Flying high


Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean...

Justin bounced in his seat, twisting this way and that way, trying to get a better view out of the window.

“Justin, what’s the deal?” JC asked in the seat next to him. “You’ve flown before.”

Justin turned excited eyes toward the older boy. “Never over water!” he exclaimed. “It’s really cool!” he pointed.

JC shifted a bit, seeing nothing but black out the window. “How can you tell we’re even over water?” JC asked.

“We just are, I know it.”

JC smiled. “If you say so,” he told Justin. “But you need to be quiet now, other people are trying to sleep.”

“Okay,” Justin whispered, continuing to look out the window.

JC pulled the blanket closer to him and just watched Justin. They were on their way overseas. Lou had come through with the money, and they were headed first to Sweden to record, then to other parts of Europe to promote. It was really happening. Six months ago, he had been waiting tables in Nashville; now, he was flying to Europe.

JC gazed over the aisle at the other members of Nsync. They’d become more than band mates, he realized. They’d become friends. Partners.

Brothers.

Joey. JC smiled as he watched Joey chat up his female seatmate. He’d known Joey the longest, even longer than Justin. Joey was all heart and soul and happiness. Joey was sure they’d be the biggest success ever, and around him, JC realized it was hard not to believe him.

Chris. Chris was both the oldest and the youngest of them. JC knew Chris’ background. The grinding poverty, the multiple stepfathers, the intense desire to make money to care for his family and the overwhelming need to perform for himself. Chris was the reason they were all here, and no matter what happened, JC would be forever grateful for that.

Lance. On some levels, Lance was an unknown quantity. The mystery man of the group. He’d come in late, but had fit in like he’d belonged there from the beginning. From the first note, his voice had melded with the other four so well, so beautifully, creating such a layered sound it still raised the hairs on JC’s arms when they sang a cappella. Lance had latched onto Chris, seeing in Chris the older brother Lance had never had; luckily, Chris didn’t seem to mind.

And finally, there was Justin.

JC turned toward the window as Justin finally abandoned his viewing of the black water and leaned back against the seat. JC pulled the boy closer to him, covering them both with the blanket and making them as comfortable as possible. He felt Justin snuggle against his chest.

Justin.

Justin was…everything. He was sunshine and laughter and heartache and ecstasy and, oh, just everything. They’d been together now for a year, ever since Justin had come to see him in Nashville. When JC had learned Justin felt the same way. That Justin loved JC, had always loved him, and wanted to be with him no matter what. And as much as JC had tried to deny it, or fight it, or attempt to prove Justin wrong, it never worked.

It was in Nashville when JC had learned what it was to be in love.

Justin’s head lifted up, his eyes shining in the dim cabin lights. “What?”

JC sneaked a kiss on the boy’s lips. “Nothing, just thinking.”

Justin snuggled again on JC’s chest. “About what?”

“You, me, the others, this whole thing.” JC pulled Justin closer. “It’s just…kind of unbelievable, you know? That this is happening to us.”

“I never had a doubt,” Justin said, his voice rumbling against JC’s chest. Justin’s arms snaked around JC, his hands snaking under JC’s shirt to find the warm skin underneath.

JC shivered at Justin’s touch. “Did you, now?” he asked, twisting toward Justin in the seat, his hand slipping down Justin’s thigh. “How did you know?”

Justin lifted his head before answering. “Because I believe in you,” he whispered, his eyes huge pools of blue that shined with pure, unaffected love.

JC’s own eyes stung at Justin’s words. “Justin…”

“Shh, go to sleep,” Justin said, deftly switching their positions until JC was lying on Justin’s chest. “It’ll be perfect, just wait and see,” he continued.

JC snuggled deeper into Justin, closing his eyes and thinking that Justin was right.

Right now, at this moment, life was perfect.



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