DISCLAIMER: I don't know the guys. I've never met them, I've never seen them in concert, I think you know where I'm going with this. Please don't sue!

        "Sweetie, take out this plate, would you?"
        Lance grinned at him mom cheerfully and carefully took the plate from her extended arms. "Sure, Mom," he agreed easily, carrying it out to the long dining room table and setting the plate down amongst the other side dishes that littered the table. There was hardly any room for anything else, and Lance knew for a fact that his mother had several more bowls of sides in that kitchen.
        "Hey," a soft voice greeted in Lance's ear, and Lance looked up over his shoulder, his eyes lighting up when he saw who it was.
        "Hey you! Where've you been? You're late! We expected you back an hour ago!" Lance admonished. "The other guys are in the living room. Go say hi."
        Justin lightly bit Lance's lower earlobe. "But I'd much rather stay here with you."
        Lance smiled happily into Justin, then forced himself to stay calm. "No," he ordered authoratively. "You go see the guys. If you stay here, I'm going to want to hold you."
        Justin wrapped his arms around Lance from the back, resting his chin on Lance's shoulder and looking up at him. "Would that really be so bad?"
        Lance sighed, dancing his fingers over Justin's arm even as he spoke. "Jus, you know that no one knows about us."
        "Yeah. For 6 months no one knows about us." Justin frowned. "Do you know how hard it's getting for me to not touch you while we're on the bus together?"
        Lance dropped his head back against Justin's chest as Justin stood up straight, resting their heads against each other. "I know, baby," he whispered softly. "I know." He and Justin had been having the same fight for months. Once, and only once, Justin had stormed out of the hotel room that they were secretly sharing, leaving Lance alone on the bed crying. Not a half an hour later, Justin was back and in Lance's arms, apologizing and confessing love. Justin had never walked out again.
        Justin let out a soft sigh, and pulled back. "One kiss," he pleaded, giving Lance his famous puppy-dog eyes. Lance smiled and reached up, giving Justin a soft, gentle kiss, and then pulling away, making sure to give Justin a small swat on the bottom.
        "Now get out of here," Lance chided playfully.
        Justin grinned and disappeared into the living room, while Lance went to go help his mother. Soon they were ready for dinner, and the twenty-some people all gathered around the table. Lance was given the turkey, and carefully he carried it out to the dining room, where everyone was starting to sit down.
        "Don't drop it, Clutz," Joey teased, from about halfway down the table. Lance glanced up at him, grinning, and allowed his eyes to meet Justin's before setting the bird down in front of the head of the table, where his dad always sat. Then he smiled at his mother, gave her a kiss on the cheek, and made his way to his friends. Justin pulled out his chair for him casually as he sat down beside him, and under the table, Lance grabbed Justin's hand tightly.
        "Before we begin," Lance's dad spoke up. "Diane and I were talking, and we thought it would be fun for everyone to say one thing that they're thankful for this year."
        Lance laughed softly, squeezing Justin's hand.
        They all went around the table, the most common answer being friends and family. Joey answered Nsync, Chris answered his brothers--Nsync, JC answered Nsync, more friends and family, and then it was Justin's turn, but Justin said nothing for a moment.
        "Jus," Lance prompted quietly.
        Justin smiled at him. "I know," he assured him, then looked up at everyone, contemplating what to say. "I guess," he began slowly. "I'm most thankful for love, this year."
        Lance froze.
        "I-I never told this person, but I'm in love, and I'm most thankful for that." Justin looked over at Lance, his eyes warm but slightly afraid. "Your turn."
        Lance stared at him, unable to look away, and completely ignoring Justin's nervous look at the others. Finally, Lance looked away, and studied his family, then his family friends, then Joey, Chris, and JC, who were looking confused, and then more friends and family, and then back to Justin.
        "This year," Lance began slowly, studying the table. He looked over at his parents, who were frowning slightly, and took a deep breath. "This year, I fell in love, too." He felt Justin's hand tighten on his, as the three Nsyncer's on the other side of the table all sat up straight with shock and realization. Lance's parents were looking surprised and confused, and Lance licked his lips before going on. "This year, I was lucky enough to find someone that I love with my heart and soul. Someone I can turn to whenever I need a shoulder to lean on. Someone that I can't imagine my life without. Someone who I know I'm going to spend the rest of my life with; in love with." Slowly, Lance brought his eyes up to Justin's, who was looking shocked, but very, very happy. "This year, and for every year for the rest of my life, I am most thankful for you."

~~~~End~~~~

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