notjustaface | The Love Boat

It's supposed to be an easy mission, kick back - take a cruise, maybe work on their tans in the process. Baggage, check. Engagement rings, check. Wedding bands, check. Tuxedos, check.

Hannibal and BA boarded first thing in the morning as crew, giving them more than ample time to install some weaponry and a pair of clean cell phones in their cabin and start sweeping for suspicious signs of gun running.

The happy couple took the opportunity to sleep in and have a nice breakfast before heading down to the marina to board.

"It's a nice cabin," Face murmurs, depositing his suitcase on the large bed before heading to the closet to hang up their carefully wrapped formal wear.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

notjustaface

If he rolls his eyes, it's with affection that speaks of his lack of a line between the job and his life - because right now, on the run? They may as well be the same.

"What are we supposed to talk about?" He raises an eyebrow; "We haven't been to a movie in like... well... since were incarcerated."

From:

notthatcrazy

And that's the frustrating thing. He just wants to find some kind of normalcy.

"So... let's talk about the future. What do you wanna do when we get done with this?"

He knows Hannibal's planned for a quick and dirty getaway when they get up north, but he's still hoping for a little downtime.

From:

notjustaface

Not any time soon.

"Mmm... the honeymoon?" He grins around the tines of his fork. "I'm thinking maybe Brazil... laying naked on the beach while I watch you learn how to play volleyball."

Of course, if the cold weather gear Hannibal made sure he had packed for their getaway is any indication, there won't be any naked volleyball in his near future.

From:

notthatcrazy

Not without the danger of frostbite in some very unfortunate places.

"C'mon, man, seriously. I know we're probably gonna be making a run for it, but what about after that?"

From:

notjustaface

"You don't think I'm bein' serious?" He cocks an eyebrow, taking another long sip of his fruity rum drink.

After a long moment he half-shrugs again; "I dunno, whatever we can I guess."

From:

notthatcrazy

He rolls his eyes. "I know when you're trying to deflect, there's always nudity involved."

It's a fairly reliable distraction, to be fair.

"We're gonna be up north, you know... I'm thinking warming each other up under the covers..."

From:

notjustaface

Maybe... it works, at least most of the time.

"Now who's deflecting?" He smirks, leaning forward again. "I seem to remember a certain cold night in the middle east all wrapped up in our scratchy army blankets in your cot..."

From:

notthatcrazy

"I'm not deflecting, I'm speculating."

This conversation is just going to go in circles.

"You wanna head back to the room now?"

From:

notjustaface

"And I'm thinking about the last time we kept each other warm." He chuckles softly, taking a few last big bites.

"Up to you, baby."

From:

notthatcrazy

"Mmmhmm."

It's a nice memory, but so much of what happened between them back then is tangled up with the decidedly unhappy memories that happened after.

"C'mon, you said we'd write vows tonight."

From:

notjustaface

They were weird times that got even weirder. And now he's on a Big Gay Cruise writing vows for a fake gay wedding.

Go figure.

"Can we stay for dessert?" He offers a set of bright blue puppy eyes; "They have ice cream and rainbow cake."

From:

notthatcrazy

He rolls his eyes. Damn him and those adorable baby blues.

"Okay, okay... we can have cake, but then you're gonna take me downstairs and tell me how much you love me."

In terms of crazy relationship trajectories, it kind of works for them.

From:

notjustaface

They've gotten him far more than cake.

"As you wish, love of my life." He pushes up out of his chair, "Want cake with your ice cream?"

From:

notthatcrazy

"Way to pour on the charm, babe. And yeah, cake and ice cream sounds good."

He reaches over and ruffles his hair as he gets up.

From:

notjustaface

Leaning in, he plants a firm kiss on his lips - letting himself enjoy the thought that all eyes there are on them and everything is just fine.

A few minutes later he's back with big slices of rainbow colored cake nestled against chocolate on one side and black cherry on the other.

"What're you in the mood for tonight?"

From:

notthatcrazy

"Ooh, looks like they sprang for the good stuff."

He leans back against him. They're so close together he's practically in his lap.

"Chocolate, please?"

From:

notjustaface

The closeness is nice, and Face takes the opportunity to slide a plate in front of him before dipping a spoonful of cake for himself.

"Only the best, right?" Well, budget best, at least. They're still rooming below decks but given their last several residences it's practically the VIP suite at the Hilton.

From:

notthatcrazy

He's enjoying this. It's not often that they get to be together in public without worrying about being seen.

"Totally."

He really couldn't ask for anything more. They've got a nice view from where they are, and when they're in their cabin... the view's the last thing he's worried about.

From:

notjustaface

Other things on their mind, better things. More than being watched or getting caught and having to drop and run.

"So, what about you?" He offers a bite of the cherry ice cream with a big split cherry in the middle. "What's on your mind, Buttercup?"

From:

notthatcrazy

He sighs.

"You ever imagine six months ago you'd be feeding me ice cream and calling me Buttercup on a gay wedding cruise?"

It works, really.

From:

notjustaface

That's enough to bring him pause, and he takes another bite - considering it.

"Six months ago I was pretty sure we'd be in prison by now." He shrugs; "I like it this way better."

From:

notthatcrazy

Those are two rather sharp extremes.

"Hey." He takes the hand he's not busy eating with, holding it tight. "Never again, okay?"

He's not sure he'd survive being separated from him again.

From:

notjustaface

Face flexes his knuckles as he squeezes his partner's hand, part of him still feeling the burn of ragged concrete in his scars.

"We can't make that promise." He murmurs, licking his lips. "You know that as well as I do."

From:

notthatcrazy

He doesn't say anything. He just keeps holding onto his hand while they finish eating.

From:

notjustaface

A quiet Murdock is not a happy Murdock - and Face knows it's his duty to bring that smile back.

"So, I'm thinking... we beg the boss into giving us a couple days off after we touch down wherever we're headed and me and you dig into the first hotel we can find?"