Joey and The Ink Machine. || A BATIM AU FANFICTION.

MOVING PICTURES - PART 1

"Henry!"

Henry smiled—at least the most he could, his expression seeming slightly weak as he barely managed to look back at the man who eagerly hopped toward the direction of the door upon seeing him finally enter. This was a man he knew. And a man he knew well. But a man that—well, at least a few days ago, he didn't exactly plan on seeing again.

The man wore his usual cheerful grin, his light blue eyes shining in the same overly happy way they always did as he practically skipped foward in Henry's presence. He wore a sleeveless tuxedo, a red bow-tie hung around the collar of his white button-up. He was slightly taller in comparison to Henry—to the point where being so short in comparison almost made Henry a bit anxious. A thin mustache was just barely above his permanently smiling lips. And his brows were furrowed—as if something more remained behind the smile. Yet of course, there was nothing more. Henry knew this. After all, there was no reason to suspect such a thing when this man was someone he knew well enough, and well enough to know there would be nothing more behind those always cheerful eyes of his.

"Hey, Joey.." Henry tiredly uttered. Joey, with his permanently smiling lips, upon finally hopping close enough to his shorter and weakly smiling friend—wrapped his arms rather tightly around Henry, and clung to him as if he were a snake strangling the life out of whatever prey it grabbed onto. Henry only let his arms slowly slip around Joey's waist in response, chuckling in a slightly nervous manner. Ah.. he had forgotten Joey's habit of sudden embraces.

After a few moments of letting out a cheerful, comfortable hum in the warm sensation of the embrace—Joey pulled away, his hands clinging onto Henry's arms. "There you are! I was startin' to think you weren't comin' after all."

"Hah.. Joey, you know I wouldn't do that. Besides.." Henry scratched the side of his head with a wobbly smile. "..I don't think I really had a choice anyway. I.. promised I'd come, so.."

"Hahah!" Joey laughed—such a loud laugh it was. It felt almost like the false chortle of a radio host. Patting Henry's shoulders with a grin, Joey replied, "Well, even if you didn't come, I'd probably just show up at your house and drag you here myself!"

Henry laughed in response at the light-hearted manner Joey spoke in. He assumed it was a joke. It.. was a joke, right? It was a little hard to tell if what Joey said was a joke or not sometimes. Henry then replied lightly, "Oh, would you? Even if I only hadn't come because of something important?"

Joey chuckled again. "Yeah, probably.. I mean, it's not like you have anything more important than me anyway. We're pals! In fact, I'm pretty sure I'm basically one of the only pals you have! What more important things could you have?"

Henry laughed in response, though deep within his heart, he felt a slight pang of mild hurt. Even so, he didn't let this show. "..I.. I guess nothing. It's—not really like Linda minds anyway."

"I'm sure she doesn't! Who would mind getting to be by theirself everyday? Especially if their husband is always quiet and barely has anything to say..!" Joey chortled, his tone light-hearted. Though once he uttered those words, silence went by—and Henry barely managed to muster.. well, force a weak smile in response. Another heavy pang of hurt felt as if it went through Henry's heart right then.

Joey widened his eyes, arching a brow—and then gave a smile, letting out a raspy laugh upon noticing an expression on Henry's face Henry himself couldnt see. "Hey, relax! I was just kidding." He then added, "Geez.. you're still kind of sensitive, huh? No wonder you've barely managed to make it in the world of cartoons without my help.."

Henry forced a mild laugh. "Hahah.. so—sorry, sorry. I.. I still have a bit habit of.. doing that.."

"Mm.. don't worry. I'm sure you'll grow used to the world one day, Henry. Besides, with me to guide you—I think you'll do just fine!" Joey said, laughing and waving his hand dismissively.