Chapter Text
Everyone they met on their way told them that this was the coldest winter in decades - something they believed in because the cold kept seeping in everywhere.
They had made camp at the bottom of a mountain for the night with the strict order not to light a fire in case the rebels or soldiers were nearby. That was why those who weren't on guard duty sat very closely together in an attempt to keep warm with the few blankets they had left.
Nile was lucky enough to get one of the blankets and decided to share it with Nicolò because he wouldn't get any ideas while sharing a blanket with a woman. That was one of the advantages of working together with a man who respected his marriage vows.
"I got one of the last blankets," Nile said when Nicolò returned. "It should keep us warm tonight."
"That is more than you can say about this cold tea, which I doubt you can call tea since I used something that wasn't tea leaves to make it," Nicolò replied. "So, I hope it tastes better than it smells."
Nicolò sat down next to Nile, who placed the blanket over them before she took one of the mugs with tea.
"Thanks," Nile said before she sniffed at the tea. "That is a special smell."
"That's one way to put it," Nicolò replied. "Well, bottom up."
They toasted before drinking the tea.
"If you use your imagination," Nile said. "It's the best tea in the area."
They both laughed.
"I'll miss you, Nile, once I get home," Nicolò said. "Do you promise to visit us?"
"Try to stop me," Nile replied. "How are things at home?"
"Farah is almost six months pregnant now," Nicolò replied with a smile. "Before we lost the mobile signal today, she sent me an ultrasound of our son. Wanna see it?"
"Is that even a question?" Nile asked. "I love baby photos."
Nicolò found his phone so he could show Nile the ultrasound.
"He is a cute one," Nile said. "Congratulations once again."
"Thanks," Nicolò replied. "I can't wait to play football with my son."
"I can understand that," Nile replied. "I got a friend who talks about football all the time when he isn't speaking of his husband."
"Please tell me he at least got a good taste in football clubs," Nicolò replied. "I haven't forgiven Frank for being a fan of Liverpool."
"My friend says he is a fan of Roma FC when his Italian husband is around," Nile replied. "But in secret, he is a big fan of Ajax."
"Sounds a lot like what I'm doing," Nicolò replied. "When Farah is around I love her cooking, but in secret, I'm still working on the courage to tell her she can't cook."
They both laughed.
"My old granny used to say there're some things better left untold," Nile said. "For the sake of one's marriage."
"I guess your granny got a point," Nicolò replied. "I'll remember that the next time Farah serves burned chicken."
They sat a bit in silence.
"Nicolò, I don't mean to pry," Nile said. "But I have a question I have been wondering about regarding you."
"You can ask me anything, Nile," Nicolò replied. "I consider you as a friend."
Nile smiled.
"How come you got an Italian name..." Nile asked. "When you're Kurdish?"
Nicolò returned the smile.
"For the last seven generations, every firstborn son has been given the name Nicolò," Nicolò replied. "It's a way to show gratitude towards the man who saved the first Nicolò on the day he was born during a snowstorm."
"That's beautiful," Nile replied. "And a very kind gesture."
"It's yes," Nicolò replied. "Do you want to hear the story I'm going to tell my son when he asks why he got an Italian name? It's the same story my Father told me when I was a child. It was always my favourite."
"I would love to hear the story," Nile replied. "I love a good story."
Nicolò drank the rest of his tea.
"So do I," Nicolò replied. "The story starts with a young couple, who had to flee their village when the Sultan of The Ottoman Empire forced drafted young men for a long forgotten war."