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"Do you think it is that easy?" Nicolò asked.
They were sitting on a half wall eating lunch, looking at the different people in the market. Some were selling goods, others were buying goods, and then there was a young couple. They couldn't be more than 16 years, and it was very obvious to everyone that they were very much in love with each other. When the couple kissed it was clear neither of them had kissed before, so the kiss was awkward but sweet.
"To be honest, I don't know, Nicolò," Yusuf replied. "I have written about kissing and love for as long as I can remember in my poems and stories, but now that I'm in love with you, I have to admit I don't know anything about kissing and love at all."
"Tell me about one of the kisses you have written about," Nicolò said.
Yusuf thought for a moment because there had been so many.
"I once wrote a story about a Thief and The Moon," Yusuf said. "The Thief wanted to steal The Moon because of its beauty. When The Thief met The Moon, The Thief fell in love with The Moon and The Thief dropped to his knees, confessing his attended crime. For his honesty, The Moon gave The Thief a kiss, but for his attended crime, The Moon ordered The Thief to guard the sky during the day, when The Moon couldn't."
"That is a good story," Nicolò said. "One of my favourites."
"You say that about all my poems and stories," Yusuf said with a smile.
"And so?" Nicolò asked. "You, my friend are an artist with your words. Something I admire."
"Thanks. It means a lot when you say it," Yusuf replied. "What about you? Haven't you ever dreamt of a kiss?"
"It wasn't allowed in the monastery," Nicolò replied. "Remember I told you we had to stay chaste."
"I know," Yusuf replied. "But your dreams were your own, or am I wrong?"
"No, you aren't wrong," Nicolò replied. "It is just that I'm not a storyteller as you're, Yusuf. My words are boring compared to yours."
Yusuf placed a hand over Nicolò's hand.
"Your words are not boring, Nicolò," Yusuf said in a reassuring tone. "To me, they have meaning, and always will have."
Nicolò looked at Yusuf, but before he could say anything a guard came over to them.
"Are this intruder insulting you?" The Guard wanted to know as he pointed his sword at Nicolò.
"No, he isn't. He is a travelling companion," Yusuf replied. "Where have you gotten the idea that he is insulting me?"
"He touched you," The Guard replied. "I wanted to make sure the intruder wasn't robbing you or worse, killing you."
Yusuf and Nicolò looked at each other. They were still keeping the truce they made over 60 years ago and nowadays, they would rather kill each other with love than swords.
"He was handing me a fig," Yusuf said and showed the Guard it. "And besides, this man is a respected scholar from the University of Cairo. You should show him the respect he deserves."
"What is his profession?" The Guard wanted to know.
"He collects folktales from around the world," Yusuf replied. "I was asked to be his guide, translator, and make sure he returns to Cairo in one piece. It pays good money."
Yusuf placed a hand on his wallet, which was filled with some crystals he had found the other day.
"And I would hate if I had to mention your name when I'm asked why we didn't return to Cairo in time," Yusuf added.
"Tell him to keep his hands to himself," The Guard snarled. "His people bring nothing but calamity to our people."
The Guard walked away and joined his fellow Guards.
"We should get out of town," Nicolò said. "I got a feeling they want to rob the rich guide and kill the professor."
"You're right," Yusuf replied. "And I would prefer not to ruin this shirt."
Nicolò rolled his eyes while he shook his head.
"I'm really fond of this shirt," Yusuf said. "I love the colour of it, and who knows when I can get a new one."
"Well, let me just say," Nicolò said. "You'll never get me to wear coloured clothes. I'm perfectly happy with grey."
"Give me time and I'll get you to wear green," Yusuf said in a tone that told Nicolò, he was in for a couple of long years with nagging from Yusuf's side.
Nicolò mounted his horse and looked over his shoulder. Yusuf saw the same thing as he mounted his horse. The Guards were heading for them.
"You should go," Nicolò said to the stable boy, who had been looking out for their horses. "Your payment."
Nicolò gave the stable boy some coins, and he ran away.
"I agree with you, Yusuf," Nicolò said. "Let's avoid a fight today."
Instead of riding towards The Guards, Yusuf kicked hard at another door. When the door didn't open, Nicolò helped him. Just as the Guards entered the barn, they got the door open and were able to rid away, avoiding a fight.
They rode for many hours to put some distance between The Guards, the town, and them. They stopped first when they reached a creek and decided to make camp there for the night. After taking care of the horses and eating dinner, Yusuf pulled Nicolò closer.
"So, you never got around to telling me about the kiss you dreamed about," Yusuf said. "Because we got interrupted so rudely."
"And as I said before," Nicolò said. "It is boring compared to your Moon story."
"Let me be the judge of that," Yusuf replied. "Please tell me, Nicolò."
Nicolò thought for a moment if he should come up with something else, but because he wasn't able to think of something else he gave in.
"Ok, fine," Nicolò said. "But I need you not to look at me. It is a bit embarrassing."
Yusuf was kind enough to turn his back to Nicolò. Yusuf knew that it still was hard for Nicolò to talk about feelings.
"I always dreamt that my first kiss," Nicolò said. He took a moment before he continued. Most of all because he feared that Yusuf would laugh at him. "Would happen under a full Moon with another boy from the monastery."
Nicolò looked at Yusuf's back. Yusuf knew there was more, so he waited with turning around until Nicolò was finished telling.
"In my defence, I was 14," Nicolò said. "Now I dream about kissing you. I don't care when it happens, I just know I want you to be my first kiss."
When Yusuf heard Nicolò throw more wood on the fire, Yusuf turned around and took Nicolò's hands in his.
"I feel the same. I want you to be my first kiss, Nicolò," Yusuf said. "I feel like The Thief in my story, standing in front of The Moon."
"You're an incurable romantic," Nicolò said with a smile. "But know this, if I'm The Moon to you then I grant you a kiss or as many you want."
Yusuf caressed Nicolò's cheek.
"Then I'll have the first kiss of what hopefully will be plenty of kisses," Yusuf said.
They both laughed nervously which resulted in them missing their mouth. The second time they tried to kiss, they hit the mouth and they both smiled. They kissed until they heard a noise behind them.
"Didn't I tell you both to stay in town?" Andromache wanted to know. "Here we have been searching for you, thinking you were laying dead in a ditch or had been eaten by a lion..."
"Stop talking, Andromache," Quynh said as she pulled Andromache with her. "Let the young ones in peace. They're in love."
Yusuf and Nicolò laughed over their friends. They returned to kissing each other to the sound of Andromache talking very loudly over the things, that could have killed them. They knew very well that Andromache meant it well and that she cared for them.