Jolan's Path Chapter 27
Jolan's Path - Chapter 27
The following story is fictional and is intended for an adult audience. It is not meant to suggest anything about the sexuality of Justin Timberlake or any other celebrities included in this story. This story is fiction, meaning not real. It's all for fun. If you are under age, it is illegal in your country, or you don't like stories about gay sex, please stop reading this now.
Chapter 27
Joey shut the bathroom door behind him, his face still glued to the two men struggling in the bathtub.
Jolan was half laying in the tub, Justin fully on top of him.
Justin jumped to his feet in a flash, his eyes on his old friend, the two locked in a confused stare.
Jolan struggled to his feet on his own, his grey eyes going between the two men.
"Joey, it's not what you think! We were just horsing around! Honest!" Justin blurted out.
Joey looked at Jolan, seeing his grey eyes looking at Justin.
Joey saw a brief look of hurt flash in Jolan's eyes, and then the lowering of those pained eyes.
Joey folded his arms, staring now at his old friend.
"Go on, Jus." he said, his eyes boring into Justin's worried blue eyes.
"We uh. . .well. . . we were. . .you see it. . ." Justin stuttered, his eyes looking away from Joey's calm stare.
Joey saw the trapped look on Justin's face.
Joey's eyes scanned back to Jolan.
Joey walked forward, past his friend, stopping in front of Jolan, who's head was now lowered.
Justin trembled a bit, afraid that Joey would erupt again in anger against Jolan.
For what he thought Joey may now think of Jolan.
Joey's brown eyes flashed at Justin for a brief moment, then back to Jolan.
Joey's hand went to Jolan's shoulder.
Jolan, feeling the contact, raised his head.
Joey saw the glistening of beginning tears in those silvery pools.
"I'm sorry that Justin doesn't have the courage to admit the truth, Jolan. The truth I now see in your eyes."
Jolan stared at the man in front of him, Joey's eyes turning to Justin.
There was a spark of anger again in Joey's.
"I thought we were friends, Curly?"
Justin lowered his head now, that name bringing back memories of their tight friendship.
"You've always been honest with me. And here I find you kissing this young man, and you don't have the courage to open up to the reality of what I just saw."
Justin's eyes raised, seeing the look of hurt on Joey's face.
"Joey, I'm. . .I'm sorry."
"It's not me you should be apologizing to, Jus."
Justin looked confused, Joey's eyes returning to Jolan's.
"I think you need to say what's on your mind, Jolan. For his benefit. He needs to know what he just did."
Justin looked confused, his eyes going between both men.
Jolan sighed, Joey waiting.
Joey, leaned back against the sink, the two men before him looking at each other.
Justin saw a look of hurt in Jolan's eyes, a look he now realized he may have put there.
"What's wrong, Jo?"
Jolan looked at Joey, the man remaining silent, then Jolan's face turned back to Justin's.
Jolan stared into those concerned blue eyes.
"That hurt deeply, Jus. Your denying my love hurt. I never realized that it would hurt so much."
Justin stood in stunned silence, silently realizing what he'd done.
"Oh, Jo. I. . ."
"I know you want to keep this quiet because of your career, I know that. I would never want you to choose between me and that. But there wasn't any reason to deny it when Joey saw the truth with his own eyes."
Jolan lowered his eyes, Justin's arm going around him, pulling him close.
"I'm sorry, Jo. I panicked. This is all so new to me. Us, I mean."
Jolan raised his head, looking into Justin's blue concerned eyes.
"I know, Jus. It's new to me, too. And I know I'm not what you would call a great catch. But I thought at least. . ." Jolan said, his eyes lowering again.
Justin heard Jolan's own truth in that soft reply.
The truth of how Jolan felt about himself.
Justin's eyes changed, staring intensely at Jolan for a moment, then lifting Jolan's head, staring into his glistening silver eyes.
"You're wrong, Jo. You're more that what you feel you are. You're the man I love."
Justin turned, looking into Joey's staring brown eyes.
"Jolan and I are together, Joey. I love him."
Joey stared at both men for a moment, then stood straight again.
"I know, Jus. The intensity of that kiss showed me that."
Justin's eyes returned to Jolan's, staring into their quiet greyness.
'I'm sorry for denying our love, Jo. You are the world to me. I love you."
Jolan smiled, looking into Justin's blue eyes, that one look shaking the concern away from Justin's worried soul.
Joey smiled at both, folding his arms again.
"Everything all right now, Jolan?"
Jolan smiled, Justin smiling back.
"Yes, Joey. Everything's as it was. Thanks for being his friend."
Joey smiled, looking at Justin.
"So, Curly. Care to open up to a friend?"
Justin smiled, his hand going into Jolan's.
"Jolan is a very special guy, Joey. He's what I've been searching my whole life for."
Joey remained silent for a moment, looking between the two men.
"And Lance?"
Justin's face changed to shock.
"What? How did you. . .?"
Joey smiled, putting his hand on Justin's shoulder.
"We were once real tight, Jus. All five of us were tight. Your three best friends saw the truth of your relationship with Lance. We knew the two of you were in love."
Jolan quietly looked at Joey, sensing in him a very together guy.
And he sensed the five men were a very together group.
"Why didn't you guys say anything?" Justin said, Joey smiling at him.
"We thought it best for the two of you to tell us when you felt you were ready. Then we knew you'd both decided on something more. First time love has a way of doing that. Friendship won out in the end, didn't it, Jus?"
Justin nodded, his hand squeezing Jolan's.
"I love Lance dearly, Joe. He was the first person who ever really loved the real me. But, in this man here, I've found my soulmate. No one makes me feel the way you do, Jolan."
The two men looked into each other's eyes, Joey smiling to himself.
"I'm happy for both of you, Justin. And I'm happy you now see what he means to you."
Justin nodded, seeing now what Joey had seen so easily.
Justin had, in his fearful haste, hurt Jolan by denying to his old friend the truth.
"I'm sorry I did that, Jo. I'll never deny our love again."
Jolan smiled, Justin tenderly kissing his lips quickly.
Joey smiled wider seeing their love so openly displayed.
"So I take it Lynn knows nothing of this?"
Justin's eyes lowered, Jolan squeezing his hand.
"When Justin's ready, he will let his feelings be known to his family. I have full confidence now in that truth."
Justin's eyes raised, staring into Jolan's grey silvery pools.
He saw Jolan's love radiating off of those silvery eyes.
The moment of uncertainty for both of them had disappeared.
Joey's resolve had opened their hearts.
"Enough said. Well, we should be getting back. I don't want Cindy thinking there's a threesome going on in here!"
Joey smiled, Justin blushing. Joey laughed, lightly jabbing Justin in the ribs, the younger man laughing now. Jolan smiled, seeing Joey's unchanged love for his old friend.
"I'd be so lucky!!" Jolan said, winking at Joey. Joey backed up.
"Hey! Keep you hands to this freak here! No offense, Jolan. But you're not my type."
Justin laughed, Jolan looking at Joey's smiling face.
"I know, Joe."
Joey smiled back, his mind thinking there was more in Jolan's stare and look than what he'd meant.
"Okay then. And again, my reason for coming in here was to apologize again, Jolan."
Jolan smiled, looking at the man.
"I forgave you the moment I met you, Joe. But man! What an introduction!"
Joey laughed, smiling widely and opening the bathroom door.
The three walked down the hall towards the kitchen.
Jolan smiled, looking around the table.
Jennie was by his side, Justin on her other side.
Lynn smiled at everyone, setting a large plate of French toast onto the table.
The table was filled with different plates of bacon, sausages, toast, scrambled eggs.
"Lance called. He and Nathan are on their way over, and they're picking up Rachel on the swing by." Lynn said, Jolan smiling.
"And I called Tray. He'll be here any moment." Cindy said, Justin smiling at her.
Joey looked around at everyone.
"Who's Nathan?"
"He's Jolan's doctor. He's helping Jolan with his memory loss." Justin said, pouring a glass of orange juice for himself and Jennie.
The young girl smiled at him, Justin winking.
"Ah, okay. Is he helping, Jolan?" Joey asked, his eyes looking at him as he took the juice jug from Justin.
"Well, we've only spent one morning together. That was the morning of my discovering Jennie."
Jennie smiled, Jolan smiling back at his sister.
"So he's hoping to cure your amnesia?" Joey said, Jolan sighing.
"I think it will come down to me making that happen."
Jennie's hand rubbed Jolan's arm, Jolan smiling at her again.
"Why can't I remember either, Jolly?"
"I don't know, Jennie. I really don't know." Jolan said, his arm going around her.
"I want to remember Mommy and Daddy. I get little pictures of them in my mind." she softly said, Lynn and Cindy both tearfully watching the young girl.
Jolan's eyes glistened, Justin quietly watching both of them.
"We will remember them, Jennie. And we'll find them."
Jennie smiled, Jolan hugging her gently.
"Yep, we will! But till we do we have Justin to make us happy!" she said, Justin smiling at her.
"Yep! I'm going to make you happy every day, angel!"
Jennie grinned, Jolan smiling at Justin.
"So, do we wait for them, or can we just dive in?" Joey said, looking at Lynn.
Lynn rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
"You'll never change, Joseph! I believe you're bottomless!"
Jolan laughed, Joey smiling.
"So the stories are true?"
"Hey, I like food! Deal with it!"
Everyone laughed, a tapping coming to the door.
Justin smiled, getting up and walking out of the room.
A few moments later, Justin walked back into the room with Rachel and Lance, Trace and Nathan following.
"Good morning everyone!" Lance said, smiling widely at seeing Joey.
The two best friends hugged tightly, Lance introducing Nathan to Joey.
Joey shook his hand, smiling quietly at him.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Fatone. I can't believe I'm in the middle of all these celebrities!"
Jennie giggled, Nathan sitting down beside Jolan.
"Dive in everyone, don't let it get cold. Joey's been eyeing everything with a hungry look on his face." Lynn said, smiling.
Joey blushed, Jolan handing him the plate of bacon.
"Dig in Joe. A happy man is a well-fed one."
Joey grinned, grabbing three pieces of bacon.
Justin smiled at Jolan, seeing his and Joey's friendship in full bloom.
Justin looked towards his mother, seeing her watching Jolan filling Jennie's plate with food.
Justin thought about what would happen when he finally told his mother the truth.
Would she overreact as she usually did?
Would she make him walk away from Jolan?
Could she make him do that?
Jolan filled his plate, casually looking at Justin.
He saw his eyes were on his mother, Jolan sensing where Justin's thoughts were.
"Where's Kelly and Briahna, Joe?" Lance asked, smiling at Nathan when he handed him the plate of French toast.
"They're in Long Island with Kelly's parents." Joe said, not looking at anyone.
Lance saw a sudden quietness come over Joey.
"Everything okay, Joe?" Lance said, looking at his friend.
Joey put down his fork, looking at his friends.
"Kelly and I have separated. We both decided it was for the best."
The table went silent, everyone staring in shock at the man.
Lance's arm went around his friend, Nathan quietly looking at both of them.
"Are you okay? How's Briahna taking it?" Lance said with concern, Joey smiling at his friend.
Jolan's eyes were on the man, quietly watching him.
"Briahna's doing good. She's a spunky eight-year-old. She's with Kelly, that's what's important. We are both in agreement that she's our first concern. I'll be able to visit whenever I need to. We both love her. We just drifted apart, guys. My schedule and hers just didn't work together. We are both still friends. We want what's best for both of us."
"I'm here if you need anything, Joe." Lance said, Joey smiling at him.
"I know Lance. You are my best friend, remember."
Lance smiled, a tear in his eyes.
Jolan saw Lance's friendship and love for his old friend.
Lynn's hand went to Joey's arm, Joey smiling at her.
"We're all here for you Joseph."
"Yeah, Joey. All of us." Justin said, across the table from him, his eyes glistening as well.
"Thanks, guys. I know I'm going to be alright. It's just going to take a bit of getting used to again. Being on my own."
Lance patted Joey's shoulder.
"You won't be alone. You're coming to stay with me."
"Lance, I can't impose. I'll just commute back and forth from Mom's."
"Nonsense, Joe. You need a place close to central New York. All your work stuff is here. My place is close to that. You're more than welcome to stay with me."
Joey smiled, nodding his assent.
Lance smiled back, hugging his friend.
"Okay, enough about me. I want to hear all about what's been going on here. Cindy told me some, but I'm sure there's a lot more. Care to elaborate, everyone?" Joey said, smiling at Jolan.
Joey quietly listened while everyone told him all that had happened, Jolan remaining relatively silent.
Joey's eyes, on several occasions, met Jolan's, the two quietly looking at each other.
After breakfast was finished and the story was as well, Joey stood up, walking around the table and pulling Jolan out of his seat.
He hugged the young man tightly, Jolan surprised at Joey's reaction.
"No matter what comes of this, no matter who or what your family is, I want to be your friend, Jolan. "
Jolan was surprised, Joey hugging him again.
Justin was half in tears seeing Joey's easy acceptance of Jolan's friendship.
"I am as well, Jolan." Lance said, smiling across the table.
Jolan smiled at him, and at Joey.
"I'm so lucky to have so many new friends. I can't believe this."
Joey's hand went to his shoulder.
"Believe it, Jolan. You're a remarkable man, in every way. I'd be honoured to call you friend. And I'm looking forward to the future. For both of us."
Jolan smiled, Joey smiling at everyone, his eyes looking into Lance's green ones.
"I'll go call my Mom. And later I'll go pick up my things at her place."
Joey smiled at Lance, walking out of the room.
Everyone moved on Lynn's encouragement, moving into the living room, Joey going to Justin's office to make his calls.
Lance joined him in the office, wanting to help his friend with whatever was needed.
"Thanks for postponing my appointment until tomorrow, Nathan." Jolan said, the doctor sitting down beside him.
"No worries, Jolan. I knew you needed this day to be with your new family. We'll begin tomorrow with our tests."
Jolan nodded, Justin smiling at him from across the room, Jennie sitting beside him, the two giggling together.
"Looks like Jennie's found a playmate." Nathan smiled, Jolan chuckling.
"Yes, Justin's a big kid at heart." Jolan said, Nathan nodding.
He leaned into Jolan, talking softly.
"It's not hard to see, Jolan. I wish both of you the best of luck."
Jolan looked at Nathan, the young man smiling back at him.
"That easy to see, is it?"
"Justin's wandering eyes and singular smile give him away easily. It's okay, I understand the delicacy of the moment."
Jolan smiled, nodding quietly at Nathan.
"Can I ask you a question, Jolan?"
"Sure, Nate."
Nathan smiled, looking towards the hallway.
"Do you think Lance likes me?"
Jolan looked at the young man, smiling lightly.
"We all wear our hearts on our sleeves."
Nathan blushed, Jolan smiling a little more.
"I think you need to ask Lance that, Nathan. But I do see a smile in his eyes as well."
Nathan nodded, a smile now on his face.
Jolan looked towards the hallway himself, his own thoughts on something else.
The two singers rejoined their friends a few minutes later, the group sitting around and chatting for the next half hour or so while Justin and his cousin helped Lynn tidy up around the condo.
Jolan had offered to help, Lynn refusing him politely, telling him to visit with his new friends..
All of them, on different occasions, scanned their eyes towards Jolan, Jolan sensing their watchful gaze.
The time of enlightenment was fast approaching.
The meeting of the Dragos' family was set for eleven at Domo's restaurant.
"You doing okay, Jolan?" Justin asked, sitting down beside him on the couch, having just helped his mother and Rachel tidy up the bedrooms.
"I'm on edge, Jus. This is all zoning in on me. I feel a weight surrounding me. The weight of responsibility. I feel like everyone's counting on me for something."
Justin's arm went around Jolan's shoulder, his hand massaging it.
"We don't have to do this, Jo. We can postpone it until you're better. You're still recovering from the last week."
"No, Jus. I have to see this through. I'm just feeling edgy."
Justin nodded, standing up.
"Let's go for a walk, Jo." he said, looking at Trace and Cindy.
"Yeah, Jolan. You need some fresh air." Jennie said, smiling at her brother, sitting beside Cindy.
Jolan smiled at her, then at Justin.
"Okay, Justin. Let's go."
The two excused themselves, Justin pulling out two jackets from the walk-in closet by the condo's front door.
The two men said goodbye, quietly walking down the outside hallway.
They met Carlos on the first floor when they walked off the elevator.
"Good morning, Mr. Timberlake, and Jolan." the young man said, smiling.
"Good morning, Carlos. How goes it?" Justin said, the young Latino smiling back again.
"It goes very well. I have love in my heart. That always makes the sun shine more brightly."
The two men smiled at the young man, the attendant holding the door open for them as they walked out the side entrance.
Carlos watched the two men walking down the street, lighting a cigarette, his hand going into his pocket.
He pulled out his cell phone, hitting a number.
"Yeah, they just left. Together. What? Yeah, I've been thinking about it. Count me in."
He closed off the phone, smiling to himself, glaring after the two men disappearing down around the corner.
"Time, it's on my side. And so is my fortune."
He smiled, dousing his cigarette and walking back into the building.
Justin and Jolan walked in silence for a while, Justin sensing Jolan was mulling over his thoughts.
They walked along the busy side streets, coming to a small park, a few benches and statues decorating it.
One statue was of a man clad in military insignia, Jolan quietly stopping in front of it, reading the plaque beside it.
"To the victorious go the realities of war. All realities come with a price." he softly said, Justin scanning the plaque as well.
Those words were not on the plaque.
"What do you mean, Jo?" Justin said, smiling at him.
Jolan sat down on one of the benches, Justin joining him.
"I feel like I'm on the edge of a battle, Justin. A battle not of my making."
Justin looked concerned, not liking the look of worry on Jolan's beautiful face.
"What's going on, Jo? I sense you know what's going to happen."
"I think you know as well." said another voice.
Jolan looked up, Erasmus was sitting on another bench a few feet away from them.
Justin saw Jolan's head rise up, and his eyes looking towards an empty bench a few feet away.
"Are you alright, Jo?"
Jolan turned to Justin, looking at him.
"Don't you see him?"
Justin looked confused, his eyes scanning all around.
"See who?"
Erasmus rose up slowly out of his seat walking towards the two men.
"He can't see me, Jolan. Only you have that honour."
Jolan stared at the older man, his grey eyes staring back.
He wore no glasses now, his grey piercing eyes looking intently at Jolan.
"It's best if you feign the truth of this, my son. We need to talk."
Justin's hand went to Jolan's shoulder.
Jolan looked at his boyfriend, Justin staring at him.
"It's nothing, Jus. I'm okay. I just need a moment to think. Could you go and get me a coffee? I'm suddenly thirsty."
Justin nodded, getting up off his seat.
Jolan smiled at him, Justin smiling back.
Jolan watched him walk off down to the corner, disappearing around a building.
Erasmus sat down beside Jolan, the young man quietly looking at him.
"I hear you're a ghost."
Erasmus laughed, his laugh light and deep.
"I have been called much, that included. And so the Dragosans have found you at last. How is Simus?"
Jolan looked at the man, the man's grey eyes locked on him.
"My uncle is well."
"Yes, dear Simus. Tolmar chose well when naming him Seeker. His intensity and resolve mark him as that. And Calen? The young lion?"
"Calen is well also. But I'm certain you already know that. Why are you here? Why are you seeking me out? Are you a Seeker as well?"
"No, Jolan. I do not need to seek what I already know. I am the Watcher. I am just watching all play out, as it must. I have watched for a long time."
"Yes, Simus said you were an ancient myth. But I sense you're more."
The man smiled, patting Jolan's shoulder, Jolan sensing a lot of strength in that touch.
"I am, Jolan. But that, some day, you may learn, if I warrant it essential. Time is short, I need to say something to you."
"Alright, say it."
Erasmus smiled, folding his hands in front of him.
Jolan saw an old silver ring on his right hand, no ornament or decal upon it.
It was a plain silver band.
"To go forward you must look back. The present is the past of the future. Time waits for no one. "
Jolan thought about those words, not sure of what he meant by them.
"Today, you learn your past, to start you on the path of your future. Remembrance is lost to you. Shortly, if the course stays set, you will learn all of it. Hold onto his love, Jolan. For without it, I know we are all doomed. Myself included."
Jolan was about to say something, Erasmus looking towards the park entrance.
"Your man approaches. Think on what I've said. And tell Simus that you warrant the reading of the Tome of Alveena."
The man stood up, Jolan watching as he slowly walked away, his form disappearing in a soft flutter of mist.
Justin shook Jolan's shoulder, Jolan coming out of his moment of revelation.
"You okay, Jo? Here's your coffee."
Jolan looked up at him, taking the coffee Justin was offering him.
Jolan sat it down on the bench, not touching it.
Justin sat down again beside him, looking at him quietly.
"Erasmus was here, Jus."
Justin looked around, his eyes returning to Jolan's face.
Justin saw the truth of what Jolan believed in his grey scanning eyes.
"Alright, Jo. What did he tell you?"
Jolan looked at him, Justin's hand going to his shoulder.
Jolan repeated the words Erasmus had spoken, Justin thinking about their meaning.
"Doesn't really make much sense. The three phrases don't mean much to each other. I understand the first as meaning that to have a future you must remember your past. That deals directly with you, Jo."
Jolan nodded, liking Justin's keen insight.
"The second part I believe means that you have to hold onto today, for tomorrow it will be gone."
Jolan smiled, nodding again.
"And the third, that means that things change."
"I think you're right, Justin. On the meanings, I mean. What do you suppose the Tome of Alveena is?"
"Well a tome is a book, so it might be some kind of family heirloom. Maybe a family bible or something."
Jolan agreed, Justin smiling at him.
Jolan looked around.
"He was right here with us, Justin. He said that only I could see him. He was watching both of us."
Justin looked around, uneasy about that fact.
"Do you feel he's not being truthful? That maybe he's not telling you everything?"
"I don't know, Justin. But I think I'll find out by learning about my past. I need to see Simus and Calen. I need to know the truth."
Justin nodded, Jolan standing, Justin rising as well.
"Let's go back. I need to find my past, so that I can begin my future with you."
Justin smiled, Jolan smiling back.
The two walked back towards Justin's condo.
End of Chapter 27
I know, I know.
I'm dragging this out.
You all want to get to the meeting of the family Dragos, and the truth of Jolan's heritage.
The next chapter will be devoted to that reality.
Or what may be reality.
I'm spending some time building character levels, I hope that's okay.
The introduction of Joey, I felt, was a plus.
Say thank you, Jay.
Lol.
Alright, faithful voyagers.
Prepare for the meeting of the clans.
And a few surprising revelations.
I'm a little further ahead on the road, but I'll lead you through it all.
The path widens ahead.
Angel.
email: music-fan-1@hotmail.com
web site: www.myspace.com/micoangel