crack_van | Last Request by Leici (R)

Fandom: AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 7
Pairing: Neal Tiemann/Andrew Cook, David Cook/David Archuleta
Length: 46,700 words in 16 chapters [complete]
Author on LJ:

leici
Author Website:

the3sunrises

Why this must be read: Summary: Neal's actually pretty sure he noticed that right off, the things Andrew and David have in common.

When I went into this fic, I had no idea that it would become something that I read regularly on top of spending hours dissecting the myriad relationships. Technically, this fic is just about perfect when it comes to point of view, pacing, characterization, dealing with extremely difficult material in a sensitive way, and a conclusion that is incredibly satisfying. While Neal is the star (and an incredible star at that) of this fic, the Cook/Archuleta scenes are pure magic that begin in this recced fic and continue into an indeterminate future. Neal's internal and external dialogue brings to light the incredible difficulties that Cook and Archie face as an unconventional couple in the public eye. The following is just a taste but possibly my favorite scene; it gives a taste of the myriad and layered relationships within the fic.

There's a long moment where neither of them speak, Dave leaning on his forearms across his knees, Neal slouched back against the sofa. It's an odd, uncomfortable silence between them, and Neal feels unsettled. He doesn't know what makes him ask, but the next thing he says is, "When did you know you were in love with Archuleta?"

Dave looks more than a little surprised by the question, head lifting and mouth falling softly open. "Uh..." He licks his lips, and Neal can see the side of Dave's neck mottling with a blush. "Pretty much the second they said my name instead of his at the finale. I was so sure he was going to win, I'd already worked out what I was going to say to congratulate him. But then it wasn't him, it was me, and I was hugging him... The only thing that I could think about was how much I loved him."

Neal shook his head. Leave it to Dave to fall into something like that and land on his feet. "What is it about him? I mean, I don't get it. At all. He's not even remotely your type, not to mention, if I remember correctly, you're not gay."

"No, I'm not," Dave responds, and he leans back at Neal's side. "But you know as well as I do that I'm not totally straight either." He gives Neal a look, crossing his legs at the ankle.

"As for him not being my type... You know, every relationship I've ever had has always crashed and burned spectacularly. And every time, I just go back out and hookup with the same kind of girl all over again, expecting a different result. I always seem to end up with the kind of people where I never know if they're with me because they actually like me, or because they like what they think I am. Then eventually they discover my quirks and it's like suddenly I'm not what they want anymore. They don't want someone who spends Sunday on the couch watching football, or gets up and does crossword puzzles in his pajamas. They want the rock star, the parties, the wild lifestyle. But that's not me. I'm just always so sure they won't give me the time of day otherwise, I hide myself from them. And when they finally see what I'm keeping from them, well...

"But the thing with Archie is that he saw the real me from the beginning. There wasn't any of the swagger or fronting going on with him. He laughs at my jokes, Neal, and not because they're funny. He laughs because it makes me laugh. He makes fun of me for doing crosswords, but then he tries to help me solve them. He doesn't care that I'm a slob or that I eat too much junk food or like watching football. He likes me despite all that, all my bad habits and unattractive traits. It's fucking stupid, but that's what it's about. He loves me for me, and I love him for that."

Neal's never really talked to Dave like this, about his love life. Before it was all about the girls Dave is describing now, about how good they were in bed or how crazy their families were. This is different, enlightening. And, above all else, it makes sense.

Last Request