So this is my story about Brian and Justin and JC and Kevin. I revised it because of all the stuff going on between the two groups. Remember this is FICTION. I don't know which one's are gay and which are straight. But I must say my gaydar is off the map with BSB and Nsync, yet 98 degrees (hotties that they are) don't seem to register. Why? I don't know. Thanks to Nifty, as always.
IMPORTANT: Some of you have felt the sudden need to bash the writing style of JM-author of the Brian and Justin series. I've said it to those doing it and I will say it in a public forum-concern yourself less with technical skill, and more with actual talent! I don't pretend to be the best writer and god knows I change my style constantly. But one thing I am positive of, is that JM's series (my favorite) is excellent and it captures the reader. As gay men we don't have the opportunity to read or see ourselves depicted in popular literature or media in an honest and open way. So all this author bashing just scares off other potential writers. If you don't like something don't read it. But don't jeopardize the chances of those of us who do enjoy it, from getting it. This is a hobby Guys (and Gals), so lighten up.
To JM-Hurry up with the next installment-I'll pay!
If you like this story check out my other series Soul-Mates.
Kindred-Souls By. J.
MTV News: Hi I'm Serena Altshul and this is an MTV news update. Well it seems that pop super group Nsync have jumped ship. In a press release today the group announced that it would be leaving it's current label RCA and joining the Jive roster, home of such pop heavyweights as Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. The label change will unfortunately effect the release of their forthcoming album "No Strings Attached", which was slated for a November release, it has since been put off till early 2000.
That's the news for now, stay tuned....
Brian: "What?! How can they be moving to our label?
This is ridiculous. Are they going to start making cover versions of our songs next?" Kevin fumed.
"Hold on a minute, Kev. We don't even know what's going on, so we shouldn't be making snap judgments." AJ offered, attempting to make peace.
"Yes we know what's going on. They copy everything we do. It's bad enough that Britney is on the label. This is our sound and now it's been pimped out to anyone that looks good and can almost sing." Brian raged on.
"Well were not going to stand for this. Jive is going to have to pick. It's either us or them." Kevin stated as he picked up the phone to call the BSB lawyers.
"Damn it Kevin! They used to be our friends! But because you and Brian seem to think you're so much better than them now you want them gone?" AJ hollered.
"Well this is business AJ, in a perfect world we would still be able to be friends, but it's either us or them. We can't take that chance."
"So what if it came between my career and yours, you would say 'to hell with you AJ."
"That's not the same thing. Were in a group together. Their our competition, we can't just let them walk all over us." Kevin rationalized.
"Yeah well I remember a time when you and JC were the best of friends.
When Lou was bringing us all together you two would write songs all day long. Shit you were practically inseparable."
~Flashback November 1995~
"Come on Kevin it will be great. It will be so funny, man." Joey said as he carried the glass of warm tap water into JC's room.
"I don't know, Joey. I think he will be pissed off." Kevin objected.
"No pissed on. Or at least that's what he's gonna think he did."
"This is mean. But OK, what the hell." Kevin relented.
Kevin proceeded to walk over to JC's bed and lift the covers as Joey began to pour the water over JC crotch and the sheets. Unfortunately for JC he could sleep through a train wreck so it would be a while before he would wake. Just enough time for Joey and Kevin to hide in his closet. Soon enough, however, JC began to stir and then bolt up right in the bed.
"OH MY GOD!" He screamed in total shock at the realization that at 19 years old he had wet the bed.
Before he could regain his senses Justin, who was asleep in the next room had bolted in hearing the scream.
"What's wrong JC?" Justin questioned worriedly.
"I pissed myself!" JC screamed.
"You what? Oh my Gosh!" Justin said and soon broke into a fit of hysterical laughter.
By now all the commotion had woken up Brian and Nick who were also sleeping over.
"What the heck is going on?" Brian questioned.
"Don't you dare Justin!" JC screamed as his face became the picture of a red, red rose.
"Don't get all scared Josh. It's nothing to piss your pants over." Justin kidded.
As soon as Justin had said this Joey and Kevin could not stifle their laughter any longer. They fell out of the closet panting for breath from all of their laughing. As soon as JC spied the glass in Joey's hand he knew instinctively that his bladder control was no longer in question.
"You two did this? I hate you! This isn't funny!" JC yelled as he jumped from his bed, water dripping down his legs.
"Yes it is!" Justin laughed. "Good one guys!"
"All of you get out!" JC said as he began throwing pillows at Kevin and Joey.
JC refused to talk to Kevin or Joey for the next week. By the end of the week the BSB had to leave for another one of their European tours. The tour would last for a month and then they would be back home where nobody knew who they were.
One month later when they arrived back JC was still not talking to Kevin.
"Gee you sure can hold a grudge." Kevin softly spoke to JC. "But that's OK. I deserve it. But I brought you back a present as a peace offering."
JC's eye's grew large as he tried to fight the urge to talk to Kevin. He loved surprises and Kevin knew that. Still he would not give in. He just turned away and sulked some more.
"OK well it will be right here if you want it." Kevin stated as he put the wrapped box in front of JC.
Kevin pretended to leave the room but stayed peeking around the corner.
He knew that JC's resistance would not hold out for long, and he was right. As JC furiously ripped the package open, he kept looking up to make sure that no one was there. Once he opened the box he had to catch his breath as the excitement overwhelmed him. It was full of Hard Rock Cafe menu's. Rome, London, Amsterdam and more. A strange hobby, yes, but Kevin knew it would do the trick.
"So am I forgiven?" Kevin asked as he reached out his arm and waved a white hankerchief at the entrance to the living room.
"I guess." JC pretended to sulk as Kevin re-entered the room and sat next to JC on the couch.
"Do you know how embarrassing it is to get caught stealing these things?" Kevin offered.
"You did not."
"Yes I did! Twice!"
~Present~
"I still care about JC-all of them. But we have to look at this from a business angle. If they come to Jive we have to share all the writers and producers. As it is Britney has gotten some material that should have been ours. With Nsync there we all lose. Both groups."
"What about you B-Rok? You sure threw those Christian values out the window huh?" AJ said bitterly staring Brian down.
"That's not fair AJ. It's just that we have been taken advantage of by so many people that we can't let it keep happening." Brian's accent became thicker as his frustration grew.
"Yeah well I gotta get out of here for awhile. You know the saying- 'with friends like you..." But AJ was out the door before he could finish.
"Kevin maybe he's right. We've treated them pretty bad since they got successful. I mean we were all best friends. They don't deserve this."
"I know they don't. But we have to think of ourselves for once. Lou and Jive never have."
One Week Later
MTV News: Hi I'm Kurt Loder with an MTV news brief. Well it seems the Backstreet boys haven't taken too kindly to the arrival of boy-band competitors Nsync to the Jive label. Lawyers for the boys released a statement today stating that by signing Nsync Jive is in breach of contract with the BSB and left them free to pursue a new label. A statement from Jive president, Clive Calder, didn't agree "The Backstreet Boys are signed to a long-term, exclusive recording agreement with Jive records." The boys reportedly left their management company last year in part because their managers represented Nsync as well. And if you think that's complicated enough, RCA, a BMG company and Nsync's old label has released a statement stating quote "Nsync is a BMG act and we enforce and protect our rights vigorously." Making things even more complicated is that BMG owns 20 percent of Jive, at least until the end of the year when that contract expires. Can you say legal mess? That's the news for now...
"Damn them! What's there problem?" Joey yelled as he hurled a pillow at the television set.
"Their a bunch of dicks. Friends till the end my ass. Friends as long as they get to be the only ones with success is more like it." Chris interjected.
"I can't believe them. Well tomorrow when we go on Rosie I'm not going to keep up the charade of liking them anymore. Fuck them." JC yelled as he ran into his room slamming the door.
Five minutes later JC opened his bedroom door and yelled "Justin!" to the young man who was watching TV in the living area with his other bandmates.
"What?"
"Your supposed to come after me and make me feel better! Your my best friend." JC whined, kidding around.
"Oh yeah right. This is the part where you yell for an hour about how much you hate the BSB." Justin said yet really thinking 'this is the part where you rant and rave about how much you hate Kevin...yeah right.'
~Later~ "Hi I'm Megan Bronte and this is the Rosie O'Donnell show. On today's show from All My Children Emmy award winner Susan Lucci, Rosie's Craft Corner and Nsync!
Rosie: "Well our next guests have been causing a bit of a controversy in the music industry. Switching from one label to another and apparently angering the Backstreet Boys in the process, here to clear up all the rumors-Nsync."
"Rosie!" Joey yelled (in his Bobby voice) out and shoved past his fellow bandmates to get to his favorite talk show host.
They all took seats, Joey of course sitting the closest to Rosie. Two stools were placed behind the customary three chairs and Justin and Lance sat there, while Chris and JC took the two remaining seats.
Rosie: Now first of all I must say gentleman. I'm a little upset. A little mad. I don't like it when two of my favorite groups are fighting.
It hurts. So what's the scoop JC. (To the audience) Notice I ask JC.
Lance will give a diplomatic answer and leave out all the dirt. Justin will avoid confrontation at all costs. And Chris and Joey are like me, they never know what the hell is going on. You learn a lot about people when you spend a day at an amusement park together. I totally recommend it as a bonding experience. (To JC) So spill it JC.
JC: Well basically our contract with RCA was an illegal contract. Since we broke in Europe first they had us signed to a division of BMG in Germany, RCA's parent company. So when we broke in the states, the contracts we signed said we were residents of Germany that way they could pay us less for albums sold here in the states. So basically they were cheating us and breaking the terms of our contract. So legally when everything is settled we should be able to go to Jive.
Rosie: So what's this got to do with the Backstreet Boys?
JC: It has absolutely nothing to do with the Backstreet Boys, accept for the fact that the same people that screwed them, (Whisper) sorry can you say screwed,..
Rosie: Well I hope so because you just said it twice.
JC: Well the same people that took advantage of them took advantage of us.
As for them leaving Jive over us, I don't know. They seem to be under the impression that we have stolen their sound. I mean its been reported that they think were a second rate imitation of them. The fact of the matter is that we, Nsync, were not manufactured. We were a group that presented ourselves to Lou Pearlman and Trans Con. Like it or not the BSB are the ones that were put together. Kevin and Brian never knew AJ, Nick or, Howie before Lou came along.
Joey: Were not saying that they don't have talent but the fact is Trans Con gave all of us a break, and then turned around and cheated us all.
Justin: The thing that upsets me about this whole situation is that it isn't their sound to steal. Max Martin is the song writer who's come up with all of their hits, as well as some of ours and Britney's. Before the BSB even made it, he had written for Ace of Base. So until they write their own songs they have no room to be judging.
Rosie: Well in fairness they did write on their latest album.
Chris: Ha yeah right. Brian supposedly co-wrote Larger Than Life. Yet it's got the same beat and bass line as Everybody. What they write is lyrics. Sappy lyrics.
Rosie: Ouch!
JC: Well Kevin actually writes really good music.
Rosie: Awww. Does JC still have a soft spot for the BSB?
JC: You know Rosie, when we all started out we considered the BSB to be like brothers. We were all a team, a family. All of Trans Con. But for them to have turned around and treated us like they did it really hurts.
Justin: Yeah, we all lived together for a while. Lou thought it would bring us closer.
Joey: More like he thought it would save money.
Justin: I remember Brian and Kevin used to cook for me and Nick and Lance cuz we were younger. They called it their Kentucky cuisine. Well so much for that. If I ever saw him today I would...
Rosie: Ah, Ah, Ah...(To Camera) Boys and Girls what Justin was about to say was he would give Brian a time out for being so mean. And maybe a good kick in the..no, no,no I'm just playing around.
Lance: So how about we talk about our charity tiger project.
Rosie: That is an excellent idea Lansten.
MEANWHILE-The Plaza Hotel
"Well now what Kev? Thanks to you we look like complete, insensitive, asses. I hope this fits into your concepts of business." AJ argued.
"And don't you act like you had no part in this Brian. The two of you went over all of our heads and screwed everything up." Howie hollered.
"I'm sorry. I was just afraid of ...I've gotta get out of here." Brian said as he rushed out of the suite.
Brian ran out of the room racked with guilt. He had gone along with Kevin because he thought that it would be the best business decision to distance himself from Nsync and the whole Tran. Con. family. But personally it was a different story. Brian was not by nature a mean or aggressive young man.
He had been brought up to treat friends like family and have loyalty and compassion. It tore him apart to have treated some of his best friends the way he did, and what's worse he did it anyway.
Not knowing where to go or what to do he just went straight for the hotel bar and sat down. Hoping to reconcile the issues of business and friendship he was struggling with.
"Let me have a rum and coke and keep them coming." Brian stated.
The bartender couldn't help but stifle a small chuckle. Those words coming from Brian's lips seemed somewhat hilarious. It was obvious that he was not a heavy drinker just to look at him, but even the best of us have a breaking point sometimes.
At Club Vertigo
"Justin you don't seem to be having a good time! Were here to party, forget our worries!" Joey slurred.
"I'm just really beat. I think I'm gonna catch a cab back to the Plaza.
I'll see y'all later."
"OK but don't say I never gave you anything." Joey smiled as he gave Justin a big smooch on the cheek.
"Uhh Joey germs." Justin laughed as he left the club.
Later...at the Plaza Hotel
"So you see I don't deserve any of this. I've turned my back on my friends. Fame has changed me. I'm cold and unfeeling. I might as well end it all....mmm green olives you have olives...I want one.." Brian rambled on. Completely drunk and enthralled in his pity party.
"Buddy I think that it's time for you to say when. You have had way too much to drink already. How about I call you a cab to get you home." Bartender.
"I don't need a cab. I'm here staying hotel at this." Brian jumbled his sentence.
"Well why don't you call it a night and go sleep it off."
"OK, but here's a tip for listening." Brian pulled out a twenty dollar bill and left his wallet on the bar, instead of the tip.
Barely being able to walk straight Brian headed towards the elevators, bumping into a tall curly haired young man on the way.
"Hey watch where your going...Brian?" Justin questioned.
"Howdy, how do you know my..oh hey Curly...oh my god...mmm." Brian stumbled over his words.
"Your all drunk! Sheesh! Someone's on their way to an episode of Behind the Music. You guys really have bought into the whole fame thing huh?"
"I'm so sorry Justin. We just. Hey your really tall now..."
"Brian lets get you to your room where's your key card?"
"It's in my wallet."
"Well do you want to get it?" Justin asked impatiently. This was the last thing he expected to be doing tonight.
"Umm I can't find it." Brian slurred with a sheepish grin on his face.
"It's gotta be there..or not." Justin said as he grazed Brian's back pocket, searching for the wallet.
"Ohh are you coming on to me Mr. Timberlake?" Brian flirted.
"Damn you must be so drunk. If we were still friends I would never let you forget that remark." Justin chuckled.
"I'm not your friend anymore?" Brian asked seemingly heartbroken.
"Not a chance. Your lucky I care enough to get you to your room." Justin bitterly replied. "Now where is your wallet?"
"I don't know. I'm so sleepy...." Brian replied as he fell forward.
Justin caught him just in time and was able to drag him in the elevator as to not make a scene. 'What am I going to do? I can't just leave him here.
I could call the front desk....yeah like they would give me his room number. They would if he was with me...no but then they would know he was drunk...why should I protect him...no they would probably say I was too.
Then it would be in all the papers.'
Justin used his elevator key to go to the Penthouse Nsync was staying in.
By now he was literally dragging a nearly incoherent Brian into the suite.
"I've got to get you into my room before the rest of the guys get back.
They would kill me if they knew you were here. Your lucky I'm the one that found you. Joey and Chris would have probably stripped you naked and thrown you out in the middle of the street."
Once Justin got Brian to his bedroom he plopped him on the bed. Brian gave no arguments as he continued to ramble on incoherently.
"Now what do I do?" Justin pondered out loud.
"Kevin I'm hot." Brian complained as he struggled to take his shirt off.
"Kevin's not here Brian." Justin politely whispered.
"Well where is he? He's supposed to take care of us." Brian answered.
'And what a spectacular job he's doing right now.' Justin thought sarcastically.
As Justin thought of what to do about Brian, Brian proceeded to undress down to his boxers and slip under the covers of Justin's King size bed. By the time Justin turned around Brian was fast asleep under the covers.
"Oh No! NO, NO, No. You can't stay here! They'll kill me." Justin yelled.
"Just? Were home. Are you here?" JC yelled as the rest of the guys entered the Penthouse.
"Uhh, I'll be right out. I..I ..was just getting ready for bed." Justin yelled back. "You stay right here and I better not hear a word mister." Justin said to the now passed out Brian.
"Hi guys. What's going on?" Justin said nervously, as he struggled to close the bedroom door.
"Nothing much. Why do you look like you're up to something?" JC questioned, eyeing Justin up and down.
"I-I-I'm not up to anything." Justin stuttered.
"I know when your lying Curly. So spill it. You didn't get into the liquor cabinet again, did you?" JC joked.
"I'm not lying. I'm just really tired." Justin defended.
"Well I'll get it out of you tomorrow cuz I'm too sleepy to bother right now. Good night sweet cheeks." JC said as he slapped Justin on the ass and gave him a kiss on the cheek. It had become a running game that Joey and JC did to embarrass the younger boy.
"I will not tolerate this sexual harassment any more! You and Joey keep away from me."
As all the guys made their way towards their own bedrooms in the suite, Justin thought about the current situation.
'I could just crash out here on the couch, but what if one of the guys found me? How would I explain that? Well I'll just sleep with Brian, the beds big enough. Gee imagine the headlines over that one.'
As Justin retreated to his bedroom he stripped down to his boxers and slipped under the covers next to the sleeping Brian. As he was about to fall asleep he felt Brian's head lay on his chest and his arms wrap around his body. Justin became rigid and unsure of how to react. Before he was able to say anything he heard the soft southern drawl of Brian's voice "Am I still your friend Justin?"
"Yeah, your still my friend. You big drunk."
Justin then rolled Brian over and they both went to sleep. Brian in a drunken bliss, Justin in a worried panic.
TBC Next: JC and Kevin find themselves in an awkward situation. Joey 'catches' Brian and Justin get in the act.
Now I know I used the drunk thing again for Brian and Justin like I did for Brian and Nick in Soul-Mates. I didn't realize I was doing it-but I guess there is a message to myself there somewhere. I like to start my stories out funny and simple, but as you know the drama won't be far behind.
Questions, comments, anonymous cash donations, E-mail: Travis8888@netscape.net