FIC: Taste of Home

Joux and Dare demanded to have a piece of Divinity.  I'd like to thank Kate from the bottom of my heart for the brilliant beta on this piece. 



Title: Taste of Home
Characters: Dare/Joux
Series: Unlikely Friends


Joux’s eyes were starting to feel dry, but he’d be damned if he looked at the clock again. Staring hard at the show playing on his computer, he promised himself he’d look at the time when Hans Gruber fell from the Nakatomi Plaza. He really couldn’t care less if Die Hard was classified as a Christmas movie or not. It wasn’t typically the kind of movie he watched but all the other Christmas movies reminded him that he was far from home and alone. But only for a few more hours. Then he’d be at a diner tasting his favorite Christmas candy. Not with family but with someone who wanted him there.


By the time, Argyle steered the limousine carrying John and Holly into the Christmas night, Joux’s leg was bouncing up and down in anticipation. With quick sure clicks of the mouse, Joux logged out of Netflix and shut down his laptop. It was time to get dressed and head over to the diner.


He chose the perfect shirt and a pair of tan slacks. He absolutely refused to wear cargo pants, the light tan semi-dress pants the closest he came to more casually dressy. The diner was more like a greasy spoon, but he wanted to impress the owner.


Joux didn’t want to examine why he wanted to impress Dare, so he firmly pushed that out of his head as he headed into his minuscule bathroom. He dragged a brush through his wavy hair. Staring at his reflection, he grimaced. Olive skinned with brown eyes and brown hair, he wouldn’t win any beauty contests. Especially weighing as much as he did. Back home they called it “big boned” and “large framed” but Joux knew, in reality, he was fat. Shrugging his shoulders, he put the brush down. He was who he was. And right now, he was hungry for some Christmas candy. Picking up his keys and wallet, Joux dashed out the door.


The streets were almost as empty as they had been last night. He figured most people were with family or friends already. Later in the evening, the traffic would pick up as people drove home. As he walked the few blocks to the restaurant, he wondered how he’d missed it all these years. He didn’t eat out often and usually only with a group of people, mostly from the theater, but it was so close to his loft, he thought he should have noticed it before last night. Well, he knew about it now and with the cheap prices, he’d be going back often.


Before turning the corner, he smoothed down his shirt. The bold purple paisleys might be a little loud, but Joux thought of paisleys as festive. Perfect for holidays. He loved bright clothes with fun patterns. Back home he’d been ridiculed for his fashion, but here in his adopted home, he’d met and become friends with Lane over his colorful wardrobe. And Lane had helped him find the courage to wear what he liked without fears of others. If they didn’t like what he wore, they didn’t have to look.


Of course, that was easy to say in his head, but so terribly hard to practice in real life. He just hoped that Dare wouldn’t look at him the way his brothers and father used to. Joux didn’t know what it was about the man he’d just met, but he wanted Dare to like him.


‘Stop dilly-dallying,’ he scolded himself firmly. ‘Get over there and see if he kept his word about the divinity!’ Joux squared his shoulders, turned the corner, and walked toward the candy that hopefully waited for him.


The bell above the door jingled as he opened it. Dare came rushing out from the back. Joux’s smile faded away at the man’s look of....what? Disappointment?


“Oh. Joux. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to-.”


Without waiting to hear whatever excuse Dare was going to give, Joux turned and headed for the door. But he was stopped by Dare’s hand on his arm. He tried to pull away, but Dare held on tight.


“Joux, listen. It’s not what you think. Well, fuck! They’re here.”


“No, no. Don’t worry about it. I’ll just-”


Dare interrupted him. “Listen. Go sit in the very back booth. I’ll explain in a bit. Go. Now.”


The sternness in Dare’s voice had Joux instantly obeying. He’d always been a sucker for a dominant man, and Dare was showing all kinds of dominance. Joux’s tummy tingled a little as he went where Dare had directed him.


As soon as he sat down, the bell over the door rang again. Two uniformed police officers came in. With the movie Die Hard fresh in his mind, Joux hoped that Hans Gruber hadn’t survived his fall from Nakatomi Plaza and ended up here. He didn’t have the same skill set that John McClane had.


“Where is he?” One of the police asked.


“He’s in the kitchen. But it’s better out here. No sharp knives or hot surfaces. If you can stand out of sight over there, I’ll bring him out.” Dare’s voice was just as firm and dominant toward the two cops. Joux wasn’t a bit surprised that they followed Dare’s order just as he had done.


They nodded to Joux as they put their backs against the wall. Joux nodded back nervously. He wondered what the hell was going on.


“Hey, slick, I need your help here.” Dare’s voice was loud causing Joux to jump a little.


One of the policemen put his finger over his mouth, indicating Joux should be quiet. Joux nodded with wide-eyes.


“Fuck, man. You can’t do a damn thing without me.” The man rounded the corner. As soon as he saw the policeman, he became a whirling dervish. Taking a swing at Dare, spit flew from the man’s mouth as he screamed, “You fucking faggot! I’m gonna kill you!”


Joux watched as Dare calmly stepped out of the line of fire. The two policemen jumped in and wrestled the man to the ground. The officers were talking firmly to the man, but Joux couldn’t hear what they were saying. All he could hear was the filth spewing from the enraged man’s mouth.


Once the officers had the handcuffs on the man, they lifted him up and started out the door. “Thank you, Mr. Simmons. We have your report. His parole officer will be in touch with you. But I think he’ll have to finish up his time.”


“Thank you. I appreciate your help.” Dare walked them outside.


Joux sat in the booth waiting. He didn’t know what was going on. Should he leave? Just as he decided it would be for the better, Dare came back.


He gave Joux a smile as he walked over. “Ok, I think I owe you an explanation.”


“Um, uh, no. It’s ok.”


“No, it’s not ok. I promised you I would make the candy, and I didn’t. That deserves an explanation. I work with a couple of parole officers. When they have someone coming out of prison, who they know will have a hard time getting a job, they give me a call. I hire them,” Dare said.


Joux stared at Dare. “You hire prisoners?”


“Not prisoners. Men who are on parole. They have several conditions: gainful employment, no drugs, no weapons, things like that. I have my own set of conditions. They have to be respectful to everyone who comes in here, have to keep themselves clean. You know, shower regularly, brush their teeth, keep themselves clean. With my rules, I give them three chances. But they only get one chance with their PO. Slick came in stoned off his ass. I had no choice but to let his PO know. He sent the cops here to get him. I had to keep an eye on him so he wouldn’t bolt. That’s why I didn’t get to make the candy.”


Joux sat dumbfounded. Dare wasn’t just a restaurant owner. He was making a difference in people’s lives. He couldn’t help but compare this man to the family he left down south. They wouldn’t have ever helped out a person on parole. They’d be too busy judging them.


“It’s alright. You weren't in any danger.”


Dare had mistaken his silence for something else. Joux hurried to explain. “No. No! I wasn’t thinking that. I was thinking about how tired you must be. I’ll come back another time.”


“Nonsense.” Dare’s voice was a strong, dark timbre. “I never make a promise I can’t keep and I ain’t starting now. So, come on, boy. To the kitchen.”


The word boy along with Dare’s tone sent shivers down Joux’s spine. He found himself obeying without thought. He took the hand that was offered to him. He expected Dare to drop his hand but the man kept hold of him as they walked toward the kitchen.


“I’ve called a couple guys in, they should be here any minute. They’ll take care of the place while we fix up this divinity.” Dare pulled Joux inside the swinging doors. “You said last night, you knew what it was like when a customer came in late. You work in the business?”

“Yes. I’m a server at Green’s Restaurant and Sutro’s.”




Dare whistled at the names. They were some of the most expensive places in town. “Well, my kitchen isn’t as fancy as those, but it’s got everything we need. I sat everything out last night. I wanted to make sure I had everything.”


There on a metal table was a container sugar, a bottle of corn syrup, vanilla, and pecans. A rush of cold air made Joux’s hand tingle when Dare let go of it and walked to the big industrial refrigerator. “Check the recipe. How many eggs?”


Joux looked at the paper hanging about the table. “Three eggs.”


‘Got ‘em. Let see what we need to do.”


With Dare standing so close to him, Joux’s stomach flipped again. He didn’t know what it was about him, but Dare was playing havoc on his body. Joux pulled himself together to focus on what they were doing after the sound of a heavy pot banging down onto the stove startled him.


“Would you get a three-quarters cup of water.” Dare pointed toward the sink.


Joux picked up the measuring cup that was beside the sink and filled it to the correct mark. “Do we pour it slowly or all at once?”


Stirring the sugar and corn syrup already in the pot, Dare said, “All at once.”

As soon as Joux poured the water, Dare leaned over and picked up a thermometer. “The recipe says we can’t stir after the sugar dissolves. Well, not until it reaches 250 degrees.”


Joux nodded wisely. Or he hoped it looked wise. His momma didn’t have a thermometer, she just eye-balled it until it looked right.


“Ok. It says while the sugar is cooking, beat the egg whites until stiff.” Dare looked at Joux with a mischievous grin. “You do know how to beat it until it’s stiff, don’t you?”


Joux could feel the heat rise in his face. He was supposed to be the campy one, yet here Dare was making him blush. He was not going to let him get away with it. In his most seductive voice, he drawled out, “Well, if I can’t get it stiff enough, I’m sure you could do it.”


Dare laughed with joy. “You just holler anytime you need....stiffening.”


Joux didn’t have time to think up a smart comeback as two men came in. He hadn't heard the bell over the door. He'd been so focused on Dare.


“So, he’s gone, eh?” A big black man said coming into the kitchen.


“Yeah. And I know, I know, you told me so, Devon.” Dare winked at Joux. “Guys, this is Joux. He was craving some Christmas candy so we thought we’d make some. Joux, this is Devon. He has a sixth sense when it comes to knowing a man’s character. And this other guy is Ernest,” Dare pointed to a very tall, very skinny, red-headed man.


Joux reached out and shook each man’s hand. “Sorry, you have to come in on Christmas Day.” He felt a little uncomfortable by the way each man sized him up.


“Didn’t have nothing else to do. Was planning on coming in for dinner anyway.” Devon’s hand dwarfed Joux’s and Joux wasn’t a small man. Devon was just that big.


“Yeah. We wanted to see who the boss-man had a date with.”


His mouth dropped open at Ernest’s words. A date? This was a date.


Dare’s words confirmed Joux’s thoughts. “Come on, guys. You’re going to scare him away. And I told you, it’s not a date! Joux, get to beating those eggs. This stuff is almost done.”


Joux went back to beating the eggs as the men talked.


“It’s been dead slow today. Kind of thought we’d get a few, but really no one has come in,” Dare said.


Devon’s deep voice answered. “I think everyone who didn’t have anywhere to be is up at the center. They are putting out one hell of a spread. And giving away backpacks full of shit to anyone who needs it.”


“What the hell are you making?” Ernest's voice came from over Joux shoulder.


“It’s called divinity. It’s a candy my mom always made a Christmas time,” Joux explained.


“Move back a step,” Dare ordered, carrying over the hot pan full of the sugar mixture. “We gotta pour this in. When it’s all in, you guys can help us scoop it out.”


The four big men moved around the kitchen like they had been working together for years. Devon turned on a radio and Christmas music drifted over them. Joux’s high pitched giggles mixed with Devon’s deep chuckles. Dare seemed to brush against Joux way more often than necessary so that by the time the candy had been dipped out, Joux was feeling hot. And not from the temperature in the kitchen.


“Let’s stick ‘em in the fridge so they’ll harden up faster.” Ernest didn’t wait for anyone to agree, but picked up the cookies sheets with the drops of the mixture and put them in the refrigerator.


“How about some burgers and fries?”


These men were so sure of themselves, Joux thought as Devon reached into the freezer and brought out some hamburger patties. Their take charge attitude kept Joux feeling relaxed. He didn’t have to make any decisions. But somehow he knew if he didn’t like what was offered, they’d have no problem offering something else.


“Hamburgers and fries are perfect for Christmas dinner.” Dare winked at Joux again. “As long as we have the divinity for dessert.”


The fried hamburgers with the golden, crisp potatoes were a perfect dinner, Joux thought. Or maybe it was the people he was sharing it with. They laughed and talked and made him feel included. They even listened to him when he talked. Really listened. Joux found himself talking about moving to San Francisco. Finding the small loft and going into shock at the cost of living. He didn’t mention how he’d been kicked out of his home or how his family had disowned him. But he had a feeling they would’ve understood.


At some point, while he was talking, Dare went into the kitchen and brought back a plate with the candy on it and a box. “I think it’s ready.”


There were two pieces of the white candy for each of them. It took less than two seconds for them to disappear.


Devon groaned with a mouthful. “Damn. This is sweet. But so good.”


“Gonna have to go to the frickin’ dentist after this,” Ernest grouched. “But yeah. It's damn good.”


“Well, guys. I think we have a new item for our menu. To be served on Christmas.”


Joux felt his heart swell with glee. Next Christmas, he’d know where to go to have a taste of home. He’d expected to be alone all day, but instead, he’d had a wonderful day. He glanced at his phone and noticed how late it was.


“I’ve taken your whole day!” He exclaimed apologetically. “I’m sorry!”


Dare waved his hand as if batting the words away. “Nothing to apologize for! I had a great time. And I got a new recipe.”


Joux beamed at him. “Well, thank you for making it. But I really do need to get home.”


Dare stood up with Joux. “You guys mind doing the cleanup? I’d like to walk him home.”


“Naw, boss-man, we got it.”


“No worries, man. Gotta make sure he gets home safe and sound.”


Joux blushed at the teasing from the two men. “You don’t have to, Dare. I’m just a few blocks away.”


Shoving the box in Joux’s hand, Dare mocked growled. “Didn’t I say I don’t make promises I can’t keep? I just promised to walk you home. Now, don’t make me break it.”


Joux wanted to argue that he didn’t promise, but Dare had taken his hand and started out of the restaurant. "I don't need all this candy. You should have kept it there at the restaurant."


"Oh, don't you worry. I only gave you half." Dare laughed. "That's damn good candy. I now know why you missed it so much."


Dare's voice seemed to echo between the buildings. The streets were just as bare of people as it had been the night before. But tonight, Joux didn’t feel uncomfortable. “Thank you for today. I had expected to spend the day all alone. Oh, turn here.”


They turned the corner and walked down toward the building that held Joux’s loft. “You’re welcome, Joux. I had a great day. I got a new recipe and maybe something more.”

Joux’s tummy started tingling again. Swallowing hard, he said quietly, “ Um. Yeah. Maybe something more…” He smiled at Dare, then stopped dead in his tracks. He had nearly missed his own apartment. “This is me. I mean, I live here.”


“Not too far from the diner at all. I’ll expect you coming in more often.” Dare looked at Joux. “I’d like to see you again. A real date.”


Joux wondered if his pounding heart could be heard all over the Bay Area. “Oh. Um. I’d like that.”


Pulling out his phone, Dare asked him for his phone number. Quickly he typed it in and then sent a text to Joux.


Joux looked down at his phone and smiled. “I’ll save your number. And my next day off is next Monday.”


“I’ll pick you up here about three. Now, I’d like to kiss you if that’s okay.” Unable to speak, Joux nodded. Dare lifted his head and placed his full lips on Joux’s.


Joux’s body went into overload. Birds took off in his stomach. Shivers were flying up and down his spine. His heart was thumping wildly.


Dare broke off the kiss and commanded, “Breathe, boy. I’ll text you soon.”


Walking up the stairs, Joux couldn’t stop grinning. He had a feeling his life was going to get very interesting. Last night he’d had his Réveillon, his awakening. But he now felt he was wide awake and that the good times were just starting. He remembered a phrase from his home: “laissez les bon temps rouler”. Which back home meant “let the good times roll”. His good times were just starting.


End