One Side Love
He could see the love in the other mans eyes.
Love for the woman at Imhotep's side.
A love so strong, he would run into sure death.
Ardeth Bey held him back, clutching O'Connell's shoulders, unconsciously pulling the well muscled body closer to his. He felt the heat from the other man, allowing himself just an instant to revel in the feel of the American.
He couldn't deny his arousal albeit doing his best to hide it.
That was the moment O'Connell escaped the Medjai's grip and ran after that little traitor.
Ardeth sighed inwardly at the loss but the creature's words made him focus again.
* * *
Torn between his loyalty and his feelings Ardeth made a decision.
As Imhotep's priests came closer he did the only thing he could think of.
He ran into them, fought them, told O'Connell to save the girl. He would rather die than to see the American's spirit broken.
More feeling than hearing the explosion behind him he focused on killing the undead priests. He took his pain and threw it at them.
Being sure he would die, that he could never survive an attack like that he was surprised when suddenly there were no more enemies left.
Unlike his intentions he was still alive. Exhausted, but alive.
He dragged his body outside when suddenly he felt the earth shake and the walls and roof came down on him. He was almost at the exit and left Hamunaptra as fast as possible.
Outside he saw O'Connell, the girl and her brother, feeling content but his heart was heavy.
He touched Jonathan on his shoulder, startling him, making both, Rick and Eve smile. It was O'Connell's smile that made his heart ache but it also filled him with peace.
That smile was what he had always wanted to see and he always would, carrying this moment in his heart in the long desert nights.
He didn't speak to them, he only got his horse and greeted them goodbye with Allah's blessing.
He prayed that moment, hoping for O'Connell to become happy with his love.
Secretly he wished it to be the American's lips he kissed instead of his own hand.
He left them, only having his memory but always keeping it in his heart.
The End