You're Like A French Fry (a transgender love story)

Shooters

I curl up next to James on the queen sized bed. He's already fast asleep.

Yet, I can't fall asleep, there's this sound that I keep on hearing and it's scaring me.

I grab a blanket, and cover James and I with it. This did not make me feel safer.

I moved closer to James, feeling safer every inch I got closer to him.

Soon, my head was on his neck, smelling his sweet, cologne.

*BAM!*

I'm startled. I look at James. Still fast asleep.

"Babe! Wake up! I heard a gunshot!" I shake James.

*BAM, BAM, BAM!*

James' eyes slowly open.

"Lee? What's wrong?"

Shrill, bloody screams scream.

"A murderer is on the loose." My voice is shakey.

James eyes travel throughout the room. His eyes finally settle in one thing.

I look at the thing his eyes are staring at.

It's the knife drawer.

"James, don't. Then we'll be murderers!" I whisper yell.

"Lee, in already a murderer. If killing one person make you a murderer," James says.

"Killing my mom doesn't count! Please, please. Settle for-"

"What? That bat? That thing's gonna block jack shit! This is a gun battle!"

"EXACTLY!" I yell.

"How can I be 100% sure that-"

"James, I have the perfect thing for this battle." I tug his arm. I would've gone for a sleeve, but he's shirtless.

"What?" He asks as he stands up, stretching.

He walks over to the dresser, and rips off his clothes.

"I-" I stop myself as I get up and walk over to our suitcase.

James walks over, after getting dressed, and starts taking my clothes off.

He dresses me in new clothes. And I show him something I had brought.

"A shield?" He asks, surprised.

"A shield that can block gunshots-" I try to stop myself from singing, but the words just come out. "Gunshots, gunshots, shooting in the distance."

"How is that possible?" He slaps his forehead after asking that question. "Frickin' gun proof metal exists you idiot."

"You're not an idiot. But yes, gun proof metal is what this shield is made of. Making a movement to swipe the attack back at them, like Zelda, the bullet will go right towards them. I don't wanna kill anyone tonight, but I'll do it for Ukraine."

"Well, do you have two?" He seems invested.

"I brought one," I say as I grip the shield tighter.

"You stay here, I'll go defend-"

"James! No, were going together!" I stop him.

"Then we'll both die!"

"I don't want to live without you!" I scream. "You're too precious to live without!"

"So, if I die, you're gonna kill yourself?"

I look down. "If depression is too harsh on my ass."

"Harsh as in, butt sex without the lube?"

"Ok, the fuck was that about?" I look up.

"Yes or no?"

"Yes." Perfect analogy or whatever that was, James.

"Well. Let's go, then."

We leave the hotel room, and go I to the elevator.

This time there's no happy, horny James to push me against the wall and fuck me. There's just a sad James, a James that doesn't want this country gone. A James that wants me to stay alive, for him.

I want the happy, horny James. He'd make the funniest jokes. Those jokes, mixed with his laughter, would always brighten my day.

He's the starlight in my life. He's the one I will treasure always. He's the one that made me back again. From a body bag.

The elevator stops, and we walk out.

The whole city, Odesa is in shambles.

Everyone is evacuated, and there's a shooter on the loose.

"This is no school shooter that we can hide from," I say as we walk out, shield in front of us to defend.

I look at the person with the gun, the shooter.

My mouth drops, and I drop the shield. My eyes widen. This can't be who I think it is.