Work Text:
The pitch black sky is dotted with bright specs of hope, clear indicators of how small the two men were in this life. Another long day of traveling has come to an end and the pair of wanderers again count their lucky stars that their souls remained on Earth. A comfortable log, a warm fire, semi-full stomachs, and silence felt like heaven to them. That silence is broken when the eldest releases a breath. The youngest looks away from nothing to fill his vision with someone who made him feel as important as the air they breathe.
“Do you believe in soulmates, Johnny?”
This question catches the youngest off guard. His steady breath was now caught in his throat, his neutral expression twisting into one of embarrassment.
“Can’t say I ever did growing up, no.”
“You never dreamt about that one person who was made specifically for you?”
“Didn’t think that person existed.”
A lingering silence is accompanied with a frown from the Italian, his green eyes still sparkling in the flickering light.
“Sorry…” The youngest starts but his partner shakes his head.
“Don’t be, Jojo. Beside, you said you didn’t believe in them growing up. You’re grown now, what do you think?”
“I feel like you’re setting me up.” A subtle blush spreads across the American’s cheeks, coaxing a warm smile from the other man.
“Perhaps I am.”
“Well quit!”
“Answer my question and I will!” The Italian shifts the arm that was resting atop of the log to hug the smaller man into him. A light struggle occurs, all in jest and stubbornness. After a short moment, the defensive party concedes and relaxes into the other’s side.
“I don’t like to be that hopeful.”
“Cazzo, what have you got to lose?”
A short pause.
“Everything.”
“You’re bullshitting.” The Italian begins to frown again.
“I am not! I…” The words get caught in the American’s throat, the cogs in his mind turning at a rapid pace.
The young man was used to getting his dreams dashed. At the start of their journey, he would have agreed that he had nothing else to lose. His life? He didn’t care much for it. Could lose it at any moment and didn’t care. But now, looking into his partner’s eyes… he could see the future in them. He could see himself. The two of them. Happy. Completely at peace.
No race.
No harm coming their way.
Just bliss.
“I’m not kidding. I could lose everything if I got my hopes up, Gyro.”
“So you’re going to live the rest of your life without any hope because you’re scared? I feel bad for your soulmate.”
“It ain’t like that!” Dormant anger rings through the smaller man’s voice.
“Then what is it like? Enlighten me.”
“You’re egging me on, quit it.” With a jerk of his shoulder, the American pulls away from his embrace.
“Can you be open with me for once in your life?” It seems as if the anger has become contagious.
“That’s precisely what I’m afraid of! What if I tell you everything and you just…”
Both of them filled the blank mentally. The Italian’s quick temper dissipates.
“I’m not going to. And you won’t either.”
“You don’t know that.”
“I do. And you wanna know how?” The American furrows his brows, urging his partner on. “Because I have finally met my soulmate. I can never truly leave this world as long as they’re around.”
“You’re making that up.”
“I’m serious.”
The stoic look on the eldest’s face solidified his claim. This creates a pit of guilt in the American’s stomach.
“You won’t leave?”
“No. Even when the both of us depart from this world, our souls will be intertwined in the afterlife as well. No solitude for us.”
“How can you be so optimistic about this?”
“You taught me how.”
“Now you’re bullshitting me.”
“I’m not. I feel your fear, Johnny. I understand it. But I learned to just give into it and you’ve paid me handsomely for it.”
“But I haven’t done anything.”
The Italian simply laughs, causing his partner to pout.
“Oh, Jojo…”
“What?”
“Will you just answer my question now?”
After a long pause, the smaller man releases a sigh.
“I believe in soulmates now. I was damn near dead before I met mine. But now I’m not. So there.”
“Must be a special person to have the power of resurrection.” They both chuckle.
“He is special. And although he annoys the hell out of me, he’s my world. My new world.”
“Lucky guy.”
“Yeah, he is. And he knows it.”
That all knowing, golden smile flashes before the young man’s eyes before he’s pulled into another embrace. This one is reciprocated with all of the strength they both could muster.
“So, you gonna tell Diego about this?”
“Screw you!” A quick shove and boisterous laughter fill their shared bubble. They settle and connect once again.
A long moment passes.
“Do I really annoy you that much?”
“Every day without fail. But I do enjoy it.”
“My little masochista.” The eldest man nestles his face into his partner’s neck, soliciting another laugh.
Eventually, the two separate to prepare for another day of traveling. Perhaps another day of fighting that will put them at risk. But they both faced it without fear. They face it with the spellbound promise that they will also remain together. That’s all that mattered.