Point Taken
Title: Point Taken
Author: cunningdeb
Rating: PG
Pairing: adam/kris
Summary: A seemingly minor problem turns into a nightmare.
Warning: sick!fic At one point its gonna get gross so if you have a gag reflex, you might want to prepare yourself.
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone involved. Timeline of illness may be condensed. All I know about this condition comes from the internet. In real life, consult a doctor if you develop anything similar.
~~ ☼ ~~
“Let’s take it from top.”
“Keith, I’ve already sung it three times.”
“I know Kris. One more take and then we’ll have it.”
“I hope so cause we still have five more songs to finish and mixing to start.”
“I know the schedule. From the top.”
Kris put on the headphones and the music started. Getting this album finished had been harder than recording his first one. Even though he was on the Idol tour at the time, most of the work had been taken care of without him; all he had to do was come in on his days off and sing and the rest magically took care of itself. Now that he was established, he was co-writing his own music and learning about the technical side of his profession. On top of that, he had promotions to do and when a crack opened up in his schedule, he had a boyfriend to spend time with.
Adam was just as busy as he was. Unlike Kris, all of Adam’s vocals were laid down but he was more involved in post production then Kris was. On top of that, Adam was making a guest acting appearance on a TV show in New York and had to leave tomorrow. They were hoping to get quality time together before they temporarily parted ways and at the moment, the odds were against it.
“That’s a take. Let’s break for lunch and regroup in two hours.”
With only a wave, Kris was out of the booth and in the hall, speed dialing as he headed for the elevator. There was a good chance Adam’s phone would go straight to voice mail but if he were lucky, they could get together to eat … or not.
“Perfect timing.”
“Please tell me you’re free for lunch.”
“I’m free for lunch. Where do you want to go?”
“I’d love to get take out and go home for a while but I don’t have the time to drive all that way.”
“Me either. Give me a sec.”
Adam mentally visualized where they were in relation to each other and tried to think of the best place to meet. If they went to a restaurant, they’d have to behave themselves and would probably encounter fans wanting some of their precious time. He loved his fans but he loved Kris more and was going to put him first.
Then the perfect solution hit him.
“Lee!”
“What about Lee?”
“He’s in Miami with Scarlett and Riff … and we have a key to their place. It’s about ten minutes away for me and fifteen for you.”
“Ad, that key is for emergencies.”
“I’d call this an emergency.” He lowered his voice. “I miss you baby. Lately, we’ve been too tired at night to get … reacquainted.”
Kris felt uncomfortable going to their friends’ home for a little ‘afternoon delight’ but Adam was right, it had been far too long since they’d been with each other.
“Well, Scarlett has said the guest room is ours any time we want it.”
“I so want it baby.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll stop and grab us some lunch and meet you there.”
“Make it fast food … faster food if you can. I love you so much.”
“Love you too. See you soon.”
Kris left the building with hearts in his eyes and rounded the corner into the parking lot without looking. Out of nowhere, a teen on a skateboard nearly plowed into him. Just in time, Kris got out of the way, flattening against the wall, and felt a poke in the back of his calf. After swearing a blue streak, he moved away from the wall and twisted around, trying to see what happened. From this angle, he couldn’t see anything. It had hurt like a bitch when it happened but the pain was fading fast. Bending over, he rubbed the general area and noticed a wire sticking out from behind a box. His phone rang and he got distracted by Adam’s text, asking if he wanted turkey or roast beef. Kris texted back he wanted ‘lamb’ then headed for his car, forgetting about the wire.
~~ ☼ ~~
Adam stopped at the first deli he saw on the way to Lee and Scarlett’s. These schedules of theirs were a pain in the ass, although it was a pain they’d both asked for. He really wished Kris could come to NYC with him but it wasn’t in the cards. He just kept telling himself, a few more months and the all consuming demands of creating music would be over. Finally, they could put themselves first.
Pulling up the driveway, he spotted Kris sitting on the porch steps, head propped up on his hand and eyes closed. Kris never failed to take his breath away. He thought briefly about honking the horn but he didn’t want to startle him. Adam knew Kris was tired … they both were. Shutting the car door was enough to open those delicious brown eyes and light up that crooked smile. Kris was on his feet by the time Adam climbed the steps and they kissed slow and sweet. There was a fire burning under that connection and they held it at bay until they were inside.
Mindful they were not in their own home, they hurried to the guest room before buttons were unbuttoned and zippers were unzipped. Shirts littered the floor and the men stretched out on the bed, Kris sighing in relief as his lover’s hand slipped into his briefs and stroked his aching cock. Adam peppered his man’s jaw and neck with kisses, nipping and licking away the sting. When Kris came undone like this, Adam felt like a child getting the present he’d desperately wanted for Christmas. From the moment they met, Kris was all Adam wanted and though it took time, they’d found their way together and all was right in their world.
Kris tugged at Adam’s pants, trying to get them off his hips, when Adam reluctantly pulled away.
“Ad … noooooo.”
“I know baby … but … but lunch.”
“Lunch can wait … want dessert first.”
“And you’ll have it,” Adam got up and fastened his pants enough to keep them from pooling at his ankles, “but I have to put the food in the freezer.”
“Since when do you freeze sandwiches?”
“Since I got a pint of ice cream and its melting.”
“I thought you gave it up.”
“Baby … its Silk French Vanilla.”
“Understood.” Kris cupped and torturously fondled himself. “Just hurry.”
Adam couldn’t speak and for a moment or two he couldn’t move, watching Kris caress himself.
“Aaadddyyy ….”
“Going, going.”
Grabbing the bag he hurried to the kitchen, put the sandwiches and drinks in the freezer and the softening ice cream in the fridge, then ran back to the bedroom … and made a u-turn and fixed his mistake.
By the time he got back, Kris was fast asleep, a soft smile on his face, hand still on his crotch. Though Adam was disappointed, he wasn’t mad. A nap wasn’t a bad idea. Fastening up his pants then fixing up Kris, Adam set the clock on his phone to wake them up in an hour, leaving enough time to eat, and stretched out beside his man. Instinctively, Kris rolled onto his side and pressed in, seeking the warm body. A leg flopped over Adam’s legs and Aadm wrapped him in his arms.
As he started to drift off, Adam noticed a rip in the back of Kris’ pants, down by his calf.
He’d have to remember to tell Kris about that.
~~ ☼ ~~
By the time Kris got home late from the studio, Adam was the one asleep. His lover had to be up at 4am so he could head to the airport for his flight. Kris found dinner staying warm in the oven and half the ice cream in the freezer. Creeping into the bedroom quietly after eating, he kissed Adam’s forehead and got a mumbled response. Grabbing his sleep clothes, he went into the bathroom to change.
When they’d awoken from their nap that afternoon, Adam told him about the rip in his pants. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the time to go home and change but at least he wasn’t making personal appearances so he didn’t have to look his best. Taking off his jeans, he checked out the hole. It wasn’t too big which was probably why he hadn’t noticed it himself. Using a hand mirror they kept in the bathroom vanity, he finally managed to see that he had cut himself. It wasn’t big, kinda looked like a big pimple. There was a thin stream of dried blood going down his leg and ending in his sock.
Tossing his sock in the sink, he rinsed the blood out and draped it over the towel rack to dry then washed the blood off his leg and cleaned the wound with soap and water. A band aid easily covered it.
Finally, he changed and climbed into bed, cuddling up to his man. Kris stretched and winced as the bandage tugged on the hairs on his leg. Each time he moved, it hurt worse than the cut had so he ripped the covering off and tossed it in the garbage.
~~ ☼ ~~
Kris had barely been awake to kiss Adam goodbye but he was coherent enough to fantasize about the things his lover promised to do to him when he got back from his trip. Knowing he was going to miss Adam something awful, especially at night when he was by himself, Kris decided to threw himself into work so that he’d be so exhausted at night, all he could think about was sleeping.
Two days after Adam left, Kris was in the studio sitting on a stool that had a footrest built into the legs. As he sang, he moved his right leg and the calf brushed over the hard metal.
“Shit!” he yelped, right in the middle of the chorus.
“Kris, you okay?” his producer asked from the soundboard.
Leaning down, he rubbed that area with the tips of his fingers and felt a bump through the fabric.
“Um … yeah, I’m good. Just got a bruise on my leg and banged it. Let’s pick up where I left off.”
“You got it.”
Kris finished up his recording session, met with the label, grabbed a quick dinner and did an interview before heading home. Finally he had time to see to that bump. With his pants off, he noticed the area around the cut was swollen and red. Gently placing his palm on the area, the skin was hot.
“Great … just fuckin’ great,” he muttered.
He dug through the drawers and medicine cabinet and found a tube of topical ointment … empty. It was too late to go out and buy another so he did what he’d done before, washing the area and bandaging in. To try and cool it down, he got a cold pack out of the freezer, wrapped it in a towel, and propped his leg up on it. It hurt initially until the cold numbed it and the pain went away for awhile.
Sometime in the middle of night, he woke up to use the bathroom. As he placed his weight on his feet, his leg ached from knee to ankle. He must have slept on it the wrong way.
The rest of the night he tossed and turned, the aches making him really uncomfortable.
~~ ☼ ~~
The next morning, he didn’t feel so good. Not only were his right ankle and knee aching but he ached all over. He was probably pushing himself too hard but the label had given him a deadline and if he was to meet it, he couldn’t slack off. Kris forced himself to shower and eat something, although he didn’t feel hungry. He had two meetings to attend before he got back in the studio this afternoon.
During the meetings, he found his mind wandering. Normally when that happened, it wandered towards Adam. This time, he stared out the windows and for a brief moment, couldn’t place where he was.
“Kris!”
He snapped back to reality and found the suits looking at him.
“Sorry. What was the question?”
“We wanted to know what you thought of the PR we’ve got in place for promoting the CD.”
Kris couldn’t answer them … he’d zoned out and completely missed the conversation. A bead of sweat ran down his temple and he casually wiped it away. Looking about in a panic, he noticed the PowerPoint presentation still on the screen and he read down the list quickly before telling them he liked the direction and was looking forward to seeing his fans again. That seemed to placate them and the conversation moved on to something else.
Somehow he managed to concentrate and leave his bosses with the impression that it was a successful meeting. He had three hours before he had to be back in the studio so he went home and collapsed on the bed to sleep. Kris reached out and hugged Adam’s pillow, wishing he were home. Adam always made him feel better.
With that in mind, he picked up his phone off the bedside table and placed a call. It rang and rang and Kris did some quick calculating in his head. It was morning in New York, maybe Adam wasn’t up yet.
“Morning baby.”
Kris couldn’t help smiling.
“Morning Ad. Did I wake you?”
“Nah, I’m just getting dressed to head out to the set.”
“Oh? Whataya wearing?”
“Right now? Only a smile.”
Kris groaned and got hard as he pictured all that gloriously naked freckled skin. He rolled onto his back and palmed his erection. His legs fanned over the covers and he hissed as the cut got grazed.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, you just gave me a killer hard on and I’m desperately trying to relieve it.”
“Wish I could be there to help.”
“Me too”
“Hope you’re not somewhere in public right now doing that,” Adam laughed.
“Nope, I’m in our bed.”
“Bed?” There was a pause. “It’s like … past noon in LA. Why are you still in bed?”
“I’m not still in bed. I had two meetings this morning and I don’t have to be in the studio for a few hours. Thought I have a catnap. Didn’t sleep well last night. I miss you too much.”
“I know the feeling. I’m not sleeping too well myself. Shit, I’m sorry baby but I gotta get dressed and head out.”
“That’s okay. Call me tonight?”
“I promise.”
Adam hung up and grabbed his underwear. Kris sounded tired but he had a strange feeling that there was something more to it. Maybe the meetings hadn’t gone well or Kris was having trouble getting the songs to sound right. Whatever it was, it was wearing him out and Adam didn’t like it.
Back in LA, Kris drifted off to sleep, his dreams a wash of distorted images and sounds.
~~ ☼ ~~
Kris limped into his condo and slammed the door. The latch didn’t catch and he slammed it again, daring it to open. When it didn’t, he locked it, threw his coat and keys on the couch and went looking for a drink. Normally after a rough day, he enjoyed a cold beer but he needed something stronger. Grabbing the scotch, he poured a glass and gulped it down. The coughing that followed was just the cherry on the afternoon’s shitty sundae.
Things started downhill when he napped too long and got to the studio an hour late. Kris kept forgetting the words or misinterpreting what the producer was asking him to do. At first Kris was apologetic but at some point, the frustration got to him and he lashed out, telling them he was trying as hard as he could but he was so tired and not feeling well and that he needed a break. He jumped off his seat and nearly knocked over the music stand as a wave of dizziness hit him. Keith ran into the sound booth and helped the singer back to his seat until the room stopped spinning.
“Drink this,” Keith had said, passing him a cold water. “Man, you are sick. You’re pale as a ghost and,” the older man placed the back of his hand on Kris’ forehead, “you’re burning up.” The producer promptly announced they were done for the day and taking tomorrow off.
“But Keith, the deadline ….”
“Fuck the deadline. We’re not going to get anything useable with you in this condition. Go home, sleep … I’ll call you tomorrow night and see how you’re doing.”
So here he was, alone and sick at home, pissed at his schedule, at his body for getting sick and at life for keeping him and his man apart for so long. Kris refilled his glass, chugged it, and started coughing again. This time, though, the coughing didn’t stop and he had to brace himself against the kitchen counter as his body spasmed. He couldn’t get enough air in his lungs and his chest started hurting. It seemed to take forever for the coughing to stop; the shortness in breath, though, lingered.
God it was hot in here. He managed to limp into the bedroom, stripped down and took a cold shower. Water stung as it flowed over his calf. Out of the shower, he bundled up in his bathrobe and searched out the little bag of first aid supplies he’d finally had time to pick up. He still felt hot and now he was shivering from the shower. Kris put on a kettle and sat at the kitchen table to see to his leg. The bump was the same but the red circle had gotten bigger. Peeling off the wet band aid, he grimaced when he looked at the cut. There was a disgusting yellowish green gunk coming from it. Dabbing it with a tissue, he generously medicated it with an antibiotic ointment and covered it once more, this time with a gauze pad and medical tape.
Digging into Adam’s stash, Kris made a large mug of green tea with honey, grabbed a bottle of water and some cold medication, and went to bed. He covered himself up, turned on the TV and held the steaming mug to his chattering lips. The screen blurred a few times and Kris dismissed it as the steam from his tea obscuring the view. His ears started ringing and he didn’t realize it was his phone until the noise stopped.
Damn, he missed Adam’s call. Kris called him back immediately.
“I thought maybe you were still working.”
“No, I’m home.”
“You finished early. That’s great!”
“Yeah … great.”
Kris tried to sound like his old self and apparently he was failing miserably.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You sound off. What’s wrong baby?”
Kris could fudge the truth so Adam wouldn’t worry. Problem was, Adam would see through it. Maybe he could just tell a half truth. There wasn’t anything Adam could do from New York anyway.
“I’m alright, really. I just came down with a cold.” He sniffled to make a point even though he didn’t have a runny nose. “Keith gave me tomorrow off so I can rest.”
“Aww, I wish I was with you.”
“Me too.”
“Are you covered up?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve got some green tea and honey. Make yourself a big much.”
“I already have Mom.”
Adam just hated this. Kris sounded awful and Adam couldn’t help worrying.
“I have some news that might make you feel better.”
“What’s that?”
“Taping went so well, I’ve finished early. I’ll be home tomorrow night.”
“Th-that’s great. C-can’ wait.”
The shivers were coming on full force and he buried himself under the covers. Adam heard the weakness in his love’s voice.
“Should I call my mom? Ask her to come over and take care of you?”
“S-s’okay Ad … I’m … I’m just gonna try and sleep.”
“I wish I could do something.”
“Y-you can.”
“Name it.”
“Sing me to sleep.”
Adam couldn’t hold back a sympathetic chuckle, “Really?”
“Don’t laugh,” Kris pouted, “I’m sick. It’ll make me feel better … make it seem like you’re here.”
“Sorry baby. Any requests?”
“You p-pick.”
Adam tried to think of something soothing. Kris was too old for a lullaby and Adam knew so many songs, it was hard to pick one. On the table beside him was a tourist guide to the Big Apple and he spotted an ad for the Broadway Musical ‘Jersey Boys’. Inspired, he settled on a Frankie Valli and the Four Season’s classic.
“Okay, I got one. You under the covers?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Good. Set the phone on your pillow and close your eyes. Ready?”
There was a mumbled ‘yeah’ and Adam sang, slowing it down and pouring his love into it:
♫ You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
I love you baby and if it's quite all right
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby, now that I've found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you ♫
“Kris?” He waited for a reply and when none came, he figured Kris had fallen asleep. “I love you … never forget that.”
Adam listened to Kris breathing. It wasn’t the smooth sound he was accustomed to hearing at night. It was labored and short. Kris said he didn’t need Leila to come and check on him but Adam needed his mom to check on Kris. He gave her a call and she promised to stop by in the morning.
It was still too early for Adam to settle down for the night so he turned on the TV as a distraction. His body was in New York but his heart and mind were in LA.
~~ ☼ ~~
Leila knocked on the door and rung the bell. When Kris didn’t answer, she let herself in.
The condo was silent. She looked around at the mess in the kitchen and living room before heading to the bedroom. The door was open and she easily spotted Kris asleep, his phone still on the pillow. He sounded congested and his face was hot to the touch. She got a cold facecloth from the bathroom and wiped the sweat from his skin. The touch brought him out of his sleep and he opened his eyes slowly.
“Leila? What are you doing here?” he asked roughly.
“Adam was worried sweetheart. He asked me to check on you.”
“T-told him I was okay.”
Leila took the now hot cloth off his forehead.
“You don’t sound or look okay to me. Do you have a thermometer?”
“No.”
She spied the cold medication on the side table.
“When did you last take some?” she asked, holding up the box.
“Ummm … last night.”
“Time for another dose.” She got up, taking the emptied water bottle with her. “I’ll be right back.”
Kris rolled over in bed and gasped as he put pressure on his leg. Quickly, he got back on his side.
“Here we go.” Leila popped two pills out of the foil sheet and handed them to him, along with cold water. Kris swallowed and Leila took the opportunity to switch pillows, his damp with sweat. “I saw first aid supplies in the living room. Anything I should know about?”
“Nah, just had a cut on my leg and didn’t have any band aids left. Nothing to worry about,” he fibbed.
“You want another tea … something to eat?”
“Not hungry. Really Leila, you don’t have to fuss over me. Lots of sleep and I’ll be fine.”
“I can’t help fussing Kristopher, I’m a mom.”
“I know, and it’s sweet but really, I’m okay.”
“Well, I’m still going to fix you some soup and another tea.”
“Whatever,” he sighed, knowing when he lost the fight.
Leila smiled and headed to the kitchen. Kris managed to get himself in a sitting position that didn’t hurt his leg. He knew he should tell Leila about his leg; she could probably clean and bandage it better than he could. The room swam around him. Shit, this cold was knocking him for a loop.
By the time Adam’s mom was ready to leave, he’d managed to get some nourishment into his system. He didn’t eat the noodles or veggies but he did drink the chicken broth and the tea. Leila asked if she should come back and Kris said he’d be alright until Adam came home. She made him promise to call her if he needed anything and then she went.
Once outside the boys’ condo, Leila called her son.
“How is he?”
“I think he’s got the flu. He’s got a fever, chills, no energy, no appetite. What time is your flight arriving?”
“If everything runs on schedule, I should be home around seven. Maybe you should stay with him.”
Leila laughed softly, “He wasn’t too happy to see me the first time. I basically forced him to eat something.”
“That’s my mom.”
“He’s sleeping right now. If you get delayed, call and I’ll come back and stay til you get here.”
“Thanks mom, I appreciate it … and Kris does too.”
“I know he does. Everyone gets crabby when they’re sick. See you soon.”
Adam hung up and let hair and make-up do their job. He wasn’t surprised Kris came down with the flu the way he’d been running himself ragged. Adam was surprised he hadn’t come down sick himself. They both needed a vacation, even just a weekend getaway, to recharge and get reconnected.
He vowed to make that his top priority.
~~ ☼ ~~
Oven … he was in an oven … his leg on fire … gotta get out … gotta get out ….
Kris kicked the covers off, limbs restlessly moving about in his delirium.
Cool down … need … water … cool … need cool ….
‘Kriiiiisssss’
His heavy eyelids opened.
“Adam” he croaked out.
‘Come on in baby … the water’s so cool.’
The walls and ceiling flowed with water and Adam was at the foot of the bed in his swimsuit, reaching out.
‘I’ve missed you Kris … want you in my arms … want you ….”
“Ad-Adam … help … help me … scared ….”
‘Come to me baby … I’ll take you away … no more pain … just us ….’
Kris struggled to sit up. He was in a water spout, the room whipping around him. Adam was still at the end of the bed, imploring him to come. Without thinking Kris jumped to his feet and screamed as his leg gave way beneath him. He landed on his stomach, hitting the floor hard. Kris reached out an arm, crying for his love before his world went dark.
~~ ☼ ~~
Adam got back into town on time and Leila offered to pick the boys up dinner since she didn’t see much food in their fridge. Coincidently, they both arrived at the condo at the same time. After a quick hug and kiss, Adam let them in, Leila taking the food to the kitchen and Adam leaving his luggage by the door to be reunited with his man.
“MOM!!!!”
A nightmare met Adam’s eyes when he walked into the bedroom. He found Kris face down on the floor, gasping for air. Falling to his knees, Adam turned him over and cradled him in his arms as he screamed for his mom. The body against him was burning up and shivering. Kris’ brown eyes were wide open and non-seeing as he tried desperately to suck in air.
Leila took one look then ran back into the living room to call 911.
“Hold on baby, help’s coming,” Adam assured him, fighting back the tears that pooled in his eyes.
Reaching out, Adam grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped his boyfriend in it, trying to smother the chills. Kris kept muttering nonsense as Adam held him tight, cupping his cheek and peppering the sweaty brown hair with kisses.
“They’re on their way,” Leila announced, running past her son to the bathroom to get another cold cloth. “I called the doorman and he’s to keep watch.” With the phone in one hand, still connected to 911, she handed Adam the cloth and answered questions from dispatch about his condition.
“I never imagined he was this bad sweetheart, or I’d never have left him,” Leila said, looking as helpless as Adam felt.
“I know mom, I don’t blame you.” A stench reached his nose. At first he thought maybe Kris had thrown up on the bed. From under the cover, Adam spotted Kris’ foot sticking out and it was an unnatural hue. “What the hell ….” He uncovered the leg. “Oh my God!”
Leila moved to Kris’ feet and moved the cover even more. Kris’ normally baggy pajama pants were snug around his right leg and the back was wet with a greenish red liquid. Setting down the phone, she carefully pushed the fabric up to his knee, exposing the red and swollen calf and the pus and blood working its way through the gauze bandage. Immediately, she got on the phone and updated the dispatcher.
Adam could only look on in horror. That was the same spot where Kris had cut himself. It was only a scratch, that’s what Kris had said. How did this happen?
Knocking caught their attention.
“Oh thank God, they’re here,” Leila declared, running to let them in.
“Help’s here baby, they’ll take care of you,” Adam cried, giving in.
“Ad … Adam?” Kris gasped.
“I’m here.”
“Don’t … don’t leave … me.”
“I’m not going anywhere … I won’t let you go.”
Unfortunately, when the EMS came in, Adam had to let go so they could help. Leila joined him off to the side, staying where Kris could see them. They mentioned his leg and one of the medics said it was infected. They re-bandaged the leg, put Kris on oxygen and secured him to a gurney. Adam told them … didn’t ask … told them he was riding with Kris and Leila said she’d follow in her car.
On the ride to the hospital, Adam was able to hold Kris’ hand. He squeezed, hoping the touch could be felt as Kris had passed out again.
Please let him be okay, Adam silently begged the Universe, I can’t lose him … I can’t.
~~ ☼ ~~
“Breathe for me Kris … that’s it, deep breaths.”
The familiar, soothing voice drew him out of his sleep. Kris felt a hand combing tenderly through his hair and another hand holding his. He opened his eyes upon an unfamiliar room.
“You’re okay baby. Come on, deep breaths. You’ve got to get oxygen into that beautiful body of yours.”
Turning his sight from the ceiling to the presence beside him, his brown eyes fell on the smiling face of his Adam.
“You’re home,” he said, voice muffled.
“Took me long enough huh? Kris … no, leave that on.” Kris had reached up and tried to remove the oxygen mask on his face. “You’ve got pneumonia … you need this.”
“Pneumonia? I … I thought it was the flu. How the fuck did I catch pneumonia?”
“That cut on your leg? It got infected and the infection got into your blood stream and went to your lungs, causing bacterial pneumonia.”
It wasn’t until Adam mentioned his leg that Kris realized there was pressure around his calf.
“Am I … am I going to lose my leg?” he asked shakily.
Adam stroked his hair again, “No baby. The doctor removed the infected tissue. All you’ll have to remind you of it is a scar.”
“Thank God.”
Kris lifted an arm and looked at the tubes stuck into him.
“Antibiotics. The doctor also drained fluid off your lungs. You’ll be in the hospital for three or four days to make sure the medication is working and then I can take you home.”
“I can’t stay here that long … I have work to do.”
“You have resting to do. I’ve already talked to Keith and he said everything else can wait. I, um, also called your parents …,” Kris opened his mouth in protest, “Shush, they had a right to know.”
“Don’t want to worry them.”
“They’re your folks. Worrying about you is part of their job description. I convinced them not to fly in on the next available flight but they’re coming for a visit next week.”
“In the meantime, I’ll be filling in the role of the dotting mother. Don’t ever scare us like that again.”
“Hi Leila.”
Leila kissed his forehead, “How are you feeling sweetie?”
“Exhausted.”
“Then you better get some more sleep. Come on Adam, let’s let him rest and come back in the morning.”
“Adam stay … please.”
Just then an orderly came in with a rollaway bed.
“Here you go Mr. Lambert.”
“Thank you.”
Kris grinned as Leila crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
“I should be surprised but I’m not. Guess I’ll see both of you in the morning.”
She kissed her boys and wished them a restful night. A nurse came in just as Leila left and gave Kris a quick check up. She instructed them to press the buzzer if they needed help then left them alone.
Tucking Kris in, Adam lowered the lights.
“Promise me the next time you cut yourself, you get it checked out.”
“Ad, it was just a scratch.”
“Just a scratch that almost took you away from me.”
“Point taken. Same goes for you okay.”
“Okay.”
Kris started to take off his oxygen mask.
“Kris ….”
“I’ll be okay for a few minutes. I forgot to take my medicine.”
“They gave you your medicine.”
“Not the best medicine,” he smiled, fisting Adam’s shirt and weakly drawing him in.
Adam understood and they kissed, slow and deep. When they came apart, Adam was panting.
“I think I may need some of your oxygen.”
“You can have it … and anything else you want.”
Straightening Kris’ covers, Adam sighed, “That will have to wait until you come home. Time to sleep.”
Kris nodded and closed his eyes until he sensed Adam moving away. He opened his eyes again and watched his love set up his temporary bed.
“Adam?”
“Hmmm?”
“Will you sing to me again?”
“This is becoming a habit baby.”
“Please,” the patient implored with sad puppy eyes.
Giving in, Adam climbed onto Kris’ bed and carefully stretched out beside him.
“Any requests?”
Kris blushed and nodded, “The one you sung before.”
Nodding, Adam gathered Kris close and nuzzled his hair.
♫ Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak
So if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
I love you baby and if it's quite all right
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby, now that I've found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you ♫
Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzpWKAGvGdA
Author: cunningdeb
Rating: PG
Pairing: adam/kris
Summary: A seemingly minor problem turns into a nightmare.
Warning: sick!fic At one point its gonna get gross so if you have a gag reflex, you might want to prepare yourself.
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone involved. Timeline of illness may be condensed. All I know about this condition comes from the internet. In real life, consult a doctor if you develop anything similar.
~~ ☼ ~~
“Let’s take it from top.”
“Keith, I’ve already sung it three times.”
“I know Kris. One more take and then we’ll have it.”
“I hope so cause we still have five more songs to finish and mixing to start.”
“I know the schedule. From the top.”
Kris put on the headphones and the music started. Getting this album finished had been harder than recording his first one. Even though he was on the Idol tour at the time, most of the work had been taken care of without him; all he had to do was come in on his days off and sing and the rest magically took care of itself. Now that he was established, he was co-writing his own music and learning about the technical side of his profession. On top of that, he had promotions to do and when a crack opened up in his schedule, he had a boyfriend to spend time with.
Adam was just as busy as he was. Unlike Kris, all of Adam’s vocals were laid down but he was more involved in post production then Kris was. On top of that, Adam was making a guest acting appearance on a TV show in New York and had to leave tomorrow. They were hoping to get quality time together before they temporarily parted ways and at the moment, the odds were against it.
“That’s a take. Let’s break for lunch and regroup in two hours.”
With only a wave, Kris was out of the booth and in the hall, speed dialing as he headed for the elevator. There was a good chance Adam’s phone would go straight to voice mail but if he were lucky, they could get together to eat … or not.
“Perfect timing.”
“Please tell me you’re free for lunch.”
“I’m free for lunch. Where do you want to go?”
“I’d love to get take out and go home for a while but I don’t have the time to drive all that way.”
“Me either. Give me a sec.”
Adam mentally visualized where they were in relation to each other and tried to think of the best place to meet. If they went to a restaurant, they’d have to behave themselves and would probably encounter fans wanting some of their precious time. He loved his fans but he loved Kris more and was going to put him first.
Then the perfect solution hit him.
“Lee!”
“What about Lee?”
“He’s in Miami with Scarlett and Riff … and we have a key to their place. It’s about ten minutes away for me and fifteen for you.”
“Ad, that key is for emergencies.”
“I’d call this an emergency.” He lowered his voice. “I miss you baby. Lately, we’ve been too tired at night to get … reacquainted.”
Kris felt uncomfortable going to their friends’ home for a little ‘afternoon delight’ but Adam was right, it had been far too long since they’d been with each other.
“Well, Scarlett has said the guest room is ours any time we want it.”
“I so want it baby.”
“Me too.”
“I’ll stop and grab us some lunch and meet you there.”
“Make it fast food … faster food if you can. I love you so much.”
“Love you too. See you soon.”
Kris left the building with hearts in his eyes and rounded the corner into the parking lot without looking. Out of nowhere, a teen on a skateboard nearly plowed into him. Just in time, Kris got out of the way, flattening against the wall, and felt a poke in the back of his calf. After swearing a blue streak, he moved away from the wall and twisted around, trying to see what happened. From this angle, he couldn’t see anything. It had hurt like a bitch when it happened but the pain was fading fast. Bending over, he rubbed the general area and noticed a wire sticking out from behind a box. His phone rang and he got distracted by Adam’s text, asking if he wanted turkey or roast beef. Kris texted back he wanted ‘lamb’ then headed for his car, forgetting about the wire.
~~ ☼ ~~
Adam stopped at the first deli he saw on the way to Lee and Scarlett’s. These schedules of theirs were a pain in the ass, although it was a pain they’d both asked for. He really wished Kris could come to NYC with him but it wasn’t in the cards. He just kept telling himself, a few more months and the all consuming demands of creating music would be over. Finally, they could put themselves first.
Pulling up the driveway, he spotted Kris sitting on the porch steps, head propped up on his hand and eyes closed. Kris never failed to take his breath away. He thought briefly about honking the horn but he didn’t want to startle him. Adam knew Kris was tired … they both were. Shutting the car door was enough to open those delicious brown eyes and light up that crooked smile. Kris was on his feet by the time Adam climbed the steps and they kissed slow and sweet. There was a fire burning under that connection and they held it at bay until they were inside.
Mindful they were not in their own home, they hurried to the guest room before buttons were unbuttoned and zippers were unzipped. Shirts littered the floor and the men stretched out on the bed, Kris sighing in relief as his lover’s hand slipped into his briefs and stroked his aching cock. Adam peppered his man’s jaw and neck with kisses, nipping and licking away the sting. When Kris came undone like this, Adam felt like a child getting the present he’d desperately wanted for Christmas. From the moment they met, Kris was all Adam wanted and though it took time, they’d found their way together and all was right in their world.
Kris tugged at Adam’s pants, trying to get them off his hips, when Adam reluctantly pulled away.
“Ad … noooooo.”
“I know baby … but … but lunch.”
“Lunch can wait … want dessert first.”
“And you’ll have it,” Adam got up and fastened his pants enough to keep them from pooling at his ankles, “but I have to put the food in the freezer.”
“Since when do you freeze sandwiches?”
“Since I got a pint of ice cream and its melting.”
“I thought you gave it up.”
“Baby … its Silk French Vanilla.”
“Understood.” Kris cupped and torturously fondled himself. “Just hurry.”
Adam couldn’t speak and for a moment or two he couldn’t move, watching Kris caress himself.
“Aaadddyyy ….”
“Going, going.”
Grabbing the bag he hurried to the kitchen, put the sandwiches and drinks in the freezer and the softening ice cream in the fridge, then ran back to the bedroom … and made a u-turn and fixed his mistake.
By the time he got back, Kris was fast asleep, a soft smile on his face, hand still on his crotch. Though Adam was disappointed, he wasn’t mad. A nap wasn’t a bad idea. Fastening up his pants then fixing up Kris, Adam set the clock on his phone to wake them up in an hour, leaving enough time to eat, and stretched out beside his man. Instinctively, Kris rolled onto his side and pressed in, seeking the warm body. A leg flopped over Adam’s legs and Aadm wrapped him in his arms.
As he started to drift off, Adam noticed a rip in the back of Kris’ pants, down by his calf.
He’d have to remember to tell Kris about that.
~~ ☼ ~~
By the time Kris got home late from the studio, Adam was the one asleep. His lover had to be up at 4am so he could head to the airport for his flight. Kris found dinner staying warm in the oven and half the ice cream in the freezer. Creeping into the bedroom quietly after eating, he kissed Adam’s forehead and got a mumbled response. Grabbing his sleep clothes, he went into the bathroom to change.
When they’d awoken from their nap that afternoon, Adam told him about the rip in his pants. Unfortunately, he didn’t have the time to go home and change but at least he wasn’t making personal appearances so he didn’t have to look his best. Taking off his jeans, he checked out the hole. It wasn’t too big which was probably why he hadn’t noticed it himself. Using a hand mirror they kept in the bathroom vanity, he finally managed to see that he had cut himself. It wasn’t big, kinda looked like a big pimple. There was a thin stream of dried blood going down his leg and ending in his sock.
Tossing his sock in the sink, he rinsed the blood out and draped it over the towel rack to dry then washed the blood off his leg and cleaned the wound with soap and water. A band aid easily covered it.
Finally, he changed and climbed into bed, cuddling up to his man. Kris stretched and winced as the bandage tugged on the hairs on his leg. Each time he moved, it hurt worse than the cut had so he ripped the covering off and tossed it in the garbage.
~~ ☼ ~~
Kris had barely been awake to kiss Adam goodbye but he was coherent enough to fantasize about the things his lover promised to do to him when he got back from his trip. Knowing he was going to miss Adam something awful, especially at night when he was by himself, Kris decided to threw himself into work so that he’d be so exhausted at night, all he could think about was sleeping.
Two days after Adam left, Kris was in the studio sitting on a stool that had a footrest built into the legs. As he sang, he moved his right leg and the calf brushed over the hard metal.
“Shit!” he yelped, right in the middle of the chorus.
“Kris, you okay?” his producer asked from the soundboard.
Leaning down, he rubbed that area with the tips of his fingers and felt a bump through the fabric.
“Um … yeah, I’m good. Just got a bruise on my leg and banged it. Let’s pick up where I left off.”
“You got it.”
Kris finished up his recording session, met with the label, grabbed a quick dinner and did an interview before heading home. Finally he had time to see to that bump. With his pants off, he noticed the area around the cut was swollen and red. Gently placing his palm on the area, the skin was hot.
“Great … just fuckin’ great,” he muttered.
He dug through the drawers and medicine cabinet and found a tube of topical ointment … empty. It was too late to go out and buy another so he did what he’d done before, washing the area and bandaging in. To try and cool it down, he got a cold pack out of the freezer, wrapped it in a towel, and propped his leg up on it. It hurt initially until the cold numbed it and the pain went away for awhile.
Sometime in the middle of night, he woke up to use the bathroom. As he placed his weight on his feet, his leg ached from knee to ankle. He must have slept on it the wrong way.
The rest of the night he tossed and turned, the aches making him really uncomfortable.
~~ ☼ ~~
The next morning, he didn’t feel so good. Not only were his right ankle and knee aching but he ached all over. He was probably pushing himself too hard but the label had given him a deadline and if he was to meet it, he couldn’t slack off. Kris forced himself to shower and eat something, although he didn’t feel hungry. He had two meetings to attend before he got back in the studio this afternoon.
During the meetings, he found his mind wandering. Normally when that happened, it wandered towards Adam. This time, he stared out the windows and for a brief moment, couldn’t place where he was.
“Kris!”
He snapped back to reality and found the suits looking at him.
“Sorry. What was the question?”
“We wanted to know what you thought of the PR we’ve got in place for promoting the CD.”
Kris couldn’t answer them … he’d zoned out and completely missed the conversation. A bead of sweat ran down his temple and he casually wiped it away. Looking about in a panic, he noticed the PowerPoint presentation still on the screen and he read down the list quickly before telling them he liked the direction and was looking forward to seeing his fans again. That seemed to placate them and the conversation moved on to something else.
Somehow he managed to concentrate and leave his bosses with the impression that it was a successful meeting. He had three hours before he had to be back in the studio so he went home and collapsed on the bed to sleep. Kris reached out and hugged Adam’s pillow, wishing he were home. Adam always made him feel better.
With that in mind, he picked up his phone off the bedside table and placed a call. It rang and rang and Kris did some quick calculating in his head. It was morning in New York, maybe Adam wasn’t up yet.
“Morning baby.”
Kris couldn’t help smiling.
“Morning Ad. Did I wake you?”
“Nah, I’m just getting dressed to head out to the set.”
“Oh? Whataya wearing?”
“Right now? Only a smile.”
Kris groaned and got hard as he pictured all that gloriously naked freckled skin. He rolled onto his back and palmed his erection. His legs fanned over the covers and he hissed as the cut got grazed.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, you just gave me a killer hard on and I’m desperately trying to relieve it.”
“Wish I could be there to help.”
“Me too”
“Hope you’re not somewhere in public right now doing that,” Adam laughed.
“Nope, I’m in our bed.”
“Bed?” There was a pause. “It’s like … past noon in LA. Why are you still in bed?”
“I’m not still in bed. I had two meetings this morning and I don’t have to be in the studio for a few hours. Thought I have a catnap. Didn’t sleep well last night. I miss you too much.”
“I know the feeling. I’m not sleeping too well myself. Shit, I’m sorry baby but I gotta get dressed and head out.”
“That’s okay. Call me tonight?”
“I promise.”
Adam hung up and grabbed his underwear. Kris sounded tired but he had a strange feeling that there was something more to it. Maybe the meetings hadn’t gone well or Kris was having trouble getting the songs to sound right. Whatever it was, it was wearing him out and Adam didn’t like it.
Back in LA, Kris drifted off to sleep, his dreams a wash of distorted images and sounds.
~~ ☼ ~~
Kris limped into his condo and slammed the door. The latch didn’t catch and he slammed it again, daring it to open. When it didn’t, he locked it, threw his coat and keys on the couch and went looking for a drink. Normally after a rough day, he enjoyed a cold beer but he needed something stronger. Grabbing the scotch, he poured a glass and gulped it down. The coughing that followed was just the cherry on the afternoon’s shitty sundae.
Things started downhill when he napped too long and got to the studio an hour late. Kris kept forgetting the words or misinterpreting what the producer was asking him to do. At first Kris was apologetic but at some point, the frustration got to him and he lashed out, telling them he was trying as hard as he could but he was so tired and not feeling well and that he needed a break. He jumped off his seat and nearly knocked over the music stand as a wave of dizziness hit him. Keith ran into the sound booth and helped the singer back to his seat until the room stopped spinning.
“Drink this,” Keith had said, passing him a cold water. “Man, you are sick. You’re pale as a ghost and,” the older man placed the back of his hand on Kris’ forehead, “you’re burning up.” The producer promptly announced they were done for the day and taking tomorrow off.
“But Keith, the deadline ….”
“Fuck the deadline. We’re not going to get anything useable with you in this condition. Go home, sleep … I’ll call you tomorrow night and see how you’re doing.”
So here he was, alone and sick at home, pissed at his schedule, at his body for getting sick and at life for keeping him and his man apart for so long. Kris refilled his glass, chugged it, and started coughing again. This time, though, the coughing didn’t stop and he had to brace himself against the kitchen counter as his body spasmed. He couldn’t get enough air in his lungs and his chest started hurting. It seemed to take forever for the coughing to stop; the shortness in breath, though, lingered.
God it was hot in here. He managed to limp into the bedroom, stripped down and took a cold shower. Water stung as it flowed over his calf. Out of the shower, he bundled up in his bathrobe and searched out the little bag of first aid supplies he’d finally had time to pick up. He still felt hot and now he was shivering from the shower. Kris put on a kettle and sat at the kitchen table to see to his leg. The bump was the same but the red circle had gotten bigger. Peeling off the wet band aid, he grimaced when he looked at the cut. There was a disgusting yellowish green gunk coming from it. Dabbing it with a tissue, he generously medicated it with an antibiotic ointment and covered it once more, this time with a gauze pad and medical tape.
Digging into Adam’s stash, Kris made a large mug of green tea with honey, grabbed a bottle of water and some cold medication, and went to bed. He covered himself up, turned on the TV and held the steaming mug to his chattering lips. The screen blurred a few times and Kris dismissed it as the steam from his tea obscuring the view. His ears started ringing and he didn’t realize it was his phone until the noise stopped.
Damn, he missed Adam’s call. Kris called him back immediately.
“I thought maybe you were still working.”
“No, I’m home.”
“You finished early. That’s great!”
“Yeah … great.”
Kris tried to sound like his old self and apparently he was failing miserably.
“What’s wrong?”
“Huh?”
“You sound off. What’s wrong baby?”
Kris could fudge the truth so Adam wouldn’t worry. Problem was, Adam would see through it. Maybe he could just tell a half truth. There wasn’t anything Adam could do from New York anyway.
“I’m alright, really. I just came down with a cold.” He sniffled to make a point even though he didn’t have a runny nose. “Keith gave me tomorrow off so I can rest.”
“Aww, I wish I was with you.”
“Me too.”
“Are you covered up?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ve got some green tea and honey. Make yourself a big much.”
“I already have Mom.”
Adam just hated this. Kris sounded awful and Adam couldn’t help worrying.
“I have some news that might make you feel better.”
“What’s that?”
“Taping went so well, I’ve finished early. I’ll be home tomorrow night.”
“Th-that’s great. C-can’ wait.”
The shivers were coming on full force and he buried himself under the covers. Adam heard the weakness in his love’s voice.
“Should I call my mom? Ask her to come over and take care of you?”
“S-s’okay Ad … I’m … I’m just gonna try and sleep.”
“I wish I could do something.”
“Y-you can.”
“Name it.”
“Sing me to sleep.”
Adam couldn’t hold back a sympathetic chuckle, “Really?”
“Don’t laugh,” Kris pouted, “I’m sick. It’ll make me feel better … make it seem like you’re here.”
“Sorry baby. Any requests?”
“You p-pick.”
Adam tried to think of something soothing. Kris was too old for a lullaby and Adam knew so many songs, it was hard to pick one. On the table beside him was a tourist guide to the Big Apple and he spotted an ad for the Broadway Musical ‘Jersey Boys’. Inspired, he settled on a Frankie Valli and the Four Season’s classic.
“Okay, I got one. You under the covers?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Good. Set the phone on your pillow and close your eyes. Ready?”
There was a mumbled ‘yeah’ and Adam sang, slowing it down and pouring his love into it:
♫ You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
I love you baby and if it's quite all right
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby, now that I've found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you ♫
“Kris?” He waited for a reply and when none came, he figured Kris had fallen asleep. “I love you … never forget that.”
Adam listened to Kris breathing. It wasn’t the smooth sound he was accustomed to hearing at night. It was labored and short. Kris said he didn’t need Leila to come and check on him but Adam needed his mom to check on Kris. He gave her a call and she promised to stop by in the morning.
It was still too early for Adam to settle down for the night so he turned on the TV as a distraction. His body was in New York but his heart and mind were in LA.
~~ ☼ ~~
Leila knocked on the door and rung the bell. When Kris didn’t answer, she let herself in.
The condo was silent. She looked around at the mess in the kitchen and living room before heading to the bedroom. The door was open and she easily spotted Kris asleep, his phone still on the pillow. He sounded congested and his face was hot to the touch. She got a cold facecloth from the bathroom and wiped the sweat from his skin. The touch brought him out of his sleep and he opened his eyes slowly.
“Leila? What are you doing here?” he asked roughly.
“Adam was worried sweetheart. He asked me to check on you.”
“T-told him I was okay.”
Leila took the now hot cloth off his forehead.
“You don’t sound or look okay to me. Do you have a thermometer?”
“No.”
She spied the cold medication on the side table.
“When did you last take some?” she asked, holding up the box.
“Ummm … last night.”
“Time for another dose.” She got up, taking the emptied water bottle with her. “I’ll be right back.”
Kris rolled over in bed and gasped as he put pressure on his leg. Quickly, he got back on his side.
“Here we go.” Leila popped two pills out of the foil sheet and handed them to him, along with cold water. Kris swallowed and Leila took the opportunity to switch pillows, his damp with sweat. “I saw first aid supplies in the living room. Anything I should know about?”
“Nah, just had a cut on my leg and didn’t have any band aids left. Nothing to worry about,” he fibbed.
“You want another tea … something to eat?”
“Not hungry. Really Leila, you don’t have to fuss over me. Lots of sleep and I’ll be fine.”
“I can’t help fussing Kristopher, I’m a mom.”
“I know, and it’s sweet but really, I’m okay.”
“Well, I’m still going to fix you some soup and another tea.”
“Whatever,” he sighed, knowing when he lost the fight.
Leila smiled and headed to the kitchen. Kris managed to get himself in a sitting position that didn’t hurt his leg. He knew he should tell Leila about his leg; she could probably clean and bandage it better than he could. The room swam around him. Shit, this cold was knocking him for a loop.
By the time Adam’s mom was ready to leave, he’d managed to get some nourishment into his system. He didn’t eat the noodles or veggies but he did drink the chicken broth and the tea. Leila asked if she should come back and Kris said he’d be alright until Adam came home. She made him promise to call her if he needed anything and then she went.
Once outside the boys’ condo, Leila called her son.
“How is he?”
“I think he’s got the flu. He’s got a fever, chills, no energy, no appetite. What time is your flight arriving?”
“If everything runs on schedule, I should be home around seven. Maybe you should stay with him.”
Leila laughed softly, “He wasn’t too happy to see me the first time. I basically forced him to eat something.”
“That’s my mom.”
“He’s sleeping right now. If you get delayed, call and I’ll come back and stay til you get here.”
“Thanks mom, I appreciate it … and Kris does too.”
“I know he does. Everyone gets crabby when they’re sick. See you soon.”
Adam hung up and let hair and make-up do their job. He wasn’t surprised Kris came down with the flu the way he’d been running himself ragged. Adam was surprised he hadn’t come down sick himself. They both needed a vacation, even just a weekend getaway, to recharge and get reconnected.
He vowed to make that his top priority.
~~ ☼ ~~
Oven … he was in an oven … his leg on fire … gotta get out … gotta get out ….
Kris kicked the covers off, limbs restlessly moving about in his delirium.
Cool down … need … water … cool … need cool ….
‘Kriiiiisssss’
His heavy eyelids opened.
“Adam” he croaked out.
‘Come on in baby … the water’s so cool.’
The walls and ceiling flowed with water and Adam was at the foot of the bed in his swimsuit, reaching out.
‘I’ve missed you Kris … want you in my arms … want you ….”
“Ad-Adam … help … help me … scared ….”
‘Come to me baby … I’ll take you away … no more pain … just us ….’
Kris struggled to sit up. He was in a water spout, the room whipping around him. Adam was still at the end of the bed, imploring him to come. Without thinking Kris jumped to his feet and screamed as his leg gave way beneath him. He landed on his stomach, hitting the floor hard. Kris reached out an arm, crying for his love before his world went dark.
~~ ☼ ~~
Adam got back into town on time and Leila offered to pick the boys up dinner since she didn’t see much food in their fridge. Coincidently, they both arrived at the condo at the same time. After a quick hug and kiss, Adam let them in, Leila taking the food to the kitchen and Adam leaving his luggage by the door to be reunited with his man.
“MOM!!!!”
A nightmare met Adam’s eyes when he walked into the bedroom. He found Kris face down on the floor, gasping for air. Falling to his knees, Adam turned him over and cradled him in his arms as he screamed for his mom. The body against him was burning up and shivering. Kris’ brown eyes were wide open and non-seeing as he tried desperately to suck in air.
Leila took one look then ran back into the living room to call 911.
“Hold on baby, help’s coming,” Adam assured him, fighting back the tears that pooled in his eyes.
Reaching out, Adam grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped his boyfriend in it, trying to smother the chills. Kris kept muttering nonsense as Adam held him tight, cupping his cheek and peppering the sweaty brown hair with kisses.
“They’re on their way,” Leila announced, running past her son to the bathroom to get another cold cloth. “I called the doorman and he’s to keep watch.” With the phone in one hand, still connected to 911, she handed Adam the cloth and answered questions from dispatch about his condition.
“I never imagined he was this bad sweetheart, or I’d never have left him,” Leila said, looking as helpless as Adam felt.
“I know mom, I don’t blame you.” A stench reached his nose. At first he thought maybe Kris had thrown up on the bed. From under the cover, Adam spotted Kris’ foot sticking out and it was an unnatural hue. “What the hell ….” He uncovered the leg. “Oh my God!”
Leila moved to Kris’ feet and moved the cover even more. Kris’ normally baggy pajama pants were snug around his right leg and the back was wet with a greenish red liquid. Setting down the phone, she carefully pushed the fabric up to his knee, exposing the red and swollen calf and the pus and blood working its way through the gauze bandage. Immediately, she got on the phone and updated the dispatcher.
Adam could only look on in horror. That was the same spot where Kris had cut himself. It was only a scratch, that’s what Kris had said. How did this happen?
Knocking caught their attention.
“Oh thank God, they’re here,” Leila declared, running to let them in.
“Help’s here baby, they’ll take care of you,” Adam cried, giving in.
“Ad … Adam?” Kris gasped.
“I’m here.”
“Don’t … don’t leave … me.”
“I’m not going anywhere … I won’t let you go.”
Unfortunately, when the EMS came in, Adam had to let go so they could help. Leila joined him off to the side, staying where Kris could see them. They mentioned his leg and one of the medics said it was infected. They re-bandaged the leg, put Kris on oxygen and secured him to a gurney. Adam told them … didn’t ask … told them he was riding with Kris and Leila said she’d follow in her car.
On the ride to the hospital, Adam was able to hold Kris’ hand. He squeezed, hoping the touch could be felt as Kris had passed out again.
Please let him be okay, Adam silently begged the Universe, I can’t lose him … I can’t.
~~ ☼ ~~
“Breathe for me Kris … that’s it, deep breaths.”
The familiar, soothing voice drew him out of his sleep. Kris felt a hand combing tenderly through his hair and another hand holding his. He opened his eyes upon an unfamiliar room.
“You’re okay baby. Come on, deep breaths. You’ve got to get oxygen into that beautiful body of yours.”
Turning his sight from the ceiling to the presence beside him, his brown eyes fell on the smiling face of his Adam.
“You’re home,” he said, voice muffled.
“Took me long enough huh? Kris … no, leave that on.” Kris had reached up and tried to remove the oxygen mask on his face. “You’ve got pneumonia … you need this.”
“Pneumonia? I … I thought it was the flu. How the fuck did I catch pneumonia?”
“That cut on your leg? It got infected and the infection got into your blood stream and went to your lungs, causing bacterial pneumonia.”
It wasn’t until Adam mentioned his leg that Kris realized there was pressure around his calf.
“Am I … am I going to lose my leg?” he asked shakily.
Adam stroked his hair again, “No baby. The doctor removed the infected tissue. All you’ll have to remind you of it is a scar.”
“Thank God.”
Kris lifted an arm and looked at the tubes stuck into him.
“Antibiotics. The doctor also drained fluid off your lungs. You’ll be in the hospital for three or four days to make sure the medication is working and then I can take you home.”
“I can’t stay here that long … I have work to do.”
“You have resting to do. I’ve already talked to Keith and he said everything else can wait. I, um, also called your parents …,” Kris opened his mouth in protest, “Shush, they had a right to know.”
“Don’t want to worry them.”
“They’re your folks. Worrying about you is part of their job description. I convinced them not to fly in on the next available flight but they’re coming for a visit next week.”
“In the meantime, I’ll be filling in the role of the dotting mother. Don’t ever scare us like that again.”
“Hi Leila.”
Leila kissed his forehead, “How are you feeling sweetie?”
“Exhausted.”
“Then you better get some more sleep. Come on Adam, let’s let him rest and come back in the morning.”
“Adam stay … please.”
Just then an orderly came in with a rollaway bed.
“Here you go Mr. Lambert.”
“Thank you.”
Kris grinned as Leila crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
“I should be surprised but I’m not. Guess I’ll see both of you in the morning.”
She kissed her boys and wished them a restful night. A nurse came in just as Leila left and gave Kris a quick check up. She instructed them to press the buzzer if they needed help then left them alone.
Tucking Kris in, Adam lowered the lights.
“Promise me the next time you cut yourself, you get it checked out.”
“Ad, it was just a scratch.”
“Just a scratch that almost took you away from me.”
“Point taken. Same goes for you okay.”
“Okay.”
Kris started to take off his oxygen mask.
“Kris ….”
“I’ll be okay for a few minutes. I forgot to take my medicine.”
“They gave you your medicine.”
“Not the best medicine,” he smiled, fisting Adam’s shirt and weakly drawing him in.
Adam understood and they kissed, slow and deep. When they came apart, Adam was panting.
“I think I may need some of your oxygen.”
“You can have it … and anything else you want.”
Straightening Kris’ covers, Adam sighed, “That will have to wait until you come home. Time to sleep.”
Kris nodded and closed his eyes until he sensed Adam moving away. He opened his eyes again and watched his love set up his temporary bed.
“Adam?”
“Hmmm?”
“Will you sing to me again?”
“This is becoming a habit baby.”
“Please,” the patient implored with sad puppy eyes.
Giving in, Adam climbed onto Kris’ bed and carefully stretched out beside him.
“Any requests?”
Kris blushed and nodded, “The one you sung before.”
Nodding, Adam gathered Kris close and nuzzled his hair.
♫ Pardon the way that I stare
There's nothing else to compare
The sight of you leaves me weak
There are no words left to speak
So if you feel like I feel
Please let me know that it's real
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
I love you baby and if it's quite all right
I need you baby to warm the lonely nights
I love you baby, trust in me when I say
Oh pretty baby, don't bring me down I pray
Oh pretty baby, now that I've found you stay
And let me love you baby, let me love you
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you
You'd be like heaven to touch
I wanna hold you so much
At long last love has arrived
And I thank God I'm alive
You're just too good to be true
Can't take my eyes off of you ♫
Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You ~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzpWKAGvGdA