Fic for poppetawoppet: A Little More Careful Pt. 2
Link to Part 1
*****************
Adam slumped in his airplane seat, beanie pulled low over his forehead, sunglasses on, listening to Kris's new song on his iPod. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out Wolfgang, studying the plastic skunk for awhile as Kris's rich low voice embraced him. He sighed and tilted his seat backwards. Lane raised her eyebrows at him from across the aisle and he smiled at her.
Kris. He could barely think of anything else. Letting him walk out of his house without even kissing him was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. Even now, he wanted to turn the plane around, go back to LA and scoop him up in his arms. He wanted to hold him and be held by him. He wanted to taste those lips again and feel his body wrapped around his, wanted to watch his eyes close as he nibbled his way up the side of his neck and licked the... he shifted. Now was not really a convenient time to beat off.
He reminded himself of what he had told Kris two days ago: Kris was married and straight, as far as the world knew. Whether Kris was going to be strong enough to break through the ties of history, culture, religion, fear -- whatever it was that had stopped him before, Adam didn't know. He wanted so much to help him or make it easier, but, as Danielle and Brad kept telling him, letting go of control was the lesson Adam had to learn.
He had told Kris the other day that he couldn't forgive that Kris hadn't talked to him, back when the shit was hitting the fan. But if he were honest with himself, he knew that he would have tried to force the outcome, force Kris, and MAKE it all work out, damn it. One of the hardest lessons for him to learn was that he couldn't control another person's heart or mind or actions, ultimately. Even when that person seemed to hold his very happiness in their hands.
“The Key’s Inside of Me” came to an end, and started up again. The words seemed to be saying that Kris had discovered that he himself was the key to his own freedom. The words were definitely saying that Kris loved him. He sighed and put Wolfgang safely back in his pocket.
All he could do now was to lie back, try to get some rest, and allow the Universe to unfold, and trust that whatever unfolded would be perfect. He sent Kris some silent energy full of love and encouragement, then closed his eyes for a fitful sleep.
**************
"So, what you're saying is he told you to man up or you're not going to get to be with him."
Kris nodded as he walked through the Grove, then realized Charles couldn't see him through the cell phone. "Yep." He paused at a small sidewalk cafe and sat down at a table.
"Good for him. It's about time you did."
"Yeah."
"Yeah?"
"Yes, Charles. You're right."
"Of course I'm right! So, what have you done about it?"
"Hold on." Kris ordered a latte from the waitress, then turned back to the phone. "I talked to Lizzie and Barry."
"Oh, shit, not them. I'm sure they were overjoyed to hear about your wish to come out and all."
"Yeah, well... no. Barry was advising me to just announce the separation and make it sound like we might get back together, and say nothing about being gay." He lowered his voice to a whisper on the last part of that sentence.
"Well, ya know what? That's bullshit. That bullshit’s the kind of bullshit they’ve been telling you for years, and they're never gonna say anything different. I suppose they gave you the whole ‘think of your career’ talk, too, right?"
"Right." Kris picked up the latte left by the waitress and took a sip, staring blankly into space as people strolled by him in the LA sunshine.
"Alright, my man. So you know what I have to say? Fuck them. Fire them and hire me. Your Kradam fans have wanted me for your PR all along. They know what they're talkin’ ‘bout."
Abandoning his drink, Kris stood up. He’d had enough of it. All of it. He threw some money on the table, and started walking. "OK."
"Huh?"
"I said, okay. They're fired. You're hired."
"Really?"
"Damn straight. This is my LIFE we're talking about. This is ADAM. I'm sick and tired of them telling me what I can and can’t do and I don't even have a contract any more that says I have to. So how soon can you get out here?"
"Dude, I’m on my way. And listen, I've already got Plan.. I can't remember what letter we're on, but this is awesome! Plan Awesome! Okay, so here’s my idea..."
*****************
Adam emerged from the tube station and walked briskly down the street, pulling his fur-lined hood tighter around his face and adjusting his sunglasses. A few people did double-takes as he passed but no one tried to speak to him. Winter in London was a good time and place to go incognito.
He headed for the recording studio, deciding as he strolled along to get Indian food for dinner. He felt in his pocket for his phone, pulled it out and composed a text. Sunny and cold. I told Eg you said hi. He wants 2 wk w u again. Pressing “Send,” he heard the strains of “Bring It Back” start to play in his mind, and he shook his head to dispel the haunting melody. He had Kris on the brain enough as it was.
His phone buzzed. Yo. Tell Eg to name the time. Raining. Working on Keith song. Love u
Adam watched his fingers type out the reply: Love u 2. He hesitated, bit his lip, and hit “Send.”
He was pushing open the door to the recording studio when the reply came through: Thx. Never letting u go xxoo. He laughed even as he shook his head. Kris always knew how to get under his skin.
He was early for the session, so he pulled out his laptop and sat down at a table. The song he was working on kept nagging at him. He pulled up the file and stared at the lyrics:
You invade me, and that’s not easy to do.
The only thing I never got over is being loved by you.
The door is open and you’re asking me to walk through
“Something, something - la la la,” he sang softly. He actually had a last line from when he first wrote the song, several months ago:
You’re gonna have to work a little harder, babe,
‘Cause I ain’t never gonna be your Number 2.
His producer, Bruce, liked that line a lot, along with the whole edgy, angry vibe of the song. Adam almost didn’t dare to show him the completely sentimental new last line he wrote the other night, after spending an hour reading through all of Kris’s postcards, letters and random texts:
My mouth’s saying no, my feet are running,
But my heart and soul are already back,
Already back with you.
He was pretty sure Bruce would nix the line on the basis of supreme cheesiness.
Sighing, he took out a Sharpie and started doodling on a piece of paper, drawing a heart and writing the words “Already Back” underneath. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Danielle and Brad: What if he dsnt come thru? Brad’s answer came a minute later: He will. Relax and sparkle. Danielle’s was a moment after that: don’t worry, boo. Love will win out. Adam sighed again as he watched his pen trace the heart, over and over again.
Much later that night, he entered his rented flat and unwound his skull scarf from around his neck. Taking off his coat and throwing everything on a chair, he stretched lengthwise on the couch. Ahh. It felt good to lie down.
“I’m officially old,” he told the ceiling. A night out drinking and clubbing with the Ronsons, and all he’d wanted by the end was to get back to his temporary home and call Kris. He looked at his phone. 2 a.m. Only 6 p.m. Kris’s time. Thanking the stars for time zones, he pressed speed dial.
“Hey there.” Kris’s low drawl acted on Adam like a soothing potion-he instantly felt himself relax.
“Ah, there you are,” he replied, wiggling his toes and sighing happily.
“How was your day?” Kris asked.
Adam burrowed deeper into the cushions.
“Busy. Was in the studio ‘til 5, then had an interview, then went out clubbing with Sam and Mark Ronson.”
“Such a celebrity. Did you have fun?” Kris sounded amused.
“It was alright.” I wish you were there. There had been plenty of cute boys, some of whom were coming on to him all night, but no one was appealing enough to get his mind off of Kris. No one had been for a long time.
“How about you?” Adam continued. “What did you do today?”
“Wrote a new song. Recorded a track for Keith. Worked on a project.”
“Project?”
“Yeah. It’s-kinda PR-related. I’ll let you know what it is when I’m done with it.”
“Mysterious, Kristopher.” Adam yawned. He was tired, but he didn’t want to hang up. “So… play me the new song?”
“Sure. Let me put you on speaker phone and grab the guitar.”
Adam closed his eyes. This was all he wanted, for the rest of his life-to be able to talk to Kris at the end of the day.
He smiled, his heart full, as Kris strummed his guitar and sang softly in his ear.
*****************
“You’re gonna love the Kobe beef sliders, man.”
“Kobe beef, Jeez” Charles sputtered. “Dude, don’t they have like real food in LA? I want some cheese dip.”
Kris shook his head with a smile, as they walked through Weho on their way to St. Felix’s happy hour. Charles’s presence in LA was making him all sorts of happy.
“So, what’re ya doing next week on, say, Monday?” Charles asked, then looked around and pretended to whistle.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You got a trip coming up.”
Kris stopped walking. “Are you saying..?”
“Um hm,” Charles nodded, looking totally pleased with himself. “I booked ya an interview on MTV with Jim.”
Kris threw his arms around Charles. “I love you, man!”
“Off of me, Allen! Save it for your boyfriend. Once we get him back, that is.” The huge grin on Charles’s face belied his words. “Let’s get to the bar. We need beer.” He pulled a small pad of paper and a pen out of his back pocket and made a show of checking something off a list. “Jim. Check.”
Kris bumped shoulders, which caused Charles to exclaim, “Hey!,” and kept strolling, filled with a heady sense of freedom. Kicking butt and taking numbers. His Dad’s old football saying floated into his brain. Yeah, he was ready to kick some butt, alright. Firing Lizzie and Barry was the best thing he’d done in a long time.
They had entered St. Felix’s and were looking for a seat when Kris stopped short, nearly causing Charles to run into him.
“What the heck, man?”
He heard Charles dimly through the sudden rush of blood to his face. Brad and Danielle were huddled at a table against the wall, talking intently with their heads close together. He hadn’t seen either of them in over a year; they must think he was a bastard for what he did to Adam. He hesitated, as Charles continued to chatter in his ear, then turned his back to their table and murmured,
“Charles.”
“And I think it’d be cool if we did another twitter questions video-”
“Charles!”
“Huh? What, man? And why’re you whispering?”
“Brad and Danielle are here.” He knew Charles knew who these friends of Adam’s were, even though he’d never met them.
“Really?” Charles lifted his head and stared around. “Cool!” He looked back at Kris and his expression changed. “Oh. Not cool?”
Kris fidgeted. “I don’t know. I think they think I’m an asshole for what I did to Adam.”
“And they’d be right. Aw, don’t look like that! You’re not an asshole any more. Adam knows it and it’s time his friends know it, too. Come on, let’s go over there.”
“You’re right.” Kris nodded, then said “Come on,” to Charles and walked over.
“Hey,” he said, and when they lifted their heads they both stared at him as if seeing an apparition. “Um, it’s been a long time and I just wanted to say hello.”
Brad recovered first. “Kris Allen, as I live and breathe! This is destiny!”
Kris knit his brow but was saved from having to respond by Brad jumping to his feet and pulling out a chair.
“Sit, sit!” Brad was positively sparkling and Danielle looked like she was suppressing a giggle. “Who’s your friend?” Brad beamed in Charles’s direction.
“This is Charles Browder. Charles this is Brad and Danielle, friends of Adam’s.”
Brad stuck out his hand, saying, “Oh, I remember hearing about Charles. Unicorns and glamburgers, right?”
Charles pumped his hand. “I’m impressed, man. Love your Cheeks videos.”
Danielle had stood up by this time and come around the table to give Kris a quick hug. He hugged her back, happy at the warm reception but a bit puzzled as well.
“Kris, we were just talking about you!” She squeezed him a little tighter, then let go.
“Really? That’s… good, I hope?”
“It’s great,” Danielle said.
They all sat down and Brad flagged down a waiter.
“Hey Rick! Get your ass over here. Bring my friends whatever they want. Oh, and Charles, the spare ribs are to die for.”
“Now you’re talkin’. I’ll take the ribs and a Bud.”
Brad wrinkled his nose. “Budweiser? I can see we have a lot of work to get you into the LA mentality.”
Charles guffawed. “See, now that’s exactly what I DON’T want.”
Kris sat back, bemused but happy, letting Brad’s and Charles’s chatter roll over him, and Danielle leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“Does Charles know about you wanting to get back together with Adam?”
He stared at her, then realized that of course Adam would have confided in her. She was his best friend.
Relieved, he murmured back, “Yes. Does Brad?”
She laughed. “Oh yeah. Adam tells us both everything.”
“And it’s okay with you? I mean, I’ve apologized to Adam-”
Danielle put her finger on Kris’s lips. “Hush. All is forgiven. You guys love each other and that’s enough for Brad and me.”
She turned to Brad. “Be quiet, honey, and let’s talk to Kris.”
Brad stopped talking and looked over at Charles and back to Danielle, a question in his eyes, and she nodded. A grin overtook his face.
“Well, well, well. This truly was fate, darlings. Dani and I were just talking about what we could do to help the worthy cause of Kradam, and here you show up, Kristopher.”
Charles guffawed again. “The worthy cause of Kradam! That’s it, man. I’m on the same mission.”
“Charles is my PR guy now,” Kris explained. “I fired the others.”
Brad raised one eyebrow. “Bold. I like it.”
“No big deal,” Charles said with a show of modesty. “I’ve been helping him with his ‘get Adam back’ campaign. Those other tools were just getting in the way.”
Brad rubbed his hands together, glee on his face. “I love a good campaign! What can we do to help? I know! We can feature you in a Cheeks video, Kris! As a gay elf!”
Charles snorted, then flipped open his pad and scribbled something down. “Hmm, gay elf. Check. What else ya got?”
“Be serious,” Danielle chided, but Brad and Charles continued to chortle.
“Okay,” Kris finally said. “Charles and I have a plan. I’m going to announce my divorce and come out at the same time. I’ve got an interview set up with Jim Cantiello on MTV in a week and I’m gonna do it then. Adam doesn’t know. I want it to be a surprise.”
Brad and Danielle looked stunned. Finally, Brad grinned.
“My, my. I think this calls for a celebration, preferably champagne. Rick! Your ass is required over here again!”
Danielle hugged Kris as Brad ordered a bottle of champagne. “I’m so glad,” she whispered, “and Adam is going to flip out.”
Kris hugged her back, saying, “That’s a good thing, right?”
Danielle sat back and wiped at her eyes with her napkin. “Oh, yes. A very good thing.”
“Oh, and I have an idea,” said Kris, loudly enough to interrupt Brad and Charles’s conversation. Looking at Danielle and Brad, he said, “Can I hire the two of you to join my PR team? That is, if it’s alright with you, Charles.”
“You’re on a roll, boy. Don’t let me stop you,” Charles said with a grin.
Kris continued. “There’s gonna be a lot to deal with after my announcement, and Charles and I can use all the help we can get.”
“Consider it done,” Brad said, at the same time as Danielle said, “We’d love to!”
“Thanks.” He turned to Rick, who had popped open the champagne and was preparing to pour. “I’ll do that,” he said, taking the bottle and filling each flute almost to the brim.
“Looks like we’re going to be working together,” Brad commented to Charles. “I don’t know if the world is ready for this.”
“Oh, they won’t know what hit ‘em. Now, tell me more about this gay elf video idea…”
Kris said, “Okay, everyone, get your glass. I propose a toast: to the most kick ass PR team ever, and to Adam for being the most amazing man I’ve ever known.”
“To us!” cried Brad.
“And Adam!” said Danielle.
“Duh!” said Charles.
Kris laughed, and raised his glass, to new beginnings, to a new life.
*****************
Adam and Bruce leant over the sound board, listening to the feedback. Adam nodded and was about to say something when the door to the sound room opened and Lane came in.
"Adam, can you step out here? There's something I want you to see, and it can't wait."
Adam patted Bruce on the arm and walked into the main room of the studio, where Lane had placed her laptop on a table. She didn't say anything, just pointed to it.
Adam peered at the screen. A video with a picture of Kris and Jim Cantiello, under a banner headline:
MTV VIDEO EXCLUSIVE
Former American Idol winner Kris Allen Reveals All!
Divorce! and even more shocking: the Elephant In The Closet…
Kris Comes Out, and Jim Cantiello is There
The screen got blurry. He did it. He did it. He… He couldn’t fully comprehend it. In that moment, he realized that a part of him - the awkward, overweight, red-headed teenager part - had never dared to believe that Kris would actually overturn his life for him. And Kris had… spectacularly.
Adam heard Lane saying something, he had no idea what, and then he was in the hallway with no recollection of how he had gotten there, phone in his hand and pushing a number. He stood shakily as Kris’s voice sounded in his ear.
“Adam?”
He slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor.
“Adam? Are you there?” Kris’s voice sounded good, excited even.
“Yeah.” Adam’s voice cracked. “Oh my God, baby.”
“So you heard. I didn’t want to say anything, I wanted it to be a surprise. Oh, wait, hold on, the other phone… Charles! Brad! Pick up the other line!” A short pause during which Adam tried to pull himself together. “Conan?” he heard Kris say. “No way! Yeah, get the details and I’ll call them back, I’m talking to Adam.”
Adam heard steps and a door slam, then Kris’s voice, warm and happy, was in his ear.
“Hey, there. Surprised?”
“Floored. Literally. This is real? Tell me this is real.”
“It’s real, babe. I told you I’d do it. I-well, tell me what you’re thinking.”
Through his tumult, Adam heard the faint uncertainty in Kris’s voice. He swallowed, feeling like he was on the edge of a cliff and about to jump.
“Kris.” Adam bit his lip, hard, to make himself stop sniveling like an idiot. “I-I’m so happy. You’re everything I ever-shit.” He wiped his eyes.
“Are you crying? Aw.. now you’re gonna make me start. So… we’re good, then?”
“We’re perfection, baby. I love you so much.”
“I love you more.”
“I wanna be there so bad. I wanna hold you.” Overwhelmed by a wave of love and desire, Adam felt like lying down on the floor and bawling his eyes out at how relieved he was, how much he loved Kris and how badly he missed him in this moment.
“I love you, babe. I want you to be here, too.” Kris chuckled. “Well, maybe not here, it’s kinda crazy right now. All hell’s broken loose.”
“God, baby. But you sound so good, you sound strong. I wish I could be with you but it sounds like you’re doing fine.” Adam’s voice broke again and Kris laughed softly.
“You sound like kind of a mess, yourself. Can you get on Skype?”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s a good idea, I-shit, my computer’s back at the flat.” Adam looked up for the first time since he’d plopped on to the hallway floor and saw Lane standing a distance away, keeping her eye on him. “I’ll get Lane to run me back.” He remembered something and creased his forehead. “Stop. Hold on. Did you say Brad?”
“Yep. Brad and Danielle are on my PR team, and Charles. I’ve got so much to tell you, so call me when you-”
“Wait! Don’t hang up!” Now that he had him, Adam couldn’t conceive of letting him go, not even for a moment. “Um, I mean, stay on with me. Hold on, I’ll just tell Lane-”
“I’m not going anywhere, Adam. Ever again.”
“Aw fuck, baby, stop making me cry. I love you so much it hurts.”
Kris’s low chuckle and murmured endearments sounding like honey in his ear, Adam stood up and beckoned to Lane, not bothering to hide the tears in his eyes or the brilliant smile that was fast overtaking his face.
********************
“Kris! Hey, Kris!”
Kris and Charles ducked their heads and kept walking as the TMZ guys filmed.
“Hey, Kris, how come you never said you’re gay? Huh?”
Kris raised his head. “You guys never asked.”
Charles stared at him. The TMZ guys laughed.
“Hey, Kris, does this have to do with Adam Lambert? Are you guys a thing?”
They’d reached the car by now, Charles opening the passenger door for Kris and running around to the other side. Kris turned back to the TMZ guys.
“I hope so. If he’ll have me. I may have to stand in line.”
“Whoaaaa!”
He got in and Charles pulled away from the curb, chuckling.
“You’re crazy,” Charles said. “And I approve.”
********************
“What is your reaction to Kris Allen’s recent announcement?”
Adam smiled graciously at the interviewer.
“I’m proud of Kris for his courage and I stand behind him 100%.”
“Is there anything you’d like to say about your relationship with him?”
“Not at this time.”
The interviewer moved on to another topic, no doubt helped by the way Lane was glaring at her.
********************
Adam stepped out of the London recording studio and they descended on him, cameras rolling, flashes of light in his face. Lane hurried ahead to open the car door.
“Adam! Hey Adam! Whataya think about your boyfriend coming out?”
“Adam! Kris says he hopes you guys are a thing! Whataya say about that?”
His hand on the door handle, Adam turned.
“I say that anyone who gets to be with Kris Allen is a very lucky person.”
“Whoaaaa!”
Their clamoring voices faded as Lane pulled away. Adam stretched out his legs, looked over at Lane, who glanced over at him.
“Well, it’s true,” Adam said. “Plus, he’s cute.”
Lane finally laughed and Adam joined in, insanely happy and happy to be insane.
*******************
“Get your head down, man. I’m really not in the mood to be chased by paparazzi today.”
Charles got out of the car and disappeared into the music store, while Kris slumped down in the seat and waited. He pulled his beanie lower over his forehead and hoped his sunglasses helped with the disguise.
Opening the door a few minutes later, Charles threw a small package at him. “There. Ernie Ball Regular. Such weird names they have for guitar strings. And don’t tell me it’s the wrong kind, ‘cause I don’t have time to go back. I’m taking you somewhere.”
“These are good, man. Thanks.” Kris peered out the window as Charles turned in the opposite direction from his condo. “So, where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
They left Weho and started winding up into the hills.
“Uh, Charles, this is Adam’s neighborhood.”
“Um hmm.”
Kris waited, but Charles had nothing more to say. When he turned onto Adam’s actual street, Kris couldn’t contain himself any longer.
“Why are we going to Adam’s house?”
Charles just smiled as he pulled the car into Adam’s driveway and paused at the gate.
“And how do you know the gate code? I know I didn’t give it to you, so how did you get it?”
“We have our ways, Allen.” Charles punched in the code and drove slowly through and around to the back. The garage door stood open and Charles pulled in.
“Okay, are you gonna tell me what we’re doing here? Adam isn’t even back for another week.”
“Chill. I promised him I’d deliver a package.” Charles smirked and opened his door, then turned to Kris. “Well, don’t just sit there! Come on.”
Kris got slowly out of the car, and walked through the door that Charles had opened, gesturing grandly for Kris to enter.
He was in Adam’s house. As he passed through the utility room, he remembered vividly the last time he was here. He turned to tell Charles, then froze. The door to the garage was closed and Charles had vanished.
Hearing a footstep behind him, he turned around. Adam was there.
Adam. Adam!!
He practically stumbled as he ran forward and flung himself at Adam’s broad chest, burying his face, feeling Adam’s arms completely encircle him. He clung to him, eyes squeezed shut, breathing in his wonderful scent as he felt him dropping kisses on his hair.
“I thought you weren’t back until-” Kris broke off. Who cared? Pressing in closer, he tuned in to what Adam was saying, murmuring brokenly in between kisses.
“God, Kris. Love you. Love you… missed you. So long.”
He pulled his head back and reached up to stroke Adam’s cheek. “I’m here. I’m-” He stopped, overwhelmed by touching Adam’s face, by those amazing eyes looking at him with such love. “I’m such a stupid asshole,” he blurted. “I wasted so much time.”
Adam grabbed his hand from his cheek and kissed the palm.
Kris closed his eyes when he felt Adam’s lips on his skin. “My God,” he whispered. “Adam.” He pushed his face back into Adam’s shoulder; Adam’s arm held him firmly, his body warm and solid, and Kris wept just a bit as the sadness and stress of the past year drained out of him.
Adam rubbed gentle circles on his back. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “You made it all okay. Hey. Come here.”
Kris raised his head. Adam slid his hand to the back of his neck and leaned down and he held his breath as Adam’s lips touched his lightly. Adam cupped his chin and looked intently at him, then brushed his lips over his again, softly, lingeringly. Kris felt like a starving man who’d just been given a taste of the sweetest fruit.
Adam let go long enough to stare at his lips and murmur, “Your mouth,” before he covered Kris’s lips again in a warm, insistent press, dearly familiar yet thrillingly new. Just as Kris was opening his mouth to him, Adam pulled his lips away again.
Laughing at Kris’s sound of protest, he said in a husky voice, “Come on. The utility room isn’t where I envisioned this happening.” He turned Kris so they were both facing the same direction, keeping his arm tightly around Kris’s shoulder.
Kris put both arms around Adam’s waist and let himself be steered through Adam’s living room. They were halfway down a hallway when Kris stopped short, causing them both to stumble.
“Wait!” he said, heart pounding. He didn’t know why it was so important to say this to Adam right now, but he had to.
Adam looked at him questioningly and Kris thought he saw a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. He turned so he was fully facing Adam and grabbed both of his arms.
“No, no, it’s nothing bad,” he said. “It’s just… I love you. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for waiting and for giving us a second chance. I wish I could take back what I put us through. I… ” He trailed off because Adam was looking at him so seriously.
“Kris,” Adam said, solemnly, “You’re welcome,” and then he smiled at him with such a joyous, 1,000-megawatt grin that Kris realized he was more than forgiven. “Thank you for coming back and sinking your teeth into me like a bulldog.”
“Now, that’s attractive,” Kris said, laughing. He wanted to say more but was suddenly engulfed and hugged so tightly that his face was smushed into Adam’s chest.
“I love you too, baby,” Adam said. “I never stopped… am I squishing you?”
“Yep.” Kris could feel Adam’s body shake as he chuckled, and he really didn’t mind not being able to breathe, because it was Adam. Adam.
*******************
“Give us another kiss.”
“Us?”
“Mmm.”
Kris leaned forward to comply, running his fingers through Adam’s thick hair, as they lay on their sides in Adam’s enormous bed. Adam’s eyelids flickered and his lips parted as Kris moved closer, fixing Adam with his sultriest look. He placed his lips against Adam’s lush mouth, then gave a playful peck and backed away, laughing at how Adam’s eyes flew open.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Adam growled in the sexiest way, and Kris found himself pushed over on his back, Adam’s hand circling his throat as he leaned over and claimed Kris’s mouth. His pretense at fighting back melted under Adam’s possessive hand and kiss; sighing, he opened to let in Adam’s devastating tongue.
They’d been in bed for hours. After the first heated frenzy of tearing off each others’ clothes and falling on each other ravenously, bringing each other off with their hands because they couldn’t wait for anything else, they’d rested, holding each other, talking, and kissing.
So much kissing. Kissing had become exploring bodies with mouths and then the most exquisite mutual blow jobs Kris had ever experienced; but after they’d lain there, panting, recovering, they’d returned to kissing.
Each kiss a connection, an apology, a forgiveness, a healing, a promise, a celebration. Kissing the past complete. Kissing the future into being.
******************
Adam walked into the kitchen and sniffed appreciatively. The smell of roasting turkey mingled with a dozen others, from side dishes simmering on the stove to the vanilla candles burning on the counter. It smelled like the holidays, pungently festive.
Kris’s mom stood there yanking open drawers. “Where do you keep the gravy boat?” She opened another drawer, then closed it.
“Gravy boat?” Adam said, frowning. “Hmm, I’m not sure we’ve gotten that far with our domesticity.” He leaned out of the kitchen and called, “Kris, baby? Do we have a gravy boat?”
Kris’s voice floated back, amid the talking, laughing and general revelry of the group of family and friends gathered in their living room. “Gravy boat? Naw. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Kim came and put her arm around Adam’s waist, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Well, now I know one thing I can get you guys for Christmas. Or Hanukah. It’s kind of hard to get things for the guys who have everything.”
Adam hugged her and dropped a kiss on her head. “Aw, you don’t have to get us anything, you know that.”
Kim gave him a squeeze. “I know I say this all the time, but I’m so glad you two are together. You’ve done Kristopher a world of good.”
“Kristopher is right here, Mom. And you’re right, he has.”
Adam turned at Kris’s low drawl to see him leaning against the door jamb, looking insanely cute as well as hot in his tight jeans and grey Henley, smiling at him with that lopsided smirk that made him want to… He remembered that Kris’s mom was leaning against him, and cleared his throat.
“Thanks.” Kim let go of him and went back to her perusal of the kitchen drawers, while Kris walked over and put his arms around Adam’s waist.
“Happy Thanksgiving, babe,” Kris said, smiling up at him.
“The happiest, baby,” Adam replied, and they swayed for a little bit, gazing dopily at each other.
The spell was broken by Leila sweeping into the kitchen, holding a glass of red wine.
“Adam, honey, if we don’t eat soon, everyone’s going to be too drunk to appreciate the food! Oh, Kim, there you are. What can I help you with?”
“Well, I need something to use as a gravy boat.”
Putting a finger over his lips, Adam drew Kris into the utility room, leaving their mothers chatting away as they worked on the Thanksgiving dinner.
He closed the door and they both giggled, then pressed their bodies against each other, Adam gasping at the wonderful pressure to his hardening cock. He reached around and grabbed Kris’s ass with both hands, hauling him up and setting him on the edge of the washing machine. Kris’s legs came around his waist, his arms around his neck and they sealed their mouths together, tongues intertwining.
A noise had them come up for air, and Adam turned to see Charles and Brad standing in the door, scowling at them.
“Would you excuse us?” he asked, with a flash of anger, while Kris proceeded to nibble on his jaw.
“No, pissypants,” Brad retorted. “There just happens to be a bunch of very drunk and hungry guests out there waiting for you lovebirds to come out so we can eat.”
“Yeah, man. Save it for later. I’m starving,” added Charles, looking at the laundry soap rather than directly at them. “Told ya we created a monster,” he added to Brad, who nodded.
“Two monsters, actually. No, wait, Kradam is singular, right?”
Adam started to disentangle himself from Kris, who shook his head and held on, now biting his earlobe.
“Kris, honey. God. Um.. we’ll be there… just… mmm.”
“Oh, for God’s sake! We’ll save you some turkey.” Adam faintly heard Brad’s exclamation and the slamming of a door.
Kris pulled away and grinned.
“You devil!” Adam said.
“You know it. And you love it.”
Kris’s lips curved into that lopsided smile and Adam pulled him closer so he could kiss him properly.
“Happy Thanksgiving, baby. I love you,” he whispered.
“Prove it,” Kris answered.
And they sealed it with a kiss.
THE END
*****************
Adam slumped in his airplane seat, beanie pulled low over his forehead, sunglasses on, listening to Kris's new song on his iPod. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out Wolfgang, studying the plastic skunk for awhile as Kris's rich low voice embraced him. He sighed and tilted his seat backwards. Lane raised her eyebrows at him from across the aisle and he smiled at her.
Kris. He could barely think of anything else. Letting him walk out of his house without even kissing him was one of the hardest things he'd ever done. Even now, he wanted to turn the plane around, go back to LA and scoop him up in his arms. He wanted to hold him and be held by him. He wanted to taste those lips again and feel his body wrapped around his, wanted to watch his eyes close as he nibbled his way up the side of his neck and licked the... he shifted. Now was not really a convenient time to beat off.
He reminded himself of what he had told Kris two days ago: Kris was married and straight, as far as the world knew. Whether Kris was going to be strong enough to break through the ties of history, culture, religion, fear -- whatever it was that had stopped him before, Adam didn't know. He wanted so much to help him or make it easier, but, as Danielle and Brad kept telling him, letting go of control was the lesson Adam had to learn.
He had told Kris the other day that he couldn't forgive that Kris hadn't talked to him, back when the shit was hitting the fan. But if he were honest with himself, he knew that he would have tried to force the outcome, force Kris, and MAKE it all work out, damn it. One of the hardest lessons for him to learn was that he couldn't control another person's heart or mind or actions, ultimately. Even when that person seemed to hold his very happiness in their hands.
“The Key’s Inside of Me” came to an end, and started up again. The words seemed to be saying that Kris had discovered that he himself was the key to his own freedom. The words were definitely saying that Kris loved him. He sighed and put Wolfgang safely back in his pocket.
All he could do now was to lie back, try to get some rest, and allow the Universe to unfold, and trust that whatever unfolded would be perfect. He sent Kris some silent energy full of love and encouragement, then closed his eyes for a fitful sleep.
**************
"So, what you're saying is he told you to man up or you're not going to get to be with him."
Kris nodded as he walked through the Grove, then realized Charles couldn't see him through the cell phone. "Yep." He paused at a small sidewalk cafe and sat down at a table.
"Good for him. It's about time you did."
"Yeah."
"Yeah?"
"Yes, Charles. You're right."
"Of course I'm right! So, what have you done about it?"
"Hold on." Kris ordered a latte from the waitress, then turned back to the phone. "I talked to Lizzie and Barry."
"Oh, shit, not them. I'm sure they were overjoyed to hear about your wish to come out and all."
"Yeah, well... no. Barry was advising me to just announce the separation and make it sound like we might get back together, and say nothing about being gay." He lowered his voice to a whisper on the last part of that sentence.
"Well, ya know what? That's bullshit. That bullshit’s the kind of bullshit they’ve been telling you for years, and they're never gonna say anything different. I suppose they gave you the whole ‘think of your career’ talk, too, right?"
"Right." Kris picked up the latte left by the waitress and took a sip, staring blankly into space as people strolled by him in the LA sunshine.
"Alright, my man. So you know what I have to say? Fuck them. Fire them and hire me. Your Kradam fans have wanted me for your PR all along. They know what they're talkin’ ‘bout."
Abandoning his drink, Kris stood up. He’d had enough of it. All of it. He threw some money on the table, and started walking. "OK."
"Huh?"
"I said, okay. They're fired. You're hired."
"Really?"
"Damn straight. This is my LIFE we're talking about. This is ADAM. I'm sick and tired of them telling me what I can and can’t do and I don't even have a contract any more that says I have to. So how soon can you get out here?"
"Dude, I’m on my way. And listen, I've already got Plan.. I can't remember what letter we're on, but this is awesome! Plan Awesome! Okay, so here’s my idea..."
*****************
Adam emerged from the tube station and walked briskly down the street, pulling his fur-lined hood tighter around his face and adjusting his sunglasses. A few people did double-takes as he passed but no one tried to speak to him. Winter in London was a good time and place to go incognito.
He headed for the recording studio, deciding as he strolled along to get Indian food for dinner. He felt in his pocket for his phone, pulled it out and composed a text. Sunny and cold. I told Eg you said hi. He wants 2 wk w u again. Pressing “Send,” he heard the strains of “Bring It Back” start to play in his mind, and he shook his head to dispel the haunting melody. He had Kris on the brain enough as it was.
His phone buzzed. Yo. Tell Eg to name the time. Raining. Working on Keith song. Love u
Adam watched his fingers type out the reply: Love u 2. He hesitated, bit his lip, and hit “Send.”
He was pushing open the door to the recording studio when the reply came through: Thx. Never letting u go xxoo. He laughed even as he shook his head. Kris always knew how to get under his skin.
He was early for the session, so he pulled out his laptop and sat down at a table. The song he was working on kept nagging at him. He pulled up the file and stared at the lyrics:
You invade me, and that’s not easy to do.
The only thing I never got over is being loved by you.
The door is open and you’re asking me to walk through
“Something, something - la la la,” he sang softly. He actually had a last line from when he first wrote the song, several months ago:
You’re gonna have to work a little harder, babe,
‘Cause I ain’t never gonna be your Number 2.
His producer, Bruce, liked that line a lot, along with the whole edgy, angry vibe of the song. Adam almost didn’t dare to show him the completely sentimental new last line he wrote the other night, after spending an hour reading through all of Kris’s postcards, letters and random texts:
My mouth’s saying no, my feet are running,
But my heart and soul are already back,
Already back with you.
He was pretty sure Bruce would nix the line on the basis of supreme cheesiness.
Sighing, he took out a Sharpie and started doodling on a piece of paper, drawing a heart and writing the words “Already Back” underneath. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Danielle and Brad: What if he dsnt come thru? Brad’s answer came a minute later: He will. Relax and sparkle. Danielle’s was a moment after that: don’t worry, boo. Love will win out. Adam sighed again as he watched his pen trace the heart, over and over again.
Much later that night, he entered his rented flat and unwound his skull scarf from around his neck. Taking off his coat and throwing everything on a chair, he stretched lengthwise on the couch. Ahh. It felt good to lie down.
“I’m officially old,” he told the ceiling. A night out drinking and clubbing with the Ronsons, and all he’d wanted by the end was to get back to his temporary home and call Kris. He looked at his phone. 2 a.m. Only 6 p.m. Kris’s time. Thanking the stars for time zones, he pressed speed dial.
“Hey there.” Kris’s low drawl acted on Adam like a soothing potion-he instantly felt himself relax.
“Ah, there you are,” he replied, wiggling his toes and sighing happily.
“How was your day?” Kris asked.
Adam burrowed deeper into the cushions.
“Busy. Was in the studio ‘til 5, then had an interview, then went out clubbing with Sam and Mark Ronson.”
“Such a celebrity. Did you have fun?” Kris sounded amused.
“It was alright.” I wish you were there. There had been plenty of cute boys, some of whom were coming on to him all night, but no one was appealing enough to get his mind off of Kris. No one had been for a long time.
“How about you?” Adam continued. “What did you do today?”
“Wrote a new song. Recorded a track for Keith. Worked on a project.”
“Project?”
“Yeah. It’s-kinda PR-related. I’ll let you know what it is when I’m done with it.”
“Mysterious, Kristopher.” Adam yawned. He was tired, but he didn’t want to hang up. “So… play me the new song?”
“Sure. Let me put you on speaker phone and grab the guitar.”
Adam closed his eyes. This was all he wanted, for the rest of his life-to be able to talk to Kris at the end of the day.
He smiled, his heart full, as Kris strummed his guitar and sang softly in his ear.
*****************
“You’re gonna love the Kobe beef sliders, man.”
“Kobe beef, Jeez” Charles sputtered. “Dude, don’t they have like real food in LA? I want some cheese dip.”
Kris shook his head with a smile, as they walked through Weho on their way to St. Felix’s happy hour. Charles’s presence in LA was making him all sorts of happy.
“So, what’re ya doing next week on, say, Monday?” Charles asked, then looked around and pretended to whistle.
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You got a trip coming up.”
Kris stopped walking. “Are you saying..?”
“Um hm,” Charles nodded, looking totally pleased with himself. “I booked ya an interview on MTV with Jim.”
Kris threw his arms around Charles. “I love you, man!”
“Off of me, Allen! Save it for your boyfriend. Once we get him back, that is.” The huge grin on Charles’s face belied his words. “Let’s get to the bar. We need beer.” He pulled a small pad of paper and a pen out of his back pocket and made a show of checking something off a list. “Jim. Check.”
Kris bumped shoulders, which caused Charles to exclaim, “Hey!,” and kept strolling, filled with a heady sense of freedom. Kicking butt and taking numbers. His Dad’s old football saying floated into his brain. Yeah, he was ready to kick some butt, alright. Firing Lizzie and Barry was the best thing he’d done in a long time.
They had entered St. Felix’s and were looking for a seat when Kris stopped short, nearly causing Charles to run into him.
“What the heck, man?”
He heard Charles dimly through the sudden rush of blood to his face. Brad and Danielle were huddled at a table against the wall, talking intently with their heads close together. He hadn’t seen either of them in over a year; they must think he was a bastard for what he did to Adam. He hesitated, as Charles continued to chatter in his ear, then turned his back to their table and murmured,
“Charles.”
“And I think it’d be cool if we did another twitter questions video-”
“Charles!”
“Huh? What, man? And why’re you whispering?”
“Brad and Danielle are here.” He knew Charles knew who these friends of Adam’s were, even though he’d never met them.
“Really?” Charles lifted his head and stared around. “Cool!” He looked back at Kris and his expression changed. “Oh. Not cool?”
Kris fidgeted. “I don’t know. I think they think I’m an asshole for what I did to Adam.”
“And they’d be right. Aw, don’t look like that! You’re not an asshole any more. Adam knows it and it’s time his friends know it, too. Come on, let’s go over there.”
“You’re right.” Kris nodded, then said “Come on,” to Charles and walked over.
“Hey,” he said, and when they lifted their heads they both stared at him as if seeing an apparition. “Um, it’s been a long time and I just wanted to say hello.”
Brad recovered first. “Kris Allen, as I live and breathe! This is destiny!”
Kris knit his brow but was saved from having to respond by Brad jumping to his feet and pulling out a chair.
“Sit, sit!” Brad was positively sparkling and Danielle looked like she was suppressing a giggle. “Who’s your friend?” Brad beamed in Charles’s direction.
“This is Charles Browder. Charles this is Brad and Danielle, friends of Adam’s.”
Brad stuck out his hand, saying, “Oh, I remember hearing about Charles. Unicorns and glamburgers, right?”
Charles pumped his hand. “I’m impressed, man. Love your Cheeks videos.”
Danielle had stood up by this time and come around the table to give Kris a quick hug. He hugged her back, happy at the warm reception but a bit puzzled as well.
“Kris, we were just talking about you!” She squeezed him a little tighter, then let go.
“Really? That’s… good, I hope?”
“It’s great,” Danielle said.
They all sat down and Brad flagged down a waiter.
“Hey Rick! Get your ass over here. Bring my friends whatever they want. Oh, and Charles, the spare ribs are to die for.”
“Now you’re talkin’. I’ll take the ribs and a Bud.”
Brad wrinkled his nose. “Budweiser? I can see we have a lot of work to get you into the LA mentality.”
Charles guffawed. “See, now that’s exactly what I DON’T want.”
Kris sat back, bemused but happy, letting Brad’s and Charles’s chatter roll over him, and Danielle leaned over to whisper in his ear.
“Does Charles know about you wanting to get back together with Adam?”
He stared at her, then realized that of course Adam would have confided in her. She was his best friend.
Relieved, he murmured back, “Yes. Does Brad?”
She laughed. “Oh yeah. Adam tells us both everything.”
“And it’s okay with you? I mean, I’ve apologized to Adam-”
Danielle put her finger on Kris’s lips. “Hush. All is forgiven. You guys love each other and that’s enough for Brad and me.”
She turned to Brad. “Be quiet, honey, and let’s talk to Kris.”
Brad stopped talking and looked over at Charles and back to Danielle, a question in his eyes, and she nodded. A grin overtook his face.
“Well, well, well. This truly was fate, darlings. Dani and I were just talking about what we could do to help the worthy cause of Kradam, and here you show up, Kristopher.”
Charles guffawed again. “The worthy cause of Kradam! That’s it, man. I’m on the same mission.”
“Charles is my PR guy now,” Kris explained. “I fired the others.”
Brad raised one eyebrow. “Bold. I like it.”
“No big deal,” Charles said with a show of modesty. “I’ve been helping him with his ‘get Adam back’ campaign. Those other tools were just getting in the way.”
Brad rubbed his hands together, glee on his face. “I love a good campaign! What can we do to help? I know! We can feature you in a Cheeks video, Kris! As a gay elf!”
Charles snorted, then flipped open his pad and scribbled something down. “Hmm, gay elf. Check. What else ya got?”
“Be serious,” Danielle chided, but Brad and Charles continued to chortle.
“Okay,” Kris finally said. “Charles and I have a plan. I’m going to announce my divorce and come out at the same time. I’ve got an interview set up with Jim Cantiello on MTV in a week and I’m gonna do it then. Adam doesn’t know. I want it to be a surprise.”
Brad and Danielle looked stunned. Finally, Brad grinned.
“My, my. I think this calls for a celebration, preferably champagne. Rick! Your ass is required over here again!”
Danielle hugged Kris as Brad ordered a bottle of champagne. “I’m so glad,” she whispered, “and Adam is going to flip out.”
Kris hugged her back, saying, “That’s a good thing, right?”
Danielle sat back and wiped at her eyes with her napkin. “Oh, yes. A very good thing.”
“Oh, and I have an idea,” said Kris, loudly enough to interrupt Brad and Charles’s conversation. Looking at Danielle and Brad, he said, “Can I hire the two of you to join my PR team? That is, if it’s alright with you, Charles.”
“You’re on a roll, boy. Don’t let me stop you,” Charles said with a grin.
Kris continued. “There’s gonna be a lot to deal with after my announcement, and Charles and I can use all the help we can get.”
“Consider it done,” Brad said, at the same time as Danielle said, “We’d love to!”
“Thanks.” He turned to Rick, who had popped open the champagne and was preparing to pour. “I’ll do that,” he said, taking the bottle and filling each flute almost to the brim.
“Looks like we’re going to be working together,” Brad commented to Charles. “I don’t know if the world is ready for this.”
“Oh, they won’t know what hit ‘em. Now, tell me more about this gay elf video idea…”
Kris said, “Okay, everyone, get your glass. I propose a toast: to the most kick ass PR team ever, and to Adam for being the most amazing man I’ve ever known.”
“To us!” cried Brad.
“And Adam!” said Danielle.
“Duh!” said Charles.
Kris laughed, and raised his glass, to new beginnings, to a new life.
*****************
Adam and Bruce leant over the sound board, listening to the feedback. Adam nodded and was about to say something when the door to the sound room opened and Lane came in.
"Adam, can you step out here? There's something I want you to see, and it can't wait."
Adam patted Bruce on the arm and walked into the main room of the studio, where Lane had placed her laptop on a table. She didn't say anything, just pointed to it.
Adam peered at the screen. A video with a picture of Kris and Jim Cantiello, under a banner headline:
MTV VIDEO EXCLUSIVE
Former American Idol winner Kris Allen Reveals All!
Divorce! and even more shocking: the Elephant In The Closet…
Kris Comes Out, and Jim Cantiello is There
The screen got blurry. He did it. He did it. He… He couldn’t fully comprehend it. In that moment, he realized that a part of him - the awkward, overweight, red-headed teenager part - had never dared to believe that Kris would actually overturn his life for him. And Kris had… spectacularly.
Adam heard Lane saying something, he had no idea what, and then he was in the hallway with no recollection of how he had gotten there, phone in his hand and pushing a number. He stood shakily as Kris’s voice sounded in his ear.
“Adam?”
He slid down the wall until he was sitting on the floor.
“Adam? Are you there?” Kris’s voice sounded good, excited even.
“Yeah.” Adam’s voice cracked. “Oh my God, baby.”
“So you heard. I didn’t want to say anything, I wanted it to be a surprise. Oh, wait, hold on, the other phone… Charles! Brad! Pick up the other line!” A short pause during which Adam tried to pull himself together. “Conan?” he heard Kris say. “No way! Yeah, get the details and I’ll call them back, I’m talking to Adam.”
Adam heard steps and a door slam, then Kris’s voice, warm and happy, was in his ear.
“Hey, there. Surprised?”
“Floored. Literally. This is real? Tell me this is real.”
“It’s real, babe. I told you I’d do it. I-well, tell me what you’re thinking.”
Through his tumult, Adam heard the faint uncertainty in Kris’s voice. He swallowed, feeling like he was on the edge of a cliff and about to jump.
“Kris.” Adam bit his lip, hard, to make himself stop sniveling like an idiot. “I-I’m so happy. You’re everything I ever-shit.” He wiped his eyes.
“Are you crying? Aw.. now you’re gonna make me start. So… we’re good, then?”
“We’re perfection, baby. I love you so much.”
“I love you more.”
“I wanna be there so bad. I wanna hold you.” Overwhelmed by a wave of love and desire, Adam felt like lying down on the floor and bawling his eyes out at how relieved he was, how much he loved Kris and how badly he missed him in this moment.
“I love you, babe. I want you to be here, too.” Kris chuckled. “Well, maybe not here, it’s kinda crazy right now. All hell’s broken loose.”
“God, baby. But you sound so good, you sound strong. I wish I could be with you but it sounds like you’re doing fine.” Adam’s voice broke again and Kris laughed softly.
“You sound like kind of a mess, yourself. Can you get on Skype?”
“Yeah, yeah, that’s a good idea, I-shit, my computer’s back at the flat.” Adam looked up for the first time since he’d plopped on to the hallway floor and saw Lane standing a distance away, keeping her eye on him. “I’ll get Lane to run me back.” He remembered something and creased his forehead. “Stop. Hold on. Did you say Brad?”
“Yep. Brad and Danielle are on my PR team, and Charles. I’ve got so much to tell you, so call me when you-”
“Wait! Don’t hang up!” Now that he had him, Adam couldn’t conceive of letting him go, not even for a moment. “Um, I mean, stay on with me. Hold on, I’ll just tell Lane-”
“I’m not going anywhere, Adam. Ever again.”
“Aw fuck, baby, stop making me cry. I love you so much it hurts.”
Kris’s low chuckle and murmured endearments sounding like honey in his ear, Adam stood up and beckoned to Lane, not bothering to hide the tears in his eyes or the brilliant smile that was fast overtaking his face.
********************
“Kris! Hey, Kris!”
Kris and Charles ducked their heads and kept walking as the TMZ guys filmed.
“Hey, Kris, how come you never said you’re gay? Huh?”
Kris raised his head. “You guys never asked.”
Charles stared at him. The TMZ guys laughed.
“Hey, Kris, does this have to do with Adam Lambert? Are you guys a thing?”
They’d reached the car by now, Charles opening the passenger door for Kris and running around to the other side. Kris turned back to the TMZ guys.
“I hope so. If he’ll have me. I may have to stand in line.”
“Whoaaaa!”
He got in and Charles pulled away from the curb, chuckling.
“You’re crazy,” Charles said. “And I approve.”
********************
“What is your reaction to Kris Allen’s recent announcement?”
Adam smiled graciously at the interviewer.
“I’m proud of Kris for his courage and I stand behind him 100%.”
“Is there anything you’d like to say about your relationship with him?”
“Not at this time.”
The interviewer moved on to another topic, no doubt helped by the way Lane was glaring at her.
********************
Adam stepped out of the London recording studio and they descended on him, cameras rolling, flashes of light in his face. Lane hurried ahead to open the car door.
“Adam! Hey Adam! Whataya think about your boyfriend coming out?”
“Adam! Kris says he hopes you guys are a thing! Whataya say about that?”
His hand on the door handle, Adam turned.
“I say that anyone who gets to be with Kris Allen is a very lucky person.”
“Whoaaaa!”
Their clamoring voices faded as Lane pulled away. Adam stretched out his legs, looked over at Lane, who glanced over at him.
“Well, it’s true,” Adam said. “Plus, he’s cute.”
Lane finally laughed and Adam joined in, insanely happy and happy to be insane.
*******************
“Get your head down, man. I’m really not in the mood to be chased by paparazzi today.”
Charles got out of the car and disappeared into the music store, while Kris slumped down in the seat and waited. He pulled his beanie lower over his forehead and hoped his sunglasses helped with the disguise.
Opening the door a few minutes later, Charles threw a small package at him. “There. Ernie Ball Regular. Such weird names they have for guitar strings. And don’t tell me it’s the wrong kind, ‘cause I don’t have time to go back. I’m taking you somewhere.”
“These are good, man. Thanks.” Kris peered out the window as Charles turned in the opposite direction from his condo. “So, where are we going?”
“You’ll see.”
They left Weho and started winding up into the hills.
“Uh, Charles, this is Adam’s neighborhood.”
“Um hmm.”
Kris waited, but Charles had nothing more to say. When he turned onto Adam’s actual street, Kris couldn’t contain himself any longer.
“Why are we going to Adam’s house?”
Charles just smiled as he pulled the car into Adam’s driveway and paused at the gate.
“And how do you know the gate code? I know I didn’t give it to you, so how did you get it?”
“We have our ways, Allen.” Charles punched in the code and drove slowly through and around to the back. The garage door stood open and Charles pulled in.
“Okay, are you gonna tell me what we’re doing here? Adam isn’t even back for another week.”
“Chill. I promised him I’d deliver a package.” Charles smirked and opened his door, then turned to Kris. “Well, don’t just sit there! Come on.”
Kris got slowly out of the car, and walked through the door that Charles had opened, gesturing grandly for Kris to enter.
He was in Adam’s house. As he passed through the utility room, he remembered vividly the last time he was here. He turned to tell Charles, then froze. The door to the garage was closed and Charles had vanished.
Hearing a footstep behind him, he turned around. Adam was there.
Adam. Adam!!
He practically stumbled as he ran forward and flung himself at Adam’s broad chest, burying his face, feeling Adam’s arms completely encircle him. He clung to him, eyes squeezed shut, breathing in his wonderful scent as he felt him dropping kisses on his hair.
“I thought you weren’t back until-” Kris broke off. Who cared? Pressing in closer, he tuned in to what Adam was saying, murmuring brokenly in between kisses.
“God, Kris. Love you. Love you… missed you. So long.”
He pulled his head back and reached up to stroke Adam’s cheek. “I’m here. I’m-” He stopped, overwhelmed by touching Adam’s face, by those amazing eyes looking at him with such love. “I’m such a stupid asshole,” he blurted. “I wasted so much time.”
Adam grabbed his hand from his cheek and kissed the palm.
Kris closed his eyes when he felt Adam’s lips on his skin. “My God,” he whispered. “Adam.” He pushed his face back into Adam’s shoulder; Adam’s arm held him firmly, his body warm and solid, and Kris wept just a bit as the sadness and stress of the past year drained out of him.
Adam rubbed gentle circles on his back. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “You made it all okay. Hey. Come here.”
Kris raised his head. Adam slid his hand to the back of his neck and leaned down and he held his breath as Adam’s lips touched his lightly. Adam cupped his chin and looked intently at him, then brushed his lips over his again, softly, lingeringly. Kris felt like a starving man who’d just been given a taste of the sweetest fruit.
Adam let go long enough to stare at his lips and murmur, “Your mouth,” before he covered Kris’s lips again in a warm, insistent press, dearly familiar yet thrillingly new. Just as Kris was opening his mouth to him, Adam pulled his lips away again.
Laughing at Kris’s sound of protest, he said in a husky voice, “Come on. The utility room isn’t where I envisioned this happening.” He turned Kris so they were both facing the same direction, keeping his arm tightly around Kris’s shoulder.
Kris put both arms around Adam’s waist and let himself be steered through Adam’s living room. They were halfway down a hallway when Kris stopped short, causing them both to stumble.
“Wait!” he said, heart pounding. He didn’t know why it was so important to say this to Adam right now, but he had to.
Adam looked at him questioningly and Kris thought he saw a flicker of apprehension in his eyes. He turned so he was fully facing Adam and grabbed both of his arms.
“No, no, it’s nothing bad,” he said. “It’s just… I love you. I love you with all my heart. Thank you for waiting and for giving us a second chance. I wish I could take back what I put us through. I… ” He trailed off because Adam was looking at him so seriously.
“Kris,” Adam said, solemnly, “You’re welcome,” and then he smiled at him with such a joyous, 1,000-megawatt grin that Kris realized he was more than forgiven. “Thank you for coming back and sinking your teeth into me like a bulldog.”
“Now, that’s attractive,” Kris said, laughing. He wanted to say more but was suddenly engulfed and hugged so tightly that his face was smushed into Adam’s chest.
“I love you too, baby,” Adam said. “I never stopped… am I squishing you?”
“Yep.” Kris could feel Adam’s body shake as he chuckled, and he really didn’t mind not being able to breathe, because it was Adam. Adam.
*******************
“Give us another kiss.”
“Us?”
“Mmm.”
Kris leaned forward to comply, running his fingers through Adam’s thick hair, as they lay on their sides in Adam’s enormous bed. Adam’s eyelids flickered and his lips parted as Kris moved closer, fixing Adam with his sultriest look. He placed his lips against Adam’s lush mouth, then gave a playful peck and backed away, laughing at how Adam’s eyes flew open.
“Oh, no you don’t,” Adam growled in the sexiest way, and Kris found himself pushed over on his back, Adam’s hand circling his throat as he leaned over and claimed Kris’s mouth. His pretense at fighting back melted under Adam’s possessive hand and kiss; sighing, he opened to let in Adam’s devastating tongue.
They’d been in bed for hours. After the first heated frenzy of tearing off each others’ clothes and falling on each other ravenously, bringing each other off with their hands because they couldn’t wait for anything else, they’d rested, holding each other, talking, and kissing.
So much kissing. Kissing had become exploring bodies with mouths and then the most exquisite mutual blow jobs Kris had ever experienced; but after they’d lain there, panting, recovering, they’d returned to kissing.
Each kiss a connection, an apology, a forgiveness, a healing, a promise, a celebration. Kissing the past complete. Kissing the future into being.
******************
Adam walked into the kitchen and sniffed appreciatively. The smell of roasting turkey mingled with a dozen others, from side dishes simmering on the stove to the vanilla candles burning on the counter. It smelled like the holidays, pungently festive.
Kris’s mom stood there yanking open drawers. “Where do you keep the gravy boat?” She opened another drawer, then closed it.
“Gravy boat?” Adam said, frowning. “Hmm, I’m not sure we’ve gotten that far with our domesticity.” He leaned out of the kitchen and called, “Kris, baby? Do we have a gravy boat?”
Kris’s voice floated back, amid the talking, laughing and general revelry of the group of family and friends gathered in their living room. “Gravy boat? Naw. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Kim came and put her arm around Adam’s waist, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Well, now I know one thing I can get you guys for Christmas. Or Hanukah. It’s kind of hard to get things for the guys who have everything.”
Adam hugged her and dropped a kiss on her head. “Aw, you don’t have to get us anything, you know that.”
Kim gave him a squeeze. “I know I say this all the time, but I’m so glad you two are together. You’ve done Kristopher a world of good.”
“Kristopher is right here, Mom. And you’re right, he has.”
Adam turned at Kris’s low drawl to see him leaning against the door jamb, looking insanely cute as well as hot in his tight jeans and grey Henley, smiling at him with that lopsided smirk that made him want to… He remembered that Kris’s mom was leaning against him, and cleared his throat.
“Thanks.” Kim let go of him and went back to her perusal of the kitchen drawers, while Kris walked over and put his arms around Adam’s waist.
“Happy Thanksgiving, babe,” Kris said, smiling up at him.
“The happiest, baby,” Adam replied, and they swayed for a little bit, gazing dopily at each other.
The spell was broken by Leila sweeping into the kitchen, holding a glass of red wine.
“Adam, honey, if we don’t eat soon, everyone’s going to be too drunk to appreciate the food! Oh, Kim, there you are. What can I help you with?”
“Well, I need something to use as a gravy boat.”
Putting a finger over his lips, Adam drew Kris into the utility room, leaving their mothers chatting away as they worked on the Thanksgiving dinner.
He closed the door and they both giggled, then pressed their bodies against each other, Adam gasping at the wonderful pressure to his hardening cock. He reached around and grabbed Kris’s ass with both hands, hauling him up and setting him on the edge of the washing machine. Kris’s legs came around his waist, his arms around his neck and they sealed their mouths together, tongues intertwining.
A noise had them come up for air, and Adam turned to see Charles and Brad standing in the door, scowling at them.
“Would you excuse us?” he asked, with a flash of anger, while Kris proceeded to nibble on his jaw.
“No, pissypants,” Brad retorted. “There just happens to be a bunch of very drunk and hungry guests out there waiting for you lovebirds to come out so we can eat.”
“Yeah, man. Save it for later. I’m starving,” added Charles, looking at the laundry soap rather than directly at them. “Told ya we created a monster,” he added to Brad, who nodded.
“Two monsters, actually. No, wait, Kradam is singular, right?”
Adam started to disentangle himself from Kris, who shook his head and held on, now biting his earlobe.
“Kris, honey. God. Um.. we’ll be there… just… mmm.”
“Oh, for God’s sake! We’ll save you some turkey.” Adam faintly heard Brad’s exclamation and the slamming of a door.
Kris pulled away and grinned.
“You devil!” Adam said.
“You know it. And you love it.”
Kris’s lips curved into that lopsided smile and Adam pulled him closer so he could kiss him properly.
“Happy Thanksgiving, baby. I love you,” he whispered.
“Prove it,” Kris answered.
And they sealed it with a kiss.
THE END