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laniew1This is not a deathfic... repeat this is not a deathfic...
On that note:
TITLE: The Guardians – Justin/JC – JC/AJ
Author: Melanie
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing at all, least of all those contained within.
Chapter 3
Justin had always known that Chris could be a stubborn SOB when he wanted to be. While everything else in his life was now so totally different that it was bordering on a new life he was glad that one thing had not changed.
Even though that stubbornness was now being directed totally at him he felt relief.
“So you know what you have to do?” Chris asked for the third time. He tapped fingers against the steering wheel.
“Yes mom,” Justin muttered sarcastically as he eyed the house. Chris was parked directly in front of the door and Justin knew that he was going to sit there and watch him until he went inside.
“Maybe I should go with you,” the older man’s eyes narrowed as he studied Justin’s nervous fidgeting.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll be a good little boy and apologize to JC,” for what he still wasn’t sure. “I’ll make nice with AJ,” even thought he’d rather eat his own shoes. “It’ll all be fine.”
“It better. The Guardian’s only have…”
“I know, I know… four more concerts until they’re on break,” Justin grumbled. Chris had reminded him of that six times since he’d shown up at Justin’s at 8:00 am to drive him to JC’s. Supposedly when JC was in town this was their usual Sunday ritual. Justin would show up at 8:30 and JC would feed him.
Justin just knew that he wasn’t going to be lucky enough for it to be just JC and him, he had a feeling that AJ would be there smiling thinly at him making nice as well.
“Good… I want to see a live concert Justin, don’t fuck this up.”
“I won’t,” Justin promised, hesitating. “You’re sure…”
“Justin…” Chris’ voice was lined with exasperation and Justin knew that he was about 30 seconds away from throwing down. “This amnesia you’ve got going… it’s going to get old fast. Be a man and go in there and take responsibility for your actions.”
Justin winced and nodded quickly. His Chris would have coddled him, this Chris and him weren’t that close. It was going to take some getting used to.
This new distance between everyone.
Success had bonded them before. Failure had not yielded the same results.
Stepping out of the car Justin let the door close softly behind him and walked the few shorts steps to the front door. Squaring his shoulders he took a deep breath, reminded himself that he wasn’t a wimp and raised a hand to knock.
Only to have the door open.
“Wondered if you actually were going to knock,” the cheerful blonde grinned at him.
“Carter,” Justin’s eyes were wide as he stared at his one-time boyband rival.
Nick frowned studying him slightly before ushering him in. “You’re late, didn’t think you were going to show after AJ went off on you.”
“It’s… you know… Sunday,” Justin sputtered as if that explained everything.
The sudden look from Nick agreed that yes it was Sunday, while managing to wonder how many times he’d been dropped on his head as an infant.
Possibly Nick and Chris had been talking.
Which in itself shocked him. Justin hadn’t been friends with Nick since before Germany… and even then they’d never treated each other with the easy camaraderie that Nick was showing now.
Could they be friends here? *NSYNC had never rivaled the Backstreet Boys so there would have been no reason to be enemies.
“Yes I know, we always have breakfast on Sunday,” Nick said patiently as he led Justin into the kitchen. Sitting on the counter were a series of covered dishes and as Nick lifted covers the scent of freshly cooked bacon and eggs filled the room. “Jace and Meggie’s cook spoils us,” he sighed. “We’ll eat, gather up AJ and Brian, then Brian and I’ll watch while you and AJ try to kill each other on the basketball court.”
“AJ and Justin are going to be on their best behavior today,” Megan’s voice stated sternly from the doorway. Justin’s eyes flickered between the two as Megan stared down Nick. Then Nick sighed and turned back to his toast.
“But watching them try and off each other is half the fun, AJ once body slammed Justin when they were on the same team.”
“I remember,” Megan smiled at Justin as she moved past. Touching Nick’s back lightly she waited for him to turn and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “But JC and I won’t be there to referee so you all are going to play nice.”
“Jace isn’t going?” Justin asked quietly, this was probably something else that he should know and didn’t. Especially since the look on Nick’s face was one of understanding.
“Migraine,” Megan said simply. And Justin knew that he would get no more information from her.
******************************************************************************
“I can’t believe you didn’t bring your stuff with you,” Nick was grumbling as he dug through drawers in what Justin assumed was the spare room.
“I just…”
“Even if you and AJ had drawn pistols at dawn we still would have played,” Nick continued on as if Justin hadn’t even spoken, tossing a pair of shorts in Justin’s general direction. Justin held them up and frowned, these were his shorts, he recognized them.
“I don’t think you’ve left any t-shirts here,” Nick mused as he turned, drawing a hand through his hair as he thought. “You can borrow one of mine… but if I see it show up on eBay…” he said warningly.
“Come on… it would only draw the big bucks if it you wore it,” Justin smirked. He couldn’t remember ever having this much fun with Nick, not even when they were kids and hadn’t learned yet how to be enemies. But this Nick was light years away from the Nick Carter that he’d been positioned against for almost his entire career, this was a Nick Carter that hadn’t had to compete with a Justin Timberlake.
Justin liked him like this. Friendly, open… no hostility to speak of.
“Remind me to never leave you around my dirty laundry,” Nick smiled and Justin could tell that in Nick’s eyes they were relaxing into familiar roles. Friend roles.
He idly wondered who Nick would choose if JC left AJ for him.
“We can change at Brian’s, I think Leighanne is at her mom’s this weekend,” Nick shrugged as he led Justin down the hall to his room. Grabbing two t-shirts, a pair of shorts for himself they headed down the stairs to grab AJ. Stopping short just outside the kitchen when they heard the raised voices.
AJ and Megan arguing. Justin could tell from the expression on Nick’s face that this was an uncommon experience for the other male.
“Would you even tell me if there was anything really wrong?” AJ’s voice was bitterly cold.
“AJ it’s not my place,” Megan protested and Justin could hear the unspoken words. That she wouldn’t tell him anything unless JC had said it was ok.
“Not your place, not your place…” the sound of a hand smacking the counter caused Nick to jump and Justin grabbed his arm before he could push the door open. When AJ continued his voice was soft and tired, Justin had to strain to hear it, “I love him Megan and he’s in pain up there… he won’t let me call the doctor, won’t let me take him to the hospital… which means he knows what’s wrong, which means that you know what’s wrong because you guys don’t keep secrets…”
“He’s not dying AJ,” Megan’s voice was gentle and Justin could envision her reaching a tentative hand out to touch him. “It’s just… it’ll pass… it will pass, you just need to give it some time.”
“Time?!” Anger again. “He’s up there in the dark, won’t even let me turn on the lights in the bathroom because he writhes in pain.”
“AJ…”
“Whatever…” Tired voice again and Justin got the feeling that they’d had this argument before… and always reached a stalemate then to. “I’m going to play basketball with the boys, I promise to not kill Justin. Just…”
“He’ll be fine AJ. I promise you he’ll be fine.”
******************************************************************************
The room was dark, JC a barely seen ball shaped form in the middle of the bed. Megan swallowed hard and wondered for the millionth time what the hell she was doing.
“Jace,” she called softly closing the door gently behind her. She’d kicked her shoes off before she’d entered the room, made no loud movements.
“Are they gone?” JC’s voice was barely a whisper.
“Yes… AJ’s angry.”
“At me?”
“Me mostly, for not telling him what’s wrong with you,” Megan almost smiled at the harsh laugh that came from JC. Would have if it hadn’t been edged with pain.
“And you won’t, just like you won’t tell Nick.”
“JC…”
“Don’t tell him,” JC’s voice was like stone and Megan flinched.
“He thinks there’s something wrong with you, he thinks you’re dying.”
“There is something wrong with me.”
“JC…”
“I can’t choose between them Meggie,” he whispered. “I won’t, it’s not fair.”
Megan closed her eyes, hands clenched into fists at her side. Let her breath out in a sigh and then smoothly climbed into the bed behind him. Wrapping her arms around him as he shook.
“When?” she asked simply.
“Last night… sometime… I’m not sure…” his voice was full of confusion and she hated that it was there.
“Maybe you don’t have to choose,” she said.
“False hopes, false dreams… they’ll force me to choose… and… I won’t choose between them, I can’t,” he said softly, curling even further into himself. “Can’t make me choose…” became his mantra as he began rocking back and forth as he began to cry. She pressed her cheek against his shoulder and held him.
Hoping for simple solutions to everyone’s prayers.
******************************************************************************
On that note:
TITLE: The Guardians – Justin/JC – JC/AJ
Author: Melanie
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing at all, least of all those contained within.
Chapter 3
Justin had always known that Chris could be a stubborn SOB when he wanted to be. While everything else in his life was now so totally different that it was bordering on a new life he was glad that one thing had not changed.
Even though that stubbornness was now being directed totally at him he felt relief.
“So you know what you have to do?” Chris asked for the third time. He tapped fingers against the steering wheel.
“Yes mom,” Justin muttered sarcastically as he eyed the house. Chris was parked directly in front of the door and Justin knew that he was going to sit there and watch him until he went inside.
“Maybe I should go with you,” the older man’s eyes narrowed as he studied Justin’s nervous fidgeting.
“It’ll be fine. I’ll be a good little boy and apologize to JC,” for what he still wasn’t sure. “I’ll make nice with AJ,” even thought he’d rather eat his own shoes. “It’ll all be fine.”
“It better. The Guardian’s only have…”
“I know, I know… four more concerts until they’re on break,” Justin grumbled. Chris had reminded him of that six times since he’d shown up at Justin’s at 8:00 am to drive him to JC’s. Supposedly when JC was in town this was their usual Sunday ritual. Justin would show up at 8:30 and JC would feed him.
Justin just knew that he wasn’t going to be lucky enough for it to be just JC and him, he had a feeling that AJ would be there smiling thinly at him making nice as well.
“Good… I want to see a live concert Justin, don’t fuck this up.”
“I won’t,” Justin promised, hesitating. “You’re sure…”
“Justin…” Chris’ voice was lined with exasperation and Justin knew that he was about 30 seconds away from throwing down. “This amnesia you’ve got going… it’s going to get old fast. Be a man and go in there and take responsibility for your actions.”
Justin winced and nodded quickly. His Chris would have coddled him, this Chris and him weren’t that close. It was going to take some getting used to.
This new distance between everyone.
Success had bonded them before. Failure had not yielded the same results.
Stepping out of the car Justin let the door close softly behind him and walked the few shorts steps to the front door. Squaring his shoulders he took a deep breath, reminded himself that he wasn’t a wimp and raised a hand to knock.
Only to have the door open.
“Wondered if you actually were going to knock,” the cheerful blonde grinned at him.
“Carter,” Justin’s eyes were wide as he stared at his one-time boyband rival.
Nick frowned studying him slightly before ushering him in. “You’re late, didn’t think you were going to show after AJ went off on you.”
“It’s… you know… Sunday,” Justin sputtered as if that explained everything.
The sudden look from Nick agreed that yes it was Sunday, while managing to wonder how many times he’d been dropped on his head as an infant.
Possibly Nick and Chris had been talking.
Which in itself shocked him. Justin hadn’t been friends with Nick since before Germany… and even then they’d never treated each other with the easy camaraderie that Nick was showing now.
Could they be friends here? *NSYNC had never rivaled the Backstreet Boys so there would have been no reason to be enemies.
“Yes I know, we always have breakfast on Sunday,” Nick said patiently as he led Justin into the kitchen. Sitting on the counter were a series of covered dishes and as Nick lifted covers the scent of freshly cooked bacon and eggs filled the room. “Jace and Meggie’s cook spoils us,” he sighed. “We’ll eat, gather up AJ and Brian, then Brian and I’ll watch while you and AJ try to kill each other on the basketball court.”
“AJ and Justin are going to be on their best behavior today,” Megan’s voice stated sternly from the doorway. Justin’s eyes flickered between the two as Megan stared down Nick. Then Nick sighed and turned back to his toast.
“But watching them try and off each other is half the fun, AJ once body slammed Justin when they were on the same team.”
“I remember,” Megan smiled at Justin as she moved past. Touching Nick’s back lightly she waited for him to turn and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “But JC and I won’t be there to referee so you all are going to play nice.”
“Jace isn’t going?” Justin asked quietly, this was probably something else that he should know and didn’t. Especially since the look on Nick’s face was one of understanding.
“Migraine,” Megan said simply. And Justin knew that he would get no more information from her.
“I can’t believe you didn’t bring your stuff with you,” Nick was grumbling as he dug through drawers in what Justin assumed was the spare room.
“I just…”
“Even if you and AJ had drawn pistols at dawn we still would have played,” Nick continued on as if Justin hadn’t even spoken, tossing a pair of shorts in Justin’s general direction. Justin held them up and frowned, these were his shorts, he recognized them.
“I don’t think you’ve left any t-shirts here,” Nick mused as he turned, drawing a hand through his hair as he thought. “You can borrow one of mine… but if I see it show up on eBay…” he said warningly.
“Come on… it would only draw the big bucks if it you wore it,” Justin smirked. He couldn’t remember ever having this much fun with Nick, not even when they were kids and hadn’t learned yet how to be enemies. But this Nick was light years away from the Nick Carter that he’d been positioned against for almost his entire career, this was a Nick Carter that hadn’t had to compete with a Justin Timberlake.
Justin liked him like this. Friendly, open… no hostility to speak of.
“Remind me to never leave you around my dirty laundry,” Nick smiled and Justin could tell that in Nick’s eyes they were relaxing into familiar roles. Friend roles.
He idly wondered who Nick would choose if JC left AJ for him.
“We can change at Brian’s, I think Leighanne is at her mom’s this weekend,” Nick shrugged as he led Justin down the hall to his room. Grabbing two t-shirts, a pair of shorts for himself they headed down the stairs to grab AJ. Stopping short just outside the kitchen when they heard the raised voices.
AJ and Megan arguing. Justin could tell from the expression on Nick’s face that this was an uncommon experience for the other male.
“Would you even tell me if there was anything really wrong?” AJ’s voice was bitterly cold.
“AJ it’s not my place,” Megan protested and Justin could hear the unspoken words. That she wouldn’t tell him anything unless JC had said it was ok.
“Not your place, not your place…” the sound of a hand smacking the counter caused Nick to jump and Justin grabbed his arm before he could push the door open. When AJ continued his voice was soft and tired, Justin had to strain to hear it, “I love him Megan and he’s in pain up there… he won’t let me call the doctor, won’t let me take him to the hospital… which means he knows what’s wrong, which means that you know what’s wrong because you guys don’t keep secrets…”
“He’s not dying AJ,” Megan’s voice was gentle and Justin could envision her reaching a tentative hand out to touch him. “It’s just… it’ll pass… it will pass, you just need to give it some time.”
“Time?!” Anger again. “He’s up there in the dark, won’t even let me turn on the lights in the bathroom because he writhes in pain.”
“AJ…”
“Whatever…” Tired voice again and Justin got the feeling that they’d had this argument before… and always reached a stalemate then to. “I’m going to play basketball with the boys, I promise to not kill Justin. Just…”
“He’ll be fine AJ. I promise you he’ll be fine.”
The room was dark, JC a barely seen ball shaped form in the middle of the bed. Megan swallowed hard and wondered for the millionth time what the hell she was doing.
“Jace,” she called softly closing the door gently behind her. She’d kicked her shoes off before she’d entered the room, made no loud movements.
“Are they gone?” JC’s voice was barely a whisper.
“Yes… AJ’s angry.”
“At me?”
“Me mostly, for not telling him what’s wrong with you,” Megan almost smiled at the harsh laugh that came from JC. Would have if it hadn’t been edged with pain.
“And you won’t, just like you won’t tell Nick.”
“JC…”
“Don’t tell him,” JC’s voice was like stone and Megan flinched.
“He thinks there’s something wrong with you, he thinks you’re dying.”
“There is something wrong with me.”
“JC…”
“I can’t choose between them Meggie,” he whispered. “I won’t, it’s not fair.”
Megan closed her eyes, hands clenched into fists at her side. Let her breath out in a sigh and then smoothly climbed into the bed behind him. Wrapping her arms around him as he shook.
“When?” she asked simply.
“Last night… sometime… I’m not sure…” his voice was full of confusion and she hated that it was there.
“Maybe you don’t have to choose,” she said.
“False hopes, false dreams… they’ll force me to choose… and… I won’t choose between them, I can’t,” he said softly, curling even further into himself. “Can’t make me choose…” became his mantra as he began rocking back and forth as he began to cry. She pressed her cheek against his shoulder and held him.
Hoping for simple solutions to everyone’s prayers.
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(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-03 09:26 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-03 11:52 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-03 05:20 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2003-06-03 06:17 pm (UTC)Hey! You two! Don't make him choose!
*hugs*