WildHearts8

JC placed a soft kiss on Lance's lips near the front door of the house. They were both still soaking wet, but they had gotten out of the lake and were starting to dry off. Lance sighed happily into the kiss, and JC pulled back slowly, smiling as he ran a finger over Lance's kiss swollen lips.

"So," he whispered quietly. "I guess, I'll see you later?" He chuckled
nervously and ducked his head. 'God Josh, you are *such* a moron.'

Lance grinned and lifted Josh's chin up, kissing him again.

"Count on it," he whispered. He looked down at their wet clothes and laughed. "Britney is going to have a fit. You sure you don't want to come in this way?"

Josh shook his head. "Nah, I'm going to go through the kitchen. That way no one will see us together, wet, and *both* with swollen lips." He grinned and looked Lance over. "Although, it does make for one hell of a picture!" He laughed when Lance blushed and pulled him in for a quick hug. "I love it when you blush," he whispered, causing Lance to blush harder.

Lance cleared his throat, not meeting Josh's gaze. "You should probably go get dried off now," he said shyly. "We're both still all wet, and it's not very comfortable."

Josh nodded. "Okay. I had a great time Lance. Maybe we can, ya know..." He trailed off nervously, hoping Lance got the hint.

Lance looked at Josh, hope in his eyes as he bit his bottom lip. "Yeah?"

Josh smiled. "I hope we can get together again sometime. Soon. Just you and me. How's that sound?"

Lance beamed at him with a perfect smile. "That sounds wonderful."

Josh grinned happily, not even bothering to hide his excitement as he backed up from the porch. "Okay. I'll see you in the morning then."

Lance laughed. "Okay," he said. "Goodnight Josh."

"Sweet dreams Lance."

Josh watched Lance head into the house through the front door, before pumping his fist in the air. "Yes!" he said quietly. He whistled softly as he trotted around the house, entering from the back door. He saw Chris sitting at the table, looking at his hands, and he shrugged. Going to the fridge, he continued to whistle as he grabbed a carton of milk. He opened it up, and brought it to his lips for a drink.

"Use a cup," said Chris tightly, not even turning around to look at him.

Josh sighed, opening the cupboards and retrieving a small glass. He poured a bit of milk in it, and raised it to his lips it take a drink.

"Put the milk back in the fridge," said Chris.

Josh growled softly, but did as he was told. He grabbed his glass of milk and was heading up to his room when Chris's voice stopped his again.

"He's too young Josh."

Josh froze mid-step, turning to look at his brother.

"Excuse me?"

Chris got up from his seat, leaning against the table with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

"I said, Lance is too young for you Josh," said Chris.

Josh was growing angrier by the second. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Chris slammed his fist on the table hard, causing it to rock. "Don't bullshit me Joshua!" he yelled. "I *saw* the two of you out in the lake! I *saw* you kiss him! What next, huh? Are you gonna fuck him, too?"

Josh was red in the face, and he slammed the glass of milk down on the counter with shaky arms.

"That, is *none* of your fucking business Chris," he whispered threateningly. "I don't know what the hell is wrong with you, but do me a favor and butt *out* of my personal life." He narrowed his eyes. "That goes for Lance, too. He's a big boy now. He can do whatever the hell he wants. I didn't *force* him to kiss me. He wanted it just as much as I did."

Chris snorted. "The kid is 16 years old, he doesn't know what the hell he wants. You're probably just confusing him, flaunting your gay lifestyle in his face like-"

The fact that Josh was moving hadn't even registered in his mind until his fist connected with Chris's jaw. Chris flew back towards the table, mostly in shock, before jumping up and attacking Josh. They rolled around on the floor, smacking and punching whatever area they could reach. Finally, they both pushed away from each other, Chris with a fat lip and bloody nose, and Josh with the beginnings of a black eye. They stared at each other for a second, brother versus brother, before Josh got up and left the room.

~*~
"...and then we kissed *again*," gushed Lance, his heart still beating at a thousand miles per hour from kissing Josh. "It was just amazing."

Joey grinned, bouncing up and down in place. He smacked Lance on the arm and laughed when he rubbed it.

"See, man, what did I tell ya?" said Joey. "He's just as nuts over you as you are over him."

Lance blushed and looked at the floor. "Well, I-"

A knock at the door interrupted their late night gossiping session, and both men looked at each other and shrugged.

"Who is it?" yelled Joey.

There was silence, and then a soft voice could be heard. "Uh, it's Josh. I need to speak with Lance. Please."

Joey grinned while Lance paled slightly. When he saw this, Joey rushed to give his friend a quick hug. "Don't worry buddy," he said, "I'm sure it can only be good news. Trust 'ol Joey on this one."

He patted Lance's back quickly, and then got up to answer the door. It was night time already, and there were no lights on in the hallway. Joey squinted and could make out Josh's outline from the candlelight in his and Lance's room. He stepped out into the hallway, patting Josh's back.

"I'll leave you two alone," he said with an impish grin, before scampering off down the hallway.

Josh took a deep breath and entered the room, shutting the door softly behind him. He sat down on the floor next to Lance, who was hugging his knees to his chest and staring into the flame of the lit candle. Any breath that Josh had left in him was taken away again as he stared at Lance. The soft light from the flame outlined every delicate curve of his face, making him look more angelic and more beautiful than ever.

"You've come to break it off, haven't you?"

Josh turned at the soft voice, and noticed that Lance wasn't looking at him.

"What?"

Lance sighed, trying not to get upset. "You've come to break up with me, right?" he asked, looking up at Josh. "I did something wrong, didn't I? I crossed the line? I am so sorry Josh, I just-"

Josh smiled softly, crawling over beside Lance. The younger man was so busy in rambling his apologies, that he failed to notice Josh's move until soft lips were covering his own. In spite of his shock, Lance's eyes immediately fluttered shut as he kissed Josh back with all that he had. He pulled back slowly, resting his head on Josh's shoulders as strong arms held him tightly.

"I didn't come to break things off," said Josh quietly. "I just, I came to
find out if you were, ya know..." He trailed off with a sigh. When Lance looked up at him, he found all the strength he needed in his eyes. "I was just wondering if you're serious about this. About us."

Lance's smile and shining eyes held all the answers he needed, and his
feelings were confirmed as Lance kissed him once again.

"I think," whispered Lance, "I think I could fall in love with you."

Josh smiled, hugging Lance tighter to his body and pulling them both into a laying position on the floor. Lance pulled the warm blankets up around them as they cuddled together, falling asleep by the soft flicker of the candle.