part of this show.

Sitting down on the stairs on a quieter lot, he thought what his life would be like if he never audition. He’d be making his record, performing locally and sharing beds with those women and men who came into his life along the way. He wouldn’t have the fame, the money in his bank account, the legal problems, the warning to go back to the “closet” that he was never in, and somehow, kind of, falling in love with Chris Richardson.

Blake thought of Chris. It was a long process, what felt a life long thinking thread, and when it reached the end, it started to melt, into a taste of bitter and sweetness, a realization of how simple love felt like. He still couldn’t form words to describe it, but when he closed his eyes and imagine a moment that inspired him, he knew Chris was standing right by him, loving him in the most natural way a person would love anyone. Blake touched the black onyx ring, stood up and walked back to the studio. When he got there, everyone was getting ready to leave, but Chris wasn’t among them.

“Where were ya Blake?” Jordin walked over, whispered.

“I went for a walk.” Blake looked around still couldn’t find Chris.

“Guess what…” Jordin leaned closer. “Simon asked Chris to go to dinner.”

“What?” Blake looked at Jordin, surprised.

“I know…” Jordin rolled her eyes. “Kinda scary… I know I would be scared, ordering food in front of Simon.”

Blake let out a quick laugh, thought about calling Chris, but changed him mind, put his phone back and boarded the limo with everyone.

**

Chris knew something was up when Simon took him to dinner, he just didn’t expect it was something this big. He stared at Simon from across the table, pasta still stuck on the fork, and the fork still in the air.

“Put that down Chris.” Simon thought he sounded like a father.

“Are you really telling me this?” Chris put down the folk, still couldn’t believe what he just heard.

“Chris, like I said.” Simon cleared his throat, looked into Chris’ eyes. “You and Blake, one of you has to go.”

“So you are gonna manipulate the votes.” Chris’ voice deepened with anger.

“You left them with no choice Chris.” Simon continued, with no emotions in his voice. “Well… Blake didn’t leave them any choice. He is like a walking time bomb, and could explode any moment on live television, and Fox, Ford and Coca-cola weren’t going to risk that.”

“You are worried he will… kiss me or something on the show?” Chris let out a forceful laugh.

“Whatever it is, it can’t happen, not on this show.” Simon sighed a little. “I hope you understand Chris. I chose to talk to you because even though you are younger, you are the mature one.”

Chris looked away, for the next few moment, they kept quiet, both looked at different direction as the waiter came and went added water in their glasses.

“The elimination show will be arranged in certain way that you two won’t be sitting next to each other or have any chance to be close.” Simon calmly explained.

Chris laughed, a little dry, a little hopeless. “So this is what the show comes down to, preventing fags from making out on national television.”

“Chris…”

“What a joke.” Chris shook his head. He was angry but he knew things like this did happen, to many artisits. “Why… what's the point of telling me all these?”

“Well, about that.” Simon moved a little in his seat, looking slightly embarrassed. “I’m pretty much the one who make the decision…” He took a sip of his water and kept his glance on his own hand. “I’m NOT suppose to talk to you about this, but I have decided to sent Blake home.”

Chris felt his heart skipped when those words were said. He took a deep breath and bit his tongue not to say anything.

“But judging from the rehearsal… Yes I DID see the rehearsals, Randy and Paula never did, but I always did. Blake’s performance is risky and America doesn’t know better, they could love it or hate it and what I’m going to say after the performance will make an impact. So if I do say it’s bad, which I don’t think it will be, Blake’s elimination won’t seem so sudden.”

“Then why don’t you just follow your script?” Chris started to get confused by the point of all this.

“Because you two are… involved.” Simon said slowly. “If I were going to choose to eliminate Blake, somehow… I feel like I need to have this conversation with you.”

Chris looked at Simon for a while, and slowly realized what was going through Simon’s mind, the sympathy and the uneasiness the older man had carried with him while dealing with this situation with the poker face he always wore.

“Why don’t you think about this for few minutes.” Simon got up, took his cigarette from his jacket. “I’ll be back in five.”

Chris nodded. He took a sip of water, feeling the coldness running through his dry throat. He laughed a little at the situation and then suddenly remembered something and reached for his phone.

“Who is this?” Sanjaya’s voice sounded the same, creamy and annoying, Chris thought.

“Chris, Rich.”

“Wow. What do you want?”

“Remember that Tarot Card thing you did?”

“Reading.”

“Right. What did the last card say?”

“Hm… Why do you ask?”

“You better answer that in ten seconds or I will give you a hard time on the tour!”

“Why you gotta be a bully to me?!”

“SANJAYA!”

“Fine.” Sanjaya sighed loudly into the phone. “It was The Fool.”

“The fool, uh…” Chris tiled his head. “Meaning…?”

“Meaning… remember that choice you gotta make? that person you need to sacrifice in order to prevent the Wheel of Fortune turning against you? The Fool meant no matter what choice you make, you are still gonna be the stupid one!”

Chris laughed. He was surprised that he laughed and he couldn’t stop.

“What? Did you make some life changing decision and realized you should have listened to me?” Sanjaya fronted.

“Well… I must say you are good at this thing.” Chris smiled. “Say… what if I ended up falling for the person I need to sacrifice?”

“Well…!” Sanjaya made a “duh” face at the phone. “Didn’t I just say you are THE FOOL?!”

“Sure you did.” Chris let out a long breath. “The fool it is then.” Before Sanjaya could make another remark, Chris said thinks and hung up. He looked at the glass on the table for a moment, held it up and drank all the water up. It tasted really good and he wasn’t sure why.

When Simon came back, Chris had a smile on his face that made Simon stopped half way on his way back to the table.

“Oh come on Simon, sit down.” Chris squinted at Simon.

“So?” Simon sat down.

“I’m going home.” Chris nodded, without a hint of doubt on his face. Simon didn’t respond and didn’t look surprised either. Chris smiled at the older man. “You knew right? You knew I’d choose to go home.”

“I wish you didn’t.”

“Why?”

“Because then I won’t feel guilty.” Simon finally smiled, just a little before he put the poker face back on.

“I want you to be true when you judge Blake’s performance, that’s all I’m asking.” Chris said.

“You got it kid.” Simon nodded.

“Ok… I should head back.” Chris stood up and stopped. “Wait… uh… are you paying?”

Simon rolled his eyes.

“Thanks man.” Chris considered giving Simon a handshake, but then looking at the older English man who sat with his arms crossed in front his chest, he thought it was best not to make the situation more uncomfortable. He just nodded and walked away, and then, he thought of something, walked back. “You know…” He looked at Simon. “I didn’t know you cared.”

“I don’t. Now off you go.” Simon waved his hand in the air.

Chris smiled, suddenly feeling strangely happy, like a weight just came off his shoulder.

**

When Chris got back to the room, Blake was sitting on his bed, waiting for him. As soon as Blake saw Chris walked in, he quickly stood up. “Hey man… is everything ok?” Blake stood still, watching Chris walking towards the closet, talking off his jacket.

“Sure, whassup?”

“I heard Simon took you to dinner?”

“I’m not sleeping with him if that’s what you’re wondering.” Chris laughed at his own joke, but didn’t hear the expected remark from Blake. He put down his jacket and looked back. Blake stood still, staring at him for another moment and looked down, sighed quietly.

“Could we talk?” He said and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Chris walked over and sat on the edge of the other bed, facing Blake. He searched for some eye contact to figure out why Blake looked so sad, but Blake kept his gaze on Chris’ hands.

“I’m sorry about everything Chris.” Blake got up to the drawer and came back with Chris’ grey OBEY t-shirt in hands. “Here…” He handed it to Chris who didn’t reach for it. “I washed it. Here…”

“Blake…” Chris took the t-shirt, tried to form some words so he could make sense of how he was feeling right now, but Blake didn’t give him a chance.

“When I first started this… this thing with you Chris… I first thought… you and I? maybe… but then…” Blake muttered his words, hands nervously fondled with the tip of this shirt. “You see… I’ve only loved music and music never made me doubt or scare. But you did… I’m the least perfect person out there, and you are… just so damn perfect and straight… and… I hate being this… bad person in your life… so if you… if you still wanna be my friend, I would love that. You know, like we first met…” Blake laughed nervously. “Yo man whassup, I’m Blake Lewis… Chris, Richardson, it’s a pleasure to meet you man… and…”

“I love you too, Blake.” Chris stopped Blake’s mumbling, gently reached for those shaky hands. Blake’s face totally froze, stared at Chris like he had just seen a ghost, until he felt the warmth of Chris’ hands warmed his cold fingers.

“Don’t look so horrified.” Chris smiled, copying Blake’s angry reaction at the dinner table. “Did you just hear what I said?”

It took Blake another minute to gather his words. “No, I didn’t, say it again.”

Chris’s smile deepened. “I said, I lov…”

Before he could finish, he was pushed down on the bed with Blake on top of him, lips crushing with his, kissing, like they never been kissed before for a moment when the world stopped spinning and kept still for those who dared to love.

**

“I think you did everything you could with that song Chris, whether it was good enough to stay another week, I don’t know.”

Chris looked at Simon in the eyes, nodded respectfully.

“He doesn’t know what he is talking about!” Blake whispered to Chris as soon as Chris got down the stage. “You are staying! We both are!”

Chris smiled and listened as Blake went on and on about their performances in excitement.

**

Ryan hated this season’s American Idol. It became so complicated and everyone was so nice it got under his skin too. So when the actual result showed Lakisha and Phil had the lowest votes, and yet when he was sent to a room of executives, and told it was going to be Chris and Phil who would be eliminated, even they explained to him why, and Ryan never been bothered by those tricks before, but somehow he was, just this season, and he hated feeling this way.

Ryan also never thought Simon was a good person. He thought Simon was smart and funny, but never good, until the elimination night, until Simon grabbed Ryan and shoved him into an empty dressing room few minutes before the opening.

“Are you sure?!” Ryan stared at Simon.

“I’m. Are you?” Simon stared back.

“You are gonna get me fired. COW.” Ryan shook his head.

“That’s a good boy.” Simon petted Ryan’s head.

They exchanged another glance before walking out of the dressing room.

When everything was cued and the show was seconds from starting, Chris looked back at Blake who sat on the higher level of the couch with Phil and Jordin, smiled, and quietly figured out the arrangement. He was the first to go on stage with Lakisha and Melinda and he would be eliminated and then Phil, Jordin and Blake, where Phil would probably be joining him. Great arrangement. So Chris thought.

“You two.” Ryan, who supposed to be behind those big doors awaiting for the opening, suddenly appeared in front of them, with his microphone off, he pointed at Chris and Phil. “You two, switch seats.”

“What?” Chris was confused.

“NOW.” Ryan signaled Phil to come down and leaned over to Chris as he stood. “I know, ok? Just switch seats, says SIMON.”

Chris looked at Ryan for a moment, nodded and switched seats with Phil who looked confused as usual and sat next to Blake. He glanced over to Simon, who just sat down next to Paula.

“Where were you?” Paula looked at Simon.

“Oh Paula, always miss me.”

“Whatever…”

Before Simon could say anything back, Nigel was next to him, whispering in anger.

“What’s going on over there?” Nigel pointed at the seating arrangement, panicking.

“Oh… that… I asked Ryan to do it.”

“And what the fuck do you do that for?” Nigel almost snapped.

“If we are gonna do this to them, we can at least give them a proper farewell.”

“No way!!” Nigel reached for his phone. But Simon grabbed his hand.

“This show owns them a proper farewell. I’m serious Nigel.”

Nigel looked into Simon’s eyes, knowing there wasn’t enough time to argue and sure he won’t risk Simon walking out in the middle of the show. So he sighed, shook his head and sat back to his seat.

“What’s going on there? Is everything ok?” Paula looked over at Nigel who looked angrier than he ever has been.

“Oh Paula, always worry about me.” Simon put his arm around Paula and winked at her.

**

“Jordin I messed with you last week enough, you sit down, you are safe.”

Blake looked at Chris with fear and worry, and was surprise to see only smile in Chris’ eyes. As soon as they cut to the commercials, Blake turned to Chris. “You are not leaving Chris.”

“I’m.” Chris looked into Blake’s eyes. “And you, you are going to go on, without me, doesn’t matter if you win or not, but you will at least try.”

“You are not going!” Blake almost shouted. Jordin, Melinda and Lakisha kept quiet even though they could hear everything.

“When we are on the stage… Blake, listen to me.” Chris briefly touched Blake’s knee. “You promise you won’t do anything… like jumping me…” He let out a quick laugh.

“Why not?! Might as well…”

“No.” Chris made sure he caught Blake’s eyes, and looked deep into them. “Most people who work on the show don’t deserve that, the girls…” Chris lowered his voice. “The girls don’t deserve that, this is their moment, we have no right to make a scene that will ruin the next few weeks, where you and the girls are gonna show America how talented you all are.”

“Why are you always so...” Blake said quietly, couldn't find the right word to describe how mature, rational and perfect Chris was.

“Because one of us has to.” Chris smiled, with love in his gaze. “So we could survive more of this madness in the future… together.”

And with that said, together, they walked towards the middle of the stage.

**

Blake Lewis never loved anyone in his life. So when Blake said “I love you” for the first time, he was fully expecting the other person to say it back, because hell that person must have been so damn lucky to be his first love.

But when Chris Richardson finished singing his last song on Idol stage, when right before the cameras were finally turned off, Chris walked over and embraced Blake in front of the world without a hint of regret, Blake suddenly realized he was the damn lucky one.

**

Fin.