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Disclaimer: Alright. I don't own the guys, I'm using their names for my own creative fun purposes, and hopefully for the reader's enjoyment. The song, "My Hidden Love" is mine, and I worked my butt off to write it, so if you hate it, don't tell me. I'm not a poet. Okay, actually, you can tell me anything you want and I'll smile and thank you for writing me. But really, please don't hate it. Lol! Hope ya'll had as much fun as I did! This is the end of our story!
"Hey!" The five guys all shouted cheerfully at each other, hugging each other tightly.
"You are tan!" JC exclaimed to Lance, who blushed.
"We were in the sun," Lance explained, grinning. "But what I've got is nothing compared to Justin! Check it!" He pointed to Justin, who was hugging Chris tightly. Justin was in fact very tan, and for a moment Lance admired him before JC was hugging him again.
"It's good to see you," JC told him seriously. "I'm sorry about what happened."
Lance took a moment to remember that he and JC had had a bit of a falling out. "Oh, JC, don't even think about it," Lance admonished. "I told you, I could never replace you, and I wouldn't ever want to."
JC didn't say anything, but he smiled at Lance, and then Lance was swept up in a hug by Chris.
"Hey you!" Chris exclaimed happily. "How's the leg?"
Lance laughed. "It's good, and it wants to know how you're doing."
"I'm fine, fine," Chris assured him. He lowered his voice so that the others couldn't hear. "Did you and Justin have fun?"
Lance frowned slightly, but he forced a smile. "Hawaii was a blast," he said. "We had a lot of fun."
Chris met Lance's eyes and nodded, and Lance stared back, utterly bewildered. He kept an innocent look on his face, wondering if Chris could hear just how loudly his heart was pounding. Did Chris know more about Lance's... sexual preference than he let on?
"Are you ready for more sun in the Caribbean?" Chris asked, changing the subject quickly. Lance frowned slightly, but he nodded.
"Absolutely!" Lance agreed. "It's going to be a blast."
"Definitely!" JC laughed, throwing an arm around Lance's shoulders. Lance had to admit, it was comfortable to be there again. He had spent so much time in JC's arms that he was used to it. Lance's eyes still somehow drifted towards Justin, who was laughing and palling around with Joey. Justin looked so happy... Lance was jealous. He really was jealous that Joey could be with Justin right now, and Lance himself couldn't.
Lance decided that he was losing his mind.
JC chatted with Lance the whole way to their terminal, then claimed the seat beside Lance's, putting Justin and Lance on opposite sides of the plane. If Justin cared, he said nothing, and JC was keeping Lance too busy to request a seat at least near Justin. JC was all over Lance, who was feeling overwhelmed, to say the least. He was also feeling very flattered, and glad, but he thought he would feel even better if he could at least see Justin without having to lean all the way down until his chest touched his legs. Justin, Joey, and Chris were all laughing and exchanging stories and having a great time, and Lance quickly stopped watching them, mostly out of jealousy than because he knew he looked like an idiot. Besides that, he was glad to be with JC again, who was thrilled to be back with Lance.
When they reached the Caribbean, it was late, they were tired, and they immediately went into their own rooms in the house they had rented for the week, deciding to pay attention to the beautiful view and luxiously large house later.
Lance was nearly asleep when he realized he hadn't spoken to Justin in almost 8 hours.
Exhaustion overwhelmed and almost choked him, but Lance did want to see Justin... Still, he was so tired, he didn't think he could get out of the bed. Lance's eyes were open wide, and he had a feeling he wouldn't get any sleep until he said goodnight to Justin.
Lance had an idea.
Lance reached out and snatched up his cell phone on the bedside table, hit a three on the speed dial, and waited.
"What?" came Justin's tired slur.
"Hey Jus."
Justin suddenly sounded very awake. "Lance?" he asked incredulously. "As in, 'I'm sleeping in the room right next to you you big idiot' Lance?"
"The one and only," Lance agreed pleasantly. "I'm too tired to get out of bed but I haven't talked to you in almost 8 hours, so I thought I'd say goodnight via the telephone."
Lance's door opened, and Justin stood there. "You're insane, you know that?" he asked Lance, shaking his head. Even Lance could see the smile on his face, and Lance clicked the end button on the phone as Justin came into the room and practically fell onto the bed beside him.
"I am so tired," Justin muttered, clicking the end button on his own cell phone. He lazily propped himself up. "Why did you call me again?"
Lance had to laugh. "Just to say goodnight."
"Ohhh," Justin said in realization. "You wanted me to stay with you tonight. Okay. Sure, no problem."
"Justin, I would like that, but if the other guys--"
"What? You want me to close the door?" Justin let out a deep, mocking sigh. "Fine! The things I do for you." He dragged himself up off the bed, disappeared for a second and Lance heard his door close, and then Justin was closing and locking Lance's door before dropping again back into the bed beside Lance. "It's the Caribbean. Should it be this cold?" Justin complained as he slid under the blankets and gathered them around himself, shivering.
"It's 'cause we're used to Hawaii, and Hawaii is warmer than here," Lance explained. "It's 83 there... 73 here." Lance reached out and rubbed Justin's arms through the blankets. "I'm kinda cold, too."
"Then come here and we'll keep each other warm." Justin's arms snaked out and grabbed Lance, wrapping the two of them tightly against each other. Justin's shivering stopped as their body heat mixed and mingled, setting them both on fire. "Much better," Justin murmured softly.
"Much," Lance agreed softly, holding Justin's arms down with his own. "God you're warm."
"I think that's you," Justin breathed back, wrapping the blankets firmly around their chins and tucking it all around them in a nice, warm cocoon.
Lance smiled slightly. "Or us," he corrected softly.
"Could be," Justin relented, and Lance shivered at his breath on his cheek. Justin answered simply by pulling him closer, their bodies tucked so tightly together that there wasn't an inch between them. Lance thought this little scene very erotic, and thought about feeling guilty before slowly drifting off to sleep.
Lance felt his heart skip a beat when Justin stepped into the living room, looking as though he'd just rolled out of bed even though it was almost noon. Lance had been up for hours, and JC had woken up shortly after, so the two had been catching up as they sat on the living room couch together. Lance was--as usual--under JC's arm, but he lit up at the sight of Justin.
"Hey Jus!" Lance greeted cheerfully.
Justin tiredly grunted a reply and dropped down onto Chris' lap as he sat on the love seat with Joey, who now had Justin's feet in his lap. Chris wrapped his arms around Justin's waist and Justin put his arm around Chris' shoulders to keep himself up. Neither boy on the couch flinched at Justin's weight, and Justin completely ignored them.
"I'm freezing," Justin whined. "Where is the heat?" He shot an incredulous look at JC. "How can you be wearing shorts and a tank top?!" He looked down at himself. "I'm wearing a long sleeved shirt and pants and I'm still cold!"
"Cold?!" JC exclaimed. "How can you be cold?! I thought I was going to roast to death this morning!"
"Ha, I wish," Justin scoffed miserably. "I'd trade with you any day."
JC laughed. "We were talking about going down to the beach today, Curly, what do you say?"
Justin nudged Chris with his elbow, which Chris didn't even acknowledge. "We're going to go shopping," he explained. "You and Lance go. Have fun."
Lance studied Justin, who seemed perfectly at ease with the idea. Lance tried not to sigh in disappointment and smiled up at JC.
"We will," JC assured Justin, and Lance slowly looked down with wide eyes.
"How's the leg, Lansten?" JC asked as he and Lance dropped onto their towels on the beach. They were cold and invigorated from the water, which they'd been splashing around in for a good hour.
"It's great," Lance assured him easily, grinning. He was having a great time, remembering why he liked JC so much. JC was very attractive, especially shirtless, and he sure seemed to enjoy Lance's company as much as Lance was enjoying his.
"Well that's good news," JC laughed, playfully ruffling his hair. He snagged his water bottle, drank half of it, and then passed it to Lance, who took several gulps and handed it back.
"Now, some sun," Lance sighed, leaning back on the towel.
There was silence for a minute, and then, "Know something, Lansten?"
Lance looked up at JC, who was on his side and leaning over Lance. Lance's heart pounded in his chest at the tender look JC was giving him. "No, what?"
"You are very attractive."
Lance's mouth opened for an answer, but nothing came out for a minute. Then he managed to squeak out, "Thank you." He cleared his throat. "You're not so bad yourself, you know."
JC laughed slightly. "Well thanks, but I have to tell you something." He sounded serious, and Lance suddenly... Lance suddenly didn't want to hear it. It felt almost wrong to be here with JC, like this. Lance's mind flashed between identical positions of him and JC, and then him and Justin. Justin's smile, Justin's grin, Justin's embrace.
"Okay," Lance agreed, feeling scared. His mouth was like cotton.
"The thing is..." JC trailed off, cleared his throat, and then sighed. "Lance, I'll be blunt. You're my best friend and I love you to death, but, ah... I think you need to be honest with me about your sexual orientation. 'cause... Honestly, Lance, it looks like you and Justin are trying to start something. Don't get me wrong, I'm completely happy for both of you, but I'd like you to be honest with me."
Out of all the things Lance expected JC to say, it was not that. "But, but I thought you--" Lance started.
JC laughed. "I know. I am. And..." He hesitated. "I know that it seemed like you and I were going to start something, Lance, but the thing is... Well..." He took a deep breath, and Lance sat there, waiting with a pounding heart. "I'm in love with Nick. Carter." He let out a deep breath, and Lance could only gape at him for a minute.
"Does he know?" Lance heard himself ask, completely astonished. Nick Carter? Nick Carter of the Backstree Boys?! Of all the people for JC to like... Did Nick even swing that way?! And where the hell had that come from? Yeah, Lance knew they spoke occassionally, but damn!
JC smiled slightly. "After we spent this past week together? I'd say so." He eyed Lance. "But back to you and Justin, you've been after him for several years, whether you knew it or not." He shrugged. "Lance, I adore you. I adore spending time with you. I adore flirting with your sexy ass." He smiled slightly. "I think if you and I had some different circumstances, we would be the best couple imaginable. But this is what we have to work with, and Nick and I are really hitting it off... And you and Justin are obviously after each other. I know you think that Justin's straight, but he's not. And he wants you."
"But, but, how do you--" Lance was completely dumbfounded, and unable to speak.
"Because I have two eyes," JC explained gently. "And I've known Justin for years and years and years." He shrugged. "I was just wondering when you were going to come clean with me. You, my friend, I have known was gay since I first met you."
Lance had no idea what to say. His mind was drawing a complete blank.
JC laughed. "I didn't mean to embarass you, Lance. I just think it's time we get it all out in the open. The whole story."
Lance took a deep, shaky breath. JC was right. "I guess it all started with my notebook..."
Lance was practically shaking with nerves when Justin, Joey, and Chris came back to the house. They were laughing and loaded with packages as they stumbled inside, and Lance walked into the living room from his room. JC was sitting there, nodding once at Lance, and Lance looked to the entrance to see the three still hyped up on energy enter.
"Jus, can I talk to you?" Lance asked, stuffing his hands in his pockets to keep them from shaking visibly.
Justin laughingly dropped his packages, still joking around with Joey and Chris, and followed Lance back to Lance's room, his grin wide as he shut the door behind them.
"Lance, before you say anything, I gotta tell you my great news," Justin carolled happily. Lance paused and waited, trying to ease the pounding in his heart. "I met the best girl today, man. She's beautiful. I mean, daaaaaamn! Joey was mad that I got to her first, but I did, and she's so sweet. Her name is Leika. How pretty is that? She's 20 and she's lived here her whole life, so she's got this beautiful island accent... Oh god!" Justin threw himself happily onto the bed. "She says she's a fan of our work, and we've got a date for tomorrow night!"
Lance's heart plummeted into his stomach, and he tried not to cry. Right, JC, Lance scoffed in his mind. Justin's real gay, alright. God, I can't believe I almost made the biggest mistake of my life!
Justin looked up at Lance. "So what did you want to talk about?" Justin asked, still grinning.
Lance forced a supportive smile. "You know, I can't even remember," he lied. For some reason, Justin bought the story. "So what are you two going to do?" He choked and nearly gagged on the lump in his throat, but he kept it under control as he sat on the bed, a foot from Justin's sprawled form.
"Dancing," Justin sighed dreamily. "We're going dancing. Dinner, dancing, and then possibly a walk on the beach at night..." Justin sighed again, and each sound was like a stab in Lance's heart.
"Sounds beautiful," Lance agreed, blinking away his tears. His heart was bleeding, he was sure that it was. Suddenly he just wanted to be alone and have a good, long cry. "God, my leg is sore. Do you mind if I just go to sleep?"
Justin sat up quickly. "Of course not. Do you want me to stay?"
"Nah," Lance dismissed hurriedly. "Thanks anyway. I'm just gonna go straight to bed."
Something flickered in Justin's eyes, but he nodded. "Of course. I'll see you tomorrow morning, okay? And then you can tell me all about your date with JC."
Lance forced a tight-lip smile and he nodded even as Justin turned and left, closing the door behind him. Lance buried his face in his hands, breathing raggedly to avoid the tears. He looked up and caught sight of the green notebook Justin had gotten him, snatched it up, and began writing.
"Well tell me about your idea."
"It's about a hidden love that this guy didn't know he had until one day, it just occurs to him. He thought he was in love with someone else, but he was wrong, and he loves that other person--he always did."
My hidden love exposed...
We were friends,
Since the beginning of time.
Our souls connected
Our hearts binded
But there was another
In my life since you
The feelings I once thought were true
Directed at another who wasn't you
I never expected to feel this way
Never expected my life to change
You were my friend, I never thought you more
'til that day you walked out my door
My soul has been searching
My heart has been yearning
And yet I found everything here
In the one place that was always near
A hidden angel from above
My true love
You were my savior, my hope, my light
You came and saved me from the darkness of night
And now that you're gone
I'm all alone again
Promises we made never to leave
Promises we made to keep
I didn't know I loved you
And yet I know now, please don't be too late
As hurt as I am, you I could never hate
I love you
My soul has been searching
My heart has been yearning
And yet I found everything here
In the one place that was always near
JC looked up from the piece of paper with wide eyes. "Damn, Lansten."
Lance didn't meet JC's eyes. "I hurt, JC," he said softly. He had gotten no sleep the night before, and when he heard JC roaming around the living room, he had ripped out the notebook paper and took it to JC immediately. From JC's reaction, he was impressed, but Lance didn't care. He couldn't care. He felt... void. Empty.
JC wrapped a strong arm around Lance's shoulders. "It's okay," JC breathed softly. "It's okay, Lansten."
Lance curled up to JC and allowed himself to be comforted against the pain that no one could take away from him.
Justin was full of energy all day, and finally, Lance had to leave. JC must have seen how distressed Lance was getting, because he announced that he and Lance were going to go shopping and they left quickly. Lance was grateful for the distraction, and to his surprise, JC kept humming something Lance had never heard before, but it sounded pretty.
"What is that?" Lance finally asked as they searched through a row of sparkly shirts for JC.
"I think it's a shirt, but it looks like a disco ball," JC replied, putting back a rather flashy looking ensemble.
Lance laughed, glad that JC could make him feel even a little better. "I was referring to whatever it is that you're humming," Lance explained, grinning slightly.
"Ohhh," JC laughed. "Well, actually, I'm trying to come up with a melody for your song. What do you think?"
"I think it's beautiful," Lance breathed, surprised. "You're working on it already?"
JC grinned. "Lansten, it's a beautiful song. Of course. I haven't been able to get it out of my head all day."
Lance blushed. "Thanks," he mumbled, suddenly finding a lot of interest in the shirts they were pouring over. JC laughed again, and Lance looked up hesitantly. "What do you suppose they're doing right now?" Lance asked quietly.
JC glanced at him, then shrugged. "Probably eating. Justin's probably regaling her of tales 'from the mainland' and she's probably giggling inanely over every word he says. She'll probably end up trying to kiss him and he'll get all ticked off and come back home in a big huff." JC's eyes met Lance's wide ones. "Justin doesn't like to be kissed unless he takes the initiative, and the way he looked like he was going to strangle me today does not make me believe that he's going to take the initiative. He's probably driving himself crazy wondering what we're doing."
Lance frowned. "I doubt it," he sighed, then pulled out a royal purple shirt with bright orange stars on it. "How about this?"
Justin was pacing his room. He was going to be late, but he kept thinking about what JC and Lance were doing... Or, more specifically, what they were doing together. He had seen JC's protective demeanor and Lance's submissive one all day, until he had nearly gone crazy watching them together. He asked Leika out on a date to try and get his mind off of Lance, but it wasn't going to work if he didn't stop thinking about him!
With an exasperated and angry sigh, Justin stalked out of his room and out of the front door, calling a goodbye to Joey and Chris, who were sitting on the couch together. Chris was sitting sideways, his legs in Joey's lap.
"How long until they crack?" Chris asked Joey conversationally.
Joey didn't look up from the tv. "I give it a couple of weeks, max."
"Justin or Lance?"
Joey didn't flicker. "Definitely Justin."
"Definitely," Chris agreed, reaching for a handful of popcorn and stuffing it in his mouth. He paused and glanced at Joey out of the corner of his eye. "Think they know about us yet?"
Joey's sly smile came back and met Chris'. "I don't see how they could. Considering it only happened earlier this week."
Chris shrugged innocently. "Just wondering if we were broadcasting as loudly as those two."
Joey suddenly scooped Chris into his arms and carried him to his bedroom. "I think we can broadcast louder..."
Lance listened with a heavy heart as he heard Justin try and creep into the house and into his room. He listened as Justin opened his door, shut it quietly, and then as Justin threw himself onto his bed in the next room. It was 2:43.
Lance rolled over and allowed the tears to slip down his cheeks unhindered as painful, choking, silent sobs shook his shoulders as he cried into his pillow to muffle the sound.
Justin and Lance were avoiding each other. It was painfully obvious to everyone, but they were going out of their way to not be together. Lance and JC went off, Joey and Chris went off, and Justin and Leika went off. Lance and Justin rarely spoke, to the point where they were both irritable and cranky, and JC, Joey, and Chris were desperate to get things in order.
And that was when JC got his brilliant idea.
"The studio?" Justin moaned as JC shouted at him to get up. They had left the Caribbean two days ago, and they were all staying in Orlando. Apparently they had a few extra days, so they were all crashing at JC's place. JC had holed himself up in the studio for both days, saying that he was working on some new songs for them to sing, and now he wanted them to all go in and practice them. "It's too early," Justin muttered.
"Justin, get your ass up!" JC shouted, and Justin bolted straight up in bed and wordlessly went into the bathroom for his shower.
JC sighed and shook his head before going down the hallway to where Lance was sleeping. "Lance?" JC called. Lance was laying awake in bed with his hands behind his head. "Studio, let's go."
Lance was already showered but not changed, and with a reluctant sigh he pulled himself out of bed while JC watched to make sure he was getting up, and then JC turned and walked away. He'd been on damage control with Justin and Lance for way too long, and he was sick of it. JC was going to repair their friendship if it killed them all.
"Here," JC told Justin as Justin walked into the studio. Justin gazed at the pieces of paper through his blue tinted sunglasses, took the glasses off, and then carried the papers to the recording microphone. Lance was in the soundproof room, along with the others. Apparently the song JC had wanted to practice required Justin's voice going solo, so Justin was in there alone.
JC played the song for Justin while Justin closed his eyes and listened, not reading the words. When the song was over he reopened his eyes, a bit surprised to see Lance and JC looking like they were arguing over something. Chris and Joey were exchanging looks warily.
"What's goin' on?" Justin asked into the microphone.
"Nothing," JC's voice came back firmly, and then it was cut off. Lance looked like he was really yelling at JC, and Justin arched an eyebrow.
"Sure doesn't look like nothing," Justin monotoned. He watched as Lance glanced out at him, and then glared angrily at JC. JC looked to be trying to reason with Lance, who was just looking angry. Justin had never seen him look so angry before in his life, and Justin snidely thought to himself that they were having a lover's quarell or something. He looked down at the song lyrics in front of him and began reading.
Justin paled, holding onto the music stand in front of him, and then it was taking all of his strength not to cry. "I can't sing this," Justin said into the microphone, his voice breaking. The four in the sound room looked at him simultaneously. "I-I'm sorry. I can't." He turned and ran out of the studio, the tears falling freely. He knew those words... He had dreamt those words! He had told Lance about those words! Lance had used those words... Lance... writing a god damn song about JC and letting Justin sing it! No wonder Lance and JC had been arguing... Lance wanted JC to sing 'their song'.
"Justin!"
Lance was suddenly there, holding Justin by the arm and turning him around. "What's wrong?"
Justin yanked his arm away vehemently, knowing Lance was surprised. "If you didn't want me to sing your song you should have just said so," Justin spat angrily. He switched topics drastically, back and forth. "My dream. You used my dream to write a love song about JC! If you wanted JC to sing it, you could have just said so." He had never felt more betrayed in his entire life.
Lance looked startled to say the least, not to mention a little sick. "Justin, I didn't--" Lance started.
"Don't." Justin held up a hand. "I don't want to hear it, Lance."
Lance's eyes were wide. "Justin, I didn't--"
"Don't," Justin snapped. "I don't want to talk to you right now."
Lance's eyes narrowed angrily. "You don't seem to want to talk to me at all lately. Was that little girl in the Caribbean that wonderful?"
Justin frowned. "What are you talking about?" he demanded. "You're the one who went and hooked up with JC!"
Lance's eyes widened. "I did what?!" he exclaimed, his anger evident. "Gee, Jus, I must have missed it, because I sure as hell don't remember 'hooking up with' JC!"
Justin frowned again. "It's a little obvious, Lance."
Lance rolled his eyes. "Oh, of course it is. Because we're both gay, it's only natural that we hook up, right? Well I got news for you, Justin. JC is about to start going out with Nick Carter. JC and I are not together. And I didn't use your dream to write the fucking song about JC!"
Justin's mind was spinning in confusion. "What're you talking about?" Justin asked warily. "Of course you did--"
"Now you're telling me why I do what I do?" Lance asked incredulously. "Oh, that's a new one on me, Jus. Wanna tell me how to think, too? Wanna start giving me my opinions on stuff?"
Justin scowled. "I don't know why you're getting all pissed," Justin snapped. "You're the one who was avoiding me."
Lance did a double take. "I avoided you?!" he exclaimed. "That was a joke, right? Something you thought was funny for a few fleeting seconds? I wasn't the one who ditched you for some little cheap slut in the Caribbean!"
Justin took a step towards Lance threateningly, and Lance just stood there.
"You wanna deck me, Justin?" Lance taunted. "Do it. Please. I dare you."
Justin's hand clenched into a fist, but Lance didn't back down. Their eyes stared into each other's for several seconds, both breathing hard, their chests heaving. Justin shook his head in disgust, turning away slightly. "I'm not going to hit you," he spat.
"Why not?" Lance demanded. "I'm giving you a perfect opportunity. Just do it, already."
Justin's eyes flashed as he turned back to Lance, bristled to fight. Lance again stood unwaveringly, his expression cold.
The fact that that anger was directed at Justin broke his heart.
The next thing Justin knew, his body slumped and he couldn't stop crying as he clutched Lance tightly, begging for forgiveness. He could feel Lance crying too, and they hugged each other for all they were worth, never wanting to let go again.
It was several minutes later that Lance broke away and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Justin I have to tell you something," Lance said softly. "A-and you may not like it..."
Justin didn't care what Lance said. Lance could say that he just murdered a bunch of people and Justin would still gaze at him with the same adoring expression he was wearing at that moment. "Tell me," Justin requested softly.
Lance hesitated, then seemed to get a burst of strength, because he took Justin's hands in his own and gazed into his eyes. "I wrote that song about you," Lance told him softly, then waited.
Justin thought he was going to faint. He thought he was going to cry. He was sure he was going to kiss Lance. He was sure he was going to spend the rest of his life in love with Lance.
Lance misinterperted his silence. "I know that it's a really serious thing," Lance went on hurriedly. "And I'm sorry, I just... I thought you should know that that's what JC and I were arguing about in there. I didn't want it out just yet, and JC sorta just sprang it on all of us. I had no idea until I heard the melody playing." He paused and studied the ground, his hands still holding Justin's. "I'm sorry," he apologized softly. "I didn't mean to fall in love with you. It just sorta happened. JC said it's been there from the beginning, but... But I didn't even know about it until recently."
"I-I'm sorry, did you just apologize for being in love with me?" Justin managed to choke out, watching Lance's face. "Lance, I think I've always been in love with you. I just didn't know it until we started spending all this time together... And... And the reason that I've been such a jackass is because I thought you and JC had gotten together, and I was hurt... That was the only reason I went out with that girl, anyway. I just wanted to take my mind off of you and JC. But nothing ever happened with her. It couldn't; not while I was in love with you." Justin turned his hands so that their fingers intertwined. "I'm sorry I hurt you."
Lance looked ready to cry again. "Y-you're kidding, right?"
Justin slowly dropped his mouth to Lance's. It was a soft, gentle kiss, full of promise. "I love you," Justin whispered, gazing into Lance's eyes. "I always have."
Lance was suddenly in Justin's arms, hugging him tightly. Justin wrapped his arms around Lance, for the first time finally feeling complete.
"Damn the loneliness," Justin muttered as he snuggled up against Lance. "I'll never be lonely again."
Lance protested. "I'm thankful for the loneliness," Lance objected, intertwining his fingers with Justin's as they laid in bed together. "We bonded over it."
Justin paused, then shrugged. "That's true," he relented, delivering a quick kiss to Lance's lips. "Did I ever tell you that I never get tired of kissing you?"
Lance thought about it. "About 12 times, but it hasn't gotten old yet."
Justin grinned as their lips touched again. "I love you," Justin told Lance softly.
"I love you too," Lance returned gently, resting comfortably in Justin's arms. He and Justin were laying face to face, or rather, face to chest, and Lance was already perfectly content with this position. Anything involving Justin made Lance content, he was discovering.
Justin sighed happily. "I like this," he breathed. "I like you."
Lance grinned. "I like you too. But only if you stop talking, because I'm trying to sleep."
Justin made a sound of indignation. "You would not talk to your boyfriend so that you could sleep?!"
Lance considered it. "Yeah, pretty much," he agreed, then started laughing when Justin tackled him, throwing his body onto Lance's and pinning him underneath himself. "Well this is kinda kinky," Lance teased.
Justin dropped his mouth to Lance's, licking Lance's lips and then lightly running his tongue down Lance's neck, down the center of his chest, and all the way to his waist before smiling devilishly up at Lance, whose eyes were wide, a gasp already slipping out of his throat. "That's kinky," Justin corrected mischeviously.
"Oh Lord," Lance muttered, dropping his head back against the pillow. "Give me strength."
"Endurance," Justin corrected.
Lance looked down at him, their eyes met, and they burst out laughing before curling up into each other's arms and slowly drifted off to sleep.
"How do I look?" Justin asked, stepping into his bedroom.
Lance turned around from where he was straightening out his tux in the mirror. "Sexy, as usual," Lance assured him, then again turned back to the mirror before meeting Justin's eyes in it. "I'm glad that we're here."
Justin came and wrapped his arms around Lance. "Me too," he agreed. "My mom looks beautiful."
Lance grinned. "Careful, Jus, you're gonna start sounding gay soon. Want to start picking out curtain patterns?"
Justin tackled Lance, throwing him onto the bed and pinning him. "Want to talk about which one of us is the guy in this relationship?" Justin retaliated.
Lance shrugged innocently. "That's okay if you're the guy," he began, his eyes glinting mischeviously. "Chicks can use their bodies to get what they want."
Justin broke into a teasing grin. "And what is it that you want, Lance Bass?" He uttered an exclaimation of surprise when he was suddenly pinned underneath Lance in a matter of seconds.
"You," Lance answered, delivering a quick kiss to Justin's mouth before standing and pulling Justin up with him. "But not right now. Right now we have to go to a wedding." He went back to the mirror and straightened himself out again before turning around and fixing Justin's tuxedo. He smiled at his boyfriend, gave him another quick kiss, and then together they left the room.
Lance joined JC and Nick, Chris, and Joey--the two who were now being more open about their relationship, and everyone had been thrilled when they found out about them--in the front row as Justin waited in the back to walk down the aisle. Lance flashed grins at his friends, who grinned back. Lance and Justin had been together for about 8 months, the romance was as alive as it had been the day they had gotten together, and they never seemed to tire of the other's company. When they did, they took a bit of time off, hung out with their other friends, and then reconveined. They had moved in together, in Orlando, and the guys--and their families--had all been surprisingly supportive about all of Lance and Justin's moves. There were rough patches, like when Lance wanted Justin to be able to have a normal relationship, but they had managed to pull through.
And Lance's song--My Hidden Love--had gone triple platinum.
The public was still unaware of Lance and Justin's relationship, though neither was really sure how. They were always together, and whenever Justin sang 'their' song, he somehow always managed to look at Lance.
Lance watched as his boyfriend walked down the aisle with a pretty girl on his arm, feeling no jealousy whatsoever, especially when Justin winked at him. Lance knew he had an adoring expression on his face, but he couldn't help it. He didn't want to help it. He loved Justin with every fiber in his body, and he was so happy... Always happy. The loneliness was gone.
Justin met Lance's eyes again, and he grinned, and Lance grinned back.
Their hidden loves had become exposed.
~~~~End~~~~
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