Wow, it's been way to long since I last wrote (Like way back in May!) Sorry it took so long, but I'm hopefully going to finally get back on track here J Once again, here are a list of recommendations that yah'll should check out on this site: "Intimate Stranger", "Josh and Just", "Changes", "Twist and Turns", "Open Arms", "This I Promise You", "Because I Love You" and "Justin's Secrets"! My list continues to grow and I know I am missing some good stories out there :D
Legal Stuff: If you are reading this, then I hope it's because you are A) Of the right age, and B) Are accepting of other relationship types (That's one way to put it I guess :). If either of these don't apply, I ask that you don't continue reading.
Disclaimer: I don't mean to imply that any celebrity involved in the story is gay in anyway. (But I do have my own speculations about a few . . . I'll keep those to myself :)
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As Nick stepped off the bus, his eyes struggled to adjust to the sudden influx of sunlight. Blinking, he eventually managed to get comfortable enough to step completely out from the shadow of the vehicle. His head still throbbed softly, even though it had been over an hour since Brian had woken him. Sure it wasn't anything that he needed to alarm the others about but, combined with the pangs of hunger in his stomach, it was enough to test his mood. Then again, Nick wondered if any of the guys would be able to tell a substantial difference in his attitude. Nick wasn't sure how much of a brat he'd been for the last few weeks, but he was positive the answer wouldn't be very optimistic.
"There you go with the self-pity again Nick." He sighed softly and continued moving towards the doors of the studio. This was going to be their first photo shoot with Brian, their first as an `official' band. After this, their faces were going to be plastered throughout Europe, giving them a chance to be recognizable when their CD was finally released. Nick was still struggling with the whole concept behind the publicity. How were a few sheets of paper going to make or break them?
"I said I was sorry D, what else do you want?" Nick casually glanced back towards the bus to watch the emerging Howie and AJ. While Howie was wearing a hat, AJ's eyes were protected by sunglasses, thus preventing both from being subjected to the same shock Nick had encountered. The sun, it seemed though, was the last worry on AJ's mind. Howie, undoubtedly the shyest of the group, was quieter than usual. Nick smirked and mouthed the words along with AJ. "The silent treatment."
The two continued towards Nick, AJ struggling to get a word from Howie, the latter showing a remarkable level of self restraint. Nick nodded to them both, doubting that he was of any interest in their current melodrama. Perhaps that is why he was so shocked when he heard his name. He turned to AJ, a dumb stricken looked plastered over his face. "Huh?"
AJ ignored the look and instead repeated his previous question. "Nick, could you do me a favor?" Nick nodded, still not understanding why there was a sudden interest in Mrs. Carter's oldest son. It wasn't that AJ and Howie were purposely cold towards their bandmate. Nick had just grown overly accustomed to playing second string when the two were together.
Nick finally gave a response, realizing how odd his silence must seem. "Sure AJ, what's up?"
"Would you be willing to tell a certain someone," AJ drastically cut into his own sentence with an exaggerated motion over toward the still-silent Howie, "That I'm sorry." Nick barely held in his own laughter over the situation. Here he was, the youngest member in the group, being stuck playing mediator for the two of them. He almost felt like a parent of two squabbling children.
Never the less, he decided to play along. "Howie?" Howie turned to Nick, a bright smile now covering his face. He was enjoying punishing AJ, which of course was just retribution for the morning wake-up call he had received courtesy of the other teen.
"Yes Nick?" The smile on his dace did not fade as he spoke. It was beginning to take on an almost sinister quality.
"AJ wanted me to tell you that he's sorry." Nick motioned behind him to the sulking teen, whom was obviously not finding the situation as amusing as it's other two participants.
"Well perhaps you could relay a message of my own. Tell Mr. McClain that payback is going to be a real bitch." Howie turned and continued to the studio, while Nick stepped aside to let a flabbergasted AJ trail behind. As the doors closed behind them, he could still make out a chorus of "You can't keep this up forever"s.
Then something else grabbed Nick's attention, leaving AJ and Howie's antics a distant memory. Brian and Kevin stepped from the bus, mid-deep in some conversation that Nick was unable to discern. Not that hearing them mattered to Nick. Just watching Brian speak, move, it was beginning to stir up those emotions inside of him once more. Nick shook his head, suddenly feeling very foolish but, try as he might, Brian never strayed from his sight.
The object of his attention finally saw Nick and his face broke into a bright smile. He said something to Kevin, ending their current conversation, and then bounded over to Nick. Kevin frowned and passed by the two, muttering something under his breath.
Nick regarded him for a moment, then turned to Brian. He nervously chewed at the bottom of his lip, not comforted by Kevin's reaction. The last thing he needed was for Kevin Richardson to be angry with him, again. "Is Kevin upset?"
"Nah, just a little jealous." Brian grinned, "He never gave you a chance before. So now that I'm making a new best friend, I think he's kind of envious of it." Brian hand abruptly went up to Nick's head, his eyes clouding over with concern. He gently brushed apart Nick's hair, searching for any damage he may have accidentally done that morning. As his fingers traced across a small bump, Nick let out a small gasp. He tried his best to pass it off as nothing, but Brian had better hearing then he'd given him credit for. "Ah man, Nick. You did get a bruise. Why didn't you tell me this morning?"
"Cause it wasn't anything that you should be worried about." He looked down at the ground, suddenly feeling childish for all the attention Brian was pouring on him. A hand gently cupped his chin, bringing his eyes back into direct contact with it's owner.
"Nick, don't say that. I care a lot, specially if I was the one who hurt you." Nick nodded, the only real answer he could muster. The familiar silence from the bus fell over them and Nick started to lean forward. It felt so natural, something else was now guiding his body.
"Look, if you two are done out here, you might as well join us. Or did you conveniently forget about the photo-shoot?" Brian and Nick snapped out of their trance once more, both not realizing how much the other regretted it. Nick glanced up to Kevin, who stood waiting by the entrance of the studio. Arms crossed, his shaggy black hair sloppily covering his forehead. But Nick looked beyond that, stared into his eyes and could have sword that he saw contempt.
"Jeez cuz, enough with the dramatic poses. We get the picture already." Brian leaned close to Nick, his voice barely over a whisper. "Heh, we should go, Kevin looks pissed."
Nick gave a nervous laugh and nodded, though he kept stealing hesitant glances towards Kevin. The eldest Backstreet Boy only entered the studio after the two were safely inside.