This is a sexually explicit story (at times) involving homosexuality. By continuing to read, you affirm under penalties of perjury that you are not a minor or in the company of a minor and are entitled to have access to this story.
The following is a fictious story with no real basis or credibility.It is solely for the enjoyment of the reader. It does not imply anything about the sexual preferences or lifestyle of Justin Timberlake or any other celebrity herein mentioned in this story.
Previously
Michael released Reichen from his trap.
Reichen got up from the floor, fear evident in his eyes.
Michael put his hands on Reichen's shoulders pushing him against the wall.
"I hate you, and what you represent. I should kill you for what you've done to him, you bastard. But that would make me less than you are. We all have something you've never had. We all have love in our hearts. Don't ever come near us again, or I will hurt you like you've never been hurt. And here is just a taste."
Michael sent a blast through his hands, Reichen screamed falling to the floor.
Michael backed off immediately.
Reichen stuttered and gasped.
Justin and everyone looked shocked at Michael. They'd never seen him hurt someone intentionally.
He looked at them all with tears in his eyes.
"Get out of here, Reichen."
Paulo picked the man up, ushering him through the doorway.
Everyone turned to look after Lance.
Josh was sitting on the couch, Lance had fallen asleep in his arms.
Michael looked at the two of them, smiling.
Michael felt an arm wrap around him, looking up to see Justin's tearing eyes.
"What you did here, Mico. For him, what you did." It was all he could say.
Michael wrapped his arms around him.
"I did it all for love."
Chapter 43
Everyone stood looking at the two young men on the couch. Lance was asleep, clinging to Josh as if he feared to let go.
Josh held his friend in his strong arms.
Josh had tears running down his cheeks.
Justin looked at his best friend, seeing a new light in Josh's eyes. Justin couldn't understand what it was.
"Lonnie, can you carry Lance upstairs. He needs to sleep. He's emotionally exhausted."
"Sure thing, Mikey."
Lonnie bent down, picking up Lance gently, he didn't wake, although he fought to let go of Josh. Josh got up as he watched Lonnie carry him out of the room.
Justin looked at Michael leaning against him, Michael's own eyes back to normal.
" What happened to Lance, Michael? Why did he let this go on for so long?"
Michael let go of Justin gently and turned to face everyone.
"Lance held onto the belief that Reichen would change, that he would become the man he once was. The man he fell in love with. But that was never going to happen. Reichen's heart was given over to lust, to want and need. He lost any love he'd had for Lance. Lance finally realized that yesterday when those two men tortured him, hurting more than just his body. They destroyed his hope. That's when Lance decided to kill Reichen rather than let someone hurt him like that again."
Everyone saw the hurt and pain in Michael's eyes. He was reliving his own pain. The pain of sexual torture and abuse.
Justin put his arm around him kissing his cheek.
Michael looked at his lover seeing his concern for him.
"I'm okay, Jus. It's just hard to see it all again."
Justin hugged him tighter.
"How did you know, Michael? How did you know Lance was that desperate?" Kelly asked.
Michael sighed.
"When I met him and shook his hand I felt all his pain, all his hurt, And I saw what he was going to do. And when I shook hands with Reichen, I saw what he'd done to Lance these last few months, and what he wanted to do to me and you, Justin."
Justin looked shocked.
"Yes love, the moment he found out you were gay and I was, he was making plans to bed both of us. The man's sexual appetite is enormous. And what's sad is that Lance saw the look in his eyes as well. Lance knew that Reichen was after his friend now. That hardened his resolve even more. He wasn't going to let Reichen hurt you, Justin.
Justin was tearing up again. Michael patted his shoulder.
" When I went out and checked on dinner, I went to the hall closet and removed the gun he had hidden in his jacket pocket. I wasn't going to let him leave here with it."
Everyone was shocked, not believing that Lance was going to shoot Reichen.
"I've locked it in the office safe, Jus. We'll get rid of it later."
Josh looked stunned.
"I've failed him. I didn't know he was in that kind of trouble, Michael. If it hadn't been for you, if you hadn't of interfered, god, Lance would of...."
Josh was deeply upset, Michael feel it in his words. Michael let go of Justin and hugged Josh to him tightly.
"It's okay, Joshy. He's going to be okay now. I did what I had to do because I couldn't let it happen. He's my brother now and I protect my family."
Everyone had tears in their eyes, seeing Michael's acceptance of all of them as family now.
"But Lance is going to need all of you, all of you to help him go on, go on with his life."
Michael was looking at all of them, Justin seeing his determination, his determination to help his friend.
"We'll be all here for him, Mike." Joey said, Chris agreeing with him.
Lonnie returned, telling them Lance was asleep.
"So what happens now, Michael? How can we best help Lance?" Joey asked.
"Well, he should sleep through the night, he'll stay here tonight. What were his plans for christmas?" Michael asked.
"He always goes home for christmas, Reichen goes to his parents." Josh stated.
"Well, I think we should call Lance's parents, Josh. Tell them what's happened. Then we'll go from there." Justin said, Michael smiling at him.
"I'll do it Jus, I will take care of it." Josh said smiling. He walked over to the phone to call Lance's mom.
Michael offered coffee again to everyone, everyone heading into the kitchen. Michael felt Josh needed some privacy.
They all sat around the kitchen table waiting for Josh to return.
Josh walked into the kitchen about twenty minutes later, his eyes full of tears.
Justin got up hugging him close.
"That's the hardest thing I've ever had to do." Josh said, trying to control his emotions.
"Diane is on her way here, she's getting a flight as soon as possible. she said to keep him here till she gets here. She's going to take him home."
Michael and Justin agreed with her plan. Lance needed his family around him now.
"How about you, Josh. You okay?" Michael asked.
Josh looked up at him, Michael seeing the turmoil in his eyes.
"I'm okay, Mikey."
Michael knew he wasn't.
Josh sat down at the table, not looking at anyone.
Justin looked at Michael, seeing compassion in is his lover's eyes.
"Out with it, Josh. Whats bothering you?" Michael said, sitting down beside him.
Josh didn't know how to say it.
Michael put his hand on top of his, looking him in his eyes.
"Your mad at Lance, aren't you?"
Everyone looked at Josh with shock.
Josh looked at Michael, seeing his golden eyes full of compassion.
"Yes.And I hate myself for it."
Michael didn't remove his gaze from his friend.
"I'm mad at him for letting this happen. Lance is a strong man, how could he let Reichen do this to him? I would of fought back."
"Josh, your strong, we all know that. But think about how Lance felt. He said he fell in love with Reichen. He trusted him. And when you trust someone, you never think that person can hurt you. You can't believe it. I know from first hand experience."
Josh looked at Michael, seeing his reluctance to talk about his own pain, but still, he did, to help others.
"Zach, my best friend, said the same thing to me, Josh, after I had been raped."
Justin couldn't believe it. How could Zach feel that way, he loved Michael like a brother.
"He couldn't believe that I had let it happen. That I hadn't fought back."
Josh stared at Michael, feeling for his own turmoil.
"When it happened I was in total shock, I couldn't believe that the person I'd fallen in love with would hurt me. But he did. And when I realized he was hurting me, that's when I fought back, but by then it was too late. There were three of them, Josh. I wasn't strong enough to fight all of them. But Lance was strong enough, Josh. He was strong enough to face Reichen, and to walk away from him. He has found the courage, the courage to survive. To go on, to find his life again. He has a greater courage than I ever had."
Justin was in tears, knowing how hard it was for Michael to admit he hadn't seen through Paul. But Justin wouldn't believe that Michael had any less courage than Lance.
"Your wrong, my love. You have the greatest courage I've ever seen." Justin said, putting his hand on Michael's shoulder.
Michael looking up at Justin, seeing his deep love shining through.
Josh looked at Michael, taking his hand in both his own.
"You are courageous, Mikey. You have gone on also, on to a life of happiness with my best friend." Josh smiled through his tears.
" Don't hate Lance for what's happened to him, Josh. Love him for what he's done today, for going on with his life. He needs you in his life, he needs all of you." Michael looked around the table at wet eyes.
Kelly wrapped her arms around Michael, kissing his cheek.
Chris smiled at Michael, as did Lonnie and Joey.
Paulo gave a thumbs up.
Michael smiled at him.
"By the way, Lance's aura has changed from green to blue. His love is back in his heart."
Everyone smiled at that news.
"Can you still see our auras?" Paulo asked.
"They've almost faded. I just happened to notice Lance's change while he was sleeping in Josh's arms."
Michael could still see the golden outline around Paulo.
"Thanks for helping me out Paulo, by stopping Reichen from leaving."
"No prob, Michael."
"Please, Paulo, call me Mikey. All my close friends do."
Paulo smiled, then blushed.
"Ah, Michael. You still are my employer, remember. I don't think it's appropriate."
Michael smiled.
"Okay, Paulo. Whatever your comfortable with."
Paulo smiled.
"Thanks, Mikey."
Justin laughed as did everyone else.
"So, Joe you said a while ago that you thought it was getting too boring here. How do you feel now?"
Joey smiled at Michael.
"Mikey, I don't think it will ever be boring around you."
Michael laughed, Justin wrapping his arm around him.
"Got that right." He kissed Michael on the lips.
"I'm going to go check on Lance, guys." Josh said getting up.
"Okay, Josh. I think I'm going to head out, its after midnight." Chris said.
"Yes we should be getting Brianna home." Kelly said, Joey agreeing.
Josh headed upstairs with Kelly.
Chris and Joey pulled coats out of the front closet while waiting for them.
"Well, Mikey. It's been fun." Chris said hugging him. Then hugging Justin.
"Ya got a hell of a man there, Jus. Try not to fuck this up." Chris patted his butt.
Justin laughed.
"I'll be the one fucking that up." Michael smile, patting Justin's butt also.
Chris was laughing his ass off, Joey right beside him. Justin was blushing two shades of red.
"Michael, gosh." Justin stammered.
"Relax, baby. They know your mine, for always."
Justin smiled.
Kelly came down the stairs carrying a sleeping Brianna.
"We'll pop over in the morning with our gifts, before we leave for home." Joey said hugging Justin and Michael.
"Say goodnight to Josh for us." Kelly said.
"We will, I think he'll probably stay here tonight." Michael said.
Justin hadn't realized that.
Chris hugged both of them again as did Kelly.
Paulo and Lonnie got their coats also from the closet and hugged both men goodnight.
They all said their goodbyes.
"You might as well lock up, Jus. Josh is staying."
Justin looked at Michael, not saying anything, but going to the door.
Justin locked the front door and went around securing everything else, while Michael tidied up the kitchen.
Justin walked up to him in the kitchen, as he finished drying the last coffee cups.
He put his arms around Michael's waist, Michael leaning into his chest.
"Hell of a night, Mico. Did I ever tell you I love you?"
"Every day, my love. I love you more."
Justin didn't say anything else, he just hugged Michael to him. After a few moments Michael was finished his work.
He felt Justin trembling against him.
He turned around to see him crying.
He pulled him into a hug.
"What's wrong, sweetie?" Michael asked, pretty sure he knew what it was.
"I saw tonight, my loving friend in pain, in pain from something I wasn't even aware of.I should of been there for him. How could he do that to him?"
Michael knew Justin couldn't grasp that people hurt other people. He'd never been hurt like that. And that made Michael thankful.
"I know Jus. I know. And Lance knows you'd do anything for him. I'm just glad I was able to stop it."
Justin looked at him, kissing his moist lips.
"I love you, Mico. I can't believe what you did tonight. That you would help Lancy like that. I'm going to tell him what you did, what you did for him."
"No, Jus. No. He needs to put this behind him as quickly as possible. And I think he will, quickly. He has something now to help him."
"His courage?"
"Yes, that, and something more."
Michael kissed him again.
Justin looked puzzled.
"Let me show you."
Michael took his hand and walked him out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
They walked down to the last room, Michael quietly opening the door.
Justin looking inside with Michael.
On the large queen size bed, Josh was fully dressed, and sound asleep. Lance was laying beside him , Josh's protective arms wrapped around him. Lances head was laying on Josh's rising chest. Both men had contented smiles on their faces.
Michael walked in pulling a blanket off the chair beside the bed, and covering both men.
Neither moved.
Justin stood in the doorway, a tear in his eye.
Michael walked up to him, guiding him back out the door.
He closed the door, pulling Justin against him.
"Lance will have Josh's love to heal him, Jus."
Justin looked at Michael in wonderment.
Michael kissed him deeply.
"And Josh has found his soulmate."
Justin woke up, in semi darkness.
He looked beside him, not seeing Michael asleep there.
The clock on the nightstand read four o'clock.
His rose up, looking around the room.
The balcony door was open, and he coud see Michael standing on the balcony.
Justin got up walking over to the balcony door.
The cool air felt shivering on his naked skin.
They'd made love when they went to bed, Michael giving in to all Justin's desires, sensing Justin needed him.
Michael was standing alone, naked and exposed in the moonlight.
Justin thought he'd never see a more beautiful image.
Justin pulled a blanket off the bed, walking out onto the balcony.
He wrapped the blanket around himself, then around both of them.
Michael leaned back against Justin's naked body.
"You okay, Mico."
"Yes, lover. Just couldn't sleep. Not like some people." He rubbed his ass against Justin's crotch.
Justin smiled.
"You wore me out lover."
Michael sighed against him."
"I love you, Timby."
"I love you more, Mico."
"I've been thinking about Josh and Lance." Michael said.
"You knew from the beginning, didn't you?"
"Yes, that was my vision. I didn't know about Lance and Reichen, not until I connected with Lance today. But somehow I knew that Lance and Josh were destined to be together. And now I think they will. They still have a ways to go. You can't tell them their soulmates, Jus. They have to find it out for themselves."
"Okay, Michael. I won't tell."
Michael turned around kissing him tenderly.
"I've also been thinking about us."
Justin looked into Michael's golden eyes.
"I love you with all my heart, Jus. Everyday when I wake up beside you is a day I thank god."
Justin smiled, loving Michael deeply moving words.
Michael leaned against Justin.
"I'm sorry, Jus."
"Sorry, babe? For what?"
" For letting you see me hurt someone.For having to hurt Reichen. To show him my power. He had to see what I was capable of, he had to feel it. It was the only way to show him, to keep him away from Lance. He'll be too terrified to come near him now, the pain I gave him will flair if he does. In essence, I've marked him for life."
Justin pulled Michael closer, to show him his understanding and love.
"I hated doing that, to hurt someone so they wouldn't hurt another. It's not me, it's this blasted power."
Michael was starting to cry.
Justin turned him around wrapping him against him.
"Your so remarkable, Mico. Your caring heart knows no limits. Even against someone who hurt Lance, you hold no ill will. You are kindness at it's purest. God, I love you so much."
Michael looked up into Justin's eyes.
"I love you more."
They kissed deeply.
Michael put his head against Justin's naked chest, Justin enfolding him in his arms.
"I'm afraid, Jus."
Justin tensed, looking down at his lover.
"Afraid, of what?"
"I think I've seen a part of my destiny."
Justin pulled away from Michael, looking into his eyes.
"What did you see, Mico?" Michael felt his deep concern.
Michael looked up at Justin, tears running down his cheeks.
"When I hurt Reichen, I saw a flash of a vision. I'm going to hurt more people, Jus, someday in the future I'm going to cause a lot of grief. And it scares the hell out of me. I think the prophecy may be real."
Justin looked at Michael with wonder.
"Prophecy? What are you talking about, Mico?"
"Let's go inside, Jus. I'm freezing."
Justin pulled Michael indoors, the two going to the love seat, sitting down together.Justin pulled the blanket over their nude bodies.
"When I was young, I had those dreams about Adrian, the caretaker of knowledge."
Justin remembered Michael's reference to them.
"He informed me that he was instructed to teach me something. To teach me of a prophecy, a prophecy of god. It dealt with the chosen ones."
"The chosen ones?"
"Yes, I don't know who they are exactly, or what they represent. He wouldn't explain that to me. All I know is what the prophecy is, it's basic purpose."
Justin opened his arms, and Michael leaned in against him, putting his head on Justin's chest again.
"What is the prophecy, Mico?"
"It's the judgement of god, Jus. The chosen ones are turning away from their duty to god. And this is their final judgement."
Justin held Michael, feeling his trembling body against his. Whatever this prophecy was, it bothered Michael deeply.
"What does it have to do with you?" Justin asked. Michael sat up looking at him, his golden eyes filled with love.
"I'll recite it to you, you be the judge, Justin."
Michael took a deep breath and recited the prophecy.
And through these final Days of Judgement the angel of god's love
shall walk among thy chosen ones.
He who shall be born of fifty souls united.
He who shall be giving of love but tortured of soul.
Through his golden eyes shall god seek our truth.
For he shall bring forth the instrument of our redemption, emtombed
in the stone of vengeance.
He who cannot see shall see the final truth.
His spoken judgement shall cleanse the heart of all the generations.
A thousand and seven hundred souls shall glow in god's heaven.
Thee rest shall be consumed in sin's embrace.
And he shall rid the earth of that final sin, that sin against god.
His own sacrifice shall be thy final testament to god's truth.
Into himself shall he draw the weakness of our unworthy souls and he
shall show us our commander of truth.
And through his love and self sacrifice shall the chosen prosper
through a thousand generations.
Only though the heart and love of a child shall thy angel return to us.
Through innocence and love shall he rise again.
Justin looked at Michael with deep concern.
"Through his golden eyes..."
"Yes, I believe its me, Just. I am their supposed messenger of god."
Justin was shocked.
"Michael, who are these people? Why do you mean so much to them?"
"I don't know, Jus? But I think I know someone who does."
"Who?"
Michael looked at Justin, leaning in and kissing him.
"Lets not worry about that right now. Whats important to me right now is the end of the prophecy. It troubles me greatly. I believe in means me having to sacrifice myself to save them."
Justin pulled Michael to him, realizing now why Michael was scared.
"No, Michael. I won't let you do that, I won't let you die for other people, people you don't even know. I don't want to lose you."
Justin was getting visibly upset.
Michael hugged him to his chest, knowing how this would affect him.
"It's okay, baby. I don't want to do that either, maybe I've got it all wrong. There is that part about a child saving me."
Justin smiled a little, understanding what Michael's was trying to do, he was trying to give him hope.
" There is something larger at work here, Jus. I believe it may be god. And if it is god then I can't see him letting me leave you, he knows how much I love you."
Justin laid his head against Michael's chest.
"You mean as much to me, my love. Please don't leave me, I would be lost without you."
"I'll try my best to always stay with you, Justin. But god has the final say in all that. But I want you to know something. Our love is strong enough to last forever, I believe that with all my heart."
Justin pulled him tighter to him, as if he wanted him to become a part of him.
Michael understood Justin's need, his need for Michael to be with him always.
But Michael had to let Justin know the truth, he'd never keep it from him.
"The needs of the many outweight the needs of one, Justin."
Justin trembled, remembering Daniel's same words.
He sat up looking at Michael.
"Daniel asked me that question, Michael. He came to me in another dream. I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure what he meant by it. he asked me if I believed that phrase, and I told him yes."
Michael looked at Justin, feeling his deep uncertainty, the uncertainty of their future.
"Justin, I wanted you to know about this for one reason. Because I love you, I always want you to remember that. I love you with all my heart. I couldn't lie to you and not tell you. You deserved to know. I will fight till my last breath to always be with you. You are my life, my love, and my happiness. Without you I am nothing.
I don't want us to go through the rest of our lives in fear of losing each other. To me it doesn't matter. I live each day as a new lifetime. Each day with you is a day in heaven, for I know that I will be with you forever. God has brought us together to love one another. Time, life or death will not seperate us. I believe this with all my heart. My soul and heart are your's forever."
Justin looked with deep love into Michael's golden eyes.
"I believe the same my love. You are mine forever as I am yours. My heart only feels full when I am in your arms, when I see your loving eyes.I feel I've been blessed, beyond my greatest dreams. I will not worry either about the future, we will be together forever."
Justin leaned in kissing Michael in a kiss of unending love.
Their arms wrapped around each other, both men finally at peace with their souls.
Michael got up, leading Justin to the bed.
They lay down together again, their bodies against each other.
They fell asleep in their usual postion, both men feeling safe and eternally happy in each other's arms.
Lance woke up from a deep sleep, he felt someone warm against him.
He shrank back fearing Reichen was with him.
He looked at the man he had been laying against.
It was Josh.
His friend, Josh.
Lance's breathing relaxed, his body sinking back into the large mattress.
He lay on his back, remembering everything that had happened last night.
His truth and life exposed for all his friends to see.
Tears rolled down his cheeks, as the realization of his freedom echoed in his mind.
He was free, he was free of the pain, and the hurting.
Josh murmured in his sleep, rolling over towards him.
Josh cuddled up against him, his arm folding over his chest.
Lance felt his friend's protection, his being there for him.
Josh, his best friend.
They'd gone through a lot together, a lot of happiness. He'd been the first to call him when Lance had come out.
His love and assurance had given Lance great strength.
He looked down at his friend.
Why can't he be gay, why can't a good man like him love him.
That's all Lance wanted, to be loved.
He'd thought Reichen was that man. He'd been completely wrong.
And that terrified him, the knowledge that he couldn't judge people, that he'd been completely fooled and manipulated.
But Michael had seen through him, seen him for what he was.
Michael and Justin.
Lance had watched them all night.
Their love was in view for all to see. Their deep love showed in all their actions and movements.
Lance envied Justin, envied the happiness he had.
Justin had always been lucky, no not just lucky. He'd earned all his success with hard work and determination.
And Lance felt he'd earned Michael's love also.
The two together seemed as one. Fate and god had brought them together, destiny played in all their happiness.
Lance thought of Michael, of all he'd endured and gone through.In a small way it was similar to Lance's tragedy, but more tragic.
Michael's interference last night was a sign for Lance.
A sign of god's intervention.
Michael had saved him last night, saved him from destroying his life.
How could he ever repay that sweet man, this angel.
Lance smiled. Yes, an angel, his guardian angel.
Josh moved around a little bit, his blue eyes opening, looking into Lance's green ones.
"Morning, Lancy. How ya doing?" He said lifting up a little to look at him.
"I slept well. Now comes the hard part. Greeting the new day, the first day of my freedom."
Josh smiled, feeling Lance's words.
"Thank you, Josh. Thanks for being here for me."
Josh lowered his head, sighing.
"I wanted to be here, Lance. Your my friend, you needed me. If my holding you, keeping you safe helped then I am happy. You must know that I would do that for you."
My god, he's so caring, so loving, Lance thought.
"It did, Josh. I slept peaceful last night with your arms protecting me."
Josh smiled.
My god, he's so kind and sweet, Josh thought.
"What do I do now, Josh? What do I do without him?"
Lance's tears were flowing again.
Josh sat up, pulling Lance against him.
"You go on, Lance. Simple as that. You start again. Free and happy."
"He hurt me so much, Josh. He hurt me so much." Lance cried against Josh's chest, Josh holding him tight.
"I know, Lance. And you never deserved that, never. I know you Lance, I know the man you are. A kind, sweet, courageous,loving man. Any man should be so happy having you with them. He couldn't see that because he didn't know what real love was. I feel sorry for him, sorry that he couldn't love the real you."
Lance listened to all Josh said, to his kind words.
It lifted his soul, it made him see the truth. None of this was his fault, it was all Reichen's.
"Your right, Josh. It was all his fault. I want love, I want real love. I need to find real love, like Justin and Michael have."
Josh smiled.
"Yes, isn't Michael remarkable."
"Remarkable doesn't even begin to describe him. I've never met someone so loving and giving of his love. What he did for me last night, how he handled Reichen, it was unbelieveable."
"No, Lance. You handled Reichen last night. Michael just showed you how to fight back, how to free yourself."
Lance looked at Josh.
"I owe him so much."
"We all owe him so much." Josh had a tear in his eye.
"Lance, I need to tell you something."
Lance looked at his friend, seeing him struggling with something.
"I'm gay, Lance. For as long as you have been gay, so have I. I just never had your courage, your strength. And I almost did something that I'm not proud of."
He told Lance about what he'd almost done, how he'd almost tried to destroy Justin's and Michael's relationship.
Lance could see the tears in his eyes and the shame in them too.
Lance didn't say anything more a few moments, his heart was beating too fast, his thoughts too disorganized.
Josh was gay? Was this all a dream. This beautiful man holding him, he was telling him his deepest pain, his deepest truth.
"I'm glad you've told me, Josh. I'll glad you trust me enough to be honest with me."
"Do you still have feelings for Justin?"
Josh shyly smiled at him.
"Yes, Lance. I feel for him now as a brother, a real brother. Michael is his soulmate, the two were destined to be together. I only wish them eternal happiness. I love both of them."
Lance smiled.
"Are you seeing someone, Josh? Is there someone special in your life?"
"No, Lance, no one. Michael says he's had a vision about me, that I will find my soulmate."
"I'm happy for you, Josh. Don't give up, I'm sure he's close."
Josh smiled at Lance.
"I called your mom last night, Lance. She's on her way here, she's coming to take you home to your family."
Lance started crying again, Josh rubbing his shoulder.
"How can I face her, and tell her what he's done."
"She's your mom, Lance. She loves you unconditionally. She'll always be there for you, always. And so will I."
Lance looked into Josh's beautiful blue eyes.
"Thank you, Josh. Thank you for being you."
He hugged him tight, not seeing Josh's wide smile, and the new sparkle in his eyes.
Justin was woken by a tapping on their bedroom door.
He looked up seeing Josh's head popping through the door.
"You guys getting up, its almost nine. I'm gonna see about cooking some breakie." Josh said.
"You stay to hell out of my kitchen Chasez." Michael murmured against Justin's chest.
Josh laughed.
"Is that a request or a threat, Tavarro."
"It's my house, my kitchen. I cook breakfast, no one else."
Justin smiled.
"Be down in a few minutes, Joshy. Start the coffee." Michael stretched.
"OKay, Mikey."
"Josh?"
"Yeah, Mike?"
"Hows Lance?"
"He's doing okay, was a little tense first thing this morning, but I've got him calmed down."
"Thats good, Josh. That's swell."
Josh smiled, closing the door.
Justin and Michael looked at each other, both catching the smile on Josh's face and in his eyes.
"I love you, Jus." Michael said kissing him deeply.
"Love ya more, Mico."
They got up together, putting on shorts and t's.
They walked down hand in hand to the kitchen.
Just before they got there they heard someone crying.
When they walked into the kitchen they saw Josh standing at the kitchen table, Lance crying against the wall.
"You okay, buddy?" Justin asked putting his arm on Lance's shoulder.
Lance jerked away from Justin, screaming at him.
"Don't touch me, please don't touch me."
Justin and Josh were speechless.
Michael wasn't.
"Calm down Lance, we're not going to hurt you. It's us, your friends. Michael, Justy and Joshy." Michael said in a soothing voice.
Lance looked at all of them, seeing them for who they were.
His tears flowed again, his emotions crashing down.
He was in Justin's arms in a moment, Justin holding him tight.
Josh was crying himself, seeing Lance not needing him.
"What happened, Josh. I thought you said he was doing okay?" Justin asked, deep concern on his face.
"He was, he was actually smiling. And then I went and fucked it all up."
Michael sensed Josh's deep guilt.
"What happened Josh?" Michael said with quiet compassion.
Josh lifted his head, the tears rolling down his cheeks.
"I kissed him and I told him that I love him."
End of Chapter 43
And so the elusive soulmate has been revealed.
I'm sure most of you wanted that to happen, as did I.
It just felt too right not to happen.
But it seems that there's a long road ahead for our lost lovers.
Time and Love will show the way.
Keep the faith, Angel.