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]

It's appreciated. Albeit misplaced in this particular situation.

"It's fine. Why would it?"

[notjustaface]

He half-sighs, and he thinks it might be relief.

"I dunno, man... just sometimes wonder what you're not telling me."

[notthatcrazy]

"What are you talking about?"

He sighs.

"That I wish this could be real? I didn't think that was exactly a secret."

[notjustaface]

And there it is in black and white. He was almost hoping it'd go unsaid and he could continue playing deaf - but he's got his reasons to not just let it happen.

After a long and awkward pause, he presses a kiss to the top of Murdock's head and offers; "Maybe after the job is over we can hold on to the rings for a while... see what happens."

[notthatcrazy]

He was kind of planning on hanging onto his already.

"Temp... we are so far from a place where we can even think about settling down. I know this."

He kisses him softly, holding up his hand where the silver band catches the light.

"Having this means something, even if it ain't what it means to most people."

[notjustaface]

"I'm not goin' anywhere, man." He mutters against his lips, meaning it as much as he possibly can.

"You're stuck with me until you can't stand me anymore."

[notthatcrazy]

"Wish you'd stop sayin' stuff like that."

He looks him in the eyes, a serious expression on his face.

"If I'm not sick of you after all these years, I'm never gonna be."

[notjustaface]

He can't believe that - and in a lot of ways, he might never believe that it's possible to just love someone no matter what sort of shit they pull. And he knows all too well what kind of shit he's capable of.

The corners of his lips curl in an impish grin and he replies; "As you wish."

[notthatcrazy]

Unfortunately, loving someone doesn't preclude the possibility of being angry enough at them to spit nails... but yeah. He's not going to stop, so Face might as well get used to it.

"See, you're already learnin'."

[notjustaface]

At least he's enjoying what they have, even when something goes wrong and he finds himself caring more about the situation than the job. He still hasn't been able to outright say that he killed the bastard that got the jump on them and took Murdock out of commission - as far as Hannibal knows he didn't have a choice.

"Well, I'm a quick study."

[notthatcrazy]

He was there when he almost did the same thing to Morrison. Hell, he was the one who had to talk him down. Hurt the people he loves and he'll retaliate. That's not surprising at all.

"Yes, you are."

They both are, in different ways.

[notjustaface]

It's nice, at least, just being close and letting himself hold someone he loves without feeling like it needs to be sexual. It's not exactly something he's always comfortable with.

"Think we can be gay enough for this job?" He laughs under his breath, his tone much more playful than before.

[notthatcrazy]

He raises an eyebrow, faintly amused.

"Think beyond the stereotypes. I'm pretty sure we are gay enough for this job."

He gives him a playful swat on the backside before moving his hand back into place.

[notjustaface]

"I'm just sayin'..." he grins even wider, enjoying the swat far too much; "I can pass as Jewish through customs, but you put me in a temple I'm screwed."

He chuckles, squeezing him tight; "I'll just have to make sure everyone knows I'm there with you."

[notthatcrazy]

He laughs softly.

"Might be nice, bein' together in public."

They've kept pretty quiet so far, mostly out of respect for Hannibal and BA. He's not actually sure how comfortable Face is with that kind of affection.

[notjustaface]

It's different, admittedly, being physical in public with a guy. It's pretty much the sort of thing that he assumes will still pick a fight in most corners of the globe - but at least it's a fight he's fairly confident he can finish. Still, habits run deep.

"Hey - we go out... sort of."

[notthatcrazy]

"Hon, last time we went on anything like a date we ate cold pizza in the back of the van while we waited for Hannibal's contact."

It's just the way things are.

[notjustaface]

"It was good pizza, at least..."

He knows it's only partially his fault, circumstances being what they were.

"Tell you what, next time we're on friendly land and you want to do something, let me know?"

[notthatcrazy]

He's quiet for a moment, still moving to that imaginary music.

"I meant what I said, you know?"

He leans in for another kiss, slow and tender.

"You make me happy."

[notjustaface]

In all fairness, so does a slinky. But, he takes the compliment for what it is and returns the kiss with just as much tenderness.

"You make me happy too, babe. I just wish things were different with everything else."

[notthatcrazy]

Slinkies don't exactly compare.

"I know. Me too."

Things can never just be easy for them.

[notjustaface]

For any of them now. But, it's not such a bad life.

"Hey... we've got about an hour before we're due at the tux shop..." he purrs, "and about a fifty-fifty shot of spending it alone."

[notthatcrazy]

He rolls his eyes.

"Always angling for somethin'."

He moves back toward the bed, pulling him along.

[notjustaface]

"Just a chance to get some time alone you."

He takes the shift easily, and then twines his fingers with one familiar hand - the warm metal ring an almost foreign sensation.

"What that time entails is entirely up to you."

[notthatcrazy]

He lays him down gently on the bed before joining him.

"Think it's my turn to take the lead, darlin'."