Number 26 in the series.
****
Forever Young: Empty Box
c2004 by Karen and LB
Lance was beginning to like hanging out with Danielle. A lot. She was a nice change from the four guys he was used to being around and it was nice to get a girl's view on things. Not that he couldn't talk to JC, but with Danielle it was different. Sometimes she could be a little pushy, but most of the time she was fun to be around. So much fun that when she suggested they spend Christmas together he couldn't say no.
JC is less thrilled about Lance's plans. "What happened to inviting our parents to Orlando so we could spend the holiday together? I already talked to my parents."
"I'm sorry. This just sort of happened. Danielle's never been to Mississippi, so I thought I'd show her around."
"Is there something you aren't telling me?"
"No, of course not. I don't keep secrets from you."
"Then what's going on? All of a sudden what Danielle wants rules our lives?"
"I thought you liked her."
"She's fine. She just . . . this just wasn't supposed to change anything. And it is."
"You're acting like a jealous boyfriend."
"Maybe I am."
"You have nothing to be jealous about. We've been over this before. Danielle and I are just friends. We were thrown together and now we're friends. You're my boyfriend."
"She wasn't supposed to CHANGE things."
"She's not changing things. YOU are."
JC raises his eyebrows. "I didn't change anything. We were going to spend Christmas here and now you won't be here. We were supposed to spend it together and now you're spending it with her."
"I'll spend time with you, too. Just not on Christmas," Lance mumbles.
"Gee, thanks," JC says, walking out fast. Doesn't Lance know how hard it was to ask his parents to come here when they still didn't really approve of their relationship? Something is happening to them, something JC doesn't like at all, and he feels powerless to stop it.
Lance is torn. He loves JC and they've kept this relationship going strong for more than two years. But when he's with Danielle, Lance can't help wondering what it would be like . . . to be with a girl. Danielle likes doing the things he likes doing, and she laughs at all his jokes. And she understands the business, although she does get a little annoyed with his schedule and the way fans act around him. Even so, he finds himself thinking about her more and more. So when they arrive in Mississippi, Lance still has that nagging feeling that he shouldn't have left things so badly with JC. He leaves Danielle to the care of his mom and sister while he slips away to make a phone call.
JC looks at the display on his phone, debating whether to answer or not. But he's never been able to refuse Lance much, so he does. "Hello?"
"Hi, JC. How are you?"
JC. Lance never calls him that. Not when it's just the two of them. "I'm okay. You?"
"I miss you."
Then why'd you go? "You do?"
"Yeah. I'm sorry about the way we left things. I don't want to fight about this."
"I don't either. I guess I just asked too much."
"Look, it's not easy, but we can make this work. I promise. Uh . . . I gotta go. My mom's calling me."
Unbelievable. "Oh. Um . . . " Thanks for sparing me two minutes out of your busy life. "Bye."
Lance fully intended to make it up to JC. He even took Danielle to the mall so he could look for a special present. But they got mobbed by fans and had to leave, and that night as he and Danielle sit on the porch he thinks more and more about his relationship with JC.
"You're a million miles away. What are you thinking about?" Danielle asks.
"Nothing. Sorry." He smiles and throws his arm over the back of the wicker couch.
"You look sad. No one should be sad at Christmas."
"I guess I'm sorry that we couldn't finish our shopping today."
"Is that all? You can talk to me. We're friends, right?"
"Of course. You're real easy to talk to you. You know that?"
"Then talk to me now. I know something's bothering you."
"It's nothing. It's the tour--you know how the schedule is. I just needed a day off."
"Poor baby," Danielle coos. "You just need some TLC."
"Yeah?" He giggles nervously. "So, are you gonna give it to me?"
"Maybe," Danielle replies flirtatiously. "I figured when you invited me down here that this might be our chance to see if we could be more than just a business arrangement."
"Wow. I guess I should have expected this."
"Why are you surprised? We get along great, and I think you're really cute. Obviously you're not seeing anyone, or you wouldn't have invited me."
"Well, that's not entirely true." Lance looks away, unsure of how much to tell Danielle. "I'm sort of seeing someone, but it's complicated."
"Oh. Does she know I'm here with you?"
"Um, yeah." It's not really a lie if he doesn't correct her. "We try to be pretty honest with each other."
"Isn't she mad? I would be if I were your girlfriend. Your real girlfriend."
"Well, we're having a few problems, but nothing that can't be worked out."
"Am I one of those problems? What do you need me for if you already have a girlfriend?"
"Um, I don't exactly have a girlfriend."
"You're not making sense."
"I know," Lance says, smiling and shaking his head. "Sometimes it doesn't make sense to me either."
"So, why am I here?"
"Because you're my friend?"
"And maybe you'd rather be with me than with your not-a-girlfriend?""It's not like that. I, um, it's confusing. I like being with you, but I love . . . I don't know what I'm saying."
"No, I don't think you do. Maybe you should go call her. I know you're not happy. And I bet she isn't, either."
"I already did. We'll be fine. What about you? Any boyfriend prospects?"
"Everyone thinks I have one."
"Oh, you mean me? I'm sorry about that."
"It's not so bad. It keeps the creeps away."
"I do that?"
Danielle grins. "At least the ones who've seen your bodyguards."
"Ohhhh, so it's all about the bodyguards. I'm just chopped liver."
"Nah, you're cuter than chopped liver. You're more like a nice roast beef."
"I am? Roast beef? Or roast beast?"
"I haven't seen your beast-y side."
"You don't want to see that."
"Not even a little?"
"You're not making this easy for me, are you?"
"Should I?"
Lance shifts so he's facing Danielle a little more. "I don't know. I probably shouldn't even be thinking about this."
"What are you thinking?"
"I'm thinking about what it would be like to kiss you. And I probably shouldn't."
"Shouldn't think or shouldn't kiss me?"
"Both."
Danielle leans closer. "You think too much."
"Maybe I do," Lance says quietly, not backing away.
"Maybe you should stop," Danielle whispers.
"Maybe I should . . . " But Lance can't finish the sentence because their lips are touching and he's lost all ability to think clearly. It's an innocent kiss, but a kiss nonetheless. And strangely, it doesn't gross him out. In fact, he likes it.
Danielle wraps her arms around Lance's neck, pulling him closer. "Mmmmm," she purrs. "Nice."
"Yeah, it was." Lance takes her hands and holds them in his lap.
"But?"
"I'm still not sure I should be doing this."
"Lance, there's gotta be a reason I'm here instead of your girlfriend. Or not girlfriend. Or whatever."
"It's not what you think."
"Then maybe you shouldn't have kissed me."
"I thought we kissed each other."
"I thought so, too. But now . . . I don't know what to think."
"I'm sorry. This isn't fair to you."
"Maybe if I had a clue what was going on."
"I like you. I do. Things are just a little complicated right now."
"You said that."
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just not sure about things right now. For us, I mean."
"You think there could be an us?"
"Um, I don't know." As the words tumble out, Lance himself can't believe he's saying them. He hadn't thought about being with Danielle, or any girl for that matter, until now.
"Maybe you need to figure that out."
"Maybe I do. But whatever happens, I am glad you're here."
"Thanks. I think."
The next day they spend even more time together, and by the time they hit the road for the next venue Lance has developed feelings for her that he didn't think possible. The question was, what was he going to tell JC?
JC doesn't know whether to be excited or worried about finally seeing Lance again. They had barely talked the whole time they were apart--a first for them. There were calls, but they were short and unsatisfactory. He had never felt so distant, so disconnected from Lance.
The night--well, morning--after the show in Minneapolis and a few hours of clubbing, Lance and JC return to the hotel. Lance flops down on the bed exhausted. "It's good to be back," he says to the ceiling.
"Yeah. I missed it. I missed . . . "
"I missed you too. I know you don't believe me, but I did."
"Then why . . . why did you change your mind?"
"It's not like I changed my mind. It just happened. Look, I get to spend all this time with you, but I hardly get to see Danielle."
"It didn't just happen. You made a decision to go home with her instead of staying in Orlando with me."
"I'm sorry it happened this way."
"I hate fighting with you."
"Me too. I'm really sorry about Christmas. But at least we get to spend New Year's Eve together."
"Just you and me. And Vegas."
"I can't wait. It's gonna be a great show and then after we can slip away and make love all night long. We can start now, if you want."
"I thought you'd never ask."
Lance holds out his hand, beckoning JC to join him on the bed. Thoughts of kissing Danielle get pushed to the back of his mind now that he's back with his boyfriend.
JC stretches out on the bed next to Lance, breathing in the scent he's missed, feeling his body relax for the first time in weeks.
For a few minutes, Lance just lies next to JC, gazing into his tranquil blue-gray eyes, letting JC's body heat warm him.
JC pulls Lance closer still. "Missed you," he whispers, his lips so close that Lance must be able to feel JC's breath on his face.
"I missed you too," Lance whispers back, holding JC's face between his hands and closing the gap with his lips.
The minute their lips meet, JC feels like he's safe again, home again even though they're miles from anywhere they call home.
Lance rolls on top of JC, the tension from moments before dissipating as the kiss deepens.
JC wraps his arms around Lance, holding Lance to him tightly as he seeks Lance's tongue with his own.
Lance kisses JC passionately, trying with his heart to make up for the time they lost over Christmas.
Loosening his hold on Lance, JC slips his hands under the hem of Lance's shirt, warming his hands against the smooth skin. He caresses that warmth even as his kisses become hungrier.
With his eyes closed Lance breathes in deeply before stripping off his shirt and returning to JC's hot mouth.
His hands now free to roam over Lance's back and sides, JC does just that, stroking his fingers over the long muscles of Lance's back, and dipping below the waistband of the tight jeans.
Lance's need increases with every passing second, every touch. He almost didn't realize how much he missed JC until they started kissing, and now that they're together he wants only to be close to JC again. His lips travel from JC's lips to his neck, and his hands lift JC's shirt to reveal the thin yet muscular chest beneath.
"I want you," JC groans, surprised by the desperation in his own voice. As Lance lifts his shirt, JC feels a shiver that has nothing to do with the coolness of the room.
Lance breathes hotly in JC's ear. He nibbles JC's earlobe as his fingers lightly pinch JC's nipples. His erection presses against his jeans as his pulse races.
JC slides his hands between their tightly pressed bodies, scrabbling frantically at buttons and zippers.
Lance kisses his way down JC's neck to his chest. He pushes away JC's hands and manages to get his pants open, then kisses his way lower, following the dark trail of hairs from JC's navel to the curly, musk-scented hairs below.
JC sighs, reaching out with both hands to caress Lance's hair, murmuring encouragement.
Freeing JC's erection, Lance lowers JC's pants and kisses his way around the stiff organ. This is one thing that Lance definitely cannot see doing with Danielle.
"Lance . . . Baby . . . " JC croons, his hips twitching along with Lance's movements.
Using his tongue, Lance massages JC's balls and then licks his way up the long shaft, not yet taking it in his mouth.
"Please." JC gasps out the single word, his body aflame with desire.
Lance takes his time, something he's learned from JC after all these years. He wants JC so much, but he wants to give him as much pleasure as he knows he'll feel soon enough. Finally, after agonizingly long seconds, Lance engulfs JC's hardness.
JC squeezes his eyelids together so tightly that he sees bright spots of light behind them. The pleasure of this moment is so perfect, made more poignant by their time apart, and he gives in to it completely.
Lance senses JC's need, so he wastes no more time. He works his mouth around the hot erection, drawing it in and out with a steady rhythm, a rhythm he knows so well after all this time.
JC's hands cradle Lance's head gently as Lance moves over him, sending electric shockwaves up his spine with every stroke. He manages to rein in the impulse to thrust, but his hips move lightly with Lance's every movement . Taking JC's length as far as he can, Lance finally releases it and removes JC's shoes and pants, then climbs up on the bed to lie beside him. He sighs, stroking JC's hair and gazing into his eyes.
JC looks up into the impossibly green eyes. "Make love to me," he commands. "Please?"
"You don't even have to ask." Lance rolls over and retrieves the lube, then returns to JC's side. "No matter what happens outside this room, you're the one I want."
"Show me."
Lance stands and kicks off his shoes, then removes his remaining clothing. He deftly hefts the tube of lube in his hand, then flips open the top and slicks some on his throbbing erection. Kneeling between JC's knees, he lifts JC's long legs over his shoulders and pours more lubricant into his hand. He leans down and kisses JC, then reaches between his legs and teases JC's puckered opening.
JC draws Lance's head down closer, giving himself completely to the kiss, tasting Lance, feeling Lance, smelling Lance.
As he pushes his fingers gently inside, Lance thrusts his tongue into JC's beckoning mouth.
JC lifts his hips to meet Lance's penetrating fingers and meets Lance's tongue with his own. Soon, Lance removes his fingers and lifts JC's hips, then slips inside like JC were a glove custom made for him.
JC looks up into Lance's face as Lance enters him, watching his expression go from deep concentration to pleasure. He loves watching Lance's face, especially when he lets his guard down.
Lance closes his eyes and throws himself completely into the act, consumed by JC's passion. He reaches between their bodies and wraps his hand protectively around JC's erection.
JC reaches down to grab Lance's ass, pulling Lance more deeply into himself. He gazes down to watch their bodies moving against each other, enthralled by the sight, then looks up again at Lance's face.
Lance complies with JC, pushing in deeper, harder, but stroking JC into pleasure at the same time. He needs JC to know how much he loves him, now more than ever.
Stretching his neck to reach, JC claims Lance's mouth once more, wanting to feel connected to Lance in as many ways as he can. He can feel his climax building, feel the pleasure surge in him as Lance fills him deeply.
As the sweat trickles down Lance's back, he thrusts faster, knowing he can't hold back much longer. "Josh," he whispers as he finally comes.
JC holds Lance tightly as he, too comes. "I love you so much, baby," he sighs into Lance's ear.
Lance lies on top of JC as his tremors subside, and he wraps his arms securely around JC. "I love you too." But any further conversation is interrupted by the phone.
"Don't answer. It's the middle of the night."
"It could be my mom."
"Lance. Come on."
"I'll just find out who it is and hang up." He reaches for the phone before JC can protest, and immediately wishes he hadn't.
"Lance? Hi, it's me, Danielle."