It was new, and the chrome gleamed.
Nicholas finished his slow perusal of the car and came back to stand next to John. "Well?" he asked, ignoring the salesman that had too many teeth and was hovering too closely.
"It's orange," John said doubtfully.
"Yeah." Nick tried to keep the glee out of his voice and failed. "It's 1977, Johnny. Orange is the color."
"It's small."
"It's a Fiat," Nick laughed. "It's supposed to be."
"It's really small."
"Well, yeah. But big enough for two, right? You and me. Unless you're worried about how you're going to blow me in it, in which case, you won't be able to. Or we'll have to get extra creative."
John flushed, and the salesman went scurrying, which had been Nick's intent. Nick knew John wouldn't make a decision with the guy standing that close to them.
"Nicky, Christ," John muttered, his cheeks still stained pink.
Nicholas just laughed. After four years together, one would think that John would be used to Nick's public outbursts by now, but apparently he wasn't. It didn't matter; Nick loved Johnny when he was embarrassed. That seemed to be a lot of the time, at least, when Nick was around.
"So we're getting it." Nick nodded and reached out a finger to brush the chrome of the door handle. "We need a car. Both of us are working, finally. And you have tenure now. Isn't taking public transportation to work getting old, John? You've got to lug all that shit around, all the papers and books and everything. Think how easy it would be to have a car. This car." He gave John his most winning smile and thought about fluttering his lashes a little, but that might be going too far.
John chuckled. "I thought we were supposed to share it. What if I get too spoiled and don't want to give it back after my week is up?"
"Then I'll trade you the car for some really good head. And maybe a spanking or two." Nick decided a little bit of a lash flutter would be okay, so he tried it.
The amused snort and toe-scuffing that followed assured Nick that John was on board. "All right, fine," John laughed. "We'll get the car. Even if it's orange."
Nick whooped and planted a kiss on him right there in the dealership lot.
)
