topino | (no subject)

[ Nicky appreciates that Joe is not starting another round. After all, there are very important dinner reservations tonight and he would not like to be late for them. ]

I should look very dashing. Do you know, I have a very sneaking suspicion that I am going to be proposed to tonight?

[ He is smirking at Joe, still absently playing with his curls to arrange them in the way he likes ]. Do you want me to remind you where my rings are?

Oh, are you? What a lucky man.

[ Joe works his way all the way down to Nicky's feet with the soap.

When his body is clean Joe moves on to his hair. Of course he massages his scalp while he does it. ]

No, I know. I'll make sure to get them before I leave.

[ Nicky snickers under his breath, his smile so easy because he is in the very best mood. Multiple orgasms, a bath with his husband, and being with Malta will do that to a man, he knows.

Nicky stretches his feet out and then sinks back into Joe's touch as he lets that indulging feeling overcome him. ]

Good. It would not go over very well if you proposed and had no ring. Am I to appear shocked? Should I cry? We get free dessert when I cry.

I think in the moment you'll know the best way to respond.

[ He ruffles Nicky's hair before he starts to carefully rinse the shampoo from his hair. ]

My words will be inspiring. I hope.

[ He will probably end up crying. Joe's words have that impact on him, and they make him well up until he is sniffling and the romance nearly overwhelms him. Of course, he will have to see. It has been some time since Joe has proposed to him, and he would like to see what way he picks. ]

Your words make poets weep with envy. Museums long for your work, my love.

[ Joe's words will not only be inspiring, they will belong to Nicky, and this is what matters. ]

Some have my works. I don't sign nearly enough things.

[ Joe finishes with Nicky's hair and runs his fingers through it a few more times before he sighs. ]

I suppose I'll have to clean myself now and get ready. No more lingering and wasting time.

[ This proposal is worth making. He's been thinking about it for awhile. ]

You should not, or we would be spending all of our time liberating them from museums. [ He takes the soap and scrubs his hands so that he can help to scrub Joe behind his ears, leaning in for a kiss that he ends up smiling against and ruining it. ]

Yes, you will. I would hate for us to be late. I have been dreaming of good food all day, that I do not have to cook.

We've only had to liberate a few sketches and paintings.

[ He can't help it if his sketches have sometimes fallen into collections of museums but he's usually very careful with them. ]

Don't worry, you'll have no cooking tonight and no dishes. Everything will be taken care of for you.

[ But once he's clean Joe braces his hands on the edge of the tub, pushes himself out and grabs a towel. ]

[ Nicky slides to the edge of the tub and rests his chin on his hands, staring up at the beautiful view he has. He reaches for the champagne, intent to enjoy himself while he waits for Joe to prepare. ]

Close the door when you go, please. I want to be surprised by you, too.

[ Besides, they will be back here later tonight, he's sure, high on romance and love and newly engaged. ]

Oh, you won't even let me enjoy the view?

[ He pouts a little as he dries his air with a towel. Joe had been looking forward to admiring Nicky in the water while he got dressed. ]

I feel like a husband told he can't see his husband until the wedding.

[ But if that's what Nicky wants then Joe will do it. With a pout but he'll do it. ]

[ Nicky's smile is all guileless innocence as he practically bats his eyes at Joe, because no. He intends to soak in this lovely tub with the bubbly champagne until the moment he has to get ready. ]

You are a man who is about to propose who cannot see his almost betrothed. It's not quite the same.

[ That innocent smile turns into a smirk, but he continues to watch Joe, flicking his fingers to say to close the door. ]

You are a brat.

[ But he blows Nicky a kiss before he closed the door and gave Nicky the privacy he requested.

Joe did bring some nice clothes for their trip, carefully folded in the suitcase. He spreads them out on the bed, smoothing out wrinkles. Nicky will look very good in the classic lines and soft mute charcoal black with a silvery blue tie.

He also makes sure to get the rings then double check to make sure there's a table available at the restaurant. Everything is ready so Joe dresses and leaves. He makes sure to leave the restaurant address for Nicky on top of his clothes. ]

[ Nicky smirks and does not argue this accusation at all, because Joe is not wrong. He is a brat, and he loves this for him, especially as he splashes around, drinking his champagne and enjoying himself. ]

Joe?

[ He calls this out about half an hour later, and there is no response. Nicky drags himself from the tub, soaking wet, and decides he will take some photos along the way of his progress. One of him naked and dripping hair, then as he wraps the towel around himself. He finds the suit on the bed, smiling warmly as he picks up the address.

Absently, he texts Joe one photo (the first one), just to whet his appetite of Nicky in next to nothing. It comes with a text that says: ]

On my way in under an hour.

[ The picture is a beautiful tease that sparks longing almost immediately. ]

Mm very nice, my love. What do you think of the suit?

[ He would like to walk to the restaurant with his love but well, it'll have to be the walk home instead. ]

[ Nicky has to set aside the phone so that he can properly dry and ready himself, dabbing hints of cologne to his pulse points (and the inside of his thighs included) before he steps into a pair of sleek boxer-briefs. He will not even touch the suit until his hair is finished. ]

I think that it will fit me perfectly. Did you have a tailor do this?

[ Then, some product in his hair before he gives it a quick dry so it isn't dripping down his neck. It's longer than usual, and it keeps stubbornly curling a little at the back, but Nicky fixes it with some more heat and product, a few strands falling in his eyes.

He doesn't shave. He thinks it'll be better if he's a little rough. ]

Two years ago when we were in New York. I saw the fabric and knew you needed to be dressed in it.

[ Joe's suit is a bit more vibrant with a more metallic black fabric with pinstripes. The deep red button up underneath made everything pop and no tie just the top three buttons undone.

Nicky won't get to see until he arrives at the restaurant. ]

Well, it is very nice.

[ Nicky ducks to the mirror to ruffle his hair a little so it's artfully messy, buttoning up the shirt and tucking it into the pants, taking care to make sure his socks are put on with the sleek shoes, setting off the lovely charcoal black. He finishes with his tie and checks the time, but not before he ducks into his bag to add a few small touches.

There are silver cufflinks he threads into the sleeves, and he finds a kohl pencil, smirking as he gives himself just a hint of a dramatic eye, as he has seen Andy do before.

Then, he is off, whistling as he keeps the address in his palm and ignorant of any looks he is getting. ]

[ Joe gets to the restaurant and asks for a table for two on the deck of possible. He shows the hostess the velvet box holding the ring with a nervous smile.

He's not nervous. He's excited.

She's excited too now that she knows and it gets him the perfect table outside in the pleasant evening air right in the center of everything. No one will miss this proposal.

He gets a bottle of wine and sips on a glass as he waits. The hostess has Nicky's description. He'll be walked to the table once he arrives. ]

[ There is one more detour for Nicky to make. He stops by a flower shop and buys a dozen purple and lavender roses, adjusting the bouquet as he arrives at the restaurant. Instantly, the hostess seems to come at him like she intends to tackle him, but all she says in a rush is that his party is here and she will show him to the table.

Nicky is amused by her enthusiasm, suspecting that Joe has given away his purpose. He tugs on the suit jacket as he follows, the breeze rustling through his hair as they step outside. ]

Grazie mille. [ Once he nods, the hostess creeps off, even if she lurks a little, like she's waiting to see the greeting.

It is...well, it is amazing. Nicky had done this for Joe, but the sight of his husband is stunning. He approaches him with a soft look in his eye. ]

I should have got you red roses. [ Then he would have matched his shirt. ]

Ah, that would have been cliche.

[ Nicky looks beautiful just like Joe knew he would. His heart stops in his chest for a moment while he looks at him.

He gets up and gently brushes his knuckles against Nicky's cheek. ]

You've made it special with your choice.

[ He pulls out a chair for Nicky and takes the roses. They're lovely. He'll press one in a book later to keep. ]

[ Nicky has not stopped staring at Joe. He's forgotten to look at the view or the table or the menu. It is much more important for him to see his beautiful husband (or husband-to-be). He reaches for Joe's shirt, smirking a little as he plays with the undone buttons. ]

I think you are asking for trouble, Mr. Jones.

[ He slides his fingers up the bare skin, settling down into his chair as he stares at him with a fond smile. ] Well? Do I look as you expected me to?

[ The whole point of the undone buttons is to tempt. Nicky denied him the pleasure of watching him get dressed. Joe must get some revenge. ]

You look better. I like what you've done with your hair tonight.

[ He reaches over and gently runs his fingers through it. When he draws back he pours Nicky a glass of wine. ]

Here, try this. I picked it special for tonight.

[ Nicky ducks his head just a little so Joe's fingers can rifle through it completely. ] It is easier to do something with now that it is getting longer. [ Though, it will eventually hit the point where all he can do it let it hang loose, braid it, or tie it up.

He's still rubbing his fingers over Joe's chest, almost absently as if a cat, before he takes his hand back to sample the wine.

They have had so many, but this one is special because Joe chose it and because it's for tonight. He sips it and gives a soft hum of approval. ] You know exactly what I like, my heart, thank you.

And you do something with it so well.

[ He wants them to be comfortable, settled, before he pops the question. Joe likes to make Nicky wonder when it'll happen.

The staff is also excited. He can tell by how they're all watching their table. ]

I thought it would go well with the menu. [ He nudges one towards Nicky. ] Take a look.

[ Nicky smirks as he leans forward, wanting to be close so he can whisper. ] You should just be glad I chose not to put the clip on earrings on. I seem to remember your teeth pulling them off, last time my hair was this length.

[ He sips his wine casually, sitting back against the chair as he takes the menu, adjusting his tie as he pretends not to notice all the attention that is on their table. ]

Did you tell them all? I think half of them are nearly in my lap, they want to watch us so closely.