Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 23:37:03 +0800 From: Dane Javier Subject: Love, Words, and Intentions Chapter 1 Disclaimer: I don't know any of the personalities mentioned in my story. Their sexuality is purely their business so remember that this is just fiction. Author's Notes: Hey! It's me, Dane, the author of Mad Season. I know that Mad Season is still on going and I probably shouldn't be writing another story but this idea is too good to pass up. Tell me what you think and maybe I'll continue this one as an on-going series unlike Mad Season that I plan to end after a few more chapters. This is my attempt on a story based somewhat on Creek-Speak. (You know, like the way they speak on Dawson's Creek.) Each chapter, I think, is set as a one-on-one conversation between two people about the other people in their lives. These are fictional talks about various topics of life. Before I go, I would like to shout out to some people. Ashley, who inspired me to start writing. Shaun who is hosting my work on his site. Sam, my critic who loves my stuff. Gabriella, she's such a peach (Congratulations on Graduating) and to Jose, friends forever dude.---Dane P.S. Did anyone see the Nickelodeon Kid's Choice awards by any chance? (Hey I'm 21 but I have a 12 year old sister.) Did you happen to see NSYNC get slimed? God, that was so freakin' funny!!!! We love them and the BSB. Condolences to AJ who recently lost his Grandmother. Love, Intentions, and Words But let me tell you now There are prices to fame, alright All of our time spent in flashes of light "Larger Than Life" Chapter One: AJ McLean Bourbon Street is in full swing tonight under the pale light of a new moon. While the pleasures of cheap thrills, alcohol, jazz music, and Creole cooking entices the average visitor, one man in particular looks for a different kind of voodoo in the Big Easy. Yes, Alexander James McLean is in search of the talent of his companion room who works in a semi dark room in one of the apartments looking over the hedonistic street. "Are you sure you want to do this?", asked a Cajun husky voice. "Yeah, give it to me. I've been waiting for it for a while. Please give it to me, Jerry," pleaded AJ to a sweaty man in a dirty wifebeater. The man studied the young singer for a moment then went to a nearby table to arrange his "tools". The moments of AJ's waiting were thankfully distracted by the sounds of music and the mindless conversations of the partiers outside. "You know the drill, McLean. Strip and prepare yourself on the bed. Now, where do you want it?", asked Jerry as he turned the one hanging light in the room, but it was still mostly darkness around. "Right here, Jerry," AJ said as he positioned himself on the narrow bed. A few moments later, Jerry returned to his side for the deed he was being paid for. "Now relax. You don't want me to poke you real hard, don't you? Relax and stay still, AJ." Jerry positioned himself over AJ while the backstreet boy relaxed his body for the long stretch of pleasure and pain. The Cajun stared at AJ's skin and began to descend his "tool" unto him. Soon enough, the humming tattoo needle made contact on AJ's lower back and Jerry started on the latest piece of body art to be seen on the young singer. "So, it's been a while now since you gotten a new tattoo from me, AJ. It's been like, I don't know, more than a year now, I guess. What's been going on in the world of pop stars and music moguls, Mr. Johnny No Face?", asked the tattoo artist joked as he continue to draw the ink into his skin. AJ tilted his head on his crossed arms to signal a shrug. "So, you saw my New Year performance, huh," AJ chuckled. "Well, things have been pretty hectic this year. The Boys and I have been touring non-stop since Black and Blue came out. NSYNC has their album coming out soon also. Same with Christina. Britney is taking a break before they start shooting for her movie. Jessie is promoting her new single. She really had a big change of image. 98 Degrees are on extended vacation until Drew's arm heals. I hear it was a sports-related accident. And I hear that Mandy Moore is shifting to Jive. Oh, and Nick's brother, Aaron, is now recording a so-called "more mature" album." "The shit you just told me I could get off any teenybopper magazine's front cover, you asshole. I'm asking for the real stuff that the public doesn't even know about. The real deal, god-awful, son-of-a-bitch, I can't believe it type of news." AJ laughed mirthfully while Jerry paused his work to prevent any mistakes in the art. When AJ calmed himself enough, Jerry continued to draw while AJ started to elaborate the few events that came to mind. AJ trusted Jerry with any of his secrets. It was like an unwritten law among tattoo artists and their customers. 'All things mentioned while under the needle is said within strictest confidence.' Out of the 20 tattoos he had, soon to be 21, about 7 were made by Jerry. AJ favored him because of the detail he puts into his work. He trusts Jerry within everything, and Jerry never had a reason to break that trust. "Well, I'm recording some tracks with Kevin. Good ones, mind you, for a probable solo career. Nick is still Nick. Brian is expecting a baby in about 7 months. Kevin is happily married and is constantly horny when his wife is around," Jerry raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Howie, on the other hand, started dating Chris about 2 months ago." Jerry stopped his procedure and looked at AJ to see if he was serious. "You're serious, right? Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC?", asked the confused artist. "No, Chris Farley. Of course, Chris Kirkpatrick," confirmed AJ. Jerry went back to continue applying the outline of the tattoo with disbelief clearly written on his face. "I thought Howie was straight." AJ snorted. "Well, he was for the past 8 years. Apparently, he and Chris dated each other when they roomed together back in college. The Dipshit didn't look at any other man until they met each other again at Howie's club half a year back. Chris courted Howie until they made it official a couple of months ago." "So Howie's gay?", Jerry asked in clarification. "No, he's Bi but I always had my doubts when it comes to Howie. You know how quiet he is. Anyway, whatever he is I don't really care. It's none of my business. And here's my final thought on their relationship, 'Chris is a nut. Howie is a fruit. And together they're a fruitcake'." Jerry laughed and decided to shift topics. "What about the other members of NSYNC? Is it true that Justin and Britney are going to get married?" "Well, that's true. At first, I thought it was a hoax." "Why? Is it because of his old relationship with JC?", questioned Jerry. "Well, yeah. They broke it off because JC ended up falling for Lance. Justin gave him his freedom just so JC could be happy again. Now, JC and Lance are happily together while Justin rebounded with Britney. The rebound was good for him and now wedding bells are in the air for the both of them. I guess Justin and JC were better best friends than lovers." "What about Joey?" "Oh, he's fine. His girlfriend recently gave birth. He now has a 4-month-old daughter. So he's playing Daddy for now but he won't settle down. Both of them know it, neither of them was prepared when Kelly got pregnant. At least Joey is willing to take up some of the responsibility for it." Jerry smiled at the news about Joey. He always found him a little irresponsible. He never had a reason to straighten up. He thought this would make Joey, at least, more serious about everything. "Now what about the Degrees? Drew got a broken arm? From what?" "Drew went skiing and bumped into a tree." Jerry laughed. "There are rumors of him divorcing though. I don't think it will happen. Nick and Jess are taking a break from each other, mostly because Jessica wouldn't put out. Jeff is back in Ohio spending some father-daughter time. And Justin Jeffre, like always, on the prowl for some nookie." "That boys has some serious issues. Every since you brought him here and introduced us, I haven't been hearing that guy get into any relationship. All I hear is conquest after conquest." "Yeah, but I envy the guy. He's like Peter North or something. He's always dancing and romancing all the beautiful chicks out there and they all fall for him like silly putty." Jerry rolled his eyes in disgust at the thought of that lucky bastard. "What about Ms. "I Won A Grammy" Aguilera? I heard from the pipelines that she was recently in the hospital or something." "Nope, haven't heard anything like that though. Maybe it's a fabrication by her PR team to boost up her name. I don't know," AJ said nonchalantly. "Well, I hope it's not true. Anyway, I've finished doing the outline of the Capricorn sign on your back. You can look at it with that mirror," Jerry said as he set aside his stenciling needle and started to prepare the ink for the coloring. AJ sat up from lying stomach down and approached the full-length mirror on the wall. Removing his tinted glasses to inspect the craftsmanship, he nodded in appreciation and replaced the spectacles. He went back on the bed and laid his head down on his crossed arms, stomach down, and his legs crossed. "The man's craft is a true reflection of how beautiful his soul can be," quoted AJ to compliment the artist's work. "Oh stop that Balzac shit, Alexander. You know your intellectualism won't work on me. I know about you and your reading habits. All your E.E. Cummings, Walt Whitman, and Immanuel Kant. I can't stand that shit, so do me a favor and leave it out the door," Jerry admonished while wiping the targeted skin clean. "Oh, you're the only one who isn't amazed at my knowledge of the classics." AJ smiled in spite of himself. "Usually people are caught off guard when I start spouting Dickens or Rushdie. Why aren't you like that?" "Well, it's part of the real you, AJ. Just like all the tattoos on your skin and the colors that you drown your hair in. The real you are a mystery to most people who take you with face value. I know you like to show off that knowledge every once in awhile but I know bullshit when I hear it." AJ sighed as Jerry continued to spread over the red ink on his skin. "Thank you, Jer, for being the one who puts me back on the ground." "Don't mention it. Now what about you? Any relationship in the life of AJ McLean?", asked Jerry with humor in his voice. Silence. "AJ, did you hear me?" "Yeah," he said softly. "I heard you. No, there's no one for me. There hasn't been anyone for me for a long time." A sad expression began to spread across Jerry's concerned face. "Are you still hung up on Nick?" "Yeah, I am." "AJ, listen to me. I may not be around to talk to you every time but listen to me when I say that you must move on. Nick can't help it if doesn't return your feelings for him. He even tried for your sake. He just couldn't do it. If he stayed with you, it wouldn't be fair to the both of you because it would all be a sham, and you would be even more unhappy than you're now," Jerry said as he continued to color the Capricorn sign on AJ's back. Even if Jerry couldn't see AJ's face, he could sense the tears flowing behind the red lenses. "I know. It's just wish someone would come around and make me feel like I do when I'm near Nick, you know. Someone who loves AJ as AJ, not AJ the performer. Not a single one of the men and women I've dated have ever reached any of my standards." "Have you ever considered lowering those standards?" "Heck No!" AJ smiled at that thought. "I just want it all!" Jerry smiled at AJ's sudden reversal of mood. "Well, keep dreaming lover boy. Don't worry, you'll find somebody. Now, let's move on the crazier things. How are Toby Maguire, Fred Durst, Ben Stiller, and the rest of that group that you affectionately call the "Pussy Posse"? AJ howled at the question and soon began to ramble about the last shenanigan that the group had with two porn stars in a strip joint. Every time we're down You can make it right And that makes you larger than life TBC.... There. Hope you like it, y'all. Please send me your comments and questions, if any, to the email address mentioned above. Trust me when I say that it's really appreciated.