John woke up, his head hurt, as he tried to remember the dream he had last night. What was it? He thought, Serkas Ra. A thousand images flashed through his head again. The big ship, the scarab Beatle. He just sighed as his head pounded. This wouldn't be the first time he had one of these. John still remembered the first one. Henri had dipped his arms in the fire, he had felt the fire like a tickle against his skin. Visions flashed. The planet, his past, Lorien. This was different this time though. Henri was dead. It had been years since the failed invasion of the Mogs. John was in India with Marina. She was painting the walls of the cave, a smile painted smooth on her face like porcelain. Stanley had come too. He had gotten here yesterday. It was summer, so Stanley was temporarily off kid training duty. (For now.) John stole a glance at Stanley, across the cave, he was on the ceiling, doing push ups. "Hey," John said, "so you're off work right now?" Stanley hopped down from the ceiling, flipping as he jumped down. "What do you think?" Stanley said. His chocolate dark eyes seemed to pierce through John's sea blue eyes. It was crazy, through the invasion protecting earth, he always thought Stanley was annoying, and just straight up rude. But lately, Stanley has seemed loosened up. Not like he wasn't a complete badass joker, during the invasion, (and all the time.) it was just that without the invasion, or the skull crushing stress under Stanley, under all of the 6 of them left. John noticed different sides to all of them. Stanley was actually just a sensitive sweetheart.
"Do you want to go for a walk?" Dumb, dumb... why did i ask? But Stanley just smirked. "Sure, a little walk." The two of them strolled out to the bright cave entrance. "Marina, we'll be back soon, just going for a walk." John called back to Marina. Marina softly, nodded, her head still turned to the wall, a paint brush in her hand. "Well, then?" Stanley said, one eyebrow raised. John looked up on to Stanley's face, and said; "let's go." John grinned. The sunlight started to hit his face as he walked out into the sunshine with Stanley.
The two of them, warm under the Indian sun, Stanley's toned skin shining in the sun, hitting the highlights of his face. "So, what now?" Stanley wondered why John had taken HIM on a walk. What did the truly have to talk about, anyway? .. Maybe I'm over thinking this, he thought. "We walk, duh." John said. He chuckled and started down a sandy looking dirt path. Stanley quickly followed. It was quiet at first. Little words were spoken, about the state of the world, all the kids Stanley trained back at the school; small talk. "And that's when i told him to run a thousand laps for hitting and fighting Zain." Stanley stated. "And what happened to Zain?" John asked, already half knowing what the answer to his question would be. "Oh, Zain was sent to the Nurse's office." Stanley answered. "Really?!" "I would have expected you to make him run, to." John said. "Granted they were both involved," John added, scratching the back of his neck. Stanley frowned, he could be a bit of a 'rough' instructor, but he didn't want John, of all people, to think of him like that. "Well, Zain was hurt, and i.. I'm not THAT rough.." Stanley blushed, his face a little pink at the cheeks. Like a sunrise, or pink lemonade. John cocked his head a little, "i didn't mean it like that." John wondered if this was awkward. That usually meant it was in fact, awkward. "So,.. how's life besides teaching?" John spoke, trying to make the situation less tense and awkward for the both of them. Stanley grunted at this, "it's alright, a little lonely..." "it's like I'm surrounded by people, yet i.. i never felt so alone." He continued; "My lost arm, those dark days. Trying desperately to defeat Ra. It's stuck with me." "It's like at the school, I'm surrounded by kids, they've never seen Lorien, the animals, the sky.. we weren't able to save it. And soon, nobody will remember it." Stanley felt awkward, weird after sharing all that with someone. John tried to understand how it felt. He loved Lorien, sure, but he also felt that Earth was the new Lorien. That this was the home of Lorien, it's legacies, it's very essence, all on earth now. "Stanley, did you come here, because you're lonely?" John said, he didn't realize what he'd said, until it was out of his mouth. Stanley paused for a moment, "well... yeah." Stanley froze for a second or two before continuing;
"i missed you,- i mea- i miss.. everyone.."
John was surprised to hear this, but a little star struck bit of him was excited to hear this. Part of him was happy. John didn't know why. It was maddening. What a grip could this rude boy, have over him?! "Um.. i missed you to." John didn't know what else to say. He was a leader, not a champion of his feelings. Stanley's demeanor seemed to light up light the brightest firework of fourth of July. "Really!?" Stanley burst out, John's heart felt as if hit by cupid's arrow. "Y-yeah. You- you really aren't that bad." It took all of John's confidence, but he stopped walking, and so did Stanley. John lifted his right arm and held up his hand and caressed Stanley's chin and the side of his face. John didn't say anything, neither did Stanley. The air around the both of them became hot, like a August bonfire. Little invisible sparks flying, at the heart of the two soulmates. John leaned himself into Stanley, his hand still gently caressing Stanley's chin and face. "Tell me i-if this feels right." John said under his breath. They were close, so he knew Stanley could hear him. Before Stanley could speak, gentle warm lips crashed against his. Everything felt warm on the inside, as he felt his stomach drop. John was on his tiptoes, so, Stanley grabbed by the butt and lifted him up, his one muscular arm, holding John up, Stanley's super strength, aiding him. "Well..?" Said John, Stanley looked at him, his eyes bouncing from John's warm pink lips, to his beautiful blue eyes, the color of forget me nots. "More." Stanley said, he blushed, at this, immediately after saying it. However, John smirked. He kissed Stanley, and Stanley kissed back. Neither of them knew why, but they loved every second of it. Just two clueless gay Lorien kids.
