popslash_lollipops

good grief. You compell me.

Joey was a caretaker and because of this he had a sense of purpose and well being. He was perpetually happy, extremely outgoing and always had a warm smile for anyone that passed. Especially for his boys. It was hard for anyone that didn’t know him to see anything other than the surface. With everything that was going on during tour none of them were having much luck with relaxing. Everyone was being pulled in thousands of different directions. Add that to the stress of touring and it wasn’t much of a surprise that they were picking at each other. It wasn’t until Joey snapped at a roadie that anyone noticed.

Lance in particular looked more closely. He saw the tired eyes and down turned mouth. The impatient tapping of fingers on any surface. The smiles and hugs were half hearted and never lasted very long. Even the conversations with Bri were shorter than normal. After it was pointed out to him Chris became concerned and exchanged emails with Lance on possible interventions. In short a plan was born. Chris dubbed it ‘love the stuffin out of the muffin’. Lance told him to never mention that to Joey unless he wanted to be killed in his sleep. Chris giggled and ran off with his part of the list. Lance just smiled.

Two mornings later Joey was once again the one snarling into his eggs. Another night unable to rest was testing the limits. When he pushed his plate away with a muttered curse about hating fake eggs and bacon he saw an envelope that he hadn’t seen before. Tracing the letters written in crayon he felt the irritation melt away slowly. He opened it and spread the manilla papers out on the table carefully and then read the story that Bri had written him of a princess who loved her daddy very much. He was quiet for a long time as he looked at each of the stick figures that ‘acted’ out the story. Joey had left the table in silence, folding the letter and tucking it safely into his pillow so he could look at it later.

Chris’ contribution to the day was to have an authentic Italian dinner delivered to the hotel they stopped at for the night. It had been debated over, well Chris had debated... Lance had said no, whether or not to cook it themselves. Once they had determined that it would be a fire hazard, a CDC hazard and possibly a nuclear explosion hazard that idea was nixed and an order was placed. Dinner for three was set up in true ‘Ristorante’ style with red checked table cloth, wine, and loads of garlic bread. Chris dressed up as an Italian waiter complete with extra handlebar mustache and apron... even if his pants were green and red plaid. Joey was led into the room and sat down at the table and before he could say anything Chris launched into “Lady and the Tramp”. Until Lance hit him on the back of the head and knocked his mustache askew. There was a brief squabble before a truce was called and dinner was served.

Lance’s contribution came later. After food was eaten, conversation was had, and stomachs had settled. Joe was treated to a back massage with sesame honey oil. Chris insisted on licking some of it off, making Joey laugh when he went into a tirade about it smelling like dessert and tasting like motor oil. Then he took a side and together he and Lance smoothed out the kinks, took away the stress with the slick glide of hands over skin. Joey felt the warm leaden vest of sleep pulling him down. The hands on him, the occasional murmur of voices above him, the humming. They were humming to him. His mind struggled to place the familiar tune but it was too late. He was already claimed by the sandman. His body relaxed completely under them as he fell asleep.

They continued singing the lullaby until the last verse was done. The same one Joey sang to Bri every night.

awwwwwwwwwwwwh! That's really sweet. I like it!

thanks. it took me a little while to figure it out... but i did.

and!!!!!!!!!!! AWWW! Haley!

isn't she great?

auntumnyte made her for me.

Mmmmmmmmmmmm. Thank you. That definately hits the spot.

Jo, that was just lovely. :)

So sweet! And I love stories where Lance and Chris work on something together, they make such a good team.

*squees quietly*

That was awesome, Jo!

I love your Chris, and the "possible nuclear explosion hazard" line cracked me up six ways from Sunday. *g*

That was just gorgeous!

You did such a great job.

Chola!

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