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laniew1See... new and different places... *sigh* I think this is going to be a long story.
Justin was only aware of AJ peripherally …
TITLE: The Guardians – JC/Justin – JC/AJ
Author: Melanie
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing at all, least of all those contained within.
Chapter 10
Justin was only aware of AJ peripherally. One glance over at him showed the same stunned, amazed, curious expression that he was sure was mirrored on his own face. He wasn’t sure how all those expressions were being managed. He was pretty sure that to Nick, Megan and Damian they just looked like gaping fish.
He was surprised they weren’t being laughed at.
A step forward was mimicked by AJ until they were just in front of JC, who still hadn’t looked up from his steady perusal of the floor. He looked to be utterly engrossed by it and Justin wondered what was so fascinating about it, it looked like just plain, boring carpeting. It was a sort of light brown and there was absolutely nothing interesting about that.
Hands reached out slowly, one of his, one of AJ’s. Stroking down the edge of the gently fluttering wings softly. Allowing the feathers to slip through their fingers, Justin smiled at the sensation.
They were so soft and Justin wanted to bury his face in them.
Wanted to inhale the scent of JC and this otherworldly part of him. That would probably freak JC right out. Because he wanted to forcibly ingrain that smell within himself so he could pinpoint JC’s location anywhere, anytime so he could never be lost again.
From the deeply indrawn breath he heard coming from AJ’s corner he knew that the other man wanted to do the same exact thing. So at least he wasn’t alone in what he wanted. AJ probably wanted JC to make love to him with those wings wrapped tightly around them both to, because god knew that was one of the only images that continuously flashed through his mind.
He was a freak. He knew that, would freely admit it if asked.
Thank god JC and the others weren’t psychic.
He glanced up at JC’s face curiously, saw AJ doing the same.
Because JC was trembling, just slightly but enough. There was no fear on his face although the expression on his face was still decidedly blank. Like he was waiting for Justin and AJ to say something before he decided on what he was feeling.
He reached up his left hand, his right still busy stroking the beautiful wings, and touched JC’s stomach. A gentle caress and a heavy breath was released from JC as he finally met their eyes.
He smiled and he knew AJ was doing the same next to him and JC’s expression relaxed.
“I am sorry,” he mumbled.
“Megan had armor,” Justin said by way of response.
JC closed his eyes and air around him shimmered again, where Justin’s fingers were touching skin and feathers there was a jolt, a shock. Not as fierce as it would have been if he’d perhaps shoved a coin into an outlet, but just enough that next time he’d ask JC to warn him first so he could withdraw, and then his attention focused on the white armor that now lined JC’s arms and torso.
“I thought it was metal…” Justin said in surprise. He realized almost absently that his fingers were no longer stroking the skin of JC’s stomach but what appeared to be leather.
“Must be a bitch to clean,” AJ commented. A hint of smile crossed his face and he did exactly what Justin had wanted to do minutes earlier and buried his face in JC’s wings. Inhaling deeply.
JC gasped, back arching and Justin just knew without being told that AJ had just bit down on something. Either a feather or the muscle of the wings themselves. He fell to his knees before them, dislodging AJ. Hands reaching out he grabbed at one of AJ’s and one of Justin’s. Clenching tightly.
“They’re beautiful C,” Justin murmured. “They’re so very beautiful.”
Tears filled JC’s eyes and Justin wondered if this was the first time he’d been brave enough to show anyone his true self. He knew Megan had done it and it had gone badly, had that been why JC had kept this all a secret?
Why all of them had.
Because he, they were afraid that whatever Megan had gone through they would have to go through as well?
“They are,” AJ nodded, he reached out a shaking hand that belied his fearless expression and cupped JC’s face within it. “You should have told me, us.”
JC blinked rapidly, clearing his vision. “I was scared,” he whispered, his eyes flickering up at Megan who was standing stoically to one side.
Once again Justin wondered what had happened to her. What had been so horrible that it had forced the others like her to live in fear of being found out?
“Would never hurt you,” Justin murmured. “Ever.” He gripped JC’s hand tightly within his, as if he could somehow force him by that action alone to believe and trust, then he wondered how this was going to work.
JC was out with AJ, they’d taken that chance that Justin had never been brave enough to take. They’d announced to the world and their family and their friends that they were in love and together. JC loved AJ almost desperately. But he also loved Justin desperately. He’d already said that he was unwilling to choose between them. He had a feeling if they forced him to try that they would both lose.
That JC would walk away from both of them instead of having to choose between them.
The ideal situation would be to share him, to work out some complicated schedule that allowed both him and AJ at the very least time with JC. The problem was Justin didn’t think either he or AJ were big enough to be willing to share him, to allow someone else to share in the love that each felt for him.
Nevermind the sex thing.
A shadow fell over JC’s face and Justin looked up to see Nick standing to one side of JC, his expression still awed. A glance over at Megan showed her face blank, Damian standing beside her a hand on her shoulder.
“Can I…?” Nick asked softly gesturing at the wings that had relaxed since JC had and were now swaying gently, proudly behind JC.
JC glanced over at Megan as if asking for permission in allowing her lover to touch him, when she nodded once he smiled up at Nick, a sign that Nick took as an ok and reached out a hand. Just the tips of his fingers touching them to begin with, then as he became comfortable his whole hand folded over and held feathers within his hands.
“Oh wow,” he was almost breathless, his expression awestruck and Justin decided that whatever reaction Megan had been waiting for this couldn’t be it, because Nick was smiling softly. Happily. She had nothing to fear from Nick, everything would be okay, he obviously wasn’t going turn on her like someone else obviously had.
Of course that was all dependent on Megan being able to trust herself enough to tell Nick everything. Somehow Justin didn’t think she was ready. She was still scarred and scared.
“Angels?” AJ asked softly.
“Not… really…” Megan responded, JC’s eyes were closed now, AJ’s thumb stroking his cheek, Justin stroking his hand, Nick stroking feathers. He was in bliss, accepted and reveling in it.
“Not really?”
“We’re… Guardians, not really Angels… something… else… I guess…” she said weakly.
“So like Guardian Angels, not really heaven bound, but something similar.”
“Yeah… I guess…” Megan ran a hand over her face. “It’s all very confusing sometimes, especially when we try to explain it.”
“How many of you are there?” Justin asked curiously. “I mean there’s C, you, Damian obviously…”
“There’s twenty of us.”
“Can you fly?” AJ grinned impishly.
Megan cleared her throat, JC and Damian exchanged sheepish looks with each other, AJ and Justin put aside their animosity long enough to grin at each other, Nick just petted JC’s wings.
“I’ll take that as a yes, how many people saw you?”
“It wasn’t so much people as… well… The National Enquirer… You couldn’t really see anything and no one figured out it was us so…” came from JC in a rush.
“There was supposed to be cloud cover,” Damian said defensively.
“Weather forecasts are a wonderful thing,” Megan smirked, a break in her dour expression before it returned.
“Like the weatherman can be trusted. How many days now has he said that it’s going to rain?” JC that time, his tone just as defensive as Damian’s. Justin had a feeling that this wasn’t the first time they’d had this particular argument.
“How long have you known?” this from Nick who was still touching JC’s wing although he had turned his body to face Megan.
Megan swallowed once. “I, we’ve always known,” she whispered.
“You should have told me…”
“Nick…”
“You should have trusted me enough to tell me the truth, I would never hurt you. Not ever, I thought you knew that.”
“I do know that… but there’s stuff you don’t know, things… I just… it was easier this way.”
“Easier? Did you ever trust me at all?” Nick asked, eyes narrowing as he studied her.
“Nick,” JC’s voice was quiet but forceful and the hands on him all fell away as he stood. Drawing a deep breath the air shimmered once more and the wings and armor vanished. Justin idly wondered if there would ever come a day where he would be less amazed at them.
Then he wondered where exactly they went to. Did they go into JC? Or did they go someplace else? Did JC even know?
“It’s a valid question JC.”
“It’s not a point of trust, not for Megan…” the sound of two beepers going off interrupted him and JC’s eyes flew to Megan and Damian who were both reaching for the ones attached to their belts. A raised eyebrow from Damian had him responding with a “kitchen, charging,” Justin smiling even as he felt a deep sense of foreboding when they both frowned in unison.
“What is it?” Justin asked as he smoothly came to his feet. AJ right behind him.
“Sarah…” Megan’s frown deepened.
“I can go,” Damian offered. Megan’s eyes rose and met Nick’s, taking in his darkened expression. Justin knew somehow that she was wondering if she gave him time to cool off if they could talk around the fear that she felt without her having to actually give him answers.
“I can do it… she’s taking care of one of mine,” she muttered. Pager went back on her belt and she wrapped her arms around herself. “I should have gone in the first place.”
“Meggie,” Nick took a step forward, his face melting into sadness and worry. Justin wondered if he could feel the unease that was rolling off the Guardians. JC was gnawing on his bottom lip, a sure sign that something wasn’t right.
“I’ll be back,” she said abruptly, turning on her heel she fled the room. The front door slamming behind her and the five men all stared at each other as they heard her car start and leave.
She was wasting no time in fleeing the scene of the crime.
“What the fuck?” Nick swore.
“What was the page?” JC ignored him and focused on Damian.
“SOS from Sarah, could be just because she can’t talk but…” Damian shrugged, a motion that belied the obvious tension in the room.
“We shouldn’t have let her go alone,” JC grumbled.
“It’s not Sam, I don’t even think he’s here… it’s just something simple,” Damian’s eyes bored into JC’s, a thousand conversations being held in the space of a second.
Don’t be worried, if we’re worried it means we don’t trust her to take care of herself.
“Who’s Sam?” AJ asked quietly, a quick look at Nick showed that his stony countenance had once more returned.
Sam, a he… Megan afraid of him, somehow Nick had added bits and pieces and ended up with the truth of the situation.
Whoever Sam was he was the one that had hurt Megan. Either in the current world or the other one, if Justin had been asked he would have laid even money on the other one.
“I want to know what’s going on,” Nick stated. “Now.” His tone brooked no disagreement, although the look that JC and Damian shared told everyone that they were going to.
“It’s really not our place to tell,” JC said softly.
“Tough, tell me anyway.”
“Nick…” JC sighed.
“Tell him,” Damian said quietly.
“Damian?”
“Tell him, he deserves to know. He’s not going to hurt her; if he was going to he would have already, she let him get close and he’s had plenty of opportunities, I think if he couldn’t be trusted we would know by now.”
JC dragged a hand through his hand, muttering what appeared to be curses… although not in English. Justin couldn’t place the words at all.
“It’s not pretty,” JC warned.
“It never is.”
******************************************************************************
The Man had always been known to him as just that.
The Man.
The Man had a deep, dark voice and whenever he received a call to check on his progress he couldn’t decide whether to come or die.
Right now he wanted to die. He’d let one of the Guardians slip right through his fingers, he’d had her and lost her when she got spooked.
His life was going to suck because he knew punishment was on the horizon for this one.
“We do have a quota to meet,” The Man said quietly, his voice echoing over the phone line with power and darkness. It was an exhilarating and he hoped this wasn’t the last time he heard it.
“Yes sir,” he said in a small voice.
“You have to find and identify, capture as many of the twenty as you can within the six months. We only have a small window of opportunity to do this, His attention is distracted right now, if it’s brought back to them before we’re complete he’ll protect them.”
“But they’re not important, they’re not Warriors, they’re not anything.”
“Don’t underestimate their importance in the scheme of things… He protects those that he’s put here. They were put here by Him to perform what he considers an important task.”
“Yes sir.”
“Good… I think maybe I’ll send you assistance… someone to help you move things along a little bit,” The Man said musingly. He could almost hear the finger tapping as The Man thought. “I have just the person.”
“I can do this sir, I don’t need…”
“You’re running out of time, you’ve only located 17 of Guardians… I think someone to make sure you stay focused is just the thing you need. Don’t disappoint me.”
The Man’s voice was dark, thick… evil… he’d made a pact with the devil, with evil personified and he knew that he didn’t make massive progress within the next few weeks that his death would be horrible and painful and he’d probably suffer for quite some time.
******************************************************************************
Justin was only aware of AJ peripherally …
TITLE: The Guardians – JC/Justin – JC/AJ
Author: Melanie
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing at all, least of all those contained within.
Chapter 10
Justin was only aware of AJ peripherally. One glance over at him showed the same stunned, amazed, curious expression that he was sure was mirrored on his own face. He wasn’t sure how all those expressions were being managed. He was pretty sure that to Nick, Megan and Damian they just looked like gaping fish.
He was surprised they weren’t being laughed at.
A step forward was mimicked by AJ until they were just in front of JC, who still hadn’t looked up from his steady perusal of the floor. He looked to be utterly engrossed by it and Justin wondered what was so fascinating about it, it looked like just plain, boring carpeting. It was a sort of light brown and there was absolutely nothing interesting about that.
Hands reached out slowly, one of his, one of AJ’s. Stroking down the edge of the gently fluttering wings softly. Allowing the feathers to slip through their fingers, Justin smiled at the sensation.
They were so soft and Justin wanted to bury his face in them.
Wanted to inhale the scent of JC and this otherworldly part of him. That would probably freak JC right out. Because he wanted to forcibly ingrain that smell within himself so he could pinpoint JC’s location anywhere, anytime so he could never be lost again.
From the deeply indrawn breath he heard coming from AJ’s corner he knew that the other man wanted to do the same exact thing. So at least he wasn’t alone in what he wanted. AJ probably wanted JC to make love to him with those wings wrapped tightly around them both to, because god knew that was one of the only images that continuously flashed through his mind.
He was a freak. He knew that, would freely admit it if asked.
Thank god JC and the others weren’t psychic.
He glanced up at JC’s face curiously, saw AJ doing the same.
Because JC was trembling, just slightly but enough. There was no fear on his face although the expression on his face was still decidedly blank. Like he was waiting for Justin and AJ to say something before he decided on what he was feeling.
He reached up his left hand, his right still busy stroking the beautiful wings, and touched JC’s stomach. A gentle caress and a heavy breath was released from JC as he finally met their eyes.
He smiled and he knew AJ was doing the same next to him and JC’s expression relaxed.
“I am sorry,” he mumbled.
“Megan had armor,” Justin said by way of response.
JC closed his eyes and air around him shimmered again, where Justin’s fingers were touching skin and feathers there was a jolt, a shock. Not as fierce as it would have been if he’d perhaps shoved a coin into an outlet, but just enough that next time he’d ask JC to warn him first so he could withdraw, and then his attention focused on the white armor that now lined JC’s arms and torso.
“I thought it was metal…” Justin said in surprise. He realized almost absently that his fingers were no longer stroking the skin of JC’s stomach but what appeared to be leather.
“Must be a bitch to clean,” AJ commented. A hint of smile crossed his face and he did exactly what Justin had wanted to do minutes earlier and buried his face in JC’s wings. Inhaling deeply.
JC gasped, back arching and Justin just knew without being told that AJ had just bit down on something. Either a feather or the muscle of the wings themselves. He fell to his knees before them, dislodging AJ. Hands reaching out he grabbed at one of AJ’s and one of Justin’s. Clenching tightly.
“They’re beautiful C,” Justin murmured. “They’re so very beautiful.”
Tears filled JC’s eyes and Justin wondered if this was the first time he’d been brave enough to show anyone his true self. He knew Megan had done it and it had gone badly, had that been why JC had kept this all a secret?
Why all of them had.
Because he, they were afraid that whatever Megan had gone through they would have to go through as well?
“They are,” AJ nodded, he reached out a shaking hand that belied his fearless expression and cupped JC’s face within it. “You should have told me, us.”
JC blinked rapidly, clearing his vision. “I was scared,” he whispered, his eyes flickering up at Megan who was standing stoically to one side.
Once again Justin wondered what had happened to her. What had been so horrible that it had forced the others like her to live in fear of being found out?
“Would never hurt you,” Justin murmured. “Ever.” He gripped JC’s hand tightly within his, as if he could somehow force him by that action alone to believe and trust, then he wondered how this was going to work.
JC was out with AJ, they’d taken that chance that Justin had never been brave enough to take. They’d announced to the world and their family and their friends that they were in love and together. JC loved AJ almost desperately. But he also loved Justin desperately. He’d already said that he was unwilling to choose between them. He had a feeling if they forced him to try that they would both lose.
That JC would walk away from both of them instead of having to choose between them.
The ideal situation would be to share him, to work out some complicated schedule that allowed both him and AJ at the very least time with JC. The problem was Justin didn’t think either he or AJ were big enough to be willing to share him, to allow someone else to share in the love that each felt for him.
Nevermind the sex thing.
A shadow fell over JC’s face and Justin looked up to see Nick standing to one side of JC, his expression still awed. A glance over at Megan showed her face blank, Damian standing beside her a hand on her shoulder.
“Can I…?” Nick asked softly gesturing at the wings that had relaxed since JC had and were now swaying gently, proudly behind JC.
JC glanced over at Megan as if asking for permission in allowing her lover to touch him, when she nodded once he smiled up at Nick, a sign that Nick took as an ok and reached out a hand. Just the tips of his fingers touching them to begin with, then as he became comfortable his whole hand folded over and held feathers within his hands.
“Oh wow,” he was almost breathless, his expression awestruck and Justin decided that whatever reaction Megan had been waiting for this couldn’t be it, because Nick was smiling softly. Happily. She had nothing to fear from Nick, everything would be okay, he obviously wasn’t going turn on her like someone else obviously had.
Of course that was all dependent on Megan being able to trust herself enough to tell Nick everything. Somehow Justin didn’t think she was ready. She was still scarred and scared.
“Angels?” AJ asked softly.
“Not… really…” Megan responded, JC’s eyes were closed now, AJ’s thumb stroking his cheek, Justin stroking his hand, Nick stroking feathers. He was in bliss, accepted and reveling in it.
“Not really?”
“We’re… Guardians, not really Angels… something… else… I guess…” she said weakly.
“So like Guardian Angels, not really heaven bound, but something similar.”
“Yeah… I guess…” Megan ran a hand over her face. “It’s all very confusing sometimes, especially when we try to explain it.”
“How many of you are there?” Justin asked curiously. “I mean there’s C, you, Damian obviously…”
“There’s twenty of us.”
“Can you fly?” AJ grinned impishly.
Megan cleared her throat, JC and Damian exchanged sheepish looks with each other, AJ and Justin put aside their animosity long enough to grin at each other, Nick just petted JC’s wings.
“I’ll take that as a yes, how many people saw you?”
“It wasn’t so much people as… well… The National Enquirer… You couldn’t really see anything and no one figured out it was us so…” came from JC in a rush.
“There was supposed to be cloud cover,” Damian said defensively.
“Weather forecasts are a wonderful thing,” Megan smirked, a break in her dour expression before it returned.
“Like the weatherman can be trusted. How many days now has he said that it’s going to rain?” JC that time, his tone just as defensive as Damian’s. Justin had a feeling that this wasn’t the first time they’d had this particular argument.
“How long have you known?” this from Nick who was still touching JC’s wing although he had turned his body to face Megan.
Megan swallowed once. “I, we’ve always known,” she whispered.
“You should have told me…”
“Nick…”
“You should have trusted me enough to tell me the truth, I would never hurt you. Not ever, I thought you knew that.”
“I do know that… but there’s stuff you don’t know, things… I just… it was easier this way.”
“Easier? Did you ever trust me at all?” Nick asked, eyes narrowing as he studied her.
“Nick,” JC’s voice was quiet but forceful and the hands on him all fell away as he stood. Drawing a deep breath the air shimmered once more and the wings and armor vanished. Justin idly wondered if there would ever come a day where he would be less amazed at them.
Then he wondered where exactly they went to. Did they go into JC? Or did they go someplace else? Did JC even know?
“It’s a valid question JC.”
“It’s not a point of trust, not for Megan…” the sound of two beepers going off interrupted him and JC’s eyes flew to Megan and Damian who were both reaching for the ones attached to their belts. A raised eyebrow from Damian had him responding with a “kitchen, charging,” Justin smiling even as he felt a deep sense of foreboding when they both frowned in unison.
“What is it?” Justin asked as he smoothly came to his feet. AJ right behind him.
“Sarah…” Megan’s frown deepened.
“I can go,” Damian offered. Megan’s eyes rose and met Nick’s, taking in his darkened expression. Justin knew somehow that she was wondering if she gave him time to cool off if they could talk around the fear that she felt without her having to actually give him answers.
“I can do it… she’s taking care of one of mine,” she muttered. Pager went back on her belt and she wrapped her arms around herself. “I should have gone in the first place.”
“Meggie,” Nick took a step forward, his face melting into sadness and worry. Justin wondered if he could feel the unease that was rolling off the Guardians. JC was gnawing on his bottom lip, a sure sign that something wasn’t right.
“I’ll be back,” she said abruptly, turning on her heel she fled the room. The front door slamming behind her and the five men all stared at each other as they heard her car start and leave.
She was wasting no time in fleeing the scene of the crime.
“What the fuck?” Nick swore.
“What was the page?” JC ignored him and focused on Damian.
“SOS from Sarah, could be just because she can’t talk but…” Damian shrugged, a motion that belied the obvious tension in the room.
“We shouldn’t have let her go alone,” JC grumbled.
“It’s not Sam, I don’t even think he’s here… it’s just something simple,” Damian’s eyes bored into JC’s, a thousand conversations being held in the space of a second.
Don’t be worried, if we’re worried it means we don’t trust her to take care of herself.
“Who’s Sam?” AJ asked quietly, a quick look at Nick showed that his stony countenance had once more returned.
Sam, a he… Megan afraid of him, somehow Nick had added bits and pieces and ended up with the truth of the situation.
Whoever Sam was he was the one that had hurt Megan. Either in the current world or the other one, if Justin had been asked he would have laid even money on the other one.
“I want to know what’s going on,” Nick stated. “Now.” His tone brooked no disagreement, although the look that JC and Damian shared told everyone that they were going to.
“It’s really not our place to tell,” JC said softly.
“Tough, tell me anyway.”
“Nick…” JC sighed.
“Tell him,” Damian said quietly.
“Damian?”
“Tell him, he deserves to know. He’s not going to hurt her; if he was going to he would have already, she let him get close and he’s had plenty of opportunities, I think if he couldn’t be trusted we would know by now.”
JC dragged a hand through his hand, muttering what appeared to be curses… although not in English. Justin couldn’t place the words at all.
“It’s not pretty,” JC warned.
“It never is.”
The Man had always been known to him as just that.
The Man.
The Man had a deep, dark voice and whenever he received a call to check on his progress he couldn’t decide whether to come or die.
Right now he wanted to die. He’d let one of the Guardians slip right through his fingers, he’d had her and lost her when she got spooked.
His life was going to suck because he knew punishment was on the horizon for this one.
“We do have a quota to meet,” The Man said quietly, his voice echoing over the phone line with power and darkness. It was an exhilarating and he hoped this wasn’t the last time he heard it.
“Yes sir,” he said in a small voice.
“You have to find and identify, capture as many of the twenty as you can within the six months. We only have a small window of opportunity to do this, His attention is distracted right now, if it’s brought back to them before we’re complete he’ll protect them.”
“But they’re not important, they’re not Warriors, they’re not anything.”
“Don’t underestimate their importance in the scheme of things… He protects those that he’s put here. They were put here by Him to perform what he considers an important task.”
“Yes sir.”
“Good… I think maybe I’ll send you assistance… someone to help you move things along a little bit,” The Man said musingly. He could almost hear the finger tapping as The Man thought. “I have just the person.”
“I can do this sir, I don’t need…”
“You’re running out of time, you’ve only located 17 of Guardians… I think someone to make sure you stay focused is just the thing you need. Don’t disappoint me.”
The Man’s voice was dark, thick… evil… he’d made a pact with the devil, with evil personified and he knew that he didn’t make massive progress within the next few weeks that his death would be horrible and painful and he’d probably suffer for quite some time.
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Date: 2003-06-25 12:04 pm (UTC)I like sharing. It makes me happy.