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[topino]

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[topino]

I am in the mood for you.

[ He says it softly, and waits until Joe is right by him to share his thoughts, his need and his love naked on the expression on his face, utterly besotted and taken with the man before him.

He stops when Joe points one out, sliding his tongue over Joe's fingers at the olive he's been fed. ] This one? It has vaulted ceilings and...

[ He grins. ]

A honeymoon package.

[thattime]

Ooh, a honeymoon package. [ Joe nuzzles Nicky's hair. ] Get that one. I did get you a new ring.

[ That should also get them some champagne and maybe some other treats. ]

I'll see if I can find a fabric store for that silk. [ He drapes his arm across the back of Nicky's chair and gets his phone out to look while he sips wine and snacks. ]

[topino]

[ Maybe Nicky should feel bad about how many honeymoon packages they've fleeced out of hotels, but he really does like the rose petals and the champagne and all the 'congratulations to you and your husband' comments. He books the room, digging out one of the credits cards that matches his passport.

He leans over to absently kiss Joe's cheek as he works, sipping wine in the meantime, fixated on the work. ]

And what colour will you adorn me in? Will you have pencils to match the shade?

[thattime]

I brought enough colors to match whatever we find. In my head I picture the colors of dusk, blues and purples. If we can't find that something rose and lilac. A sunset.

[ They are treated so nicely when they get those packages. Joe enjoys it too. ]

It shouldn't be too hard to find something you'll look beautiful in. You look beautiful in almost everything.

omg and my net just came back, what a day

[topino]

[ Nicky's smile turns dazed and romantic, if not a little stupid, but then, that's what Joe does to him. He breathes out with delight, a soft exhalation as he slides his fingers under the table, squeezing Joe's knee and brushing up it. ]

I do not think that is what you said in the 1980's when I took to neon fashions.

[ Joe glared at him, he remembers distinctly. ]

oof my sympathies

[thattime]

[ He groans. The 80's. What a cursed era. ]

It's not your fault fashion designers were stupid. It looked bad on everyone but no one listened to me.

[ It's the artist in him. Those colors made almost everyone look pale and jaundice. ]

It just encouraged me to get the clothes off you ever faster.

[topino]

[ And yet, here Nicky sits in a light-wash denim jacket that fits a little too baggy. It's not all the fault of the 1980's, not when Nicky is equally responsible for the poor choices.

With one last click, he books the honeymoon suite, heart pounding as he beams at Joe. ]

I'm sorry to tell you this. [ It's a very serious mocking. ] You will not have to act like a newlywed utterly in love with me.

[thattime]

[ Joe tries his best. He does but there's only so much he can do. He loves Nicky anyway. ]

Well, that's impossible. I am always utterly in love with you.

[ He looks over and it's there in his eyes and the way he leans slightly towards Nicky. Joe is still so deeply, so completely in love anyone could see it. ]

[topino]

[ Nicky drifts in towards Joe, murmuring softly. ] I love you so dearly and so deeply. [ Then, a kiss, ignoring even the wine for Joe as he cups his cheek and feels his heart beat fast before his ability calms him. ]

Then we will fool then easily.

[ As if they haven't been married more times than people can celebrate some anniversaries. ]

[thattime]

[ The love he feels fills his chest and makes him smile against Nicky's mouth. He's all and he's more. Always has been. ]

Luckily for you, qalbi, I think I see the ferry on the horizon.

[ He gestures in the direction of the ship that will take them to their favorite place. ]

[topino]

[ Nicky pats his mouth with a napkin and digs out enough cash for their order and a generous tip, still not letting his gaze drift from Joe's face, as in love with him as he was in the 11th century and every one since. ]

Do you want to take any food with us? Or has your hunger been sated?

[ He asks, knowing there is a hunger they both possess that food can do nothing for. ]

[thattime]

No, no, it won't keep.

[ Joe finishes his glass of wine and then takes Nicky's hand, gently tugging him to his feet. ]

For now, I'm satisfied. [ He tucks arm in his for their walk back to their car so they can get ready to get on the ferry. ] What else I need, well, that has to wait for some privacy.

[topino]

[ Nicky leans back to drain the wine, when he's reminded, tongue on his lips for the last droplets. He lets Joe tug him onwards to the car, desperately excited to know that within hours, they will be in their honeymoon suite. ]

Does a ferry bathroom count as private?

[ He's very innocent as he asks, genuinely wanting to know. ]

[thattime]

I can't imagine it's very clean. This is public transportation.

[ He's debating though. Joe really wants to get his hands all over Nicky but he's not sure that a bathroom quickie will be satisfying. ]

But we'll keep our eyes open.

[topino]

[ It is a testament to how riled Nicky is that he's still staring at Joe with a considerate look in his eyes, like he is still thinking about it. There is always the car, but it is truly not private.

Maybe they can act like the teenagers they never knew one another to be. ]

What if we sat in the backseat of the car and we made out, like we are sixteen?

[thattime]

You propose a very good idea.

[ There's some privacy in the backseat and it's not unusual for some people to stay in their cars. ]

I think we should try it. [ He certainly wasn't making out at sixteen. ] To see what it's like.

[topino]

[ Funny, because even though he barely remembers the details (certainly not what he looked like or names), Nicky definitely made out with someone else at sixteen, on the cusp of priesthood and before his vow of chastity kicked in. ]

I wonder what you were like, then.

[ He slides his fingers in Joe's, holding his hand as they approach to get back in the car. ] I don't remember what it was like, though I know I did it, in some alleys.

[thattime]

I kissed a few girls and found it deeply unsatisfying. I was too... shy to approach any other boys. [ He remembers wanting to. The longing he felt is still very clear but he wasn't that daring back then. ] And I was very gangly then too. I wouldn't say I looked my best then.

[ Yusuf grew into his looks, luckily for Nicky. ] It was only when I started to travel as a merchant that I found some men to experiment with so I was older.

[topino]

[ Nicky had never found any girls to kiss, though there had been some who looked at him a little long. He had only had the other boys in the church, who had been curious before they signed themselves away. ]

I was very gangly too. Tallest of my friends, I think. But not a hair on my face, not for years.

[ It had scraped his cheeks fiercely when they had clumsily tried to make out. ] I am forever grateful you did experiment so one of us knew what they were doing.

[thattime]

[ There were many girls who thought even gangly and growing into his looks Yusuf would be a good man and a good husband. As Nicky well knew for himself now. ]

My hands still shook the first time I touched you. [ He brushed his fingers against the back of Nicky's hand. ] I was nervous. After wanting you for so long I thought I would ruin it somehow.

[topino]

[ He is the best husband and Nicky is viciously possessive and protective of the fact that only he gets to know that. ]

Your nerves were sweet. They matched mine, and made me feel as if I did not have to be ashamed for my own inexperience.

[ He loves thinking about how they got together. ]

If I had met you when I was sixteen, I think you would have made me speechless.

[thattime]

You never had anything to be ashamed of.

[ He kisses Nicky's cheek and gets his car door for him like a true gentleman. ]

You would've gone running to some town guard screaming about Muslim invaders. [ It's a sweet thought but Joe knows better. ] I would've been terrified to be in Genoa.

[ He swings around to the driver side and gets in. They join the line of cars loading onto the ferry. ] We met exactly when we were supposed to, my love.

[topino]

I had years of inexperience and a terrible amount of lust. Not to be embarrassed about, but enough to shake at.

[ He smiles gratefully at Joe's romantic nature, thanking him softly as he climbs into the car, reaching across for his hand as they wait their turn. ] Met. Killed one another. Did it again, and at least that showed me your stamina.

[ He strokes his thumb along Joe's hand. ]

We will only have to pretend, then, to be love-drunk teenagers.

[thattime]

I'm fairly certain Andy has accused us of being that before. [ He brings Nicky's hand to his lips and kisses it gently. ] Do you need a little inspiration?

[ He trails a few kisses down Nicky's arm. It's slow going. He doesn't have to give his full attention to driving right now. ]

Our first kiss will always be precious to me. I knew I would always be yours after that. I would do anything for another of your kisses.

[topino]

[ She will accuse it again. He's grinning now, sly and secretive, as he leans in and cups Joe's cheek to kiss him, flush on the lips. ] You need do nothing to earn this kiss.

[ And then another. ]

Or this one.

[ Letting out a happy sigh, he longs for the car to be parked on the ferry, glancing to the backseat for what awaits. ] I try and remember our first kiss, but it was so very long ago, but it is the most important memory. That, and the vision of you in firelight, claiming me.