Of Swords and Needles

Chapter 7: Downtime

Carl entered the house, bag in hand, and said "Sorry if I'm late. Gunther needed help wrangling up a few boars that got loose." Alex went up to him and hugged him, something that caught Carl off guard, and spoke "It's alright. I was just reading and enjoying the rain either way." Carl stood there as Alex took the bag from his hand, slyly grinning "So what did you bring home for dinner?" Alex's question snapped Carl out of his trance, he shook his head to keep him in reality, saying "There were some crops that Anita had finished. She gave some carrots, potatoes, and beans." Alex opened the bag to see all of what Carl had stated and headed for the kitchen. "How does a beef stew sound? We still have some extra boar meat leftover from two days ago." Alex exclaimed from the kitchen "Sounds good." Carl responded, sitting down on a chair in the living room.

As Alex made the stew, Carl started fidgeting. He started to feel something in his heart that he had never felt before, but he had heard about it before: love. He looked around and decided to say something to Alex. "Alex," he started "do you have any advice on...love?" Alex, somewhat taken aback, peered his head from the kitchen and looked at Carl. "Are you....in love with someone?" Alex asked with a mix of curiosity and worry. Carl sighed "Yes. I....I think I am....but it's not a female that I am in love with." He spoke normally, but to Alex, his voice pierced his ears like daggers. "You're in love with a man?" He questioned, not being judgemental, but rather curious. Carl nodded his head and looked at Alex "I'm in love with you Alex."

Flushed red with embarrassment and lust, Alex put the mixing spoon down and moved the food off of the small fire. He quickly rushed over to Carl and hugged him tight, embracing him, cuddling him, doing whatever he could to be close to him. "I'm in love with you too Carl." Alex says in a soft voice, looking up at Carl's face, still covered by the helmet. Alex, feeling comfortable, slowly removes Carl's helmet to reveal his face. He has long blonde hair, clean shaven mustache and beard, and fair blue eyes. His face mesmerized Alex, even with the scars on him. He brought his lips up to his and kissed him. They both kissed for what felt like hours, but was only mere seconds, before they broke the kiss. Looking at eachother, they both simultaneously said "Bedroom, now."

As Carl lifted Alex up the stairs to his bedroom, Alex slowly started to take off Carl's armor from the top down. As soon as they both got upstairs, Alex was pinned down on the bed. Alex then got flustered and worried, not for Carl dominating him, but for when he decides to remove his clothes. He still had the female parts, but had the mindset of a man. As Carl grabbed Alex's leg, he stopped him and said "There is.... something I should tell you." Carl looked at Alex as he gained his composure. Alex exhaled and spoke "I have.... the body of a woman. But I am a male." Carl was taken aback slightly as Alex continued "I just....I just figured you should know before you~" he stopped as he looked at Carl's face. It was....neutral. "Whether you have the female body, or the male body, I love you for who you are Alex. Nothing can change that."

Carl's words almost made Alex cry, happy cry. Alex sniffled his tears as embraced Carl, hugging tighter than before. Carl hugged back and spoke "Perhaps tomorrow we shall continue this endeavor? For now, I wish to rest with you" he smiled "my doctor." Alex blushed as the rain continued outside, hitting against the window behind them hard. Carl layed down next to Alex, taking the rest of his armor off as Alex took his clothes off, revealing his binding. Carl smiled and simply said "You are the best thing to happen to me Alex. No matter the dark times behind, or ahead, of us, I will always be by your side until the end." Alex hugged Carl close as they both drifted asleep, letting the rain of the night drown all worries and comforting all the rest.