Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2000 13:42:26 -0400 From: Kathrine Subject: How Can You Love Me, chapter thirteen (gay/celebrities/boybands) Legal disclaimer: this is not implying anything about the real lifes or sexual preferences of any member of NSync. If there are laws against you being here, then go somewhere else. Author's note: chapter thirteen! Wow, I was supposed to be almost done with this story by now! But it just keeps getting longer, which I personally don't mind. Thanks for all the great feedback, sorry for not answering as many as you as I promised to. Blame my work, it's mad at the moment. I'll try to get the next chapter out as soon as possible. Love and looneytunes from Kat. Chapter thirteen: Lance was almost surprised when all five of them were in the car, all ready. The atmosphere in Justin's and his room had been a little weird after JC nearly walked in on them sharing a first kiss. Justin seemed to be a little shy about it, and Lance the same. They had become so close over the last couple of days, Lance found himself developing quite a crush on his younger friend. First there was something about Justin that went straight to Lance's protective side. Then it became something more as he discovered how much he enjoyed having Justin in his arms at night. And in the morning, and anytime else for that matters. From there they started a slow game of looks, touches, flirting and smiles, while both men adjusted to the idea of loving one of your best friends like that. Hiding a little smile, Lance looked around. JC was still a bit sleepy, his head on Joey's shoulder, Joey's arms around him. Justin and Chris, being the youngest and the oldest, was involved in some sort of teasing match, making them both just basically giggle their heads off. It felt nice to have them all back like this. No more secrets and anger. The club wasn't that much different from other clubs they had been in. Once inside there was a familiar half-darkness, pumping rhytms and multi-coloured lights coating the room in floating waves. Joey dragged JC along to the dancefloor, stating that JC needed to move to wake up some. Chris on the other side quickly started talking with a group of people he literally stumbled into. Sometimes Lance wished he had Chris' forwardness, he connected with people so easily. Now Justin and him found themselves in a small booth, sitting side by side. Lance over in the corner, Justin sitting right next to him. Justin tried to keep his distance, but that wasn't so easy as all he really wanted to do was to scoot over to Lance, having his arms wrapped around him. Mindful of where they were, Justin let there be some space between them, hoping that Lance would understand why. It wasn't like he could lean over and tell him: -I have to stay a little away from you now, Lance, or I'll probably won't be able to restrain myself from kissing you. And that wouldn't be good for our image, you see? Well, atleast it would be a way for him to tell Lance how he was feeling about him. Sighing just a little he let his eyes roam to see where the other guys were. Chris was at the bar, talking to some people Justin didn't know. JC and Joey were having fun at the dancefloor. Somebody had to notice what were going on between them, Justin thought. All the looks and little touches gave away the degree of how much they loved each other. That was the kinda unconditional, neverending, thrilling sort of love Justin wanted to experience with Lance. Lance leaned back against the back of the couch, he studied Justin out of the corner of his eyes, wondering what was causing the thoughtful look on Justin's face. This wasn't the best place for them to talk, but he didn't want to put it off any longer. He wanted to know what was going on between Justin and him, he just needed to figure out how he was going to ask the question. Asking: -Justin, will you be my boyfriend, might be jumping things a little. It would turn out to be that Lance wasn't the only one who was studying Justin, soon they both were surrounded by people. In a few minutes several extra chairs had been gathered and a big group of people was chatting in all directions. Now Justin were forced to move closer to Lance, which he didn't really mind. The feeling of Lance's leg pressed tightly against his own, made his cheeks blush a little, and he felt a warm tingle run through his whole body. Quickly he took a large swallow of his cold beer to cool down. He didn't drink that much usually, but tonight he hoped it would bring him some courage. The volume around the table got louder and it didn't falter any as Chris joined them. There were no place left to sit, so he just placed himself on the table. Smiling down at Lance and Justin, he asked if they were enjoying themselves. Lance answered Chris as Justin tried to hide his smile as he noticed a darkhaired girl all but jump into Chris' lap to get him to notice her. Chris was totally oblivious, and Justin almost felt sorry for her. Resisting to urge to snuggle up to Lance, Justin sat back, wondering if he should tell Chris about the brunette behind him. Then he suddenly felt the touch of warm fingers on the back of his neck. Surprised he looked over at Lance. He was still talking to a girl across the table, his arm resting on the top of the couch, his hand just behind Justin's head. Gently Lance's fingers caressed his neck, slowly entangling in his curls. Lance kept twirling the curls around his fingers, rubbing the tips of his fingers teasingly against Justin's neck. Leaning back into Lance's touch, Justin relased a deep, shivering breath. Whenever Lance touched him, he felt so good. Hot tingles crept down his spine, his body already felt heavy and needing. Justin had to struggle to keep up his conversation with the guy he was sitting next to, his mind exclusively concentrating on Lance. Sneaking a glance back at Lance, Justin decided for and against saying something, anything, that would have them go back at the hotel. Lance and him. All alone. The touch of Lance's body against his own made him feel so alive, like he was being touched for the very first time. Like everything was a newborn experience that had to be taken before it got away. Lance was still caressing his neck, nearly making Justin melt into the couch, nearly making him moan at the desire that sparked inside of him. Chris had finally discovered the darkhaired girl and was involved in a not-too-serious flirt with her. By the smirk he would send Justin from time to time, it was clear that he had picked up on Lance's little game. Justin just wished for the night to be over really really soon. Since he had known something was going on between Justin and Lance for a long time, Chris wasn't surprised to catch them fooling around a little. He just didn't know exactly what was going on, but judging by the looks they would give one another, they were very much in love. The feel of a hand on top of his made him turn around again, the dark girl was now even closer to him. Deciding to not get himself into something he wasn't going to finish, Chris carefully withdrew his hand and excused himself. Getting back down of the table wasn't as easy as getting up on it, and Chris nearly fell when his foot got hooked up in a chair. Trying to steady himself he crashed right into a blonde woman. She lost her balance after Chris hit her, making them both fall on the floor in a tangle of arms and legs. -I'm so sorry! Chris hurried to say, -I'm not usually that clumsy... The woman didn't say anything, just looked back up at him. -Chris? Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick? Oh my God! With that said, she pulled Chris into a hug, nearly squeezing every amount of air out of him. -Allie! Chris managed to gasp out. Alexandra Prescott had been one of Chris' best friend when he was a kid. After they finished high school and both went to college they lost contact. Chris couldn't believe that he had met her again, in a city far away from their own hometown. After Allie had released her grip on him, they both got to their feet. -It's been ages, girl! Chris smiled and studied the woman in front of him. -It's so good to see you again, Al. Allie was in appeareance nearly Chris' total opposite. Just a little bit lower than him, she was blue-eyed, with a long, straight mane of light blonde hair. Her petite build made her look fragile, but Chris knew from earlier experience that she was not as feeble as she might look. In personality she was Chris' perfect match, both equally outgoing, wild and adventurous. Giving him a bright smile back, she said: -It's good to see you again too, Kirkpatrick. I talked to your mum the other day, she says she never hears from you. Blushing slightly Chris put on a innocent look. -Hey, I call my mum all the time... -Come here, he said, taking her hand, -let's catch up some... After finding an empty booth and sitting down, Chris asked if she still lived in their hometown. -Yeah, Allie said, pushing some strands of hair out of her pretty face. -After I got my degree in psychology I moved back. I've my own practise now...you'd be amazed how many people there are back there that need mental help. Her words made Chris laugh. And feel something else he hadn't felt in a long time... Joey and JC were still on the dancefloor, both getting a bit sweaty and out of breath. -Let's go sit down a little, JC said, -please, baby, I'm exhausted! -Ok, love, Joey answered. -You want another drink? -Thanks, JC smiled back at him. -I'd love a beer. -I'll see you over at Justin and Lance's table, Joey answered and let his hand linger at the small of JC's back before heading towards the bar. Still smiling JC walked over to his friends. Justin tried to concentrate on anything else than Lance, so far it wasn't working. He found himself every so often touching Lance too, brushing his fingers along Lance's leg, under the table. The alcohol was starting to have it's effect on him, and Justin's hand started to get more daring, now tickling Lance's thigh. Lance's fingers slipped under Justin's shirt. Now Justin was one strained last bit of selfcontrol left before he would jump Lance. Taking over Chris' place on the table, JC noticed a little confused the sour look of a darkhaired girl next to him. -Where's Chris at? he asked Lance and Justin. -I haven't seen him all night. -He met this girl, Lance explained, -apparentely they hit it off right away. The darkhaired girl got to her feet and left. -They're sitting over there, Lance continued. He pointed them out for JC. -He looks like he's having a good time, JC commented. -And so does she. Joey returned with two bottles of beer, he sat down next to JC on the table. -Here you go, Josh, he handed his boyfriend his beer. -Thanks, Joe, JC said, giving him a secretive smile. Joey smiled back, moving just a little closer to JC. He wanted so much to reach out and pull JC nearer, but that would have to wait. Joey still couldn't resist sitting closer to JC than what was really necessary. The DJ started to play some slower, romantic songs, and the lights went down a bit. Justin used the opportunity to run his hand down Lance's muscular thigh, squeezing gently. The feel of Lance's hand locking around his neck, sent his heartbeat out into a wild leap. He caught a glimpse of Joey and JC holding hands for a minute. Out on the dancefloor he could see Chris and the blonde girl, slow-dancing to a romantic song. Not leaving Joey's side, JC leaned back till he was resting on his elbows. Another song picked up where the last one left off. This one had a slightly quicker pace, a slow, seductive beat, a low pumping vibration that echoed through JC's body. Joey leaned back a little too, still keeping his eyes on JC. JC looked back at him, getting lost in his boyfriend's expressive, deep brown eyes. The beat of the song drifted around them. The DJ started talking, but JC wasn't paying attention to anything else but the way Joey was looking at him. In the semi-darkness Joey's eyes were darker than usual, velvet soft and shimmering with feelings as he silently studied JC. All he did was look at JC, but it was still powerfull to JC's feelings. As Joey let his eyes linger on JC's shoulder, following one bare arm down to the hand, JC felt like he was being touched, caressed. Desire already burned through him. Now Joey's eyes found his lips, JC found himself holding his breath. A little uneasy he shifted some on the table, seeing Joey's lips curl into a slow smile. A dark eyebrow raised as JC sat back up, leaning a little forward and crossing his arms over hs lap. JC couldn't help himself. He stuck his tongue out at Joey and jumped off the table. Thankful for the darkness he went downstairs to the restrooms, hoping that Joey would follow him. The restroom was empty, and JC sighed with relief. The sharp light clearly revealed his current state of mind. -Christ, he thought to himself. -All he did was look at me! Turning on the faucets, cold water was running over his fingers. JC gathered some on the palms of his hands and let it cool his flushed face. A sweet tightness had settled in his groin, he was longing to feel Joey's hands on him, to be able to touch him too. The door opened and closed quietly. JC looked up and saw Joey standing with his back to the door, smiling. -I thought I'd might find you here, he stated. -You sure took long enough, JC answered, keeping his voice indifferente. So, Joey was in a playful mood, JC was enjoying himself too. -Are you gonna stay over there, JC had to ask in the end, -or are you gonna come over here and kiss me? -I might kiss you, Joey said, his smile growing. -If you say `please'. While chewing on his lower lip, JC pretended to think about it. -Ok, he then said, a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. -Please come over here and kiss me, Joe... Now Joey was pretending to think it over. That made JC pout, -you said you'd come if I said please! he complained. -Oh allright! Joey said. Going over to JC, he placed his hands on JC's waist, quickly lifting him up, sitting him on the counter. JC hooked his legs around Joey, keeping him in place, while cupping his face with his hands. -I do believe you owe me a kiss, he murmured, bringing his lips close to Joey's. -If you insist, Joey answered, capturing JC's lips with his own. Wrapping his own arms around JC, Joey pulled him closer, in a sweet, deep kiss. Letting one hand slide in between their bodies, Joey brushed his fingers over JC's hips. -Baby? he asked when he heard a soft moan coming from JC. -Yeah? JC answered, busying himself with tangling his fingers in Joey's brown hair. Joey pulled back some and looked up at him, JC knew that Joey was being serious now and tenderly let a finger follow the curve of his jaw. -I want you to make love to me, Joey whispered. JC studied him thoroughly. -You know I would love to, he started, picking his words carefully. -But are you sure about this, honey? -Yes? Joey tried, he could hear his own voice trembling ever so slightly. His eyes met JC's again. -You're not sure at all, JC said, -and you're getting a little drunk too. -That's a good thing, Joey admitted, -I don't think I would have the guts to do it sober... It still scares me, but I don't want this to be an issue between us. -Darling, it's not an issue, JC said, putting his arms around Joey's neck. -Well, it is for me, Joey answered. -I just want us to be a normal couple, Joey explained. -I want us to be able to do all the normal stuff couples do. I'm tired of being a victim here, JC, I want my life back. And I want you. So, please, can we go back to the hotel now? JC nodded slowly. -Ok, but you're in charge of this, Joey, if you want to stop, you say so. -I will, Joey said, a shy smile appeared on his face. -But we could make this a little more romantic, you know? That made JC pull him close and hug him tightly. -It'll be romantic, it'll be everything you want it to be...