Lost in Time

Chapter 8: Jeff's Secret

Alan stood in stunned silence as Way's words hung in the air. "If you don't do the exit clause when the sun rises tomorrow, you'll vanish to a universe where everything you asked for will become true. That means you never met Jeff or anyone." Alan's mind raced as he tried to make sense of what he had just heard.

Way looked at Alan with a mixture of sadness and determination. "If you go back to your reality, everything will be different. It means that this alternate universe will become your new reality. That means your memories will also change, you won't remember anything." Alan didn't understand at all, he was too confused at the moment.

"In short phi, you will go back to being the best racer but you will never meet anyone of us so your memories would also be different." Charlie tried to explain in simple terms. "That can't happen...I can't live without Jeff," he said softly.

"How do you know all this?" Alan asked, perplexed. "Well phi, as you know, we're all Tony's adopted sons," Babe began, "and Tony favored Reed the most among us. We've been piecing together why he chose you."

"Yeah, if Reed chose you, it means you're connected to all of us," Charlie added. "It also suggests we succeeded in taking down Tony, right?" Alan nodded, reflecting, "Reed wasn't even part of the picture when we brought Tony down. I just helped him with his car, and he offered me the contract." The three exchanged looks of disbelief. "That bastard," Babe muttered angrily. "He wasn't someone Tony valued, and now he's doing this to seek Tony's approval?"

Alan's mind raced with thoughts of Jeff, his beloved husband, and their three cherished children. The mere idea of losing them was unbearable. He regrets ever taking the contract and signing it. "I have to talk to Jeff again, I need to convince him," Alan muttered, running his hands through his hair in anxiety. "I saw him heading to the training room; he's preparing for tonight," Charlie, without hesitation, informed him.

Alan composed himself and hurried off to find Jeff again, this time his resolution was absolute. As he left, Way turned to Charlie with concern. "Aren't you worried about your brother, Charlie?"

"Jeff can take care of himself. If his personal space is invaded he will kick them out immediately that's why I sent P'Alan to Jeff's room." Way was shocked by the information given. "Are you out of your mind? Jeff could've killed the man for doing so!" Way wasn't mad but sending Alan to Jeff's room was like a suicide mission.

"Exactly! But judging how he got out unscathed, clearly, they had time to converse." Charlie replied calmly. Way was still frowning but he knew Charlie had a point, Jeff wouldn't think twice about kicking the man out or killing him if he ever resisted yet Alan got out alive and unharmed.

"Besides, P'Alan seems like a genuine person. No one has ever fought for Jeff's affection like this. They usually leave out of fear but P'Alan— he raced with me and won. Instead of rushing to Jeff, he took the time to connect with me, even though he was pressed for time. He could've just gone straight to Jeff but he took time to prove that he was serious. He's serious about Jeff, and I think we should support him. Jeff deserves someone who truly values him, just as we do, if not more," Charlie said with a heartfelt smile.

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Alan hurried to the training room, glancing at his watch—it was already nine in the evening, and time was running short before the Resistance's plan would be set in motion. As he entered, he saw Jeff practicing punches on a punching bag. Approaching cautiously, he called out, almost getting inadvertently struck as Jeff's hand halted just in front of his face.

"You again? Why are you here?" Jeff asked, withdrawing his hand from Alan's path and beginning to remove his boxing gloves, struggling a bit. Alan took them gently and assisted, noticing the tight hand wraps around Jeff's hands. Jeff had grown apprehensive about physical contact since Alan's touch had triggered a troubling vision so Alan was slow and careful when he took Jeff's hands.