Summary: Nick is struggling to make it day by day. Justin is trying to survive stardom. They both live two very different lives, but when they meet on a cold winters night a friendship begins. Will there be more then friendship? Do opposites really attract?

Paring: Justin/Nick (TimberNick)

Rating: PG-13 and Up

Warning: This is slash, meaning there will be male/male sexual relations mentioned in the story. Also, this story should also get a HET warning for those of you that don't like HET content. There are other couples in this story other then Justin and Nick and a few of them happen to be male/female couples. If you don't want to read chapters with explicit HET content then go ahead and scroll down to read the EDITED chapters.

Authors Note: I am really grateful to have a great friend writing this story with me. How we have it worked out is that I write whatever Nick says, and my good friend Kris writes all of Justin's lines. If this is confusing, or if you have any questions about the format feel free to e-mail me and I'll try and help clear anything up.

Status: Incomplete

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Things were similar the next night at the Timberlake house, except slightly reversed. Instead of Justin standing in front of the mirror in his bedroom it was Nick. He looked at his reflection and sighed, something wasn't right but he couldn't figure out what it was. He was wearing the uniform he needed to wear, which consisted of black Dockers and a dark blue t-shirt but something seemed off.

As soon as Justin grabbed his wallet, keys, and a light jacket he walked out of his room and down the hall to Nick's room. He stopped at the opened bedroom door of Nick's and leaned against the frame with a smirk on his face as he watched Nick fussing with himself in front of the mirror. He didn't say anything for a few moments, just watching Nick frown at his reflection. "Hey..."

Nick spun around, not having expected to hear Justin. "Hey...sorry I'm coming," he said. His nervousness coming out in his voice.

Justin quirked an eyebrow wondering what Nick was apologizing for now. "Uh," he said walking into the room and standing next to Nick, in front of the mirror. "We have a few minutes... why are you sweating?"

"I guess it's hot in here," Nick said backing away and going into the bathroom to splash water on his face, he didn't need to look like a sweaty freak on his first night of work.

Justin rubbed a hand over his face before running it over his head, his eyes following Nick into the bathroom. He vaguely wondered if Nick forgot to take his pills for today as he sat on the edge of the bed waiting for Nick to come out.

Once he was done, Nick spent another few minutes looking at his reflection taking deep breaths. "You can do this, you know how to tend a bar… you've done it for years," he spoke to his reflection. "Yeah, but that was in a little whole in the wall bar in Indianapolis, not a posh restaurant in Downtown LA."

Justin's ears perked a bit when he heard voices... whispers coming out from the bathroom. Furrowing his brows he turned his attention to the bathroom and stared at the door really thinking that perhaps Nick did forget to take his depression pills.

"You're losing it Carter," Nick said shaking his head as he pushed himself away from the counter and walked out of the bathroom. "Okay...let's go."

Justin stood up, looking at Nick before looking at the bathroom and then back at Nick. "Did you take your pills today?" He questioned.

"What does that gotta do with anything?" Nick questioned. He was nervous, not depressed.

Justin shrugged. He just thought that Nick acting quite un-Nick like at the moment and maybe that had something to with not taking the pills. "I don't know, you seem to be... a little off," he said looking at Nick. He didn't see any reason for Nick to be nervous, after all they were going to a bar... something Nick should feel completely at home at.

"I'm nervous, not depressed." Nick pointed out a little harshly. He just didn't like the fact that whenever something seemed wrong Justin automatically thought 'oh he must not be drugged.'

Justin was a bit taken back by Nick's tone and he fought to keep the anger that was rising down. "Sorry," he said with a sigh. "I was just worried, that's all."

Nick sighed shaking his head as they walked out of his room and down the stairs. "I know it's just not everything that I feel has to do with my depression and can be fixed with the pill. I'm scared to death to do this tonight," he admitted.

"Why are you so nervous?" Justin questioned, following behind Nick.

"This is the big time...I mean this isn't a hole in the wall bar in Indianapolis," Nick pointed out as he headed to the closet to grab his coat. "I don't wanna mess up." Truth was it still all came back to messing up and making Justin look bad. Then if he made Justin look bad maybe Justin wouldn't want him around anymore.

Justin sighed as he tossed his keys from one hand to the other. "If you're going to think like that most likely you will mess up," he said point blank. "Just take a deep breath and relax... don't think about it like a big-time thing and just do what you know how to do and be you while doing it."

Lynn came walking into the room a smile on her face, "You guys heading out?"

Nick sighed and just turned and walked out the door. He needed a second by himself to calm down. "I'll be at the truck."

Justin watched Nick walk out the door before looking at his mother. "Yeah, we are," he replied. "Are you coming with us?"

Lynn shook her head, "No, you boys go have fun I'm going to stay here and just relax. Last night was enough excitement for me."

Justin chuckled as he kissed his mother on the cheek before heading out the door to his car. He opened the driver's side and got in, looking over at Nick before starting the car and backing out of the driveway.

"Sorry," Nick whispered after they had been driving for a minute or two.

"It's not a big deal," Justin said with a shrug.

"What are you gunna do tonight?" Nick asked wondering what Justin was going to do while he was working.

"Watch you work and mingle with whoever's there," Justin said, sneaking a glance at Nick before looking back at the road.

Nick laughed, "Not like watching me will be very exciting."

"Maybe not but you're looking hot in that outfit," Justin commented.

That comment caught Nick off guard. "Really...you think?"

Justin nodded his head. "No," he said. "I Know you look good."

Nick laughed, blushing. "Well...thanks."

Justin smiled to hear Nick laugh. It wasn't long before he was pulling into the private parking lot behind his restaurant. "You Ok?" He asked once he shut the engine off and looked at Nick.

"Yeah, I can do this." Nick said as he opened the door and hopped out. At least he sure hoped he would do okay.

Justin got out of the car and put the alarm on before walking with Nick through the backdoor. "Welcome to my restaurant," he said to Nick.

Nick laughed, "I have been here before ya know," he said as they walked inside. People were already mingling around since it had been opened since lunch.

"I know," Justin said. "But this is your first time as an employee." He smirked.

"True," Nick said wondering if he was supposed to go right behind the bar now or what he should do before that point.

Justin walked Nick to a door beside the bar and let him inside. It was room for changing and storage, anything that had to do with the bar. Once he'd shown Nick the room he asked, "You wanna get started now," he said. "Sam will be bartending with you tonight, seeing it's your first day here..."

"I might as well," Nick said going behind the bar. "I need to take in where everything is and stuff."

Justin nodded his head as he sat on the bar tool, his arms crossing over the top of the bar. "Pour me a Bloody Mary when you've got everything figured out." He greeted Sam and introduced them.

Nick laughed, "Sure thing Mr. Timberlake," he said properly, totally messing around as he went about mixing together the drink in a matter of seconds and setting it in front of Justin.

Justin took a sip of his drink and smiled. "Real good," he said taking another sip. "You okay here by yourself for now?"

Nick nodded, "Sure." he said even though he liked having Justin there he wasn't going to say anything.

Justin got up, taking his drink with him. "I'll be back," he said before walking over to the dining section to greet a few of the people he recognized.

"Bye," Nick said softly before taking a deep breath. He already felt less confident with Justin away from him.

It wasn’t until almost a half hour to forty-five minutes later that he was informed of JC having arrived and being escorted over to the VIP lounge upstairs. Justin had immediately excused himself from the current conversation with a few of the patrons before making his way up to the VIP room.

JC was indeed upstairs and had just sat down with his first drink of the night.

"What you don't call to say your coming over?" Justin said as a way of greeting, leaning against the doorframe of the lounge.

JC laughed when he heard the familiar voice and looked up to see Justin standing there. "Why call...I knew you would be here anyway." He laughed. "You always come and check the place out when you're home."

Justin rolled his eyes as he stepped into the room and made his way over to his friend. "I know you're not from the south but geez, I'd think you'd have some sort of manners!" He joked before leaning down and sharing a half hug-hand shake type thing before Justin plopped down beside him on the couch.

"Yeah us northern people don't understand all that manners shit," JC laughed a huge smile on his face. He hadn't gotten a chance to really talk to Justin the night before at the Grammy’s so it was great to really get the chance to be able to talk to his friend who he was used to seeing 24-7.

Justin took in a deep breath and ran a hand over his head. "Thanks," he said, all of a sudden serious as he looked over at JC. He was thanking him for coming to the Grammy’s and showing his support, that really meant a lot to him.

"For what?" JC asked, he had a feeling he knew what Justin was talking about but wanted to make sure.

"For coming to the awards," Justin replied with a small smile.

JC smiled, "It was a great thing to do and I'm glad I was there for you. I mean come on man you actually one a Grammy!" he said getting excited. "I mean us guys as a group couldn't even fucking do that!"

"Two," Justin corrected with a grin on his face, getting butterflies in his stomach just thinking about that night. It was the best night of his life by far. He wanted to go back in time and relive every moment of that. "I couldn't have done it without you guys."

"You're mom helped a lot too I'm sure." JC pointed out not wanting to put all of it on himself.

"Of course, mom's been there since the beginning but..." Justin shrugged. "So, what are you're plans? How long you staying in LA for?"

JC shrugged his shoulders as he slumped down on the couch a little more, crossing his legs at the ankles. "I'm not really sure, I'm thinking about sticking around for a little bit just hanging out. I don't really have much else going on."

Justin nodded his head. "Downtime," he said wistfully. "What I wouldn't give to have some of that for at least a week or so." He then thought about his schedule for the following week, frowning. Filming for his movie role starts soon.

"You really need to get out dude," JC laughed shaking his head. "I mean even tonight, go get yourself a drink or ten and find yourself a honey and dance."

Justin's mind drifted off to Nick working behind the bar, a smile spread on his face. "I'll stick with the drinks for the night," he said.

JC laughed, "Okay whatever you say." He then hopped up. "I wana go down and dance though...you coming?"

'Not like I got anything else to do up here,' Justin thought to himself before pushing himself up off the couch and followed JC out the door. "You should keep your hair like this." He commented on the semi wavy curls JC was sporting.

"You think?" JC asked, running his fingers through his hair as he and Justin headed back downstairs.

Justin nodded his head. "For sure," he said before looking in the direction of the bar. "I'm gonna go get another drink, okay?"

"Okay," JC said as he headed into the crowd of people and automatically started dancing with a group of people.

Nick was being his normally bubbly self as he mixed drinks and served customers, totally getting into his job.

Justin couldn't help but smile at how at ease Nick looked. He grabbed a seat and waited for Nick to finish with his present customers before he called out his request.

Nick turned with a start not expecting to hear his boyfriends voice. Once he saw Justin sitting there he couldn't help the huge smile that crossed his face. "Sure thing, coming right up." he said to his request and went about making it.

A few seconds later his drink was placed before him and Justin brought it up to his mouth, taking a sip of the Margarita. He looked down the bar before focusing his attention on Nick. "How's it going?"

"Good, it's actually going smoother then I expected," Nick said with a smile and then tried not to groan when somebody came and sat down. "Gotta go...sorry," he said before going to help the other customer.

JC plopped down next to Justin and glanced over at the blonde haired guy walking around behind the bar. "Who's the new guy?" he asked interest in his eyes.

Justin looked at JC before doing a double take at what he saw on his face. "Huh, oh," he said looking back at Nick. "That's Nick."

"Nick..." JC repeated what Justin said as he continued to watch the blonde. "Hey Nick...can I get what he's having?" he called and pointed at Justin's drink.

Nick glanced over at who said his name and his heart stopped in his chest and had to recover. "Uhh...yeah sure," he said cursing for stuttering.

JC chuckled softly at Nick's reaction automatically assuming the guy was a fan.

Justin swirled the liquid in his glass, watching the olive spin a bit and waited for Nick to come over. Once he did Justin nodded at JC. "Nick," he said with a small. "Meet JC, Jace," he looked at JC and nodded at Nick. "This is Nick Carter."

Nick sat the glass down in front of JC, then wiped his hand on his pant leg before reaching a hand out for JC. "Nice to meet you," he said with a smile.

JC smiled back as he shook Nick's hand. "Nice to meet you too Nick, are you new to the area?"

Nick nodded his head, not sure how much information to give because he believed JC had no idea exactly where and why he was staying with the man sitting next to him. "Yeah I've only been here a few weeks...originally from Indiana."

"Wow that's a change well...welcome to LA." JC said with a smile, one that people who knew him knew to his flirtatious smile.

Justin eyed there hands that were still in the 'hand shake' position, still grasping each other. Clearing his throat he downed the rest of his drink. "Believe it or not, he's actually our fan," he said to JC. 'Well, he likes me more,' he mentally added not sure why he was even thinking like that.

"Of course he is...who isn't." JC laughed, teasing the blonde.

Nick laughed too as he finally brought his hand back, not really wanting to think about why JC had held his hand longer than needed to be.

Well, if this wasn't awkward... Justin looked between Nick and JC wondering why there were twinkles in JC's eyes as he looked at Nick. He quickly turned around in his seat and looked out onto the dance floor. "Yo, Jace... isn't that... Eva?"

JC looked over at what or who Justin was looking at. "Oh yeah...it is," he said not sounding very excited about that.

Nick noticed other customers show up and the other bartender was busy with other people. "Excuse me gentlemen," he said actually sounding more flamboyant than normal, not realizing it.

Justin didn't know what to think. JC didn't pay that much attention to the woman that he'd been raving around and yet he seemed to be all twinkle in the eyes more so when Nick was being a little too happy. "Aren't you gonna go and talk to her?"

"Maybe in a minute, I wana drink my drink." JC said as he picked up his glass. "Do you know how long he's been here?" he asked meaning Nick. He figured Justin did, since he was his employer and all.

"Today is his first," Justin replied turning around in his seat and resting his arms on top of the bar.

"Wow he's doing REALLY good for his first day." JC said, his eyes other places besides what Nick's hands were doing as he mixed the drinks.

"It's not his first time handling the bar," Justin informed him. "He worked as a bartender back in Indiana."

"Oh..." JC said sounding distracted, his mind or eyes were on something else.

"Yea..." Justin replied, sounding as distracted as JC except he was trying to figure out what was going on.

Nick could feel eyes on him and turned around to see two NSYNCer’s looking at him. He gave Justin a 'What?' look, not sure at all what to think of the look on JC's face.

Justin snuck a look over at JC before looking back at Nick, shrugging his shoulders. Getting irritated he turned his attention to JC, tugging on his arm as he pulled him up to his feet. "Pharell is here," he said. "We gotta go say hi!" He knew that sounded lame and stupid but it was the only thing he could think of at the moment to get JC away from the bar.

Nick automatically thought something was wrong and his insecurities went up but he tried to shake it off and went back to doing his job.

"Uhh yeah," JC said getting another glance at Nick wondering if Justin knew anything about the sexual orientation of his employees.

Justin pulled JC a little roughly through the crowd before greeting Pharell and his gang.

About thirty minutes later, JC glanced back at the bar. "I think I want another drink," he said really wanting to chat with that new guy Nick again.

"I'll go get it for you," Justin suggested getting up from the table. "What do you want?"

JC eyed Justin weird, was it just him or was Justin trying to keep him away from that side of the restaurant. "Sure...umm just a beer."

Justin nodded his head and politely excused himself from the table, making his way over to the bar. "Could I get a beer please," he called out, leaning against the bar.

Nick turned and smiled at Justin, "In a bottle or on tap?"

"Bottle," Justin said looking over at JC and frowned when he saw the other man looking in their direction, actually looking at Nick.

Nick noticed the frown and really wondered what was going on. He got the bottle and handed it to Justin. "Uh...here ya go," he said his tone showing the confusion he was feeling. He was thinking Justin's slight anger and irritation was directed at him.

"Hmm," Justin said and mumbled his thanks. He looked over at Nick and gave him a smile to show that everything was fine but made a face in the end.

Nick was still confused as he watched Justin walk back to the table JC was at and saw him give the beer to the other man.

"Thanks," JC said to Justin as he watched Nick reach up to get something off of a top shelf, his shirt riding up in back, showing off the edge of his boxers and part of his lower back.

Justin forced a cough and discreetly stood in JC's line of vision already knowing who he was looking at. "You got plans for tonight or...?"

"Maybe," JC stated, obviously still thinking about the blonde behind the counter.

Justin took in a deep breath fighting back the urge to grab JC and shake him, demanding to know what was going through the brunettes head. "Right, so you staying in a hotel or you rented a place?" He looked at his watch and realized that Nick still had about two hours to go before his shift ended. Maybe he could steal the blonde away and head home preferably without JC gawking at Nick.

"I'm in a hotel right now, thinking about renting a place." JC stated, obviously having been listening to Justin but his mind was still else where.

Nick stepped from behind the bar, it was his break time but he didn't know what he should do. He wanted to go to Justin but didn't think he could. Instead he just headed in the direction of the bathroom.

JC noticed this move and stood up. "I've gotta piss."

Justin raised an eyebrow. "Okay..." he said. "TMI man!" He shook his head and took a seat as JC left. Taking in a deep breath he looked over at the bar, his eyes narrowing when he didn't see Nick there. His heart started beating faster as he got up and went over to the bar, looking for where Nick was. It was just that second he remembered Nick had a break, now he had to think just where the blonde could have gone. Piss. Shit. Bathroom. Justin groaned and poured himself a shot of vodka.

Once in the bathroom Nick walked over to the wall of urinals and started to do his business, not even hearing the other person come into the almost empty bathroom.

JC stepped into the bathroom, pleased that there weren't many people in there, actually, Nick and now himself were it's only occupants at the moment. He headed over to the sink and wet his hands before looking at his reflection in the mirror, adjusting his curls all the while keeping an eye on Nick.

Nick could feel eyes on him but didn't turn around. Finishing up he flushed and headed over to the sink. He didn't say anything to JC, not sure if it was really his position to talk to him. Sure, he was Justin's friend but JC didn't know he was even friends with Justin.

JC looked over at Nick and smiled at him in the mirror. "You're pretty good for being a first time bartender," he said knowing full well, since Justin had told him, that this was not Nick's first time tending the bar.

"I tended bar in Indiana too." Nick pointed out as he washed his hands and then grabbed a paper towel to dry them on. "So I've gotten pretty good at it."

"I can attest to that," JC smirked. "You make killer Margarita's man."

Nick beamed, giving JC one of his famous 'Carter' smiles. "Thank you."

JC smiled back, happy to have brought that dazzling smile onto the blonde's face. "So, Nick... you're working till closing or does your shift end soon?" He questioned.

Thinking innocently Nick looked down at his watch. "I'm on until ten," he said and noticed it was now a quarter after eight.

"Oh," JC said thinking about it. "Have you had diner yet?"

Nick wasn't sure what he was supposed to say, he hadn’t had dinner...but things were beginning to seem odd even to Nick. "Umm...no..."

"You, maybe... wanna have dinner with me then?" JC questioned, slightly shrugging. "I'm sure I can get Justin to let you off early..."

Nick was dumb founded, he didn't know what to say. He didn't want to be rude to JC...JC was one of Justin's best friends...but this was seeming a little too much like a date, and he didn't want a date with JC. "That sounds nice...but umm can I take a rain check?" he said hoping that would work.

JC nodded his head figuring Nick just didn't want to make a bad impression on Justin on the first day of work and all. "That's fine," he said. "Well, could I at least get your number... or where you're living?"

Not thinking of anything he rattled off his number to JC, forgetting that was his and JUSTIN's phone number.

JC fed the number into his cell phone and adding Nick's name to the address book not thinking much of anything just happy that he at least got the blonde's number. That was a hell of a lot better than nothing at all. "Thanks," he said smiling at Nick.

"No problem," Nick said giving JC a polite smile and headed out of the bathroom. He then headed back to the bar, noticing Justin sitting there with three empty shot glasses in front of him.

Justin looked up when he saw someone approaching the bar. He gave a lazy grin to Nick before noticing JC walk out of the bathroom a few seconds later and head over to the table he was at earlier. He narrowed his eyes and filled another shot glass and downed it.

"Whoa...somebody is gunna need me to drive home tonight," Nick said softly with a chuckle. He still had ten minutes left of his break. "You wana go up to your office and talk to me?"

'Yea, his office was private. I’d get to be alone with Nick... no JC around. Yippy,' he mentally thought before he put the cap back on the vodka and stood up, a little wobbly but quickly found his balance. "Yes," he said in a firm voice. "Office."

Nick swallowed hard, 'What did I do?' he automatically thought as he followed a slightly tipsy Justin upstairs.

Justin pouted the whole time they were heading to his office, sniffling occasionally. Once they were in his office, Justin didn't even bother turning the lights on as he locked the door behind them and grabbed onto Nick's shirt, pulling him closer. He fused their lips together for a kiss.

Nick's eyes went wide instead of closed like they would normally do in a kiss. This was TOTALLY unexpected but definitely wanted. It took him a second but he soon relaxed, his eyes fluttering shut as he let Justin control the kiss.

Still kissing Nick, Justin blindly escorted them backwards to where the couch was, sitting down slowly with Nick slightly on top of him. He slipped his tongue out and licked at Nick's lips.

'What in the world has gotten into him.' Nick's mind screamed as he fell into the kiss, his mouth opening the second it felt Justin's tongue asking for entrance. It was as if his body knew what to do even if his mind was thinking of other things.

Justin un-fisted his hands from the front of Nick's shirt and wrapped them around his neck, one hand running through the blonde hair. A few moments of drunkenly exploring Nick's mouth he pulled back and began to place kisses all over his face and neck.

"J...Justin..." Nick said in a voice that was beginning to get husky. He knew something was wrong because of the way Justin was drinking. That was the reason he asked if Justin wanted to talk...but damn this was better then talking.

"Hmm?" Justin's mumbled 'what?' came out as he nuzzled Nick's neck before pulling back at looking at Nick in the barely lit room. The only light source was whatever light there was outside seeping in through the blinds that gently outlined Nick's features.

Nick was going to ask 'Are you okay', but the guy inside of him was screaming 'kissing first...thinking later'. "Nothing," he whispered back also looking down at Justin, forgetting that he was supposed to be back downstairs in like two minutes.

"You know that I love ya right?" Justin slurred slightly with his southern drawl becoming more prominent. He sniffled a bit, his eyes dropping to look at Nick's shirt collar. He brought his hands back down and rested them on Nick's shirt, fidgeting with the buttons.

"Of course," Nick whispered back wondering why Justin seemed so insecure about that. "More than anything."

"Good," Justin said. A few moments of silence later he asked, "You wanna go home? I wanna go home… We can go home together!"

Nick couldn't help the giggle that escaped his lips. "But I still got like an hour and a half left of work," he said as his own hands were subconsciously playing with Justin's pants leg

Justin made a face. "You just don't wanna come home with me, isn't that it?" He said getting a little upset that Nick would rather stay at work than go home with him. "You just wanna stay here and have everyone hit on you!”

Nick's eyes went wide and he pulled away from Justin a little. "What are you talking about...of course I wana come home with you!"

"Well, why are you even fucking thinking about work, anyways?" Justin questioned. "I'm your boss and if I'm asking you if ya wanna go home... I mean, only an hour. Nothing's gonna happen in an hour, unless there's something you got planned and you're not telling me." His thoughts were all over the place and probably not making much sense anyways. He never gets like this, usually he's more reserved with that one exception of when he found out what Brit had done to him.

"I just wanted to do the right thing on my first day." Nick said not understanding what was going on. "We can go home...I think we need to go home," he said thinking Justin needed to be put in bed.

"If you want to stay here, you can stay here," Justin said nodding his head. "I'll wait and sit right at the bar. Yup."

Nick laughed as he ran his hands up Justin's chest. "I don't think you need to be around the bar anymore tonight Mr. Man." he said in a playful manner. “Let's just go home...that is if my boss will still let me."

Justin smiled. "Yeah, let's get out of here and away from... people," he said gently pushing Nick away so he could get up.

Nick stood up and glanced down at his shirt realizing Justin had managed to unbutton a few of his buttons. He laughed as he fixed them. "Come on." he said reaching a hand out for Justin.

Justin took Nick's hand and walked to the door only to realize that they couldn't walk out of the office like that. He took his hand back, shaking his head. "You go first, I just need a minute. I'll be down soon."

Nick nodded his head as he headed out of the room and back downstairs. He then headed over to the bar and explained that he was going to be leaving early...family emergency.

Justin walked over to his desk, turned the lamp on, and rummaged around in the drawers for a copy of his schedule for the next month that he'd left there the other day. He walked out of his office, stuffing the paper into his pocket, and went over to where JC was. Informing JC that he was heading home and after wishing him a good night, he sought out Nick.

Nick was standing back by the employee entrance waiting for Justin. When he saw him he smiled. "Ready?"

Justin nodded his head as he joined Nick before they both headed out to the parking lot. Handing the keys over to Nick Justin got in the passenger side.

Nick jumped in behind the wheel and started the car. "Did you get to say bye to your friends?" he asked and then thought about something. "Oh...JC did something kinda weird in the bathroom."

Justin's head immediately whipped around to look at Nick, his heart beating wildly. "What?" He growled out, not realizing the anger seeping through nor the jealously.

Nick bit his lower lip, a little taken back by Justin’s reaction. "Yeah...I think...well I dunno I'm probably just seeing into things...but well...he kinda like hit on me...I think...well he asked me to dinner...."

Justin gritted his teeth as his knuckles turned white from where he was clutching the door handle and the seat. "Oh," he said looking straight out the front window, contemplating on whether he should go knock the daylights out of JC or let it go because this was JC we were talking about. His straight best friend, or at least Justin thought he was straight and was now hoping he was straight. "And..."

"I told him I had to work...and I would have to take a rain check...cuz I didn't know what to say. I mean if I had a choice I would have said 'hell no cuz I'm dating and in love with your best friend." Nick answered truthfully, also looking straight ahead because he was driving.

Justin let out a breath of relief he hadn't realized he was holding in. "Good," he said. "Good. You're not gonna use that rain check, ever, right?"

Nick's eyes went wide, amazed Justin would even think something like that. "Of course not...I am taken ya know."

"Does he know that?" Justin questioned, wondering if Nick told JC anything. His heart started beating faster if Nick informed JC that he was dating him, Justin wasn't sure what he would do if that were the case. He was still trying to get comfortable in his own skin and with his sexuality.

"Of course not, that's not my place to tell." Nick stated then thought of something. "I umm...did give him my number though..."

It took Justin a few minutes for that to register in his mind. "Your number... would be... the same as... my number," he said slowly.

Nick swallowed hard, "Yeah," he simply said ready to take the blow of being in trouble just like a little kid would.

Justin thought some more about this. He then shrugged, figuring he didn't give a flying rat's tail what JC thought about Nick living with him. "Well, okay..." He then thought about the reason Nick gave him his number and felt the jealousy seeping back into his system. "Why did you give him your number anyways? Hoping he'd call and ask you god knows what?"

"I was stuck on what to say. I wanted to say I was taken, but then I didn't really know if he was asking me out on a date or just a friendly dinner, so that would seem dumb. So I just said the rain check thing and number cuz I didn't know what else to say. I wanted to get away from him." Nick explained as he pulled down their street.

Justin sighed, not at all liking this night. And definitely not liking JC at the moment. 'Why the hell can't be just go and hit on Lance or something?' He thought to himself, pouting. 'Why go after MY man?' He didn't realize that he was growling in frustration out loud.

Nick glanced at Justin tears coming to his overly sensitive eyes. "I...I'm sorry," he said automatically thinking Justin was mad at him. For what...he still wasn't sure.

Justin turned his head towards Nick, confused. "What are you apologizing for?" He asked just as they pulled into his driveway and then into his garage.

Nick thought for a second and let out a soft laugh, one of those laughs that weren’t really all that funny. "I don't know...I just know you're mad and it seems like you’re mad at me."

Justin quickly shook his head, his hand immediately reaching over to rest on Nick's thigh. "I'm not... mad at... YOU," he said before looking away for a second and then looking back at Nick. "I'm just... having a bad night."

"Okay...well if you wana talk about it you can," Nick said as he got out of the car, locking it once Justin had his door open too.

Justin simply nodded his head and let Nick walk in before he did, closing the door behind them. "I..." He reached his hand to the back of his neck and rubbed the tension building. "I think I'm gonna go and start the jacuzzi."

"Sure," Nick said wondering where the Justin from up in the office went but he learned when not to pry. He didn't even say 'can I come too' because he wanted Justin to ask him without him having to say that.

Justin headed up the stairs to go and change before he walked down to the backyard, where the pool was. He looked around and wondered where Nick was but figured he might need more time to change so he started the jacuzzi and sat down on the edge, watching the bright blue pool. It wasn't until he got the jacuzzi at the right temperature did he get up to go look for Nick.

Nick was up in his room watching TV with Benny on his lap. Of course he would rather be down in the jacuzzi with Justin.

After a few minutes of looking around Justin found Nick in his room. "Why aren't you in your trunks downstairs with me in the jacuzzi?" He asked, leaning against the door eyeing Benny on Nick's lap. He couldn't believe he was getting jealous over a cat but he couldn't help but feel it. The way Nick's fingers were running over the cat, Justin wanted Nick to do that to him.

"You never asked me if I wanted to come with you." Nick pointed out. "I thought that saying you were having a bad night and jacuzzi meant in Justin terms 'I wana be alone'."

"And I told you that most of the time I want you with me," Justin said with a sigh. "Unless I tell you I wanna be alone!"

Nick's eyes went wide once again. "Okay...then I will get changed and come with you. Benny is having bad gas tonight anyway." he said with a smirk to hopefully get Justin to loosen up.

Justin scrunched up his nose, making a face at that comment. "Well, hurry up," he said, bouncing on the balls of his feet.

Nick was going to wait until Justin left the room, but the guy seemed to not even think about leaving. So he just got off the bed and walked to his dresser to get out his dark green swim trunks. He then went about stripping out of the rest of his clothes to put them on even with Justin right there. It wasn't like the guy had never seen him naked.

Justin watched the whole scene with open admiration but didn't say anything. Once Nick was wearing the trunks he escorted them back downstairs to the jacuzzi, only stopping once as Justin went into the kitchen to grab a bottle of Jack Daniels and two glasses. Setting the glasses and bottle on the edge he climbed into the bubbling hot water with a content sigh.

"You're sure into the alcohol tonight," Nick teased as he settled into the water next to Justin.

Justin just poured himself and Nick a glass before handing Nick his glass and taking a sip of his own. "How did you like working there?"

A huge smile spread across Nick's face. "It was awesome...I never realized how much I've missed tending bar."

Justin smiled as he brought his left hand that was under the water over to rest on top of Nick's right one that was resting on his lap. "You looked like you were having fun," he said. "Really happy."

"I was happy." Nick said smiling over at Justin. "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to do it."

Justin nodded his head not sure now if that was a good thing or a bad thing. "It's better you working here than you working somewhere else..."

"Why?" Nick asked, not understanding the reasoning behind that.

"Not too many good bars around here," Justin said with a shrug. "This way, with you working in my restaurant, I get to know that you're safe."

"Right cuz little Nicky can't take care of himself." Nick mumbled to himself. He didn't want to start a fight.

"I never said that," Justin said after he gulped down his entire glass of JD. "I'm sure you can take care of yourself.. like you have been for the past how many ever years that you were living in that apartment of yours in Indiana... but I just don't want... you to have... to experience anything... bad."

"I know," Nick said with a small smile, resting his head down on Justin's shoulder. "I don't want to live alone like that anymore, and I like feeling safe."

"Good," Justin said squeezing Nick's hand. "I like keeping you safe..." He slurred a bit.

"Would you like to tell me why you're drinking so much tonight?" Nick asked reaching over and taking the JD and putting it out of Justin's reach.

Justin reached for the bottle only to frown when Nick pushed it away some more. "Because... I wanna," he said almost ready to start stamping his feet and start whining for Nick to give the bottle back.

"This isn't like you." Nick pointed out, sadness in his voice.

"What's not like me?" Justin questioned, confused. He shifted his position so that he was facing Nick.

"Getting drunk and stuff," Nick said also turning a little so they were face to face. "I love you...I don't like to see you upset about something. You were fine until we got to the club, what happened baby?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Justin said not really wanting to tell Nick that he was jealous that guys were hitting on Nick, albeit, it was only JC but still. JC today, a bunch of other guys the next... and what happens when Justin isn't around? He sighed.

Nick sighed and pulled away from Justin. "Okay fine."

"Fine," he mumbled as he rested his head against the back of the jacuzzi, slipping down a bit more so that the water level was touching his chin. He closed his eyes and tried to get his mind to calm down.

Nick sat there in silence for a good five minutes before he spoke up. "What's your schedule look like for next week?"

"Uh," Justin said as he thought about it. "Gonna start working on my movie Friday, not tomorrow but the next. I still have a bunch of interviews and photo shoots left to do, so there's that."

"Oh okay, I thought you mentioned some time off after the Grammy’s." Nick said trying to not seem disappointed like always.

"I do," Justin said. "Starting today till Tuesday of next week." He opened his eyes and looked over at Nick. "That gives us... four days of down time."

"Okay..." Nick started then got quiet again as he thought about how to bring up what he wanted to do.

A few moments later Justin scooted closer to Nick, grabbing his right arm and throwing his over his shoulder before resting his head on Nick's shoulder. "We can do anything you wanna until ya gotta work."

"I was actually thinking about calling my boss and asking him if I could take some days off. I know it's not professional and all but I kinda have an in with the boss," Nick said with a smirk on his face, his hands rubbing over Justin's short hair.

Justin raised his head and looked up at Nick's smiling face. "And what makes you think your boss is gonna give you the couple of days off... even if you have the 'in' with him?" He questioned, mock-serious but inside he was smiling.

"Cuz I kinda wanted to see if my boyfriend wanted to come to Indiana with me to finally get the things he promised we would go get." Nick said still talking about Justin and the 'boss' as if Justin wasn’t right there.

Justin sat up straighter. "I did promise you that, didn't I?" He questioned and then wondered where they were gonna put Nick's things and then remembered Nick really didn't have that much stuff to bring except that big oak antique desk Justin had bought for him and other personal items. "And you wanna go tomorrow?"

Nick smiled even bigger than he had earlier about the job. "Really...we can go?"

Justin thought about that and nodded his head. Sure, even though he had the next few days off he would still have to call Johnny, his manager, and clear things with him before booking a flight for the two of them. "What about Aaron, he's still in the hospital..."

"There isn't much I can do anyway. I mean my parents are still here." Nick pointed out with a sigh. "I can call him from Indiana as well as I can call and talk to him here."

"Yeah," Justin frowned before thinking about something. "So, you gonna decorate your room and move things around for the stuff you gonna bring in from Indiana?"

"I'm not really planning on bringing furniture. I just wana get clothes and personal stuff and the desk. There is actually room in my room for the desk right now." Nick said. "I mean I don't really need to bring my bed since I have one here...and I don't really sleep in my own bed much anyway." he giggled.

Justin smiled before leaning in and kissing Nick. Nick was really gorgeous when he was all happy and laughing. He just couldn't help himself, so he had to kiss him.

'Wow I must look really cute tonight or something' Nick thought to himself as he kissed Justin back, but let the younger man set the pace once again since he wasn't sure where Justin was going with this.

"So yeah, we'll leave tomorrow evening then..." Justin said when he pulled back from the kiss a few moments later. He was already thinking about who he had to call and the sub to fill in for Nick at his restaurant.

Nick bit his lower lip, "Is this going to really mess up the restaurant though?" he said as if he was reading Justin's mind.

Justin shrugged. "I can probably get a temp to fill in for you," he said, "Or get Sam to take over your shift but no, I don't think it'll mess anything up."

"Okay good cuz I really do love my job and I don't wana screw things up for you." Nick said going into his normal worry wart mode.

"Not likely," Justin replied kissing Nick's lips softly. "Did you want anyone else to come with you?"

"Would I be selfish if I said I just wanted you?" Nick asked looking into Justin's eyes from the close position of their faces.

"No," Justin said. "I just didn't know if you wanted the others along as well. So, um... that guy you worked for... I forgot his name, you gonna go and visit him?"

"I don't know," Nick said not really sure how much he wanted to do when he was back home. "I'm not really sure what I wana do while I'm there," he said softly, still not sure if he really wanted Justin to see his apartment.

"How long are you... we planning on staying there?" Justin questioned.

"Well not long since we do gotta come back for you to do your stuff." Nick pointed out. "At least two days probably I would think."

"Yeah," Justin said. "Two days is good..."

He then thought about it and smiled. It was their two month anniversary the day after tomorrow plus it would be the same day a month ago from when they first met at that bar in Indiana... and it would still be pretty fricking cold up there.

"What are you thinking about?" Nick asked seeing the smile cross his boyfriend's face.

Justin smiled some more. "Nothing..." He said, way too innocently before chuckling.

"You're scary," Nick teased chuckling himself. "You're also turning very pruney," he giggled picking Justin's hand up in his before he smirked and took it to his mouth, taking one of his fingers into it and sucking on it.

Justin's eyes immediately fluttered shut at the feel of Nick sucking on his fingers. The sensation quickly going down to his groin and a few seconds later his mind came back to the here and now and realized that they were outside and there were people inside that could see what they were doing outside. "Nick..." His low voice said.

"Hmmm?" Nick mumbled around Justin's finger, he knew what Justin was thinking and feeling but he felt like being a little naughty.

"We... we're getting all pruney," Justin managed to say, hesitantly pulling his fingers out of Nick's mouth. "We should get... out."

"Very true," Nick said with a smirk on his face as he stood up, so his ass was purposely in Justin's face and then climbed out of the tub.

Justin bit his lower lip as he quickly got out of the jacuzzi and grabbed one of the big towels off the chair wrapping it around himself before pulling Nick closer to him and wrapping him in the towel. There was plenty of room for the two of them.

Nick giggled as he felt himself pressed back against Justin's firm body. "Well hello," he said as he snuggled back just liking that they could be like this instead of worrying about stuff for a change.

Justin smiled as he bent his head a little and licked the 'k' of Nick's 'Kaos' tattoo that was down his spine before placing a kiss to it and then resting his chin on Nick's shoulder, his arms wrapping tighter around his waist. "Hello to you too."

"You're frisky tonight too." Nick laughed at the slightly ticklish feeling of Justin's lips on his back.

"That's 'cause you're mine," Justin said before letting go of Nick and removing the towel off of himself and wrapping it around Nick. He then grabbed the other towel and wrapped it around himself. "Let's go in." He grabbed his bottle of JD and glasses, heading into the kitchen to put them away before meeting Nick at the stairs.

Nick wasn't sure what the 'You're mine' thing had to do with anything but brushed it off. When he felt Justin behind him he headed up the stairs.

"You wanna take a shower or just change out of these trunks to boxers and head to bed?" Justin asked once they were in his room and the towels were thrown over to where the hamper was.

Nick sniffed his arm and made a face. "I smell like chlorine."

Justin chuckled as he headed into the bathroom, leaving the door opened before turning the shower on, setting it to the right temperature. Once satisfied he pulled off his trunks and got in under the spray of water.

Nick bit his lower lip not sure if he was supposed to join Justin. He then noticed the open door and took that as an invite and headed into the bathroom too. He stood there trying not to gawk at Justin's naked form as he too stripped off his trunks.

Justin let out a content sigh the moment Nick stepped in behind him and wrapped his arms around him. He liked this, though they don't do it often, he liked being with Nick intimately.

"This is nice," Nick said as he rested his chin on Justin's shoulder from where he was behind him. He kept his lower half away from Justin's though, not sure how much to push.

Justin turned around in Nick's arms. "I miss this," he said, wrapping his arms around Nick's neck.

"Me too," Nick said with a sigh. He loved when Justin didn't have any other pressing things to do, he was so much more relaxed.

Justin reached behind him and grabbed the bottle of body wash before squeezing some onto the sponge. He then went about rubbing it slowly over Nick's chest, arms, stomach, and going lower.

Nick swallowed hard his eyes going wide. It had been a long time since Justin had touched him like that. Sure, they had kinda fooled around a few times but touching with hands hadn't really happened since Christmas time.

Justin bent his knees, almost kneeling in front of Nick as he rubbed the sponge down Nick's thighs and legs, purposely avoiding Nick's crotch. He looked up at Nick, smiling sweetly, taking in the view of Nick's semi-hard state that was beginning to harden by the second.

Nick bit his lower lip begging his body to stay under control but like always its wasn't listening to him.

"You okay Nick?" Justin asked his hands trailing up the back of his thighs, soaping Nick's butt as he did so before starting to stand slowly, his hands going up as well.

"Yeah...fine." Nick said his voice husky and his member standing and full attention now. All it took was Justin touching and washing his butt to get him totally going.

Justin licked his lips even though it was already wet with the spray of water. "You sure?" He questioned, his hand coming in between them reaching down to stroke Nick's cock with slow movements.

Nick panted and tried to say something but nothing came out. He closed his eyes for a second before opening them and trying again. "Yeah....fine..." he moaned.

"Oh okay," Justin said letting go of Nick before he began to lather himself up. He was in a playful mood all of a sudden plus he also wanted to actually finish what he had started the other night with Nick.

Nick's mouth fell open and he couldn't help the whimper that came out of his mouth. Taking a deep breath to try and calm his frustration he grabbed the shampoo and started to wash his own hair.

Justin stepped under the spray of water and washed himself off before turning around and tugging on Nick so that he could wash off as well. "You know something?" he said taking in everything that was Nick at the moment. "You really are gorgeous."

Nick blushed and looked down at his feet, not sure what to say to that.

Justin brought his hand up and titled Nick's chin up so that Nick was looking at him in the eyes. "I mean it," he said. "And you know you are so stopped being all cute and blushing like that!" He leaned up and pressed his lips lightly to Nick's.

"No I don't, I have low self-esteem." Nick mumbled against Justin's lips a small smile on them.

"What is it gonna take for me to make you realize you're hot?" Justin questioned pulling back to look into Nick's eyes, not really thinking much about what he was asking. He placed his hands firmly on Nick's hips, his thumbs caressing the smooth skin over Nick's hips.

"I...I...I don't know." Nick said getting distracted from the feeling of Justin's fingers on his hips.

Justin titled his head, placing kisses down Nick's neck before slowly making his way down his chest and stomach. Before long we was on his knees, in front of him, not really sure what he was doing but it seemed right. He took Nick's cock in his hand again and slowly began to stroke him, not feeling awkward anymore about having another guys' cock in his hand.

"J...Justin..." Nick gasped as he looked down at Justin on his knees in front of him. This was a position he never expected to get to. He wasn't sure why he said his name like that, but maybe it was to make sure this is really what he wanted.

"Yeah?" Justin questioned, his eyes on what his hand was doing. He picked his eyes up and looked up at Nick before bringing his attention back down to Nick's cock. His pace became a bit faster, his hands getting more firm and sure as the seconds ticked.

"Oh God," Nick groaned not able to say anything else besides those two words. Justin's hand felt so good on him. It was nice to have his boyfriend doing this to him rather then having to do it himself. He knew Justin loved him so he didn't mind it when he had to pleasure himself, but this was nice.

With Nick moaning above him Justin got more confident, shifting his position so that he was now standing, pushing Nick against the tile wall. With his free hand Justin rested it against the wall besides Nick's head for balance while the other hand continued to stroke him. His mouth latched onto Nick's neck, kissing, sucking, nuzzling, biting, licking.

Nick groaned and some how his mind was beginning to wonder what everybody would think when he came out with a huge ass hickey on his neck in the morning. He then began to not give a shit when he felt his orgasm beginning to sneak up on him. "Shiiiit," he moaned.

Justin felt Nick twitch in his hand and his strokes became firmer, his thumb running over the slit on the head of his cock, collecting the pre-cum as he did do. "Cum for me Nicky," he breathed out against Nick's neck.

Nick's eyes rolled back in his head as he attempted to hold out but he couldn't. The combination of Justin's voice and his hand was all he could take and he was screaming Justin's name and cuming into his hand.

Justin gasped when he felt Nick's hot seed spilling out onto his hand but he continued to stroke him until he was done. Kissing his lips softly Justin let go of Nick and ran his hand under the spray before cleaning Nick up and then turning the water off.

Once the water was turned off, Nick fell out of the daze he was put in and stepped out of the shower, grabbing a towel for both him and Justin.

"I'm gonna call Johnny and then the airport," Justin informed Nick once he dried himself off and then wrapped the towel around his waist, heading out into his bedroom to pull on some clothes.

"Okay," Nick said as he climbed into bed not worrying about putting clothes on. He then flipped the TV on.

Once Justin pulled on his boxers and sweat pants he grabbed his cell phone and called Johnny, to make sure he wasn't needed for the next few days. When that was settled he dialed the airport and booked two round trip tickets for himself and Nick for tomorrow afternoon because the evening flights were all booked as well as the morning ones.

Nick found himself drifting off to sleep in the middle of watching the game show network.

When Justin was finished and had copied down all the information he needed he reconnected his cell to its charger and sat back against the headboard of the bed. Looking over at Nick he couldn't help but smile at the pouty lips of Nick’s while he was dozing off… and he couldn’t help but to lean over and kiss his lips gently.

Nick's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Justin with a look that made him look ten instead of twenty-four

"Tired?" Justin asked softly, scooting down and resting his head on the pillow.

"Yeah," Nick whispered as he did the same thing, turning his body so he was facing Justin.

"Our flights at two in the afternoon," Justin informed him, "So, get some sleep."

"You're gunna sleep too right?" Nick asked really wanting to snuggle tonight for some reason. He didn't want to admit he was a little scared about going to Indianapolis tomorrow.

Justin nodded his head, resting his arm on Nick's waist, smirking when he realized Nick was sleeping in the nude.

Nick raised an eyebrow, "What's that look for?"

"What look?" Justin questioned, his thumb caressing the skin on Nick's hips much like he had in the shower.

"I don't know you were like smirking at me or something," Nick said a shiver going through his whole body because of Justin's caresses.

"I like you like this," Justin said.

Nick's eyebrow went up again. "Like what?"

"This," Justin said running his hand up Nick's smooth yet firm back.

"You like my back?" Nick asked, being the blonde he was.

Justin couldn't help but laugh at the look on Nick's face and how innocent that was. "Everything."

"Oh, okay." Nick said still not totally understanding. He actually forgot he had climbed into bed without his clothes on.

Justin turned around so that his back was against Nick's front before tugging Nick's arm over his waist so that he was being spooned from the back.

"Night," Nick whispered against the back of Justin's neck, trying to keep his body under control with their bare skin touching.

Justin let out a deep breath and relaxed into Nick's arms before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

It was a few hours later around two o'clock in the morning and Nick was whimpering in his sleep.

Justin was in a deep sleep and hadn't really heard Nick's whimpers.

By this point Nick wasn't snuggled up to Justin anymore and was on his own side of the bed moving around restlessly. His whimpers getting louder and tears were actually falling down his face.

Justin frowned in his sleep especially when the bed started to shake a little. He rolled over on his side, still fast asleep, but this time facing Nick.

"No...no!" Nick cried out curling into a fetal position, his whole body shaking.

Justin's eyes immediately opened when he heard screaming. It took him a minute to realize that it was Nick and was quickly by his side, shaking him gently. "Nick... Nick..." he called out to him, trying to get him to wake up.

Nick's hand came up and automatically decked Justin good in the face. He was still fast asleep and in the terror that was happening in his dream, that he didn't realize it was Justin who was touching him.

Justin fell backwards on the bed when Nick punched him. As soon as the shock wore off he got off the bed and walked over to the other side so that he was facing Nick before taking a hold on his wrists to keep him from decking him again. "Nick, it's Justin..." He spoke a bit louder than before ignoring the sting on his cheek and jaw. "Wake up... Nick, you're having a nightmare."

"Let me go...let me go!" Nick cried out before his eyes shot open and he was back in the real world and looking up at Justin. This just made him start crying more because he was beyond confused.

Justin looked back at Nick with wide eyes before pulling him into a hug to try and ease his nerves. "Hey, it's okay," he whispered. "Everything's fine now.."

Nick clung to Justin like a life line as he cried, trying to get himself to calm down. This was the worst of his night mares so far, and now he couldn't even really remember exactly what it was he was dreaming about.

Justin held Nick in his arms for a few good minutes, letting the other man calm down before pulling back slightly and running his hand through Nick's sweat dampened hair. "Everything's okay," he said. "Are you okay?"

Nick swallowed and nodded his head, "Yeah...I'm fine...sorry." he said not even realizing what he had done to Justin's face.

"Don't be sorry," Justin replied, worried about Nick and slightly hurt that Nick still had the nightmare even with him. "What were you dreaming about?"

"I...I...I'm not really sure." Nick answered and that was true. "I don't really remember them much after I have them."

Justin took in a deep breath and nodded his head. "Oh okay," he said stretching his jaw a bit to ease the sting.

"Are you okay?" Nick asked noticing Justin moving his mouth kinda weird.

"I'll be fine," Justin assured Nick, not wanting him to worry about him right now.

Nick eyed Justin weird but nodded his head, "Okay..."

Justin reached up and wiped the remaining tears off of Nick's face wishing he knew what the younger blonde had been dreaming about and help in some way.

"Let's just go back to sleep." Nick suggested but also knew he wouldn't be able to.

This time Justin got in behind Nick and spooned him into his arms, hoping that would help him relax and sleep.

Nick snuggled back into Justin's arms trying to get as close to him as he possibly could.

Justin held onto him protectively before pressing a soft kiss to his shoulder. "Good night, Nicky," he said.

"Night," Nick said but his eyes didn't close. He just lied there looking across the room at the wall.

Justin waited for Nick to relax in his arms and after five minutes Justin figured Nick wasn't going to. "Why aren't you sleeping?" He asked softly.

"I can't." Nick simply stated.

Justin thought about what to do before he turned over and grabbed the remote off the nightstand and turned the TV. Looking through the pay-per-view channels he selected a comedy for them to watch, hopefully to get Nick's mind off of things. "Have you seen Wedding Crashers?"

Nick shook his head in the negative but didn’t say anything.

"It's hilarious," Justin said, tugging Nick up a little so that they both were resting their backs against the headboard.

Nick shivered a little when his bare chest hit the cool are and snuggled closer to Justin.

Justin placed his arm over Nick's shoulder so that Nick could rest his head on it. He hoped the movie would help ease Nick's mind and make him forget whatever is going on in his head.

About half way through it Nick's head kept bobbing a little when he started falling asleep, but each time he would wake back up again, not allowing himself to actually fall asleep.

Justin sighed. Nick look like he wanted to sleep but he kept waking back up and at the same time it was like Nick's not even paying attention to the movie, not showing any emotion at all during the funny parts. But he kept quiet.

Nick nuzzled his face in Justin's shoulder trying to keep tears from coming to his face. He was actually scared to fall back to sleep but he was tired and wanted to sleep.

Justin looked down at Nick and saw the strain on his face. "Nick, what's wrong?" He questioned.

"Nothing," Nick whispered actually sounding like a little kid who was beyond tired.

Justin sighed, getting a little frustrated. "Fine," he said just wishing Nick would talk to him about whatever was on his mind.

"I'm scared to go to sleep." Nick finally said after a minute, knowing Justin was getting upset.

"Because you might get the nightmares back?" Justin guessed turning the TV off and giving Nick his full attention.

Nick nodded his head.

"But you need to sleep," Justin said. "You can't not sleep because you're afraid to dream... its not healthy."

"I've done it for years I'm not dead yet." Nick stated no humor in his voice though.

Justin frowned, not knowing what to say to that. "I... well, I don't wanna know what would happen if you continue on like this."

"I should have slept in my own room." Nick whispered looking down at his blanket covered lap.

Justin felt a sting in his heart when Nick said that. "No, you shouldn't have."

"Yes I should," Nick whispered looking up at Justin with sad eyes. "I woke you up...you should be sleeping."

"What are boyfriend's for if you can't wake them up in the middle of the night?" Justin tried to joke.

"Umm kisses?" Nick said trying to joke too a small smile coming to his face.

"Well, that too," Justin said as he thought about it. "And other things... but at the moment... I'd say boyfriends were meant to stay up all night if he had to just to ease his love's mind."

"I love you," Nick said looking right into Justin's eyes.

"Love you too," Justin replied.

Nick smiled as he snuggled his whole nude body up against Justin's needing all the contact he could get. Needing to feel safe and loved.

Justin draped his leg over Nick's as he tightened his hold on the blonde, hoping this time he might be able to sleep peacefully.

"Are we staying at my place...or a hotel?" Nick asked softly sounding more at peace then he had earlier.

"It's up to you," Justin said. "But there's already reservations made for the hotel... Sorry, I just assumed... but if you want us to stay at your place, we can."

"No...thats okay." Nick said, he kinda did but he was also scared about showing Justin his place.

"You sure?" Justin said. "It won't be a big deal to cancel the reservations.."

"I don't think you would wana stay at my place anyway." Nick said making a face.

"Maybe I do," Justin said.

Nick shook his head, "No you don't it's a mess...and freezing and yeah." he said just feeling totally embarrassed about it.

Justin kissed Nick's shoulder. "So..?" He questioned. "We'll just make sure we do other things to keep us warm."

Nick pulled away from Justin enough to look at him better. "Okay...who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?" he teased. "I mean ever since we got to the restaurant tonight you've been acting different."

Justin looked back into Nick's eyes. "I have honest to goodness no clue to what the heck your talking about," he said wondering how he acted earlier.

Nick thought about how he should reword this. "You're almost acting clingy...to me," he said. "You went and got yourself smashed and haven’t wanted me out of your sight since. Normally you seem like you always wana be away from me and I'm clinging to you."

"I'm not being clingy," Justin said with a frown. "And.." he sighed, "I never wanna be away from you... what the fuck?"

"Okay maybe not but something happened at the restaurant tonight and I feel like you're keeping shit from me and I don't like it." Nick said finally showing how he really felt about that.

"Nothing happened at the restaurant," Justin said. "We went... you started your shift... I went and mingled... JC showed up... JC gawks at you... JC's got his eyes glued to you... you and JC to go the bathroom together... JC asks you out to dinner... You give him my number... See NOTHING happened." He huffed, bitterness to his voice as he started mentioning JC.

Nick's eyes got wider and wider as Justin went on, he had NO idea Justin felt this way. It made him feel good deep inside that Justin cared enough to feel jealousy...but then something else stuck in his mind. "Your office...you..." he wasn't sure how to say what he was feeling. He felt now that Justin only kissed him like that...and did these things the rest of the night because he was trying to show Nick that he was 'his'. If JC hadn't showed any interest then things would be how they normally were.

"What about it?" Justin asked, wondering why Nick paled and that smile fell from his face. Yes, even in the dark room he could still make of Nick's features because of the moon light seeping in through the blinds.

"Did you only kiss me and touch me like that tonight because you wanted to make sure I was still yours?" Nick asked trying to hide the hurt in his eyes. He wasn't mad or angry, just hurt. "Be honest with me." he added knowing Justin would lie.

Justin paused as he thought about what he did and the reasoning behind it. Sure, what Nick just said was the truth... but only part of the truth. The other part was that he really did want to kiss Nick... the booze in his system making his inhibitions lower to actually be that forward with Nick, letting him do stuff like kiss Nick when out in public although they didn't do anything IN the public eye... it was the closest thing they could do together to being normal. "Not entirely," he said. "I did it 'cause I wanted to and," he sighed feeling like jerk now especially the way Nick said it and after he thought about it, "and yes, I kissed you like that because I just... needed to know that you wouldn't leave me for JC.. but that’s not the only reason." He made sure Nick understood the latter part.

Nick thought through what Justin said and nodded his head. "Okay...I think I would have done the same thing. But baby I don't want JC...hell I didn't even think JC was gay!"

"Neither did I, imagine MY surprise when I saw him looking at you like he wanted to devour you whole," Justin said, his eyes narrowing as he thought back to the way JC had been looking at HIS Nick.

Nick made a face at that, "I must be the weirdest gay guy in the world because that does NOT appeal to me at all...even if I was single."

Justin looked at Nick and smiled a little. "Good to know," he said.

"No more Jealous Justin," Nick said as he placed a soft kiss to Justin's nose. "I'm yours...and your mine."

Justin didn't know if he could promise something like that but seeing the look in Nick's eyes he said, "Okay," before sending a silent prayer to the man above to not send anymore guys Nick's way... gay guys, that is. Or Justin will lose it.

"The only thing I liked about jealous Justin was the kisses," Nick said with a smirk

"You mean these?" Justin questioned, leaning over and placing small kisses all over Nick's face.

"Yeah...kisses," Nick whispered closing his eyes so he could enjoy the kisses.

Justin pulled back and looked at Nick's face, taking in his closed eyes and the smile on his face. He placed soft kissea to the closed eyelids before placing one to his lips. He remembered how good it felt when Nick had nibbled on his bottom lip a few weeks ago and decided to make Nick feel the same way.

Nick sucked in a deep breath, he remembered doing that to Justin back around new years and hadn't realized how good that really must have felt.

Justin shifted his position so that he was practically lying on top of Nick's naked body. He continued to alterate between nibbling and placing soft kisses to Nick's lips.

Nick's breathing was beginning to even out, Justin's kisses were relaxing him and almost causing him to fall asleep.

"Hey," Justin said when he felt Nick relax almost like he was settling in for sleep. "No falling a sleep on me." It was strange how he was saying something almost the same way Nick had that night.

Nick's eyes opened, "Sorry." he said in a drowsy relaxed voice.

"Better be," Justin joked before covering Nick's mouth with his own and kissing him passionately, his tongue exploring every nook and cranny.

Nick moaned his hands going to the back of Justin's head, holding him in place as he kissed him back just as passionately. He may have been sleepy a second ago but not now.

Justin thoroughly kissed Nick before pulling back a few moments later to catch his breath. "So, we staying at your place?"

"If you really want to," Nick said panting a little as he also tried to catch his breath.

"I suppose we can always decide once we get there," Justin said.

Nick nodded and then yawned, blushing a little because he did it practically in Justin's face.

Justin rolled his eyes and slid off of Nick as he landed on his side. He draped his arm and leg over Nick's chest and legs, respectively, and snuggled closer. "Okay Baby, sleep," he mumbled before placing a kiss to Nick’s shoulder.

"Don't let me go...okay," Nick whispered as he snuggled up to Justin as much as he could.

"I won't, unless I gotta go to the bathroom," Justin said.

Nick giggled a little, "Go now...so you won't gotta go again."

"I don't really gotta go now," Justin said as he let out a yawn of his own.

"Okay," Nick said as he closed his eyes and began to drift off to sleep, now not so worried about the dreams.

Justin watched Nick sleep until his own eyes were too heavy to remain open. Letting out one big yawn he snuggled up to Nick some more and relaxed.

End of Chapter Eighty Five