Chapter Text
Joe and Nicky ended up spending almost four years living a normal life in Montmartre. They went on dates, had different jobs, made friends, and did many other things they loved doing together. Still, they both knew that the day would come when they had to leave the life they had built together in Montmartre for a new life somewhere else in the world before people started asking too many questions about them.
One spring morning, Joe and Nicky looked at each other with the look in their eyes they knew so well, so they wrapped their arms around each other and held each other tight.
Nicky: "We could take one last summer here. I wouldn't mind it."
Joe: "I wouldn't mind it either, but after what happened last night, I think we should see it as a sign to move on. Or else I could fear there is a chance trouble will find us."
Last night, they had plans to eat dinner at a bistro, but as soon as they saw a man they knew too well from a previous mission, they hurried back to their apartment, hoping the man hadn't recognised them.
Nicky: "I know, you are right."
Nicky looked around the kitchen with sadness in his eyes, and Joe hated it because it meant that this dream was over.
Nicky: "Okay, let's start packing. If you take care of selling this place and find us a vehicle, then I will pack our backpacks and some food."
Joe: "Sounds like a plan, but Nicky, instead of selling this place, let's rent it out to a young family with the usual terms."
The usual terms were that if someone renting one of their homes wanted to buy it, they could do so for a small sum.
Nicky: "I like that thought."
It took them two days to pack the backpacks and other stuff they wanted to take with them. And five days later, they had found a young family who couldn't believe their luck when they saw their new home. After reassuring the young family that they were not being scammed, Joe and Nicky left their home in Montmartre for the last time.
Joe: "I promise we will return one day, Nicky, and that we will have just a lovely home like this time."
Nicky: "I know, Joe. And I cannot wait for that day."
Nicky took Joe's hand, and they got into the car Joe had rented. And it didn't take long before they had left Paris and were driving south.
Joe: "I talked with the Boss yesterday, and everything is fine or as fine as it can be with her."
Nicky: "That's good to know. I do miss her."
Joe: "Me, too."
The car turned left.
Joe: "Anyway, the Boss told me that we will meet in Cairo in the spring, which gave me an idea."
Nicky: "Interesting. Does that idea mean I have to get naked?"
Joe looked at Nicky with a smirk.
Joe: "At some point, yes. But I thought that since there are almost 10 months until we all meet again, why don't we travel through France, Spain, and Egypt on horseback? We have made that trip before, and it gives us time to see some old stomping grounds along the way. And also, if we do travel on horseback, it means we can camp outside and look at the stars and make love under them."
Nicky smiled.
Nicky: "Incurable romantic."
Joe: "That's me, and you know it."
Nicky: "Yes, I do. And I have to say, I love the idea of us travelling on horseback again, since it has been a long time since the last time. So, where do we find some horses?"
Joe: "I talked with someone who lives a few hours' drive from Paris, and he is expecting us tomorrow."
Nicky: "Great. I hope that the horses he is selling are in far better shape than the last ones we bought. It was a miracle we made it to Damascus on time."
Joe: "I hope the same, or else I will be walking to Egypt because I refuse to carry another horse the entire way."
Nicky laughed.
Nicky: "Always so dramatic, which is something I love or else I would get bored."
Joe: "Glad to hear that I am not boring you yet."
Nicky: "You have always been far more interesting than I ever will be."
Joe: "Are we really having that conversation again? Because we both know I disagree with you about who is the most interesting of the two of us."
Nicky: "I know. And no, I don't want to have that conversation with you right now."
Nicky looked out of the window at the landscape, and they drove for a while in silence.
Joe: "The car needs gas. Do you want anything?"
Nicky: "Only a kiss from you."
Joe: "And you shall have it."
Joe kissed Nicky before getting out of the car. It didn't take long for Joe to return.
Joe: "Tell me what's on your mind."
Joe placed his hand on Nicky's arm.
Nicky: "That the life we lived in Montmartre will always be one of my favourites. Most of all, because it has been a long while since we could last live this openly as we did. You know, kissing and holding hands in public without people commenting about it."
Joe: "I will also always love this life for the same reasons. And I hope, no, that's wrong, I know we will get the chance to do it all over again, because for the first time in ages, it seems like most of the world is ready to accept two men loving each other."
They leaned their foreheads together with a smile.
Nicky: "If what you are saying is true, I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings us."
Joe: "Me, too. And we will face the future together as we always have done."
Nicky: "Yes, as long as we hold onto each other..."
Nicky took Joe's hand.
Nicky: "Then we can face anything that the world throws at us."
Joe squeezed Nicky's hand.
Joe: "I can only agree with you. And..."
Before Joe could say anything, someone honked behind them. Joe turned his head and realised that there was a line of cars behind them.
Joe: "We will continue this conversation later, okay?"
Nicky nodded, and Joe started the car before he drove away.
Nicky: "I was thinking, while we are crossing through Spain, should we make a stop and see how far they have gotten with building the Sagrada Família?"
Joe: "I would love that. Do you think they will ever finish building that church?"
Nicky: "Only time will tell."
Joe laughed.
Joe: "Good one. Also, while we are in Spain, we should also check out..."
While driving, they planned the next steps of their journey, something they were both looking forward to because they were doing it together, as they always had, and that was how they liked things to be.