Authors: Sarah Brocious
“My, oh my, what I could do with him.” The girl studied him with appreciation; the broad chest, chiseled arms, and the well-formed abs, now quite visible through his sweat soaked tank. “Hmmm, I’d never tire of that one. Bet he could wear a girl out!”
Nolan scowled at them, and wrapped his towel around his neck. “Do you think he heard?" her friend giggled behind her hand and also threw him a hopeful glance. "But that’s ridiculous! He couldn’t…” Still the girl was shaken by the scowl.
The original ogler grinned and gave a shrug. “Hmm, but maybe I’d like him to hear…he’s far too shy and quiet for a girl to be demure, and proper. He’s here all the time, but I’ve never drawn one word from him! It’s a shame that someone can look so good in workout clothes, yet be so ….” she drew in a breath as he started toward them on his way toward the locker room. “So …oh my does he make those clothes look good,” she whispered to her friend. Nolan walked past, and without giving them the gift of a glance said in his calm, tummy butterfly inducing voice, “You should see me without them.” He knew it was an arrogant remark. He'd hate himself later for saying such a thing but right now it felt so good. So this is what it felt like to be Thanatos. It could do in a pinch. He even felt the hints of an arrogant grin playing at his lips.
The girls gasped, and the bold one retorted back, “Is that an invitation?”
He turned back, wiping his brow. “No, just a fact." Oh yeah, he sounded like a regular ass. Thanatos would be proud of him.
The girls still giggled.
He rolled his eyes and quickened his step. He hated acting that way, but it made him angry to hear how girls now a day spoke; so forward...so lustfully, as if that attracted a man. Maybe it did some men, but definitely not him. He was from a different time, when ladies were ladies.
His mind automatically flashed to Raina...if ever there were a lady in this day and age. One who still blushed when embarrassed...soft spoken when she comforted, and loving...so very loving his Raina was. And even when she’d acted the temptress with him, there had still been innocence.
A growl emitted from him at that thought; one of the exact thoughts he was trying to beat up his body to prevent. He hurried his step toward the locker room and those running shoes he was about to run to their very demise. He slammed his way into the room, and ran right into Thanatos.
“Going somewhere friend?” Thanatos green eyes held anger.
Nolan was shocked. He hadn’t even sensed Thanatos presence before-hand. Yes, he was far too distracted. He cleared his throat. “Just about to take a run.”
“Just a run?”
Nolan nodded.
“Yeah you’re running all right,” Thanatos growled. “What the hell man? I have to find out from Bradley that you are quitting? “
The silvers looked guilty.
“When were you going to tell me?”
Nolan pushed past him and threw the towel in the hamper. “Eventually…when it was necessary!” He threw off the damp shirt.
Thanatos snorted in shock. “How about I take that run with you? It seems like you and I have some talking to do.” He shook his head. “I’m trying really hard not to be angry right now. And you aren’t in the best mood either. What the hell is your issue? I’ve never heard you talk to ladies…outside of Elenora, like that! He pointed toward the door to the gym where the two girls likely awaited Nolan with bated breath regardless of his treatment to them. “What is going on?”
Nolan wiped sweat from his eyes, and blew out a breath. "I'm guessing I'm not going to get that run. Let me shower. We’ll find somewhere to talk”, he agreed.
Thanatos nodded. “Good idea. I'm not going anywhere. Go ahead cleanup. I'll wait right here. …why don’t we take it outside?” He took a seat on the bench beside the lockers. He crossed his arms and looked stubbornly at his friend. "I'll be waiting."
Nolan shook his head and grab for another towel. There would be no getting out of this. He'd seen that look in Thanatos eyes before. They were going to have a talk.
After, they ended up outside, leaning against Nolan’s Charger, arms crossed, both looking peeved with the other; one immortal challenging the other. Someone had to speak. It wasn't like they had a timeframe. Technically they had forever. Nolan? Not so much. He had a flight to catch.
Nolan was not even sure where to begin.
“Talk friend,” Thanatos prodded.
Nolan’s jaw clenched, and the muscle there jumped sporadically. “Listen, I really was going to tell you. I just…I needed to start this on my own. Then I would have contacted you.”
Thanatos sighed, and closed his mouth against the torrent of words pressing his tongue. Shaking off his anger, he leaned forward with concern, meeting Nolan’s stare. “You spoke to Joseph last night. What came of that?”
Nolan looked uncertain. “He had news for me...news from higher up.”
Thanatos gave a nod. “And?”
Nolan hesitated, knowing he may get an argument out of this news. “I have to leave,” he spoke in a low voice. “There is…a meeting….with another immortal that Joseph is sure I will benefit talking to.”
“Leave? As in…leave leave?”
Nolan nodded. “I think maybe my time here has been enough. I have no ties.”
“Except for one really big one,” Thanatos growled.
Nolan felt the pain in his stomach. He knew that was the truth. He would be tied to Raina long after she had left this world. “I can’t be with her anyway Thanatos! What is the point of me staying longer? The farther away I am the better for both of us!” The words tasted bitter on his lips, and he was surprised he had managed to force them out.
Thanatos shook his head. “Bullshit!” His eyes snapped. “You act as though you’ve already stayed away from her! Like you know what it feels like to go a day without her! Yet you see her every day! You still watch over her,” he argued. “Don’t lie to me and say you don’t haunt the forest…just hoping for a glimpse of her! You have not tasted what it’s like to not see her…not know her presence. Trust me Nolan…you are in for a rough time of it!”
Nolan blushed. “Well it’s about time I started learning what it feels like. You think I haven't prepared myself for this? You think I don't think about this every single day? Wonder what I would do if something were to happen to her? I do. Is that a way to live? Can I survive everyday wondering if I will lose her or hurt her? I live with that, Thanatos. I hurt over this! I have no control over what happens to her now. I can only do my best to make sure that she is safe. Do you know how lucky you are? You get to see her, touch, hear her. Me? I get to dream of her. You think that's enough?" His silver eyes darkened. He rubbed the back of his neck, telltale sign of Nolan's discomfort. "You act as though I'm being selfish. Though I can understand someone who's had a life of selfishness would tend to think others would go the same route. This is the biggest bout of unselfishness I've ever had to go through. And I've had some pretty un-selfless acts in my life.”
Thanatos gave a nod. "Yeah, I've been a selfish person. What you're doing is selfless. But you don't have to be a martyr, Nolan."
Nolan gave a sarcastic laugh. "I don't? I really don't think I have a choice."
Thanatos saw the struggle going on in his friend. “Why are you leaving?”
Nolan drew in a deep breath “It’s not all my choice,” he whispered. “This meeting…it’s not just with another immortal. There are several leaders insisting on it.”
Thanatos brow furrowed. “Our Sovereignty?”
Nolan gave a dip of his chin in answer. “Up until now, the only ones who really knew about my gift were you and Joseph. Word got out…probably because of Richard and Elenora witnessing my fast healing that night, and Rania’s miraculous recovery. Now…I’m a rarity. And I am being asked to be tested.”
Thanatos paled.
“Not cut open and examined…just put through some tests to see how far my strength goes.” Nolan’s silvers darkened. “Guess I’ve been smart all these years hiding it. Last thing I want is being forced to use it now. I’m not afraid Our Sovereignty will abuse my gift. I’m afraid other immortals may see it as a way to increase their own power.”
“Like Richard?”
Nolan grimaced.
“I don’t like the thought of this Nolan. Can’t you refuse?”
Nolan lifted a brow at him, as if to say…are you crazy? “I will be fine.”
“When were you aware this might happen? You don’t seem ill prepared for this news.”
“When I went to report Richard it came up. I had a feeling something like this would happen. I tried to down play it all, but they didn’t buy it. It seemed they were more interested in my side of it than Raina's. But I can't be sure. I know Joseph had filled the men in on some aspects of my relationship with her. I don't want her to be part of this. If I can keep her out I will. I promise you this. She's a pretty spectacular mortal though." He smiled. He couldn't help himself just the thought of her… peace, joy, life. "I just want her to live. If ever you feel it safe to leave her to allow her to live I know you'll take it. You want the same now for her as I do. I know you love her. I also know that love is changed.”
Thanatos nodded. "I've seen a change in you too, Nolan. You're stronger and more gifted than you were before her. You can't deny that. Are you prepared?"
He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I'm not prepared. What happens is going to happen. No hiding it now.”
Thanatos frowned.
“Please, just don’t tell Raina. I don’t want her worrying over this.”
Pain filled the greens. “Of course not! Not all anyway, but she has to know there is a reason behind your leaving, and the reason is not her.”
“Don’t make this harder on me,” Nolan said softly. “You already told me she suffers. I don’t need more on my plate. Tell her I have a duty…but don’t give her the details.” He swallowed hard. "Tell her it's necessary. Let her know I didn't have a choice because, I didn't. And let her know I'm safe. I'm confident in the fact that that will make her happy.”
The green eyed one gave a sharp nod. “As long as you just get this done, and get back here!”
Nolan sighed. “I don’t know how long this will be. If I will even have that choice in the future,” he admitted. “But maybe it’s a good thing! What better way to not think of Raina? I will have to focus on this.”
Thanatos still shook his head. “Focus? Sure you can focus on this. It doesn't make it fair. Why should your life be any different than any other immortal? I don’t like it.”
“I don’t either.” He shrugged. “Maybe this is what my life will be from now on. One long test after the other.”
“You deserve better!” The green eyes blazed. "I humbly say this, Nolan; of all the immortals that I've ever met you deserve happiness the most. You'd never once taken advantage, hurt or crushed anyone. You've only sought to bring joy and comfort and peace to the lives around you. No other immortal can say that. And I say this with true conviction."
“I’m nothing special,” Nolan sighed.
“You are, Nolan. You’re special to Raina…you’re…well, you’re special to me too.”
Nolan smiled at Thanatos’ fervency. “Really now? Are you saying you will miss me, friend?”
Thanatos growled and gave a shrug. “What can I say? You kind of grew on me.”
Nolan grinned, and nodded. “Same here,” he admitted.
“When are you going?”
“Later tonight.”
“No chance of swinging by and, well, telling her goodbye?”
Nolan frowned. “Not the slightest chance.”
Thanatos nodded, understanding.
Nolan smiled sadly. “I’m lucky things turned out as they did, Thanatos. I like you better as a friend, and not so much as a foe.” His face held sincerity, and he reached out a hand to shake.
Thanatos ignored the hand, and pulled him in for a hug. He did not care the spectacle he made of himself. He pounded his back and felt tears behind his lids. It was a foreign thing to him. “I am forever grateful to you, Nolan. For my freedom…for a chance to really live; for trusting me with Raina. I am thankful for you.”
Nolan gave him a squeeze back. “And I you,” he agreed. “Just take care of my Raina…that’s all I ask of you. Don’t let her put herself in harm’s way. She’s good at that.”
“You don’t need to tell me that,” he chuckled, crossing his arms in front of him, trying to salvage some of his manhood. He stepped back and gave a nod. “I really can’t convince you to take a ride…”
“I said no.”
“Martyr,” Thanatos growled. He glared at Nolan.