Forged in Our Blood - Teaser 1/2 [2]
βYusufβ, Nicky repeats, over and over again, the name that sings in his blood every day and dispels the shadows when darkness threatens to drown everything out. Iβm so glad youβre alive. Iβm so glad I found you. Iβm so glad youβre here with me. None of it leaves his mouth. Only Joeβs name, a mantra in its own form. βYusuf, my Yusuf.β
βIβm okayβ, Joe returns, his face furrowed with pain, but he nestles his unharmed hand against Nickyβs nape, holding him close. Nicky sees the same reassurance in his expression he too feels because Joe is still with him. Because even this death has not separated them. βWell, except for my arm, but thatβs just a scratch.β The joke is weak, but Nicky laughs anyway, brittle and dull. βAre you hurt, habibi?β
βIβm fine, cuore mioβ, Nicky assures him while pulling his belt out of the loops in one swift motion. Joe stays silent as Nicky applies the makeshift pressure bandage to where his arm has been, and doesnβt speak up again until Nicky takes a deep, shaky breath.
βItβs already healing, Nicolo. Everything will be fine.β The gentleness and warmth of his voice create a fleeting illusion of security and ease the inner tension that lights Nickyβs nerves on fire.
