[Inspired by this. Thank you @hopesallwegotleft ]
Salim was out of breath, tired, dirty, and he could still hear those demons shrieking in the distance. So when he saw a shadow moving in the corridor ahead, he braced himself for yet another attack. Praying that it was at least a human adversary, Salim stepped out of the shadows and held his hands up.
The other figure revealed himself to be one of the American soldiers. Salim recognized him instantly: the same one Salim had held at gunpoint before they all fell down into this hell. The same one who, some time later, pointed a gun at Salim. What had Nick called him? Jason?
“I come in peace,” Salim said.
Jason's lips twitched and his fingers flexed as he aimed his rifle at Salim's chest.
“My name ain't Peace,” he drawled.
Salim's heart skipped a beat. His eyes went wide, his mouth dropping open. He was so startled he almost dropped his hands.
“Nothin'.” Jason's eyes flickered as he shifted on his feet. “I didn't say nothin'.”
“No, no, you definitely said something,” Salim insisted. It was probably a bad idea to provoke this man, but he couldn't seem to help himself. He even let his hands drop to his sides. “You made a sex joke,” he accused.
“I did not!” Jason huffed.
“I heard you. I said, 'I come in peace', and you said—”
“Shut up!” Jason snapped, though the order was lessened by him lowering his gun. “You didn't hear a damn thing!”
“But it was a good joke. Very clever. I'm impressed you thought of it so fast.” Salim dared to take a step closer. “I know your name, by the way. I heard your friend say it. I'm a very good listener.”
“Well, good for you.” Jason put his gun away. “Fuck, I can't believe I'm stuck with such an asshole.”
“As opposed to being stuck in an asshole?”
“What?!” Jason nearly choked.
“It's a sex joke.” Salim smirked at him, cocking an eyebrow as if to say, You started it. Jason scowled at him, his face turning red.
Salim allowed silence to fall. But he couldn't resist teasing the man one more time. “I wouldn't mind.”
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