| Chapter 5 |
| Lance returned a few minutes later with Josh, Joey and Chris right behind him. Justin was lying on his bed, fast-forwarding through the previews. Lance lay down beside him on the bed, while Josh sat in the chair next to the bed, and Joey and Chris sat on the floor. Justin had chosen Austin Powers, and even though Lance didn�t care for the movie much, he was glad that Justin had chosen a movie with no sad parts. They watched the movie, sharing many laughs and jokes along the way. Part way into the movie, Justin grabbed Lance�s hand, and continued to hold it. He took it in his two hands, massaging it. Lance tried to ignore the tingling that Justin�s touch was causing, but it was hard to do. Finally, he looked away from the movie and at Justin. He was surprised that Justin�s face was so close. He knew that nothing could happen because all the other guys were there, so he just tilted his head up to place a soft kiss on Justin�s forehead. Justin smiled at him � a real smile � and Lance�s heart swelled. Justin had smiled. That was all Lance could think about through the rest of the movie, and when it was over, he pretended to be asleep so he could stay when Josh, Joey, and Chris left. He heard them say goodnight to Justin and offer to help being Lance into his room. Justin said it was ok, that he would wake Lance, and watched them leave. Once they were gone, he giggled. �Ok, Lance, you can stop pretending now,� Justin said, smiling brightly. �He�s smiling again,� Lance thought, feeling his heartbeat speed up. �How you know?� he questioned, smiling back. �You�re so obvious, Lance, I�m surprised the other guys didn�t notice that you were faking,� Justin commented. �Well, thanks,� Lance joked, grinning as he heard Justin laugh for the first time since he�d gotten the news about his grandma. �Hey Lance?� Justin asked suddenly. �Yeah?� Is it ok to be happy?� Justin questioned. �What do you mean, Justin?� Lance asked, confused. �Well, it�s such a sad time, and yet when I�m with you, I feel so happy. Is that wrong?� Justin clarified. Lance�s heard hurt for his friend, the boy he loved. �No, Justin. Of course it�s not wrong to be happy. Isn�t that what you�re grandma would�ve wanted? Obviously you�re going to grieve, but you need to move on eventually,� Lance explained. �Isn�t it soon?� Justin asked. �I don�t know, Justin. This is the first time I�ve been through this,� Lance replied. �I�m glad you�re here for me, Lance. Thank you so much,� Justin said, hugging Lance. �I�m glad you�re letting me be here. I love you so much, Justin,� Lance whispered. �I love you too, Lance,� Justin responded, and they fell asleep in each other�s arms. Lance was wishing that Justin really did love him like *that,* and Justin was trying to decide whether he *did* love Lance like Lance loved him. **** Lance woke up the next morning, feeling like he was being watched. And he was. He opened his eyes to find big blue pools staring back at him. He smiled and yawned. �Good morning, Justin.� �Mornin�� Justin replied, looking away. �What�s wrong?� Lance questioned. �Could I, um, you know, kiss you?� Justin asked nervously. �I don�t think you want to,� Lance responded, �morning breath.� Justin giggled. �Oh yeah. But if we didn�t have morning breath-?� �Then yes,� Lance said, smiling. �So let�s go brush our teeth,� Justin suggested, hopping out of bed. Lance giggled at how cute Justin was being, but he also found himself becoming very excited. Justin wanted to kiss him. He was even getting up to brush his teeth so he�d be able to do so. Lance smiled, following Justin into the bathroom. They brushed their teeth together, each trying not to become too excited or nervous about the kiss that was sure to follow. They walked silently back into the bedroom when they were both done, climbing back into the bed. They just laid there, watching each other for a few moments, neither knowing what to do. Finally, Justin made the first move, leaning in and brushing their noses together. Lance giggled, as did Justin. Then Lance tilted his head to the side and brushed his lips over Justin�s. Justin moved closer, sliding his tongue over Lance�s lips before slipping it inside. Lance moaned, grasping Justin�s curls in both hands. Justin ran his hands up and down Lance�s back while sucking on Lance�s tongue with his own. They both pulled back, out of breath, and both very happy. �Wow,� Justin said. �Yeah, that�s what I was thinking,� Lance replied, smiling. �You know what?� Justin asked. �What?� Lance responded, pulling Justin close and holding him there. �I think my heart has finished breaking,� Justin told Lance with a sigh. �It�s ready to be mended.� �I�m here to mend it for you, baby,� Lance whispered. �I was hoping you�d say that,� Justin said, grinning. Lance watched him smiled for what seemed like the hundredth time that day, and didn�t think he could be any happier than he was at that moment. THE END |