Chapter Text
Booker looked at the names of his wife and sons. The gravesite looked beautiful with the flowers, something he was happy to leave to Nicky or else there wouldn't be anything growing there. Instead, he did something else. He simply sat down in the grass and told about his latest missions and how Nile still tolerated being around him, making sure that he didn't drink anymore or got into more trouble than necessary. Nile often sat on the bench with a book while Booker talked with his family. Sometimes, it was a quick conversation and other times, it was not. They simply took the time they needed. And Booker would do the same thing whenever Nile visited her family's gravesite.
"I'm going to get something to drink," Nile said. "Do you want anything? Maybe something to eat?"
"No thanks," Booker replied. "Could I have a moment alone with them? I promise it won't take long."
"Of course, no problem," Nile replied. "Just remember I got the keys to the Kawasaki. In case you decide to run off without me."
"Won't happen," Booker replied. "Also, because you got the credit card."
Nile placed a hand on Booker's shoulder and gave him a smile before she left him alone. When Nile got out on the street, she heard a familiar whistle and looked to her right, where she saw Nicky.
"Nicky," Nile said with a smile. "That was a surprise. What are you doing here? I thought you still were in Berlin."
"Helping Joe with keeping a promise," Nicky replied. "Look over there."
Nile saw Joe getting closer to Booker at the graveside.
"You don't need to worry, Nile," Nicky reassured when he saw the look on Nile's face. "They're going to have a talk. A much-needed talk, or don't you agree with me?"
"I do, yes," Nile replied. "I wonder what will they talk about."
"It's between them, not us," Nicky replied. "You could say it's a talk between brothers."
"Do you really think that?" Nile asked. "That they can be brothers again."
"They got one advantage that many people don't have. They got time on their side, and time can be a great healer," Nicky replied. "Or else if they start to fight, we do what Andy always threatens to do: lock them in a basement for a couple of years."
They both laughed.
"Come," Nicky said as he placed an arm around Nile's shoulder. "Let's walk for a bit. We'll stay close by."
"Okay," Nile replied. "We need to talk about your hermit look. What's the idea with that?"
"First of all, a hermit lives alone. I live with Joe," Nicky replied. "And if you want to talk about hairstyle, you should talk with Joe. He was the one who shaved his head on his own in the dark."
Before entering the graveyard, Joe could feel how nervous he was
"I'll go for a walk with Nile," Nicky said. "We won't be far away, so if there's anything, call me."
Joe nodded, which made Nicky take Joe's hand.
"I'm so damn nervous," Joe admitted. "How can this be so hard?"
"Because the first steps are always hard," Nicky replied. "Don't you remember how hard we struggled after the crusades?"
"I never forgot," Joe replied. "Okay, I better do this before I run away."
Joe kissed Nicky.
"Thanks, Nicky," Joe said. "For going with me,"
"Always," Nicky replied. "Just keeping the promise we gave each other all those years ago."
Joe smiled before kissing Nicky. Then Joe walked into the graveyard, making sure that Nile didn't see him yet. He needed to focus on the promise he had given Nicky. After a deep breath, he walked over to the Le Livre gravesite.
"Hi, Book," Joe said. "Can I sit?"
"Hi, Joe," Booker said. "Sure."
Joe sat down in the grass next to Booker. For a time, they just sat in silence.
"I need to say this, and it's damn hard," Joe said with a deep sigh. "I owe you for keeping the promise you gave to me in the hole and for getting me home to Nicky, but we both know that I'm still struggling with the fact that your actions almost cost me, my husband."
Booker nodded. It was one of the things he couldn't forgive himself for. That his actions almost killed Andy and Nicky.
"But I also know now that my anger towards you will cost me so much more than I'll gain back," Joe said. "So, I need you to give me the time I need to deal with my anger for your past actions."
"Take all the time you need, Joe," Booker said. "I know what my actions cost me. My dignity, my friends, my family, and my brother."
Joe nodded in agreement.
"I don't know if we ever can be brothers as we once were," Joe said. It was a truth that hurt, but it was true. They both knew it.
They sat a bit in silence again.
"We need to figure out what our relationship is going to be in the future for the sake of the others because we're also hurting them," Joe said. "I suggest we start with a clean slate."
"I think it's a great idea," Booker replied. "We both still got things that need to be processed."
"True," Joe replied. "And I think it's here we should start working on our problems together."
"How come?" Booker replied. "Do you have any ideas?"
"You come here to seek forgiveness for the hurt you brought on your family," Joe replied. "I also hurt your family because it was so easy to be angry at them for your actions, but not anymore. I hope you want to introduce me to them."
"With pleasure," Booker replied. "I think they would have welcomed you at our home."
For the next four days, Joe or Booker didn't move from the gravesite. Nicky and Nile made sure they had food and something to drink while they also made sure no one disturbed Joe and Booker.
Nicky and Nile were playing backgammon when Joe and Booker, who had just taken a shower, joined them.
"Nicky," Joe said as he took Nicky's hand in his. "Do you remember how it helped us walking through the desert after the crusades?"
Nicky nodded and kissed Joe.
"Take the time you need—both of you," Nicky said. But please bring a satellite phone with you."
"I promise that," Joe replied. "And I promise I'll hurry back to you again."
"As I said, take the time you need," Nicky replied. "I love you, Joe."
"And I love you too," Joe replied as he cubbed Nicky's cheek before kissing him. "I'll miss you with my entire being."
Joe kissed Nicky before he got up with a heavy heart.
"Wait," Nile said. "What's happening here? Are you leaving?"
Booker took Nile's hands in hers.
"Nicky will explain why," Booker replied. "And until I'm back again look after my family and... Well... Don't do anything stupid. And look out for my bikes."
Booker looked at Nicky.
"I'll look after Nile for you," Nicky said. "If you look after Joe for me."
"Promise," Booker replied before placing a kiss on Nile's head. "See you soon, Ange."
Joe kissed Nicky one last time before he left with Booker.
"You can't let them leave like this, Nicky," Nile said as she got up from her chair. "I won't let you do it."
Nicky took Nile's hand.
"They need a long walk, and we have to let them do it alone," Nicky said. "No matter how hard it's."
"Why?" Nile asked. "How is that going to help anyone?"
"Because a walk can help more than you ever will know," Nicky replied. "Joe and I found each other on a walk through the desert, and it made us realize that we needed each other more than we would admit, and from that, our relationship grew. Let Booker and Joe take a walk together because maybe they'll find what has been lost to them. Their brotherhood."
Nile sat down on a chair and looked at Nicky.
"They'll return when they're ready," Nicky promised. "Remember, they got time on their side."
"They can have two years," Nile said. "Or else I'll get them."
Nicky nodded as he handed the dice to Nile so they could finish their game of backgammon. Later, he would call Andy and tell her what Joe and Booker were doing, but Nile needed a friend for now.