Part 12

Justin bounced into Lance's room after class on the Monday after Parent's Weekend sporting a huge smile.

"What is this? No more moping? I thought we'd never see that famous Justin Timberlake grin again." Lance joked, leaning back in his desk chair.

If possible, Justin's grin became even wider. "Lance, everything's so right at this moment." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper as he said, "Josh and I are back together. And I mean, really together."

Lance's face grew paler than it already was. All that careful planning was going down the drain. "You and Josh? Don't you remember all the things he said to you?" Lance argued, desperation showing in his voice.

Justin frowned at the reminder. "Yes, I remember. But Lance, he apologized. And more than that, I know things now that help me understand him better."

"Really? And what things do you understand that explain that he treats you like a whore?" Lance sneered.

Justin's eyes narrowed menacingly. "He doesn't treat me like a whore. I admit, he hasn't been the nicest person in the world, but I love him, Lance. And I understand that things make him who he is, and we're going to work on the bad parts."

Lance scoffed. "You are so goddamn naïve, Justin. Do you think that people like Josh just change overnight?"

Justin rolled his eyes and got up to leave. "You don't have to understand Lance. I understand. And since I'm the one with Josh and not you, then that's all that matters." With that, he stormed out the room and stormed into Josh's, his face red and body tense.

"You alright?" Josh asked as he looked up from his computer. He pulled Justin into his lap and began petting him. Justin was practically vibrating with anger.

"It's Lance. Dammit, he's determined for me to hate you as much as he does. He just doesn't understand that I…" Justin trailed off. He was about to tell Josh that he loved him. Even though they were working at a relationship, Justin still couldn't tell him that. Lance was right about one thing. He couldn't expect Josh to change overnight. The man was a complete commitment phobic, and Justin didn't think that he had changed so much in the past three days that he wouldn't freak out if Justin decided to finally shout out declarations of love.

"Fuck Lance. His problems with me are between him and me. They have nothing to do with you." Josh lifted up Justin's chin so they were eye to eye. "You're one of my favorite people, you know that?"

Justin smiled as Josh leaned in to kiss him softly on the lips. Justin threw his arms around Josh's neck, deepening the kiss. When they pulled apart breathless, Justin admitted, "I'll never get enough of kissing you." As a response, Josh kissed Justin again and slowly guided him to the bed.

_ _ _

"Your plan fucked up." Lance growled, pushing into Kevin's room.

Kevin rolled his eyes. "I'm really tired of you just barging into here. Just because we're plotting together doesn't make you some bad ass that can just storm in here without knocking. And last time I checked Bass, it was your plan."

Lance ignored him. "Justin comes in my room today, smiling like a fucking maniac, gushing about him and Josh. Apparently, they're stronger than ever."

Kevin nodded his head grimly. "I know. Unfortunately my cousin Brian and friend Joey decided to help Josh and Justin figure out how much they belonged together. Don't worry though. I've got another plan. One that's completely foolproof."

Lance rolled his eyes. "That's what you said about the last one."

Kevin smirked as he answered, "Trust me, if this relationship survives what I'm planning, I'll give Justin away at the commitment ceremony. Lance, the two lovebirds aren't even going to know what hit them."

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