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"Yeah. He said he'd be here. He's probably in the studio." JC held his breath hoping that Lance wasn't too
pissed off. It was clear he didn't want to be there and JC understood. But it would all be worth it when he
realized what was going on. Everyone wanted to be together to give him his big send off and he had to admit
that the party was a wonderful idea.
Lance knocked before pushing the door open, shrugging when it opened easily in his hand. Stepping into
the house he fumbled for the light switch. Once the light went on he walked further into the foyer towards the
living room. As soon as his feet hit the carpet the rest of the lights flashed on and he was met with a
resounding "SURPRISE", his 9 best friends in the world jumping out towards him, embracing him in a huge
hug. His frown of confusion changed to a gigantic smile, tears filling his sparkling green eyes. One by one he
hugged each of them, kissing them lightly on the lips. Thanks were given until he reached Chris who pulled
him close and rested their foreheads together.
"We wanted to make tonight special for you. Show you how much we're going to miss you."
Lance cleared his throat and blinked back the tears. "Thank you baby. I was starting to wonder what the fuck
C's problem was. He was practically twitching in the car, checking his watch every 10 seconds. Muttering shit
to himself under his breath." Both men laughed and Chris covered Lance's mouth with his own, kissing his
lover leisurely. His tongue swept every inch of Lance's mouth until they broke apart breathless.
"Come on guys. Food's getting cold. Come into the living room." Joey called, shooing everyone towards the
long table covered with pots of everyone's favourite dishes.
They sat out on Justin's back deck, leaving the patio door open for easy access to the food for seconds and
thirds. While they ate, the 10 friends laughed and joked about what had been going on with each of them
since they'd seen one another last. Now that both groups were actively on a break, they hadn't had as much
time together as in previous years when they were on the same circuits. Since they were all in different cities
doing different projects, their time together was limited. Conversation flowed easily between them and one
might actually believe that they were 10 friends getting together for dinner. Not media icons, musical
superstars, enemies that were supposed to hate each other.
After dinner came desert and the men retreated into the house, making themselves comfortable in Justin's
basement. Although there was more than enough furniture space, they opted to sit on the floor, each
spreading out and making themselves comfortable. Conversation continued until finally Howie spoke up
asking for their undivided attention.
"Okay. So we all know why we're here. Lance's going away party." Howie winked at Lance, smiling as the
younger man blushed. "So Chris and I decided that we have to make this party memorable enough to get him
through the next however many months it's gonna take for him to get up into space and back home again
where he belongs."
"So now we have the presentation ceremony." Chris added, nodding at everyone. He paused while the
others went to the bar where the presents had been stored. Lance watched with wide eyes and a gaping
mouth, still unable to believe that they'd gone through all this trouble. That and no one had spilled the beans
about it. He loved them all dearly, but these were not the most capable men to keep something a secret.
Once everyone was back, Lance found himself staring at 9 different shaped boxes and gift bags, each
donning a tag with familiar handwriting. One by one he opened each presents, holding onto his emotions
and not wanting to cry. He'd received the Star Wars Trilogy on VCD, to play on his laptop from Joey. It was the
movie they'd been watching when Joey and he had first kissed while in Germany in the very beginning.
They'd barely watched the movie that night, spending the whole time making out. Josh had written him a few
songs recording them and putting them on a CD for Lance to take with him and listen to whenever he felt
lonely and missed them. Nick and AJ had mixed him the CDs played that night, each song having special
meaning to them and him. Howie and Chris had done a special video for him, recording it also on a disc for
Lance to play on his laptop. Kevin had written him a letter, detailing everything from what he was thinking the
first time they'd met, their first kiss and when things went beyond friendship to something more. Justin had
compiled his own scrapbook of events and memories of the past 8 years together, putting it in a travel sized
book. It had everything from paper clippings, to pictures to movie stubs and receipt slips. Brian's gift was a
blank journal which caused Lance to pause in confusion. Looking at Brian, he smiled as he saw those blue
eyes sparkle. "It's for you to write in. To remember everything. I know that you'll want to remember all these
memories while you're there, but you'll be making new ones. And as much as you'll tell us, I'm sure that there
will be things you'll leave out when we actually get to talk to you. So this will be to capture everything down as
it happens, so in 50 years you'll be able to read it and remember."
With 9 hugs, thank yous and kisses, Lance was reminded yet again of how fortunate he was. How he had the
best friends and lovers that anyone could ever want. He wiped his eyes again, compiling all of his presents
into one pile so that he wouldn't forget to pack them in the morning. Just as he settled into his place again,
Chris was on his knees again ready to speak. "Okay. So now that we've got the mushy part of the night over
with, it's on to the fun and games."
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