Copyright October 3, 2001 by Matthew Haldeman-Time
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: JC Chasez/Brian Littrell
Disclaimer: The young men who comprise the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC are their own people. The author has not met anyone here described, nor does the author mean to suggest that these people act this way in real life. This writing is a work of fiction. I make no money from this venture.
Dedication: This slashfic is for Ewan McGregor and the Savage Garden slashwriters.
Wherein JC sneezes, coughs, and misses Joey's phone call.
Notice: Fourth in a series.
Brian tucked back a strand of JC's hair. "May I sleep here with you tonight?"
JC found his voice. "Yeah." He shifted an inch closer to Brian.
"You don't have to decide anything now." Brian's eyes soothed him with love. "We are friends, no matter what, JC. You know that I mean that."
Friends no matter what. Friends even if they had sex. Friends even if they didn't have sex. Friends even if Brian wanted him and he said no. Friends even if he said yes.
He didn't know what to say.
He wanted to make love to Brian.
He was afraid to make love to Brian.
He didn't know what to do.
He didn't know what he'd
done.
"Bless you," Brian said.
"Thanks." He sniffed and accepted the mug.
"Joey called."
"Again?"
"He wants to make sure you're getting better."
"He wants to flirt with you."
Brian only smiled.
JC, who'd been on the verge of saying how well he was, broke into a coughing fit. It sounded like his lungs were full of junk. He tried to clear his throat, wishing that Brian would stop looking compassionate. They were friends, yes, but he didn't like to look like shit in front of his friends. Especially Brian.
"You okay?" Brian asked.
JC nodded, not trusting his voice. He gave one final mini-cough and took a drink. Brian was leaving tomorrow. Brian was leaving tomorrow, and he was ankle-deep in used tissues.
"I talked to Nick."
The healthy JC inside gave a small, understated sigh of disappointment. He didn't want Brian to go. He couldn't blame Brian for leaving.
"Would it be okay if I hung out here for a few more days?"
What?
"If you're itching to kick me out and wallow in cough medicine-"
"No - - yeah. You can stay, that's fine."
"Okay. Thanks."
JC took another sip. Brian was staying. Brian wanted to stay. Brian was volunteering to stay.
Why?
JC ran a hand through his hair, tugged down his T-shirt. "Thanks."
Brian was relaxing on JC's sofa, watching TV. "Do you need anything?"
"Mind if I join you?"
"No, go ahead."
JC sat beside Brian and looked at the screen. "You're watching this?"
"I've told you, I like this movie. You want a drink or something?"
"No, I'm good. Wait, this is my place, I should be asking you."
"You're an invalid."
"I'm fine."
"You look fine, too." Brian grinned before giving his attention back to the television.
Brian was flirting with him! With the eyes and the mouth and the, Brian was flirting with him! JC tried to focus on the movie.
"I'd like my own Terminator," Brian said.
"You would?"
"A personal, very dedicated bodyguard. Who has to listen to me." Brian chuckled. "And who looks like that."
"Like that?"
"What, you don't like him?"
"I'm attracted to humans. That man is not human."
"You prefer Linda Hamilton?" Brian asked.
"She's too old for me."
"I give up."
"Sorry."
"Maybe you're so beautiful, no one else is good enough for you."
"What?"
"JC, look at them, and look at yourself. There's no comparison. Maybe that's why you're single."
JC shook his head. He didn't know what to say.
"You think I'm full of it."
"I think you're exaggerating," JC said.
Brian cupped JC's chin, turned JC's face to his. "I'm not," he said. "You're beautiful, JC. You know that."
He wanted to pull away from Brian. He wasn't beautiful. Brian couldn't want him anymore, not like that, not after...
A gentle, loving kiss graced JC's cheek. "I'll stop telling you how beautiful you are, if you start to believe me."
JC had to smile. There
was laughter in Brian's eyes. Brian wasn't holding anything against
him. Not a thing. Not what he'd done; not what he'd failed
to do.
"You don't have to-"
"I like to keep in touch with you."
"You may be too busy. It sounds like there are people he wants you to meet."
"Who?" Brian looked interested, but puzzled.
"I'm not sure. Sounds like a guy."
Brian's confusion cleared. "Oh. Nick..." He shook his head. "Don't listen to him. He knows how I feel about you, and he wants me to be happy. He'd say anything to push you closer to me."
"Don't... The guy could be cute."
"He doesn't stand a chance." Brian hugged him, kissed his cheek.
JC caught Brian's hand. "I'm sorry."
"JC. For what?" Brian ran his fingers through JC's hair. "I love you, JC. You don't have anything to apologize for." A chaste kiss. "I'll come back later?"
JC nodded. He didn't want Brian to leave at all.
"I'll come back later," Brian
repeated, making it a promise.