pyrosgf: (Adam Stripped Shirt B&W)
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Title: The City of Angels
Part 2: The Upright Cabaret
Author: pyrosgf
Pairing: Adam Lambert/Jeff Hardy
Wordcount: 2944
Rating: R to be safe (NC-17 in a later part)
Warnings: Angst, nothing too heavy yet
Disclaimer: Nope I don’t own them. Don’t claim it ever happened and all that jazz
Notes: Okay this is my first crossover fic but since the Bradam pic of them kissing outside with Adam with purple hair I’ve been meaning to write an Adam/Jeff fic. So here comes the fucked up AU of Jeff Hardy as a runaway newly planted in LA meeting Adam in a club and the relationship that ensues.

All chapters can be found by my "city of angels" tag.

The Bradam pic:

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Beta: [livejournal.com profile] scorpio_15  who somehow deciphers my madness.


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Jeff Hardy




Part 1: Cheeky Cherub




The days flow into weeks and soon the Cheeky Cherub and Adam are far from Jeff’s mind as he lets the monotony of work consume him. However, in the weeks since his dream of Adam the angel, he’s not had one nightmare and he always wakes up feeling sun kissed with a nagging memory of white wispiness.

Whatever the change, he finds that he’s happier even at work. Some days he even sings to himself as he folds the clothing for the displays. His voice carries through the store, random lines of songs in his head that have no names. It’s on one of those slow days when his voice and some random melody floats and curls through the store that his boss approaches him.

His boss is a pretty lively little guy, short, and very southern, though you’d never guess it by his choice of loud We-Ho appropriate attire. To top it off he’s also gay, which makes Jeff all the more comfortable. For once in his life he’s not hiding who he is from an employer. It’s invigorating.

“Jeff,” comes his cheery little drawl.

“Mr. Bell?” Jeff looks up from his work to warm as honey eyes.

“Brad,” the tiny man corrects without thinking.

“Alright, Brad,” Jeff sighs and shakes his head.

“Listen Jeff, your singing…”

“Is it a problem? I’ll stop.” Jeff replies quickly.

“No, no, no the customers seem to love it. You sing with so much passion and I know you’re new to the area, but back home did you ever perform for crowds?”

Jeff smiles and his cheeks flush. “Yeah, I used to go to a bar that had an open mic night. Though there they always wanted me to sing Sunday in the South or Copperhead Road.” He laughs lightly at the memory.

“Never heard of them, but that’s not important. Listen, I know this place that has an amateur night and I think you would probably like the atmosphere. Plus, baby, let’s be honest, you need a social life other than work.” Brad winks before walking back in the direction he’d come, leaving Jeff feeling slightly confused about his boss’ bubbly nature but kind of excited about singing publicly again.


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It’s Friday, and with many nerves but plenty of enthusiasm, Jeff decides that he’s going to follow up on Brad’s suggestion. He dresses casually for the event knowing that it’s not his clothes that he wants to shine tonight. It’s been so long since he’s sung for an audience that he wants his voice to have the spotlight.

He wears simple dark hunter green jeans with a light green undershirt, covered by a button up shirt. The button up matches his jeans at the bottom and slowly slides through every shade of green until it reaches white at his shoulders. He’s always loved this shirt because his eyes sparkle like emeralds in it. He quickly slides into his black boots and looks into the mirror again. His hair is loose and for once he doesn’t feel the need to throw it into a bun. Each shade of the rainbow is represented and he feels the need to let the colors flow freely. His hair is almost like a safety blanket. He knows that the moment he hits the stage those locks will flow into his face and comfort him until that first note leaves his lips. Then he’ll be right at home.


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Jeff takes a deep calming breath as he walks to the Upright Cabaret. Turns out that it was easy to find and only a few blocks from his apartment. It’s nice to take in the atmosphere of the bustling streets around him and it soothes his mind until finally he’s standing in front of a sign declaring tonight, open mic night.

He’s proud that his hand is only trembling a little as he opens the door and steps inside, instantly calmer when he realizes that the entire room’s attention is fully on the stage. Not wanting to disturb the performer, he quietly walks to the nearest table. As he settles into the booth a waiter comes over, smiles, and takes his drink order. Nothing too heavy when he’s singing so just water will do.

“Sir, how do I go about getting added to a list to perform tonight?” he asks softly, looking up into the waiter’s crystal blue eyes.

“Just give me your name and what you want to sing, and I’ll add you to the list, honey,” the guy says warmly.

“Name’s Jeff Hardy, and I’ll be singing Pearl Jam’s Last Kiss. Tell the piano man not to worry. I prefer to sing a cappella.” Jeff smiles brightly. Brad was right; he does love this atmosphere.

“Duly noted, sir. I’ll be back in a moment with your water.” The waiter wanders off to the back and it’s then that Jeff finally focuses his attention on the stage. A raven-haired, tiny female is on the stage. Her beautiful voice carries out the last few notes of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and she bows her head as the lights go down. Her rendition makes him think back to Eva Cassidy’s version. It isn’t nearly as heart wrenching as Eva’s, but it’s beautiful all the same.

After a moment the spotlight beams on a tiny man wearing a tux and a huge smile. “Give it up for Alisan Porter.” Applauds fill the room and then everyone settles again. “Our next performer is one of our regulars. I’m sure most of you will be happy to welcome Mr. Adam Lambert,” the guy crows happily and walks off the stage. Jeff’s waiter returns and quickly deposits his glass on the table, nodding to the stage before going to the back.

The lights go down and a beautiful haunting voice fills the air. “Hello world, hope you’re listening, forgive me if I’m young.” The words curl around Jeff and goose bumps run along his skin.

He squints into the darkness as a shadowy figure steps onto the stage. When the light comes up, his breath hitches as long, lavender hair frames an angel’s face.

The next few minutes are a blur. Adam’s voice leaves Jeff in a daze and as the song comes to a close he’s on his feet. His feet feel like concrete, each step a conscious effort as he wars with himself. With that voice every memory of every dream floods back to him. He has to talk to Adam.

Adam’s eyes lock onto his just before he walks from the stage into the crowd. His knee length coat billows behind him as he approaches Jeff. He stops, wraps warm fingers around Jeff’s wrist and leans in close, lips pressed to his ear and lavender hair brushing against his cheek.

“Nice to see you again,” Adam breathes into his ear. “I think you’re up next, can’t wait to hear you. After you’re done come have a drink with me. I’ll be over in that corner.” Adam pulls away and points as Jeff stutters out an acknowledgement.

Adam drifts to his corner and Jeff is brought from his stupor by the sound of his own name echoing through the sound system. He shuffles his feet and before he knows it he’s on the stage, all eyes trained on him as he settles himself on the stool. He looks out to the crowd and smiles hesitantly.

“Umm, well hi, my name is Jeff…. I uhh… I was going to sing some Pearl Jam tonight, but I’m just not feeling it now. I think I want to sing The Black Crowes, She Talks to Angels. This song is hard for me. It reminds me of my mother that I lost as a child. I hope I can do this justice. Please bare with me,” he sighs as he takes the microphone from the stand. In his hand it’s warm and comforting and his hair shades his eyes, and in that moment through those strands he glances up to catch Adam’s eyes blazing warmth across his skin.

She never mentions the word addiction
In certain company
Yes, she'll tell you she's an orphan
After you meet her family

She paints her eyes as black as night now,
Pulls those shades down tight
Yes, she gives a smile when the pain comes,
The pain gonna make everything alright

Says, she talks to angels,
They call her out by her name
Oh yeah, she talks to angels,
Says they call her out by her name

She keeps a lock of hair in her pocket
She wears a cross around her neck
Yes, the hair is from a little boy,
And the cross is someone she has not met, not yet…


Jeff’s voice cracks as the tears roll down his cheeks and he knows he can’t finish it. The words are lodged in his throat. Instead he stands and makes his way off the stage. The crowd is silent as they hold a collective breath, not sure how to react to the heartbreaking performance they’ve just witnessed. Adam stands and starts clapping his hands. Finally the crowd relaxes, their applauds filling the room as Jeff makes his way to Adam. Adam stands and as soon as Jeff reaches him, he pulls the smaller man into a tight embrace.

“You did so good up there,” Adam whispers softly in his ear. “Come on sit down. Let’s talk.” Adam releases Jeff and watches as he slides into the booth. Jeff’s shoulders tremble slightly as he wipes at his eyes and Adam slides into the booth alongside him.

For several moments the air is filled with the sounds of Jeff’s shuddering breaths and Adam gives him time to calm himself until finally he looks up from the table. One last breath and Jeff’s green eyes meet his. “Thank you,” Jeff whispers. “You don’t know how hard that was for me. It’s been a long time since I sang anything that reminded me of momma. The first time I heard it I cried, and it became a way for me to grieve her.” He sighs and shakes head. He must look like a complete idiot spilling his soul to a man he’d danced with once at a club.

“Why… why did you sing it tonight?” Adam asks curiously. The warmth of his eyes calms Jeff a fraction.

“I guess now I’m grieving again. My dad and brother pretty much turned their backs on me when I came out. My brother, god, he raised me. My dad worked and if it wasn’t for my brother I wouldn’t be who I am today, and he won’t even talk to me now. I’m mourning him like he’s dead and all because I told him I was gay,” Jeff whispers past the lump in his throat.

“You know, I didn’t think I would see you again,” Adam says, quickly changing the subject as the tears swell in Jeff’s eyes. “You’re the first guy at the Cheeky Cherub I’ve ever given my number to. I could almost taste your pain and I just wish you’d called me,” he says honestly, brushing his thumb lightly against Jeff’s hand.

“I guess I just wasn’t ready to face it yet. I was afraid that I was going to drown in the anguish. Hmph, in fact, that night I had a horrible nightmare about home, but not one since. It wasn’t until seeing you again that I realized why. My dreams have been of you, an angel you, but you all the same keeping me safe. Up until tonight all I could remember was the warmth and white. Your face jogged my memory,” Jeff rambles.

“But why did you run when I kissed you?”

Jeff takes a deep breath and Adam can see the wheels in his head turning. After several minutes Jeff finally comes to the realization. “I’ve…I’ve never kissed a man in public. For a minute I guess I forgot where I was. I thought I was back home and that someone would see us, and it would get back to my family. I’m sorry about that, by that way. That night I woke up in bed, and when I went to the bathroom I was still in the clothes from the club. I-I threw away your number. I thought I could handle things myself…” Jeff’s voice trails off, as he gets lost in Adam’s eyes.

There’s so much intensity and yet such honesty in those blue orbs, but also an abundance of heat. Jeff shivers, suddenly feeling like prey.

“Now you realize you’re not in Kansas anymore Dorothy?” Adam’s laugh is even beautiful, Jeff thinks to himself.

“Yeah, I guess this isn’t quite like anything back home.”

“Good,” Adam says, and then leans in to press his lips to Jeff’s.

Jeff tenses for just a second until Adam’s fingers thread through his hair. His body relaxes as those fingertips massage into his scalp. Adam licks along Jeff’s bottom lip until he opens up to him. His skillful tongue searches the inner recesses of Jeff’s mouth until he moans and allows his own tongue to become an active participant in this sinfully delicious game. His hand, which had been clenching into the soft leather of Adam’s coat, finally runs through strands of lavender silk and his other hand presses into the smooth skin at the back of Adam’s neck. Jeff groans as Adam pulls back and sinks his teeth into his bottom lip, and then he’s sucking it and laving it with his tongue and it’s all Jeff can do to think straight.

Adam finally releases him and gives him a fiery look from underneath those dark lashes. “Not so much an angel after all,” Jeff breathes, his body trembling with the current that passes between them. Every nerve in his body is on fire with anticipation.

Adam just smiles, sinfully sweet. “More like the devil if you ask me,” he purrs at Jeff. “But we really shouldn’t rush this. I really like you Jeff, and I think I can help you if you’ll let me.”

With Adam’s words the flames lapping at his skin die a slow death as his mind clears. Not another one-night-stand, he thinks to himself. That was back home, and here it can be different. Here I can have a relationship…with Adam, his mind supplies thoughtfully. Adam’s voice pulls him out of his thoughts.

“Jeff, you okay? I didn’t mean that I’m not interested. Trust me I am,” Adam grabs Jeff’s hand and pulls it under the table to press against the front of his leather pants, “I really am, but I just think we could be something more than just a fuck.” His words are laced with a moan as Jeff presses his palm into Adam’s aching cock.

Jeff pulls his hand back. “Wow, sorry, didn’t mean to make things worse for you Adam, but yeah I’m okay and I was actually just thinking the same thing. For once I’d like to have a proper date before jumping in the sack. Just hooking up isn’t for me anymore,” Jeff drawls as he wraps his fingers around Adam’s. “So I guess what I’m asking is if you wanna go out and umm… wait… I think you’ll have to pick the place, but I wanna take you out on a date.” Jeff squeezes Adam’s hand and he smiles brightly. He’s feeling more confident now than he has in a long time just by the look of pure wonder in Adam’s eyes.

“You mean it? You really wanna go out on a real date?” Adam inquires. “I think I may have forgotten how that works, but I know this place in Santa Monica. It’s a little hole in the wall restaurant on the beach. I-I think you would really enjoy it.”

“Course I mean it, and I think I may have forgotten too but we can learn together.” A tiny pang hits Jeff as he realizes how much he’s missed the beach. “I’ve not seen the sand since I left North Carolina. Matt and I used to go to the beach a lot. I miss it and I would really enjoy a beautiful meal with you.”

“Then it’s settled… I can come by and pick you up or we can meet here if you prefer. Tomorrow about 6pm.”

Jeff laughs. “You know, it’s probably better if I just meet you here. I can’t actually tell you how to get to my apartment from here. I walked here and I’m rather hoping I can find my way back there tonight. I’m telling you, I’ve really not been out and about in LA much.”

Adam giggles; I mean he actually giggles as he looks up at Jeff with those warm blue eyes. Jeff never thought in a million years he would describe blue as warm, but Adam’s eyes are, and his laughter brushes over Jeff’s skin like a lover. “You know I drove here tonight. Maybe I should give you a ride home, that way if we get lost you can just come crash on my couch. Can’t have such a pretty guy wandering the streets of LA alone.”

“Sounds like a plan to me, you ready to call it a night?” Jeff asks as his eyes once again drift over Adam’s beautiful form.

“Yeah, let’s get out of here. The sooner we’re both home the sooner it will be tomorrow.” Adam scoots out of the booth and offers his hand to Jeff, helping him slide out and onto his feet. Their eyes lock for a moment, then their lips are brushing together slow and sweet before they head hand-in-hand to the door.



Part 3: Hole in the Wall


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