Chapter Text
When Nicky's phone rang, he was about halfway through his weekly fifteen-mile run.
"Hi, Sweet Cheeks," Nicky said. "Is something wrong?"
"No, no, everything is fine, I promise," Joe replied. "But Kylie called about a customer showing up at the gallery, and he wants to talk with me, and it has to be today, which wasn't a part of taking a day off."
"Oh," Nicky replied. "Does that mean date night is cancelled?"
"No way in hell. I promised to take you out for dinner so we can celebrate your birthday, and I am doing that," Joe replied. "I should be home before 5 PM."
"Okay," Nicky replied. "Then I will see you there."
When Joe left the gallery around 4.40 PM, he called Nicky.
"Hi, Babe," Joe said. "I am on my way home, so I'll see you in thirty minutes. Sorry for being late."
"That's okay," Nicky replied. "Did you sell some art?"
"Oh, yes, I did," Joe replied. Nicky could tell that Joe was happy. "The customer emptied the gallery's walls and even asked to have a sneak peek at my fall collection."
"Congratulations, Joe, that is fantastic news," Nicky replied. "We should celebrate that tonight."
"No, no, no, tonight we are celebrating your birthday with a dinner, dancing and sex," Joe replied. "We can always celebrate the sale later on."
"Fine," Nicky replied. "But you have to let me be in charge of that celebration."
"Deal," Joe replied. "Cannot wait to see what you come up with."
"I promise it will be fun," Nicky replied. "Listen, let's talk again once you get home."
"I will keep you to that promise," Joe replied. "Love you."
"Love you, too," Nicky replied. "One last thing. Can I eat the muffin?"
"Yes, you can," Joe replied. "I bought it for you."
Joe made it home in twenty-seven minutes and found Nicky reading.
"Wow," Joe said. "You look damn hot."
Nicky looked at his outfit before he looked at Joe.
"Thanks," Nicky replied. "Very kind of you."
Joe kissed Nicky.
"While I shower and get dressed, could I ask you to pour me a glass of water?" Joe asked. "Without bubbles and with plenty of lemon slices in it."
"Of course," Nicky replied. "Get going."
Ten minutes later, Joe found Nicky in the kitchen.
"For you," Nicky said as he handed Joe the glass with water. "Just as you like it."
"Thanks," Joe replied. "So kind of you."
Joe kissed Nicky before drinking the water. When Joe placed the empty glass in the sink, he saw an empty plate, and he knew something was wrong if the plate was empty.
"Uhm, Nicky," Joe said. "I need to ask you something?"
"If you want to use our plates for an art project again, the answer is no," Nicky replied. "Because your grandparents bought them for us."
"I love these plates, so I won't turn them into an art project," Joe replied. "No, I want to know if there was a muffin on this plate?"
Joe held up the plate to show it to Nicky.
"Yes, and it tasted delicious," Nicky replied. "I need to pee before we go."
Joe grabbed Nicky's arm.
"Sorry," Joe said. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," Nicky replied. "But why did you grab my arm?"
"Because you cannot go to the bathroom," Joe replied. Nicky raised an eyebrow. "Not before I have taken you to the E.R."
"You want to take me to the E.R.?" Nicky asked. "Why?"
Joe rubbed his neck.
"Okay, I'd better tell you why you cannot go to the bathroom," Joe said. "It has to do with the muffin you ate."
"The muffin?" Nicky asked. "I don't follow because you are not making any sense, Joe."
"Yeah, you are right, I am not making any sense, because if I tell you why we have to go to the E.R., it will ruin a surprise I have for you," Joe replied. "And yes, that muffin you ate was a part of the surprise."
Joe could tell Nicky looked really confused now.
"Nicky, listen," Joe said. "If I promise to explain everything to you later, could you please go with me to the E.R? I promise you are not dying, it is just important that we get an X-ray of your stomach."
Before Nicky could say or do anything, Joe dragged him with him to the E.R.