by Kit Fortier
"That should keep out the non-magicked element," Jake said. Fox nodded in agreement.
"Do you think anyone will pass through here?"
"It's not likely," Jake replied. "The only thing south of us is Cedar Creek-and that's a ghost town."
*** Fox
Fox pulled an earthen stump from the ground wide enough for both him and Jake to sit on. They did so, back to back, resting their heads on each other's shoulders.
"So here we are, just laying out," Fox said.
"All we need now is a lake and a fireplace," Jake grinned.
"Some beer, some suntan lotion…"
"A blanket."
"A lonely pine tree."
Fox sighed.
"I'm sorry about your mom, Fox."
"I never expected to see her again," Fox confessed. "Much less become a witch!"
"Yeah, that's a… That was disappointing."
"Does that happen to you often?"
"Witches and wizards don't normally do that, Fox. There are some good ones out there who try to do some good or stay out of the way of other human beings. But sometimes, a witch or a wizard gives too much of themselves to the Aether, and it makes them go crazy."
"And are they all that obsessed with long life?"
"Or youth. Beauty. Your mom looked very well put together."
"To tell the truth, I almost didn't recognize her," Fox said.
"How so?"
"Before she left us, she was… Alright, when I think about it. But seeing her just now? She should have looked a bit older, graying maybe. But she looked like a completely different person. New York must have been good to her. Or magic. Whatever."
"Does it make you sad?"
"How do you mean?"
"That she's dead."
Fox bit his lip. "I think… I don't think so. She wasn't happy. She wanted more. She wanted more than a kid. More than a father who wanted to raise a son rather than keeping a woman in gold or makeup or whatever. She didn't treat me bad, but she didn't treat me good, either. She was… indifferent.
"I broke my lower leg once at a game. It was really excruciating. I was only nine, and the doctors and nurses said they called my parents, and that they're on their way.
"Dad showed up, took one look at me, and just burst into tears. He asked me how bad it hurt, how I was feeling. He even brought me sandwiches and drinks from a deli so that I didn't have to eat the hospital's food.
"But that was Dad. Mom was… Mom had a hair-and-nail appointment. She didn't want to miss it or even reschedule. That pissed Dad off fierce. I think that's when mom decided she had to leave."
Jake turned around, his chest against Fox's back like they tended to do. Arms thickly dusted with black fur slid over Fox's chest and waist, holding him near. Despite the heat, Fox loved Jake's closeness, how he never was too far away that he couldn't reach out and touch him.
"Her dying was a direct result of her threatening your family, Jake. I wrote her off fifteen years ago. I think I mourned her like someone would mourn a loved one who actually died. Back then, I didn't know if she had died or not. But one of my therapists said that was best, rather than holding onto the hope she might come back. So, when I saw her, it was a surprise, sure, but nothing that would hurt me. She lost that when she walked out on me and Dad. It might as well have been a stranger who died trying to hurt you and those you love."
A soft wet kiss pressed against Fox's neck, long and sweet. He moaned at the touch of Jake's tongue lightly tasting him.
"Jake?"
"Yeah, baby?"
"Promise me you won't leave me."
"With everything I got, everything I am, I promise you, Fox, I'll be with you forever."
The light of day began to pour into the center of the improvised fortification as the two sat in silence.
"Foxy?"
"Mmmm?"
"How did you transmute your mother's head?"
"I thought about what makes a human. Oxygen, hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, phosphorus, all that. I thought about how all those things were linked together to create a cell. Then I thought about breaking all those links."
"So, you didn't necessarily change her into something, you dissolved her?"
"Well, even if I dissolved her, wouldn't her remains be something? It's all energy."
"True."
"Why? Have you never--"
"No."
"Why?"
"The creation of life is a taboo, Fox. Alchemists of old and new have tried it, and there's always backfire. Always. The same holds true for resurrection. I've never tried to alter living tissue. I was never quite sure where to draw the line between what was living and what was a resource for transmutation."
Fox was sweating, as was Jake, but he didn't want to give up the moment.
"Do you think Ben will like me?"
Jake shifted, laying himself on his stomach over Fox, putting his head at Fox's chest. He perched his chin on his hand. Fox wiped his damp brow, for all the good it did him. He put his hands on his man's shoulders, behind his neck. Like every part of him, Jake's back was slick.
"I'd hope so," Jake said wistfully. "I have to get him to like me, first."
"You'll make it happen." Fox said simply. He ran his fingers through Jake's thick, greying hair. "What do you think will happen when the array is activated?"
Jake hesitated. "The calculations Sully and I sat down to showed that we had to activate the array. You and I did that. Now, we let the circle connect the dots. When the array went online, it triggered a more direct connection to the earth. When the circle is completes the circuit, we connect to the energy of the sparks around us."
"And what happens to us?"
"How do you mean?"
"When we turned on the array at Devils Tower, we both tapped into one ability. What do you think will happen with this?"
Jake looked up.
"We're about to find out."
26. The Void
*** Fox
Jake grabbed Fox and lead him over to the transmutation circle made of silver. Like the one on Devils Tower, this was embedded in the ground. He picked up the silver-salt bag. As he held it in his hand, and willed together a silver knife, the plastic frayed and faded into strands of nothing.
Fox sat down, followed by Jake. Fox held out his arm, and Jake took it.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make this fun for you, baby."
"We'll do fun later," Fox replied with tremulous bravado.
Jake cut deep enough for the necessary blood to come, but not to injure. Fox flinched. Yet, he was fascinated by the black-red fluid dripping from him onto the ground in the circle.
Jake managed to get enough blood. He was about to start on his arm when he saw Fox peering intently at the wound in his arm…
And the wound sealed itself.
"Fox, you're getting all next level on me," Jake said, in awe of his man's ease.
Fox looked at him and smiled sheepishly.
Jake looked down at the knife, and over at his wrist. He handed Fox the knife.
"Here, you cut me."
"Jake," Fox protested.
"I did it to you, it only seems balanced that you do it to me."
"But--"
"I trust you."
Fox fell silent. The sun was half-consumed by darkness. He took Jake's hand in his--the thrum became a rhythmic pulse in their hands. Jake's eyes were steady on his as he positioned the knife and cut. He hoped he did it right the first time, as the thought of doing it a second time, intentionally hurting his man, killed him enough.
Jake pressed his arm, and as much blood flowed from him as it did from Fox.
"Good job, you."
Jake took the knife and mingled both of their life fluids together in the dirt. It created a weird mud in the middle of the circle. He felt a tingle. Like a length of miniscule zipper chain closed up the bleeding wound on his arm, as if Fox had never cut him. He glanced at Fox, who gave him a faint smile. Totality would soon be upon th
em.
Jake pulled away from Fox, placed the silver knife on the edge of the circle. Fox watched Jake will the knife into nothingness--its silver becoming one with that of the ring. Trace amounts of both of their blood created ultrafine lines throughout the circle. Like veins in marble.
"Look at me, babe," Jake said. Fox did. He watched Jake place his hands on the same symbols as before, and he did the same. The scars aligned with the raised parts of the symbols.
Jake looked up. Totality was near. He looked back at Fox.
"Love you," Jake said.
"Love you back," Fox replied.
And then darkness.
*** Jake
Hellogreetingskonnichiwagutentag
"Hello?"
Welcomebienvenidoalohawilkommen
"Who is this?"
Wearenoussommewirsindnoisiamoestamos
"You are…?"
Wearewatashitashidesunosestamos
"I don't understand."
Honorehrehonrameiyoonorekarangalan
"I honor?"
Yeshaiouijadasi
"Who do you mean?"
Loveliebepagibigamouraigra
"Honor and love… who?"
Yoursletiensdeinesnatanoinyoiltuo
"Honor and love mine--Honor and love Fox?"
Yesdasitahaioooui
"I do. I will, forever. Would you please show yourself?"
*** Fox
Fox stood in darkness. He turned around himself, only to see more darkness. Had he gone blind? Is this even what blind people see? He could see himself, strange enough-or a version of himself. This Fox was translucent--a bright flame inside him could be seen for miles.
He walked ahead, his own light reflected off of nothing than the curves in his glasslike skin. He spotted something golden, glowing on the floor in what seemed like a distance.
Fox ran to it. He approached it. It was a lotus flower. Seeds drifted up and down at its center.
Fox thought to touch it but figured against it. The unearthly flower might die. Someone might miss it.
That is a good way of thinking.
Wait--Fox didn't say anything. Could whatever's out there read-
You have a remarkably active mind.
Fox looked down at the flower. "You can hear my thoughts?"
We can see your spark.
The golden lotus pulsed with each word. Fox spoke directly to it. "My spark?"
We can see your spark. We can see you.
"Do you know Jake?"
Your matecamaradecompagnomeitokamerade?
"Y-yes!"
He is well. He is with us.
"Is he… Is he alive?"
He is well.
"Can I see him?"
Questions.
"Questions?"
Questions.
"You have questions for me?"
Right-o, mate!
"If I answer them, will you take me to Jake?"
If you say so, guvnor.
"Alright, I'll answer."
Your brain is alarmingly swift. It processes information at exponential speed. We have never seen such a specimen as you. The ratio of glutamates responsible for the interconnectivity of synaptic terminals in neurons hence the speed of cognition skills is in the higher ranges of human standard deviation. You have only been instructed in the most basic fundamentals of the skill known as alchemy-comprehension of composition, decomposition of compounds to their basic source, rearrangement of said elements into a new form, reinforcement of said new form… Yet you appear to wield it most expertly.
"Is there a question?"
I did it to you. It only seems balanced that you do it to me.
That rang familiar. In fact, it was just said. "Jake said that!"
Don't go kissing any frogs. You need a real man.
"That--that was in San Diego!"
The creation of life is a taboo, Fox. Alchemists of old and new have tried it, and there's always backfire. The same holds true for resurrection.
"I have to see him, please!"
You made my first time beautiful.
"Oh god, please stop messing with me!" Fox tried to cover his ears, but what was said was heard clear as day.
Don't say it. Don't you dare. I love you, Fox Foster, and I will never give you up.
Fox crumbled to his knees.
The darkness yawned before him. Only the flower before him bloomed in the inky void around them.
"I just… I want to tell him I need him."
You will honor him.
"Yes!"
You will love him.
"Yes, yes!"
You're a good man, Fox. Remember that when the spark threatens to become too bright. Share it. Don't snuff it out. We're in touch, so you be in touch. Say goodnight, Gracie! Goodnight!
"What?"
*** Jake
Jake opened his eyes to a welcome sight. Fox's eyes were opening. There was mutual recognition. They made through wherever the hell they just endured. brought them to their feet, colliding with each other. He looked up and saw that the moon had passed completely beyond totality. It was now further along in its orbit in the sky. It might have been an hour, maybe two.
"What the hell was that?" Fox asked.
"I… I don't know. I seemed to be having a conversation with a million people who only spoke one word at a time."
"I had a different conversation. Whoever I was talking to was… Weird. Like I was getting a sentence from a bunch of different commercials. But then they spoke in your voice! Said things that you'd said to me--recently, and back to when we first met in San Diego!" Fox slumped to the ground. His face, in fact, his whole body, was flush with sweat. Jake reached out and touched his neck-cool to the touch.
"Slow down there, handsome. We need to get some water, and some rest. The sun's doing a number on us. On you, more."
Fox nodded. As he tried to get up, he fell back down.
"You alright?" Jake asked, standing over Fox, giving him a little shade.
"Cramps. Legs. Everything's kinda spinny."
Shit. Fox was only a few minutes away from a heatstroke. Jake had to get him back to the room.
The walls fell apart around them. Fox's eyes went wide, and Jake stood, blinking at the rubble.
"Did you do that?" Fox asked.
"I… I think I did," Jake said. "I was thinking about how to put all these things back when it just… fell apart."
"What are you saying?"
The wheels turning in Jake's head were practically deafening.
"I think it means that I don't even have to understand composition anymore."
Fox tried to stand up again, this time getting to his feet--only to fall with a nasty-sounding thud onto his side. Jake scampered around to the back of him, rolling him on his back.
"Fox, honey."
"Jake?"
"Stay with me, baby."
"Arm hurts."
"Let's get back to the room." Jake picked him up and cradled him like an overgrown child, padding back to the truck. He opened the back seat and deposited his charge with gentle care. Jake put one of the bathrobes behind his man's head for comfort. He grabbed the other one, folding it into a roll. Jake tucked it against Fox's feet, propping them up to keep the heat-weary man's legs bent at the knees. He then hopped into the driver's seat and took off.
In his rear view, something shadowed stepped out and watched them leave.
In his focus to get Fox to safety, Jake didn't notice.
*** Fox
Fox's mind was reeling. Partly from the heat, partly from whatever the hell that happened to him and Jake… Happened. Who was he talking to? Why were they so focused on love and honor? He and Jake were about to have a serious talk.
But one moment, he was floating into the truck, and the next, he was at the inn, floating into their room. It was getting confusing. Time was either slowing down or speeding up, and Fox had no idea which way to go.
Fox found himself deposited at the foot of the bed close
st to the bathroom. He thought a nice lukewarm shower would help. In his head, Fox saw himself turning the handle--
The shower kicked on. No one was in the bathroom.
"Jake," Fox uttered, drawing out his name.
"Something wrong?" Jake was at his side in an instant.
"You didn't turn the shower on, did you?"
"No," Jake said slowly.
"I was thinking about getting in and turning the handle, then it turned on." Fox looked at Jake, who was returning the look expectantly.
"Let's see something," Fox said. He thought of the handle turning off. The shower turned off.
"Holy shit."
"Fuck yeah, holy shit!" Fox exclaimed.
Jake looked at the room light. It flicked off. Then on. Then off. Then quickly back and forth until they stayed on.
They looked at each other, but Jake spoke first.
"We need to talk. But you need to cool down first, sweetheart." Jake carefully helped Fox to his feet, turned on the shower, and walked himself and his man in. The water was lukewarm, but definitely cooling. Jake propped Fox against the wall. With one arm, he held him up. He used his other hand and grabbed the soap. Jake cleaned Fox's clammy skin off from the dirt that clung to him. Fox relished in the touch-it was something good that his mind could cling to.
When Fox was cool and clean, Jake walked him out into the room proper and carefully set him down on the edge of the bed. He disappeared into the bathroom for a moment, returning with a thick towel. Jake tended to Fox's damp skin first before using the towel on himself. He tossed the towel on the seat where his mom--where Meredith--sat, taunting them.
Jake then padded into the kitchenette area around the corner. Fox heard water turn on for a few moments, then off, with Jake appearing once more, holding two glasses of water. Jake practically poured the water down Fox's throat, but not cruelly. When Fox had the second glass of water, Jake picked him up again. He cradled him close as he put his man on the center of the bed. The other bed in which they hadn't had the most vivid nightmares shoved into their heads--then lay down next to him.