Chapter Text
Tommy sits in the backseat of a Mercedes, waiting for Adam. The car is parked in front of the courthouse, and Tommy stares at the paparazzi through the darkened windows. He tries not to think because this is one of those moments that are too painful for thought. He just waits.
Adam comes through the doors, Leila by his side, and the vultures attack him, their cameras pushed against Adam’s face, too close, too violent.
Tommy wants to get out of the car, do something to save Adam, but he knows he’d only make it worse.
It’s painful to watch.
*
At Adam’s place, they occupy the silent space, Leila sitting on the couch and Tommy standing by the door. Adam gets something to drink for all of them, but there are still no words. The beer goes down his throat, but he doesn’t taste anything.
At least Adam doesn’t have to go to prison.
“I’m... going to go,” Leila says softly, putting the untouched glass on the table. “I’ll call tomorrow about the dinner.”
Tommy kisses her cheek goodbye, and Adam walks her to the door.
It’s even more awkward now.
“How are you doing?” Tommy asks when Adam returns.
*
“Peachy,” Adam says, letting himself fall on the couch, his eyes closed. “I’m an abusive spouse.”
“No, you’re not.” Tommy wants to shake Adam, but he just walks up to him, sits down, and stares. Adam looks older. It’s been a long process.
“Oh right, I got sentenced for being one. Everyone believes I beat him up. Who cares about the truth?”
Tommy touches Adam’s knee. “I do.”
“You’re the only one.”
“Leila believes you.” Tommy leans back, still looking at Adam. “There are others...”
“It doesn’t matter.” Adam’s eyes are crazy-sharp when he opens them. “I’ll lose the contract.”
*
“It’s unfair. People get away with crazier stuff, and you’ll get kicked out because of this.”
Adam smiles, bitter. “I’m only good when I’m a little bit bad. This is horrible publicity.”
Tommy sighs, getting closer, and when Adam puts his arm around Tommy’s shoulders it’s all good. He knows he’s doing something right.
Many people have abandoned the sinking ship that is Adam’s career. Some are very mad at him for being a liar, a violent bastard who hospitalized his boyfriend with a beating. Most won’t listen to his excuses.
The hard part is that they are not excuses.
*
Lance accused Adam of an assault, and because there was enough evidence of Adam being a jealous boyfriend (hello youtube and paparazzi videos of drunken brawling) the bruises were all Lance needed. He looked pretty bad with a black eye and a broken nose.
“You’ll get through this,” Tommy says, and they both know it’s a shallow promise.
The label is dropping him, most of his friends have left, and his reputation is gone. There’s not much Adam can do.
“Yeah, I’ll become a cabaret singer.”
“You’ll do something. And people won’t remember this forever.” Tommy pats Adam’s chest gently.
*
They spend the night on the couch, watching movies, eating popcorn, and holding each other. Tommy had no idea that one day he’d be the person Adam needed the most. Of course, there are others, and they are having a get together tomorrow, but it’s still Tommy whom Adam called when he was going to court.
“I wish I’d never met him,” Adam says after the third movie, sounding desperate.
Tommy pulls Adam’s head against his chest and pets his hair. Adam is strong but these past months have ripped him open, made him bleed.
Tommy wants to hurt Lance.
*
It started as a summer romance and turned into a beautiful dream. Too good to be true, some of Adam’s friends said, but Adam didn’t listen. Tommy wishes he had.
After half a year, things started to change. There were paparazzi in places there shouldn’t have been, and they got caught on tape, doing inappropriate things. The uproar was instant, deafening, and wide. It didn’t destroy Adam’s career, though.
Lance wanted more when Adam wasn’t selling enough, and he wanted out, wanted money, and he made a plan. It had to have been a plan. Maybe it was all along.
*
Now, Adam is crying, his body jerking with each uncontrollable sob. It’s better than the dead silence, though, better than the blank face.
“At least he’s out of your life now,” Tommy says.
Adam laughs, then almost chokes on a cough. “Finally.”
“You don’t have to see him ever again. You don’t have to listen to his voice anymore. He’s gone.”
Adam turns his head, looks at Tommy, and smiles. “How come you’re still here?”
“Where else would I be?” Tommy is genuinely surprised. Why wouldn’t he be here?
“I’m bad karma. I might sink you too if you stay...”
*
Adam stares at Tommy, his makeup running and his eyes red and puffy. He still looks too damn pretty. “Didn’t you get an offer?”
He got two. He’s not telling Adam. “I’m doing good.”
Adam sits up and pulls Tommy onto his lap, Tommy’s legs straddling him. It should be weird, but right now it doesn’t matter. Tommy puts his hands against the back of the couch, staring down at Adam who says, “Thank you. For everything. For being you. For staying.”
Tommy kisses Adam’s forehead, his lips dry and Adam’s skin so warm.
It’s time to go to sleep.