Nothing to say. Read on! :) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Disclaimer: This story is fictional, and says nothing about the orientations of any member of the boyband N Sync, or any other character, celebrity or otherwise. If you are under 18 or 21, or live in a country where it's illegal to read something like this, leave, though I seriously doubt you will. If you don't like the idea of two guys in a relationship with each other, or having sex with each other, what are you doing here in the first place?
Though maybe none of the characters will be appearing, ideas taken from these places will show up:
Buffy, Copyright 20th Century Fox, Created by Joss Whedon X-Men, Copyright Marvel Comics, Created by Stan Lee Charmed, Copyright WB, Created by Aaron Spelling ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Chapter 9 - The Good/Bad Birthday and Start of the Tour
"Oh really?" he said, glaring icily at me. "You want to know what it looks like from my end?"
"Justin--" Joey began but was cut off by Justin's stare. He looked down at his feet and mumbled, "This REALLY isn't what it looks like."
"Justin, I'm so sorry," I began. "I really didn't expect--"
"What, you didn't expect me to be awake?" Justin growled. I opened my mouth to explain but he stopped me with his hand. "Save it, Dylan, I'm too angry now. I'll see you on tour tomorrow."
He turned around and stormed out of the house. I felt a heavy feeling in my gut, like something precious had just disappeared. Which was not far from the truth, come to think about it. I felt Melvin's hand on my shoulder and I fought my instinctive urge to shrug it off like I did every time I was angry or upset.
"I'm sorry Dylan," Melvin said sadly. "I didn't mean to ruin things between you and Justin. It's just that I was so happy about the gift that I... I'm really sorry."
"It's not your fault," I said, slowly shaking my head. "It's just a misunderstanding that needs to be cleared, though I think it would also be partially my fault for kissing back. I just didn't expect that to happen."
"I shouldn't have kissed you," Melvin said miserably. "I mean, I'm not even gay."
"I know," I said. "But we've grown up together so there are things that we'd do that wouldn't fit into a 'typical' friendship. I just need to make Justin see that, if he'll let me."
"I'll try to talk to him," Joey offered. "Maybe later in the afternoon or something when he's a little less mad. After all, I was a witness to the whole situation and I wouldn't have any reason to lie to Justin. If he doesn't believe me, I can always pull the 'We are in a band together, and for a long time now. If I was taking sides, it would be yours' card out."
"Thanks Joey," I smiled. I slowly made my way to the nearest chair and sat down, then slowly began shaking my head.
"Are you okay?" Melvin asked, concern written all over his face.
"Yeah, I'm not thinking of Justin right now," I said.
"Then?" Melvin asked, kneeling in front of me. "What now?"
I smiled. "When they say you always remember your first kiss, they weren't kidding. I never expected my first kiss to be from someone who I consider like a brother."
Melvin's eyes opened wide. "I'm sor--"
"Don't be," I smiled. "It was great, if unexpected. I think Justin would be a little upset about that, considering he's been trying to kiss me like that for the past week."
"That's going to make things a little difficult," Joey frowned. "I'll see what I can do."
"I really appreciate it, Joey," I smiled. "Thanks."
"No problem," he smiled. "I'll leave you two alone for a while to sort things out."
He turned and left the kitchen leaving Melvin kneeling in front of me. We just gazed blankly at each other for a while, then I started to giggle.
"What?" Melvin asked, half-amused, half-confused.
"I don't know," I said. "I think it just looks very weird that you're kneeling in front of me on one knee with your hand on my lap. And this is after we shared a first kiss and my boyfriend stormed out the front door."
Melvin chuckled, then looked up at me with mock seriousness, "Dylan Caoilte Filan, will you marry me?"
"Excuse me?" I heard Joy exclaim loudly from the kitchen entrance, her eyes wide.
"Oh no, not again," Melvin whispered. He stood up and said quickly, "This isn't what it looks like."
"It's not?" Joy asked. "Congratulations!"
"Huh?" I asked.
"Well, it looked like you two were fooling around," she said, grabbing a bottle of water with her name written on the side from the fridge. "But Melvin said that it wasn't what it looked like, so that must mean it's the real thing."
She grinned at us, and I knew she was just playing around. She glanced over at the harp (you can hardly miss it, it was only a foot away from the entrance of the kitchen) and smiled.
"That would definately make Melvin one happy guy today," she said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he kissed you or something, Dylan."
"Yeah, well, he did," I said. "And now Justin's pissed off."
Joey shook her head and made a face. "That can't be good."
"Nah, it's just something I'll have to work out with him," I said. Joy nodded and shrugged, put her bottle back into the fridge and said, "Well, I'll be upstairs if anyone needs me."
"Err, excuse me," Amethyst said in her shrill voice. "I think it's about time?"
"Oh, okay," I said. "See you later then, and good luck."
"No, you're coming with me," Melvin said. "Didn't you know?"
"No," I said. "Amethyst didn't tell me."
"Sorry," she replied. "I forgot."
I rolled my eyes. "Great. Why are they seeing both of us at the same time, though? They didn't do that before."
"Well, according to them, it's something new because both of you are leaving your teenhood. Also, this is the first year of the new millenium, not 2000 like most people thought it was," Zephyr explained. "So I think it's about time for you both to go in."
I nodded and checked the doorway to make sure no one was coming. It was all clear. I nodded to Melvin who picked up his new harp and carried it to the empty space of wall next to the fridge. He slowly entered through the wall and disappeared through. There was no wall, actually, just a blank space in the wall with a spiral staircase leading to the basement. The wall was just a powerful illusion to keep people from suspecting there was a basement. Even Faith and Jimmy had no idea about the secret room under the house. In fact, Jimmy loved to lean on this particular wall, which remained solid as long as he believed it was. Once you knew that the wall did not really exist, you knew better than to lean on it. I stepped through the wall and climbed down the the spiral staircase which (according to the people we were to meet) was made from alabaster, a whitish marble-like substance. I reached the bottom into the room that Melvin and I had hollowed out with powerful magic in secret. There was an otherwordly feel to the room, which was expected since that was the reason why the room was made. It was completely dark, except for Melvin's magic lights floating around. Amethyst and Zephyr came down the stairs shortly after I did and announced in unison, "It is time."
Melvin's lights disappeared, plunging the room into pitch darkness. I sat on the floor, which had a carpet of soft, dried herbs about two inches thick. It was comfortable and the smell of the specially chosen herbs help to calm the mind. The lavender, specifically, was making me drowsy as my mother always wore it while singing me to sleep at night. I closed my eyes and remembered the song she used to sing to me in Gaelic about a two children who discovered that their mother was a mermaid who left them when they were young, but used to come to the shore every so often to see them again, singing to them. I smiled at the fond memory as the familiar words faded from my mind, only to be replaced with a voice I had not heard for a long time, singing a familiar childrens' song: Caithfimid suas is suas Caithfimid suas go heasc i Caithfimid suas is suas i seachain a chroi na pleasc i Deanfaidh si damhs' is damhs' Deanfaidh si damhs' le pleisiur Deanfaidh si damhs' is damh's me fein 'si fein le cheile
It was an old song my father used to sing before he died. It meant something like "We will throw her up and up, we will throw her up easily. We will throw her up and up, hopefully she will not explode. She will dance and dance, she will dance with pleasure. She will dance and dance, myself and herself together." It always made me laugh as a child, and I often longed to hear him sing it. I had found a CD by the Irish vocal group Anuna that had both the songs my parents sung to me, and that particular CD quickly became my favourite. I missed my father, but not so much anymore since I moved on, but I cherished my step-father and my two kid step-sisters. I was lost in the dream-like memory for a while until the room shone a faint green light. I could see Melvin rubbing his eyes, as though he had just woken up and I knew he had been in the same reverie as I had.
"You both have had memories of your past," a soft, deep voice spoke. "I know what you have seen, but I would have you reveal those memories to each other."
Melvin and I nodded, and by unspoken agreement, he started first. He told me what he had remembered about times down at a candy store when he would sneak a few of the sugary treats into his pockets, and how the shopkeepers had always known but closed their eyes to it. And how his father had brought his older brother and him into the plane's cockpit to look at all the instruments. Melvin's father was a pilot until his plane had crashed due to the ground crew doing slip-shod work that had cost the lives of hundreds of people. Melvin smiled when he was done, and nodded his head for me to start. I told him about my own memories while he kept completely silent. When I was done, the deep voice spoke again.
"It is time, then."
The green light paled and became a very light shade of blue that was almost white. The room was filled with a soft grey mist which cleared to reveal three figures standing in front of us. The one in the centre, the largest of the three, stepped forward. He had a regal bearing about him, despite the fact that he only wore a short tunic that barely covered the area below his hips.
"I see he bought you a harp," the man said, looking on the harp with approval. "It is very well made."
He walked over to the harp and bent over it, whispering something to it. It glowed for a moment in a colour that was beyond human definition. The the large man nodded slowly.
"It is my gift to you," he said to Melvin. Melvin and I glanced at each other, not understanding at first. Then as the man turned to walk back to where he was standing originally, I saw his tunic lift slighty to reveal his butt. Then I remembered who he was. My eyes widened at recognition and Melvin looked puzzled for a moment. Then he understood and his jaw fell open. We were not permitted to speak unless a question was directed at us, but Melvin was slowly mouthing to me, "That's the Dagda!"
I nodded excitedly as the second figure to the right of the Dagda stepped forward. He seemed to be made entirely of flame, and was various shades of red and orange that looked like wisps of light woven through him. His eyes were a bright blue, and were gentle and kind.
"Who am I?" he asked. I closed my eyes to remember.
"You are Solus," I replied, my eyes still closed.
"That is my name," Solus replied. "But who am I?"
Melvin and I looked at each other, unsure of what to reply. Melvin looked at Solus and said, "We do not know."
Solus nodded. "Truthful answer. Then let me ask you this: who are you?"
I sensed clearly that the question was directed at me. I answered, "I'm Dylan."
"Again, that is your name," Solus said. "But who are you?"
I could not answer. I did not know how to answer. I just stared at Solus with a blank look on my face. Who am I? I asked myself. I could not think of any other answer than the one I had just given. Solus read my mind, and nodded slowly. "Until you can answer that question, your magic will be taken from you. There are three parts to that answer, that is all I will say. Now leave, for what happens now are for Melvin only."
I nodded as I stood, then bowed. I climbed up the stairs, Amethyst and Zephyr following close behind me. I stepped through the wall into the kitchen and sat on a chair, pondering Solus' words. Amethyst and Zephyr turned invisible and left me to sit and ponder the question. After about half an hour, Melvin finally came out of the basement. He was smiling happily.
"So what happened?" I asked, forcing a smile to my face. Melvin winked at me. "I can't say."
He noticed immediately that I was upset and pulled a chair over next to me. Trying to lie to him was like trying to hide a bonfire with a glass cage. Both of us could see right through each other.
"Why did Solus take my powers from me?" I asked, voicing my question.
"Because he needs you to learn something," Melvin replied. "I can't tell you any more than that. But you will figure out the answer soon enough. Until then, know that you are never alone."
I felt a tear of disappointment drip down my face. Melvin put his arm around me and squeezed me tight. Then he leaned over and kissed me on the lips again. When he pulled off, he said, "That's probably the last time I'm going to do that. I don't want to ruin your relationship with Justin, and I don't want to make you think that I'm leading you on, because I'm not."
"I know," I said, really meaning it. "It's nothing more than a kiss between friends."
Melvin smiled, and I smiled back. Then I suddenly felt sleepy, and I yawned. "I'm going back to my room to sleep for a while more. Wake me at lunch."
The rest of the day had passed uneventfully. The guys had relaxed with us in front of the Playstation, then later for a movie (Jurassic Park 2: The Lost World) before we had dinner. They had left that evening after dinner to get ready for the tour the next day. I was so excited that I could hardly sleep, but I managed to fall asleep just the same. I woke up the next morning feeling super-charged and energetic, as well as highly nervous. We had managed to hire a seperate truck or container of some sort (my mind was too foggy to remember full details of ANYTHING!) to carry a whole lot of Ocean Whispers' instruments. And Reuben managed to talk them into squeezing Melvin's harp in at the last minute. We were to meet everyone else for the tour at some location (which, like I said, I hardly remembered because of the haze of excitement) and we were going to leave from there. It was exhilarating, frightening. I was nervous and hyper the whole day, much to Reuben's annoyance.
"Will you sit still?!" he finally screamed in frustration. I was fidgeting the whole way, and it was upsetting him. I think he was trying to cope with the fact that he'd be on a bus for about three or so months. And knowing Reuben, the less time on a vehicle, any vehicle, the better off for everyone else.
"I think I'm gonna be sick," he said, shaking his head. "I'm gonna get horrible motion sickness like the last time, and I'm gonna puke all over the place."
"I just hope that the bus has a toilet of some sort on it," Brian grinned. "At the rate I'm drinking, I'll be needing one every fifteen minutes. Oops, gotta go pee again."
"How are we getting to the compound?" Edwin asked.
"They're sending a limo in ten minutes," Joy said as she paced the room in anticipation. Melvin was scratching his chin, like he always does when he's excited, nervous or thinking. The only person who seemed calm and relaxed was Diane, mostly because she had fallen asleep on the couch. I jumped when the doorbell rang, and Reuben answered it. It was Joey.
"Good morning," he smiled. "Ready to go?"
We heard the toilet flush, the Brian came out. "Oh, we're leaving now?"
"Yeah," Reuben said. Muffin trotted into the room, followed closely by Jelly. Muffin whined at Reuben, who bent down in front of his puppy and patted her head. "I'll see you in a few months, okay? Be good and don't give Faith any problems."
I picked Jelly up. "You be good now, you hear?"
She meowed as though agreeing, and I put her back on the ground. She immediately bolted up the stairs to go to sleep in her basket. We walked out to the limos and met Cynthia, who directed us to our limos. Joey, Melvin, Joy and I got into the first limo, while Reuben, Brian, Diane and Edwin went to the other one.
"So how're you feeling?" Joey asked, his face shining with anticipation. "Excited?"
"A little nervous," I said. "And a slight worry that we'll flop somehow."
Joey grinned. "I know that feeling. Don't worry, you get used to it after a while."
Cynthia climbed into our limo shortly after. "Okay, we're ready to go."
The limo started to move, and my heart started beating faster. Cynthia glanced at some papers for a moment, then looked up. "I already told this to the people in the other limo, and Johnny is telling the rest of Nsync at the compound. This tour is ending in early May, and we're trying to save a little more funds this time round because Nsync has another tour scheduled from the end of May until mid-August."
"And only a month break in between?" Joey sighed. "That sucks."
"Yes, well," Cynthia said, miffed at being interrupted, "that means we'll be saving money this tour. We have two buses to bring the groups around, but there are only six beds in each bus. Since Johnny felt that putting just one member of Ocean Whispers with Nsync might make them feel out of place, we've scrambled the the sleeping positions. Basically, truck one will contain Joey, Justin, Dylan, Melvin, Joy and Diane, and truck two will hold everyone else."
"Sounds okay," Joey nodded. I leaned back, relieved that I had Justin and Melvin together on the same bus.
"Also, during times when you're in hotels, we've reserved two three-bedroom suites," Cynthia continued. "The occupants of the suites will be the same arrangement as the buses. Unfortunately, the bedrooms in each suite only come with double beds, so you'll have to share with your roommates. Diane and Joy will sleep together. We don't want any rumours to be flying around of the girls sharing rooms with any of the guys. Joey, I hope you don't mind rooming with Melvin, since Dylan will be sharing with Justin. Is everything clear?"
"Crystal," Melvin said. Cynthia nodded, her slight scowl still etched on her face, and I wondered if it was permanent.
"Okay, good, because we're here," she said as the limo came to a halt. She got out in a rush, leaving the rest of us inside.
"Oh, Dylan," Joey said as I got up. "I already spoke to Justin. He's not angry anymore, but I think you should talk to him or something."
I smiled. "Thanks Joey."
"Hey, no problem," Joey smiled. "That's what friends are for."
I stepped out of the limo, and almost immediately was hugged by Justin. I smiled, and hugged back.
"I'm sorry about over-reacting yesterday," Justin whispered. "Joey explained that you didn't expect anything, and he witnessed the whole thing. I guess I was just upset because you and Melvin are really close. That and the fact that he's a really hot guy."
I grinned, knowing how true that was. "Justin, don't worry, okay? You just have to trust me."
"I'll work that out," Justin said, smiling. "Now may I have my first kiss with you?"
"Why not?" I grinned, leaning forward. Justin's and my lips met, and I felt my heart skip a beat. If Melvin's surprise kiss had been enjoyable, Justin's was out of this world. I don't know how long we were locked together, but I heard Chris laughing when we pulled apart.
"I think you guys just set a new world record!"
"Mind you own business, shorty," Justin laughed, thwapping Chris on his shoulder.
"Watch it, Justin," Chris laughed. "If you're not careful, Dylan's going to be pretty unsatisfied with you."
The atmosphere was full of good-natured teasing and laughing and general bonding. While Justin was playing an impromptu tag with Chris (man, Chris could run!), I chatted a while with Lance about boyfriends in general, and it went from there to family. Melvin joined us a little later, sweating from a one-on-one basketball game with JC, in which the latter had thrashed him twelve to zero. Pretty soon, we were sharing our lives' most embarrassing moments with each other, and laughing. After a long while, we were told that we were ready to leave. We boarded our respective buses, which seemed more like portable hotel rooms rather than buses. Joy and Diane were talking about make-up and shoes, comparing outfits that they brought with them. They walked into the areas where the beds were and continued their discussion there, while Joey, Justin, Melvin and I sat in the "living room" of the bus and chatted.
"Oh yeah, I forgot to ask," Justin said suddenly, "How long ago did you guys become wizards?"
Melvin and I frowned immediately. Justin blinked at us in confusion. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Not really," I said, shaking my head. "It's just that neither of us like wizards very much. We're witches, not wizards, and the two are very different."
"What's the difference?" Justin asked.
"Magicians control the elements to their will," Melvin said. "They are 'masters' in that sense. Witches don't control the elements. We work with them. For us, it's a partnership."
"Just let me say that if I see a wizard, I won't be very friendly towards them," I scowled. "Wizards and witches generally don't get along well with each other. I don't know what their argument is, but our argument is that wizards rarely have a code of ethics. They control magic to their ends."
"Witches work for mutual benefit of both parties," Melvin said.
"Both parties?" Joey asked. "What do you mean?"
"We choose a goal that mutually benefits ourselves, and our power sources," I explained. "Either that or they agree to do what we ask, but we do something for them in return as a way of thanks."
"Can't you just say 'thank you' and leave it at that?" Justin asked.
"Nope," I said. "Saying that implies that that's the end of the working relationship. It's like saying 'your job is done, we have no need of you anymore'. It's just basic information."
"Some basic information," Joey said, rubbing his temples. "This world is starting to seem very illogical suddenly. Give me a few seconds to grab onto whatever rational thought I can."
"Okay, I know you live in a rational world," I said.
"It's only normal for you to reason with things," Melvin continued.
"But don't bother," I grinned.
"Set practicality aside," Melvin smiled.
"When you work with faeries, you'll see how silly the concept of logic is altogether," I explained.
"It will all make sense when you get there," Melvin nodded sagely. We looked at Joey's and Justin's stunned and confused faces, then we burst out laughing.
"Did you two rehearse that?" Joey asked. "You seemed so natural, one after the other, just like that."
"You lost the meaning on me somewhere," Justin pouted. We all laughed for a while, then continued chatting. We set up the Playstation (how they got the TV to stay put while the bus bumped was a complete mystery to me) and played a few games, and before we knew it, we were in Miami.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------ To be continued... comments, questions? Email dylan@celticwarrior.com