Chapter Text
After Nicky had left, Joe decided to take a shower. Standing under the warm water, Joe thought it wasn't fair to anyone that he was feeling sad, so he promised himself that once Nicky got home, he would kiss Nicky and tell him he loved him.
With that in mind, Joe got out of the shower and got dressed before he returned to finish the Christmas snow village he had started on last week. It actually helped on his mood, doing something creative again. A couple of hours later, he felt pleased with the Christmas snow village, and he couldn't wait to show it off to Nicky and their families and friends. After cleaning up, he decided to take a nap before Nicky came home.
Joe thought it was a weird dream he had. Not only could he feel someone walk over him, but he also felt someone licking his face.
"Nicky," Joe giggled, half-asleep. "You're the one being really silly now."
Joe reached for what he thought was Nicky, but instead, his hands touched something smaller and much furried. That was enough to wake him completely, and what he saw he couldn't believe.
"Fernando?" Joe asked in disbelief. "Where did you come from?"
Joe sat up, and Fernando licked Joe's face.
"From Sinterklaas," Nicky replied. "It's your Christmas present from him."
Joe hugged Fernando.
"Thanks, Sinterklaas," Joe said. "I promise to look good after Fernando."
Nicky smiled as he sat down next to Joe, who hugged Nicky.
"Maybe we should get a bigger sofa," Nicky said. "Now that we're three."
"I don't know," Joe replied. "My back is quite a big fan of this sofa."
Joe kissed Nicky.
"And I prefer a smaller sofa," Joe said. "Because I like that we can sit this close to each other."
Joe pulled Nicky closer to him again before kissing him.
"Now," Joe said. "Please tell me how did Sinterklaas get Fernando? I thought he had a family."
"Something happened in the family," Nicky replied. "Which did they couldn't offer Fernando a home."
Nicky scratched Fernando behind its ear.
"So, Sinterklaas decided to give Fernando to us," Nicky said. "Unless you want to return your Christmas present?"
Joe hugged Fernando.
"No way, I finally got what I wanted for Christmas," Joe replied. "Thanks, Sinterklaas, once again."
Fernando started to wriggle before he peed on Joe.
"It's good I have tried that before," Joe said. "Why don't we all go for a walk after I have changed clothes?"
"Sounds like a wonderful idea," Nicky replied. "That way, we can start training Fernando to only peeing outside."
Five minutes later, they were walking down the street, or Joe and Nicky were. Fernando was sitting down and chewing on his dog leash.
"Don't worry, Nicky," Joe said. "I have researched how to get a puppy to walk."
Joe found a bag with a meatball in it. When Joe offered Fernando a piece of the meatball, the puppy walked.
"Told you he was a fan of your meatballs," Joe said. "Come, Fernando."
Joe took five steps before he once again offered Fernando a piece of the meatball, and once again, the puppy walked.
"Impressive," Nicky said. "And I promise to make more meatballs in the future."
Fernando wagged its tail.
"Fernando is thanking you," Joe said. "Good puppy."
They walked half a block before Fernando lay down with a tired look on his face. Nicky carried a sleeping Fernando home. When they got home, Nicky placed Fernando in one of the armchairs.
"We should cook dinner before he wakes up," Nicky said. "Could you peel the potatoes for me?"
"Of course," Joe replied. "How many?"
Joe had just peeled the tenth potato when a noise coming from the living room made them run into the room, where they found Fernando looking at the knocked-over Christmas tree.
"Someone is a fan of the Christmas tree," Nicky said. "But you better show Fernando that this isn't how we dance around the Christmas tree."
"I promise," Joe replied. "Say sorry, Fernando."
Joe held Fernando in front of Nicky. Fernando licked Nicky's face.
"You're forgiven," Nicky said. "Do you mind cleaning this up while I cook dinner, Joe?"
Joe nodded.
"Of course," Joe replied. "And then I'll find a way to keep Fernando away from the Christmas tree."
Five minutes later, Joe returned to the kitchen.
"Nicky," Joe said. "Do I have the time to run an errand? It should only take fifteen minutes."
"Yes," Nicky replied. "Dinner is first ready in forty minutes."
"Super," Joe replied. "Do you mind looking after Fernando while I'm gone?"
Nicky promised, and because the dinner was in the oven, he decided to play a bit with Fernando. It was great fun. When Joe returned again, he placed a big parcel in front of Nicky.
"Is there something you haven't told me?" Nicky asked. "Or are you telling me you want a child?"
"Let's have the child talk another day," Joe replied. "No, I was thinking of putting up a playpen and placing the Christmas tree in it. My sister told me it was a way to keep babies away from the Christmas tree, so why shouldn't it work with a puppy?"
"Creative," Nicky replied. "I hope it will work."
While Nicky finished dinner, Joe put up the playpen. When they sat down to eat dinner, Fernando was running around the playpen, barking at the Christmas tree.
"If you ask me," Nicky said. "I think Fernando is trying to find a way so he can knock over the Christmas tree again."
"Good luck with that," Joe replied. "It's a solid playpen with wooden bares, so there is no way..."
Fernando squeezed himself between the wooden bares, and seconds later, the Christmas tree fell over. Joe picked up Fernando before handing him to Nicky.
"It's a work in process," Joe said. "I promise to find a way to keep Fernando away from the Christmas tree."
"Can't wait to see what you come up with," Nicky replied as he looked at Fernando. "You're pretty proud of yourself."
Fernando licked Nicky's face while its tail was wagging. After dinner, Nicky sat down on the sofa while he watched Joe put boards around the playpen with Fernando running around his legs.
"Joe," Nicky asked. "Where did you get the boards from?"
"It's from an old art project years ago," Joe replied. "I was still trying to figure out what material I wanted to work with."
Nicky took his book.
"I still have a figure or two somewhere if you want to see them," Joe said. "I think my Aunt has them."
"I would love that," Nicky replied. "I love your art."
Joe smiled before he looked at Fernando.
"If you can find a way in," Joe said. "I'll give you meatballs for an entire week."
Nicky looked up from his book.
"Joe," Nicky said. "Don't bribe the puppy."
Joe laughed.
"Fine," Joe said. "Please don't knock over the Christmas tree again."
After putting the hammer and nails away, Joe sat down on the sofa next to Nicky where Joe placed Nicky's legs over his.
"I'm going to watch football," Joe said. "It's one of the last matches of the year."
"More than fine," Nicky replied. "I don't mind."
Joe found the football match before he placed a blanket over them. Then, Joe looked at Fernando, who was walking around the playpen.
"See," Joe said. "It's working."
Nicky looked at Fernando.
"Hmm," Nicky replied. "Fernando, come."
Fernando ran over to them with a wagging tail. Nicky picked Fernando up before placing the puppy on his tummy. Seconds later, Fernando curled up on Nicky's tummy, and Joe tucked Fernando under the blanket.
"You know what, Nicky?" Joe said. Nicky shook his head. "This is why I love our dull and boring life."
"I can only agree," Nicky replied. "I also love moments like these."
Joe kissed Nicky, and they didn't move from the sofa for the rest of the evening. Joe and Nicky both ran their fingers through, Fernando's fur while Joe ran his fingers up and down Nicky's leg while Nicky did the same thing just with Joe's arm instead.