The Meteor Shower

JC's eyes were locked on the night sky in swift concentration. Flat on his back on the grass, the cool night air made him shiver even through his sweatshirt and jeans.

A narrow streak of light streamed by, hundreds of miles away.

He was intrigued and amazed.

"Damn, did you see that one?" JC's eyes never blinked. His voice was a whisper.

"No," replied Justin nonchalantly, lying beside him on the grass. He held a blade of grass between his fingers, twisting it.

"It was so bright…"

JC had preplanned this when they read about the meteor shower in the paper. A once in a lifetime sight. Chris, Joey, and Lance had stared at him like he was crazy. After their snickering he'd been informed that the only thing they would be doing from four to six a.m. was sleeping. Although disappointed, he understood and tried not to make a big deal about it. But Justin had agreed to come. And he'd been dutifully less whiney than usual when JC woke him up so early. They found the best spot to view the open sky and settled down.

One more flashed, leaving a streak in the sky that remained just a second before fading.

"Wow. Did you see that?"

"No," Justin answered.

JC frowned. Justin had not seen one yet. He still looked at the sky. "Have you seen any?"

"No."

"Can you see alright? Because there's a lot. I can't believe you haven't seen one…"

"It's okay."

"Oh, that one was—Did you see that one? You had to have seen that one. If you didn't then I know you're blind."

"I'm not blind."

"You saw it?"

"No."

JC stared up at the sky in confusion, looking at the sprinkling of stars. "Can you see the big dipper there? Look near there, there's a bunch near there…"

"That's okay…"

JC turned his head now and looked over at Justin. Their eyes met immediately. "Justin, you've got to see at least one… I've seen like a hundred."

"I’m looking at something more important…" Justin sat up slowly before moving to crawl on top of JC, placing each of his hands on a side of JC's head. He leaned down and kissed him.

"Justin…" JC objected, pushing the other's face away. "Come on. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The paper said—" Justin's lips graced his cheek and he shook his head. "The paper said we wouldn't see this for another ninety-nine years…"

Justin rested his head on JC's chest. "I'm cold."

JC sighed and put his arms around Justin, rubbing his hands up and down his back. "Please, Justin…"

"I was thinking of another way to get me warm…"

JC looked at the sky still, watching a couple more meteors flash. They were so quick. He felt Justin moving on top of him and grabbed his waist to still him before he changed his mind about doing something. "Sh, baby…"

"JC… We could do it under the meteor shower. How many other people can say that they did that…?" Justin murmured into his ear.

"You have to see at least one…"

"I woke up at four o'clock in the morning for you…" Justin whimpered, gripping JC's sweatshirt in his hand.

"Look up and see at least one…" JC answered.

Justin slid off him and looked up obediently. After a second he smiled. "Hey, I saw one." He paused. "That was pretty cool."

"Isn't it…" JC sat up too and slid an arm around Justin, tucking his hand into the waistband of Justin's pants. "I told you you'd like it. I don't make you get up at four for just anything, J…"

"I wouldn't think so." Justin watched one more and then looked back at JC, who still gazed upward. He moved closer and kissed the smooth skin of his exposed neck. "But let's make it more…" He felt the hand hooked onto his waistband slide further and smiled.

JC smiled and thought about it. He reluctantly decided he'd seen enough meteors. Justin's mischevious smile indicated it would be worth it.

*******

"How was that Goddamn meteor shower?" Chris asked the next morning as they met for breakfast. "Did you get up for it?"

"I saw on the news it was pretty good," Lance added.

"It was really awesome," Justin answered enthusiastically. "Really awesome."

"I can't believe you would get up at four." Joey smirked. "Of all people."

"Well, it was worth it." Justin grinned from ear to ear. "It was incredible."

"How many did you see?"

"Three."

"Three?" Chris echoed. "I heard there were hundreds. You saw just three?"

Justin nodded. "Felt like I was in heaven with the stars."

"Three," Lance murmured. "Was it cloudy or something?"

"No." Justin shook his head. "It was perfect."

Chris happened to glance over and saw JC looking a little embarrassed. Suddenly he realized Justin's smirking tone. It hit him and he gasped. "You guys!"

"Huh?" Justin looked at him. JC slowly met his eyes.

"I hope there was no one else around," Chris scolded.

"What?" Lance started. "What are you—"

"Oh…." Joey began. His eyes widened. "Oh!"

"Guys," JC objected. He shook his head, blushing. "Just… quit it…"

"Three meteors…" Joey shook his head. "Aw, man, that's priceless."

Justin smirked. "We—"

"Justin, if you say anymore, I will guarantee that's the last time you'll see that in ninety-nine years," JC hissed.

Justin snapped his mouth shut and sat completely silent.

"You guys are funny," Joey answered. "I mean, how many other people did that?"

"That's what I said!" Justin began. He caught JC's eye and shut his mouth again. After a moment though, he smiled and said, "So when's the next time we can go look at stars, JC? I think I wanna be an astronomer with you."

Chris cracked up laughing.

JC couldn't help but smiling himself.

******