Boys8

Lance sighed and rolled over in his bed, trying desperately to push all
thoughts of anything, or *anyone*, out of his mind. He turned on his back but kept his eyes closed. 'Damn, how long has Josh been gone?' he thought. 'It seems like a few hours..." He opened his eyes and stared at the clock, his eyes bugging out slightly. 'EIGHT MINUTES? It's only been eight goddamn minutes?' He sighed and sat up in bed, his legs hanging over the edge as he stared at the door.

"Fuck it," he mumbled, getting out of bed and heading for the bathroom. Just as he reached it, there was a knock on the door. He cursed. 'Figures. First time I get out of bed to take a piss and someone wants to chat.' He sighed again, his face fixed into a permanent frown, and flung open the door. "What?" he asked curtly.

Joey just raised an eyebrow at him. "Damn Poofu, you been sucking on some lemon juice? You've got quite a sour puss there."

Lance shut the door in his face and went to use the bathroom. After he finished, he washed his hands thoroughly and headed for his bed, more surprised than he should have been to see Joey sitting there and watching TV. Lance looked back at the door and then at Joey.

"How the hell did you get in here?" he asked, feeling like the stupid one for once.

Joey kept his eyes on the TV but held up a small piece of plastic. "You made us all carry a copy of each other's room key, remember?"

Lance shrugged and walked to his bed, ignoring Joey but catching the words "anal" and "what the fuck?" He turned towards Joey, who was looking at the bed. Lance looked down to where Joey was pointing, at the TEENBEAT magazine.

"Where...," Joey cleared his throat, which was all of sudden very dry, "where did you get that?"

Lance gave him a weird look and sat on his bed, opposite Joey, and picked up the magazine. "JC had it," he said.

Joey felt his eyes roll back in his head and he cursed inwardly, blinking a few times. 'Of course JC would go to Lance! They're best friends you dumbass!' He sighed and looked at Lance, a blush covering his cheeks.

"So, uh, you know about the letter?" he asked meekly.

Lance nodded sadly, thinking about Justin, and Joey sighed, thinking about JC. They were silent for a few minutes before Joey spoke again, still quiet.

"So, what do you think about it?" he asked, not meeting Lance's sad eyes. "You know, about wanting JC..."

"I really don't know what to think," Lance answered honestly. "I mean, JC? I never would have thought it."

Joey sighed. "Me neither," he answered, still wondering why the hell JC wanted *him*.

"I mean," Lance continued, thinking of Justin and his longing looks, "I always thought ... well, I always *hoped* he wanted me."

Joey's head snapped up and he stared at Lance, eyes wide and mouth open. "YOU?" he asked weakly. "You ... you like him?"

Lance smiled a sad smile and thought of his curly haired, blue-eyed angel. "I love him," he whispered.

Joey, thinking he meant JC, was shocked and horrified to feel tears prick his eyes. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' he wondered. 'Lance wants JC, and apparently, JC wants Lance. That means the whole JC problem is off my back. I should be happy ... shouldn't I?' Joey wiped his eyes when Lance wasn't looking and cleared his throat, deciding to be the bigger man.

"Well, then, you should go after him," he said quietly but firmly. "If you love him ... tell him."

Lance shook his head in frustration. "You know about the letter!" he said. "How do I know if he loves me when he sent someone else a letter like *that*!" Lance sighed, quoting from the letter he knew by heart, "I've been wanting you forever, but I've never had the nerve to speak. I've watched you dance, I've watched you laugh, I've even watched you sleep. I love everything about you. Your laugh, your smile, the way your hair sticks to your forehead when you first wake up in the morning. I love you. And I don't want to hide it any longer."

Joey nodded because he too knew the letter by heart. "That doesn't matter," he said, looking Lance in the eyes for the first time. "You love him, and he loves you ... go for it man! Forget the letter."

Lance chewed on his bottom lip and Joey knew he was considering it. Lance looked at him and let out a breath. "You really think I should? Are you sure?"

Joey smiled through the pain and went to sit by Lance, throwing an arm around the younger man's shoulders and ruffling his hair. "I'm sure Lansten. I'll bet he loves you just as much as you love him."

Lance hugged him the best he could in his sitting position and looked up at Joey with hopeful eyes. Joey smiled. 'How can I possibly hate a face like that?' he thought. He sighed inwardly, willingly pushing his heart aside to allow his friends to find love. 'Good luck Lance. I hope JC feels the same way.'

Lance sighed and allowed Joey to rub his back comfortingly, thinking similar thoughts, but about a different blue-eyed beauty.

'I hope you feel the same way Justin.'