White Noise
by northern

Thank you to Kim and musicdiamond.

Chris always makes sure his boys know he loves them and supports them. It's not like it's a hardship for him to go and listen to JC at the House of Blues, but he might not have done it if he weren't convinced that JC needed it.

But of course his boy makes him proud. He looks like he's having fun. Relaxed. Doesn't tense up when he forgets the lyrics, just giggles and apologizes to Tony. It's all about having fun tonight, singing and hanging out on stage with one of his oldest friends. Chris watches with a fond smile. JC looks good up there, tight grey shirt and wild hair.

On the way home, JC is still giggly and high on the music and club atmosphere. Chris feels unusually quiet next to him, since JC is virtually bouncing in his seat and can't stop talking; about Tony, about the music, about what he felt like when he sang. Chris finally has to throw an arm around JC's neck and pull him in to feel like he's really there. Not until he's pressed against JC's back, warm and slightly damp even through his clothes, does he feel like he's sure of JC's presence here. Of course this doesn't make JC stop talking, but as long as Chris is sure he has two-way communication with JC's body, he's content to wait for JC's mind to join them.

It's dark outside of the car, and the heavily tinted windows make the interior even darker. Of course there are lamps, but they generally don't use them. It's soothing to sit in the darkness after all the lights that come with a performance. Chris likes it because it makes him feel anonymous; the others find it relaxing in different ways.

He pulls JC to himself even tighter, an arm around him, and busies himself with carding his fingers through JC's hair, stroking his fingers against the back of JC's neck. JC eventually quiets down and tilts his head back to rest on Chris's shoulder. All of his energy seems to dissipate as he slips into half sleep, his eyes closed. This is also pretty much expected. Chris enjoys the warm weight of JC almost sleeping on him, like a pet, and cherishes every moment of it.

A wave of small shivers passes through JC's body, from his legs to the back of his head. Chris can feel it clearly and wraps both his hands around JC's neck, thinking he might be getting cold once his music high ended. The shivers become more pronounced, and JC's eyelids move with them, hiding eyes darting from side to side. Chris makes sure one hand is behind JC's head, suddenly afraid he might go into seizures. He never has before, but Chris has heard of these things, and he doesn't want his nose broken.

"C," he says as calmly as he can manage into JC's ear. "Come on. Slip out of it now. Wake up." He punctuates each demand with a squeeze.

JC doesn't respond in the slightest. His body isn't so much shivering as thrumming with tension, and his mouth is open, making gasping movements, but without sound.

"JC!" Chris is trembling with effort, too, and hears his own voice come out strained.

He keeps holding JC as tight as he can.