topino | (no subject)

We can wear them on this trip. It shouldn't get in the way of any fighting. Hopefully.

[ There's a fear in the back of his mind that even though Merrick is dead his security will come after them again. That doctor... she wasn't dead...

But he doesn't want that heavy thought to ruin the moment. They're in a good mood and he wants to keep that going. ]

I'll remember to introduce you as Nicky Jones then. My beloved husband of... what? Roughly eight hundred years now? Oh... Nico... I can tell people we loved each other in our past lives. [ Joe looks thrilled by this. ]

I would hate to get blood on it.

[ It's said very seriously, and his lips press together as he thinks of fighting that might be done. Had the doctor heard them speak of Malta? Will she come after them again? They're all questions that he can't answer, and he hates that.

He tightens his hold on Joe's waist, burying his face in his neck. ]

Let us say eight, to be close. [ He snorts with laughter. ] And which past life will you speak of most? The one in which I was a filthy invader, or the one where I cut a fine figure in brocade doublets?

[ It's a threat they'll deal with soon but first their own mental health and hearts. ]

We were promised to each other long before they made it legal. [ But they still immediately rushed to get married the moment it was legal. ] The Crusades is a favorite because it's the truth. Oh, I long for the days when tights were fashionable. What sweet torture that was.

[ He reaches back and pinches Nicky's ass playfully. ]

[ In Nicky's mind, he had promised himself to Yusuf the moment they lay down their weapons, and Nicky realized that his destiny was with this man. He never said it aloud, but he had vowed his soul to him, then, and now trusts in him to keep it safe. ]

I believe nowadays, they have men's running leggings. Or yoga pants? I can definitely buy a pair.

[ He laughs brightly at the pinch, thinking that it would be no hardship to wear such things with no underwear. ] Sweet torture? Or a very clear hint of every time you got me going?

[ It's amazing how being the romantic he is Joe took longer to realize his destiny was with Nicolo. They started with a truce and then after that it built. What a fool he was. ]

That depended on whether you were wearing a codpiece or not. [ He turns around in Nicky's arm because he's had enough of not seeing his smiling face and playful looks. ]

If you buy leggings or yoga pants or anything that tight fitting I will not be held responsible for my actions. It's been so long since I've seen you in properly tailored clothes.

Funny how sometimes I simply forgot.

[ Nicky brushes Joe's curls back from his face, heart aching to see him not because it hurts, but because he thinks of almost losing him and how grateful he is that it hadn't happened. He smiles with great warmth as Joe talks of his clothes. ]

I am ready to give you your wedding gift, then.

[ Well, one of them. ]

For our entire vacation, I will wear what you set out for me. No matter what.

You haven't paid attention to fashion like I have.

[ Joe leans forward and rests his forehead against Nicky's which is a gesture that holds so much meaning for them. It's a reassurance. It's a check in. It's theirs. ]

It's a lovely gift even though I plan to spend a great deal of this vacation with you naked.

[ Someone giggles to their left. Probably listening in. Joe's glad they're amused. ]

But, oh, you are going to look fantastic when we do go out.

I don't need to, you do it for me.

[ He's grinning like a madman for the touch to his forehead, a secret press meant only for them. He laughs softly at the giggle, sharing the sentiment quite the same. ]

Well, naked for bed and whatever suits me for going out, or lounging and reading the many romantic novels that can be recommended to me.

[ None will be as good as Joe's poetry, of course, but they are good to fill the time. ]

[ Joe rubs his hands up and down Nicky's back playfully almost groping his ass but stopping short. He could control himself. ]

I promise to dress you only in things you're comfortable wearing when we do go out. [ As he knows Nicky would never complain about what Joe picked for him even if he didn't like wearing it. ]

Do you want to go dancing while we're here?

I will suffer some discomfort, knowing that at the end of the night, you will peel me out of it.

[ His tone and his gaze are both flooded with an intent that he knows Joe can understand, bright and eager to go out to dinner. ]

And yes, dancing. For hours, with my cheek pressed to yours, swaying to the music.

[ He leans in and kisses him gently with an aching tenderness. ]

I'm sure we can find somewhere to dance that isn't pounding music and flashing lights if that's what you're in the mood for.

[ Because that's what it sounds like Nicky is in the mood for. Not a dance club but proper dancing like the old days. Joe feels old just thinking that way. ]

Or we could dance at home?

[ Nicky scowls at even the thought of those awful clubs, with the pounding music and the lights. He'll go to one, even spend a few hours in it, but it is nothing compared to having Joe in his arms and holding him so close they share breath.

That is the kind of dancing he wants, so he can have these kisses. (Though, it is tempting to imagine Joe in the kind of club wear children wear these days) ]

I think in public. I want the world to see the man I love, my husband, in my arms.

[ This is one of those things they don't agree on. Joe loves those clubs with the pounding music and crazy energy in the air. He's also very popular at those clubs too. ]

Then I'll find a place we can dance the night away that won't give you a headache. [ He gives him another tender kiss. ] I think plenty of people can see you in the arms of your husband quite clearly in love.

[ They are probably in the background of a few vacation photos now. Joe's sort of paying attention to who's noticed them. ]

[ Maybe Nicky will find time to compromise, knowing that there are many ways Joe can be persuasive and convince him to go anywhere with him. That is Joe's skill and his talent.

And so he knows there will be one night in a club in Malta. ]

Maybe someone that plays swing music and old classics from the 1940's. [ Says the old man. ] And I am deeply in love with my husband.

[ He tangles his fingers into his curls to kiss him again, noticing they are becoming more of a draw. ]

I think we are in many pictures by now. Andy will be mad.

We haven't danced swing in ages. [ Joe actually perks up a little bit. Clearly he likes the idea of finding some swing. ] That sounds like fun.

[ After the kiss Joe tucks Nicky against his side and starts walking around the ship to lessen some of the attention. ]

Copley will take care of it. [ The 'or else' is implied in Joe's tone. He doesn't feel particularly merciful towards the CIA agent. ] We should get something nice for both of them. Nile and Andy. They'll be working hard while we are relaxing.

I will make you a deal. You find me some swing-dancing in a nice public space with the evening air, and then I will entertain you in a club with the dancing you like so much.

[ Nicky happily leans into his side and wraps his arm around his waist, thinking about what it will be like to have someone to clean up for them who isn't Booker. ]

Andy will be happy if we fetch her some good desserts. What do you think for Nile? Journals, maybe? I want to give her something that she can do over the years, like you have your art.

So specific. [ He will find it, though. And a very fun gay club for them to go to another night. ] We won't dance all night at my club. Promise.

[ Trust is a difficult idea right now. Betrayed by a loved one. Relying on a stranger. Joe doesn't want to feel uneasy about their family but these are difficult times. ]

We should ask her next time but a journal sounds nice. And maybe a nice pen to write with.

[ Nicky shares a smirk with Joe. ] Is that your way of saying you cannot do it?

[ He knows it will be easier to find the modern club, and also knows that they will end up dancing amongst a slew of elderly couples if they go where Nicky wants, but that's what they are, isn't it? ]

Andy told me she recognized the Rodin. I think maybe you could teach her drawing. Anything, really, to avoid what happened with Booker.

[ Maybe if they start her with a hobby, she will not be consumed with grief or envy.

Or maybe she will be like Nicky and need no hobby, merely the reassurance that they are doing good. ]

No, no, just don't expect it tomorrow. [ He playfully tickles Nicky's side for that smirk.

He sighs at the mention of Booker. It brings up a complicated mess of feeling. Mostly it hurts and there's some guilt and anger. ]

Booker had his hobbies. He could've made other choices. [ But he won't let Nile go down the same path whatever it takes.

His heart can't take another betrayal like that. ]

We have weeks. You can surprise me.

[ He flinches, but laughs brightly for the tickling, viciously returning the parry with his own poke, though he breathes out sharply as he thinks of Booker and his hobbies and how it had not been enough. ]

We will make sure she's not like that, that she is never that unhappy. I don't care how, we will.

We will.

[ He presses his lips against Nicky's temple, closes his eyes, and rests there for a minute.

Silently, he prays they won't make the same mistakes and that their love for their family will be strong enough to support instead of smother. ]

What else should we do on our vacation? [ Time to change the subject before his heart gets too heavy. ]

[ Nicky closes his eyes as well, basking in what he has. He has always had Joe, and he loves him for it. They might have started enemies, but he couldn't imagine an existence without him.

Humming, he thinks of what he wants to do. ]

We have already decided on restaurants and sunbathing and swimming. Romance novels for me and sketching for you. Dancing. An unhealthy and appalling amount of sex, of course.

[ He can't see that he's missing anything. ]

Maybe we could drive along the coast in a convertible?

Unhealthy? That's only if we don't hydrate properly and have snacks in between.

[ That's a lesson they only need to learn once.

He sees a ferry employee and stops to ask them how much longer they have until they dock. An hour, the man informs them. ]

We should cook together. That always makes for a pleasant evening. And I'm sorry, but you will have to watch some football.

We should stop and get a few flats of water, then. I would hate for a repeat of that time we forgot.

[ Dying in that manner is not something he wants to do again.

Nicky slides their hands together, watching his hand and Joe's together as he sets them on the railing to stop and watch from this new viewpoint. ] I'm always happy to cook with you. You taught me to make such beautiful things with spices.

[ And, he sighs, football. ]

I will watch, but only if I can watch with my head in your lap and your fingers in my hair.

[ Joe props his hip against the railing, once again facing Nicky so that he can see his expressions and occasionally get lost in his eyes. ]

We were young and foolish then. [ The height of their passions had been very passionate. ] We won't do it again.

I still can't make bread the way you do. Let's practice while we've got the time.

[ He chuckles. ] That won't be a hardship for either of us.