#marti x nico fic

[revengeisalwaysanoption]

5, 6, 7 and 15 for the asks, please!

5 - Show me your favorite under-appreciated fic; why do you wish it got more attention? Considering I've been writing fics for 20 years now and I've never been a BFN in any fandoms it's hard to say what hasn't been under-appreciated X°D (lack of feedback never stopped me from writing but I can't help for feeling disappointed, though I know nobody owes me comments)... So, sticking to my productive fandom in the last 3 years (Skam It): "Ci scusiamo per il disagio" , because it's the only fic in the fandom featuring a Nico who fails so hard at flirting that he ends up being quite charming to Marti's eyes <3 "Come mai non ti ascolti?" because I feel it had an interesting premise. However, the lack of response from the Italian fandom killed my inspiration X°D 6 - What fic is on your back burner, waiting to be written when you feel your skill matches its potential? None, because I can't be bothered to improve. I have neither the attention span nor the willpower for editing. I'd really like to a roadtrip/travel fic featuring my favourite Italian cities (Turin, Genoa, Trieste, Ancona, Matera) but that's never gonna happen. 7 - Tell me about the longest fic you’ve ever written? On my own it's Burden Of Sacrifice, an Itachi Uchiha character's study of a little more of 18k, written for Big Bang Italia. It's the only occasion where I force myself to write stories longer than 5k. The longest I've written that wasn't for a BBI is "Io non ci credo alle giraffe" (17.8k) which is I guess will get longer now that I'm translating it in Italian, because I tend to be a bit more verbose in Italian. The longest I've written together with someone else is "Tutte le strade portano a te" a future Get Back Together Nicotino fic. 15 - What are some of your favorite tropes to write? Do they match the ones you read? Some favourites to write are: missing scenes, five times A did X and one time they didn't, idiots to lovers, kid!fic (the characters meet in kindergarten), cat!fic, it was all a dream, amnesia and my all time favourite when I'm sad... Major character death. They mostly match the ones I read, but I also love to read 'bang or die' and 'sex pollen' in the fandoms dealing with the supernatural and I can't write smut so...

[theskamlibrary]

75 dates in the Skam Universe Masterpost

Thank you so much for everyone who participated, we had a total of X dates in the Skam Universe. We are so grateful for every content creators who put such hard work and shared it with us, you are the backbone of this fandom and the ones who make it worthwhile. 

Support your content creators! Reblog their posts, give them feedback, comment, share the love.  

FIC

Cliché by @catloves3 {WTFock - Zoë Loockx/Senne De Smet - 497 words}

written for (fun)fair

Senne, Zoe, Jana, and Luka at a funfair.

*****

click by @butforwardiscalling {Skam Italy - Niccolò Fares/Martino Rametta - 1613 words }

written for shooting photos 

niccolò has a camera. martino is his preferred model, willing or not.

*****

Cheats and Prank Wars by @toobaddiane {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/David Schreibner - 2507 words}

written for prank war

It’s the summer after their first year in university started and the boys are just lazying around. After an episode of Brooklyn Nine Nine gives Jonas an idea, they engage in a harmless prank war. What could possibly go wrong when someone is super competitive and their boyfriend is their teammate?

Or Matteo and David are teammates in a prank war and David is a competitive jerk.

*****

I think I like my eyes by @ayellowcurtain {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 1026 words}

written for building a pillow fort 

*****

shut up and kiss me by @orpheuscris {Skam Espana - Cris Soto/Joana Bianchi - 3441 words}

written for study date

Joana and Cris have been at odds nearly the entire time they've been sitting next to each other in class. So that’s why it’s such a surprise when one day, near the end of the semester, Cris invites Joana over to her house to study. And why she’s even more surprised by herself when she accepts.

*****

show me the things (that you believe in) by @softdemaury {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 6329 words}

written for at home movie night

“Guess there goes your movie, then.” Lucas says while they’re sitting down at the kitchen table.

“Wait, you didn’t organize this to get out of watching that damn thing, right?” Eliott squints his eyes at Lucas, raising his fork in an attempt to look threatening.

Lucas laughs, “You think I’d do that? Of course I didn’t. We’ll just watch it next time, no big deal.”

or

5 times Eliott fails in making Lucas watch 10 Things I Hate About You and the 1 time Lucas takes the matter into his own hands

*****

Future Little Koala by @youleavebehindmemories {Skam Italy - Eva Brighi/Giovanni Garau - 2697 words }

written for wedding 

It's basically Giovanni and Eva at the wedding of Marti and Nicco with glimpses into Gio & Eva's future, domestic life! (as well as background moments from others)

*****

Feels like Love by @tunonseisolonico {Skam Italy - Niccolò Fares/Martino Rametta - 2602 words }

written for karaoke 

“Come on, Marti! Let´s go and sing a song, the two of us!”

“You for real?!” Marti immediately exclaimed, being full of doubts.

He couldn't help but got flashbacks in his head, thinking back to Silvia´s 80´s party, him sitting close to Nico on the couch, Emma on Nico´s other side. Niccolò asking them to sing a song with him, Marti already refusing to do so back then.

“Of course, I´m not joking!”

“Well, sounds like it. No, I´m not going to sing a song with you!”

*****

come with me, my love (to the sea of love) by @lepetitepeach {Skam France -Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 4816 words }

written for aquarium

there’s a small touch of wonder to everything that lives in the ocean

*****

critter cottage by @spacekardemomme {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 1546 words }

As he walked further into the room, he watched the rise and fall of eliott's chest, the way his hair is messily sprawled along the pillow, a few strands scattered across his forehead and cheekbones.

this is who i’m meant to spend the rest of my life with

*****

Yearning for more than a blue day by @modestytreehouse  {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 3723 words  }

written for brunch date 

He really should leave while Isak is still asleep and spare him the awkwardness of waking up beside Even. Spare himself the shame when Isak recognizes him.

*****

Kings of the cargo hold by @evakuality {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen -  3029 words}

written for cruise // art created by @hjertetssunnegalskap1 

“You’re early,” a voice says, a breathy, stuttery quality to it as its owner pants into the room behind Isak, the clatter of his feet loud as his footsteps echoes off the metal of the walls. “I was supposed to be here before you.” “What is all this?” Isak gestures at the table laid out in front of them. “Well, you agreed to eat with me,” Even says, his unfairly gorgeous blue eyes lit up as he stares into Isak’s soul

Aka, the one where Even gets extra as he prepares for the perfect moment with Isak.

*****

sens de la vie by @livvyblxckthxrn {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 2809 words}

written for museum date

a little dive into all of those instagram pics and stories

*****

det betyr jo alltid noe, det gjør jo det by @pagnilagni {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 8722 words }

written for apple picking // in Norwegian // translation in English by Bolomapa

Han står oppgitt ute på den overgrodde plenen og ser på epletrærne. De er gamle og krokete, har altfor mange greiner, de henger for tett sammen under den tette trekronen, tynget av røde epler tett i tett, de skulle vært tynnet, sa naboen, og treet skulle vært beskåret, han sa det et par uker etter at han beskar sine egne trær. “Men det er for sent nå, sevjen stiger, treet kommer til å blø i hjel. Du får ta det neste år i stedet”, hadde han sagt, mens han klappet ham faderlig på skulderen.

Han ser på epletrærne med den modne frukten, en mengde epler har falt ned i natt, mange flere enn i går, han burde plukke dem nå, han burde absolutt det. Men hva skal han med dem, lurer han på, en fortvilende klump i magen spør ham om svaret på det, for han aner ikke, å bruke en kilo epler er greit, kanskje to, han kan vel bake to eplekaker, men alt dette, det må være hundrevis av kilo, hva faen bruker folk dette til?

*****

You’ll never believe how ice cream helped this man to get a date by @nofeartina    {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 3333 words }

written for ice cream 

If it wasn't for Magnus, Isak would never have ended up at this ridiculous hipster ice cream place. But then again, he never would have met that ridiculously cute ice cream guy, either.

Sometimes it really pays off being a good friend.

Or 5 times Isak buys ice cream for Magnus and 1 time Even buys it for Isak.

*****

come and fade me by @ho1ogram {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 3957 words}

written for grocery shopping

And no matter how many times he repeats the same lines over and over again till he runs out of reasons to support why dating should be banned (it's a lie; Lucas will never run out of reasons for this purpose, he just gives in to the looks the boys - or Eliott - throw at him) that his friends understand his struggles, his pleas for them to stop. And always, like clockwork, he ends in having them set him up with an unknown guy.

or, Lucas is tired of going on dates after dates with guys that aren't Eliott, and Eliott has a few tricks up his sleeves.

*****

Thousand spires and thousand bridges by @hjertetssunnegalskap1 {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/ David Schreibner - 46352 words}

written for vacation // art by @hjertetssunnegalskap1

In this world, Matteo and David met during Abitur back in Berlin, just like in the canon story and they made sandwiches and almost kissed at the neon party, but David backed out, Matteo did the same and.... nothing more happened.

Now they are studying in Prague. Matteo thinks he lost his chance with David a long time ago. What David thinks, nobody knows.

*****

it's nice to have a friend by @livvyblxckthxrn {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 6592 words}

written for rollerskating

5 times eliott and lucas definitely were not on a date, and one time they were

*****

to all who come to this happy place, welcome by @tawmlinsun {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 4703 words }

written for disneyland // art by @cottonsdraw

"eliott demaury, you just passed your bac. what are you going to do now?"

"i'm taking my boyfriend to disneyland!"

*****

Super Smash Bros by @thegirlnooneknows5 {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 11672 words}

written for video games // playlist

“Okay. Pretend I’m a customer. Sell me this game.”

Eliott's smile was determined. “You ever had a customer you wanted to throw into the wall?”

“Countless.”

“Knock-Out X lets you live that fantasy.” He pulled the game off Lucas’ lap and held it up. The thought of Eliott’s hands so close to him coloured Lucas’ face pink. Eliott continued, “Just imagine if you could throw that customer into a wall and leave with no scratches, bruises or consequences. And look super badass while doing it.” “Seriously, though. You’re going to love it.”

-Or, a Striking Vipers Elu au in which they fall in love through a virtual reality game because love transcends all

*****

Coffee, Gay Gurus, and a Dance by @amyriadfthings {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/David - 1242 words}

written for coffee date

Good things happen over coffee. David & Matteo visit a veritable Berlin cultural institution and learn how to swing dance. Gay Gurus in action. Bonus gay gurus to appear eventually.

*****

Small Things by @probablydaydreamingg​ {Skam Italy - Niccolò Fares/Martino Rametta - 3232 words}

written for concert

Martino gave Nico two tickets for a concert as a graduation present. A cute date ensues.

*****

Hedgehog, on the rocks by @flying-elliska {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 4635 words}

written for drinks

Lucas's boyfriend just left him, two days before he has to go to his cousin's wedding, who just so happens to be marrying the town billionaire, and his friends are all otherwise engaged...

So as he arrives alone, he heads to the bar for some liquid courage.

Turns out the bartender isn't having a great evening either. So he embarks Lucas in a creative quest to find him the perfect beverage...

...

It's not a date yet. But there's still time...

*****

If I Should Fall Behind by @irazor {Skam Norway - Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 14732 words}

written for fancy dinner // art by @lovethem2121

The plan for tonight had been crystal clear. Stay close to his best friend, and steal her away if needed. Hold her hand through the ordeal of meeting Noora again for the first time in years. Then Even shows up – and suddenly, nothing goes the way it was supposed to.

Or: 3 times Isak didn't know what to say to Even, and 1 time he did.

*****

Fontainebleau by @hallo-catfish {Skam France - Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 12770 words}

written for camping

Lucas, let’s go camping, Eliott says, and with a vision of perfect quiet and green leaves unfurling before his eyes, Lucas agrees without even looking up from his problem set.

*

The summer after Lucas' first year in university, Lucas and Eliott take a weekend trip to Fontainebleau. 

*****

Under Starry Skies Above by @fille-lioncelle {Druck - Matteo Florenzi/David Schreibner - 7197 words}

written for weekend getaway 

Matteo and David have been feeling a little dejected, so Matteo suggests they get away for a weekend trip.

*****

Lost & bound by @hjertetssunnegalskap1 {Skam Norway -  Even Bech Næsheim/Isak Valtersen - 16397 words)

written for bicycle date

Even has been in a bicycle accident and he has lost his memory of the past three years. However, Isak gets a shock when Even tells him that they’re bonded soulmates, and expects them to be a couple.

*****

Così fan tutte by @hallo-catfish {Skam France - Chloé Jeanson/Lucille, Eliott Demaury/Lucas Lallemant - 14070 words}

written for opera

Lucille goes to the opera. It’s another double date.

*****

ART

➔ @hjertetssunnegalskap1 : X - X

➔ @cottonsdraw : X

A TOTAL OF 196,241 WORDS HAS BEEN WRITTEN FOR THIS FEST, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS! 

[laurenkmyers]

Ah, I'd love to read some JoeNicky fics!! I haven't watched EE in a few years and they changed the actor who played Ben right? Man, I have a lot of catching up to do, last time I saw him he was still pining after Johnny hahahah. As for bellarke - I'm such a loser but I still want my canon ugh. (Any list of ships you like is good for me, whatever feels more interesting to you ☺️)

The Joe x Nicky ao3 page has so many good fics. 

OH boooooooooy are you behind. Yeah, they’ve changed actors again- but Max Bowden is by far the best Ben Mitchell we’ve had and his and Callum’s relationship is SO GOOD. Highly recommend tuning in for their story. 

I will always be a massive fool for Bellarke. They own me. Have done since the beginning. 

A list is what you want? A list is what you’ll get.

LGBTQ ships that I love and adore:

Lucas x Eliott (Skam France) Ian x Mickey (Shameless US) Isak x Even (Skam Norway- original show) Nomi x Amanita (Sense8) Lito x Hernando (Sense8- if you haven’t watched this show PLEASE DO) Waverly x Nicole (Wynonna Earp) Robbe x Sander (WTFOCK, think you’re already a fan of these belgium babies) Marti x Nico (Skam Italia) Agron x Nasir (Spartacus) Willow x Tara (BTVS) Michael x Alex (RMN) Alec x Magnus (Shadowhunters) David x Patrick (Schitts Creek) Sara x Ava (Legends of Tomorrow) Robert x Aaron (Emmerdale- their story is WILD) Deran x Adrian (Animal Kingdom) Zero x Jude (Hit the Floor) Justin x Brian (Queer As Folk US) Klaus x Dave (short lived, but good- The Umbrella Academy) Bea x Allie (Wentworth, also has a lesbian charac called Franky you’ll love) Omar x Ander (Elite) Victor x Benji (Love, Victor) Anissa x Grace (Black Lightning) Buck x Eddie (911- not canon) TK x Carlos (911 Lone Star) Nico x Karolina (Runaways)

[saltforthesea]

prompt: Elu reunion on Friday!!

I don’t wanna write a full fic on that because I am already waaaay to nervous about whats going to happen! Sorry. But Imma pull out some of my wishes/fears/headcanons for you :)

sooo it’s gonna be heartbreaking????

but that's not new to us but I am pretty sure it will make me cry and so far only the original o helga natt scene managed to do that. Marti and Nico just had me smiling a lot and cheering for chicco rodi lmao

anyway where was I (why does Italia always sneaks its way into my mind)

I really really really really hope they don’t make Eliott try to take his own life, I read some posts [x and also x] about that matter and 3 no my heart couldn’t take it but also all of the weird Instagram updates and Virginia Woolf quotes make me really anxious

so let us stay away from that for a sec

I just hope Eliott replies to Lucas’ text soon, maybe in a drawing, maybe a scene of polaris I just want them to use polaris again

and I really really want them to meet under that bridge thing where they had their first kiss but this time it’s Lucas with the light and Eliott is the one in the dark POLARIS @ david 

and their o helga natt moment could be recreating the polaris scene POLARIS

but this time it’s Lucas that shows Eliott that it’s okay to be himself and that they belong together and that none of them has to be afraid

i want Lucas to bring Eliott back into the light, the happy, their safety and I really hope that instead of “you are not alone”

Lulu will say “pas peur” again 

to make sure that Eliott knows Lucas isn’t afraid of him being bipolar, or afraid of being together with him. I just think it would have a deeper meaning to both of them

But at the end of the day, I want my little raccoon and my little baby hedgehog to be happy. And if they give me that I’ll accept everything. But please somehow incorporate polaris???

[alamanyar]

through the keyhole; [teen and up audience] character’s pov: martino ships: martino x niccolò summary: five times martino didn’t say I love you and one time he did chapter summary ⟶ you’re (amazing): domestic boyfriends. basically a future version of ‘nel mio letto’ maybe a bit more angsty (sorry)

chapter word count: 5.985 thank you for reading♡

[alamanyar]

through the keyhole; [teen and up audience] character’s pov: martino ships: martino x niccolò summary: five times martino didn’t say I love you and one time he did chapter summary ⟶ you’re (amazing): domestic boyfriends. basically a future version of 'nel mio letto' maybe a bit more angsty (sorry)

chapter word count: 5.985 read below or on ao3 (thank you, if you do) ♡ I "Hm?" Martino was standing at the side of the bed in nothing but his underwear when Niccolò’s voice pulled him out of his trance. The black-haired boy he was entitled to call his boyfriend. He still couldn't grasp it at times. 

"What did you say? Sorry." He looked over to the desk where Nico was sitting at.

The latter peered over his shoulder and perked his eyebrows up in amusement. “I wanted to know what you're up to.”

"Well", he grabbed his boyfriend's pyjamas from under the pillow at the headboard, "I was thinking of watching some clips Giò sent me."

“Yeah?”, Nico called back, his voice soft, and yet, clothed in a tremble. It was barely audible, but Martino sensed that something was off. He looked over to the desk again just as Nico turned around in the chair. "What kind of videos?" He seemed to have bounced back already, his voice as clear and jovial as ever. Maybe he misheard, Martino thought.

He decided to let it slide- not every change in tone meant something. “Yeah", his voice merely a shadow as he fumbled through the action putting the pyjamas shirt on, "he wants my opinion on his latest skateboarding skills." He laughed then. Those were his best friend's words, and he wouldn't correct them. After he finished putting the pants on, he pressed his hands to his hips and caught Nico's eyes who seemed to be disappointed that he was dressed again- or so he thought. He shot him a reproving look, his lips forming an amusing smile, however. "And you know, since we’ve studied for a good while now by your parent’s request, I think we've earned a break. You said you wanted to draw, didn't you?” He took the blanket from the bed and shook it.

“I can always draw another time, you know?”

“True. But you also said you were inspired earlier.”

Nico’s lips twitched and he rubbed over the skin above his eyebrows. “You don’t mind?”

“Why would I?” Marti lay down on his side of the bed, wrapping the blanket around him like a cocoon.

It was a few days into the New Year and school wouldn't start until next week. They had spent most of the holiday together. On some days, Martino had merely come over to sleep next to Nico since his exhaustion hadn't completely worn off. Not that he minded at all. If there was a way he could help him coping, he'd do it in a heartbeat. He finished wrapping up and caught Nico's smirk when their eyes met.

“You’ll die of hot flush, Marti", he claimed, removing himself from the desk.

“I’m wearing your pyjamas, remember? It’s fine.”

The thing was, Martino often changed into his boyfriend's pyjamas and he always wrapped himself into a cocoon blanket when he was over, loving his scent, wanting to drown in this earthy, slightly made of cedar wood, dream-like smell that surrounded him with warmth he wouldn't want to miss.

Nico was giving him a side glance as he got rid of his own trousers, and seconds later, he was crawling onto the bed.

“You know, you could just wear your underwear underneath all of this.” He waved his hand over Martino’s posture.

“Your dad is home. So, no.”

“Ah, you’re boring like that, I almost forgot.” Nico chuckled and Marti would have been offended, if his boyfriend wasn’t all adorable laughing into himself.

“You wanted to draw, remember?” He tried to sound annoyed, but he was pretty sure Nico could see right through him. "That's why you got rid of your trousers", he emphasized just for the sake of it.

“Always so bossy.” He shook his head and crawled closer. “Have fun with your videos.” He gave him a quick kiss and was about to move away again, but Marti raised his head so that he could nudge his nose.

“Have fun drawing.”

He gently rubbed his nose against Nico's before he kissed it. Ever since the morning after that eventful night on the school's terrace, it had become their thing. Martino remembered how relieved he had felt. What he had hoped in his heart all along finally became certainty. Nico's feelings were genuine; they always had been. He was positive he'd never forget this moment of liberation that had rushed over him that night. It had carved its way into his skin- as a token, and as an abiding memory. And perhaps Nico's emotions weren't as heightened compared to his owns then, but when he had woken up the morning after their reconciliation, Martino knew that all the suffering had been - and would be - worth it. Such a stupid saying actually, at least, that's what he had always thought, but Nico, despite everything, smiling his sunshine smile that day, made him realize that it was true after all. It basically came down to love having the power to conquer every burden. Both in theoretical and practical terms. He got that now. 

So, naturally, he'd never get sick of kissing Nico on the nose since it always put him in a good mood. But he loved getting those kisses, too, and yet, before this thing of theirs could turn into something more, Marti drew Nico close by the collar of his jumper, gave him a peck, just so he could push him away, ever so gently, but not without smirking.

Nico heaved a sigh, but his eyes were shining and the corner of his mouth curved into a delicate smile. And so Marti let Nico collect some drawing materials which he spread out on the side of his bed. He tried not to look at his boyfriend’s bare legs which he had seen more than once, of course, but he still got all flustered when he saw them or any part of Nico’s body, that was. He still wasn't there believing that they were together for real now, even though he’s never felt this comfortable in his life. Naked skin and all.

He plugged the earphones in and clicked play on the first video while Nico started sketching beside him, legs crossed and sleeves pulled up, as per usual. His boyfriend got up from time to time, collecting all kinds of drawing utensils from his shelf. Every time he fetched something, Martino couldn't help but follow his every action. Sometimes it was something of daily use, like a rubber, a pair of scissors or another pencil, and sometimes he came back with a picture book he’d search for inspiration or pages he could use for collages. In the end, he used the sketchbook as drawing pad. Martino suggested that he'd better work on his desk, giving the fact that Nico had hoarded quite some materials which were now lying all over the side of his bed. He also didn't want his boyfriend to suffer from aching muscles tomorrow, but Nico wouldn't have any of that. Instead he came back with his next conquest. It was a kitchen tool Martino had absolutely no clue what use it held, but his boyfriend sketched it with great intensity and concentration.

It did something to his heart. He was positive he felt it flutter while he observed Nico’s aura in these moments. Brow furrowed with wrinkles, tongue sticking out merely a tiny bit, and hands guiding various pencils over the sheets of paper, emptying and filling his mind in equal measure− Martino was sure of it.

There was no doubt that he was far gone for the boy next to him, and in this very moment, he felt the devotion jumping out of his chest. He was aware, because for one, the corner of his mouth started to hurt from grinning, and two, his cheeks were heating up as well as his upper body.

Nico’s mouth moved then, pulling him out of his trance, yet again.

“What? I didn’t hear you?” He paused the video, grinning, probably looking like an idiot.

“I said stop looking at me.” Nico gave him a quick look of disapproval. “You’re distracting me.”

“Sorry, continue.” He pressed play again and chuckled into himself.

He’d be a liar, if he didn’t like the fact that he could hold such power over his boyfriend. Usually it was him who uttered those lines, so yes, this was a nice change for once. He kept glancing at the boy who was sketching in a medley of tranquillity and occasional outburst of passion. With vigorous movement, Nico guided the pencil over his artwork, or as it seemed, into his artwork, becoming one with it, so to speak. And every time Martino saw his boyfriend perform such an act out of the corner of his eyes, he smiled to himself, feeling the adoration he held for him in every fibre of his body. Giò had been right to call him a goner. 

After he had finished sketching the ominous kitchen tool, Nico gathered paintbrushes and colours around him. Martino was about to ask him why the hell he’d wanted to paint his sheets, but before he could say anything, the brush in Nico's hand landed on his face. Of course it did. His boyfriend knew he was ticklish and he fully took advantage of it. What a shithead. It didn’t take long though and the utensil was forgotten, and they were making out, exploring each other’s faces thoroughly, getting rid of the blanket Marti was still wrapped in while trying to stay on his side of the bed.

"I could paint you, you know", Nico breathed into his ear.

"Don't be ridiculous."

"You're beautiful, Marti."

"Shut up."

Maybe he would let him. One day.

Nico was lying on top of him now, working on his neck, holding his face in place firmly. His grip made him feel as if he was something special. Someone special. Martino sighed.

He moved his head then so that he could capture Nico's lips into a kiss. He seemed to know what Marti wanted and started kissing him slowly, carefully even, while stroking his cheek with his thumb.

Perhaps those kisses were Martino’s favourite ones. When their tongues danced around each other, almost lazily, accompanied by his tingling skin and butterflies bustling about inside his stomach. When their hands roamed over each other, when Nico searched for his skin underneath the clothes, when he grabbed the hair at the back of his head, and when he bit down on his lower lip. The black-haired boy sent him to places he didn’t dare dream of, all in the span of seconds.

However, Marti had discovered quite recently that his boyfriend kind of responded every time he kissed the skin above his eyebrows. Oh, sweet revenge. When he rolled them over, that's when he had him. Under him, pressed into the pillow, defenceless. He took his time to tease him - first with feather-like kisses, and then, nuzzling his nose over the skin deliberately, tracing an invisible line – and watched how Nico shivered when he blew air over the sensitive spot. That was one of Martino’s favourite facial expressions on him. Eyes closed and lips formed into a content smile. If he were an artist like Nico; he'd paint him precisely like that. And so he forgot that he actually wanted to keep teasing him. He just melted into Nico's body effortlessly then, putting his hands under his shoulder blades, squeezing him and hugging him tight to his chest. Not wanting to let go. Why would he? This, sharing an embrace with Nico, was his safe haven. He's never really felt like he belonged before, not anywhere in this world, nor let alone to anyone.  

Elia would have called him a lucky bastard. 

They stayed like this for a while until Marti untangled himself abruptly, Nico protesting vehemently in the process, trying to tug him back to his chest, but Martino was quicker. He kissed the skin right above his elbow and pushed him back to his side before he wrapped himself into a cocoon again.

Nico rolled into some of his materials and they both laughed at that, Martino a bit more maliciously which Nico responded with flipping him off.

He was still grinning when his boyfriend put his trousers back on and continued working on his desk. He already missed him and the diverse sheets of paper beside him, but he was glad nevertheless. Just recently, Nico had told him that his creativity wasn't something that he could summon whenever he wanted. No, it attacked him sporadically. And when that happened, he had to get it out of his system before he imploded. That wasn't something he wanted for him, of course. Just the thought of the possibility made his heart heavy.

When he watched him sitting on his desk, he knew that it had been high time for Nico to get creative. His arm guided the brush over the paper- sometimes his whole upper body moved in union with it. Like a dance he had to carry out. Maybe, he thought, that dance was a battle all the same. Martino barely registered what happened on his phone anymore. He was utterly entranced until the shadow of Nico's voice burst his bubble of thoughts. For the umpteenth time today, he paused the video and removed one of the earbuds.

"Hm?"

"You're distracting me again."

"I'm not doing anything?" He claimed, his voice throaty, knowing exactly what Nico was hinting at.

"If I turn around now, I know I'll see you smiling."

"Is that so bad?"

"No, not at all."

"I'm sorry for distracting you." He really was.

Nico put the brush aside. "Let's have some coffee. I'm getting tired anyway." He turned around. "See. You're smiling."

Indeed, he was. Strangely enough, Nico's comment made him smile even brighter. "Let me help you." He was about to get rid of the blanket when Nico interrupted him with a dapper wave of the hand.

"No, no, I'm on it. You stay here. I'll be right back."

Marti protested, but Nico was already at the door. "Before you've put on your clothes, I'll be back already anyway." He scrunched his nose and slipped out of the room.

It was more or less a lie. It took him quite a while to get back. In the meantime, Martino made himself comfortable again and closed his eyes. His mind wandered to different places at the same time, and yet, he felt himself wrapped into an even warmth. Perhaps the afternoon sunbeams interloping into the room through the window were a reason for that, but Marti always felt comfortable in Nico's world. Whether it was here or at his place or whenever they were together. Hell, just thinking about Nico and how loved he made him feel never failed to amaze him. He always came back to thinking how it enveloped him, just as the rays of sunshine which were enveloping this very room with a calmness, so gentle and yet palpable.

Martino's favourite colour might be blue, but right now he was gleaming in all sorts of yellow nuances. Luchì would have said it showed.

And then, just before he dozed off, Nico slipped back into the room, his voice nonchalantly ringing in his ears, almost sing-song like. "Sorry, had a chat with my dad."

"No worries." Marti got up into an upright posture and tucked the pillow between his back and the headboard. "What were you chatting about?"

"Ah, you know, this and that." Nico positioned a trayful of biscuits and two cups of coffee on the middle of the bed. "He told me about his new project, you know."

"Which is?" Martino poured sugar into his cup and started stirring the beverage. For a fleeting moment he closed his eyes just to soak up the familiar scent. Not long ago he would have said it was his favourite smell in the world.

"Some building north the city." Nico was sitting cross-legged on his side of the bed now and took a sip of his coffee, glancing at him over the rim of the cup.

Unlike his boyfriend, he finished his coffee in one go. "You sound disinterested?"

"Naw, I just, you know, sometimes he talks for ages."

Martino chuckled, knowing exactly what Nico meant. His father's floods of words were quite endearing actually, but he wasn't walking in Nico's shoes on a daily basis. There were a few things he'd never fully grasp. He'd never know how much pain Nico actually went through, he could only ever imagine. And just before his thoughts could wander to darker places, he heard a clinking noise of porcelain hitting metal. When he looked up, a pair of curious eyes stared back at him. Martino knew that look well. Before he was able to form a coherent reasoning, a biscuit was stuck between his teeth.

“Stop that”, he giggled, while taking a bite off the sweet, leaving crumbs on the sheet.

“What? You don’t like them?”

“Don’t look so smug.”

“Why would I do that?”, Nico answered and leaned in to give him a peck on the lips.

“Your eyes don’t lie.”

“Ah no?”

“No.”

“Well, what can I say, amore, you make me feel things.” His boyfriend gave him one of his best lopsided grins. One of those that made him weak in the knees.

“Is that so?”, he raised his eyebrows, trying to ignore the butterflies in his belly.

“Oh, you haven’t noticed?” Nico took a bite of the biscuit in Marti's hand and then he gave him another peck on the lips, leaving crumbs there.

Marti laughed and wiped over his mouth with the back of his hand. “No. No, I really haven’t.”

They held their gaze for a moment. Martino was absolutely certain that he must’ve looked like a dumbstruck idiot. But it was alright. Actually, he had stopped caring about that a while ago. He knew he was one of those people who blushed easily, but Nico always looked at him with what he'd call a mix of endearment and boldness when that happened. And that made it even more okay.

Filippo would have called them sickeningly adorable.

“Will you show me your latest sketches?”, he broke the silence, being in desperate need for a distraction, but he was also curious about Nico's art, and seeing him so very caught up in it today, had gotten him even more curious.

“Huh? You’ve seen them. They’ve basically been in front of you the whole afternoon.”

He glanced at the drawings lying on the desk. He saw the early stages and knew Nico had worked on outlining miniatures of fairies once again. They were little superheroes in his eyes; sitting on one’s shoulder, always watching out for the ones in need, so he had told him. He had sketched some with a pen, and then later − after he had stopped using the brush to tickle Marti − he’d coloured the fairies in shades of green and yellow as well as the star dust around them. Nico had held up various sketches asking him which one he liked best. Martino was bad at deciding and he liked them all anyway. He always did.

“No, I meant the ones you’re working on when I’m not here.”

Nico’s eyes stopped track in time for a second. It was as if he was contemplating of what to say or give away. “Uh, I told you I’ll show you when they’re finished.” He scrunched his eyebrows. “Be patient, amore.”

“But most of the sketches from today aren’t finished either. And you’re not hiding them.”

“Listen, I don’t hide the others−“

“Yes, you are.”

He stuffed the rest of the biscuit into his mouth and looked at Nico who was eyeing him suspiciously.

“Are you taking the piss out of me?”

Martino snorted with laughter.

“You shithead!”

“Hey now, you fool with me plenty of times! It’s only fair.”

Nico’s eyes held a shine in them, twinkling almost. Martino noticed a ghost of a smile on his lips as well and started grinning when he looked back into his eyes. They told him how comfortable his boyfriend was. How happy he was that they were together and that there wasn’t anything between them that wasn’t right. That he could fool with him right in this very moment, in Nico’s room, surrounded by light yellow curtains and wooden furniture, where it was only them. Eva would have said they were a match made in heaven.

The outside world was okay, too, being with their friends and loved ones that was, but nothing came close to their moments alone. It was as if they lived in a safe house. Wrapped up in a shared blanket, waiting for sleep to take them. Even if it was merely imaginary.

“Hey, you have something there.” Marti pointed at Nico’s mouth then.

“Hm? Where?” He jiggled his head.

“Right there.” He propped his elbows up on his thighs - his boyfriend clearly waiting for him to close the distance - and slowly made his way up to kiss the left corner of his upper lip.

Nico’s lip twitched for a second. And then he traced the spot with his thumb.

“Biscotti flavoured kiss?”

“Biscotti flavoured kiss.”

He had the biggest grin on his face, and when he felt Nico's lips touching his own, he felt him smile into the kiss, too. He could say something, he thought.

“Hm-hm and a little bit of coffee, too.” Those weren't the words lingering on his mind, but—

Nico laughed. His shoulder trembled a bit and Marti melted into him. Again. His boyfriend’s laugh always did this thing to him when his cheek would just burn instantly. Not quite like fire, but with a certain warmth that was electrifying and calming at the same time.

The kiss turned deeper. Not like earlier. There was more hunger now. Tongues started grazing each other and fingers tugged at sleeves and elbows after they had gotten rid off the blanket again, this time more clumsily.

Martino took control whilst setting a slow, yet steady pace. It hadn't happened often yet, him, taking the reins. There still existed a certain shyness under all his eagerness to devote himself completely to their sexual intimacy. Nico had told him not to hold back, and it wasn't that he did it on purpose, but at times he was unsure if he was doing it right; whatever that meant. Maybe he was thinking too much about it. However, there was no way he’d get sick of Nico’s laugh. He always wanted to hear it. He wished he could kiss it away to put it in a jar that he could open whenever his boyfriend wasn’t with him. It made him all mushy and more in awe of him than he thought was possible. Yet here he was.

He rolled them around and slotted a thigh between Nico's thighs. While he stifled a laugh when they hit the tray, Nico cursed. Somehow they managed to shove it away with their hands and feet while their lips stayed glued together. He listened to Nico slightly starting to moan. It was more like puffing out air more rapidly each time their tongues parted, but it made him even more eager to kiss him absolutely senseless. Right here in this very room where he learned so much about him on one Friday afternoon. October felt like a lifetime ago.

Someway in between his attempt to make the object of his desire melt into the sheets, Nico managed to get a hand of his helix piercing with his thumb. It was enough to make him jolt. His boyfriend laughed into their kiss, his curls tickling his cheek, reinforcing the already existing tingling sensation going through his body.

“Ni, I swear...ughh.”

“Mh-mh yeah?” Nico kept grazing the metal with his thumb, slightly tugging at it.

“Ni, stop it, I swear”, he huffed in between smooches, digging his fingers into every spot of Nico's skin he managed to grasp.

“What?”

“Not now, your dad...”

“Who gives a fuck.” He felt Nico’s lips on his neck.

“I do”, he panted, feeling a throbbing heat to begin in his stomach.

“Of course, you do”, he sounded annoyed, yet his lips had arrived at his earlobe, biting down gently.

“Ah, I really don’t−“

“What?”, he asked more slyly and twirled his tongue around the piercing.

Marti's leg kicked the bed rest. He was at that point where he had lost control of his body, muscles doing whatever the fuck they wanted. He loved and hated it at the same time; especially in this very moment.

“Oh God, I swear, Ni...”

Nico ignored his plea. He really was insufferable. It wasn’t that he hated his boyfriend’s caresses on this particular body part of him, no, in fact, he loved them. It was just that he couldn’t bare Nico’s dad to interrupt them. Just the thought of that made him nauseous. How would he be able to look an older version of Nico in the eyes? They both shared the same pair of black curls and their eyes held the same shine in them. Martino was absolutely certain he'd melt in shame on the spot.

He managed to take a hold of his jumper's collar. “Ni, I swear... please...”

Nico's breath was hot and heavy on his skin, making his toes curl. “Marti... you drive me insane. It really isn’t my fault.” Another twirl around the metal followed by his leg kicking the bed rest again.

And then, a knock. Martino froze in a jiffy.

“Yeah?”, Nico called out, irritated.

“You boys alright?", a muffled voice called back.

Don’t open the door, don’t open the door, please don't open the door!

Marti buried his face in the crook of Nico's neck. It was bound to happen one day, he knew it. Perhaps he could disappear into the shielding niche of skin until the coast was clear again.

“Yeah, sure, pa", Nico called back while caressing his jaw with his thumb. Martino wished he'd stopped doing that, having trouble cooling down as hard as it already was.

“Thought I heard a dull noise, or well, something similar.”

“No yeah, Marti just stumbled against the bed...”

“Ah− you good, boy?”

He raised his head at the question, shooting a piercing look at Nico who was clearly entertained by his discomfort. “Every-everything’s fine”, Marti tried to answer with containment, but he felt his voice trembling. Nico snorted with laughter whereupon he nudged his shoulder.

“Oi!”, he cried out in fake pain.

“Niccolò?”

Martino thought he saw Nico’s dad trying to push down the handle of the French door.

No, no, no- don’t open the door! Don’t come inside!

He pointed to the door while trying to stare holes into Nico's eyes who was still terribly amused. What a shithead, Martino contemplated, trying not to grin at his own thought.

“Everything’s good, pa. Marti is just a bully, as usual.”

He nudged him in the shoulder again.

“We’re fine. Everything’s fine, don’t worry.” Nico said more earnestly now, putting his hands up in surrender.

“Okay.” A pause. “Listen, are you staying for dinner tonight, Martino?”

He turned his head towards the door, trying to regain his composure. “Um, well, actually I... I have a... dinner date with my mother tonight, so no.”

“Ah, what a shame− okay, you, uh, you boys continue. I see you later.” He listened to footsteps disappearing and heaved a sigh of relief.

Nico had started chuckling at one point and if he weren’t the lovesick puppy he had turned into, he’d truly be offended. However, it was really hard for him not to start laughing himself, so, with one final kiss to his boyfriend’s lips, he pushed himself off of him.

“I really hate you, you know”, he claimed, somehow grinning.

“Ah, you should have seen your face, amore, I swear I saw your cheeks turn burgundy in one second.”

“Funny.”

“That’s why you’re so incredibly fond of me.”

There it was again. That smug look of him, tongue sticking out for a millisecond behind his teeth, his eyes full of mischief.

“No, you got it all wrong, I really loathe you.”

“Oh really?”

“100%.”

“Okay. Then if you truly loathe me, you won’t mind that I won’t show you the sketches I am working on when you’re not here.”

“What?”

“You think I’m joking?”

“If you think you can blackmail me in any way...”

“I can’t?” Another challenge.

“Okay, fine”, he spit back angrily, almost on a level where he knew it was hard to tell he was joking.

It seemed to work, for Nico didn’t say anything. He felt his gaze, but he didn’t dare look. Two can play the game, he thought.

“Maaaarrrrtiiiii...” Nico stretched out his name, rolling the r’s endlessly it seemed.

He pretended he didn’t hear him and started looking for his phone which he remembered was lying somewhere underneath the sheets. When he had found it, he grabbed it, a sigh escaping his lips. It was really hard not to smirk, so he turned his head looking away.

“Really?”, Nico burst out, his voice an octave higher than usual.

He put the earbuds back in and was just about to get back to Giovanni’s videos, when he felt Nico grab his upper arm.

His finger hovered over the play button. “Yes?”

“Turn around.” Nico’s thumb dug into his flesh. “Look at me.”

He complied, putting the earbuds in his lap. Nico’s eyes were fixated on his and he blinked a couple of times so that he could hold his gaze.

“You didn’t mean that, did you?”

He was confused. “What are you talking about?”

“Um, that you loathe me?” His eyes fluttered and there was a crushing nervousness in his voice Martino absolutely hated hearing.

“WHAT? Why would I mean that? Are you stupid?” He searched Nico's eyes. He seemed to be dead serious and he felt like an idiot.

“Ni, I swear, I was joking. I’m... I’m sorry if it came off−“

He didn’t get to say more. Nico pulled him up by the collar of his pyjamas shirt and kissed him on the lips. Hard and frantic. Hitting his teeth in the process.

“Ouch”, he chuckled into his mouth.

“I love you, Marti. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey now... hey.” He took his head into his hands and pressed his forehead to Nico’s whose hands had fallen on his shoulder, gripping the shirt there.

I love you, too. It’s okay.

“I overwhelm you, I always do that.”

“Please cut the always, will you.”

“But it’s true, isn’t it?”

“No. I promise you, you don’t. Sometimes I am overwhelmed that this is real. Sometimes I can’t believe it, you know, that we’re together?”

“No?”

“You’re amazing.” He took one of Nico’s hands and gave it a little squeeze while he kept their foreheads connected. “You amaze me every single day.” He half-whispered the last sentence and tried to lift his chin up, but Nico was shaking his head no. No eye contact for now, okay, Marti knew that much. And so he snuggled his nose against his neck, kissing the spot of skin with caution right afterwards. He repeated the action until Nico spoke, his voice in a mist of shame.

“I’m sorry I’m impulsive.”

“I’m not.”

“I’m sorry I’m so needy.”

“I’m not, really.”

“I love you.”

He started to tremble at his words. He was about to open his mouth, to say them back, because only a fool would believe him if he claimed he didn't love the boy who was clinging to him. Martino was chanting the words in his mind anyway. Ever since New Year's Eve – if not before that − when Nico had first said them, casually, as if they had slipped from his lips unintentionally. But Marti knew Nico had been sincere, just as he was in this very moment.

Now, if he could only say them back.

His heart exploded, because he felt so incredibly blessed and cherished and loved and there wasn’t anything to fear, and yet, he feared to say them. Those three little words. It was the most absurd thing he’d ever experienced. Here he was, holding his boyfriend, embracing him like the treasure he was, and yet, he couldn’t say them back. He truly was a walking contradiction. Nico moved him in every way a person could be moved. He should say something, he knew that. In fact, he should have said something a while ago. He could tell him right now that he loved him. It was neither a lie, nor a bad time. It could even soothe Nico's tension, if he thought about it. Still, shouldn't he say something so significant with nothing but joy between them? He felt a knot forming its way up his lungs, and so he buried the mental image and pulled his boyfriend to his chest. As if on cue, Nico started breathing erratically. He, too, didn't seem to get enough air to fill his lungs. Martino cursed himself, this was clearly his fault. Open your damn mouth. "It's okay, Ni, it's okay. I'm here." "I'm sorry, Marti." "Shh, shh, everything's alright. It's not your fault." Don't be sad, please don't be sad. It's okay. He losened their embrace and started to draw soothing circles on his Nico’s back and planted kisses - as tender as he could - on his hair where it met his earlobe. It took a while until he felt him relax, his head on his shoulder as if he had just ran a marathon and needed someone to support some of his weight. “A nap? Before you have to go?” Nico whispered into the crook of his neck, his breath tickling and making his flesh crawl at the same time.

“Okay.”

“Okay.”

They settled down in the middle of the bed. Nico was already captured in a sleepy trance, but he still held enough force to pull him down to his upper body, enveloping his arm around his back. Martino partly nestled down on his chest and partly on his shoulder, belly down, and face towards Nico’s middle.

I love you.

Nico's lips brushed his forehead. He shivered at that and moved his hand over the jumper until he felt his heart beating.

I’m sorry.

Some time later Nico found his hand and Marti entwined their fingers. He moved his thumb over his knuckles, trying to soothe him, or maybe he was trying to soothe himself. It didn’t take long and he felt his boyfriend puffing air into his hair.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six...

It calmed him down listening to Nico breathing, and feeling him under him steadied him. Grounded him, yes.

He was so damn lucky, he thought, shedding a tear at the very thought, feeling relieved that Nico wouldn’t have to worry about that as well. God, Martino hoped he knew how much he wanted to be with him at any giving time. The shame he felt over not being able to tell Nico how much he meant to him made him feel small. What a fool he was.

At one point, Martino started repeating his affection towards him like a mantra. In his mind, but he could have sworn that he heard himself whisper his confession into the silence of the black-haired treasure's room he was holding on to.

I love you so very much.

The approaching evening light was creeping into the room now, absorbing the yellow aura which was one of the many things about these four walls he loved.

He reminded himself that, however dark this room might get, the warmest colour was lying in his arms, and that he needed to be brave to make it stay that way. He justthis ineeded to be brave. I do, I truly do. ☆．。．:*･° 

When you move I'm put to mind of all that I wanna be When you move I could never define all that you are to me So move me, baby Hozier - Movement

[alamanyar]

Are we getting an update to through the keyhole soon? I really enjoy this pic and I want to see how it ends.

Yes, absolutely! Not long now. So sorry about the delay and for answering this so very late! ;^(

Thank you so much for reading and coming to my inbox. I'm glad you like this fic ♡

[alamanyar]

marti and nico are both soft, we all know that.

this one is for nico though.♡

i want to talk about nico’s softness for once. it has touched me tremendously. while he’s full of energy and ideas, he carries this emotional strength inside of him that i find inspiring.

there are  characters i love and admire for their badassness, for their   confidence, and for their determination. and when i see softness under   all these attributes, you can bet your ass that i won’t shut up about   it. especially, when softness is ultimately the prominent attribute a character is made of. sometimes i think softness is underrated, when in  reality, it’s one of the most badass attributes in the world (in my humble opinion).

it starts right from the beginning. first look at  nico and he just stands there talking to some guy outside of school and then greeting sana. sure, we see him from afar through marti's eyes,  but he looks like the softest bean, ever smiling while talking. nico has the most genuine smile. that’s how we meet him.

his first words to marti though? “why did you stop?” and that look.  you can see he’s flustered, because he’s talking to this boy he already is so keen on!! (my headcanon is that he didn’t stare back at marti outside of school (i guess he didn’t see him. who knows) nor during the   radio meeting, cause nico wears his heart on his sleeve, alright? just   re-watch niccolò [for instance]. marti is oblivious sometimes).  anyway. during the whole talk he’s happy, so soft, like he’s begging  for attention in the most adorable way: being cute with the boy who got his  attention immediately. and then they talk on the terrace where he  hopes they can be alone for a while and they are, and nico asks  questions, carefully checks out marti. he glances at marti every now  and then even when emma arrives and he’s all flustered again when they  sit in silence, the three of them. head down, head up *look* *blushes*  head down again. touching his hands nervously, tapping his feet to an  imaginary beat.

when he sees marti on the bus, he stands up at once. ‘wahh, there’s this cute boy again i can’t stop thinking about. quick, talk to him. be suave.’ and he is, but he’s also shy. alas.

of course he’ll help out marti and “lend” him some weed.

he  draws skulls, but also giraffes and i see softness there, too. he crafts his own things. little experiments. he has brushes and drawing utensils all over his room. there's an ukulele on his shelf. and just outside of his room, there's a piano waiting for him. i imagine him playing the softest tunes (some celtic music?) even when he's upset. maybe. but what stands out is that he’s artsy. his room looks soft, too.  light yellow curtains, pastel-ish walls and wooden furniture.

he  cooks carbonara for them and it’s a disaster, but hey, he’s already so soft for   marti, he’s gotta try, alright? and when he tells marti he put honey in the pasta while he was on his phone... well, even though he's obviously  jealous here, he's soft. his little shake of the head? a puppy who was  denied attention.

he’s soft when he touches his lip after he gives the headphones back. hey babe, seems like the guys don’t know what’s up. it’s okay. i’m saving your ass with a white lie, no biggie. call me maybe?

during  sylvia’s party he’s hurting on the couch when marti and emma leave to  dance. re-watch the scene and look how soft he still is while hurting!!  nervously playing with his fingers again, looking defeated. it hurts  me. because after he lashed out (at emma and said some dumb stuff to marti), he tries to gather himself on the couch. he’s introverted, but he tries, okay!!

the infamous pinky touch, yeah. of course. he gazes at marti softly after his joke while marti starts gazing at the night sky. and then he extends his pinky. his ringfinger trembles. have   mercy. and when marti looks at him, nico looks at their hands, as if to  say: this is real, alright? i’m gonna make a move right now, you   can’t stop me. but i’m also asking for permission with this gesture, okay??? he wears an earnest look on his face when he moves in. marti smiles and then, nico smiles, too. soft boyfriends in the making.

“why not? we can go together if you want?” (...) “okAy?“ “okay.” “OKAY!!”

well,  during the talk with the girls on halloween, nico is moping. softly. he’s also hurting after maddalena berates him on the drinking. but when  the girls are gone, he’s back on his soft ass, pointing out that his   and marti’s glasses are in the same position. nope, i didn’t make that   up.

[while i never like it when people ditch people (or try to   kiss ‘em) in order to go for someone else, i have forgiven nico. i have forgiven them both. nico was already so soft for marti and when i look at the outcome of this/their story, when i look at how things  turned out, i’m certain it was inevitable. and because i am soft for their   love, i am able to forgive them.]

let’s carry on.

i find   nico’s suggestion to go to his place and take his bike for a ride   soft?? excuse me, what a wonderful idea! and while they’re driving he   looks content. bless. i’m thinking he really loves his bike. (does he   take his bike for a ride on a regular basis?) when they arrive at their location, he takes his time to park it thoroughly, i mean.

his "undress, or you won’t have a chance at beating me" it’s soft. especially the way he says “undress.” his voice is like an octave higher, but it’s not shrill. it’s calm and steady.

he’s soft when he’s challenging marti “ah-ah”

he’s soft when he starts tickling marti underwater, never losing his smile.

he’s soft when he keeps his promise that he won’t touch marti this time and then instantly grasps marti’s head when he’s being kissed.

he’s   soft when they lose themselves in their kiss and he holds marti’s   ellbow and then supports him when he pushes for the surface.

when they wake up in his bed, he’s gazing at marti, embracing him carefully like he’s fragile goods. waking him up with a sweet kiss. nuzzling his nose. bringing them breakfast. tracing a coffe heart on his arm.   goddamn.

and when we witness his vulnerability, it’s so palpable. he lets us see. he lets marti see. he’s open and soft and i just want   to wrap him in a blanket and give him a hot beverage, telling him   everything’s okay. it’s okay being soft, it’s okay being vulnerable.   here, have a cookie, too. take care of yourself, you soft, soft soul.

he's  so very soft, because he hangs up a red thread of fate for marti to   follow. he already left, but he makes sure that marti will wake up with a smile at least, leaving him little notes to read. he tells marti how cute he  looked sleeping. ufff. he tells marti to have breakfast. he wants to  take care of marti even though he can't be there with him when he wakes  up.

he nervously plays with his hands (again) when marti arrives  for their secret meeting. i love that detail, but it also makes me  sad. i think he’s soft when he notices marti’s upset that he didn’t  text earlier and he tries to make it up. he reaches out with caution,  touches him on the shoulder, showing his affection while saying sorry.

“i want to be with you. don’t you want to be with me?” he whispers, especially the question. goosebumps. he’s so gentle here. and brave. because his display of vulnerability   is out in the open. he wants to go all in, even if that could mean to   be rejected. nico fears rejection.

something that touched me deeply is when he realizes  what marti’s words could possibly mean. he doesn’t get angry. no, he just continues listening and even though a part of him shatters into tiny pieces right there in the school bathroom of the second floor, he doesn’t let it show. he smiles at marti and goes in for a kiss. a good-bye kiss if you want. look at his eyes and tell me you didn’t feel   his pain. his eyes say so much in this scene, it fucks me up. i have trouble breathing watching it. eff you, rocco. this scene belongs to you  entirely.

and then they leave the bathroom giggling and he  kisses marti’s neck. even though marti hurt him to the bone with his  words, he doesn’t want to leave (him) in anger.

he’s soft when  he meets marti after his recording for the radio. he pretends  everything’s alright, but we all know it isnt. marti can’t see it, but  we can. nico makes a joke, tries to get his attention, tries to  apologize, tries to make him see how much he misses him. i’m very  sorry, okay? please believe me!? we could go up to the terrace again  some time. maybe i'm brave enough to explain myself. but marti’s  wrapped up in his own hurt (understandable) and he doesn’t see. nico  tries so hard to reach out, but it just wouldn’t work.

he’s a  soft soul when he hides a strip cartoon on post-its (how long did he  work on that?) in nico’s backpack, asking him to hold on for him, look  out for him, because he’s trying to figure it all out. he’s a soft soul  when he hides the antidote in marti’s dictionary, telling him that he  misses him. “davvero.” and that he understands that he’s not easy to handle, but that he’s working on it. just wait for me a little longer, please?, he asks him and hopes that marti will hear him after he didn’t see how sorry he was at the radio. maybe words will get through to him.

he’s  soft when he takes marti’s words to heart and works on figuring out   how to talk to him. how to get to him. cause marti’s in bracciano. he’s all soft when he’s standing in front of him when they finally reunite. he smiles shyly and looks down at his feet.

while he’s set on   making marti understand how real this all is for him as well, and   basically ravishes him, he’s also soft, cause he’s a man on a mission.   he drove to bracciano, because that’s where marti was and he had to see him. he had to make him see. just that.

[still, because i bet the words marti uttered in the bathroom of the shool building lingered in his mind].

he’s  soft when they wake up the next morning and it’s marti asleep on his   chest. he’s soft when he tries to make him understand that it isn’t easy  to leave a relationship like he has/had with maddalena. that he wants   to figure out by himself what he feels and duh, isn’t it obvious, amore mio? you know what i feel, don’t play hard to get. but it’s okay,   i’ll serenade you anyway. i sing to you while planting little kisses on  your lips and face, and grazing my thumbs over your cheeks. i’m  holding you like this, because you mean so much to me and i don’t want  to lose you again. do you understand?

he feels sorry that  the boys haven't had a comfortable night while him and marti where  sharing a bed. so of course he proposes to take them out for breakfast.  it's the least he can do.

he’s soft when he’s thrilled that  marti’s about to meet his mom. he’s soft when he apoligizes later,  because that didn’t go so well. he’s soft when he asks for him to wait  outside of school so  they can walk in together. he covers marti's eyes  and asks him "who am i?" he'd love a kiss, but marti's not  ready for pda. that's okay though, he'll wait. he’s soft even when he’s hyper  and wants to escape the real world. after all, he wants to escape  together with martino. only with him.

he’s soft when he kisses  him on the cheek when they take a selfie on the train. he happily  shares little kisses and smiles here and there in the streets of milano  and on the balcony of their rented apartement. he’s cheeky, but also  soft when he steals a kiss from marti in front of the red neon light.  and he’s so very soft when he kisses marti’s heart. when they're  standing with naked torsi in front of each other, he kisses marti's  heart. just like that. he's soft when he shows marti his utter happiness during the red scene of love. always smiling, breathing him in. he  gently asks marti if he can take that last piece of sushi. and right before he runs off into the cold night, he looks at marti with this broken look, but he says “it’s only you and me.“ he always thinks about marti. even in a moment like that.

he’s  soft because it probably took him hours to draw a giraffe on his   mobile phone from the last century. he softly tells marti that his   heart isn’t the one betraying his feelings. it’s his brain. he tries to make marti understand that, even though he must have felt ashamed.   he’s soft, because he still keeps reaching out to him.

he softly   underlines this statement by telling him that he’s on the terrace where they more or less met and that he’s thinking of him. that he’s fallen   in love with him, but that he doubts that marti will believe him. he’s   so very open and soft and brave in that moment. he really is. and he   stays there for what? yes, he stays there for hours thinking about   marti. because he knows he’s in one of those shining lights he can see   from up there. i imagine that makes him a bit less sad.

and when   marti finally understands and reaches the terrace, he does not hide his vulnerability. it’s not as if he is able to. nico can’t quite grasp   that marti really came for him. but marti’s answers with his own piece   of softness and so he lets himself fall into his embrace.

he’s vulnerable when he struggles with marti’s devotion to make him feel better.  he’s brave when he lets marti in and he lets himself be soft with him  even though he’s not feeling well. he would never turn down marti's  kisses on the nose. because he's soft for marti and marti deserves soft  kisses on the nose, too.

he’s soft when he asks how marti’s exams went. his exhaustion doesn’t stop him from thinking about marti’s life.

he’s  soft in his braveness. he will kiss marti good-bye. he doesn’t care where. he doesn’t care who could see. all he wants his a good-bye kiss and a promise to talk later.

he’s soft when he comes up with an idea how to help the boys. he’s soft when he tells luchì that he could still be the first one to talk to sofi. he gazes at marti when the boys  leave the kitchen. heart eyes at its finest.

he’s soft when he tells marti that his mother wants to meet him again. that she’s sorry. maybe that’s even a metaphor for him still being sorry for everything he’s put marti through, so he thinks. he cautiously checks if marti’s sure “si?” you’ll come over tomorrow to meet my mom? you sure?

he gives the softest panettone flavoured kisses. they both do.

he’s soft for marti taking care of him. it’s all in his eyes. in his body language.

he softly admits defeat when marti tells him he’ll flush down the weed. because marti knows it’s not good for him. and in the end, he appreciates   it.

he fell hard for marti when they talked in the radio booth  for the first time, separated by glass. and now, that they both got rid  of that barrier together, he falls even harder for marti with every  day, because marti wants to be with him no matter what (happend in the  past).

so, imagine, if nico hadn’t be soft on so many occasions.  imagine. would marti x nico have overcome their misunderstandings,  their [own] barriers? would they be together now?

nico could have  just let marti go after they talked in the school bathroom. but he was  already so far gone for marti, he held on to the hope that marti didn’t  really mean what he said. if nico just showed him how much he cared  for him and that his mental illness didn’t hinder his love for him,  that it was all real for him, one day marti could love him, too, no?

who  would have blamed him, if nico hadn’t tried again with marti after this?  but he did. for deep inside of him, there lingers a softness that asks  him to try again. with marti. with life in general. he could give up so  easily, and maybe he thought about dismissing his emotions and turning  cold in the process, but he tries and tries and tries. nico doesn’t  give up, he always tries again. it touched me deeply.

season two  was about martino, and i have so much love for his character in my  heart, i could write endless essays about it. but nico? if marti is  soft, so is he. it was all there in the open for us to see. it was in  the little moments and details, in the silly moments and in the ‘grand  gestures.’ nico’s softness was visible, but it was so very palpabale,  too; i swear i could feel it in my own bones when i followed him on  screen. and i’m so incredibly glad, that in spite of all those  struggles, i could witness him grow bit by bit, reaching acceptance  step by step.

so, in conclusion:

being soft is not a  weakness, on the contrary, it’s brave being soft. it's brave being  gentle and open. and it's brave trying to continue being soft even when  things look bad. especially then.

nico embodies that to the bone. and for that he has my ♡

i  wish there were more people in the world who also carry softness in their heart besides their strength like nico. perhaps i haven’t paid enough attention in the last months. i know those people are out there.  they have always been existing. and they will continue to. i know that.  so perhaps this hasn’t been a wake-up call on a personal level, but  more of a reminder. i can say this now with conviction after seaosn two   ended, i know i needed it. it evoked a lot of memories, feelings, and   well, hopes. i have seen a little bit of nico in myself. i hope i can rediscover my own softness. and i hope i can be as brave as nico one day, as brave as all the nicos in the world. i see you. even more clearly now and you all have my ♡ truly

[nicolinocolino]

Marti x Nico fic rec list

Inspired by: 1) the ask I got requesting nicotino fic recs 2) the lack of fic rec posts in this fandom and 3) my own procrastination

my personal favorites are marked with a ★

explicit fics are marked (E)

and incomplete chaptered fics are marked with ✐

canon-compliant/divergent & post-canon & slice of life

Martinese by ginnyred ★ summary: Nico has always been fairly good at languages.

Londra A/R by ginnyred ★ summary: i miss you already. Or, Marti leaves on a four-day school trip to London.

tre giorni by akmongs ★ summary: "I think this summer is going to be good." Snippets of Marti and Nico's life over three days.

maybe... by Princess_sized summary: Hi! I didn’t like the idea of Marti being so upset after the fundraiser and not seeing any kind of resolution for him so... here ya go! Ele’s POV because it’s her season, of course.

Matched by ginnyred summary: When Marti told him the five-a-side football tournament began in two weeks, Nico smiled gently and said: “That's great. Is Chinese okay for dinner?” With hindsight, he might have underestimated the whole thing a little bit.

tell me what you need by crucios (E) summary: There's something a little off-kilter tonight that Marti can't pinpoint. Nico's smile doesn't quite reach his eyes and there's a strained and anxious sort of energy thrumming through him. Like it's just under the surface of his skin but hasn't quite broken through.

quicken the heart by crucios summary: The words come spilling out a bit like a cup clumsily overflowing. Marti can feel his cheeks heat up a little. It's not even that he's embarrassed. Not really. It's Nico. He can tell Nico anything. It's just... a strange thing to hear himself say. Before Nico he had never properly imagined that he would ever be this intimate with someone—intimate enough to be able to have conversations like this.

clean breaks by ladyballs_and_manboobs summary: Mamma Rametta angst or Nicotino angst? Why not both!

let me face hurricanes by ladyballs_and_manboobs summary: Martino's courage is tested.

he ain't heavy by ladyballs_and_manboobs summary: Chapter 1: Gio reflects on Marti's confession (Episode 6) Chapter 2: Gio becomes the Love Magician (Episode 7) Chapter 3: Gio gets to know Marti's boyfriend better (Episode 8) Chapter 4: Gio takes care of his boys after the fight (S3)

Old Flames by claudinedelyon summary: Through sheer bad luck, Martino never receives Nico's post-its or the antidote. The next time they see each other, ten years have passed and they are back in very familiar territory.

don't know where you start, and where i begin by akmongs (E) summary: Marti thinks another reason why they have anticipated this trip so much is this. Having a hotel room to themselves for five nights. No one else's schedule dictating how much time they have. No one interrupting them. No biting his hand to keep quiet when Nico slips a hand in his boxers while his mom is sleeping next door. Just the two of them, alone in a room with a double bed and what feels like endless hours to spend wrapped in each other.

Forget The World Outside by givemesumaurgravy summary: “Stay with me,” Niccolò says, and it’s not so much a question as a request, one that Martino could never deny him. Martino would stay forever if Niccolò let him. Or, what happens after the pool kiss scene.

Buttons by Princess_sized summary: “I know it sounds crazy, but I never meant to hurt you.” Or, Marti starts wearing his shirts buttoned all the way up sometime between the end of their 3rd year and the start of 4th. This is why.

pda (private displays of affection) by lamourestout summary: s3 ep2 missing scene (except not really since it's not marti's season anymore) but after nico whispered to marti and they left while ele and eva were talking aka making out in edoardo incanti's guest bedroom because they're very in love with each other

Unforgivable by ginnyred summary: There is a moment, it lasts maybe a couple of seconds, in which Marti wonders if Nico has been listening to him at all. But then Nico looks at him. Really, really looks at him and Marti knows he knows. “What is it that you're ashamed of?” Nico asks, kind but resolute. He kisses his forehead and holds Marti's face in his hands. “Betraying your friend's trust? Or the feelings you had for him?” Marti tells Gio, but first he tells Nico.

alternate universe:

Nico the fitness trainer AU by ladyballs_and_manboobs ★ ✐ summary: Martino has to take pilates classes with the girls after losing a bet to Elia. It doesn't turn out as bad as he feared.

For art's sake by ginnyred ★ summary: Being an art critic, Marti thought he knew what posh artists were like. Not bothering to show up at one's own art opening has got to be a new low, though.

focal point by GiuliaMed ★ summary: Finding new friends is Niccolò's priority after changing schools, but somewhere along the line, one of the four boys he meets becomes more important. Snapshots of Nico slowly falling in love.

Mezzo Forte by silver_etoile summary: Martino knows falling for a straight guy is bad news, but his heart just doesn't seem to listen.

but nothing ever stops you leaving by akmongs (E) summary: Nico moves to Milan after university. Marti doesn't cope as well as he thought he would. Over a month since they last saw each other, he decides to book a train and surprise him.

Threading the Needle by claudinedelyon summary: Anybody who has so much as met Martino could probably tell fashion is not his biggest passion in life. But he has rent and bills to pay so he will happily take the position offered by Brava, a small but growing clothing company. The fact that the job turns out not as crappy as he feared and that the people working there welcome him with open arms, those are all perks that just make his life easier. And the presence of one dark-haired designer who seems to draw great amusement from his lack of knowledge or interest in the company's line of business, well, it's something else entirely.

Do you Feel a Comma in your Heart? by claudinedelyon summary: Martino is a professional, somewhat experienced, translator. He's worked with all kinds of proofers before, and it's mostly gone well. And then, he's introduced to the new proofer who is working with him on his latest project and has got green eyes, an infectious smile and opinions on the proper use of commas.

Io non ci credo, alle giraffe by Akira14 ✐ summary: Once upon a time, there was a boy who couldn’t sleep. This is the story of his quest for a cure, for the song of a wounded soul and the tears of a mythical creature. And what if he finds love, along the way? Love... Everybody seems so obsessed with that, but Martino had seen with his own eyes how dangerous, how painful, it was to fall for someone and he would rather avoid it. Will he?

Bewitched by ginnyred summary: Marti looks down at himself. Long, lean pianist fingers that are not his at all. He's swimming in his blue t-shirt, suddenly a lot slimmer. He puts his hands in his hair and it's weird because the feeling is familiar, but the angle is wrong. He touches his face, the long line of his nose, his jaw and prominent cheekbones. “What the fuck?” he whispers, looking up again, and his own voice startles him with how deep it is. “I'm you!”

———

PLEASE ADD TO THIS WITH ITALIAN FICS I BEG OF Y’ALL

[revengeisalwaysanoption]

Ciao! Qualche giorno fa ti ho mandato un'ask anonima, è arrivata o l'ha mangiata tumblr? Era per dirti che la fic su HDM è carinissima e ho trovato perfetta la scelta di avere Nico con un daemon che non si è stabilizzato! Non so se hai intenzione di scrivere ancora su questo universo ma nel caso non vedo l'ora di conoscere meglio questa versione di Marti e Nico e i loro daemon :)

Grazie infinite !! Stavo per rispondere poco fa ma poi volevo evitare di avere la tag con post solo miei e quindi avevo rimandato a domani X°D... Intendo assolutamente scrivere ancora di loro, ho un sacco di headcanon in quel universo  😍

[revengeisalwaysanoption]

First of all: I apologize to anyone who sent me a prompt lately but I haven't been able to write anything in the past two weeks... No inspiration at all :/ (not even for my own fics like the FairyTale!AU and the University!AU)

Second: I really appreciate how Martino hangs out with Eva because she's a friend of his, but it's not like not being straight suddenly makes him more attuned to the girl squad... Loved how Marti and Nico tried to set Luca up with Silvia and how that pure soul thought she fell for him (he's probably used to girls going "and you are?", walking away while he talks or pouring their drinks on him), awww <3

For a moment, I really though they had convinced Elia to give Silvia a chance but thankfully they didn't! That moment was so brilliant X°D !!

The Incantava scene in the car was also great. Thank you Edo for finally saying that you don't wanna talk about it and asking Ele to respect that, instead of feeding her more lies... And it broke me to hear how lonely Ele's life had been. It also made me wonder why social services didn't say anything about a 14 year old girl having to get a cab to get to the hospital ??? I don't feel like blaming Filippo too much, he shouldn't be expected to be her dad...

[nicolinocolino]

Okay, prompt! First time one of them bottoms.. if you want! 😜😘

Hi!! I don’t really enjoy writing mlm smut with penetration — mostly because I just don’t think I can give all the feelings and sensations justice since, ya know, I’ve never done anything close to that hahaha. But! I can maybe give you a little headcanon, since I won’t turn it into a fic!! I’ll put it under a cut since it’s a little nsfw 👇

I think it actually takes Nico and Marti a long time to get there? Like, many many many months of dating and fooling around and doing other things to be completely comfortable with each other. Until one day they’re just kind of like? Should we try it? Marti is up for whatever position, honestly (he really loves when Nico fingers him ok) but Nico is kind of dead set on getting on top of him and riding him (mostly because Nico loves loves loves loves LOVES making Marti feel good and just wants to be kind of in control and watch Marti’s face?) I’ve always seen them as pretty versatile, but yeah I guess I imagine their first time trying it would be with Nico riding Marti. And Marti likes it a lot (like a lot a lot because his boyfriend is so gorgeous and it feels really good) but they don’t really know what they’re doing and they laugh a lot. In the end, down the road they also try it the other way (Marti has nice legs okay, Nico wants to see him bent over) and they like that too! It all definitely goes into their sexual repertoire but they honestly switch it up so much. They’re perfectly content with things like dry humping, going down on each other, etc. and they don’t feel the need to have sex like that every time.

hope that was enough 😅 I’m sure some brave soul will break the tag and deliver the marti x nico smut you’re looking for!

[nicolinocolino]

i LOVE your niccotino fic so much! but i miss your writing about isak and even also. do you think you will ever write an evak fic again?

hi!! thank you so much, i’m glad you’re digging the marti x nico stuff :)

i really, truly, honestly don’t know if i will ever write an evak fic again. it all comes down to inspiration, and lately i just don’t feel very inspired to write about them :/ i’m still head over heels for skam italia right now so that’s kind of where my ideas tend to go —

— i mean. if you think about it, a lot of the evak stuff (AUs) i wrote were about them… in italy? drinking espresso and making pasta and doing Italian Things™ and then boom. nicotino happens and they are literally italian evak sooooo… (it’s really nice to know about the city they live in too, tbh. it makes writing and researching a lot easier since i know rome and what its like and things that happen there — and that fuels a lot of inspiration.)

i’m sorry if that’s a bummer :( but i don’t want to promise anything either way. i generally think the lack of skam content since the end, too, hasn’t helped a lot with inspiration.

[nicolinocolino]

Happy Thursday! #9 & 18 for the fic ask ☺️

9: Are there any fics you’d love to see but don’t want to write yourself? What are they? — once again i am dreaming of a regency/period-era/historical AU 😭 would also generally like to see more M/E rated stuff in the skamit ao3 tag. i also love a good slow burn... or just longer fics for marti x nico in general haha.

18: Do you feel like your work gets enough recognition? What kind of feedback do you like to receive? — oh i feel very lucky anybody reads what i write haha. generally i don't like unsolicited criticism (even if it's with the best of intentions) but yeah, i am thankful for every kudo, comment, reblog, etc.!

fic ask game

[revengeisalwaysanoption]

6 and 12, please!

6. what is your favourite sense to incorporate in your writing and why? I guess it’s hearing, because I try my best to make my characters SOUND as they should.  12. what headcanon will you keep implementing in your fics, even if canon ends up contradicting it? “Nico” as the short version of “Niccolò” opposed to “Nicco” X°D Niccolò working on several different jobs. Marti and Nico managing to still be friends even if they broke up.