CHAPTER 8

By the time they finished their food, they had learned a bit more about each other. JC found out that Justin was originally from Tennessee and still had family there. Justin learned that JC was from Maryland and that JC was wrongfully under the impression that Maryland was the South. Of course Justin had to correct him.

JC learned that Jon was actually Justin's step-brother and that Justin only shared a father with the kid. Justin found out that JC was adopted but that he had a brother named Tyler and a sister named Heather.

JC found out that Justin had come out to his family back when he was 16; the very year he quit the boyband. Justin found out that JC had had 5 relationships that ended badly since he was 13.

"5 is not bad," Justin said, trying to make JC feel better.

"Right. And how many have you had?"

"Well two. But they were not really relationships. I've never had anything permanent," Justin said, softly.

"But you want to change that?" JC asked, trying his best to not give away his own thoughts on that.

"Yeah, but I also don't want to force it. It's not a priority for me at the moment," Justin said, taking a sip of his soda. "What about you? I mean now that you've broken up with your 5th boyfriend, what's next?"

JC shrugged.
"I don't know. I still haven't quite finished things up with him so I have got to close that book. But I have learned from that relationship and I'm better off for it."

"Yeah? What did you learn?" Justin asked, stretching his arm along the back of the couch and facing JC.

"Never to let anyone put me down. Never to let anymore tell me what to do. Never to let anyone push me around," JC recited as if from memory.

Justin looked closely at JC.
"Um...did your ex-boyfriend hit you?"

JC shook his head.
"I mean he did. But once. Right before I packed up and left him. I may be slow but I'm not stupid. I should have left when the verbal abuse and control freak tendency started though. But I guess better late than never."

"He sounds like an asshole," Justin commented, his expression a mix of anger and concern.

"Now that I think about it, yes he was," JC said, thinking back on Marshall. Then JC looked at Justin and laughed. "You know, you and Marshall are kind of alike in some ways."

Justin looked offended by that comment.
"Hey, what is that supposed to mean?"

"Relax, I just meant...well, the panache for tight clothes, the shaved head, the sharp tongue and the blue eyes...you reminded of him often back when I met you."

"And now?" Justin prompted.

JC smiled.
"You still remind me of him...but of the good I saw in him."

Justin was surprised by that and smiled.
"So does that mean that you really really like me?"

JC blushed slightly and turned to stack up the take-out cartons on top of each other.
"What's not to like?"

JC got up to move to the kichen in order to throw the take-out cartons. Justin followed him, picking up the empty soda cans.

"Well, that is a change since not too long ago I was a conceited son of a bitch," Justin teased.

"Well you were."

"So what won you over?" Justin asked, standing with his arms crossed and close to JC next to the sink as the latter washed his hand.

JC answered Justin grin with one of his own.
"Are you fishing for compliments?"

"Maybe. Come on!"

JC laughed.
"You really want me to say?"

Justin looked intrigued and expectant.
"Yes, tell me."

JC for a moment felt like he was falling into Justin's blue eyes when he saw them close-up and focused on his.

"Are you going to tell me?" Justin asked, his voice deep and soft and...seductive.

JC recovered his senses before he did something like...kiss Justin. Because the temptation was strong. Too strong.

JC leaned forward slightly.
"Well what changed my about you is..." JC's whispered. "that you blush like a girl."

Justin pulled back as in surprise. JC could see that that was the last response Justin expected and began laughing.

"I do NOT blush like a girl!" Justin exclaimed, indignantly.

"Yes, you do," JC insisted, still laughing. "Your cheeks turn this lovely shade of pink and your eyes flutter downward. It's really cute actually and very...GIRL-LIKE!"

"Ok, that's it! It's time for a smackdown!"

Before JC knew what was going to happen, he was on the kitchen floor with Justin on top of him.

"What the!!"

Justin pinned both JC's hand above his head and grinned down.
"Take it back! Say I don't blush like a girl!"

JC recovered from the shock quickly and grinned.
"No way!"

"Ok, fine. You leave me with no choice."

"What are you...AHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

JC wiggled and wriggled to escape the tormenting fingers that were attacking his side but to no avail. Justin managed to keep his hands pinned as he tickled the helpless giggling man beneath him.

"Take it back, JC!"

"OK OK!! I TAKE IT BACK! STOP! I TAKE IT BACK!"

Justin grinned and released JC's hands, letting the smaller man scramble away from him. JC put down distance between Justin and him and panted to get his breath back.

"I can't believe you did that," JC panted, looking at Justin in disbelief.

Justin smirked.
"Time tested method. Jon would do anything I asked once he's at the mercy of The Tormentors!"

"You even named them?!"

Justin narrowed his eyes at JC.
"Are you making fun of me?"

JC scrambled further away.
"No no! I took it back, didn't I?"

Justin nodded with satisfaction.
"Yes you did."

"Yes I did. You do not blush like a girl. You blush like a WOMAN!" JC yelled and made a run for the door.

"Why you..."

JC managed to open the front door and looked back to see where Justin was. Grinning he began to run out when suddenly...he shoved into something and landed on the floor with that something.

"OWWWWWWWW!"

JC looked down to see that he was on top of Jon. He quickly moved off the kid and checked on him. Justin ran up at the moment wondering what had happened.

"Jon, are you ok?" JC asked, panicking. He had landed hard on the kid.

"My arm hurts! It hurts really bad!" Jon cried out, holding his left arm.

Justin knelt beside his brother and ran his fingers down the kid's arm.
"Shit. I think you broke it, bro."

Jon's eyes widened.
"What!"

"Come on. We've got to get you to the hospital. What are you doing here so late anyway?" Justin asked as he helped his brother sit up.

"Mom dropped me off after the PTA meeting because I wanted to stay with...OWWWW!!"

JC looked on guiltily as Jon cried out from the movement.

"JC, could you get me the bandage I keep in my medicine cabinet in the bathroom."

JC rushed into the apartment to get what Justin needed. He found the bandage easily once he opened the first aid box. He quickly ran out and handed it to Justin. He then watched as Justin expertly made a sling for Jon's arm and secured it to the boy's torso.

"Ok, come on," Justin said as he helped Job stand. He quickly stepped into the apartment to get his jacket, wallet and car keys then closed the door behind him.

"Should I come along?" JC asked.

"No way! You broke my arm! I don't want you there, Spaz!" Jon complained loudly, making JC feel even more guilty.

"Jon," Justin warned, frowning at his brother. Then he looked back at JC. "It's ok, JC. I can handle it. It's not the first time the brat has broken something."

"But he pushed me down and..."

"It was an accident, Jon. Now come on. Goodnight JC," Justin said quickly before sheparding his brother to the stairs gently.

JC watched them go remorsefully. It had been a wonderful night but why did it have to end this way. JC groaned aloud before making his way back to Lance's apartment.

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