Date: Mon, 18 Sep 2000 13:42:26 -0400
From: Kathrine <storykath@operamail.com>
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...