Maghrib
Chapter 5
Ardeth let out a sigh, and waited for whatever swearing Rick was going to start. But after a minute or so of silence he raised his head from his friend’s shoulder. “Rick?”
“Shhh.” Rick whispered softly, with a note to his voice Ardeth could not quite place but the hand that stroked through his hair was gentle.
He was quiet then for another minute. “Habib?”
“Shhh.” Rick repeated, and only tightened his arms around Ardeth a bit. And he sighed but shifted closer and wrapped his arms around Rick as well, moving a bit to press his lips against Rick’s throat. Another moment of silence and then Rick tensed even more in his arms before a long shudder went through him. “I– can’t do this.” The words were a rough whisper.
“Do what, habib?” He asked gently.
“Live with losing you, now.”
“Rick, muHabb, you are not going to lose me now.” He shook his head.
“I thought...it would help you know? And I...Christ Ardeth, what’ve I done?”
“You are not making sense.” He pushed away a bit to try and meet Rick’s eyes. “Talk to me, Rick. What is it that hurts you so?”
“How can you be so damned brave?”
“Rick, habibi, start over, hmm? What am I being brave about?”
“Knowing he...” Rick choked off whatever he was going to say and shook his head a bit, but his arms tightened almost painfully around Ardeth.
“Desires me?” Ardeth finished for him with a sigh. “Yes, that is hardly surprising any more. But neither is it as frightening as it once was either.”
“I don’t like that he wants you, Ardeth. But yeah, we’ve both learned to cope with that. But that last bit sounded like a hell of a lot more.”
He thought over what the high priest of Ammun had said and then flushed just a bit. “Rick, habibi, he will claim a kiss, of that I have no doubt. But it will be no more than that, I am certain. He meant nothing else.”
“You sure about that?”
“Yes.” He was a bit surprised at his own certainty. “I am.” He sat up a bit more to truly meet Rick’s eyes. “And once he has done so, I will tell you, and you can kiss me instead so, I have a joy to recall instead of annoyance, hmm?”
“Sounds good.” Rick’s smile did not completely light his eyes but it helped. “So we have to get up and go to dinner, huh?”
“I would like to know what news he has from AmmunRa, yes. Otherwise I shall only worry that I am allowing my own heart to take precedence over my duty. Likely I will feel too guilty to enjoy whatever else we would be doing instead of eating.”
That got a laugh from his friend, which was the point. “You and this whole duty to Egypt thing, Ardeth. How can I teach you to be decadent if you won’t give me a chance, huh?”
“Hmm, I have been dedicated to Egypt and my duty as Medjai all my life, habib. Likely, you will have to continue to teach me decadence for quite a while before I can find a balance with the two.” He almost managed that without smiling but he could not quite.
Rick chuckled and then pulled him close and kissed him. It was a bit of a wrestling match more than an embrace to get them both lying full out on the bed, Rick over him, his friend’s hands buried in his hair. He had his own hands wrapped around Rick’s shoulders and was determined to give the kiss as much as it was given. Finally, Rick pulled back and only stared down at him, his breathing ragged. “You’re too good at that, already.”
He smiled. “Good. Then we are even on something. But if we do not stop now, I am not going to be able to remember we must go to dinner. Perhaps it is a good thing after all that the water will be a bit cold.”
Rick laughed. “Hmm, ice might do.”
“In Egypt?” He rolled his eyes. “We shall have to make do with cold water, habib.”
“Right.” Rick sighed and then kissed him again, light and quick this time before rolling away. Ardeth did not miss the slight wince his friend gave as he got to his feet.
“Sore?” He asked, uncertainly.
“Yeah.” But Rick only smiled. “I see what you meant, though, about not minding the ache.”
He felt himself color a bit at that. “Do you then?” He managed as he got out of bed himself. It took very little time to wash off and fortunately there were clean clothes for both he and Rick in the chest against the wall. “I need to find out what sort of gift to give Tahiri. Something for her daughter perhaps.”
“Yeah. We’re leaving her a disaster.” Rick indicated the room at large.
Ardeth paused to truly take in the state of things, clothing was strewn about the floor, along with weapons that no doubt should have been better cared for. The bedding was mostly pilled onto the floor as well now. And there were plates and goblets stacked haphazardly into baskets, along with buckets of water, and the stack of remaining drying cloths, not to mention the one he had tossed somewhere over by the bed. He sighed. “We are hopeless are we not? I do not think I have ever made such a mess.”
Rick only laughed and then hugged him close. “Then I did it right.” The words were a whisper in his ear.
“Bis’mil’Allah.” He grumbled but then laughed. “Yes, habibi, I think we can be assured of that.” He hugged Rick back and then released him before they once more got distracted. It took a bit for him to find a comb to work through his hair.
“Here.” Rick came over and took the comb from him. “I’ve done this for Evie often enough.” And he began to comb out the tangles. Ardeth flushed a bit, but it felt oddly good as well. Relaxing and calming in a way that doing the task himself was not. Rick was very cautious and worked through the tangles with almost no pain at all. “Okay?”
“Hmm. Now I am spoiled.”
“Good.” Rick chuckled. “Easier with a brush though.” He ran his fingers through Ardeth’s hair. “When we get a chance later you can wash it and I’ll do that right.”
“Allah, you spoil me, habibi.”
“Lovers do that, Ardeth.” Rick’s voice was soft and gentle both as his friend pulled him back into his arms. Once more his back to Rick’s chest.
“Do they then? And how may I spoil you in return?” He smiled.
“Wash my back?” Rick chuckled.
“With certainty.” Ardeth replied and then turned to claim a quick kiss before finding his sash and boots. It took a bit to gather up all his weapons and put them into place. Rick did the same and then laughed.
“Back to war, huh?”
“We do seem to be prepared for it, yes.” He shook his head. “Perhaps Nefshen was correct, we are shield-mates as much as anything else are we not, Rick?”
“If that’s like saying brothers in arms, yeah.”
“No, well that is part of it certainly. Shield-mates were, are, I suppose, comrades in battle who are also far more than friends when the battles are done.”
“Shield-mates, huh? Yeah, Ardeth we are.”
“So many facets to this joy between us Rick that I am at a loss for what to call them all.”
“I’ll be happy with just calling it love, okay?”
He smiled. “Ana habb entu, Rick.”
“Me too, Ardeth. Me too. Come on, lets go walk with asps so we can come back here and make love again.”
“Now that will make it worth going to dinner.” He laughed and headed into the hall.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“You are unhappy with dinner, O’Connell?” Imhotep asked his guest, knowing very well it was not the banquet O’Connell was unhappy with.
“No, just not hungry.” O’Connell answered.
“Hmm. I would have thought you and Ardeth had worked up quite an apatite.”
O’Connell was silent for a long moment but the anger was obvious. “We did. I wasn’t even sure having to put up with you was going to be enough to dampen it actually. But, guess it worked after all.”
He chuckled at that. “So now it is my company that keeps you from eating and not lack of manners. Is that an improvement or not?” He rolled his eyes. “Truly, O’Connell you are the most ungrateful of men. Have I not been a very considerate host and allowed you to spend the whole of the day in your brother’s bed? Truly, what more do you expect of me?”
The man was silent for a bit longer. “You know what I expect of you, bastard? I expect that the minute my back is turned and you can get away with it I’m going to have to spend a few hours at the very least keeping him sane. And I expect that you’ll put up a pretty damned good fight before I manage to kill you for it. And I expect I’ll have to blow you to pieces eventually. But you know what? I can live with that.”
He sighed. “Truly, O’Connell you are a very stubborn man.” He shook his head and looked over at his other guest for a moment. “He is desirable certainly, O’Connell. I make no secret of finding him so. But where is the sport of only taking him as you expect me too, hmm? Crushing something as alluring as your brother is, O’Connell is not in the least appealing. He is by far too intriguing as he is. And it would be a great pity to see so much joy and fire put out so completely. Shall I give you my word, champion of Egypt? To AmmunRa himself? I do not hold any desire to force him, O’Connell, nor cause him pain. Seduction should be pleasurable I think, should it not?”
“Right. And where the hell do you get off thinking you’ve got a chance in hell of seducing him?”
He raised one eyebrow and met the man’s gaze. “So you do not think I have such a chance? So then, O’Connell what shall we wager on the outcome, hmm?”
O’Connell only stared at him for a long minute or so, his thoughts spinning about in English and not even touching on something Imhotep could grasp.
“You want me to bet on you seducing Ardeth?”
“No.” He smiled. “I expect you to wager on the fact that I can not achieve that goal. I, however, have more confidence in myself. So, do we have a wager? What will you give me if I succeed in seducing your brother, O’Connell?”
“Uh uh, what will you give me if you don’t? And what’s the time limit on this bet?”
“Now we are setting conditions?” He almost laughed. “Very well then. Time is a relative term here in the land of the faithful. So let us set the time in the waking world shall we? What is reasonable to you, warrior?”
“Until this war is over, or three months, whichever comes first.”
Imhotep shook his head. “What length is a month much less three of them?”
“Three months is one quarter of a year.”
“I hardly think either of those is a reasonable time limit. This war may be over in a handful of days if we are fortunate. And even a quarter of a year is a very short time for such and undertaking.” He raised one eyebrow and then gave the American a smirk he knew O’Connell found annoying. “Seduction should be a slow process should it not?”
That pulled O’Connell’s thoughts back into English sharply but the anger was obvious. “Go to hell.”
“Again? Did we not just return with your brother whole and sane I might add? Let us instead avoid hell if possible for a change O’Connell. AmmunRa will grown tired of my having to ask him to see us all safely from there again, no doubt.”
O’Connell looked over at Ardeth and the sadness and concern that filled his thoughts was obvious. “Yeah, okay. I’ll give you that one.”
“Let us set the wager at half a year.” He decided.
“Fine. Six months. Now what do I get when you lose?”
He chuckled. “So certain are you, O’Connell?”
“Yeah. I am. Well?”
“What can I give you that will be worth making the wager, O’Connell?” He returned.
“If you don’t succeed in six months then you leave him alone, forever, no teasing, no insinuations, nothing.”
“Now where is the fun in that? What do you possibly think you can wager with me that would make me agree to that?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.” O’Connell shrugged. “But that’s all I’m willing to bargain for.”
“Hmm,” he thought for a bit and then came upon something. If he succeeded it would be well worth seeing O’Connell’s reaction. And if he failed, well, there were worse things in his life than broken wagers. Besides which there was a chance O’Connell would not take the wager at all. “Very well, If by six months from this night in the Egypt that is, I have not managed to seduce your brother to my bed, or myself into his, then I will never bother him again with my desire for him. However, if I achieve either of those, for no matter how brief a time, an hour, a night, whatever it takes, then not only do I get to share the bed with your brother, O’Connell, but I get to share it with you.”
A long cold silence and the thoughts that bound it up were held in tightly even in English as they were. “Six months, and in that whole time you only get to try to seduce him, no making him pay for anybody’s lives, no deals, and you don’t get to press for anything more than he’s willing to give, not even a bit. And if after the time’s up he still won’t sleep with you game’s over forever.”
“That is my portion of the deal, yes. And yours?” He smiled, truly curious to know what the answer would be.
“If within those six months Ardeth decides to say yes, freely, no strings or conditions, just because he want’s too. Then yeah, I’ll do whatever you want for the night.”
He stared at the young man for a long moment, surprised by the answer. “You would risk that for him?”
“One night of hell? Yeah. I would.”
“You surprise me Rick O’Connell.” He nodded. “Very well then, warrior it is a wager. When I succeed you will have to tell me then, if you think your love for him is worth the price it will cost you.”
Cold hatred in those blue eyes that met his. “I won’t lose, and if I do, then hell yes, he’s worth all the pain you’re going to cause me.”
And there was enough about his thoughts as he put them into Arabic for Imhotep to grasp that he did indeed know very well what sort of horror the night could be. “As you say. It will be interesting to see how the game plays out. But I have one stipulation, since you have added in that I must only work with seduction and not coercion, warrior.”
“And what’s that?” Anger and distrust to the words and the thoughts behind them.
“A simple one. Your brother loves you well, O’Connell, and no matter if I can make him desire me or not, he will never do so if thinks it will damn you in the doing. He is too honorable for that. So, this wager stays between us. If you tell him of it, it is void.”
“Go to hell.”
“No. So then, there is no wager and I am free to use any means I can to have your brother willing in my bed.” He smiled a bit. “Considering all the battles to come no doubt it is achievable.”
Anger, and pure hot hatred flared like the heart of a flame in the blue eyes. “Fine. I don’t tell Ardeth, you keep it only to seduction and nothing else for the next six months. Is that the deal?”
“It is indeed, O’Connell. It is indeed. As the gods will it we shall see who is victorious.”
“Swear it.”
He raised one eyebrow. “Very well, O’Connell I swear it to Ammun, regardless of which of us wins this wager I will see either outcome kept as completely as I would the other. Whoever wins, wins. And who will you swear by so that I might believe the oath?”
A bitter smile. “My word on it, creature, on my soul, and on Ardeth’s.”
“On your son’s and I will believe it.” He returned.
“Bastard.” The word was one he recognized now in English, and while he was not certain he knew it’s meaning, he knew it was an insult. “Fine. I swear it on Alex’s soul. Deal?”
“It is indeed.” He chuckled. “This will be entertaining.”
“Right.”
And I have no more intention of taking even you unwilling to me bed by coercion than I do in ending the game in six months. You should be more careful with what I say, warrior. We have bartered for nothing more than smoke and reflections, for I never intended to have him in my bed any other way but seduction. You are going to be very fun to taunt with the barter though, O’Connell, you will indeed.
He turned to his other guest and gave a silent thanks to Bastet that whatever Ardeth was discussing so intently with Nefshen had indeed kept him occupied while the wager was made.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ardeth relaxed into the hot tub full of water with a smile. “I will become so spoiled that my tribesmates will no longer recognize me.”
Rick chuckled, and then reached over for one of the smaller jugs instead of getting into the tub himself. “I think you’re strong enough to bear a bit or spoiling, Ardeth.”
“If you say so.” He leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “I remember when I came to England that first time, after you and Evelyn left Cairo for England when Alex was still a babe. The only time I was warm was when I was soaking in that very decadent tub.”
Rick laughed. “Yeah, and that was only October. When this is over and we’ve kicked the German’s butts, Ardeth, you’ll have to come to England over the holidays some time and enjoy the snow.”
“Why in the name of Allah would I purposefully seek out snow?” He shook his head.
“I’ll keep you warm?” Rick’s voice was a whisper in his ear and he opened his eyes just as Rick’s hand traced his jaw and then closed them again at the kiss that followed.
“Hmm.” He smiled as Rick pulled back finally. “Likely you could, yes.” He sighed. “It is already what October now in Ahm Shere? The nights will grow very cold indeed. I wonder if it will grow cold here as well?” He smiled again. “We will need blankets to snuggle under.”
“Sounds really nice.” Rick agreed. Then he soaped one cloth with whatever was in the jug. “That’s nice stuff. What is it?”
“Whatever it is the women here use to wash their hair with.” Ardeth shrugged, but he flushed a bit. “Nefshen was quite amused when I asked for it. She does not see how I keep my hair so long in the heat when it is not braided. Of course she does not understand how I wear so much in the heat anyway. So far I think I have convinced her that nothing in the waking world is as she thinks it is. Does the sun rise in the nighttime? I think was what she asked.”
“Hmm. You’ll have to remind me how to say thank you to her. I’m a bit surprised she didn’t fight me for you.”
Ardeth could not keep from chuckling although he knew he flushed as well. “She is a tiny woman, Rick, she would lose.”
“I didn’t mean wrestle or something.” Rick laughed. “Not that wrestling with her might not be fun.”
“I will tell Evelyn you said that.”
“Uh huh.” Rick didn’t sound worried. And then the wet soapy cloth was drawn slowly over his chest. He opened his eyes again to watch his friend. “Feel good?”
“I can recall no time, habib, when you touching me has felt anything but wonderful.”
“I can think of two.” Rick smiled but he continued to run the lathered cloth over Ardeth’s skin .And it was so different to feel that caress now than it had been in those odd moments when Anubis’ hell had not seemed so much like hell at all. He managed not to shiver at the memory.
“And what might those be?”
Rick traced a quick brush of one finger along the line of his beard. “Didn’t like me lighting that match.”
He had to think for a moment, then smiled. “Well no, it burnt. But that was not really you touching me now was it?” He caught Rick’s hand and gave into the urge to tease. Very slowly he licked his tongue around that one finger tip, and then slowly drew it into his mouth. Rick’s eyes grew hot and bright.
“You’re getting good at that, Ardeth.” Rick’s voice was a bit deeper than it had been. He drew away just as slowly and smiled.
“Am I?’
“Yeah.” Rick leaned over and kissed him again and then set the soaped cloth aside and cupped water into his hand and poured that over Ardeth’s chest.
“That feels very good.” He watched the water ripple for a bit. “Much better when it is warm.”
“Yeah.” Rick’s fingers smoothed over his skin and then rested over his heart. “A lot nicer when I’m not washing your blood away too.”
“No doubt.” He closed his eyes. “It was– an odd moment of comfort and love amidst the horror was it not?”
“Yeah, it was.” Rick’s voice was lower now and his fingers traced over the long claw marks on his shoulder. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I am. Right now I am not even exhausted. Only warm and content and enjoying the night.” He did not want to dwell on the pain his old enemy’s knife had caused him. Did not want to recall how Rick’s reflection had felt in his arms as he gave his last breath. Or how he had tried so hard to find the strength to breathe as he lay face down in the sand his enemy above him. I am going to enjoy this... The words echoed in tone but different voices and he shuddered. Thank you God for my cousin’s rescue.
“Ardeth?”
“Hmm? I– was only thanking God that we are well and safe now.” He traced Rick’s jaw. “I am new yet to this joy, habib. But very thankful.”
“Me too Ardeth. Me too.” Rick kissed him again and then refilled his hand with water and poured it over Ardeth’s chest, repeating that several times and then picked up one of the large jugs of warm water and brought it over closer to the tub. “So, lets see how decadent we can be, huh? Sit up?”
He sighed but did as Rick asked. “Yes?”
“Scoot forward.” Rick smiled a bit more. Ardeth sighed but did so and then could only laugh as Rick managed to get into the tub behind him.
“This will not work.”
“Oh, it’ll work just fine.” Rick replied and pulled Ardeth back so that he was half lying against his friend, and indeed while they sloshed too much water onto the floor they both fit. “See?”
“Hmm, decadent is not a worthy description of this.” He sighed, closing his eyes and relishing the feel of the water and Rick’s body behind him, while one hand began to stroke his chest again.
“Maybe not. But it’s a start.” Rick reached out of the tub to pick up a bowl and then dipped it into the water to pour it over Ardeth’s head.
“There is little in life more decadent that being wet from head to toe in the middle of the desert, especially when it feels so good to be so.” He smiled.
“Oh that’s only a start.” Rick’s voice was low and soft now, in a way that made the desire curl deep into Ardeth’s stomach again. More water was poured over his head then Rick shifted and there was a smell of flowers and herbs and something he did not know off hand and the same lather that had been on the cloth was now worked through his hair by strong fingers.
“Ah, Allah have mercy, how can that feel so good?”
Rick chuckled. “Never had you’re hair washed, Ardeth?”
“Not since I was a child.” He shook his head a bit. “And when you helped me wash away the blood.” He amended. “But that did not feel like this.”
“No, that was necessity, habib. This is just for fun, and to enjoy.” Rick’s hands continued to stroke through his hair. “Feel good?”
“It feels better than that. Allah, the things you know to rouse me.”
Those strong fingers left his hair and trailed down his throat to his chest and then one hand slid along his stomach, into the water and stroked his arousal gently. And it was so very unreal to feel such a caress with the water around it. “None of the women in Cairo washed you, huh?”
That took his a long time to understand. “No.” He shook his head a bit. “I would have been too embarrassed I think.” He sighed. “You make me feel so good.”
“I’m glad.” There was a smile to the words. “Keep your eyes closed now.” The teasing caress thankfully stopped and Rick moved and then more hot water from the jug no doubt was poured over his head to wash the soap away. He only kept his eyes closed and relished the feel of water pouring over his skin. “I’m surprised one of the girls in Cairo didn’t introduce you to how much fun baths can be. I’d’ve thought they’d have wanted you to come back frequently.”
“Me?” He chuckled. “Not likely, Rick. I was...very young and very foolish then. Little enough reason for them to wish to see me again, surely.”
Rick was silent but he picked up a cloth and wiped most of the water from Ardeth’s face. “How long ago are we talking about here?”
“Before we met.” Ardeth shrugged. “Once my father, may he rest in peace, went to join Allah in Paradise there was little time for any such frivolity. Besides I was too busy learning to lead, and do so well. Then it seemed best to give a good example where I could, and so I was very busy being always between one tribe and the other. And then with the creature’s first resurrection and quelling the problems that caused. After a while, I did not even think of it.”
“You’re telling me that you went twelve years without sex?”
There was so much disbelief in Rick’s voice he felt himself flush. “Yes.”
“Jesus Christ, Ardeth.” Rick sighed. “I knew you’d never done it with another guy, but...I didn’t think...”
“What, you suppose I have a mistress or two amongst my people Rick? Please. You know me better than that.” He was torn somewhat between being offended and embarrassed. And once more feeling all too naive and foolish.
“Yeah I do. It’s just...”
“I told you, I have so very little idea of what I am doing.” He sighed, trying not to let the hurt into his voice. Ardeth had never been comfortable with feeling ignorant or foolish and at the moment he felt nothing but both of those. And somehow ashamed that Rick was so obviously disappointed. He was glad he had kept his eyes closed, so as not to see that disappointment in Rick’s eyes.. “I am sorry if...” He had no idea what it was he was apologizing for except his own ineptness. He started to sit up but Rick’s arms tightened around him and pulled him back.
“Oh hell, I’m not disappointed Ardeth.” Rick’s voice was surprisingly gentle.
“It is not our way...” He tried to explain. “Certainly my lack of skill by now has proven to you that I have so little knowledge of this...most incredible joy you have given me, Rick. Truly, I am sorry that–“
”Stop it, okay? Jesus you are not a disappointment, Ardeth. I’m still amazed that you think loving me is such a great thing you know? So, I’m not disappointed, huh? Amazed and flattered that you think I’m worth being the first lover you’ve ever had, yeah. But not one little bit disappointed.”
“Truly?” He found himself smiling just a bit. Warmed by the rather incoherent assurance as much as he had been ashamed the moment before. “I am truly glad for that.”
“Kinda...surprised me is all. I mean, I guess I expected it with Evie you know? That she’d never...But, most guys I’ve known Ardeth tend to sort of be insatiable.”
“When we are young and foolish certainly.” He chuckled. “Although somehow I think your...experiences were a bit more broad ranging than mine.”
Rick chuckled. “Well, it was sort of a necessity thing really. Just friends and I in the legion you know? Long way from anything like a town and too um...insatiable to know what else to do. Somehow it always went from just taking care of it yourself to giving a friend a hand. Nothing really deep or special though.”
“You cared a great deal for Rolande.” Ardeth had to point out.
“Yeah, I did. He was a good friend. But I didn’t love him, Ardeth. It was just...comradery, I guess.”
“I am comrades with several of the Medjai Rick, good friends certainly with many, but none of them can I see sharing any of what I do with you.”
“I can think of two who’d love to share with you, Ardeth.” The answer was surprising.
“I am speaking of men.” He supposed there were a few women who might have indeed desired him as Adham had said.
“So was I.”
“You are not serious? Rick, I know them. You are seeing things.”
“Nope.” Rick chuckled. “You’re blind. But that’s not the point. Point is, that it’s still only trading favors with a friend. Not love.”
He sighed. “No, that is true. I have never in all my life loved anyone like I love you.”
“I don’t know how I got lucky enough to do this twice, Ardeth I really don’t.” Rick’s hands stroked his arms and then intertwined their fingers. “Because I don’t love Evie a bit less for loving you so much.”
“I am truly glad of that.” He smiled and relaxed into Rick’s warmth, wrapping both their arms around him, so he could stroke along Rick’s. “May I tell you a secret?”
“Sure.” There was a smile to Rick’s voice as well.
“I had quite a...crush? Is that the right term? Infatuation yes?”
“Yeah, crush.” Rick chuckled.
“Crush then on your wife when I first met her. Granted she was not your wife yet so I suppose it was not too improper.”
“You did?” Rick only chuckled and then tightened his arms. “I thought you hated the lot of us.”
“Hardly.” He smiled himself. “When we were standing in Cairo...and Imhotep came out of the crowd and she was so brave as to go with him to save you. Such is the stuff legends are spun from Rick.”
“Yeah. Bravest, craziest thing I have ever known her to do. God, I’m glad it worked out okay.”
“As am I.”
“And you didn’t die either, despite the martyr bit.”
“I bought you time to save Evelyn did I not? Do not complain.” He smiled. “So you are not angry at me?”
“For having a crush on my wife? No.” Another chuckle. “Kinda hypocritical, don’t you think?”
“I suppose.” Ardeth sighed. “I am spoiled now to this comfort.”
“Good, you need to be spoiled some.” Rick’s voice was soft again. And then he shifted a bit so that Ardeth was more in his arms and began to nibble at that point just under Ardeth’s jaw that felt so good. “I kinda like teaching you decadence, Ardeth.”
“Hmm. As do I...you know...the oddest things...to rouse me with.”
“This?” Rick licked at the spot again and then nibbled at his ear. “Or that?” Warm breath carried the words over his skin. Ardeth only sighed and pressed back a bit. He reached into the tub with one hand and found Rick’s leg along his and stroked what skin he could reach. “Ardeth.”
“What? I wish to touch you.”
A sigh but another kiss to his throat and then Rick’s hands on his chest stroked purposefully now over his nipples. He tried to swallow the groan that got, but only succeeded part way. “You feel so good.” Rick whispered.
“Allah, habib, it is late...but...someone still might....come.”
“Oh someone’s going to. Don’t worry.”
That took him a minute and then he groaned. “English is a curse.” He muttered it in Arabic. “Someone might walk in on us.”
Rick laughed. “The whole city’s asleep Ardeth. Just enjoy.”
“Mmm, with you touching me so, I can do little else.” He shuddered as one hand left his chest to slip down into the water and stroke his arousal again, firmer now, despite the slippery, succulent feel the water gave the caress. “Allah, Rick, how do you do that?”
“Do what, habibi?”
“Make me feel so good? I can not, remember my name?”
Rick nibbled at his throat again. “This?” The hand around him tightened a bit and he arched into it. “Come on now, in those twelve years you didn’t do this for yourself?”
“Of course I did.” He managed. “But...When you touch me...it is so....”
“Yeah it is.” Rick agreed when he only finished the words with a groan as Rick’s fingers found that spot just at the base that made him shake.
“We...should stop.”
“Why? Feels good, huh?”
“Yes.” He pressed back into Rick’s arms and felt the very hard proof of Rick’s own arousal against his back. “But we are...someone could see.”
“Is that what bothered you so much last time we were here?”
“Last...?” That took a long moment to make sense of even in Arabic. Then he shivered, despite the water and Rick’s arms. “No.” It was all he could manage.
“Shhh, stupid question, it’s okay.” Rick’s voice was soft and the hand caressing him so gentled some.
“I...” God alone knew how he would even begin to explain that. He leaned his head back against Rick’s shoulder. “Later?” He could not even bring himself to add please. Medjai do not beg. He swallowed hard and then pushed the memories away and relaxed into Rick’s arms and the caress.
“Sure.” Rick kissed him again. “Just enjoy, huh?”
“Mmm. Is the water enough do you think?” He stroked his hand down Rick’s leg again.
“Enough for what?” Rick asked.
Ardeth only pressed himself back against Rick’s arousal and then shifted a bit until Rick’s cock slid between his buttocks instead of against his back. And that tore an unrestrained groan from Rick that was nothing but pleasure. Ardeth gripped the edge of the tub and levered himself up a bit to do it again. “Is the water enough?”
“Christ...Ardeth stop, huh? Oh God...”
He rolled his eyes a bit, and then let go of the tub with one hand to reach back and grip Rick’s cock instead.
“No.” Rick caught his hand and then pushed him forward with his other hand. “You’ll hurt yourself.”
“There is oil beside the tub, yes?” He shrugged and reached for it.
“Ardeth...stop it, huh? We can’t...”
“We most certainly can.” He disagreed and then rose to his feet and stepped out into the brazier heated air. And for the first time in his life he truly hoped he was as gorgeous as he had been told of late. He smiled over his shoulder at Rick liking the way the firelight reflected off the water that ran down his friend’s chest. “Come here?” He turned a bit more and held out his hand. And Allah must have been truly kind to him that day because Rick’s eyes only grew hotter and he pushed himself out of the tub as well. Ardeth reached down for one of the drying cloths only half surprised when Rick came up behind him and pulled him close again.
“Tease.”
“I was attempting to, yes.” He agreed with a smile, and then turned in Rick’s arms to begin drying him off. “You did not let me wash your back. Can I dry it instead?” He asked, putting all this new found passion he felt into his voice.
“Yeah. If you want.” Rick nodded.
“Good.” He moved out of Rick’s arms to do so, toweling Rick’s short hair as well and then moving around to stand in front of him again before meeting Rick’s eyes with a smile. And it was more awkward than he had thought it might be to keep that gaze and go to his knees, but he managed it well enough. Then he ran the towel up from Rick’s feet to his knees. “I think, we have let enough water go to waste, hmm?” He smiled and then took Rick’s cock in one hand to lick the water from it instead.
“Oh Christ.” Rick hissed out the words.
“You wish Issa’s aid now?” He smiled as he asked, and then tried what felt so good for him and blew a stream of warm breath over Rick’s wet skin.
“I was...praying for patience.” Rick growled, his hands in Ardeth’s hair now. “Come here.” Rick asked, tugging very gently.
He rose to his feet and lost himself to the kiss that followed. “It is a long way back to my room.”
“Later.”
“Hmm. You wish to make love here?” He knew it long before asking.
“Right now, Ardeth I’d make love to you in the middle of Ahm Shere if Adham wouldn’t kill me for it.”
Ardeth had to laugh. “Likely he would try. But perhaps you would win.” He kissed his friend again. “You can explain something Nefshen said to me then.”
“Uh oh, you two talked a long time.” Rick smiled, but there was something odd to his eyes now.
“We did. Oddly enough she is very taken with the notion that I am sharing my bed with you for more than sleeping.”
“She is?” That seemed to surprise Rick as much as it had him.
“Yes.” He managed a smile. “She even said if Nefertiri would not mind she would share me with you.”
That got a smile and then a chuckle from Rick. “She did, huh? And no, Evie’d kill us both for that.”
“Hmm, I rather assumed so, yes.” He smiled back. “She says many things like that which no doubt she expects me to understand that I do not.”
“Like what?” Rick’s hands traced his spine. “What’s not to understand about sharing the bed all three of us?”
“People do that?” He asked, and only then recalled that when Rick had told him of Rolande’s horrible death it had been prefaced by the fact that Rick and Rolande had accepted the invitation of a woman to her bed. And that her husband had come home to find them both in the bed with her. “All three?” He asked that part out loud.
Rick only chuckled and then kissed his throat. Ardeth leaned his head back a bit. “Yeah, Ardeth. Sounds good, huh? Four hands running over you like this?” Rick’s hands stroked over his back and then to his chest and then back again. “Two mouths to kiss you all over?” Another long lick from his neck to his ear and then a soft bite into the lobe. He moaned despite himself and gripped Rick’s shoulders. “Then maybe she’s beneath you, huh? Feels good when she’s enjoying it so much having you buried inside her doesn’t it?” Rick’s hand wrapped around his cock.
“And where are you?” He was amazed he managed the words, because it was all to easy to imagine the scene that Rick was invoking, and the caresses he was using to sketch it with were enough to make Ardeth have trouble thinking to begin with.
“Behind you? Just easing into you maybe?” Rick’s other hand stroked ever so lightly between his buttocks and pressed against his opening.
“Oh Allah. I will come.” He arched into Rick’s hand on his cock then pressed back toward the other.
“Sounds good, huh?”
“I...think so. Yes. Rick please? Habibi...” He gripped Rick’s shoulders and pushed his friend away a bit. “You will...have me embarrass myself.”
“By coming all over my hand? Don’t think so, Ardeth. Not when I was trying damned hard for that.”
“Were you? I would– rather wait until...”
“You’re sore already, habibi, enough for now, huh?”
“It is not nearly enough. Allah I do not understand my own hunger, Rick, but I swear it is real. I need you to make me whole. Please?”
“Ardeth.”
“Medjai do not beg.” He found a smile. “Do not make me break that now.” He looked about the room and then gave caution to the winds and only laid down on the now tumbled pile of drying cloths. “There is oil by the tub.”
“Christ...” Rick came to kneel beside him. “Habib, please? Don’t do this if it hurts?”
“If it hurts even a little bit we will stop, yes.” He promised. “Now you must tell me what Nefshen meant.”
“Okay, what’s the question?” Rick seemed glad enough for the distraction.
“How can I be on my knees for you if I am not tasting you and still be making love?”
Rick only blinked and then the worry in the blue eyes only made them darker. “That’s...not making love I don’t think.”
“She seemed to think it is.”
“Fucking yeah, but not making love.” Rick disagreed. “No.”
“Ah, then we shall not try it, hmm?” He did not like the expression to Rick’s eyes now. “Habibi? May I kiss you now, Rick?”
“Yeah, Ardeth.” Rick leaned over to meet him and it was a long hot kiss that took his breath and his thoughts. “You want me inside you, huh?”
“I do.” He nodded.
“Can’t I have you inside me instead?”
“If you wish for that, certainly.” He smiled. “But, if I might be too sore from earlier, are you not likely to be even more so? I have had longer to recover.”
“You’re newer to this.”
He looked at his friend. “You have tried it once before today, yes? More than twelve years ago now since you have never once betrayed your wife. That is not any more experience in this sort of lovemaking than I have. At least I can say now I have been fortunate to have you inside me twice with nothing but love and Paradise between us.”
Rick growled something and then sighed. “Crazy stubborn idiotic arab.”
“Well we are three things in common at least.” He chuckled, but then sighed. “If you do not desire it, Rick, truly you need only say so.”
“I want you so much I ache. Nothing but making love to Evie feels as good as making love to you. I want to, Ardeth. God knows I do. I just...”
“There is nothing like pain to having you inside me. Nothing to fear in the touch. It is not the same Rick, thanks be to God, but I have a small idea of what it is like to be touched unwilling, and there is nothing that compares the two.”
“I’d kill him you know that.”
“I have never doubted that, no.” He ran his fingers along Rick’s jaw. And it was an easy truth to give, because he had never doubted at all that Rick would do so. “Come now, he did not even claim a kiss, despite his teasing. What is there to compare having you love me so to something that would be only torture, habib?”
“I could hurt you by mistake.”
“Hmm, perhaps, a little flash of pain yes, before you stopped. You are too concerned with my pleasure to do otherwise.”
“You sure of that?”
He reached up and put his hand over Rick’s heart. “I swear to Allah, Rick O’Connell, on my soul, and the lives of my people. I trust no man more than you, muHabb. Now, leave the ghosts of the men we both hate to the shadows and come make me whole in the firelight.”
“You are so perfect you know that?” Rick kissed him long and deep and then slowly made it more than a kiss, teasing Ardeth’s mouth with his tongue in a very clear mimicry of the joining Ardeth wanted very much between their bodies instead.
“Oil habibi, please? Otherwise it will sting, yes?” He broke the kiss with a gasp and reached for the bottle himself.
“Otherwise it’ll tear you bloody, Ardeth. So don’t go getting so adventurous in the water, okay?”
He blinked at that. “I...did not realize it would...as you say.” He found a smile. “It is good I have you to keep me from foolishness, habibi.”
“Oh like that’s likely.” Rick sighed but he did snag one bottle from the several that were about the bath. He opened it and poured a bit onto his fingers. “Sandalwood I think.”
“Hmm, it could be worse. I would prefer frankincense though.”
“Why?”
“It is for love.” He answered with a smile. “That is it’s meaning.”
“Is it?” Rick smiled back. “That’s good to know.” He leaned over and kissed Ardeth again, and before long they were lying atop the jumble of fabric and Rick’s hand was wrapped around his cock again, stroking him lightly.
“Rick.” He tossed his head back, breaking the kiss to gasp in air, and Rick took the opportunity to cover his throat with kisses. But he also stroked his hand lower, lightly over Ardeth’s balls now. He groaned out what he meant to be Rick’s name and spread his legs as best he could. “Yes.”
“You like that, huh?” Rick whispered against his throat.
“Yes. Better though when you touch me inside.”
“Yeah, that did feel good.” Rick agreed and then pulled away to dip his fingers into the oil and then touch him again, this time all the way back to the opening he wanted touched. He closed his eyes, pressing his head back into the cloth beneath him at the touch and then groaned as the tip of one finger breached him and slid inside.
“Allah...” He gasped, caught as much by how he desired the touch as how good it felt.
“Watch me, Ardeth? Please? I can...do this easier if I can see your eyes.”
“I will try.” He forced his eyes open somehow. “It only feels so good.”
Something like surprise in those bright blue eyes. “Hell Ardeth, do you know how you make me feel when you say stuff like that?”
“Good I hope.” He smiled a bit, and then sighed as Rick kissed him again. Another long hot kiss, that stole his breath and he could not keep his eyes open for that either. Only enjoyed it and found himself drawing Rick’s tongue deeper into his mouth, hungry for even that echo of what he truly wanted.
“God, slow down, dammit.” Rick pushed him away just a little.
He managed a nod. "I like kissing you."
That made Rick chuckle. "Yeah Ardeth, I like kissing you too.” He shivered a bit as that one finger slid deeper inside him and pressed a little closer into Rick’s embrace. A soft sigh against his throat and then a nibble, and then those teasing lips moved to his nipples again. He only reached up and tried to tangle his fingers in Rick’s hair, caressing his shoulders and down his back as best he could with his other hand. Rick pressed that one finger as deep as it would go and he shuddered, opening his eyes to glance down and meet the bright blue gaze. "I’ll stop if you want." Rick offered. As if there was any question.
Ardeth managed to smile. “Do not stop, please?"
Rick smiled back. “God, you’re beautiful.”
He felt himself flushing again at that. “If you find me so, I will be thankful.”
"Beautiful." Rick repeated firmly, then moved up to kiss him again. He tossed his head back, finally, groaning what he meant as Rick’s name as that one finger teased inside him.
“Feel good, Ardeth?” Rick whispered.
“Yes."
“Two now, all right?”
He found a smile. “Please?”
Rick nodded. “No pain, huh? If you’re too sore, say so. It might be too soon, okay? I don't know.”
"I will tell you." He promised.
"Good." A gentle smile and another kiss and then Rick added another finger and more oil. Allah have mercy it took his breath away. But it had nothing to do with pain.
Rick chuckled. “Don’t bother Allah, now, Ardeth.” So he must have said some of it out loud. And then the fingers inside him and touched that place that sent a shock like lightning through his blood and made him see stars.
“Hey, easy now Ardeth, come on breathe for me, habibi. You’ll pass out, and then where will we be?”
He forced his eyes open to meet Rick’s again. “Please habibi? Now?”
"Mmm, soon, yeah, just a little more." And the third finger slid into him. And that did not hurt, exactly but it did feel too full for a long minute.
“Wait?” He asked softly.
Rick only nodded and did not move the fingers inside him any, only stroked Ardeth’s cock with his free hand. “Hurts?”
"No. Only tight..." He found a smile. “You were tighter.”
“I doubt that.” Rick smiled back though. “Just relax, habibi, trust me, hmm?” Rick leaned up and kissed him again. And it was easier to relax into the touch now.
“Stroke me inside again?" He did not care that it came out a plea.
“Yeah, Ardeth.” Rick moved his fingers again and it was full and it was tight, but it brought him right back to the edge of release. And it was still so odd the way his body craved this touch and what was to follow but it was pure hunger in his blood.
"Please?" He whispered.
"Almost." Rick promised.
He gave a soft moan. “Do not make me beg. I will...never get my...tribesmates to...stop laughing.”
Rick chuckled and then stroked his cock again. “Look at me, habibi.”
He met those blue eyes with his own. “Rick?"
"No begging. Just anything you ask for."
He nodded with a smile. "May I?" He reached for the oil and Rick’s cock all at once. Rick groaned, and he had to stop himself and only lay back against the towels as his movements jarred the fingers within him. "Oh Allah." It was a whimper more than a prayer.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No. I will come.” He gave it baldly.
“Oh.” A chuckle that was more relief than anything he was certain. “Think of something cold.” Rick suggested.
“Now?” He shook his head. Rick praise be only stroked the oil over himself and then slowly pulled his fingers free. "Now?" He asked it again for an entirely different reason.
"Yeah, Ardeth. Roll over, huh?”
“Rick.”
“Please?”
He did so, onto his side with Rick behind him again. And it was worth the change in position when Rick moved closer and then eased the head of his cock inside. And it still felt huge, making his body want to clench and push away for a long moment. But it was not pain, just a pressure and a slight sting. Maybe a bit worse than the last time but then he called to mind how good it had felt to have Rick inside him and relaxed. And nothing he had even hoped for in his life felt as good as it did to feel Rick slowly slide into him with no pain at all. "Ardeth?"
"Habib.” It was all he could manage.
Rick sighed against his throat and then kissed him, just below his ear and brought his hand around to stroke his cheek. “I love you too, Ardeth.”
"Please?"
A groan and Rick moved just a little. And then there was nothing but flying, but the pleasure they built between them. Rick’s lips against his throat, one hand stroking his cock the other around underneath him and teasing his nipples. He reached back to grip Rick’s thigh with the hand he was not balanced on. And it was all he could manage except to gasp for air. Rick whispered something and began stroking his cock in time to the thrusts inside him that threatened to bring him to tears with the joy. And then he was thrown high into the air, and tumbling along the current with no way to stop. And it took a very long time to find his way back it seemed as he fell those last few inches into his skin again. And he was held tight in Rick’s arms. And holding onto Rick with every bit of strength he had
"Ardeth." Rick whispered his name against his throat. "Oh, Christ Ardeth, that was...perfect."
Ardeth was too lost in it still, undone beyond his ability to think so he only nodded. Rick pulled away finally, and he groaned as much at the loss as at the slight sting. Then he rolled over into Rick’s arms and only held on as tightly as he could. When he could finally make sense of anything he was held tight in his Rick’s arms, wrapped in one of the large cloths, his head on Rick’s shoulder. Rick was stroking his hair and down his back and whispering soft almost nonsensical words of comfort in at least two languages.
“I lost myself." He managed finally.
Rick’s arms tightened a bit more. “I was worried.”
“Only joy, habibi, only joy too much for my heart to hold.” He snuggled further into Rick’s arms.
“Yeah, Paradise can’t be any better, Ardeth.”
“Hmm. No.” He agreed, liking the way Rick kept stroking his hands down Ardeth’s back and through his hair. “Now we need another bath.”
Rick chuckled. “Right, I’ll clean us up, then we can think about getting back to your room.” Rick’s arms did not loosen though, nor did the caresses stop.
“You want me to walk?” He almost managed not to smile.
“If you can’t walk, Ardeth, I’m going to smack us both.”
“I am fine, only too sated to think of moving.”
“Right.” Rick sighed. “It feels so good to love you like that, Ardeth.”
“It feels very very good to be loved so, habibi.”
Rick held him for a bit longer but then finally rolled away to gather up some of the cloths strewn about and the soap and wash them both. And the great care he took in washing Ardeth clean made it impossible to be even slightly embarrassed as Rick eased the wet linen between his legs. He hissed a bit at the feel but it did not seem to worry Rick as it had before. Then Rick got dressed and gathered up most of their weapons. Ardeth had started to get up, but watching Rick move in the firelight was far more wonderful. He chuckled as his friend found a way to carry not only his pistols but also Ardeth’s knives and scimitar as well. “I am hardly so incapacitated that I can not carry my own sword.”
“We’ll see.” Rick held out his hand and Ardeth took it, thankful for the help as he found his feet.
“Bis’mil’Allah.”
“Sore?”
He nodded and then took stock of how sore he was. “No pain no, but I am thankful I do not have to ride anywhere tomorrow.”
Rick smiled and pulled him close. “Okay. I can cope with that.” He picked up Ardeth’s robes and handed them to him. “You want to bother with the rest?”
“Pants and boots? No, not if we are only going back to bed.” He pulled his robes on and tied them into place, with his sash. Rick handed him his shield and the scepter of Horus and they both took their boots with them. Ardeth sighed, then set his boots down and took a moment to clean up the bathing room some. Rick chuckled but did the same. “We are hopeless.”
“Yeah. Well, we’re allowed too.”
“We are?”
“Aren’t all new lovers allowed to be hopeless, habibi?” Rick kissed him quickly.
“Oh.” He ducked his head a bit. “I...”
“Ardeth.” Rick muttered his name, catching his chin in one hand and then kissed him again, longer this time. “Please?”
“I am still trying, yes.” He smiled. “Better?” He met the blue eyes with his.
“Yeah.”
“Good.” And they walked back to his room, thankfully the halls were as deserted as the bathing room and they found no one about at all. It took very little time to put their weapons away and get undressed again. The room was cleaned, the bed made, and all signs of their earlier decadence were gone, except for the basket of oil which was sitting beside the bed on one low table. No doubt refilled and warm. He smiled despite himself. “What shall we find for Tahiri and her little girl, habibi?”
“Something really nice. Let’s ask Evie.”
“That sounds wise.” He undid his sash putting it over a chair with his robes and then only climbing into bed. Rick chuckled but undressed as well and then pulled him close. “I am sleepy.”
“Me too, Ardeth. Me too. See you in the morning or in Ahm Shere which ever comes first.”
“MaSalaama muHabb.”
“Good night.” Rick stroked his hand down Ardeth’s back again, his other woven through his still damp hair. “MuHabb, my love?” The question was obvious.
“Yes.” He agreed to the translation.
“Hmm, MaSalaama muHabb.” Rick whispered the words into his hair. And Allah was merciful indeed because that was the last thing he remembered before he was asleep.
Maghrib:ToC