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booshslashhaven*The rest of it*
This is it! The completed fic. My very first story and its finished and I think its pretty good. Yay!
Title: Alright
Pairing: Julian/Dave, Julian/Noel, Noel/Dave, plus kinda Clusterfuck
Genre: Angst mostly.
Rating: M I guess
Words: 6500
Summary: Noel and Julian are fighting, Julian and Dave are flirting
Mega huge thankyou to Lizard for beta. I cannot express how much I appreciate all the feedback and pointers, its made this story so much better than it would've been.
So I've posted parts of this story previously but its changed a bit since then. Personally I would recommend reading the whole thing again. But if you don't want to maybe just read the last chapter again. So there are 3 links to chose from. Enjoy.
This is it! The completed fic. My very first story and its finished and I think its pretty good. Yay!
Title: Alright
Pairing: Julian/Dave, Julian/Noel, Noel/Dave, plus kinda Clusterfuck
Genre: Angst mostly.
Rating: M I guess
Words: 6500
Summary: Noel and Julian are fighting, Julian and Dave are flirting
Mega huge thankyou to Lizard for beta. I cannot express how much I appreciate all the feedback and pointers, its made this story so much better than it would've been.
So I've posted parts of this story previously but its changed a bit since then. Personally I would recommend reading the whole thing again. But if you don't want to maybe just read the last chapter again. So there are 3 links to chose from. Enjoy.
Dee was laughing at Rich as he was creating a particularly obscene dance. She was leaning on Noel who was grinning too, his gaze flicking around the room, watching his friends’ high spirits. When he glanced at Julian they made eye contact for a moment, then Julian looked back towards Rich practising what Dee had named The Spank Dance.
He and Julian had spent several weeks together, trying to create new material. There was a tangible awkwardness now; a self-consciousness that hadn’t been there previously. Noel had always been able to count on their spontaneity and easy chemistry; it was what made them a great writing duo. However the ideas hadn’t been flowing so easily recently as they both had measured every action and sentence carefully.
Noel watched Dave out of the corner of his eye; he was definitely sitting very close to Julian. His leg was gently resting against Julian’s and it looked as if Julian had no intention of pulling away either. Noel wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that. Even though Julian had said that they hadn’t gone home together, that didn’t mean they weren’t screwing. The thought made him uneasy but he shrugged it off, trying to focus on having a good night.
They were having a little get-together at Julian’s to celebrate Sue and Dee’s return. They had gotten back from their tour the previous day and although they were drained they couldn’t wait to see everyone. Noel had been so happy to see his girlfriend; the unusual circumstances of the last few weeks negating his usual independence. He had kissed Dee so furiously that she had pulled back and laughed. Their sex life had always been about fun, laughter most often their foreplay. Dee had giggled at his intensity, whacked him on the arm and ran to the bedroom shouting for Noel to join her.
Tonight was important, Noel knew it. This was the first time they had all been together since that night. Dee was back and he had somehow not seen Dave this whole time. He was a little desperate for things to go smoothly, for it to be like it used to be.
Noel was brought out of his reverie by Dee elbowing him in the ribs. I really spaced out there. Mike was talking to Rich and Dave was telling Dee a story.
“And she drew the picture of his penis!” Dave exclaimed as Dee laughed. Now I wish I’d been listening to that one.
“So Dave, what you been up to? Any new photography projects?” Dee asked.
“Not much really.”
“How ‘bout your love life?”
Noel tried to make his sudden interest go unnoticed by taking a big gulp of his drink.
“Love life, not so much, sex life, some possibilities.”
“Really, do spill.”
Noel realised that Julian was now discreetly listening in on the conversation.
“Oh, you know how it is in the early days of something. It’s the fun of the chase, the anticipation of what’s going to happen.”
Dear god, he’s loving this. His hand is actually touching Julian’s leg.
“It started as a rebound thing. This person, they’d just gotten out of a serious relationship and they got really drunk at this party. It was only a few weeks after the split, and they were messy and a little desperate. We’d been hanging out as they regaled me with stories of how miserable they were. And then they tried to kiss me. Well, I pulled away, because taking advantage of someone in that state is not cool. Plus, I was pretty sure they would seriously regret it the next day. And then things cooled off until the other week when we got into some serious snogging. Now, who knows, I think all signs point to something more but for now I’m just enjoying the moment.”
Dee furrowed her brow for a moment. Noel knew that look. She could tell something was up; Dee had always been perceptive about people. She would sometimes be in a room with him and would indicate two people. She would then predict if they liked each other, or were sleeping together, or were in love. It was unnerving how often she was correct too.
“I always loved that feeling. Although there wasn’t much of that with Noel,” Dee laughed. Everyone knew that Noel and Dee had slept together and started dating within a day of meeting each other.
Mike shuffled over and put his hands on Noel and Dee’s shoulders.
“We’re heading off guys. Welcome home, Dee. See ya.”
As Mike and his girlfriend headed off the conversation switched gears, the previous topic forgotten.
******
Someone was snoring loudly, through the fuzz in his head Julian could hear it rumble through him.As consciousness reared its ugly head, Julian tried to cocoon himself in his blankets. Little thoughts started to creep in, like the fact that he wasn’t actually covered with a blanket. Someone’s coat was filling that role. Why do I do this to myself?
The snoring stopped when the other person choked and began to have a coughing fit. Julian scrunched up his eyes in an attempt to stave off waking for a little longer. Someone else groaned. A little part of Julian’s brain put up a red flag.
“Jesus, Dave, shut up will ya,” someone croaked. That was Dee wasn’t it? Julian felt like his brain was positively stalking him now, taunting him.
The coughing subsided and everything went quiet but it was too late. Julian’s brain was officially awake and taking stock of the previous night. There seemed to be a number of holes in his memory. He remembered Mike leaving and a few more friends slowly trickling out as he got drunker and drunker. Alcohol had always given him confidence, particularly when it came to picking up. So his plans for the evening had required copious amounts of drink.
“Well now I’m awake.” It was Dee again. “Where’s your paracetamol, Ju?”
Not yet, I’m not ready to wake up yet.
“It’s in the side cupboard in the kitchen.” Oh no. Julian was officially conscious now. That was Noel. There seems to be a number of my friends in my room. What the fuck did we do last night?
Julian peered out through slitted eyes and saw Dee stumble up from the floor next to him and head through to the other room.
Calm down calm down calm down. They all just crashed in your room. It’s perfectly innocent.
So his bastard brain decided to torture him further with a flash of memory from last night. He and Dave, panting and rubbing. Looking over towards Noel and Dee, who were watching, Dee pressed up behind Noel.
Shit shit shit. That didn’t happen did it? That wasn’t part of my plan. Dave was meant to be the only one who stayed last night. We were meant to have a friendly shag and then I wouldn’t be gagging for it all the time. Then I can get focussed again, get writing.
“You guys as wrecked as I am?” Noel said, from the spot Dee had just vacated.
“Yes,” Dave murmured from the bed next to Julian. “That’ll teach me to be all Dutch courage and no actual courage.”
Dee slipped back in the room and Julian realised that she wasn’t wearing any pants just a t-shirt. She had several bottles of water, which she gently lobbed at Dave and Noel.
Am I wearing pants? Yes, but no shirt.
“You awake Julian?” she said, far louder than necessary.
No, I’m not awake. I’m fast asleep. Please don’t talk to me. For once be subtle and leave me to die of embarrassment.
“Yeah, he’s awake. I can tell by his breathing.”
Damn you Noel.
Julian let out the breath he hadn’t realised he’d been holding.
“I seem to be dying.”
“Here, drink this.” Dave whacked his arm with the water bottle.
Julian opened his eyes and propped himself up on his elbows. This caused the room to spin in a manner that rooms generally don’t do. He took the bottle from Dave, doing his best not to look at anyone. As he inhaled the water, Dee wandered over towards the bed. Julian could see Noel on the floor next to him, wound up in the blankets that should have been on the bed. Noel reached up to Dee, casually running his hand up the inside of her thigh.
It all came back to him in a big brain-thumping chunk. Julian pushed down the coat, Noel’s favourite green one and legged it into the bathroom, shutting the door as quickly as possible. He still had the water bottle in his hand and he stared at it for far longer than was necessary, like perhaps it had some sort of special power not previously discovered. He went over to the toilet, pulled the cover down and sat on it. He knuckled at his eyes, trying to block out last nights memories.
He caught little snippets of the conversation from the other room:
“….Julian….”
“I think he’s….”
“…you should talk to…”
“Alright, Ju?” Noel said through the door.
Julian ignored him and twisted the bottle top open and closed repeatedly. He closed his eyes and turned over the events of the previous night.
******
“We really need to have fewer clothes on,” Julian slurred.
Noel leaned over Dee and nodded exaggeratedly.
“You’re pish…pish… drunk, Julian. None the less, you make a sound point. I’m all for access… belts and stuff but sometimes the only way to relax is to nude up.” Noel was leaning heavily on Dee, who stroked his head like a cat.
“We’re not as messy as these two, are we Dee?” Dave asked.
“I don’t think its possible Dave.”
“I’m going to head in the direction of the floor; does anyone care to join me?” Julian muttered as he slid down. He cuddled up to Dave’s leg, wrapping his arm around it as he used Dave’s thigh as a pillow.
Noel waved, indistinctly.
“On the other hand, a good hat improves any look, even nudity.”
“We’ve moved on from that Noel,” Julian said into Dave’s leg. “Now we’re talking about the floor. It’s quite nice, I gotta say. It’s a nice leg too.”
Dee smirked at Dave.
“So Dave,” she said rather pointedly, “we were discussing your sex life.”
Dave smiled back and began to mimic Dee’s actions by stroking Julian’s hair. Julian murmured contentedly.
“We were, weren’t we Dee,” he said playfully.
“Oh fuck it. Can’t we just ask outright,” Noel grumbled.
“Its true,” Julian snuffled, “I’ve decided to become gay. I’m here, now queer, mind your own fucking business everyone else.”
“You’re not gay, Julian,” Dave said.
“Our previous activities might suggest otherwise, Dave.”
“Snogging another bloke doesn’t make you gay. Hell, shagging one wouldn’t. You fancy women, but perhaps occasionally don’t mind getting off with a bloke if you fancy him enough. Clearly, because of my unbelievable hotness, I can temporarily turn straight men.”
Noel laughed, “They’re Davesexuals.”
“Yep.”
“Blokes turn over me too, you know.” Noel slurred, “The number of offers I get from all sorts of people. What about that guy with his wife who offered to blow me in the toilets?”
“You’re very attractive,” Dave said placatingly. ”No man would think of turning you down.”
“That’s right,” Noel sniffed.
“Well… Dave sorta did,” Julian piped up.
Noel froze for a moment. His body tensed, waiting for Dee to react. Dave looked at Dee a bit nervously.
“Well kissing someone is not quite the same thing as begging for sex,” he said.
“You two kissed while I was away?” Dee said quietly.
“He kissed me first,” Julian proclaimed in a sing song voice, “then Noel kissed him.”
“Oh.”
Dee resumed her stroking of Noel’s hair.
“But that was weeks ago,” Julian carried on, oblivious to the tension he had caused. “And I keep trying to find a subtle way I can jump Dave without feeling…” he waved his hands about wildly, “weird, scared, old. I think the alcohol has done what my sober brain couldn’t.”
“So you kissed Dave?” Dee said to Noel softly.
“Yes.” Noel paused and looked up at his girlfriend. “It was the heat of the moment and I wish I hadn’t of chickened out of telling you before. I never want to keep anything from you and I could’ve really used your judgement. Plus you always know when to tell me off for being a wanker.”
“Well that is most of the time.” Dee smiled slightly.
“Mmhm.”
“And you’re no better Julian.”
“Pfft. I’m deep me.”
Dee looked at Julian “So… the two of you didn’t kiss then. ‘Coz I’d be pissed if I missed that. What with all the prompting I do.”
Julian shook his head, simultaneously rubbing it against Dave’s leg. Dave widened his eyes at the friction and cleared his throat.
“Still,” Dee continued, “I’m sure it’d have been an enjoyable thing to witness. There’s nothing hotter than tasty man-on-man action.”
“Perhaps,” Dave said slowly, “we could recreate the events, for your sake of course Dee. We wouldn’t want you to feel angry or somehow excluded, right guys?”
Dee and Noel could see Julian grin through his hair.
“It’s a good plan. And I’m just sober enough to be able to get off the floor. Although don’t think I’ve forgotten about you floor. You’re a saucy one aren’t you,” he said as he slapped the ground, and then used Dave as a crutch to stand up. “Man-on-ground action, a whole new area for the porn industry to explore I think.”
Julian moved to sit back down next to Dave, who grabbed Julian’s hand and guided him to the other side of the couch.
“No, you were sitting on this side of me. And Noel,” he patted the other seat, “you were over here.”
Noel raised his head and pressed his lips to Dee’s ear.
“You sure?” they all heard him whisper.
Dee grinned evilly and grabbed Noel’s arm, briefly wrenching him towards the couch.
“Go on then.”
Noel stood uncertainly, he was still very drunk, and moved to sit beside Dave.
******
Noel quietly opened the bathroom door and looked in. He watched Julian pick at the label on his water bottle fretfully. Noel entered the room and gently closed the door behind him.
“You know they say that picking labels off bottles is a sign of sexual frustration.”
Julian snorted. “Well they clearly don’t know what they’re talking about because I’m certainly not sexually frustrated, not after last night.”
“Julian,” Noel began, “I understand that you’re freaked about you and Dave but it’s not such a big deal in the scheme of things.”
“That’s not it.” Julian looked up at Noel and frowned.
“Its not? Then why are you in here, hiding, when you could be out there enjoying some lazy hangover sex with Dave?” Noel gestured towards the door. “So what if you fancy a guy? Dave’s great and you two seem to really get off on each other. In a figurative sense as well as literally,” Noel said, smiling.
Julian smiled sadly, “I’ve had quite a bit of time to get used to the idea of me and Dave. From right back when I first tried to kiss him, I’ve been mulling it over, getting comfortable with it. Last night was something I’d been trying to work up the courage to do for ages.”
Noel moved closer to Julian and sat down cross-legged it front of him, hugging his shins.
“It’s you and Dee that threw me,” Julian continued. “Specifically you.” Julian tongue darted out, nervously licking at his lips. “It freaked me out having you there, that time with Dave. You must have picked up on my awkwardness, even more than usual, that is.”
Noel looked up at Julian intently, attempting to read his friend.
Julian continued, “When you’re young, you think that by the time you get to a certain age, you’ll have it all sorted out. That everything just falls into place and life gets easy.” Julian rolled his eyes. “Yeah right, here I am, almost 40, suddenly shagging men and having orgies with friends.”
Julian held Noel’s eyes for a long moment, who returned the gaze with equal intensity.
“The problem with all this,” Julian said huskily, “with the discovering a little more about my sexuality than I thought existed, is that it’s basically opened up some doors I didn’t know were there.” He half-closed his eyes. “When I started to think about the way I am with you, how I get so protective and so jealous, I realised. I realised that it wasn’t just friendship, that its more.”
Oh God, I’ve actually said it. I’m fucked now, there’s no going back.
Noel tilted his head. “Well,” he said, clearing his throat, “I was not prepared for that. Just a second.” He raised his index finger and looked off into the distance, his eyes flicking around.
Julian tried to laugh lightly, but turned into a strange rumble deep in his throat, he could feel the lump stopping him be able to swallow.
“Okay, um, Julian, guess all I can say is, you’re my best friend no matter what. And yeah, um.”
Julian stood slowly, interrupting. “That’s cool Noel.” he sighed, “Being your mate is more important than any other shit. And hell, maybe getting everything out like this will make us better, well eventually anyway.”
Noel jumped up and they both suddenly became aware how close they were standing. Julian could see how strangely tense Noel was holding himself.
Great, now I’ve screwed up everything.
Noel moved his hand up, like he was going to pat Julian’s arm reassuringly. Instead he held it up in the space between them, frozen.
Just keep it together until you get home. He could feel the slightest tears in the corners of his eyes.
“Fuck Julian, you can’t just say stuff like and expect me to know how to react. I’m not that smooth,” Noel said not taking his eyes off the hand between them. When his eyes flicked up to Julian’s, his expression softened. He gave a little growl of exasperation.
“Will you two just kiss each other already!” they heard Dee shout through the door.
“Yeah!” It seemed Dave agreed.
“Do I need to come in and help or what! Get on with it!”
They both grinned, and then looked at each other nervously. Noel was the first to act; finally reaching out with his hand he slid it around the back of Julian’s neck and pulled him in. He gently pressed his lips to Julian’s and then saw his eyes sparkle cheekily. Julian smiled and flicked his tongue around his front teeth, then leaned down and kissed Noel, flicking his tongue in the same motion.
“Should we cheer, Dave?”
It was Dee, she’d opened the door. She and Dave stood there, identical smirks on their faces.
‘I think we should, Dee.” Dave agreed. They applauded loudly.
Noel and Julian were still pressed against each other, foreheads touching, and hyperaware of the others body.
“Now, come back into the bedroom so I can enjoy the show.” Dee held out her hand to Dave, who took it, and they walked back into the bedroom, swinging arms.
“Well this is…different,” Julian breathed.
“But fun, I think.” Noel gently circled a finger, still wrapped behind Julian’s neck.
“I think we’ll be okay don’t you? I mean, you know.”
Noel took Julian’s hand and swung it in imitation of Dee and Dave. He began to lead Julian back into the bedroom.
“You know what, I think we’re gonna be alright.”
END
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no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 09:40 am (UTC)Awww! *blushes at the praise* Thank you for sending this to me initially, and I'm really pleased my comments were helpful. I love the end product.
Favourite lines (which were ALL yours!):
Noel's line (in the first part) about living out his life on series of couches.
A little part of Julian’s brain put up a red flag. Julian cocooned up in blankets, his brain torturing him, etc. I loved that.
“I’m going to head in the direction of the floor; does anyone care to join me?” The image of Julian slumping to the floor still amuses me.
“When you’re young, you think that by the time you get to a certain age, you’ll have it all sorted out. That everything just falls into place and life gets easy.” Ouch - for the deafening ring of truth there. :)
Then at the end it turns out that Dee is the Slasher all along! Everybody knows this! ;)
Again, I liked the overall tone of this and I think you handled the characterisations really well. NOW, GO AND WRITE ANOTHER STORY!! :D
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 09:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 09:59 am (UTC)And as for Rich- you made me realise he's dancing every time he appears in my story. I guess thats the way I think about him. A crazy, dancing fool.
And thankyou for comments.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 10:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 10:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 10:06 am (UTC)I love the idea of davesexual...really made me giggle
go on, write more, ya know ya wanna!
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 10:16 am (UTC)Davesexual- you know how it is, there are some people that you're just gay for.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 11:52 am (UTC)Lovely!
I liked how Dee shouted to hurry up through the door.
“Will you two just kiss each other already!” they heard Dee shout through the door.
“Yeah!” It seemed Dave agreed.
“Do I need to come in and help or what! Get on with it!”
Lolz. <3
no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 10:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 12:52 pm (UTC)Davesexual -- that needs to go on an icon! I'm Davesexual you know.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 10:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 03:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 04:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 10:52 am (UTC)*I seem to have developed a crush on Lizard, how embarassing*
no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 12:27 pm (UTC)I don't be seeing credit :(
no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 09:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 11:09 am (UTC)Thanks for changing it.
.....I'm gonna go have icecream.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 02:55 pm (UTC)Haven't we all? ;)
no subject
Date: 2007-04-15 10:19 pm (UTC)And that bit about "man-on-groud action" really got me giggling..^_^
no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 10:58 am (UTC)Man-on-ground action- I even laughed when I wrote that bit. My brain comes up with some random stuff sometimes. Interestingly enough, a couple of weeks after I wrote that I watched the Liquid News interview for the first time. In it Julian goes on about making love to the carpet. Coincidence? Or do perverse minds think alike.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 10:13 pm (UTC)Haha, maybe you and Julian share a psychic connection?! That'd be awesome! Try to make him act on Julian-on-Noel impulses, pls & thnx.
<3
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Date: 2007-04-17 09:43 am (UTC)Well, did ie work? :)
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Date: 2007-04-18 02:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-16 08:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 09:46 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 08:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-17 09:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-04-22 09:20 pm (UTC)this fic reminded me of some ideas on the psychology of slash. like how to deal with the fact that they have girlfriends--*cool* girlfriends--when the idea of them together is so hott. dee makes it easy because she's publicly announced her approval. <3 for her!
I loved drunken julian in this--so cuddly.
no subject
Date: 2007-04-23 10:49 am (UTC)I have much love for Dee. Sigh.
And if I had a bloke that wanted to sleep with other boys I'd be cool with it- AS LONG AS I COULD WATCH, obviously.
It was those NME party pics that inspired my drunk Julian love. Hilarious.
no subject
Date: 2008-01-15 01:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-28 07:26 am (UTC)