Work Text:
Yusuf threw his backpack across the room in frustration.
Yusuf frustrated: “Damn it!”
Nicolò without looking up from his book: “Could we keep a civil tone?”
Yusuf: “Sorry, I really wanted to resume the chess play, we started before we went on the last mission, but I lost the chess pieces somewhere.”
Nicolò looked up at Yusuf: “You’re the creative one, so why don’t you make the chess pieces yourself? You’re getting wood for the fire anyway, so why not pick up some branches, while you are out there?”
Yusuf lit up in a big smile: “Have I ever told you, that you’re a very brilliant man, and that I love you?”
Yusuf kissed Nicolò before Yusuf picked up his cape and went outside, while Nicolò resumed reading his book.
The first time Yusuf returned it was with the wood for the fire and before leaving the cabin again, he made sure, that Nicolò wouldn’t freeze. Then Yusuf went out into the forest again and searched for some branches, he could use to make the chess pieces. When Yusuf had collected an armful of branches, he went back to the cabin, where he placed them on the floor. Then Yusuf threw his cape over his backpack before he took his knife and sat down to carve the different pieces. It was a project that took days, but in the end, Yusuf had all 32 chess pieces. Then Yusuf looked around the cabin for something to turn half of the pieces black and took some ashes from the fireplace, which did the job. Then Yusuf washed his hands before he joined Nicolò in their bed.
The next morning Nicolò sat down on the floor with an apple in his hands, while Yusuf sat down on the opposite side.
Nicolò: “These chess pieces are magnificent. So much better than the ones we got in Baghdad. Shall we play?”
Yusuf: “Thanks, Habibi. Can you remember, where the pieces stood?”
Nicolò: “Not really, but I know I was losing as always.”
Yusuf: “Then we start all over again because I know you will win this time.”
This was the beginning of Yusuf’s wood carving period that lasted until he discovered Romanticism.