Work Text:
They had sought shelter for the night in a bomb-out bar. Andy and Booker would check the backroom to see if there were any booze left, Nile said she would search for some water so she could get washed, while Joe and Nicky would make sure that no one could get inside tonight.
When Nile left the bathroom, she heard piano music. At first, she thought someone had found a record player, but when she returned to the bar, she saw Nicky playing the piano and singing a song for Joe, who was lying with his head in Nicky's lap. Nile sat down at the table, where Andy and Booker were sharing a bottle of whiskey.
Nile: "I didn't know that Nicky played the piano or could sing, for that matter."
Booker: "We all got secret talents. My secret talent is tolerating Andy."
Andy made a face at Booker, who chuckled.
Andy: "No matter how hard you try, you'll never be funny, Booker."
Nile listened to the music for a while. Just as it was the case with Joe and his art, it was clear that living a long life had turned Nicky into a world-class pianist and singer.
Andy: "Nile, I know that Joe has told you many different stories about how they fell in love, but the truth is that it was a shared love for the art who did it. And they return to the art whenever they have been to war or through a difficult time. Joe by drawing, Nicky by playing the piano and singing a song or two."
Nile: "That's a beautiful thing to do. And they're both beyond good."
Andy: "They're yes. If you ever are looking for a good story, ask them to tell you the story about how they once toured Europe with their show and got to play for kings, emperors, and other people."
Nile nodded.
Nile: "I think I'll try to get some sleep. Night."
Nile took her bedroll before lying down on the floor. She didn't sleep at all that night, she just listened to the music, while thinking if she could ask Nicky to teach her to play the piano the way he did, because it sounded so beautiful.