Fic: Naked Cops I: The Vulnerable (1/1)
Title: Naked Cops I: The Vulnerable (1/1)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Frank Arcaro/Adam Flint
Fandom: Naked City
Genres: Angst, Fluff, Historical
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Two cops and a lunchtime tryst.
Date Of Completion: July 8, 2024
Date Of Posting: August 1, 2024
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Paramount does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 919
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author's Notes: This entire series can be found here.
The show has an unusual broadcast history. It debuted in the 1958-1959 TV season on ABC as a half-hour show about the NYPD and it filmed in actual locations in the days when this was not common. Interior scenes were shot at the Biograph Studios, which was also the home for the NYPD comedy, Car 54, Where Are You?, which also shot on location. 😝
Halfway through the first season one of the leads, John McIntire, left the show. James Franciscus
remained. The show was cancelled but was revived a year later for the 1960-1961 season and lengthened to an hour. Supporting cast Harry Bellaver (Det. Sgt. Frank Arcaro) and Horace McMahon (Lt. Mike Parker) returned. Franciscus did not and was replaced by Paul Burke (Det. Adam Flint).
The title of this fanfic series? How could I resist, considering the fandom is named Naked City? 😝
We are
The vulnerable.
Hated,
Hounded,
Harassed.
Desperately grasping
Stolen moments,
Forever on guard,
Relaxation marred.
We are
The vulnerable.
Heartbroken,
Hardened,
Hopeful.
A.C. Becker
"Bitter Lifestorm"
1961 C.E.
January 19, 1961
It was a hotel room neither elegant nor shabby, sort of in-between, clean but wouldn't depress you when you opened the door and got a look inside. The bed was comfortable, which satisfied its current occupants. Smoke curled up to the ceiling from their post-coital cigarettes. A cliche, sure, but a cliche that satisfied them both.
The Brennen Hotel was quiet, nondescript and definitely under the radar, which suited the clientele just fine. It was off Vice's radar, which also suited the guests, because they were homosexuals, desperate for even a few hours of peace in a society that hated and hounded them.
The couple in the bed was taking a risk, like everyone else who rented a room here. The guests risked their jobs and lives coming here, but they did it, anyway. And this particular couple were NYPD detectives, not a profession known for their tolerance of their particular proclivities.
Detective Sergeant Frank Arcaro was the older of the two, silver-haired and craggy-faced, his generous nose a tad crooked, courtesy of a street fight from younger days. He had, according to Adam, "the warmest brown eyes I've ever seen." Lieutenant Mike Parker called him his 'rock-steady detective '. He was in good shape, able to keep up with the younger guys while chasing down criminals.
The younger man was Detective Adam Flint, who was in peak shape and with a matinee-idol face, thick dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Frank knew that he'd hit the jackpot. He rolled onto his side and traced a finger down from Adam's chest to his stomach. Adam's lips curled into a smile.
Frank rested his hand on Adam's stomach, a gesture he often used to calm the younger man down. Despite his outer appearance as calm and collected, Adam was high-strung like a thoroughbred. Whenever Frank joked about being a plodding plowhorse, Adam would joke back about his partner's prowess in bed.
It was all good. As long as they could keep grabbing stolen moments, the stress of their job could be handled. Of course, the precariousness of their relationship and being forced to hide it wasn't fun, but moments like this were.
Frank mentally shrugged off the worries. People like the two of them had to grab joy while they could get it. What-ifs could drive you crazy.
Adam was a worrier. That high-strung nature of his was an obstacle in Frank's mind, but it also made Adam who he was: compassionate, gentle, and what was that word?
Oh, yeah, empathetic.
Adam was vulnerable besides his sexual preference. He cared a little too much and needed a little extra protection, which Frank was happy to provide.
Adam can be a tough NYPD cop, but it costs him.
Adam took another drag on his cigarette. "Careful where that hand wanders. We don't have much of our lunch hour left."
"Double lunch hour. Huh, who woulda thunk Mike would be so generous?'
Adam chuckled. "Shocking. And tomorrow off as well?"
"Double shocking." Frank didn't bother to add the caveat that they could have the day off unless something came up.
"That reminds me. Libby's invited both of us over to her place to watch the Inauguration. She promises her famous homemade burgers."
"Well, now, who can turn down Libby's famous burgers?"
Frank always felt a little uncomfortable around Libby. She had no idea about Adam and his true sexual desires.
Someday he's going to have to face the music.
He carefully set aside his thoughts of Libby. That was Adam's call, not his. Adam felt he needed Libby as a cover, but Frank knew Adam felt guilty.
He'll crack sooner than later.
Adam stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the nightstand. He checked his watch.
"I guess we'll have to get up and shower."
"Already?"
Adam smiled at Frank's disappointed tone. "Sorry." He sighed. "We won't have time for lunch."
"We can grab a couple of hot dogs from Fred's cart. Cheer up, I'll treat you to Sheffield's tonight."
At the mention of their favorite steakhouse, Adam smiled. "What, no Italian?"
"Listen, buddy-boy, you know I love Italian restaurants, mainly because the people who own 'em cook with family recipes, so the food is great, but no one beats Mama's cooking."
"Can't argue with that."
Frank nuzzled Adam's ear. "You bet you can't."
Adam rolled over. His eyes shone with love. He said in an intense, quiet voice, "Franco, you're my everything."
Frank swallowed. "Same here, caro mio." Frank's heart fluttered as they kissed.
Minutes later, Adam joked, "Maybe we'll see some famous people tonight," as Frank rolled out of bed.
"If we see Rock Hudson, caro mio, ask him to dance."
"Huh?"
"My old partner Jimmy gets a lot of Intel from L.A., even though he works out of San Francisco. According to him, Rock's light in the loafers."
"What?!"
"Everybody in Hollywood knows it but of course they don't blab it. Too many people are in the same boat themselves."
Adam scrambled out of bed, nearly getting tangled in the sheets. "Wait, Frank, Rock Hudson's one of us?"
"More famous and a lot richer, but that's essentially it." Frank disappeared into the bathroom, Adam on his heels. Happy noises drifted out to the bedroom.
For people like them, grab happiness where you could.
_____________________
"There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them."
_________________________________________
Canon: Frank's mother is still alive, and we see his brother Joe and assorted family and friends after he's shot and hospitalized in A Case Study Of Two Savages (3x18). It's obvious the family knows Adam well.
Adam has called Frank 'Franco' a few times in the series with genuine affection.
It's also obvious that Frank is the one who calms his younger partner down when he's angry or upset. Adam has been called 'sensitive but cerebral', and Paul Burke delivers this portrayal.
The quote at the end of this story is always used at the end of each episode.
>
This story can also be read on AO3
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth.Comment on either entry as you wish. :)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: Frank Arcaro/Adam Flint
Fandom: Naked City
Genres: Angst, Fluff, Historical
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Spoilers: None
Summary: Two cops and a lunchtime tryst.
Date Of Completion: July 8, 2024
Date Of Posting: August 1, 2024
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Paramount does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 919
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author's Notes: This entire series can be found here.
The show has an unusual broadcast history. It debuted in the 1958-1959 TV season on ABC as a half-hour show about the NYPD and it filmed in actual locations in the days when this was not common. Interior scenes were shot at the Biograph Studios, which was also the home for the NYPD comedy, Car 54, Where Are You?, which also shot on location. 😝
Halfway through the first season one of the leads, John McIntire, left the show. James Franciscus
remained. The show was cancelled but was revived a year later for the 1960-1961 season and lengthened to an hour. Supporting cast Harry Bellaver (Det. Sgt. Frank Arcaro) and Horace McMahon (Lt. Mike Parker) returned. Franciscus did not and was replaced by Paul Burke (Det. Adam Flint).
The title of this fanfic series? How could I resist, considering the fandom is named Naked City? 😝
We are
The vulnerable.
Hated,
Hounded,
Harassed.
Desperately grasping
Stolen moments,
Forever on guard,
Relaxation marred.
We are
The vulnerable.
Heartbroken,
Hardened,
Hopeful.
A.C. Becker
"Bitter Lifestorm"
1961 C.E.
January 19, 1961
It was a hotel room neither elegant nor shabby, sort of in-between, clean but wouldn't depress you when you opened the door and got a look inside. The bed was comfortable, which satisfied its current occupants. Smoke curled up to the ceiling from their post-coital cigarettes. A cliche, sure, but a cliche that satisfied them both.
The Brennen Hotel was quiet, nondescript and definitely under the radar, which suited the clientele just fine. It was off Vice's radar, which also suited the guests, because they were homosexuals, desperate for even a few hours of peace in a society that hated and hounded them.
The couple in the bed was taking a risk, like everyone else who rented a room here. The guests risked their jobs and lives coming here, but they did it, anyway. And this particular couple were NYPD detectives, not a profession known for their tolerance of their particular proclivities.
Detective Sergeant Frank Arcaro was the older of the two, silver-haired and craggy-faced, his generous nose a tad crooked, courtesy of a street fight from younger days. He had, according to Adam, "the warmest brown eyes I've ever seen." Lieutenant Mike Parker called him his 'rock-steady detective '. He was in good shape, able to keep up with the younger guys while chasing down criminals.
The younger man was Detective Adam Flint, who was in peak shape and with a matinee-idol face, thick dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Frank knew that he'd hit the jackpot. He rolled onto his side and traced a finger down from Adam's chest to his stomach. Adam's lips curled into a smile.
Frank rested his hand on Adam's stomach, a gesture he often used to calm the younger man down. Despite his outer appearance as calm and collected, Adam was high-strung like a thoroughbred. Whenever Frank joked about being a plodding plowhorse, Adam would joke back about his partner's prowess in bed.
It was all good. As long as they could keep grabbing stolen moments, the stress of their job could be handled. Of course, the precariousness of their relationship and being forced to hide it wasn't fun, but moments like this were.
Frank mentally shrugged off the worries. People like the two of them had to grab joy while they could get it. What-ifs could drive you crazy.
Adam was a worrier. That high-strung nature of his was an obstacle in Frank's mind, but it also made Adam who he was: compassionate, gentle, and what was that word?
Oh, yeah, empathetic.
Adam was vulnerable besides his sexual preference. He cared a little too much and needed a little extra protection, which Frank was happy to provide.
Adam can be a tough NYPD cop, but it costs him.
Adam took another drag on his cigarette. "Careful where that hand wanders. We don't have much of our lunch hour left."
"Double lunch hour. Huh, who woulda thunk Mike would be so generous?'
Adam chuckled. "Shocking. And tomorrow off as well?"
"Double shocking." Frank didn't bother to add the caveat that they could have the day off unless something came up.
"That reminds me. Libby's invited both of us over to her place to watch the Inauguration. She promises her famous homemade burgers."
"Well, now, who can turn down Libby's famous burgers?"
Frank always felt a little uncomfortable around Libby. She had no idea about Adam and his true sexual desires.
Someday he's going to have to face the music.
He carefully set aside his thoughts of Libby. That was Adam's call, not his. Adam felt he needed Libby as a cover, but Frank knew Adam felt guilty.
He'll crack sooner than later.
Adam stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray on the nightstand. He checked his watch.
"I guess we'll have to get up and shower."
"Already?"
Adam smiled at Frank's disappointed tone. "Sorry." He sighed. "We won't have time for lunch."
"We can grab a couple of hot dogs from Fred's cart. Cheer up, I'll treat you to Sheffield's tonight."
At the mention of their favorite steakhouse, Adam smiled. "What, no Italian?"
"Listen, buddy-boy, you know I love Italian restaurants, mainly because the people who own 'em cook with family recipes, so the food is great, but no one beats Mama's cooking."
"Can't argue with that."
Frank nuzzled Adam's ear. "You bet you can't."
Adam rolled over. His eyes shone with love. He said in an intense, quiet voice, "Franco, you're my everything."
Frank swallowed. "Same here, caro mio." Frank's heart fluttered as they kissed.
Minutes later, Adam joked, "Maybe we'll see some famous people tonight," as Frank rolled out of bed.
"If we see Rock Hudson, caro mio, ask him to dance."
"Huh?"
"My old partner Jimmy gets a lot of Intel from L.A., even though he works out of San Francisco. According to him, Rock's light in the loafers."
"What?!"
"Everybody in Hollywood knows it but of course they don't blab it. Too many people are in the same boat themselves."
Adam scrambled out of bed, nearly getting tangled in the sheets. "Wait, Frank, Rock Hudson's one of us?"
"More famous and a lot richer, but that's essentially it." Frank disappeared into the bathroom, Adam on his heels. Happy noises drifted out to the bedroom.
For people like them, grab happiness where you could.
_____________________
"There are eight million stories in the naked city. This has been one of them."
_________________________________________
Canon: Frank's mother is still alive, and we see his brother Joe and assorted family and friends after he's shot and hospitalized in A Case Study Of Two Savages (3x18). It's obvious the family knows Adam well.
Adam has called Frank 'Franco' a few times in the series with genuine affection.
It's also obvious that Frank is the one who calms his younger partner down when he's angry or upset. Adam has been called 'sensitive but cerebral', and Paul Burke delivers this portrayal.
The quote at the end of this story is always used at the end of each episode.
>
This story can also be read on AO3
This entry has been cross-posted from Dreamwidth.Comment on either entry as you wish. :)