A Matter of Taste
by Karen and LB
© 2002
"So she tells me she wants to have my baby--I told her it was too late." Joey starts cracking up, and Chris just stares at him.
Lance shakes his head, rising from the couch. "Anyone want anything?" They're at Johnny's house, waiting for their manager to get off the phone so they can start going over the specs for the new stage.
"Yeah, can I have a Coke, please?" JC asks. The others clamor with their requests as well.
Lance returns, tossing bottles of soda to his bandmates. He resumes his seat on the couch next to JC and takes a long sip of his Dr Pepper.
Johnny finally gets off the phone and joins the boys. The meeting lasts a few hours, and they finally take a break, Justin and Chris heading to the basketball court, Joey to hit some golf balls on the lawn. Lance turns to JC. "Wanna bowl a few?"
"You just want to watch me fondling balls."
"You've got a dirty mind, JC. If Bop only knew."
"It'd be good. Shake 'em up."
"I think there are safer ways to shake them up. Besides, I'm the only one who wants to know about your fondness for fondling balls."
"So I better be nice to you, huh? Or my secret will get leaked?"
"Something's gonna leak," Lance leers, holding open the door to Johnny's custom-built bowling room.
JC slips into the room, managing to squeeze Lance's butt on the way past.
Lance's eyes widen, a big grin spreading on his face. "I thought we're supposed to be bowling."
"We are," JC says with his most innocent expression.
"So go first."
"I have to, um, choose my ball first."
"Which one do you want?"
JC gives Lance a sultry look, then walks over to the lane. He grabs a ball at random and, barely looking, bowls a strike. Then he turns around and grins at Lance. "Which one do YOU want?"
"Lucky shot," Lance mumbles. "I like 'em big and heavy." He takes his place at the end of the lane and concentrates, then releases the ball, knocking all but one pin down.
"Hey, we're pretty good at this," JC says wonderingly.
"You sound surprised."
JC grins. "We haven't practiced much."
"Are we talking about bowling?" Lance takes his second shot, hitting the lone pin. He grabs the bottle of soda he brought with him and takes a sip.
"Of course. We practice other things frequently."
"Maybe not enough." Lance moves to where JC is sitting and bends to give his boyfriend a kiss.
JC tries to get into it, but hesitates.
"What's the matter?"
"Oh, um, nothing." Masking his distaste, JC pulls Lance in for another kiss. It's better this time.
Lance kisses more passionately, figuring they have enough time for a little fun and games before getting back to work.
JC's mouth drifts away from Lance's moving over to his chin to his sensitive neck.
Lance giggles, twisting his head as JC's lips play over his throat. "So much for bowling."
"It's still a sport with balls."
Still smiling, Lance moves his head to capture JC's mouth again. "Just don't be rolling mine down that lane."
JC immediately pulls back, to whisper, "This ain't no candlepin," as his hand closes over the bulge in Lance's pants.
"Just be careful where you aim," Lance purrs as he lowers them both to the floor.
JC returns to nuzzling Lance's neck as his hand busily releases Lance's erection from his pants.
Lance leans back on his hands, his lips seeking JC's eagerly.
JC's hand wraps around Lance's erection and he strokes just the way he knows Lance likes it. His lips move to Lance's ear and he traces its shape with his tongue.
Lance's hips move in the same rhythm as JC's hand, and he pants softly at the tickling tongue. "Ohhh, JC," he moans. He's so close he feels like he could knock down a hundred pins.
"Mmmm. You like?" JC murmurs into Lance's ear, giving it another swipe with his warm, wet tongue. His hand moves more rapidly and he feels Lance follow his rhythm.
"Uh huh," Lance groans. "In fact . . . " He squeezes his eyes shut and comes, falling back against the floor with a thud.
JC grins down at Lance. "Bet if I drop a bowling ball it'd sound just like that."
"I think you just got a strike. My turn," Lance exclaims, sitting up and grabbing JC by the back of his neck and pulling him in for a kiss.
JC has nowhere to go, so he lets Lance kiss him and even tries to respond.
Lance senses JC reluctance and is about to question him when Johnny's voice breaks in on the loudspeaker. "JC, Lance? You boys down there? We're ready to go."
"Looks like we'll have to pick this up later," says Lance.
"Count on it, babe." JC gets up and extends a hand to Lance.
*****
"All right, the rider. Anything you boys want to add?"
"Cap'n Crunch," Justin calls out.
"It's on there."
"I want a massage chair," says Chris.
Johnny stares at him over the rim of his glasses.
"Dr Pepper," adds Lance.
"There wasn't enough Coke last time, " JC adds.
"I want a trampoline." All eyes turn to Joey. "C'mon it'll be fun."
"I think we've done enough for today," groans Johnny.
"But we're not done," says Lance.
"I'M done for today. I've had enough of you boys. Get outta here."
Lance turns to JC as they gather up their belongings. "I owe you a dinner. My place?"
"You do? I mean, yeah!"
"Yeah. For today."
"Today? Oh!" JC blushes. "You want me to bring anything? Wine?"
"Sure. I'll meet you back there in, say, an hour?"
JC dashes home for a quick shower, then considers the wine bottles on his shelves. He selects one he thinks Lance will like, then drives over to Lance's house.
Lance is busy sauteeing vegetables in a pan when JC arrives. "In the kitchen," he calls out.
JC walks through the house to the kitchen, smiling at Lance in his apron. He walks up behind Lance and kisses the back of his neck. "Hi."
"Hi darlin'. Hungry?" He leans back against JC and reaches for his soft drink.
"Yeah. Starving." JC pushes the can aside. "Here. I'll open the wine."
"Oh, okay. This stove is hot. It's making me so thirsty." While JC is busy with the wine, Lance takes a long swallow of soda.
"Can I help?" JC asks, after he opens the bottle and pours two glasses.
"Um, yeah--can you toss the salad?"
"Sure. You didn't have to go to all this trouble just for me. But thanks."
"I like to cook." He nibbles on one of the vegetables, then holds the fork out to JC.
JC wraps his hand around Lance's as he takes the offered food from the fork. "Mmmmm. Wonderful."
"Go sit and I'll get everything together." He starts dishing out the vegetables and chicken and carries it over to the table, and returns with a bowl of rice and the salad. He lights a few candles and dims the overhead. Then he removes his apron, finishes his soda, and returns to the dining area and stands behind JC, taking the napkin from the table and placing it in JC's lap. "Dinner is served." Then he kisses JC from above and takes his seat across the table.
JC quickly sips his wine. "This is beautiful," he says, softly.
"I wanted to do something special. With the tour starting up soon, we won't have much time to spend together." Lance lifts his wine glass. "To us."
JC touches his wine glass to Lance's. "To us," he echoes.
Even Lance is impressed at how well the dinner turned out. Lance, as usual, is the last to finish, and when he is he leans back in his chair. "That's the last home-cooked meal we'll be having for a while."
JC sips his wine. "Good thing, or I'd get spoiled. And fat."
"You couldn't get fat if you stayed in bed for a year," Lance remarks as he gathers up the plates.
"Okay, just spoiled, then," JC says agreeably and he picks up the rice and salad bowls and follows Lance into the kitchen.
"I picked up a couple of DVDs on the way home--why don't you go pick one out?"
"You don't need help?"
"No, I just want to load the dishwasher. I'll be right in."
"Okay. But hurry," JC says, dropping a kiss onto Lance's cheek. He wanders into the screening room and flips through the stack of DVDs.
Lance tidies up the kitchen, then grabs some beverages. When he enters the screening room, he hops over to one of the couches and lands with a soft whoosh next to JC. "What are we watching?" he asks, as he hands JC a Coke.
"Thanks. There's more wine left, you know."
"Are you trying to get me drunk? So what'd you choose?" Lance asks again, leaning over JC to see which DVD case is on the table.
"Um, American Beauty. People keep talking about how great it was, and I feel stupid because I haven't seen it."
"You never saw it? Mena Suvari is HOT," Lance exclaims, taking a sip of his drink.
"I think I'm jealous. "
"YOU don't have anything to worry about," Lance coos, placing a soft kiss on JC's cheek.
"Good. Cause I kinda like you," JC says, taking the soda can from Lance's hand and putting it aside.
Lance moves in to kiss JC. JC turns his face slightly so their mouths miss and they kiss each other's cheeks. Puzzled, Lance pulls back but doesn't say anything. This isn't the first time this has happened. Maybe it's the pressure of the tour planning. Maybe . . . no, it couldn't be. Could JC be losing interest?
JC pulls Lance back, dropping kisses all over Lance's face, then moving to his throat.
Lance tries to get into it, but the image of JC averting his face to Lance's kiss is emblazoned in his mind. JC can feel Lance's hesitancy and pulls back. "You wanna watch the movie?"
"Yeah, I guess," replies Lance, figuring that's what JC wants. He settles back on the cushions and tries to pay attention to the movie, but every now and then finds himself glancing at JC. Has Lance become undesirable to him? He looks down at his stomach. Is he gaining too much weight? Is JC getting tired of him?
JC doesn't like the distance between them. He moves closer and settles against Lance's shoulder. And they watch the movie. And JC falls asleep by the end. Lance decides to let him sleep, adjusting their bodies to make it more comfortable. But when morning comes, Lance is more convinced there's something wrong, but he doesn't have time to ponder it because they have to be at rehearsal early.
And so the days pass, until one day when they're filming a segment for Nickelodeon. At the break, Lance and Joey wander over to the craft services table. As he downs some refreshments, Lance watches JC. It's not like his lover has been avoiding him, but he hasn't accepted Lance's affection like he used to. With a sigh, he takes another sip of his soda and gets back to work.
JC is watching Lance, too. He knows he has to say something, and soon. It's just not fair to Lance. But he can't imagine actually saying the words. It's late when they finally break.
They have an early rehearsal tomorrow, so Lance approaches JC cautiously. "Um, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"You could, um, come over. "
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it's been so crazy. I feel like I've hardly seen you."
"Me too." Somewhat relieved by JC's invitation, Lance relaxes, trying to push his bad thoughts to the back of his mind.
"You wanna leave your car here and ride with me?"
"Um, okay. I guess I could pick it up . . . tomorrow?"
"Yeah, we can swing by in the morning. Or after rehearsal."
"Okay." But still, Lance is suspicious all the way back to JC's house.
"I, um, didn't plan dinner or anything, but we can order in," JC says as they pull into his driveway.
"Sounds good. Pizza?"
"Yeah," JC says, letting them into the house. "You want a drink before I call it in?"
"Sure. Can you grab me a Dr Pepper?"
"I, um, I ran out."
"Oh. You want me to run out to the store? I can pick up the pizza."
"They deliver. We can, um, ask if they have it. Or, there's lots of Coke."
"Um, oookay." Now Lance is really confused. JC has been avoiding his affection, yet now he doesn't want him to leave. Maybe JC doesn't want Lance touching his car now.
JC grabs two cans of Coke, and walks over to Lance. He hands him one, then impulsively pulls Lance into an embrace. "I'm glad you're here."
"You are?"
"Of course I am. Go get comfortable. I'll order the food."
Lance stares at JC over his shoulder as he heads to the den. Curious, he wanders around the room, looking for signs that JC might be . . . Lance didn't even know what he was looking for. Had been denying it all week. Could JC be interested in someone else?
JC calls in the order then searches his kitchen for paper plates and napkins. "You want a beer with your pizza? Or wine or soda?"
"Soda's fine. We have an early rehearsal tomorrow."
"Too early." JC makes a face. Everything's ready but the food, so he joins Lance in the den. "They should be here soon."
"Good. I'm starving."
As if on cue, the buzzer rings and JC goes out to pay for the pizza. He deposits it on the coffee table and he and Lance sit on the couch to share it. "Do you need another soda?"
"Yeah, I'll get it." He almost moves to kiss JC, then decides against it. He doesn't want to push his luck.
JC watches fondly as Lance leaves the room, then selects a slice of pizza.
Lance opens the refrigerator and scans the shelves, then locates the six-pack of Coke. But behind that, he spots the familiar logo of his favorite soda. Why would JC lie? He reaches behind the Coke and grabs one of the bottles of Dr Pepper, then returns to the den with it and a bottle of Coke for JC.
JC looks up with a smile when Lance comes back into the room, but the smile dies when he sees what Lance is carrying.
JC couldn't have painted a better picture. Lance stops in his tracks, wondering what it was he did that could turn JC off so quickly. "Were you expecting someone else?"
"No! No, I was just surprised. I, um, must have, um, missed that before."
"Missed what?"
"That." JC indicates the soda in Lance's hand.
"No big deal. I found it." Lance takes a sip and approaches JC. He leans down to kiss him.
JC pulls away involuntarily.
Lance steels himself. So that's it. JC DOES find him undesirable. "I better go."
JC grabs Lance's arm. "No. Don't. Please don't go. I'll tell you everything. No matter how stupid it's gonna sound."
Lance stops, but stays where he is, turning his eyes to the ceiling. "What is it? It's like you invite me over but you won't even kiss me. Do I turn you off that much?"
"It's--I told you it was gonna sound stupid. It's the Dr Pepper, babe."
"What? What about it?"
JC looks down at his hands and mumbles, embarrassed. "The taste. I hate it. It's gross." He looks up. "I wanna kiss you. I do. So much. But when you drink that stuff . . . "
Lance just stands there, silent, blinking, in disbelief. He was so sure that JC didn't want to be with him anymore. "Y-you mean all this time you didn't want to kiss me, it was because of that stupid soda? Why didn't you just tell me?"
"I--it was so stupid. And I thought, if I tried, I'd just get used to it."
Lance turns so that his butt is leaning against the back of the couch. "That IS stupid. You could have just told me. All this time I thought, um, that you, like, didn't want me anymore."
"I want you more than ever."
Lance walks over to where he left the bottle of the offensive soft drink. He grabs it, takes JC's hand, and leads him to the kitchen. Without a word, Lance pours the beverage into the sink, where it disappears with an angry hiss down the drain.
JC stares into the sink, then slowly looks up at Lance. "I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about, except you could have just told me. I'd rather never drink Dr Pepper again than never kiss you again."
JC manages a crooked smile. "That's good to hear."
"One more thing." Lance reaches into his pocket and pulls out a roll of Mentos. He pops one in his mouth and sucks on it for a minute before biting down. "There. No more Pepper."
JC's smile spreads over his entire face. "Come here."
"Oh sure, NOW you want me, now that I'm all minty fresh." But Lance takes a step forward anyway.
"I want you because you put up with me even when I'm an idiot." JC pulls Lance into his arms, but instead of kissing him immediately, hugs him hard.
Lance hugs back. "Someone's got to." He doesn't want to let go. It feels so good to feel so loved after feeling insecure.
JC holds onto Lance for a long time, letting need and anticipation build. When he finally pulls back to kiss Lance, the desire is almost overwhelming, the kiss electric. It feels like weeks instead of days since they really kissed--almost like it's their first time again.
Lance devours JC, letting his tongue tell the older boy exactly how he feels. JC feels like he's learning Lance all over again, and it's a wonderful process. Beneath the taste of mint is the flavor the Dr Pepper masked, the unique flavor of Lance. Their tongues dance, exploring each other's mouths, tasting each other. Breathless, Lance finally pulls away, panting, "The pizza's getting cold."
"Do you care?"
"About what?"
Eyes blazing with passion, JC looks into Lance's eyes. "The pizza."
"We have a pizza?"
"That's what I thought." JC says, lifting Lance onto the counter and kissing him again.
Excited by the bold move, Lance wraps his arms around JC, lifting JC's shirt to expose the tanned skin underneath. He places his palms on the warm flesh and lets his hands wander the smooth contours.
JC pulls back enough to allow Lance to remove his shirt, then strips off Lance's as well, moving closer again, claiming Lance's warm, delicious mouth. He rubs his hands up and down Lance's jean-clad thighs, tantalizingly.
Lance is already hard; the kiss was all it took. Being in JC's arms was all it took. Usually, just watching JC breathe is all it takes. He takes a moment to study JC's toned chest, then teases the small, beckoning nipples with his thumbs, tracing lazy circles around the small, puckered buds.
JC finally allows his hands to brush over the bulge in Lance's pants, feeling the hot flesh twitch under his touch. He kisses Lance again and again, feeling no need to move away from the sweet, damp cavern.
Lance moans deeply. As though they have a thousand kisses to make up for, the boys remain lip-locked while Lance's hands explore JC's chest.
JC works the button and then the zipper of Lance's jeans, slipping his fingers in and caressing the stiff member through the thin fabric of his boxer briefs.
Lance brings both hands to JC's face, holding JC's cheeks between his palms as he intensifies the kiss.
JC smiles into the kiss. It just feels SO good to do this again. He starts working Lance's jeans down over his hips.
Lance wriggles awkwardly, but somehow manages to help JC get the pants down. Smiling shyly, he leans in to kiss JC again, more hungrily this time.
The boxer briefs are easier to remove. JC slides them off and wraps his hand around Lance's waiting erection.
Lance's brow wrinkles in anticipation, and he leans back against the kitchen cabinets, parting his legs to let JC get closer.
JC reluctantly leaves Lance's lips, dropping down to his knees to nuzzle Lance's stiffness.
"OH!" Lance cries, gripping JC's head with one hand while balancing himself with the other. "If . . . I . . . had . . . known . . . this . . . was going . . . to happen . . . I . . . would have . . . given up Dr Pepper . . . a LONG time ago!"
"There are things . . . that taste so much better," JC says with a grin, then takes Lance into his mouth.
Lance's eyes grow wide and his head falls back against the cabinet with a soft thud. The mild pain is completely masked, however, by the extreme pleasure administered by his lover.
JC runs his fingers up and down Lance's thighs as he had done earlier, and his head bobs up and down as he moves over Lance.
Lance rests his feet on JC's shoulders, cradling JC's head between his legs, eyes to the ceiling. Lately, he'd felt like JC had been holding back. But not now, not like this. "Wait," Lance whimpers. "Wait. Make love to me, JC."
JC releases Lance's erection slowly, wetly. "Whatever you want, babe." He straightens up and sheds his pants and shorts, then reaches for the hand lotion his mom had left by the sink on her last visit, never taking his eyes from Lance's.
Lance watches JC's every move, anticipating each delicious sensation to come. "I want you. All the time. Like, ALL the time."
"I'm all yours," JC whispers, spreading the lotion over his erection, then pulling Lance into another kiss as his slick fingers find Lance's opening.
"You're better than any soda," Lance moans, pulling JC into a passionate kiss.
JC pushes his fingers into Lance, preparing him. When he senses that Lance is ready, he coaxes him to the edge of the counter and lifts Lance's legs over his own shoulders. "Hang on," he warns, and begins to push into the hot tightness of Lance.
There's a flash of pain as JC's heat fills Lance. The intensity of the fire surprises even Lance. "Oh, darlin'," he moans.
JC pauses as he sees pain cross Lance's face, then eases in further with the encouragement of Lance's words.
Lance begins to move his hips against JC, propelled by the need to have JC inside him, close to him, joined with him.
JC grips Lance's hips to help support him on the counter as he starts moving in Lance, leaning forward to capture Lance's open, avid mouth.
Lance puts everything he has into that kiss, pouring his love into JC as JC fills him.
Deepening the kiss, JC tightens his grip on Lance with one hand as he wraps the other hand around Lance's erection.
A quiet whimper escapes Lance's throat as JC's hand touches his twitching organ. He presses his forehead against JC's and pants quietly.
The sound of that whimper escaping Lance's throat makes JC want to kiss it, and he does, trailing his tongue over the prominent adam's apple. His hand moves over Lance slowly as he thrusts into him with equal slowness.
Lance's hands fly out, knocking over a canister. Lance grunts in frustration at JC's patience, but secretly, Lance loves every torturous minute.
"Mmmm. Better hold on, baby. If you go flying off this counter, it's not gonna be pretty."
"I thought you had . . . insurance. OH!"
"Just think about having to explain to the paramedics."
"My boyfriend screwed me to death?"
"Doesn't sound good, does it? But this . . . it feels good."
"It feels SO good, darlin'." A fine sheen of sweat covers Lance's forehead, and he pulls JC in deeper.
JC moans happily and leans in to kiss Lance again. He begins thrusting again, and caressing Lance's erection. But this time it's not slow, not gentle.
Lance's breath quickens and soon, he's gripping JC's arms and exploding into his lover's hand. His eyes are squeezed shut but he can still see JC's face, hovering lovingly above him.
With a final, powerful thrust, JC comes, collapsing against Lance. Lance catches JC, holding him tightly, enjoying this moment of togetherness. "Wow. This is NOT what I usually do in the kitchen."
"It's not a home till you've done it in every room."
"Did we miss any?"
JC pulls out and lowers Lance's legs. "We might have. Better do them all again."
"Just to be sure. Oh my gosh, I'm so thirsty."
JC grins, helping Lance down from the counter. "What would you like?"
"Um . . . water?"
"Water we can do," JC says, pulling a chilled bottle from the refrigerator and handing it to Lance, then taking one for himself. Lance uncaps the bottle, takes a sip, then looks from the bottle to JC. "You're all sweaty," he states, then splashes JC.
"Oh, and you're not?" JC splashes back.
"You're sweatier," replies Lance, splashing JC again.
"You . . . ." JC scowls at Lance. "Are asking for trouble."
"I'm not asking. Did I ask? Dude, look at the mess you made." Lance points to the floor. When JC looks down, Lance dumps the rest of his water on JC's head. JC looks up, incredulous, then grabs Lance and pushes him toward the sink, sticking his head under the faucet and turning it on.
Lance yelps and claws at JC, but he's also laughing and spitting water at the same time. "Okay, I give up! You win!"
JC releases Lance. "Good thing there's no one who could walk in," JC says, indicating their nakedness.
"Oh my gosh, I'm naked!" Lance exclaims, grabbing a small kitchen towel and attempting to cover himself.
"That's not even going to START to cover . . . what you're trying to cover."
"Then I guess I shouldn't bother. There's only one thing that can cover me anyway."
"What's that?"
"You." Lance closes the gap between himself and JC and wraps his arms around JC's lean waist. He kisses him softly, sweetly. "But first . . . pizza!"
'"Mmmm. Cold pizza in bed."
"Wait--pizza's okay, right?"
JC leans his forehead against Lance's. "Yeah. Pizza's okay." Smiling, Lance seals it with a kiss.
*****
A few days later it's the first stop of the tour. The boys gather in their dressing room. Suddenly, Justin exclaims, "What's THIS?" as he holds up a can of Red Cream Soda. "Where's the Dr Pepper?"
Lance saunters over, taking the can from Justin's hand. "I decided to try something new." He glances at JC and smiles. "It's an acquired taste."