Work Text:
As usual, Nile found Joe and Nicky tangled up on the couch.
Nicky: "Got everything ready for your mission?"
Nile: "Almost. I need something I know you have."
Nicky: "And that is?"
Nile: "A pair of quality handcuffs and the key. So can I borrow a pair from you?"
Joe and Nicky looked at each other with a smile Nile was not a fan of.
Joe: "Of course, you can. You can find a pair in..."
Nicky kicked Joe in his ribs.
Joe: "Oh, not there. Uhmm, Nicky, where do we keep the spare handcuffs?"
Nicky: "As if I am going to tell you."
Joe: "Okay, why are you saying that?"
Nicky: "Because I know you and because I don't want to scare Nile for the rest of her very long life if she looks inside the box."
After knowing Joe and Nicky for almost 28 years, Nile had started to become good at reading the boys' body language.
Nile: "Before you start, Joe, could I ask you to find me the handcuffs, Nicky?"
Nicky: "Of course. Keep an eye on Yusuf, and if he moves, feel free to sit on him."
Nicky returned five minutes later with the handcuffs and handed them to Nile.
Nicky: "Here, you can have them."
Nile: "Thanks."
Nile examined the handcuffs.
Nile: "Did you make these, Nicky?"
Nicky: "Yes, I created them based on my years with Yusuf. You see..."
Nile: "And now I am leaving. Thanks again for these. And I promise to say goodbye before I leave."
Nile almost ran out of the living room.
Nicky: "Do you know why she left like that? All I wanted was to tell her about how the tensile force works. She is going to need that knowledge one day."
Joe: "Not everyone is a fan of math. Now, come here and tell me where you have hidden that box you talked about before."
Joe knew by the look on Nicky's face that it would take a lot to get the secret out of Nicky, but Joe loved a challenge, especially if that challenge involved Nicky.