homeless AU part 8
Mar. 5th, 2004 06:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
turpsOkay, here it is. No nasty surprises people but this will probably be know as the part Terri lost the plot and copped out.
But read, enjoy, tell me there's no way it could happen that way *g*
Part 1 is here
Part 2 is here
Part 3 is here
Part 4 is here
Part 5 is here
Part 6 is here
Part 7 is here
“Chris? Fuck…”
“Is he?”
“No! No, he’s not.”
“It’s okay, I’ve got you…”
“Will you people get the fuck back!”
“Don’t you dare leave me now…”
“…need to tell me where JC is.”
“Lance, will you get those fuckers back. Get back!”
“…can’t leave me. If you go so’ll JC and I need you both. Hear that you fucker, don’t you dare give up.”
“Damn, Chris. I love you man. Don’t do this to me.”
Chris wants to talk, to tell Joey he’s going nowhere, but all he can do is lie still, cradled in Joey’s arms. He keeps his eyes closed, it’s too much effort to keep them open, and lets his cheek rest against the rough fabric of Joey’s sweater.
Lance is near, Chris can hear him, not so much words but the tone, deep and comforting to his ears, then someone takes his hand, and Chris thinks it’s Lance. But he doesn’t check; he can’t.
“We’re gonna go to the hospital.” Joey says and Chris feels the vibration against his cheek as Joey talks. “Get you fixed up.”
“No.” Chris manages to gasp the word out, forcing it past his dry throat and swollen jaw. “JC.”
“We’ll find him, after you go to the hospital.”
Chris tries to move, weakly struggling in Joey’s arms. “No. Need to find him now.” But Joey’s too strong and won’t let go.
“Listen to me, Chris.” Joey says. “We’ll find JC. Promise. But I can’t look for him while you’re like this, you’re bleeding a hell of a lot.”
The sound of a siren is the last thing Chris hears before he slips into darkness once more.
~*~*~*~
“He’s a John Doe. No ID. He came in with someone but they look off.”
Chris feels hands on his body, pressing, touching, hurting. He wants to shake them off and moves his hand weakly.
“Hey, honey. Are you with us?” A woman’s voice says and Chris feels hands on him again, gentle this time as they touch his arm. “You’re going to be fine. You’re a lucky man, whoever did this to you missed everything important. Someone’s looking after you up there.”
Chris doesn’t feel lucky, he hurts and all he can think of is JC. He tries to open his eyes, but he’s so tired. Chris fights as hard as he can, but it’s a fight he can’t win, and he sleeps once more.
~*~*~*~
“Chris…Chris, wake up.”
Chris groans as someone gently shakes him. Opening his eyes he carefully moves his head, gritting his teeth against the throb in his jaw and belly. Joey is looking down at him, face worried as he looks from Chris to the door.
“I had to sneak in to see you, they were asking me our names earlier, it’s why me and Lance had to leave.” Joey looks away. “I didn’t want to, you were so still, and there was so much blood, but they kept asking. I didn’t want to…”
“Hey, it’s okay, I know.” Chris says as he starts to sit up. Moving makes the pain flare again and he bites back a curse as Joey tries to make him lie down again. “No, help me up. We have to get out of here, now.”
“Chris, you can’t. You’re sick. You need to stay here.” Joey says and he tried to make Chris lie down in bed again.
“I can, and I have to. I can’t pay for this, Joey.” Chris is finally upright and he slowly turns in bed, keeping his body as straight as possible as he pulls the covers back. “And unless you have some money hidden you’ve never told us about I know you can’t either.”
“You could make an arrangement, pay it back week by week.” Joey sounds miserable, but he moves to help Chris turn on the bed so his legs are hanging off the side.
“Yeah right. They’ll really take the dollar a week I could afford to pay them. No, we have to go. Look, I’ll go to the clinic tomorrow and let them check me out.”
“To right you will, I’ll carry you there on my back if I have to. It’s the only reason I’m agreeing to this.”
“Chris looks around the room. “Can you see my clothes anywhere?”
Joey searches the room, quietly opening cupboard doors until he sees Chris’ clothes. He puts them on the bed and Chris blushes as Joey efficiently helps him put on his underwear and pants.
“Your t-shirt’s a bust.” Joey holds up Chris’ t-shirt which is cut in half down the front. “Here, wear this.”
Joey pulls his sweater off and carefully threads Chris’ arms in the sleeves. The sweater is baggy on Joey so it dwarfs Chris, hanging down to mid thigh, but Chris appreciates the warmth.
“Thanks.” Chris looks down at Joey who’s fastening Chris’ sneakers.
“Don’t mention it. You did this and more for me.” Joey says, then stands. “I don’t like this Chris. You look like you could collapse any minute.”
“You don’t have to like it. But I’m walking out of here with or without your help.” Chris stands, almost falling to the bed when a wave of dizziness hits him.
“Yeah, like you can walk out of here alone.” Joey hooks Chris’ arm over his shoulder, making sure it’s on his uninjured side. “I said I’ll help, but you’re going back to the shelter to rest. That’s not up for debate.”
“But JC…” Chris says, and sags against Joey when he remembers crushed chalk and unfinished unicorns.
“JC can take care of himself, you know that. It’s you I’m worried about now.” Joey starts to walk slowly, then stops. “This is stupid, we’re never going to get away at this speed. Stay here, I’m gonna get a wheelchair.”
Joey helps Chris sit again then looks out of the door before quietly walking out. All Chris can do is watch him go, nervously picking at the blankets until Joey comes back into the room, pushing a wheelchair.
“Your ride, sir.” Joey pushes the wheelchair close to the bed then helps Chris sit in it. “You ready? I might have to run so hold tight.”
Chris nods, then looks wide eyed as Joey pulls the blankets from the bed. “You can’t take those.”
“Hey, we need them more than they do.” Joey says, then puts the blankets on Chris’ lap. “I’ll bring then back with the wheelchair if it worries you that much, but we need them, you know we do.”
Chris is torn, he hates the thought of taking things but also knows the blankets are desperately needed. Then he thinks of JC and the way he shivers as they sleep so nods then holds onto the armrest as tight as he can when Joey starts to push him forward and out of the door.
“Hey! You wait!” Someone shouts, Joey curses and starts to run. All Chris can do is hold on as Joey speeds along corridors, taking corners so fast that Chris shuts his eyes.
“Open the door!” Joey yells, and Chris cringes when he opens his eyes to see them hurtling toward the main door. It’s close but the door opens as they get near, and Chris laughs with Joey as they run into the night.
“That was close.” Says Joey, he’s still running but slows down when they’re a few blocks from the hospital. “You okay?”
Chris doesn’t answer at first. He’s too busy trying to breathe without yelling with pain. “I’ll live.”
“Good.” Joey says, he sounds unsure but keeps on walking at a brisk pace. “I’ll take you back to the shelter, Lance and Justin will be going out of their minds by now.”
“Justin.” Chris can’t believe he forgot about him, and he tries to look back at Joey, giving up when pain slices through him again.
“Hey, sit still.” Joey lays a gentle hand on Chris’ shoulder. “Justin’s fine. He was at the shelter when Lance and I went back from the hospital, eating cotton candy.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he got a bit hysterical when we told him what happened. Kept saying it was his fault and he was sorry. Lance slapped him in the end.” Joey stops speaking, and Chris knows he’s thinking. “I don’t get it. JC’s missing, you get mugged and Justin thinks it’s his fault.”
“I didn’t get mugged. It was Elroy.” Chris says and he flinches as Joey’s hand tightens on his shoulder. “He said he was going after JC next, that’s why I have to find him.”
“Fuck!” Joey starts moving again, but faster this time. “But what’s that got to do with Justin?”
“I guess he feels guilty about running away from me to go to the fair.”
“He did what?” Joey questions. He sounds angry and Chris explains.
“He wanted to go to the fair, see the rides and eat some cotton candy. It’s not his fault, Joey. He’s a kid, he wanted some fun.”
“That fun almost got you killed and maybe JC too.”
“But I wasn’t.” Chris says, and he hugs the blankets on his knee close. “And JC’s fine, he’s not dead. I’d know.”
“Chris…” Joey says but Chris cuts him off.
“Don’t. He’s missing but he’s fine, and I’m going to find him.” Chris says no more, and Joey keeps on walking, they both know Chris will find JC if it’s the last thing he does.
~*~*~*~
“Chris.” Lance jumps to his feet and runs toward them. Chris is standing with Joey’s help, and he manages a small smile when Lance stares at him critically. “You look like hell. Why did you let him come home, Joey?”
“Hey, don’t blame me.” Joey holds up one hand. “He insisted.”
“You’re an idiot.” Lance says as he looks at Chris, then he carefully hugs him, resting his head against Chris’ shoulder as he whispers “I was so scared.”
“You’re not the only one.” Chris whispers back. Lance lifts his head and Chris is reminded how young he really is as he sees unshed tears glistening in Lance’s eyes. “I’m okay, a bit battered maybe but I’m fine, believe me.”
Lance looks unsure but says nothing.
“Can you go get the blankets that are on the wheelchair near the fence?” Joey says. Lance looks at him quizzically but goes anyway. “I’m gonna get you settled in your shelter then go look for JC.”
Joey moves but stops when Chris stays still. Chris is looking at the shelters and knows there’s no way he can go in his own without JC. There’s too many reminder of him in there, pictures and clothes, scraps of paper and JC’s favourite blanket. Chris can’t go in -- not yet.
“What’s up?” Joey questions, looking to see what Chris is staring at.
“I can’t…JC.” Chris can’t say anymore, but Joey seems to realise what he means.
“You want to sleep at mine tonight? I’ll get Lance to put the new blankets in.” Joey says, and he changes direction slightly as Chris nods. “I’m going to go look for JC soon, Lance will be here if you need anything.”
Lance walks past with an armful of blankets and Joey points to his own shelter. “Put them in there, make the ground as soft as possible.”
“No problem.” Lance ducks into Joey’s shelter, and Chris can hear him moving around before he shouts. “I’m done.”
Lance and Joey help Chris into the shelter and soon he’s lying on a soft pile of blankets with others piled over him. He hurts, but the pain in his jaw and belly is nothing to the pain in his heart.
“I’m going now.” Joey says, and he bends close to Chris’ face. “If he’s out there I’ll find him.”
“I know.” Chris says, and he does. He trusts Joey completely.
“Look after him.” Joey says to Lance, then with a last look back he ducks out of the shelter. Lance watches the door for a moment then sits next to Chris, careful not to bang against him.
“Where’s Justin?” Chris asks finally, breaking the uneasy silence.
“He’s in our shelter. I think he’s scared to see you.”
Chris bites back a sigh. He doesn’t want to deal with this now, but he can’t let Justin lie alone, thinking he’s hated. “Go tell him to come in here.”
Lance says nothing, just stand and ducks out. Chris hears him enter his own shelter before telling Justin he’s wanted. Chris thinks Justin’s not going to come, but Lance keeps talking and soon Chris looks up to see Justin crouched at the doorway.
Justin looks younger than Chris has ever seen him, eyes red and swollen as he looks at the ground. There’s no way that Chris can stay angry with him, and he pats the space next to him. “Come here then.” Justin looks up slightly and his face crumples as he looks at Chris.
“I’m sorry.” Justin says through his tears before carefully sitting next to Chris. “I wanted to eat cotton candy again, just once. I didn’t think this would happen. I just wanted cotton candy Chris. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Chris pulls his arm from under the blankets and reaches for Justin, holding him in a one armed hug. “I’m good, I don’t blame you.”
“”But JC…” Justin says. His tears are soaking into Joey’s sweater but Chris keeps holding him, letting Justin cry himself out. “He’s missing and…”
“JC’ll be fine.” Chris says it to convince himself as much as Justin. “He’s stronger than he looks, probably stronger than us all.”
“You sure?” Justin doesn’t sound convinced, and Chris can’t blame him, the way JC looks and acts fools a lot of people.
“I’m positive.” Chris says. He squirms on the blankets trying to get comfortable -- something that seems impossible -- while Justin keeps looking at him, as if he can’t believe Chris’ words. “He’s beat Elroy once, he’ll do it again.”
“Elroy!” shouts Justin, and Chris remembers that Justin doesn’t know.
“Yeah, it was him that did this.”
“So this is my fault.” Justin says as his whole body visually quivers.
“If it’s anyone’s fault it’s mine for letting him catch me.” Chris says, eyes closing against his will, all he wants to do is sleep, but he’s not going to do that while Justin’s one step away from a breakdown. “Where’s Lance?”
“He’s in our shelter I think.” Justin says, then shouts. “Lance!”
Chris winces at the shout then holds his hand up when Justin looks like he’s going to start apologising again. “Don’t even say it, okay.”
“You want something?” Lance questions, and Chris points to the one free spot in the shelter beside Justin.
“Come and talk to me, take my mind off things.”
“What do you want me to say?” Lance asks and Chris smiles tiredly.
“Anything, tell me where you and Justin went on your first date, and give your boyfriend a hug while you’re there, I think he needs one.”
Lance looks from Chris to Justin then squeezes next to Justin, holding him round his waist. “It’s a funny story, Justin asked me for a burger, then when he went to pay he didn’t have his wallet.”
“Hey, I’d forgotten it, that’s all.” Justin protests, and pokes Lance in his side. “It wasn’t on purpose.”
“That’s what you say, I still think you did it because you’re cheap.”
Chris smiles at Justin’s shout of outrage, then sleeps, the voices of his friends in his ears.
~*~*~*~
“You need something?” Lance asks. He’s pressed close to Chris, body hot and solid and Justin is next to him, hand entwined with Lance’s.
“Bathroom.” Chris manages to croak the word and Lance nods before pulling himself free from Justin’s hold.
“I’ve got you.” Lance says, and he pulls the blankets off Chris, helping him to his feet. Chris sways and holds onto Lance as they stagger out, biting back cries of pain. It’s a slow journey to the bathroom corner and Lance turns away as Chris pees, then they slowly walk back.
A noise from the fence makes them stop, and they both look up.
“Joey?” Lance says. “Is that you?”
“No. It’s me.”
Chris feels his legs buckle and it’s only Lance’s hold that keeps him up. “JC?”
“The one and only.” JC says as he walks round the corner. He’s dirty, clothes covered in mud and his hair is plastered to his head, but to Chris he looks beautiful.”
JC runs to Chris, looking up sharply when Lance says be careful, he’s hurt and his movements are gentle as he reaches for Chris, taking him in his arms.
“I knew you were okay.” Says Chris, then he rests his head against JC’s chest.
“I told you I’d never leave you and I never break a promise.” JC says, and he kisses Chris’ forehead. “I’ll never leave you, ever.”
And Chris believes him.
But read, enjoy, tell me there's no way it could happen that way *g*
Part 1 is here
Part 2 is here
Part 3 is here
Part 4 is here
Part 5 is here
Part 6 is here
Part 7 is here
“Chris? Fuck…”
“Is he?”
“No! No, he’s not.”
“It’s okay, I’ve got you…”
“Will you people get the fuck back!”
“Don’t you dare leave me now…”
“…need to tell me where JC is.”
“Lance, will you get those fuckers back. Get back!”
“…can’t leave me. If you go so’ll JC and I need you both. Hear that you fucker, don’t you dare give up.”
“Damn, Chris. I love you man. Don’t do this to me.”
Chris wants to talk, to tell Joey he’s going nowhere, but all he can do is lie still, cradled in Joey’s arms. He keeps his eyes closed, it’s too much effort to keep them open, and lets his cheek rest against the rough fabric of Joey’s sweater.
Lance is near, Chris can hear him, not so much words but the tone, deep and comforting to his ears, then someone takes his hand, and Chris thinks it’s Lance. But he doesn’t check; he can’t.
“We’re gonna go to the hospital.” Joey says and Chris feels the vibration against his cheek as Joey talks. “Get you fixed up.”
“No.” Chris manages to gasp the word out, forcing it past his dry throat and swollen jaw. “JC.”
“We’ll find him, after you go to the hospital.”
Chris tries to move, weakly struggling in Joey’s arms. “No. Need to find him now.” But Joey’s too strong and won’t let go.
“Listen to me, Chris.” Joey says. “We’ll find JC. Promise. But I can’t look for him while you’re like this, you’re bleeding a hell of a lot.”
The sound of a siren is the last thing Chris hears before he slips into darkness once more.
~*~*~*~
“He’s a John Doe. No ID. He came in with someone but they look off.”
Chris feels hands on his body, pressing, touching, hurting. He wants to shake them off and moves his hand weakly.
“Hey, honey. Are you with us?” A woman’s voice says and Chris feels hands on him again, gentle this time as they touch his arm. “You’re going to be fine. You’re a lucky man, whoever did this to you missed everything important. Someone’s looking after you up there.”
Chris doesn’t feel lucky, he hurts and all he can think of is JC. He tries to open his eyes, but he’s so tired. Chris fights as hard as he can, but it’s a fight he can’t win, and he sleeps once more.
~*~*~*~
“Chris…Chris, wake up.”
Chris groans as someone gently shakes him. Opening his eyes he carefully moves his head, gritting his teeth against the throb in his jaw and belly. Joey is looking down at him, face worried as he looks from Chris to the door.
“I had to sneak in to see you, they were asking me our names earlier, it’s why me and Lance had to leave.” Joey looks away. “I didn’t want to, you were so still, and there was so much blood, but they kept asking. I didn’t want to…”
“Hey, it’s okay, I know.” Chris says as he starts to sit up. Moving makes the pain flare again and he bites back a curse as Joey tries to make him lie down again. “No, help me up. We have to get out of here, now.”
“Chris, you can’t. You’re sick. You need to stay here.” Joey says and he tried to make Chris lie down in bed again.
“I can, and I have to. I can’t pay for this, Joey.” Chris is finally upright and he slowly turns in bed, keeping his body as straight as possible as he pulls the covers back. “And unless you have some money hidden you’ve never told us about I know you can’t either.”
“You could make an arrangement, pay it back week by week.” Joey sounds miserable, but he moves to help Chris turn on the bed so his legs are hanging off the side.
“Yeah right. They’ll really take the dollar a week I could afford to pay them. No, we have to go. Look, I’ll go to the clinic tomorrow and let them check me out.”
“To right you will, I’ll carry you there on my back if I have to. It’s the only reason I’m agreeing to this.”
“Chris looks around the room. “Can you see my clothes anywhere?”
Joey searches the room, quietly opening cupboard doors until he sees Chris’ clothes. He puts them on the bed and Chris blushes as Joey efficiently helps him put on his underwear and pants.
“Your t-shirt’s a bust.” Joey holds up Chris’ t-shirt which is cut in half down the front. “Here, wear this.”
Joey pulls his sweater off and carefully threads Chris’ arms in the sleeves. The sweater is baggy on Joey so it dwarfs Chris, hanging down to mid thigh, but Chris appreciates the warmth.
“Thanks.” Chris looks down at Joey who’s fastening Chris’ sneakers.
“Don’t mention it. You did this and more for me.” Joey says, then stands. “I don’t like this Chris. You look like you could collapse any minute.”
“You don’t have to like it. But I’m walking out of here with or without your help.” Chris stands, almost falling to the bed when a wave of dizziness hits him.
“Yeah, like you can walk out of here alone.” Joey hooks Chris’ arm over his shoulder, making sure it’s on his uninjured side. “I said I’ll help, but you’re going back to the shelter to rest. That’s not up for debate.”
“But JC…” Chris says, and sags against Joey when he remembers crushed chalk and unfinished unicorns.
“JC can take care of himself, you know that. It’s you I’m worried about now.” Joey starts to walk slowly, then stops. “This is stupid, we’re never going to get away at this speed. Stay here, I’m gonna get a wheelchair.”
Joey helps Chris sit again then looks out of the door before quietly walking out. All Chris can do is watch him go, nervously picking at the blankets until Joey comes back into the room, pushing a wheelchair.
“Your ride, sir.” Joey pushes the wheelchair close to the bed then helps Chris sit in it. “You ready? I might have to run so hold tight.”
Chris nods, then looks wide eyed as Joey pulls the blankets from the bed. “You can’t take those.”
“Hey, we need them more than they do.” Joey says, then puts the blankets on Chris’ lap. “I’ll bring then back with the wheelchair if it worries you that much, but we need them, you know we do.”
Chris is torn, he hates the thought of taking things but also knows the blankets are desperately needed. Then he thinks of JC and the way he shivers as they sleep so nods then holds onto the armrest as tight as he can when Joey starts to push him forward and out of the door.
“Hey! You wait!” Someone shouts, Joey curses and starts to run. All Chris can do is hold on as Joey speeds along corridors, taking corners so fast that Chris shuts his eyes.
“Open the door!” Joey yells, and Chris cringes when he opens his eyes to see them hurtling toward the main door. It’s close but the door opens as they get near, and Chris laughs with Joey as they run into the night.
“That was close.” Says Joey, he’s still running but slows down when they’re a few blocks from the hospital. “You okay?”
Chris doesn’t answer at first. He’s too busy trying to breathe without yelling with pain. “I’ll live.”
“Good.” Joey says, he sounds unsure but keeps on walking at a brisk pace. “I’ll take you back to the shelter, Lance and Justin will be going out of their minds by now.”
“Justin.” Chris can’t believe he forgot about him, and he tries to look back at Joey, giving up when pain slices through him again.
“Hey, sit still.” Joey lays a gentle hand on Chris’ shoulder. “Justin’s fine. He was at the shelter when Lance and I went back from the hospital, eating cotton candy.”
“Is he okay?”
“Yeah, he got a bit hysterical when we told him what happened. Kept saying it was his fault and he was sorry. Lance slapped him in the end.” Joey stops speaking, and Chris knows he’s thinking. “I don’t get it. JC’s missing, you get mugged and Justin thinks it’s his fault.”
“I didn’t get mugged. It was Elroy.” Chris says and he flinches as Joey’s hand tightens on his shoulder. “He said he was going after JC next, that’s why I have to find him.”
“Fuck!” Joey starts moving again, but faster this time. “But what’s that got to do with Justin?”
“I guess he feels guilty about running away from me to go to the fair.”
“He did what?” Joey questions. He sounds angry and Chris explains.
“He wanted to go to the fair, see the rides and eat some cotton candy. It’s not his fault, Joey. He’s a kid, he wanted some fun.”
“That fun almost got you killed and maybe JC too.”
“But I wasn’t.” Chris says, and he hugs the blankets on his knee close. “And JC’s fine, he’s not dead. I’d know.”
“Chris…” Joey says but Chris cuts him off.
“Don’t. He’s missing but he’s fine, and I’m going to find him.” Chris says no more, and Joey keeps on walking, they both know Chris will find JC if it’s the last thing he does.
~*~*~*~
“Chris.” Lance jumps to his feet and runs toward them. Chris is standing with Joey’s help, and he manages a small smile when Lance stares at him critically. “You look like hell. Why did you let him come home, Joey?”
“Hey, don’t blame me.” Joey holds up one hand. “He insisted.”
“You’re an idiot.” Lance says as he looks at Chris, then he carefully hugs him, resting his head against Chris’ shoulder as he whispers “I was so scared.”
“You’re not the only one.” Chris whispers back. Lance lifts his head and Chris is reminded how young he really is as he sees unshed tears glistening in Lance’s eyes. “I’m okay, a bit battered maybe but I’m fine, believe me.”
Lance looks unsure but says nothing.
“Can you go get the blankets that are on the wheelchair near the fence?” Joey says. Lance looks at him quizzically but goes anyway. “I’m gonna get you settled in your shelter then go look for JC.”
Joey moves but stops when Chris stays still. Chris is looking at the shelters and knows there’s no way he can go in his own without JC. There’s too many reminder of him in there, pictures and clothes, scraps of paper and JC’s favourite blanket. Chris can’t go in -- not yet.
“What’s up?” Joey questions, looking to see what Chris is staring at.
“I can’t…JC.” Chris can’t say anymore, but Joey seems to realise what he means.
“You want to sleep at mine tonight? I’ll get Lance to put the new blankets in.” Joey says, and he changes direction slightly as Chris nods. “I’m going to go look for JC soon, Lance will be here if you need anything.”
Lance walks past with an armful of blankets and Joey points to his own shelter. “Put them in there, make the ground as soft as possible.”
“No problem.” Lance ducks into Joey’s shelter, and Chris can hear him moving around before he shouts. “I’m done.”
Lance and Joey help Chris into the shelter and soon he’s lying on a soft pile of blankets with others piled over him. He hurts, but the pain in his jaw and belly is nothing to the pain in his heart.
“I’m going now.” Joey says, and he bends close to Chris’ face. “If he’s out there I’ll find him.”
“I know.” Chris says, and he does. He trusts Joey completely.
“Look after him.” Joey says to Lance, then with a last look back he ducks out of the shelter. Lance watches the door for a moment then sits next to Chris, careful not to bang against him.
“Where’s Justin?” Chris asks finally, breaking the uneasy silence.
“He’s in our shelter. I think he’s scared to see you.”
Chris bites back a sigh. He doesn’t want to deal with this now, but he can’t let Justin lie alone, thinking he’s hated. “Go tell him to come in here.”
Lance says nothing, just stand and ducks out. Chris hears him enter his own shelter before telling Justin he’s wanted. Chris thinks Justin’s not going to come, but Lance keeps talking and soon Chris looks up to see Justin crouched at the doorway.
Justin looks younger than Chris has ever seen him, eyes red and swollen as he looks at the ground. There’s no way that Chris can stay angry with him, and he pats the space next to him. “Come here then.” Justin looks up slightly and his face crumples as he looks at Chris.
“I’m sorry.” Justin says through his tears before carefully sitting next to Chris. “I wanted to eat cotton candy again, just once. I didn’t think this would happen. I just wanted cotton candy Chris. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.” Chris pulls his arm from under the blankets and reaches for Justin, holding him in a one armed hug. “I’m good, I don’t blame you.”
“”But JC…” Justin says. His tears are soaking into Joey’s sweater but Chris keeps holding him, letting Justin cry himself out. “He’s missing and…”
“JC’ll be fine.” Chris says it to convince himself as much as Justin. “He’s stronger than he looks, probably stronger than us all.”
“You sure?” Justin doesn’t sound convinced, and Chris can’t blame him, the way JC looks and acts fools a lot of people.
“I’m positive.” Chris says. He squirms on the blankets trying to get comfortable -- something that seems impossible -- while Justin keeps looking at him, as if he can’t believe Chris’ words. “He’s beat Elroy once, he’ll do it again.”
“Elroy!” shouts Justin, and Chris remembers that Justin doesn’t know.
“Yeah, it was him that did this.”
“So this is my fault.” Justin says as his whole body visually quivers.
“If it’s anyone’s fault it’s mine for letting him catch me.” Chris says, eyes closing against his will, all he wants to do is sleep, but he’s not going to do that while Justin’s one step away from a breakdown. “Where’s Lance?”
“He’s in our shelter I think.” Justin says, then shouts. “Lance!”
Chris winces at the shout then holds his hand up when Justin looks like he’s going to start apologising again. “Don’t even say it, okay.”
“You want something?” Lance questions, and Chris points to the one free spot in the shelter beside Justin.
“Come and talk to me, take my mind off things.”
“What do you want me to say?” Lance asks and Chris smiles tiredly.
“Anything, tell me where you and Justin went on your first date, and give your boyfriend a hug while you’re there, I think he needs one.”
Lance looks from Chris to Justin then squeezes next to Justin, holding him round his waist. “It’s a funny story, Justin asked me for a burger, then when he went to pay he didn’t have his wallet.”
“Hey, I’d forgotten it, that’s all.” Justin protests, and pokes Lance in his side. “It wasn’t on purpose.”
“That’s what you say, I still think you did it because you’re cheap.”
Chris smiles at Justin’s shout of outrage, then sleeps, the voices of his friends in his ears.
~*~*~*~
“You need something?” Lance asks. He’s pressed close to Chris, body hot and solid and Justin is next to him, hand entwined with Lance’s.
“Bathroom.” Chris manages to croak the word and Lance nods before pulling himself free from Justin’s hold.
“I’ve got you.” Lance says, and he pulls the blankets off Chris, helping him to his feet. Chris sways and holds onto Lance as they stagger out, biting back cries of pain. It’s a slow journey to the bathroom corner and Lance turns away as Chris pees, then they slowly walk back.
A noise from the fence makes them stop, and they both look up.
“Joey?” Lance says. “Is that you?”
“No. It’s me.”
Chris feels his legs buckle and it’s only Lance’s hold that keeps him up. “JC?”
“The one and only.” JC says as he walks round the corner. He’s dirty, clothes covered in mud and his hair is plastered to his head, but to Chris he looks beautiful.”
JC runs to Chris, looking up sharply when Lance says be careful, he’s hurt and his movements are gentle as he reaches for Chris, taking him in his arms.
“I knew you were okay.” Says Chris, then he rests his head against JC’s chest.
“I told you I’d never leave you and I never break a promise.” JC says, and he kisses Chris’ forehead. “I’ll never leave you, ever.”
And Chris believes him.
