EPILOGUE The Los Angeles sun managed to find its way through JC’s bedroom window, through a sliver of curtain that hung unevenly. He wiggled under the comforter and grinned sleepily as a hand fell across the small of his back. It was warm, the hand, and comforting all these months later. As the fog had lifted from his world, and he’d explored his mind ... his reality. The old man had been his fears, he realized, a phantom of sorts to taunt him, beat him down. Sides of his persona tearing him apart until he could face what he needed, what he deserved. Bobbee had been tight lipped as she packed her make up and random items from his home. She’d paused long enough to slap his face and throw the house key at him before storming away. Laura had fared much better, realizing how precious time and life was. She’d given Lance her blessing, and pecked JC on the cheek. “He’s wonderful. You’re a lucky man,” she’d said before sitting down to pizza and beer with them. And now JC saw all that was wrong with what he’d done .. and how time and patience really does win out over all. Now, as he nuzzled closer to Lance and stared intently at the brown eyelashes that fluttered in slumber, he realized how Lance was just as frightened as he was .. how dragging him to those appointments was done out of some sense of guilt and repentance. How his abrupt absence had been a way to distance himself from uncertain feelings -- feelings that scared the hell out of him. Slowly, they gained trust, and love. And slowly they tumbled into a relationship .. one neither could have imagined. “You awake?” JC whispered, rubbing his nose against Lance’s. Lance’s lips curled at the sides and his nose wrinkled, but his eyes remained closed. JC’s heart beat faster as his hands slipped under the sheets to graze Lance’s stomach. He never tired of his hand against Lance’s flesh, how warm and smooth it always seemed to be. He never tired of the tiny sighs that fell from Lance’s mouth, or the way his hair crushed to the pillow. JC never stopped staring at Lance, or thanking God for him. There was a lustful transformation, however, as JC’s hand slid further down, past Lance’s navel. He treasured the fine line of hair that Lance boasted, and sighed sleepily as his fingertips trailed over it. “Lance? You awake?” And Lance smiled a little wider as JC’s hand drifted down further to stroke his erection. “I am now,” he mumbled, rolling onto his back. JC learned that it was never boring with Lance, that there was never a time he sighed out of boredom, or regret. It was fresh everyday, and everyday he took a moment to cherish his life, and the second chance he‘d been given. It puzzled him, at times, why his mind had created that old man, even though he was told time and time again that stress had played a heavy factor .. that holding down feelings for Lance, and being on the road had urged his body to take on a Satan figure. To plunge and have something to blame if it backfired. His hand traced over Lance’s cock, tracing the head with his fingertip as he curled closer, brushing his lips against the jaw line he’d come to adore so much. He watched through narrowed eyes as Lance’s lips fell open, and felt Lance’s body jerk as his thumb brushed in just the right spot. “Are you happy?” JC whispered, licking a trail up Lance’s jaw to his ear. “I’m happy,” Lance purred, stretching his arms over his head. “So happy.” “I want you to be,” JC said, nibbling on Lance’s earlobe. He tightened his grip on Lance, knowing just how Lance liked to be touched, savoring and retaining each shred of information so he could please Lance forever. “I am. I promise.” His words fell into a moan and JC climbed over him. “Good,” JC smiled, bending to slide his tongue over Lance’s lips. “That’s very good.” He loved the way Lance arched into him, and the way Lance’s arms wrapped around his neck. And when he pressed his mouth against Lance’s, it was a slow exchange of emotions -- a thank you and a your welcome all in one. There was no part of Lance JC didn’t love, and explore day to day. He let his body push against Lance’s and brushed his hand along Lance’s face gently, moving his mouth down to the hollow of his neck. Pressing open kisses along the warm flesh. JC swam with each inch he moved, and he adored licking Lance’s nipples because he’d learned that was a spot that no one ever touched on Lance before. So he paid special attention, and felt the throb of Lance’s cock quicken against him as he ran his tongue around them. “I love when you do that,” Lance whispered lowly, and JC could only smile, because it was right. And there was no Satan anymore to take from him, to punish him. His dream had come through, and as he moved down Lance’s body, he felt his heart leap. Nuzzling his nose into Lance’s belly button, he could feel his own erection strain between his legs. But time was the name of the game. And he felt lucky to have it. So he dipped lower as Lance’s hands tangled in his hair, and fire swam through his blood as he pressed Lance’s cock against his cheek. It was so hot and smooth, and any ounce of pleasure he could send to Lance, he wanted to. Slowly, JC repositioned himself between Lance’s legs, and he took it slow, licking and sucking, rubbing and stroking. “Real good kid.” JC froze and his blood ran cold as the voice hit him. He blinked up in a panic, his heart dropping to his toes. He saw no one but Lance. His precious Lance who was gripping the sheets and licking his lips. “Lance?” JC called out, his voice a mere sliver. “Hmm?” Lance’s eyes opened and he pulled his head up to look down. “Nothing,” JC said, returning his mouth over Lance. He was sure it was his imagination. “He’s got a nice body. I see why you’d give up your voice for it. Total package.” JC jumped, scrambling up the bed, his body tingling. Lance sat up with a start. “JC? What? What’s wrong?” “I don’t feel good,” JC stammered as perspiration broke out over his forehead. “I’m uh ... not .. sure.” He fell back to the pillow and closed his eyes, letting his hand wipe over his face in dread. “It’s okay,” Lance smiled, pulling him close. “Relax. Just relax. I’ll go get you some juice okay?” JC flinched and snatched Lance’s arm. “NO! Don’t leave. Please. Just .. stay okay?” He saw confusion settle in Lance’s eyes, but he also felt Lance pull him closer. “Okay, okay. I’ll stay. You rest.” And he tried, he tried to remind himself that there was simply no way he heard that voice. No fucking way. But he closed his eyes anyway, and pressed his ear against Lance’s chest, and let the rhythmic thudding of his heart send him into a light slumber. He drifted, and minutes later felt hands on his penis, familiar hands, stroking and fondling him to erection. And he felt a mouth, warm and inviting. He moaned into it, sinking his hands under his pillow, quite happy to be left in his hazy state. It was a cool gel against him, and a press. It was his legs being hoisted and a slow smile that curled at his lips. JC didn't’ need to open his eyes to know Lance was going to make love to him. He knew the dance. He scrunched his eyes tighter as Lance pushed his way in, and sighed happily once the rhythm was established. “I knew it would work,” the voice said wickedly. “I always get what I want.” JC’s eyes flew open and he saw Lance grinning down at him, his eyes bright and shimmery, his voice not at all recognizable. “Jesus,” JC hissed. He was stunned as the old man’s voice tumbled from lips he adored. “JESUS!” His blue eyes widened as Lance cocked his head innocently. “You wanted me. I wanted you. We tangle with things to get what we want. It’s the way of the world.” Lance grunted as he pushed in further and licked his lips. “YOU! You did all *this*?” JC cried, watching vacantly as Lance’s body moved inside of him. “I love you, baby,” Lance said, his voice dropping back to normal. “Since forever. And I’ll gladly spend the rest of my life paying in whatever way I can to be with you.” JC paused, expecting to see hellfire and brimstone, and huge crashing cinders aimed at his head. But instead, he saw a glow, and felt a warm rush. And he watched as Lance’s cross slapped against his chest in time with his thrusts. “Not the devil?” he whispered. Lance shook his head, and bent down to kiss his lips. “Hell no. I’m into praying for what I want, JC. Not selling my soul.” “The old man,” JC gasped in confusion. “The old man is in your head,” Lance said between pushes. “I’m in you now. Heart and soul. There is no man,” Lance continued, closing his eyes in concentration. “The deal is sealed and we are one.” JC grew warm as he watched Lance, and saw a mysterious illumination glow over his head. Then he reached up and stroked Lance’s face gently. “Then the lesson is learned,” he smiled, letting his heart settle and his voice be heard. The End menu