They might have been less worried that JC was wearing a skirt if he hadn't been so obviously pleased about it. He'd opened the door, pink and happy and looking as if he might skip at any moment. He spun around his skirt whipping up, a slight smile on his face, and bounced toward the kitchen, calling back to them as they followed him in.

"Justin, Lance, we've got veggie burgers for you. Joey, Chris, you've got steaks and I'll even let you cook them, since you whined like a baby girl the last time. I still don't think it was overdone." He snuck a glance over his shoulder and giggled at the looks on their faces.

"Anyone want Sangria?"

JC spun at the refrigerator, his printed skirt flipping at his ankles. Lance slumped against Chris, Justin leaned in to whisper to Joey, and everyone just stared at JC. He stood, arms akimbo, legs flared out, and smiled.

"Is there a problem?" Everyone recognized the tone, not to mention the tiny innocent smile. He'd looked the same way when he picked out pants with a naked lady on them and again when he'd grown the odd chin stripe and longer hair. Joey sat down hard, and dropped his face into his hands.

Lance raised a tentative hand. "JC. Uh. Skirt?" He shook his head, staring at the soft cotton, and the way it floated around JC's legs. JC raised his arms and did a little twirl, the skirt lapping around his calves.

"Isn't it awesome, isn't it?" His eyes were wide, and his hands clutched at the material hanging loosely by his hips. He stuck a foot out, wiggling his toes, grinning happily. "Bobbie told me I just had to wear sandals with a skirt like this."

Justin peered at his toes. "At least he didn't have her paint his toes." The relief in his tone was obvious.

JC just giggled again, plunking the pitcher of Sangria down on the table.

Chris wrinkled his nose, walking around JC, and actually reaching down to feel the material in the skirt. Grabbing the drinks, he poured himself one. "I like it. Lovely cotton." He wandered out the back door, heading toward the grill.

Lance just shook his head, "Jayce. Before the fall FuManSkeeto line features peasant skirts, wanna tell us what the hell is going on?"

JC pointed at Lance. "You knew what they're called, dude. I had to ask Bobbie!"

He looked at the ground, appearing to be pondering something. "D'you think Chris would let me model?" He walked forward, humming "I'm too sexy" and turned, placing his feet very carefully and ending with one arm outflung and the other splayed on his hip.

Noticing the others gaping at him, JC frowned, tiny lines creasing his forehead. "What!" He poured a drink, plucking an orange out of the glass and nibbling at it. "Kevin wore a tacky black skirt to the awards, and no one bitched at him."

Joey threw his hands up in the air. "C. *Everyone* bitched at Kevin. I heard from Howie that AJ's still smacking him."

JC picked up the platter of meat and veggie burgers, his lip starting to poke out petulantly. "I feel pretty. I don't care. You're all just mean, and I'm going to go talk to Chris. Maybe he'll have his people make me a shiny pink one."

Lance watched him leave. "He's such a fucking princess." Joey laughed and nodded, and Justin gulped his drink. They watched through the doors as JC presented Chris with the platter and Chris leaned up to whisper something in JC's ear.

They watched as JC bunched his skirt tightly against his sides, and backed away from Chris. Chris leaned in and grabbed the skirt and JC fled, running into the house, past Lance, Joey and Justin, bouncing up the stairs.

He reappeared three minutes later in khaki shorts, eyes nervously darting everywhere. Lance crooked an eyebrow and looked at JC expectantly. JC leaned in, whispering in Lance's ear.

Lance laughed out loud, watching as JC squared his shoulders and went back outside to Chris. When Joey and Justin looked expectantly at him, he just smiled. "Chris wanted to know if he was commando under there. And it turned out that C remembered Braveheart a little too well."

Joey picked up his drink. "Gives new meaning to 'And I do my little turn on the catwalk' doesn't it?"

They all watched as Chris ran a finger around JC's waistband, shaking his head, while JC ducked his head.

Lance sighed. "Chris should know that Jayce needs a little more wooing." Then they all saw Chris lean into JC, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, and Lance looked up to heaven. "Please god. Just don't let Chris woo JC with pink satin."

~end~