Part3AlmostThere

�There may be more?� JC asked carefully, trying to stay calm.

�Yeah,� Lance confirmed, not knowing what he was doing, but deciding to go with his heart.

�Uh, like what?� JC felt like he had to drag this out of Lance. His heart was beating a mile a minute.

�Like this,� Lance replied, slowly grabbing JC�s hand and intertwining their fingers.

�Ok,� JC started, �I think I can handle that.�

�Wait, there�s more,� Lance said, bringing the fingers to his mouth and kissing each and every one of them, smiling as JC�s eyes widened.

�Mmm,� was all JC could say.

�I�m not done yet,� Lance said as he placed the hand he�d just kissed onto his shoulder and leaned in towards JC.

�Wait,� JC said just before their lips made contact.

�I thought you wanted�� Lance started.

�I want you to want me, Lance. I don�t want you to feel like you have to do this,� JC said, wanting to hit himself for stopping the kiss. But he knew it would save his heart in the end.

�I wouldn�t do this if I didn�t want to, Jace,� Lance tried to convince him.

�Are you sure?� JC said nervously. He hoped with all his being that Lance would say yes and kiss him.

�JC?� Lance asked.

�Yeah?� JC answered, wondering what Lance would say.

�Why are you trying to convince me NOT to kiss you?� Lance questioned, curiously.

�Well, um, I just want to make sure you want it to. I mean, don�t kiss me if you don�t want to,� JC responded softly.

�Didn�t I just tell you I wanted it?� Lance asked, amusement dancing in his eyes.

�Yeah, but�� JC stammered.

�No buts. Just go with the flow for once, Josh,� Lance ordered, but it was more like a suggestion because his voice was so soft.

�Ok, I�ll stop arguing. Continue, Lance,� JC agreed.

�All right, I think I was about here,� Lance said, moving closer to JC, their lips almost touching.

�Yep, that�s about right,� JC said, their lips brushing as he talked.

�Josh?� Lance asked.

�Yeah?� JC answered.

�Shut up,� Lance ordered.

�Oh, I like you when you�re all forceful,� JC joked.

�Do you want me to kiss you or not?� Lance asked, pulling away a little bit and seeing the need in JC�s eyes.

�Um�� JC said, pretending to think.

�Well, in that case,� Lance said, pretending to get up.

�Wait!� JC almost yelled.

Lance sat back down immediately. And he frowned when he saw tears in JC�s eyes. Swimming around with them was the most naked fear he�d ever seen in his life.

�Jace, I was just joking. We were just joking around,� Lance said, trying to soothe JC.

�I know, but I thought you were leaving me. Don�t do that, you scared me,� JC said as Lance pulled JC to his body and hugged him tightly.

�I�m so sorry, I didn�t know it would hurt you. I don�t want to hurt you, Josh,� Lance apologized.

�I�m sorry. I�ve already cried all over you today,� JC said, sniffling.

�It�s ok, Josh, it�s ok,� Lance whispered softly.

He looked down a minute later and saw Josh sound asleep in his arms. �He�s had a long day,� Lance thought to himself, picking him up and bringing him to the bed.

He tucked JC into the bed, turned off the lamp, and did one more thing before leaving the room.

He gave JC a quick kiss on the lips and whispered, �I love you too, Josh. I should�ve told you earlier, but I�m a chicken.�