Seeing no other way out of there, the Iraqi Lieutenant just found out another opening through the rock and even if it would cost him another descent into that cave, he decided to cross it anyway...

And with you behind, of course.

You wondered why you also started to follow him, definitely seeing the light faded away it made you feel very bad, as you went deeper and deeper into darkness...and while you scrambled down there carefully, you didn't stop thinking about that strange and horrible creature from earlier.

What they were and why they were there were the questions you couldn't find an answer to. But soon, you had to turn your attention back to the Iraqi man, now standing a few meters below you.

《Be careful, the rock is weak in that point.》 He warned you, but before you could figure out where to put your feet, something like another tremor spread inside the cave, shaking the wall behind you.

You were like petrified and when Salim noticed the crack above you too, he pulled you in the opposite direction to prevent the rocks from falling over your head. Fortunately, the earthquake ended almost immediately and when you opened your eyes just then, you found yourself again in the arms of the Iraqi man...hell you didn't know why, but that was becoming a really bad habit.

《T-thanks...you can put me down now.》 But you just heard his chuckles after saying that and your face suddenly flushed with embarrassment.

Gosh, why's happening all this to me!?

《Sure, but remember your leg is still hurt. Let me help you with it, okay miss doctor?》

Unconsciously, your hands were resting on his sturdy shoulders to support you as the man's warm, calloused ones were still holding your legs, particularly touching the sweaty, bare skin of your thighs. Right there, Salim's gentle smile turned into something more shy when he thought he was doing something impudent.

Allah forgive me... He prayed in his head as he let you go.

《So, what do you do in life? I mean out of here...》 Salim casually asked you as he cleared his throat, definitely he wanted to break the ice and clear his mind by talking about something else...and you didn't know what to answer, just like you didn't know if it was a good idea to talk with him about it.

《Well, I work in my own clinic. A medical clinic.》 You answered vaguely and with a little discomfort, but Salim stayed silent, interested in hearing the rest.

《I see, you must be very proud of your work. It's not that simple, but you can get all the satisfaction you want in helping others and that's very amazing.》 He added with a half smile and without stopping to look at your smaller, slightly nervous figure.

《'Course I am, there's nothing more satisfying than doin' good for others.》 You finally smiled too, it had been a while since you had heard such things and even though those words came from a stranger, you still felt better.

But at the same time you wished you could have done something more for yourself too.

《And what exactly do you do?》 There, Salim was too busy looking for something to light the way ahead to notice you were playing with the backpack straps nervously.

The best part was coming.

《...》

《I'm a physiotherapist.》

The following silence was somewhat mortifying and so, you diverted your gaze to avoid the Iraqi's one, who was probably about to laugh after such bullshit; but contrary to your expectations, the black-haired man widened his eyes in surprise, as well as in confusion.

《P-physiotherapist?? Are you serious?》 He asked in an astonished tone, gesturing in a way that you found almost funny 《This doesn't make sense...why did you come here in Iraq then?》

Salim looked at you as if he was really concerned in knowing more and you didn't expect that, not from a soldier who got up that same morning to fight against you...

Or this was what it should have been.

《I took this as a new opportunity for my career, and move on with my life from certain things...or this is what I was thinking a few hours ago.》 In the meantime, you made a mocking face 《What about you? You're wearing a uniform, but seems to me you...hate the war?》

When you said that, the man's face relaxed behind the flame of the lighter. Of course, you weren't completely wrong, because if Dar hadn't come knocking on his door that afternoon, Salim would be sitting inside his comfortable living room, listening to his favorite music and smoking his favorite cigarettes, before his son came home to scold him...and eventually admit that he loved him more than anything else...hell, how much he wished he could change all this!

《I was planning to celebrate my son's birthday today.》 Just then, Salim revealed with a wistful smile on his lips 《But...sometimes things don't always go as planned, right?》

Surprisingly, you stifled a laugh when you thought the same damn thing and Salim's smile just got wider when he saw you like this, together with the hidden dimples in your cheeks.

Without a doubt, they made you prettier than you already were.

《You have a point. None of us expected shit like this and right now, the only thing we can do is not lost our marbles to get outta here!》

Maybe you were been too enthusiastic, or it was those unusual words that made the Iraqi raise a curious eyebrow.

《...marbles?》 This time, he turned completely towards you 《Is this a common way you Americans have to talk or it's just your thing?》

There, your footsteps stopped abruptly when you realized that you had spoken with your Southern accent without noticing it, and mostly in front of a foreigner! But fortunately, Salim was able to understand what you meant and prevented your embarrassment from sinking further underneath.

《I-I'm so sorry I didn't mean...》 But your mouth stopped when you saw him chuckling. And also joyfully.

《Oh, but I don't mind that so don't worry too much, ¹alhabiba.》

Damn, you were really hoping there was no one else in that tunnel with you, because for a few seconds your mind stopped working in front of that pair of dark, doe-like eyes...and Salim did nothing else but smile and alternate his gaze between your big eyes and reddish lips, once he realized what he called you.

Seriously, he couldn't believe that such an angelic face could be so tempting, and just at the same time! He had to admit it was your fault too, if that happened.

《W-we should keep walking, stayin' here can be dangerous!》 You whispered as you broke any other contact with him to face the darkness of the caves, but still wondering what Salim had meant with that Arabic word.

《Right. The demons may be everywhere and we must be ready.》 He just answered and you nodded in agreement before following him again, walking by his side. In that moment, Salim hoped those monsters couldn't hear the sudden beating of his heart...

...and you were hoping Salim wouldn't hear yours.

What the hell is wrong with me...?

• • •

It wasn't long before the silence between you two became unbearable. Salim was a Lieutenant after all, it was normal he should be focused on what he was doing, but the problem was that he hadn't dared to say a thing for the whole time and when you looked up at him, he didn't do the same thing. Not anymore.

You immediately thought that he was avoiding you on purpose; until a few minutes ago, you remembered well he was enjoying your accent to the point that he liked hearing it, so you just couldn't understand what was happening to him...

But the truth was, he felt just as uncomfortable as you were.

《So, uhm, how old is your son? Still a child or...?》 You asked by tilting your head slightly in his direction and your braid automatically slid over your covered shoulder. Salim looked down with a wild expression, as if his head was elsewhere, but when you asked about Zain, he went back to reality. Finally.

《He turns eighteen. But yes, he's still a child, at least for me.》 He smiled on his own when he thought about that, until he heard you spit air.

《Sure, but he's a young man now. Wait until he brings a girl at home to introduce ya to her!》 Suddenly, you gave him a playful nudge on his upper arm and that left the Iraqi a little surprised 《But I think the mother won't be so happy with it anyway, they can be very jealous of their sons...》

Your last words made him darken a little, definitely you had hit a sore spot, but he managed to hide that discomfort with his usual composure.

《Maybe, if she were with us...》 Of course, Salim faked a smile and looked away again, but your eyes just widened all of sudden...you didn't want to believe you talked about his wife without knowing a shit about him!

He said nothing, not because he was angry or anything, but because his attention focused on those strange noises, just a few meters ahead of you...and when it turned out to be one of those winged monsters, Salim warned you to not make noises and follow him slowly, looking for a hiding place.

《Fuck! What we do now??》 You whispered loudly and not very finely, but the soldier didn't look at you perplexed for that, indeed he was thinking what to do.

《We have to kill it, or we can't get out of here.》

Of course, you didn't like his idea at all.

《No way, what makes you think we can kill that thing like you did earlier!?》 You pointed out seriously, watching first at Salim's face and then at the creature's deformed back, too busy feeding on a corpse to notice your arguing in the meantime.

《I understand how you feel Y/n, but there isn't much we can do right now.》 Salim said deeply and inches from your face, squeezing your shoulder to try to calm you down, as well as instill the courage you needed.

《But I can't do this alone...I need you from here and until we're totally out of here! Are you with me, doctor?》

More the soldier's breaths became deeper, more your heart beat faster and you didn't understand what the heck was going through your head lately, just like you didn't understand how this man could give you such a weird feeling with just his damn voice and the intense gaze, spreading inside you like a sudden flood in the middle of the desert.

Salim pursed his lips, of course he was as nervous as you were and couldn't help but be just honest with you; so and without further delay, he took over the metal stake and began to study a way to surprise the monster. For your part, you took a long sigh and followed him despite being completely unarmed.

《I'm with you. But remember I have nothing to use right now and this is not a damn Super Bowl game so, don't think my cheering will be enough for that...》

You finished with a clear snort and although he didn't understand what you were referring to, Salim just forced a smirk in front of your sweet dumbness, before starting to climb a giant rock.

《When I tell you, think about how to get its attention and distract it. I'll do the rest.》

There, you didn't have time to reply that he disappeared behind it. Hell, you couldn't believe you were going to do such bullshit and just then, you started to circle a rocky wall too, until you found yourself behind the same creature.

After that, Salim nodded to you from the other side of the room, this meant distracting the creature to allow him to attack it by surprise...

But the problem was, you had no idea how to do that.

Darn, how the fuck I do tha—

Suddenly, you sensed something. In a way, you had noticed the sunlight could be their weakness and so, you quietly searched for the object in the pocket of your shorts, until you found it. A simple make-up mirror.

You held it tightly in your hand, before folding that in a way the sunlight's reflection fell on the creature's dark skin, with the hope something would happen.

I'm damn sure I'll regret this!

From his distance, Salim couldn't see what you were doing, but he saw smoke escaping from the creature's back, and then a vivid flame, which brought out the sharpest, most ferocious growl he had ever heard.

Of course, the Iraqi didn't miss the chance to stick his metal bar in its chest; but despite this, the demon started to struggling hard on the ground and against the strength of the human one. Without thinking twice, you ran to try to help him but froze the instant you heard him scream.

《Don't get close!》 Salim didn't want you to get hurt, or worse, but it was also true that he couldn't hope you would listen to him and after a few seconds, you were by his side, with your hands on his metal stake to push it further into the creature's back...you and Salim didn't stop doing that until you hit your heart.

《Sleep well, you piece of shit!》 You swore with a big grin on your dirty face, when the monster stopped growling and moving beneath you.

《Did you see Salim? We made it!》

You didn't stop smiling enthusiastically after such a triumph and the same was true for your left hand, still placed on Salim's one.

《Yeah, we made it.》 He stared at you with incredulous eyes, but happy to be still alive.

And happy to be still there, by your side.

《Hey, your okay? That thing didn't hurt you right!?》 You asked by doing a quick check on him, but he looked fine anyway, at least externally.

Actually, Salim was like mesmerized, confused by a whirlwind of emotions which were taking place inside him right now. And among these, there were some that he was constantly trying to ignore since he spotted you through the binoculars...really, he didn't know what the hell to do about it, just like he couldn't ignore what was happening to him when you were around him.

But he shook his head, surely it wasn't the right time to lose the mind and just later, he noticed a gun on the ground, next to the soldier's corpse and knelt to pick it up.

《Something is wrong with this guy...》 You said suddenly as you pointed a finger at it 《Look at his skin...it's like he's been drained of his blood. Don't tell me these creatures feed as if they were-》

《Yeah, vampires.》 Salim finished your reasoning while examining the body 《I see no other explanation. I have never seen anything...so vicious.》

In that moment, you just stayed silent in front of that shocking discovery. If these creatures fed on blood, then you had been condemned from the moment you set foot in that damned labyrinth of sand, becoming the fresh meat of these strange and dangerous predators of the dark.

《Well, they catch fire when they come in contact with the sunlight like vampires, but their appearance's something different from what I expected...》 You specified with an uncertain tone 《For example, why should they have wings in a place like this? Maybe, they are more than what we know...》

Right there, the Iraqi looked at you carefully, and admirably at the same time as you were trying to put things in the right order to make sense of them. And before you could say anything else, he approached you with his arm outstretched.

《You already know how to use it, just remember the trigger must be pulled towards the enemy.》 He teased you with a warm smile and you rolled your eyes for the umpteenth time, but still not bored with his constant sense of humor during the deadliest of situations.

Seriously, you couldn't help but blame that fucking fall for messing up your head so badly and making you believe this man could be really your friend!

And still, he interested you more than you imagined and just hoped he would never become your enemy in the future.

Anyway, you were about to take the weapon from his hand when you and Salim turned around just suddenly; there, something like a metallic click reached you from the depths of the cave, together with a pair of human figures, who quickly approached with guns pointed.

You opened both eyes wide when recognized Eric King and Sergeant Kay.

《Drop your weapon, now!》 But the Lieutenant Colonel just ordered, obviously referring to the soldier next to you and Salim pointed his own gun in response.

《Stop pointing your guns at me!》 The Iraqi Lieutenant replied firmly and with a hostile tone, but without trying to use the trigger on newcomers. It was clear that he didn't want to hurt anyone.

And you didn't know what to do, but you felt it was right for you to intervene, especially in defense of Salim.

《Wait, he's not a bad person! He saved my life from these monsters and if he really wanted, he could just left me behind with them...but he didn't.》

Although he stayed with his arms raised and directed towards the other two soldiers, Salim peered in your direction, in the middle of the two enemy fires; it was evident you were trying to solve this without anyone getting hurt, but at the same time he didn't want you to get in the way and so, he tried to move your body away from there by grabbing your arm, without provoking your fellow Americans...

Too bad a third, armed guy flanked him just then.

《Touch her and I swear to hell and all your Gods you'll fucking regret it.》 Suddenly, your brother appeared and threatened the Iraqi soldier with a hateful look. At this point, Salim decided to put an end to this, seeing no other way out beyond that.

《Okay! Enough! There's no point in fighting. Not anymore.》

To the surprise of the others and you, Salim decided to raise his arms, leaving his attacking stance and trying to ease the tension with his surrender, somehow; there, Nick moved first to tie the Iraqi man's wrists behind his back, who just stayed silent and without making wrong movements. In that moment, Eric motioned for Jason to give the order to proceed.

《We're heading back to the temple. If he tries anything...》 Nick nodded without his friend continuing the sentence and before turning, he took a quick glance at you, in a way sorry to see that man treated as if he were the only wrong under there.

You stayed silent, for now, and followed the group to take refuge inside what looked like an ancient Sumerian temple.

• • •

There were a lot of things you didn't expect to happen that day, including seeing live what you had simply read in a book! You had never seen anything like it and you were definitely amazed, as well as safe.
Sure, the temple was guarded around the perimeter, but that wouldn't stop those creatures from breaking into it when they had a chance and for this reason, you had to be ready for anything.

However, you didn't like the way your comrades were treating Salim, as if he were a fucking war prisoner, exposing him to any danger tied up on a chair outside the camp. Good thing your twin brother came at that very moment to make you stop thinking about it...

《Luckily you're okay Y/n...》 Soon after, Jason's expression relaxed when he saw you but without hiding the discomfort he had been having all that time 《Shit— you really scared the shit outta me, I thought somethin' bad happened to you!》

No way, you took the opportunity to mock his frustration, as you often did with him 《...really? Then, I'd have to do more often to see that dumb face of yours again.》

You were kidding of course, even though it wasn't quite the perfect time and you were dams sure Jason would have seriously killed you for this...

Until he ran to hold you in his arms.

《Don't even try, you damn idiot!》 There, you heard your brother mutter in frustration as his face was sinking into your right shoulder; it had been a long time since you saw him so vulnerable and you couldn't help but hug him tightly, holding back some sobs against your brother's armed chest...hell, you couldn't be happier to be reunited with him.

You didn't know how long that hug lasted, but it was able to get someone else's attention; from afar, Salim stared at that picture of you and the cap marine and narrowed his eyes with a deep sigh, as he realized that, maybe, you were romantically involved with that person.

What a fool he had been...

《So, where are the chemical weapons?》 You allowed yourself to ask later, not without noticing a tent with so many different equipment from what the soldiers had carried. Jason realized what you meant and heaved a long sigh to keep himself calm.

《Forget it. This mission was a total bust and the only sure thing is those motherfuckers outta there chasing us!》 The cap boy retorted harshly and his gaze was clearly fixed on the only Iraqi alive inside the temple 《Hey, if that asshole did something to you–》

《It's okay Jason. He's harmless.》 You interrupted your brother's sentence with a reassuring smile, but the marine wasn't so convinced and swore in his head that he would keep an eye on the Iraqi, to prevent him from doing some bullshit...

Or this was the plan before his superior ordered him and Nick to keep their research outside the temple, as you stayed safe there, waiting for him to come back soon.

And still, there was another person that you couldn't stop thinking...

For his part, Salim wasn't very comfortable on an old, creaking chair, with his hands tied behind his back and without his trusty metal stake. He knew it was best not to go against the Americans and staying silent seemed the only option left to him to survive.

But suddenly, the older soldier noticed a pair of boots advancing towards him and just looked up, so that he could guess who it was.

《Hey...how do you feel?》 In a way, your voice awakened his senses, which were slowly clouding over 《I'm so sorry for this, I should have done something to–》

《You have nothing to apologize for.》 He interrupted you right after and with an unexpectedly calm tone 《Well, at least we're not chased by vampires anymore.》

Once again, Salim tried to joke but without getting the desired effect. The truth was, you wanted to free him at that very moment now that you still had the chance, because you knew perfectly well he didn't deserve all of this...

And because you had started to trust him.

《You'll get in trouble if you stay here. You know, I'm not a welcome guest to your friends, especially to the one with the cap...I bet he would like to shoot me right now.》

After that, Salim looked down, now unsure whether to listen to your next answer or not.

《I don't think so.》 You said without hesitation, now sitting on some rocky steps to the soldier's right 《I know perfectly well he's a hothead sometimes, but my brother isn't a bad guy—! I hope so.》

You almost coughed to hide that thought of yours said aloud, because you were damn sure Jason would have already killed him, if he had found out that Salim had done something bad to you...but meanwhile, the Iraqi's face looked confused, no way he had misunderstood something during your speech.

《...brother? He's not–》

《Hell no, he's not my boyfriend, fortunately, or I couldn't stand him more than that!》 You added in a false exasperated voice, because no one knew how much you loved that idiot of a bro, even if you liked to joke about it just for the sake of pissing Jason off.

When you stopped laughing, you met Salim's still embarrassed face, just evident also thanks to his red cheeks...he was kinda cute to watch.

《And to be honest, there's no one waiting for me outside.》 You ended up with a bitter note on your tongue.

《What about your family?》 Salim couldn't help but ask, hoping that wouldn't bother you.

There was a moment of silence before you decided to answer, right now it didn't make sense to keep everything inside, not when you were in danger of never going back. So, you stopped looking at the floor to find his apprehensive eyes there, waiting for you.

Why does he seem so worried about me?

《'Course I had it. And I was hoping to be able to build one on my own, but...》 You paused a moment to reflect, and perhaps to hold back the pain you felt in your chest, together with your great emptiness.

《...but, you know, nothing goes as planned...and all of this was just my whim to leave it all behind, but I just can't and not so fast.》 You quickly wiped a tear falling from your right eye, before letting go of your emotions just again. Salim could do nothing but witness all of that without being able to do anything to help you, not if he was tied up.

《Maybe he was right. I didn't love him enough.》

At the sound of those words, Salim stiffened in disbelief. Of course, he didn't know you well enough to say it, but was definitely sure you weren't as numb and careless as his wife had been and whatever happened to you, you had clearly suffered a lot.

《You are wrong, Y/n, you can't just blame yourself for this. Whoever did this to you, he didn't deserve you at all, or he would never let you go like that. You know, I suffered just like you're doing now when my wife left me...but in the end, I found the strength to look after my son. Alone.》

Soon after, the older man spoke to you deeply, almost in reproach, and you couldn't help but look at him with faded eyes.

Until you laughed softly.

《Ooh you really know how to comfort someone else, thanks hahaha...!》 You said jokingly, after you wiped another tear from one eye 《And I'm so sorry 'bout that, I'm sure you did a great job with your son, because it's clear you're a good father. At least to me.》

When Salim saw that sweet smile on your lips, he immediately did the same thing, as if he could no longer do without it. From that day, something was changing with him and he couldn't understand what it was exactly, but was sure of just one thing...

...right now, you were in his every damn thought.

Just then, you looked away in the direction of the temple just to not stare always at the man's face who, with his gentle oriental features, you were finding more and more charming.

Maybe it was stress or fear, in any case you inexplicably wished there was another physical contact between the two of you, so that you could feel the warmth he was able to give off with a simple caress.

And who knew how his kisses were like...

You shook your head violently because of that silly thought, there was no way he could kiss a woman who should be his enemy, right??

But suddenly, your attention returned to Salim as he call your name in his baritone voice.

《Y/n...I...》 He tried to say leaning his torso towards you, despite the rope that held him in place; likewise, you pushed towards him with open palms against the cold rock below you, as if you wanted to meet him with your own body, but the only thing he faced was your intense emerald eyes.

《Yeah, Lieutenant?》 You teased with open dimples and this time, the Iraqi soldier had to seriously refrain from biting his own lip in front of your pretty southern accent.

He had to thank your marine friend for tying the knot properly and keep him under control.

On the contrary, there was someone else who wasn't at all. From inside the archaeologists' camp, Colonel Eric King clearly saw you staying there, in the company of the Iraqi soldier and because of that, his brown eyes filled with something unusual...something unexpectedly crazy...

And definitely not good.

- - -

Notes:

¹ alhabiba means "sweetheart" in Arabic.