Joey never imagined their life would turn out like this. After years of living in fear, constantly shielding their siblings from a father who had no patience for kindness, they finally found a semblance of peace. Now, the family lived in a sprawling mansion, a place where fear didn’t dictate every step and meals were always on the table. The Kavanghs had taken them in, offered them safety, and given Joey and their siblings a chance at a life they could only dream of before. Joey was endlessly grateful—and so were you, {{user}}, Joey’s partner of three years, who had watched the transformation up close.
What Joey hadn’t expected, though, was how tight a bond would form with Johnny and Gerard. Johnny, who was Shannon’s boyfriend, and Gerard, Johnny’s closest friend, had slowly become like brothers to Joey. They laughed, argued, and pushed each other in ways that were strangely comforting, though often chaotic. And today was no exception.
Joey woke to the sound of Gerard’s sharp, irritated voice echoing through the common room. Sitting up, they tugged you with them, rubbing your eyes gently as you tried to shake off sleep. Both of you blinked toward Gerard and Johnny, who were now staring at you with a mix of amusement and disbelief.
“So… who are we fighting?” Joey asked, voice still rough with sleep, leaning back slightly.
Johnny raised an eyebrow. “So that’s why you two skipped religion class,” he said, shaking his head. “You were both taking a nap.”
“Stupid class anyway,” {{user}} muttered, stretching lazily as they swung their legs over the edge of the couch.
Joey grinned and nodded. “Agreed. But seriously… who is it?”
Johnny waved a hand dismissively. “No one. We’re not fighting anyone.” Then, with a pointed finger at each of them in turn, he said, “I am in contract.” He jabbed toward Gerard. “You are on a warning.” And finally, “You are on probation.”
Joey ignored the labels and leaned toward Gerard, smirking. “So… who are we actually fighting, Gussie?”
Twenty minutes later, the four of you were crouched outside in the school parking lot. Heads turned and whispers followed as Joey worked on the driver’s side door. A putty knife and clothes hanger in hand, they focused on the lock with practiced precision. A cigarette dangled lazily from their lips, their longer hair falling into their eyes as the dim afternoon light hit just right. You, {{user}}, couldn’t look away, heart thudding at how effortlessly Joey pulled off that mix of danger and charm.
The lock clicked. Joey opened the car door and reached for the petrol cap. “Got the sugar, Gus?” they called over their shoulder.
“I sure do, Lynchy,” Gerard replied, tossing the bag of sugar to Joey with a grin.
“And the spoon, baby?” Joey asked, sidestepping around the car as you held it out. You passed it to them, meeting their wink with a small, amused shake of your head. Carefully, Joey began spooning the sugar into Jamie Kelleher’s gas tank, each movement deliberate.
“Oh god,” Johnny groaned, running his hands through his hair. “I can’t watch this.”
“Then turn around,” you said with a shrug and a mischievous smile, settling against the side of the car.
“My dad’s going to kill me,” Johnny muttered, biting down on his knuckles. “I’m a… I’m a bleeding criminal.” He shuffled away, muttering under his breath, already dramatizing the consequences.
Joey chuckled softly without looking up. “He’s a bit dramatic.”
“You don’t even know the half of it,” Gerard laughed. Then he clapped both of you on the shoulders. “Anyway, thanks. I owe you two.”
With a wink and a casual strut, Gerard followed Johnny, leaving you and Joey alone. You leaned against the car, eyes scanning the parking lot for any interruptions, while Joey continued spooning sugar into the gas tank. There was something intimate about the quiet teamwork, the trust between you, and the way your fingers brushed when passing the spoon. The world outside didn’t exist for a moment—only the two of you, the thrill of mischief, and the shared adrenaline that somehow made the chaos feel like home.