Chapter Text
joey had stopped in front of that store more times than he’d admit.
not every day. not even every week. just whenever they passed by.
he’d slow down a little, glance at the display like it didn’t matter, like he wasn’t actually looking for anything specific.
but paul noticed.
it was a necklace—simple, thin chain, small pendant, the kind of thing that didn’t try too hard but still stood out. very joey.
“you like it?” paul had asked once.
“it’s fine,” joey shrugged.
it wasn’t fine.
it was expensive.
so joey stopped looking after a while. or at least pretended to.
—
he doesn’t expect anything when paul hands him the small box.
“…what’s this.”
“…just open it.”
joey narrows his eyes a little, already suspicious.
“…what did you do.”
paul just shrugs, like it’s nothing.
so joey opens it.
and yeah, he freezes for a second.
“…you’re kidding.”
paul says nothing. just watches.
joey looks up, then back down at it again, like it might disappear if he blinks too hard.
“…paul.”
“you kept staring at it.”
“it’s expensive.”
“…yeah.”
“i told you it was okay.”
joey carefully takes it out, holding it like it’s something fragile.
“…it’s exactly the one.”
“…i know.”
a pause.
then, quieter—
“…put it on me.”
paul steps closer without hesitation.
joey turns around, lifting his hair out of the way, exposing the back of his neck.
paul’s fingers brush his skin as he moves the chain into place—slow, careful, like he’s taking his time on purpose.
the clasp clicks.
his hands linger just a second longer than needed.
“…there.”
joey drops his hair back down, turning to face him again.
his fingers come up to touch the pendant, adjusting it slightly, like he’s making sure it sits just right.
“…yeah,” he murmurs.
then he looks at paul.
something softer now.
“…i love it.”
paul smiles, small but real.
“…good.”
joey steps closer, closing the space between them like it’s nothing.
“…you’re an idiot, paulie.”
“…yeah, yeah.”
joey leans in, pressing a quick kiss to his mouth—
then another, just a little slower this time.
“…thank you,” he mutters against him.
paul exhales, hands settling at his waist.
“…anytime.”