Suiting Up
by Karen and LB
© 2002
When JC learned about Lance's space plans, his first reaction was mixed excitement and fear. Excitement because this was Lance's dream. Fear because of the potential danger of the undertaking. And then there was a certain trepidation about what the time apart could do to their relationship. Being a normal, healthy twenty- something male, JC eventually moved on. To how HOT Lance was going to look in his spacesuit. "So," JC said casually to Lance one night. "When do you get your spacesuit?"
"In a few weeks, I hope. I get to wear this other one temporarily for some of the training, but I'm getting my own. If we make all the payments."
"So, can you bring it home and show me next time they let you out?"
Lance laughs and puts down the folder of papers he'd been reading. "I don't think they'll let me leave the building with it. It costs more than all our tour wardrobes combined."
"Too bad. It would be, um, cool to see it. Make it more real."
"You'll get to see it when you come to the launch. And on the MTV show. I'm gonna look like the Sta-Puft Marshmallow Man, you know."
"No way. You'll look great."
"It is pretty cool. I can't wait to try it on. It's gonna seem so real then, you know?"
"Yeah, I do. Kind of like when we do a new show in front of an audience for the first time."
"Like that feeling where you're a little nervous but really excited at the same time. Kind of like how I feel when I look at you."
"You still feel that way? After all this time?"
"I sure do. And every time I'm away, it's like seeing you for the first time all over again."
JC can't speak for a moment. "Come here," he finally says. Lance rises from the large armchair and crosses the room to where JC is reclining on the bed. He sits on the edge and gazes down at the beautiful form of his lover.
JC reaches out with one hand and draws Lance down onto the bed with him.
Lance lies on his side and fingers JC's Leo pendant. He studies JC's face, the intense emotions so evident in his eyes. He wants to memorize every expression, every detail of that face so when he's away he'll have the mental image to carry him through the grueling testing process ahead.
The next day, Lance has meetings for most of the day, and JC decides to go shopping. He's filled with excitement when he gets home, and can hardly wait for Lance's arrival.
Lance would have been okay if he hadn't seen the magazine. If he'd just decided to close his eyes and nap while waiting to talk with David Krieff instead of reading the magazine, everything would be fine. But no, he had to pick up the Entertainment Weekly and flip open to the article about him, and see the stupid pictures of his stupid bobblehead. He'd heard enough jokes in the past few weeks, but that was the last straw. He'd been discouraged from speaking to the media until the deal was finalized, so he could never defend what he was doing. And now this. So when he returns to the house his emotions are a mix of hurt and anger.
JC is writing when Lance finally comes home, but he drops his pen when he hears Lance's key in the lock. "Hey, babe," he says, meeting Lance in the foyer. "You look tired. You want me to order in?"
"Yeah. Fine. Whatever."
"I'll take care of everything. Go get comfortable." JC had left his surprise for Lance laid out on the bed, and he's hoping it will cheer Lance up.
Lance tosses his bag on a nearby chair and trudges up the stairs, the pull of the shower giving him the energy he needs. But when he enters the bedroom and sees JC's "gift" he freezes. The media, yes. Conan, Leno, and Letterman, yes. But JC? No way. Not him. Slowly, he approaches the bed, the spacesuit costume laid out carefully like it was an Armani tux.
"Is this some kind of joke?" he spits, standing in the doorway of the kitchen, costume in hand.
"What? No!"
"It's bad enough I'm getting mocked in the tabloids and on talk shows, but now THIS? From you of all people?"
"You think I'm mocking you? Me? I have supported you every step of the way."
"You call this support? Making fun of my spacesuit?"
"Lance. I'm not making fun of it. We talked about this last night, remember? How hot I knew you'd look?"
"You're teasing me. You think this is some kind of costume. Well, this thing is what's gonna be keeping me alive."
"I know that. I do. I'm sorry."
"What were you thinking?"
"I told you, what we talked about last night."
Lance grows silent, then finally speaks. "I don't get it. You bought me a spacesuit, and you're not making fun of me?"
JC walks over and takes the offending garment from Lance, casting it aside. He meets Lance's glare unflinchingly. "I am not making fun of you."
"Then what am I supposed to do with that?"
"Nothing. I'd hoped you'd want to put it on for me, since I won't really get to see you in the real thing, but if you don't like it, we'll throw it in the trash."
Lance sees the sincerity in JC's eyes, the same look he'd seen last night when they'd made love. "No, don't," he states, then bends over to pick up the suit. He fingers it for a moment, the fabric light and crinkly, but from a distance close enough to the real thing. Then, slowly, he backs through the doorway and walks to the bedroom, shaking his head with wonder. JC must have gone to a lot of trouble to track this down. It's the least he can do. Quietly, he undresses and slips into the spacesuit. It's a near-perfect fit, and when he stares at his reflection in the large bedroom mirror, his heartbeat quickens. In a few weeks, he will be wearing one for real.
JC slips into the bedroom and sees Lance standing in front of the mirror. He steps up behind him and pauses, staring. Lance looks amazing. Tall and proud. Like an astronaut. "Wow," he breathes.
Lance turns and holds his arms out at his sides. "It almost looks real."
"If this is almost, I can't wait to see you in the real thing. Even if it's at a distance."
"You really like this?"
JC takes a step closer. "Yes. Look at you. I am SO proud of you."
Lance cheeks match the color of the spacesuit. "You are? Really?"
"Really. Look at all you've done. And all you're going to do." JC puts his hands on Lance's shoulders. "I fell in love with the boy you were, but he's got nothing on the man you're turning out to be."
The lump that's formed in Lance's throat almost prevents him from speaking, but he manages to croak, "You don't know how much that means to me to hear you say that."
"It's true. Every word."
"This is probably the most important thing I've ever done in my life."
"I know. And I want it for you so much. But even if I didn't, if I thought it was a bad idea or something, I would just tell you. I would never make fun of your dream."
"I knew that. I guess I just needed to hear it."
"I'll tell you as many times as you want. I'll tell you till you're tired of hearing it."
"I shouldn't have doubted you." He turns to face the mirror again. "This is pretty cool."
JC rests his chin on Lance's shoulder. "Yeah, it is. You want to tell me why you were so upset? Did something happen?"
"It's so stupid. There was this story in Entertainment Weekly, and they used this picture--my bobblehead. I don't know why I let it get to me. And it was wrong for me to take it out on you. I'm sorry."
"It's okay," JC says, wrapping his arms around Lance's waist. "We're used to being a punchline as a group. It's harder when it's just you."
"I'm just getting tired of everyone treating this like a joke. Just because I'm a singer doesn't mean I'm not serious about this."
"You're going to have to show them. It's not fair, but that's how it is."
"You're right. It's like when we had to prove ourselves as a group. We knew we could do it, but we had to show the world we could."
"Just remember, no matter what anyone says, I am behind you 100%."
"I know that." Lance hugs JC's arms. "So, you really like it?"
"I really, really like it."
"I do too. So, when do you have to return it?"
"It's ours."
"Really? We get to keep it?"
"Yeah. I had a feeling we might want it again."
"I think I'll sleep in it."
"You can do anything you want in it."
"Anything?"
JC grins. "Anything."
Lance turns in JC's arms. "So I can do this?" And he kisses JC.
"You don't need to dress up to do that," JC murmurs when they come up for air.
"Maybe not, but when I kiss you like that I feel like I'm floating on air."
"Aw, baby," JC croons, leaning in for another kiss.
Lance imagines this is what it will be like when he really does kiss JC for the last time before blasting off into outer space. He holds JC tightly, the soft, padded suit cushioning his body.
JC runs his hands up and down Lance's back, feeling the familiar shape under the unfamiliar thickness of the suit. He wonders what it feels like to be in there, as he has wondered about so many sensations Lance will experience in his training and flight.
"I wonder what it feels like to have sex in outer space," Lance says quietly, in between kisses.
"Maybe I should stow away so we can find out."
"Maybe you should. It could be for the betterment of humanity."
"If I could come with you, I would."
"I know you would. So let's just pretend we're in the space station, just you and me, and the survival of the human race depends on our having mad crazy sex."
"I think I can handle that," JC says, smiling. He spins them around and pushes Lance down onto the bed.
Lance bounces lightly, laughing, the mattress and the suit cushioning him. "Houston, we have a problem."
JC crawls up next to Lance. "What problem would that be?"
"I'm so horny and I don't know what to do about it."
"I do." JC climbs on top of Lance, claiming his mouth again as their bodies press together in all the right places.
Lance's tongue tangles with JC's as he lifts JC's shirt to touch the smooth, cool skin underneath. His erection springs to life and presses against the cushiony fabric of the spacesuit. His fingers easily find JC's taut nipples as they have so many times before, but this time Lance pays special attention because he knows the time he has with his lover is limited.
JC moves his hips slowly, pressing their erections together and then pulling back in a rhythm that they both know well. His kisses are hungry and hot, demanding a response that he knows Lance will give.
And give he does. Lance tugs anxiously at JC's shirt, pulling it up over his head in one swift move. He returns to JC's mouth, his chest heaving up and down as they kiss, and his hand reaches between JC's legs to massage the hot swell of his erection.
JC struggles with the fastenings on Lance's suit, his fingers made awkward by desire and unfamiliarity. Lance's touch is making him crazy, as always, and he suddenly wishes he'd never even thought of this spacesuit.
"Take me to your leader," Lance growls, rubbing JC's crotch more insistently.
JC giggles against Lance's neck, then pulls back a little, this time dealing with the fastenings in earnest. He finally succeeds and starts working the garment off, kissing and licking the flesh he uncovers.
The cool air that touches his skin sends a chill throughout Lance's body, and JC's tickling tongue makes him giggle. His eyes follow JC's head as JC works his way down his body, his erection becoming more insistent.
JC finally gives up and crawls to the foot of the bed to remove the garment completely. He gazes up at Lance, now clad only in blue boxer briefs, and his breath catches.
"What's wrong?"
"You are so incredibly beautiful."
Lance smiles but looks away, too embarrassed to face the intensity in JC's eyes. The eyes that drill a hole right through his soul every time they look at him. "And you are so sexy."
"That what makes us perfect together," JC says, sliding his hands up Lance's legs.
Lance shivers, the anticipation of what is to come building with every passing second, every touch. "Perfect," he repeats.
JC hooks his fingers into the waistband of Lance's shorts and carefully eases them over the throbbing bulge they cover. He straddles his lover's legs and slowly lowers his head and breathes hotly on the twitching organ.
Lance groans and writhes as he waits with agony. He knows JC will take his time, and he's both thrilled and frustrated.
"Tell me what you want."
"You know what I want."
"I want to hear it. In that sexy voice of yours."
"I . . . can't." He takes a deep breath. "Okay. I want you."
"Well, I hope so," JC says teasingly. He shakes his head and his hair plays along Lance's hips. "Man, you can go to space, but you can't talk dirty to your own boyfriend."
"I'd talk dirty to you in space." Then, seriously, "I want you . . . to, um, put your mouth, um . . . "
Taking pity on Lance, JC leans closer. "Like this?" he asks, licking the length of the long, thick member.
"Yes," Lance hisses. But remembering his manners, adds, "Please."
"Well, since you asked so nicely . . . " JC spreads Lance's legs and settles himself between them, taking the tip of Lance's erection into his mouth and slowly, slowly working his way down.
Lance moans his pleasure, taking JC's long curls in his hands and twining them around his fingers. He watches studiously as JC moves down his length.
JC slides his hands under Lance's butt, squeezing the perfect, round globes and lifting Lance off the bed slightly. His lips and tongue continue to caress Lance's heat.
Lance complies with whatever JC does, enjoying every surprise. He braces himself against the mattress and bunches the bedspread in his fists as he fights the urge to come.
JC slows his movements, drawing this out as long as possible. He hums lightly, tunelessly, just to feel Lance shudder when the vibrations dance along his erection.
"JC, what are you doing to me?" Lance groans, gripping the covers tightly. He clenches his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut and savors every delicious moment.
JC lifts his head from his task. "Oh, this wasn't what you wanted?" he asks innocently. " 'Cause I can stop."
"Don't you dare!"
Smiling, JC resumes his activity, using one hand as well as his mouth to stroke the stiff shaft.
Lance turns his head to the side, practically whimpering, until he senses he's near climax, and cradles JC's head as he comes in a hot, searing flash.
JC holds Lance tightly as he trembles, then draws himself up to collapse next to Lance, resting his head on Lance's still heaving chest.
"I feel like I'm in zero-gs right now," Lance says, panting quietly.
"See, I knew I could help with your training."
"I think I might have to take you back to Russia with me so you could help with my stamina."
"You know I'd go."
"I know you would. And you'd distract me and I'd never get anything done because all I'd want to do is screw."
"I guess that could be a problem."
"Yes, so I guess there's only one solution."
JC lifts his head to smile down at Lance. "What's that?"
"We'll just have to make love as much as we can before I leave."
"We can do that." JC kisses the underside of Lance's chin. "We can start right now."
"You want me to put the spacesuit back on?"
"You'd just have to take it off."
"Then why waste time?"
In answer, JC captures Lance's mouth with his again, one hand smoothing Lance's spiky hair back.
Lance doesn't waste time, and instead thrusts his hand inside JC's pants to stroke the already hard organ to even greater stiffness.
JC almost comes then and there from that simple touch. The sound that comes from his throat and is muffled against Lance's mouth is half moan, half growl.
Lance rolls onto his side and opens JC's pants, freeing JC's heat and giving him more room to work. He claims JC's mouth as he strokes, thrusting his hot tongue inside JC's warm, wet, welcoming mouth.
"Can't wait, can't wait, can't wait," JC mutters, unaware he's even speaking. He pulls away from Lance to discard his remaining clothing.
"You don't have to wait," Lance purrs pulling JC close again.
JC reaches over Lance to the nightstand. He manages to grab the lube one-handed, but the drawer falls out onto the floor when he takes his hand away.
Lance cracks up. Sex with JC is never boring, and now is no exception. "And you're worried about me going into space?"
"You got it easy. If you knock something over, it'll, like, float."
"But if I break something I'll have to pay like a million dollars to replace it."
"You DID break the car."
"You're never gonna let me live that down, are you."
"Nope." JC lifts himself up to grin down at Lance. "But I love you anyway."
"I love you too. And I promise I won't break the spaceship."
"You better not. I want you to come back. Safe."
"I will. After all, if I leave you alone in my house, who knows what will happen?"
"I'll spill the contents of all your drawers?"
"Something like that."
JC slides one hand down Lance's body. "I'm always careful with anything of yours," he says, massaging Lance's spent member back to life.
"Don't worry, it won't break."
JC giggles. "Stop making me laugh. This is serious."
"It is? Okay, I'll be serious. I'll just lie here, really serious, while you give me a hand-job."
JC rolls onto his back. "I'm going to take a shower. A very, very cold shower."
Lance throws a hand on JC's chest. "You're not going anywhere. Besides, it won't help. You're chronically horny."
"You're chronically bratty."
"Am not!"
"Are too. But I like you that way."
"I like you this way," Lance leers, massaging the bulge between JC's legs.
"You only want me for my body."
"Right now--yeah."
JC kisses Lance, hard, silencing him. After a moment, the kiss turns sweet. Still passionate, but more loving than lustful.
Momentarily taken by surprise, Lance quickly melts in JC's arms, his body going slack on top of JC. "Still want that shower?" he asks quietly.
"You. I want you."
"You," Lance says, then kisses JC. "Can have," he kisses his neck, "anything you want."
"I've got everything I want."
"You're a lucky guy."
"I am," JC murmurs, placing little kisses along Lance's jaw.
"I AM gonna miss this."
"Don't think about that. Not now. Just . . . love me."
"I do. I will."
JC rolls Lance over and looks down into his pale and sparkling eyes. This time when he kisses Lance, it's with an urgency that allows for no more discussion. His mouth is hungry, hot, demanding.
Lance takes JC's lead and wraps his hand around JC's throbbing, neglected organ. "Where were we?" he murmurs against JC's lips.
"Right here," JC replies, his mouth forming a smile even as he kisses Lance again and again.
Lance matches JC kiss for kiss, his hands roaming JC's smooth skin as their erections create intense friction.
JC reaches for the lube he'd dropped on the bed when the crash of the falling drawer had distracted him. He opens it one handed and squeezes some onto his fingers, then slides his hand between Lance's legs.
Lance squirms under JC's touch, excited by the more intense pleasures to come. He fixes his gaze on JC's eyes, but soon averts his eyes. It's as though JC can see right into his soul and that makes Lance love him so much it hurts.
They know each other so well that JC easily senses when Lance is ready for him. He slathers some lube on his own erection and pushes gently in.
Whimpering quietly, Lance arches his back at the moment of penetration, then raises his legs higher, urging JC deeper inside.
JC closes his eyes, revelling in the sensation of being enveloped in Lance's hot tightness. He opens them again to look down into Lance's flushed face.
Lance pulls JC close and whispers one word: "Harder."
JC complies, absorbed, entranced, ensorcelled by the pure physicality of body on body. Body in body.
Lance moves against JC, drawing him in with a rhythm both familiar and new. Their foreheads touching, Lance pants soft breaths against JC's cool skin.
JC kisses Lance's lips, then lets his mouth trail across Lance's face till he reaches Lance's ear. He nibbles and licks, never losing the timeless rhythm they've made together.
"JC," Lance moans, sending a vibration up through his chest. He cradles JC's head against him as he moves his hips faster and faster. JC snakes a hand down between their pumping bodies, encircling Lance's erection and stroking it in time with his own thrusts. His sweat-slicked body sliding against JC, Lance grips JC's arm, the biceps tight under his hand. "You feel so good," he moans, his heart racing as he nears climax.
"Mmmm," JC hums in reply, beyond words. He tries to breathe evenly, tries to hold on, but the heat and friction and movement are too much for him and he comes, hard, falling against Lance, into Lance. JC's sounds are music in Lance's ear, like a private song JC wrote just for him. And when JC comes, it's as though a fire spreads in Lance, not a painful fire but a passionate heat that drives him over the edge, and soon he, too, is coming.
It feels like a long time to JC before he's truly aware of his surroundings again. He and Lance are still so tightly clasped to one another that they truly feel like one person. Lance strokes JC's hair back from his damp forehead in a soothing rhythm. He's not ready for either of them to move just yet, so he holds JC, kissing his head lightly, content to just be here, to be here breathing the same air.
"So, how many Gs did I achieve?" asks JC.
"You're off the scale, darlin'."
"I'm sorry I upset you before."
"I'm sorry I misjudged you."
"I guess you had your reasons. But I'm telling you now: I am very, very proud of you."
"That means so much to me. It matters to me what you think."
JC lowers Lance's legs and slides off him, still staying close. "You never have to worry. I am behind you all the way."
"I really like the spacesuit. Of course, now when I wear the real thing I'm gonna think about this."
"That was the idea."
"Good thing they're so roomy."
"Do, um, things WORK in zero gravity?"
"I don't know. Maybe we'll have to ask the Russians to send us both into space so we can find out."
"Think we can get a research grant for this?"
"We can try. And in the meantime, I think we should do our own research right here."
"I'll be your lab rat any time, babe."
"Let the experiments begin." And with that, Lance rolls on top of JC, the spacesuit costume discarded but not forgotten.
Weeks later, when he is trying on his real spacesuit, Lance grins. He can't wait to see the look on JC's face.