Title: The Taste Between

Author: therubyone

Disclaimer: Drake and Josh - appreciated but very much not owned by me!

Author's Note: 500 word drabble, inspired by quote from Hal Sparks' Twitter. "Friday the 13th right before Valentine's Day ... Dread and Love ... two great tastes that taste ... well ... weird actually."

Summary: Drake and Josh celebrate Valentine's Day 2009 as a couple

Rated: T for Teen (male/male kiss)

The Taste Between

Drake and Josh took themselves to Royal India, in San Diego's top-ten. The atmosphere was regal. They were seated near a serene, cascading waterfall. Quiet ragas played in the background.

Josh had been talking up Indian cuisine to Drake all week. Drake promised that he'd try anything without raisins!

Josh carefully selected assorted vegetarian dishes, Naan bread, lemon pickle. Feeling adventurous, Drake asked for lamb biryani, hot.

The lovers clinked their Kingfisher beers together. Drake remarked "Things have been going so great for us. Remember all the trouble we used to get into during high school?"

Josh recalled their 'situations' fondly, replying "Yesterday was Friday-the-thirteenth; good thing we're not superstitious!"

"How silly is that?" Drake replied.

Drake's entree was spicier than anything he'd ever eaten! Fifteen minutes into their meal, he felt his diaphragm begin spasming. A "hic" popped out of his mouth, followed quickly by another, and another. He chugged his ice water and signaled for more. Three full glasses later, the onslaught of hiccups continued unabated. Josh stopped eating, looking alarmed. Drake covered his face with his napkin, attempting to muffle the embarrassing barrage. Other diners stared. Drake held his breath, without achieving the desired result. He felt himself growing red in the face. In the posh Gents room he wet a hand towel and dabbed his forehead.

Moments later, Josh followed. "I asked the server to box everything. How do I help you?"

"The Heimlich? Startle me?"

Thinking he'd try to combine these moves, Josh quickly pressed Drake against the wall with his own body, kissing him long and hard, preventing Drake from drawing a breath.

Once Josh pulled back for air, Drake looked up, grinning, and said softly, "You did it!"

Josh ran his thumb over Drake's cheekbone, returning the adoring smile, as he felt his own mouth start to burn and tingle.

Back at their table, Josh whispered to the waiter, who hastened towards the kitchen. Josh began wheezing, breathing heavily.

"Sir, the seasonings for the biryani are as follows: Coriander, cloves, black pepper, chili powder, cinnamon, cardamom seeds, cumin—"

"CUMIN?!" shouted Drake.

Josh gulped for air, feeling around in his pockets. Drake told the waiter to bring the check immediately. Then Drake hiccupped. Loudly.

Josh's eyes were watering as he coughed - hard. He managed to say, "Inhaler . . . car." Tossing cash onto the table, he dashed out.

A stream of rapid-fire hiccups re-emerged from his throat, as Drake finished paying the check. He collected the foil swan containing their dinner, and raced out after Josh.

Drake let himself into the driver's seat. In the car, Josh had unbuttoned his shirt and used the inhaler. His lips looked swollen, red. His breathing was still uneven. Drake realized those lips had been contaminated by the cumin from the biryani. He knew Josh had researched the recipes for all the things he'd ordered, making sure none of them contained cumin. Drake hiccupped again. Josh patted Drake's thigh.

"Where to? Hospital?"

"I love you."

*hearts*