Boxed Set
by Karen and LB
© 2002
Inspired by the boys' mode of getting out to the tower amongst thousands of screaming teenies during Pop Odyssey. And Poor Joey's missed concert.
"JC, with Joey out, you might as well ride with Lance and Justin can go with Chris so we'll have one less box to move," orders Anthony (aka, Ant-neee).
"Um, sure," JC says, a little nervously. Everyone's jumpy tonight, not really wanting to go on without Joey. Besides, the way Lance has been looking lately . . .
Lance's head snaps around at Anthony's words. JC? In the box with him? Alone? In the dark? He actually sees the questions fly in front of his face as he tries not to break out into a sweat. It's not that he doesn't like JC-- that's the problem. When it's Lance and Joey, they spend the entire time trying to make each other laugh, but with JC--with that body next to his . . . Lance pushes the thought from his mind. It's probably the stress of not having Joey here that's doing this to him. Yeah. Sure.
"C'mon, guys. The show must go on."
Lance glances over at JC and shrugs.
JC shrugs back. "It's okay. I don't smell. At least not yet." Following Anthony's instructions, he climbs into the large equipment trunk and gets into position.
Lance climbs in after JC and picks up the slack. "It's okay--Joey usually does."
"You're comparing me to Joey?" JC jokes, then gets quiet. He misses Joey. They all do.
Lance stares at the floor and sighs. "This is so weird."
"I know. Poor Joey. What a rough few months."
"Yeah. It sucks. You'd think it was a conspiracy."
"Watch your heads," Anthony shouts, as he shuts the door and the darkness closes around them. Lance shifts, giving JC more room.
This is always a strange moment for JC. He's not claustrophobic, or scared of the dark, but when that door closes, he instantly feels both. He fidgets, hoping it goes quickly tonight.
There's a tangible tension in the small space. Lance's heartbeat quickens--it's not just the anticipation of tonight's show and how they're going to make due without Joey. JC was right--Lance CAN smell him. Only he smells good. Really good.
The trunk finally starts to move, the small wheels bumping over the uneven ground. JC is so conscious of Lance's proximity that he almost hopes this ride will never end, even as he prays for it to be over.
The silence is deafening, but Lance doesn't know what to say. He wishes he could see inside this trunk-- wishes he could see JC's eyes. Wishes he could feel him . . . he startles himself with this thought, and he can't help noticing the urgency in his groin. Suddenly, the trunk hits a bump and JC falls into him.
"Oh," JC grunts as they collide. But he makes no move to extricate himself. Until he realizes he's stiffening against Lance and he jerks away.
Lance instinctively brings his hands to his crotch, hoping JC didn't notice. "Sorry," Lance mutters. Shit, that felt good.
"Uh, not your fault," JC manages, breathlessly. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Sorry."
"It wasn't your fault." It's not your fault that I'm getting a hard-on in this stupid trunk. "At least I'm lighter than Joey."
"Yeah, he would have crushed me." Like I wish you would.
JC shifts to alleviate the pressure of his pants against the stiffness in his groin. "Guess it's our lucky day," he says, and blushes, invisible in the dark.
_It certainly is. Lance feels the heat rising in his cheeks and wonders how much longer it will be till they're free from this confinement. If he stays trapped in here any longer, he's not sure what will happen. "It would be pretty funny if they can't get the trunk open."
JC gulps, he hopes not audibly. "Real funny. We should have brought snacks."
"And some games. They really need to put a Dreamcast in here."
"A Jacuzzi."
Lance giggles. "And a bar."
"A laptop for you and a keyboard for me."
"And a cell phone."
"Like you don't have one hidden on you already."
Lance puts a finger up to his lips. "Shhhhh. What do you think all these pockets are for?" As the trunk comes to an abrupt halt, Lance is almost sorry. This has turned out to be a lot better than he imagined. A LOT. But if he stays in here with JC any longer he's not sure what will happen, and he doesn't want to freak out JC.
As they wait for the trunk to be opened, JC reflects that they managed to get through the awkwardness pretty well. Of course, they had the advantage of not being able to see each other's faces. And somehow, he can't stop thinking about that moment of contact.
As the cool rush of air hits his face, relief washes over Lance. It's usually not that hot in the box with Joey, but beads of perspiration trickle down his forehead, and the show hasn't even begun.
Everything's a rush, then, getting into position and preparing to start the show. JC tries not to even think about what happened.
And Lance is completely focused on the show as they climb the ladder to the pod and take their spots. Then he looks over at JC and their eyes lock. And that's all it takes for Lance. He's completely and utterly smitten.
JC smiles back, a little confused. How did this happen? One minute Lance is his bandmate, his brother, but one trunk ride together and his thoughts are no longer brotherly. All he can think of is touching Lance. Throughout the show, Lance takes every opportunity to do so. With Joey absent, he needs the connection, and the fans won't even notice because it would seem like he's doing it to fill the gap. But Lance knows the real reason he does it. He does it because he wants to. He does it because it feels GOOD to touch JC.
Every time Lance brushes past him, every time his hand finds its way to JC's arm, JC jumps just a little. Deliberate or not? Two can play this game, he muses, and the playful spirit of It's Gonna Be Me gives him his opportunity. He steers his pogo ball over toward Lance and waits till Lance looks up and smiles before he bounces right into him.
The collision is just what Lance needs. He laughs so hard he can barely sing, and since the show just isn't the same without his best friend, Lance figures they might as well have as much fun as they can. Something's changed, and he can't put his finger on it, but he looks forward to hanging out with JC after the show in a way he never did before.
The next show is canceled, and in a way Lance is almost relieved. Joey hasn't fully recuperated and with the way things have been going lately, he knows they can all use the break. It's disappointing to the fans, but Lance figures they'll make it up to them someday. By the time the next show arrives, all five are keyed up and anxious to get back onstage.
As they prepare to enter the trunks for their ride to the tower, Anthony stops them.
"Joey, why don't you ride by yourself tonight. This way, you'll have more air."
Joey looks at Lance and shrugs. But secretly, Lance is glad. He gets to be locked up with JC again. JC climbs into his spot and waits for Lance to get in and the door to be shut. As soon as they're sequestered in the quiet darkness, JC reaches into a pocket. "Brought something for you." It's nothing-- just a continuation of one of their jokes from the other night--but JC still feels a shiver of excitement as he presses the little plastic pack of *NSYNC fruit snacks into Lance's hand.
Lance can smell it before it's out of JC's pocket. "You've got to be kidding," he whispers, stifling a giggle. "Gee, if I had known I would have brought the Mike's." He shakes his head, smiling, as JC's hand brushes his when he gives Lance the candy.
Lance feels a bolt of electricity shoot through his body at the contact. He's touched JC a million times before this, but this is different. This feels . . . so good. He wants more. So he opens the packet, pulls out one of the chewy treats, and chucks it in JC's direction. "Oops, it slipped. Let me get that for you." He reaches down and gropes between their bodies, coming into contact with JC's leg.
"Hey," JC says a little breathlessly. "Anthony's gonna kill us if we mess up his trunk."
Lance pulls back quickly, thinking he's freaking out JC. "Oh, yeah. Sorry."
"Did you, um, find it?"
"It's probably stuck to one of us. Some kid in the front row is gonna get a fruit chew in her eye when it flies off."
"I don't think this is what Dolce and Gabanna had in mind."
"You don't think this could be a new fashion trend? Hey, I dare you to wear one of these for the whole show."
"With all the costume changes? It'll never stick."
"Give me your necklace."
Grinning, JC takes the ornament off.
Lance pulls out another fruit chew and threads it over the thick leather strap of JC's favorite pendant. "There. The whole show."
"And if I do?"
"What do you want?"
"I'll have to think about it. For the next show."
"Okay. But that's only if you wear it the WHOLE SHOW. Even during This I Promise You."
"When have you ever seen me back down on a dare?"
"Never. But I bet you'll regret it when the pictures show up in Bop." "I'll just blame it on you."
"Great. As if I don't get blamed for ENOUGH." Are we flirting? Is that what we're doing?
"And everyone thinks you're so innocent."
"I am!"
"We'll see about that."
"We will?"
"Yep. Next show."
"What's gonna happen next show?" Before JC can answer, the box has stopped moving and they're once again hustled to the top of the tower. Throughout the show, Lance keeps an eye on JC. The way he moves, the way he jumps around. All the things he's seen before but never really seen.
Between numbers, JC keeps fingering the fruit treat attached to his necklace. This has to rank pretty high on the weirdness scale, and he wonders what he can throw at Lance to top it.
Lance has to bite back the laughter that threatens to erupt every time he sees JC's hand on the fruit chew. He wonders if it shows up on the big screen. He wonders what it would be like to pull it off JC's necklace with his teeth. Whoa, where'd that come from? He almost misses a step but recovers quickly, hoping no one noticed. Get through the show, he tells himself. Whatever. This is will pass. But he doesn't want it to pass.
They make it through the show, and JC and Lance end up in the same SUV for the ride back to the hotel. JC unties his necklace and slides the rather dilapidated chew off the tie. He holds it out, offering it to Lance. "The whole show, dude."
"I can't believe you really did it. I can wait to see Steve's footage of THAT."
JC shrugs. "It was a dare."
"So . . . what do I have to do in return?"
"I haven't figured that out yet."
Lance shifts uncomfortably in the seat. "I guess I'll just have to wait. But I asked for it."
JC grins. "You sure did."
Lance grins but looks away, out the window. Why does he have to be so hot?
JC reaches over and ruffles Lance's hair playfully. "Don't worry. I won't make it anything painful." The heat rises in Lance's cheek at both the touch and the words. He pats his hair where JC's hand was, as if by touching the hair he can feel JC.
"You're not gonna flop me, are you?"
"Nah. I'm more subtle than that."
"Uh oh. Am I at least gonna know what you're gonna make me do?"
"Yep. Saturday night. I'll tell you in the trunk."
"I have to wait till the trunk?"
"Fair is fair. I only found out in the trunk tonight."
"Found out what?"
"What you were going to make me do. That IS what we're talking about, isn't it?"
"Uh, yeah." Lance absentmindedly brings his fingers to his lips and starts chewing his nails. "Hey," he exclaims suddenly. "It's your fault anyway. You brought the fruit chews."
"And obviously you're still hungry."
Lance quickly puts his hands down. His mother is always riding him about this, but he can't seem to stop. JC is probably disgusted with him right now. "Yeah, I guess I could use something to eat."
"We're almost at the hotel." JC grins. "I have more fruit snacks."
Lance groans and rolls his eyes. "I can't believe you bought our own merchandise."
JC looks down shyly. "Only to make you laugh. And it worked, didn't it?"
"You dork." But Lance is still smiling. He can't wait for Saturday.
For the rest of the weekend, JC tries to think of just the right dare for Lance. But he keeps getting distracted, thinking of how he felt when he fell against Lance that first night they shared a trunk.
Saturday arrives, and Lance fidgets with his outfit as the final preparations for the show are set in motion. The trunks are set up, and Joey heads for Lance's box. Lance puts a hand on his chest, stopping him.
"What up, dude?"
"You should ride alone again, Joe. Just to be sure."
"I'm not contagious."
"I know. But just one more night. I'll ride with C."
Joey makes a face. "Oh, I get it. I have COOTIES." He starts jumping around, waving his hands frantically.
"Yeah, that's it. I don't want your germs, dude."
"Whatever." So Lance climbs in and waits anxiously for JC to do the same. JC walks slowly toward the box, frustrated with himself. The best he could come up with was making Lance wear an I <3 Justin button with every outfit. Not very original. He climbs into the box, smiles at Lance, and settles himself into his spot. The lid is shut, and soon they're moving.
"Okay, what's it gonna be. I gotta wear my shirt inside out?"
"I thought of that. I thought of a lot more things too. But there's only one thing I want you to do."
Lance swallows. He knows what HE wants to do. He only wishes JC would want the same thing. "W-what's that?"
"Kiss me." JC freezes. Okay, he'd been thinking it, but he certainly hadn't expected to blurt it out. "Um, not on stage or anything."
For once, Lance is glad they're trapped in darkness so JC can't see his face. That's exactly what he'd been hoping JC would want. Because that's what he wants. "Uh . . . okay. Because it's a dare." He gropes around until he feels JC's arm, then slides his hand up to JC's face. If there was ever going to be an awkward kiss, this was it. He brings his face close until he can feel JC's breath, then aims for where he feels JC's lips are.
JC turns his head slightly, meeting Lance's lips full on. The kiss is tentative and awkward and delicious. JC's hands reach instinctively for Lance's waist, pulling him a little closer. Lance doesn't think, doesn't breathe--all he does is allow the moment to happen. His whole body is on fire.
JC opens his lips against Lance's, venturing out very lightly with his tongue. He can't get any closer to Lance as their movements are limited by the small dimensions of the trunk, but the arms around Lance's waist wrap tighter. Shifting so that he's on his knees, Lance leans into the kiss, slipping his tongue into JC's seemingly welcoming mouth.
As he feels the trunk rolls to a stop, JC pulls back. "We have to stop," he whispers. "Later," He adds, gently.
Lance falls back against his side of the trunk, breathless. "Later?" "Later," JC says firmly, as the door begins to open.
Later. So it wasn't just a dare. It's really happening. As they climb out, Lance lets his hand linger on the box. It's opened a whole new world of possibilities.