topino | (no subject)

[ 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.

For you? Something slimming that would hug your frame. A color, though, that would bring out your eyes. [ Joe has imagined this a few times, clearly. ]

Are you surprised? I love when you beg and plead with me. [ He reaches over and helps smooth down some of the wilder bits of Nicky's hair. ] Oh, trust me, it is. I'm torturing myself with these fantasies.

[ Nicky makes a thoughtful noise, but he approves. It will probably be one size smaller than he likes, but he also knows he tends to pick clothes that don't highlight his body.

Leaning into Joe's touch to fix his hair, he's beyond grateful for the fix and to see the ferry so close. ] We torture each other. Just like you did by getting me all riled in Morocco knowing we would have company.

[ They didn't get long enough in that hotel room, that's all he's saying. ]

I have no idea what you mean.

[ It had been a very nice hotel room. Joe had definitely tried to take advantage of the comfortable chairs while they waited. ]

It doesn't look like that long a wait for the ferry. [ There's not a wall of cars that he can see. Once the ferry arrives they should be on soon enough. ] See anywhere that looks like lunch?

I'm sure you don't.

[ Nicky glances over his shoulder as he stretches out, pointing to a little cafe with umbrellas near the water where they can have some privacy and still be outside. ] Let's go there, my treat.

[ Morocco had been nice, but the job had cut into that. He would've given anything for a day or two more of Joe in loose button-downs that Nicky could easily pry open, button by button.

Hopefully Malta will do the trick. ]

[ He laughs again but focuses on the driving for the few more minutes it takes them to get down to the docks. They deal with all the paperwork and tickets, luckily no one thinks their car needs checking, and then they merely have to wait.

He gets out of the car, waits for Nicky, then takes his hand as they walk over to the little cafe. It is the perfect place for lunch and many other of the ferry passengers have the same idea. ]

I can already tell you're feeling better. You're much more at ease.

[ Nicky ducks into the back of the car to fetch his wallet and his jacket, one of the denim ones that probably is from the 90's that he'd unearthed from the safe house. He takes Joe's hand and tugs him towards the cafe. ]

I'm here, I'm with you, and we have time together with no one to interrupt us. Why shouldn't I be relaxed?

[ Yes, he's also severely repressing the other things, but they can bubble to a head later. ]

And you? You seem very happy, amore.

I'm always happy when I'm with you.

[ They're seated at a table near the water. Joe takes Nicky's hand back in his as soon as they sit. ]

But it feels good to get away and have a vacation from everything. [ They'll have to talk about heavier things eventually. It's how they will move on. ]

[ Nicky smiles at Joe, feeling like they aren't immortal warriors right now, but rather, men who love each other very deeply. That's all they need to be, and he doesn't intend to second-guess that.

He turns his hand in Joe's, twining their fingers together, smiling warmly at him. ]

I think we could have a full two months. Andy didn't seem to mind the idea. I think maybe she has plans to train Nile.

[ And now that they're here, Nicky's guilt is subsiding too. ]

Nile needs some. I don't think the American military is up to Andy's standards.

[ Two full months sounds like heaven. By then maybe their souls will have found peace over what happened to them. ]

She likes art. Nile. We talked a little about it. We should take her to a gallery one day. [ He's always eager to talk art with someone who knows what he's talking about. ]

Is anyone up to Andy's standards?

[ Some days, Nicky thinks that he and Joe are only just beginning to scrape by, if he's honest. He snorts and rubs his thumb over Joe's palm, just a steady reassurance for himself. ]

Oh? And which gallery are you going to break her in with? [ Nicky will go with, even if he ambles behind and lets them talk about the pieces with any expertise. ]

I think we're getting close.

[ But they're a unit. They fight together. Andy's fault with them is when they fight alone. ]

We're not going to break in! We'll go as tourists. During normal business hours. [ Because it wouldn't be about taking something out. It'd be about sharing his love of art with the new immortal. ] You and Andy could go do something you two find interesting if you didn't want to come with.

Any day now, she will smile at us and we will finally have achieved perfection.

[ He smirks, because he knows that's not what he's after. In fact, he needs to soothe Joe's worries of that and he leans over the table to kiss his cheek, brushing the spot with his fingers as if to keep him clean. ]

You know I like to amble behind you at a slower pace and listen to you talk about the art. It's a nice day out, I wouldn't trade it for anything. Which museum will it be?

You are perfection.

[ He's not going to pass up the opportunity to make that comment.

Though, he does have to stop flirting to greet their waitress and consider a menu. ]

I think I'll ask Nile where she wants to go. There must be a gallery she's always wanted to see.

Joe.

[ His soft tone is a prelude to a kiss, but then the waitress comes and he takes the menu with a warm smile in thanks for her offer, not wanting her to think that she's intruding.

He sets it aside instantly, though. ]

I like the Uffizi. Some of the smaller churches in Rome have nice sculptures too. Or maybe we can go to the Isola Bella and look at gardens?

[ Yes, he is picking all places in Italy, but he wants to feel grounded. ]

[ Once the waitress is gone he leans across the table and gives Nicky that kiss he was looking for. ]

Well, I have a feeling Nile will choose the Louvre. She speaks French, you know. [ And everyone always chose the Louvre when given a choice. ] But after we should take her to the Uffizi. We'll see how many paintings she thinks are you.

[ It's always a fun game to play: which Renaissance painting looks like Nicky the most? ]

[ Nicky's eyes close at the kiss, moaning softly as he slides his foot in between Joe's so he can play a little footsie with him while enjoying sweet, soft kisses over lunch.

When he eases back, he slides his sunglasses on his face, leaning back in his chair, though his feet are now tangled with Joe's. ]

I suppose we can do the Louvre. I liked the exhibit they had on Islamic art. I know, only temporary, but maybe they will let it be permanent. [ He grins as he reaches for Joe's hand to turn the fingertips up. ] I think maybe she will check the artist's name if she finds them. You are a very talented painter, my love.

[ They look like any other couple enjoying lunch while the wait. Maybe a few stares from not as accepting folks but Joe ignores them. ]

Maybe. It would take a great deal of enlightenment in the institution for that to happen. [ He rubs his ankle against Nicky's as he considers the menu. ] I used a few pseudonyms during that time but she is very smart. She'll probably figure it out through my style alone. How do you feel about a light lunch?