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It was supposed to be very simple: blow up the weapons depot and make it back to the safe house in one piece. But nothing went according to their plan because they walked straight into a trap, and it was only thanks to Nicky throwing a smoke grenade that they made it out with only dying five times between them.
As they ran through town, they knew, even though it was night, that someone would notice two people covered in blood and dirt running through the streets. That was why they both were grateful that they had packed most of their belongings before leaving and thought they had time to change their clothes and get washed, but when Joe came out from the bathroom, he heard vehicles getting nearer and nearer their safe house. Joe pulled the sweater over his head while he walked back to the bathroom, where Nicky was drying his hair.
Joe: "Nicky, those damn Nazis. They are at the front door."
Nicky: "I knew it. We should have just run for the hills instead of wasting time with washing us."
It irritated Nicky that he had to put on clothes while still being wet.
Joe: "Yeah, I know... Could we talk about it later?"
They both heard the knocking on the door, followed by an order given in German. Two seconds later, the Nazis started to kick in the door, which gave in without any problems. When Joe saw the machine guns, his instincts kicked in, and he grabbed the first big thing he saw on the table with the attention of using it as another shield to protect Nicky from the gunfire in case he died. Then Joe threw himself over Nicky just as the gunfire started.
When the Nazis ran out of bullets, Nicky could feel how heavy Joe's body was, and he knew what it meant. Even though Nicky wanted to check on Joe, he knew how important it was to play dead while the Nazis checked if they were dead or not. So, Nicky slowed down his pulse and breathing, which was enough to fool the Nazi, who was checking him. The last thing Nicky saw before the Nazis left was that a man was paid a stack of money for ratling them out.
It didn't take long before the Nazis left, and Nicky rolled over Joe to check on him.
Nicky: "I'm telling you this, Yusuf Al-Kaysani, if you dare die on me for real, you will be in real big trouble. Now pull yourself together, or else you can bake your own cakes in the future."
Joe giggled when Nicky ran his fingers over Joe's ribs.
Joe: "It tickles."
Nicky punched Joe on the shoulder while looking really angry. Joe sat up and pulled Nicky in for a hug. They sat like that until Nicky's breathing was back to normal. Then Joe placed Nicky's hand on his heart.
Joe: "My heart is still beating for you and only you - as it always has done and will do forever."
Joe then kissed Nicky, and they hugged again.
Nicky: "Could we agree on that this is enough dying for this week?"
Joe: "Fine with me. I would rather spend the time with kissing you."
Nicky got up from the floor and pulled Joe up. After another kiss, Nicky checked on their belongings and swords.
Nicky: "Good news. We still got everything, so all we have left is to deal with is the rat who sold us out before leaving town."
Joe wasn't listening; he had just discovered what he had used as a shield and knew he was in trouble - big trouble.
Nicky: "What's with you?"
Joe quickly hid his hands behind his back and tried to look really innocent.
Nicky: "Yusuf, tell me what it is or else there is the sofa..."
Joe: "I need you to remember, I love you very much."
Nicky crossed his arms and gave Joe the look he knew meant "get on with it".
Joe: "And remember, I was trying to protect you from the gunfire."
Joe showed Nicky the shield, and as expected, Nicky turned white as a sheet.
Nicky: "My book!! Do you have any idea how old it is?"
Joe: "I promise to search the world for an exact copy for you. I won't rest before I have done that. You got my word. And I..."
It was there Joe noticed Nicky was smiling.
Joe: "Why are you smiling? The last time you smiled like that, I wasn't in such big trouble as I thought I was."
Nicky: "You used a book as a shield to protect me, which proves that the pen is mightier than the sword."
Joe: "That might be true, but Nicky, your book. I'm so sorry."
Nicky cupped Joe's cheek before kissing him.
Nicky: "There's no reason for you to be sad, my Love."
Nicky kissed Joe again.
Nicky: "Because it wasn't my book who got shot."
Joe looked gobsmacked at Nicky.
Nicky: "I stole the book from the office back at the weapon depot. It was a register of all the weapons depots in the region."
Joe held up the book.
Joe: "With the state, the book is in with all the holes, it can't help us."
Nicky: "You are forgetting something, Joe, something important. I remember everything I have ever read, so all we have to do is to find a map or a piece of paper, and I can write it down."
Joe threw the book on the floor before kissing Nicky.
Joe: "My clever, beautiful husband. Have I told you I love you today?"
Nicky: "Not since this morning."
Joe: "Totally my fault. I love you."
Joe placed his hands on Nicky's hips, lifted him up, and swung him around, laughing, before they kissed again.
Nicky: "Please put me down, Yusuf. We got things to attend to. You know the rat, the not dying and the weapon depots."
Joe: "Right as always. When this war is over, we'll go back to Malta. Do you think our small hut is still there?"
After getting washed and changing clothes once again, they picked up their belongings and swords before leaving this safe house while talking about things to do once they reached Malta.