Forever Young: Hourglass
by Karen and LB
© 2002
Number 14 in the series.
Lance scrutinizes the glass case before him.
"You've looked at thirty already," huffs Justin impatiently.
"I want to find the right one. And it's only been like two."
"Well, how about that one?"
"Too flashy."
"That one."
"Not flashy enough."
"Geez, Lance, he'll like whatever you get him."
"I want it to be special. It's the big 21, you know."
"I know. Believe me, I know. Dude, c'mon, we're gonna be late."
"Okay, okay, just let me see one more." Lance selects a shiny silver watch with a good, solid backing. "Can you engrave this?"
*****
The phone is ringing, but it's SO early, and Lance is SO warm. JC wraps himself more securely around his boy and waits for it to stop. It would probably stop. It's probably just one of the guys, busting his ass on his 21st birthday. When it becomes patently obvious that the ringing is not going to stop, JC detaches himself from Lance only enough to grab the phone. " 'S better be good," he mumbles. The voice on the other end is female, and hesitant. "Joshua?"
"MOM?"
"Josh, honey, you sound surprised. Of course it's your mother. It's your birthday. You think I wouldn't call my baby on his birthday? Shouldn't you be up by now?"
Lance rolls over and falls against JC's chest. "Mmmf." A voice. JC's talking. Who's he talking to? The fog sweeps over Lance as he fights to stay awake.
"You never could keep the time difference straight. It's like 5 a.m.here. And we haven't talked since, since . . . "
"I know, honey. We miss you. When are you coming home?"
JC shifts Lance into a more comfortable position against his chest. "I...I don't know. The last time we spoke you told me never to come back."
There's a moment of silence, then, "I know. Maybe . . . I was a little rash. I should have given you time to . . . think about things."
Lance yawns against the rise and fall of JC's chest as the older boy breathes. He smiles, and presses his lips against the warm skin.
JC smiles down at Lance, the hand not holding the phone gently stroking the soft blond hair. "Time to think? About what?"
"You know what I'm talking about. This . . . phase you're going through."
"Mom," JC says, struggling not to raise his voice so as not to disturb the sleepy boy in his arms. "This is not a phase. This is who I am."
"It's disgusting, and I won't have any part of it. If you come home, I will not have any of your disgusting whore boyfriends in my house."
Lance stirs again, his hands beginning to roam the smooth chest he's laying against.
JC looks down at the sweet face snuggled against him and feels a surge of love in spite of the ugliness he's hearing. "Then I don't know why you even called. I'm in love, Mom. I'm in love with a boy who's so far from being a whore that what you said would be funny if it weren't so hateful. Say what you want about me, but leave him out of this."
Lance's eyes fly open. He tries to push himself up so he can better see JC's face, but the phone and the arm around him won't allow it. "JC--who? What?"
"LOVE? You're in love with a BOY? Joshua, I am not hearing this. You KNOW what the Bible says about that. What happened to you? Where did I go wrong?"
"Shhh, baby, it's okay." JC soothes, then speaks into the phone again. "Mom, you didn't 'go wrong'. The Bible also tells us to love one another. And that's what I'm doing. I love you, Mom, and I miss you. But this is who I am, and if you can't love me and accept me, then we don't have anything to say to each other."
There's a long moment of silence, then, "Joshua, you know I want you to come home and you know very well that I love you. But what you're doing is completely unnatural and I won't have any part of it." And then a click as she hangs up the phone.
"Josh, what's going on? Is that your mom?" Lance manages to roll over and clear the cobwebs from his mind, trying to figure out what's going on.
"Yes," JC manages, then pulls Lance into a tight hug, as if Lance were the only thing keeping him afloat.
Lance hugs back, then gently pushes away and takes JC's face in his hands. "Talk to me. What happened?"
"You know, the usual. She called to wish me Happy Birthday and tell me I'm disgusting." JC tries to keep his voice light, but it cracks, and his expression is bitter.
"Oh man, JC, first of all you are NOT disgusting. You know what we went through with my parents. She just needs time. I don't know why, but our parents seem to have this expectation of how we're supposed to be, without seeing who we really are. She loves you. I love you."
"I know. And I love you too. I just wish I could make her see that--that really loving someone can't be wrong." JC looks down. "It's just that, you know, when I heard her voice, I started to hope that this could be fixed." He raises his eyes to Lance's. "And now, it just hurts all over again."
Lance pulls JC into an embrace. His heart physically aches with the pain his friend is suffering. "I wish I could take that hurt away from you. I don't understand why our parents say the things they do." Lance decides that the next chance he gets he's going to call Karen Chasez and see if he can talk some sense into her. "It's gonna be okay. Maybe not now, but eventually." He kisses JC's forehead. "Hey, you know what today is?"
"Friday. And WAY too early."
"Too early to wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY???" Lance practically shouts these last two words, causing the bed to bounce.
"If you really loved me you'd let me go back to sleep." JC tries to act grumpy, but he's smiling.
"Okay. You can go back to sleep." Lance pushes JC back on the mattress. "I guess I'll just have to make you the famous Bass breakfast later." He rolls over in mock disappointment, hiding his grin in the pillow.
"But what if I can't get back to sleep? What'll we do until it's time for breakfast?"
"Oh, sure, NOW you can't sleep." Lance reaches behind him, feeling his way around JC's body until he finds what he's looking for. And that wasn't difficult considering JC's "condition."
"I could probably sleep, but parts of me are very awake."
"I noticed." With a flourish, Lance flips up the sheet, turns over, and starts working his way down JC's body. When he reaches the soft curls above JC's twitching member, he buries his nose, taking in the delicious scent of his lover.
JC stretches luxuriously, savoring the anticipation. He knows he should be upset, and he will be later. But how can he think about that when his beautiful boy makes him feel so loved?
Lance kisses a circle around the stiffening member, then flicks his tongue on the tip once, then again and again, watching as it bobs up and down like a toy.
"It's not nice to tease old guys on their birthday."
"I'm not <lick> teasing; I'm <lick> playing." Finally, he runs his tongue up the length of the hot shaft and surrounds it with his wet mouth.
"If that's playing, I'd love to see you when you're serious."
Lance raises his head, hidden by the bed sheet. "Oh yeah?" He dips his head back down, taking the length of JC's erection as far as his throat will allow and begins to move rhythmically up and down. He loves morning sex almost as much as nighttime sex. Heck, he just loves sex with JC period.
JC sighs with pleasure. "You're too cute. You know how cute you are?"
Lance acknowledges the question by quickening his pace. At one point, he uses just his lips to travel up and down the long shaft, then takes JC's balls in his mouth, covering them with his hot saliva before releasing them and taking JC's erection into his mouth once more. He wants to give JC a birthday he'll never forget, and this is just the beginning.
"Mmmmmmm. SO good, baby, so good." JC purrs as he slips his hand under the sheet to touch Lance's hair.
Lance murmurs back a low, deep, "Mmmmm," sending a vibration traveling up through JC's pulsing erection.
So intense is the sensation that it brings JC to his climax, although he tries to hold on. It's useless, though, and he pours his release into Lance. Lance holds JC's hips as the hot fluid fills him, and only when JC stills does he release the organ and swallow. He emerges from the sheet, hair tousled, and reclines on his side. "So, how about that breakfast now?"
"Are you trying to spoil me?"
"Uh huh. I never had anyone to spoil before. I kind of like it," he says, playfully touching the end of JC's nose with his index finger.
"I love you a lot, you know that, right?"
"Yeah, I think I get the idea. You stay right here, okay?" Lance kisses the older boy where his finger had just been and hops off the bed. They're all sharing a small condo in Switzerland and Lance heads to the kitchen, hoping the other guys aren't up yet. His luck holds, and he's able to cook in peace. After scrounging around for a makeshift tray, Lance carries the small feast to the bedroom, stopping first to swipe the small vase of flowers from the kitchen table. When he enters the bedroom, he begins to sing, "Happy birthday to you . . . " and stops midway when he realizes JC is sound asleep.
When JC awakens again a couple of hours later, the first thing his eyes fall on is the carefully arranged tray. He looks around for Lance, who's at the desk working on his laptop. "Baby, I'm so sorry. You should have woke me up."
Lance turns in his chair. "I wanted to let you sleep. Besides, you're cute when you sleep."
JC sits up, running his hand through his disheveled hair. "Yeah, but you went to all this trouble."
"Nah, it was nothing. I like cooking. And I warmed it up for you. I figured you'd get up soon." He closes the laptop and carries the tray to the bed.
"See, if my mom had any idea how sweet you are, she'd understand. She'd understand US. She'd understand me."
Lance sits up in the bed next to JC and places the tray in his lap. "She will. She'll think about how much you love her, and what a great son she has. She'll come around. Now, I want you to eat." He cuts a piece of the french toast he made and holds the fork up to JC's mouth.
Feeling only a little foolish, JC lets Lance feed him. "Hey, this is great."
"Thanks." He kisses JC, mid-chew. "This is even better."
"You're right. Maybe I should just pour syrup on you . . . "
"Whoa, that stuff gets on the bed we'll never get it out."
JC gives Lance a syrupy kiss. "And the problem is?"
Licking his lips, Lance replies, "Boy, you turn 21 and your sense of responsibility goes out the door, doesn't it."
"You've got a better plan?"
"Yeah, I do. Finish your breakfast."
"I love when you get all forceful." JC smiles and picks up his fork.
"You do, huh? Well, later I'll get forceful. Right now you have to eat and shower."
"I'm eating! See?" JC takes a large forkful of french toast.
"Good boy," Lance says, tousling JC's hair. "Keep eating," he continues, as he rises from the bed and starts pulling clothes out of JC's bag.
"Lance, I'm not two. I can dress myself."
"I know, but by the time you do it'll be dark out."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I must have missed the memo declaring this 'pick on JC' day."
"See, this is the problem with the group--no one reads my memos." Lance runs to the bathroom and turns on the shower. "Now get moving, Chasez."
"I'm going. I'm going." JC puts the tray aside and crawls out of bed, heading for the bathroom.
Twenty minutes later, as JC is pulling on the sweatshirt Lance had laid out for him, Lance tosses JC a pair of hiking boots. "Put these on," he instructs.
JC gives Lance a curious look, but doesn't ask. He pulls on the boots and ties them. He stands and glances into the mirror, fixing his hair. Finally, he turns back to Lance, plucking at one sleeve of the sweatshirt with his other hand. "Are you sure about this? It's, like, summer."
"Trust me. You'll want it." He takes JC's hand and grabs a knapsack with the other. "C'mon."
*****
An hour later they're hiking up a mountain trail, Lance leading the way. The air is crisp and the sky is clear, and as they make their way up the trail Lance tries to keep the conversation going, trying his best to keep JC's mind off this morning's phone call. A short while later, they stop for a water break.
"This is great," JC exclaims, handing the water bottle to Lance. "I'm not even gonna ask how you got us a whole day off."
"I have friends in high places," Lance says mysteriously. "Nah, the guys are covering for us. It being your birthday and all." Lance reaches into the knapsack and extracts a thin blanket, which he spreads out on the ground. "Come here."
JC joins Lance on the blanket, stretching out on one side and smiling up at his boy.
"Happy Birthday, Josh." Lance leans down and kisses his boyfriend, cupping his cheek with one hand.
"Thank you, baby." JC pulls Lance closer, responding to his kiss ardently.
"I just want you to know that you ARE loved."
"I know that. I do. And even if I never work things out with my parents, knowing you love me makes it bearable."
"I promise, somehow it's going to work out. They've stuck by you all this time; they're not gonna abandon you now."
"You're such an optimist. But you're a cute optimist."
"Aw, someone's gotta be. The optimist, I mean."
"And cute. Always cute." JC pulls Lance close again.
"You make me sound like a 10-year-old."
"Oh, I know you're not ten. Believe me, I know you're not ten."
Lance rolls on top of JC. "How do you know, hmmm?"
JC can feel the beginning of a bulge pressing against him. "Oh, there are clues. And memories. That was no 10-year-old in our bed this morning."
"I hope not! You're WAY too old for a 10-year-old."
"Darn! I forgot it was pick on JC day. The memory's starting to go already."
"Aw, I only pick on you 'cause I like you. Here, let me kiss it and make it better." And that's just what Lance does.
"Mmm. That's a little better. But I think I need more."
"What do you need?" Lance murmurs, kissing JC's face. "Tell me what you need."
"More kisses. More touches."
"Where. Here?" Lance nuzzles JC's neck, while his hand reaches between JC's legs and rubs insistently.
"Oh, yeah. There. And there."
Lance moves to the other side of JC's neck. "And here?" he growls. He easily flicks open the button of JC's jeans and slips his hand inside.
"Oh, especially there," JC whispers, sliding his hands inside Lance's shirt to stroke over the long muscles of his back. "Lance? Make love to me?"
Placing sweet, soft kisses up JC's face and back to his lips, Lance whispers back, "It's your birthday. You can have anything you want." He's already deeply aroused and had secretly hoped that this day would lead to just such an opportunity. Lance intends to do whatever he can to make JC forget his mother's words, even if only for a short while. He covers JC's mouth with his own, plunging his tongue inside, as his hands work to lift JC's shirt, exposing the smooth, toned chest to the clean mountain air.
JC's hand wraps around Lance's head, pulling him more deeply into the kiss, their tongues teasing and caressing. His other hand slips around Lance's rib cage to work its way up to his chest, seeking and finding a stiffening nipple.
Lance disengages only long enough to sit up and whip off his sweatshirt. As he straddles JC, he pulls the other boy's shirt over his head as well, tossing it aside on the cool ground. He runs his hands up JC's chest, then dives down for another deep, penetrating kiss.
When Lance's bare chest pressed against his, JC wraps his arms around his boy and crushes him against himself. The sensation is as electric as the very first time they lay like this and the kiss is fiery and passionate.
Lance's lips travel across JC's face, and as he pants heavily into JC's ear he manages to work JC's zipper down. "I guess I'm the one who gets to unwrap the present," he breathes, as he moves down to remove JC's shoes, jeans, and underwear.
JC smiles down at Lance concentrating on untying JC's own shoes. He'll never tell Lance this, of course, but he DOES look ten when he gets that look on his face.
Placing the boots carefully off to the side, Lance crawls his way back up JC's body, placing tender kisses along JC's thighs and belly along the way. When he reaches JC's chest, his tongue snakes out and leaves a wet trail along the skin from one small, tight nipple to the other.
JC feels his heartbeat accelerate until he's sure Lance must feel it pounding through his chest. His hand runs over Lance's back, over his chest and he bends one leg so he can rub his thigh against Lance's growing erection.
Lance moans into JC's chest, into his wildly beating heart. He hurriedly unzips his jeans and slips them over his hips, then groans in frustration as he remembers his shoes. Awkwardly, he sits up, struggling to unlace his boots and get his pants off. "Real romantic, huh?"
JC smiles. "In its own way." He sits up to help, his calmer fingers succeeding where Lance's more frantic ones had not. He manages to get the boots off, then helps Lance out of his pants.
"I guess you do get to unwrap your present."
"But you didn't tie a bow around it."
"Oh. I guess you don't want it then. I'll just have to return it." He starts reaching for his pants.
JC stops Lance from reaching the pants. "It's perfect. Just what I wanted."
"Really? 'Cause, like, I can get you something else if you want."
"Nothing else in the world I want. Come here."
Lance returns to his position on top of JC. "Do you know how much I love you?" He asks seriously.
JC gazes up into Lance's eyes, vivid in the sunlight. "Show me."
Pressing their bodies together so their erections are touching, Lance buries his face in JC's shoulder, kissing and sucking hungrily as he begins to move against the older boy's body. Reaching between their bodies, he squeezes their stiffened members together, groaning in pleasure at the new sensation. "Don't move," he growls, as he lifts his head and fumbles for the knapsack. Reaching inside the front pocket, he extracts the tube of lubricant he'd packed earlier. He puts that aside and returns to JC's shoulder, this time wrapping his hand around JC's erection and caressing it lovingly.
"Is there anything you don't have in that bag?" JC murmurs as he smoothes his hand down Lance's back to the round firmness of his ass. He drops kisses into Lance's hair as his hips begin to pulse in time with Lance's hand.
"I was a boy scout." Lance strokes firmly and meets each one of JC's thrusts in perfect rhythm.
"That explains so much," JC manages, his voice husky. He slides his hand around from Lance's ass, to find the twin of his own erection.
Lance's breath becomes ragged at the first touch, and he quickly reaches for the lube. Nudging JC's legs apart, he kneels and pours the thick gel into his hands. After spreading it generously on his fingers, he slides his hand past JC's heated organ, over the soft sac, and down between the tight muscles of JC's ass. With half lidded eyes, he teases the puckered opening with his index finger, smiling slyly as he watches JC's lust-filled face.
"Please . . . " JC whispers, his head falling back, his eyes nearly closed. "I want you so bad."
"I'm here, Josh. I'm right here." And with that, he thrusts his finger inside, as far as it will go, before adding a second. His other hand wraps securely around JC's throbbing erection, and he moves both hands in time.
"Lance," JC gasps out, trying to be quiet in this silent place. His entire body throbs in response to what Lance is doing to him and he feels an unquenchable thirst for his boy.
Boldly, Lance inserts a third finger, working the tightness out of JC, savoring the heat surrounding him and feeling his own need rising. Soon, he withdraws his fingers and carefully removes JC's hand from his own erection, and clasping it in his own hand, Lance positions himself above JC and gently pushes inside. He almost explodes right then and there, so delicious is JC and so intense the pleasure of being inside his lover.
JC braces himself for pain, but it's only momentary, and replaced by pleasure more intense than he could have imagined. He opens his eyes to gaze up at his boy, at the intense and beautiful expression on his face. He reaches up to brush the hair back from Lance's forehead, then cups his cheek in a gesture filled with tenderness and love.
"Oh, Josh, oh babe, this feels so good." Lance can barely contain himself as his organ invades the tight recess. But then he remembers this is not about his pleasure only. He whispers hotly into JC's ear, "Tell me if you want me to stop. Tell me if it hurts."
"Don't you dare even think about stopping," JC growls. He thrusts his hips upward, taking Lance in more deeply. "Just love me. Just love me."
"I don't think I could love you more than I already do. Ohhhh, Josh," Lance moans and clasps JC's hands by his head, using only the friction of their tightly pressed bodies to stimulate JC's hot member. Lance moves slowly inside his lover, closing his eyes and breathing steadily into JC's ears. They're so tightly pressed that Lance feels as though they're one person, one heart beating instead of two. His own heart feels as though it will burst right through his chest, so intense is his love for this boy.
JC moves his hips in rhythm with Lance's movements--but it's beyond that. They are simply moving together, breathing together, as close as two people can possibly be. As loving and as loved as two people can possibly be.
Lance presses in harder, deeper, wanting to be as close to JC as possible. He kisses the tender skin where JC's shoulder meets his neck and he rubs against JC's pulsing erection. Thrusting in and out, trying to keep an easy rhythm to make this as pleasurable for JC as possible, Lance whimpers against JC's throat.
They're so wrapped up in each other that they almost miss the unmistakable sound of boots on the trail. They're out of sight of it, of course, but still . . . They both freeze, clinging to each other, as they listen to the footfalls approach--slow down?--pause??--then continue. They relax as they hear the climbers resume their conversation as they continue up the mountain, dissolving into helpless laughter as the sounds disappear. JC pushes Lance away a bit, just to look into his face, and when their eyes meet, the laughter dies as passion takes them both over again.
"I guess this wasn't such a great idea," Lance says, trying to catch his breath.
"Hey, what's a little danger . . . " JC presses little kisses over Lance's flushed face.
"I just hope we never see the pictures." Lance feels his arousal surge again as the adrenalin from almost getting caught courses through him. He moves faster inside JC; the soft kisses against his face bring him close to the edge as only JC can do.
JC feels a groan starting deep in his chest and manages to muffle it against Lance's mouth, but the very vibration of it excites them both. JC grinds his hips upward more forcefully, meeting each of Lance's thrusts, and the pressure on his own erection is almost unbearable.
Lance's tongue becomes entwined with JC's and he savors the kiss but soon pulls away. "Josh, I love you, I love you, oh my gosh, I can't . . . I'm . . .," and with one more deep thrust it's as though he's on fire as he comes.
The sweet kisses, the powerful thrusts, the seductive voice all combine to bring JC to his climax, and he feels like he's melting in Lance's hot embrace. Lance shifts his arms so he's cradling JC, holding him tightly and securely, never wanting to let go. When the shuddering subsides, he kisses JC again and then gazes into his sleepy blue eyes. Smiling, he collapses against his boyfriend, hearing nothing but his steady breathing and the quiet mountain sounds around them.
"You're amazing," JC murmurs drowsily. He grins. "And very adventurous."
"And very late. I hate to say it, but we gotta get going. I promised the guys if they covered for us I'd get us back in time for the interview."
"Okay. It was great to get as much time as we did." JC waits for Lance to roll off, then looks around for his clothing. Lance pulls a small towel out of the knapsack and tosses it to JC. He hopes they get back in time . . . for JC's other present.
JC manages to get cleaned up and dressed, very much distracted by watching Lance perform the same tasks. When they're both ready and have packed up Lance's bag, JC picks it up, stands and extends his hand.
When Lance rises with JC's assistance, he finds himself face to face with his friend and can't help but kissing him again. "Give me that," he orders, taking the knapsack. "It's your birthday; I'm supposed to pamper YOU." He takes JC's hand, and together they head down the mountain, back to their friends, back to reality.
*****
When they return to the condo to change, the message light on the answering machine is blinking.
JC looks at the machine, then at Lance. He doesn't really feeling like dealing with the outside world yet, but . . . he presses the play button.
"Joshua? Joshua, are you there? Okay. Joshua, this is your mother. I-I would like to speak to you, so please call me. Okay, I guess I'll speak to you later."
Lance watches JC expectantly. He moves behind the older boy and wraps his arms around JC's waist. "Call her."
"N-now? I thought we had to be at an interview in like 20 minutes. I can't deal with her now."
"I lied. We have an hour."
JC turns around. "You KNEW?"
"Yeah. Look, don't be mad at me. Please, Josh, just call her."
"I'm not mad. I'm just . . . confused."
Still holding JC, Lance says quietly, "I emailed her. This morning, while you were sleeping."
"Was she . . . ? Did she . . . ? Lance, she didn't know that you're the one I'm in love with. She called you a whore on the phone this morning. Did she . . . ?"
"I told her. She knows you're gay, I figured she might as well get to know her son's 'whore' boyfriend." He laughs in a futile attempt to make light of the situation. Then he turns JC in his arms so he can see JC's eyes. They're filled with sadness, so he puts a gentle hand on JC's cheek. "I told her about how my parents reacted, and how we talked, and I even told her she should speak to them, to maybe try to understand this better. JC, I know you think I butted in, but if we're going to be together then we're going to be involved in each other's business, right?"
"I'm not upset about that, Lance. How could I be--I went and talked to your Dad. I just, I just. She was so hateful this morning. It hurts me to think of her saying those things to you."
"She's not like that, JC. You know that. She says those things because she's confused. She thinks it's somehow her 'fault'. But what I told her was that it's no one's fault--this isn't a bad thing. Josh, just call her, okay? I know you're scared. Heck, I was terrified when we told my dad. But you helped me through it. And I want to help you through this."
"And I love you for that. Among other things." JC hugs Lance tightly. "I'll call her." JC releases Lance and sits on the bed. He stares at the phone for a minute, then lifts the receiver and dials the international code. He hesitates again, then dials the rest of the number. As he listens to the phone ring, he wonders what he can possibly say that will make this come out differently than the other times. "Mom?"
Lance slowly backs out of the room, figuring on giving JC some time alone. As he heads off to find Justin and the others, he prays silently that what he did makes a difference.
"Joshua? Josh, I--your . . . friend emailed me. Lance. He's . . . a nice boy."
"He's the best."
"Josh, I'm not going to pretend I'm happy about this and that I understand it, but I do want you to come home. I-I'm sorry for the things I said. I still don't think it's right, but you're still my son, and I love you."
"I...Mom?...I...What about Lance? Is he welcome too?"
There's a minute of silence. "You have to realize this is going to take time. This is not like any of the times you brought home a girlfriend."
"No, it isn't. I was never this serious about a girlfriend."
More silence. "Well, I suppose you're old enough now to make your own decisions."
"Yes, I am. But I still want you to be part of my life."
"I'd like that very much."
JC lets out a long breath. "I'm glad. But that has to mean both of us."
"Josh . . . okay, both of you. I just want my baby home."
"What about Dad?"
"He'll need some time, honey, but he loves you very much and wants you home too. No matter what."
"I don't know when we'll be back in the States, but I'll come. I will."
"Good. Because I miss you so much." Karen chokes on these words as the tears start to come. "And honey--happy birthday. I mean that."
"Thanks, Mom. I-I love you."
"I love you too, baby. No matter how old you get you'll always me my baby. I'll see you soon."
"Okay. Bye, Mom." JC returns the receiver to its cradle and just sits staring at nothing for a while.
*****
"Woo hoo!" Joey shouts. "Did you see that? Lance? Hello?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, cool."
"You're not even watching, dude. That guy just wiped out."
They're watching some skiing championship, but Lance's mind is on the boy upstairs. He chews nervously on his nails and keeps glancing at the staircase. "Sorry. Guess I'm just tired."
"Why don't you go upstairs and nap for a few minutes. You've got time."
"No, I'm okay. I'll just . . . "
JC sits down next to Lance and takes his hand. "Hey, you."
"Hey, you. How are you? How did it go?" he asks, glancing at Joey.
"Um, I'm gonna get something to drink. You guys want anything?"
"No thanks." Lance turns to JC. "So? Everything okay?"
"Yeah. I mean, we've got a ways to go, but you know how that is. They want to see me when we get back. And you're welcome there, too." JC squeezes Lance's hand. "Thank you, Lance. This wouldn't have happened without you."
"Yeah, it would have. I just helped speed things up a bit."
"Maybe, maybe not. Either way I'm grateful."
"Well, there's one more thing I want to give you," Lance says, handing JC a small, wrapped box.
JC grins. "Something besides giving me my family back? And breakfast in bed? And YOU on the mountain?"
"Yeah. Just something as, like, a symbol or something. Just open it."
"A symbol?" Curious, JC carefully unwraps the box. Inside is a beautiful silver watch with a simple face. On the back is the inscription: Always yours, L.
"Lance, it's beautiful. I love it." JC straps the watch on and draws Lance closer. "Thank you, baby." JC's lips brush Lance's, then return to open and close on them again and again. They stay like this, oblivious to the rest of the world, until they finally notice a throat being cleared loudly.
"You know, I know we said we were okay with you two being together and all, " Joey says, looking to Chris and Justin for confirmation. "But we never said we wanted to watch you make out."
JC raises an eyebrow. "What, you afraid you might learn something?"
Lance quickly pushes away, deeply embarrassed. He knows that no matter what the guys say about being fine with his sexual orientation that it can't be too comfortable for them to watch two guys making out. "Sorry," he mumbles, unconsciously wiping his lips as though there's "evidence" on them.
"He's so cute when he blushes; isn't he just the cutest?" Chris exclaims, leaping over to the couch and wrapping his arms around Lance from behind while pinching his cheek.
"Chris, I already told you. You can't borrow him."
"Aw, c'mon, we're supposed to share, bro."
"Get off," Lance protests, trying to disentangle himself. "I'm not a piece of meat, you know."
"I dunno, you sure look tasty to me," Chris replies, pretending to bite into Lance's shoulder.
"What have you been smoking, dude?" They tumble off the couch, onto the floor, where Lance finally manages to crawl out from under Chris.
"Hey, wait a sec, Lance isn't the one we should be tackling anyway. It's JC's birthday!" Chris exclaims, lunging for the boy in question.
"Yeah, happy birthday, Jay Ceeeeeeeeee," Justin adds, piling on top.
"Save some for me!" Joey shouts, throwing his weight on the pile of bodies, now toppled to the floor.
"Get off my boyfriend!" Lance finally yells, and they all turn to him, stunned, that he finally spoke that word. "That's right, my boyfriend," he repeats, more confidently.
"You heard him," JC says, with a huge smile on his face. "Get OFF." And he manages to dump all three guys off of him.
Lance extends his hand and pulls JC to his feet, leaving the other boys to fend for themselves. "And now, I think I'd like to spend a little more time with my boyfriend before we have to be at that interview." And with that, Lance leads JC up the stairs to their room.
Joey sniffs, then says in mock sadness, "Our little boy is growing up."
"He was bound to leave the nest sometime, dear." Justin says, shaking his head and clapping Joey on the back.
Chris rolls his eyes. "You guys are weird, you know that?"