Obvious
What he needed, Joey decided, was a plan.
Yes, a plan. He blinked, more than a bit blurry eyed, what between the lack of sleep and abundance of alcohol. But a plan, yes. A plan would be good. Because apparently his current vague idea of staring at Chris until Chris realized that Joey wanted him to fuck him seemed not to be working at all.
Joey shoved away from the table staggering a bit, then wandered over to where Chris was holding court in the corner, his hands flailing about as he went on and on about something or other.
"Ummmm", Joey paused, trying desperately to think of something witty to say. Nothing seemed to be forthcoming.
"Oh, hey, Joe. I was just telling these guys what a great singer you are and how you're going to break hearts all over the Continent once we finally get to Europe." Chris winked at Joey and Joey felt the blush creep up the back of his neck.
"Ummmm," he just managed not to slap a hand over his face, mentally cursing his lameness. "Right. I. Um, I'm heading back to the house."
"You ok?" Now Chris was staring at him and Joey felt sweat break out on his palms.
"I'm fine. Just, you know," Joey waved his hand about vaguely. "Tired. And. Stuff."
“Right. I'll see you when I get in then." Chris nudged his shoulder and Joey smiled weakly as he headed out the door, trying to remember just where their house was. He blinked hard a few times, letting the slight chill in the night air sober him up. He didn't want to get busted after all. He set off down the sidewalk muttering under his breath. "I fucking need a plan."
He should have known better than to ask JC.
"Joey,” JC looked at him earnestly, eyes wide. "Why don't you just say something to him? I mean, you know that he likes guys too so it's not like that's a problem. And well,” JC blushed slightly. "It's not like you aren't, you know, hot and” JC picked at the bedspread. "Stuff. I mean, if it wasn't for Tony, I would, you know,"
Joey wrapped an arm around JC's shoulder and squeezed. "Thanks, C. But I mean, what if he, like, laughs at me. Or. Something."
"No, Joey, no, Chris would never," JC paused, "not about something like that. I mean the worst he can say is"
"The worst he can say is no and then I'll know and that'll be fun." Joey responded glumly. "I need a plan, JC. Some way to get him to kiss me first."
"I still think you should just tell him." JC nodded firmly.
"Hey, just because it worked for you,” Joey grinned as JC wrinkled his nose at him.
"Very funny. Tell him, Joey. It'll work out." Joey nodded as he backed out of the room. Yeah, right. Tell Chris. Like that was a good idea.
Lance was even less helpful.
"Look, Joey." Lance glanced up from his trigonometry textbook. "You're acting like it's some huge secret that you want to fuck him through the wall."
"Shut up," Joey hissed, glancing over his shoulder. "Shit, Lance, your mother is in the next room."
Lance sighed as he closed the book. "My mother is about two seconds from locking you in a closet with him." Lance raised his hand. "And yes, the irony is not lost on her."
Joey rested his forehead on the table. "Am I that obvious?"
"Well,” Lance leaned back, "You do stare at his ass like all the time. And the following him around thing? Not too subtle, Fatone."
Joey groaned. "Oh man. Your mother must think"
"My mother thinks that it's adorable. And besides, it keeps her from trying to set me up with someone." Lance eyed Joey thoughtfully. "You know, on second thought I don't think I want to help you. I mean if she's not playing matchmaker for you, she'll be playing matchmaker for me." Lance shuddered. "And that's just what I don't need."
"Hell, no." Joey looked up. "Then she might notice the first come, first served sign outside your bedroom window."
Joey yelped when Lance hit him with the book.
He didn't even think of talking to Justin about it. Justin himself tended to follow Chris around like a puppy, but that was so clearly hero worship that it wasn't worth considering.
So Joey was rather startled when Justin leapt onto his back one day and yelped in his ear
"So, when are you and Chris finally going to do it?"
Joey staggered back, nearly dropping Justin on his ass. "Justin, Christ." Joey reached up, untangling Justin's arms from around his neck. "What the hell are you doing?"
Justin looked at him, slightly confused. "What? I just wanted to know so that I could start teasing you about your hot boyfriend." Justin grinned. "And about your taste for older men."
"Justin,” Joey stopped. "I, um, does Chris"
"Does Chris know you want his sexy bod?" Justin finished. "Nope. He's an idiot. But I mean it's not like you haven't been coming home with all those cute guys. And those hot chicks. Man." Justin bounced a little. "I can't wait until y'all will let me go out with you."
Joey looked at Justin evenly. "I don't even want to think about that, ok, J? No. Just. No."
Justin sighed heavily. "I'm not a child."
Joey clapped his hands over his ears "I can't hear you."
Justin snorted "Says the guy who lost it at 12. Whatever. Just get off your ass and” Justin grinned "And let Chris get on it."
Joey lunged after Justin as he darted away, laughing loudly.
"So, Fatone." Joey looked up as Chris flopped next to him on his bed. "What are you up to this fine evening?"
"Ummmm,” Joey kicked himself. When the hell had he turned into a teenage girl who couldn't even talk around the guy he was crushing on. "Trying to sleep."
"Well, I'm bored." Chris poked at Joey's leg. "Entertain me."
Joey sat up, yawning. "Thought you had a date."
"We broke up." Chris shrugged and Joey immediately felt wide-awake.
"Dude. Um. I'm sorry." And he was Joey told himself firmly. He really was.
"Eh. No big deal." Joey scooted over as Chris stretched out next to him. "It wasn't really anything serious."
"Ok,” Joey turned a bit, trying to ignore how Chris felt pushed up against him. "I'm surprised you aren't out looking then."
Joey could just see Chris smiling slightly. "Didn't say I wasn't looking."
"Ummmm," Joey blinked hard. "Well."
He could only stare when Chris rolled over and grinned at him. "You figure out a plan yet, Fatone?"
"Wait, you know, how the hell do you know, who told you, if Lance said anything, I'm going to," Joey tried to pull away, not daring to look at Chris.
"Joseph. You might be a big drama geek guy but you are still a guy. Your idea of subtle leaves much to be desired." Chris reached up and grabbed the back of his neck and Joey could only swallow hard. "You know, if you want me all you have to do is say so."
"Oh. Um. Well, yeah. I mean." Joey couldn't help grinning as Chris smirked. "You know you're too sexy for your own good, Kirkpatrick."
"You know it," Chris muttered as he pushed Joey back on the bed, moving to straddle his waist. "Now shut up and kiss me."
Joey laughed once more then reached up and tugged Chris down.