"Sucker for You" for everindelible
Author: vanya_elda
Recipient: everindelible
Title: Sucker for You
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,692
Summary: Adam is head-over-heels when he moves into his new apartment building and meets the cute guy across the hall, but things go awry when Adam admits his crush.
Author’s Notes: I loved my prompt! "Kris sends out Valentines cards to everyone in his small apartment complex. Adam, the guy across from him, finds out he's the only one who didn't receive one." I'm not sure this is what was wanted, but I certainly had fun writing it. Also, thank you to my fabulous beta!
It was a spontaneous decision when Adam got the one-bedroom apartment in November. His previous lease wasn’t up, but he needed to get out of his old place. He needed a change of scenery after three years of the same apartment in the same building with the same neighbors. The monotony had finally gotten the best of him.
The new apartment jumped out at him immediately. It wasn’t nicer than his old place, actually the building was older and so was the interior, but he felt drawn to the quaint one-bedroom and its elderly, hippy-dippy landlords. They would actually let him paint the walls, for one, and it was still in West Hollywood, albeit on the rim. He also met a couple of his neighbors - both girls, both crazy talented like he was - and it just felt right, like he was meant to be living in that building. Then, on move-in day, he met the guy living across the hall. His name was Kris, with a ‘K,’ and much to Adam’s lustful delight, Kris was small, fit, gorgeous, and Southern.
Adam had a type and Kris fit the definition.
Unfortunate for Adam, Kris was also a walking, talking example of the stereotypical American man (i.e. Christian, strong morals, well-raised and mannered, sports-inclined) and he was one-hundred percent straight. Adam had never asked him outright, but it was pretty clear. There were signs. Like the fact that Adam had never seen Kris in a gay bar or seen him bring guys back to his place. Plus, the majority of the times that Adam did run into Kris in the hall, Kris was distracted with his phone, texting or talking to a girl back home in Arkansas named Katie, who Kris swore was just a friend, but the constant communication was suspect. It made Adam jealous of the girl, at any rate.
The bottom line was that Kris just wasn’t interested in Adam romantically. It was a letdown, but not all was lost. Kris was a friendly guy and surprisingly, to Adam at least, they got along pretty well. It took a few weeks for Adam to really relax around Kris and not worry about chasing Kris away with the faux pas that was his mouth. Thankfully, Kris had a way of being able to shrug off the things that Adam said. They could have serious discussion about philosophy, religion, and so many other things that Adam thought they would clash about, but no. Kris was cool. He wasn’t perfect, but Adam had a hard time seeing the flaws when there was so much good exuding from him.
Of course, Adam had to go fuck up the friendship by admitting his crush.
In mid-January, as they were in the laundry room trading off machines as they did every other Saturday, Adam jokingly brought up the fact that Allison had said they should go on a real date instead of just doing laundry. “I agreed,” Adam said with a laugh. “Not that it would ever happen. The cute boy across the hall is always straight, such is my luck.”
Kris went quiet and downcast his eyes to the pile he was folding, which was not the reaction Adam had expected. A chuckle, little smile, or anything that wasn’t the sudden look of dread currently on Kris’s face would have been the norm. Not this.
“What’s wrong?” Adam asked, utterly shocked that his remark would offend Kris after every crack Adam had ever made about being openly gay.
Kris quickly began shoving his unfolded laundry into his mesh laundry bag without looking up. “I - I’ve got to go,” he stammered. His hands were shaking and he looked like he wanted to bolt.
Adam frowned in concern; he’d never seen Kris act like this. “Did I offend you?” he asked.
“I’ve got to go,” Kris hastily repeated as he began to pale.
Adam’s brow rose. “If it’s something I said that’s weirding you out, don’t worry about it. I’m not going to jump you. I have self-control.” That had been made painfully obvious to him over the past several weeks of living across from Kris.
There was a pause before Kris was shaking his head and scooping the last of his laundry haphazardly into the bag. “No, that’s not it,” he said in a rush and made a move to leave.
Adam caught Kris gently by arm, worried that he was the reason that Kris was freaking out. “Kris, chill-“ he said, but was stunned when Kris quickly pulled away with an increasing look of fright. It stung. Adam could feel the pain in his chest radiating to the rest of his body.
“What the hell is your problem?” Adam blurted, starting to feel upset at the sudden change in Kris’s disposition. “It’s not like I actually asked you out or planned to. We’re just friends.”
Kris shook his head, again, and avoided Adam’s severe gaze. “Not really. I’m sorry, I just… I really have to go,” he said as slung the bag over his shoulder.
Something in Adam snapped. Maybe he was overreacting and being dramatic, but to him, Kris was showing his true colors, now, after so many weeks of playing along with Adam’s antics. The moment Adam remotely mentioned his affection for Kris was the moment that Kris chose to freak out and run away. Adam should have expected it, he supposed, but it didn’t disappoint and anger him any less.
“No,” Adam spat. “No, you don’t have to go. I’m the one who’s fucking going. I’m not the one who’s the little faker.”
Kris was stunned silent. Adam took the opportunity to storm out of the laundry room without his laundry and stomp upstairs before baring his soul on Megan and Allison’s sofa.
“Even though I knew we would never go out or anything, I thought he was at least my friend,” Adam gloomily muttered as Allison brought him some tea.
Allison sighed and tilted her head in thought. “Sounds like you sprung it on him, man. What if I suddenly told you I wanted to jump your bones?”
Adam pulled a face. This was nothing like that scenario. Adam knew Allison was harmless and he wouldn’t be offended if she actually did have a crush on him. “I wouldn’t act like you just caught me in the biggest lie of my life.”
“Maybe you did.”
Adam narrowed his eyes at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he snippily asked. “Kris can’t lie. It’s a rule for being the good Christian boy,” he added in a sarcastic grumble.
Allison threw her hands up. “Nothing, man. Nothing. Forget I said it. I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m just a kid, remember?”
“Whatever.”
Allison was only nineteen, but occasionally she was wise beyond her years. Adam wasn’t sure if this was one of those times. She sure was shitty at making tea, though, that he was certain of.
The following weeks were ridiculous. Kris seemed to be consciously avoiding Adam while Adam did the same. They no longer got their mail at the same time nor did they do laundry together. Adam rarely saw Kris unless it was from afar. It would have made him sad and upset, but Adam was not a believer in suffering. He let it go, or at least tried, and capped his torch for Kris before going out to bars and clubs to find others to bring home, which he became obnoxious about. He turned up the flame so high that even his friends were getting peeved, but that wasn’t his goal. His goal was to use his existence to annoy Kris just as much as Kris’s existence annoyed him.
Adam spared no expense or inhibition at the end of the month for his birthday party, which was so big that it spilled out of his apartment, into the hall, and into Megan and Allison’s apartment. Kris had to know what was happening, or at the very least know there was a party. Adam hadn’t slipped him an invitation, but Adam he did see Kris for the briefest of moments getting accosted in the hallway by one of his gay male friends, which made Adam laugh. It also made Adam feel a possessive twitch that he didn’t even know he still had. Adam hated Kris for toying with him, but he couldn’t shake his underlying attraction to the other man. It was cumbersome and it needed to stop. Adam wished he knew how.
February sucked as a month. It was short, cold, and it had Adam’s most dreaded holiday, Valentine’s Day. It seemed like love was in the air for everyone in the apartment building except Adam. He was used to being alone on the holiday, but it didn’t make him any less disgruntled to see how happy Megan and Anoop were together. Seriously, they made him want to vomit. Everyone was too saccharine for him to tolerate. Even Kris seemed to be doing well. He had some cute blonde girl staying with him, which was just fantastic. Really.
On the week of Valentine’s Day, Adam was coming back from an audition when he noticed the pink and red notes on each apartment door. Curious, he went to his door, but didn’t find one. Adam frowned and turned around. There was no note on Kris’s door either, so he went to Megan and Allison’s door to sneak a peek at what they were. It turned out to be small card with two Dum-Dum lollipops taped to the inside. “Thank you for being an ear for my troubles. Happy V-Day! Love, Kris,” was scribbled inside. Curious still, Adam went to the next door to read another little thank you message from Kris with another lollipop.
By the time Adam finished looking at each card, he was pouting. He actually felt left out, which was stupid considering that he and Kris weren’t even on speaking terms. To him, the snub was intentional and it was furthering the gap between them. The thing that riled up Adam, though, was that the cards proved that everyone in the building was still interacting with Kris despite his loudly voiced disdain for Kris’s veiled homophobia. It soured Adam’s attitude and ruined his day. He immediately sent a text to Matt to cancel their dinner plans and another to Brad stating that he needed “dancing therapy.”
Adam spent the night out, returning well after dawn with a strut in his step. “Walk of shame” was not in Adam’s vocabulary. Much to his displeasure, though, he ran into the blonde, who was staying with Kris, in the hallway that he was trying to walk down without weaving too much.
“Hey!” She was all smiles and perky pep that no one should possess at this hour, let alone on a Sunday.
Adam ignored it. He was suddenly in a horrible mood, and he didn’t want to deal with her. She didn’t just let him go, though.
“You’re Adam, right?” she chirped as she stopped in front of him, preventing him from reaching his apartment, unless he shoved her out of the way. It was an option he was considering. She was tiny. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Yet, you already know my name,” Adam said with a sigh as he forced himself to actually look at her. Pretty face, pretty hair - she probably wanted to act or something, like everyone else in this building, block, and city.
She nodded. “I’ve heard plenty of good things,” she said with a smile.
Adam wanted to laugh. Was she really trying to be his friend? She probably wanted to tell him how Jesus could save him or some shit. There was no telling what Kris had told her and really, Adam didn’t have the patience for any of it. “That’s great,” he said flatly before moving to brush past her.
“I’m Alexis,” she added as she side-stepped out of his way. “I’m going on a coffee run. Would you like something? Because dude, you look like you could use some caffeine.”
Adam was at his door by then. “No.” Why was she being so nice? Didn’t she know that he and Kris hated each other? “Thanks, but no,” he added, deciding that he should at least try to be polite.
“You sure? My treat.”
Annoyed, Adam’s jaw set. “Yeah. I’m sure,” he replied testily as he opened the door. “Listen, I need you to do one thing for me, okay?” He sneered when she nodded. “Shove that coffee up your ass and tell your boyfriend to do the same. Maybe one of you will wake up and smell the shit you’re made of.”
Adam slammed the apartment door behind him. He locked it before stalking across the living room to throw himself face-first onto his futon and promptly pass out from exhaustion.
Adam had no idea how long he’d been asleep when the knocking woke him up. It could have been five minutes; it could have been five hours. Regardless, someone was beating on his door. Adam lifted his face from the throw pillow and groaned in discontent. He didn’t want to move. The person at the door did not give up, however.
Taking his time, Adam went to the door and pushed his hair back before looking through the peep hole. Kris was standing outside the door and he didn’t look happy.
“Fuck off,” Adam said loudly.
“I’m not going away until you open the door,” said Kris’s muffled voice.
Grumbling to himself, Adam resisted. “I told you to fuck off, Kris.”
“No. You had no right to speak to her that way.”
Adam chuckled bitterly. “Your girlfriend needs to get some thicker skin if she’s going to last out here.”
“She’s not my girlfriend!”
Rolling his tired eyes, Adam walked away and headed into his bedroom. He could hear Kris continue to talk and knock on the door, though he was too far away to understand what was being said. Honestly, it didn’t matter. Kris could say whatever he wanted. It wasn’t going to make Adam any less done with the entire situation. He was hung over and all he wanted to do was sleep. Slipping off his boots and shedding his clothes, he crawled into bed and fell asleep to the sounds of Kris banging on his door.
Waking up with a harsh groan from having slept like the dead, Adam pushed his hair out of his eyes and took in a rousing sniff before he glanced around the darkening room. It was dusk, so he figured he’d slept at least six hours or more. Realizing that his hair still smelled like a bar and his body was gross from having danced the night away, he rolled out of bed and headed into the bathroom for a shower. He took his time, washing his shoulder-length black hair and scrubbing off his freckled body. He felt renewed by the time he was done. It was amazing what a shower could do for a bad mood.
The next thing that was on his mind was food. He would have to go out for something since his fridge was empty, so he patted down his head - careful not to rub with the towel for minimum hair breakage - and pulled on some comfortable clothes before grabbing his essentials and heading out. He stiffened when he was one step out of the door and saw Kris sitting in the hall. Kris climbed to his feet as soon as his eyes met Adam’s. Adam sighed and turned to lock his door, determined to ignore Kris.
“Wait,” Kris said. “Please, wait.”
Adam brushed his damp hair out of his face as he turned to Kris and frowned. “You have thirty seconds,” he said evenly. “Go.”
“I know you probably think I’m a jerk,” Kris started and Adam scowled. “Okay, I am a jerk, or was, at least. Just hear me out, please?”
Adam arched an eyebrow to indicate that time was ticking. That’s when Kris became frantic.
“Look, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I should have said this sooner, but I got the feeling that you never wanted to talk to me again and I was actually kind of worried about how this would turn out.”
Mouth settling into a line, Adam fingered his keys in his pocket. This apology sucked.
“I know you thought we were friends and I did, too, but I realized…” Kris trailed off nervously before taking a shaky breath. “I realized I don’t like you that way.”
Adam scoffed. He’d heard enough and it was probably past thirty seconds anyway. “Yeah,” he spat. “I think you made that fucking clear.”
“It’s because I realized that I like you like you!” Kris said desperately before Adam could make it two steps. Adam froze and his chest tightened up from the feelings for Kris that instantly came creeping back. The look he gave Kris was hardened, however.
“Don’t fuck with me.”
“I’m not,” Kris replied as he took an earnest step. “I said that we weren’t friends because I wanted more than that.”
Adam looked exasperated. “So, why didn’t you just say that?”
“I was scared! I’ve never told a guy that I liked him before.” His voice was becoming softer. “You’re the first.”
“Why the fuck not? It’s not that big of a deal.”
Kris swallowed and ducked his gaze in shame. “It was to me,” he muttered. “Adam, you’re the first person that’s made me want to come out.”
Adam blinked. He wondered if he was still dreaming. “You’re gay?” he said dubiously. Kris bit down on his lower lip and nodded, which nearly made Adam’s heart explode with mixed feelings. “You’re gay and you’ve never acted on it?” That got another nod from Kris. “You’re twenty-five and you’ve never, ever, ever, ever even kissed or touched another man?”
When Kris bashfully looked up through his lashes and whispered, “Yes,” Adam gaped at him. If this was a way to fuck with Adam’s head, Kris was doing a damn good job.
“Well, what the - what the hell, Kris?”
Looking utterly defeated, “I’m sorry,” Kris whispered.
“Fuck that, come here,” Adam said and pulled Kris into his arms. Kris’s entire body seemed to droop in relief as he buried his face into the shoulder of Adam’s leather jacket and threw a bear hug around Adam. Adam’s stomach did a back flip as he rested his face to the side of Kris’s head. “I’m so proud of you,” he said against Kris’s ear before he happily jostled them back-n-forth.
Kris let out a pained laugh. “Thanks,” he said quietly before glancing up with shy eyes.
Holy shit, he was adorable. Adam just wanted to kiss him, but managed to refrain. He didn’t want to scare Kris now that he had him.
“So, wait, what about…the girl?” Adam couldn’t remember her name. He was terrible with names.
“Alexis?” Kris supplied. “She’s a friend. She needs somewhere to stay until she finds another job.”
Well, now Adam felt like an asshole - no, he was an asshole.
“Sorry for yelling at her…and you,” Adam said as he cringed, meeting Kris’s gaze. “This is so stupid, but I kind of went off the deep end when I didn’t get one of your little cards.”
Kris blinked slowly before chuckling. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Adam admitted quietly.
“I still got some suckers if you want one.”
Adam tipped his head back and laughed. It felt good to laugh. “I think I’ll live. I don’t need the extra sugar.”
“Because you’re already sweet enough to eat?” Kris mused.
Face scrunching up with his amused snort, Adam pulled back to cup Kris’s face in his hands. “You’re cute,” he said and pressed a kiss to Kris’s forehead.
Kris’s faced flushed, but he didn’t pull away. In fact, his arms pulled Adam closer. “You missed,” Kris said with a warm, softening smile.
“Missed what?” Adam asked, brow furrowing in confusion.
“My lips,” Kris replied easily before licking said beautiful, plump and pink lips. When Adam hesitated, Kris laughed lightly. “Sorry, you’re not the first person I’ve ever kissed, but you are the first guy.”
“Oh really?” Adam said coolly, though part of him was immediately relieved to learn that he wasn’t in a corny remake of that Drew Barrymore movie. “Well, maybe I wasn’t going to kiss you.”
“Were too.”
“Are you sure I’m not dreaming?” Adam mumbled before he nuzzled Kris’s nose.
Kris pushed up to tentatively place a kiss to the corner of Adam’s mouth, making Adam’s breath hitch. “I could pinch you,” Kris offered in a low whisper.
Swallowing roughly as his pulse hammered at his ears, Adam still managed a grin. “Pretty sure that’s not how The Kick works, but I won’t stop you.”
Kris stared for a moment before rolling his eyes. “I fell asleep during that movie.”
“Maybe you’re still…” Adam didn’t get to finish his sentence. He flubbed the last couple of words against Kris’s lips as they connected with his. Adam then sucked in a breath nasally as he pulled Kris up into the kiss, deepening it as he went. When Kris finally started to drag away, Adam caught his bottom lip between his teeth and pulled gently.
“Holy crap,” Kris said after letting out a breathy moan. He pressed forward urgently though Adam had a rigid hold on his face. “Adam, kiss me, again. Please, please, please…”
Adam smirked as he cut Kris off with a second kiss that had Kris panting by the end. “You’re insatiable,” Adam said with a chuckle when Kris’s advances had them backed up against a wall.
“Gotta make up for lost time,” Kris drawled.
“Really?” Adam said slowly. “You know, someone could catch us out here, right?”
“Don’t care. Kiss, now.”
Adam shook his head slowly in disbelief. His grin threatened to break his face it was so wide. “Happy Valentine’s Day to me,” he sighed. “So much better than a card and lollipop.” He then dipped down for kisses to punctuate, “So. Much. Better.”
“Mmm,” Kris hummed.
Recipient: everindelible
Title: Sucker for You
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 3,692
Summary: Adam is head-over-heels when he moves into his new apartment building and meets the cute guy across the hall, but things go awry when Adam admits his crush.
Author’s Notes: I loved my prompt! "Kris sends out Valentines cards to everyone in his small apartment complex. Adam, the guy across from him, finds out he's the only one who didn't receive one." I'm not sure this is what was wanted, but I certainly had fun writing it. Also, thank you to my fabulous beta!
It was a spontaneous decision when Adam got the one-bedroom apartment in November. His previous lease wasn’t up, but he needed to get out of his old place. He needed a change of scenery after three years of the same apartment in the same building with the same neighbors. The monotony had finally gotten the best of him.
The new apartment jumped out at him immediately. It wasn’t nicer than his old place, actually the building was older and so was the interior, but he felt drawn to the quaint one-bedroom and its elderly, hippy-dippy landlords. They would actually let him paint the walls, for one, and it was still in West Hollywood, albeit on the rim. He also met a couple of his neighbors - both girls, both crazy talented like he was - and it just felt right, like he was meant to be living in that building. Then, on move-in day, he met the guy living across the hall. His name was Kris, with a ‘K,’ and much to Adam’s lustful delight, Kris was small, fit, gorgeous, and Southern.
Adam had a type and Kris fit the definition.
Unfortunate for Adam, Kris was also a walking, talking example of the stereotypical American man (i.e. Christian, strong morals, well-raised and mannered, sports-inclined) and he was one-hundred percent straight. Adam had never asked him outright, but it was pretty clear. There were signs. Like the fact that Adam had never seen Kris in a gay bar or seen him bring guys back to his place. Plus, the majority of the times that Adam did run into Kris in the hall, Kris was distracted with his phone, texting or talking to a girl back home in Arkansas named Katie, who Kris swore was just a friend, but the constant communication was suspect. It made Adam jealous of the girl, at any rate.
The bottom line was that Kris just wasn’t interested in Adam romantically. It was a letdown, but not all was lost. Kris was a friendly guy and surprisingly, to Adam at least, they got along pretty well. It took a few weeks for Adam to really relax around Kris and not worry about chasing Kris away with the faux pas that was his mouth. Thankfully, Kris had a way of being able to shrug off the things that Adam said. They could have serious discussion about philosophy, religion, and so many other things that Adam thought they would clash about, but no. Kris was cool. He wasn’t perfect, but Adam had a hard time seeing the flaws when there was so much good exuding from him.
Of course, Adam had to go fuck up the friendship by admitting his crush.
In mid-January, as they were in the laundry room trading off machines as they did every other Saturday, Adam jokingly brought up the fact that Allison had said they should go on a real date instead of just doing laundry. “I agreed,” Adam said with a laugh. “Not that it would ever happen. The cute boy across the hall is always straight, such is my luck.”
Kris went quiet and downcast his eyes to the pile he was folding, which was not the reaction Adam had expected. A chuckle, little smile, or anything that wasn’t the sudden look of dread currently on Kris’s face would have been the norm. Not this.
“What’s wrong?” Adam asked, utterly shocked that his remark would offend Kris after every crack Adam had ever made about being openly gay.
Kris quickly began shoving his unfolded laundry into his mesh laundry bag without looking up. “I - I’ve got to go,” he stammered. His hands were shaking and he looked like he wanted to bolt.
Adam frowned in concern; he’d never seen Kris act like this. “Did I offend you?” he asked.
“I’ve got to go,” Kris hastily repeated as he began to pale.
Adam’s brow rose. “If it’s something I said that’s weirding you out, don’t worry about it. I’m not going to jump you. I have self-control.” That had been made painfully obvious to him over the past several weeks of living across from Kris.
There was a pause before Kris was shaking his head and scooping the last of his laundry haphazardly into the bag. “No, that’s not it,” he said in a rush and made a move to leave.
Adam caught Kris gently by arm, worried that he was the reason that Kris was freaking out. “Kris, chill-“ he said, but was stunned when Kris quickly pulled away with an increasing look of fright. It stung. Adam could feel the pain in his chest radiating to the rest of his body.
“What the hell is your problem?” Adam blurted, starting to feel upset at the sudden change in Kris’s disposition. “It’s not like I actually asked you out or planned to. We’re just friends.”
Kris shook his head, again, and avoided Adam’s severe gaze. “Not really. I’m sorry, I just… I really have to go,” he said as slung the bag over his shoulder.
Something in Adam snapped. Maybe he was overreacting and being dramatic, but to him, Kris was showing his true colors, now, after so many weeks of playing along with Adam’s antics. The moment Adam remotely mentioned his affection for Kris was the moment that Kris chose to freak out and run away. Adam should have expected it, he supposed, but it didn’t disappoint and anger him any less.
“No,” Adam spat. “No, you don’t have to go. I’m the one who’s fucking going. I’m not the one who’s the little faker.”
Kris was stunned silent. Adam took the opportunity to storm out of the laundry room without his laundry and stomp upstairs before baring his soul on Megan and Allison’s sofa.
“Even though I knew we would never go out or anything, I thought he was at least my friend,” Adam gloomily muttered as Allison brought him some tea.
Allison sighed and tilted her head in thought. “Sounds like you sprung it on him, man. What if I suddenly told you I wanted to jump your bones?”
Adam pulled a face. This was nothing like that scenario. Adam knew Allison was harmless and he wouldn’t be offended if she actually did have a crush on him. “I wouldn’t act like you just caught me in the biggest lie of my life.”
“Maybe you did.”
Adam narrowed his eyes at her. “What’s that supposed to mean?” he snippily asked. “Kris can’t lie. It’s a rule for being the good Christian boy,” he added in a sarcastic grumble.
Allison threw her hands up. “Nothing, man. Nothing. Forget I said it. I don’t know what I’m talking about. I’m just a kid, remember?”
“Whatever.”
Allison was only nineteen, but occasionally she was wise beyond her years. Adam wasn’t sure if this was one of those times. She sure was shitty at making tea, though, that he was certain of.
The following weeks were ridiculous. Kris seemed to be consciously avoiding Adam while Adam did the same. They no longer got their mail at the same time nor did they do laundry together. Adam rarely saw Kris unless it was from afar. It would have made him sad and upset, but Adam was not a believer in suffering. He let it go, or at least tried, and capped his torch for Kris before going out to bars and clubs to find others to bring home, which he became obnoxious about. He turned up the flame so high that even his friends were getting peeved, but that wasn’t his goal. His goal was to use his existence to annoy Kris just as much as Kris’s existence annoyed him.
Adam spared no expense or inhibition at the end of the month for his birthday party, which was so big that it spilled out of his apartment, into the hall, and into Megan and Allison’s apartment. Kris had to know what was happening, or at the very least know there was a party. Adam hadn’t slipped him an invitation, but Adam he did see Kris for the briefest of moments getting accosted in the hallway by one of his gay male friends, which made Adam laugh. It also made Adam feel a possessive twitch that he didn’t even know he still had. Adam hated Kris for toying with him, but he couldn’t shake his underlying attraction to the other man. It was cumbersome and it needed to stop. Adam wished he knew how.
February sucked as a month. It was short, cold, and it had Adam’s most dreaded holiday, Valentine’s Day. It seemed like love was in the air for everyone in the apartment building except Adam. He was used to being alone on the holiday, but it didn’t make him any less disgruntled to see how happy Megan and Anoop were together. Seriously, they made him want to vomit. Everyone was too saccharine for him to tolerate. Even Kris seemed to be doing well. He had some cute blonde girl staying with him, which was just fantastic. Really.
On the week of Valentine’s Day, Adam was coming back from an audition when he noticed the pink and red notes on each apartment door. Curious, he went to his door, but didn’t find one. Adam frowned and turned around. There was no note on Kris’s door either, so he went to Megan and Allison’s door to sneak a peek at what they were. It turned out to be small card with two Dum-Dum lollipops taped to the inside. “Thank you for being an ear for my troubles. Happy V-Day! Love, Kris,” was scribbled inside. Curious still, Adam went to the next door to read another little thank you message from Kris with another lollipop.
By the time Adam finished looking at each card, he was pouting. He actually felt left out, which was stupid considering that he and Kris weren’t even on speaking terms. To him, the snub was intentional and it was furthering the gap between them. The thing that riled up Adam, though, was that the cards proved that everyone in the building was still interacting with Kris despite his loudly voiced disdain for Kris’s veiled homophobia. It soured Adam’s attitude and ruined his day. He immediately sent a text to Matt to cancel their dinner plans and another to Brad stating that he needed “dancing therapy.”
Adam spent the night out, returning well after dawn with a strut in his step. “Walk of shame” was not in Adam’s vocabulary. Much to his displeasure, though, he ran into the blonde, who was staying with Kris, in the hallway that he was trying to walk down without weaving too much.
“Hey!” She was all smiles and perky pep that no one should possess at this hour, let alone on a Sunday.
Adam ignored it. He was suddenly in a horrible mood, and he didn’t want to deal with her. She didn’t just let him go, though.
“You’re Adam, right?” she chirped as she stopped in front of him, preventing him from reaching his apartment, unless he shoved her out of the way. It was an option he was considering. She was tiny. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
“Yet, you already know my name,” Adam said with a sigh as he forced himself to actually look at her. Pretty face, pretty hair - she probably wanted to act or something, like everyone else in this building, block, and city.
She nodded. “I’ve heard plenty of good things,” she said with a smile.
Adam wanted to laugh. Was she really trying to be his friend? She probably wanted to tell him how Jesus could save him or some shit. There was no telling what Kris had told her and really, Adam didn’t have the patience for any of it. “That’s great,” he said flatly before moving to brush past her.
“I’m Alexis,” she added as she side-stepped out of his way. “I’m going on a coffee run. Would you like something? Because dude, you look like you could use some caffeine.”
Adam was at his door by then. “No.” Why was she being so nice? Didn’t she know that he and Kris hated each other? “Thanks, but no,” he added, deciding that he should at least try to be polite.
“You sure? My treat.”
Annoyed, Adam’s jaw set. “Yeah. I’m sure,” he replied testily as he opened the door. “Listen, I need you to do one thing for me, okay?” He sneered when she nodded. “Shove that coffee up your ass and tell your boyfriend to do the same. Maybe one of you will wake up and smell the shit you’re made of.”
Adam slammed the apartment door behind him. He locked it before stalking across the living room to throw himself face-first onto his futon and promptly pass out from exhaustion.
Adam had no idea how long he’d been asleep when the knocking woke him up. It could have been five minutes; it could have been five hours. Regardless, someone was beating on his door. Adam lifted his face from the throw pillow and groaned in discontent. He didn’t want to move. The person at the door did not give up, however.
Taking his time, Adam went to the door and pushed his hair back before looking through the peep hole. Kris was standing outside the door and he didn’t look happy.
“Fuck off,” Adam said loudly.
“I’m not going away until you open the door,” said Kris’s muffled voice.
Grumbling to himself, Adam resisted. “I told you to fuck off, Kris.”
“No. You had no right to speak to her that way.”
Adam chuckled bitterly. “Your girlfriend needs to get some thicker skin if she’s going to last out here.”
“She’s not my girlfriend!”
Rolling his tired eyes, Adam walked away and headed into his bedroom. He could hear Kris continue to talk and knock on the door, though he was too far away to understand what was being said. Honestly, it didn’t matter. Kris could say whatever he wanted. It wasn’t going to make Adam any less done with the entire situation. He was hung over and all he wanted to do was sleep. Slipping off his boots and shedding his clothes, he crawled into bed and fell asleep to the sounds of Kris banging on his door.
Waking up with a harsh groan from having slept like the dead, Adam pushed his hair out of his eyes and took in a rousing sniff before he glanced around the darkening room. It was dusk, so he figured he’d slept at least six hours or more. Realizing that his hair still smelled like a bar and his body was gross from having danced the night away, he rolled out of bed and headed into the bathroom for a shower. He took his time, washing his shoulder-length black hair and scrubbing off his freckled body. He felt renewed by the time he was done. It was amazing what a shower could do for a bad mood.
The next thing that was on his mind was food. He would have to go out for something since his fridge was empty, so he patted down his head - careful not to rub with the towel for minimum hair breakage - and pulled on some comfortable clothes before grabbing his essentials and heading out. He stiffened when he was one step out of the door and saw Kris sitting in the hall. Kris climbed to his feet as soon as his eyes met Adam’s. Adam sighed and turned to lock his door, determined to ignore Kris.
“Wait,” Kris said. “Please, wait.”
Adam brushed his damp hair out of his face as he turned to Kris and frowned. “You have thirty seconds,” he said evenly. “Go.”
“I know you probably think I’m a jerk,” Kris started and Adam scowled. “Okay, I am a jerk, or was, at least. Just hear me out, please?”
Adam arched an eyebrow to indicate that time was ticking. That’s when Kris became frantic.
“Look, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. I should have said this sooner, but I got the feeling that you never wanted to talk to me again and I was actually kind of worried about how this would turn out.”
Mouth settling into a line, Adam fingered his keys in his pocket. This apology sucked.
“I know you thought we were friends and I did, too, but I realized…” Kris trailed off nervously before taking a shaky breath. “I realized I don’t like you that way.”
Adam scoffed. He’d heard enough and it was probably past thirty seconds anyway. “Yeah,” he spat. “I think you made that fucking clear.”
“It’s because I realized that I like you like you!” Kris said desperately before Adam could make it two steps. Adam froze and his chest tightened up from the feelings for Kris that instantly came creeping back. The look he gave Kris was hardened, however.
“Don’t fuck with me.”
“I’m not,” Kris replied as he took an earnest step. “I said that we weren’t friends because I wanted more than that.”
Adam looked exasperated. “So, why didn’t you just say that?”
“I was scared! I’ve never told a guy that I liked him before.” His voice was becoming softer. “You’re the first.”
“Why the fuck not? It’s not that big of a deal.”
Kris swallowed and ducked his gaze in shame. “It was to me,” he muttered. “Adam, you’re the first person that’s made me want to come out.”
Adam blinked. He wondered if he was still dreaming. “You’re gay?” he said dubiously. Kris bit down on his lower lip and nodded, which nearly made Adam’s heart explode with mixed feelings. “You’re gay and you’ve never acted on it?” That got another nod from Kris. “You’re twenty-five and you’ve never, ever, ever, ever even kissed or touched another man?”
When Kris bashfully looked up through his lashes and whispered, “Yes,” Adam gaped at him. If this was a way to fuck with Adam’s head, Kris was doing a damn good job.
“Well, what the - what the hell, Kris?”
Looking utterly defeated, “I’m sorry,” Kris whispered.
“Fuck that, come here,” Adam said and pulled Kris into his arms. Kris’s entire body seemed to droop in relief as he buried his face into the shoulder of Adam’s leather jacket and threw a bear hug around Adam. Adam’s stomach did a back flip as he rested his face to the side of Kris’s head. “I’m so proud of you,” he said against Kris’s ear before he happily jostled them back-n-forth.
Kris let out a pained laugh. “Thanks,” he said quietly before glancing up with shy eyes.
Holy shit, he was adorable. Adam just wanted to kiss him, but managed to refrain. He didn’t want to scare Kris now that he had him.
“So, wait, what about…the girl?” Adam couldn’t remember her name. He was terrible with names.
“Alexis?” Kris supplied. “She’s a friend. She needs somewhere to stay until she finds another job.”
Well, now Adam felt like an asshole - no, he was an asshole.
“Sorry for yelling at her…and you,” Adam said as he cringed, meeting Kris’s gaze. “This is so stupid, but I kind of went off the deep end when I didn’t get one of your little cards.”
Kris blinked slowly before chuckling. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Adam admitted quietly.
“I still got some suckers if you want one.”
Adam tipped his head back and laughed. It felt good to laugh. “I think I’ll live. I don’t need the extra sugar.”
“Because you’re already sweet enough to eat?” Kris mused.
Face scrunching up with his amused snort, Adam pulled back to cup Kris’s face in his hands. “You’re cute,” he said and pressed a kiss to Kris’s forehead.
Kris’s faced flushed, but he didn’t pull away. In fact, his arms pulled Adam closer. “You missed,” Kris said with a warm, softening smile.
“Missed what?” Adam asked, brow furrowing in confusion.
“My lips,” Kris replied easily before licking said beautiful, plump and pink lips. When Adam hesitated, Kris laughed lightly. “Sorry, you’re not the first person I’ve ever kissed, but you are the first guy.”
“Oh really?” Adam said coolly, though part of him was immediately relieved to learn that he wasn’t in a corny remake of that Drew Barrymore movie. “Well, maybe I wasn’t going to kiss you.”
“Were too.”
“Are you sure I’m not dreaming?” Adam mumbled before he nuzzled Kris’s nose.
Kris pushed up to tentatively place a kiss to the corner of Adam’s mouth, making Adam’s breath hitch. “I could pinch you,” Kris offered in a low whisper.
Swallowing roughly as his pulse hammered at his ears, Adam still managed a grin. “Pretty sure that’s not how The Kick works, but I won’t stop you.”
Kris stared for a moment before rolling his eyes. “I fell asleep during that movie.”
“Maybe you’re still…” Adam didn’t get to finish his sentence. He flubbed the last couple of words against Kris’s lips as they connected with his. Adam then sucked in a breath nasally as he pulled Kris up into the kiss, deepening it as he went. When Kris finally started to drag away, Adam caught his bottom lip between his teeth and pulled gently.
“Holy crap,” Kris said after letting out a breathy moan. He pressed forward urgently though Adam had a rigid hold on his face. “Adam, kiss me, again. Please, please, please…”
Adam smirked as he cut Kris off with a second kiss that had Kris panting by the end. “You’re insatiable,” Adam said with a chuckle when Kris’s advances had them backed up against a wall.
“Gotta make up for lost time,” Kris drawled.
“Really?” Adam said slowly. “You know, someone could catch us out here, right?”
“Don’t care. Kiss, now.”
Adam shook his head slowly in disbelief. His grin threatened to break his face it was so wide. “Happy Valentine’s Day to me,” he sighed. “So much better than a card and lollipop.” He then dipped down for kisses to punctuate, “So. Much. Better.”
“Mmm,” Kris hummed.