*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧—chapter twenty-two: there's a first for everything

POE AND NICO MAY BE ON BETTER TERMS AT THE MOMENT, BUT THEY WERE STILL TRYING TO MEND WHAT THEY BROKE. It would be a long time before they could fully fix things between them, but for now, what they have, where they got, it's the next best thing. Spending more time together would definitely help.

The living room windows in the apartment are open, letting in the cold January breeze. The heater is on, though it isn't really doing much to keep the space a relatively warm temperature that was suitable for the average person. The TV is on, playing some telenovela Nico had started watching recently. Poe is sitting beside him on the couch, a blanket draped over him, his laptop balancing very carefully on his left knee, his journal resting on the other one. He had been attempting to work for the past few hours while Nico had been lounging. However, no work is getting done at the moment. Poe's fingers are hovering over the keyboard, unmoving, a crease in his brow as he stares at the nearly finished document on the screen. He wants to finish this up, he really does, but whatever he needs to type up to complete this article isn't coming to him. He had all the notes and whatnot written down, but he couldn't find the right words to end it.

Nico huffs, sitting up and glancing over at Poe, though the brunet doesn't notice, too engrossed in whatever is on his mind. With a sigh, he observes him, a faint flicker of concern in his blue eyes—he knows the signs all too well. Knows when something's not going right for Poe. The tension in his shoulders, the way his brow furrows ever so slightly, the frustrated groans.

"You've been staring at the same thing for three hours and haven't written a single thing since," Nico says, breaking the silence.

Poe doesn't look up from his computer, but the corners of his lips twitch up in a faint smile. "That obvious?"

"Unfortunately," Nico says. He scoots closer to Poe, reaching over to pick up his journal and flip through it. "Lewis got this for you how long ago and it's already almost full of whatever nonsense you write."

"Give me that," Poe says, snatching the journal back from him. "I have a lot on my mind."

"I can tell," Nico replies, a grin forming on his face. Poe rolls his eyes and reaches over to swat at Nico's head. "Hey! Quit it!" Nico exclaims, covering his head with his hands. "If you mess up my hair, I'm not cooking dinner ever again!"

"That's not fair!" Poe lowers his hand and frowns. "I like when you cook. And you know I'm a mediocre cook."

"Yeah, well, boohoo," Nico mumbles, crossing his arms.

"Nico, come on... It's not funny," Poe complains.

"You know, food is not the main issue."

"What do you want me to do? Take a break?"

"Yes? What kind of dumb question is that," Nico says, reaching over to grab Poe's hands and rub his thumbs over his knuckles. "You're just gonna end up burning yourself out again if you don't."

Poe sighs. Nico is right. If he kept going, kept working on this article for the next—who knows how long?—, he'd be tired before the day ends.

"So, why don't we set these aside for now," Nico reaches for the laptop and the journal, shuts them both, and sets them down on the coffee table, "and just have you and me time? You can continue that article tonight."

Poe watches him thoughtfully. There's always been this unspoken understanding between them. Nico always knows just how to pull him back from the edge, even when Poe doesn't know he's teetering on it.

"You and me time?" Poe questions as he leans back into the couch, though the faintest hint of a smirk is tugging at the corners of his lips.

"Yes," Nico replies, eyes focused on Poe's as he glances back up at him. "No distractions or anything. Just us."

Poe has a brow raised as he stares at him, though he's not able to figure out what Nico is planning. "All right, Nico, what are you up to? Because I know that look." 

"What makes you think that?" Nico questions, feigning his innocence as he pouts slightly. "Maybe I just want to enjoy some quiet time with my husband." 

"Uh-huh," Poe says, though he's unconvinced. "You're not exactly one for 'quiet time.'" 

"You'll see," Nico says, tilting his head, a hint of mischief showing in his eyes. "But first, you need to get off the couch." 

Poe narrows his eyes, but Nico is already on his feet, tugging lightly on Poe's hands to pull him up. "Nico, I swear, if you're tricking me—"

"I'm not. Promise," Nico interrupts, laughing as he leads Poe toward the open living room windows. The cold breeze brushes against their skin, and Poe instinctively tightens the blanket around himself.

"Nico, it's freezing," Poe complains, though he's more amused than anything. "Please don't tell me your plan is for us to get hypothermia."

"Trust me," Nico says, his tone softening as he steps closer, wrapping his arms around Poe's waist. His hands are warm as they settle against Poe's lower back, pulling him closer. "I just want to show you something."

Poe raises an eyebrow, though the sharp edge of his skepticism fades the moment he looks into Nico's eyes. There's something earnest about the way Nico gazes at him—something soft, almost tender. The cold air nips at his cheeks, but Nico's warmth is enough to keep him grounded.

"And what exactly are you showing me?" Poe asks, his voice quieter now, more curious than wary.

"You'll see," Nico murmurs, his lips quirking into a faint smile. He keeps one arm wrapped around Poe's waist as he guides him closer to the window. The breeze ruffles Poe's hair, and he shivers slightly, but Nico's steady presence keeps him from pulling away.

They stand there in silence for a moment, the city stretching out before them. Monaco's harbor twinkles with lights, reflections shimmering on the water like scattered stars. The faint hum of the city filters in through the open window—distant voices, the occasional honk of a car horn, the steady rhythm of waves lapping against the docks.

"It's beautiful," Poe says softly, his breath visible in the cold air.

"It is," Nico agrees, though his eyes don't leave Poe's face.

Poe notices the shift in Nico's gaze and turns slightly, his brow furrowing. "You're not even looking at the view," he points out, though there's a hint of amusement in his tone.

"That's because the view isn't what I wanted to show you," Nico replies, his voice barely above a whisper.

Poe blinks, caught off guard by Nico's words. Before he can respond, Nico lifts a hand to brush a stray strand of hair from Poe's forehead, his fingers lingering for a moment against his skin.

"You've been so caught up in everything lately," Nico says, his blue eyes searching Poe's. "Work, deadlines, all of it. I just wanted to remind you to stop for a second. To breathe. To remember that you don't have to do it all on your own."

Poe swallows hard, the weight of Nico's words settling over him. He can feel the familiar ache in his chest—the one that comes from realizing just how much Nico sees him, even when he tries to hide the cracks.

"I know you're trying to keep it together," Nico continues, trying his best to keep his voice steady. "But you don't have to. Not with me. You can let go, Poe. I've got you."

The words unravel something inside of Poe, something he didn't even realize he'd been holding onto. He exhales shakily, leaning into Nico's touch as the tension in his shoulders starts to melt away.

"You always know how to do this," Poe murmurs. "How to pull me back when I'm falling apart."

Nico's lips curl into a soft smile, and he leans forward, pressing a feather-light kiss to Poe's forehead. "That's because you do the same for me," he says simply.

Poe closes his eyes, letting the warmth of Nico's presence wash over him. For a moment, it feels like the rest of the world fades away—no deadlines, no expectations, just the two of them standing together in the quiet of their little apartment.

Nico tilts Poe's chin up gently, his thumb brushing against his jawline. Their eyes meet, and for a brief moment, there's no need for words. Nico leans in, his lips brushing against Poe's in a kiss that's unhurried and full of quiet devotion.

The kiss deepens slightly, Nico's hands sliding up to cradle Poe's face as Poe's fingers curl into the fabric of Nico's hoodie. There's no urgency, no need to rush—it's the kind of kiss that feels like a promise, like home.

When they finally pull apart, Poe's cheeks are flushed, though whether it's from the cold or the kiss, he isn't sure. He rests his forehead against Nico's, his breathing uneven but steadying.

"Thank you," he whispers, his voice barely audible.

Nico smiles, his hands still cupping Poe's face. "You don't have to thank me," he says, pressing another soft kiss to Poe's cheek. "This is what we do, remember? We take care of each other."

Poe nods, his lips curving into a small, genuine smile. "Yeah. We do."

For a while, they stay like that, wrapped in each other's arms, the cold breeze forgotten as they bask in the quietness of the moment.

"You know," Nico says after a while, his tone lighter now, "we should probably close the window before we actually do get hypothermia."

Poe laughs, the sound soft and warm. "Good idea."

Nico steps away reluctantly, his arms falling to his sides as he moves to close the window. Poe watches him, his heart feeling a little lighter, a little steadier.

As Nico turns back, his grin playful now, Poe shakes his head and pulls him back toward the couch. "Come on," he says, tugging Nico down beside him. "You promised me 'you and me time,' remember?"

"Of course," Nico replies, his grin softening as he settles beside Poe.

✧ ✧ ✧

The suitcase sits open on the bed, half-packed with neatly folded clothes. Nico leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching as Poe moves around the room, methodical but distracted. His journal lies on the nightstand, closed for once, though Nico knows the pages are already filled with the thoughts Poe hasn't said out loud.

"You've packed, unpacked, and re-packed that same jumper three times," Nico says, his voice soft but teasing.

Poe glances over his shoulder, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "I'm trying to decide if I actually need it or if I'm just bringing it because it's comfortable."

"It's January," Nico points out. "You'll need it."

Poe sighs, folding the jumper one last time and tucking it into the suitcase. He smooths his hand over the fabric, his fingers lingering there for a moment before he straightens up and turns to face Nico.

"Are you going to stand there the whole time?" Poe asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe," Nico replies, stepping into the room. His movements are slow, deliberate, like he's trying to stretch out every second they have left. "I'm just... soaking in the moment. Watching you stress over a jumper is oddly entertaining."

Poe rolls his eyes, but there's no real annoyance in the gesture. "I'm not stressing. I'm just trying to make sure I don't forget anything."

"You are forgetting something," Nico says, a playful grin forming on his lips.

Poe blinks, glancing around the room. "What? What am I forgetting?"

"This," Nico says, closing the distance between them in two quick steps and pulling Poe into his arms.

Poe lets out a soft laugh, his hands automatically coming up to rest on Nico's chest. "Really?"

"Yes," Nico murmurs, his voice quieter now, the teasing edge fading. He presses his forehead against Poe's, his blue eyes searching green. "You keep forgetting to just breathe and relax."

Poe exhales, the tension in his shoulders easing as he leans into Nico's embrace. "You're starting to sound like me," he mutters, though there's no bite to his words.

"Maybe you're rubbing off on me," Nico replies, his lips curving into a faint smile.

They stand there for a moment, neither one speaking, the weight of the upcoming goodbye settling over them like a heavy blanket. It's not forever, they remind themselves. Just a few months. Poe will graduate, and then they'll be together again—no more long-distance, no more flights back and forth, no more nights spent alone in an empty apartment.

But even knowing that doesn't make it easier.

"When's your flight again?" Nico asks, his voice breaking the silence.

"Tomorrow morning," Poe replies softly.

Nico nods, his grip tightening slightly. "Do you want me to drive you to the airport?"

Poe hesitates, pulling back just enough to meet Nico's gaze. "I don't know if that's a good idea."

Nico frowns, his brow furrowing. "Why not?"

"Because," Poe says, his voice trembling slightly, "I think it'll be harder to leave if you're there."

The words hang in the air between them, heavy and unspoken. Nico swallows hard, his jaw tightening as he nods. He understands, even if he doesn't like it.

"Okay," he says quietly. "If that's what you want."

"It's not what I want," Poe admits, his hands curling into the fabric of Nico's hoodie. "But I think it's what we need. Just for now."

Nico exhales sharply, his eyes closing for a moment. When he opens them again, there's a determination there that steadies Poe, even as the ache in his chest grows.

"We'll make it work," Nico says firmly. "We always do."

Poe nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Yeah. We always do."

✧ ✧ ✧

It's the following morning now. The apartment feels too quiet without the usual hum of the TV or the sound of their voices filling the space. Nico sits at the kitchen counter, nursing a cup of coffee that's already gone cold. He glances at the clock on the wall, his chest tightening when he realizes Poe's flight has probably just taken off.

He'd stayed in bed when Poe left, pretending to be asleep because he couldn't bring himself to say goodbye. He hates how cowardly it feels, but he knows if he'd gotten up, he wouldn't have been able to let Poe go.

His phone buzzes on the counter, pulling him from his thoughts. He picks it up, his heart skipping a beat when he sees Poe's name on the screen.

✧ ✧ ✧

messages between poe + nico

Poe
Just boarded.

Nico
I miss you already.

Poe
I haven't even left the ground yet.

Nico
Doesn't matter.

Poe
I miss you too.

Nico
Stay safe. Call me when you
land. I love you.

Poe
I love you, too.

✧ ✧ ✧

Nico sets the phone down, staring at the screen even after the conversation ends. The apartment still feels too quiet, too empty. But as he takes a sip of his cold coffee, he reminds himself of what Poe said last night.

It's not forever.

Just a few months.

And when those months are over, when Poe is back in Monaco with a degree in hand and a future they've built together waiting for them, it'll all be worth it.

For now, Nico just has to hold onto that thought.

author's note
I LOVE THEM 😭😭😭😭

01.09.25