Golden Phoenix
Disclaimer: Not true because we all know that Joey doesn't drink at all, right?
Rating: NC-17 overall. And yes, there will be violence, including rape.
Summary: ~Joey has always been willing to accept his fate as an alcoholic
until...~
Author's Notes: Important! Important! My baby's going to be on MTV. Justin
Timberlake's debut solo single, "Like I Love", will be featured on MTV's 'Making
of the Video' on 09/09/02 at 5:30pm. Watch and understand the obsession
surrounding this golden boy.
Other Affiliates:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Little_Boy_Blue
Golden Phoenix V
~Golden Phoenix V~
Dr. Theodore Blackwell was the miracle they had prayed for. Having been an
alcoholic for most of his adult life, he understood what Joey was going through.
He did not blame him or punish him, making him feel worthless. He had been
there, too. Together, they drew out an elaborate plan to treat Joey with the
goal for success in October, the third year anniversary of his relationship with
Lance. And he couldn't think of a better gift to give to his boyfriend. Lance
would be so proud.
With a combination of drug therapy, group therapy, and personal sessions with
Dr. Blackwell, Joey was well on his way to recovery. The drug, Antabuse, was
prescribed to Joey to help him stop drinking. The drug served as an aversion
therapy according to Lance. Joey did not understand why he had to take drugs to
correct his addiction to another drug, alcohol. But Lance assured him that
Antabuse was only part of the therapy. Joey found out soon enough how integral
the drug was to his treatment protocol. While fighting a cold, Joey took some
Nyquil to fall sleep, and became extremely sick. Concerned over his boyfriend's
sudden sickness, Lance immediately called Dr. Blackwell who informed him that
while on Antabuse any alcohol consumption would make Joey sick, including any
cough elixir. Joey learned his lesson well that night and avoided everything
with alcohol and the things he was unsure of the contents, he avoided them as
well. He still attended the nightly AA meetings. And he was becoming more bold,
even going up to the stand to tell his stories of alcohol abuse. During the day,
he would attend the group therapy, it was more structured than the 12-step AA
meetings, but Joey decided that he needed to keep himself busy. While he was in
therapy, Lance could return to working at Freelance once, again.
October 3rd, 30 days after Joey had seen Dr. Blackwell for the first time, the
day of their third anniversary, Lance presented Joey with a diamond cross
pendant. With his successful recovery, Lance was convinced that God had been
watching Joey all along. Joey didn't get Lance anything. He gave him 80 alcohol
free days for Lance to cherish, a testament of his love for Lance. They made
love that late afternoon. They had planned to make love all night long to
celebrate Joey's three months of sobriety, but they couldn't resist each other,
not today, not the day that commemorated their three years with each other. They
stayed entangled in each other's arms until sunset. The sunrays crashing upon
their bare bodies as they lay- Lance resting on top of Joey's chest. Joey's arms
snaked around Lance's upper body to pull him yet closer. They wanted to stay
like this forever, but Lance had plans for the night. So reluctantly, Joey got
out of bed and followed Lance to the bathroom, where he surprised his boyfriend
in the shower. Lance, completely soaked wet, splashed water onto Joey, wetting
the hairs on Joey's chest. Lance inched forward, a devilish grin appeared on his
face. He retrieved the soap scrub from behind his back and began to wash Joey's
chest, massaging deeply and sensuously Joey thought he could just die in their
in the steamed shower. He closed his eyes, relishing the feel of Lance's lips on
his body, circling his nipples. Lance was just amazing in everything that he
did. He was perfect. And before long, Joey was hard, so hard he felt his body
ached. He pounced toward Lance, successfully pinning him against the wall. He
kissed him vigorously, sucking the delicate skin of his boyfriend's neck while
stroking his phallus. When Lance became hard, Joey connected with his body and
soon their cries drowned the sound of the shower. They would have continued with
another session, but Lance's internal alarm clock went off and Lance
disentangled himself from Joey and rushed out of the bathroom. Thirty minutes to
get ready, he told his boyfriend, and Joey had to smile, watching Lance's ass
skipping away.
"Where are we going?" Joey kept asking like a little child.
"You'll see." Lance kept telling him, focusing on the road ahead.
After much begging and kissing, Joey surrendered. He should know by now that
Lance was hard to break. Lance was a very stubborn person. What he wished not to
divulge, he would never. No matter how sweet and tender the kisses Joey lay on
Lance's neck.
The anticipation was killing Joey. He knew Lance would take him some place
special. He knew they were going to celebrate their third anniversary in a fancy
restaurant, sharing a candle light dinner. He knew how romantic Lance could get,
especially on special occasions. So when Lance pulled up to the best pizza joint
in town, Joey was a bit baffled by Lance's choice of restaurant to celebrate
their very special day.
"Is this because I didn't get you anything?" Joey asked as Lance led him to the
steps of the restaurant. "Because I can run down to the mall we just passed and
get you something real quick."
Lance just shook his head, never letting go of the smile on his face.
"But we just had pizza last night!" Joey whined.
"You look too cute when you whine like that." Lance said, pecking him on the
nose, "Now let's have some pizza!"
Joey, still confused, entered the restaurant behind Lance. Once inside, Lance
stepped aside and allowed Joey to absorb the scene before him. The restaurant
was decorated from floor to ceiling in Superman theme. The aroma of New York
Style pizzas permeated the entire restaurant. The sound of video games being
played in the background was music to his ears. Nothing made Joey smile more
than the guests at the party.
"Surprise!" Lance yelled.
"Wow." Joey was speechless. "How were you able to do this? Without me finding
out?"
"I have my ways. I have my ways." Was all Lance said.
The party was Lance's idea. He wanted Joey to see his friends, again. It had
been so long. During his treatment, he had avoided all contacts with his
friends. He said that he was still embarrassed to see them. He didn't want to
see them in case he had failed the treatment. That would just be too much for
him.
Three months later, Lance could not resist but to throw his boyfriend a party,
to allow him to see his friends, to allow him to celebrate his achievements.
This was their day and as much as Lance would love to spend every minute, every
second of the day in Joey's arms, he couldn't deny him his friends. He wanted
all of their friends there to help celebrate this beautiful third day of
October.
Everyone that Joey cared about was here. JC, Chris, Steve, the bodyguards.
Everyone. Joey scanned the entire restaurant and a frown appeared on his face
when his eyes fail to fall on a certain curly haired blonde. JC stepped forward
and smiled.
"Justin's on his way. His flight was delayed. He's in New York right now. He
just called minutes before you came that he would be a little late but to make
you save him a slice of pizza." JC explained. The frown soon transformed to a
smile and JC had to laugh at the way Joey's eyes had gotten so small.
"Congratulations, man."
"Thanks."
"Honestly, I didn't think you would be able to do it."
"He didn't have faith in you." Chris stepped in between the two friends. "But I
believed in you all along."
"What?" JC laughed hysterically. "You are such a liar, Chris!"
And Joey laughed, too, for the first time in a very long time.
The men of *Nsync were suddenly boys now. They scrambled for the pizza, stuffing
the pizza down their throats. Chris almost threw up, but managed to swallow
before it all came back up. He gulped down ice cold beer and handed Joey the
remaining bottle of beer.
"Go ahead." Chris said. "You're now cured."
"Chris is right." JC added. "There's noting wrong with drinking once in a while.
That's normal."
Joey looked to Lance for approval and when Lance nodded, Joey took the bottle
and took a sip of the ice cold beer and put down the bottle just as quickly. He
didn't have to drink to feel good. All he needed to feel good was in the room
right now. His best friends in the world. And the man he loved with all his
being, Lance Bass.
The party was almost perfect. Joey spent his entire time snuggled close to
Lance. Their hands clasped together as their feet battled underneath the table.
Once in awhile when the others weren't looking, they'd steal a kiss. And when
they got caught, everyone applauded them. Only Chris teased them to no end until
Joey stuffed a pizza into his mouth to shut him up. But when he swallowed the
pizza, Chris's motor mouth continued to run rapid once, again.
They had been enjoying each other's company so much that no one realized that
closing time for the restaurant was nearing and still Justin had not arrived.
When Joey glanced at the empty chair for Justin, a sense of sadness washed over
him. They weren't *Nsync, not without Justin.
Lance immediately detected the sudden sadness as if he felt every emotion Joey
felt. He excused himself from the table to go to the restroom. Once inside, he
started speed dialing Justin's cell phone. After receiving his voice mail, Lance
cancelled and tried, again, and, again, until he surrendered to defeat.
"Justin, I know you're there." Lance said into the cell phone. "Please come.
Joey would love to see you."
"I can't."
"Justin?!" Justin's voice on the line surprised Lance. God. It seemed like
forever since they last spoke. "Why? Why can't you come?"
"You know why." Justin's voice barely audible Lance almost didn't hear. "Tell
Joey that I'm proud of him and that I still love him."
Lance was stunned beyond words. He didn't know what to say. What could he say to
convince Justin to come? Nothing. He left the conversation as it was. No words
spoken further. And soon he heard the dial tone. Justin was gone.
Lance wanted to cry so much then and now. As great as the night had been, it
couldn't be perfect. It could never be perfect because Justin was not coming.
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Lance gathered all the strength he had
to face his friends. He approached them, managing a weak smile. They all bought
the smile. Joey, on the other hand, saw right through him.
"Where's Justin?" Joey asked, knowing that Lance had slipped away to call
Justin.
"I'm sorry." Lance mumbled under his breath.
"What?" Joey whispered back, keeping his voice low from everyone.
"He's not coming."
"Oh. It's okay." Joey said, but his body language proved otherwise as he slumped
against the seat.
"What's wrong?" Chris asked right away.
"Nothing." Joey answered. "Justin's not coming."
"Not coming? Well, that little punk ass." Chris began, but was interrupted by JC
who was quick to defend his best friend.
"Maybe he didn't feel good. Last night, he told me he was catching something."
JC offered the explanation.
Joey sighed deeply. He could not blame Justin at all. He was the one that hurt
Justin. He was the one that drove him away. He could not blame for him not ever
wanting to see him, again.
Steve quickly shot up from his seat.
"Forget about Justin. We're here to celebrate a very special day." Steve
continued, "Today is the three year anniversary of my brother's relationship
with the most gorgeous blonde in the world. And today marks the beginning of a
life of sobriety."
"As if you can talk." Chris said, sarcastically.
"Hey, I can control myself." Steve shot back at Chris before turning his
attention to his brother, again. "Joey, congratulations!" He said, then rolling
a bottle of beer across the table. "To celebrate!"
Joey looked at the bottle for the longest time. He had already drank some
alcohol earlier, but right now more than ever, he wanted to have another drink,
to just forget about the fact that Justin was not coming and it was all his
fault that they could not be *Nsync tonight. Finally coming to a decision, he
reached for the bottle when Lance snatched it under him and gulped down half the
bottle. He slammed the bottle on the table and swiftly turned toward Joey,
planting a wet kiss on Joey's dry lips.
"I love you, Joey Fatone. Don't you ever forget about that." Lance told him.
"I love you, too."
For the remaining of the night, the two lovers shared pizzas, shared kisses, and
even shared drinks. Lance would drink his portion and then offered Joey only
enough to socialize with everyone. They had not even finished their fifth drink
before it was time to leave. It was closing time.
Joey and Lance walked out together, hand in hand, snuggling close against the
night's harsh wind. JC half carried Chris to his car, depositing Chris in the
passenger's seat, as he got into the driver's seat.
"Wanna a lift home?" JC offered to the lovers.
Joey looked into Lance's eyes and shook his head.
"Nah, we're going to walk home alone tonight."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah." Joey assured him. "Good night."
"Good night." JC returned.
"And thank you for coming tonight."
"No problem. Not a problem at all." JC said, before stepping onto the gas and
speeding off into the distant night.
When all was silent, again, Joey and Lance proceeded to trek their way back home
when suddenly Lance dropped to the ground. Alarmed, Joey dropped to his knees,
taking Lance's hands in his.
"What's wrong, baby?" Joey asked.
"Joey, I drank tonight."
"We all did. And out of us all, you had the least to drink."
"I know, but I'm not supposed to be drinking at all." Lance cried. He pulled his
knees to his chest, rocking back and forth. "I'm the one hassling everyone about
drinking and I drank tonight."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Lance. You had a lot on your mind tonight." Joey
told him, taking his boyfriend in his arms. And when Lance's cries intensified,
Joey began to cry, too.
"Do you want to know why I'm so against drinking?"
"Why?" Joey asked, afraid to know what past lives Lance led before him.
"My best friend, who I knew since I was seven, died in an accident." Lance
continued, "he was drunk."
"I'm sorry you lost your best friend."
"Joey, he was more than my best friend. He was my first boyfriend."
"Oh."
"But we never did anything." Lance quickly added.
"Now I understand why you hate it so much that I drink. If you hate drinking so
much, why did you stay with me?"
"Because," Lance sighed deeply, "because I love you and nothing else matters."
"I love you, too."
A kiss later and they were ready to head back home. They wanted to walk alone
home, but it was getting late now. Lance had an early meeting in the morning. It
would take them at the very least one hour to get back to their apartment versus
fifteen minutes in a car, including the time it would take them to walk back to
the parking lot. At last, they decided to return to the parking lot. They had
other nights they could walk alone. They had others to be just together.
It was decided that since Lance had the least to drink, he would drive home.
Joey didn't mind. He didn't mind staring at Lance as he drove, as the lights
fell upon his beautiful face. The red lights stopped them and they waited for
what seemed like an eternity. Lance glowed under the lights and Joey wanted
nothing more than to make love to him on the spot. He wanted Lance so bad. He
snaked his hand out, resting his hand on Lance's thigh. A smile crept on Lance's
face, encouraging Joey even more. His fingers traced along Lance's thigh until
they reached between his legs to give him a quick squeeze. Lance's smile
enveloped his entire face and when they passed the intersection, Lance leaned
over to steal a kiss from Joey's lips, accidentally turning on the radio in the
process. Their lips locked upon another and as Joey lost himself in the deep
kiss, he swore he saw something. He swore he saw something translucent,
something white, something not of this earth, something heavenly uttering that
"it's time, it's time", followed by blinding lights as
the God of Wine comes crashing through
The headlights of a car that took you farther
Than you thought you'd ever want to go
We can't get back again
We can't get back again
James Lance Bass
(born 1979-died 2000)
Joseph Anthony Fatone, Jr.
(born 1977-died 2000)
(c) 2001 Aphrodite for Friends & Lovers
