Date: Mon, 15 May 2000 22:15:20 EDT
From: BrwyMilo@aol.com
Subject: "Nick and Justin" part 38
Alright, I know it's been close to two months, but hey, I've been really
busy. Lots of changes. So, I apologize for this being so late, but I hope
you all understand. This section will hopefully answer all of the questions
I've been getting. If you want to say anything, ask anything or just drop me
a line, you can do so by sending an email to Mike at BrwyMilo@aol.com. I
love mail, so keep it coming.
This isn't meant to imply anything about the sexuality or beliefs of
anyone involved. It's fiction!!!!!!!
There are a few stories I've read recently that I think are really
excellent. Of course, there's JM's Just Beginning, which is probably one of
my favorites. Also, Brian and Me and for something totally different,
Justin's Dark Angel. Just a few of the great stories I've read recently.
There are more. Everyone, try to get some reading in. =)
And on with the story...
*****
The room was totally dark. It was only four in the morning, and freezing
outside. If one was to look out the window, there wouldn't be a single
person in sight. It seemed to be a totally deserted metropolous, cloaked
only in night and wind. Not a soul in sight.
Within the walls of the hotel room, lay two bodies, one wrapped tightly
around the other. The breathing was slow and rhythmic, as were the
heartbeats. Something which seemed a bit strange after the events of that
same night. Justin lay softly in the bed, curled up slightly. Nick's body
fit the contour of Justin's perfectly, his arms wrapped securely around
Justin's small waist. They breathed in precise rhythm with each other. But
there were no smiles on their faces. Nick's brow was crinkled with concern.
Slowly, Justin began to stir. It wasn't a bad dream that woke Justin.
It wasn't anything at all really. One minute he was fast asleep, the next he
slowly began to squirm. His eyes fluttered open and his breathing stopped
for a moment. He stared into the darkness, able to see nothing. He inhaled
deeply, holding the air in his lungs for a second before exhaling. His eyes
slowly adjusted to the dark and he was able to see the outline of a few
sparce pieces of furniture. The hotel room was smaller than the ones they
were used to; a local holiday inn had been the only place where they could
get enough rooms at three o'clock in the morning. Justin had not intended on
staying where he was after what happened.
Justin slowly untangled himself from Nick and sat up, rubbing his eyes
gently. He turned his head and saw that Nick was now hugging a pillow where
his body had just been. "I didn't know I could be replaced so easily,"
Justin laughed to himself lightly before standing up and walking over towards
the bathroom. He moved slowly, dragging his feet so as not to stub his toe
on anything. He stared down to where the floor would be...that is if he
could actually see it.
He made it to the bathroom and turned on the light, closing his eyes
instantly against the harsh glare. He groaned and slowly began to open his
eyes, letting small amounts of light in at a time. He turned on the water in
the sink and slowly began to splash his face. The water was freezing at
first. He shuddered a bit and waited for it to warm up. His hands remained
in the sink until the temperature was right before again subjecting his face
to it. He pulled his head up quickly and looked at his reflection in the
mirror.
"Couldn't sleep," Nick said from behind him.
"You're trying to give me a heart attack, aren't you," Justin blurted out
quickly, one hand flying to his chest.
"I didn't mean to. I woke up, and I was holding a pillow instead of
you," Nick smiled. "I prefer you."
Justin smiled slightly. "You better," he said with a grin.
"So why are you up anyway? You didn't have a dream did you," Nick asked.
He snaked his arms around Justin's waist and put his head on his shoulder,
looking at Justin and him in the mirror.
"No, no dream," Justin replied. "Just woke up. I don't know why. It's
ok. I'm fine I guess."
"Are you sure," Nick asked lowly. "You wanna talk?"
"No," Justin replied with a smile. "Honestly, I just want to go back to
bed. I don't know why I got up."
"OK," Nick replied. He turned Justin around and looked into his eyes.
"I love you," he whipsered.
"I love you too," Justin whispered back. He saw Nick lean forward
slightly and shut his eyes, waiting for the jolt between them. He could feel
Nick's lips brush against his. He moaned lightly and allowed Nick's tongue
to enter his mouth. He tilted his head further back and breathed harder,
pushing his body closer to Nick's, his arms wrapped securely around his
lover. A moment later and Nick pulled back.
"Let's get back to bed," he said with a smile. He led Justin out of the
bathroom by the hand.
*****
"I agree we need to talk," AJ said lowly as he let Britney into his room.
She entered slowly, walking through the room and sitting at the table by the
window. AJ watched her as she walked before turning and closing the door.
He sat at the edge of the bed closest to Britney's chair and placed his hands
in his lap.
"AJ, how long has it been since we talked? Like, really talked," Britney
asked.
"You really haven't wanted to talk to me for a while now," he replied.
"Ever since that morning with Christina, you've given me the cold shoulder.
"Well, yea, I guess you're right about that. But will you at least agree
that that looked a little odd? Especially when I heard it from Christina's
mouth and not your's."
AJ inhaled loudly and tensed. "Fine. It looked a little odd. Will you
agree that you should have listened to me before flying off the deep end?"
"I did not fly off the deep end," she said, her voice rising slightly.
"Alright, fine," AJ replied sarcastically.
"But I guess I did get a little angry. I shouldn't have jumped at you
like that, and I shouldn't have ignored you for so long."
AJ looked at her shocked for a moment. "Wow."
"What," Britney laughed. "I can admit it when I'm wrong!"
"Yea, I've heard...but I've never actually seen it," AJ replied with a
smirk which got him a quick smack on the arm. "So does this mean we can go
back to normal," AJ asked hopefully.
"Well, something along those lines," Britney said with a smile. "I think
I'd kind of like to start over again. We're still dating and all, but I
don't think our relationship started the right way." She looked carefully at
AJ's face. "Well, what do you say?"
"I think I can do that," AJ said with a light laugh. "I definitely think
I can do that."
"Good," Britney said with a wide smile. "I guess I should get to bed
though. Another long day tomorrow."
She stood and walked over to the door, AJ hot in pursuit. "So, I'll meet
you for breakfast in the morning," AJ asked, leaning in close to Britney.
"Yep, I'll be there bright and early," she replied happily, moving to
exit the room.
"Wait, don't I get a goodnight kiss," AJ said, pouting playfully.
"Oh...no, you don't," Britney replied seriously.
"What?"
"I said I wanted to start over...as in a first date type of thing. And I
don't kiss on the first date." She turned and walked out the door, closing
it slightly behind her. She paused momentarily and stuck her head back
inside. "What kind of girl do you take me for?" With a laugh, she was gone.
*****
"We're not getting this album finished today," Lance said flatly, resting
his head on Devon's shoulder as they rode to the studio.
"Well you're right, now you probably won't," he laughed as he poked Lance
in the stomach playfully.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean," Lance laughed.
"For the responsible one of the group you sure decided to sleep late this
morning."
"I was sleepy. Someone tired me out last night," Lance said, kissing
Devon lightly on the cheek.
"Who was it? I'll go kick his ass for you," Devon replied, looking
around the limo they were in.
"I'll point him out to you later."
"Sounds inviting," Devon replied lowly, bringing his mouth slowly to
Lance's.
"It was nice of the guys to go on ahead of us though, wasn't it," Lance
said, withdrawing quickly before Devon could get his lips on Lance's. "I
would've thrown one of them into a freezing shower."
"I think they realized it was a lost cause when you called Joey mommy and
said you'd be ready for school in just a minute."
"Shut up!" Lance brought his hands around to Devon's sides and started
tickling him. Devon quickly retaliated, throwing Lance back on the back seat
of the limosine. They carried on like this for a minute before they finally
fell on top of each other, out of breath.
"Lance," Devon asked playfully, his mouth so close to his lover's ear
that Lance could feel his breath tickling his ear lobe.
"What do you want," Lance laughed back.
"Have you ever had sex in a limo before," Devon asked quietly.
Lance began to laugh loudly. He then stopped and cocked his head to one
side. "Well let me think." He brought his hand to his head and smiled.
"Um, no I can't say that I have."
"Neither have I," Devon said. "But I hear it's something you have to do
once before you die."
"Yea, definitely," Lance replied. "At least once...you know, just for
the sake of trying."
"Yea," Devon whispered, bringing his lips to Lance's neck and kissing
lightly. He started low, near the collarbone and slowly work his way up,
running his tongue lightly over the entire length.
"Please don't stop that," Lance panted out, a grin painted across his
face. Devon smiled and worked his way up to Lance ear lobe, sucking on it
lightly and nibbling the end of it. He worked his way and slowly stuck his
tongue into Lance ear. Lance inhaled hard and began to moan lowly. He
slowly worked his hands around to Devon's back and began to feel the cloth of
the thin shirt he was wearing.
"Aren't you hot in this," Lance panted out.
"Burning," Devon said as he hurridly removed his shirt, moving his hands
back to Lance. "You?"
"Just get it off," Lance laughed as he lifted his arms. Devon was all to
happy to oblige. He began to kiss his way down Lance's chest, finally
stopping at his belly button. He lifted his head up and slowly began to draw
a circle around it with his finger.
"You know, your belly button is really cute," Devon sighed.
"It is," Lance asked, crunching up to take a look at it. "Hm...maybe. I
don't know if I've ever heard of a cute belly button...but alright."
"It is," Devon replied, kissing it gently. He crawled back up Lance's
body and began to kiss his lips softly. "I love you," He said between
breaths.
"I love you too," Lance moaned, his eyes closed.
Lance lifted his head a bit, and pulled Devon tight into his body,
bringing his crotch up to meet Devon's. He put one hand behind Devon's neck,
crushing their lips together. Devon's hands began to slip downward towards
Lance's pants, unbottoning the buttons of his fly.
"Do we have time for this," Lance asked as he tried to look out the
window and see how far they were from the rented studio.
"Oh why not," Devon asked with a smile. He pulled down Lance's pants
carefully, bringing them down to his knees. He glanced quickly at the boxers
Lance was wearing before pulling them down a bit too. "Can't have you
getting too hot," he smiled.
"The ac is on, ya know," Lance smiled.
"Sh...lemme pretend," Devon laughed. He looked at Lance seductively as
he lowered his head to Lance penis, licking from base to tip very slowly.
Lance breathed deeply, allowing the pleasure to overcome him. Devon began to
lower himself further down Lance's penis. Soon he had all of Lance down his
throat and was licking his way up the shaft. When he reached the head he
began to lower himself again, running his tongue all the way back down.
Lance moaned loudly, then caught himself, trying not to get the drivers
attention.
"It's ok, with the glass up he can't hear anything." Devon lowered
himself once again, down on Lance. He could hear Lance's quick breathing and
smiled inwardly.
"Don't stop," Lance panted out.
Devon began to bob faster and faster, taking in all of Lance's member
into his mouth. He could feel Lance's body grow tenser as the orgasm
approached. He bobbed faster and faster, barely noticing the limo slowing
down. Lance's moaning grew louder as he began to thrust his hips up and
down. He breathing grew heavier and heavier until finally he let out a brief
yell...
Just as the limo came to a stop.
"Did this limo just stop," Lance asked, suddenly quite aware of his
surroundings.
"Um...I think so," Devon replied nervously. He hopped up quickly, trying
to help Lance with his clothes while putting his own shirt on at the same
time. "Move to that side of the limo and pretend to be asleep," he said
quickly. He grabbed a magazine and started reading. Lance scooted across
the limo as fast as he could. He now had his pants on, but his shirt was a
different story. He was just pulling it over his head as he heard the door
being pulled open.
"Shit," he muttered as he shut his eyes and pretended to be asleep.
"Sir, we've..." the voice of the limo driver said.
"I'll wake him up," Devon replied as he put the magazine on the seat next
to him. "Next time, could you turn the air up a little more? It gets a bit
hot back here. Look at him," Devon said, indicating Lance's bare torso.
"Yes sir," the driver said, a bit flustered and nervous. He stood up
quickly and walked back to the front of the limo.
"That was a bit close," Devon said as he watched Lance get up and put his
shirt back on.
"But definitely worth it," Lance replied with a grin.
********
"You doing alright Curly," JC asked as he sat down next to Justin. They
were in the hallway just outside one of the recording studios where the
Backstreet Boys were recording their last song for the album they were doing
with N'Sync, Britney and Christina.
"Yea I'm fine," Justin replied, offering a weak smile. "Still a bit out
of it, but alright I guess." He kneeled quickly and looked into the window
of the studio watching as the guys went over the music. "I don't even know
what song they're doing."
"That's ok," JC replied, glancing quickly into the room. "I don't think
Brian does either," he said, noting the puzzled expression on his boyfriend's
face. He tried to read Justin's expression, but like it had been so much
recently, it was blank. "Can I get you to eat something?"
"Probably not," Justin replied with a smile. "But I will go with you to
get something."
"Then get up boy," JC laughed, pulling Justin to his feet and heading off
to the food area.
"Were you able to sleep last night," JC asked, trying to kill the silence
as they walked.
"Yea, I guess. I woke up a few times, but I guess I slept better than
expected." He glanced over his shoulder and saw two large men walking about
ten feet behind them. He shrugged and turned his attention back to JC.
"Are you alright," JC asked quietly, almost afraid to ask. "It's just
that I really didn't get a chance to talk to you afterwards and it must've
been really hard."
"You know something," Justin said with a laugh. "I'm so sick of all this
shit, that I don't even care anymore. I just wish he would've died in the
hospital."
"I think we all wish that," JC said with a smile. "I mean, we're almost
done with this leg of the concert. I just want to be able to relax and get
things back to normal."
"We never had normal, JC," Justin said quietly. "I mean, there's the gay
thing, the pop star thing, the relationship thing. When were our lives ever
normal?"
"Ok, good point," JC replied with a smile. "How about I want life to go
back to normal for us? You know, no psycho killers?"
"Yea," Justin laughed. "That would be nice." He looked again over his
shoulder and saw the men still behind him, the exact distance away as they
had been before. "There something I should know, JC?"
"Huh? Like what?"
"Like why are two guys following us? Are we just looking especially fine
today or should I be getting worried?"
JC took a quick glance over his shoulder and laughed. "Those are
our...bodyguards?"
"I don't recognize them," Justin said, turning around to stare at them
openly.
"They're new. The label hired them when they heard of what happened last
night. I'm surprised you only noticed them now. They've been around all
day."
"I've had other things on my mind," Justin said.
"Yea, I can imagine," JC replied, steering Justin off towards a long
table set up with all types of food. "Ya know, the food at these recordings
are set up to kill our careers."
"What," Justin laughed out.
"Well think about it," JC said. "Yea, they've got some healthy stuff
here, but for the most part all this food is set up here to get us fat."
"You know what," Justin replied. "I think you're right. This is like
Hanzel and Gretle...they're trying to fatten us up for dinner or something."
"My god your right," JC replied.
The two of them quickly filled two plates with food and carried it over
to one of the tables that was set up.
"Can I steal a fry," a voice behind Justin said quickly, placing their
hands on his shoulders.
"Do I have a choice," Justin laughed as he saw Nick's hand reach around
and grab some fries.
"Not if you love me," Nick replied.
"And why aren't you recording right now," JC asked. "If they're making
Brian slave away, you should be too."
"He's a little jealous," Justin replied with a laugh.
"Actually JC, they split us into groups. I just happen to be in my own,"
Nick replied. "Besides, I don't sing too much in this song. I already got a
solo on the album. This one's gonna have more of the other guys in. I just
have to record a couple harmony lines."
"So grab a plate and join us Blondie," JC said as he scooted over.
"I think I'll just mooch off of Justin," Nick said with a smile.
"That's what you think," Justin said. "This boy's hungry. Well, not
really. But I think JC might hurt me if I don't eat."
Nick quickly stole a chicken finger and jumped up before Justin could hit
him. "Alright, I'll go get another plate." Justin watched him go before
turning back to JC.
"See, I've got the cute Backstreet Boy."
"Keep dreaming," JC laughed back.
Nick was back a moment later with his plate piled high with food. "He
eats that much for a while and he'll be the fat Backstreet Boy," JC said,
elbowing Justin.
"Hey, it's all muscle," Nick replied with laugh.
"I'm out of this one," Justin laughed, pushing his chair back a bit.
"Well that will cost you another french fry," Nick said, grabbing another
fry.
"Hey," Justin yelled trying to snatch it back. Nick quickly put it in
his mouth and swallowed, almost choking. "See, that's what you get for
stealing my food."
"Well what if I told you I was making up for it tonight," Nick said.
"What do you mean," Justin asked.
"Well, I have a little surprise planned. A big surprise actually," Nick
said with a coy grin.
"What is it," Justin asked suspiciously.
"I can't tell you," Nick laughed. "It's a surprise!"
"What if I promise not to tell myself," Justin asked playfully.
"I'd call you a liar," Nick smiled. He looked around quickly, checking
to see if anyone else was in the room besides the three of them and the
bodyguards. Satisfied that they were secluded enough, he gave Justin a
quick, but tender kiss on the lips. "You'll see later sweety."
"Alright," Justin melted.
"That doesn't mean you can't tell me," JC said with a smile. "I'm great
with secrets."
"Nope, only Brian and Kevin know," Nick said.
"My boyfriend knows and he didn't tell me," JC said, a bit too loudly.
He quickly put his hand to his mouth and looked around. He laughed slightly
and looked down at his plate. "I'll talk to him later."
*****
"No you can't open your eyes yet," Nick laughed as he led Justin back to
their hotel room.
"Aw come on," Justin said with a pout. "I can't see anything!"
"That's the point," Nick said very close to his ear, kissing it gently.
"Well, maybe if you keep doing that I won't mind so much."
"Shut up hornball," Nick laughed. "This is gonna be sweet."
"Alright, I'll be good," Justin resigned.
Nick slid the key into the lock, keeping his hand over Justin's eyes. He
led Justin into the dark hotel room and closed the door behind them.
"Ok, open up," he said with a grin.
Justin opened his eyes quickly and blinked a few times. "Nick, this
is...wow." He continued to look around the room and saw...
Absolutely nothing different. The beds were made, the room was clean and
the tv was off. Everything looked as it should be. "This is too much..." he
added.
"Really," Nick replied, giggling softly behind Justin. "You really like
it?"
"Nick, I love it," Justin replied, confused as hell.
"Then wait til you see the roof, cause that's where the real surprise
is," Nick said, jumping quickly away before Justin could smack him.
"Thank god," Justin laughed. "Cause I had no idea what the surprise was
here."
"I was just playing with you," Nick said. "Oh yea, and I had to do
this." He brought his lips to Justin's and began kissing him softly. A few
short ones at first before finally locking on to him and opening his mouth
gently with his tongue. Justin leaned back a bit, allowing Nick to do as he
pleased. He brought his arms around to Nick's back and placed them on his
ass, pushing them together further.
"Don't get too excited yet," Nick replied, pulling away. "Wait til you
see what's up there."
The two boys quickly headed up towards the roof. Nick had gotten
permission form the owner of the hotel early that morning. He had made a
major decision, and he planned to act on it tonight. But it had to be
perfect.
"This is a lot of stairs," Justin said with a smile. "You wanna carry
me?"
"Only if you'll carry me down," Nick laughed.
"Nah, I'd probably drop you. Then where would I be?"
"Hopefully visiting me at some nice hospital so we can get a break," Nick
smiled.
"Hm...," Justin thought.
"Don't get ideas Curly. I'm not a fan of pain," Nick replied. "And
anyway, here we are."
Nick opened the door to the roof using the key the manager had given him
earlier. He held the door open for Justin and waited for his reaction.
Which was a loud gasp.
"Oh my god."
*****
"So, do you know what Nick has planned for Justin or not," JC asked as he
and Brian walked into their hotel room. It was 8:30 and already very dark
out. Brian clicked on a lamp as he passed it and plopped down on the bed.
"Alright, yes, I do know," he said with a grin. "But I told Nick I
wouldn't tell anyone."
"Did you swear," JC asked with a grin as he sat down on top of Brian.
"No," Brian laughed as JC began to squirm on top of him. "I didn't."
"Then you can tell me," JC said with a smile.
"JC, I told him I wouldn't," Brian whined.
"Fine, fine," JC replied. "Give me a hint then."
Brian looked up at JC's pleading face and sighed. "Alright, fine. I'll
give you a little hint. "Nick and I stopped at a jewelry store the other
day. You know so he could buy something."
"What kind of something? A necklace?"
"No," Brian replied. "Something a lot smaller...and a lot more
meaningful."
*****
"Oh my god," Justin replied again. "Nick..."
The whole roof was lit up with torches. In the center was a single table
with two chairs. Flowers were spread everywhere Justin could see. It looked
like a scene out of paradise, missing only a waterfall. On the table sat a
bottle of champagne and a dozen roses. Two candles burned in the center.
"This is amazing," Justin said, still awestruck.
"So you like it," Nick asked, almost nervously as he placed his hands on
Justin hips from behind.
"Nick, this is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."
Nick smile couldn't get wider as he walked in front of Justin and pulled
out his chair. "In that case, dinner is served. I hope you're hungry."
"Well, someone kept stealing my fries before!"
"Hey, at least now you know I had a good reason," Nick laughed.
He walked to behind a small pillar and wheeled a cart out. It was
covered with a silver dome. Justin laughed when he saw Nick approaching.
"You know, if the Backstreet Boys ever break up, you'd make a cute waiter."
Nick laughed slightly and stopped the cart in front of the table, lifting
the dome as steam escaped.
"Chinese food," Justin laughed.
"Yep," Nick replied with a smile. "Remember the first night we...ya
know."
Justin's eyes opened wide as he blushed. "And we ate chinese food right
before." Justin gave Nick a funny look as a smiled. "So THAT's what you
have planned for tonight.
"Maybe later," Nick replied. "If you're good," he added with a laugh.
"Now eat! As you're mom would say," Nick said with a grin. "You're too
thin!"
*****
Dinner proceeded without a hitch. Justin laughed all the way through,
his mind never once going to Robert or the events that had occurred in the
last few days. Nick saw how happy Justin looked and couldn't stop smiling.
It was as if Robert had never happened.
"OK, so I guess I should tell you the reason for all this," Nick said
nervously. He looked up and saw Justin with a confused face. "It's not only
because I love you."
"I love you too," he said with a smile.
"OK, I guess the easiest way to do this is just spit it out," Nick said
as he reached towards his pocket, slowly. "Justin, I've loved you since the
moment I saw you. You're the most wonderful, caring, special person I've
ever met. Every day I get to wake up with you, I wake up with a smile
because I know I have you. I guess what I'm getting at is..." He reached
his pocket and stopped suddenly. He looked up and patted his other pocket.
"Shit."
"Shit," Justin laughed. "What you're getting at is shit?"
"No," Nick laughed suddenly. "That's definitely not what I was getting
at. Um, I need to run downstairs a sec."
Justin stared at him as he got up to leave. "Hurry back," Justin said
with a smile as he turned and watched Nick run. As soon as Nick had reached
the door and closed it behind him Justin jumped up and started laughing. He
spun around widely, almost knocking over one of the torches.
"I think's he's gonna propose," he said aloud. He continued to beam even
as he felt his stomach churn. He had never been proposed to before. He
stood and looked at the edge of the roof a moment. He walked over slowly and
looked over the edge. Everything seemed so small down below. He turned
around and inhaled deeply. "If he proposes, I'm going to say yes," he said
quickly. As soon as he said it, he smiled wide. "I'm going to say
yes...yes...yes..." he repeated the last word over and over, liking the way
it sounded more and more. "Yes..."
*****
"Oh my god, how stupid am I," Nick scolded himself as he opened the door
to his room. He ran over to the nightstand and opened the drawer, looking
inside. "Where the hell did I put it," he asked, suddenly very nervous.
He ran around the room nervously, finally stopping at the duffel bag
he had carried with him to the studio that day. He opened a small zipper and
quickly pulled out the small velvet box. He sighed loudly and laughed to
himself. "Thank god," he said. He slipped the box into his front pocket and
laughed lightly.
He didn't see the person behind him. Nor did he hear him as he
approached.
Nick stood up quickly and turned around, intending to head towards the
door.
"Oh my god," he got out as he saw the man in front of him...
Right before everything got dark.
*****
"What the hell is taking him so long," Justin giggled nervously as he
paced around. He glanced occasionally at the door to the roof, sighing each
time as he saw it was still closed.
Justin walked over to the edge of the roof and smiled as he looked down
at the view. "God, its all so beautiful," he said with a smile.
"It is, isn't it," a voice behind him said.
Justin didn't move, and made no sound. It was almost as if his heart
stopped beating in his chest. He could here the footsteps of someone
approaching him. "Nick," he asked shakily.
"Wrong guess," the voice said.
Justin did not move. He felt his heart pounding hard in his chest as he
continued to stare out across the roof.
"You didn't really think it would be that easy did you," the voice said.
"I was hoping it would be," Justin whispered hoarsely.
"Things are never as easy as you hope," Robert said, spinning Justin
around quickly. Justin gasped as he saw Robert again. "You look nervous."
"Why shouldn't I," Justin asked. "After what you tried last night."
"I didn't do anything you didn't want me to," Robert said with a grin.
"You obviously don't know me very well," Justin said spitefully.
"Strong words," Robert said with a smile. "But I like it better when
you're quiet," he said as he removed a knife from his pocket.
*****
Brian whistled down the hallway as he headed towards the soda machine.
JC was waiting back in their room, watching an mtv special on their tour. He
had decided he couldn't tear himself away from the screen long enough to get
his own soda, so he sent Brian instead.
As Brian walked down the hall, he noticed the door to Nick's room was
left slightly open. "Oh my god," he said aloud, as his thoughts flew to
Nick's plans for that evening. "Shit, what did he say?" He gave a brief
laugh as he slowly walked into the room, hoping not to interrupt anything.
He peered at the bed and was thankful to see no one on it. He smiled widely
as he continued to look around the room. "Hey Nick, are you in here? Did
you do it?"
There was no answer. "He can't still be up there," he said to himself.
"Why would his door be open?"
Brian shrugged his shoulders and began to walk out of the room when
something cuaght his attention. "What the..." He walked slowly around the
other side of the bed and saw an arm laying limp on the floor. "Oh my god."
He ran around to where Nick lay motionless on the floor, noticing a small
pool of blood on the floor. "Don't be dead. Please don't be dead," he cried
as turned Nick onto his back. His hand fell instantly to Nick's chest,
feeling around for a heartbeat.
There was none.
"You can't be dead," Brian yelled. He didn't see as Lance, Kevin, JC,
and Devon rushed into the room amid his screams.
"What the hell is going on in here," Kevin asked. He looked over to
where Brian was crouched and opened his eyes wide.
"Kevin, check for a pulse," Brian pleaded as he smoothed out Nick's hair.
"Oh my god," Kevin muttered as he fell down to where Brian was. His
hands moved quickly from Nick's neck to his wrist. "There's a pulse," Kevin
said, breathing hard. He brought his head down to Nick's chest. "He's
breathing fine."
"What happened," JC asked as he walked over to where Brian was. He
kneeled down behind him and wrapped his arms around Brian's shoulders.
"I have no idea," Brian said. "I was walking down the hall, I saw the
door open so I wanted to see if Nick had..." He caught himself before he
said anything he shouldn't. "I wanted to see if Nick was up to anything.
This is how I found him."
Nick began to stir in Kevin's arms. Brian knelt down into Nick's face
and kissed his cheek lightly. "Come on, wake up Nicky."
"Guys, where's Justin," Devon asked suddenly. "Why isn't he here?"
"Brian..." JC said lowly.
"He might be on the roof," Brian said.
Nick's eyes blinked open slowly. "What..."
"Just stay still," Kevin said as he placed his hand on Nick's shoulders.
For the first time he noticed the blood on the floor. "Shit, Lance get a
towel quick."
"Where's Justin," Nick asked groggily. "And what happened?"
"I came in here to see what was up and I found you on the floor with this
nasty bump on your head," Brian said as he took the towel from Lance and
placed it on the back of Nick's head.
"Wait, Justin's on the roof," Nick said, popping up quickly. His hand
flew to his head instantly as the first wave of dizziness hit him.
"Nick, just lay down. We'll go get him," Kevin said as he went to stand
up.
"No, I'm coming," Nick said, as he slowly made it to his feet.
"You need to lay down," Kevin said. "And you're going to the hospital as
soon as we find Justin."
"Cut the fatherly stuff Kevin," Nick yelled, ignoring the seering pain in
his head. "Something's definitely wrong."
*****
"So, the way I see it, everything you were feeding me last night was a
lie," Robert said, holding the knife against Justin's throat. "Am I right?"
Justin remained silent, feeling the pressure of the cold metal against
his skin. He could hear his heart beating in his chest and his eyes remained
locked tight.
"It was all a line," Robert repeated. "But that's alright. I think I
know what I have to do now."
"Robert, don't do this," Justin said quickly. "It's not worth it. You
can get help."
"Get help," Robert said angrily, facing Justin. "I don't need to get any
help.
"Robert, this isn't right," Justin pleaded. "Look at this. Are you
going to kill me? Is that what this is? Are you going to kill Nick?"
"Nick's already been taken care of," Robert replied quickly.
"What do you mean," Justin asked quickly, not even letting Robert finish
the sentence. "What do you mean he's already been taking care of?"
"I met him down in your room," Robert said with a smile. "I don't think
anyone's gonna need to worry about him again."
"You...killed him," Justin asked as the tears began to fill his eyes.
It was almost as if his heart had stopped.
"You should've just come with me," Robert said. "Then Nick wouldn't have
been hurt, and everything would be fine."
"You killed him," Justin yelled as he pushed Robert away from him.
Robert went staggering towards the side of the roof, dropping the knife that
he had been clutching. "He was the only person I've ever loved. You think
I'd ever love you? You're a freak of nature. You're a monster. I wouldn't
love you or even touch you if we were the last people on earth," he screamed.
He approached Robert angrily, finding courage somewhere. All of a sudden
there was no fear in him. He saw as Robert leaned against the side of the
roof for support. He bent down and picked up the knife on the floor. "Would
anyone miss you if you were dead Robert? I don't think so. Snakes like you
don't have families."
"Justin," someone cried from behind. Justin spun around quickly,
recognizing the voice instantly.
"What," he cried. By the door stood Nick, leaning against Kevin for
support. Brian and JC stood right behind them, along with Lance and Devon.
"You're alive," Justin cried as he took a step forward.
"Stop," Robert yelled as he grabbed Justin's arm and jerked him back.
Justin screamed in pain as he felt a shot of pain course through his arm. He
was pulled into Robert and felt something against his temple.
"No one move," Robert said nervously.
"What's going on," Lance asked as he tried to look past Kevin, but found
it impossible. Devon placed his hand on Lance's and gripped it tight.
"Don't look right now," Devon said. He watched as Robert placed the gun
against Justin's head and pulled him closer to the edge of the roof.
"I'm so tired of all this crap," Robert screamed. "Justin doesn't love
me. He loves Nick. That's fine. It doesn't mean I'm going to let him go
though." Robert looked at each one in the group nervously. "Things didn't
have to happen like this. I love Justin. I really do. I don't want to kill
him. But I won't stand the thought of him with another man." He pulled
Justin's head back more as Justin lost his breath. "It didn't have to be
this way."
"Robert stop," Nick cried. "You don't want to do that. You love Justin."
"And he loves you," Robert cried. "He said he'll never love me. He
won't...I finally realize that. But I can't live with that." He paused and
looked Nick steadily in the face. "And neither will he."
"You can't kill him," Nick said as he stepped forward. "If you kill him,
you'll never be with him."
"I'll never be with him anyway," Robert replied softly as he pulled back
the safety on the gun. "At least this way no one else will either."
"Take me," Nick said quickly. The group behind him gasped as he took
another step forward. "Just leave him. Kill me Robert. I'm the one you
hate. I'm the one you've always hated. It's my fault he doesn't love you.
If I was out of the picture, you'd have a chance."
"Nick, stop it," Justin said as he gasped for breath.
"You have no idea what you're asking for," Robert replied, lowering the
gun slightly.
"Yes I do. Cause I love Justin too," Nick said as he felt the box in his
pocket. "Just let him go."
"Goodbye Nick," Robert said as he raised the gun.
"Stop," Devon yelled as he ran forward. Robert got distracted. His arm
flew wildly to the side as the gun fired. At the same time, he felt a
stabbing pain in his side. The gun fell to the floor and he dropped. All
eyes turned to Devon who was now clutching his shoulder, blood escaping from
between his fingers. Lance was immediately at his side, tears rolling down
his cheeks.
Nick remained motionless, looking at Justin. He still had his hand on
the knife, his body over Robert's. Robert's face was twisted in an odd
contortion of pain and sadness. He stared up at Justin and cocked his head
to the side. Justin breathed hard as he stared at Robert. It was over. The
nightmare was over. Robert was human.
Nick walked slowly over to Justin. He knelt down to where Justin was and
placed his hand on his shoulder. "This wasn't exactly the surprise I had
planned."
"I know," Justin replied sadly, still looking at Robert's face. He
lifted his hand off the knife and stood up. He glanced over at Kevin who was
already on the phone with the police. "So, is this finally over?"
"I think so," Nick replied. He kissed Justin lightly on the cheek and
led him over to where Kevin was. "Are you alright?"
"I almost feel bad for him. I dont know what I'd be like if you didn't
love me. I'm just lucky," Justin said, giving Nick a weak smile.
"I'm the lucky one," Nick replied.
"Justin," Robert said quietly.
Justin spun around and gsaped at what he saw. Robert lifted the gun
slowly and steadied it, aiming it carefully, right at Nick. "You didn't
think I'd actually let you go so easily, did you," he said with pain in his
voice. He clicked the safety as Justin let out a yell and jumped in front of
Nick. But Robert wasn't shooting Nick. He bent his arm slowly and brought
the gun to his own head.
And then it was over.
*****
Nick and Justin sat together in their hotel room, Justin's head resting
lightly in Nick's lap as Nick twirled his fingers in Nick's hair. Justin's
breathing was perfectly calm and rhythmic. Everything was peaceful. Nick
stared at the wall in front of him.
It had been one day since Robert had killed himself. Justin's arm was
placed in a sling, a result of his confrontation with Robert. Nick's head
had received five stitches. Devon's shoulder was set after his being shot,
and he was no doubt being comforted by Lance right now.
Justin stirred lightly and stretched, not moving his arm much. His eyes
fluttered open as he looked into Nick's face. "Hi there," he said with a
smile.
"Hi yourself," Nick replied, grinning widely. He leaned down and kissed
Justin lightly on the lips.
Justin snuggled against Nick's leg and prepared to go back to sleep.
"Nick..."
"Yea Justin," Nick replied lightly, running his fingers through Justin's
hair.
"What were you going to say yesterday? You ran downstairs in the middle
of saying something?" Justin's eyes were already closing as sleep came back
slowly.
Nick watched as Justin's breathing slowed. His chest rose rhythmically
in time with his breathing.
"Nothing that can't wait a little while," Nick said with a smile as he
looked over at the nightstand. Inside the drawer sat the small velvet box.
"Soon though."
*****
Well, there ya go. Again, I'm sorry it took so long, but I hope everyone
forgives me. Now, I have a question. Should I keep writing this story? I
like writing it, but I guess I'll only keep updating if people are
interested. So let me know. Drop me a line at BrwyMilo@aol.com. Thanks for
reading and I hope everyone enjoyed it.