Impractical Jokers: [Joker]x[Joker] Collection

You and Me. Always. (Joe/Sal)

       Their union hadn't been a surprise to anybody. The day they'd got married was the day everybody had all but CHEERED with relief. These two men, they were made to be together... to see them playing the tiresome role of 'friends' for years on end had become tedious for even outsiders to watch. But now, in the low-light of the room, as Joe's arms circle his lover's waist and Sal's arms circle his lover's neck, everything has been corrected.

"I'll lead," Joe whispers, resting his forehead against Sal's as the soft music plays. God knows what tune it is - a generic slow-dance beat (or lack thereof), unmemorable, something they won't be able to recall by the time the night is done - but Vulcano knows that he falls in love with his husband all over again as their eyes meet and he whispers: "I took a couple'a lessons, just for this moment."

The sentiment punches him in the gut, has him exhaling shallowly as Gatto sweeps gently to the left, Sal following his every motion like water does a bank. They flow together, they move in complete harmony, and even though Sal risks stumbling every now and again, nothing is ruined. Could it even BE ruined? He's now married to Salvatore Vulcano (or, should he say, Salvatore Gatto - that much is going to take some getting used to), the love of his life– is there any more reason he needs to be grateful for every breath he takes?

No words pass their lips as they dance, and though eyes are on them, guests watching with teary-eyed adoration, neither of them feel any degree of self conscious. They're lost in one another, so invested into one another's souls that nothing else matters. It's been this way since day one - it had just taken the better half of twenty five years to reach this stage. The natural chemistry on the day they'd met, the steady flame that had built between them as Joe had learnt to accept that Sal's supposed graces were in fact genuine, that he wasn't being strung along for a punchline. Everything Sal had given him over these years, everything they'd worked to have, it'd all been the most genuine aspect of his life.
As the song nears its end, Joe clears his throat and whispers: "I love you, Sal. And I'm so, soglad that we're not apart by law any more."

Vulcano's brow dips slightly. The beloved eyebrow dip, only ever in jest when done to him."Seems like a fixed thing to say."

Joe scoffs lightly, twirls him and presses their bodies flush together, earning a hushed coo from the crowd as they approach their finish. "All right, Mr.Judgement. Is it fixed to say that I can't wait to make love to ya the second we get back?"

Even in the dim light of the dim light of the hall, Gatto knows he's blushing. A small giggle passes Sal's lips as he leans in and presses a soft kiss to his husband's mouth, fingers on each of his hands clasping tightly behind his neck in an attempt to convey how much he does not want to let go; how he never wants this to end. When he pulls away again, forehead presses against his as they finish their dance together.

"In terms of tradition? Yeah. That's a fixed thing to say too."

Joe laughs, swats lightly at his side before he leans up and presses a gentle kiss to his forehead. He's laughing now, a pitched mass of giggles as Gatto presses an armada of excited kisses to his face, the crowd parting to let them release one another. It never happens, Sal sinking closer and closer to the floor as his husband continues to kiss him. He's aware people are watching, but even as Joe mounts him playfully, he couldn't care less. It's a wedding - whatever isn't socially conventional becomes cute for the day.

"Is this fixed too?" he asks, fingers jabbing each of his sides lightly, listening to the sharp pang of laughter that passes his other half's lips, who shakes his head through tears of laughter. "No, I didn't think so..."

"Joeyyy, people are looking..." Sal whines, trying to look displeased. He fails. Much like Joe, he couldn't care any less, and he watches the tell-tale squint of his lover's eyes as he rolls them and then levels him with a mock-serious frown.

"As long as I'm not fuckin' ya right here on the dance floor, I'd say it's fine. Let 'em gawk. They got the rest of their lives to gawk."

Despite the vulgarity, Sal finds himself smiling, lips curling adorably as Joe leans down a final time and kisses him square on the mouth before helping him to his feet. Even when Sal has adjusted himself, the other man doesn't let go. Fingers slowly lock together, both pairs of eyes looking down at their conjoined hands before sliding up to meet one another with certainty. This is it. This is the way it was supposed to be.

"You and me, Sal. Always."

Sal nods firmly in agreement, squeezing his husband's hand tightly. "You bet your ass it's 'always'."