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They all had gotten out of the manor in what seems like a miracle. It was odd, after spending so long in that hellish place for the baron to just let them go with the things he promised them in the first place. None of them really questioned it, after all there was more pressing matters now that they're out. Many of the residents grouped up together as they looked for a place to stay, others went on their own path, and honestly Norton was still caught up on what to do with such a large amount of money.
As soon as he realized he got the money he was owed, without skipping a heartbeat he decided to share the sum with Luca who had just gotten their large amount. After all, Norton couldn’t imagine being without Luca and Luca was more than happy to share the rest of their life with him. Neither of them really wanted to stay in Europe for much longer because Luca has an itching paranoia that someone might recognize them and Norton would rather not call this place home after all they’ve been through. It was easy to decide where to go, after all Norton always wanted to go back to Mexico. Luca only asked before they left if they could travel all around Europe one last time.
How could Norton ever deny them?
It's a carefree trip since they’re in no rush to see everything, just the places Luca had remembered in their youth. From old vacation spots to bustling cities where they studied, anything nostalgic really. Norton knows well enough the feeling of being away from home for seemingly decades. After all their moving across the world, there's no guarantee they'll be back here again. But he’s happy to experience all these things with Luca who is delighted any time they remember the paths they took or the foods they’ve eaten before.
It was fairly easy getting people to drive them place to place given neither of them trusted their eyesight to drive anywhere on their own. Somehow better with how Luca was able to remember the various languages they've learnt. At least enough to get drivers and thank them endlessly for the help. Norton theorizes half the reason they’ve been nice to them was because of how imitating he looks (Luca argues is because they still have their old charm.)
This time, Luca easily fell into conversation with the driver this time given it's their native language and all. Occasionally turning back to fill in on whatever topic the two had landed on, not that Norton was paying too much attention but he still found it endearing. They always considered him in whatever way they could. He was just much more occupied watching the landscape shift and change as they continued onward. From whatever cliff that juts out of the mountain or the fields of crops for the number of small farms they pass. Taking in all the sights just to understand land a bit more.
Luca turns back to him, "Hey Campbell, we're going to make it to our spot pretty soon.I suppose you should start getting ready, I promise it’ll be fun." They punctuate with a smile.
"I'm ecstatic. Really can't contain who happy I am." Signature flatness to his reply, though he couldn't hide his smirk.
Luca only laughs in return, waving him off returning back to their conversation. Norton doesn’t need to see their face to know that they’re smiling brighter now. And he goes back to watching the mountains change slowly into a small town.
-
"How the hell are you walking on this barefoot."
They laugh, which is just as charming as ever, "You’re acting like we didn’t have to run for our lives for hours! C’mon just practice it a bit and you’ll be fine." Continuing to walk across the stoney beach. Norton can see their cheeky smile as they watch him struggle to follow.
For today, they've decided to take a swim in a river that cuts through the town. Secluded enough to just be the two of them to relax after a long day of travel and at least avoid the judging gaze of the townsfolk. Of course Norton didn’t know that it would be a rocky beach than the sand you’d expect. All the rocks vary from a few large rocks that have yet to be sanded down by the water to the medium stones that made up the beach, too big to be considered gravel but smooth enough not to hurt your feet. Though a bit unbearable to walk on. He was trying his best to appreciate the variety of colors as he tried to follow his partner.
They finally pick a spot where the tree's shade is perfectly positioned over the towel, which was laid out on dirt so Norton can stand on it without complaining. Just close enough to the river to just jump into it too, or well run really fast into it. Just a sweet little spot they made for themselves with only the birds to bother them. Almost like their own little world to be in.
Only after a bit of relaxing Luca tries to coax him into the water. Who had tugged him all the way to the edge of the river, "C'mon you're the one complaining about the heat! You’ll cool down fast this way!"
"I'm not getting in. That river's ice cold." Norton grumbled, cool water washing over his feet just barely.
"You'll survive!" Luca shouted, already knee deep into the water. They couldn't stop smiling even if they were complaining about Norton's hesitancy. "You'll feel better once you join me!! Trust me, I've scientifically proved it myself!!"
Norton could help but give a bit of a laugh at that, he just knows their only smiling wider at that.
"Okay, but if I drown it's your fault alright."
Luca only jabs at him to go further into the water, that taking it slow would only make it worse. But Norton just continued on walking into the water slowly, not even noticing that Luca dived into the water not until they popped up with their hair soaked making them look like a very happy wet mop. He couldn't help but laugh at the sight, Luca dragging him more into the water as he was distracted.
"C'mon c'mon!! The water is refreshing, it’ll cool you right off!!"
"Keep tryna drag me in ‘n I'll make you regret following you here."
"Haha! I'd like to see you try!" Luca laughs only to be quickly interrupted by Norton pulling Luca into the water with himself. After a few moments they both resurface, continuing to splash each other. Bigger and bigger waves of water are going at each other as their lil war continued.
Only stopping when Luca lays flat in the water. "Bleeh. I've died, horribly. Let my watery grave consume me."
"Pfft-"
"Ohh great river I have fallen, swallow me whole and let me pass to the afterlife!"
Norton grabs their arm before they float too far away from him. "You're being dramatic, ya could've just told me you wanted a break."
Luca huffs, pouting as they complain. "Yeah but where's the fun in that Campbell! Can't I enjoy a bit of dramatics while I'm on a LOVELY vacation!?"
"Yup, got it. The water infected you. Completely understand." He nods. "We'll get you out then." Norton starts pulling them to shore by the leg.
"Eh?! Wait wait hold on!! Not yet! Can't we stay a bit longer!"
"Nope." Norton makes sure to pop the P as he scoops up Luca in his arms as he starts to walk on the rocky beach. (Regretting a little bit carrying Luca on this.) "Plus, I'm hungry."
-
It only took them a bit to prepare the food they brought with them. Luca had said earlier that it would've been better to cook something there then leave to some restaurant. Fresh tomatoes, peppers, these little meat rolls "Cevapi" if Norton remembered correctly, some bread to go along with every. It was a happy little spread for the two of them to enjoy.
Sharing food was important to the both of them, after all the both went periods of time where they had to scrap by on nothing. Something like eating grilled meat was like a luxury to Norton. Even in the manor he was wary of the food, as nice as it was to always have access to some he could never trust that the manor didn't tamper with it.
Luca even treated the food like it was a delicacy. Hard not to after how long they had to pick out the mold in whatever bread they were given, ignore the rot in the vegetables served. Really any warm meal seemed like a step up. Though Luca still picked through their food, the habit of checking never really died even in the manor. If anything Norton liked to watch their little process eating, it was interesting. (Every part of Luca was interesting.)
Eating was a quiet endeavor for the both of them, they enjoyed talking to each other just as they enjoyed being in one another's presence. Something as small as sharing food together was enough connection they needed even after they spent however long swimming together.
After a bit, Luca spoke up.
"I'd like to go somewhere."
-
They brought flowers, blue ones. Norton didn't know the exact name and Luca was only going off spotty memory. A candle and some cleaning supplies with them.
It's one of the largest graveyards Norton has ever had. Where he can see grave stones go up the hill of the mountain slightly. The one in his home town was only a fraction of the size, where they buried empty caskets of his coworkers.
"Some terrible things have happened here. I don't think I'd do any justice explaining it." Luca begins as they weave through the winding path.
"We're in a beautiful country, it's just cursed."
Shortly they reach the headstone they were looking for. A couple's one. Used to be white but worn down with dirt, plants attempting to grow over parts of it. There seemed to be an old candle still there, only left on one side of the grave.
Herman balsa Andela Balsa
18XX - 18XX 18XX - 18XX
There were portraits of the two engraved onto the stones where Herman held a neutral expression, Angela with a warm smile. He could almost describe her features as kind.
Luca had already begun pulling on the weeds threatening to overgrown the grave, starting a small pile as they worked. Norton knelt down and helped, there was a lot of cleaning to do.
It didn't look like many had visited in a while, Norton noted the thick layer of dust on the line candle as he put it aside. He doesn't ask, not yet at least. He'd rather not interrupt Luca's moment of mourning with some simple question.
So they tread on, cleaning til Luca places the flowers on their mother's side. Carefully lighting the candle there too.
They both sit there, in the grass, for a moment. In quiet contemplation, staring at their mother's portrait.
Quietly Luca breaks the Silence.
"I think this'll be the last time anyone visits this grave."
Norton only tilts his head in confusion rather than asking a question.
" That last candle was one I put there before. It was right after I left to study with my mentor, I knew going to London wouldn't really allow me to visit here often so I wanted one last visit."
"I don't think my other family members quite liked us. After what my father did. It sucks”, they said, letting out a bitter chuckle, “That they decided it wasn't even work it to visit her grave anymore."
"Well that’s a damn shame”, Norton interjected. "I don't think she should have suffered for something he caused."
Norton watches as their brows furrowed slightly, their nose scrunched up. He could only really infer what was going on in their head though this time it was clearly about their father.
However, he couldn't blame them for those bubbling feelings of hatred. If that man weren't already six feet under, I would’ve buried him myself, he thought.
"..... I just wish I could remember her more”, they murmured “What kinda of child am I to just.... I don't know. Now I'm not ever going to visit her again, I don't.." they look down, gripping their lap in a way Norton knows hurts. It's that complicated look in their eyes where they can't quite make sense of things in their head.
Gently he pushes some of their fallen bangs to their ear, drawing in closer. "Hey. It's not like you chose to forget. Ease up on yourself." He pulls them into a half hug of sorts, almost automatically they lean their head on his shoulder. "Besides I'm sure she's happy to be there with you. In a way."
"Mhhn."
Norton takes a moment to think before he begins to speak. "n if you still want to honor her, even if you can't visit her grave. There's this... Tradition, we do back where I'm from."
Norton sees the look in their eyes, the one where it's showing their listening even if they're in the rare mood of not wanting to talk. He can't help the twinge of happiness.
"Honoring the dead's real important, we uh... hold days just to celebrate the people close to us that passed." Contemplating for a moment. "If you want... We can get a photo of her. Then she'd still be with you no matter where you are."
It's quiet, a gentle breeze flows through them as the sun blisters in the sky. Luca stays there, still, thinking. Sweat drips down the side of their face before they turn to look into Norton's eyes.
They're cold and dark, mismatched just like theirs. There's never any light in those eyes but Luca knows that they're kind.
"I think that'd be nice."
"Photos are all I have left of her after all."
Norton holds out a hand to Luca, callused all over just like theirs. And they take it, his hand much warmer than his and stable as he pulls them up. Luca holds on. Enjoying that warmth just a bit longer.