fuckin fantastic

Nicky shifts again in his seat, inwardly cursing at his damn nerves, and hoped that his date wouldn’t note on his behavior. This had been the first good date he’s had in years and Joe was truly amazing and Nicky had to damn his own luck from the very start. He was exhausted, having pulled a double the night before and the warm atmosphere of the restaurant was lulling him to a gentle sleep. 

In short, he kept yawning, and judging by their waiter giving him the side-eye several times he was coming off as rude. Mentally he was already preparing what he would tell Quynh when she would ask about how her set up had gone, and he could imagine her exasperated sigh followed by the ever familiar “oh Nicolo” which was her way of reminding him that he was a disaster. 

He yawns, again, and winces. 

Why did he only get four hours of sleep again? He can’t even recall what he had done the previous day to warrant such little sleep. Past Nicky was a pain in the ass and he thinks maybe he should have listened to Quynh when she had told him to catch up on his beauty rest. 

“I’m sorry,” Nicky says, when Joe stops in the middle of his tale about the time he had rescued a painting from a burning building, which was possibly one of the most interesting things Nicky has ever half-heard because of how damn tired he was, and gives him a concerned look. “I’m being rude.” 

“It’s okay,” Joe says, smiling so brightly that Nicky feels butterflies in his stomach. He was going to really miss that smile when Joe inevitably never called him again because of what a bust this first date had been. 

“I’m tired,” Nicky says instead of an actual explanation that would explain that he wasn’t normally this terrible on dates, that he could actually keep up with a conversation and the dark bags under his eyes weren’t always there. 

Fuck, he’s really going to regret this one. 

“Let’s get you home,” Joe says, instead of telling Nicky off for wasting his time, which actually shocks Nicky enough to wake himself up some. In a movement that was literally just standing up but Nicky’s sleep-deprived brain had deemed as beautiful, Joe stood from his seat, placed a generous amount of money on the table to pay for their meal, and offered Nicky his hand. 

“Ah-” Nicky stumbles, begging his brain to catch up with what was actually happening in front of him. “I walked here.” 

Smooth, Nicky.

“That’s not a problem,” Joe replies leading them out. Nicky realizes that their hands are still intwined, Joe’s hand is nice, warm witth ink staining his finger tipss. Nicky should probably let go, he doesn’t. “I always travel with a spare.” 

“A spare -” Nicky is about to ask what, but he find his answer as Joe stops them in front of a motorcycle. A very beautiful, very deadly motorcycle.

“I always cary an extra helmet in case the situation calls for me to give a beautiful man a ride home.” Joe looks at him and Nicky’s breath catches as he winks. 

“I’m not beautiful,” Nicky says dumbly. Any successful flirting from him had been abandoned before the date had even started and it seems that he wont be playing catch up anytime soon. 

“As a painter I know beauty when I see it,” Joe responds to Nicky’s blunder, as smooth as ever, and pushes the spare helmet into Nicky’s hands. “Let’s get you to bed.” 

For a moment Nicky almost repeats that he had walked to their date and was in no condition to do any sort of riding, but he keeps his mouth shut. His brain is already chasing aftter several innuendos that he was sure was all in his head anywayss, and Nicky would prefer to not embarass himself any further. He watches as Joe swings a leg over his motorcycle, straddling the seat.

Nicky is suddenly envious of a piece of machinery. 

Maybe Quynh was right when she said he really needed to get laid.

Joe kicks up the brake and balances the bike, steadying it for Nicky to get on. When Nicky does nothing but curse his very existance, Joe helpfully pats the seat behind him. 

“Hop on and hold onto my waist, I’ll go easy for your first time.” Joe is smiling again, but its more gentle than flirtatious and Nicky snaps his helmet into place and does as he’s told, relaxing with Joe’s easy demeanor. “Where to?” 

“Anywhere,” Nicky answers, before his brain catches up with him and he blushes, burying his head in Joe’s leather clad shoulder to hide his embarassment. 

Nicky realizes that if Joe were to ask he really would go anywhere with the other man. 

Joe, the angel that he is, smiles instead of laughs. “Maybe next time, lets start with the adresss to your bed.”