The Two of Us: Shopping Spree
by Karen and LB
© 2002
"I have a BRILLIANT idea, Lance. We're going shopping. Is that not brilliant?"
"Yeah, Einstein--where? We just got here. I don't think Wes and Dre are gonna want to be dragged all over San Diego."
"Here's the brilliant part. Fashion Valley. You can tell me what a genius I am now."
"You're a genius for knowing the name of a mall?"
"I'm a genius for knowing the name of THAT mall. The last place anyone would look for us."
"In a mall? JC, have you been smoking something?"
"Silly Lance. Did you miss that part of the schedule? It's the mall where Chris is doing his signing."
"It is. Oh my gosh, it is. But how are we gonna go shopping when 1,000 screaming fans will be there?"
"They'll all be in line. We get the rest of the mall to ourselves."
"Holy sh--you're right. They'll be so busy swarming Chris they won't even notice us. We can throw on a couple of hats and no one will even realize we're there. You ARE a genius!"
"Well, it's about time you noticed."
"Aw, darlin', you know I love you for more than your hot bod."
"So are we gonna go play?"
"You have to ask?"
"Then what are we waiting for?"
"Let me just get some hats." Lance sifts through his bags until he finds a bucket hat for JC and a Yankees cap for himself. He fits the hat on JC's head and appraises his boyfriend. "I wouldn't recognize you."
"Yeah, 'cause this is such a devious disguise."
"We can paint on moustaches. You know, SEX-I-FY."
"Okay, that goes on the top ten dumbest things I ever said."
"And we'll never let you forget it."
"You're so mean to me. Why is it that I love you?"
"I rock your world?"
"There IS that."
"Plus, I like to shop. And buy you things."
"I know. That's what I wanted to go shopping." JC stops, realizing how that sounds. "I meant the 'you like to shop' part."
"Don't worry--we'll find the sale rack at The Gap for you."
"You're so good to me. C'mon, let's go." They manage to slip out after promising to call within the next few hours. One of the crew members loans them a car and they head to the mall, singing to the songs on the radio (they find an awesome 80s station). Fashion Valley is an outdoor mall, and the crowd is thin, so they are able to walk around at their leisure. Lance spots a Guess store and pulls JC inside to check out jackets. They stop at the sunglass kiosk, where Lance makes JC try on different colored glasses, and after a half hour Lance almost forgets that they're two members of the most famous pop group in the world.
It feels like forever since they've been able to do something normal like this. JC feels freer, more relaxed than he has in ages. After shopping for a while, they slip into Godiva to buy truffles and sit on a bench to savor them.
"Mmmm, this is amazing," Lance moans, licking his fingers.
"Do that again."
"Eat chocolate?"
" Eat. Lick. Moan."
"JC! We're in public."
"Doing something completely innocent."
"But you're getting all horny on me."
"Excuse me? You're the one having orgasms eating your truffle."
"I can't help it--this is amazing. Try one."
"Trade you."
Grinning, Lance hands JC his bag full of chocolates. "Try the pecan one. You'll know why I had an orgasm."
"And you try . . . any of 'em. Just so you make that face again."
"Now I can't eat in front of you." Lance turns away on the bench and pops one of the chocolates JC handed him in his mouth. "Mmmmm, so good."
"Hey, that's cheating."
"Cheating? How can I enjoy my chocolate with you staring at me?"
"I just want to enjoy you enjoying your chocolate."
"You can't enjoy me enjoying my chocolate in public."
"We could go somewhere more private. Neiman Marcus has nice dressing rooms."
"You want to do it in the middle of Neiman Marcus? I think you've been out in the sun too long." Lance almost reaches for JC's hand, but then remembers they're not alone. "I think you need to shop more. C'mon, there's a Hot Topic. Let's get Joey another weird shirt."
"Okay. Then maybe we can burn some of the old ones."
"Aw, it's his style. Like those sweaters of yours are your style."
"I wouldn't talk about sweaters if I were you, Bill Cosby."
"What's wrong with my sweaters?"
"The same thing you say is wrong with my sweaters."
"What? I wore like one crazy sweater five years ago."
"And what do you call that THING you wore on The View."
"Dolce and Gabanna?"
"It's still . . . not your best look."
"It added color. Okay, you don't like that one, let's buy something else."
"I can pick out exactly what I want to see on you?"
With a smile, Lance eyes JC suspiciously. "Okay, deal."
"Don't worry. I won't make you wear something you'll hate. I just want to pick something out for you. You can say no."
"Okay. But remember, I trust you."
"I promise. Nothing you don't like. But you have to give it a fair shot, okay? Try it on even if you think I'm nuts and don't say no till you've seen it on?"
Lance shrugs. "They do it to us all the time at photo shoots."
"Good. Let's go. Look! There's a Gap right here!"
Rolling his eyes, Lance follows as JC rushes to the store. "Do you have a gift certificate?" he calls out.
JC blushes. "Um, yeah.".
"You dork."
"Hey, when we're old and gray, you're going to be glad I was thrifty."
"Uh, I don't think we'll have to worry about clipping coupons."
"You never know," JC replies as he examines a rack of jeans.
"I'll make sure we don't have to. And with the way you save your money . . . "
"We're set for life. You think Tyler would like these?"
"Yeah. They're okay."
"Just okay?" JC puts them back. "You wanna go somewhere else?"
"No, this is fine, really. But hey, don't they have an Abercrombie & Fitch here?"
"I think so. Let's go there."
Lance likes shopping with JC for the very reason that JC doesn't argue with him about which stores to go into. "Look, C, they're even having a sale. When Lance spots a pair of navy board shorts he declares, "I'm gonna try these on."
"Boring. At least try the orange ones, too."
"Orange? Okay, if you say so."
"I say so. And that shirt," JC continues, pointing.
With a smirk, Lance holds up the short-sleeved, patterned button- down against his chest. "Yes, mom," he says with exaggeration.
"You said I could pick stuff for you."
"I know, I know. I'm going." Lance finds the dressing room and changes into the shorts. He throws the shirt on over his t-shirt and appraises the outfit. Okay, so it's not as bad as he first thought it would be. In fact, it looks pretty good. When Lance emerges from the dressing room, clothes draped over his arm, he announces to his friend, "You win."
"I haven't even started."
"Oh my goodness. What's next?"
"I won't know till I see it."
"Well, if we're gonna shop more, I need something to drink. I think the food places are upstairs."
"Yeah, over that way. C'mon, I'll buy you a soda."
They walk over to a fast-food stand, where JC buys Lance a Dr. Pepper. The cold drink feels good in the hot sun, and Lance lets out a satisfying burp. "Sorry," he says sheepishly, with a boyish grin plastered on his face. Then he does it again. "Oops, sorry."
"Nice Lance. Do I need to call your mother?"
"Like you never burp?"
"Sure, but you'd be giving Justin competition."
They start wandering around the top floor of the mall as Lance declares, "NO ONE can compete with Justin." When they reach the end Lance peers over the small wall and sees a crowd lined up in front of Nordstrom's. "Hey, check it out."
"Whoa! For CHRIS?"
"Yeah, he must be giving something away. Hey, let's go check out the clothes there."
"Brilliant. Right under their noses."
"They' ll never even notice. They're too busy screaming 'Chris!' " The boys quickly find the stairs and a side entrance to the store, and after checking the directory they find the men's department. A couple of salesmen throw them a suspicious glance, but so far no one has discovered who they really are. JC leans over to whisper in Lance's ear "They probably think we can' t afford the clothes."
"If they only saw our credit limits," Lance snickers. "Ooh, look at these." He spies a table of jeans in the Diesel section and holds up a pair with various rips.
"Those are great. They'd look great on you."
"Yeah? Okay, I'll try these and you try . . . these." Lance selects a very long pair of dirty denim jeans for his boyfriend just as a young salesman approaches.
"Hi. Can I help you with anything?"
Lance shakes his head. "No, we're fine, thanks." Seeing they haven't been recognized, Lance realizes this is how it must feel to be just an average guy going shopping.
"Well, my name is Eric, so if you need help with anything, just let me know. There are some shirts we just got in that I think you'd like. They're right over there against the wall."
"Thanks," Lance says enthusiastically, enjoying this treatment. This guy doesn't know who they are, yet he's treating them like they're special anyway.
"Thanks," JC echoes as he goes over to look at the shirts. He finds one in shades of yellow that he knows will look great on Lance, and deliberately chooses a size smaller than Lance usually buys.
"I like that." Lance is too preoccupied with the color to notice the size. Lance chooses a similar style in blue for JC. "Let's try them on."
"You just want to get me alone."
Lance pokes JC's chest as he says, "YOU have a one-track mind." He sees Eric and indicates they want to try on the clothes, and they are led to the back of the dressing room. There are large, individual rooms with doors, so Lance takes the one opposite JC.
"I want to SEE that stuff on you," JC calls.
"Yes, mom. Boy, you're tougher than her." As Lance peels off his shirt and puts on the one JC selected for him, he eyes himself in the mirror. It's sleeveless and a little snug for Lance's taste. When he puts on the jeans, he turns around and gives himself the once over. "This is cool, but I think the sizes run small."
"Show me." Having slipped into his own jeans and shirt, JC opens the door of his dressing room. "There's a three-way mirror out here. You can get a better look."
Lance steps out into the open area, tugging at his shirt. "I think it's a little small. What do you think?"
"I think it looks great. You have this great body, and you always hide it under baggy clothes."
"Aw, I do not."
"Yeah, you do. Look at those muscles."
"What muscles? You're the one with the muscles."
"These muscles." JC runs a finger over a defined bicep. "You know, we're both allowed to have them."
Lance's skin tingles under JC's touch. "I know. I guess I just don't see it."
"That's what you've got me for--to remind you."
"You're insane. And since you want to help, how about helping me get out of this thing?"
"Well, since you asked so sweetly . . . " JC pulls Lance into his own dressing room. Once inside, Lance raises his arms.
"So eager," JC murmurs as he lifts the hem of the shirt. Instead of lifting it off, however, he merely slides his hands under the shirt, touching warm and, as he knows, lightly tanned skin.
Lance sucks in a quick breath. The shirt may be a little tight, but he's glad the pants are baggy. "Uh huh," he murmurs back.
"I don't know if I really want to take this off you. You look so hot in it," JC whispers into Lance's ear, his breath hot against Lance's neck.
"I feel hot. Very hot," Lance croaks.
"I think it's about to get hotter," JC replies, closing his lips over Lance's earlobe.
"Oh . . . my . . . gosh . . . ," Lance moans, dropping his arms and encircling JC. JC nibbles on the captive earlobe, then runs his tongue slowly down Lance's neck, tasting skin and salt and Lance.
Lance can feel his pulse pounding in his neck as JC's tongue teases his flesh. He tilts his head to give his lover better access and catches a glimpse of their entangled bodies in the mirror.
JC's tongue slides upward to tease at Lance's Adam's apple, as his hands move higher under the snug yellow shirt.
The heat rises in Lance's cheeks as JC's hands move upward. So Lance moves his hands down to JC's ass, which he squeezes through the new designer jeans.
"Maybe we should get out of these before we wreck them," JC says huskily, his lips still on Lance's throat.
"We're gonna wreck them? . . . Ohhhhhhhhh." Lance pulls JC's shirt up, exposing his back to the cool air of the store.
"Not anymore." JC steps back and removes Lance's shirt in one swift, sure movement.
Lance stands in the bright but not unflattering light of the dressing room and tries not to stare into the mirror. "Careful--I want to buy that."
"Nope. I'm buying it for you, beautiful."
For probably the hundredth time since they started going out, Lance blushes. "YOU'RE buying it for ME? Wow, you must really like it. And you didn't even look at the price tag. How can I ever thank you?"
"Brat."
"Fine, you don't want my gratitude, I'll just take my clothes . . . " Lance turns toward the door, hiding his grin.
"That was gratitude? You totally dissed me."
"Aw, now don't be like that. You know I'm only teasing. I love that you want to buy me clothes."
"That's better. So are you going to help me with this?" JC indicates his own shirt.
"I don't know, I kind of like the way it looks on you." Lance turns around to face JC once again and steps up so they're millimeters apart. "And feels," he purrs, as he runs his hands up JC's chest.
JC's hands grip Lance's waist, pulling him tightly to him before closing his mouth over Lance's. He parts Lance's lips with his tongue and tastes rich chocolate and Lance's own flavor.
Lance pushes against JC so they're against the wall, his hands remaining on JC's chest, feeling his heat through the smooth, snug shirt. He returns the kiss with equal fervor, thrusting inside JC's sweet mouth.
JC slides his hands up Lance's side slowly, as if he were counting each rib. He entwines Lance's tongue with his own, both playfully and sensuously.
Lance moves against JC's slender body, grinding his hips into JC and feeling their excitement grow simultaneously.
JC breaks their kiss to grin down at Lance. "You know, there's like 1000 screaming fans like 100 feet away."
"Great, you know how to break the mood."
"Think about it. Right under their noses. That doesn't turn you on just a little?"
"You're kinky, JC."
"You have a problem with that?"
"Not at all. It's about time," Lance growls, moving in for another kiss.
"Mmmmm," JC sighs as his arms wrap around Lance again, sliding them downward until they slip into the pockets of Lance's jeans.
Lance's lips move down JC's chin as he raises JC's shirt. "Maybe you should take this off after all," he muses.
"Anything you want, baby."
Lance lifts the shirt up and over JC's head, being careful not to toss it on the floor. "It looked good on you but it looks better off."
"Are you saying naked is my best look?"
"It's one of your many."
"Flattery will get you kisses," JC says, and proceeds to demonstrate.
Chest to chest, Lance can feel their body heat passing between them. Mouth open, Lance slips his tongue into JC's eager mouth, probing and exploring the hot cavern.
JC draws his fingers slowly down Lance's spine, smiling into their kiss as he feels Lance shiver under his light touch.
Lance flinches slightly at the delicious sensation of JC's gentle fingers on his back, so to distract himself he reaches for the button of JC's jeans, being careful not to just rip them open. When he has the zipper down, he slips his hand inside JC's shorts, encircling the twitching member.
JC's head falls back against the wall as he gives himself up to the pleasure of Lance's hand encircling his already aching erection.
Lance uses this opportunity to kiss his way down to JC's chin, then his neck, as his hand begins to rub JC's hot organ. JC struggles to silence the groan of pleasure that's building in him. His hands slip around from Lance's back to caress his chest, fingers toying with an already hard nipple.
Lance manages to get JC's pants down, over his hips, and he reluctantly moves out of reach of JC's nimble fingers as he kisses his way down JC's smooth, lean chest.
"They should call this an undressing room," JC says, smiling down at his lover.
"They should call it something else, but I don't think they could get away with it." Lance is kneeling now and has reached JC's navel. He takes a swipe at it with his tongue before moving lower, tracing the line of soft hairs beneath JC's shorts as he slides those along with the jeans to JC's ankles. Then he licks and kisses his way around JC's sprung erection.
JC bites his lip and turns his head away even as his hands reach to touch Lance's hair. This teasing moment of anticipation is even more delicious than the pleasures to come and JC revels in it. Lance circles the throbbing erection once more, then flicks his tongue at the tip before covering it with his lips.
JC gasps quietly, still conscious of where they are in spite of the pleasure coursing through him.
Engulfing JC's length with his mouth, Lance moves down the shaft to the base and back up again slowly, taking in JC's scent and taste and the small sounds his lover is making all at once.
"Lance," JC hisses, moving one hand from Lance's head to try to grip the wall and keep himself from sinking under the sheer ecstasy Lance is creating with his mouth and tongue.
At the encouragement, Lance increases his tempo, bringing his hand up to massage JC's balls and run his tongue around the tip. He swirls his way back down, then pauses, taking in JC's length as far as it will go.
JC can't stop himself from thrusting against Lance's mouth. Everything Lance does to him feels so amazing, and the danger of getting caught causes additional excitement to dance along his nerves like electricity.
Lance rocks in time with JC's thrusts, resuming his ministrations on the engorged organ. He pulls JC away from the wall just enough to be able to slip his hands on the firm globes of JC's ass. In this brightly lit room, in the middle of the day, Lance can't help but laugh to himself; he never thought he'd be giving his boyfriend a blow job in the middle of a major department store.
JC can't quite hold back a moan as he comes, hot and fast. He hangs onto the wall desperately as his knees start to give out.
Lance supports JC as JC fills him. He closes his eyes and savors the moment. JC was right: This is exciting. Suddenly, there's a knock on the door. The voice of Eric the sales associate floats into the cubicle. "Are you okay, sir?"
"Yes," JC manages. I just really, really like these clothes."
"Oh, yeah, they're great, aren't they?" Eric replies, pleased that someone appreciates this line as much as he does. "Let me know if you need anything else," he calls as he heads back out to the sales floor.
Lance lifts his eyes to JC. "You need anything else?"
"Nope. Nothing in the whole world."
"Nothing?" Lance rises and says seductively, "I know something else you need." With a grin, he leans in, then reaches for JC's shirt and tosses it against JC's chest. "You need to get your clothes back on."
"And here I thought you liked me naked."
"I do. But you'd look pretty funny walking around naked in the middle of Nordstrom's. Although I think Eric might like that."
"Heh. Not my type. So, do you want to do any more . . . shopping?"
"I think we've had enough for today. Let's pay for these things and get out of here." Lance takes his clothes back to his own room and quickly changes back into his street clothes, remembering to put on the baseball cap. The boys take their clothes to the register, where Eric is waiting for them.
"So, I see you enjoy them. Good choices."
Lance looks at JC. "Yeah, we enjoy them very much."
"Yep, nothing like good . . . fabrics." JC pulls out his wallet.
"Nice fit, huh?" Eric inquires as he rings up the tags.
"Very nice," Lance replies, winking at JC. After Eric has bagged their purchases, JC and Lance head to the escalator, but they hear the din of teenage girls from above. "Hey, let's just check it out," Lance says slyly.
"You're so bad," JC replies fondly, as he pulls his hat down low on his brow.
They ride the escalator to the third floor--once, they are stopped by store security who lets them pass because they are guys and are clearly not there for the signing. They stand back from the crowd, marvelling at how easy it is to stand here and not be noticed when their bandmate is sitting there across the room. Suddenly, Lonnie spots them but doesn't move. Lance smiles, realizing that if Lonnie acknowledges their presence there will be a stampede. Lance folds his arms across his chest. "Boy, are we gonna get it later."
"Totally. But don't worry. I'll sneak into your room and comfort you afterwards. I've got some reciprocating to do anyway." They smile as blamelessly as possible at Lonnie and walk back to the escalator. As they travel down, they watch, but don't make eye contact with, the excited, chattering girls going up. The store is closing and they're ushered out the nearest exit and find themselves walking along the line of waiting fans as they head toward the parking garage where they'd left the borrowed car. They watch, amused, as a FuPhotographer revs up the crowd for pictures and have one moment of near-panic when they accidentally make eye contact with a group of redheads, whose eyes widen but who smile at them and remain silent. Nodding their thanks, JC and Lance try to walk a little faster but almost lose it when some girls near the end of the line start pointing at some kid in the parking garage, screaming "Justin!"
As they pull out of the garage and pass the line of hormonally charged girls, Lance flips on the stereo and laughs when he hears the first chords of "Pop" blare from the speakers. The girls cheer as they pass, and it's only as they're about to turn the corner that Lance removes his hat.
JC grins. "Hey, we're GOOD at this sneaky stuff."
"Yeah, maybe we should sneak into our sound check tomorrow."
"That might be pushing it. But we could, like, go hit McDonalds or something before we go back."
"Hey, you know what I could go for? Fish tacos!"
"You're kidding, right?"
"Nope. C'mon, you promised you'd try one next time we were here. And look at it this way: No one would ever suspect we'd go someplace like that."
"Yeah. And I guess that since you were so good about letting me pick out clothes for you, I should at least try it."
"You be a good boy and try the taco and I'll let you dress me up some more when we get back to the hotel."
"I have a brilliant idea, Lance. We bring tacos back for Lonnie. He can't stay mad at us if we bring him back food. Is that not brilliant?"
"Darlin', and they say I'M the business-minded one?"