Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2000 18:30:50 EST From: Kenitra Writer Subject: set-you-free-8 Legalities: It's just a story folks. It is not intended to imply anything about any of the Backstreet Boys or anyone else. If you're offended, please go away. If you're curious, read on, you might like it! If you're too young, don't get caught. Notes: Thanks again to everyone who is reading and wrote to let me know they liked this story. Special thanks to a few of my frequent critics/complimenters - My fave Canadian reader- R., "MrClean", Dennis and Michael. (Fortunately more compliments than criticisms ;-P ) ****Now I have a little problem - I had originally planned on ending this story at Part 11 HOWEVER...the feedback has been so amazing that I'm not sure now. I've had people ask that Jason stay with Brian and Nick, but I don't know. SO - I would like to know where you folks, the readers, would like to see this story go, and who you want Jason with. If I get enough ideas to inspire me, I'll keep writing for a while longer, otherwise, I'll end where I had intended. BUT - please note, I do have this thing about drawing the story to a suitable ending at some point so the story won't go indefinitely, BUT, it will go longer if you give me good ideas. SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW!!!! kenitra_canada@hotmail.com BTW - If you haven't read the earlier parts - I'm a gal! Hope you enjoy. Kenitra _______________ I'll Set You Free ------------------------- (Previously) Kevin grinned. "It wasn't a test. There is no right or wrong answer. God Jason, you're only eighteen. You have all the time you want to decide what to do. Enjoy the freedom you have while figuring it out." Kevin stood and offered his hand to Jason. "So, you really want to see Disney today?" he asked. Jason grinned wildly. "Absolutely!" *********** Part 8 *********** Kevin took Jason to a private entrance and showed the girl a special pass card. "KEVIN RICHARDSON!!" she almost screamed and Kevin winced. Jason laughed. "Please, could you keep it down?" Kevin begged, looking around, hoping no one had heard her. Kevin signed an autograph and she regained her composure, waving them through and apologizing for her outburst. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to that," Kevin said as they began walking through the amusement park. Jason nodded. "I can understand that. It must be frightening when its fifty or one hundred girls, not just one." Kevin looked to see if Jason was being sarcastic; he wasn't. Kevin was relieved that Jason understood what he was saying. They began walking through a food section and Jason stopped. "Ya know, either we walk elsewhere, or we stop. I just remembered that all I've eaten today is cold toast," Jason said, beginning to drool at all the wonderful smells. Kevin laughed. "Cold toast?" "Don't ask!" Kevin took pity and they stopped at a restaurant. Kevin watched Jason devour two hamburgers, french fries and a milkshake. Although Kevin knew he was developing strong feelings for Jason, he was just happy seeing the smile on his face and the light in his eyes. Quite a contrast from the young man he'd found in the elevator the day before. Brian and Nick were obviously what Jason needed. They continued their tour. Kevin pointed out places where he worked when he was a Disney employee seven years earlier. Jason suddenly stopped, his mouth hanging open. Kevin followed his gaze and groaned loudly. A booth had been set up with cardboard cutouts. People could pay to have their picture taken with their favorite celebrity - favorite Backstreet Boy celebrity. Kevin saw a wicked grin spread across Jason's face. "No!" Kevin said. "Absolutely not!" Jason continued to grin and grabbed Kevin's arm, pulling him towards the booth. "You'll start a riot, ya know," Kevin warned. "Oh, come on," Jason begged. "Haven't you always wished there was two of you?" Jason was laughing so hard tears were beginning to run down his face. Kevin couldn't resist, and began to laugh. "Okay, but I get to say `I told you so!' when we have to run," Kevin said. Jason nodded and went up to the girl running the display. He handed her the money. "My friend and I want our pictures taken with Kevin, please, oh he's the absolute best," Jason gushed. The girl didn't even look at them as she stood the Kevin cutout in front of the background. "Please stand by the picture," she said as she returned to the camera. Jason stood on one side, while Kevin took the other. The cutout was actually shorter than him. Kevin could see people already glancing at them. The girl looked through the lens. "Oh my god!" she said very loudly and stepped back from the camera. "You're him!" she screamed. A number of girls who'd been glancing their way, heard her. A wave went through the growing crowd. "That's Kevin Richardson!" "Hey, he's a Backstreet Boy!" "Oh my god, its Kevin!" Kevin looked at the girl. "Could you please just take the picture?" he asked sweetly. She nodded and quickly took the polaroid. "Thanks!" Kevin said as he grabbed the picture, and Jason's arm and took off running. Kevin fortunately knew his way around the park and it only took a few minutes for them to lose the fifteen or so girls who had tried to follow them. Kevin dragged Jason down a small side alley between two buildings and they stopped to get their breath. Jason was panting and grinning. "Okay, okay, come on, say it," he said to Kevin. Kevin walked right up to stand in front of Jason. He looked down at the younger man. "I told you so!" he said softly, then surprised even himself by bending to kiss Jason. It was only a brief, gently kiss, but Jason felt a tremor go through him. Kevin pulled back, and stared intently into Jason's eyes. "Should I apologize?" he asked in a whisper. Jason shook his head, and touched Kevin's cheek. "No." He took Kevin's arm and began walking out of the alley. "We should go though, its getting late," Jason said. They left the park in silence and began driving home. Finally Kevin spoke. "Jason, I really feel that I should apologize. I'm not trying to confuse you," Kevin said. "I'm not sure why I kissed you. I know you're with Nick and my cousin, and I'm happy for you, and them." Kevin really meant what he said, even though it hurt too. Jason smiled sweetly at him. "I know Kevin. You have nothing to apologize for. As for confusing me," Jason shrugged. "I was already confused before I even met you, so you're not to blame for that." Kevin accepted what Jason said and the silence became companionable, both lost in their own thoughts. They made it back to the apartment building and unloaded the stuff Jason had bought. Kevin helped him carry it up to the apartment. They were laughing and giggling as they walked in the door. Brian and Nick were standing there. "Jason!" "Where the hell..." "Kevin?" Jason and Kevin continued into the kitchen and set down all the stuff. "Hey guys. How were things at the studio?" Jason asked as he began going through one of the parcels. Brian and Nick were silent. Jason looked at them, and saw anger, fear and relief. "What's wrong?" he asked anxiously, walking over to them. Kevin saw the looks on their faces and decided it would be best for Jason if he just left. "I think I'll go now, Jay. See ya later," Kevin said and slipped out the door. Jason turned back to his lovers. "So?" "You scared us," Nick finally said. Jason looked at him in confusion. "We came back, and you weren't here, but Nick's jeep was. We were concerned, that's all," Brian said trying to make light of the fear that had gripped them. Jason sighed, and took each by the hand. "Come here," he said and led them to the couch. Jason sat between them and held tightly to their hands. "I know you guys care about me and worry about me. I appreciate it. Its nice to know that someone cares." Jason looked at each of them. "But I am an adult and have been taking care of myself for a very long time. You have to trust me to be okay. I'm not going to fall apart and take off again. I'm not going to pull out a gun. I promise." Jason brought both hands to his lips and kissed. "I'm sorry that you worried. Kevin stopped by after you left and offered to drive me around. I was happy for the company. We stopped at Disney because I've never been. I'm sorry if I'm a little late." Brian leaned in and kissed Jason's ear. "No, I'm sorry," he whispered. "You're right, we have no right to be so possessive of your time. And we have to trust you. " Nick sat silently for a moment. "You've never been to Disney World?" he asked in disbelief. Jason and Brian laughed, and rolled onto Nick. ******************************************************************************************************* The next two weeks flew by as everyone fell into a pattern. The band went to rehearsals every morning then to the studio most afternoons. Jason tagged along usually to one or the other every day. The rest of the day he spent discovering the city with his camera; photographing the good and bad of the city. Some evenings, as well, he would go out to capture the night life. His bedroom filled with pictures of Orlando and the Backstreet Boys. Every second or third evening the six would go out for dinner. At the end of the first week, Jason was sitting in his bedroom sorting through a stack of a couple of hundred photographs. Brian and Nick were at the studio, working on some last minute vocals to some songs the producers wanted changed. Jason flipped through the images in front of him, sorting them into piles - Casual BSB, BSB at work, Orlando the Good, Orlando the Sad, thinking about the past week. Nick, Brian and Jason continued to share the King size bed. Jason smiled to himself. The sex was good; it was amazing. Sometimes it was the three of them together, other times just two. Jason made sure to give Nick and Brian time alone. They had been together for a long time and Jason didn't want to interfere with that relationship. Jason sat back. He didn't regret being here, but something was nagging at him. The guys were amazing, all five treated him as one of them. A.J. had really taken an interest in the workings of developing film and had offered to help out a couple of times. Howie and Jason had begun a friendly rivalry, trying to convince each other that their workout method was better; Howie with weights, Jason with running. Jason grinned to himself as he remembered Howie collapsing in exhaustion after their five mile run the day before. Jason had smiled; he was ready for five more. Jason lost his smile as his thoughts turned to Kevin. He was getting more confused about Kevin everyday. Since their trip to Disney World, Kevin had been attentive, but distant at the same time. They spent hours talking in between the rehearsals, the dancing, and the recording. Jason had talked more with Kevin than with any of the other guys. Jason would be taking pictures and Kevin would suddenly look up, smiling, not into the camera, but into Jason's soul. Each time Jason would have to pause to catch his breath. Yet there was still this barrier between them and Jason couldn't understand it. He sighed and went back to sorting pictures. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ "Hey Kevin? Earth to Kevin." Kevin shook his head and turned to look at Nick. "What?" Kevin asked. Nick sighed, "I asked if you were coming with us?" "No thanks Nick," Kevin said, smiling at Nick and his cousin. "I want to work on getting this just right. I'll se y'all later," he said and turned back to the control panel. Brian and Nick looked at each other, then silently left. 'Kevin, you have to snap out of it!' he told himself, staring blankly at the controls. 'He's a sweet kid, desperate for friends, that's all.' "Yeah, keep telling yourself that Kevin," he said aloud. He and Jason had been spending a lot of time together, just talking about anything and everything over the past few days. Kevin smiled to himself as he thought about Jason and the way Jason told a joke - so animated, so alive. Despite everything, he continued to enjoy life to the fullest. "Admit it Kevin, you're in love." As soon as Kevin said the words aloud he knew it was true. The incredible redhead had crawled into his heart. Now what was he going to do? Kevin sighed. If he pulled back to protect himself, Jason would be hurt and confused. But how much could he take, being close to Jason and not telling him? Kevin shut off the controls. He wasn't getting any work done so he may as well go home. **************************** TBC Remember, if you want the story to go past part 11, I need ideas!!!! Kenitra Kenitra_canada@hotmail.com