M.A. Church's Blog, page 189

Winners!

Sorry I'm a bit late with this! That's what happens when you have teenagers lol. Okay! And the winners are:

~1st place gift care: Strive4bst@yahoo.com

~2nd place gift card: tmadamski@msn.com

~3rd place gift care: loriwarwick220@yahoo.com

YAYAYAYAYY you guys! And a big thanks to all that entered. And another big thanks for hanging with me lol.

Emails have been sent. :) If you want one of my books that cool too! Just let me know when you get the email. I'm about to start dinner so it may take me a little while to respond, but I will get back to you guys. Promise. :)

And... I've got something coming at the end of the week too. So hold on to your hats lol. ;)

~M

Saturday Snark

Hey guys! Today’s little bit of snark comes from the Carved In Flesh anthology which is due out from Storm Moon Press September 14th. The title of my story is Faded Love. I picked the title for one simple reason: scars fade, but real love doesn't. :)


Make sure to check out Marie Sexton's blog for the other links!



The swift tap to Ashley’s upturned ass had him blushing. It had been a week since anything even close to an erection had happened to him. Now here he was popping a boner. Talk about timing. Ashley staggered when his feet hit the tile floor, a bit lightheaded. Confused—and more than a little pissed—he stared at the ground; his greasy hair hid his face. So, when a pair of jeans landed at his feet, no one was more surprised than him. Snapping his head up, he found Will undressing.
“What the hell are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing? Playing poker? I’m undressing.” Will tossed his shirt and Ashley had to bite his lip to keep from moaning out loud. “Last thing you need is to fall in the shower. A broken leg is not on the list, Ashley.”
Will turned on the shower. “The nurse—before she fled after having a tray thrown at her head—said the scar was healing nicely. You can get it wet now. So, take the bandage off while I get the jets fixed.”Ashley wanted to scream in rage, cry, and beat his head against the nearest wall. After that, he wanted to beat Will’s head against that same wall. The last thing he wanted to do was take the bandage off in front of Will. Will would see how ugly he was now.
~~

There will be more about Will and Ashley this week.  Faded Love is a short story, but it deals with some major issues.
~M

Interview with Michael Rupured

Hey everyone! Today I have author Michael Rupured visiting. So join me, pull up a chair, and let's get to know Michael and his new book Until Thanksgiving. :)








So tell us about yourself. What got you interested in writing?



I’ve always loved to write but never really saw it as a viable career option. My thirty-year career with cooperative extension required me to do a lot of different kinds of writing ranging from news articles with financial management tips for consumers to research grant proposals and academic journal articles. Years of reviewing fact sheets, curricula, and academic papers helped me hone my skill as a writer. I learned to be concise, precise, grammatically correct, and if necessary, readable by someone with less than a high school education.



Quite by accident, I started a blog in 2008 and with encouragement from my “fans” (friends I’ve known since grade school mostly), penned a memoir in 2010 that led me to the Athens Writers Group. Two years later I have a contract for my first novel. I’m still in shock.  
 What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?


Give it a shot. You’ll never be sorry you did, but you might regret that you didn’t at least give it a try.
       How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?


The memoir that brought me to the Athens Writers Group is, obviously, all about me and riddled with technical problems I knew nothing about when I wrote it. The original idea for the story that became Until Thanksgiving was inspired by a discovery I made reading back through the journals I’ve kept since 1979 for the memoir. I lived in DC when the story is set, and most the locations are real—including Josh’s apartment. The story I’m working on now doesn’t have a thing to do with anything in my life. I see this as a natural progression for someone with a background like mine. Somewhere in the middle of writing Until Thanksgiving, I figured out what I was doing. I know future novels will draw heavily from my life. But I don’t think it will be obvious to anyone—at least, not until my memoir gets published!  




What's your guilty pleasure?


Ice cream and the Jerry Springer Show—but never at the same time.
     How do you come up with a title?


Addicted was the working title for my first novel. I didn’t have an outline, just an idea for a story about a newly single, middle-aged gay man with an addiction to relationships. When that title no longer fit the story I wrote, coming up with a replacement was painful. I tried out a hundred different ideas, each worse than the one before and then just set it aside. Research for a prequel set in 1966 reminded me how much gay life has changed in the last 50 years. I started thinking about a series of romance/thrillers that would revolve around the same family of characters with the changing times as a backdrop. Somewhere along the way I decided each novel would include the name of a different holiday. Addicted became Until Thanksgiving, and I’m better than halfway finished writing the prequel, After Christmas Eve. 
   Do you prefer hot or cold weather and why?


I hate cold weather and refuse to travel north of Athens, GA between November and April.
 





Want to tell us about any projects you have in the works? Or any releases coming soon?


Until Thanksgiving will be released by Dreamspinner Press in December or January. Here’s the blurb I submitted with my query:

Gay and pushing forty, Josh Freeman knows his best years are behind him. After his partner of seventeen years has an affair with a younger man, Josh buries himself in a pile of take-out boxes, empty bottles, half-smoked joints, and self-pity. His best friend, Linda does what friends do—gently kicks his ass and encourages him to give the job he’s been offered in Washington D.C. a try—at least until Thanksgiving.


Thad Parker, a DC-based relocation expert, rarely dates and has never fallen for anyone. But when he meets Josh Freeman and shakes his hand, a spark hits him like a lightning bolt. When Josh takes an active interest in someone else, Thad decides to wait.


While he waits, misunderstandings about Thad’s relationship with his older roommate, a reckless encounter with a serial killer, and a brush with death conspire against Josh and Thad’s chance at happiness.




Where can your readers find you on the web?

My blog (http://rupured.com)
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMichaelRupured)
Twitter (https://twitter.com/CrotchetyMan)


I have to say I'm really looking forward to this book. :) The cover and buy links will come later. Thank you, Michael, for stopping by!

~M

Hey You!

You

photo credit: <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/2012/0...http://www.flickr.com/photos/enricarchivell/5913692248/">enric archivell</a> via <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/2012/0...http://photopin.com">photo pin</a> <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/2012/0...http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">cc</a>  
Yes, that's right! I mean you! See, they're even pointing at you. So, hehe, what do I want with you???

*Evil grin*

Okay, nothing evil lol. I want to do something for you guys. :)

My blog hit the 100K mark about a week ago. *gasp* OMG 100,000 views. That blows my mind. I wanted to thank everyone that's joined by email or through my blog. And I wanted to say hello to all the new folks and give a nod to all those that have been here since the start. I hope y'all come back and enjoy all the goodies I have planned!

Starting today, September 3rd, and running through Sunday, Septmeber 9, I'm doing a contest, of sorts. There are a lot of steps, so are you ready:

1. Just drop me a comment with an email.

LOL, that's it. Just say hi if that's all you want. :) And add that email! Sunday afternoon I'll pick 3 folks. I'll *try* to make the announcement around 5 Central time. The prizes are:

1st-15.00 gift card from Amazon

2nd-10.00 gift card from Amazon

3rd- 5.00 gift card from Amazon

(if you rather have one of my ebooks that's cool too)

See why I need that email lol? Thank you guys for the support. :)

~M

Bound by Fate-The Next Generation

 Szin's story 
~Present day… age 18~
Szin stared at the water, lost in thought. Takeo had done something to him that he was still trying to come to terms with. It wasn’t the fact that Takeo blew him outside a bar, no, what was preying on Szin’s mind was how he submitted willingly to Takeo and enjoyed it. At least, he thought he did.  Parts of it were still foggy, but the one thing he did remember was Takeo getting ready to bite him, mark him as his. Szin hadn’t told Raiden he was partially awake for the little discussion he and Takeo had while Takeo held him in his arms. He’d kill Raiden for that little gem of information later. Right now he had a bigger problem—Takeo. 
Through his childhood he had watched Takeo grow into a male of honor. But there was that element for danger, a warning in his eyes that his tastes ran to the darker side of sex. He remembered those pictures Takeo brought with him one time. Takeo had watched him closely for his reaction, he knew that. And unable to help himself, he’d reacted strongly. Takeo had seemed pleased. 
“What am I going to do?” Szin stared at his reflection in the water. “He means to claim me, and I’m not what he needs as a mate. And jeez, why would he want me?”
Szin hadn’t told anyone about his plans to visit Earth, possibly settle there with his grandparents. Since he looked human, he could maybe fit in somewhere, finally. That was, if the made it to Earth. Somehow, he didn’t see Takeo going along with that plan. He certainly wouldn’t fit in; he was much too exotic. Szin sighed. That described Takeo perfectly: exotic and deadly. 
Takeo had buzzed him several times since the ‘incident’ as he called it in his mind. He was becoming more and more insistent. He knew he couldn’t hold Takeo off forever. Takeo wasn’t known for his patience. All Szin had to do was avoid Takeo until after this party was over. Then he planned to leave for Ta’Nar. He had booked passage from Ta’Nar on a luxury ship heading to Earth. Takeo would be furious, but it was the best thing for both of them. He certainly wouldn’t come after him. Well, he didn’t think. Szin knew he wasn’t the kind of mate Takeo needed, but he’d never convince Takeo of that, so the best thing to do was just go. 
“What in the name of the Gods are you doing out here?” Raiden asked as he walked up behind Szin.
“Nothing. Just thinking about today and what it means.” Szin skipped a rock across the water’s surface. “Is it time?”
“Yeah, I was sent to look for you. People are beginning to arrive.” Raiden watched Szin for a moment. He really needed to talk to Takeo. Szin was acting funny, and that was never a good thing. “You coming?”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” 
Raiden hesitated for a moment. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, of course.”  Szin shrugged, “It’s just… a big day, you know?”
“Yes, I do. Look, don’t hang out here long or dad will have my ass.”
“Okay.”
Raiden left Szin by the water, and went in search of Takeo. Szin was blocking his thoughts, something he rarely did. That spelled trouble for Takeo. Szin might be smaller than both him and Takeo, but when he made his mind up on something—it took an act of the Gods to change it. Raiden had a pretty good idea why Szin was blocking his thoughts.
“Damn it,” Raiden hissed, switching to his dad’s favorite cuss words. The earthlings just had so many more to choose from than the Ta’Narians. “Not good, not good at all.” 
Moments after Raiden left, Szin stood up, squared his shoulders, and walked back to his home—his decision made. He saw his dad outside, putting the final touches on the cake.
“Hey Dad, I’m here. Sorry about that, the time got away from me,” Szin said.
“It’s okay. So, how does it feel to finally be considered a fully grown male by Ta’Narian standards?” Dale asked his young.
“I don’t feel any different, Dad,” Szin replied. “And this birthday party you planned is nice, well… it will be if we can keep Raiden from stealing the cake.” 
“Hey! I have a sweet tooth; thank Dad for that,” Raiden huffed as he joined the group. He stared hungrily at the cake. “And the presents are cool and stuff, but I really, really want some of that cake.”
“Better guard it with your life, my mate, or it may end up half eaten before the guests all get here.” Keyno laughed as he patted Dale on the back. “Raiden is a well-know cake thief.”
“Ha! So is Szin, he just never gets caught,” Raiden complained.
“Brains over brawn,” Szin said, “works every times. Or do I need to explain that to you?”
“Geek,” Raiden said, taunting his twin.
“Fur ball.”
“Hey!” Dale exclaimed. “Don’t you two start. Swear to God, if you both act like five year olds, I’m gonna treat you like five year—”
“Dickhead.”
“Barbed wonder,” Szin threw at Raiden.
Dale stood by the table, holding his hands up. He dropped his head, letting his hair swing forward, covering his face at what Szin just yelled at Raiden. Chewing on his lip, he closed his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he struggled not to laugh. A quite snort behind him nearly caused him to lose the battle.
“Raiden, I love you dearly, but by God, that was a good one,” Dale snickered. “Christ, I may have to use that myself.”
“Daa-aad,” Raiden complained.
“Thanks, my young,” Keyno said to Szin. “Just what your dad needs, another name to call me.”
Szin grinned when Dale finally lost the battle and began to laugh. Raiden finally cracked a smile at the annoyed look on his dabba’s face. Dale was laughing, and holding on to the table for support. Just then their brother ran through the seating area.
“Barbed wonder, barbed wonder,” Kaylo yelled, running around the table, screaming what he heard at the top of his lungs.  
“Oh Lord, nowyou’ve done it.” Dale, holding the table, launched into a new fit of hysterics.
Dale snickered again as Keyno grabbed Kaylo, and threw him over his shoulder. His hair was white like Keyno’s but had a brown fringe around the bottom. His eyes had the slit-like pupils like Keyno’s, but the color was hazel—like Dale’s used to be. He did have Keyno’s ears, but no tail. Kaylo was a bit smaller than an average Ta’Narian young. His skin was the warm golden brown like Szin’s. 
“Damn parrot,” Raiden mumbled. 
“Hey, I tried to talk you into leaving him out in the woods and you said no,” Szin reminded his older brother.
“Hmm, wonder if it’s too late to rethink that decision. I should’ve listened to you when I had the chance.” Raiden laughed as Keyno dropped Kaylo to the floor. He immediately ran to his older brother and tackled Raiden around the legs. 
“What’s a barbed wonder?” Kaylo asked.
“Have fun with that, brother dear.”  A smirk hovered around Szin’s mouth.
“You started this, you explain it to him,” Raiden hissed. 
“You’re on your own. I have things to check on—like all the gifts that are piling up over there in the far corner of the room.” Szin winked, and walked off, leaving Raiden with a half-blooded young trying to climb his leg. 
“Wow, watch the claws, kitten,” Raiden said.
“I’m no kitten,” Kaylo hissed dramatically. “I’m He-Male, Master of the Uni-Uni- how do you say it?” Kaylo turned sweet hazel eyes on Raiden.
“Aw Gods, Szin’s been letting you watch those old Earth cartoons again, hasn’t he? It’s He-Man not male, and the word is universe. Now let go; I need to see if Takeo has arrived.”
“I saw Takeo earlier. He was looking for Szin.” Kaylo scampered down Raiden’s leg. 
“Yeah,” Raiden said quietly, “imagine he is. Gods, I need to find him.”
TBC

Today’s little bit of snark comes from a WIP called ...

Today’s little bit of snark comes from a WIP called Entangled.  Make sure to check out Marie Sexton's blog for the other links!   photo credit: <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/2012/0...http://www.flickr.com/photos/scubavagabond/2428241107/">Scubaben</a> via <a href="http://machurch00.blogspot.com/2012/0...http://photopin.com">photo pin</a> <a    “Tell you what, half pint, go ask Umar. If he says yes, then you can go,” Carey said and Berko raced off toward the village. “Have you lost your damn mind? A kid has no business on the boat with us. We’re working and it’s not a place for a damn kid.” “Umar won’t let him—”  “I go, I go!” “You were saying?” Jack asked. “Shit.” Berko raced down the beach toward them, sand kicking out behind him. The little bugger was hauling butt. “You keep up with him, hear me, Carey?” “Shit. I didn’t think Umar would let him go.” Berko was running so fast he made a loop around them.  “You thought wrong,” Jack said walking to the boat. “Have fun babysitting.” “Shit.” “That’s bad word, Carey,” Berko informed Carey. What Carey didn’t say was if a situation ever called for the word ‘shit’ this was it. How was he going to work and watch this little ankle biter? “Sorry. Okay, here’s the deal. You can go and we’ll take some shots close to the surface. Then you go back on board while I go deeper down. Berko, I have to get at least one roll of film today.”

The ending to Shadows is posted at the top of the blog. S...

The ending to Shadows is posted at the top of the blog. Since the response was so negative, I did this. It's not the expanded version, but the story has a end now. I will still be taking it down before the pitch. I hope this makes things better, guys. It's the best I can do. I'm sorry so many of y'all got upset with me over this.

Wednesday Briefs

Happy Wednesday, guys! Time for another episode of Wednesday Briefs!
I’m pitching Shdows to two publishers *very* soon, so it has to come down. The ending is at the top of the blog. I will tell y'all it's not the expanded version. Since the responce was so negative, I did this. It's the best I can do guys.

This week's prompt is: "I thought I knew you, but..." or use the alternate prompts:
Use: daft, punk, rooster or
"The first time we kissed..."
or use: Danube, power, kiss
or "High as a kite, he..."
or write a sex scene, but without removing any clothes.
I’m using high as a kite, he…
 
Shadows in the Night Ch 20
Chip swallowed the moan that came to his lips as the pain spread to his hip. That one hit was going to leave a bruise. If Garon was that strong while he was still in human form, he didn’t have a prayer of fighting him off.
“I’m sorry.” Chip dropped his head. There was more to this than Garon trying to intimidate him. He was already scared out of his mind. Garon was high as a kite on power, but he seemed to need more. He thrived on power and total dominance. A show of submission was his best bet. “May I please use the bathroom, Garon?”
“That’s better.” Garon nodded his head. “Go ahead.”
Chip limped to the room, the chain trailing behind him. He stepped in the room and made another discovery—there was no door. The placement of the commode gave Garon a side view of him. There was nothing he could do about the lack of privacy, so he unbuttoned his pants and held his dick. The best he could do was make this fast and hope Garon couldn’t see much. When he finished, he washed his hands and returned to stand by the table.
Garon let Chip stand there while he buttered his toast. Finally he looked up at Chip and smiled. “You catch on quick.”
Chip kept his gaze on the floor.
“Sit down and eat.”
Chip slipped in the chair, careful to keep his expression blank. His ass cheek still throbbed. He had to keep Garon from hitting him again. He couldn’t take many more shots like that and have any hope of escaping. He ate, not because he was hungry, but because he needed the energy. The meal passed in silence, but Chip was aware Garon stared at him while they ate.
Garon put his fork down. “I’m done. You can clean this up now.”
Even though he wasn’t finished, Chip did what he was told. He cleaned up breakfast and returned to the table and waited.
“Take your shirt off.”
Chip’s eyes snapped up.
“That got a response.” Garon leaned back in the chair. “Don’t make me tell you again.”
Chip, his hands shaking, pulled his shirt over his head.
“Nice. Now sit down.” Garon waved his hand at the chair as he took Chip’s shirt. With a smile, he extended a claw and slowly ripped the shirt to threads.
Chip shuddered. He got the message. Garon could control his claws. He didn’t want to think what damage could be done with that kind of ability.
Garon tossed the shredded shirt on the floor “I suppose you have questions. I’m in a good mood, so ask.”
Chip sat down and took a deep breath. “Why are you doing this? What do you want with me?”
“Ah, straight to the point. I like that. Let’s deal with why first. It’s a long story. I’m sure you’ve figured out that I’m a shifter like Jason.”
“You’re part of the original Children, right? That means you haven’t lost the ability to shift.”
“You’re right, I haven’t. I see Jason gave you a history lesson. I had prestige, power, many females wanted me for a mate, and I was one of the top braves of the tribe. Then there was Hania, or as he calls himself now… Jason.” Garon growled, the anger radiating off him.
“He was in my way—always the first to do something and do it best. Always showing me up. Even his totem was better than mine! He got a black cougar. I should have been the one chosen for such a spirit! He was the first born son to our chief; he had the respect of the Elders… Great Mother, I hate him. He had everything I wanted and deserved!”
Chip didn’t say anything. Was Garon serious? All this was because he was jealous? No rational being acted like this because of jealousy. Garon stared off in space while Chip sat still, waiting. There had to be more to this.
“Jason had the best of everything. Even after The Children split, Jason did well. I heard he settled here, and I followed him. On my way here I stumbled across a group of cattle farmers. I was hungry and there was food, right there. Such easy pickings. I stayed around for a while, and that was a mistake.”
“What happened?” Chip asked softly.
Garon was lost in his thoughts. “The farmer gathered other farmers, and they went on a hunt. They knew a cougar was killing live stock, and they decided to put an end to it. They killed every cougar the saw, the stupid bastards. One of them got lucky and shot me.”
“My God, they shot you?”
“In the head. If that had happened today with the type of bullets available now, it probably would have killed me. As it was, it took nearly a year for me to recuperate.” Garon pushed his hair back. Right above his temple was a scar. “This was what I was left with.”
Chip shook his head. Did Garon end up with brain damage from the wound? It would explain Garon’s over the top hatred for Jason. He’d read articles and seen programs of things like this, and how it changed people. “When was this?”
“Late eighteen hundreds.”
Neither man said anything for a while, both lost in thought. Garon suddenly looked at Chip. “The cougar that attacked you that day at the pond? That was me.”
Chip clenched his fist under the table. “May I ask why?”
Garon shrugged. “When in animal form, the human part of me doesn’t have control. It was a spur of the moment thing when I attacked you.”
Chip frowned. Jason wasn’t like that. When the cougar was in his house that day, he had acted very human. That was one of the things that freaked Chip out. Did Garon not have control because of the shooting, or was it something more? 
Until next week y’all. Remember to drop by the other Bloggers!
~M






Nephylim m/m
 Lily Sawyer m/m
 MC Houle m/m
 Julie Lynn Hayes m/m
 Michael Mandrake m/m

Winners of the blog hop

That's right! I said winners! As in more than one lol. Since I had such a great turn out it seems fair to pick more than one winner lol.

*Cue drum roll*

Juliana and Cannd are the winners! I'll be emailing you both shortly! Congrats! And a big thank you to everyone that took part. :)

~M

Bound by Fate-The Next Generation

 Szin's story
~Age 16~ 
“When are Ti and Cielo supposed to be here?” Keyno asked Dale as he unlaced his work boots.  
“Later this evening.” Dale shifted a squirming one year old Kaylo, their newest addition, to his hip. “Someone wants to see his dabba too.” 
Kenya cooed at the young as he took him from Dale. “And just how is my young one? Wanna fly?” 
Kaylo growled happily as Keyno prepared to toss him in the air.  
“You’re starting something. Remember what happened at Christmas when we visited my parents? You got all the young hooked on that and they wore you out. Just saying.” 
 Keyno grinned as he tossed Kaylo in the air. “I know.” 
“Sucker.” 
Keyno raised an eyebrow at Dale. 
Dale blushed. “Should’ve said perv!”  
Keyno caught a glimpse of Raiden and Szin as they came in from outside. “Ti and Cielo are supposed to be here soon, I suggest you two go clean up your room before Takeo arrives. Make sure his bed is ready in your room.”  “Or at least clean it to where you can see the floor,” Dale added as the twins walked to their bedroom. He motioned to Keyno. It was time for Kaylo to take a nap. 
“Was there enough space for an extra bed in their room?” 
“Oh yeah. Since we expanded their room, you could park a flyer in there.” Dale followed Keyno to Kaylo’s room. “Especially since they still refuse to be separated. How long are Ti and Cielo staying?” 
“Just for a few hours. Ti wanted some ‘alone’ time with his mate.” 
“Don’t even go there.” Dale held up his hand, laughing. “I really don’t need the image of what they’ll be doing stuck in my head.” 
“Just be glad Ti hasn’t shared any images of them while he punished Colt.” Keyno hip bumped Dale as he helped get Kaylo down for a nap.  
* * * *  
“Can you believe Takeo will be here for a whole week?” Szin picked up clothes that were thrown over every surface in their room. 
“It’ll be great.” Raiden smiled as he watched Szin picking up the clothes. Most were his. His twin was so distracted he didn’t even notice. “Wonder what trouble we can find while dabba is off on his weeklong mission?” “Don’t you mean what trouble you two can drag me into?” Szin shook his head as his twin straightened up the beds. “Dammit, we just got ungrounded from that last stunt you pulled.”  
“Aw, don’t be such a spoil sport,” Raiden said. “I really didn’t mean to push out of the taob. I was just playing, Szin. Damn good thing Laken was there though. I felt how bad your head hurt from where you hit the side.” 
“Why is it you always seem to be pushing me either into or out of something?” Szin sighed deeply, then caught Raiden’s guilty look. “I know you’re just messing around, Raiden. It’s just so damn unfair. I’m not as strong as you or Takeo.” 
“But you got the best part, brother dear.” Raiden pointed at Szin’s stomach. “You got the womb.” 
“Who cares? What does it matter when I look human, Raiden? You know that even a half-blooded Ta’Narian considers me weak.” Szin stared out the window at the rain forest. “It sucks. You have no idea how much this sucks. You don’t look human.” 
The twins had gone through their educational courses like all young. The device that transmitted knowledge to their brains was started early on. The Ta’Narians didn’t have a school system like Earth.  
Raiden and Szin trained at the palace three times a week for the last seven years, learning how to use different weapons, and the skills needed to fight. Raiden excelled, but Szin struggled because he was smaller and weaker. Only the fact that he was royalty, and had Raiden looking out for him, kept the other males from picking on him.  
Suddenly the bedroom door flew open and there stood Takeo. At sixteen, he was as big and muscular as Raiden. He was over six feet tall already and still growing. His long black hair was down to his hips. Raiden’s hair was just as long. Szin’s kept his hair around his shoulder blades. Szin was half a head shorter and nearly one hundred pounds lighter than both males.  
“Hola!” Takeo shouted as he strode into the room, and dropped his tote bag. 
“Oh God, here we go.” Szin snorted as Raiden and Takeo hugged each other, both trying to make the other grunt from the force.  
“Szin!” Takeo released Raiden and grabbed Szin, pulling him into a bear hug and lifting him off his feet. “It's good to see you both.” 
“Omph,” Szin groaned loudly. “Put me down, dear God, before you break a rib.” 
“I have really missed you two.” Takeo lowered Szin to his feet, his eyes lingering on Szin. “Look, I have something to show you.” 
Takeo hurried over to his duffle and pulled something out. “I won it at my last battle. It’s a warrior’s level knife I earned by defeating all challengers.” 
It was long, deadly, and engraved with Takeo’s family’s name on the handle.  
“Shit, that is the coolest. Look at what I earned during the last contest I entered.” Raiden pulled Takeo over to his side of the room.  
The first place medal was shiny, round, and encrusted with the crystals that were so expensive on Ta’Nar. Szin stood there while they talked about the competitions they both entered. Szin stared as his hands for a moment, then quietly left the room. He barely got out in the hallway when Takeo’s  heavy hand landed on his shoulder. 
“Hey, why did you leave?” Takeo asked. 
“I…” Szin shrugged. “I don’t have any cool medals or deadly knives earned from mock battles, Takeo. I’m not strong enough to fight in things like that, so I thought I’d—” 
“It doesn’t matter,” Takeo said softly. “You’re perfect the way you are, don’t you know that?” 
Szin snorted. “Yeah, right.” 
“Well, I think that you are.” Takeo kept his hand on Szin’s shoulder, a flicker of… something in his eyes as he stared at Szin. He stepped closer to Szin noticing the fluttering pulse at his throat.  
“Hey.” Raiden stepped out in the hall. “Why are you two standing out here?” 
“Just, just talking,” Szin replied. 
“There’s something else I wanted to show you,” Takeo said. “Let’s go back in the room.” 
Takeo followed Raiden and Szin back into the room, then locked the door. He dug around in the bottom of his tote until he found a 'certain' kind of magazine. Glancing at Szin, he showed his best friends what he had managed to acquire. 
“Holy shit,” Raiden hissed. “Is that what I think it is?” 
“Yah, isn’t it cool?” Takeo leafed through the pages quickly until he found what he wanted. 
Szin stared at the page Takeo stopped on. There was a young Kuuk male on his knees, his hands tied behind his back, and blindfolded. He was completely unclothed and a cock ring circled the base of his jutting erection. Kuukling’s came from a  planet covered in snow. Their light blue skin and long, sapphire hair were well know features of their race. A heavily muscled male with coal black skin and enormous red wings stood in front of the kneeling male. The dark skinned one had a hand twisted in the other’s hair, pulling his head back.  
The look on the face of the one in bondage was startling. There was a bit of fear, but pleasure also. All three males stared at the picture. Each reacted, but for different reasons. The picture burned through Szin’s mind, but he was afraid to say anything. Looking up, he met Takeo’s eyes, and that flash of… something was there again. He glanced back down quickly. 
“By the God’s.” Raiden stared at the picture, imaging another in the place of the one on his knees.  
“Yah.” Takeo glanced at Szin, catching the shiver that shook Szin’s body. 
“Jesus,” Szin whispered, his mind whirling with… things. Raiden grunted and Szin, recognizing what that meant, tried to bring his wayward thoughts under control. 
“We’ll look at this later tonight. If we got caught with this…” Raiden rolled his eyes. 
“Dad would probably take it,” Szin finished.  
“Better put it under the mattress just to be safe. They’ll never think to look there.” Raiden lifted the mattress and hid the porn. He then smoothed the cover of Szin’s bed. “Come on, we better go speak to Ti and Colt before Dad comes looking for us.”  
“Just a damn minute. Why the hell did you put it under my mattress?” 
“Honestly, because you’d get in less trouble than me,” Raiden said. 
“Like they aren’t gonna know you’re involved,” Szin smirked. “Look, we move it around each night after we’re done with it.” 
“Damn, wish we had more time now.” Raiden looked longingly at Szin’s bed. 
“We got all week to look at that stuff,” Takeo snickered as he patted Raiden on the shoulder. 
“Yeah, all week,” Szin muttered as they walked to the living area, the images playing in his head until Raiden turned around and raised an eyebrow at him. Szin blushed and tried to think of something else. 
“All week,” Takeo repeated as he followed Szin into the living area. 
Late in the middle of the night Szin fought his way out of the dream he was having. He was sweaty, and the sheets were wrapped around his legs, trapping him in bed. Breathing heavily, he fought his way free, and sat on the edge for a minute.  
The Aploi moonlight beamed thorough an open widow, shining across Takeo and illuminating his white skin until it was nearly iridescent. Szin neatly bit his tongue until it bled to keep from whimpering at how sexy the other male looked awash in the pale moonlight.  
He wanted to crawl into bed with him and have Takeo hold him, then have Takeo force him under him. Then he wanted… Szin stumbled from the room to the back deck. He really, really needed some air, great gobs of fresh air, so he could clear his head. Both heads, actually. 
Takeo sat up and swung his feet to the floor after Szin stumbled from the room. 
“It would be better if I went,” Raiden said from the shadows on the other side of the room. 
“What’s wrong with him? He was moaning.” “Come on, Takeo. What do you think was wrong with him? He was dreaming, and it was very intense, trust me.” 

Takeo sat there staring at Raiden. “Are you saying that you… what? Shared his dream?” 
“Sort of. I’m kind of standing off to the side watching when we share like this. We can block each other, but Szin has a harder time when he’s… aroused.” 
“What was he dreaming?” 
“All I’m gonna say was it revolved around you and that damn magazine.” 
“Raiden, you know how I feel for him.” 
“Yes, but he’s not ready yet, Takeo. You approach him now and you’ll scare him witless. He’s already frightened by what he needs, and he feels like he isn’t as good as us. You know that firsthand. Just keep doing what you’re doing; just hint gently and be there for him. You have no idea how hard it’s been for him.” 
“You don’t have any idea how difficult—”  
“Really? You sure about that? You want to know how many times lately Szin’s emotions have swamped me?”  
Takeo sighed. “Sorry. I forgot about this sharing deal between you two. So, are you going to him?” 
“Yeah, we’ll be back in a little while. It would be best for you to be asleep, okay?” 
“Gotcha.” 
Raiden made his way to the back deck to where Szin was sitting. With a sigh, he sat down next to Szin who immediately buried his head in Raiden’s chest, his body trembling. Not a word was spoken, but Raiden held Szin until he calmed down. Raiden finally spoke. 
“When are you going to stop fighting this?”  
“You don’t understand, damn it, you just don’t get it. I’m not what he needs.” 
“No, you don’t get it. Szin, you can’t run from what is… What has been from the beginning.  All you’re going to do is—” 
“Please Raiden. Not again, okay. You’ve said all this before.” 
“Well, I keep hoping it’ll sink into that hard head of yours.” 
“Oh, bite me.”  
Raiden didn’t see the point in telling Szin it wasn’t him he needed to be worried about biting him.  
“I know you care for him. You can’t hide that from me.” 
“I do care for him. But sometimes, that’s not enough. Look at him, Raiden. He’s part Onfre and part Ta’Narian. Talk about the double whammy. Both cultures are well known for their… Well, you know.” 
“Hard-headiness? Willful ways? Egos? Stubbornness?” 
Szin laughed. “Yeah, but they’re known for fighting ability too. Then look at me. What do I have to offer? Absolutely nothing. Hell, I shouldn’t even be here, according to the doctors. Twin’s aren’t exactly thick on the ground on Ta’Nar.” 
“Stop that. I hate hearing you put yourself down. You’re here for a reason, Szin. You have to believe that. We just don’t know that that reason is yet.” 
“I call bullshit. I’m a freak of nature.” 
“Gods, if dad or dabba heard you say that, they’d exploded. It’d be a tossup which one came more unglued. For that matter, I don’t like it either. Not to mention how Takeo would react. And speaking of him…” 
 “Yeah. Him.” 
“Let me ask you something. Do you really not want to be Takeo’s mate?” 
“It’s not what I want. It’s what’s best for him.” 
“And just who exactly appointed you God? Why do you get to decide?” 
“Um… because you and Takeo have taken so many hits to the head you’re doing good putting one foot in front of the other?" Szin smickered. "I’m the brainy one, remember?” 
“I really, really should tell Takeo what you just said.” Raiden stood up. “Wonder how he’d react? I’ll even you give you a head start… on running. Now come on, let’s go back to bed.” 
“You won’t dare, you fuzz ball!” Szin punched Raiden in the arm as they walk back to their room.  
“Oh yes, I most certainly would. I suggest you be nice.” Raiden winked. 
The week was full of fun for all three, but there were moments. Moments that suddenly appeared out of nowhere and left Szin even more confused. Ti returned at the end of the week to pick up Takeo, and Keyno returned from his mission soon thereafter.TBC

~M