Work Text:
Nicolò woke earlier than usual because today was a special day.
After getting loose from Yusuf's tight grip, Nicolò got out of bed and took his backpack before he sat down on the floor to look through it. At first, Nicolò took things out of the backpack calmly, but as he reached the bottom of his backpack, he got more frantic. When everything Nicolò had in the backpack lay on the ground, he started to search through the items, but he couldn't find what he was searching for.
What Nicolò hadn't noticed was that Yusuf woke when Nicolò dropped his bag with the white and black marble ball. Yes, marble balls were children's toys, but this marble ball was the last gift Nicolò had gotten from his little sister before joining the crusades, so it meant everything to him because he could never go home and see his little sister again.
Yusuf: "Someone has finally found the bottom of his backpack! When was the last time you saw that?"
Nicolò, irritated: "It's not funny. I lost something important."
Nicolò searched through the items even more frantic than before, so Yusuf got out of bed to help him.
Yusuf: "Want my help?"
Nicolò: "Not to sound ungrateful for the offer, but I have to find it myself, so could you please make some breakfast instead while I find what I lost?"
Yusuf smiled.
Yusuf: "I can do that. How does bread with honey sound like? I still think we have some figs left."
Nicolò: "Perfect."
They exchanged a smile.
Yusuf: "Oh, remember last week you threw some of your stuff into my backpack because you didn't have any space left for it."
Yusuf kissed Nicolò before leaving him alone. When alone, Nicolò took Yusuf's backpack and started to unpack it with great care because he didn't want to break Yusuf's stuff. After searching through Yusuf's backpack and stuff, Nicolò wasn't any closer to finding what he was searching for.
Yusuf popped his head through the door opening and saw Nicolò looking through his clothes.
Yusuf: "Nico? I have to go to the market and get some fresh figs because the others are mouldy. Do you need anything?"
Nicolò: "Only you staying out of jail this time."
Yusuf: "What do you mean?"
Nicolò gave Yusuf the elevator look, which made Yusuf smile.
Yusuf: "Clothes. Yes, you're right because it will keep me out of jail. Could you throw me something to wear?"
Nicolò threw pants and shirt to Yusuf, who soon realized that the pants belonged to Nicolò, but he didn't care that they were too small.
Yusuf: "Be back soon. Love you."
Nicolò: "Love you, too."
When Yusuf entered the bedroom again, Nicolò sat on the bed reading.
Yusuf, smirking: "If only every morning with you would be this easy."
Nicolò: "What do you mean?"
Yusuf: "You out of bed before me. I can't remember the last time it happened."
Nicolò stuck out his tongue before he returned to reading. Yusuf placed the tray on the bed before kissing Nicolò.
Yusuf: "And you have cleaned the room. What have you done to my Beloved?"
Yusuf poked Nicolò in the ribs with a smile.
Nicolò: "I love your sarcasm. And I'll show you I'm still your Beloved once we have eaten breakfast."
Yusuf: "Can't wait."
Yusuf sat down next to Nicolò on the bed before they ate breakfast.
Nicolò: "Great figs."
Yusuf: "I agree. Did you find what you were searching for?"
Nicolò nodded before he swallowed the figs in his mouth.
Nicolò: "Yes, this is for you. I wanted to give you something special today since it's been a year since we first made love."
Nicolò handed Yusuf a small gift. It was wrapped in a green scarf with a big red bow made out of string.
Nicolò: "Sorry, still working on getting better at gift wrapping."
Yusuf kissed Nicolò.
Yusuf: "I love it because you did it."
It made Nicolò smile. While Yusuf unwrapped his gift, Nicolò bit his lips because he was nervous because it was the first time he had ever given his beloved a gift.
Yusuf: "Oh, Nicolò. I absolutely love it."
Yusuf held up the necklace with the pendant with a big smile before kissing Nicolò.
Yusuf: "I'll cherish this gift forever."
Yusuf took a closer look at the pendant and read the engraving in Arabic, which on one side said: "Beloved." and on the other side said: "Our Love Is Timeless."
Nicolò: "The engraving shouldn't land you into too much trouble if someone demands to have a closer look."
Nicolò took another bite of the bread when he saw Yusuf with tears in his eyes.
Nicolò: "Don't you like your gift?"
Yusuf: "I'm speechless for the first time in my life because of this gift, so I'll let my actions speak for me until I find the right words."
Yusuf kissed Nicolò's entire face, which made Nicolò smile.
Yusuf: "I also got something for you."
Yusuf handed Nicolò a gift. It was wrapped in a blue silk scarf with a golden bow made out of string.
Nicolò: "Yusuf, I love it."
Nicolò looked closer at the small bag.
Yusuf: "I made you a new bag for your marble ball. It should be stronger than the old one so you won't drop it again."
Nicolò: "I love it. That way, I have two gifts from those I love the most in the world."
They kissed before they made love to celebrate their special day.
Later that day, Yusuf looked closer at the necklace and its pendant when he noticed something which made him smile brighter.
Nicolò: "I was thinking, once I'm done with work..."
Nicolò noticed the smile on Yusuf's face. Nicolò loved that smile.
Nicolò: "Wanna tell me why you're smiling?"
Yusuf: "I love your gift so much, Nicolò."
Nicolò: "Glad to hear it, but I sense there is a but coming."
Yusuf: "You told me you had the words "Beloved, Our Love Is Timeless" engraved on the pendant."
Nicolò nodded.
Yusuf: "But when I read the words, it says "Beloved, Our Figs Is Timeless"."
Nicolò stared at Yusuf.
Nicolò: "You're kidding me."
Yusuf shook his head with a smile.
Nicolò: "Let me have a look."
Yusuf let Nicolò look closer at the pendant.
Nicolò: "I'm so sorry, Yusuf."
Nicolò looked sorry at Yusuf before Nicolò found a piece of paper in his pants and read the text.
Nicolò: "No wonder the jeweller looked weird at me when I handed him the note with the text."
Nicolò handed Yusuf the piece of paper. When Yusuf read the text, he started to laugh.
Nicolò: "Me and my terrible handwriting. If I had been back at the monastery, Father John would have hit me with the broom for not writing clearly."
Nicolò rubbed his face.
Nicolò: "I'm so sorry for ruining your gift, Yusuf. I'll have it corrected. Can I have the pendant?"
Nicolò reached for the necklace, but Yusuf took it around his neck with a smile before pulling Nicolò closer to him.
Yusuf: "First of all, I won't hit you with a broom for your terrible handwriting but kiss you instead."
Yusuf kissed Nicolò.
Yusuf: "Secondly, I love my gift as it is because you gave it to me."
Yusuf kissed Nicolò again.
Yusuf: "And I wouldn't change one single thing about it because I know what you meant."
Yusuf kissed Nicolò again, again.
Yusuf: "Both with our love is timeless but also the fig part because figs always make me think of you."
Nicolò punched Yusuf on the shoulder.
Nicolò: "Thanks for that. I'm leaving for work."
Before Nicolò could get too far away, Yusuf pulled Nicolò back into his embrace.
Yusuf: "I love you, Nicolò, and I'm so proud of being your Beloved."
Yusuf placed his hand on the pendant.
Yusuf: "And this pendant will always show it to the world."
Nicolò placed his hand on the pendant.
Nicolò: "I'm glad to hear you still love it despite the mistake caused by my terrible handwriting."
Nicolò kissed Yusuf.
Nicolò: "I have to leave, or else I'll be late for work."
Yusuf: "Go, I'll be here when you return. Love you."
Nicolò: "Love you, too."
They kissed one more before Nicolò left for work. While waiting for Nicolò to return, Yusuf packed the rest they needed for their next journey. When that was done, Yusuf sat down and drew a sketch of the pendant in case he lost it during a battle or it was stolen. Even if he had to remake the pendant again, he would make damn sure to get it right because he would always cherish the thought and the words behind the first pendant because it was a gift from the man he loved the most in the world.