The Collaboration - Chapter 12
Title: The Collaboration
Author: fictionfreak15
Beta: gwencarmichael Love You!!!! <3
Pairing: Adam & OMC, Adommy
Disclaimer: This did not happen. Don't own the celebs mentioned in the story.
Warnings: This fic contains swearing, insensitive comments, some homophobia later, light violence and a dash of sex
Summary: Adam is asked to lend his vocals skills after an emotional performance at the Oscars catches the artistic interest of a "High Rock" singer named Calad, right before Adam starts working on his new music video. When the pressures of the music industry and intolerance threaten to test their abilities as artists, the friendship they have formed must hold them together.
Special Author's Note: I’ve made up a rock band in this story called Tamera’s First Born. The members of the band are completely fictional; however, any song titles, lyrics and album names are taken from the real life band Coheed an Cambria. I will post links in various chapters that will include specific Coheed and Cambria songs mentioned.
Chapter Note: The two singers talk about the video and Calad begins to open up in surprising ways.
A/N: GLAM NATION LIVE BABY!!!! *runs to watch my DVD* Love and Respect - fictionfreak15
Chapter 12
Adam fixed Calad a turkey sandwich with mayo and threw a couple slices of cheddar cheese, pickles, and crackers on the plate. Calad was a bit more awake again and eating normally so Adam decided it was okay to begin.
"I've been having a bit of a problem myself..." said Adam.
Most of Calad's attention appeared to be on his meal, but he said bluntly, "Whatever it is, the answer is yes."
Adam scanned his face. He really meant it, didn't he?. "You haven't even heard what it is."
"Doesn't matter." Calad took a bite of a pickle. While chewing, he opened the side of his mouth just enough to ask, "What did you have in mind?"
"Um...I want to talk to you about something but I want you to know right up front that if it makes you uncomfortable, then we can just forget it."
"Okay," Calad said, nodding.
Adam took a deep breath. "How would you like to be in my next music video?"
"When does it shoot?"
"Toward the end of April."
Calad considered the time. "I'll need to be around for the final mixing of the last songs. We should be done by then if we work fast. You let me know the date, and I'll be there."
"Don't you want to know anything about it before you say yes?"
"It doesn't matter," he repeated. "I told you once I'd do anything to get you to sing with me. Appearing in your video could be considered a return favor...payback. I'll do anything you want, Adam," the kid promised.
Adam raised his eyebrows and was about to say something, but then Calad interrupted him for the first time. "Yes, even that."
"Even what?" Adam said, suspicious.
Calad continued as if it was obvious, "Even pretend to be your boyfriend in the video if it came to that." He paused. Adam wasn't expecting such a blunt answer like that. "All I'm saying is...whatever it is...I'll do it. I'll help you in anyway I can, Adam."
"Wow...thanks!" Adam couldn't believe it. Not only was the most perfect guy for his video sitting in his house, but he was also freakin' psychic and willing to do whatever Adam needed him to do. He just couldn't believe how his luck changed.
"Do you want to go over the details now?" asked Calad.
"You're tired. We can discuss it later," said Adam.
"Well, you could tell me something anyway...are we meant to kiss?"
Adam had to laugh. Calad seemed innocent enough, but he was surprised at how 'out in the open' the little rocker was being. "No, there's no kiss planned. Nothing like that really. I don't feel the need to gain inevitable shock value that would come from something like that...not with this video. It will be obvious though that we are playing lovers. Are you sure you'll be ok with this?" Adam wanted confirmation. "I mean, once you appear in a video with a gay dude, people are gonna talk. Your own sexuality is going to come into question, and there are going to be statements made about you that you might not like."
"I could think of worse things for people to accuse me of..." Calad said. Adam was touched again. Calad put his head down. "My sexuality has never come into question because of the music I play, I think. The truth is...there are things about me that a lot of people might find surprising."
Adam leaned in and lowered his voice. "Calad...are you gay?" He was willing to listen if the answer was yes.
But Calad said, "I really wouldn't know. I haven't had sex with anyone yet."
Adam quirked an eyebrow and whistled. That was a first for him. "So you've never...how'd you get past all the groupies?"
Calad shrugged. "I've never been in love with anything but my music. There just hasn't been time to think about it. Moreover, I would find it as benign and pointless to be accused of being straight for appearing in a video with a woman as it would to be accused of being gay for being in your video."
"What are you going to say though...when they ask?"
Calad considered. "I'll just say I don't think so."
"That's not good enough. It will be left open for debate. You're gonna have to give them a solid yes or a solid no if you wanna..."
"No, I don't. If I say no, there are going to be people who doubt me. And honestly, I could give a rat's ass."
Adam grinned a little. That was the first time he'd ever heard the boy cuss. But it fell as soon as it appeared. "What if your record sales fall?"
Calad thought about it, looking out of the window with the curtains open. Then he looked at Adam. "That guy that left here just before I came in...he's in your band right?"
Adam wondered where he was going with this. "Right, that was Tommy Ratliff. He plays bass."
"Some people didn't like it when you kissed him last year. It was in the news a lot...even I'd heard of it. But your album still did well, I'm guessing?"
"600,000 copies and counting," Adam said proudly.
Calad added, "And your fans don't care that you kiss Tommy?"
Adam said, "No, I guess not. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if they screamed even louder if I did it again."
Calad nodded. "Adam, you learned a lot about High Rock today, but there's still a lot more that you don't know. I am a god to my fans, and they would forgive me anything. If this video has the right edge, then no one who loves me is gonna mind."
"You sound pretty sure of yourself," said Adam.
"Maybe...but did you also consider that a potential 600, 000 of your fans might buy my record just because you're on it? Doing a video with you would put the world's biggest spotlight on us and what better way to promote our collaboration?"
Adam sure did like the this kid. Even with all that he must have been going through, he talked like nothing bad was going to happen.
He said, "I think the video will be visually edgy. I have a meeting with the director this Friday, and I'll send you more details. In the meantime we'll be busy with the songs so there's gonna be plenty to do."
"Almost too much," Calad said. Then he added, "You know, I think I'm alright to drive now. I feel more awake now that I've eaten."
"Calad, when's the last time you slept?" Adam asked, concerned.
Calad just shrugged. He didn't look up from his empty plate.
"Well, if you have to get back, at least let me drive you. Or call a cab...one of the two."
Calad nodded. Both were excellent ideas, but he wasn't too excited about either of them. He didn't want to go back...not alone. He either wanted to hide in LA until Adam was ready to record or bring Adam back to Milwaukee now so he could finish the record already.
Adam looked on with concern and sympathy. "Calad, crash here. You need the sleep." He felt like he was talking to a little kid! It wasn't hard to imagine, young as Calad looked.
Calad bit the bullet. Breathing in deeply as if to revive himself, he said, "No, I've gotta go back and work on the instrumentals for the last two songs. Everything has to be ready for the vocals."
Adam nodded, understanding that he wasn't the only busy one with a career. He almost said he had a great time today, but that would have made it sound too 'end of a date'. So he just said, "Well, Calad this was really fun. I can't wait to hang out again and work on this."
Calad agreed. They got up; Adam insisted he'd take care of the leftovers. They gathered up Calad's stuff in the living room, and Adam looked up a number for a taxi company. He made the call and gave his address for the pick up while Calad went out to his rental and grabbed a few things he'd need, like a back pack with his plane ticket inside. 10 minutes later the cab came, and the two singers said goodbye.
Adam sighed from the doorway, watching the cab drive off and thinking about all the work he had ahead of him. He wished Calad had stayed, too. Maybe it was because of the faded black eye, but Adam felt like he'd just sent the boy off to somewhere unsafe.
End of Chapter 12