Work Text:
They all looked at Joe, who was sitting on the floor after killing Keane, not moving.
Andy: “You need to get him up, Nicky!”
Even before Andy has finished the sentence, Nicky has already dropped his weapon and is kneeling to Joe’s left, where he gently forces Joe around away from the dead body and interlaces their fingers before leaning his forehead against Joe’s. They both close their eyes and sit like that until Joe’s breathing is calmer before Nicky starts to talk in a language the world has long forgotten.
Nicky: “Yusuf, I need you to forget the dark thoughts that are running through your mind and listen to me instead!”
Joe: “He almost..”
Nicky: “I know but we leave him in the past because?”
Joe: “We decide what we take with us from the past into the future!”
Nicky: “Because?”
Joe: “The future belongs to us!”
Nicky: “Because?”
Joe: “Each day we get is a gift itself, that we will never take for granted!"
Nicky: “Because?”
Joe: "We are still alive, and we still got each other to have, to hold, and to love!”
Nicky pulls Joe into his embrace and holds him tight.
Nicky: “And that is why I need you to stand up so you can help me with putting Merrick, this place, and Booker’s betrayal in the past as we did with that man, so we can face the future together as always.”
They look at each other and Nicky cups Joe’s cheek, who leans into it with a smile.
Joe: “I love you so much, Nicolo!”
Nicky: “I love you too, but the faster you stand up the faster we will be back in Malta.”
Nicky kisses Joe.
Joe: "Can we stay there for at least two years? Just us, our books, and good food.“
Nicky: “I would not have it any other way. Can’t wait to see you in the all too small red speedos, while you are giving the poor barista a lecture about how not to make coffee.”
When Nicky hears Joe laugh, he stands up and offers a hand to Joe who takes it without hesitation, and Nicky switches back to English before picking up his weapon again.
Nicky: “We are ready, Boss!”