Page 32 of The Death God
Gregory opened the door and ushered him inside. It was small, smaller than any of the other rooms. The bed took up most of the space, and it was unmade. There were clothes scattered around, and there were weapons on every flat surface.
Thanatos’ hands itched to tidy up, but this was not his space.
“On the bed.”
“What?” He searched the bed but couldn’t see anything on it. Certain he was missing what Gregory wanted him to see, he scanned it again, but no. “Where is it?”
“Where is what?” Gregory looked confused.
“The thing on the bed?”
“There is nothing on the bed. I want you on the bed.”
Heat washed over Thanatos’ face. “Why?”
“Because if you need to rest, you do it on a soft mattress not on a dirty stone floor in the basement.” He placed his hand on the small of Thanatos’ back and gently pushed him forward.
“I don’t need to rest.”
“Good, then we can move on to the touching part.”
* * * *
As Gregory had predicted, Thanatos tensed.
“In your bed?”
“Yeah.” Gregory carefully pushed him forward. “Remove as much of your clothing as you are comfortable with.”
Thanatos removed his shoes, and Gregory almost laughed, but fine. He kicked off his shoes too, then crawled into bed and pulled Thanatos along with him.
“I don’t see why we need to be in bed to be touching.” But he stretched out next to Gregory.
“We don’t, but you look tired.”
Thanatos grimaced.
“Come on, sweetheart, cuddle with me.”
“I don’t know how to cuddle.”
Fuck. “My poor baby. Come here, let me hold you.” He pulled Thanatos closer, wrapping his arms around him, but let go when Thanatos stiffened. “Is it being restricted?”
“I don’t know.”
“You freeze when I wrap my arms around you.”
Thanatos didn’t reply, and Gregory arranged him so his head was resting on his chest. Then he put one arm behind his head and ran his free hand up and down Thanatos’ back.
When he shivered, he did half a sit-up and grabbed the cover. He spread it over them and continued to stroke Thanatos’ back. They should do this without clothes, but he didn’t think Thanatos would appreciate the suggestion right now.
Maybe he could get him to spend the night in his bed. It would help a long way with the scents.
Thanatos took a deep breath and more or less melted against him.
“There you go. Relax.” He turned his head and brushed his lips over Thanatos’ forehead.
“How much do we need to smell of each other?”
