The conman blinked awake. He shifted slightly over, hand reaching out to pat the space beside him—only to discover that he lay alone. His lips parted slightly, eyes searching the bed where Ellis should have been… His heart shuddered and he shuffled himself to an upright position.

But he really needn't have worried. When Ellis noticed he had awakend the little mechanic sprang onto the bed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Jesus, Ellis!" Nick breathed, shifting slightly as the other wormed himself back into his arms. "…Wait, were you awake before me?"

"Yep," came the proud reply.

"And… and you're dressed?" Nick was unable to comprehend.

"Uh-huh."

Nick studied the other. "You sure are all smiles this morning. What have you been up to?"

Ellis smirked mysteriously. "Jus', ya know, gettin' some fresh air an' stuff. But, yeah. Come on. It's like already noon. I got some shit I wanna show ya."

"Well, you sure are romantic with all that fancy talk…" But then Nick paused. Noon? It was noon? He looked at the clock and stared. It read in big bold green lettering; 12:18 pm. Well, holy fucking shit. He couldn't even remember the last time he had ever slept in for so long.

Ellis nudged him. "Cooome ooon, Nick. Get up! Get up!" He bounced excitedly on the bed, all the while shaking the other insistently. "Niiiick~"

"All right, Jesus. What is wrong with you?" Nick untangled himself from the sheets. He was still naked from their lovemaking the night before and the feeling of their AC on his skin wasn't really that welcoming. "I am going to shower, please try not to explode before I get done."

"I wont! I promise~"

Now, all Nick could think of was what Ellis could possibly be so god damn excited for. He couldn't help but be suspicious and his list of reasons was only growing longer and longer the more he mulled over the thought. And so he showered as quickly as he could and before he had even stepped out Ellis was already shoving towels and clothes into his hands.

Nick couldn't help but laugh, even though Ellis was practically bouncing off the walls. What in the fuck? As he dressed he kept making glances at the other. Ellis was rocking on the balls of his feet, grinning broadly. He seriously looked like he had just shot up on adrenaline or devoured an entire case of coffee in one sitting. Either way, Ellis was… well, being Ellis.

Nick barely got his shirt buttoned when the young man grabbed his wrist. "Come on, come on~"

"Can't I brush my teeth? My God, Ellis." The southerner let go of his wrist to allow the older man to attend to his teeth, but unable to be still Ellis ended up hugging the other tightly from behind, still doing that almost annoying I'm-so-excited-to-show-you-what-I-have bounce. Nick, honestly though, didn't mind. He was entirely fine with Ellis being overly-hyperactive instead sad-eyed like he had been the last few days.

He barely even got the toothbrush back on the rack before Ellis had snatched his hand again and dragged him to the door.

"Ellis! Ellis. Shoes. I need to put shoes on."

"Aagh. Shoes!" The southerner threw up his hands, searching the floor. "Ha!" He dove at them and then ushered Nick to sit on the bed. Nick didn't know what was more amusing, the fact that Ellis was putting his shoes on or the fact that he seriously sucked at tying shoelaces. It was the most godawful looking bow he had ever seen, but, shit, he didn't mind.

Again, Ellis insistently took his hand and they left the room in a hurry. All the while Ellis was grinning so much that Nick was starting to suspect that he may have actually really lost his marbles. Or maybe Jimmy Gibbs. Jr was on the vessel… or the Midnight Riders. Or maybe he found a slide. Or a kitten. Or some candy. Or—

"Ta-da!"

Ta-da? Well. That was one way to put it. Ellis had lead them to a private balcony overlooking the sparkling and calm blue ocean—and, holy shit, he even had a nice table decorated with fancy flowers (that HAD to be fake, considering), a few unlit candles and a couple of wine glasses. Wait… wine glasses?

Ellis sidled up next to him, holding up an unopened bottle of red wine. His grin was one of absolute satisfaction.

"You sneaky devil you," Nick breathed. "Where in the hell did you get all this?"

"I know a guy tha' knows a guy tha' knows a guy…" Ellis smirked. "Tha' knew a guy."

Nick was impressed. Definitely impressed—but most of all he was touched. He swore that he could easily melt into a puddle right here at the kids feet—which, really, was fucking weird. He had never felt that way before.

"Come here you." Nick shifted forward, taking the others hips between his hands and tilted his head down to press their lips together. He felt Ellis smile under the kiss and when he pulled away Ellis was still smiling. "I swear… you would make the best conman in the entire world."

"Ain't gatta con nobody though, Nick. Ya jus' gatta ask reaaaal nicely." Ellis stepped back and eyed the wine bottle. He twisted the cap off, but then seemed to realize for the first time that simply didn't render the drink accessible. He eyed the cork. "How in the hell do I get this open?"

Nick laughed. "You need to use this, Ellis." He reached over to pick up the corkscrew that the other had failed to see. He held it up for him.

"Oh... is tha' wha' tha' is? I was wonderin', ya know… I though' it was some kind of fucked up army knife…" Nick laughed. "Wha'? I ain't never drank any of this fancy stuff 'fore, so how was I suppose ta know…?" Eventually, though, the mechanic began to smile, even if he was a little embarrassed. "So uh… howdoya… Uh… Why don' you do it." He handed the bottle over.

Now, Nick had to be an expert of wine opening—this Ellis was convinced of. He burrowed the corkscrew in, twisted the bottle a few good times and then leveraged out the cork with a few coaxing tugs. It popped happily upon being freed of the cork.

"Tha' was cool," Ellis said. Nick chuckled in response. "Here, lemme. Ah, wait. I gatta help ya sit down!" The young man hurried to the table to set the bottle down and then ran back to the conman, offering his arm. Nick, of course, couldn't help himself. He began to laugh, but the grin that occupied his laughter only showed Ellis that he greatly appreciated the effort.

Not-at-all ashamed that Nick had found himself the 'girl' in the escort, he let the other lead him to the table and even let him scoot his chair in for him. In all his years he had never, never experienced such attentiveness. It was odd that it had all spawned from the aftermath of probably the worst disease to ever hit mankind. But he didn't dwell on that fact. He simply enjoyed it for what it was.

Ellis poured them both a hefty amount of wine—and Nick began to suspect Ellis really hadn't had any before—but, shit, getting a little tipsy a quarter to one in the afternoon rather sounded enjoyable. Especially if he had Ellis at his side.

"Ah, shit. Almost fergot." Ellis dug into his pocket for some matches and then struck a flame to one before hurriedly lighting the three candles on the table. Again, Nick couldn't help himself but to chuckle. This was probably the most adorable and most ridiculous thing that he had ever had the pleasure to have happen to him.

The young man admired the flames for a moment to make sure they'd stay lit before he settled himself into his chair. Nick realized that Ellis had a really charming smile the more he studied it. It really was enticing—maybe innocent, but shit, it gave him goose-bumps all the same.

"Ellis… this…" Nick fingered the stem of his wine glass absently. God, how his heart pounded—but with almost alarmingly warm adoration. "This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me… Thank you."

"Ya, Nick. O' course." Again with that charming smile. That irresistibly handsome and sincere smile.

"Ellis?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you." His heart was thundering in his chest as the words left the safety of his teeth. But it was okay. Ellis' face softened.

"I love you too, Nick." Ellis lifted his glass, his voice soft, "Ta us?"

"To us," Nick echoed, gently clinking their glasses together. They drank to them and the wine was full of sweetness and promises.

It made Nick smile at the implications he found in that sweetness.

A/N: This chapter is a product of severe lack of sleep, too much caffeine to compensate and a huge desire to add some humor. I hope it was a good concoction. LOLOLOLOL

I almost made this longer, but I didn't know how to smoothly transition it without ruining the end chapter mood. So... I apologize this is rather short.

And Hol-ee shit, guys. This story is officially over 100 pages long. Thanks for sticking with me for so long!