And on the Fourth Day, we celebrate.

Continuing on yesterday's topic, while I truly pity anyone who would cross this boy or those he loves, I just don't see anything deeper than diplomatic efficiency in him. He can be snarky, sure, and look down on insipidity as well as anyone, but to me, he comes off as genuine, every bit the happy-go-lucky, sunny Southern boy he seems, morals and values intact. He loves kids and his family, country music and partying. He's good-natured, dorky in the extreme, and to be completely honest, yeah, a bit flamey. I get nothing but a matter-of-fact sincerity off of him, like someone who has worked hard, achieved lots, knows himself and what he's doing, and is confident in his abilities but remains humble enough to blush. He has an easy, bright smile and likes to have fun regardless of what people think of how he goes about it. He works hard and isn't afraid to do the big things just because they're risky. Sometimes, he licks whipped cream off of strippers and gets photographed in compromising situations with other men. But he is also capable, shrewd, and knows the workings and virtues of this business he's in. He's the one "always" on top of their schedule as well as the "peacemaker" of the group. Occasionally he looks like there are other things he'd rather be doing, but mostly he maintains that there's nowhere else he'd rather be and no other people he'd rather be there with. He can lie for all the reasons any of us do, but when asked intelligent or heartfelt questions, he returns the sentiment in kind.

I love his little dance (and only partly because it's also my own). I love his, yes, porny bass voice. I love his long, slender fingers. I love his sartorial choices, unabashedly and heartily - unorthodox Oxfords for everyone! I love the duck-and-blush thing he does and his open, toothy smiles. I love his shameless draping of himself all over furniture, cars, and Joey alike.

Happiest of birthdays to Lance. He deserves everything in this life and all that's yet to come.

Oh! Fic! Right.

How We Are by Synchronik

"All I talk about is you guys," Lance said. "It's, like, you're the only things I know." Joey looked at Lance's face carefully, expecting to see something sad there, but there wasn't anything but Lance's small smile.

"Okay, then." Joey smiled back. "Can I, um?" He put his arm along the edge of the couch. Lance looked at him for a second, at his arm, then leaned back into it and lined himself up along Joey's body. Joey hugged him. "See, now, isn't this better than normal?"

"Um hmm," Lance said. Joey smiled out the window.

The intricacies of translating the social behavior learned being (a part of) *NSYNC to how people in the real world act and perceive. Tricky business when you routinely share couches that are meant to seat three comfortably, and spend more time cooped together on tour buses than anywhere else. I love that Synchronik deals with Lance's issues, the religious and culturally-ingrained "norms" we all have to learn to overcome to be ultimately happy.