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They needed a long break after a five-year mission. That was why they decided to travel along the coast of South America, staying near the water they both loved and loathed. When they reached Mexico, they had been travelling alone for over three years, but they still remembered to check in with the others. And for the last four weeks, they had been staying in a small fisher town, not many tourists seemed to have found.
They rented a small house from a bar owner for two months. The house only had one room with a small kitchenette, but there was a small garden filled with cactuses facing the ocean, where they could see the boats on the water. And like most people in the fisher town, they hadn't closed the windows or doors in the small house because it was summer and very hot. It meant that if people weren't staying in the shadows or had air con, they would go to the beach and the water to cool down.
Today, they decided to stay in the garden with all the cactuses. Outside the small house, there was a small porch under a canopy. The canopy had seen better days because the sunbeams were poking through the holes, but the canopy still sheltered them from the burning sun. They had found two garden chairs, and when Nicky sat down, Joe lifted Nicky's legs up in his lap before Joe returned to his drawing of the big cactus.
Joe looked at Nicky, who was reading "War and Peace". Joe couldn't understand how Nicky could read something so heavy in this heat and in Persian, but Nicky loved his books just as Joe loved his art. Joe ran his fingers over Nicky's shin. If you asked Joe, one good thing could be said about the heat: the heat had convinced Nicky only to wear shorts. How Joe loved Nicky's marble skin, which still was pale as always. Because they recovered from wounds, they couldn't get sunburned. And it gave Joe ideas...
"Joe," Nicky said, looking up from his book just as Joe started to think about ideas. "The deal was, you drew the cactus, and when you were done with the drawing, you could pick your reward."
"I know, I know," Joe replied. "I just remembered I haven't kissed you since this morning."
Joe leaned a bit forward to kiss Nicky, but when he did that, the garden chair collapsed, and he ended up on the ground on his ass.
"Aww," Joe complained. "Why?"
"It's the universe telling you to concentrate on your drawing," Nicky smirked as he turned a page. "So, on with it."
Joe got up and dusted the dirt off him.
"It's a good thing I find you funny," Joe said before kissing Nicky. "And for your information. What happened with the garden chair was all part of the plan."
"Yeaaah," Nicky replied. "Right."
"It's the truth," Joe replied. "I was on my way to have a closer look at the cactus."
"If that is the case," Nicky asked. "Why are you still here?"
"Because I wanted to kiss you first," Joe replied and kissed Nicky again. "Be back soon."
Nicky looked up from his book at Joe, who was walking backwards, blowing air kisses towards him.
"Remember to turn your cap around," Nicky said. "So, you can see where...."
Nicky did not get to say more because Joe backed into a big cactus. Joe let out a howl as he started to run around, holding onto his ass. Nicky closed his book and got up laughing.
"He did it to get attention," Nicky said to a group of children who were laughing at Joe. "And ice cream."
The children moved on while Nicky got Joe to lie down on his stomach so that Nicky could look closely at the damage.
"Just so you know it," Nicky said as he pulled a thorn out of Joe's ass. "I think you did it because you didn't want to draw anymore today."
"Did not..Aww," Joe shouted when Nicky pulled another thorn out. "It was because I was looking at the most beautiful man in the world."
"So, what you're saying is," Nicky replied. "It was my fault you walked into a cactus?"
"Uhmmm," Joe replied, thinking of what to say next. "Thanks for helping me."
Joe decided that changing the subject would mean he didn't have to answer Nicky's question. Nicky ran a hand over Joe's ass to check if all thorns were out before slapping Joe's ass hard.
"Awww," Joe howled. "Why?"
"Because you didn't answer my question," Nicky replied with a smirk. "Now, get up from the ground unless you plan to eat dinner alone tonight."
When they reached the restaurant an hour later, Joe was reminded of his sore ass in two ways.
"Papa, Papa," A Little Girl said, pointing at Joe. "That man walked into a cactus and did a funny dance."
Joe smiled at the Little Girl.
"You're quite the celebrity," Nicky said. "Maybe you have started a trend."
Instead of saying something, Joe pulled the chair out for Nicky before sitting down. Joe's ass barely touched the chair before he quickly got up again, holding onto his ass.
"See Papa," The Little Girl said, pointing at Joe again. "He does the funny dance again."
Joe looked at Nicky, who was trying not to laugh. Before Joe could say something, the Little Girl yanked his shirt.
"Please, Signor," The Little Girl begged. "Can you teach me the dance? It looks funny."
"Do it," Nicky urged. "We got time enough for another date night."
Joe kissed Nicky before he let the Little Girl yank him out on the small patio. It didn't take long before all the children in the restaurant joined them. While Joe was dancing with the children, Nicky spent the evening playing chess with the little Girl's Father.
"I promise you the best date night soon," Joe said when they were on the way back to the small house. "We do something you want."
"We'll since we're going to Malta next," Nicky replied. "You know what I want."
"I have already booked a table for us," Joe replied. "So, about my reward...."
"Which you aren't getting yet because you didn't finish the drawing of the cactus," Nicky cut in. It made Joe look a bit sad at Nicky. "A deal is a deal."
Nicky stopped walking and kissed Joe.
"But don't look so sad," Nicky said. "I got an idea for fun tonight unless your ass is too sore."
"Never," Joe replied as he placed an arm around Nicky's neck. "Your idea has just cured my sore ass."
They laughed before they kissed. Then Nicky snuggled into Joe the rest of the way back to the small house.