Strong Enough
Oneshot
Pairing: Luke/Noah
Rating: PG13 (boring, I know)
Summary: Noah in a drag club? It's true.
A/N: Cracky oneshot that came to me while listening to Cher. Also fills the "same here" square on my Nuke/Jansis bingo card from the promptslove community. Also, unbeta'd...sorry.
Noah had been heading back to his hotel room after his business meeting when he happened to walk past the door of “Crushed Nuts”. It was a club that hosted a drag review and according to the poster on the door, tonight was amateur drag night and Noah couldn’t resist.
The meeting had gone on and on and Noah could feel it sucking the soul right out of him, it was so boring. He needed a smile and he had a feeling this was the place to get it.
He paid the cover and walked over to stand in front of the bar. The place was nicer than he’d been expecting and had a very comfortable feel to it. The tables were filled with couples of all sorts and it was the kind of place that Noah had always wanted to visit. Somewhere that everyone was welcome and never made to feel uncomfortable.
He sat on a stool and ordered a drink, then turned to survey the crowd. Everyone was smiling and on stage was a Dolly Parton impersonator who had on 6 inch heels and a wig that would make Dolly herself proud.
He was a little stunned at how anyone could walk in those shoes, let alone dance around, lip-synching to “Jolene”. There was a group of especially rowdy couples in front of the stage and when “Dolly” had finished, the way they whooped it up let Noah know that they were laughing at the performer instead of with him, and it bugged Noah a lot.
The guy was putting himself out there, the least they could do was show him a little respect.
A voice out of the darkness startled Noah. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome Cher to the stage. It’s her first time, folks, so be gentle with her, okay?” The crowd applauded and shouted their encouragement as the worst drag queen Noah had ever seen walked onto the stage.
He was short…too short for the dress and he looked like it was going to trip him at any moment. And the wig was on crooked.
“Cher” looked like someone had at least tried to do his makeup right. Blood red lipstick and smoky eye shadow that was topped off by black mascara and it made his eyes look huge.
When the music started, however, the guy gave it his all. The opening notes of “Strong Enough” started and he started singing along, getting every word right, if not every note.
I don't need your sympathy
There's nothing you can say or do for me
And I don't want a miracle
You'll never change for no one
I hear your reasons why
Where did you sleep last night?
And was she worth it, was she worth it?
He marched around the stage, stumbling in the high heels every few steps, but he never quit.
'Cos I'm strong enough
To live without you
Strong enough and I quit crying
Long enough now I'm strong enough
To know you gotta go
There's no more to say
So save your breath
And then walk away
No matter what I hear you say
I'm strong enough to know you gotta go
By the time he hit the second verse he was standing in front of the noisy group by the stage. He seemed to be focused on one particular couple as he sang and the woman laughed and sang along, obviously having a good time, but Noah noticed that he date was trying to slink under the table.
As he started the next part, “Cher” started pulling off parts of the costume, starting with the shoes.
So you feel misunderstood
Baby, have I got news for you
On being used, I could write a book
You don't wanna hear about it
I've been losing sleep
You've been going cheap
She ain't worth half of me it's true
I'm telling you
The dress went next and then someone off stage tossed him a cloth and he started washing the makeup off. As he did, Noah could see understanding starting to dawn in the young woman’s eyes as her date stood up.
It occurred to Noah then what was going on. It looked like the guy had been cheating on his boyfriend with a girl. Noah stood then as well, worried about the man going after the singer, but the girl stood as well and confronted her date.
Now I'm strong enough to live without you
Strong enough and I quit crying
Long enough now I'm strong enough
To know you gotta go
Come hell or waters high
You'll never see me cry
This is our last goodbye, it's true
I'm telling you
That I'm strong enough to live without you
Strong enough and I quit crying
Long enough now I'm strong enough
To know you gotta go
“Cher” pulled his wig off, his blond hair tousled underneath and stood on the stage in his underwear as he finished the song. There was nothing left of the lipstick except for a bit of a red stain and he’d managed to wipe off most of the eye shadow, but left a lot of the mascara behind. It made his eyes look huge and he looked completely vulnerable standing there alone, watching the woman slapping her date across the face before storming out of the club.
He was the most beautiful man Noah had ever seen.
The music kept playing but “Cher” had stopped singing and was standing there looking lost. His eyes were glassy with tears but none fell.
Noah watched as the guy at the table started toward the man on the stage. He couldn’t hear what they were saying over the music, but he could see singer shake his head and back away. There was no mistaking the “fuck you asshole” that fell from the cheaters lips as he turned and strode out the door.
Noah watched him leave and then turned back to the stage and saw the young man standing there, shivering and alone and he couldn’t stand it anymore.
Noah approached the stage, he slipped off his hoodie and held it in his hand. The blonde was lost in his thoughts as Noah walked up and settled it around his shoulders. When he looked up, his eyes were a gorgeous caramel color and they were full of pain. Noah just wanted to take it away.
“Hi. My name’s Noah. Can I buy you a coffee?” He smiled, hoping that the other man would see that he only wanted to help him.
“Why? Am I that pathetic?” The words were filled with self-loathing and Noah couldn’t stop himself from taking the man’s hand in both of his and holding it tight.
He shook his head. “No, you’re that beautiful. And that guy was an idiot for ever choosing her over you.” The other man smiled shyly up at him as Noah continued. “And I’d like to see if I can make you smile more.”
“You wanna make me smile?” He still sounded sad, but there was hope there now too.
Noah nodded. “Yep, as much as I can.” He looked around and saw everyone staring at them. “But maybe we can get you some clothes first?"
The blond looked down at himself and blushed for the first time since taking the stage. “Yeah, okay….Noah did you say?”
“Yes, Noah Mayer.” He held out his hand and waited.
The other man shook it tentatively. “Luke-Luke Snyder.”
Noah grinned. “Nice to meet you Luke. Now…about that coffee?”
Luke nodded. “Yeah, just let me get dressed.” He moved toward the back of the stage but seemed reluctant to let go of Noah’s hand.
“Would you like me to come with you?” Noah didn’t want to let go either.
Luke bit his lip and sighed before answering. “Yeah. I’m kind of worried that you’re going to disappear if I let go.”
“Then let’s go find your clothes. And then we can find someplace that has coffee.” Noah moved with him as the headed backstage.
“And pie?” Luke’s voice was teasing and hopeful all at once.
“Will it make you smile?”
Luke nodded.
“Then you can have all the pie you want.”
Luke grinned then and it was like the sun coming out on a cloudy day. Beautiful.
“Okay. Let’s go.” They walked back stage, hand in hand. “I’m really glad I decided to stop in here tonight.”
“Yeah.” Luke squeezed his hand. “Same here.”
Link to song on youtube: http://youtu.be/LpBm_3odX_A
Pairing: Luke/Noah
Rating: PG13 (boring, I know)
Summary: Noah in a drag club? It's true.
A/N: Cracky oneshot that came to me while listening to Cher. Also fills the "same here" square on my Nuke/Jansis bingo card from the promptslove community. Also, unbeta'd...sorry.
Noah had been heading back to his hotel room after his business meeting when he happened to walk past the door of “Crushed Nuts”. It was a club that hosted a drag review and according to the poster on the door, tonight was amateur drag night and Noah couldn’t resist.
The meeting had gone on and on and Noah could feel it sucking the soul right out of him, it was so boring. He needed a smile and he had a feeling this was the place to get it.
He paid the cover and walked over to stand in front of the bar. The place was nicer than he’d been expecting and had a very comfortable feel to it. The tables were filled with couples of all sorts and it was the kind of place that Noah had always wanted to visit. Somewhere that everyone was welcome and never made to feel uncomfortable.
He sat on a stool and ordered a drink, then turned to survey the crowd. Everyone was smiling and on stage was a Dolly Parton impersonator who had on 6 inch heels and a wig that would make Dolly herself proud.
He was a little stunned at how anyone could walk in those shoes, let alone dance around, lip-synching to “Jolene”. There was a group of especially rowdy couples in front of the stage and when “Dolly” had finished, the way they whooped it up let Noah know that they were laughing at the performer instead of with him, and it bugged Noah a lot.
The guy was putting himself out there, the least they could do was show him a little respect.
A voice out of the darkness startled Noah. “Ladies and Gentlemen! Please welcome Cher to the stage. It’s her first time, folks, so be gentle with her, okay?” The crowd applauded and shouted their encouragement as the worst drag queen Noah had ever seen walked onto the stage.
He was short…too short for the dress and he looked like it was going to trip him at any moment. And the wig was on crooked.
“Cher” looked like someone had at least tried to do his makeup right. Blood red lipstick and smoky eye shadow that was topped off by black mascara and it made his eyes look huge.
When the music started, however, the guy gave it his all. The opening notes of “Strong Enough” started and he started singing along, getting every word right, if not every note.
I don't need your sympathy
There's nothing you can say or do for me
And I don't want a miracle
You'll never change for no one
I hear your reasons why
Where did you sleep last night?
And was she worth it, was she worth it?
He marched around the stage, stumbling in the high heels every few steps, but he never quit.
'Cos I'm strong enough
To live without you
Strong enough and I quit crying
Long enough now I'm strong enough
To know you gotta go
There's no more to say
So save your breath
And then walk away
No matter what I hear you say
I'm strong enough to know you gotta go
By the time he hit the second verse he was standing in front of the noisy group by the stage. He seemed to be focused on one particular couple as he sang and the woman laughed and sang along, obviously having a good time, but Noah noticed that he date was trying to slink under the table.
As he started the next part, “Cher” started pulling off parts of the costume, starting with the shoes.
So you feel misunderstood
Baby, have I got news for you
On being used, I could write a book
You don't wanna hear about it
I've been losing sleep
You've been going cheap
She ain't worth half of me it's true
I'm telling you
The dress went next and then someone off stage tossed him a cloth and he started washing the makeup off. As he did, Noah could see understanding starting to dawn in the young woman’s eyes as her date stood up.
It occurred to Noah then what was going on. It looked like the guy had been cheating on his boyfriend with a girl. Noah stood then as well, worried about the man going after the singer, but the girl stood as well and confronted her date.
Now I'm strong enough to live without you
Strong enough and I quit crying
Long enough now I'm strong enough
To know you gotta go
Come hell or waters high
You'll never see me cry
This is our last goodbye, it's true
I'm telling you
That I'm strong enough to live without you
Strong enough and I quit crying
Long enough now I'm strong enough
To know you gotta go
“Cher” pulled his wig off, his blond hair tousled underneath and stood on the stage in his underwear as he finished the song. There was nothing left of the lipstick except for a bit of a red stain and he’d managed to wipe off most of the eye shadow, but left a lot of the mascara behind. It made his eyes look huge and he looked completely vulnerable standing there alone, watching the woman slapping her date across the face before storming out of the club.
He was the most beautiful man Noah had ever seen.
The music kept playing but “Cher” had stopped singing and was standing there looking lost. His eyes were glassy with tears but none fell.
Noah watched as the guy at the table started toward the man on the stage. He couldn’t hear what they were saying over the music, but he could see singer shake his head and back away. There was no mistaking the “fuck you asshole” that fell from the cheaters lips as he turned and strode out the door.
Noah watched him leave and then turned back to the stage and saw the young man standing there, shivering and alone and he couldn’t stand it anymore.
Noah approached the stage, he slipped off his hoodie and held it in his hand. The blonde was lost in his thoughts as Noah walked up and settled it around his shoulders. When he looked up, his eyes were a gorgeous caramel color and they were full of pain. Noah just wanted to take it away.
“Hi. My name’s Noah. Can I buy you a coffee?” He smiled, hoping that the other man would see that he only wanted to help him.
“Why? Am I that pathetic?” The words were filled with self-loathing and Noah couldn’t stop himself from taking the man’s hand in both of his and holding it tight.
He shook his head. “No, you’re that beautiful. And that guy was an idiot for ever choosing her over you.” The other man smiled shyly up at him as Noah continued. “And I’d like to see if I can make you smile more.”
“You wanna make me smile?” He still sounded sad, but there was hope there now too.
Noah nodded. “Yep, as much as I can.” He looked around and saw everyone staring at them. “But maybe we can get you some clothes first?"
The blond looked down at himself and blushed for the first time since taking the stage. “Yeah, okay….Noah did you say?”
“Yes, Noah Mayer.” He held out his hand and waited.
The other man shook it tentatively. “Luke-Luke Snyder.”
Noah grinned. “Nice to meet you Luke. Now…about that coffee?”
Luke nodded. “Yeah, just let me get dressed.” He moved toward the back of the stage but seemed reluctant to let go of Noah’s hand.
“Would you like me to come with you?” Noah didn’t want to let go either.
Luke bit his lip and sighed before answering. “Yeah. I’m kind of worried that you’re going to disappear if I let go.”
“Then let’s go find your clothes. And then we can find someplace that has coffee.” Noah moved with him as the headed backstage.
“And pie?” Luke’s voice was teasing and hopeful all at once.
“Will it make you smile?”
Luke nodded.
“Then you can have all the pie you want.”
Luke grinned then and it was like the sun coming out on a cloudy day. Beautiful.
“Okay. Let’s go.” They walked back stage, hand in hand. “I’m really glad I decided to stop in here tonight.”
“Yeah.” Luke squeezed his hand. “Same here.”
Link to song on youtube: http://youtu.be/LpBm_3odX_A