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They were the only ones left on the night bus, so they could have taken two seats each so they could stretch their long legs, but as usual, they wanted to be as close to each other as possible.
Joe looked down at a sleeping Nicky, who had his head on Joe's shoulder before kissing his forehead. Joe didn't mind the drooling coming from Nicky, leaving his sweater wet. If you asked Joe, Nicky was damn cute whenever he drooled in his sleep, something Nicky didn't agree on. After making sure that Nicky's jacket still covered him so he wouldn't freeze, Joe returned to his latest sketch, which he was drawing with only one hand because Nicky was holding onto the other one.
"You should..." Nicky muttered. "Also sleep. Need it."
"I will sleep once we get there," Joe replied. "You know how much I hate sleeping on things that move."
Nicky snuggled into Joe again and fell asleep. Joe thought Nicky was right about that he needed to sleep after five years of fighting in yet another war, but Joe, being as stubborn as he was, refused to sleep before he lay in a bed somewhere safe where no one would shoot at him or Nicky. And another advantage of sleeping somewhere safe was that they both could be naked without worrying too much about their surroundings.
At first, they thought of going to their safe house in Malta, but Nicky wished to see the North Sea and feel its cold winds on his face after spending so much time in a humid climate. Joe, who always strove to fulfil every wish Nicky had, said yes because deep down inside, Joe also longed to feel the cold winds on his face. That was why they were on this bus this night because it would take them closer and faster to their safe house on the Belgian coast than if they walked.
Joe stopped drawing for a moment and looked down at Nicky again. Joe couldn't wait to see nothing but happiness and carefulness on Nicky's face after years of fear of losing each other in a war. After more than 1200 years on this Earth and most of that time spent as Lovers, dying still wasn't easy, and it should never become that, but Joe wished it could be without all the fear that went through his body every time he saw Nicky dying.
An announcement from the bus driver brought Joe back to the moment at hand.
"Nicolò, Love," Joe said in a low voice. "We are almost there."
Nicky grunted as he sat up before looking at Joe with a sleepy look on his face.
"What?" Nicky asked. "Why are you smiling like that?"
Joe didn't want to start another fight with Nicky about those cute noises he made whenever he woke up.
"Nothing," Joe replied. "I'm going to get our backpacks and golf clubs."
Joe kissed Nicky just as the bus stopped. After another smile, Joe got out of the bus as the first one. The bus driver handed Joe the golf clubs and their belongings.
"Has anyone told you there aren't any places to play golf for the next fifty miles?" The Bus Driver asked. "Or you have to cross the Canal."
"I know that," Joe replied. "But we are going to Scotland later, and they are known for their golf courses."
Joe thanked the bus driver for his services before walking over to Nicky, who still looked half asleep.
"Please tell me that ALL our golf clubs are there," Nicky said. "I'm too tired to chase after some idiot again like in Nice."
Back in Nice, a pickpocket saw the chance of a big payout when he stole the golf clubs. Joe still believed that the pickpocket decided to change his life and job after Nicky had gotten his hands on him.
"All fourteen are still here," Joe said after counting the golf clubs. "So, nothing to worry about."
"Good," Nicky replied. "Let's get going. I long to sleep in a bed in your arms without any clothes on."
Nicky took Joe's hand in his hand.
"There is a plan I can get behind," Joe replied. "But is it okay with one more stop before going home?"
Nicky stared at Joe.
"I can't remember the last time you wanted to take a detour after I told you I wanted to get naked," Nicky said. "What have you done to my Husband?"
Nicky poked Joe's arm, which made Joe laugh.
"I don't know," Joe replied. "But I promise you that your Husband will help you get undressed because you are so slow at times."
"Am not," Nicky protested. "Remember, you are talking to a man who started life out in a robe, which I pulled over my head, and I was naked, so I'm still getting used to more than one piece of clothing."
Joe smirked.
"And no," Nicky said. "I'm too tired to roleplay."
"I wasn't saying anything," Joe replied. "I promise."
"But I can tell you were thinking some very dirty thoughts," Nicky replied. "And you also got ideas."
Joe pulled Nicky closer to him.
"Ever since I first bedded you, My Love, I have had nothing but ideas of how to bring you pleasure in bed," Joe admitted. "So just wait until I have gotten some sleep."
Nicky snuggled into Joe.
"And I can't wait," Nicky replied. "Just us for the next year. I can't wait to be idiots in love, as Nile calls us."
"Me neither," Joe replied. "We will do all the things we love and find new things to do."
They walked a bit in silence.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "Where are we going?"
"It's just around the corner," Joe replied as he stopped walking. "Could you close your eyes? I want it to be a surprise."
Nicky smiled as he closed his eyes.
"Don't blame me," Nicky said. "If I fall asleep while walking."
Joe laughed as he took Nicky's hand in his hand before they walked again.
"I won't," Joe replied. "It is a good surprise."
It didn't take long before they stopped.
"Count down from three," Joe said. "Okay?"
Nicky nodded before counting down. When Nicky opened his eyes, they stood on a small square with a big Christmas tree decorated with light chains and bulbs. Joe wrapped his arms around Nicky from behind, and for the first time in years, they both could feel the shift in their bodies, which went from being alert to relaxed.
"I thought we should have a little bit of Christmas this year, even though we are three days too late," Joe said before kissing Nicky on the cheek. "Merry Christmas, Nicolò."
Nicky placed his hands on Joe's hands before he turned his head so they could kiss.
"Merry Christmas, Yusuf," Nicky said. "This is a beautiful Christmas tree."
"It is, yes," Joe replied. "I promise we will celebrate Christmas properly next year with an even bigger Christmas tree and more Christmas gifts than you can imagine."
Nicky turned around before kissing Joe again.
"I don't want material things, you know that because all I want is moments with you, I can treasure and remember whenever times are hard," Nicky said. "And standing in front of this Christmas tree with you this night will be one of those moments I will always treasure and remember.
They leaned their foreheads together with a happy smile.
"I will also treasure and remember this moment with you," Joe said. "Forever."
They decided to sit down on a bench and enjoy the sight of the Christmas tree for a bit. They sat there, hand in hand, exchanging memories of Christmases past and other happy Christmas memories until the town started to awaken. After a stop at the baker to get some freshly baked bread, they walked the last four hours towards their safe house.