Yipes. Sorry. I really intended to post last night, but this last part got much longer than I realized as I really wanted certain people to start thinking and not just hop into bed: figuratively and literally. LOL
————————————————— Part 9C —————————————————
(Yusuf)
12th century
The stew burnt.
Yusuf was not as upset as Nicolo, who often thought wasted food was a sin especially in the face of so many who needs it. He ate rotting apples with one hand and gave the sweetest ones to the children they came across in their travels with the other. It used to both frustrated and charmed Yusuf. It still does.
Nicolo looked at Yusuf as if he was seeing him with new eyes after they pulled apart. Nicolo kept trying to offer to finish off Yusuf. His eyes kept flitting on and off Yusuf’s lax cock and the white splatters on his inner thighs and groin.
Yusuf declined, stammering so much Nicolo complained he could not understand Yusuf’s Arabic. But it seemed to ease the strange tension on Nicolo’s shoulders.
Yusuf fumbled as he cleaned himself, flushing as he tried not to stare at the shape of Nicolo’s shoulder blades as the other shrugged out of his stained tunic and cleaned Yusuf’s release off his pale skin with a few quick swipes. Nicolo did not seem as clumsy when faced with what happened streaked across his chin and throat. Which only made Yusuf feel more clumsy.
Something was changed between them. But the elation Yusuf felt was also mixed with apprehension. Nicolo’s gaze did not stay with Yusuf long. He took time tearing his bread when they sat down for their evening meal, chewing each bite with shadows in his eyes.
“Should we have not done that?” Yusuf said quietly after Nicolo gave up eating the rest of the boiled fish. Nicolo looked frustrated at the food.
“I do not know.” Nicolo pushed the fish around his bowl with a piece of torn bread. “Did I do it wrong?”
Yusuf choked on the morsel in his mouth. “Wrong? No, Nicolo, it was amazing. Nicolo, I...”
“You did not wish me to swallow.”
Yusuf sputtered weakly. If only Nicolo would look at him. No, perhaps it was better he did not.
“I did not lie that I worried it would make you ill,” Yusuf said. His eyes lingered on the food left on Nicolo’s bowl. “I even worry now as you force yourself to eat every bite.”
“So,” Nicolo thought over Yusuf’s words. “It was not a necessary lie?” He took a deep breath. His jaw worked. “I thought men like it when the other...swallows.”
Nicolo immediately shook his head.
“No, pay no mind to what I said.” Nicolo shook his head again. He looked disgusted with himself.
The self turned look did not sit well with Yusuf. The things men do with women or men were not talked about, not easily, but it felt like Nicolo needed to hear them. And Yusuf was discovering he could not deny Nicolo anything.
“Did you want to swallow?” Yusuf asked carefully.
Nicolo’s face shuttered, his eyes distant.
“Nicolo,” Yusuf called out softly. He did not touch Nicolo.
Nicolo shook his head as if to shake himself awake.
“No, I mean, I do not know.” Nicolo helplessly shrugged.
Yusuf smiled, but his stomach churned as he spoke.
“I want to.”
Startled eyes flew up to Yusuf.
“You do not have to...” Nicolo gestured towards his lap.
“No, I do not have to,” Yusuf agreed easily. His voice lowered. “But I want to.”
Nicolo stared at Yusuf. He broke away from Yusuf’s gaze.
"I do not know what to think when you look at me like that," Nicolo said quietly.
Yusuf knew he wore all his desires and wants on his expression, unabashedly and clear in his intent. He saw it in the way Nicolo gulped, his throat working. Nicolo was a fine warrior, a swordsman with skill no artist could capture on paper. He fought with no fear.
Yet here, across the table from Yusuf, Nicolo looked uncertain.
“Yes,” Yusuf said bluntly. “There are many things I want to do with you. Many things. The more I look at you, the more my hands wish to touch you, the more my eyes want to memorize you.”
“But,” Yusuf continued in a softer voice, “I do not have to if you do not want to.”
Nicolo frowned to himself. “That does not seem fair to you. If it is what you want, you should not need to deny yourself what you desire even if it is...” He gestured towards himself again.
“I will not lie. I desire you. More every minute I am fortunate to be by your side.” Yusuf savored the way Nicolo’s ears pinked before he continued. He chose his words carefully, not unlike preparing for a battle although he suspected the battle was within Nicolo.
“But if I do not deny myself the pleasures of your body, I deny you your pleasure.”
Yusuf finally reached over and grasped Nicolo’s hand. The fingers were limp, cool, but once they were in Yusuf’s grasp, Nicolo’s hand held tight.
"And then it is no longer pleasurable for me."
“Oh,” Nicolo said. He sounded thoughtful.
Yusuf pulled Nicolo’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles.
“We should stay.” Yusuf sounded loud in the sleepy hours. He spoke to the back of Nicolo’s head. For once, Nicolo fell asleep first, tucked within the curl of Yusuf’s body.
Nicolo stirred against Yusuf, to adjust within Yusuf’s hold. He pressed back against Yusuf’s chest.
“Hm?” Nicolo sounded drowsy.
Yusuf shook his head. “I was thinking out loud. Sorry.” He kissed Nicolo’s shoulder blade. One for each because he could not choose a favorite. “Go back to sleep.”
“Tell me,” Nicolo mumbled.
Yusuf gave up coaxing Nicolo back to sleep. Again he was reminded how he can not seem to deny Nicolo anything.
“I was thinking,” Yusuf began.
“Oh no,” Nicolo yawned, “should I start running?”
Yusuf growled. He ran his teeth along the crook of Nicolo’s shoulder. Interestingly, Nicolo shuddered.
“Ah,” Yusuf murmured. “Did you like that?” He did it again, skimming the slope from Nicolo’s ear to the round joint of his shoulder with the edge of his teeth. He did not bite, keeping his touch light enough he barely tasted the salt of Nicolo’s skin.
Nicolo shivered as if cold despite his shirt and the blanket over their bodies.
“I...I think so?” Nicolo gasped when Yusuf’s teeth scraped down his neck again. Harder, sharper like the edge of a dagger. He groaned, shuddering as Yusuf's teeth pressed gently into his shoulder through his shirt.
"And this?" Yusuf rumbled.
“And tha—Yusuf, no, no, wait.”
Yusuf stopped at the panic in Nicolo’s voice. He moved the hand he kept over Nicolo’s arm and settled it over Nicolo’s heart. It fluttered fast under Yusuf’s palm.
“I stopped,” Yusuf murmured. “It is fine.”
Nicolo breathed out slowly. He squirmed and his legs moved over the knee Yusuf tucked between Nicolo’s. Nicolo fidgeted as if he wanted to straddle Yusuf’s thigh.
Ah.
“I could,” Yusuf began and his hand wandered lower, but stopped over Nicolo’s navel when Nicolo choked a sound. He hugged Nicolo carefully to him.
"It is fine, Nicolo."
"Is it?" Nicolo said bitterly. "What does it mean that I enjoy it when you hurt me?"
Yusuf tensed. "Did I--"
"No." Nicolo fell silent. He wrapped his arms around his middle.
"It only felt like it could," Nicolo said at last. He exhaled sharply. "Does that mean I like pain? Does that mean he was right and I will--"
"He?" Yusuf interrupted. Nicolo vibrated in his arms like he was about to spring up to his feet to fend off attackers.
Nicolo stilled.
"Who was right?" Yusuf frowned. "Someone said you like pain?"
"It was something I...heard," Nicolo said. If Yusuf did not hold Nicolo so close, he would not have heard him.
Yusuf thought about the faint white lashes that ran down Nicolo's back. He caught a glimpse once when he and Nicolo found a river large enough they could wash a fair distance apart. The sun had scorched their skins, Nicolo's pale flesh bore the blunt of it. Flushed skin faded with their healing, but Yusuf caught sight of thin spidery lines stark against sun burnt skin. They ran from Nicolo's shoulders and down to the top cleft of his buttocks. Yusuf was speechless, stunned stupid. He nearly did not see the rock Nicolo threw at his face.
"You heard wrong," Yusuf said fiercely. He was suddenly furious and he reined the jolt of rage before he confused Nicolo. He nosed the spot under Nicolo's ear. "And if anything we do hurts, you tell me. I will stop."
"...All right," Nicolo said. He took a deep breath.
"You were thinking?"
"Hm?" Yusuf rubbed his hand over Nicolo's heart. Nicolo's heart thumped slower, serene once more.
"You said you were thinking out loud?" Nicolo reminded him.
Yusuf thought for a moment. "Yes, I was thinking!"
"And I was worried." Nicolo snorted when Yusuf grumbled.
"Are you going to listen or not?" Yusuf demanded.
Nicolo sighed. "If I must."
Yusuf bumped his forehead to the back of Nicolo's head.
"I was thinking we should stay."
"In Cairo?" Nicolo fidgeted against Yusuf. It was very distracting.
Yusuf squashed down the urge to burrow his face into Nicolo's neck. He recaptured his thoughts.
"It will take too long to collect enough funds to go East." Yusuf's hand smoothed over Nicolo's heart. "What do you think about us staying here? Let them come to us instead?"
"Let them come to us," Nicolo repeated. "They will know how to find us?"
Yusuf hummed thoughtfully. "We see them in our dreams, no? We were able to guess where they may be."
"You think they dream of us?" Nicolo asked hesitantly.
"You and I dreamed of each other after the first time we died. It is like you said, the dreams stop after we find each other. Maybe the dreams that tell us to find them are telling the women to find us?"
"Do you think they see us?" Nicolo's voice was small for some reason. "Do you think they see everything?"
"Enough to see where we are," Yusuf mused. He embraced Nicolo closer.
"What you think? We stay? Aziz's offer for my scrolls was generous. I am certain he will buy more."
Yusuf rubbed his beard against the side of Nicolo's neck.
"Maybe we have a stall?" Yusuf suggested tentatively. "Hm? I think some of the traders wanted to sell. You and I. Here in Cairo. Let them come to us. We can stay a few years before anyone wonders about us. The women, they will know where to find us."
"Because they saw everything," Nicolo whispered.
Yusuf nodded against Nicolo.
"This will be good," Yusuf murmured. "In two days? After Aziz? We see?"
"Two days," Nicolo repeated.
Under Yusuf's palm, Nicolo's heart started pounding faster.
------------------------
Oh wow, I did not think I would end up writing an even larger part than before, but yup!
I hope to put all of Nicolo's parts (yes, PARTS) here, but if not, it'll be tomorrow. I didn't like splitting POVs that long apart. I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging for the last part like that. Sorry.
More later. Or...tomorrow?
As always, thank you for letting me go nuts on this fill!
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timeasmymeasure
Yusuf/Nicolo Forced Prostitution Fill : Needs of the Other 9C/12
Date: 2020-10-07 02:59 pm (UTC)—————————————————
Part 9C
—————————————————
(Yusuf)
12th century
The stew burnt.
Yusuf was not as upset as Nicolo, who often thought wasted food was a sin especially in the face of so many who needs it. He ate rotting apples with one hand and gave the sweetest ones to the children they came across in their travels with the other. It used to both frustrated and charmed Yusuf. It still does.
Nicolo looked at Yusuf as if he was seeing him with new eyes after they pulled apart. Nicolo kept trying to offer to finish off Yusuf. His eyes kept flitting on and off Yusuf’s lax cock and the white splatters on his inner thighs and groin.
Yusuf declined, stammering so much Nicolo complained he could not understand Yusuf’s Arabic. But it seemed to ease the strange tension on Nicolo’s shoulders.
Yusuf fumbled as he cleaned himself, flushing as he tried not to stare at the shape of Nicolo’s shoulder blades as the other shrugged out of his stained tunic and cleaned Yusuf’s release off his pale skin with a few quick swipes. Nicolo did not seem as clumsy when faced with what happened streaked across his chin and throat. Which only made Yusuf feel more clumsy.
Something was changed between them. But the elation Yusuf felt was also mixed with apprehension. Nicolo’s gaze did not stay with Yusuf long. He took time tearing his bread when they sat down for their evening meal, chewing each bite with shadows in his eyes.
“Should we have not done that?” Yusuf said quietly after Nicolo gave up eating the rest of the boiled fish. Nicolo looked frustrated at the food.
“I do not know.” Nicolo pushed the fish around his bowl with a piece of torn bread. “Did I do it wrong?”
Yusuf choked on the morsel in his mouth. “Wrong? No, Nicolo, it was amazing. Nicolo, I...”
“You did not wish me to swallow.”
Yusuf sputtered weakly. If only Nicolo would look at him. No, perhaps it was better he did not.
“I did not lie that I worried it would make you ill,” Yusuf said. His eyes lingered on the food left on Nicolo’s bowl. “I even worry now as you force yourself to eat every bite.”
“So,” Nicolo thought over Yusuf’s words. “It was not a necessary lie?” He took a deep breath. His jaw worked. “I thought men like it when the other...swallows.”
Nicolo immediately shook his head.
“No, pay no mind to what I said.” Nicolo shook his head again. He looked disgusted with himself.
The self turned look did not sit well with Yusuf. The things men do with women or men were not talked about, not easily, but it felt like Nicolo needed to hear them. And Yusuf was discovering he could not deny Nicolo anything.
“Did you want to swallow?” Yusuf asked carefully.
Nicolo’s face shuttered, his eyes distant.
“Nicolo,” Yusuf called out softly. He did not touch Nicolo.
Nicolo shook his head as if to shake himself awake.
“No, I mean, I do not know.” Nicolo helplessly shrugged.
Yusuf smiled, but his stomach churned as he spoke.
“I want to.”
Startled eyes flew up to Yusuf.
“You do not have to...” Nicolo gestured towards his lap.
“No, I do not have to,” Yusuf agreed easily. His voice lowered. “But I want to.”
Nicolo stared at Yusuf. He broke away from Yusuf’s gaze.
"I do not know what to think when you look at me like that," Nicolo said quietly.
Yusuf knew he wore all his desires and wants on his expression, unabashedly and clear in his intent. He saw it in the way Nicolo gulped, his throat working. Nicolo was a fine warrior, a swordsman with skill no artist could capture on paper. He fought with no fear.
Yet here, across the table from Yusuf, Nicolo looked uncertain.
“Yes,” Yusuf said bluntly. “There are many things I want to do with you. Many things. The more I look at you, the more my hands wish to touch you, the more my eyes want to memorize you.”
“But,” Yusuf continued in a softer voice, “I do not have to if you do not want to.”
Nicolo frowned to himself. “That does not seem fair to you. If it is what you want, you should not need to deny yourself what you desire even if it is...” He gestured towards himself again.
“I will not lie. I desire you. More every minute I am fortunate to be by your side.” Yusuf savored the way Nicolo’s ears pinked before he continued. He chose his words carefully, not unlike preparing for a battle although he suspected the battle was within Nicolo.
“But if I do not deny myself the pleasures of your body, I deny you your pleasure.”
Yusuf finally reached over and grasped Nicolo’s hand. The fingers were limp, cool, but once they were in Yusuf’s grasp, Nicolo’s hand held tight.
"And then it is no longer pleasurable for me."
“Oh,” Nicolo said. He sounded thoughtful.
Yusuf pulled Nicolo’s hand to his lips and kissed his knuckles.
“We should stay.” Yusuf sounded loud in the sleepy hours. He spoke to the back of Nicolo’s head. For once, Nicolo fell asleep first, tucked within the curl of Yusuf’s body.
Nicolo stirred against Yusuf, to adjust within Yusuf’s hold. He pressed back against Yusuf’s chest.
“Hm?” Nicolo sounded drowsy.
Yusuf shook his head. “I was thinking out loud. Sorry.” He kissed Nicolo’s shoulder blade. One for each because he could not choose a favorite. “Go back to sleep.”
“Tell me,” Nicolo mumbled.
Yusuf gave up coaxing Nicolo back to sleep. Again he was reminded how he can not seem to deny Nicolo anything.
“I was thinking,” Yusuf began.
“Oh no,” Nicolo yawned, “should I start running?”
Yusuf growled. He ran his teeth along the crook of Nicolo’s shoulder. Interestingly, Nicolo shuddered.
“Ah,” Yusuf murmured. “Did you like that?” He did it again, skimming the slope from Nicolo’s ear to the round joint of his shoulder with the edge of his teeth. He did not bite, keeping his touch light enough he barely tasted the salt of Nicolo’s skin.
Nicolo shivered as if cold despite his shirt and the blanket over their bodies.
“I...I think so?” Nicolo gasped when Yusuf’s teeth scraped down his neck again. Harder, sharper like the edge of a dagger. He groaned, shuddering as Yusuf's teeth pressed gently into his shoulder through his shirt.
"And this?" Yusuf rumbled.
“And tha—Yusuf, no, no, wait.”
Yusuf stopped at the panic in Nicolo’s voice. He moved the hand he kept over Nicolo’s arm and settled it over Nicolo’s heart. It fluttered fast under Yusuf’s palm.
“I stopped,” Yusuf murmured. “It is fine.”
Nicolo breathed out slowly. He squirmed and his legs moved over the knee Yusuf tucked between Nicolo’s. Nicolo fidgeted as if he wanted to straddle Yusuf’s thigh.
Ah.
“I could,” Yusuf began and his hand wandered lower, but stopped over Nicolo’s navel when Nicolo choked a sound. He hugged Nicolo carefully to him.
"It is fine, Nicolo."
"Is it?" Nicolo said bitterly. "What does it mean that I enjoy it when you hurt me?"
Yusuf tensed. "Did I--"
"No." Nicolo fell silent. He wrapped his arms around his middle.
"It only felt like it could," Nicolo said at last. He exhaled sharply. "Does that mean I like pain? Does that mean he was right and I will--"
"He?" Yusuf interrupted. Nicolo vibrated in his arms like he was about to spring up to his feet to fend off attackers.
Nicolo stilled.
"Who was right?" Yusuf frowned. "Someone said you like pain?"
"It was something I...heard," Nicolo said. If Yusuf did not hold Nicolo so close, he would not have heard him.
Yusuf thought about the faint white lashes that ran down Nicolo's back. He caught a glimpse once when he and Nicolo found a river large enough they could wash a fair distance apart. The sun had scorched their skins, Nicolo's pale flesh bore the blunt of it. Flushed skin faded with their healing, but Yusuf caught sight of thin spidery lines stark against sun burnt skin. They ran from Nicolo's shoulders and down to the top cleft of his buttocks. Yusuf was speechless, stunned stupid. He nearly did not see the rock Nicolo threw at his face.
"You heard wrong," Yusuf said fiercely. He was suddenly furious and he reined the jolt of rage before he confused Nicolo. He nosed the spot under Nicolo's ear. "And if anything we do hurts, you tell me. I will stop."
"...All right," Nicolo said. He took a deep breath.
"You were thinking?"
"Hm?" Yusuf rubbed his hand over Nicolo's heart. Nicolo's heart thumped slower, serene once more.
"You said you were thinking out loud?" Nicolo reminded him.
Yusuf thought for a moment. "Yes, I was thinking!"
"And I was worried." Nicolo snorted when Yusuf grumbled.
"Are you going to listen or not?" Yusuf demanded.
Nicolo sighed. "If I must."
Yusuf bumped his forehead to the back of Nicolo's head.
"I was thinking we should stay."
"In Cairo?" Nicolo fidgeted against Yusuf. It was very distracting.
Yusuf squashed down the urge to burrow his face into Nicolo's neck. He recaptured his thoughts.
"It will take too long to collect enough funds to go East." Yusuf's hand smoothed over Nicolo's heart. "What do you think about us staying here? Let them come to us instead?"
"Let them come to us," Nicolo repeated. "They will know how to find us?"
Yusuf hummed thoughtfully. "We see them in our dreams, no? We were able to guess where they may be."
"You think they dream of us?" Nicolo asked hesitantly.
"You and I dreamed of each other after the first time we died. It is like you said, the dreams stop after we find each other. Maybe the dreams that tell us to find them are telling the women to find us?"
"Do you think they see us?" Nicolo's voice was small for some reason. "Do you think they see everything?"
"Enough to see where we are," Yusuf mused. He embraced Nicolo closer.
"What you think? We stay? Aziz's offer for my scrolls was generous. I am certain he will buy more."
Yusuf rubbed his beard against the side of Nicolo's neck.
"Maybe we have a stall?" Yusuf suggested tentatively. "Hm? I think some of the traders wanted to sell. You and I. Here in Cairo. Let them come to us. We can stay a few years before anyone wonders about us. The women, they will know where to find us."
"Because they saw everything," Nicolo whispered.
Yusuf nodded against Nicolo.
"This will be good," Yusuf murmured. "In two days? After Aziz? We see?"
"Two days," Nicolo repeated.
Under Yusuf's palm, Nicolo's heart started pounding faster.
------------------------
Oh wow, I did not think I would end up writing an even larger part than before, but yup!
I hope to put all of Nicolo's parts (yes, PARTS) here, but if not, it'll be tomorrow. I didn't like splitting POVs that long apart. I didn't mean to leave you guys hanging for the last part like that. Sorry.
More later. Or...tomorrow?
As always, thank you for letting me go nuts on this fill!