Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 19:23:20 -0400
From: Kathrine <storykath@operamail.com>
Subject: How Can You Love Me, chapter five   (gay/celebrities/boybands)

Legal disclaimer: this is a work of fiction. I'm not saying this is the
thruth about the members of NSync. If you're too young to be reading this,
or it's in any other way illegal for you, please leave.

Author's note: thanks for the great feedback I've been getting for this
story.  The adress is still storykath@operamail.com.  Mail me, I would love
to know what y'all think!

Chapter five:

-You sure took your time, Chris commented innocently as JC entered the
bedroom again, using a towel to dry his hair. -Ahm, JC started, with an
embarrased smile. -I kinda lost track of time... Chris hid his smile. -Boy,
they really don't build hotel-walls like they used to...

JC was blushing like there was no tomorrow. -Relax, Chris comforted him,
-we all know what you're feeling about our Joey over there, JC.  Besides, I
didn't hear you that good, anyway! -So much for trying to keep it down, JC
thought. -If I get that far gone just thinking about him, how's full out
sex gonna be?  I'll probably last about thirty seconds... But it will be
the best thirty seconds of my life!

He noticed the amused look Chris was giving him and shook himself out of
his thoughts. -I need food, he simply stated. -Yeah, you gotta build up
that energy, Chris said. JC tried to give him a stern look, but gave up as
his friend was lost in heaps of laughter.

-How's Joe doing, JC asked while he ate, -he slept all the time? -He did,
Chris answered, he threw a concerned look at Joey. -We really ought to make
him eat something too, you know. -I've tried, JC said, -but he doesn't want
anything.  I can't force him. At least he is drinking some. Chris' forehead
was wrinkled in thoughts, -I'll tell the kitchen to make him some
chickensoup or something.

Another soft knock on the door. -Wonder who that might be? JC mused. -I
have no idea, Chris said with a completely straight face. -Hmm, JC said
while getting up, -then we better have a look-see. As they both had
expected their two bandmates and friends were on the outside. -We missed
you, Lance said, -you left us all alone. -And I wanna see Joey, Justin
added. JC let them in with a smile.

Something was up with Lance, that little smile of his usually said that he
knew something they didn't. Chris had seen it all before and told him to
spill the beans.  -I think you guys have all forgotten that we're supposed
to do a concert tomorrow, Lance began. Confused looks all around. -Damn! JC
said, -well, that is not gonna happen... -I completely forgot! Justin said
as if he had never encountered anything more peculiar. -Rats! Chris simply
stated.

Lance still had that smile. -Actually, he said, -we got some some
unexpected...help.  -What do you mean? JC looked curiously at him. -It
appears that a really big `n mean storm totally flattened the concert
hall. We've been given some time off.  Astonished silence. -Thank heaven
for small favours, Chris muttered. Now he was the object for the
stares. The corners of Lance's mouth strived to peak even more upwards, JC
tried to hide his laughter with a snort, -you're wicked, Chris...  -That's
mean, Chris! their youngest friend said, -think about the poor
people... That was about all any of them could take. The room exploded in
laughter, Justin had to join in.

Chris and Lance tumbled down on the sofa, laughing too hard to stand up,
next to them Justin was curled up on the floor, holding his stomach. JC
leaned againt the wall, it felt like a ton had been lifted off his
shoulder. Count on Chris to brighten the mood, even if he didn't intend to.

-Hey, a sleepy voice interrupted their merriments, -what's going on with
you guys?  -Joey! Justin shouted and threw himself at Joey in another
crush-hug. -I'm happy to see you too, curly, Joey got out from under
Justin, -but now you're suffocating me.

-Let the man breathe, Chris said and joined them in the bed. He met Joey's
brown eyes and felt the twinge of guilt again. -How's life, bro? He could
see the wary in Joey's eyes. -Could have been better, Joey answered
truthfully. Carefully Chris bent down to place a small kiss on Joey's warm
forehead. -Sorry, he whispered. -I'm gonna dedicate the rest of my life to
make it up to you, Joey. Just please don't be mad at me.  -I'm not, Joey
said, surprised. -It wasn't your... Chris proceeded to place his finger on
Joey's lips to silence him. -It wasn't your fault either, he said. -You and
I are gonna have a long, good talk about this, Joe, when you're feeling
better.

Lance had crawled into bed with them too. -Hi, Joey, he greeted his friend
and found a place next to him. Joey felt a lot better now, surrounded by
people he knew and loved.  For now the demons were held at bay, he was
relaxed. After a short while Joey felt himself getting sleepy again. -OK,
JC's voice sounded over the others.  -Everybody out of the bed, Joey needs
his rest. Lance, Justin and Chris all sighed, but got out of the big bed.

Now JC were at Joey's side. -You also need to eat something, babe, he said
to Joey who was lying back in the pillows. Since his concentration were on
Joey, he didn't see the looks the three other gave each other. -I'm not
hungry, Joey protested weakily.  -I'm too sleepy, Josh.

-You gotta eat something, Lance said, Chris followed suit. -For me? Justin
looked at him with twinkling, begging eyes. Joey couldn't help but
smile. How could he resist all four of them fussing over him in that way?
-I'll try, he said. -That's my boy, JC smiled back at him and lovingly
patted his red-streaked hair.

Joey made his best effort, he really did, but the thought of food did not
appeal to him at all. He got down some toast and some orange juice, but
that was it. What he really needed to do now, was to sleep. -No more, he
said to JC, his eyes nearly closed already, -I'm just so tired... OK,
darling, JC said and took away his plate, -Just you sleep, I'll be right
here. He watched as Joey closed his eyes and his breathing evened out into
a steady, slow rhytm.

Then he turned to meet the looks of Justin, Lance and Chris. -I love him!
he said as he saw the way they were looking at him. -Oh, by the way, I'm
gay.  Lance lifted one eyebrow. -That has to be the most backwards way of
coming out ever. You're supposed to do that in the opposite direction,
JC. -Like we all didn't know it already, Chris said, -so you and Joey are a
couple now? -Not exactly, JC said, thinking a little.

He hadn't thought so much over it yet, he had just enjoyed being close to
Joey and wanted to do everything he could to help him through his
nightmare.  -I think there are some feelings from his side too, but things
are too fucked up at the moment, for us to start anything. I do love him,
but there are some rather big issues we need to work through first. Maybe
then...we can be together. -You'll be together, Justin said, -you love each
other, true love conquers all, remember?

JC gave Justin a little hug. -I hope so, Just, I really hope so. Lance
watched them, it all made him even more sure to carry out his plan. It
would soon be set to go.  After JC sent them out of Joey's room, Lance went
back to his computer, the outlines of his plan became clearer, it hadn't
been as difficult as he first had imagined. He had to be careful though, he
didn't want any of the others to know just yet.

At the same time Justin was helping JC move all his stuff into Joey's
room. He knew he would be spending all his time there, and JC liked the
idea of the room being Joey and his. A little indication of that they
belonged together.

It was a silent and uneventful night for three of the boys. Lance would
spent most of his time in front of his computer, while Justin and Chris
lounged in front of the TV, arguing friendly over what to watch. For now
things were quiet, all three of them knew that it probably wouldn't stay
that way for much longer. They needed this silent evening to prepare for
the battle.

Unlike yesterday's night, this night came with bright starshine, and a
pale, new moon.  JC sat beside Joey, happy to see that his fever had gone
down just a little bit. It was still high, but Joey was looking a little
better too. -I need a shower, Joey said, feeling the dampness of his
clothes. -But I don't think I can stand up...

A little, soft smile formed on JC's face. -I'll help you out, just lay
still.  Joey could hear him wandering around the room, the water was
running for a moment in the bathroom.  Some minutes after JC was back,
carrying a large bowl of water in his hands.  After he had picked up some
liquid soap, some wash clothes and a towel, he sat down next to Joey again.

-I know it won't be as good as a shower, but it'll at least make you feel a
little better, JC said, adding soap to the water. Joey had the feeling he
would like this better than the shower, he hadn't dared examine his
feelings for JC yet, but he was sexually attracted to him. Oh hell, yes, he
was!

A wet washcloth wiped over his face, removing the sweat. It felt good. JC
patted him dry with the towel. -Let's get you out of that T-shirt, he
said. -Here, let me help you.  JC was undressing him for a second time,
Joey only wished he could find some strength to help him.

When Joey's bare muscular chest was exposed, JC couldn't hold himself from
letting his fingers trail the warm skin, making Joey take a deep breath. As
the first drops of warm water fell onto his chest, Joey felt his body
shudder slightly. Slowly, almost teasingly, the roughness of the
washingcloth roamed over his chest. It started at the nape of his neck,
caressing the left shoulder, then the right one. Joey closed his eyes and
relaxed, he could hear the sounds of JC dipping the washcloth in the water,
squeezing some water out before going back to washing his chest.

Now he could feel JC's fingers through the fabric, as they touched his
nipples. Slow, warm circles.. he felt his body grow more sensitive and
wondered if JC noticed. He ached for some more attention, in his mind Joey
was imagining how JC's lips and tongue would feel, playing across his hard
nipples, travelling upwards on to his neck...

JC had reached his stomach, every so often stroking down the side of his
body.  The sound of water dripping again and the washcloth was back on his
body with re-newed warmth. Joey sighed. This was relaxing him, yet turning
him on at the same time.

-Your trousers are getting wet, JC voice was deep and husky. Obviously this
was getting to him too. -No kidding, Joey thought to himself. -Take them
off me, he answered without opening his eyes. He swore he could feel JC's
hand shaking just a little. Fingers slipped inside the waistbands of his
sweatpants, pulling them down. Then Joey remembered that he didn't have any
underwear on.

JC wasn't sure if he should be doing this, but the message to stop got lost
somewhere between his brain and his hands. They continued to pull Joey's
pants off his slim hips, revealing more and more of his tanned skin. A
quick look at Joey's face told him that Joey wasn't going to stop him. His
heart was racing as his hands, now shaking, undressed Joey
completely. Letting his hands slide down Joey's muscular legs, seeing his
naked body on the bed, drove JC wild.

For a second he let himself get lost in the sight of Joey. He was
beautiful.  Every little bit of him was perfect in JC's eyes. JC shivered
at the thought of lying down next to Joey, covering his body in kisses, his
hands would be exploring every inch of him...  -Stop this, Joshua, he had
to tell himself, -this is not the time... A naughty smile tugged at the
corner of his mouth. -Well, as long as I keep washing him, he won't notice
how much I drool over him!

JC proceeded to wipe the washcloth over Joey's thigh, watching drops of
water as they rolled down and onto the sheets. He worked his way down, over
the knee, over the ancle, down to the foot and all the way up again. The
other leg got the same attention. While biting his lower lip slightly JC
let his hand, covered by the wet washingcloth slide over Joey's hips,
wondering how far he would dare to go.

Joey was enjoying himself very much, but he knew he couldn't hold his body
much longer from showing signs of that pleasure. He figured that JC would
stop if he did, JC was acting very much the gentleman here. Well, most of
the time anyway.

If Joey had been all together at that moment, he would have noticed
something important. Ever since Jim he had been uncomfortable about being
undressed in the presence of others, no matter who they were. Now he was
lying completely naked, thoroughly enjoying JC's hands all over him.

-Turn around, babe, JC said, I'll do your backside... -Yes, would you? Joey
thought and obeyed JC. He found a comfortable position, resting his head on
his arms, legs slightly apart. JC was having a hard time thinking straight,
he bent over Joey to wash his shoulder. -Don't think of it! he told
himself, -don't think of it! Of course it didn't work, no matter how hard
JC tried, he couldn't help thinking about the image that was forever burnt
down in his brain. Joey. All naked. Lying on the bed. JC could almost feel
how those broad shoulders would taste, how trailing his tongue down Joey's
spine would feel. Going further, going down...

Occupied with what was going on his mind, JC didn't notice that his
movements had changed. He wes caressing Joey's back, coming dangerously
close to a certain area.  A very nicely shaped area of Joey, JC had to
admit. It wasn't like he hadn't admired it dressed in clothes too, it
looked especially fine in tight jeans.

Carefully he let the washcloth get the first feel, wishing he could remove
the layer of fabric between Joey's skin and his hand. Joey turned his face
into the pillow to keep his moan from being heard. The pressure from the
mattress covered in smooth sheets on one end and JC's hands on the other
had him trapped in the most erotic sensations.

JC know he couldn't linger anymore where he was, or he would start to do
something that had nothing to do with washing anything. His hand started
going down onto the back of Joey's thighs. The way Joey parted his legs
just a little to give him more place, nearly stripped JC of all
self-control.  He was starting to sweat himself.


The washcloth worked it's way down the back of Joey's thighs, onto the back
of his knees, over the back of his ancles, tracing his heel before taking
the same slow route back up again. -If JC asks me to turn around now, Joey
thought, -he'll get a surprise...but who knows, maybe he'll like it...

JC was having the same «problem» himself, and it would be quite
apparent to everybody who took a good look at him. But he couldn't bring
himself to stop, he liked what he was doing way too much. At an impulse he
leaned forward, his lips getting the first taste of Joey's skin. His tongue
traced Joey's scar all the way from his back onto his hip, slowly and
sensually.

JC could hear the deep moan coming from Joey and realised that he had
excited his love as much as he had himself. With the taste of Joey still
tingling on his lips, JC got back up. Suddenly all his senses went into
overdrive. Amazed he watched as his hand placed itself on Joey's back, his
fingers brushed their way down his spine and going over to kneading soft
flesh at they reached the end. Joey shifted some on the bed, whispering
JC's name.

Hearing his own name got JC back to reality. His body was shaking as he
covered Joey in a blanket and got to his feet, a little unsteady. The
strong love he had for Joey made his desire for him so much bigger. Oh, JC
knew he was in love now, he was more than that. He was forever lost in
Joey, his heart would always belong to him.  -JC? an unsure voice
said. Joey had turned around, pulling the blanket closely around him. -Did
I do anything wrong?

Seeing the scared look on Joey's face had JC climbing into bed with
him. -No, darling, he said, embracing Joey, -you did everything right. It
was perfect. Hesitantly Joey let his arms encircle JC's chest. JC wasn't
mad at him. But why had he stopped?  -He doesn't want me, Joey thought. -he
doesn't love me, he is regretting he told me that.

-I do love you, Joey, JC said, knowing where Joey was in his mind. -But I
don't think we are ready for this yet. Playfully he placed a finger under
Joey's chin, making him look up at JC. -There is nothing else I would like
more than to make passionate, never-ending love to you right now, babe, but
this isn't the right time.


Joey's brown eyes watched him thoughtfully. JC didn't know anyone else that
could say so much with their eyes as Joey could. But it still was a
breath-taking surprise as Joey sincerely said: -I love you, Josh.