Disclaimer: I am not assuming anything about the lives of anyone in this story. Many may wish things to be true, but who knows so don't be offended, just enjoy. If you're UNDER 18, stop reading this, and all that other legal stuff.
This is my first attempt, and I know this story lacks sexual adventures, give it time, I want them to get to know each other first, okay?
Meanwhile
"JC? C'mon man, open up."
"I'm tired, Joey. Go away."
"JC? What's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just tired, please go away."
"Josh, I'm not going anywhere, now open up."
JC wiped a stray tear from his eye and cracked the door open.
"Seriously, Joe. Can't this wait til morning?"
"No, it can't." Joey said, pushing his way in the door. "What's wrong?"
"I said before, nothing." JC turned away from him.
"JC, don't pull this crap with me. I may be a goof off, but I know you, and I know something's wrong. Are you upset to hear about Lance?"
"I, well. . ." You can't tell him. . .' "Yes. Why didn't he tell any of us sooner? Aren't we supposed to be friends?" How hypocritical can you get?'
"Well, it's his own business, really JC. We can't blame him if he wasn't comfortable with telling us. You still love him, though, right?" `Maybe Chris and I were wrong, maybe JC isn't gay?. . .'
"Of course I do. I just. . .why didn't he say anything?" JC shook his head. All those years. . .Lance. . .' He shook his head again. Not tonight.' "Joey, I really am tired. Can we please talk in the morning?"
"Sure Josh. I just, well I wanted to make sure everything was ok. If you need to talk, or whatever, you know I'm here for you, right?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Ok, goodnight." As Joey walked out of the room he caught a glimpse of Justin walking into his room with Lance following close behind, hands clutched tightly. Joey smiled. `Well good job Chris and Mel!'
In Justin's room:
Justin turned around to face Lance in the dark. His tears were still in his eyes, but had stopped flowing.
Lance, tears still in his own eyes, wrapped his arms around Justin's waist.
"Lance, I. . ."
"Shh." Lance put his finger up to Justin's mouth. "Let me first." Grabbing his hand, Lance led Justin to the couch, and both sat beside each other. "Justin, these past two weeks. . .well they've confused the hell out of me. But as I spent more time with you, I developed feelings for you, even though I didn't want to admit it to myself. I've always tried to be strong, keep to myself, you know? Nobody could ever hurt me or let me down if I didn't let them in, but I started to depend on you, on just seeing you every day, on spending time with you. And before I knew it, I realized that I didn't just want to see you, I started wanting to feel you holding me. I wanted you to kiss me again, to love me, but I couldn't admit it to myself, it would mean I'd surrendered all of my beliefs that I didn't need anyone. So I hid it from myself, I wouldn't let myself believe it. But just a few minutes ago, when Melanie told me you thought I hated you, I couldn't stand the idea, I had to let you know that I could never hate you. So I got up, and was about to leave my room when you came to the door. When I heard what you said, I couldn't believe my ears, I was in complete shock, otherwise I would've opened it sooner."
"I do love you, Lance." Justin choked out, tears streaming down his face after listening to Lance's story.
"I love you, too, Justin." Lance said, leaning over to wipe the tears from his eyes. "Don't cry, Justin. Please?"
Justin sniffled, then smiled up at Lance. "I can't help it. I've known I love you for almost a week, and it's been tearing me up inside, the thought of us having to stay friends forever. I'm just so happy to know you feel the same way about me." Justin leaned over to kiss Lance, who happily obliged.
"Well," Lance said, breaking the kiss. "We've had quite a night."
"Yeah, tell me about it. I thought I'd lost you as a friend, too." Justin looked down at his feet.
"Never."
"I'm glad." Justin couldn't look up at Lance, feeling suddenly embarrassed, though not knowing why.
"Justin," Lance whispered, tilting his chin up with his fingertips to glance in his eyes, "can I spend the night with you?"
Justin smiled, leaned in and kissed Lance lightly on the lips. "I'd be honored."
Lance got up slowly, pulling Justin up and wrapping his arms around Justin's waist as the two walked towards the bed.
When they reached the bed, Justin pulled away slightly, glanced down at his feet once more, and then forced himself to meet Lance's eyes.
"So, um, well, um. . .where does this. . .I mean. . .well, what does this mean?"
"I don't understand the question?"
"Well, I love you, and well, I think you love me, right?"
"Yes, I love you Justin Randall Timberlake." Lance said, smiling slightly at the sound of his own words, and then putting his arms around Justin's waist and pulling him close.
"Well, so are we, um, well are you my boyfriend?"
Lance laughed. "Of course I am silly! As long as you promise that I'll be your only boyfriend?"
Justin smiled broadly. "Of course!" He threw his arms around Lance's neck and hugged him tightly. "So we're a couple now?" He said, giddily.
"Yes, Curly." Lance leaned up and kissed him on the nose. "We're a couple, and you're my boyfriend, too!"
"Crunk!"
Lance laughed and leaned up to kiss him on the nose. "You're so cute when you're excited."
Justin blushed. "I, just. . .well, I. . ."
"Relax, Justin. I'm excited, too."
"Oh, ok." Justin couldn't stop grinning. `God, life can't possibly get any better than this.'
Lance took his arms from around Justin's waist, beginning to remove Justin's shirt.
"Um, Lance?" Justin looked at Lance with slight fear in his eyes.
"Yeah, sweetie?"
"Hmm," Justin smiled, "I like when you call me that. But, um, well this is my first everything here. Um, not that I don't love you, I mean, I do, but I'm new to this and, well. . ." Justin looked at his feet again.
Lance looked at him, confused, then smiled. "Oh! Relax, hun. I just want to get in bed so I can hold you again while I sleep. We're going to take this slow, I promise you. As slow as you need to, and as slow as we should, to do things right."
"Oh, ok, good." Justin smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem." Lance leaned in and kissed him.
In Chris' room:
Chris was watching his tv, and smiling to himself when he heard a knock at the door. Opening it, his smile broadened and he allowed Joey into the room to sit down.
"So?" Joey said, noticing Chris' smile, and smiling himself. "I just saw Justin leading Lance into his room, holding his hand all the while, I need details!"
Chris laughed. "Well, I went over there, and after I got Justin to open his door, I was working on him, but I couldn't get him to settle down. So I just went for it, and told him he needed to tell Lance he loved him."
"Whoa, out of nowhere?"
"Yeah, you should have seen the shocked look on his face! He couldn't believe I knew, but hell, I wasn't even sure, I was just guessing. Then I told him I thought the feeling might be mutual. . ."
"Oh you didn't? What if Lance didn't like Justin that way?"
"Well, we don't have to worry about that now, do we? Justin went over to his room, and confessed his love through the door! It was all rather sweet."
"Oh I do suppose it was. Though, I think our expertise may not be quite as high as we had imagined."
"How's that?"
"I'm not so sure JC's gay. I went over there, and he's having a serious time with this news about Lance. He's not taking it well at all, I'm actually kind of worried."
"Wow, JC of all people?"
"Yeah, I know. And if he was gay he'd be pretty damn hypocritical, ya know?"
"Well, we'll have to work on that one tomorrow. If he isn't gay, I don't understand what's going on with Jason at ALL!"
"Yeah, that's what stumps me, too. I think we're going to have quite a day ahead of ourselves tomorrow." Joey said, getting up.
"Alright man, sleep well."
"You, too."
In JC's room:
"Ghh---ello?" JC rolled over and squinted at his clock. 2:48am.
"Oh, did I wake you?"
'Jason.' JC sat up in bed, and shook his head. "Um, yeah, but that's alright. How ya doing?"
"Well, I just got on my plane, but we're not scheduled to take off for 20 minutes or so."
"Oh, ok."
"I just thought I'd call and see how the concert and everything went?"
"Oh it was good."
"Well. . .do you want me to let you go back to sleep?"
"Um, yeah that sounds good."
"Oh, ok."
"It's just that I'm tired. . ."
"Yeah, I understand. Um, well I love you."
"Yeah, see you when you get here."
"Um, ok."
"Oh, sorry, I love you, too."
Jason frowned. "Is something wrong hun?"
'Yes, everything.' "No, I'm just tired. I'll see you in a few hours. You called and the limo is picking you up and everything?"
"Yes."
"Ok, well I'm in room 326, there's an extra key at the front desk, they've been instructed to give it to you."
"Ok, well see you soon. I miss you."
"I miss you, too. G'night Jason."
"G'night Josh."
Jason hung up his phone and shook his head. 'What the hell could've happened last night?'
Not feeling like debating it in his head, Jason started working on something on his lap top, and then took a nap once the plane had taken off. Before long he was at the airport, and he found his luggage without much mishap. As he looked for the limo driver, he spotted a familiar face and cringed. Trying to duck into a gift shop, he wasn't quick enough and soon heard his name being called, while someone tapped on his shoulder.
In JC's room: Flashback Dream
JC knocked on Justin's bedroom door.
"Yeah? It's open?"
JC walked in to see Justin sitting at his desk, writing a letter. "Justin?" JC flopped down on Justin's bed, leaning against the headboard and tucking his knees under his chin. "Can we talk?"
"Sure JC, what's on your mind?" Justin said, not turning around.
"Um, Curly? I really need to talk. You know, seriously."
Justin immediately felt bad. Turning around, he saw JC sitting on his bed and looked apologetic. "I'm sorry Josh, I didn't realize it was serious." Justin got up to join JC on the bed. Sitting next to him, Justin looked him in the eyes. "So what's going on?"
"Um, Justin, if I told you something, something really important but kind of upsetting, you'd still love me right?"
Justin stared at JC. 'God, he's really serious.' He leaned over and grabbed his hand. "JC, you've always been there for me, since MMC and ever since. If there's something you need to tell me, you go right ahead, and I promise it won't change how much I love and respect you. We're brothers right?" Justin said, holding up his palm and showing the barely visible scar where each of the boys had cut themselves. When they'd been friends a while, they'd decided to be blood brothers, and had done the traditional ceremony before shooting an episode of MMC.
JC looked at Justin's palm before him and a tear slid down his cheek. Holding up his own palm to Justin's he pressed them together tightly. "Always."
"JC, you're scaring me. What's wrong?"
"Alright, here goes. Please don't hate me, Justin, I couldn't bare it."
"JC, I promise you I will never hate you, no matter what you do."
"Ok, well. . .Justin, I'm gay." JC looked away as another tear slid down his cheek.
Justin stared at JC in shock. Quickly realizing he hadn't said anything Justin spoke up. "JC, I love you, and nothing will ever change that." Justin got up on his knees and pulled JC into his arms for a big hug. "If that's how you are, then that's just one more thing that makes you, you."
JC sniffed. "Are you sure?"
"Definitely."
"Oh Justin." JC threw his arms around him. "Thank you so much. I was so sure you'd hate me, I just. . .I didn't know how to tell you and I didn't want you to never speak to me again and I. . ."
"Shh. I know. But everything's fine now." Justin said, stroking his hair.
JC looked up at him. "Justin? You can't tell anyone. I mean ANYONE."
"Well, Josh, don't the guys need to know?"
"NO! You can't tell them! They'd never speak to me again!"
"Josh, I spoke to you. And you thought I wouldn't?"
"I know, but you're my best friend. I mean, I had to tell you because I hated keeping anything from you. They're my best friends, too, but they're not as close as the two of us are."
"Alright, Josh. If you say so. But I think they'd be ok with it. At least Lance."
"NO! God, I can never tell Lance."
"Why not?"
"Um, just because. Well he was raised as a Southern Baptist. I mean, he was raised thinking it was morally wrong. Just please don't, ok?"
"Alright JC. I won't say anything if you don't want me to, but if you ever feel they need to know, I'll be there for you!"
JC laid his head down and Justin flipped on the tv, still holding onto him. As Justin flipped through channels, JC was slowly falling asleep, with a picture fading before his eyes.
JC sat up in bed, wiping the sweat from his brow. Looking around the room, JC noticed it was still dark and sighed, whispering one word softly to himself before laying back down to sleep.
"Lance."
To Be Continued.
Send all comments to jas_stories@hotmail.com. Thank you everyone for your comments about Part 19, I'm glad so many of you enjoyed it. But more so, thank you all for waiting for them to profess their love for each other. It was much better this way, wasn't it? Well, here's part 20, and don't worry, because it's so short 21 will be out very shortly (like less than a week). Sorry for the big delay after such a large installment, but the Holidays took more of my time then I thought they would. Hope everyone had a good one, and Happy New Year to you all! Til next time. . .