"Hey Poofu!"

Chris liked calling Lance that, just to watch his face twist in annoyance. The green of his eyes would darken and sometimes he'd slam down whatever he had in his hand.

"Don't call me that."

Chris shivered at how low Lance could make his voice go. He'd laughed with JC and Joey both, at the sheer fucking erotic quality of Lance's voice, but they'd both said how much they loved it when Lance was sleepy and content and just mumbling about nothing.

He liked it when Lance was angry or irritated, loved the sharp quality that edged the distinctive rumble in those cases. He'd happily admitted that he was a sick fuck, said that it didn't matter. It wasn't like he really wanted Lance, and they'd all nodded. His answering nod felt hasty and wrong to him, and he was glad when they'd turned away, distracted.

A week later, when he was laying on his back, listening to Lance rant furiously about some journalist who'd twisted a wayward comment, he had to close his eyes against the wave of longing he felt. It was a welcome jolt when Lance kicked him not quite gently in the side.

"Fucker! Wake the hell up."

Chris wiggled into a sitting position, staring at Lance while he continued on. He had a sudden desire to want Lance like the others did, when he wasn't furious and his arms stole out, almost of their own volition, and he grabbed Lance around the waist, tickling quick and fast.

Lance collapsed onto the floor, kicking and gasping and screaming with laughter, his face scrunching up and his eyes shining. Chris dropped to his knees beside Lance, running his fingers up and down, searching out the ticklish places, telling himself that he wasn't copping a cheap feel.

When Lance finally pushed him away, face was slack with laughter and his mouth was twisted into a reluctant smile. "I think I needed that." He stretched and his shirt rode up just enough to show a tiny bit of his stomach. "I think you broke me." There was something in his eyes that looked almost more than grateful.

Chris thought that he'd better just stick to pissed off, irritable Lance, because a soft and smiling Lance was deadly. He cocked his head to one side and grinned.

"It's okay, Poofu."

~end~