"Hm. I guess I did say that." Joe’s smile was shameless and he wasn’t going to change his stance on that because Ram's mouth was pure magic. He shifted position to follow Ram, the hands on him teasing as he tried to guess where Ram might touch or grip next. "If I have any more ideas," he promised between brief kisses along Ram's jaw, "you’ll be the first to know." The only person to know, in fact. There were plenty of things that Joe was happy to keep just between them.
Joe’s breath hitched as Ram's fingers found that bare sliver of skin. Could having sex be seen as an act of worship? With Ram as his partner, Joe could see himself becoming devout. He ducked his head to kiss Ram's neck, lips moving over his pulse point and feeling that incredible thrum of life in him. If he could have it, he would have a lifetime of pleasurable experiences with this man.
He lifted his head to listen, meeting Ram's eyes. Nodding, he felt the path of Ram's hand encircle his tattoo, sure that Ram could map out the location and dimensions of the tarot card blindfolded by now. Joe knew without a doubt that if he expressed how he felt in three short words then Ram would reciprocate. Except he couldn’t say it now because when he did he wanted them both to be filled with joy, not burdened with melancholy thoughts. "I know," he said instead. "I know." Joe brushed his lips over Ram's in the lightest of kisses. "Your happiness makes me happy too." His mind also went back to Pride, not being in the foam but watching it from above with his arms around Ram and insisting that they stay so that Ram could witness the culmination of all his work and the effect he had on the world. "One day we’ll tell kids in the neighborhood a new fairytale. The cursed soldier and… and his heart." Joe smiled crookedly. "A heavily sanitized version, of course."