Title: Subterfuge
Author: lievv 
Fandom: Popslash
Pairing: Chris/Kevin, Lance/Kevin
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: This didn't happen.
Summary: Chris is a genius.




After signing up to sing the blues, it is suggested he is in need of an exorcist to rid him of the demon that is Reality TV. At some point during his email conversation with the ever supportive Joey - although Chris vaguely remembers Joey to be the one to suggest the exorcist in the first place - Chris decides Kevin Richardson is the right man for the job. Not only because he’s not doing anything either, and yet hasn’t caved to the evilness and addictiveness that is reality TV. A three way call between Justin, JC and himself tells him it’s not his most ridiculous idea ever. A call to Lance tells him it is. Chris is neither surprised nor deterred, after all, Lance is as skeptical as Chris himself is brilliant.

One night, a lingering masochistic inclination and a state of slight inebriation contribute to his decision to find out what Kevin thinks of his idea.

“Hello?”

“Kevin, hi,” Chris says excitedly, because just hearing the sound of Kevin’s voice confirms he made the right decision.

“Who’s this?”

Chris nods, thinking Kevin’s suspicion to be a good sign considering the task at hand. He's not entirely sure why it is, but decides not to dwell on that for the moment, and says, “Chris. Kirkpatrick. Chris Kirkpatrick.”

“Kirkpatrick – “

“I’m in need of an exorcist,” he says before giving Kevin a chance to hang up on him. It wouldn't be the first time Kevin's done that.

“Right.”

Chris frowns, because as much as he’s always appreciated Kevin’s open-mindedness, he’s not sure this should be a self-explanatory statement. “Aren’t you going to ask me why?”

“Lance already told me.”

He needs a moment to ponder just what is wrong with that particular sentence. Because not only is Lance and Kevin talking a mental image he has trouble conjuring - even though a similar event was an anecdote in Lance's book and therefor true beyond reasonable doubt of course - but more importantly, when did Lance become Lance? And why is he still Kirkpatrick? “Lance?” he asks. “You talked to Lance?”

“I talked to Lance,” Kevin confirms, and a minute ago Chris would have thought the smugness to be both a good trait for the man to rid him of his reality demon, as well as undeniably hot. Now it is just annoying.

Making a mental note to kick Lance’s ass for ruining what was a perfectly decent ruse to get him some newly divorced Kevin, Chris asks, “Okay. And what did you and Lance talk about?” Because, Chris magnanimously decides, he’ll reconsider punishing Lance if it turns out Lance was merely acting as his wingman. He smiles: it would be just like the good old days, that.

Kevin grins, a sound both annoying sexy and weirdly ominous at the same time, then says, “Well. Let’s just say Lance won’t be doing Dancing with the Stars this season.”

“Right.” Chris hangs up immediately, because he’s not <i>that</i> masochistic and, sadly, not that drunk anymore either. He nods to himself: there definitely will be some serious kicking of the Bass' ass later.

And that too will be just like the good old days.