Page 31 of Thawed Gladiator Thrax

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Thrax

The soft, rhythmic scrape of blade against wood quietly fills the small workshop as I carefully whittle away at the piece in my hands. It’s taking shape slowly but surely. I thought long and hard about what would be a fitting gift. This time, I’m sure it will be better received than a carved phallus. My cheeks still burn at the thought of how I hurt Skye’s tender feelings.

“That’s coming along nicely,” Hans, the maintenance man who’s been teaching me to whittle, comments. His weathered hands continue working on his own project, a delicate, feathered bird coming to life beneath his skilled fingers.

I nod, grateful for his guidance and friendship. With the translation app on my new phone, we’ve been able to converse more easily, and I’ve come to look forward to our sessions together. Skye explained that Hans’s English has a Swiss accent, so it sounds different from the way she and Laura speak.

“Um,” I begin, setting down my work, “I want to take Skye on a… date. But I’m not sure what to do. We can’t leave the hospital, and I don’t know much about modern courtship.”

His eyes crinkle with approval. “You’ve come to the right place for ideas, my friend. I’ve been working at this hospital for overtwenty years and know it like the back of my hand. Have you considered the therapy pool? It’s usually empty in the evenings, and it could be a nice change of scenery for you two.”

The idea takes root in my mind, growing more appealing by the second. “A pool of water? Indoors? Private? That’s perfect.” I’m already imagining Skye’s reaction. “Thank you.”

He waves off my gratitude with a smile. “Just don’t forget to invite me to the wedding,” he teases, causing warmth to spread across my cheeks at the mere thought of such an outlandish idea. Me? Married? Marriage isn’t meant for someone like me.

Later that day, I find Skye in the atrium, bent over her laptop as usual.

“Hey, Thrax.” She smiles at me as she rolls her head on her shoulders. For weeks, I’ve dreamed of relieving her tired muscles. Now, after our date and our kisses, I believe it’s the perfect time.

“Your shoulders look tense,” I say softly, my heart racing at my own boldness. “Would you… would you like me to… relieve you?”

Skye’s eyes widen slightly, but her smile is warm. “That would be wonderful, actually. Sometimes I sit hunched for so long that my neck and shoulders ache.”

Moving carefully, I position myself behind her bench. My hands hover uncertainly for a moment before gently settling on her shoulders. Her warmth seeps through the thin fabric of her shirt, and I’m struck by how delicate she feels beneath these palms that have swung a sword for so many years.

I start with light pressure, carefully gauging her reactions. When she lets out a contented sigh, I gain confidence, working my thumbs in small circles at the base of her neck. The tension in her muscles gradually melts away under my touch.

“You’re good at this,” she murmurs, her head dropping forward slightly.

Pride swells in my chest at her words. I’ve spent so many years using my strength for fighting, for survival. To use it now for gentleness, for bringing comfort to someone I care about deeply—It feels like a gift.

As I work out a particularly stubborn knot, I marvel at how natural this feels. The trust she shows by allowing me so close, the way she relaxes completely under my hands. I never dreamed I could have moments like this. Nor did I believe I deserved it.

Her curls brush against my fingers as I move to her neck, and I’m reminded of how she’s brought such brightness into my life. Each smile, each gentle word, each moment of patience as she helps me navigate this new world—they’ve all led to this quiet moment of connection.

She’s as quiet as if she’s in a trance, giving no hint that she wants me to stop. My vision focuses on her nape, so vulnerable. I can’t help picturing the kisses I would like to press against it, and the curve of her neck.

I stroked myself to sleep last night thinking of the ways I’d like to pleasure her. I’m not proud of my thoughts, but although I’m two thousand years old, I’m a mere mortal. Who could resist this wonderful woman?

After a while, I reluctantly step back, not wanting to presume too much. “Better?” I ask.

Skye turns to face me, her expression soft with affection. “Much better. Thank you, Thrax.”

The warmth in her voice makes my chest tighten. In this moment, I know with absolute certainty that I would do anything to keep bringing her such simple comforts, to be worthy of the trust she places in me.

“I’m nowhere near done with the programming, but I think I’m at a place where I can start working with John MacKenzie. He’s going to combine my program with a tiny, wearable earpiece. Then you won’t even need the phone.”

She’s so enthusiastic about improving my life. The new necklace I’m carving for her will be a fitting gift for a woman who is working so hard to help me and my frozen comrades.

Taking a deep breath, I approach her, ready to clumsily spit out what’s been on my mind all day. “That’s great, Skye.” Now what? I panic. What do I say?Cacas!Now she’s staring at me, expecting me to say something. “W-would you… go on a date with me? To the therapy pool?”

Her eyes light up, a smile spreading across her face. “Thrax, I’d love to! When?”

“Tonight?” I suggest, heart pounding even though the immediate danger is over. “I’ll meet you there at sunset.”

As the day progresses, excitement moves inside me like the sea waves during a storm. I’ve never had the opportunity to plan something like this before, to surprise someone simply for the joy of it. It’s a heady feeling, one I could get used to—with Skye.

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