Chapter Thirty

Josh gawked at Travis, transfixed before his face broke into a wide grin. "Dude, sweet! What else can you do?" 

"You're not . . . scared?"

"Fuck no. I'm totes jelly. How long have you had powers? Does anyone else know? Have you been tracking the progression of them? If not, can I? I'll need a photography drome, a camera, and--" 

"Slow down. You don't need to buy all that crap."

Josh lowered his head. "Oh. I'm not trying to buy your friendship, ya know?"

"That's not what I was implying. I just meant that I can build most of that stuff for a fraction of the cost."

Josh smiled. "So, I can help you train?"

"I don't think that'd be a good idea since your presence would distract me."  

The truth was Travis wasn't worried about that. Instead, he feared losing control and hurting Josh. But he kept that thought to himself, not wanting to ponder what it meant just yet. Travis answered Josh's questions each in turn.

"So, there's a government agency dedicated to tracking and capturing peeps with superpowers? I'm legit shook. I thought stuff like that only existed in comics. What's it like having powers?" Josh said, leaning in close.

"You wouldn't want them."

"Oh, come on. Who wouldn't like teleporting, super strength, healing, psychic abilities, and elemental control? I give both nuts for that."

Anger flared up in Travis. "You don't get it. From the moment my powers manifested, I've felt like I live in a world of sandcastles. On the surface is the illusion of stability. But one mistake, and it all comes tumbling down. It takes constant control, and I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

Josh stared at him. "Then that weird wind at the bus stop, the times the temperature's jumped, and when I saw your eyes change color, were all you losing control?"

Travis nodded. "Daily meditation and training have helped me rein in my abilities, but it's still a work-in-progress."

"Could you like blow something up for me?"

Travis thought for a second. Should he accept Josh's request, it could serve to bond them. Yet if he lost control, he could destroy other things, or worse, hurt Josh. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he made his decision. "I don't know about this."

Josh stuck out his bottom lip. "Please?"

Seeing the pleading look, Travis caved. "Okay, but I better do it out here."

Josh hugged him. "Sweet! I'll be right back." He returned with an ugly lamp. "Here. Wreck the shit outta this."

"Why the animosity?"

"Mom's had it for years and gives it more attention than me."

"Understood." 

Josh set the lamp on the ground, and Travis told him to stand back. Then he focused on it, opening the box in his mind containing his anger, and let it loose. Boom. The lamp shattered, and Josh whooped. Travis went to lock away his emotions, but they slipped his reins, and he set the manicured lawn ablaze.

"Go get a fire extinguisher," he yelled to Josh while he tried containing the fire. Reaching out his hand, he commanded it to stop, but the flames continued spreading. Closing his eyes, he tried again, this time more forceful. Return!

Heat licked at his ankles as the fire washed over and into him. As though sentient, he felt the flames resist his attempts to cage them. 

No. I am your master. Return! And then it was done. A loud thud drew his attention. Josh had dropped the fire extinguisher and was staring at him with a terrified expression. Neither of them said anything at first, and Travis wondered if Josh thought him a monster.

Josh broke the silence with a loud, "Holy shit! That was epic. But my parents are gonna kill me when they see the lawn."

Travis laughed. "Seriously, that's your only concern?"

Josh nodded. "You're amazeballs with awesome sauce on the side." After he'd finished geeking out, Josh called his lawn care company to schedule an emergency appointment. The cover story he gave them was they'd been playing with fireworks when one of them accidentally set the lawn on fire.

Travis side-eyed Josh, impressed and worried about the ease with which he'd come up with that lie. He filed this away, and they went inside, where Josh badgered him until he agreed to demonstrate his telepathic abilities.

   Happy now?

"I'm euphoric AF!"

Don't shout like that.

"Sorry. Say you haven't been reading my thoughts without my permission, though?"

I'd never do such a thing. It goes against my ethos.

"Okay. Just checking."

Travis closed his connection with Josh, but not before he got the impression Josh was hiding something from him. Shrugging it off, he suggested they have a kung fu movie marathon, starting with The Five Deadly Venoms. They laughed at the badly dubbed movies, imitating moves and having a great time until Travis had another coughing fit that left him gasping for air. 

"You okay?" Josh asked him when it had passed.

"No. Scar tissue has formed in my lungs, causing my cough. My lung capacity's down to 80 percent. Eventually, I won't be able to breathe at all if my lungs don't fill up with fluid first."

Josh placed his hand on Travis's knee. "You're pretty sick, huh?"

"Yeah, but let's get back to the movie."

At five o'clock, Travis's mother called him home for dinner.

"Promise you won't tell anyone about my powers."

"Deal."

"Or about the other thing. And promise me you won't treat me any differently."

In response, Josh hugged him. "I promise. And I meant it when I said I was here for ya."

Smiling, Travis nodded and Popped home.

***

After Josh got his lawn fixed, he and Travis began talking more, often from dusk to dawn, prompting Travis's parents to ask Josh over for dinner. Travis stalled them as long as he could, but that didn't work forever. On the last Friday in June, Josh came over for dinner. 

Travis pulled at his tie, the collar of his shirt like a vice, cutting into his throat. He straightened his jacket, the buttons threatening to pop off any second.

The things I do for Josh. Note to self: lose weight.

He gave himself a final appraisal in the mirror. He even tried taming the monstrosity that passed for his hair with a wet comb but only made things worse.

"Travis, dinner. Now!" His mother's bellicose tone told him he'd better make an appearance post-haste if he didn't want to be double-grounded. Halfway to the dining room, he received a text from Josh.

 I'm here.

He strode past his mother, ignoring her question about where he was going. Opening the door, Travis reached up to fix his hair, but Josh smoothed the offending strands. "That's better, yeah?"

Travis's breath went out of him upon seeing Josh. His hair was slicked back with gel, reminding Travis of old gangster movies. Though Josh's suit hung off him in places, he looked fresh from the runway.

"Thanks," he managed to say. "You look nice."

Josh snickered, his toothy smile making Travis's stomach flutter. "This old thing? Mother makes me wear it for black-tie events." He laughed. "Ya got me sounding like you now."

Travis wiggled his eyebrows and lean in. "I could think of worse things."

Josh pulled at his tie, his cheeks and ears reddening.

"Son, are you going to continue acting like we're not here, or are you going to introduce us to your friend?"

Travis looked at his father, on the verge of rolling his eyes, but thought better of it. Clearing his throat, he said, "Mother, Father, I'd like you meet Joshua Joseph Giovanni, alias JJ, alias Josh." 

His father stood and extended his hand. "What should we call ya, son?"

Josh, hand trembling, bottom lip quivering, stuttered out, "Josh will be fine, sir."

His father's mitt of a hand encased Josh's, clamping down. 

Don't show any fear.

"Right."

Josh locked eyes with Travis' father, continuing the shake until his dad released his red hand.

"Your parents are Lilith and Cain Giovanni, correct?" his mom said, her lips turned up in the beginnings of a coy smile.

Josh sat, massaging his hand. "Yes, ma'am. They've been away on business a while now. Otherwise, I'm sure they would have loved meeting you." 

Arching a contoured eyebrow, his mom made a sour face. "Am I to understand you've been without adult supervision for prolonged periods this summer?"

Josh wrapped his arms around himself. "More or less."

She harrumphed. "Travis, we'll discuss this matter later. Now, Josh, what have you've been doing that has turned my son into a virtual stranger in his own home?" She interlaced her fingers, looking down her nose at Josh, who was squirming in his seat as though he had worms.

 Relax, she's only busting your balks to get a rise out of ya. Don't react, and she'll move on.

"You know this how?"

Been reading her mind.

Josh stared at him, his expression blank. "I thought you didn't read people's minds?"

I don't. But she's broadcasting them, so I'm taking advantage of the situation.

His mother pursed her lips. "Why do I get the feeling you two are having a conversation we're not privy to?"

"Oh, Mother, you're being paranoid. To answer your question, we've spent this summer doing the usual things--gaming, ripping on bad sci-fi and horror movies, watching YouTube videos, listening to music, and plotting the overthrow of the status quo. You know, typical stuff."

"Really? Because I heard from a reliable source that you two--my, that's the timer. The roast's done. We'll continue this when I get back."

"What does she know?!"

Travis rubbed his right temple. You have any idea how painful it is when you scream your thoughts at me like that?

"Sorry, but--"

But nothing. Chillax and let me handle it.

"Okay."

Bobby shot them a puzzled look. "Why do you guys keep shooting each other looks like that?"

"Brother dear, you're, as they say, straight trippin'."

"Naw," Bobby said, running his hand through his finger-wave curls, "you have powers."

His father pounded on the table. "I will not have that mess in my house."

Everyone at the table stared at him.

"There's no such thing as superpowers, and Travis most definitely doesn't have any." He uncorked the bottle of wine in the center of the table and filled his glass, slopping some in the process and hastily mopped it up.

Travis smiled.

However, his moment of celebration ended when his mother returned to the table with the roast. She took one look at his father and turned to Travis. "What did you do?"

"Why do you assume I'm at fault? `Twas Robert who set Father off by mentioning something about my having powers and . . ."

She nearly dropped the roast, recovering in time to place it on the table. Then she sat, the color draining from her face. "Robert, don't scare your father and I with such nonsense. Getting back to the topic of our earlier discussion. Is it true you two are . . . lovers?"

"No, Mother. We aren't partners. Would there be a problem if we were?"

"I suppose not. But I heard from a friend of a friend that you two had a lovers' quarrel. So, I was curious if you were, you know?"  

"Mother, if you're asking about my orientation, then no, I'm not gay. As for Josh, it isn't my place to say. Satisfied?"

His mother wiped her chin. "I see. Well . . . know you can talk to your father and I about anything."

"Right." He believed them about as much as he believed in god. 

Travis's father brought up the subject of their relationship again, but Travis shrugged him off. 

"Mr. Turner," Josh said, between bites of the pot roast, "Travis told me you were in the military."

"Yup, I was in the Army Corps of Engineers for eighteen years. Woulda been twenty if it hadn't had been for The Fire."

"Right. Uh, what did you do exactly, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Not at all, son. Nice to see somebody take an interest. I mostly helped design and construct hydroelectric dams and other infrastructure. It was hard work, and I spent many a long day trying to cut through red tape. That's why I like civilian work. Nowhere near the hassle."

Travis looked at his father and Josh, dumbstruck. He'd wanted them to get along, but here his father was divulging information to Josh he'd never told Travis. 

His father looked at him askew. "Awful quiet over there, Travis. Got anything to say?"

"Only that this is the first I'm hearing of all this, Father."

"Anyway," he said, ignoring Travis, "Josh, you given any thought to what course pathway you want to take for ninth grade?"

"I mean, that's still a whole `nother year off."

"True, but it'll be here before you know it."

His mother cleared her throat. "Travis, what are you taking?" 

"Probably the STEM track, most likely either one of the sciences or something in IT."

Smiling, Josh placed his knee against Travis's. "Cool. Why those, though?"

Shrugging, Travis said, "I've always been fascinated by science. I love computers and electronics and taking apart things to see how they work. Why not get paid to do that?"

"Gotcha."

"Son," his mother began, "that sounds like a good plan b, but perhaps you should think of something more practical like law or medicine, or maybe become an electrician like your father."

Gritting his teeth and fighting back the urge to scream, Travis exhaled through his nose, counting to ten in his head. "Mother, I'm old enough to decide for myself what I'll do with my life."

 She forced a smile. "My parents may have left you that trust fund, but that doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."

"This has nothing to do with Opa's trust fund or Grams naming me heir to the Cadmus Fortune and the Aurum Estate."

"I just don't want you to make a mistake that'll ruin your life."

"It's my life to do with as I please."

Travis's father slammed his fist down on the table, knocking over his wine glass. "Apologize to your mother right now, and if you keep showing your ass, you and Josh won't be hanging out anymore."

Travis clenched his fists.

"You unclench your hands this instant," his dad barked

"Or what?" Travis stood from his seat. "You'll beat my ass again? Like I care."

The pictures on the wall rattled. The wind outside picked up, blowing tree branches against the windows and sides of the house. 

"Are you okay?" Josh asked.

He counted to ten in his head, pulling back his power and locking his emotions in their boxes. "I'm tired, and I'm going to bed. You coming, Josh?"

"Hold it right there," his dad said. "If you think you can disrespect your mother and I like that, you got another thing coming. Josh, it was nice meeting you, but it's time for you to go home since Travis is acting all hard-headed."

Josh looked at Travis. "Do you want me to go or stay?"

Go. I'll see you later.

"Later," Josh said and requested a rideshare.

 Once Josh left, Travis's parents sent him to his room and grounded him for a week. Not that it stopped him from sneaking out to see Josh and train, but it was still an inconvenience. 

***

Over the coming days, Travis scavenged the junkyard for parts for their photography drone, while Josh ordered the camera and parts he couldn't find. And by the time he was off punishment, the photography drone was ready.

To ensure Josh's safety, Travis had him stay a minimum of 100 meters away while he trained. Together, they tracked his progress in the hopes it might help another metahuman.

June gave way to July. 

Travis was preparing to head to Josh's for their weekly bitch fest when Grams called him.

"Do my ears deceive me, or is that really you, my caramel cowboy?"

"Sorry I haven't called in a while. I've been busy."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with a certain Joshua Giovanni?"

"Hmm, could be."

"You know, Josh's mother tells me you're all he talks about these days."

Travis smiled, a warmness starting in his stomach and spreading to his whole body.

"Do you like him?"

"I, uh . . . um . . ."

She laughed. "Cat got your tongue?"

"It's just . . . I've never liked anyone before, much less loved someone."

"Ah, so it is love."

"I mean, I don't know. I like being around him when it's just us. But I don't know if I'd go as far as saying I love him."

"Matters of the heart can be quite confusing. It took me six months to catch on that your grandfather liked me. He used to pick fights with me and tease me something fierce before I hauled off and cold-cocked him."

He couldn't help laughing. "Grams, you're a straight-up original gangster."

"Thanks, I think. Tell me about this boy that has my grandbaby all twitterpated."

"Well . . ."

And, without meaning to, he gushed about Josh for twenty minutes straight, even telling her about their naked run up his driveway.

"Dear, this is just my two cents, but it sounds like you're rather smitten with him."

"Yeah, I think I am."

"Then tell him."

"But I'm scared. What if he doesn't like me, and I lose my only friend?"

"I'll let you in on a little secret: those we care about the most have the power to hurt us the most. Lord knows that's true of your mother."

"Then why bother with it?"

"Because nothing in this world compares to the joy of being with those you love."

"But what if I get hurt?"

She chuckled. "Boy, if I let fear stop me from doing things, I'd never leave the house. Sure, you might get hurt . . . or you might find the love of your life. But you won't know unless you take a leap of faith."

"That's a leap into faith. But how do I know this isn't a giant joke, and when I tell him how I feel, he won't laugh at me?"

"You don't, but could you live with yourself if you never told him?"

"No, but I'm afraid."

"Listen to me, my sweet boy. Inside us all is the ember of a hero, a phoenix waiting to rise from the ashes of our fears. Tell him and let whatever happens happen."

"Okay."

They talked a bit longer. Then Travis ended the call with a promise to call her tomorrow.

***

When he materialized at Josh's house, the older boy was on his laptop and quickly closed it.

"Did I catch you watching porn?"

"Ha, ha, and no. I read my porn, thank you very much."

"Ah, a refined pervert. You use your left or your right?"

Josh's face went red. "Dude, are you seriously asking me about my jerkoff habits?"

"Yep. BTW, I use my left."

"Me too," he said, flustered.

Travis's words caught in his throat, but he pushed through his nervousness. "Maybe we could give each other a helping hand sometime?"

Josh licked his lips. "I'm down if you are?"

Heart aflutter, Travis squeaked out, "How about tomorrow?"

"Okay."

That decided, they watched YouTube videos on Josh's laptop until they got tired.

Travis Popped home and allowed himself to think a thought he'd been scared to admit: I love Joshua Giovanni.

Author's Note: About time, right? Next time, Travis and Josh get intimate.

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