Page 18 of The Death God
Thanatos swayed, and Gregory reached for him, but Thanatos stumbled out of touching range. “We’re having a party?”
“Nope, we’re attending one. We need to get you a tux. It’s a black-tie thing.”
“What?” Thanatos had never been to a party. He didn’t know how to act. And black tie, was like…what was it like? Like a ball? With dancing and shit?
“Yeah, I know.”
“I can’t dance.”
Gregory stared at him, a slow smile stretching his lips. “I don’t know if dancing is required. I don’t know what to expect, to be honest.”
“Oh, fuck.” Thanatos’ heart was beating faster, and his lungs were shrinking.
“Easy, sweetness.” Gregory made to grab for him again, but Thanatos increased the distance between them.
“First, we’re getting out of here, then we’re taking a nap, then you’re gonna eat something, then we’re heading into town to buy clothes.” He eyed Thanatos for a second. “And maybe get a haircut.”
Thanatos snorted. He didn’t think he could either sleep or eat at the moment.
Gregory leaned over Zidane, his hand gentle as he opened his eyelids and looked into his eyes. Thanatos sucked in a breath. He’d never done that; hadn’t known he was allowed to. It didn’t matter since he wasn’t sure he wanted to.
Looking into Zidane’s eyes, Gregory grimaced. “Hey, Zid, do you know what Alaric Quin is up to? Why the fuck would we get invited to a black-tie event?”
Zidane didn’t move or reply, and Gregory pressed his lips into a thin line. “Maybe I should talk to Silas. I’m pretty sure he’s the one who gave Alaric our number. No one else has it.”
Thanatos stepped closer. “Can he see you?”
Gregory smiled at him. “Yeah, if you stand in his line of sight. He can’t move his eyes, but he can see, and his brain works as well as it does when he’s not paralyzed.”
Leaning over Zidane, Thanatos looked into his eyes. “Hi.” He hadn’t meant to whisper, but it was weird looking into unresponsive eyes.
“Okay, first a nap, then food, then clothes.”
Gregory reached out to close Zidane’s eyes, and Thanatos almost told him not to, but in the end, he gave Zidane a nod. “Bye for now.”
Gregory huffed, but his hand was careful as he closed Zidane’s eyelids. “Come on.” He gestured for Thanatos to exit the room.
Walking up the stairs, he was acutely aware of Gregory only being a couple of steps behind him, but he marched on. When they reached the first floor, Gregory followed him to his room, and Thanatos frowned at him as he waited for Gregory to continue on before he opened the door.
He didn’t.
“What are you doing?”
“Waiting for you to open the door.”
“Why? Your room is over there.” He motioned in the direction of Gregory’s room.
“I can’t watch you from my room, and I’m making sure you’re napping.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Suck it up, buttercup.”
Thanatos didn’t move. Unease filled his core. Gregory could do whatever he wanted to him. He’d been powerless in the house of horrors, and he was powerless here.
“Stop it!” Sharp teeth made an appearance which had Thanatos’ brain painting too many vivid images of what sharp teeth could do.
“Jesus Christ, I’m not gonna hurt you. Haven’t we been over this?” Gregory looked more and more annoyed, and fear was clogging Thanatos’ throat, preventing him from speaking.
