TIME WARP: The Future of Translations, Pt. 2

[Terrance Kellam]

2033

He was breathing heavy… Terrance wasn't one to use that much strength, so the feeling felt sort of new and weird. Maybe he should have done a bit of exercising when he was younger, at Hammel. Terrance took in a few more deep breaths, dropping the bat to the floor, using his left hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. He had just killed Terry, the robot he'd had and upgraded for about two years. He was a good guy, but… he had to go.

It was time to leave. Time to go… somewhere. Terrance wasn't sure where, but he couldn't stay here, not with everyone upgrading their robots and essentially making him obsolete. How the hell does a few lines of code deprecate an entire ability? Terrance didn't feel like thinking about it much though. It was making his blood boil and he feared that he would damage everything else in his house.

-----

After what felt like hours, Terrance had arrived. He wasn't sure why he chose this place to come to, but it was where his body had led him. It was only natural though. He was at his ex's house.

The two were happy for some time. Terrance could remember when they met, their first kiss, even their first fight. I know I won that, he laughed at the memory, a small tear forming. He would probably have a different winner for that fight, but oh well. Terrance didn't cry though, there was too much going on in his head. The thought of the robots and this damned technology were still on rampaging through his emotions. But, he knew he might be able to calm him down.

They hadn't spoken much since they broke up. Terrance's fault, of course. He had cheated, but in his defense the guy meant absolutely nothing. So, it was okay, right? That was the lie he told himself, anyway. Of course it mattered, especially to him. He could remember trying to be sneaky and text the guy he slept with in another language, hoping he wouldn't find out but… fucking technology. Fucking technology ratted him out; stupid Google Translate.

So, why, of ALL places, had he shown up here? Terrance still loved the guy. Never stopped. And he wasn't sure if he felt the same. After all, some time had passed since then. Who's to say he hadn't moved on since then? Terrance wasn't too concerned about those details though. They had been there for each other during their relationship, and he could only hope for the same now. How everything went tonight, though, would determine if he lived to see the robots completely take over.

He looked to his watch. Three-seventeen. AM. It was late… err, early… whatever. But, if the only thing worth living for was willing to talk to him at this hour, then maybe things would be okay.

Maybe.

He made his way to his front door, and knocked... loud. He needed him right now.

_{OOC: I gave some details on the past relationship, but this is pretty much open for ANYONE. Even if the two haven't met yet, even if the two hate each other, etc. This is part two to the writing challenge for last month, and I liked it so much I had to continue, lol. I didn't know who to ask, so I'll left it completely open. Therefore, any male character can jump right in, just follow the bits and pieces I left for ya. The setting is, literally, anywhere. Wherever your character now resides in 2033, that's the setting.}

[Rhett Goddard]

You would think that asleep, meta-abilities sleep too. You'd be wrong. Rhett's ESP sometimes had the unfortunate side-effect of telling Rhett he was asleep as he dreamed, therefore giving him a lucid dream. He hated them. Suddenly you're in an alien world created by your mind while you're supposed to be resting, and granted, your body is resting but your mind isn't, and when you've lived as much as Rhett has, which isn't especially that much or that tragic or dramatic, but still, all you want to from a night's sleep is to rest.

He attempted to wake up, but it seemed useless, so he stayed there, in his alien world, sitting and thinking. Hours of introspection on his memories passed until a loud banging started to break his connection to the fuzzy world. He smiled. Soon he was back in his dark room looking at the table watch and wondering who was at the door at this hour. Unfortunately, as developed as his ESP was, he couldn't really, willingly, extract information from someone he didn't know he could, so unless he randomly received the information, he'd have to the front door himself and find out.

After putting some shorts on, he walked downstairs and to the door, opening after arriving. He closed it again before anyone could say anything. He was definitely not awake enough to talk, and even less to him of all people. Yet, Rhett knew he wasn't going to leave until they did, otherwise he wouldn't have come all the way to his place at this time. As much as this side of Limoges was a very good one, it wasn't safe to be out alone at this time. Then again, it probably wasn't in many other places of France or the world.

"To what do I owe the honor of this surprise?" Rhett asked after opening the door once again. "Or let's keep it simple, what do you want, Kelly?"

[Terrance Kellam]

The door opened… and it closed. Was the trip here going to be that short? Terrance hadn't even formulated what he was going to say before the door closed in his face. Was Rhett still that upset with him? He had apologized countless times. He fucked up and knew it. Granted, he shouldn't have tried to hide it, but still! …He shook his head in the moments the door was closed. He should have known there was no justifying what he did, especially to someone like Rhett. He deserved more, especially after what he went through growing up. What in the hell even possessed Terrance to cheat on him anyway? Terrance didn't deserve the chance to speak to him right now, and he deserved everything that was coming to him…

The door opened back up, and he felt a tear. He didn't really want to tell him he was crashing on the inside just yet, so he made sure his face stayed dry. Though, he knew it probably wouldn't help. Rhett probably already knew exactly why he was here. Terrance was bad at keeping secrets from him, much in part to his ex's ability. Again, WHY did he cheat on the guy who could just sense things??

He tried to fake a smile and a chuckle. "You know I hate that name…" he said. He did hate the nickname, but not when Rhett said it. Well… he did, but he would never stop him.

It was hard. The smile was staying, but it took -- literally -- everything he had to keep it there. "Can I come in…?" He sniffled, rubbing his nose. Memory after memory filled his head, all thanks to his scent. Maybe they could hold each other, or even just talk. It would make everything okay.

But, if he Rhett didn't want anything to do with him, then it'd be okay, too. His career was already over. If his love life was too then, well… He knew how he would deal with himself.

[Rhett Goddard]

"Sure, you can." Rhett said as he remembered back when he was learning English. "You may not, however."

Why would he let Terrance enter his place? For all Rhett knew, he was dead, Rhett had moved on. Of all the bad things Terrance could do to him, he picked the worst. Hadn't he learned how jealous and possessive Rhett was? Granted, it had seriously diminished since his times with Odion, since high school, but still, Rhett never really stopped being like this. Whenever they were out together, the blonde had to make sure everyone in the room knew T.K. was his boyfriend, or rather, that T.K. was his. Period. No new friend was allowed to remain friends with Terrance for long before Rhett demanded to meet him, there was no such thing as partying or drinking without Rhett, the list was almost countless, everything to avoid this one thing from happening and it happened.

"Why don't you go to Jamie-John-what-his-name?" Rhett leaned on the door's frame, still determined to not let Terrance in. "I'm sure he'll let you in, not like he hasn't before and he's easy like that."

Rhett and T.K.'s connection was far different from Rhett and Odion's. Unlike the latter, Rhett unusually had his powers activated unwillingly by Terrance. If Rhett wanted to find out something about Terrance, he either had to willingly extract it via ESP or just go ahead and ask. After graduating from Hammel, he had the ability to do the first one, but with Terrance, Rhett had decided to try something different and go with the second one. It helped grow trust between them and avoid the unhealthy relationship that he and Odion used to have, something Rhett didn't want to live through again. The only thing he felt he learned, though, was that men can't indeed be trusted. Perhaps these new robots everyone seemed to have were a better option.

"Is there anything else I can help you with?" He asked in the most sarcastic tone of voice he could perform. "You know, so I can go ahead and make sure I don't do it."

[Terrance Kellam]

"Thanky-- …"

…Ouch. English, used against him. As an omnilingual that… really hurt. It didn't help that he was useless, but to turn the one thing he WAS good at against him?

Ouch. Just… ouch.

"You know I don't want him… You know I never wanted him. It was a stupid mistake..." He knew who he was talking about. But he wasn't even going to let the guy's name cross his mind. He didn't matter. He just wanted Rhett back. "I was an ass, and I'm sorry… Please…"

Terrance wasn't sure how it had happened, considering the two were inseparable. But, maybe that was the reason. When he was young -- …and dumb… -- Terrance grew to be a social butterfly. Had to talk, had to be the center of everything, had to always meet new people and just communicated. Maybe that was his downfall, too. Trying too hard to be everyone's friend, and in the end, got a little too friendly with the wrong person. It didn't help Terrance case that, when discovered, he tried to justify his actions. He could vaguely remember himself saying 'It was just one time!'…

Terrance shook his head. Had he really thrown away all that trust for ten minutes of pleasure?

All of Rhett's words were hurting, digging like knives. For some reason, he didn't know this could have gone as wrong as it was going. He wasn't prepared for the scenario playing out before him. "Rhett… I need you right now… Seriously…" he pleaded, taking steps forward in a feeble attempt to hug Rhett.

[Rhett Goddard]

It was the wrong time for begging. Then again, there was no good time to do so. Rhett was stubborn, he had always been, and he didn't see a reason to change this. He had been hurt, he had been hurt in his weakest spot: being betrayed. T.K. had played this same script before and it hadn't worked, it wasn't going to work this time either.

"You clearly didn't want me enough either." Rhett added.

Having Terrance approach him in that way made Rhett shiver inside a little. He'd lied if he said that he didn't miss T.K., but he'd be lying too if he said he wanted to fix things up with him and be back together. Rhett wasn't the type that forgives and forgets, and age only made things worse. Granted, forty years old was not -that- old, and Rhett still maintained a youthful appearance, body and attitude. The years passed right through him, it seemed.

"Right now." Rhett repeated Terrance's words while moving aside to avoid T.K.'s hug and closing the door behind him at the same time. "Key words right there." He took one step away and then lent one shoulder on the door's edge while crossing his legs slightly. "Do you want me too feel pity on you because you're sad, repentant, alone and jobless?" He picked the last thing a bit ago. "Do you want me to feel bad and give you a hug, a kiss and fix everything?" He raised an eyebrow. "What about when I was heartbroken, betrayed, cheated on and lied to?" The words seemed to have feeling, but Rhett was talking coldly. "Who felt pity for me, gave me a hug, a kiss and then fixed everything?" He looked at his ex-boyfriend up and down before letting a small sigh out. "You should have stayed with him."

[Terrance Kellam]

"I did… I do!!" Everything he was saying was apparently coming out wrong. Where his powers on the fritz or something? He was a little too old to have his powers mess up.

No… it wasn't his powers. It was him… It seemed he had a talent for not being able to do anything right. It just happened to catch up to his speaking.

He stumbled inside. Terrance had to have known Rhett was going to move. Did he really think this whole trip was going to go smoothly? "More than right now… You know what I meant!" The years had been kind to Terrance. He kept himself in shape, and was always out and about having a good time, even after their break up. It was as if things had returned to 'normal,' his time before they got together. But after losing Rhett, 'normal' just wasn't the same. He kind of liked the jealousy; it made him feel important, like someone actually wanted, maybe even needed, him. After they broke up, he even tried to replace him, but that ended quick. Very quick. Now, ever since he was deemed useless, there were faint wrinkles on his face, extra pounds appeared, and more than the occasional gray hair sprung forth. After all, his life was completely gone at that point. It was time his body caught up.

'Jobless'… So he had figured it out. Terrance straightened himself up as best he could, looking around the interior of the house. Well, he was in. But it wasn't enough. He wanted him.

Rhett's words continued to pierce him. Had he always been able to do that? Everything he was saying was true, though, which was probably why it hurt so much every time he spoke. That, and knowing that it wasn't going to end well. "Let me fix everything now… Please… What is it going to take to for you to forgive me? I'll do anything…" Desperation. Terrance had nothing left.

He sniffled again, rubbing his nose with his right hand. The same hand went to massage his temple; it seemed as if a headache was forming, and it didn't help that he was still holding back tears. It was getting harder and harder to keep them at bay.

"PLEASE!" One tear slipped free, trailing down a cheek. Damnit… you weren't supposed to cry…

[Rhett Goddard]

((I'm sorry this took this long. I was back in hometown and for some reason never really posted on absence about the forthcoming lack of posts it would cause. 100% back now tho!))

"Anything...?" Rhett asked softly.

He sighed while taking a seat in the entrance stairs just outside the door. Fortunately, it was not rainy season and the weather was about dry and hot enough to be out in the street so early without much clothes and not feeling too chilly, otherwise, he'd have to ask T.K. inside so they don't freeze, and Rhett knew inviting his ex to his place was nothing but summoning for trouble. It wasn't even trouble, it was drama, and Rhett felt he had had his fair share of it to last for about his next two lives.

"Do you remember when we started?" He said while softly hitting the space next to him, inviting Terrance to sit. "I told you it was only for fun, I said 'we're only having fun'. You said ok." Rhett could remember the day like it was yesterday. He always liked to think that if he had a secondary meta-ability, it was total recall. "I warned you, I already have the love of my life and it isn't you. From day one, things were settled, you should have never loved me, Kelly. You should have never loved me and hurt me, because now all I can do, all my options, they will all hurt you."

Rhett sighed again as he looked at Terrance's eyes. It was a short moment, and afterwards, a voice sounded from inside the house.

"Rhett?!" It was male, it was yelling, it was coming from upstairs. "Where are you honey?"

"Or they will all hurt him." Rhett said.

[Terrance Kellam]

Thank GOD it wasn't raining. Rain normally happened in the movies when one person went to see the long-lost ex, drenching the cryer and making the entire scene so much more sad and depressing. All Terrannce and Rhett got was crack-of-dawn timing. No rain. Terrance was dry… Well, his body was. His face was wet from the tears.

Everything he was saying went in one ear and almost out the other. They weren't the words he wanted to hear. He wanted to hear something about being taken back. Or at least a second chance, in a few hours, when it was daylight. None of what Rhett was saying was comprehended. The other male upstairs, however, was heard loud and clear.

Terrance's eyes shot to the steps, looking up them as far as he could from his spot without moving. "…Who the hell is that?" His voice was unusually calm. But, he could feel the life drain from him. His thoughts were jumbled, a complete mess. He couldn't tell whether or not to run…

...or fight.

[Rhett Goddard]

"It's..." Rhett was afraid to say it, he was afraid to break T.K.'s heart.

Rhett had loved T.K. They had a great relationship, even if it had its ups and downs, it was good, or at least Rhett thought so. Well, at least until T.K. made that mistake. What was Rhett supposed to do? Stay alone? It wasn't like he could admit he could no longer be alone and had, sadly, become accustomed to having a boyfriend, but truth is, it was exactly like that. There was a sense of power and comfortableness that he could only get when he knew there was someone for him 24/7. It almost made him feel like they were his possession. Just like Odion left an empty space behind which T.K. filled, Terrance had left one too, which demanded to be filled as well.

"It doesn't matter who it is." He said calmly. "Look, Kelly, what did you expect? This is all your fault." He looked at his ex. "I accept your apologies, what else do you want me to say? Let's get back together? Is that what you'd like and what you came here for?"

[Terrance Kellam]

^{OOC: Note to anyone reading this, things are about to get… dark? I think. As this has played on, I can really only see TK going in one direction from this… So, be prepared… I just learned a phrase from Tumblr; it might apply. Trigger Warning?}

- - - - -

"…No." Terrance blinked, a little confused. He even took a step back. Suddenly, if he was feeling anything -- anything at all right now -- he wasn't. It spread from his chest to his arms and all over his body. Terrance wasn't really sure what was going on, nor did he seem to notice.

"I-I… I'm sorry for… for bothering you this late," he took a step back again, heading for the door. He opened it and took a step out, stopping to turn around and look at Rhett. "…" There were a lot of different things he wanted to say, ranging from 'I love you' to 'Thank you' to 'I'm sorry,' but for some reason -- this guy who could speak every language -- couldn't figure out how to say it. He kept quiet, closed the door and returned to his car.

He was really hoping Rhett wouldn't follow him. After all, there was another man in the house that he'd have to deal with if he did. He sat in the front seat, car off, windows up, thinking for a few seconds before opening the glove box, pulling out a bottle of alcohol. Terrance had brought it with him for the ride, managing to take only a sip.

But now… he was planning on drinking it all.

[Rhett Goddard]

Slowly, Rhett watched T.K. walk away. A part of him somewhere inside wanted to walk up to him a stopped him, but Rhett was never one to let his emotions, what little he had, drove him, if his brain didn't find a logical reason to stop Terrance, he wouldn't do it. Instead, he just stood there, leaning to the door's frame and looking at his ex-lover go away.

He sighed and turned around, grabbing the door by the knob just as his abilities warned him of something. He indeed had a reason to stop the man.

"Kelly!" Rhett yelled softly, afraid that he'd start the car and leave. "Hey!" He opened the backdoor and entered the vehicle, the time it'd take him to enter the co-pilot would have been enough for Terrance to leave. "Don't." He shook his head lightly while pointing at the bottle with his eyes. "You're smarter than this." He moved aside, behind the co-pilot's seat, and pulled the lever on the side of Terrance's seat, which, in one quick movement, rotated the back of the seat, making T.K. go from sitting up to lie down in his car. "I told you you should have this fixed long ago."

Rhett then, slowly, leaned towards T.K. in an attempt to take the bottle off his hands, but T.K. had always been stronger, one of the things Rhett liked about him, Rhett knew it wasn't going to be just reach and pull.

[Terrance Kellam]

FUUCK. Terrance listened as heard Rhett enter his vehicle. There was no way he was going to be able to sip his bottle now. Especially since he was suddenly looking up at Rhett, who had managed to recline his seat.

"Just… go back inside, please. Your boyfriend," emphases there, "is waiting for you." Was Rhett really caring about his safety right now, or was it just a curse of knowing what was probably going to happen had Terrance let himself drive home? The thought crossed his mind, and he was quite sure it was the latter.

He could feel Rhett trying to take the bottle away. Terrance only fought briefly; he didn't have the energy in him to keep it up. All he wanted to do now was drive… Far, far away.

"Take it… Can I go now?" He sat up, waiting until Rhett was out of the way before fixing his seat. He didn't really want to go, despite his current urges, but staying here was only going to make things worse, and he had had enough of things being 'worse.'