Please Fix the Story!

Sci Fi - 3

"That's amazing!"

Pausing in my exercise with the Mech, I turned to look over at Liam who was standing off to the side of training room. He was watching me with bright eyes, a small container and a water bottle held tightly in his hands.

I stood in the training room holding a sword, practicing different strikes, while the Mech behind me held its own large sword, mimicking my movements through the Connection. The distance between us made it more difficult, but I felt the stuttering in its attacks slowly smooth out as I practiced.

I made an overhead swing, feeling the mild throbbing at my temples increase as the Mech made the same movement just a quarter second behind. Now, finished with the set of attacks I had set for myself, I sheathed the practice weapon and turned towards my enthusiastic audience.

"Hey, Liam!"

Severing the Connection with my Mech, I felt relief as the mental drain halted. Now free to move around, I walked towards him with a smile. "What brought you here?"

He grinned shyly. "I wanted to see you practice. Your control is amazing! I can't believe you can Connect with your Mech from that distance. Also..." He hesitated, "You seem much more comfortable with a sword than you did with the pistols, no offense."

"None taken. The sword IS much more comfortable." I thought about the memory fragments of me refusing to give up using a sword. "I just think I might not be meant for ranged weapons."

"Well, I'm glad you're happy! Here you go." He reached out, holding up a container of water for me to drink from.

"Thanks."

"I also brought cake."

I nearly choked in the midst of taking a drink. "Really? You didn't have to. At this rate you're going to spoil me."

"Good." Liam clutched the container to his chest, looking pleased. "You deserve it."

"Whatever you say." I shook my head, finished my drink and then paused. "...Can I ask you a question?"

His smile faded at my serious tone. "Go ahead."

"Your mental barrier... if it's up all the time, how are we standing so close together? Also, you've handed me things, and even touched me when you helped me up that one time, right?" I felt excited internally, but tried not to show it. "Does that mean I'm not affected by your barrier?"

"... I wish that were true."

My heart sank with disappointment as Liam sighed, looking down at the ground. "With people I trust, the barrier shrinks. The more I trust them, the smaller the barrier is. My parents can stand close to me." His eyes turned towards me again, and then back down. "You... you can get closer than anyone else."

Liam reached out his hand, and following his lead I reached out as well until our palms touched. He studied our hands with a fascinated but sad expression.

"We are so close, it almost seems like we are touching. But there's still a barrier."

"So I'm not touching you?"

"No, not directly." He looked like he wanted to cry. "I can't feel it. It's just the barrier."

"... I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I'm used to it." Shrugging, he grabbed my hand and led me over to a nearby table and chairs. "Honestly, getting as close as this is already a miracle."

I sat down on the chair, watching as he set up the cake on a plate with utensils. "So you really trust me, huh?"

The movement of his hands paused as he ducked his head, blushing. A mumbled "yes" made it to my ears. Chuckling, I didn't push him any further. I sat and ate, enjoying the cake he had brought. We didn't talk, but it was a comfortable silence.