Who We Were Born To Be (Niam) [ON HOLD]

Chapter 17: A second time

Chapter 17

Harry's point of view

Harry climbed into the military gear with a strong feeling of déjà vu. At least the jacket seems to be the right size this time, Harry thought. Alistair Wilson wasn't taking any chances, and was insisting that everyone with powers who was participating should wear full body armour.

James had also suggested that Zayn copy some of the soldier's memories of military training to all the people with powers. Harry leaned his forehead forward to touch with Zayn's as the boy held Harry's head and transferred the memories. Nice, Harry thought as years worth of combat training flowed into his mind. It would be nice if I was able to keep these memories permanently, so Zayn didn't have to do this every time.

“Yeah,” Zayn said, still holding his head against Harry's. “James has mentioned to me that one telepath he interviewed once in Argentina claimed he had the ability to retain copied memories if he deliberately tried. James was never sure if he was telling the truth, or if the guy was making it up. Apparently, James found when he interviewed people while researching for his book about the powers, that some people liked to exaggerate what they could do to try to impress him.” Zayn always seems to remember every single story James ever tells about anything.

“The opposite problem happened as well,” James commented from behind Zayn, causing Zayn to jump a little, which caused Zayn's head to knock into Harry's slightly. Ow. Harry refrained from trying to rub his forehead while Zayn finished transferring the memories.

“Some people were extremely reluctant to admit to some of the creative things they'd learned how to do,” James continued explaining as Zayn pulled away, and Harry rubbed his forehead. “And it could take quite a lot of convincing for them to tell me everything. I'm still a bit paranoid that there are lots of things that people can do that they didn't tell me about. Anyway, it might be possible for a telepath to retain copied memories, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's possible for a non-telepath, even though you've been practising telepathy.” James shrugged. “But you can always give it a try.”

Harry snorted. So far, all my attempts at telepathy have amounted to zip. Not a single thought ever heard or sent, despite hours of Zayn's tuition.

“I did warn you guys that telepathy is hard to learn for non-telepaths,” James' voice said in Harry's mind. James sounded extremely smug.

Show off. Harry stuck out his tongue at James. Harry made a little flicking motion with his hand as if hitting James lightly, and at the same time used his power to give James a poke in the bum.

As Harry's bum-prod hit James, it vanished.

What the...? Harry gaped.

James grinned at Harry and stuck out his tongue. The boy turned and walked away across the busy room. What did he even do? Harry wondered, confused. Somehow James had countered Harry's attack in a way Harry had never seen before, making it totally ineffective. What was that?

Harry turned to Zayn, seeking an explanation, only to find that Zayn's eyes were wide too. “Don't look at me Haz,” Zayn said. “I don't have the slightest clue how he did that. He just knows so much more about powers than anyone else.” Zayn's tone was full of awe. Harry had grown accustomed to how much Zayn hero-worshipped James. But occasionally, like now, Harry thought his friend was a bit over the top. He has the biggest man-crush on James I have ever seen a straight guy have on another guy.

Harry noticed Zayn was blushing. Huh? What?

“Um, Haz,” Zayn said telepathically. “I know now's not exactly the best time for a heart to heart... But I'm kind-of sorry I haven't mentioned it to you previously... I'm actually not exactly straight. I'm more kind-of bi.”