topino | (no subject)

[Booker is going to remain off-limits until Nicky's ice towards him has thawed. He's grateful he got out, but he'd rather not talk about him, to him, or around him anytime soon.

Absently, Nicky begins to pet Joe's curls, trying to tame some of the curls as they dry, a pang in his heart at the thought of Quynh.]

I want so badly to find her. [Speaking of guilt.] I know there was no way for us to find her before, but how can we look her in the eye if we ever do find her, knowing how many centuries it's been?

We try and make it right by spending more centuries looking out for her after we find her.

[ He feels the guilt too. They had tried everything and failed. Even as technology improved they hadn't tried again. It's a hard thing to come to terms with. ]

We'd have to start all over from the beginning. Look at shipping records or maybe some museum has diaries or journals. We never did narrow it down. After our vacation, love, we'll mention it to Andy and see if she wants to try again.

[ Because if they feel guilty Andy's guilt must be ten times worse. Those women loved each other. Joe could not imagine how he would be if it was Nicky at the bottom of the ocean. ]

[Nicky can't imagine what it was like for either of them, and he tightens his hold on Joe a little more.]

We could always cash in some investments and buy the right equipment, contract a university and offer them a grant to find it.

[Joe's right. After the vacation. Right now, the lab had been bad enough, even if they had been in that cage together. Still, only days and it had been torture to see them torture Joe like that, and do nothing about it.]

Mio caro, what will you do, then? During our vacation? Apart from eating all my wonderful food.

That's a brilliant idea. Contact a university. One that has found objects lost at sea before.

[ He takes Nicky's hand, brings it to his lips, and kisses his knuckles. He can feel how tense he is. ]

I will sketch and maybe paint. Sleep until noon. Catch up on some reading. Cook for you when you'll let me.

[ Back to planning their escape, then, so Nicky can relax again and sleep well. ]

They have sonar and submarines these days, I'm sure someone would take our money to find it.

[And it can't be too far. If it sank, then they would know where it was, roughly, because Nicky doubts they would have waited long to rid themselves of their problem. He is, though, as ever, grateful it had not been him and Joe.]

You can cook me breakfasts as you like, and sketch me first thing and watch as I lounge in nothing at all. I want to find an apartment where clothes can be optional

Someone will always take our money.

[ Joe chuckles as he closes his eyes, smiling a little. There. Sounds like Nicky is back on track to relaxing. ]

We're renting a house on the beach, love. Where clothing will definitely be optional. No apartments. There are too many people and not enough privacy.

[Nicky resumes his petting of Joe's hair, taking his time to slide his fingers in, twining the curls around his fingertips, loving the way they shift against his touch.]

Yes, of course, the house, where we can be naked and I can wear nothing but a little apron to cook for you.

[It's already a much better vision in his mind.]

[ He will most certainly drift off like this. Joe feels a bone deep contentment and a sense of peace he hasn't felt in awhile. ]

Yes, that's it exactly. One that shows off your ass to perfection.

[ Just like that towel. Joe will reminder that towel forever. ]

[That earns a bone-deep laugh of appreciation from Nicky, thinking about wearing an apron around a beach house with nothing beneath it, all for Joe to discover when he comes to breakfast.]

I would never want to disappoint you. I'll find something immediately for your approval.

[He sinks his fingers a little deeper, scraping at his skull.] I think my mood has settled enough for sleep, my love.

[ There. That's the sound he's missed. Joe smiles easily knowing he's done exactly what Nicky needed to breathe easier. They'll work the rest of it out on vacation. ]

Alright, alright. Hang on. [ Joe sits up, kisses him softly and then lies down on his side so that Nicky can get comfortable as the little spoon. ] Come here.

[ He opens his arms to Nicky. ]

[Nicky sets the bottle of wine on the ground with the glasses, digging out the knife to put it on the bedside table before he settles back against Joe's arms, tangling their fingers together so that he can press them just over his heart.

This is good, this is perfect. It's much better than watching idiots eat cacti.]

We tell them at breakfast tomorrow?

[If they somehow don't already know.]

[ There's a handgun within easy reach on Joe's side too but Nicky will always be quicker to respond to a threat. ]

Mmhm. Over breakfast.

[ He nuzzles against the back of Nicky's neck and squeezes his hand gently. He's asleep in seconds, comforted and safe with his love. ]