Last part! I never thought that this series would go as far as it did, but I'm glad it did.

Will's POV

The truck door slammed and Nico was next to him, two cokes clutched in his hands and a goofy grin on his face. A sweatshirt encased his frame and he tucked his legs underneath him, leaning his back onto the seat. He handed one of the cokes to Will and he opened it, a hiss escaping the top of the bottle as he took a long sip, the carbonation falling down his throat. "You ready?" Nico asked, bing brown eyes staring at him. 

"Yep," Will said, his mouth set in a grim smile. "Let's go quit my job." He turned the keys into the ignition, the truck rumbling with as the engine started. A feeling of sadness swept through Will's body as he realized that there wouldn't be many more times he would hear that sound. But he knew that he was leaving that sound for something better. Or someone better, someone sitting next to him with his legs pulled up onto the seat and his eyes aimed eagerly at the road. 

"Well?" Nico prompted. "Are we going?" 

"Yeah, yeah, we're going," Will laughed, pulling out of the small parking lot of the gas station. The tank was full, snacks were piled high on the floor and blankets folded neatly next to them. There wouldn't be a need for stopping for miles to come.

"Are you nervous?" Nico asked once the trees were speeding past them, a blur of oranges and golds. 

"A little," Will admitted. "I've been at this job for years. It's my first real job, other than dog walking and babysitting when I was younger. But at the same time, I couldn't stay there forever. I wouldn't have been able to stand it. This is a new beginning." A leaf blew up from the road, turned from a vibrant green to a rich golden brown. He would miss the verdant green of summer but there was something equally beautiful about the rich colors of fall, the oranges and the golds and the browns. They were unrecognizable from their previous states, but the change didn't make them any less beautiful.

------

To the right was a little shack, decorated with a peeling bathroom sign and the green grass surrounding it dotted with picnic tables. The reflection of the sun glinted off of the river running behind it and white puffs of dying dandelions stuck up from the ground. Will turned the wheel, pulling the eighteen-wheeler into the small parking lot and pushing open the door. "I'm going to the bathroom," he told Nico, whose head rested on the foggy glass windowpane. "You coming?"

"Yeah," Nico decided, standing up and cracking his back. "It'll be nice to get some fresh air." It was cool as they walked away from the truck, a light breeze running through the trees surrounding the rest stop. 

"Did you have to go?" Will asked, nodding toward the shack. 

"Nah, I'll just wait out here for you." They split off once Will reached the shack as Will slipped inside and Nico was cut from his view. The slats of wood allowed a sliver of sunshine inside, but Will knew that it was fading fast; they days were getting shorter and so was the daylight. Eventually, they would have to stop for the night.

When Will stepped out of the shack Nico was gone but the tall grass that had blocked the path to the river had been pushed aside so Will made his way down to the water, beetles clinging to the ends of the green blades of grass. When he reached the riverbank Nico was wading into the water, his black jeans rolled halfway up his calves and his arms hanging loosely by his side. "Nico?" Will called. "What are you doing?" Nico turned back to him, the sunlight catching in his deep brown eyes and a smile dancing on his lips. 

"Come in!" he shouted. "It's nice." Will kicked off his shoes, tugging up his jeans and stepping into the water. It was shockingly warm and a minnow curiously darted over to his leg, drawing closer and closer until flitting away again. 

"What are you doing?" Will asked with a small laugh once he reached Nico.

"Just testing the water," Nico responded with a happy hum. "We're going to be in a massive truck for hours on end, and this is the first real weekend we've spend with each other. We should enjoy ourselves. Besides, don't you like it? It's so nice in here."

"You're right," Will grinned. "It is nice."

"Here," Nico said. "Watch this." He bent down, scooping up something wide and flat from the river floor. The water glittered on the rock as he flung it out in front of them and they watched it skip one, two, three, four times before sinking back down with a small plop. Will felt his eyes widen and Nico turned to him with a slightly cocky grin. "Cool, huh?"

"How did you learn to do that?" Will marveled. "I've always tried, my whole life, and I never could figure it out."

"My family and I always went camping in this little town in northern Maine, same time every year. There wasn't much to do, so my sisters and I would always have contests. I'd always win. I can show you, if you want."

"Really?" 

"Obviously. Here, hang on." He picked up another rock, rounder and flatter than the last one. "Hold it, just like this." He curled Will's hand around the rock, bringing it closer to Will's chest. "Now, flick it. It's all in the wrist. We'll do it together." Using Will's hand Nico flung the rock as hard as he could and they watched it bounce twice until it found its final resting place next to a boulder, sinking below the surface of the cold blue water and out of sight. 

"I did it!" Will said, beaming. "I actually did it!" Without thinking he wrapped Nico in tight hug, water droplets decorating the back of Nico's tee shirt from the tips of Will's fingers. 

"I'm proud of you," Nico laughed, hugging Will back. They stood there as if suspended in time, and Will could feel Nico's heartbeat through his shirt. When the connection broke they fell apart, twin blushes on their cheeks. 

"That was okay, right?" Will asked quietly, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, I wasn't sure if-"

"Hey, it's fine," Nico said, his feet pushing him up so that he could offer Will a quick kiss. "More than fine, actually. It's perfect. But we should get going, it's getting late." They climbed back into the truck, the warm air wrapping around them like a blanket. "When are you planning on stopping next?" Nico asked, pulling his feet up to the seat. 

"Probably whatever motel we end up staying at," Will responded as he turned back onto the highway. "We need to sleep somewhere after all, we still have another fifteen hours."

"Fifteen hours?" Nico groaned, his head dropping to his chest. "Then we have to go all that way back."

"Hey, don't worry about it," Will said, his hand settling over Nico's. "This is gonna be fun, don't you worry about it."

"Really?" Nico arched his eyebrow. 

"Yes, really," Will responded. "We'll stop in a few hours. Take a nap, if you want." 

"I'm fine with that," Nico said, resting his head on the window pane. He pulled a blanket over his body and when Will glanced back over again he was asleep, his mouth slightly parted as breath whistled from his lips. The bouncing of the truck gently knocked Nico's head around, his hand still clutching the blanket around his neck. He looked peaceful and happy, still as beautiful as the first time Will had met him, all those months ago in a tiny diner surrounded by nighttime. Nico had been writing a story, but there was one story that they would write together, write as they went along, together speeding down an empty highway.

------

When Will spotted an exit sign for a motel a mile down the road he pulled a heard right, swerving  to get onto the exit they would need. It had been hours and the cloudless night was smiling down at them, exhaustion creeping over Will's body like someone looming over his shoulder. He shook the last drop from his coffee cup, letting it fall down his throat but the caffeine wouldn't last him too much longer, and relief flooded his veins as he pulled into the almost empty parking lot. He reached over, shaking Nico's shoulder gently. Nico gave a start, rubbing at his eye. "Where are we?" he groaned. "Why'd you wake me up?"

"We're stopping for the night," Will responded, pulling the keys from the ignition. "Unless you want to sleep in the truck for the night, I'd suggest you come in." Nico hauled himself out of the truck, grabbing his tiny duffel bag from the back. 

"What time is it?" 

"Nine thirty," Will admitted. "I had wanted to stop earlier, but I couldn't find anywhere other than here. But we're here now, so we can sleep in a real bed. Sounds fun, right?"

"Sounds amazing," Nico muttered, pulling the blanket out of the truck before slamming his door shut. As they walked into the motel Nico let his head lean against Will's arm and Will felt a smile spreading onto his face and he turned his face to the ground to hide it from Nico. "What?"

"Huh? Oh, nothing."

"You were smiling."

"Well, I'm just happy," Will responded, his fingers curling around Nico's hand. "This is nice, spending time with you. I really like you, you know."

"Aw, you're so cheesy," Nico teased.

"I know," Will said. "But you like it." Nico hesitated before responding. 

"You know what? I do."

The motel was small and clean, the counter sparkling as Will and Nico stepped up to it, Will pulling his credit card out of his pocket. "We'd like a room for the night," he said, setting down the card. 

"And would you like one bed or two?" the woman at the counter asked, busying herself at the small computer. Will froze, glancing at Nico to see his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide. "Well?" the woman said, glancing up from the computer. "One bed or two? The singles are big enough to fit the both of you, easily."

"We'll take one bed," Will decided. "You good with that?" he asked quietly, turning to Nico.

"Yeah, of course," he responded, squeezing Will's hand lightly. "No reason not to, after all. We are dating." Dating. The word felt strange to Will, almost foreign but he liked it. It was like music to his ears. 

"Here's your room key," the woman said, handing Will a key with the number 14 scrawled on it with black sharpie. "Enjoy your stay, you two." Nico squeezed Will's hand again and Will felt his smile widen. 

"Thank you," he said, tightening his grip around Nico's hand. "We will."

They pushed open the door to their room, and Nico clicked on the light to reveal a queen sized bed covered in a light blue bedspread, a tv mounted on a plain wooden dresser and a small armchair sitting next to a window. Other than that the room was empty and Nico let his duffel bag fall to the floor as he climbed into the bed, the blanket falling over him as he buried his head in the pillow. "Are you already tired?" Will laughed, unzipping his bag and pulling out his pajamas. 

"Shut up," Nico grumbled, pulling the blanket tighter around his body. 

"Hey, I'm not judging you," Will said, fully dressed in his pajamas as he climbed in next to Nico. "We have to get going early tomorrow, anyway. We still have another six hours on the road." Nico shrugged. 

"It's fine, I guess. If there's anyone I want to spend hours upon hours in a car with, it's you." He curled up next to Will, fitting into the crevices of Will's body. Will could feel his warmth, one that reached the deepest recesses of his body. "Anyway, goodnight," he said, a yawn overtaking him.

"Goodnight, Nico," Will whispered, wrapping his arm around Nico's shoulders. Nico must have liked that because the last expression on his face before sleep overtook him was a smile.

------

When the sun greeted them the next morning, the warm rays poking them in the back they crawled out of bed, packing up the few things they had brought with them and locked the door behind them. Will stretched in the warm sun, closing his eyes for a few seconds and letting it rain  down over him. It was the last day, he reminded himself with a smile. The last day he would be at his job, the last day he would be bound by the chains that kept him from living. After that day, he would be free. "What are you doing?" Nico asked, bumping him in the side and grinning. 

"Nothing," Will responded. "Come on, let's grab breakfast." The truck rumbled to life, as Will peeled out of the parking lot, heading toward the first McDonald's they saw. San Francisco was still hours away and Will was eager to be back on the highway. Each second the clock ticked away was a second he could be driving, or triumphantly handing over his truck and walking out of that company for the last time in his life. The thought gave him a flutter of excitement, one that he couldn't seem to contain.

"So, how much longer?" Nico asked, swallowing his bite of Egg McMuffin as Will turned onto the highway. 

"Five hours?" Will guessed. "When we're done we can explore the city. It'll be nice."

"What are you going to do after?" Nico asked, crumpling his empty wrapper into a ball in his hands. 

"We could probably get train tickets," Will responded. "Or rent a car. We're going to have to get back somehow-"

"No, like, longer term," Nico said, cutting him off. "You've been doing this for such a long time. Are you going to- you're coming back with me, right?"

"Obviously," Will laughed. "You're the whole reason I'm quitting. You gave me a reason to. I wouldn't have a chance at a life other than this if it wasn't for you."

"I don't deserve all that credit," Nico blushed. 

"You kind of do," Will said. "You made me realize that I can't do this forever. If I want to be happy, it's not a long term job."

"Well, you're welcome," Nico said. "I'm looking forward to it."

"To what?"

"Seeing where we can go." There was a twinkle in his eye, something that looked like hope. "I think that we can be really, really good together."

"So do I," Will said. "That's why I'm quitting, so I'd hope I think we're going to be good." Nico laughed, his eyes trained on the road as Will brought them closer and closer to a new beginning.

------

They stood in front of the tall stone building, looming over them and casting a shadow over the street. Will's face was white, his eyes glued on the door. "This is it," Nico said, grabbing his hand. "You're sure you want to go through with this." Will nodded, gulping. 

"I need this," he said. "I'm not going anywhere if I don't do this, so I have to." He pushed open the huge glass doors, the air conditioning making his skin prickle. It was unnatural, like supermarket cake compared to the warmth of the sun that was your grandmother's world-famous chocolate chip cookies. To his left he could hear keyboard keys clicking and to his right sat the reception desk, a young woman with bags hanging underneath her eyes talking on the phone. When Will glanced at the people on the computer he could see similar signs of exhaustion; none of those people were alive. Or, at least, not alive like he would be in no more than half an hour. 

"Come on," he said, pulling Nico to the sleek elevator. "She'll be up here." As soon as they were inside, pressed against people wearing ironed suits and heels. They stuck out like a sore thumb in their dirty sweatshirts and torn jeans, but Will didn't care. He had once had dreams of fitting in in a place like this, walking down the streets surrounded by skyscrapers as a briefcase swung from his hands. But he had realized that wasn't what he had wanted. What he had wanted was a nice, quiet life with someone he loved, and he hoped that was what he was about to get.

When he knocked on the door he was shocked to hear the come in so quickly after. With wide eyes he glanced at Nico, who ushered him in mouthing go! Will stepped inside, wiping his sweaty palms on his jeans as he gave his boss a small smile. "Ah, hello, Will," she said, straightening up and offering him a smile. "If I'm not mistaken, you're supposed to be in Utah right now, delivering a shipment. What brings you here?"

"I'm not going to be able to work for you any more," Will said bluntly, the words spilling uncontrollably out of his mouth. "I can't form a life like this, I'm sorry. I need to be able to live." He set his keys down on her desk, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I sorted everything out with our clients, they're expecting their shipments a few days late. Everything should be in order." She heaved a sigh, leaning forward and toying with the golden key. 

"Well, Will, thank you for your time," she said, a small smile on her lips. "You were a pleasure to work with."

"You as well, ma'am." Excitement bubbled up in his chest as he realized it was over; he was free. "Have a good day."

"You as well, Will." 

Will wrapped Nico in a hug the moment he stepped out of the office, burying his head in Nico's shoulder. "I did it!" he gasped, grinning. "I actually did it!" Nico flung his arms over Will's shoulder, drawing him in for a long, passionate kiss.

"I'm proud of you," he grinned, beaming. "So, what do we do now?"

"We explore," Will said, grabbing Nico's hand and pulling him out of the building and into the bustling street. "We live our lives because we can. And I'm going to live as much of it as I can with you by my side."

Hi guys, that was longer than it thought it would be and I know the ending isn't great and it's completely unedited but bear with me because it's late and I have no more energy. Anyway, I hope you liked that one!

Nina