***Disclaimer:

This is yet another story about those hunky boys of the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync written by a straight woman. Therefore, please excuse my writings if they appear to be a bit screwed due to my lack of knowledge. This story is a work of fiction and is purely written for the sole purpose of entertainment and enjoyment. This story does not imply anything about the sexuality of the person(s) involved. Believe me, that would suck in my case, but not to others. So, enjoy!


***Author's note:

I would like to congratulate `N Sync's recording breaking success this past week. If you haven't already gotten "No Strings Attached", which I highly doubt, then get it. You won't be disappointed.


ENTWINED: WHEN PATHS MEET

CHAPTER I


It was the summer of '96. `N Sync had just signed with Lou Pearlman and Transcon, following the footsteps of their older brothers to Europe. The Backstreet Boys had been in Europe for over a year now. Now, they were joined by a new crop of young fresh faces- well some weren't too fresh. Both JC and Justin were Mouseketeers on the ever so popular Disney show the Mickey Mouse Clubs. They were already celebrities before `N Sync. Still, it was hard for them to adjust to the mobs in Europe.

The first day of `N Sync's arrival to Europe marked the beginning of the dual between the groups, which continued to this very day. Due to some minor miscalculations, `N Sync were booked to stay at a hotel that were already filled. There was absolutely no vacant room. The members of the BSB were then forced to share rooms with their new brothers. Since each member had his own room, they were to share the room with each member of `N Sync, yet another brilliant idea for bonding. Initially, the members were assigned to their respective rooms according to their ages. Chris with Kevin, JC with Howie, Joey with Brian, Lance with AJ, and Justin with Nick. However, the arrangement did not go as planned. Chris knew Howie from the old college days and requested to be roomies, which was fine since JC and Kevin clicked so well within minutes of their first meeting. Joey and Lance switched roommates since Joey's wild nature was more suited for AJ's. Unfortunately for the younger boys, Nick despised Justin, leaving Justin in tears the few first nights they stayed at the hotel. Nick was just being rude and mean to Justin who had just recently been separated from his overbearing mother. She had some business to take care of back in Orlando. One night, things got a little overhand as Nick threw Justin against the wall sending the groups to a brawl, each defending their babies. Justin immediately turned to JC for comfort, crying in his arms.

"Can't I stay with you instead, Josh?" Justin wept.

"I wish you could, Just. But management has requested the two groups to bond. I'm afraid you have to stay with him." JC explained.

"No, he doesn't." A shy voice from behind the corner emerged along with Brian's face.

"What do you mean?" Justin asked, wiping away his tears as JC held him close to his chest.

"You can stay with me." Brian suggested. "Nick is always like that. Don't mind him. He's so immature. He thinks the whole world revolves around him."

Still unsure, Justin remained snuggled in JC's chest as JC continued to run his slender fingers through the young boy's crown of golden curls.

"Are you sure?" JC asked in behalf of his best friend.

"Sure I'm sure. Why else would I offer?" Brian said.

JC looked into Brian's eyes, indicative of only a sincere gesture of kindness. He turned from Brian to look down at the sleeping angel in his arms. During the whole discussion between JC and Brian, young Justin had fallen sound asleep. JC smiled as he kissed Justin's forehead. He then scooped up the boy in his arms and carried him into Brian's room. He lay the boy down on the now vacant bed and smiled graciously at the angel sleeping peacefully. Brian watched closely as JC tucked Justin in bed.

"He's had a tough day." JC whispered softly. He got up from the ground and walked toward Brian, signalling for Brian to follow him outside. "Take care of him. He's like my baby brother. I won't let you get away with hurting him, you hear?" JC said.

"Loud and clear." Brian instantly said, intrigued by their close relationship. Even he and his cousin did not share such a bond. "You take care of my cousin, too. Lately, he's been going through a lot. Maybe you can provide him some company."

"Remember," JC said one last time before returning to his room with Kevin waiting patiently inside.

JC entered the room and shut the door behind him, but not before looking back one more time at the door to Brian's room closing across the hall. JC walked toward his bed, stripping down to just a pair of boxers and a Gap t-shirt. Kevin looked on, enjoying his view of the young singer.

"What took you so long?" Kevin asked JC as JC got into bed.

"Justin had fallen asleep in my arms so I had to carry him into Brian's room by myself." JC answered, turning to face Kevin.

"You and Justin seemed very close." Kevin said, sounding a bit disappointed.

"I don't know why but ever since his mother left the group, I feel I have to take her place and take care of Justin. Justin has always been taken care of. I couldn't let him fend for himself in this world alone. Since we got together as a group, Chris had not been doing a great job as a big brother. Once, Justin was nearly attacked during a concert backstage. Someone had to step in." JC said. "So, here I am."

"That's great that you and him are very close. He's very lucky to have someone like you in his life."

"I haven't known you too long, but so far, I think Brian, too, is lucky to have someone like you in his life."

"Thanks." Kevin said. "I'm happy that you guys are fine with the arrangement especially with Brian being gay."

"Brian is gay!" JC shrieked.

"What's wrong?" Kevin asked, again disappointed by JC's reaction. "You don't hate him now because he is, do you?"

JC had to think for a moment. He didn't want to say anything he would later regret. After all since both groups were signed under the same management, they would have to spend a lot more time together. He was just concerned about Justin as usual.

"No, man. I'm just surprised that he of all people is gay." JC said, cautiously.

"Oh." Kevin said, getting into bed.

"I'd figured someone more like..."

"More like who?"

"Well, more like you." JC said.

"Me?" Kevin asked, thinking to himself, "Am I that obvious?"

"Yes. You." JC said. "How else can a good looking guy like you stay single?"

"JC," Kevin paused, knowing that he had to tell him, "I am not gay. Rather, I'm bisexual. I normally perfer women, but when a good looking guy catches my eye, I don't look the other direction either. Much like what you're doing to me right now."

The sound of Kevin's voice slowly tapered off as he turned away to get to sleep. By the time Kevin turned around, again to see JC's reaction to his last comment, JC was sound asleep. "Thank God, he didn't hear me." Kevin thought to himself.


***There you have it...The first part of Entwined when it all began. Like I said before, I've practically written half of the story already so I'll post it whenever I have time to post it or feel like posting it. Since my story was posted on the 30th of March, I've received two emails thus far. I don't really know if these emails are indicative of my readers. Oh well. Thanks to those who have taken time out of their busy schedule to read Entwined. `N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, and I all appreciate your fanaticism. I'd love to hear comments and feedbacks and please no hate mail. This is not a teenybopper site and I don't expect to read them either. Thanks.


Entwined@1nsyncfan.com