Wake-up Call

Wake-up Call

Rating: NC-17 for graphic male-male sex

Pairings: *NSYNC/98 Degrees

Disclaimer: The young men who comprise *NSYNC and 98 Degrees 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 is Gumby, Jeff is a cur, and Chris is AJ?

Notice: Kyla's been asking for Jeff/Chris since we met. To be honest, I never gave it much thought, because, Jeff/Chris? Jeff o' the Pecs and Chris o' the Braids? Then I gave it some thought. Then I knew I had to write it. So thank you, Kyla, for being patient. And smack me next time I dismiss an idea without considering it.
Although, be careful when you ask me to write something. Becky wanted Lance/Brian, and I wrote "Easy." This may not be what Kyla had in mind.

Heidi

Jeff laughed, tucking the phone between his shoulder and his ear. "Yeah, I can bring Nick." Rolling up his shirtsleeves, he glanced across the apartment. "It'll disrupt his big plans, though. Yeah, he's been counting on spending all week on my sofa watching the play-offs. You know how it is. Right, tomorrow. See you then."

Jeff turned off his phone and dropped it on the table. "You awake over there?"

Nick changed the channel.

"Good. Want to go see *NSYNC tomorrow?"

"Hey, yeah. Where are they now?"

"Over in Pittsburgh. You're driving." Jeff eyed Nick. "That was Joey."

"How is he?"

"Good. He and JC say hi."

"Hi," Nick said.

Jeff waited. Nick changed the channel. Jeff rolled his eyes and went to the fridge.

Chris stood in the the doorway to *NSYNC's dressing room. "This is *NSYNC only. No one may enter. You may not breathe on this door."

"Mr. Kirkpatrick-"

"Hi, I'm Chris." He shook her hand. "What can I do for you?"

"Some friends of yours are here. They say that Mr. Fatone invited them."

"Who - - wait. Which Mr. Fatone?"

"Joey."

"Who are they?"

"Nick Lachey and Jeff Timmons."

Chris's face opened into a wide smile. "Send 'em in, do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars. Joey!" he said, turning to the rest of the room. "You're inviting people here without consulting us?"

"It's Nick and Jeff," Joey said.

"Somebody better wake up JC," Justin said.

"Hey! Who let Arnold in here?" Chris demanded.

"Hey, Chris," Nick said, walking in with Jeff.

"How you guys doing?" Jeff asked.

"JC, we have company," Lance said, pulling JC's hair as he walked past the sofa. "Are you staying for the show?"

"That'd be great," Jeff said. "You have room in the booth?"

"I don't know," Chris said. "We may not have the space for 49 Degrees. That's a lot of-"

Nick smiled. "Shut up."

"Where are the rest of you?" Justin asked.

"Drew has the week off, the Backstreet Boys are in the States, we won't be seeing him for a while," Nick said. "Justin's with his girlfriend, what's her name?"

"Sandra," Jeff said.

"No, that was last week," Nick said. "Gretchen?"

"No, that's..." Jeff thought about it. "Who's Jessica?"

"That's it," Nick said. "Her."

"That's the kind of social life I need," Chris said.

"Yes, meaningful relationships are overrated," Lance said.

"Justin's relationships are very meaningful," Nick said.

"For all ten minutes," Jeff agreed.

"Ten minutes?" Chris asked. "He's got me beat by seven minutes there."

"This is why you're single," Lance said.

"Give me a break," Chris said. "I'm not a kid anymore. My Raisin Bran's only got half a scoop these days."

"Two scoops of raisins in Kellogg's Raisin Bran," Justin sang.

"Justin, it ruins it if you sing the jingle," Chris said.

Justin shrugged. "I like that song."

Nick and Jeff raised their eyebrows.

"JC! Come and say hello!" Without warning, Joey grabbed JC from the sofa.

Set on his feet by the door, JC blinked through his confusion. He stared.

"We have company," Lance said.

"Look, JC, it's Nick and Jeff," Justin said.

"You might want to comb your hair or - - oh, it's supposed to look like that," Chris said. "My mistake."

"Hi," JC said.

Nick smiled. "Hi."

"Hi," Jeff said, trying not to smirk. "How've you been, JC?"

JC blushed a little, gaze darting from Nick to Jeff and back again. "Good. How are you guys?"

Joey elbowed Chris. Chris elbowed Justin. Justin elbowed Lance.

"We're good," Nick said. "It's great that we're taking our break while you guys are in the area."

"Yeah," JC said.

Jeff smirked.

Chris put on Lance's sunglasses, pulled up his shirt to expose his stomach, and grabbed his crotch.

"AJ!" Joey said.

"That one's too easy," Nick said.

After flashing a toothy smile, Chris tried to hide his hair with one hand, tried to move his hips, and started to beatbox.

"I know that one!" Justin said. "Lance!"

Jeff cracked up.

Chris went down on his knees, pulled his hair, and moaned.

"Nick Carter!" Nick said.

"Good," Lance said.

Chris started to flex and pose like a muscle man.

"Somebody from 98 Degrees," Justin said.

Chris pulled out the front of his shirt to make room for breasts.

"Jeff!" Joey said.

"Hey!" Jeff said.

Nick started laughing. Jeff hit him.

Justin and Lance were pretending to talk in one corner.

Chris, Jeff, and Joey were pretending to talk together.

That left JC and Nick on the couch.

"What is Nick saying that's so fascinating?" Jeff asked. "He's not that interesting."

"Dimples," Chris said. "Look at JC. He's mesmerized."

"He's nervous," Joey said. "Relax, JC."

"Why is Nick an idiot?" Jeff asked. "He has no idea."

"Everybody else knows," Chris said.

"Don't tell him," Joey said.

"I won't," Jeff said. "I like to laugh at how clueless he is. But I feel bad for JC."

"So do I," Chris said, and glared at Jeff's back. Joey tried not to laugh.

"What are you doing after the show?" Nick asked.

"The guys were thinking of going out," JC said. "You want to hang with us?"

"Yeah," Nick said. "Jeff! You want to go out after the show?"

"Yeah," Jeff said.

"Oh, we have to drive back," Nick remembered.

"You can stay with us," Justin said. "We're here for two nights, you can stay in the hotel."

"It's booked," Lance said.

"For two guys from 98 Degrees, they'll find rooms," Chris said.

"You can stay in our rooms," Joey said. "Sleep with Chris and JC, they're little."

"Little?" Chris repeated.

"Little?" JC asked.

"Okay, he's short, he's skinny," Joey corrected himself. "They don't take up much room."

"Sure," Jeff said. "Thanks."

Joey ignored Chris's damning glare.

"I don't think we're dressed for clubbing," Nick said.

"You're fine," Chris said. "It's Pittsburgh."

"This," Chris said with pride, "is our soundbooth."

"Nice," Nick said.

"Never been in one of these before," Jeff said. "So this is what they look like."

"Nice," Nick repeated.

"They like it! They really like it!" Chris shouted. "These are people. They work here. They think I'm God. People, these are 49 Degrees. I have to go do whatever it is I do around here. What do I do, again?" he asked JC.

"Not much," JC said.

"No, that's your job," Chris said. "I'm pretty sure I do something. I'll go ask Lance. You two stay here, have fun, enjoy the show. Catch ya'll on the flip side. Peace out. Word to your mother."

"Bye," JC added.

"That, too." Chris did the "YMCA" dance and left. JC followed him.

"He," Nick said, "is weird."

"Very," Jeff agreed. "I like the red in his hair. That looks good."

"Why don't we have experimental hair?" Nick asked. "They're always doing something with theirs."

"That's because their Justin looks good with cornrows. Our Justin would not."

"Good point. I don't think we should be here."

"Why not?"

"Because we have to hit the road again, knowing how much our concerts suck in comparison."

"Our concerts don't suck," Jeff said. "They're just underbudgeted."

"You know what would make a big difference?"

"Don't say it, Nick. If you want to live to see the sunrise-"

"If you could dance."

"Oh-"

"That would make a big difference."

"You want me to throw you out of this booth and into that frenzied mob of screaming girls? I'll do it."

"Try me."

"You know what would make an even bigger difference? What would really help our shows?"

"What's that?"

"If you could sing."

"You-"

"And if your brother could sing."

"I-"

"And if I weren't the only good-looking one." Laughing, Jeff scrambled out of Nick's way.

"So," Justin said.

"So," Lance said.

"So," Joey said.

"So," Chris said.

JC looked at them.

"Good to see the guys," Justin said.

"Too bad Drew and Justin couldn't make it," Lance said.

"But having Nick and Jeff here, that's good," Joey said.

"Nick," Justin repeated, looking at JC.

"Jeff," Lance said, looking at Chris.

"You know," Justin said. "There's a rumor."

"Just a rumor," Lance said.

"That somebody..." Justin wandered. "In this room..." He came up behind JC. "Has a crush on Nick Lachey."

"Who could it be?" Chris asked.

"It's a mystery," Lance said.

Joey came nose-to-nose with JC. "Well?"

JC blushed and tried to ignore them.

Chris poked JC. "Well? Well? Well? Well?"

"Who likes Nick?" Joey teased. "Who likes Nick?"

"I don't like him," JC said.

"Oh, right," Joey said.

"Sorry," Justin said.

"Our mistake," Chris said.

Lance shrugged in acceptance.

JC scratched the back of his neck.

Chris whistled tunelessly.

Joey looked at JC.

"Kind of cute, though, ain't he?" Justin asked.

JC blushed. "I didn't look."

Joey laughed.

"You know, JC, every time you lie, your hair grows," Chris said.

"He's nice," JC said.

"He's a singer," Lance said. "You like musical people."

"His brother's gay," Justin said. "You've seen them together; you know Nick doesn't have a homophobic bone in his body."

"And what a body," Joey said. "What? I'm straight, not blind."

"Nice body," Chris agreed. "Great body, blue eyes, good hair, nice mouth. Dimples, even. Have you seen him smile?"

"That's a nice smile," Lance said.

"He is kind of cute," JC admitted. Justin and Lance clapped; Chris cheered; Joey swung JC in a circle.

"That was awesome!" Jeff said.

"So you said," Lance said.

"Awesome!" Nick agreed.

"That's too small," Joey said.

"How broad are your shoulders?" Justin demanded.

"Nobody gives a performance like that," Jeff said.

"That looks kind of tight," Lance said.

"How committed are you to that hairstyle?" Justin asked.

"That was amazing," Jeff said.

"Earrings!" Joey said, snapping his fingers. "That's what we need."

"His ears aren't pierced," Lance said.

"No, Nick," Joey said.

"Where does JC get that energy?" Nick asked.

Lance hid his smile.

"Wild, isn't he?" Joey asked.

"He's always like that onstage. How does he do that?" Nick asked.

"We have no idea," Justin said. "It's great, it works, we don't question it."

"We need that onstage," Nick said.

"There's not enough room on our stage for that kind of energy," Jeff said.

"You guys were great," Nick said.

"Awesome," Jeff said.

"Thanks," Justin said. "Try this on."

"It's Pittsburgh," Chris said. "Why are they playing dress-up?"

"Where are we going?" JC asked.

"That place, the one with the pink neon."

"Where?"

"Oh, we went there last time, when you didn't come with us," Chris said. "It's pretty big. You and Justin can shiver and shake all you want, you dancing fools."

"We're going dancing with Jeff?"

Chris laughed. "You're too nice to say that. I'm a bad influence on you. Jeff can stand around looking good while you...dance...with Nick." His fingers walked up JC's arm.

JC smacked Chris's hand. "I'm not dancing with Nick."

"Why not? He's pretty good. Better than half of us."

"You guys are good," JC said. "We've learned a lot. It's just, sometimes the moves are designed for people with different proportions than you have."

Chris pinched JC's cheek. "Thanks for being subtle about the insult."

"It's not an insult," JC protested. "We're all built differently. Most of the choreographers are built...not like you. You're being weird."

"I'm nervous."

"You're nervous?"

"Tell anyone and die. What are they doing in there?"

"Why are you nervous? You don't like Pittsburgh? You don't like the club? You don't like Nick and Jeff?"

"I like Nick and Jeff just fine," Chris said. "I'm not nervous."

"Okay."

"I'm nervous."

"Chris. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Nothing's wrong. I'm fine. It's fine. Everything's fine. You're gay."

JC looked surprised. "Yeah."

"Do you have gaydar?"

"No."

"Darn."

"Why?"

"Do you think I'm gay?"

"No."

"Then I really am confused."

"Bi, maybe."

Chris stared at him. "What?"

"You are sort of..."

"I'm bi?"

"Chris-"

"Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Chris!"

"Oh my god, I'm bisexual."

"Chris, you-"

"Is what why I want to crawl into Jeff's clothes?"

JC blinked. "Maybe."

"I think it's because his pecs are so big they look like breasts. They're sending my hormones breast signals instead of pec signals."

"Maybe."

Chris peeked down the front of his shirt.

"Anything interesting in there?" Jeff asked from the doorway.

"If you connect my moles, you get a map of France, with a nipple for where Paris is," Chris said.

"You'll have to show that to the bouncer at the club," Jeff advised. "I think we're ready to go."

"You clean up nice," Chris said.

"Thanks. So do you."

"Did you hear that?" Chris asked JC. "He thinks I clean up nice."

Jeff smiled. "I like your hair, too. The red."

"He likes my hair!" Chris told JC. "I'm not a natural redhead," he told Jeff.

"I guessed that," Jeff said.

"Are we going or what?" Joey asked, coming up behind Jeff. "Come on, short and skinny."

"Why can't Lance be short?" Chris asked.

"Okay, come on, old and skinny," Joey said.

"What's Justin?" Jeff asked.

"Cutie-pie," Joey said.

Justin had dragged off Lance. Joey, Chris, and Nick were dancing with a group of scantily-clad women with shiny hair and excited smiles. JC and Jeff were sitting in a booth, watching.

"Cute, isn't he?" Jeff asked.

"Who?"

"Nick."

JC looked at Jeff.

Jeff pretended not to notice.

JC watched the dancers some more.

"Hung, too."

JC stared at Jeff.

Jeff pretended he hadn't said anything.

"Stay here," Joey told Chris. "Keep the ladies warm for us." He pulled Nick off of the dance floor.

"What's wrong?" Nick asked.

Joey pointed to the booth. "They're not dancing."

"Why not?" Nick headed over there, followed by Joey. "Come on, let's go."

"Go where?" Jeff asked.

"Dancing. Come on." He pulled Jeff up from the booth. "Come on, JC, we know you can dance."

"I'm tired," JC said.

"They're asking for you," Joey said. "Everybody wants JC to come and have some fun. If you sit over here alone, you'll have twenty girls swarming all over you."

JC groaned and stood. "One song."

Hours later, Joey had to carry JC from the dance floor physically to make him stop. "Party's over, C. Limo time. Back to the hotel."

"That was some grooving fun," Justin said.

"Grooving," Lance agreed.

"Timba Timba Timbalake."

Chris clapped his hand over Justin's mouth. "Not now. Save it for later."

Joey plopped JC down by the curb. "Your chariot awaits, milady."

"I'm ready for bed," JC decided, stretching.

Jeff and Nick tilted their heads to the side. "He's flexible," Jeff said.

"Very," Nick said.

JC blushed and stood still.

"He's like Gumby," Chris said. "That green guy. You can twist him and turn him and stretch him."

"Except he's not green," Joey said.

"Yeah, except for that," Chris said.

"And Gumby had that weird voice," Justin said.

"He's light, too," Joey said. "His hair weighs more than he does."

"We know," Chris said. "We weighed it."

"Look at how skinny he is," Justin said. "Look, turn him sideways," they turned JC, "there's nothing there."

"Nice biceps, though," Joey said.

"Nice abs," Chris said. "I don't have abs. I have paunch."

"You do not," Joey said.

"Are we getting in the limo?" Lance asked.

"Oh, right," Chris said. "Is that for us?"

"My room, Justin's room, Lance's room. This is Chris's room," Joey said, pointing to the door as they walked down the hallway. "This is JC's room. Good night. See you in the morning."

Everybody said good night to everybody else. Jeff followed Chris into his room.

"Next tour, we're playing Pittsburgh, and we're coming here," Jeff decided.

"They don't like music groups staying here," Chris said. "They banned the Backstreet Boys. But they like us because we're so cool."

"Really."

"Well, I don't know why they like us. Maybe the concierge has a crush on Lance."

"You mind if I take a shower?"

"Go ahead. Go be wet and naked. I'll be over here not thinking about you being wet and naked."

"Sounds like a plan." Jeff went into the bathroom. Chris turned on the television.

JC didn't know why Nick had to sleep in his room. They could have put Nick and Jeff in Justin's room and Justin with Lance. He didn't want to sleep with Nick. In the same bed. The bed looked small. And Nick was a big guy. Maybe JC could go-

"Which side do you want?" Nick asked.

"Are those-" JC snatched his hand back. Nick wasn't one of the guys. He couldn't touch Nick like he touched them.

"What?" Nick felt his earlobe. "I forgot. I think they're Justin's." He removed the diamond studs, setting them on the bedside table. JC could see the small hurt places where Nick's ears had been pierced. Maybe the skin was more sensitive there. Maybe-

JC yanked his mind back to himself.

Nick rubbed his earlobe. "You mind if I take this side?"

"Go ahead," JC said. His voice sounded a little quavery. Maybe it was his imagination.

Nick pulled his shirt off over his head. Now he was only wearing his underwear. Nick was in his underwear. Nick was...

That was a lot of naked man. JC looked at the bed instead. The bed. Where they were about to be. Together. Alone.

Jeff sat on the bed. "I'm tired."

"I'm tireder," Chris said. He looked at Jeff. His gaze dropped to Jeff's chest. He reached out, inch by inch, until his forefinger met skin. He poked.

Jeff poked Chris.

Chris poked Jeff again. "Are those real?"

Jeff laughed. "Yes. It's called muscle."

Chris poked Jeff's upper arm. "This is a lot of muscle."

"I've been working out for at least two months now. It really pays off."

"I can see that."

Jeff changed the channel.

Chris kept touching him.

JC got in the bed, lying beside Nick. He closed his eyes and counted to ten.

"Night," Nick said.

"Wait," JC said.

Nick halted, hand poised to turn off the lamp. He dropped his arm. "What?"

"You know I'm gay."

"Yeah." Nick waited for more. JC didn't know what else to say. "Oh," Nick said. "Oh, if you're, if you're uncomfortable, I can go to Joey's room or something."

If JC was uncomfortable? Why would JC be uncomfortable? Nick was supposed to be uncomfortable. "No, I, I'm fine, I just didn't want you to worry," JC said, realizing how stupid he sounded but not knowing what to do about it.

"I'm not worried," Nick said.

"Okay."

"Anything else?" Nick asked, smiling.

"No, that was it."

"Okay. Good night."

"Good night."

Darkness descended.

Chris poked at Jeff's thigh. "You're not even a dancer."

"Don't go there."

"Where did you get this body, and where can I buy one?"

"Kmart. Blue light special."

"I'll head over tomorrow before the show."

"You do that."

"Women must love you."

"They do."

"Women are supposed to love men with a sense of humor, but I don't know, I think they'd rather have this."

"And here I thought women loved me for my sparkling wit."

"I don't think so."

Jeff changed the channel.

"You know what?"

"What?"

"I bet you have a great ass."

"I do."

"I knew it."

"Kmart sells only the best." He smacked Chris's hand. "Not that. That's homegrown."

"The package isn't part of the package?"

"The muscle comes from training. Some things are between God and me."

"Are you saying it's not as high-quality as the rest of the merchandise?"

Jeff looked at Chris.

"That's what it sounds like."

"Nick's seen it. Tomorrow morning, you ask him."

"I will."

JC's eyes had adjusted to the darkness. He was on his right, facing Nick's back. He could make out the tattoo spread over Nick's shoulders. He could almost make the distinction between the red and the black.

He wanted to touch.

His heart ached and his balls ached and his palms itched.

Looking at Nick's back, in the night, unseen, JC mouthed, "I love you."

"Mine's fat but it's kind of short," Chris said.

"Really."

"Yeah."

Jeff changed the channel.

"What's yours look like?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm not nervous," Chris said.

"Okay."

"Want to have sex?"

Jeff looked at him.

"I'm not nervous."

"Good."

"I'm an adult."

"Yes."

"I'm a grown man."

"Chris, are you high?"

"No, but can I use that excuse?"

Jeff turned off the television and turned, facing him directly.

Chris froze when Jeff's hands came to his shoulders.

"Chris."

Chris put his hands on Jeff's shoulders. "Jeff."

"We're friends."

"I'm going to sleep."

"You're going to sleep."

"I sleep naked."

Chris's jaw dropped.

"You can look if you want. I don't care. I'm used to it. But no touching."

Chris wasn't blinking.

"Good night." Jeff pulled away and stood.

Nick rolled over.

JC tried to scoot back to the edge of the mattress.

"JC," Nick whispered.

"What?" JC coughed. "What?"

"Sorry. Are you awake?"

"Yeah."

"You were great tonight. Onstage. I've never seen anybody do that."

"Thanks." JC hesitated. "Do what?"

"Your energy, your performance. I wish I had that. I'd love to be onstage with you."

"Thanks."

"How do you do that?"

"I don't know. Justin's been asking me for years."

"Justin doesn't need to worry. He has his own style. But you, you're incredible."

JC didn't want to say "thanks" again, so he kept quiet.

"You guys give a great show. I thought we worked hard, but we have nothing on you."

"I know you work hard," JC said. "You can tell us what we did wrong. I like to know how we can do better."

"Ask me later, when I'm less in awe," Nick said.

JC laughed. "Okay."

"I wish Drew and Justin had seen it. We'll have to catch another show later."

"Drew and Justin have more important places to be."

"A Backstreet Boys concert?"

JC laughed. "I'm trying to be nice."

Nick groaned. "I have to be nice all of the time. Don't say anything slightly derogatory about those guys around Drew."

"We all give a good show. We just have different styles."

"Very diplomatic."

"And true."

"Then, thank you."

Chris clasped his hands behind his back and stared.

"-and she overhears Drew on the phone saying 'I love you' and 'I miss you' and everything. We had to make up some story on the spot about some girlfriend. Only we forgot what we named her, and when we told Drew about it we couldn't remember what her name was, so when the reporter started asking Drew about his girlfriend, he had to carry the conversation without even knowing his girlfriend's name. He was so embarrassed and so mad at us."

"It's good you pulled it off, though."

"He's so discreet. So discreet. I don't know how he does it. I'd go crazy. You know."

"It's different. I'm not in a relationship. I haven't, I don't date."

"At all?"

"No."

"JC. You're kidding. Ever?"

"No."

"You poor kid."

"Kid?"

"Sorry. You're Drew's age, he's my little brother, you know. My bad."

"My bad? Nick, nobody says that anymore."

"Jeff says it."

"Jeff is not on the cutting edge."

"Tell me about it. You don't date. You don't...have sex?"

"No. I can't. If anybody hears I'm gay - - even if people suspect, right now, unless somebody catches me in bed with somebody, it's okay. But if I'm ever caught in the act, it's over. I can't be caught. And if I try to have a relationship, I will be caught. So it's nothing."

"Drew's okay."

"I'd have to do what he's doing, be in a relationship with someone else who has it all to lose. Not just somebody in the crew or in a club. Somebody like, somebody else who's in my position."

"Right. JC, we're in the music industry. And we meet actors all of the time. There are gay and bisexual men around if you look."

"I know. But if I'm going to risk everything, it has to be worth it. I can't risk my career and *NSYNC for a cute face or a big...name."

"It must be hard. I know *NSYNC has gay fans. They must...tempt you."

"Yeah. Maybe that's part of why I'm so high-energy onstage. Getting it out of my system. It's not a terrible hardship, going without sex. And I'm not lonely, I have the guys."

"Yeah."

"But it would be nice to have somebody."

"I know."

"Listen to me, I sound pathetic."

"No, you sound like a human being. Who needs a hug."

JC laughed. "I do sound pathetic."

"What about Lance?"

"Lance?"

"He is gay, isn't he?"

"You're not supposed to know that."

"Oh. Sorry."

"We're friends, best friends, but I... I don't feel that. He's taken, anyway."

"He is?"

"Yeah. Why, were you planning to make your move?"

"I don't think I'm Lance's type."

"Maybe not."

"What's this?" Nick's thumb and forefinger rubbed the fuzz on JC's chin.

"It's called facial hair," JC said. "It's not really a goatee, so Joey calls it a lamb. Chris calls it a ewe. Get it? Ewe?"

"Chris is funny."

"Chris is crazy. You don't like it?"

Nick touched it again. "It's different."

"You don't like it."

"I can't see you with a full goatee, either."

"Without any facial hair, I look nineteen."

"Yeah."

"Don't agree with me!"

"It's true. I think it's...I don't know what it is."

"It's because I'm so skinny."

"I think you just have good genes. Good skin. Good something. And you get a lot of rest, that helps."

"I don't get nearly enough sleep."

"Then why are we awake, talking?"

"You started it."

"Good night, JC."

"Good night, Nick."

Jeff rolled to his side, one hand pulling his pillow to a more comfortable position.

Chris circled around the bed to check out Jeff's ass.

"Go to sleep," Jeff said.

"I'm busy. Stop pulling up the covers."

"Stop pulling them off! I'm trying to sleep."

"You have a really nice butt."

"Thank you."

"And a really nice...everything else."

"Go to sleep."

"With you? In bed? With you?"

"Anywhere you want. Just let me sleep."

"Do I have to get naked?"

Jeff tugged the bedclothes over himself again. "Good night, Chris."

Chris climbed into the bed. "Kiss me good night?"

"No, thanks."

"Can I kiss you good night?"

"Will you go to sleep if you do?"

"Maybe."

Jeff sighed.

Chris kissed Jeff's cheek. "Good night."

"Good night, sweetie." Jeff kissed him, rolled over, and went to sleep.

Chris touched his mouth.

"-but Drew's asleep and we didn't want to wake him up, so Jeff was like, 'This is Drew. No, really.' And he just starts talking. And nobody believed him, you've heard Drew, Jeff sounds nothing like him. But he kept going, and he carried on this conversation for like half an hour before Justin finally took pity and went to get Drew. And then Jeff said, 'Oh, here's Drew,' and handed over the phone like nothing was going on."

JC was laughing. "Did anybody tell Drew?"

"I don't think so. You don't even want to know what Jeff was saying on his behalf. Drew can be romantic, but that was frilly girly sap."

"Jeff's bad."

"He's awful. He's incorrigible. We're all a bunch of idiots, but he's worse than anybody."

"Chris is silly, but..."

"Jeff's smug about it," Nick said. "Chris is hilarious. Jeff's a huge smug idiot. Want to trade?"

"Chris and Jeff? It would throw off our harmonies."

"Great," Nick muttered. "We have to keep him. Why am I always stuck with the idiots?"

"You could try to exchange him for Howie."

"I'm not that desperate. Do you want to trade places?"

"I think you're more Justin's spot."

"Want to trade me for Justin?"

"Sure. I've been trying to get rid of that kid for years."

Nick laughed.

"I've been kissed," Chris said.

"I think my ear's bleeding," Nick said.

"What?"

"I haven't been wearing earrings."

"Are you okay?" JC sat up and reached over, turning on the light. He sat back as Nick sat up beside him. "That is bleeding." He tipped Nick's face to the side. "They both are."

"Great."

"On the pillow, too."

"Great."

"It's just a drop. Don't worry about it. Do you...need something?"

"No, I'm okay. Let me get a tissue." Nick rose and left the bed.

JC realized he was staring. He shook himself and rubbed at the spot of blood on Nick's pillow. When the bathroom light clicked off and Nick returned, he watched.

"The things I do to make myself beautiful," Nick said. JC laughed. Nick squeezed the tissue around his right earlobe. "I lead a really glamorous life."

"Very," JC agreed.

"Sorry you're not getting much sleep."

"That's okay. I'm sorry you're going to have to drive back tired."

"I'll make Jeff drive. I can sleep in the backseat."

"I'll sleep in the toy room and let Justin carry my part," JC said.

"Sounds good."

"98 Degrees has four guys. We don't need all five of us up there."

"Absolutely. Where's the trash can?"

"Somewhere."

Nick spotted it, aimed, and shot. "Three points."

"When was the last time we played basketball together?"

"Long time ago."

"In Orlando?"

"Yeah. Want to play now?"

"Now?"

"Now." Nick climbed back out of the bed.

"My lips," Chris said. "My lips."

Nick guarded the wastebasket. "Come on, Chasez, show me what you got."

"A lot more than you can-"

"Oh!"

"-handle." JC flashed his victory smile. "Want more, or have you had enough?"

"Let's go," Nick said. "We're just getting started."

"Is this bed vibrating?"

Jeff sat up, grabbed Chris, put one hand over his mouth, and lay down on top of him. Jeff got comfortable and went to sleep.

Chris breathed through his nose and gazed at the ceiling.

"Nothing but net!"

"That's not a net."

"Nothing but trash can!"

JC laughed.

"Come on, JC, you're not even trying."

"I don't want to show you up too much."

Nick snorted. "You got no game."

"I got game."

"You got no game."

"I got - - oh! - - ouch, damn it." JC rubbed his shin.

"You okay? I'm sor-"

"No, it's good."

Nick helped JC up. "You sure?"

"Yeah."

"We'd better stop. If I injure JC Chasez the night before a big show, it's my head on a platter."

"It's my fault for having the grace of a hippo."

Nick tossed their ball, JC's rolled-up socks, back towards JC's bags. "JC, you have many things, but the grace of a hippo isn't one of them. You have great moves."

"Thanks."

"You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, it's..." JC reminded himself to breathe naturally. "I like the way you move."

Nick looked surprised. "Thanks."

"Your body, you're very confident in it. I like the way you move."

"JC."

JC pressed his lips to Nick's, wrapping an arm around Nick's shoulders. He licked inside Nick's lower lip and-

"No, JC. Shit, no," Nick said, pushing him away again. "I'm sorry, JC, I-"

"Damn it," JC said. "I'm sorry. That was stupid, I know... I'm sorry."

"No, it's... It's okay." Nick let go of JC's arm. "Don't worry about it."

JC rubbed his eyes. "I need to go to bed. Do you - - I can go-"

"It's okay. I think my honor's safe with you."

"I can't believe how stupid I am."

"I'm feeling a lot less flattered now."

JC stopped and looked at him. "Flattered?"

"JC, you kissed me."

"I know. Aren't you supposed to hit me and kick me out on my ass now?"

"I'm not insulted. My masculinity's still intact. I'm feeling lousy because it's kind of awkward and I don't want you to be embarrassed about it, but it's flattering."

"You're flattered."

"Yes. And now I'm going to sleep. Come on, you need rest."

"Are you for real?"

"Baby, I'm for real. That's a song. How does that go?"

"Nick-"

"No, I got it. 'Baby, baby, you don't understand how much I love you baby, how much I want to be your only man. Oh baby. Baby baby baby you don't have to go. Stay a little while longer, baby, I want to talk to you just a little more.'"

A fist pounded on the other side of the wall. "Will you just go to sleep?!" Justin demanded.

"Sorry!" Nick called back. JC laughed and pushed him towards the bed. "Wait," Nick said. "Isn't that Lance's room?"

JC turned off the light and got into the bed. "Go to sleep."

Slow. Tentative. Chris breathed slower, lighter. He closed his eyes. Finally, finally, his hand rested on Jeff's back. Broad, naked, warm, muscular back.

Jeff kept sleeping.

Chris inhaled. Exhaled. Opened his eyes.

Jeff kept sleeping. His hand dropped to curl against Chris's shoulder.

"I think I'm in love," Chris decided. "Or in lust. Or in over my head."

Nick got up first, visited the bathroom, and pulled on yesterday's clothes. While he was glaring at his hair, someone knocked.

Nick opened the door. "Hey, Joey."

"This is your wake-up call," Joey said. "JC! Wake up!"

JC didn't stir.

"Pick him up and carry him to the bathroom," Joey advised.

"Okay." Nick closed the door again. "Hey, JC. You awake?"

No response.

Nick tugged down the bedclothes.

JC frowned a little.

The back's of Nick's fingers grazed JC's cheekbone. With a gentle touch, Nick brushed stray strands of hair from JC's temple.

Nick snapped to attention. He was supposed to wake JC. "JC? JC." Nothing. Joey had said to pick JC up, but...

Nick noticed the swollen protrusion in JC's shorts.

Jeff had rolled out of the bed and gone into the bathroom.

"Oh my god," Chris said. "Oh my god. Oh my god." He left the bed on unsteady legs and walked over in that direction. He peeked.

One hand holding and aiming, Jeff reached out with his other hand and closed the door in Chris's face.

Chris staggered back to the bed and pulled the bedclothes over his head.

Nick crouched by the side of the bed and scratched JC's chest through the soft cotton of JC's sleeveless shirt. "JC. JC, wake up. JC." He tickled JC. "Josh Chasez. Wake up."

JC stirred. Sleepy blue eyes opened. JC smiled. "Hi."

Nick's heartbeat stuttered. There was a lump in his throat. "Hi."

JC gave a slow blink. "Is it morning?"

"Yeah."

"Do I have to get up?"

"Yeah. Sorry."

"It's okay." JC stretched a little.

Nick's mouth watered.

Dressed, Jeff crawled onto the bed, right on top of Chris and the mound of blankets. "Chris." He poked, squeezed, and tickled indiscriminately through the covers. Chris twisted and yelped beneath him. "Chris."

Chris lowered the covers so that he could see, peeking out, still covering the tip of his nose. He eyed Jeff, wary.

"Gotta get up and go to work, sweetie."

Chris's eyes narrowed.

"I brushed my teeth." Jeff showed off his gleaming smile.

Chris waited, mistrusting.

"Come on, you have to get up and get going. You have thousands of fans waiting for you."

Chris let the sheets slip below his chin, and opened his mouth to speak.

Jeff kissed him, giving him a few nibbles and a quick, dirty tongue-fuck. "Up and at 'em," Jeff said, tugging Chris from the bed.

Chris looked around the room, afraid.

"Get dressed," Jeff urged. "Here-"

Chris screeched and jumped back. "Unhand me, you cur!"

Jeff held up his hands to show innocence. "You can undress yourself. I got it. I'll go watch TV."

"Stay back," Chris warned. "I know Keanu Reeves, and he played someone who knows kung fu."

Jeff laughed. "Get dressed."

JC tied his shoes and stood. "Thanks for the wake-up. That was nice. You have no idea. Joey's latest mode of alarm clock is to pick me up and scare me to death."

Nick smiled. "No problem. You looked so...comfortable, I hated to wake you."

"It's an ugly job, but somebody has to do it." JC scratched his chin. "Listen, Nick, I'm sorry about last night. About kissing you. Whether you really were flattered or not, it was stupid, and I shouldn't have done it."

"It's okay," Nick said. "I'm sorry if I, for pushing you away like that. It took me by surprise."

"No, you were great. A lot of guys would have kicked me out the window for that."

"It's okay."

"Do your ears hurt?"

"What? Oh, no, they're good." Nick tugged at his earlobe. "Your leg okay? From, basketball-"

"Oh, right. It's fine." JC laughed at himself. "I'm so nervous, this is stupid."

"You...your lamb. The ewe. You shaved."

"Yeah."

"You didn't - - I-"

"You were right, it looked dumb. If I want it again, I can always grow it back."

"You didn't have to."

JC smiled and blushed. "I wanted you to think I looked good."

"You do. You did. You always do."

"Don't tell the guys. They'll never stop teasing me."

Nick touched JC's chin.

"I meant what I said. Last night. About, I like the way you move. I wasn't just saying that to hit on you."

Nick's fingers caressed up JC's jaw, behind JC's ear.

"I've had a crush on you for a while now. It's so stupid. I think everybody knows about it except you. Well, no, now you know, too." JC shut his mouth to keep from babbling.

Nick's fingers stroked down JC's neck.

JC twisted a little. "That tickles."

Nick's hand slid up JC's neck, up into soft hair. He twined strands around his fingers. "I meant what I said, too. You're so beautiful..."

"You never said that."

"I was thinking it."

"When?"

"Every time I looked at you." Nick kissed him. Soft, slow. He touched JC's tongue with his own.

Chris was clean and groomed. He was sane. He was mature.

He turned off the television and stood in front of Jeff, who was lounging on the bed. "You kissed me."

"Yes."

"You called me 'sweetie.'"

"Yes."

"Are you off your meds?"

Jeff smiled. "C'mere."

"I'm not getting any closer," Chris said.

"C'mere," Jeff coaxed, offering a hand.

"Just this once," Chris said, taking Jeff's hand and climbing over him. Jeff smiled, sinking onto his back beneath Chris, running a hand over the front of Chris's shirt. "Don't call me 'sweetie.'"

"What do you want me to call you?"

"Chris."

"Okay. Chris?"

"What?" Chris asked, not at all nervous that Jeff's hand was rubbing the skin right below his navel. There was a whole new party in his pants.

Jeff pulled up Chris's shirt and stroked Chris's skin directly.

"I think I need to moan," Chris said.

"Okay," Jeff said, and dipped his hand between Chris's thighs.

Chris's mouth opened. Chris's eyes went wide.

"Nice," Jeff said, urging Chris's cock harder. His free hand went to the back of Chris's neck and pulled Chris down for a kiss. A quick nip of Chris's chin shocked Chris into participating.

One hand supporting JC's ass, Nick lowered JC to the bed. "JC."

JC's hands ran up beneath his shirt, over his chest. "What?"

"How much time do we have?"

"I don't know," JC said, and kissed him, stroking his skin.

Nick pushed up JC's shirts, ducking down to kiss JC's abdomen. He licked his way across JC's navel, feeling JC's body rise beneath him. Heat, heat, he sought JC's heat, opening JC's jeans, tugging them down when JC's hips lifted from the mattress.

Muscles clenched in JC's taut thighs. His low-slung balls were hot and delicate in Nick's palm as his cock hardened and pulsed. They were going too fast and Nick didn't know how to do this, but JC was beautiful and aroused and half-naked before Nick's eyes, alive to Nick's touch.

Nick started with what he knew how to do. He settled between JC's spread thighs and nuzzled in the crisp dark hair curling there. He licked JC's skin and JC's hips rocked up from the bed. He pushed JC back down, letting that gorgeous moan vibrate in his ears, in his balls. He kissed around the base of JC's cock. So hot, so hard...

Something clicked in Nick's brain. It was either a great idea, or his stupidest thought yet. He licked his finger and caressed behind JC's balls.

JC gasped, a high, sweet sound, and Nick massaged his skin. Oh, JC liked that. Nick licked up his cock a little, a few experimental tastes. JC groaned, hips coming forward, thighs spreading impossibly wider.

Nick's finger rubbed around JC's asshole. Nick knew how to touch wet women, not how to touch this tight, dry muscle. But, damn, JC's whole body was writhing. JC was writhing. Nick raised himself up and stared, pressing his finger to JC's pucker, watching JC moan and twist.

Nick was going to cream his shorts.

Nick took JC's cock in one hand and JC made a soft groaning sound, pushing into his hand. He tightened his grip just a bit, rubbing his thumb up the shaft, and licked beneath the head.

"Oh, Nick," JC said, breathy and rich.

Nick wanted to make JC do that again. He let his finger push inside JC's body. Tight, hot, clenching around him. He tried to stroke in and out, wondering where that spot was.

JC was panting, one hand clawing up inside his shirt to pull at his own nipple. His hips cleared the mattress again, bucking up against Nick's touch. "Oh, god, yes."

Nick twisted his finger in and out of JC's body, rubbing the pucker. JC was either in ecstasy or being tortured to death. When Nick took JC's cockhead into his mouth, licking the flare and sucking down precum, JC's hips snapped up, fucking down his throat. Startled, Nick let his finger surge deep into clenching heat. JC came, shuddering, moaning, spurting hot jism.

Nick tried to breathe.

JC relaxed, dropping boneless to the mattress.

Nick pulled his finger free with a careful tug.

"Oh," JC said. Nick watched his inhalations and exhalations with fascination. JC's eyes opened. Nick pulled his clothes together, tucking away his genitals with a soft caress. JC sat up a little.

Nick slid his hand up JC's shirt, stroking JC's ribcage, pretending that his balls weren't begging for attention.

JC kissed him. "Nick."

Nick waited to be thanked, or questioned, or brushed off.

"Can I," JC turned red and slid his fingertips along Nick's jaw, "give you a blowjob?" JC winced a little, embarrassed to ask, afraid of rejection, wanting it enough to ask anyway.

Nick wanted to give thanks to God. His balls wanted to snuggle up in JC's hand. His cock leapt at the thought of getting up close and personal with the lips Nick had just kissed. "Uh-hunh."

JC pulled and pushed at him. He obeyed without thinking, having no brain left besides the cheering section in his pants. When he was seated at the edge of the bed, feet on the floor, JC slipped down between his knees.

Oh, god.

Nick gripped the bedclothes and forced himself to hold still. He did not come in his pants, and JC opened his fly. He breathed normally, or at least semi-normally, when his cock was naked in JC's hands.

JC leaned in, ducking his head, opening his mouth.

Heat, the sweet friction of JC's tongue. JC reached in and palmed his balls, and Nick had to close his eyes and seek self-control. The pleasure was intense, the pressure in his balls, tight and hard and spiking, pulling, pulsing. Nick's toes curled and Nick held back a choked groan when his cock entered the hot, wet, welcome of JC's mouth.

He had to. He had to. With a shaking hand, Nick touched JC's hair, stroked JC's scalp, urged JC closer.

JC moaned and started, oh, oh god, oh, it tugged through Nick's balls, through Nick's spine. JC settled on a rhythm, sucking and stroking, right hand gentle as it teased Nick's balls. The pleasure built, rose, soared through Nick's body, tore through Nick's brain, exploded. His hand tightened on JC's hair as his hips tried to thrust into JC's mouth and cum stuttered down JC's throat.

Nick's brain wasn't working anymore, and his cock was sensitive, and JC was still nursing him. He'd dropped onto his back, and now was gazing at the ceiling without seeing it.

That had been good.

That had been damned good.

That had been...

Was JC this good at everything?

Sitting up, Nick reached down and eased his cock from JC's mouth, shaking JC's fingers from his groin. He stood, wondering why his legs still worked, and zipped up his fly.

JC stood.

Nick didn't know what to say.

"I wish we hadn't done that," JC said.

"I'm sorry," Nick said, feeling, without warning, like shit.

"No," JC said. "I didn't mean... You're straight and probably wondering what the hell you just did, and I'm thinking I really have to do this a lot more often. I didn't know what I was missing. Nick, I... Thank you. Oh my god, that was, you have incredible thighs."

That was a new one.

"Say something," JC said. "Don't apologize. Don't tell me that was the worst sex you've ever had, either, please." JC scratched the back of his neck. "You hated it. You hate me. Don't sue."

Nick reached out and touched JC, ran his hands over JC's tight torso. Turning, he lowered JC to the bed again.

JC looked up at Nick.

Nick smoothed back JC's hair with one hand, rubbing JC's thigh with his other hand.

JC bent his knees, feet on the mattress, thighs hugging Nick's hips.

"You are beautiful. And amazing. In everything."

JC's cheeks were pink. He ran his fingers down Nick's nose. "You're gorgeous and sexy."

Nick smiled.

JC's thumb admired a dimple.

"I want to make love to you," Nick said. "Really make love to you."

JC's heartbeat sped.

"Tell me I can stay a while longer. Tell me I can stay until the bus goes. Tell me I can call you. Tell me I can visit you again."

"Come with us," JC said. "You have this week off, we're not going far. Come with me."

"JC, I can't. The guys. I don't even have underwear or a razor-"

"Your stubble," JC said, fingers stroking Nick's jaw. "I felt it on my thighs."

Oh, god.

He'd come on Jeff.

That was his, his semen, white and sticky, on Jeff's chest.

Jeff touched it.

Jeff licked it off a finger.

He reached for Jeff's fly, and the bulge behind it.

Jeff smacked his hand.

He settled for teasing Jeff's nipple. Jeff liked that.

"We're late," Lance said.

"Not my fault," Justin said.

"Not my fault," Joey said.

"It was Jeff's fault," Chris said.

Jeff smacked Chris's ass. "My fault. My sincere apologies."

"In way over my head," Chris said to himself. "Way over my head. He's going to kill me."

"Where is JC?" Justin asked.

"Ooohhh," Chris said. "Where's JC? Whoa! I'm being groped. That's groping. You're groping me." He squeaked.

"I'm ignoring you," Lance said.

"So this is how Joey's girlfriends feel," Chris said. "Did you ever learn to keep your hands to yourself? Whoa! Not there, not there. There are children present!"

Jeff wrapped an arm around Chris's waist from behind, pulling Chris back against his chest. Chris breathed a bit easier, trying to relax. Then Chris noticed the hardening knot riding his ass. He stepped on Jeff's foot and tried to pull away, but Jeff held on easily. Chris held very still, pretending that this was not happening and was not, definitely absolutely without question was not, turning him on.

JC jogged up to them, followed by Nick. "Is everybody ready?"

"Where have you been?" Lance asked.

"You're in way too good of a mood," Chris said to JC. "Nick, can you get Jeff off of me?"

"What are you doing?" Nick asked Jeff.

Jeff winked.

"Okay." Nick ignored them. "Sorry we're late."

"Let's go," JC said. "Nick's going for a quick shopping spree, and then he's spending the next few days with us. Is that okay with you guys?"

Justin jumped into the air. "Yes!"

"JC, you little-" Joey spun JC. "I knew you could do it!"

"Congratulations," Lance said, shaking JC's hand.

"Does that mean I can stay, too?" Jeff asked.

"No," Chris said.

"Want to come shopping with me?" Nick invited.

"Sure," Jeff said. "Bye, sweetie." He kissed Chris's cheek. "See you soon."

"I told him not to call me that," Chris muttered. "Go to Kmart! Pick me up one of those if they're having another blue light special."

"Pick up what?" Joey asked.

"You don't need one, Chris," Jeff said. He unbuttoned his shirt one button, two. "You have one already."

"I'm not drooling," Chris said.

"Come on," Nick said, pulling Jeff towards the door. "I can't take you anywhere."

"Is that a love bite?" Jeff asked.

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