Work Text:
“Maybe it's not gonna work.”
“Peace cannot exist without justice.”
“The boy who hurt your man…”
“His name is John Hogan.”
“The boy who hurt John Hogan is gonna be dead soon. We have to deal with Troy, I know that.”
“He will never accept my people.”
“Troy has to go, but you can't martyr him.”
“Exile.”
“That's fair---My son.”
“Your son has to answer for what he did.”
“He joined Troy. He made that choice.”
“And he convinced Troy to surrender.”
“How did he manage that?”
“Who gives a shit? He saved lives. He protected our peace. Ends justify means. There can be consequences, but he stays here. Nick lives.”
“No, absolutely not. Troy and Nick must both be banished from here. I do not want to see either of their faces here ever again Madison, I’m serious.”
“Taqa, I know you're mad and you have absolutely every right to be, but Nick is my son. You can’t possibly expect me to exile my own son.”
“They cannot stay here, I think I’m being more than reasonable. First thing tomorrow morning I want them both gone.”
♡♡♡
Troy and Nick’s heads were covered by burlap sacks as they were pushed into the cargo bed of the rusted out truck taking them to the middle of nowhere.
After being tossed around in the back of the beat up pick up truck for what seemed like hours, it finally came to a halt. Madison got out of the driver's seat and let the tailgate down to let the two boys out of the truck bed.
Madison carefully removed the sacks covering the boys' faces then turned her body toward Nick.
“I’m so so sorry I couldn’t do more for you,” Madison said looking sullenly at the ground to avoid eye contact with her son.
“Mom, it’s okay. I understand why it has to be this way. Don’t worry about me, I’m suicide proof.” Nick said with a chuckle, embracing Madison in a tight gripped hug.
“Here’s some supplies. Food, water, ammo, and a gun. Should last you until you find the next place.” Madison said, handing the sack full of supplies to Nick.
“Bye Nick,” Madison said one last time, tears threatening to spill over as she hugged her son one last time before departing.
“Hey hey hey, it’s not a goodbye. Just see you later,” Nick responded with a smile.
And just like that Madison got into the truck and drove away, not a thing in her mind except the son she was leaving behind.
“Let’s get going,” Nick said to Troy, pulling out the gun and loading it with the ammo Madison had given him while staring at the open desert waiting to be explored.