FANTASTIC REVERIE.
NOTE: A Classic!Nicklijah moment. This is the first drabble I’m posting on Tumblr. Please forgive the plainness.
Elijah recalled a bit of contempt for the point of view Nick’s class had for their professor the man had had when he’d returned after a day of wearing one of his shirts. The archaeologist had been quite put off by their reaction and Elijah had honestly found it quite amusing if he were honest. The gesture had been a harmless one, even though he had to reassure the older male of this fact about a hundred times before he left the house that morning. It would seem he was the only one certain of the truth behind that statement. And so, he’d made it a point not to be too involved with Nick’s professional life if he didn’t have to. While it was amusing, Elijah could relate to the discomfort of being viewed as an item when they were not. Given the true nature of their relationship, it was all around a safer bet not to feed the hungry whims of college girls and their strange tendencies to dig a little too deep into the personal lives of the older men they were supposed to be learning from. That aside, there were still some occasions where it could not be avoided. Today had been one of them as a new development in the artifact case had popped up and demanded immediate attention. He’d only gone to pass off information, but he could feel the stares of students as he quietly wiggled his way into the classroom and seated himself in the back. The board was full of information Elijah knew nothing about and Nick had his back turned to the class as he went on about something to do with ancient Mesopotamia. A part of Elijah wondered if he’d have enjoyed traditional school if he’d had the chance to attend. His wonderings were cut short, however, when the professor turned to face the class again. He had a question in his mouth, but Elijah didn’t hear it. He was far to focused on the fact that he was wearing glasses. Months. They’d been working together for literal months and Elijah hadn’t the slightest clue that Nick needed glasses at all. Was that something new? He’d be sure to ask about it later.
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Elijah had found a comfy spot between the fireplace and the coffee table (as per usual) with a couple of pillows and a cup of joe. For a man who enjoyed sweet things almost as much as Nick did, it was maybe a bit odd that he preferred his coffee black. He was sprawled out on the floor with a pillow under his stomach and a computer lit up in front of him. He was reading through an article with his glasses dropped down to the tip of his nose and a rather focused expression. One of Nick’s tees hung loosely from his thin frame – something he didn’t even consider as he’d swiped it right out of the pile of clean laundry earlier. By the time Nick had gotten to the flat, the glasses were gone, but he didn’t need them to take note of Elijah’s comfort level. The younger man looked like a college student himself rather than Nick’s partner in a serial murder case. He looked up at Nick when he came in and frowned slightly. He didn’t address the issue right away. “Been looking into that John Horabik guy.” He pushed the computer out and at an angle some so that Nick might be able to see what was on it. The image of a middle-aged man in a business suit was displayed neatly beside an article titled ‘I Survived an Ancient Egyptian Curse!’ There was a story that followed, but Nick was a bit too far away to read it. “Is it legit then?” The archaeologist raised both eyebrows, pinning Elijah with a curious expression. “Not a clue, but, even if it isn’t, there’s still a lot of interesting information here.” He pulled the computer back towards himself before patting the ground next to him. “I’ve already copied the piece and started highlighting things. Finally, a lead that doesn’t make me want to destroy my own liver.” “You don’t drink enough to justify that worry.” Nick countered plainly as he took to Elijah’s unspoken order. He flopped onto his stomach, leaning in a bit to get a better look at the screen. The action sent a bit of a chill up Elijah’s spine, but he let it go for now. “Doesn’t mean I haven’t considered it. You’ve got a nice collection of temptations here.” The younger man taunted with a smirk. One that elicited only an eyeroll from Nick. He also pushed the joke aside in favor of the article before them. “He’s a cheap, sh*t politician. Got his fingers stuck in the wrong cookie jar and made some powerful people angry. He provided a name, but all the searching I’ve done on that has led to nothing. An alias, I’m sure. But look-“ he pointed at the screen to a highlighted line. Nick squinted a little. “’I had the knife in my hand and I was terrified…. Dadada… shaking with fear… blahblahblah… pinched myself with my free hand and it gave me just enough of a distraction that the knife missed any vital organs.’” He read aloud, reaching up to rub at his own chin. Suddenly, his vision was cut off as something slipped over his eyes and onto his nose. “You look ten years older when you squint like that.” There was a playful lilt in Elijah’s voice and it became clear all of a sudden what had happened. The lenses themselves did not help his vision at all. Instead, the article was a lot blurrier than it needed to be. The transparent frames that ringed the little bit of the world Nick could see answered just who’s glasses had been forced onto his face – confirmation that Elijah’s skillset, in all the random things he was good at, did not include seeing. Nick didn’t say anything for a long moment, but, even with his poor vision, Elijah could clearly see the older man’s confusion. He started laughing, head bobbing onto the keyboard with amusement-induced weakness. Nick grumbled a little bit despite the clear signs that he wasn’t truly bothered by this action. “I am ten years older.” The laughter settled into something Elijah could at least speak through. “Sure, but you look damn good for ten years older. The glasses are a bonus. You should wear them more often. Would be good for eyes. And mine too.” He bumped his shoulder to Nick’s in jest and then swiped his glasses back. There was a brief moment where the honorary detective went without as he used Nick’s sleeve to wipe away the smudges. “Shut up.” Nick didn’t know what else to say, but there was the slightest hint of a smile on his lips. Something that didn’t go unnoticed as Elijah slipped the frames back onto his own face. He mirrored the expression ten-fold, even showing teeth. “Not in a million years.”
Mood music: Beyond the World of Man - KOLARS > https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KQou6PT9VM
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