Page 134 of Monstrous Travels as Wicked as Sin

Percy’s head tilted back with a smile. “No fish heads?”

Joe laughed.“No fish heads.”

“Let’s do it. Then…” He raised Joe’s hands up and kissed his fingers, his thumb toying with the ring he’d given him, watching for his expression over the top. “What do you say we go home?”

“Home? Home as in…home?” Joe had all but given up the idea. The resurrections had taken so long. Percy’s necessity to be the cash cow, Althea and Leo’s apparent reliance on him… It wasn’t something he’d thought was an option. “But the Necronomicon. It’s in Japan, probably. And the Holy Grail, if that’s something you’re serious about?—”

Percy’s voice was low, calming Joe as he spoke. “I am serious. But what if we just take a bit of time? Settle in? I meant every word—I’m determined to find a way to fight this thing with you?—”

“‘This thing’ being natural human lifespans?”

“Yes, that kind of thing doesn’t apply to us anymore.” Joe only laughed in response, so Percy went on, “We’ll find our answers, and we’ll get our ending… Or ournot-ending. Our never-ending story. But for now, let’s move into your cottage. You can take your position back, and while you do it, I’ll be there every day. I’ll be your houseboy.”

“You’d be bored in five minutes. I don’t think you’re capable?—”

“How about you let me decide what I’m capable of? I’m capable of loving you.” He kissed Joe’s cheek. “I’m capable of supporting you through this.” He kissed his other cheek. “And I’m capable of helping you redecorate the cottage.” He stopped Joe from protesting by kissing his lips. “I’m going to have Leo book the flights in the morning, and then the money will be spent. And I know you won’t let me throw it away.”

Joe, who wasn’t deeply inclined to argue, agreed, “They’re expensive flights.”

“They are.” Percy turned on his heel and began to trudge towards the inn, throwing over his shoulder, “And I’m determined to fuck you in that confession booth.”

“Percy!” Joe called after him. “Percy!” he yelled. He ran in pursuit, shouting, “Do you know how small those booths are?”

“I wouldn’t have a clue. I’ve never been inside one. We’ll have to get it widened.”

“You’re going to renovate the church, too?”

“I’ll do it in line with the original architect’s vision. Very tasteful.”

“Pretty sure that didn’t include a fuck bunker for the priest.”

“The Church needs to move with the times, Joe.”

Joe, having caught up, said, “Hey, Percy?”

Percy paused his march across the mud and turned back to look at Joe. Beautiful Joe. Joe, who’d given his life and love and religion for him. Who loved him now and for all eternity. And who said, “Thanks for marrying me.”

He took Joe in his arms and replied, “Handsome, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s you and me. Forever. That’s a promise.”

“I believe you,” Joe whispered. “You and me. Forever.” And he kissed his husband.

THE END

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

AN EGREGIOUS EPILOGUE

Joe’s cottage was small and stone and adorable. It resided in a courtyard, hidden from the world on all sides—on three by tall stone walls, and on the fourth, by the soaring bluestone of Joe’s church.

The courtyard was paved with sandstone slabs, shaded by an arbour of overgrown grapevines, decorated by quaint wooden seats and tables, and the lot was replete with terracotta pots in which grew healthy and vibrant herbs and flowers.

The exterior of the cottage was painted white and set off by a vine of scarlet roses that had taken over half the house. The door was red to match the blooms, with a little golden lion’s head door knocker. The ceilings inside were low, with wooden beams stretching across the expanse. The two bedrooms were tiny, and Joe and Percy and Moxie could not have been happier.

Joe resumed his position at the church, only now he did it with more purpose, more strength in his heart and body than ever before. He was already well liked in the small village; now he became beloved.

He and Percy slowly and sympathetically redecorated Joe’s cottage, keeping many touches that would have made Percy’stoes curl out of context, but seeing the way they pleased Joe, they took on a fond significance for them both.

Percy successfully discharged his duties as houseboy, while seeing to the sale and distribution of a series of ‘recently discovered’ paintings from Degas’s previously unheard of ‘dark period’. Percy found he rather enjoyed his new, quieter lifestyle. Especially once he’d gained access to the church after hours and discovered that, in fact, the confession booths were already a perfectly reasonable size.

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