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Joe's eyes blinked while he podded down the hallway to the sound of his feet dragging along the wooden floor. He was too exhausted even to yawn. He didn't usually get tired, not like this. But even Immortals can't go on forever.
Joe could have stayed back at their safe house in Hamburg and slept, Nicky would understand if he had done it, but when they spoke the last time, it was clear they missed each other more than they thought. They had been separated for three months because of a mission that took him to Germany and Nicky to the other end of the world. That was why he booked a plane ticket after the mission was over because he wanted to hold Nicky in his arms when he finally slept.
When Joe booked his plane ticket, he had expected a flight that would last 10 hours, but because he had forgotten that it was monsoon season (something he knew Nicky mentioned when they spoke, saying that was the reason why he hadn't left yet), he ended up with a flight that lastest close to 78 hours.
Joe opened the door to the bedroom. He smiled when he saw Nicky sleeping on the ridiculous small bed they meant to change out with a bigger one for ages.
Joe tossed his cap in the direction of the chair with one heavy hand together with his leather jacket. He unbuttoned his shirt and pulled it loose before he kicked off his shoes. He didn't bother with the rest. Then he stumbled toward the bed, where Nicky was curled up on top of the covers. As usual, when Joe wasn't around, Nicky would sleep in one of Joe's shirts. The sight in front of Joe was worth the 78 hours of travelling because Nicky looked so soft, and warm, and cherubic, like a Botticelli painting. Joe knew Nicky would smile if he heard Joe making one of his art references, so when Joe had slept, he would tell Nicky about it. It was the perfect way of starting a new day to make and see Nicky smile.
Joe crawled onto the bed, careful not to wake Nicky or kick him out of bed. It was the last thing he wanted. Joe lay down beside Nicky, mind drifting as he reached out instinctively and pulled Nicky into his arms. Nicky mumbled, complaining, as he twisted around and wriggled for a moment. Nicky then threw a leg over Joe's hip before he wrapped an arm around Joe's waist while muttering that he loved Joe and that it took him long enough to get there. Joe just held still and took it, well used to it by now. When Nicky had Joe situated to his satisfaction, Nicky sighed and burrowed his face against the crook of Joe's neck while Nicky's breath puffed warm air against Joe's chest. If Joe hadn't been so tired, he would have grinned over his demanding man. Instead, Joe just closed his eyes and pillowed his cheek on Nicky's silky hair, which smelled of the familiar scent of pomegranate.
Holding Nicky in his arms and smelling pomegranate was enough to make Joe fall asleep.