The Two of Us: Tented Love

by Karen and LB
© 2002

"It's only one night."

"One night too many."

"What are you afraid of?"

"Bugs. Bears. Boulders."

"So basically anything that starts with B? What about Bass?"

"Bass is the exception. Although I have no desire to touch a fish, either."

"You eat fish all the time, JC."

"I don't touch live ones."

"You won't have to fish. Look, they catch all the fish for you." Lance holds out the brochure his assistant had given him when he asked about whitewater rafting trips they could take while they were in Denver. They had two days off, and Chris suggested that they go camping. "They even clean it and cook it. All we have to do is ride the rapids and sleep under the stars. Doesn't that sound great?"

"The riding the rapids part does. The spending time with you part does. Even the sleeping under the stars part. Except the bugs."

"I'll kill all the bugs. Every single one of them. If one even LOOKS your way, he's toast."

"Ooh, I like when you get all protective."

"So what do you say? Oh, I forgot the best part: We get to share a tent."

"Which Chris will probably sabotage," JC reminds him. "Okay, I'll go. But only for you."

"I owe you one. I promise, it'll be great. And don't worry about Chris. I'll take care of him. Besides, think about this," Lance says dreamily as he throws an arm around his friend. "A warm campfire, thousands of stars in the sky, and s'mores."

"Well, when you put it THAT way . . . " JC lets visions of chocolatey Lance push all thoughts of bugs and other unwelcome wildlife out of his mind.

"I knew you'd come around. And later on, maybe you'll come around," Lance says with a leer.

"You have a dirty mind. I LIKE it."

"You'll like it even better tonight. C'mon, we have to pack." And that's what they do, Lance stuffing a few articles of clothing+-- something warm for later on, and an extra pair of pants because he knows the rafting trip will be a wet one--into a small duffle bag. After night after night in a posh hotel or on the bus, Lance is actually looking forward to roughing it for a night.

JC's duffle bag is somewhat larger, and he's still not sure he has enough bug spray. Or sunscreen. Or hair care products. He tosses in another baseball cap just in case, and manages to close the bag before Lance starts rolling his eyes. "Ready," JC says, like a doomed man.

"Hang on, cowboy." Lance takes the bag from JC's hand and slaps it on the bed, then begins pulling out item after item. "Won't need this," he mumbles at the hairspray. "Definitely won't need this," he remarks, tossing aside JC's electric razor. "Aw, this can stay," he coos at the stuffed turtle JC managed to sneak in the bag. "NOW we're ready."

JC sighs, but doesn't argue. This is going to be fun, he tells himself. He's always wanted to try white-water rafting, and besides, Lance promised to keep the bugs away. "Let's do it."

They head off in one of the tour SUVs, bodyguard in tow for the ride but not the overnight. For that, they're truly on their own-- Lance, JC, Chris, and a few other crew members. Lance sits in the back with JC, studying his face silently on the short drive. "You okay?" he finally asks, as they pull into the parking lot.

"Yeah," JC says, having convinced himself during the ride to enjoy the good parts and make the best of the bad. It's gonna be great. Right?"

"Right. First, we're gonna ride down this river and get soaking wet, then we'll set up camp in the woods away from everyone and everything."

JC drops his voice to a whisper. "Ooh, Wet Lance."

"And JC?" Lance drops his voice. "I'm not wearing a bra."

JC dissolves into giggles. "You realize I'm not gonna be able to get THAT image out of my head."

"Good. It'll help you paddle faster."

"I have to PADDLE?"

"Well, yeah, if you don't want to end up smashed on the rocks."

"I'm only teasing you. I'm psyched for this."

"Good, cause I want this to be fun for both of us."

"Hey, are you two done yapping or are you gonna help me with this stuff?" Chris whines.

"I don't know, you're doing a pretty good job by yourself."

"You know you're only wearing that cast to get sympathy and make us carry stuff for you," JC says, taking a bag from Chris.

"Gee, JC, you're SO funny. You oughta be in show business."

"Okay, kids, if you're not gonna behave we're gonna turn that car around and head back home. Right, Lonnie?" Lonnie doesn't say a word, just rolls his eyes and gets in the driver's seat. With the car unloaded they watch him drive off, knowing he'll be back to pick them up tomorrow. But for now, they're on their own. Even though this trip was prearranged and very private, Lance enjoys a sense of freedom he hasn't felt in a long time.

"We ready to rock and roll?" Chris yells, sounding even louder than usual here.

"Uh, yeah, right, Chris," JC replies, sharing a look with Lance. It's going to be a LONG night.

Lance grins, loving every minute of this. As hyper as Chris is, Lance is glad he came, glad they all have this time together. "I call front!" Lance yells suddenly, racing to the cabin where they're supposed to meet their guides.

JC smiles after the departing figure, then turns to Chris. "You coming?" They catch up to Lance, who's already chatting animatedly with the guides.

Lance loves the outdoors, and he loves that he can share this with JC. He always imagined a great date as being one in which he takes his friend hiking or mountain climbing or river rafting. Right now, he's looking over the map with the guide, and he points excitedly to a spot far down the river. "Check this out, C- -this is how far we're going."

JC looks over Lance's shoulder, stifling the urge to touch. "Cool! This is going to be amazing!" He looks over at the guide. "When do we start?"

"Well, if you guys settle down so I can do my safety lecture, about 15 minutes."

"Safety? You mean this is dangerous?" Chris asks, his face a mask of sincerity, but Lance knows him all too well.

"Yeah, Chris," answers Lance. "Someone might ACCIDENTALLY toss you over the side."

"And accidentally hold you under," JC contributes, adding his giggle to the mix.

"Sure would make the raft lighter," adds Lance.

"Listen to this," Chris says to the guide. "This is what I have to put up with EVERY day."

The guide just stands there, arms folded, smiling. "There will be NO tossing anyone over the side, hear?"

"Yes ma'am," Lance says humbly, winking at JC.

The last of the crew members has trailed in, so everyone settles down for the brief safety lecture. They're all given life jackets and are instructed what they should bring with them. And within the promised 15 minutes, they're ready to go.

"Front!" Lance yells again, racing for the first raft.

"Lance, it's a raft, not a canoe. There's more than one front seat," JC calls after him.

"I'm still calling fronts."

"You really want me sitting behind you, Lance?" Chris says suspiciously.

Lance stops and turns around. "You've got a point. But I'm still calling fronts." And with that he steps in and places himself at the front of the raft, leaving enough room for JC.

JC follows, smiling to himself. It's been a long time since he's seen Lance become pure kid, and he loves it when it happens.

Chris settles in behind them, flicking his fingers at Lance's head, until finally they're ready to go. The ride is better than Lance expected and more physically exerting than he imagined it would be. By the time they reach their destination, Lance's clothes are drenched and he's exhausted, but he wouldn't trade one minute of the fun he had with his two friends.

"Man, that was the BEST!" JC exclaims as they get out of the raft. "Can we do it again?"

Panting, Chris throws himself on the ground and lands on his back. "Land. Dry land."

"I think we're gonna have to dry Chris out first," Lance says, shaking his wet hair over the prone body.

"Hey!"

"Yeah, watch out for his cast, Lance," JC says as he strips off his sodden shirt and drops it on Chris's face.

"Since when did you two start ganging up on everyone," Chris grumbles.

"Aw, we're not ganging up. Seriously." Lance holds out his hand to help Chris up and ends up getting pulled down on top of his friend. The two tussle and end up laughing, two soggy boys rolling around on the riverbank.

"My goodness, Lance. Does this mean we're engaged?" Chris inquires.

"No way. Not with the way YOU snore. And I am NOT sharing a tent with you."

"Who asked you to, punk? You can sleep with JC. He sleeps through anything."

"Fine by me," JC mutters, then adds, aloud, "Do you two have any idea how ridiculous you look, wet and covered in mud?"

Lance looks down, between their bodies and sees that they are, indeed, muddy. "Sorry, MOM. That's half the fun of going camping, dude. C'mon, help me up," he pleads, stretching out his hand and turning innocent eyes upward.

"How dumb do I look?" JC asks, but extends his hand anyway.

"THIS dumb!" Lance exclaims, pulling JC down on top of him and Chris.

As they roll around and giggle, they feel a shadow fall on them and they all look up into the disapproving face of the guide. Disapproving was what she was going for, anyway, but the effect was marred by the barely suppressed laughter. "What am I gonna do with you three?" she asks, semi-sternly.

"Uh oh, now you've done it," Lance scolds Chris.

"ME? I was minding my own business when you--"

"ME?"

"The boy scouts I had last week were easier to deal with than you guys," groans the guide. "Now up--the campsite's over there and there are showers set up so you can clean up."

"Great," JC says, still giggling. "THESE guys really need it." He peels himself off the boypile and rises. "I'd offer to help you two up, but . . . "

"You wouldn't want to get yourself all DIRTY," Lance finishes, flicking his wet fingers at JC.

"I'm already dirty," JC says, then takes off at a run. "I call the first shower."

"That's not fair! You're like the cleanest one right now," Lance calls out, pushing himself off the ground and scampering after his boyfriend.

"I'm the oldest--I should get it first," Chris adds. As they run around the clump of trees blocking the campsite from view, they see that there are, in fact, several showers set up. JC has found his bag and is pulling out soap and shampoo. "See, we don't even have to share," he says with a grin.

"Too bad," Lance mutters under his breath, rummaging through his own bag. The showers are strategically set up near the trees with the curtain in back, so they can undress in relative seclusion.

JC glances at Lance as he steps into the shower, trying not to think too much about what it would be like to share this tiny outdoor space. He hurries through his shower, dresses quickly and is rummaging in his bag when Lance comes out. "Dude, did you take out ALL my hair stuff? I'm gonna be all curly if I don't put something in it."

"I like it when it's curly." As Lance walks by, he runs a hand quickly through JC's wet hair. Then he reaches down and extracts a tube of styling gel from his own bag. "You can't blow it out here anyway."

"I know. But at least I could comb it back or something."

"Here, let me do it. Sit." Lance instructs, pointing to a log near one of the tents.

"You're a hairstylist now?" JC asks, but he does as he's told.

"I've watched Monica. Besides, if YOU do it we'll be here all night and we'll never get to roast marshmallows."

"I know whose marshmallows I'd like to roast."

"Ouch." Lance pours some of the gel in his hands and rubs his palms together, then lightly fingers JC's long locks.

"What am I going to look like when you're done with me?" JC asks, relaxing into Lance's ministrations. "And do I care?"

"Hey, guys, dinner's ready, " Chris yells, bounding over to them but stopping short about five feet away. "Okay, WHAT the heck are you doing?"

"What does it look like we're doing?" Lance answers, without missing a beat. "If he does this himself he looks like he stuck his fingers in a socket."

"I'm in a cast and you don't do MY hair," Chris says with his best pathetic look.

"It wouldn't help." Lance studies Chris's face, not sure what the other man is thinking. "Besides, your hair is short; you don't need to do anything with it."

"Who's C gotta look pretty for out here anyway?"

"Who do you have to look pretty for?"

"Randi. She's hot and she knows cool outdoor stuff." At the two boys' blank looks, Chris rolls his eyes and explains, "Our guide?"

"Well, if you dig her why don't you play the sympathy card with her and ask her to do your hair?"

"Cause I want her to see me as the type who perseveres through adversity."

"Oh yeah, I'm sure she'll be so impressed with your one- handed ability to apply hair gel. C'mon, you want some, I'll do you too."

"No way. You might make me look like C."

"Hey!"

"That wouldn't be such a bad thing."

"I'll tell Randi if you keep being mean to me, Kirkpatrick."

"Yeah, she wouldn't want to hear that you're saying mean things to your friends. Girls think that's a total turnoff."

"Fine," Chris huffs. "You know what? You two can play beauty parlor and I'll go hit on the hot babe. See if I leave anything for you."

Lance looks down at JC and smiles.

JC smiles back. "Why do get the feeling he's gonna put, like, toads in our sleeping bags?"

"Because he probably will." Lance draws his fingers through JC's hair once more before adding, "There, you're done."

"Thanks, baby," JC replies, smiling up at Lance once more. "Let's go see if he left us any food."

The tour company delivered as promised. There was fresh fish, grilled corn, chicken, salad--all the workings of a good cookout. They all sit around a large campfire and eat and talk and laugh like boy scouts on a camping trip. Tonight, they aren't the most famous pop group in the world. Tonight, they're just boys being boys.

Near the end of the meal, Chris lets out a satisfying belch.

Lance puts his plate down and applauds. "That was a six."

"A six?" Chris fires back, slightly agitated.

"Only Justin can do a ten."

"Not true," JC insists. "I happen to know that Lance can out-burp Justin. He's just modest about it."

"No WAY," Chris replies. "Prove it." The crew guys, who've been witness to many of Justin's most spectacular efforts, gather around.

"Um, oh, thanks, JC," Lance groans, glaring at his friend but smiling at the same time. He takes a long drag from his soda can, swallows, and lowers his head as the air bubbles converge. When he lifts his head, he opens his mouth and lets loose a deep, loud belch. When he's done, his cheeks are flushed but he's laughing nonetheless.

"See? Told you," JC says, holding out his hand to collect on the bet he and Chris had made. "Don't worry," he adds to Lance. "We won't tell your mom."

"She's heard worse. Hey, where's my cut?"

"Cut? You get a cut?"

"Yeah, I get a cut," Lance states, then tackles JC backward from where he's sitting onto the ground.

"Okay, okay, you get a cut," JC manages, giggling. "Chris, HELP!"

"You're on your own, dude. I'm WOUNDED."

JC is still pushing ineffectually at Lance. "Hey, you promised me s'mores. You'll get your cut when I get my s'mores."

"I belch for you and that's not enough?" Lance is now straddling JC, pinning his arms near his head. "Fine. You'll get your s'mores. Then I get my cut. And you better not welsh."

"Have I ever held out on you?" JC asks, smiling up at Lance.

"Uh, guys?" Chris shakes his head disbelievingly. "Get a room. Or a tent."

Lance has momentarily forgotten that they're not alone when Chris says this, and he has to fight the urge to kiss JC, so instead he releases the prone boy saying to Chris, "We have one. Wanna join us?" figuring that the more he jokes about it the more Chris will think he's just playing.

"No thanks. Three's a crowd." There it goes again--that voice in the back of Chris's mind. IS this just a joke?

Lance rises, heads over to the table of food, and asks for the marshmallows. He tosses Chris the bag. "Make yourself useful. And don't burn them, just toast them a little so they get soft."

"Picky, picky, Bass."

"This is an art, Chris. You burn the marshmallows and it's gonna ruin the taste." Lance easily takes control of the s'more creation process, and soon everyone is seated around the campfire busy piling chocolate squares on their graham crackers while Chris supplies the marshmallows. When Lance has compiled the first s'more, he hands it to JC. "As promised."

"Thanks," JC says, managing to squeeze Lance's hand undetected as he takes the confection. He takes a big bite of the s'more, managing to get a minimum of goo on his face. "Oh, and here . . . " JC sticks half the money he won from Chris in Lance's shirt pocket.

Lance leans close to JC's ear and says as quietly as he can, "That's not the cut I was looking for."

"That you get later. This is the cut Chris needed to see you getting. And if you don't move fast, he's not gonna leave any marshmallows for you."

Lance's head spins around as he sees, indeed, that Chris is piling his stick high with marshmallows. "Hey," he calls out. "Save some for me!"

"Oh, you wanted one, Lance?" Chris asks innocently, pulling away the stick. Lance reaches for the bag, but Chris pulls it out of reach. The crew looking on starts to chuckle as Lance reaches for it again, and again Chris pulls it out of reach.

"Fine," Lance says coolly. "But it's kinda hard to make s'mores without these." He smiles wickedly as he points to the bag of chocolate bars next to JC.

"Yeah, the most important part, Chrissy. Without the chocolate, it's just a gooey graham cracker." JC waves the candy tantalizingly at Chris.

Chris looks from his stick to the chocolate. "Okay, you wanna play hardball? I'll trade you. But NO funny stuff, Bass."

"Deal," Lance agrees, holding out his hand for the chocolate.

JC hands Lance a chocolate bar, whispering "Get the marshmallows from him before you give up the goods."

Lance flashes his sweetest smile as he holds up the chocolate, but before Chris can react he snatches the stick from Chris and bolts. A chase ensues around the campfire with everyone ducking out of the way. "Woo hoo!" Lance yells gleefully

"Didn't your mother ever tell you about running with pointed objects?" Chris yells as he tears after Lance.

Lance runs around the campfire, leaping and waving the stick. "Looky what I got, Chrissy!"

"Keep the marshmallows, you big baby. Just stop calling me Chrissy." "I'M the big baby? Aw, come here, I'll make you a s'more."

"You'd do that for me? Awwwww, Lancey."

"Sure, Chriss--uh, Christopher?" Lance takes a seat by the fire and pats the seat next to him. He takes a graham cracker and holds it out to JC, ordering, "Chocolate."

"Chocolate," JC intones, placing the square with surgical precision. Lance hands the stick of marshmallows to JC. "Marshmallow."

JC slides a marshmallow off the stick, centering it carefully on the chocolate.

Lance tops the structure off with another graham cracker and squishes the stack just enough so the marshmallow spreads on the chocolate. Then he places the finished product in the palm of his hand and holds it out to Chris. "For you."

"Aw, Lance. <sniff> I didn't know you cared."

"I don't," he says flatly, tossing the concoction in the fire and tumbling Chris backward off his seat.

"You are SO gonna pay."

"I'm shaking," Lance says, throwing his hands up and laughing. "THAT gets you back for the spoon thing."

JC shakes his head. "And this was supposed to be a bonding experience."

"Ooo, bondage. JC, I didn't know you were so kinky."

"You're both kinky," Chris squeals, as Lance pokes him. Chris gets the upper hand, though, and soon has Lance's arm twisted behind his back.

"Owwww," Lance moans, still laughing. "Okay, you win."

"What do I win?"

"A bag of marshmallows?"

"Lance, no!" JC exclaims. "Chris. Pure sugar. What's wrong with this picture?"

"Oh my gosh, you're right. Okay, you can have the bigger tent. I'll bunk with JC."

"Well, you're finally learning to treat me with my due respect."

"You're twisting my arm off. What do you exp--OW!"

"That'll teach you to respect your elders." Chris finally releases Lance, satisfied with his victory.

Lance sits up and nurses his arm. "When I'm as old as you I'm sure not gonna act that way."

Chris makes as though he's going to tackle Lance again, but then smiles.

"Speaking of old, did you hear that story about the escaped lunatic in the woods?"

Lance groans. "Oh no, not that one! That's the oldest urban legend ever."

"It's not--it's true! I'm serious. A friend of mine knew the couple it happened to." Lance rolls his eyes but plants himself next to JC to listen to the now familiar campfire tale.

"...and the silence of the woods was broken by a scream." Chris finishes with a flourish. JC and Lance are this close to holding hands, and several of the crew can be seen glancing over their shoulders. Chris times his own scream perfectly, and everyone jumps. "HO!" Lance falls into JC, screaming and laughing along with everyone else. "Son of--"

"Hahahahahaha!" Chris claps his hands gleefully. "Man, I love that one."

"You're evil, you know that, don't you?" JC tells Chris, actually very happy that he can hold Lance with impunity.

"I am not! It's a true story!" Everyone breaks up, and soon the group begins to disperse to their tents for the night.

"Thanks to you, I'll probably have nightmares all night," Lance remarks with a yawn.

"If you can sleep through C's snoring."

"Hey! I don't snore."

"Yeah, he doesn't snore. And he sleeps through anything, so it's probably better that we share a tent."

"Fine. But don't come crying to me at three in the morning begging to come in my tent."

Lance glances at JC. That won't be a problem. He follows Chris with his eyes as his friend wanders to his tent. "Alone at last."

"Yeah. Just you, me . . . and the bugs. And the toads Chris probably put in our sleeping bags."

"I'll check all the bags. And here," Lance reaches into his pocket and pulls out the Avon Skin So Soft that Monica gave him. "This'll take care of the bugs. Close your eyes." When JC complies, Lance spritzes a generous amount on JC's face, being extra careful not to get it in his eyes. "We are not gonna waste a good campfire."

"I love it when you get all outdoorsy."

Lance glances around. A few crew members are still milling about, smoking cigarettes and getting ready for bed. "I have to pee."

"See, that's another reason I don't like this outdoors thing. No bathrooms."

"C'mon," Lance grabs JC's arm. "I'm not going out in those scary woods alone."

"Do we at least have a flashlight?" JC asks, getting up and following Lance.

"Heck, yeah. It's dark and spoooooooky out there." Lance swipes a flashlight from one of the guides' backpacks. He switches it on and points it at the trees beyond the tents. "After you."

JC peers into the darkness, willing any and all wildlife away. Far away. Then, looking braver than he feels, he leads the way into the woods.

Lance lets JC get a few steps ahead, then sneaks up behind him and taps him on the shoulder.

"AHHH!" JC yells, whipping around. "Don't DO that!"

"Shh, you'll wake up the bears."

Chris hears the shout through the trees and grabs a flashlight of his own to investigate. Meanwhile, Lance has led them away from the tents enough to relieve themselves in private. When he's done, he looks up at the night sky. "Check out all those stars."

"Yeah, they're beautiful." JC says, slipping his arm around Lance's waist. "Even with the bugs. And the bears."

"Oh my . . . " Lance clasps his hands behind JC's neck and pulls him into a kiss.

Just then, Chris spots the two figures in the darkness. Without making any further sounds, he ducks behind a tree. He can tell from their silhouettes that it's his two friends, and he's stunned beyond words. Silently, he turns around and heads back to his tent, confused and shocked.

JC wraps his other arm around Lance's waist and pulls him closer. "You still taste like s'mores," he whispers when they break their kiss.

"You taste delicious," Lance murmurs, pressing his lips to JC's mouth once again. JC moves his hands under Lance's shirt, gripping his waist tightly. His tongue teases at Lance's, darting in and out of his hot mouth enticingly.

Lance pulls back suddenly. "What do you say we take this back to the tent? Fewer bugs."

"Any thing with fewer bugs is good. Fewer bugs, more you."

"You can have all of me." Using the flashlight, Lance leads them back to their tent, which is large and roomy, with side and top vents. Most everyone has gone to bed, and the campfire has been well stoked to keep it going for a while longer.

"This is nice. For a tent." JC allows, realizing he'd had visions of the pup-tent he and Tyler had set up in the backyard as kids. Maybe this camping thing isn't so bad.

"And check this out," Lance says eagerly, ducking under the entrance flap. "These are nice, soft, down sleeping bags." He flops himself on top of one, and sits up just as quickly. "And see--we even have a light." He holds up the kerosene lamp that the guides had set up. "Plenty of room for our stuff, and plenty of room to spread out. And no bugs."

JC crawls over to Lance and looks up, his eyes large and very blue and trusting. "Promise?"

"If you see ONE bug it'll be gone before it comes one millimeter near you. And if it does, you can smack me."

"It's not smacking you I'm interested in."

With his best boyish grin plastered to his face, Lance asks, "What are you interested in?"

JC grabs the front of Lance's shirt and pulls him close. "This," he says, claiming Lance's mouth in an intense kiss.

Lance's hands fly out to the side in surprise. He didn't expect this, but his body responds almost immediately. Soon, his hands wrap around JC, and he presses his body against his boyfriend's.

JC releases Lance's shirt and his hand drifts upward to cup Lance's face. His other hand reaches to grip Lance's hair.

Lance whimpers into the kiss. His whole body trembles with anticipation now that they're alone, and he surrenders himself completely to JC's need.

JC begins sinking, carrying Lance with him down onto the soft surface of a sleeping bag. He never breaks their kiss, but rather intensifies it, letting the desire build between them.

When he feels the cushion of the sleeping bag under him, Lance spreads his legs and brings his hands to JC's firm ass.

JC kisses his way across Lance's face, till he reaches his ear. "I'm starting to get into this whole roughing it thing."

"I noticed," Lance says, breathless. "I like."

"Next thing you know you're gonna want me in, like, lumberjack shirts."

"Ooh, you'd look sexy in flannel."

"You're weird, babe. Very cute and stuff like that, but weird."

"I'm weird? You wear my mom's clothes on national television and you call ME weird?"

"You'd rather have me butch than glam?"

"I'd rather have you just the way you are right now."

"Good answer," JC says, huskily. He brings his lips to Lance's once again, and rocks his hips almost imperceptibly against Lance's.

Lance begins to tug at JC's fleece pullover; even though the night air is chilly his body heats up with every kiss.

JC raises himself enough to rip his shirt off, then drops back down to place more kisses over Lance's face.

Lance brings his lips to JC's ear and whispers, "Let's get back to nature."

"Animal magnetism, baby."

"You and me baby we ain't nothing but mammals, so let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel . . . ," Lance sings in his deep bass.

JC drops his head onto Lance's shoulder, shaking with laughter. When he finally looks up, he manages "Aren't you wearing too much clothes for your Discovery Channel debut?"

Lance shrugs. "I gotta keep warm somehow."

"You think I would let you get cold?"

"I think it's already starting to get hot in here." Lance lifts up his own fleece pullover and the t-shirt underneath, and pulls both shirts over his head.

"Better. Much better," JC says as he runs his hand the length of Lance's chest. He lightly touches a spot at the base of Lance's neck. "Looks like you got a little burned today, babe. Does it hurt?"

"A little." He wasn't even aware of it till now, but it does, indeed sting.

JC brushes a light, feathery kiss against the pink skin. "You want me to put something on it for you?"

Lance winces slightly but at the same time he tingles against JC's cool lips. Nodding, he says quietly, "Would you?"

"Of course I will. But we don't have much with us. How would that Skin-So-Soft stuff be?"

"I don't think that will do it. Monica gave me some aloe stuff just in case." Lance sits up, rummaging through his duffel. His hand closes around a plastic tube, but when he pulls it out, he sees that it's the lubricant he packed earlier. "Uh, that's not it." He reaches in again and this time pulls out the smaller bag containing his toiletries and locates the sample size of aloe cream. "Here."

JC grins. "You better grab 'em both. I have a feeling we'll need them." He pauses, taking the aloe cream from Lance's hand. "Hey, how come you've got all this stuff and you made me leave everything?"

"Because I brought the stuff we need."

"Uh huh. Hold still," JC orders. He very carefully spreads the cream over the angry red line where the neckline of Lance's t-shirt had ended. "Am I hurting you?" he asks as he spreads the cream upward.

Lance tries not to move, but he's torn between the harsh sting of the sunburn and the cool hand on his skin. "No. Ow. It feels, ow, good." JC tries to make his fingers even more gentle as he spreads the aloe over more of the afflicted area. "Turn around," he finally says.

Lance throws JC a quizzical look before doing as he's ordered. He feels vulnerable, but he trusts JC completely.

JC surveys the back of Lance's neck, dropping a quick kiss just below where the redness begins before applying the soothing cream to the inflamed flesh. "Better?" he asks when he's done.

"Much. I didn't realize I got burned so badly. That stuff feels good. But you feel better."

"Nice to know I'm still good for something."

"You're good for a lot." Lance reaches behind, takes the tube from JC's hand, and tosses it across the tent. He stretches one arm to extinguish the lamp, then he turns around and throws his arms around his boyfriend, kissing him confidently and passionately.

JC is momentarily taken by surprise by Lance's quick shift, but he forgets about that completely as Lance's tongue invades his mouth, exploring every inch.

Lance breaks the kiss, breathless. "Is there anything I can make better?"

"What have you got in your bag of tricks for advanced horniness?"

"This." Lance kisses JC again, but this time his hands travel down JC's chest, pausing to rub his lover's already erect nipples.

JC leans into the kiss, into Lance's hands, running his own hands down Lance's back and up his sides in a touch that could be ticklish, but is not.

Lance breathes hotly against JC's neck as he fumbles for the button on JC's cargo pants. He manages to flick it open, then slides the zipper down. "So, you still don't like camping?"

"Camping, not so much. Camping with you, that's another story."

"One with a happy ending, I hope."

"Only if you make love to me."

"I love a happy ending. Especially this end." To emphasize, Lance gives JC's ass a firm squeeze.

"We're so cheesy."

"And horny." Lance lowers them down to the soft sleeping bags and carefully lays JC down before planting sweet kisses all over his face.

"Must be all that fresh air," JC murmurs, then giggles when Lance's kisses turn ticklish.

The next few minutes turn into a gigglefest before Lance shushes them both. "Someone might hear."

"Eavesdropping bears." JC blurts, then dissolves into another fit of giggles.

"Shhhh! You're not helping any," Lance giggles back.

"I guess you'll just have to . . . distract me."

Before JC can say another word, Lance covers JC's mouth with his own while he works JC's pants over his hips. He breaks long enough to remove JC's boots, then removes the pants completely. He returns to JC's mouth, his hands traveling over the wonderfully toned chest and down to JC's twitching member, which he encircles with one hand while his other works to get his own pants off.

JC eagerly assists Lance with his pants, as they continue to kiss deeply and passionately. As Lance struggles, JC breaks away from the kiss and starts laughing again. "Bears don't have this problem. They're already . . . bare."

"You're whacked, you know that?" Lance laughs, climbing back on top of JC. "I think you need sex bad."

"You think?" JC says, folding his arms around Lance. In a softer tone, he says "I love that we can just be silly together sometimes."

"Me too. I love that I can just be myself around you," he says softly, placing a tender kiss on JC's cheek.

"Always," JC replies, moving his head so his lips meet Lance's. Lance takes the invitation and intensifies the kiss, as his hands travel down JC's body, pausing in the soft curls surrounding JC's hot member before wrapping around the stiff organ.

JC moans into Lance's mouth as one hand drifts down Lance's back to squeeze his firm, round ass. The other cups Lance's face, holding him close.

Keeping one hand on JC's erection, Lance fumbles with his other hand for the lubricant he tossed aside earlier. "Hang on," he mutters, sitting up but never taking his hand off JC. He strains to reach the tube and when his fingers close around it, he breathes a sigh of relief. "Now, where was I? Oh yeah . . . ," he growls, crawling back on top of JC's deliciously naked form.

"Yeah," says JC, as he shifts Lance slightly with a grin. "Right, about . . . there."

"Mmmmmm. You're so warm." Lance flips open the tube and squeezes some of the clear gel into his hand, then spreads it on his throbbing erection. Then he coaxes JC's legs up and squeezes some more onto JC's opening, his arousal increasing with every passing second. Finally, he tosses the tube aside and hooks his arms under JC's legs, tilting his hips upward. As he gazes down at JC's serene face, he pushes inside gently, fighting the urge to just thrust with frenzy.

"More," JC whispers, huskily. He thrusts upward, taking more of Lance into himself. "More."

Lance thrusts harder and deeper, not to hurt but to intensify the pleasure. "JC, you're so hot. You feel so good," he whispers into his lover's ear.

"YOU feel so good," JC replies, his voice an odd mixture of passionate and teasing.

Lance buries his face in JC's neck, sweat pouring from his brow as he thrusts quick and hard into his lover. "Nah ah," mumbles Lance. "YOU do."

"We do," JC says, starting to laugh. "We're so weird."

"Who you calling weird?" Lance asks, nipping at JC's ear.

"Us, baby. US."

"You think this is weird?" He gives a quick thrust, then pulls back. "Oh! No, definitely not that."

"How about this?" Lance rocks his hips and thrusts again, this time remaining still inside JC.

"Ahhh! No, Lance. No, baby, so good."

Satisfied, Lance begins thrusting slowly again and strokes JC's neglected erection with the same rhythm.

JC's breathing accelerates as he meets each of Lance's thrusts and edges closer to his orgasm.

Lance lifts his head and grazes JC's face with his lips, tasting the salty sweat of the older man's skin and breathing in his scent. He thrusts faster, whimpering softly, soft puffs of air tickling JC's skin.

JC wraps his arms tightly around his boy, clinging to him as he comes, whispering his name again and again.

That's all Lance needs to hear as he comes hot and fast, emitting a low, deep moan into JC's shoulder.

JC clutches Lance to himself, not loosening his hold until Lance stops trembling against him, until they both start breathing normally.

"I think I love this tent," Lance says finally, rolling off JC and onto one of the sleeping bags.

"More than me?"

Lance looks around. "Well, it's roomy. And it's sturdy. And waterproof--very important." He rolls onto his side, facing JC. "But I'd take you over this tent any day."

"That's better. I was getting worried."

"You have nothing to worry about. Except freezing our butts off. We better get inside these sleeping bags. Move over for a second."

JC complies, rolling off the sleeping bag on which he's lying.

Like a good boy scout, Lance unzips the sleeping bags and then zips them together, forming one large, inviting sack. He unzips one end, crawls in, then pats the space beside him. "Cool!" JC marvels. "I didn't know you could DO that." He joins Lance in the warm cocoon of the linked bags.

"THIS is the best part of camping."

JC gathers Lance in his arms. "You didn't TELL me about this part."

"You had to earn it. And you did."

"Like a merit badge?"

"Yeah, only we'll have our own private ceremony."

"Where are you gonna pin it?"

"How about right here?" Lance says sweetly, then rolls on top of JC and kisses him.

"There's good," JC murmurs against Lance's mouth. "There's very good."

As Lance feels himself becoming aroused for the second time that night, he has a feeling JC will be earning many more badges before morning.

The Game Is Over

Back to stories