Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 15:10:28 EDT From: lictor (at) aol (dot) com Subject: NSYNC-lance-n-jc pt 26 'N SYNC: LANCE 'N' JC CHAPTER 26 ---------- Usual disclaimer applies: This is a work of fiction. It is not meant to imply anything about the orientation, beliefs or anything else about the real members of 'N Sync, the Backstreet Boys, or anyone else depicted here. If you are under 18, or are offended by graphic depictions of homosexual relationships, please go find something else to read. Story content copyright 2000 T. Kevin. ---- >From last time.... In his room, Lance showered and brushed his teeth. The golden ring JC had given him gleamed on the bathroom counter. He left it there and turned out the light. As he lay alone in his bed in the silence and the darkness, he felt the pain in his chest again, that terrible ache that had no physical cause. It was his heart breaking. ---- And Now, Part 26... The next morning, still all looking half-asleep, five guys were draped over various pieces of furniture in the executive airport lounge. Melinda and the bodyguards stood anxiously by the exit towards the gate. Terry sat next to Justin, but not too close. There weren't very many other people around but they still felt self- conscious. Terry held a cup of coffee between his knees. "Okay, time to go in a minute. Lance you have the itinerary and all the tickets for the return, right?" Melinda asked anxiously. She wasn't used to letting the guys go off completely alone like this. "Yes, ma'am," Lance smiled and patted his bag and stood up. "Man, I'm glad you like dealing with that stuff." Chris muttered as he stalked by towards the coffee machine. "I'd have us missing the flight or headed for Iceland or something." "I don't mind, and somebody has to actually know what is going on around here; your head is already stuffed full of video-game junk and sports scores." Meanwhile Terry and Justin also stood; they were so obviously barely restraining themselves that they were making the others uncomfortable. "Um, so I'll see yah." Justin smiled. "Yeah, in a couple days." Terry put his coffee down, stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked at the floor. "You behave yourself, okay?" "Of course!" Justin feigned indignity. "I'll call yah tonight, okay?" "Okay." Terry looked up with a little smile. 'His eyes are so gorgeous, and his lips...' "What you lookin at?" Justin playfully punched him in the arm "You." Then they realized that everyone else, including Melinda, Lonnie and Wes, were staring at them. "Are you two DONE!?" Chris shouted in his high voice. "It's not like Justin's going off to war or something." A couple of business-suited men looked up in annoyance. Justin stuck his long tongue out at Chris. "They're calling our row." Lance volunteered diplomatically and cocked his head. ---- The flight was uneventful. Lance, who was not fond of flying, barely noticed as they swept out over the ocean. He had too much else on his mind already. He glanced over at JC, who seemed to be asleep already. 'Poor guy, he's paralyzed by his parents, but I don't know how much longer I can bear this uncertainty. I wish I could talk to mom about this. Maybe I won't wait until I see her in person.' At the airport they were met by a young woman from MTV and whisked to the hotel with a minimum of fan disruption. They barely had a chance to wash their faces before they were summoned to rehearsal on the outdoor stage down by the beach, where they met the harried-looking director and a slew of MTV cameramen, technicians and gofers. The director explained what they were going to be doing: basically providing background entertainment during a swimsuit fashion show. JC rolled his eyes, but Joey was excited about all the girls in swimsuits. One run-through of their songs seemed to satisfy the director, but he asked them to hang out a little while longer while they worked on a sound problem. So, they were crashed out backstage drinking water when the four guys from 98 Degrees came sauntering up. "Look who's here!" Jeff Timmons called out when he saw the 'N Sync gang. There were hugs and high fives all around. Lance was particularly happy to see Drew Lachey. "Man I'm sorry we didn't get to talk the other night." He apologized as he released Drew from a strong hug but kept a hand on his shoulder. "No prob, man, there was a lot going on." Drew grinned. "I meant to tell yah, I like the new 'do." "Thanks." Lance nervously twisted at one of his blond spikes. "You guys are looking more buffed than ever." "Well, Nick and Jeff. I don't work as hard at it as them." Drew blushed. "Naw, man, lemme see those abs." Lance teased and pulled up Drew's loose shirt. As Lance suspected, the younger Lachey's stomach muscles were incredibly defined and tight. "Check it out!" He patted them with his other hand. Drew reddened darker and pulled away a little, but he was grinning. "Stop it Lance! You know I'm ticklish!" Out of the corner of his eye he also saw JC Chasez glaring at him. "Hey, we gotta rehearse now, but maybe we can get together and talk later -- if you're not busy?" "That would be great." Lance smiled. ---- Later that afternoon, Lance and Drew sat on the balcony of Lance's room. They'd already gotten the pleasantries out of the way, and both of them could feel that bigger issues were hanging about unspoken. "Sooo..." Lance toyed with the hem of his t-shirt. "Who wants to go first?" Drew smiled. "Okay." The blond took a deep breath. "You probably know already. I'm gay." Drew's smile widened. "I figured, but I'm glad you told me. So am I." It was easier to admit than he thought, but Lance had broken the ice. "Are you seeing anyone?" "Well... that's complicated." "I got all afternoon." Drew leaned back. So Lance told his old friend everything that had happened recently with him and JC... and a little about Justin and Terry. Drew nodded, "Terry seems like a nice guy, kind of serious and quiet -- but maybe that's what Justin would like. And he really likes Justy -- he was makin' googly-eyes at him all night." "Yeah they are so cute it's sickening." Lance smiled. "I'm sorry that you and JC are having a hard time right now, though. I'm sure he'll come around." "I don't know." Lance frowned. "He's become more withdrawn lately. I've tried to get him to talk about it but he just keeps trying to avoid the subject." "Are you guys pretty serious?" Lance pressed his lips together. "Well, I think so. I mean, he gave me this ring." He showed Drew the glittering ring. "Wow." Drew's jaw dropped. "Are you, like, engaged?" "Sort of, at least I thought so." Lance shrugged. "We were talking about having a ceremony. That is, before the parents put a wrench in things." Neither said anything for a few minutes, just watching the waves crash against the beach. Finally Lance said "So are you gonna tell me your story, bud?" Drew shifted in his chair. "I don't know what you're gonna think." He frowned. "C'mon man, I told you everything." Lance poked him gently. "Mine's kind of... strange." Drew mumbled. "I promise not to judge you man. Hey, you're my friend. Is it Jeff? You guys do kinky stuff?" Lance smirked. Drew looked up sharply. "No, I wish. It's me and... Nick." "Your brother!?" Lance gasped before he could stop himself. "Yeah, see? It's sick." Drew hung his head. Lance's mind was reeling. It never occurred to him... it DID seem kind of creepy, plus he had thought Nick was straight, and a little full of himself. "Hey, I said I wouldn't judge you!" He finally managed to smile a little. "You want to talk about it? I mean, is this a romantic thing or are you..." "'Fuck buddies'?" Drew smirked humorlessly. "I dunno man. We have actually been messing around for years. Nick started it, but I didn't resist. I'd be lying if I said I didn't get anything from it. He's never forced me, we, you know, kiss and stuff. And he even says he loves me. But, jeez, he's my brother! It's messed up!" He looked away again. "You have to swear not to repeat that to anyone, man. If it ever got out..." "Of course." Lance nodded. "Not that anyone would believe it. Do the other guys know? I guess not." "I have a feeling that Jeff suspects something is going on, the way he looks at me. Justin is clueless." "Well, Drew if he makes you happy that way I guess that's what's important. But you know, it's something that you'll have to keep secret for the rest of your lives." "Yeah, of course. My head is such a mess, though. I mean, I love Nick, but more like my brother, not like a boyfriend. I want someone different..." "Like Jeff?" Lance smiled warmly. "Yeah, I guess so. Do you think he might be... family?" "You know him a lot better than I do, man." Lance hedged. "Yeah but you can be objective." Lance pressed his lips together. He didn't want to give Drew false hopes but didn't want to discourage him either. And the more he thought about the thing with Nick -- taboos aside -- the more he thought it was bad for his friend. "I think it's possible he's at least bi. And I definitely think he cares for you." Drew smiled his darling smile. "Man I hope so. I really, really like him." "You have your work cut out for you though. I mean, don't you think you need to deal with Nick before you go after Jeff?" "Yah. But breaking up with your brother is complicated, especially when you know you are gonna see him every day for the foreseeable future!" "Yeah, that's gonna be tricky." Lance agreed, thinking that 'tricky' was an understatement. ---- After Drew left, Lance paced around his room. He wanted to call JC, but was determined not to pressure him any more. He needed to talk to someone... finally he sat on his bed, picked up the phone and dialed... "Hello?" A female voice with a slight southern twang answered. "Mom?" "Hey it's my favorite son!" Diane Bass's happiness at hearing Lance's voice came through the phone loud and clear. "Hey, I'm sorry I haven't called the last couple days..." He started uncertainly. "You know I understand honey, some nights you get in so tired that you barely make it to the bed." "That's about the truth." Lance smiled at his mother's sympathy. His parents had worried about letting their son get swept up in 'N Sync. He was only 16 when he joined the group, and they were understandably concerned about him finishing high school. And Diane had never liked Lou Perlman. "So I'm in Cancun right now. We're filming a show for MTV." "That's great! I'm sure the publicity will be good for the group. Now, I hope you're wearing enough sunscreen, you know how you burn!" "Yes, mom!" Lance giggled, flopping back on the bed. "And we were under a canopy the whole time anyway." "So what is Cancun like? I'll bet it's pretty." "Yes it is, though they are filming shows for 'Spring Break' on MTV, so there are all these crazy college kids everywhere. Some wild things going on." "Well, I'm sure you're behaving yourself." Diane's voice had the tone of trust mingled with a tiny edge of motherly warning. "Of course, mom. But there's something I need to talk to you about." "Sounds serious honey. Is everything okay?" "Well, I have a lot of news. I really wish I could talk to you in person, but this really can't wait." "All right, sweetheart. You know you can talk to me about anything. Being a teacher I've run into just about everything imaginable." "Thanks, mom." Lance took a deep breath and fought to keep his voice from shaking. 'Here goes...' "Mom, I'm gay." Silence. "Mom?" Lance felt himself trembling. 'Oh God please... Mom please don't hate me!' He thought desperately. "I'm here, honey, I'm sorry. I just wish I was there in person so I could hug you. It's okay. I--I'm glad you felt you could tell me." "So, um, are you okay with it?" He heard his mother sigh. "You know I'd be lying if I said I was completely comfortable with it. But you are my son and I will always love you no matter what." She paused. "I'd also be lying if I said I never suspected." It was Lance's turn to be shocked. "What?" "Well, sweety, there were hints, things only a mother might notice." Diane tried to be reassuring. The signs were actually pretty obvious when you weren't trying to deny it. The way he danced... and silly things like playing pattycake with girls... as a teenager! "I guess there were. The other guys kind of suspected too." "The rest of the group? So they know now too? Are there any problems there?" "No problems, mom, everyone has been great. In fact, There were a couple more surprises." "Really?" Diane prodded. Lance picked up a bit of 'Here comes the other shoe dropping.' tone in his mother's voice this time. "JC and Justin are gay too." He blurted out. "Good heavens, I am behind on news. Does Lynn know about Justin? What about JC's parents?" "Justin told his mom as soon as we got to Orlando. She has been great. JC's parents... they didn't take it too well." Somehow none of this surprised Diane Bass. Justin she had always thought might be gay or bisexual, and possibly even JC as well. And the parental reactions were pretty much along the lines she would have guessed. Diane was an excellent judge of personality. "I'm sorry to hear about Josh's parents; how is he holding up?" "He's, well, that's part of my problem. Josh and I have become... involved." The other shoe. Diane sat down. She was a strong woman, but this was beginning to overwhelm her. "How involved?" "Pretty serious. I... I'm in love with him, mom." It was Diane's turn to take a deep breath. A thousand thoughts flooded her head, some she wasn't proud of. Somehow the fact of her son being gay wasn't nearly as disturbing as knowing that he was actually involved with another man, whom she knew. 'My son is gay, he's in love with a man! What do they do together? What has my son done...' But she pulled herself together. "JC is a nice young man, I hope he's treating my son right!" She managed to add lightheartedly. "He is, mom, he's wonderful. But this thing with his parents has him really upset. They've... pretty much rejected him." "And he feels like he has to choose between you and his family." Lance was taken aback at how quickly his mother grasped the situation. "Yeah that's basically it. We really haven't been together since then, and he won't talk about it." "I'm sorry, honey. I wish there was something I could do." "Thanks, mom, but we have to work this out ourselves. JC's parents don't even know about him and me." "I get the feeling it's too late for me to tell you to take things fun. Not only were the things happened pretty fast. It started with the storm, and being lost out there together. But it wasn't just s fling. I really love him, and I know he cares for me." "I hope everything works out then. If you really do love each other, I believe that it will be okay." "I just don't know what to do; I don't want to pressure him, but waiting in silence is driving me crazy!" "Well, honey, I always think it's best to try to talk things out, even if it means you agree to take a step back for awhile to work out your feelings, and his." "Yeah, I guess you're right." "Lance, sweety..." "Yes, mom?" "So I guess you're not really dating that actress, Danielle." "No, that was arranged by management. She's a nice girl though. We're friends." "I see." This sort of deception didn't appeal to Diane at all. It was one thing for Lance to not talk about his personal life, but to pretend to date a woman seemed dishonest. "Well, I feel better talking to you; thanks for being so understanding." "Of course, honey. But let's not tell your father just yet." "Okay. Hey I need to go, we're meeting for dinner." "All right. I'm glad you called. Everything will be okay, honey." "Thanks! Love you!" "I love you too, son." Diane hung up the phone. She sat at the kitchen table for a long time, staring at nothing. 'My son is gay.' She wanted to cry, but the tears didn't come. So she prayed. ---- They were scheduled to meet 98 Degrees and a bunch of MTV people for dinner downstairs at 8:00. A few minutes before the hour, Lance heard a knocking at his door. It was Joey. "Hey, I thought I'd come and check on you." He shrugged when Lance opened the door. "Check on me?" Lance tried to play dumb with a little smile. Joey breezed in. "C'mon man, here you are in your room and JC is in his room and the tension is thick as frozen molasses." Lance's shoulders slumped. "There's not much you can do." "I know, JC needs to get his head out of his ass. And as we all know, when he gets it stuck up there, sometimes it takes him a while to get it out. I just wanted to see if you were doing okay." "I guess." Lance shrugged. "I mean, what choice do I have?" "Yeah, I know." Joey sighed. "I'd offer to slap him around for you; it might at least get him excited, then you can take over." "Joey you are awful!" Lance laughed. "Well I got you to smile at least." Joey grinned back. "Ready for dinner?" "Yeah I guess." "I heard Carson is gonna be there, and the model Niki Taylor." "I saw her today, she's taller than you!" "Yeah she's a babe!" Lance put his room key in his pocket as Joey headed for the door. "I wonder if Carson is gonna flirt with Justin like he usually does? I think he loves to make Curly uncomfortable." "Yeah, but Justin's situation is a little different from the last time we hung out with mister TRL." Lance said with a little giggle. ---- It was a fairly bizarre meal, with Joey and Chris goofing around, sometimes Justin joining in and trying to bring in Lance. Carson somehow arranged to sit next to Justin, and he did indeed flirt shamelessly with the singer, making suggesting jokes about how handsome he was, maybe they could go walking on the beach together later... Justin, who usually reacted with a confused stare, managed to laugh off most of Carson's half-joking advances. JC was practically silent and the others left him alone. Joey managed to get next to Niki Taylor and flirted with her shamelessly. The guys of 98 Degrees were amiable, but quiet for the most part. They did open up some after Carson made them drink some wine. By the end of the meal everyone was tipsy. Justin stood up (a little unsteadily) and announced "Ah am going to my room to make a phone call before bed." "Yeah I bet," Chris elbowed him. "You're gonna get in bed and THEN call that boyfriend of yours." He whispered "Maybe!" Justin looked defiant, then glanced warily at Carson, hoping he hadn't heard. "What's it to you?" "Hmm! Phone sex!" Joey grinned. A couple of others looked over. Justin blushed and threw down his napkin. "Y'all are just jealous!" He hissed. "NOT!" Chris shrieked. "What was that all about?" Carson asked after Justin had gone. "Nuthin." Joey smirked. "Justy had to go take care of something!" Then he and Chris burst out in giggles. Carson rolled his eyes. By the time dinner was over and everyone was going their separate ways, Lance had made a decision. He followed JC to his room. "Can we talk?" "I'm not sure what there is to talk about." JC sighed, but he stood aside to let Lance in. The blond sat in a chair by the window. "You need to decide whether you are going to be a slave to your parents' beliefs or not." JC sat on the edge of the bed. "It's not just my parents..." His voice trailed off. "Are you saying it bothers you too? It didn't seem to before. You were the one telling me that it can't be wrong." "I know." JC sounded beaten. "Well, I can't go on like this." Lance placed something on the table, and slowly pulled his hand away. It was the ring Josh had given him. JC stared at it, his heart suddenly hammering in his chest. He felt... he felt angry, hurt, and guilty all at once. "Are you breaking up with me -- calling it off?" He demanded. It came out sounding more harsh than he had intended. "No." Lance said tiredly. "I'm releasing you. I don't want you to feel bound by your... proposal... if you think that you shouldn't go through with this or... if you don't love me any more. I want you do decide freely. And if you decide you want to be with me, I'll be here. In the meantime, I think it's best for both of us if we step back and just agree to be friends." 'No, no, no!' A voice deep inside JC screamed, but he couldn't let it out. Instead he sat for a long time, immobile and silent. He was shaking. The voice begged him not to let Lance go, to say something, anything. But his throat was painfully knotted with emotion; he couldn't even breathe. Finally, Lance, getting no reaction, stood up and went to the door. "I'll see you tomorrow morning." He said softly. "I'm... I'm sorry." JC managed to choke out. "I know." Lance whispered, as he stepped out into the hall. As soon as the door clicked shut behind him, Lance felt all the tension in his body slide away; but that left him with nothing but an aching sadness. That and... he felt dizzy... the blond put a hand against the wall to steady himself and tried to take deep even breaths. He slowly made his way back to his room. He laid down on his bed and closed his eyes. He was so tired... but he had placed the ball in JC's court, so to speak; there was nothing else to do. In moments he was asleep. After Lance left, JC walked over and slumped in the chair Lance had just occupied. He stared at the ring, tears welling in his eyes. 'What have I done, what have I done?' He kept asking himself over and over. His vision blurry, he clumsily picked up the heavy gold ring. It was cold now; all trace of warmth from Lance was gone. 'Lance must hate me now, and with good reason. I've been such an ass to him the last few days. But what can I do? Defy my parents? If only they could understand. But I can't be with Lance knowing they think it is wrong!' He clenched the ring tight in his fist, squeezing it until it hurt. "I'm sorry, Lance." He whispered. Justin let himself into his room, closed the door and bolted it. He fished around in his bag for his cell phone, found the number he wanted and pressed the dial button as he closed the curtains. "It's my favorite pop star!" A deep voice answered. "Whatcha doin, stud?" Justin flopped down on the king-sized bed. "I guess you read your caller ID." "Yup. I'm just reading." "Anything good?" "Actually, yeah, a sci-fi novel. It's about a rock star who wants to marry a digital icon, a virtual person. There was a great quote a few pages back..." "Really?" Justin didn't try to hide his boredom with the topic. "Here it is." Terry said excitedly. "The star is talking in a documentary about him. He says 'If we could ever once stop talking about the music, and the industry, and all the politics of that, I think I'd probably tell you that it's easier to desire and pursue the attention of tens of millions of total strangers than it is to accept the love and loyalty of the people closest to us.' Sound familiar?" "Hm, that is kinda interesting..." Justin admitted reluctantly. "So... what are you wearing?" "What?" The singer felt a little embarrassed, but pressed on. "I asked what you were wearing." "Um, a t-shirt and shorts, why?" Terry could be a little slow on the uptake. "One of those tight white t-shirts that molds against your chest?" Justin asked huskily. "Umm, yeah I guess." Terry felt his face get hot. Was Justin starting what he thought Justin was starting? "So... um, what are you wearing?" "A wifebeater, shorts and white boxers. Are you alone?" "Yeah, in the hotel room." Terry realized he was getting hard just from talking to Justin. "Lying on the bed?" "Yeah." "Hmm. Me too. What are you wearing under your shorts?" "Let me look... Abercrombie boxer-briefs." Justin giggled. "The navy blue ones?" "How did you know?" Terry squirmed a little. "Lucky guess. Take off your shorts, man." "Um, ok, if you take yours off." "Okay." Justin unbuttoned his cargo shorts and started to unzip them... then stopped. "Wait!" "What?" Terry had just undone his belt. "I want you to take them off real slow. Tell me what you're doing." "Okay... I have my belt open, and I'm undoing the button. Now I'm unzipping them. What are you doing?" "Same thing..." Justin started lowering his zipper again. "Pretend it's me doing it, man. Slide your hand inside..." Terry closed his eyes and slipped his hand inside his open shorts. "Hmm. I wish it was you." He whispered. "Me too..." Justin had his own hand inside, lightly rubbing his hardening cock. He pushed his shorts down to his knees and spread his legs, running his fingers up along his inner thigh. "Take em off man, imagine I'm touching your legs, right at the bottom of your undies." "Oh yeah..." Terry moaned. His penis was straining against his underwear at this point. "Hey, you're awfully good at this." But Justin smiled. "Feel my hand groping you through those briefs... oh yeah you're so big and hard..." At the same time he squeezed his own cock and writhed on the bed. "Mmm, that feels great. My turn. I'm straddling you, and my fingers are tracing over your wifebeater, down to the bottom then up, around your nipples." "Ohhh, yah." Justin whimpered, running a finger over his chest and abs, then tweaking one of his nipples through the thin white fabric. "Then I reach down and pull it up, over your head and throw it on the floor." Justin sat up long enough to pull his wifebeater off and toss it across the room, then lay back down. "Yeah...?" "Then I lean down and lick your little brown nipple." Terry had taken his own shirt off and was caressing his chest. Justin licked his finger and ran it around his hardening bud, imagining that it was Terry's tongue. "Oh yeah man you are turning me on." He moaned. "Then I move down and slowly pull your boxers down... down over those hips, until your beautiful hard cock pops free." Justin was simultaneously embarrassed and excited by Terry's dirty talk. When he said 'cock' he felt himself harden a little more. He pushed his boxers down and fondled his balls. "I'm all yours, man." "Hmm, I spread your legs and run my hands up and down your inner thighs. Love your strong legs, baby." "Hmmm.." Justin kicked his boxers off and spread his legs wide. "Feel my tongue on your balls, licking them all over." "Oh, yeah, you are pretty good at this too." Justin whispered, running his fingertips over his scrotum, wishing it really was Terry's tongue. "I work my way up and start licking your shaft while my hands are all over your naked body..." "Yeah, man! Ohhh, that feels good!" Justin shivered as he ran his other hand over his chest and abs, holding the phone in the crook of his neck. "Now I'm taking you into my mouth, baby." "Ohhh god!" The singer wrapped his hand around his penis and began to stroke it. "I want you, man. I want you to make love to me!" "But I love the taste of you so much." "C'mon man, I'm pulling you up, between my legs..." Justin urged. "Okay..." Terry had to admit this as really turning him on too. He was slowly stroking himself. "I'm raising your legs up, scooting forward." "Yah... I reach down and hold you... man you are so big." Justin moved his hand back down and ran a fingertip around the rim of his anus. "I want you inside me, please!" He begged. "That's my man. Here goes... I'm starting to go in... Hmm, baby you feel nice." Terry squeezed the flaring head of his cock. At the same time Justin was pushing is fingertip into his hole while he pumped his hard cock. "Oh yeah, give it to me!" "Mmm, working in nice and slow. I want you to enjoy it too." "Oh yah, I'm loving you in me, on me... I'm getting close already!" Terry started stroking faster. "I'm giving it all to you now, damn you feel so good, you're so hot!" "Oh god, fuck me!" Justin whined, sticking two fingers in while stroking faster and faster. Turned on even more by Justin's talk, Terry felt himself getting close. "I'm gonna cum baby, are you ready to cum with me?" "Oh yeah, oh yeah!" Gasping and moaning together across the phone lines, they let loose within second of each other, spewing sticky messes all over the chests. "I've never done that before!" Terry confessed after catching his breath. "Me neither, but it was pretty hot. Would be a lot better if I was wit' you." "Tomorrow night." "Yeah, and I want to do a reenactment in the flesh." "Anything you want, sexy." "I guess we better clean up now." "Yeah." "Love you." Justin whispered. "Love you too." ---- End of Part 26 To be continued... soon I hope! Email me!! lictor (at) aol (dot) com