section7mfu | Reading Material - Daily Prompt

Napoleon knocked on Illya’s door, his arms full of take out from their favorite Chinese restaurant Chang’s. He had come over for their traditional after affair dinner. He tilted his head and listened at the door. No footsteps but there was a faint sound of the shower.

Smiling, he took out his key and unlocked his friends door. Turning off the alarm system he entered, locked up after himself and made his way through the crowded apartment to the small kitchen where he deposited the take out.

“It’s just me!” he yelled, “Dinner is here!”

“I’ll be out in a few”

Grabbing a glass from the counter he poured himself a scotch from the bottle that Illya kept for him. Taking his drink he made his way into the crowded living room. He was always amused at his partners apartment. Even though he could afford to live in a much nicer location, a larger place, he preferred his book and record filled flat in the Village. Illya had told him once that it reminded him of Moscow. He felt more at home here than in more luxurious surroundings.

Napoleon took a sip of his drink and began to look over the books on his partners overflowing book shelves. There were many titles, many languages, tomes of science, philosophy, history and the only novels were classics. He frowned as he noticed an old, water stained paper book on an upper shelf. It’s Cyrillic print faded. It was obviously well read and used. His curiosity piqued he reached for it to take it down from the shelf.

“I wouldn’t if I were you!” Illya’s voice rang out from close behind him. Startled Napoleon dropped the book which fell open, revealing a crudely cut out section behind the cover. A Makarov nestled in the book fell out to the floor.

Illya picked up the pistol and the book. Putting it back in it’s hiding place he slid the book back into it’s place on the shelf.

“Dinner?” he questioned.

“Ah, IK, do you want to explain that?”

“No.”

“Dinner it is then” Turning he and his partner went to the kitchen to enjoy their meal. Napoleon knew that the Makarov in the book was just another mystery that he’s have to live with.