You think Joe ever just stares at nicky doing something, like the 'that's my awesome boyfriend' look and Andy just chucks something to try and surprise him
The first time it happens Nile is taken off guard. Joe is ranting about something or the other - Nile honestly stopped listening when he somehow got from football to Thomsonās atom model, so she isnāt entirely certain whatās going on - when suddenly he quiets down in the middle of a word.Ā
Nile is just about to ask him whatās wrong when Andy nudges her with her elbow, motioning for her to shut up. Frowning, Nile follows the line of Joeās gaze to-- okay, heās gotten distracted by Nickyās rear, what else, so Nile averts her gaze and looks back at Andy questioningly.Ā
Thereās the barest hint of a grin, and Andy quietly grabs the bread bun from her plate and lobs it straight at Joeās head.Ā
It never hits its target as Joe easily snatches it from mid-air before it slams against his temple, his eyes never averting from where Nickyās still bent over rummaging through the lowest shelf of the fridge.Ā
Only when Nicky straightens again does Joe turn back to Nile, waving the bread in his hand as he ends his sentence.Ā āAnd that is why you should never trust aĀ Scottish chemist. Or any chemist, for that matter.ā
āO-kay,ā Nile just says.
āWhat was that during dinner?ā Nile asks later, when sheās alone with Andy.
Andy gives her a grin.Ā āJoeās gotten too good.ā
āSo, what is it? He gets distracted and you try to catch him off guard?ā Nile hazards a guess, and Andy makes an agreeing sound.Ā
āIt used to be so easy in the first years,ā she sighs wistfully,Ā āyou shouldāve seen him trying to get eggshells out of those curls. Or,ā she amends,Ā āNicky trying to get eggshells out of those curls.ā She looks downright happy at the memory. āI miss those simpler times.ā
Nile huffs a little, but canāt hold back her curiosity.Ā āWhen did you last get him?ā
āNew Yearās eve 1812,ā Andy answers without a beat.Ā āIt was a good day.ā
The next time it happens theyāre on an airplane. Nicky is asleep, his head tilted back and mouth open in a way that really, really should be entirely unattractive but somehow isnāt. Even though heās drooling, damnit. Joe is unabashedly staring at his profile, practically hypnotized by the curve of his nose, and Nile would think itās ridiculous if it wasnāt somehow ...adorable.
Thereās movement in Nileās peripheral vision as Andy grabs something and chucks it at Joe.Ā
Joe catches it. Andy curses again.Ā
āYou lose, boss,ā Joe says, unbearably smug.Ā āGive up already.ā
Andy practically hisses.Ā āNever.ā
Nile almost forgets about the entire thing during the following months. There are no convenient moments for Andy to try to catch Joe off guard, not even though they spend most of the time together all four of them.Ā
Itās after a particularly grisly mission that they all need to share a motel room. Nile steps out of the hot shower, feeling like a new person with the grime washed off her. Andy is lounging on the bed, fiddling with the remote control of the tiny TV. Joe and Nicky are sitting on the floor, speaking in low voices as they look straight at one another.Ā
Nile spots the exact second when Joe spaces out, transfixed by Nickyās eyes no doubt, as his expression softens almost imperceptibly. And immediately Andy takes her chances and throws the remote.
It doesnāt hit its target now, either, which is probably good because it wouldāve definitely hurt more than a piece of bread or an egg. But itās not Joe who catches it. Instead itās Nicky whose hand shoots up and grabs the remote only an inch away from Joeās head.
āMy heart,ā Joe sighs, the heart-eyes turning up a notch. Or two, or ten.
āFucking hell,ā Andy groans.Ā āThat is cheating.ā
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