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Chapter 6: Competetive Males

Nobody dared speak their story after such a touching tale. Nick's emotion could make almost anybody believe in him. Nick would assure his audience that it was simply a tale, but he would never convince Daniel. The title of Nick's book was too similar to his own, and the events of what his book was capable of matched what Daniel believed his own book could do. The class ended about twenty minutes before the scheduled end, and Daniel made sure to leave before Nick did so he could talk with him before writing class started.

Daniel camped outside the door, acting nonchalantly as each of his classmates passed him by. He smirked at those who gave him a glance, some of them looking bothered at Daniel's friendly gestures. Society today...

Nick emerged just before Mrs. Avery, the two of them bidding their goodbyes to one another. Nick waited for her to walk around the corner before turning to Daniel and smiling. "Got an A+ on that. So, did you like it?" Daniel chuckled nervously, looking around at the unknown students passing by them in the hall. He couldn't say what he truly wanted in the middle of skeptical students. "It was brilliant, Nick...but after writing class, I need to talk with you. It's nothing bad, I swear." Nick's cheerful smile dimmed away, Daniel feeling guilty already. "It's not like that, Nick! I just..." Daniel looked around him, feeling as if every student walking by had heard the story. He looked up into Nick's eyes with a stern look. "I have a reason to believe it..."

Nick's smile returned as he leaned against the wall outside their classroom. He shook his head and gave a little chuckle as he rubbed the back of his head. "I understand I may have made it sound true with the tone in my voice, but believe me, Dan. I can be a pretty damn good actor when grades are on the line." Daniel grunted, shaking his head. He wasn't about to be called a sucker...directly or not. "No! I'm not gullible!" Daniel growled, not caring anymore if anybody was listening. Why would they care? They didn't hear the story. "I...I have a book too!" Nick tilted his head, shaking it in disbelief. Nick had enough trouble believing that "Paws of Ice" had magical attributes. How could he believe that there was another book out there? Even more so, what were the chances of a similar type of book being so close to him? It could have been anywhere else on Earth!

Daniel growled louder, grabbing Nick by the wrist and leading him back to the dorm. "I'll prove it!" Nick jerked his hand away, furrowing his brows at the feisty Daniel. "Fine, Dan. We'll go see your book after class...Jesus." Nick grunted and walked towards the room where their next class would be. Daniel was angry and needed to cool off for now. He'd go into the classroom once the professor had arrived.

Daniel went around the corner to where the elevators were. He paced around the fairly sizeable floor, some of the other students in the chairs by the walls glancing at him curiously. Daniel cared not what the others were thinking of him at that time. He didn't care about anything, for that matter. His head was filled with an unquenchable rage, fed by something so simple as a petty annoyance. His eyes fell on something that sparked a wild desire in him.

He saw a lighter on a table, unclaimed by anybody. Nobody was sitting anywhere near it, so it must have been forgotten by its owner. He felt a rush of excitement as the possibilities of what he could do with this lighter surged through his mind. He could set fire to the potted plants just next to the elevator, the flames bursting through the metal doors to fry the cords that held the elevators up. He imagined there would be people inside the elevators, screaming as they felt the sudden dropping sensation that rushed blood to their heads. Then they would be crushed under the heap of metal and debris as they collided with the ground. Daniel bit his lips as he thought of one of them surviving...to see their loved one suffering as metal pierced their stomach and forced them to live...live until sweet death came to rescue them.

"What the FUCK!?" Daniel thought loudly in his mind. He felt so ashamed for what he thought. He had to get away from the lighter. Why did he still want to burn this building to the ground? Why did he get such a kick out of the thought of ending someone's life? He knew he had sick thoughts before...but he was about to act on them. The lust for destruction was so strong. How could he let himself think like this?

Perhaps it was just a phase...like the male equivalent of the menstrual cycle. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, and thanked his overcoat for hiding the bulge in his pants. Daniel headed for the classroom, hoping to find a seat far from Nick. He was still a little angry with the other boy, but he would try to patch things up later.

Daniel and Nick sat apart from each other, both still a little aggravated with the other over their small conflict. Daniel started feeling ashamed for trying to force Nick back to his dorm. Could Nick feel like he's being threatened? No...Nick was tough. He took down Hector with ease, and he could do the same to Daniel if he had to. In fact, maybe this little argument was healthy to their relationship. He thought of the video he saw in his sophomore year of high school about giraffes fighting for dominance. There were two giraffes sizing each other up, one being just a little bit taller than the other. They stood neck and neck, side by side, and the tour guide stopped his vehicle to have his guests watch what he knew was about to go down.

In a split second, the giraffes started bending their necks down and slamming their horns into the vulnerable underbellies of each other. The loud thuds each of them made sounded like two cars crashing into each other head on. The violent bashing against one another went on for at least two minutes before the smaller giraffe submitted defeat. The two of them stopped hurting one another and walked away...together. The narrator even mentioned that these two giraffes were spotted eating from the same tree later. Perhaps humans were like this too...perhaps Nick and Daniel were just having their little fight for dominance in their friendship.

Mr. Pease walked into the class looking like he just woke up with a huge hangover. He sniffled repeatedly, making irritating sounds with his tongue as he staggered over to the teacher's desk. The room was a clone of the previous room, only this time all 25 seats were filled. Mr. Pease stood in front of the class, looking around with one eye half-closed. How could anybody take this guy seriously? His clothes looked unwashed. He had a huge white beard that made him look like a wizard without the hat. Hell, he could have been the 60 year later version of the white wizard Gandalf.

"So...turn in your books to page..." Mr. Pease closed his eyes, snoring loudly as he bowed his head to the class. Nick was the first to show his disapproval as he rose up from his seat and opened the door. As soon as Nick unclicked the doorknob, the professor found himself.

"Welcome to Rhetoric and Composition 101, I am Mr. Pease. I have three cats. We write stories in this class. Turtle pecan blizzards aren't actually made with turtles!" The entire classroom stared at the professor, confused beyond mortal comprehension. Nick shut the door, sitting back down in his chair. He had to see this...

"Now...does anybody feel a little better after I just did that?" The class started chuckling some as they slowly realized that the professor was jerking their chains. "Students, this is our first date...day together, but I need to impart this literary device I...poorly demonstrated." Mr. Pease began writing something on the board. He quickly moved away to reveal what he wanted the class to know. "Comic relief!" Mr. Pease slammed his hand on the podium, waking any unattentive student from their slumber. Daniel was already in love with this guy. Nick was just...shocked.

"Many young writer's put so much work into their stories that they've been making ever since they were tods! Their imaginations build this world where they are the mighty protagonist that saves everything, and they see every important scene so vividly...but when they write their story, this key element is almost always unfound. Who knows why comic relief is so often neglected in unpublished stories?" Nobody raised their hand, and Mr. Pease didn't expect any hands. "Very good, class! There is no reason! I'm pleased to see an increase in realization at the lack of comedy in the world, but we still have a long way to go! Our culture is built on suffering to succeed, so we are masters of tragedy. We want to stay in our bubble of tragedy, hoping our immense knowledge of it will bring us to glory. However, how can suffering bring us forward? Well, someone did say once, 'Only through suffering do we become wise.' I can attest to this, but I have no time to give you my life story today. Now, let's assume that we've all suffered in our lifetimes to a great extent. We've accumulated vast knowledge on how to succeed in life! Now...are you willing to put forth that knowledge?" Mr. Pease paced back and forth in front of the class. Every eye was locked on him, and ears locked on his winged words. He was saying something important...and everybody knew it.

"Comedy and tragedy fit together like Yin and Yang. The ancient Greeks knew this, and they would host three tragedies followed by a comedy...and they made sure to end with the comedy! Immaturity, slapstick, puns, satire, anything that would insight laughter, and in some rare cases annoyance, can help us fight the depression from tragedy. We learn from tragedy, but need healing from comedy. This does not just apply to books! Think back to your teachers in grade school, middle school, high school! You either needed to have the analytical mind to learn for yourself, or have a teacher that knows damn well the importance of comedy. Not only does comedy heal us from tragedy, but it heals us from boredom! Do you think your teachers slipped up when they mispronounced the word 'circumscribe' and said 'circumcise'?" Some of the students were giggling now, bringing a smile to Mr. Pease's face. "Exactly, class...those teachers knew damn well humans have a short attention span. If you pay attention, you'll notice that every time there is a gentle uproar of laughter in class, your attention span is renewed...provided you've had enough sleep."

Mr. Pease went the whole lecture speaking of the importance of comedy. Nobody would forget his words. After class had ended, Daniel waited outside the door for Nick. Nick was already outside, and he jumped Daniel, roaring like a lion as he noogied his friend. The two of them laughed heartily, Daniel holding his head in pain, but not caring. It was true...comedy was one of the greatest healers. "Let's head back to my dorm! I'll show you my book." Nick didn't look offended at all. He gladly followed his friend, curious as to whether his claims were true or not.

Daniel discussed the video about the giraffes with Nick, feeling it would help his friend understand what they were doing. Nick listened to his friend closely, enjoying the critical thinking Daniel was putting forth. It was good to have a friend who he could have an intelligent discussion with.

"Well, if we truly had our fight for dominance, then one of us would have to actually win." Nick smirked, shoving Daniel to the side and almost knocking him down. Daniel growled, but smiled as he looked back at him with a fake anger. "Oh? Then perhaps we should finish this then..." Daniel began running after Nick, the other sprinting away to Daniel's dorm.

Nobody stopped them along the way. Perhaps Hector and his friends weren't willing to stick around with Nick in the mix. Nick had arrived first at Daniel's door, trying to open it to get in. Of course, it was locked. Nick turned around to see the ferocious Daniel jumping at him, pinning him up against the door with an animal's strength. Nick proved himself to be an adequate fighter again as he bucked his hips forward, pushing Daniel's bottom half back enough for Nick to bend his knees and escape from under Daniel. As Daniel turned around, Nick got up and pinned Daniel back against his door. Nick was standing in a different position, not letting Daniel escape in the same fashion. Daniel laughed some, struggling to get free, but to no avail. "I give!" The two of them were laughing at each other for a short time before the laughing quieted down.

The smile's slowly faded as they locked eyes with one another. Daniel knew what was going on in the other's head...but he wanted Nick to be the one to decide if this was the right time or not. Daniel waited eagerly, heart fluttering as Nick's lips drew closer and closer. Just before the connection was made, he hesitated. Daniel let out a disappointed whine, almost wanting to force the kiss. "Sorry...I'm just not ready to move on yet...and not like this." Nick sighed, backing off so Daniel could open the door and let them in.

Daniel opened the door, letting the two of them inside to unpack their school supplies and get into a comfortable spot. Daniel made sure that Nick was watching him when he went to get his book.

Daniel moved to his desk, sitting in the seat there and pulling the book off of its resting spot. He showed the cover to Nick. "Paws of Fire. If you look inside, you'll see only a few pages filled. And I'm the main character, I think. Isn't that like the story you described?" Daniel didn't feel nervous at all about revealing this to Nick. The speech Nick gave instilled confidence in him. Nick looked at the book curiously, stroking over the paw on the front. The book didn't light up...

"Well...it's not letting me in." Nick looked up at Daniel, a little amused by his look of disbelief. Nick opened the book, reading a few pages. He nodded and pushed out his lips, looking like he was grading a paper of some sort. Daniel felt defeated. He had just made a fool of himself in front of his friend.

Nick reached the end of the book as of right now, and closed it. He looked up at Daniel, not saying a thing and not moving an inch for what felt like a whole minute.

Nick handed the book back to Daniel before standing up and leaning back against the out jutted wall that hid the bathroom. "So...there really is another book." Daniel sighed, glad to know that his friend believed him now. Nick looked down at Daniel, nodding to him approvingly. "Damn good acting, huh? I have talents in hiding my excitement" Daniel giggled, nodding in agreement to Nick's claim. "Well, I guess I can trust that you believe my story as well. Man, you have no idea how excited I am for you right now." Daniel wasn't exactly excited. The last scene he remembers so far...he was being beaten up by Shah. "Nick, I'm not so sure those are the right words."

Nick shook his head. "From what I've read, I believe you are in safe hands. It sounds like you might be the one in this 'prophecy' that Shah is speaking of." "Explain..." demanded Daniel.

"Well, if your book works like mine did, then all of your wounds inflicted will heal every time you leave the story, provided that you aren't fated to die during your sleep time in the book. Even then, you will not be wounded, but don't expect re-entry. Shah mentioned that if you truly were the human in the prophecy, you would recover from his test. Well, I don't think you have any scars on you." Daniel nodded; there wasn't a scratch on him from when Shah laid down his lash upon him. "And if that isn't enough to convince him. Why don't you go back while wearing your normal clothes? You were naked last time, and the sudden appearance of clothes should help him to believe."

Daniel smiled. Nick made a good point, after all. Daniel just had one more thing bugging him. "So, why are you happy for me? What do I have to gain from going back and forth with this book?" Nick responded, "My book had romance, action, sacrifice, comedy...I'm sure there's more but I can't think of them right this second. Now, from what I've read, your partner in romance seems pretty obvious." Nick grinned mischievously. Daniel knew who Nick was referring to...Uraku. "Daniel, Aveyi might have fallen in love with me for my heart, but she fell in lust for me from the way I moved my body. I bet the animal humanoids in your book are just as easily seduced as mine were...or, the one I was with anyway."

Daniel was burning bright red. The thought of teasing that big hunk Uraku...and letting the big sexy thing ravish him...ooooh. He didn't care if it hurt...he was partially masochist.

"Don't feel ashamed to get into his heart through his cock, Daniel. The heart and groin of a male are very connected, and it's only natural. I don't know if Uraku's gay or not, but there's only one way to find out." Daniel disagreed with that. "Nick, he jerked me off. Isn't that enough to say that Uraku's probably gay?"

Nick shook his head. "I've jerked friends off before. I consider it a theraupeutic procedure to help your friends in rough times. Heck, one time at band camp..." Nick snickered, shaking his head. "Well, my point stands. Gays fall in love with their own orientation. I'm just a straight guy that doesn't mind doing other males a few favors if it helps them out."

Daniel felt excited to hear this. There was a chance he could sleep with Nick after all...or was there? "But now you don't do anything because you found someone you loved?" Nick nodded in agreement, sighing. "I'll always feel like I'm cheating on her if I go back to my old ways. My heart wants her and her alone, and my loins are no exception."

Daniel nodded, not wanting to press this issue any further.

"Okay...I'm going to head back into the story. I want to know what happens next now...and maybe get laid ." Daniel wasn't a virgin, but he never slept with a fictional character...it just seemed odd that the opportunity presented itself. "Don't feel rushed either, Daniel. You can always get to know him well first, then put the moves on."

Daniel nodded, grinning goofily as he rubbed his hand over the "Paws of Fire" paw print. The book glowed brightly and swallowed Daniel, ready to take him back to the book's world.

For the next few chapters we'll be staying in the book's world, so prepare for much fuzziness!