Someday Maybe

Ty and Aiden leaned against the wall, grinning at each-other in the semi-darkness. Ty could tell that the younger male was enjoying another adrenaline rush. He seemed to like them almost but still not nearly as much as he liked sex. From the pounding his heart was doing and the smile on his face he knew he was having a little rush of his own. This was just too much fun. Perhaps it should be illegal to enjoy sneaking around in the dark and shooting people so very much but then... it was hardly something the government could manage to regulate after all.

They stuck close together as they snuck silently from one hiding place to another. Ty had checked before-hand. There were cameras but they were the closed-circuit kind that were recorded over endlessly. No one human would watch them and only in certain circumstances could they even be accessed so they were safe from that kind of surveillance but that didn’t mean they weren’t being watched. Far from it. Ty was positive they were being watched. But the observers seemed in no hurry to apprehend them and that was just fine with him.

They were getting closer to being able to get the object they were after. They weren’t heading in the right direction at present but they were taking out the people who were preventing their progress and that meant, eventually, they were going to get it and come away victorious. And, well, that was the objective for today. He rubbed his forearm over his eyes. He was sweating a little in the warm building and didn’t want it to run into his eyes to blind him.

A warning shot was fired near them, possibly intended to flush them out from their current hiding spot. Their eyes sought each-other and met. Ty gave a measured nod and another grin and then dove from where they where hiding to another spot. Aiden followed suit and added a roll that brought him to his feet again and Ty stuck his tongue out at him for being a show off. The younger male just shrugged and raised his chin cockily. Obviously he was saying that e wasn’t afraid. Why he should he be afraid of guys with guns shooting at them? He already knew the outcome of this endeavor.

They crept again to a new hiding spot even as pounding feet made their way to where they had just been and angry voices growled that they might as well be chasing ghosts. Someone other than the person who made the ghost comment said something that sounded whiny but the words couldn’t be made out over the sound of their feet or through the obstacles between them.
Ty looked around for the next hiding place only to discover that they had backed themselves into a corner. They could come out and make a break into open space, which wouldn’t be a good idea if the opposition was monitoring that space. They could be killed in an instant. Or they could risk going back the way they’d come and try to go to a different hiding spot before the others got over complaining and bickering long enough to realize the tactical error they had made.

Or they could stay in place and face the others head on when they came. Ty looked at Aiden and tilted his head at the empty space and then jerked his chin at where they’d come from. He paused and then cocked his head to the side in an exaggerated parody of bird-like curiosity. Aiden looked one way and then the other and seemed to consider things. Ty could tell he wasn’t actually using his powers but just considering the options in a more normal rational way. He shrugged and did a sort of frowning “meh” face. He tapped the wall where they were already hiding with a gloved hand. Might as well stay here. He nodded his agreement.

Maybe they would have taken their chances one way or another had they known their pursuers were going to take such a long time to find them. They moved about as a pack. They were wary about moving forward into unexplored areas but not stealthy in any way. They spoke aloud to each-other and gave themselves away again and again with their footsteps even when they were trying to be quiet. Obviously unlike Ty and Aiden they were untried at this game.

“The cowards must be hiding here.” Someone announced from a little ways away and then people started to come around the corner. But despite their numbers nothing was in the favor of the group they were against. They didn’t have the reflexes of the two boys. They didn’t have their stealth or their ability to dodge. Even the little red lasers of light that painted their brief warnings across the chests of the two backed into the corner did nothing more than accelerate their heartbeats. The futility of even trying to shoot them was made obvious with how easily they took down everyone in the group that was after them.

The men and women they’d just taken out cursed at them and impotently continued to attempt to shoot them long after their guns ceased to function. “Assholes. Have to steal all the glory for yourselves.” The leader of the little group cussed before he turned and stalked off.

Ty wasn’t sure but he thought that that was probably the last of what had remained of their own team. The kind of laser tag they were playing was more like a Ender’s Game Battle School inspired kind of capture the flag than any sort of traditional combat game. And just like in the battle school so-called “friendly fire” not only worked in “killing” other players but it also, through some programmers perverse humor, gained you just as many points as killing off supposed enemies.

Ty had figured this out after the first game. He and Aiden had been keeping track of how many people they had each shot as a sort of pissing contest between the two of them and Aiden’s score had been higher than expected compared to his own score and the number of people he’d shot. The only explanation was that the couple people he had accidentally wasted with friendly fire had added to instead of deducted from his score. So this game they had, of course, begun by mostly shooting the enemy and stealthily taking out people on their own team. But in order to draw the game out and keep the enemy team’s flag from being captured prematurely Aiden had smirked and decided to make it very obvious what they were doing by announcing it.

For a good chunk of the past hour they had snuck about and continued to pick off both teams, riling up their own team and decimating the other almost completely while leaving just enough of it around to guard their flag and not do anything else. One of their teammate had managed to organize what was left of their team to track them down so they’d decided to run and hide a bit and try to get their measure or maybe try to pick them off. And as of now they’d killed every last one of them.

Now it was time for the cake walk of getting the flag. The rest of their team would get the points for having captured the flag as well and that bonus would likely move most of them on in the tournament. But the two of them would have unprecedentedly high scores because of the sheer number of people they’d shot as they’d had no difficulties with wasting their own team.

They calmly made their way toward the large open space at one end of the arena that contained the enemy team’s flag. The flag appeared to be totally unguarded but Ty knew that the three people left on the other team were just behind nearby cover waiting for someone to try to capture their flag so they could shoot them. They both calmly stepped into the open, paused half a second and ducked down. Laser lights shot over their heads and speared into the darkness. Their own found targets on the chests of the enemy team who had revealed themselves by trying to shoot. Aiden casually sprinted up and grabbed the flag. He waved it about in victory as they walked back over to their own side of the arena and the lights came up as the game ended.

Outside the arena their scores scrolled to the top of the standings, impressively higher than anyone else’s. Aiden whooped in pleasure and kissed him heatedly enough to embarrass him due to the public setting. It was time for them to have a break for lunch. Or so said the schedule. So they headed to the café the place had to buy some mildly overpriced food for lunch. Half-way through lunch they could hear the “leader” of their defeated group yelling at someone as they entered the café. The person being yelled at responded loudly and firmly but also with total calm and not a tinge of annoyance.

“I am sorry you feel slighted sir but the rules of the system make it so people “die” from friendly fire and points are still awarded for the kills. They were well within bounds to play as they did. The tactic has been used in previous recorded games but never before with such spectacular success.”

“But- but-” The man spluttered. “Those faggots were cheating.” Ty looked over at Aiden soon enough to see his gray eyes flash with anger. The blue-haired male stood up and stalked over toward the other man.

“Apologize.” He demanded.

“No! You were the ones who were cheating.” The man insisted.

“Actually-” Ty said as he caught up with his lover, afraid he might have to physically restrain him to keep him from hitting the other man. “The nice manager of this entertainment center just told you that we were within bounds to turn on our own team. And if management says we weren’t cheating then we weren’t cheating.”

“Personally I would have killed you off sooner if I’d realized what a bigot you were. I still want you to apologize.” The man crossed his arms over his chest.

“I have nothing to apologize for.” He paused and smiled. “I didn’t realize, after all, that friendly fire isn’t cheating.”

“I don’t care about your complaints to the management. I want you to apologize for insulting me.”

“Insulting you?” Ty could tell the man was playing dumb. He was sure everyone knew it.

“Yeah. Just because I came here on a date with my boyfriend doesn’t give you any right to assume things or insult my sexuality. Especially when I’m not a “faggot” or even gay.” Aiden elaborated.

“I have a right to free speech and my own opinions. What are you going to do, faggot?” The man was deliberately baiting him. He even uncrossed his arms and held them out a little, inviting him to bring it on.

“What am I going to do?” Aiden snarled. Ty touched his shoulder before he did anything rash. Aiden looked at him, annoyed at being held back from what he obviously wanted.

“Aw, how cute, your girlfriend doesn’t want you to get in trouble. Or maybe he just doesn’t want your pretty features all messed up.”

“I know what I’m going to do.” Ty announced calmly. “I’m going to report you to management for harassment.” He paused and looked at the manager who obviously hadn’t wanted to get in the middle of the brewing fight but who now looked relieved to be able to step in safely. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do in these situations?” The manager nodded.

“That’s exactly right.” He agreed. “You report them for harassment. If they’re any basis to your claim they get kicked off the premises. If they’re a repeat offender they get banned permanently. Fortunately there was a reliable witness here to see that you were in fact harassed.” He then turned toward the by now outraged-looking man. “Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to leave. You are regrettably withdrawn from the tournament and are not eligible for any prizes given. As per company policy you will be allowed to return on another day provided you follow standard procedure and all rules of this establishment. Should you break any further rules on your way out or upon your return you will be permanently banned.” He reeled off the whole spiel as though it was something well-practiced. Fortunately the man put up no fight but instead gave Aiden a menacing look and left in a huff.

“My deepest apologies.” The manager said at least politely if not with total sincerity. “Some people forget that this is only a game. I hope you young gentlemen enjoy the rest of the tournament.” And then he walked away, back to wherever he’d come from. Ty took Aiden by the elbow and lead him back to their waiting food to finish eating. They both scarfed down a great deal before the next game.

They ended up winning the tournament with a tie and the small amount of prize money involved. They were told that since they won the tournament they weren’t allowed to join any more beginner tournaments. It was suggested that they join the expert tournament that was going to happen in a few months time.

By this point they were both starving so they headed to a restaurant. They’d developed a system of tipping the waiters and waitresses. Everyone started out with a twenty percent tip. Generally it went down from there because of their high standards but sometimes it could go up as high as fifty percent. There was the obvious points for service. If there were free drink or breadsticks refills did the waiter refill them as often as they were supposed to. Did they resolve any issues quickly? Did they stop by and see if they needed anything?

There was also the added factor or whether they were hot or not but rather than adding or subtracting points for hotness (or lack there-of) they could only add up to a certain percentage of the total tip without hotness factored in. That way if she was a total bitch who got their order wrong, had terrible service and no politeness then she still got no tip even if she was hot. There was also the factor that Aiden referred to as the “waiter intelligence test”. Ty always asked them a question. Usually the question was something obscure about the food but if there wasn’t a question that was easily related to the menu he might ask them directions to someplace nearby or even ask them if they knew whether there was any new news about some current event or another.

Waiter intelligence added or subtracted a fair number of points. Today’s waiter intelligence question had to do with the fish on the menu. The menu read “schrod” for all the kinds of fish despite the fact that “schrod” is not a species of fish. So Ty asked: “So, what kind of fish is the schrod really?” The waiter appeared startled but said that he thought it was haddock but (probably having inferred Ty knew a bit about the subject) admitted that schrod really meant “catch of the day”. Aiden had declared he got extra points for knowing and the man seemed terribly relieved and admitted that he had heard someone say that and just decided to go with it. Ty told him that it could mean that by the more common definition was a small white fish, usually cod or haddock but it could also be pollock. Whatever was cheapest, he was sure. He’d had waiters tell him before that schrod was like halibut. Which was not in any way true but he supposed unrefined taste buds couldn’t tell one white fish caught in the Atlantic from another.

Mike-the-waiter got a bunch of points for knowing what schrod was but Ty had to deduct a few because the fish was pollock, not haddock. He’d had more than enough seafood to know the difference. Still, they both enjoyed their meals and the service was good. They decided to leave him the prize money from the laser tag tournament and sneak away before he could notice it. They both laughed in enjoyment of their little trick.

They’d had a great time. Aiden informed him that he seemed to be getting the hang of the dating thing. Ty decided to take that as the sincerest compliment. After all, it was hard to top having plastic sword fights and skidding across a slippery waxed floor. But he was glad he’d managed to come up with something fun for both of them that was also not something they did all the time.

It was on the way home when Aiden suddenly went quiet that Ty had worried he’d said or done something wrong to ruin the seemingly perfect date. But when he looked over at him he realized he was being gripped by another vision. If he was the kind to curse violently he suspected he would have and maybe slammed his hands on the steering wheel as well. But as it was he tore his eyes away and turned them back to the road, quickly navigating to find a place to pull off and ended up in the parking lot of a fast food place at a rest stop along the highway.

He turned toward Aiden and pulled him close, grimacing a little at the strange, unresponsive feel of his body. He turned his head and laid his cheek against stiff little gelled blue spikes that dug slightly into his skin but were not totally unpleasant out of sheer familiarity. He didn’t notice immediately that Aiden had even returned. Not until he started shaking. Unlike the shaking of the warfare vision this was neither faked nor shivers of cold. This shaking was the indrawn breaths of sobbing as Aiden cried.

Ty rubbed his back and rocked a little awkwardly. Comforting motions. Eventually the crying subsided and Aiden pulled away. His eyes were kind of puffy and red but he quickly cleaned himself up with some tissues. “Sorry.” He whispered a little hoarsely and flipped down the mirror to inspect his face in an act that was not out of vanity as much as the desire to not have to look at Ty and face him for a minute. That was fine. Let him have a moment of privacy. “You have any eye drops? I look stoned.” He complained.

“I think there are some under your seat maybe. Or at least contact solution.” Aiden nodded and bent down to feel under the seat. He found a bottle of contact solution that was just saline and dripped some in his eyes so he looked, in theory, less like a stoner.

“I know we just ate but I’m kind of hungry again.” Aiden said and Ty shrugged and agreed. Might as well go get something to eat. It’s not like they could really eat all that they wanted at a restaurant and not get weird looks. They’d also both been using their powers that day in addition to physical exertion so they were pretty hungry.

They climbed out of the car and went into the fast food place to eat. They went and ordered and hung around and waited for their food. In no time they were sitting down at a little table to eat. “So, you know that book we were reading?” Aiden started. Ty arched an eyebrow up at him because though they had read some of the same books there hadn’t been any conscious effort made to read the same book at the same time and compare notes on it.

“Which one?” He asked as he added salt to his french fries.

“The one with the weird war and the little girl and everything.” Aiden said casually and Ty realized then what book they were talking about so he nodded for the other to continue as he ate a bit of his food. “I just got to the part where this one character has a weird dream about the war.”

“Mmm. I’m not sure I remember that part. What was the dream about?”

“Well, the character was trying to fight it and wake up so it was kind of disjointed but he dreamed about...” He paused and considered, closing his eyes and trying to remember exactly what it had been about. “He dreamed about the headlines. I don’t really understand but there were cities bombed... people taken out. But no one knew who the culprits were. That’s how the war started.” Ty frowned, trying to digest that.

“I thought the war had to do with the girl?” He asked.

“It still does, I guess. But I don’t know how she fits in exactly. She can’t be the cause of the bombings.” He mused.

“Huh. I guess we just have to keep going to learn more. Especially about the girl. I hope the guy doesn’t have any ore weird dreams though, they’re kind of disturbing.”

Today had been such a good day. Until now. Now he had a lot more to think about. And worry about. But really if he wanted to equate their day as being high like he had earlier they must have just gotten to the crashing fall down.