Snow White: Happy (Part II)
by Karen and LB
© 2002
Notes and disclaimer: see Part I
It's the scent that first awakens him. He's face down on the pillow and he can still smell the cologne JC was wearing last night at the New Year's Eve party. It awakens something else in Lance, and he smiles, a lazy, just-woke- up smile. He rolls over and feels JC's arm draped around his waist. They had been too tired from the party to do anything more than collapse into bed, but just being close to JC, breathing in his delicious scent all night, was enough for Lance. Well, almost. Now, Lance lies on his side and watches his lover sleep, studying his eyes as the lids quiver in their dream-state, the hair, tousled from last night's revelry, and the lips moist and parted slightly. Begging to be kissed. But Lance doesn't move. Not yet. Right now, he just wants to watch.
Just then, the phone rings, it's shrill, high-pitched screech startling Lance out of his trance. They're in his room; he grabs the receiver quickly so as not to disturb the sleeping beauty beside him. The good thing about JC is that he can sleep through pretty much anything, including natural disasters, but Lance keeps his voice down, even so.
"Hello?" he says groggily.
"Lance, did I wake you?" It's Justin, very much awake.
"What do you think?"
"It's noon, man. You coming down to Chris's room? The game's gonna start in an hour." The football party. Lance had forgotten. Or hoped they would forget.
"Um, yeah, I'll be down later."
"Okay, dude, but you don't wanna miss kickoff. Hey, JC's not answering; can you grab him on your way down?"
Lance smiles and in fact does reach over to touch the man lying next to him. "Yeah, sure. You know how he sleeps."
"Yeah, I know. Earthquakes, tidal waves . . . catch you later, dude."
"Catch you later." Lance hangs up and flops down on the bed. They're safe for a little while. Enough time to . . . but Lance sees that JC is indeed still asleep. Lance is restless now, and from the twitching in his groin, eager for a little wake-up call.
JC feels himself dragged up through layers and layers of sleep. He used to hate waking up, but these days, it's not so bad. Not when there's the warm presence of Lance to wake up to. Still, he groans a little as he comes to the surface, allowing his eyelids to flutter as he tightens his arm on Lance's waist. He squints up at his boy through slitted eyes. " 'Zat the phone?"
"Mmm-hmmm," Lance murmurs back, glad that his friend is finally awake. Well, sort of. Lance thinks he can work on that. "Justin," he says, slipping a hand under the blanket and across JC's chest. "Wants us to come down to Chris's room for the football party. Said I should grab you on my way down. So I guess that's what I should do." Lance flings the covers over his head and proceeds to place soft, gentle kisses on JC's chest, while his hand travels lower to the soft hairs surrounding his flaccid member; he gently cups the organ, using the warmth in his palm to awaken it.
"Mmmmm. You're better than an alarm clock. WAY better."
"I don't know about that," Lance muffled voice emerges from the under the blankets. "I don't think you're quite up yet." To emphasize his point, he gives a little wave of the not-quite limp penis. "I think I can do better." And with that, he licks JC's chest, tasting last night's sweat and the remnants of JC's cologne, and begins a slow, steady stroking rhythm with his hand, quickly bringing the member to stiffness.
JC sighs, a big, silly grin plastered on his face. "Is this your New Year's resolution, babe? To wake me up like this every day? Cause I'm all for it."
"Hey, if this would get you up on time, anything." But a thought suddenly occurs to Lance and he stops what he's doing and crawls out from under the protection of the blanket. He lays on his side, propped up on his elbow, and looks down at JC's peaceful face. "J, I think we should make a New Year's resolution. I think we should tell the guys about us."
JC tries not to growl at the cessation of--er-- activities. Lance has a point. "You know, I was thinking about that last night. When I wasn't thinking about getting you alone." He smiles up at Lance's serious face. "It might have been a little easier if we hadn't been trying to dodge them as well as everyone else."
"That's just it," Lance replies, exasperated. "It's bad enough we have to keep what we have secret from the public, but to keep it from our best friends? I don't think I can do this much longer. I want to tell them tonight. We're gonna have to tell them eventually and . . . we're gonna have to tell our parents too. So I think if we start with our friends we can see what their reaction will be." He stares down at the bed sheet he'd been gripping in his hand. "I mean, if this was a normal relationship, we wouldn't have to sneak around so much."
JC takes the clenched hand in his, trying to loosen the tension in it. "Lance, I'm agreeing with you. Except maybe the not 'normal' part. You don't have to talk me into it. I'm ready, you're ready. We'll tell them tonight."
"Good," Lance blows out a sigh of relief. "That means we have all of today to ourselves. And Josh, there's one other thing I have to tell you." JC braces himself. "I'm REALLY horny right now."
JC grins. "Gosh, what are we gonna do about that?"
"I think there's only one thing we can do." He rolls over on top of JC and touches his lips to his friend's. Soon, his lips part and his tongue darts out, urgently seeking out the hot, moist mouth of his lover.
JC leans back into the pillows, opening his mouth, opening himself, up to Lance. One hand comes up to cup Lance's head, to hold him in their kiss. The other moves with sweet torturous slowness down the length of Lance's spine.
Lance presses himself tightly against JC, and the teasing hand on his back isn't helping much. If he doesn't control himself, he's going to ravage JC right then and there. It feels like days since they made love, and Lance's almost immediate erection is proof. He slides his hands between their bodies, searching out and finding JC's nipples, rubbing them until they become hard points. He feels an almost desperate need to make love as his mouth continues to close over JC's, taking in each lip one at a time and then both at once, plunging his tongue as far as it can go without choking his lover.
JC isn't sure he's ever felt such hunger in Lance, such devouring heat. Feeling his own heat rise in response, he grinds his hips against Lance's, bringing together their erections, sending a shiver of passion down his own spine.
Lance spreads JC's legs with his knees and raises his hips. He feels a pang of regret that he's rushing this, but he can't help himself. He needs JC. Maybe it was the forced separation last night. Maybe it's all the sneaking around finally catching up with him. Maybe it's the way JC is just so freaking sexy right now. Whatever the reason, Lance doesn't remember ever feeling this aroused, or in this way, before. He groans as he kisses JC's neck, sucking and nipping lightly with his teeth, knowing there's going to be evidence later that he'll have to explain.
"Lance, Lance," JC gasps, panting. It's never been fast like this between them before, always slow and leisurely and loving, but he wants Lance in him so badly right now. RIGHT now. "Please, baby, please."
"I'm sorry, Josh, I don't mean to rush this, but I'm so . . . YOU feel so hot right now. I need you so bad," he murmurs in JC's ear, kissing it and nibbling it more gently than he did JC's neck. He reaches between JC's legs, between the tight muscles of his butt until he finds the small puckered opening. He rubs gently, remembering his fingers aren't lubricated. "Shit," he swears, his heart pounding, and with his other hand he stretches over to the bedside table for the small leather bag containing his "essentials", knocking over the clock and an empty water glass in the process. "Shit, shit, shit!"
"Lance. It's okay. Just do it."
Lance is stunned, but he's also so caught up in the moment that he can't bear to break it. He falls against JC's neck. "It's gonna hurt," he pants, "and I can't stand the thought of hurting you."
"It's gonna feel good more than it's gonna hurt. I want you, Lance. Now."
Lance bites his lip, then starts rubbing JC again, in that most intimate place, and slips his finger inside. He cringes, knowing it can't be too comfortable, but he's excited all the same. He can't help it. JC is hot and tight, and the past few days of forced abstinence have left Lance eager for this moment. With his other hand, he caresses and strokes JC's erection, and he presses his lips against JC's throat.
JC makes pleased noises in his throats, noises he knows Lance can feel with his lips. His hips buck against Lance's finger, urging him on, asking for more.
Lance's breathing becomes ragged. He thrusts in a second finger, and his hand moves faster on JC's shaft. Soon, he removes his fingers and raises JC's hips, positioning his own painfully hard erection at the opening and thrusting in, hard and fast. "I'm sorry, JC, I just can't . . . hold on any longer. Oh my gosh, you feel so good. So good." He closes his mouth over JC's, thrusting his tongue in as he thrusts his hard member into JC.
JC groans, but it's muffled by Lance's mouth. His tongue meets Lance's, answering each thrust just as his body does--pulling Lance deeper, getting past the pain to the pure pleasure of having Lance inside him, making love to him.
Lance caresses the length of JC's erection, wanting so much to give him as much pleasure as JC is giving him. It feels so raw, so primal, yet Lance is filled with so much love for his friend it transcends the act itself. As he quickens his pace, sweat trickles down his back and he knows he's close to release. He squeezes JC's hard member, urging him on. He breaks the kiss and buries his face in JC's shoulder, squeezing his eyes shut.
JC cradles Lance's head to him, hard. He whispers a steady stream of words into his boy's ear: "Yes, baby, so good. So good. Yeah, more. Come for me, baby. Come." His other hand clasps his boy's hip, pulling him in deeper even as he himself thrusts his hips upward, taking even more of Lance's heat into himself.
Lance is practically whimpering. So intense is the pleasure he's experiencing he can't even speak. Faster and faster, he thrusts into JC, stroking his lover's erection in time. "JC," he groans, and with one final, deep, hard push the orgasm tears through him and into JC.
Hearing, feeling Lance's pleasure, more even than the relentless stroking, brings JC to the brink and over it and he nearly roars Lance's name as he explodes. It's a long time before either can speak as they cling to each other, hearts still pounding.
Lance is curled up on JC's chest, spent, panting. When he finally can speak, he sniffs once and mumbles, "Well, they always say you should start the new year off with a bang."
JC feigns horror. "Why, James Lance Bass. I am shocked and appalled." He gives up and just laughs. "Did I mention I love you?"
"Not this year." He laughs back and pulls himself up so he can see his lover's face. "And if you think that was shocking wait till you see what I have planned for later." He takes a deep breath. "Man, you are gorgeous in morning."
"Yeah, right. Unshaven and bleary eyed is my best look." JC reaches up to cup Lance's cheek. "You, on the other hand . . . So, tell me about these plans. I'm intrigued."
"I love your stubble." To emphasize his point, Lance kisses JC's chin. Then he rests his own chin on JC's chest and turns his eyes upward. "Let's see. I think I'd like to start by giving you a bath. I mean, we had a long night and I think we could both use it. I'm going to take a nice, soft washcloth and rub it all over your body. You know, to get you nice and clean. Then, I'm going to take a big, fluffy towel and wrap it around you and wipe every last drop of water from every inch of your skin. And that could take some time, because let's face it: you're taller than me. After that, I'm gonna bring you back to this big, warm bed and . . . wait a second, if I tell you everything it's gonna ruin the fun."
"Mmmm. You've clearly been giving this a lot of thought. Where do we start . . . here?" JC kisses Lance's forehead. "Here?" JC rolls them over, and looks down into his lover's eyes. He kisses the tip of Lance's nose. "Here?" He traces Lance's jawline with his tongue.
"Um, yeah." Lance closes his eyes and smiles. "Definitely there. And yes, I've given this a lot of thought. I think about this all the time." He opens his eyes. "I think about YOU all the time."
"You do?" JC whispers into Lance's ear, then he nips and sucks at the lobe. "What kinds of thoughts?"
"Um . . . " Just when Lance thought he was spent and exhausted, JC found a way to rekindle his lust. It's times like this when Lance thanks his lucky stars that he's young and virile. This is exactly how he hoped he'd be spending New Year's Day. Football? Ha! THIS is the only sport he wants to be participating in right now. "Really saucy thoughts."
"You realize you're the only person under the age of 70 who uses the word 'saucy'," JC murmurs into Lance's ear, making the teasing words sound seductive. He traces the shell of Lance's ear with his tongue as his fingers find his already tight nipple. "But I want to hear about these thoughts you have."
"Hey, my mom uses that word--you making fun of my mom?" But his anger is only in jest, because JC's tongue is too hard to resist, and his knee comes up as he feels JC's hand on his chest. "Ohhhh," he moans. "Yes, I definitely think about this. And I think about your sexy body when you wear those tight leather pants. And how you must feel in those pants. And this." Lance grabs JC's butt and gives it a squeeze. "I almost always think about this."
"Mmmm. Very deep thoughts, babe. My little philosopher."
"Deep thoughts? Oh, they're deep all right. VERY deep." He emphasizes this by taking JC's mouth in his own and kissing him passionately and deeply.
JC responds with equal fervor, his tongue entwining with Lance's. His hand moves to Lance's other nipple, teasing it to a hard peak, and he presses their growing erections together. Something's changed in the past several days in his and Lance's relationship. It's been intense, passionate, from the beginning but lately--he had no idea how to express it, but he sure liked it. It was like they'd reached a new phase of closeness--of being absolutely necessary to each other. Maybe it was the difference between falling in love and BEING in love.
This is the perfect moment, Lance thinks. Of course, he's been saying that about every moment with JC, but right now it's as though time has stood still for them and they are the only two people alive. Or so he thinks, because it's at that very moment that the phone rings. "Noooo," Lance whines, breaking the kiss.
JC pulls Lance back to him. "You don't have to answer it."
"No, you're right." Lance sinks back into the pillows. "But they're going to start wondering where we are."
"Let them wonder. We'll be there . . . eventually." JC licks Lance's lips teasingly, pulling back before Lance can turn it into a full blown kiss. "I deserve a little quality time with my baby, don't I?"
"More than a little," Lance purrs, trying his best to capture JC's lips. But the incessant ring of the phone is too distracting, and Lance sighs and turns his head. "Maybe we should order breakfast, anyway." His stomach is growling and he realizes it's been more than half a day since they last ate. And he worked up an appetite after their recent activities.
"Excuse me? You get me all worked up and you're gonna abandon me for pastry?"
"I got YOU all worked up?" Lance laughs and pushes JC off. "Look who's laying on top of who. Besides, I perform better on a full stomach."
"Yeah, right. I was just thinking about how we've reached a new level in our relationship, and you'd rather have orange juice than me." JC tries to pout, but doesn't do a very good job of it.
"I'd rather have orange juice ON you," Lance replies seductively, reaching for the phone. "You know, all sticky and lickable." He calls the front desk and orders a full breakfast for two, but laughs when he sees that the clock reads 2:00. However, the desk clerk doesn't act at all surprised. Lance also asks the man to hold his calls. He hangs up and turns to JC. "Well, we have 30 minutes."
"Did you have anything in mind?"
"I dunno. We could . . . watch TV . . . or play cards . . . or go over our schedules for next week . . . "
"...do our taxes . . . or write postcards . . . or I could kiss every inch of you . . . "
"Hey, postcards!" Lance teases, then his face grows serious. "No, I think it might be better if we do the kissing thing now and save the postcards for later."
"I was hoping you'd say that."
"Now, where were we?" Lance stretches and puts his hands behind his head.
"Right about here . . . " JC sensuously slides his body up over Lance's again, his lips teasingly poised just above Lance's, not touching, but close enough that Lance can feel his hot breath. "Feel familiar?"
"It's starting to come back to me," Lance rasps, and he once again feels that familiar and pleasant tingling in his groin.
JC drops his mouth the necessary millimeter to brush Lance's lips with his own, pulling back immediately then dipping again to kiss him more urgently.
Lance moves his hands from under his head to the back of JC's neck. He slides his fingers into JC's hair as their tongues entwine.
JC breaks their kiss and his lips move down over Lance's chin to his neck, licking and kissing the tender flesh. He slides his tongue slowly over Lance's adam's apple and nips at the underside of his chin before kissing his way down to Lance's chest.
Lance's fingers thread their way through the tangle of JC's dark brown locks, and his breathing becomes ragged when JC's lips touch the smooth skin on his chest. "I think right now I'm the luckiest man alive."
"You can't be--I've got that title," JC whispers as his lips close around one small brown nipple.
"No way--oh!" Lance exclaims as he arches his back. "JC Chasez, are you trying to seduce me?"
"You have to ask?" JC moves to the other nipple as his hand trails down over Lance's stomach.
"Are you going where I think you're going?"
"I did say I was gonna kiss every inch of you . . . "
"Oh . . . my . . . goodness." Lance closes his eyes, taking in the sensation of JC's lips on his skin. His erection becomes harder by the minute.
JC slips lower still, licking his way down Lance's stomach and abdomen. "Hmmm, here's a few inches I could kiss."
Lance lifts his head off the pillow. "Just a few? See, I knew I wasn't man enough for you."
"Several. A lot. Many. Better?" JC runs his tongue over the inches in question.
"Ohhhh, it's definitely better. Much better. So better." He bites his lip, trying his best to keep still.
JC looks up, enjoying his boy's expressions, as he continues to lick up and down the shaft, before taking the head into his mouth.
Lance resists the urge to squeeze JC's head. Instead, he grabs a fistful of the bed sheets. "Josh," he pants, "have I told you in the last hour how much I love you?"
JC smiles, his lips curving around Lance'e erection. He takes Lance more deeply into his mouth, his hands sliding under Lance's butt and squeezing the firm muscles.
After a few days of not making love it's come to this--Lance thinks it might almost be worth it for them to abstain for a few days at a time. Almost. Because right now he can't conceive of not being with JC for even a few hours. JC's mouth is warm and wet on his hard member, and Lance begins to thrust gently.
JC slides one hand out from under Lance to cup his balls gently, fondling them as his mouth continues to move on Lance's organ, tongue swirling. When he feels Lance start to thrust, he picks up his pace, his mouth moving ever quicker in response.
"Josh, this feels amazing," Lance moans, lifting his head once again. He's beautiful, Lance says to himself. How did I get so lucky?
JC is smiling again as he intensifies his movements. He loves how responsive Lance is, how he isn't afraid to show how he feels. The sounds he makes are such a complete turn-on for JC. He moves his hand up to grip the base of Lance's erection, stroking with his hand in tandem with his mouth and is rewarded with another low moan.
Lance keeps one hand on JC's head, twirling a strand of hair between his fingers, balling the sheet with his other hand. Sweat pours from his brow, and he pants in time with JC's rhythm. He increases his thrusting, feeling himself of the verge of coming, and cries out, "JC, oh my gosh, JC, oh . . . " and then he does come, shooting his hot fluid into JC's mouth; part of him regrets doing this to JC, because he wants to share in the pleasure. JC is always so giving, always putting Lance's pleasure before his own, and this turns Lance on even more. His body bucks, and when the spasm finally passes he is gripping JC's hair. He collapses against the mattress, spent, his head lolling to one side. "JC Chasez, I . . . love . . . you," he murmurs sleepily.
JC releases Lance's now soft member and pulls himself up enough to collapse against Lance's stomach. Both arms tighten around his boy, holding him very close as he listens to Lance's breathing slow to normal. "I love you too, Lance," he murmurs, just before they hear the knock at the door.
Lance groans, almost regretting that he had called room service. He kisses the top of JC's head, then reluctantly slides out from under his drowsy friend and starts heading for the door. He stops when he realizes he's completely naked and grabs the hotel bathrobe off the floor where he last dropped it. But before answering the door he scurries back to the bed and throws the blanket over JC. Finally, he opens the door. He does a double-take when he realizes the man wheeling in the cart of food is the same waiter from last night, the same one who delivered Lance's note to JC.
"Hey, you were at the party last night," Lance says.
"Yeah, it was some party, huh?" The waiter is young and attractive, with light brown hair and blue eyes.
"Yeah," Lance says wistfully. "It was really fun. Hey, thanks for delivering my note."
The waiter finishes removing the coverings off the plates and looks up at Lance. "Anytime. He must be pretty special." Lance blushes and smiles. "He is."
"Listen, my name is Devon," he holds out his hand and Lance shakes it. "If you ever need anything while you're here, just ask for me."
"Thanks, Devon. I'll do that. By the way, I'm Lance." He leans against the wall. "Tell me one thing, though. What are you doing working as a hotel waiter?"
"Well, actually, I'm an actor. You know, just like every other waiter in New York." The two men laugh. "But you gotta pay the rent somehow. Getting an agent here takes a miracle. Talent will only get you so far."
Lance pushes himself away from the wall. "Tell you what--I'll make some calls. I have some friends who I think could help. Just leave me your name and number and I'll see what I can do." Devon's eyes beam, and he takes Lance's hand once more. "Thanks, man, that's really generous of you. Like I said, if you need anything at all while you're here, you know where to find me." Devon leaves, smiling, and Lance chuckles. He's feeling pretty good right now, and after a little bacon and eggs will be more than ready show JC just how good he's feeling.
JC doesn't want to move, but the coffee and food smell SO good. He sits up, runs a hand through his already messy hair and watches Lance pour coffee, marvelling over how the simplest action can look so beautiful. He crawls out of bed, stumbles over to Lance and hugs him from behind, kissing the back of his neck, before making his way to the bathroom.
Lance smiles. There's something about this domestic arrangement that gives him this warm, comforting feeling. If he closes his eyes, he can almost imagine that he and JC are married and living together. He shakes his head and laughs at himself. Yeah, right, Bass--like that will happen. He watches JC's lithe, naked form slip into the bathroom, and already he can feel himself getting turned on. He sits on the edge of the bed and picks up a strip of bacon, chewing the end, imagining all the things they will do to while away the afternoon.
JC stands in front of the mirror, looking at himself. His hair is almost as spiky as Lance's, which makes him smile. As if he weren't already smiling. He's never been this happy and he's not sure he quite deserves the boy waiting out in the other room, probably eating all the bacon. JC grabs the other robe from the hook and quietly opens the door, pausing for a moment in the doorway to watch Lance chewing thoughtfully. (You KNOW you're in love when the other person looks good chewing, he muses.) He sits close to Lance and reaches for coffee. "Whatcha thinking about?"
Lance swallows and reaches for a glass of orange juice. "You," he replies, nonchalantly. "What else?"
"Mmmm. You think about me AND you left me some bacon? No wonder I love you." JC picks up a fork and they eat in companionable silence for a few minutes. Until JC happens to glance at Lance. "Um, babe?" he says, leaning closer. "You seem"- - closer-- "to have a toast crumb"--closer--"right here." He kisses the corner of Lance's mouth.
The fork Lance is holding clatters to the plate. JC's lips taste of orange juice and smokey bacon, and Lance licks his own lips when JC pulls away. "Thanks. I guess I don't need this." He tosses his napkin aside.
"Nope. But let me make sure I got everything," JC says, grinning. "Can't leave my boyfriend with a messy face." He leans in again, running the tip of his tongue around the edges of Lance's lips, then over the surface.
Lance doesn't remember JC being so . . . frisky . . . since they first got together. He's ecstatic; with all the pressure they're under these days they need some way to relieve the tension, and what better way than this. But he also doesn't want JC to burn out on him. Lance intends this relationship to last; he needs for it to last. He needs JC. "You're so thoughtful, Josh. Cleaning up after me," he murmurs capturing the tongue with his lips. "But speaking of messes, I think it's about time for that bath I promised you."
"Mmmmmm. You did promise, didn't you . . . "
"You know I never break a promise." Lance puts his hand at the back of JC's neck and pulls him closer, into a tender kiss. "You wait right here." He kisses him once more before heading to the bathroom.
JC sits, nibbling more toast, and waits as instructed. This is turning out to be the best holiday, ever.
There's something to be said for staying at a swanky hotel. Since MTV asked them to be part of their bash, they were put up in a better than decent hotel. The bathroom is bigger than what they had been used to when they first started the group, and now Lance sits on the edge of the large, Jacuzzi tub and pours the hotel-supplied bubble bath into the warm water as it streams from the faucet. He tests the water with his hand, thinking about how strange and wonderful it is that he can be here with the man he loves and do things like give him a bath and feed him breakfast. And it will be so much easier when they tell their friends. It's been pretty stressful having to keep it from them, and Lance hates keeping secrets from those close to him. When the tub is nearly full, he shuts off the water and heads back to the bed to retrieve his lover.
JC is lying back on the bed, not asleep, but not fully awake either. He feels Lance sit on the edge of the bed and opens his eyes, smiling. "Hey, baby."
Lance leans over his sleepy friend. "You too tired? You want to take a nap?"
"Not a chance," JC says, pulling Lance down enough to kiss him.
"Good, because this is gonna be a very relaxing, stress-free bath. You just let me take care of everything." Lance sits up, holds his hands out, and pulls JC to his feet, backing his way into the bathroom. Once inside, he places a hand on JC's cheek and kisses him; then his hands move to the belt around the robe and he unties it, letting the robe fall open. His hands brush briefly against JC's flat stomach before sliding the robe off his shoulders and letting it fall to the ground. He leads JC over to the warm, bubbly bath and motions for him to step in.
JC, never taking his eyes from Lance's face, steps into the fragrant, steamy water. Lance sits on the edge of the tub, a soft washcloth already waiting. He ignores the washcloth for now, instead bringing his hands to JC's neck and rubbing gently at first, then more firmly. His hands travel to JC's shoulders, and he can feel a slight tightness there. "Oooo, I feel a little tension. Just take a deep breath, and forget about the past week."
JC leans into Lance's strong hands. "All of it? Last night? Today?"
Lance's hands close tightly on the muscles under his fingers. "No! Of course not." He brings his mouth to JC's ear. "I want you to remember that for the rest of your life," he says softly, his voice low and resonant.
"I plan to. Of course, it'll help if you keep reminding me. When we're old and gray, will you still whisper in my ear 'remember that New Year's'?"
Lance freezes. He's not sure if JC is serious. "Yeah, sure. I'll tell you that . . . every year." What the heck, he has nothing to lose. He can just make a joke to gloss over that remark.
"Good." JC brings both hands up to squeeze Lance's where they're massaging his shoulders. "I knew I could depend on you."
"You always can," Lance says with a straight face. He picks up the washcloth and dips it in the water, then takes a bar of fragrant soap and lathers up the soft cloth. He rubs it over JC's back, making wide circles, applying gentle pressure. "I'll always be here for you."
"Me too." JC stretches a little under Lance's ministrations. "Mmmmmm," he purrs. "That feels so good."
Lance leans close again, and whispers into JC's hair, "This is just the beginning." He removes his own robe and slides the washcloth down one arm and into the water, all the way to JC's fingertips, then back up again. He does the same with JC's other arm, while nuzzling his neck and placing soft wet kisses on his skin.
"I like the sound of that." JC simply sits and lets Lance do whatever he wants, because that's pretty much all he can do at this point. He feels relaxed, dreamy. If it isn't for the stirring in his groin, he could almost fall asleep, just like this.
Lance watches JC's eyelids struggle to stay open. He gently urges him back against the tub. "Close your eyes. It's okay." He dips the cloth in the water once again, and lets the warm water drip over JC's smooth chest. Then he brings it to his face and very carefully wipes it across his brow and over the soft skin of his cheeks.
Who would have thought that a bath could be this wonderful? The warmth, the fragrance, the sweet attentions of his boy. He touches the hand holding the washcloth and says, "Thank you, baby." Lance moves from his perch on the edge of the tub and kneels on the ground; he crosses his arms and rests them on the tub ledge, and resting his head on his arms says, "You're welcome. You want to sleep?"
"No way. I believe you promised to rub that washcloth all over my body, and you haven't even come close yet."
"Well, aren't WE getting demanding." Lance splashes JC playfully, then resumes his washing. Still kneeling, Lance runs the cloth down JC's neck, over his collarbone and down to his chest, where he teases each nipple, lingering and drawing slow circles around each one, then moving lower to the washboard stomach, where he begins a slow, lazy, back-and-forth motion, moving slowly lower.
JC opens his eyes and watches Lance, enjoying the play of muscles as he moves the washcloth against JC's body. Enjoying even more the look of intense concentration on Lance's face.
Lance applies more soap to the washcloth, completely absorbed in this activity. He returns the cloth to JC's belly, drawing it along the lines of his abdominal muscles, lingering on his navel, and tracing the fine line of hairs to his crotch. He pauses, and instead of going straight for JC's slowly hardening cock, brings the washcloth around to one of JC's legs, running it slowly down the thigh, over the knee, reaching in and lifting the leg slightly to get to the tight calf muscle, the thin yet strong ankle, and finally the foot, which Lance gently massages and cleans each toe separately. He gently returns the leg to the warm water, and begins working his way from the bottom up on the other leg.
"Mmmm. You're so good at this. If you ever get tired of the boy band thing you have a great career ahead of you in the sponge bath field."
Lance pauses, mid-leg. "How much does it pay?"
"Not very well, I guess. But don't worry--I'd keep you in the style to which you've become accustomed . . . "
"That's saying a lot. You'd go broke on the Dr. Pepper bill alone." Lance continues to trail the washcloth up JC's thigh, reaching under to his tight butt, applying just enough pressure.
"I can handle it," JC is trying to keep up the banter, but his breathing is becoming a little ragged.
"You think? You can really handle it?" Lance teases seductively, as his hand washes the area around JC's now obvious erection. Still not touching the hard member, Lance continues. "So I'd have to do what, be your love slave?"
"Something like that. Think you're, um, up to it?"
"Oh yes, I'm up to it." He glances down at his crotch and sees that he is, indeed, very much "up". He brings the washcloth closer and closer to JC's erection, and finally he draws it slowly along the length, enjoying the texture and thickness.
JC can't help moaning when the contact finally comes. Lance is making him crazy, and he knows it--knows exactly the effect every move is having on JC.
Lance wraps the cloth around JC's shaft and begins stroking it, using a slow, steady rhythm. He reaches into the water with his other hand and cups JC's balls, fingering them lightly, never taking his eyes off the older man's face.
"Lance," JC sighs as he feels himself becoming even harder. He presses himself against Lance's hands, and reaches with his to touch his lover.
Lance turns his face to kiss JC's hand, while increasing the pressure on his erection. "Mind if I join you?" he asks, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Thought you'd never ask . . . "
Lance gives JC's erection one last squeeze and rises, stepping into the tub so that his back is to JC and sits between his legs so that JC's hardness is rubbing against the small of his back. He leans back, pressing himself against JC's chest.
JC wraps his arms around Lance and pulls him tightly against him. He kisses Lance's shoulder, then his neck, then runs his tongue up to Lance's ear. At the same time, he presses hard against Lance's back, breath and heartbeat quickening.
"Mmmmmm," Lance moans. He lifts himself slightly and reaches behind to stroke JC's erection once more. He positions JC's shaft at his opening and slowly lowers himself down its length.
JC gasps in surprise. He had not expected this, not so soon. He grasps Lance's hips, steadying him. Even though Lance is the aggressor, even though Lance feels amazingly hot and tight and GOOD, JC can't help being concerned. "I'm not hurting you, am I, babe?"
"Not in the least," Lance says softly, surprising himself at how pleasurable this is. He grips the sides of the tub and presses down upon JC's hardness, taking in as much as his body will allow, arching his back and shifting his legs so that he's on his knees straddling JC's legs to allow him more purchase. He begins a slow, rocking motion, sliding up and down the shaft.
"Incredible," JC thinks, if his completely irrational flashes can be called thought. He begins thrusting upward, meeting Lance's downward motion. He grabs with one hand at the tub ledge for leverage, and the other continues to grip Lance's hip to guide him.
Lance maintains a slow, steady rhythm. He has no desire to rush this. He's never tried this before with JC, and the pleasure is so intense he doesn't want it to end. Between the warm water and the pressure of JC's stiff member inside him, Lance himself is so turned on it's almost painful. The water sloshes around them as Lance slides up and down JC's shaft pushing all the way down before lifting himself almost off the tip. He grits his teeth and groans, and his breathing becomes ragged with each movement.
JC is gasping huge mouthfuls of air, almost whimpering with pleasure in between. He presses himself up slightly, the necessary inches to reach around Lance and encircle his straining erection and feel the even deeper pleasure of giving back. His upward thrusts become more urgent and he's whispering Lance's name over and over.
When he feels JC's hand grasp his erection, Lance is pleasantly surprised. His intention was simply to please JC; his own gratification was on the back burner. So he grips the tub even harder and turns his head in an effort to see at least part of JC's face. The sensations he's feeling are incredible--doing it in water sends a whole new thrill through him; it's all he can do not to cry out at the top of his lungs. He's moving faster now, in time with JC's thrusts, impaling himself on his lover's burning, hard shaft as deep as it will go, squirming against JC's hand on his own hot member, water sloshing over the sides of the tub. "JC, you feel so good, c'mon, Josh, c'mon . . . "
Everything--Lance's insistent voice, his tight, hot passage, the surrounding water--combines to push JC over the edge and he explodes inside Lance, crying out his name and hearing it echo from the surrounding tile. He continues to thrust, and his hand is still urgent on Lance's erection as he shudders and moans.
Lance's only regret is that he can't see JC's face, but his reaction alone brings a smile to his face as JC fills him. Lance leans forward, clawing at the ledge of the tub for balance as he thrusts into JC's hand. He tilts his head down and groans, watching the hand on his erection through the water; this finally brings him to climax and his body jerks forward as his hot fluid shoots into the water and he slams back against JC's chest, spent.
JC wraps his arms tightly around his boy, kissing his soft, damp hair. "This is the best bath I ever had," he whispers playfully.
"Even without the rubber ducky?" Lance pants, closing his eyes as his trembling subsides in the arms of the man he loves. But then he opens them and gazes at the water. "Damn, I think we're gonna need a shower."
JC hugs Lance even tighter. "We can do that."
"We keep this up, they'll find us here, days later, all shrivelled up."
"Shrivelled, but happy."
"And tired. I could just lay here all day."
"Mmmm. Maybe I should take you back to bed."
"You think YOU have the energy?" Lance slurs lazily, his head resting in the crook of JC's neck.
JC chuckles. "Probably not. But there, if we fall asleep, we don't drown."
"True. It would be pretty embarrassing if the maid comes in to clean and finds us here. Okay, Chasez, let me get you a towel." Lance struggles to his feet and steps out of the tub, dripping and feeling not so clean but somehow not minding. He'll shower later. Eventually. Someday. When he's done making love with JC. But that won't be for a while.
JC follows Lance out of the tub and waits while the younger man unfolds a towel.
Lance pulls a large bath sheet off the shelf and begins drying JC off, starting with his head and working his way down, carefully wiping away each droplet. He kneels down to dry his legs and smiles, turning his eyes upward mischievously as he finds himself in direct contact with JC's crotch.
"You know what I said about not having energy? I could have been wrong ..." "Did anyone ever tell you you're a horny guy?" Lance runs the towel playfully over JC's organ and rises, draping the towel around his shoulders and bringing his lips to JC's mouth, kissing away the last drops of water.
"It's you. How could I possibly resist you?" JC says with a grin.
Lance grows serious as he reaches for another towel. "Well, you're going to have to--at least for a little while. He looks into JC's eyes. We have to tell them."
"Lance, I've already agreed with you. We're gonna tell them tonight. But you keep coming back to it like it's an unfinished discussion. Why?"
Lance begins drying himself off, turning away from JC, unwilling to see his face when he tells him. "Because I feel like we're avoiding it. Because I feel like I'm still sneaking around, doing something wrong. Because . . . I'm afraid. This day's not gonna last forever, JC. Tomorrow, everything will be different."
JC puts his hands on Lance's shoulders, stilling him. "We're not avoiding anything. You want to go in there right now and talk to them, we'll go. I'm sorry you feel like we're still sneaking around--I don't. When was the last time we had a day together, just the two of us? That's all this is and we deserve this."
The tension Lance was feeling seconds ago seeps out of him like a broken dam. There's always this amazing sense of comfort that spreads through Lance when JC touches him. He turns around, still keeping his head down, staring at JC's chest instead. "We do, don't we? I'm just so tired, Josh. I'm so tired of feeling this way. Of loving you and not being able to show it."
"Baby," JC murmurs, pulling Lance gently to him and simply holding him. "I know. But we're taking the first step. Soon. But first, I really AM taking you back to bed. And we're both gonna rest for a while before we even think about doing anything or going anywhere. Okay?"
Lance hugs him back. "That sounds like the best idea I've heard all day. Well, the second best. Or maybe the third. I've lost count."
"That's better." JC holds Lance for a moment longer before letting him go and reaching for their discarded robes. He helps Lance into his and slips on his own, then leads the younger man out to the main room. He pushes Lance toward the bed while he gathers up the remains of their half-eaten breakfast and puts the tray outside their room. Then he crawls into bed beside Lance and gathers his boy in his arms, letting Lance rest his head on JC's chest. He kisses the top of Lance's head. "I love you, baby. Now, sleep."
That's all Lance needs to hear and the last thing he remembers before the banging on the door yanks him from sleep.
"Lance! You in there? C'mon, open up!" Justin. Not again.
"We'll be along in a while, Just. Half an hour." JC calls. He looks down at Lance. "First step."
"Oh, okay. See ya." They can hear Justin retreating down the hall. JC's arm tightens around Lance. "How'd you sleep?"
Lance just stares, wide-eyed. It seems like minutes before he can speak. He keeps his voice calm. "Josh, do you realize . . . I can't believe you just did that."
JC shrugs. "Yeah, I know. But we already decided not to hide anymore. And I felt the need to show you that I meant it. I was feeling like you were afraid I was gonna back down or something. But I'm not. I love you and I want them to know."
"They know now." Lance searches JC's eyes. He's so self-assured, so confident that everything's going to work out. Lance loves the other guys like brothers and he doesn't want to lose them, but he also knows that he WILL risk everything to keep JC. He touches a finger to JC's lips. "I love you too. I just don't want to lose you."
"I'm not going anywhere." JC kisses the tip of Lance's finger. "Now how about that shower we talked about?"
Lance yawns and stretches in JC's arms. "Mmmmm. Will you wash my back?"
"I'll wash anything you want me to wash."
"Good. Because I'm feelin' really dirty right now."
"Lance, if you talk to me like that, we'll never make it down there in a half and hour."
"Okay, so I'm a little dirty now and I'll be really dirty later. It'll give us something to look forward to. Besides, thirty minutes is plenty of time . . . for a shower."
That voice again. When Lance drops his voice like that, he can make the most mundane words sound delicious. And the thought of being under the pounding water with Lance is far from mundane. JC loosens Lance's robe "What are we waiting for?"
Lance blinks, and in the next second the two boys bound off the bed and race for the bathroom.
JC turns on the shower, testing the water's temperature, then turns to Lance. Leaning in for a light kiss, he slides the already loosened robe off Lance's shoulders, letting it slide down his body and fall to the floor.
How does JC do it? How does a simple kiss and the removal of his clothes suddenly make Lance feel shy? To even the score, Lance loosens JC's robe and watches as it joins the other on the floor. He tilts his head and kisses JC, slowly backing him toward the water, being careful not to bang into the shower door.
They step under the spray and JC feels as if the water is embracing them both. They let it run over them, warm and wet and gentle, as they kiss with a hunger that surprises them both a little, after all their previous lovemaking.
The first time they made love today, it was full of urgency and desire. The second time was about pleasure. But this time, Lance kisses JC with a passion; this is the last time their relationship will be just between the two of them. After this, they'll no longer be keeping it to themselves. So Lance wants to hang onto that just this one last time.
JC can feel Lance stiffening against him, can feel the fire in his kiss. He pulls back enough to look into his lover's face. "Lance? Baby?"
Lance's voice is husky when he speaks. "Yeah. What's the matter?" He brings his hand to JC's face, wanting to touch every inch of skin.
"Nothing's the matter. You just seem . . . different. In a good way."
Lance reaches around JC for a bar of soap and a washcloth. "I'm still the same Lance. Your Lance."
"My Lance. I like the sound of that."
"Then maybe you'll like the sound of this." He pulls JC to him and kisses him, first with his mouth closed, then parting his lips and letting his tongue slip out.
JC definitely likes it, if his quickly growing erection is any indication.
He runs his hands over Lance's wet, slippery skin enjoying the smoothness. His tongue entwines with Lance's and he pulls his boy closer.
Lance manages to soap up the washcloth and rubs it on JC's back while they kiss, teasing it slowly over the smooth skin. His hands travel lower, to the curve of his lower back and then over the firm muscles of JC's ass. He grips the round cheeks and presses his own erection against JC's.
JC moans into Lance's mouth--the connection of their two erections is so electric. He pulls back from their kiss, breathless, and lets his head drop to Lance's shoulder, nestling in to kiss Lance's neck attentively. Lance rubs the washcloth over JC's ass and in the crack between his muscles, and then up around his waist to his stomach. Lance lingers there, loving the cuts of JC's abdominal muscles.
"Mmmmm, Lance," JC murmurs against his lover's small ear. He nibbles at the earlobe, and his hands slide up to tease at Lance's small hard nipples.
Lance shudders against JC's hand, and his erection twitches against JC's body. He gives up on the washcloth, wanting only to concentrate on JC's actions.
JC keeps caressing one nipple as he slides his hand downward to wrap his hand around Lance's erection. "I want you," he whispers, directly into Lance's ear.
Lance falls against JC and wraps his arms around him. The warm water coming from the showerhead trickles down his back. "Take me," he whispers back.
Even whispering, Lance's voice is an incredible turn on. JC turns Lance almost roughly and pushes him against one of the walls. Then he slides downward, licking the droplets from Lance's skin until he's kneeling before him. He rubs his face, catlike, against Lance's erection before turning to take it into his mouth.
Lance gasps, shocked at JC's sudden aggressiveness. Usually, he's gentle and romantic and sweet, but this . . . Lance never expected this and he can't believe how aroused he is. He grips JC's head, feeling his knees grow weak, and his head whips from side to side as JC's mouth closes on his hard member.
JC feels Lance's knees start to go and grips his waist to support him. He moves his mouth in long, slow strokes over Lance's erection, swirling his tongue to caress every millimeter of the sensitive organ.
Lance's head falls back against the smooth tiles, his mouth open, and he lets JC support him. He no longer has the strength, what with JC's warm, moist mouth and the warm water from the shower-- all these sensations hitting him at once are channelled into his throbbing erection, and he begins to thrust slowly into his lover's mouth. "Oh my gosh, JC," he moans.
As soon as Lance starts to thrust, JC stops, sliding his mouth from Lance's hot stiffness. He slides back up, pinning Lance to the wall with his body, and claims him mouth once again. As they kiss, he reaches for the conditioner and squeezes some onto his hand, then reaches between Lance's legs and rubs it over his tight opening.
When JC removes his mouth from Lance's erection Lance almost cries out, but he bites it back when JC presses his body against the smooth tiles. Lance gives himself over completely, relishing the way JC takes control. As JC's hand comes into contact with that tender spot between Lance's legs, he bites his lip and whimpers in anticipation of having JC inside him. Lance manages to slip a hand between their bodies and grip JC's hard member, stroking it firmly.
JC thrusts a finger into Lance, pausing to gauge his reaction. With Lance's sure stroking of his own erection, he's not going to last long and he can hardly wait to be inside him.
Lance turns his head to one side, squeezing his eyes shut and gritting his teeth. "Oh, Josh, this feels so good. More, please, more," he begs, raising his leg and resting his foot on the bar on the shower door to allow JC better access. He tightens his grip on JC's erection, urging him on.
JC adds another finger, feeling Lance tighten then relax around his probing digits. Lance's stroking hand is making him completely crazy and he knows he just can't wait any longer. He removes his hand, sliding it under Lance's leg and lifting it so JC is supporting his weight completely, then he carefully presses himself inside his boy.
This time Lance does cry out, the sound echoing off the tiles; he blushes when he realizes how loud he's being, but he can't help it. When JC pushes inside him he almost comes right then. The angle, the water, the way JC holds him all combine to assault Lance with such amazingly wonderful sensations. He grabs JC's shoulders, pressing his fingers into the toned flesh, squirming against the wall. He's not sure if the water dripping down his face is coming from the shower or his eyes, so intense is the closeness he feels with JC at this moment that he wouldn't be at all surprised if he was crying. Small, animal-like noises escape his throat, and he pulls JC's mouth to his and kisses him with all the force and passion welling up inside him.
JC has never felt such passion from Lance before and the answering passion in himself is almost overpowering. He keeps pushing until he's buried completely within Lance, and when Lance pulls him into a kiss, when he feels as well as hears the sounds Lance is making in his throat, he feels a tremor run through him that nearly knocks him off his feet. But that would mean dropping Lance, and that he would never do. He begins moving in Lance, a slow, smooth stroking that couldn't be called thrusting. Holding Lance as he is, he can't spare a hand to stroke Lance's erection, but he makes sure that each stroke captures Lance's hardness between the smooth wet skin of their abdomens.
Lance is now convinced that sex with JC will never be boring. Not that it ever was, but there is always that worry when a couple spends so much time with each other that eventually the passion will die. But what JC is doing to him now is completely new, and if JC wasn't holding him up he would sink to the floor and melt down the drain. Every time JC moves it sends another wave of pleasure coursing through every nerve in Lance's body. His own erection pulses between their bodies, and the shared friction is more than Lance can handle. He turns his head to the side, still gripping JC's shoulders, squeezing almost painfully.
"Lance," JC rasps, letting head fall against Lance's shoulder. "You feel SO good." He increases his pace, pushing himself deep into his lover with every stroke, sensuously rubbing himself against Lance's erection. He presses kisses against the wet skin of Lance's neck, feeling his pulse pounding against his lips. JC knows he's close to coming, and he slides his lips up to Lance's ear to whisper "I love you so much" before he explodes inside his lover.
The rush of heat inside Lance combined with JC's words do bring tears to his eyes, and he pulls JC closer to him to bring on his own orgasm. His body spasms against JC, and he collapses in his arms. "Josh," he moans, half laughing.
JC, still panting, smiles into Lance's hair. "Mmmmm, baby." He holds Lance tightly a while longer as they both catch their breath, then finally asks, "Ready to stand?" At Lance's assent, he releases Lance's legs and steadies him as his regains his balance. Then he says, "Turn around. I promised to wash your back."
Lance laughs against JC's shoulders and wearily turns around, leaning his head against the cool tiles while his breathing returns to normal. "You're too good to me, Josh."
"Only what you deserve, baby." Josh sets about washing Lance's back, managing to control himself except for a kiss or two to the back of the younger man's neck.
Lance crosses his arms and rests his head as JC lathers up his back. If he wasn't spent he'd immediately become aroused by his lover's touch. But Lance is perfectly content right now. He sighs, happier than he's ever been. "Can we just stay here forever?" he murmurs.
"Nope. We've got an important visit to make."
Lance closes his eyes and groans. "What if we tell them tomorrow?"
"After you made me promise? Tonight."
"You're right. You can't blame me for trying, though." He turns his head and peers behind him through one eye. "Promise me one more thing," Lance pauses, weighing his words. "Promise me that no matter what happens . . . that the group comes first. I couldn't do that to them--I can't break up the group."
JC turns Lance to face him. "I can't promise that. I could never let you go."
"JC, whatever this is between us, you can't sacrifice your career because of it. I love you, but I won't let you do that."
"Then we'll figure out a way to have both. But I love you too much to just give up."
Lance puts his hands on JC's arms. "I'm not giving up either. I don't think it will come to that; but I just want to be ready for whatever the guys throw at us. For all we know they may be fine with this. But if they're not . . . I just don't want things to change."
"I know. I don't either." JC reaches for the shampoo. "But I believe everything's gonna be all right. Turn around again and I'll do your hair."
Lance falls silent and decides to just enjoy what little time they have alone. JC's hands in his hair seem to scrub away all the tension he felt moments ago; he tips his head back and smiles. He could get used to this. JC finishes with the shampoo and moves Lance under the spray to rinse off. "There. You look pretty clean to me."
Lance tousles JC's hair. "You don't." He grabs the washcloth off the bar and rubs some soap on it. He concentrates on cleaning off his friend. No time for anything else, Bass, he tells himself. First, we take care of business. Later, if it all works out, you can screw to your heart's content.
JC stands still and lets Lance take care of him. He's a little worried about what Lance said--could he really walk away from their relationship for the good of the group? Lance says it would be for the sake of JC's career, but JC's not even sure he could make music anymore without Lance in his life.
Somehow, they manage to finish showering without it turning into another round of lovemaking. Not that Lance would have minded, but he really wants to get this meeting over with. Lance throws on his grey sweater and a pair of jeans and falls back on the bed to collect his thoughts. He watches JC get dressed, admiring the way he moves, the way his muscles contract. He rolls over onto his side and props himself up on his elbow. "Come here," he directs.
JC sits of the edge of the bed. "I'm here."
Lance picks a loose thread from the bedspread. "I just wanna say . . . I love you. I mean, I know I've said it before, but it's more than just love. I respect you. I respect your talent. When I came into the group, you all made me feel real welcome, even though you were all friends before I came along. But you especially--you really made me feel like a part of something." He turns his eyes up to JC. "You're my best friend now, and I just want to thank you for that. I don't think I've ever said it, and it needed to be said."
JC's eyes fill with tears. "Thank you, Lance. That means . . . everything to me."
Lance holds out his hand and when JC's covers it with his Lance pulls him to his feet and hugs him. "Let's go. Time to face the music."
JC holds onto Lance a little longer, loving the feel of Lance in his arms. Then he straightens. "Ready."
The walk down to Chris's room feels like a march down a prison corridor. Lance shoves his hands in his pocket and tries to make small talk. When they reach the door, Lance turns to JC and pulls him close for one quick kiss. Then he knocks on the door.
"It's about time you came down," Justin calls from the other side. The door latch clicks and Justin swings it open. Lance walks in first and smiles nervously. "Hey," he says to Chris and Joey, who are sprawled out on the bed and floor, respectively, pizza boxes and bags of chips scattered throughout the room.
"You missed the game," Chris calls from over his shoulder.
"Um, sorry," JC says softly. He and Lance sit, a little stiffly, on the sofa and look at the others, who are engrossed in the post-game show. The program goes to commercial, and Joey looks at them, stretching lazily. "So, I gotta know--you two disappear for the whole day, and Justin says you were both in Lance's room. You miss FOOTBALL. Hours and hours of football. You finally show up--together. Are you two fooling around?"
JC gazes steadily back. "No," he says, firmly, emphatically.
Lance freezes, stunned by JC's quick and definite response. I didn't hear that, he tells himself. Please tell me I didn't hear that. How could he? After all these months, all the hiding, and then finally deciding to tell the truth, and now he LIES? He just flat-out lies? Lance wants to run from the room. He feels the lump in his throat start to swell and tears begin to well in his eyes. He turns to JC, trying his best to keep his anger in check.
JC takes one of Lance's tense, frantic hands in his. He turns to Lance, speaking to him as if they were alone in the room. "It's never been about fooling around with us, Lance. I'm not going to belittle what we have and say it is." He turns again to the three waiting faces and says, "Lance and I are together. We have been since--well, since Lance went away and I went after him." He pauses, giving the three a moment to remember the event and their roles in it. "We decided that it was time to tell you, so here we are."
Chris drops the chip he had in his hand and it falls silently to the carpet. Joey lies on the floor as though someone shot him with a stun gun. Justin looks from JC to Lance and back again.
For his part, Lance feels such a wave of relief wash over him, if JC wasn't holding his hand he'd run to the bathroom and vomit, so tense had he been a second before. He squeezes JC's hand, because if he tried to speak the tears really would come.
"I don't get it." Justin's voice finally breaks the silence. "JC, I've known you for, like forever. I had no idea you were gay."
"I kinda didn't either, Just," JC focuses on Justin, willing him to understand. "I didn't know until I fell in love . . . "
"Whoa," Justin holds up his hands. "You're in LOVE? With Lance?"
Lance stares at his hands, and he feels his face grow hot.
"I mean, no offense, Lance," Justin corrects himself. "I have no problem with anyone being gay. I'm just kinda surprised."
"YOU'RE kinda surprised?" Joey chimes in. "I've roomed with both of them and I had no idea." The three boys all shift positions so that they are facing Lance and Joey on the couch. "All this time, you think you know somebody," Joey muses.
"You do know us, Joey. We're still the same Lance and the same JC. You just know something else about us now."
Chris shakes his head. "I am so not hearing this. Please tell me I'm not hearing this."
Lance still cannot speak. He looks everywhere--at the walls, at the floor, at the ceiling--anywhere but their faces. He wasn't expecting this to be easy, but in the back of his mind he had hoped they'd just accept him and JC with open arms.
"So, let me get this straight," Joey continues. "When you say you're together, you don't mean . . . " He points a finger at the two boys on the couch and waggles it back and forth. "Oh man, I don't wanna know."
"Hey, Joey, shut up. At least give them a chance to talk." Justin's voice grows soft. "Lance, you've been awfully quiet, man."
"I don't have anything to say. It's pretty clear to me how y'all feel." He brings his hand to his mouth and starts chewing on a nail.
Justin gets up, goes over to the couch, and hugs both Lance and JC. "You're my brothers. THAT's how I feel." Justin looks challengingly at the other two, as if prepared to defend Lance and JC's honor.
Lance is a little surprised at Justin's acceptance, but not completely. After all, Justin's been pretty open-minded since the day Lance met him, despite the fact that they both come from conservative southern cities. He smiles then, relieved that at least one of their friends is being cool about this.
"Yeah, man, brothers," Joey agrees, as Justin perches on the arm of the couch next to Lance. "But I'm still just . . . wow, surprised. All this time-- how'd you manage to keep it from us. WHY'D you keep it from us?"
"Part of it was--you know how when you're first with someone, and you think it might be something really special, you don't want to talk about it because you feel like you might jinx it? The other part was, well, the way you guys reacted when all that stuff happened. We needed to get back to a place where we felt we could trust you, you know? And that took time." JC pauses to look at his lover. "Lance? Am I missing anything?"
Lance gazes back at JC, feeling his friend's strength being transferred to him. Lance has never been very shy about discussing his feelings, and he's not about to let the guys intimidate him. They're his friends, and if they're going to survive this they need to be open about it. "Yeah. What happened between JC and me just happened. We didn't plan it. But we also felt this way for a long time and never even told each other until . . . that thing with Nick. And we don't want it to affect the group. JC and me, we really care about each other. But we also care about you."
"You realize this changes things," Chris states. "I mean, we're all friends; that doesn't change. But we're all gonna have to be careful. And we're all gonna have to watch out for each other. More now than before."
"Chris, are you okay with this?" Lance asks. He has to know. Justin already stated how he feels, and Joey, well, Joey will be cool with it. He has some gay friends already and has never said anything bad about them. But Chris has yet to give his blessing.
Chris sighs. "Yeah, of course I'm okay with it. Justin's right; we're brothers. And brothers don't turn their back no matter what. But just . . . be careful, okay?"
Lance turns to JC. "We will. We have up to now. We're not gonna do anything to jeopardize the group."
"Yeah," JC affirms. "I think the fact that none of you knew anything till today proves we can be discreet. We just . . . didn't feel right about keeping it from you any longer."
"Well, I'm glad you didn't," Justin says, clamping a hand on Lance's shoulder. "We shouldn't have secrets from each other. Not like this."
Lance smiles up at him. He knew there was a reason he liked Justin.
Joey rests his head on his chin and scratches his hair. "So tell me, you guys do it or what?"
Lance breaks into a coughing fit. "Joey!" he manages to sputter.
JC pats Lance on the back to ease his coughing and mock-glares at Joey. "You trying to kill my boyfriend, Fatone?"
"Ohhhh, he's your boyfriend now? I guess that answers my question. Hey, Lance you ever think I was cute?"
Lance, still trying to recover from the first question, now breaks out in a new coughing fit. "No, Joey," he croaks. "You're not my type."
Joey falls over, spread-eagled as though he'd been shot. "That hurts, Lance. I don't think I'll ever get over that." Justin throws a pillow at him and it lands on his face.
"Ow! Now THAT really hurt."
Chris picks up a pillow and hits Justin with it. "You're not supposed to throw things, J."
"Oh yeah? Says who? You're not the boss of me." Justin grabs the pillow and throws it back at Chris. Chris deflects it with his arm and it lands on Joey.
"Hey!" yells Joey. He grabs the first pillow Justin threw at him and whales it back at Justin, but misses and hits Lance instead.
"Ow!" Lance yells, finally able to speak without coughing, and puts a hand over his eye. "My eye." Joey sits up, concerned, but it's too late, Lance had been feigning the injury and now shoots the pillow back at Joey.
"Oh, you're dead you little faker." Joey picks up the pillow and advances on Lance, but Lance dives off the couch and Joey whacks JC, square in the head.
"You shouldn't have done that, Joey," JC growls. He grabs one of the large sofa pillows and takes aim at Joey. He launches himself at Joey, pillow first, knocking Joey over. Joey ineffectually hits JC with the pillow in his hand until he loses his grip and it bounces off of Lance.
From that point on, no one really knows who is hitting whom with what. It's a total free-for-all with much tickling and a great deal of laughter. They finally end up in a big pile, exhausted, breathless.
"Is there any pizza left?" Lance asks. He looks directly at Joey, waiting to see him cringe. "I've, um, burned a LOT of calories today." Joey, as predicted, cringes.
"Get off me, you horny bastard," Joey chides.
"Careful, Joey. My boyfriend'll get jealous." Lance winks at JC. He's relieved it's finally over. Sitting back on his haunches he smiles at the faces around him, counting his blessings that he found such an incredible group of friends. Then his eyes settle on JC, who's still untangling himself from the mess of bodies on the floor. He's most grateful for JC. Because right now, he couldn't feel more loved. Last night, he thought he was the happiest he'd ever been, but today, to his amazement, he's still happy.