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","count":"9","submission_left_submission_id":"2404926","submission_left_file_name":"3522405_damijon_levs_tale_chapter_eight.doc","submission_left_thumbnail_url_huge":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/huge/3522/3522405_damijon_levs_tale_chapter_eight.jpg","submission_left_thumbnail_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/3522/3522405_damijon_levs_tale_chapter_eight.jpg","submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/3522/3522405_damijon_levs_tale_chapter_eight.jpg","submission_left_thumb_huge_x":"300","submission_left_thumb_huge_y":"299","submission_left_thumb_large_x":"200","submission_left_thumb_large_y":"199","submission_left_thumb_medium_x":"120","submission_left_thumb_medium_y":"119"}],"description":"","description_bbcode_parsed":"","writing":"[b]THE BOY HEROES FROM THE LAND OF ERIK (A Series of Epics)[/b]\n\n[b]Epic no. 4[/b] - \n\n[b]Lev's Tale[/b]\n\n[i]By DamiJon[/i]\n\nP.S [i]Finally, you get to meet one of my favorite characters in the series! Not saying who yet.[/i] \n\n[b]Chapter Nine[/b]\n\n\tThe morning dawns, not with the sun shining brightly and the birds singing, but with roiling clouds and distant thunder. Rain starts and stops in short fits that promise a great deluge when the darker clouds roll over the city.\n\n\tKate, as always, is first awake in the household. She dresses without waking Aldan, kissing his cheek before she checks on the children. Seeing Bryan and Milliken entwined with Lev and Jay, she know they?re all more than friends. Shaking her heads as she goes downstairs, she says under her breath. ``All the men in this house crave other men. What?s a woman to do?''\n\n\tShe starts breakfast, heating water and fetching fresh eggs from the chicken coop. Lenson, the neighbor down the road, trades a jug of fresh milk for a few eggs, and Kate starts the work of making biscuits.\n\n\tUpstairs, Lev can hear her working in the kitchen.\n\n\tLev gets dressed and rushes downstairs, taking a quick bath before he goes to help Kate. He makes a small batch of coffee for just the two of them as they work diligently and quietly side by side. ``Thanks for always being so kind to me. Cooking human food is fun and all, but I really like being around you. I hope you don?t think this is weird, but I sort of imagine that you?re like the mother that I never had. My parents were very abusive to me... But I?m sure Aldan already told you.''\n\n\tShe seems surprised, her eyes misting as Lev opens up to her. She hugs him tightly. ``You?re welcome here, Lev. I?m happy that we?re like a family. You make Bryan very happy and you do make the best coffee I?ve ever had.'' She goes back to baking. ``But Aldan doesn?t reveal confidences. He?s told me you?ve had a hard life, and unfair life. She looks at Lev, her eyes kind and understanding. He doesn?t talk like that unless there?s reasons. I don?t know the specifics, Lev. I think Aldan would say that those are your secrets, and yours to reveal when and to whom you choose.'' A knock on the back door draws her attention. She answers and has a short conversation, returning with a covered bucket that she leaves near the door. ``Fish and eels for you, dear.''\n\n\tHe takes them to the table, setting it to the side and close by his seat. ``Thank you for getting food that I can actually eat... I know that sounds stupid, but it means a lot to me.'' Lev and Kate continue working, having to make an even larger meal than normal and at a faster time rate before everyone wakes up and makes their way downstairs. Once his job is done with the cooking and baking, he sets up the table, wipes the seats clean, grabs the newspaper from outside, and makes a larger batch of coffee. ``We sure worked hard for this morning, huh? But it?s fun.'' He sits down at his seat to drink from his cup and read from the papers. His face lights up when he reads that Aizen had won the school award for his compositions last night. The reviews praise it highly and there?s even a small interview with him where he talks about himself, the demon community, and the pieces themselves. He looks to the front article, which reports something that he otherwise wouldn?t expect... Overnight, there was an attack at the castle that took the lives of twelve guards and one of the king?s highest-class soldiers. He sets it aside and under Aldan?s empty cup that rests where he typically sits at the table. The report in the paper mentioned that the explosion was caused by a fire that painfully burned the bodies alive. Nobody knows how it happened exactly, but the theories believe that it was an attack with magic.\n\n\tKate fills an iron skillet with sausages. Their sizzle and smell fill the kitchen. ``Oh, honey, this is nothing. When his family visits, that?s when things get hectic. His parents, his older brother and his wife and children. It?s a mad-house, I?ll tell you!'' She glances at Lev. ``Be a dear and tell the Bryan and the boys to hurry up. Remind them to dress warm. It looks like a storm is coming.''\n\n\t``Will do.'' He puts his coffee cup down and hurries upstairs, sits down beside Bryan and tugs his shoulder until he?s awake. ``Hey, sleepy-head. Time to get up. Breakfast is almost done.''\n\n\tHe walks over to the other bed. Jay has been awake for a little bit now, but has just been lying in bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about a hundred things at once. He sits up, waking Mikey up. I think it?s time to get dressed. He jumps out of bed, hiding his privates as he goes to put on his clean clothes. Thunder rumbles the house as it starts to rain harder. ``Oh man. I know we need the rain, but it sure sucks to walk to school in it! I don?t know how that one kingdom by the forests can deal with all of that constant rain they get.''\n\n\tLev laughs. ``You think this is bad? Talk to Aizen. He grew up in the mountains. Stay with him for a few days in the winter and you?ll never complain about weather again.''\n\n\tJay looks out of the window with a sad look on his face. ``Yeah... I guess you?re right. This weather makes me depressed too. I don?t really want to go to school today. Not after yesterday.''\n\n\t``But he?s not going to bully you ever again. You can trust me on that. The teachers and principal will talk to him. Maybe Aldan will talk to him too. You?ll be fine, Jay.'' He gives him a sympathetic smile and goes through the dresser, finding an outfit for Bryan. ``I think these will look good on you for today. You have to dress warmer since it?ll be like this for most of the day. Tonight it will most likely stop. At least that?s what my heart tells me.''\n\n\tBryan gets up, stretching and yawning. He relieves himself into the chamber pot, then washes his face and hands in the water basin. Milliken follows suit, although he moves much more slowly, still half asleep where Bryan seems alert and ready to go. He looks happily at Lev. ``Is there anything you can?t do?'' Bryan grins. ``Do you think we?ll have time to fuck after breakfast or do we have to wait until after school?''\n\n\tMikey moves slowly, reluctantly. Sitting on the side of his bed, he almost falls back to sleep as he pauses in pulling on his socks. He manages to smile at Jay. Bryan continues on, ``You have to go to school, though. everything you learn will help you be happier later. Dad won?t let anyone bully you as school anymore.\n\nEspecially since you?re Mikey?s boyfriend now!'' \n\n\tMikey glares at Bryan. ``It?s not normal to be this happy, this early. I can?t wait to dissect your brain.''\n\n\tJay blushes but doesn?t say that he?s wrong. Lev lays back on the bed, watching and waiting as the rest of them get ready. ``Oh, I don?t know Bryan. I think we might have to leave for school earlier today since it will take longer to get to school in this rain.''\n\n\tBryan grumbles, ``Stupid rain.'' After getting dressed, he leans against the desk below the window, staring out at the clouds. A flash of light is followed seconds later by a peal of thunder. ``Wow. Those clouds look dark.'' Looking at Lev, he smiles wickedly. ``Have you ever done it in the rain?''\n\n\tMilliken finishes dressing. He bobs his head with the lightning flash. ``Six second from flash to sound. That means the lightning strike was 30 miles away, approximately.'' He looks out at the window. Grabbing his chalk and board, he makes some quick calculations. ``We have more than an hour before the worst hits us. The leading rain will be here sooner, of course. We should eat and get a \"MOVE ON\", as daddy would say.''\n\n\tLev laughs into his kimono, then grabs Bryan to take him downstairs with him. ``Come on, buddy. Let?s get you full of some meat. All you can think about is sex, huh? Is that all you dreamed about too? ``He pulls up his seat, fixing his plate of food for him as well. ``There you are, love.''\n\n\tSoon the entire family, plus two, is digging into breakfast. Fresh biscuits, fried eggs, sausages, gravy, with grapes and sliced honeydew melon. Lev has a selection of fat eels, none too happy at being stuffed into a bucket with a pair of large perch. Less happy when Lev tears into them. Aldan reads the paper, reading aloud to the family the article on Aizen and the competition. Bryan, Milliken and the others cheer the news. Aldan reads the account of the explosion and fire with a somber face. He doesn?t say anything but continues on with his breakfast.\n\n\tWith breakfast finished, everyone dresses in their warm jackets. Aldan and the boys head out. The wind has picked up, blowing chill from the north, carrying the obvious smell of rain ahead of the storm.\n\n\tLev ignores the wet ground as he walks, holding hands with Bryan for a moment until he decides to walk up to Aldan and speak with him. ``Hey, what did you think about that other part in the paper?''\n\n\tAldan looks behind him. Jay is watching Milliken explain to Bryan how he can calculate the storm?s distance and arrival time. Lowering his voice, Aldan confides, ``It?s unusual, very unusual, obviously. I just wonder if perhaps someone isn?t trying to sow panic or fear. Perhaps to drive suspicion towards you? To push matters to a head.'' He shakes his head and sighs as they walk. ``Part of me wonders if I?m simply being paranoid. I worry for you, Lev. This just makes me worry about another set of circumstances and variables.''\n\n\t``It made me think that it could have been a demon that did the attack, but that doesn?t seem right to me.'' He shakes his head, sighing. ``I wonder if it was somehow Cruiberg. Who knows. Anyway, I guess I should say goodbye to Bryan before we part our separate ways.'' Lev stops walking until his boyfriend catches up to him, then walks a bit slower. ``I?ll see you after school, alright? I might have to stop home to grab clean clothes again.''\n\n\tJay listens attentively to everything that Mikey says and absorbs the information as if he were one of his teachers but interrupts him when he notices that Lev is saying his goodbyes. ``Hey, Milliken, maybe we should go to a cafe of some sort before he go back to your home tomorrow? So that we can be together with just the two of us?''\n\n\tMikey cocks his head to one side. ``We could do that. I?d like that very much. Where should we meet?''\n\n\tBryan takes Lev?s hands in his own and pulls him close. He kisses him on lips, sticking his tongue into Lev?s mouth with exaggerated sloppiness and noise. Aldan looks at them, shaking his head. Mikey watches them for a moment before turning away, his cheeks reddening. Bryan laughs. ``You guys love it. You know you do!'' He looks at Lev, then looks down at his crotch. ``I know you love it!''\n\n\tLev grabs him by the crotch, leaning back in to kiss his boyfriend in the same obnoxious sense. ``I love you, babe. See you soon.'' He waves as he runs off towards Aldan.\n\n\t``There?s a cafe by the prison that your Dad works at and the school we go to. Red Birds. They have some of the best sweets and pastries in all of the kingdom. Does that work?''\n\n\tLev can hear them even from far away and yells. ``But their coffee is mediocre at best! Get the tea instead!''\n\n\tMilliken nods. ``I?ll wait if I?m there first. Bye, Jay! I lo...'' Mikey blushes. ``Learn lots!''\n\n\tHe rushes to catch up to Bryan and they rush to their classes.\n\n\tAldan waits for Jay and Lev to catch up to him. ``I wanted to give you boys a heads-up. Don?t try and pull anything at school. I won?t go easy on you, just because you?re involved with my boys. Or because we?ve been involved.'' He looks at Lev.\n\n\tLev nods. ``I?ll do my best... I promise that I?m trying. Maybe my best effort is worthless.'' Jay stays silent, holding his hands behind his back as he walks with them. Once they get to the school the rain comes down hard and brutal. The rain has everyone in the school out of focus and joking about being trapped in classes if it starts to flood outside. Lev and Jay take their seats as classes begin, the students being split into two separate rooms. Aldan goes to his office to prepare for his second day of work. It takes a mere fifteen minutes before Jay enters and sits down across from him, looking at him anxiously.\n\n\tAldan looks at Jay. ``Seems like I know you from somewhere, young man. It?s Maks, isn?t it?'' He smiles warmly at Jay. ``What?s wrong, Jay?''\n\n\t``Huh? Well... Lots of things, I guess.'' He goes silent for a bit. ``I have all of these weird feelings for someone that I can?t quite understand and then I have all of these thoughts about things that have happened to me and and and... I can?t stop thinking about my brother that passed. It?s like, I have this new friend, but I don?t know if I can really be a good friend to him if I?m always depressed and hurt.''\n\n\tAldan nods. ``I understand, Jay. And I have a confession that I have to make.'' Aldan takes a deep breath. ``I like you. Milliken likes you a lot. He doesn?t like hugging people. His mother and I are about the only ones he lets hug him. I hope you don?t judge him too harshly for what I?m about to tell you. . .'' Another deep breath. ``I was Dakota?s last guard. I was in charge of his sentence.'' Aldan stares down at a paper in front of him on his desk.\n\n\tJay doesn?t look shocked, but he?s still depressed. ``I sort of guessed that you knew him since you were working at the prison.''\n\n\tAldan nods. ``I didn?t know how much you knew. But if that?s not going to create a wedge between us. . . Look, you?re worried about Mikey, right? You like him and he likes you.'' He rocks back in his chair. ``The thing to remember with Mikey, is that he?s different. Most of the time, other kids realize that early on and either avoid him or pick on him. It?s hard for him to recognize emotions in other people. You just have to be honest with him. He can deal with that. If he know the reasoning, he can piece through it in his way and understand. He?ll never be like Bryan, kissing you in the middle of the street. But he likes you a lot. Don?t worry about you not being able to be a good enough friend. You will be.'' He leans forward. ``Now, what else is on your mind? Do you have any questions about Mikey? Or anything?''\n\n\tHe continues to look down at his shoes as he talks.'' Mikey just seems so innocent and I?m corrupt. I mean, look at where I?m at! Maybe I understand him because I know what it?s like to be bullied. I?m afraid my sadness will catch onto him and then he won?t want to be with me because of it. It doesn?t upset me that you were there for Dakota because I know that you probably cared about him and wanted to make sure he was okay. I forgive you for any of that.''\n\n\t``What makes you say that you?re corrupt, Jay?''\n\n\t``Because of what happened to me when I was younger. I?m dirty inside. I... Don?t think I can get intimate with Mikey for a long time. Maybe that?s good news to you.'' He shrugs, looking away to his right.\n\n\t``You?re not dirty inside. What was done to you was stuff that was... done to you. It?s not stuff that you did. You?re not dirty inside at all, Jay. Whether you?re comfortable with being intimate, which I?m guessing you mean as sexually active, Milliken is still young. I don?t think he craves such things the way an older boy might, like how Lev or Bryan do. Holding hands is intimate for Mikey. Hugging.'' He shakes his head. ``I don?t know why or how. But he?s taken to you like no one else. Be his friend. Intimacy comes when it?s right for both of you. Both of you. One more thing, Jay. If I thought you were dirty, would I let you sit at our table? Stay overnight? Like you said, I worked next door for years. I know dirty. I know corrupt. You?re neither. You?re a boy who was betrayed and hurt terribly, and that is in no way NO WAY your fault or responsibility. None.''\n\n\tFinally, Jay looks up to his counselor. ``I guess you?re right. It?s hard to get out of my head and negative thoughts though. I always feel like it was my fault or I?m the bad one, when in reality I?m not.''\n\n\tAldan shakes his head. ``No, you?re not that bad one. Another thing, Lev doesn?t trust or like too many people either. And he?s another one who thinks the world of you. Don?t ever doubt that you have friends, Jay.''\n\n\tJay nods his head. ``Thank you, Aldan.''\n\n\tAldan nods and smiles. Anytime, Jay. Aldan looks around awkwardly. ``I?m not sure if we should shake hands or hug or anything.''\n\n\t``Uhm, I?ll just bow my head.'' He stands up from his seat and bows. ``Thank you. I?ll see you later in the day?'' He peaks his head out of the door, looking to his classroom. ``Bye, Aldan.''\n\n\t``Bye, Jay. See you later.'' Aldan makes some quick notes in Jay?s file.\n\n\tAn hour passes before the next student comes in. It?s Grant, whom the principal actually marches into Aldan's office and has him set down. The principal puts a hand on Grants shoulder, looking to him. ``This troublesome fellow said that he doesn?t have any interest speaking to me anymore, so I thought I?d hand him to you. He bullied a student yesterday, so I thought maybe you could talk to him. I?ll leave him to you.'' \n\n\tThe principal smirks and leaves the room frustrated. Grant is a bit chubby, messy ginger hair, a bit of acne, pudgy hands, and pale skin. ``I didn?t even want to speak with you. What?s the point of even trying to talk to me? You don?t know me. You?re already judging me.''\n\n\t``Am I?'' Aldan leans back in his chair. ``What?s my judgment, then? Tell me.''\n\n\t``You think I?m an asshole and a piece of shit. Well, maybe I am.'' He grins widely and crosses his arms. ``But so is everyone else if they were more honest about themselves.''\n\n\t``Maybe that?s true, Grant. But why are you a piece of shit? What?s your unique craptitude?''\n\n\t``Well, I hate the way people look at me because they see how ugly I am. I know that I am. Why can?t they just look away? I hate fags and how normal it is for guys and girls to be up on each other in public like that. I hate non-humans because they?re just as ugly as me. Like Lev... His kind are just a plague. I don?t even know why they even live in this kingdom.'' He leans in his chair.\t\n\n\t``I see. Is that why you were bullying Jay yesterday?''\n\n\t``Yeah. He?s a fag and has that stupid green hair. Total freak. Cuts himself too.''\n\n\t``Why not just not look at him?''\n\n\tHe shakes his head. ``How can you avoid someone that sticks out like that? Fucking freak. Or like Lev. Double freak.''\n\n\t``But everyone?s a freak, right?''\n\n\t``What?'' He falls forward, hitting his hands on the desk, looking confused.\n\n\t``Everyone?s an asshole. Everyone?s a freak.''\n\n\t``Yeah.... So your point is?''\n\n\t``If everyone?s a freak, then no one?s a freak. Because everyone?s weird and different. So why do the differences matter?''\n\n\tGrant thinks for a moment, seemingly frustrated. ``Well, demons are powerful, and they could kill us all if they wanted to. Same with any of the mages, elves, anthros, vampires, and other beasts.''\n\n\tAldan leans forward and scoffs. ``But they haven?t. Name a beast that scares you. Any beast at all that scares you.''\n\n\t``Scares me? Nobody scares me.''\n\n\t``Nobody? What about all those demons, elves, vampires, and mages you just mentioned?''\n\n\tGrant is getting really frustrated now. ``You know what? Fuck you. You can?t help me either.''\n\n\t``Truth is, no one can help you if you don?t want to be helped. I could tell you about the vampire count that I killed, the drake, the demons, the elves that have died at my hand and you wouldn?t care one bit. But you are scared, Grant. Terrified.''\n\n\t``Am I? He looks at you full of pride and all pompous.''\n\n\t``Yes, you are. You?re scared of lots of things. Mainly, you?re scared of anyone realizing how afraid you are. You?re afraid of being alone. No friends, no family. You bullied Jay because he has green hair, but also because he has friends, and you don?t. You?re afraid that you?ll never have friends.'' Aldan stands and looks out the window. ``Everyone your age has that same fear deep down. Everyone. You?re no uglier, no prettier. In fact, somewhere out there is someone who will think you?re beautiful. But you?re afraid of that, too. Hate and fear are two branches on the same tree, Grant.''\n\n\tGrant goes quiet into deep thought, playing with his thumbs, looking as if he?s about to cry. ``Uhm.... May I go now...''\n\n\t``One final thing before you go.'' Aldan goes to the door. ``You?re not alone now. You won?t be in the future. Stop trying to drive people away before they hurt you. We all get hurt. Everyone.'' He opens the door. ``And we all get afraid. Next time you?re feeling either, or angry or hateful, come see me. I?ll tell you some of my war stories.''\n\n\tGrant leaves without speaking, running off to the other classroom to sit down and sulk. Deep down he knows that Aldan is right, and he?s been told some of what he?s heard before but hearing it from a man with such authority might have hit him harder. He thinks to himself. `How would I even apologize to these people that I don?t like anyway? Why would they want to be friends with me? How do I accept their cultures and lifestyle?'\n\n\tAldan meets with two other students later on, who more or less have simple concerns that can be taken care of with less stress than that of Jay?s or his bully. After he?s finished, he has a small lunch with the teachers. Lev seems pretty up and positive today, despite the other students dreading the rain. Right before Aldan leaves the school the rain comes down harder, thunder cracking loudly across the sky. He runs to the prison afterwards and one of the guards that he saw yesterday gives him a cloth to wipe his face and hair down. He even goes to get him some ginger water to keep his immune system up. The warden comes by shortly after. ``How was work at the school?''\n\n\tAldan nods. ``It was good. I think, well, I hope I helped some of the students today. What do you have for me?''\n\n\tThe warden goes to Aldan?s box, pulling some folders out and handing them to him. ``As I said yesterday, there?s only six on your case load right now. Five recent, one that?s been here a while. One of them committed an act of molestation, so I don?t know how well you?ll work with him. The judges have decided to give him the rope, first youth to get it in a few months. His family is still trying to change that, but I don?t believe it will work. The other five are murderers, of course. Visit whoever you may today. Two seems good enough for you to see before you have to make it back to the school.''\n\n\t``Right. Let?s start with the hardest ones first. The long termer and the molester.'' Aldan takes the files to an office and skims the two pertinent ones, starting with the molester and finishing with the long-term inmate.\n\n\tThe first file has information on a teenager, aged 16, Neke More. He comes from a wealthy family, high grades, an athlete as well. His file states that he was intoxicated with a woman and had forced her to give him a blowjob and penetrated her with his fingers before being stopped in public by officers. His execution date is set to happen in two weeks and to happen by hanging. In the second file, a teen named Alexander Steele. His father is one of the kings highest honored warriors. Aged 15, coming from a rich family. He has been in the prison for a month now and is scheduled for execution by the block in five days. His crimes that he killed his older brother with poison after finding out he would be chosen to serve as one of the kings newly training high class warriors like his father had been. He also killed the man he bought the poison from.\n\n\tAldan sighs to himself. ``So young, so stupid.'' He heads for Neke?s cell, pausing to speak with the guards on duty. He asks what sort of prisoner Neke has been. Has he been rowdy? Sullen? Once he?s learned a little from speaking with them, he heads for the cell.\n\n\tNeke lays in bed and listens to the rain. His figure is tall, skinny, but muscular with messy brown hair and a long face. He stretches out his back when he hears someone coming close.\n\n\tAldan taps the cell door. ``Neke More? I?m here to make sure things go smoothly for you. To make sure that everything you need done is taken care of. Can we talk?''\n\n\tNeke makes a scared sound as he answers. I guess you can come in.\n\n\tAldan enters. He sits at the table. ``Are you being treated alright, Neke? Is there anything that you need?''\n\n\tHe wraps himself around his legs as he answers in fear. ``They haven?t gave me fresh water to bathe with since I came in here. Anything I need? That would help. How about having my sentence changed? You can do that, can?t you?''\n\n\t``I can?t change your sentence. The water I can do. Hold on.'' Aldan leaves the cell, making sure it?s secure. He asks the guards for fresh drinking water and warm, clean bath water. He takes the drinking water back with him, re-entering the cell.\n\n\t``Drinking water. Bath water?s being warmed. What about food? Have you been eating?''\n\n\t``Barely. They give me a small salad and some chicken.'' He bites on his hand. ``Are you sure you can?t change it? Don?t you know that people can hang for fifteen minutes before they die? You can talk to them. Give me fifty years! I don?t care. Not this. This is, cruel!'' He stands up and out of his bed, pacing around before he sits down and drinks from his glass of water.\n\n\t``I can speak with the magistrate who sentenced you. But according to your file, you were caught in the act. There?s not much lee-way in sentencing rapers.'' As those words sink in, he calls out from the door. When a guard responds, he instructs him to bring beef, bread, butter, and stew. And beer. ``We might have more luck asking for the axe instead of the rope.''\n\n\tHe shakes his head.'' Judges said that the axe is to never be tarnished with the blood of someone that?s committed my crime. But I was drunk! Can you blame me? I couldn?t control myself. I regret it, yes, and I?ve apologized, but nobody gets it.''\n\n\t``But you don?t deny doing the deed. And being drunk is no excuse. Do you think that made the woman you raped feel better?''\n\n\t``Uh, maybe?'' Neke drinks the rest of his glass, slapping his hand over his head.\n\n\t``I?ve seen a lot of these cases, Neke. It doesn?t make her feel better at all. I?ll do everything I can to make sure the sentence is carried out correctly. Which you understand means your neck snaps when you fall.'' Aldan watches Neke closely.\n\n\tNeke looks at Aldan painfully, still not accepting that he will inevitably die for his crimes. ``Maybe I can have more time? Two weeks is too soon. I?m not ready. Can?t you see that I?m scared?''\n\n\tOne of the guards knocks on the door. ``Food is ready, sir.'' Opening the door. He opens it, putting food on the table and a mug of ale before he leaves.\n\n\tAldan nods. ``I can see that you?re scared. But so was your victim. Did you give her more time? There?s decent food for you. You?ll get decent meals from now on until the end.'' He sets up a plate and sets it opposite him. ``Come on and eat. What happened that night?''\n\n\tNeke consumes his food rapidly before he begins to speak. ``I went to the bar with a couple of my friends and we drank heavily. There was a bartender there who kept teasing us, talking to us, and she was oh so beautiful. Once my friends left, I had went to the alley where the dumpster is and tried to relax my drunken mind. Eventually she came out and said she would help me since I looked sick. I could see her cleavage when she leaned over and then... I just got out of control.'' He goes back to eating his food, staring at the mug of beer, wishing that he could have it all to himself.\n\n\tAldan notices him eying the mug and pushes it over to him. ``Go ahead. You were waiting for her by the dumpster?''\n\n\tHe chugs the entire beer down before continuing. ``No. I wasn?t waiting for her. She came to me. Then I was overwhelmed by my need for her. I did not care at that time that she didn?t want me. Not until the next morning when I woke up in my cell thinking that it was all a horrible dream.''\n\n\t``Not need. Want. You didn?t need her. You could have stroked yourself. You could have found a prostitute or rent-boy. But you forced her. The only person responsible is you.''\n\n\tHe grows sully and saddened, pushing his food away as he cries into his hands and feels sorry for himself. Aldan watches with some pity. Once he is finished crying, a guard comes in to replace the bath with fresh warm water. ``Thank you for the food. And speaking to me.''\n\n\t``I?ll be back when I can, as much as I can before the end. I?ll be with you then, and I?ll make sure the job is done right. Is there anything else you need? Books? Cards? A priest?''\n\n\t``All of the above would help.'' He tries to smile.\n\n\t``I?ll be back with them when I can. Do you have any messages or letters for anyone?''\n\n\t``I don?t have any papers to do that.''\n\n\t``I?ll bring something for that, too.'' He stands. ``Take your bath while the water?s still hot. If you want me to stay, I will. Otherwise, I?ll leave some privacy. Your choice.''\n\n\t``You can go now. Thank you.'' He walks over to his bath, taking off his shirt and putting it over the chair.\n\n\t``Be well, Neke. Think about who you have to make peace with. And how. I?ll be back.'' Aldan exits the cell and heads back to the guard room. He asks them to make sure Neke get warm water every other day and one hot, decent meal a day. \n\n\tAldan sits by himself for a couple of minutes, gathering himself before visiting with Alexander Steele. Again, he asks the guards on duty if Steel has been any trouble. Once he?s filled in, he heads into the block and Alexander?s cell.\n\n\tAlexander?s cell is much larger than the others with a much larger bed and clean sheets. His hair is light brown and hangs long to almost cover his eyes. He's definitely a noble citizen. Alexander is sitting at his desk and puts his book down when he notices Aldan coming in. He looks confused. ``And you are? Name?''\n\n\t``I?m Aldan, Alexander. I?m here to make sure you?re being treated fairly and that you?re prepared for the sentence you face.'' Aldan looks around the cell. Mentally he noted every luxury that contravenes standard procedure, every regulation and rule being broken.\n\n\t``Mhmm. I?ve heard the name. You fought in the army? Killed the count? That is you, right?'' He reeks of pride. Aldan can tell how self-absorbed he is by his mocking voice. ``Yes, I have heard all of the stories.''\n\n\t``That?s me. Though I was unaware of any stories making the rounds.''\n\n\t``Ah. Sit, sit.'' He pulls up a chair for Aldan and sits back down. ``My family are deeply connected with the king, so I hear all of these stories. You might even know my father.''\n\n\tAldan wracks his memory for the name \"Steele\". ``Yes, I understand that your brother was chosen for the Ivory Guard. You objected, registering your disapproval through poisoning and murder?''\n\n\t``That is correct.'' He smiles and shuts his eyes for a brief moment. ``And I would have taken out my father too if I had the chance. After all, he is why I?m here. Damn fool knew I was the better warrior than his favorite first born son.''\n\n\t``Not if you had to resort to poison.'' Aldan states this without emotion.\n\n\t``I know. I could have used a sword, but I thought I?d get away with it better this way.''\n\n\t``But poison is a woman?s weapon. Or a coward?s. Why not challenge your brother to a duel? The slot going to the winner? And then killing the poison merchant. Careful, yes, but also cowardly. Certainly not an endorsement of your calling as warrior.'' Aldan smiles politely. ``Is there anything that I can do to help you prepare for the axe?''\n\n\t``Ah... One thing I?d like before I go is a rent-boy or a nice fuck. That would be the most enticing. That and seeing my father die.'' He leans one arm on the table, biting one his lip as he stares at Aldan.\n\n\tAldan chuckles. ``I don?t think I?ll be killing your father. Preferences for the boy or the nice fuck?'' He looks around at the ?cell?. ``I somehow suspect you enjoy certain privileges beyond most prisoners.''\n\n\t``Well, I?m not royalty, but close to it.'' Alexander rolls his eyes. ``Ah, someone younger than me or strong like you.''\n\n\tAldan looks at the boy. Almost a man. He drums his fingers on the table as he considers their options. What would Drew say if he gave Alexander a mercy fuck? Does he deserve compassion? He ?checks out? Alexander. ``What about your mother? I imagine she must be heartbroken? Her eldest struck down by her baby? No thoughts for her?''\n\n\t``She is most certainly in pain, as she should be. They wouldn?t give me the honor that I deserve, so they lose both of their sons and die alone. Ah, maybe I should have gone for them instead of my brother.'' Alexander walks over to his bed, sitting down and spreading out his legs.\n\n\tAldan drums his fingers. ``How do I know you won?t harm a boy? Or a man? Or try to use them to escape somehow? You seem completely unrepentant.''\n\n\t``You don?t know.'' He winces at him. ``I was questioned this morning about the attack that had happened last night. They thought that I might have some information or that I was involved. Of course, I wasn?t.... It would be nice to escape prison, but it?s highly unlikely.''\n\n\tAldan leans back, smiling a little. ``Strip, Alexander.''\n\n\t``Strip? Are you sure about that?''\n\n\t``Well, if you?re modest or scared. . .'' Aldan lean forward and stands.\n\n\t``No, of course I?m not. I?m a warrior, after all.'' Alexander calmly takes off his prison clothes, then his undergarments. His small flaccid penis, about three inches and circumcised, is engulfed by a forest of dark pubes. He scoots closer to his pillow.\n\n\t``Not bad.'' Aldan moves closer. ``Lay back. Spread your legs.'' He stands at the edge of the bed, towering over Alexander. He?s alert, he doesn?t really trust this prisoner, but he is curious. ``Raise your arms above your head. Let me get a good luck at you.''\n\n\tAlex lays on the bed and does as he is told, getting a slight erection as he spreads his legs. He puts his hands up and under the pillow, showing off his hairy armpits. His smell is clean, even perfumed, unlike any other prisoner Aldan has had before. ``Well? Are you going to fuck me? I think that would make you the best counselor of all time.''\n\n\tAldan sits on the bed. He begins rubbing a hand over Alex?s stomach and chest, teasing his nipples and pits. Playing gently with his pubes. ``There will be conditions.''\n\n\t``Go on.'' Alex remains still as he grows to his full length at four inches. The look in his eyes is mischievous, dangerous.\n\n\t``One. I like to bite.'' A slow, gentle run of his hand along the inside of Alex?s thigh\n\n\t``Good. I like to bite too.'' He chomps with his teeth. ``I like blood.''\n\n\tAldan arches his eyebrow. ``Two. I may want to piss on you. Before, during, or after.'' Smiling, Aldan continues to lightly stroke Alex?s body as he continues. ``Three. Try anything to hurt me or to escape, I?ll feed you your own balls. Ask the guards about being Joshua?d.''\n\n\t``You wouldn?t be serious?'' His face changes to look of sudden disappointment.\n\n\t``I should let you try to kill me? Bite out my throat? Bite off my cock? Knock me unconscious and try to escape?'' Aldan takes Alex?s wrists and holds the boy?s hands above his head. He lean down, pursing his lips and blowing over his nipples. ``That would be awfully foolish of me, wouldn?t it?''\n\n\t``It would...'' Alex pulls back, reaching under his pillow for a knife with a six-inch blade. He hands it to Aldan and groans. ``Guess I won?t be needing this then.''\n\n\tAldan takes the knife and feels its edge. ``Last conditions. I have to clear it with the warden.'' He gently tugs on the hairy pits and the dark pubes. ``And trim these. You agree to all of these, I?ll make sure you get fucked good and proper a couple of times.''\n\n\t``Yes?'' Alex feels at Aldan?s large muscles and shoulders, gasping at how much stronger and powerful he is. ``I like it rough. I like it when it hurts.'' He scratches his own chest, licking his lips as he does so. ``I don?t need the knife. There are plenty of other ways for me to make an escape.''\n\n\t``Oh? How?'' Aldan leans down moving in to kiss Alex. He pulls away at the last moment, pinning the boy to the bed.\n\n\t``It?s so easy to steal a blade or sword from a guard. They never notice.'' He moans as he?s pinned down. ``Killing them would be just as simple. I?d let other prisoners out as a distraction. I could snap a guards neck, beat him with a chair, who knows... This is the third guard-knife I?ve stolen without them noticing.''\n\n\tAldan keeps Alex?s hands pinned and kisses his chest, sucking briefly on his nipples. ``A shame you have no core. No honor. You?re clever and with training you?d have made a top swordsman, I?ll wager.'' He moves up, kissing and gently biting his neck. Too bad. We could have had fun for months. Training with the blade, fucking you long and hard when you did well. Making you watch me fuck a boy when you didn?t.''\n\n\t``A shame that the kingdom will collapse soon and i will be long gone and free before it happens.'' Alex licks and kisses at Aldans neck, reaching for his cock.\n\n\tAldan pins Alex?s hands down and climbs on top of him. ``What makes you say the kingdom will collapse soon?''\n\n\t``Cruiberg is strong. Once they?ve conquered more of the forest and caused chaos here in the kingdom, everyone will be shitting their brains out.'' He laughs mischievously. ``Once I escape, I will get asylum there and use my information to take down the king. You?re a fine and lovely man. You should join them while you still have the chance. When I have my own power in Cruiberg, I'll make sure you live.''\n\n\tAldan grinds against Alex, keeping the boy?s hands immobilized. ``I?ve read some reports and heard rumors their power is growing.'' He nips at Alex?s neck and lips. ``Pity?s for me. I?ve no way to contact them. I doubt they?d take kindly to me seeking them out in the wilds.''\n\n\t``Lucky for you, I know some of them. I?m like a raven in that sense.'' His stomach rises as he?s kissed and he tries to fight back against his arms being pinned down. ``What do you want to do with me? Fuck me or question me?''\n\n\t``Both.''\n\n\t``Well, get on with it, bastard!''\n\n\tAldan rolls Alex onto his stomach. He grinds against his ass, kissing and biting the back his neck and shoulders. ``What do you want, Alex?''\n\n\t``Drive your cock inside of me. Fuck my ass like you hate me. Pull my hair, bite my skin, do whatever.'' The freakish boy humps the bed as he puts his hands behind his back, feeling at his own skin as he fantasizes about what Aldan will do to him.\n\n\tAldan smirks to himself. He grips the knife Alex gave to him tightly, and using it as a blackjack, punches the boy in the back of the head. Enough to knock him out, but not enough to kill him. Once the boy is knocked out, Aldan cuts the expensive silk sheets into strips and ties the murderer?s wrists, elbows, and feet. Tying the boy to the bed, he quickly searches for more weapons while calling for the guards. ``If you were just a murderer, I?d have fucked you a half dozen times. But a traitor? The torturers will get their pleasure with you. . . You?ll probably enjoy it.''\n\n\tThere?s only two other blades - a small razor hidden by the bath and a pocket knife up by his window. One of the guards hurries by, rushing in and stops when he see?s the boy naked, stunned and confused. ``Aldan, sir, what seems to be the... problem?''\n\n\tAldan holds up the blades. ``Fetch the warden immediately. We?ll have to postpone this one?s execution. Matters of grave urgency. Hurry man!''\n\n\tAs the guard hurries away, he sits and watches Alex. He considers pissing on him and fucking him anyway, but quickly dismisses both ideas. Hate fucking him would be a horrible choice. He waits for the warden, going over last night?s event and what Alex told him.\n\n\tThe guard rushes out without questioning. About five minutes passes before the warden comes in, who stops by the bars before entering. He lights a cigarette and raises one eyebrow. ``Aldan, may I ask why one of my prisoners is naked and tied up in his bed?''\n\n\t``He wanted me to fuck him. He wanted it badly.'' He gestures to the boy. ``But in addition to being impatient and amoral, he?s a talker. He mentioned contacts he has with the Cruiberg. And his certainty that soon they?d be the power here. He was irked that he?d be dead before they got here.'' Aldan relays the conversation to the warden. ``I believe it highly likely that he know more about the explosion last night and the Cruiberg plans that the interrogators from this morning learned. I suspect that they were overly deferential of his family.''\n\n\t``Ah... I see. What a shame. How can someone his age have such grudges against those that raised him with privilege?'' The guard walks over to the table, sitting down and looking over one of the knives. ``We can?t carry him out of the cell like that. He needs clothing. I?ll have a group of guards lock him into a maximum-security cell underground. The traitor will probably live for as long as he wants if the information, he has turns out to be useful. Strange how that works, huh?'' He finishes his cigarette, calling out to some guards in the hallway and explains the situation to them, how they will need to put him in clothes and take him down to a cell downstairs for extensive questioning. ``Besides him, how was the other inmate? You have any requests for Alexander? Do you still want to see him since he?s technically still holding a death sentence?''\n\n\t``I?ll see him. Maybe somewhere inside of him there?s something redeemable. Maybe.'' He sighs. ``If nothing else, he?d be a good fuck, I suspect. Prisoner Neke is terrified. I?d like make sure he get warm water for bathing every other day and that the guards give him the decent food. I?ll visit them both again. Neke is probably a decent enough sort, but his drinking seems to run him into dangerous territory.''\n\n\t``Alright, then. Make sure that you write out a report before you leave for today.'' He lights another cigarette, sitting down on top of the table as he thinks. ``This is troublesome in many ways. Someone else will need to take his place during the day he was supposed to be executed. I?ll have to decide who and relay it over with one of the judges today. Hopefully, we can get information out of this traitor as soon as possible, but I?m not counting on it. That means I?ll be here for an all-day work-day.'' The warden equips the knives and blades that lay on the table and has the guards enter, pointing for Aldan to follow him out into the hallway. The prison echoes from the sound of lightning and the ceiling shakes. It?s still raining like war drums. ``You have any other thoughts, concerns, questions to ask?''\n\n\t``I?m curious, sir, what you know about the explosion last night? If anything?''\n\n\t``Hmmm? He exhales smoke in your face on accident. It was most likely magic. Most likely caused by that of a mage or demon. Investigations are ongoing. There?s no way it was some mere accident. It was definitely a planned attack. That?s all I know for now. Well, with this Steele boy confessing to you about Cruiberg, it could be them for all we know. But we don?t know anything. Maybe Alexander is pulling our leg?''\n\n\t``That?s possible.'' He shakes his head. ``I feel for the boy if he was. They?ll find out the truth. The hard way.'' He accompanies the warden back to the offices. Aldan writes out a report for each visit, taking care to be as accurate and thorough with Alexander?s as possible. He turns them in, waiting for the warden?s approval before he heads back to the school.\n\n\tBy the time Aldan arrives back at the school the final classes are almost done. Aldan stops by the other room, silently watching as a few students meditate with Raven. Lev is one of the few, who is deep into his meditation, so much that his body is floating a few inches above the ground. Nobody else can tell since they?re also meditating with their eyes closed. Aldan can feel the connection and positive energy between them all. He see?s that these troubled ones can achieve such nirvana and peace within themselves and together without having to give in or fall into the darkest paths that the young prisoners that he see?s have done. Lev?s ear twitches when he hears his counselor, his boyfriends dad, his friend, breathing carefully from by the door. Slowly, he raises one palm, forming some sort of geometric symbol in his hand with fire. It suddenly stops raining. Raven opens her eyes and quietly welcomes everyone back into their conscious lives. The symbol that was in Lev?s hand vanishes and as he descends back to the carpet Aldan notices some sort of black mist slip into his back and through his robe. Lev stands up, running past Aldan and grabs his empty clay pot and waits for Jay outside.\n\n\tJay reaches down to tie his shoes and then watches as Lev cleans his feet with a cloth and bucket by the door. Once Aldan shows up outside, he begins to explain. ``Mikey and I are going on a date today at the cafe, so we will be home a few hours later on.''\n\n\tLev tickles Jay?s stomach. ``Oh, I knew you?d be lovebirds! And I can?t help but to feel as if I set it up. Brilliant! I?m so excited for the two of you. I wonder what Bryan and I can do today.''\n\n\t``Homework?'' Aldan says with a sidelong smile. ``Jay, take this.'' He hands Jay some copper and silver coins. ``If I know Mikey, he left his money at home. You two make sure you?re home before dark. Understood?'' He rests a hand on Jay?s shoulder as he talks to him. ``Other than that, have fun and stay out if trouble.''\n\n\tLev walks close with Aldan, talking about the things that they wanted to teach him in class but he had already learned. He explains about how hard it is to participate in school when he can literally read a book in a split second by simply touching it with one finger. Meditation practices and the lessons on coping are the only things he really enjoys about school. Jay only follows them for a minute or two and stops by the cafe, waving his hand before he enters. He remembers what Lev said about the coffee and gets himself a chai, finding a seat by the window where he can stare out at the rain. At first during the day it seemed depressing and hopeless to him, but now he see?s the beauty in its composition. Staring at the rain lets all of his issues dissolve. He sips from his warm spicy tea and waits for his new friend that he love so deeply to show up. As he waits, he talks to himself. `Oh, Dakota... If you were here right now, you?d be so proud of me, finding someone like Milliken. He?s such a good friend. I think I?m falling in love with him too. But I need you. My other brothers and sisters, you know how it is... You understood me like none other. You were the first I told that I was being hurt by Grandpa. Can you lend me some strength to come clear with my friend? I?m afraid he will judge me... I don?t want to lose him, but he doesn?t want to lose me either. It?s all so confusing. I?ll visit your grave soon. I love you, Dakota...' \n\n\tHe sighs, swinging one leg over the tall chair that he sits at and waits. Even though it?s raining, it?s not cold outside, which can be noted by when Jay puts his hand against the window. He waits. Waits... `Mikey... I love you so dearly.'\n\n\tMilliken stares out the window of his classroom. There?s only seven other students and one teacher in the room, which is lined on three walls with bookshelves. Even around and over the door, bookshelves strain and sag with the accumulated written knowledge and culture of thousands of years. The teacher, Professor Redmond, is finishing a lecture on the volcano worshipping dwarves of the Iron Peaks. Mikey barely listens. He read the text for this lecture months ago, and his mind is clouded with thoughts of Jay. He feels a warmth when he thinks of the boy who moaned at his touch last night. He realizes that he misses his green haired bed-mate. Mikey sighs, looking down in surprise and confusion - his penis is hard. He shifts, casting a guilty glance around the room. The others are absorbed in the lesson. Dwarves and volcanoes flee from Mikey?s mind as he grapples with these new feelings and desires. He?s scared that he?s going to do something wrong, but he can hardly wait to see Jay again. To talk with him. To hold his hand. Feel his arms around him again. ``I don?t like to be touched though. Why is it different?''\n\n\tProfessor Redmond stops. He strokes his long, dark goatee. ``Is there a question, Milliken?''\n\n\tEveryone turns to Mikey. He stands at his desk, covering his erection with his blackboard, and shakes his head. No, professor. He sits down, his heart pounding. He?s sure everyone saw his hard penis. Once class is excused, they?ll tease him for it. Another thing to mock Mikey about. He close his eyes and begins ticking through his list. The names and birthdays for his family. The dates of each of his father?s named battles and subsequent promotions. The exercise calms him. He adds yesterday. The date of the concert and the day that he met green-haired Jay.\n\n\t``Class is dismissed. See you all tomorrow morning.'' With that, the children gather their books and boards and head for home. The rain has eased and Milliken races through the streets. He avoids other pedestrians and travelers. He doesn?t want to get dirty, doesn?t like to talk to strangers, doesn?t want to be touched. But most of all, he doesn?t want to be delayed. His mind notes the priority of this last thought and files it for further examination. Maybe when there?s not a baker with a cart of bread blocking his way!\n\n\tMikey spies the cafe and rushes inside. He?s late. He knows he is! Jay?s been here, waited for him, and left in disgust at his tardiness. Standing in the entry, Mikey scans the tables desperately. Every split second increases his panic. Until he sights the shock of green hair near the window. He squeaks in happiness, not noticing the quiet chuckle of the men at the counter near him. He walks quickly to the table and sits next to Jay. It doesn?t enter his mind to sit across from him. He needs to be near him. He takes Jay?s hand in his own, his own cold and wet hand. He smiles, breathless. ``Hi!''\n\n\t``Hey, Milliken! You?re earlier than I thought you would be. Here, let?s go look at the pastries and tea.'' He hugs Mikey, not too lovingly since there are a few people inside, who are too preoccupied with their own conversations to even care. They walk over to the front and the store owner greets Milliken politely. \n\n\t``Hello there! Looking for something to drink? Maybe you?re hungry? Oh, I bet you are!'' The store owner is young, speaks freely and is a bit awkward in how he presents himself. He runs around, grabbing a plate with a slice of lemon pie. ``Since you?re just young ones that probably don?t have enough money, this one is on me! Have a go at it!'' He grabs two forks and sets it on the plate. ``Now what can I get for you, young one?''\n\n\tMilliken looks at Jay. His eyes begin to well with tears. His eyes fall to the floor. ``I forgot my money at home. I?m sorry.''\n\n\tJay tugs on his shoulder. ``It?s okay! Your dad gave me some. Get whatever you want!'' The store is flooded with an array of tea jars of all kinds from across the planets, even some that they bought from the demons in the kingdom. There?s tons of deserts and pastries, none that could be healthy, but are all handmade and fresh. There?s also a basket of exotic fruits plucked right from the nearby forests.\n\n\tMikey looks at Jay. Wiping his eyes, he starts to smile. ``I have a good dad. I?m cold!'' He looks at the owner. ``Do you have any hot soup? Sir? Jay, do you want to share a sandwich? Then we can get two different desserts and share those, too. If you want to.''\n\n\t``Sure, Mikey.'' Jay almost tears up just listening to his friend speak with him, totally in the moment and recognizing the beauty of it all.\n\n\tThe shop owner looks around, trying to remember everything that he?s serving today. ``We have a nice pumpkin soup if that?s alright. I can make a panini sandwich with some fresh greens that will also fill you up. That will take a few minutes for me to warm up.''\n\n\tJay whispers, ``If only Lev was here, then he?d have it ready in a second!'' He laughs.\n\n\tThe shop owner looks to Jay with a bright smile. ``What kind of deserts are you looking at?''\n\n\t``Oh, sir, pumpkin soup and a Panini would be perfect.'' Mikey looks at the desserts on display. ``I like something with filling. Custard or creamy. And blackberry tea, please.''\n\n\t``Sure thing. Have a seat and I?ll bring it out to you.'' \n\n\tJay takes the lemon pie with him back to their two seats by the table. ``How was school today? Boring? Exciting? You probably know everything that they teach. I?m always bored during our math classes, since I?m a whiz at that, but everything else can be so confusing! Everyone was acting weird today because of the weather and the attack that happened this morning. Someone in class said it?s a sign that we?re going to war soon, but I don?t know enough about it to really have an opinion...''\n\n\tThe shop owner brings over a large pumpkin soup that he sits between them and a panini sandwich cut into two pieces. Jay hands him some change. He sprints back to behind the shop to grab some of the deserts, putting them to the left of Mikey. ``Here you go! Let me know how it all tastes before you leave. Oh, I almost forgot your tea! One moment.'' He grabs the warm mug of tea that he forgot at the counter and puts it on the desk. Jay sips from his tea, his knee touching Mikey?s as he faces him.\n\n\tMikey tastes the soup. ``Pepper. Cloves. Nutmeg. Salt.'' He takes another spoonful. ``I think cinnamon, but very little. It?s very good.'' Pouring his tea, he takes a tiny sip before adding honey. He looks at Jay and sighs. His eyes narrow and he fidgets for a moment before staring out the window. ``Classes were typical. The lecture after lunch was on a book that I read weeks ago. That was boring. All I could think about was you and meeting you here.'' He glances at Jay, blushing. ``Morning lessons were more interesting. Professor discussed the use of covert violence as a means of settling or instigating political disputes. In light of the attack last night. He likes to use practical examples for our lessons.'' He takes a bite of sandwich, dunking a corner into the soup for a second bite. ``Does he really remind you of me? How is that?'' He looks at Jay and fidgets again. HIs lips move silently and he quickly takes another bite.\n\n\t``I don?t know. He?s just very alert and observant. It?s a good thing.'' Jay takes his time eating his sandwich, switching from it before going back to his tea. Once he?s finished, he tries the slice of pie. ``Nobody bullied me today, so it was a good day.''\n\n\t``I still don?t understand why people bully you. When I was being picked on, mother said it was because I was different, and the other children didn?t understand why. He arches an eyebrow. Most of them stopped with Bryan talked to them. The others when Bryan told them about daddy working in the prison. He told them he?d throw them in cells if they didn?t stop. They must have believed him because they stopped.'' Finished with soup and his half of the sandwich, Mikey wipes his hands, staring at Jay as he does so. Fidgeting and tearing his eyes away, he begins tracing his finger over the tabletop, almost writing as his lips follow silently along.\n\n\t``Well, there?s this one guy there at my school and he?s a knucklehead to everyone. Maybe Aldan can help him out. He?s really nice. I spoke with him today and he helped me with some things.'' Jay looks out of the window, wishing he could just touch Mikey?s hand for a moment. ``Is it okay if I get a bit serious with you for a moment? I don?t want to make you sad. Maybe if you get sad, you can tell me a funny story or something happy? I just feel like... If we?re going to be good friends that you should know more about me.''\n\n\tMilliken nods. ``I want to know more about you. He visibly bites his lower lip. I . . . I want to be very good friends. As good as Bryan and Lev, except not as beast-like.''\n\n\tHe laughs for a moment, finishing his tea and taking another bite of the lemon pie. ``Well, you know how your Dad was a guard at the prison? One of his prisoners was my brother. He was executed a few days ago... Dakota did some really bad things, but there?s some good things in him too. I found out just an hour ago by Lev that he was buried next to Aldan?s husband, someone that you knew. That makes me like your Dad even more, knowing that he did that for me and my family, giving him that beautiful space. It is gorgeous, actually.... I?m still kind of struggling with it. We were very close for a long time, but once he grew heavy into this lifestyle of selling drugs, we grew distant. It hurts a lot. Actually, I?m very hurt by many things right now and that?s not the only thing. I?m afraid that my hurt will hurt you too or you?ll stop talking or liking me because of it. He shows his wrists to Mikey. I did these to myself a while back. I don?t really know why. I guess I felt like I deserved it. Ran away from home a few times too. That?s why I go to the same school as Lev. I?m troubled.''\n\n\tMikey looks at Jay?s wrists. He doesn?t say anything but reaches out and traces his fingers over the scars, counting them quietly. He looks up at Jay. ``I don?t like to touch people and I don?t like to be touched.'' He?s still holding Jay?s wrists. ``Even now, most of my brain is buzzing. Like faerie fire. It?s saying \"Don?t hold him. Let him go.\" But there?s a different part that?s saying \"Never let him go. Never let him go.\" I never heard the second part until yesterday.'' He fidgets and looks away. He keeps hold of Jay?s hands. ``I?m weird, too, Jay. I talk to myself, even when other people are around. You noticed, I?m sure. I scared I?m too weird for you. That I?ll do something weird and you?ll think it means something when it doesn?t. He takes a half-hearted bite of pie.''\n\n\t``But I?m not scared of you... I know it?s only been less than a day since we met, but I think you?re the most brilliant, awesome person I?ve ever met.'' He finishes his tea. ``You?re the most handsome and beautiful person I?ve seen. I don?t know what this weird feeling is inside of me and it?s so overwhelming. Is it love? I... I think I love you. Is that too soon to say? We?re so young. Do we even know what that is or means?''\n\n\tThe traces of worry leave Mikey?s face. ``Love is a difficult subject. Most of the sentient races devote substantially artistic and philosophical energy investigating and trying to define and quantify love. Each race?s view of love is colored, obviously, by their own history, culture, and creation myth. As an example, four hundred and . . .'' Mikey stops. He looks sheepishly at Jay, grinning and fidgeting. ``This is why I don?t have many friends. May I ask two questions?''\n\n\t``Go ahead.'' Jay stretches out his arms and scratches through his green hair.\n\n\tMilliken gives a short, almost military nod. ``One, I need to know your birthday. Two, may I touch your hair?''\n\n\t``It?s the fourth of Bengledan, so in seven months, I?ll turn twelve.'' He smiles. ``Yes, you may touch my hair.''\n\n\tMikey writes with his finger on the table top. Then he turns to Jay, reaching out slowly, he gently pats Jay?s hair twice before running his hand through the green strands for a few seconds. He pulls his hand back and stares at it, sighing. ``Thank you. I think that maybe we?re in love. The evidence would support that.''\n\n\t``Yes? So... Uhm... Would you like to be my boyfriend? Like how Lev and Bryan are? I mean, they?re really... What?s the word... Kinky. I?d like to just stay on that romantic level of touching, kissing, and such. The other stuff, I think I need more time before I?m ready for that.'' He frowns for a moment, then remembers the deserts, which he puts in-between the lemon pie. ``You ordered these, so you better eat them and not let them go bad!''\n\n\tMikey nods. Y''es, I would. Very much. I agree, less kinky than they are. That?s what I mean by ?beastie?. He takes a bite of dessert. What are the other things that hurt you, Jay?''\n\n\tJay sighs and looks away. ``Did your brother tell you about anything that happened to Lev when he was younger?''\n\n\t``No.'' Mikey carefully cuts a bite from the pie and eats it. ``I know that Lev lives with his grandparents. I haven?t had a chance to speak with him about his past.''\n\n\t``Well... Him and I went through very similar things and that?s why we?re close friends. We understand what it?s like to be hurt by someone...'' Jay gulps, looking down at his shoes. ``My Grandpa used to touch me in my private spots and do really nasty things to me. He?s gone now, but it still hurts. I think about it a lot. That?s why I don?t want to do any really dirty stuff. At least not yet.''\n\n\tMilliken looks at Jay. He looks at the table and begins writing again with his finger on the table-top. His lips move in silent commentary as his finger glides quickly over the table. As he writes words that only he sees, he begins frowning and pressing down harder and harder. Suddenly, he stops and draws his arm back, ready to sweep it over his work, erasing it all and sending their dishes flying. He stops, motionless except for his breathing. His eyes close and a tear trails down his cheek, dripping off onto his shirt. His lips begin to move again and he opens his eyes and carefully rubs his sleeve over his work area. ``I understand.'' Taking Jay?s hand into his own, he leans his head on Jay?s shoulder. ``Is there more?''\n\n\t``Uhm... Not really. I?ve ran away from home a few times. That?s about it.'' He?s silent, playing with his fork against the plate. ``Does that scare you?''\n\n\t``No. Why would it? Unless you?re planning to run away again and leave me.'' He takes another small bite and a sip of tea.\n\n\t``No, I?d never do that. I was scared that telling you all of that stuff would make you hate me or something. Yeah, it?s stupid.'' He blushes, playing with his hair as he leans one arm on the table and looks at him. ``I?m kind of full. You think you can finish all of those deserts?''\n\n\t``Yes. But I shouldn?t have so much before dinner. Mother would be upset.'' He looks at Jay. ``Why would hate you or anything? That doesn?t make sense.''\n\n\t``know it doesn?t. I?m just kind of crazy. Here, I?ll try to help finish this pie and you can eat the rest.'' Jay forces himself to consume the rest of the lemon pie, patting his stomach. ``Oh man. When we get back, can we just cuddle in bed for a bit? My stomach kind of hurts.''\n\n\t``I don?t think you?re crazy, Jay. He looks around the cafe. Maybe we can take it home. For later. I have chores and homework, but we can lay down and I can read. Or would that be rude and strange?''\n\n\t``No. You can do whatever you?d like. As long as I?m with you.'' Jay walks up to the front counter and gets a small container for the rest of the food. He puts it inside and smells Mikey as he gets up close to him. ``You ready to go home?''\n\n\t``One moment.'' He looks at the owner. ``Excuse me. Was there cinnamon in the pumpkin soup?''\n\n\towner taps his finger against the table, trying to remember the ingredients. ``Yes, but not too much. I?m surprised you could tell.''\n\n\t``It was very subtle.'' He starts to walk away, stops, and turns back. ``It was very good soup, but the desserts are better. May we come back?'' He takes Jay?s hand.\n\n\t``Of course! Please, please come back! Have a good afternoon. Be careful out there!''\n\n\tJay squeezes Mikey?s hand as they walk out of the shop and begin their walk back home. They walk shoulder to shoulder. Mikey talks about his favorite foods and books, Jay listens, and sometimes buggers in with his own questions to learn more from him.\n\n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"THE BOY HEROES FROM THE LAND OF ERIK (A Series of Epics)
Epic no. 4 -
Lev's Tale
By DamiJon
P.S Finally, you get to meet one of my favorite characters in the series! Not saying who yet.
Chapter Nine
\tThe morning dawns, not with the sun shining brightly and the birds singing, but with roiling clouds and distant thunder. Rain starts and stops in short fits that promise a great deluge when the darker clouds roll over the city.
\tKate, as always, is first awake in the household. She dresses without waking Aldan, kissing his cheek before she checks on the children. Seeing Bryan and Milliken entwined with Lev and Jay, she know they?re all more than friends. Shaking her heads as she goes downstairs, she says under her breath. ``All the men in this house crave other men. What?s a woman to do?''
\tShe starts breakfast, heating water and fetching fresh eggs from the chicken coop. Lenson, the neighbor down the road, trades a jug of fresh milk for a few eggs, and Kate starts the work of making biscuits.
\tUpstairs, Lev can hear her working in the kitchen.
\tLev gets dressed and rushes downstairs, taking a quick bath before he goes to help Kate. He makes a small batch of coffee for just the two of them as they work diligently and quietly side by side. ``Thanks for always being so kind to me. Cooking human food is fun and all, but I really like being around you. I hope you don?t think this is weird, but I sort of imagine that you?re like the mother that I never had. My parents were very abusive to me... But I?m sure Aldan already told you.''
\tShe seems surprised, her eyes misting as Lev opens up to her. She hugs him tightly. ``You?re welcome here, Lev. I?m happy that we?re like a family. You make Bryan very happy and you do make the best coffee I?ve ever had.'' She goes back to baking. ``But Aldan doesn?t reveal confidences. He?s told me you?ve had a hard life, and unfair life. She looks at Lev, her eyes kind and understanding. He doesn?t talk like that unless there?s reasons. I don?t know the specifics, Lev. I think Aldan would say that those are your secrets, and yours to reveal when and to whom you choose.'' A knock on the back door draws her attention. She answers and has a short conversation, returning with a covered bucket that she leaves near the door. ``Fish and eels for you, dear.''
\tHe takes them to the table, setting it to the side and close by his seat. ``Thank you for getting food that I can actually eat... I know that sounds stupid, but it means a lot to me.'' Lev and Kate continue working, having to make an even larger meal than normal and at a faster time rate before everyone wakes up and makes their way downstairs. Once his job is done with the cooking and baking, he sets up the table, wipes the seats clean, grabs the newspaper from outside, and makes a larger batch of coffee. ``We sure worked hard for this morning, huh? But it?s fun.'' He sits down at his seat to drink from his cup and read from the papers. His face lights up when he reads that Aizen had won the school award for his compositions last night. The reviews praise it highly and there?s even a small interview with him where he talks about himself, the demon community, and the pieces themselves. He looks to the front article, which reports something that he otherwise wouldn?t expect... Overnight, there was an attack at the castle that took the lives of twelve guards and one of the king?s highest-class soldiers. He sets it aside and under Aldan?s empty cup that rests where he typically sits at the table. The report in the paper mentioned that the explosion was caused by a fire that painfully burned the bodies alive. Nobody knows how it happened exactly, but the theories believe that it was an attack with magic.
\tKate fills an iron skillet with sausages. Their sizzle and smell fill the kitchen. ``Oh, honey, this is nothing. When his family visits, that?s when things get hectic. His parents, his older brother and his wife and children. It?s a mad-house, I?ll tell you!'' She glances at Lev. ``Be a dear and tell the Bryan and the boys to hurry up. Remind them to dress warm. It looks like a storm is coming.''
\t``Will do.'' He puts his coffee cup down and hurries upstairs, sits down beside Bryan and tugs his shoulder until he?s awake. ``Hey, sleepy-head. Time to get up. Breakfast is almost done.''
\tHe walks over to the other bed. Jay has been awake for a little bit now, but has just been lying in bed staring at the ceiling and thinking about a hundred things at once. He sits up, waking Mikey up. I think it?s time to get dressed. He jumps out of bed, hiding his privates as he goes to put on his clean clothes. Thunder rumbles the house as it starts to rain harder. ``Oh man. I know we need the rain, but it sure sucks to walk to school in it! I don?t know how that one kingdom by the forests can deal with all of that constant rain they get.''
\tLev laughs. ``You think this is bad? Talk to Aizen. He grew up in the mountains. Stay with him for a few days in the winter and you?ll never complain about weather again.''
\tJay looks out of the window with a sad look on his face. ``Yeah... I guess you?re right. This weather makes me depressed too. I don?t really want to go to school today. Not after yesterday.''
\t``But he?s not going to bully you ever again. You can trust me on that. The teachers and principal will talk to him. Maybe Aldan will talk to him too. You?ll be fine, Jay.'' He gives him a sympathetic smile and goes through the dresser, finding an outfit for Bryan. ``I think these will look good on you for today. You have to dress warmer since it?ll be like this for most of the day. Tonight it will most likely stop. At least that?s what my heart tells me.''
\tBryan gets up, stretching and yawning. He relieves himself into the chamber pot, then washes his face and hands in the water basin. Milliken follows suit, although he moves much more slowly, still half asleep where Bryan seems alert and ready to go. He looks happily at Lev. ``Is there anything you can?t do?'' Bryan grins. ``Do you think we?ll have time to fuck after breakfast or do we have to wait until after school?''
\tMikey moves slowly, reluctantly. Sitting on the side of his bed, he almost falls back to sleep as he pauses in pulling on his socks. He manages to smile at Jay. Bryan continues on, ``You have to go to school, though. everything you learn will help you be happier later. Dad won?t let anyone bully you as school anymore.
Especially since you?re Mikey?s boyfriend now!''
\tMikey glares at Bryan. ``It?s not normal to be this happy, this early. I can?t wait to dissect your brain.''
\tJay blushes but doesn?t say that he?s wrong. Lev lays back on the bed, watching and waiting as the rest of them get ready. ``Oh, I don?t know Bryan. I think we might have to leave for school earlier today since it will take longer to get to school in this rain.''
\tBryan grumbles, ``Stupid rain.'' After getting dressed, he leans against the desk below the window, staring out at the clouds. A flash of light is followed seconds later by a peal of thunder. ``Wow. Those clouds look dark.'' Looking at Lev, he smiles wickedly. ``Have you ever done it in the rain?''
\tMilliken finishes dressing. He bobs his head with the lightning flash. ``Six second from flash to sound. That means the lightning strike was 30 miles away, approximately.'' He looks out at the window. Grabbing his chalk and board, he makes some quick calculations. ``We have more than an hour before the worst hits us. The leading rain will be here sooner, of course. We should eat and get a "MOVE ON", as daddy would say.''
\tLev laughs into his kimono, then grabs Bryan to take him downstairs with him. ``Come on, buddy. Let?s get you full of some meat. All you can think about is sex, huh? Is that all you dreamed about too? ``He pulls up his seat, fixing his plate of food for him as well. ``There you are, love.''
\tSoon the entire family, plus two, is digging into breakfast. Fresh biscuits, fried eggs, sausages, gravy, with grapes and sliced honeydew melon. Lev has a selection of fat eels, none too happy at being stuffed into a bucket with a pair of large perch. Less happy when Lev tears into them. Aldan reads the paper, reading aloud to the family the article on Aizen and the competition. Bryan, Milliken and the others cheer the news. Aldan reads the account of the explosion and fire with a somber face. He doesn?t say anything but continues on with his breakfast.
\tWith breakfast finished, everyone dresses in their warm jackets. Aldan and the boys head out. The wind has picked up, blowing chill from the north, carrying the obvious smell of rain ahead of the storm.
\tLev ignores the wet ground as he walks, holding hands with Bryan for a moment until he decides to walk up to Aldan and speak with him. ``Hey, what did you think about that other part in the paper?''
\tAldan looks behind him. Jay is watching Milliken explain to Bryan how he can calculate the storm?s distance and arrival time. Lowering his voice, Aldan confides, ``It?s unusual, very unusual, obviously. I just wonder if perhaps someone isn?t trying to sow panic or fear. Perhaps to drive suspicion towards you? To push matters to a head.'' He shakes his head and sighs as they walk. ``Part of me wonders if I?m simply being paranoid. I worry for you, Lev. This just makes me worry about another set of circumstances and variables.''
\t``It made me think that it could have been a demon that did the attack, but that doesn?t seem right to me.'' He shakes his head, sighing. ``I wonder if it was somehow Cruiberg. Who knows. Anyway, I guess I should say goodbye to Bryan before we part our separate ways.'' Lev stops walking until his boyfriend catches up to him, then walks a bit slower. ``I?ll see you after school, alright? I might have to stop home to grab clean clothes again.''
\tJay listens attentively to everything that Mikey says and absorbs the information as if he were one of his teachers but interrupts him when he notices that Lev is saying his goodbyes. ``Hey, Milliken, maybe we should go to a cafe of some sort before he go back to your home tomorrow? So that we can be together with just the two of us?''
\tMikey cocks his head to one side. ``We could do that. I?d like that very much. Where should we meet?''
\tBryan takes Lev?s hands in his own and pulls him close. He kisses him on lips, sticking his tongue into Lev?s mouth with exaggerated sloppiness and noise. Aldan looks at them, shaking his head. Mikey watches them for a moment before turning away, his cheeks reddening. Bryan laughs. ``You guys love it. You know you do!'' He looks at Lev, then looks down at his crotch. ``I know you love it!''
\tLev grabs him by the crotch, leaning back in to kiss his boyfriend in the same obnoxious sense. ``I love you, babe. See you soon.'' He waves as he runs off towards Aldan.
\t``There?s a cafe by the prison that your Dad works at and the school we go to. Red Birds. They have some of the best sweets and pastries in all of the kingdom. Does that work?''
\tLev can hear them even from far away and yells. ``But their coffee is mediocre at best! Get the tea instead!''
\tMilliken nods. ``I?ll wait if I?m there first. Bye, Jay! I lo...'' Mikey blushes. ``Learn lots!''
\tHe rushes to catch up to Bryan and they rush to their classes.
\tAldan waits for Jay and Lev to catch up to him. ``I wanted to give you boys a heads-up. Don?t try and pull anything at school. I won?t go easy on you, just because you?re involved with my boys. Or because we?ve been involved.'' He looks at Lev.
\tLev nods. ``I?ll do my best... I promise that I?m trying. Maybe my best effort is worthless.'' Jay stays silent, holding his hands behind his back as he walks with them. Once they get to the school the rain comes down hard and brutal. The rain has everyone in the school out of focus and joking about being trapped in classes if it starts to flood outside. Lev and Jay take their seats as classes begin, the students being split into two separate rooms. Aldan goes to his office to prepare for his second day of work. It takes a mere fifteen minutes before Jay enters and sits down across from him, looking at him anxiously.
\tAldan looks at Jay. ``Seems like I know you from somewhere, young man. It?s Maks, isn?t it?'' He smiles warmly at Jay. ``What?s wrong, Jay?''
\t``Huh? Well... Lots of things, I guess.'' He goes silent for a bit. ``I have all of these weird feelings for someone that I can?t quite understand and then I have all of these thoughts about things that have happened to me and and and... I can?t stop thinking about my brother that passed. It?s like, I have this new friend, but I don?t know if I can really be a good friend to him if I?m always depressed and hurt.''
\tAldan nods. ``I understand, Jay. And I have a confession that I have to make.'' Aldan takes a deep breath. ``I like you. Milliken likes you a lot. He doesn?t like hugging people. His mother and I are about the only ones he lets hug him. I hope you don?t judge him too harshly for what I?m about to tell you. . .'' Another deep breath. ``I was Dakota?s last guard. I was in charge of his sentence.'' Aldan stares down at a paper in front of him on his desk.
\tJay doesn?t look shocked, but he?s still depressed. ``I sort of guessed that you knew him since you were working at the prison.''
\tAldan nods. ``I didn?t know how much you knew. But if that?s not going to create a wedge between us. . . Look, you?re worried about Mikey, right? You like him and he likes you.'' He rocks back in his chair. ``The thing to remember with Mikey, is that he?s different. Most of the time, other kids realize that early on and either avoid him or pick on him. It?s hard for him to recognize emotions in other people. You just have to be honest with him. He can deal with that. If he know the reasoning, he can piece through it in his way and understand. He?ll never be like Bryan, kissing you in the middle of the street. But he likes you a lot. Don?t worry about you not being able to be a good enough friend. You will be.'' He leans forward. ``Now, what else is on your mind? Do you have any questions about Mikey? Or anything?''
\tHe continues to look down at his shoes as he talks.'' Mikey just seems so innocent and I?m corrupt. I mean, look at where I?m at! Maybe I understand him because I know what it?s like to be bullied. I?m afraid my sadness will catch onto him and then he won?t want to be with me because of it. It doesn?t upset me that you were there for Dakota because I know that you probably cared about him and wanted to make sure he was okay. I forgive you for any of that.''
\t``What makes you say that you?re corrupt, Jay?''
\t``Because of what happened to me when I was younger. I?m dirty inside. I... Don?t think I can get intimate with Mikey for a long time. Maybe that?s good news to you.'' He shrugs, looking away to his right.
\t``You?re not dirty inside. What was done to you was stuff that was... done to you. It?s not stuff that you did. You?re not dirty inside at all, Jay. Whether you?re comfortable with being intimate, which I?m guessing you mean as sexually active, Milliken is still young. I don?t think he craves such things the way an older boy might, like how Lev or Bryan do. Holding hands is intimate for Mikey. Hugging.'' He shakes his head. ``I don?t know why or how. But he?s taken to you like no one else. Be his friend. Intimacy comes when it?s right for both of you. Both of you. One more thing, Jay. If I thought you were dirty, would I let you sit at our table? Stay overnight? Like you said, I worked next door for years. I know dirty. I know corrupt. You?re neither. You?re a boy who was betrayed and hurt terribly, and that is in no way NO WAY your fault or responsibility. None.''
\tFinally, Jay looks up to his counselor. ``I guess you?re right. It?s hard to get out of my head and negative thoughts though. I always feel like it was my fault or I?m the bad one, when in reality I?m not.''
\tAldan shakes his head. ``No, you?re not that bad one. Another thing, Lev doesn?t trust or like too many people either. And he?s another one who thinks the world of you. Don?t ever doubt that you have friends, Jay.''
\tJay nods his head. ``Thank you, Aldan.''
\tAldan nods and smiles. Anytime, Jay. Aldan looks around awkwardly. ``I?m not sure if we should shake hands or hug or anything.''
\t``Uhm, I?ll just bow my head.'' He stands up from his seat and bows. ``Thank you. I?ll see you later in the day?'' He peaks his head out of the door, looking to his classroom. ``Bye, Aldan.''
\t``Bye, Jay. See you later.'' Aldan makes some quick notes in Jay?s file.
\tAn hour passes before the next student comes in. It?s Grant, whom the principal actually marches into Aldan's office and has him set down. The principal puts a hand on Grants shoulder, looking to him. ``This troublesome fellow said that he doesn?t have any interest speaking to me anymore, so I thought I?d hand him to you. He bullied a student yesterday, so I thought maybe you could talk to him. I?ll leave him to you.''
\tThe principal smirks and leaves the room frustrated. Grant is a bit chubby, messy ginger hair, a bit of acne, pudgy hands, and pale skin. ``I didn?t even want to speak with you. What?s the point of even trying to talk to me? You don?t know me. You?re already judging me.''
\t``Am I?'' Aldan leans back in his chair. ``What?s my judgment, then? Tell me.''
\t``You think I?m an asshole and a piece of shit. Well, maybe I am.'' He grins widely and crosses his arms. ``But so is everyone else if they were more honest about themselves.''
\t``Maybe that?s true, Grant. But why are you a piece of shit? What?s your unique craptitude?''
\t``Well, I hate the way people look at me because they see how ugly I am. I know that I am. Why can?t they just look away? I hate fags and how normal it is for guys and girls to be up on each other in public like that. I hate non-humans because they?re just as ugly as me. Like Lev... His kind are just a plague. I don?t even know why they even live in this kingdom.'' He leans in his chair.\t
\t``I see. Is that why you were bullying Jay yesterday?''
\t``Yeah. He?s a fag and has that stupid green hair. Total freak. Cuts himself too.''
\t``Why not just not look at him?''
\tHe shakes his head. ``How can you avoid someone that sticks out like that? Fucking freak. Or like Lev. Double freak.''
\t``But everyone?s a freak, right?''
\t``What?'' He falls forward, hitting his hands on the desk, looking confused.
\t``Everyone?s an asshole. Everyone?s a freak.''
\t``Yeah.... So your point is?''
\t``If everyone?s a freak, then no one?s a freak. Because everyone?s weird and different. So why do the differences matter?''
\tGrant thinks for a moment, seemingly frustrated. ``Well, demons are powerful, and they could kill us all if they wanted to. Same with any of the mages, elves, anthros, vampires, and other beasts.''
\tAldan leans forward and scoffs. ``But they haven?t. Name a beast that scares you. Any beast at all that scares you.''
\t``Scares me? Nobody scares me.''
\t``Nobody? What about all those demons, elves, vampires, and mages you just mentioned?''
\tGrant is getting really frustrated now. ``You know what? Fuck you. You can?t help me either.''
\t``Truth is, no one can help you if you don?t want to be helped. I could tell you about the vampire count that I killed, the drake, the demons, the elves that have died at my hand and you wouldn?t care one bit. But you are scared, Grant. Terrified.''
\t``Am I? He looks at you full of pride and all pompous.''
\t``Yes, you are. You?re scared of lots of things. Mainly, you?re scared of anyone realizing how afraid you are. You?re afraid of being alone. No friends, no family. You bullied Jay because he has green hair, but also because he has friends, and you don?t. You?re afraid that you?ll never have friends.'' Aldan stands and looks out the window. ``Everyone your age has that same fear deep down. Everyone. You?re no uglier, no prettier. In fact, somewhere out there is someone who will think you?re beautiful. But you?re afraid of that, too. Hate and fear are two branches on the same tree, Grant.''
\tGrant goes quiet into deep thought, playing with his thumbs, looking as if he?s about to cry. ``Uhm.... May I go now...''
\t``One final thing before you go.'' Aldan goes to the door. ``You?re not alone now. You won?t be in the future. Stop trying to drive people away before they hurt you. We all get hurt. Everyone.'' He opens the door. ``And we all get afraid. Next time you?re feeling either, or angry or hateful, come see me. I?ll tell you some of my war stories.''
\tGrant leaves without speaking, running off to the other classroom to sit down and sulk. Deep down he knows that Aldan is right, and he?s been told some of what he?s heard before but hearing it from a man with such authority might have hit him harder. He thinks to himself. `How would I even apologize to these people that I don?t like anyway? Why would they want to be friends with me? How do I accept their cultures and lifestyle?'
\tAldan meets with two other students later on, who more or less have simple concerns that can be taken care of with less stress than that of Jay?s or his bully. After he?s finished, he has a small lunch with the teachers. Lev seems pretty up and positive today, despite the other students dreading the rain. Right before Aldan leaves the school the rain comes down harder, thunder cracking loudly across the sky. He runs to the prison afterwards and one of the guards that he saw yesterday gives him a cloth to wipe his face and hair down. He even goes to get him some ginger water to keep his immune system up. The warden comes by shortly after. ``How was work at the school?''
\tAldan nods. ``It was good. I think, well, I hope I helped some of the students today. What do you have for me?''
\tThe warden goes to Aldan?s box, pulling some folders out and handing them to him. ``As I said yesterday, there?s only six on your case load right now. Five recent, one that?s been here a while. One of them committed an act of molestation, so I don?t know how well you?ll work with him. The judges have decided to give him the rope, first youth to get it in a few months. His family is still trying to change that, but I don?t believe it will work. The other five are murderers, of course. Visit whoever you may today. Two seems good enough for you to see before you have to make it back to the school.''
\t``Right. Let?s start with the hardest ones first. The long termer and the molester.'' Aldan takes the files to an office and skims the two pertinent ones, starting with the molester and finishing with the long-term inmate.
\tThe first file has information on a teenager, aged 16, Neke More. He comes from a wealthy family, high grades, an athlete as well. His file states that he was intoxicated with a woman and had forced her to give him a blowjob and penetrated her with his fingers before being stopped in public by officers. His execution date is set to happen in two weeks and to happen by hanging. In the second file, a teen named Alexander Steele. His father is one of the kings highest honored warriors. Aged 15, coming from a rich family. He has been in the prison for a month now and is scheduled for execution by the block in five days. His crimes that he killed his older brother with poison after finding out he would be chosen to serve as one of the kings newly training high class warriors like his father had been. He also killed the man he bought the poison from.
\tAldan sighs to himself. ``So young, so stupid.'' He heads for Neke?s cell, pausing to speak with the guards on duty. He asks what sort of prisoner Neke has been. Has he been rowdy? Sullen? Once he?s learned a little from speaking with them, he heads for the cell.
\tNeke lays in bed and listens to the rain. His figure is tall, skinny, but muscular with messy brown hair and a long face. He stretches out his back when he hears someone coming close.
\tAldan taps the cell door. ``Neke More? I?m here to make sure things go smoothly for you. To make sure that everything you need done is taken care of. Can we talk?''
\tNeke makes a scared sound as he answers. I guess you can come in.
\tAldan enters. He sits at the table. ``Are you being treated alright, Neke? Is there anything that you need?''
\tHe wraps himself around his legs as he answers in fear. ``They haven?t gave me fresh water to bathe with since I came in here. Anything I need? That would help. How about having my sentence changed? You can do that, can?t you?''
\t``I can?t change your sentence. The water I can do. Hold on.'' Aldan leaves the cell, making sure it?s secure. He asks the guards for fresh drinking water and warm, clean bath water. He takes the drinking water back with him, re-entering the cell.
\t``Drinking water. Bath water?s being warmed. What about food? Have you been eating?''
\t``Barely. They give me a small salad and some chicken.'' He bites on his hand. ``Are you sure you can?t change it? Don?t you know that people can hang for fifteen minutes before they die? You can talk to them. Give me fifty years! I don?t care. Not this. This is, cruel!'' He stands up and out of his bed, pacing around before he sits down and drinks from his glass of water.
\t``I can speak with the magistrate who sentenced you. But according to your file, you were caught in the act. There?s not much lee-way in sentencing rapers.'' As those words sink in, he calls out from the door. When a guard responds, he instructs him to bring beef, bread, butter, and stew. And beer. ``We might have more luck asking for the axe instead of the rope.''
\tHe shakes his head.'' Judges said that the axe is to never be tarnished with the blood of someone that?s committed my crime. But I was drunk! Can you blame me? I couldn?t control myself. I regret it, yes, and I?ve apologized, but nobody gets it.''
\t``But you don?t deny doing the deed. And being drunk is no excuse. Do you think that made the woman you raped feel better?''
\t``Uh, maybe?'' Neke drinks the rest of his glass, slapping his hand over his head.
\t``I?ve seen a lot of these cases, Neke. It doesn?t make her feel better at all. I?ll do everything I can to make sure the sentence is carried out correctly. Which you understand means your neck snaps when you fall.'' Aldan watches Neke closely.
\tNeke looks at Aldan painfully, still not accepting that he will inevitably die for his crimes. ``Maybe I can have more time? Two weeks is too soon. I?m not ready. Can?t you see that I?m scared?''
\tOne of the guards knocks on the door. ``Food is ready, sir.'' Opening the door. He opens it, putting food on the table and a mug of ale before he leaves.
\tAldan nods. ``I can see that you?re scared. But so was your victim. Did you give her more time? There?s decent food for you. You?ll get decent meals from now on until the end.'' He sets up a plate and sets it opposite him. ``Come on and eat. What happened that night?''
\tNeke consumes his food rapidly before he begins to speak. ``I went to the bar with a couple of my friends and we drank heavily. There was a bartender there who kept teasing us, talking to us, and she was oh so beautiful. Once my friends left, I had went to the alley where the dumpster is and tried to relax my drunken mind. Eventually she came out and said she would help me since I looked sick. I could see her cleavage when she leaned over and then... I just got out of control.'' He goes back to eating his food, staring at the mug of beer, wishing that he could have it all to himself.
\tAldan notices him eying the mug and pushes it over to him. ``Go ahead. You were waiting for her by the dumpster?''
\tHe chugs the entire beer down before continuing. ``No. I wasn?t waiting for her. She came to me. Then I was overwhelmed by my need for her. I did not care at that time that she didn?t want me. Not until the next morning when I woke up in my cell thinking that it was all a horrible dream.''
\t``Not need. Want. You didn?t need her. You could have stroked yourself. You could have found a prostitute or rent-boy. But you forced her. The only person responsible is you.''
\tHe grows sully and saddened, pushing his food away as he cries into his hands and feels sorry for himself. Aldan watches with some pity. Once he is finished crying, a guard comes in to replace the bath with fresh warm water. ``Thank you for the food. And speaking to me.''
\t``I?ll be back when I can, as much as I can before the end. I?ll be with you then, and I?ll make sure the job is done right. Is there anything else you need? Books? Cards? A priest?''
\t``All of the above would help.'' He tries to smile.
\t``I?ll be back with them when I can. Do you have any messages or letters for anyone?''
\t``I don?t have any papers to do that.''
\t``I?ll bring something for that, too.'' He stands. ``Take your bath while the water?s still hot. If you want me to stay, I will. Otherwise, I?ll leave some privacy. Your choice.''
\t``You can go now. Thank you.'' He walks over to his bath, taking off his shirt and putting it over the chair.
\t``Be well, Neke. Think about who you have to make peace with. And how. I?ll be back.'' Aldan exits the cell and heads back to the guard room. He asks them to make sure Neke get warm water every other day and one hot, decent meal a day.
\tAldan sits by himself for a couple of minutes, gathering himself before visiting with Alexander Steele. Again, he asks the guards on duty if Steel has been any trouble. Once he?s filled in, he heads into the block and Alexander?s cell.
\tAlexander?s cell is much larger than the others with a much larger bed and clean sheets. His hair is light brown and hangs long to almost cover his eyes. He's definitely a noble citizen. Alexander is sitting at his desk and puts his book down when he notices Aldan coming in. He looks confused. ``And you are? Name?''
\t``I?m Aldan, Alexander. I?m here to make sure you?re being treated fairly and that you?re prepared for the sentence you face.'' Aldan looks around the cell. Mentally he noted every luxury that contravenes standard procedure, every regulation and rule being broken.
\t``Mhmm. I?ve heard the name. You fought in the army? Killed the count? That is you, right?'' He reeks of pride. Aldan can tell how self-absorbed he is by his mocking voice. ``Yes, I have heard all of the stories.''
\t``That?s me. Though I was unaware of any stories making the rounds.''
\t``Ah. Sit, sit.'' He pulls up a chair for Aldan and sits back down. ``My family are deeply connected with the king, so I hear all of these stories. You might even know my father.''
\tAldan wracks his memory for the name "Steele". ``Yes, I understand that your brother was chosen for the Ivory Guard. You objected, registering your disapproval through poisoning and murder?''
\t``That is correct.'' He smiles and shuts his eyes for a brief moment. ``And I would have taken out my father too if I had the chance. After all, he is why I?m here. Damn fool knew I was the better warrior than his favorite first born son.''
\t``Not if you had to resort to poison.'' Aldan states this without emotion.
\t``I know. I could have used a sword, but I thought I?d get away with it better this way.''
\t``But poison is a woman?s weapon. Or a coward?s. Why not challenge your brother to a duel? The slot going to the winner? And then killing the poison merchant. Careful, yes, but also cowardly. Certainly not an endorsement of your calling as warrior.'' Aldan smiles politely. ``Is there anything that I can do to help you prepare for the axe?''
\t``Ah... One thing I?d like before I go is a rent-boy or a nice fuck. That would be the most enticing. That and seeing my father die.'' He leans one arm on the table, biting one his lip as he stares at Aldan.
\tAldan chuckles. ``I don?t think I?ll be killing your father. Preferences for the boy or the nice fuck?'' He looks around at the ?cell?. ``I somehow suspect you enjoy certain privileges beyond most prisoners.''
\t``Well, I?m not royalty, but close to it.'' Alexander rolls his eyes. ``Ah, someone younger than me or strong like you.''
\tAldan looks at the boy. Almost a man. He drums his fingers on the table as he considers their options. What would Drew say if he gave Alexander a mercy fuck? Does he deserve compassion? He ?checks out? Alexander. ``What about your mother? I imagine she must be heartbroken? Her eldest struck down by her baby? No thoughts for her?''
\t``She is most certainly in pain, as she should be. They wouldn?t give me the honor that I deserve, so they lose both of their sons and die alone. Ah, maybe I should have gone for them instead of my brother.'' Alexander walks over to his bed, sitting down and spreading out his legs.
\tAldan drums his fingers. ``How do I know you won?t harm a boy? Or a man? Or try to use them to escape somehow? You seem completely unrepentant.''
\t``You don?t know.'' He winces at him. ``I was questioned this morning about the attack that had happened last night. They thought that I might have some information or that I was involved. Of course, I wasn?t.... It would be nice to escape prison, but it?s highly unlikely.''
\tAldan leans back, smiling a little. ``Strip, Alexander.''
\t``Strip? Are you sure about that?''
\t``Well, if you?re modest or scared. . .'' Aldan lean forward and stands.
\t``No, of course I?m not. I?m a warrior, after all.'' Alexander calmly takes off his prison clothes, then his undergarments. His small flaccid penis, about three inches and circumcised, is engulfed by a forest of dark pubes. He scoots closer to his pillow.
\t``Not bad.'' Aldan moves closer. ``Lay back. Spread your legs.'' He stands at the edge of the bed, towering over Alexander. He?s alert, he doesn?t really trust this prisoner, but he is curious. ``Raise your arms above your head. Let me get a good luck at you.''
\tAlex lays on the bed and does as he is told, getting a slight erection as he spreads his legs. He puts his hands up and under the pillow, showing off his hairy armpits. His smell is clean, even perfumed, unlike any other prisoner Aldan has had before. ``Well? Are you going to fuck me? I think that would make you the best counselor of all time.''
\tAldan sits on the bed. He begins rubbing a hand over Alex?s stomach and chest, teasing his nipples and pits. Playing gently with his pubes. ``There will be conditions.''
\t``Go on.'' Alex remains still as he grows to his full length at four inches. The look in his eyes is mischievous, dangerous.
\t``One. I like to bite.'' A slow, gentle run of his hand along the inside of Alex?s thigh
\t``Good. I like to bite too.'' He chomps with his teeth. ``I like blood.''
\tAldan arches his eyebrow. ``Two. I may want to piss on you. Before, during, or after.'' Smiling, Aldan continues to lightly stroke Alex?s body as he continues. ``Three. Try anything to hurt me or to escape, I?ll feed you your own balls. Ask the guards about being Joshua?d.''
\t``You wouldn?t be serious?'' His face changes to look of sudden disappointment.
\t``I should let you try to kill me? Bite out my throat? Bite off my cock? Knock me unconscious and try to escape?'' Aldan takes Alex?s wrists and holds the boy?s hands above his head. He lean down, pursing his lips and blowing over his nipples. ``That would be awfully foolish of me, wouldn?t it?''
\t``It would...'' Alex pulls back, reaching under his pillow for a knife with a six-inch blade. He hands it to Aldan and groans. ``Guess I won?t be needing this then.''
\tAldan takes the knife and feels its edge. ``Last conditions. I have to clear it with the warden.'' He gently tugs on the hairy pits and the dark pubes. ``And trim these. You agree to all of these, I?ll make sure you get fucked good and proper a couple of times.''
\t``Yes?'' Alex feels at Aldan?s large muscles and shoulders, gasping at how much stronger and powerful he is. ``I like it rough. I like it when it hurts.'' He scratches his own chest, licking his lips as he does so. ``I don?t need the knife. There are plenty of other ways for me to make an escape.''
\t``Oh? How?'' Aldan leans down moving in to kiss Alex. He pulls away at the last moment, pinning the boy to the bed.
\t``It?s so easy to steal a blade or sword from a guard. They never notice.'' He moans as he?s pinned down. ``Killing them would be just as simple. I?d let other prisoners out as a distraction. I could snap a guards neck, beat him with a chair, who knows... This is the third guard-knife I?ve stolen without them noticing.''
\tAldan keeps Alex?s hands pinned and kisses his chest, sucking briefly on his nipples. ``A shame you have no core. No honor. You?re clever and with training you?d have made a top swordsman, I?ll wager.'' He moves up, kissing and gently biting his neck. Too bad. We could have had fun for months. Training with the blade, fucking you long and hard when you did well. Making you watch me fuck a boy when you didn?t.''
\t``A shame that the kingdom will collapse soon and i will be long gone and free before it happens.'' Alex licks and kisses at Aldans neck, reaching for his cock.
\tAldan pins Alex?s hands down and climbs on top of him. ``What makes you say the kingdom will collapse soon?''
\t``Cruiberg is strong. Once they?ve conquered more of the forest and caused chaos here in the kingdom, everyone will be shitting their brains out.'' He laughs mischievously. ``Once I escape, I will get asylum there and use my information to take down the king. You?re a fine and lovely man. You should join them while you still have the chance. When I have my own power in Cruiberg, I'll make sure you live.''
\tAldan grinds against Alex, keeping the boy?s hands immobilized. ``I?ve read some reports and heard rumors their power is growing.'' He nips at Alex?s neck and lips. ``Pity?s for me. I?ve no way to contact them. I doubt they?d take kindly to me seeking them out in the wilds.''
\t``Lucky for you, I know some of them. I?m like a raven in that sense.'' His stomach rises as he?s kissed and he tries to fight back against his arms being pinned down. ``What do you want to do with me? Fuck me or question me?''
\t``Both.''
\t``Well, get on with it, bastard!''
\tAldan rolls Alex onto his stomach. He grinds against his ass, kissing and biting the back his neck and shoulders. ``What do you want, Alex?''
\t``Drive your cock inside of me. Fuck my ass like you hate me. Pull my hair, bite my skin, do whatever.'' The freakish boy humps the bed as he puts his hands behind his back, feeling at his own skin as he fantasizes about what Aldan will do to him.
\tAldan smirks to himself. He grips the knife Alex gave to him tightly, and using it as a blackjack, punches the boy in the back of the head. Enough to knock him out, but not enough to kill him. Once the boy is knocked out, Aldan cuts the expensive silk sheets into strips and ties the murderer?s wrists, elbows, and feet. Tying the boy to the bed, he quickly searches for more weapons while calling for the guards. ``If you were just a murderer, I?d have fucked you a half dozen times. But a traitor? The torturers will get their pleasure with you. . . You?ll probably enjoy it.''
\tThere?s only two other blades - a small razor hidden by the bath and a pocket knife up by his window. One of the guards hurries by, rushing in and stops when he see?s the boy naked, stunned and confused. ``Aldan, sir, what seems to be the... problem?''
\tAldan holds up the blades. ``Fetch the warden immediately. We?ll have to postpone this one?s execution. Matters of grave urgency. Hurry man!''
\tAs the guard hurries away, he sits and watches Alex. He considers pissing on him and fucking him anyway, but quickly dismisses both ideas. Hate fucking him would be a horrible choice. He waits for the warden, going over last night?s event and what Alex told him.
\tThe guard rushes out without questioning. About five minutes passes before the warden comes in, who stops by the bars before entering. He lights a cigarette and raises one eyebrow. ``Aldan, may I ask why one of my prisoners is naked and tied up in his bed?''
\t``He wanted me to fuck him. He wanted it badly.'' He gestures to the boy. ``But in addition to being impatient and amoral, he?s a talker. He mentioned contacts he has with the Cruiberg. And his certainty that soon they?d be the power here. He was irked that he?d be dead before they got here.'' Aldan relays the conversation to the warden. ``I believe it highly likely that he know more about the explosion last night and the Cruiberg plans that the interrogators from this morning learned. I suspect that they were overly deferential of his family.''
\t``Ah... I see. What a shame. How can someone his age have such grudges against those that raised him with privilege?'' The guard walks over to the table, sitting down and looking over one of the knives. ``We can?t carry him out of the cell like that. He needs clothing. I?ll have a group of guards lock him into a maximum-security cell underground. The traitor will probably live for as long as he wants if the information, he has turns out to be useful. Strange how that works, huh?'' He finishes his cigarette, calling out to some guards in the hallway and explains the situation to them, how they will need to put him in clothes and take him down to a cell downstairs for extensive questioning. ``Besides him, how was the other inmate? You have any requests for Alexander? Do you still want to see him since he?s technically still holding a death sentence?''
\t``I?ll see him. Maybe somewhere inside of him there?s something redeemable. Maybe.'' He sighs. ``If nothing else, he?d be a good fuck, I suspect. Prisoner Neke is terrified. I?d like make sure he get warm water for bathing every other day and that the guards give him the decent food. I?ll visit them both again. Neke is probably a decent enough sort, but his drinking seems to run him into dangerous territory.''
\t``Alright, then. Make sure that you write out a report before you leave for today.'' He lights another cigarette, sitting down on top of the table as he thinks. ``This is troublesome in many ways. Someone else will need to take his place during the day he was supposed to be executed. I?ll have to decide who and relay it over with one of the judges today. Hopefully, we can get information out of this traitor as soon as possible, but I?m not counting on it. That means I?ll be here for an all-day work-day.'' The warden equips the knives and blades that lay on the table and has the guards enter, pointing for Aldan to follow him out into the hallway. The prison echoes from the sound of lightning and the ceiling shakes. It?s still raining like war drums. ``You have any other thoughts, concerns, questions to ask?''
\t``I?m curious, sir, what you know about the explosion last night? If anything?''
\t``Hmmm? He exhales smoke in your face on accident. It was most likely magic. Most likely caused by that of a mage or demon. Investigations are ongoing. There?s no way it was some mere accident. It was definitely a planned attack. That?s all I know for now. Well, with this Steele boy confessing to you about Cruiberg, it could be them for all we know. But we don?t know anything. Maybe Alexander is pulling our leg?''
\t``That?s possible.'' He shakes his head. ``I feel for the boy if he was. They?ll find out the truth. The hard way.'' He accompanies the warden back to the offices. Aldan writes out a report for each visit, taking care to be as accurate and thorough with Alexander?s as possible. He turns them in, waiting for the warden?s approval before he heads back to the school.
\tBy the time Aldan arrives back at the school the final classes are almost done. Aldan stops by the other room, silently watching as a few students meditate with Raven. Lev is one of the few, who is deep into his meditation, so much that his body is floating a few inches above the ground. Nobody else can tell since they?re also meditating with their eyes closed. Aldan can feel the connection and positive energy between them all. He see?s that these troubled ones can achieve such nirvana and peace within themselves and together without having to give in or fall into the darkest paths that the young prisoners that he see?s have done. Lev?s ear twitches when he hears his counselor, his boyfriends dad, his friend, breathing carefully from by the door. Slowly, he raises one palm, forming some sort of geometric symbol in his hand with fire. It suddenly stops raining. Raven opens her eyes and quietly welcomes everyone back into their conscious lives. The symbol that was in Lev?s hand vanishes and as he descends back to the carpet Aldan notices some sort of black mist slip into his back and through his robe. Lev stands up, running past Aldan and grabs his empty clay pot and waits for Jay outside.
\tJay reaches down to tie his shoes and then watches as Lev cleans his feet with a cloth and bucket by the door. Once Aldan shows up outside, he begins to explain. ``Mikey and I are going on a date today at the cafe, so we will be home a few hours later on.''
\tLev tickles Jay?s stomach. ``Oh, I knew you?d be lovebirds! And I can?t help but to feel as if I set it up. Brilliant! I?m so excited for the two of you. I wonder what Bryan and I can do today.''
\t``Homework?'' Aldan says with a sidelong smile. ``Jay, take this.'' He hands Jay some copper and silver coins. ``If I know Mikey, he left his money at home. You two make sure you?re home before dark. Understood?'' He rests a hand on Jay?s shoulder as he talks to him. ``Other than that, have fun and stay out if trouble.''
\tLev walks close with Aldan, talking about the things that they wanted to teach him in class but he had already learned. He explains about how hard it is to participate in school when he can literally read a book in a split second by simply touching it with one finger. Meditation practices and the lessons on coping are the only things he really enjoys about school. Jay only follows them for a minute or two and stops by the cafe, waving his hand before he enters. He remembers what Lev said about the coffee and gets himself a chai, finding a seat by the window where he can stare out at the rain. At first during the day it seemed depressing and hopeless to him, but now he see?s the beauty in its composition. Staring at the rain lets all of his issues dissolve. He sips from his warm spicy tea and waits for his new friend that he love so deeply to show up. As he waits, he talks to himself. `Oh, Dakota... If you were here right now, you?d be so proud of me, finding someone like Milliken. He?s such a good friend. I think I?m falling in love with him too. But I need you. My other brothers and sisters, you know how it is... You understood me like none other. You were the first I told that I was being hurt by Grandpa. Can you lend me some strength to come clear with my friend? I?m afraid he will judge me... I don?t want to lose him, but he doesn?t want to lose me either. It?s all so confusing. I?ll visit your grave soon. I love you, Dakota...'
\tHe sighs, swinging one leg over the tall chair that he sits at and waits. Even though it?s raining, it?s not cold outside, which can be noted by when Jay puts his hand against the window. He waits. Waits... `Mikey... I love you so dearly.'
\tMilliken stares out the window of his classroom. There?s only seven other students and one teacher in the room, which is lined on three walls with bookshelves. Even around and over the door, bookshelves strain and sag with the accumulated written knowledge and culture of thousands of years. The teacher, Professor Redmond, is finishing a lecture on the volcano worshipping dwarves of the Iron Peaks. Mikey barely listens. He read the text for this lecture months ago, and his mind is clouded with thoughts of Jay. He feels a warmth when he thinks of the boy who moaned at his touch last night. He realizes that he misses his green haired bed-mate. Mikey sighs, looking down in surprise and confusion - his penis is hard. He shifts, casting a guilty glance around the room. The others are absorbed in the lesson. Dwarves and volcanoes flee from Mikey?s mind as he grapples with these new feelings and desires. He?s scared that he?s going to do something wrong, but he can hardly wait to see Jay again. To talk with him. To hold his hand. Feel his arms around him again. ``I don?t like to be touched though. Why is it different?''
\tProfessor Redmond stops. He strokes his long, dark goatee. ``Is there a question, Milliken?''
\tEveryone turns to Mikey. He stands at his desk, covering his erection with his blackboard, and shakes his head. No, professor. He sits down, his heart pounding. He?s sure everyone saw his hard penis. Once class is excused, they?ll tease him for it. Another thing to mock Mikey about. He close his eyes and begins ticking through his list. The names and birthdays for his family. The dates of each of his father?s named battles and subsequent promotions. The exercise calms him. He adds yesterday. The date of the concert and the day that he met green-haired Jay.
\t``Class is dismissed. See you all tomorrow morning.'' With that, the children gather their books and boards and head for home. The rain has eased and Milliken races through the streets. He avoids other pedestrians and travelers. He doesn?t want to get dirty, doesn?t like to talk to strangers, doesn?t want to be touched. But most of all, he doesn?t want to be delayed. His mind notes the priority of this last thought and files it for further examination. Maybe when there?s not a baker with a cart of bread blocking his way!
\tMikey spies the cafe and rushes inside. He?s late. He knows he is! Jay?s been here, waited for him, and left in disgust at his tardiness. Standing in the entry, Mikey scans the tables desperately. Every split second increases his panic. Until he sights the shock of green hair near the window. He squeaks in happiness, not noticing the quiet chuckle of the men at the counter near him. He walks quickly to the table and sits next to Jay. It doesn?t enter his mind to sit across from him. He needs to be near him. He takes Jay?s hand in his own, his own cold and wet hand. He smiles, breathless. ``Hi!''
\t``Hey, Milliken! You?re earlier than I thought you would be. Here, let?s go look at the pastries and tea.'' He hugs Mikey, not too lovingly since there are a few people inside, who are too preoccupied with their own conversations to even care. They walk over to the front and the store owner greets Milliken politely.
\t``Hello there! Looking for something to drink? Maybe you?re hungry? Oh, I bet you are!'' The store owner is young, speaks freely and is a bit awkward in how he presents himself. He runs around, grabbing a plate with a slice of lemon pie. ``Since you?re just young ones that probably don?t have enough money, this one is on me! Have a go at it!'' He grabs two forks and sets it on the plate. ``Now what can I get for you, young one?''
\tMilliken looks at Jay. His eyes begin to well with tears. His eyes fall to the floor. ``I forgot my money at home. I?m sorry.''
\tJay tugs on his shoulder. ``It?s okay! Your dad gave me some. Get whatever you want!'' The store is flooded with an array of tea jars of all kinds from across the planets, even some that they bought from the demons in the kingdom. There?s tons of deserts and pastries, none that could be healthy, but are all handmade and fresh. There?s also a basket of exotic fruits plucked right from the nearby forests.
\tMikey looks at Jay. Wiping his eyes, he starts to smile. ``I have a good dad. I?m cold!'' He looks at the owner. ``Do you have any hot soup? Sir? Jay, do you want to share a sandwich? Then we can get two different desserts and share those, too. If you want to.''
\t``Sure, Mikey.'' Jay almost tears up just listening to his friend speak with him, totally in the moment and recognizing the beauty of it all.
\tThe shop owner looks around, trying to remember everything that he?s serving today. ``We have a nice pumpkin soup if that?s alright. I can make a panini sandwich with some fresh greens that will also fill you up. That will take a few minutes for me to warm up.''
\tJay whispers, ``If only Lev was here, then he?d have it ready in a second!'' He laughs.
\tThe shop owner looks to Jay with a bright smile. ``What kind of deserts are you looking at?''
\t``Oh, sir, pumpkin soup and a Panini would be perfect.'' Mikey looks at the desserts on display. ``I like something with filling. Custard or creamy. And blackberry tea, please.''
\t``Sure thing. Have a seat and I?ll bring it out to you.''
\tJay takes the lemon pie with him back to their two seats by the table. ``How was school today? Boring? Exciting? You probably know everything that they teach. I?m always bored during our math classes, since I?m a whiz at that, but everything else can be so confusing! Everyone was acting weird today because of the weather and the attack that happened this morning. Someone in class said it?s a sign that we?re going to war soon, but I don?t know enough about it to really have an opinion...''
\tThe shop owner brings over a large pumpkin soup that he sits between them and a panini sandwich cut into two pieces. Jay hands him some change. He sprints back to behind the shop to grab some of the deserts, putting them to the left of Mikey. ``Here you go! Let me know how it all tastes before you leave. Oh, I almost forgot your tea! One moment.'' He grabs the warm mug of tea that he forgot at the counter and puts it on the desk. Jay sips from his tea, his knee touching Mikey?s as he faces him.
\tMikey tastes the soup. ``Pepper. Cloves. Nutmeg. Salt.'' He takes another spoonful. ``I think cinnamon, but very little. It?s very good.'' Pouring his tea, he takes a tiny sip before adding honey. He looks at Jay and sighs. His eyes narrow and he fidgets for a moment before staring out the window. ``Classes were typical. The lecture after lunch was on a book that I read weeks ago. That was boring. All I could think about was you and meeting you here.'' He glances at Jay, blushing. ``Morning lessons were more interesting. Professor discussed the use of covert violence as a means of settling or instigating political disputes. In light of the attack last night. He likes to use practical examples for our lessons.'' He takes a bite of sandwich, dunking a corner into the soup for a second bite. ``Does he really remind you of me? How is that?'' He looks at Jay and fidgets again. HIs lips move silently and he quickly takes another bite.
\t``I don?t know. He?s just very alert and observant. It?s a good thing.'' Jay takes his time eating his sandwich, switching from it before going back to his tea. Once he?s finished, he tries the slice of pie. ``Nobody bullied me today, so it was a good day.''
\t``I still don?t understand why people bully you. When I was being picked on, mother said it was because I was different, and the other children didn?t understand why. He arches an eyebrow. Most of them stopped with Bryan talked to them. The others when Bryan told them about daddy working in the prison. He told them he?d throw them in cells if they didn?t stop. They must have believed him because they stopped.'' Finished with soup and his half of the sandwich, Mikey wipes his hands, staring at Jay as he does so. Fidgeting and tearing his eyes away, he begins tracing his finger over the tabletop, almost writing as his lips follow silently along.
\t``Well, there?s this one guy there at my school and he?s a knucklehead to everyone. Maybe Aldan can help him out. He?s really nice. I spoke with him today and he helped me with some things.'' Jay looks out of the window, wishing he could just touch Mikey?s hand for a moment. ``Is it okay if I get a bit serious with you for a moment? I don?t want to make you sad. Maybe if you get sad, you can tell me a funny story or something happy? I just feel like... If we?re going to be good friends that you should know more about me.''
\tMilliken nods. ``I want to know more about you. He visibly bites his lower lip. I . . . I want to be very good friends. As good as Bryan and Lev, except not as beast-like.''
\tHe laughs for a moment, finishing his tea and taking another bite of the lemon pie. ``Well, you know how your Dad was a guard at the prison? One of his prisoners was my brother. He was executed a few days ago... Dakota did some really bad things, but there?s some good things in him too. I found out just an hour ago by Lev that he was buried next to Aldan?s husband, someone that you knew. That makes me like your Dad even more, knowing that he did that for me and my family, giving him that beautiful space. It is gorgeous, actually.... I?m still kind of struggling with it. We were very close for a long time, but once he grew heavy into this lifestyle of selling drugs, we grew distant. It hurts a lot. Actually, I?m very hurt by many things right now and that?s not the only thing. I?m afraid that my hurt will hurt you too or you?ll stop talking or liking me because of it. He shows his wrists to Mikey. I did these to myself a while back. I don?t really know why. I guess I felt like I deserved it. Ran away from home a few times too. That?s why I go to the same school as Lev. I?m troubled.''
\tMikey looks at Jay?s wrists. He doesn?t say anything but reaches out and traces his fingers over the scars, counting them quietly. He looks up at Jay. ``I don?t like to touch people and I don?t like to be touched.'' He?s still holding Jay?s wrists. ``Even now, most of my brain is buzzing. Like faerie fire. It?s saying "Don?t hold him. Let him go." But there?s a different part that?s saying "Never let him go. Never let him go." I never heard the second part until yesterday.'' He fidgets and looks away. He keeps hold of Jay?s hands. ``I?m weird, too, Jay. I talk to myself, even when other people are around. You noticed, I?m sure. I scared I?m too weird for you. That I?ll do something weird and you?ll think it means something when it doesn?t. He takes a half-hearted bite of pie.''
\t``But I?m not scared of you... I know it?s only been less than a day since we met, but I think you?re the most brilliant, awesome person I?ve ever met.'' He finishes his tea. ``You?re the most handsome and beautiful person I?ve seen. I don?t know what this weird feeling is inside of me and it?s so overwhelming. Is it love? I... I think I love you. Is that too soon to say? We?re so young. Do we even know what that is or means?''
\tThe traces of worry leave Mikey?s face. ``Love is a difficult subject. Most of the sentient races devote substantially artistic and philosophical energy investigating and trying to define and quantify love. Each race?s view of love is colored, obviously, by their own history, culture, and creation myth. As an example, four hundred and . . .'' Mikey stops. He looks sheepishly at Jay, grinning and fidgeting. ``This is why I don?t have many friends. May I ask two questions?''
\t``Go ahead.'' Jay stretches out his arms and scratches through his green hair.
\tMilliken gives a short, almost military nod. ``One, I need to know your birthday. Two, may I touch your hair?''
\t``It?s the fourth of Bengledan, so in seven months, I?ll turn twelve.'' He smiles. ``Yes, you may touch my hair.''
\tMikey writes with his finger on the table top. Then he turns to Jay, reaching out slowly, he gently pats Jay?s hair twice before running his hand through the green strands for a few seconds. He pulls his hand back and stares at it, sighing. ``Thank you. I think that maybe we?re in love. The evidence would support that.''
\t``Yes? So... Uhm... Would you like to be my boyfriend? Like how Lev and Bryan are? I mean, they?re really... What?s the word... Kinky. I?d like to just stay on that romantic level of touching, kissing, and such. The other stuff, I think I need more time before I?m ready for that.'' He frowns for a moment, then remembers the deserts, which he puts in-between the lemon pie. ``You ordered these, so you better eat them and not let them go bad!''
\tMikey nods. Y''es, I would. Very much. I agree, less kinky than they are. That?s what I mean by ?beastie?. He takes a bite of dessert. What are the other things that hurt you, Jay?''
\tJay sighs and looks away. ``Did your brother tell you about anything that happened to Lev when he was younger?''
\t``No.'' Mikey carefully cuts a bite from the pie and eats it. ``I know that Lev lives with his grandparents. I haven?t had a chance to speak with him about his past.''
\t``Well... Him and I went through very similar things and that?s why we?re close friends. We understand what it?s like to be hurt by someone...'' Jay gulps, looking down at his shoes. ``My Grandpa used to touch me in my private spots and do really nasty things to me. He?s gone now, but it still hurts. I think about it a lot. That?s why I don?t want to do any really dirty stuff. At least not yet.''
\tMilliken looks at Jay. He looks at the table and begins writing again with his finger on the table-top. His lips move in silent commentary as his finger glides quickly over the table. As he writes words that only he sees, he begins frowning and pressing down harder and harder. Suddenly, he stops and draws his arm back, ready to sweep it over his work, erasing it all and sending their dishes flying. He stops, motionless except for his breathing. His eyes close and a tear trails down his cheek, dripping off onto his shirt. His lips begin to move again and he opens his eyes and carefully rubs his sleeve over his work area. ``I understand.'' Taking Jay?s hand into his own, he leans his head on Jay?s shoulder. ``Is there more?''
\t``Uhm... Not really. I?ve ran away from home a few times. That?s about it.'' He?s silent, playing with his fork against the plate. ``Does that scare you?''
\t``No. Why would it? Unless you?re planning to run away again and leave me.'' He takes another small bite and a sip of tea.
\t``No, I?d never do that. I was scared that telling you all of that stuff would make you hate me or something. Yeah, it?s stupid.'' He blushes, playing with his hair as he leans one arm on the table and looks at him. ``I?m kind of full. You think you can finish all of those deserts?''
\t``Yes. But I shouldn?t have so much before dinner. Mother would be upset.'' He looks at Jay. ``Why would hate you or anything? That doesn?t make sense.''
\t``know it doesn?t. I?m just kind of crazy. Here, I?ll try to help finish this pie and you can eat the rest.'' Jay forces himself to consume the rest of the lemon pie, patting his stomach. ``Oh man. When we get back, can we just cuddle in bed for a bit? My stomach kind of hurts.''
\t``I don?t think you?re crazy, Jay. He looks around the cafe. Maybe we can take it home. For later. I have chores and homework, but we can lay down and I can read. Or would that be rude and strange?''
\t``No. You can do whatever you?d like. As long as I?m with you.'' Jay walks up to the front counter and gets a small container for the rest of the food. He puts it inside and smells Mikey as he gets up close to him. ``You ready to go home?''
\t``One moment.'' He looks at the owner. ``Excuse me. Was there cinnamon in the pumpkin soup?''
\towner taps his finger against the table, trying to remember the ingredients. ``Yes, but not too much. I?m surprised you could tell.''
\t``It was very subtle.'' He starts to walk away, stops, and turns back. ``It was very good soup, but the desserts are better. May we come back?'' He takes Jay?s hand.
\t``Of course! Please, please come back! Have a good afternoon. Be careful out there!''
\tJay squeezes Mikey?s hand as they walk out of the shop and begin their walk back home. They walk shoulder to shoulder. Mikey talks about his favorite foods and books, Jay listens, and sometimes buggers in with his own questions to learn more from him.
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