bakerstreet | it's been a while but I'm still thinkin' Arby's

Mannaggia ai francesi...

[He muttered it under his breath, but he was grinning as he said it, fondness just as clear as annoyance in his tone.]

Will you lie to me and say you do not love a bowl of acqua pazza with a thick, crusty bread...

Baise les Italiens.

[ It's a friendly rivalry. ]

It only has fish in it. Your people can do better than that. Squid ink pasta I will agree is a triumph. But your bread? Not as good as a baguette.

[He laughed. Not a chuckle or a half hidden chortle, but a full on laugh that shook his shoulders and made him grin enough to show teeth.

Reaching over, he clasped a hand on Booker's shoulder]

We do not do this enough, mio amico. We should, as you say, 'hit the town' more often.

When the stars align and we have downtime between work where we don't have to hide we'll do it.

[ He considered the debris on the table with a little frown. ]

Although, perhaps with better food next time.

[He didn't quiet laugh again, but he was still grinning like a fool as he reached out to start cleaning up their mess. Just because it was a shitty fast food dive didn't mean that they had to behave like children.

Though he did flick a balled up straw wrapper to hit the space between Booker's eyes.]

Sì. Something not French or Italian. Maybe Moroccan? Moroccan food coats the stomach nicely...

[ The only reason he didn't dodge in time was because he was drunk. Otherwise he would not have gotten hit. That was what Booker would tell himself. ]

Oh, Moroccan's good. Indian too I think is excellent when drunk.

[ They really should find better food but the point of this night wasn't the food. It was a good time with friends. Now, they can stumble home more sober than before. ]

[Don't be too insulted, Booker. Nicky is a sniper, after all. A mildly intoxicated sniper, but a sniper nonetheless.

(a.k.a., sorry for the unintentional godmod.)

With everything on the tray, Nicky stood and took a couple of steps to judge if he was quite steady enough before he picked it up and headed for the waste bin. Home sounded nice. Maybe even better than more fries.

Though, was anything better than Arby's curly fries?]

Come, mio amico. Our pillows await.

[ No, he deserved it. Booker wouldn't be able to dodge sober. His reflexes are quick but he's more raw force than dexterity. ]

Yeah, yeah, one minutes.

[ Booker walked confidently to the counter and with his most charming smile ordered another six curly fries for the road. Now they have enough for themselves and everyone at home. ]

We shall return triumphant.

[Demolitions suited him well.

That rare, bright smile returned when he listened to Booker place the order. Behind the counter, the poor cashier was just looking between the two of them like she just couldn't even be bothered. That look only intensified when the 'younger' man came over to look his arm through Booker's and let out a stream of Italian telling Booker exactly how awesome of a friend he was.]

[ The cashier will have one hell of a story for the next shift about the drunk sugar daddy and his boy. Booker would laugh if he knew that's what she thought of them.

He slid his arm around Nicky's waist because they've lived together for so long personal space didn't always exist. Once they got their food he tipped the cashier and walked with Nicky out the door. ]

Now, we cannot eat these until we get home. We have to restrain ourselves.

[Personal space? What was that? He didn't fit himself into Booker's side like he would have Joe's, but he happily rested his forehead against his shoulder while they waited for the fries. And when their bag finally came and Book led the way out by his waist, Nicky still someone managed to turn and seal the poor cashier's fate with a wave over Booker's shoulder and a 'ciao!'.

He was absolutely not even remotely drunk enough to not know the picture he was painting. The little shit head.]

Aww, Booker. Can we not share just one?

[Like he hadn't already eaten enough to sink a small ship.]

[ They're clearly friends and not lovers but people will see what they want to see. ]

No, we're going to behave. Andy will be scowl at us if there isn't enough for everyone.

[ And he does hate to disappoint Andy. Booker ruffled Nicky's hair. ] You're supposed to be the patient one.

[And sometimes it was fun to make people question what it was they were seeing.

He was in a good mood. Sue him.

Still grinning, he finally relented with a few murmured choice words in his native, much older dialect before he was tugging his hood up to protect his ears.]

I am sorry. Her face was a thing of beauty.

[ No, the good mood was fun. Booker liked teasing and playful gambling now and then. ]

I only caught half of that. [ He was fluent in Italian but Nicky's native tongue wasn't his best. ]

Was? Andy is still beautiful. I just don't like it when she's disappointed in me.

It was nothing. Only a small question of parentage and something to do with a goat.

[He smirked, falling into step next to the other man.]

Of course Andy is beautiful. Deadly things often are. I meant the cashier.

The cashier?

[ Booker looked back over his shoulder like he could still see the cashier in question. ]

She was alright. A little young.

They're all too young for us.

[He moved closer to deftly bump his shoulder against the other man's.]

No, I'm speaking of the fact that I'm pretty sure she thinks I am your....what is the phrase? 'Boy toy'?

Technically but I'll still go home with one every now and then.

[ Booker laughed and bumped him back. ]

If only she could've seen who you're actually a boy toy for. Her jaw would've been on the floor.

[His smirked turned more mischievous and he gave Booker a sideways glance.]

Amusing how you assume that I am his toy and not the other way around.

[Okay, nope. He didn't joke about sex enough to be able to do it without blushing like a choir boy, alcohol or no.]

Forgive me, my mirth oversteps.

[ No one would ever know Nicky was one of the most deadly people on Earth when he blushed like that. Booker shook his head. ]

I've overheard you two often enough to guess confidently how it usually works.

[ He shrugged his shoulders. ]

You don't have to apologize for being in love and lust.

You are right, I do not. But I should apologize for being crass about it.

[A deadly killer with an extremely defined sense of propriety.]

We do not mean to be so obvious. We will try harder in the future.

[Yep, his buzz was gone. He was still in a good mood though, at least?]

Have you heard me and Andy talk some nights? You are not being crass.

[ Booker was really trying to reassure him. It wasn't that big of a deal. ]

Ah, young love.

[ Technically, Booker was the oldest when he died. He liked to make jokes about it. ]

[His buzz was gone so he didn't outright snort, but he did give Booker a look that made it very clear on how much shit he was pretty sure Booker was full of.]

And what of you, hmm? Shouldn't you be going home with some attractive woman with a sinful smile and an ample bust instead of denying me fries?

Did we encounter anyone like that tonight? The only one here with a sinful smile is you.

[ It was a rare mood for Booker but sometimes yes, he did go home with someone for a night. Not tonight though. He had a date with fries. ]

Oh, I can think of a few who would have gladly gone home with you, mio amico. The red head for starters. And the blond. Though...the blond was a man, so perhaps he was never an option, no matter how handsome.

[Fries that Nicky was trying to sneak a few of from the corner of that bag...]

True. Also, I'm now hungry. XD

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