Chapter 22 Lance turned around when he saw Justin's gaze lock on something behind him. He stepped back from Justin, but kept his arm around his waist. "Hey, Joe." Joe took a step closer looking between the two men before him. "You know I would have figured Lance here to be a pretty boy, but you surprised me." "Don't call him that, Joe. He's just like you and just like me. A guy." Justin said taking a step closer to Joey. Joey jabbed a finger at Justin's chest. "What are you going to do about it, Timberlake?" Lance reached out and grabbed Justin's arm pulling him back. "Come on, Justin. Just let it go." "Fine. Go ahead and run, boys, but let me say something first."  Justin stopped and turned to look at Joey once again waiting for him to speak. "On the court, we will play basketball. We will not repeat tonight's game. Off the court, you don't exist. I don't want to see you. Talk to you. Even know you are in the room. That goes for you too, Bass. I don't associate with your type. Is that clear?" Lance was the first to speak because Justin was just standing there in shock. This was the same person that had been his friend since the day he had arrived. "We got it, Fatone. We don't need friends like you anyway." Pulling on Justin's arm, he began to walk away. He wrapped his arm protectively around Justin's shoulders leading him away from the arena. They found Josh and Britney sitting outside their dorm. Justin mumbled a quick hello before running up the stairs. Lance sighed. "Joey is an asshole. He confronted Justin and I outside the locker room." Britney stood up. "Damn, stupid male." Balling her tiny hands into fists, she turned and ran up the stairs going after Justin. She returned after a few minutes shaking her head. "He won't talk to me." Lance stood up and made his way up the stairs. When he reached the room, he found the door unlocked. Pushing it open, he peeked inside finding Justin curled up on his bed. "Hey, Justin, you okay?" In the low light coming through the window, Lance could see Justin shake his head. Walking over, he sat down next to him running his hand over Justin's curls. "I'm sorry, baby. I know you didn't want this to happen." Justin flopped onto his back. "We knew it would though. Things can never stay perfect for very long." Lance laid down next to Justin. The size of the bed made it a tight squeeze, so Lance moved so that he was on his side leaning over Justin. "Nothing is ever perfect, Justin. They can be real good, but never perfect." "You're perfect, Lance," Justin whispered. Lance laughed. "No, I am not, and neither are you, Justin. That is what makes who you are though." Justin wrapped his arm around Lance's waist pressing himself closer. "Well, you are as close to perfect as you can get," he whispered, as he touched his lips gently to Lance's. "I love you so much, Lance." "Love you, too, baby. Always," Lance whispered, as his lips once again covered Justin's. As they continued to kiss,  Lance moved to lay partially on top of Justin letting his fingers slowly trail to the hem of the t-shirt he was wearing. Justin moaned into Lance's mouth as he felt fingers touch the skin of his stomach slowly making their way up to his chest. Justin reached out tentatively, and let his hand travel under Lance's shirt caressing up and down his back. Lance pressed Justin into the mattress, as his thumb grazed Justin's nipple causing him to gasp. He wanted his boy so much, but he knew that the time wasn't right for them to go any further. He wanted that night to be as near to perfect that it could get. Lifting his head, he smiled down at the boy beneath him. "Things will be okay Justin. As long as we have each other, we will be fine," Lance whispered. Justin returned the smile with one of his own. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sleeping here tonight, you know." Lance chuckled. "Oh, really? Do I get a say in that?" Justin shook his head. "Nope. Last night was the best night's sleep I have had in awhile. Might even just sleep here with you every night." "Fine with me," Lance said as he stood and pulled off his jeans. Laying back down, he wrapped his boy in his arms waiting until he heard his breathing slow to fall asleep himself. changes 21 menu changes 23