JC/Joey #6: multi-AU

JC's eyes were squinted shut when Joey walked out of the shower on the bus and did a double-take at the sweaty brown hair and already-discarded costume where he expected to see Lance's dye job and, typically modestly still-dressed post-show figure.

"Hey," he said, bouncing. "Hey. I switched with Lance. My turn?"

"Hey," he said before answering that, grinning at him as he wrapped the towel around his waist. "How'd you convince him? He was talking all day about how he had all that stuff to finish tonight, how he was looking forward to the peace and quiet."

"Oh," JC said, his smile fading a little. "Oh. Well, he just, I just asked. I didn't know. He didn't say. I thought ... well, it's not so far to the next stop." He looked back up at Joey almost like he thought *he'd* be mad. "He came on first and got his computer?" he offered. "Plus, plus, J said he was feeling a little sick and was gonna go right to sleep, so maybe they won't be too loud, him and Chris."

"I'm impressed," said Joey. "Your powers of persuasion are mighty indeed! It's nice to know tonight's gonna be fun after all ... if you stop being so worried you did something wrong. Jeez, JC, did I not *tell* you I wished I didn't have to spend tonight with Lance? I think I did. Don't make me smack your ass, you know I will." He grinned at him mischievously and lifted his hand like he was about to do just that.

JC yelped and darted out of Joey's way, inching along the wall to the bathroom. "You didn't say that," he laughed finally, the light right back in his eyes. "But I stink, Joe. Seriously, lemme in."

"I did too," insisted Joey. "I said I wished I didn't have to be all quiet tonight and that's the same thing. You do reek, though," he teased. "You should really think about taking a shower, JC ... "

"I *know*!" JC laughed. "But come in and talk to me? What'd you think of the show tonight? 'I Thought She Knew' was a lot better, we fixed whatever was wrong with it ... "

He pushed open the tiny door to the bathroom and stepped into the shower, reaching back outside the closed door of the stall to discard his track pants.

"Well, you'd know," said Joey, hovering by the door and watching him. "It felt good, though. It felt right. You know that feeling, when it all comes together ... that's what I was feeling tonight. Good show."

"Yeah," he heard JC say, sounding happy and like he'd swallowed some water all at once. "It was, it was awesome. Oh, hey. I didn't even ask if you were okay with me switching, I just assumed ... "

"Course I am," said Joey. Leave it to JC to worry about Joey wanting to see him. "It's great. It'll be great to finally have some time alone, just you and me. It's been a while ... "

"Cool!' JC called out, and then started singing a little, of all things. He had always been less protective of his voice after shows than Justin. "'m almost done. Can you loan me a pair of sweats or something?"

"Maybe," said Joey playfully. "Maybe not. Maybe I'm gonna make you sit around nekkid all night. I know you like that ... and I know Justin would never let you, not in a million years ... " He would get him some sweats anyway, though. He'd have them ready when JC came out of the shower. But it was fun to make him think about it.

JC just laughed, because he knew as well as Joey did that he *did* like sitting around naked, and that Joey would bring him the pants. "You think you can handle it, boy?" he teased, right back.

"Well, that depends entirely on what you mean by 'handle'," laughed Joey, adjusting himself under his towel. "Hurry up in that shower, C, I think I need a cold one now ... "

JC laughed even louder, and turned off the water, sticking is hand out expectantly. "You're so full of it," he teased, but he sounded ... eager. Anticipating. He sounded the way he'd looked for the past few weeks, a month.

Joey handed him a towel, then ducked around the corner for a second to grab him some sweatpants. "I'm so not," he said. "But we're probably almost out of water anyway so you'll have to live with it."

He came back in and JC was slicking his hair back, his towel lazily knotted at his hip, knobby knees sticking out under it. He grinned at him in the mirror.

"Hey," he said, then beckoned Joey closer. "Smell better now?"

Joey pressed his face to JC's neck and inhaled deeply before answering. "You smell great," he murmured, then pulled away again and smiled at him. JC obviously hadn't been expecting quite *that* reaction.

"Oh," JC blinked at him, all wide eyes and energy strumming under his skin. "Um, mission accomplished, then, I guess." His smile was a lot slower this time, and he bumped Joey back away from him with his ass. Giving them *both* some space.

Joey's smile stretched into a grin and he moved out of the doorway to let JC get by. If he wanted. "So what did you want to do tonight? We've got a lot of miles ahead of us yet."

JC just laughed again. Joey couldn't have missed how much happier he'd been lately. "I was just about to ask you," he argued. "Um, watch a movie? I dunno. It still takes me forever to crash after a show. In case, you know, you forgot what it's like to ride with me."

"I was kinda counting on that, actually," said Joey, handing him the pants. "Was counting on having your company for a while. I'm still a little, you know, edgy myself."

Nodding, JC turned around and pulled the pants on, under his towel. Even though it didn't really work, and Joey saw plenty when the towel slipped from JC's waist. "Want me to rub your shoulders?"

"Do I *ever* say no to that?" asked Joey, still watching him admiringly. "One of these days I'm gonna have to pull something in my leg. Or my ass. Just so I get a full-body rubdown from you."

"You're so full of it," JC said again, squeezing by Joey to get out of the bathroom even though it was completely unnecessary to get that close.

But that was exactly how it had been, the last month. Joey couldn't explain it, but suddenly *everything* was closer than necessary. Or more often than necessary. Or longer than necessary. Wherever JC was concerned.

And he couldn't say he really minded so much either. Finding JC on his bus had been a welcome surprise, and definitely not an unpleasant one. "One of these days I'm gonna get you to take me up on that," insisted Joey as he followed JC to their lounge area. "You know you want to."

"Joey," JC said slowly, almost drawling. "If I wanted to, don't you think I would have done it already? Now c'mere." He practically *sauntered* to the sofa in the back, sprawling across it and spreading his legs, looking at Joey expectantly. For the backrub, of course, but Joey could fantasize for a second.

"Maybe," said Joey as he slowly sank into position, "maybe you were just waiting for permission. Now do your magic, C, I can really use a bit of that tonight." He lolled his head forward and waited somewhat eagerly for JC's touch.

"I need your permission?" JC asked, his voice gentle enough that Joey knew JC hadn't missed what he'd meant. But then he touched him, strong fingers that kneaded at Joey's muscles, and it was hard to talk.

"Sometimes I don't know what you're waiting for," said Joey quietly after a few moments of comfortable silence. And in some ways, that was all there needed to be said about that.

* * *

"Oh man," said Joey, dissolving into another fit of giggles. "You should've been there. Justin was searching everywhere, I mean *everywhere*, holding his towel around his waist like it would be the end of the world if it fell. I swear I was about to lose it in spite of myself when he finally opened the door and saw his underwear tacked up on the outside. Forget Chris, JC is a comic *genius*." He looked past Lance's head and gave JC a fond grin where he stood, banging the soda machine with his fist and probably swearing at it though Joey couldn't hear.

"And he *wore* them after that?" said Lance incredulously. "He's a brave man."

"It was either that or go commando in his costume," said Joey. "Lesser of two evils, man. I totally owe JC a drink for that one. Maybe two." He shot him another admiring glance and shook his head.

"What a perfect way to rationalize trying to get him drunk," Chris said, in mock seriousness. "C!" he called. "Better bring an extra coke or two. Joey has plans for them."

"What?" JC called back, blinking over his shoulder and straightening a little when he saw the three of them looking at him. "No, it's ... it's not even working. Sorry, Joe."

Joey waved his hand at him dismissively, shooting Chris a sidelong look, then motioned for him to come over. "I don't *need* to get him drunk," he insisted as JC approached. "Unlike some of us--" He shot Chris another look. "--I don't count on alcohol to hold a person's interest."

"Oh, you're holding JC's interest now, are you?" said Lance knowingly. "I wouldn't count on that if I were you. He seems to like to play with Justin's underwear."

"You *told* them?" JC cried, maybe only hearing the end of that, smacking Joey's shoulder playfully and blissfully ignoring the look that Chris and Lance exchanged when the smack turned into a lingering squeeze. "Joe, that was a secret."

"Yeah, Joe," Chris added, deadpan. "JC obviously does not want you telling us about you guys and what you do with underwear."

Joey just giggled again. "I *had* to," he apologized. "It was just so fucking priceless, JC. I mean, the look on Justin's face when he saw what you'd done ... that was just fantastic." He gave JC a friendly pat on the ass and was completely unrepentant when he looked back into Chris's smirkling face. Like they didn't all do that, all the time. Chris and Lance were just being fuckers.

JC just beamed under Joey's attention and barely had eyes even still for their friends. Chris yawned and mumbled 'intoxication' under his breath.

"So what were you guys talking about?" JC asked, leaning into Joey. "And you want I should go get you another coke? I couldn't quite hear what Chris was saying ... "

"He was just talking out of his ass," said Joey, slapping a hand over Chris's mouth so he couldn't argue. "We're good. I was just telling them about ... you know. The underwear. And your utter brilliance. Where *is* Justin, anyway?"

"My guess?" said Lance. "Scrubbing his underwear out with bleach. You just wait, JC, he's gonna get you back for that one."

"That would mean I'd have to start wearing underwear," JC replied, winking at Joey and causing Chris to sputter all over Joey's hand.

"Okay," he said, "I know you guys have been all musical buses this week, but if I find out that any of these underwear-less events were happening in *my* bunk ... "

"Ew," said Joey, dragging his hand on his pants to wipe Chris's saliva off of it. "Believe me Chris, there have never been any underwear-less events in your bunk."

Even Lance snickered at that and gave Joey a high five as JC pressed his forehead to Joey's shoulder and giggled. "I'll vouch for that," he said dryly. "Chris likes the bathroom for his "alone times". Oh, and the couch in the lounge."

"We haven't switched *that* much," JC protested, not moving away from Joey and barely even reacting when Justin finally appeared with a good-natured glare for him. "Me and J still hold the records for number of times being witness to Chris jacking off, right, J?"

"What am I agreeing to here, exactly," Justin said, pegging JC in the leg with a package of XXL tighty-whities. "Here. A gift."

Joey had to snicker as JC bent over to pick them up, before taking a second to appreciate the view. "You're agreeing that you've seen Chris whacking off often enough that you want to bleach your eyeballs," he told him. "That's a pretty hard one to argue with, since once was enough for that for me."

"Shut the fuck up," said Chris, smacking his arm then taking hold of Joey's chin with a smirk, so Joey had to take his eyes off JC. "You should've watched and learned a thing or two."

"Yeah," agreed Lance. "Because we all know that no one knows more about going it solo than Chris."

"*That's* the truth," Justin said, grinning conspiratorially at Chris when he caught onto what he'd walked in on. Joey was glad they all found this so amusing. "As long as I wasn't agreeing that I, like, enjoyed it."

"You all suck," Chris complained, pinching Joey's face even harder.

"Stop, Chris," protested JC, plucking at Chris's elbow. "Um. Make-up will yell."

Joey shot him a grateful grin that he let linger, once Chris did let go of him. "Yeah," he murmured. "Make-up will yell."

"Riiiiight," said Lance. "And here I was ready to agree that yes, we *do* suck, thank you."

"No, just you," said Justin, smacking him. "You guys need to finish up in wardrobe. It's getting late."

JC's return grin to Joey was just goofy, and they might have stood there staring at each other even longer if Joey's phone hadn't chosen to ring right then. And someone he didn't really want to talk to, either.

Joey stared at the call display for a minute and chewed on his lip as it rang, and as everyone stared at him expectantly. "It's Kelly," he said finally, shooting JC an apologetic glance. "I need to take this. I'll be right back." With the phone still ringing in his hand, he headed for the green room, still feeling JC's parting pat on his shoulder.

* * *

"Hello?" he said, long after the phone should have stopped ringing. He would have called her back anyway, but clearly she was pretty anxious to get ahold of him. "What's up, Kel? I only got a few minutes here."

"Hello to you, too," she replied, with a long enough pause that it seemed like maybe she hadn't expected to hear that from Joey. Who tended to bend over backwards for her. "God, this won't take long. I just wanted to make sure you guys are still coming back for the weekend."

"Sorry, hon, I just meant we're due on stage soon," he said quickly. "Of course we are, I'll see you then. Why? What's up?"

"I just, I need you to do something for me," replied Kelly, and Joey realized she sounded really tired. "Drive me somewhere. The doctor."

"The doctor, hon?" he said, frowning. "Is everything okay? I mean, can't your ma do that? I don't want you to have to wait for the weekend for me, and we're already got some plans while we're there." Or he did, anyway. "I mean, not that I wouldn't ... "

"No," she interrupted him. "No, my mom isn't taking me to the doctor, Joe. *You* are. Okay? Saturday at ten. He's coming in on the weekend 'cause I asked. And ... I don't know. I don't know if everything's okay. Depends on what 'okay' is."

"Kelly, are you sick?" he asked urgently. "And on the weekend? I don't understand, baby, and I'm starting to get real worried. What's going on? Can you tell me?"

"Oh, I'll be telling you plenty," Kelly said tightly. "Joey, I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant."

* * *

PART 2

* * *

JC walked into the bar, tugging his tie loose and unbuttoning the top button of his shirt. He walked up to the bartender and asked for the usual, and got it.

"Your friend's here already," he also got, and JC turned around quickly, beer sloshing over both his wrists.

Joey *was* there, but JC's eyes had glanced over him when he'd come in. He'd thought ... the set of the shoulders was perfectly familiar, but when he'd seen that guy, well. It must have been a trick of the light, but he looked like he'd had a shock of brightly-dyed-red hair.

"TGIF," JC just muttered to himself, obviously going crazy at the good old age of 24, walking over to join his friend.

Joey gave him a friendly wave and that unmistakable grin of his. "What, did they have you chained to your desk late again?" he asked, kicking out a chair for him. Joey wore a gray t-shirt under his sport jacket and looked like he definitely wasn't on his first drink of the evening. And the hair ... was red. A shade of red that had never occurred in nature, and for good reason. "I've been waiting for you. I ate all the pretzels already. Sorry."

"Chained to my desk and they even used my own handcuffs, the fuckers," JC replied automatically; not sitting, still staring. "Joe-bear ... what the *fuck*? What did you do to your *hair*, man?" He reached out confidently and grabbed a handful of it, pulling Joey's face down.

"What, you like it?" laughed Joey cheerfully, tugging his head back and batting at JC's hand. "I thought about the purple, but the red seemed like it would be a better look for me. I'm the talk of the office, you'd better believe it."

"Man, don't they have rules for this stuff?" JC finally laughed, plopping down in his seat. "Like, I think I distinctly remember you bitching when they made you get rid of your piercings because it was, um, unprofessional and they didn't want you scaring the little old ladies." He wasn't sure if he liked it.

"Yeah, but I don't work in that department anymore," said Joey, draining his drink and leaning back in his seat, looking pleased. "I spend most of my day on the phone now anyway. And when I'm not? Well, my customers often look more outrageous than I do. I think I might even work a promotion out of it. You think I could?" If anyone could, it would be Joey.

"They're idiots to put you on the phone," was all JC said, picking up the bowl and frowning at the fact that the pretzels, indeed, were all gone. But then he felt the heat of Joey as he leaned closer, and he was smiling, smiling like the big geek he was, and he ducked his face to try and hide it.

"I like the phone," admitted Joey. "I can do all the crazy shit I want while I'm on the phone and as long as I keep my quotas good, keep a good relationship with my steady customers, it's all gold." He tugged on JC's ear to get him to look up again, and laughed. "You hate the hair, don't you. That's okay, I know you engineers are the conservative type. So what kept you so late today? More problems?"

"Just, just stuff," JC said, not wanting to talk about it, think about it. Joey's wrist brushed against the line of his jaw and JC shivered a little. "You don't want to hear it. Just like I don't want to hear what kind of crazy shit you do on the phone with your customers. Knowing you it involves hookers under your desk or something."

"Damn, busted," grinned Joey. "You need to drink more. Catch up. I'm already on my third, you know. And hey, if you're that fed up with your job, you can always apply for the position of hooker under my desk. I know a guy; I can see that you get a fair shot."

JC blushed furiously, then *thought* furiously, needing a good response in their banter to distract Joey from that blush. But nothing was coming, he was just stuttering, and he just closed his eyes and reached for his beer obediently.

"That's good, that's good, get some practice in before you apply," said Joey approvingly. He *had* to see the look on JC's face, he just had to. "Good call, JC, I can see why you're the smart one at this table."

"You suck," JC laughed, finally, leaning into him. "A lot."

He'd known Joey for a couple years already; met through mutual friends, ran around in the same circles, got to know each other. But lately ... JC couldn't even explain the lately. He'd maybe always had a little crush on the guy. But Joey was- well, he'd never shown interest in guys, as far as JC knew.

"Well, not a lot," said Joey, nudging JC playfully with his shoulder. "Just a little, and only when it's worth my while. You want I should get some more pretzels for you? Knowing you, you probably skipped lunch and have only given a passing thought to dinner."

"Then maybe I'm not the one here that needs the practice," JC replied, but it came out more shy than teasing, and he wanted to just give up. "Um, and, pretzels. No, it's ... it's cool. I'll just go home and heat up some spaghettios or something."

"You'll go home and take your shoes and tie off and sit down in front of the television and forget all about it," said Joey, reaching over and patting JC's stomach. "And besides. Spaghettios? That's an affront to my Italian heritage. And you wouldn't want to affront me, would you?"

"Ramen?" JC offered instead, hearing his own voice come out breathy, but he couldn't exactly be blamed for that, could he? With Joey's -- warm, big -- hand on him?

"If you must," said Joey, letting out a loud, resigned sigh. And leaving his hand where it was. "At least it's not spaghettios. You really need to come over for dinner one of these days. I keep inviting you and you keep being busy. I'm gonna take it personal pretty soon."

The flush on JC's face and neck spread. "You have a funny concept of what an invitation is," he protested. "I think all that time on the phone made you forget how people communicate face-to-face."

"Oh, JC," said Joey, shaking his head at him. "I know all about how things are done face-to-face. Believe me. I'm a pro. Now ... I need to go get myself another drink. You need anything? Pretzels? Beer? Some ice to cool down your cheeks?"

"Another beer," JC nodded, covering his face briefly. Though he was tempting to say nothing, just to keep Joey right where he was. Right exactly where he was. Maybe he'd actually get the balls to do something about the innuendos they practically smothered each other with.

Joey patted him on the shoulder as he got up, and JC found he was actually grateful for those couple minutes alone at the table during which he actually managed to bring himself back to the point where he could lift his head again. When Joey came back he set a fresh beer in front of JC, and a bowl of pretzels on the table.

"I stole them from that guy on the end, who's almost falling off his stool," he said conspiratorially. "I don't think he'll miss them."

JC grinned, and stuck one in his mouth. "You're an evil genius, Joe. Thanks for the beer." He scooted over in his stool to make room for Joey to sit down again, then glanced at his watch.

"If you tell me you're going back to work," said Joey, obviously watching him, "I'm going to chain you to the *bar* and keep you here. It's Friday, C. Loosen up a little."

JC stuck out his tongue at him. "I'm loose," he protested, then blushed harder than he had all night. "Or ... or not. I just. The Orioles are playing and I was going to watch it. Did you ... you're probably going out, though."

"Yeah, yeah, but not until later," he said, munching on pretzels. "It's Friday night! Of course I'm going out. You should be, too. Game schmame, you can always get someone to give you the score tomorrow. What else do you need?"

"Ahh, the sign of a true sports fan," JC said dryly, reaching over to squeeze Joey's knee. "Man, later for me and I expect to be unconcious already. I'm wiped. But we're on for tomorrow, right? Party at my brother's place?"

Joey's eyes widened visibly. "Oh! I almost forgot. Absolutely, I'll be there, wouldn't miss it for the world. The chance to see *you* partying? Now when's the last time I missed *that*?" He gave JC a grin and nudged his shoulder with his own.

"I'll wear my best party clothes just for you, then," replied JC. He really would, too. And then, maybe, if Joey showed up alone ...

"Would that be your birthday suit?" teased Joey, then nudged him again. "It's so much fun making you blush. So okay, you go watch that silly little game of yours and I'll see you tomorrow. Promise." And Joey always kept his promises.

* * *

No, JC *wasn't* watching the door and he really wished people would stop asking him that. Just because he was sitting on the stairs with a beer in his hand *facing* the front door, didn't mean he was *watching* it. It was just a really good place from which to watch the party without having to interact too much. And if his field of vision just happened to include the front door, well, that was strictly coincidence. The fact that he was able to see exactly when Joey arrived, bursting cheerfully through the door and greeting people he didn't even know, was just blind luck.

"Joe!" he called, bounding down the stairs. "Hey. You made it." He stood on his tiptoes to look over Joey's shoulder for any sign of a date. Then he actually looked at Joey. "Oh, hey, you *made* it." The appreciation of how Joey looked was absolutely obvious in his voice, he knew.

"Didn't I say I would?" said Joey, immediately slinging an arm around his shoulders. "Great party; I could hear it up the block. Your brother must have really tolerant neighbors."

"Man, it's all college kids around here," JC explained, wrapping *his* arm around Joey's waist. "Um, beer's this way. You'll let me know if you need anything, right? Find me or Tyler. Who, by the way, is gonna be sad to see who you came with. I think he wanted to invite you so bad because he always thinks you show up with pretty girls."

"So what you're saying is that all of Tyler's neighbors are *here*," laughed Joey. "Good plan. I'll try to remember to bring the pretty girls next time for him, though. It must be great for you to have Tyler here in town while your parents are out in Chicago. I miss my family sometimes." JC hesitated and was about to ask Joey what the hell he was talking about when he went on, "Wait, you went to dinner at your parents' place last week and I distinctly remember you not having to drive cross-country to do it. Nevermind. I must've been thinking about someone else." He grinned and gave JC a squeeze. "Where did you say the beer was?"

"Kitchen," said JC, letting Joey guide him that direction, enjoying it maybe more than he should have when they had to squeeze between two sorority girls and Joey pressed up close behind him, instead of beside him.

Joey did turn his head to watch them for a moment, but his attention didn't stay off JC for long. "Good place to keep things cold," he mused, then laughed to himself. "I'm such an idiot sometimes I'm surprised they let me out on the streets. Hey, you doing okay? You're a little tense ... "

"Am I?" JC asked, twisting his head over his shoulder to try and see Joey's face when he said that. "I'm ... I'm fine. Just not enough drinks yet, maybe. What made you say that?" He made sure to smile, though, so Joey would know that he wasn't getting defensive.

"Cause I'm all pressed up against you and I can feel just about every muscle in your body and you're tense," said Joey, still smiling at him. JC never worried about anything as long as Joey was smiling. "We definitely need to get more drinks into you, though. I'm thinking about making it my life's goal to make you loosen up, 'cause I think it's gonna take about that long."

Of course, having Joey bring attention to how he was 'feeling every muscle' in JC's body wasn't exactly going to make him relax. "You think I'm such a stiff ... tightass ... um," JC blurted. "Okay, you know what? I need to not talk around you. Am I always like this?"

"Pretty much, yeah," admitted Joey. "At least you're not wearing a tie right now. It's a start. You do seem to talk about how stiff and tight you are a lot, though. I'm never sure if it's an invitation to find out or not ... "

JC just threw his head back and laughed, then finally danced away from Joey's body to get them beers. He didn't want to respond to that. Not with words, anyway; he gave Joey an innocent grin instead.

"And I don't know if *that's* an invitation either," said Joey, a little more quietly, accepting the beer from him. "You look good tonight, C. You looking to meet someone maybe?"

"You think I should?" JC countered, preening a little under Joey's gaze but then stepping right back next to him. "Is that, um, gonna be part of your program to get me loose?"

"Maybe," said Joey, his arm sliding around him again. "Just stick with me and you'll have no problems in that department at all, that's all I'm saying. That and the beer. Good combination." JC wasn't sure if Joey and beer was a good combination or a very, very bad idea.

"So," JC stuttered, twisting sort of gracefully so he was pressed against Joey's side with a hand on his stomach. Just like Joey'd touched him the night before. Except ... different. "So, um, does that mean you're looking to meet someone? Since you look ... you know how good you look."

Joey laughed and shook his head. "Your brother's friends are practically jailbait," he told him. "Fun to look at, bad to touch. I think you and me need to stick together tonight, that's what I think. Not that I'm, you know, judging, if you've got your eye on someone. And I promise not to call the authorities on you or anything."

"Such a gentlemen," JC teased, resting his chin on Joey's shoulder. "Um ... you wanna go sit on the balcony, out back? We can people-watch. You can pick someone out for me."

"Sure," said Joey. "Better grab a couple more beers, though. And you maybe should tell me just exactly what you're looking for, so I don't waste time pointing out the wrong sort of person." JC thought maybe he knew what Joey meant by that, but wasn't sure he wanted to say so in case he was wrong.

JC smiled again, regressing easily into acting a little bit clueless. It made this easier.

He grabbed a few more bottles by the neck and weaved his way out of the kitchen, through the house to the backyard where there was a ratty old couch.

"So, okay," he said, sinking into it right away. "Let's start with ... legal. And male."

Joey lifted an eyebrow but other than that didn't look surprised in the least as he sank into the couch next to him. "You realize that might only leave me," he said, resting his arm along the back of the couch behind JC. "But okay, let's give this a shot. Hmmm. Legal. That guy by the lamp?" JC looked and was fairly sure there was no guy by the lamp.

"He's a little too blond," JC replied, keeping a straight face as he critiqued the fictional guy. "Bad history with blonds."

"Oh yeah?" said Joey, looking at him curiously. "You never told me anything about that. So should I be focusing on brunets ... or redheads?"

JC just grinned at him. "Just no blonds," he repeated, then pretended to look around the backyard some more, even as he slipped closer to Joey's side.

Joey frowned and looked around, making a point of looking everywhere. "I'm sorry, JC," he said finally. "All the boys are blond. Except your brother, and I'm not even gonna go there."

"Well, that *is* a shame," JC pouted, leaning across Joey's body like he was double-checking. He also took a generous sip of his beer. "Well, huh. What about ... are there any that are tall, at least? Taller than me?"

"No, they're all short fuckers," said Joey right away, not even pretending to look this time. "They're shorter than the girls. You're stuck with my, I'm afraid. But hey, you could do worse. I cook."

"Do you?" JC pretended to consider that, then arched his back a little to get Joey to pay *attention* to the fact that he was hovering over his lap. "I always wanted to fuck someone who'd make me breakfast."

Joey definitely looked startled by his forwardness, but he grinned a moment later and stroked JC's side. "I will definitely have to keep that in mind," he said.

"You do that," JC murmured, before he pulled back and settled into the couch almost like nothing'd happened. It felt ... *weird* to do that, to say those things to Joey, who'd been such a good friend to him. When he'd *never* been that direct. JC wasn't sure where it had come from but it sure as hell hadn't hurt.

* * *

JC dangled a beer over Joey's shoulder, laughing a little when he jumped. "You didn't see me come in?" he teased. "Guess you didn't recognize me without my tie this time."

"Where *is* the noose?" asked Joey, pulling conspicuously at his own. "I had a meeting today, all right? Don't look at me like that." JC wasn't, but he smiled at him as he sat down across from him anyway. Joey had cracked the beer and was drinking it before JC could even sit.

"The boss wants to try casual fridays," JC rolled his eyes. He wanted to make a joke about having to use Joey's tie instead when they tried the bondage thing that night, but something on Joey's face ... "Man, are you okay?" he asked. "Was the meeting ... okay?"

"Oh, it was fine, don't worry," he said, draining half the beer in one long gulp. "I just hate meetings on Fridays is all. I get all dressed up like this and feel weird for the rest of the day. And plus, no sale. She was a crotchety old bitch. Except not old." JC wasn't sure that was it, but if there was anything else, Joey wasn't saying. "So how about you?"

"Um, it was fine," JC said, smiling reassuringly. It hadn't been, exactly, but that was his job lately. That's why he was doing something about it. "And, uh, if it helps, you look. Really good, man. The tie, it ... yeah."

Joey tugged at it uncomfortably but at least he smiled this time. "Liar," he said. "I look like a banker or something in this thing. Help me loosen it, would you? I think I just managed to make it tighter ... "

JC chewed on his lip, then set his beer down and took Joey's hands in his, moving them away from the knotted silk. And then concentrated hard on getting it off, because if he didn't, he'd just look up into Joey's eyes, and that -- that would be bad. "You're hopeless," he whispered.

"I'm totally useless without you," Joey admitted freely, taking a deep breath once the knot was loose. "Thank god. That's better. I should've just done the meeting casual anyway, don't you think? It's a better look on me."

Shrugging, JC mustered a grin for him and sat back in his chair. "You always disagree this much when someone pays you a compliment? Shit, Fatone, it's not like you don't have a million girls- " *screaming your name every day,* JC was going to say, and what the hell did that mean?

"Not a million," laughed Joey. "Not even one. I just get a little weird when I have a strip of cloth tied in a knot around my neck. Doesn't make me feel too attractive. Now you ... If only I could get you into a pair of jeans. That would be a sight to see."

"Something, uh, could be arranged," JC offered, tilting his head a little. "The new Bruce Willis movie's opening next week, maybe we can ... ?"

He couldn't quite look at Joey's face, even though it didn't have to be a real date. It could just be two friends hanging out. They'd done it before.

"And you promise jeans?" said Joey eagerly. "Maybe even a T-shirt? And maybe don't shave that morning? I'm so there, JC, that sounds great. Way to turn a guy on."

JC's cheeks were bright pink immediately, he knew, but he had to laugh. "You have some funny kinks," he protested. "But, okay, jeans, sure. And a tee shirt, and ... sure. Um. Is it a, a date, then?"

"I just wanna see you have some fun," said Joey, running his thumb over JC's cheek swiftly. "You work too much and you don't play enough. So yeah ... a date. If you want it to be."

JC's lips parted at the caress, and he looked away quickly. "A date," he insisted, nodding. It had been a while for him, and JC was only starting to admit to himself that it was almost exactly as long as he'd had this crush on his friend.

"Good stuff," said Joey, grinning. "Maybe I *should* wear ties more often, if that's what it gets me. Hey, you want another beer? I'm buying this round. And then you can tell me all about going to the game with your college buddies." And it was as easy as that.

* * *

"That popcorn thing," said Joey, giving JC a sidelong glance and grinning as they walked side by side. "That was really cute. I thought you were gonna hurt yourself, there for a second, though. And I'm a manly man but my emergency hero skills are kinda lacking."

"It's the jeans," JC explained, gesturing down at his legs. "They're, um. Throwing off my balance or something." He grinned too, though, and moved his arm so his pinky finger brushed against Joey's wrist as they walked.

Joey bent back a little and very pointedly looked at JC's ass, resting his hand on the small of JC's back as he did. "I like the jeans, though," he said. "They're worth a little uncoordination, believe me. You didn't do the scruff for me, though. I'm very disappointed in you, Mr. Chasez."

JC just laughed. He hadn't, it was true, but it was Friday and he'd had to work. "Next time," he promised, leaning against his hand. "What did you do for me, after all?"

"Showed up?" said Joey with a grin. "And hey, I bought you popcorn. That's gotta count for something. And plus -- *plus* -- those little gummy things that we threw at that guy. Well. I threw. But you encouraged me."

"My first mistake," JC muttered, but he was grinning so big he knew Joey wouldn't take him seriously. "So, um. Can you still give me a ride home, or should I call a cab?"

"No, I can give you a ride," said Joey quickly. "I'd be a lousy date if I didn't at least get you home, after. And plus, a good-bye kiss is meant to be had at a front door, or at least on a sidewalk nearby."

"Right," nodded JC, quickly too. He wondered if the reason behind *Joey* speaking so fast was the same as his own. "Or, you know. The coming up for some coffee, that usually works better with ... um, electrical outlets. And coffee filters."

"Except the part where I can't, tonight," said Joey apologetically, touching the back of JC's neck gently with his fingertips before taking a step away so he could dig out his car keys. "Cause I want to save something special for our second date, and you know if you get me up there you're gonna be all asking me into the bedroom and I don't need much more encouragement than that." He looked up and gave JC a grin, and was still talking fast enough it sounded like babble.

"If I get you up there, that's what I'll do?" JC practically squeaked, not sure whether he was supposed to be more embarrassed that it was that obvious, or that ... or that Joey was telling him no. This had been a long time coming, in JC's mind.

"Um," said Joey, fidgeting then finally jamming the key in the lock more forcefully than was necessary. "That was actually just me teasing. So I wouldn't have to come out and say that it's not you whose self-control I'm questioning. You wanna get together tomorrow? So we can have that second date real soon?"

JC just laughed, wondering what exactly the difference was between doing it right then or the next day, but if Joey wanted it that way ... it was sweet, actually. "You're worried about your self-control?" he teased a little, instead of answering right away. "Man, you do have a denim kink or something."

"Huge, *massive* ... denim kink," Joey said, grinning at him again before opening the door for JC and rounding the car to get in himself. "Seriously, though," he added after they were settled. "I like you, JC. You're a great guy and I had a great time tonight. And you *are* a little hard for me to resist. So I'm trying to do it right and take it slow."

"Okay," JC agreed, folding his hands in his lap, then laughing softly again and smoothing his jeans over his thighs. "I like you too. I'm a little ... it's just funny, it took a while to get here ... "

Joey just shrugged a little, and kept shooting JC these little, happy glances, every chance he got. "I guess everything has its time, you know? These kind of things don't happen until they're right."

"You're such a softie," JC accused quietly, still grinning. "Are you saying you believe in fate?"

"Well, I wouldn't go *that* far ... " began Joey, but he didn't seem to have another way to put it. "Okay, yeah, maybe I am. But not fate like you have no choice what happens in your life. Just fate like ... some things are meant to happen and they're just looking for the right time and place."

And apparently that right time and place was tomorrow, and JC resigned himself to it. "You could still come up, if you wanted," he offered, when Joey pulled into his driveway. "I promise not to try and seduce you."

"JC," said Joey, grinning but looking a bit pained at the same time. "Remember that part where it wasn't *your* self control I was worried about? Yeah. But I'm still ... " He parked the car and started to get out himself. "I'm still walking you to that door. We have a little bit of unfinished business."

"Okay, right," JC agreed, quickly and nervously all over again as he got out of the car too. "Right. The, um, thing that works better on front porches." He licked his lips a little frantically, but when Joey wasn't looking.

"And not in alleys behind movie theatres," agreed Joey, joining him and resting his hand on the small of JC's back again as he walked him up to the door. "There are right places and there are wrong places, and that was definitely a wrong one. This, on the other hand ... " He turned and looked at JC expectantly.

JC met his gaze, and then ... found himself saying something he hadn't planned. Hadn't even considered, really. Like it started on his tongue and not in his brain, first.

"I need your permission?"

Joey grinned at him, still. "I've kinda been waiting for this part since we left the theatre," he admitted. "You nervous?"

"Are you?" JC countered, but he lifted his hand to Joey's chin, smiling a little at the way his goatee tickled his palm.

"Maybe," hedged Joey. "Maybe a little. You can kiss me any time, though. Or I may just give in and kiss you myself."

"As much time as this is taking," JC breathed, letting his hand drift up to cup Joey's cheek, "we could have already had that coffee, man."

Joey chuckled. "Shut up," he murmured, then leaned in suddenly and he was doing it, kissing him, his lips pressed against JC's, parting gently, encouraging JC to kiss him back.

A slow heat burned in JC's belly as he let himself be kissed, kissed OH-so-well. It spread to his toes, to the tips of his ears before he could even react enough to return the favor. "Joe-bear," he mumbled, against Joey's soft mouth.

It felt like it was over too soon, but he knew that it had lasted a good long while. Long enough for them both to be breathless, and for him at least to feel a little bit dizzy.

"You're just so damn great," said Joey, beaming at him, when they finally stopped. "Okay. Okay. So tomorrow. We'll do something, yeah? You and me?"

"Tomorrow," JC agreed, biting his lip and reaching behind himself for the doorknob. What he didn't say, of course, was tomorrow and every day after that that Joey would have him. "Um. 'night."

"Night," Joey echoed him, waving at him with his fingers and waiting there, right there on the front step, until JC was out of sight. Until he disappeared inside.

JC didn't care, didn't *care* that he was going to spend the next several minutes catching his breath right inside that door, with his back pressed up against the wall and his hand pressed up against his mouth. He giggled, and threw his coat on a chair, and even twirled around a little before walking over to his answering machine.

The digital display said he had only one message, and he was going to put bets on it being his mom until he heard the voice of his *boss* and checked his watch.

"Josh," he said. "Good news. I'm sorry to bother you at home but I knew you'd be excited to hear this. That transfer you applied for, last month? The funding got approved. Today. Two weeks, son, and you're on a plane to Florida."

* * *

PART 3

* * *

Joey smelled ... brownies, it was definitely brownies, as he let himself into the apartment, and for the millionth time in the past few years, he thanked God for JC Chasez.

He tossed his backpack and the script and his portfolio into a chair and managed to miss, which brought JC's head peeking around the corner.

"You're home!" he crowed. "God, how was the subway. How was the *audition*? Did you get to do the scene the way we practiced it? Wait, hold on." And he disappeared back into the kitchen.

Joey, of course, followed. Or rather, followed his nose, which always seemed to serve him pretty well. "I really couldn't read the director," he said. "I was called so late in the afternoon and his voice was already in that monotone. You know the one, where you just know he's counting the minutes 'til he can go home? I was up there longer than a lot of other guys, though, so I guess I'll see."

JC didn't look up from the salad -- yuck -- and chicken -- not-so-yuck -- that he was preparing on the counter. And he didn't automatically soothe Joey with bright reassurances, either. They didn't work like that.

"When do you hear back?" he asked seriously, instead. "Or, when's the last day you stop waiting for a call?"

"They said by Friday." said Joey. creeping up behind him and resting his chin on JC's shoulder. "Which is really soon, and there were a lot of guys they still needed to see after me, who are probably gonna get bumped to tomorrow. So next week, no longer than that. I know they want to start rehearsals soon. I'm not gonna hold my breathe, but I at least got a shot at this one."

"Cool," JC said casually, but Joey could see the way his lips curved a little into a smile right before he bumped him back away with his butt. "You hungry?"

"*Starving*," said Joey, letting go of him to peer at what he was fixing again. Really, right about then he could stomach anything he was making, "I couldn't leave for lunch, in case I was called, and all I had in my bag was a piece of gum and the remains of one of those cookies you made last week. Or ... two weeks ago? God, I hope it wasn't any longer than that ... "

"Gross, Joe," JC shuddered, pushing him towards the fridge. "Dude, I got beers today, so grab some, and also, I've told you a million times to take a granola bar or something."

He tossed a towel over his shoulder and closed the oven with his hip before he set the plates down on the little table, then finally walked back over to where Joey was basically waiting for him and wrapped him in a tight hug. It was JC's "I'm proud of you and I'm crossing my fingers" hug.

"I know, I know, I should take something to eat. but I slept in and you were already gone and ... " Joey began, then gave up and just hugged him back. JC's hugs felt real good, one of the best things ever. "Thanks, man. Now let's eat."

"I made brownies for dessert, too," JC told him, sitting down and grinning up at him. "Like, your favorite kind. I don't have any visits tomorrow, so."

"I noticed," said Joey, giving him a kiss on the forehead. "The brownies. I totally noticed, dude, you're too good to me. Well, maybe not too good. Maybe just good enough." After all, why jinx a good thing?

"Well, thank your slacker brother for dropping off the goods, man," JC replied, and Joey knew he didn't miss the blush on JC's cheeks. "We can watch the tape of Sopranos from Sunday, maybe?" When Joey looked down, he saw that JC -- as usual -- had already inhaled half his plate.

"Oh yeah," said Joey enthusiastically, pushing his salad over on his plate so it didn't contaminate his chicken. "Yeah, definitely, that's a great idea. Totally great. So how did your day go today? Obviously it wasn't as bad as you thought it might be. Um. Right?" On the one hand, when JC'd had a bad day, he usually didn't smile so much. On the other, the brownies.

That made the smile waver, a little, but Joey needed to ask. "Um," JC said. "Well. It wasn't ... you know, great. It's not really ever great. But there's this, that one kid I told you about, the one with the curly hair? He's six, and I think, we think his adoption paperwork is gonna go through. So that's nice." JC almost only ever told Joey the good stories.

"Oh, that's great," said Joey, because he meant it and because it was also what JC wanted to hear. 'I'm so happy to hear that. That's why you rock and I suck, stuff like that. So." He took another bite of the chicken. "Anything else you want to talk about?" JC probably would say no, but sometimes there was, and Joey never wanted to forget to ask on a day when it might've been important.

JC blushed again, and shook his head, and stood up and he *couldn't* be done already, except he was. "No, you rock and *I* suck," he said, his line in that joke, as he put his plate in the sink. Then he bit his lip and went over to kneel in front of Joey. "Hey," he whispered.

"Hey," said Joey back, softly, setting his fork down on his plate and turning a bit so he could meet JC's eyes.Try to read them. "Hey. What's up?"

"Just," JC shrugged, then hesitantly, jerkily -- like he expected Joey to stop him -- he put his cheek on Joey's thigh and exhaled heavily. "I want you to get this one, man."

"Hey," said Joey, resting his hand lightly on JC's hair. "Hey thanks, you know how much that means to me. And I know you're not just saying that because you're looking forward to me having a paycheck. Are you?"

JC laughed, his breath catching a little right before his dug his fingers into Joey's leg, too. "No," he managed. "No. You know I don't mind you crashing here, you know I ... you know anything I have is yours. We're, um, brothers."

"Brothers. Right," said Joey, smiling down at him and stroking his hair a little. Sometimes he wondered if they were anything but. "You know I can't think you enough, JC, you already know that. Just ... lemme finish up here and then we can go in the other room and chill out. Yeah?"

JC nodded, looking like he was trying not to dislodge Joey's hand with everything he had. Then he turned his face a little more, and pressed his mouth -- barely a kiss -- to Joey's wrist. "Hey," he said again, and it was like they were right back where they'd started when JC had knelt down.

"That's not letting me eat," he said with a smile, which wasn't to discourage him at all. He liked when JC was like this; it was going to be very comfortable later on, curled around each other watching TV.

"You have another hand," JC pointed out, his eyes slipping shut as he put his cheek back down. He exhaled again, and Joey felt like he could almost see the tension or stress or whatever, leave JC's body. Maybe just from Joey touching him.

"Okay, baby," he said, switching his fork to the other hand to finish the chicken. But not the suspicious green things. "So I might be seeing about a bit part on TV, on Monday," he went on, conversationally, even though it was a long shot. "Not really what I'm looking for, but it's something, right?"

"Like, a soap?" JC asked, his voice all muffled against the fabric of Joey's pants. "A soap would be cool." He sounded distracted, interested, tired, happy, soothed ... all at once. And something else, something newer ... but, Joey had to admit. That was a lot less how he sounded and a lot more ... the way he was looking. The way he was touching.

"It's not a soap," he said, watching him out of the corner of his eye as he slowly made his way through his meal. "It's just this thing, this show. This new show. Okay, you know? Let's just say I'm done, and get the brownies, and get out of here. Yeah?"

"K," JC said, but he didn't move, not until Joey lifted his chin up and sort of forced him to lean back. "Okay," he repeated, blinking at him. "Um, I'll go, uh, put in the tape, okay? Just leave the dishes in the sink and I can get them later."

Joey would, but mostly because he always did that anyway. "You do that, baby," he said, encouraging him out. "I'm right behind you."

* * *

Joey finally heard a noise at the door, after pacing the apartment for what had to have been an hour. More than an hour. Forever. JC was so, so late; rehearsal -- no, wait, work -- had to have run late or something. But Joey worried, and knowing what JC did and who he worked with, well, he worried even more.

"JC, that you?" he called out.

He heard a grunt, mostly a grunt. Maybe a grunt. He yanked open the door to find JC still searching through his bag like he was moving in slow motion. "Oh, hey," he murmured, pushing past Joey. "Thanks. I should have, like. One of those key ring things. I mean, a key ring, but with stuff on it. Like all the cheerleaders had in high school. Dice and stuffed bears."

"JC?" said Joey, closing and bolting the door behind them and watching JC wander into the apartment. "What the ... ? Sit down. Are you okay? Did somethign happen? Where have you been?"

"Hmm?" JC said, not even *looking* at him, just running his hand along the wall as he walked into the kitchen. "What? I'm fine. Just work. Work. Busy, um. Busy today. I had to do three visits." Joey knew perfectly well he was never supposed to do more than two a day.

"JC, you're gonna burn yourself out," he said, trying to steer him into a chair. Any chair would do. He could take care of things tonight, for once. "You can't save everyone. I know you want to, but ... "

"*Joey*," JC said, loudly. For him, anyway. "Stop. I'm fine, I just ... I just need a second. Is all. You don't know, these kids ... you just don't. Know. Just gimme a minute and I'll make dinner. I know you haven't eaten anything either ... "

"You can let me worry about dinner for once," said Joey, and looked around the kitchen for something really easy that he could make. Was there enough money in the cookie jar to order pizza. "JC, I'm serious. You're doing great things, man, but you can't do it all yourself. You can't take on *everyone's* problems."

"I'm *not*," JC insisted. "I'm not. I just. These kids, Joey. And you know, you know why I have to do this. So don't ... it's so easy for you to say that, but just don't, okay? I'm totally behind you, so, you know. It's not so much to want you to be behind me."

"JC, I *am* behind you," insisted Joey. "Don't you get that? But if you burn yourself out, you can't help anybody. You know that. I think what you do is an amazing and sometimes very brave thing, but don't let it get to be too much for you. Now. What do you want for supper?"

"I'm not really hungry," JC replied, opening the fridge. "Let me just make you some leftovers, okay? Tell me how your day was." And that was that; it was like they hadn't even had the other conversation. He was back in protective mode. Except instead of foster kids, it was Joey.

"JC," he said softly, and watched him, and then just went up behind him and wrapped his arms around him. "I know you don't get thanked enough for what you do," he said. "So I'll do it. Thank you. Someday you'll find someone who really appreciates you and will tell you that all the time. Do you want to order in maybe? Just for tonight?"

JC froze in his arms, but for a brief enough moment that Joey wouldn't even have noticed if he hadn't been holding him. "Okay," he relented, sounding more resigned than their dinner plans warranted. "Okay. Chinese, maybe?"

"Whatever you want," said Joey, giving him a squeeze before letting go. "I even ... I have a little cash, actually. So it's on me. I just wanna see you smile, JC. I know you love those kids, but love yourself too, man. And once we order food, then I can tell you about my perfectly boring day."

"Oh, tell me now," JC said, twisting around to face him. And there was actually light in his eyes, as opposed to when he'd walked in the door. "And cash? *you*? Did hell freeze over?"

"I ... performed a little," Joey admitted, digging a few bills out of his pocket. "I know you don't like me doing that and all and you don't think it's safe, but I need to bring in some cash once in a while. And I didn't have any auditions or interviews today or anything."

JC didn't even pretend to want to get near the money. "Joe," he sighed, then just shook his head. It was a discussion ... no, an *argument* ... they'd had too much. "You don't have to do that."

"Don't look at it like it's dirty, JC," he said, shoving it back into his pocket. "I earned that honestly, and if I want to spend a little bit of it--" Well, most of it, really. "--on you, then I get to do that. I just didn't have anything else right now. So don't worry so much, okay?"

JC's expression was completely 'how can I not?' But he didn't say anything, just grabbed them some beers and headed back into the living room. It was like it was JC's solution for everything in his life, excpet for his work. Ignore it and it won't actually happen.

"JC," Joey called after him, and just gave in and followed. What else could he do? The last thing he wanted was to make JC's day any harder than it already had been. When JC didn't give him details, Joey tended to make them up in his head, and this time he imagined some crack baby's mama going after JC for stealing her kid, or something. It wasn't a pretty picture. "You want me to rub your feet or something, then, baby?"

"Why do you call me that?" JC turned to face him. Obviously serious. "Huh? How come you ... you don't have to do it 'cause you think it makes me feel better."

Joey stared at him for a moment and tried to figure out where that was coming from. "I just do," he said finally. "I just like to. If you don't like it, JC, you just have to say so. I don't want to make you all upset about it."

"Well, you don't have to," JC replied stiffly. "And ... and I'm not pregnant, you don't have to rub my feet. And I'm *not* upset. And. There's a ten in my coat, for the food."

"JC," said Joey, making his voice even softer. "JC don't, please? I offered because I know you've been on your feet all day probably, going all over the city and chasing after people, and because I know you like it. You make this sound like ... like a cat or something, when I do it for you. I like it."

"I sound like ... a cat?" Joey wondered if he'd made *another* mistake, but when he glanced up, JC was blushing. And hiding a smile. "Like, a ferocious tiger, right?"

Joey grinned at him. "Yeah, yeah, that's it," he said, and gently pushed him down onto the couch. "Like a ferocious tiger. Or, you know, lion or something. Cause god knows you've got a hell of a bite. So yeah?"

JC looked like he just melted back into the cushions, all graceful and slow, as he toed off his shoes. "You know you don't have to, Joe-bear," he mumbled, but his look was hopeful.

"I always know I don't have to," said Joey, sitting down next to him and pulling JC's feet into his lap. He would pay for the food later, too, once JC genuinely wanted to eat. He just wouldn't tell him that he was, and avoid that whole argument. "Sometimes I like to do stuff like this, you know. I'm glad you're home now, C. I missed you."

"Did you?" JC murmured, his eyes fluttering closed. "I'm. I should have called. I'm sorry. Next time, don't go out, though? I don't know what else I can do to show you that you don't need to."

"I can't let you do everything." said Joey, as non-confrontationally as he could. He *was* letting JC do almost everything already, and it was all nice being taken care of like that, always knowing he had a place to go, but he wanted to be able to give at least a little back. "It was only a couple hours. It was work, which is better than just sitting around here."

JC didn't even open his eyes. "'kay," he mumbled, and Joey almost laughed at that. "It's just, you know, it's not just those few hours. 'Cause there's press and radio and meeting fans ... it's all day ... "

"It'll be ... what?" laughed Joey. "I had a couple fans, sure, but I think one of them wasn't quite all there, if you know what I mean. There aren't a lot of people that have the time on their hands to stand around for a whole couple hours listening to me. Nice that you have that kind of faith in me, though, man. Someday."

"What?" Joey *did* frown when JC blinked his eyes back open. "What? Oh. No, I meant ... " He rubbed at his forehead. "I don't know what I meant. But, I mean, totally, someday. Totally, you'll have fans. But I'll still be your biggest."

"Yeah, and I'll be yours," said Joey automatically. "I'm always your biggest fan, JC, biggest and best." He could feel JC finally starting to relax and was grateful for it; sometimes the guy just cared too much, wanted to give every kid the kind of chance that someone had given him, once. He just needed to have someone around to make sure he remembered to take care of himself, while he was busy taking care of everyone else.

* * *

Joey wasn't sure if the extra ... whatever ... he felt when he was onstage that time was because JC was in the audience or not. It could've just been, like, the stars aligning. Or maybe just one of those roles that FIT him. Whatever it was, the director thanked him and he felt like he'd nailed it.

"You," he said, squeezing JC's arm as soon as he reached him, "are my good luck charm. I mean it. What did you think?"

"You were *great*," JC whispered enthusiastically. "Oh, I. I mean, if you don't get it, they're *idiots*. You were made for this part and I had *nothing* to do with it so don't be silly." He grinned and covered Joey's hand with his own.

"No, you are, you're my good luck fairy and I'm never doing another audition without you," insisted Joey, slipping back into his seat at the back of the auditorium again. "Can we hang out for a while? I want to watch a couple more of the guys, see what they do with it. I was too focused before to pay any attention to anyone else."

"Sure, of course," JC said easily, shifting his weight so they were sharing the armrest. "But I was, and they didn't do anything close to as good as you." His smile was just. It glowed, even in the dark of the theatre.

Joey elbowed him but let JC keep hanging onto his hand. It was kinda nice, really. "You'd say that anyway," he accused him, eyes on the stage where they'd called someone else up. "You always think I'm good."

"You always are," JC grinned again, then laughed and slipped down further into his seat. "Man, I've missed seeing you onstage, too. I hope you get this one so I can make it to a show. And, like, be your groupie backstage."

"I dunno, C," said Joey. The guy on stage wasn't as good as him; Joey wasn't really an egotistical kind of guy, but he had enough of one to be honest with himself about his performance. And he'd been spot on this time. "There are certain duties a groupie has to perform, you know. You think you're up to the challenge?"

Just like his smile, Joey could see JC's blush in the dim lights. "Since when have you had *those* kind of groupies, anyway," he scoffed. "I was thinking more, you know, getting you a beer."

"Oh," said Joey, and pouted at him. "Well, a beer's good too, I guess. But you know, I always wanted that other kind of groupie, too. It's been a while, you know ... "

"Not *that* long," JC grunted. "But you always did have a weird sense of time when it came to that." Joey watched him chew on his lip. "Would you really want that? Some stranger under your dressing room table?"

Joey looked at JC, then looked at the stage again, then said, "You're not a stranger, JC," and left it at that.

"But," JC started, then *he* left it at that, too. But he didn't take away his hand, Joey noticed. In fact, he was kind of ... threading their fingers together.

"I feel really good about this," said Joey after a comfortable, if loaded, silence between them. "I feel like something's gonna come of this, this time."

"Come of- oh, the show," JC said, nodding vigorously. "Right, no. You should. You should feel good. About ... that. Exactly. You were born to do this."

Joey gave JC a little smile and squeezed his hand and admired him for a moment, for everything he'd done and everything he was. "Yeah," he said. "Maybe I was."

* * *

Joey wrapped the towel securely around his waist and padded on damp feet into the living room. "Hey, you still watching that?" he asked, glancing at the TV. "I thought it would be over by now. I must've been in there more than fifteen minutes, right?"

"What?" JC was staring straight at him, so Joey knew he heard, but he kind of looked ... thrown, by the question. "Oh, yes. No? Not really. I can turn it off, if you want. Sorry." He stood up and walked over to the TV to push the power button. Joey just smirked when he saw he carried the obviously-forgotten remote with him when he did.

"I was just, you know, hoping I killed more time than that," he said, running his fingers through his hair to make sure it wasn't tangled. "They said they'd call by tonight, but ... " He shrugged. "Oh, who am I kidding. Since aren't these things always late."

"Oh!" JC said, finally looking awake. "*Oh.* Yes. They are, they *are* always late. Remember that time, when ... yes. God. I'm sorry, I didn't know that's what was bothering you ... you wanna go out? A watched answering machine never records, or something."

Joey shook his head quickly but he grinned at JC, too. "No, not tonight, I think no. I'd rather stay in for this one. You know, just in case. We can figure out something to do here, I think, yeah? You can turn that TV back on or something."

"Sure, yeah," JC nodded, turning the TV back on manually but then hitting the volume on the remote, and blushing *too* amusingly when he realized what he was doing. "Um, apparently, watching TV is all I have the brain cells for anyway."

Joey grinned at him again. "Just sit down, okay?" he said, and then slid in comfortably right next to him when he did. "One of us being all uptight is quite enough, I think. So what are we watching?"

"MTV?" JC said, holding his hands in his lap. "Um, that chick you like was on. Britney. But earlier."

"Damn," said Joey, but he didn't mind so much that he missed it. JC looked so nervous, so jumpy, Joey lay a hand on his leg. "You okay?" he asked. "Just nervous for me or is it something else?"

JC's eyes slid over to Joey, and even *he* couldn't miss the lingering path they took over his bare chest. "Nervous, um, for you," he said, clearing his throat. "I want this real bad for you, Joe-bear. You deserve it."

Joey knew how seldom JC dated, how seldom he was with someone. Knew that he was so dedicated to his work that he didn't usually have the time or energy to give to someone else. But JC deserved *that*, as much as he thought Joey deserved to get the part. He was such an amazing person, and hardly anyone but Joey ever got to see that. And almost without thinking, Joey let his hand drift up and down JC's thigh.

"Thanks," he said finally, and swallowed. "That means a lot to me."

He felt JC's leg tense under his palm, but he also saw him shiver, and that -- that was always a good thing, in Joey's experience. And he didn't make him move his hand. "Well," he breathed. "You mean a lot to *me*, so."

"I don't think I've ever said," Joey went on, trying to follow JC's reactions, to anticipate them, "how glad I am that you're my friend, that you do the things you do. I'm so lucky, JC, to have you in my life."

"Joey, I ... " JC started, shaking his head. "I don't know what ... " His cheeks, even his *nose*, were pink as he turned a little to face Joey. "I'm always here for you, howev- you know, whenever you want me. Um, need me."

Joey sighed softly and smiled at him and left his hand where it was. "How about right now you tell me what *you* want, okay, JC?" he said. "It doesn't always have to be about me."

"It's not," JC protested, but it was almost a whisper. But Joey just left him to his own devices, and it was only seconds later that JC put his own hand on *Joey's* thigh, right next to where the terry of his towel had hiked up.

It wasn't unexpected -- it was maybe even a little hoped for -- so Joey took a deep breath and leaned in closer and touched JC's face. "I'm not good enough for you, JC," he said, "but I'm all I can give you."

"Oh, shut *up*," JC said, and he actually sounded upset with Joey for having said that in the split-second Joey had to react before his mouth was covered by a pair of soft, dry, shaking lips.

He closed his eyes and it felt really nice to have JC there, different but nice, and something that had maybe been coming for a long time now. And so he kissed him back, one hand still on JC's leg, the other curling gently around the back of his neck.

JC was making soft noises, these tiny little sighs, and his hands were shaking even more than his mouth everywhere he touched Joey. The one time Joey let himself peek again, JC's eyes were squeezed shut. It felt ... not desperate, that wasn't the right word, but ... almost. JC was almost.

Joey wanted to tell him to slow down, that they would have plenty of time, but it wouldn't have been JC if he'd done that. JC was intense and devoted and sometimes skittish, that was just him. And all he asked of Joey was that he accept it, and so he did.

"Joey," JC finally breathed against his mouth, pulling back and blinking and grinning and looking too, too happy. "What are we ... really?" He tugged on Joey's towel a little, and blushed all over again.

"We're doing whatever," said Joey, shifting his hips to make it easier for JC to tug. Easier for JC to do whatever it was he wanted to do with him. He traced one of JC's cheekbones with a fingertip. "You're so damn pretty, Chasez."

And his eyelashes were long, long, when they closed and brushed the top of his cheeks. "But you ... okay," JC said, and laughed and said it louder. "Okay."

And then his hands weren't shaking anymore when he touched Joey; touched his bare shoulder, the top of his stomach, higher and higher up the inside of one of his thighs.

It was amazing to see JC this happy, this confident. It transformed him, and Joey couldn't help but respond to that. If he could make JC light up like that ... well, he kind of owed it to him to do it. And that was before even thinking about how JC was making *him* feel.

"Okay," he breathed, echoing him, and planted a gentle kiss on the corner of JC's mouth.

"Okay, because, duh, wanted this for a long time," JC was whispering, and, whoa, then there were gentle fingers just barely stroking Joey's balls right when JC's teeth closed on Joey's earlobe.

Part of Joey had always known that JC wanted this -- wanted what they were doing right then -- but another part had convinced him that it was just a close friendship, the closest he'd ever had. And it was ... but it could be this, too. And JC's fingers ... and his mouth ... and he knew just what he was doing ... and all Joey could do was just go with it, spread his legs and lick JC's jaw and let it happen.

It was like every little thing he did prompted five different reactions from JC. This time, just doing that, and JC was pushing himself up onto his knees and pulling his shirt off and then falling back against the arm of the sofa and coaxing Joey on top of him.

It was just going so fast, like once they got past that first barrier, there was nothing that could stop them. And Joey just wanted to feel JC next to him so he moved along with him, as smoothly as he could, and found his lips again to do the one thing he was absolutely sure he could do well.

Every time he opened his eyes, JC was just smiling at him; watching him and smiling at him. He looked like he had something to say, wanted to talk, but then he'd just put his lips back somewhere Joey could reach them and nothing got said. Even when the towel fell away completely and JC's palms were on Joey's bare ass.

And really, what was there left to be said at this point? They knew one another inside and out, this was the only thing they didn't really know, and they didn't have to talk to learn about it. They just had to do. Joey ran his hands over JC's chest, the one part of him that was completely exposed, and kept on kissing him and kissing him.

"Um, can ... maybe ... " JC mumbled, breathing a little faster. "Should we, um, do you want to come to my room? 'Cause, this couch ... " He squirmed a little under Joey's weight, and smiled.

"Now I know it's real," whispered Joey, giving JC another kiss before rolling carefully off him, letting JC take the lead. "Now that I've been invited into the bedroom. Yeah ... okay ... let's go."

"You make it sound like such a privelege," JC laughed self-consciously, then carefully averted his eyes when Joey stood up. "I'm still kind of in shock." He stood up too, though, and teasingly pushed Joey's shoulder to get him moving to the room.

"It is a privilege," said Joey, turning sideways and hooking his fingers in JC's pants as they quickly changed locations, like JC was worried that if they stopped it would never start again. "You're a really special guy, JC. Now look at me."

JC stopped, and looked sort of up at him, smiling again. "What?" he said, breathless, then laughed one more time. "Gosh, Joe, I think I should be offended you've got all this self-control and I'm just ... like, rushing you into my room."

Joey just grinned and bit the bullet and pushed JC gently onto the bed, reaching for his pants. "You're not even naked yet," he pointed out, intent on remedying that situation. "How can you be rushing me if you aren't naked yet? Let's just fix that ... "

"If it's not ... I don't want this to be too fast, or," JC protested, pushing a little at Joey's hands but it was a weak defense. "Even if." He bit his lip and reached down with his own hand, taking Joey's cock in his palm carefully.

It was that easy to distract Joey from what he was doing, to get him stretched out on the bed, too, and back to letting JC do whatever he wanted. Because what JC wanted felt pretty damn good, as far as he was concerned. "Oh yeah," he breathed, and touched JC's clothed thigh, on hand still halfheartedly working at getting his pants off. "Oh yeah, do that ... "

"Joey," JC whispered in reply, touching him reverently. "Oh, Joey. I've ... I know you know." He kissed Joey again until they were both breathless, and clambored on top of him. "I didn't think any more, you know?"

"I know," said Joey, and pressed a finger to JC's lips and felt a little thrill that he was able to make JC *this* bright, *this* happy. It was a heady feeling. "Oh, JC. You feel really good, I had no idea." JC's hips were slim and it felt strange as Joey slid his hands over them, expecting curves where there were none. "You still need to be naked here or I'm gonna have to do this right through your pants."

"Hee," JC giggled, even covering his mouth, trapping Joey's fingers there. "Um, do what?" He finally let go of Joey, though, and tugged at his zipper, giggling all the while. "A million ways I dreamed this happening ... "

"And none of them involved me telling you to get naked?" teased Joey, still trying to help him with the pants. "I'm disappointed. That's the first thing you should've thought of. And the 'this', JC, the 'this' would be me getting you off. With or without the pants."

"Oh, oh, but," JC babbled quietly, finally getting everything unfastened and lifting his hips off the bed to push the pants down over them. "Don't you, shouldn't I, you? First?"

"If you want," said Joey easily, looking up and down JC's body as soon as it was exposed. So slim. So ... boy. "If you like that, JC. However you like it, we can do that." He didn't quite reach out to touch yet, but he thought about it.

"How 'bout we," JC just said, and bit his lip, and carefully lowered himself down on top of Joey's already-naked body. And whoa, okay; dick against dick. Very new.

JC was watching him carefully, though; curiously. Almost like he expected Joey to push him off the bed at any second.

"I don't know what I like," admitted Joey, meeting JC's eyes and giving him a brave smile. Reassuring him that he could just do this and no one would stop him. "I'm just learning from you here, JC. I need you to show me."

"Okay, I can, I can do that," JC said, with another giggle, and he ducked his head to mouth at Joey's collarbone; to suck at his neck. His hips were making these tiny, controlled, *infuriatingly*-teasing thrusts at Joey's thigh as he clung with his fingers at Joey's ribs.

Joey couldn't remember the last time he'd heard JC giggle like that, and it prompted another rush of affection in him. Convinced him all over again that he was doing the right thing. And JC's mouth ... damn ... he really did know how to use it. He ran his hands over JC's hips again, this time bare, and learned the shape of him.

"What do you want me to do?" he asked quietly.

He felt JC suck in a breath. "Anything, whatever you're feeling," he replied in a rush. "Whatever you've been thinking about." JC braced his hands a little more firmly, and shifted his hips so their erections were rubbing against each other again.

And as soon as he did that, what Joey was feeling was wanting to rub right back against him. Because really, anything rubbing against his dick like that was a good thing. He ran his hands back up to the small of JC's back and pressed just a little, just enough to keep them rubbing against each other just the way they were. And kissed him again.

"Oh, oh," JC whimpered softly, shifting again so his knees fell outside of Joey's thighs. He arched his back like a cat, and Joey just stared up at him until he realized that it meant that JC was trying to get him to move his hands lower.

He still blinked at him a couple times before he did, sliding them down to grip carefully at JC's ass. Getting used to the feel of *that*, too -- less curvy, less full, but still something smooth and substantial to hang on to. It wasn't hard to admit that what was going on was making him feel good, real good, his body knowing just how to react when something was stimulating it like that.

"Oh Jace," he murmured, "You really are something else."

JC tossed his head back and laughed; no more of that giggle stuff. "I swear I thought you'd never notice," he whispered, squirming back into Joey's touch and laughing again. "If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up, either."

"You're not dreaming," Joey assured him, rocking his hips against him and gasping. He would never forget the look on JC's face right then, not ever. "And neither am I, baby."

"Joe," breathed JC, grinning so wide Joey could no longer see his eyes. He lowered his body down farther; his chest, his hips. And slowly, deliberately rubbed their cocks against each other again, right before taking both of them in one hand as best he could manage.

"Oh God, yeah," Joey gasped out, a jolt shooting up his spine, any hesitance forgotten. He still rocked against him but JC's hand was doing more of the work now, holding them together, rubbing them, keeping the two of them so close. Joey had never felt closer to him. "Wow ... I bet this gets messy ... "

"Better our skin than my rug, if I got down on the floor to, ah, suck you the way I wanted to a second ago," JC gasped himself. "Oh, Joe -- unless you don't want, I'm, should I ... ?" And he actually moved like he was going to *let* *go*.

"Oh, don't you *dare* stop," said Joey, gripping JC's ass harder so he couldn't go anywhere. He'd have to try real hard to get away, and Joey didn't figure on him even wanting to try. "I want this, JC, don't stop now."

Joey felt JC's whole body, like, *convulse* as soon as he grabbed him like that. And then JC made this sort of squeaking sound, and there was a warm rush on the side of his cock, hot liquid dripping onto his belly. Like when he'd dry-hump a girl, except Joey *knew* that wasn't his.

He couldn't help grinning at JC and hoped that didn't embarrass him. It was really very hot, in both senses of the word, and he hoped it didn't mean he'd have to stop now. "Nice mess," he murmured, and didn't let up on his grab.

"God," JC muttered, closing his eyes. He looked embarrassed, definitely, but he only let go of his own cock. Which meant his hand tightened harder, closer around Joey's, slick with his ejaculate, and, yeah, definitely hot. "Is this?" JC went on to whisper, starting to stroke.

"Good? Yes. Hot? Yes. Wanted? Hell yes," said Joey, thrusting himself into the circle of JC's fingers urgently. The easy slide made it feel like something he was a lot more familiar with, and instinct took over. This definitely wouldn't take long now.

JC smiled again, and tugged on him knowingly. Like he knew exactly what he was doing, and Joey guessed he did, which was weird to think about except not really. Then JC shifted his weight more on his knees so he could free his other hand, and used it to cup Joey's balls as he jerked him off.

"Oh Jesus," Joey blurted out, and closed his eyes and arched his back and he was coming in JC's hand, just like that. And right while it was happening, it felt like the most normal thing in the world. It was only afterward that it really hit him what he was doing and who he was doing it with and that it was a very new and different thing for him.

When he looked at JC again, JC wasn't even really looking at him. He *was*, he was just looking ... more where their bodies were touching. And licking his lips, and he just looked really into it. And smiled so *easily* when he met Joey's eyes. "Hi."

Joey grinned at him again. "Hi," he said back, and leaned in to give JC another kiss. That, at least, felt easy. "I was right about the mess, huh?"

"Not sorry," JC grinned back. "Wow, Joe. Talk about things that were way down on the list of what I thought I'd be doing tonight. I don't even know what to say." He seemed to have no problem with kissing, though.

"Me neither," said Joey, and it was a relief that he wasn't expected to say anything, let alone explain himself. "That was ... wow, JC." He hoped that would be all he had to do. They were kissing again when Joey heard the phone ring. He was going to answer it anyway, just to give himself an excuse to get up and get himself together, when he remembered just why he'd been waiting for it to ring. "Oh! Oh shit! I'll be right back, Jace."

"Wait," JC protested, after Joey gently pushed him off. "Wait, just ... the machine's on, Joe, just, can you just let it pick up? We could ... "

"JC, my *audition*," he said urgently, "I've gotta take this. I'll come back, I promise, I've just gotta..." The phone rang again and Joey slipped out of the bed and dashed out of the room to pick it up, leaving JC behind.

* * *

JC was waiting for him at the door -- of course he was, because there was no way this could go easily for Joey -- holding a beer and wearing a huge grin. "Joe," he said, tugging him inside and wrapping him up in a huge, wiry hug. "Tell me *everything*. How'd the read-through go?"

Joey put on a big smile for him, even though he wasn't feeling it. He was an actor, after all. "It went great, it really did. Everyone got along. I even knew a couple people from, you know, the whole audition circuit. But tell me about *your* day, how about?" While he figured out how to say what he needed to.

"Joey," JC rolled his eyes, then hugged him again. "You dork. It was just a normal day, and can you just tell me? I'm your, um, best friend, and maybe more, and. I'm interested, okay? I'm interested in the details. Like, did the other lead, that chick Kelly, is she good? Good as you?"

"Yeah, she's great," said Joey, and started smiling again but for all the wrong reasons. "She's all ... " He made an hourglass figure with his hands. "You know, curvy. And sweet. And oh! Of course, she's a great actress. Really, JC, it went well. What else can I say?"

JC was just nodding, still looking like he expected Joey to say something else. When he didn't, he just tried to hug him again, and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Proud of you," he murmured, and reached down to take Joey's hand. "Want dinner first, or? Maybe something to relax."

"No, dinner," said Joey quickly, maybe too quickly, and gave himself a mental nudge. "Or actually, how about we sit down? To talk? There's some stuff ... maybe we should talk about, yeah."

"Okay?" JC said, then shook his head and laughed. "You look so serious. Okay. Here, take this one, let me go grab another." He handed Joey his beer and bounced into the kitchen.

Joey was happy to get a little alcohol into his system; it might make this a little easier. JC, man ... JC'd been so good to him, he really had. But Joey had to do this, he had to. He even managed to convince himself he was doing the right thing. He was already seated near the TV when JC came back.

JC was still grinning, and sat down practically on top of him, leaning over to kiss his cheek again. "Okay, talk," he prompted, then reached up to run his thumb over the place on Joey's face where he'd kissed him.

"Oh, JC," said Joey softly. The alcohol wasn't nearly enough. "Look ... you know I love you, right? You know I'll *always* love you and you're an incredible person?"

Nothing else he could have said, maybe, would have made JC's smile disappear so quickly. JC wasn't dumb, Joey knew. Or clueless. "What," he just said, quietly, flatly. "Just say, whatever it is; just say."

Joey closed his eyes for a moment; it was the last expression he ever wanted to see on JC's face. "I'm sorry," he said. "I *do* love you, but this ... us ... I just can't, JC. Not more than best friends."

"Okay," JC said slowly, moving completely onto another cushion. "Okay. Do I get, like, an explanation for this? Because, I mean, I know it's only been a few days and maybe I'm stupid but I thought you, you know, liked it. Liked me."

"I do!" said Joey quickly. "I do, I really do, I think you're fantastic. I just ... the whole part of it where I sleep with a guy? I just ... I don't think that's for me. I'm sorry, JC, I didn't mean to lead you on. You mean a lot ot me."

JC got even ... stiffer. "Joey," he started, and then just pressed his lips together. "Okay, I'm trying really hard not to embarrass myself here by, like, begging. But what? You ... I mean, you're into it. You were into it. You weren't ACTING that, Joey."

"No, I wasn't," Joey had to agree, because it had been ... good. Really good. "I was into it, JC, it's just ... you see ... I just can't, not right now. If it was another time, different circumstances, then maybe, but ... my career is just getting started, JC. And I just ... I can't."

"Joey," JC said again, and Joey was starting to hate the way his name sounded. "Joey, you're a THEATRE actor. What ... what? And I'm not, what, you think I'd embarrass you? You think I'd make you come out? I don't, I don't care about that at all, Joey. I just ... I just want you."

"I just can't," Joey said again, falling back on the easiest reason because the real ones were tougher. "Not right now. Can we just ... go back to what we were, JC? Before?"

JC just blinked at him. "That's it?" he said quietly. "That's all I get?" He looked away, and then stood up. "Okay, now I have to leave before I really beg, Joey. But, but not before I say you have the fucking shittiest timing, and I can't believe you did this, and. And I'll forgive you because I love you but not today."

"JC," said Joey, wincing at his words. "At least I said something before it got too far, right?" At least JC *would* get over it, and Joey could go on, too, and when Kelly gave him The Look at their next rehearsal, well, he would be free to give it back to her. "I'm sorry. I really am." And he really was, but JC obviously wasn't in any mood to hear it, and had already turned and walked away.

* * *

PART 4

* * *

"You're late," said Joey, but JC wasn't. Only maybe two minutes, and Joey was usually way later than that anyway so he had no room to talk.Slacker. JC just grinned at him. "I'm serious!" laughed Joey. "They made me start fifteen minutes early; it's a zoo out there, and there's this one guy, he keeps patting my ass as I pass by him. Where've you been anyway?"

"I was paying off the guy who keeps patting your ass," JC smirked, moving to stand way closer to Joey than he needed to, and then turning his back. "Tie my apron thingie? I can never double-knot it right." It was the fourth time in a week he'd had the same shift as Joey, and the fourth time in a week he'd had him tie his apron.

"You just want a little grope of your own," Joey teased him as he tied it, then patted JC's ass. "You can just ask, you know. I'd probably say yes."

"I think maybe I'll wait until you're asking *me* to, you know. Grope you, grab your ass, whatever." JC twisted back around but didn't move away. "You'll give in and start begging one day, Fatone, I know this."

"Well, I keep telling you to *bite* me and you never do that," said Joey, reaching around to give JC's ass one last pat. "Look out, look out!" He pulled JC aside so he wasn't plowed over by another waiter rushing by. "Did I mention the part about how it's a zoo out there? I have to keep telling myself 'lots of tips, lots of tips'."

"Can I catch a ride home, after we close?" JC asked, finally turning around and grabbing the little pad he used for orders. "In the event we don't literally run into each other before then."

"Of course," said Joey. "Like I'd pass up a chance to get you into the back seat of my car; you know me better than that, Jace. Oh hey, looks like my order's almost up."

JC laughed a little, mostly to cover his obvious pleasure at their flirtation, then just winked as he slipped out the swinging doors to cover his tables. Having that to look forward to, backseat or not, would make the night go a LOT faster.

Other than a couple of light touches, a few words exchanged -- mostly about work -- the next time he managed to talk to Joey was at closing, when the last of the customers were slowly drifting out the door and they could stop and breathe. "Hey sugar, you're a wreck," said Joey sympathetically. "I saw that spill at table fourteen; tough luck. Everything turn out okay?"

Wiping his hair off his forehead with the back of his hand, JC just grinned weakly. "Yeah. I mean, lucky me it was mostly drinks, you know? Just unlucky me that it all ended up on me. I can change my apron, but my pants? Still pretty fuckin' wet."

"Does that mean I need to get you out of them?" said Joey, grinning at him as he started counting his tips. "Because you know, I'm really pretty good at that. Give you a little ... relief."

"That's just not subtle at all, Joe," JC replied, but he laughed again and yanked at his apron. "Let's just ... maybe you can come up for a beer, or something, when you drop me off?"

"Subtle never seened to work on you," laughed Joey, tucking the money away again. "But see where being obvious gets me? Up to your place for a beer. And from there it's only a few short steps to your bedroom. Mark my words, JC, one of these days ... "

JC's laugh turned into a giggle and he grabbed his coat. Joey was probably more right than he knew, really. They'd known each other for months, always flirted, but one or the other of them always seemed to be dating someone else. Not so right then. As far as JC knew. "No better offers for later, huh?"

"You'd know, if I had any offers for later," said Joey, which was true. Joey always kissed and told, with him. "But better offers? Perish the thought, JC, there's no better offer than you. That's my story and I'm sticking to it."

"You're cute," JC murmured teasingly, and let his hand drift over Joey's back as they made their way to his car. "Just hope Tony isn't entertaining this evening himself, you know?"

"Don't you guys have a signal?" asked Joey. "Underwear on the doorknob or something? Cause I can't imagine it would be fun for you to accidentally see each other's bare asses in the middle of the night. That's the stuff nightmares are made of."

"I just meant, so we don't run out of *beer*," JC said, pretending to be as serious as he could. "Plus, Tony's underwear is way scarier than his ass. WAY scarier."

Joey shuddered and grinned as he started away from the restaurant toward the apartment that JC shared with his friend Tony. "I've never had the pleasure," he said, and sounded very relieved by the fact. "Of either, really, and I think I'll keep it that way. Not that he's not hot or anything. But ... he's Tony."

It was kind of cool not to even have to tell Joey how to get to his place. It made it kind of comfortable and even added to the sexual tension between them, JC thought. He just wished he could figure out if anything was ever going to come of it.

"Yeah, Tony," he said mildly. "Well, whatever. He's probably out. So we're safe on the beer front, but very chaperone-less."

"Just the way I like it," said Joey, and gave JC a playful little leer. "And I could really use the beer right about now, too. That was a hell of a night. I could use the money, though; I managed to get Thursday off for that audition after all."

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