peace_inthe_violence | For transfuge

[He prayed quietly for a time. Thought about things for a time. Talked them out in his head for a time and, eventually, he carefully slid out of bed. He wasn't gone for long, though. Just long enough to grab his phone (and send a -_- face at the picture of him asleep), then he was back.

When Booker finally woke, Nicky was still right there, scrolling through his phone. He was on...a website? A school website? Looking at college courses?]

What time is it?

[ Booker inched closer and nuzzled his face against Nicky's side. Look, he was still there and there was no pressing reason to get out of bed. The cuddling would continue until he had to get up. ]

What are you looking at?

[ He only caught a vague look at things before he started cuddling again and his brain wasn't fully online to process it. It'll catch up to him in a minute or so. ]

It's almost 11, sleepy head.

[But he was smiling and made no effort to keep that smile from his voice. He even reached down with his free hand to thread their fingers together.]

I'm doing a little research is all. How did you sleep?

No wonder I'm so hungry.

[ It would be his stomach that finally got him out of bed. Booker had a Frenchman's appreciation of food.

Although, this late, he probably couldn't get fresh morning croissants. The best ones. ]

Really good. I always sleep better when you guys are with me.

[He chuckled, thumbing his screen off and putting his phone on the bed side table.]

Mmm, if we hurry, we might still be able to get a cappuccino before it's too late.

[Italians and their refusal to drink cappuccinos after noon. But even having skipped his morning addiction, Nicky really made no move like he was actually in any kind of hurry.

In fact, he rolled over in Booker's arms so that he could nuzzle in against his chest.]

I thought you said French cappuccino isn't up to your standards.

[ He nuzzled Nicky's hair as he teased him. All of Nicky's very Italian traits are super adorable. ]

But yeah, we can go have an early lunch. And then you're going to make me unpack everything and clean and organize.

[ Booker made it sound like that was the end of the world but he was already thinking about how he needed to organize his bookshelf because Nicky put some books in the wrong order. ]

It's not, but it is better than nothing. And I had better start getting used to it, I suppose.

[After all, he was going to be coming up to Paris just as often as Booker was going to be coming down to Genoa. Right? No other reason, totally not.

He planted a kiss in the middle of Booker's sternum, then finally pulled away enough that he could actually get up.]

There has to be a place around here that can make a decent one, we just have to find it.

I guess we're going to a cafe for brunch.

[ He made a sad noise as Nicky got up. The cuddling was so nice. They needed to do more of that.

Finally, Booker got out of bed but he immediately went to his laptop. Bent over the desk he pulled up Google Maps to see what was around the University worth going to. ]

Alright, I see a pretty decent place three blocks over. It has good comments. Sound good to you?

[ He looked over his shoulder at Nicky with an eyebrow raised in question. ]

[While Booker went hunting on his laptop, Nicky was up and picking through the boxes to find where he'd tossed his bag. It was half hidden under the bed, but he grabbed it and pulled it out and started digging through it for another shirt.

He really wanted a full on shower before he bothered completely changing, but he also didn't want to go out in public in the shirt he'd slept in.]

Sounds like it is worth trying. It'll be a little late, but you've converted me enough that I should be okay.

[He smirked, still obviously more than a little mortified at America's coffee habits. But then he was changing and moving over to the mirror to try and get his hair to do anything that resembled behaving.]

I need a haircut...

[ They could go investigate the dorm showers but it made more sense to do that after they unpack. Booker was okay with being a little ripe for a few more hours. He wasn't completely offensive right now. ]

A cappuccino tastes the same in the morning and in the evening. You're insane.

[ He closed his laptop, dragged his shirt over his head and tossed it to a corner for now. He would put a laundry basket there later. ]

Your hair's fine. I like it longer.

[ Booker could get his fingers in it and hold on. Not that he could do that now but still, it was a good memory of silken strands through his fingers and Nicky's mouth on his cock. ]

[That earned Booker a bit of horrified look as Nicky finally got his hair to do something other than spike randomly in the direction of his pillow.]

But it's so much milk. How do you digest so much milk so late in the day?

[He shuddered, but there was a hint of a smirk on his lips. It was an old tease between Nicky and the rest of his friends, and one that he was adamant about never relenting on.

Shoving his feet into his shoes, he nudged a few disturbed boxes back out of the way of the door, gathering up the boxes that they'd emptied the night before to take down with them.]

By not being Italian.

[ Booker took the other half of the empty boxes and made sure he had his keys to the room tucked in his pocket. As they walked down he scanned through his phone to catch up with everyone. ]

Did you see Joe said he'd be free to talk with us this afternoon?

[ That would be great. Booker was kind of hopeful that Joe could talk Nicky into trying something else besides the priesthood.

Respectfully of course. ]

[He scoffed, but didn't bother retaliating against the jab at him. He knew it wasn't serious, even if there was a certain level of animosity between their countries. It wasn't nearly as bad as it used to be, at least? Now it was closer to rival sports teams than actual hostility.

Not wanting to turn his head on the stairs and end up tripping to his doom, he waited until he was all the way down before he nodded.]

I did. Right after he called me 'sleeping beauty'. Which is highly inaccurate and how dare you post that picture.

[But the glare he shot at Booker's direction was purely mockery and mirth.]

Stop being so fucking adorable and I'll stop taking pictures of you doing adorable things.

[ He refused to apologize for taking that picture. It was saved in his phone because it was so fucking cute. If Nicky ended up being a priest Booker would treasure it.

Booker held the door open for Nicky and they walked around the side of the building. The dumpster was pretty full of cardboard already. ]

You're lucky I didn't post it on Instagram. You know how much I love putting selfies there.

[ That's his Instagram: selfies, graffiti art, and sweeping landscapes. Occasionally his friends popped in. ]

I'm not adorable, you're just blind.

[Was that a touch of color on his cheeks? No, of course not.

Tossing his boxes into the dumpster, he waited for Booker to do the same, then reached out his hand in offering.

If he did decide to join the priesthood, he was going to miss hand holding the most.]

Don't you dare post that there. You'll break at least half of your follower's hearts if they knew you weren't single.

[Wait, did that mean they were dating? He was far too under caffeinated to be having so many internal meltdowns.]

You really are.

[ Booker's look was openly adoring. He caught Nicky's hand as soon as it was offered and tangled their fingers together. ]

I want them there to admire my art not me so they can leave if they're unhappy about my personal life.

[ He didn't think of himself as single. Even if Nicky wasn't sure, Booker knew he and Joe would be a thing. He loved his best friend who was also hot as hell and great in bed.

They really had something special with the three of them though. Booker knew it would be impossible to replace Nicky. ]

[They really did have something special with the three of them. Even Nicky could see that, even with his insecurities and indecision.

Bringing Booker's hand up, he placed a kiss on the back of it before gesturing for him to lead the way. He was the one who'd looked the place up, after all.]

How did I, the person who barely draw a stick figure, fall in love with two amazing artists? God works in mysterious ways, yes, but this is out there even for Him.

[ Booker felt a rush of feeling hearing Nicky say it. They had said it before but this was different. Nicky said he was in love with him and Joe. Like a relationship.

The hope was almost painful. ]

I mean, Joe out classes us both but it's probably something about balance or whatever.

[ He led them away from the University, heading towards the Seine though they wouldn't get close to it. ]

Your drawing skills really make Pictionary fun.

[Shame. A walk by the Seine would be romantic. Of course, Nicky was of the opinion that anything with either Booker or Joe (but even better with Booker and Joe) would be romantic.

He was a sap. Not as vocal about it as Joe was, but it was still there.

The jab about his pictionary skills made him snort, though.]

See if I play with either of you, again. Nile and I can be on a team. She appreciates my style.

Look, we spend a lot more time together and it won't matter what you draw we'll just read your mind.

[ When Joe is finally in Paris with them, they can all go walk along the Seine and have a very romantic dinner down there.

If Nicky chooses them.

Booker won't imagine a romantic date like that when it's possible it won't happen. ]

Although, maybe you're right. It's not fair when Joe and I are on a team together. We slaughter you all.

[ When they reach the cafe Booker sat down at the first available outside table. It's a warm day again and he wants to be outside. ]

[Nicky couldn't help but think about romantic things like that. As it was his decision that everyone was waiting on, however, it was kind of his job to think about both sides of things. Romance and the men that he felt so entwined with, even before they'd spent that amazing night together. Or the calling that he'd felt in his bones everyday since he'd been old enough to understand that the way he'd grown up was not the way it had to be.

But was it a Calling, or simply a calling? That was the part he was having trouble with.

He gave Booker's hand a little squeeze before he let go to sit on the other side of the table, smiling at the waiter when he came out to order. And, as silly as all of his friends thought him, he did check his watch before ordering his cappuccino. It was late enough that any cafe in Italy would have laughed at him, but he still ordered it.]

I'm not sure if you'd want to read my mind, mio amore.

[ Booker charmed the waiter in under a minute flat for better service and because he liked do it. He got a simple black iced coffee and a cheese plate to snack on.

Under the table Booker knocked their ankles together just to keep touching. It was anchoring that physical reminder that Nicky was there and he wasn't alone in a brand new country that was shaping up to be his home. ]

No? I knew you secretly had a dirty mind.

[He was going to get lightheaded from all the blushing.]

You...

[But he grinned and shifted his ankle to rest comfortably into the touch. The charming of the waiter didn't bother him. Yes, Booker could get a date with just a smile, but it was him that had caught his eye. Him that he'd let touch him.

It made those butterflies in his stomach flutter back to life.

He accepted his drink with a small 'thank you', only making a little face at the first sip.]

You are a charming little sucker, you know that right? Joe would be all growl and jealousy if he were here. And you know what? I bet you'd like that.

It doesn't mean anything.

[ Booker shrugged a shoulder. A lot of his strategy for life was charm his way through it. Sure, he was smart and all that but being liked got him way farther than being the gifted kid in class.

That was how it felt until he made real friends. Now he knew the difference between friends and fake friends. He knew what real love was from Joe and Nicky loving him as fiercely as they did. ]

Maybe I do. He always kisses just a little harder when he gets jealous.

[ Actually, it kind of made him miss Joe. It would be way too long until he joined them. ]

It's nice to know he wants me that much.

[He was quiet for a moment, sipping at his coffee and ignoring the cheese plate (honestly, savory? No thank you. He'll wait for his crepes). He leaned back in his seat, soaking in the warmth of the sun and the sounds of the city, looking content and pleased with himself.

He was comfortable here. Far more comfortable than he had been when he'd taken the whole group to see his family home in Genoa. The place had been comfortable enough and his mother had been pleasant enough, but his brother and father had been curt and abrupt and his mother had been interrupted when she'd gone to invite them all for dinner.

Here, there was none of that and he took in a large breath before he turned back to Booker, smiling and looking a little shy.]

You know that just because I don't get jealous like that does mean I don't love you as much as he does, right?

For transfuge

Thank you, DW for never giving me this notif...

it's been doing that to me on and off for like weeks

Rude

yeah, i just occasionally check my messages to see if i missed anything

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