popslash_lollipops | (no subject)

Chris had been distressed all day. It was hard to tell, if you didn’t know him: his distress was easily mistaken for extra-hyperactivity. But to the rest of the group, he felt wrong. His voice was too loud or too quiet, sometimes he sat stiller than normal, then suddenly leapt into frenetic energy, and if he didn’t think anyone was watching him his eyes became blank. By the end of a long day, everyone was on edge and miserable, tired and drooping.

Joey looked around, taking in Justin, slumped in the corner of the hotel lobby, JC, eyes blood-shot and blank, and Lance, shoulders stiff and face set. He sighed. Chris was coming back from the gent’s, every muscle strung tight. “Chris, man, you room with me?”

“Yeah, sure.” Joey watched as Justin winced at the voice, just a little too harsh, playing on his nerves.

“Wanna crash now?”

Chris nodded rapidly and set off towards the lift. Joey looked at the other guys. “Okay?” he said.

“Joey, you’re an angel from heaven,” JC said, his voice tired and small. Joey smiled.

“Get some sleep, guys.” He followed Chris towards the lift, and heard, when he was a little way from the lift, a small choked sob from inside the lift. He strode the last few feet, and ducked through the doors, gathering Chris against his chest with one arm as he punched the button to close the doors with his other. “Hey, baby,” he murmured. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I got a call this morning.” Chris leaned against Joey gratefully, pressing his face into his shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“My mom has cancer.”

“Oh God, Chris.” Joey wrapped his other arm around Chris. The stocky body suddenly felt smaller than it ever had, more fragile.

“It’s… not a surefire killer. It’s treatable.”

“I’m glad. Very glad.”

“But… it’s…” Chris raised his face to Joey’s and their lips collided by accident, drifting against each other. Joey pulled away with a sudden jolt. Chris whined softly.

“Chris, you’ve been upset all day. You’re not doing anything except going to bed.”

Chris didn’t look inclined to disagree – his eyes were already heavy-lidded. “Tomorrow?”

“We’ll talk about it.” Joey nodded.

Ooh! OW!

That was really nice (except for the Bev having cancer part of course) but... ..ow!

Great Job!

Well, but *surely* that's not all you have to say about *that* . . . I mean, there's more, right? Right? Cuz, like . . . more. And stuff.

He strode the last few feet, and ducked through the doors, gathering Chris against his chest with one arm as he punched the button to close the doors with his other. “Hey, baby,” he murmured. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

That made me sigh out loud, loud enough to wake Magan. So, yes, more, ok? Thanks.

I wasn't going to post this here, because you've already got one great reply. But someone changed my mind *g*

Hope you like it, hon.

~*~*~*~*~

It was a blazing hot day the first time Joey kissed Chris. They sat side by side and drank ice cold sodas, listening to the muted sound of rides and chattering guests. Chris was tired, and the last thing he wanted to do was finish his break and go back to singing for people who didn’t want to listen. He wanted to stay in the staff parking lot, on the steps, where he wasn’t on show and could unfasten the ugly shirt that clung to him with sweat.

They didn’t talk. They didn’t have to, just drank their sodas before Joey jumped to his feet, offering Chris his hand. Chris clasped it and allowed Joey to pull him up, grinning when he over-balanced slightly and fell forward. Chris expected Joey to grin too, to make a remark about him being a klutz. But he didn’t; just held onto Chris’ hand.

Joey’s skin was warm, and Chris looked up as Joey bent down before gently kissing Chris on the lips. It was a quick kiss, and so soft that Chris could barely feel it. When Joey walked away with a smile, looking embarrassed, all Chris could do was watch; while aching for more.

~*~*~*~*~

They kissed again months later, when life was uncertain and Chris could hardly sleep at night for doubts. Everything was too much, and Chris compensated by being the same. Too loud, too crazy, too hyper. When he was yelling or jumping or joking he didn’t have to think about how easily things could go wrong. Worries like that were kept for the nights, when Chris would sit in the darkness trying to push away doubts that seemed like solid things designed to crush him.

The night after being told he needed his teeth fixing, Chris sat feeling ugly and inferior. It was stupid feeling that way, he knew that, but Lou had opened wounds that had taken Chris years to close. Joey came into the living room and sat next to Chris on the sofa, hand warm on Chris’ knee. They didn’t talk, just listened to the muted sound of Justin’s snores and the rumble of traffic from outside.

Chris did nothing when Joey moved slightly so they sat pressed together, then twisted so he could kiss Chris. The kiss was harder this time, and Joey’s tongue slid across Chris’ lips briefly before Joey pulled back and stood.

As Joey left the room he quietly said Chris was beautiful. As Chris sat frozen on the sofa he thought maybe he believed him.

~*~*~*~

The third kiss was during the lawsuit. They were all strung out, nerves stretched to breaking point as their lives were reduced to nothing more than words on a page. It seemed every doubt Chris had ever had was coming home to roost, and he spent night after night pacing his home. Falling to pieces where no one could see.

Rain lashed at the windows and Chris felt like screaming as his skin itched and his nerves were rubbed raw. The walls seemed to close in; Chris needed fresh air, so ran outside, uncaring about the rain that drenched him in seconds.

Joey found him there later, soaked to the skin, head back as Chris let the rain wash away his pain. Without a word, Joey took his hand and they walked to the steps, sitting side by side well into the night as the rain continued to fall. Chris was cold, but as he held Joey’s hand he felt energy flow through him again. He knew he was about to be kissed, and smiled as Joey slicked back his hair and ran an impatient hand over his face.

Chris felt Joey’s free hand on his back and focused on the tiny droplets of water that clung to Joey’s lashes. The kiss tasted of rain and Chris moaned a little when Joey deepened it, tongue exploring Chris’ mouth. Chris wanted it to last forever; but he wasn’t surprised when Joey stood and walked away, leaving Chris panting and alone.

continued in next comment.

~*~*~*~

Kiss four was now, and Chris grinned as Joey reached for him in the dressing room. It was deserted, the others playing in the next room and Chris could hear Justin talking and JC’s sudden laughter. But all he saw was Joey, who held him round the waist, looking down with a serious expression.

Somehow, Chris knew this was it. When they were riding high and Joey had no excuse to walk away. Joey seemed to know that too, and smiled as he bent down. The kiss was deep and nasty, as Joey held Chris with a desperate grip, pressing their bodies close. Joey was in charge and all Chris could do was go along for the ride, trusting Joey totally.

When Joey pulled away he didn’t go anywhere, just held on tight as Chris rested his head against Joey’s chest. Chris felt safe and loved, and knew, to him, this was their real first kiss – the first of many.

Glad you liked. :D

Um. Remember the whole too many story ideas thing? Stop adding to them.

Kthxbai.

Eeee! That made my stomach hurt. In a good way. Thank you.

Beautiful, Terri, I love it! Thank you!

You're more than welcome, hon.

I really wasn't going to do a ficlet today, then I read your request and it sang to me :)

Glad you liked - I didn't really know what I was doing with it, so I'm glad it came out okay.