The Two of Us: Toy Story
by Karen and LB
© 2002
The guys are stunned. JC has never walked out of a band meeting before. It's an important meeting--they're making decisions about what songs are going on the album. And JC is not at all happy about the decisions being made. When he runs out of arguments, when he finds himself degenerating into incoherence, he leaves, walking out quietly, then breaking into a sprint. In this huge stadium where they've been rehearsing their tour, there must be some place he can go.
Lance starts to follow his boyfriend out, but the hand on his arm stops him. "Let him go," Justin's voice states. "He just needs time to cool off."
Lance glares at him. "He doesn't need to be by himself." Lance shrugs off the hand. "Something's wrong; you don't just turn your back on your friends when something's wrong." In truth, Lance isn't sure what's going on, but he's going to find out. JC has always been there for him. JC is usually very easygoing. For him to walk out like this is a big deal.
"Whatever, man," Justin relents, throwing his hands in the air.
Lance shakes his head at his friend's callous behavior and leaves the dressing room. But this place is huge and he has no idea where JC might have gone. He first checks the Quiet Room, and finding it empty, grabs one of the bodyguards. "You seen JC?"
Wes shakes his head. "No man, I thought you guys were having a meeting."
"We were," Lance says sadly.
"You want me to find him for you?"
"No, thanks. I'm sure he's around." Seeing Wes reaching for his walkie talkie and not wanting to make a big deal out of this, Lance assures him, "He's fine. Really. I'll find him."
Wes eyes him suspiciously but lowers the radio. "Okay, but you have any trouble, you call me, right?"
"Right. Thanks." Lance races off down the passageway, checking each room he passes. Still no sign of his bandmate. Finally, Lance finds himself at the back of the stage, amid the various props used for the show. He touches one of the large mechanical bulls as he passes by it, and kicks an empty can of Silly String aside. With his hands on his hips, he sighs. This tour is supposed to be the best ever, the most fun, and right now it doesn't seem that way. He's worried about JC, he's tired, and if he doesn't find him soon he doesn't know what he'll do. Running a hand through his hair, Lance looks over at a darkened corner. There, curled up next to one of the large stuffed animals used in It's Gonna Be Me is his friend, looking more upset than he's been in a long, long time. Lance approaches cautiously, and says softly, "JC? I've been looking all over for you. What's wrong?"
JC looks up, dazed. "Oh, Lance. I'm fine. Really. You should go back. They need you down there."
"They can wait." Lance crouches beside his friend. "Talk to me. What was that all about?"
"The part about me walking out or the part about me being a talentless hack?"
"No one said that. You are NOT talentless. You have more talent in your pinkie than the rest of us put together."
"Yep, and that's why they don't want any of my songs for the album."
Lance chews his lip, considering his words carefully.
"It's a business decision. It's a sucky decision, but for some reason Johnny thinks that's the way to go. But nothing's final yet. I don't get it either. Your songs are great, JC. You know it, I know it."
"I don't know anything anymore."
"Hey, I know. I might not be the world's best judge of these things, but I think Johnny is wrong about this. And I think Justin's head is getting a little bit big lately. It's not right that some of your songs got pushed off. Those songs are so good."
"You're the only thing one that seems to think so."
Rolling his eyes, Lance flops down on the stage. "You really think that? You think Joey, Chris, and Justin hate your songs?"
"Apparently. No one exactly backed me up in there."
As if he'd been struck, Lance turns his eyes downward. "You know all decisions have to be made as a group. You KNOW I support you 100 percent."
"I didn't mean you, babe."
Then why do I feel so guilty? Lance asks himself. He begins absentmindedly to stroke the fur of the large stuffed dog JC is leaning against. "Everyone supports you, JC. I don't get it either--it's like Justin's becoming the focus lately. I love him, you know that, but I'm not so sure the decisions we've been making are the best for everyone."
"I feel like I'm being phased out or something."
Lance falls back against the large, soft toy, exasperated. "You are NOT being phased out! How can you even think that?"
"I'm not singing as much on this album, they don't want my songs. What am I supposed to think?"
"It's not what you think, it's what you know. You KNOW you're good. You KNOW you're the best voice in the group." Lance pushes himself up and lands on all fours, his hands on either side of JC, his face mere inches from his friend's. His hand brushes against another can of Silly String as he says softly, "I know."
"Maybe you'll have to believe for both of us for a while."
"Well, I believe in this." Before JC can move, Lance holds up the can in front of his chest and pushes the nozzle.
JC can't believe that one moment they're having a serious conversation and the next he's covered in silly string. "You are so going to pay for that."
"Yeah?" Lance sprays JC again, covering him in purple glop. "How?"
"I can't tell you that. You didn't give ME any warning."
"If I warned you, it wouldn't be any fun." Lance is on his knees now and lets loose another stream of string. But soon the string runs out and Lance is left holding the empty can. "Oh, shit."
"Yeah," JC says, smiling for the first time since the meeting started. "What are you gonna do now, huh?"
"I'm gonna . . . I'm gonna," Lance begins, slowly backing away and feeling around on the stage. When his hand touches something soft, he doesn't even bother looking at what it is--he swings his hand up, making contact with JC's shoulder, and runs, dropping the nerf bat. "You can run but you can't hide." JC calls as he chases after Lance with a giant crayon.
Lance dodges more giant stuffed animals and almost trips over an oversized scooter, but manages to grab hold of it and glides away. "Hah, looks like someone needs to work out!" he calls over his shoulder, before crashing into a pile of props.
"Who needs to work out?" JC asks reasonably as he strides over to look at Lance, who's looking a little ridiculous sprawled in pile of pogo balls. Ridiculous, and . . . something else. "Care to have a push up contest?"
"I wouldn't want to embarrass you," Lance huffs, trying to extract himself from the mess. He finds purchase on one of the large, round sit 'n hop balls, but it keeps rolling away, leaving him sprawled once again. When he finally manages to sit up, he smiles wickedly and rises, then straddles the ball. "But how about a race?"
"Sure, but I better give you a head start." JC reaches for a second ball and mounts it easily.
"I don't need a head start. I could beat you with both hands tied behind my back," Lance exclaims gleefully, hopping away.
"You CHEAT!" JC cries, chasing after and easily overtaking Lance. Lance is right on his tail, and he heaves his ball over, knocking into JC but ending up rebounding and tumbling over, laughing hysterically.
"I win," JC giggles, looking around for more toys. He hops on the bike that Lance will ride in the shows and speeds around on it.
Lance lays back, still laughing, and just watches JC. He's relieved to see him genuinely having a good time, hyper like he usually is, at least for a while. He knows JC is really upset about the album, and they'll deal with that. Later. For now, he wants to give JC the opportunity to let off a little steam.
Spotting a water gun, Lance reaches for it while JC's back is turned. "Hey, Josh," he calls out. "You look a little sweaty," and releases a stream of water directly at JC's back.
JC ditches the bike and hides behind one of the mechanical bulls, but not before stealthily grabbing a super-soaker of his own. He sits, knowing that Lance doesn't have the patience to wait him out but will come looking for him.
Lance listens, his head cocked, but hears nothing. He peers above the red pogo ball he's been using for cover and thinking the coast is clear, crouches down and makes a run for it.
JC jumps out from behind the bull and aims a drenching shot at Lance's head leaving his spikes decidedly soggy.
Fighting to keep his balance, Lance shields his face and attempts a one-handed shot at his opponent, but clearly misses, hitting the bull dead-on instead. When the water runs out, he holds up his hands, yelling, "I surrender! You win!"
JC approaches slowly, water gun at the ready, in case Lance has any more tricks up his rather wet sleeve. "What do I win?" he says softly when he's within touching distance.
"Anything you want. I'm your prisoner."
"Anything? You'd be, like, my looooove slave?"
"Oh baby, you bet."
"Come here and kiss me, slave."
"Whatever you say, master." Lance steps forward and lowers the gun in JC's hand, then wraps his arms around his slender friend and kisses him softly, keeping his mouth closed and just brushing JC's lips.
The water gun clatters to the floor and JC whispers, "More."
"More? You want more?" Lance growls, before pressing his lips more insistently against JC's.
JC's arms wrap around Lance, pulling him closer, as he eases them down to the floor, where they're cushioned by a pile of stuffed animals and giant crayons.
Lance pushes the hair from JC's face and smiles. "Now this game I like."
"And you didn't like squirting me with your gun?"
"I'd much rather have you squirt me with this gun," Lance says coyly, cupping JC's crotch.
"Shhh, Lance. Teddy's gonna hear you," JC says, waggling the giant teddy bear's head at Lance reprovingly.
"I think Teddy likes to watch."
"Teddy's a perv. I think he's been hanging out with Joey too much."
"I knew it! I thought I saw them watching a porn movie together."
"Then we'll have to give Teddy a show."
Lance shifts his legs, feeling his own arousal increase. "What do you have in mind?"
JC grins. "You're the loooooove slave. Please me."
Rolling onto his side, Lance leans his head on his arm and traces random patterns on JC's shirt with his other hand. "Tell me what you want me to do."
"I want you to kiss me everywhere."
Lance rolls over onto JC's chest. "That could take a while. Where do you want me to start? Here?" And he places a wet kiss on JC's forehead. "Or here?" His right cheek. "Maybe here?" His left cheek. "I know--here." And he closes his eyes, parts his lips, and captures JC's mouth.
JC returns the kiss, opening his mouth and inviting Lance inside. Releasing his body weight on JC, Lance brings his hands to JC's face, caressing his cheeks as his tongue snakes inside his lover's warm, welcoming mouth.
"Mmmmm," JC moans into Lance's mouth. His arms surround Lance again, cuddling him as close as he once, as a toddler, held a small version of the giant bear they recline on.
As much as Lance loves their passionate, intense lovemaking, he also loves moments like this, when they can be playful, when they can act their ages and forget about their responsibilities. In response to JC's melodic moan, Lance intensifies the kiss, then pulls away and kisses first the top lip, then the bottom lip, and then moves lower to JC's chin.
JC smiles as Lance finds a ticklish spot on the underside of his chin. No matter what happens in their lives, good or bad, they alway have this comfort and pleasure in one another. JC strokes his hand up and down Lance's back as he squirms with pleasure and with ticklishness.
Without moving his head, Lance murmurs, "That tickles? You think that tickles?" as he playfully pokes JC's sides and stomach. Each time his friend squirms, Lance places another kiss on JC's throat.
"Hey," JC cries, grabbing ineffectually for Lance's hand. "Do I look like Tickle Me Elmo?"
"Now that you mention it," Lance gets in one last jab, then pauses. "No, you're much, much cuter."
"Big Bird cute?"
"He's too tall. More like the Cookie Monster."
"That's good enough for me." JC giggles again. "We're so weird."
"Yeah, but we're the only ones who know it." Lance gazes down at JC--seeing his friend smile like this is such a turn-on that he feels that stirring in his groin again. He buries his face in JC's shoulder, kissing and licking JC's tightly stretched neck.
"Yeah, our little secret," JC murmurs as he starts working Lance's t-shirt up.
When Lance finds himself next to JC's ear, he whispers, "I have another secret--I'm really horny right now."
"Babe, that's no secret. I can feel you."
"See what you do to me? I can't even control myself around you."
"Do you really want to?" JC growls, raising Lance's head to capture his mouth once again.
"No--mmmfff." Lance's words are muffled in the kiss, and he gives himself over completely.
JC continues to work Lance's shirt upward, and when they break their kiss, he pulls it over Lance's head and off, letting his hands linger on the soft, smooth skin of Lance's arms and back.
As the cool air of the stadium touches his skin, Lance shivers. But then he realizes it's not the air, it's JC's light, feathery touch. So gentle, so enticing.
JC rolls them over so Lance is pressed into the warm plush of the toys. "Cold, babe? You need me to warm you up?"
Lance snuggles into the pile of fur and nods, licking his lips.
JC drapes himself on top of Lance. "I'll be your blankie." Then he rather ruins the comforting effect by licking Lance's ear slowly and sensually.
"Mmmm," Lance giggles. "Now I know why you like stuffed animals so much." Between the cushion of animals under him and the warm body on top of him, Lance's senses are tingling with excitement.
"You're much more comfy," JC whispers into Lance's ear, before resuming the teasing licking.
"More comfy than this?" Lance reaches under him and pulls out a beanie cat.
"Yeah. Though you make a good cat." JC slips off of Lance and begins rubbing his belly.
"Ohhhhhhhhh," Lance moans, curling up and giggling. He knows that JC knows how much he loves to have his back scratched, but this--this! And he's practically purring, too.
JC continues rubbing, bringing up his other hand to tickle underneath Lance's chin and to feel the vibration of the pleased sounds Lance is making.
"Now I know <giggle> why cats <giggle> love this so much." He opens his eyes to see JC gazing lovingly down at him, and he puts a hand over the one rubbing his belly.
"I know why I love you so much," JC says as he tilts Lance's chin upward so he can kiss his lips.
Lance accepts the kiss eagerly, and he parts his lips to give JC further access as he slips his tongue inside JC's waiting mouth and pulls him closer. When he breaks the kiss, he whispers, his voice husky with desire, "Let's do it. Right here, right now."
"We can do that." JC lets the hand that had been caressing Lance's belly slide lower to clasp the growing bulge.
Automatically, Lance arches his back, supported by the soft pile of fur beneath him. His brow creases in concentration as he studies JC's face, looking for any signs of stress and hoping that for at least a little while he can make his friend forget about the frustrations that plague him. His own hands slide under JC's shirt and glide over the smooth skin of his chest.
JC is both relaxed and aroused by Lance's touch, by the cool hands on his warm skin. He reaches for the button on Lance's shorts, twitching it awkwardly out of its hole, then slides the zipper down.
Lance watches intently, as JC's deft fingers perform this task, never taking his hands away from JC's chest but instead finding and rubbing his tight nipples with just his thumbs.
JC moans softly as Lance caresses his sensitive nipples. He slips his hand into the opening of Lance's shorts and into the waistband of his boxer-briefs, wrapping his long fingers around Lance's heat.
Lance's whole body jerks at the contact, so aroused is he that he can barely keep still. He wraps his arms around JC and squeezes his tight ass, loving the feel of the firm muscles in his palms.
JC's mouth finds Lance's again as his hand strokes Lance's erection. With his other hand he starts easing Lance's shorts down.
Moving in time with JC's hand, Lance eases up his lover's shirt and slips his hand inside the waistband of his sweatpants. He kneads the tight muscles and slides his fingers teasingly down the crack of JC's ass.
JC breaks their kiss to smile down at Lance. He's had to use both hands to lower Lance's shorts and boxer-briefs, but now his hand returns to envelop Lance's hot stiffness.
It's the strangest, most erotic sensation to be laying here in a pile of stuffed animals while your boyfriend gives you a hand job. Lance can't help blushing at the thought--doing such an adult act in such a childish setting. He lowers JC's sweats over the curve of his ass and lifts his shirt to expose the tight peaks of his nipples. He doesn't want to interrupt JC's delicious rhythm, but he wants to see that beautiful, toned chest.
JC laughs softly. "You should see your face right now. It's like you don't know whether to be turned on or disturbed by this."
"You don't think there's something just a little wrong with this?" Lance holds up two fingers in the classic charades symbol for something small. "I'm lying here naked on a pile of toys while my boyfriend gives me a hand job. Freud would have a field day with this."
"You're right. A blow job would be MUCH better."
"JC! Oh my goodness . . . " Lance closes his eyes as JC moves down his body, and as he does so Lance pulls his shirt up and off, exposing the taut, tanned skin.
JC kisses his way down Lance's chest and over the belly he'd rubbed only a few minutes ago. He pauses over Lance's groin, and this time he's the cat, rubbing his face against the smooth flesh and soft curls. Before he takes Lance into his mouth, he breathes in Lance's own musky scent deeply.
Lance's chest flutters as he takes a deep breath and reaches down to caress JC's soft hair, softer than the fur on which they're laying. He draws his knees up and bites his lip as the pleasure of JC's warm, capable mouth engulfs his hardness.
JC moves over Lance, his lips and tongue swirling, caressing. He pauses to wet his own fingers in his mouth, then drops his hand deep between Lance's legs, teasing at his small, sensitive opening.
Lance spreads his legs in response, whimpering with delight at the dual sensations exploding around him. "Oh my gosh, JC, this feels so good."
JC responds by relaxing his throat to take Lance in even deeper, still caressing him with tongue and fingers.
Lance's head whips from side to side as he fights his urge to come. "Not yet, not yet," he moans.
JC lifts his head. "You want me to stop?"
"Heck . . . no!" Lance grunts, bunching his fists in whatever stuffed animal he's laying on.
JC doesn't drop his head again, not yet. Instead he watches Lance's face as he pushes his finger into Lance.
Lance's eyes roll up into his head as he groans in ecstasy. He reaches out blindly and grabs JC's shoulders tightly. "More . . . more!"
"More what?" JC says wickedly.
Through gritted teeth, Lance states, "What . . . you're . . . doing."
"So demanding," JC murmurs as he begins moving his fingers rhythmically and bends to lick Lance's balls slowly and thoroughly.
"P-please." Lance writhes on the fur, practically melting into the soft surface. How can JC think he's not talented?
As he keeps up the slow, maddening rhythm with his fingers, JC runs his tongue the length of Lance's erection, pausing to swirl his tongue around the tip. He glances up at Lance's face again, a smile playing on his lips.
"You're . . . evil, you . . . know . . . that?"
"I'm not making you feel good?" JC asks with another lick, as if Lance's erection were an ice cream cone. "JC, if I feel any better I'm going to . . . explode!"
"Isn't that the point?"
"Yeah, but--I--um, oh! I want you inside me."
"Well, why didn't you say so?" JC crawls up Lance's body, sweeping his hair over the already sensitive skin. When he reaches Lance's lips, he kisses him, then rolls away to lower his own sweat pants and sport shorts. "Um, we don't have anything . . . "
Lance looks around frantically, in agony over his state. The only thing he sees are cans of silly string, useful for many occasions but definitely not this one. "No no no, we are NOT going to stop now." He reaches down and wraps his hand around JC's long erection, then spreads the first drops of JC's milky fluid over the thick shaft. JC closes his eyes at the touch, letting out a soft moan. Grinning, Lance continues to run his fingers up and down the shaft, slowly, languorously. He's never convinced that he pleases JC, so any smile he can get from his lover makes his heart soar. And his groin throb.
"If you keep doing that I'm going to explode."
"Good." Lance spreads his legs and guides JC to his opening, aching to be filled, puts his hands on JC's shoulders, and nods.
"Tell me if you need me to stop," JC whispers as he pushes into Lance, never taking his eyes from Lance's. "Ohhhh," he breathes as he's surrounded by Lance's hot tightness.
"STOP?" As if in answer, Lance grabs JC's ass and pushes him in further, his cry muffled in his throat as the pleasure and pain hit him at once. JC gasps and drops his head to Lance's shoulder and kisses his neck as he sinks deeper and deeper into the warmth that is Lance.
Amid the toys and childlike props the two boys are joined in perfect rhythm, and at this moment nothing else matters--not the show, not the new album, not the disagreements over which songs should be on the album. JC might think he's talentless, but right now he's making the most beautiful music Lance has ever heard.
JC begins moving in Lance, completely caught up in the sensation of skin against skin, flesh against flesh. He lifts his head to kiss Lance once again, his hair falling forward to frame both their faces.
Lance can't help but giggle, with JC's hair tickling him and the incredible sensation of the friction inside him. "JC, you are AMAZING."
JC pulls back to look into Lance's face. "I have great inspiration."
As Lance meets each of JC's thrusts, he shakes his head. "It's you, JC. You do it all yourself." He places his hand on JC's chest and continues. "It comes from here."
"You're there," JC insists. He captures Lance's lips with his own again as he snakes a hand down between their thrusting bodies to encircle Lance's hardness.
In each other's hearts, in each other's bodies. It's moments like this when Lance forgets who they are--right now, they're just JC and Lance, two guys madly in love with each other.
JC's orgasm comes upon him suddenly, almost unexpectedly. He tries to keep thrusting, but it's almost impossible, he's so shattered by the physical and emotional sensations pouring through him.
Lance pulls JC tightly to him, whispering words of comfort. "It's okay, it's okay," as he continues to move his hips until JC's orgasm subsides.
But it's not okay. With JC's physical release comes the release of all the pent-up frustration he'd been keeping inside, since he'd walked out of the meeting, the feelings he'd not been able to let out even as he lay dry-eyed on the pile of toys before Lance came to find him. He cries, wrenchingly, in Lance's arms as he clings to him.
"Aw, darlin', it's okay. Let it all out." Lance wraps his arms around JC's trembling body and kisses his hair, then lifts JC's head and kisses the tears from his cheeks. When he lays JC's head gently back against his shoulder, he rocks him soothingly. "I love you so much."
When JC's tears finally subside, he scrubs at his face with one hand, then finally looks up, sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I didn't know I was that upset."
"I knew. You don't have to hide it from me."
"Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
Lance glances down between their bodies and replies, coyly, "I think I have an idea."
JC's face, already red from crying, gets even redder. "But you didn't, um, finish."
"It's okay. I'm okay. Just being with you is enough." In truth, Lance isn't so much aroused anymore as he is concerned. He pushes the hair away from JC's face and holds his gaze. "It's not always about sex."
"I know. Oh, do I know. I'm so lucky to have you."
"We're lucky to have each other. And we're going to stick together no matter what, right?"
"You know it. And I AM okay, now. I guess I just had to let all that out, you know?"
"I know. I'm glad you feel comfortable enough around me to do that. You never have to hide your feelings from me, even if it's about the guys. Speaking of which, we better get back." Lance pauses. "You know I'll back you up?"
"I always knew that."
"Good." Reluctantly, Lance sits them up, then scrounges around for his clothes. As he lifts his shirt, something rolls away and he smiles. When he looks back at JC, sex-rumpled, he laughs. "You look like you just rolled out of bed."
"That's why I went for this haircut, babe."
"It really works for you," Lance comments as he tousles the already mussed 'do. Before they leave the backstage area, Lance checks his back pockets.
*****
"Where you guys been? We weren't finished," Justin whines.
"We were taking a break," Lance snaps back. "And Justin, one more thing."
"What's that?"
"This." And he pulls out two cans of silly string from his back pockets and fires away. No one makes my boyfriend cry.