The Order

Prologue

It took some time, but Taliesin finally found the one he sought. Lane Weaver bore the symbol of the dreamer, marking him as one who could free Taliesin from the chains still binding him to The Order.

Early in his life the Gift seemed a blessing, but after thousands of years Taliesin’s soul grew weary and it became a crushing millstone. The weight of immortality unbearable, he was ready to pass the Gift on to a successor, but until it resided in someone else, Taliesin could not die and find the rest he longed for. As a man, he was not meant to live forever and his loneliness was excruciating.

Taliesin found love through the ages, a few women but mostly men, and losing each was more painful than the last. Eventually, he couldn’t stand the losses any longer and hardened his heart, determined never to love or hurt again. No longer sure he was capable of love, he opted merely to exist.

Curse them! They knew what they were asking me to do! They knew the price I would pay, and they knew I wouldn’t understand the cost. How could I?

With no contact from anyone in The Order, he knew Charisa, Jonathan, and the remaining Elders were in danger of being wiped out. Secretly, he hoped the Enemy would destroy them, thinking it would free him. However, on hearing the chord in Heaven a year ago and realizing someone existed who could free him, he couldn’t risk the chance that The Order’s destruction might release him when Lane Weaver was a certainty; he would make sure of it.

The fact that Lane must willingly accept the Gift was inconsequential. Taliesin was a master of subtlety and used to orchestrating events to suit his desired outcome; this time would be no different. Even if it took a few more years, he could be patient and wait if it meant his freedom and finding the peace he longed for. While technically Lane would have a choice, Taliesin would make sure the only option Lane could make was the one he, Taliesin, wanted.

Knowing Lane would have music in him, Taliesin used that knowledge to find him. With the experience of thousands of years as an agent of The Order, a little patience, and his own formidable powers, Taliesin discovered a music store Lane frequented. It was then a simple matter of reading the thoughts and memories of the shop employees to find what he wanted, and he began learning about the man he needed to find.

He would have to be careful… Lane was always accompanied by a close friend named Bryan. Bryan was bound to Lane in his dreams, the two of them one of five pairs of men circling Aaron. All of the men fell under Aaron and Albrecht’s protection, who blocked any attempts to scry them, but the protections ran deeper than his old mentors, and he wondered about it.

Regardless, he would have to do something about this ‘Bryan’ to get him out of the picture, perhaps use him as leverage to force Lane’s agreement in accepting the Gift.

There’s no way in hell I’m taking a chance you will say no, Lane Weaver.

He needed a lure to get Lane’s attention, someone young and malleable, preferably a runaway no one would miss. A street urchin himself as a child, he knew where they liked to hide.

Yes, that will work.

Formulating his plan, Taliesin set things in motion. Even with the wisdom and knowledge of thousands of years, it never dawned on him to approach Lane and simply talk with him. So desperate for his freedom now that it was within sight, he was blinded from that thought. With compassion long burned out of his heart, it was inconceivable anyone would have compassion for him.

 Chapter Eleven

 The next day Rick and Loy drove to the office to supervise the moving company in clearing out the office furniture. Sally had already transferred to Simmons Security, so Rick and Loy volunteered to take care of things. Arriving early, it only took a few hours to coordinate the movers and get everything packed and on the truck.

The furniture was in excellent condition and reinforced due to the weight of half of the guys, and Darren negotiated an excellent price on an online auction site.

Northbound traffic on the drive back was horrible, and I-85 was practically a parking lot.  The two men talked, joked, and shot the shit to pass the time as they sat in the most recent heatwave of the summer. Without movement for airflow, the air conditioner in the car could not keep up with the heat.

Out of the blue, blinding pain hit Loy’s legs, and his body bowed from the sudden, intense agony.

“FUCK!”

Quick to react, Rick grabbed the steering wheel so they didn’t crash.

“Loy?! What’s wrong!?”

Fortunately, Loy’s feet slammed down on the brake pedal and not the accelerator when he reacted, and Rick quickly moved the gearshift into Park so they wouldn’t bump into the car in front of them.

“My legs! Oh, fuck! Ricky, it feels like my legs are broken!”

Some of Loy’s pain bled through their connection, and Rick was surprised Loy hadn’t passed out from the intensity. His face purple, veins in his neck stood out from the physical stress of fighting the sensation suddenly wracking his body. Pounding the armrests with his fists, his teeth clenched tightly, his body broke out into a heavy sweat as every muscle tightened in a struggle to fight off the immense pain.

Unfastening their seatbelts, Rick pulled Loy over the console onto his lap, managing to switch places so he was in the driver’s seat. Loy’s eyes turned white and rolled back into his head, and he started mumbling and not making sense.  Harsh gasps made his words difficult to understand.

“Oh fuck, Rick, it’s dark! I’m scared … I... I’m slipping away! Fuck! Don’t let me go! Oh, God, it’s so hot! It hurts! Don’t let me go!”

Rick heard real terror in Loy’s voice as he trembled violently in reaction to whatever was happening.  Reaching out blindly to find Rick, as soon as he touched his partner, he gripped Rick’s arm with desperate strength, the cords and tendons in his hand and forearm visible from his death grip. Loy was still amped up from the sex they had earlier that morning, and Rick had to tense his arm to keep the bones in his forearm from cracking.

Through their link, Loy’s confusion, emotional trauma, and physical pain threatened to overwhelm Rick, and he had to dampen their connection to keep a level head. Terror was foremost in Loy’s mind, fear of slipping away into blackness as if he were dying.

Part of Loy’s panic came from Rick’s presence being washed away by what was happening.  Fear of losing his lover and the other half of his soul overrode his ability to think. His unconscious mind attempted to apply his training, but the emotions were too powerful, preventing him from thinking clearly.

It tore at Rick, seeing Loy experiencing something so harsh and not being able to do anything for him. Pulling back, he all but shut down the link, hating to do it, but afraid of losing control himself.

In his mind, Rick shouted: DOC! ALBRECHT!

Thankfully, Rick was still charged up mentally, and between that and the adrenaline in his system, he had the range to reach them. Brad and Lane heard him, too, because all four of them responded immediately.

Rick! What’s wrong!?

Loy’s having some kind of seizure! He’s in terrible pain, he’s scared shitless, and not making sense! We’re stuck in traffic, and I don’t know how to help him!

Rick’s frustration, concern, and fear for Loy were apparent, and his brothers and mentors wrapped him in their support as they scanned his memory of the last few minutes. The doctor’s voice, calm and clear, entered Rick’s mind.

Everything will be fine, Richard! Loy is awakening and has bonded with something nearby that is causing his distress and triggering his Avatar. The initial surge caught him by surprise, and understandably, he did not know how to block it. You must find the source of his experience so we can help him. It might be harmful to Loy and whatever he has linked with to break the connection, so proceed carefully.

Doc, he said he felt like his legs were broken. There’s been some kind of accident up ahead, and we’re stuck in traffic. It must have just happened because I don’t hear any sirens yet.

Lane, link directly with Loy and monitor him. Bradford, you do the same with Richard. Albrecht and I will stay with all of you.

Brad’s strong presence entered more deeply into Rick’s mind, helping to calm him down.

Hey, buddy. Don’t worry, we’re going to figure this out together. I’m with you, and I’m not going anywhere. Now, let’s look for what’s causing this so we can help Loy.

Brad’s confidence and direction brought clarity to Rick’s thoughts, and his training kicked in, allowing him to focus and maintain control. Exiting the car, Rick slammed the door in frustration.

Brad, I don’t want to leave him like this!

Lane’s with Loy, Ricky. The best way to help him is to find the source of whatever he’s connected to. I’m with you all the way, bud.

In addition to Brad’s emotional support and concern, to Rick, it was as if Brad’s hands were on his shoulders, holding him tight. His brother was in him, walking with him, and it made a difference.

When still fully human, as a SEAL, Rick would never have hesitated to execute a directive and do whatever was necessary in the moment.  Now that he and his brothers lived in one another, their emotional bonds were tighter than ever, and their capacity to love and be hurt greatly expanded.  Still adjusting to the changes, Rick was grateful for Brad’s presence and the clarity it brought, and his thankfulness was apparent in the link.

Fuck! Okay.

Taking a deep breath, Rick moved forward, and only a short distance ahead noticed an overturned tractor-trailer. Immediately he took off, sprinting faster than any human could run, dodging car doors opening as bystanders got out of their cars to look. One opened directly in front of him, forcing him to vault over the vehicle, and in his concern for Loy, he didn’t care if anyone saw him.

A few seconds later he stood looking on the carnage of the accident, and as the horrible screams hit his ears, everything became clear. A horse trailer was overturned, and two horses lay on the pavement writhing in pain. Their sides heaved and their eyes rolled with fear as their bodies flailed. Rick saw their mangled legs, broken in multiple places. The driver of the truck was trapped inside the overturned vehicle, trying to get to them, his muffled screams begging for help and calling to the horses.

Guys, look!

Albrecht: Yes. The symbols of Loy’s Avatar make sense now. Loy is linked to those poor beasts. Rick, listen carefully. Get Loy there as quickly as you can. He needs to have physical contact with those horses. I believe that will help stabilize him, and he should have more control once that happens. Do not, under any circumstances, let anyone euthanize those beasts before Loy gets to them!

Sprinting back to Loy, Rick put him over his shoulder in a fireman’s carry and was back at the horses in no time. Setting Loy down between them, he put one of Loy’s hands on each of their necks. As soon as his hands made contact, Loy’s Avatar exploded in a burst of light, clearly visible to Rick through his mind’s eye.

A thick white band like a massive shockwave passed through the cars and people, spreading so rapidly it covered the entire planet in a matter of seconds, and in those brief seconds, every animal on Earth became a part of Loy and he a part of them.

As soon as Loy touched their necks, the two horses stopped moving, still in pain, but with his touch, their fear vanished.

Loy’s voice, barely audible even to Rick’s hearing, mumbled, “Oh fuck, I’m sorry. Don’t be scared. I know it hurts. I’m here. I’m with you.”

His eyes still white, Loy’s hands gently stroked their necks, covered in frothy sweat from the heat and pain. Rick, and Brad through him, saw Loy’s energy centers flaring sporadically while tears ran down his face from the jumble of emotions slowly coming under control.

Smelling fuel, Rick glanced over and saw gas leaking from the overturned truck.

In frustration, he yelled, “Fuck!”

The truck is leaking gas, and it’s on fire! We don’t have much time!

Brad: Get that guy out of the pickup. This might hurt Rick, and I’m sorry, but I don’t have time to be gentle.

A powerful compulsion from Brad channeled through Rick’s mind, urging all the drivers and passengers in the area to get out of their cars and move to a safe distance. It didn’t hurt so much as it felt like a tremendous pressure on his mind, but with Brad’s warning, he braced for it.

As car doors opened and people started to move away, any dogs riding with their owners jumped out of the cars, making straight for Loy. Rick could hardly believe what he witnessed as the dogs surrounded Loy, nuzzling him and the horses with encouraging whines. Some even gently licked the wounds on the horses.

The trapped driver beat on the glass, yelling for help and begging anyone to help the horses.  Moving to the overturned vehicle, Rick tried to open the door, but it was jammed shut.  Hopping up and bracing his feet, he pulled so hard his back and shoulders flexed, ripping his shirt as the door came off its hinges. Reaching into the cab, Rick pulled the man out.  At a cursory glance, the driver was cut, his head bleeding, but otherwise seemed okay.

While Rick rescued the horse’s owner, Loy gained more control, pushing the pain, fear, and confusion back. As the fog lifted, Lane’s soothing mental presence became apparent in his mind.

Hey bud, welcome back! You gave us a scare, shithead!

Lane! I can feel them! Not just the horses, but all the animals! Fuck, I can’t tell if I’m in them or they’re in me!

I know, bud, it’s incredible!  Unfortunately, there’s no time for training, so let your instincts take over, and I hope for their sakes it’s not to lift up your skirt and run screaming like a little girl.

Even in the seriousness of the situation, Loy smiled at Lane’s comment, giving him a little clarity in the craziness he was caught up in. Through his Avatar, Loy probed the horses, letting his ability run its course. The primary damage was their broken legs, shattered in multiple locations. With a thought he blocked their pain centers, and immediately their bodies relaxed and their breathing became less labored.

He saw in their minds they were intelligent and confused by his presence, but not afraid. In fact, Loy was shocked at an intense feeling of something… fulfillment?... completion?... coming from them at his presence, like they had been waiting for him.

His tears changed from sharing their pain to joy as their unconditional love touched him. So pure and absolute, it stunned him, and his breath caught in his chest. It was every bit as powerful as he and Rick merging, or becoming one with any of his brothers. Their acceptance, and what they would do for him, was indescribable.

The love he returned, along with his support, calmed them. He found their names in their memories; Dolly and Burt. Their owner was a kind man, and they were both very attached to him.

Lane, in Loy’s mind, shared everything, and tears fell down his face too, forcing him to tone down his connection to stay focused and help Loy.

Loy, I’m not sure if this will help, but Bry magnifies and helps focus my ability to heal. If you can heal those horses, I think you’re going to need Rick’s help, and you need to get a move on before that fuel catches fire.

Rick heard sirens in the distance, but the first responder's progress was slowed due to cars blocking the emergency lanes.

Loy’s head whipped around at the sound of a rifle being cocked, loading a bullet into the chamber.

“NO!”

Dolly’s and Burt’s owner had tears in his eyes, and he shouted back, “Their legs is broke! They can’t survive, man! I need ‘ta put ’em down so they don’t suffer!”

Loy didn’t have time to argue or be gentle and he mentally punched the man, knocking him out.  Rick grabbed him, lowering him to the pavement to keep him from hitting his head on the concrete.

“Ricky, I need you. I don’t know how this is going to work, but I know I can’t do it by myself.”

Whatever you need, you know I’m here. Tell me what you want me to do.

Now that Loy was more in control, Rick delved back into his lover, filling Loy with his presence and embracing the man he loved with all his heart and mind.

Deep in one another, where their souls were one, the two men appeared to one another, naked in every way. Pulling Loy into a hug, Rick pressed their bodies together. Relieved Loy was alright and in control, Rick wondered at his new connection to the animals.

Loy’s urgent need to heal the horses was apparent, so Rick didn’t prolong their embrace. Ruffling Loy’s hair affectionately and kissing his forehead, with a smile they returned to their bodies.

Lane: Alright, I’m guessing this will work the same as healing people. Look at the patterns in the flows, and you should see the damage and know what you need to do to fix it.

Albrecht: If their legs are broken, you must set the bones before healing them. Loy has their pain centers blocked. Rick, since you are stronger, it would be best if you do it.

No sweat. Loy, fire us up.

Rick’s strength, resolve, and confidence surrounded Loy, entering him as he opened their energy centers, remembering how Lane and Bryan healed Rick and Tag.

As Loy opened their energy centers, bringing their souls back together, they fell into that powerful, intimate place.  Once again, for a brief moment, the chaos around them stopped as they became one, the calm and peace between them granting clarity and serenity to the situation. Their eyes filled with hot tears from the potent intimacy, and their breath caught in their big chests.

Lane’s mischievous grin was evident through the link as he chided them.

Thanks for the hard-on there, fellas!

Brad and Albrecht laughed, and while the doctor didn’t laugh openly in the link, the corner of his mouth rose in a smirk. Back at the lab, Brad flushed from the overflow of emotion between his brothers. Ken put his arms around Brad from behind, aware of everything through his partner but not saying anything, just holding Brad against him, letting him know he was there and supportive. Brad didn’t break his link with Rick but started to pull back, not wanting to interfere with what was about to happen.

Loy and Rick's thoughts were one: Brad stay. We want you with us. Lane, you too, and doc and Albrecht. All of you, stay with us.

In their mind’s eye, even in the bright sunlight, the two men became shining beacons of colorful energy. Starting, Loy opened the energy centers on the horses one at a time. They were different than humans, but they had them, and he wanted Dolly and Burt to feel what he was doing and not be afraid. Their life energy vibrant, Loy and Rick blended the flows of the two animals into and through them.

An external surge of emotion tugged at Loy, briefly confusing him. Glancing around, the dogs stared at him intently. Their love, the raw unconditional love dogs feel towards people, pressed into him, and he sensed the strange feeling of completion from them as if they had been waiting for him, and he was with them again.

As his Avatar awoke, Loy had a brief moment of understanding, knowing he was now connected to every creature on the planet. Just as Bryan was connected to life, Loy was now connected to living creatures, not only of Earth but all creation. If he concentrated, they were with him, in the back of his mind.

Their presence and wild nature were a part of him… the freedom of hawks in flight… the gentle and noble spirits of elephants in Africa… whales and dolphins in the ocean… deer shot and killed not far from where he stood… it went on and on through the thousands of species covering the planet. It was beautiful and harsh and wild, and he had to push it down quickly before becoming lost in it. Shaking his head to focus, he brought his attention back to what he and Rick needed to do.

Rick moved to Dolly first, looking at her broken legs. Even though her pain centers were blocked, Rick was as gentle as he could be. His arms flexed, and with minimal effort he set the bones. His hands moved lightly on either side of each break, while Loy coalesced the energy into a white rope, and they watched, amazed, as the bones knitted together and the damaged flesh and hair filled back in.

By the time they healed the last break on Burt, Loy and Rick were exhausted. Both men breathed hard, covered in sweat from the heat and the strain of having so much energy flow through them. Their own energy greatly diminished, they were on their knees, exhausted.

Fuck, Lane, you and Bry make this look easy!

Lane’s mental grin was apparent.

Yeah, none of you fuckers realize how much that shit takes out of you!

Loy, his head lowered while catching his breath, felt a big soft nose nuzzling his shoulder and neck. Opening his eyes, Dolly’s long face rubbed against his, her breath warm and sweet, encouraging him to grab her neck. Reaching up, his arms shaking with fatigue, she helped him stand.

Loy and Rick looked around, and all of the dogs and even a few cats still surrounded them, staring at Loy intently, and he realized they tried to help in their own way. Sending them an encouraging thought, their tails wagged, and a few barked. Their unbridled happiness from pleasing him was indescribable, and a tired grin spread across his face.

Their pure, raw emotion fresh in his mind, caused a bright tear to fall out of the corner of his eye as his breath caught again.  The reciprocity of emotion, his fulfillment in them and theirs in him, unconditional and natural, was amazing and now a part of him.

Burt nuzzled Rick in the same manner Dolly had done with Loy, and Loy burst out laughing. Burt’s thoughts were perfectly clear, complaining that Rick was heavy and needed to lose some weight!

Leaning against Dolly’s warm, furry body, Loy opened his mind to the two horses, marveling at their intelligence. Breathing deeply, he inhaled the heat and scent of her fur, taking comfort in it.

Dolly felt concern for her owner, who lay on the ground, unconscious. Moving over, Loy lightly slapped the man’s face to wake him up. He started, sitting up quickly, and his eyes went wide at the sight of Dolly and Burt standing over him.

His expression showed his disbelief, and he breathed out, “How!?”

Loy, about to pass out, his voice expressing his exhaustion, said, “Don’t ask, man. Just accept it and be happy they’re still with you.”

Brad considered altering the man’s memories but decided to let him believe what he wanted.

The fire trucks arrived, and EMTs rushed over to Rick, Loy, the two horses, all the dogs, and the driver.  Moving them back to a safe distance, the EMTs insisted on checking Loy and Rick out, along with Dolly’s and Burt’s owner.

Once the danger of fire was under control, Loy commanded the dogs and cats to go back to their owners, knowing they would be frantic with worry.  Already hearing whistles and shouts nearby, the animals took off like bullets back to their people.

Albrecht and the doctor dropped out of the link once Rick and Loy were safe. Their mentors wanted them back at the lab as soon as they could get away from the EMTs. Lane and Brad stayed linked a few more minutes before dropping to give them some privacy.

Kevin, Bill, Pat, and Darren showed up about the time the EMTs finished examining them. The doctor didn’t want Loy or Rick driving, so Bill and Kevin drove them back in their own Explorer, Pat drove Rick’s, and Darren followed them back in his. Bryan and Lane ordered pizzas, knowing Loy and Rick would be famished and need food quickly to help regain their energy levels.

While waiting, Ken, Brad, Lane, and Bryan stood in the kitchen talking about Loy’s new ability.

Lane asked, “Do you know how cool it’ll be to have Dr. Doolittle on our team?”

Laughing, Ken said, “Don’t let Ricky hear you callin’ Loy that! He might tear your head off… I’d go with somethin’ a little studlier… like The Beastmaster.”

“Oh yeah, I loved that movie! I wonder if the doc will let Loy get a pet tiger?”

Bryan just rolled his eyes and shook his head, causing Brad and Ken to laugh.

<><><> 

The pizzas arrived a few minutes after everyone got back to the lab. As predicted, Loy and Rick were famished and devoured two large pizzas each. Just as Rick finished, wiping his mouth with a paper towel, he felt light-headed.

His eyes turning white, he squeaked out, “Oh, fuck!” and started to collapse.

Ken was a blur, catching Rick before he fell out of his chair.

Loy shouted, “Ricky!”

Ken called out, “Doc! Albrecht!”

Carrying Rick into the closest exam room, Ken put him on a bed, and as soon as Ken backed away, Rick’s Avatar lit up, sporadically flaring.

The doctor and Albrecht rushed into the room, and Loy practically stumbled into Ken, still exhausted and about to pass out.

Ken said, “Here, Loy, grab on ‘ta me.”

Ken put Loy’s arm around his shoulder, and he put an arm around Loy’s waist to support him. The rest of the guys crowded around the doorway to see what was happening.

Loy anxiously asked, “Doc, what's the matter with him!? I can’t feel him!”

“He is experiencing his own awakening. Such a busy day for the two of you! I suspected it would happen shortly after yours, although not quite this soon. I am sure there is nothing to fear, my boy. We must let this run its course and see what the results are once it is complete.”

The doctor motioned for Ken to help Loy onto the other bed in the room.

Before the doctor said anything, Ken said, “Hey fellas, let’s clear out and give the doc and Albrecht some room.”

The doctor gave Ken an appreciative nod.

Brad brought everybody but Rick into a link to support Loy. Their presence wrapped around him, as if their hands were on his back and their arms around his shoulders. Energy flowed between them, and Lane wove it into a single white thread, directing some into Loy to refresh him.

Collectively, their thoughts were clear: We’re with you, Loy. Rick will get through this fine.

Loy settled in their presence, managing to relax a little. His anxiety for Rick didn’t go away, but it was more bearable with the support of his brothers, their minds holding each other, just like arms. Rick’s absence was uncomfortable, and they couldn’t wait for him to be back where he belonged.

<><><> 

Rick stayed on the bed nearly three hours. With careful observation, the doctor and Albrecht recognized patterns in his energy flows. As they became more ordered they also became more focused, weaving a design in the air around him like a net. The threads became tighter, encapsulating his body in a cocoon of energy to the point where his body was barely visible.

Knowing Rick would be famished again, Lane had the foresight to order more food, and all of them could stand to eat another meal with their hyper-metabolisms. He ordered thirty-five footlong subs with chips and drinks. One of the nice things about knowing his brothers so intimately, and having a genetically enhanced memory, was knowing everyone’s food preferences and he ordered appropriately.

Half an hour later the alarm chirped, indicating someone was at the door to the lab. Looking at the monitor, Lane saw it was the delivery guy with the food, and just as Lane opened the door, the web of energy around Rick exploded.

Rick’s back arched as he convulsed, and a white pulse of energy burst out of him. It wasn’t nearly as far-reaching as what happened with Loy, but it did cover most of the city, dissipating as it extended outward until it faded to nothing.

It passed through the building and the delivery boy, and Lane was aware of it but figured the delivery guy wouldn’t see or feel anything with his mind closed. The light brought about a deep warmth and sense of rightness similar to when he and Bryan deeply merged. Shaking his head to focus, he wanted to pay the kid and get back to the others as quickly as possible 

<><><> 

Across Atlanta, the Enemy felt the wave of power from Rick, becoming aware of him. His Avatar caused them intense pain and burned up many glyphs placed around the city. At that moment, with his Avatar awakening, Rick was exposed and defenseless. Seconds later, their Master’s voice rang in their minds.

One of them is awakening! Attack now, while he is vulnerable! Destroy him! Crush his mind and soul!

Dozens of well-dressed men around the city stopped when they heard The Master’s command. Putting their fingers to their temples, their eyes turned white, and they began focusing their hate and malice on the single source of light shining brightly in their minds. The light that was the source of their pain, alone and vulnerable… Rick! 

<><><> 

The delivery kid couldn’t keep his eyes off Lane. Lane was strikingly handsome with a fantastic body, and his mischievous smile disarmed most people. The kid, nervous and distracted, fumbled with the credit card. The best-looking man he had ever seen in his life stood in front of him, and his thoughts were running wild. He hoped and prayed Lane wouldn’t notice he was hard. As he handed Lane the receipt, he said out loud, “Damn, I’d love to feel you on top of me.”

Lane wasn’t sure which of them was more surprised as a panic-ridden look came over the kids face, and he turned beet red in embarrassment.

He said, “Oh shit, mister! I... I’m sorry I didn’t mean to say that! Please don’t say anything! I could get fired!”

Taken aback at how the kid just blurted out the truth on his mind, Lane scanned his surface thoughts and realized the young man had no intention of making his statement verbally.  Something compelled him to tell the truth, and it wasn’t difficult to make the connection to what was happening to Rick.  The boy’s anxiety was off the charts, terrified of Lane beating him up or losing his job. Trying to put the young man at ease, Lane smiled and made a point of looking at his name tag.

 “Greg? I’m flattered, buddy, but I’m taken. My boyfriend is a lot bigger than me and doesn’t like to share, so let’s just keep that comment between us, okay? No harm done.”

Lane didn’t want to alter the boy’s memory, but he did put his own compulsion in place so Greg wouldn’t mention what happened to anyone else. Feeling sorry for what happened, he tipped the kid well.

As Lane shut the door to carry in the boxes of food, a soul-crushing groan of agony came out of Rick. The tone of Rick’s voice, the emotional pain behind it, struck a chord in Lane’s heart and he froze, his body turning rigid as his eyes turned white.

In a waking dream, dark clouds formed over the skyline of the city, along with high winds and rolling thunder. In his vision, the streets were empty except for dozens of well-dressed men scattered about the city, and The Master’s voice echoed in the thunder.

One of them is awakening! Attack now, while he is vulnerable! Destroy him! Crush his mind and soul!

Evil smiles appeared on the faces of the well-dressed men as their fingers went to their temples, their eyes turning white. Lane saw Rick on the ground at the foot of each man, writhing in pain while they smiled malevolently down at his brother, killing him. A strange nimbus surrounded Rick, emanating from his Avatar, attempting to unravel their black power, but the darkness came too fast, and their concerted efforts overcame whatever protected Rick. Black tendrils broke through, digging into his heart, mind, and soul.

They were destroying him! 

<><><> 

Rick jerked up in bed, holding his head in his hands. Breathing in ragged gasps, his t-shirt soaked with sweat, heavy sobs wracked his big frame in hysteria from whatever was happening to him.

Loy could hardly contain the urge to reach out and comfort him, but the doctor and Albrecht both expressed through the link: Loy, no! There is no telling what he is experiencing, and you could hurt him or yourself. I know it is difficult to watch, but we must let this run its course.

Brad and the others held Loy tighter in support, agonizing as much as Loy at what they watched. Moving to the bed Loy was on, Bryan sat beside him, putting an arm around Loy’s shoulder, squeezing him tight and rubbing his back.

Rick thrashed about and rolled off the bed, landing hard on the floor. He was so distraught he couldn’t control his body, his throat clenched so tight he couldn’t talk.  His mental voice, strained and almost incoherent, cried out.

Loy! … Fuck… I need you… Guys… Help! They’re… killing… me!

As soon as Brad heard the pain in Rick’s voice, he pulled everyone deeper so they could talk without time passing. Even the doctor and Albrecht were surprised at how casually he did it. The unconscious and instinctive power Brad exhibited was a little frightening.

I’m sorry everyone, I didn’t mean to surprise you. Doc, Albrecht, what’s going on? We can’t sit by and let him suffer like this! This seems like more than just his awakening. It doesn’t feel right!

Bryan interjected: The night I went to the tree, my guide had to help me. I think Rick needs the same thing!

The doctor thought: I agree, Bryan, but we do not know what is causing his distress, and if we pull him in with us, we might all become caught up in it.

Loy was about to lose it. His distress over watching Rick suffer and his plea for help were almost more than he could stand. Right after the doctor’s statement, Lane’s Avatar released him, and he shouted through the link.

Guy’s! They’re killing him! The Enemy is doing this! We have to help him!

Lane’s vision of Rick at the feet of all the well-dressed men filled their minds, and anger erupted in Ken at what he saw. His eyes flared white, and his Avatar burst into bright, colorful flames arcing out and into the Avatars of everybody else on the team.

Filled with power, Ken’s shout echoed across the city, a defiant challenge to The Enemy.

ENOUGH!

The doctor and Albrecht dropped out of the link, ready to help, but knowing if a confrontation ensued, it was what their sons were created for. They didn’t want to interfere or become a distraction.

Each man instinctively knew what to do, as if they were all a part of a lock, and Ken was the key. Lane listened, taking the first sound he heard. A bass chord exploded in his mind and soul, filling him with power and dispersing through the link to his brothers.

Each couple became one, filling themselves with one another first and then with their brothers. The tattoos on their shoulders blindingly bright, their eyes flashed white to match as they became more than the sum of their individual selves.

Loy’s shield flared, knowing he would take the brunt of the attack as soon as he merged with Rick.  The power Lane channeled bolstered him, and he was ready to do whatever necessary to protect the other half of his soul.

Bracing himself, he only needed to fend off the attack for a brief second until his brothers could intervene. Throwing himself into and around Rick, the pain hit him hard as he became the focal point of the Enemies attack. Loy let out a defiant scream as he bore the brunt of the attack, but his shield held firm.

Brad wove everyone else’s energy flows into a thick white rope, creating a barrier around Rick and Loy, protecting them and diverting the attack to the rest of them. The malice and hatred of the Enemy hit them immediately, striking relentlessly against their shield, but they were prepared.

Loy pulled Rick further into himself, wrapping around his lover, a second barrier inside the larger one. Loy’s presence was a balm to Rick, along with the protection of his brothers. Shaking and breathing hard, Rick clung to Loy in relief, resting in the oneness of their souls.

Rick’s voice sounded exhausted and tight with pain as he thought: Fuck guys, thank you, I don’t know how much more of that I could have taken!

The intimate bonds they shared as brothers and couples were a large part of their strength, feeding their abilities and making them powerful. Brad felt Ken’s anger at what was happening, but he also felt something else… Strength? Confidence? Courage? Will? It was a mix of something, difficult to define, but it filled the link, affecting all of them with an unwavering resolve against the attack.

Ken didn’t want the attack against one of their own to go unchallenged, and Brad saw his thoughts. Remembering the spiked shell of the Iktomi at the hospital when they rescued Tag, Brad shaped the barrier around them with spiked tendrils of white energy.

Instantly the attack stopped as minions of The Enemy across the city cried out in pain, grabbing their heads. Many of them, overconfident and unprepared for any retaliation, fell unconscious, and the pressure dissipated almost immediately.

Brad maintained the shield a few more minutes to make sure the attack was over and then dropped the link when everybody went back to their bodies. Ken’s eyes remained white, and for a moment he seemed somewhere else, his body tense while his Avatar pulsed brightly. When his eyes returned to their normal green, he looked at Brad and smiled.

Brad remembered Bryan’s comment about Ken getting stronger in ways he didn’t know about.  Looking at the man he loved, Ken never looked more handsome than in that moment, and he moved over, hugging Ken from behind and pulling him close. 

<><> 

Between the energy from Lane, adrenaline, and whatever Ken pushed into them, it took a few minutes for everyone to settle. The doctor performed a cursory examination of Rick, but other than extreme fatigue and a headache, he seemed fine.  Thankful for the food Lane ordered, Rick devoured two of the footlong sandwiches and promptly passed out in his chair, still sitting up.

Chuckling at his buddy, Bryan picked him up and moved him to one of the beds.  Loy followed, crawling into bed beside Rick and spooning him. Within seconds he fell asleep as well.

Once Loy and Rick were settled, Ken asked Albrecht and the doctor, “So what was it about Rick’s Avatar that pissed off The Enemy? I don’t understand that… it didn’t happen with any of us when we had ours?”

Albrecht elaborated, “Rick’s primary avatar is a complicated translation. At the basest level, it is the word truth, but it’s far more than that. It embodies honesty and purity in their most primal form. Much of The Enemy’s power comes from lies and deceit, even fear. I believe anyone around Rick will have a difficult time lying, and patterns of deception will unravel around him. Places inside people, emotional knots, things that have been shut away or walled off, will open. It is a subtle but immensely powerful Avatar. I am certain it caused the Enemy significant discomfort when that wave passed through them.”

The doctor spoke up, “Scholars of The Order will spend a lifetime studying the complexity and effects of your Avatars. After today, I see a pattern developing, but as the rest of you experience your own awakenings, only time will tell if my suspicions are correct.”

Brad was the only one who noticed a look between the doctor and Albrecht. He wasn’t linked with either of them, so he didn’t get any feel for what it was, but something significant passed between them. He was curious but didn’t think too much about it, knowing the doctor would tell them when he was more certain. 

<><><> 

Over the next week, the doctor and Albrecht worked extensively with Rick and Loy, helping them discover and begin to control their new abilities.

With the pool party over and the company sold, they all had more time to adjust to their new and more extensive training schedules.

Waking up early every morning, Brad and Ken did their PT together, and Brad performed a simplified version of Ken’s physical examination. Ken helped Brad through his mental exercises, and more often than not, they ended up making out.

Albrecht taught them advanced fighting techniques, tailoring the training to their new talents where applicable. The doctor continued working with Brad and the mentalists on learning to shield themselves and psychically fight and defend themselves.

The doctor and Albrecht felt certain after all of them had their major awakening, they would experience one more as a group that would unlock the ‘mini-Avatars’ shared among them. He hypothesized that at that time, they would mimic each other’s abilities to some extent, with whoever held the main Avatar being the most powerful in that primary ability.

Each of them operated on a power level far above the doctor’s initial expectations. In addition to becoming more powerful, Ken was extremely proud of their mental and emotional growth as men. Maturing, growing, and learning to be more compassionate and concerned for people all stemmed from merging and supporting one another. As they had more compassion for each other, forgiving and being forgiven for their faults and transgressions between each other, it brought home how much more normal humans needed to do the same thing but were unable to because of the Curse.

They were men, each with unique and strong personalities. Disagreements and occasional friction still happened, but the bonds between them and the ability to see in each other and know there was never any ill will or intent, softened everything. Over time, from being one and understanding each other so intimately, most of the incidental friction stopped completely.

Knowing each other so thoroughly also allowed them to hang shit on one another much more effectively, and they laughed even harder. There was no longer any fear between them of being hurt or taken advantage of. Instead, they came to rely on one another in ways they could never have imagined. Supporting and holding each other in whatever way was needed, emotionally or physically, they became completely comfortable with each other in any setting.

Each of them came to crave their intimate time as one. They were all men, alpha males, rugged and virile individuals, but they were also more than human. The time when they were one and could be themselves, physically and emotionally with no repercussions and total acceptance, became their refuge, whether it was with their partners or with any or all of the other couples.

As Brad grew stronger and fine-tuned his abilities, he sensed the oppressive cloud hanging over normal humans. Not only in Atlanta, it seemed to be all over the country and much of the world. The Enemy held power so long their stimulus and control were far-reaching, and there was no telling how much of the world fell under their direct influence.

The most challenging aspect Brad discovered was discerning between The Enemy’s influence and human nature, which in most cases was dark and ignorant, especially under the Curse.

It was no surprise over the last few decades people transformed into semi-mindless automatons. With reality TV, the internet in general, especially social media, movies, and entertainment, people’s minds were turning off, creating the perfect breeding ground for The Enemy’s influence.

The sadness in Brad continued, becoming more extreme. It seemed most people were more concerned with knowing who the final contestant was on a reality show rather than helping a struggling friend or neighbor. Politicians raised billions of dollars to hold power, while more people than ever were homeless and hungry. The priorities in normal humans seemed to be completely fucked up, and their self-absorption astounding.

Humans continued dividing themselves into smaller and smaller special interest groups, and politicians and the media had a field day stirring up derision among them. It seemed every decision was politically or racially driven. Professional athletes and celebrities jumped on the bandwagon, and the world was falling apart before his eyes.

As the leaders of the team Ken and Brad had to keep the guys focused and motivated, including themselves, yet the more they discovered about The Enemy, the more daunting their task seemed to be.

One night after Ken and Brad arrived home from a long day of training, Brad was in a pensive mood. He and Ken were lightly linked, allowing Ken to pick up on Brad’s disposition, but not deep enough to see what was wrong. Brad went into the kitchen and started poking around the freezer for something to make for dinner. Ken went back to their bedroom, took off his shoes, socks, and shirt, and put on some comfortable workout shorts.

Brad was rinsing vegetables in the sink when Ken came up behind him and turned off the water.

“Hey! What’re you doing? I’m starting dinner.”

“Dinner can wait a few, B.”

Putting his hands on Brad’s shoulders, Ken turned him around. When Brad saw Ken shirtless, his heartbeat picked up a few notches. As close as they were, Ken’s scent and body heat affected him. Ken kept his hands on Brad’s shoulders, gently massaging them, looking directly into Brad’s crystal blue eyes.

“Talk ‘ta me, B. What’s goin’ on in that fuckin’ adorable head of yours? Somethin’s botherin’ you, and I want ‘ta know what it is. You wanna tell me or show me? Your choice.”

Letting out a heavy sigh Brad moved forward, leaning into Ken. He rested his chin in the crux of Ken’s neck and shoulder, wrapping his arms around Ken’s back, relishing the warm solidity of his partner. Ken put his arms around Brad hugging him back. Inhaling deeply, taking in Ken’s natural scent, Brad drew strength from it. They stayed still for a few minutes, resting in each other's arms. While they held each other, tears welled in Brad’s eyes.

In a quiet voice, he finally said, “I’m sorry, Ken.”

“For what, B?”

“I’ve had this growing realization about how daunting our task is and how far-reaching the influence of The Enemy actually is. They’ve had centuries to dig a foothold, and there are only ten of us in this fight, twelve including the doc and Albrecht. At this point, I don’t count any others in The Order helping as they’ve never even shown us a face or a body. It’s more than a little overwhelming. I’m looking at this massive problem with all my abilities, and it doesn’t look good.

“I don’t doubt you or me or the guys, but I’m afraid of the toll it’s going to take on us. I’m not sorry for that either because it has to be paid, and it’s our job. I’m not scared… but where the fuck do we start when practically the entire world is against us?”

Ken pulled back a little, staring at him for a few seconds and looking deep into his eyes. Moving his right hand up, he cupped the side and back of Brad’s neck, giving a gentle squeeze of comfort and love.

“First of all, B, I love you, and no matter what happens we’ll always be together. Even if we fail altogether, which we won’t, we’ll still have each other. Never forget that. I think I understand what you’re feelin’. It hasn’t hit me yet because I’m not as smart as you, but we’ll face it together, you’n me, and the guys. Not all of us have awakened, and we don’t know what everyone will be able ‘ta do. The doc and Albrecht said we’re gonna keep growin’ and refinin’ our abilities. Let’s not get discouraged or overwhelmed just yet.

“You’n me are the leaders of the team and need ‘ta support each other. If we have moments like this, it’s my job ‘ta hold you up and your job to hold me up when I need it and try not ‘ta show it to the others. Even if they know we feel it, we should never show them openly. That’s part of bein’ a strong leader. Pretend you’re badass even if you don’t feel like it. They’ll see it when we merge, but we still need ‘ta play the part.”

“You are badass, Ken. You’re the baddest man in the universe.”

“We are B. I wouldn’t be shit without you, but together we’re unstoppable.”

Pausing as he took in Ken’s words, Brad whispered, “I believe you.”

Brad lifted his head, looking at Ken’s handsome face only inches from his own, and sank into his emerald green eyes. Moving forward, he started an intense emotional kiss, expressing every ounce of his love for Ken in the act. Brad fired up their energy centers and let their essence blend together as part of the kiss. He specifically made it non-sexual. It was purely emotional, and he drew strength from it.

With Ken’s presence wrapped around him, Brad’s mood lightened, becoming more optimistic. Experiencing Ken’s rush from his own presence, their eyes watered, and they hugged tighter, holding each other as they kissed. After a few minutes, their kiss ended, and they both had smiles on their faces.

Their foreheads touching, Ken asked, “How about a movie after we eat? We haven’t done that in a while. I just wanna be with you on the couch for a few hours and chill.”

“Sounds awesome, but don’t forget the wild sex after the movie.”

“How can I forget, I’ve been drippin’ like a sieve ever since I touched you.”

Brad couldn’t help but chuckle as he said, “You douche.”

Brad thought Ken was joking until he glanced down and saw the wet spot in his shorts.

Falling back into their routine of helping each other cook and wash the dishes, the two men were content, enjoying each other’s company and being together. There was leftover beer from the party, so they each had a few while Brad fixed dinner. Ken kept his shirt off, and Brad never got tired of admiring his body. He couldn’t wait to get on the couch and cuddle while they watched the movie.

They ate dinner holding hands and rubbing their legs together under the table. After, they settled on a movie, and Brad made a big bowl of popcorn.

Ken sat on the couch with Brad reclined against him, his head resting on Ken’s upper chest. Ken draped his arms over Brad’s shoulders and across his torso, and the bowl of popcorn sat in Brad’s lap for easy access.

A little more than halfway through the movie, Ken paused it, saying, “Sorry, B, I gotta pee.”

Brad got up and said, “Yeah, me too. I’m still a little peckish for something sweet. You want some ice-cream?”

“Hell yeah, that sounds awesome.”

Brad went into the kitchen and scooped out two big bowls of their favorite ice-cream. Heading back to their bedroom, he took off his shirt and put on some shorts and stopped in the bathroom on his way back to the couch.

When Brad came out of the hallway, Ken’s heartbeat accelerated at the sight of him shirtless. Sitting on the couch, their shoulders and arms touching, they ate their ice-cream while talking about the movie. A few minutes later, the bowls empty and in the dishwasher, they were back on the couch, cuddled together.

By the end of the movie, their hands started roaming. After their earlier discussion, Ken felt more protective than usual towards Brad. He wanted to de-stress his partner, and at least for a few moments, take away what was bothering him.

Ken knew being ‘that guy’ wasn’t what Brad needed.  He slowed things down, making love to him slowly and sensually, driving his passion and emotions into Brad in the way only he could.  He spent hours pleasuring Brad’s body, and also his mind. 

Brad kept them merged, and their eyes stayed wet the entire time as they sweated and writhed together.  Ken took care of his lover, looking deep inside him and giving him what he needed.  His own fulfillment came from taking care of the man he loved and being fully aware of the effect his love had.

Afterward, they continued to hold and cuddle one another until Brad fell asleep. Ken stayed awake a while longer, enjoying Brad’s body, holding him, and watching his handsome face as he slept. Brad’s heartbeat and warm breath were so comforting Ken wanted to stay there forever.

The last thing he did before he drifted off to sleep was kiss Brad on the top of his head and whisper, “I love you, B, with everythin’ in me.”

<><><> 

As Loy and Rick discovered more about their Avatars, the doc and Albrecht thought it would be a good idea to take a trip. Loy needed someplace to practice openly with many variations of fauna, so the four men left Atlanta for the Bahamas, where the doctor knew of some small private islands with varied natural habitat. Dolphins and porpoises were also known to frequent the waters near the islands, and if they were lucky, a few species of whales.

With Rick, Loy, Albrecht, and the doctor out of town, Ken and Brad decided to organize a night out for everyone still in town. He and Brad had talked about spending more time with the guys outside of the lab, and it seemed the perfect opportunity. Years before, during Desert Storm, most of the guys played pool for fun, so Ken asked everyone to meet at Sweetwater’s Bar and Grill in Norcross.

Lane and Bryan texted back saying they would take a rain check. Lane ordered a high-end laptop loaded with sound engineering software, and it arrived that morning, and he was anxious to play around with it.

It ended up being Ken, Brad, Pat, Darren, Kevin, and Bill. Having a great time downing beer and taking turns on a table, they kept the servers busy ordering appetizers and drink refills. Uncharacteristically, Pat was cleaning everybody’s clock at eight ball, a huge surprise because he usually sucked at pool. As the night wore on his game kept improving, easily managing shots he often found impossible.

The next match was a losers table, and Brad and Ken were up. It was Ken’s turn to break, and as Pat watched him lean over the table, time seemed to slow down. Watching Ken lean over the table, he noticed in detail how the muscles in Ken’s triceps and forearms danced under his skin as he pulled the cue back. Pat watched the powder-covered tip as it moved towards the ball, striking with a loud crack, and the blue specs of powder puff off the tip of the cue as it impacted the ball.

Flinching, the sharp noise resounded in Pat’s ears. His vision blurred heavily for a brief second, and when it came back into focus, his jaw dropped in amazement. Suddenly, he stared at the world through a filter of colored lines and vector arcs connecting everything and everybody around him. Information burst into his mind, and his heart pounded in his chest. Immediately, Darren picked up on the change in his partner and moved over to see what was wrong.

Overloaded, Pat’s brain interpreted the lines and arcs into an Understanding of what they meant. He saw and Understood the connections between everyone and everything in the room. The love and support between Ken and Brad and Bill and Kevin, even between his beer and his stomach and nervous system were visible to him. He saw the sound from the jukebox and how it affected the people dancing, and the sexual interest, or lack of interest, between them. As he watched, stunned, Pat’s Avatar spat bright, colorful sparks through the sleeve of his shirt.

The brokenness in people was staggering, harshly affecting him, and he threw up a forearm to cover his eyes, turning away. Painful to see so vividly, it made him want to throw up.

Crying out, “Fuck!” he started sweating and breathing heavily.

Concerned, Darren asked, “Pat, what’s wrong!?”

Darren reached to grab the arm Pat held over his eyes, and as soon as their skin touched it was like a bolt of lightning hit them both. Darren’s and Pat’s eyes both flashed white, and Pat staggered, falling to one knee.

Darren’s face went blank, and he stood motionless, staring at nothing with his hand still raised, perfectly still. The lights in the pool hall flickered, and exclamations of surprise were heard around the bar as drinks suddenly turned ice cold or boiling hot. Darren’s Avatar sparked brightly under his shirt, the same as Pat’s.

Brad: Guys, their avatars are kicking in! We need to get them out of here! I’ll calm down the crowd, you guys take care of Pat and Dar!

Kneeling, Ken put an arm around Pat’s shoulder to steady him.

“Hey, big guy, can ‘ya talk ‘ta me? Tell me what’s happenin’!”

“Fuck, Ken, my eyes... I can’t see right. There are colors and lines… ties and connections between everything. My brain feels like it’s about to explode!”

Kevin and Bill went to Darren, who remained perfectly still and calm, his eyes white and face expressionless.

Bill asked him, “Dar? Buddy? Can you hear me?”

Bill snapped his fingers a few times in front of Darren’s face and got no response.

Kevin exclaimed, “Holy shit! Look!”

Pointing to the pool table, the balls were floating off the tabletop.

More people shouted about hot or cold drinks, and a few frantically stripped off earrings, jewelry, and watches that were suddenly too hot to wear.

Brad closed his eyes and emitted a powerful compulsion, and everyone in the bar stopped moving. He stayed still as he concentrated on holding so many minds at once.

Ken: Good job, B. Draw from me if you need to.

If I don’t have to hold everyone too long, I should be okay. It’s easier when they’re a little drunk.

The pool balls spun around Darren, orbiting his body, moving faster as small tendrils of energy arced between them and his body. Darren’s feet left the ground, his back slightly arched and his entire body rigid. His energy centers flared sporadically, arcing all over the area.

For the first time ever, they noticed a physical effect when the energy tendrils coming off Darren hit something. Napkins caught on fire, and ashtrays flipped over. Ken, Bill, and Kevin stared at Darren in amazement, trying to decide what to do when he suddenly vanished! As soon as he disappeared, the pool balls dropped with loud ‘thunks’ onto the table, and Darren dropped out of their link.

Ken, Kevin, and Bill all said, “What the fuck!?”

Gripping Pat’s shoulders, Ken shook him slightly.

“Pat! Dar disappeared! Can you feel him? Where is he?”

Unsteady and still overwhelmed by what was happening to him, when Ken said Dar disappeared, Pat redoubled his efforts to focus. Reaching for Dar with his mind, he sensed him nearby.

His connection to Darren was something Pat could latch onto to help him concentrate. Seeing the connections between everything and everybody, Pat attempted to focus only on his relationship with Darren. Most of the lines and arcs dimmed, still present but muted, and his mind cleared a little. Darren was close. The lines between them went through the walls of the building towards the parking lot.

Ken helped him stand, and Pat managed to say, “He’s close.  Outside towards the car.”

Ken helped Pat, and Bill, Kevin, and Brad followed. When they got to the door, Brad dropped his compulsion, blurring the last few minutes of everyone’s memory. Activity returned to normal, with only mild confusion and no details of what just happened. Their waitress had run his credit card when they opened their tab, so he sent a compulsion for her to close out their bill and tip herself twenty percent.

Once in the parking lot, Pat saw his connection to Darren more clearly. Nodding his thanks to Ken, he took off towards their Explorer, still a little unsteady but frantic to get to Darren.

The car was locked, and Darren had the keys in his pocket. The tinted windows made it difficult to see, but small flashes of light from Darren’s Avatar lit the interior and the vehicle shook slightly.

Pat mentally shouted: Dar! Can you hear me? Unlock the car!

Darren’s mental voice, barely audible, moaned: Pat? Fuck man, what’s going on? I feel awful. So tired...

Dar, can you unlock the door? If you can’t, I’m going to break the window!

Darren’s voice kept getting fainter.

Wait… fuck, it hurts!

The locks clicked open, and Darren went quiet.

Jerking the door open, Pat found Darren unconscious in the back seat. Pulling Darren out like he weighed nothing, Pat held him against his chest, listening for a heartbeat. Breathing shallow, his heartbeat erratic, Darren felt cold and clammy and trembled harshly.

Ken said, “We need ‘ta get him to the lab. Bill, you and Kev take ‘em with you, and me and Brad’ll follow. Brad should be able ‘ta reach the doc and Albrecht to get some guidance.”

“You bet. Kev, let’s go.”

Pat got back in the car, situating them so Darren’s head was in his lap.

Ken drove so Brad could concentrate. Brad, still linked with Ken, sent his mind out to make contact with the doctor. He hadn’t tried reaching anyone so far away but was confident it wouldn’t be an issue.

<><> 

Doc?! Can you hear me?

Bradford? Has something happened?

Yes, sir. Pat and Darren are awakening. Pat’s a little shaky, and Darren is unconscious. Sir, it was like a poltergeist! We were playing pool, and Darren levitated the pool balls and his feet left the ground. Then he teleported out into the parking lot!

My goodness! There is no precedent for such a physically oriented ability! How remarkable! If Darren affected objects, the energy drain must have been incredible, and he is most likely exhausted. I suspect he will be fine once his body and mind adjust. I prepared syringes in anticipation of further awakenings while Albrecht and I are gone. When you arrive at the lab, go to the refrigerator in my office, and you will see them. Have William give him 100 cc’s of the blue vial, and it should help. How is Patrick?

Sir, he’s overwhelmed with whatever he’s seeing. He says he sees colors and lines connecting everybody and everything around him. It seemed painful, but I’m not sure if it was emotional, mental, or physical.

Remarkable! Based on Albrecht’s translations of the symbols, what you are telling me makes sense. Have William give him an injection as well. I will return tonight, and Albrecht can remain behind with Richard and Loy for a few more days. We are making so many amazing discoveries! You will be most impressed when you find out what your brothers are able to do.

Ken and Brad picked up on the doctor’s excitement through the link, even as far away as he was.

We can’t wait to hear about it, doc! Give Albrecht our love, and Loy and Rick. We miss you guys!

I will see you tomorrow when I get back, and in the meantime listen for your call in case anything further develops with Darren and Patrick. I am sure they will be fine with rest and food, but we cannot be too cautious.

Thanks, doc! We’ll see you tomorrow.

<><> 

Contacting Bill, Kevin, and Pat, Brad relayed his conversation with the doc, and everyone felt better knowing he would be back the next day. When they arrived at the lab, Pat carried Darren in, and Bill administered the shots. Bill insisted, and everyone else concurred, that they spend the night in the lab to watch over their buddies.

Ken and Brad ventured out for food, and Pat felt much better after he ate. He ended up consuming twice as much as usual, and while eating, he kept looking around, occasionally frowning or opening his eyes in surprise.

Brad asked him, “Pat, do you mind if I take a look at what you’re seeing?”

“Not at all, Brad, but be careful. I’m getting a grip on this, but if your brain isn’t wired for it I’m not sure how safe it will be.”

“I’ll be careful and keep it light.”

Brad’s mental touch was gentle and soothing, his depth of love and support doubly evident, now seeing the connection between them and Understanding it. 

Under his breath, Brad muttered, “Holy shit, Pat!”

The world exploded into lines, arcs, and ropes of energy, connecting everything. It was more than just visual; it was the knowledge and Understanding beneath the connection and the overwhelming relationships. Pulling back quickly to keep from getting lost, Brad realized the significance of what Pat saw.

A wizard at math and physics, Brad had a good idea of the implications of the information Pat experienced.  In addition to the connections, he saw the laws of Physics and every other Law, fully comprehending them down to the basest level of creation.

Smiling at Pat, Brad said, “Pat, that is utterly amazing! I can’t wait for the doc to get here and help figure out the ins and outs of this.”

Pat saw Brad’s sincerity and pride on his behalf, and it made him feel better about the night.

“Yeah, thanks, Brad. You know, on top of the visual part of this, seeing those normals in the bar and how superficial their relationships are… how broken they are inside… it was painful, just like when we first started linking, but all over again. Except this isn’t just hearing it and feeling it… it’s Understanding the brokenness… in most cases, they know right from wrong, and they choose wrong because they think it’s easier or it’s out of some selfish gain, even if it means someone gets hurt. It’s crazy and sad, and it hurts. It’s like I can see the Curse.”

“It’s hard, Pat. Ken and I spend more and more time by ourselves or with you guys because it’s so difficult being around crowds of people. On the flip side, it makes it easier to care more about them. They need our help, and it’s not arrogant on our part to say that. Your ability will help tremendously when we get on track and start looking at the bigger picture.”

Leaning back on the bed, Pat closed his eyes, rubbing his forehead.

Brad asked him, “Does your head still hurt?”

“Yeah, it’s pounding.”

“Dar is probably going to sleep through the night. Do you want me to help you get some rest? I promise we’ll wake you if anything happens or if he wakes up before you.”

“Yeah, Brad, if you could. I’ve never had a headache like this. It’s making me sick.”

“Okay, climb into bed with Dar where you’ll be more comfortable.”

Pat crawled into bed with Darren, wrapping his arms around his lover and spooning them snuggly together. Moving to the side of the bed Brad put his hands gently on Pat’s head. Just like he often did with Ken, Brad rubbed Pat’s temples, caressing his forehead and sending his mind down into a quiet, restful sleep, calming his racing thoughts.

The tension visibly flowed out of Pat as his breathing slowed and became steadier. Shifting his sight, Brad watched the sporadic flares in the blue energy of Pat’s mind that caused his headache. Afraid of tampering in case Pat’s energy centers were still adjusting, he placed a soft compulsion to stay in a deep, restful sleep, deep enough not to feel any discomfort.

Ken walked in to check on them and smiled when he realized what Brad was doing. Putting his hands on Brad’s shoulders, he pulled Brad back against him, whispering in his ear, “Nice B. He needed that.”

Taking a deep breath, Brad leaned back against Ken, tired from the night’s efforts.  Although as he acclimated and exerted himself mentally, it took less of a toll on him, and his recovery time quickened. He was definitely getting stronger.

Ken pulled away, indicating with a nod of his head for Brad to follow. Trailing behind him into the kitchen area, Bill and Kevin sat at one of the tables shuffling a deck of cards. Bill wore his baseball cap backward and had the stump of a cigar in his mouth.

Brad knew what that meant, and he looked at Ken, who said with a grin, “It’s not too late, and we need ‘ta pass some time. We thought a good game of strip poker would keep us busy for a while.”

Laughing, Brad said, “You perverts! Count me in!”

Bill said, “No mental shit! All links are down except for monitoring Dar and Pat!”

With a wink and a smile, Brad replied, “I don’t need to read your sissy ass mind to beat you at poker.”

Rubbing his hands together in a greedy fashion, Bill said, “The gauntlet is thrown down! Prepare to feel the breeze on those tiny peanuts you call balls, buddy.”

Kevin and Ken laughed, joining in the banter. The shit talk and ribbing intensified like it always did when they played poker from their time together in the Navy. After two hours of laughing and joking around, and almost total nudity, Ken was the winner. Kevin got knocked out first, then Brad, then Bill. At the end, Ken wore only socks.

By the time the game was over, it was nearly 0200.

Looking at Kevin and Bill, Ken said, “Guys, go and get some shut-eye.  Me and B will take first shift.”

Naked and hand in hand, the two big men went into one of the rooms with a bed and shut the door.

Brad, still naked, went to the kitchen to make coffee, and Ken couldn’t take his eyes off him. Brad knew Ken was watching and the corner of his mouth rose in a smirk as he started clenching his glutes. Glancing over his shoulder, Brad saw Ken openly staring and grinned.

Picking up his clothes from the back of the couch, Brad started to put his shorts on when Ken thought: Not yet…

You horn dog.

Hey, I’m not the only one sportin’ some wood!

Well, with the sexiest man on the planet sitting in the same room with me, butt naked, what do you expect?

So, it’s my fault?

Of course.

Then I suppose the chivalrous thing ‘ta do is ‘ta fix the problem.

Oh yeah! I like it when you’re chivalrous.

Well, grab a dishtowel and get on the couch!

Brad quickly reached out to check on Kevin, Bill, Pat, and Darren. Pat and Darren still slept soundly, but Kevin and Bill were… oh shit! Brad’s erection went from mostly hard to fully hard from the sexual energy Kevin and Bill generated.

Brad brought Ken into the loop gently, not wanting to intrude or spy on their friend’s privacy. As soon as he knew their buddies were occupied and not going to come out and surprise them, Brad shut down that part of the link.

Oh shit! That was hot! Are we that hot when we make out?

Hotter. We’re like the core of the sun.

Ken smiled as he lowered himself on Brad, and they wrapped their arms and legs around each other, pulling each other as close as they could possibly get, kissing and cuddling for what seemed like hours.

They were so into each other that it sometimes scared them. Their virile, masculine features turned each other on; their muscles, body hair, and scents.  Even more than that, their essence, personalities, and souls drew them together, finding every aspect of each other perfect and desirable. How they could be so compatible and ideal for one another they had no idea, but it seemed like a gift from Heaven, and it was, even though they didn’t realize it yet.

Turned on by the energy their buddies put out, Ken and Brad proved, at least to them, they were hotter than the core of the sun, nearly breaking the couch before they were finished.

Separating, they took a quick shower to wash off the sweat and aftermath, and once they were clean and dressed, sprayed the couch and general area with air freshener.

Deciding to let Kevin and Bill sleep through the night, Ken and Brad stayed awake in case Pat and Darren woke up and needed anything. Getting back on the couch, they each took an end facing one another with their legs intertwined, talking the rest of the night.

Their conversation spanned a wide range of topics, from hypothesizing on the ramifications and combinations of the abilities they knew about and wondering what abilities Kevin and Bill might have. They wondered how their roles in everything would play out, with The Order, the doc and Albrecht, and the nephilim. 

<><><> 

Ken heard movement in both rooms and nodded towards the doors indicating to Brad the guys were awake and moving. Brad got up and started a fresh pot of coffee.

A few minutes later, a bleary-eyed Pat and Darren lumbered out of their room, their clothes wrinkled from sleeping in them. Kevin and Bill came out in shorts and nothing else, both with bed head.

Brad and Ken both said, “Good morning, ladies!”

A chorus of “Morning” came in reply.

Moving to Darren first, Brad asked, “How are you feeling, Dar? Any residual headache or odd sensations?”

“I feel fine except my stomach is eating through my spine from hunger.”

Looking at Pat with a raised eyebrow, Brad invited him to answer the same question.

Pat responded, “I feel fine, too. I’m hungry, but not as hungry as Dar. I think what he did took more out of him.”

Ken said, “Based on what the doc said, that makes sense. I think Bill and Kev get elected ‘ta run out and get breakfast for all of us. What do ya’ll think?”

Laughing, Brad, Pat, and Darren agreed, so Bill and Kevin quickly dressed and headed out.

When the four of them were alone, Brad asked, “So guys, what do you remember about last night?”

Darren’s dimples deepened as he looked at Pat, saying, “You first, Pat. My shit didn’t start until I touched your sorry ass.”

Glaring at Darren in mock anger, Pat said, “Well… now that I’ve had time to think about it, everything actually started a few hours before we got to the bar. It’s hard to describe how I was feeling, but it’s like I was better in tune with my surroundings. When we got to the bar and started playing pool, and I was making all those shots I usually miss… I don’t know… it felt right. It was like I instinctively knew where to hit the balls and how hard.

“It all built up, and when Ken broke the rack on that last game, it was like a light switch went off, and I started seeing all these connections. It was overwhelming, and it’s still hard to describe. It’s not just the visual, but the information that goes with it that gets me. It’s like drinking from a fire hydrant, except there’s no spillage, and I get everything. I’ve never been much of a bookworm or techie, but the flood of information is a rush.

“It’s probably easier to show you. Everybody link with me but don’t go too deep, I’m not sure how much overflow there might be.”

Pat focused on the computer sitting on a nearby workstation. Their vision filled with colorful lines and arcs as the intricacy of the circuit boards, the components, their connection, and interaction between everything became visible. They Understood how it all tied together, the micro circuitry in the CPU, even down to the flow of electrons powering it.

Pat looked at the bonds between Ken and Brad, seeing how much they loved one another. The muscle and bone density in Ken was evident, and Pat knew precisely how much Ken could lift and how much stress it would take to break a bone or tear down muscle tissue in a workout. He saw Brad’s intellectual capacity and the strength of his mind and heart.

Ken and Brad both said, “Holy shit, Pat,” at the same time.

Shifting his sight again, everything blurred and returned to normal, but the awareness of it all remained below the surface. For Pat, it was now a part of him and not something he could turn off.

“I’m not saying I could build a computer, but I damn sure understand how that one works, and I could fix it if it’s broken. I can tell you how much stress my weight puts on the floor. I look at Dar and see all his new abilities, and I know what he can do, and you guys too.”

Ken couldn’t keep the smile off his face and pulled Pat into a bear hug.

“My God, Pat, that’s amazin’. It’s gonna take me a little time ‘ta wrap my head around it, but I can only imagine the possibilities of how useful that’s gonna be to us and our cause.”

Turning their attention to Darren, Brad said, “So, Dar, show off for us.”

Darren looked a little apprehensive and said, “Well… umm… it’s not that easy guys, at least not yet.”

Pat broke off from Ken and moved behind Darren, saying, “Dar, look at your ability through mine. It’s amazing … you’re amazing. You guys are going to shit your pants when you see what he can do.”

Putting his hands on Darren’s shoulders, Pat pulled them together, and leaning his head back, Darren closed his eyes.

“Take your time, Dar. Follow the connections, and don’t go on to the next one until you’re clear on what the current one can do.”

With the physical contact, Pat merged them, and confident but gentle he showed Darren everything, giving him a perfect Understanding of his Avatar.  They examined Darren’s abilities together, giving him the awareness he needed to control it.

Darren created a construct of the lab and took himself and Pat into it to provide more time. Ken and Brad remained outwardly silent, giving them time to learn from each other and grow into their abilities.

Ken: I can’t believe how powerful some of us are gettin’ B.

Yeah, I know. From the doc’s reaction to Dar teleporting, he’s never seen or heard of a physical manifestation of an Avatar before. All our abilities so far have been psychically or emotionally based, but what Dar can do is in a different ballpark. Pat’s ability, too, if you think about it.  It’s based on Understanding physical and emotional connections.

Darren’s eyes opened, and he grinned, saying, “Pat, you rock. This isn’t as hard as I thought.”

“Just be careful if you try that with Ken, me, Bry, Ricky, or Kev.  It’s going to take the wind out of your sails, and I’m not sure how long it’ll take you to recover.”

Brad and Ken realized they came in on the tail end of a conversation as Darren brought them out of his construct.

“Okay, let’s start with something small and let me work up from there.”

Looking at one of the lab stools, it rolled over to Darren’s feet and then back to where it started. Next, it lifted off the floor, hovering a few seconds before setting back down.

Ken and Brad both had grins on their faces, and their eyes were wide.

“Whoah!”

Darren’s dimples deepened, and he winked.

“I’m just getting warmed up.”

Suddenly, a collection of pens, paperweights, staplers, and paper clips appeared in the air in front of him, swirling around. Darren’s body blinked, appearing on the other side of the floating objects before sending them all back to their original locations.

“I hope I got everything back where it belongs.”

A wad of crumpled paper appeared in his outstretched hand from one of the trash cans. Darren’s forehead creased in concentration, and the paper caught on fire. Moving his hand out from under the burning paper it hovered in the air, but before any ashes started dropping, it appeared in the kitchen sink, and the faucet turned on dousing the flame.

“I can cool things too. I’m sure I could freeze water, but it might take a little time.”

“The last thing is the most complicated, and I need Pat’s help. I’m starving and getting a headache, so I’ll only do something small until I get some food in me.”

Ken just shook his head and said, “My God, Dar, you two are amazin’! The implications of what you’re doin’ are off the charts.”

Darren picked up a glass stirring rod from one of the lab benches, and went back to the doctor’s storeroom, rummaging around before coming back out with a high-end gold-plated HDMI video cable.

Holding the glass rod in one hand and the gold-plated end of the cable in his other hand, he said, “Pat, show me the atomic structure of both of these.”

Pat pulled Darren back against him, and Darren opened their energy centers, weaving the flows into a single fine white thread.  The nimbus around the two men radiated the love between them, and Brad and Ken instinctively reached for one another in the same manner.

Channeling energy into the glass rod, he used Pat’s Understanding to view and match the rod’s molecular structure to the gold.  It took him about thirty seconds, and he trembled, unsteady on his feet when he finished, but his dimples were in full force as he held up the now twenty-four-karat solid gold stirring rod.

Ken didn’t know what else to do but grab each one of them in a big hug and say, “Oh my God guys, I’m so proud of you two I’m about ‘ta burst. I don’t know what else ‘ta say except you’re badass!”

Brad followed suit, smiling with pride at his friends.

“You rock, guys! Now Bill and Kev need to get back here with food before you two pass out. Sit down before you fall down, fellas.”

Going to the kitchen, Brad came back with two sports drinks.

“This isn’t food, but it will get carbs into your systems until they get back.”

Ken asked, “So Pat, what were you sayin’ about Darren doin’ somethin’ with you or me?”

Darren answered, “I can teleport people too, but it takes a lot out of me. With your extra body mass, or Pat’s, I could probably do it, but I’d most likely pass out. But in an emergency, or maybe with Lane backing me up, it would be doable.”

<><><> 

Ten minutes later Kevin and Bill arrived with bags full of various biscuits, hash browns, and four gallons of sweet iced tea. As soon as the door opened and Darren saw the bags, he teleported them into his hands and tossed one to Pat, which they both tore into with fervor. The look on Bill’s and Kevin’s faces was priceless, and Brad and Ken laughed so hard they had tears in their eyes.

Pat and Darren felt better in a matter of minutes with food in their stomachs, and the last vestiges of their headaches disappeared.

A tired-looking doctor showed up an hour later, but he was happy to see Pat and Darren awake and feeling good. He gave them both a quick exam and insisted on a demonstration of their abilities. After they showed him the basics, he got out a piece of solder and asked Darren to see if he could heat it enough to liquefy the tip.

“Sure doc that’ll be a cinch. This stuff is soft.”

In less than two seconds the end of the solder started smoking, and a small melted ball formed at the tip. The doctor was as giddy as a schoolgirl and literally danced a little jig. Everyone was stunned in amazement. None of them had ever seen him so excited over so small a thing. Pat realized what was going on and grinned. 

Looking at Darren, he said, “Well buddy, it looks like we’ve got our work cut out for us. Time for some upgrades, doc!”

Even Brad seemed confused, who was usually quick to figure out the gist of most situations.

He said, “Enlighten us, guys? What’s the big deal about Dar melting solder?”

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, the doctor said, “Bradford, for many years I have had the knowledge but not the means to build new equipment for the lab. To stay ahead of the human world is a must for us to remain safe and be successful in our cause. With Patrick and Darren’s help, I can build new computers that will be years ahead of what we have now.”

Brad and Ken realized the importance of what the doc said and felt as a group, they were taking one more step to restoring The Order and taking the fight to their Enemy. 

<><><> 

The doctor insisted Pat and Darren go home for the remainder of the day to rest and recover.

Kevin and Bill took advantage of being in the lab earlier than usual and decided to knock out their workouts for the day. Ken and Brad joined them, and they ran ten miles on the treadmills together before starting their physical weight regimens. Once finished with weight training, Kevin and Ken jumped into the ring to spar while Bill and Brad practiced mental disciplines.

Brad quickly realized Bill was distracted and not into the exercises. Usually, he would push harder to get Bill back on track, but his intuition told him that would be the wrong move.

Bill, what’s the matter? You’re not in the game today.

Hanging his head, Bill averted his eyes before answering.

I don’t know, Brad… I guess I’m feeling a bit left behind. I know I shouldn’t feel this way, but with what everyone else can do now, the pressure’s on to get some badass ability… and soon. What if I get something stupid like changing the color of my piss?

They both laughed and Brad rested a hand on Bill’s shoulder, giving him a squeeze.

Bill, why do you think you won’t get something just as awesome as everybody else?

I don’t know, I’m trying not to feel like the last kid picked for the team. I love you guys and know none of you think that, but for some reason I do. I’m not usually one to go the self-pity route, so I’m not sure where this is coming from. But it’s there, and I’m trying to deal with it…

After a short pause Bill averted his eyes again, his mental voice barely audible.

…and, I don’t want to drag Kevin down with me.

As soon as Bill mentioned Kevin, Brad knew what his issue was.

When was the last time you and Kevin merged?

At first every minute of every day, but we haven’t gone deep in a couple of days.

And why is that?

Well… Fuck.

Bill hesitated. Unable to lie mind to mind, if he spoke it would be admitting the truth. Another short silence fell between them before he brought himself to acknowledge the problem.

Because I’m afraid.

Reaching out, Brad pulled Bill deeper into a mental hug. Aware of Bill’s embarrassment, he felt resistance at first.  Bill didn’t want Brad seeing him that way any more than he did Kevin.  Gently, Brad pushed through Bill’s reluctance, showing him his concerns were groundless.

Bill, there’s no need to feel the way you do, but I totally understand it. Hell, I felt that way myself not too long ago.

You did? No way!

Come here, bud.

With his words, Brad merged them, and they appeared in the place where their souls were one. They sat naked together, in body and soul, with no judgment or blame, only total acceptance and unconditional love for each other.

Ken and I had a similar conversation last week. I felt overwhelmed and had a moment of weakness, and he confronted me about it. The gist of our discussion was that we’re here for each other. If we ever feel down, we have to lean on our partner for support, or any of us, and vice versa.

We’re your brothers, you big goof. What you need to do is go home with Kevin, share this with him, and realize he couldn’t care one iota whether you get another ability or not. He loves you as you are right now, just like I do, and Ken, and the rest of the guys, and nothing will ever change that.

Don’t feel stupid or weak because you feel this way now. All of us at one time or another in the last few months have felt the same way. At some point in the future when Kevin is down, you’ll be there for him. In this battle things are going to get tough, and if we’re going to make it, we have to learn to lean on one another. There’s no shame or weakness in needing a boost every once in a while. Asking for help is one of the hardest things to do, but we have to get past that if we’re going to survive.

Brad took them back in time, reliving the memory of his conversation with Ken, and Bill realized Brad was right. He felt better but still needed to make things right with Kevin.

Thanks for the pep talk, Brad. I mean that.

Bill’s eyes were red and raw from facing his emotions and being so intimate with his friend. Brad, his own eyes bright, squeezed Bill’s shoulder in comfort and said, “What I prescribe is for you and Kevin to go home right now, hash this out, and have hot sex the rest of the day.”

Ken and Kevin, on a short break to catch their breath, picked up Brad’s last statement.

Kevin hollered over, “What’s this about hot sex for the rest of the day? Count me in!”

Ken and Kevin, sweaty from sparring, jumped down and came over. The combination of Ken’s sweat and body heat wrapped around Brad, eliciting a reaction in his shorts.  

Noticing Bill’s eyes were red, with concern in his voice, Kevin asked, “What’s up, Bill?”

Sitting beside Bill, Kevin put an arm around his shoulder, pulling his lover against him.

“Kev, I have something I need to talk to you about. Let’s head home.”

Brad gave a small nod to Ken, indicating they should head back to the lockers. Before they left, Bill hugged Brad tightly.

Thanks again, Brad.

No problem, Bill. You know I love you, and I’m glad I could help. Always remember I’m here, and you’ll be here for me one day when I need it. We all will.

<><><> 

 Ken waited until they were driving home to ask Brad what happened with Bill.

“He’s feeling the pressure of not having his primary ability yet. It’s affecting his self-confidence, and he’s worried about dragging Kev down with him. Not only is he bothered about not having his ability yet, but he's worried it might suck compared to what everyone else can do.”

“Fuck, B, I’m sure he doesn’t have anythin’ ‘ta worry about. I agree it’ll be hard ‘ta top Pat and Darren, but this isn’t about who’s ability is better. It’s about filling a need in the group, which he and Kev already do. Anythin’ above that is gravy as far as I’m concerned.”

“Never fear, Mr. Leader. We had a good talk, and I think he’s going to be just fine.”

“I’m sure you said the right thing; you always know what ‘ta say.”

Laughing, Brad said, “I wish I felt like I did. I just try to ask questions and listen to the issues behind the issues and hope I can figure it out. Everybody has their own shit, but we’re all in the same boat, so even though it’s personal for everybody, it’s not unique.”

“There you go again, soundin’ all smart. That makes me hard.”

“Is there anything that doesn’t make you hard?”

“Yeah, but don’t you dare look because they’re gross and nasty, and I want you in the mood when we get home.”

Reaching over, Brad cupped Ken’s crotch, and sure enough, he was half-hard already, and with Brad’s touch fully hard within seconds.

Smiling, Brad said, “I can’t wait. I was already worked up watching you and Kev spar.”

<><><> 

While Ken and Brad made it home, fixed lunch, and made out like animals for a few hours, Kevin and Bill went home to talk. The drive quiet, Kevin gave Bill as much space as he needed before bringing up whatever was bothering him. He made small talk until they pulled into their driveway and went inside.

Kevin asked him, “Do you want to shower with me, or do you want to eat?”

“Let’s eat first. Once we’re in the shower, food will be the last thing on my mind.”

Bill remained quiet and subdued while they fixed lunch. Once they sat down, Kevin could see him building himself up to talk about what was bothering him. They had only taken a few bites of their sandwiches when Bill finally broke the silence.

“Kev, I’m sorry. I need to share something with you. I’m not feeling very good about myself right now, and I’ve been dodging you in my head the past few days because I didn’t want to pull you down with me.”

Moving to Bill’s chair, Kevin knelt beside him, putting his arms around his lover.  

“Bill, what the hell, man? Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

With the physical contact Kevin forced the merge, meeting minimal resistance as Bill was still hesitant to show weakness to his partner. When their minds and souls wrapped around one another, and Kevin’s strong presence filled him, Bill’s emotional discomfort became his own. Bill’s arms squeezed tighter, and a hot tear fell on Kevin’s shoulder.

Kevin just held him for a minute, rubbing his back. In the first few seconds of their merge, he saw what Bill kept from him and how he felt. Bill realized Brad was right and Kevin didn’t give a rat’s ass about his ability showing up or not, or what it might be. Kevin’s unconditional love was palpable, and accepting it healed the hurt he inflicted on himself the last few days.

Opening their energy centers, Bill took them even deeper, realizing if he had done that to start with, there wouldn’t have been a problem.

Kevin’s mental voice smiled as he thought: Yeah, dumbass. We’re here for each other. Never, EVER, do this to yourself or me again, and I promise right now never to do it to you. If either of us ever feels this way, we need to do what we’re doing right now and use it as a shield to stay strong.

In their bodies, Bill’s cheek rested on Kevin’s solid shoulder.  Kevin’s hard, warm body, coupled with his soul, drove Bill to a state of iron hardness. Aware of Bill’s reaction, Kevin’s hand reached down, running his fingers up and down his length.

Bill pulled back enough to give Kevin a long passionate kiss, and when they broke apart, looking into each other’s eyes, Bill said, “I love you, Kev.”

Kevin said, “I love you too, Bill, more than anything or anyone in the world.”

Bill sighed as his stomach rumbled, and he said, “Alright, let’s finish lunch so we can go take care of business. Screw the shower. We’ll only have to take one after we get all hot and sweaty anyway.”

“Now that’s the Bill I know and love. I like your thinking.”

<><><> 

Bill and Kevin finished eating and went back to their bedroom. Bill opened their energy centers, and rather than frantic, wild sex, what ensued was a two-hour bout of passionate lovemaking. Afterward, they rested together, the sweat cooling on their bodies, holding each other in their minds and hearts, fully immersed in one another.

If Pat could see them through his newly awakened Avatar, he would perceive and Understand the bundle of energy inside them both, pulsing and spreading through their bodies as their Avatars prepared to awaken.

<><><> 

Later that afternoon, after dragging themselves out of bed to do chores around the house, the security alarm chirped a few seconds before the doorbell rang. Kevin was in the garage, and Bill hollered from the kitchen, “I’ll get it!”

Checking the security monitor, a Fed Ex delivery guy stood at the front door holding a box. Opening the door, Bill was stunned at how handsome the driver was.  Deeply tanned, with perfect teeth and facial features, his five o’clock shadow and his slightly sweaty, disheveled expression took Bill’s breath away.  

Bill was a tall guy at 6’4” and like all the guys on the team very muscular, but the man in front of him was equally as tall and far thicker.  Bill doubted he could get both of his hands around the guy’s neck! The FedEx shirt stretched tight across his massive chest and arms like a second skin.  The driver was sweating in the heat and wore sunglasses so Bill couldn’t see his eyes.

Momentarily distracted, Bill stood looking until the driver cleared his throat, asking, “Are you William Brennan?”

“Yeah.  I mean, yes, that’s me.”

“I’ll need your signature, please.”

Taking the tablet, Bill signed his name and handed it back, and the driver held out the box, which looked to be roughly a cubic foot. It only weighed a few pounds.

“Sir, there are special delivery instructions because of the insurance value. If you could, please open it, inspect the contents, and make sure it’s acceptable. If anything is broken, or if you wish to refuse the package, I can take it back now with the original packing material.”

“Sure, give me a second. Do you want to step in for a minute? It’s too hot to stand out in the heat.”

“Thank you, sir, I’d appreciate that.”

Moving in, Bill set the box on the coffee table in the den and went to get a box cutter from the kitchen. When he cut the tape and opened the box, at first glance, it seemed to be filled with Styrofoam peanuts. Not knowing what was in it and realizing it was something valuable, Bill gingerly put his hand into the packing material and felt around. Touching something smooth and hard, he carefully wrapped his hand around it.

As soon as Bill held the object, his mind and body exploded in pain. The shock and sensation were so quick and overpowering he didn’t have time to cry out as he fell to the floor with the object, a human skull, gripped in his hand.

Taking off his glasses, the FedEx guy smiled.

Kevin staggered as pain hit him through their link, and then his connection severed when Bill’s presence ripped out of his mind.

“Bill!”

Running through the garage and into the kitchen, Kevin frantically looked around and saw the muscular delivery man crouched over Bill with a hand around his throat. Bill lay on the living room floor, convulsing as blood ran from his nose, ears, and eyes.

“What the fuck did you do to him!? Get your hands off him now!”

“Just a little present from my employers. Keep your distance, Ayers.  If you step any closer I’ll break his neck.”

After Rick and Loy’s encounter in the alley and fighting others like him in the hospital, Kevin knew the man was strong and fast. With his mind energized and open after their lovemaking earlier in the afternoon, Kevin mentally shouted for help.

Brad!? Lane!? Doc!? 911!

Something was wrong. For some reason, Kevin’s mind seemed shut off.

Fuck!

He instinctively knew something wasn’t right. His abilities weren’t dependent on Bill, so something else had to be blocking them. Kevin didn’t see his own Avatar glowing and had no way of knowing he was awakening and temporarily blocking his own ability to reach anyone.

Another big man came through the front door, smiling at the sight of Bill on the floor, twitching and bleeding.

“I see Brennan fell for it. These charms the boss gave us worked great. He didn’t sense anything wrong. Maybe you guys aren’t as tough as the boss thinks.”

Looking at Bill, he smirked and said, “Sweet dreams there, shithead.”

The second man reached behind his back, pulling out a gun with a silencer on it and took aim at Kevin.

“This should make the boss happy. Two of The Order out of our hair for good. So much for you golden boys.”

He pulled the trigger.

As soon as Kevin saw the gun, he knew he had to do something or he and Bill were dead. Adrenaline hit his system, and he hoped for Bill’s sake it would be enough as he launched himself towards the man on the floor with his hand around Bill’s neck. Overconfident, the man took his eyes off Kevin, a mistake that cost him his life.

Before the ping of the silencer reached his ears, Kevin felt the impact in his shoulder.  The weight and density of his body prevented the gunshot from altering his trajectory, and Kevin snapped the man’s neck, nearly decapitating him.  Colliding against the man, Kevin’s momentum knocked them both clear of Bill.

Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, Kevin hit the floor, rolling and leaping into a spinning back kick. His foot connected with the other man’s thick neck, shattering it, but the gun fired again as Kevin spun, and the bullet entered his spine.  Kevin went numb, dropping like a 450 lb. rock onto the floor of the den.

Landing close to Bill, Kevin was able to see him, but he was paralyzed and couldn’t move. Unable to make a sound, he could only stare at Bill, twitching on the floor, bleeding from his nose, eyes, and ears. Bill’s tattoo pulsed brightly, spitting bright tendrils of energy, and Kevin assumed his was doing the same, but he couldn’t see or feel it.

Oh, fuck! God, let Bill be okay! Brad! Lane! Doc! Albrecht! We need you!

Kevin desperately shouted in his head, but his mind remained closed. Tears of fear and desperation fell from his cheeks onto the carpet as he slowly lost consciousness. He couldn’t see the blood from his own wounds pooling on the carpet, creating a huge ring around him.

Nearly three hours later, near death, Kevin’s Avatar stopped glowing.

<><><> 

Bill and Kevin were on Brad’s mind most of the afternoon.  Bill let things go a little far, and while Brad didn’t want to be a mother hen, he figured checking in wouldn’t hurt.  Finished cleaning the kitchen after dinner, he reached out to his buddy.

Bill?

There was no response, which Brad found odd. Texting Bill and Kevin, he asked them to call as soon as they saw the message.

After fifteen minutes, Brad said, “Ken, I’m worried about Bill and Kev. Bill’s not answering in his head or by text. Something’s not right.”

Brad’s intuition was strong and usually accurate, and Ken was concerned as well.

“Let’s run over and make sure everythin’s alright.”

Brad’s unease increased as they got closer, to the point he started trembling.  Something was wrong.  Ken sent out an 811 text to the team, which meant possible emergency in progress and everybody on immediate standby. Brad’s anxiety reached the point where Ken had him pull over so he could drive.

Within seconds Lane, Darren, and the doctor were in Ken and Brad’s minds asking what was wrong, and they picked up on Brad’s agitation immediately.

Guys, we aren’t sure what’s goin’ on, but somethin’ seems wrong. Brad’s comin’ out of his skin with a bad vibe. We’re almost ‘ta Bill and Kev’s house. Dar, can you teleport ‘ta the lab?

Yeah, the doc helped me imprint a spot in my memory I can teleport to without a visual, and we’re keeping it safe and clear as a jump spot for emergencies.

Alright, get there and bring up the security feed in Kevin and Bill’s kitchen. Can you jump from a camera image?

I haven’t tried yet, but with a live image I don’t see why not.

Get there if you can and be ready. Pat, get ‘ta the lab as quick as you can and be extra careful while you’re on your own. If The Enemy’s behind this, there’s no tellin’ what else they have planned.

10-4, Ken.

As Ken pulled into Bill and Kevin’s driveway, he noticed a FedEx truck parked in front of the house. The sun was just setting and it was getting dark, and there were no lights on in the house.  Ken’s instincts told him the scene was too quiet and not right. Reaching for Kevin and Bill again, Brad sensed both of them, but their presence was so faint it was barely discernible. Ken and Brad made their way quickly and carefully to the front door, finding it slightly ajar.

Ken, I can feel Kevin. It’s like he’s really far away, but he’s definitely there. I can’t feel Bill at all and I don’t pick up anyone else in the house, but if someone’s there they might be shielded.

Ken: Let’s keep the chatter in our heads ‘til we’re inside. Stay at the door, B.

Even though it was almost dark outside, there was enough light coming through the door for Ken’s enhanced vision. Ken quietly pushed the door open and saw Bill and Kevin on the floor. Bill lay a few feet from Kevin, his face and torso bloody, and the rug around Kevin was dark with stained blood. Neither of them was moving.

Fuck!

White fire rose up in Ken, a mix of terror and seething anger at whoever did this to his brothers, and fear at what condition he was about to find them in. Brad said he could sense Kevin so he must still be alive, but for how much longer? How long had Kevin been there, alone and bleeding? And was Bill dead? Or somehow shielded?

Launching himself into the room, Ken rolled up in a ready and crouched position in case of an ambush. Two men lay on the floor dead, one nearly decapitated and the other with a broken neck.

Flipping on the light, Ken groaned in horror.  Bill lay face up; his eyes open wide and his face a mask of terror. Kevin lay next to him, face down, with two visible bullet wounds, one in his shoulder and one in his lower back.

B! Doc!

Brad rushed in, and everyone looked through his eyes.

Forcing himself to stay calm, Ken went to Kevin.

B, check on Bill!

Kneeling beside his buddy, Ken felt for a pulse on Kevin’s neck. It was slow, barely detectable, and his body was ice cold.

Brad: Bill’s breathing, but it’s shallow. His pulse is thready and weak, and he’s lost a lot of blood. I still can’t sense his mind.

Doc, Kevin’s pulse is so weak I can barely feel it, but he’s still with us. I’m afraid ‘ta move him with the bullet wound in his lower back. His body is ice cold.

Brad: Doc, Bill’s holding something in his hand. It looks like a human skull.

Do not touch it! It might be the cause of what happened to William! Try to get it away from him.

Brad tried to nudge the skull out of Bill’s grasp with his shoe, but his grip was too firm. Fetching a couple of dish towels from the kitchen, he used them to pry Bill’s fingers loose. Wrapping the skull in the towels, Brad put it in the box on the coffee table. As soon as it was out of Bill’s hand his eyes closed, and his face went slack.

Aaron: Darren, this will be difficult, but you must try to get them both back to the lab immediately. You can teleport them without the need to move them physically, which might cause Kevin’s spine more damage.

Alright, doc. Bill first, he won’t be as hard.

Ken perceived the slight change in air pressure displaced as Darren appeared in the kitchen. Even though Darren saw Kevin and Bill through the link, it hit him hard to see his buddies in person. Just like Ken, fear and anger hit him, but he put a cap on it so he could focus and help them.

Bradford, Darren must see where he is to go. I need him to get William and Kevin to the lab and the beds I have prepared. You will be his eyes through me. It will work better with your strength and clarity.

Okay, Doc. Dar, let me know when you’re ready.

Darren knelt, putting his hands on Bill’s chest.

Show me, Brad.

A crystal clear image of the waiting bed in the lab entered Darren’s mind.

Incoming doc!

Bill’s body vanished, appearing on the bed in the lab.

Excellent Darren! Well done! Kevin will be much more challenging. Gather your strength and let me know when you are ready. Bradford, you and Kenneth will need to take care of Darren and get him back here. Patrick can help him recover once they are together. Lane, Bryan, I need you here as quickly as possible.

Already on our way, doc.

Breathing hard from teleporting Bill, Darren already had a slight headache from the exertion. Going into the kitchen, he grabbed a sports drink from the fridge and gulped it down.

Knowing time was of the essence, Darren only gave himself another minute to rest.

Doc, let me know when you’re ready on your end.

I am ready. Be careful, Darren. Bradford, prepare to help him if he needs aid.

Darren put his hands on Kevin’s chest, concentrating. Nothing happened at first. Breathing harder and harder, sweat broke out on his forehead. Darren’s face turned purple, and the veins in his neck distended as he shook from the strain. Literally screaming out his effort, Kevin vanished.

Darren’s eyes went vacant, and he squeaked out, “Fuck me!” before passing out. A trickle of blood ran out of his nose, and he dropped out of the link.

Bradford, is he alright?

Yeah, doc, he passed out. His nose is bleeding. That strain was incredible… I doubt he’ll want to try that again anytime soon.

<><><> 

As much as Brad and Ken wanted to rush back to the lab, they stayed behind to cover up what happened. Ken moved the two bodies into the FedEx van, and Brad scanned the neighbors to make sure none of them saw or remembered anything out of the ordinary.

They would return and clean the house once they knew Bill and Kevin would be all right. Ken reactivated the alarm system as they left, setting it for remote alert so they would be notified on their phones if the alarm went off.

Driving the van to a deserted area of downtown Atlanta, Ken left it there. Brad followed, picking him up, and they headed back to the lab with Darren passed out in the backseat the entire time. Brad kept the box with the skull in the back, so it was as far away as possible from any of them.

<><><> 

When they arrived at the lab, the doctor had Bill cleaned up and in bed, hooked up to his equipment but still unconscious. He was in a coma and non-responsive to any stimulus, physical or mental. His mind, for some reason, was unreachable.

Kevin lay face down on the operating table. The doctor was unable to disengage the bullet lodged in one of his vertebrae and pressing against his spinal cord. Kevin was so weak he couldn’t risk doing more harm by digging the bullet out.

Kevin was stable for the moment, but the doctor needed to make a decision soon as to how to proceed. Lane and Bryan healed his shoulder, but the doctor emphasized not replenishing his energy levels yet or his body would start healing naturally, and with the bullet still in place, that could be a disaster.

Temporarily, the doctor suppressed Kevin’s natural advanced healing to keep the bone from regenerating around the bullet.

Ken came in with Darren over his shoulder, and as soon as Pat saw them he rushed over, helping Ken get him on one of the beds.  Taking Darren’s face in his hands, with the physical contact Pat forced a link, opening their energy centers and allowing Darren to absorb what he needed to recover.

Darren’s eyes opened to see Pat’s face, pale and exhausted, hovering inches from his own. Darren realized what Pat had done and pulled him into a quick kiss, hugging him tightly.

“Thanks, but you should have just let me sleep that off. You look like shit now. Handsome shit, but shit nonetheless.”

Pat chuckled under his breath and said, “You know I couldn’t let you stay like that when I could do something about it, and I think the doc needs you again. You’re the hero of the hour, Dar.”

Darren was a bit unsteady on his feet, but with Pat’s support he went to where the doc was working on Kevin.

“Doc, Pat said you need me?”

“Darren, I have already asked much of you today, I do not feel right asking more, but you are Kevin’s best chance at the moment. I cannot remove the bullet without causing severe neural damage to his spine. He is too weak at the moment, and it might be more than his body can take. We could lose him if I try. Lane and Bryan cannot heal him until the bullet is removed.”

Lane piped up, “Doc, I can charge Dar up as good as new, and still have plenty of juice left for Kevin.”

Darren said, “Before we start doc, let me look with Pat so I know what needs to be done.”

Pat examined the wound, Understanding how the bullet was lodged and the damage around it, and Darren knew what had to happen. The bullet, wedged between two vertebrae, pressed against Kevin’s spinal column and carving it out would cause significant additional trauma. Kevin was so weakened from the two bullet wounds and loss of blood, any further damage could kill him. Once the bullet was removed, massive hemorrhaging would occur, so Darren needed to hold the blood flow back and give Lane and Bryan time to heal him.

“Okay, guys, this won’t be difficult, but the timing has to be spot-on. Doc, can you coordinate us?”

“Yes. Lane, let me know when you and Bryan are ready, and we will begin.”

Lane already worked out the music, and knowing what he wanted, he took Bryan with him, their souls traveling out in creation to listen. Their already powerful auras grew brighter as their energy levels amped up.

Glowing like a small sun, they shone so bright everyone had to shift their sight so they could see what was going on. Holding out his arms, Lane pointed towards Pat and Darren, and white energy arced into them, restoring their depleted flows.

Lane: Alright, doc, on your mark.

Brad and Ken stayed in the link, watching and monitoring everything, keeping quiet but ready to help in any way they could. Ken’s pride at how smoothly and efficiently everyone worked together was evident in the link. They were a team and acting like one, and it felt right.

Now!

The bullet vanished, materializing in Darren’s hand. A tiny drop of blood appeared but stopped immediately as Darren prevented the hemorrhage with his mind.

Bryan squeezed Lane’s shoulders in support as thick ropes of healing arced into the wound in Kevin’s spine. Bone rapidly filled in, and the damaged skin, nerves, and muscle tissue knitted back together, whole within a minute.

Kevin, in an induced coma, didn’t regain consciousness but was now physically recovered and healthy, his muscular body covered in a light sheen of sweat from the healing.

Relieved, the doctor gave one of his uncharacteristic smiles and said, “Well done, everybody! I am extremely proud of you!”

Releasing the energy, Bryan and Lane’s auras dimmed. They were becoming better acclimated to higher levels of power, and it didn’t exhaust them as much as it did in the beginning. Lane was tired but not drained.

“Now, we must see to William.” 

Two Days Earlier 

The Master dreamed of his potential defeat, something that should be impossible. He watched The Order and the creation of their new warriors but wasn’t concerned. Even though his attempt to kill them before their final transformation failed, he was confident in his ability to destroy them.

None of them realized the true power of the Curse and how deep its magic ran. Yet, in the tens of thousands of years he lived, The Master learned he could never be too careful, and to eliminate any possible threats, no matter how small.

Being such shallow-minded purists, he was surprised the High Hosts allowed the abominations to exist. He wished they had done his job for him and destroyed the nephilim hybrids, but instead of wiping them out of existence, they had direct contact and had even given them aid.

The one named William Brennen was about to awaken with an Avatar that could be the key to his downfall. The Master’s secret rested in his identity which no one, even the highest ranks of the Enemy, knew. With the understanding and awareness of who he was there was a chance, however slight, they could devise a way to destroy him, and that he could not allow.

Promised by The Dark One himself, the Curse was unbreakable. It could not be lifted while The Master lived, and it protected him from death. It would take a paradox to bring about his downfall.

Bound in time within the physical realm, with effort, The Master’s arcane mastery allowed his mind to traverse forward and backward in temporal reality. However, the nature of the nephilim abominations made it nearly impossible to see anything about them.  Something about their very nature prohibited him from seeing anything about them.

William Brennan’s Avatar was not yet awake, but with extreme effort and a phenomenal outpouring of power, The Master pierced their protections, ascertaining the nature of his Avatar. The Master knew what their Avatars meant and their emerging pattern; one that did not bode well for him or his minions. However, he only needed to remove one piece of that pattern, and it would unravel and fail.

The Master instructed one of his more trusted servants to enter the vault and retrieve the skull of his greatest general, who ruled Europe in his name centuries ago. For a mortal, the general was a vile and cruel man, serving the Master well in spreading darkness and chaos during his life. He was primarily responsible for bringing about the Dark Ages in mankind’s history before his demise at the hands of a hero of The Order.

Yes… if William Brennan held the skull at the time of his avatar’s awakening, it should destroy him. Even if it didn’t, the relic would leave him scarred and broken, and the Master’s identity would remain secret.

<><><> 

As soon as Bill touched the skull, it overwhelmed his mind. His Avatar, hyper-sensitive as it awakened, reacted to the skull precisely as The Master predicted. Images and memories of pain and torture flooded Bill’s consciousness. The absolute evil of the person who committed the acts and the glee he felt in doing so, became a part of Bill.

With his touch, Bill knew everything about the man, from his conception in his mother's womb to his death, and the darkness contained within the artifact wanted to consume and smother Bill’s light.

The unexpected onslaught, the barrage of evil and brokenness, tore Bill’s heart and soul, nearly destroying him. He didn’t merely observe the atrocities; it was as if he committed them himself. The skull belonged to Zherneboh Mstislav, a general of the Enemy in the old world who ruled Europe in the Dark Ages. His skull, a relic of great evil and power, represented centuries of The Enemy’s domination over the world.

Bill’s training saved his life.  The mental disciplines devised by Brad and the doctor shored up a defense before his mind was overrun.  While he still had the strength, deep in the place where his soul resided and time barely moved, he retreated, walling off his consciousness.  

Fleeing the darkness, Bill went so deep within himself he wasn’t sure if he could ever find his way out.  The evil pursued him, following his mind and assaulting the barrier he erected.

Bill found himself in a small glass room. To his perception, he sat at the bottom of an ocean of darkness while a lifetime of brutal, barbaric acts bore down with crushing weight, trying to break through. By his Avatar, the knowledge and experiences were already a part of him, absorbed by his body, and he knew if he ever escaped his self-made prison, he would be insane. 

Trapped so deep within himself, time nearly stopped. While his body lay on the floor, the few hours it took Ken and Brad to discover he and Kevin, Bill spent the equivalent of years holding the soul of one of the vilest men ever to walk the earth at bay.

Lost and alone, Bill was unable to sense Kevin or communicate with him, Brad, or the doctor.  His friends had no way of knowing that he trapped himself to survive. Being part nephilim saved his sanity… as an immortal, his mind had the capacity to span years.

A normal human might have gone insane, but Bill managed to survive without losing himself. Half his soul belonged to Kevin, residing in him, and he kept the energy center of his soul open, immersing himself in that part of him.

Entombed in his own mind, Bill had all the time in the world to think, longing for Kevin’s arms around him and the comfort and strength of their intertwined souls. His memory and recall perfect, Bill relived parts of his past to pass the time but quickly realized doing so prolonged his perception of time even more.

He knew the doc, Albrecht, and his brothers would find his body, but it would take time for them to get him back to the lab and figure things out. He wasn’t sure what they could do; his chances sucked either way.

Bill realized that somehow The Enemy knew what his Avatar would be and sent the skull as a trap. He didn’t understand how they knew, or why his intuition or Kevin’s instincts didn’t warn them of danger. Ruefully chuckling, beyond his anger, Bill was flattered they made such an effort to get rid of him, but his rage helped keep him going when he wearied of living in his memories.

I guess I should be more careful what I wish for. If all I could do was change the color of my piss, I don’t think they would have gone through this much effort.

If their awakenings were close together surely by now, Kevin had received his, and Bill wondered what his partner’s Avatar turned out to be. Thinking of his lover, he hoped like hell Kevin was alright. With no way of knowing, he had to believe Kevin kicked the ass of the delivery guy and called the doc for help.

While Darren removed the bullet from Kevin’s spine, another year passed for Bill. Every time Bill began to lose hope, he remembered Brad’s comments about leaning on his buddies. They wouldn’t let him down, Kevin wouldn’t let him down, and he couldn’t let them down by not believing in them.

In the dark hours of his desperation, about to lose hope and give in to despair, he repeated Brad’s words to himself.

Another year passed…