Learn the Steps/Wear My Ring

[notjustaface]

It's an ambitious plan, but then again most of theirs are and it's not exactly the first time they've infiltrated a cruise ship. They can only hope it goes better than the last.

The day before departure, Face has procured uniforms for Hannibal and BA (porter and security respectively) as well as full vacation wardrobes for himself and his - well, for the duration of the trip - fiancee. He'd never heard of it, but apparently one of the big liners had set up a running gig performing bulk gay weddings at sea - symbolic, of course, but according to the CEO big business and always busy.

The "lucky couple" would be posing as soon-to-be newlyweds as the team investigated a known smuggler that had booked passage under pretense even more flimsy than theirs. If they caught her and her partner in crime, it was one more underworld link severed and a significant paycheck they pretty much needed to stay afloat given the expenses they've managed to rack up.

Still, there were things they had to do to prepare for the trip.

Knocking on the door to their shared hotel room, Face flashed his best smile; "Knock, knock - I hear you're in here all by yourself."

Comments

[notthatcrazy]

"Hey."

He lets himself relax a bit as his not-fiance joins him. Something about this mission's been putting him a little on edge ever since the boss briefed them on the plan.

"What's up?"

[notjustaface]

"Well..." he licks his lips, sliding across the room on only the most suave of missions.

"I was thinking that since we're going to be getting married and all..." He slides down onto the bed beside him, proffering a blue velvet covered box from his pocket with two matching silver bands nestled inside; "we might want to make our engagement look official."

Grinning almost ear to ear, he pops open the lid, eyes lit up as he waits for a reaction.

[notthatcrazy]

The reaction he gets is... slightly confused. On the one hand, it's wonderful to know that he's taking this seriously, and it does take the sting of trying to blend in with the happy cruise couples. On the other hand... this is a long way off from happening for real, if it ever does.

"That's great."

[notjustaface]

"What, you want me down on one knee? I'll do one knee..." he teases, sliding off the bed before crawling on both knees to the edge of the bed.

"Will you, oh love of my life, fake marry me on a fabulous ocean cruise?"

[notthatcrazy]

So much for taking it seriously. Still, he knows he means well, and when he answers it's with his best fake posh British accent.

"It would be an honor, my dear."

[notjustaface]

Still grinning, Face pushes up with his toes, kissing him hard. It's almost romantic - if he didn't know that it wasn't real.

"Hoped you might say that," he murmurs against his lips, sliding the band onto his finger. "There's a gold one to match it if we make it to the ceremony."

[notthatcrazy]

He leans into the kiss, smiling against his lips. "You thought I might say somethin' else?"

He takes the second ring and reaches for his hand. "C'mere."

[notjustaface]

He's still gentle with Murdock's bad arm even if the cast has been off a couple months, but he still pushes back up to the bed and offers his hand - palm down and arched.

"Oh, well... you know, 'no' is always an option. There is such a thing as too close for comfort."

As well as he knows Murdock, he can guess that's not too far off from his thinking.

[notthatcrazy]

"The way we are, I think even a fake proposal's a pretty big step."

He holds his hand with an almost reverent gentleness as he slides the ring into place.

[notjustaface]

He chuckles again, kissing his ear. "Hey, we're still new to this whole... relationship thing."

In a manner of speaking. Though technically they've passed their decade together it still feels fresh. Face blames himself, and he's probably right.

"But..." he pats the inside of Murdock's thigh; "the guys get to see us dance at a wedding - so there's that." It'll be worth it for BA's discomfort alone.

[notthatcrazy]

"We're gettin' there," he says, fully including himself in that statement.

And his next sentence brings some of his nervousness back to the surface, but he tries to pass it off lightly as he tugs on Face's hand. "Come on, you gotta show me your moves."

[notjustaface]

He lets himself ignore the implications of wherever 'there' might be - they'll go where they're going... wherever that is. Right now, things are good and he's managed to go a while without doing anything colossally stupid.

The tug at his hand draws a much lighter smirk; "My moves? Baby... you can't handle my moves."

[notthatcrazy]

And he's trying to be better about not being clingy and letting things be. It's a joint effort.

"Handled 'em just fine up to now, buddy."

[notjustaface]

"Yeah, but you haven't gotten the full brunt of my moves - you've gotten moves by proxy."

He grins even wider, shouldering against him.

"Seriously? You don't need any moves, man. You're good."

[notthatcrazy]

"And here I thought you were bringin' your A game. I'm disappointed."

He nudges back affectionately.

"So show me."

[notjustaface]

"Nope, A game is just for people that need convincing to get in my pants - I've already won you over." Affectionately, he nuzzles against him; "Didn't have to fake it."

Still, he shrugs; "What'd you want to know?"

[notthatcrazy]

"Dance with me?"

He did mean 'moves' literally, Face.

[notjustaface]

"Oh!" His face shifts, colored with amused surprise. "You mean like moves. Sure, I'll dance with you."

Shaking his head, he wraps a steady arm around Murdock's waist - stroking over the back of his t-shirt. "Any time, babe."

[notthatcrazy]

"Haven't done this in a long time."

He pulls him into a brief hug.

[notjustaface]

"No problem, guessing you haven't danced with a guy either." He murmurs, pushing up on his feet before offering his hand, smiling down at his partner.

"I'll take the lead."

[notthatcrazy]

"You've made me the happiest girl in the world."

He stands, taking his hand.

"Be patient with me, okay?"

[notjustaface]

The joke makes him smile, sure enough, and he pulls Murdock closer.

"Yeah, well, you're mine." He chuckles, letting one arm loop easily around his back as he pulled him to his chest, twining their fingers together. "We'll take it slow."

[notthatcrazy]

"You got it."

It's nice, being this close, and he pushes the rest of his worries aside for a while.

"There should be music for this."

[notjustaface]

"We don't need music," he murmurs, guiding Murdock's hand to his shoulder and then taking the other and tucking it close to their bodies. "Just follow me, I've got you."

[notthatcrazy]

"Always have."

There's a few missteps, but it's pretty easy to follow his lead as they move to an unheard rhythm. They've always worked well together, and this is no exception.