Chapter Text
Nicky woke in what he soon concluded was not his own bed and looked around the bedroom, which was so much warmer than his own bedroom. There were fresh flowers, the floor had carpet on the floor and then there was the bed, which was so much better than his own.
"Morning sleepyhead," Joe said as he came into the bedroom with a tray. "How's the head?"
"I feel like having my life's worse hangover," Nicky replied as he pulled the duvet over his legs.
"Sadly you will feel like this for a while," Joe said as he handed Nicky two painkillers and a glass of water. "These will help."
Nicky took them and drank the water.
"How did I end up in your bed?" Nicky wanted to know.
"You needed to have someone to look after you after the dentist, so I hoped it was ok that I put you in my bed," Joe explained. "All I did was to take off your boots and pants, before putting the duvet over you."
Nicky took Joe's hand and gave it a squeeze.
"Thanks for looking after me," Nicky said with a smile. "I just wish that it was under circumstances that I was ended up in your bed."
"There is still time," Joe replied. "We will go on a date next weekend. Now we need to get some food in you."
"I can't really chew anything solid," Nicky replied. "My mouth is so sore."
"That's why I got yogurt," Joe replied and took the bowl. "All you have to do is swallowed not chewing."
"I really hate yogurt," Nicky said as Joe started to feed him. "Thanks but my hands are still working."
"That might be but since you just told me you hate yogurt you have to settle with me feeding you," Joe replied. "So I can make sure you eat it all."
Nicky actually didn't mind it because it gave him the opportunity to stare at Joe.
"Drink this," Joe said and handed Nicky another glass of water after the last spoonful of yogurt. "All of it."
"Yes, sir," Nicky smirked and did it. "So, how long do you plan on nursing me?"
"Until you can chew," Joe replied. "But don't worry. I will sleep on the sofa while you're here."
"I don't mind you being here," Nicky admitted and yawned.
"I'm not going anywhere," Joe replied. "But now you need to get some more sleep,"
"Ok, but when I wake again, we talk," Nicky replied and laid down again.
"Can't wait," Joe said with a smile and pulled the duvet over Nicky not leaving before Nicky was sleeping again.
Nicky woke after a couple of hours and found that Joe had placed Nicky's pants down at the end of the bed. After a quick stop to the bathroom, Nicky found Joe in the kitchen cooking and Nicky walked over to Joe, where Nicky took around Joe from behind, who placed his hand over Nicky's.
"It smells good," Nicky said. "What's on the menu?"
"Fish and rice," Joe replied. "Soft food that doesn't require too much chewing."
Joe turned around and looked at Nicky with a smile.
"Very thoughtful of you," Nicky replied with a smile. "I like having you looking after me."
"Thanks, it's easy with a patient like you," Joe replied. "And a funny one nonetheless."
"Did I say something stupid, while I was recovering?" Nicky wanted to know while wishing he hadn't.
Joe told Nicky about what he had said and Nicky couldn't help feeling a bit embarrassed.
"So, where does your love for ponies and pixies come from?" Joe asked with a smirk.
"I grew up as the only boy amongst 7 sisters," Nicky replied. "And as the youngest of them all, I did spend a lot of time talking about those subjects."
"I'm also the youngest," Joe said. "But there are 16 years between Farah and me, so whenever she had to look after me I ended up doing a lot of shopping with her, but the best part was always that we got a milkshake afterward."
"My oldest sister is 12 years older than me," Nicky said. "My mother had twins along the way."
"Do you all get along?" Joe wanted to know. "If it's ok if I ask."
"Not really," Nicky replied and leaned up against the kitchen counter. "My parents support me but being gay has divided my sisters into two groups: those who accept it and those who don't. But as the years go by the last group luckily gets smaller. Now there are 5 talking to me which is better than 1. And your family?"
"They have always supported me," Joe replied. "My sister blessed her heart kicked one of her boyfriends out when he said bad things about me. In a way, she is my biggest champion."
"Than's good to know," Nicky replied. "So are my sisters too."
They looked at each other with a smile. It felt good to them both that they had been so open about their family.
"Should I set the table?" Nicky offered.
"No, I already did that," Joe replied. "If you don't mind eating out on the balcony. It's one of the last warm summer nights left and I want to enjoy it."
"I got no problems with that," Nicky replied. "As long you don't mind me staring at you."
"I don't," Joe replied. "But I plan to do the same."
During dinner, they discovered that they had more in common than not. They both were working with something they liked. Joe was working with art therapy while Nicky was running the daycare there was in the building. They talked about the books, music, and movies they liked.
"Do you know what?" Nicky asked when the church bell in the distance told it was past midnight.
"Not really," Joe replied with a smile and looked down as Nicky placed a hand over his.
"I think it's better you sleep in bed with me," Nicky said. "Just in case I need some help with something. Remember I still am a bit sore."
Nicky made a pouty face which made Joe laugh.
"Fine, but if you plan on kissing me this time try to hit the mouth," Joe said.
"Sorry what?" Nicky asked as he blushed.
"Hey, not gonna hold it up against you," Joe said. "You were still a bit high as a kite when you did it."
"I had so hoped that I would remember our first kiss," Nicky said and felt a bit sad.
Joe gently took Nicky's face between his hand and placed a soft kiss on Nicky's lips.
"Maybe this will help you remember it," Joe said with a smile.
"I definitely am gonna need more than one to refresh my memory," Nicky smirked.
"I promise you that you will get all the kisses you want in the future," Joe promised.
"I like the thought of that," Nicky replied. "And so will you."