Chapter Text
When Nicky found Joe, he was waiting with two big baskets and a blanket.
"Hi, Joe," Nicky said. "Sorry, I am late, but I was asked to work for ten minutes extra today."
"That is okay," Joe replied. "You made it, and that is what counts."
Joe smiled.
"Let me park my bike," Nicky said. "Be right back."
It didn't take long for Nicky to return.
"Those baskets look heavy," Nicky said. "Should I help you?"
"Not that I don't appreciate your offer, but I got it," Joe replied. "Come, it is this way."
Nicky followed Joe, and while they walked, Nicky wished he was a bigger conversationalist than he was because he didn't know what to say.
"You should know I have spent the last two days finding the perfect spot for a picnic," Joe said, proud of himself. "And I reached the conclusion that this is the perfect spot."
Nicky looked up at one of the biggest trees in the park and then at the view over the pond and the city skyline. It was indeed a perfect spot if you were on a date, but Nicky didn't know if he was on a date right now.
"There is zero wind here," Joe said as he spread out the blanket. "And the sunlight hits this spot perfectly."
Joe noticed Nicky looking at the other couples around them.
"Nicky?" Joe asked. "If you want to sit somewhere else, we can do that."
"No, no, this is fine," Nicky replied. "It's a very nice spot, Joe."
Joe reached out a hand with a nervous smile.
"I know it might be an old-fashioned question," Joe said. "But can I help you sit down?"
"Si," Nicky replied. "Very kind of you to ask."
Nicky got out of his sneakers before taking Joe's hand. After helping Nicky to sit down, Joe kicked his sneakers off before sitting down on the blanket next to Nicky. Then, Joe reached for the first basket.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "Is there food in both baskets?"
"Yes," Joe replied. "I thought you wanted to eat something from home, so I went to the local Italian deli. Have you been there?"
"Once or twice every month," Nicky replied. "I am a bit of a snob when it comes to the pasta I eat."
"There isn't anything wrong with being a food snob because I am also a bit of a snob when it comes to the figs I eat," Joe replied. "Now, let me introduce you to the food you will be eating. I thought we could make sandwiches."
Nicky watched as Joe unpacked the two baskets with the familiar food he loved so much.
"And finally, the bread," Joe said in a dramatic tone. "One is Ciabatta bread, and the other is Focaccia bread, even though I don't know which is which."
The way Joe looked at the bread made Nicky giggle.
"Your giggle is a wonderful sound," Joe said. "I am already a big admirer of it."
Nicky blushed as he looked away for a moment to pull himself together.
"The bread in your right hand is Focaccia bread," Nicky said. "And if it is okay with you, I would prefer to save it for a hot meal."
"That is more than fine with me," Joe replied. "Maybe we can share that meal, too."
"That would be nice," Nicky replied. "But I need to tell you something about the food you bought."
"What?" Joe asked. "Have I forgotten something?"
"No, no, you haven't," Nicky replied. "It is about the cheese."
Joe took the cheese and looked at it before he looked at Nicky.
"The cheese you are holding is a French cheese called brie," Nicky said. "Ever heard of that?"
"Can't say that," Joe replied. "So, how did I end up with a French cheese?"
"I don't know," Nicky replied. "But I know you can't buy it in the Italian deli."
Joe thought for a moment.
"Now I know where the brie comes from," Joe said. "And if I am right, someone is in big trouble."
Joe looked at Nicky.
"I have a roommate, and sometimes we prank each other," Joe said. "He is French and loves his cheeses, so I think he snuck the brie into one of the baskets when I wasn't looking."
"Okay," Nicky replied. "So, are you plotting your revenge now?"
"No," Joe replied. "That has to wait because right now, I am on a date with the most beautiful man in the world, and he is far more important."
When Joe said the word "date", Nicky forgot all about the olive in his mouth and choked on it.
"Nicky," Joe said, a bit nervous when Nicky coughed. "Here, drink this."
Joe offered Nicky one of the bottles of water, which Nicky took and drank a big sip of the water.
"Are you okay?" Joe asked. "Do you need anything?"
"I am fine," Nicky replied. "What do you mean with a date?"
"That is what we are doing right now," Joe replied. "Or am I wrong?"
They both looked confused at each other.
"Okay," Joe said. "What do you think this is?"
"I haven't figured that out because you only asked me out on this picnic," Nicky replied. "And I also can't figure out why the university's most sought-after guy asked me."
Joe took Nicky's hands in his.
"Listen, Nicky," Joe said. "I might be the university's most sought-after guy, something I hate to be, but I have really only myself to blame for being called that because I have said no to every date so far."
"I don't follow," Nicky replied. "What do you mean?"
"I might come across as someone who has everything figured out, but that isn't true, far from it. Even though I love being social, I struggle with being social when there are more than five people in the room that I know," Joe replied. "I am a twenty-year-old guy who dreams of having a life many people first get when they are older than that. My Mom calls it an old soul in a young body."
Joe took a moment.
"Then I saw you last August, and for the first time in my life, I fell in love because the man I dreamt of stood there in the crowd alive and breathing," Joe said. "And then my head started saying all kinds of stuff to me, making me doubt everything. Do you know how that is?"
"More than you will ever know," Nicky replied. "I have been struggling with many of the same things you have been doing."
"That is good to know I am not alone," Joe replied. "Even though I found it hard, I asked you if you wanted to go with me on this Valentine's Day picnic, and here we are."
Joe caressed Nicky's knuckles. Nicky returned the gesture, something that made them both smile.
"Nicky, I leave it to you to decide what this is because I don't want to put pressure on you," Joe said. "That isn't who I am."
Nicky thought for a moment.
"Thanks," Nicky replied. "And I would love to go on a date with you."
"So will I," Joe replied. "I promise to be more specific the next time I ask you out or for anything else."
Nicky smiled. Joe loved that smile.
"Let me be the first one to be specific when asking," Nicky said. "Do you want to go to the cinema with me when we are done here?"
"Of course," Joe replied. "I would love that. What are we watching?"
"I don't know," Nicky replied. "I like to show up and choose a movie."
"That does sound like fun," Joe replied. "But popcorn is on me."
"Fine," Nicky replied. "Let us eat. I am hungry."
While eating, they got to know each other. Nicky told Joe he was studying European history and loved to cook, while Joe told Nicky he was studying art history and loved to rollerskate. When they were done eating, Nicky asked Joe if it was okay if they gave the rest of the food to some homeless people, which was more than okay with Joe. After donating the food, they went to the cinema.
"You know what?" Joe asked as he wrapped his arms around Nicky's waist from behind. "That was a kind thing you did. Giving the food away."
"It is a thing we do in our family," Nicky replied. "So, what do you want to watch?"
They looked at the cinema's program.
"Nicky?" Joe asked. "Should I remove my hands?"
"No," Nicky replied. "I don't mind it."
They exchanged a smile.
"What about something scary?" Joe suggested. "I promise to hold your hand, and you can hide behind me."
"Thanks for the offer," Nicky replied. "But a horror movie on Valentine's Day doesn't sound very romantic."
"You are right," Joe replied. "So, do you want to watch a romantic movie?"
"I didn't say that," Nicky replied. "I know what we can watch. Do you trust me?"
"Sure," Joe replied. "While you get the tickets, I will get the popcorn."
Five minutes later, they were watching the trailers.
"Looks like we are all alone," Joe said. "Is that okay with you?"
"Yes," Nicky replied. "But you should know I know how to throw a man over my shoulders."
"A man with many talents," Joe replied. "Please show me one day."
"Maybe," Nicky replied. "You have to wait and see."
Joe smiled before he offered Nicky some popcorn before taking some himself.
"So," Joe said. "What are we watching?"
"Howl's Moving Castle," Nicky replied. "I think as an artist, you will appreciate how the movie was drawn."
"A cartoon?" Joe asked, and Nicky nodded. "I haven't watched one in ages."
"If it isn't for you," Nicky replied. "We can always leave."
"No way," Joe replied. "I love cartoons."
Before Nicky could say anything, the movie started. During the movie, they ate popcorn and held hands. When Nicky placed his head on Joe's shoulder, Joe didn't push Nicky away; instead, he placed his head above Nicky's head.
"That was an amazing movie, Nicky," Joe said. "What did you say who made it?"
"Hayao Miyazaki," Nicky replied. "I discovered him when I lived in Japan."
"Wow," Joe replied. "You lived in Japan. Why?"
"My Papa worked at the Italian embassy there," Nicky replied. "I love much about Japan but not sushi. I will never be a fan of that."
"Me neither," Joe replied. "Another thing we have in common."
After getting Nicky's bike (Joe had given one of the homeless women the baskets, saying she could might earn something on them) they walked a bit in silence.
"Joe?" Nicky asked when he suddenly stopped walking. "What about tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?" Joe asked. "What do you mean?"
"You will be done with university in less than four months, while I still have three years left where one of them is in Germany," Nicky replied. "So, do you still want to see me tomorrow?"
Joe caressed Nicky's cheek.
"I want to have every day I can get with you, Nicky," Joe said. "And as an artist, I can work anywhere."
"I don't want you to support me," Nicky replied. "I can..."
Joe placed a finger on Nicky's lips to stop him from speaking.
"I will support you emotionally," Joe said. "Let us take one day at a time and then take the problems if they show up. And if you go to Germany, I promise to visit or move with you if you want. It isn't the first time I have moved country. The first time was because of the university, so maybe the second time will be because of you."
"That sounds good," Nicky replied. "I like that thought."
They smiled at each other.
"Uh, Joe," Nicky said. "I have to admit something."
Joe nodded.
"I am not ready to kiss you yet," Nicky admitted. "I want to, but I have to get to know you better first."
"That is fine," Joe replied. "And besides, I would really prefer our first kiss not to be in front of a construction site."
Nicky laughed.
"I mean it," Joe said. "I write poetry, and if I one day decide to write a poem about our first kiss, I would prefer to mention a more romantic place than a construction site in the poem."
"Well, you arranged a wonderful picnic," Nicky replied. "So, I have no idea you will find a romantic place for our first kiss or else you can leave it to the universe."
"Hmm," Joe replied. "I will let you know what I decide."
They exchanged a smile.
"Let me walk you back home," Joe offered. "If it is okay with you."
"It is," Nicky replied. "While we walk, tell me more about your poems."
"Uhmm," Joe replied. "Well, about my poems..."
While they walked the last bit of the road back to Nicky's dorm room, they both felt that their first evening together could be the start of something new for them both.