Injury PG American Idol RPS Kris Allen/Adam Lambert

Title: Injury
Author: mamadeb
Fandom: American Idol RPS
Pairing: Kris Allen/Adam Lambert
Rating: PG
Word count: 1,155 words
Summary: Kris comes home to bad news
Notes: This comes from a flashfic prompt from the Adam Appreciation post - "Adam is badly injured somehow, and Kris realizes how much he cares for him (but Adam DOES NOT DIE)", although I've rewritten it slightly.

Injury

"Kris! You're home! Thank God!" Katy rushed to him when he opened the door to their LA home. "Why haven't you answered your phone?"

"It died and I forgot the recharger again. What happened?" He was surprised she was home. They were pretty much leading their own lives these days anyway.

She looked pale. "I guess you haven't been listening to the radio, either. It's….there's been an accident, sweetie. It could be worse, but it's bad."

An accident - something big enough to be news. So probably not his family. "Who?" He felt cold gather at the pit of his stomach. There was only person in his life that could mean. "Adam?"

She nodded, her eyes wet. "He was on his way to his show tonight." Kris nodded, unable to speak. The reason his phone died was that he and Adam were texting about that tour all morning between studio takes. Katy didn't know that. She loved Adam, of course, but he kept this part of his life apart from her. "He was in a limo with a new driver. They hit a truck. He's…oh, honey, the news says he's hurt bad. Critical condition." Her voice shook at those last two words.

"His parents? Have you spoken to them?" He knew his voice was too calm, but suddenly everything seemed clear to him, including what to do.

She nodded. "I got through to them via Neil. They're on their way to Kalamazoo now. Matt's there, too. Leila is - well, you can guess."

"You know the hospital?"

"It's called Bronson Methodist. But they won't give me updates. I'm not family." She wasn't. He looked at her - his beautiful wife of three years time, less than half of it under the same roof, whom he loved but not the way he should have. And who knew it. Which was why they'd built those separate lives.

"Can I use your phone?" His voice sounded dead even to himself.

Katy reached into her jeans pocket and handed it to him. He opened it and dialed his assistant. "Jenny? Yes, I heard the news. Car and plane as soon as you can. Charter it if you have to. I won't need a hotel…okay, fine. One hour? You already canceled…? Give yourself a raise."

He looked up. Katy was gone from the room. He thought about looking for her, but he couldn't think of a reason why. Five minutes later, she handed him a packed overnight bag and a guitar. "Your recharger is in there. Tell Adam…tell Adam I love him, too. And that I'm praying for him. And I'll miss both of you."

"Katy?" She was trying to tell him something, but all he could feel was terror for Adam, and for the possibility of a world without him. He had to be all right. Kris didn't know how he could live in that world.

He swallowed. He knew he and Katy were falling apart, but he didn't know…how could he have not known? Did Adam know?

"Go to him, sweetie. It's where you belong. I'll - I'll be gone before you get back. Just tell him…he better not hurt you or I'll hurt him." She was crying. "And I'll hurt you, too, if you break his heart." She kissed him and ran out of the room.

Before he could go to her, or even understand what happened, he heard a car horn. He opened the door to a black SUV. The driver came out and took his bag and guitar from him and Kris followed.

Both Leila and Amy hugged him when he showed up with his guitar, having dodged press and paparazzi. Neil, in heavy consultation with a nurse, nodded to him. Eber shook his hand. "We put your name on the list, son," he said. "Go see him." How did they know? Did everyone know?

"He's awake?"

"He's awake. He's going to be fine." Eber was smiling. Eber was a lot like Adam, so Kris knew he wasn't lying.

Kris ran.

Matt was outside the door. "He's been asking for you, man. Go in." He slapped Kris on the back.

"Listen, do me a favor, will you?" Matt shrugged. "Here's Katy's cell number. Call her, tell her that I landed and Adam's condition, please?"

"Okay - but why…"

"I…you'll find out soon. I have to see Adam." He pushed into the room.

Adam looked terrible - tubes in both arms, a cast on his leg, bruises, tape around his midsection. "Hi, glamorous." Kris sat next to him, propping the guitar on the bed, and grabbed the nearest hand gently.

"You're here. You came here." His voice was so weak, but it was his voice. He'd spent the entire flight, when not actively praying, fearing that he'd never hear that again. "I thought…is Katy here?"

"Of course I came here. It's where I belong. Now will you wear your seatbelt?" Hearing Katy's name should have hurt. He should be feeling like his life was being torn apart. But all he could feel was joy and relief.

"It's a thought." He looked around. "Isn't she here?"

"Katy…I…It's over. It's been over, I guess. This just. Adam, I'm sorry. I was an idiot to both of you. Wasted so much time." He stroked Adam's head. His hair was all matted and tangled, and there were ginger roots. "I don't know why I never…why you…" He bit his lip. He had to say it, no matter what Adam said back. "I love you."

Adam struggled to sit up but fell back. "What are you saying? I know…you say…"

He was right. They always said they loved each other, almost from the beginning. They said it with and about the other Idols, too. "She left because I finally realized I didn't just love you . I'm in love with you. I think I always have been." Kris's eyes felt wet.

Adam reached a slow hand to Kris's cheek. "You love Katy, honey. You're straight."

"Not so much, I guess. Adam, if you … if you don't feel…it's okay. " It wasn't, but he wasn't going to say that right now.

"You can't…lie to me, Kris Allen." He grabbed Kris's hand. "Loving someone who just wants to be a friend can be torture. Take it from me." He pulled Kris's hand to his mouth and kissed it. Kris could feel the tears flowing now. "I wish - I wish so many things." He grinned. "And I'll show all of them when I get out of here. You have so much to learn and it's going to be…I love you, Kris. Stay with me."

"Forever. If I can." He'd promised forever once before. This time, maybe he'd make it stick. Adam smiled at him. It was as brilliant and beautiful as ever. "You should rest."

"Play for me?" Kris nodded and took out his guitar, and noodled around until Adam fell asleep.

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