Forged in Our Blood - Teaser 1/2 [2]
โYusufโ, 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. Iโm so glad youโre alive. Iโm so glad I found you. Iโm so glad youโre here with me. None of it leaves his mouth. Only Joeโs name, a mantra in its own form. โYusuf, my Yusuf.โ
โIโm okayโ, Joe returns, his face furrowed with pain, but he nestles his unharmed hand against Nickyโs 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. โWell, except for my arm, but thatโs just a scratch.โ The joke is weak, but Nicky laughs anyway, brittle and dull. โAre you hurt, habibi?โ
โIโm fine, cuore mioโ, 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 doesnโt speak up again until Nicky takes a deep, shaky breath.
โItโs already healing, Nicolo. Everything will be fine.โ The gentleness and warmth of his voice create a fleeting illusion of security and ease the inner tension that lights Nickyโs nerves on fire.
