topino | (no subject)

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.

You look very pretty with earrings. [ Joe runs his teeth over his lower lip as he remembers that night of fun.

The comment about the staff makes him chuckle under his breath. He shrugs a shoulder. ]

I mentioned to the hostess it was a special night. It's probably the most interesting thing to happen tonight.

[ Nicky gives Joe the look that says, without words, that Joe thinks he is pretty in anything, so the words lose some of their weight. Still, he is pleased as punch with it, and peruses the menu, ignoring the comment about the staff.

After all, he's not supposed to know what's happening. ]

They have duck, Joe! It's been a while since I had that. There is also polenta, I think you know exactly the way to my heart.

[ Finally, he looks up and out, the breeze from the sea washing over his face. Nicky breathes it in, closing his eyes, and letting out a ragged exhalation. This is not an act. This is Nicky, finally letting some of his strain and stress from Merrick go. ]

I was tempted by the swordfish.

[ Joe's heart feels ten times lighter seeing Nicky finally start to let go of what happened to them.

Which is exactly what he's been waiting for.

He takes the ring from a pocket inside his suit jacket and gracefully slides down to his knee. The staff holds their collective breathes. ]

Since the first time I saw you I knew you were special. I never knew a need like that before. Since that moment I've only wanted to be by your side.

[ He opens the ring box revealing a beautiful silver ring with a series of amber stones set in the band. It might be considered plain by others but to Joe the simple beauty of it reminded him of his Nicolo. ]

Marry me, Nicolo. Stay with me through hell until we make it to heaven.

[ Nicky turns away from the breeze, a soft smile on his lips that almost looks mysterious. He puts the menu down, impressed and amused that Joe is proposing so early in the dinner, if only because Nicky is going to insist that they eat, so he is trusting that they have gone enough times today to hold off.

They probably have, but it's always a small risk.

His smile begins to build as he watches Joe kneeling, catching the staff out of the corner of his eye. It is for them that he pauses, considers the ring, and reaches out to slide his thumb over it, amused as he stares down at Joe ].

Since the very first time? Even though I was an unwashed invader taught to hate the love of my life?

[ Someone has to be listening to them. Almost everyone is watching them. Joe wonders what they must think as they eavesdrop. ]

I never said my first need was love. That came in time. I learned to love you, you barbarian, and that made the love all the sweeter.

[ He takes the ring out of the box and takes Nicky's hand. He won't put the ring on without his love's consent. ]

I know you at your worst and your best. I still want you by my side. Will you marry me, Nicolo? Will you be mine forever?

[ He had wanted to give a bit of a show, but he also doesn't want to drag this out and make people think that he is a cruel and heartless man. His smile is serene and soft, the breeze rifling through his hair so that he has to push it back, but he leans in towards Joe. ]

Forever is a very big word, but it is lucky that my love for you is a forever thing.

[ He brushes his thumb over the beautiful ring. ]

You have outdone yourself, Yusuf. Of course I will marry you, and be at your side until our final deaths part us.

[ He slides the ring onto Nicky's finger then scoops him up into his arms and kisses him deeply.

If it's a show Nicky wants to give the people then he will give them a show. The staff and a few diners give them a round of applause.

He sets Nicky back on his feet after a moment and rests his forehead against his. ]

You have made me the happiest man in existence. [ Just like he did every time Nicky says yes to another proposal. ]

[ Nicky goes completely slack so when Joe pulls him up, he's tugged right into his arms with ease. He's grinning and laughing, his reserve melting away as he kisses Joe and holds tight to him, his hands at Joe's hips. ]

You are still an incurable romantic.

[ And he loves him every second and every breath and every moment of his life. Nicky laughs as he feels his heels his the ground again, smoothing out his tie.

He wiggles his fingers in front of him to look at the ring, delighted at how it shines ]. I will wear this long past death.

The amber is from Madagascar. [ He takes Nicky by the hand as he guides him back to sit. They still need to have dinner, after all. ]I thought a stone of ancient times was very fitting for us.

[ The waitress finally approaches their table full of congratulations and excitement. She is very sweet and young in a way that reminds him of Nile. ]

Thank you, miss. You're very kind. [ But Joe's attention returns to Nicky, smile warm and bright. ] Order whatever you'd like, my love. We should treat ourselves tonight.

[ He brought Nicky's hand up to his mouth and kisses the inside of his wrist, lips lingering. ]

[ Nicky knows there is a restaurant, a menu, a view, a waitress, but he has stopped looking at anything beyond Joe. He is the only thing that he wants to see, and his eyes fixate on him as he turns the ring with his thumb in a practiced way that hints that he's had one of these before. ]

Even if what I want most is not on the menu?

[ He knows they will behave, because he does want dinner, but Joe proposing always puts him in a very romantic mood, and those kisses make his breath stutter. ] The duck and polenta for me. Champagne, too.

[ They might as well keep it up with the bubbles. ]

Behave yourself. [ Though Joe made things worse by nipping at Nicky's wrist. The look in his eyes promised so much passion once they were alone. ]

Yes, champagne. And swordfish for me. Hummus for an appetizer. [ Finally, he rests Nicky's hand on the table. He'll just undress him with his eyes. ]

[ Nicky raises both his brows, because Joe is the one who just proposed to him and actually swept him off his feet and now he's asking Nicky to behave? He must be mad.

And yet, he will, because he wanted a fine dinner as opposed to that awful bar he'd slunk off to the other night.

Nicky turns his palm up so he can stroke at Joe's hand, enjoying the tap of the ring against the table. ] If I did not know any better, I'd think you were eating lightly to prepare for something.

I have to watch my figure. I wouldn't want you to leave me. [ The very idea makes Joe laugh a little. Nicky would never. ]

I do have some plans since you gave me all that time to think. [ He brushes his thumb across Nicky's ring. ] Did you bring a ring for me?

[ He's rather curious if Nicky brought the ring with him or left it behind to put on his finger later. He could never predict which way Nicky would go for these proposals. ]

[ Nicky does, in fact, have a very special ring in his inside jacket pocket. It is a silver ring with beautiful sapphires and a single diamond, but, he also has patience. ]

Some people don't propose before the appetizer.

[ Meaning that he'd been intending to wait until dessert, and maybe there will be new diners. If nothing else, they will delight the staff when Nicky ends up proposing as well. ]

And I would never leave you if you round out. I would leave if you let someone else do it. Only my cooking and baking should be responsible.

When you looked out to the water you looked so beautiful the moment took me and I had to.

[ He will remember that relaxed little sigh and the way Nicky's shoulders lifted for a long time. The man he loved was finally coming back to him. ]

I've done crazier things impulsively before. [ It's definitely not the first time he's done something like this at the spur of the moment. ] Remember Berlin in '43? That was definitely wild.