Impractical Jokers: [Joker]x[Joker] Collection

Doesn't Go Both Ways (Joe/Sal)

        Sal hates things like this. He'll never mention it because fans are big on it - making the Jokers show affection for one another to 'prove' their friendship - but he hates when the man he has feelings for gets close to another one of his friends. It's stupid really - to feel so stupidly self-centred. They're all friends after all.

But seeing Joe 'kiss' Q? It has him all kinds of jealous. He wants to be theonly one that Joe shows that kind of affection to - which is pain-painstakingly terrible of him, considering they kiss each other, whether in greeting or in congratulations, next to all the time.

Once the interview is done, Sal stands hurriedly and is the first to leave the room. Gatto says goodbye to the other two, then rushes to catch up with him, somewhat concerned.

"Ya made a quick exit there, bud," Joe speaks up, though he notices the way Vulcano averts his gaze to look away from him. "Hey... everythin' okay?"

Sal grunts. That's something that makes him frown. He's not used to such a cold reception from the other man, not when, recently, they've been getting closer. Had he overstepped some kind of mark when they'd been out for dinner yesterday and he'd "accidentally" brushed his hand over the table? God damn it, why does he have to make stupid choices?

"If this is about yesterday–"

"It ain't about yesterday," Sal interrupts with a scowl, stopping walking which causes Joe to do the same. The other Joker extends his arms as if to ask 'well, what then?!', and when Sal tries to walk away with a theatrical roll of his eyes Joe grasps one of his wrists and holds him firm. Vulcano snaps. "I didn't like what you did with Q back there!"

Slowly, Joe releases the other man and blinks. There's an uncertainty in his face that wasn't there before. Does this mean that Sal is picking up on the same romantic undertones that he had been for a couple of months now, or is he just thinking too much? He's a victim of that, constantly the over-thinker... but is it warranted this time?

"I was just doin' what was asked of me–"

"Oh sure, if you were asked to give Murray a blowie, would you?!"

"Sal!" They both stop, halt, as if hitting a brick wall that disallows them from going any further. Both men breathe harder, the passionate outbursts taking a toll on their physicality: dipped brows, clenched fists, slightly flushed cheeks... all the signs of a jealous outrage on Sal's behalf, and all the signs of being a victim of one on Joe's. The latter male clears his throat, stands up straighter. "...ya gotta stop, man."

"Joey–"

"Stop doubtin' me. Listen, Q's my buddy. He's your buddy too. Don't go givin' him a hard time just because we're all in this together rather than it just being us two."

Sal averts his gaze, guilt beginning to seep through onto his face, weighing his features down as if they're submerged in water. It's a sorry sight, something Joe doesn't wish to see again; Sal Vulcano sad, it doesn't click in his mind. And it's not that he's not ever been sad, more so it wounds him to see.

Slowly, Joe takes Sal's face in his hands and presses a chaste kiss to his lips. At first, he wants nothing more than to pull away, to prove just how annoyed he is with the other man's little stunt back there... but he can't resist. Joe's never been this forward before, they've never shared a kiss that wasserious. So when Gatto pulls away and gives him a little smile, Sal feels butterflies in his stomach just like when he was twelve.

"Listen up. I probably got asked to kiss Q because he and I don't have many 'moments' on the show. You and I? I show my affection for ya all the time. Just because I'm not makin' out with ya in front of the camera or makin'... lame passes for your hand..." At this point he stops, looks up at Sal with a hint of timidity in his face before he wills himself to carry on. "...it doesn't mean you're not my favourite. And it doesn't mean that the fans don't know that either. They don't need confirmation - and neither should you."

Sal blinks slowly... before nodding his head in defeat. "I know. I'm sorry, Joey."

"Well," Joe replies loftily, shrugging before slinging an arm around his friend's shoulders. "It's no good payin' me lip service. Just as long as ya mean it."

"So does that mean, just for future reference, if someone asked me to kiss Q, or Murray for that matter, you'd be cool with it?"

"Ahah!" Joe barks with laughter, pulling the other man in close, hand on his shoulder moving up and down to pat at it. "No."