Work Text:
On the one side, Joe was happy that the grenade didn't cost him his life, but on the other side, he was so angry at himself for the whole situation because in his book it was a rookie mistake not checking if the grenade was a dud.
When Joe wanted to rub his eyes in an attempt to get the dirt and debris out of his eyes, someone took his hands preventing him from doing it, which made Joe smile because he would recognize those hands anywhere, everywhere, in light and darkness.
Joe: "Hey Babe, are we winning?"
Nicky: "They ran away as soon as they saw you as always. Can you stand?"
Joe: "For you, always. You're after all the foundation of my life."
Nicky kissed Joe on the forehead before he pulled Joe up from the ground and placed a gun between his hands.
Nicky: "Just as we did in Lagos!"
Joe: "Got it."
Joe placed his hand on Nicky's shoulder and gave it a squeeze as a sign to Nicky that he was ready. As it had been ever since they stopped killing each other, Joe followed Nicky. Nile, who was covering their backs found it impressive that whenever Nicky turned, Joe turned in the same moment, and whenever Nicky said that Joe should shoot to his right or left, Joe did it and hit the target without hitting Nicky.
When they reached a creek, Nicky made Joe kneel and tore a sleeve of his t-shirt since it was the cleanest part of it. Then Nicky gently started to clean Joe's face and eyes. It didn't take long before Nicky took around Joe's chin to prevent him from moving his head away.
Nicky:
"Sit still. You're even worse than a child."
Joe: "Do you have to do it so hard? I got sensitive skin."
Nicky: "You have survived worse things than a face scrubbing."
Nile:
"How did you know that it was Nicky in front of you and not a target?"
Joe: "I will always know that it is Nicky because I always see him even with my eyes closed."
Joe smiled as he placed a hand on Nicky's cheek, who returned the smile.
Joe: "He is the moon in my night, he is.."
Nicky: "Sorry Tesoro, but it has to wait until we are somewhere safer. Just like you did in South Africa and wanted to cite Greek poetry minutes before a battle and there wasn't time for it."
Joe: "What's wrong with some poetry before a battle?"
Nicky: "Nothing but I would rather hear those words you have to say once this is over because your beautiful words will only be drowned on the battlefield."
Joe: "It also gives me time to perfect the sonnet I have been composing in my mind ever since we left."
Nicky: "That's the spirit. Is it better now?"
Joe: "It helps, but things are still blurry."
Nile: "Sorry to interrupt the moment but we need to move."
Joe: "Is it just me or does Nile sound more and more like Andy as the years go by?"
Nicky: "It's a good thing you can't see what Nile is doing right now."
Joe: "Looking lovely as always."
Nicky: "Exactly. Ready?"
Joe: "For you always."
Nicky pulled Joe up once again, where Joe got a gun and placed a hand on Nicky's shoulder before they continued their mission.