Eden

The two men had sat quietly in the light of the moon talking quietly. Erik breathed freely and let the tension go. His chest which was always so tight in Persia loosened. Nadir noticed the change and smiled.

He laced his hands on his chest and laid back in the wicker chair. The boots that were buffed so perfectly were forgotten as he kicked them off sighing as he did so.

"I had forgotten how freeing it was here in your home. Thank you Nadir." then closed his eyes listening to the soft bird songs as they nested for the night.

The fire in the pit was burning brightly and cheerfully sending dancing flames across the courtyard. Nadir could clearly see him and everything else around them and felt himself relax.

Erik closed his eyes and absent mindledley began to sing an old Gypsy love song. Nadir listened to the song silently.

It was a rare treat that Erik would sing. He hardly remembered the last time he heard that angelic but seductive voice and it pleased him that he felt that good.

The birds seemed to have stopped singing in anticipation to hear what a real voice sounded like. As if Mohammad was there in that small court yard and his voice rang like a God.

When the song was finished Erik opened up his eyes emotion playing in them. "I'm sorry Deroga," a small embarrassed chuckle "I have seemed to forget my manners."

Nadir lifted up his cup of lukewarm mint tea taking a sip "No my dear friend do not apologize it has been months since I heard your voice like that..."

Erik's one eyebrow went up "As opposed to the other way then?" he said almost playfully.

This time it was Nadir that had blushed profusely as Erik's laugh came from behind the mask. "yes..." he said softly "it has been quite a while since I felt the need to sing of love..."

His voice slowly faded into silence at the concept of that word "love" Nadir could see a lot of emotions in his eyes confusion anger and want he shook his head then looked to the older man "What does love feel like Deroga?"

The tone in his voice held many feelings behind that question. Nadir did not know what to say. He knew that Erik regardless of how he asked it was a genuine inquiry.

And so Nadir spoke of many things that night and Erik asked many questions. Questions that had made Nadir's head spin at his innocence. All of that power all of his knowledge had been taken apart by the man himself with no recourse of Nadir laughing at him.

The grandfather clock was striking 4 in the morning the fire which had not been tended finally gave off it's final dying ember and flickered away.

Nadir rubbed his eyes as Erik yawned "I will see you in the morning Nadir. Good night." He got up from the chair and stretched then returned to his room.

Nadir followed suit but not before checking on to see Reza. The boy was sound asleep as Nadir kissed him on the forehead and said "Tomorrow my Reza you shall hear him again but for now...sleep. I love you."

TBC