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turpsThere's a point where you have to let a story go. Tentacles, you win. It's that simple.
Title: Tentacles
Author: Terri
Fandom(s): Nsync
Author's Note (if any): The fifth of 27 self-contained but connected stories. Thank you to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
ephemera_pop and vaudevilles They're stars, and this isn't their fault at all. I've changed things since they've seen this, so any mistakes are mine and mine alone.
All you new people. I'd say I don't normally write crack, but well....
Previous parts.
Part One. Genderswap
Part Two. Animal Transformation
Part Three. Inanimate Transformation
Part Four. Wings
“No. See, it’s all about the clichés, seme is smaller, the uke is taller. You’d have to be the seme,” Justin says, and Chris is staring at him, expression caught between a glare and disbelief. Justin glares back. “What? What? You brought this up. Not me.”
“I made one comment about tentacles and orifices. One. You’ve had a whole conversation about yaoi. A one sided conversation may I add.” Chris narrows his eyes, looking deeply suspicious. “How the hell do you know this stuff anyway? Why would you want to know?”
“It’s interesting, there’s this whole culture. They’ve got their own words and meanings.”
“Okay, that’s it. No more internet for you. It’s obviously warped your mind.”
“Like it wasn’t warped for life when I met you.” Justin holds up his hand, cutting off Chris mid word. “And it’s not like I have anything else to do, not when I’m trapped in my bunk, worrying about what I’ll see when I pull back the curtain.”
“Once. You walked in on me once. Despite your press you’re not a virgin. Seeing my naked ass won’t traumatise you.”
“Says you.” Justin looks from Chris to JC, and forces a scowl.
“As fascinating as this is, which, by the way, isn’t at all. We need to go in.” Lance pushes between Chris and Justin. He rests his hand on the door, then hesitates, looking back. “If one tentacle even approaches my ass, I’m gonna blame you two.”
“Like we have any influence.” Justin starts to protest, but Lance ignores him, looking determined as he pokes a blunt finger against Justin’s chest.
“One touch of tentacle. One tip of tentacle inside my pants. I swear. Your fault.”
Lance’s eyes are narrow, his smile toothy and bright. Justin takes a step back out of range of the prodding finger.
Point made, Lance unleashes one last threatening smile, and pushes open the door. As with the others, it’s dark inside, and he hesitates, the toes of his shoes covered in shadows. Smile gone, his hands bunched into fists, Lance walks inside.
“Total seme.” JC leans in, his hand against Justin’s side, his words warm against Justin’s neck.
“What?”
“Lance. So a seme..”
A squeeze of his hand, a step forward and JC follows Joey through the doorway. Justin stares after him, piecing together strange histories on his laptop, links added to his favourite folder. Then Chris sighs impatiently and grabs for Justin’s hand, his fingers tight around Justin's as he pulls them forward.
~*~*~*~
Chris’ hand is a spot of warmth as Justin careens through time and space. He’s a breath of air, blazing atoms, a streak of light. All the time the warmth remains, and Justin tumbles to the ground, Chris still holding on tight.
They land in an undignified heap, and dust swirls around them in a dense cloud. Justin coughs up the dust that coats his tongue and throat, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. He grimaces at the resulting dark streaks, dust turned dark and clinging.
“Stay still, it’ll settle down,” JC says, voice muffled from behind his hand. His eyes are bright as he blinks furiously, a tear sliding between his fingers, leaving a dark streak from eye to chin.
Taking his advice, they remain still. Knees bent, face pressed against his legs, Justin breathes against his jeans, sucking air through the dirty denim. It tastes dry, each breath coating his lungs, and he pushes back the need to cough.
“You know what I just said? Forget it. We need to get out of here.” JC has his t-shirt pulled up, hiding the bottom half of his face. It leaves his stomach exposed, and Justin peers up the line of his legs, watching the tempting expanse of skin darken as dust descends on it.
One hand over his eyes and peering through his fingers, Joey uses his free hand to point at a looming dark shape in the distance. “Those rocks look like they could have shelter.”
“Better there than sitting here.” Chris has his forearm pressed against his nose and mouth as he assesses distance. “Running or going slow?”
“We may as well run, it’ll move anyway.” Joey’s point is proven when he stands, making dust swirl around him. His legs are concealed in a dirty brown cloud, and he coughs against his hand, waiting as they all stand. “Ready?”
Justin nods, and runs forward when Joey yells go. The earth seems to explode upwards, choking and clogging. Justin holds his breath, powering blindly forward through the dense cloud. Hands held forward, he grunts when his palms hit rock, then scrambles upwards, clawing for handholds, desperate to reach cleaner air.
This close, Justin realises the rocks are much bigger than they seemed, and he keeps climbing until he’s far enough up that the dust is left below him, only stopping when he reaches a wide ledge, collapsing to his knees and gasping. His lungs are burning and he spits up dust between each breath. The air still feels bitty and dry, but he savours every mouthful as he leans forward, grabbing for a reaching hand. Yanking hard, he pulls JC onto the ledge, then together they help Lance, Joey and Chris up the last few feet.
None of them speak, just lie still and close in a grimy panting heap. They move when JC rolls to the side, coughing harshly. His face is red as he pushes himself up, leaning forward as Chris sits next to him, legs outstretched as he rubs JC’s back. It doesn’t seem to help, but Chris keeps rubbing, hands pressing in circles where wings sprouted so recently, until finally JC hacks out a mouthful of dark phlegm.
“I liked those boots.” Chris says, but he only spares his splattered boots a quick glance as he carefully wipes the tips of his fingers across JC’s face, wiping away the tears. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” JC’s voice is rough, clogged. “That dust is brutal.”
If anything, that’s an understatement. The dust clings and burrows and Justin scratches at his arms, scrapes his nails down his neck. His nostrils feel dry, his skin parched, all moisture soaked away. He licks at his lips, and his tongue feels swollen, sticking to the roof of his mouth. His chest is tight, whistling with each breath as he looks down into the swirling clouds of dust.
“Don’t get too close to the edge.” Like them all, Chris is filthy, skin, clothes and hair a uniform brown. Eyes red rimmed and dark with pale tracks beneath them
A non committal movement of hands and shoulders, and Justin takes a step back. He looks along the ledge that’s cut into the rock, a winding space that provides no shelter at all. Just the dust below and more rock stretching high overhead.
“I wouldn’t have picked a dust desert for tentacles. It seems more of a snake like place.” Lance says suddenly. He’s sitting, back against the sheer rock side as he wipes his hand across his face, leaving pale smears that streak over his cheeks.
“I don’t know. Tremors was set in the desert, and that had tentacles.” Sitting next to Lance, Joey turns toward him, frowning as Lance shakes his head.
“Those were worms, not tentacles.”
“Does it matter?” Interrupting, Justin stands looking down at them. “We’re stuck here and we need to go find god knows what and probably have our asses plundered by some creature and you’re discussing bad B movies.”
“You know, you’ve had an unhealthy fixation with ass plundering lately, is there anything you want to share?”
Joey hi fives Lance, grinning as Justin stares. Usually he’s down with the jokes and the making light, but he’s tired and dirty and needs a drink; badly. Hands in tight fists, Justin turns away, stepping over Joey’s legs so he can follow the ledge. He stops when he reaches an outcrop of rock. It cuts across the ledge, bulging outwards, and Justin knows there’s nowhere else to go.
It’s then he sees the cave.
It’s on the other side of the outcrop of rock, a dark opening next to another ledge, and Justin knows it’s where they have to be. If only he knew how to get there. He leans out feeling the drop pulling at him and imagines plummeting down.
“What the hell are you doing?” Joey’s suddenly holding onto Justin’s arm, grip solid, holding him in place.
“There’s an opening.”
Joey looks where Justin points. “A cave? It’s better than staying here I guess.”
“Much better, and face it: there’s nowhere else to go.” It’s an undeniable truth; with the rock stretching high above and the dust ruling out going back down, they have to get to that cave. Staying on the ledge will soon become unbearable.
“Has anyone climbed before? Without harnesses?” There’s silence. Justin knew there would be. They’ve talked too often, too long, for unknown skills to surface now. “Okay. I guess we wing it.” They’re all used to climbing scaffolding, hanging off rigs. This has to be similar. Rock instead of metal, rough handholds instead of a harness. Surely some elements have to be the same? “I’ll go first, either Joey or JC last.”
There’s no disagreeing, no arguing with the plan. Justin looks at the overhang, the way it slopes downwards, providing essential footholds, but still, he’ll have to jump from this ledge, trusting that he can hang on, scramble for leverage before jumping again. Justin’s world narrows, he doesn’t see the others standing close. All he sees is the rock, the possible spaces to place hands and feet. He rubs his palms down his thighs. He leaps forward, hitting hard, feet and hands scrabbling against stone.
Finally he jams his toes into a gap, fingers clinging to a tiny ledge. It’s sharp against his skin, and he feels his fingernails bend and snap as he clings, cheek pressed against the rock. All too aware of the gravity that pulls at him, Justin concentrates on the next ledge, the one with the opening right behind. It’s wide but smooth, and all he can do is push one foot hard against the rock, use his toes to push off and jump. It’s risky, but it’ll the only option, and Justin’s heart is racing when he lands hard on the ledge, stomach scraping painfully against the ground.
“Justin! Are you okay?!” Lance yells, and Justin waves weakly in return.
It’s tempting to explore the cave, but Justin only takes a brief look inside. It’s more important to help the others get safely across. Standing close to the edge, braced and ready, he watches as JC jumps, long legs and arms scrabbling in the air. He hits with an audible thump, and Justin can barely bear to look as he slides.
“There’s a foothold to your left. An inch more. There.” Justin relaxes a little, holding out a hand, ready to grab when JC takes a last wild leap. He does so, and Justin has a handful of JC’s shirt, pulling him safely onto the ledge.
Lance is next, and he’s grinning as he carefully inches close. He seems to enjoy the feeling of balancing up high. There’s a scary moment when he’s stuck half way, because his legs just aren’t as long as Justin or JC’s, nor his reach, and it takes Justin reaching out, JC holding tight to his belt, to pull Lance to safety. He lands with a thump, still smiling, adrenalin making his eyes sparkle as he lies back and catches his breath.
That leaves Joey and Chris. Justin worries. He knows despite any fears, Chris will climb, it’s just that, if Lance had problems, Chris will too.
“You hang onto me this time.” JC’s already at the edge, hand pressed against rock. He’s tense, watching as Chris takes that first jump. He makes it look easy, but it’s anything but. Justin swallows hard as Chris clings, eyes shut and body pressed close to the side. There’s a trickle of blood running down one of his fingers, red against the brown dust. Justin watches it, a winding path from nail to wrist. Then Chris opens his eyes, focussing on JC.
“You need to push off and jump. I’ll catch you. Promise.”
Despite standing so close, his hand wrapped around JC’s belt, Justin feels excluded, cast out of this moment. Chris nods and he’s jumping, arms outstretched, unable to reach the ledge, but knowing JC will catch him anyway.
JC reaches out; movements perfectly timed as he grabs Chris’ arms and pulls him to safety. They all land in a heap, and Justin’s fingers are stinging from where leather was torn from his grasp. He scrambles away as Chris sprawls against JC, and JC’s hands are blanched white around Chris’ arms, holding tight as they look at one another, anyone else far away.
Lance is Justin’s anchor then, and together they help Joey across, pulling him to safety. Chris and JC stand and he’s greeted with hugs, relief that they’re together once more. Hands and arms against Justin’s back and sides. Someone’s hair in his face, nervous laughter and talk as they pull apart, turning as one to stare into the dark opening of the cave.
“There could be a spring in there,” JC says, a faint hope none of them believe.
“Or there could be giant squid ready to invade Lance’ ass.” Chris is grinning, teeth a shock of white in his dirty face.
“Remember what I said?”
Chris widens his eyes, faking fear and Lance is looking at him, even as his mouth curves into a smile. Justin doesn’t point out that Lance hadn’t really threatened Chris, not that he’d threatened Justin either, but still. It’s Lance.
“Best get it over with.” Resigned, JC walks forward, swallowed into the darkness almost immediately.
“Wait up,” Chris says, hurrying inside. Justin follows him, aware of Lance and Joey close behind.
The darkness feels solid, pressing down on Justin as he slowly walks. He can hear breathing, the dull thud of footsteps, a dripping sound above his head, but he can see nothing. Justin doesn’t like it. He hates the heaviness of this darkness, and closes his eyes, hands held in front of him as he walks.
“I think I can see light.” JC’s voice sounds far away, and Justin’s heart is thundering, afraid of being left alone.
“Yeah, it’s getting brighter.” JC sounds closer now, and Justin opens his eyes, relieved when he sees a faint line of light. He hurries toward it, silhouettes materialising around him. JC’s back, Joey’s arm and hand, faded images that take shape, becoming solid as they walk.
“Oh, hell no.”
JC’s reached an an opening in the cave wall. Reaching out he presses his hand against the rock, as if needing the support. He’s illuminated by the dim light that bleeds from the other side, his face cast in the shadows that creep along the walls and floor.
Justin moves close, resting his hands on JC’s shoulders as he peers into the cavern. Then freezes, his fingers digging in as he tries to understand what he’s seeing, because that thing can’t be real.
“That’s not sushi,” Joey says, and he’s pressed against Justin, a reassuring presence in this insanity.
“It’s freaking sushi mutated times ten, with additional teeth, suckers and did I say, it's fucking huge.” Chris is staring up at the thing, his eyes moving as he tracks the movement of tentacles through the air.
“I think it’s some kind of squid,” Lance looks at the thing too, considering. “That’s what the shape of the body would suggest, and the tentacles, though obviously there's more than usual and they’re bigger.”
“Obviously,” Joey says dryly, stepping away from Justin. “But what are we supposed to do?”
Missing the comfort of Joey’s touch, Justin takes a step forward, squinting when he sees something almost hidden behind the squid. At first he thinks it’s some kind of egg. That is, if squids lay eggs, and even if they don’t, he thinks this one probably could. Then the thing moves, and Justin recognises what's there.
“I think we have to rescue Wade.”
There’s a jumble of voices, but Justin just points toward the figure, dressed in white, a hood pulled over his head, but unmistakably Wade.
“Wade’s a virgin maiden. That explains a lot.”
Chris watches as Wade scuffles backwards, away from a thrashing tentacle. Justin is tempted to tell Chris that Wade’s not a virgin at all, and that Justin knows that for sure, but before he can speak he’s distracted by Joey who’s glaring alternately at the squid and at Wade.
“I suppose we’d better rescue him.” He sounds reluctant, eyes narrowed as he looks toward Wade, as if battling with his own good nature about leaving this Wade behind.
There’s a sudden shout, and Lance is moving, looking between the squid, and a deeper patch of darkness that blends into the wall to their left. “Look.”
Lance’s head and shoulders disappear into a small cave. Dark with damp walls, it blends into the main wall, and Justin has no idea how Lance saw it at all, but he has, and he emerges holding a sword, brandishing it so the steel shines bright. It reflects the squid, each tentacle taller and wider than a man and Justin imagines going close, hacking as the squid tries to suck out his brain.
“That is just cool. Also convenient, manipulative and fucked up in the extreme, but still. Cool.” Chris hurries after Lance, bending into the cave to grab his own sword. He holds onto it two-handed, slicing it through the air, looking menacing as he looks toward the squid.
“Do we even know this squid is evil? It’s not like it’s done anything, and we all know Wade’s an evil fucker. It could be him torturing the squid? JC’s voice echoes from where he’s looking inside the small cave. He steps back, holding a sword casually, its point hovering against his ankle. Justin imagines severed tendons, but JC seems confident, fingers wrapped around the hilt, as if he’s held a sword all his life. Maybe he has, JC’s past is a murky thing at times.
“Wade’s the spawn of the devil.”
“He’s not that bad, Joe.” Chris slashes at the air again. “Then again, he did make me dance Bye Bye Bye seven times in a row. Bastard.”
“You needed the practice, and Wade’s okay.” Justin waits for someone to back him up, but there’s silence. “Okay, so you think he’s evil, the spawn of Lou, ambition and Jane Carter. Still. We can’t let him get eaten by a giant squid.”
“Why not?”
Justin whirls around so he can look at Chris. “Because it’s a giant squid monster. A choice between saving the squid and saving Wade should be obvious. Look at him, he’s scared.”
“Probably afraid he’ll get squid juice on his perfect hair,” Lance comments, looking at Justin, unrepentant despite Justin's glare.
“Look, it’s moving.”
Turning at JC’s shout, Justin shudders in horror when the squid starts to move across the floor. It doesn’t seem to have legs, just pulses along, leaving slime in its wake. Then it raises one tentacle, suckers opening wide, and wraps it around Wade’s chest.
Wade screams, a high shrill sound and Justin’s grabbing a sword, running forward, the blade held high.
“Justin! Justin, come back here before I kill you myself!”
Justin ignores Chris, and just keeps running forward. The stench thickens as he gets closer, fish and salt water and something bitter that clogs Justin’s throat. He coughs, eyes streaming, but still he runs closer. Wade’s screams give him courage as a tentacle is thrust his way. Justin jumps to avoid the waving suckers, landing in a pool of slime on one knee. He freezes, watching as the squid’s tentacles move crazily around him.
He can hear the slash of metal through the air, curses and frantic footsteps, but all he’s concentrating on is Wade, the wideness of his eyes, the way his mouth is open, blood spilling down his chin as the squid tightens its hold.
It’ll be too late for Wade soon, and Justin makes a decision. Yelling, sword above his head, he surges forward, hacking the sharp blade into the limb that holds Wade. There’s a bellow of sound, and another tentacle thumps into Justin’s back, throwing him to the ground. Face down, fighting for breath, Justin hears the first crunch of bone, looks up to see Wade staring at him, imploring as tears slide down his cheeks.
Gathering strength, Justin struggles to his feet. Quickly looking around he sees JC jabbing his sword into the body of the squid. Joey and Lance, back to back, slashing at any tentacle that comes near, and Chris, sawing at a tentacle that writhes in the air.
That leaves Justin to save Wade. Wiping his slime coated hands against his thighs; he picks up his sword, knowing he can only have seconds left. After that it’ll be too late.
Putting everything into one powerful blow, he severs the tentacle that’s wrapped around Wade’s chest. It flops to the ground with a splat, dark blood pooling around it as it writhes.
Wade drops to his knees. His white robe is splattered with red now, and he looks up at Justin from hands and knees, the tears wet tracks on his face as he manages a faint smile.
Justin’s sword hits the ground with a dull clank. He lets himself collapse too, pulling Wade close, because this might not be his Wade, but he’s close enough, and Justin won’t let him die alone.
Trusting the others to guard his back, Justin holds Wade, stroking his cheek, hoping he’s giving some comfort at least, until Wade takes his last breath.
Heat and speed and darkness, and Justin is wrenched away, everywhere and nowhere at all. He shouts as Wade is pulled out of his arms, taken by a big and blond someone Justin knows but can’t quite see, then he lands back in the corridor on his knees. He’s clean, but he can still feel Wade’s blood on his hands, can't see anything except those last torturous breathes.
“I’m done. I’m fucking done! You hear me?!” Justin staggers to his feet, pushing away the hands of the others. “How many more people do I have to see die? Wade, Chris, me! Who’s next? JC? Joey? Lance? Do I have to hold them in my arms as they die too?”
Hands clenched into tight fists, Justin thumps at the walls, hating the sterile corridor, the doors that still stretch out of sight. All he wants is to go home, and he can’t. Instead he’s stuck here and it feels like he’s losing his mind. He smacks his fists against the walls again. Hard.
“Hey, J. Don’t.” Chris grabs Justin’s hands, holding on as Justin is surrounded. He can feel Joey against his back, JC’s hair against his face, Lance at his side, expression concerned as they end in a group hug, Justin the centre as they hold on to one another, saying nothing as Justin’s angry tears soak into Chris’ shirt.
“What’s next?” Cocooned within the others, Justin finally opens his eyes, rubbing his nose against the shoulder of Lance’s t-shirt. He feels wrung out, but he needs this to be over. And the only way that will happen is if they keep going on.
“It’s mpreg. Male pregnancy.”
Justin turns so he can look at Lance. “Babies, babies are good. No one dies because of pregnancy.” He rests his head against Lance’s, ignoring the looks, because babies are good. Right?
Title: Tentacles
Author: Terri
Fandom(s): Nsync
Author's Note (if any): The fifth of 27 self-contained but connected stories. Thank you to
ephemera_pop and vaudevilles They're stars, and this isn't their fault at all. I've changed things since they've seen this, so any mistakes are mine and mine alone.All you new people. I'd say I don't normally write crack, but well....
Previous parts.
Part One. Genderswap
Part Two. Animal Transformation
Part Three. Inanimate Transformation
Part Four. Wings
“No. See, it’s all about the clichés, seme is smaller, the uke is taller. You’d have to be the seme,” Justin says, and Chris is staring at him, expression caught between a glare and disbelief. Justin glares back. “What? What? You brought this up. Not me.”
“I made one comment about tentacles and orifices. One. You’ve had a whole conversation about yaoi. A one sided conversation may I add.” Chris narrows his eyes, looking deeply suspicious. “How the hell do you know this stuff anyway? Why would you want to know?”
“It’s interesting, there’s this whole culture. They’ve got their own words and meanings.”
“Okay, that’s it. No more internet for you. It’s obviously warped your mind.”
“Like it wasn’t warped for life when I met you.” Justin holds up his hand, cutting off Chris mid word. “And it’s not like I have anything else to do, not when I’m trapped in my bunk, worrying about what I’ll see when I pull back the curtain.”
“Once. You walked in on me once. Despite your press you’re not a virgin. Seeing my naked ass won’t traumatise you.”
“Says you.” Justin looks from Chris to JC, and forces a scowl.
“As fascinating as this is, which, by the way, isn’t at all. We need to go in.” Lance pushes between Chris and Justin. He rests his hand on the door, then hesitates, looking back. “If one tentacle even approaches my ass, I’m gonna blame you two.”
“Like we have any influence.” Justin starts to protest, but Lance ignores him, looking determined as he pokes a blunt finger against Justin’s chest.
“One touch of tentacle. One tip of tentacle inside my pants. I swear. Your fault.”
Lance’s eyes are narrow, his smile toothy and bright. Justin takes a step back out of range of the prodding finger.
Point made, Lance unleashes one last threatening smile, and pushes open the door. As with the others, it’s dark inside, and he hesitates, the toes of his shoes covered in shadows. Smile gone, his hands bunched into fists, Lance walks inside.
“Total seme.” JC leans in, his hand against Justin’s side, his words warm against Justin’s neck.
“What?”
“Lance. So a seme..”
A squeeze of his hand, a step forward and JC follows Joey through the doorway. Justin stares after him, piecing together strange histories on his laptop, links added to his favourite folder. Then Chris sighs impatiently and grabs for Justin’s hand, his fingers tight around Justin's as he pulls them forward.
~*~*~*~
Chris’ hand is a spot of warmth as Justin careens through time and space. He’s a breath of air, blazing atoms, a streak of light. All the time the warmth remains, and Justin tumbles to the ground, Chris still holding on tight.
They land in an undignified heap, and dust swirls around them in a dense cloud. Justin coughs up the dust that coats his tongue and throat, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. He grimaces at the resulting dark streaks, dust turned dark and clinging.
“Stay still, it’ll settle down,” JC says, voice muffled from behind his hand. His eyes are bright as he blinks furiously, a tear sliding between his fingers, leaving a dark streak from eye to chin.
Taking his advice, they remain still. Knees bent, face pressed against his legs, Justin breathes against his jeans, sucking air through the dirty denim. It tastes dry, each breath coating his lungs, and he pushes back the need to cough.
“You know what I just said? Forget it. We need to get out of here.” JC has his t-shirt pulled up, hiding the bottom half of his face. It leaves his stomach exposed, and Justin peers up the line of his legs, watching the tempting expanse of skin darken as dust descends on it.
One hand over his eyes and peering through his fingers, Joey uses his free hand to point at a looming dark shape in the distance. “Those rocks look like they could have shelter.”
“Better there than sitting here.” Chris has his forearm pressed against his nose and mouth as he assesses distance. “Running or going slow?”
“We may as well run, it’ll move anyway.” Joey’s point is proven when he stands, making dust swirl around him. His legs are concealed in a dirty brown cloud, and he coughs against his hand, waiting as they all stand. “Ready?”
Justin nods, and runs forward when Joey yells go. The earth seems to explode upwards, choking and clogging. Justin holds his breath, powering blindly forward through the dense cloud. Hands held forward, he grunts when his palms hit rock, then scrambles upwards, clawing for handholds, desperate to reach cleaner air.
This close, Justin realises the rocks are much bigger than they seemed, and he keeps climbing until he’s far enough up that the dust is left below him, only stopping when he reaches a wide ledge, collapsing to his knees and gasping. His lungs are burning and he spits up dust between each breath. The air still feels bitty and dry, but he savours every mouthful as he leans forward, grabbing for a reaching hand. Yanking hard, he pulls JC onto the ledge, then together they help Lance, Joey and Chris up the last few feet.
None of them speak, just lie still and close in a grimy panting heap. They move when JC rolls to the side, coughing harshly. His face is red as he pushes himself up, leaning forward as Chris sits next to him, legs outstretched as he rubs JC’s back. It doesn’t seem to help, but Chris keeps rubbing, hands pressing in circles where wings sprouted so recently, until finally JC hacks out a mouthful of dark phlegm.
“I liked those boots.” Chris says, but he only spares his splattered boots a quick glance as he carefully wipes the tips of his fingers across JC’s face, wiping away the tears. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” JC’s voice is rough, clogged. “That dust is brutal.”
If anything, that’s an understatement. The dust clings and burrows and Justin scratches at his arms, scrapes his nails down his neck. His nostrils feel dry, his skin parched, all moisture soaked away. He licks at his lips, and his tongue feels swollen, sticking to the roof of his mouth. His chest is tight, whistling with each breath as he looks down into the swirling clouds of dust.
“Don’t get too close to the edge.” Like them all, Chris is filthy, skin, clothes and hair a uniform brown. Eyes red rimmed and dark with pale tracks beneath them
A non committal movement of hands and shoulders, and Justin takes a step back. He looks along the ledge that’s cut into the rock, a winding space that provides no shelter at all. Just the dust below and more rock stretching high overhead.
“I wouldn’t have picked a dust desert for tentacles. It seems more of a snake like place.” Lance says suddenly. He’s sitting, back against the sheer rock side as he wipes his hand across his face, leaving pale smears that streak over his cheeks.
“I don’t know. Tremors was set in the desert, and that had tentacles.” Sitting next to Lance, Joey turns toward him, frowning as Lance shakes his head.
“Those were worms, not tentacles.”
“Does it matter?” Interrupting, Justin stands looking down at them. “We’re stuck here and we need to go find god knows what and probably have our asses plundered by some creature and you’re discussing bad B movies.”
“You know, you’ve had an unhealthy fixation with ass plundering lately, is there anything you want to share?”
Joey hi fives Lance, grinning as Justin stares. Usually he’s down with the jokes and the making light, but he’s tired and dirty and needs a drink; badly. Hands in tight fists, Justin turns away, stepping over Joey’s legs so he can follow the ledge. He stops when he reaches an outcrop of rock. It cuts across the ledge, bulging outwards, and Justin knows there’s nowhere else to go.
It’s then he sees the cave.
It’s on the other side of the outcrop of rock, a dark opening next to another ledge, and Justin knows it’s where they have to be. If only he knew how to get there. He leans out feeling the drop pulling at him and imagines plummeting down.
“What the hell are you doing?” Joey’s suddenly holding onto Justin’s arm, grip solid, holding him in place.
“There’s an opening.”
Joey looks where Justin points. “A cave? It’s better than staying here I guess.”
“Much better, and face it: there’s nowhere else to go.” It’s an undeniable truth; with the rock stretching high above and the dust ruling out going back down, they have to get to that cave. Staying on the ledge will soon become unbearable.
“Has anyone climbed before? Without harnesses?” There’s silence. Justin knew there would be. They’ve talked too often, too long, for unknown skills to surface now. “Okay. I guess we wing it.” They’re all used to climbing scaffolding, hanging off rigs. This has to be similar. Rock instead of metal, rough handholds instead of a harness. Surely some elements have to be the same? “I’ll go first, either Joey or JC last.”
There’s no disagreeing, no arguing with the plan. Justin looks at the overhang, the way it slopes downwards, providing essential footholds, but still, he’ll have to jump from this ledge, trusting that he can hang on, scramble for leverage before jumping again. Justin’s world narrows, he doesn’t see the others standing close. All he sees is the rock, the possible spaces to place hands and feet. He rubs his palms down his thighs. He leaps forward, hitting hard, feet and hands scrabbling against stone.
Finally he jams his toes into a gap, fingers clinging to a tiny ledge. It’s sharp against his skin, and he feels his fingernails bend and snap as he clings, cheek pressed against the rock. All too aware of the gravity that pulls at him, Justin concentrates on the next ledge, the one with the opening right behind. It’s wide but smooth, and all he can do is push one foot hard against the rock, use his toes to push off and jump. It’s risky, but it’ll the only option, and Justin’s heart is racing when he lands hard on the ledge, stomach scraping painfully against the ground.
“Justin! Are you okay?!” Lance yells, and Justin waves weakly in return.
It’s tempting to explore the cave, but Justin only takes a brief look inside. It’s more important to help the others get safely across. Standing close to the edge, braced and ready, he watches as JC jumps, long legs and arms scrabbling in the air. He hits with an audible thump, and Justin can barely bear to look as he slides.
“There’s a foothold to your left. An inch more. There.” Justin relaxes a little, holding out a hand, ready to grab when JC takes a last wild leap. He does so, and Justin has a handful of JC’s shirt, pulling him safely onto the ledge.
Lance is next, and he’s grinning as he carefully inches close. He seems to enjoy the feeling of balancing up high. There’s a scary moment when he’s stuck half way, because his legs just aren’t as long as Justin or JC’s, nor his reach, and it takes Justin reaching out, JC holding tight to his belt, to pull Lance to safety. He lands with a thump, still smiling, adrenalin making his eyes sparkle as he lies back and catches his breath.
That leaves Joey and Chris. Justin worries. He knows despite any fears, Chris will climb, it’s just that, if Lance had problems, Chris will too.
“You hang onto me this time.” JC’s already at the edge, hand pressed against rock. He’s tense, watching as Chris takes that first jump. He makes it look easy, but it’s anything but. Justin swallows hard as Chris clings, eyes shut and body pressed close to the side. There’s a trickle of blood running down one of his fingers, red against the brown dust. Justin watches it, a winding path from nail to wrist. Then Chris opens his eyes, focussing on JC.
“You need to push off and jump. I’ll catch you. Promise.”
Despite standing so close, his hand wrapped around JC’s belt, Justin feels excluded, cast out of this moment. Chris nods and he’s jumping, arms outstretched, unable to reach the ledge, but knowing JC will catch him anyway.
JC reaches out; movements perfectly timed as he grabs Chris’ arms and pulls him to safety. They all land in a heap, and Justin’s fingers are stinging from where leather was torn from his grasp. He scrambles away as Chris sprawls against JC, and JC’s hands are blanched white around Chris’ arms, holding tight as they look at one another, anyone else far away.
Lance is Justin’s anchor then, and together they help Joey across, pulling him to safety. Chris and JC stand and he’s greeted with hugs, relief that they’re together once more. Hands and arms against Justin’s back and sides. Someone’s hair in his face, nervous laughter and talk as they pull apart, turning as one to stare into the dark opening of the cave.
“There could be a spring in there,” JC says, a faint hope none of them believe.
“Or there could be giant squid ready to invade Lance’ ass.” Chris is grinning, teeth a shock of white in his dirty face.
“Remember what I said?”
Chris widens his eyes, faking fear and Lance is looking at him, even as his mouth curves into a smile. Justin doesn’t point out that Lance hadn’t really threatened Chris, not that he’d threatened Justin either, but still. It’s Lance.
“Best get it over with.” Resigned, JC walks forward, swallowed into the darkness almost immediately.
“Wait up,” Chris says, hurrying inside. Justin follows him, aware of Lance and Joey close behind.
The darkness feels solid, pressing down on Justin as he slowly walks. He can hear breathing, the dull thud of footsteps, a dripping sound above his head, but he can see nothing. Justin doesn’t like it. He hates the heaviness of this darkness, and closes his eyes, hands held in front of him as he walks.
“I think I can see light.” JC’s voice sounds far away, and Justin’s heart is thundering, afraid of being left alone.
“Yeah, it’s getting brighter.” JC sounds closer now, and Justin opens his eyes, relieved when he sees a faint line of light. He hurries toward it, silhouettes materialising around him. JC’s back, Joey’s arm and hand, faded images that take shape, becoming solid as they walk.
“Oh, hell no.”
JC’s reached an an opening in the cave wall. Reaching out he presses his hand against the rock, as if needing the support. He’s illuminated by the dim light that bleeds from the other side, his face cast in the shadows that creep along the walls and floor.
Justin moves close, resting his hands on JC’s shoulders as he peers into the cavern. Then freezes, his fingers digging in as he tries to understand what he’s seeing, because that thing can’t be real.
“That’s not sushi,” Joey says, and he’s pressed against Justin, a reassuring presence in this insanity.
“It’s freaking sushi mutated times ten, with additional teeth, suckers and did I say, it's fucking huge.” Chris is staring up at the thing, his eyes moving as he tracks the movement of tentacles through the air.
“I think it’s some kind of squid,” Lance looks at the thing too, considering. “That’s what the shape of the body would suggest, and the tentacles, though obviously there's more than usual and they’re bigger.”
“Obviously,” Joey says dryly, stepping away from Justin. “But what are we supposed to do?”
Missing the comfort of Joey’s touch, Justin takes a step forward, squinting when he sees something almost hidden behind the squid. At first he thinks it’s some kind of egg. That is, if squids lay eggs, and even if they don’t, he thinks this one probably could. Then the thing moves, and Justin recognises what's there.
“I think we have to rescue Wade.”
There’s a jumble of voices, but Justin just points toward the figure, dressed in white, a hood pulled over his head, but unmistakably Wade.
“Wade’s a virgin maiden. That explains a lot.”
Chris watches as Wade scuffles backwards, away from a thrashing tentacle. Justin is tempted to tell Chris that Wade’s not a virgin at all, and that Justin knows that for sure, but before he can speak he’s distracted by Joey who’s glaring alternately at the squid and at Wade.
“I suppose we’d better rescue him.” He sounds reluctant, eyes narrowed as he looks toward Wade, as if battling with his own good nature about leaving this Wade behind.
There’s a sudden shout, and Lance is moving, looking between the squid, and a deeper patch of darkness that blends into the wall to their left. “Look.”
Lance’s head and shoulders disappear into a small cave. Dark with damp walls, it blends into the main wall, and Justin has no idea how Lance saw it at all, but he has, and he emerges holding a sword, brandishing it so the steel shines bright. It reflects the squid, each tentacle taller and wider than a man and Justin imagines going close, hacking as the squid tries to suck out his brain.
“That is just cool. Also convenient, manipulative and fucked up in the extreme, but still. Cool.” Chris hurries after Lance, bending into the cave to grab his own sword. He holds onto it two-handed, slicing it through the air, looking menacing as he looks toward the squid.
“Do we even know this squid is evil? It’s not like it’s done anything, and we all know Wade’s an evil fucker. It could be him torturing the squid? JC’s voice echoes from where he’s looking inside the small cave. He steps back, holding a sword casually, its point hovering against his ankle. Justin imagines severed tendons, but JC seems confident, fingers wrapped around the hilt, as if he’s held a sword all his life. Maybe he has, JC’s past is a murky thing at times.
“Wade’s the spawn of the devil.”
“He’s not that bad, Joe.” Chris slashes at the air again. “Then again, he did make me dance Bye Bye Bye seven times in a row. Bastard.”
“You needed the practice, and Wade’s okay.” Justin waits for someone to back him up, but there’s silence. “Okay, so you think he’s evil, the spawn of Lou, ambition and Jane Carter. Still. We can’t let him get eaten by a giant squid.”
“Why not?”
Justin whirls around so he can look at Chris. “Because it’s a giant squid monster. A choice between saving the squid and saving Wade should be obvious. Look at him, he’s scared.”
“Probably afraid he’ll get squid juice on his perfect hair,” Lance comments, looking at Justin, unrepentant despite Justin's glare.
“Look, it’s moving.”
Turning at JC’s shout, Justin shudders in horror when the squid starts to move across the floor. It doesn’t seem to have legs, just pulses along, leaving slime in its wake. Then it raises one tentacle, suckers opening wide, and wraps it around Wade’s chest.
Wade screams, a high shrill sound and Justin’s grabbing a sword, running forward, the blade held high.
“Justin! Justin, come back here before I kill you myself!”
Justin ignores Chris, and just keeps running forward. The stench thickens as he gets closer, fish and salt water and something bitter that clogs Justin’s throat. He coughs, eyes streaming, but still he runs closer. Wade’s screams give him courage as a tentacle is thrust his way. Justin jumps to avoid the waving suckers, landing in a pool of slime on one knee. He freezes, watching as the squid’s tentacles move crazily around him.
He can hear the slash of metal through the air, curses and frantic footsteps, but all he’s concentrating on is Wade, the wideness of his eyes, the way his mouth is open, blood spilling down his chin as the squid tightens its hold.
It’ll be too late for Wade soon, and Justin makes a decision. Yelling, sword above his head, he surges forward, hacking the sharp blade into the limb that holds Wade. There’s a bellow of sound, and another tentacle thumps into Justin’s back, throwing him to the ground. Face down, fighting for breath, Justin hears the first crunch of bone, looks up to see Wade staring at him, imploring as tears slide down his cheeks.
Gathering strength, Justin struggles to his feet. Quickly looking around he sees JC jabbing his sword into the body of the squid. Joey and Lance, back to back, slashing at any tentacle that comes near, and Chris, sawing at a tentacle that writhes in the air.
That leaves Justin to save Wade. Wiping his slime coated hands against his thighs; he picks up his sword, knowing he can only have seconds left. After that it’ll be too late.
Putting everything into one powerful blow, he severs the tentacle that’s wrapped around Wade’s chest. It flops to the ground with a splat, dark blood pooling around it as it writhes.
Wade drops to his knees. His white robe is splattered with red now, and he looks up at Justin from hands and knees, the tears wet tracks on his face as he manages a faint smile.
Justin’s sword hits the ground with a dull clank. He lets himself collapse too, pulling Wade close, because this might not be his Wade, but he’s close enough, and Justin won’t let him die alone.
Trusting the others to guard his back, Justin holds Wade, stroking his cheek, hoping he’s giving some comfort at least, until Wade takes his last breath.
Heat and speed and darkness, and Justin is wrenched away, everywhere and nowhere at all. He shouts as Wade is pulled out of his arms, taken by a big and blond someone Justin knows but can’t quite see, then he lands back in the corridor on his knees. He’s clean, but he can still feel Wade’s blood on his hands, can't see anything except those last torturous breathes.
“I’m done. I’m fucking done! You hear me?!” Justin staggers to his feet, pushing away the hands of the others. “How many more people do I have to see die? Wade, Chris, me! Who’s next? JC? Joey? Lance? Do I have to hold them in my arms as they die too?”
Hands clenched into tight fists, Justin thumps at the walls, hating the sterile corridor, the doors that still stretch out of sight. All he wants is to go home, and he can’t. Instead he’s stuck here and it feels like he’s losing his mind. He smacks his fists against the walls again. Hard.
“Hey, J. Don’t.” Chris grabs Justin’s hands, holding on as Justin is surrounded. He can feel Joey against his back, JC’s hair against his face, Lance at his side, expression concerned as they end in a group hug, Justin the centre as they hold on to one another, saying nothing as Justin’s angry tears soak into Chris’ shirt.
“What’s next?” Cocooned within the others, Justin finally opens his eyes, rubbing his nose against the shoulder of Lance’s t-shirt. He feels wrung out, but he needs this to be over. And the only way that will happen is if they keep going on.
“It’s mpreg. Male pregnancy.”
Justin turns so he can look at Lance. “Babies, babies are good. No one dies because of pregnancy.” He rests his head against Lance’s, ignoring the looks, because babies are good. Right?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2007-03-27 04:53 pm (UTC)!!!1!11!
The worst of it is, I'm not sure who I'm teary-eyed over. Wade dying, or Justin's distress, or them all crowding around together, drawing strength from each other... or d) all of the above. Heh.
I know you're calling this 'crackfic', but really? It's fantastic. *hugs you*
One teeny typo I caught: as Justin careers through time , I think you mean 'careens'?
Oh, also? Evil for the way that ended. Babies are good. Oi. *g*
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Date: 2007-03-27 05:35 pm (UTC)I'm glad you like, especially as I often look what I'm writing and think that no one else will ever read.
Thanks so much for the comment, and the typo heads up. You're wonderful.
Babies are good. Oi. *g*
I know what I'm doing for the next prompt, and believe me, they'll soon agree with you *g*
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Date: 2007-03-27 05:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-27 05:36 pm (UTC)It was either this or ass plundering tentacles, and I just couldn't go there. Well, I could in my mind but I seem to have a block between that and my fingers *g*
I'm so glad you liked, thanks for telling me :)
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Date: 2007-03-27 05:37 pm (UTC)That was so totally wicked! *deep breath* I don't think I even blinked while reading this. And now I have to go back and read the first four so I'll know what the Hell is going on. But this was awesome! *applause*
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Date: 2007-03-27 05:39 pm (UTC)You've got good instincts ;)
I'm glad you enjoyed, thanks so much for telling me. You're also a brave woman jumping in blind as you did *g*
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Date: 2007-03-27 05:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-27 06:24 pm (UTC)Also,
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Date: 2007-03-27 07:12 pm (UTC)Oh, *Justin*. When are you going to learn to stop foreshadowing like that?!
I liked the squid monster, although I admit I was a teeny tiny bit disappointed that no ones' ass got invaded after all. Msotly because I would've liked to see Lance chasing Justin around with a sword afterwards :-)
Yay, tentacles!
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Date: 2007-03-27 08:56 pm (UTC)Tentacles are awesome!
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Date: 2007-03-27 08:58 pm (UTC)I adore you, you know this right?
Babies... babies are good.
*worries*
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Date: 2007-03-27 09:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-27 09:11 pm (UTC)did you know there's a red x in your "fave icons" on your sidebar. Eeek. One of your icons has escaped. :O
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Date: 2007-03-27 08:58 pm (UTC)*loves on you very very hard*
This great - I love the Tremors reference and the fact that the guys know that Justin's ass has been plundered recently!
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Date: 2007-03-27 09:05 pm (UTC)You know Justin's ass has been plundered! Now he has 22 parts to make sure it gets plundered more often *g*
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Date: 2007-03-27 09:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-27 09:58 pm (UTC)But, FIX THEM!! :(
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Date: 2007-03-27 10:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-03-28 07:22 am (UTC)I just wish there wasn't a barrier in my brain between the ass plundering thoughts and the ability to type that. Because it would be fun!
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Date: 2007-03-28 07:21 am (UTC)They'll get fixed....eventually ;)
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Date: 2007-03-28 01:38 am (UTC)Umm, yes? Or possibly not depending on who has to actually give birth! I loved this and though I'm a little worried for the guys, I can't wait to see what you come up with next!
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Date: 2007-03-28 07:23 am (UTC)There's no need to worry, they'll be fine! Sort of. No one dies at least!
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Date: 2007-03-28 06:02 pm (UTC)...It was awesome.
I was so in fear of this story you have no idea! (Fear/great anticipation because I wanted to read it so bad.) After being in the anime fandom for so long I've learned to fear anything with tentacles and yet! YOu made this completely interesting and cracktastic with out buttrape! Iloveyouforthatsomuch!
Let me tell you what I love about this story...JUSTIN! Justin knowing about yaoi (scary) and talking about uke and semes. Justin oggling JC a few times made me drool and wish for JuC (a girl can dream right?)
It leaves his stomach exposed, and Justin peers up the line of his legs, watching the tempting expanse of skin darken as dust descends on it.
C'mon! That is like teasing my love for JuC! You are dangling it in front of me and I just can't have it. *reaches* ...*reaches more*..*falls over* Damn. You temptress you.
I also loved your description of when they were climbing the rocks.
It’s sharp against his skin, and he feels his fingernails bend and snap as he clings
That line literally made me cringe and hold my finger nails. For some reason the word "snap" is so powerful in that sentence. It really wants to make me vomit. Awesome.
Oh, and did I mention I get to see Wade die? Ya-I mean..that was sad...But really, it was! Even with my dislike of Wade you made me feel sad. THat is haaaard hard hard. BUt when Justin is sad, how can I not be sad? It's Justin! I love Justin! And I love Justin in this story. ANd Chris. I love Chris...Oh Chris. Now I'm just swooning.
OH god! I can't believe I almost forgot! When you were describing the dust I swear I kept licking my lips and trying to clean my tongue off! It was so vivid and wonderful! I felt like I needed to cover my face to read it. I would have never of thought of putting them in a dirt desert. HOw cool was that!? Seriously, cool. You use words so well to make me feel like I am there experiencing everything with them. I love it. LOVE IT!
And then there is the pretty Justin angst at the end...and then the pretty group hug...and then the pretty group sex...Oh, that didn't happen? Damn it. I can just see them all huddling around Justin and babying him though and cooing. I love situations where everyone is looking out for Justin--I guess its a group Nsync kink I have. Baby!Justin and what not.
You are wonderful...I can't wait for mpreg chapter. Again, it frightens me. BUt you made tentacles enjoyable so I have all the fait in the world in you!
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Date: 2007-04-05 07:04 am (UTC)Was.
SO.
AWESOME!!!
Dude, Terri, this was SO cool! I absolutely LOVED the dust-desert... ..-=such=- a cool concept, and you made it work so well! And I love the semi-fourth wall-breaking meta, Chris commenting on the manipulativeness of the swords, the yaoi discussion, contemplating what's next (mpreg! No one ever dies of pregnancy... ..suuuure, Justin, childbirth wasn't a leading cause of death for centuries, not at all. *eyeroll*)
This whole thing is just *so* cool. It's all crack, but also not. I =love= it.
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Date: 2007-04-07 04:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-05-19 11:40 am (UTC)This was fabulous!!! (But I swear it's a conspiracy - both you and
“Okay, so you think he’s evil, the spawn of Lou, ambition and Jane Carter. Still. We can’t let him get eaten by a giant squid.”
“Why not?”
This made me laugh out loud! Poor Wade, only Justin likes him :-)
He shouts as Wade is pulled out of his arms, taken by a big and blond someone Justin knows but can’t quite see
Ha! I knew you would manage to get Nick in there somehow!
PS Mpreg? Meeeeep!! I don't trust you at all :-)