riptide_asylum (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
riptide_asylum) wrote2009-12-01 08:09 pm
riptide_asylum) wrote2009-12-01 08:09 pm
Entry tags:
"After Dinner" (Out of the Dark, 2005)
Title: After Dinner
Rating: R
Summary: How life keeps right on going after Code Blue
The doctors said Cody needed to get more exercise. Needed it regular, but not too much or
too fast, so Nick vetoed swimming right off the bat. They talked about joining a gym, but
realistically with the hospital bills and the follow-up there wasn't enough for them
both to join, so that was a no-go.
Which is how Nick finds himself traipsing along the edge of the cliff next to the ocean,
making sure Cody doesn't get carried away. They'd debated it heatedly--Nick pointing out
how far they'd be from help if it was needed, Cody responding with the word "cellphone"--until
compromising on a trial period of after-dinner rambles. And it's not as bad as Nick
thought it'd be. Fresh air, no one around, just him and Cody and a bunch of flying rats
overhead. Things could be worse.
Cody lengthens his stride, cresting the hilltop, arms swinging at his sides."In a coupla
months, Nick, I'll be jogging this, you'll see."
"Fat chance."
"Aw come on, Nick." Cody grins back at him. "You're saying I'm outta shape?"
"Nope. I'm saying you'll have a helluva time jogging with me sitting on you. It's out of
the question, man. Don't even think about it."
There's still plenty of daylight left even though it's cold on the exposed path next to the water. A seagull wheels up from over the edge of the cliff, scraaking at them for interrupting its busy rat-day. Nick flinches at this unexpected one-on-one with nature, but Cody's right there next to him, still smiling. He bumps Nick's shoulder and continues on up the path, just like this is the most natural thing in the world, just like they've done this for years, and not just because Cody managed to have a heart attack. Nick shivers, watching his partner's long legs eat up the path. Head held high, Cody's gray hair catches the sun's dying rays and just for a moment looks dirty blond again. Nick stops and watches, remembering.
So many years have gone by since they first met. Since the first time they touched, since that first terrified, desperate moment in a mud-soaked foxhole half a world away, when Nick looked at the guy crouched next to him in hell, and found something worth fighting for after all. His better half.
"Hey."
Nick immediately feels in his pocket for the phone. "Hey what? You feeling okay? Talk
to me."
Cody lays a hand on his arm, smiling indulgently. "I'm fine, buddy. Just wanted to know
what you were up to in there."
Nick shrugs and looks out over the water. "Same thing my whole life, man. Nothing much."
"Liar," Cody says softly.
"Hey. Would I lie to you?" It's an old joke between them, and one that needs no answer. They come to a vista point, a place where the cracked and sandy trail widens, encroaching onto the patch of ice plants clinging to the rugged cliffs. Cody leans on the iron railing and stares out over the water wearing an expression of utter contentment. Not for the first time, Nick's jealous of the ocean, but the feeling soon passes, leaving the two of them standing watching the sun set out beyond the horizon. Nick slips a hand to the small of Cody's back and rubs absentmindedly, drawing Cody closer. For a few minutes, neither of them speak.
Down below, the Pacific Cove Marina lies half in shadows, but Nick has little trouble picking out the shape of the Hightide at her slip. There's only a half-dozen boats to choose from, and that's still five too many for Nick's liking. He nuzzles the side of Cody's neck, leaving a kiss there before pulling back to watch the twilight. All too soon the light changes and clouds boil across the sky, dragging a chill wind behind them, growling across the barren cliff-face, tearing at the few low plants that grow there.
"Guess that's our cue," Cody says softly.
"Yeah. Guess so."
"You don't sound too convinced, Nick."
Nick looks at him, the face he knows so well, even wearing extra years. Then he looks back out at the ocean. "I could get used to this."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Cody grins widely. "That's good, buddy, 'cause after the first ten years I was still wondering."
Nick makes a dismissive noise. "I mean the walking, wiseass. The other..."
"Yeah?" Cody steps closer, and Nick can see the tiny cracks in his facade.
Nick draws closer, pressed up against Cody for more than warmth. "Don't."
"Don't?" Cody ducks his head, and Nick can feel his best friend's breath on his neck.
Too important, he wants to say. Too important to joke about. But the words stick, and suddenly it's all he can do to grab both of Cody's arms and hang on tight as his own fears have their way.
"Easy, Nick, easy."
Nick buries himself in Cody's voice, wraps it around him like a blanket as the wind buffets them both at the top of this long lonely cliffside.
---
Back onboard the boat, Nick makes coffee to ward off the chill that's settled along the coast. He makes Cody's first, orange-lidded instant he spoons carefully into a mug with a big fish on the side. Nick would search out the finest beans, roasted to perfection if he thought it'd soften the blow. But Cody doesn't miss the caffeine as much as he'd miss the taste of canteen coffee, tar-flavored and boiled into a thick and bitter syrup. Folger's is nearly perfect.
"Mmm, you read my mind." Cody comes up the stairs from their stateroom and slides his arms around Nick from behind, kissing the side of his jaw.
"Well, it makes a good party trick," Nick says softly. "I like to keep in practice in case we have company."
"Oh! That reminds me!" Cody slips away, taking his cup of coffee to the dinette just beyond the galley. "Talked to Murray today."
Nick follows with his own mug. "Yeah? How is the little guy? He and Charlene getting back together?"
"Doesn't sound like it." Cody slides into the white leather shell-shaped booth. "In fact, he's got a date with Joanna this weekend."
Nick sits next to him, close, hip to hip. "Parisi? As in the former lieutenant? Get outta here."
"The very same. He wanted my advice on where to take her, what to wear, that sort of thing. Been a while since he's been single."
Nick swallows a mouthful of coffee, carefully not saying a half-dozen things that spring to mind. "A date? At his age? Man, I do not envy him that at all."
"Well I say good for him. I was worried he'd throw himself into work to forget about the divorce. You know how he gets."
"Yeah, good point."
"Besides," Cody takes a demure sip of coffee before setting his cup back on the table. "I always thought those two'd make a cute couple."
Nick raises his eyebrows. "No you didn't. As I remember it, you wanted her for yourself."
Cody raises one of his own right back. "Nick, she fed me cauliflower in the hospital. Mashed cauliflower. You know how I feel about vegetables. Especially mashed ones!"
"Just goes to show how wrong you two were for each other." Nick makes a dismissive gesture. "Are. You know what I'm talking about."
Cody reaches his laptop down off the shelf next to the window and opens it on the table. "I feel bad for the girls. You know they're gonna wind up with Charlene."
"Tell me about it." Nick drinks his coffee and reads the screen over Cody's shoulder.
"Yeah, and we introduced them. How did we manage not to spot how much trouble she really was. You remember that?"
Nick sits back. "'We'? 'We' might not have spotted how much trouble she was because 'we' were too busy kissing her while I was asleep."
"She kissed me!" Cody laughs.
"How would I know? I was asleep, remember?"
"Not for long," Cody purrs. While the laptop boots up, he kisses Nick, sweet and focused, and Nick gives himself over to the kiss. It brings back memories of a time long ago, on another boat entirely, when their geeky best friend stole the prettiest physics undergrad in the room while the two of them went belowdecks and fucked each others' brains out.
When they part with a last soft nuzzle, Cody pulls up CNN, rubbing Nick's knee under the table. For awhile, the two of them sit and drink their coffee, and Cody clicks, with Nick nudging when he wants to see something. After a quick note to Murray from riptide1958@yahoo.com, and a perfunctory look through Nick's military email both their mugs are empty. Cody shuts down the laptop and turns to plug it back in on the shelf. Outside, the earlier wind has grown teeth and sinks them into the night harbor. The boat rocks gently at its mooring. "Hey, Nick?"
Nick stops scrubbing sleep out of his eyes and looks over. "Yeah, babe?"
"You enjoy the walk?"
"What, you kidding me? Highlight of my day. What about you? How you feelin'? You know, with the whole..." Nick waves in the vague direction of Cody's chest.
"Never better."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Only one thing I can think of makes me feel better."
Nick glares at him. "Don't start. You don't have nearly enough EKGs for that yet."
Cody chuckles. "It's a points system? So how much for another cup of coffee? Or maybe just half of one?" He glances over at Nick's mug hopefully.
"Tell you what, I got a better idea." Nick slides an arm round Cody's shoulders and kisses the spot just behind Cody's ear. One of his favorites.
"Better than--"
Nick ignores him. "How 'bout we go watch the weather channel in bed? That work for you?"
"The weather channel? Why'd you wanna watch that? You're not flying in the morning, Nick."
"Thanks for the reminder, big guy."
"Nick..."
"Listen. I was just thinking we could see if it's gonna be nice enough tomorrow for another walk."
"You liked it that much, huh?"
"I did. I really did."
The two of them stare at each other for a minute. Nick looks away first. "I was thinking with this new walking thing, we could head up to the garage and--"
"Ah. That makes more sense. You're not thinking about walking at all. You're thinking about driving."
Nick pinches his bottom lip between two fingers and shrugs.
Cody leans in close, resting his temple against Nick's forehead. "I've got an even better idea than the weather channel."
"I thought we discussed this already."
Cody takes one of Nick's hands in his own, twining their fingers. "You know buddy, I'm pretty tired. How about you watch the weather channel while I sleep?"
Nick pulls back to kiss Cody's temple, then goes back to resting against Cody's skin. Listening to Cody breathe. "How 'bout I just watch you sleep?"
He feels Cody's face light up, then Cody's pulling away, tugging Nick out of the booth and down the boat towards their stateroom. And that's all the walk Nick really needs.
Rating: R
Summary: How life keeps right on going after Code Blue
The doctors said Cody needed to get more exercise. Needed it regular, but not too much or
too fast, so Nick vetoed swimming right off the bat. They talked about joining a gym, but
realistically with the hospital bills and the follow-up there wasn't enough for them
both to join, so that was a no-go.
Which is how Nick finds himself traipsing along the edge of the cliff next to the ocean,
making sure Cody doesn't get carried away. They'd debated it heatedly--Nick pointing out
how far they'd be from help if it was needed, Cody responding with the word "cellphone"--until
compromising on a trial period of after-dinner rambles. And it's not as bad as Nick
thought it'd be. Fresh air, no one around, just him and Cody and a bunch of flying rats
overhead. Things could be worse.
Cody lengthens his stride, cresting the hilltop, arms swinging at his sides."In a coupla
months, Nick, I'll be jogging this, you'll see."
"Fat chance."
"Aw come on, Nick." Cody grins back at him. "You're saying I'm outta shape?"
"Nope. I'm saying you'll have a helluva time jogging with me sitting on you. It's out of
the question, man. Don't even think about it."
There's still plenty of daylight left even though it's cold on the exposed path next to the water. A seagull wheels up from over the edge of the cliff, scraaking at them for interrupting its busy rat-day. Nick flinches at this unexpected one-on-one with nature, but Cody's right there next to him, still smiling. He bumps Nick's shoulder and continues on up the path, just like this is the most natural thing in the world, just like they've done this for years, and not just because Cody managed to have a heart attack. Nick shivers, watching his partner's long legs eat up the path. Head held high, Cody's gray hair catches the sun's dying rays and just for a moment looks dirty blond again. Nick stops and watches, remembering.
So many years have gone by since they first met. Since the first time they touched, since that first terrified, desperate moment in a mud-soaked foxhole half a world away, when Nick looked at the guy crouched next to him in hell, and found something worth fighting for after all. His better half.
"Hey."
Nick immediately feels in his pocket for the phone. "Hey what? You feeling okay? Talk
to me."
Cody lays a hand on his arm, smiling indulgently. "I'm fine, buddy. Just wanted to know
what you were up to in there."
Nick shrugs and looks out over the water. "Same thing my whole life, man. Nothing much."
"Liar," Cody says softly.
"Hey. Would I lie to you?" It's an old joke between them, and one that needs no answer. They come to a vista point, a place where the cracked and sandy trail widens, encroaching onto the patch of ice plants clinging to the rugged cliffs. Cody leans on the iron railing and stares out over the water wearing an expression of utter contentment. Not for the first time, Nick's jealous of the ocean, but the feeling soon passes, leaving the two of them standing watching the sun set out beyond the horizon. Nick slips a hand to the small of Cody's back and rubs absentmindedly, drawing Cody closer. For a few minutes, neither of them speak.
Down below, the Pacific Cove Marina lies half in shadows, but Nick has little trouble picking out the shape of the Hightide at her slip. There's only a half-dozen boats to choose from, and that's still five too many for Nick's liking. He nuzzles the side of Cody's neck, leaving a kiss there before pulling back to watch the twilight. All too soon the light changes and clouds boil across the sky, dragging a chill wind behind them, growling across the barren cliff-face, tearing at the few low plants that grow there.
"Guess that's our cue," Cody says softly.
"Yeah. Guess so."
"You don't sound too convinced, Nick."
Nick looks at him, the face he knows so well, even wearing extra years. Then he looks back out at the ocean. "I could get used to this."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Cody grins widely. "That's good, buddy, 'cause after the first ten years I was still wondering."
Nick makes a dismissive noise. "I mean the walking, wiseass. The other..."
"Yeah?" Cody steps closer, and Nick can see the tiny cracks in his facade.
Nick draws closer, pressed up against Cody for more than warmth. "Don't."
"Don't?" Cody ducks his head, and Nick can feel his best friend's breath on his neck.
Too important, he wants to say. Too important to joke about. But the words stick, and suddenly it's all he can do to grab both of Cody's arms and hang on tight as his own fears have their way.
"Easy, Nick, easy."
Nick buries himself in Cody's voice, wraps it around him like a blanket as the wind buffets them both at the top of this long lonely cliffside.
---
Back onboard the boat, Nick makes coffee to ward off the chill that's settled along the coast. He makes Cody's first, orange-lidded instant he spoons carefully into a mug with a big fish on the side. Nick would search out the finest beans, roasted to perfection if he thought it'd soften the blow. But Cody doesn't miss the caffeine as much as he'd miss the taste of canteen coffee, tar-flavored and boiled into a thick and bitter syrup. Folger's is nearly perfect.
"Mmm, you read my mind." Cody comes up the stairs from their stateroom and slides his arms around Nick from behind, kissing the side of his jaw.
"Well, it makes a good party trick," Nick says softly. "I like to keep in practice in case we have company."
"Oh! That reminds me!" Cody slips away, taking his cup of coffee to the dinette just beyond the galley. "Talked to Murray today."
Nick follows with his own mug. "Yeah? How is the little guy? He and Charlene getting back together?"
"Doesn't sound like it." Cody slides into the white leather shell-shaped booth. "In fact, he's got a date with Joanna this weekend."
Nick sits next to him, close, hip to hip. "Parisi? As in the former lieutenant? Get outta here."
"The very same. He wanted my advice on where to take her, what to wear, that sort of thing. Been a while since he's been single."
Nick swallows a mouthful of coffee, carefully not saying a half-dozen things that spring to mind. "A date? At his age? Man, I do not envy him that at all."
"Well I say good for him. I was worried he'd throw himself into work to forget about the divorce. You know how he gets."
"Yeah, good point."
"Besides," Cody takes a demure sip of coffee before setting his cup back on the table. "I always thought those two'd make a cute couple."
Nick raises his eyebrows. "No you didn't. As I remember it, you wanted her for yourself."
Cody raises one of his own right back. "Nick, she fed me cauliflower in the hospital. Mashed cauliflower. You know how I feel about vegetables. Especially mashed ones!"
"Just goes to show how wrong you two were for each other." Nick makes a dismissive gesture. "Are. You know what I'm talking about."
Cody reaches his laptop down off the shelf next to the window and opens it on the table. "I feel bad for the girls. You know they're gonna wind up with Charlene."
"Tell me about it." Nick drinks his coffee and reads the screen over Cody's shoulder.
"Yeah, and we introduced them. How did we manage not to spot how much trouble she really was. You remember that?"
Nick sits back. "'We'? 'We' might not have spotted how much trouble she was because 'we' were too busy kissing her while I was asleep."
"She kissed me!" Cody laughs.
"How would I know? I was asleep, remember?"
"Not for long," Cody purrs. While the laptop boots up, he kisses Nick, sweet and focused, and Nick gives himself over to the kiss. It brings back memories of a time long ago, on another boat entirely, when their geeky best friend stole the prettiest physics undergrad in the room while the two of them went belowdecks and fucked each others' brains out.
When they part with a last soft nuzzle, Cody pulls up CNN, rubbing Nick's knee under the table. For awhile, the two of them sit and drink their coffee, and Cody clicks, with Nick nudging when he wants to see something. After a quick note to Murray from riptide1958@yahoo.com, and a perfunctory look through Nick's military email both their mugs are empty. Cody shuts down the laptop and turns to plug it back in on the shelf. Outside, the earlier wind has grown teeth and sinks them into the night harbor. The boat rocks gently at its mooring. "Hey, Nick?"
Nick stops scrubbing sleep out of his eyes and looks over. "Yeah, babe?"
"You enjoy the walk?"
"What, you kidding me? Highlight of my day. What about you? How you feelin'? You know, with the whole..." Nick waves in the vague direction of Cody's chest.
"Never better."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. Only one thing I can think of makes me feel better."
Nick glares at him. "Don't start. You don't have nearly enough EKGs for that yet."
Cody chuckles. "It's a points system? So how much for another cup of coffee? Or maybe just half of one?" He glances over at Nick's mug hopefully.
"Tell you what, I got a better idea." Nick slides an arm round Cody's shoulders and kisses the spot just behind Cody's ear. One of his favorites.
"Better than--"
Nick ignores him. "How 'bout we go watch the weather channel in bed? That work for you?"
"The weather channel? Why'd you wanna watch that? You're not flying in the morning, Nick."
"Thanks for the reminder, big guy."
"Nick..."
"Listen. I was just thinking we could see if it's gonna be nice enough tomorrow for another walk."
"You liked it that much, huh?"
"I did. I really did."
The two of them stare at each other for a minute. Nick looks away first. "I was thinking with this new walking thing, we could head up to the garage and--"
"Ah. That makes more sense. You're not thinking about walking at all. You're thinking about driving."
Nick pinches his bottom lip between two fingers and shrugs.
Cody leans in close, resting his temple against Nick's forehead. "I've got an even better idea than the weather channel."
"I thought we discussed this already."
Cody takes one of Nick's hands in his own, twining their fingers. "You know buddy, I'm pretty tired. How about you watch the weather channel while I sleep?"
Nick pulls back to kiss Cody's temple, then goes back to resting against Cody's skin. Listening to Cody breathe. "How 'bout I just watch you sleep?"
He feels Cody's face light up, then Cody's pulling away, tugging Nick out of the booth and down the boat towards their stateroom. And that's all the walk Nick really needs.