Alone
folder
M through R › Mummy, The (All)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
19
Views:
14,965
Reviews:
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0
Currently Reading:
1
Category:
M through R › Mummy, The (All)
Rating:
Adult ++
Chapters:
19
Views:
14,965
Reviews:
74
Recommended:
0
Currently Reading:
1
Disclaimer:
I do not own The Mummy movie series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
chapter 19
Disclaimer: - I don't own any of the characters of The Mummy, I'm just borrowing them to play with.
Alone Chapter 19
It seemed to Jonathan that an eternity had passed since his angry, bitter tears had turned into broken sobs and all the while he had felt Ardeth’s strong arms encircling him, supporting and comforting him. The throb of his heart beat sent a dull pain through his head and he felt drained and exhausted. Finally cried out he felt a surge of embarrassment that he was still holding onto the other man and he pushed himself back and away from the strong embrace feeling a flash of regret pass through him as the contact between them was broken. Looking down at the floor as he stood in front of Ardeth he stammered out an apology,
“S...sorry about that old man...don’t know what came over me.”
He desperately wanted to look up into the other man’s face to see what his expression was but Jonathan was afraid that despite his earlier words of praise for his bravery Ardeth’s face would now wear a mask of contempt, now that he had seen how truly weak and broken Jonathan really was. Jonathan’s fear of seeing Ardeth’s expression was borne of, he suddenly realised, a desperate need for the other man’s respect and something deeper, something Jonathan felt confused about, something that he’d never felt before for another man... However, Before Jonathan could analyse the feeling he felt stirring within him he felt a gentle hand come to rest under his chin and slowly his gaze was raised from the floor and he found himself staring into a pair of rich chocolate brown eyes that looked at him, not with contempt as he had previously feared, but with a love that shone out of them so brightly that it filled Jonathan with wonder and took his breath away for a moment making him gasp in understanding. Time seemed to stand still as so very slowly Ardeth leant down slightly and softly pressed his lips against Jonathan’s in a gentle kiss that was undemanding, almost chaste. Jonathan’s mind was in a whirl but his body knew what he wanted, what he needed, and almost on instinct he parted his lips and allowed Ardeth’s tongue into his mouth deepening their kiss. Jonathan felt as if he was completely encompassed by the other man, every sense in his body was filled by Ardeth, the feel of him, the scent of him, the sight of him, before Jonathan’s eyes fluttered shut as he gave himself over completely to his feelings.
It was hearing himself moan as Ardeth tongue flicked across the roof of his mouth that finally broke the spell and Jonathan suddenly raised his right arm placing his hand firmly on Ardeth’s chest pushing him away and breaking the contact between them. Stunned by what had just happened between them and shocked by his own reaction to it, which had not been one of fear or disgust, but rather of joy and arousal Jonathan stared at Ardeth’s flushed face as he almost unconsciously raised his fingers to his lips and felt the ghost of Ardeth’s lips still there against the sensitive flesh. Ardeth was perfectly still, panting slightly but not moving as if worried that if he did he might spook Jonathan into running away. In fact part of Jonathan did want to do just that, to run...run away from this new situation, the new feelings and sensations which seemed to have ambushed him from out of nowhere. That part of him that wanted to retreat was steadily winning out and Jonathan took several steps back away from the other man his eyes never leaving Ardeth’s face. Jonathan saw worry crease Ardeth’s brow and when Ardeth spoke he voice was low and quiet,
“I am sorry Jonathan, I did not mean for that to happen. I will understand if you do not wish to see me again.”
Still feeling confused Jonathan said,
“I...” before pausing, trying to get his scattered thought into some order, “Why...why did you do that?”
Jonathan could hear the sadness in Ardeth’s voice as he replied,
“I am sorry if I have hurt you, I would never want to cause you any pain. If...”
Interrupting him Jonathan again asked,
“Why did you do that? How could you? How could touch me like that when you know what...what those two...what they did to me...how dirty they’ve made me. How could you ever want to touch me...?”
“No, you are not dirty habibi. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen with a spirit that is kind and loving and brave and that could never be touched or sullied by what was forced upon you. I have desired you from the first moment I saw you in the desert travelling to Hamunaptra and as I have grown to know you that desire has deepened in to respect and love and nothing will change that, it is as timeless as the desert itself. If I have hurt you I beg for your forgiveness, and if you wish me to leave and never to see you again I shall.” Ardeth told a stunned Jonathan in a voice filled with regret, longing and pain. The ever strong Medjai warrior, for the first time since Jonathan had known him, seeming unsure of himself.
Jonathan turned the other man’s words over in his head trying to sort through his own feelings which were, at that moment, a jumbled mess. However, he was sure of one thing he didn’t want Ardeth to leave Cairo. Wanting some time to himself to think he said,
“No, don’t leave. I...I need to think that’s all. I need some time.”
“Of course,” Ardeth said, “ I will leave you, but I hope to be able to see you again.”
Before he could reply Ardeth had turned and left them room and Jonathan once more raise his fingers to his mouth and let his finger tips lightly brush against the same place that Ardeth’s lips had been not so long before.
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However, Jonathan had not had much time to think as ten minutes later O’Connell and Evy had burst into the room and had been all smiles as they had informed him that they had just booked passage for all three of them to England on a ship that left early the next morning. If this news had reached him half an hour earlier he would have been overjoyed and relieved, but now his smile as O’Connell handed him his ticket was half-hearted and Jonathan knew he would have a long, sleepless night ahead of him as he tried to sort through all his feelings.
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Jonathan had not seen Ardeth Bey for the rest of the previous day, not after the kiss they had shared and as the time neared for them to leave Fort Brydon and head for the port he feared that he might never see the other man again. However, an hour before they were due to leave O’Connell and Evy both came into his room and Evy said,
“Look Jonathan, Ardeth has come to say goodbye.”
Looking up from where he had been fussing over the fastening on his trunk Jonathan felt the heat of a blush colour his face when he saw the other man and he could see the tension that took over Ardeth body as his gaze was returned, he also thought he saw his sister’s eyes widen in understanding before she began pulling on O’Connell’s arm ushering him out of the room telling him that she need him to help her bring he bags downstairs as they were too heavy for her to carry. Jonathan heard Rick’s exasperated voice telling his sister, as she hurried him down the corridor,
“Well if you didn’t have so many books stuffed into all your bags you’d be able to carry them yourself.”
Quickly walking past Ardeth, Jonathan closed the door to his room that Rick had left open, and leaning back against it he turned to look at the other man. Taking a deep breath he knew that however difficult this might prove to be he had made up his mind what he was going to say to the other man in the early hours of the morning after a night spent tossing and turning trying to resolve the conundrum that the kiss they had shared the day before had posed him.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come.” He admitted first.
“If you had told me not to yesterday I would have respected your wishes and stayed away but when I met O’Connell and he told me that you were leaving so soon...I needed to see you one more time. I needed to ask for your forgiveness for what I did yesterday. If I hurt you I will not be able to forgive myself”
Jonathan could hear the regret in Ardeth’s voice and resolved to show the other man that his fears were unfounded by the best way he could think of and stepping forward he went to Ardeth and lifting his face up to the other man’s he kissed him very gently on the lips before stepping back again. Then he said,
“There is nothing to forgive. You gave me a precious gift yesterday...you gave me your love and after what happened to me I never thought anyone would want to do that again. But I can’t take the gift you are offering me...I’m sorry. If I had known how you felt before...well I don’t know what would have happened but now...I...I just can’t. It wouldn’t be fair on you because I can’t give you what you want...I can’t give you myself because I don’t know who I am anymore. The person I thought I was...I’m not sure he’s there anymore and I need to find out what is going to take his place before I give myself to anyone else...and to be honest I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to be with anyone again.”
As he’d spoken Jonathan had watched the sadness deepen in Ardeth’s eyes, but he’d also seen acceptance of his decision. The silence between weighed heavily for several moments before Ardeth replied,
“I respect your choice habibi, but must tell you that you are, and always will be, first in my heart, and that if Allah is willing I know that we shall see each other again. Until that time I wish you peace and happiness.”
Before he had the chance to reply Ardeth had left and the sound of the door shutting behind him sounded loud in Jonathan’s ears.
A little later standing at the railing of the ship as it moved away from the harbour wall Jonathan knew O’Connell was wrong when he said,
“Doesn’t look like Ardeth has come to see us off.”
Because just beyond the crowds that lined the dock-side Jonathan could see one lone figure dressed in black who stayed watching the ship fade into the distance long after Jonathan had lost sight of him, and although he couldn’t see him anymore Jonathan was sure he caught the word “habibi” softly whispered to him on the wind.
Author's Note: - Arabic/English translation: - Habibi/Beloved one.
THE END
Alone Chapter 19
It seemed to Jonathan that an eternity had passed since his angry, bitter tears had turned into broken sobs and all the while he had felt Ardeth’s strong arms encircling him, supporting and comforting him. The throb of his heart beat sent a dull pain through his head and he felt drained and exhausted. Finally cried out he felt a surge of embarrassment that he was still holding onto the other man and he pushed himself back and away from the strong embrace feeling a flash of regret pass through him as the contact between them was broken. Looking down at the floor as he stood in front of Ardeth he stammered out an apology,
“S...sorry about that old man...don’t know what came over me.”
He desperately wanted to look up into the other man’s face to see what his expression was but Jonathan was afraid that despite his earlier words of praise for his bravery Ardeth’s face would now wear a mask of contempt, now that he had seen how truly weak and broken Jonathan really was. Jonathan’s fear of seeing Ardeth’s expression was borne of, he suddenly realised, a desperate need for the other man’s respect and something deeper, something Jonathan felt confused about, something that he’d never felt before for another man... However, Before Jonathan could analyse the feeling he felt stirring within him he felt a gentle hand come to rest under his chin and slowly his gaze was raised from the floor and he found himself staring into a pair of rich chocolate brown eyes that looked at him, not with contempt as he had previously feared, but with a love that shone out of them so brightly that it filled Jonathan with wonder and took his breath away for a moment making him gasp in understanding. Time seemed to stand still as so very slowly Ardeth leant down slightly and softly pressed his lips against Jonathan’s in a gentle kiss that was undemanding, almost chaste. Jonathan’s mind was in a whirl but his body knew what he wanted, what he needed, and almost on instinct he parted his lips and allowed Ardeth’s tongue into his mouth deepening their kiss. Jonathan felt as if he was completely encompassed by the other man, every sense in his body was filled by Ardeth, the feel of him, the scent of him, the sight of him, before Jonathan’s eyes fluttered shut as he gave himself over completely to his feelings.
It was hearing himself moan as Ardeth tongue flicked across the roof of his mouth that finally broke the spell and Jonathan suddenly raised his right arm placing his hand firmly on Ardeth’s chest pushing him away and breaking the contact between them. Stunned by what had just happened between them and shocked by his own reaction to it, which had not been one of fear or disgust, but rather of joy and arousal Jonathan stared at Ardeth’s flushed face as he almost unconsciously raised his fingers to his lips and felt the ghost of Ardeth’s lips still there against the sensitive flesh. Ardeth was perfectly still, panting slightly but not moving as if worried that if he did he might spook Jonathan into running away. In fact part of Jonathan did want to do just that, to run...run away from this new situation, the new feelings and sensations which seemed to have ambushed him from out of nowhere. That part of him that wanted to retreat was steadily winning out and Jonathan took several steps back away from the other man his eyes never leaving Ardeth’s face. Jonathan saw worry crease Ardeth’s brow and when Ardeth spoke he voice was low and quiet,
“I am sorry Jonathan, I did not mean for that to happen. I will understand if you do not wish to see me again.”
Still feeling confused Jonathan said,
“I...” before pausing, trying to get his scattered thought into some order, “Why...why did you do that?”
Jonathan could hear the sadness in Ardeth’s voice as he replied,
“I am sorry if I have hurt you, I would never want to cause you any pain. If...”
Interrupting him Jonathan again asked,
“Why did you do that? How could you? How could touch me like that when you know what...what those two...what they did to me...how dirty they’ve made me. How could you ever want to touch me...?”
“No, you are not dirty habibi. You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen with a spirit that is kind and loving and brave and that could never be touched or sullied by what was forced upon you. I have desired you from the first moment I saw you in the desert travelling to Hamunaptra and as I have grown to know you that desire has deepened in to respect and love and nothing will change that, it is as timeless as the desert itself. If I have hurt you I beg for your forgiveness, and if you wish me to leave and never to see you again I shall.” Ardeth told a stunned Jonathan in a voice filled with regret, longing and pain. The ever strong Medjai warrior, for the first time since Jonathan had known him, seeming unsure of himself.
Jonathan turned the other man’s words over in his head trying to sort through his own feelings which were, at that moment, a jumbled mess. However, he was sure of one thing he didn’t want Ardeth to leave Cairo. Wanting some time to himself to think he said,
“No, don’t leave. I...I need to think that’s all. I need some time.”
“Of course,” Ardeth said, “ I will leave you, but I hope to be able to see you again.”
Before he could reply Ardeth had turned and left them room and Jonathan once more raise his fingers to his mouth and let his finger tips lightly brush against the same place that Ardeth’s lips had been not so long before.
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However, Jonathan had not had much time to think as ten minutes later O’Connell and Evy had burst into the room and had been all smiles as they had informed him that they had just booked passage for all three of them to England on a ship that left early the next morning. If this news had reached him half an hour earlier he would have been overjoyed and relieved, but now his smile as O’Connell handed him his ticket was half-hearted and Jonathan knew he would have a long, sleepless night ahead of him as he tried to sort through all his feelings.
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Jonathan had not seen Ardeth Bey for the rest of the previous day, not after the kiss they had shared and as the time neared for them to leave Fort Brydon and head for the port he feared that he might never see the other man again. However, an hour before they were due to leave O’Connell and Evy both came into his room and Evy said,
“Look Jonathan, Ardeth has come to say goodbye.”
Looking up from where he had been fussing over the fastening on his trunk Jonathan felt the heat of a blush colour his face when he saw the other man and he could see the tension that took over Ardeth body as his gaze was returned, he also thought he saw his sister’s eyes widen in understanding before she began pulling on O’Connell’s arm ushering him out of the room telling him that she need him to help her bring he bags downstairs as they were too heavy for her to carry. Jonathan heard Rick’s exasperated voice telling his sister, as she hurried him down the corridor,
“Well if you didn’t have so many books stuffed into all your bags you’d be able to carry them yourself.”
Quickly walking past Ardeth, Jonathan closed the door to his room that Rick had left open, and leaning back against it he turned to look at the other man. Taking a deep breath he knew that however difficult this might prove to be he had made up his mind what he was going to say to the other man in the early hours of the morning after a night spent tossing and turning trying to resolve the conundrum that the kiss they had shared the day before had posed him.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come.” He admitted first.
“If you had told me not to yesterday I would have respected your wishes and stayed away but when I met O’Connell and he told me that you were leaving so soon...I needed to see you one more time. I needed to ask for your forgiveness for what I did yesterday. If I hurt you I will not be able to forgive myself”
Jonathan could hear the regret in Ardeth’s voice and resolved to show the other man that his fears were unfounded by the best way he could think of and stepping forward he went to Ardeth and lifting his face up to the other man’s he kissed him very gently on the lips before stepping back again. Then he said,
“There is nothing to forgive. You gave me a precious gift yesterday...you gave me your love and after what happened to me I never thought anyone would want to do that again. But I can’t take the gift you are offering me...I’m sorry. If I had known how you felt before...well I don’t know what would have happened but now...I...I just can’t. It wouldn’t be fair on you because I can’t give you what you want...I can’t give you myself because I don’t know who I am anymore. The person I thought I was...I’m not sure he’s there anymore and I need to find out what is going to take his place before I give myself to anyone else...and to be honest I’m not sure if I’ll ever be able to be with anyone again.”
As he’d spoken Jonathan had watched the sadness deepen in Ardeth’s eyes, but he’d also seen acceptance of his decision. The silence between weighed heavily for several moments before Ardeth replied,
“I respect your choice habibi, but must tell you that you are, and always will be, first in my heart, and that if Allah is willing I know that we shall see each other again. Until that time I wish you peace and happiness.”
Before he had the chance to reply Ardeth had left and the sound of the door shutting behind him sounded loud in Jonathan’s ears.
A little later standing at the railing of the ship as it moved away from the harbour wall Jonathan knew O’Connell was wrong when he said,
“Doesn’t look like Ardeth has come to see us off.”
Because just beyond the crowds that lined the dock-side Jonathan could see one lone figure dressed in black who stayed watching the ship fade into the distance long after Jonathan had lost sight of him, and although he couldn’t see him anymore Jonathan was sure he caught the word “habibi” softly whispered to him on the wind.
Author's Note: - Arabic/English translation: - Habibi/Beloved one.
THE END