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Chapter Text

The naps from season seven episode six and seven and the aftermath with ✨feelings✨

Chapter Text

Joeys pov

As I woke up at ross' apartment I got scared and moved away from him while he did the same. Were we just... cuddling? I left after that thinking. I had been trying to push away a side of me for years. Bringing girl after girl home to fill the hole and there's no way i ruin that now. I mean sure these women were pretty but I didn't really want to do anything with them I was hoping eventually I would learn to just like it and that still hasn't worked out.

Now Im not in any way a religious man but still. Being gay it was, well it was weird. It wasn't normal. I couldn't be. I'm not gay.

I decided to go back to my apartment telling Rachel I was going out and I went for a walk. That was the best sleep i had had in a while and it was with a dude. I definitely dont't like Ross whatsoever he truly is just a friend but he was a male friend.

I got back to the apartment feeling the need to do something so i cleaned and then ate and messed everything up again and then cleaned it once more.

"You okay?" Rachel asks coming out of her room to a semi clean apartment.

"Yeah fine. I'm gonna shower." I tell her and go to the bathroom. I somehow feel relaxed even with all my thoughts. I slept realllly well which is weird for me. Usually my rest is spotty with my getting up at twelve and falling asleep around three and even then I get up five times during the night. But at ross' I slept really well. I just hope it has nothing to do with the man who was asleep on me.

Ross comes to my apartment after I talk to pheboe and Rachel about a maid of honor 'audition' and drops of the diehard tapes I had rented. I tell him we need to talk and he originally refuses but I quickly let out it was the best nap I ever had and he freezes for a moment.

"I- I don't know what you're talking about" he says

"Cmon admit it, that was the best nap you ever had"

"I've had better" he says and I begin to walk towards him.

"Ok when."

"Alright alright it was the best nap ever!" He relents. "I said it ok, but it's over joey"

"I wanna do it again" I admit.

"We can't do it again" he says.

"Why not"

"Because it's weird!"

"Fine what something to drink" I ask.

"Sure what'd you got" he replies.

"Warm milk and Excedrin pm." I smirk and he simply leaves.

~🧸~

Ross' pov

I can't pretend I wasn't a little hurt when Joey pulled away that first time. Even though I acted freaked out it wasn't bad. I knew I was bi I had been with a dude or two I college and I also knew I was developing a crush on Joey. Obviously I shoved this feeling down but he looked so peaceful when he was asleep and I couldn't help it. He looked so cute and he was comfortable enough to have me fall asleep on him and so the feelings have come back to bite me in the ass.

Nobody knew I was bi not even Chandler. How the hell he didn't notice all through college is astounding but considering the past I thought it was better not to mention.

When he asked again I decided not to considering I want these feelings to go away. I can't have a crush on someone especially if they are straight so my solution was to never have something like this happen again. Also it'd be too confusing and I don't not want to like him. I knew that I needed to leave his apartment otherwise I would definitely end up there.

During the maid of honor competition he was making jokes that I couldn't help but smile at. And being that close to him was a little stressful but I will not take another nap. My feelings need to die a simple death.

"Boy Ill tell ya that judging stuff took a lot out of me" he says sitting back on the couch in central perk after telling Rachel she had lost.

"Yeah?" I say

"Yeah" he confirms. "Think about maybe going upstairs and taking a little nap on my couch." He says and I see what he was trying to to get at all this time.

"Wh-why would I care about that" I say trying not to let him see I wanted this nap too.

"No reason I'm just saying that uh... that's where I'll be" he smirks and walks away me quickly following soon after.

I wake up as joey readjust underneath me.

"Great nap." He say

"It really was" I admit with a laugh before Rachel clears her throat and we both slowly look towards her to see everyone standing there. Joey asks what I was doing as if it was my fault and I just leave a tad embarrassed.

"Remind me to lock my door next time" he whisper in my ear next time I saw him with a smile.

Chapter Text

Joeys pov

A couple days later I had a date in the evening with a girl. for some reason cuddling with a man meant that my brain had begun to think of guys in that way again but i didnt want that. I had to go to set and unfortunately Chandler wasn't here to make her pancakes and kick her out meaning I had to leave it to Rachel.

Bad decision.

When I got home there was what's her face sitting on the barkenlounger. Luckily she left quickly.

I quickly lied saying I don't see it going anywhere but truthfully I don't think I could be with a girl. I don't date I only one night stand enough to be straight.

~🧸~

I was at the coffee house with Rachel when Ross comes storming in.

"People are doing it in front of my book" he tells us much to our confusion.

"I'm sorry?" Rachel asks and Ross explains his library trip.

"Oh my god did you get to see anything good?" Rachel asks smiling but clearly Ross was not worried about that.

Rachel explains that was her colleges fuck spot too.

"Fifth floor against that back wall?" I ask.

"Oh for crying out loud" Ross says and leaves.

Pheboe comes in a second later and leaves with Rachel leaving me with Erin from my date to go to the movies with. I know everyone thinks I'm dumb but I'm smart enough to know when I'm being set-up.

On our 'date' I explain to Erin that we can't be together. When she asks why I just repeat that we can't.

"Joey is everything alright?" She asks caringly.

"Yeah fine my head just is being weird it's not the right time for me to be in a relationship." I say.

"You know one of my ex's turned out to be gay" she says sipping the drink she had gotten.

"I-im not gay." I stutter out.

"Mmhmm" she say unconvinced.

"I'm not." I say. "I don't I'm just trying to figure it out ok and no one knows so keep your mouth shut please." I beg

"Of course we can go to the movies as friends and you can tell Rachel and pheboe we had a great time together." She smiles and I thank her.

~🧸~

Once I'm back at the house I tell Rachel and pheboe that exactly. We had the best time and I'm not mad at them and Erin and I truly do get along having much in common. I even make a quick joke about kids to them and Rachel gushes.

I do spend a lot of time that night truly trying to just figure it all out. I finally had enough money from Mac and cheese and day of our lives to buy my own computer a couple weeks back and so I quickly research this gay things. Maybe I am. I can't just keep ignoring these things for the rest of my life it won't keep me happy.

Erin and I go out again as friends the next day and we decide to go to the coffee house where Rachel and pheboe are and we have already decided if we were to come across them we act 'coupley'.

We are arguing about sports when we walk towards the couches.

"I love arguing with her" I joke to the girls. We also decided that today Erin would say she wasn't interested so that we can stop acting like that.

We would stay friends but I wild act heartbroken over it for a bit.

~ross pov~

I have to defend my honor.

And by that I mean my book in the library. I've been here all day making sure that no one would come back here to have sex. This one girl comes in wearing a blue sweater.

"Meeting someone?" I ask mockingly. "Or are you just here to brush up on Merriams views on evolution."

"Actually I find Merriams views far to progressionist." She says back and I was shocked. I agree with she and she asks who I am and then shows me my book. Turns out she has read it and I can't say I'm not a little flustered and attracted to her. One thing leads to another and I find out why that spot is known for sex. Sadly we get caught quickly before even getting our clothes all the way off. I apologize to the head librarian after getting caught.

~joeys pov~

I get back and the girls ask how my 'date' was and I tell them what we did telling them we split a milkshake which wasnt true we both got our own. And then they tell me that she doesn't like me back. Clearly Erin has begun the plan so I go along acting heartbroken saying how I'm a loner too and the girls promise to be better next time before I just go to my room. Rachel makes me pancakes and I act fine again. Erin has also apparently told them we would be better as friends so I can go see her still.

A little while later I go for a walk and come back to see Janice in Monica and Chandler's apartment. I quickly leave.

The hell was going on over there?

Chapter Text

~joeys pov~

"Hey everybody happy Thanksgiving!" Ross says coming in to Mondlers apartment. We quickly tell him to shush before we continue our game which I was so winning at.

Chandler explains the game and Ross gets cocky. Monica on the other hand was a sore loser. Time is up and I got 56 and am therefore in the lead.

"Uh 'Magellan'?" Chandler says once Ross had his go. "You got 46 states." He tells him.

"What? That's impossible," Ross says taking his paper back."

"46, well who's well educated now 'Mr. I forgot ten states," I joke and Monica leaves but not before banning me from eating the food.

Ross starts pouting over his loss betting he can get the states he's missed before dinner and Chandler makes a bet with him saying he can't eat any of the food if he doesn't. Phoebe brings out a dog and Tag coming distracts Ross a bit but not enough for him to get Ohio on his list. Chandler hates dogs though ad decides to share this information with everyone.

Everyone decided to leave but he gets offended and so they kick the dog out to Ross'.

Before that though Rachel asks for some advice on how long to wait before making a move on Tag. Monica and Phoebe think its should be weeks but half-hour seems reasonable to me. Gotta go in for that rebound.

"Alright Rach the big question is does he like you, right, because if he doesn't like you this is all a moo point." I tell her.

"Huh a moo point?" She questions.

"Yeah it's like a cows opinion, doesn't matter." I explain. "It's moo."

"Have I been living with him for too long or did that all just make sense." She says turning back toward the girls.

Besides that though Ross is still trying to get the states game complete. He has all these cards lied out on the floor and he is trying his hardest to get them and I smile enjoying how dedicated he is getting to this game. "Ross need some help?" I ask.

"From you?" He laughs. "Yes, please." He says turning it into more of a sob.

"First of all Utah? Dude you can't just make stuff up." I tell him.

"I hate America." He complains after a bit. "When I finish this game I swear I am moving." I can't help much more so I just give him a reassuring pat on the arm and Rachel comes in so I go ask her about Tag instead.

Clunkers is back though and Chandlers fine with it so we at least have a dog this thanksgiving.

~Later that night~

"Ok maybe this game is so hard because there aren't fifty states." Ross complains as everyone had already moved onto dessert. "Let me tell you something I have 49 states and there are no more. I think I should be able to eat something." He complains.

"It's up to you." Chandler tells him.

Ross just makes a sound and goes back to the game. He really should eat something though he skipped lunch to eat a lot at dinner and now's he's refusing this too. After a little while Ross still hasn't eaten and Rachel has already left, phoebe is in her room, and Monica and Chandler are out on the balcony talking.

"Ross c'mon you gotta eat something." I tell him.

"Not until I get one more state." He says.

"It doesn't matter how many states you have." I reply.

"It does a made a bet."

"A stupid bet that Chandler already said doesn't matter."

"Still it's a stupid game and I have to beat it." He says.

"Why? If the game is so stupid why do you have to beat it." I ask.

"Cause I'm smart and smart people know the states."

"Ross you're one of the smartest people in the group. Besides me of course." I brag. "Some stupid states game doesn't determine that." I say.

"Fine." He says getting up and we both reheat some of the leftovers and eat them together. Chandler and Monica come in from the balcony.

"Give up?" Chandler asks and Ross nods and Chandler goes over to the note cards.

"You forgot Wyoming." He says.

"Dammit." Ross says throwing his fork down.

Chapter Text

~Ross' POV~
A week or two after thanksgiving Joey and I were watching the game in my apartment when I lean against him. After the whole napping incident we have become more touchy with each other. Not in front of others but when it's just the two of us he doesn't seem to mind. But the other day when in front of people I simply sat next to him and he moved after a minute and before he moved he just seemed... awkward? I guess. I don't know it was weird but it's like a whiplash effect he doesn't mind then he does then he doesn't then he does.

But right now should be fine. I know I was right to assume that when I feel his arm around me, we don't say anything sitting in the comfortable silence till we hear the door and jump apart just before Chandler walks in.

"Hey oh you guys have the game on." He says.

"Yeah we do sit down. We got good snacks too." Joey says and so Chandler sits down. We watch the rest of the game together like usual and then Joey goes back to his apartment but Chandler stays over for a bit. I look over to their window and see Monica cleaning and laugh a bit.

"Avoiding cleaning?" I ask.

"Just a bit." He says gesturing a tiny bit with his fingers.

"We've been friends for a while, right?" I sat before I can even think of what I'm doing. 'fuck fuck fuck'

"Yeah? Is everything alright?" He says with a laugh but I can see he is genuinely curious as to what I'll say next.

"Ok well," I laugh awkwardly. "I don't know" I say second guessing myself.

"Hey Ross dude just say what you want to say it's fine." He says trying to comfort me but it's Chandler so it's a bit awkward.

"Well I'm bi." I say and he sits there for a second and I panic.

"That means you like both right?" He checks and I nod. "Okay." He shrugs.

"Okay? That's all." I say.

"I mean yeah, you're still Ross I don't care who you like as long as you stay Ross." He says and I smile.

"Oh thanks man." I tell him.

"Course does anyone else know?" He asks and I think.

"Monica walked in on me kissing a guy in high school but we never talked about it so maybe and then no one else knows but I don't care if they figure it out anymore." I say.

"Okay cool." He says.

"Cool" I repeat.

"Any reason you're telling me this now?" He asks.

"No" I say but even I could tell it was a lie.

"Oh c'mon now I gotta know." He says.

"I MIGHT have a crush on Joey." I confess.

"Joey 'sleeps with five girls a day' Joey?" He confirms.

"I said might." I whine.

"Wo-ow" He says. "Is he even-" He asks.

"I don't know."

"Although you two looked pretty comfy a couple weeks ago." He laughs.

"That's the thing. He's been more touchy ever since but the second people are around it's like I'm diseased."

"Maybe he's just trying to figure things out still, I'm sure you'll be fine." He reassures me and we leave the conversation at that.

~Joeys POV~

He leaned against me. I put my arm around him. Why? Chandler coming in was great and so I invite him to sit down even though it's not my apartment. I don't want to be gay. I know realistically I am but shhhh. I see a lady in the coffee house and go up to her table.

"How you doin'" I say and she giggles

"I'm good. You?" The women says.

"Would be better if I knew your name," I reply.

"Abby," The women, Abby, says. We talk a bit more and then head into the bathrooms. A couple minutes later and we're out and parting ways.

I didn't even try to convince myself I liked it this time although she clearly did. I could try and convince myself it was the girl but this has happened the last couple times where I can't even make myself think I liked it. As I'm thinking this I pass a gay bar. Maybe I should just go in? Just a peek.

I end up ordering a drink and a guy comes up to me.

"This seat free?" He asks.

"Oh uh yeah go ahead." I say and he sits.

"You here alone?" He asks and I nod. "Nervous?" He asks and I nod again making him laugh a bit. "Don't be all of us had a first gay bar experience somehow." He winks. "I'm Tristan." He says holding his hand out.

"Joey." I smile shaking it.

"So what are you if you don't mind my asking." ̶H̶e̶ Tristan asks.

"I'm still trying to figure things out but there's definitely something" I admit.

"Ugh felt that." He jokes and I laugh. We talk a bit more getting along really well and we end up kissing for a bit. I've known this guy the same amount I know the girls for and yet something about this kiss is different, better even. By the end of the night I feel a bit more sure about the gay thing even if not totally yet. It's not all bad

Chapter Text

~Joey's pov~
"Hey, what're you guys doing?" Chandler asks coming into Monica's kitchen where I was sitting.

"Hey," I reply.

"Making holiday candy for the neighbors," Monice explains to him as I eat cereal beside her.

"I'm sorry who?" Chandler jokes and Monica gives him a look.

"I'm gonna hang this basket on the door and then when the neighbors walk by they can all take a piece." She smiles.

"But we don't know the neighbors." Chandler reasons.

"I do," I tell them and reflect on who I've met while living here. "There's, uh, let's see, guy with a mustache, smokes a lot lady, some kids I've seen, and a red-haired guy who does not like to be called Rusty," I say counting them on my fingers as I listed them off.

"See," Monica laughs at my descriptions. "This is exactly why I'm making this candy. We can learn their names, and get to know our neighbors."

"Wouldn't it be easier if we just moved?" Chandler sighs and I can't tell if he's joking or not this time.

"Gooood morning." Rachel basically sings coming into the apartment clearly happy.

"Eh someone's in a good mood," Chandler comments noticing the same as I did making Rachel talk about her new boyfriend Tag and hers relationship.

I finish eating my cereal and head back to my apartment deciding it's time to take my morning nap. Afterwards, I ask Phoebe to come over and give me a haircut since she doesn't charge me and is ok with it.

"Joey!" I hear Monica say from the hall and then she and Chandler storm my apartment. "Did you eat all the candy?" She asks angrily.

"Well that was the plan but by the time I got to it there was only a couple pieces left," I say a little irritated. Phoebe backs me up and so Monica believes it. After Ross comes into my apartment in a nice jacket that must've been new cause I would remember if I had seen it before. Ross takes Monica's candy being taken as theft and goes off about a crime wave making me laugh a bit.

"Pheebs you, uh, you got a second?" He asks her.

"Sure." She replies and I get confused.

"Ever since you, uh, told me that story about the bike. I- I couldn't stop thinking about it." He tells her. "I mean everyone should have a- a first bike, you know, so." He goes out into the hall and brings back a bike for Phoebe, he's so sweet I can't help but smile at the gesture. Phoebe gasps obviously surprised.

"Oh my god, Ross." She exclaims happily.

"You like it?" He asks somewhat quietly.

"I love it." She corrects.

"Yeah?" He asks shyly. 

"Oh! Oh!" She says clearly still very excited. "I love you."

"Ah," Ross says awkwardly.

"Not in that way." She corrects making me laugh a little. "But the bike got you a lot closer." She continued and Ross made a hum in response.

"Well uh-uh, t-take it downstairs give it a test ride." He says weirdly making me smile. He is such a dork

"Ok," Phoebe agrees and goes to take the bike out for a spin. Chandler leaves because he is about to cry leaving me and Ross.

"That was really sweet what you did for Phoebe man," I say putting a hand on his arm but taking it away after he seems uncomfortable.

"Oh! Um- yeah, it was nothing ya know." He says.

"Still you're a good friend." I smile and we just sit down and watch TV for a bit and order a pizza for lunch.

"Ross it was so sweet of you to get Phoebe that bike," Monica says later that week when we are all in Central Perk hanging out. "When I heard the story I almost cried." She confesses.

"Almost cried, huh? Hear that Chandler almost cried." I mock.

"Hey, you cry every time someone talks about Titanic." He says back.

"Those two had only each other," I say getting emotional even thinking about Jack and Rose.

"Phoebe really likes the bike," Ross says changing the subject proud of himself. We talk and realize Phoebe doesn't know how to ride a bike so Ross so we go outside and talk to Phoebe. 

"Hey pheebs," I say and she replies. 

"You liking the bike?" Chandler asks.

"Oh uh-huh so much!" She replies.

"You- you do know how to ride a bike don't you?" Ross asks. She lies and says yes but when Monica asks her to ride it she immediately falls over into the road.

"Ok," I say and help her up.

"Fine fine. I don't know how to ride. I can't learn if I have no bike." Phoebe confesses.

"I'll teach you." Ross offers. "I taught Ben well." He shrugs.

"ooh ok!" Phoebe says and they head over to the park. Chandler, Monica, and I just head upstairs instead.

Later that day there is a mob outside Monica's apartment and so I join them. It was hard not to her candy is really just that good. I see Ross going into the apartment and hiding a bit not wanting him to see me in the crowd so he won't be mad with Monica's stress levels over it. 

The crowd is talking a lot and it's getting a tad loud so I stand on the edges and when Chandler comes home from work he spots me in the crowd since I yelled.

"Joey." He sighs,

" 'Sup buddy," I say and he instead brings me into the apartment and yells at the crowd making them disperse. Monica and Chandler kiss and I apologize for the threatening note I let slip under the door while eating the candy that now wasn't gonna be shared.

Later that night Ross and I take a walk in the park watching as Phoebe rides her bike (now with training wheels). "Hey, Joe?" He asks and I make a little hum in acknowledgement. "Why do you keep moving away from me when everyone is around? You never seem to mind when it's just us." He says.

"Sorry, it's just last time we were caught while napping everyone was judging and I don't want them to think anything weird is going on ya know. It's not like it's gay or whatever." I scoff nervous for him to find out I might be and not want to be near me anymore. 

"Right right of course we uh- we wouldn't want that." He laughs awkwardly and I nod. "But um- at the same time you never did it before so no one will suspect anything if you just sit near me." He says nervous.

"Yeah, that's true." I agree smiling at the fact he wants me around. I seem to be smiling a lot near him now. "Sorry, I keep freaking out." I apologize.

"Hey, you're good you just don't want it to turn into something it's not." Ross says and I nod again. We all head back to the apartments and I call up Erin on the phone.

"Hey everything ok?" She asks.

"Sorta," I respond. "Do you mind listening for a bit?" I ask.

"Of course I don't mind. That's what friends are for after all." She reassures me.

"I pretty sure I'm gay. I mean I keep trying to make myself straight or even bi but I can't force it obviously. But I made out with this guy the other day and omg by the way he was good. Anyhow nothing more came of it and I just came home but recently Ross and I have been more cuddly and he wants me near him and I don't know why but I really enjoy being around him but differently then I enjoy being around Chandler or you or anyone else in the group and we walked in the park earlier and it was just really peaceful and he got Phoebe this bike which is why we were in the park but he's so kind and it's just weird right?" I say barely stopping to take a breath during any of this.

"That's not weird that's a crush or at least the beginning stages of one." She giggles.

"No. Not true." I say not leaving room for an argument. 

"Oh honey you can deny it but it is. Same way with you being gay. You can't force things a certain way. The heart wants what it wants." She says.

"Yeah and my heart don't want him." I tell her.

"Keep saying that but in a few weeks when you realize don't come whining to me." She smiles.

"Shush." I whine and she laughs before we move on to other topics. Because I don't want Ross.

Right?

Chapter Text

~Ross’ POV~

“Thanks Carol, bye.” I say hanging up the phone a huge smile on my face after finding out I get Ben this holiday. I’m going to use it to teach him about Hanukkah. I head over to Monica and Chandler’s to tell them the good news finding Rachel and Phoebe there as well.

“Hey.” I say coming into the always unlocked apartment. I get various greeting in response and Monica offers me licorice out of a skull which is a bit odd but I accept it anyhow in too good of a mood to question it.

“I just found out I get Ben for the holidays this year.” I inform them taking a bite and they all seem happy for me.

“Are you gonna dress up as Santa?” Monica asks.

“Nope.” I say. “I mean, I know Susan does it every year, but I think I want to take this year to teach him all about Hanukkah.” I continue.

“And maybe I could teach Ben about the Christmas skull and how people still die.” Phoebe adds the decoration making a bit more sense now.

“We may need to use this year to teach Ben about Phoebe.” Rachel says and I agree. Joey then comes out the bathroom with the paper saying hey and leaving the apartment but no one knew he was here even though they’ve been home an hour making me laugh and leave going over to his apartment instead.

“Hey.” He smiles.

“Hey. I get Ben for the holidays.” I tell him excitedly.

“Oh that’s great Ross I’m happy for you.” He says.

“Yeah I’m gonna teach him about Hanukkah and the history behind it.” I say.

“Sounds good.”

~Joeys POV~

A knock on the door sounds and I answer it seeing Phoebe and a delivery man with a large package behind it.

“Hi?” I question.

“Hi!” She replies excitedly. “I have a present for you.” She says coming into the room and the delivery guy brings in the package and leaves and I open it finding a drum kit inside.

“Oh my god Phoebe, drums!” I exclaim.

“Merry Christmas, have fun.” She hands me the sticks and leaves and I sit down immediately setting them up to play. Once Rachel comes home she plays with them too being a little better then I am but it sounds so cool!

Unfortunately my sticks end up in the tarantula cage and I am NOT about to try and get those back.

~Ross POV~

I feel horrible at Ben’s reaction to me telling him Santa wasn’t coming and when I rush to the costume store they were all out. I text Joey and Chandler but they didn’t reply soon enough and the best I could find was, an armadillo. This is just great.

“I’m the holiday armadillo.” I walk into the apartment and Monica gives me a look, clearly not impressed. “I’m a friend of Santa’s and he sent me here to wish you a merry Christmas.”

“What happened to Santa, holiday armadillo?” Monica asks not helping the situation.

“Santa was unavailable, so close to Christmas.” I say in a tone making it obvious.

“Well come in take a seat. You must be so exhausted coming all the way from Texas.” She responds sarcastically.

“Texas?” Ben questions.

“That’s right, Ben. I’m Santa’s representative for all the southern states and Mexico!” I say thinking quick on my feet. “But Santa sent me here to give you these presents Ben.” I explain but am unable to bend over and actually grab said presents. “Maybe the lady will help me with these presents.” Monica grabs them and we head over to the living room where I slip in something about Hanukkah.

“Ooh Ben what if the holiday armadillo told you all about the festival of lights?” I offer.

“Cool!” He responds enthusiastically. Monica sits with him and I start when Chandler walks in in a Santa suit and Ben becomes more interested in that while Chandler looks at me confused and I try to explain it in a way that won’t ruin the fantasy for Ben.

We go to the kitchen and I tell him what’s going on. I walk back over and tell Ben Santa has to leave but he would rather me leave which I can’t say doesn’t hurt.

“Fine I give up.” I sigh.

“I’ll stay but only cause I wanna hear about Hanukkah.” Chandler says helping me and I am a little shocked but thankful. “Ben, will you sit here with Santa and learn about Hanukkah?”

“Ok Santa.” He says sitting and listening up. I try to start again when Joey burst in in a Superman costume like that was going to do anything. I get Chandlers help because it’s Santa but what even is this? He looks good I can’t lie, but how would this have helped when it’s obviously him?

We sigh and Monica tells Joey to sit on the couch so he does and I begin once more without interruptions except the occasional lie from Joey which I correct.

“And it was a miracle that that little bit of oil that should have lasted just one day burned for…” I say letting Ben finish it.

“Eight whole days.” He answers

“That’s right.” I say proud. “And that’s why we celebrate Hanukkah today. The end.”

“Awesome.”

“Yeah.” I agree.

“My favorite part was when Superman flew all the Jews out of Egypt.” Chandler jokes.

“The armadillo was actually not so thrilled about that part.” I say giving Joey a look. We light the candles as it snows and Rachel and Phoebe join us. After a little while Ben falls asleep on the couch.

“Why?” I laugh at Joeys costume.

“Better then you Mr. Armadillo.” He crosses his arms and I agree.

“It was all they had.” I sigh.

“It’s cute. You tried.” He smiled.

“I’m glad Chandler had the Santa costume and I got to teach Ben about Hanukkah but did you seriously have to add your thing.”

“I liked it.” He says.

“It never happened.” I argue.

“You don’t know that.”

“I do actually.” I nod. “I really do.”

I change out the costume and come back out Chandler promising to bring it back tomorrow when he drops off his. Joey helps me Ben back over to my place and I lie him in the guest room heading back out the couch where Joey was laying.

“Nap?” He offers.

“That would just be sleeping.” I laugh.

“Sleep?” He offers and I laugh again. I really shouldn’t. I can’t there’s a million reasons not to.

“Yeah ok.” I agree and go lay down with him feeling just like the first time but this time my heart is racing knowing exactly what we were doing and I hope he couldn’t feel it.