Inhale

Chapter 25:

"Corey." Joey purred in the dark.

Corey rubbed his eyes "yes?" He yawned.

"Come here I'm cold!" Joey protested

"Fine." Corey rolled his eyes as he moved closer. "Happy?"

"No."

"What?"

"I want a hug." Joey smiled

Corey sighed but pulled Joey close "happy now?"

"Yes." Joey giggled.

"Cool...can I go back to sleep?" Corey asked sighing

"You werent asleep anyway." Joey laughed.

Corey rolled his eyes "I know."

"Why do you barely sleep?" Joey sighed sadly putting his hand gently against Corey's face.

Corey pulled away slightly

"Why do you still do that?" Joey asked

Corey was silent for a moment before looking up and laying on his back.

"Which do you want me to answer first?"

"Why you still pull away from me..." joey said

"Because." corey sighed "I'm still trying to figure out what physical contact is ment from love...and which is ment from anger..."

"What? I've never hit you!" Joey snapped sitting up

Corey shook his head "never said you did. I'm just saying..."

"Why?"

"Look I'm gonna tell you something." Corey sat leaning on one arm "and I'm not trying to be depressing. My mom used to date really...toxic men." Corey said

Joey nodded

"They beat me and they beat my sister. They beat all of us. It was terrifying." Corey shrugged

"Corey I'm so sorry i-"

"Dont. I'm not looking for sympathy. It's just hard some days to tell. Not with everything else that happened." Corey bit his lip "but it's hard to tell whether or not, the hand touching my hand, my face is ment in what way."

"That sounds...really sad." Joey said

Corey shrugged "it could have been worse."

"I hate when you say that. It could have been worse..it could have always been better..."

"I wish it were." corey sighed

Joey gently placed his hand on Corey's "you, you mean a lot to me corey. Even though you hate being touched. I love you. Your smile, cheesy jokes, laugh. I love you."

Corey went red "I.. uh.really?"

Joey nodded gently

"I love you too.." corey said "sorry I've gone all red...fuck."

Joey giggled "you're cute when you blush."

"Mhmm. Sure." Corey rolled his eyes sarcastically

"I'm sure." Joey said "you're adorable. You may scream like the devil but you are honestly cute."

"Shut up now." Corey mumbled still red.

"I dont think I will." Joey said

"Oh really?"

"Really." Joey smirked "plus you're uh..you're sexy when you're angry."

He gently ran a finger down Corey's chest.