Four American Idol Ficlets
A collection of ficlets that I wrote for the ontd_ai drabble meme. I was originally anon for the meme, but have decided to seek concrit considering the itch to write in this fandom doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.
Title: Ficlet #1
Author: xequth
Pairing: Adam Lambert + Michael Sarver (Friendship)
Rating: G
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme prompt, 'The Idols - any or all - can't help reading their tour reviews; sometimes they get upset. Protective!Adam continues to act as Camp Counselor.'
A/N: I think Michael gets too much of a bad rap in fic and this was my attempt to correct that.
Adam's used to being the last one awake. It's not that he can't sleep on the bus; he actually finds the movement comforting. But he's always been a night-owl at heart. Besides he likes getting some time alone with his thoughts and his iPod even if it is in early hours of the morning.
So when he hears someone else awake and moving into the bus lounge he is naturally curious. He removes his ear buds and slowly pads down the corridor. Adam pauses when he sees the shape silhouetted on the couch. He is unsure whether his presence will be appreciated. He considers just going back to his bunk.
Before he can decide, Michael looks up from his hunched position and sees him. “Oh hey Adam.”
“Hey.”
“Sorry if I woke you. I was tryin' to be quiet.”
"No worries. I'm always up late, I can function on four hours sleep most days.” Adam hesitates before ploughing forward. “You can't though. You normally sleep like a log. What's up?”
“It's nothing. Just thinking about stuff, y'know?” He shifts his weight to turn and look at Adam.
“What kinda stuff keeps a big, strong guy like you awake at night, huh?” Adam jokes, trying to make his companion smile.
Michael's smile is wan and fades quickly. “It's just that... Well, I made it onto the tour by the skin of my teeth and I know there's no record deal or any kinda future for me in the industry. And - “
Adam makes a noise of protest at that. Michael waves him silent.
“It's the truth and you know it! I accepted that way back when I was eliminated. When this is all over, I go back to Texas and manual labour. And that's a fact. So I decided to view this whole thing as some kinda gift. A one time chance. When this is over, my audience ain't ever gonna be bigger than my extended family. So I was just gonna go out and have fun. Enjoy myself with this once in a lifetime chance, y'know? But...”
“What's the problem then? You not having fun?”
“No no, I am. I really am. But in all my figurin' I didn't really account for all the bad reviews I'm getting' -”
“You shouldn't let a few people's opinions get you down.” Adam protests. “Christ, I don't understand why you guys insist on reading them all anyway! The crowds like it, that's what counts.”
“Well, in comparison to some of the guys, the crowds aren't really diggin' me either. Don't say anything yet. I'm not done.” Michael had noticed Adam's mouth opening to object. “It's hardest for you of all people to understand. For you all the reviews are the same. Show-stopping. Whole crowd on their feet. Born performer.
“Well for me they're all the same as well. Bland. Decent vocally, but uninteresting. Failure to engage with the crowd. And I tell myself to shake it off, but after the fifteenth one? Y'start to think. And that thinkin' is what's keeping me up.” Michael turns to Adam, like a student to a teacher.
Adam is silent for a minute, looking down at his black-polished nails as his fingers tap absentmindedly on the coffee table. He smiles and looks up. “I've got some new things for you to think about. How does it feel when you sing?”
"I dunno how to describe it really. Good, I guess.”
“Exactly. Because you're a singer, Micheal. A musician. And you'll always be that, oilrigger or not. Now singing feels good, right? But think about how you feel when singing in front of thousands. How does that compare?”
“It's kinda like I'm sharing how good I'm feeling with all those people. And then I'm feelin' extra good... I'm not good as describing it, y'know?”
“You're describing it perfectly. And you're gonna remember that feeling. You're gonna remember it in here.” Adam taps his own forehead. “And in here.” He puts his hand over his heart. “For the rest of your life. And no review or critic can ever take that away from you. Think about that.”
There is silence for a while as Michael thinks. Adam knows he has done all he can and gets up to leave him alone with his, hopefully, more comforting thoughts.
Just before he leaves the lounge, Micheal says, “Adam?”
He turns, “Yeah?”
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem.” And Adam heads back to his bunk.
Title: Ficlet #2
Author: xequth
Pairing: Kradison Friendship
Rating: PG
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme prompt, 'Kradison; glitter/water fight on a summer's day.'
A/N: Exactly what it says on the tin. ^_^
Allison started it,
She snuck up behind Adam as he stood in the sun. And poured a bottle of water over him.
His drenched expression of disbelief was priceless. Kris doubled over in laughter and Allison collapsed to the floor giggling. They both missed the glint in Adam's eye as he blinked, removed his hat and shook his hair like a dog.
When Kris and Allison finished laughing, he was standing there like a western gunfighter, water bottle in hand. Kris threw himself to the side, leaving the splash of water to catch Allison. He heard her shriek as he grabbed his own water bottle. And turned -
Only to catch a faceful of water. Spluttering, he flailed blindly. Kris caught a glimpse of Adam's dark hair before he was caught in a headlock. A cold stream of water was poured down his neck. He yelped and slipped out of Adam's grip.
Allison had re-armed. Kris joined her.
Adam was all out. His bottle fell with a plastic thud as the other two slowly advanced on him. They backed their victim up against the bus.
“Aha!”, he exclaimed triumphantly, clutching something retrieved from his jeans. “Back off, I have glitter!” He brandished the handful.
“Who the hell just happens to have glitter in their pockets?” Allison asked.
“Me!” With that Adam threw the glitter at the two like some tall, dark Tinkerbell.
Kris flinched, but it did him little good and the glitter got everywhere in the way that only glitter can. He resigned himself to the fact that he would be glittering in the stage-lights for the next couple of shows. Allison was likewise sparkling in the sun.
As the glitter settled, Adam slung an arm around his two opponents and said, “Guess that means I win, huh?”
Title: Ficlet #3
Author: xequth
Pairing: Kradam
Rating: G/PG
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme prompt, 'Kradam - any rating - 'Kris isn't quite sure when it happened, but somewhere along the line, his entire universe came to revolve around the sound of Adam's heartbeat.''
A/N: Slightly more shmoopy than I intended.
When Kris wakes in the night he just lies there and listens. And underneath the purr of the bus engine and the creaks of the other shifting speakers he can hear it. Slow and steady, relaxing, from the bunk above his. He drifts back to sleep lulled by it.
It's with him the whole day, beside him, even when all logic says it should be impossible to hear. Meeting fans, rehearsing, interviews. Adam can be across the room, but Kris still feels his heartbeat keeping time like a faithful metronome. His eyes continually drawn to Adam by some magnetic force.
Kris knows that when he's watching Adam's set from the wings that any and all heartbeats are overpowered by the pounding bass and the soaring vocals. But he still feels it. Fast, excited and adrenaline-fueled, blotting out even his own heartbeat.
And later crouched in the lift waiting for their cue. So close. Still quick, happy, matching the smile on Adam's face. And he tunes out the screaming fans and listens to the only music that matters to him.
Title: Ficlet #4
Author: xequth
Pairing: Kradam
Rating: PG
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme, 'KRADAM - Car accident. Your decision whether the guys are unscathed/injured/dead.'
A/N: This was mostly a style experiment, to see if I could pull off a dialogue only fic. Please share your opinions, they are always appreciated.
"Adam?”
“Hmm?”
“Remind me again what's going on?”
“Good lord, you must've hit your head pretty hard. We were on the way the negotiations for your third album. We were in a car accident. The ambulance is coming.”
“No, I remember that bit. I just missed the reason why you're carrying me. I can feel the last shreds of my masculinity dying of shame.”
“Kris, honey, you bake, cry at Disney movies and the tabloids ran the pictures of us making out as their headline for three weeks. I wasn't aware you had any masculinity left.”
“It's possible to bake and cry in a manly fashion. And make out with your boyfriend in a macho way.”
“Is it?”
“It is! Point being, one thing it is impossible to be masculine while doing is being carried bridal style.”
“If you say so. How else could I carry you?”
“Well, I could be valiantly trying to stand on my own, leaning heavily on you for support, with my teeth gritted in a very manly fashion of course.”
“We can try that - urk!”
“No no. S'fine the way it is. Perfect. Just don't move.”
“Kris... Throat. Can't. Breathe...”
“Oh, sorry. You just kinda jogged my leg and I -”
“Seized the nearest thing in a death grip?”
“Yeah. Sorry again.”
“Don't worry. You'll make it up to me later.”
“I will?”
“You will. Look, the ambulance is here.”
…
“Adam?”
“Hmm?”
“That whole conversation about my masculinity was just to distract me from the fact that there was a huge shard of glass through my leg, wasn't it?”
“Did it work?”
Title: Ficlet #1
Author: xequth
Pairing: Adam Lambert + Michael Sarver (Friendship)
Rating: G
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme prompt, 'The Idols - any or all - can't help reading their tour reviews; sometimes they get upset. Protective!Adam continues to act as Camp Counselor.'
A/N: I think Michael gets too much of a bad rap in fic and this was my attempt to correct that.
Adam's used to being the last one awake. It's not that he can't sleep on the bus; he actually finds the movement comforting. But he's always been a night-owl at heart. Besides he likes getting some time alone with his thoughts and his iPod even if it is in early hours of the morning.
So when he hears someone else awake and moving into the bus lounge he is naturally curious. He removes his ear buds and slowly pads down the corridor. Adam pauses when he sees the shape silhouetted on the couch. He is unsure whether his presence will be appreciated. He considers just going back to his bunk.
Before he can decide, Michael looks up from his hunched position and sees him. “Oh hey Adam.”
“Hey.”
“Sorry if I woke you. I was tryin' to be quiet.”
"No worries. I'm always up late, I can function on four hours sleep most days.” Adam hesitates before ploughing forward. “You can't though. You normally sleep like a log. What's up?”
“It's nothing. Just thinking about stuff, y'know?” He shifts his weight to turn and look at Adam.
“What kinda stuff keeps a big, strong guy like you awake at night, huh?” Adam jokes, trying to make his companion smile.
Michael's smile is wan and fades quickly. “It's just that... Well, I made it onto the tour by the skin of my teeth and I know there's no record deal or any kinda future for me in the industry. And - “
Adam makes a noise of protest at that. Michael waves him silent.
“It's the truth and you know it! I accepted that way back when I was eliminated. When this is all over, I go back to Texas and manual labour. And that's a fact. So I decided to view this whole thing as some kinda gift. A one time chance. When this is over, my audience ain't ever gonna be bigger than my extended family. So I was just gonna go out and have fun. Enjoy myself with this once in a lifetime chance, y'know? But...”
“What's the problem then? You not having fun?”
“No no, I am. I really am. But in all my figurin' I didn't really account for all the bad reviews I'm getting' -”
“You shouldn't let a few people's opinions get you down.” Adam protests. “Christ, I don't understand why you guys insist on reading them all anyway! The crowds like it, that's what counts.”
“Well, in comparison to some of the guys, the crowds aren't really diggin' me either. Don't say anything yet. I'm not done.” Michael had noticed Adam's mouth opening to object. “It's hardest for you of all people to understand. For you all the reviews are the same. Show-stopping. Whole crowd on their feet. Born performer.
“Well for me they're all the same as well. Bland. Decent vocally, but uninteresting. Failure to engage with the crowd. And I tell myself to shake it off, but after the fifteenth one? Y'start to think. And that thinkin' is what's keeping me up.” Michael turns to Adam, like a student to a teacher.
Adam is silent for a minute, looking down at his black-polished nails as his fingers tap absentmindedly on the coffee table. He smiles and looks up. “I've got some new things for you to think about. How does it feel when you sing?”
"I dunno how to describe it really. Good, I guess.”
“Exactly. Because you're a singer, Micheal. A musician. And you'll always be that, oilrigger or not. Now singing feels good, right? But think about how you feel when singing in front of thousands. How does that compare?”
“It's kinda like I'm sharing how good I'm feeling with all those people. And then I'm feelin' extra good... I'm not good as describing it, y'know?”
“You're describing it perfectly. And you're gonna remember that feeling. You're gonna remember it in here.” Adam taps his own forehead. “And in here.” He puts his hand over his heart. “For the rest of your life. And no review or critic can ever take that away from you. Think about that.”
There is silence for a while as Michael thinks. Adam knows he has done all he can and gets up to leave him alone with his, hopefully, more comforting thoughts.
Just before he leaves the lounge, Micheal says, “Adam?”
He turns, “Yeah?”
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem.” And Adam heads back to his bunk.
Title: Ficlet #2
Author: xequth
Pairing: Kradison Friendship
Rating: PG
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme prompt, 'Kradison; glitter/water fight on a summer's day.'
A/N: Exactly what it says on the tin. ^_^
Allison started it,
She snuck up behind Adam as he stood in the sun. And poured a bottle of water over him.
His drenched expression of disbelief was priceless. Kris doubled over in laughter and Allison collapsed to the floor giggling. They both missed the glint in Adam's eye as he blinked, removed his hat and shook his hair like a dog.
When Kris and Allison finished laughing, he was standing there like a western gunfighter, water bottle in hand. Kris threw himself to the side, leaving the splash of water to catch Allison. He heard her shriek as he grabbed his own water bottle. And turned -
Only to catch a faceful of water. Spluttering, he flailed blindly. Kris caught a glimpse of Adam's dark hair before he was caught in a headlock. A cold stream of water was poured down his neck. He yelped and slipped out of Adam's grip.
Allison had re-armed. Kris joined her.
Adam was all out. His bottle fell with a plastic thud as the other two slowly advanced on him. They backed their victim up against the bus.
“Aha!”, he exclaimed triumphantly, clutching something retrieved from his jeans. “Back off, I have glitter!” He brandished the handful.
“Who the hell just happens to have glitter in their pockets?” Allison asked.
“Me!” With that Adam threw the glitter at the two like some tall, dark Tinkerbell.
Kris flinched, but it did him little good and the glitter got everywhere in the way that only glitter can. He resigned himself to the fact that he would be glittering in the stage-lights for the next couple of shows. Allison was likewise sparkling in the sun.
As the glitter settled, Adam slung an arm around his two opponents and said, “Guess that means I win, huh?”
Title: Ficlet #3
Author: xequth
Pairing: Kradam
Rating: G/PG
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme prompt, 'Kradam - any rating - 'Kris isn't quite sure when it happened, but somewhere along the line, his entire universe came to revolve around the sound of Adam's heartbeat.''
A/N: Slightly more shmoopy than I intended.
When Kris wakes in the night he just lies there and listens. And underneath the purr of the bus engine and the creaks of the other shifting speakers he can hear it. Slow and steady, relaxing, from the bunk above his. He drifts back to sleep lulled by it.
It's with him the whole day, beside him, even when all logic says it should be impossible to hear. Meeting fans, rehearsing, interviews. Adam can be across the room, but Kris still feels his heartbeat keeping time like a faithful metronome. His eyes continually drawn to Adam by some magnetic force.
Kris knows that when he's watching Adam's set from the wings that any and all heartbeats are overpowered by the pounding bass and the soaring vocals. But he still feels it. Fast, excited and adrenaline-fueled, blotting out even his own heartbeat.
And later crouched in the lift waiting for their cue. So close. Still quick, happy, matching the smile on Adam's face. And he tunes out the screaming fans and listens to the only music that matters to him.
Title: Ficlet #4
Author: xequth
Pairing: Kradam
Rating: PG
Prompt: For the ontd_ai drabble meme, 'KRADAM - Car accident. Your decision whether the guys are unscathed/injured/dead.'
A/N: This was mostly a style experiment, to see if I could pull off a dialogue only fic. Please share your opinions, they are always appreciated.
"Adam?”
“Hmm?”
“Remind me again what's going on?”
“Good lord, you must've hit your head pretty hard. We were on the way the negotiations for your third album. We were in a car accident. The ambulance is coming.”
“No, I remember that bit. I just missed the reason why you're carrying me. I can feel the last shreds of my masculinity dying of shame.”
“Kris, honey, you bake, cry at Disney movies and the tabloids ran the pictures of us making out as their headline for three weeks. I wasn't aware you had any masculinity left.”
“It's possible to bake and cry in a manly fashion. And make out with your boyfriend in a macho way.”
“Is it?”
“It is! Point being, one thing it is impossible to be masculine while doing is being carried bridal style.”
“If you say so. How else could I carry you?”
“Well, I could be valiantly trying to stand on my own, leaning heavily on you for support, with my teeth gritted in a very manly fashion of course.”
“We can try that - urk!”
“No no. S'fine the way it is. Perfect. Just don't move.”
“Kris... Throat. Can't. Breathe...”
“Oh, sorry. You just kinda jogged my leg and I -”
“Seized the nearest thing in a death grip?”
“Yeah. Sorry again.”
“Don't worry. You'll make it up to me later.”
“I will?”
“You will. Look, the ambulance is here.”
…
“Adam?”
“Hmm?”
“That whole conversation about my masculinity was just to distract me from the fact that there was a huge shard of glass through my leg, wasn't it?”
“Did it work?”