Work Text:
On their way to meet up with the rest at a meeting point outside Berlin, Joe and Nicky walked through a town that had recently been bombed and destroyed by everyone fighting in this war.
Nicky: "Joe?"
Joe turned around and looked at Nicky, who looked just as tired as he felt.
Joe: "Yes, Babe?"
Nicky: "I know it's a terrible idea, but could we not take a break and celebrate Christmas? We haven't done that in ages."
Joe: "Celebrating Christmas is never a terrible idea, but I suggest we do it somewhere else than on the streets, just in case they start shooting again."
Nicky agreed to Joe's plan to find shelter, which they found on a side street in one of the few buildings that still had walls and roofs standing after the bombing. It was easy enough to get inside because there were no windows left in the building, and, as usual, Joe insisted on checking whether anyone was hiding inside while Nicky stood guard outside.
Joe: "All clear. And I think you'll like this place."
Joe helped Nicky inside, and when he looked around, he couldn't believe his eyes.
Nicky: "I can't believe it. We found a bookshop."
Most of the bookshop had gone up in flames, but there were still some books that had survived the fire.
Nicky: "Look, Joe."
Nicky showed Joe a book with burned edges.
Joe: "That proves that storytelling always will survive whatever mankind does to it. Is it a good book?"
Nicky looked at the front page of the book.
Nicky: "Not really. It's a book about Christopher Columbus."
Joe: "He still owes Andy money."
Nicky placed the book back in its place before he took another book from another shelf and blew the dust off it.
Joe: "Before you start reading, take off your backpack. Your back will thank you for that."
Nicky: "Oh, yeah, you're right."
After getting his backpack off his sore back, Nicky opened the book.
Nicky: "It's 'The Great Gatsby'."
Joe: "That is a better book than the one about Columbus."
Nicky: "True. And seeing this book brings back fond memories about the twenties and those big parties we attended."
Joe: "I know what you mean. Dancing, laughing, drinking, eating great food and not to mention having sex."
Nicky read a page of the book before putting it back on the shelf. Then, he helped Joe make a small fire, and they sat down to eat their Christmas dinner.
Joe: "What a feast we're having this Christmas night. Dried biscuits and a can of..."
Joe tried to read what it said on the can.
Joe: "I'm not eating that, or else I'll be in even bigger trouble with my tummy than I already am."
They were both dealing with tummy problems because they hadn't had a decent meal in ages.
Nicky: "What's it?"
Joe: "Corned beef. What a great invention."
Joe's sarcasm made Nicky smile, something that hadn't happened a lot during this war.
Nicky: "I agree with you. But I do have something I know our tummies will love."
Joe: "Uh, that does sound intriguing, please tell."
Nicky: "It will cost you a kiss."
Joe: "I'll kiss you five times, just to be on the safe side."
When they kissed, it still felt good, and they could feel how much they had missed it. Then Nicky produced something Joe hadn't seen in ages.
Joe: "You got chocolate. Where have you gotten that from?"
Nicky: "My secret."
Joe: "Tease."
Nicky broke the chocolate bar into pieces, and they ate their Christmas dinner.
Nicky: "So, what will you do once the war is over?"
Joe: "Besides having sex with you?"
Nicky nodded. He was looking forward to it as well.
Joe: "First, I want to eat a decent meal, sleep in a soft bed and take a long, hot shower. And when all of that is done, I want to return to the mountains and enjoy the silence."
Joe licked his fingers clean of the chocolate.
Joe: "Wanna come with me?"
Nicky: "Try stopping me."
Nicky drank some more water. He missed a good bottle of wine.
Joe: "And you? What are your big plans? I know, you want to reread books."
Joe followed Nicky's eyes, who looked at all the books.
Nicky: "That's true. But there is one more thing I want to do before we return to the mountains."
Joe: "Tell me."
Nicky: "I want to see Malta again. I miss that place so much."
Joe took Nicky's hand.
Joe: "I know what you mean, because I feel the same way. Do you think the big orange tree is still there?"
A few centuries ago, they planted fruit trees all over Malta as a way to feed the people there.
Nicky: "I like to think that. And I also like to think you will sit under the orange tree while eating oranges and drawing again."
Joe: "I'll only do that if you promise me you'll place your head in my lap and read out loud to me."
Nicky: "I promise."
They talked a bit more about what they wanted to do after the war.
Nicky: "It isn't much..."
Nicky handed Joe a stack of paper and some coal.
Nicky: "But this is my Christmas gift to you. I hope you can find a moment to draw again."
Joe: "Oh, Nico, I love my Christmas gift."
Joe took Nicky's Christmas gift with a big smile before kissing Nicky.
Joe: "I also got something for you."
Joe placed his Christmas gift beside him. Then Joe found Nicky's Christmas gift in his backpack.
Nicky: "Oh, a book I haven't read yet. Thanks, Joe."
Nicky kissed Joe before opening his new book.
Nicky: "I meant to read 'The Hobbit' when it came out, but things happened."
Joe: "I know. And I have a small confession."
Nicky: "What do you mean?"
Joe: "If it hadn't been for this book shop, I wouldn't have gotten you a Christmas gift this year."
Nicky kissed Joe.
Nicky: "Being with you is a gift in itself."
Joe: "I can only say the same thing, and I want many more years with you."
Nicky: "I can only agree."
After some more kissing, Joe placed his arm around Nicky's shoulders, and while Nicky read from his new book, Joe kept watch. Just before dawn, they left the book shop.
Nicky: "Did you pay for the book you gave me?"
Joe: "Yes, and I think you mean books."
Nicky: "Books? I don't follow."
Joe: "I also bought you these."
Joe handed Nicky four more books, including 'The Great Gatsby'.
Joe: "It should keep you entertained until we reach Berlin."
Nicky: "If we weren't standing on the streets, I would kiss and hug you."
Joe: "I'll save it for when I need it. Come, we've got a long road ahead of us."