Ficlet for ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
johnnyzbabe AJ/Joey
Jan. 14th, 2004 11:48 amturpsI hope this is okay for you hon.
“Fuckers.”
Joey turns and sees AJ glaring at two men who are staring at the dance floor. AJ looks pissed and Joey is about to ask why when he suddenly understands. The men are making crude gestures as they leer at Nick and Justin, who are happily dancing, not noticing how their every move is being observed.
“They make one step toward them I’ll rip their dicks off.” AJ sounds fierce and Joey nods in agreement, watching the men watch Justin and Nick. The song ends and the men look at one another, grin then start to move. AJ tenses and growls, but Joey puts a hand on his arm, stopping him moving. “Wait. Look.”
Kevin and Chris are pushing through the crowd. Both wear identical expressions, riled mama bears protecting their young; and Joey knows anyone crossing them will regret it. They look controlled and polite as they stand between the men and the dance-floor, but even from where he he’s standing, Joey can sense the fury and contempt. He can’t hear what Kevin says that makes one man back away, hands in a placating gesture, or why the other just stands while Chris gets in his face. Joey just knows disaster’s been avoided for another night and it’s safe to relax.
“I hate them.”
Joey focuses on AJ, the way he’s practically vibrating with anger, and makes a quick decision. “I saw a balcony over there. Come on we’ll go get some air.”
AJ is watching the men hurry from the room. Chris and Kevin are sitting at a table, dark heads together but still obviously on guard. The sight almost makes Joey smile; they’re so different he somehow wonders how it works. Then he sees them act like they did tonight and knows they’re not so different after all.
“Are you coming or what?” AJ sounds impatient and Joey sees AJ is already moving so he follows, not speaking until they’re outside. The balcony is deserted and once Joey pulls the doors shut all he can hear is the muffled sounds of the party.
It’s dark and AJ’s only a shadowy figure in the corner. Approaching him, Joey leans against the stone railings and looks across the grounds that compromise the Anderson estate. Troy Anderson, aging businessman and friend of Lou. Joey hates when they have to perform at private parties, but Lou ignores any objections and they sing and dance for the men who only see the young and the pretty. It makes Joey feel cheap and most of the time he’s not even the one they see.
“You want one?” AJ offers his cigarettes and Joey shakes his head. AJ’s face is suddenly lit in sharp profile as he lights his own cigarette, he looks sad, eyes dark as he stares into the darkness, naked and vulnerable. Joey’s reminded that AJ’s only a kid too; it’s hard to remember that sometimes.
“They’ll be fine.” Joey says it to reassure himself as much as AJ. He wants to believe it, but can’t; and neither can AJ who holds onto his cigarette with fingers that tremor. “We’ll watch them, Chris and Kevin will watch them.”
AJ doesn’t reply, he doesn’t have to; Joey knows no one can be watched all the time.
They stand in silence, AJ smoking as Joey digs a small hold in the loose cement with his fingernails. When AJ sighs and throws the cigarette butt to the ground, Joey knows he has to move. He puts his hand on the small of AJ’s back, feeling him tense under his touch. Joey doesn’t move, just keeps his hand there, needing to feel the heat of AJ’s skin through his flimsy shirt. Eventually AJ relaxes and Joey takes it as an invitation, carefully wrapping AJ in a hug. Neither move as they stand together, Joey’s arms looped round AJ’s waist.
“Sorry.” AJ apologises and softly kisses Joey on his mouth. “I shut you out.”
“Just for a moment.” Joey hugs AJ tighter, kissing the top of his head. “You came back.”
“I hate this.” AJ words are the same but Joey can hear the difference. AJ looks up and Joey sees the defeat has gone, replaced by a fire that burns bright. “I’m going to be a success, Joey, we’re going to be a success, and once we are screw Lou and his plans.
AJ’s eyes blaze and Joey believes every word. AJ will be a success and Joey’s proud, he just hopes he doesn’t get left behind.
“Fuckers.”
Joey turns and sees AJ glaring at two men who are staring at the dance floor. AJ looks pissed and Joey is about to ask why when he suddenly understands. The men are making crude gestures as they leer at Nick and Justin, who are happily dancing, not noticing how their every move is being observed.
“They make one step toward them I’ll rip their dicks off.” AJ sounds fierce and Joey nods in agreement, watching the men watch Justin and Nick. The song ends and the men look at one another, grin then start to move. AJ tenses and growls, but Joey puts a hand on his arm, stopping him moving. “Wait. Look.”
Kevin and Chris are pushing through the crowd. Both wear identical expressions, riled mama bears protecting their young; and Joey knows anyone crossing them will regret it. They look controlled and polite as they stand between the men and the dance-floor, but even from where he he’s standing, Joey can sense the fury and contempt. He can’t hear what Kevin says that makes one man back away, hands in a placating gesture, or why the other just stands while Chris gets in his face. Joey just knows disaster’s been avoided for another night and it’s safe to relax.
“I hate them.”
Joey focuses on AJ, the way he’s practically vibrating with anger, and makes a quick decision. “I saw a balcony over there. Come on we’ll go get some air.”
AJ is watching the men hurry from the room. Chris and Kevin are sitting at a table, dark heads together but still obviously on guard. The sight almost makes Joey smile; they’re so different he somehow wonders how it works. Then he sees them act like they did tonight and knows they’re not so different after all.
“Are you coming or what?” AJ sounds impatient and Joey sees AJ is already moving so he follows, not speaking until they’re outside. The balcony is deserted and once Joey pulls the doors shut all he can hear is the muffled sounds of the party.
It’s dark and AJ’s only a shadowy figure in the corner. Approaching him, Joey leans against the stone railings and looks across the grounds that compromise the Anderson estate. Troy Anderson, aging businessman and friend of Lou. Joey hates when they have to perform at private parties, but Lou ignores any objections and they sing and dance for the men who only see the young and the pretty. It makes Joey feel cheap and most of the time he’s not even the one they see.
“You want one?” AJ offers his cigarettes and Joey shakes his head. AJ’s face is suddenly lit in sharp profile as he lights his own cigarette, he looks sad, eyes dark as he stares into the darkness, naked and vulnerable. Joey’s reminded that AJ’s only a kid too; it’s hard to remember that sometimes.
“They’ll be fine.” Joey says it to reassure himself as much as AJ. He wants to believe it, but can’t; and neither can AJ who holds onto his cigarette with fingers that tremor. “We’ll watch them, Chris and Kevin will watch them.”
AJ doesn’t reply, he doesn’t have to; Joey knows no one can be watched all the time.
They stand in silence, AJ smoking as Joey digs a small hold in the loose cement with his fingernails. When AJ sighs and throws the cigarette butt to the ground, Joey knows he has to move. He puts his hand on the small of AJ’s back, feeling him tense under his touch. Joey doesn’t move, just keeps his hand there, needing to feel the heat of AJ’s skin through his flimsy shirt. Eventually AJ relaxes and Joey takes it as an invitation, carefully wrapping AJ in a hug. Neither move as they stand together, Joey’s arms looped round AJ’s waist.
“Sorry.” AJ apologises and softly kisses Joey on his mouth. “I shut you out.”
“Just for a moment.” Joey hugs AJ tighter, kissing the top of his head. “You came back.”
“I hate this.” AJ words are the same but Joey can hear the difference. AJ looks up and Joey sees the defeat has gone, replaced by a fire that burns bright. “I’m going to be a success, Joey, we’re going to be a success, and once we are screw Lou and his plans.
AJ’s eyes blaze and Joey believes every word. AJ will be a success and Joey’s proud, he just hopes he doesn’t get left behind.
