Warning: This story contains slash, male/male pairings. If you do not approve please go back or leave this site.
Disclaimer: I do not know Nsync so please do not ask me for their contact information. For all you JC fans, please do not get offended by the way I present him in this story; it was just a way to get Lance to end up with Justin. To tell you the truth, I currently like JC better than Justin because Justin is being a bit of a jerk. So, please, don’t get offended.
Lance Bass lay in bed looking up at the ceiling. His boyfriend of two years, Josh, better known as JC was fast asleep beside him. Lance was glad he was. If JC was awake, he would be asking him why he wasn’t asleep. Lance couldn’t bring himself to tell JC he felt they were drifting apart. He knew how much JC was counting on this relationship, how bad he wanted it to work for them. JC had had nothing but rocky and abusive relationships until he met Lance. Now he felt like he had the perfect someone.
The truth of the matter, however, was that the two of them had been fighting an awful lot lately. Lance wasn’t so sure that JC saw it. He thought that JC was so wrapped up in the good times they had in their relationship, he was completely blind to the bad times. He didn’t know if their arguments were even registering in JC’s mind. He sighed and thought back to dinner that evening.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~EARLIER THAT EVENING~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lance and JC sat at the table, eating dinner in silence. It was the first time JC had cooked in a month or so, he had injured his hand badly when he fell during practice for his upcoming tour. Lance felt he was just a bit rusty but he wasn’t going to tell JC that. He was so happy to be back in the kitchen and Lance didn’t want to take that away from him.
“Well?” JC asked suddenly. Lance looked up at him.
“Well what?” he replied in a confused voice.
“How is it?” JC asked him. Lance hesitated for a moment before responding.
“It’s okay,” he said and resumed eating. His head shot up when he heard the loud clang of JC’s fork hitting his plate. He looked at him. JC was frowning.
“Just okay?”
“Well yeah. It’s not great but don’t scold yourself, you haven’t cooked for at least a month. You’re just a little bit rusty is all. Don’t worry babe, I’m sure it will be great again in no time.
“A little rusty?!” JC cried. He got up so fast he knocked his chair over. Lance could tell he was getting angry. He stood slowly and fixed him with a firm gaze.
“Calm down JC. I was only being honest. I even gave you some encouragement.”
“Bullshit!” JC pushed the table with his hands, sliding the contents across it. Lance caught a glass as it fell from the edge and set it down again. “You call that encouragement?!”
“Stop it Josh,” Lance said calmly but firmly.
“No I won’t stop! You’re the one person I expect to always enjoy my cooking!”
“You also don’t like it when I lie to you! So, I was being honest!”
“Honest my ass!”
“Joshua Scott Chasez, knock that attitude off right now! This is uncalled for!”
“I don’t need you to tell me what to do, James Lance Bass! I’m older than you are!”
“Yeah?!” JC nodded. “Could’ve fooled me because you sure don’t act like it!” JC walked over to him and smacked him across the face.
“Don’t you ever speak to me that way again! Do you understand me?!” Lance said nothing. He turned and left the room instead. JC did not follow him; he sat down and dropped his head into his hands.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BACK IN BED~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Lance sighed heavily and glanced over at JC again. Although neither one of them had spoken to each other the rest of the night, JC had still settled into bed as if everything was alright. His boyfriend was still asleep. Lance was glad he hadn’t woken. He needed something more in his life, something that wouldn’t get him hurt. His cheek was still warm and red from when JC had smacked him at dinner. He touched it and sighed again. Glancing at JC one more time, he carefully slid out of bed.
Quietly but as quickly as he could Lance got dressed, grabbed his keys off the nightstand, and headed out. He got into his car, pulled out of the driveway, and took off down the street. He was going to go to his favorite bar, which was open twenty-four hours. He knew drinking wouldn’t really make everything better because he had never been much of a drinker. However, right now, he felt that a couple of cool ones would help him clear his head and figure out what to do about his relationship with JC.
Moments later, he arrived at the bar and shut the engine off. He got out of the car and headed inside as fast as he could because it was very chilly out. He walked in and the bartender looked up, not at all surprised to see him. This wasn’t the first time Lance had shown up at the bar for some late night drinking. Lance nodded towards the bartender and glanced around. Except for a guy wearing a hood at the far end of the bar, the place was empty.
Lance walked over and sat on the stool next to the guy. The guy looked up at him briefly before returning to his drink. Lance caught a glimpse of dazzling blue eyes before he turned away. He stared at him for a moment, stunned. He had never seen such pretty eyes in his life. Fingers snapped and Lance jumped, turning to face the bartender, standing in front of him.
“What can I get you Lance?” The hooded guy looked up again when the bartender spoke. He seemed to be watching, listening in. Lance couldn’t see how the guy would be interested in what he was going to order.
“Just start me off with a screwdriver, please.” The bartender nodded and pulled out a glass. Lance looked over at the hooded guy and saw he was still watching him. “What?”
“You can handle that?” the guy said.
“Pardon me?” Lance asked surprised.
“Orange juice and vodka, a screwdriver, you can handle that?”
“Sure; why?”
“No reason really, you just looked like someone who wasn’t much for hardcore. I expected you to order a wine cooler or something.” Lance laughed.
“I guess we’re not always what we seem to be at first.” The guy smiled. Lance stuck out his hand. “Lance, Lance Bass.” The guy took it and gave it a shake.
“Justin Timberlake,” he said, pulling his hand away. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise. You’re not from around here are you?” Justin shook his head. “Where are you from?”
“Memphis, Tennessee. This is my first time in Florida. I came out here to see about hopefully getting a record deal. Are you from around here?”
“Well, I live here if that’s what you mean, but no, I’m not from around here. I’m originally from Laurel, Mississippi. It just so happens that I’m a music manager.” Justin’s eyes widened. “If you would like, I could take a look at your stuff and maybe even sign you.” Justin smiled.
“Really?” Lance nodded. “That would be great!” Lance laughed and the bartender set his drink down in front of him. He sipped it and looked back at Justin. “So, why are you here anyway?” Justin asked him. Lance turned and looked down at the bar. Justin put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Lance, what is it?” he asked calmly with concern.
“My boyfriend,” was all Lance could say.
“Your…boyfriend?” Justin asked and Lance was surprised to hear that he sounded disappointed.
“Yeah, his name is Josh.” He didn’t bother to tell Justin that Josh liked to go by JC. “We’ve been going out for two years but we’ve been fighting a lot lately. He had a lot of bad relationships before me and I don’t think he realizes what’s happening.”
“What do you think is happening?” Justin asked gently.
“I think he’s been in so many bad relationships, he’s become that way himself.”
“You mean like all he knows is abuse so that’s all he gives?” Lance nodded. It was then that Justin noticed the red mark on Lance’s face. He cupped Lance’s chin in his hand and turned his face towards him, examining the bruise. “Oh my God! Did he do this to you?” He let go of Lance’s chin. Lance hesitated a moment and nodded again.
“Earlier this evening, at dinner. He got mad because I said his cooking was okay but not great. He hasn’t cooked in a month because of a hand injury. He was a little rusty, that’s all.”
“And he smacked you for that?”
“Yeah,” Lance answered quietly. “I can’t take this anymore but I’m afraid of what he might do if I break it off.” Justin moved the hand he had on Lance’s shoulder around so he had wrapped an arm around Lance’s shoulders. Lance looked at him for a moment. “I’m scared Justin. This isn’t the first time I’ve come here so late because of something Josh did. This time though, I don’t want to go home.” Justin seemed to be thinking about it for a moment.
“You can come and stay with me at my place,” he offered.
“You have a place to live already?”
“Of course. I didn’t leave Memphis until I had already secured an apartment. It’s a one bedroom but I’m sure the couch will be comfy enough. I’ve fallen asleep there myself before.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be any trouble.”
“You won’t be.” Lance smiled. Justin looked at his drink.
“Thanks.”
“Sure thing Lance,” he replied, still not looking up from his drink. When he finally did, he said, “Say, does Josh work tomorrow?”
“Yes, he does,” Lance responded in a curious voice.
“What time?”
“Well, he’ll probably leave the house about eight and he won’t be home until five, five-thirty.”
“Excellent.”
“Why do you wanna know?”
“Because tomorrow, you’re going to leave him.” Lance looked at him wide-eyed.
“What?!”
“Tomorrow, while he’s at work, you and I are going to go to your house and pack up your stuff, only things that are most important though; then, you’re going to come and live with me. You do not have to tell him where you’re staying. You don’t even have to tell him you’re leaving, just do it. It’s the best way to leave an abusive relationship, trust me. You can drop your car off at home tonight. I’ll follow you and then take you to my house, or apartment actually, in my car.”
“Why are you so eager to help me? You hardly know me.”
“Because, from what I can tell, you’re a good guy Lance and you don’t deserve to be treated like that; you deserve better, way better.”
“You really think so?”
“I know so. Now, finish your drink and let’s get going. Since it’s only one drink you should be okay driving.”
“What about you? How many have you had?”
“No need to worry, I haven’t been drinking alcohol tonight. I’m trying not to do anything that might interfere with doing my work to the best of my ability.”
“Now that’s good thinking, I like that. Josh seems to think he needs at least one glass of wine before he goes to bed. Some nights, he gets carried away though. It doesn’t look good when he plays back the finished product.”
“Oh, Josh is a singer too?”
“Yeah, but he’s already made a name for himself.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Haven’t you ever heard of JC Chasez?” Justin looked surprised.
“He’s that Josh?!” Lance nodded. “Wow, I never expected him to be one to abuse his lover.”
“Believe me I didn’t either when I first met him. But hey, you learn something new everyday.” Justin nodded. Lance downed the rest of his screwdriver and slid off the stool. Justin finished his drink as well and followed pursuit.
“Okay, go on, I’ll follow you to your house.”
“I hope Josh doesn’t wake up.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t be going in, we’ll just be switching cars is all. You’ll leave your car in the driveway or something and then we’ll both take off in mine. It’ll be alright, now very loud at all. So unless Josh’s ears are sensitive to the sound of a running engine, he shouldn’t be disturbed.”
“Well, he is a light sleeper but he never seems to have woken up the other nights I snuck out to come here.”
“Okay then, nothing to worry about.” He started to head out of the bar. “Let’s go.” Lance hesitated a moment and then followed Justin out.
As he had said he would, Justin followed Lance back to the house he shared with Josh or JC as he called him. Lance was still worried that JC might wake up but he tried to stay positive. After all, JC had never wakened before when he came home. At least, it seemed that way to Lance. He had no way of knowing for sure.
He held his breath as he pulled into the driveway. He looked up at the house and got out of the car. He heard Justin’s car pull up to the curb and turned to see him shut his lights off. He looked back up at the house and was relieved to see that all the windows were still dark. That meant that JC was still asleep.
“See, I told you there was nothing to worry about!” Justin called out the window. Lance turned and smiled at him. “Now get in and let’s go! I’m exhausted! I need to get in bed before I fall asleep at the wheel!” Lance laughed and started to jog over to the car. He stopped when a beam of light hit him from the back. His head turned and his eyes flew up to the bedroom window. To his horror, the light had been switched on. “Quick, get in!” Justin cried. Lance spun on his heel and ran for the passenger side door. He climbed in; Justin turned the key at exactly the same moment. As he pulled away from the curb, Lance caught a glimpse of JC approaching the window.
“Shit, this is not good!” he said as Justin sped off down the street.
“What’s not good?”
“He’s awake. He’ll notice I’m gone.”
“How do you know he’s awake?”
“I saw him at the bedroom window when we pulled away.” It was then that he noticed a car following them in Justin’s rearview mirror. “Ah shit!”
“What?”
“We’re being followed!” Justin glanced in the mirror.
“Chill, it’s probably just a car heading the same direction.”
“I hope so,” Lance said nervously but when they stopped at a well lit corner, he glanced in the rearview mirror again and gulped when he saw the license plate.
“What is it?” Justin asked, glancing at him quickly before returning his attention to the road.
“That ain’t no car heading the same direction. I just saw the license plate.”
“And?”
“It said JCHASEZ. This is no coincidence, I know Josh’s car when I see it and that is his license plate. He’s following us. What are we going to do?!”
“Calm down, I’ll think of something.” After a few more blocks, he pulled over and parked the car. He watched and waited as JC’s car parked right behind him.
“What are you doing?” JC was getting out.
“No time for questions! Get in the back and lie down. There’s a car cover back there you can hide under!” He glanced in the rearview mirror. JC had shut his door and had turned to walk towards them. “Hurry!” Lance did as he was told and quickly slipped in the back, pulling the car cover over him. Then he lay still and listened. Justin rolled down the window.
“Hey,” Lance heard JC say as he approached the car.
“Hey. Can I help you with something?” Justin asked quizzically.
“What do you mean?”
“You were following me, what do you want?” JC smirked.
“I have reason to believe you have my boyfriend in your car.”
“Your boyfriend?” Justin asked, sounding disgusted although Lance knew he wasn’t.
“Yes, where is he?”
“Why are you asking me? I don’t know him; I don’t even know you! Well, not personally at least.”
“Don’t lie! I know he’s in your car!” JC was getting angry. “Lance, get out here!” Lance didn’t move.
“I told you, I don’t have your boyfriend. What makes you think he’s in my car?”
“Because, I saw your car out in front of my house and I saw him clear as day. I even caught sight of your license plate as you pulled away, JUSTINT. Now, cut the crap and tell me what you think you’re doing with my boyfriend!” Lance heard Justin get out of the car. He peeked out through the opening in the cover where one of the lights would sit. He saw Justin pull down his hood. He had a buzz cut but that just made him all the more beautiful. Lance couldn’t get his mind off of how beautiful he was. Justin shut the car door.
What Justin did next surprised Lance. He walked closer to JC and smacked him across the face. “You are such a stuck-up asshole!” JC clutched a hand to his face but only for a moment. He went to punch Justin but he stepped out of the way and JC’s fist rammed into Justin’s car door. He pulled his hand away, his face screwing up in pain. “Don’t underestimate me. You know something? I used to idolize you but after hearing that you are an abusive boyfriend, I just look at you in disgust. You’re pathetic JC Chasez, pathetic.”
“So, you do have my boyfriend in the car! Give him to me you little freak!” He charged at Justin again but Justin merely put his hand up to stop him.
“No.”
“What did you say?”
“You heard me, no. I’m not going to let you hurt him anymore, it’s not right. How can you treat such a sweet guy that way?”
“How do you know if he’s sweet?”
“It’s just one of those things I could tell just from talking to him. It’s easy to see that he is.”
“I see. Why won’t you give him to me?”
“Because, you don’t deserve him, he deserves better than you. Besides, he doesn’t want to be with you anymore.”
“I don’t believe you! If he really wants out, he can tell me himself!”
“Fine! Lance, can you come out here, please?” Lance hesitated before getting up, climbing out of the backseat, and getting out of the car. He stood next to Justin. “Lance, this young man wants to speak to you.” Lance looked at JC.
“Lance, give me your hand, we’re going home!” He seemed to think for a moment. “On second thought, just get in the car, I don’t even want to look at you right now!” Lance started to walk away but took one look at Justin and stepped back. He stood firmly where he was. “Go!”
“No!” Lance said, and he was not afraid.
“What?”
“No, JC, I’m not going with you. I’m fed up with the way you have been treating me. You can’t control me anymore. This is the last draw.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying it’s over JC, I don’t want to be with you anymore.”
“Told you,” Justin said. JC glared at him.
“How dare you break up with me!” He made as if to smack Lance again but Justin caught his hand.
“Don’t you dare lay your hands on him again. If you do, I will call my friend Chris Kirkpatrick.”
JC snorted. “And what’s he going to do?” He started laughing.
“He happens to be a cop who works for the Orlando Police Department. I say, it would look terrible to your fans if you were arrested for domestic violence. You wouldn’t want to lose your reputation, would you?” JC stopped laughing and gulped. “I thought so.” He turned and looked at Lance. “Get back in the car Lance,” he said softly. Lance didn’t hesitate; he went around to the passenger side door and climbed in. “We’ll be over to pick up his stuff tomorrow while you’re at work. If you don’t interfere, I’ll make sure you won’t lose your precious reputation.” That said, he turned and got back in the car. He turned the key and drove off.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~2 MONTHS LATER~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Justin cringed as he felt a splatter of paint hit his cheek. He turned and saw Lance practically rolling with laughter. “Oh, you think it’s funny, huh?” Lance nodded, still laughing. “Well, take this!” He picked up his own brush, dipped it in the paint, walked over to Lance, and ran the wet brush down his face. Lance gasped and it was Justin’s turn to laugh.
“Why you!” Lance’s arms flew out and he tackled Justin to the ground. The two began wrestling around all over the floor, knocking over a can of paint and smearing it all over their hands, clothes, and hair. “How do you like that, huh?”
“You goof, now we’re both covered in paint. There won’t be any left for the walls! How do you expect to perfect our new house if you keep wasting paint?!”
“Well, you’re not much better!” Justin laughed and then Lance did something he wasn’t expecting. He placed his hands on the back of Justin’s head and pulled him down, pressing their lips together in a passionate kiss.
When they finally pulled away moments later, Justin said, “What was that for?” Lance smiled at him and gave him a quick but soft kiss on the lips. “Come on Lance, what was it for?” Again, Lance didn’t answer. This time, he shoved Justin off of him and ran out of the room. Justin stumbled to his feet and ran after him. He could hear Lance giggling somewhere ahead. “Lance! Come on Lance! What’s this all about?!” He finally cornered him in one of the bedrooms they had already painted and set up. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, swinging his legs back and forth.
“’Bout time,” he said. Justin shut the door and went to sit beside him. He turned and looked directly into Lance’s gorgeous green eyes. He felt his heart beating really fast as Lance stared right back into his blue ones.
“Lance,” Justin said softly, placing a hand on Lance’s knee, “What’s going on? Why did you kiss me?” Lance smiled again and took Justin’s hand in his own.
“I have to tell you something Justin,” he said in that quiet deep voice of his Justin loved so much. Justin’s heart skipped a beat.
“What is it Lance?” He put his free hand under Lance’s chin and tilted his head so he could better look into his eyes. “Your eyes are so gorgeous, you know that?” Lance blushed and looked away. After a moment, he looked back at Justin.
“I want you to understand that this isn’t easy for me to say.” Justin nodded. Lance took a deep breath and looked Justin in the eye again. “I love you Justin.”
“What?”
“I love you. I mean like really honestly truly love you. My heart was broken but you mended it. Although we’ve only known each other for two months, you’ve always been there for me. I feel so alive when I’m with you. I’ve never been so happy in my life. I thought I wanted to be with Josh but it took two years of his abuse for me to realize I didn’t.” Justin seemed momentarily shocked but the expression on his face soon melted into a warm smile.
“You really mean that?” Lance nodded.
“Yes, I do.” He looked down at the floor and Justin tilted his head up again to look in his eyes.
“I love you too, Lance.” Lance’s eyes widened. “I’ve loved you since the first time I saw you. That’s why I was so disappointed when I found out you had a boyfriend. That’s also why I wanted to help you when you told me he hit you.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I love you Lance. I always will, and I will never treat you the way he did. By the way, how’s his music going?”
“Same as always. But you won’t believe what people are like now that he is single. That’s not important now though.” Justin shook his head.
“No, I guess it’s not.” He looked out the window and then back at Lance. “What is important, however, is whether or not you’re ready for another relationship. I don’t want to start anything you’re not ready for.”
“Believe me, I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?” Lance smiled and nodded.
“I wouldn’t have told you I loved you if I didn’t mean it. Not if I wasn’t sure I was ready to move on. The fact is, you make me happy Justin, a lot happier than JC ever did.” Justin started laughing. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing. It’s just that, well, that’s the first time I’ve ever heard you refer to him as JC.” Lance smiled.
“Actually, I normally refer to him as JC. I only call him Josh when I’m angry with him.”
“So, all this time you were angry with him?”
“Of course I was. But now I don’t care. He doesn’t matter to me anymore. Now to me, he’s just JC Chasez, a singer who’s made it big. I don’t know him and I never did. And I certainly don’t know anything about his personal life.” Justin laughed.
“So, that’s it huh? No more broken heart? No more hurt from the famous JC Chasez?” Lance shook his head.
“I’m ready to move on and you’re the one I want to be with.”
“It doesn’t matter to you that I’m two years younger than you are?” Again, Lance shook his head.
“Not at all. It’ll give me the chance to be the ‘Seme’ for once.”
“The ‘Seme’?” Justin looked at him quizzically.
“It’s Japanese. It basically means the leader in the relationship. With JC, I was more often then not, the ‘Yuuk’.”
“I’m guessing that means the other person in the relationship?”
“That’s right. So what do you say Justin, will you be mine?”
“I thought you’d never ask!” Lance laughed and grabbed the back of Justin’s head pulling Justin’s lips to his and pressing them together in a delicate, passionate kiss that would soon give way to two heated naked bodies thrusting together in the darkness.
The End.
Well, I hope you enjoyed. Please send me feedback. I got some more stuff to work on that I'm going to put up so hang tight. Oh, and I don't yet have any stories for the hosted stories, so please send me some to my e-mail, they are greatly appreciated.
