JC picked up his ringing phone, and before he could even get out a hello, he heard Justin’s voice on the other end.
“I’m on my way. I’ll be there in ten.” And he hung up. Not even ten minutes later, JC saw Justin’s BMW pull up to the gate. Hitting the button for him so Justin didn’t have to bother with the code, JC headed out to meet him.
Climbing in the passenger’s seat, JC turned to grin at Justin.
“Nice hair. Or lack there of. What made you decide to shave it again?” Justin shrugged as he pulled out of the driveway and back onto the street.
“I was bored. And my curls pissed me off this morning.”
“Your curls pissed you off?”
“Yeah.”
“Care to expand?” JC asked. Justin turned his eyes to JC’s for a moment then turned back to the road.
“I kinda got a comb stuck in them.” He shrugged again, sheepishly this time.
“How the hell did you get a comb stuck in them?” JC asked, trying to suppress his laughter.
“I told you, I was bored.”
“Justin, if you’re going to have a conversation with me, please at least try and keep it at an adult level. You’re going in circles.”
“I was bored…”
“Which we’ve already established twice,” JC interrupted. Justin glared at him.
“You wanna hear my story or not?” JC simply nodded. “Anyway, I was bored on my couch watching TV and there was a comb laying there. So I was just playing around with it and it got all twisted in my hair. I couldn’t get the fucker out. So after getting completely frustrated, I just cut it out. Then of course I had to shave it, because well, it looked ridiculous with just a huge chunk cut out of the top.” JC lost it. The laugher erupted deep within his chest and he leaned back into the headrest, covering his eyes with his hands. Finally, he glanced back up at Justin.
Justin was pouting.
“Don’t pout. You have to admit, that’s a pretty funny story.” Justin’s pout turned into a grin and he glanced sideways at JC for a moment. Then, slowly, the grin faded and he reached his hand over, resting his on top of JC’s own. JC looked up at him for a moment, then turned his over so their palms were resting against each other and intertwined their fingers together.
It had only been two days since they had decided to test out a relationship and everything was still new to them. Neither of them were exactly sure anymore what the limits were or if there were any limits at all. Add to that the fact that neither of them had any experience with a member of the same sex and the fact that they had been friends for so long that the routine they had down was suddenly, slowly changing, and it was a confusing situation. It wasn’t weird though. It seemed almost natural, and most of all it seemed right. They both trusted each other more than anyone else in the world and were completely and totally comfortable with each other. It was everything they had both ever wanted in a relationship.
JC looked down at their joined hands and noted the fact that Justin’s was almost the exact same size as his. But, regardless, they fit perfectly together. He squeezed Justin’s hand lightly and glanced back up to his profile.
“So where are you taking me?”
“Somewhere special. This is our first date after all.” Justin turned and winked at him before turning his eyes back to the road. JC felt a warm heat within his chest and he smiled happily. Turning the radio up a little, he sat back in his seat, his hand still intertwined with Justin’s, and watched the passing scenery in a comfortable silence. Justin sang along softly with the radio, and JC took the time to admire his voice. He knew its capabilities almost as well as he knew his own. He knew each and every pitch and note Justin could hit, but he was still awed whenever he heard the younger man sing.
Finally, Justin pulled off the interstate and they started a winding journey along back roads. JC was completely lost, but Justin seemed to know exactly where he was going.
Their destination ended up being a small section of beach, secluded by large rocks and tropical vegetation. The sand was pure white and the sun glistened off the water, creating the illusion of heat rising off of it. Turning off the car, Justin took his hand back from JC and reached into the back, producing a blanket, a picnic basket, and a cooler. JC barely had time to marvel at the romantic gesture before he was gently tugged from the car, Justin’s hand once again clasped in his as they slipped off their shoes and made their way up the beach.
Once the blanket was spread out and they were sitting, looking out at the water as the sun slowly started to lower over it, JC turned to Justin.
“This place is incredible. How did you know about it?”
“I found it awhile ago. When Britney and I had one of our fights. Remember how I just use to take off and drive? I ended up finding this place one day. I’ve come here ever since when I need to think. You’re the first person I ever shared it with.”
“Never with Britney?”
Justin shook his head. “No. I was planning on it, someday. It just never seemed like the right time. And then, well, you know.” He trailed off, his thumb making small circles on JC’s palm. “Besides, I don’t think she would have really appreciated it like I knew you would.”
“I’m glad you shared it with me. It makes me feel special.” JC leaned up, drawing closer to Justin. Justin responded immediately. They hadn’t kissed again since the day washing their cars, but it was so natural between them, it was as if they had kissed dozens of times before.
“You are special,” Justin whispered, as he captured JC’s lips with his own. It was soft and sweet, just a press of open lips and it ended almost faster than it had started, but Justin knew it was the perfect kiss for the moment. Justin nuzzled his nose against JC’s cheek for a moment before pulling away. “You hungry? I got your favorite.” He opened the picnic basket and produced an assortment of Chinese take out boxes, a couple cold beers, some plates, chopsticks for JC, and a fork for himself. JC laughed lightly at the fork in Justin’s hand.
“Man, you really need to learn how to use chopsticks.”
“I’ve tried. I just can’t do it.” Justin said as he slipped a Lo Mein noodle between his lips and sucked it nosily into his mouth.
“Something Justin Timberlake can’t do. The world would be shocked,” JC said, grinning as he picked up some of his own rice with the chopsticks and made it all into his mouth. He picked up a piece of his chicken with the chopsticks and held it out to Justin. JC watched as Justin’s lips wrapped around the chicken and chopsticks and licked his own lips.
“You know, the millions of girls in this country weren’t wrong. You are sexy.” Justin blushed lightly, a soft red barely hitting his cheeks. He heard that almost every day of his life, but it was different coming from JC.
“You finally noticed.”
“No, I’ve know it for years. I’m not blind, J. Dense sometimes, spacey often, but never blind. Just because, until recently, I never looked at you as anything more than a friend doesn’t mean I never noticed.” He grinned and popped some chicken into his mouth. Justin reached out and lightly ran his thumb over the bottom of JC’s lips, catching the sauce that had missed his mouth, and then raised it to JC’s mouth, allowing him to lick the sauce off. A shiver ran down Justin’s spine as JC’s tongue swirled around his thumb until he reluctantly pulled his hand away, brushing JC’s cheek in the process. JC looked up at him and Justin saw a look in his eyes he had never seen before, at least not directed toward him. It was want and longing, with maybe a little bit of lust thrown in.
They finished eating and sat back casually to watch the sun set. As it dipped lower and lower over the horizon, JC pulled Justin closer to him so they say side by side, hands grasped together and resting between them.
“This is really romantic, Justin.” JC glanced at him for a moment, catching the small smile that played on his lips. “I just want you to know that I’m not really very good at the whole romantic thing. I like it and everything, I’m just not very good at doing it myself.”
Justin’s smile turned into a wide grin. “I know this Jace. This may be our first date, but I’m your best friend and we spend half of our lives living on top of one another in a cramped bus. I know you probably as well as you know yourself.” JC grinned right back. “It’s just as well though. I probably have more than enough romance for both of us.”
“Yeah, you probably do. Just know that even though I’m not very good at doing that kind of stuff, doesn’t mean I don’t like it. You’re welcome to be romantic whenever you want.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
*****
Once the sun had set, they packed up their stuff and climbed back into Justin’s car. The ride home was silent, but comfortable. Once they got back to JC’s house, he turned to Justin.
“You coming in?”
“Why Mr. Chasez, are you trying to get me to put out on the first date?” Justin drawled, accenting his southern accent more than normal while batting his eye lashes dramatically.
“Yes. Come inside and I’ll seduce you.”
“Ass,” Justin said, laughing.
“Hey now, no name calling.”
“Jace, I always call you an ass. Just because we’re dating now, doesn’t mean that’s going to stop. Think of it as my pet name for you.” JC laughed as he climbed out of the car, followed by Justin.
“You grab a movie, I’ll get the popcorn,” JC said after he disarmed his alarm, heading toward the kitchen.
With the movie in and started and the popcorn and a couple of beers situated on the table in front of them, they both relaxed back into the couch. JC was at one end with Justin at the other. Not long after the movie started, thought, Justin kicked off his shoes and stretched out, resting his head on JC’s thigh. He glanced up at the older man, asking permission with just a look. JC smiled down at him and rest his hand on Justin’s side, running his hand lightly up and down the length, giving silent permission. Justin turned back to the TV, but a few moments later, sighed lightly.
“This is weird.” JC’s hand stilled on his side, wondering what Justin meant.
“What’s weird, J?”
“Well, I’m just not sure what the boundaries are between us. I’m not sure if, by doing something, I’m going to cross a line you’re not ready to cross yet.” He turned to look up at JC again. “I mean, I know typical first date etiquette, but even thought this is technically a first for us, we know each other so well, and for so long, that I don’t think the typical etiquette applies. And aside from all that, this entire situation is new to both of us. The whole being with another guy thing. I just don’t want to take things farther than you’re ready to.”
JC sighed, relieved Justin hadn’t meant he thought what they were doing was weird. It was anything but weird to JC. It felt perfectly natural and very right. “Justin, don’t hold back. If I feel things are going too far, or you’re crossing a line, I’ll tell you. Things are going to go faster than if this was a first date with someone we haven’t know half of our lives. Don’t second guess yourself because you think I won’t be comfortable with it. I’m completely comfortable with you, and I trust you just as completely. Don’t worry so much about crossing lines. I don’t think there are many lines between us left to cross.” Justin smiled and nuzzled his nose into JC’s stomach, pressing against him lightly before turning back to the movie. JC ran a hand over his newly shaved head and down to his neck, squeezing lightly. “I want to be with you, J. I never would have told you I did if I didn’t. Don’t think so much, just feel. This feels right, so let it be right.”