Work Text:
Spring Vienna 1621:
Andromache had assigned Yusuf and Nicolò the task of mapping out the city because much had changed during the last century. Knowing the streets could give them an advantage when they set things in motion.
For hours, Yusuf and Nicolò walked up and down the streets. Yusuf would draw the streets after what Nicolò told him - like the street's length, name and other things he deemed necessary they needed to know. They also knew they had to do it all over again when it became dark because you saw other things in the darkness. Because of their assignment, it didn't leave them much time to talk about anything else that day.
When Nicolò turned a corner, still talking about a blind spot, he noticed he had lost Yusuf, so Nicolò retraced his steps until he found Yusuf on the bridge leaning up against the balustrade, looking at something.
"Hey!!" Nicolò said. "What are you thinking about?"
Nicolò placed a hand on Yusuf's arm. Yusuf looked briefly at Nicolò before returning to looking at something else.
"I was thinking about when we're young," Joe replied. "And we fell in love."
It was there that Nicolò noticed the wedding party on the other bridge.
"And all the mistakes and errors we made to get where we're today," Joe said. "Some almost tore us apart."
"Oh, are we talking about the duel in Baghdad?" Nicolò asked. "Or that time when someone punched a man so hard for touching the other one?"
"He had it coming if you asked me," Yusuf replied. "Sorry, let's get back to the task at hand. Where were we?"
Nicolò placed a hand on Yusuf's arm again.
"You can't concentrate on our task before you have told me what's truly on your mind," Nicolò said. "So, please tell me."
Yusuf knew Nicolò was right. Therefore, Yusuf decided to speak Persian for the next bit so they wouldn't get in trouble if someone found out they were Lovers.
"I'm so happy with you, Nicolò, more than I ever thought possible," Yusuf said while looking at the wedding couple. "I just wish I could let the world know it because I want to scream it out from a mountaintop."
It was one of their many problems as Lovers that the world still didn't accept their love, and they had lost count of how many times they had been in trouble because of that.
"I know, Yusuf, because I want to do the same thing," Nicolò replied. "But one day, I know we'll have our wedding day."
Even though Yusuf believed in love, he sometimes lost his faith in love. And Nicolò knew precisely when it happened because he could see it in Yusuf's eyes.
"If you don't believe in the world will change and accept our love," Nicolò said. "Then believe in me when I say we'll have our wedding day filled with love because it will be our reward for everything we have done for the world. I know it, and it's a promise I'm giving you. And I'll fight that fight for you so that you can have the wedding day you always have dreamt of."
That made Yusuf smile.
"And you say you aren't an incurable romantic," Yusuf said. "When we find another blind spot, I'll kiss you."
"Can't wait," Nicolò replied. "Should we look for it so I also can kiss you?"
"That's a brilliant plan," Yusuf replied. "Come."
They returned to mapping the city.
"You know what, Nicolò?" Yusuf asked. Nicolò shook his head. "From today, I'll keep a journal of things I want to happen on our wedding day. Is that okay with you?"
"More than fine with me," Nicolò replied. "But promise me, you won't force me into a fancy suit."
"It's our wedding day, so of course you're wearing the finest clothes I can buy," Yusuf replied. "I'm more worried about Andromache and her habit of singing at parties."
Nicolò laughed.
"Good luck telling her she can't do that," Nicolò replied. "Remember the last guy who tried to prevent her from singing?"
"I still feel sorry for him," Yusuf replied. "Okay. For our wedding, we need..."
Nicolò looked at Yusuf.
"Mapping first," Nicolò said. "Then wedding planning."
"Fine, okay," Yusuf replied. "But only because I know how scary Andromache can be when you don't do as she tells you to do."
They both laughed before they finished the assignment Andromache had given them.