topino | (no subject)

Am I wearing anything in the water, in this mental vision of yours?

[ Joe's warmth is something he seeks out, leaning into his touch and breathing out a sigh of relief for the way it seems to calm the steady thrumming of his bloodlust. Maybe tonight, he won't research plane tickets back to London to find that doctor again and make her suffer for what she did to Joe.

He smirks at the thought of sketches. ] I don't know. You lost that one sketchbook in Italy a few hundred years ago, someone might find it.

No. What's the point of a private beach if we have to wear clothes?

[ It's not easy to calm Nicky's temper when it's up. Joe knows just how deep and strong that bloodlust goes but he also knows how to soothe him with slow, steady patience and affection. ]

And I'll keep 'losing' them until some art historian has the courage to say 'Al-Kasanyi is clearly in love with his subject and they must have had a very intimate relationship'.

[ He rolls his eyes. All this good friend nonsense. It's Leyendecker all over again. ]

So every morning, I will put breakfast beside the beside and strip off my clothes to wade into the sea and greet you, as if Venus?

[ He could do that. If it's a private beach, of course. Curling into Joe's touch, he lets his breathing steady him, slow exhalations as he pushes them out. ]

You know, modern photography is something that might get that message across. I think it will be harder to misinterpret, especially if you portray us both together.

I would believe you are a sea nymph come to tempt me but I'd much rather wake up with you in my arms.

[ He runs his fingers through Nicky's hair. They'll be home soon enough. ]

I am not against taking some photos of us together but sketching you will always be more intimate.

There is no better way to wake up than with my hand tangled in yours, your breath soft on my neck.

[ He still can't believe it took them so long to discover such a perfect sleeping position all those years ago, because once it did happen, it had felt like nothing else mattered. Nicky's eyes flutter shut at the touch to his hair, clenching the bottle of wine tighter. ]

I would never deny you a sketch. I think maybe I could borrow a little silk robe, stand on a pedestal, and be your model. You are my favourite artist to pose for.

Mmm, yes. It's the best sleep I get.

[ There was a lot they had to discover about each other in those early days. Now, he knows almost every facet of his Nicolo. ]

Where are we going to find a house with a private beach and a pedestal? Besides, I'd rather sketch you tangled in bedsheets after I've had my way with you for hours.

[ Clearly, Nicky needs the time away. Joe will talk to Andy alone and make sure it happens. ]

[ They don't get enough of it, and they absolutely do not get enough mornings where they wake up on their own, with the sun slowly dawning and the both of them in one another's arms. What Nicky wouldn't give to not be woken up in a sudden panic. ]

I can buy a pedestal, but I think I like your thinking better. Bedsheets and my spent body, with my hair a wreck.

[ He's been growing it out since London with no intention to stop (it'll help with whatever identity comes next), and he does always like the way it looks when Joe has absolutely wrecked him in bed. ]

Here. Take the wine. [ Because he's digging out the keys for their current living quarters, suddenly tense as he wonders if Andy or Nile will be waiting for an explanation of where he went. ]

[ They need some peace and quiet. Joe should have seen it sooner just how unsettled and uneasy Nicky was but he was dealing with the same fallout as him. ]

Mmm, of course. [ He takes the wine and steps to the side to make it easier for Nicky to open the door. ] You have a very particular smile after we've made love for hours. It's the only time I see that one. I can never quite capture it in a sketch. I need more practice.

[ He reaches past him and holds the door open once Nicky has it open. Before he left Joe told them he was going to get Nicky from a bar. There shouldn't be any questions. ]

[ Nicky takes back the wine as soon as he's inside, peering up towards the kitchen to listen for any movement, grateful that he doesn't seem to hear any. Maybe they've gone to sleep? He hopes, because he's still on the edge of a mood and Joe is the only one who's a lock to calm it. ]

It's a smile that only exists because of you, but I would never discourage you from trying to earn it.

[ His voice is hushed as he grabs glasses and heads to their room, grateful they have this privacy at least. When there, he strips off his jacket and sinks onto the bed, a hand on his forehead as he scrubs his fingers through his hair. ]

Thank you for coming to pick me up, amore. You didn't have to.

[ The lights are low and the place is quiet which very much seems like everyone has gone to bed. That or they needed space as well. Either way, it works out better for them.

He closes and locks the door behind them for a little more sense of privacy then picks up Nicky's discarded jacket to drape it over a chair. ]

I will always come for you.

[ Joe digs around in a drawer until he finds a bottle opener. He holds out a hand towards Nicky. ]

Especially when you need me. As if I could do anything else. Here, let me have the wine.

[ Nicky gives a murmur of gratitude for Joe's care with his jacket, setting the wine on the bed as he tucks one leg under the other to sit up, handing the bottle over to him. ]

I thought maybe you would leave me to learn my lesson about seeking out distractions and having to instead stare at people who are even more stupid when they drink.

From your texts it sounded like you learned your lesson pretty quickly.

[ Sometimes they need to work through things alone before they came together. Joe figured that was what Nicky needed tonight. ]

I didn't see a point in leaving you. [ He opens the wine, pours a glass and holds it out to Nicky. ]

Cacti, Yusuf. Cacti.

[ He hopes the ambulance got there, but he's the one acting as if he's been mortally wounded. He unfolds to reach for the wine, desperate to have this, and grateful for it. Once Joe hands it to him, he presses his other hand to his wrist to hold him, careful not to let him drift. ]

Next time, I will invite you to come with me from the start, but I thought maybe you would appreciate time to yourself.

Yes, he was an idiot.

[ They can check the news tomorrow morning for reports about this strange cactus eating man.

Understanding without needing words Joe stands right at the edge of the bed. His own glass of wine can wait. ]

It was... useful but you can always ask. If I don't want to go out I would tell you. And maybe you could ask Nile. She's young. She probably thinks a guy who eats cacti is fascinating.

She's too young and too new.

[ They haven't been together for long enough that she'll understand how he can get. He doesn't want to break the spell either, because she probably thinks well of him, and doesn't know what Joe and Andy do. That when Nicky is pushed, he reacts strongly.

He sips the wine and sets it on the edge of the nightstand, having left a drop or two of the red on his lips, looking expectantly at Joe to fulfill his promise. ]

She won't think less of you, my heart.

[ He leans down and kisses him slowly his tongue darting out to taste the wine from his lips. ]

And you can't hide yourself from her forever. It will make it hard for her to trust you if you're holding back.

[ Joe sets the wine bottle next to Nicky's glass then climbs into bed with him. They can stretch out together now. ]

[ He's right. Of course he's right. He's the smartest man Nicky has ever known and that wit and intelligence are big parts of why Nicky loves him so much. He grunts, though, because knowing and acting are two different things.

Luckily, he can occupy himself stretching out and sliding his knee between Joe's legs to pull himself in. ]

She saw some of it at the lab, but she will not see it all until you are in danger. Then, she will know the lengths I can go to, in order to get you back.

[ There hasn't been a limit that he's met, yet. ]

[ Joe lifts his arm to make room for Nicky against his side and starts rubbing his back gently. ]

You are very vengeful when you've been wrong but she's seen your kindness too. She's smart enough to know someone can be both.

[ There's a whole new team dynamic to get used to. They'll adjust to Nile and live with Booker's absence. It will just take time. They won't be unsteady forever. ]

You are smart enough to know you're allowed to be both.

[ Nicky spiderwalks his fingers up Joe's back, taking his time to enjoy the way it feels to be able to have him so close, grateful that Joe is here, immortal, and his. He melts towards him for another kiss, eager to steal as many as he can, even as he lets out a needy noise that says it isn't enough.

More, he'll always need more. ]

I want to be good and kind, but there are those who do not deserve it. That is the balance I want to seek.

[ On that word, he tips his forehead to Joe's, struck suddenly by the reminder of Merrick Pharma, all those ghosts of memories too new to ignore. ]

And you'll find it again. Have faith, Nicolo.

[ Joe cups Nicky's cheek and studies his eyes while they rest together. Such a storm behind them. It will be very difficult to find forgiveness in his heart when everything has left such a mark on Nicky's soul. ]

We're still together. I know that means we can survive anything.

[ He kisses him again, trying to draw his thoughts away from that lab and the hell of watching the love of his life tortured in the name of greed pretending to be science. ]

[ Nicky snirks a little, giving Joe an amused look. ] I think it's funny, you telling the former priest to have faith, but I think you corrupted me away from that path with my very willing encouragement.

[ Not to mention, the pope did give him a free pass. It would be a shame if he didn't use it, for the rest of eternity. He tips his cheek into Joe's hold, opening his eyes to properly consider him, still grateful beyond belief to have him.

The kiss is needed, almost desperately so. He eases back, but only so he can sit up a little for another sip of wine, curling back into Joe's hold so he can stroke his thumb up and down Joe's arm. ]

What do you need, my sun? I don't ask enough.

You were always too good for the Catholic church. [ Joe presses a kiss to the tip of Nicky's nose. ] I like the faith you've found on your own much better.

[ He settles back while Nicky sips his wine. Almost immediately after he presses back in for another kiss drinking wine from his lips. ]

That's a good question. I'm not sure. Time alone together. Time to process everything. No work for awhile, I think. It's good to see what we've done and how we've helped but I'd like less blood.

I don't know, I liked my parish. They were nice people.

[ Not as nice as Joe, of course, and definitely not worth giving up this life, but he thinks about them sometimes and the mass he would say, how he would speak to his flock. Of course, he also thought to go to Jerusalem in God's name, and then found Yusuf there.

Destiny, he still insists. ]

No blood is the best option. Drinking wine at real bars. Dinner out. I think I'd like to cook for you and see you around the house in those very little shorts I bought you in the marketplace.

I'm sure they were but you're mine now and I refuse to give you back to them.

[ Destiny makes the most sense. Even though he was a merchant he never would have stepped foot in Nicolo's parish. They only found each other because they were meant to.

He brushes Nicky's bangs back with a little chuckle. He's adorable with his not quite long hair. ]

Don't try to cook dinner the same day I wear those shorts for you. You get distracted too easily when I walk around in those.

There is the problem where all my parish is dead, of course, which does make you a winner by default, even though I chose you back then, too.

[ He closes his eyes and grins for the touch of Joe's hair to his hair, missing it when it's long just for the way that Joe likes to play with it. It will be so nice to have that again, with the sweep of it off his neck, the brush of it from his forehead, and his fingers through his hair. ]

Your ass hangs out of them. [ Which is by intent. ] Of course I'm distracted by them. Maybe I'll buy you an apron to go with them to help, just to cover some of it up.

for thattime

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