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When they returned to Florence after five years, one of the first things Yusuf wanted to do was catch up with an old friend. While Yusuf did that, Nicolò wanted to buy some new books. They agreed to meet for dinner at one of their favourite eating places. Nicolò arrived first, well-knowing that Yusuf would be late whenever he talked art with his old friend, so he ordered a glass of wine. While waiting for Yusuf, Nicolò read a couple of chapters in his new book.
Yusuf: "So sorry for being late."
Nicolò: "You aren't late. I just got here before you."
Yusuf laughed as he took off his cape before sitting down.
Yusuf: "Glad to see you're still funny. And you got yourself a new book. Is it good?"
Nicolò: "I have read worse books than this one."
Nicolò closed his book before he tangled his legs together with Yusuf's legs. It felt good to feel the other one again. They ordered the fish dish and more wine.
Nicolò: "How is your friend doing? And did anyone notice your beard and hair?"
Before leaving this morning, Nicolò had dyed Yusuf's beard and hair with silver to make him look five years older.
Yusuf: "No one noticed anything, so you don't need to worry."
Nicolò smiled.
Nicolò: "That is good to hear. And I have to say you look very dapper with the silver."
Yusuf smiled, which made Nicolò smile.
Yusuf: "I promise to keep it for a time."
Nicolò: "Thanks."
The waiter placed the fish dish and the wine on the table.
Nicolò: "Tell me about your friend. How is he doing?"
Yusuf: "He is doing more than fine. He still envies me for having one of the most beautiful muses in this country's history. And he gave you a better offer than the last time."
Nicolò: "I'm still not interested even if he offered me Florence as payment. I only want to be your muse."
Yusuf: "I feel very flattered that you have shown me that honour. Something I will always treasure."
Nicolò poured more wine up in their glasses.
Nicolò: "Did you see some of your friend's drawings or paintings?"
Yusuf: "Yes, but I also saw one of his models of his latest ideas. I think he calls it a flying machine, which fits very well with all of his other high-flying ideas."
Nicolò stopped eating.
Nicolò: "What's that machine thingy?"
Yusuf: "He wants to make people fly like the birds. It will never be something for me."
Nicolò: "To be honest, I can't imagine people flying like the birds, but again..."
Nicolò looked around him to check if people were listening to their conversation. Most people were drinking, and some were eating. Nicolò lowered his voice a bit.
Nicolò: "Time has shown us over and over again that humanity moves forward in ways we could never imagine, so who knows if humanity one day will fly like the birds."
Yusuf: "Even if humans start flying like the birds, you'll never get me up there. I prefer the ground."
Nicolò ate the rest of his fish dish.
Nicolò: "I think you're missing the point with your friend's latest idea."
Yusuf: "What do you mean?"
Nicolò: "Maybe the idea of flying like the birds is to get a new perspective - something your artists always are looking for. Imagine what you could see if you looked down from the sky like the birds do."
While Yusuf was thinking of what Nicolò had just said, a priest came over to them.
Priest: "Young Man, if I were you, I would forget all about the idea of looking down on humans. It's something only our Lord can do. See this as your only warning, or else you'll be put in front of the bishop, who might not will look upon your thoughts with kind eyes as I'm doing."
The priest looked at Yusuf.
Priest: "And about your friend. If I were you I would find better company than him. Being around someone like him does nothing good for your soul."
What the priest couldn't see was that Nicolò was holding Yusuf in place with his legs because Nicolò knew Yusuf very well. Yusuf would speak his mind, something that would ruin an otherwise nice evening out. Yusuf understood Nicolò's attentions and stayed silent.
Nicolò: "I'm only doing what my Mama asked me to do. Show an old business connection the best Florence has to offer."
Priest: "Make sure that HE stays that - a business connection. It's what's best for your soul."
The priest left. Nicolò looked at Yusuf.
Nicolò: "Yusuf, he is wrong about everything he said."
Yusuf: "I know, Habibi. No matter what he or others say, we know that we got it right in the end."
They exchanged a smile, which told the other everything the other felt about him. After paying for the food and wine, they left.
Yusuf: "But just to be on the safe side, I think we should leave before dawn. I heard Bern is nice this time of year."
Nicolò: "You hate the snow and cold. Let's go south."
They turned a corner.
Yusuf: "One of the few advantages of the snow and cold is a nice hut with a fireplace and you laying in my arms while there is a snowstorm outside. It's one of the best things about a long winter."
Nicolò: "We were told to lay low for a year or two, so let's do it. But I still say you should take the time to say goodbye to your friend because this could very well be the last time you see him. I'll keep you safe while you do it."
Yusuf hated that great minds had such a short time on earth, and the idea of losing an old friend made him sad.
Yusuf: "Thanks. And yes, you're right. I should say goodbye to my friend, but I'm sure of one thing: the world will never forget Leonardo Da Vinci."
Nicolò: "Something you'll make sure happens. How many paintings do you have of his?"
Yusuf: "Not as many as I wished I owed. Maybe I should buy some more of his sketches and paintings just to be on the sure side."
Nicolò: "Please buy me something. I would love to owe a painting, too."
Yusuf: "You'll get the best painting I can buy. I promise."
Nicolò had no doubts that it was the truth. They turned another corner before disappearing, leaving the stalkers shadowing them, standing in an alleyway looking at a low wall. Yusuf and Nicolò didn't doubt that their stalkers were working for the priest from before. What the stalkers didn't know was that Yusuf and Nicolò had noticed their stalkers the moment they turned the first corner. Yusuf and Nicolò stood in the shadows while looking down at the stalkers from a rooftop.
Nicolò: "That should buy us more time for you to say goodbye to your friend."
Yusuf placed an arm around Nicolò's waist before kissing him.
Yusuf: "And a night with you in my arms. I have written a new poem about your lovely ass."
Nicolò: "Incurable romantic, but I think we should wait to make love because of the stalkers."
Yusuf: "Yes, you're right, but it's under protest. I'm agreeing to your plan."
Nicolò: "I feel the same way."
Yusuf and Nicolò decided to jump the roofs on their way back to the safe house. It was something they had done before.
Nicolò: "Why are you grinning?"
Yusuf: "The look on our stalkers' faces when we disappeared. Do you think they will figure out how we did it?"
Nicolò: "If I had to guess, no, so we should be safe for now."
They took another jump.
Nicolò: "But after you have visited your friend, we better shave your head and beard. The same goes for me."
Yusuf groaned.
Yusuf: "The only thing I might hate more than losing my curls is you losing your long hair. I love to play with your long hair locks."
Nicolò: "I also love that, but hair grows out again."
Yusuf agreed. They jumped a couple more rooftops before landing on one of the smaller empty streets. From there, it only took five minutes to their safe house. That night, neither of them slept because of the stalkers and the priest from before. They knew they had an entire winter to make love, so instead, they packed their last stuff before leaving in the morning. After a visit to Leonardo Da Vinci, they changed their hairstyles before leaving for Switzerland.