topino | (no subject)

[ Joe stumbles a little and crashes into Nicky but he's delighted by the whole thing. He wraps an arm around Nicky's waist to steady himself. ]

If you can't find them I'll propose again. Our vacation spot can be our honeymoon. [ Why not get married again? Why not honeymoon again? He's just as much in love as the first time so why not do it again? ]

Coffee is scared. Don't you dare tell me otherwise. [ He reaches back to turn on the shower. ]

[ Nicky makes sure to lock the bathroom door so no one can sneak in and disturb them, because it would be very bad if their private time was cut short. He shifts and perches on the edge of the tub as he considers Joe. ]

Maybe it would not be so bad to have new rings anyway.

[ And not just because he'll never say no to another proposal from Joe. ] And I know. I know you have very strong opinions on coffee. [ Which Nicky shares, so he can't really speak. ]

[ It's a miracle Andy hasn't come to pound on their door and tell them to shut up. ]

If you want a new ring say the word and I'll find you a new one. [ He does like the look of some high fashion men's engagement rings. ]

Starbucks is a scourge on the earth. A plague of high priced crap. [ He adjusts the water to a comfortable hot checking with his hand occasionally to make sure it's not too hot. ]

[Maybe Andy also knows how unsettled Nicky has been and this is his one-time reprieve. He doubts she will be so magnanimous for very long, so he should take advantage of it while he can.]

Then by all means, Yusuf, please buy me a new ring. And yourself at the same time.

[He reaches out for Joe's hand to press kisses to the two rings he already has, murmuring agreement about Starbucks without words, but then, they were there for the dawn of Turkish coffee. Nothing else will compare.]

One day, humanity will invent something new that is even more awful, I'm sure.

I almost want to delay our date so I can propose to you in public. [ Because he loves public declarations of love. He wants the whole world to know just how much he loves Nicolo. ] But we'll just have another date.

[ He tenderly brushes his fingers against Nicky's cheek. His heart really is the sweetest man to ever walk the earth. ]

And you'll be very patient listening to me complain. [ He gently tugs Nicky to his feet and nudges him into the shower when the water temperature is right. It'll be a tight fit which just means they get to press very close together. ]

Such a hardship, to date you more than once.

[He beams at him as he pushes to his feet once the water seems warm enough, noticing just how tight it will be. He's alight for it, though, and steps in to wrap his arms around Joe's waist, letting the water get his hair stuck to his forehead as it sluices over him and starts cleaning him off.]

Of course, with phones these days, we might have to be careful how public. People might videotape it and put it on the internet. You are very romantic and persuasive.

[He sighs for the warm water on his muscles, turning them to put Joe in the line of the water, digging his fingers into Joe's shoulders to massage them.]

I know I ask for a lot.

[ Joe spends a minute letting his eyes water over Nicky while water cascades down his body. It is... very tempting. ]

Part of me wants that. I want some lonely, confused young man to see it and have hope he can have the same future. [ He groans loudly. ] Yes, Nico, right there.

[ Definitely going to be heard by the team but damn, Nicky's hands are magic. ] But it can be a little more private.

[Nicky's shoulders have relaxed, calm as anything now that he's had a little time. He keeps digging his fingers into Joe's shoulders, sliding his palm up his neck to cup his cheek, still in awe that he'd managed to figure this out and get this man.]

Maybe if Copley would remove it in a year or two, we could let it leak.

[Nicky would like some mementos of the special moments, even if he already knows he will cry when Joe proposes. He always does.]

Hm. You did say you wanted more photos.

[ Joe rests his forehead against Nicky's and closes his eyes to better enjoy his touch. ]

Let me propose. We'll see if anyone even bothers to film it. [ They will both cry. Joe somehow manages to hold back until after the proposal is done usually. ] People might not bother. Or we can get Nile to do it? She's good with a phone.

I do want more photos, especially ones of you. And us together. I see couples doing this all the time, and wouldn't it be nice to have something of the two of us to carry around?

[Not that he ever intends to be parted from Joe, but he'd still like to have it.

He reaches for the soap to add it into his ministrations, soaking up Joe's body to get him plenty wet, humming softly as he bends a little to get at Joe's thighs.]

Or we leave it to chance and you keep proposing until it does happen.

I think if we're careful and protect the photos we can take more of them.

[ There had to be some modern way to make sure no one saw those photos but them. He'll ask Copley.

Joe braces a hand against the wall and lets Nicky get to work. ]

Then I want to go to the Uffizi gallery and see if they have the painting of you still hanging up. I'll propose to you there.

Maybe Nile could use a burner phone and take pictures of us together. We deserve some, if only so I can use it on the background of my phones now.

[There are times when he likes having Joe to look at, even if the ways he wants to look at him are very much not fit for others to see. He slides his soaped hands over Joe's perfect pectoral muscles, humming with satisfaction for how good he looks.

And then, a grin, reminded of that painting.]

I like that painting. It has my nose right.

I think most burner phones aren't smart enough for pictures but we'll see.

[ They occasionally end up separated from each other for work. Sometimes just for errands. It would be nice to have something though. To be more normal as a couple. ]

People do not appreciate your nose like they should. [ He leans in and kisses the tip of his lovely nose. Never mind that it took Joe a few decades to get it right as well. ]

There is always the option of a real photoshoot with a proper camera, or we could buy a Polaroid? No evidence but the ones we keep.

[He bends to get more soap on his hands, laughing at the kiss to his nose. Where he is, he feels very comfortable groping Joe's ass, giving it a nice squeeze as he pulls him in.]

You appreciate it enough for whole countries, and that is enough for me.

Hmm. A Polaroid.

[ He likes that idea for their vacation. Joe will make sure to get one before they go and plenty of film. ]

It's beautiful like the rest of you. [ If Nicky's not careful he's going to start another round in the shower. Joe slides his hands down his sides and resists the urge to pin him against the wall.

For now. ]

A Polaroid and almost two months alone.

[Nicky is grinning at the possibilities, thinking about every last one of them as he trades soap for shampoo, but this time presses it into Joe's hands so he can clean Nicky's messy hair.]

So you will propose at the Uffizi, and I will propose in Tuscany, maybe atop a hilltop town that we passed through in the early days, where we can have good food and wine waiting for us.

Oh, the pictures I will take of you...

[ The look in Joe's eyes promises many of those pictures will not be fit for young eyes. ]

I think Madrid would make a nice backdrop to a proposal. São Paulo. [ He massages the shampoo into Nicky's hair, working his fingers against his scalp firmly. ] Where haven't I proposed to you, yet?

Pictures that I will very eagerly pose for.

[He knows exactly how to make a sheet pool at his hips for the right effect, and the smile on his face says he knows it and he's plenty smug about it.]

Australia. I think we are missing Madagascar. I never hate to be proposed to again in Tunisia or Jerusalem. [He gives a soft moan at Joe's fingers against his scalp.] Yes, there, harder.

You spoil me.

[ They are utterly ruining Nile's night and have no idea. It will be hilarious tomorrow morning. ]

I think we have ourselves a very nice list. [ Harder is easy to do. Joe really presses in, his thumbs circling around Nicky's temples. He slowly works down to the back of his neck. ] Maybe we'll have an actual wedding one of these times. Just for the hell of it.

[Nicky's knees threaten to give out on him, so he grabs at Joe's waist to steady himself and hold on, making sure that he's nice and secure, happy as he grabs him.

And then, Joe has to go and talk about real weddings.]

Well, if I am taking your actual name, maybe it would be good to have an actual wedding.

[It's logical and all.]

We would need very secure identities for that.

[ And maybe some part of Joe is reluctant to have one when Booker can't be there. It should be their whole family... even if he's still pissed at the bastard.

He nudges Nicky's head back so he can gently wash out the soap. ]

It's a bit harder to disappear if we have records in a municipal court.

Or a very good faked death. Fires, they happen all the time, it would be such a shame to lose a married couple like that, but...

[Nicky is not about to let details stop him from getting what he wants. He tips his head back, closing his eyes and stretching out his neck to give Joe the best access, humming softly as he thinks about Joe in a very nice suit.]

One day, when we are like Andy, it is the first thing I want to do.

They have ways of figuring out those are staged now. Better to get lost at sea.

[ He is ruthless, his Nicky. Joe leans in and kisses him softly. ]

We will. We will finally settle down and live out our days in quiet peace. [ They're relatively young. Even when their immortality runs out they should have a long time together. ]

Ah, yes, a yachting trip, perhaps.

[Nicky tips his head down to kiss him, softer than before, enjoying the way that he can take his time. The hour is getting late, but he is not tired, not yet (well, not entirely, but he suspects once he is clean and curled up with Joe in clean clothes, he will be instantly asleep).]

I will marry you properly and take your name, we will do whatever we want. And I will not let one ounce of harm come to you.

Hm. We'll be someone's favorite internet mystery.

[ Joe chuckles softly against Nicky's lips. Just a few more minutes in the shower and the water will get cold. Then they can get out. ]

Like you've always done. My guard dog. So fierce and loyal. [ He brushes his thumbs along Nicky's cheeks. ] It will be paradise.