topino | (no subject)

Nicky is more than willing to let himself completely surrender to Joe, starting to twitch as the restlessness kicks in, but then, oh, then, Joe pulls on his hair and it's timed perfectly with that nip to his throat, drawing a guttural moan from Nicky as he all but collapses forward as he comes, right into Joe's arms.

He's raggedly panting, feeling almost overwhelmed, and the water is almost too much on his skin. "Joe," he groans, forehead to his shoulder. "That was perfect. Cazzo."

Joe is right there to catch him, holding Nicky up against the tiled wall, making sure he doesn't slip and hurt himself. He continues to press biting kisses to Nicky's neck as he feels him tremble and make a mess of both of them, only letting go of his hair when he goes limp in his arms.

He smiles, pleased. "I'm glad," he says, and he means that. He pushes Nicky a little so that he can be under the spray of water again, cleaning the mess he's made of both their chests, his eyes warm and soft.

After this, Nicky is going to have to wear a very thick turtleneck to obscure all the damage Joe is doing to his neck. It's very welcome damage, honestly, seeing as he doesn't mind for a moment all the nibbling and biting happening there.

It may get some looks, given how warm it is.

Nicky tips his head up to welcome the warm spray of water, but he wonders. "How long until the hot water runs out? I'd like to be out of the shower by then," he mumbles, feeling very spent now.

Joe would apologize for leaving such obvious marks, but he's really not sorry.

"It'll probably run out soon," Joe admits, smiling. "Let's get clean." And he does, soaping himself quickly and making sure they're both rinsed completely before he turns the water off, stepping out of the shower. He'll get a towel for Nicky and then one for himself, starting with his hair and working his way down. "Are you hungry, do you want to eat before bed?"

Nicky is going to miss the warmth of the shower water in combination with Joe's body, but luckily, he doesn't have to give up one of those things, which has him smiling like an idiot.

"I think it would be smart to have something to eat. I don't know about you," is his cool, teasing reply, "but someone in this home completely wore me out with painting and some other activities." He tightens his towel around him as he steps out, shaking a hand through his wet hair and leaving it disastrous.

"Some other activities, uh?" Joe repeats, grinning sunnily. "I'm sorry you have suffered so. I can definitely make you something to eat." He doesn't mind. He'll make something simple they can eat before getting ready for bed.

He dries himself and puts on a T-shirt and comfortable jogging pants, taking a little time to put oil in his hair and curl it back into place with a brush. Looking up, he can see Nicky drying himself and leaving his hair in complete disarray. "Oh, habibi, no," he sighs, beckoning Nicky closer to brush his hair back and put a little oil there so it dries nice and shiny.

"I have suffered deeply," Nicky says with a mocking look on his face as he wraps the towel around his waist, grinning as he watches Joe putting his clothes on. He pauses, though, as Joe fixes his hair, raising a brow when product gets involved.

That's not what he'd been expecting to borrow. "I had been hoping you might lend me some boxers and a t-shirt, not hair gel," he says with the mild disdain of a man who doesn't use any of that. He sort of just pushes it back and lets it fall where it likes, without product.

"Yes, I could tell," Joe teases in return, grinning. "I know what a hardship it must have been, spending the day with me."

He focuses on brushing Nicky's hair back, making sure to use enough oil to give it shine but not so much that it'll be greasy. "It's not gel," he says, rolling his eyes. "It's hair oil. It'll nourish your hair and keep it nice and smooth." He gestures at his own curls. "Trust me on this, yes?" Joe does have lovely hair to prove it.

"I'll let you borrow some clothes too, come on," he says, leading the way to the bedroom so he can open his closet for Nicky. "Anything you like. You get dressed, I'll make dinner."

"I will have to keep coming back to steel myself up for more of it," Nicky replies, reaching out to slide his fingers into Joe's lovely curls, but only so he can pull himself in for a kiss before availing himself to Joe's closet.

Once inside, he doesn't actually fetch a t-shirt and boxers, since they'll be eating. Instead, he finds a comfortable looking long-sleeved shirt that strains at his shoulders, but fits loose everywhere else, and a pair of joggers that he puts on without underwear.

He does, unfortunately, deliberately give his hair one last subconscious shake with his hand before heading out to the kitchen so he can plaster himself to Joe's back, kissing his neck. "What are you making me?" he mumbles.

"That's the only way, I'm afraid," Joe teases, playing along. He lets Nicky mess up his hair with a chuckle, returning the kiss.

"Lamb tagine with prunes and almonds," Joe answers, smiling when Nicky steps behind him and holds him close. "Not mine, the little old Tunisian lady next door gave me some when I fixed her water heater. It's very good." He turns his head to give Nicky's cheek a kiss. "Found what you wanted?" The clothes, he means.

"Oh, so now I have to be jealous of the little old Tunisian lady who feeds you well too?" Nicky is all about the dramatic huffing, kissing Joe's cheek again as he tightens his hold on him. "I might need a list of all the people in love with you, Joe," he informs him, mock-serious. "Otherwise, how am I going to know who I have to fight?"

He leans down a touch to pluck the joggers. "I went a little warmer than originally planned, but it looked cozy. I may have stretched out the shoulders of this shirt," he admits, "but it looked like a loose shirt to begin with."

Joe chuckles, amused by Nicky's dramatic huffing. "It's not like that, really, you don't need to fight my little old Tunisia neighbor," he reassures, grinning. "Mariem's not in love with me. But she did call me her grandson, the other day," he teases, nudging Nicky gently.

He turns around in Nicky's arms to look at him, humming in approval. "It's a workout shirt, you can stretch the shoulders, it doesn't matter," he says, putting one hand on Nicky's hip. He likes seeing him wearing his clothes, actually. It satisfies something deep inside him. "You do look cozy," he adds, smiling even as he leans in for a soft kiss.

"I would," is his counterpoint, though he thinks that he would likely end up doing a lot of bickering and likely a recipe cook-off of some kind where he kindly informs this lovely Tunisian grandmother that he will be taking care of Joe now, but she can certainly help.

He's also not convinced there isn't a little infatuation because, well, look at Joe.

"Good, because the shoulders are already gone," he happily says. "And I feel cozy. I chose very cozy clothes, and you may have to tell me where you got them."

"I know you would," Joe returns, amused. "And I'm not sure I'd bet on you. She's feisty," he teases, putting his other hand on Nicky's hip and giving him a gentle squeeze.

He hums and strokes his hands up to Nicky's shoulders, taking them in happily. The shirt looks good, tightly stretched over Nicky's broad shoulders. "You can just keep borrowing mine," Joe offers, pleased that Nicky is feeling warm and comfortable. "I like seeing you in them." And he does, even if they don't fit perfectly.

He pats Nicky's shoulders. "Go sit down, I'll bring you your food."

Nicky would probably end up losing, humbled, with his head down and begging for forgiveness, so he doesn't argue that. Joe's absolutely right, but he's still looking forward to the dinner from the grandmotherly neighbour (that he may or may not have to fight).

He peers down at the shirt, shrugging like it's no big deal, even though it is to him. "Well, I could bring my own things here, but with such a kind offer, I'm not sure I want to," he says, settling down at the table, body aching, and eager for food.

"You can bring things here, if you'd like. A change of clothes, a toothbrush, whatever you want," Joe answers, earnestly. He doesn't mind, far from it. "I'll bring a few things to your place too, if that's okay," he offers, smiling.

He ladles lamb in a rich tomato sauce as well as prunes, almonds and vegetables into bowls, and brings them to the table. "Here," he says. "My payment for working hard on that leaky water heater."

"Books? Maybe some writing materials?" Nicky is thinking more about how he could spend his hours doing some of his writing in Joe's place, where he thinks he'll be more inspired to write about romance anyway. He would save his criticizing for his home office, but he has a feeling that he'll do better talking about his protagonist here.

After all, the new one is basically Joe.

He grins as he takes the bowl, tucking one leg under his ass to reach for a napkin and fork. "This much food, I think you're trying to put me to sleep," he accuses fondly. "I see your plan to make sure I stay." As if he'd go anywhere, barefoot and cozy as he is.

"Anything you like," Joe assures, smiling as he sits down. "We can put them in the painting studio, if you want, so we can work together." They might not talk while working -Joe suspects they both get quite absorbed in their work- but at least they will be together.

"Oh no," Joe says, dryly. "You've seen right through my cunning plan to make you stay so I can hold you through the night." He takes a bite from his dish, grinning brightly. "Foiled again." The tagine is just as good as he remembers and he hums, pouring Nicky a little wine to go with it.

Nicky gives a thoughtful nod as his mind helpfully begins to make plans for them, almost as if he hadn't been necessary in this equation at all. Joe says yes, so there will be a computer and some reference books, and his notes on the new novel.

It's settled.

"You may need to be shirtless," he warns, "if I plan to write here, I won't bother you, but if I look up and need inspiration, the model of my main character being as helpfully shirtless will only help." He's teasingly smiling, but he's not joking.

Nicky murmurs a soft 'thank you' for the wine, and a few bites in, he has to admit that the neighbour absolutely knows a thing or two. "Do you think she'd teach me this?" he wonders. "Maybe I won't fight her, maybe I should try and get her to adopt me."

Joe is thinking about it too, thinking about how nice it will be to draw and paint with Nicky sitting at the desk by the window, looking soft and golden in the sunlight. He snorts at the request, arching his eyebrows playfully. "I'll crank the heat up, then," he agrees. He half thinks Nicky is joking, though Nicky's tone is serious enough. "Just ask me to flex whenever you'd like to be inspired," he adds, clearly pretending to boast, waggling his eyebrows.

Sipping from his wine, Joe considers the idea. "Well, I'm sure you can charm her into it. Her grandson never visits her, she could use the two of us to help her." He grins, brightly. "I'll introduce you tomorrow, if you'd like."

Nicky nods, because he does want it. He wouldn't have said it if he didn't, even if his interest is far more of the artistic muse sort than the sexual, though he's sure that he'll be able to mulit-task when it comes time.

"Flex, or maybe pick something heavy up so I know what you look like with someone thrown over your shoulder," he muses, as he eats.

He follows suit with Joe, sipping his wine, grinning as he thinks about meeting the neighbours. "And will I be introduced as your boyfriend?"

Nicky's serious nod makes Joe snort, though he will take his shirt off if asked. He's not shy and he likes the soft, stunned way Nicky looks at him when he's shirtless. "I could do that," Joe agrees, easily. He arches an eyebrow. "Pick you up, if you'd like." He could take it, he's lifted heavier weights than Nicky at the gym.

Joe smiles to Nicky softly, his eyes warm. "Yeah. What else would I introduce you as?"

"Of course that's what I want, but I just want to hear it again," he admits, with a pleased as punch smirk on his face, knowing that he'd managed to get Joe to say exactly what Nicky had been searching for.

"If you pick me up, then I could write very realistically how it felt," he says between bites of delicious food. "I could describe your muscles with stunning accuracy. You'll have to make sure to capture that, in the commission for the cover."

"You can hear it whenever you like, tesoro," Joe replies, amused. He's happy to claim Nicky as his partner, and will gladly tell everyone that. He doesn't think his neighbor will have a problem with it; at any rate, she'll be too busy pinching Nicky's cheeks and asking him for secret Italian recipes.

"That won't be a problem," Joe teases in return. "I think we've established that I'm very good at painting myself with great narcissistic accuracy." He arches his eyebrows, considering that. "Of course. And for further book research, where should I take you, once I have you over my shoulder?" he asks, playfully.

"Then I'll come to your next show and bask in being the artist's boyfriend," he says, which is a warning and a boast at once. He's never really been anyone's, so the pride of having a man like Joe want him like this is intoxicating and perfection.

He cannot wait to flaunt it in people's faces.

"Well, I would have to be put down to write about it," Nicky admits, clucking his tongue in disappointment. "So any fantasies of carrying me and throwing me down on the bed would have to wait."