Snowed In

by Karen and LB
© 2002

This was inspired by the snowstorm that hit just before the New Year, and the image that it evoked in both of us of Lance frolicking in the snow and building a snowman in Central Park.

They arrived at the cabin around 11:00 that Friday night after a long flight from Orlando and the drive from the airport. Lance dozed off in the rented SUV while JC drove, leaning his head against the cold window and stretching his legs out under the dashboard.

They had wanted to spend Christmas with their families. Ideally, they wanted to spend Christmas with their families together, but neither JC nor Lance was ready for that step. So they decided to take a long weekend after Christmas and head up to Vermont, just the two of them, where one of their crew told them they could rent a quiet cabin near Killington and get in some great skiing. JC was really hyped about that; Lance had only skied once before, for the MTV special, and didn't particularly care for it. He preferred warm weather activities like jet-skiing, but if JC wanted to try a little downhill Lance would do it. Anything to make JC happy. But Lance still wasn't thrilled with the idea of having JC see him fall on his ass multiple times.

So here they are, too tired to do anything but crash in the warm bed so they could get up early the next day and hit the slopes.

Or so they think.

When they awaken the next morning they discover that a rather vicious snowstorm had hit sometime during the night. Lance rolls over onto his stomach and props himself up to gaze out the window at the mounds of snow outside and the white lump that somehow contains their truck. His eyes beam as he realizes there is no way they are going to make it to the slopes to ski and looks forward to a day of playing in the snow and chilling by the fireplace. Even though he's not keen on skiing, he does like to see the white blanket of snow, something he never saw much of growing up in Mississippi.

JC, however, is bound and determined to get to the mountain. He throws on a thick wool sweater and his parka and heads outside with a shovel to try to dig the truck out. Lance rolls his eyes and follows but has no intention of helping. Instead, he pushes the cabin door open and bounds out into the white sea of sparkling snow.

JC starts digging at the snowdrift which he's sure contains their truck, ignoring Lance's comments that even if he gets the car dug out, they'd never make it down the driveway. Lance even goes so far as to climb over the snowbanks to the road and returns, rosy cheeked with the cold, to report that the road is impassable. JC keeps digging. Until he feels the first snowball hit.

Lance spins around and starts whistling, already forming the next snowball in his gloved hands.

JC looks around the otherwise deserted yard, even peering into the woods. "That better not have been you."

Lance pops up from behind a small hill of snow. "Who me?" he asks, with the most innocent facial expression he can muster. "C'mon, JC, give it up. That truck ain't movin'. Wouldn't you rather stay home and play?" Lance leaps over the hill and lands waist- deep in a drift, laughing like a ten-year- old, concealing a perfectly round snowball behind his back in the palm of his hand.

Since Lance is pretty much trapped in the drift. JC steps closer. "Play what?"

Lance attempts to extricate himself when he sees JC approach and ends up falling on his back, the hood of his parka covering his eyes. The snowball tumbles from his hand and Lance waves his arms in a futile attempt to get up. This causes a new fit of giggles. "C'mon, JC, let's build a snowman or something."

"A snowman, Lance?" JC grins as he offers Lance a hand. "What are we, six?"

"Seven." Lance pouts. "You're no fun. I never get to play in the snow." He takes JC's hand and manages to get to his feet, but not before grabbing a handful of snow, whaling JC with it, and quickly scrambling away as best he can.

"That's it," JC shouts, jumping on top of the retreating figure. "You're gonna pay. You are SO gonna pay."

Lance feels himself being pushed face down, snow flying out from under him as he hits the ground. He laughs as the wind is almost knocked out of him, his arms flailing at his sides, trying to gain purchase. "Get off, you big bully!" he shouts.

"Awww. Don't you want to make snow angels, Lance?" JC has his legs pinned, but Lance manages to lift his head.

"Really?"

"Sure. You're right. We're not going anywhere. We might as well make the most of what we've got . . . "

Lance relaxes under JC enough so that he's able to squirm out from under the weight of the older man. He manages to pull himself up to his knees, gathering a small pile of snow in front of him before slowly turning around. "I'm glad you see it that way," he says as he throws another fistful of snow, hitting JC square in the shoulder. He quickly scrambles to his feet, howling with laughter, and tries his best to get as far away from JC as he can.

JC falls back in the snow, laughing. "That's what I get for giving you your way? What were you gonna do to me if I disagreed?"

"This." Lance already had accumulated enough snow in his retreat and had formed it into a nice, baseball-sized globe. He hurls it in JC's direction and waits to see if it hits his mark.

JC tries to dodge, but still gets hit on the side of the head. "I'm gonna get you for that. You KNOW I'm gonna get you for that," he says as he advances, packing his own snowball as he moves.

"You couldn't hit the side of a barn, Chasez!" Lance calls out, dancing and shaking his hips as he backs away.

"I don't need to," JC replies as he grabs the collar of Lance's jacket and shoves a handful of snow inside.

Lance yelps at the sudden sting of the cold, wet snow seeping through his sweater. "Oh, you are SO dead, Chasez," he growls, bending down and grabbing what he can in his gloved hand and leaping toward JC. Unfortunately, he loses his balance and falls flat on his face at JC's feet.

"I'm WHAT, Lance?" JC gloats as he presses one booted foot into Lance's back.

Lance tries to push himself up but is smacked back down by JC's foot. "You're dead JC," he moans into the snow, smiling, blindly flinging upward what snow he can grab onto at his captor.

"I don't think you're in any position to threaten me, babe." JC says, and drops down so he's straddling the younger man. "In fact, I don't think you're in any position to do anything at all." The weight of JC on his back sends a pleasant shiver through Lance. This game is turning out to be more fun than he anticipated. He struggles even harder against the force holding him and tries to turn over, but JC's legs hold him in place. "Okay, I give up," he grunts, stretching his arms above his head and planning his next move.

"Do I look stupid, Lance? Do you actually think I'm gonna trust you?"

Lance turns his head and gazes up at JC with one eye. "I can't really see what you look like when you're sitting on my back." He tries to flash his most boyish grin, hoping that will distract JC enough. "I promise: No more snowballs."

"I'd like to believe you, Lance. I really would. So I'm gonna let you up. But one more snowball, and I'm gonna bury you in that snow drift." JC allows Lance to lift his head enough to see the drift he's pointing at. "You got that?"

Lance sees the very deep pile of snow and smirks. "Yeah, I got that. I promise. Now, you gonna let me up?"

"OK, but you've been warned." JC gets up very slowly, very warily, and steps back, waiting for the inevitable next move.

Lance rises casually, dusting himself off, smiling cheerily. As he bends to brush some loose snow off his shins, he reaches down and picks up a chunk of snow and tosses it forward, hitting JC square in the chest. Immediately, he spins around and bolts in the opposite direction of the snow drift.

"You are SO buried, Bass." JC darts after Lance and tackles him, dragging him back to the snowdrift and piling snow on him.

Lance's struggles are no match for JC, and he breaks out in an uncontrollable fit of laughter as snow seeps into every crack in his clothing. "Is this the way you treat your boyfriend," he howls, as he swallows a piece of snow and begins coughing, his face growing redder by the minute. By this time Lance looks like a snow sculpture of himself.

"Sure, when it makes him look this cute." JC. pretty much covered in snow himself, collapses next to Lance.

Lance finally manages to pull himself to a sitting position, still trying to catch his breath. "Yeah, I'm real cute," he says. "I look like Frosty the Snowman." His pants are soaked through and his teeth begin to chatter as he smiles down at JC.

"Then Frosty must be pretty hot. In a cold sort of way," JC rolls over, wrapping himself around his friend's cold legs and putting his head in his lap.

Lance leans back on his hands, still shivering. "Frosty would have long melted by now."

JC places his hands on either side of Lance and lifts himself up, his legs pressing into his boy's "That can be arranged," he murmurs, his lips almost touching Lance's. "But didn't you want to build a snowman?"

Lance falls against JC, and despite the cold, despite the fact that he's soaked to the skin, he feels a warmth spread through him. "Did I?" he croaks.

JC lets his lips lightly brush Lance's. "I thought I heard you say that. But I could be wrong."

"I, um . . . ," Lance is trembling now, and he's not sure if it's from the cold or from JC's teasing kiss. "Yeah, I wanna, um, play."

"Well, let's see." JC's mouth is still close to Lance's face and his warm breath fans Lance's red cheek. " We could play tag. We could make snow angels. We could build that snowman. We could erect a snow fort. We could slide down the hill. We could skate on the pond. Any of those sound like what you have in mind?"

Lance swallows hard, his eyes half closed. "Snow angels, he murmurs, "tag, snowman, skate . . . yeah." Already, he can feel a tightness in his groin. "Wanna stay outside and play . . . "

Another light brushing of lips. "Play what, baby?"

His teeth chattering again, Lance mutters, "P-play with y-you."

JC pulls Lance closer. "You're freezing, baby. Maybe we should go back inside."

"N-no, I-I'm okay. L-let's stay out here f-for a w-while."

JC unzips his parka and pulls the open sides around Lance, bringing his boy close to his chest. "Better?"

"M-much. B-but I'm g-getting you a-all w-wet." JC unzips Lance's jacket and pushes the wet sides outward, cocooning them in both jackets. "There. No more wet."

"What about s-skiing?"

"Oh, NOW you wanna ski?" JC runs his gloved hands around Lance's waist, drawing him even closer. "We're not going anywhere today, babe. So I guess we'll just have to make our own . . . amusement."

Lance presses his face close to JC.

"Snowmen?"

"Anything you want. Anything."

"A-anything? Y-you're so e-easy."

"Only for you."

Lance leans into JC but loses his balance and ends up pulling them both back down into the snow. "Ooops," he bellows in a fit of laughter once again.

"Enough. You've become a danger to yourself and others. C'mon, Lance. We're going inside before you turn into a popsicle." JC struggles to his feet and offers a hand to Lance. Which is ignored. "Lance," he repeats, his voice dangerous.

"Unh uh. H-how often do we get to see snow, JC? I'm staying r- right here." He punctuates this statement by flinging handfuls of the stuff in the air.

"I think the cold has affected your brain. C'mon, Lance. I'm not kidding. If your teeth chatter any harder you're gonna bite your tongue in two."

Lance falls back in the snow and begins waving his arms and legs up and down and back and forth. "C-c'mon, JC. Where's your s-sense of adventure? W-we never g-got to do s-stuff like this in Missssssissssipppppi."

"Good, Lance. You've made your snow angel. Now we're going in." When Lance continues to toss around handfuls of snow, JC does the only thing he can do. He picks the younger man up and throws him over his shoulder.

"Hey!" Lance yells, completely taken by surprise. He bangs his gloved hands against JC's back and tries to kick his legs, but JC holds him fast. "I-I'm not d-done yet!"

"Oh, you're done, all right." JC replies as he strides toward the cabin. "Lance, you're so cold you can barely speak. We'll come back out tomorrow, if it's warmer. But for now, you need a hot bath."

Lance's struggles weaken as they approach the door. "I don't want a bath-- you sound like my mother."

"This will NOT be a motherly bath," JC says as he pushes the door open.

"Oh?" Lance's eyes grow wide, and he feels that stirring in his groin again. "OH."

"Oh." JC lets Lance's body slide slowly down his own, steadying him as his frozen feet touch the floor. "You still want to argue about it?"

"N-no, not o-one bit. A b-bath sounds r-real good right now. Real g- good." Lance hugs himself, suddenly aware of how cold and wet he is.

"Good." JC kneels to help Lance off with his boots, pulling the footwear gently off Lance's cold feet. He leads Lance to the bathroom where he starts filling the tub before turning back to the shivering boy.

Lance hops from foot to foot as he adjusts to the warmth of the cabin. He shrugs out of his jacket with a little effort, admiring JC's rosy-cheeked face.

JC lifts Lance again, this time settling him on the counter so he can remove the cold, damp socks. He encloses the half-frozen toes in each of his hands, warming them.

Lance smiles sheepishly. "I feel like I'm five again."

JC looks up. "You don't look five." He rises, drawing his hands up over Lance's body till they settle at his waist, while his mouth seeks Lance's. "You don't feel five."

Lance closes his eyes against the cold, wet kiss. He shivers, not just from the temperature but from the intensity that is JC.

JC releases Lance. "Let's get you warmed up." He helps Lance deal with the rest of his clothing, especially buttons and zippers too challenging for stiff fingers.

Lance's frustration at not being able to handle the cold shows in his face, but he finally gives in and allows JC to help him undress. In truth, it warms him more than any bath ever could to have JC do anything for him. After hopping off the counter Lance steadies himself by placing his hands on JC's shoulders as the older man lowers his pants. And even though he's still shivering, Lance can tell it won't be long before certain body parts warm up fast.

JC finishes undressing Lance, then steps back. He knows Lance hates feeling at a disadvantage, so he simply says "Why don't you get in? I'll be right there."

Confused, Lance hesitates before stepping into the tub. "You promise?"

"Yeah, unless want me in there with you right now, fully dressed," JC grins, as he starts undressing. "I think all that snow really DID affect your brain."

Lance sticks his hand in the water and flicks his wrist, causing a spray to shoot across the room. "Just get your sexy ass in here." He lowers himself gingerly, wincing when his foot first touches the hot water, but he quickly adjusts as his rear becomes submerged.

With an invitation like that, what can JC do but strip and get in the tub? He does exactly that, asking Lance to sit up so he can slip in behind him, then pulling the younger man back against his chest. They both lie back, soaking in the warmth, looking at the blue, blue sky through the skylight.

"I can't believe we're taking a bath in the middle of the day." Lance leans his weight against JC's chest and closes his eyes. "But you know what? We should do this more often."

"Mmmm. Yeah. All of it. Including the snowball fight."

Lance rests his head against JC's shoulder and now tilts his chin upward. "Watch out; I'll hold you to that."

"Any time, baby. Any time." JC tilts Lance's chin up even further so they can kiss.

Lance shifts so that he has better access to JC's mouth, causing some of the water to splash over the rim of the tub. JC smiles into the kiss as he hears the water slosh. He should know better than to fill a tub up so far when he and Lance are gonna be sharing it.

"I have a feeling this is gonna get very messy," Lance growls as he kisses JC again.

"Messy is good. I can do messy."

"Show me."

"You asked for it." JC grabs Lance's shoulders and spins them both in the water so Lance is beneath him. He presses Lance up against the opposite end of the tub from where they started, kissing him as if Lance's mouth were sustenance and life.

Water splashes everywhere: over the sides, against the wall, and in their hair. Lance moans into the kiss; he's always loved water. And having JC kiss him like this IN water makes him shiver with excitement. He can already feel his cock harden against JC's thigh, and he wraps his arms around his friend, savoring the taste of his hot mouth.

JC's wet hand floats through water to touch wet flesh, skipping over the niceties just this once to wrap around Lance's erection, excited to feel how excited Lance is, already.

Lance feels himself slipping into the water as JC's hand wraps around his heat. He draws his knees up to give himself some leverage as his mouth seeks JC's full, wet lips.

JC finds Lance's rhythm and he strokes his erection just the way he knows Lance likes. His tongue explores every surface of Lance's mouth, licking at the roof of his mouth, tracing his teeth, entangling with his tongue.

If Lance's mouth wasn't occupied with the sweet kiss, he'd be biting his lip. Sometimes he wonders if this is a ploy by JC to rid him of the habit. Right now, he doesn't care. His hands slip to JC's chest, toying with the light spray of hairs on the otherwise smooth chest and finding his small, tight nipples. Lance could spend hours touching those nipples, and in the warm water his fingers slide around them.

JC moans, the sound muffled in Lance's mouth. He's never been with someone who excites him like this--who keeps on exciting him like this. It used to be all about the pursuit for him, but now, with Lance, he's learning about what it takes to be there in the long run.

Lance starts to thrust into JC's hand, slow, short thrusts. His hands trail down JC's chest to the ripples of his abs, and they linger there, stroking the tight lines of his muscles. It's as though he's discovering JC's body for the first time; the warm water against his lover's skin excites him more than he could imagine.

JC breaks the kiss and growls into Lance's ear, "You're making me crazy. I want you in me."

"You do, hmmm?" Lance purrs. "You want me in you? Like this?" His hands move between JC's legs, brushing over his lover's hardness and lower until he finds the small, puckered opening. He teases the flesh and gently thrusts one finger inside, and then a second.

JC is already panting, gasping for air. "Yeah, baby. Like that. And more."

"More, Josh? Anything for you." Lance pulls his fingers out and pushes away from the side of the tub and back toward the other end, so he ends up on top of JC. He takes JC's face in his hands and licks the older man's lips, then plunges his tongue inside the welcoming mouth. His hands slide lower, down JC's sides to his waist and then under his thighs. He lifts them slightly and positions himself at JC's hot, tight opening and then gently thrusts. He moans into JC's mouth as the delicious warmth of JC surrounds his throbbing member.

JC thrusts upward, taking Lance into himself as deeply as he can, welcoming the momentary pain which is almost immediately replaced by the most intense pleasure. He's slipping downward, almost submerged, and he doesn't care. Nothing matters, nothing but what Lance is making him feel.

Lance quickly reaches behind JC and lifts him up, supporting both of them by gripping the edge of the tub with one hand, never breaking the rhythm of his thrusts. "Are you okay, Josh?" he murmurs, nuzzling JC's moist neck, breathing in his scent as he slows his movements.

"Better than okay, baby. Way better." JC spreads both arms out, gripping two edges of the tub, as he meets every thrust, giving himself up completely to his lover. Lance glances down, noting how the water distorts their bodies and gives everything a surrealistic cast. He allows JC to support them while he brings his hand down to JC's neglected erection, caressing it and wrapping his fingers around its length. He pulls JC tightly against him as he thrusts harder and deeper, moaning softly into his ear.

JC groans happily as Lance thrusts into him. He can't imagine being happier than this, in this beautiful place, truly alone for once. Making love with the most beautiful man on the planet in the almost womblike wet warmth of this bathtub. JC opens his eyes and sees the skylight covered and cleared by the rising wind moving the light, powdery snow even as he feels Lance's hand close around him, stroking him closer and closer to his peak.

Lance's chin is partly submerged as he rests his cheek against JC's strong, defined jaw. The soft sloshing of the water reminds him of the beach, and he closes his eyes and imagines making love with JC as ocean waves crash around them. He wishes they could spend the entire day like this; touching, kissing, making love. He lifts his head and gazes into his lover's eyes, his mouth set in a line of concentration as he reads every expression, every emotion as he increases his thrusts and his hand tightens around JC's hardness.

If JC had to name his favorite Lance-expressions, the look of pure concentration that he's wearing now would definitely be in the top three. Everyone talks about how passionate JC is, but JC has learned since they got together that Lance is every bit as passionate. He's just quieter in the expression of it.

"What?" Lance asks in response to the slow smile creeping across JC's face.

"You." JC replies, putting everything he's feeling into his eyes and hitting Lance with the full intensity of his emotion.

Lance searches the blue-gray eyes before him, feeling the fire behind them, which makes his own inner passion soar. He channels everything he's feeling into his movements. Water begins to slosh over the rim of the tub, and he's panting now, gripping JC's hardness and stroking it from the base to the tip with the same intensity with which he thrusts inside him.

JC releases his grip on the tub with one arm to wrap it around Lance. They slip lower into the water, but he doesn't care. He just has to hold his boy, to touch him. He's still gazing into the jade eyes, made more mysterious by the lambent light, yet completely open to him. His orgasm hits him with that thought, and he feels himself both falling and floating, buoyed by the boy on top of him, inside him, inside his heart.

There's a moment of panic when Lance feels JC bucking against him and sliding down into the water. He pushes upward and grabs the edge of the tub with one hand, keeping his other hand on his lover's erection while he comes. He uses his weight to keep them from being totally submerged, and the excitement of seeing JC's face, reflecting the light from the skylight sends him over. He thrusts hard and deep, and he can feel his own fluids spout forth as the warm water surrounds them both. He groans against JC's neck, pulling him close, lifting him up so his head rests against the wall. Quiet sounds escape his throat as he collapses against his friend. "Are you okay?" he finally murmurs, eyes closed, head resting against JC's shoulder, hands caressing his lover's body.

"Perfect." JC opens his eyes, taking in the significantly lower water level and smiles, hugging his boy tightly. "Messy enough for you?"

Lance lifts his head and looks up dreamily at JC. He pushes himself away so that he floats to the opposite end of the tub. With knees up, he tilts his head and says, "I dunno. Could be messier." And with that, he flicks his hand and splashes JC in the face.

JC carefully wipes the water from his face. "Do. Not. Start."

Lance grins devilishly and positions his knees on either side of JC's. "What are you gonna do about it, Chasez?"

"You really want me to show you? I cleaned your clock outside, and I'm not afraid to do it again."

"I let you." Lance kicks his leg, sending another spray of water at the side of JC's head.

"You go on believing that, babe. If it makes you happy."

Lance slides one leg between JC's and rubs his foot against his lover's crotch. "THIS makes me happy."

JC grins. "Is that all I am to you? A sex object?"

"Yeah. I'm just using you 'cause you're good in bed. And you have a nice ass."

"Well, good. I was worried you were just using me to get to Justin."

Lance's eyes widen and his mouth drops open. "Justin? He is SO not my type."

"You have a type?"

"Sure. Doesn't everyone? Tall, dark-haired, blue-eyed, voice of an angel, slim, rock-hard body . . . "

"Rapidly turning into a prune?"

"But you'd be a sexy prune. Okay, I guess we have been in here long enough. But it just feels SO good." Lance leans his head against the wall and sinks lower into the water.

"Yeah, it does. But you know what else would feel good? A fire. When have we EVER had a fire?"

"I can't remember. Except with you, I feel like I'm on fire. Okay, you win." Lance rises, reluctantly, and steps out of the tub, quickly reaching for a towel when the cool air hits his wet body. He reaches out a hand and pulls JC to his feet and hands him the towel.

JC accepts the towel, smiling. "You realize that's probably the cheesiest thing you've ever said . . . and I'm even cheesier 'cause it made me happy."

Lance blushes, realizing he did sound like a bad country song. You can take the boy out of Mississippi but you can't take the Mississippi out of the boy. "Gimme that," he says with mock sternness. He takes the towel from JC's hands and begins drying him off, then wraps the towel around the slender waist as he reaches for another towel and begins to dry himself off.

JC steps behind Lance and kisses him on the back of the neck. "I'll go get the fire going."

It's already blazing, Lance says to himself. He heads to the bedroom and slips on a sweater and sweat pants, grabbing some clothes for JC. On the way to the kitchen, he tosses the clothes on the couch by the fireplace, pausing to admire the lean, muscular form of his friend as he bends by the hearth.

Lance makes some sandwiches and carries them, along with some cans of soda to the large sofa by the fireplace.

JC finishes with the fire and slips into the clothes Lance brought him. He goes to look out the window and is surprised to see the sky darkening. He looks up as Lance comes in with the food. "I think we might get some more snow." He joins Lance on the sofa. "We might be here for a very long time."

"Oh. So when are you gonna tell me the bad news?"

"How does never sound?"

"Never sounds good. I can do never." Lance decides it's a little too quiet out here in the middle of near-nowhere, so he puts down his sandwich and retrieves his CD holder from the bedroom. He sifts through the compartments and pulls out Matchbox 20. But when he tries to turn on the CD player on the side table, nothing happens. He tries the lamp next to the CD player and again, nothing happens. He checks the outlets; both devices are plugged in. "Uh, Josh? I think we're definitely gonna need that fire."

"Ah, my dastardly plot to get you all to myself with no distractions is working!"

"Light is a distraction? JC, we've got no electricity. Oh shit . . . ," Lance reaches for the phone, and his worst fear is realized. "The phone's dead."

"It'll come back." JC goes over, takes the phone from Lance's hand and leads him back to the couch. "So we'll spend an evening doing things that people did before they had TV and CD players. We can handle that."

"We can. You're right. We'll just park ourselves by the fire. It'll be like in Survivor." He edges closer to JC, making his voice more dramatic with each sentence. "We'll build a hut. We'll eat . . . bugs. We'll eat each other if we have to."

"I don't know. I'm pretty skinny. Will I be enough to sustain you?"

"Mmmm, I dunno. Let me see." He lifts JC's arm and pinches it. "Not too much meat here." He pokes JC's chest. "Mmmmm, nice and firm, but a little lean." He runs his hands down to JC's waist. "Definitely not enough to live on here." He slides his hands over JC's thighs. "Now here, there's definitely some tender, juicy morsels here." His hands travel around JC's back and slip under his ass. "I could definitely live off this. For a few days at least."

"Now you're making me hungry."

"Have a sandwich," says Lance, holding out his plate.

"That's not what I meant."

Lance puts the plate on the coffee table and scratches his head. "Gee, Josh, what do you mean?"

JC gazes at Lance until he looks up. He keeps the gaze steady, building intensity until he can feel and hear Lance's breathing quicken. Then, only then, he says, "Use your imagination," and gets up to light candles in the darkening room.

Lance fidgets on the couch. He watches as JC calmly, slowly places the candles around the room, turning to look over at Lance every now and then. Lance doesn't know how long he'll be able to sit still before the desire to rip off JC's clothes and throw him on the floor takes over.

JC finishes lighting the candles, then, after glancing at Lance again, walks over to the fire and bends to pick up the poker, taking his time stirring up and adding to the fire. When he's finally done, he calmly returns to the couch and sits and reaches for the plate of sandwiches. "Did you think of anything?"

Leaning his back against the arm of the couch, knees drawn up, Lance stares at JC as the older man nonchalantly takes a bite of his sandwich. Lance's whole body is on fire in the same way the flames in the fireplace are licking at the logs. "Well, I think if you're hungry you really should . . . eat." Lance bounces his knees open and closed.

"If that's what you'd like."

Lance narrows his eyes. "What about what you'd like, Josh?"

"You KNOW what I'd like, Lance."

"No, Josh." Lance leans back even more. "Tell me."

JC puts down his sandwich and picks up his soda, taking a long drink. He slides closer to Lance, until his thigh brushes against the younger man's drawn up feet. Then he leans into the side closer to the back of the couch and growls into Lance's ear, "You."

Lance grabs the front of JC's sweater before he can sit up and presses his lips against JC's. JC's lips taste of the sweet syrupy soda, and Lance licks them hungrily.

"Mmmm. Guess you were hungry, too." JC whispers before capturing Lance's lips with his own.

When they pause for air, Lance whispers, "I'm starving."

JC presses his tongue teasingly into Lance's mouth. "Better?"

"Well, that will hold me for a little while." He captures JC's lips again and pulls the older man closer.

"Good. 'Cause you're gonna need your strength."

Lance swallows. "Uh oh. You're gonna take advantage of me, out here in the middle of nowhere and I can't even call for help?"

"When you call out, it won't be for help, babe."

Lance clasps his hands around the back of JC's neck. "Oooo, this sounds interesting. Tell me more."

"I'd rather show you." JC cups Lance's face in one hand, enjoying their perfect fit. He tilts his boy's face up to meet his own, bringing their lips together softly at first, then more insistently.

Lance slides lower on the couch, pulling JC with him. He opens his legs to JC's body, enjoying the feel of the weight on top of him as his tongue slips out to part JC's lips.

JC's intention had been to take this slowly, with lots of foreplay, unlike in the bath--although he certainly wasn't complaining about that. But Lance doesn't make it easy to hold back. He presses down onto Lance, sinking them both deeper into the soft cushions of the sofa, drawing Lance's tongue deeper into his own mouth, caressing it with his own.

Lance savors the kiss, feeling the heat rise in him once again. But soon, he pushes gently against JC's shoulders, forcing the two men to separate. "Wow. How is it that we can't seem to keep our hands off each other?"

"Because you're the sexiest guy on the planet?" JC's hand strokes Lance's cheek again. "Every other relationship I've ever had, the whole new-lover-can't- stop-touching thing wears off after a while. But not with you."

"I just don't want you to get sick of me, you know?"

"Lance. Don't even. I love you. I LOVE you. Not just falling in love. BEING in love."

"I love you too. I mean, REALLY love you. I'm just afraid that what we have is so intense it'll just . . . I dunno, burn out."

"I'm not. You know why? Because, great as the sex is, that's SO not what we're about. You're my best friend, Lance. When we're apart, I don't think about what I want to do to you--well, I DO, but it's not the most important thing. I think about what I want to say to you. Funny things I heard that I know will make you laugh. How-my-day-went stories. And I can't wait to hear what you have to say to me. THAT's what we're about to me, Lance. Sharing a life."

"You realize this is the first time we've been away together. I mean, just the two of us. And not for some 'N Sync thing. This is just us, Josh. Everything you said, that's how I feel." He stares into JC's eyes and is hypnotized by the way the firelight dances off the blue irises. "But I gotta say, the sex is great too."

JC grins. "No argument here. And yeah. I'm very much aware that this is the first time we've been really, really alone. I was an idiot to even THINK about going skiing today."

"Well, yeah, but I would have gone if you really wanted to. I'd go anywhere with you." Lance folds his hands behind his head. "But . . . since we're not going anywhere, what do you suggest we do?"

"Well, we could go back out and build that snowman. I saw Monopoly on one of the shelves . . . we could play. We could finish our sandwiches. Or . . . I don't know, Lance, you got any ideas?"

Lance gazes up at the ceiling. "Hmmm, so many choices. We just got dried off, so I don't know about building a snowman." He cranes his neck to see outside the window. "And by the look of things outside, I have a feeling we won't be going out there for a while. Monopoly could take hours . . . or . . . "

"Or?"

Lance slides one sock-clad foot up JC's leg. "Or we could . . . keep each other busy."

"I vote for that one."

"I figured you would." Lance rubs his foot up and down JC's legs, never taking his eyes off his friend's face.

"You know me so well."

"I'd like to know you better." Lance's foot creeps up to JC's waist.

"Better than you do now? Okay, what would you like to know."

Lance continues to use his foot to probe JC's body. "Let's see. No, wait--any of that stuff I can read about in Bop. I want to know what no one else knows. I want to know THIS better." He slips his foot between JC's legs and rubs at the slight bulge.

"You know that better than anyone." JC's voice is already a little breathless.

"Maybe. But I want to know it better. I want to know YOU better. What you like, what you don't like."

"I like you. I like what you're doing. I like what we're gonna do." Lance presses harder.

"What are we gonna do?"

"How did you put it? Keep each other busy?"

"So what are you waiting for? Let's get busy." He nudges JC one more time, then pulls his foot back and spreads his knees.

"You're such a romantic."

"You want romance? I'll give you romance." Lance hops off the couch and stands before JC, extending his hand.

JC, surprised but by no means unwilling, takes the extended hand.

Lance pulls JC to his feet and leads him over to the open space by the fireplace. He puts one hand on JC's waist and holds JC's left hand in his right, and begins to sing softly, swaying in time with his song.

It's the single most romantic moment of JC's life. He bites his lip to keep from crying and lets his head rest on his boy's shoulder, pulling him close.

Lance smiles and continues singing, soft and low, resting his cheek against JC's head. When he gets to the last line of the song, he sings the last few notes in JC's ear.

JC just holds Lance for a long moment, then finally lifts his head to look into Lance's eyes, his own full of emotion.

Lance laughs, not because he thinks JC is funny but because he can't believe he can evoke such emotion. He cups JC's face and leans his forehead against JC's. "Romantic enough for you?"

"Yeah, right up until you laughed at me." The smile is evident in JC's voice.

"I'm not laughing at you, babe. I'm laughing at us."

"We can get pretty sappy, can't we?"

Lance looks down at the floor. "Yeah, we can. It's pretty sickening, isn't it?"

JC lifts Lance's chin. "Nah," he smiles. "I think we're pretty cute, actually."

"In a disgusting sort of way." Lance grins sheepishly, then wraps his arms around JC's waist. "You're pretty cute."

"You're cuter."

Lance pokes JC in the chest. "No, YOU are."

"Don't make me tickle you. YOU are."

"Don't even think about it, Chasez. You know you are."

JC pulls Lance's face close to his, their lips almost touching. "What'll it take to convince you?"

"You'll never convince me, but you can kiss me anyway."

JC brushes Lance's lips with his own. "Not good enough."

Lance lunges forward with his own, but JC pulls back. "Hey!"

"You're even cuter when you're frustrated."

"If you don't kiss me soon I'm gonna become REAL cute."

"Is that an admission?"

"No. I just want you to kiss me. NOW."

"Ooh, cute AND forceful. I like it." JC puts both hands on Lance's shoulders, pulling him closer. His lips close over Lance's again and again, with the barest touches of his tongue against his boy's lips. As if the kisses are and end in themselves, not simply a step on the way to something else.

Lance closes his eyes and gives in to JC's gentle mouth. He opens his mouth, trying to capture JC's tongue, but JC eludes him each time. This teasing is both frustrating and highly arousing, and Lance begins to back them both toward the couch.

JC lets himself be led, never releasing Lance's lips. His tongue darts out more frequently, less fleetingly, slipping between Lance's parted lips and withdrawing.

Lance growls in frustration but stops when JC's legs hit the back of the couch. He pushes his lover down and kneels before him. "Please, JC," he pleads, and turns his sparkling green eyes up to meet JC's.

"Please what, baby?"

Lance rubs his hands along JC's thighs. "Please kiss me. Please make love to me. Please please please?"

"Well, when you ask so nicely, how can I possibly refuse?"

"You can't." Lance pushes himself up and kisses JC quickly, then falls back to his knees.

JC takes Lance's hands and raises him. When he brings his mouth to Lance's, there's no more teasing. JC's tongue plunges into Lance's mouth, tasting, touching every surface.

Lance moves in closer as his tongue meets JC's. He climbs on JC's lap and lowers them both to the sofa cushions. Leaning on one elbow, he starts fingering the neckline of JC's sweater as he stares at his face. "You look so hot in the firelight," he says softly.

JC smiles up into Lance's face. "I suppose now's not the time to get into a discussion of who's hotter?" He draws Lance down into another kiss.

Lance pushes him back against the cushions and presses his finger to JC's lips. "I think we've done enough talking."

JC takes the tip of Lance's finger into his mouth. "I think you're right," he whispers around the finger, before swirling his tongue around it.

Lance closes his eyes and sighs. JC's mouth is so warm and inviting. He pulls his fingers back and replaces them with his lips, then leans back again and runs his fingers through JC's soft, silky, brown locks. He kisses JC's cheek, and his eyelids, and his other cheek and his nose, and returns once again to his lips.

JC sighs in utter contentment. His hands play over Lance's back, then slip under his sweater to caress the soft skin beneath. Lance sits up. "Wow, it's getting hot in here. I think I'll just take this off. You don't mind, do you?" He flashes a playful smile.

"Not at all. Let me help you." JC eagerly removes Lance's sweater.

Lance sits up, gazes at the blazing fire, then gazes down at his lover. He lowers himself on top of JC; the wool of his friend's sweater tickles his skin and he shivers at the sensation.

"You okay, baby?"

"Absolutely. But your sweater is making me itch, so could you take it off?" Lance doesn't wait for an answer. He raises the hem and lifts the offending garment up and off JC's body. He presses his own chest against the now bare skin and coos, "Mmmmmm, much better."

"So much better," JC agrees as he enfolds his boy in his arms.

Lance props himself up once again. He trails his fingers lightly over JC's chest, toying with the sprinkle of hairs, teasing one small, round nipple into hardness.

"Lance," JC sighs, running his hands over Lance's back and sides. He can already feel the heat where the beginning of Lance's erection presses against his thigh.

Lance allows his fingers to leisurely explore JC's chest. He toys with each nipple, pinching them into hardness. He wets his index finger and touches it to the tight buds, watching JC's face as he does so. He brushes his nails down the soft skin, lingering at the waistband of JC's pants.

JC slips his hands down to cup Lance's butt through the pliant fabric of his sweat pants. He pulls Lance more tightly to him, pressing his thigh against the rapidly growing erection.

Lance squirms against JC. He had really intended this to be a long, lazy afternoon of lovemaking, but right now he feels like ripping of the remainder of JC's clothes. "Josh, I want you so badly," he groans. "I want you inside me so bad it hurts."

Could this possibly be the shy boy JC had first fallen for? JC works his way between their tightly pressed bodies to cup the hot stiffness he's felt pressed against him. Almost immediately he slips his hand inside the loose garment to encircle Lance's heat with his cool hand.

Lance falls back against the sofa. He writhes in JC's hand, groping his chest and needing to hold onto something. JC's touch is magical; sensual and caring at the same time. Lance bites his lip and moans his pleasure.

JC rolls them sideways, his hand never losing its rhythm on Lance's erection. His lips find Lance's neck and he searches out all the most sensitive spots, licking and sucking and kissing.

Lance wraps one leg around JC's thigh. His hands caress his lover's bare back; he gazes at the dancing flames in the fireplace once again as JC's body heat touches his chest.

JC moans against Lance's soft, tender throat. He releases Lance's stiff member just long enough to remove Lance's socks and pants.

Leaning back against the cushions, Lance feels both vulnerable and safe at the same time. Vulnerable, because JC stares at him with those passionate blue eyes, but safe because he has never felt more loved by a peer in his life. He sits up then, and with JC standing before him places his hands on JC's waist and kisses JC's navel. Then he slowly lowers JC's pants, helps him step out of them and pulls JC closer so that he is standing between Lance's knees.

JC stands in the cool air of the room, caught between the heat of the fire behind him and the heat that is Lance before him.

Lance places one hand on JC's hips and slides the other between his legs, nearing but not touching the growing erection. He raises his eyes to his lover as he rubs his hand up and down JC's thighs, and up around his hardness to his flat stomach.

JC bites his lip with an intake of breath, watching the play of the flickering candlelight in his lover's luminous eyes. Lance knows exactly how to tease him to make him completely crazy and he knows it and he uses it. And JC loves it.

Lance tickles the skin of JC's stomach lightly, then moves the hand lower to tangle in the soft curls below, until he finally touches just the base of JC's erection. He sighs, loving the feel of having JC so close, loving that he can do these things to him, that JC belongs to HIM and he to JC. Soon, he trails his fingers along the length of the long shaft, studying every detail of his lover's organ, concentrating on nothing else than pleasing this amazing man.

"Mmmm. Lance." The sound is a whisper, a sigh. He actually feels like his knees could go weak, and if he weren't so utterly aroused, he'd be laughing at himself. He drops his hands to Lance's shoulders for balance.

Lance steadies JC with the hand still holding his hip, and wraps his other hand around the long, hard shaft. "You like? Because I meant what I said before, Josh. I want to know you. To know everything about you. Everything."

"You already know me better than anyone, baby," JC says, hearing the breathiness in his own voice. "And I'll tell you anything you wanna know."

"Good," Lance says seriously. "Because I want to know your likes and dislikes. I want to know your fantasies. Your deepest darkest fantasies." He grips JC's hot erection tightly and begins stroking it slowly.

"Baby, you sound like a phone sex commercial," JC groans.

"Hey there's an idea. I could make a little extra money on the side." He gently cups JC's balls, then returns his attention to the hard member.

"I don't think so. You'd be permanently red from all the blushing."

"Would not! I can talk dirty with the best of them. Just not in front of my mother."

"Uh huh. I can think of better uses for that mouth."

Lance rubs his thumb over the slick tip of JC's hardness. "Like what?" Lance asks innocently.

"Use your imagination. Better yet, use your tongue."

"Yes sir. My mama always told me to obey my elders." Keeping his hand wrapped around JC, Lance licks the wetness off the tip, then swirls his tongue around its circumference. He parts his lips and encircles the tip, then removes his hand and lets his mouth engulf the length.

JC's hands tighten on Lance's shoulders, and a voice he doesn't recognize as his own gives out a moan. His head falls back and again he has the swoony feeling that his knees may not support him.

Lance feels JC sway and grabs his hips with both hands. He doesn't want this to become life-threatening, so he carefully releases JC's hardness and rises from the couch. Taking JC's hand, Lance whispers, "Hang on. One second." He gives JC a quick kiss, then snatches a couple of sofa cushions and tosses them on the floor by the fireplace. He leads JC by the hand. "Sit," he commands.

JC, dazed, follows Lance's instructions.

Lance reclines on his side. "This is much better, isn't it?" He begins stroking JC's hardness once again, mesmerized as the firelight plays off his lover's skin.

"Much better." JC touches Lance's hair, his cheek, before running his hand over the smooth, pale chest.

"Now, where were we? Oh yeah . . . " Lance spreads JC's legs and positions himself between them, then dips his head and licks the length of JC's throbbing erection, made even hotter by the heat from the fire. JC reaches down to touch Lance's hair, reflecting orange in the firelight. He lifts his hips slightly, urging his lover on.

Lance licks down the shaft to JC's balls, licking them gently, and then back up to the tip of the hard cock, before enveloping it in his mouth once again. He begins a slow, even rhythm, taking in as much of the length as his mouth will allow, wanting to give JC the most pleasure he can. JC moans happily, lying back and allowing Lance to have his way. Until he feels the urgent need to thrust. Then he lifts Lance's head and draws him upward.

Lance smiles shyly. "You don't like?"

"I like very much. But I believe you asked me to make love to you. Can't have you doing all the work, here."

"It's not work to me." He touches a finger to JC's chest. "But I'd really like it if you'd make love to me. Here. In front of this beautiful fire."

"There's nothing I'd rather do." JC pulls Lance's mouth to his, opening Lance's lips with his tongue and exploring his mouth.

Lance teases JC's tongue with his own, then pulls away. "What about writing songs?"

JC drops kisses across Lance's face till he reaches his ear. "Even better than writing songs. Besides it's too dark in here," JC whispers, nibbling Lance's earlobe.

"Ohhhhh, I see. I'm just a diversion to pass the time." Lance pretends to pull away.

JC pulls him close. "You know I want to be with you. I didn't even bring my keyboard this weekend."

"What? JC Chasez without his precious keyboard? That's like me walking around without my cell phone."

"You brought your cell phone?" JC pretends to pout, but it's kind of hard to do with a smile on his face.

"Yeah, but it won't work in this storm."

"Good thing, too," JC says as he rolls Lance over onto his back. "I don't want any interruptions."

Lance purses his lips. "Oooooo, just what are you planning, Mr. Chasez?"

"Exactly what you asked for, Mr. Bass." JC leans over Lance, capturing his mouth again as his long fingers stroke the length of Lance's back. Lance wraps his arms around JC's waist, pulling him so close their erections rub against each other. JC's hand moves over Lance's hip and he lifts himself enough to slip his hand between their tightly pressed bodies. He strokes both erections, almost squeezing them together.

THIS is new. Lance clutches JC's waist tightly to keep from coming. He presses his back against the floor as sweat trickles down his chest. JC continues stroking as he breaks their kiss, and he kisses and licks his way over Lance's chin to find the spot on his throat that JC knows Lance particularly likes to have kissed.

If an avalanche buried their cabin right now, Lance would die a happy man. Lance practically claws the rug under him; just when he thinks he and JC have reached the limits of their lovemaking, JC brings them to a whole new level. Lance can't imagine loving JC more than he does right now; the same attention and creativity JC puts into the group he puts into his relationship.

JC shifts himself to one side so he can again focus all his attention on Lance. His hand moves deeper, caressing Lance, then he pauses, bringing his fingers to Lance's mouth.

Lance's tongue flicks out and moistens the long, slender digits. Then his lips part and he eagerly accepts them, swirling his tongue around them the way JC's hand was just touching his most sensitive organ.

JC enjoys for a few moments the sensation of Lance's mouth enclosing his fingers, when he withdraws them and brings his hand back down between Lance's slightly spread legs. He caresses Lance's tight opening with his wet fingers, waiting till he feels Lance relax before thrusting one then two into the waiting flesh.

Lance throws his head back against the pillow he's resting on. He spreads his legs wider, giving JC more access. Gripping JC's shoulders, he moans, "Josh, that feels so good," as his brow creases and he bites his lip.

JC thrusts a little harder, a little deeper, taking care to rub against the gland with each thrust, feeling Lance open to him a bit more each time.

Quiet grunting noises escape Lance's throat as JC's fingers work their magic inside Lance. Lance is so deeply aroused right now that his vision is practically blurred. But he focuses his eyes on JC-- on that handsome face looming next to him. He gropes for JC's erection, stroking it in time to JC's rhythm.

JC, feeling how aroused they both are, withdraws his fingers and moves Lance's hand from his own erection. He turns Lance onto his side facing away from him toward the fire. He runs his hands down Lance's back, squeezing the round, full curves of his firm buttocks, and spoons in behind him, pulling Lance tightly against his chest. Then he presses himself against Lance's opening, pushing in and in and still in as he feels Lance relax and welcome him.

Lance clutches JC's arms tightly when he feels himself being penetrated. He stares, transfixed by the dancing flames as JC's heat enters him, and he presses himself tightly against his lover, bending his knees to give him better access.

It's like this every time. The sweetness, the heat, the freshness. Every time. JC finds a rhythm and pumps smoothly into Lance. His hand finds Lance's erection and strokes in the same slow, steady time. He kisses Lance's shoulders, neck, ear, cheeks, until Lance finally turns his head and their mouths connect.

Lance reaches a hand up and caresses JC's cheek, and his fingers become entangled in his lover's hair. Lance is complete enraptured by JC's gentle, loving touch. He begins short, slow thrusts into JC's warm hand, and pushes back against the lean body behind him.

Lance is always so responsive to JC's slightest touch and that just makes JC want to touch him more, to please him, to give him every bit of passion and love he has in him. He intensifies his thrusting and stroking at the same time deepening the kiss until he feels as if they're melting into one person.

The sting of tears in Lance's eyes is not from the heat of the fire. It's from JC's tenderness; this is probably the most romantic moment of his life and Lance can barely keep from crying.

JC can feel the strong emotion in Lance. He breaks their kiss to whisper straight into Lance's ear, straight into Lance's heart "I love you." Then he's coming, and it's as hot and sweet an orgasm as he's ever known.

Now Lance really can't stop the flow of tears. He laughs at himself, at the joy he's feeling, at knowing JC is equally happy, and when he feels JC come inside him, he lets loose his own orgasm. It's like none he's ever experienced before. He finds himself laughing softly, uncontrollably, but manages to get out these words: "JC Chasez, I love you so much."

JC just holds his laughing, crying boy tightly, then whispers "I've never even imagined being this happy."

"Me either," Lance exclaims, drying his eyes. "Wow. Who would have thought being trapped in a cabin during a snowstorm could be so . . . wonderful." He snuggles closer to JC, clutching JC's arms tightly around his waist. "I could stay here forever."

"Or at least till your cell phone battery runs out."

Lance shakes his body. "Don't scare me like that."

"Sorry, what was I thinking?" JC settles Lance against him again. "Warm enough, baby?"

"I'm so warm right now I could melt all the snow out there."

"Cool! Then we can get to the slopes tomorrow."

Lance's eyes fly open and he groans. "You know, I think there might be another storm tomorrow." He turns slowly in JC's arms. "And the next day." He's facing him now. "And the next day . . . " and he seals this last statement with a kiss.

"Even if there isn't, we'll pretend."

Beach Boys

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