Work Text:
Corey's a good listener.
Most people pretend to be interested, nod when it’s appropriate and hope he’ll shut up sooner rather than later. Joey doesn’t let it stop him from talking, doesn’t think there’s anything that could ever stop him, but he can tell when people are only pretending to listen because they know his band is gonna make it big.
But Corey listens, gives Joey his undivided attention like what he’s saying is the most important thing in the world, even when it’s just about his new cymbals. It makes Joey feel special, makes the butterflies dance in his stomach, makes him realize he might have a giant crush on Corey.
Corey’s smiling as he listens and it’s kinda distracting, makes Joey stumble over his words.
“You alright?” Corey asks. He seems amused.
“Yeah-” Joey laughs a little, mostly at himself. “What was I saying?”
“Your new cymbals,” Corey reminds, and he’s still smiling and Joey’s brain is too jumbled to form a coherent thought.
“Oh, right.”
“You sure you’re alright?” Corey asks, but he doesn’t look very concerned, doesn’t look concerned at all. Because he pays attention, knew about Joey’s crush before he did. He’s just waiting for the right time to make a move, totally hasn’t chickened out about ten times already.