AN: Hi! This is my first fic on , so please be nice :]
Anyways, I like the Chandler/Joey fics I've read, but I kind of wish there was more of just fluff of them. So,,, out came this I guess! Happy reading!
The 5 times where Joey and Chandler acted as if they were a couple, and the 1 time they finally accepted they were one.
- 1 -
It all started on a regular Saturday morning, In fact, the day started out as normally as it could be. The two roommates had woken up in the late morning when it was nearing noon, then dressed, showered, and headed down to the coffee house to join the others.
It was cold outside, with it being late December. They were bundled under layers of coats and scarves and mittens. On the way, Chandler balled up some snow and threw it at Joey, hitting his side, to which Joey retaliated by shoving a heap of snow down the back of Chandler's shirt.
"Oh my god, that is so not the same as throwing a snowball at you," Chandler said between shivers. In Joey's defense, he did seem to feel a bit bad, until Chandler threw another snowball at him, this time directly in the face. The look on Joey's face was priceless, and Chandler couldn't help snickering at themselves, drenched in their own consequences.
Joey chuckled too. These were his favorite moments, filled with mirth, and watching as snowflakes clung between strands of Chandler's windblown hair. He could almost reach out and touch it, brushing away the snow.
When they (finally) arrived at Central Perk, their cheeks were flushed pink and they sank into the couch side-by-side, saying hi to the group, who was discussing plans for Christmas and New Years, which were just a few weeks away already. A party at Monica's of course, the host of their friend group.
Chandler took his soaked cloth mittens off, his hands were still shivering from the cold. He tried to huff onto them, hoping his breath would provide some warmth, but it was no use. The biting chill still stung.
Then Joey surprised him by taking both his hands and just… holding them. He looked at Joey weirdly.
Joey looked back at him, petulant. "What? I just don't want you to get frostbite or anythin'."
Still being cautious, Chandler allowed himself to be comforted. After all, Joey's hands were large and so very warm, and he could slowly feel life seeping back into his bones. It felt nice, like a hug but for his hands, and it wouldn't hurt just staying like this for a while.
"You know, maybe your hands wouldn't be so cold if you didn't make those snowballs and throw them at me."
Chandler scoffed. "Maybe I wouldn't be so cold in general if someone didn't stick snow down my shirt!"
"I'm making up for it right now. And you still started it."
"Oh, yes, I'm very sorry that the snow slid off your waterproof jacket."
"It's waterproof, not snowproof!"
Chandler could feel himself losing brain cells. "And what do you get when you freeze water?"
This went on back and forth for a bit until Phoebe exclaimed, "Oh, you two are just like lobsters!"
And this is where it all started.
Everyone stared at Phoebe. Rachel, taking a break from waitressing, was the one to clear her throat and ask, "Uh, Phoebe, do you mind telling us what that means?"
Phoebe sighed as if this should be common sense. "You know, like how lobsters mate for life. Those two," she gestured at Chandler and Joey, whose hands were still intertwined, "are holding hands and bickering like some old married couple. Just like lobsters!"
They both immediately withdrew from each other. No one seemed to react negatively to this comment (except for Ross, who furrowed his brow a bit), and Rachel even hummed in agreement. At this, Chandler had to flail his hands in a frenzied… Chandler-like manner.
"What?!" Chandler had to say out loud, to further emphasize his point. "We are not."
"Yeah, man," Joey joined in, "We're not even that old– we're only in our 20's!"
Then it was Joey who was on the receiving end of Chandler's glare. "I'm sorry, did you not pick up on the part where she said 'married couple?' That we act like a married couple?"
"Relax, I heard you fine the first time, Jeez," Joey replied, putting up his hands to shield himself from even more of Chandler's flailing. "I just think that, y'know, I feel more offended by the fact that she thinks we're old, because I definitely am not."
"Yeah, how would Joey get all those women if he wasn't so young and handsome?" Monica said, smirking.
"See, Monica gets me!"
"Oh, I see," Chandler sulked, leaning into the back cushion of the long couch, crossing his arms over his chest. "So I'm not handsome is what you're saying."
Joey widened his eyes and looked a bit panicked, which was honestly quite endearing. "No, no; well actually–" Chandler frowned at this part "– you're still good-lookin', but you're also kind, funny, and you let me borrow your money, and I really like talkin' with you all the time. You've got a lotta good stuff goin' for you, man."
Although it was still implied that Chandler wasn't as "handsome," he couldn't help but smile fondly at Joey. Joey, who really did care for him, even if Chandler forgot that he could be capable of being loved after all the trauma of his past.
And besides, he couldn't deny that Joey was unfailingly handsome, especially sitting next to him on the sofa right there, slowly returning his lop-sided smile, semi-long brown hair swept aside. Anyone with eyes would be able to tell. Even if Chandler doesn't want to prioritize looks over character, he could still appreciate beauty where it was to be appreciated, and damn it, Joey really was beautiful, with his smile and his golden heart and his passion. God, the things he would do for that smile.
Then the girls started cooing and Phoebe said, "Huh, they really are like a couple," and the moment was broken.
"We're not a couple," Chandler repeated, and rolled his eyes when Phoebe just winked not-very-inconspicuously at him. Really, he needed new friends who didn't speak utter nonsense.
Though, laying in bed right now, hugging his pillow tight and staring at the ceiling, his head kept drifting to the idea of him and Joey being together. He kept thinking about the other's reactions, seeming… approving. Accepting.
He really didn't know what to do with this lingering feeling in his chest.
- 2 -
Joey, on the other hand, brushed it off easily. It wasn't as if it was the first time someone called him and Chandler a couple, and there was also the widespread assumption that Chandler was gay, much to his chagrin.
Though right now, Joey thought dully, he really did feel like a typical housewife or something.
After their little antics in the snow, Chandler had come down with a cold. Maybe he should have expected this, seeing as Chandler was so thin, and he doesn't really exercise much either. Joey should make a nice pasta dinner or something today– Chandler had always loved Joey's cooking. He was in the mood himself for a nice, hearty meal, and thought longingly about a nice bowl of spaghetti with his signature tomato sauce.
"Joey, is the hot chocolate almost done?" A sneeze. "Also, I need more tissues; I think I'm dying."
Chandler's voice snapped him out of his food-filled reverie, and he sighed. Chandler is already known for being dramatic, and him being sick is not making matters any better. He's lying on the sofa, swathed in a blanket and used tissues, which made Joey scowl. Even I'm not that gross, he thought.
At last, he heard the beep of the microwave, and he pulled two steaming mugs out with a towel since they were still hot. He walked over to the couch and set them down on the floor, since there was no coffee table nearby. By request, he also pulled a box of tissues out from the cabinet and set them next to the mugs, accompanied with a, "Here you go, princess."
"My knight in shining armor," Chandler drawled, but grinning all the while, his eyes crinkling at the corners. Being sick also made Chandler more sentimental, it seemed.
Joey picked up the mug of hot chocolate he made for himself— he picked the one with a bit more, since he deserved a reward for busying himself around the house and keeping Chandler happy. Chandler sat up reluctantly, giving Joey some space on the sofa.
In his other hand, Joey held the remote, flicking idly through the television stations until landing on a sitcom with a Christmas themed episode. They laughed at the jokes together, sipping their hot chocolate slowly to not scald their tongues.
When an advertisement break came on, Joey excused himself, "I'm gonna go get my blanket too, it's a bit chilly in here."
He walked into his room, only to find his blanket missing. When he returned to the living room with his hands on his hips, Chandler was wearing a sheepish expression, and Joey narrowed his eyes, and realized there was another blanket beneath Chandler's own.
"Just how many blankets do you need?!"
"It's not like you were using it, and I'm… " He coughed, "still really sick!" Chandler said, once again pulling the "sick card."
So this is how it is. Joey was gonna need to take it back by force, damn the fact that Chandler's sick. He strode over to Chandler's heap of blankets and tugged. Chandler, still half-clutching onto the fabrics, was pulled along with them.
Joey didn't even tug that hard, but of course Chandler, being as clumsy as he was, had to spill some of the hot chocolate he was holding. Of course.
"Oh, fuck, I didn't mean to do that."
"Well," Joey said, setting Chandler's stained blanket aside, "there's only one good blanket now, and it is mine, so…"
Chandler was looking at him with such pleading eyes. "Joey, come on, have all our years together meant nothing to you?" and Joey sighed, because he couldn't let his sick and dying friend get even more sick and dead. What kind of friend would he be?
"Fine, we can share it. Scooch over."
The air felt tense, and Chandler hesitated for a moment before obliging. Something felt odd.
"This is okay, right?" Joey asked, just in case.
He was met with a clipped "Yeah, it's fine," which wasn't really reassuring at all.
"Come on, talk to me. I know you're hidin' something."
Chandler sighed. "Okay, it's stupid, but I'm still thinking about what Phoebe said the other day."
Phoebe says a lot of stuff, most of which is pretty weird. Joey searched through his memory for anything particularly strange but came up with nothing.
Chandler sighed again. "The thing about the lobsters. And us, being a couple." He raked his fingers through his hair which Joey knew to be one of his nervous habits.
Joey relaxed and smoothened out the blanket. "Oh, well, that's just Pheebs. She says stuff like that sometimes, and it doesn't really mean anything half the time."
If Joey had looked up at that moment, he would have seen a wince flit across Chandler's face, quickly schooled back into indifference. But he didn't see, so when Chandler said, "Yeah, I guess so," Joey only shrugged and settled more comfortably into his seat.
The ad break was over, and they watched for a while in silence, occasionally interrupted by a bit of laughter, or a cough or sniffle from Chandler. Until even that bit of noise faded, and Joey turned around to see that Chandler had fallen asleep, with his head drooping dangerously close to Joey's shoulder. Being so dramatic all the time must have taken a lot of energy out of him.
It turns out that Chandler is also a cuddly sleeper, for the next thing he knew, Chandler (still unconscious) closed the space between them and snuggled up next to Joey, kind of wrapping himself around him like a human koala.
Joey's breath hitched. He could imagine Chandler's reaction when he woke up, because this was Chandler, and he never shows anyone his vulnerabilities and softer sides. Except, well, maybe he did for Joey, if this was evidence at all.
But even then, would Chandler approve of waking up and seeing them, well, cuddling on the couch? Joey didn't know whether to break away, but he didn't know how to without waking Chandler up, since he had apparently become a pillow, with Chandler's head in the crook of his neck and his arm loosely laid across Joey's stomach. His knees were half drawn up to his chest, so that one leg was kind of on top of Joey's. Chandler's hair was up against Joey's face, and his soft hair was tickling Joey's nose, and it wasn't a scent he could name but Chandler smelled of something familiar, something like home.
He glanced down at his friend, whose eyebrows were still drawn together a little even in sleep, the tension and stress of everyday following into his dreams. His usually pouted lips were slightly parted, and he was… drooling a bit into the neckline of Joey's sweater. Their faces were close enough that if he wanted to, Joey could count the number of Chandler's long eyelashes.
At this point, Joey could feel his heartbeat vibrate through him with every pulse, and he was surprised Chandler didn't stir at all. Why was it beating so loudly in the first place?
Chandler's worries about us being a couple or whatever must be getting to me.
As if to respond to this thought, a warm, vibrant feeling spread in his chest that he dare not put into words.
The right decision would probably be to move away. However, since when has Joey ever been known for making good decisions? He was tired anyways and could use a break. It was early afternoon, so he could make dinner after he and Chandler woke up. Yeah, that sounded like a plan. Maybe see if Chandler was up for playing card games or another sappy Christmas movie, which he claimed to hate, but secretly loved.
In the end, Joey slung an arm around Chandler's warm sleeping form clad in soft pajamas, cheek pressed against the top of Chandler's head, and let his heavy eyelids rest. They slept there on the couch in their apartment, keeping each other warm through the midwinter weather.
When he awoke, a couple hours had passed, his arms were empty, and he felt cold. Chandler was already up at the counter washing their mugs, and said, "Someone needs to take the blanket down to the laundromat, and it's not gonna be me," to which Joey chuckled. Chandler kept his eyes cast downwards.
They didn't talk about it, and that was that.
- 3 -
They didn't talk about it.
So what, was this something they did now? Cuddle in each other's arms on the couch in front of the TV, wrapped up in each other like a couple of lovebirds!?
What hurt most was the fact that clearly, Joey thought nothing of it. He said himself that everyone's misconception that they were a couple meant nothing.
And to make matters worse, he brought along a date with him to the New Year's party. (Chandler brought Janice, which he supposes, fine, is arguably worse, but this isn't about him, so everyone can shut up and let him wallow in his own self pity, thank you very much.)
But then all their dates abandoned them, and the six were grouped together again, all single and lonely and without a New Year's kiss. And wasn't that just fantastic. Nothing better than to start the New Year with his only chance of getting a kiss leaving the party. This must be an omen for a disastrous love life this new year, and there's nothing new about that.
So, fine, maybe he was feeling desperate at this point, begging for someone, anyone, anything with lips to kiss him, just so he could get a New Year's kiss.
He just didn't expect it to be Joey. Honestly, who could've seen that coming.
Joey took his face in two hands and a second later his lips were on Chandler's. His eyes fluttered shut, and he was dimly aware of the click and flash of a camera shutter. He couldn't really think of anything else in that moment other than Oh my God, I'm kissing Joey right now.
He felt Joey start to pull away, so on instinct, he slid his hands up to fist Joey's hair, kissing back, feeling Joey gasp a little with surprise.
A whoop and cheer from the group brought them back to reality, and Chandler let his hands fall back by his side. Then he raked them through his own hair. As opposed to just a moment ago when his mind was totally blank and blissful, it was now racing at a thousand miles per hour, because what the hell had he been doing? Their whole friendship was on the line now, with Chandler's stupid, stupid actions.
Joey just said, "Well, there you go then," turning away and rejoining the party.
The kiss couldn't have lasted any more than five seconds, yet it left Chandler out of breath and all his nerves completely wrecked. Dazed, he raised his fingers to his lips, which were still tingling in the aftermath, because of fucking course Joey had to be an amazing kisser. If only they actually were a couple, then…
Nope. Stop. Do NOT continue that train of thought. Rather, have the train fall off the tracks and crash and be destroyed beyond repair. Yep, that's better.
He was crossing into really dangerous territory. This was Joey Tribbiani he was talking about, for God's sake, who flirts with everyone for the hell of it and brings back girlfriends every other week. Hell, he's probably slept with half the women in Manhattan already. The kiss probably meant nothing to him.
And that's the other thing. Joey likes women. Chandler is decidedly not one. It's a slight issue.
No one else seemed to be paying attention to Chandler's inner turmoil, thankfully. This was around the right time to go ahead and get completely wasted, and hopefully he would forget about all of this by morning.
- 4 -
The next morning (at least, if noon could be considered morning) brought only pain and suffering. Joey thinks this might be the worst hangover of his life, and you can trust him when he says he's been to many parties in his lifetime.
He stepped out into the main room of his and Chandler's apartment, finding Chandler in no better condition, sitting at the counter with his head in his hands like he wanted to die. Joey could share the sentiment.
Then the events of last night came flooding back to him like a tidal wave. Chandler. Him kissing Chandler, Chandler kissing him.
But there was something else which caught his attention. Or more accurately, some smell, acrid and sickening, filling his lungs and making his throat burn. And more importantly was that it was coming from Chandler. It didn't take much to put two and two together, even for Joey.
"Dude! Have you been smoking again?"
Chandler looked up, caught off guard. He scrambled around the counter to face Joey, who wrinkled his nose. "Uhh, no, I was just… um… cleaning the… fireplace."
"Oh, alright." Joey exhaled a sigh of relief. Then, "Wait a minute, we don't even have a fireplace."
Chandler just stayed silent, so Joey continued, "Come on, Chan', you're ruining your life with your whole smokin' habit. I mean, you're my best friend; I can't watch you do this to yourself." He walked up to Chandler, and spoke in a softer voice. "What's up with you? I thought you'd quit a long time ago."
"Old habits die hard, I guess." Chandler chuckled, devoid of humor. He still wouldn't meet Joey's eye, but he was serious when speaking this time. "I'm sorry, really. I swear, I'll try my best to not let it happen again."
"Okay, just know I'll be watching you, so don't try and get sneaky on me," Joey said sternly.
Chandler clapped his shoulder. "Thanks, Joe," he said, and started heading back towards his room.
Just as he got to the doorway, Joey called out, "Hey, Chandler."
He stopped in the doorday, turning back with a questioning expression.
"You know, um, you can always talk to me about anything, right? I mean, that's what friends are for. To tell each other stuff. I don't- I don't know what you've been going through, but- You shouldn't have to deal with this all on your own, man."
Joey didn't care if he sounded pleading. He prayed he didn't somehow scare Chandler away.
Finally, finally, Chandler looked at Joey face on, and Joey felt as if he were being scrutinized under those piercing blue eyes. Chandler looked as if he was going to say something, but thought better of it, settled on just, "Of course," and went back into his room. Joey sat on the stool beside the counter and let his emotions swallow him whole, yet feeling hollow at the same time.
—
If only Joey knew all the problems he's caused, Chandler thought, scooping ice cream straight from the tub and into his mouth. His cravings for cigarettes were directly related to his infuriating Italian roommate, which, okay fine, he was in love with. There was no point in denying it anymore.
"Chandler, come on. You can't stay like this forever," Monica said, taking his arm and squeezing it. Phoebe and Rachel were massaging his shoulders as he sat on the couch in the other apartment, wearing sweatpants and his hair mussed and overall looking like a mess. If he had a nickel for every time he's had an odd therapy session with the girls, he would have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened twice. Only this time, he's not even actually going through a break-up, he can't really reveal the identity of the person he's in love with, but the trio seemed to decide that this case was bad enough to bring out the real ice cream with real dairy.
The sugar and vanilla coating his tongue helped melt the pain away, but not by much. "I'm sorry, Mon, I'm afraid I'll have to stay here for the rest of my existence. Hopefully living arrangements can be made and it won't be too much of a hassle."
"Oh! He's joking again!" Phoebe exclaimed. "At least he's kind of returning to his normal self."
Rachel, ever the gossiper, asked, "So who even is this girl who broke your heart, and why can't we know?" She suddenly gasped. "Oh my god, it's someone famous, isn't it?"
"No… maybe it's someone from the New Year's Party, since that was only like, a week ago," Monica pondered. Rachel nodded in agreement. "It can't be Janice, right?"
"Hey, don't be mean to Janice, guys, she can actually be really sweet on the inside. She called me an interesting person the other day." Phoebe smiled, looking pleased.
"Okay, can we stop with the speculation and get back to how lonely and pathetic I am, please?" Chandler said, because it would be rather bad if they figured out who his mystery crush was. They definitely could; Chandler would never underestimate the power of those three heads put together. "Now this is the part where you say, 'No Chandler, you're not lonely and pathetic, and I'm sure there's someone for you out there.'"
"Oh sweetie," Rachel said sympathetically, "I am sure there's someone out there, but don't you think you should give this woman a shot? I mean, it sounds like you've been pining for her for ages. You just need to… throw yourself out there, even if it is scary."
"You make it sound so easy," he grumbled. "I'd sooner throw myself off the balcony."
It definitely is scary. He can barely breathe at the mere thought of Joey. It's almost embarrassing how lovesick he is. He just can't stand it; his romances always end up in heartbreak, and this ship never even set sail in the first place. But he can't say or do anything, or else he risks irrevocably ruining their friendship.
Joey means everything to him. His playful childishness and optimism and charm; his look of concentration whenever he tries to comprehend something, then his face lighting up when he figures it out; his strong sense of morality to always do the right thing, even at the expense of himself; his protectiveness of his friends and family; and his ability to make Chandler feel like he was worth something at all in this world, and really, Chandler did not do anything to deserve him. He couldn't break this. It would be like losing a fragment of his soul. He needed to get over Joey, even if they technically never dated. This was still on the same level, maybe even worse, than any fight or breakup he's gone through with any girl.
It didn't even occur to him that he started tearing up, until a pack of tissues were placed in front of him. He murmured a "thanks" to Phoebe, and wiped his tears away with much more force than he needed to.
He's kept his feelings under wraps for several years already, what's a few more?
- 5 -
It was weird, Joey thought, that he hasn't brought anyone home in ages. Well, maybe he couldn't count half a month as "ages," but it was pretty long for Joey to not sleep with anyone.
But it didn't have to do with Joey turning unattractive; no, he still exuded all the charisma and handsomeness he normally possessed. Something else was just very wrong with him, and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Like, just today, he was walking down the street, as Joey does, when a woman approached him. She was totally his type– curly blonde hair, a bit shorter than him, and in her early to mid twenties. Not to mention, really pretty. And she seemed nice enough, and very into Joey.
The problem was, Joey was feeling nothing. Zero. Nada. Strangely, he was about as attracted to her as he would be attracted to a lamp post. Not that he was attracted to lamp posts. You know what he means.
What's even more strange was that when he lied and said, "Sorry, I'm seeing someone else," the image of Chandler appeared in his mind. And this was strange, because he and Chandler were not a couple, as Chandler had made clear many times. And even stranger, this thought made Joey upset, for no explicable reason.
(Deep, deep down, Joey knew the reason. He would be really stupid– which he's not– if he hadn't taken notice of his own feelings. They bubbled underneath the surface, threatening to break out at any point. This is one of the only times he's felt something more than only physical attraction, and to a man as well. It wasn't he was repulsed by it or anything, of course; he wasn't homophobic, but it was just… different. Terrifying, even, and there weren't many things Joey Tribbiani was scared of.)
The pretty lady nodded in understanding and she and Joey headed off in their respective directions. On his aimless walk, he came across a place where these people were selling baby chicks. They were so cute, and each only cost three dollars.
On impulse, Joey bought one to fill the hole in his heart. If he couldn't have the other type of chick, at least he could have this tiny soft bundle of fluff.
—
When he got home, Chandler was on the couch with a whole tub of ice cream and watching TV. Weird, but if this was what he needed to get over smoking again, then so be it, Joey supposed.
The baby chick chirped once, which made Chandler turn around, locking eyes with the miniscule thing in Joey's hands. "What is that?"
Uh, wasn't Chandler supposed to be the smart one? "It's a chick," Joey replied, giving Chandler a look that said, duh.
"Yes, clearly, but where did you get it and what is it doing in our apartment?"
"Woah, there, no need to get so riled up," Joey said defensively, "I just thought that it would liven up the place. Be a new member of our family!"
This was clearly not the right thing to say. At the word "family," Chandler looked up to the ceiling, seemingly asking the heavens what crimes he had committed in his past life. Or he could just ask Phoebe. But no matter.
"Okay, but who is gonna take care of… him?"
"Her. Wait, actually–" Joey stared at the chick intensely, as if that would magically reveal its gender. Chandler squinted from the sofa.
"I'm not too sure… but back to my point: who will raise and feed her? I mean, look at it, it's just a baby. I need to work, and you have acting and stuff." It was now chirping again in Joey's hands, as if inquiring curiously about their conversation. Chandler let himself gaze at it adoringly, but stopped himself. He couldn't let himself get too attached to their chick. Wait no. Not their chick. Just the chick. Yeah. Okay.
Joey looked distraught. "No, we can't do that! She can't be confined in a cage forever, doomed to make eggs the rest of her life or somethin'. We would be much better parents for our little chicken."
Again, what was with all these word choices? Parents? Come on, universe, that was a low blow. "Joey, I just don't think–"
"Please, Chandler. We can figure it out as we go. Please. I already named her too. Her name is…" (he lowered his voice) "...The Hulk."
"You named our baby chick The Hulk." Why was Chandler even surprised anymore? "No, no, that won't do. What about, um." Then Chandler smiled, coming up with the perfect name. "Yasmine."
"Yasmine… Like Yasmine Bleeth!" Joey smiled warmly back. "Actually, I got her for you too, because I thought you seemed down these days and could use a friend. And now we have a little Yasmine of our own. Joey, Chandler, and Yasmine," he said, trying out how the words felt. "I like it."
And Chandler– wait. This was not how it was supposed to go. He could feel the affection spreading through him like an disease. No, what he was supposed to do was get over Joey, not fall for him even harder. Just when he thought that maybe he was safe, Joey comes striding in with a baby chick now named Yasmine, and he becomes unraveled once again. Could his love life be any more tragic?
"Uh, Chandler, you okay there? You've said nothin' for the past minute or so."
This was bad. He needed to stop overthinking the fact that Joey and Chandler practically adopted a chick together. And they were now going to raise it together. They were becoming like parents. Like an old married couple. Like lobsters. Wow, he needed to stop listening to Phoebe.
Everyone knows that the best way to not be in uncomfortable situations was to escape as soon as it became uncomfortable. "Yeah, just a bit tired. I think I might go to bed a bit early tonight." He scampered off, Joey's worried eyes trailing him.
After a few seconds, Chandler came back out and took his ice cream tub and spoon. "Almost forgot this," he said, then went back into his room.
+1
It was the dead of night, but Joey was wide awake. He gazed down at the tiny chick… at Yasmine, his and Chandler's chick. The thought made him smile, then made him feel a sense of longing.
"I don't know why he keeps doin' this. I really thought we had something, but any time I wanna get closer, he just… pushes me away." A sigh. "Do you know what I should do?"
The chick only tilted it's head, standing in its fence thingy that Joey found lying around.
Joey huffed. "'Course you wouldn't know. You're just a chick."
Yasmine stayed still.
"You're right. I didn't mean it Yasmine, I'm sorry." Yasmine turned away. "Oh, come on! How am I supposed to fix my relationships with a human being if I can't even get along with you."
He leaned back against the bar, running his hands down his face, when he heard the creak of wood. Joey cracked open his eyes. There was a faint silhouette in Chandler's door frame.
"Chandler!" Joey whisper-shouted. It was still night-time and he wouldn't want to wake the neighbors, especially not Mr. Heckles. "What are you doin' up? I thought you said you wanted to go to bed early 'cause you were tired."
"Yeah, well, turns out I was wrong. I'm trying out Rachel's night audio thing which I'm supposed to listen to while sleeping and it's supposed to help me quit smoking, but it keeps trying to convince me I'm a 'strong, confident woman.'" Joey let out a short laugh. "I'm not joking. Also, who the hell are you talking to?" Chandler flicked his eyes warily around his surrounding area, as if expecting someone to leap out of the shadows and jump him.
"No one, just Yasmine." He rubbed a finger over her delicate feathers, and she scurried away to the other side of the fence. "Though she's mad at me right now."
"Oh, okay," Chandler said, getting ready to go back to his room again, but Joey couldn't let that happen.
"No, wait!" Joey cried out, then internally cursed himself for talking so loud. "You're already up, and you're probably not gonna fall asleep anytime soon. I'm also up, so why don't we just… sit and have deep conversations."
Chandler stared at Joey and scrunched up his face. "Since when have we ever had deep late night conversations?"
Fair point, but Joey wouldn't give in. Not when this might be his chance to fix whatever was going on between them. "Never too late to start. I'll bring out a few cans of beer if you want."
Chandler shifted his weight between his two feet, looking nervous, and Joey thought, oh no, he's gonna go hide again, is he?
But at last, Chandler made up his mind and came over to sit in the stool to the right of Joey. Chandler gazed at Yasmine with loving eyes. "So, what is she even mad at you about?"
"Oh, uh, I told her she wasn't as good as a human, because …humans eat chickens," Thank god Joey was an actor and could improvise on the spot. He thought 'I was venting to her about how I wish you would stop avoiding me' might not be the best thing to say to bridge the gap.
Thankfully, Chandler bought it. "Oh my God. You're a monster. How could you say things like that to her?" He stared contemplatively into space. "Should I become vegetarian?"
This created doubts in Joey as well about eating chicken. Which was crazy to think about, because Joey and all foods have an inseparable bond. A world without meat? Unthinkable. Maybe for someone brave enough, but not him. "I don't wanna think about that. Can we talk about something else?"
"You pick a topic then, since you suggested this in the first place. And also, get the beer. I could use some right now."
Joey got up from his seat, trying to brainstorm at the same time. Conversation topics, this should be easy. Just say the first thing that comes to your mind. "How's… the weather been treating you lately?"
"Ah yes, the most philosophical of conversations, asking about the weather." Chandler said, amused. "I must say it's been treating me fine, thank you." He looked out the window, watching small flurries of snow coming down. It was just like that one day it all started when they were fooling around in the snow. Not fooling around like that; Chandler shook the thought out of his head.
Though the snow really was beautiful, swaying lazily in the winter wind. He liked the weather when it was like this; watching the white specks come down all around him made him feel sheltered in this apartment which he had learned to call home. This and nighttime made everything feel a bit more gentle, the hustle of New York not quite as loud or overbearing. It was idyllic in a way; he could even go so far as to call it romantic. Chandler cleared his throat. "What about you then?"
Two cans were placed on the surface of the counter with a clink. The noise made the chick startle. "Oh, sorry Yasmine, didn't mean to scare ya." He sat back down, and opened the can. "I suppose the snow is nice when I'm inside and there isn't anyone attacking me with snowballs."
Chandler scoffed lightheartedly, opening his own can and hearing the faint hiss of bubbles. He took a sip, feeling the bitter taste washing over his tongue, making him feel loose and fuzzy.
The moonlight came through the window, lighting up the side of Chandler's face. Joey hated to sound cliché (he was an actor and knew many plays), but Chandler looked like an angel. This was the kind of thing people would write about in books and TV. Chandler always underestimated his own beauty; just looking at him could take away Joey's breath.
He forced himself to tear his gaze away and downed half his can. Chandler raised his eyebrows, and Joey shrugged. "A lot on my mind lately."
"What, like girls or something?" Chandler joked, even though it physically hurt him.
Joey looked suspicious. "Are we gonna be like a bunch of girls talkin' about their love lives over alcohol?" Chandler shrugged in a way that said what else are we gonna do, and Joey sighed. "But I have to admit, I haven't been getting much action lately."
Chandler mock-gasped. "Joey Tribbiani, no action? Is the world ending?" Joey glared briefly. "Okay, sorry. Is that what's bothering you?"
Oh, if only Chandler knew. "No, not exactly." But this was supposed to be a deep late night conversation, so fuck it, and he followed up with, "Still, I don't know, man. It's nice to have someone warm your bed once in a while, but none of those relationships last more than, like, a week! What if I never find someone who will spend the rest of their life with me? I know I might not seem like someone who can settle down, but y'know, it'd be nice." Joey leaned against the counter, letting his elbows rest against the cool stone. These were worries he never confided in anyone out of fear it might damage people's perceptions of his character, but there must have been something in the air that made him want to spill all his secrets. Or maybe it was something about the person sitting in front of him, listening intently.
"Hey, hey now," Chandler patted his back, "You're gonna find someone. I know it. Someone really nice and pretty. I swear, one day you'll fall in love with someone who you can wake up to every morning, and they'll love you back and make you feel like you're on top of the world," he said, because he's a sadist who takes pleasure in his own pain, apparently. Joey deserved to be happy, and Chandler accepted the fact that one day, Joey might find a wife and have kids and settle down, while Chandler would be mostly forgotten. For now, the least Chandler could do was be there for him.
"Thanks, man." Joey managed a weak smile. "So, have you been in love with anyone before?"
The beer must really be lowering his inhibitions, because the next thing he knew, he felt himself saying, "Yeah, I am right now, actually."
Joey thinks it might hurt less if he were stabbed in the chest thirty times. He forced out, "Oh, what's she like, then?"
This is the part where he should have lied or something and taken his words all back. But no, Chandler decided, this could be the only opportunity to tell Joey how he feels, even if indirectly. It was a risk.
"Well, I can't have them, so there's no point in doing anything, really. But I don't think I've ever felt so strongly about someone in my entire life." He sighed, "They have brown hair and brown eyes, and he- I mean, they're really beautiful, and they know it. I can talk with them comfortably about anything, even if they might not understand what I'm saying half the time. They can be a bit bold and brash at some points, and they like to hog stuff a lot, but in the end, they still do such good things for me and other people. They care so much about things and their friends and their family and their job, they're so full of love and passion, it makes me wonder how I could even be friends with them." Chandler took a long swig of his drink. He walked over to the fridge, not knowing exactly what he was looking for. "Thing is, they don't like men."
"You think so, or you know so?"
"I probably know this person better than they know themselves," Chandler turned his head to stare imploringly at Joey, not really knowing what he was expecting to see. Joey stared back, uncomprehending, and Chandler turned back to the fridge. So much for that. At least he 'threw himself out there,' or whatever.
Something was definitely going on here. The use of pronouns, the way Chandler looked at him just now, and Joey thought that he must know this person if they were so close to Chandler.
Then it clicked into place like puzzle pieces, and a smug smile came over Joey's face. Oh, how nice it was to be the clever one for once. "Well, I happen to be in love with someone too."
Chandler stopped rummaging through the fridge. "You do?"
"Yeah. They're smart, funny, kinda socially awkward, but that's one of the things I love about them." Joey slid off his chair, slowly approaching Chandler, who was still and silent. "I don't know what they're talkin' about half the time, but I still like being in their company. They support me in my acting and other stuff, and they're always there when I need them. And they always joke about how they're annoyin' or can never be loved, 'cause that's how they cover up their emotions, but truth is they're one of the most lovable people on this planet. Through all my flings and short-term girlfriends, they're the one who's been there all along, but I never even realized. Now, I couldn't imagine being with anyone else."
He was stopped in front of Chandler now, and Joey watched his Adam's apple bob as he gulped. Up close, he realized he'd never truly noticed how intense and stormy Chandler's eyes were. They flicked back and forth between Joey's eyes and his mouth, which gave him the courage he needed to take this last step.
"It just turns out they might not be as smart as I thought," Joey said, and kissed him.
Joey pressed Chandler up against the refrigerator, and Chandler hands came up to grip his hair just like last time, and Oh God, it was already a thousand times better than at New Year's. Chandler was pulling him impossibly closer, kissing him hard like it's everything he'd ever wanted. Joey bit at Chandler's bottom lip, feeling hot coils of desire tighten his stomach when Chandler made a small noise at the back of his throat.
It made all his other girlfriends seem lame, because here, he was in love with Chandler and the universe decided Chandler was in love with him.
Then Chandler abruptly pulled back as Joey's fingers were fiddling with the hem of his sleepshirt. Joey froze. He hadn't misread anything, had he? Or did he overstep a boundary? That couldn't be, not when he responded so enthusiastically.
But Chandler was smiling, his lips glistening in the dark. "Relax, Joe," he reassured, taking Joey's hands in his, and pressing a kiss to his cheek. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "It's just that, well, Yasmine is watching."
Oh, right, Joey almost forgot. Yasmine was indeed watching them both with what could be a confused expression on her face. She must be outright scandalized! How could they have done this to her!
"You're right, we can't do this here," Joey said. He leaned into Chandler's ear. "So, your room or mine?"
Joey relished in the way Chandler's whole body shivered at his voice. "Yours is closer," he breathed, and let himself be dragged into bed.
—
The next morning, when Chandler awoke, he was in a place unfamiliar to him. Normally, this would make him panic, but today, he thinks he could get used to this new development.
"Joey? You up yet?"
"Chandler, shut up and go back to sleep." Joey wrapped his arms tighter around Chandler. His breath tickled the back of Chandler's neck.
No more than a few minutes later, Joey called, "Hey, Chandler?"
"I thought you told me to shut up and go back to sleep."
"Hey, stop that, I'm bein' serious." There was a trace of nervousness in his voice. "Was the stuff you said true yesterday? About me bein' the person you've felt the most emotions for in your whole life?"
"If last night didn't prove that to you, then I don't know what will."
"Chandler, please."
His tone made Chandler shift around so that he was facing Joey, who seemed fully awake now. He took a breath, and spoke the absolute truth when he said: "Joey, I'm in love with you. And it's only been you for a long, long time."
Joey surged forward, kissing Chandler hard until he felt lightheaded.
It then turned into something sweeter, and Chandler couldn't help but smile against Joey's lips, though he could feel Joey smiling too.
Really, it all made sense in the end. They would have to thank the group later for pointing out the obvious and bringing them together. They already lived together, took care of each other, and now even had a chick together. Their relationship had barely even shifted. It was like starting on the fifteenth date.
Joey finally pulled back, and his joy was infectious. How lucky was he to find someone he could wake up next to every morning, someone who he could share his secrets with, someone he could laugh and talk with, for the rest of his life?
Most importantly, someone he could love. That was the easy part.
"Chandler Bing, I might just be in love with you too."
AN: Before anyone comes and says, "The canon events are so out of order !" I know already. This entire thing isn't canon, so I don't think rearranging the events of the canon timeline is a big deal lmao
Also, I'm sure you already read in the beginning author's note, but I don't write fics often (this is like the 4th one I've written, and the 2nd I've published across all sites) so any feedback means a lot to me! This is also my first fic for the Friends fandom and I also have never really written any slash fics AND I legit did practically no research about the time period or anything really, so sorry if it's not very great! Still, I hope you liked this nonetheless and I'm so glad you made it this far! I'll stop rambling now, but yeah, thanks and enjoy the rest of your day ! :^)
ALSO, if there are typos, please let me know!
