Asr
Chapter 10
Not being able to sleep was becoming far too common place for Kaptain Albert Schwartz’ comfort. He knew, logically, that he needed to sleep in order to be able to lead his men well, but that in no way seemed to convince his mind to shut down enough at night to allow him to achieve it.
“Still awake, Kaptain?” Dr. Weiss asked coming over to join him by the small camp stove.
“Yes.” He nodded. “How are the men doing, Doctor? Have we lost any others?”
“Not in the last few hours no, thank God.” The man replied. “I am uncertain about three of them surviving the night, but the rest I am certain will get well.”
“Christ, what a disaster this has turned into. And we still have no damned idea who we’re facing out here or why or even what this insanity with the sand involves.” He shook his head. “They seem like Arabs to me, but the two we questioned certainly didn’t seem to speak Arabic. Oberfuher Kratz says that the tattoos they had were only partially in Arabic, the rest were hieroglyphics and hieratic of all things. So that really doesn’t help us. Even the Egyptians don’t use them anymore.”
“You seem to have quite a group of problems, Kaptain.” The doctor replied. “I take it we are going to continue forward with this assignment though?”
“Of course. Although it will be a bit before we can press on to join our comrades who are getting ready to take the canal. And we have our own target to acquire here. So you will have a few days yet to tend our wounded and get those that survive ready to be transported home.”
“It will be a week or so before I can guarantee that those who survive will be able to survive the added strain of moving them further.”
“If we have not resolved this within a week, doctor, you will undoubtedly have far more wounded to tend. Who are these people and what in the name of God are they doing out here?”
“I don’t suppose we could just ask them?” The doctor chuckled.
“No.” He smiled himself. “That does seem rather unlikely.” He finished his cigarette with a sigh. “Do you suppose they’re out there on the other side of the battlefield wondering who we are and why we’re overrunning their desert?”
“I suppose that’s possible actually.”
He thought for a while, trying to imagine his Arabic counterpart sitting beside a fire no doubt wondering about the invaders that had come upon this forsaken place. What would he do in that imaginary man’s shoes? Did the man even know of the legend of Ahm Shere or had his people simply been traveling as the nomadic Arabs were known to do when Schwartz’ scout division had come upon them and so decimated the people? Was that what had angered them into fighting? And the sandstorm certainly had provided ample coverage to attack. No doubt the Arabs were good at judging such weather being natives to this horrible place. He thought some more. So now what? Do they move on? Are you still out there waiting for us? If his unknown and mostly imagined counterpart was indeed staying put and wondering similarly about him what would the man do next? The fact that they had managed to defeat Schwartz’ men including their tanks proved beyond a doubt that the Arabs no matter how backward he might have thought them were formidable opponents and not to be so easily written off.
“Kaptain? Are you listening?” Dr. Weiss interrupted his thoughts.
“What? No, doctor I was thinking.”
“So I noticed. Do try and sleep, Kaptain. No doubt you’ll need the rest before this week is out.”
“Goodnight Doctor.” He nodded as the man rose.
“It really is a pity we lost those two prisoners. It would be good to know who it is we’re facing.”
“It would indeed.” He agreed. And a thought came to his mind suddenly. “You know, doctor you might have a point after all.”
“About what?”
“Asking them. They’re soldiers certainly. They have a captain of some sort surely. They fight too well not to be organized. So, if I was this man I would send out scouts to make certain I know my men are safe while they heal. I know this because it is exactly what we have done, sent out scouts and set up sentries to insure our own safety while we plan the next attack. Surely then it is not impossible for the soldiers of the fatherland to capture some of these scouts? Yes, that is a very good idea. Thank you doctor.”
“Glad I could help. Will you get some rest now?”
“As soon as I put this plan into motion, doctor I will be happy to sleep.” And it was certainly possible that with the plan in motion he could finally do so.
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“I didn’t think we’d ever manage to find a few minutes without twenty Medjai around.” Evie sighed as she sat down next to Rick with a sigh.
“Tell me about it.” He agreed. “There’s only twenty of them, how come they manage to take up so much space?”
“Practice?” Ardeth put in walking over and leaning against the wall. “I thought perhaps if I stood here and looked as if I was doing my job, Princess. Three other Medjai will not try to do the same.”
“Good point.” Evie smiled. “And I did want to talk to you too. Do you suppose you could go bar the door, Ardeth?”
Ardeth raised one eyebrow but then shrugged. “If you wish.” He looked out into the hall from the small antechamber they’d found and then closed the door. “It may be that we have escaped.”
Evie had to laugh, and Rick chuckled. “Aren’t we a bit old to have to go hide in the broom closet? I thought we broke Alex of that years ago.”
“Yes well, desperate times and desperate measures.” She rolled her eyes. “Come sit, Ardeth. We really do need to talk.”
“Uh oh.” Rick looked over at Ardeth but he didn’t really seem worried.
Ardeth on the other hand looked far more uncertain. “Evelyn? If...I...”
“Don’t start apologizing yet, silly. Just come sit. I’m not the least bit angry, Ardeth.”
“As you say.” He moved over and sat just to the other side of Rick. “Thank you.”
“I told Rick this, Ardeth so I’m going to tell you. I’m not angry, I’m not jealous, I’m not even the slightest bit hurt all right?” She reached over and caught his hand, even if she had to lean over Rick to do it. “You are far too important to me, brother mine, to risk our friendship if I hadn’t been certain of all of that before I told Rick I wasn’t going to divorce him or some other vapid sort of thing. All right?”
Ardeth only stared at her for a long moment, obviously shocked and then blushed, ducking his head a bit in embarrassment, and looking for a moment all of about twelve years old. She couldn’t help but smile.
“Hey, stop that.” Rick put in, and reached over to cup Ardeth’s chin and raise his head. The move surprised her some, but seemed to make perfect sense to Ardeth because he only smiled.
“As you say, I am trying, Rick, truly.”
“I know you are.”
“So, you aren’t going to apologize for ruining my marriage or some other poppycock like that are you, Ardeth?”
“No, thanks be to Allah, for I would never forgive myself if I had caused problems, but I will only be amazed at the miracle Allah has granted me. Truly, Rick, I think amazing is too shallow a word.”
“Me too, Ardeth. She’s a miracle all right.”
“Oh hush.” She slapped him lightly on the arm with her free hand.
“Nope. It’s just truth Evie. I mean come on, how many women would be okay with Ardeth and I being lovers in the first place, much less keep your idiot of a husband from making a huge fool out of himself and ruining the whole thing?”
“Men.” She rolled her eyes. “Let’s just be thankful it worked out. Which it has, right?”
Ardeth flushed again, and even Rick colored a little. And it was so very hard not to laugh. “Never mind, that answers my question. Good.” She squeezed Ardeth’s hand again. “So, we’ve forded that stream nicely. I don’t know how we’re going to make this work, Rick, Ardeth. Really I don’t. But we can. I know that. Because I really do love you, Rick. And that hasn’t changed a bit from the day I married you except to get stronger. And I love you too, brother mine. And I don’t even have to ask about you two, so, we balance it all somehow, right?”
“God I hope so.” Rick nodded.
“In’sh’Allah.” Ardeth agreed.
“Didn’t you say once that Rick, Alex and I were three sides of the pyramid?” Evie pointed out.
“That was a long time ago, but yes.” Ardeth nodded.
“And did it come to your attention that pyramids have four sides, Ardeth?” She added.
Rick smiled just a bit. “Wondered about that.”
“I think I had assumed that was Jonathan’s part, as he is your brother and has saved your life both times on these adventures of yours.”
Evie smiled. “Yes he has, thank God. But Jonathan would be forever happy if he never had to do it again. Not that I doubt he would if he had to, but– no Ardeth, I think I knew it then, you get to be that side, brother mine. You already were we just didn’t know it.”
“Coincidence really is just another word for fate, huh?” Rick put in and then put his hand over theirs. “You going to stay with us on this, habib?”
Ardeth nodded. “I think I would rather die than lose it, yes. Allah I trust knows I am so lost as to how we will manage it, but he must also know that nothing else would make me half so happy.”
“Good.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek before leaning up to kiss Rick.
“Evie.” Rick chuckled.
“Don’t Evie me, Rick O’Connell. I love you, I’m allowed to kiss you. Don’t let him convince you otherwise, Ardeth.”
Ardeth only blinked. “Why would Rick wish to convince me that he is not allowed to kiss you?”
Rick chuckled. “Sometimes he doesn’t get it yet.” And then he winked at her and leaned over and kissed Ardeth lightly, for just a second. And Evie was a bit shocked herself at that, but not the least bit dismayed either. Oh, my.
“Rick.” Ardeth almost hissed the name.
“What?” Rick smiled a little. “And Evie says I’m allowed to kiss you since I love you too.”
“Not when Evelyn is right here you are not.” Ardeth muttered, but the flush the kiss had gotten was really adorable. She had to fight back the urge to smile.
“Oh please, you’ve seen me kiss him a hundred times I’m sure. I’m not jealous, silly.”
“Truly?” Ardeth looked a bit uncertain.
“Truly.” She let the smile out. But hoped it came across as supportive and not teasing. “It’s going to take a bit of getting used to certainly, Ardeth. But I think we’re all strong enough to manage it, don’t you?”
“Allah I hope so.”
“We are.” Rick said firmly. “But thank you, sweetheart, for...being the miracle you are, okay?”
“Right.” She sighed.
“Rick is right, Evelyn. Thank you so much.”
“Well, all right, you’re welcome. Just try to stay out of trouble when I’m not here will you please? And do let me know if I need to come back here and smack him for you. And if he doesn’t believe me, I will personally curse him back to hell if I have to go to Memphis and bring back my father’s entire army to accomplish it.”
Ardeth flushed again and Rick sighed, then chuckled. “Might be fun to see him try to get out of that. But you know right now maybe I should thank him, considering that if he wasn’t such an ass we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
Ardeth chuckled. “I did thank him for that you know. For managing to do nothing more with annoying me so except allow me the most wonderful gift of sharing my bed with you.”
“You did? Really? Oh, I’d have loved to have seen that.” She laughed herself. “Serves him right the bastard. So we are all good now?”
“I believe so.” Ardeth nodded.
“Yeah, Evie. We are.”
“Good. Then I suppose we should go find the rest of the Medjai before Selim starts organizing search parties and Adham goes and threatens Imhotep and get’s himself hurt.”
“Likely.” Ardeth agreed with a smile but he squeezed her hand and Rick’s before he let go and went over to the door and looked back out into the hall. “We owe some god or goddess a great deal of thanks, the coast as you say is still clear. I will go find my people and tell them you are both well.”
“Thank you.” Evie smiled. “I’m not certain leaving Imhotep alone with the other Medjai is a good thing or not. Or perhaps that should be the other way around. Although he is being a very good host. Which makes me even more untrusting.”
“Yes, although perhaps it is in the case as he said and only that he is doing as Ammun wills. But it does make me how is it you say Rick? Waiting for the other shoe to drop?”
“Yeah that’s it.”
“Do you think Evelyn that this spell you have to get my tribesmates back to Ahm Shere might work for Rick and I as well?”
“I don’t know, Ardeth. I could try it I suppose. Adding your names in I mean.” She agreed. Going over the spell again in her mind. And apparently either thinking it through completely was enough or she muttered part of it out loud because one minute she was standing in Thebes with Rick and Ardeth and the next she was awake in Ahm Shere in the middle of the night. “Oh blast.” She grumbled to herself and fumbled for the paper beside her to reread the original. “Well I can assure Ardeth it works to wake us up.” She smiled a bit and then began to recite it all again.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ardeth blinked in surprise as Evelyn simply vanished from under Rick’s arm. And there was a sudden silence as the rest of his tribesmates were gone as well. “Rick?”
“Maybe something woke them up?” Rick shrugged.
“Are you well Medjai? I was speaking to your historian when he vanished.” Imhotep walked over. “And all your men and the Princess too I see. I have such rude guests.” He chuckled but he did not seem the least bit annoyed.
“I doubt it was intentional rudeness this time, Priest of AmmunRa.” Ardeth replied. “Perhaps only something that woke them in Ahm Shere.”
“Perhaps.” The man shrugged. “At least lunch was over. The cooks are very happy with people who actually eat for a change. Since our guest of honor has disappeared like a wisp of smoke, Medjai shall we call the meal over? No doubt if the Princess returns it will be well to evening with the difference between the time in the waking world and here. We shall simply have another banquet.”
“There is truth to that.” Ardeth agreed, and Allah help him but he was not the least bit disappointed in the fact that everyone was gone, considering that it gave him and Rick a chance to spend the day together. Nefshen had spent a good part of their evening together trying her best to explain to him how it could be that two men could make love and only find pleasure in it. He kept those thoughts very tightly to English though, truly not wanting Imhotep to understand them and try to deal with the teasing that would result.
Some of it must have leaked through though because Ammun’s High Priest chuckled. “Tisk, Medjai, you should be more courteous to your sister. Not to mention your tribesmates. Truly, Ardeth you will leave me with nothing at all to teach you in this game.” That at least was in Egyptian. Rick looked over at him but only rolled his eyes in annoyance. Imhotep laughed. “Shall I bother to wish you a restful afternoon, warriors, since somehow I doubt rest is what will occur?” He switched back to Arabic for that one.
And it was very hard indeed not to flush. “Don’t bother.” Rick replied with a smile of his own. “Come to bed, Ardeth?” The invitation was obviously nothing to do with sleeping at all.
“I would be honored of course, habib.” He chuckled, surprising himself with the response, and not embarrassed at all by the very real joy it gave him for Rick to say so.
“Me too, love.” Rick surprised him with the Egyptian.
And that just made him smile. “I will teach you the language yet.”
“Well played, O’Connell, well played indeed.” Imhotep chuckled. “You would do well to remind your brother that he should not add to the temptation I already have to kiss you, Ardeth, or I will forget that I have learned patience.”
“As you say.” He nodded. “Then I shall thank you for being so kind a host to Evelyn and my tribesmates while they were here. Truly, it was a fine gift indeed, Imhotep, and I am most thankful. For both your hospitality to my people and for your forbearance in not embarrassing me completely in front of them.”
“Little that would profit either of us or Egypt, Medjai but you are welcome none the less. It is good that someone notices I am not quite the monster I am supposed to be. I expect you will not be thankful for the gift Ardeth, but I will leave you this afternoon with your brother. Likely he will be unmanageable if I do not. Ma Salaama, Ardeth.” And the man reached over to lightly trace his jaw. “Take your brother to bed, Ardeth before I am too tempted yet.” And he turned with that and simply left them standing there.
“Madness is so mild a word.” He muttered to himself. “Shall we go then?”
“Sure. Everything okay? I couldn’t follow but about three words of all that.”
“Everything is fine. He is only driving me mad with his own insanity.” Ardeth sighed. “I am sorry Evelyn left so suddenly, my friend.”
“Kinda surprised me too.” Rick shrugged and then chuckled. “But I can’t say I’m going to mind sharing your bed instead even a bit, if she doesn’t come back and we’re stuck here the rest of the night you know”
He flushed at that. “If you are as content to have me in your bed as Evelyn my friend then you are just as mad as our host.”
“Nope, just really, really lucky.” Rick disagreed and leaned over to kiss Ardeth fully. And it was a long soft kiss that was so very easy to simply slide into and enjoy.
“Bis’mil’Allah, Rick. You will make me forget we are in public.”
“Hmm. Right. Forgot that part. So lets find someplace not so public.” And he headed out into the hall. Ardeth gave a quick prayer for patience and the courage to see his plan through and followed.
They walked back to their room, and Ardeth found himself seriously considering a prayer to Bastet for her kind intervention in this, since otherwise he was likely to make a great fool of himself. And while he knew Rick would neither laugh at him for his naivete or tease him about his lack of skill he so wanted this to be as much a joy for his friend as the great pleasure Rick had already given him. Allah help him but how did one convince a man to make love to you? Perhaps he should have asked Nefshen that as well, while he had asked her the rest, it certainly could not have been any more embarrassing.
“You okay, Ardeth?” Rick asked with s slight smile as he closed the door.
“I am fine. Only lost in thought I suppose.” He managed.
“Uh huh. Good ones?” The tone was teasing now, and Ardeth realized he was likely flushing all over again.
“Bis’mil’Allah.” He muttered to himself but he smiled. “Yes. They were. Allah but you make me glad to be alive, Rick O’Connell did you know that?”
Rick seemed utterly surprised by the admission but his smile was softer now and then he shook his head. “I’m glad, Ardeth.” He offered and then reached over to trace Ardeth’s jaw with his fingers. Ardeth turned his head and placed a kiss against his friend’s fingers before trying his best to copy what Rick had done for him once, and licked lightly at one finger before drawing it slowly into his mouth. Rick’s eyes brightened a bit and he swallowed hard. “Tease.”
“Promise.” He countered with a smile. Rick smiled back and then the hand slid along his cheek to tangle in his hair and pull him close for a long hot kiss, full of hunger and desire. He gave the kiss back as best he knew how for a very long time until Rick broke it finally with a sigh. Ardeth could only smile. But he stepped away long enough to take the shield from his shoulders and set it beside the bed, and then place his swords and knives on the table. Rick chuckled and then did the same with his own weapons. “It is good to be armed, certainly, but it makes undressing even more time consuming.”
“We could take a page from Evie’s book and dress like we belong here.”
Ardeth chuckled but he could not help but recall how very beautiful Evelyn had been in the clothes she had pieced together into something fitting Nefertiri. “Your wife is the most amazing woman my friend.”
“Yeah she is.” Rick chuckled. “What would you look like dressed in something like those acrobats last night had on, hmm?” Rick asked coming over to stand in front of him and run his hands lightly up Ardeth’s chest then back down, before sliding them around to his back and pulling him close for another kiss before he could answer.
“Not nearly as good as you would.” He found the reply as he broke the kiss and then reached for the buttons on Rick’s shirt. “We need to at least find you some robes though. I am going to grow very tired of buttons.”
Rick laughed at that, a true rich chuckle that made Ardeth smile as well. “Now you want me to dress like a Medjai too? I’d look silly.”
“You would look anything but silly.” He disagreed. “No doubt Evelyn would get annoyed at how many of my tribeswomen found ways of seeing if you partial to taking another wife.”
Rick rolled his eyes. “About the second one Evie scared to death would put an end to that real quick.”
“Hmm, as you say.” He smiled. “Truly, what miracle is it then that she does not mind that we are lovers now in truth and not pretense?”
“Because she loves you too, Ardeth. And she isn’t going to let something as stupid as jealously cause either of us pain. But most of all because she knows that us being lovers now, doesn’t mean I love her any less than I did before.”
“Then that is miracle enough, right there.” And he gave a silent thanks to Allah as he pulled Rick close and kissed him, trying his best to test his still uncertain skill at the heated duel of tongues that resulted. But he was a bit proud that he managed to get the buttons of Rick’s shirt undone and the cotton brushed from his friend’s shoulders and onto the floor. He slid his hands along Rick’s back tracing the increasingly familiar pattern of old scars and smooth skin with his fingers. Rick’s hands were in his hair, holding him lightly where Rick thought it best for him to be for the kiss. Finally, he had to break away to gasp in a breath. “I do not think I have ever been so decadent as to even think of an afternoon set aside for nothing but the joy of sharing my bed with a lover, habibi.”
That obviously surprised Rick because his friend actually flushed just a bit. “Ardeth.”
“What?” He found a smile. “It is only truth. You– make me glad to have the time free to do so, even if it is only here in Thebes, Rick.” He leaned over and kissed Rick again. “Is it wrong to enjoy this so?”
“No, Ardeth. I’m just surprised you said it is all. And it’s only wrong when we aren’t enjoying it.” Rick chuckled. “But you still wear too much.” The tone was teasing despite the grumble and he smiled back as Rick reached for his sash and pulled it loose. “Outside laces first right?”
“You remember.” He chuckled and undid the ties on his outer robe and let that one fall to the floor to join Rick’s shirt. They made short work of the ties to his galabehya, which left both he and Rick clad only in their pants and boots. And Bastet might have heard his unvoiced prayer yet because it was much easier than he had thought it would be to push Rick backwards to sit on the bed and then drop to his knees so he could unbuckle his friend’s boots.
“Christ Ardeth, you have got to stop doing that.”
“Why? When it rouses you that I do? And I enjoy it a great deal myself.” He replied pulling the boots from Rick’s feet with a smile.
“Because I am not anyone’s idea of a saint.” Rick replied, and there was an odd note to his voice but the hand that traced his jaw and then buried itself in his hair was as sure as always.
“I do not think I would be enjoying this so much if you were.” He offered back. Rick blinked and then chuckled.
“Well no, probably not.” Rick pulled him up a bit and he went with the tug so that he could kiss his friend again, and somehow Rick managed once more to have them lying on the bed with Ardeth underneath him before Ardeth could figure out how it was he did that. “My turn now.” Rick broke the kiss to crawl backward until he could reach Ardeth’s boots and unbuckle them, tossing them with little care to the floor. Then his hands went back to Ardeth’s feet and slid slowly up his legs, easing them apart until they rested at his waist again. Ardeth only met his eyes, swallowing hard at the passion he could see there and the answering hunger it caused in him. He arched a bit against Rick’s fingers as they stroked far too softly across his arousal and then toyed with the laces of his pants.
“Please Rick?” He found enough voice for that. “Do not tease me so, hmm?” He caught his friend’s hands and pulled him up to kiss again. Rick chuckled.
“Thought you liked teasing.”
“I do. But I like loving you better.” He replied, and traced his hands down Rick’s sides, across his ribs trying to recall the touch Rick had shown him their first night. Apparently he was close enough, because Rick groaned against his lips and then broke the kiss to lick at his ear and down his throat. He reached for Rick’s belt and got the metal unbuckled before Rick caught his hands in return.
“If I don’t get to tease you don’t either.”
“That was not teasing, that was wanting you undressed.” He replied, but he stroked his hands up Rick’s chest instead, and then rolled them over so he was lying on top of his friend and could return the caress of teeth and tongue along Rick’s throat down to his chest and then to one nipple. It still surprised him that Rick enjoyed such caresses much as Nefshen did, but he didn’t doubt the pleasure of it. His own enjoyment of the exact same thing had been even more surprising yet. Rick groaned, his fingers tangling in Ardeth’s hair. And Ardeth decided he liked provoking that sound so he repeated the slight pressure and then increased it, laving the hard flesh with his tongue as well. Then he drew back to follow the path of his tongue with the edge of his beard. Rick gasped out something and arched his back a bit.
“Christ, Ardeth, you learn quick.” There was a groan and a chuckle to the words. He smiled and repeated the soft kisses and licks to the other side. “Ardeth.”
“Hmm?” He was rather enjoying this, and Rick’s hands stroking absently through his hair and then down his back and back again. “I like tasting you.” He raised himself up on his arms to meet his friend’s hot eyes.
“I’ll show you who’s tasting who.” Rick growled and he laughed as he was rolled onto his back and kissed, long and full of hunger. He could not help but moan himself at that, or stifle a groan when Rick moved to tease his nipples in turn. And Allah but it was still so odd to enjoy that but he arched into the caresses, stroking his hands through Rick’s hair now and wishing it was long enough to get a grip on. But it was not, so he fell back on words, hoping they would come out in some language Rick spoke.
“Please? More now? Harder hmm?” He recalled Nefshen making that same request. Rick chuckled but did so. And remembering Nefshen made Ardeth glance over to where, and Allah but he would have to thank her so much, a jug of oil sat on the bedside table, wrapped in something. “That feels so good.”
“It’s supposed to.” Rick smiled as he raised himself up to look down at Ardeth, blue eyes bright and hot with desire. Ardeth reached down trying to find either the laces to his own pants or the buttons to Rick’s. And that got a groan and then a chuckle from his friend but between them they managed to get both their pants undone and the material pushed out of the way an onto the floor. Ardeth pulled Rick back tight against him and kissed him fully, enjoying both the kiss and the way their bodies fit together.
“Rick...” He tried to find all the words he had gone over in his mind and could not think of one of them.
“Yes?” Rick’s voice was low but there was a smile to the words. Ardeth managed to open his eyes and meet the warm blue gaze.
“I...was hoping I could do this better.” He sighed.
“Do what better, Ardeth?” Rick shook his head.
“Ask...find words to...I would like...”
Rick’s smile was gentle as was the quick kiss. “What do you want, Ardeth?” The words were followed by another quick kiss to his throat and then Rick’s lips moved to his ear and he nibbled lightly in that way he had that made Ardeth shiver. “Hmm?”
“May I...if you would...” He gave up and shook his head. “I am such a fool.”
“You’re gorgeous when you blush.” Rick chuckled. “Okay, so for once you can’t find words. I think I’m flattered. Show me what you want then, Ardeth.”
Allah how was he supposed to do that? Despite all that Nefshen had told him he was still so very uncertain about it all. Then a thought came. A way of combining something he and Rick had shared before and what Nefshen had shown him last night. A way of finding his courage, and if he were truly fortunate, the right time to use it. He rolled away a bit to grab for the bottle of oil, and found that it had been wrapped in a cloth stuffed with some sort of grain that had been warmed and so kept the jug warm as well. He smiled a bit more and poured some onto his hands.
“Where’d you get that?” Rick asked.
“Nefshen gave it to me as a gift.”
“Really?” Rick chuckled. “You two have a good night?”
He flushed but nodded. “She is– very beautiful and truly it was a great joy.” He stroked his hands down Rick’s back. “But– as much as I enjoyed the night and the other two nights she has shared my bed. It is– not as wonderful as sharing with you.” He gave it with all the honesty he could.
Rick’s eyes lightened a bit more and the smile was gentle. “Making love’s a lot of fun, when you and your partner both enjoy it. But– well I guess sharing love’s better, huh?”
“Yes.” Ardeth smiled himself. “Very much so.” He moved his hands around to stroke up over Rick’s chest. “Nothing I have ever known is as wonderful as loving you, Rick.”
Rick shook his head a little but he kissed Ardeth long and slow, one of those kisses that came very near to stealing all of his ability to think. “Making love to Evie is the only thing in my life that has felt as good as loving you, Ardeth. I mean that.”
“Then I am more fortunate than I even knew.” He sighed.
“I think we’re both the lucky ones this time, habib.” Rick smiled and then took the bottle of oil from the bedside table. “You were going to show me what you wanted and couldn’t ask for. You find the words yet?”
“Nefshen said it was good for massages.” Which she had, but only as a suggestion for how they might use it themselves and a way of making him more comfortable with the idea of using it with Rick instead. “Although I had no idea of what she meant.” He felt himself flush again. “When we were rubbing each other’s shoulders in the courtyard the other day, to ease the ache and annoy our host? I had no concept of what it was really we were suggesting to him you know.”
“Yeah, I kinda figured that, Ardeth. So next time we do that you’ll understand the double entendre a lot better, huh?”
“Yes.” He poured some of the oil onto one hand before setting the bottle back on the table and rubbing his hands together. Then he stroked the warm oil lightly down Rick’s back, kneading the strong muscles as he went.
“Nefshen was right. That feels really good. Smells good too.”
“It does.” He agreed. “I was– not certain I would do it right. She seemed to think– we could find a good use for it between us as well. I was hoping you would show me what she meant.”
“Sounds decadent.” Rick chuckled but he sat up beside Ardeth and reached for the jug himself to pour some on his hands. Then he stroked firmly over Ardeth’s chest the oil lending the caress a suppleness it normally lacked but not making it any less arousing. “Good?”
“Yes.” He sighed, and closed his eyes to enjoy the feel. Rick only chuckled and Allah be thanked his hands worked quickly lower. “Rick.”
“Yeah habib, I’m right here.” Rick chuckled. “I should thank her for this?”
“Indeed.” He arched his back a bit as Rick’s hands stroked over his hips and then eased his legs apart a bit again. And he could not think at all as one strong hand closed around him, still slick with oil and began to stroke him slowly. “Rick.”
“Like that?” Rick’s voice was a low murmur in his ear. “Nice, huh?”
“Very.” Ardeth agreed and then pulled Rick on top of him again and kissed him. “But...that is....Allah that feels good...That is not what...the oil if for, hmm?”
“It’s not?” Rick’s voice was a bit rougher now, and the hand stroking him only quickened. He could feel Rick’s own arousal hard and hot against his hip and so he reached down and mimicked the caress. “Ardeth.”
“You feel good.” He offered.
“You too, habib.”
“Will you...love me, habibi?” He found that much courage.
“Thought that’s what we were doing.” Rick teased.
“Yes, but...Oh God I can not think. Will you...” He felt himself flush, trying to find his courage. Wishing that he had managed to convince her to touch him so instead of only letting him touch her. She had smiled, saying it was something he should save for his brother, and that she was certain they could manage it between them. But she had known what she was talking him through and he was so afraid now that he would get it wrong. But he knew he would never manage the words for what he wanted. So he took his courage in both hands and did as Nefshen had shown him last night traced his still slick hands down Rick’s back and then lightly as he could find the control for between his friend’s legs, just brushing the opening to his body with his finger tips. “Show me how good that can be, please?” He found the words after all. “Touch me so, Rick? Make us one, habibi?”
“Oh God.” Rick arched into his touch and then away so that he pressed tighter against Ardeth. Not knowing what else to do, Ardeth only repeated the caress. “God, that’s...oh Christ you don’t know. Crazy idiotic arab. I...”
“Touch me so? Inside? Please?” He mumbled the words against Rick’s throat, despite the flush he could feel heating his face. And it was insanity he was certain to want something so much when he could barely comprehend it.
Rick’s hand left his cock to slide lower still and he spread his legs a bit, uncertain but wanting to know what it would feel like. “Ardeth?”
He opened his eyes to meet his friends and then suddenly the hot blue darkened and he could not describe the look in them any more. “Rick?”
“We...need to slow down.” Rick shook his head, and he pulled his hands away. “Not...yet okay? We should...um...”
“You desire it. I desire it. Please Rick?” He asked.
“No.” Rick shook his head the expression in his eyes changing to stubbornness that Ardeth knew all too well.
“Rick.”
“I said no.” The words were suddenly sharp. “Let go.”
He blinked, not quite certain how to reconcile the tone with what they had just been doing, but he released Rick so his friend could roll to his feet. “Rick?”
Rick was only muttering something to himself that Ardeth could not really make out.
“Did I...offend you?” He asked finally. Feeling himself flush and a cold disappointment settle in his stomach where there had been the fire of passion only a few moments before.
“No. Of course you didn’t.” Rick shook his head, but he reached down to where their clothes were scattered and picked up his slacks pulling the flask of whiskey he’d gotten from Jonathan off his belt and taking a long swallow. “You surprised the hell out of me, sure. But I’m not offended, Ardeth.” He recapped the flask and turned back to meet Ardeth’s eyes. “Not your fault, Ardeth. Just...we should work up to that, huh?”
“As you say.” He did not, Allah forgive him, believe a word of it. “I am sorry if...”
“Shhh.” Rick smiled but it didn’t light his eyes any. “Don’t be silly. I’m...really flattered you’d...offer Ardeth. Really. Just..”
“Are you angry at me?” He had to ask.
“No, Ardeth I’m not angry.”
And that was as far as he knew the first time his brother had lied to him flat out. “It was good of you not to laugh at my foolishness.” He offered, and drew himself in as deep as he knew how. Finding that place inside that he drew his strength from when he had to use his role as chieftain and not simply live it.
“You weren’t being foolish, Ardeth. Crazy and brave yeah but...”
“As you say.” He rolled to his feet and found his clothes, pulling the pants and robes on easily, with countless practice and then, Allah be thanked he found the courage and the strength for a smile. “And to think I have always thought you were the one with often more bravery than sense.”
“Right. Pot and kettle Ardeth.”
“No doubt.” He managed. He went over to the table where his weapons were and reached for his blades. Turning in surprise as a rather annoyed squawk preceded Horus as he flew into the room and came to rest on the table right in front of Ardeth. His friend gave him no chance to pick up the sword but snapped at his fingers and then climbed up his arm to perch on his shoulder. Another chirp and he butted his head under Ardeth’s chin and would not move only crooned. “Horus? How is it you are still here? Are you hurt?” He stroked the soft feathers gently. “There now, my friend what is wrong?”
“Is he okay, Ardeth?” Rick asked, coming over to stand with him, as he pulled on his own pants.
“I am not certain.”
Horus gave another chirp and then turned to look at Rick, fluffed his feathers and put his head back under Ardeth’s chin.
“Is everything all right, Rick? Ardeth?” Evelyn’s voice came from the balcony a moment before she walked it. “Not quite where I was expecting to...oh...”
Ardeth could not keep from flushing, and then a moment later he could only turn away from them both, because there was nothing to be embarrassed over after all. Nor was there likely to be. Horus gave another annoyed squawk and butted his head harder under Ardeth jaw and then began to groom one lock of his hair. “Hush now. Do not be so silly.” He chided his friend.
“What’s wrong, Ardeth?” Evelyn asked softly. “Is he hurt?”
“No, I do not think so.” He tried to get Horus to perch on his forearm so he could look at him. “Only being very odd.”
“He does that when he’s worried about you.” Rick put in, sounding worried himself.
“Often yes.” Ardeth agreed. “I am certain it is nothing. I am fine, Horus. What is wrong, hmm?”
Horus gave an annoyed chirp and launched himself into the air to most surprisingly of all come to rest on Rick’s shoulder instead. Which was far too dangerous given Rick had yet to put on his shirt. But somehow the talons did not even break the skin and then Horus gave the same chirp and butted his head under Rick’s jaw instead.
“Okay, that does it. What in the world happened while I was gone?” Evelyn asked, her voice surprisingly gentle.
“Nothing.” Rick answered and then cursed. “Hey, watch those things; they hurt. Ardeth come get your bird.”
“Horus do not claw my friend. Come here now.” He held out his arm. Horus gave another chirp and then hopped down to the floor before launching himself into the air and back out the window.
“Right, and if nothing is wrong then I’m going to be able to just sprout wings and fly after him. Certainly.”
“Evie.”
“I will leave you two alone.” Ardeth found his voice and picked up the sword that Horus had prevented him from earlier. “No doubt my tribesmates are here and I...”
“Ardeth.” Evelyn’s voice was gentler than he had heard it before. “What’s wrong?” She touched his arm lightly. “Talk to me, brother mine.” She offered in Egyptian.
“I...do not have words, Evelyn. Truly. Thank you for the kindness of allowing me the– joy of sharing your husband’s bed the other night. Truly, I do not deserve so much...I...will leave you alone so you may...Would you tell him please if he will listen that I am so very sorry and I will never bother him with my foolishness again?”
“Not until you explain what foolishness you think I’m supposed to apologize to him for, Ardeth. And you can’t leave like this, silly. You’ll break your heart and his. I know that look, hmm? What’s wrong?”
“It is...” He sighed but who else in the world would know Rick better, so perhaps she would understand. No doubt she could have told him not to press for more closeness than Rick wanted with him if he had only had the sense to ask. “I thought perhaps he...would desire me. Though why I thought so when he has you as his wife is beyond me now.”
“Wait just a moment. I thought we went thought this. And certainly that you two were already lovers.” Evelyn’s hand tightened on his arm.
Ardeth managed to shrug, trying not to feel the pain the last word invoked. “We shared my bed last night, yes. It was...as close to Paradise as I have ever been. But I could not be content with what we had done...and now. Well. It is perhaps for the best. No doubt we will do far better as friends and comrades than...”
“Ardeth Bay stop talking in circles like a Medjai and tell your sister what’s wrong.”
“I wanted to be his lover, Evelyn. I did. I do. Allah forgive me for that. But I shall not ask him for more than he wishes to give. It was kindness enough that he...”
“Oh bloody hell.” She cursed in English now. “Is that what you think? Of course it is. Rick O’Connell didn’t we already talk about this?” She whirled away and stormed over to her husband who had just finished dressing.
“Evie.”
“Don’t Evie me. I am not in the mood. Now go tell the best friend either of us have ever had, that the other night wasn’t a pity fuck. Explain to him what it was. And then have the guts to tell him why you panicked. Or I will slap you. I love you so much most times, Rick but right now... You don’t get to play with his heart. Or yours you silly man. And that’s what’s going to happen if you don’t talk now. Or so help me I’ll start talking. And I really think he needs to hear it from you don’t you, Rick?”
“I can’t.”
“Oh that’s rot.” Evelyn said firmly. “You can. I know you, Rick. Now. I’m going to go make sure none of the other Medjai are here. Then I shall go back to Ahm Shere and see if there’s enough night left to bother with doing this again. That should give you both plenty of time to talk.” She looked over at him and much to Ardeth’s surprise gave him a very gentle smile before turning back to Rick and leaning up to kiss him. “You are going to stay here and fix this mess do I make myself clear? Do not make me fix this Rick.”
“Evie...” The name was a plea.
“Just talk to him, luv. You know you need too anyway. Did you think it wasn’t going to come up? Silly.” She kissed Rick again quickly. “Talk. Ardeth, you talk too. Because I will smack you if you don’t. Nothing that happened is because of you all right? So just stop being silly about that. And despite appearances he loves you, brother mine. So don’t fret over that either all right?” She patted his arm again and then only walked over to the door and left. Ardeth thought for a long moment and then set his sword back down, only then realizing that he had not put on his sash so how was he going to take the blade with him?
“What did she mean, Ardeth?” Rick asked softly. “Didn’t I tell you that I wasn’t offended or whatever?”
He nodded, tracing one swirl of the Damascus steel absently. “You did.” He sighed. “It was kind of her to worry so, Rick. Truly, but it is hardly worth such concern. I...truly am sorry that I...”
“God, I messed this up, huh?” Rick sighed and then to Ardeth’s complete shock only wrapped his arms around him and pulled him close, his back against Rick’s chest. “It isn’t you. Okay? It isn’t what you did. Or what you wanted. It’s not.”
“You do not need to lie, Rick. I am a grown man. I can handle...”
“I’m not lying, Ardeth.”
“Would you perhaps swear that to Allah for me?” He asked, trying for humor and rather certain he fell short.
Rick sighed. “How about I swear it on Evie’s soul, Ardeth? Is that good enough for you?”
He swallowed hard. “Bis’mil’Allah. Yes. I did not mean...”
“Okay. So I’m not lying. It isn’t you, not what you did...which God knows felt like heaven. And, I would– really, really like to-- say yes. I would. You don’t have any idea how much I want you Ardeth. I swear that too, okay? But I can’t...”
He was not certain how long he stood there before he could breathe again, and then he could only lean into his friend’s arms. “I thought-- you did not desire such...a closeness between us.”
“God where do you get this from? Ardeth you are one of the most gorgeous men I have ever known, okay? I thought it twelve years ago, I still think it. And it’s gotta be pretty good if I’m willing to put up with all the Medjai stubbornness that goes along with the looks, huh?” Rick’s arms tightened. “For some crazy screwed up reason, you idiot you make me feel-- what was it you said? Like Horus feels when he flies right? Well that’s it. Yeah. God, Ardeth you are the bravest, stubbornest, and most truly crazy man I have ever known. You fell into bed with another man for the first time yesterday Ardeth don’t you have any self preservation? Loving like that-- it’s such a huge step, habib.”
“You did not turn me away because you wished to take this slow.” Ardeth disagreed, feeling himself tense again.
“No, I didn’t.” Rick’s arms tightened. “I...Christ, this is so damned hard, Ardeth.”
And for the first time he realized there was pain in his friend’s voice. “Rick? What is wrong? I...” He tried to turn.
“No, wait okay? I can’t do this and meet your eyes and I can’t do it and let go, so-- just-- can I just hold you?”
“If it will ease you at all.” He agreed, but he wrapped his arms over Rick’s and held on. “You do not have to tell me.”
“No, Evie’s right I do. I just...God I don’t know, Ardeth.” Rick sighed.
“Is there anything I can do or say, Rick?”
“Stay?”
“I will stay.” He promised.
“Okay then. I had a friend once, a good friend of mine in the Legion. And we got into some trouble together. We met this woman. And she invited us back to her house. She was pretty, we were drunk-- doesn’t matter anyway. But, there we were, me, Rolande and this woman in bed when her husband comes home a day early.”
Ardeth sighed. “You are lucky he did not shoot you.”
“Yeah, well, she decides to save her reputation so she starts screaming. Anyway half her family comes running of course and they drag Rolande and I out into the alley behind the house. We were drunk, and unarmed and-- there were a lot of them. I don’t know, Ardeth. But, they, um, decided we needed to be taught not to mess with a man’s wife.”
He tightened his arms over Rick’s not knowing what else to do.
“Rolande was either drunker than I was or just too stupid to shut up, but he kept giving them hell you know? So, they started hitting him, over and over. And then, when that didn’t get him to shut up like it did me, they-- figured they’d-- make sure he didn’t-- mess with anyone’s wife again. And, God, I couldn’t do a damned thing to help him, Ardeth.”
“That is not your fault, Rick. Sometimes there is no way to win.”
“I...after...they’d finished...can I just say it?”
“If it will help.” He squeezed Rick’s arms again.
“Raping him....Um...I was gonna be next.”
He could not help it he turned in Rick’s arms and pulled his brother close. “We will find these men, brother and we will kill them.”
“I...there was...a commotion down the street...somebody had robbed a house...and the police came...and...it was just luck you know? Nothing else. Five minutes more and...just luck.” Rick shook his head and then pushed away a bit. “And no matter how damned much I try, Ardeth...every time I...let myself want you like that. I...see him. And then I see you...and I wish I didn’t, but I can’t...”
“Allah have mercy, Rick, I do not know what to say.” He hugged Rick tightener and then began to stroke his hands down his friend’s back. “I can not undo what those men did. All I can do is swear to you that if you tell me who they were, where they lived, I will see you avenged.”
“How come I knew you’d say that?”
“You know me well?” He stroked Rick’s hair and relaxed just a bit as his friend rested his forehead on Ardeth’s shoulder. “I do not know how to help.” He admitted finally.
Rick gave a slight sound that might have been a snort or a chuckle. “This is good.”
“Is it?” He tightened his arms. “Then this I shall do.” He kept the embrace and the caress. “Will it make these memories worse if we sit down?”
“No.” Rick shook his head a little. “Even making love with you didn’t make them worse, Ardeth. It’s just...I panicked. I...don’t want to hurt you. And...I don’t know that I know how not to.”
Ardeth sighed. “Now that is foolish. Rick, you are not an ignorant man and even I know that sometimes there can be a bit of discomfort for a woman when making love if a man is not careful. Her first certainly is never anything but that. But that in no way makes it less love, my friend. There is no way to compare the paradise I have found in your arms to what you just told me. Only pleasure beyond my dreams, Rick. Truly. I wanted to share that joy with you, to...have that completion with you. I do not know how it is possible, but that does not make me desire it less. And if there is a bit of discomfort, I am a Medjai, I can bear it. And if it is more than that then I will tell you and you will stop whatever it is you are doing. Likely you will stop before I ask because you are so worried about it.”
Rick gave another snort, this time more a chuckle. “You think so, huh?”
“I do not doubt that any more than I doubt that the sun will rise tomorrow.”
“So what now? You think we should try this? Are we that nuts, Ardeth?”
“Brave enough certainly. Your courage has never ceased to amaze me, Rick O’Connell, nor your stubbornness. When a warrior takes a bad wound, sometimes no matter his bravery he can not face another battle like that one again. So we have learned to work past it, though it. Until it is only a memory and not a fear. Can we not do that now. Hmm?”
“Christ, you are nuts. I don’t know, Ardeth. I want to. I do.” Rick sighed. “But. It’s a lot more than you think it is, Ardeth.” Rick put one hand against his heart. “I’m not saying we can’t try. Or that I don’t want you, okay? But– we can’t rush this either, Ardeth. I won’t do that.” There was a note of absolute conviction to Rick’s voice.
Ardeth smiled just a little. “And you think I am stubborn. I am willing to concede that you have far more knowledge of this sort of loving than I do, Rick. But I am not willing to be talked out of it either.”
“Now that I believe.” Rick smiled back, although it was still a bit sad. “Hell, Ardeth you are nuts. But if that was a typically roundabout Medjai sort of way of asking me if I knew how to do this, then yes.”
“Thanks be to Allah.” He flushed a bit. “And no, I was not attempting to ask that yet.” He traced Rick’s jaw with his fingers. “And– your knowledge of this....closeness between us. It is more than only what happened to your friend?” He managed the question.
“Yeah, habib.” Rick nodded a bit and then turned his head and pressed a kiss against Ardeth’s fingers. “I don’t know...if I can– bring myself to try it, Ardeth. But, I want to.”
“Then we will do so. I did not embarrass myself to no end last night asking Nefshen questions about this to allow fear to stop us now.”
“You did what?” Rick shook his head and then smiled, more of the horror leaving his eyes. “You really asked Nefshen about us making love?”
“I did.” He smiled himself despite the flush. “She was– very kind and tried repeatedly to explain it to me. Although she seemed to think the actual doing of it was something I should wait and share with you. I think I am glad of that now, since I know that you at least know what it is we are doing.”
Rick sighed. “I– don’t know if I can, Ardeth.”
“You have never once lacked for courage, Rick. Come now, you are not going to make me seduce you are you? I have no skill and will only make you laugh.”
“Right.” Rick’s eyes were warm now, but still haunted. “You’d really seduce me?”
“I would try.” He found a smile, then reached over to trace Rick’s jaw. “Likely I would make a fool of myself, but yes, I would try.”
“I doubt that.” Rick smiled a bit as well.
“Hmm.” He was not the least bit convinced, but he did not doubt Rick thought so. “Very well then, but you may not laugh.” He sighed, but it made Rick smile a bit more and the blue eyes lightened a little. So he supposed it was worth making a fool of himself. He reached over and traced Rick’s jaw with his fingertips. “Come back to bed, habibi. Let us leave the uncertainty and worry to the waking world tonight and only share this night together.”
Rick chuckled. “And that’s not having any skill at it?”
Ardeth smiled back. “I have, praise be to Allah, an excellent teacher and a great desire to learn.” He slid his hand back through Rick’s short hair and then pulled his friend close and kissed him. Soft and gentle first, like they had done when they were both uncertain of this and then deeper, when Rick only leaned into the kiss with a sigh. Ardeth let himself relax a little more when Rick’s arms went around him and pulled him close, and the kiss slid from mostly comfort into something far more hungry. Tongues sliding against each other in a long hot sharing of breath and desire. Ardeth let one kiss become several, not caring where one started and the next stopped. He stroked his hands down Rick’s back and then back again. “Bis’mil’Allah, I must undo these buttons again?”
Rick laughed, and then only hugged Ardeth tighter.
“You may not laugh.” Ardeth reminded him but he smiled despite himself.
“Right, forgot that part.” Rick chuckled but he kissed Ardeth again and then helped with the buttons so that Ardeth could slide his hands under the cotton and enjoy the feel of Rick’s skin warm against his hands. He brushed the shirt from Rick’s shoulders back to the floor and gave a quick prayer than this time it would stay there.
He helped Rick with the lacings on his own robes, shrugging out of them. Rick’s hands traced up his spine and then around to his chest, one coming to rest over his heart. “I’m sorry if I hurt you, Ardeth.”
“Hurt me?” He tried to think why Rick would say that now.
“By not telling you and letting you think...”
He put his fingers against Rick’s lips and then smiled despite himself as his friend began to trace them with kisses. “It was my foolishness as much as yours....I...should have more faith in you. It is only still so hard for me to believe that you desire me Rick. What in Allah’s name have I done to deserve the joy and pleasure and honor it is to have you not only as my friend but as my lover as well?”
Rick shook his head but he flushed just a bit. “Ardeth.” He sighed. “Shouldn’t I be asking you all that? You think you’re lucky? I think I got the better end of the bargain.”
He chuckled. “Doubtful. But shall we both believe then that the desire for more than friendship is mutual?”
Rick’s smile turned to something softer and his hand pressed against Ardeth’s heart again. “I want you, Ardeth. In any way I’m lucky enough for you to take that to mean. It’s crazy yeah, but true. I don’t have a clue when you came to mean so damned much to me, habib. But...you do, okay?”
He ducked his head a bit in embarrassment.
“Uh uh. Don’t do that.” Rick’s voice was a bit rough and the hand that had rested against his heart cupped his chin. “Please?”
And the last thing he wanted now was to stir bad memories so he found a smile and an idea. “Will you do me a favor, so that I may remember not to do that?” He asked.
Rick smiled back, obviously surprised. “Sure.”
“Each time I do, claim a kiss, hmm? Or I suppose if we are in Ahm Shere you may count it as credit owed later.”
“Sure.” Rick smiled. “I’m not going to object to that.”
“Good.” He smiled and then leaned over and kissed his friend again. And it was not that hard at all to back up the step to the bed and then sit down, pulling Rick with him. Rick, thank Allah, took the invitation for what it was and before long they were lying back in bed, Rick propped half over him, his friend’s hands buried in his hair and his arms around Rick’s back. He had to break the kiss finally, because he could no longer catch his breath.
“Kissing you is so much fun.” Rick smiled.
“It is?” He blinked at the surprise. But he found himself smiling just a moment later. “Truly?”
“Yes.” Rick rolled his eyes. “Truly.”
“Why?”
“Other than the fact that you are infinitely kissable? Because you enjoy it so much it’s impossible not to.”
“Infinit...you are teasing me.”
“Nope.” Rick shook his head. “Plain truth.” He moved down a bit to place a kiss just below Ardeth’s ear.
And he had no idea how to answer that. “I am so glad you think so.” He decided finally. Rick chuckled, sending warm breath over wet skin and all Ardeth could do was shiver.
“Good?” Rick asked. Ardeth managed to nod and his friend repeated the soft breath of air over his skin. Ardeth groaned a bit and pulled Rick closer as his friend trailed kisses and nibbles down his throat and then laved the skin with his tongue.
“How...can that...feel so good?”
“It just does.” Rick replied with a smile.
“Hmm.” He rolled them over so he could copy the moves, finding those spots he was beginning to realize his friend truly liked more than others. And he used what little knowledge he had gained in this so far, alternating kisses with letting his beard brush against Rick’s skin. He took his time, trying for the same patience Rick had shown while seducing him.
“God that’s good, Ardeth.”
“Then I am doing it right.” He smiled, moving down to place a kiss over Rick’s heart before moving to one nipple and laving it slowly, softly at first until Rick shivered and growled his name.
“Tease.”
“Yes.” He admitted that and then chuckled as he closed his mouth around the now hardened flesh and sucked, light at first then hard when Rick’s hands tightened in his hair. He moved to the other side and teased only a little less there before doing the same. Rick’s breathing grew increasingly rough and the soft moans he made occasionally grew deeper. Ardeth raised his head finally and then managed to pull away and sit back on his knees so he could undo Rick’s belt and got that undone. Rick helped with those buttons too and then reached over for the laces on Ardeth’s pants. Ardeth smiled a bit and then leaned his head back as Rick caressed him lightly through the soft linen. “Please?” He swallowed hard. “That feels so good.”
“You feel good too.” Rick replied, his hand sliding inside the now unlaced pants and repeating the caress against Ardeth’s skin. It took only a moment for him to push the pants down as he knelt up. But he had to move away from Rick’s touch to get the pants off completely. Rick only watched him, blue eyes hot and full of the almost hungry look Ardeth liked. Rick pushed his own slacks off and then off the bed. Ardeth smiled and then slowly, wanting Rick to know what he planed reached for the jug of oil still sitting beside the bed. “It is not so warm now.”
“We’ll just have to warm it up.” Rick smiled.
“As you say.” He poured some on his hands and rubbed them together before reaching forward and stroking his hands over Rick’s chest and shoulders. “You have been carrying camels again when my back was turned?” He smiled.
Rick laughed, but he closed his eyes and relaxed under Ardeth’s hands. “That feels really good, Ardeth.”
“I am glad.” He smiled, moving his hands down to brush over Rick’s nipples then down over his stomach before reaching for the jug again.
“Uh uh.” Rick caught his hand and picked the jug up instead. “My turn.”
“All right.” He agreed, catching a quick kiss as Rick sat up. And then he took his courage in both hands again and laid down on his stomach, pillowing his head on his arms.
Rick caught his breath audibly. “Oh Christ, Ardeth, habib...you don’t...have to...”
“I want to.” He turned just a bit to look over his shoulder. “If you do?”
“Oh God yeah...just...Um...okay...uh trust me then? We’re not ready for that yet, Ardeth. Either of us. Roll back over okay?” And Rick’s hand on his shoulder urged him onto his back.
“I am glad you know what you are doing.” He admitted, feeling himself flush. “How is it I want so very much something I can truly barely imagine, Rick?” Despite what he and Nefshen had spoken of, despite how she had showed him to touch her so he would know in some respects what it would be like to touch Rick so, it was still something he could barely grasp.
“Like I have a clue? You sure you want to do this, Ardeth?”
“If you mean am I certain I want to be your lover, yes. Do I...want to...” He paused. “Is there a word for this when it is love between us instead of something else?”
“Lovemaking?” Rick offered.
“Certainly...but I meant...for...having you inside me.”
“Oh. There’s a lot of them, but I don’t know any one in specific.”
“Hmm, there is one in Egyptian.” He sighed. “I...want to try, yes. But I have so little knowledge of this Rick.”
“What did I do to get so damned lucky?” Rick asked, lightly trailing kisses down his throat. “We could um...You could– be inside me instead?”
Allah help him but that thought brought the desire curling back hot and quick again. But he shook his head. “I-- would be too afraid Rick, of doing it wrong, and hurting you. Please? I need-- to know this joy, this connection between us. Then, if later you are insane enough to trust me so. I will never have words to tell you how honored I am.”
Rick sighed. “I...how do you find words for it, Ardeth?”
“Perhaps you inspire me?” He offered. Rick gave a surprised snort but then chuckled.
“Right. Okay, just, promise me. No heroics, no Medjai stoicism or any of that crap okay? If it feels good, great. Let me know what you like. But if it hurts, at all, you tell me okay?”
He chuckled himself pulling Rick up into a kiss. “My word to Allah, I shall be only decadent and leave the stoicism for fighting Germans.”
“Good.” Rick smiled but kissed him back then down his neck to his chest and teasing his nipples much as he had for Rick earlier. He groaned, pressing his head back into the mattress and arching his back.
“Rick.”
“Get used to it. You think I was slow before?” There was a slight smile. “Not even close.”
“Allah haman’a.” He muttered.
“You don’t need Allah’s protection Ardeth, just patience.”
He managed to smile in return, then sighed as Rick rolled him back onto his side. He went with the gentle tug and push trying to find a comfortable way to lay.
“Move that leg forward, huh?” Rick suggested, his hand stroking down Ardeth’s hip. He did so, finding the balance easier. “God Ardeth, why do you trust me so much?” Rick laid down behind him and pulled him close, not unlike how they stood earlier.
“That is a foolish question. I trust you to guard my back, fight beside me, keep me whole, and hold me when I am too shaken to do anything but tremble. If I trust you so with my heart, my soul, and my safety, how then is trusting you with my body any more difficult?” He tried to explain where the now almost instinctive trust came from.
Rick was silent for a long moment and then one strong hand stroked through his hair and then pulled it away from his neck, making it easier for the kisses. “Bravery doesn’t come close.” The words were whispered against his skin. Ardeth shivered a bit, liking the feel. Rick only chuckled and then slowly traced down his spine with more kisses. His friend's tongue paused now and again to lick at one spot or another. He shivered, not trying to stifle the groan that escaped his throat.
“Ardeth?”
“I did not expect it to-- rouse me so.” He admitted.
“Does it?” There was still a smile to Rick’s voice. “Good. Just wait.” And the kisses stopped at the small of his back. One hand came around to stroke his cock and the other slid along his back. He shivered again, arching into the caress. “Okay?”
“Yes.” Ardeth nodded, remembering that he was supposed to tell Rick what felt good. “More?”
Rick muttered something Ardeth could not catch but then placed another hot kiss to the small of his back and then slowly stroked his hand down Ardeth’s spine again then between his legs to gently cup his balls.
He arched forward with a moan. "Allah’s mercy, that is--please, yes."
Rick chuckled again but the caresses continued, unbroken. Then his hand moved back to run ever so lightly along the skin that separated his balls from the entrance to his body. He shuddered, with pleasure and just a twinge of uncertainty. But he pressed his hips back into the caress determinedly. “Slow down, Ardeth. You don’t get to rush me on this.”
“I-- only want to know. Please? Touch me?”
“We’ll get there. I have something else in mind, first.” Rick whispered and then the mattress shifted a bit and Rick’s tongue gently traced the same path as his finger. Ardeth froze, not certain what he was feeling other than shock. Too much, his mind seemed to say, but his body arched into the caress with a hunger for more. He opened his
mouth, wanting to tell Rick how good it felt but all that came out was a groan. More kisses and licks and he just closed his eyes and let himself feel. And it was so very odd how easy it was to simply relax into Rick’s touch. Then Rick’s tongue stopped for a long moment before slowly pressing firmly but without real force against him and then slowly pushed inside. And Allah help him but he had never felt anything like that. He shivered, not at all certain what he thought of the sensation. But despite Rick’s concern there was no discomfort at all, just an odd sort of warmth. He shivered again, and then found his voice. “More?”
Rick only paused for a long moment before trying the move again. And this time it was even easier to relax. Because the touch was something he was expecting. And he slowly let himself drift between that warm tongue and the hand on his cock and it was a sweet glide and he found he liked one as much as the other and then finally the warm mouth pulled away and he could not bite back the moan of regret. Rick’s forehead rested against his back
“Okay?" Rick asked as if there was really a question.
"Paradise could not be better. I have-- never felt anything like that. I did not even know it could be felt."
"I'm glad." Rick’s hand traced a gentle caress down his side. "Still feel good?"
He shifted a little. "Yes."
“Good.” Rick said and then tugged at his shoulder. “Roll back onto your back, okay?”
He nodded and did so. Still trying to even begin to come to terms with what he had just experienced. “Rick.”
“Yeah?” Rick’s voice was low and a bit rough, but the hands that stroked down his sides and rested at his waist were surprisingly gentle. “Want me to stop, Ardeth?”
“No.” He shook his head desperately. “I– more? Please?” He managed the words somehow.
“Yeah, there’s more, promise.” Rick placed a kiss to the point of Ardeth’s hip before easing his legs apart. Ardeth groaned as Rick placed a second kiss to the tip of his cock, shuddering at the sensation.
“Rick.” It was more warning now, because he was far closer to release than he had realized.
“Yeah, I know. Think about something cold.” Rick suggested with a smile.
“Now?” He groaned but he did as Rick suggested, closed his eyes and tried to think of cold things, like the water in the Nile at Aswan just at the start of flood season when it was too cold to wade, like the rain that had poured down upon him on his last visit to England.
“Better?” Rick asked softly, one hand sliding down his leg.
“Yes. It only feels so good when you do that.”
“It’s supposed to.” Rick chuckled. “If it doesn’t then I’m not doing it right.”
“Hmm. As you say. I only– wish to wait.” He could feel himself flush darker at that.
“Nothing says we can’t start over if we have to.” Rick’s voice was a low whisper now and he placed another kiss to the tip of Ardeth’s cock with a smile. “Can you reach the oil, Ardeth?”
Ardeth nodded, reaching over to the small table beside the bed and picking up the jug. He started to hand it to Rick, despite the still hot flush he could feel but Rick only shook his head.
“Hold onto that.” Rick instructed. “It’ll be easier if you do.” He held out one hand. “Just a little for now, okay?”
Ardeth nodded again and poured some into Rick’s hand. Recalling what Nefshen had said about how it would be necessary.
“Good.” Rick smiled a little, but there was a gentleness to his eyes that made Ardeth warm again with nothing like embarrassment at all. “If you change your mind or– just...”
“I swear it, I will tell you.” He managed a chuckle.
“Right. Okay.” Rick sighed, but he ran the hand without the oil down Ardeth’s side again to rest on his hip. Ardeth started to raise himself up onto his arms to watch what Rick would do. But then one slick finger moved to trace the path it had earlier, along his skin and then to press against the entrance to his body. He shivered, both in anticipation and at the actual feel. "Just like before, Ardeth. Just a touch, habibi." And it was only a touch, not even trying to press inside. Ardeth managed a nod, and then groaned as Rick began to lick at his cock again and he only tossed his head back against the mattress beneath him as Rick teased him with warm lips and tongue as the very tip of that finger slipped inside. He heard more than felt himself make a small sound, maybe a whimper but there was nothing like discomfort in the touch. An odd sensation certainly but nothing like pain. Rick raised his head, letting Ardeth slip from his mouth and that made him groan again. “Ardeth?” There was real worry to Rick’s voice.
He found his courage and then a sigh. "I-- think, I did not expect there to be no discomfort at all." He admitted softly. "I only thought that perhaps it would feel good too."
Rick let out his breath in a sigh that sent warm breath over his skin and made him shiver. "No pain, Ardeth. I promise. You and Nefshen didn’t do this?”
He shook his head. “No. She-- told me how to touch her so...but I did not know it felt so good. Rick.”
Rick smiled. “Yeah, it does. It’s going to be so much better than that. Just relax, okay? Let me show you how good this can feel..."
He sighed but tried to let the tension flow away as that one finger moved slightly, almost a tickle and then slid into him slowly. And there was no pain at all but he could not help but gasp in surprise at the feel, arching his back a bit. “Oh Allah.” He felt his body shudder.
“Shhh, easy, I'll stop.”
“No.” He ground out the word, forcing his eyes open and only then realizing he had closed them, he glanced down to meet Rick’s gaze. “It feels good. Please?”
Rick gave a soft sound maybe meant as a chuckle and pressed another kiss to the point of his hip. “Okay. Yeah. It’ll get better.” Rick promised. And he wanted to ask how but then that finger began to move slowly, just a little. And Allah help him because it was so much more than he had ever expected. Not only the touch but the way his body opened to it. And it felt so very good. He just let himself glide between that touch and the way Rick stroked his cock with his other hand. Then that hand left his cock and he groaned at the loss. “I need more oil, huh?” Rick whispered, and he managed to nod and pour some into his friend’s hand, trying to catch his breath as the pleasure eased for a moment. He felt the finger inside him withdraw until it was barely there. "Two now, Ardeth. Tell me if it hurts? Okay?” Rick met his eyes again, the normally light blue darkened a bit with a concern and worry that made Ardeth feel oddly cherished.
“I promise. I will tell you.” He found the words somewhere, wondering to himself how many more times he was going to have to reassure Rick that he would. Then that teasing caress was back, and he let the worry go, closing his eyes and simply letting that sensation wash over him. One finger slid back inside him and the other teased around it before slipping inside as well. He tensed a bit at the tightness but there was no pain. “Rick?” He heard himself whisper before he realized it. He forced his eyes open to look down at Rick again..
“Too much?”
“I am not certain. Wait?"
“Yeah, sure. We can stop?” And the hands stilled, the only movement his own breathing and Rick's. And it gave him a bit more surety about doing this, to know that he could stop it all with a word.
“No, only...talk to me?" He asked softly, because this was precious between them and deserved whispers.
Rick sighed and then smiled gently, before placing another kiss against his hip. “About what? How good this feels? About how gorgeous you are right this moment? Christ Ardeth, you are so damned brave. And I want you so damned much you make me ache, did you know that?” Rick’s hand stroked lightly up his cock again, making him shiver a bit.
He groaned as that moved the fingers inside him, and laid back again with a sigh. “Truly? I-- if this is causing you pain, Rick we can...”
"No, silly, not what I meant. I mean I want you, Ardeth. You don’t have any idea how much.” There was a firm certainty to that that Ardeth could not even argue with. Rick traced a slow line of kisses up his cock and it was all he could do to catch his breath. “And we aren’t rushing not if it takes every bit of patience I've got. And believe me I've got enough patience to see it through. Trust me."
"With everything I am." He replied and then relaxed a little more, and spread his legs just a bit further. “It-- truly does not hurt.”
"You sound way too surprised. Where you thinking it would?" A few kisses broke up the words but he followed it, shivering again as the words sent warm puffs of air over his skin.
“No. Not really. I-- perhaps. I do not know. Until yesterday I have never even thought of it as something other than something to be avoided at all costs.” He admitted softly. “I was not certain I believed Nefshen when she told me it would feel as good for me as for her.”
Another soft sigh of breath against his skin that made him shiver again. "But it feels good so far?"
"Yes." He smiled. "Better than good."
"Okay.” Rick shifted a bit. “Then let me make it even better...” The words stopped as Rick swallowed him deep into his throat. And the fingers inside him seemed to stretch a little as if searching. He cried out, as something shocked through him like lightening, or release, or both. And all he could do was shudder and press first toward one sensation and then back toward the other.
"Please?" He gasped. "More?"
Rick chuckled a little, raising his head slowly. “Yeah, there’s more. God, Ardeth you are so damned crazy.” He tried to listen to the words he really did but that touch was stealing his thoughts. And he wished he had remembered to ask Rick to speak Arabic.
He caught his breath in a moan as the caress stopped and it was all he could do not to cry out. "Please?" He started to raise himself onto his arms, not at all sure what to do to convince Rick not to stop but wanting that touch back.
"Shhh, I'm not stopping. Just a step closer, okay? Trust me." The words were whispered against his skin as Rick teased his cock again with with his tongue as the fingers teased deep inside his body. Then another pressure and a tease, before Rick whispered again. “Three now, Ardeth. Let me show you how good it can be, okay? Please? Just let yourself enjoy it.” Rick’s voice was almost pleading. And then there was a slow increase in the fullness inside him. He managed a nod, arching his back a bit, wanting that caress back wanting the shock that licked at his blood. He did his best to push down against Rick’s fingers. "Slow down, Ardeth. Damn it." Rick muttered.
"No." He argued with a firmness of his own and did so again.
Rick chuckled. "You are so stubborn. And you’re going to hurt yourself. I told you, you don’t get to rush me on this, Ardeth. Trust me, habibi. It's so good like this, Ardeth. You feel so good." He was not completely certain he understood the words as the fingers stroked deeper again and it was tight and it was full but he did not fear it at all, just found himself waiting for that touch and then it came and he let it lift him back into more pleasure than he knew how to feel, as Rick took his cock deep into his throat again.
Finally, he could not keep still, despite Rick’s warning, just thrust his hips back and forth between those two most amazing sensations. "Please, Rick. I-- can not– take such pleasure, long?” He was amazed the words made sense at all.
Rick raised his head again slowly. “Isn’t this enough for now, Ardeth? We can try for more later...I don’t...”
“You will not hurt me.” He did raise himself up onto his arms now. “I want to try, Rick.” The words came out far more like a plea than the assurance and firmness he was trying for.
Rick sighed. “Ardeth, I...”
“Do you not wish to?” He told himself firmly he would abide by that. But Allah had to know it would hurt.
“God no. I want you, Ardeth. I just– think we’re going to fast, habib.”
“Trust me to know my own desires as much as I trust you not to harm me, hmm?” He amazed himself with how coherent that sounded.
“Right.” Rick smiled just a little, easing his fingers free and Ardeth could not help but moan at the loss. “Roll onto your side then, okay? It’ll be easier.”
Ardeth managed a nod and did as Rick asked, rolling onto his right arm, Rick moving to lie behind him and pull him closer, his back to Rick’s chest. Rick pressed a soft kiss to his shoulder, and then held out his hand again.
“I need more oil, Ardeth.”
He poured some into Rick’s hand, shivering a bit in anticipation. Rick kissed his shoulder again and Ardeth pressed back into the touch as Rick eased his fingers back inside, and this time there was not even a bit of discomfort. “That feels so good.”
“Good.” Rick smiled a little against his skin. “Move this leg forward just a bit okay?” Rick reminded him and he did as he had earlier, finding the balance much easier. “God but you are so damned brave, Ardeth.” Rick sighed, but the caress never stopped and it was growing harder and harder to listen to the words, especially when Rick reached around and began to stroke his cock again with his other hand.
“Rick please?” He found his voice somehow.
“Yeah, okay. Um, I need more oil.” The hand left his cock again and found the jug. They spilled more than a little of it but got quite a bit on Rick’s hand. Rick shifted a bit. "All right, take a deep breath okay, and let it out slowly?”
He did as Rick asked, trying his best to relax a little, despite both his arousal and anticipation. “Now?”
“Yeah , now, okay Ardeth. Just...tell me if it hurts okay? Cause it might. Just for a moment, until your body gets used to it. It can be kinda painful okay? But, I'll go slow. I promise. And I'll stop. I will. Any time. Just tell me if it really hurts or if you change your mind or-- just...” The words trailed off but Rick was as still as stone behind him. And it took him a long moment to realize his friend was waiting for him to say or do something.
"Allah’s mercy Rick I promise! Just do it. Make it real. Make it-- love between us, now, habibi?"
"It already is." Rick’s voice was breathless against his skin but so warm. Then the fingers that had given him such pleasure were pulled free and he took a deep breath as Rick pressed against him. And then he could do nothing but cry out, because while he had been ready for something like Rick’s fingers had felt he was not at all ready for the new sensation. Or how very much bigger Rick’s cock felt than his fingers had. He arched his back, his breath coming in pants. "Ardeth?" There was real fear in Rick’s voice and it brought him back to himself completely.
He reached back with his left hand and gripped Rick’s thigh to keep him where he was as he struggled for the words. “Only surprise and a twinge of pain. Nothing more.” He let his breath out in a sigh, trying to recapture how it had felt just moments ago, reminding his body of how good it could feel if Rick was just a little deeper. And suddenly it was easy to relax into his friend's arms. Rick was shaking hard enough for him to feel against his back..
"I'll stop."
"No. Not now. It was only a little twinge. It does not hurt, truly."
"Promise?"
"Yes." He sighed.
A shuddering gasp for air, followed by a sigh and then a deeper breath. "I thought I'd hurt you."
"No." And he was trembling too he realized. "Do not stop now, Rick." He swallowed hard. "Touch me?"
"Yes." Rick’s hand stroked his cock again, slippery now with oil. He was surprised at how much he had softened, but those fingers knew exactly how to rouse him. And he flexed his hips just a little, to test how it might feel. Rick groaned something that was probably his name.
And he found the words and the courage he needed. And politeness be damned. "Now. I want to know...how it feels when it is love and trust, between us. There is no pain, Rick. I promise. Make love to me, Rick?"
A soft sigh, almost a sob but Rick pressed closer along his back and then slowly slid a little deeper inside him.
"Hmm, yes. Can you-- touch me, inside, as you did with your fingers?"
Rick gave a half chuckle, but it did not hide the trace of tears in his voice. "Yeah. I think so. Here, raise this knee, just a bit." Rick’s left leg pressed between his and he did as Rick suggested. "That's it." And Rick moved a little deeper spinning that lightening through him again. And after a few strokes like that it was easier to push back and take Rick even deeper again. "Only, as much as you can, Ardeth. God this is-- so good, already..."
"Yes." He agreed but worked himself back until finally there was no more to take. And Allah be thanked because there was no pain at all, not even a twinge. Rick shuddered behind him and buried his face in the crook of Ardeth’s shoulder and that felt good too. And he gave over the worry and just let his body have its way. Rick was whispering words he could not catch against his skin and moved with him, inside him. And it was like being made whole. Finally, blessedly whole and he let it carry him to the sky. As his completion surged through him like a last bolt of that lightening. He heard himself groan, and it was supposed to be Rick’s name he knew that but it made no sense to him. Then it was a long slow spiral back down, like a feather caught on the summer wind. He was still held tight in Rick’s arms. Rick’s head against his shoulder and neck, hard panting breaths against his skin. But the same drafts that had hurled him into the sky had done the same for Rick it seemed, because Ardeth could feel him softening. And it made him warm and flush a little to think that he had caused that. That Rick had found his completion inside him.
And it was so very beautiful, and wonderful, and he still could not catch his breath even when he was fully back inside his skin.
“Ardeth...?” Rick’s voice was soft, worried but warm. “You okay?
There was too much in his heart and mind for him to put it into words, too much pleasure and too much joy and Allah had to know he felt new-born and whole and it could not possibly have felt as good as it did. It was wonder enough to bring tears to his eyes.
“Ardeth?” More worry now, edging toward fear. “Easy. Oh Christ, did I hurt you? Please, tell me...?” Real fear now to Rick’s voice and he had to struggle with his own.
“Wait.” He whispered the word. Rick's breath caught in a gasp and gentle fingers touched his face.
“I need to-- pull out. I'm so sorry...” The embrace shifted and Ardeth groaned at the loss. It had felt so wonderful to be whole. “Please Ardeth, let me help? I'm so sorry.”
He shook his head, and then found the words. Drawing Rick into his arms before he could argue. “No pain, habibi. Truly. Joy to make me weep, but no pain.”
A whisper that might have been a prayer. “Don't lie to me, Ardeth.”
“Never.” He promised. “I swear it.” He tightened his arms. “Hold me, hmm?"
Rick did so and he relaxed into his friend’s arms. “Christ. I thought I’d hurt you.”
He shook his head. “I think I flew too high. I feel full of clouds.”
“Thank God. I thought...”
“No.” He interrupted that.
“Are you sure I didn't...?”
“Not even a little.” He broke in. “I swear it. Do not be foolish now, Rick.”
Rick sighed but he pulled Ardeth closer. “Okay.”
He lay there for a moment just enjoying the feel. "And you Rick? Did...you...was it...I?"
“Shhh, don’t be foolish.” Rick teased. “It was perfect, Ardeth. Absolutely perfect.” So much certainty to the words that Ardeth could not even think to be insecure about it.
“Good.” He closed his eyes and just let himself drift. After a while he felt Rick shift against him.
“As wonderful as this is. I need to get us cleaned up or we'll both regret it later.”
He sighed but loosened his arms. “I can help.”
“No. Don't. Just lie there, huh? I want to do this.”
“As you say.” He just laid there and listened to the sounds his friend made moving around, listened to the wind outside the curtained balcony, and the crickets he could hear in the distance. Rick came back to sit beside him and he opened his eyes to meet the bright blue. And he had to smile, and then Rick smiled back and Allah be thanked but it was so good it made him laugh. “I like-- this love between us, very much, habibi.”
“You and me both, Ardeth. You and me both.” And then a cloth was pulled from the bowl of water and Rick began to wash him clean. He flushed slightly but let him. It felt good, reminding him a little of the massage Rick had given him earlier, almost enough to make him doze off. He reached up to catch hold of Rick’s hand as the cloth paused.
“You will put me to sleep.” He said, smiling a little.
“And that’s a bad thing?”
“Only in that I do not want to miss a moment of this.” He returned. Rick chuckled but flushed a bit as well.
“Ardeth.” Rick shook his head.
Ardeth only smiled as Rick put the cloth back into the bowl. He reached up and traced Rick’s jaw with his hand, then down his throat and then his arm to intertwine their fingers. “Lie with me?”
“Yeah.” Rick nodded and pulled the sheets up around them and settled beside him. “Ardeth?”
“Hmm?” He turned his head to look at the man beside him.
Rick moved a little closer and then pulled Ardeth into his arms, with a still surprising amount of gentleness.
He smiled to himself and wrapped his arms around his friend, shifting a bit closer still and laying his head on Rick’s shoulder. “I would not trade this for the whole of the world you know.”
Rick chuckled a little. “Really?”
“I swear it.”
“Ruling the world’s never appealed to me anyway.”
“Thanks be to God, no doubt.” Ardeth smiled.. “Rest well, habibi."
“You too, Ardeth.”
“With you beside me, Rick, how could I do otherwise?”
“Right.” But there was no more argument and it was easy to doze off..
The room was still light when he opened his eyes a bit later, uncertain what had woken him. Rick was still asleep but now he was lying beside Ardeth, one arm around Ardeth’s waist. “Ana habb entu, Rick.” He whispered.
“You do, huh?” Rick’s voice was a soft whisper.
“I thought you were sleeping.”
“I was, but Evie came in to check on us and I woke up.”
Ardeth blinked at that, feeling himself flush a little. “Is everything well?”
“Yeah, she said that she and the rest of the Medjai would be back in a bit, since we still have about three hours until prayers in Ahm Shere apparently. She wanted to make sure we were okay, and give us enough time to get cleaned up if we needed too.” Rick chuckled, but it was a warm soft sound that Ardeth found he truly liked, that was very hard indeed not to join in on. “Guess she was right. We aren’t fit for company are we, habibi?”
“No we are not.” He smiled himself. “Thanks be to Allah no doubt. We will never convince my cousin he is mistaken in thinking us lovers, now you know. I could not find it in my heart to keep the love I felt before a secret in my eyes it seems. Now I know very well that I will not succeed at all.”
“That going to be a problem for you?” Rick asked softly.
“No. Not if we do not flaunt it in front of the tribes no.” He stroked his hand down Rick’s back. “And I do not care if a few are offended.”
“Me either.” Rick shifted a bit to place a kiss against Ardeth’s throat. “Are you okay?”
“Hmm,” he paused while he considered that question. “I am better than that. I have no words for the joy in my heart or the– way you have made me feel complete for the first time in my life, Rick.”
Rick sighed but kissed him again. “If it’s half as wonderful as you made me feel, Ardeth, I’ll be satisfied.”
He flushed a bit again. “Truly?”
“I swear it, huh? God, you are– I know I don’t have a prayer of coming up with the words, Ardeth. Joy isn’t even close.”
And he felt that half-fumbled attempt ease something still a bit hurt inside him. “I thought-- I had– lost any chance of being your lover.”
Rick, thanks be to Allah, did not seem confused by that. “I just panicked, Ardeth.”
“I know that now. But it is good to believe it.”
“Yeah. Okay, so no beating around the bush.” Rick moved again and then kissed him. “I love you, Ardeth. Hell, it’s more than that. I am in love with you. I have been for-- well probably a lot longer than I realize. That isn’t going to change, okay? God knows I love making love to you. And I can count on two fingers the number of times I have felt as honored as I did when you let me love you, okay? It was perfect, Ardeth. Loving you has been perfect since we started. Want me to swear that too?”
“No.” He managed the word through the way his throat wanted to tighten. “I believe you, habib. It is...I-- feel so foolish. But, I did not know something could hurt like that.”
“Hurt like what?” Rick asked gently.
“When there had been such passion between us one moment and then...there was only failure and loss cold in my heart. You were so angry at me, Rick. And for once I could tell you were not telling me the truth.”
“Whoa. Back up. I was not angry at you. I swear it, okay? And I have never lied to you, Ardeth.”
He took a deep breath. “You told me you were not angry. And it was so obvious a lie, Rick.”
“I did?” Rick sounded puzzled. Then he sighed. “Oh hell, Ardeth, I meant I wasn’t angry at you. Yeah, I was pissed as hell at me, at those bastards in Cairo, at the damned thing here, hell probably even at Anubis for dragging it all back up. But, I was not angry at you. That’s what I meant.”
“Oh.” He sighed and then relaxed a bit without realizing he had been tense. “I told you I was foolish.”
“Just new to love, habib. Trust me, you do not know how many times I stuck my foot in it with Evie when we were first married.”
“Truly?” That made him feel better. “I think that is good to know. It gives me hope at least that I can learn better.”
“You and me both, Ardeth.” Rick sighed, and then rolled onto his back and pulled Ardeth into his arms, instead. And his muscles protested the move with more vehemence than he had expected. “Ardeth?”
“I am sore.” He admitted softly. “Only a little, hmm?”
“You sure? I...”
“I have been far more uncomfortable after too long at sword practice or riding than I am now. I was only surprised.”
“Okay.” Rick’s hand stroked his hair a bit. “I worry.”
“Yes, I noticed that. No pain, habibi, none at all. Only joy and pleasure enough to make me weep, and want very much to try it again now that I know how wonderful it can feel.”
Rick was still for a moment and then he just chuckled. “You are certifiably nuts, Ardeth.” But he tightened his arms again. “Thank you.”
“What for?” He relaxed into the embrace and the gentle caress to his hair and down his back.
“Everything. Giving me a chance to love you like that, letting me bury my ghosts when I didn’t even know I needed to. All of it okay?”
“Hmm, then once more we are even. I am well content indeed if you are, habibi.”
“Yeah. Me too Ardeth, me too.” Rick sighed.
“Good.” And it was more than enough joy in his heart and comfort all around to argue with. He would have to get up soon he knew, but for now he was very content to just lie there and relish the comfort and the joy.
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Imhotep stood by the balcony door and watched his guests sleep. When he was certain he would not wake them he walked over to the bed and then sighed ruefully and picked up the second sheet and settled it over them. “Ammun alone I suppose knows what I am going to do with you two. Likely, you will drive me to the madness you seem to think I already show, Ardeth Bay.” He smoothed the young man’s hair. “Do you know how very hard it is not to desire you even more that before, Ardeth? Bastet herself, forgive me bright lady, could not make me desire anyone more. And yet, I am as caught in the game as you are, because I will not back down but I know very well I can not press too hard, hmm? Because now you will be concerned not only for yourself, but for your brother. And while you will let me tease you far more than you are comfortable with, if it causes him pain for me to do so, you will get angry.” He stroked the dark hair again. “And you O’Connell. Damn you for the interference you always seem to bring to my plans. But how can I fault you for loving him so, hmm? When you would defy the Medjai, Pharaoh’s daughter, and the gods themselves to do so? I am not quite so much a hypocrite as that. But tread lightly, O’Connell, you came near to breaking his heart tonight, and I have no qualms about making you regret it if you do.” He wished the men had been speaking something besides that damnable English but their actions had given him enough knowledge to work from. And Ardeth at least had occasionally thought in Arabic.
He let his thoughts slide over his guests and then smiled again. “Wake up, Ardeth.” He said firmly, drawing his guest from sleep while keeping O’Connell under. It was a hard balance to find but he managed it.
Ardeth woke, uncertain for a moment what was going on. Then he only curled tighter into his brother’s arms.
“Your tribesmates will return here very soon and I thought to be kind enough to wake you. I will wait for you on the balcony if you will find something to wear, or not of course I would hardly object.” He chuckled.
Ardeth sighed, and gave a quick prayer of thanks to Allah, for the fact that he and O’Connell were at least covered by the sheets.
Imhotep chuckled. “I can move half the Sahara should I need to, Ardeth I could move the bedding easily enough if I wished. Do not tempt me now, hmm? Wake your brother, wash, dress, and I will wait for you both on the balcony. So that we can speak a bit before we go to find the Princess.” And he left them be, and walked out onto the balcony to wait.
Asr:ToC