Chapter Text
Nicky looked at the clock for the fifth time. Joe had asked Nicky to pack a weekend bag and his passport before, and that he would pick him up right after work. Nicky turned around when he heard his mother call his name.
Nicky: "Hi, Mama. Is something wrong?"
Emilia: "No, Love. I just thought I would take your backpack since you don't need it this weekend."
Nicky made a face.
Emila: "And that face you're making tells me it's the right decision to leave your backpack with me."
Nicky: "What do you mean?"
Emila: "Because I know as long as you got your work laptop or your books with you, you would be tempted to work or read the moment Joe turns his back to you."
Nicky: "Okay, you are right. But Mama, I should tell you I have a dirty food container and fruit in my backpack."
Emilia: "Not a problem. Please give me your backpack, Nicky."
Nicky handed his backpack to his mother.
Emilia: "Thank you. Now, remember to have fun this weekend."
Emilia kissed Nicky on his forehead before hugging him.
Emilia: "And remember. You have our blessing."
Nicky: "For what?"
Emilia: "You'll see soon enough. Oh, there is Joe."
A taxi with Joe inside stopped next to Nicky and Emilia.
Joe: "Hi. Are you ready for the weekend?"
Nicky: "In a moment."
Nicky looked at his mother.
Nicky: "What did you mean when you said I had your blessing?"
Emilia: "I'm not going to ruin the surprise."
Emilia looked at Joe.
Emilia: "Take good care of my son."
Joe: "I give you my word. Come, Nicky, or else we'll be late."
Joe patted the seat next to him.
Emilia: "You heard your boyfriend. See you both next week, and remember to have fun."
Before Nicky could say or do anything, Emilia almost pushed him inside the taxi and closed the door after him.
Joe: "Driver, to the airport."
Joe wrapped his arms around Nicky and kissed him.
Joe: "Hi, Babe. Ready for your surprise?"
Nicky: "Yes, or so I think. Do you know what my Mama meant by that I have her blessing?"
Joe chuckled.
Joe: "You'll see soon enough, and to stop you from thinking about what it is, I'll kiss you the entire way to the airport."
Joe did indeed kiss Nicky the entire way to the airport, and when they left the taxi, they were both giggling like schoolgirls.
Joe: "Okay, first step is to find the right gate. And after we have boarded the plane, and if things go to plan, we'll be at our destination in less than five hours."
Nicky: "Which means we'll be there around dinner time. Have you made any dinner reservations?"
Joe kissed Nicky.
Joe: "You'll see soon enough. Come, it's this way to the gate."
Joe took Nicky's hand, and they walked to the gate.
Nicky: "Are we going to Malta, Joe?"
Joe: "Yes, it was there we met, and I thought it was about time we went back."
Nicky kissed Joe.
Nicky: "I love it. This trip is going to be so much fun, but now that I'm close to 30, I should let you know I'm too old for skinny dipping."
Joe: "Nonsense, Nicky. You got a killer body, and anyone who can't see that is blind."
Nicky blushed.
Nicky: "Thanks. And you also got a killer body."
Joe winked at Nicky before they boarded the plane.
Nicky: "Are we flying first class?"
Joe: "Yep, and there will be plenty of champagne."
Nicky: "I do love champagne, but Joe, how on earth did you get the money for first class?"
Joe: "Oh, I didn't pay with money for first class. I used my travel points, and I can tell you, there are still travel points left, so if you want to fly anywhere else in first class, let me know."
Joe knew Nicky loved to sit next to the window, so Joe let Nicky sit down first.
Nicky: "Okay, I admit it. It's nice with some room for your long legs."
Nicky stretched his legs.
Joe: "I can only agree. Could I hold your hand while the plane takes off?"
Nicky: "I would love that."
They held hands, and when the plane was in the air, a stewardess served snacks and champagne.
Nicky: "Do you remember how drunk we got the first night we met?"
Joe: "I haven't forgotten. And thanks for holding my hair back while I talked with the bush."
They both laughed.
Joe: "I just knew I had found someone special when you didn't run away and made sure that I got back to the hostel in one piece."
Nicky: "I couldn't leave you in the state you were in. That is not me."
Joe: "I know, Love, and thanks for being so kind to me. And also thanks for giving me a new chance to ask you out on a date the day after."
Nicky: "You're welcome. And I haven't regretted saying no to it."
They kissed. When they arrived in Malta, they took a taxi to a bed-and-breakfast.
Nicky: "Is that the bed-and-breakfast we talked about?"
Joe: "Yes, back then, we didn't have the money to stay there. But today we have, and I have reserved a special room for us."
After checking in at the bed-and-breakfast, a woman showed them to their room, which had a balcony overlooking the ocean.
Nicky: "Oh, Joe. This place is just as wonderful as I thought it would be. No, it's more than that."
Joe loved to see Nicky so happy.
Joe: "I know what you mean. I have made sure we'll eat dinner on the balcony tonight, because it has been a long day."
Nicky: "I think it's a wonderful idea."
Thirty minutes later, they sat on the balcony and ate dinner.
Nicky: "Do you think you could take a photo of the sunset for me? Since you're the best at taking photos."
Joe: "With pleasure. But can I take a photo of you standing in the sunset?"
Nicky: "Yes, but can I at least be allowed to change into something other than a hoodie?"
Joe smirked.
Nicky: "Are you thinking you want me to stand naked on the balcony, while taking a photo of me?"
Joe smirked even more.
Nicky: "What about the people on the beach? What if they see my naked ass?"
Joe: "Well, it wouldn't be the first time that people in Malta see your naked ass."
Nicky: "True, but.. I don't know what to say."
Joe: "Will it help you if I know exactly how to position you so no one else than us will know you're naked?"
Nicky: "A bit, yes. Okay, if you can promise me that, then I'll do it. But before I get naked, could I ask you to take a photo of me with clothes on? It's for my Mama."
Joe: "Yes, of course."
After eating, Joe took first the photo of Nicky with clothes on before taking the photo of Nicky being naked.
Nicky: "I never thought I would be so happy to stand near a cactus as I just did."
Joe had placed the cactus so that if people on the beach looked up at the balcony, all they would see was the cactus.
Joe: "If you're so happy about the cactus, I can ask the staff here if you can get it with you home when we leave."
Nicky threw a pillow after Joe, who dodged it.
Nicky: "Be nice, or else I won't give you your Valentine's Day gift."
Nicky showed Joe a small packet.
Joe: "I promise to be nice. And I also got you a Valentine's Day gift, but you'll first get it after Valentine's Day is over, which is tomorrow. Hope it's okay with you."
Nicky: "It's more than okay, because this trip we're on is already one of the best gifts I have ever gotten."
Joe sat down on the bed next to Nicky, who handed him his Valentine's Day gift. When Joe opened his Valentine's Day gift, he couldn't believe his eyes.
Joe: "Nicky, where on earth have you gotten tickets to the Taylor Swift concert next month? And on the front row?"
Nicky: "That's my secret, but there are two tickets so that you can take your sister with you."
Joe struggled to find the right words, so instead, he threw himself over Nicky and kissed him.
Joe: "Thanks, Nicky. But wait, while I'm at the concert with my sister, what will you be doing?"
Nicky: "The concert is on the same days as a big book fair. I'll be going to the book fair with a friend of mine."
Joe: "Looks like we both will have a lot of fun. And speaking of fun..."
Joe placed the concert tickets on the night table.
Joe: "It's Valentine's Day, and I want to make love with you."
Nicky wrapped his arms around Joe's neck.
Nicky: "That's a plan I can get behind."
Joe giggled.
Joe: "Sorry, I know, I'm still a teenager who giggles whenever someone says 'behind'."
Nicky: "I love it."
They made love until they both couldn't ignore how tired they were after the long day they had had.