The Old Guard: Yusuf & Nicolò, Andromache & Quynh
It took some time for the enemies' lives to become entangled. First it was their food supplies that got mixed up together, dried meats and dates and nuts that seemed pointless for them to carry separately. Then it was their clothing, after Nicolò abandoned his European garb for clothes more appropriate to the desert. Soon after that their language started to blend, the Sabir they shared mingled with newly learned words of Zeneize and Tamazight. After this, it wasn't surprising that, on one very cold night Yusuf laid his bedding beside Nicolò's and wrapped his arms around him for warmth.
While tangled at night, the men still distanced themselves in the daylight, even they ate their meals from their shared coffers, and dressed in the same clothing, and spoke more and more in the other's language. The women watched them from continents away, these new brothers they had yet to meet.
"Have you noticed, they aren't fighting as much…"
"Today the Magreb one kept the Frank from falling…"
"The Frank watches the other man whenever he thinks he's not observed…"
And so the two women slowly made their way westward, in their dreams watching the enemies grow into something more.