Hitman's Creed - 57

 

"So Mary and Eck…?" Nate leaned back in his chair, toying with his coffee cup as he looked at Joey.

"I think so. They seem to be forming some sort of bond despite the age difference."

They were at the coffeehouse, Joey just having gotten off shift. He was working nights now, patrolling the quiet town. Nate was on his way to work, with the stop to get coffee and a pastry first. At least that was the ostensible reason. In reality, with Joey's new hours, the two young men took any chance they could get to see each other. They were still getting to know each other, their likes and dislikes and all the other details that melded into a relationship. On a physical level they were still exploring, which involved a lot of kissing and touching but nothing more… yet.

Joey was hoping to change that sometime soon. He thought Nate was as well. They were still dancing around it though, Nate out of shyness. Joey, well he wasn't certain why it had taken him so long to want to make the final step. He just knew that something had been holding him back.

"She certainly looks happy," Nate commented.

With a laugh, Joey told him, "According to mom, if Mary were any more bubbly she'd be floating on the ceiling. Eck's changed too. Last time I rode patrol with him all he could talk about was how sweet she was. And he never even looked at any of the girls on the street. It was like they didn't exist to him."

"It's serious then," Nate opined with a laugh.

Joey's thoughts turned inward for a moment as he remembered what Mary had been through. "As long as he doesn't push her there's a chance for them," he said under his breath. Nate looked at him in question. Joey shook his head. "Just an observation, nothing more, since he is older."

"Sometimes age makes no difference."

"To some people, yeah," Joey replied, hoping the bitterness that suddenly hit him didn't show. He smiled to cover it, reaching over to take Nate's hand. "Not a problem for us, unless you consider a year's difference a problem," he joked.

"My God yes, you're positively ancient. You must feel like you're robbing the cradle," Nate said with a straight face.

Joey replied with equal seriousness. "I sure do, and the diapers are a pain."

Then they broke into laughter. After a fast look around to make certain no one was watching, Joey gave Nate a quick kiss. Then he looked at his watch and sighed. "You'd better get a move on or you'll be late."

"Clock-watcher," Nate growled as he swallowed the last of his coffee and stood up.

"Comes with being the elder, I take my responsibility for you very seriously."

"Uh huh, sure." Taking his own look around, Nate bent to drop a fast kiss on Joey's lips before telling him he'd call as soon as he was off work.