Homeless AU Part 3
Feb. 29th, 2004 07:57 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsAnother part of this. Again same things apply, this is very much a WIP and as such unbetaed. Parts may change when I do get it beta read, but feel free to read. It's the comments I'm getting that make writing this so enjoyable.
Hope people enjoy it as much as the first two parts.
Part 1 is here
Part 2 is here
Chris wakes when the sun shines in his face. He yawns, rubs at his eyes, then gently detangles himself from JC’s hold. Squirming from under the blankets Chris kneels then covers JC back up as he mumbles in his sleep. Each movement is painful as Chris backs out of their shelter; his muscles stiff after yet another night sleeping on the hard ground so he stands and stretches, grimacing as his joints pop into place.
“Damn, that’s nasty.” Joey says and Chris flips him off as he continues to stretch. Joey grins in response and keeps putting magazines into his bag, singing softly to himself as he works.
Rubbing at his eyes again, Chris bends and looks in at Justin and Lance. They’re curled so tight he can hardly tell one from another, but he can see their hands, tightly clenched together as if they have to touch even in sleep.
“You taking them today?” Joey has stopped packing his magazines and is looking at Chris.
“Guess so. It’s not like I can leave them alone. Elroy saw Justin yesterday, that fucker was going to try it on before I got in his face.” Chris moves to sit next to Joey and picks a magazine off the pile, scanning through it even though he’s read it cover to cover multiple times already.
“Elroy? I thought that freak was still in jail.” Joey sounds concerned and Chris shares the sentiment.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just pleased I was walking past when Justin ran into him. The stupid kid stood there and grinned at him. Elroy was practically drooling.” Chris scowls at the memory, foot tapping in agitation. “I’m gonna talk to them today, see if I can get them to go home.”
“What about your spot? You know someone will take it if you’re not there.” Joey says, then falls quiet, obviously thinking as he packs the last of his magazines. “They can come with me. It’ll be okay.”
Chris is tempted. The last thing he wants to do is convince the kids they have to go home, but they’re his responsibility, and Joey needs to work. He can’t sell his magazines and watch those two at the same time. “No, it’s okay. They can come with me and hang, be my ready made audience. Hell, maybe it’ll encourage other people to stop.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” Chris says it to convince himself as much as Joey, then puts the magazine he’s holding into the bag before standing. “I’m gonna go wake, JC. You want to get those two up?”
“Sure.” Joey stands and looks into the new shelter. Chris hears him say Come on, you have to get up and Justin complains, saying he doesn’t want to. Chris laughs to himself then ducks into his shelter. JC has cocooned himself in the blankets, the top of his head the only part of him visible so Chris lies next to him, pulling the blankets down so he can see his face.
“JC. JC. You have to get up.” Chris shakes JC gently then moves so he’s only inches from JC’s face. “JC. Come on, you have to get up now if you want to get washed.”
JC says something, Chris doesn’t know what, it sounds like gibberish muffled in the blankets, so he moves closer still, kissing JC on the lips. “Come on, JC. It’s morning and we need to get moving soon.”
At last JC opens sleepy heavy lidded eyes. He squints and yawns before smiling, the huge crinkled eyed grin that Chris loves so much. “Hey. Morning.”
JC pushes the blankets down further so his arms are free and pulls Chris into a tight hug. He kisses him softly, his tongue ghosting across Chris’ lips, slipping inside for a moment and Chris willingly opens his mouth.
“Jeeze, you two. There’s kids here you know.” Joey says, expression amused as he peers into their shelter.
Justin is standing next to him, eyes wide. “I’m not a kid, and hey, don’t stop on my account.” Chris pretends he doesn’t see the blatant curiosity on Justin’s face, hoping it’ll put Justin off from asking questions, but somehow he knows it’s a futile hope.
“You are so a kid, now go and see if Lance is up. We need to go soon.” Joey pulls Justin away with a wink and JC laughs against Chris’ skin. “Did you see his face? Poor baby.”
Chris laughs too, but stops before backing out of the shelter. Justin is sitting on the ground, bag in his lap as he rummages through it. Lance is next to him, hair sticking up in all directions. He’s holding his case again, and Chris wonders what’s inside that’s so important.
“So where do we shower?” Justin asks as he pulls out a wash bag. Chris just looks at him, unable to speak. Eventually JC replies, expression soft as he explains.
“We don’t.” Justin looks horrified and JC hurries to reassure him. “It’s okay, there’s a public bathroom close by. We go there and wash up. The attendant turns a blind eye as long as we clean up and get out before the real users start to arrive. It’s good, there’s hot water and sometimes there’s this pink soap that smells nice.”
“I have to shower.” Justin looks like he’s on the verge of tears and JC is chewing on his fingers with distress. Angry words flood Chris’ mind and he clenches his fists, fingernails digging into flesh until he can speak without shouting.
“Well you can’t. This is the best we can do. You either do it this way or do without.” The words are harsh and Chris hates the way Justin recoils from them before looking at the ground. Lance reaches for Justin’s shoulder, squeezing it and Justin looks up.
“Okay.” He sounds resigned and it’s only JC’s hand on Chris’ waist that stops him walking away. Chris has just seen Justin’s innocence crack a little more and he’s the cause. It hurts but Chris knows it’s only the beginning, and that hurts even more.
“It’s not that bad, really.” Joey pats Justin on the arm. “You’ll get used to it. Then when we’re done we’ll go get breakfast.”
Justin forces a smile and JC smiles back before pulling a small bag printed with sunflowers out of their shelter. “Here, put your wash stuff in with ours. You too, Lance.”
“It’s okay, I’ll take this.” Lance is shaking his head, holding onto his case even tighter.
Chris is about to argue but Lance is glaring. There’s no way he’s going to leave his case and they don’t have time to persuade him. “Okay, fine. It just means you have to drag it around all day.”
Shaking his head, Chris checks the shelters one last time, making sure the plastic covers the blankets then moves toward the fence. At the entrance he jumps and peeks over the top. There’s no one coming so he pulls the loose section aside and slides out. JC follows within seconds then Justin. They have to drag Lance’s case through again but Chris says nothing, just starts walking quickly as soon as Joey hides the entrance.
“Hey, wait up.” JC runs to catch up so Chris slows his pace until they’re walking hip to hip. JC says nothing at first, but Chris can tell he wants to. “He’s a kid, that’s all.”
“I know.” Chris replies and he does know. Justin’s a kid and he should be at home where he can shower and sleep in a real bed and eat as much as he wants. Lance too, they shouldn’t be here. “I’m going to try and make them go home.”
JC looks sympathetic. “I hope you can. But don’t be mad if they won’t. There’s worse things than being homeless, you know?”
“I know.” Chris reaches for JC’s hand. Looks around then stretches so he can quickly kiss him on his lips. “I won’t get mad, but if there’s a possibility of them going back they have to.”
JC doesn’t reply, just sighs and leans against Chris when they stop to let the others catch up who’re slower because of Lance’s case and the heavy bag of magazine that Joey carries. When they’re together JC knocks on the door to the public restrooms. Chris hears footsteps then the door’s opened wide by Brad who lets them in. He says nothing when he sees Justin and Lance, just gives his usual smile before going back to his small attendant’s room. As far as Brad’s concerned they can do what they like as long as he doesn’t see them doing it.
Chris immediately turns on the hot water faucet at a sink, letting the water heat up as he strips off his black t-shirt and jeans. He hangs them over a cubicle door then pulls handfuls of paper towels from the dispenser. Chris hears JC hum happily and knows there’s pink soap today. He’s glad about that, he hates when he has to wash with nothing but water.
The water’s steaming so Chris wets the towels, using them to scub at his body. JC and Joey are doing the same, both of them stripped to their underwear. Joey is singing again – some show tune this time – and JC’s joining in even though he doesn’t know the words. Chris starts to join in too; he loves this time, when they’re warm and semi clean. He loves the feel of hot water against his skin and the smell of soap and toothpaste. They usually joke and sing, all of them carefree in the precious minutes before they have to pull on dirty clothes.
“I have shampoo.” Chris looks up and sees Lance holding out a bottle. JC is wide eyed, practically vibrating as he takes it. Shampoo is a rare luxury, what little money they do get goes on essentials like food.
“Thank you.” JC says. He hugs Lance then sticks his head in the sink, soaking his hair. He’s stopped singing, just makes sighs of contentment as he lathers his hair over and over before rinsing it. Chris can’t stop watching him, he looks beautiful, all sharp lines and skin beaded with water. Justin watches too until Lance nudges him sharply before rolling his eyes at Chris. Chris laughs out loud, ignoring Justin’s injured expression, instead concentrating on JC who’s squeezing his hair out over the sink.
“Come here.” JC beckons to Chris then pushes him so he’s bent over the sink. Chris shivers when he feels the water flow over his head then JC’s hands massaging shampoo into his hair. JC is standing directly behind Chris, his groin pressing against Chris’ ass. Chris can feel JC’s erection pressing against him and he quickly becomes hard himself.
Hands gripping the sink, Chris concentrates on Justin and Lance’s feet, trying not to shiver as JC moves as he massages then rinses Chris’ hair. At last JC says he’s done and Chris stands, flushing when he sees Justin staring at him.
“You not getting washed?” Chris glares then feels bad when Justin starts to pull off his clothes without a word. Lance is silent too, moving to a sink at the back of the rest room before washing himself with a small towel he takes from his case.
JC offers to wash Justin’s hair but he says no, face bright red as he avoids Chris’ gaze. JC shrugs, going to Joey as Chris pulls on his clothes, grimacing at their dirty feel and musty smell.
“I’m sorry.” Chris turns and sees Justin looking at him. He looks so subdued that Chris feels like he’s kicked a puppy.
“You’ve nothing to be sorry for.” And he hasn’t, Chris knows that. “You’ll soon learn, that is if you stay here.”
“We’re staying.” Justin sounds adamant and Chris knows it’s useless to try and make them go home, but he has to try anyway.
“Look, living rough isn’t a place for kids like you two. I bet your parents are looking for you.”
“I doubt it.” Justin’s eyes tear up again as he quickly looks at Lance then back to Chris. “We can’t go back, believe me.”
Chris does believe him, but he has to try one more time. “Why? What’s so bad that you had to run away?”
Justin doesn’t speak just looks at the floor as Chris watches him. Then he looks up and his eyes reflect so much pain that Chris almost recoils from it. “I’ll tell you, but not here. It’s Lance’s story to tell too.”
“Okay, we’ll be going for breakfast after this, tell me then.” Chris feels bad that he’s pushing so hard. So he gives Justin a quick smile before going to dry his hair under the blowers. Chris needs to know their story, it’s the only way he can protect them.
Hope people enjoy it as much as the first two parts.
Part 1 is here
Part 2 is here
Chris wakes when the sun shines in his face. He yawns, rubs at his eyes, then gently detangles himself from JC’s hold. Squirming from under the blankets Chris kneels then covers JC back up as he mumbles in his sleep. Each movement is painful as Chris backs out of their shelter; his muscles stiff after yet another night sleeping on the hard ground so he stands and stretches, grimacing as his joints pop into place.
“Damn, that’s nasty.” Joey says and Chris flips him off as he continues to stretch. Joey grins in response and keeps putting magazines into his bag, singing softly to himself as he works.
Rubbing at his eyes again, Chris bends and looks in at Justin and Lance. They’re curled so tight he can hardly tell one from another, but he can see their hands, tightly clenched together as if they have to touch even in sleep.
“You taking them today?” Joey has stopped packing his magazines and is looking at Chris.
“Guess so. It’s not like I can leave them alone. Elroy saw Justin yesterday, that fucker was going to try it on before I got in his face.” Chris moves to sit next to Joey and picks a magazine off the pile, scanning through it even though he’s read it cover to cover multiple times already.
“Elroy? I thought that freak was still in jail.” Joey sounds concerned and Chris shares the sentiment.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just pleased I was walking past when Justin ran into him. The stupid kid stood there and grinned at him. Elroy was practically drooling.” Chris scowls at the memory, foot tapping in agitation. “I’m gonna talk to them today, see if I can get them to go home.”
“What about your spot? You know someone will take it if you’re not there.” Joey says, then falls quiet, obviously thinking as he packs the last of his magazines. “They can come with me. It’ll be okay.”
Chris is tempted. The last thing he wants to do is convince the kids they have to go home, but they’re his responsibility, and Joey needs to work. He can’t sell his magazines and watch those two at the same time. “No, it’s okay. They can come with me and hang, be my ready made audience. Hell, maybe it’ll encourage other people to stop.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” Chris says it to convince himself as much as Joey, then puts the magazine he’s holding into the bag before standing. “I’m gonna go wake, JC. You want to get those two up?”
“Sure.” Joey stands and looks into the new shelter. Chris hears him say Come on, you have to get up and Justin complains, saying he doesn’t want to. Chris laughs to himself then ducks into his shelter. JC has cocooned himself in the blankets, the top of his head the only part of him visible so Chris lies next to him, pulling the blankets down so he can see his face.
“JC. JC. You have to get up.” Chris shakes JC gently then moves so he’s only inches from JC’s face. “JC. Come on, you have to get up now if you want to get washed.”
JC says something, Chris doesn’t know what, it sounds like gibberish muffled in the blankets, so he moves closer still, kissing JC on the lips. “Come on, JC. It’s morning and we need to get moving soon.”
At last JC opens sleepy heavy lidded eyes. He squints and yawns before smiling, the huge crinkled eyed grin that Chris loves so much. “Hey. Morning.”
JC pushes the blankets down further so his arms are free and pulls Chris into a tight hug. He kisses him softly, his tongue ghosting across Chris’ lips, slipping inside for a moment and Chris willingly opens his mouth.
“Jeeze, you two. There’s kids here you know.” Joey says, expression amused as he peers into their shelter.
Justin is standing next to him, eyes wide. “I’m not a kid, and hey, don’t stop on my account.” Chris pretends he doesn’t see the blatant curiosity on Justin’s face, hoping it’ll put Justin off from asking questions, but somehow he knows it’s a futile hope.
“You are so a kid, now go and see if Lance is up. We need to go soon.” Joey pulls Justin away with a wink and JC laughs against Chris’ skin. “Did you see his face? Poor baby.”
Chris laughs too, but stops before backing out of the shelter. Justin is sitting on the ground, bag in his lap as he rummages through it. Lance is next to him, hair sticking up in all directions. He’s holding his case again, and Chris wonders what’s inside that’s so important.
“So where do we shower?” Justin asks as he pulls out a wash bag. Chris just looks at him, unable to speak. Eventually JC replies, expression soft as he explains.
“We don’t.” Justin looks horrified and JC hurries to reassure him. “It’s okay, there’s a public bathroom close by. We go there and wash up. The attendant turns a blind eye as long as we clean up and get out before the real users start to arrive. It’s good, there’s hot water and sometimes there’s this pink soap that smells nice.”
“I have to shower.” Justin looks like he’s on the verge of tears and JC is chewing on his fingers with distress. Angry words flood Chris’ mind and he clenches his fists, fingernails digging into flesh until he can speak without shouting.
“Well you can’t. This is the best we can do. You either do it this way or do without.” The words are harsh and Chris hates the way Justin recoils from them before looking at the ground. Lance reaches for Justin’s shoulder, squeezing it and Justin looks up.
“Okay.” He sounds resigned and it’s only JC’s hand on Chris’ waist that stops him walking away. Chris has just seen Justin’s innocence crack a little more and he’s the cause. It hurts but Chris knows it’s only the beginning, and that hurts even more.
“It’s not that bad, really.” Joey pats Justin on the arm. “You’ll get used to it. Then when we’re done we’ll go get breakfast.”
Justin forces a smile and JC smiles back before pulling a small bag printed with sunflowers out of their shelter. “Here, put your wash stuff in with ours. You too, Lance.”
“It’s okay, I’ll take this.” Lance is shaking his head, holding onto his case even tighter.
Chris is about to argue but Lance is glaring. There’s no way he’s going to leave his case and they don’t have time to persuade him. “Okay, fine. It just means you have to drag it around all day.”
Shaking his head, Chris checks the shelters one last time, making sure the plastic covers the blankets then moves toward the fence. At the entrance he jumps and peeks over the top. There’s no one coming so he pulls the loose section aside and slides out. JC follows within seconds then Justin. They have to drag Lance’s case through again but Chris says nothing, just starts walking quickly as soon as Joey hides the entrance.
“Hey, wait up.” JC runs to catch up so Chris slows his pace until they’re walking hip to hip. JC says nothing at first, but Chris can tell he wants to. “He’s a kid, that’s all.”
“I know.” Chris replies and he does know. Justin’s a kid and he should be at home where he can shower and sleep in a real bed and eat as much as he wants. Lance too, they shouldn’t be here. “I’m going to try and make them go home.”
JC looks sympathetic. “I hope you can. But don’t be mad if they won’t. There’s worse things than being homeless, you know?”
“I know.” Chris reaches for JC’s hand. Looks around then stretches so he can quickly kiss him on his lips. “I won’t get mad, but if there’s a possibility of them going back they have to.”
JC doesn’t reply, just sighs and leans against Chris when they stop to let the others catch up who’re slower because of Lance’s case and the heavy bag of magazine that Joey carries. When they’re together JC knocks on the door to the public restrooms. Chris hears footsteps then the door’s opened wide by Brad who lets them in. He says nothing when he sees Justin and Lance, just gives his usual smile before going back to his small attendant’s room. As far as Brad’s concerned they can do what they like as long as he doesn’t see them doing it.
Chris immediately turns on the hot water faucet at a sink, letting the water heat up as he strips off his black t-shirt and jeans. He hangs them over a cubicle door then pulls handfuls of paper towels from the dispenser. Chris hears JC hum happily and knows there’s pink soap today. He’s glad about that, he hates when he has to wash with nothing but water.
The water’s steaming so Chris wets the towels, using them to scub at his body. JC and Joey are doing the same, both of them stripped to their underwear. Joey is singing again – some show tune this time – and JC’s joining in even though he doesn’t know the words. Chris starts to join in too; he loves this time, when they’re warm and semi clean. He loves the feel of hot water against his skin and the smell of soap and toothpaste. They usually joke and sing, all of them carefree in the precious minutes before they have to pull on dirty clothes.
“I have shampoo.” Chris looks up and sees Lance holding out a bottle. JC is wide eyed, practically vibrating as he takes it. Shampoo is a rare luxury, what little money they do get goes on essentials like food.
“Thank you.” JC says. He hugs Lance then sticks his head in the sink, soaking his hair. He’s stopped singing, just makes sighs of contentment as he lathers his hair over and over before rinsing it. Chris can’t stop watching him, he looks beautiful, all sharp lines and skin beaded with water. Justin watches too until Lance nudges him sharply before rolling his eyes at Chris. Chris laughs out loud, ignoring Justin’s injured expression, instead concentrating on JC who’s squeezing his hair out over the sink.
“Come here.” JC beckons to Chris then pushes him so he’s bent over the sink. Chris shivers when he feels the water flow over his head then JC’s hands massaging shampoo into his hair. JC is standing directly behind Chris, his groin pressing against Chris’ ass. Chris can feel JC’s erection pressing against him and he quickly becomes hard himself.
Hands gripping the sink, Chris concentrates on Justin and Lance’s feet, trying not to shiver as JC moves as he massages then rinses Chris’ hair. At last JC says he’s done and Chris stands, flushing when he sees Justin staring at him.
“You not getting washed?” Chris glares then feels bad when Justin starts to pull off his clothes without a word. Lance is silent too, moving to a sink at the back of the rest room before washing himself with a small towel he takes from his case.
JC offers to wash Justin’s hair but he says no, face bright red as he avoids Chris’ gaze. JC shrugs, going to Joey as Chris pulls on his clothes, grimacing at their dirty feel and musty smell.
“I’m sorry.” Chris turns and sees Justin looking at him. He looks so subdued that Chris feels like he’s kicked a puppy.
“You’ve nothing to be sorry for.” And he hasn’t, Chris knows that. “You’ll soon learn, that is if you stay here.”
“We’re staying.” Justin sounds adamant and Chris knows it’s useless to try and make them go home, but he has to try anyway.
“Look, living rough isn’t a place for kids like you two. I bet your parents are looking for you.”
“I doubt it.” Justin’s eyes tear up again as he quickly looks at Lance then back to Chris. “We can’t go back, believe me.”
Chris does believe him, but he has to try one more time. “Why? What’s so bad that you had to run away?”
Justin doesn’t speak just looks at the floor as Chris watches him. Then he looks up and his eyes reflect so much pain that Chris almost recoils from it. “I’ll tell you, but not here. It’s Lance’s story to tell too.”
“Okay, we’ll be going for breakfast after this, tell me then.” Chris feels bad that he’s pushing so hard. So he gives Justin a quick smile before going to dry his hair under the blowers. Chris needs to know their story, it’s the only way he can protect them.
