𝐱𝐱𝐢𝐱. weren't we the stars in heaven?
*:・゚✧*:・゚✧—chapter twenty-nine: weren't we the stars in heaven?
THE CLICKING OF KEYS AND THE SOUND OF A PEN SCRIBBLING ON PAPER START FADING INTO A DULL HUM THE LONGER POE SITS HERE AT HIS DESK. He's been at the office for well over twelve hours and the fatigue was starting to creep up on him. With a tired exhale, he sets his pen down and rubs his face. Peeking through his fingers, he stares at the computer screen. He still had yet to type anything besides the placeholder he was using for the title. The blank draft stares back at him, ominously. Twelve hours and he hadn't typed a single word. Twelve hours and he only managed to get an outline scrawled in the pages of his journal.
"Fuck," he mumbles, slamming the journal shut. He grabs the computer mouse and saves the document before disconnecting the thumb drive and tucking it away into his bag. He'd work on the article tomorrow.
Grabbing his journal, his pen tucked securely behind his ear, he slings his bag over his shoulder as he gets up from his desk and makes his way out of the office.
✧ ✧ ✧
He isn't expecting anything when he gets home. Nico's gone for the weekend for the final race of the season. Brazil. Poe would have been there, but, of course, like most weeks, it coincided with his job.
So it comes as a surprise to him when he sees a neatly wrapped box with a pink ribbon sitting alone on the kitchen island, a folded note resting on too, and a bouquet of pink carnations beside it.
Poe breathes slowly as he walks over to the kitchen island, fingers brushing over the delicate petals of the flowers, before picking up the note and unfolding it.
Thought you might need this for good luck and to help you power through those articles. I'll see you when I get back. Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone. I love you.
~Nico <3
The frustration from earlier subsides as Poe sets the note down and decides to deal with the flowers first, going to find a vase and fill it with water. Setting the vase down on the counter, he unravels the ribbon that was tied around the stems and places the flowers in the vase. He then takes a seat at the counter and picks up the box, untying the ribbon.
Inside, nestled in a bed of soft fabric, is a locket. It's simple but elegant, the gold surface catching the light as he holds it up. He opens it to find two tiny photos inside. On one side is a candid snapshot of the two of them from years ago, Poe laughing at something out of frame while Nico grins at the camera. On the other side is a picture of the Monaco harbor at sunset, the view they'd shared during one of their many walks.
A small smile forms on his face, and for a moment, he just stares at the locket, his fingers tracing the smooth edges. He lets out a breathy laugh, shaking his head and he unclasps the chain and puts it on. "Dammit, Nico."
✧ ✧ ✧
When the door opens and Nico enters the apartment, it's late. It's well past midnight and Poe had fallen asleep on the couch in the living room, a blanket draped over him. The sound of the door closing wakes him from his slumber and he blinks tiredly, still half asleep as he sees Nico drag his suitcase inside, his suit jacket draped over his arm.
"Hey," Nico says softly as he makes his way over to the couch after setting his things down and taking his shoes off. "Sorry I got back so late."
"It's okay," Poe says through a yawn as he stretches.
Nico is just as tired as he is, if not worse. The final race weekend of the season had taken a toll on him and he seemed relieved to finally be back home.
"I see you found it," Nico says after a moment, gesturing to the locket that now hangs around Poe's neck, and then towards the flowers and the unfolded note on the kitchen island.
"I did," Poe says with a smile. "It's beautiful. Thank you."
Nico smiles as he takes a seat beside him, reaching up at caress Poe's cheek, a thumb gently passing over it. "I just wanted you to know that I was thinking about you and I wanted to show you how loved you are."
"You didn't have to do all of this for me," Poe says softly, leaning into his touch. "But, thank you, anyway. I appreciate it. I really do."
"I'm proud of you, you know," Nico whispers, pressing a soft kiss to Poe's lips.
"You're always saying that," Poe says as he leans back to look at him.
"I mean it when I say it," Nico clarifies, lowering his hand. "I love you. I always will. I don't care what happens because this—us—means more than anything else ever will."
Poe smiles, though there's a look of uncertainty on his face and Nico can see the slight tension in his shoulders.
"What's wrong?" Nico asks, his brows furrowing.
Poe hesitates for a moment, his jaw tightening. He isn't sure if he actually wants to answer Nico's question. He doesn't want to sound like what he's saying is stupid or unreasonable.
"I don't know," he says with a frustrated exhale, running a hand through his hair. "I mean, today was awful. Work's been horrible this entire week. Everything I've managed to write just gets scrapped immediately because I feel like it's not good enough. And then you go and do this for me—something so thoughtful—and now I just feel like..."
"Like what?" Nico presses gently, raising a brow in curiosity.
"Like I'm not enough. Like nothing I do is worth the time and effort and energy I put in. Like I'm doing this for nothing..." Poe meets his gaze and worries his bottom lip between his teeth. "Sometimes I still feel like I have to keep up with everything, Nico. My job, my life, us. I feel like I'm still struggling to balance it all."
"You're doing enough and more," Nico says simply, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he reaches over to give Poe's hands a gentle squeeze. "And don't think you have to catch up, because you don't. You don't need to do that. You're doing just fine right where you are."
"I hate it when you do that. Sounding all sappy and shit," Poe says with a laugh as he reaches up to cup Nico's face in his hands.
"But it's true, all of it," Nico admits with a half shrug as a sheepish grin forms on his face.
"I know, but I need you to shut up," Poe says with a laugh as he leans down to press a kiss to his lips.
And Nico lets him kiss him, because there isn't much else he could do in that moment besides obey by being quiet. Well, as quiet as he could be while Poe's mouth is against his own and the brunet's hands have a firm grip on his hips as he pulls him closer.
Nico's breath hitches as Poe's lips trail a path down to the sensitive spot just below his ear. He tenses slightly under his touch, his grip on the fabric of Poe's shirt tightening. Poe then starts placing kisses along his jaw and collarbones, which elicits a moan from the blond. "Poe," he whimpers, shifting slightly in his hold. In response, Poe tightens his grip on his hips, trying to keep him still.
"I told you to shut up, didn't I?" Poe whispers as he pulls back to look at him. Nico nods as he meets his gaze, falling silent as Poe's hands find their way to his shoulders and he pushes him back until Nico's back is pressed against the couch cushions. Poe takes his time, straddling Nico's hips, his movements unhurried as he leans down to kiss him again.
A soft gasp leaves Nico's lips as Poe's fingers find their way beneath his shirt and trace lightly along his warm skin. They haven't done this in a while and the feeling is just the same as last time. Electrifying. Addictive. This all-consuming thing that makes all the difference.
✧ ✧ ✧
There's a knock on the door the following morning. Nico groans, one of his hands reaching out to tap Poe. His other arm is draped loosely around Poe's waist. They had fallen asleep on the couch after the events of last night, and the aftermath is still there—clothes discarded in a pipe on the floor, and blanket that had been covering them while they slept had slipped off and ended up on the floor too. However, Nico's attempt at trying to wake Poe is futile. Poe just mumbles something in French and turns the other way, burying his face in Nico's chest.
Nico just sighs. For a moment, he debates ignoring the door, hoping whoever is outside ends up leaving, but the knocking comes again—this time more insistent.
"Poe," Nico murmurs, his voice thick with sleep as he nudges him gently. "Someone's at the door."
Poe doesn't budge, letting out a soft grumble as he burrows further into Nico's chest.
"Okay, fine, you want me to get it? I'll get it," Nico sighs, untangling himself from Poe and the blanket. He stumbles to his feet, his body sore and stiff, and grabs the first shirt he can find on the floor, pulling it over his head as he shuffles to the door.
When he opens it, he's greeted by none other than Vivian Sibold, sunglasses perched on her head, a coffee cup in one hand and a small bag of pastries in the other. She looks great, as always, her sharp eyes immediately scanning Nico from head to toe.
"Nico," she says, her tone casual but her brow quirking slightly as she takes in his disheveled appearance.
"Hi, Viv," Nico replies groggily, stepping aside to let her in.
As she steps into the apartment, her gaze sweeps over the living room. The blanket on the floor, the discarded clothes, the faintly rumpled state of the couch—it's all there, as if the room itself is wearing the evidence of the night before.
But it's not the mess that catches her attention. It's Nico's neck.
Her sharp eyes zero in on the faint but unmistakable marks peeking out from the collar of his shirt. Hickeys.
Vivian's lips twitch, fighting to suppress a smirk. "Well, good morning," she says, her voice lightly teasing.
Nico blinks, confused by her tone. "What?"
She gestures vaguely to his neck with the hand holding the coffee cup. "You might want to take a look in the mirror before you head out today. If you plan on heading out."
Nico frowns, his hand instinctively moving to his neck. His fingers graze over the skin, and realization dawns on him like a bucket of cold water. His eyes widen, and he mutters a quiet curse under his breath.
"Oh, for God's sake," he mumbles, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
Vivian chuckles, setting the pastries down on the kitchen counter. "Rough night?"
"Something like that," Nico mutters, avoiding her gaze as he walks to the kitchen to grab some water.
Before he can say anything else, Poe stumbles into the room, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. He's wearing Nico's sweater and a pair of boxers, his hair sticking up in every direction. He freezes when he sees Vivian standing there, his face going pale for a split second before returning to something more neutral.
"Vivian," he says, his voice still hoarse from sleep. "What are you doing here?"
"Bringing breakfast," she replies, her tone casual but her eyes flicking between the two of them with barely contained amusement. "Didn't realize I'd be interrupting... whatever this is."
Poe glances at Nico, his brows furrowing as if to ask, Did you forget to cover up? Nico looks back at him helplessly, and the silent exchange between them is enough to make Vivian laugh.
"Oh, don't worry," she says, holding up a hand. "Your secret's safe with me. But seriously, Nico, you might want to invest in some concealer. Or a scarf. I would let you borrow my makeup, but I don't have it on my right now."
Poe groans, dragging a hand down his face as he shuffles toward the kitchen. "This is so embarrassing," he mutters under his breath, grabbing a mug and pouring himself some coffee.
"Relax," Vivian says, taking a seat at the counter. "It's not like I haven't seen worse. Besides, you two are married. You're allowed to—"
"Don't finish that sentence," Poe interrupts, pinching the bridge of his nose as he huffs.
Vivian smirks, clearly enjoying herself. "Fine. But, for the record, you might want to do a quick cleanup before you go out later. This place looks like a hurricane hit it."
Poe glances around the room, his cheeks flushing as he takes in the state of the apartment. Nico, now leaning against the counter with his own coffee, shrugs. "She's not wrong."
"I hate both of you," Poe mutters, glaring at them over the rim of his coffee mug, though there's no malice in his tone.
"Love you too," Vivian quips, taking a sip of her coffee.
✧ ✧ ✧
"Poe, I told you, stop worrying about that."
"Someone's gonna find out! And they'll talk—"
"So let them!" Nico huffs, setting his mug down on the counter. "What are they going to do besides talk?"
It's been a few minutes since Vivian left and Nico and Poe are still at the kitchen island, tension rising in the air.
"I just don't want this getting out of hand..." Poe says with a sigh. "You already know how people perceive this kind of thing..."
"None of that changes how I feel about you. Or us," Nico says simply, meeting his eyes.
"You have a way with words," Poe says with a small smile. "Really. I don't know how you do it."
Nico shrugs. "It's a talent."
Poe snorts, shaking his head. "You're really insufferable, you know."
"You love me for it, though," Nico says with a grin as he leans forward to press a kiss to Poe's forehead.
"Unfortunately," Poe replies, a playful roll of his eyes following as a smile forms on his face.
"Come on," Nico says, hopping off of the stool. He grabs Poe's hand and pulls him off of the other one. "Let's clean up this mess."
author's note
i exploded
01.20.24
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