from fifth to first (resolving)
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'This is how you show love?’ Joe continued, his own jaw tight [...] 'Annoying someone until they want to strangle you?’
Series
- Part 1 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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Fifteen years ago Nicky walked away from Joe and promised himself he wouldn’t think about him again. [...] In his memories though, Joe was a weedy teenager with a patchy beard and adolescent acne.
The Joe standing in front of him was a man grown; tall and strong and beautiful.
And Nicky was in Aldi on his one day off wearing his scruffiest jeans and a beanie to cover the fact he hadn’t showered yet.
Series
- Part 2 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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'Joe,’ said Nicky evenly, careful to exhale the smoke in his mouth away from him.
'You’re smoking now?’ Joe asked, and when Nicky looked at him he had the grace to look embarrassed. 'Sorry. None of my business.’
It wasn't, so Nicky just took another drag and watched him.
Series
- Part 3 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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'I hope we can be professional,’ Joe continued, and it resonated like a firework in Nicky’s brain, anger and wounded pride trailing noisily after the rocket of Joe’s words.
'Really,' Nicky snapped, rearing back. 'You’re saying that to me?'
Series
- Part 4 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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'What’s your problem with him?’ demanded Andy, never one for gentle words when a direct question would do.
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- Part 5 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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Something in Nicky’s chest hurt. He pushed the feeling away ruthlessly, and set his bag down as quietly beside the piano as he could.
Joe swayed a little more, the tune not so much finishing as fading out, before he sighed and opened his eyes.
‘Nicky,’ he gasped, jumping a little. His fingers flexed around the neck of his violin.
Series
- Part 6 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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In Joe's memory, Nicky di Genova was an awkward, skinny teenager yet to grow into his eyes, his nose, or his hands. Like a puppy tripping over paws three sizes too big that you just knew would be huge one day, Nicky had loped around the academy catching his hips and his elbows and his knees on everything.
Series
- Part 7 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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Nicky watched his words hit Joe; watched the way Joe's shoulders tensed first with the insult, then his forearms, then his hands around his instrument.
Series
- Part 8 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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'What did you do to him?' Andy demanded, shoving at his shoulder until he looked at her. 'He said something melodramatic but never actually explained. Tell me.'
'I—it's private.' Andy looked less than impressed. Joe tried again. 'Private to Nicky. I don't—I shouldn't—'
Series
- Part 9 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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'What was it that made you love him?'
There was something about Quỳnh that made it nearly impossible to not honestly answer whatever she asked. Nicky just wished she had asked anything else.
Series
- Part 10 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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'Do you still take three sugars?'
'Sorry?' Joe's fingers flexed around the strap of his violin case. Nicky still hadn't looked at him. The keys must truly have been fascinating.
'In your coffee,' Nicky said, so quietly Joe almost couldn't hear him over the gentle singing of the piano.
Series
- Part 11 of from fifth to first (resolving)
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'You're rushing,' Nicky's voice was dry and tired, and Joe had to breathe very carefully so as not to snap his bow.
'I am not rushing,' Joe protested as calmly as he was able. 'You're dragging.'
Series
- Part 12 of from fifth to first (resolving)