topino | (no subject)

[ 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?

[ Nicky pays them no mind, if only because if he does, he's going to start glaring and using his knife a little too sharply, and bitching a little too loudly.

No one wants that.

Instead, he focuses on the warmth of Joe's skin at his ankle, peering at the menu. ] You order something, I'll pick off your plate. [ If they're going to be as busy as he thinks they will be later, he doesn't want to get bogged down. ]

I think, too, there are some paintings that are very hard to miss that it's me. Maybe I shouldn't go to the gallery for those.

Alright, we'll get something to pick at. [ Some antipasto and maybe a sandwich to split would do well. ] Should we indulge in wine or no?

[ He chuckles under his breath. ] No, one of my favorite parts is watching people look between you and the paintings.

Always yes to wine.

[ He's affronted that Joe's even asked. He might trust him to choose food, but it doesn't matter they had a bottle of wine late last night. He's Italian (or close enough) and there should always be wine.

Nicky snorts, trying to think of the Louvre and what might be there. ]

I like it when I wear outfits that look distractingly similar. If you remember which portraits are there, I can coordinate and wait for Nile to figure it out.

Alright, no need to judge a man for double checking.

[ Sometimes, Nicky is very Italian. It amuses Joe to no end.

When the waitress comes back he places the order, making sure to get them both a glass of white wine. Something lighter for lunch. ] Does that meet with your exacting standards, my love?

No, no, that would give the game away. Wear what you'd normally wear. It's just a day out, no silly game to play with Nile.

[ Nicky lifts his chin up to ask Joe, wordlessly, why he would ever ask them to start a vacation without something light to sip on. It's only right. ]

It does. Thank you, dear.

[ He snorts at the thought of him strolling along a museum while people whisper about him, and probably take pictures. He adjusts his denim jacket (a little too acid wash to ever be fashionable) and lets his eyes slide over Joe. ] And what about the sculptures of you? You were also quite the muse to a certain few.

[ He tilts his head to the side as a silent apology for making such a terrible mistake. He's clearly an awful husband.

The waitress is probably laughing about them when she puts in the order. ]

There are a few, true. [ Nicky is very lucky Joe loves him so much because his fashion choices are awful. ] Do you remember how many were there the last time we visited? I don't recall seeing too many 'moorish' statues.

[ Nicky taps against Joe's shoe with his own, nestling in comfortably so he can relax with him, craving something to do with his hands since he can't have Joe right here and now. His hold on his hand is good, but it makes him want more. ]

No, I don't think I do. They were fools to ignore your beauty and call it only Moorish. [ And it annoys Nicky greatly. ] It makes me wish I were a great artist or sculptor or poet, because you deserve so many great works about you.

[ In a few hours, they'll be able to have plenty of each other. Joe gently nudges his knee against Nicky's under the table. ]

You would hate to share so much of me with the world. Even I keep some things private just between the two of us. [ Some pieces had been lost as they scrambled to escape and find new housing. Some pieces he let get lost to share but Nicky wasn't that sort. ] Your love and staying with me all these years is the only testament I need from you.

[ Nicky's leg relaxes against Joe's, a sign that he'd let Joe do anything to him under this table, which would get them kicked out of lunch. Since Nicky is buying, he needs to prevent that from going completely wrong. ]

I would. [ Joe is right on that score. ] Still, you are the most handsome man I have ever known, and when you smile, I feel a piece of myself break into pieces because it makes me melt.

[ He pulls Joe's hand closer, kissing the knuckles the way he had before. ]

I am forever grateful I learned that you were not my enemy, but my soulmate. [ By now, Nicky's fairly sure other tables are eavesdropping, given the slight hush around them. ]

[ They need a much longer table cloth for that sort of fooling around. ]

And you think you're not a romantic. [ He brushes his thumb along Nicky's hand, smiling warmly.

Let them overhear. Perhaps it would inspire their own declarations of love and devotion to their partners. ] It was a strange moment, wasn't it? We had spent all that time furious and when it was burned out a different sort of fire remained.

I am still a romantic, but I know I will always be eclipsed by you, my sun.

[ He presses Joe's hand to his cheek, staring at him adoringly, though when the wine arrives, his love for Joe must wait so he can sip at it, nodding at the quality. ] I think I was still trying to kill you, only using my mouth on yours instead.

I really thought maybe it would work. Then I couldn't drag up the courage. How could I have been so impulsive with a blade, but not my body? I still wonder.

No, no, we're equals. You are my other half, no more, no less. My balance. My soulmate.

[ Ah, yes, Nicky's second love. Joe watches him with fond amusement before he thanks the waitress. She seems to be enjoying serving them. ] Well, you were a priest. I remember you being very shy and uncertain when you did finally calm down.

[ Honestly, they both had been so careful the first few times they dared to be gentle and loving with each other. Joe remembers the tenderness well. ] Now look at you with your declarations and flirtations.