The Apartment AU 3

"I'm a little grateful myself," said Joey, catching AJ's hand and tugging him toward the room. "I haven't been this happy in, well, a while."

"Yeah?" AJ trailed along behind him, not pulling away but not crowding him, either, and kicking the door gently shut behind himself. "Me neither. I honestly, I keep thinking about it, like my mind won't let it go. I like dick! This is kind of a big realization for me, you gotta understand." His eyes wandered to Joey's crotch, and he flushed a little.

"And the great thing is, I'm happy to provide you with it," Joey teased him a little before pulling him down to the bed, sitting up and still clothed. "Though, I mean, seriously, I know it's a little mind blowing. We do this as slow or as fast as you want. Whatever it is, I'm cool with it."

"Hah," AJ said dryly. "Like we've been going slow so far? This ain't slow. I was all kinds of naked with you last night." He didn't seem terribly upset by that, though, and leaned in and sucked gently at Joey's neck, just below his ear. "I've always been kind of a fast mover," he explained, lips moving on Joey's skin.

"No, definitely not slow so far," said Joey, angling his neck so AJ could keep doing exactly what he was doing. "I'm just saying. You lead, I follow." He licked his lips again and almost stopped talking entirely, to enjoy this, but there were still things that needed to be said. "Are there, uh, things you're pretty sure you do or don't want to do? Just so I, you know, have an idea, for when the time comes..."

AJ hummed, sounding both undecided and a little irritated. "I dunno," he said finally. "How 'bout you show me what you like to do, and if I don't like it, we try something else? I can't think of anything right now, so, nah, whatever, man. Some stuff might take getting used to, like, ass stuff? but I admit I'm curious about just about everything." He crawled a little closer to Joey, sliding a leg over his so he was almost straddling his thigh.

"Sounds good to me," murmured Joey, making a mental note to save most of the ass stuff for some time when they had a lot more time on their hands than they did right now. Maybe they had the whole day ahead of them, but JC would be up again some time soon and Joey knew AJ probably wouldn't be too comfortable doing stuff with him out there. "I'm a big fan of making out anyway. Kinda just like this."

"Me too," AJ murmured, leaning comfortably in when Joey's hands held his waist and supported him. "Definitely nice. You make it easy, too." He leaned back just a little and looked at Joey with big dark eyes. "You really do. You done this before? Show some poor formerly clueless dude the ropes, blow his mind some and show him the light?"

Joey grinned at him. "Well, I've *been* a formerly clueless dude whose mind was blown and was shown the light. Does that count?" It probably counted for a lot, actually. It was hard to be on this side of it without ever having been on the other.

"Yeah, that definitely counts," AJ grinned back at him. "It's got to, 'cause you haven't done one thing wrong yet. I mean, jesus, you got me sitting in your lap and lickin' all over you, and yesterday I was only thinking about this sorta thing when I had a hand down my pants and my eyes closed." He wiggled a little closer, rocking against Joey suggestively as he bent to suck lightly on his ear again.

"Thinking about you with your hand down your pants makes me hot," murmured Joey, moving his leg just enough that AJ *could* ride him. "I think Justin did the hard work for me, getting you to kiss him, and I just get to reap the benefits here."

"Let's tell him," AJ suggested brightly. "I wanna see his face when you thank him for gettin' me all warmed up for you." He stopped talking abruptly, though, when Joey shifted him a little and he was riding Joey's thigh just right. AJ went tense and sucked in air, then nipped at Joey's neck as his hips started to move.

Joey would love to see the look on Justin's face when he realized where AJ had gone after the party, but more than that he wanted to see the look on AJ's face when Joey took him all the way to orgasm, just like this. He nipped a little at AJ's ear in return, then took AJ's hand and placed it gently over his own hard cock, bulging against his sweatpants.

AJ's hand tightened nervously, almost *too* tight at first, before he let out a breathy, nervous chuckle and relaxed his fingers, stroking tentatively. "Do you like sucking dick?" He asked quietly, face still buried against Joey's neck. "I mean, the taste, the way it feels, you like that? Think I'd like it?"

"Mmm," murmured Joey, pressing up against AJ's hand, still letting him ride his thigh hard. "I love it. It's... satisfying. I think you'll like it. I *hope* you'll like it...."

"I think I might," AJ mumbled against his skin, hand starting to move at the same pace as his hips. "I mean, thinkin' about it, it's freaky, a little, but my mouth's kind of watering. Ohhh." He pressed down, long and hard, against Joey's thigh, breath shuddering. "Oh my god, that feels so good." When he started moving again, it was a little faster, more urgent.

"Yeah," breathed Joey, hand pressed to AJ's back, mouth to his ear, urging him on. "Yeah, it *should* feel good..." It felt pretty fucking good for him, too. "Having a cock in your mouth, the reason I love it, is you can't help but lick and suck and taste and want to run your tongue *every*where...."

AJ made a high little noise in his throat, and moved abruptly so that instead of straddling Joey's thigh, he had his knees bracketing Joey's hips. Withdrawing his hand, he pressed his pelvis down into Joey's while fumbling clumsily with the zipper and button on his jeans. "No drawers," he gasped into Joey's shoulder. "These jeans are killin' me. Gotta get 'em off."

Joey groaned at the pause, and leaned back against his hands so they wouldn't topple over onto the floor as AJ struggled out of his pants. Much as he would have liked to help, maintaining their uprightness seemed a priority. "You should do that some more," he breathed finally, rolling his head back and sucking in a lungful of the cool air. "I was liking that."

"Yeah," AJ agreed as he kicked off his pants and crawled back onto Joey's lap. "Me too." He settled back gently onto Joey's cock, the heat and delicate touch of his bare groin a shocking contrast after the heavy jeans, even through Joey's sweatpants. "Fuck, this is better though," he hissed, pressing himself down again, bracing on Joey's shoulders and licking his lips.

Joey lifted his head but closed his eyes, wallowing in the sensation. "Damn. Yeah. That's really fucking good, man, so that some more..." And some more and some more and some more and Joey had all kinds of ideas what he'd like to do with AJ. Thank god AJ showed no signs of changing his mind about this.

Joey's hands fell to AJ's hips, guiding him subtly as he rocked, and his thumbs stroked the hot, thin skin in the hollow of AJ's hipbones, calling up a happy rumble from AJ, who shivered and buried his face against Joey's shoulder again, panting. "More," he whispered, almost too low for Joey to hear.

Joey was giving him more, was giving him everything, one hand staying on AJ's hip, the other straying back towards his ass. Caressing more than grabbing, but his fingers moving inward with clear intent. He wasn't going to do anything AJ wasn't ready for, just wanted him to get the idea that they *could* do that. And that it was good and natural and... good, and Joey didn't want to think so hard anymore, when AJ was rubbing so deliciously against him.

AJ went still for a moment, but it was a thoughtful stillness, not frozen panic, so Joey let his fingers trace down and dip in, just a little touch, and AJ pressed tentatively back against his hand. "Oh," he said quietly, and started up his rocking again, but this time his motion back was just as firm as his forward thrusting. "I didn't...fuck...new..." he choked out.

With that kind of encouragement, Joey didn't hesitate to let his finger press inside a little bit, letting AJ's motions guide him. He was almost breathless with anticipation as his own orgasm approached, and couldn't keep his eyes off AJ's face, couldn't help listening to every single sound of pleasure he let out.

AJ reared back suddenly, staring straight at Joey with wide shocked eyes as his own movement pressed Joey's finger deeper, and he came, just like that, cock pulsing onto Joey's shirt and sweatpants. "Oh my god," he got out, fists curled in Joey's t-shirt, hips jerking helplessly and grinding him against Joey's cock. "Oh my god," he repeated, "oh, oh," and maybe he wasn't the greatest conversationalist when he was coming, but that voice was pure sex.

It wasn't like Joey was particularly articulate himself, one hand buried in AJ's body, and the other clutching at his hips, rubbing hard and fast against AJ's body with a desperate craving to come. "God," he breathed finally. "Just... just keep talking to me..."

AJ was relaxed and boneless under Joey's hands, letting Joey rub on him and move him as he wanted to, and his inner muscles were still fluttering around Joey's fingers. "You're about to come," he murmured into Joey's ear. "I can feel it, god, I wanna feel it, wanna taste it. Next time you gotta let me taste it, okay? Next time you gotta be naked, I want to feel it all hard against my skin..." he nipped softly at Joey's ear, nuzzling his neck.

"Definitely..." breathed Joey, his breath hitching. "Yes..." And again, the image of AJ sucking him off was what sent him over the edge, shuddering and rolling his head back and clutching AJ close to him. "God."

AJ's hands came up and fingers sifted through his hair, holding him close and just petting him. "God," AJ echoed into his ear, draped over his body warm and close and pliant. "We should go back to bed," he said drowsily, after a long, quiet moment. "I'm tired again."

Joey chuckled softly, and finally moved his hands so they were both resting lightly on AJ's back. "First, I need to get out of these clothes. Then I'd be happy to go back to bed with you for a while. Wow."

AJ arched his back, stretching, and Joey could feel the slow bend of his spine, the flexibility there, and even though he'd just come his mouth went dry. "See, you shoulda taken those off," AJ mumbled into his ear. "At this rate we're gonna go through a lot of laundry. I think your sheets probably need washing, too."

"I think they definitely need washing," said Joey, leaning back just enough to be able to pull his shirt off and toss it onto the floor. "And I think that's definitely going to have to wait until later. I won't worry about it if you won't..."

"They ain't my sheets," AJ said with a little shrug. "I hope JC isn't doing anything that'll make me have to wash mine. I'm not gonna worry about it either way." He sat back on Joey's lap, shamelessly naked, and ran his palms thougtfully up Joey's chest and over his shoulders, watching his hands as they traced the curve of Joey's pectoral muscle and traced through the fine hair on his chest. "Still kind of strange," he decided.

"Still kind of new," Joey reminded him, giving him slow, soft caresses in return. "It just takes some getting used to. It's not *that* different from girls, I think. Except in the best ways... but I admit that opinion may be just a teensy, weensy bit biased."

"You think?" AJ grinned at him. "It's pretty different, though. The feeling's all different. The smell, the taste...an' I'm not used to being the one sitting on the lap, honestly." He shifted a little, sliding to the left and off Joey's thighs, but leaving one leg draped over as he leaned against Joey's side, still stoking his chest with one hand. "You make it easy, though, and comfortable," he repeated.

"Well, it *should* be easy and comfortable," said Joey, shifting his body so he could pull his sweat pants off as well. "That's kinda the sign that you're doing something right -- when it feels so good and works so easy. And this has definitely, definitely been both of those."

"Yeah," AJ said, sighing and dropping a very hesitant hand down to the top of Joey's bare thigh. He was looking down, too, just taking it all in, and Joey let him, despite the fact that he was sticky and soft and probably generally not looking his best. AJ reached and brushed his cock with the very tips of two fingers, so lightly Joey could barely feel it. "S'okay?" he asked, without looking up.

Joey shivered slightly. "It's all okay," he said. "Anything you want to... see, or do, or try... I'm just feeling real good here. Real good. You just... you just, yeah..."

"Just don't wanna be a pain," AJ confessed softly, tracing the line of Joey's cock with his fingers, still just a featherlight touch. His fingers wandered a little, stroked the soft skin of Joey's balls and the inside of his thigh. "Getting used to the territory," he said, with a glance at Joey and a little grin.

"I don't mind," Joey assured him again, spreading his legs a little more. "I did a little bit of getting used to your territory today already anyway, and this is... it's real nice. It's comfortable."

"Still kinda strange," AJ reminded him, taking advantage of Joey's spread legs to explore a little more. "I mean, it's not mine, but it's all pretty much familiar. Strange, though. Especially, you know. I ain't used to that being sexy at all, but it felt pretty fuckin' amazing."

"It's always been sexy," said Joey, giving him a grin. "You just never noticed before. But, you know, people have to come to this in their own time, no sense rushing it. And I guess this is just your time. Can't say I'm sorry, not at all."

AJ rubbed his thumb comtemplatively down the crease of Joey's thigh, and smiled a little back. "Or maybe it really wasn't sexy before, and you just kinda did it right," he offered. "But the timing's right, that's for damn sure. I dunno if I could've handled all this confusing stuff, if I'd still been getting fucked up all the time. This is enough to deal with on its own."

"Yeah, I know it is," said Joey. "And if you'd tried to deal with this while you were still pretty fucked up... well, it could've been a real mess, that's for sure. Expermenting while experimenting. Maybe not the best idea ever. Unlike *this*," he added, gesturing at exactly what they were doing. "which *is* the best idea ever. Obviously."

That got a dry little chuckle out of AJ. "Says the naked guy with come on his belly," he teased lightly. "I think it's a great idea myself. So far it's been nothin' but good." He dragged his fingertips over Joey's chest again, pausing on his nipples, then his collarbone, then his throat. With a sigh, he abruptly rolled away from Joey, ending up on his back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

Joey hesitated, then just rested his palm on AJ's flat stomach. "And we'll totally keep going at your pace," he added, in case AJ was unsure of that. "I didn't... go too far, right? With the... you know. The fingers."

AJ's face flushed, and he glanced away. "Nah," he said, quietly. "It felt pretty great, actually. I just, you know." He shrugged minimally, fingers picking at the bedspread. "I don't wanna be, like, a girl here. You know? I'm still a guy, and everything." Joey shifted until he was comfortable, and there was no danger of his arm going numb if they were in that position for a long time. "I figure," he said finally, "that us guys walk around with a lot of crap inside our heads, just because we don't *say* shit sometimes. No wonder we're all fucked up. It's not girly, it's just normal. This is all new and you've probably got questions and stuff. Everyone does."

"So." AJ shifted a little, reached out, rested his arm over Joey as light and hesitant as a feather. "This isn't, like. Don't think of me as some chick, just because of shit like this. And that I liked the fingers. A'right?" He eased closer, rested his cheek on Joey's shoulder. "I'm not fucked up, either, Joe. Maybe a little...concerned, is all."

"Oh God," said Joey, and let out an involuntary laugh. "First of all, I meant fucked up in the most affectionate way possible, since I was referring to all members of our sex. And second, do you want the laundry list of all the things I've had up *my* ass, AJ? Cause it's a long and varied one and I don't consider myself *anything* but all man. No chick genes here."

AJ narrowed his eyes at him, and it looked like he was trying to decide whether or not to be offended. Finally, reluctantly, he chuckled, and shook his head a little. "That wasn't exactly what I meant," he answered. "I don't even know exactly what I meant, I don't think, I just..." he sighed, and dropped his head back to Joey's shoulder. "Meh. So complicated. I just wanna have sex and sleep, that shouldn't be complicated at all." "Soon enough it won't be," Joey promised him. "Soon enough you'll get whatever's in your head figured out, and you'll figure out that this can be pretty easy, if you let it be. If you just let yourself be whatever you are and don't worry too much about it *meaning* anything."

"Heh. Easier said than done," AJ mumbled into his skin, then stopped talking and pressed a hesitant kiss there. His tongue feathered against Joey's shoulder, tasting more than arousing, part and parcel of the exploring he was finally starting to do. He wriggled closer, too, bare legs brushing against Joey's and then twining between them.

"Or just do that, yeah," murmured Joey, shifting his position again to accommodate AJ. "You may have noticed, I'm pretty easy about all this stuff..."

"You're supernaturally easy," AJ agreed, mouth still moving on Joey's skin. "Um, no offence, not in a slutty way, you know. Just, easy, like, yeah." His lips curved in a smile, right before he dropped another kiss on Joey's shoulder. "I appreciate it man, I do. Believe me. I keep waitin' to freak out, and it keeps not happening, and I think it's 'cause you're so mellow, maybe. Definitely not what I was expecting."

"No need to freak out when everything's good," said Joey with a small shrug, not enough to jostle AJ away. "That's what I figure. And I've been not-mellow enough for the past month to realize that I'm a lot happier when I just relax about everything. And enjoy it all."

"My body's about to throw a celebration party," AJ admitted, sounding sleepy and sated, the rough edges in his low voice smoothed out so it was just a soft rumble. "It's definitely all about the relaxing and enjoying. And I know-" he broke off and went still, pressing his face hard against Joey's shoulder, as the door swung open and banged against the wall.

"Joey, where's your aspir-oh-my-god." There was silence, and then JC's loopy giggle. "Sorry, sorry, you're just so *naked!*"

"Don't you *knock*?" Joey shot at him, but it was mostly to hide his own laughter. "Get out of here, Jace, there should be aspirin in the medicine cabinet in the bathroom, and if there's not we'll be out in a few minutes to track it down for you."

"Naked," JC giggled again, and then the door swung shut and AJ stopped trying to hide under or inside Joey, whichever was easier.

"Oh man," he said, voice muffled by Joey. All the relaxation he'd gained over the last minutes was gone, and he was thrummingly tense again. "He's gonna tell everyone, isn't he? There's no way he's keeping this quiet."

Joey just stroked AJ's stomach calmly as he chose his words. "If you ask him, absolutely for serious, not to say anything, he won't. If that's what you really want, JC will respect that. He doesn't always understand why people don't all celebrate themselves and their relationships, but he cares a great deal about his friends and will do for them what they want."

AJ's belly muscles clenched under Joey's hand, but he didn't move away, and actually relaxed a little after a few moments. He even arched closer to Joey's touch, and sighed. "Allright," he said, voice quiet. "I dunno what I want to ask him, but it's good to know he'll stay quiet if I ask him to. I just, I dunno. It's a lot all at once. Nicky's gonna freak, I think. And god, Howie. And what do I tell Sarah?"

"Nothing, if you're not ready to," said Joey sincerely, and gave AJ a soft, almost chaste kiss. "And if you're getting this worked up just thinking about it, you're not. Don't worry about it, it'll come in time, I'm not the kind of guy that thinks people should start shouting their personal stuff off rooftops the moment they realize it. Hell, I *just* told my family not that long ago. But among our friends -- by which I mean my friends who are becoming your friends -- it's never going to be a big deal, and maybe that's a good place to start with the whole getting comfortable thing. You think?"

"Well, JC already knows," AJ agreed. "He doesn't, I mean, I don't think he cares, really. Or at least he seems pretty okay with it, and he's not gonna, like, start grilling me with questions or nothing." He moved restlessly, then rolled onto Joey, pressing him down into the bed almost aggressively and leaning in for a hard kiss. Like he was proving something to himself. "I don't care," he declared, "I like it, so people are just gonna have to deal."

Joey smiled up at him. "Good," he said, moving his hand around to press against the small of AJ's back, even though he knew they'd have to be getting up soon if they didn't want to be interrupted again. "Do what you're ready for, AJ. I'm never going to ask you for anything more than that."

AJ smiled back, though it wasn't a comfortable smile, since it showed a few too many teeth and had a few too many sharp edges. He swooped in for another fast kiss, though, before rolling back off Joey and sliding off the bed. "I'm definitely not ready for JC to see me butt-nekkid again," he said in explanation, "and I somehow think he's not gonna give us too much more time. Man that hungover, I thought he'd sleep a lot longer."

"He'll nap later," Joey told him, sitting up and swinging around so his legs were over the side of the bed. "He always does. JC's sleeping habits can be very bizarre. And yeah, there's no way he's giving us much more time. I can hear him rummaging around out there and it sounds like he can't find what he's looking for."

"At least as he doesn't come back in here till we've got clothes on," AJ shook his head. "You should look into a lock for that door. Did he just charge in on you and Chris like that?" He slid his jeans up, hiding a very tight, small ass that Joey had been enjoying looking at.

"More often than I care to think about," admitted Joey, trying to make himself presentable. And realizing that he hadn't really been thinking about Chris much at all. "There is a lock, though. I just don't think of using it very often. Maybe I'll have to start."

"Not much of a big privacy fan, huh?" AJ made a face at himself in the little mirror on Joey's wall, running his fingers through his hair. It just made the curls spring up more wildly. "Yeah, locks. I don't mind an audience, or at least I never used to, but I wanna know it's there and not be surprised halfway through. That's just a moodkiller." He turned again, and watched Joey pull his shirt on. "I think...I'm gonna go call Howie. I, yeah."

"Probably a good idea, if you're gonna be showing up there later," said Joey, keeping it easy. What AJ needed most, while he was struggling with the idea of what he was doing, was for Joey to make everything easy. "I should call my ma, too."

"Yeah." AJ nodded, glanced away, and slipped out the door without another sound. Joey could hear JC's excited voice, then AJ's low reply, and then it was quiet for a little while. When he ventured out, JC was sitting on the kitchen counter sipping coffee, and he could hear AJ murmuring into the phone a moment before the door to his room closed behind him. JC just raised his eyebrows at him, then grinned.

"Jooooooeeeeey," he singsonged.

Joey just grinned at him and shook his head. "Just tell me you haven't been giving AJ a hard time," he said as he joined JC in the kitchen. "Did you find the aspirin?"

"AJ gave me some," JC said innocently. "I haven't been giving him shit, Joey, I wouldn't, you know that!" He paused, sipped. "I maybe complimented him on a couple of his tattoos..."

Joey lifted his eyebrows. "A couple of his tattoos that maybe aren't visible most of the time?" he suggested. "He's a little weirded out yet, JC, about all this. So where's *my* coffee?"

"In the pot," JC waved a hand at it. "I made more, there was none left. And, well, some of his tattoos that aren't visible all the time are *nice*. It would be rude not to let him know I like them." He blinked big placid eyes at Joey, and Joey would almost have bought it if JC hadn't once described this move to him as 'channeling Bambi.'

"You call it rude, I call it discreet," said Joey, pouring himself a cup. It was good coffee. "Seriously, Jace, he's still pretty freaked out, even when he's not showing it. You know? I'm not sure he's ready for you admiring his ass."

"Then he shouldn't be waving it around," JC defended himself, then relented, at Joey's incredulous look. "Oh, all right, whatever. I won't admire his ass or any other part of him till he says okay, okay? But you, on the other hand...Joe, lookin' fine, my man." He toasted Joey with his coffee cup. "*And* getting some sweet morning action. I'm impressed!"

Joey found himself grinning again, and raising his own cup for a moment. "Yeah, it's been pretty great so far. Surprising as hell, but great. I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?"

"Do you think it's gonna?" JC watched him over the rim of his coffee cup. "The shoe, I mean. Does it feel like it's gonna drop, like, bang? Or maybe just with a little thump? 'Cause he's awful calm, I was noticing that too."

"Doesn't the other shoe *always* drop?" said Joey. "He's calm on the outside, but he's, like... he's keeping it all in, or something. I'm wondering if something's gonna blow one of these days." He sipped his coffee. "It might not. I dunno. But I won't hold my breath."

"Maybe he's just really good at keeping things in," JC shrugged. "Sometimes people are. I don't know him well enough to say, but he doesn't seem like somebody who'd be afraid to let people know about what he was feeling. Maybe this is all brand-new though. I don't know." He grinned at Joey. "Is he super-duper sexy in bed? He looks like he is."

Joey hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah, he's really fucking sexy in bed," he admitted finally. "Don't tell him I told you, though. I dunno... maybe I'm just remembering how Chris used to let shit build up until he blew. Maybe this won't be like that."

"People are different," JC nodded. "You never know. He's talking to Howie now, so maybe he won't build things up at all. Maybe he just needs to talk to specific people 'bout specific stuff. He barely knows us yet, remember." He offered Joey a muffin. "Want half? I ate my half already."

Joey took it without argument; he'd worked up a bit of an appetite again. "Yeah, you know, you're probably right about that. Howie's his gay friend, he's probably telling him everything right now and I should stop worrying. Nothing bad has happened so far after all. It's all been... really good. Really *really* good."

"Yeah?" JC's smile started small, but it spread all over his face until he was practically radiating happiness. "Oh, awesome, Joey, that's so cool. SO cool. I've just been waiting for something like this to happen for you, I knew it would, with you being so amazing and all." JC hopped down from the counter and threw his arms around Joey in a spontaneous hug. "Who woulda thought AJ would be your next boyfriend?"

"Whoa, whoa," said Joey quickly, raising his hand as JC backed away slightly, but didn't let go. "He's not my boyfriend, JC. I mean... it's great and all, but it's still casual. I'm not ready for a new boyfriend and he's not ready for a boyfriend at all and... we'll see what happens. But whatever it is, it's good. For both of us, I think."

"Well, you don't usually make a habit of cuddling naked in bed till all hours with people who aren't your boyfriend," JC pointed out, excusing his assumption. "I think you're boyfriends and you just don't know it yet, but whatever. Oh man, I wonder if he and Howie are comparing notes on you right now? That would be fuckin' crazy."

"Dude, quit messing with my head!" laughed Joey, swatting at him. "We're totally not boyfriends yet, is all. I got some shit to work out, and so does he, first. Uh... do you really think they're comparing notes on me?"

"Probably," JC said cheerfully, dogding his hand but not letting him out of the hug. JC was skinny but strong, like a swimmer or something, Joey could never get away from him. "Boys are such total gossips, y'know. AJ's probably all 'and then he' and Howie's all 'oh, I LOVE it when he' and stuff like that. Maybe Howie's giving him tips too."

Joey groaned softly and shook his head. "Not that I think that's a bad thing," he said quickly, "but that's just kinda weird, don't you think? Besides, I haven't done half the things with AJ that I did with Howie. Uh. Don't tell him that."

"I won't have to, I'm sure Howie'll take care of that," JC grinned at him, leaning close and fluttering his eyelashes, giving Joey a big wet kiss on the cheek. "You stud, you. Working your way through a whole circle of friends. It's not weird at all, you sleep with people who know each other of COURSE they're going to compare notes."

"I haven't done this in a while," Joey defended himself. "You know how long I was with Chris, man. I'm apparently not up on the etiquette or something." When he thought about it, though, yeah, Howie probably wouldn't be shy about talking to *AJ* about it. "It's okay," JC said comfortingly. "I bet it's just like riding a bike, it'll all come back to you. And maybe it'll make AJ feel better, you know, like it's not so strange." He sipped his coffee again, and just leaned on Joey, all boneless. "I wish I was gay, man, y'all have such great, interesting sex lives. You have to tell me all about it."

"You already know *plenty* about my sex life," laughed Joey. "And, you know, I'm really sorry you aren't gay, JC, but I guess we all have to live with the hand we're dealt in life." He paused to sip his coffee again, touching JC's back comfortably. "I'm totally all for anything that'll make this easier on AJ, you know. I hope it didn't come off sounding like I wasn't."

"Me too," JC said a little sadly. "I'd be so in love with you, dude, we'd be married and shit and have a house together and everything." He pressed his face against Joey's t-shirt for a long, quiet moment, and sighed softly, before pulling away just a bit. "You didn't sound like you were against him doing anything, man. Not at all. Just like you're getting used to somebody new, just like he is, you know?"

"Yeah, good," said Joey, nodding slowly. "It is all new, even the roommate thing is still new. And JC, baby, if you were gay I'd've been so all over you, you wouldn't've had a chance to even look for anyone else. But being your best friend is a pretty good deal, too."

"It is. You're a really good best friend. It's kinda like having a boyfriend except without the sex or the cohabitation." JC pressed a friendly kiss against Joey's shoudler before untangling himself and going for more coffee. "If you think this is all new and strange, imagine how AJ must feel. No wonder he's locked in the bedroom talking to HIS gay best friend."

"Oh yeah, no doubt it's strange," agreed Joey. "I remember how it was at first. And sure, he's older, but he's got a whole other set of complications that way. He's... I'm glad this is happening. I don't know what else to say about it yet."

"You don't have to," JC said comfortably. "It's all still new. I just want to know how the sex is." He grinned at Joey, bright-eyed and gleeful. "Oh, hey, do you want a ride home? You said you were gonna go see your mom, huh? I could totally drop you, since my car's here and everything. Do you think AJ wants a lift too?" "Yeah, he might," said Joey. "Check with him when he's off his call. And I'm for sure gonna take you up on that, if you're offering." He sipped at his coffee again, then upended the cup and drained the rest of it. "And the sex is fantastic, so far. As much as we've done, anyway."

"Doesn't want to put out, huh?" JC patted his shoulder sympathetically. "You know these virgins, they're so skittish. I'm sure he'll come around. Anyway, I'm totally offering, dog, you know I won't abandon you to the bus if you don't need to use it. And AJ, too."

"I'd love a ride," AJ said quietly from the hall, and Joey started, and hoped guiltily that he hadn't heard JC going on about virgins. "Thanks, JC."

"Didn't hear you come out," said Joey, refilling his cup halfway and setting it on the counter, then offering his arm to AJ. "Everything going good?"

AJ drifted closer, managing to make it look like he wasn't heading straight for Joey, when in fact he got to his side in very short order. "It's good," he said, still quiet. "You wouldn't know it to look at him, but Howie can really rake a guy over the coals. Sweet, my ass."

"Oh, no way," JC said, wide-eyed. "Not that nice guy Howie. He's so...he's just...*sweet.*"

"Mmm, I can believe it," said Joey, touching AJ's side casually. "So you, uh, tell him? Stuff?" It was a stupid question, really, and none of his business, but he asked anyway.

"Kinda," AJ huffed a little laugh, and moved closer to Joey's hand. "When I could get a word in edgewise. He got a little excited, once the conversation got going." He didn't look up and meet Joey's eyes, or even look in his direction, but when he reached for his own coffee cup he let the action lean him against Joey's side.

"Oh, he musta been thrilled," JC smiled, clapping his hands a little. "Was he thrilled for you?"

"Possibly," AJ said guardedly. "It's really hard to say, man."

"Jace," said Joey softly, and shook his head at him before turning back to AJ. "I'm sure it'll be good to see him this afternoon, catch up and stuff. Yeah?"

"Yeah," AJ nodded, not looking at JC either. "He's gonna wait to have lunch till I get there, we're gonna get pizza and a movie and chill. Just like old times. Um, mostly." He scrubbed a hand through his hair, and finally met Joey's eyes, his own holding a wry smile. "Nothing's ever simple, huh?"

"Nothing worthwhile, anyway," said Joey, and resisted the urge to kiss him. With JC right there, he would let that be AJ's call. "Tell him hi for me, yeah? And tell him I'm bein' good to you. I am, right?"

"Yeah, you definitely are," AJ said, finally chuckling a little. He didn't so much as hint at a kiss, not while keeping one eye on JC, who was placidly sipping his coffee like nothing was going on. "I'll say hello, for sure, and he sends his love, too. So does Nick."

"Oh, Nick," JC smiled fondly. "How's he doing, anyway? Joe, man, you should really invite him back, he's such a sweetie."

"We'll have them both over some time," Joey assured him, still touching AJ just casually and comfortably. "Everyone's just all settling in still. I guess Nick's doing good, then? That's great to hear. He's a tough kid, he'll pull through this. Are you gonna be back for dinnertime, Aje? I will have the promised leftovers..."

"Ah, yeah, I think. Yeah." AJ shot him a little glance, then smiled, seeming to regain some of that cocky confidence. "I can't miss the famous Fatone leftovers. After all JC's ranting and raving about 'em, I feel like it'd be a crime to turn them down."

"Oh, it definitely would," JC assured him earnestly. "If I didn't have to work I'd totally be here for them too, but I do, and anyway, you guys probably need to talk and I'm completely in the way. And have sex, and I'd be in the way for that too."

AJ was stunned silent for a moment, then just chuckled weakly and leaned his head against Joey for a brief moment. "Right," he got out. "Thanks for the lookout, C, appreciate it."

Joey just shook his head at JC indulgently. It wasn't like JC was suddenly going to change just for AJ; it was silly to expect him to, really. Especially when everything he said was in cheerful innocence and never with the intent to harm or even embarrass.

"Next time," Joey told him. "Tonight's just for the roommates anyway. Though I'll probably stop down and see you and pick up drinks, so I might be persuaded to bring you a care package..."

"Oh," JC beamed, "seriously? 'Cause that would be SO great. I'm working six to close, so I'll be there, y'know, whenever." He bounced once on the balls of his feet, then set down his empty coffee cup with a clatter. "Okay, I'm thinking we should go soon, because I've got stuff to do and I'm dropping you two, so, yeah. Get ready and stuff."

"All right," AJ said, moving away from Joey with something that might have been reluctance. "Howie's expecting me soon anyway."

"Jace," said Joey, reaching out to catch AJ's wrist. "You know I love you, but can you please, please, please get out of here for a few minutes? Please? Like, right now?"

AJ froze, and JC blinked in confusion for a moment before his face cleared. "Oh. Oh! Oh, yeah, sure, no problem." He strolled out of the kitchen with a last wink in Joey's direction, and AJ turned a little so he could see Joey.

"What?" He said, sounding a little wary, a little suspicious, a little confused. He didn't pull his hand away, though. "What's goin' on?"

Joey just chuckled softly and leaned in to kiss him. "Sometimes there's just stuff you want to be alone for," he said as he tugged AJ closer. "Even just for a couple minutes."

"Oh." AJ sounded surprised, but he swayed to Joey with just the lightest urge of his hands, and the mouth Joey was kissing was smiling. "Right, I get it," he added, rings cold on his fingers as they slipped up the back of Joey's t-shirt. "I woulda thought JC would hang around and watch, he's not real discreet."

"Well, I figured this was what you were waiting for, right?" said Joey, leaning into AJ's touch as well. "For JC not to be here?"

"Well." AJ sucked gently on Joey's lower lip for a moment, then pulled away far enough to speak. "Not really. I mean. I don't, I'm still not sure what..." he shrugged lightly. "I didn't think guys just, you know, made out in the kitchen or whatever. Howie never did with his guys."

"Well, it's not really making out," said Joey, rubbing his fingers over the small of AJ's back for a moment. "At least, it's not intended to be. It's just, like, a little kissing. A little touching. Just cause..." He shrugged. "Just cause I like to, I guess."

AJ's back arched luxuriously under Joey's touch, and his eyes drifted almost shut. It was such fun, discovering the places that Joey could touch that made AJ go all boneless and heavy-eyed.

"I don't mind it," he admitted, not moving even an inch away from Joey. "It just seems kinda...I don't know. Like. I don't know. Something you'd do with a boyfri--oh, never mind. Forget I said anything." He kissed Joey again.

"You ever want me to stop, you just say so," said Joey, tensing up a little. "If it's ever... if it ever turns into something you don't want. Just... say."

"Okay," AJ said, pulling back a little, tensing in response to Joey. "Yeah, I will. Don't worry. And you, too, for sure. I won't, you know. No drama or nothing."

"For sure," said Joey, nodding at him. "I'm... I mean, I'm real happy right now, you know? I like this. I don't want you not to like this. But if you're having second thoughts, I'd want to know. You know? No drama."

"I like it," AJ said, only a little stiffly. "I'm not having second thoughts either, but if *you*, like, have them, or if you find someone you want to date, or whatever..." he shrugged again, and didn't meet Joey's eyes, though his fingers were tight against Joey's lower back. "I'd just want you to tell me. No drama, for sure."

"So you're not having second thoughts, then?" said Joey, and hated that that sounded maybe a little too eager, maybe a little needy. He didn't want this to be about that. "I just wasn't sure. You came back from talking to Howie and you were. A little different."

"Nah, no second thoughts," AJ shook his head, smiled a little, and still didn't move his hand. "Howie was...he was surprised, is all, and he took it serious, and asked me all kinds of questions, and you know, made me think about stuff I wasn't thinking about. I bet he'll do it more when I go over there, too. So that was just that, it wasn't you, nothing you did. And I'm not having second thoughts." He paused for a moment, and when he spoke again his voice was a little softer. "If you, if you get bored, you know. I won't mind. I mean, I'll understand."

"I really, really don't think I'm going to get bored with you," said Joey, dropping his voice to the same volume. "Like, not soon, not ever. I'm glad that Howie is taking it serious, though. Since I'm sure there's stuff you don't want to talk to *me* about now."

"Maybe," AJ admitted, hedging a little, a flush on his sharp cheekbones. "Yeah, probably, since, you know. Yeah. He asked stuff, and yeah." The flush got a little hotter. "Which made me think you maybe might be getting bored. Yeah."

Joey glanced around for a second, just to be sure that JC wasn't hovering. "Bored how?" he asked him, trying not to push but probably sounding a little urgent all the same. "I mean, I assume we're talking about sex, which, no. Not bored. Excited, not bored."

"Yeah, sex," AJ admitted, "I told him that I hadn't, that we didn't...anyway, and he kind of gave me advice, and whoa, we're so far from doing that, and I didn't want you to think..." he lifted one slim shoulder. "I'd understand, if you didn't wanna waste time with some guy who won't even put your dick in his mouth." The words sounded blunt and heavy, like AJ'd forced himself to say them around the embarrassment that was still coloring his cheeks.

"I'm not in this just to get my dick sucked," said Joey, just outright saying things instead of dancing around them. "And I'm not in it to be able to fuck you. Though I'm sure we'll both enjoy both those things, *once we get to them*. I can wait. I can wait a really long time. I'm into you, and I like what we've been doing so far, and I don't consider any of it a waste of time."

AJ blinked a little at his vehemence, and certainly didn't *stop* blushing at Joey's candor, but he slowly smiled, and his fingers scratched lightly at the skin in the small of Joey's back. "Yeah? A'right, I'll just have to take your word for that. I'm watching, though, and I'll be real pissed if you get bored and don't tell me to, like, spare my feelings or some shit."

"You never struck me as someone who'd ever want your feelings spared," said Joey, resuming his casual touch and relaxing again, finally. "And I promise right now not to lie to you. We aren't fuck buddies and we're not boyfriends, but we're someplace in between, casual, and that means that it's not all about the sex to me. For real."

"All right," AJ repeated. "That sounds...just about right. No lying, no drama...shit, we couldn't be dating, we've already ruled out two of the things that always happen in my relationships." He grinned up at Joey. "And any time you wanna make out in the kitchen, you go right ahead."

Joey just gave him one last, long kiss in response. "Okay Jace," he called out afterward, his eyes still on AJ, still smiling. "We're good in here, you can come back."

"Okay," JC's voice answered immediately, and he popped up in the doorway in a disconcertingly short time. "You sure you're done? I'd hate to interrupt the smooching."

"Nah, I've gotta get my shit together to go to Howie's," AJ answered him, smiling back at Joey before wiggling free. "Yell when you're ready, all right? I'll be like five minutes, max."

"Me too," said Joey, but he didn't really need to grab anything other than his jacket. He probably should've called his mom, but she wouldn't mind him just showing up. Hell, she probably wanted him to do it more often. "See you in five."

"I think I'll bring my guitar, so I can play with Nick," AJ was muttering to himself as he left the room.

"You both look totally kissed," JC declared, dangling his car keys from one finger and jingling them at Joey. "Call your mom, Joe, I know you didn't, and if you tell her you're coming she'll make more food for you to bring me."

Joey laughed and reached for the phone. "Fine, fine," he said. "I'll call, as long as you promise to leave the me and AJ thing alone for a little while. Just enough for him to get used to it. Deal?"

"I've been leaving it alone," JC protested, with complete sincerity. "I haven't said *anything*, Joey, I've been quiet as a mouse about it!"

"I know you have," said Joey, "and thank you. I just mean... I don't know what I mean. Just keep an eye out for AJ looking uncomfortable and if he does, stop. Yeah? Now shoo and give AJ his two-minute warning while I talk to my ma."

"Okay." JC skipped back away, "I'll go grab him. Tell your mom I say hi, and that I'll come see her soon I promise, and that MY mom says hi too. Okay? AJ! Hurry up, we're leaving in two!" His voice trailed him to the living room, and Joey just shook his head as he reached for the phone.

* * *

"I remembered the sour cream, *and* the dishsoap, *and* the light bulbs," said Joey, setting the bag down on the counter as he gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. "Am I your favourite son now?"

"You know I don't have a favorite, sweetie," she said comfortably, letting him kiss her and giving him a smile. "I'm very glad you remembered the light bulbs, though, the pantry is very dark. Be a love and go change the dead one out, would you?" She looked him up and down very closely. "And then come back here and sit. You look very tense."

"You always think I look tense," he said, digging the light bulbs out of the bag. "How is it that this light bulb always seems to need changing when *I'm* home?" It was in the most awkward position; it was entirely possible Joey was the only member of the family who could easily reach it anymore. "Are there any cookies?"

"In the jar," she told him, putting the sour cream in the fridge and then settling at the table with the paper until he got back from changing the bulb. "Don't have more than one, it'll spoil your dinner. And Joey, bring the flour from the pantry, too, it's on the top shelf up on the left. You *are* tense, more even than usual. I'm your mother, I can tell these things."

She *did* always be able to tell these things, and most of the time Joey loved her for it. "Where do you want this?" he asked her, then just set the flour on the counter without waiting for an answer before grabbing a cookie and sitting down at the table. "Right there's fine," she sighed, reaching out to take his hand. "Joey, baby. What's wrong? You're all out of sorts. Do you just need a nap and a good dinner, or is it something else? Is everything all right with your new roommate?"

"Oh no, no, AJ's great," he said, and tried not to let a grin give everything away. "Just, you know, some stuff that's happened lately. And I hope it's okay to talk to you about it. I mean, I know we've talked about it before now, a little, but not like this. I mean. It's about Chris. And stuff like that. You know?"

"Oh." She hesitated, clearly, but then nodded. "It's all right, to talk about it. I've had, well, I got a book out of the library. It was very good, really, it talked about all kinds of things, but I know, I understand it's just who you are. And it might take a little while for me to get used to that, but I'm still your mother and you're still my son, and you can still tell me anything."

Joey smiled slightly to himself at the idea of his mother going to the trouble of getting a book on it. "It's been a heck of a couple days," he admitted, getting comfortable. "I, um, saw him. Saw Chris. For, like, the first time since he moved out. It was... hard."

"Oh, sweetie," she said sympathetically. "I'm sorry. Did it not go well? I always liked Chris, I can't imagine him being cruel to you. You always seemed like such great...friends."

"Friends," murmured Joey, but he didn't make any correction. "We were. We were great. Which is why it was, you know, hard to see him there. With someone else."

"Oh." Her voice was rich with sympathy for him, and he could see it all over her face. She squeezed his hand. "Oh, that's always so hard. I don't suppose, after all this, you'd be friends again right away, but it's still hard, isn't it?"

Joey swallowed cookie and nodded at her, trying not to let that familiar wave of sadness wash over him again. Even with AJ in the picture, it hadn't gone completely away. "We did talk, though. A little. Which was good. But I just... I still miss him. And then I saw him and I missed him more."

"That's only natural," she said, soft and gentle. "You were together a long time, huh? And you were very close. Of course you're going to miss him. But it gets better, honey, I promise." She patted his hand, and got up, pouring him a glass of milk and resting a hand on his shoulder.

"I still hate this," he said, accepting it gratefully. "This breaking up thing. Even when other things are good, it's like this big cloud keeping you from being happy, from being totally happy. I was really really in love with him, mom."

"I can tell, Joe," she sighed, and stroked his hair. "I'm sorry it didn't work out for you. I liked Chris, even though I never knew you were...his boyfriend. And I'm glad I know what's wrong, now. I was so worried about you, baby, when you wouldn't tell me what was going on."

"I know, I'm sorry," he said, and he figured he would be apologizing for that, at least, for a while to come. But never for who he was. "I'm okay. I mean... other than that, things are really good."

"Good," she said, and tugged his ear, gently. "I'm glad to hear it. How is that sweet boy, JC? Oh, is he...is he one of your...is he like you? I actually always thought so, but I never wanted to come right out and ask!" Her expression was thoughtful. "He's lovely. I don't suppose you and he could possibly..."

Joey just grinned at her and felt a bit more happiness bubble up again. "Sadly, ma, JC is straight. Believe it or not. If he wasn't, well, you might've been on to something there. And... it's okay to say gay, you know. It's not a bad word."

"Well, I just don't know," she fussed a little. "It's all very political now, I don't want to use some hate-crime word or something by accident. Are you sure JC's straight? He wore jewelry on his feet when he came to your father's barbecue this summer, I remember. And those short pants, the clamdiggers. He doesn't seem straight to me."

"He doesn't seem very straight to anyone," admitted Joey. "Except, I'd imagine, the girls he sleeps with. But I'm afraid he is, much to both of our disappointment, from time to time. A lot of my friends are, though. Gay, I mean. Most of them."

"That's, that's nice, honey," she said tentatively. "I'm glad you have friends that accept you, and that you're comfortable with. That's important, the book said. And I think it's right, because lying to your friends, your family, that's just not right." She fixed him with a stern eye. "Your father misses you too, you know. Don't think I don't notice that you're always here when he's at work."

Joey sighed and didn't deny he felt a twinge of guilt at that. "He's... I know he does, but he's not like you, about this. He hardly knows what to say to me anymore. It's weird."

"You have to try too," she said firmly. "It's hard for him, you know how traditional his family is. Your Gramma and Grampa are very old-fashioned about things, and even though your father loves you very much, I'm sure he has no idea what to say to you right now. You have to show him that you're still the same Joey as always." She swatted his head lightly. "It will be fine, honey. Now go wash your hands, I need some tomatoes peeled."

Joey nodded, but took his time getting up from his seat. "I promised JC and AJ that I would bring home some of your famous leftovers," he told her. "I hope that's okay; I've been raving about them again. And so has JC. You know he adores your cooking."

"There'll be plenty," she assured him. "Janine's at a friend's, and Steve is out of town. It's just us tonight. When are you going to bring this roommate by to meet us? He sounds very nice, and we'd love to have him for dinner. And JC, of course, he's always welcome. That's so disappointing, to hear that you can't date him. He seems very suitable."

"Well, I think you'll like AJ," said Joey, washing up before starting his appointed work. "He's a little nervous about coming to meet you yet, but he'll come around. Especially after I bring him some of this food, I'm sure."

She nodded, and smiled. It wasn't quite back to where it had been: he could tell she was still very uncertain about some things, but she was clearly trying hard. "Well, if he can turn down my chicken parmagiana, then he doesn't deserve to live with my son," she said briskly. "Why would he be nervous? That seems a little silly, we'd be delighted to meet him."

"Well, he's still setting in," said Joey vaguely. "There's been a lot of stuff going on in his life. And it's a bit of pressure, I guess, meeting my parents for the first time. A bit of awkwardness. But you *know* no one can resist your chicken parmagiana. You know... if you have any, um, questions for me? That maybe your book suggests, or that you want to know? That would be okay."

She glanced at him a little sharply. "The day I ask my son about, well, intimate things, is the day I'm rolled out of this house cold and dead," she informed him. "Does AJ know you're...gay? I have to think so. Is he all right with it? That's not the reason you're keeping him away, is it, that's still working out well?"

"Oh no, he's fine with it," Joey assured her. Boy, was he fine with it. "I made sure of that before he even ever moved in; I mean, I couldn't live like that, if he wasn't. And he's... too, kind of. Anyway. It's working out... great. He's great. I really like him a lot."

"Oh." She busied herself at the stove. "I'm glad he's not having any kind of trouble with it. I know how hard it was for you, living all by yourself." She touched his shoulder again on her way by. "My social butterfly son. You tell him he's welcome whenever he gets over this case of nerves. And Joey...you can tell me, when you find someone. I do want to know that my boy's happy, no matter if it's a girlfriend or boyfriend that's making it happen."

"Right," said Joey, looking over his shoulder at her for a moment. "I'm... there's kind of someone. Not really, not yet, but kind of. And I'm trying my best to be happy and he's helping a lot. I'm... not sure if you really want to know any more than that."

"Well, don't jump into anything," she said after a moment. "Give yourself some time, honey. Looking back now, I kind of see how close you and Chris were. I'm glad you're trying to be happy, but be sure you've given yourself some time to heal." She smiled a little. "You can tell me when you're dating. Other than that, I think I'd rather not know TOO many details."

"It's going to be a while," admitted Joey, smiling back before turning back to his work again. "Before I'm really involved again, I mean. But I'm just... really, really tired of being sad all the time, and not having anything to, you know, fill that huge spot that he had in my life. It's hard."

"You should be happy on your own," she said gently, "before you go out and try to find something else to make you happy. Or some*one* else. A gir-relationship isn't something you take to make the sadness go away. You take your time."

"Well, that's what I'm trying," he said, biting his lip for a moment. "But it's a really big hole, you know? And sometimes I think you need other people to help you fill it. Not *to* fill it but, like, to help you figure out how. And stuff. Do you think? I've never... this is the first time that I've really, you know, gone through this..."

She just looked at him, then sat him down in the chair again and wrapped him up in a hug. "I think it's good to get your feet under you before you start something new. It's always better to be in balance. And even if it is a really big hole, and you maybe need some help filling it ALL the way, you should be happy before you try to share your life with someone else." She kissed his cheek, then let him go. "It does get better. You'll stop feeling sad, time's the only thing that helps with that."

"Time and mom," said Joey, hugging her again before letting her get away from him. "I know. It seems like a really long time, though, the waiting part. But I, like, I don't want him back anymore, so I guess that's progress, right? I still can't... I'm still not sure what happened, since we both seem kind of sad, but it's okay. And AJ's been great, and if this hadn't happened I never would have met him at all, so I guess that's a plus."

"Sometimes things don't work out, and it's sad for everyone. It's nobody's fault, but it's for the best," she said gently. "It's good to have something else to think about while you're letting time do its work. And you're not letting this affect your grades, are you? You know how your father and I feel about that."

"No, ma, I'm keeping my grades up," he promised her. "Haven't gotten the results of my midterms yet but I studied my buns off and I think I did really good. AJ's in a band and he spends a lot of time rehearsing, so it's not totally distracting having him there. Even when he's in the room, we can do our own thing, you know? It's even better, cause he's playing music and you know how I like to have music on."

"You always did study better with music on," she nodded, handing him some more tomatoes to peel. "And he's not one of those crazy partying musicians, is he? You're not having, you know, groupies or something in the house at all hours, are you?"

"No, ma, no," he said, shaking off his red and juicy hands. "He doesn't party, he's not into that kind of thing anymore. He likes to just hang out with me and do our thing, you know? It's nice. He's a fun guy to be around, and he's a really great musician. You should see him on stage, it's amazing."

"Maybe sometime I will," she smiled. "You never know. I'm glad he's not a partier, that kind of thing isn't good when there's studying that needs to be done." She took the tomatoes from him and handed him a towel. "Honey, have you thought about this? With AJ? Are you sure you want to get involved with another roommate?" He couldn't even be surprised that she'd figured it out.

He shook his hands off and wiped them on the towel, then twisted it in his hands for a few moments. "Yeah, I've thought about it," he said finally. "And we've talked about it. And that's why we're, you know, being slow and careful. Um. Don't be mad? It's not like we were boyfriends and then moved in together this time... We're not even."

She sighed, and took the towel away from him to hang it up. "I'm not mad, baby, I'm just worried. You've always had a big heart, and I knew when you started giving it away it would be a strong thing for you. It's so soon and it's a roommate, the situation is just full of chances for trouble, and I just...I don't want you getting hurt."

"It's too soon," said Joey, shaking his head a little. "That's why we're not... anything, yet. We're not boyfriends and I'm not in love with him. I've just, you know, found someone I like spending time with, who makes me feel happy again sometimes. We're being careful, I promise. He's got his baggage, too, and we're just kinda feeling things out right now."

"Well," she answered, after a pause in which he could sense her disapproval, "as long as you're being careful. You're a grown man, now, you can make your decisions. Just make sure you're making them with a clear head, that's all I want. And if you, well." She patted his arm. "You know what you're doing, I know that. I get to keep worrying anyway, though, it's my job as your mother."

"I didn't plan for this to happen," he said quietly. "Not any of this, not Chris and not AJ and not being gay, either. But sometimes this stuff just happens and it feels good and you don't want to let it go, not when it feels so right. You know? But I'm being smart about it, as smart as I can be."

"You do what you can with what you've got," she nodded. "I've always told you that, so you just remember it. And learn from your mistakes, that's something I'm *still* trying to teach your brother." She smiled at him. "And do your homework, that'll help everything else sort itself out."

"Yeah, well, Steve is hopeless," said Joey, giving her a grin and wiping his hands one last time on his pants. "So is it still okay if I bring AJ for dinner some time? Not, like, this week or anything. But some time?"

"It's okay," she nodded. "He's welcome any time, but Joey, you keep me up to date on what's going on. I don't want him strolling in here as your, your boyfriend or something, when I'm still thinking he's just your friendly roommate."

"He's... something in between," said Joey, and shrugged, and there was no other way to put it. No other way he could share with his mother, anyway. "But I'll... I'm glad I can talk about it with you now. I want to. I've really missed that, mom."

"Me too," she said, and he could hear how much she meant it in your voice. "I've missed *you*, honey. And I want to see more of you, now that you're back." She got him another cookie, refilled his glass of milk, and Joey relaxed and breathed deep and finally felt like he'd come home again.

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