'N SYNC: LANCE 'N' JC CHAPTER 23
Sorry for the long wait everyone! Hope it's worth it! :-)
Usual disclaimer applies: This is a work of fiction. It is not meant to imply anything about the orientation, beliefs or anything else about the real members of 'N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, or anyone else mentioned here. If you are under 18, or are offended by graphic depictions of homosexual relationships, please go find something else to read.
Story content copyright 2000 T. Kevin.
Lance emerged from the house and rejoined his bandmates, looking around nervously. "Hey guys, we need to have a conference."
"Uh, okay." Justin detached himself from Britney. "But JC's not here."
"I know." Lance said pointedly.
Justin got it. He asked Lonnie to round up the other bodyguards and make sure they had some privacy.
The four of them huddled together. "JC's missing and I think I know why." Lance sighed.
The other three stared at him, waiting.
"He told me he was going to come out to his parents tonight. Chris saw them talking, then apparently his parents left in a hurry and now he's missing. I'm afraid it went bad and he's gone off somewhere. He didn't leave by car and it's too far to walk anywhere so he's got to be around here. I just went through the entire house and he's not in there."
"Did you check the closets?" Chris asked. The others all glared at him. "Sorry, not funny."
"Anyway," Lance continued, "I'm worried about him. You know Lou has warned us about snakes and stuff down by the lake, especially at night. JC could have gone off down there without thinking."
"Okay! Let's get flashlights from Lou and go lookin for him!" Justin stood up.
"And umbrellas." Joey added, rolling his eyes skyward where lighting flickered between dark clouds.
There was furious activity under the tent nearest the house as the MTV camera crew began setting up. Other photographers hovered around the perimeter nervously, hoping for some exclusive pictures, and it only got more intense when the boys walked up with their guards. But they pulled Lou and Johnny aside and explained what was going on.
Neither manager liked the idea, but Joey, Chris, Lance and Justin all insisted in searching for JC. Lou produced several umbrellas and flashlights; as he emerged from the house the rain began to fall. By then word had begun to spread that JC was missing, though of course no one else knew the reason.
Britney half-heartedly volunteered to help but was visibly relieved when Justin told her to wait under the tent. Danielle agreed to stay with her. "I don't want to go tromping down by the lake either, with all the snakes and alligators."
"Snakes!" Britney's eyes were wide and she shivered from head to toe.
"You're a Louisiana girl, you know about snakes!" Danielle teased. She was starting to have way too much fun.
"Well, sure, but... ugh." The singer plunked down at a table, her gaze darting warily about the grass around her.
"I know, let's search the house again." Danielle suggested, a gleam in her eye.
"Good idea!" Britney perked up. Nothing was more fun than going through someone else's house.
Meanwhile the boys split up and headed out.
"This reminds me of the time I was helping search for a murderer through the woods." Lance muttered as he and Joey tromped through the wet grass towards the lake.
"Oh that's a nice comparison!" Joey threw his hands up, almost losing the umbrella in the process.
"Sorry, I mean being on a search party at night, looking for someone who apparently doesn't want to be found."
"So what's up with JC that he'd go AWOL like this?"
"You know how he can be, all quiet and distant when he's upset. And if his parents reacted real badly, he could be a mess."
Terry and Drew Lachey noticed the disturbance and went down to the house. They met up with Nick, Justin J. and Jeff, along with several female guests.
"What's going on?" Drew asked.
"JC has disappeared." Nick said with a shrug. "I said maybe he's off shagging some babe." He added, smirking. A few of the girls tittered.
"Where's Justin?" Terry tried to keep his voice even.
"Went to look for him. We're supposed to stay here since there are no more flashlights." Jeff Timmons answered after a sideways look at Nick.
The designer reached for his phone then hesitated. It was childish to want to call Justin wasn't it? But he was worried, and it couldn't hurt... he excused himself, took a few steps away from the group and pressed the speed dial for his lover.
"Hey bro!" Terry was relieved that Justin sounded happy to hear from him. Obviously he'd checked his caller ID when he answered.
"Justin, what are you doing out there in the dark?"
"JC is missin'." Justin swept the grass in front of him with his flashlight.
"I heard that, but how can he be missing?"
Justin lowered his voice. "We think he was gonna come out to his parents tonight, and maybe it didn't go so good. Lance checked with the valet and they left real suddenly not too long ago. And JC can get moody when he's upset; he goes internal."
"Maybe we should let him be then."
"Naw, man, not this time. JC may have lived in Florida awhile, but he's stupid about some stuff. You gotta be careful down by the lakesides, especially at night. And you know all those woods over to the west? Lou's property. And what looks like high grass over there is swamp."
"So, what's out there? Alligators?" Terry asked incredulously.
"Could be." Justin was serious. "Though gators almost never go after adults; usually kids or little dogs. Snakes are worse. Poisonous snakes all over. You never go in high grass or in the shallows too much without good foot and leg coverage. Especially at night."
"Where could he hide?" Terry scanned around.
"I dunno man. There are places along the woods, there is a beach by the lake and a pier where they have some jetskis; that's where we're headed..."
"Want me to join you?" Terry asked hopefully. The idea of snakes didn't thrill him, but he was starting to feel the need to be with Justin. Hearing the singer's voice somehow made him miss Justin more. He could hear others calling JC's name over the phone, then echoing out of the dark; it was sort of eerie.
"Naw. Even if he doesn't want to be found it can't take but so long to search. We'll be back in a few. Tell everybody to chill."
"Okay..." Terry was reluctant to end the call but couldn't think of an excuse to prolong it.
"Hey..." Justin lowered his voice, "It's so cold an' wet out here, I can't wait to get in a warm bed with someone special."
Terry felt himself smile. "Me too."
"Yeah, Lonnie is great to cuddle with! Who were you thinking of?" Justin broke into giggles.
"Damn you!" Terry whispered, still smiling.
"I'll see you soon babe, gotta pay attention here."
"Bye." Terry closed his phone.
"Seems like you and Justin are pretty tight." Drew sauntered up and smiled, offering Terry another beer.
Instantly the designer tensed, wondering how much Drew Lachey had heard of his conversation.
"It's cool, man, you don't have to say anything. I'll spill though; you seem like an okay guy." He glanced over at the group then started to meander away towards the house.
Taking the hint, Terry followed Drew. He didn't feel like it was his place to reveal anything, even if he did get the feeling that the younger Lachey brother was trustworthy -- and possibly 'family.'
"Lance and I talked back in Europe, so he knows about me." Drew went on after a pause -- and checking Terry's reaction. "And it looks like he and JC hooked up. I think it's great. I wondered about Justin, thought maybe he went both ways. It's pretty obvious the way you watch him that there's something going on, and that big old love mark on your neck didn't get there all by itself. And then you call him on the phone when he's a hundred yards away..."
"You were eavesdropping!" Terry glared at him.
"I'm sorry man, not intentionally. I heard you say his name as you walked away. It's cool, I won't say anything."
"So what about you? Seeing anyone?"
Drew smiled humorlessly. "That's complicated. And you might think it's kind of... not normal."
"I like to think I'm open-minded."
"Well, Nick and I... we've been messing around for a while now." Drew began to take an intense interest in peeling the label off his beer bottle all in one piece.
"Ohh..." Terry was a bit taken aback, but tried to keep a neutral expression. He actually didn't know what to think, really. They were brothers, after all...
"I know, it's weird."
"Hey, you're consenting adults. It's not my place to judge you. I am surprised about Nick though. He seems like he's so..."
"'Mister macho'? Yeah, it's his MO. But believe me, I've seen him when he's not so butch!" As he said it, Drew raised his eyebrows and looked over at Terry for his reaction... and they both smirked at once, then burst out in laughter.
"You are bad, man! Now ever time I see Nick, an unflattering image of him is gonna be in my head!" Terry said, still trying to control his laughing.
"Good! A little ego reduction wouldn't hurt. I love him, but sometimes Nick can be an ass." Drew shook his head.
"So... what about Jeff and your Justin?"
"I dunno, we don't talk about it. I think Jeff might be, you know, like us, but I'm pretty sure Justin is straight."
"Jeff's a hot looking guy, he seems nice."
"Hey! You got your own hottie!" Drew elbowed him playfully.
"Yeah, I do. I'm really lucky."
"Ahh, so I am right. That's excellent man. Justin seems like a great guy."
"The best."
It was raining harder. Steam rose from the grass and a fog crawled in from the lake, cutting visibility and giving everything an otherworldly look.
Maybe it was chance, but it was Joey and Lance who first came upon the hunched figure on the bench by the woods.
"JC!!" Lance ran forward, leaving Joey in the dark with the umbrella.
JC didn't respond.
Heedless of the wet stone, Lance slumped down next to his lover and put his arm around him. JC cringed but still looked at the ground.
"Josh, what happened? What's wrong?"
"My parents hate me, that's what's wrong." JC said flatly.
"Oh my gosh. So you told them?"
"Yeah. They didn't take it too well."
"I'm so sorry." Lance tried to pull JC closer and leaned his head on the brunet's shoulder. "Maybe it was just a shock and they need some time." He offered hopefully.
"My mother called me a... sodomite."
Lance shivered, and not entirely from the cold rain. "Don't think about it. We love each other, and it's not wrong."
"I know, I know... it just hurt so much. I guess I thought they would be okay with it."
"I'm sorry. But I wish you hadn't run off. Everyone is worried about you, and it's not safe out here by the woods at night. There are snakes and stuff."
"Yeah, I guess. I'm sorry." JC sighed heavily.
"Plus you're gonna get a cold out here in the rain, right before the tour." Lance smirked and gave him a little shake. "You're supposed to be the responsible one, remember?"
"Oh yeah, god forbid we don't fit into our little cookie-cutter roles the management and media have created for us." JC snapped sarcastically.
"I was just kidding."
"Sorry babe, that wasn't aimed at you."
"I know." Lance still looked sad.
"Sorry I made you come out here in the rain for me. It was sweet of you though." JC put his arm around Lance and gave him a little hug.
"Well, I'm not the one you should worry about. Lou and Johnny are gonna kill you. You're hair's a mess. And my butt is wet from sitting here."
"Okay, okay, I feel guilty now." JC said, but he was smiling.
Joey walked up, purposefully making a lot of noise. "HULLO!! Everything all better? Now that you are both soaking wet?"
JC smiled at Lance. "Your hair isn't so spiky any more. Sorry, James."
"My hair will recover. Now lets go dry off."
Soon all the searchers were recalled and gathered again under the tents. Most of the party guests departed soon after learning that JC was all right (and some even before that). The cover story for the attending media people was that the singer had eaten something that disagreed with him and was too embarrassed to be seen getting sick. Heads nodded agreeably; the fact that he could have gone into the house and been sick in the relative comfort of one of Lou's bathrooms was conveniently ignored.
Everyone got cleaned up more or less; hats were found for Lance and JC, and the interviews began. Terry reluctantly retreated to the perimeter again, though he did take some pictures and a few minutes of video. He noticed how Lonnie was never far from Justin, hovering nearby protectively like a hen over her baby chick. He wondered if Justin had told Lonnie about them yet...
"So, what's in store for the fans on this tour?" John Norris asked, once the preliminaries were out of the way.
"It's gonna be big, huge!" Lance said excitedly...
And so it went on for over an hour, including the usual impertinent questions:
"How did the group get started?"
Chris rolled his eyes and tried to make it clear that HE had gotten the group together. Lou Perlman scowled.
"What's your next video?"
Justin described 'I drive Myself Crazy' then Lance excitedly jumped in to tell everyone about their collaboration with Gloria Estefan.
And from one of the teen magazines: "Are any of you dating right now?" This asked with a pointed look at Britney Spears and Danielle Fishel sitting off to the side.
"We all date, but nothing serious." Joey opened with the usual pat line.
"Lance, what about the rumors that you and Danielle Fishel of 'Boy Meets World' are dating?"
Lance looked very uncomfortable, stared at his hands, then smiled crookedly. "Yes, it's true, Danielle and I have gone out a few times."
Terry felt badly for JC, who looked like he was going to either cry or simply implode: his jaw muscles tensed visibly and his fists clenched. Terry also spotted Alex Sommers in the shadows: the record executive was wearing an unmistakable look of triumph. He had beaten Lance -- at least he felt like he had.
"What about you other guys? Justin, is it true about you and Britney?"
"For the hundredth time," Justin sighed, "Brit and I are just friends. I don't have a girlfriend." A tiny smile flickered across Justin's face after the last comment... a private joke. 'No GIRLfriend....'
"Boxers or briefs?" Terry had to smirk at that one; since he knew exactly what at least one member of 'N Sync was wearing at that moment: white Tommy boxer-briefs.)
After John Norris was done, the guys posed for endless photos for the magazines. Lance and Danielle had several shots together, during which JC angrily looked elsewhere.
Finally it was all over, the media people filtered away, and the boys politely thanked them all for coming and Lou for his hospitality. Joey yawned and announced that he and Steve were heading home. Steve still seemed friendly enough to Terry, though he thought he detected something like a smirk on the elder Fatone's face as they shook hands.
Drew Lachey on the other hand was genuinely friendly, and even gave Terry a quick hug. It was a sweet gesture if a little awkward considering he was over half a foot shorter than the designer. The other members of 98 Degrees said their good-byes and exchanged hugs with 'N Sync. Unlike with the Backstreet Boys, these two groups genuinely were friends. They talked excitedly about their meeting up again in a few days in Cancun to film the MTV Spring Break special, and then finally everyone parted ways. Terry figured he could finally rejoin Justin at this point. He slung his camera bag on his shoulder and headed over to the blond, who was standing with Lance, Chris and Johnny Wright about twenty feet away.
Out of nowhere a beefy arm caught him across the chest. "No more photos, sorry." A soft voice said. It was Lonnie, blocking his path to Justin. The bodyguard's gentle-sounding voice was belied by his imposing size -- and the protective look in his eyes.
"Uh, I'm a friend." Terry stuttered.
"Everyone's a friend. Interviews are over." As he spoke, Lonnie started to interpose his body between Terry and the singer.
For a moment Terry hesitated. He could call out to Justin, but that seemed kind of childish. On the other hand, this needed to get cleared up. "Lonnie, just ask Justin. I work for them; I was in Hawaii."
The bodyguard hesitated. He was used to people trying to bluff their way to 'N Sync and he'd already heard just about every story imaginable. And he knew what a soft heart Justin had; he wouldn't tell Lonnie to kick this guy out if he asked.
Fortunately, the situation was resolved. "Terry!" Justin hollered and trotted up. "You ready to go, man?" Then he realized that Lonnie was actually blocking Terry's way. "Lonnie man, are you messin' wit' mah bro?" He grinned. "My bad, not introducing you guys. Lonnie, this is Terry, he's doing our new website and he's rollin' with us on the tour."
Lonnie took a step back and offered his hand with a little nod. "My mistake. Sorry." He still looked at Terry a bit warily, and his grip was way stronger than it needed to be.
Justin continued, dropping his voice, "Lonnie, Terry and I have gotten real tight. He's family." As if to reinforce his statement, Justin put his arm around Terry's shoulders and pulled him to his side.
The designer wasn't sure what implications of that comment Lonnie understood, but the bodyguard raised his eyebrows before nodding. He didn't look happy.
"I'm sure you guys will get along great!" Justin's enthusiasm seemed naive to Terry, but maybe he was misinterpreting Lonnie's seemingly territorial posture. "Okay, let's go, Ter. Lonnie, I'll catch yah tomorrow!" Justin steered Terry away towards the gate. The designer fancied he could feel Lonnie's stare burning holes into his back.
JC had been silent all during the ride home, and Lance hadn't gotten more than a grunt out of him since then. The blond left his lover sitting on the bed when he went to brush his teeth, and when he got back JC hadn't moved. Lance sat down next to him. "Are you all right?"
"What do you think?" JC snapped. "First my parents disown me, then you announce to the world that you are dating a woman." He stared at the floor as he spike, his hands clenched tightly together.
Lance flinched at the bitterness in JC's words. "I'm sorry Josh. I probably shouldn't have said anything, especially tonight. But we talked about this before. We're not ready to come out to the public about being gay. And Danielle and I have already worked out a plan for 'breaking up.'
"I'm so happy for the two of you." JC practically spat.
"Josh." Lance sighed. "I'm sorry about Danielle. I'm also really sorry about what happened with your parents tonight, but that's not my fault. Please don't take it out on me."
"I'm not 'taking it out on you!' Don't be so damn hypersensitive, Lance!" JC shot him a glare before getting up and starting for the door.
"Where are you going?"
"Nowhere. Go to sleep." He closed the door behind him.
Lance sat and stared at the door for several minutes. JC had a right to be upset, but his reluctance to share his hurt with Lance made the blond sad, as if he had failed somehow. He was angry at himself for the Danielle comment, especially right after the incident between JC and his parents, but a denial seemed pointless. Finally, he turned out the light and crawled into bed... but he didn't sleep. At one point he heard sounds from across the hall. Justin's room. He smirked to himself; at least one member of 'N Sync was happy. But his smile faded again, wondering about JC.
"Wow it's been a long day!"
"Yeah since getting up so early to catch that flight." Terry sat on the edge of the bed and started untying his sneakers. "I am beat!"
"Gawd yeah, that seems like a week ago." Justin plopped down next to him and kicked his shoes off.
"So what's on the 'N Sync agenda for tomorrow?"
"Humm... full dress rehearsal with the stage, sound checks and all. That will take all day to work out the kinks. What are you gonna do?"
"Work!" Terry sighed. "I really need to get going on the web site. I need to get a computer too; this laptop is fine for some things but I need a big monitor for some of the software." He got up and put his jeans over a chair.
"You gotta get me a laptop too, man." Justin threw his jeans in a corner and pulled off his t-shirt.
Terry stared at the youth, standing there in his skintight wifebeater and Tommy boxer-briefs, and a smiled crept across his face.
"What!?" Justin demanded indignantly, assuming something was wrong and looking down. "I spill somethin' on mah self?"
"Nothing's wrong." The brunet looked away shyly as he took his own pants and shirt off. "I was just admiring my handsome... boyfriend."
"Aww, you're gonna give me a big head!" Justin shuffled up behind Terry and put his arms around him. "But that doesn't mean you have to stop." He added, gently guiding them both towards the bed.
As Terry climbed in, Justin darted over to lock the door and turn off the light. The twinkling little bulbs in his James Dean painting continued to glow, offending the designer's artistic sensitivity. He turned over as Justin leapt in the bed and wrapped his arms around Terry. "Nice." He whispered.
"Lance was right." Terry murmured, snuggling back against Justin.
"Hmm?"
"He said not to worry about tonight, not to let it bother me."
"Hmm... hmmm... worry?" Justin's fingers traced lightly over Terry's chest.
"You know... 'stage Justin.'"
"What else did Lance say?" The blond pulled himself up against Terry a little tighter, then tenderly kissed him on the neck... right over his bruise.
"Oh, something like 'Justin's fans will go to sleep tonight with his poster on the wall, but you'll be the only one with the real Justin.'"
"Good old Lance, always knows the right thing ta say."
"He's a smart guy." Terry sighed.
"I'm so glad you're here." Justin murmured softly
"Me too, really glad. Thank you, again."
"Wasn't nuthin."
Terry hesitated for a moment, then twisted around to face the surprised teenager. He clumsily got his arms around Justin and pulled him close, holding him as tight as he could, then whispered, "It's the most wonderful thing anyone has ever done for me, Justin. I'm not kidding. I feel so stupid that I ever left you in the first place..." He fought back tears.
"Shh, man, it's cool. I'd do it a hundred times if that's what it took, fly to the moon, whatever. I'm not lettin you go." The blond breathed the last few words into Terry's ear, then ran the tip of his tongue along the edge. As he neared the tender lobe, he was rewarded with a little moan from his lover.
"You drive me crazy." Terry whispered.
"Sounds like a song." The blond spread his legs and pushed Terry onto his back. Lying on top of the designer, he straddled him and slowly, sensually began to grind their hips together. Both were hard in moments.
"Ohh, god." Terry held Justin, then pulled him down for a kiss.
"Mmm... what do you want to do, baby?" Justin whispered huskily, keeping up the slow rhythm.
"Any...anything you want."
"I thought you were shleepy." The blond teased, looking into Terry's eyes. Then he thrust a little harder.
"Not anymore, thanks to you." He slid his hands down Justin's back and inside his boxer-briefs, cupping the blond's muscled ass.
It was Justin's turn to whimper with pleasure then as he felt his underwear being pulled down. He raised his hips... and gasped as Terry gently wrapped his hand around his hard cock. "Oh man... "
A few moments of frantic kissing and wrestling around in bed ensued as they fought to get out of their underwear. They stroked and caressed each other while kissing for several minutes, then Justin -- still more or less on top -- began to slide downwards, first kissing the brunet's neck, then working down to his chest. He began to lick and kiss one nipple while gently pinching the other. Terry groaned appreciatively and arched his back, thrusting his hardness against Justin's stomach. Ever so slowly the singer worked his way down... then past Terry's aching cock. He began to lick the brunet's inner thighs, then his heavy balls...
"God, Justin! That feels sooo good..." He spread his legs and ran his fingers through Justin's hair, encouraging him.
Then the blond moved up, his tongue-tip flicking along the underside of Terry's penis until he reached the tip. He drew the flaring head into his mouth and gently sucked.
Terry made inarticulate sounds and writhed on the bed... then gasped as he felt Justin's finger slip up under his balls... between his ass cheeks.
Simultaneously Justin sucked as much of he could of Terry's cock into his mouth and slid his finger into the brunet's ass.
Terry rose up a and gasped in surprise and pleasure, grabbing Justin's head.
Encouraged by his lover's reaction, Justin sucked harder and ran his agile tongue along the underside of Terry's pulsing cock, at the same time moving his finger in and out of his spasming hole.
"Justin... that's... amazing man...." Terry tried half-heartedly to get Justin to slow down but the singer seemed determined to have his way. With this double-stimulation it didn't take Terry long to get close. "I'm gonna cum baby..."
But Justin didn't stop; if anything he began to accelerate his pace. Terry figured he'd given warning... and decided to lie back and enjoy it. He had to bite back a cry of pure pleasure as he felt himself go over the edge and began to unload his cum.
Justin made a low humming sound and swallowed eagerly -- in fact he kept sucking and milking Terry's cock for the last drops as it began to soften and grow sensitive.
Terry had to hold his head still because the sensation was too intense. "Jus, baby, please! That was great but you gotta stop now."
The singer grinned up at him. "You liked that, huh?"
"C'mere." Terry pulled him up and gave him a gentle kiss. He could taste the salty-sweetness of himself as their tongues met. "That was really great, thanks," he whispered between kisses, then reached down to gently stroke Justin, who was still very hard. "Now it's your turn."
"You don't have to do nuthin'...ohh..." Justin started, but then Terry gave him a sensual squeeze.
"Here, scoot up." Terry cupped the singer's muscled ass and pulled gently. With some maneuvering he got Justin so he was straddling him just under his arms, his hardon wavering just above Terry's mouth. Justin grabbed onto the headboard and leaned down.... and Terry caught the fleshy cock head between his lips.
"Ohhh, yeah..." Justin sighed. Guided by Terry's hands on his ass, he slowly rocked forward, sliding his cock into the brunet's warm, wet mouth. Together they managed to get a rhythm of slow strokes. While Justin moved in and out of his mouth, Terry slipped his hand into Justin's ass crack and teased the singer's puckered little hole with a fingertip. Then with his other hand he cupped one of Justin's defined pecs and rolled his nipple between his fingers. The blond whimpered and moaned, speeding his pace. When he felt Terry's finger penetrate him he gasped and felt himself getting close to orgasm. "Oh man... ohh mannn!" He groaned. The finger slipped in deeper and worked in and out... and suddenly he was cumming, his swelling cock erupting into Terry's sucking mouth.
Justin shook from head to toe, gasping for air, as Terry let his softening penis fall from his mouth. "God that was intense!" He whispered, sliding down.
"Glad you liked it." Terry hugged him.
"Hmmhmm." Justin nuzzled his neck and gave him a little kiss on the throat. "Jus' gets better an' better."
"Night. Love you."
"Love you too."
After an hour or so of tossing and turning, Lance climbed out of bed. He put on his slippers and wrapped a quilt around himself before venturing out. He half expected to find JC on a couch in the living room, but it was deserted. Lance was starting to get worried when he finally looked out on the back deck. The pool light was on and the water was rippling slightly. There was JC, curled up on a chaise lounge, a jacket draped over him.
Lance slipped outside and shuffled up to his lover, his slippers making little flapping sounds on the concrete. JC was awake, staring at the water, his face an immobile mask. "Please come inside." Lance begged. "It's cold out here... and I can't sleep without you."
JC's mouth worked, then his expression softened. But he didn't speak.
"Well, I'm not going back in without you." Lance said softly.
JC rolled his eyes, then he edged sideways on the chaise.
Lance smiled, then crawled on next to JC, draping the quilt over both of them and wrapping his arms around him. "Everything will be okay." He whispered when they were settled.
"You don't know that."
"I know your parents. They still love you. But this is a shock for them; they need time to accept it.
"I know them pretty well too, James. And you didn't see the hate in my mother's eyes. Hate. She hates what I am."
"She was taught by ignorant people that being gay was wrong. She needs time to work it out."
"I'm sorry I ran off tonight." JC said after a long silence.
"I understand. We were worried though. Justin started talking about snakes and alligators."
"I didn't mean to worry you, I just had to get away." JC sniffed.
"Well, next time you need to get away, take me with you." Lance pulled JC a little closer. "It's kind of fun out here together."
Josh squeezed his eyes shut and pulled Lance tighter to him, then kissed the blond very tenderly on his neck. "I love you so much." He whispered, his voice breaking. "I was just so jealous when you said you were dating... her."
"I love you too, only you." Lance caressed JC's back. "And don't ever forget it."
"Nevah!" JC smiled. Alone here with Lance he could almost... almost believe that everything indeed would be all right.
Terry woke up in almost total darkness. He was in a strange room in a too-soft bed, and tangled with him under the covers was... he told himself it wasn't a dream. He raised his hand to caress the bare shoulder. It was Justin, sleeping silently, next to him, lips slightly parted. In that semi-real world where the mind can play tricks, Terry had to reassure himself that yes indeed he was here in Florida with Justin. Down the hall Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass and JC Chasez were all sleeping. But as much as he liked the other members of this group, they didn't compare to the young man next to him. 'He looks so innocent, sleeping like that. It's trite, but he really does look like an angel.'
To be continued...
End of Part 23!
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