Date: Sat, 25 Dec 1999 15:17:32 EST
From: BrwyMilo@aol.com
Subject: "Nick and Justin" part 33
So, this is really late, huh? :o) I'm sorry about that! But with
finals and me getting sick TWICE (ugh!) I've been kind of pressed for time.
I'm going on vacation this weekend so this isn't as long as they have been,
but I thought I'd give you guys something to tide you over until I get back.
So the next part should be out in two weeks or so. Not too bad! :o) As
always thank you for reading and I hope everyone enjoys this section!
This story is totally fictional. It isn't supposed to imply anything
about the sexuality or beliefs of anyone involved. It's just a work of
fiction thought up in my twisted brain. Enjoy!
By the way -- MERRY CHRISTMAS! Also, Happy Hanukkah and Kwanzaa!
If you want to drop me a line, feel free to e-mail me at
BrwyMilo@aol.com. Enjoy the story!
*****
Lynn got up slowly from her bed. The sun had not yet risen above the
horizon, but she felt she had gotten enough sleep and needed to be doing
other things. She pulled a white robe around her and walked quickly down the
stairs in her padded slippers. The light in the kitchen was already turned
on, the coffee maker plugged in and ready to go. Lynn went through the
motions of her morning routine without even thinking. Occasionally she would
throw a glance at the phone, hoping it would ring. Hoping it would be Nick,
or Justin, or hell even Kevin, anyone. Hoping it would be someone with some
sort of news to fill her in on what was going on.
She looked over at the clock and sighed loudly. "There is no way my son
would be up this early," she said with a laugh. Then, to her surprise the
phone rang.
"Hello," Lynn said quickly.
"Hi Lynn, it's Nick," Nick's voice said from over the phone.
"Do you have any news," Lynn asked quickly. "How's Justin doing? Have
you told him about the man yet? Did that friend of Kevin's ever turn
anything up?"
"Calm down a minute Lynn," Nick said slowly. "Justin's doing fine. We
haven't told him about this yet, but nothing else has turned up so far.
We're all kind of hoping this was a one time deal and this guy's gone away
for good."
"Well I hope so too," Lynn said. "Nick you have to promise me something.
If anything else happens, you'll tell Justin. I know you want to protect
him, probably as much as I do, but this isn't going to help him. He has to
be aware that there could be danger."
"I know Lynn," Nick said with a sigh. "If anything else comes up, we are
going to tell him."
Nick heard a sigh on the other end of the phone as he sat next to his bed
waiting for some other response. "Lynn, are you there?"
"Yes, I'm here," a weak voice said. "Look, I just don't like any of this
ok. You wouldn't either. When you're a parent you'll...oh never mind," Lynn
said suddenly as she caught herself. "I forgot for a minute."
"Forgot what," Nick asked, hoping it wasn't what he thought.
"Well," Lynn said a bit flustered. "It's not important."
"No, it is," Nick said quickly. "Please...say what you were going to."
"Well, you probably won't get the opportunity to be a parent. You
couldn't possibly understand what this is like," Lynn spat out spitefully.
Nick sat where he was and took several deep breaths. "Lynn, I may be
gay, but that does not mean I don't want kids. Who wouldn't want kids? And
who knows, maybe it'll be possible someday soon. I'm not saying it's
something me and Justin have discussed, or something that we're even anywhere
near ready for, but it's not right for you to tell me what I can and cannot
have or what I should have."
"I didn't mean it like that Nick. I was merely trying to explain to you
that we're seeing this situation from different view points."
"Yes, we are seeing this from different view points. And just because
I'm not Justin's mother doesn't mean that any of this is any easier for me.
God, how can you be so self-centered?"
There was silence on the other end of the phone. "I have to go," Lynn
finally said quietly as she replaced the phone on the wall.
Nick remained where he was in his hotel room. The phone now made a
buzzing noise in his hand as he heard the operator's voice say his call had
been disconnected. Slowly, deliberately, he put the phone back on the
nightstand and stood up. The shower was still going as he began to pace
around the large room. He removed his shirt quickly, deciding it was too hot
in the room. He sat back down on the bed and waited for Justin to come out.
The phone rang again. Thinking it was perhaps Justin's mother, Nick
reached for it quickly and brought it to his ear.
"Hello?"
"Hey there," Brian's voice said from the other end.
"Oh, you," Nick said, not trying to hide the disappointment in his voice.
He could hear Brian sigh on the other end of the phone and instantly felt
guilty.
"Nick I think we need to have a talk one of these days," Brian said sadly.
"About what," Nick asked, his voice catching a bit in his throat.
"About the fact that you have totally abandoned our friendship ever since
you started dating Justin. I mean I barely even get to hang with you
anymore. I understand you want to spend time with him, but god, we used to
be best friends!"
"I know I haven't been as good a friend as I could be, but you're not
completely blameless either you know," Nick shot back.
"What does that mean," Brian asked quickly.
"Well, you haven't exactly been making a lot of time for your 'best
friend' either you know." Nick made a slight whimpering sound and shut his
eyes tight. "I'm sorry Brian. I'm so sorry," he whispered over again and
again. "There's a lot of stuff going on right now and none of it is getting
sorted out and I don't know what to do."
"That's what best friends are for Nick. Lovers and boyfriends are
wonderful things, but sometimes you need a best friend to help you get
through things. Get what I'm saying," Brian said slowly.
"I do," Nick said slowly as he lay back down on his bed.
"Then how about this," Brian said, all traces of anger now gone from his
voice. "JC wants to see Justin as much as I want to catch up with you. Why
don't we send the two of them off somewhere and you and I can go somewhere
and talk?"
Nick paused and thought for a moment. "I think I'd like that," Nick said
quietly.
"Then it's all set. You and Justin get ready and meet JC and I at our
room. Then we're gonna send them someplace fun and we'll go our way. We
have all afternoon before we have to be at the venue for tonight's concert."
Nick paused a moment and smiled. "You know you're the greatest, don't
you Brian?"
"So I've been told," Brian replied with a laugh. "Now move your ass!"
*****
"So you're just getting rid of me for the day, is that what this is,"
Justin said, a teasing quality to his voice.
"I would never want to get rid of you," Nick said with a smile as they
walked down the hall. "But our friends have decided they want some bonding
time with us. So, off we go."
"So I won't get to see you all day," Justin asked, pouting a bit.
"Well, not until tonight I guess," Nick replied with a frown. "You know
there's nothing I'd rather do than spend every day and night with you, but I
guess we have kind of been secluding ourselves."
"All right, all right, I'm sold. Besides, it'll be good to catch up with
JC," Justin said with a smile.
"Just don't have too much fun without me," Nick said with a grin.
"Impossible." He looked back at Nick and groaned. "Could we get any
cheesier. It's only one day. I think we can do this."
"Yea," Nick said with a laugh. "I guess we are being silly." He paused
in front of Brian's door and sighed. "Do you know the secret knock?"
"Just open the door," Justin said with a laugh as he smacked Nick's arm.
"Alright, don't get violent," Nick said with a laugh. He turned the knob
and walked into the room slowly. "Everyone decent?"
"Yes dirty boy, everyone is decent," Brian said as he walked out of the
bedroom. "I was just getting dressed actually."
"Well you've done a wonderful job, and now if you're finished," Nick said
with a laugh.
"Well, let's get going then," JC said as he stepped out of the bathroom.
"And where exactly are we going," Justin asked with a smile.
"You'll see," JC said with a grin. "And don't get antsy on me!"
"I do not get antsy," Justin said with a laugh. He glanced over at Nick
and gave a small wave. "Later stranger."
*****
"So, are you going to tell me what's been going on with you or do I have
to beat it out of you," Brian asked with a smile. He and Nick were seated on
a park bench overlooking a large pond. Due to the cold weather, the birds
had long ago disappeared. Surprisingly, the park was nearly deserted.
"Brian I don't even know where to begin," Nick said with a slight frown.
"All I know is, some weird shit is going on and until it all gets settled I'm
not going to be able to relax."
"What kind of weird shit as you so politely put it," Brian asked again.
Nick looked him in the eye and tried to read what his reaction would be.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."
"Well, why don't you try me," Brian said with a laugh.
Nick looked around. On the other side of the pond he watched as a young
child set a toy boat along the edge and stared in awe as it began to float
around. He sighed audibly and looked back in Brian's direction. "Justin got
some flowers the other day."
"And you're jealous," Brian asked with a slight grin.
"No, I'm used to him getting flowers. Haven't you ever seen the bouquets
that get sent to all of us after shows? It would make a funeral parlor
jealous."
"OK, enough of that. So Justin got some flowers. What does that have to
do with anything?"
"Do you remember in Kevin's room when we were sorting through everything
that Robert had left?"
"Yea. I have tried to forget that lovely time we all had though," Brian
replied sarcastically.
"Justin found a whole bunch of pages of writing with his name written on
it over and over again. It really freaked him out."
"I remember," Brian said with a nod as he shifted his position on the
bench.
"Well the card attached to the flowers was just like one of those
letters. His name written over and over again. Then last night Lynn got a
phone call. A strange one from a man who said he was a reporter. He wanted
to know what it was like to have a gay son," Nick replied. He swallowed hard
and looked from side to side. "So, that's why I've been a little out of it
for a while. I just have no clue what's going on." He glanced up at Brian
and saw his jaw dropped down low. "Um, are you gonna say something here?
This is why you wanted me to talk to you isn't it? To offer some words of
wisdom?"
Brian looked from side to side quickly as if looking for some answer
among the trees. "I have no idea what to tell you. You really think Robert
is alive?"
"I don't know what to think. I asked Kevin and he doesn't know either.
He's having Mindy check it out, but I don't know how you would even begin to
do a thing like that. What, do you dig up the remains or something?"
Brian's eyes perked up a moment. Nick's jaw dropped as he continued to
stare.
"Listen Frankenstein, digging up dead people is out of the question,"
Nick said in a shocked voice.
"It was only a suggestion," Brian said defensively. "Yes, it was a
morbid one, but it's the best I've heard."
"Well keep thinking, because the sooner this is over, the sooner...I'll
be able to calm down," Nick said as he leaned his head back.
*****
"You're taking me for ice cream," Justin said as he laughed.
"Hey, when's the last time we've been able to do that," JC replied.
"Besides, you're looking a little too thin to me."
"I eat like a pig," Justin replied. "But I guess some ice cream wouldn't
hurt any."
"Good," JC replied. "So you want..."
"You know what I want," Justin replied with a smile.
"Yes, but I was hoping your tastes would have improved some." He glanced
over at Justin and laughed slightly. "I'll be right back. Just sit
here...and try to be inconspicuous."
Justin watched as JC approached the counter. He returned a moment later
carrying two large cups of ice cream.
"Peanut Butter and Chocolate and mint chocolate chip for you. God,
where'd you ever come up with that combination?"
"I like it ok," Justin said with a grin. "And what about you? Still
getting vanilla?"
"You know it," JC replied as he took a lick.
"You know they have like a hundred flavors, right?"
"Hey, consistency is a good thing," JC said with a grin. "So, you know
why Brian and I kind of wanted a day like this."
"You missed me," Justin said with a grin. "You're so cute!"
"Funny. Really," JC said as he laughed lightly. "I just haven't gotten
a chance to talk to you in like, forever or so. I guess I did miss you."
"Like I said...You're so cute!"
"You can stop that now," JC replied as he giggled. "So, um, how's life."
"Life's good," Justin said as he took some ice cream into his mouth.
"Care to elaborate," JC asked, eating some of his own.
"Well, Nick is wonderful. The tour's going great...though I kind of want
a long vacation. Some nice island somewhere maybe."
"Alone with Nick," JC asked with a grin.
"Um, maybe," Justin said slyly.
"Can I ask you a question," JC asked slowly.
"You can ask me anything," Justin said. He stared JC right in the eye
and waited.
"It may freak you out a little," JC said.
"JC, at this point in my life and after everything that's gone on, I
don't think anything can freak me out."
"How far into your future have you and Nick looked," he asked quickly.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, have you guys thought about where you want to be years from now.
Is this something that you can realistically see lasting?" JC dipped his
spoon into his ice cream and avoided Justin's eyes.
Justin thought a moment and then smiled. "I can definitely see this
lasting. I can see myself spending the rest of my life with him. I know
it's only been a few months, but it feels like I've been with him my entire
life."
"Does he know you feel like that?"
"Well, I remember him saying one night that he saw us getting married
eventually." Justin looked up and saw JC raising his eyebrow. "I know it's
not recognized yet, but you can have the ceremony and stuff. What is a legal
wedding anyway? A sheet of paper. That's all. I mean as long as you love
the person and you know that that is the one you want to spend the rest of
your life with, who cares what the government says?"
JC thought a moment and smiled. "That's a real nice theory."
"It's what I plan to practice," Justin said as he looked into his ice
cream. "It's what we want." He looked up at JC and laughed. "Now you
didn't think you were going to escape. What about you and Brian?"
"Let's not discuss that right now," JC said as he looked into his dish.
"Is there something wrong," Justin asked, suddenly very serious.
"It's just not exactly how I imagined it to be. I mean, it's nice and
everything...but I don't think we have the same chemistry that you and Nick
do." JC kept his eyes down and sighed heavily. He smiled lightly, trying to
hide the pain that was on his mind. "I don't know what gets into me
sometimes. He's so wonderful, but I just feel like we can't connect on every
level."
"Variety can be a good thing JC. It would get boring if you agreed on
everything," Justin said as he scooted closer to his friend.
"But it would be nice to agree on some things. I'm probably being dumb.
You know I always over analyze things."
"You're a level headed person. It's an excellent quality to have."
"It causes to many problems." He laughed slightly and looked Justin in
the eyes. "Wanna here something even funnier?"
"What is it," Justin asked soothingly.
"It's freezing out and we're eating ice cream," JC said with a smile.
"Everyone needs a hobby," Justin suggested.
"Well it's time for a new one," JC replied with a grin. "Let's get
going."
*****
The music played throughout the empty studio of the hotel. It seemed to
echo effortlessly from the walls. The lights were dimmed and a few candles
set on the low stage. A gentle beating sound was made on the floor as the
seemingly effortless dancing followed the precise rhythm of the music. It
was a strange combination. The music itself wasn't traditional for a ballet
composition. It was more tribal in the melodies. The movements, however,
were slow and graceful, nearly gliding as the figure moved across the
polished floor.
Lance stood in the doorway, partially concealed from the shadows as he
watched Devon dance. His jaw hung slightly open as he continued to watch.
It was one of the most astounding things he had ever seen. Devon was
apparently oblivious to his presence as he continued. After a few moments,
the song to came to a close as Devon paused. He inhaled deeply, hardly out
of breath and reached for his towel. With a slight laugh he blew out the
candles on the stage and began to talk towards the exit.
"You can stop hiding now," Devon said, his back to the doorway where
Lance was standing.
"You knew I was here," Lance said with a grin as he stepped out of the
shadows.
"Well, you're not exactly James Bond. The slamming door kind of tipped
me off," Devon replied as he walked over to Lance and kissed him gently on
the cheek.
"Oh shut up," Lance replied as he brought his arms to around Devon's
waist. "You're kind of all sweaty and stuff."
"Yea, I'm gross right now," Devon laughed.
"Actually it's kind of a turn on," Lance said with a smile.
"This turns you on," Devon said with a laugh.
"A little," Lance replied shyly as he brought his hands up and placed
them around Devon's shoulders. "You're kind of cute when you're all sweaty
and stuff."
"Well you are always cute," Devon said as he leaned in, pressing their
foreheads together. "But I have to grab a shower before the concert tonight."
"Yea I do too," Lance said with a grin.
"What a coincidence," Devon said loudly as he smiled wide.
"But we only have one shower in our room. Hm, what to do?"
"Well you can share Christina's. According to today's gossip columns
that who you're dating now," Devon laughed.
"Uck, I'm allergic to genies," Lance replied as he made a gagging sound.
"I guess we're gonna have to share the one in our room."
"Looks like," Devon laughed. He grabbed Lance's hand and walked off
towards the private service elevator. As soon as it arrived, he felt Lance
push him in and stand him against the wall. He pressed his body right into
Devon's, letting Devon feel his raging hard-on. "Someone's happy to see me,"
Devon laughed.
He was quickly silenced as Lance's lips met his. Devon placed his hands
around Lance's waist and pressed him in even tighter. He parted his lips and
allowed Lance's tongue to slowly enter his mouth, licking his lips along the
way. Lance could feel Devon's groin pushing against his own and could hardly
keep himself from tearing his clothes off.
They finally reached the floor they were staying on and reluctantly
pulled away from each other just as the doors opened.
With Christina on the other side.
"Where are you guys hurrying off to? And why do you look so out of
breath Dev," she asked as she examined their ruffled clothing and hair.
"We were working out," Lance replied quickly.
"And I was just dancing. Well goodbye!" He began to run off when he
stopped and groaned. "Oh, Kevin asked me to tell you something. They've
been putting together a promotional CD for the tour and it's just about done
but they wanted to see if you wanted to sing a track on it and if you do,
great and you should talk to Kevin and tell him what and when and whatever
and we've gotta go now bye." Devon inhaled deeply after that and walked
quickly towards his room.
"Have fun you guys," Christina said with a grin. "Ick, just not too
much. You do have a concert tonight."
*****
The lights flashed on the stage as N'Sync performed. Cameras seemed to
be everywhere. Justin kept a wide smile on his face as he continued his
dance to "I Want You Back". He glanced over at the audience and was blinded
by a quick burst of light. He laughed a bit, but felt slightly unnerved. He
never liked it when he was distracted by something during a concert. It made
it all the more difficult to perform. He had gotten more used to it as time
went on, but it was still something that was a source of discomfort for him.
He glanced back at the same spot in the audience and was blinded yet again.
He shut his eyes tight and kept his head still as he continued his dance. He
threw a glance over at JC, but he seemed to be into his own thing. Justin
swallowed and continued his movements. He ventured one more look in the
direction of the light, but this time saw nothing. He smiled wider and faced
out towards the audience as the dance continued.
And then there was another light, a brighter flash which didn't go away.
Justin squinted and tried to look past it, but found it hard. He threw a
quick glance over at JC who seemed oblivious to what was going on. It was as
if someone had placed a full spot on him from extremely close up.
"What the hell is that," Justin mumbled, holding his microphone just far
enough away from his mouth that the audience couldn't hear what he was
saying. He continued to stare at the light. As he sung he stared at it. As
he danced, his head was turned in the direction of the light. It was almost
blinding, but at the same time, he couldn't take his eyes off of it.
The number soon ended as everyone ran off the stage, breathing hard,
sweat dripping off of their bodies. Justin lagged behind a bit, shaking his
head at what had happened.
"Justin, what were you doing out there," Devon asked as he swiftly walked
over. "Who the hell were you staring at?"
"I don't know," Justin replied flatly. "It was the strangest thing. I'm
out there and there are all these flashes. But then it was like this guy was
shining a flashlight or something right at me. I don't know what it was. I
tried to see who was holding the light, but I couldn't."
By now Nick had walked over, already in his next costume. "Are you
serious," he said a bit shocked.
"Yea, I have no idea who it was," Justin replied. "Weird shit."
"Yea really," Devon said quietly as he looked over at Nick.
"Nick come on, we've gotta be on stage now," Kevin said as he approached.
"What," Nick asked lowly as he stared at Justin.
"We've got to get on stage. Come on," Kevin said as he gave Nick a tug.
Nick threw Justin a helpless look and allowed himself to be ushered on stage.
"Is he alright," Justin asked as he stared back.
"Just worried I guess," Devon replied.
"About what," Justin almost laughed.
"About you silly." Devon sighed and out his hands at his side
helplessly. "Go get changed for the next set. You don't have too long."
"Yes master," Justin laughed as he ran down the hall.
"You have to tell him, Nick," Devon said to himself. "You've gotta tell
him."
*****
Justin sat in front of the mirror in his dressing room, wiping a
combination of sweat and make-up off of his face. He examined his skin in
the mirror carefully, making sure he didn't miss a spot. When he was
satisfied, he stood up, wearing only his boxer shorts and walked over to a
pile of clothes in the center of the floor. "These always end up here," he
said to himself with a grin as he picked up his jeans and a loose fitting
t-shirt. He re-examined his reflection and shrugged. "I guess I look ok."
"You look beautiful," a voice from the doorway said.
"Gee thanks," Justin said as he walked over to Nick and put his arms
around his waist.
"So, did you have a good time," Nick asked as he put his head on Justin's
shoulder.
"The concert? Well, it was alright I guess," Justin replied. "That one
guy kind of freaked me out, but I guess there are a lot of weirdos out there."
"Yea, a lot," Nick replied slowly.
Justin pulled back a bit and looked at Nick carefully. "Are you alright?"
Nick snapped out of his brief trance and grinned. "Yea, I'm fine.
Really." He gave Justin tighter hug and sighed. "So what do you want to do
tonight?"
There was a knock on the door before Justin got a chance to answer. He
quickly pulled away from Nick. "Come in," he shouted.
"Um, I have a delivery here for you Mr. Timberlake," one of the stage
hands said.
"Oh, ok," Justin replied. He opened the door wider and allowed the young
man to walk in. In his arms was a huge bouquet of flowers. Justin thanked
him, handed him a tip and then looked at the flowers.
"From you," he asked with a grin. Nick made no sound. He stared at the
bouquet, his lips slightly spread. "Nick, you look like you've seen a ghost.
What's wrong?" Nick still made no sound, but stared at the small white card
that was attached to the top. Justin stared at him a moment longer and then
shrugged. "Well let's see who they're from, ok?" He waved a hand in front
of Nick's face and shook his head again. Very slowly he removed the card
from the envelope. His eyes widened as he read it, his jaw opening as if to
speak, except no sound came out. He dropped the card to the floor and turned
his gaze to Nick. "This isn't happening," he whispered.
*****
OK, so it wasn't as long as the last few have been. The next few will be
some doozies, so keep reading. I hope everyone enjoyed the section and has
had a wonderful holiday. See you in the new year (assuming the world hasn't
ended and all of our computers still work)!