Touched: Fourteen

redkage · #1 November 27th, 2007, 02:13 PM

Previous Installments:
Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13

Touched
Fourteen

“Ah-CHOO!” Logan sneezed loudly. He sniffed and wiped his nose with a tissue before he settled back under his bed sheets. He was really starting to get tired of this cold. The worst part of a cold is probably the fact that it made him feel sick, but left him with enough energy to prevent him from falling asleep again. So, lying in his bed he just stared up at the ceiling with a piece of tissue stuffed up his nose.

“Knock, knock.” A deep voice rumbled.

Logan immediately bolted upright. Standing in the doorway was a muscle god, standing a few centimeters less than 7 feet tall. Weighing over 410 lbs. of sheer muscle mass, Simon was a sight to behold (Even though about 100 of those pounds were due to the density of his muscle mass, he still looked like a freakish 300 lbs teenager.) Ever since they started kissing, Simon began to shoot up in both height and weight at a rapid pace. Though some of it was obviously natural from the bond they shared, the fact that he started to go to a gym built specifically for a Warrior type Kin-Lam helped. It looked like a normal gym to an outsider, but in reality the people here were lifting weights by the ton. Each weight was specially made by a fellow Kin-Lam craftsman to weigh far more then it looks, and the bars designed to hold all that weight without bending. Now with proper equipment to work with, Simon hit the weights hard. Surprisingly, Riley became his new gym partner and became somewhat warmer towards Simon, though he still claims that the big guy “doesn’t deserve my little bro” just yet. Still, Simon was blowing through the gym ladder and was quickly heading to becoming not only the biggest, but the strongest in the gym

There had been a bit of drama from the teachers and coaches that suspected him from using steroids, but then that was immediately taken care of by a blood test which happened to take place in the same hospital Logan’s father, Harold, worked in (Well of course Simon couldn’t go to a regular doctor; the needle would have broke the moment they tried to pierce his skin.) After pulling a few strings, a fellow Kin-Lam doctor printed out some phony results stating that Simon had a rare condition that allowed his body to develop at a fast rate in the form of accelerated puberty. Finally supplied with an explanation, everyone quiet down and allowed Simon to plow through his football games, bringing them that much closer to the championship cup, and Logan had gone to cheer him on at every single game, including the one last night.

“What are you doing here?” Logan asked. He became aware of the tissue stuffed in his nose and he quickly pulled it out.

“To nurse you back to health, of course.” Simon said as he held up the white Tupperware. “My mom’s special chicken soup; one spoon of this and you’ll be better in no time.”

“You didn’t have to come.” Logan sat on the edge of his bed.

“Of course I did.” Simon said as he moved in close. “You got sick from sitting in the bleachers to watch my game in the cold, after all. How can I just let my most loyal fan stay home alone in bed and suffer?”

A faint smile appeared on Logan’s face. “But I look horrible.”

“Nonsense, you always look great to me.” Simon told him.

The smile grew broader. He was about to say something when he heard a barking outside. Curious, he got out of bed, went to the window and peered outside. “You brought Boomer with you?”

“Had to.” Simon walked over next to Logan and looked down. In the backyard, Eve and the golden retriever were playing fetch with each other. “He wouldn’t stop begging me until I agree to take him.”

“Your dog begged to come?” An eyebrow rose.

“Oh yea.” Simon grunted and pressed a hand on his forehead. “Apparently I can understand animals now, and it’s giving me a headache. You can’t imagine how much a dog can talk.”

”I would’ve thought that it’d be fun.” Logan continued to look down at the two playing figures.

“Are you kidding me?” Simon gaped at him. “It’s like listening to a talking Duracell rabbit. He just kept on going on and on and on until it drove me nuts! And don’t get me started on birds. They yak more then a bunch of old grannies!”

Logan couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m serious!” Simon said. “It’s driving me insane!”

Logan just laughed harder.

“Thanks for being so understanding.” Simon rolled his eyes.

“Sorry, sorry.” Logan said as he took out a folder from his desk. “Alright, I’ll add this to the list.” He pulled a sheet from the folder and laid it down on the desktop. On it was a rather sizable list. Excluding some of Simon’s ‘natural’ abilities such as strength, charisma and a high IQ, there were also some unique powers. Mind reading and a 6th sense for finding things had already been established before, but now there were also super hearing, night vision, levitation (limited to roughly a foot from the ground).

Some of the powers were completely useless, however. Such examples were turning his hair into vivid neon colors, making soft drinks immedietely go flat, turning cheese green and making people hiccup. There was no way he could use that anywhere. If his mom ever saw him with electric pink hair, he'd be grounded until college. And who wanted flat drinks, green cheese and hiccups?

Though those powers were actually somewhat fun, there were also some rather frightening powers as well. One incident almost robbed him of his fingers while making a sandwich when a dull knife in his hand suddenly became so sharp that it sliced right through the cutting board and sank two inches into the counter. Another day, Simon found out that he could persuade anyone to believe or do anything he wanted. He discovered this in class when they were split up for a debate concerning abortion. After a few words from Simon, the team instantly became firm believers of his views, and even the teacher, a pro abortionist, suddenly turned sides. At first it seemed great, but after thinking it through he could only shudder when he thought of how that power can be abused. Not only that, it was directly altering a person’s free will. So with firm resolution, Simon decided to forbid himself the use of that power.

Quickly Logan scanned through the list. “I’ll put this right under ‘makes certain body parts glow.’” He said as made his entry.

“I thought I asked you to cross that out!” Simon said, horrified.

“Hey, it’s a power all the same.” He told him as he wrote.

“No, seriously, cross it out!” Simon reached for the paper, but Logan quickly pulls it away.

“Oh come on, it’s not that embarrassing!” Logan jumped out of reach. “You woke up in the middle of the night to take a leak, but when you pull down your pants you suddenly find that the piece of meat in your hand is glowing like a-”

“Enough!” Simon leaped forward and snatched the sheet of paper from Logan’s hand. Quickly he began to erase the entry from the list. “We shall never speak of glowing unmentionables ever again.”

“That’s fine by me.” Logan chuckled. “I’ll just write it back in as soon as you leave.”

“Oh, no you don’t!” Simon whirled around grabbed Logan and pinned him to the wall.

Logan, however, just smiled at him. “Well? What are you going to do to me now?”

Simon broke out into his own smile. “Give me some time to think about it.”

Of course Logan didn’t give him any time as he leaned his head forward and kissed him full on the lips. Immediately Simon felt his knees grow weak as he felt a electric fire race from his mouth and through his veins, pumping into every single muscle in his body in waves of pleasurable heat. For a brief moment he kissed back, enjoying the sense of pure joy welling up in him. However, he eventually broke the kiss before it lasted too long.

“Aww, why do you always have to ruin it?” Logan asked.

“We shouldn’t be doing this.” He closed his eyes, resisting the urge to continue.

“It’s just a kiss.” Logan said as he leaned in for another, but Simon tilted his head out of the way.

“It’s not ‘just a kiss’ and you know it, Logan.” He told him sternly. I want to make our time together last as long as possible he thought. “You’re sick. You should be resting.” He said out loud.

“A little cold won’t kill me.” Logan shrugged his slender shoulders.

“Still, you should do your best to get better soon.” He gently reached up and brushed a few stray hairs on Logan’s head back into place. “If you do, I’ll do anything you want.

An eyebrow rose up. “Anything?” Logan repeated.

“Anything at all.” Simon grinned.

* * *

“On second thought, I take back what I said.” Simon protested.

“You said anything.” Logan told him.

“I meant anything within reason.” Simon stressed. “I mean, this is kinda embarrassing!”

“Oh come on, what do you have to lose?”

“My dignity?”

“I think you lost that when you called me in the middle of the night, screaming about glowing-”

“Alright, I’ll go!” Simon quickly cut him off. “But why did you pick this of all things?”

“I like it.” Logan said as he handed the man in the candy stripe vest two bucks. The man nodded and watched as the two of them climbed onto the carousel at Thunder Hills amusement park.

Gingerly Simon climbed onto one of the steeds and settled onto it uncomfortably. Other visitors of the amusement park climbed onto other ponies, mostly little kids. Distantly Simon could hear the screams of people riding the roller coasters, but they were almost drowned out by the blaring music coming from the ride he was on. “Why in the world would you like to ride these things?” He asked. “I mean, I can understand it if it was the Puke-inator 2000 or the Scream-a-thon, but the merry-go-round?”

“Oh come on, you used to love these things when we were kids.” Logan laughed as he shook the rubber stirrup.

“We also liked picking our noses and flicking the boogers at girls.” Simon rolled his eyes. “We’re almost sixteen years old now for crying out loud.”

Logan just laughed weakly. “Yea, I know it’s a bit childish, but I guess since I had my childhood ended so abruptly, I started to cling on to the little things like amusement park rides and video games. The carousel is one of my favorites because it reminds me of how it was like back then, when we didn’t have a care in the world.” He then turned and looked at Simon directly. “Pretty silly, isn’t it?”

Simon suddenly realized that he had been staring at Logan and quickly glanced away. It was just…the smiling sad expression on that face really moved him. So much pain in his past, but even so the guy still found happiness.

“I guess this isn’t so bad.” Simon mumbled.

Logan flashed him a smile.

“But after this we ride the Puke-inator until one of us throws up!”

“Okay, but I’m not the one who puked the last five times we went on it.” Logan grinned broadly.

“That was then, and this is now. Some things can change over time.”

* * *

“…And some things will never change.” Logan sighed as he rubbed the small of Simon’s back, trying to comfort him. The football stud was hunched over to keep his stomach in check, but the rocking of the bus and the strong smoke and stenches that accompanied a public transportation vehicle didn’t help him too much.

“Ugh…Why did they have to put in so many loops?” The big guy groaned as he held one hand on his mouth and the other on his stomach.

“I’m surprised you’re still sick. We left the park roughly half an hour ago.”

“That ride had 4 loops, 3 corkscrews and tons of twists and turns. I’m surprised you’re still standing.”

“That’s because I didn’t eat four burgers, two hotdogs, nachos with extra jalape?o peppers and a washed it down with a super sized coke.” Logan informed him. “Your metabolism may stop you from packing on fat, but it won’t stop your lunch from coming back up.”

Simon’s face immediately turned into a noticeable shade of green. “Did you have to say jalape?o?” He heaved.

“Stop the bus!” Logan jumped up. Immediately the driver pulled over and Simon bolted out the door, heading for the nearest bush. Logan jumped off after him, but when he took three steps forward the doors behind him snapped shut and the bus wheeled away.

“Well, there goes our ride.” Logan remarked as he watched the bus disappear around the corner. “And we’re still too far from home to walk the rest of the way. Looks Like we’ll have to wait here for the next bus in…” He leaned forward and squinted at the schedule posted on the bus stop. “…one hour.”

After he was done throwing up what was left of his lunch, Simon wiped his mouth and walked up next to Logan. He looked at his surroundings. It wasn’t exactly the long chain of stores or suburbs like he was used to. This area was near the edge of town, more rural and rugged then the ordinary world he was acquainted with. There were cracks in the street, lots of old fences and several empty lots filled with long, uncut grass and weeds. Even the houses themselves were ugly.

“Very attractive place we landed ourselves in.” He observed.

“It could be worse.” Logan shrugged his slender shoulders.

Simon flopped down on the bus bench and got into as relaxing of a position as possible. “Well, nothing we can do now but wait.”

“Yea…” Logan looked around a bit more. The street was placed in front of them along with the few scattered homes. The terrain in that direction was all flat, but behind them the ground suddenly rose up into a sizable hill.

Without any hesitation he began to climb up the steep slope. The action immediately caught Simon’s attention. “Logan?”

“Hey, while we wait why don’t we go take a look around?” He was already almost halfway up the side, though he was begging to huff and puff.

Right away Simon jumped off the bench and was at his side in no time to lend him his arm and support him in his climb. Thought it was a bit tiring for Logan, this was nothing for Simon’s great strength and endurance. Together the both of them made it to the top of the hill, hand in hand.

The landscape on the top of the hill was far different from the area behind them. At the top of the hill, the ground leveled out once more into a vast field. There were a few trees scattered about, but the rest of the plains was a sea of green and gold made from tall grasses. When a breeze blew through, the grass rippled like waves on an ocean just before it breaks on the sandy shore.

“Wow, this place is amazing!” Logan said as he wandered into the field. Simon silently agreed.

Logan took a deep breath as he took in the sight before he turned around to look at him. “How about we wait here until the bus comes?”

“Sure.” Simon nodded, and the two of them walked together into the shade of a tree. As Simon sat down with his back against the tree, Logan surprised him by sitting down in front of him and leaning back to rest his head against that huge chest. Automatically, Simon’s arms moved up and wrapped around Logan. There was no feeling of blind lust in this action, nor sexual attraction or desire. Just happiness to hold the one he cares about most close to him.

Letting out a soft sigh, Logan sank further into Simon’s embrace. Despite their steely hardness, they were quite comfortable and relaxing to him. It wasn’t that those strong arms made him feel safe, or even his attraction to his size. It was the tender caring that was involved with the hold that made him feel like he was in paradise.

As they sat there, the two of them just stared quietly at the scenery. “Who knew that such a run down place had such a treasure like this?” Simon thought.

“It just goes to show that you really can’t judge a book by its cover.” Logan replied. “On the outside it may look ugly, but it can hide something rather beautiful behind that face.”

Or yours. Simon tightened his arms ever so slightly around his slender body. Now that he thought about it, this place was just like Logan. Although his outward appearance was homely, he was so stunningly beautiful inside that it almost put him to shame. Before, he would have been satisfied with just being near Logan, even if he wasn’t wanted or was so verbally abused. But now he could see how blinded he had been by his libido.

While they were sitting there, A quiet voice in the back of Simon’s mind told him now was the perfect chance to confess his feelings. He had attempted to do so many times in the past month, but he became so nervous that he immediately balked. He was almost disgusted with how much a coward he was. He was seven feet tall, for crying out loud!

Hesitantly, he spoke up. “Logan…There’s something I wanted to tell you.” Already he could feel himself sweat and his heart beat faster.

Logan shifted around so he could look up at Simon. “Yes, what is it?”

Well, here goes everything. Simon swallowed.

“I…love you.”

Logan looked at him for a moment, and then gave a soft sigh. “I know.”

He didn’t know exactly what the reaction should have been, but certainly not that. “What do you mean, ‘you know?’”

“You’ve realized you’ve loved me ever since the day you drew my portrait, correct?” Logan asked.

His eyebrows rose up and he nodded. “H-how did you know?”

“Like I said before, I’ve been watching you so closely for so long that I tell what you are feeling just by looking into your eyes. After the day we kissed, you changed so slightly that only I could see it. Well, with the exception of Sophie.” He added thoughtfully. “She’s always on top of these things.”

“Wait, so you knew all this time and you didn’t bother saying anything to me?” Simon blanched, thinking of all those nerve wrecking moments when he tried to spit out those words.

“It’s not my right to say what you feel. For all I know, you could have wanted to keep it to yourself.” Logan turned around so he could look directly at Simon. “Though in truth I liked it better that you told me yourself, in your own words.”

Then he leaned forward and kissed him. It was short, almost teasing and was over too quickly. When Logan pulled back, he smiled warmly. “I love you too, Simon.”

Simon felt his face flushed. He tried to speak several times, but the words died out in his throat.

Just then the two of them heard the bus as it screeched to a halt at the bus stop.

“Oh geez, has it been an hour already?” Logan jumped up. “We’d better hurry, or else we’ll be stranded here!”

Still speechless Simon pushed himself up and followed Logan back down the hill towards the bus. Indeed, the hour flew by without either of them noticing.

Will their time together be the same as this hour? Will it all fly by them so fast that it’ll be over before they knew it? With a heavy heart, Simon climbed onto the bus, paid his fare and sat down in an empty seat next to Logan.

No, he had to make every moment count. He’d make every second, every breath they shared something that they’ll cherish together.

Every moment until he had to say goodbye forever.

muscl4life · #2 November 27th, 2007, 02:38 PM

I loved this chapter and at the same time I have to say there were times that I hated this chapter, it was so heart warming and tender, but the last lines... wow red you REALLY pulled us right back to the fact that Logan is doomed, and that made me sad.

But DAMN this story is awesome! It might take me to the verge of tears, but that's catharsis...

Congratulations

Adam · #3 November 27th, 2007, 02:46 PM

I was happy to see a new chapter had been posted. Touching and well-done.

Koutetsu · #4 November 27th, 2007, 03:33 PM

I just wish Logan could keep on living! I love those two!

sierraca · #5 November 27th, 2007, 04:06 PM

Another chapter, yay! It's great to read about an intimate moment between the two and their deeper connection. As Muscl4life indicated, Logan's fate seems certain (or is it?), but what will happen with Simon? The new "powers" are intriguing (and funny). A glowing c**k? What a hoot! (Did you write this portion during the Halloween timeframe?)

Reading the last line of this chapter: "Every moment until he had to say goodbye forever," and the opening line in the prologue: "Like most friendships, theirs began by pure chance," ..., I'd better stock up on the tissues.

Thanks for continuing the story.

redroger11 · #6 November 27th, 2007, 06:06 PM

OH Boy! You sure know how to keep us on the edge. I thought the same thing your two lovers must have thought. So Soon?
Really beautiful work man.
Keep Writing!

Hugs;
redroger11

redroger11 · #7 November 27th, 2007, 06:19 PM

Hey I have a question. What would happen if they completed the ceremony? If they swore themselves to each other, or if Simon cut himself off from humanity? Wouldn't that stop the drain? Nature works a certain way and those things that work in nature for one creature, often work the same for another. Wouldn't their completion of the ceremony that was interupted when they were eight, cap them off from the rest of the Kin-Lam community? Wouldn't Simon's severing of his tie to humanity cause the drain to stop?

Logically there is a reason the powers get pulled from the Kin-Lam to the Human. Like water seeking its own level. The mass of humanity in back of Simon, pulls the powers from Logan. Or else why does it happen? In the world you've created, why does the more powerful one die? Lack of love from his family? Lack of circling the lovers in a ceremony each Kin-Lam MUST go through? You have not said what happens if the Kin-Lam don't perform the ceremony. What if they don't touch someone else? What if?

You know how you want this to end. I just think that the world you crafted up has a better idea for these two then Simon lives and Logan dies. Just an opinion. Stories don't have to have a hero die when their lover can help it.

Well I thought they were just a few questions. Maybe I just want one answer. I think you can guess what the question is.

Keep writing!

redroger11

redroger11 · #8 November 27th, 2007, 06:39 PM

Just one more question.( I know, you've all heard that one before.) Redkage, have you ever read any Zena Henderson Science Fiction Stories?

redroger11

chocomus · #9 November 28th, 2007, 06:24 AM

This chapter was cute. I liked it.
I don't care about what others think. Until i read "Logan was dead", I'm not gonna believe it's really going to die. Even if I read it, it still can be a dream to torture poor Simon.
You know what? Sometimes we don't like good endings because usually in reality bad things happen and not always there is a good end, but sometimes it happens. That's why I stil have hope for the both of them. They deserve a future together. A LONG future. But I'm not gonna ask for it. I'll acept any ending of this great story.

Excelsior · #10 November 28th, 2007, 07:45 AM

Now you see, redkage, if I was Lord and Master of the world I would have made you finish this fantastic story.
Your writing is impeccable, if only I was as half as good as you. Please don't leave such a long time between chapters.
Also, How do you make you stories so engaging??? You essentially create a whole detailed universe with each story. I haven't read anything as good since the Rainfall saga.

nj. · #11 November 28th, 2007, 02:32 PM

That was pretty cute

And just so you know, I made a little enthusiastic jump in my chair when I saw you'd posted the new chapter.

animalis31 · #12 November 28th, 2007, 02:51 PM

This story is great...the characters feel like real people, they are complex. How do you write? Do you sketch your characters first and then see what happens, or do you have a clear goal in mind? For some reason this story reminds me of Naruto...Would it be possible for you to write more about Sophie and Howard's back story? One last question, who is Riley's Arour Dian?

GodlyFratboy · #13 November 28th, 2007, 07:12 PM

Lifes a given,
Its here to stay,
But theres a beauty,
Thats never to sway.

Here upon that,
Faded crest,
Is a pain,
That wont come down.

There upon those,
Faded lips,
Is a beauty,
Is a pain,
Is a treasure,
Thats never to stay.

tagsnola · #14 November 29th, 2007, 02:56 PM

There is more than an entertaining story, here, MUCH more!

Without hesitiation, Logan has exchanged super-human strength and demi-god-like power for voluntary weakness and a shortened life to save his friend. ("No greater love than this!") And his sacrifice has been truly vindicated by Simon's inherrent goodness. Neither character is perfect, making them all the more believable. But both seem to draw strength from each other. It's never really been just a one-way street (from Logan to Simon). I think Logan's greatest gift to Simon has not been the transfer of his preternaural powers, but rather his inner strength, courage, deep wisdom and spiritual joy in the face of extreme adversity. I think Simon's greatest gift to Logan has been to serve as a foil and focal point of his joy. (Once Simon and Logan were finally reconciled, Logan was given the choice between life death. And Logan chose life.) He said it best when he told Riley that he was tired of dying. And that even if it meant fewer days, he would rather experience the joy of his kissing and touching Simon than to refrain from doing so just prolong the inexorable dying process. And when Logan said he would "do it again" (saving Simon's life, no matter the cost) I must confess, I completely "got it." I understood exactly what Logan was trying to tell his brother, Riley. It seems that Riley got it, too, when, in defiance of his cherished Kin-Lam customs, he called Logan "brother."

I have hope for Logan's family that, before he dies, his father, mother and brother will come to understand as Eve in her innocence understands, that, notwithstanding his cursed existence as a Falhan-Kyn, his life has been a blessing, not a curse. How could anyone who loves so deeply as Logan and gives of themselves so extravagently and with such wreckless abandon as Logan be anything but a blessing. Indeed, Logan's short life could and should serve as something of a "template" for all of us!

I do not really know if this has been your intent, but I believe this story has given me just a bit more insight into what "life" and love really are and what they're not. In the end, it's not about the number of our days, but what we do with the time we have. When Logan dies, I believe he will die smiling. And alongside his grief at the loss of the love of his life, Simon will have been left not only with Logan's strength, but also his joy and love of life. And I think he will find some way to share that joy with others, both human and Kin-Lam.

- Just my take for what it's worth. Thanks so much for your effort!
- TagsNOLA

Excelsior · #15 November 30th, 2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tagsnola

There is more than an entertaining story, here, MUCH more!

Without hesitiation, Logan has exchanged super-human strength and demi-god-like power for voluntary weakness and a shortened life to save his friend. ("No greater love than this!") And his sacrifice has been truly vindicated by Simon's inherrent goodness. Neither character is perfect, making them all the more believable. But both seem to draw strength from each other. It's never really been just a one-way street (from Logan to Simon). I think Logan's greatest gift to Simon has not been the transfer of his preternaural powers, but rather his inner strength, courage, deep wisdom and spiritual joy in the face of extreme adversity. I think Simon's greatest gift to Logan has been to serve as a foil and focal point of his joy. (Once Simon and Logan were finally reconciled, Logan was given the choice between life death. And Logan chose life.) He said it best when he told Riley that he was tired of dying. And that even if it meant fewer days, he would rather experience the joy of his kissing and touching Simon than to refrain from doing so just prolong the inexorable dying process. And when Logan said he would "do it again" (saving Simon's life, no matter the cost) I must confess, I completely "got it." I understood exactly what Logan was trying to tell his brother, Riley. It seems that Riley got it, too, when, in defiance of his cherished Kin-Lam customs, he called Logan "brother."

I have hope for Logan's family that, before he dies, his father, mother and brother will come to understand as Eve in her innocence understands, that, notwithstanding his cursed existence as a Falhan-Kyn, his life has been a blessing, not a curse. How could anyone who loves so deeply as Logan and gives of themselves so extravagently and with such wreckless abandon as Logan be anything but a blessing. Indeed, Logan's short life could and should serve as something of a "template" for all of us!

I do not really know if this has been your intent, but I believe this story has given me just a bit more insight into what "life" and love really are and what they're not. In the end, it's not about the number of our days, but what we do with the time we have. When Logan dies, I believe he will die smiling. And alongside his grief at the loss of the love of his life, Simon will have been left not only with Logan's strength, but also his joy and love of life. And I think he will find some way to share that joy with others, both human and Kin-Lam.

- Just my take for what it's worth. Thanks so much for your effort!
- TagsNOLA

It bought a tear to my eye reading your assesment, and you are so right.