Adam and Jacob

Gala Love

Jacob looked like a man today, a grown man that Adam couldn't keep his eyes off of.

He was wearing a black tux immaculately fitted and tailored to hug and obscure all the right places, the dark green accent making his eyes all kinds of incredible shades of emerald and neon colors. His freckles were more accentuated today as well, as was the slight tinge of red in his hair. His jawline when he turned his head to stoically shake hands with another comedian and present with a professional smile was breathtaking.

It was small, but it was the first gala Jacob had been invited to. They were to do their best sets here, it was intense and anxiety provoking to no end. He could tell his partner was nervous, the hand his wedding ring was on was shaking a bit as he lifted a glass of champagne to his lips and glanced around.

He could practically hear the thoughts. "Can they see through me? Am I even good enough to be here? Do they see how scared I am? Am I masking okay? I'm a total fraud..." Jacob touched his face awkwardly and cringed. He was so in his head.

Adam crossed over to him and smiled. Jacob returned it full send and it was precious, it made Adam feel needed. He smiled like that because he was making it better.

He glanced around and leaned up to his ear, Jacob tipped his head down. It was suddenly intimate and beautiful, a gentle display that Jacob would never hide him with shame. "You look so fucking hot in that suit. If this wasn't so important I'd fuck you right here, right now."

Jacob had been mid-sip and narrowly avoided a spit take. "Damn it," He chuckled. "I think I needed that."

Adam grabbed his hand and kissed it. "You know how genuinely funny you are, right?"

His eyes traced to the side and Adam cleared his throat softly to get him to speak. "So I've been told. I just... I want to make you proud."

"Don't do it for me," He scolded gently, rubbing a thumb under his ear. "Do it for you. I'll be proud if you make you proud."

Jacob smiled and pulled him into a hug. "Okay."

Turns out, his husband was a freaking idiot. He got up there and five minutes in people were clutching their sides. He got into it and absolutely floored the rest of the competition when earlier he'd had a massive panic attack in the bathroom about being first. Not only was he talented, he was real and these people could relate to him in ways Adam couldn't. 50¢ For Comedy Act was not only a connecting story, but about the struggles of American life in ways that had people of all ages laughing more because if they didn't they'd probably cry and never stop.

Adam had welcomed him into his arms when he left stage and he swore the cheering got a little louder. Jacob was sweaty and flushed, but Adam kissed his forehead anyways and told him how proud he was. He leaned against him for the rest of the gala and nervously watched the rest of the acts.

They were good, and with each one they gave another standing ovation to, Jacob grew more tense. He felt outclassed, most of these comedians were older than him, more trained in how to engage an audience. Adam stroked his thumb over his over and over, trying to soothe him while being polite.

At the end there was a short lunch and Jacob went outside to smoke a rare cigarette with some of the others and their partners, so Adam tagged along to his request.

Danny Carmen was the first to speak. "Fuck, I'm so nervous." He laughed awkwardly and glanced at the others. "We're all... new to this."

Jackson Shien nodded in agreement. "I didn't know this was like speech meets."

"Not a fan of surprise judgement but sucks to suck, I guess," Jacob muttered to a few chuckles.

Adam got to watch as they all conversed, growing out of the awkwardness to make way for a small alliance. Jacob asked about their families and they suddenly were very curious about how Adam and Jacob had met.

He was immediately anxious as he joined the conversation. Socializing for Adam was hard, he was demi-platonic too, he needed to know people to really feel comfortable enough to speak to anyone without wanting to disappear. He still had voice dysphoria and worried he sounded like a girl. Sometimes his voice even still cracked.

But he slowly grew to enjoy them. They were a little silly like Jacob, but clearly smart behind the rouse. He had to wonder what their backstories were, some shuffled with the same ADHD Jacob did, some were still and quiet, only piping up to make a joke or add a bit to the conversation.

Someone poked their head out, presumably a high superior because they all including Jacob stood up straighter. "Hey, they're about to announce the winners."

Jacob was practically vibrating next to Adam as they made a short speech about how well everyone had done and how important comedy was in a world that was going down the shitter. Adam leaned over to kiss his cheek. "Relax, baby."

He let some tension from his shoulders and exhaled softly. "I'll be okay."

He could tell he was preparing to go unrecognized. His cheeks were red with disappointment, and Adam wished he could make it better or take it away.

The first six awards went to the Superiors, they were the ones who'd been doing this for forever and had properly aged with the times. Some of them Adam thought were complete dicks, they'd incorporated on a lot of the homophobia and transphobia of America and Adam had definitely gotten awkward apologetic looks from them. It did nothing, if they couldn't talk to him with words or have enough talent to sans those parts together, he couldn't be bothered to be very enthusiastic when they won.

"Tonight we have a one more award than usual this year, there's so many more of you than we'd hoped would actually come," The woman deadpanned. "Our winner for All Around Best Act is..." She slid the card out of the envelope. "Hardly a surprise, the rising sensation Jacob Olfax for his outstanding act!"

Raucous applause surrounded them and Jacob almost didn't even get up. Adam had to pull every version of excitement out of himself and pull him up for a strong hug that would shock him out of his paralyzation. "You won!" He shouted joyfully.

Jacob beamed and kissed him twice before going to achieve his award and politely bowing. He almost walked off stage after Adam got 80,000 pictures but he was stopped and asked to give a speech. He looked horrified and that gained a few chuckles but he graciously took the mic. "First off, I'm so shocked there's not much I can say. I'm very blessed to be here today, and I would have never made it this far without my husband. He's the light of my life and listens to every act as many times as I ask and pretends I'm funny every time." He beamed at the clapping. "And I look up to all of you, I only hope to make the world an easier place to laugh."

He got his very own, first standing ovation. Adam sensed he was crying about it and when he sat next to him again to hug him fiercely, he heard the sniffles. "I love you so much," He cried joyfully. "I owe you my entire career."

Jacob was radiating joy now as they said their goodbyes and exchanged congratulations. He was hugged and had his hair tousled more than a few times, and Adam was met with strong handshakes he made a bit stronger because he really hated them tousling his hair when this man was his and not theirs.

In the car, Jacob rambled for an hour and a half straight about nothing at all. He'd expected it to be at least about the award sitting in his lap but no, he was talking about going on a hike to see flowers and nature, maybe skinny dip. Then he switched to new recipes he was making based on his comedy, then it was all about how handsome Adam looked.

Adam was glowing from listening to him chatter about nothing. It was his favorite thing because all he had to do was listen, and that was his other favorite thing to do. As an introvert he wasn't that much of a talker really, but his extroverted morning person of a partner was.

Finally, when they got home, Jacob inhaled for the first time. "Oh. We're home."

Adam started to laugh and reached across to bring him in for a kiss. "You're so happy. I love it."

Jacob shifted to kiss him again and again, increasing in hunger. "Ugh, I'm so horny now. I feel invincible."

Adam hummed against his lips and licked across his tongue as their kiss deepened. "I cannot stress this to you enough: I'm down any place, anywhere, at any time for you. Congratulations, Jacob."