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The Way You Touched Me - Chapter 16/?
By: we_dreamerz
Betaed By: atomic_dawn
Pairing: Adam Lambert/Tommy Ratliff
Genre & Timeline: RPS - AU Fantasy
Rating: NC17
Word Count: 4,532
Status: WIP
Warnings: AU - This story will varry from canon. And the timeline is NOT the same.
Disclaimer: It's not true...it didn't happen and Adam and Tommy belong to themselves. This is fiction. (Or so they want us to believe)
Summary: Adam has just stepped off of the American Idol tour and into the exhausting life of a rock star. It's everything he's always wanted but something is missing. Tommy has dreams; dreams that don't include living the ordinary, boring life laid out for him. But when you're a Pixie, what other choice do you have? They come from different worlds, but when they touch, the magic is undeniable.
Chapter 1 * Chapter 2 * Chapter 3 * Chapter 4 * Chapter 5 * Chapter 6 * Chapter 7 * Chapter 8 * Chapter 9 * Chapter 10 * Chapter 11 * Chapter 12 * Chapter 13 * Chapter 14 * Chapter 15
Chapter 16
“I wonder…if in different circumstances, you would feel the same. You have one week.”
King Alberich’s words came back to Tommy as he kissed Adam goodbye, promising to see him at rehearsal in a couple hours.
"Have fun, Baby," Adam called as Tommy walked out the front door. He sounded so happy. Tommy felt bad that he’d lied, telling Adam he had a breakfast date with Mia. But he had to find out just what in the hell was going on. He had to know.
As Tommy got behind the wheel of his car he paused, staring at the keys. "I have a car," he said with a smile. "Fuck, he thought of everything." The King had provided Tommy everything he’d needed to pass as a human: a place to live, a wallet full of the proper identification and bank cards, a car…all the things Tommy would have struggled with had he done it alone.
He sighed and put the car into gear. As he pulled out into the street, Tommy wondered for the millionth time what he should say. The King was kind. But he was obviously trying to prove a point. They had a week - a week for what? Tommy had no idea but he intended to find out.
He drove to where he knew the forest path was closest to the road and hopped out of the car, making a beeline for the trees. Just before he reached them, Chantala emerged from the shadows. That's when he remembered - Chantala, his human friend, was Feather, the elf who had helped him in the library.
"You remembered!" she exclaimed, running gracefully through the high grass, the platinum silver streaks in her hair glowing in the bright sunshine. She pulled him into a hug, squeezing him tightly. For a moment he allowed himself to hug her back, grateful to have a friend.
"Feather, what the hell is going on?" he asked, pulling back a little. "I remember but I have no idea what the fuck happened. The last I remember, Adam and I were at the inquisition, awaiting the King's decision. But last night I woke up and realized that I've somehow been playing human and Adam doesn't remember shit."
He looked at her then, trying to make sense. "And you're human...and Jon." He threw his hands up into the air in frustration.
"I know it's confusing, but this was the King’s decision. It's a test to your connection with Adam."
Tommy scowled. "A test? What do you mean a test? So, he can just play with us like this? Do whatever he wants?"
Chantala bit her lip and looked down as though she was afraid to answer.
"What?" Tommy sighed. "Just tell me everything." He was tired and angry and ready to scream.
“The King is testing you, testing your connection. He decreed that if you both remember your true path before midnight on the seventh day, he will allow your union and welcome Adam into the People. He'll allow you to remain a human and live your life as you see fit."
"So he can change me back?" Tommy asked, overcome with despair. He’d been clinging to the hope that The King lacked the power to take that away from him.
She nodded solemnly. "He can change you, just as simply as he changed Jon and me. He has powers beyond our understanding, Tommy, she said, her eyes full of trepidation.
Tommy felt numb, his fingers frozen even in the warmth of the sun. "So what happens if Adam doesn't remember?" Tommy asked.
She breathed out and shook her head. "You'll be turned back into a pixie and Adam's...Adam's memories of you will be permanently erased," she said.
Tommy's eyes stung with sudden tears. "How can he do this? How can he play with our lives like this?" Tommy yelled. He stood at the edge of the forest a moment, mind spinning, trying to see the way out of the little labyrinth The King had woven.
"I'll just tell Adam," Tommy said, turning to Feather. "I'll tell him and he'll remember; he's had flashes of memory too, I'm sure of it."
But Tommy's hopes were dashed when Feather sadly shook her head. "You can't."
"Why the fuck not?"
"Because that's part of it. Your memories were buried behind a false reality, one spun by those who love you.”
“Jon and my parents?” Tommy asked.
Feather nodded. “And Brad helped to cover Adam’s.”
“Where is Brad?” Tommy asked, realizing that he hadn’t seen him since their little test had begun. Feather laughed. “King Alberich has taken to him. He asked Brad to stay on for a little vacation amongst the fey. But Brad refused. He said he would prefer his memories buried too until Adam conquers the King’s challenge. So he’s safe at home. But I’m sure somehow Brad is included in the deal.” Feather smiled fondly. “Brad is a good and loyal friend to Adam.”
“He is,” Tommy agreed. There weren’t many who could resist an offer like The King had made. “Tell me the rest though. Tell me what The King has said.”
Feather nodded, the smile slipping from her lips. “You’ve been put down with these false memories, in different circumstances - ordinary and human - to determine whether your connection is strong enough to lead you back to each other. Clearly it has. But you also must both, on your own, be able to see beyond the false reality and remember your true selves. The King sent Jon and I to help and test you but also to warn you should one of you remember before the other. You can not tell him, Tommy. Or the King will end the trial and change you back."
Tommy began to pace, his fists clenched as rage built inside his chest. He scowled and shook his head. "Why did I remember and Adam hasn't?" he asked.
"King Alberich thought you might, but only because you have been schooled in the ways of magic since before you were born. Adam has always suspected, but he is just now fully aware of magic as a possibility. Already he is growing in his understanding. Give him time, Tommy. He loves you. Adam won't let you down."
Tommy sighed. He knew that the King wasn't trying to be cruel. But it was his life. How could he let his life be dictated like that? He said as much but Feather shook her head.
"But it's not just your life, Tommy. This puts all of the People in danger. He is thinking of the many. He wants to trust this - you…and Adam as well. And he is pained that you are hurting but he feels as though he can not be sure otherwise.”
Tommy scowled, about to ask Feather why they couldn’t be trusted to keep the secret of the People. But she answered before he could ask it.
“Adam is a high profile celebrity. And you seek it as well. They hound him with cameras in his face and follow him everywhere. Did you know that when you were out with Adam, you were photographed together? The media was having a field day trying to figure out your identity. The King worked very hard to cover that up and he’s still not sure the spell he used was as widespread as necessary. In this day and age, one slip up, one careless step, and our existence is the newest headline on a gossip blog…or worse."
Frowning, Tommy stared at his shoes. She was right, he knew. But they were aware of the consequences. They knew they had to be careful.
“King Alberich loves you, Tommy. And he seeks only to make sure you are truly happy and that his people are safe.”
“And that means tampering with our memories and fucking lives? What does my connection with Adam have to do with the People?” Tommy yelled, anger welling up in his chest.
But Feather was so calm, standing like a statue, her face lined with concern, her voice even and soothing. “I told you. He wants you to be happy. And for you to be truly happy, you can not be cut off from the family and friends who love you. The King seeks to welcome Adam as one of us - granting him safe passage into our lands and into our lives.”
Tommy was silenced; his emotions raw and his thoughts lay bare by what Feather suggested. A little seed of hope bloomed in his gut as he thought about it - the best of both worlds. But then he thought of the alternative. He thought of the deadline the King had imposed and just couldn't take it anymore. He had to get away or risk saying something he would regret.
"I gotta go," he spat and turned to leave.
"Just remember what I said," she called after him.
He just waved her off and stalked back to the car, trying desperately to come up with an answer that wouldn't break the King's rules.
~~~~~~~~~~
Tommy rolled into rehearsal like a sudden thunderstorm - loud and dark. Adam watched from the corner as Tommy entered the room and went immediately to where his things were set up. He slammed his guitar cases and plugged in, getting ready to rehearse. Everyone looked at Adam, eyebrows raised in silent question. He shrugged his shoulders and shook his head, having no idea what had angered Tommy so badly.
Without saying a word, they elected him to find out what was wrong. Rolling his eyes, Adam stood up and made his way cautiously across the room.
"Hey," he said softly, expecting to get his head bitten off. But Tommy spun around and smiled the strangest smile, so full of love but Adam couldn’t miss the sadness in Tommy's eyes as well.
"Hey." Tommy hugged him openly, not seeming to care that the entire room was watching them.
"Um...how was breakfast?"
"Huh? Oh, breakfast was good," Tommy said, but then looked away.
"So, what's with all the throwing shit around?"
Tommy blushed and for the first time, he looked around and noticed that they had an audience.
"Shit, I'm sorry. I just had an...an argument with a friend and I guess I let it get the best of me."
Tommy touched Adam's hand and squeezed. "Sorry for the diva routine. I just..." he shrugged and Adam saw that same flash of sadness.
They hadn't discussed much the night before. Adam didn’t know if Tommy was ready to declare that they were dating to the rest of the band and crew. But he followed Tommy's lead, letting himself rub Tommy's arm and around his neck. "Is there something I can do? Do you need to talk?" he asked quietly.
A look passed across Tommy’s face, pain and regret that Adam thought he could almost feel. But Tommy shook his head and touched Adam's cheek.
"No, I'll be okay," he said. "Just a little bull shit I have to work through." He waved it off.
"All right," Adam said, deciding to let it go. "Come on, we're gonna have a long day."
Tommy smiled and nodded, following Adam down the hall to the room where they were doing fittings.
The day flew by in a blur of activity and laughter. It was work but everyone was a professional and though they were exhausted, by the end of the day they were all still in high spirits.
"Adam, we're headed out," Longineu said, waving as he and Steve, his drum tech, walked out the door.
"Later!" Adam called after them. He found the rest of the band in the rehearsal room, putting away their things. He watched from the door as Tommy carefully put away his bass. He was meticulous with his instruments - his clothes not so much.
Adam laughed when he remembered that morning as Tommy had been going through Adam’s closet looking for a sweat shirt to borrow. He’d shaken his head at the order and color coding. Adam had come up behind him and nuzzled his neck.
“What are you laughing at?” he’d asked.
Tommy had waved his hand at the contents of Adam’s closet like one of Barker’s Beauties from The Price is Right. “This is special, Adam.”
“And just what does your closet look like?”
Tommy had snorted, pausing a moment before answering. “Well, right now I’m living out of suitcases. But yeah, my closet has never been color coded in any way shape or form.”
Tommy had laughed it off but Adam had felt Tommy’s uneasiness like a prickly itch against his skin. He’d watched silently as Tommy grabbed a black hoodie from a hanger and slipped it over his small frame. It was too big and hung too far down his thighs but Adam had smiled and drew him into his arms, thinking that he liked the way Tommy looked in the morning, messy and flushed from sleep, snuggled in Adam’s clothes.
As Adam stood at the rehearsal room door, he watched Tommy. He’d showered and changed but was still in Adam’s hoodie, a fact that made Adam’s stomach warm with happiness. He wondered if Tommy would let him take him shopping. He loved to shop and nothing would make him happier than to buy things for Tommy - dress him like the rock star he was.
Suddenly Adam’s head swam and he felt nauseous. His vision blurred and for a moment he could smell leather and the familiar scent of new clothes. He squinted and Tommy came into focus. But he was dressed differently, in jeans and boots that looked strangely familiar.
“Tommy?” he asked and his vision swam again. This time Tommy was dressed in black jeans and a soft black t-shirt, a studded belt around his slender hips. But they weren’t in the studio any longer. There were racks of clothes everywhere. Adam reached out for him, confused and suddenly frightened.
“Tommy!” he called and suddenly he was there, the vision dissolving around Tommy’s face - so full of concern as he flew across the studio, there beside Adam just before he fell to his knees.
“Adam, it’s okay. It’s all right,” Tommy said, walking him to a couch along the wall. “Monte, get him a water?”
Adam heard them talking and struggled to focus. His head was pounding and he felt like he was going to throw up.
I wonder if I got Tommy’s stomach virus.
“Adam, look at me,” Tommy said, his voice firm.
Adam looked up into Tommy’s eyes and nodded his head. “I’m okay,” he said weakly, taking the water that Monte handed him.
“What happened?” Monte asked, kneeling down in front of him.
Adam gulped the water and leaned into Tommy. He could feel a comforting calm descend and sighed, unable to keep from moaning a little when Tommy touched his face.
“I don’t know…I was just standing there…and I was thinking about this morning…a conversation Tommy and I had,” he said, looking at Tommy. “You remember about my closet?”
Tommy smiled thinly and nodded as he rubbed Adam’s hand. “Yeah, I remember.”
“Well I was standing there thinking about taking you shopping…wondering if you’d let me dress you up a bit. But then my head started to swim and I felt sick. And I kept having these flashes of you dressed in different clothes.”
Tommy groaned and pulled Adam closer. "Fuck,” he whispered.
Adam nuzzled into his neck and breathed him in, grounding himself in Tommy’s scent and touch. “It was weird as shit,” he said. “I’ve been having these weird flashes of déjà vu lately, but that was just…weird.”
Lisa patted his knee and bit her lip. “Do you want us to call someone? Do you think you want to go to the doctor?”
"No, no, I feel fine. I'm probably just tired,” Adam said and then looked at Tommy with a smug smile. "I didn't get much sleep last night."
"Jesus," Monte rolled his eyes. "Looks like you're feeling better." He got to his feet. "Get some sleep, man. But if that happens again, go to the fucking doctor.
Adam huffed a laugh. "Yes, Sir," he said.
Adam looked at Tommy as Monte and Lisa went back to packing their things. "I'm glad Lane wasn't here, she'd be freaking out," he said, leaning closer to Tommy. He was feeling better. But Tommy was so warm and calm, he didn’t want to move. "Stay with me tonight," her murmured into Tommy's neck.
Tommy shivered and ran a soothing hand through Adam's hair.
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," Tommy whispered and kissed his forehead.
"Is this a stomach virus, do you think? I mean...you've been sick and now me."
Tommy was silent a moment as he stroked Adam's hair. "Probably something like that," he said softly. "Come on. Let's get you home and get some rest. We're off tomorrow. So you can sleep in and rest up."
"Fuck," Adam said, remembering that he had to leave tomorrow night for New York. "I have tomorrow off but I have to pack and get ready to leave. My flight leaves at 11:00 PM."
He groaned, praying he wasn't really sick. "I have a photo shoot Monday and then hopping back on a plane to be back for rehearsals on Tuesday. I hope I'm not sick."
Tommy shook his head. "You're not, you're just tired. I'm sure you’ll be fine. Now come on. Let's grab something to eat and get you in bed."
Adam smiled as he got to his feet, already feeling better. He pulled Tommy into his arms and kissed him softly, just a little taste of his sweet lips. Tommy immediately relaxed against him. "Hmmm...maybe being sick has its advantages," he murmured.
Tommy laughed and bit Adam's bottom lip. "If you're a good boy," he said, with a flirty flip of his long lashes.
Adam laughed, surprised and pleased that Tommy was being so open with his feelings in front of everyone. He'd considered keeping it on the down low, not wanting others to have the mistaken impression that somehow Tommy was getting special treatment or was playing with the boss to get somewhere. But Tommy seemed almost oblivious of that danger. He'd been openly affectionate with Adam all day.
And instead of raising their eyebrows and getting catty, the crew had been good natured about it. Adam had seen nothing but supportive and amused looks.
Lisa was coming toward him, a smug little smile on her lips. "Try and get some rest," she said with a wink.
Adam laughed and nodded. "I'll try."
~~~~~~~~~~
“Bed,” Tommy insisted, trying to remain calm, locking his panic away behind the steel doors of his mind. He couldn’t let Adam feel how afraid he was.
“If you insist,” Adam smirked and grabbed Tommy’s hand.
They’d gotten take out for dinner. Adam had insisted on something healthy and had dragged him to an organic deli and he had to admit, his meal hadn’t been half bad. But through dinner Tommy hadn’t been able to think about anything but Adam’s episode. He knew well the feeling Adam had described. Adam was beginning to remember.
The fact that this was happening filled Tommy with a confusing mix of glee and fear. Tommy was ecstatic that Adam was remembering but was scared to death that the intensity of the nausea and memory flashes would hurt Adam. What had been vomiting and stomach discomfort for Tommy had dropped Adam to his knees. If Tommy hadn’t been there for him to lean on and talk him through it, Adam would have fallen, and quite possibly passed out.
Tommy shuddered thinking where that could lead or where Adam might be the next time a memory swam to the surface.
“Cold, Baby?” Adam asked, pulling Tommy into his arms.
Tommy breathed out a contented sigh and snuggled into Adam’s chest. “Yeah,” he said, allowing his hands to sneak beneath the hem of Adam’s shirt to touch the soft, skin of Adam’s back. “And tired.”
Adam's lips were soft as they brushed against Tommy’s cheek. He sighed. "All right, Doctor Tommy. If it will remove that worried look from your face, I'll go to bed," he said, taking Tommy's hand and leading him upstairs. "But once there I make no promises about sleep."
Tommy laughed in spite of himself and squeezed Adam's hand. He decided to put his fear aside and focus on Adam's memories. Adam was leaving. His plane was taking off an hour before their deadline and Tommy planned to do everything within his power to get Adam to remember.
He didn't want Adam to suffer - he’d been scared shitless when Adam had almost collapsed. But Tommy didn't have any choice. He had less than one day to jog Adam’s memory. But he had to be careful, he didn’t want to accidentally say the wrong thing and blow King Alberich’s test.
Tommy undressed as Adam disappeared into the bathroom. He heard the shower and smiled, imagining Adam’s naked and wet body under the spray. Pushing all serious thoughts away, he padded into the bathroom, silently closing the door behind him. He peeked inside the steamy shower and swallowed the lump in his throat when he saw Adam standing there, forehead pressed to the wall, hot, steamy water pouring down his back.
He was so beautifully vulnerable that Tommy was moving into the shower before he’d really made the decision. He wrapped his arms around Adam from behind, pressing his chest to Adam’s back, holding him until Adam turned in Tommy’s arms and pulled him close. Naked and slick, they slid together. Adam took his mouth, hard and unrelenting, making Tommy’s knees buckle with need. But Adam held him firm, angling to push his tongue inside.
Tommy’s heart beat faster as Adam nosed his way up Tommy’s neck, breathing and sucking marks Tommy would proudly wear the next day.
“So pretty against your skin,” Adam murmured, his lips pressing into one of the marks he’d made.
“Adam,” Tommy whined as Adam cupped his ass, kneading and spreading him open. He groaned when he felt the soft caress of Adam’s fingers at his entrance and pushed back, impatient. But Adam touched him gently, circling his hole until Tommy was barely standing.
“Sit,” Adam whispered, laying down a fluffy towel and guiding Tommy to the tiled seat that made up the back wall of the shower. Tommy leaned back and closed his eyes, listening as Adam rummaged in the vanity. He let Adam arrange him and moaned when the spray of water was adjusted so that it felt as though they were in a soft, steamy rain. Adam knelt between his open thighs and spread them wide before bending down to kiss a trail up the inside of one and then the other.
Tommy closed his eyes when Adam’s lips brushed his hole. He waited, breathless and needy for Adam to touch him, kiss him in that most intimate of places. He gasped when he felt it, Adam’s tongue, hot and wet against him. Boneless, Tommy moaned and jutted his hips forward, wanting more. But Adam was the master at keeping him on the edge, drawing out the pleasure with his fingers and tongue, until Tommy could only grasp tightly to the fine thread of his sanity and beg.
“Fuck,” Adam whispered and Tommy opened his eyes.
Adam was looking at him, lips puffy and pink, eyes dark with want. “So open for me,” he whispered, three thick fingers inside Tommy’s ass. “I can’t wait to fuck you…to fill you full of my cock.”
Tommy moaned and reached for Adam. He loved it when Adam talked dirty but he’d reached the end of his rope.
“Then do it. Fuck me.” he said, heart pounding when Adam got to his feet. He moaned, aching with the loss of Adam’s fingers. But he wasted no time when Adam directed him to stand.
“So impatient,” Adam whispered in his ear, arranging him, one foot raised on the seat. “But I like to take my time,” he breathed. “I like to savor you.” Adam kissed his neck, sucking a mark as Tommy heard the soft scrunching of a condom a moment before feeling the thick head of Adam’s cock press against his hole. He moaned and pushed back, grasping for the towel bar as the lube slicked shaft stroked up and down the cleft of his ass.
“Fuck…Adam,” he said, breathless, boneless and desperate when Adam finally entered him, pushing in quick little thrusts that made Tommy’s balls tighten with need. He thrust back, taking all of him, squeezing shut his eyes when it was just shy of too much. But Adam held him there, long fingers stroking his belly.
“So hot…so tight,” Adam whispered, his hand sliding down to circle Tommy’s cock.
Tommy moaned and rocked his hips, crying out when Adam moved with him, stroking across his prostate. Adam's control had finally found its end and Tommy could only moan and grunt with every pounding thrust. He let go, surrendering to Adam, trusting that Adam would give him what he needed.
He could feel the tight coil of pleasure in his belly, building as Adam worked him from either side, fucking his ass, stroking his cock. Tommy cried out when Adam's soap slick hand twisted at the tip of him.
"That's it, baby," Adam panted. "Tell me what you need."
"Harder," Tommy gasped, groaning when Adam gave him what he'd asked for, snapping his hips with breathless little grunts that made Tommy clench down on his dick and ask for more.
“Fuck,” Adam groaned, his hand moving faster on Tommy’s cock. “Fuck, Tommy, look at you.” Tommy felt Adam’s fingers at his hole, tracing where they were joined, rubbing down over his balls, pressing firmly on the sensitive place between and suddenly he saw white sparks of pleasure burst before his clenched eyes. He threw back his head and came with a ferocious growl. Panting Adam’s name, he ground down on his cock, milking his orgasm, riding each blissful wave until he slumped forward, loose and limp.
Tommy groaned when Adam pulled from his ass, missing the sensation. He managed to stay on his feet as Adam cleaned them up, wincing at the hot water between his ass cheeks.
“Sore?” Adam asked softly.
But Tommy smiled and leaned against Adam’s chest. “Little. But it’s a good sore.”
Adam huffed a laugh and turned off the water. He guided Tommy out of the shower and toweled him off. Tommy closed is eyes, awash in sensation. Soft and fluffy, warm and soft, they smelled like Adam’s shampoo.
“Come on, Baby,” Adam cooed. “You look like you’re going to fall over.”
In bed, Tommy curled up against him and sighed, content to leave all the questions and worries for the following day. He laid his palm against Adam’s chest and pushed, feeling the warm flow of energy in his finger tips. Giving, taking, he took comfort in that circle of strength, in their tightly woven bond.
“Love you,” Adam murmured, kissing Tommy’s temple as he fell asleep.
TBC
Notes:
OKay...so just when I think I know how many chapters it's going to be, the story decides otherwise. I'd intended for this to be a nice, long meaty chapter, culminating in an epic ending...but as you can see by the TBC at the end, life had other plans for me. SO...I'm done estimating. lol. I'm just going to let the story tell itself and try my best to not get in the way. =)
That being said....I'm going through some shit...some like...big deal shit that I don't want to go into right now because I'm not ready yet. Please be patient with my timing. It will come. I promise. Even if I have to offer up shorter chapters to you more often. Thanks to each and every one of you who read this. I appreciate and read all the comments and am trying to answer them all because I love you all like air and you should all be worshiped like the magical unicorns you are. So if I haven't responded to you yet, I will and I adore you.
Liz