Justin/Joey - drag 4

The heavy hand settling on his shoulder made Joey jump: he'd been so focused on the front door of the little coffee shop, he'd missed Chris coming in the side.

"Howdy, pardner," Chris drawled in an awful parody of Lance's accent. "What's kickin' on the range these days? Problems with the little woman? I gotta say, best way to get me here was to make it such a huge secret." He dropped into the chair across from Joey with a grin.

"I wouldn't say 'problems'," Joey hedged at first, toying with the handle of his coffee cup. "And it's not a secret, exactly. It's just... I don't want Justin to know I'm talking about him, you know? Because it's not even really about him, it's about me, and it's not like I'm giving away any secrets about him or us or anything, but... you know. I don't think he'd quite understand that."

"You think?" It wasn't a question, more like a dry agreement. Chris cocked his head at Joey like a curious bird, and sipped his huge coffee. "It's about last night, huh? You're looking a little stressed around the eyes, Joe, a little frazzled. That's the sign of someone who's survived a Timberlake hissy fit, but just barely. Did you ever manage to get him out of the dress last night?" Despite his light tone, his eyes were incredibly intent and serious.

"I did," said Joey, after a moment's hesitation. "It took a little coaxing, but I did. Of course, getting the dress off let loose... I don't even know how to describe it, Chris. Let loose everything inside him, felt like."

"Yeah," Chris sighed, uncharacteristically quiet, rubbing the bridge of his nose where his glasses usually rested. "He's come close to that, with me, but usually he runs away before the real meltdown. That conversation with his folks must have been brutal. And he must trust you a lot, to let that happen and let you stay. If he hadn't, Justine would've stuck around till the cows came home, no matter how naked you got him. Her. Fuck."

"You sound like me, talking to myself last night," admitted Joey, scratching at his arm nervously and wishing he wasn't out of coffee. "I'm a little freaked out. It's okay to say that right? I'm seriously a little freaked out by the whole thing. And like, I'm not going to leave him, because I'm just not, because I want to be with him, but still. Freaked out."

"He ain't a walk in the park," Chris agreed. "But on the other hand, it's good you know that early. I mean, I didn't meet Justine till I'd already known Justin for about six months. That was kind of a shock." He sipped at his coffee again, and settled back in his chair. "Okay, which part is freaking you out the most? If we figure that out, I can give you the benefit of my infinite wisdom and be home before the ball and chain calls out the search dogs."

"Don't count on it," muttered Joey, shaking his head. He didn't think any part of it was going to be a simple conversation. "I don't even really know where to start. Maybe just that... there's Justin, and there's Justine, and... you know what I'm talking about, Chris. Justin's not Justine and Justine's not Justin, except they are. But Justine's way beyond an act."

"Did I tell you I've got a degree in psych?" Chris said, non-sequiteur but not. "Comes in handy, in this pack of freaks. Justin's kind of fragmented, but I don't think he's dangerously split or anything. Justine's just a really well-developed defense mechanism that's also a lot of fun sometimes, in fact, most of the time she is an act with a little extra. It's only when Ju feels threatened or really stressed that Justine gets a little...more. And if it helps, I think it is getting better. I've seen Justin actually assert himself once or twice without going diva, and Justine can be sweet, now." He shrugged a little. "It's complicated, but you already know that."

Joey nodded and took a moment to order himself another coffee. He was going to need it. "You guy say I'm doing good?" he said. "But I"m totally just, like, improvising, all the time. I don't know him like you do. But... I mean, even I could see that he uses Justine to handle the things that he doesn't think he can. And maybe that's healthy, or maybe he should really be, you know, dealing with it. I don't know."

"If he's not ready to deal with it, he's not," Chris pointed out gently. "You can't force that kind of thing. I'm actually really glad he found her, or whatever. Before, he was like this...shell of a boy. Kind of a shadow, he was just haunted and broken, it was terrible. She's what he needed at the time, still does, clearly. He's slowly getting better, slowly working through things in his head, and you're helping. Those instincts seem to be dead on, so far."

"Yeah, but I'm all worried that I'm gonna do something wrong," said Joey. "That I'm going to do something to make it worse. I know he's had it something awful before now, and I don't know what to do about that. I ... he asked me why they hated him, Chris. Last night, he asked me. And he was crying so much. And, I mean, what do you say to that?"

Chris shrugged helplessly. "There's no right answer to that question, kiddo. Because I'm pretty sure they DO hate him, and that's...There's nothing you can do to change his past, but you can make his future better. You know? I don't think you can make it worse, not really. Just...I don't know. I usually just play along with whatever he's doing, let Justine be the princess, until she works it out of her system."

Joey nodded, but he wasn't entirely sure Chris was right about that. Because if no one encouraged Justin to be assertive on his own merits, why would he ever have reason to? "I've just been feeling it out so far, I guess," he said. "I didn't expect this, Chris. I had no idea."

"No one ever expects the Spanish Inquisition," Chris intoned, with a chuckle. "I guess you just gotta figure out if he's worth it, to you." He watched Joey carefully. "Are you gonna be able to handle it? Not that it happens all THAT often, but once a month, maybe twice, there's a drama of one degree or another. Sometimes less, sometimes more. Is that something you're gonna be able to deal with?"

"I'm still here, right?" Joey offered him. Honestly, he couldn't imagine being anywhere else, anymore. "I've handled it so far. I just... I really care about him, Chris. I really want to be with him. I'm just not sure I've figured out how, yeah. How do *you* do it?"

"I'm not dating him," Chris said simply. "It's bound to be different. I just let him be, mostly, once in a while try to get him to try something new. He's really scared of failure, so that can be a little tricky, but he knows I'm not gonna leave him or give up on him, so he's comfortable enough, I guess. When he's Justine, I talk to Justine and relate to her like the queen diva she is, when he's Justin...you get the general idea. I probably let him get away with way too much, but it's kind of a habit from before, when everything was so uncertain. For a long time there I was afraid he wasn't gonna make it."

"Maybe that's my job, then, now that we're pretty sure," said Joey, wincing a bit at the idea that Justin wasn't going to make it, at one point. "To be the one that's able to push. That's safe. He... well, he seems to trust me. And I trust him, too. And maybe that's how it needs to work, maybe he needed to meet someone at this point in his life, who didn't know him from before. You think?"

"A fresh perspective can't hurt," Chris agreed, slurping his coffee. "When you're pushing, you better be DAMN careful, though, 'cause that boy's been hurt enough." He narrowed his eyes at Joey, clearly in full protector mode, and Joey wondered if he'd ever let anyone push Justin hard enough to get anything accomplished. "He DOES trust you, and that's unbelievably fast for him. So take good care of that, yeah?"

"You know I will," said Joey firmly. "I think it's pretty clear how I feel about him, Chris. How much I treasure him. How much I want to do what's best for him. And hey, he's really considering school, you know. Even after the debacle with his parents. I think that's good, yeah?"

"Are you sure he is, after last night?" Chris was watching him a little suspiciously, still. "That's pretty hard to believe, did you talk about it? That's a pretty big hot spot to hit, especially when he's already a wreck. Just keep in mind, what you think is best for him might not be what he thinks is. I mean, I'm all for school, if he's really considering it, fantastic, but was he just saying it to make you happy?"

"That's not it," said Joey, shaking his head vehemently. He was sure it wasn't. "We mentioned it, we didn't talk about it. I remember what he was like, Chris, the first time it came up. And already he's not like that now. What *anyone*--" including Chris "--things is best for him isn't necessarily the right thing. He'll figure it out for himself."

"He might," Chris groused halfheartedly. "If he ever gets his head screwed on straight. The first time it came up, he probably wasn't invested heart and soul in getting and keeping your approval and affection. Though I guess if it was all that inhibiting he wouldn'tve cut loose on you like he did, even as Justine." Chris rubbed his forehead again. "Why couldn't he just be simple? God."

"Isn't that my line?" said Joey. "I mean, really, I should have been looking for something simple. I don't know anything, nothing at all. But Justin... I just don't want anyone else now. I already found him. And god is that boy fantastic in bed."

That startled a snort of laughter out of Chris, and he grinned at Joey. "I'll bet. I've heard that before, myself, and well, I guess you started at the top. It'd sure be hard to go back afterwards, huh?" He shook his head. "Don't worry so much about not knowing anything; it sounds like you've got a pretty good handle on him already. And, y'know, take comfort in all those between-the-sheets perks."

"Yeah, I'm getting spoiled, I know," admitted Joey, grinning back at him and feeling himself flushing. "I guess it all evens out in the end. I don't want to lose him, Chris. I, like, really don't. I think he has the potential to be a really, really great guy. I'm just trying not to freak out before things get... stable. Or something."

"Well, don't hold your breath," Chris advised with evil cheer. "The good news is, he really does feel terrible about his hissyfits afterwards, and they are getting better. He already IS a really, really great guy, Joey, he's just got some issues. Like the rest of us, really, only his are right out there where everyone can see. Just...care about him, treat him right, and you won't lose him. He adores you already."

"No idea why," said Joey, shaking his head but still grinning. "I'm just a guy, a guy who was in the right place at the right time. I totally haven't earned all this trust and affection he's giving me. But I'll take it, I'll absolutely take it, and I'll give it right back to him."

"Mm-hmm," Chris said, nodding. "I'm a little unclear as to why he latched on so tight, so fast, myself. No offense to you, you're a great guy and I like you a lot, but Ju's just not a very trusting soul. He seems to have just taken this liking to you, though. You should hear him brag about his 'honest to god' boyfriend when he's turning down all the guys who hit on him at the video store." He smiled a little at Joey, shaking his head.

"He gets hit on at the video store?" said Joey, then, as an afterthough, "And he tells them about me to turn them down? Wow, that's. I just didn't realize that. Which is dumb, because of course they would hit on him, he's gorgeous. Maybe... maybe it's because I cook. Maybe that's why he likes me so much."

Chris spread his hands wide in the universal gesture of confusion. "Got me. But whatever reason, he does. Believe me, that boy gets hit on wher*ever* he goes, he can't buy chips without fending off offers. Well, most of the time, anyway. He's walked the straight and narrow--okay, not straight--since he met you, though. I don't think it's in him to cheat." He looked at Joey significantly.

"I hope that's not a suggestion that I would," said Joey, flushing a bit as he thought if his own history. He would take that comment coming from Kevin, but not from Chris, if that was where he was going with it. "He's just about the most beautiful creature on this planet and I have no idea why he settled for me but I'm glad he did, issues and all. There hasn't been an issue invented that can't be solved in time."

"Good," Chris nodded. "Good way to think about it. And, you know, not sayin' you would, just letting you know that he won't, no matter what you might think of his actions in the past. He's a flowers and candy and candles on the dresser kind of boy, I think, under everything. He got real drunk one time and mentioned something about a house with a white picket fence, and I didn't even tease him about it, 'cause he clearly meant it. He's a romantic. I don't know anything about you, really, you've been great to him so far. Just...don't hurt him, all right?"

"I would never hurt him, not on purpose," said Joey. Accidentally? He just couldn't promise that. "And I know he's a romantic, more or less. The way he's been so excited to have a real boyfriend, so happy all the time when he's with me. It doesn't surprise me that he wants it more than what he had in the past. And... I know what he's done. And I know what I've done. And I know that neither one of those things has much to do with what we are now."

"Nope." Chris was nodding agreement, and smiling approvingly at Joey. Joey felt bizarrely like he'd just passed some kind of parental test. "Now, about the other thing, the Justine issue? I'll say the kid probably needs therapy...if not for that exactly, then at least to get all the shit that makes him explode, all that stuff from the past, out of his head. But he won't even hear about it, even though the other runaway kids we know are mostly using the Youth Center counsellors. It's almost as touchy as the school subject. Makes your job a little harder."

"Yeah, I'd kind of guessed that was the case," said Joey, nodding slowly. His coffee was gone again. "He's just... *so* determined to be able to do everything for himself. To never have to rely on anyone for anything important. And I guess... I guess that's because of what happened, huh?"

Chris shrugged, mouth pulled down. "Yeah, I'm guessing. You get burned that hard by the people who're *always* supposed to be there for you, and I guess it kind of wrecks any trust you might have that you can depend on people at all. He's so much better now than he was, man, though. Seriously. Gives me hope that someday he'll be able to relax when people do nice things for him. It's like he's always waiting for the other shoe to drop, you know?"

Joey nodded, and he knew exactly what Chris meant by that. "This is totally your fault, you know," he said, giving him a quick grin. "This whole thing, me and him? Totally your fault. You couldn't be friends with guys who are completely stable?" But he was being honest when he'd said that there's no one he would have rather met than Justin.

Chris barked a genuine laugh, and gestured for a waiter and a refill on his coffee. "Hah! You can give me presents and money later, you ungrateful bastard. Just think how bored you'd be by now with a normal boyfriend." He slouched back in his chair again. "Not to mention all that fantastic sex. He worn you out yet? Oh, and hey, if you ever have questions about...stuff, you know, you can ask me. Sometimes it feels weird, asking sex questions to your boyfriend."

Joey chuckled and hoped he wasn't showing his embarrassment this time. "I'm... I'm figuring stuff out, you know? He's.good, he's good with me. More patient than you'd probably think. Well--" He chuckled again. "Not patient. But making sure I'm good and stuff, all the time. I definitely wouldn't say "patient" is a real good word, for either of us."

Chris rolled his eyes. "Well, at least you're keeping up with him, clearly. Little nympho. Sometimes I wish I was twenty again, and then I remember what being twenty was actually like. Constant sex isn't quite enough of a compensation." He looked self-satisfied, though, and somehow Joey thought that he and Lance weren't particularly celibate. "I'm actually kind of glad he's not being so patient. Means he's pretty comfortable with you, if he's willing to push a little to get what he wants. Usually he's so accomodating it's unhealthy."

"Oh, well, he's accommodating," admitted Joey. "We're just, you know, agreeing on the whole 'have sex every time we're alone' thing, at the moment. He's a sweetheart, really, but... " Okay, he was blushing, he could *feel* it. "Man, I'm not sure I actually could ask you anything, if I needed to. I'm not supposed to have any questions about sex. I'm *me*."

Chris whooped and pounded the table, laughing hard. "Oh, man. You were somethin' with the ladies, weren't you? I should just buy you "The Joy of Gay Sex", then you can get all your answers without turning that lovely shade of red." He grinned unrepentantly at Joey. "Honey, everyone has questions. Why, just last week I had to corner AJ and ask him the best way to use the lovely beads La got me for our monthly anniversary. Nothing to be embarrassed about!"

Joey coughed politely and thought he was so, so wrong about that. "I think I need to get the basics down before I even start worrying about something like that. Though, I mean, we *are* having sex. Obviously. And in all kinds of places. So."

"I heard about the bathroom," Chris nodded, still grinnng at him. "It's a start, man. Oh, don't worry so much, Joe. Sex is fun, pretty much all ways, so just go with the flow. Believe me, nothing you want to do will shock Ju; I mean, his first time in drag was the suggestion of some trick who wanted to see him in black lace. And from what he's said and that glow he gets, you've got the basics down pretty well already. Just relax and have fun with him. The bedroom is one place you don't have to worry about, with him."

"Yeah, tell me about it," snorted Joey, but the thought of it still brought a smile to his face. "It's amazing. Like, seriously, I was always with girls before and I just never knew. Never realized that what I thought was good was just adequate. Functional. You know?"

"It's a shocker," Chris agreed. "Like the difference between fat-free cookies and Death By Chocolate cake, y'know? They're in the same food group, technically, but it's a whole new world of fantastic. Though from that shit-eating grin on your face I ain't telling you anything you don't know." He drank more coffee, knee bouncing energetically under the table, eyes bright. "So, what're your plans for this week? Now that the crisis is more or less over?"

"Oh, well, we've got a dinner party at my friend Kevin's house, which I'm desperately trying to convince Justin is not going to be an ordeal. Everyone who's gonna be there already knows about me, and us, and no big thing. He's my best friend. And then, oh, we told you about going to see NIck Carter's show, right?"

"Justin told La," Chris confirmed. "Sounds like a good time, we'll be there. I've heard some of his stuff, it's pretty great. Holy shit, Ju at a dinner party? Is Justine going? How the hell did you talk him into that?"

"No, Justin's going, we're going together. It's not huge, it's only, like, five people. Kevin and his fiancee and a friend of theirs. It's not some huge, formal thing. Is it really such a feat that he's going with me?"

"Justin does *not* like strangers," Chris said seriously, nodding. "He especially doesn't like them in situations where he feels like he won't be able to leave if he needs to. Kid's got a well-developed flight instinct, that's for sure. Friends of yours, him being introduced as the first boyfriend, wanting them to like him and not disapprove? That's huge."

Joey nodded, and he kind of already knew that. He was glad it was going to be small. "Meeting Kevin and Kristin is important, though. It would be like him introducing me to you and Lance. And it'll be good, I'm sure it will be. And I'll be there. And if he needs to leave, we leave."

"If you let him know that, he might relax a little," Chris advised. "Just let him know that if he freaks out he can escape. Not that he'll need to, but just knowing the option is there will probably calm him down a lot. Being trapped somewhere with disapproval is one of his big hot buttons. But I'm sure it'll be fine. He's not a total savage or anything, and if your friends take it easy on him, he should relax just fine."

"They'll be good," said Joey. "Kevin may look like he has a stick in his ass, but he's really pretty sensitive to people. And open-minded. Like, he already knows what Justin does, I told him, and he was curious and all but he's cool with it."

"Good," Chris nodded again, fingers tapping quickly at the table. Joey wondered if that third cup of coffee had been a good idea. "That's a really good sign. I'm sure it'll be good, once Justin figures out no one's gonna throw a cross in his face and start lecturing about eternal damnation or something. Not that your friends would," he added hastily. "I think that's just Ju's default expectation of new straight people."

"Well, they won't do that," said Joey confidently. "And the other guy that's gonna be there? I don't really know him, but he's gay, too. So Justin's not going to be outnumbered by the straights, or anything. You think that'll help, too?"

"Probably," Chris sighed. "Paranoid little fucker. Not that I blame him, really, I just wish he could get a little self-confidence back. When he's not playing basketball or wearing a dress. Baby steps, I guess. Who's this other guy? Would I know him, might Justin?"

"I don't know," admitted Joey. "Maybe, but I know I don't. His name's..." He groped his memory, trying to come up with it. "J-something. JC? Yeah, that sounds right. Justin didn't recognize the name."

Chris frowned a little, concentrating. "Nope, doesn't ring a bell. Wonder if he's new in town, 'cause I know just about everyone. What does he do?"

"Model, I think Kevin said," said Joey, searching his memory again. "Which would make sense, because Kevin does some, even though he's mostly an actor. A lot more than I'm an actor, these days."

"Oh my." Chris's eyebrows went up. "A model. Two models, and Justin, all at the same table? Hey, do they need a sixth for dinner, just to round things out?" He grinned. "Because I'm available for all your eating and model-watching needs. Anytime, man. Especially when Justin realizes there might be someone prettier than he is in the place, around you. Good luck getting him to retract those claws, honey!"

"Because I'm sure Lance would love it if you went to dinner to stare at other men," teased Joey. "I don't even know the guy. He could be a foot model, or something, I have no idea. He might not be pretty and all. And I couldn't even tell you if Kevin is pretty -- I've known him way too long."

"Lance understands me," Chris said loftily, though the expression on his face indicated agreement with Joey. "I bet he's like a supermodel or something, and La and I have a celebrity clause in our monogamy agreement. Not that we'd ever actually act on it, of course," he added quickly. "Models are by definition pretty. That should be a very interesting and visually stimulating gathering."

"Models have a pretty *something*," argued Joey. "If he has pretty feet, he could have a buff-ugly face, and it wouldn't matter because they'd never be putting it on camera." He didn't think that was what Kevin meant by model, though. "I think it will definitely be interesting, and as long as Justin is there, it'll be visually stimulating."

"You or Ju'll have to call me as soon as you get out of there," Chris said, bouncing a little in his seat. "Since I can't wrangle an invitaton or anything. Hey, man, we should meet this Kevin guy, too, it sounds like you're real close. You should bring him around sometime, introduce him to the gang. So he doesn't think we're all shady unmeetable characters or something."

Joey snorted again. "Okay, he's really open-minded, but I'm not sure he's ready for that yet. I think I need to let him get used to me, first, then bring him along. But hey, I will, I definitely will. When he's ready. Or... okay, when *I'm* ready."

"Worlds colliding," Chris said with a smirk. "Good times, good times. The rest of us do have straight friends, too, you know. Or the rest of us except Justin. In fact, I think most of La's friends are straight women, which makes a certain amount of sense. He fits right in with them, it's a little scary." He reached over and patted Joey's arm. "Don't worry, we won't scar your friend for life or anything. Maybe Howie would, but not the rest of us."

"No, I know, I know," said Joey, nodding without feeling it. "We get through this dinner party, and he meets Justin and sees us together, and then I'll think about bringing him here to meet everyone else. Baby steps. You know? Though my baby steps so far had pretty much turned into big, giant leaps."

"One small step for man..." Chris intoned, still smirking. "I'm sure it'll be fine. And it definitely shows Justin that you're not ashamed of him or hiding him, which is pretty huge. Good work, Joe." He looked like he was about to leap out of his chair. "Hey, it's Tuesday, right? I think I'm gonna go grab Ju out of the video store and make him play some hoops with me. Wanna come?"

"To watch, right?" said Joey. It would probably be a lot better than sitting here drinking more coffee. "Because I think you already know -- because I don't hesitate to tell people -- that I"m a terrible, terrible player and would utterly embarrass myself."

"Whatever," Chris shrugged. "Usually Lance'd be there to make anyone look good, but he's writing tonight and told me no interruptions no matter what. So it'll be just us, probbaly." He slanted a glance at Joey. "You talk to him yet today?"

"Justin?" said Joey, looking up at him. "No, not... no. Not about anything. And I have to tell you, Lance is probably better than me. I'm that level of bad. You really have no idea."

"Not yet," Chris said cheerfully. "I don't think you can be worse than Lance, though. How'd he wake up this morning, Justin, I mean? Beyond the normal surliness? Did he seem okay?"

"Everything was okay," said Joey, looking off to the side and, after a moment, realizing he was frowning. "Everything was fine. He ate a lot of breakfast and it was quiet. We didn't talk about anything. But, I mean, Justin's not so much a morning person so I don't think it means anything."

"That's the understatement of the year," Chris snorted. "Not a morning person, god. As long as everything seemed okay to you, good stuff. He's probably dying to get out of that video store, anyway, since the show for tonight's cancelled. Did he tell you? They're ordering new mics, and they have to fix the roof, it should be all set by tomorrow."

"What? No, he didn't say a word!" said Joey. "How long has he known? Huh, you'd think he would've said something. Well, not this morning, because we pretty much just ate and went to work. And, oh, not least night, because things were pretty out of control, but. Huh. Maybe there *was* no good time to tell me..."

"Well, he called my cell phone and left a message early this afternoon," Chris answered. "So I'm guessing that's when he found out. Does he even have your work number? Either way, it's a night off, just what the doctor ordered, and we can go play ball and not worry about his hair. Aw, shit, though, his ankle. Well, if it's too sore to play on he'll let me know." He threw some money on the table and stood up. "You coming?"

"I... yeah, of course," said Joey, and actually almost stumbled when he got out of his chair. "You see how coordinated I am? It's a miracle I can dance. And... huh, I *thought* I have him my work number, but maybe not. Or maybe he called after I left for the day. Maybe. Well, anyway. Don't be too hard on him, he's all injured and sore."

"You move pretty graceful, actually," Chris contradicted, eyeing him. "Most of the time, anyway. I bet you're better than you think you are. At least you're tall, lucky fucker. Justin's always up for a game, sore or not. It's good for him, he loves it and he's good at it and it's just all-around a positive thing for him."

"Oh, I know, I know. I'm just saying, like, don't trip him or something." He gave Chris a grin and mocked stumbling over his own feet again. "Really, I"m terrible, There's no explanation. And then Justin will laugh at me and I will be sad."

Chris hooted. "And then he'll comfort you and dry your widdle tears and the game'll be over. C'mon, clutz. Let's go retrieve your boy, let him work off some of that freakishly high energy. Like I could trip him. Pshaw."

"Well, I'm certainly happy to be retriving them from all those video store customers who are apparently hitting on him all the time," agreed Joey. "Show him who loves him best."

"There you go," Chris encouraged, smacking his shoulder. "Stake your claim. Drive off the circling hyenas. Damn, I better go piss first, don't go anywhere, I'll be right back. Four cups of coffee, Lance is gonna spank me." He rolled his eyes and trotted off towards the rest rooms, leaving Joey standing bemused and waiting.

* * *

"Really, Justin, you look *fine*," insisted Joey. "You look beautiful, and they're not going to be all weird about it, I promise. They're my friends. They're predisposed to liking the people that I do. You have nothing to worry about."

Justin was practically vibrating in his seat, though, hands locked around the seatbelt with white knuckles. He was biting his lip. "I can't believe I'm wearing jeans!" he burst out. "That's way too casual. Joey, why didn't you make me wear Lance's nice skirt? Or even go buy a pair of pants? Turn around, I have to change!"

"It's not fancy, Justin, I told you. Jeans are perfectly fine. Everyone will be wearing jeans, probably. You'll be perfectly comfortable in them, I promise. You don't need to change at all, you look perfect. We did bring the bottle of wine, right? I didn't forget it in the kitchen?"

"It's in the back seat," Justin answered on a long exhalation of breath. "In the bag, you brought it down, I remember. Oh, god, Joey. I don't know if I can do this." He turned big pleading eyes on Joey, made even larger by the fact that his hair was pulled back and clubbed at the back of his neck. "Can I just wait for you in the car?"

"You're going to like them," said Joey, touching Justin's cheek lightly as they paused at a stop sign. "They're really nice people, Justin, and you're going to like them. They're my best friends. And you liked *me*, right? Just... trust me. Trust me on this."

"Sure I'm going to like them!" Justin protested. "Of course I am, *you* like them! But they won't like ME! There's no way they will, and then, and then, I'm going to do something really dumb, I just know it, and god, it'll be terrible." He leaned closer to Joey, clearly looking for support. "Maybe I'll just hide behind you, okay?"

"You don't need to hide, Justin," Joey said, as comforting as he could. "They'll like you, you'll see. Kevin'll probably see how shy you are and treat you all like a little brother or something. You're wonderful, you know, and they have no reason not to like you. NO reason at all."

"Okay," Justin sighed, and slumped down, clearly giving up on his arguments. "I'll do my best, anyway. And it's just dinner, right? It can't last that long, how long can it possibly take people to eat something? How long till we get there? I don't even know this part of town."

"It's just a couple blocks away," said Joey, turning a sharp corner. "That block at the end of the street, we're almost there. And Justin... you might even have fun. I don't want you to be all stressed out about this. It should be a good time."

Justin looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Okay," he said disbelievingly. "Fun. I'll try to remember that while I'm totally freaking out over here." He sighed, and rested his head against the window, resigned. "I'll try not to stress so much, okay?"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." Joey began as he parked the car. "I'm just saying, once you meet them it'll probably be really good. You could have a really good time. I didn't bring you here to make you unhappy... I just wanted you to meet my friends. I wanted my friends to meet you."

"I want to meet them too," Justin said uncertainly. "Kevin sounds, you know, really important to you, and it's so amazing that I get to meet them as your *boyfriend* and everything, that's cool. It's just." His hands twisted together. "I just want to make a good impression, and I know I'm not very good at that."

"Oh, Justin," said Joey, and pulled him close and gave him a firm kiss. "Just be yourself and it'll be fine. *I* like you as yourself, and they will, too. You ready to go in?"

"No," Justin confessed, with a nervous laugh. "Not really, but okay, let's do it." He kissed Joey once more, then plastered himself firmly to Joey's shoulder, not even shifting when they made it to the door.

Joey knocked twice and the door was already opening, like someone had been there waiting for them. "Hey, boys," said Kristin brightly, kissing Joey on the cheek, and then after only a moment of hesitation, Justin, too. "You're just in time, the hors d'oeurves just came out of the oven. I hope you brought your appetites!"

As soon as she turned around again to let them in, Joey made a face in Justin's general direction, then grinned.

Justin stared back at him, clearly paralyzed by nerves, though he stepped inside with Joey when Joey moved, and stood very close to him, looking around himself. "This is a nice place," he whispered in Joey's ear, just a tiny thread of sound. "It's big."

Joey just took Justin's hand, and squeezed, and led them inside. "That's great, Kris," he said, closing the door behind him. "I can smell them from here. Where's that lug of a boyfriend of yours?"

"Fiance," she corrected him firmly. "He's in the other room, watching TV. Go say hi, I'll be right in."

Justin trailed behind Joey without a protest as he led the way through the rooms, though Joey could feel him go stiff and tense when they finally caught sight of Kevin, sprawled in a La-Z-Boy with the remote in his hand.

"Oh, hey!" He looked up, smiled, and jumped to his feet. "Joe, you're early for once! Good to see you, man. And Justin, right? I've heard so much about you." He hurried over to them, slapped Joey's shoulder, and extended his hand to Justin, who took it hesitantly.

"Hi," he said quietly, still half behind Joey. "It'sverynicetomeetyou."

"You too, you too," said Kevin, his eyes darting over to Joey and then back to Justin again. "Make yourselves at home. I guess you already met Kris, Justin?"

"She met us at the door," Joey supplied. "Do we get to play 'chuck the hors d'oerves out the window' again, or did you help her with them?"

That got a tiny chuckle out of Justin, which drew Kevin's eyes again, and Justin scooted a little further behind Joey's shoulder, pressing lightly against his back.

"No, they're all me," Kevin supplied, looking back at Joey thoughtfully. "You know we almost killed the neighbor's dog with those things last time, so I was sure to handle all the cooking tonight myself. Kris is just doing the salad, I think she's probably finishing it up now. JC called, he's running a little late, but he should be here soon. Can I get you guys anything to drink?"

"Thank god for small favours," said Joey with another grin. "Justin, I taught this man everything he knows about cooking. Dinner is safe with him. And I'll take a beer if you've got one, which I know you do. Justin, what do you want to drink? Kevin's usually pretty well stocked."

"Um. I guess. A beer? Is that okay?" Justin's voice was clear, if hesitant and just screaming shyness, and at Kevin's nod Joey could feel him relax a little, even move a hairsbreadth away.

"Two brews, coming right up." He strolled towards the kitchen, and glanced back at Joey once. "Relax, make yourselves comfortable, I'll be right back. There's munchies on the table, help yourselves!"

Justin blew out a long breath as soon as Kevin was out of the room, and tipped his forehead to Joey's shoulder.

"See? They like you," said Joey, rubbing Justin's back soothingly. He was pretty sure Kevin had already gotten the picture, and would be handling Justin accordingly. "Why don't we sit down and you can relax a little, huh? Until you're sure that nothing's going to go bad."

"They're nice," Justin said softly, following Joey to the couch and settling beside him, looking at the food but clinging to Joey's hand. "They seem really nice, I'm sure it'll be fine." He didn't sound that sure, but he was visibly less tense than he'd been outside the door. "Why do you think they like me? How can you tell?"

"Well, they're treating you nice and getting you beer and food," said Joey reasonably, hoping Justin would see it that way, too. "They seem to like you just fine. See? They're nice and normal and not scary at all."

"They have to treat me nice, Joey," Justin said, rolling his eyes but finally smiling a little. "I'm a guest and everything, after all. They're really normal and cool, though. And man, I can see why Kevin's a model, he's-" Justin broke off like someone had hit a switch as soon as Kevin rounded the corner, three bottles in his hands.

"Here we go," he said cheerfully, handing them around before perching on a chair arm, one leg swinging as he smiled at them. "Come on, now, don't just stare at those canapes, I spent a long time on 'em, they're made to be appreciated. Eat up."

"Go ahead and try one, Justin," Joey encouraged him, grabbing one for himself. It had been a while since his last meal. "If they're anything like the last ones he made, they're excellent. What time did you say dinner was going to be served, Kevin? I told you that Justin has to work tonight, right?"

"Right, you did, don't worry, dinner will be soon," Kevin nodded, watching as Justin reached for a canape, taking it delicately and placing it properly on a napkin before sitting back and nibbling. "The, um, show, right? Joey told me you're a performer. How's that working out for you?"

Justin, mouth full, shot a panicked look at Joey, swallowed fast, choked, and turned red, clearing his throat hastily. "Um, it's good," he said in a miserable little voice. "I, ah, I sing, I like to sing." He took a hasty swallow of his beer and clenched Joey's hand in his again.

"And he's excellent at it," put in Joey with only a little bit of forced cheer. "His roommate just finished up a new dress for him *again* tonight. Justin's just spoiled rotten, when it comes to clothing."

"Oh yeah?" said Kevin, curiously but calmly. "I can imagine that might get a little pricey after a while. Do you have to take care of your own outfits?"

"His roommate is a genius or something with clothes," Joey answered for him, just to get the conversation moving. "Why don't you tell him about it, Justin? I'm clueless, when it comes to that stuff, you know I am. Other than how to pick the right shoes, which between you and Lance you made sure I learned last night."

"I, well." Justin took a deep breath and looked like he forcibly gathered himself together. "Well, it's actually, I'm really lucky, because my roommate used to work for a fashion designer." He glanced at Joey, who nodded at him, delighted he was finally talking, if very soft and diffidently. "So I can buy used clothes that don't fit exactly right, and he fixes them for me, so I've got nice things for the show. He doesn't have time to do it *all* the time, but he helps me out a whole lot." He flushed pink, and actually smiled a little. "The shoes are actually harder, cause I've got b-big feet."

Kevin looked down at Justin's feet, then back up at his face, and smiled. "I had that exact same problem in a play I was in once," he said, which was maybe the most disarming thing he possibly *could* have said. "It's terrible, having to buy heels for feet the size of mine. I finally had to look up this friend of mine from high school who plays basketball now -- taller than me, even, with these big feet -- and asked her where she went shopping for hers."

"Oh?" Justin sat forward, suddenly very interested, and Joey had to hide a smile. "Where did she send you, can you tell me, was it good? Because I go to this one store, down on 8th street, but they only sometimes have anything decent, and everything's really expensive. And when you're wearing a blue silk strapless, you just *can't* make do with the black platforms the salesgirl told you would go with everything-" He broke off and went absolutely scarlet. "I mean. Um."

"No, absolutely, you're right," agreed Kevin, nodding his head. Joey could see that he was making some kind of active effort to not be weird about this at all, but he was doing a really good job. And pretty soon it *wouldn't* be weird. "That's like a black suit with brown shoes. Just don't do it. She actually told me about this hole-in-the-wall place on Market. You'd never go in if you were passing by, but all her teammates and people she knows show there, they specialize in larger sizes and they don't advertise at all, it's just word of mouth. Mostly sport stuff, obviously, but other stuff, too, because he, just because they're basketball players doesn't mean they don't go out dancing, you know?"

Justin stared at Kevin for a long moment, and then his face relaxed and he absolutely *beamed* at him, causing Kevin to blink in astonishment and glance at Joey, eyes wide. "Oh, I hadn't heard of that place! It sounds perfect, thank you." He was still a little pink, but Joey could tell that that smile, and Justin's increasing relaxation, were more due to Kevin's attitude than any shoe-shopping advice he could give. "Next time you need anything, like, costumes? For a play? I could probably help with that part, if you like," he offered, still shy.

Kevin broke into what Joey knew was an absolutely sincere grin. "I'm going to remember you said that," he said, waggling his finger playfully at Justin, "because I'm absolutely going to take you up on that. Between you and this mythical roommate of yours, I bet you know all the best places. And the kind of plays I still end up doing, the wardrobe department is either inept or non-existent. How are you doing with that beer? You just let me know when you need another, I'm always stocked."

"I could use one in another minute, and you just let me know the minute you need to go costume shopping," Justin said, smiling back. "Oh, hey, you said this friend of yours plays basketball? Like, professionally? Wow. WNBA? They're really good players. Do you, are you interested in basketball?" There was naked eagerness in his voice, and he was still sitting forward. He'd even let go of Joey's hand, so he could gesture while holding his beer in the other hand.

Kevin glanced at Joey again, as though looking for guidance, but then he just surged ahead before Joey could give him any, and Joey was perfectly content with that. "I love basketball," said Kevin, and Joey grinned and rolled his eyes. "You too? You play at all?"

"Oh yeah!" Justin beamed again. "I love it, it's pretty much my favorite thing to do, almost. I play in the public league uptown, you know, on the community courts? Every week, just about." He glanced at Joey, too. "Joey came and watched me this week, and we won, it was cool. I'm a guard cause I'm kinda short, but the game moves so fast everyone's pretty much all over. You should check it out. Right, Joey?"

"Right," said Joey, nodding his head and sipping his beer and leaving it at that, more or less. "It was cool."

"Yeah, like you're any judge," scoffed Kevin, flipping a beer cap at him. "You're lucky if you can figure out who's playing on what team. That's... wow, that's a pretty competitive league, Justin. Not that I've ever played, obviously. You're that good?"

"Um." Justin squirmed, clearly unsure how to answer that question. "Joey saw me play. I dunno. Um." He placed his empty beer bottle carefully on a coaster, watching Joey out of the corner of his eye.

"I dunno, man, he looked really good to me," said Joey with a shrug. "He looked fantastic. And his friend Chris says he's really good and Chris would probably know better than me."

"Damn, Joey," said Kevin admiringly. "You should've *told* me Justin played ball. I had no idea."

"Damn, Joey," Justin echoed with a little smile, clearly teasing if very hesitantly. "You should have told me *Kevin* plays ball. Then I could've been much less nervous." He reached out and squeezed Joey's shoulder, though, as if reinforcing that he didn't really mean it.

"Boys!" Kirsten called through the door. "JC's here! He's just washing up, and then I'm sending him to you. Dinner in ten!"

It hadn't really much occurred to Joey to mention it to either of them, because he didn't really think about basketball, ever, unless someone was talking about it or he was watching someone play it. "So you haven't told me anything about this JC," Joey reminded Kevin. But he was almost glad he hadn't, because it put him and Justin in the same boat.

"Ah, JC," Kevin said, grinning at them both. "I met him a couple of months ago, on a modeling shoot. You remember, Joe, I was one of the guys standing around in the background looking gloomy? Anyway, JC was front and center, of course, and you'll see why when he gets here. He's a great guy, a lot of fun, if a little, um." He glanced at Justin, then Joey, then shrugged apologetically. "Campy," he finished up. "Not that there's anything wrong with that," he hastened to add, and Joey heard Justin breathe a tiny giggle.

Joey grinned and nodded and bumped Justin with his shoulder, just to make contact. "Well, isn't that special," he said. "And we get to see him live and in person soon. "You got to be good friends with him, then? He's cool?"

"Yeah, we've worked together a few times, now, gone for drinks and stuff after," Kevin nodded, looking relieved. "He's very cool, a little flaky but a whole lot of fun, and smarter than he gets credit for. I think you'll like him a lot. He's quite the flirt, too." He grinned at them both.

"Kevin!" A light, musical voice drew their attention to the door, and a young man walked through, holding a bottle of beer. His hair was just long enough to curl around his ears, chestnut streaked with gold, and he was smiling at them through miles of eyelashes, and Justin's mouth had dropped open a little. Joey wasn't sure his own hadn't. "Kris gave me a beer and sent me in here, and oh, hello!" He waved at Justin and Joey.

"JC, this is my friend Joey, and his boyfriend Justin," Kevin introduced without hesitation, and a wider grin than before. "Joe, Justin, meet JC."

Joey gave him a wave, then decided that wasn't enough and put his beer down to get up and shake JC's hand. "Hey, nice to finally meet you," he said. "We've been gossiping about you since you got here, you know."

"We haven't!" protested Kevin. "I didn't tell them half the things about you that I could've. You should be thanking me."

"All good things, I hope," JC laughed up into Joey's face, giving him a good look at amazing blue eyes and the clean curves of his face, and then suddenly Justin was standing too, sticking out his hand.

"Hi, I'm Justin." He shook JC's hand firmly once he'd let go of Joey's, and stayed plastered to Joey's side. "Joey's boyfriend," he reminded, and flashed his own best smile at JC, whose eyes widened a little in what looked like amused appreciation. "You *should* be thanking Kevin," he added quickly, reaching for Joey's hand. "He told us only good stuff, it's great to meet you."

"See? I'm a gentleman," said Kevin from his perch on the chair. "Come, sit down for a few minutes. Poor Kristen, she's so outnumbered and I'm making her slave away in the kitchen...."

"She didn't *cook*, did she?" said JC with a horrified look that made Joey laugh, even as he put his arm around Justin and made sure that Justin knew Joey remembered who his boyfriend was.

"God no," said Kevin. "I took care of everything. She just thinks she cooked."

"I'll be sure to thank her for the lovely meal," JC said solemnly, and slipped gracefully into one of the other chairs. "And don't feel too bad, darling, you know she loves being surrounded by attentive and appreciative men. She's in her element."

"I've never tasted her cooking," Justin commented, letting Joey tug him back down to the couch. Far from driving Justin back into shyness, JC seemed to spark whatever competetive instincts were lurking, and his little smile held more than a hint of Justine. "Now I'm awfully curious. It couldn't be as bad as all that, and I'm talking as someone who can't even boil water, myself."

"Yes, but see, you've helped me in the kitchen and everything you touched didn't turn into a disaster," Joey reminded him. "You just don't know how yet. Kris knows enough to be dangerous, and she still can't quite cook anything edible. It's a wonder to behold."

"It's a good thing I love her so much," said Kevin with a dramatic sigh.

"Joey, you let me set the table," Justin pointed out, still smiling. "I think Kristin and I should band together, make a support group for people who can't cook whose boyfriends are kitchen geniuses. It's a hard life."

"It sounds terrible, yes," JC giggled. "How long have you two been together?" He asked curiously, watching them both. "I don't mean to pry or anything, but the last time Kevin mentioned you, Joey, it was in the context of a girlfriend."

Joey coughed politely and shrugged, glancing at Justin. "There've been some live-changing events lately, yes. But seriously, who could resist this guy, right? I was a goner the moment I saw him. Or, well, probably a little while before that, but it's much more romantic to say that seeing Justin changed my life." Which it had, but the sexual orientation had been there first.

"Oh yeah, you're so romantic," said Kevin, rolling his eyes. "Joey's idea of romance usually involves food. Which, in his defense, is pretty effective. How long *has* it been, now? Not that long, right?"

"Almost a week," Justin answered firmly, despite his blush and over JC's cooing 'awww!' "But, you know, it's been a pretty great week. Long, too." He leaned against Joey's side, smiling at him a little. "When Joey does anything it's romantic, food or not."

"Oh my," JC laughed. "Honeymooning. How sweet!" His smile was genuine, though, crinkling up those amazing eyes at the corners. "I can see why you snapped this one up, Justin, he's precious. Now you've got to tell me all about it, I'm a total slut for romantic gossip, and since my own love life is a barren wasteland at the moment-"

He was interrupted by Kirsten calling for them. "Come on, boys and girls, I'm sure you can all chat and eat at the same time!"

Joey knew Justin could, and he figured that he'd been too nervous to eat much before, but by now he was probably starving. "Coming!" he called back to her, and started to haul himself out of the chair, bringing Justin with him. "Saved by the bell. You guys arre *such* gossips."

"I am not," Justin protested, trailing after him eagerly as JC dropped back to walk with Kevin. "Okay, maybe a little, but I wouldn't tell personal stuff, you know." He leaned close in a moment of privacy, propping his chin on Joey's shoulder so he could whisper without being obvious. "Am I doing okay, do you think?"

"You're doing fantastic and they adore you," Joey assured him. "Me? I'm not so sure they like me anymore." But he grinned to make sure Jusitn knew he was kidding. "You having a good time?"

"I can't really tell," Justin confessed, nerves showing through for a brief moment. "I'm too busy trying really hard not to do anything dumb. But I really like Kevin, Joey, he's so nice. And I think I'm hungry. No, I'm sure I'm hungry." Timbatonal signed off at 4:28:14 PM. Timbatonal signed on at 4:28:26 PM.

"Good, because I guarantee there will be lots of food," said Joey. "And we can just go from there. Kris, this smells great!" he called out, louder, as they reached the dining room. "What's on the menu?"

She was lighting candles on the table when they came through the door, and greeted them with a brilliant smile. "Thanks, Joey, you doll. It's pork chops with apples, and wild rice with portobellos. Lots for all, so I hope you brought your appetites!"

"Wow," Justin breathed, looking at the nicely-set table, the artfully prepared salad, the shining silver and candles. "This all looks so pretty!" He squeezed Joey's hand again, scootching up behind his shoulder, clearly a favorite spot.

"Come on, sit down," she invited. "Kevin and JC will be right along, I'm sure, and if I know them they'll fall on this food like starving wolves."

"Much like the rest of us," said Joey, finding his seat. "I swear, Kris, Justin's going to leave me for you, with a spread this good. All I do is cook him eggs and pasta and believe me, there've never been candles."

"I like your eggs! And you made pancakes, too," Justin protested, sitting quickly next to Joey as Kevin and JC trailed in. "They were really good pancakes," he informed Kristin earnestly.

"I bet they were, honey, Joey's a wonderful cook." She smiled at him, and took her own seat.

"It looks fantastic, honey," Kevin said, dropping a kiss on her as he passed. "Thank you so much. Okay, gang's all here, dig in. JC, you promised you'd let other people eat something tonight!" He winked at the other man, clearly kidding.

"I have a fork and I'm not afraid to use it," said Joey, wielding it menacingly. "And I'd forgotten about the pancakes, that's right. You seemed to like those ones."

"Did you make him the special ones, with the stuff?" asked Kevin, already helping himself. "Or just regular, ordinary pancakes."

"Does it matter?" asked Joey. "I made him normal ones."

"There are special ones too?" Justin was helping himself eagerly to the salad, but paused to ask. "How are they special? The ones he made were pretty special, I thought"

"He puts all kinds of fruit and stuff in," Kirsten told him, spooning out rice. "It's like a meal in a pancake."

"Mmmm," JC hummed longingly. "He makes breakfast, too? God, Joey, do you have a brother? Possibly a twin?" He fluttered his eyelashes longingly, with a little smirk.

Joey just raised an eyebrow at him and could almost feel Justin moving closer. "Believe me, you want nothing to do with my brother. Not only does he not cook, but I'm not entirely sure he washes very often, either. Steer clear. Someone pass me the rice?"

"Here," said Kristin, passing it gracefully while avoiding the grabby hands of the others. "So while you boys were chatting in the other room, I was never formally introduced to your friend, Joey."

"Oh!" said Joey, putting the rice down. "Oh sorry, Kris, this is Justin."

"Hi," Justin said, smiling at her brightly. "Thank you so much for this wonderful dinner, it all looks amazing." His hand found Joey's under the table, and held on, though not with the same desperate hold as before. More like he just wanted to be touching Joey.

"Jeez, Joey, introduce your friends," Kevin teased, finally starting to eat. "You'd think you were born in a barn or something. He's right about Steve, though, JC, believe me. Stay far, far away, if you value your sanity. Plus, I think he's straight, right, Joe?"

"Very straight," confirmed Joey. "Though as far as he's concerned *I'm* straight. So." He took a bite of his dinner to keep from having to continue that thought.

"Yes, that's taking a little bending of my brain, I have to admit, Joey," said Kris. "You want to pass that rice back if you're done with it?"

JC looked back and forth between them. "Oh, so you're not out to your family yet?" he asked innocently. "Are you, Justin?" And Justin almost broke Joey's fingers.

"Yeah," he answered quietly, before Joey could say anything. "Joey's said his parents should be pretty good about it, though, right Joe?"

"Oh yeah, they'll be fine," Joey said, happy to redirect the conversation right back to him again. "It's certainly not a matter of me avoiding it, there just hasn't been a decent chance yet. I haven't been to visit them in ages. I really should do that."

"Yeah, you'll have to tell them hi from me," said Kevin, picking up on the undercurrents of the conversation a lot faster than JC. "And tell your mom that I tried out that recipe and it's fantastic."

"Oh, so that's where you learned to cook," Justin said, his voice light with relief. "I'll have to send a thank-you note along to your mom when you go. Maybe we've only been together a little while, but I can't remember what I ate before I met Joey. I think I block it out. But it's a mixed blessing, cause pretty soon I won't be able to get into costume."

"Costume?" JC asked brightly, clearly unaware that there was anything odd going on. "Are you an actor?"

"He's a singer," Joey corrected him. "And with the amount of activity that you do, Justin, it's not going to be a problem. I'm not going to be stuffing you every day, after all."

"Oh, you did *not* just say that," said Kevin, choking a bit on his mouthful, and Joey blushed.

"You *know* what I mean."

JC was hooting and pounding the table lightly, his whole face crinkled up in glee, and Justin seemed to be trying to disappear under the tablecloth. "Oh my god," he whispered, hiding his face."

"Kevin, JC, enough," Kristin reproved them. "You're about killing that poor boy with embarrassment, now behave yourselves, or I'm withholding dessert."

"Stuffing," JC snickered weakly, before holding up his hands defensively. "Okay, okay, I'm done, I promise, sorry. Sorry. Don't mind me." He was still grinning when he started eating again, though. "What kind of singer?"

"I'm sorry," Joey whispered in Justin's general direction, but *he* seemed to be more embarassed about the comment than Justin was. "He sings at Barney's, just about every night," he supplied finally. "Have you been there?" And if JC had been around town at all, he had, and would know what JC was talking about. He might even know of Justine.

"Ohhh," JC said, looking at Justin more closely, who blinked back at him, mouth full. "Really? Oh!" He waved a hand excitedly in the air. "Oh, I've seen you! You're that fabulous drag queen! Oh, honey, you are fabulous up there."

Justin seemed caught between embarrassment and delight, but finally smiled shyly back at JC. "Oh, thank you," he said sincerely. "That's, it's good to hear you enjoyed the show." He glanced sideways at Kevin and Kristen, the former smiling, the latter with a bit of surprise showing.

"Joey, you didn't tell us he was famous," she reproved lightly.

"Yeah, apparently I've been telling people all the wrong things about each other," said Joey self-deprecatingly. "First the basketball thing, next that Justine is, yes, somewhat famous. And definitely fabulous."

"I didn't even *recognize* you with your hair all back like that," JC went on excitedly. "I'm so terrible."

Justin was flushing and fidgeting under all the attention, leaning closer to Joey, fork abandoned. "I, ah, I don't actually get recognized much outside the club," he told JC apologetically. "It's kind of a different look, you know?" Understatement of the year, Joey didn't add.

"Well, we're all together now, so we can sort all these little details out," Kevin said comfortably. "No big deal, Joe. Someday we'll all go see Justin's show, since it's clearly incredible. And JC plays some ball himself, did he tell you, Justin?"

Joey was starting to feel very, very left out of the loop on that one. He might actually have to learn something about basketball.

"Oh, hey, you play, Justin?" said JC eagerly. "I can see now that you've got a decent build for it. You hide some impressive muscles in those dresses of yours..."

"Well, you gotta stay in shape," Justin said modestly, though he was now *definitely* smiling at JC. "I play some, yeah, it's great exercise and I love it, it's nice to get out there and just let go. Just in local leagues and stuff."

"Mostly I watch, these days," JC said mournfully. "I had to insure my face, and the policy's void if I 'engage in contact sports.' I love watching the games, though, I throw parties for the big Knicks games during the season. You all should definitely come!"

"If we're not busy," Joey interrupted as politely as possible, inserting himself back into a situation that was rapidly excluding him. "We're still honeymooning, after all."

Justin jumped a little and shrank back against him, nodding. "Right, yeah," he said quietly. "Me and Joey, we're still getting to know each other, so, and he's not a big basketball fan. Even though he comes to see me play." He smiled tentatively at Joey.

"Well, it's clearly true love, then," Kristin teased, obviously trying to lighten the moment. "I can't remember the last time Joey voluntarily attended a sports event. He usually breaks out a book if there's even a television playing sports on in the room."

Oh, you're a reader?" With the ease of someone who's had to function in difficult situations, JC turned his attention on Joey. "Read anything good lately?"

Joey was a bit surprised by the attention, then he had to admit that the guy was smooth. "Well, again, been a little bit busy," he said, giving Justin a smile. "I'm getting the hang of the sports thing, though. Maybe I should start out with a couple of sports books... I don't think you'll ever get me to actually play, though."

"And really, you should thank him for that," said Kevin, stretching across the table to grab the salt shaker. "As long as he keeps his clumsy self on the sidelines, it's a safer game for everyone. Kris, honey, is there any juice in the fridge? I've got a throat thing."

"Oh, wine's not good enough for you?" she teased, but pushed her chair back and headed for the kitchen. "Can I get any of you anything else?"

"No thank you," JC said politely, sipping at his own wine. "Man, Joey, you just can't be that bad, don't let Kevin talk bad about you like that. At the very least, you're tall and stuff. And hey, sports books are a lot of fun, you know, too. I actually took a course in sportswriting in college, 'cause it seemed like kind of a fun thing."

"That would probably require at least a little bit of interest on my part," said Joey, touching Justin's leg, just for a moment. "I'm working on it. So... you went to college, huh?"

"A lot of people do, Joe," said Kevin, coughing to clear his throat. "Really, what's with you tonight?"

"Me?" said Joey. "Nothing, I'm fine. What do you mean? Just getting to know JC, here."

"Yeah, I went to college," JC answered slapping lightly at Kevin's arm. "State. I was going to be a poet, but then I got discovered instead and figured out that really, poetry's much harder than standing around getting my picture taken, you know? Plus, money." He sipped at his wine again, and looked inquiringly at Joey. "How about you? I guess I figured out by now that you're not gonna be wearing sports memorabilia of your alma mater, huh?"

He grinned at Justin, inviting him to share the joke, and Justin managed a weak smile back before gulping the wine in his glass and ducking his face down, eating rapidly. Kevin stopped rolling his eyes at JC and looked at Justin curiously.

"Self-taught, mostly," Joey had to admit, squeezing Justin's knee. "And courses on stuff, writing, acting, once in a while. But no, thankfully I was never called on to be loyal to any school team. I would probably have had to ask what sport they were playing."

"Joey's smart, though," Kevin put in.

"Well, not quite smart enough to get myself a scholarship, and that's the only way I was going," said Joey ruefully. "Or maybe just not hardworking enough, but I'm not bad. Maybe one of these days, when I've got some time and some cash."

"You're totally smart enough to get a scholarship," Justin defended automatically, his head coming up. "You're one of the smartest people I ever met, Joey. He's got whole bookshelves full of books in his apartment," he added to JC, nodding definitely.

JC looked wildly curious, but caught the little warning headshake that Kevin sent his way and that Justin, thankfully, missed. Thank goodness for Kevin, Joey thought, just as Kristin came back in.

"Okay, we did *not* have any juice, so I made some," she declared, settling a glass in front of Kevin. "Don't ever say I don't love you, Richardson. Joey, I *know* you're hungrier than that, don't you dare leave me with leftovers, here." JC had already filled his plate twice.

"They've been making me talk, sweetheart," said Joey, gesturing with his fork at his half-full plate. "And aren't you the one who used to throw peanuts at me for talking with my mouth full?"

"Eat, eat," said Kevin, giving Kristin a kiss on the cheek before she sat back down. "I'm sure we can last for a few minutes without the sound of your voice, Fatone, lovely as you seem to think it is. It's Justin we all like anyway. You're old news, my friend."

"Hey, I like Joey, and he's got a nice voice, too." JC grinned and winked at Joey. "But okay, okay, we'll leave him alone. I'd hate anyone to leave a meal like this feeling hungry. It's fabulous." He blew a little kiss Kristen's way.

"So, Justin," Kevin asked gently, "we already know you like basketball and performing and you've got it bad for our boy Joey here. How about sharing what your favorite dessert is, so I know how much to hold for you?"

Justin blushed pink, and smiled shyly back at Kevin. "Oh, I like everything, I'm really easy, like that. But I think my favorite's peach pie." His accent suddenly hit on that last word, drawing it out into a long drawl.

"Oh!" said JC, his attention flitting right back to Justin again, and giving him a dazzling smile. "Oh, that is just darling, where is that *from*?"

"He's from Tennessee originally," said Joey, certain that Justin wouldn't be quick to answer that one. "But his family's all here now. What *is* for dessert, Kevin? Not that I'm ready for it yet, since I'm under orders to stuff my face here."

Kristen was watching the conversation bounce like she was attending a tennis match, looking calm and even a little amused as she kept eating and let them talk. Her eyes did linger on Justin, though, watching his reactions as different subjects were raised, and Joey bet she'd noticed how shy Justin was around her.

"Apple crisp," Kevin laughed, shoving the bowl of potatoes at Joey. "And you'd better stuff your face, we didn't slave away all day to let this go to waste. Where in Tennessee, Justin? Have you been here long?"

"A while," Justin said quietly, still flushed from JC's praise. "I came here from G-Greensboro. Please pass the peas?"

"Here you go," said JC, passing it over. *His* expression had gentled a little bit too, and maybe he was finally catching on to the fact that Justin wasn't really forthcoming about a lot of stuff. "I'm not from around here either, but I've sure made a home here."

"So we finally picked out invitations for the wedding," said Kristen after a moment filled with the self-conscious sounds of chewing. "Did Kevin tell you, Joey? I just completely overruled his mother and picked out those ones that I really loved that weren't disgustingly sappy. So we can finally actually start sending them out."

"Right, right," said Kevin, rolling his eyes, but lovingly, if that was possible. "Justin, you'll have to leave us your address so I don't have to go bugging Joey for it."

Justin just blinked at him like he didn't believe he was being asked, and turned to Joey, looking more than a little overwhelmed. "Wedding?" He asked in a confused little voice.

"It's when two people love each other very much, and they decide that they want to spend their whole li-OUCH!" JC broke off, laughing, when Kristin thumped him none-too-gently on the arm.

"Yeah, I'm sure I told you that Kevin and Kristin are getting married, didn't I?" said Joey, squeezing his leg again. "Even though I'm still not sure they've agreed on a date."

"It's the fifteenth," said Kristin, right as Kevin said. "We'll let you know." She smacked him, too, before she sat down.

"You can probably just put him down as my guest, Kevin," Joey went on. "Save yourselves the trouble."

"And did you think that maybe Justin might *want* to receive his own invitation?" Kevin asked him, finally pushing his own plate away. "In case you decide you want to bring your mother, too, or something. Though she's already being invited, what with feeding this poor, starving actor for years, so I guess we don't have to worry about that..."

"No, no, I know what a wedding is," Justin said quiet and urgently, clearly talking just to Joey: it was like he'd forgotten the rest of them were there. "But, but I can't go to that, they can't invite *me*. You're going to take your mom, right?"

"Of course they can," JC interjecting, smiling sweetly at Justin. "Honey, you don't want me to be the only fabulous diva there, do you? Besides the bride, of course." He nodded a little bow in Kristin's direction.

Joey frowned at him for a moment, unintentionally, just not understanding where this was coming from. "Well, you didn't really think I was going to go without you, did you?" he said softly. "I mean, I promise that we'll meet mom and dad and everything first so that's all taken care of, but... well, of course I want you to go."

"I really don't think Joey's planning on showing up without you anymore, Justin." laughed Kevin. "I don't think Joey's planning on showing up *any*where without you."

"There will be only ONE diva at my wedding," said Kristin haughtily. "And that will be me, thank you very much. The rest of you will pale in comparison."

"Oh, I don't know," JC said consideringly. "I'd wait till you saw Justine before making that kind of statement, baby."

"JC!" Kevin was laughing and horrified. "You never tell a bride she'll be outshone!"

"Oh, not outshone," JC said quickly, shaking his head. "You're gonna be the most gorgeous thing ever, I know it. But you're gonna be shining so bright there won't be any 'diva' involved at all! That's the right of the bride, you know."

Justin was watching them with a wry little smile, having turned away from Joey without answering his question. His fingers searched out Joey's hand under the table, though, and squeezed tight, and his fingertips were trembling a little where they pressed against Joey's palm.

"Except I don't think *Justine* will be attending the wedding," said Joey with a grin. "Okay folks, I'm done my firsts and I'm done my seconds and there's not a thing left on this table that I can eat. Dessert, yeah?"

"Oh, but if not at the wedding, we all need to go see Justine's show," insisted JC, practically ignoring him, turning back to Kevin and Kristin for a moment. "Oh, you two will be outnumbered there, but welcome to *our* world, every day. You'll have a fantastic time, and the Lady Justine is truly a wonder to behold."

"I don't, I'm not-" Justin started, clearly flustered, staring at JC and then at Kristin and Kevin as Kristen broke in.

"Of course we'll go see the show, I can't stay away from something that sounds that incredible." She snapped her napkin at Kevin with a smirk, making him jump. "Go get the dessert, lackey! And you all are responsible for clearing your own plates."

Justin leaped to his feet at that, grabbing Joey's plate as well as his own and heading towards the kitchen.

Joey stared after him for a moment, and sighed, and wondered if he was supposed to follow or not. Wondered if anyone else realized that something was wrong.

"Was it something I said?" asked JC, shattering Joey's illusion that maybe they hadn't.

"No," he said, and sighed again, and the answer should really have been yes but he didn't say it, because it wasn't JC's fault. "He just likes to help out."

"Uh-huh," Kevin said skeptically. "I think that our young Justin is terribly, terribly shy, which is not your fault, JC, not at all. But he's probably a little uncomfortable at the center of attention, right, Joe? Maybe he just needs a second by himself."

"Oh, no way," JC said, though he looked a little relieved at being let off the hook. "You haven't seen him on stage, honey, let me tell *you*. There's not a shy bone in that girl's body, not the way she worked that stage. Really, Kris, you have to promise to invite me when you go to the show, I've got to see it again."

"No, he is," Joey interrupted. "Shy. He really is. Justin's not Justine, and Justine is just a stage act. A damn fabulous one, but an act. I'll just--" He turned away from the kitchen door and back to the rest of them again. "I'll give him a minute, than I'll go talk to him. He was so nervous coming here. I shouldn't tell you, but he was."

"Well, I hope he knows now that we're not scary people," said Kristin, calm and nice as always. "He's really so sweet, Joey. He could stand to come out of his shell a little, but really, I'm impressed. I never really thought of you as one to go for the sweet ones."

"That's because he never has before," Kevin pointed out dryly. "On the other hand, Joey's never had a boyfriend before, so we're kind of starting with a clean slate here."

"I just love first romances," JC sighed dreamily, propping his chin on his hand. "It's so damn cute. Especially when you've got a shy drag queen and a virgin ex-straight-boy. Someone should write a musical."

"OH no you don't," Kristin said firmly. "Leave them alone, Chasez."

"I don't really think we're the stuff that musicals are made of," said Joey, but he felt a smile coming on. "I wish Justin could hear you guys now. He really... he really just wants you to like him. And he's *so* sweet--"

"Honey, you don't need to tell us he's sweet," said JC. "We can see that with our own two, four, six eyes. Now you go get that sweet thing back in here so we can have some dessert. And take my plate while you're at it, would you?"

Joey rolled his eyes and grabbed for the plate, and almost collided with Justin coming back through the door. He did look calmer and better, and smiled at Joey apologetically as he grabbed the plate and darted back into the kitchen, only to return in a moment. "I'm back," he said quietly. "Sorry, sorry. I'm better now."

"Hey there," Kristin smiled warmly. "Come on, time for dessert."

"Which we are going to let Kevin get," said Joey, grabbing hold of Justin's waist and pulling him close. And kissing him very softly, right in front of his friends and everyone.

"Yes, which we are going to let my lackey get," agreed Kristin. "Come, get comfortable, I'm sure he'd be happy to serve us all at the table. Wouldn't you, honey?"

"Whatever you say," said Kevin, and kissed his fiancee on the forehead and disappeared into the kitchen.

"You guys are...I mean...congratulations," Justin told Kristin shyly, from the circle of Joey's arms, resting there quietly. "You look really happy and stuff, it's great." He sounded almost surprised.

"We are, thanks," Kristin grinned. "As long as I let him cook. Sit down, quit standing over there looking adorable or I won't be held accountable for JC."

JC was smiling at them as Justin tugged Joey back towards their seats, and popped the last tomato from the salad bowl into his mouth. "So, hey," he asked, as they settled. "When's your next show going to be? I want to come, I only saw the last half that one time, and you girls are definitely the class act in town. That little brunette, mmm."

"Who, Howie?" laughed Joey, but apparently JC was serious. "Yeah, I guess they're all really something. Hasn't been that long since the first time *I* saw them. Next show's..."

"Tonight," supplied Kevin, while Joey had been waiting for Justin to answer for himself, if he wanted to. "You told me Justin had to work tonight, so we couldn't keep you late."

Justin nodded. "I kind of actually have to go soon," he checked his watch nervously. "It takes a while, you know...hair and makeup and warmup and getting my diva on..." he actually grinned around the table, clearly much more relaxed and leaning against Joey's side.

Kevin laughed a little. "Man, that must be a lot of work. I remember some of our shows...we had hours of makeup."

"And he had to shave," Kristin interjected. "Between acts. It was pretty funny, actually."

"Tonight?" repeated JC, then broke into a wide, squishy grin. "Wow, you should've *said*. We'll have to dash through dessert then, and get over there. I'll even buy the first round of drinks." He snapped his fingers in Kevin's direction. "I believe you have a job to do?"

"When did *I* turn into housebitch?" grumbled Kevin. "It's just warming up. Give if five minutes, Mr. human garbage disposal."

"I have to keep my energy up," JC countered loftily. "It's a lot of work, looking this good." He fluffed his hair ostentatiously, then winked at Justin. "Right, honey?"

Justin was looking at them all wide-eyed. "You're all coming *tonight*?" He blurted, amazed. "Oh my god, really? I mean, yeah, of course you're welcome. God, like I need to give you permission. But oh, man, I've got this sore ankle...and my...there was this basketball accident..." He took a deep breath, carefully. "Okay, it'll be fine. Cool."

"If you could pull the show off the other night?" Joey reminded him, "Then tonight should be an absolute breeze. And you know it. And you've got that new pair of shoes now, so..."

"That's true," Justin brightened. "And AJ's gonna be there to fit my dress, too, so y'all will get to meet him. I mean, if you want to. And Chris." He looked at JC and Kevin, head cocked. "I bet you'll think Chris is pretty interesting. Almost everybody does."

"I can only imagine," Kevin murmured, getting up to fetch the dessert.

"Is there going to be ice cream with the apple crisp?" Justin whispered in Joey's ear.

Joey nodded his head, without even having to consult. "Honey, there's *always* ice cream with apple crisp. It's a rule or something, at least in any home that *I'm* in."

JC seemed to be scanning the table for anything left to eat before dessert got there. "Everyone's interesting," he said, and flashed them a grin. "You've just got to give them a chance."

"Interesting good but sometimes interesting bad," Justin pointed out. "And man, I know some pretty boring people, too. Chris is good interesting. Most of the time." He eagerly tracked Kevin's return with the dessert with his eyes, sitting forward quickly to reach for his serving.

"Nothing like ice cream and apple crisp to put everything right," Kristin murmured, just barely loud enough for Joey to hear, watching JC and Justin start inhaling their desserts.

Joey gave her a smile, and felt himself relax again. "Just like little kids," he murmured back. He picked at his own dessert, not out of lack of appetite but just because he was watching everyone else contentedly.

"Kristin, this is magnificent," said JC, and when she looked away, Joey saw him give Kevin a wink.

"It's sooooo good," Justin cooed contentedly, mouth full. He barely paused between bites to beam at Kristin. "This is really really perfect. Yum."

"It is," Kevin agreed, with a perfectly straight face. "Great job, honey. God, you'd think the two of you hadn't just had a huge meal! I have no idea where you're putting all that, either of you." Justin just grunted contentedly in response, licking his spoon and eyeing Joey's bowl meaningfully.

Joey took one more bite, then let out a soft sigh and pushed it in Justin's direction. He probably didn't need to be eating dessert anyway. "So... are we really making an outing of it tonight?"

"Of course we are!" said JC enthusiastically. "What else are we going to do -- sit around here and play cards? It's the perfect opportunity to give these guys a little taste of something different. And we get to see the fabulous Justin and Friends."

"Sure, why not?" put in Kevin with a shrug. "If you don't mind, Justin?"

Justin blinked at him, mouth full of ice cream, and shrugged a little, swallowed. "It's okay. I mean. If you're sure you want to come?" He glanced at Joey uncertainly. "It's kind of...it's pretty gay."

"Well, yes," JC laughed. "I mean. Yeah. Don't worry, honey, they know *me*, they're not gonna be scared off by a little flaming! And you can introduce me to that sweet piece, and we'll all have some drinks and a wonderful good time. Especially if you do that Prince number again, my good good goodness."

"We'll have a good time," Joey echoed him, and squeezed Justin's hand, and figured it would actually be a lot easier, at the club, when Justin was in *his* comfort zone and not in this brand new situation. "I should have thought of this sooner." Only he was not. at. all. sure he was ready for Kevin to see him be, really, really gay.

"Oh, you guys will have to help me pick something out to wear, then," said Kristin enthusiastically. "I thought we were staying in, I don't know if I have anything at *all*."

"Well, at least you have the expert here to help you," JC said, peering at her. "Hmmm. I think, I think that green satin shirt, you know that one, the tight one? And maybe the velvet pants, you want *texture*, you're going to be the only girl there so you've got to look faaabulous." He was already pushing her hair back out of her face. "and the hair back, because sweetie, when Justine lets that mane out there just isn't any competition."

Justin tugged at a curl that had slipped out of his ponytail, and grinned abashedly. "It's a nightmare," he confessed, squeezing Joey's hand in return. "A nightmare on my head, really."

"Maybe," agreed Joey, thinking back on Justin's struggles with it all the time, "but it's gorgeous and you know it and that's why you keep it."

"It's *stunning*, that's what it is," said JC, then swiftly turned back to Justin. "Oh... tell me you're wearing it down tonight! You are, aren't you?"

"I suppose," put in Kevin, looking vastly amused, "that it doesn't matter what *I* wear."

"Probably about as much as it matters what I wear," agreed Joey.

"Well, you should look good," JC said absently, still looking between Justin and Kristin assessingly. "You don't want people thinking you're, like, poor relatives or anything."

"I'm definitely wearing my hair down," Justin said, thoughtful. "Cause last time it was up in that twist, which was nice, but a little too elegant, I think."

"Oh, yeah," Kristin agreed. "French twists can be gorgeous, but they're very formal. If you're getting crazy, down is the best!"

"You know," Kevin said, grinning at Joey and speaking very quietly, "this isn't all that different from when you had a girlfriend."

Joey just shrugged and grinned at him. "Tell me about it," he said. "But I never got quite so involved when it was a girlfriend. And... well, there are other details you just don't need to know right now."

"Maybe another day, yeah," said Kevin, with the look that said that day might never come. Joey didn't really need to be detailing what he did in bed anyway; the idea was enough. "You're really sprung on this guy, huh?"

"Really and totally sprung," agreed Joey. "Sprung enough that even JC's pretty face isn't swaying me."

"But it's close, right?" said Kevin. "Because even I can see that JC has a damn pretty face..."

Joey hesitated, then nodded vigorously, and Justin turned away from a comment about mousse versus gel to scowl at Kevin. "Hey!"

JC giggled, preening a little. "You're lucky I'm not a homewrecker, Justin, sweetie. Now, come on, let's get moving, here. It's almost seven thirty, and I still have go get home and change if we're going out to be SEEN. And I'm sure that someone somewhere is screaming for Justine to be on time, yes? So, I hate to flee the scene of such an amazing meal, but..."

"I'll clean up," offered Kevin as JC was getting up from the table. "Thanks, everyone, for coming over tonight. I hope you all enjoyed everything. Joey, Justin, you're heading off, then?"

Joey looked at Justin, then back at Kevin again. "I actually figured you'd rather we waited for you, and all went together," he said. "Rather than just giving you directions and letting you show up on your own."

"Oh, then I should hurry and get ready," said Kristin. "Especially if you're heading off already, JC. Justin, can you help me with my hair? Kevin's hopeless..."

"You really want me to?" Justin looked shyly delighted. "Course I can, I'd love to!"

"Remember, put it up," JC advised. "She's got that gorgeous long neck, she should really show that off. Someone said...something...about necks...I can't remember, but it was good." He smiled sweetly at them all, and pushed away from the table. "I have to go make myself look beautiful, I'll see you there, okay?"

"Okay," Kevin said, looking as relieved as Joey had expected he would after hearing that they'd be arriving as a group. "That sounds great. And I guess I'll...go get a nicer t-shirt?"

Joey looked down at his own shirt and shrugged. "That sounds good to me," he admitted.

"Wear something *clean*, honey," Kristen put in, lifting her head from her hushed conversation with Justin. "That's all I ask."

"I always wear something clean," muttered Kevin, tugging at his shirt.

And JC, apparently, had one more bit of advice before slipping out the door. "Wear something *tight*," he said to Kevin. "And that, my dear, is all *you* are going to need. Ta, all!"

"Tight, clean, that's good, yeah," Justin said, sending Kevin a quick secret look through his eyelashes. Then he ducked his head and whispered something to Kristin that made her giggle wildly, and they hurried out of the room towards the bedroom.

"Do I want to know?" Kevin asked plaintively, looking at Joey. "And why do I get the feeling Kirsten's going to bring him home one day and give me that look and say 'honey, can we keep him?'"

Joey laughed, still half watching the place where they'd disappeared. "How do you think it happened to *me*?" he asked him. "You go out to a club and you find *that* precious thing, and how can you resist? Though, if she does ask, the answer is no. That boy is already well and truly spoken for."

Kevin snorted. "Like I couldn't tell that. It's okay, I don't particularly want a pet drag queen anyway, no matter how 'precious' he is." He slung an arm casually around Joey's shoulders, giving him a little squeeze. "He's kind of a handful for you, huh? Got you jumping through some hoops? He's got you pretty spoken for, too, I noticed."

Joey gave him a bit of a sheepish smile. "Yeah, well," he said, and shrugged. "It's not easy, sometimes, but it's worth it. He's worth it. He's just... you know. What I wanted without really realizing that I wanted it. And for god knows what reason, man, the guy seems to like me back. Crazy kid."

"Shit, Joe," Kevin shrugged. "You were a catch when you were straight, or whatever, that ain't gonna change just because you're doing men, now. I figure he's showing some fine, fine taste, hooking up with you so fast. And whew, those looks he was sending JC, right at the beginning...I have a feeling he means to hang on pretty tight." He smacked Joey's shoulder, seeming pretty comfortable about it. "Come on, I'll loan you a clean, tight t-shirt. As we've been commanded by our women."

Joey snorted and stood up, stretching. "You ain't seen 'commanded' until you've met Justine," he said. "She's really something else, Kevin. Justin's a sweet, shy thing and Justin's a raging diva. A lovely one, of course, but still. So. That went well, right? Dinner?"

"I think so," Kevin nodded. "I mean, everyone seemed to get along, and there wasn't any bloodshed or tears. And the food was good, huh?" There was a burst of laughter from the other room, both masculine and feminine. "Lord. Well, I have to say I'm so curious about meeting this raging diva, especially after hearing JC rave, and your description. Because I've gotta say, I can't really imagine it, not that boy I saw at dinner."

"What I mean is," said Joey, a bit nervously, "you guys liked him, right? Justin? You liked him? You'd be seeing Justin an awful lot more than Justine -- she's just... he's a great actor, let's just say. He gets right into the role and lets loose and you just won't even believe it when you see it, Kevin. I saw the act first, so you can just *imagine* how surprised I was when I finally met Justin."

"Well, I probably won't be able to imagine till I see this famous 'Justine'," Kevin answered dryly. "I liked Justin just fine, once he stopped looking like he thought we were gonna chop his head off and have *him* for dinner. He was a scared little thing when he first got here, huh? But yeah, man, he seems great. A little tweaky, but he clearly thinks a whole hell of a lot of you, and that's the important thing."

"Yeah, he's real jittery around new people," agreed Joey. "I guess that was pretty obvious. But you're not new people anymore, so that's good. He was terrified my friends weren't going to like him, it was real important to him. So I'm glad everything went well. He really is the best, Kevin. I mean, I really... okay, you know, it's weird having this conversation with you. I'm sorry."

"It is," Kevin agreed, with a little chuckle and eyeroll. "It really, really is. Okay, let's talk about something else. Did you get my email about that avant-garde version of King Lear they're putting on at the King? You thinking about auditioning? Because it looks like a pretty interesting show, there are a lot of great parts still open."

"I really should," said Joey automatically. "It's ridiculous, how long it's been since I've been out on an audition. I've just had stuff on my mind, and..." He turned to Kevin and grinning. "In other words, yes, I got the email. When are the auditions again? Are you going? Because yes, I think I really want to go for it, Kevin. It's time to get myself out there again."

"Course I'm going, my agent would kill me if I didn't. This show's got great buzz, it's supposed to be fantastic, and Smith's producing it. It has been too long, man, I miss running lines with you! This show's got calls starting early next week, so if you want to do some run-throughs with me this weekend, just let me know." He led the way into the bedroom and started digging through dresser drawers.

"I do," said Joey, and he didn't even have to think about it. "This is something I want to do. This has always been something I wanted to do, I just got on a side path there for a while. You... you should wear that tight white one. Just give me anything, though, that I haven't dribbled wine onto. Gross. Why didn't anyone ever tell me I'm such a slob?"

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