topino | (no subject)

[ 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.

My sun to my moon. Equally important, equally romantic. My soulmate.

[ He sips at the wine as he stares at his soulmate, letting out a huff of laughter to be reminded of his former profession. ] And yet, you made sure I would never wear my priest's garbs again, never give Holy Communion, or commune with God.

[ And he is absolutely delighted for it. ]

You've helped me to open up. [ Even if he is still somewhat subdued, but that's just Nicky's more introverted and quiet nature playing up ]. Did you ever fantasize about that? About defrocking a priest?

[ Now there are a few who are scandalized. Joe always find it amusing. ]

You’ve found other ways to have faith. [ Ones that didn’t require refusing his love. Ones that Joe felt were much healthier. ]

No, no, that wasn’t what played through my mind. [ He had wanted love and passion but imagined he would never find it. ] You know I would’ve married to make my family happy and quietly longed for an entirely different life. The whole course of my life changed when I met you.

[ Nicky hasn't even noticed them, if he's honest, because he only has eyes for Joe. ] You are the only religion I need.

[ He reaches over to stroke Joe's hair, tangling his fingers in his curls, giving him a gentle tug towards him. ] I'm very relieved you had no wife and children. I think I would have been too scared to make any move, in an attempt to be honourable.

[ A terrifying thought, really. ]

Oh, how I love when you worship. [ Joe leans forward and kisses him slow and deep. There’s heat behind it as well but he reigns it in because they are in public. ]

I couldn’t bring myself to marry even though my family was hounding me. My brothers had all found wives but women had no power over me. [ He brushes his fingers along Nicky’s arm. ] And now you hold all the power.

[ Nicky knows they're going to start getting the kind of attention that gets them documented on social media. Usually, him talking about how he was a priest who was seduced away from his faith gets attention.

Those kisses from Joe have a tendency to do the same thing.

He's staring at Joe with big moon-eyes now, staring at him with adoration. ] It is like destiny. You knew that there was something out there for you. And I am forever grateful, my sun.

Your family must have been very done with you. Thirty-three and no wife?

[ Let them snap their pictures. Joe is too busy staring back, returning his feelings. They really did tone it down around the others. ] I was very restless. Being a merchant suited me.

[ He laughs because it's completely true. ] I told them I wanted to be wealthier and done with traveling before I married. My father reluctantly accepted the answer. My mother and aunts did not.

[ And then there was war and his excuses didn't matter. He died and was reborn as the man that would come to love Nicolo forever. ] My destiny was always with you.

[ Nicky is smiling, because he is beyond grateful that Joe had not been pressured into anything that he might then have needed to walk away from. He slides his fingers from Joe's hands to bend and stroke his cheek. ]

And? Were you suitably wealthy and done with travel when you met me? Or did it take all those years before you first wed me for you to feel comfortable with your means?

[ His eyes soften, knowing that they speak of destiny because of how firmly Nicky holds to it. ]

I learned that money and travel were all pointless. [ He turns his head and presses a kiss to his palm. ] It meant nothing when I had you. You were all I needed.

[ He smirks. ] Well, once I had fallen for you. Before I think we were too mad at each other.

I was furious with you. [ In Italian, in case anyone is listening. ] You would not stay dead, and every time you rose from death, you seemed more handsome than before. I should have known I was falling in love with you.

[ He drags his nails over Joe's beard, scratching firmly. ]

A shame, really. Maybe I would have liked the finery, once I gave up the priesthood.

[ Very old Italian to doubly make sure no one understands them well even if they know Italian. ] Remember the beard you had? And long hair. You looked wild and unstoppable even though I had killed you. Passionate.

[ He leans into the scratching even though he takes good care of it, it still feels nice. ] I will buy you all the gold and silk you could want, love. Simply say the word.