Hello everyone! I'm hoping that most of you are still alive after seeing that I posted the last two chapters in the same week! Please tell me that you're alive. I don't think I have enough air in me to do CPR on a lot of people! LOL
I've noticed a couple of things from chapters 18 and 19 that I forgot to do. So as not to forget again I want to get them done now. The song "This I Promise You" is the property of NSYNC and Jive Records. The Mickey Mouse Club is the property of Disney. There, now I won't be shut down for not giving proper credit.
As you can tell, since you must be able to read (why would you be here if you couldn't), this is the twentieth chapter of A Light in the Tunnel. Wow! Because of that, I want to take a minute to thank all of those who have given me encouragement. Please, please don't be upset if I forget to include you. David, John, Josh, Tom, Doug, Robert, Randy, Danielle, both Ryans, Drew, JT, Warren, James, Joey, Matt, and Aaron. You all mean so much to me! Thanks!!!
This chapter might be a little boring to some of you, so I apologize beforehand. Part of it will deal with the remodeling of the tour bus, and the things that go along with that may not be your cup of tea. I have fun with colors and things like that, plus I'm a huge fan of Trading Spaces, so I wanted to see what I could do with just my imagination. I just wanted to let you know. If any of you want them, I can give you instructions on how to do each project! LOL
Disclaimer: I have no knowledge of NSYNC, anyone affiliated with them, or any other celebrities that may appear here. This is a work of fiction, so any mention of sexual orientations/habits or personalities are made up by me! If you are offended by stories about relationships between men, or are too young to legally read such things, please leave.
A Light in the Tunnel
Chapter 20
Though he had made such a blatant point of showing his personal strength, Burke's dreams failed to get the message. His eyes shot open, stinging with sweat and tears, as the visions of grasping, groaning monsters were still vivid in his mind. He panted like a marathon runner, trying to quell the impulse to scream. Shook, that resolve almost failed when an arm wound around his waist, pulling his clammy body across the bed. The light snores behind him told Burke that Josh was still asleep despite the jerking of his nightmare. He forced himself to become pliant in Josh's embrace, the man's knees fitting into the tight curve of his own, thigh against thigh, chest against back. Laying there in the dark room, Burke struggled to find the peace he knew he should feel. Josh's breaths feathered his hair, causing goose bumps to break out on his already chilled skin. Even coming down from near panic, he had to admit there was a serenity in Josh's arms, a certain shield against all that goes bump in the night. With a sigh, Burke shifted, nestling his head into the sinewy bicep laying across his pillow. Without waking, Josh's lips came to the back of his neck, kissing him. "Love you," the singer sleepily murmured before returning to deep breathing.
"Love you, Josh," Burke sighed, suddenly remembering why he was there in the first place, and drifting back to sleep.
Unlike most people, unconsciously obeying their own need for personal space, Josh and Burke did not roll away from each other during the night. As day slowly crept in, they were still spooned together, legs intertwined and Josh's head resting atop Burke's. With a lazy yawn, Burke's eyes slowly fluttered open. He lazed in the close embrace, completely forgetting the night's trouble. That early tranquility was shattered when he stretched, his back pressing into his sleeping boyfriend. If it hadn't been for a remnant of drowsiness, Burke would have jumped away quicker than he did. His sudden departure from the bed dragging their blanket away, Burke, not meaning to stare, got a good look at what had driven him across the room. Josh lay on his side, bent in the shape of a crude "S," all but his feet uncovered. Acre upon acre of smooth, taut skin was exposed to the cool air. Burke's eyes narrowed in on the problem, almost slapping himself for reacting badly to something that he shouldn't have. From either sleep or the close contact of their bodies, Josh had an erection, and that had startled Burke, afraid that he had given the man the wrong impression. Disappointed in himself, for scurrying away and for ogling, Burke drew the light comforter over him, then went to take a shower. Raised voices pulled Burke from the bathroom, a towel hitched loosely around his waist. Chris, his face red, stood just inside the door, and Josh was still in bed, the blanket up around his chin. "How could you do that, Josh? I thought I told you!" "We didn't do anything, Chris! I swear!" "Right. You're laying there naked, and you expect me to believe that? I should beat you within an inch of your life! I trusted you!" "And you still can," Burke moaned. "We didn't do anything last night, dad. Yes, Josh is naked under there, and I was too. It was my idea, not his. He made sure it was something I wanted, and that I wasn't trying to impress him or anything. I just wanted to be close to him. That's all." "Do you promise, both of you, that nothing went on?" Josh quickly gave his oath. "Yeah. We had dinner, cuddled for a bit, with our clothes on, then got ready for bed. I asked if we could sleep naked, and Josh agreed, so that's what we did. That's all." "Fine. Why couldn't you talk to me about this?" "I wanted it to be a surprise for Josh, and I knew you would be upset. So I got help from Justin and Joe. They just kept you and Lance busy. I'm sorry for sneaking around." "It's ok, Burke, but next time just tell me that you want a little private time with him. That way I won't have to find out like this. I'm sorry for yelling at you, Jayce." "It's alright, Chris. I understand where you were coming from." "Good. Now you two need to get dressed. We're pulling out in half an hour." With that he walked out. "I'm sorry I got you in trouble, Josh." "It's ok, Burke." The boy sat on the edge of the bed. "Thank you for a wonderful night." "Thank you, too." Burke leaned over, giving him a kiss. "You better get up if you want a shower before we have to leave." Pulling the blanket around him like a toga, Josh got out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom, the water coming on a moment later. Having no observers, Burke dropped his towel and got dressed."I guess your dad wasn't happy this morning," Justin whispered conspiringly as the bus rolled past the city limits of Indianapolis.
"It was a misunderstanding. I was in the shower when he came in, so all he saw was Josh without any clothes on." Justin gasped. "No, it wasn't anything like that. I wanted to sleep naked, and Josh finally agreed. Nothing happened." His cheeks turned red, remembering the sight he had gotten that morning.
"Something happened," Justin giggled, "you're all red!"
"Well--um--you know what it's like when you first wake up sometimes?" he ventured shyly. "Well, that happened to Josh, and I sorta got a good look at him." He buried his face in his hands, not believing he had just said that.
Justin threw his head back and roared. "How good of a look?"
"Real good. The only things I couldn't see were his feet under the blanket and the side he was laying on." The singer's devilish smile made him blush more. "Stop it!" Burke giggled.
"I didn't say a thing! You're the one who looks like a lobster!"
"Dad! Justin is teasing me!"
"Justin, stop making him whine! It's too early for all that noise!" Lance yelled from the front of the bus. Burke grinned and stuck his tongue out at his brother.
"Burke, how are we supposed to help do all the stuff for the bus?"
The boy rolled his eyes playfully. "Well, Joe, if you had taken the time to look over your schedule for this stop, you'd know."
"I just let Lance handle all that stuff. He can remember the times and places better than me. So, since you obviously know, what's the next two days look like?"
A smug look on his face, Burke replied, "It's amazingly light. As soon as we get to the hotel, you all are going to a radio station, then you've got the rest of the morning and afternoon free until the show tonight. Tomorrow you have a photo shoot just after lunch, then the concert stuff starting at five."
"Sweet! Is all the stuff ready?"
"Most of it has already been delivered to the hotel. Anything else I can pick up. Warren requested a van to drive me around, and he has a company credit card."
"We figured we'd just sleep on the bus, so we only got three rooms for our clothes and showers. When will we start?"
"I'll get things together and prepped this morning, so as soon as you guys get back."
"Fantastic, little man! I can't wait!"
After everything had been taken up to the block of rooms reserved for them, the singers left, leaving Burke and Warren to sort through the stacks of boxes received by the hotel. Each item was checked off of Burke's many lists. "I think that's everything I ordered. Could you take these back to your room, Warren? They're surprises for the guys."
The man smiled and nodded, not surprised the boy had something up his sleeve.
With the help of a luggage cart, everything was brought down to the bus and stacked where it belonged. Using Burke's carefully gathered measurements, Josh and Lance began to trace and cut out long sheets of cotton batting while Chris attacked black fabric with silver and red spray paints. Justin replaced the overhead lights with frosted globes, then pulled mattresses from the bunks, patiently waiting for Burke to label them so that everyone would get theirs back. Joey and Warren gathered couch cushions, and, using the hotel's service elevator, took them up to the room designated for work. "OK, guys," Burke said as they gathered around his bunk, "watch and learn. First, take these long quilting pins and tack the cotton to the walls. That will make them stay in place. Make sure you take the padding right out to the edge so the fabric will be able to be folded under." Quickly, and deftly, he demonstrated the pinning. "Then attach one edge of the fabric the same way, with an inch or so hanging over, like this. Pull it tight across, do the opposite side, then go around the edges. We'll have to cut the fabric beforehand, but you can do the cushion now." They each got to work as Burke sized up the cloth for each bed, moving quickly between bolts. Joey was the first to get his cloth, and progress halted as Burke showed them how to do the finished edges, a simple process involving hot glue guns. "Why do I have so much extra?" Lance whined, a spare yard of fabric waving from his hand. "Because you're making fabric buttons. Josh is too." He tossed the kits to them, and informed the singers he would sew them on. Burke gave Joey his black upholstery tacks and showed him where they should go. His father was happy with his set of silver brads. Warren, Lance, and Josh sat in the lounge, making buttons, while Chris and Joey lay in the Italian's bunk, their legs sticking out, painting little details on the city skyline around the walls. Justin sat silent as Burke hot glued plastic aquamarines to gold brads. "Do you want me to do your bed?" he finally offered, getting bored of having nothing to do. Burke looked up from his nail. "No, but thanks for offering, Just. Could you count these for me?" It didn't take him long, and again tedium set in. Burke eventually finished, and presented his brother with the bejeweled nails. The young man excitedly pushed them into the walls around his bed. Knowing how to sew, Warren attached Lance's finished buttons, while Burke did Josh's. Everyone finished as Lance's beeping watch reminded them that it was lunch time. Taking a break, they took one of the waiting vans to a fast food place, and picked up something to eat, everyone raving about the small differences in the bus already. "It gives it a little personality," Burke muttered, "but just wait until you see what I have planned for that useless corner next to the beds." After they had eaten, Justin volunteered to go the nails for Burke's bed, speaking up quickly so he wouldn't have to sit around twiddling his thumbs. As he carefully worked on that, the boy finished his bed, sending Warren and Chris to a local lumber yard with a list of needed supplies. Josh and Lance diligently recovered the kitchenette's small countertop with a dark green laminate. It was Joe's turn to be bored. As soon as his bed was finished, Burke looked over the stack of wedge shaped wood, Chris and Warren had returned with. "What are you gonna do with that, little man?" "You'll see. Wanna help me? I'm not sure dad trusts me with a drill!" The singer screwed brackets into the wall where Burke pointed, working his way up. The pieces of wood, all different sizes, had circle cut in them, and Burke threaded a wooden curtain rod through them before attaching them to the bracket. Everyone gathered lose as he used a staple gun to pleat fabric around the top of the staff, then screwed a finial on the end. The fabric, which matched the strip of carpet running between the bunks, draped to the floor, completely hiding the newly built shelves. Though he couldn't do it right then, he knew it would work perfectly, form and function blending flawlessly. "By the way, bro, how are you gonna get the carpet into the lounge?" Just eyed the large roll leaning against the bus. "People will lift the furniture and someone else will unroll it. Can one of you put up the awning for the entertainment center? We're restaining it this afternoon. And, before you ask, it's going out the back window. I already measured, and there's plenty of room." Everyone took a break, following Burke up to the work room so he could sew covers for the couch cushions, Josh trying his hand at running the sewing machine. "Um, Burke?" Lance said slowly. "I don't think that fabric will look right with the walls. I'm sure you know what you're doing." "We don't have to put up wallpaper, do we?" Joe asked in horror. "I help my mom do that once, and it's a pain in the ass." "Breath easy, Joey. We're going to cover the walls in a coordinating fabric, then put up crown molding to cover the staples. Speaking of which, Lance and Warren get that job. I can picture you three," he said, staring at Justin, Chris, and Joey, "playing cops and robbers with the staple guns!" They tried to look innocent, but it wasn't very believable. "Alright, guys. I'll work on this later, so let's get some work clothes on!" At that, six faces fell. Burke smirked and pulled over-alls out of a box. With a minimum amount of effort, the entertainment center was emptied and shoved out of the rear window of the bus. Since some people were banned from touching the staple guns, Joey and Justin took the chore of sanding and restaining the massive case. Lance and Warren started on the walls, pleating the fabric the way Burke had shown them. Chris measured and cut the carpet while Josh lined the kitchen cabinets with contact paper, both teaming up to replace the handles and knobs on things. The only one with experience, Burke began tiling the bathroom floor and shower, using a pattern he had designed in his head. When the walls were finished, Josh, Lance, Chris, and Warren rolled out the carpet, groaning under the weight of the couches. "OK, Martha Stewart," Josh joked, trying not to laugh at the streak of grout across Burke's cheek, "what's next?" "Um, someone could help Joe and Just to speed things along. The crown molding can be put up if anyone knows how. Oh, the piece that goes along the back wall is short on purpose, tell whoever does it. And there is a pre-cut piece of wall cloth. It gets pasted to the lounge side of the door. The tops of the tables need to be laminated. The paper is in the kitchen sink." Burke could hear his boyfriend relaying his instructions as he returned to laying the ceramic squares. Hammering soon followed. Burke left the bathroom to the sound of playful shrieks. He peered out the window to see Justin chasing Chris with a paintbrush. Lance was muttering up front, evidently talking to Josh about the table top. "Is everything working the way you wanted it to?" Warren asked as he smoothed the cloth on the door. "Yep. Can you help me cover the couches?" Using craft glue and a staple gun, they made the furniture match the cushions upstairs. That done, he decided to finish the sewing. "I'm going upstairs," Burke announced as he got off the bus, keeping a safe distance. It took very little time to complete that job, speeding through each cushion. Lance came up, and helped him carry them down, then chatted idly as Burke hemmed a set of curtains. "What left to do, little brother?" "Window stuff, the entertainment center needs to be lacquered, painting in the bathroom, and a couple of other small things." Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Lance start to pout. "What's that face for?" "Nothing, really. I'm just having a great time, and don't want it to end. And we couldn't ask for a better boss. You could give Richard some lessons!" They decided to lay off for the evening, it getting close to the time they needed to go to the arena. As a group, they walked through the bus, exclaiming over the changes. "This is amazing, Burke! It's like a whole new bus!" "It's nice, Josh, but there's more to it than looking nicer. *We* did this, as a family." "That we did, son." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Their work clothes on, they finished breakfast and went back to the bus, wanting to get it finished as quickly as possible. Burke took a small tube of paint in to the bathroom, Lance hung curtains, Justin, Chris, and Josh lacquered the entertainment center, and Joey searched the mostly empty boxes for the new bathroom hardware. "Won't that paint bubble?" he asked, seeing the design Burke was drawing on the shower door. "I know we don't really use it, but I'd hate for one shower to ruin everything." "It won't, Joey. The paint is made for high humidity, plus I'm going to put a sheet of clear laminate over it for extra protection." "Good. So, what's the surprise?" "What surprise?" "The one I know you have in that head of yours. Come on, I won't tell!" Burke bit the inside of his cheek. "Sorry to disappoint you, Joey, but there isn't one." He had said it with a straight face, but he didn't like lying, even if it was a little white one. "How's the painting outside going?" "Pretty good. The can said it didn't take long to dry, so we'll be able to put a couple of coats on it before the shoot this afternoon, then a couple more before the concert." Burke nodded. "I'm finished doing that!" Josh laughed as he bounded up the bus steps. "Every time I turn around, either that troll or Q-tip tries to get me." Burke giggled at the dark smears of lacquer on Josh's clothes. "Can I help you with that last curtain?" he asked with a pouty lower lip. Burke laughed and through a panel at him. "Can you follow directions?" "You've met Lance, right? What do you think?" They twisted and draped the panels over thin iron curtain rods, experimenting with different shapes until Burke was pleased. The rear window was now what he had wanted it to be, a centerpiece. The singers left for their photo shoot, and Burke put the next stage of his plan into action. He grabbed Warren and they raced off to a craft store. They grabbed two framed posters, and two small plastic filing cabinets with four drawers each. On the way to the register, he picked up a set of markers, address labels, and sticky-tack. Going back to the hotel, Warren pulled off at a furniture store, and bought a papizan chair cushion. Burke hung the posters on the walls, then stuck the filing cabinets on the window ledge over the long table up front, writing out each guy's name and labeling one of the drawers. He quickly screwed hooks into the walls of the bathroom. While his family was gone, he applied another two coats to the entertainment center so that it could be loaded while they were at the concert later. Again, with Warren serving as chauffer and buyer, they left, heading for the mall. Burke made little gift bags for them, including specially made scented shower products. "You've been busy," Lance observed when they came back, noticing the small details. "I guess we need to finish up with the entertainment center." "All done. I wanted to make sure it was dry before we left tonight." Thinking everything was completed, Burke convinced them that they should go out and do something. They decided to play a couple rounds of miniature golf to pass the time. "You aren't ready to go," Chris frowned as he looked at his son. "We have to go to the arena in a few minutes." "I'm gonna stick around here for a bit. Warren or someone will bring me over in time for the show. Is that alright?" "Of course. Just don't irritate him. I love you too much to have him hurt you!" "I will, don't worry. See you in a little while." As soon as the singers were out of view, Burke finished everything up. He recruited people to help hoist the entertainment center back in and replace the window glass, then put everything back where it belonged. Running up to Warren's room, he carried down the secret boxes. "Aha! That's what you've been hiding!" They made up the beds with the sheets and blankets Burke had ordered. He hung the bags, with matching towels, in the bathroom, and laid the papizan cushion on the lounge floor, placing one of the Playstation controllers on it. Pleased, he carried the trash to the dumpster, then took a shower, leaving for the concert. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The usual adrenaline rush running out, everyone trudged into the bus, wanting to relax and go to bed. Justin plopped down on the floor, messing with the controller. "Hey!" he shouted, jumping to his feet, "where did this come from?" "It took you long enough, big brother," Burke snickered. "Do you want a tour of your new bus?" They ran to the front, ready to take it all in. The table had been covered with a warm ash laminate, easily brightening the often dark area. The kitchen counter was no longer industrial gray, a deep hunter green instead. Much to Burke's pleasure, they continued to the lounge, ignoring the bunks and their drawn curtains. Soft layers of russet red and antique gold met their eyes, the lounge changed from rec room to relaxing den. The cherry stained wood was opulent and matched the cream and russet couches. The curtains took away the bland air, as did the pictures on the walls. Everyone crowded into the bathroom doorway to see the lapis and saffron tiles. "What's that?" Chris asked, pointing to the bags on the walls. "Presents. Go sit down, and you can have them." The rushed away to the couches like kids on Christmas morning. Justin wrinkled his nose. "Soap and shampoo?" "Smell it, Curly," Lance said. "I had them made up just for you all, in scents I thought you would like." "And towels in our favorite colors!" "Don't you start teasing me! The cabinets up front are for your mail and important stuff like that. Use them! And your shoes go on the shelves we made earlier." "That's what that thing is for!" "This is too much, little man. Thank you!" They tackled Burke to the floor, hugging and tickling him in gratitude. After they had settled down, Josh said that he was off to bed. Justin was playing a video game with Chris, and the other were talking. They waved as the sleepy singer left the room, but his startled shriek a moment later brought his band mates running, Burke strolling lazily behind. "Oh my god! It's almost too wonderful to sleep in!" Josh's discovery sent the others scurrying to their beds. Justin dove onto the baby blue, jersey material comforter that matched the white walls studded with aquamarine nails. He purred like a kitten as he cuddled the stuffed basketball on his spread of pillows. The Superman doll hanging from the ceiling distracted Joey from his blanket, a map of New York City. Chris tossed sliver and metallic red pillows about as he laid on the shiny black blanket. It took him a moment to find the Celtic ring Burke had put there. Lance gently stroked his earth toned suede and flannel quilt. "It's to help you relax, my over-stretched big brother," Burke said of the CD Lance held up. Chris snorted at that statement. Josh's deep blue brocade comforter and expanse of gold pillows covered the small space. A mini keyboard rested against the wall. "You play on it, and then download the music onto a computer disc. Just in case inspiration strikes." The gift seemed to please him more than the bedding. "What about yours?" Burke gestured and Justin slid the curtain back. It was an emerald hued, marble print blanket against sand colored walls studded with green stones. "You fibbed to me, little man." "Forgive me, Joey?" Burke tried to look rueful. "Of course!" They pressed together in the narrow aisle, embracing. The others soon joined, not wanting to be left out. "Son," Chris sniffled, "Thank you." "This really *is* the house that love built, dad." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That's all for now! I told you that it might be a little boring. I know nothing of interest happened in this chapter. I wanted to challenge myself by decorating a place that only exists in my head. Besides, I think it's refreshing for the guys just to interact without some piece of drama causing friction. I'm expecting not good mail for this chapter, and that's ok. Just don't be too brutal, please. I promise that I'll get back to the normal flow of the story with the next installment. Speaking of which, the next chapter will come out later next week because of the Memorial Day holiday. I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can reach me at cameronwriter@hotmail.com Always, Cameron Playstation is the property of Sony (I think!)