Date: Sat, 15 Sep 2001 04:27:29 EDT
From: CrunkSayWhat@aol.com
Subject: For Josh's Love  Chapter 1

I've read plenty of stories on Nifty and finally decided to post one.
This is my first attempt at erotica and romance-I'm used to horror.

There isn't any sex in this part, but it'll come.  I just wanted to
establish a base story.  Anyway, comments and suggestions are always
welcome.

Usual disclaimer:  This story is not meant to imply anything about the
sexual preferences of any member(s) of Nsync.  If gay fraternization
offends you or you're under 18, go somewhere else.  If it doesn't, please
read on.



"Damn.."  Was all he could manage out.
He felt the burning sensation in my eye.  It was a mixture of sweat and
blood.  It was painful, but nothing compared to my pride.  The youth was
beyond pissed.  This was an opponent, according to him, not worth his
time or effort.  He's someone that should've been defeated and forgotten
long ago.  His vision was slightly blurred by the intrusion of the
burning liquid.  The angry young man had to make his move-his last move.
 He hardly had any energy left.  His opponent knew it too.  There was
almost complete silence and stillness.  Then, the youth, with every last
bit of energy he had, launched a kick toward his opponent's side.  It
looked great.  It looked like it was going to connect.  Until his
opponent caught it midstride!  He actually caught it!  The youth stared
in complete amazement as his enemy sneered and brought his elbow down on
his knee with a sickening snap-
-Dammit!-
He was up with a jolt.  It was the same dream once again.  Eric got out
of bed, quite disheveled.  He wandered over to his trophy case.  There
was a blank stare at the full array of medals and large trophy winnings.
 One would think that these would be a symbol of pride for someone.  Not
for Eric.  These are just a reminder of past failure.
"Never again." He whispered.
His mind drifted back about four years earlier.  He was seventeen, and
had just earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  He was arrogant then.
 Not that being a little headstrong was a bad thing, you see, but this
was a bit ego driven.  He had already won many tournaments, earned the
respect of all of his classmates and instructors.  He really didn't have
an equal-it was impressive.  And as if fate had a sense of humor, a new
student came in one day and changed everything,

"Eric.  Eric!  C'mere, I wanna introduce you to our new student."
Eric came up rather coldly to his master's call, "Uh, yessir?  What is it
you needed?"
"Meet Chris Fritz, he's a new student to our studio, but not the martial
arts.  He's got some great skill.  And you, being our resident star,
should have yourself a good challenge."
"Oh, really?"  He was intrigued, "I'm intrigued.  I can't wait to see
whatcha got!"  Eric shook Chris' hand and bowed, as did Chris.
The class started and Eric and Chris trained together.  They instantly
took a liking to each other.  The sparring and grappling was all in good
fun, but no one else could tell.  It seemed to the untrained eye that the
two were always fighting.  They were, in fact, training.  The both of
them entered in the same tournaments, just to face off against each
other.  It was intense.  There was just one problem.  Eric seemed to be
taking a strong liking to Chris.  This was a liking he had never really
experienced before with someone so close to him.  He knew there was a
word for the feelings he had, he just wasn't sure he was ready to admit
it to himself.  He did, however, want to make his feelings known to
Chris, one way or another.  Again, it seems fate isn't without a sense of
humor.
They had both been training very rough that day and both were really
spent by the time they hit the locker room.  There was no one else in the
room, which just seemed to fuel Eric's desire to talk to Chris.  Eric was
really torn, but had to know how Chris felt.  It was risky, but Eric felt
it was the right thing to do,
"Hey, Chris?"
"Yeah, kid.  What's up?"
"We're friends, right?"  Eric sat next to Chris.
"Yeah, of course."
He moved in closer, "So, you...like me, right."
Chris wriggled, a bit uncomfortable, "Um...yeah."
Edging closer, "Well, I just wanted to tell you...um.."
"Tell me what?"
Eric leaned his head towards Chris', "I wanted to tell you I really like
you too."
Eric moved in to kiss Chris on the lips, but Chris backed away at the
very last second, in complete disgust,
"Oh, sick!  What the hell are you trying to do to me?!"
Eric straightened up at once, "What?  Oh, nothing.  I was just messing
around!  God, right...I really just had to kiss you Chris.  Come on,
don't make me crack."
Chris wasn't buying it, "No, you were!  You were gonna kiss me!  You're
just a fag!  A sick queer!  Dude, get away from me!"
Chris grabbed his bag and ran out.  Eric was devastated and cried all the
way back to his house.  After that night, Chris hardly ever talked or
even trained with Eric.  Whenever they did train, it seemed angrier, more
violent.  Chris, in actuality, now hated Eric.  He wanted nothing to do
with him.  Things started getting very serious.  There training soon
continued out on the streets.  That's where Eric's dream came in. That's
where his pride was damaged forever.  That was the night he'll never
forget.  That's the night, while screaming in pain in the hospital, that
he admitted to himself, and his family that he was gay.  They were
feelings he finally embraced and accepted.  This was Eric's first step
toward the greatest love of his life...

Coincidentally, one the same night, of the same year, another young man
came out to his family about 600 miles away.  This man was a bit older
than Eric, but just as scared.  He had just been accepted in his new
music group and they were getting ready to record their songs in Europe.
 He was filled with much doubt, but his family took it pretty well,
"Josh, I think I'm gonna be sick."
"Oh, Mom, please.  Let's not blow this out of proportion!"  He pleaded.
 Josh's brother was in the other room trying to calm his father down.
 They didn't seem to like this new "thing" their son was going through.
"I'm sorry, Josh...but...this is really strange.  I mean, you've had
girlfriends before, right?  Why not just stick with it-like this singing
thing.  It seems to be working for you, why not girls too?  Have you
tried NOT being gay?  It could work."
Josh was getting pretty upset.  He knew it wouldn't be easy, but he had
hoped for a little more productive attitudes, "I'm gay, Mom.  Accept it.
 Cope with it.  I am-I have.  Girls just ain't working for me anymore.  I
don't like girls, I like guys!  That's just the way it's going to be.
 Look, I wanted to let you know before I go to Europe, but I don't need
your approval.  It is the way it is.  I don't plan on changing anytime
soon.  Look, I know this is like a hit and run, but I gotta go.  I have
to pack and meet the guys tonight."
His mother sighed in defeat, "Okay.  Okay, Josh.  I understand.  You go
and pack and your father and I will talk.  Maybe we can have a quick chat
before you leave."
Josh smiled, "Okay, I think I'd like that."
Josh ran upstairs and began packing his things together.  He glanced down
at the tags that were made for his luggage.
"JC....JC Chasez.  It's been awhile.  I guess it still has a nice ring to
it."
He chuckled to himself and his former Mickey Mouse Club persona.  He had
packed the rest of the belongings he was taking and went downstairs to a
more focused and supportive pair of parents.  They parted on loving terms
and Josh went off to join the rest of the members of Nsync.  This was
Josh's first step toward the greatest love of his life....


Back in the present, Eric sighed and instinctively felt his knee.  It had
stopped hurting years ago, but the damage was still there.  He turned to
look at his clock.  It read 9 am.  It wasn't all that early.  His gaze
shifted slightly from the clock to the form on the bed.  Eric again
sighed, but it was a calmer sigh.  Michael was the cause of this sigh.
 He was Eric's first serious boyfriend since he came out.  Eric felt so
happy with this man, this Michael.  It was the first time Eric felt
completely secure and, possibly, in love.  Eric must've loved Michael
enough, just to move from Michigan to Florida.  The two lived quite
happily in their apartment together.  One last glance and Eric got
dressed and grabbed his backpack.  He walked over to Michael and kissed
his cheek ever so gently, causing him to wake up.
"Hmm..nice.  You going to the gym?"
"Yeah, baby.  I'll be back in a few hours."
"Don't worry, Eric.  Take your time.  I'll be here."
"Okay.  Love you."
"Love you too."  Michael turned over and went right back to sleep.
Eric walked as quietly out the door and the apartment as he could.  After
getting out of the building, he jogged the half a mile to the
recreational center, where he did his daily workout.  When he walked into
the center, the familiar faces and voices that he has seen for the past
few months greeted him.  Some were employees, but were mostly others who
were there working out in the morning.  Eric walked into the martial arts
studio.  He was almost certain that there would be someone in there he
could either stretch with, or, possibly spar with.  Unfortunately, he was
the only one in there.  He decided to do some stretches by himself.  He
went through all of the basic flexibility exercises and calisthenics.  He
even did focusing and meditation exercises.  He was in the middle of his
last meditation cycle when someone entered.  Eric's back was turned, but
could hear the excitement in the young man's voice.
"Hey, how ya doin?"
Eric's back was still turned, "Good.  Really relaxed.  I was waiting for
someone for quite awhile.  Glad you showed up. I was about to leave."
The stranger smiled, "I'm glad too!  I've been dying for some good
training."
"Then, my friend, you've certainly come to the right place."
"Excellent!  I'm Josh."
Eric stood up and turned around, "Hi, Josh.  I'm Eric.  Nice
to...to..uh...meet you."
Eric was stunned.  He was speechless.  He couldn't believe who was
standing in front of him.  Never would he have guessed he'd ever have the
chance to be up close, let alone meet this gorgeous man!

To be continued................

So, what did you think?  Any comments or constructive suggestions and
ideas, send to crunksaywhat@aol.com