"Bubble tea anyone?"
☆
"It's ok, it's ok! He's gonna listen." Luke says almost instantly as the door opens to reveal the back of Will, leaving via the back door. "I have the spray." He adds, showing the can to everyone.
Vinnie, who had Joe's arm draped around his shoulder now turns to see that Luke did indeed have the spray, but Mr Jones was still a potential threat. He wasn't completely in the clear yet.
"I don't need to prove myself to anybody." Joe grumbles as he stays where he is. "Your laws are messed up." He adds.
The commander is about to bite back, but Will steps forward, in an attempt to keep the peace. "Let's just talk about it, yeah? That's better than fighting."
Both males relent, not before giving each other the evil eye as now they all sit on the two couches. Vinnie and Joe on one and Luke and Mr Jones on the other.
"Bubble tea anyone?" Will asks, trying to lighten the tension.
"Ooh yes please babe!" Luke replies, not picking up on the atmosphere radiating between Joe and Mr Jones. No one else replies as Will heads into the kitchen.
Mr Jones' eyes slowly drift from Joe's face to Vinnie's. Vinnie was gazing at Joe longingly. His long fingers wrapped around Joe's arm as if he was holding on to him for dear life.
Joe just looks at the incredibly handsome commander before him. Then he asks the question. "Tell me, why did you choose that shimmer?"
The question is unexpected and makes the other two tense up. Joe begins to repeat the question. "I asked, why did you…"
"I heard you!" Mr Jones cuts him short. He adjusts his sitting position, pulling at the collar of his sweater. "I chose to resonate with this shimmer because statistically, it is the most appealing to the most people."
"He is handsome." Luke agrees. With Vinnie also nodding, making Mr Jones suppress a small smile.
"So tell me this." Joe continues. "If the morphs are so great, why do you need to hide behind a human face?"
"He has a point, Luke again agrees with Vinnie nodding.
"Who's side are you on?" Mr Jones snaps with irritation. With Joe now gracing a smile. "Joe, being a morph isn't just about looks, is about our identity, our morals."
"Morals which frown on change. Do you know how hypocritical that is?"
This time no one replies.
Joe now looks at Vinnie and takes his hand in his. "This guy, I don't care if he is a morph, a shimmer, a human, a pig."
"A pig...What?"
"Nevermind. What I mean is I see him as Vinnie. An amazing being who has a heart of gold and a soul full of kindness and he doesn't need to cover that up with fake skins. He needs to let it show."
"That is the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me." Vinnie replies, eyes filling with emotion. "You are someone special to me Joe. I knew it from the moment I met you. I knew you could see me, the real me." They find themselves catching each other's lips as everything around them vanishes in the moment.
Will now enters the room with Luke's tea. To see Joe and Vinnie lip locked and Luke and Mr Jones staring at each other with soft faces. "What's going on?" He asks.
"These two are so beautiful." Mr Jones bawls.
"I know." Luke replies, bursting into tears.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry Vinnie." Mr Jones blubs. "Joe you're right. The system is wrong."
Vinnie and Joe smile at each other before Vinnie looks back at Mr Jones. "So is that it?"
"Well not quite," the commander begins. "If Joe is to be granted status in morphic law, he will need a solid case for appeal for it to pass and that will take time. This is an age old law we are trying to change here, but in the meantime…" Mr Jones waves his hands in front of him, his fingers curling and flexing before they point to Vinnie spreading a whoosh of glittery light. "Here are your shimmer powers. Feel free to carry on as you were until I give you more information.
"Guys this is the best news." Will says as he hands Luke the tea. As Luke reaches out to grab it, he still has the can in his hand, but it drops….and falls, catching the corner of the coffee table….causing a split in the side. The gases slowly begin to seep out of the puncture hole.
Mr Jones' eyes widen in shock as he stands up and hollers, "RUN!"
YOU ARE READING
Shimmer (boyxboy/alien)
Teen FictionSCIENCE-FANTASY/ ROMANCE The new kid was different from anyone else Joe had ever known. Someone who seemed to be trying to fit in by standing out. What is it about this new face which has him so intrigued? Is this just skin deep, or is it what is un...
