Date: Sun, 16 Jul 2000 19:39:43 -0400
From: Joshua Matthews <jm_stories@yahoo.com>
Subject: Just Together 2

Disclaimer: This story is fiction. It makes no claims to the true
personality and sexuality of anyone involved. You already know if you
shouldn't be reading this.

------------------
Just Together
by jm_stories@yahoo.com
------------------

Chapter II
Original post 17 Jul 2000
Revised 7 Feb 2002

I woke up to the feeling of Michael's hand softly rubbing along my
chest, and slowly opened my eyes. I was lying on my back and Michael had
his head propped on his hand and was watching me.

"Mornin'," I said.

"Mornin'," he said and leaned in for a quick kiss.

"This is much better than an alarm clock," I smiled.

"Yea, but you know how I like to sleep in, so I wouldn't throw it away
just yet."

"What time is it?"

"Ten."

"Let's stay in bed all day."

"Sounds good, but I need to brush my teeth. You should too. I'd also
like to eat breakfast sometime soon. And...maybe we could also
do...stuff."

"Stuff, huh? Like what stuff?" I coaxed.

"I don't know. We'll just have to see what happens. But right now I have
to go to the bathroom," he said and rolled out of bed. "Come on," he
added, pulling me out of bed.

We did our business in the bathroom, and then put on some clothes. I
made a pot of coffee and we had leftover pie for breakfast.

After breakfast I put on some music and we sat on the sofa with our
coffee. Michael sat between my legs and laid back against my chest. I
put my arms around him.

"And to think we could have been doing this much sooner if we both
weren't such chicken shits," Michael said.

"Maybe it wasn't meant to happen sooner," I offered.

"Maybe."

We sat there for a while just holding each other.

"So why did you disappear that time before Thanksgiving?" I asked.

"What brings that up?"

"I don't know. I'm just thinking about everything."

"It seems stupid now."

"So."

"Well... When I woke up with you the morning before, I started thinking
that maybe there was a chance. Then when I woke up the next morning you
left me there on the sofa. I guess I just thought that the first night
was an accident and that you really didn't want to sleep next to me. It
was like the chance had be ripped away. And then I felt guilty about
having these feelings for you and I knew I couldn't face you then, so I
had to get away. That's also kinda why I didn't talk to you at all the
month before that. I thought that if I just tried to forget you...but
that didn't work. Stupid, huh?"

"Yea."

"Hey. You're supposed to say, 'No, I would have done the same thing.'"

"I wouldn't ignore you, but I did pull back -- except I just went to my
bed and left you on the sofa. I didn't feel right sleeping with you
given the way I felt."

"How do you feel now?"

"Very good, but you'll have to check for yourself," I smiled.

Michael leaned up and turned around so he was facing me. He reached his
hands out and slowly moved them up my thighs and sides. He then leaned
in and we kissed. It was the kiss of all kisses. Really. Check the news.
It's documented history. I don't know how long it lasted, but when we
finally parted Michael was on his back and I was leaning over him.

"Wow," Michael whispered.

"Yea," I whispered back.

"Why are we whispering?"

"I don't know," I said and started another kiss. His lips...were
heaven...the soft, pouty, heavenly lips of my boyfriend... I pulled back
and just looked at him with a smile on my face -- and his face as well.
He opened his eyes to see why I wasn't kissing him.

"What?" Michael asked.

"Nothing," I smiled and we started kissing again. The kisses became more
passionate and heated and I felt Michael trying to pull my shirt off. I
pulled back and pulled him up. "Let's go to the bedroom."

We practically ran to my bedroom, and then stopped in front of the bed
at looked at each other. I suddenly became nervous, and by Michael's
hesitation, I think he was too.

"We don't have to..." Michael said.

"No, but I want to...but maybe not everything..."

"Me too. If you want to stop, just say so and I will."

"You too."

"Um...do you wanna get nekkid?" Michael said with a goofy grin.

I answered him by putting my hands on his hips and giving him a kiss as
I raised his shirt over his head. Once his shirt was off, we started
kissing again until we had to part so Michael could pull my shirt off,
and then resumed. My hands drifted down to his butt and I pulled him
closer. Michael's hands slid along my sides and I pulled back giggling.

"Ticklish, huh?" Michael grinned.

"Right there I am."

"Where? Right here?" Michael said as he started tickling me.

"Stop," I laughed as I tried to push him away, to no avail. When he
didn't stop I reached for his pants and pulled them down as I flopped
down on the bed. There he stood -- naked and sporting a not quite full
erection. I laughed at the somewhat startled expression on his face.

"Think that's funny, eh?"

"Yep!"

"How about this?" Michael said and dove to pull my pants off. After a
short struggle, he held them up in victory.

I just looked at him. God, he's so beautiful. I reached out my hand and
touched his belly. He slowly put down my pants and sat down beside me. I
was lying on my back and Michael was sitting beside me. I was taking in
the sight of this beautiful man, my boyfriend, naked in front of me.

"You're so beautiful," Michael said softly as he ran his hand along my
leg.

"You're pretty cute, yourself," I said just as softly and ran my hand
along his back.

Michael turned so he was facing me and used both hands to rub up my legs
to my chest, and then back down slowly. He seemed fascinated. It felt
great.

"I'm memorizing you," He said with soft smile.

He'd bypassed my erection each time his hands went by that area, but
kept getting closer and closer with each pass. When he finally touched
me it felt like electricity and I shuddered as he gently examined my
balls and cock. He started jacking me a little, and I knew I was getting
a little too excited. I reached up and pulled him back so he was lying
beside me. Before he could speak, I kissed him and held him down as I
moved into a kneeling position so I could 'examine' him. I knelt over
his lower legs and ran my hands up his legs. When I got to his hips, he
giggled and twisted under me.

"Ah, seems like I've found your ticklish spot," I said and continued up
to his chest. I could have taken advantage and tickled him as he had
done me, but I was concentrating too much on his body. His skin was so
soft and felt so good and hot under my hands. When I finally got to his
balls, he was breathing heavy and the tip of his erection was wet with
precum. I slowly jacked him a few times with one hand, while massaging
his balls with the other.

I let go and leaned down over him so our erections were touching.
Michael pulled me down the rest of the way and we started kissing again
as we ground into each other. His lips were so delicious and his body
was so hot. I tried to get closer to him and he was holding me tight
against him as we kissed. If we could have become one, then that may
have been close enough. I hooked my legs under his for more leverage and
we pressed a little tighter. Precum and sweat were lubricating our
desperate movements and I felt myself getting very close. I went with
the feeling and ground more vigorously. We were less kissing now and
mostly rubbing our faces against each other. Suddenly, Michael stopped
kissing and held me like a vice as his body shivered and I felt his cum
shoot between our stomachs. This totally set me off and I was only a few
seconds behind him.

When we finally came down, I pulled my head back to look into Michael's
eyes. He was smiling from ear to ear.

"What are you smiling at?" Michael joked.

"Same thing you are," I teased back and gave him a sloppy kiss.

We lay in bed on top of each other for about a half-hour, kissing,
caressing and talking about nothing in particular. Eventually we got out
of bed and took a shower. We washed all of each other this time. The
hesitations and uncertainties of our previous shower were almost gone.
It was great. Why would anyone ever choose to shower alone?

We got dressed and decided to go out for lunch. We walked to a cafˇ on
Fulton, hand in hand. I don't know if we got any stares or not -- I
wasn't paying attention. All I could think about was Michael and every
moment we had ever spent together. After lunch we walked down through
Prospect Park and then headed back.

"We should move my stuff sometime soon, but I need to get my clothes
today," Michael said as we were walking back.

"You don't have that much stuff. Let's just do it all now. We'll load up
my car and have it done in one trip."

"Great," he said and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. I felt so warm
and fuzzy that I couldn't stop smiling and gave him a quick kiss back.

It was early afternoon, so we were able to get a parking spot right in
front of his apartment. It took us about 45 minutes to get everything
loaded. He decided to just leave the bed and Goodwill dresser there. An
hour later we had everything in my apartment. Our apartment. We packed
our clothes together -- no reason not to since we wore the same size.
Michael left for the theater and I worked on clearing out space on my
bookcases for his books. I got everything put away and sat down with a
cup of coffee.

Then it hit me. We are moving way fast. Only a few days ago we were just
good friends, and now we are together and he's moved in and totally
become part of my life. We're totally entwined now. Clothes. Living
space. Books. Bodies. After waiting so long to be with someone like
that, it now happened almost instantly. It feels like I should be afraid
of how quickly we're moving, but I can't imagine doing it any other way.
It felt weird, but not wrong. I mean, we have known each other for seven
months, so it's not like we just met.

I was analyzing myself into a hole, as usual, when Matt walked in the
door.

"Hey, man," Matt said.

"Hey. You're back early."

"No. I said I'd be back on the 27th. That's today."

"Oh. Guess I just lost track of the date. So how was Xmas with the
'rents?"

"Per usual. Per usual. Bored out of my mind. What about you? How was the
shelter?"

"The shelter was depressing. I'm kinda still helping some kids there
learn how to play piano. Well, I taught them some while I was there and
then got them a bunch of books so they could learn on their own since I
won't have time to get there once classes start."

"That's cool. Nothing else? Just sit around here? That's a great snow we
got, though. I wish I was here before the plows got to it."

"Sit around here? Not exactly. You remember Michael?"

"Yea."

"We're together now," I said with a grin.

"Really? He's gay too, huh. Congratulations."

"Thanks," I smirked.

"It's about time you got some," Matt joked.

"Like you can talk," I shot back.

"Compared to you I can. This is the first boyfriend you've had since
I've known you."

"Just waiting for the right one."

"Oo. He's the right one, now, is he? Are you in looovvee?" He teased.

"I'm pretty sure. Yes."

"So what took you so long. You've known him since, like, last summer.
Right?"

"We're both a little slow. I've also been informed I'm dense when it
comes to this kinda stuff."

Matt laughed. "Yea. I'd believe that. Am I going to regret coming back
so soon?"

"Huh?"

"Are you doin' it like rabbits all over the apartment?"

"Noooo. But he has moved in...to my room."

"That's fast. Man. I go home for a week and the world changes."

"Not the world. Just my world. So how's the job hunt going?"

"Right now, horrible. No one is interviewing until after New Year's. I
do have one with id on the 2nd, though."

"You didn't expect to have a job the day after you graduated, did you?"

"Yea. Why else would I have majored in computer programming? I expected
headhunters to be calling me right and left."

"It may have something to do with graduating at an odd time, not to
mention you didn't pay the headhunters any attention when they were
calling you last year."

"Yea. Rub it in. I know. I know," Matt sighed. "So where's your man?"

"He had a performance."

"Oh, that's right. He's an actor. Is he out? I mean, do you have to be
careful about being in public?"

"I don't know. We've only been together a couple of days. I guess he's
out to some people and his parents. I don't see why it should be an
issue, though. He's straight acting, so he shouldn't get typecast in gay
roles. He's not that famous yet, so he doesn't get recognized on the
street. Besides, it's become so boring to out celebrities. It's hardly
even news anymore since those two guys in Backstreet Boys came out."

"If he does come out publicly, please don't let him do it like that.
That story dragged on forever. All summer long, every time you turned on
MTV, there they were with their boyfriends or that guy's kids. They were
bad enough when they were straight."

"Try not to watch TV so often and you won't get burned out on MTV. You
know they show everything a thousand times just to make sure every
person on the planet has seen it," I smirked.

"At least ten times."

"Well, time for me to go pick up my man," I said and grabbed my jacket.

"Hey, Jonah."

"Yea?"

"Try to stop smiling. It's eerie," Matt joked.

"Whatever," I smirked as I walked out the door.

I picked Michael up as before. He was a little more coherent than last
night, but not much. We took a shower when we got home and went straight
to bed.

***

I woke up first. We were wrapped around each other and intertwined. I
gently separated myself so I could go to the bathroom. I let Michael
sleep and went to make some coffee. Matt was up and sitting in front of
the TV with his laptop.

"Mornin'" I said as I walked to the kitchen. I put on the coffee and
stood there watching it brew. When it was done I poured two cups and
went back to my room. Michael was stretching on the bed. He sat up when
he saw me and I handed him his cup.

"Mornin'. Thanks," he said taking the cup from me.

"Mornin'," I said as I sat down beside him and gave him a quick kiss.
"So what do you want to do today?"

"I need to read through some scripts. After that it doesn't really
matter as long as we're together," he smiled.

I gave him a quick kiss for that. "What are the scripts for? You have a
movie offer?"

"A couple, actually. I need to read through the scripts to see which one
I want to do."

"That's great. Any lead roles?"

"Yea, but I don't think I'll take it. It's one of those horrible teen
movies like James has been making," he laughed.

"I saw the trailer for 'Varsity Blues,' but I never went to see it. Was
it that bad?"

"I think so. I didn't tell James that, though. The lead roles for
younger guys are usually pretty shallow. It's not very often that a good
male lead role comes along even for older guys. I'm fine with the better
characters in smaller parts, I guess."

"DiCaprio had some good ones before he started doing shit like 'Titanic'
and 'The Beach.' Since he's doing crap now, just get him to send you the
scripts he's passing up," I offered.

"I'd have to meet him first. Katie has met him and said he's a bit of a
prick, so I don't know if I even want to go there. He did have some
great roles, though. I would have loved to do 'Total Eclipse.'"

"Have you given any more thought on joining the regular cast on DC?"

"Yea, but I haven't decided yet. They want a two season contract, so I'm
stuck with the decision for two years."

"It wouldn't be all that bad. You could go to school during the year and
work DC during the summer like Michelle does. If a good film role comes
along, you could just take a semester off," I offered.

"Maybe."

"Think about it. If you got into NYU, then you'd still be here. If you
start next year and I get into grad school here, then our time in school
will be the same. If you become a big famous movie star and move to
Hollywood before I graduate, you'll be on your own for a while."

"You'd break up with me if I moved out there?"

"No, but I wouldn't move out there until after I graduated."

"It's not going to happen, then. I don't want to live in LA: too
plastic. NYC is fine for me."

"Oh, Matt brought something up yesterday that I hadn't thought about. Do
we need to be careful about being in public?"

"Just to avoid gay bashers, but not because of my career. I'm not going
to lead a gay pride parade, but I'm not going to hide it either. The
only Hollywood films that would discriminate against me for being gay
are the ones I wouldn't want to be part of anyway. I want to make a good
living doing something I love, not be famous. If I can ride that fine
line between being a well known and respected actor and being famous,
then I'll be happy. I can't really control that, though. Are you okay
with dealing with the fame game, should it happen?"

"I guess. Let's try to avoid it, though. I'd hate it if we had cameras
in our face every time we went somewhere."

"I would too. That's enough serious talk for this morning," Michael
smiled. "Let's get something to eat," he said and got out of bed.

"Hey, new roomie," Matt said as we walked through the living room.

"Hey," Michael said a little sheepishly.

"The last time I saw you you slammed the door and left."

"I was having a bad day. I don't normally do that," Michael said and
retreated to the kitchen.

"Don't feel special. He is a pain in the ass to everyone," I told
Michael as I pulled some english muffins out of the 'fridge.

"Great. How much longer is he going to be here?" Michael smirked.

"From the looks of it, quite a while. He hasn't been job hunting as hard
as he should."

"What does he do?"

"Play games on his computer."

"Computer programming," Matt corrected as he walked into the kitchen.
"Games are just an obsession."

"Then get a job as a game programmer," Michael said.

"Workin' on it," Matt said, grabbed a soda from the 'fridge and went
back to the living room.

"Now that you're living here, I guess you need to know some of the
quirks. The Mountain Dew in the 'fridge is Matt's. He freaks if one is
missing. The Diet Pepsi is Nicole's -- same thing. Everything else is
shared, but replace what you use. You and I are the only ones who drink
coffee, though. If you have something special, just put a note on it," I
explained.

"I think I'll make everyone dinner when Nicole gets back in town. When
is she getting back?"

"The 30th."

"Then let's plan on me making dinner for everyone on the 30th."

"Are you sure? Michelle will be here for New Years, as well as Nicole's
brother and his friend. Besides, don't you have a show that night?"

"Oh yea. Man, we'll be packed in here. Is there enough room?"

"More room than in your old place," I smirked. "Anyway, Rick will have
the sofa. His friend the floor. Michelle will probably sleep with us."

"I guess we'll have to behave if there's a girl in the bed."

"Maybe, or maybe we'll just wait for her to go to sleep," I smiled.

"No way. I'd freak out if she woke up and started commenting," Michael
laughed.

"Yea, okay."

We finished breakfast and then went back to the quiet of our bedroom to
read through scripts. Michael pulled ten scripts out of his pack and
threw them on the bed.

"You want to read some?" Michael asked.

"Of course. How do you want me to comment?"

"Um, if you think it totally sucks, put an 'X' on the cover and throw it
on the floor. If you think it has possibility, write what you like and
what you hate on the cover. If you love it, stop and tell me. The part
they want me to play is highlighted."

"Can do," I said, picked up the top script and sat back against the
headboard. Michael grabbed the second script and sat next to me,
grabbing my right hand with his left and holding it. I gave him a quick
kiss and we started reading.

A half-hour later I put an "X" on the cover and threw the script on the
floor. I picked up the next script and Michael smiled as he did the
same. We read until we were done at four. There were three scripts in
the "possible" pile, and then rest were in the "trash" pile.

We had a late lunch/early dinner and then Michael headed off for the
theater. While Michael was away I did laundry and played around on the
'net. I picked him up and we came home, showered, and went straight to
bed, as was our new routine.

***

The alarm went off at eight and we crawled out of bed to the shower.
What the shower didn't do to wake us up, my coffee did as we had a quick
breakfast and ran out the door to catch the train to LaGuardia to meet
Michelle.

When we arrived, Michael walked up to the first information booth,
pulled an envelope out of his pack with Michelle's name on it and asked
the attendant to page her and give her the envelope.

"What's that about?" I asked as Michael pulled me down the hall.

"Just having some fun."

We hurried to another information booth half-way across the airport and
did the same thing. And then to the one at the end and the same thing.
In all there were three information booths paging Michelle.

"What's in the envelope?"

"It just says, 'Nope. We're not at this one. Try again.'" Michael
laughed.

"She's gonna kill us for making her walk all over the airport."

"We'll just remind her that if she does, she won't have a place to
stay."

"Good thinking, but you're sleeping in the middle."

"Excuse me. Are you Michael Pitt?" A security guard asked and walked up
to us.

"Yea," Michael said and turned around.

"Please turn around and place your hands on your head," the guard said.

"Why? What have I done?"

"Now!" The guard said and physically turned him. The guard pulled his
hands down and handcuffed him.

I just stood there shocked. "Uh, what are you arresting him for?" I
asked.

The guard ignored me. "Come with me," he said guiding Michael by the
arm. I followed and we went into the security headquarters. We walked in
the door and there was Michelle with a big grin on her face.

"Thanks, Jack," she said to the security officer.

"You're welcome," Jack said as he uncuffed Michael.

"You bitch," was all Michael got out as soon as he could talk again.

All I could do was laugh.

"And you'd have me run all over the airport for you. I think not. This
was much easier," Michelle smirked.

"You're sleeping on the floor," Michael said.

"We'll see about that," Michelle shot back as she grabbed her bag. "A
little help," she prompted for her other bag.

Michael turned and walked out. I grabbed the other bag and we followed
him.

"That's wasn't all that funny," I said to Michelle as Michael walked
ahead of us. "The guard was a bit rough."

"I just asked him to find you guys. Cuffing him was totally Jack's
doing."

"It's a good thing you didn't ask him to cuff us then, or he'd have
probably beat us with his night stick." I said and grabbed the back of
Michael's shirt, pulling him back to us.

He gave Michelle a dirty look and then a grin. He fell into step next to
me.

We caught the shuttle to the station and then the train and went back to
my place as Michelle talked on and on about her finals. When we walked
into my apartment, Michelle walked straight to my bedroom and dropped
her bags.

"You're being awfully presumptuous, don't you think?" I asked.

"Well I'm not sleeping on the sofa with that freaky roommate of yours
leering at me all the time."

"He wouldn't do anything."

"Probably. But he still makes me uncomfortable. What could be safer than
sleeping with two gay guys?"

"Just don't get between us," Michael said.

"Thanks for the warning. So did you guys do it yet?" Michelle asked with
a grin.

"Could you be more blunt?" I laughed.

"Okay. Have you two got naked and sucked each..." Michelle started.

"Stop right there!" Michael said. "You don't need to know what we've
done."

Michelle eyed us a second and then said, "I guess you haven't. Just
don't start while I'm in bed with you."

"What happened to nothing safer than being in a bed with two gay guys?"
I joked.

"Safe, yes, but that doesn't mean I want to watch."

"Oh, come on. It's really hot. Our writhing, naked bodies..."

"That's enough! I can't hear you!" Michelle said covering her ears and
making noise as she left the room.

"That shut her up," Michael smirked and put his arm around me as we went
into the living room.

Michelle was on the sofa flipping through channels and Matt was gone. As
soon as we sat down she turned it off and turned to us.

"So what's the plan?" She asked.

"What plan?" I asked.

"To entertain me."

"You're the entertainer," I shot back.

"I have New Year's taken care of," Michelle said, hopped off the sofa
and ran into the bedroom. A minute later she reappeared with some
tickets in her hand. "Tickets to get into the MTV studio," she waved
them triumphantly.

"How'd you snag those?" Michael asked.

"Connections," she smiled.

"Why'd you snag those?" I asked.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the music in there will probably suck and we'll be on camera
most of the time. If I have to listen to Brittany Spears live I'm sure
I'll get sick."

"She's not gonna be there, so you're safe. 'NSYNC will be there,
though."

Michael made a vomiting noise.

"Hey, aren't you two gay?"

"Yea, and that means we have taste," I shot back.

"So their music sucks if you're not a twelve year old girl, they are
cute," Michelle said.

"Which one do you want? Not that it matters, though, since they're all
probably gay," Michael smirked.

"I think JC's cute. Why do you think they're all gay? My gaydar is
better than yours and I don't think they're gay. Well, except Lance."

"Think about it. Guys start bands to make money and get laid. Since
their only fans are prepubescent girls and gay men, they're either
pedophiles or gay," Michael said.

"Or both,"  I added.

"I wouldn't date him anyway. I just think he's cute. Either way, we're
going," Michelle stated.

"Okay," I sighed. "How about lunch?"

"Sounds good. Let's go out," Michael said.

We went out to have lunch, bummed around a bit in town and had dinner
before dropping Michael off at the theater. Michelle and I stopped in an
art house theater and watched some bizarre film. After it was over we
sat in a coffee house until it was time to pick Michael up. Michelle
didn't try to shower with us, but she did sleep with us. I was in the
middle.

***

"Hurry up!" Michelle yelled as she beat on the bathroom door.

"I don't know what your hurry is. It's only six," I said walking out of
the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me. Michael was still at the
sink brushing his teeth.

"Yea, but at the rate you're going it's gonna be eight before we get
there and the crowds will be horrible."

"They're horrible now. Didn't you get us a limo?"

"Right," Michelle said rolling her eyes. "We're taking a taxi."

"Hey. You look like you're wanting to score tonight," I teased.

"Whatever."

"No. You look really good. You never warned us that we'd have to be your
body guards."

"I think she should be our body guards," Michael said as he walked out
of the bathroom.

"We'll all body guard each other. Now get ready. I'm calling a taxi
right now. You have until they get here or I'm leaving your asses
behind," Michelle said and left us to get dressed.

"This is a side of Michelle I haven't seen," I said.

"The demanding super-bitch?"

"Something like that."

"Usually when she's late or nervous."

"We're not late, so she must be nervous. Maybe she's hoping to hook up
with JC tonight."

"We'll just have to help her out," Michael smiled.

"I'm game, though I don't know if I'll be able to talk to them without
making fun of them," I joked.

"If I can do it, so can you."

"So how do I look?" I asked turning around to Michael.

"Good enough to kiss," Michael said and gave me a quick peck on the
lips. "And me?"

I answered him with a smile and another quick kiss.

Michelle walked into the room. "Taxi's here. Let's go."

Michael and I snapped to attention and yelled, "Ma'am. Yes, ma'am."

She flipped us the bird before dragging us out. We got in the taxi and
got as close to the studio as we could. Times Square was already packed
with people. We then pushed our way though the crowds on foot. When we
finally made it to the entrance, Michelle showed our tickets to the
security guard. After inspecting them carefully, he let us past the
first check point. When we got to the second check point, we exchanged
our tickets for a rubber stamp on the back of our hands. We passed
another security check point and finally made it into the studio.

We walked into the packed studio...well, actually Michelle got between
us, hooked an arm on each side and pulled us in. We stopped in the
entrance for Michelle to make her "appearance" -- at least that's what
it felt like. She smiled and gently nudged us over to the bar.

"I don't think I like this side of you," I yelled in Michelle's ear over
Kid Rock, who was on the stage. She just stuck her tongue out. I tried
to grab it with my fingers, but she was too quick and pulled it in.

We stepped up to the bar and Michelle ordered us all hurricanes. After
one sip I realized that they weren't watering down the drinks. Damn, it
was strong. From the look on Michael's face, he was thinking the same
thing.

"If you get him drunk, you have to carry him up the stairs," I yelled to
Michelle.

"He's your boyfriend," she smiled and took off through the crowd.

Michael and I wandered over to the edge of the crowd near the big
windows and looked out. People as far as the eye could see. Most weren't
paying any attention to the MTV studios, but a dedicated collection of
fanatics near the studio were waving signs and trying to get a glimpse
at anyone they could on the large monitors.

Satisfied with the view for the moment, we wandered around checking the
studio out. We found a sofa at the top of some risers in the back and
sat down with our drinks. We sat close and held hands down where they
couldn't easily be seen by the wandering cameras. I know it sounds lame
that we sat down with all the stuff going on, but the music wasn't that
great, and I wasn't about to be separated from Michael the whole night.
I looked over the crowd from our perch to see how many celebrities I
recognized. Truth is, I didn't recognize many. Kid Rock was done and the
crew was setting up for the next artist.

Michael turned to me and said, "Try not to laugh. Try to be nice. Try
not to laugh," as if a mantra. I looked up to see Lance from 'NSYNC
walking up the stairs.

Lance had reached us and said, "Hi. You're Michael Pitt from 'Dawson's
Creek,' right?"

"From New Jersey, actually," Michael said, fighting to keep a straight
face.

"Of course. I meant, you play Henry on 'Dawson's Creek.'"

"That's me. And you are?"

"Lance. Lance Bass. I'm in 'NSYNC."

"Haven't heard of that show," Michael smirked.

"What happened to being nice," I whispered into his ear.

"Thanks for reminding me," he grinned and gave me a quick kiss on the
cheek before turning back to Lance.

Lance's eyes were wide open after seeing our quick kiss.

"What can I do for you, Lance, Lance Bass?" Michael said.

"Uh, I just wanted to tell you I really enjoy your show, and your
character. You're gay?" Lance said.

"Gay? No way. I'm un-hetero, and this is my un-hetero partner, Jonah,"
Michael said.

"Nice to meet you," Lance said reaching out to shake my hand.

"You too. Where's your boyfriend, Lance?" I said and Michael buried his
head in my shoulder laughing.

"I...uh...I don't have one. What's so funny?"

Michael composed himself and turned to Lance. "I'm sorry. I'm being an
ass. I'm sure you're probably a really nice guy...but I really hate your
music."

"Oh... You are being an ass. I can understand hating the group's music
though. I get sick of it myself sometimes, but it's a job," Lance
smiled.

"So's cleaning sewer pipes. Sorry, that was being an ass again," Michael
said.

"Yea, it was."

"Hey, Lance. Is JC here?" I asked.

"Yea. Why?" Lance asked suspiciously.

"Oh, man. Yea. We're here with Michelle Williams, who happens to be
incredibly hot for JC. We thought we'd try to set her up," Michael said
excitedly.

"Honestly, or are you setting me up?"

"Honestly," Michael and I said together.

"Is this the gay corner?" Some guy who looked familiar said walking up
to us.

"Appears that way. Jonah," I said and reached out to shake his hand.

"Danny," he said and shook my hand.

"Michael."

"Lance."

I kept looking at Danny. "Do I know you from somewhere?" I asked.

He laughed. "Is that supposed to be a pick-up line?"

"Absolutely not," Michael answered and raised our hands so he could see
we were together.

"No it wasn't. You just look familiar, but I can't place where I've seen
you before."

"I was part of the 'Real World: New Orleans' cast."

"Of course. Thanks for getting that out of the way."

"No prob," Danny said and flashed a very cute smile.

"I'm going to get us another drink. Anyone else want anything while I'm
there?" Michael asked.

"A water with lemon, please," Lance said politely.

"I'm fine," Danny said holding up his full glass.

"So where's your man?" I asked Danny.

"Don't have one."

"You broke up with the guy you were dating on the show?"

"You didn't see all the episodes, did you?"

"Nope."

"Yea, we broke up."

"Sorry. Lance here is single as well."

They both looked at each other and let out a nervous laugh.

"Nah," they both said at the same time.

"Okay. I'm not going to force you together," I laughed.

"So how long have you and Michael been together," Lance asked.

"Since Christmas."

"Nice Christmas gift. I never thought to ask for a man," Danny laughed.

"Yea, I guess more like the day after Christmas, but either way it's
only been a few days. We've known each other since June, though."

At that moment Macy Gray started her set and we all turned our attention
to the stage. Michael got back a few minutes later and sat back down
beside me. Danny was next to me and Lance was next to Michael. We all
listened to her set and made small talk between songs. About half-way
through her set, Justin joined us and quietly sat next to Lance.

He waited until the song was over before he said, "Let's go, Scoop. Time
to get ready." They both stood up and left the studio.

Three songs later, Macy's set ended.

"So how do you know Lance?" Danny asked.

"Don't," I answered.

"Never met him before tonight. He just walked up to us," Michael
continued.

"I think he was hoping you were available," I teased Michael.

"Too bad for him," Michael smirked.

"He just came up and told you guys he was gay?"

"No, but I kinda guessed and made a comment. His answer confirmed it," I
explained.

"He's kinda cute," Danny said.

"You know he's gay and you know he's available. Go for it," Michael
prodded.

Danny made a face. "Not a chance. I don't want to date a closet case."

"Maybe you could get him to come out. After the guys in Backstreet came
out, it would hardly even be noticed. Plus, he's not so far in the
closet that he won't admit he's gay privately. If you're interested,
that is," I offered.

"Probably, but I don't know if I'm that interested. After 'Real World' I
just wanna be in the background now. Being in the spotlight brings out
the psychos."

"Maybe that's why he's still in the closet. He doesn't have a boyfriend
to come out for and doesn't want to deal with the psychos," Michael
said.

"Stop trying to set me up. I'm fine," Danny said with a laugh.

"Okay. You just seemed interested, but we'll let it drop," Michael said
casually.

"I just want a normal guy. No press coverage. No sneaking around."

"Tell that to Lance. He's staring at you," I said and nodded towards
Lance peering around a screen on the side of the stage and watching
Danny.

"Oh, god," Danny sighed. "Let's all wave to him." The three of us stood
up and waved to Lance. You could see him turn red before he pulled back
out of sight. We laughed.

"What a dork," Michael smirked.

'NSYNC's set started a minute later. I went to get more drinks, slowly
pushing my way through the crowds. I saw on the video monitor that
Michelle was right in front of the stage dancing in front of JC. By the
time I made it back to our seats, 'NSYNC's set was just about over. I
handed Danny his drink and sat back down between him and Michael.

"You see Michelle?" I yelled into Michael's ear.

He nodded his head. "They'll have to go back to his place, 'cause he's
not getting in our bed," he yelled back with a laugh.

Their set finally ended and Michelle made her way up to us.

"Why didn't you just throw yourself on him," Michael teased as Michelle
walked up.

"Shut up. I wasn't that bad," she protested.

"Yea, you were," I said.

"Definitely," Danny added.

Michelle blushed -- a pretty rare occurrence.

"Don't worry though. We've got you taken care of," Michael hinted.

"What do you mean?" Michelle said suspiciously.

"Lance came up to hit on me earlier and we had a little talk," Michael
smirked.

"You didn't?"

We both nodded.

"I can't believe you two. God, I'm so embarrassed."

"What are you embarrassed about?" JC asked from behind her, with Lance
beside him.

She didn't turn around at first. After giving Michael and me a death
stare, she smiled and turned around.

"Hi. I'm Michelle," she smiled.

"I know. I'm Josh," he smiled back.

"I know," she smiled back.

The just looked at each other.

"Um, why don't you two go get something to drink?" Lance suggested.

"Uh, yea," Josh said and looked at Michelle.

"Okay," Michelle said. Josh put his hand on her back and guided her
ahead of him as they left.

Lance dropped down next to Danny and rolled around giggling. "When I
told him, he freaked. Apparently he's had a crush on her for years," he
giggled.

"Mission accomplished," Michael smiled to me and we gave each other a
quick kiss.

Danny sighed and looked away.

"Depressing. Isn't it?" Lance said.

"Huh?" I asked turning to Lance and Danny.

"Yea," Danny said.

"What?" Michael asked.

"Just watching you two in the sappy clutches of new found love," Danny
said.

"Or any love," Lance added.

"Sorry," I said.

"No. Don't apologize for it. I think it's great. It just reminds me of
the fact that I don't have anyone and prospects haven't looked good
since I did 'Real World.'"

"Why's that?" Lance asked.

"Because everyone thinks they already know me."

"Same here," Lance consoled.

"Uh, we're gonna stretch our legs a bit," Michael said and pulled me up.

"What was that all about?" I asked as he pulled me away quickly.

"Giving them some time to talk alone," Michael smiled and wrapped his
arm around me.

"Playing matchmaker, huh?"

"I think we did pretty good with Michelle and JC."

"But they already liked each other."

"So do Lance and Danny. They're just afraid of the public aspects of
getting together. You did notice that when Lance came back he sat next
to Danny instead of next to me where he was before, and Danny was
watching their show pretty closely."

"Maybe Danny's just a fan."

"Yea, right. Like anyone could be a fan of the music," Michael joked.

"Point taken," I laughed.

"Let's try to get on the roof, or outside. I'm burning up in here."

We casually made our way behind the cameras and out an exit door. Once
there we found a hallway that lead to the other studios and the office
space. We wandered around looking for the stairs to the roof, but
stopped and quickly ran into an office when we heard someone coming. We
shut the door behind us and collapsed against it laughing. We froze when
a light in the office turned on.

"Lost?" The voice asked as Michael and I slowly turned around. There was
Brian McFayden in a lounge chair -- apparently he had been taking a nap.

"Uh, yea. We were looking for a way to get to the roof and cool off
instead of having to go through all the madness to get outside and then
back in," Michael said.

"You're down a few floors too many. They put the roof above the top
floor in this building," Brian smirked.

"Then it should be obvious how lost we are," I said.

Brian looked at us a minute, probably deciding whether or not he should
call security.

"Hey, you're on 'Dawson's Creek,' right?" Brian asked.

"Yep."

"Thought so. If you really want to freeze your ass off on the roof, you
can just take the stairs to the parapet and go out. They are letting
people out on that, so you don't have to worry about sneaking around."

"Where're the stairs?"

"Just past the door you had to walk through to get back here."

"Thanks, Brian. Sorry for disturbing you,"  I said and we left.

"Yea, thanks," Michael said as he closed the door.

We found the stairs and went up the two flights to the parapet. The door
was open and a single guard was standing on the inside. He nodded to us
as we walked out. The cold air felt refreshing after the hot, stuffy
studio. There were only a few other people there, and a camera guy
taking crowd shots. We walked over to the edge and looked out over Times
Square. It was a writhing mass of flesh. I wrapped my arms around
Michael from behind and held him with my chin on his shoulder as we
looked out into the crowds. After a few minutes I felt a shiver coming
on, but Michael beat me to it.

"Cold?" I said softly into his ear.

"Yea. I think it's time to go back in."

We went back down to the studio, got some new drinks, and rejoined Danny
and Lance. They were deep in conversation and it didn't seem like they'd
moved since we left, and they didn't notice us return. Eminem was just
starting his set.

"We should get everyone to moon this asshole," I yelled in Michael's
ear.

"The piece of shit's not worth the effort," Michael dismissed.

"You're right. Shitting on him is a better idea. Know of any scat
clubs?"

"Sick! No, I don't. I hope you're not into that."

"Blech! No, I'm not. I was referring to dropping asshole over there off
at one. We could bribe his driver."

Michael laughed. "I don't have that much money."

I shrugged. "Oh well," I mouthed.

Lance finally noticed us, and then they both noticed who was on stage.

"Let's go someplace until this jerk is off the stage," Lance said. Danny
agreed and they got up to leave. Danny turned around and motioned for us
to join them.

We went through the back door into the office area again and Danny lead
the way back his office -- well, the office he shared with four other
people, he explained.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "I don't think I've seen you on
air."

"I'm in the control booth," Danny explained.

Danny and Lance sat on the loveseat in the office and Michael and I
hopped up on a desk and sat together.

"I don't understand why they asked that prick to play," Lance said.

"Money and ratings," Danny said simply.

"Are apparently more important than values and morals," Lance continued.

"I was telling Michael that we should bribe his driver to drop him off
at a scat club," I said.

Danny burst into laughter and Lance looked confused.

"What's a scat club?" Lance asked.

"Scat is some freakish thing where people like to get shit on or eat
shit or anything along those lines," Michael explained.

"People do that? That's gross," Lance said, making a face.

"I agree, but as long as they keep me out of it, whatever floats their
boat."

"Or floats in the bowl," I added.

"Gross!" Michael yelled and we all cracked up laughing.

"So did you do it?" Danny asked hopefully as the laughter died down.

"Neither of us know where one is, and frankly, I don't want to know," I
said.

"Too bad. Hey, maybe we can make a special out of it. 'Shitting
Eminems,'" Danny laughed and we all cracked up.

"I think it's time to stop talking about Eminem...I mean shit...Well,
same dif'," Lance laughed.

"How about we sneak into the control booth and change the titles to read
'Enema' instead?" I offered.

"Love to," Danny said. "But I'd get fired and the studio'd probably get
sued."

"Oh well, at least he's good for a laugh," I said.

We sat around bullshitting for another half-hour or so before we made
our way back to the studio. The shit had been cleaned off the stage and
Henry Rollins was going at it. I've seen interviews of him and he seemed
like a nice, intelligent guy, and very polite. When he was on stage,
however, he looked intimidating as hell. Even if you hated his music,
you'd never tell him to his face. Fortunately for me, I think he rocks.

"Let's go dance now that there's some decent music," Michael said
dragging me towards the dance floor. Danny didn't seem to want to be
left alone with Lance, and went out on the dance floor as well with
Lance behind him.

It was fast dancing, but that didn't stop Michael from grinding himself
against me when he could. I wasn't totally innocent, either. We tried to
make it seem somewhat casual, though, since we knew we were on camera.
We stayed on the dance floor until Henry Rollins was done, and then
grabbed some drinks and headed back to our perch, only to find Danny
sitting there alone.

"Where's Lance?" I asked him.

"Getting us something to drink."

"For two people who don't want anything to do with each other, you two
seem to be hitting it off," Michael teased Danny.

Danny gave a grin and looked away. "He's a nice guy. It doesn't hurt to
talk."

Michael and I laughed. I looked over the crowd to see if I could see
where Michelle and Josh had gotten to.

"You see Michelle?" Michael asked.

"Nope."

Lance arrived and handed Danny his drink.

"Do you know where Michelle and Josh are?" I asked Lance.

"Haven't seen them since they left to get something to drink."

"I guess we aren't being very good body guards," Michael smirked.

"Any idea where they might be?" I asked Lance.

"Dressing rooms?" He offered.

"Can you get us in?"

"Uh, yea, sure."

Lance led the way and waved us past security into the dressing room
area. We looked around and asked some people in there, but no one had
seen them. We walked back out and Lance grabbed Justin as we were going
through the crowd.

"You see where Josh went?" Lance yelled in Justin's ear.

Justin shook his head and danced off. Lance looked at us and shrugged.

As we were walking back to our spot, Lance said, "I wouldn't worry about
it. Josh is always a gentleman."

"It's not Josh we're worried about," I said and we all laughed.

"You and Danny seem to be hitting it off," Michael said.

"Yea, but not like you're hinting. Just friends. I don't think he wants
to get involved in my kinda life."

"No one said you had to go do what Michelle and Josh seem to be doing."

"Don't even go there," Lance laughed and we rejoined Danny.

"Find 'em?" Danny asked.

We all shook our heads.

It was about twenty 'till midnight and there were no more performers
until the new year started. We just sat around talking over the house
music. Justin came up to try to drag Lance off to the dance floor, but
was rebuffed and sent on his way. A few minutes later they started
passing out the noise makers and confetti poppers. We got a good supply
and passed the box along.

Five minutes before midnight we stood up and arranged our confetti
poppers so we could fire off as many at once as possible by tying the
strings together. Michael nudged me and I turned around to see Michelle
and Josh had rejoined us. They were both grinning.

"Where have you been? Or don't I want to know?" I yelled. I got slapped
on the arm for that.

"Just talking," Michelle said as she slapped me.

"How are we supposed to body guard you if you disappear?" Michael said.

Michelle just shrugged and said, "Your problem," with a grin.

"If you took advantage of our little girl...Ow!" Michael started
threatening Josh playfully, but was interrupted when Michelle poked him
hard in the ribs.

The countdown was starting, so we let it drop for now.

"Two...One...Happy New Year!!"

Confetti and balloons everywhere. Noise. Noise. Hugs to everyone in
reaching distance, and a kiss from one.

When it finally settled down, the lights in the studio changed and Blink
182 started playing.

"Let's go home now," Michael said to me.

"I don't think Michelle's ready."

"Good. I don't want her home anyway...at least not right away," he
grinned.

"Gotcha."

"We're gonna go home now. Are you gonna be okay?" Michael asked
Michelle.

She looked at Josh and he nodded.

"Yea, I'll be fine. Have fun," she said with a smirk.

"You make sure you get her home by sunrise or we're coming after you,"
Michael said to Josh as he handed Michelle his key to the apartment.

He crossed his heart and then held up three fingers.

"Good."

We turned to Danny and Lance.

"We're heading out. Nice meeting you," I said and reached out to shake
their hands.

"You too. Hey, would you like to get together sometime?" Danny said.

"Sure. You have a pen?" I yelled, as the music got a whole lot louder.

Danny just motioned for us to go back out of the studio.

"Now we can actually hear each other," he smiled as he walked up to
someone's desk and grabbed a pen and a post-it note. We all exchanged
numbers and then Michael and I made our exit.

"You think Danny's cute?" Michael asked as we were trying, without
success, to flag down a taxi.

"Yea, I guess. Don't you?"

"I guess."

"He's not as cute as you, though," I said and gave him a quick kiss.

"You were looking, though."

"So were you. Just 'cause I look, doesn't mean I want to touch. I'm a
one man man," I smiled.

"Let's just take a train. We'll freeze to death before we get a taxi,"
Michael said.

We ran for the station and down into its warmth. We had to wait for a
train.

Michael was silently in thought.

"Did it bother you that much?" I asked.

"Yes and no. I mean, I trust you, and I was looking too, but... The last
guy I dated always looked, and we broke up when I discovered he was
doing more than looking."

"Was it me?"

"No."

"'Nuff said. I told you I'm a one man man." I put my arm around him and
gave him a little hug.

"I can't wait 'till we get home," Michael said with a mischievous grin
after a few seconds.

"I'm starting to get a little anxious myself."

Our train pulled up a minute later and we were at our station twenty
minutes after that. We ran back to my apartment...our apartment.
Fortunately, no one else was home yet.

"Let's take a shower," Michael said as we walked in the door.

We went to our bedroom and quickly dropped our clothes before going into
the bathroom. Michael turned on the shower and I got in behind him.

I wrapped my arms around him from behind with one hand on his chest and
another on his belly. I kissed his shoulder and neck as I held him tight
against me. Michael pushed my hand down to his now erect cock and turned
a bit so we could kiss. We were soon facing each other and kissing. I
was gently rubbing him and he was doing the same to me. After a few
minutes of this, I gently pulled back.

"Uh, we'd better wash," I said somewhat breathlessly.

Michael smiled. "I get to wash you first," he said and grabbed the soap.
I pulled back out of the water. Michael started at my shoulders and
massaged as much as washed. His hands moved across and down my body as
if he were trying to memorize it by touch. After he washed my butt, he
pressed himself against me and washed my front from the back. After he
washed my crotch, he guided me into the water to rinse, but still hadn't
touched my legs. After I was rinsed off, he pulled me back out of the
water and got down on his knees. So sensually, he rubbed his soapy hands
up my leg to just under my balls, and then down to my foot and back. I
closed my eyes and lost myself in the feeling, but was brought back to
reality by the feeling of Michael's tongue on my dick. I looked down and
he smiled back up at me. I smiled and he licked again, this time not
stopping. After licking ball to head a few times, he wrapped his lips
around me and sucked me in as far as he could. My knees got weak and I
put one hand on his shoulder and one on the shower wall to steady
myself. He slowly sucked up and down as his one hand jacked the base of
my cock and the other squeezed my butt. I felt myself getting close and
reached down to stop him.

"Not yet," I said as I looked down into his confused face.

He smiled and finished washing my feet, giving my dick a lick every so
often.

I pulled him up when he finished and pressed him against the shower wall
as I kissed him and took the soap from his hand. As soon as I had the
soap, I pulled back and nudged him to turn around and spread out like a
police search position. I lathered him up and ran my hands in broad
strokes across the curves of his body. Front to back. Top to bottom. I
pressed against him, my erection between his legs and the head against
the back of his balls. My hands rubbed from his inner thigh to his hips
and back as I kissed and licked at his neck.

"You're driving me crazy," Michael said hoarsely.

"Want me to stop?" I whispered into his ear.

"Better not."

I did stop, though, and pulled him into the water to rinse. After he was
rinsed off, I got down on my knees to wash his legs as he had done for
me. He was watching in anticipation for me to start sucking him. I
laughed at the expectant look.

"Something I can do for you?" I teased.

He wagged his eye brows and smiled. I took the hint, not that I wasn't
going to anyway, and started licking at his balls. Precum was dripping
down his erection and I licked up to its source and then took him into
my mouth. I sucked hard as I slowly pulled off and then used my tongue
as I went back down. I'd only been doing this for a few minutes when I
felt him pull back.

"I'm really close," he said.

I answered him by going down again as one hand held his dick at the base
and the other played with the tight sack of his balls. He started
thrusting his hips and his fingers ran through my wet hair as he guided
me. Suddenly, he froze. His body started quivering and his orgasm
started. I sucked and jacked as he came. When the spasms stopped, I
stopped sucking and gently jerked the remaining cum out of him. He sank
down and sat on the floor of the tub, his face blissful. I let go of his
cock and leaned over to kiss him. His breathing was heavy, but slowly
calming down and I felt his hand on my cock. He gently pushed me back
with his other hand and I sat back. His hand rubbed my precum around
before he went down on me with a sense of purpose. I was almost there
before he started sucking and I didn't last more than a minute or two. I
truly felt like I was going to pass out from the feeling. When I opened
my eyes, he was leaning over me with a big grin and leaned down for a
kiss before standing up and pulling me up.

"If Michelle wasn't coming back tonight..." Michael hinted.

"Michelle who?" I teased.

"We'd never hear the end of it if the room smelled like sex when she got
back."

"Probably."

We quickly washed up again in the now cool water. After brushing our
teeth we went back to our room. No one was home yet. We put on some
boxers and t-shirts and crawled into bed, cuddling together and asleep
in minutes.

*

I felt a hand shaking my shoulder and rolled over to see Michelle.

"Sorry to wake you. Do you have a sleeping bag or something?" She
whispered.

"In the hall closet," I groaned and rolled back around Michael. I fell
back asleep a few minutes later.

***

I woke up at nine and had to go to the bathroom. Michelle was curled
around me and I was curled around Michael. I carefully started to climb
out of bed when Michael rolled over and gave me a sleepy questioning
look.

"Bathroom. I'll be right back," I whispered and he closed his eyes
again. I was still barely awake and stumbled off the bed and started for
the door when I stepped on someone and fell flat on my face across them.
I groaned, as did the person I fell on. I pulled myself up and saw it
was Josh.

"Sorry. I didn't know you were here," I said softly.

He just groaned and rolled over, probably going back to sleep.

I went to the bathroom and then crawled back into bed and wrapped myself
around Michael. He pulled my arm tighter around him and we went back to
sleep.

I woke up again at eleven when I felt Michael sit up.

"Mornin'," he said softly as his hand rubbed my thigh.

"Mornin'," I said and stretched.

Michael got up to go to the bathroom.

"Careful not to trip over Josh," I said.

Michael looked confused for a moment in his sleepy morning fog, and then
noticed Josh asleep in a sleeping bag at the foot of the bed. He
carefully stepped over him and went to the bathroom. I was right behind
him.

After brushing our teeth and a good morning kiss, we went to the kitchen
to have some breakfast. I put on a pot of coffee while Michael toasted
some english muffins.

"Do you know why Josh is on our floor?" Michael asked.

"Nope. At least he didn't crawl into bed with us and Michelle didn't
sleep with him."

"When'd they get in?"

"Michelle woke me up to ask where my sleeping bag was, but I didn't look
at the clock and didn't think about it. It was still dark."

"We got in at six," Michelle said in a crackly voice as she entered the
kitchen.

"Why'd he sleep here?" Michael asked.

"It was late, or early. I didn't want him taking a train back to his
hotel by himself, and taxis were on a two hour call, so I told him he
could sleep on the floor. I hope that's okay."

"Yea, that's fine. I was just surprised when I tripped over him and fell
on him this morning," I said.

"So what were you doing 'till six in the morning?" Michael asked.

"Talking. Dancing. We left the studio at four and then went to a diner
for a little while before taking the train back here. Can you two put
some clothes on, we have a guest."

"We're covered," Michael said.

"Yea, and it's our apartment. If Josh is embarrassed about seeing guys
in their boxers, then maybe he's playing for our team," I joked.

"Dorks. Give me some coffee, please," Michelle sighed.

I handed Michelle a cup and the phone started ringing.

"Jonah's B&B," I answered.

"Jonah?"

"Yea."

"Oh, hey. It's Lance."

"Hey, Lance."

"Hey. Sorry about calling so early on the morning after, but is Josh
there? He left a message that he'd be staying there, but hasn't answered
his phone."

"Don't worry about it. I was already up. Yea, Josh is here, but he's
still sleeping. You want me to wake him?"

"If you would, please. We've got a flight in three hours."

"No prob. Want to wait, or should I just have him call you?"

"Uh, have him call."

"Will do." I heard a voice in the background that sounded like Danny.
"Someone with you Lance?" I teased.

He sighed. "I'm at Danny's."

"Say no more."

"No, it's not like that. We didn't do anything and I slept on the sofa.
It was just really late..."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Relax. It's none of my business."

"Okay. Well, wake Josh up and have him call me. Okay?"

"Bye, Lance."

"Bye."

"He slept at Danny's. On the sofa, so he says," I announced as I hung up
the phone.

Michael laughed and Michelle just nursed her coffee.

"You want to wake your man up and tell him to call Lance?" I asked
Michelle.

"He's not my man."

"Whatever. He still needs to get up."

Michelle left the kitchen with her coffee cup and returned a few minutes
later as Michael and I were cleaning up. She refilled her cup and got
down another one, presumably for Josh, who walked into the kitchen a
minute later in his boxers and t-shirt and talking on his cell phone.

"What's the address here?" Josh asked.

I gave him the address and he relayed it to the person on the phone.

"They're just gonna pick me up when they leave for the airport," Josh
said as he put down his phone and took the cup of coffee from Michelle.

"You want to use the shower?" I asked.

"Yea, that'd be great. Thanks."

"Clean towels are in the closet in the bathroom."

"Thanks," Josh said, downed his cup of coffee and headed for the
bathroom.

"And you wanted us to get dressed because we had a guest," Michael
teased Michelle.

Michelle ignored him and looked out the window as she drank her coffee.
Michael gave me a questioning look and I shrugged. We left Michelle and
went back to our room.

"What's up with Michelle?" Michael asked as we got to our room.

"I don't know. Maybe she's just tired."

"I hope she's not in love with Josh."

"Why not? I think it'd be great if she found herself a boyfriend."

"Yea, but he wouldn't be much of a boyfriend 'cause he'll always be
away. You can't have a relationship where you're always apart."

"What about us?"

"What about us?"

"Well, you may be gone for months working on this or that, or I may be
gone. Are we gonna fall apart because of that?"

"No, but we knew each other before, and we won't be apart all the time.
You remember that Lance was saying they were on the road almost 40 weeks
a year. I just don't want to see her hurt."

"I don't want to see that either," Josh said as he walked into the room.
"We talked about it and we're just gonna be friends for now."

"Good," Michael stated. "It's nothing personal, Josh," he added.

"I understand. You're just watching out for her."

"They're being as bad as my real brother," Michelle smirked from the
doorway.

"Can't be mad at them for caring," Josh said to Michelle.

"I suppose not. You've got a phone call," Michelle said to me as she
held out the portable phone.

"Thanks. Who is it?"

"I didn't ask."

"This is Jonah," I said into the phone.

"Hey, Jonah. This is Danny. What are you and Michael doing today?"

"I don't know. Nothing planned, but Michael has a performance tonight.
Just a sec. Let me ask," I said and put my hand over the mouthpiece.
"Danny wants to get together and do something," I told Michael.

"Sure. What and when?"

"I don't think he has a plan, yet."

"Okay. Just tell him to come over."

"Danny? Yea, just come on over and we'll figure out something to
do...Yea, sure. That'd be cool...Okay. See ya then. Later." I turned off
the phone. "He said he'll just ride over with Lance and suggested movies
all day."

"He's with Lance?" Josh asked.

"Lance is with him, actually," I said.

"Good for Lance. It's about time."

"Huh?"

"Lance just came out to us this past March right after Kevin and Brian
from BSB did. He hasn't had a boyfriend yet in his life. It's good he's
finally gotten the cajones to try."

"I don't think they're together -- just friends. And even if they were
it would be the same situation you and Michelle are in."

"Yea, but at least he's got another person he can be out and comfortable
with."

"When were they coming?" Michael asked.

"They were gonna leave in ten minutes."

"We'd better get our shower now before we suddenly have an apartment
full."

"Come on, then," I said, grabbing Michael's hand and pulling him to the
bathroom. We took a quick shower and didn't do anything else because we
had an apartment full of people. We got dressed and headed out to the
living room. Everyone had arrived and was standing there. Rick and his
friend, Marc, we're awake and staring in awe at the group of celebrities
around them. They had their sleeping bags wrapped around them where they
slept and weren't about to move. I almost started to laugh. Michael did.

"Hey, guys. I see the gang's all here," Michael said as we walked over
to the group.

We were introduced to the other guys in 'NSYNC and then they left,
leaving Danny behind. Michelle went back to bed and we went to the
kitchen to give Rick and Marc a chance to get dressed.

We decided to get some movies and watch them at home rather than go to a
theater, so we bundled up and went to the video store, talking along the
way. We learned that Danny had recently taken the job at MTV and would
be finishing his last year of school at NYU starting next fall. He
needed to get away from the celebrity status and NYC was a good place to
blend in. He had an apartment in Queens that he shared with four other
MTV interns. He wasn't too fond of his apartment or his roommates, but
admitted it was fine for now and could be worse. He didn't know many
people outside of MTV yet.

We got back to the apartment as Rick and Marc were leaving to go home.
They were decent house guests. It kinda bothered me, though, that I
would have to be concerned with bringing people back to my apartment. I
mean, it's not like I have celebrities running through my apartment all
the time, but it did seem to be happening a bit more. After Matt finally
moved out and Nicole graduated in May, I'd have to find roommates who
could care less and never brought anyone home. Yea, I know: unlikely.
Since Gpa's death, I now owned the apartment, so I could just not have
any roommates, but I still had to pay property taxes, utilities and the
building fee. It was also nice to have people around.

We watched the first movie and then had a late lunch. Michelle was
finally up and joined us for lunch, as well as watching the second
movie. When the second movie ended it was time for Michael to go to the
theater. We all went with him to drop him off. Well, Danny hadn't see
the play yet and Michael comp'ed him in. Michelle and I went back home.
We picked Michael up after the show and Danny went back to his place.
Michael and I went right to bed and Michelle stayed up watching TV for a
while.

***

Michael got up at seven because he had an audition. I wished him luck
and went back to sleep until nine. Michelle and I had breakfast, took
the movies back and did some grocery shopping before I went with her to
the airport. Michael didn't get back until three-thirty.

"How'd it go?" I asked as he walked in the door and hopped down on the
sofa beside me.

"Got it," he smiled.

I gave him a kiss. "Congrats. When's production?"

"Perfectly timed. I start the first of March and should be done by the
end of the month, unless they need to redo or change anything. I'll be
done and back before we go to Europe, and back in time for DC."

"Back from where?"

"Montana, of all places," Michael said, rolling his eyes.

"Where the men are men and the sheep are scared," I joked.

"It's only a month, and you'll be in classes."

"I'm not worried, unless you starting fanaticizing about sheep," I
smirked.

"Okay. I mean, after our conversation about Michelle and Josh..."

"It's a month. Yea, I'll miss you crazy, but I'm sure they have
telephones in Montana."

Michael smiled and gave me a kiss.

"So you've decided on DC?"

"Yea, and I'm going to apply to NYU for the fall."

"That's great. I'm glad you decided to go to school first."

"Good. I'm starved and I have to head to the theater soon. Let's make
dinner."

We made dinner and ate in the kitchen.

"When Matt moves out..." Michael said as he took a bite of food.

"Yea..."

"We should ask Danny if he wants to move in."

I smiled. "What happened to 'don't ask him to move in'?"

"I changed my mind. He seems like a good guy. He knows we're together
and I don't think he'd try anything. He also doesn't care about celebs,
which will be good when we have people over."

"Man, you're just full of decisions today."

"It doesn't happen often, so enjoy it while it lasts."

"Hey, guys. Good news," Matt said as he walked into the kitchen.

"You got a job?" I asked.

"Not just any job, a job with id," Matt said grinning from ear to ear.

"That's great. When do you start?"

"As soon as I can get moved down to Texas."

"Texas?"

"Hey, to work for id I'd move to Antarctica."

"So when are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning. I hope my car will survive the drive."

"That's a good question. Is your AAA membership paid up?"

"Absolutely. Well, just wanted to let you know. I've gotta pack," Matt
said and left after grabbing a Mountain Dew.

"Sometimes things just work out," Michael smirked.

"Yea. I'm surprised he got the job with id. They must be really hurting
for people," I joked.

"No, I mean with asking Danny to move in."

"Oh, yea. That too. When do you want to ask him?"

"I don't know. Maybe we can have him over this weekend and ask him."

"That'll work. Remember that classes start tomorrow."

"Yea. When do the productions start?"

"Next week."

"Well, at least we'll still be sleeping together," Michael sighed.

"Yea, we will. Now we need to get going or you're gonna be late."

"You don't need to drop me off, but you'd better be there to pick me
up."

"You sure?"

"Yea. I hate you going all the way uptown and back here and then back to
pick me up. Just picking me up is good."

"Okay. Have a good show," I said and gave him a hug and kiss goodbye.

I got my bag ready for the morning and mindlessly watched TV until I
went to pick Michael up. We got home, took a shower, and went to bed.

***

Classes. The same routine, new locations. Directing II. Lighting Design
II. 20th Century American Lit. Scenic Design II. Physics. T'ai Chi.
Physics was going to be hard because my algebra skills are horrible.
It's really weird how my math skills, or lack thereof, work. I learned
geometry, trig and calculus without any difficulty, but algebra, and the
algebra part of calc just killed me. It just doesn't make any sense.
Thank god for calculators and computers. Unfortunately, Physics was also
my 10AM class.

Classes went okay and I was done by five -- with lots of homework. How I
longed for the days when the first day of class was a waste. Oh well.
Michael had already left by the time I got home, but I picked him up
after his performance and we did our usual routine.

Michael made an attempt to get up in the morning with me and talk, but
he was there in body only. I kissed him goodbye and went back to campus.
It felt like this would also be our routine. I'm not sure I liked being
in a routine, but it did make it easier when one or both of us were
exhausted. Creativity and fun could wait for vacations -- for now.

***

Michael had invited Danny to come over Saturday for lunch around noon.
We slept in 'till 10:30, and then had to scramble around to get ready
and get some groceries so we'd actually have something to have for
lunch. Danny arrived at ten 'till noon.

"Hey, man. How's it goin'?" Danny asked as he stiffly walked into the
apartment.

"Hey. What happened to you?" I asked.

"Got mugged last night."

"Where? Are you okay?"

"Outside my apartment, of all places. Yea, I'm fine, just a few bruises
from being kicked. At least I wasn't shot or stabbed," he chuckled.

"Yea, it could be worse. At least you can laugh about it."

"Pain pills," he smiled.

Michael came out of the bathroom. "Hey, Danny. How are you?" He asked
and slapped Danny on the back. Danny fell to his knees in pain. "Oh
shit, I'm sorry," Michael said in a panic as he knelt down to see if
Danny was okay.

"That's okay. You didn't know," Danny said between heavy breaths as he
was trying to fight back the pain. Tears were rolling down his face.

"What?" Michael asked and then looked at me.

"He got mugged last night in front of his apartment."

"Damn. Are you okay? I'm really sorry."

"It's okay. I'll be fine. Just give me a minute."

After a minute or two, Danny's breathing slowed and Michael helped him
stand up and said, a la Bullwinkle, "Don't know my own strength." Danny
laughed and then winced. "Sorry. No more jokes," Michael said.

"Stop saying 'sorry' already," Danny said.

"Sorry," Michael smirked.

"You should be at home in bed, Danny," I said.

"I didn't want to cancel."

"I think we'd understand why."

"I thought about it, but it sounded like such a bad excuse. 'Uh, I can't
make it 'cause I got mugged.' I'd have to eat lunch anyway, so...here I
am. What's for lunch," Danny said and gave a grin.

"Grilled cheese sandwiches. Come on into the kitchen and have a seat,"
Michael said.

We went into the kitchen and Danny gently lowered himself into a chair.

"Can I see?" Michael asked.

"What?"

Michael pointed to Danny's chest.

"Oh. Yea," Danny said, unbuttoned his shirt and let it drop down. His
stomach and sides were masses of black and blue.

"Man, they got you good. How much did they get away with?" Michael
asked.

"The dumbasses got nothing. I was taking the trash out and didn't have
anything on me. Of course that pissed them off so they decided to kick
me a few times."

"You need to move to a better place," Michael said and looked at me with
a sparkle in his eyes.

"Don't I know it," Danny sighed.

"How long is your lease for?" I asked him.

"Don't have one. Officially, I don't live there," Danny smiled.

"So you could leave anytime you want?" Michael asked.

"Yea, but you know how hard it is to find anything affordable in this
city. Contrary to popular belief, you don't make a lot of money as an
intern for MTV."

"Well, what do you consider affordable? I know it's a bit nosey, but I
might know of a place," I said.

"Really? Well, I'm paying $480 a month plus 1/5 utilities now, but I
could probably go as high as $600."

"Oh, well this place isn't that expensive. It's only $400 a month plus
1/4 utilities."

"What's wrong with it?"

"Nothing's wrong with it," I said.

"Unless you have a problem with living with a gay couple and a straight
girl who is never home," Michael smirked.

"Not unless they're all freaky. Where's it at?"

I looked at Michael and he looked at me. We both looked at Danny.
"Here."

"Are you serious?"

"Nope. Just kidding," Michael smirked.

"Yea, of course we're serious. One of my roommates moved out Wednesday
morning and I need to find someone else. You need a better place. Why go
through the hassle of trying to find a stranger to move in. We've gotten
along alright so far. Why not?" I said.

"So I could move in here? And $400 a month?"

I nodded.

"I'd be a fool to say no..."

"Yes, you would," Michael interrupted.

"I'll take it. When can I move in and where's my room?"

"Oh, you wanted a room. Well, a room of your own is extra... Just
kidding," I smiled. "You can move in whenever you want, but it'll have
to be on a weekend day if you want any help moving."

"How about today? I don't have any furniture so it should take only one
trip," Danny said excitedly.

"You don't have a bed?" I asked.

"No, I mean, yea, but it's not mine. It was in the apartment."

"You're gonna have to get one, then."

"That's fine. I can get one tomorrow or something. A night or three on
the sofa isn't going to kill me."

"Okay. We'll drive over after lunch," I said and started preparing the
food. Michael joined me at the counter and started cutting vegetables.

"What can I do to help?" Danny asked.

"You can sit there and not bust your gut," Michael said.

"I'm not an invalid. I can help out."

"Why don't you go check out your room? It's the door directly across
from the bathroom," I offered.

"Okay."

"See? Things just worked out perfectly," Michael said after Danny had
left the kitchen.

"Yea, it was fate, dork-boy," I smirked and gave him a quick kiss on the
cheek.

"Not fate. We made it happen. Things just work out well sometimes, and
it happens so rarely that I notice it. We're on a roll."

"Oh, now you jinxed us," I joked.

"It is okay to paint the walls, right?" Danny said as he walked back
into the kitchen.

"What's the matter? Don't you like black walls?" I laughed.

"Not in my bedroom."

"Yea, you can paint the walls whatever you like."

"Great. As soon as my gut heals."

We ate lunch and then got in my car and drove over to Danny's old
apartment. His possessions consisted of two suitcases of clothing, two
boxes of books and miscellaneous stuff, and a PowerBook. It took longer
to drive to his place and back than it did to load and unload his stuff.


We dropped his stuff in the living room and Danny went to work scrubbing
the room clean while I did homework and Michael read. I made dinner in
time for Michael to eat and get to the theater on time. Danny had
dragged all his stuff into his room and hung up his clothes while
everything else was spread on the floor.

"I'm gonna have to get some shelves, too," Danny said as we were eating.

"There's a great Goodwill furniture store on 39th Street," Michael
offered.

"Do they deliver?"

"For a charge."

"Of course. Do you know if they're open on Sunday?"

"I don't know. You'll have to call."

We finished dinner and Michael left. I continued my reading and Danny
pulled out his PowerBook and got online.

"Do you know if they have DSL here yet?" Danny asked after a half-hour
or so.

"I don't know. I'm on campus so much that I usually do my 'net stuff
there. The wireless rooms are great."

"You've got an AirPort in yours, too? Cool. We should get DSL, if it's
available here, and put in a base station. Does Michael have a PowerBook
as well?"

"No, he's got an iBook. The only thing he ever does online is email."

"Yea, that's all I'd do if I had to do it by modem all the time," he
said and then paused. "I want to thank you again for asking me to move
in here."

"Don't mention it," I dismissed as I continued reading.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Yea, sure," I said, put down my book and looked at him.

"Why? I mean, we just met a few days go and..." He trailed off.

"And why do we trust you or should you trust us?"

"Yea, I guess that's part of it."

I shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe it's from seeing you on 'Real World.' I
remember thinking when I watched that show that you seemed like a good
guy, and the time that we've hung out hasn't changed that view. I tend
to trust people until they prove that I shouldn't. I needed to find a
new roommate, anyway."

"You do realize they edited out a whole lot of stuff?"

"You mean three months don't actually fit into twenty or so half-hour TV
shows?" I smirked. "Yea, I realize that, and I realize that they also
probably told the stories that they thought would get the best ratings.
If you turn out to be an asshole, then I'll just kick you out."

"Great," he smirked.

"Now let me ask you a question," I said.

"Go ahead."

"What made you walk up to us and ask if it was the gay corner on New
Year's Eve?"

Danny smiled and looked away. "There were three cute guys sitting
together, and one of them was Lance. I just took a chance and made the
comment so I'd know one way or another."

"So have you talked with Lance since then?"

"A few times, yea."

"Hey, guys," Nicole said as she walked in the door and headed for her
room.

"Hey, Nicole," I yelled. "Come meet our new roommate."

"Another one?" She said with an exaggerated sigh as she walked back into
the living room.

"Yes, another one. This is Danny. Danny, Nicole."

"Nice to meet you," Danny said politely.

"I know you. You're on some TV show, right?"

"Not any more," Danny said, a bit uncomfortable.

"Don't get all weirded out. I'm not gonna get freaky on you. Which show
was it?"

"'Real World.'"

"Oh, that's right. You're the gay guy from the New Orleans season. It
appears that I'm the only hetero left," she laughed.

"Don't worry. It's just a phase you're going through," I teased.

"I'll have sex with a girl when you do," she teased back.

"You'll be waiting a long time."

"I think I can handle it. Anyway. Nice to meet you and all, Danny, but
I'm running late," she said and went to her room.

"Yes, she is a bit...scattered," I laughed.

"Another good reason not to date girls," Danny laughed.

"Oh yea, 'cause there're no flaky or scattered guys."

We both chuckled and I went back to my reading while Danny got back
online. A few minutes later, Nicole flew through in a new outfit and was
out the door.

I left to pick Michael up at eleven and Danny took a pain pill and said
he was going to go to bed. Michael and I talked about what Danny had
asked me on the way home.

"Do you think we're moving too fast?" I asked Michael.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean us and everything. It's just like... We've been together for
only a few weeks and we're already living with each other. We have
routines together. We make decisions together. We ask Danny to move in
after only knowing him a week..."

"It does seem kinda unreal, doesn't it?"

"Yea."

"If we could take back the past three weeks, what would you do
different?"

"That just it. I don't think I'd do anything different."

"Was it too soon for me to move in?"

"No! I mean, no, that's not what I'm talking about. I love that you're
in my arms every night. I don't know what I'm trying to say," I sighed.

"I think I understand. I look at it like this: We've know each other for
almost eight months and have been pretty good friends for most of them.
Now we've just taken our friendship to a new level. I've thought about
it too, but like you said, I don't think I'd do anything differently."

We were careful to be quiet when we got in and took our shower. Michael
went to get a glass of water before we went to bed, and noticed Danny
was on the floor.

"Danny?" Michael whispered.

"Yea?" Danny said, obviously still awake.

"Why are you sleeping on the floor instead of the sofa?"

"It's too soft and not long enough -- hard on my stomach."

"Okay," Michael said and came back into the bedroom. "Danny's sleeping
on the floor 'cause the sofa's too soft and it hurt his gut," he said to
me.

"Oh the floor? It's the middle of winter and this apartment is too
drafty to sleep on the floor. He's gonna get sick," I said.

"We could give him our bed..."

"Or share it. There's not enough room on the sofa for both of us to
sleep comfortably, and I'm not sleeping by myself. We've had three
comfortably in our bed before."

"I don't know. I mean, we hardly know him."

"There's not going to be any sex," I stated.

"I know. I guess if he tries anything we'll just put him back on the
floor."

"Or poke him in the ribs," I smirked.

Michael chuckled. "I'll get him," he said and went out to the living
room. "Danny. You still awake?"

"Yea."

"Come on. You can sleep in our bed until you get one -- which better be
soon, by the way."

"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm fine."

"No you're not. It's the middle of winter and this apartment is too
drafty for you to sleep on the floor. You're gonna get sick. Really.
It's no big deal for us. Michelle sleeps with us when she's here,"
Michael coaxed.

"Nah, that's alright. It'd be too weird."

"There's not going to be any sex, and if you try anything we're going to
start poking you in the ribs."

"I..."

"Stop arguing. You're not gonna win, so get your ass off the floor."

"Fine," Danny said with a chuckle and a sigh.

They came back into the bedroom. Danny slowly laid down on one side of
the bed, and Michael got in on the other side. I was in the middle.
Michael turned off the light and we cuddled up and went to sleep. The
last thing I remember is Danny saying, "Thanks again, guys."


******************

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