Can't Stop Me From Loving You // Mullette

The NYC Fashion Show (Pt. 2)

T/W: There is a gay slur in this chapter, I don't condone the use of this word. Never call someone this, it's very offensive.

HERCULES' POV

I watched as the models rushed around, making last minute fixes to their appearances. The dresses had already looked stunning yesterday, but with full-on hair, makeup, and jewelry, they looked truly ready to be taken down the runway. 

Suddenly, the lights dimmed and pop music began playing. There was polite applause as Juliana walked onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you could've been anywhere in the world tonight, but you're here with us in New York City. Are you ready... for a FASHION SHOW!" She squealed excitedly, getting a small amount of applause from the audience.

I had to bite my tongue to keep myself from laughing. The whole audience was mostly full of stuck-up people, and she was acting like an announcer at a wrestling tournament or a circus.

"Great! First up, we have a collection of 5 dresses from up and coming fashion designer, Hercules Mulligan!" There was more applause as the first model -- Sara -- walked out on stage.

I bounced up and down slightly, remembering Laff was in the audience and was going to see all of my dresses. I had been purposely keeping them a surprise. I imagined him, out in the audience clapping as he watched the models walk down the runway. That must look adorable. 

Soon, all 5 models had walked the runway and came out for one final look, then they came backstage. I congratulated them and they congratulated me.

"I'll be back later, I'm going to try to find my boyfriend." I told them, and went out into the audience to look for Laff.

Wait.

I had just called him my boyfriend without even thinking. I'm getting delusional. I've been over this a thousand times in my head, yet I still can't seem to get myself to understand that he's not my boyfriend, and we will never even date. 

I sighed and went up the aisles until I found Laff. Luckily, there was a spot empty next to him. I sat down.

"Bonjour, mon ami!" He said excitedly. "Your dresses were tres magnifique!"

"Merci." I replied. I definitely do not speak French, but if you spend enough time with Laff, you pick up on bits of it.

We watched the fashion show, and it was halfway over when I realized we were sharing an armrest. It shouldn't seem like a big deal, since we share a bed most nights, but for some reason our arms touching in that way sent shivers down my spine like I was some teenage girl on her first date at the movies.

When the fashion show was over, I think the only person that clapped louder than me was Lafayette. He seemed very excited about it, which made me glad. I went backstage to thank the models and gather my things, then we went back to the hotel to get ready for a fancy dinner.

LAFAYETTE'S POV

As we got ready for the dinner, I thought about Hercules and I's arms touching on the armrest. I know it should not feel like a big deal since we sleep in the same bed most nights, but something about this felt différente.

Honestly, c'était romantique.

At dinner, we both ate mostly in silence, which bothered me. I kept wondering what Hercules was thinking about. Quite a few times, I had caught myself staring at him, getting lost in his beauty. I just wished I could have another kiss with him. The last one was blurry in my mind, the memory tarnished by alcohol. I wanted one that I could remember. But that would never happen, because the first kiss didn't matter to him anyways.

That thought made me frown, and Hercules noticed.

"Everything ok, Laff?" He asked.

"Oui, oui, of course." I nodded quickly.

He put his hand on mine, making my heart flutter slightly. Ever since he had found me about to cut myself, he had been extremely worried every time I looked even the slightest bit unhappy. 

"Are you sure?" He questioned, his hand still on mine.

I considered telling him the truth for a moment, just confessing everything right here. This was a nice time to do it, in a fancy restaurant that was a bit romantic.

I worked up my courage for a moment, making the decision. I was going to confess.

"Hercules, I really like--" I began, but I was cut off by a tall man with blonde hair that had walked over to our table.

"Hercules Mulligan! It's been a while!" He said, smiling and holding out his hand for Hercules to shake it.

When Hercules saw who it was, his eyes narrowed slightly, and I could tell the smile on his face was forced.

"Seabury! Samuel Seabury. So nice to see you again." He shook the man's hand.

"So who's this?" The man gestured to me.

"I am his fri--" I began, but Herc cut me off.

"This is my boyfriend." Hercules said without hesitation, and Seabury's eyes narrowed even though the smile was still plastered to his face.

"So you're still a fag, eh?" He said, and the smile on his face suddenly looked menacing.

Hercules stood up quickly, slamming his hand on the table. People began to stare.

"You still a loud-mouthed bastard, eh?" Said Hercules in a way that was chilling. I had never heard him speak this way, quietly but coldly.

"What did you just say about me?" Seabury mimicked Herc's tone, and took a step closer, revealing that he was slightly shorter.

I jumped to my feet, but made no motion to do anything quite yet. The two men were glaring at each other, the forced smiles wiped off of their faces.

"You wanna go, just like college? Because you know what happened last time." Seabury snickered. "You and your fag boyfriend got put in the hospital for a month, just because you didn't know when to shut your mouth."

Hercules' hands balled into fists. "We wouldn't have been fighting in the first place if you hadn't spread those rumors about me and them, you fat, arrogant, --" 

Hercules was cut off by a punch from Seabury. Instantly, restaurant staff rushed forwards, making a big commotion and trying to hold Hercules back from attacking Samuel. I was a bit scared, seeing Hercules like that. I reached forward and grabbed his hand, a move that surprised both of us, and everyone else involved in the wild affair.

Hercules turned towards me. "Let's go, Laff." Was all he said before practically dragging me out of the restaurant. I wasn't complaining though, I wanted to be as far away from that disgusting man as possible. He reminded me too much of Jefferson.

Once we were outside, Hercules began apologizing profusely.

"So sorry Laff-- don't know what got into me-- god I hate him--- He shouldn't say those things--"

I did the only thing I could think of to get him to stop apologizing, because it was really fine, I was just relieved that he was ok. 

I cut him off with a kiss.