topino | (no subject)

[ Better than shooting him, which is what Nicky has thought of doing a few times. It would only be a graze, but it's still crossed his mind, after everything that happened. ]

I'm very selfish to want to keep that response to just me, yes.

[ He kisses each of Joe's knuckles, taking his time to show his affections. ]

Is that why you always wear such loose pants when we are on missions?

Cargo pants are useful for a mission with all the pockets.

[ He rolls his eyes with a fond smile. ]

It's after the mission when I am still full of adrenaline and on edge that I get hard remembering how fierce and beautiful you are in a fight.

[ There have been some pretty intense post battle moments between them. ]

[ Nicky's smile is knowing and very smug, because he knows exactly what Joe means. He also has felt the same himself, so he's very much enjoying the reminder. ]

It's nothing compared to the way you cut down our enemies with such speed and talent. I could watch it for days.

[ And he has, though he'd like to avoid that for a little while now. ] In those early days, I killed you more than once when we were wrestling and it turned me on so much. Better you be dead than aware, I thought. [ How stupid he was. ]

[ He laughs at the idea of being killed just so he wouldn't know Nicky wanted him. ] You know, I stopped killing you because I wanted you. It was terrifying but I couldn't have any more of your blood on my hands.

[ Oh, what idiots they had both been. What a relief now to have each other and love so fiercely. ]. My biggest regret was introducing you to regular bathing. I made my own hell with that.

[ Nicky is grinning, thinking of the few times he had scrambled for a sharp blade just to preserve some of his dignity. ] The day you introduced me to regular bathing was a nice one, but I was still a wild thing. Better the day I found someone to tidy my hair and beard.

[ And then, he felt he could truly look the part of the seducing invader. ]

I remember you wouldn't look at me in the water. I thought you were just being respectful.

[ What dignity did Yusuf have left once he started to lust after the wild thing that was Nicolo? ] I was being respectful. I thought you'd castrate me the moment you saw my very obvious want and I wasn't sure it would grow back if you did.

[ He had it much worse when Nicky truly cleaned up. Allah tested him so much in the early days. ] I needed time, as well, to make peace with what I felt for you.

If you had looked, you would have seen my own very obvious want.

[ And yes, it does grow back, though that's a death that Nicky never shared with Yusuf because of how embarrassing it had been, but also how frantically worried he'd been. It was early in their courtship, he had hidden himself away. ]

I'm glad to know your peace was made, because now I cannot imagine being without you. [ He wonders if losing Quynh had made them so reluctant to part ways, or if they were like this before, but he can't remember. ] Now, I can't imagine a hot bath without you in it with me.

We could have gotten our heads out of our asses decades sooner. [ But he's more amused by the idea than regretful. ]

Like you say, love, destiny brought us together. We were always meant to find each other. [ He squeezes Nicky's hand tightly for a moment. ] Now you're speaking of heaven. Some bath oils, candles, and you. Oh, paradise on earth.

I would still never trade those days of yearning for anything. It taught me patience, and let me fall deeply in love with you beyond the lust. I always appreciate it for that.

[ He laughs brightly, wind in his hair, Joe's hand in his. ] Some music playing, maybe some figs to feed you as the water cools. If we have that in Malta, you will have to drag me back to Andy and Nile.

That long courting did teach us how to truly love one another. [ Even when it had been maddening Joe understood without it they may not appreciate what they have. ]

Please, my heart, I'm driving. You can't fill my head with these thoughts and also focus on the road. [ Joe shifts a little in the driver seat. He's suddenly very impatient to get to Malta. ] We can always suggest we plan our next move from where we're staying.

Not to mention, it taught me how furiously jealous I could be of the people you flirted with at stalls. [ He hadn't been, of course, he'd only been polite, but tell that to Nicky's jealousy of the time.

Envy is a thing of the past, though. He's assured in Joe's love for him. ]

I'm sorry, you brought up bathing, I only let my mind drift. [ He slides their hands towards Joe's thigh, checking his watch in the process. ] You know. We have some time to pull over.

You were the only person I flirted with and you never seemed to flirt back. [ His warm friendliness had probably looked like flirting to a barbarian like Nicky who didn't understand Arab customs. ]

You make a very tempting proposal but I don't want any delays. Even ones as lovely as what you're thinking. [ Because he knows that look and can practically read Nicky's mind. ] Do you think you can wait until we're on the ferry?

I hadn't yet worked out what your style of flirtation looked like. Now, I know better. [ And he certainly likes to see Joe flirt with him, encouraging it wherever he possibly can.

And yes, fine, sometimes Nicky is still jealous, but not of other people. More that they're taking up his time. ]

I can be patient. Do you remember the time we had to watch the mark for three days in that tiny apartment? I don't know that I moved for twelve hours one day.

I would hope so. I've never stopped flirting with you. [ Joe loves to watch Nicky preen under his attention. ]

Those were the longest three days of my life. Trading shifts, never getting a chance to rest together, ugh. [ He makes a face remembering it. ] We did good work but not the easiest assignment that.

You are the most romantic person I have met in nearly a thousand years. Your flirtations are so very welcome.

[ He sighs at the memory of that assignment, glad he doesn't have to play at sniper on this mission. ] Which means that yes, I can be patient on the way to the ferry, and I can be patient when you wear that swimsuit.

[ He smiles with great delight to think of it. ]

Someone out there loves their partner as much as I love you. We simply haven't met them.

[ He can't be the only one still wildly in love with their soulmate. There are too many people in the world for that. ]

Ah, but you had to be patient on that mission. In Malta you won't have to. [ He smirks, clearly very confident he's going to win that little challenge. ]

If there is someone, I give them five minutes after you meet them for you to somehow try and outdo them.

[ He knows Joe. He loves Joe. He knows exactly what it is he's capable of.

Nicky makes a disgruntled noise as he drags his hand back. Patience. He must have patience. ] We will see. Maybe I will find such a good book that I am more eager to soak up the sun?

[ Joe has to laugh. Nicky knows him entirely too well. ]

It would be a friendly competition, I assure you.

[ He presses down on the gas to pass a driver that is going entirely too slow in his opinion. ] If you leave me to my own devices I'll find some other way to entertain myself. I can always start without you.

[ Nicky completely lights up at the sound of Joe's laugh, because it's still the most beautiful sound in the world and he's never heard anything sexier or more beautiful. ]

I would benefit, so I would never stop it.

[ He bites down on a comment at the speed of the car, knowing they will survive any crash. ] You could. Of course, you could also make sure I have a swimsuit too. It would be very poor form going into the ocean alone. Or am I to wear nothing, like in those bathtubs?

[ They're not going to crash just because he passes one slow motorist. Nicky also let him drive. He should've known Joe would drive like this.]

I would rather we both wore nothing while we were swimming but we'll have to see what privacy we have. [ He looks at Nicky over the top of his sunglasses. ] Did we even pack a second swimsuit?

[ Nicky blinks at him, almost like it's only just now occurred to him that he might have forgotten something. ] I knew I should have used a checklist. [ He shakes his head, shrugging. ] Well, I always did hate tan lines.

[ He tips his head a little more towards the open window, closing his eyes as the wind pushes through his hair, giving him such a feeling of freedom. ]

I packed nice clothes. You still owe me a date.

[ He really needs to stop being so beautiful and distracting. Joe has to keep his eyes on the road but it's good to see him so relaxed. ]

Of course we're doing on a date. I want to take you to the nicest restaurant in the city. [ The coast finally comes into view which means they're getting close to the ferry. ] I want to drink champagne and watch the sunset while we share dessert. Then I'll take you home and spend hours making love to you.

[ Nicky's eyes might be closed, but he can feel Joe's gaze on him. Then again, after this long, he also knows his partner. His eyes are always on him. ]

Good, because I packed my nicest shirt, which I will wear open with a new suit jacket. I deserve to buy a new one, after all the cheap t-shirts I've been in.

[ He opens his eyes and ducks inside, his hair a complete wreck in all directions, which he works to finish. ] You're going to keep me on edge, aren't you?

Maybe during this trip you'll let me play dress up with you. Put you in something truly fashionable. Though, you look good whatever you wear. [ Even those cheap t-shirts are nice on his long, lanky frame. Fitted clothes, tailored clothes, are so much better. ]

I have no idea what you mean, Nicolo. [ Joe's smirk says otherwise. ] I'm just discussing vacation plans.

I would very much love to have you dress me. Maybe I will let you pick a restaurant and then you can put me in absolutely everything you want. [ He trusts Joe completely. ] And what would you put me in that's fashionable?

Mmm, yes, vacation plans where I will spend hours sweating and begging and pleading. I see your game.

[ He rolls up his window when his hair is a mess, scrubbing his fingers through his scalp. ] So long as you know that this will work both ways.