An Ocean of Light

by Kit Fortier

  Jake lay on top of Fox, his face pressed against Fox’s chest. The sun exposure pulled a lot out of the both of them, and they slept through the early evening, the night.

  A gentle shaking woke Fox. Ben stood behind the sofa, showered, shaved, fully dressed.

  “Hey, papa Fox,” Ben said with a smile.

  “Ben? You okay?”

  “Yeah. We’re ready to go whenever you are.”

  Oh, shit. Eric. The desert.

  “Jake, baby, we gotta get up.”

  “Don’t wanna.”

  “Jake, Ben is here.”

  Jake scrambled up off Fox. Fox cleared his throat and Jake looked down. Mercifully, he was still in his swim trunks.

  “You guys fell asleep in your swimming stuff? Doesn’t that itch?”

  Fox rolled his eyes. “Well, now it does.”

  Eric padded into the room wearing a black shirt and a pair of shorts that looked a little too big for him. Still borrowing Ben’s clothes.

  “We’ll be right back, guys. We’ll get changed and then we’ll go.”

  Ben muttered, “We’ll be right here.” Fox heard Eric snicker. Cute. These guys were stinking cute.

  Jake hopped over the sofa and trotted into the bedroom with Fox right behind him. Fox closed the door and went for his pack.

  “How are we going to do this?”

  “Well, we’re going to need enough energy to draw from,” Fox said. “More from the landscape, maybe?”

  “Plenty of giant rocks and large plant life in the desert. Do you think it’ll work?”

  “We tried it on those rocks and plants. It seemed to work that way.”

  Jake grimaced. “Well, I trust you, baby. Eric’s got the best guy on the job.”

  Fox took a shaky breath. “I hope so.”

  “I know so. I’m here now, aren’t I?”

  Fox gave his man a small smile.

  The trip out in the desert was made in anxiety-laden silence. Ben was wrapped around Eric the whole time, whispering words of support, as far as Fox could tell. His own free right hand was in Jake’s left, fingers interlaced. They drove off-road for a bit, nestled in a valley between two hills covered in boulders. Overhead, a sliver of moon on the horizon could be seen fleeing the day.

  When Fox stopped the car, Ben and Eric hopped out, followed by Jake. They walked a few yards away from the truck closer to a random arrangement of large rocks and tall yucca trees.

  “Okay. Eric, would you lay down here, please?”

  Eric did what he was told.

  “Ben, stay back, big guy, okay?”

  Ben looked ready to fight, but Jake put a hand on his chest and whispered at him. What he said, Fox didn’t know, but he was grateful Ben went no further.

  Fox focused on Eric—on his spark. It was still there, tremulously flickering. There were only a small few more tendrils of Aether from the last time Fox scanned his light, so Eric hadn’t been taken over yet.

  The warmth of the stones around him called to Fox. “Eric, you tell me if it hurts, okay?”

  “Will it hurt?”

  “I honestly don’t know. But I will work what I can until you think you can’t take it, alright? All you have to do is tell me to stop and I will.”

  Eric nodded. “Okay.”

  Fox heard Ben let out a whimper. It made the redhead sigh. He knew the feeling of helplessness all too well, being unable to directly help the ones they loved.

  Time to do this.

  Fox started with the nearest boulder. With a little focus, he pulled light from the stone with one hand and aimed his other hand outstretched at Eric, acting as a conduit for the spark coming from the massive, rounded rock. When he let the light flow, it moved towards Eric—only to disperse once it touched his skin.

  Fox frowned.

  He pulled the light from a yucca tree and tried again—but it was like pouring water over a rock. Nothing held.

  “Damnit,” Fox muttered.

  “What’s wrong?” Ben asked.

  “Nothing is working. The energy of inanimate objects apparently won’t work.”

  “What do you think would work?” Ben again.

  “Hard to say, buddy. I’d say animals, but those are hard to find without raising suspicions or questions.”

  “Could it be that he needs human light?”

  Fox regarded Ben seriously.

  “That’s an avenue I’m trying to avoid, Ben.”

  Ben shook his head.

  “Take it from me.”

  *** Eric

  There was an uproar. Father yelled at son, son yelled at father, friend yelled at friend. Eric covered his ears.

  “Dad, he doesn’t have to take all of it. Just enough to pull Eric through.”

  “Son—”

  “No, Dad. No. We promised him we’d help. If this is the only way to do it, then do it!”

  Eric saw Fox flinch at the command. Jake fared no better.

  Fox breathed deeply and exhaled. “I’ll only take enough.”

  Jake glared.

  “Just enough, baby. We gave to you, and we’re still alive.”

  Jake’s eyes glistened with unspoken arguments. He crossed his arms and turned his back.

  “Okay.” Fox seemed to squint his eyes slightly, looking over Eric. He then cast his glance at Ben. A look of surprise came across his face.

  “Ben—have you done anything alchemic lately? To yourself or… something?”

  Ben shook his head. “Outside of healing Eric by accident, no.”

  “Interesting.”

  “What is?” Jake said, turning.

  “Look at Ben, Jake—really look.” Jake did.

  “What am I seeing?”

  “You probably can’t tell—but he’s extremely bright, right?”

  “Yes.”

  “When we gave to you, we both went a little dimmer. I remembered trying to ease off when both our lights faded too much for my liking when we poured ourselves into you to bring you back.”

  Eric saw it on his face—Jake sobered from his anger a little.

  “But Ben is as bright as he was before I drew light from him.”

  “You mean… Ben generates light?”

  Fox nodded. “I have a theory to test when we get to California, but for right now, Ben is okay with it, and I think it’s safe to try.”

  Jake sighed. “I trust you.”

  “Come here, Ben.”

  Eric’s gentle giant stepped over towards the two of them.

  “I didn’t hurt you last time, did I, big guy?” Fox asked.

  “Not at all, Papa Fox.”

  Eric saw Fox’s smile at that.

  “Alright. Have a seat at Eric’s head.”

  Ben sat down, folding his legs. He looked Eric in the eyes and winked.

  Fox focused on Ben, holding out his hand for a moment. Ben gasped, and Fox pulled back.

  “It’s okay, buddy. You’re okay.”

  Ben nodded, regaining his breathing.

  “Here it goes,” Fox said, his outstretched hand pointed at Eric’s midsection.

  A heat flowed into Eric. It was as if someone was pouring a bucket of warm water over his skin, over his insides. He smelled the ocean as sure as he was breathing. The wolf stirred, surfacing into Eric’s conscious mind for a moment. It scented the air, sat on its haunches, then howled. Its song reverberated in Eric’s head as the animal faded from his mind. Its existence replaced with a different feeling altogether: a glorious, warm sensation. The feeling of being alive was overwhelming, and he reached up to Ben with a smile.

  Fox stepped away, panting. He seemed to have expended a lot of his own energy to make this happen. Jake was at his side in a flash.

  “What do you see, Fox?” Jake asked.

  “Look for yourself, big guy.”

  “No Aether,” Jake said. “His spark seems to be whole again.”

  “And?”

  Jake frowned. Then a look of dawning realization hit him.

  “His l
ight is connected to Eric."

  8. The Life of Eric

  *** Jake

  This was new.

  Well, to be fair, it was all new.

  Jake had just become accustomed to alchemy at will. He and Fox, and quite possibly Ben, did not need to focus on gates and phases and intricate knowledge of the composition of the things they transmuted. The spark sight was an interesting additional, useful ability. The ability to destroy something by wiping out its spark or draining it to transfer somewhere else was also interesting. And terrifying.

  But he had never seen or heard of a situation where sparks were connected.

  What did that entail? What did it mean?

  “How are you feeling, Eric?” Fox asked.

  “Safe,” Eric said, looking at Ben. “Warm.”

  “Do you still feel the wolf?”

  “No,” Eric sat up. “I used to hear his thoughts. I could see him in my head before, but he’s gone now.”

  “Can you hear me?” Fox said softly, over his shoulder, so that only Jake could hear.

  Eric didn’t answer. He only had eyes for Ben.

  “Looks like only time will tell, but I think we fixed it,” Fox smiled.

  Jake hugged Fox. He pulled both the boys to their feet, hugging Ben, then he hugged Ben’s man.

  “You’re okay, right?”

  Eric nodded.

  “Let’s get back to the hotel. I’m starving,” Ben said, pulling Eric into him.

  “You got it son.”

  "Hang on," Fox said. He urged the men away as he turned to face the arrangement of boulders they'd shifted for the morning's experiment. Jake watched his husband reach out to the rocks that were meters away. The familiar scent of ozone descended upon them, followed closely by a series of lightning strikes in the area of the arranged rocks.

  Fox decimated the formation of boulders, which now stood shattered, glowing hot like coals on a fire.

  "Okay," Fox said. "Let's get back."

  ***

  The ride back was definitely more lively with conversation than the ride out. But Eric had no more worries about the beast within, or accidentally mauling someone as a wolf. A somber note came into the air when Ben mentioned getting Eric’s things from Saint George, though.

  “It’s okay, Ben. None of that stuff matters.”

  “But I’m sure we can—”

  “You are so sweet, B, but really, it’s probably all in storage now, that’s if there was anything they kept at all. I’d rather not have to deal with it.” Eric took Ben’s hands in his own. “It’s okay, B. It’s gone, and it’s okay. Someone else will have better use of that than me, I know it. Clean slate, right?”

  Ben went quiet. He kissed Eric’s face and held him close.

  The boy was definitely a hugger.

  “What did you boys do last night after the Eiffel Tower?” Jake asked.

  “Well, we watched the fountain show at the ground level,” Ben said. “That was nice. Then Eric and I went in by the pool and just sorta… hung out. Under the stars.” Eric and Ben shared a look, and Jake had an amusing, sneaky suspicion that hanging out might have entailed more than just close cuddling conversations—but he kept that to himself.

  “Did you guys eat?”

  “Yeah—we called up room service. You guys were so passed out, so we figured we’d let you be, what with the early morning and all.”

  Jake smiled. Thoughtful, considerate. The Samuelses deserved a medal each.

  “What do you say we hit the breakfast buffet?” Fox asked.

  “That sounds great, Fox,” Eric piped up. The way he nestled in Ben’s arms, Jake was surprised his son wasn’t smothering the man.

  “Yeah, Papa Fox,” Ben grinned.

  “You’re lucky you’re your dad’s son, Benny boy,” Fox grumbled, though there was no anger in his demeanor whatsoever. He smiled. “I like it. Thanks.”

  Ben kissed Eric’s head.

  *** Ben

  The four of them wandered into the Cafeteria. They took trays and fell in line with the other guests of the hotel and casino. After everyone loaded up their trays, they found an open four-seat table and sat down.

  Ben was doing backflips in his heart at the thought that Eric no longer had to suffer. He was also happy that his dads would take him in. The niggling thought that he wanted to find the people who stabbed Eric and tear them in half popped up uninvited every now and then.

  There was also something different about Eric. He seemed happier, brighter, a little more self-confident. Perhaps the light thing was a bigger help than they imagined.

  A little voice sounded in his head. It was insistent and caught Ben’s full attention.

  It was Eric’s voice.

  I love you, Ben.

  Ben looked over at Eric, who was halfway through a short stack of pancakes. Eric looked at him and smiled.

  I wish I could tell you how much.

  Ben blinked. That wasn’t him thinking it. He focused back:

  Look at me.

  Eric furrowed his brow, as if he found something in his food. He cast a sideways glance at Ben.

  Do you hear me? Ben asked.

  Oh my god, Eric replied.

  Keep eating, Ben said, digging into his food.

  This—this is so weird, Eric thought. Do you think we should tell your dads?

  Maybe. Let’s get through this breakfast first, baby. By the way… You can tell me how much anytime, E.

  You heard that?

  The first thing I heard was that you love me. I think that means something.

  Eric smiled at his food.

  You are so beautiful, Eric Andersson.

  You’re going to make me cry at the table. In public.

  Sorry. Eric…

  Ben?

  I love you, too.

  Ben smiled at his food, too.

  “Is there something you boys wanna tell us? You’re grinning like idiots at your bacon and eggs.” Fox snickered.

  Dad noticed too. “I thought I was the only one who saw that.”

  “Just happy to be here, Dad.”

  Jake smiled warmly at his son. “I’m glad.”

  Dad and Fox talked about the home they were going to get while Ben and Eric pretended to listen in.

  What do you think this means, Ben?

  It’s my first time with this sort of thing. They said you and I are still connected somehow.

  Well, yeah—I think we’re so connected that we can do… this thing.

  Isn’t it awesome?

  It is, but don’t go peeking around my thoughts, big guy. You never know when I might be thinking of you doing naughty things to me.

  I can think of a dozen different naughty things right now, hot stuff.

  Oh lord.

  Are they done yet? I wanna get upstairs and start the show.

  You are so horny!

  More like madly in love.

  You are so cheesy!

  Cheesy with love for you.

  Ugh. You’re giving me diabetes.

  Love you.

  I’m going to get more pancakes… And I love you too.

  “We’re assuming you’ll want to share a room?” Fox said, directing a question at Ben after Eric left the table.

  “With Eric?”

  “No, with the next door neighbors. Yes, Eric, you goof!” Jake cried.

  “Absolutely. Nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  *** Eric

  The line for the pancakes was longer than Eric anticipated. He shifted from foot to foot, impatient to get to the good stuff at the end of the line. Eric had mused to himself about the new predicament. This was called something... Telepathy? Is that what this was?

  He was joined by a handsome yet obnoxious couple who could very well have been taking a break from gambling or doing the usual tourist thing. A curious silence fell on them as their quibbling over losses and machines at different casinos slowed to a halt.

  “Hey, don’t I know you, hon?” The lady said, pul
ling her shades up.

  “I don’t think so,” Eric said.

  “Yeah—you look familiar to me, too,” The tall guy said.

  “I don’t see how,” Eric was getting super uncomfortable with the situation. But a lingering sense memory overtook him. A recollection of scent caught by the wolf, when the wolf was still part of him, rose to the surface of his mind, pushed there by an aura, a feeling—something like the wolf, but very much so not. There was a memory buried in the edges of his mind where he had been pushed to when the wolf was in control. The scent of anger, of fear, the recollection of the piercing pain and the diminished, drowning sensation of a punctured lung told him what he needed but dreaded to hear:

  They were the mages in the park.

  Ben

  What’s up?

  I need you, please

  “Do you guys gamble over at Circus Circus?” Eric hedged.

  “No, that’s not it,” the lady said as she narrowed her eyes.

  “I do janitorial jobs all over the place. Maybe you bumped into me that way.”

  “Oh wait, I think I remember!” The tall guy smiled, leaning down.

  “You were a wolf then.” Despite his chiseled face and tight, flashy clothes, startlingly white teeth, the guy’s breath was offensive, to say the least. But it wasn't his sickly-sweet breath that drove a shiver up and down Eric’s spine. “Took us a while to track you down.”

  “How’d you do it, huh? We barely sense the Aether on you anymore,” the lady pressed in.

  “Eric, baby—we’ve got to get that photo done by ten o’clock,” Ben said, holding out his hand. He practically appeared out of nowhere, much to Eric’s relief.

  “Oh honey, he was just about to come with us for a good time,” the lady said. She was all teeth and horrible perfume and insincere smiles. “Found out he’s a great little good luck charm on the slots!” Some sharp thing was pressed against Eric’s back, poking into his shirt, pricking his skin. He schooled himself from widening his eyes in surprise.

  Knife

  “That so?”

  Who’s holding it

  “Oh definitely. Won Mack here almost three-hundred bucks already!”

  She is

  Ben picked up a plate with a short stack of pancakes.

  “Well, just get back here by ten,” Ben said, non-plussed, turning around.

  Duck

  Eric quickly dropped to the floor as Ben silently commanded. Within the blink of an eye, the woman had a plate of pancakes smashed in her face. She dropped her silver knife to the ground in surprise. Ben had already thrown the tall man to the floor, his arm caught in a lock that inflicted a lot of pain, by the sound of it. Guests who were witnesses threw gasps and pointed fingers. Fox and Jake were on the scene in a heartbeat.