The Live Bomb

" A kind word is pleasant even for a cat "
(с) People wisdom

“Are you the infamous live bomb?”
“Precisely.”
“Why didn't you blow up right away?”
“No point. You aren't going anywhere. Damn you! You had to choose this particular path, didn't you!”
“Why?
“It is each bomb's dream to take out an entire squad of one hundred. Then it will receive a monument. What good are you to me when you're alone?”
“I am sorry. Honestly, I am.”
“Forget it. It's okay. We just couldn’t get a break, both of us, that’s all.”
“It's true. ” 
“So whaddya say? Do I go ahead and explode or what?”
“Wait. I need some time to pray. ”
“Go ahead. There's no rush.”
“It’s wonderful! So maybe tell me about yourself, then. Just a little bit. About all of you. I'd like to know, before I die, who it was who got me in the end.”
“Awwww. I don't know about that...”
“Why don't you sit down? Under the circumstances, standing upright is hardly a virtue. Do you smoke? ”
“No. I wouldn't mind trying, though, if you give me one.”
“Sure. Here. Where I'm going, I won't need them. The cigarettes, I mean. But, you know, smoking shortens your life expectancy.”
“Now, that's really funny. Ahem, ahem... I'm not saying I could enjoy this on, like, a regular basis. Nevertheless, there's something to it.”
“No kidding. Well, go ahead. Tell me.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Who were your mom and dad? How did you come to be a bomb? I'm really curious. ”
“You don't know anything?”
“I'm from a different world.”
“That’s obvious. Everyone knows that live bombs have no mom, no dad, not even childhood. The product of elfin magic. Not fair, but what are you gonna do? That’s the way I have appeared. “With all enclosed instructions...”
“Mind and a very nice body.”
“Thanks for a compliment. And about the mind – well, there is no way without it, right? If you make decisions not by sense, earlier or later – you will be deceived. Elfin magic does not waste itself.”
“I get it. But they could simply put a mine instead.”
“But if an elf would choose this way? Or even an elfin squad? In this case the bomb will wait with detonation, while the squad passes. Or it will follow where it was ordered to.”
“How about putting to sleep again?..”
“Impossible.”
“That’s too bad.”
“Not really. It is not a real life in a sleeping mode.”
“I understand.”
“You understand nothing! Although your company is quite interesting. I don't even want to detonate. Well... Even the cigarette is finished...”
“Don't worry! I have one more. So... May I move closer to you?”
“Why not? Please.”
“It's better. Listen, may I kiss you?”
“Well, you may. - she expressly turned her cheek. - Only don't forget, if I feel something wrong, I detonate at once!”
“And do you want to? To detonate, I mean.”
“Well...”
“You see. I don't want to either. So, let’s drop these mutual threats. Let’s try not to overshadow the final hours.”
“Well, are you going to kiss me, or I have to sit here till the night falls?”
“Frankly speaking I would have no objections to that. No, don't get angry, my precious! ”
Tenderly holding the girl he kissed her. Her cheek, her lips, then more and more.
“How have you called me?”
“My precious... Sorry...”
“It's okay. Thanks! I never expected that someone would call me so. Especially the enemy. Kiss me again.”

***
“It was the only way to neutralize a bomb. Do you know such insects, bees?”
“Yes, of course. They make honey from flower nectar. ”
“Bees that collect nectar are girls, for which a... a... (you understand me!), ... this thing is turned into a sting. My "sting", also was inextricably connected with… you know!.. But anyway we are not insects. And the magic works at the other level, different from biology. So a working bee cannot turn into a normal girl, but a live bomb can.”
“I understand you, darling. But how come elves have such mistake, with all their magic?”
“It is not a mistake. It is the Love. How would you have me otherwise? And love seems to be stronger then even an elfin magic. Although they still don't know about it.”
He tenderly caresses her hair. Today he will not tell her about the Sappers' Guild for sure.