It Started With a Book [Jaryn/Xandyr]

[itsherfault]

"W-well...."

I flushed. "It's... kind of complicated," I said, sighing. "It happened by... by accident... but we kind of... continued doing it afterwards? Because it was... well, it was..."

Oh, I sounded like a dork, didn't I? But, ah well. Might as well admit it.

"Well, it was pretty damn awesome. And I've been crushing on Xan since I met him, so I don't thnk you could say we're 'just' friends. I was hoping to ask him out and maybe today was a first date. Nothing wrong with holding hands on a first date." I crossed my arms and stood next to Xan, my leg touching his flank. I dunno, that felt kind of comforting. Knowing he was there.

Was what this guy was saying about 'mates' really true? Were we really the only ones for each other? The whole romantic 'destiny' thing... I could get behind that. But this was definitely not the way I was expecting to meet destiny.

[mesmu]

Zeke sighs.

"No. There is-"

Then, a growl is heard. It seems what Jaryn said just caught up with Xandyr.

Dating?

Zeke blinks and then sighs, Oh boy this may not end well...

Xan looks to Jaryn with this pointed look. Why would we be dating?

[itsherfault]

"W-well... y'know.... I mean, ummm...."

Shrug.

"Just seemed... right? I mean, if you're not okay with that, that's cool, we can just... stay friends. But you kind of just ruined my attempt to get your brother off our asses." Pause. "Not that, I wouldn't like to take you out on a date some other time...! I really have kind of been thinking of how to ask you out... for a while now.... like, okay, since I first met you...."

He really did have the most beautiful, starlit eyes.

"....but, but, but, that's not, not the point! I was trying to help you out here...."

I should probably just throw the crazy guy out, but... he was the only one who could help Xan, right? That seemed more important at the moment.

Then again.

This whole situation was making Xan uncomfortable, I could feel it, I could tell. I didn't know how, but I knew. That alone made me want to kick this guy out on his ass.

[mesmu]

Xandyr blinks. Um...?

He then shakes his head.

Yeah, well... I.... Uh................. Xan looks away, not wanting to make eye contact. I'm not into men.

Zeke is now shocked.

[itsherfault]

Long, awkward silence. Yeah, this happens to me a lot.

"Ah, well," I said, looking over at Zeke. "I mean, your story was great and all, but it's kinda not holding up. I can't ignore the giant alien cat thing, but, clearly, your brother is not that into me."

And why did it hurt so much? Wasn't like I hadn't been rejected by straight guys before. But this was... was different.

"But, anyway, the whole town would appreciate it if you taught him to change back so he could get back on with his life and so can I."

[mesmu]

Xandyr looks down to his pauses. Somehow... he feels hurt... But... Why...?

Zeke nods, "Alright. You gotta picture yourself human. Really focus on being human... And, well, think that you are... That you really, really wanna be... and you'll change back... I think..."

Xandyr gives it a try, after a minute or two he opens an eye and sighs. It didn't work.

"Well, do you really believe it will work...?"

So he tries again.........

And....

It....


WORKS!

"OHMYGAWD! I'M HUMAN!" He then freezes and leaps for a blanket, covering himself.

[itsherfault]

My face went red as a beet and I turned away, mutely offering a blanket with my eyes averted.

"You, um. You can borrow some of my, um, clothes, if you want," I mumbled finally. "They're, um, they're in the closet."

That was certainly an unexpected show!

I will not peek. I will not peek. He is not that into me. I will not peek.

[mesmu]

Xandyr bulks and looks at Jaryn wide eyed, "Stop chanting that! Of course you won't!" And then jumps as clothes are thrown at him by Zeke. He stares at them a moment before pulling them under the blankets with him to change.

[itsherfault]

BLink. Blink.

"W-wait. I, I didn't say that out loud, did I?!"

[mesmu]

Zeke grins and says simply, "Said what?"

Xan meanwhile finishes changing, "Of course you did! How else would I hear it?!"

The other zercan just smiles more knowingly.

[itsherfault]

"W-well, I don't know! It wasn't like you were talking out loud when you were a lion but I could still hear you then. Maybe you were right, I'm really psychic or something!" I threw my hands up in the air. "Other than crazy guy's theory, I don't hear a better one."

[mesmu]

As Xandyr goes to shout back the deemed "crazy guy" clears his throat before speaking, "Well... You could be part Merman... They can read people's thoughts."

[itsherfault]

Blink.

"Merman.......?" I asked hesitantly. "Do I... want to know....?"

[mesmu]

"Picture the little mermaid... now take away the boobs... ya got merman. Sometimes they sing that well too."

Xandyr is blinks in shock.

[itsherfault]

"Oh.... okay...." I said, just sort of, taking it all in.

Could there really be a pair of aliens in my living room? But my new best friend had jsut turned into a cat, called out for help, taken me on a wild chase through Lansing, and ended up on my floor... and then dumped me. But the confusion I kept feeling from his direction and the sudden overwhelming feelings I kept having, that couldn't just be friendship, could it?

I'd never... I'd never felt this way before. And the fact that he didn't feel the same...

I wasn't going to dwell on it. I never had before.

"So, um, crazy guy. Look. I'm not an alien. I'm not, not in star-crossed love with Xan... okay, he's hot, and I kinda had a crush on him, but there's going to be no man-children in this relationship. I'm just a normal, everyday gay guy trying to make an honest life. Thanks for saving us back there, but... I guess the three of us should go our separate ways. All three of us."

Since that's what Xan wants anyway.

I hadn't meant the bitter thought before I thought it, but I couldn't take it back.