Summary: With the continental railroad completed, Papp and Roque finally retire to run a little shop in Oresrush. Even though the road to get there had been tough, both men are just thankful that they get to spend their golden years together, more in love than they've ever been.


"Thank you for your patronage, and have a good evening."

"Thanks Roque, you too!"

Nodding as Nikki and Harry left the quaint little shop, Roque smiled as he counted the leaves from their purchase and stowed them away. He walked out from behind the counter and crossed the room, locking the door and turning the 'Open' sign to 'Closed.'

After the continental railroad had been completed, Roque finally gave in to Papp's badgering for him to retire, and they had opened up a shop together in Oresrush. Every day since then had been pure bliss for Roque, and he was so thankful that he was given the chance to make up for hurting Papp by loving him unconditionally for the rest of his life.

"I'm back, hun. All closed up?"

Roque smiled and looked up from scrubbing the counter to see Papp walk out from the back, a hefty sack flung over his shoulder. He set it down with a huff and wiped his hand over his forehead to clear away the sweat. Even in this slightly disheveled state, Papp looked as handsome as ever, and Roque nodded as Papp walked up and wrapped his arms around him from behind.

"Another fine day, wasn't it, Papp?" Roque asked, pausing his cleaning to glance at him over his shoulder.

Papp's arms tightened around Roque as he placed a tender kiss on his neck. "Every day's a fine one when I'm with you, hun." Roque tilted his head back and laughed at that, and he turned around, bracing his hands on the counter behind him.

"That's…rather cheesy."

"Hmm, sure," Papp said, reaching up to cup Roque's face and press their foreheads together, "Doesn't make it any less true, though."

Roque smiled, his face flushing at the immense amount of fondness that he found in Papp's beautiful blue eyes. His arms snaked around his neck and he kissed him, and it was just as magical as the first, the last, and every single one in between.

After they parted, Papp took Roque's hand and entwined their fingers. "C'mon, let's go home. I could use a nice cup of coffee right about now."

"That does sound lovely after a long day," Roque said, nodding in agreement as he lifted Papp's hand to his face and placed a kiss to the back of it, "You always make the best coffee."

"Aw shucks, thanks darlin'," Papp beamed and a light blush rose upon his cheeks, and Roque smiled at the beautiful sight, his chest flooding with a gentle warmth. The two men quickly finished up closing the shop and headed home, and they eventually found themselves sitting on their front porch swing, hot mugs of coffee in one hand while their other hands stayed clasped together.

"Ah, this is the life." Papp let out a long sigh as he snuggled closer to Roque, resting their heads together. Roque gave his hand a squeeze and turned his head so that he could place a kiss on his cheek.

"I agree. I once thought that I would never retire, that it would be too boring and unfulfilling," Roque said, taking a sip of his coffee, which tasted all the more sweet having been made with love by his husband, "However, I wouldn't trade these euphoric days with you for anything, my love."

"Hehe, you big ol' sap."

"I learned from the sappiest, dear."

Roque chuckled until Papp kissed him, and he smiled against his lips as he reached up to cup his cheek, his fingers brushing through Papp's soft beard. Now this…this was the purest of bliss, the definition of happiness, and Roque would always curse his past self for letting his greed consume him and deprive him of this precious time with the man that he loved. He could never get that wasted time back, so he was determined to show Papp each and every day from now on how much he loved him in a desperate effort to make up for his failings.

"Pops! Roque!"

The two men parted, and Roque smiled when he saw Partitio waving at them as he rushed up the hill to the house, with his husband Osvald and step-daughter Elena in tow.

"Chickadee!" Papp stood, dragging Roque up with him, and Roque chuckled as he pulled Partitio into a bear hug.

"This sure is a surprise! What're you doing here?" Papp asked as he hugged Osvald next, before leaning down to pick Elena up, "Hey there, lil chickadee!"

"Hi Mr. Papp! Hi Mr. Roque!" Elena said, giggling when Papp kissed her cheek and Roque gave her head a gentle pat.

A small smile crossed Osvald's face as he adjusted his glasses. "We've been traveling around Solestia visiting friends, and we just left the Leaflands."

"Yep!" Partitio said, beaming as he flicked up the brim of his hat, "And we couldn't head back east without stopping by!"

"Well of course you couldn't! Your old man would've been crushed if you didn't!" An exaggerated pout crossed Papp's face, and Roque chuckled as he rolled his eyes.

"No need to be so dramatic, dear," Roque said as he picked up their forgotten cups of coffee, "Shall we head inside and start making dinner?"

"Oh, oh! Can I help, Mr. Roque?" Elena said as she wriggled out of Papp's arms and grabbed Roque's hand. He smiled down at her and nodded.

"Of course, Elena."

"Yay!"

Elena skipped happily inside, followed by Partitio and Osvald. Roque made to follow, but he was stopped by Papp, who pulled him into a hug and kissed him.

"I love you, Roque," he said, taking his hand and entwining their fingers together, "I'm glad I get to share moments like this with you."

Roque's heart swelled with happiness, and he blinked away the tears that pricked at the corner of his eyes. "I love you too, Papp. There is truly nowhere else that I'd rather be than right by your side."

Papp beamed as they shared another kiss, before heading inside to spend time with the family that they loved. The road to get to this point had been rocky and painful at times, but it had also been full of joy and happiness, and now, it was mostly full of love. Yes, this was Papp and Roque's life now, and they wouldn't trade it for anything.