The garden’s thick, deep earthy smell assaulted Alex, the smell of dirt and grass. He walked into the place, calling, “Hello?”
There was no sound, as he went down the stone steps to the pool of water at its base. He sat down next to it, setting down his backpack. He let the warmth of the place fill him, the power course through him. He relaxed, let his toxic waste leak from him into the clothes and the air, the grass. It didn’t burn.
Said a voice behind him, “I thought I felt something off.”
Alex turned around to see a tall blond man in a loincloth, shirtless and barefoot. His blue eyes were dark, not with anger, but with the typical lust and desire that Alex knew the garden would create.
“Off?”
“No offense, but you’re toxic.”
“I’m aware of that,” Alex said, turning back to the pool. “You must be Casey.”
“That, I am,” said the blond man. He walked around Alex and sat down across from him. “You’re Toxicon, the one who did all that damage in Florida.”
He frowned. “I suppose that’s what I’m going to be famous for.”
“You did what you had to do. I know how it is.”
“Do you?” Alex brought up his green back-lit eyes to stare at Casey
Casey did not look away. “I’ve been in more wars than any man has a right to be. I killed men for breathing, for merely being on the other side. It’s what I had to do at the time.”
“And now?”
“Now? I try not to kill anyone.” He waved a hand, encompassing the overgrown garden. “This place has shown me what it’s like to live life. To give life, to breathe life. this place heals more than the body; it heals the soul.”
Alex looked back at the pool. “I guess that’s why I’m here.”
“You feel guilty?”
“Yeah, maybe.”
“Your soul is hurting?”
Alex nodded. Casey scooted closer to him. Casey sat lotus style, his knees almost touching Alex’s legs. Alex moved back instinctively, but Casey reached out and touched his leg. “Don’t move away.”
“You’ll get–”
“No, I won’t. I’m immortal and this place will heal me.”
Alex settled back in place. He saw that the grass had burned where he sat, but new shoots grew when he moved. “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t hurt me.” Casey smiled, and moved a little closer, this time his leg touching Alex’s. Alex looked at the contact, skin separated by his own denim. Casey put his hand in the pool of water, and searched, finding Alex’s hand in the water. He entwined his fingers around Alex’s, lifting Alex’s hand from the pool.
Alex waited to see Casey’s flesh fall off, exposing muscle and bone. But it didn’t. Casey’s thumb traced circles and spirals on Alex’s palm. Alex found himself breathing faster, his jeans at his groin getting tighter.
Casey raised himself to a kneeling position over Alex. Alex looked up at him, watching as Casey slowly leaned toward him. When Casey’s lips tentatively touched his, it was like lightning struck his groin and made his member swell immediately. Casey leaned back, studying Alex for a moment.
“You know what this place does,” said Casey, his voice husky.
Alex nodded. He removed his hand from Casey’s, and cupped the back of Casey’s head, pulling him down.
Alex felt his soul cry out in happiness.