Work Text:
God, his head was killing him.
Jonathan will never drink that much alcohol ever again in this life. Never, ever again. He promises himself for the tenth time and hopes he sticks to the promise for at least three days, before the cycle starts again. What was he even doing down here in this dump of a hotel room anyway?
Jonathan really doesn't know. The only thing he does know is that for some reason his addled brain has conjured up a bird standing on his dresser opposite the bed, watching over him. Was he still at the stage of inebriation where hallucinations were possible?
The hungover man tried to get up from the bed, but the sudden bout of a dizzy spell stopped his pursuit of cleansing. (Meaning going to a bath and drinking the vilest tea he could find as hungover cure). Even after black spots disappeared from his view, the bird was still there. Watching him with its beady animal eyes in complete nonchalance Jonathan wished he could emulate as easily.
"You want something from me....." he stopped to think of a name fit for his trespasser and could only come up with: "......bird." His voice sounded scratchy and weak even to his own bleeding ears, but the only response he got was the ruffling of feathers and tipping of the claws further. When his eyes succeeded at focusing, something small and white caught his gaze.
Even if his body felt like molasses, Jonathan extended his arm and tried to get a hold of the paper (message?) that this weird bird carried around. With that extracted, Jonathan leaned on the pillows and squinted at the text written before him.
>Thank you. I am glad you think so.<
-Ardeth<
What the hell? What does this even mean? The confused man continued to inspect the jerky writing on the paper and tried to gather his thoughts into some semblance of order. It wasn't really working out, so Jonathan decided to postpone the reading material and go down to get breakfast. And hopefully some answers too.
//////
The bar that was part of the hotel had one of the most interesting menus Jonathan had ever had the displeasure of seeing. One of the items on that list was this god-awful tea, which was really effective at making a drunk man, snap out of any daze he might have been in. It was a famous local recipe that everyone recommended him to try. He did. It was awful the first time, as it was now.
However, Jonathan discovered from more knowledgeable locals (at least those that drank alcohol) that it was mostly used as hangover cure by tourists and passerby guests that left almost as soon as they arrived. (Jonathan also belonged to that category sometimes. Not now though). The barmen behind the counter looked almost worse than Jonathan did, which did make him feel slightly guilty for bugging the poor man for information, but what can you do. Needs must.
"Do you know what happened to me last night?"
The man looked so unimpressed, Jonathan wondered if he went to classes with his sister about how to make this particular brand of a look, which told you everything the person thought of you at this moment, and none of it good.
"You got drunk," was his quick and concise answer. Jonathan blinked. The barmen didn't blink back. Jonathan started to sweat from immense eye contact they were doing and decided it would be better if he just picked up his breakfast and went back to his room. So, he did.
///////
The memories slowly trickled through his mind as the day wasted away. Before he got completely plastered, it seems that in a strange turn of events, Jonathan had a martyr moment and saved an unknown bird from getting further tangled in the web that was also used as a fence?
The bird that was hanging about his hotel room and bringing back cryptid messages from unknown men? Women?
Ardeth sounded like a male name, but what did Jonathan know? (Not much. Just some useful things that could save his life in a pinch.)
So going by these currently available clues, Jonathan gathered that he carried the bird around and into the bar with him. Where after getting insanely drunk, he wrote a message and sent it with the help of a rescued bird to who knows where.
Just great.
Just fucking great.
The bright side of this situation is that he probably hadn't written anything too incriminating considering that whoever was on the other side thanked him for something. Maybe he wrote about how pretty the bird was. He looked behind. The bird was grooming its feathers, but it was still there. On his bedside dresser without a care in the world.
Jonathan sighed in defeat and decided never to do something so foolish again.
//////
And he did it again. The bird was there again. Standing in the same place watching him unblinkingly. (Do birds have eyelids? Not a thought for his weary mind right now.) He did not want to see it again. Jonathan turned around and ignored the interloper with great aplomb.
//////
The bird was following him around the hotel. He wondered if maybe he was imagining the whole scene, because no one reacted in any way toward his bird companion shadowing his every step. It was beyond creepy and Jonathan got a big urge to run toward the desert.
"Did I send this bird out with a message the previous night?" Jonathan asked the receptionist who looked over his shoulder and gave him an unimpressed look. (Were she and the barmen related? That look was really familiar somehow).
"You did, sir," She retorted and returned to her work on the computer. He cleared his throat, trying to return her focus to him. "Do you know who this bird belongs to?"
"It's a falcon. A Saker falcon to be precise," she corrected Jonathan and turned around, going somewhere near big shelves behind the counter. (Like that was important right now).
"No, I don't know who this falcon belongs to. You can maybe ask Faahim, he usually works with falcons and is generally interested in falconry."
"I see, thank you for the tip," Jonathan answered and hoped to have better luck right now.
//////
< I understand. I feel lonely a lot too. As a man in a desert can be of course. >
-Ardeth>
Jonathan blankly looked at the paper. His search did not reveal any concrete results, so Jonathan was only left with unanswered questions and inquiries. At least now he vaguely remembered what he wrote down. It was something about loneliness and aimlessness of his life, or some such bullshit. No wonder he felt compelled to share that with a perfect stranger and not his immediate family.
Evy and Rick were always busy (They always said not too busy for his visits, but Jonathan wasn't really sure about that). And he was always free. In which case it wasn't so strange that they couldn't really schedule a hangout, when two out of three people were swapped with work and personal related problems.
John wasn't jealous. Nor hurt. Really, he wasn't. It was just a shame they couldn't come, that is all. So that was probably the reason why he wrote these deeply embarrassing secrets to an unknown entity, who was apparently living in the desert.
And John thought he had it hard in life. He looked over the bi-/falcon perched on his shoulder and wondered if he was actually mad to be doing this. Writing weird personal messages while drunk was something completely different from writing them sober.
He knew from experience that until he writes something back, the falcon will not leave. Even when threatened by skinning or boiling. The only way he could get rid of it is by writing a letter. That is why Jonathan finally sat down and started to think about what to write.
/////
Three hours later, Jonathan still had nothing. This was the hardest thing he has ever done. If nothing else the falcon didn't seem impatient, and it hung around his room leisurely without restrain. John found it amusing despite himself.
And then an idea struck so he poured his concentration on the piece of paper before him and hoped for the best.
/////
< Sorry for the last two messages. I was quite drunk when I wrote them.
Sincerely, Jonathan >
This seemed like a proper send-off to his unwilling writing pal via falcon. Jonathan was satisfied (Not). He strapped it over the falcon’s leg and sent it off before changing his mind. Hopefully, this is the end of it.
/////
He really shouldn't become a fortune teller. There was another message waiting for him on the falcon's foot, even though he changed lodgings two times since the last one came.
Wariness was readily apparent in his stance while he watched over the bird perched on his bed. Jonathan sighed knowing the stubbornness of this falcon messenger. Nothing to it then. Onto reading it.
/////
<Really? I couldn't guess.
-Yours Ardeth >
This bastard was mocking him. Well, he will see his due. The bastard.
<As you know, people do strange stuff while drunk. One of the worst decisions I made in my life is saving your blasted bird and writing to a complete stranger. So, you have no excuse to mock me or judge me for my actions.
Kindly fuck of,
Jonathan>
////
The strangest thing he saw this morning (if you don't count a jumping scorpion) wasn't the known falcon near his window, because the bird was visiting him fairly regularly, but the white color strapped to its leg.
The secret messenger actually wrote back. How surprising. Let's see what he answered.
<You saved Horus? No wonder he likes you then. I thank you and apologize for my joke. I did not mean anything bad by it. Hope you can forgive me and we can return to being friends.
-Apologetic, Ardeth>
Jonathan stared at the message in silence. Someone apologized to him. God this was so weird. And what is more surprising is how genuine this Ardeth guy felt. Were they really friends? Jonathan couldn't say.
But if nothing else, he should probably answer.
/////
< What do you do in your spare time?>
<I help around the camp. Care about my people's needs and the horses. Read when I have a proper book and enough light to use. And play an instrument. >
***
<Wow, you sure are busy. I just drink and gamble, though occasionally I also read something when I am particularly bored. What instrument do you play? >
<I don't think you would know the instrument by name. It is a very old tradition that was passed down by my tribe for centuries. You surely haven’t seen it before.
And I don't think you only gamble and drink in your spare time. You also visit your sister’s family and write messages to me. Those are also worthy activities, are they not? >
***
<Well yes, maybe they are activities worth mentioning but I don't do them often. So.
And are you calling me stupid? Who says I won't know the instrument? As far as you know I am a musical expert versed in all the possible existing instruments on this planet. So shoot and tell me what it is. >
<I didn't get the feeling you knew so much about music but alright. I will tell you.
It is........ >
<Yeah I am stupid. I don't know what that is. Sorry for my reaction. >
<All is forgiven, my friend. I knew you meant well. >
////
The time passed by. The messages continued to be exchanged. Jonathan even learned a bit about caring for falcons, so when Horus was in his care, he would know what to do.
"Very nice bird you have there, sir," the falconer in this podunk of a village sneered in overly affectionate voice. "It isn't mine. I am taking care of it for a friend," Jonathan reported and continued to look over the shop in silence.
"Oh, I apologize very much. Do you need something specific for your friend’s falcon?"
Jonathan turned around and said: "Yes, I need...."
/////
He got out of the shop and breathed in deeply. The sand almost choked him. He sometimes really hated the desert. And especially sand. The wind was very strong, which usually indicated something like a sandstorm coming nearby.
He quickly turned around and went in the direction of his tent. Unfortunately, he didn't have better protection, because he somehow ended travelling with a caravan full of interesting spices, textiles and other wares and items for buying.
Horus came to him recently not really carrying a message right now, but he was glad for the company. The falcon became near to his heart, and considering most of the travelers weren't friendly here or in the caravan, Jonathan was at least glad for one friendly beak.
Then suddenly Horus started to screech, and that made John very concerned. It didn't usually make that sound, what was up with it? Then he noticed a group of thugs sniffing around looking for something, so he made himself scarce. Even if they weren't looking for him, better to be safe than sorry.
////
"Who is a good bird? Who is a good bird? You are, yes you are!" Jonathan gleefully praised Horus and petted him on the head enthusiastically. However, it seems that Horus did not like that so he almost bit him before gliding away to the pile of clothes on the sand.
He huffed at that and stuck out his tongue. "Be that way you ungrateful falcon." John sat down on the ground and wondered what to do with his spare time. He did all his shopping, hid himself from an unruly gang and returned safely to his camp. The only thing left was to try washing his pile of clothes. Or maybe he could write something? Yeah, that was a better idea. He should do that.
He rummaged around his tent and found a piece of clean paper. Or was it a cloth? It didn't matter as long as he could write on it.
< Dear Ardeth.... >
Since when did he write something so corny? He smudged that sentence and started again.
< Now Horus and me are even. I saved his life, he saved my life. He really is a good bird, you taught him well.
-Yours, Jonathan>
He put down his writing supplies and decided to wait until the storm passes before sending Horus away. John hopes Ardeth will appreciate that.
//////
< I am glad you and Horus are okay. I would be sad if something bad happened to either one of you. You are both my friends after all. >
< Yes we are both completely fine now. No thugs chasing our tails anytime soon. I just wish I could say the same for this stupid sand. >
***
<I mean what did you expect to encounter in the desert? Snow? Grass?
I hope you are feeding Horus enough. He is a young falcon and needs his nutrition. >
<Ha, ha, ha. Very funny. I was aware of sand of course. I just didn't know it would be this blasted annoying, that is the problem. And don't you worry I care about Horus eating habits just fine.
What about my own habits though? Don't you care about what I eat and don't eat? >
<Of course I do. But I hope you are more aware of your own needs than the falcon's. Though you don't strike me as the most sensible guy around so who can say.
Maybe I should have said this to Horus. He would accept the task without complaining. >
***
<You really are a jerk, you know. I don't want to talk to you anymore. From now on I am only talking with Horus. >
<You technically are already only talking with Horus. Or better said talking to me through him. So it doesn't really change anything between us. >
<Touche. Touche. >
////
Jonathan wasn't sure how he ended up like this. Alone and abandoned in the desert to die a painful and prolonged death from...... well he could die from many things. Better not to count them all. Jonathan went behind the backs of these treasure hunters, because he knew they did not know how to take care of the artifact. And buying damaged goods would not be a tolerated slight from his clients. So he liberated the artifact from the hands of these Englishmen, and he ran away as quickly as he could. But apparently not quick enough it seems.
They found him, and tortured some information out of him, although he didn't tell them where the artifact ended up at. Which made them angrier than before. Which leads to his current predicament. Sentenced to die because he cared about his reputation. Not like it could get shadier than it already is, but even he had some standards. And they were breaking them. "I hope you die a slow and torturous death. You deserve it, you thief," one of the dirty hooligans shouted at him and they left him alone without remorse.
Aches and painful throbs were travelling all over his body, making him feel even worse under the scorching sun and uncomfortable sand. What a way to perish, Jonathan pondered. A deep well of sadness and melancholy swept over him, while he thought of leaving Evy and her family without a goodbye.
Then suddenly the almost dead man felt a slight breeze on his face. He tried to crack open his eye and see what plunked before his face. A feathery grey blob was worriedly chirping around him and hopping from here to there. "Horus..... go to Ardeth. Run away," John somehow croaked out, not even sure if it was intelligible and tried to shoo away the finicky bird. If only his arms could move even an inch. Or any part of his body really. The last thing he heard was a screech and the flapping of wings, before closing his eyes and losing his conscience.
/////
Waking up was a lovely surprise. Waking up in a hospital was a curious occurrence. Even when he was really sick, Jonathan never really visited hospitals, so for him to be here was a surprise. Someone carried him here, because he couldn't remember coming alone. Now the real question is who was it?
Not to brag too much, but John didn't really have friends around here. He had colleagues and acquaintances and sometimes maybe even allies, but friends? No way. Friends for his line of work were a luxury few could afford. So, he didn't. It was easier that way, for everyone involved.
While he was pondering over the mystery, he heard a shuffling noise somewhere in this room. Slightly turning his head around, Horus came into view and the falcon let out a squawk. The bird glided over to his nose and started to poke him with its beak. This was its idea of fond petting, John supposed?
"Glad to see you too old chap. Thanks for probably saving my hide. Though who brought me here that is the question....."
Before the hurt man could spiral into thinking again, he caught a sight of a strip of white paper on the falcon’s leg. Another message? Now?
Jonathan cursed his inability to get up and made himself comfortable in bed. He is going to be laying here for a while, he just knew it.
//////
After an intermediate amount of time, John finally acquired the ability to sit up and be able to read the letter attached to the messenger bird.
< How did you end up being abandoned in the desert? What did you do? You were lucky Horus and I found you, otherwise you would be dead. Now you owe me one. Hope you recover soon and write to me about the stage of your recovery. I will leave Horus with you for now, before you get strong enough to write back to me at least.
-Yours, Ardeth>
"God this man sounds so caring without any effort. Whoever is his lover must be very fortunate indeed," Jonathan admitted and for some reason felt flushed after saying that. Well, he was better now, time to write up a reply.
< Why do you assume I ended up like this because of my own actions? Maybe it was because of circumstances outside my control! I met with very incompetent scavengers, so I had to liberate my cash cow, before they ruined it. Unfortunately, I couldn't run away fast enough, so they caught me and that is how I ended up in that shit situation.
Anyway, why haven't you stayed until I woke up? I wanted to meet you.
-Jonathan>
He debated about deleting the last sentence but decided against it. John almost died, he deserved a bit of truthful disappointment. Strapping the paper to Horus’ leg, he let the falcon fly out of the window and watched after it with something close to sadness.
***
< I am not going to comment on the foolishness of your actions, because I still don't know the whole story, however I do feel obliged to tell you to try to be more careful from now on.
I also tried to stay beside you as long as I could, but medjai business took me away. I had a couple of conversations with you while you were recovering, so I thought you remembered meeting me. Is that not the case? If you really want to meet me again, we can set up a meeting. Horus is as always available to you, so when you feel ready just tell me and I will arrange it.
-Ardeth>
The healing man was rereading the arrived letter for the third time, before finally putting it down and cursing his luck. His memory was really spotty when it came to that period of his hospital stay. He only remembered blurry images and rambly thoughts and conversations. Nothing that could clear up the image of Ardeth in his mind. It really wasn't fair. Why couldn't he remember? Why did his mind betray him like this?!
John sighed in disappointment and wondered when will he get the courage to arrange another meeting with the desert man. Probably not soon enough. His sigh was now even longer, so he at least tried to combat that with action of writing another letter.
//////
< Do you have any family? And don't tell me the whole tribe, I meant immediate family. You know blood-related and stuff. I have a sister, who has a husband and they both brought into the world my new nephew. It was all very sensual and romantic how they met and had Alex. Maybe one day I will tell you all about it, but for now I don't have enough space to write it here, so you only get the bare bones.
-Yours, Jonathan >
***
< I have a mother and two sisters. If you also don't count many other brothers, fathers, sisters in the tribe. But yes my 'immediate and blood family' are the four of us. I also don't have space to write what they are up to all the time, but I will maybe tell you one day if you want.
-Yours, Ardeth >
***
< My sister with her family is coming to town very soon. I am getting a bit nervous, I haven't seen them or spoken to them in a long time. I hope everything turns out okay. Wish me luck.
- Jonathan >
***
< Good luck, Jonathan. I hope you have a nice time with your family.
- Ardeth >
////
Jonathan somehow got a job. A proper frequently paid job with steady income and no surprising scenarios down the road. He was actually very proud of himself and would be celebrating like there was no tomorrow if there wasn't just one thing obstructing his happiness.
His sister’s family is coming to town. And they want to hang around him, see him, spend time with him and in general have a good time with their brother and brother-in-law.
Which John would usually be very happy about. But they never visited him when he had a stable job. Would this somehow impact their relationship with each other?
Ardeth didn't think so, but what did he know. The desert man was practically living in his families’ pockets (or robes in their case) so they probably didn't have petty squabbles or fights the city dwellers did.
So Jonathan dressed the best he could and waited for his family to come. Greeting them enthusiastically, he hoped it will all pass well.
/////
It went splendidly. So good in fact, Evy and Rick left the little boy in his possession to care for. Jonathan didn't think that him having a job, would insinuate that he was somehow now responsible, but maybe it did.
Or they both just wanted a couple of hours for themselves to rest and recuperate. Yes, that is probably it. Evy knows him too well for anything else.
And looking at his situation in hindsight maybe he really shouldn't have brought the kid to this seedy bar. He thought it would be a good uncle-nephew bonding time, although if John actually thought about it for a second more, he would clearly see that it was only a delusion on his part.
In any case, going to the bar never hurt anyone and all will be well- is what Jonathan thought while entering the bar. Now in the process of exiting it (by will or force is yet to be decided) he understood how wrong that platitude was. It all started innocently enough, but unfortunately it didn't end up that way.
***
"How do you like this joint Alex?"
Alex frowned and looked around the bar John brought him to. "Something smells bad and it's too dark. I don't like it here, can we go?"
Jonathan almost started to berate the brat, insulted by the comments from his clearly uneducated nephew, however there was one thing he was right about. It really was smelly here. And not the usual kind too. Jonathan subtly looked around and had to reluctantly admit the kid was onto something. But he didn't want to go without drinking at least something so he said: "Let me just drink one beer then we can leave."
Fortunately, Alex seemed satisfied with that, so John ordered and tried to pay more attention about what was happening around them. After downing the beer, he still didn't have a clue, but in the moment questions could stay unanswered. They both stood up and tried to power walk outside. Unfortunately, Alex crashed into a mountain of a man who of course acted like someone fucked his mother before his eyes. His loud bleating attracted a lot of unwanted attention, even when Jonathan tried to calm down the situation. A couple of vaguely familiar goons started to fast walk to him, so he succeeded at pushing the big man away and shouted in a panicky voice before scooping Alex up and disappearing in a great ball of dust.
The dangerous looking individuals ran after them, and Jonathan cursed himself. He could now recognize them as those treasure hunters that left him for dead. It seems that after he got a job, he also forgot his less than stellar past and acquaintances he picked along the way. Why for the sake of God almighty did he bring a child to the bar? Stupid, stupid. If nothing else, his stamina is up to par with running away from threats. At one point while running for his life, Jonathan thought he heard a familiar squeak. It was Horus! Thank God they at least had one ally on their side.
The band of criminals unfortunately cornered them in one alley and John couldn't see a way out. So, he straightened up, put Alex behind him and put up his fists in an attempt to look brave and prepared for a fight. By the looks of their enemies, he didn't look convincing, but it didn't matter either way, because the fight started. Jonathan tried not to let any hooligan past him, while Alex used his slingshot to devastating effect and even Horus pecked or bit every man who tried to hurt them. Then suddenly someone jumped into the fray and disrupted the flow of battle. A big black spot let out a shout and mowed down all the still standing criminals.
After Jonathan caught his breath, he came closer to Alex trying to hide him behind his bulk. It seems like some weird tall man came to their rescue? Or maybe he was the boss who got irritated and decided to beat down his loser subordinates. Until Jonathan was sure he would stay on guard. Horus perched on his shoulder in solidarity and let out a chirp that sounded too friendly. "We are not here to make friends, you blasted falcon. Be a little more concerned will you," John hissed quietly, cursing the birds’ weird actions. The man only looked at them in silence, until he extended his arm slowly and said: "Horus, come."
The traitor quickly flew up and slowly floated to the other man’s arm, leaving Jonathan incensed and betrayed. Jonathan pointed his finger at Horus and shouted out: "You traitorous chicken! I thought you liked me!"
After his outburst there was only silence. Alex tugged his pants in attempt to signal they should escape, but Jonathan couldn't do that. This was outrageous. How could this arrogant falcon do this to him?! After taking care of it and feeding it and washing it?! John will not forgive this. Even the silent black robe wearing man seemed to find his agony funny. Damn, is he a clown to everyone around him?
"Jonathan," A melodic deep voice cut through the mist in his head, making the Englishman flinch in renewed fear. "How.... how do you know? Did the stupid bird tell you?"
"No, it....... actually, yes in a way he did tell me. Through bringing your messages. I am Ardeth. And you are Jonathan. Horus usually doesn't like people, and for some time you were the exception." Jonathan blinked in surprise then he processed what the stranger said. His eyes widened comically, and he looked over the man. This was-this was...... Ardeth? Impossible.
Alex tugged on his pants again and asked in a quiet voice: "Uncle, do you know this person? If not, I can distract him with my slingshot." For the first time, John felt fondness for his nephew and was glad they were together. "No, it's fine Alex. I do.... kinda know this man. Can you maybe wait just for a second until I greet him? It will be fast." The kid didn't seem happy to let his uncle go, but he still did, so Jonathan slowly walked over his apparently letter-writing friend.
"So, Ardeth is it?"
"Yes, and you are Jonathan," the man said with confidence John didn't feel. This wasn't fair. Why did this man know who he was, while Jonathan didn't have a clue about him? Well, that wasn't really true. He just didn't know how the man looked like. And now he did.
"Yes I am. Glad to finally meet you I suppose," Jonathan admitted and extended his hand. Ardeth first looked at it for a couple of seconds, before firmly clasping it. (He had a firm grip.)
Jonathan flashed him a grin and said jovially: "Thanks for saving our asses there. Without you the fight would be probably lost." Ardeth shook his head and also returned a grin: "It seemed like you were standing on your own, but giving a hand is never a bad thing. I am glad you and your kid are alright."
"My kid? You mean Alex? He is my sister's child, and not mine. Not at all. I am just an uncle. A cool unserious uncle, but uncle, nonetheless. Is that right Alex? It is right of course, I wouldn't lie about that," Jonathan rambled one of the most embarrassing monologues in his life and hoped everyone suddenly became deaf. Alas no one was on his side, so Ardeth's confused and amused look told John he heard everything and more. Horus let out a sound and put itself on his shoulder, its beak suddenly shoved into his left ear for some reason. Oh, to be an easygoing falcon without any worries.
Ardeth extended his hand and stopped Horus beak from hurting his ear with its sharpness. "Stop that boy. It's not nice," he kindly admonished and almost touched Jonathan's cheek. His breath hitched and Jonathan tried not to stare at the face of his letter pal. Even with weird face tattoos, supposedly-Ardeth seemed......
(This was so not the time. Down horny thoughts down).
"Can we go now?" Alex broke through the tension that suddenly built between them, and Jonathan thanked whoever was listening for Alex's timely interruption. Who knew what would happen if he was left to his own devices. "Alex is right. Let us go away from here to somewhere safer," Jonathan agreed and moved the kid along to more safer spaces. When he saw Horus flying with them, but Ardeth not following, he turned around and looked at the mysterious warrior standing around with a complicated look in his face. "Are you coming?"
Ardeth met his gaze and subtly stepped forward, like he wanted to check if Jonathan was serious. He rolled his eyes and huffed at that, before continuing along and bringing two unexpected but welcome guests with him.
/////////
"Jonathan, are you fucking serious???!!!!"
Evy was really angry this time. Jonathan didn't remember the last time he made her so angry. "Did you really leave my poor impressionable child with a perfect stranger you came in contact with by drunk accident?"
Well, when she put it like that: "Yes, I am serious Evy and you shouldn't worry. Ardeth knows how to take care of kids. He does that all the time with his tribe," Jonathan said confidently, but Evy did not look convinced. Rick just stood near them in silence looking uncertain. John sighed at this whole situation and said: "Look, let's go and see it for ourselves and then you will see everything will be alright." He brought them to the guest room, where Ardeth narrated a story while Alex sat on his lap. His eyes were sparkling with excitement and interest and the scene seemed, so domestic Jonathan didn't know what to think about it.
Ever since they met Ardeth in the abandoned alley, he was a guest in Jonathans house he bought with some money he earned through different means. For some reason every time he verified Ardeth's existence is as real as it could be, some weird sensation appeared in his stomach and made it hard to breathe and talk. Jonathan did not want to acknowledge what that could mean at all. When he slowly opened the door, Horus turned its head and spread out it's wings along with announcing their presence with a sound. Both Ardeth and Alex looked at them in surprise, before Alex wiggled from his lap and went barreling for his mother's legs.
Evy continued to eye Ardeth in silence, while Rick looked between them. Jonathan sighed again and said that Alex should go to sleep. The kid of course protested, but Rick moved him along, giving John a loaded look before disappearing into the hallway. The stare down was still going on, before Johnathan cleared his throat and both set of eyes turned to him, pinning him on the spot. "Evelyn Carnahan my sister. This is Ardeth Bay my writing friend. I hope now that I made introductions you will get along."
Evy did not look impressed but at least she gave Ardeth a handshake in awkward silence. "You are the famous sister Jonathan mentions often. I am glad to meet you, even if the situation isn't as good as it could be," the black-robed man said sincerely, and John hoped that will soften Evy's temper. But she only raised her chin and said coldly: "Wish I could say the same, but Jonathan never mentioned you to me." Her brother froze at that, while Ardeth only blinked in surprise.
"Evy, I did mention him. Remember the medjai...."
"Stop giving me excuses Jonathan. You know what I mean," she sharply cut him off and glared over Ardeth shoulder. (Or better said through him. She wasn't tall enough for that. He really was very tall....). Jonathan grumbled quietly that he did kind of tell her, but didn't try to fight with her. "Yes, like you told me about getting fired, is that right?" She sneered out and John again looked guilty. "I didn't know about that until this morning."
Evy only stared at her brother. Ardeth tried to contain his amusement while he looked on the nonverbal fight the siblings had with only their eyes. "And you man! I am not done with you either! You both better shape up, before I whip you up," she angrily pointed at Ardeth and then paced away in angry loud stomps out of the room. Only two baffled men left behind. "That could have gone better," Ardeth reported and John snorted at that. They shared an amused gaze and Jonathan agreed with the sentiment.
"I suppose this does explain some things," Ardeth murmured.
"What things?" Jonathan asked, but Ardeth stayed silent. Feeling very annoyed because of that he sat down on the big coach and crossed his arms in dissatisfaction. "Sit down. We might as well wait for her to calm down and come to talk to us. Want to play cards or maybe drink something?"
Ardeth watched him for what felt like too long before smiling slightly and saying in an amused melodic voice: "Sure I would love to play cards with you. Though you will probably have to explain the specific rules you play by. And I will have to refuse the drink. I am not the one who participates in that past time."
Jonathan shrugged at that, taking out the cards from a cabinet and replying in a too chipper tone: "Your loss then. Now let's have some fun."
/////
Rick looked over to the two men enjoying their lively conversation about the desert of all things. "Are we sure we should leave Jonathan with him?" Rick asked, trying to subtly glance over at them and see if the stranger will do anything untoward. "With who? You mean Ardeth? That man is a kitten. He is not a threat to us and to Jonathan even less," Evy said with more confidence Rick felt while he still tried to spy over at the two men now chattering about something named Horus? Wasn't that an Egyptian god or something? Why are they talking about him like they know him?
Then his wife (he liked to call her that. Made him pretty proud he snatched her up) suddenly looked thoughtful and said quietly: "At least I think so. He won't hurt him in any way we should worry about I guess." Rick was now even more confused about the whole situation. "What the hell does that mean Evy?" he whisper shouted, trying to calm down his growing panic. Something just didn't sit well with him about all of this.
"Rick. Why are you so worried? Is there something you aren't telling me?" Evy asked now also looking over at the pair. Rick really didn't understand how the two hadn't noticed their constant looking and asked them about it. The answers of course were completely useless. Jonathan could be absentminded sometimes but never this much. And the other man did not look like someone who wasn't aware of everything around him at all times. Basically, he looked like a warrior, which worried Rick for so many reasons. But the worst part about all this was that his worry hadn't even stemmed from that glary detail but something else. Something deeper he could feel forming between them, for which he didn't know what to think about.
"I mean we have a desert warrior in Jonathan's living room, who we don't know too much about, and he has stayed here almost as long as we did. And for some reason Jonathan now spends more time with him than us. And all of that isn't even the worst thing," Rick said quickly getting it all out of his chest. Evy was looking at him with interest and not enough worry for his opinion. "The worst thing is that I feel the..... guy wants something from him, but I can't understand what that is. He doesn't seem like a thief or someone who would be a conman, and also revenge or violence doesn't seem likely, but there is some undercurrent of wanting there....." he stopped himself, lest the words get away from him. Rick really wasn't sure what he was saying and what he was implying was even worse.
Although the worst thing about this whole situation now is that Evy seemed amused by his words. "Have you talked to Ardeth?"
"Uhhh, a bit. Why?"
"And to Jonathan? About your worries?"
"Well.... no not really," Evy's husband said, now for some reason feeling ashamed. She put her hand on his shoulder as a show of support and added: "You really should talk to them as I did. There really isn't anything to worry about when it comes to his safety. And to our own too. But as I said you should talk." The American thought on her words and decided it had merit. "Alright. Alright, I will. And hopefully you are right."
"I am always right," she said smugly and Rick smiled down at her full confidence in her words. Rick hoped they were true.
///////
(“What do you want from my brother?”
Evy almost hissed out this question, after an hour of interrogating Ardeth about everything and anything from his family to his food choices. And it was this question that gave him most pause. Because what did he really want from Jonathan?
He had a vague idea however, it wasn’t something he wanted to talk with the sister of his friendly relation. However, Ardeth was aware enough that this was the most important question in all the repertoire she has exhausted until now. He had to answer it correctly or he would be tossed out before he could even say Horus. So, he decided to tell a partial truth.
“I want to be his friend. Jonathan helped save my falcon and then we met each other. Accidentally of course, however I didn’t want to miss the opportunity, so I didn’t. And it was a good decision in my opinion.”
She sharply followed his words and watched how his face moved, in attempt to suss out a lie or a falsehood. Hopefully she didn’t see anything close to that.
“We will talk more tomorrow,” Evy concluded and walked away as quickly as she appeared the first time.)
(They did talk more. And with every conversation it seems that in the end Ardeth won her approval. Or at least she wasn’t as suspicious as before. Which was a plus in his book. He hoped that state would persist until he leaves for his duties soon).
/////////////
(“So, I have a question for you,” Rick said slowly, his face set in a weird blank mask that was obviously acted out. He was preparing to ask him something unpleasant Ardeth was sure. He prepared himself and nodded in answer.
“What is…… Jonathan to you?”
Ardeth blinked. Then blinked again. He felt almost relieved by the ease of the question, however maybe he didn’t hear the whole scope of it. Better to keep his answer easy and simple for now.
“He is my friend. And the periodical caretaker of my falcon, Horus.”
“I see. And you don’t have…..uh.... well. Any other name for your relationship with him?”
Well, this one was a harder question to answer. What to say, what to say…..
“Nothing he wouldn’t want himself.”
That was astute and vague enough for Rick, right? By his blank face it did seem like it.
“Alright, I suppose that is good. In a way. Uh….. I guess?”
The man now seemed even more confused than before. Ardeth could relate. He felt like that concerning his feelings for Jonathan, who he wasn’t sure he could decipher any sooner.
“You know what? Let’s say we had this important conversation, but never mention it again, agreed?”
Ardeth agreed and Rick went away.
Now only Alex was left to ask him about what he wanted from Jonathan. He really hoped it didn’t come to that, but knowing this family, who could say?)
/////////
(“So, John what do you think about Ardeth?” Evy asked one day as innocent as a lamb. John was instantly suspicious. “I like him as a person, and I think he is a good man. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, nothing much. I am just surprised you actually managed to make a lasting friendship and not mess it up in two months.”
“I have friends! And I am not as bad as that!” Jonathan instantly protested, however he also started to sweat a bit. This was going toward the territory he didn’t like. “Whatever you say, dear brother. But I must say, Ardeth is an interesting man. Much more interesting than you. Almost a complete opposite of your personality. I am just surprised you get along so well is all.”
“Well, you know what they say opposites…..” Jonathan started but quickly stopped himself. Evy’s eyes flashed as soon as he started to speak, and it was starting to scare him. What did she want from him?
“Go on, dear good brother.”
“I would rather not. You are scaring me right now, so I would like for us to finish this conversation here.” Evy huffed at him, but turned her head, and John sighed in relief. “I will let you get away for now. But next time, you are telling me what I want to know,” his sister said imperviously and cut him with a knowing look. Jonathan swallowed and stayed quiet.
He was screwed. He was totally screwed.)
////////
(Jonathan could count a couple of awkward talks he had with his brother-in-law. This was one of the top ones for sure. It started pretty mundanely but soon descended into something horrifying for the both of them. The only upside was that it didn’t last long, fortunately. It went something like this.
Rick and John were alone in one of the guest rooms playing cards in silence and enjoying a bit of silence, because Evy, Alex and Ardeth went to some play together.
Rick started the conversation by calling him out. Jonathan raised his head and looked over at the man to show he was listening.
“You and Ardeth……” Rick started but didn’t finish. His sentence stayed unfinished, and he was watching Jonathan like he expected him to finish it off. But John did not want to do that. “Me and Ardeth what? I can’t answer if you don’t ask me something.”
“You know. Are you doing…… things?” he waved his hands around in a fragmented circle, which made John mighty annoyed for some reason. “Are Ardeth and me doing things? What things? If you mean illegal things or drugs then no, we are not. I mean the man doesn’t even drink, he is not fun in that way.”
“Oh, okay then. Then in what way is he fun?” Rick asked and they both instantly cringed at that. “Uh, sorry that sounded…… so wrong. I just meant are you doing some other- you know stuff together?”
Jonathan only watched the man in disbelief. “I literally do not understand what you are trying to say at all. Can you stop trying to play riddles with me and be as direct as you usually are? You really are not cut out to be vague in any sense of the word.”
Rick sighed at that. Frowned in thought and seemed to contemplate something very deeply. Or as deeply as he usually did, because no more than five minutes passed before he asked something again: “Is the relationship between you and Ardeth good?”
John shrugged at that and said: “I suppose. I do think we get along well.”
Rick nodded at that and smiled weakly at him for some inexplicable reason. “That is nice. I hope it stays that way even in the future.”
“I agree,” Jonathan added and hoped this was the end of this convo for good. Considering Rick’s silence and focus on cards, John was confident in that prediction.)
/////////
It was becoming annoying. His family was just driving him up the wall these days, about everything, but especially Ardeth. It came to a point where he was contemplating running away, if he wasn’t certain Evy would definitely follow after him and with everyone else too. John missed the time he spent with Ardeth alone in the house. Heck even their desert scourging was better than this. The Englishman missed even the blasted spoiled bird which Ardeth let out, because it was ‘becoming too stuffy for it in here’ whatever that meant.
And a couple of days after that, the Egyptian also went away to do some unidentified tasks. John was somehow very lonely, even with Evy’s chaotic family moving around the house like blind mice. Which maybe meant that Evy was right in a way, that he should try to process his emotions better and find out what he wanted to do about…… Ardeth and their relationship. But Jonathan really, really didn’t want to do that. It would change everything between them and make everything even more complicated than before. He didn’t need that in his life. He was perfectly satisfied with what they had, and it was better this way. John was certain about that.
///////////
“Why am I under this blasted sun and covered with this blasted sand right now?” Jonathan grumpily said to no one in particular, while trying not to fall from a camel. “Because I want you to visit my family. And I thought you agreed with me,” Ardeth somehow both sounded and looked amused even under a ton of fabric covering his face. John really didn’t know how he succeeded at that. “Yes, I did. But that was before-“Jonathan started but couldn’t finish because an unexpected view appeared before his eyes. A valley of tents, most of them in different colors were spread over a vast territory John couldn’t see the end of, mostly because his view was obstructed by the cloths covering most of his face.
When Ardeth pilled all of them on his head, he thought the medjai was excessive. Now he knew not to distrust Ardeth ever again. “Come, let’s go meet my family,” Ardeth hurried him along, and Jonathan was now caught in a nervous mind tangent. This will either go alright or turn out terribly wrong. And John wasn’t sure what he wanted to happen.
Many robed people ran out of tents and started shouting excitedly when they noticed them. Ardeth greeted them warmly and introduced John to a couple of them, in their own language. Jonathan wondered what both Ardeth and his people were saying about him, but between the gaggle of excited faces, hands and voices, no translation could simultaneously be provided, so he resigned himself to guesswork and facial recognition.
For now, it didn’t seem like anyone had drastic complaints so John was mildly relieved. Maybe this visit won’t turn horrible after all.
//////////
John really shouldn’t go anywhere near any other prophetic object, because he really couldn’t predict anything much less the future.
Ardeth disappeared to do some important work and left his supposed friend with his family. John didn’t remember ever feeling so awkward in his life. They couldn’t even talk with each other because Ardeth’s people used a dialect that John didn’t understand. He tried to nonchalantly drink the tea they offered and act like no one was staring at him.
Then suddenly a low melodic voice piped up: “You are Jonathan, right?”
He tried to hide a surprise flinch, but by the look the young girl gave him, he didn’t really succeed. “Yes, that is I. I am Jonathan, Ardeth’s friend,” the visiting man shakily said, and for some reason that made her lip quirk up in a facsimile of a smile. She made introductions and John felt very relieved, because they could get somewhere now. “You quite like Ardeth, don’t you Jonathan?”
He almost choked on tea after the question and cursed all the gods he knew. “Uh, Amal…… you see like of course I do! He is my friend after all. What a funny question!” he laughed, trying to tone down the hysteria he was feeling. Amal, Ardeth’s older sister, did not seem impressed.
“Does he know?”
“Does he know what?”
“What you feel for him,” she said seriously.
“I-I I don’t!”
“Yes, you do. I can see it in your eyes. Does he know?”
Jonathan sighed and gave up pretending. “Probably not.”
“You should tell him,“ She strongly suggested, though it could be taken as a command too. Jonathan wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry, this situation turned into something really complicated. “I’d rather not,” the unsettled man tried to wiggle through, but Amal wasn’t budging.
“You should”
“Why?”
“He will want to hear it”
“Why do you think so?”
“Because I know my brother. He is an honest man, and he likes other people to be honest too. Even if he doesn’t feel the same, you won’t lose his friendship, I know it,” she said with full confidence of a grown woman and Jonathan was struck with an image of Ardeth’s face. They really were alike.
Before Jonathan could answer, Ardeth entered the tent and announced he had to return to the city because of some secret business. “I will come with you,” the Englishman announced, however Ardeth waved him off. “No, you stay my guest for as long as we planned. My family will happily accommodate you.”
“But I want to-“
“I know. But this is a danger you are not equipped to deal with, believe me. I don’t want to bring you to unnecessary jeopardy. I will return for you after I am finished.” Ardeth first watched over them all, then quickly went away, and left Jonathan to the mercy of his family.
“This is good,” said Hamia, Ardeth’s mother. She pointed at the bewildered Englishmen, then at Amal and said with a wicked grin and a wink: “You can now have more time to straighten out this foolish man. Hopefully this moves him along to come to some conclusion regarding my son.” Amal happily nodded along, and then they both stared at Jonathan, making him sweat even more than he did.
God, what has he gotten into? What has Ardeth left him with?
/////
Ardeth was feeling sad. And he knew the reason for it but didn’t want to acknowledge it. That would not be very smart in his opinion. Unfortunately, the sister of his friend did not agree with that assessment.
“Stop sulking and tell me what is wrong,” she asked him bluntly one day, taking him off guard and making him off balance. “And don’t even think about telling me everything is fine, when I know it is not. I haven’t welcomed you into my home for you to be miserable, so spill.”
He opened his mouth to tell her exactly that but paused for a moment. Would Evy be a good person to ask advice from? She was married with a child after all. (Not like Ardeth could get married like that….. Alah this was awkward). Because he was quiet for too long, she was now full-on glaring at him. “Tell me already,” she almost commanded, making Ardeth squirm, because that sound of voice was the perfect imitation of a ‘mothers scolding’ and even he wasn’t too immune to it.
“I miss-“
Evy raised an eyebrow at his choking but continued her eye contact without pause. He was now feeling a serious case of dry mouth and excessive sweating.
“-Jonathan,” he choked out finally and felt the restlessness of a secret exposed yet again. Evy first looked on in silence then slowly smirked in apparent victory. “I fucking knew it. You are both very obvious. Even with that falcon of yours” she revealed, the confession making goose bumps travel over Ardeth’s arms and back in a quick flash.
“O-obvious?”
“Yes, I could feel the tension. Sometimes even from across the room. Only Rick and I had more tension, and we are actually together. So now that this is out, what are you going to do about it?”
Ardeth watched Evy blankly. She acted like he confessed all his deep buried feelings out loud in a booming singing voice with an orchestra backup. “I just said that-“
“-you miss Jonathan I know. Which means you like him right? More than a friend, right? So, we return to my original question. What will you do about it?” She now sounded impatient, which seemed to make her angrier to boot. Ardeth gulped and tried to somehow soften the blow by whispering his answer: “Nothing. We are friends.”
Evy sighed at that answer, threading her hands through her hair and face in annoyed manner and then finally seemed to give up and move away. “I just can’t with you two. You are hopeless. Even more hopeless than Rick, which is saying something…”
Ardeth was not close enough to hear anything more from her, and he found himself grateful for that.
///////////
A couple of months passed and nothing much changed in their daily lives. However, Evy’s appellation of Ardeth’s and Jonathan’s inability to do anything was not completely correct. Because now when they came face to face with their growing feelings, it made them think. And maybe in a slower way than Evy wanted, but it did make them act differently. Every word, every conversation, every action and sigh, was more scrutinized than before and more thoughts were moved in that way.
They slowly realized that unfortunately both Evy and Rick were officially right. There was something between them. Even without Horus. Which both of them accepted in different but mostly the same way. And after dealing with that realization one night, they both met for company and conversation, Ardeth began the important conversation first.
“So what will we do about this?”
Jonathan sleepily blinked over to him and asked slowly: “About what?”
“About this between us?”
Jonathan blinked again, now much more awake. He cleared his throat and shyly glanced away. “Uh… Is there something between us?”
Ardeth looked over at him with a confused frown and said quietly: “I thought there was…”
Jonathan, understanding his sudden blunder, quickly tried to correct the misconception: “Of course there is something there! I was just asking for clarification from you.”
Silence descended upon them after that sentence, and Jonathan felt color rushing to his cheeks because of a plethora of emotions, he wasn’t sure which ones were the strongest. “I am glad….”
Jonathan looked up and met Ardeth eyes, which were now sparkling with something resembling happiness: “I am glad you think so. I also feel that there is something between us. Should we do something about it?”
The look in his eyes and that smirk made Jonathan’s mouth dry up and open without his permission. (What the hell should he do about this man? This gorgeous, infuriating, beautiful, alluring, mysterious, enigmatic-)
“In my opinion, I think we should do something about it. Do you agree?”
(Of course, Jonathan agreed. He could do nothing else but agree, and this offending man knew it-)
“Yes, I completely agree. We should do many things about it.” Jonathan boldly declared, not wanting to seem completely out of control of the situation, even if he really was.
“Oh? And what kind of things were on your mind?”
His face was almost shining with mirth and Jonathan tried to stop the knee jerk reaction his body wanted to do in this moment. “Well let me tell you…..” Jonathan started and they didn’t finish until the sun was almost upon them again.
Meanwhile Horus was cleaning his feathers with a sharp beak and did not seem to care about his owner’s worries or discussion. When the sun rose again and announced a new day, he turned around and soaked up the sun rays with a shiver of enjoyment. A new day was beginning, and he was going to enjoy it with vigor.