"Your mother should know."

[thankfuckforlife]

Who: Richie Jameson, Adrian Hewitt and Karla Jameson
What: That awkward moment where you're a hemophiliac
Where: Hospital, Monaco
When: Wednesday afternoon

Richie had gone and fucked up by forgetting to tell Adrian he had hemophilia. It wasn't, at all, intentional. Richie wasn't one of those dickheads who kept secrets that important, and he should have remembered to give Adrian a warning. Instead, what happened was that when Richie wasn't feeling well and had been throwing up, he just happened to have one particularly forceful got at hugging the toilet bowl and next thing he knew, he was throwing up blood. Which completely freaked Adrian out. Like, he almost certainly had a full-on panic attack that Richie was dying.

Luckily, Richie did manage to explain and stayed calm, despite feeling poorly. He told Adrian he needed to get to a hospital urgently, but once he was there, they would know what to do to treat him. He carried international Medic Alert details on him, and being the age of the internet, the hospital here could get his medical records from New York. Which is exactly what happened.

Richie was started on clotting factor replacement therapy, but the bleeding kept going for a little while still. Not just puking it, but his nose was bleeding too. It was all extremely unpleasant for him to go through, but probably absolutely horrific for Adrian to witness without warning. Luckily, the treatment started to ease the bleeds and they were monitoring him closely to see if he needed a blood transfusion too. The hospital was fucking immaculate. It was like a five star hotel. He had his own room, a huge TV. It was unbelievable.

When Adrian asked him if he really did want him to fly his mom in for him, Richie had just told him he was joking and it was fine. He had left a message for her on her phone, with his grandparents, and at her work so she would get it as soon as she could. She had called him up, but he had no idea that Adrian was going to turn around and fly her in anyway. Adrian had gone to get a coffee, and Richie was lying in the hospital bed waiting for the treatment to run its course like he had many a time before, completely and utterly oblivious.

Comments

[moviesismagic]

Yes, Adrian had arranged to have Richie's mom flown in ASAP, on the soonest flight out of New York City, and by First Class. She had a driver to the airport, and another one to pick her up in Monaco to bring her to the private hospital Richie was in. She didn't even have to carry her own bags, because that was taken care of too. All he wanted to do was get her here for Richie, and it really didn't have anything to do with the fact he was really freaked out watching Richie suddenly start to throw up blood. And not just a little bit. It was copious amounts, and Adrian actually nearly shit himself because he got such a fright. It was sort of a relief to hear Richie had hemophilia, but only slightly. Not much, but a little. That meant he could be helped and he wasn't about to keel over and die in a foreign place, far away from his mom and his family.

He arrived back with his coffee just when Richie's eyes seemed to be getting heavy again. Adrian returned to his spot sitting on the side of the bed beside Richie and stroked his fingers through his hair softly. He gave him a sympathetic and leaned in to kiss his forehead. The tight schedule they had been going to be on had all gone out the window now. Adrian would make sure Richie got home safely and he had told his Associate Producer to go to Japan in his place. Sometimes that just happened, and this was most definitely more important than anything else.

[livingforlife]

The news that her boy had gotten very sick, and ultimately ended up with an internal bleed while overseas in Monaco was probably one of the hardest things she'd ever heard. As much as she wanted to just hop on a plane and be there, Richie didn't ask for her, and he was in the care of his new boyfriend, who clearly cared a lot about him and wanted to take the very best care of him that he could. So she'd tried to suck it up and face the fact that her boy didn't need her to show up every time he was hurt anymore... until a phone call had come from Adrian, letting her know that he'd gotten her number from Richie's medical card listing her as his next of kin, and even though Richie had said he wanted his mom jokingly, Adrian had the feeling it was less of a joke and more of a very real sense of missing the person who'd always taken care of him since he was very small. He asked her to come to Monaco because Richie needed her, and then gave her the details of a flight.

He flew her over first class, and she was treated as an honored guest even before she left the US. Landing in Monaco, she was met by Adrian's driver, who delivered her to the hotel where Richie and Adrian were staying, where he'd booked her a separate room just for her. Her bags were safely tucked away in the hotel before she was immediately taken to the hospital to see her baby boy. Adrian had given her the room information via his driver when she arrived, and she made her way to the room just in time to see her son's apparently loaded boyfriend leaning in to gently kiss his forehead. It was such a tender moment that Karla felt as if she were intruding, but it comforted her to know that her son was in the best of hands. She waited until Adrian was straightened up again to knock gently on the door. "How's my boy?" she asked softly, moving toward the bed.

[thankfuckforlife]

If Adrian hadn't been sitting beside him, Richie would have fallen out of bed in shock seeing his mom appear in the door of his hospital room in Monaco. His mom had basically been there every single time this had happened to him throughout his life. No matter whether it was home or in Boston, she had come ASAP because, as much as Richie didn't make a big deal out of it, there was always the risk he would bleed to death if he didn't get appropriate treatment, and fast. He had been riddled with nerves and anxiety initially, because this happening in a foreign country scared him. He didn't know their health system, or their doctors, or their hospital. This had been something he admitted to Adrian when he was delivered to Emergency by ambulance. He was scared and worried they wouldn't know exactly what needed to be done. Adrian had been amazing, trying to comfort him and reassure him that he would pay to make sure Richie had the best treatment, and he had. All the while trying to help clean Richie up when he kept throwing up blood. That was a horrible thing to watch, Richie knew that. But Adrian wasn't scared away at all. The complete opposite, in fact.

"Mom," he said through a gasp of shock. "Wh-- I-- He said--" he added, words coming out in a stuttering mess because he hadn't anticipated this at all. Though, despite the shock, the penny dropped quickly that this was how Adrian was going to suffer the 'Meet the Parents' fate. It wasn't at all ideal. Richie had been anticipating a nice meal, maybe with his grandparents too, where he could show Adrian off and show them how he was trying the love thing again, and this time with someone who wasn't a d-bag. "Um... Mom, this is Adrian. Adrian, this is Mom. H-Holy fuck."

[moviesismagic]

Adrian had to laugh at Richie, because he was just so freaking adorable. There was no doubt about the fact he was smitten with the young doctor, on many levels. He had arranged this because he got the feeling Richie and his mom were a team, but also because he wanted to cheer Richie up a little. That wasn't to say he was a miserable bitch. He really hadn't been, despite not feeling well. They still talked, Richie seemed to like having him close. He was a touchy-feely guy, which suited Adrian, because he always enjoyed the more tender side of physical affection in relationships. But even in between the bouts of sickness, Richie kept in good spirits. Not to mention the fact he was cute tucked up in bed. Adrian knew he was bummed that he fell ill on their trip, but they still got to spend time together and the more Adrian got to know Richie, the more he knew he was falling hard for him.

"Hi, Mom," he joked with a smile and gave Richie's leg a soft pat through the blankets. There was a little bowl sitting beside Richie on the bed because he had still been feeling sick, but he hadn't actually been sick in a good few hours now, which was promising. It wasn't easy seeing all the blood. In fact, Adrian had flipped the fuck out in a panic. First he was throwing up blood, then his nose started to literally gush blood. It scared the living shit out of him. But Richie had just forgotten to tell him. Even once he knew, it didn't make it any easy for Adrian to see Richie in such a state. "It's nice to finally meet you. It's okay, I promise he's been in good hands. He's still looking quite pale, but even then, a lot better than he was."

[livingforlife]

"You've never gone through a single time like this that I haven't been here with you, sweetheart," Karla replied to her son, giving him a warm mom smile. He was her boy, no matter what, and she'd do whatever she could to keep him both safe and comfortable when he was sick. "Adrian called me and let me know that a little momly TLC may be needed, and he got me here on the next flight out of New York." She gave Adrian a wink and added, "Pleased to meet you, too, darling. Thank you for taking such good care of him. It certainly makes a mom feel better knowing that her boy is in the best of hands." She reached out to give Adrian's shoulder a squeeze. "I've heard so much about you. All good, I might add. I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate you bringing me out here to check on him." It was true that Karla had been there every single time Richie had been in the hospital, and she was grateful that Adrian had realized how much that meant for her to get to be here, even if Richie was far away.

There was something beautiful to her in watching her boy being so cared for by his boyfriend. She had been there for her son when he'd been hurt and brokenhearted by a cheating ex boyfriend, and admittedly, she'd been concerned about the new guy. Like any parent worth a shit, she didn't want to see her boy hurt. She gave Richie a conspiratorial nod and wink. "I like him," she said, gesturing toward Adrian with a jerk of her head in his direction, as if she were keeping a closely guarded secret, though she knew both boys heard everything she was saying. "He's definitely allowed to stick around." And she meant that wholeheartedly. It was clear that Adrian was kind and sensitive to Richie's needs, which meant the world to her as a mom, seeing her only child be so loved and cared for.

[thankfuckforlife]

"I was," Richie confirmed, giving Adrian a weak smile. It even spanned as far as poor Adrian holding the sick bowl and then wiping his face when he was done, just like his mom would have done for him if she had been there. Not that he had these sorts of bleeds often. There was a tiny handful of major ones since his diagnosis. This was probably what would be classified moderate. He was pretty sure it was just a mix of being tired, jetlagged, not feeling well, not eating as well as he should have on his double shifts. He tried to be the Energizer Bunny but it didn't work and chances were he picked up a bit of a stomach bug, which might inflame the stomach lining as it was. He strained something inside, and now there had been blood and probably a near heart attack for Adrian. Adrian hadn't left his side beyond bathroom or coffee trips. He had taken a few business calls and a Skype call on his iPad, which Richie had no problem with whatsoever. He wasn't a precious snowflake who was an attention-whore and got butthurt whenever their partner paid attention to anyone else. In fact, he would never want to impede on Adrian's professional obligations, even if he felt like he had been. But Adrian assured him that business was so transportable and borderless these days with technology. He could hold entire conferences through his iPad. That helped placate Richie's guilt a little. And also reassured him that when Adrian ever travelled, they would still stay in touch a lot.

He gave a small shake of his head, amused. "You didn't have to. I was okay. Mostly. I mean, obviously wasn't completely okay, because, you know, bleeding out and all that. This really wouldn't be how I would have chosen for this whole thing to go down." He wet his lips, head resting against the pillows as he watched Adrian chatting to his mom. "I forgot to warn him to potentially be prepared for something to rival the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Which is stupid, I know. I don't know what I was thinking..." That wasn't completely accurate. He had been thinking a lot about Adrian, what a nice guy he was and awed by that. Not to mention thinking about the great sex they had. Richie hadn't had sex like that in ages. Maybe even ever. It had been on his mind, and he got caught up in the whirlwind of it. Because his condition just didn't come up in their conversations, it didn't come out. He had told Lorenzo, he realised now, but forgot to mention it to Adrian.

[moviesismagic]

Adrian got the bottle of cool water Richie wanted and opened it up to put a straw in it. Richie said after he had been sick like this, he felt dry and the taste of blood was hard to get rid of for awhile. He caught the straw between his fingers to hold it still for Richie to have a drink, especially considering the lady doctor here who had been lovely with Richie encouraged him to drink a little water if he could manage to see if he could keep it down. He thought Richie was gorgeous, but he had this cuteness to him too. Big blue eyes, very kissable lips, gorgeous curly hair. Those were the three things Adrian had noted about Richie right up. "Maybe you thought you were okay, but that didn't mean you really were, cutie. And that's okay. You're sick, you don't have to try to be okay. I don't mind having your mom here. You're in a strange place and even if you keep telling me you're used to it, I'm sure that doesn't necessarily make bleeding extensively feel any better."

Richie was watching him as he took a drink, and Adrian wondered if he was being analysed. Probably, which is why he was giving Richie another knowing smile. "Not that I am trying to be completely cool about this. I still got the fright of my life when you called out for me in the middle of the night and you had blood all over you in the bathroom. It's a big deal. But I just want you to both know that I can handle it. Not just by throwing money at it, even if I can see how it might be looking right now. That's more just, if you have the money, why not get the best? Money often doesn't just mean the best, it means the quickest, and that's what was important here. Honestly, I could see how sick he was and I knew before that. I just wanted to help whatever way I could. Which didn't feel like much. But bringing you here for him was something I could do."

[livingforlife]

Seeing your baby grow up was one of the hardest things that Karla could imagine as a parent. Seeing them grow up when they had a potentially life threatening illness was probably just that little bit harder. But what did help to make it less difficult for her as a mom was seeing this gorgeous guy there with her son, caring for him. Richie assured her that he was, in fact, in the best of hands, and the sweet smile that passed between him and Adrian told her that he wasn't just saying that. He'd been well cared for by his boyfriend in her absence, and Karla wasn't one of those moms who felt like her boy didn't need her anymore just because he was in good hands when he was away from her. She didn't care if it was her or Adrian taking care of him so long as he was looked after. "Not exactly the meet-the-mom scenario that I think any of us envisioned, but it's definitely one that tells me straight up that your boyfriend here has your best interest at heart. And that goes a long way with me." She gave Richie a knowing mom smile, letting him know that she definitely didn't have a problem with Adrian. In fact, she really liked the young man.

"Trust me, none of us are faulting you for being scared," Karla reassured Adrian with an understanding nod. "It's one of the scariest things in the world... especially the first time you go through it. Honestly, even now, years after the first time I saw it, it still scares the hell out of me. The first time he bled like that, he was 8 years old at a little league game. Caught a baseball in his face, and it was more of a bloodbath than the last Harry Potter book" -- a fact Karla would know because she and Richie had read all the books together when he was growing up. He'd even dressed up as Harry Potter for Halloween one year and insisted Karla be Hermione because she had curly hair and was one of his best friends... little boy logic. "It doesn't get easy to see him hurting and in a bad way like that, but it does get easier when you know what to do and can get him the help he needs quickly. I'm glad you know now, but being told in advance probably would've helped," she said, giving Richie a mom-stare.

[thankfuckforlife]

"I didn't think... about that," Richie protested, but had to had the guilty and sheepish disclaimer at the end. What he didn't want was Adrian to think he might have any other massive secrets that might be needing to be disclosed. For a moment or two, he was sure he had revealed everything now, until he remembered there was quite a big family secret about him that Adrian needed to know. Lorenzo knew, and Richie had told Lorenzo that he was okay with him talking to his husband or his family and friends about the whole mess with him showing up on his doorstep, and why. Lorenzo shouldn't have to keep those sorts of things from the people he loved. It did mean all this was being dredged up for Richie, which he was never truly comfortable discussing anyway, but Lorenzo was family and all this was a necessary evil. Just like going through these necessary evil motions in getting a new boyfriend, who wanted to try and exclusive and official relationship with Richie, so Richie knew he was obligated to open this line of conversation up with Adrian, as hard as it would be. "I was just kind of caught up in the whirlwind of it all, and I really, really like spending time with you. Especially those times it's been just us and we've talked about random things to just get to know each other..."

He had some more water then, Adrian holding the bottle for him to take as much as he wanted. He hoped it stayed down. He was fed up with being sick. He never dealt with the incapacity very well, usually frustrated and impatient to get the bleeds sorted so he could get back to normal. "But there is something else you should know. And I think maybe now, with Mom here, it's the best way to just put it out there. Not that I think that this will affect anything, because I know you're not judgemental. You're kind and understanding. So, there's just... it's like this... I-I'm not.... um..." This was hard. He didn't realise how hard until he began trying to explain, because he realised he really didn't want to jeopardise things with Adrian because he had been falling pretty hard for him. Love could be a thing, and Richie was scared he would doom another relationship. Heartbreak was awful. "I don't have a father because I've never had a father. That's not just because the dude fucked and ran, or didn't want to step up to the plate. Like, I really don't have a father. My mom was raped. I'm... that's how I'm here. She didn't get rid of me. I just want you to know that. I... I want you to know, because I think I'm kind of falling in love with you," he admitted and promptly lowered his gaze, still managing a pretty obvious blush despite the anemia from the bleed. He was bracing himself without even realising he was. Talk about shoving Adrian swiftly into the deep end with all this.

[moviesismagic]

Adrian had been smiling as he listened to Karla talk about her son. It was sweet, and Adrian was feeling honoured to be accepted in this way. Richie was a sweetheart, and the more time Adrian got to spend with him, the more and more he wanted to keep spending with him. Richie was affectionate. Each night they had spent together, he would shuffle over to Adrian in the bed and give him a soft kiss and say goodnight. He was smart and insightful, he was funny and cute. Adrian didn't see any of this a burden. It was the opposite. It was more feeling along the way like his responsibility to take care of Richie because they had started dating, and he cared about him very much. It wasn't obligation or reacting to a bad situation. It was just what he wanted to do. He had been listening quite intently, just taking in how close the mother and son obviously were. It was nice. He 100% respected that and would never want to come in between it or affect it any way.

Then he could hear that Richie was hesitating over something, and could see he was visibly facing something quite big here. Adrian didn't feel nervous that Richie was about to drop some huge bombshell on him that would leave him wondering if all this was a mistake. It was just concern that Richie had just tripped over a big proverbial stumbling block. Whatever he was trying to say was hard. There was no doubt about that. In the short time Adrian knew him, Richie had been well-spoken and very eloquent. Here, he was nervous and tripping over his words somewhat. Adrian rested his hand on Richie's arm, giving his bicep a reassuring rub. "It's okay," he murmured just as Richie was getting to the point he needed to get to. No, not at all, would Adrian have thought this could be what was about to be said. Both segments of it too. The rape, and Richie telling him the level of feelings that were developing. Adrian knew that was mutual. He looked from Richie, to Karla, and then back again, a troubled look of concern on his face. "Well, I'm glad she kept you. I know this has to be an horrific thing to try to bring me in on, but I promise, there's no judgement. I understand. I do. Maybe you were the blessing that came to have the ability to transform an otherwise awful thing that could ruin a life into a life still worth living. And I'm really glad, because that means I got to meet you, and see that you obviously don't need a father. You have both parental figures in one person. Hey... hey, it's okay, sweetheart," he added and leaned in to carefully embrace Richie into a soothing hug.

[livingforlife]

When you knew your kid as well as Karla knew Richie, you often knew what he was going to say before he got as far as actually saying it. She knew that Richie wanted to tell Adrian about how he'd come to exist. And she didn't spite him that at all. He was coming into a new relationship that was already full of care and affection, and he didn't want to let Adrian be caught off guard by anything else. That was why she shifted to the side of the bed that Adrian wasn't on so that she could sit down and take Richie's other hand in her own. She gave him a nod, wanting him to know that she was okay with this, too. It was her past, but it was the beginning point of Richie's life, and Karla had never treated it like her own story that Richie couldn't talk about. She had explained to him at a young age how sex worked, and how consent was important. She'd also explained to him when he was old enough to understand where he'd come from, and that she didn't want him to ever feel like it was her secret that he couldn't tell to someone that he loved and trusted. He explained to Adrian that he didn't have a dad because he was the product of rape, and just as Karla had expected, Adrian was sweet and understanding.

"That's exactly what he was," Karla agreed with Adrian, giving Richie a warm smile. "I didn't know how to recover from what happened to me. It nearly destroyed me, and even after Richie was born, I went through a lot and didn't really know how to be a good mom to him. But my parents stepped in and took over. They're a huge part of why he's such an amazing person. Both Richie and I will be looking forward to you meeting them, because they really are incredibly wonderful people. But he was a blessing. I'll tell anyone who asks that he saved my life. He's what made me want to keep going when I felt like I didn't know how. Even when I was struggling and didn't know how to care for him, I knew that I wanted to know, and I wanted to one day be a good mom who would keep him safe and be able to love him the way he deserved to be loved." She let go of Richie's hand so that he could wrap both arms around Adrian when he leaned in to hug him. She patted Richie on the leg when Adrian broke the embrace, and though there were tears misting her eyes, she told him softly, "I'm incredibly proud of you, son. For everything, but especially for how brave you are."

[thankfuckforlife]

There was no denying that Richie really enjoyed the physical affection that seemed to come so easily with him and Adrian. Relationships should feel that nice. He did enjoy being close to him. He enjoyed cuddling up close in bed, or lying holding hands while they talked. When he had been on the up and down of throwing up back at the hotel, each time he was done, he would go back to bed because being up and around made the nausea worse and he had been exhausted. Adrian would hop into the bed with him and just softly stroke his hair (a HUGE vice of Richie's, he loved having his hair played with) or rub his back for him. The comfort was priceless, and it hadn't seemed forced or an effort. Richie was a good judge of people and character. That was probably why he had engaged in a conversation with Adrian after the Bachelor Auction rather than just jumping the cab with a 'Thanks, bai'. If there was a time Adrian wasn't feeling well, Richie wanted to be able to return the comfort for him too. That, right there, was what a relationship should be about.

The hug was very much appreciated and Richie hugged back, as tight as he could through the weakness he had with the blood loss. Cold, pallor and lethargy were the signs his mom used to note when he was a kid and had the internal bleeds. She could recognise those before the bleeds were obvious. Even getting a cold could be a pain in the ass and cause to be on-alert with him because if he sneezed too hard or wiped his nose too much, it could bleed and suddenly it would be gushing out of his nose all over the place. It had been a huge awkward moment when he went Tick-or-Treating with a school friend one year and he got a nosebleed... everyone thought it was just a really good Halloween effect of his costume. But Adrian was warm and cosy, and the embrace was secure. This giving love a second chance thing was turning out pretty fucking awesome. "I don't know about brave. Life is life, and I'm glad I have one. I'm glad things like kismet exist where I can meet amazing people who make it worth living. I'm lucky I have a great family and brilliant friends, which not everyone gets. I'm lucky I can be gay and no one thinks any differently of me for it. I'm lucky I can get ill and make wearing white really awkward, but that I'll be taken care of if it happens. I'm lucky that I'm open-minded and interested enough in life and people that I can understand when an amazing person comes into my life. The way I was made was awful, I know that. One of the most awful things that can ever happen to anyone, and I'm glad the cunt got murdered. It's not easy to talk about, and I know some people do judge me and Mom for it. I know that. I'm aware of it, I see it in their faces before they even say anything. But it doesn't make my life any less valuable or meaningful because of it. I breathe the same air as people who were conceived in perfect, loving and committed relationships. I eat the same food, and I work just as hard."

[moviesismagic]

As far as Adrian was concerned, kismet definitely existed. For one, he hadn't meant to be at that Bachelor Auction that night. He got a last minute invite when the organisers heard he was in town and would be making a sizeable donation to the hospital - which was already planned before he bid for Richie. He had stopped by, just to be polite and acknowledge the invitation. He had arrived late, and walked in just minutes before Richie was called up. Then, despite really just wanted to help Richie have an easy out of an awkward situation, Richie didn't take him up on it and they had a really fun night. Sex hadn't been planned. He didn't believe sex could 'just happen' either. There was a sizzling chemistry, it all started with a very heated kiss, and neither of them felt there was anything wrong with what they were doing, both being single adults. It led to all this, there was, indeed, kismet. No doubt about it. He didn't know what he did to deserve an adorable sweetheart like Richie stumbling into his life, but he wasn't taking any of it for granted.

He had a hold of Richie's hand and as he listened, brought it up to his lips to kiss the backs of Richie's fingers tenderly. The fact the rapist had been murdered was definitely a heavy load to drop, but Adrian actually felt relieved to hear that particular fact because he had already been concerned there might be lingering danger for Richie and his mom. "Well, I just want to promise you that while we're dating and in your life, I'll always take care of you the best I can. I haven't been through the extensive amounts of pain that no doubt come from the ordeal and probably still left a lot of scars, but I know what it's like seeing someone you love hurting. My brother used to be a model. A supermodel, actually. Tristan Hewitt is my brother. It strained him mentally and he ended up with Anorexia. He became someone none of us knew; very withdrawn and would barely speak to anything. He wasted away. He's well and healthy now, but I know the terrible judgement that exists in this world. I know good people suffer it all the time, and that it can affect them. I'm here for you. However much you want to talk or not talk about it."