Pond Scum

Indigo

***

Focus on: 3 tour buses, gigantic, fully-equipped ones, travelling down a lonely highway somewhere in the midwest. A few miles behind we see 88 trucks, filled with stage and sound equipment, following them. But let's focus on just the tour buses for now...well, one in particular.

--

Lance didn't know why JC had decided to bunk with him for the 72-hour drive to Michigan. 72 hours. That meant three whole days on a bus. With JC. JC.

JC singing like his soul was being ripped out. JC drying off his sweat with a towel after a concert. JC smiling, JC's eyes crinkling at the corners. The thoughts floated around his head like scum on the surface of a pond. He cringed at the unfitting simile.

This crush on JC was beginning to feel more like torture to him. He felt like throwing up every time he saw him, not because the sight of him made Lance sick, but because seeing him made his stomach jump painfully. Hmm. You'd think he'd be used to this by now, after 6 years of knowing his bandmates. Even if he'd only really started with his infatuation a few months before.

But every time was like the first time. Every time was the same. And he hated the weird, static-charged feeling he got when JC was in the same room with him. Like he could never relax. And it hurt him that JC was just the same, too. He never acted any different, not to Lance, not to any of them. If there was even the slightest chance he felt anything, Lance couldn't tell.

"Lance?" Static. Throw-up. The reaction was still there, strong as ever. He hadn't even heard him get up from his bunk and come into the main compartment. Dammit.

He fumbled with his laptop keyboard. "Yeah, Jace?" Jace. Jace. Since when did he start calling him Jace? He must know something's up, Lance thought miserably.

He came into view just then, and Lance couldn't help turning away from the screen to get a full view. Yeah, as perfect and beautiful as ever. Things never changed.

"Uhm, you busy?" He fidgeted, running both hands through his longish, blond-streaked hair. Personally, Lance thought it made him look...girly. Not that Lance minded. And those damn eyes of his were just so pretty...

He smiled to himself. "No, not really. Why?"

The thin one was practically bouncing. "I'm bored," JC whined, taking a step towards where Lance sat and throwing his arms down to his sides. Shut up, you cutie, Lance thought before he could stop himself. And let me kiss you...oh man, he had to quit this...

Outwardly, however, he chuckled, and shut his laptop. "Okay, okay, I know how you get after one of your naps. What is it you want to do?" JC smiled, grinned more like, inadvertently practicing his ability to make Lance swoon.

"Let's talk. We never talk anymore. Why is that?" He took a seat near Lance, and waited.

Because I'm afraid I'll give myself away to you, man. "I don't know, Joshua. We've both been busy, I guess?" Ask a stupid question...Well, he didn't feel like coming up with a better excuse. Or telling the truth: Because I've developed a mad crush on you and talking to you makes me nervous.

"Nah, it's not that, man. It's like you're deliberately avoiding having to speak to me." Whoa. Whoa. Slow down buddy, where's the fire? And where the HELL did THAT come from? Lance and his bothersome thoughts again...

He decided to buy himself some time by stuttering foolishly. "Uh, uhm, what? That is so not true, Jace, and you know it." There's that Jace again. He really had to stop that, too.

JC sighed, which was even more adorable than his grin. "I wish you'd be straight with me, Lance." Lance had to stop himself from laughing out loud. Ironic choice of words there...

"Is this why you wanted to bunk with me, instead of in your usual place with Justin and Chris?" Well, there went the last hope of JC reciprocating his feelings. Of course he had some hidden agenda, and not what Lance had hoped for.

"Yeah. That and...well, I really want you to tell me why, Lance. This has been bugging me for weeks now. We used to be so close, ya know? What happened?" Great. In addition to the feeling of being sick, and the other feeling of constantly wanting to kiss JC, he now had to deal with the sudden guilt.

I'll tell you what happened, you lame-ass. I fell madly in love with my best friend and he doesn't even see me. Not in the way I want him to, at least. "I don't know what you're talking about, JC." He decided that feigning ignorance was the best way to go. At least he didn't have to think up any more excuses.

JC sighed again. He was being cute, and it didn't look like he had plans of stopping any time soon. Lance wondered idly how long it would take for him to crack under the pressure. Oh, you're good. I feel like I'm being interrogated and you have no idea you're doing this to me.

"Lance, if you're not going to tell me the truth...I...I don't know if I have anything more to say to you." Oh shit, not the crying. Don't start the crying, you idiot. That's the one thing I can't take. Pressure, this was.

"JC...are you crying?" Yes, concerned-yet-surprised. An attitude that always came in handy.

Sniffle. Slurp. "No," he answered, while wiping his eyes on the back of his hand. Oh, this was getting too cute...Lance felt himself reaching his breaking point.

"Yes you are. Oh, man, JC, why are you crying? Dude?" By this time the tears were coming faster, and Lance fought the urge to pull him into a hug. Fight it, don't say anything, keep it cool, just do NOT give yourself away...

"I LOVE you, okay?? Are you happy now?" MAN! You are one weak-ass if I ever saw one.

The crying stopped abruptly. JC looked up. He didn't say anything, just looked up. And... grinned? "Hah. Took you long enough."

JC bunked with Lance every time they hit the road after that.

***

fiction

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