JC hurried into the main entrance of the hospital and approached the information desk. A young woman looked up, meeting his eyes. He saw comprehension fill them immediately as they widened a little, but just as quickly, her professionalism won over and she sent a soft smile his way.
“How can I help you?” JC glanced at her nametag.
“Hi, Sandy. Can you tell me what room Justin Timberlake is in?” She held his gaze for a moment before turning to the computer in front of her and typing a few things into it.
“It’s supposed to be restricted, private.” She looked around quickly, making sure no one was paying attention and then dropped her voice to just above a whisper. “But, well, I know who you are, and I know you know him. If you could just, um, maybe not mention this to anyone, I can tell you.” JC smiled his brightest smile at her, although at the moment it wasn’t very bright. He had received a quick phone call from Justin, telling him to get up to the hospital quickly. There had been no explanation beyond that and JC had no idea what to expect.
“That would be great. I won’t say anything to anyone. And if you’re going to be here for a while, I might even be able to get Justin to sign something. I’d sign it as well and bring it back down to you later.” Her eyes got wide again and she could only nod.
“Room 513, take the elevator up to the fifth floor and head left.” He winked at her quickly and headed toward the elevator. Pressing the five button, he watched as the doors slid shut and the elevator started to rise. He ran a hand through his hair nervously. Justin had been so vague on the phone and JC wished he’d been given a little more detail about why he was visiting Justin in the hospital. The fact that it had been Justin who had personally called him was a good sign. At least he wasn’t unconscious or something. But that still didn’t explain why he was on an elevator on his way up to see his boyfriend laying in a hospital bed. Justin had simply said he would explain once JC got to the hospital.
They had gotten back from London just three days ago and had been staying together in LA ever since. This morning, Justin had left early to head to some rehearsal for the upcoming Billboard Awards and other TV appearances he was doing while JC had gone to the studio to work with Dallas some more. His song for the Drumline soundtrack was done, but he and Dallas had clicked so well together in the studio, that Dallas had suggested working on some more songs, just for the hell of it. JC was thinking of putting out his own album, but had only just discussed it with Justin the night before. He still wasn’t completely sure if he wanted to do it yet or not, although Justin had said it was a wonderful idea.
It had been just around noon when JC’s cell phone rang, interrupting a brainstorming session. He had seen Justin’s cell number and excused himself, only to return moments later saying he needed to leave.
Dallas had understood, sort of. He, of course, had no idea that JC and Justin were together, but knew they were best friends so he understood that JC wanted to get to the hospital. He just didn’t know all of it.
The doors dinged open and JC stepped off, heading left. He saw Lonnie standing guard outside one of the rooms halfway down the hall and approached him quickly.
“Is he ok?” JC asked, concern evident in his voice. “What happened?” Lonnie smirked and crossed his arms over his chest. JC could tell he was trying very hard not to start laughing.
“I’m sorry. It’s really not funny, but it is because, well, it’s Justin. Go on in, you’ll see what I mean.”
“Lonnie, is he ok?”
“He will be. He’s just going to whine a little more than usual for awhile.” JC shook his head, muttering under his breath about unhelpful bodyguards as he pushed open the door and stuck his head inside. Justin was leaning against the headboard on the only bed in the room, arms crossed over his chest, pout on his face. His legs were straight out in front of him, his right foot wrapped in a thick soft cast. He glanced up as the door shut behind JC.
“You came!”
“Of course I came. Shit, all I got over the phone was that you were in the hospital. Did you really think I wouldn’t come? What the hell happened?”
“Broke my foot,” Justin said, pouting again. “Missed a turn and my foot slid out from under me. I heard a crack and then felt the pain.” JC tried. He really did. But the laughter came out anyway. Justin looked up at him with a kicked puppy dog expression on his face. JC sobered as quickly as possible and moved to the bed, sitting down so he was facing Justin.
“Oh baby, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to laugh. It’s just that you’re the most graceful person I know when you’re dancing. Aside from the thumb thing, which wasn’t your fault cause there was water on the stage, I’ve never seen you fall while dancing. You have to admit it is kind of funny.” He leaned in and wrapped his arms around Justin, kissing his forehead reassuringly. “Are you ok?”
“It’s not so bad now,” Justin sighed, resting his head on JC’s shoulder. “They gave me drugs for the pain. It hurt like a motherfucker earlier though. Now I just want to go home.”
“When do you get to leave?”
“As soon as the doctor comes back with the results of the second set of x-rays. They had to reset my bone so once they did that, they took more x-rays. He’s apparently reviewing them right now. But he’s been gone forever.” Justin was in a pissy mood. Not that JC could blame him completely. He was sure if it had been him in this position, he wouldn’t have been too happy either. And Justin was such an active person anyway, JC knew there was no way he could fathom having to sit still because of a broken foot. “So how’d things go in the studio?”
“Things were going good. Until I got interrupted by a strange phone call from my boyfriend, telling me to get to the hospital.” JC said, nudging his shoulder playfully.
“Sorry.” Justin looked down at his hands, which were playing with the hem of his tee shirt. “I didn’t mean to interrupt you.”
“It’s ok, J. Studio time can be rescheduled. I’d much rather be here for you. I was just kidding around. Just do me a favor. Something like this ever happens again, don’t be so vague. You have no idea what kind of thoughts ran through my head on the way up here.”
“Sorry. I was just, well...it’s kind of embarrassing. I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.” JC hugged him close again and laid a soft kiss on his lips, pulling away just as the door opened and someone JC could only guess to be Justin’s doctor walked in.
*****
JC moved ahead of Justin and held the door open for him as he limped through on a pair of crutches. The doctor had said it looked good, but that he needed to stay off of it as much as possible. He could walk around short distances; to the bathroom for example, but if he was going anywhere outside the house he was to use the crutches if he wanted to be able to use it in time for his billboard performance.
JC let Justin move ahead of him into the living room and watched as he flopped back onto the couch, propping his leg up on the other cushions. JC went over and grabbed a throw pillow, lifting Justin’s leg carefully to put the pillow under it. Justin sighed.
“Why are you so sweet?” JC just grinned at him.
“You need anything? Something to eat or drink?” JC asked, starting to head toward the kitchen. Justin stopped him by grabbing his hand.
“Just you. I need you, Josh. Come here.” He moved his leg back as far as it would go comfortably on the couch and made room for JC to cuddle up with him. JC obliged happily, curling his body around Justin’s, pressing his head under Justin’s chin. He laid a soft kiss to Justin’s neck.
“You should probably call your mom, and Johnny. Johnny’s gonna need to know and I’m sure you’re mom is going to want to hear it from you before she finds out from some news broadcast.”
“In a minute,” Justin sighed. “Right now I just want to hold you.”
*****
Justin moved awkwardly across the room, grabbing a few more articles of clothing before heading back to the bed where his suitcase lay open, already half full.
“How long you gonna be gone?” JC asked as he entered the room, leaning against the doorframe. Justin turned to him and gave him a soft smile.
“I’m not sure. She just wants me there. She wants to be able to look after me and spoil me again. Somewhere along the line I got too old for her to do that and now with this damn foot, she feels like she has the right again.” Justin said as JC moved toward him. “I told her I was with you, and that you were taking good care of me, but she said I couldn’t use my best friend like that. She said I couldn’t make you put your life on hold for me.”
“If only she knew how much I was willing to put on hold for you,” JC said, wrapping his arms around Justin and leaning in until their lips met. JC let his tongue slip between his teeth to run lightly against Justin’s bottom lip, seeking access. It was granted quickly and he slipped inside the hot cavern, letting his tongue swirl around Justin’s mouth, tasting him, teasing him, pleasing him. Justin moaned into JC’s mouth and slid his tongue along JC’s. Finally, out of breath, they pulled apart, both panting slightly. “I love you.”
“I love you too, Josh. More than anything. I really wish I could stay here with you, but I think the only way my mom wouldn’t come flying out here to take me back to Tennessee herself is if she knew the truth.”
“I’m actually kind of surprised you don’t want to tell her. You tell your mom everything.” JC said, placing a soft kiss against Justin’s forehead.
“I do want to,” Justin said, looking into JC’s eyes. “I just wasn’t sure you were ok with that.”
“J, you can tell her if you want. It’s not like she’s going to go running to the press or anything. And I know she won’t say anything to anyone else unless you say it’s ok to. If you tell her not to say anything, she won’t.”
“You don’t care if she knows?”
“Justin, she’s your mom. And I know how close you are to her. A month ago, I might have had a problem with it, but that was only because I wasn’t sure where this was whole relationship with you was going. Now I know that you love me and I love you. You can tell her if you want to.”
“Thanks, Jace. I wanted to tell her awhile ago but I just didn’t think you were ready for anyone to know.”
“We’re going to have to tell all our family and friends eventually. I don’t want to keep this a secret forever. Why not start with your mom?”
“How do you think she’ll react?” Justin asked, searching JC’s eyes. JC could see the fear lying deep inside them and he pulled Justin close, reassuringly.
“Justin, you mom loves you more than anything. I’m sure she’ll be fine with it. You’re perfect to her. I don’t think there’s anything you could do that would make her stop loving you.”
“She loves you too, you know. You’re like a son to her as well.”
“Then that’s all the more reason to be ok with it. Hopefully she’ll think I’m good enough for you, since no one else you’ve ever been with, including Britney, has been.”
“I seriously think, once she gets use to us together, that she won’t ever think anyone aside from you is right for me ever again. You’re everything she’s ever wanted me to find in the person I spend the rest of my life with. And, just for the record, I feel the same way.” Justin winked and leaned into JC, pressing his lips against the soft, wet ones in front of him. “I mean that, Jace. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted.” JC was speechless and could only lean into Justin, resting head against Justin’s shoulder.
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted too, Justin.” And it was true. It had only been a short time, but he could already see Justin and him spending forever together. Maybe it was because they already knew each other so well going into their relationship, maybe it was just that they had connected so well since they started, but whatever the reason, it wasn’t strange or scary to think about spending the rest of their lives together. “I love you, Justin.”