'Tainted Love':Chapter Two

Basil finished up the phone conversation with Pete and hung up. He leant back into the couch. Wade was Anthony’s great-nephew.

“Damn it Anthony. Why won’t you leave me the hell alone!”

“No my sweet Basil, it is YOU who can’t leave me the hell alone”.

“You’re a monster!”

Anthony laughed coldly. “No you are”. His voice turned to venom.” You’re the demon spawn! No one was cursed before you were created! You cursed your own flesh and blood and then your lover!!!”

“You weren’t my lover!”

“We voluntarily fucked each other. You were my lover”.

“I was raped!!”

“The first few times. You were very hard to convince”.

“That’s bullshit! I never wanted it!”

“Lies!” Anthony spat back at him. ”Lies, lies, lies, lies, lies. You have proof right in front of you!”

“What the fuck are you talking about”.

“Wade” replied Anthony in a sing-songy voice.

Basil eyes froze on the photo in front of him and his body went rigid.

“That’s right Einstein, you’re in love with the guy because of me. And not platonic either man, it’s head over heels fairy love”.

“SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!” screamed Basil. There was a knock on the door before it was opened.

“Baz are you ok?” asked Julian, his voice filled with concern.

“Y-yeah I’m fine”.

“You don’t look it. You’re as white as a sheet and shaking like a leaf”.

“I’m just worried about the show”.

Julian made it clear he wasn’t buying it.

“Um…well you see I talked to a cute guy outside…”

Julian’s face broke into a grin. “Ah I get it now. Don’t worry Baz Baz you’ll do great. And if he’s worth keeping around, he’ll still like you even if you screw the whole thing up”.

“Thanks…although that’s not completely encouraging”.

Julian laughed and started closing the door. “Be ready in twenty”.

Basil sighed in relief.

“Liar liar pants on fire” taunted Anthony.

“Shut the fuck up!”

“Tsk tsk so rude to your lover. Oh well I guess you’ll make it up to me later”

“What do you mean?”

“When you’re in bed later on tonight sans Wadeypoo and dreaming of the first time I took you. I’ll be right there with you, reliving the wonderful experience”.

Basil’s blood bubbled in fury.

“Like hell am I going to give you one shred of happiness you son of a bitch!”

********

Wade had just started humming “Faded” by soulDecision when a woman came in wearing an expensive black Versace dress and fine pearl jewelry. She spotted Wade and took the seat to the other side of him, seeing that he was obviously saving the other for someone.

"Hello Dawling", she said cheerfully, her voice hinting a slight British accent. "Isn't this positively exciting?! I did not think this act would make it here to New York. Are you a big fan of theirs?"

Wade turned to face the woman and gave a slight smile. She looked a bit like Marilyn Monroe minus some of the sex appeal. He actually preferred talking to guys than in girls, seeing as most of the time all they talked about was shopping and makeup, but she'd prove to be entertaining for the time. "I actually have no idea what I'm going to be seeing soon." He paused a bit, deciding that it'd be best to tell her why he was so oblivious as to whom these people were. "Well, you see, I'm from California. I've only been here for a little bit...a week or two. So...I stumbled upon one of the younger boys and asked if I could watch the show." Wade mentally sighed. He was horrible at conversation.

I guess working with numbers has it's disadvantages...

"But I'm sure the show will be great. I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully becoming a big fan of theirs. I wouldn't mind..." Stalking the kid, Wade thought while mentally shaking his head. "Um...seeing more of them."

"Oh! You must be speaking of Bazzle Razzle Dazzle! He's such an amazingly handsome boy and what a voice! He's the main reason I and the rest of the girls from the country club are coming," she gushed. She then looked around her and whispered," I hope I win that raffle. The prize is a date with him! And all the money for the tickets goes to environmental organizations."

"Um....are we still able to enter the raffle? I mean..." He coughed nervously and tried to cover up his real motive. "Well...yea. Do they? I wouldn't mind...donating to the environment's needs." He looked around the room, still kind of lost about what was going to happen. Ironically he couldn't put two and two together…and he was a math teacher. "So, what EXACTLY am I going to see today? You seem to be a veteran at his show."

"Well it's a motley of performances, mostly song and dance numbers, all independent of each other in a way, but come together to form a story of sorts", she explained," It evolves as the tour progresses, so no two shows are ever alike. Leo, the director and manager of the troupe, is an artistic genius, although as you can tell dawling, I'm highly bias". She then turned and pointed to one of the room's corners where a table was set up. "There's the raffle table, if you want to donate".

Wade did a mental happy dance.

Sweet.

"Hmm. It sounds very interesting. It sounds so...wonderful that I can see why you come and watch them so often. I might just see you around more then." He laughed and stood up to head over to the table. "And thank you kindly for the directions. If you'll excuse me, I'll be right back."

He headed over to the table and looked at all the young girls giggling while scribbling their information down on sheets of paper.

Must be popular.

He asked for a paper also, receiving strange looks from the woman who ran the booth. When he was done, he handed in the paper and smiled at the lady and at the girls who all turned to stare at him. There were murmurs of “Eww” and “Pedophile”. Wade just gave a little smirk, knowing that the girls were all going down. He flipped his hair out of his face, turned, and went back to sit down next to the high-classed woman.

"I'm back. Did I miss anything?"

"Hmm? Oh yes, some grumpy fellow came around asking me to tell you to go backstage. I suspect its something about seating".

"Really? Hmm…well, I guess I better go check it out. I hope I don't get yelled at. Well, thank you for everything!"

Wade waved and headed towards backstage. He saw some people that were dressed up heading towards the stage, but weren’t quite in full costume. Wade figured that's where he was supposed to go. He did so, and saw a bustle of people running around, frantically trying to put together outfits, put on makeup and the everyday scene that one would see behind the scenes. "Um...wow." It seemed nobody stopped to ask what he was doing there, so he decided if he walked around, asking for Basil, he might find the ‘grumpy fellow’. He spotted some guy, and after careful examining, saw that it was the same guy that Basil was talking to earlier.

I guess I’ll ask him first.

"Excuse me, Leo?"

I sure hope it's Leo...or…someone who can help me.

The man turned around. "It's Serge actually and Basil asked me to get you for him. He'd be mobbed if he went out there himself", he explained. "He's in that room". He pointed to a small door a little bit away. He took a step closer, invading Wade's space and taking a menacing stance. "But listen here Fruity, I'm watching you. You can admire Basil as much as you want, but place as single finger on him and you'll be swimming with the fishies".

Wade only smiled as innocently as he could, looking as if a halo and feathery white wings could suddenly appear. "Oh please, I wouldn't do anything like that." With that, he turned and walked past the man, letting out a huge sigh of relief.

I could have sworn that guy was just going to knock me out right there.

Wade paused and turned around.

Did he just call me 'fruity'?

“Whatever."

He stopped in front of Basil’s dressing room and looked at the door, too nervous to knock. Finally, after a few seconds, he gathered his wits and gave a couple taps. Wade looked around nervously, just wishing that Serge wasn't behind him.

A few seconds later, Basil opened the door, still in the clothes he had arrived in.

"Hey, sorry about asking you to come back here, but those girls can be.... slightly scary at times".

He stepped back a little to let Wade in. Wade gave a small smile just at the sight of Basil.

"Tell me about it," he said while laughing. "I was afraid they were going to kill me with their glares when I was...umm..."

Wade wasn't sure whether he should actually tell Basil that he signed up for the raffle. Then again, maybe he already knew.

"Yea. So, you need help with anything? Putting anything...on?"

Or...off. Whichever.

"Well you could probably help me choose my costumes. I just found out I'm going to be in several acts tonight". He paused and blushed before continuing,"Due to um....popular demand".

"Heh. Well, I could see why. I mean, who wouldn't want to see a cute, talented guy?" Wade walked over to Basil and fought the urge to just gobble him up right there. Instead he asked a question that had been bugging him ever since he signed up. "Did you come up with the idea of the raffle out there?"

Basil smiled and tilted his head slightly. "Well yes and no. I came up with the raffle concept and the donating of the funds, but it was Leo who decided what the prize was going to be". He then shrugged. "It doesn't really bother me that much. It's just one date anyway, and I guess I could meet someone special through it. Although, most of the girls would probably not be interested in pursuing anything with me, not in that way, because...well of the baggage I guess I'd bring along"

"Baggage? They should be honored to be able to go out with you. I have to warn you…a lot of those girls out there look like giggling fools. But, hey, maybe there's a normal person in that crowd...It sure is nice of you to be thinking of other people."

Wade winked and placed his hand on Basil's shoulder, quickly taking it off.

"That Serge guy…would he break my fingers...like literally?"

"You know can never quite tell with him. One minute he's a rabid pit bull and the next he's a teddy bear. But he'd be insanely jealous, the poor thing".

Baz grabbed a small bottle of soda and took a sip.

" Part of me wants to return his feelings so at least he'll stop torturing himself...yet he's not my type you know?” He held out the bottle to Wade. "Do you want some?"

Wade shook his head and gave a polite smile. "Sorry, I gave up soda a while ago. It's been kinda...yea. The last person I was seeing said soda wasn't good for me and left. The person was also a vegetarian and ate EVERYTHING that was healthy in the world...AH what the heck. I'll take one."
Basil blinked. "She left you because you drank soda? That's ridiculous".

“Yeah well…” Wade still couldn't believe what he had heard Basil say about Serge liking him. "Did you mean…he like likes you? Woah. Umm...I'll try not to think of him as a teddy bear…but…wow. I can understand how you feel though. I would hate to be around someone who likes me, yet I don't really like them back. You have guts. But if he's not your type...I don't know what else you could do."

Basil sat down on the small couch that was against the dressing room's far wall, drawing his legs up to his chest. " Well the worse part is that in some of the acts, he's supposed to be my love interest, so I'm not sure if that's really that healthy for him either".

Wade crossed his arms for two reasons, one in thought and another in the coldness of the room.

It must be ventilated because it's so hot after a show.

"Yea. If I were him I would switch parts. If possible, anyway. It's like torture. In the show…you are a guy right?"

Basil's ears went red, along with his cheeks. "Well....um...yeah...sometimes". He ducked his head slightly behind his knees.

Wade plopped himself down onto the arm of the couch Basil was currently occupying.

"Sometimes huh? I bet you still look amazing. But hey, you shouldn't be ashamed. I mean, how many people can say that they can play both a guy and a girl? I can barely act anyway".  Wade decided to change the topic, it seemed he was making Basil uncomfortable. "But I'm looking forward to your show. I can't wait!"

Basil lifted his head a little bit. "You think? I don't know. Most guys I meet think it’s weird for me to  dress up like a girl or the fact that I like it too". He relaxed some and smiled. "I bet you won't be able to spot me in the show".

"Wanna bet? Haha. I'd spot that cute little face anywhere”. Somehow Wade was suddenly reminded of how little time he had left here in New York.

God I will miss this city. At least some things.

"Where do you guys usually perform at? Like...your hometown?"

"The troupe is from everywhere, but my hometown is in Florida. I like it there because it isn't cold during the winter...well not really and because Key West is like drag queen central. They even drop a queen in a huge red shoe on New Year’s Eve instead of a ball like they do here in New York City".

"Florida, huh? Is it nice there? I've always planned to visit there sometime, but my schedule is hectic. I end up teaching brats during the breaks. And...if I may ask, what is Key West?"

Wade lived on the West Coast, but never heard that before in his whole 24 years of life. Basil looked slightly shocked, but then reminded himself that Key West wasn't as well known as maybe Miami. "Well Key West is a last island of a set of islands at the very bottom of the Florida peninsula. They're kind of like skipping stones in the ocean, one island leading to the other. All sorts of things come from there like Key Lime pie". His mouth watered slightly at the thought of pie.

" I want Key Lime pie now that you mention it."

Wade looked around the room, wondering if Basil usually got tons of flowers. "So I'm guessing…nevermind. Um...how many scenes are you in today? I hope it's not a lot, no offense, but I'd love to keep talking to you for as long as I could."

"Tsk tsk selfish aren't we" Basil teased, although he really didn't mind...at all. "I have three or four. Which reminds me, I need to get into costume".

"When it comes to guys, I'm as selfish as selfish can be," Wade said while grinning at the boy.

Basil returned the grin. He stood up and went to the small closet, taking his vest and shirt off in the process. "Can you hand me that wig over there?"

Wade couldn't help but drool over Basil, but he didn't want to be caught in the action. He got the wig and walked back to where Basil was starting to dress.

"Here you go, dear," Wade said while holding out the wig for Basil, trying his best to avert his eyes from Basil’s chest.

"Thanks", he replied taking the wig and turning, so Baz’s back was facing Wade.

The door slammed opened just as Basil bent over to put the wig on properly. He placed the wig on and straightened up again to see Serge in the doorway.

"Oh, hi Serge".

Serge however wasn't staring at Basil. He was mentally killing Wade with his eyes. The jealous man had far too wild of an imagination…and the way that Basil was bent over and Wade right behind him when Serge had opened the door…well Serge had jumped to conclusions.

Wade, figuring out what Serge was thinking, looked back at him with a relaxed look. Despite the actor being twice his size, he didn't want Serge to feel like he made Wade afraid. That wouldn't happen, not on Wade's watch. He turned his ruby eyes back to Basil and gave a small sigh.

"Need anymore help...?"

Before I'm beaten to death…

But he hadn't actually touched Basil, so he didn't see what the problem was.

"Hmm I don't think so. I just need to change into my costume and you can't be there for that", he replied with a small wink.

Serge stormed in and grabbed Wade by the scruff of the neck, before starting to drag him to the door.

"Come on! Hurry up! You heard him!"

"Serge wait!" Basil cried out after them.

Serge paused and turned around.

"Take your hands off him please", he said frowning," He heard me perfectly fine"

I could have been there for the costume change...damn it.

Wade pulled himself out of Serge's grasp and pulled down on his own shirt to smooth out the creases.

"Yes, I DO hear perfectly fine. I don't need a bodyguard to tear me apart." Wade turned to Basil and smiled, bowing his head. "It's been nice talking to you. I hope to talk to you again. Soon. Good luck on your performance."

Wade faced the door again. He stared at Serge for a second and walked out, blowing a kiss to Basil behind Serge's back.

Basil bit his lower lip and grinned. He then looked at Serge.

"You're not invited for the costume change either. I'll see you on stage in a minute".

Serge made a grumbling remark before slamming the door.

Basil hummed to himself and brought up the play list on his laptop. He started to sing along as he got ready.

When I get you all alone
I’m gonna take off all your clothes
Ain’t nobody gonna interrupt my game
Ever since you’ve been hanging around
I’ve been trying to figure out
What I can say to you to get some play
Couldn’t we do what we did last night again
Baby you and I’d be better than friends
Don’t you think it’s time we went a bit further?
Every night when we say goodbye
How can I help looking in your eyes?
Wondering why you and I haven’t hit it
Can we get it on

What was he going to do about Wade? He couldn’t just simply ignore him, that much was obvious. But Wade was a guy…

He sighed. “Fuck, the bastard’s right. I’m in love, head over heels fairy love”.