YouveGotAFriend

"Hello?"

"Joey I need you."

Groaning, Joey fell back on the bed "I'll be right there Justin." Looking around the dark room for the clock Joey realized it was 3 a.m. As much as he was expecting this call he was still startled by it. Of course he known he was gonna call. It was late. In the daylight he was so sure of himself. Full of self confidence that only fell away in the dark. It was then that the demons of his mind were free to taunt him. And that's when he called him.

Joseph Fatone Superman.

Joey knew what today was. Justin got the final divorce papers today. He knew this day was coming he just wasn't expecting it this soon. Justin wanted this over as soon as possible. Guess that's why he gave Britney half of everything. Greedy little slut. Groaning, Joey got up and began making his way towards Justin's house.

Arriving at Justin's house Joey went right in. As expected the door was unlocked. Joey found him in the den. In front of the fire drinking aged scotch. He looked so vulnerable. Joey just wanted to go wrap him in his arms and never let go. This was harder than he thought. He had always been in love with Justin. Do you know how hard it is to watch the man you love marry someone else?

Joey had watched for years as Justin hopped from one bed to the next. And overtime he got hurt he was the one left picking up the pieces. He thought this time with Britney things would be different. He couldn't say that he wasn't happy to see her go because that would be a lie. He just wished that Justin didn't have to be hurt in the process.

Walking over to Justin Joey took the glass and took a swig of the amber liquid draining the glass. Taking the bottle Joey puts it away. "You know Justin you look like shit."

"I am not gonna argue with you on that point. I already know I look like shit so I guess it goes to match the way I feel."

Not being able to stand it any longer Joey made his way over to the younger man. He enveloped him into his arms and held him for hours as he shed tears of heartache and frustration. After Justin had cried himself into a restless sleep Joey carried him upstairs to bed. As he was leaving he heard a small voice call out to him. "Joey don't leave me." Not being able to deny his friend anything Joey made his way back to the bed and climbed in. It wasn't long before the two friends found themselves curled around eachother in peaceful slumber.

Justin woke first. He just laid there for a moment enjoying the comfort of Joey's arms. It had been a long time since he had felt this secure. Slowly extracting himself from Joey's arms he quietly made his way downstairs. As he sat there all sorts of thoughts ran through his head. Surprisingly none of them were about Britney but about the man upstairs in his bed.

Joey had been a part of his life for as long as he could remember. Joey good old dependable Joey. His best friend the one always there to pick up the pieces. He almost wanted to resent him for it. But sitting here all he could do was smile. Joey always brought a smile to his face no matter what the situation. It was Joey and Joey's smile that kept him sane throughout this whole ordeal with Britney. Sitting there he thought about a song that Joey used to sing to him all of the time.

When your down and troubled And you need some love and care And nothing, nothing is going right Close your eyes and think of me And soon I will be there To brighten up Even your darkest night

You just call out my name And you know wherever I am I'll come runnin' To see you again Winter, spring, summer or fall All you have to do is call And I'll be there You've got a friend

It was then that Justin realized something that had been obvious all along. He loved Joey. No correction he was in love with Joey. There is a big difference.

Joey awoke to an empty bed. He wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep but he didn't. He just lay there for a minute letting thoughts of Justin wash over him. He hoped against hope that with Britney out of they way Justin would finally see what was right there in front of him. Finally making his way out of bed he made the trek downstairs. When he got there he found Justin on the back deck obviously lost in thought.
Grabbing a cup of coffee, Joey joined Justin out on the back deck. Sitting down across from him it was awhile before either of them would speak. That was just the type of relationship that they shared. Words were never essential for them to communicate.

"Why are you here?"

Joey sat there in stunned silence now. He was not expecting that question. He wasn't even sure if he could answer it. Of course he knew why he was there. Justin called and whenever Justin called Joey went. "You called, so I came. Simple as that."

"But that doesn't explain why you are here."

Running a shaky hand through his hair Joey stood and walked over to the railing. Turning to face Justin he had an anguished look on his face. "What do you want Just? A declaration of love or something. If that's it you aren't gonna get one. I came because you called simple as that We are friends, you needed me I came." Even as he spoke those words he knew that they weren't the truth but what was he to do. There was no way he was putting his heart out on the line again.

Hearing Joey's word ate at Justin's heart just a bit. But if there was one thing this whole Britney situation had taught him was that persistence does pay off. Walking over to Joey, Justin gently took his face in his hands before speaking "Look at me. I am not asking you to love me. At least not yet. Hopefully though that will come in time." Walking away Justin kept talking. "Look Joey, right now I am a little confused. But I do know one thing I love you. I know. It seems like it's a little early after my divorce to say anything but oh who gives a flying fuck. It's how I feel. It's actually how I have felt for a while now. It just took me a while to realize it. Of course I wish I would have realized it 5 yrs ago before I married Britney. But that's all in the past now. I am ready to move forward now and I would like to do that with you if you will give me the chance." After finishing his little speech Justin turned again to face Joey.

Joey who had been standing there the whole time, taking in every word Justin was saying. Not believing what he was actually hearing. After all of these years Justin was finally admitting that he loved him. Not only that but that he wanted to start a relationship with him. This was a lot for a person to digest at one time. Sitting down in his long abandoned chair Joey let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. "Look Justin don't say things just because you think they are what I want to hear."

Justin got a hurt look on his face. "That really hurts Joey. I would think you of all people would know me better than that I am putting myself out on a limb here."

"That's just the thing Justin I do know you. That's why I said it Look Justin I need some time okay. I have been waiting for you to tell me that for years. So forgive me if right at this moment I am not exactly jumping for joy." Joey said with a sarcastic tone.

"Okay I will give you that. I have given you a lot to think about. But I just wanted to let you know how I felt. And I am willing to take things however slow you want us to. Because after you there is no one else for me."

Walking over to Justin Joey pulled the younger man into his arms. Placing a gentle kiss on his lips. " There has never been anyone else for me."

Pulling the older man back to him Justin was once again swept away in the kiss. Pulling back breathlessly he place his forehead on Joey's and mumbled. "Slow."

"Yeah slow. It won't be easy. But we can do it." Joey said with a chuckle as he led Justin back into the house.

THE END