topino | (no subject)

[ 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.

I was the winner long before they started to die off.

[ Joe is still undecided on how he's gong to change his look. Perhaps he'll let Nicky decided for him. Right now, he's going to play with Nicky's. ]

We are only going to end up having sex in the kitchen. There is no way you're going to keep your hands off me, apron or no.

[ It sounds very nice though. No one to walk in one them while they get handsy and he really does enjoy showing off and looking pretty for Nicky. ]

Yes, you were. The story came later, but you were like a pied piper and i your...well, rat.

[ That wasn't as romantic as Nicky wanted, and his face falls a little to realize it. Still, what romance is needed when they're talking about Nicky cooking for Joe and those teensy tiny shorts that Nicky loves to see so much. ]

You say that like it's a bad thing. I could have you on the counter and still use the spatula to flip dinner.

[ He can't help but laugh. There are times when Nicky can be just as romantic as him but sometimes he stumbles and it's adorable.

He pushes Nicky onto his back and settles on top of him very at home in the cradle of his thighs. There's nothing quite like the feel of his lover's body under him. ]

You are so confident. Remember what happened in Manhattan when you thought we could fool around and not burn dinner? Or Sydney? Or Cairo?

[ He could go on and on but he won't. He's made his point. ]

[ Nicky wrinkles his nose, mouthing 'rat' again, because it really didn't land a mark, but he'll get better. That, or he'll just go back to the languages he knows, even if one of them is one he can only use in a small Swiss canton these days. ]

I loved our Sydney apartment until I burned it down. [ So mournful about that, though he doesn't regret it. Joe really had looked excellent enough to eat. ]

Maybe I've grown and learned?

Hmmm, we can test but I will keep a fire extinguisher handy.

[ The Sydney apartment had been very nice with a beautiful view. It's such a shame.

He leans in and nuzzles against Nicky's neck, pressing a few kisses along his pulse. ]

Will you make that chocolate cake for me if I wear those little shorts for you?

[ Nicky is not going to sulk at the implication that he'll burn down another house, even though it's every bit as likely as ever, if Joe is going to wear those shorts. He dreams about those shorts, he really does.

He laughs at the kiss when one is a little more ticklish than the others. ]

Only if I get to make extra of the frosting so I can lick it off you.

You're offering me a deal with no downsides, my love.

[ Nicky's laughter makes him smile every single time. He draws back so he can see the happiness for himself.

He's beautiful. Joe can't breathe for a second with the swell of emotions in his chest. The love he feels for him really has no words. ]

[ Nicky can't help his flush, loving the way Joe is staring at him, even if he still can't believe that he looks at him with such adoration. ]

What? [ He asks, with a huff of laughter, not sure what it is he's done to cause such a reaction from Joe. If anything, he should be the one stunned to speechlessness, and he doubts he's got this reaction just because he's guaranteed he'd bake one of Joe's favourite cakes. ]

I haven't heard you laugh like that in awhile. It's a beautiful sound. Makes my heart shiver with pleasure and happiness.

[ It's really the first sign he's seen of his Nicky, the playful, sweet, and gentle man who he loves more than reason. It's hope that the shadows that haunt them will be lifted. ]