Work Text:
They were waiting for the elevator when Joe suddenly looked at Nicky with a smile he knew all too well.
Nicky: “No, forget it, Yusuf.”
Joe: “Are you not at least interested in knowing whether I have become faster than an elevator?”
Nicky: “No, because I remember very well the last time you wanted to find out who was fastest. And I also remember how much of a sore loser you were when you lost to an elevator and not to speak of how grouchy you were for weeks afterwards!”
Joe: “That was 50 years ago.”
Nicky: “And not to forget that you ran up and down the stairs like a madman until you collapsed because you wouldn’t admit defeat.”
Joe raised his hand and placed his other hand on his heart, which made Nicky shake his head.
Joe: “I promise to admit defeat if I lose.”
Nicky: “Just so you know it. I’m not sticking around if you lose again.”
Joe: “I won’t lose this time.”
Nicky: “How do you know that?”
The elevator doors opened, and Joe gently pushed Nicky inside the elevator.
Joe: “Because of this.”
Joe pressed all 25 buttons on the panel and gave Nicky another big smile as the elevator door closed. When the elevator finally opened its doors downstairs Nicky, who had been trying to explain to people, that it wasn’t his idea to press all 25 buttons, was the last one stepping out and looked over at Joe, who was leaning nonchalantly up against the wall.
Joe: “Looks like I won.”
Nicky: “You cheated.”
Joe: “That might be, but I didn’t lose this time.”
Joe pulled Nicky in for a kiss.
Joe: “Come, I’m inviting you for lunch as an excuse for cheating and for all of those people who complained and didn’t appreciate being stuck with you in an elevator. What do you say to tandoori chicken and figs for dessert?”
Joe placed an arm around Nicky’s shoulders.
Nicky: “Sounds good, but you still cheated.”
Joe: “You will keep repeating it as repayment for those weeks, right?”
Nicky just gives Joe a mischievous smile as a reply before stepping out onto the street.