Fans and Lovers

Writer's preface:

The Margot in this story is not necessarily me. This is a work of fiction and fantasy. But there are definitely parts of me in her.

For more information on the universes of the non-existent (as yet) Wraithskater and L'Ombreteur, The Mirropality of Earth and the Echodom of Materdusk, skip to the appendices at the end.

Disclaimers

For those unfamiliar with Yaoi, it is a genre of Manga that features stories of love and romance between males. Often containing explicit sexual content, it is primarily written and drawn by female authors and artists, and typically aimed at a female audience. I find it fascinating in its parallel to our society's genre of lesbian porn written by and for men. And it's also kind of hot, unless you are one of the people turned off by such things. If you are, I suggest you click away now.

FANS AND LOVERS

The Meet Cute.

A voice pierced through the din of the bustling comic convention floor: "I absolutely loved how they developed the relationship between the protagonist and his crush. The sexual tension between them kept me hooked throughout the entire story! It's what I love about Yow-ee," said the girl, speaking with enthusiasm to be heard above the commotion.

"Ugh," thought Margot, standing next to one of the many colorful booths amid myriads of enthusiastic fans, "It's pronounced 'Yah-oi.'"

A second girl nodded in agreement, then added, "Yes, and the artwork was stunning! I think that is what I love most about Yow-ee"

"You could even rhyme it with 'boy.' That would be easiest for English speakers, but not 'Yow-ee.' Should I say something?" Margot mused as she appreciatively sized them up.

The first girl was wearing a vintage Human Torch t-shirt paired with denim Daisy Dukes. Her bright green eyes sparkled with excitement as she listened to her friend. A colorful headband adorned her auburn hair.

The second girl spoke in calm confident tones, her flowy boho-style dress marked with an intricate pattern. Her brown eyes conveyed a thoughtful and analytical nature, as she commented about the graphic novel.

"The way Zariya Ranmaru captured the emotions of the characters in each panel was just incredible. But I must admit, I was a bit confused about the subplot involving the throwaway characters. Do you think they'll explore it more in the next volume?"

"God, am I pedantic," Margot thought to herself, her brow furrowing slightly as she contemplated whether to interject. "These girls probably love Yaoi more than I do."

Taking a deep breath, Margot recalled the work of linguist Steven Pinker, who emphasized understanding and receptiveness in communication.

"Language is meant to communicate ideas and bring people together," she reminded herself. "It's not about being a stickler for details. I should be focusing on what they're saying and appreciating their enthusiasm for the genre."

Just as Margot had resolved to let go of her fixation on the mispronunciation and join in on the conversation, she heard the voices of two men in the adjoining display booth discussing The Wraithskater series. The men were tall. The first, a muscular blonde with bright blue eyes behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, was listening to the second man who had dyed metallic blue hair that contrasted sharply with his pale wiry frame. Their animated conversation interrupted her reverie, and drew her attention away from the earlier discussion. With her new commitment to true communication, she approached the two men to strike up a conversation, eager to share her thoughts and opinions on the series they all loved.

Muscle Blonde wore a soft, tight t-shirt that simply said "Wraithskater" on it in a repeating pattern that evolved into "Wraithsgater." It clung closely to his body, showcasing his taut abs. The backpack, slung carelessly over one broad shoulder, was open and the comics inside were about to fall out. His enthusiasm for the things he loved was contagious, and Margot couldn't help but be drawn to him.

Wiry Blue, nearly the same height, was quite skinny. He wore a plain white tee under a black leather jacket and ripped form fitting jeans and had several piercings in his ears. He spoke quietly, hesitantly, almost apologetically, but with an air of mystery that made him irresistible to her.

Wiry Blue was passionately explaining his theories about a recent plot twist, gesturing with his hands to emphasize his points. "You see, they have to be setting it up that Wraithskater and L'Ombreteur were lovers on Materdusk before L'Ombreteur acquired their powers. It has to be."

"No. It was during L'Ombreteur's experiments with the dark arts in the Mirropality while trying to acquire the Dominaura that they became intertwined." Muscle Blonde countered enthusiastically.

"You're about to lose your purchases."

The men turned to face the cute little strawberry blonde, who continued, "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help overhearing your discussion. I'm a huge fan of this series too. And you," pointing a finger of her delicate hand towards Muscle Blonde's backpack, "are about to lose your purchases."

"Thanks, I guess I was careless in the last booth." Muscle Blonde said as he zipped his pack shut.

"So, about your theories..." Margot said.

The men's eyes lit up with excitement as they realized they had found a fellow fan; of course her tight jeans and cropped halter top didn't hurt either. She had certainly dressed to impress. Her straight hair hung loosely about her shoulders and the boys caught the mild coconut scent of her shampoo.

The 20 somethings were soon laughing and talking as if they'd known each other for years. The attraction was strong and mutual, so they exchanged contact information and agreed to meet later at a little coffee shop close to her hotel.

Margot couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness at having met two kindred spirits. She flashed them one more of her sweetest smiles and walked into the crowd.

"I wonder if they could be more." she pondered to herself. The earthier, more sexual parts of her mind started planning. Her mother had been a voracious reader and amongst her old books, Margot had found a tattered old copy of Women on Top. When she picked it up to thumb through it, she thought it may have been a 90's self help book about women climbing the corporate ladder. A closer look revealed that it was an examination of women's erotic fantasies. What she read titillated her. Perhaps it even broke her, because she was never the same again.

And she wanted to make one particular fantasy come true. When the time arrived to meet the men at the coffee shop, she walked with confidence, present in the moment. A calmness overtook her as she opened the door and strode in.

The Invitation.

Margot's gaze swept the café, looking for her new friends.

"Hey, Margot"

"Over here."

Muscle Blonde, and Wiry Blue had arrived first at the coffee house, which was suspiciously near her hotel and decked with art prints and original paintings. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled her with a warm buzz as she walked beneath the soft glow of the hanging Edison bulbs to the corner booth where the two men sat. The chatter of other patrons faded to the background as she settled in.

"Well, aren't you two eager?"

"Punctual." Wiry Blue corrected.

"I was punctual, You were early. I only state what I see."

"And what do you think you see?" he asked.

"My new best friends, silly," she mocked.

"Well, I for one am happy to be that," said Muscle Blonde.

"Have you two ordered?"

"Seriously, we just got here and snagged this booth." Muscle Blonde intoned.

They called the barista over.

"Three espressos." The two men glared at each other as their words overlapped.

"Speak for yourselves, boys. I'll have a latte, miss."

'How cute;' She thought. They had both tried to order for her. Where had they learned that move? Was that the best they could do?

A playful smile and then the bait, "Why doesn't the Dominaura affect L'Ombreteur?"

Muscle Blonde ran with it, "That's the enigma isn't it? Everyone knows its power— 'it bends the wills of whomsoever Wraithskater touches.' It should work on anyone, right? I bet it has something to do with his new existence here. Maybe it's as simple as: it's against the laws of physics in the Mirropality."

"Use your head," Wiry Blue chided. "In The Echodom, L'Ombreteur is a woman. They clearly transcend the boundaries of gender, maybe even reality itself. There is no way the Dominaura could ever have had a hold over them. As I was saying earlier, I bet they were lovers on Materdusk."

"But Wraithskater is the guardian of the thin line between dimensions—the Wraithsgate. When he was thrust into the Mirropality, he clearly lost some part of himself in the transition. Even his name got mangled in translation. But underneath it all he is still The Wraithsgater, guardian of Wraithsgate. I bet if he got back to The Echodom and safely in Wraithsbed Manor on Materdusk, he'd be able to use the Dominaura on them."

Margot began to shape the direction of the conversation, "The Dominaura's influence.... It's an irresistible force, but we know he is hesitant to use it. That's his weakness."

"Clearly, he has trouble controlling it; and yes, it's his weakness. And it is true he wrestles with the ethics of using it. But he also drains himself when he 'skates' through solid objects. It's like he's tethered to the Mirropality now, unable to fully access his abilities," Muscle Blonde observed.

Wiry Blue jumped in, "That's true. He clearly exudes the Dominaura whether he wants to or not. I mean, he dresses like a riverboat gambler and no one notices? And why does Wraithskater seem to lack a reflectoid? Everyone else he knew in the Echodom has a reflectoid of some form here in the Mirropality. Even L'Ombreteur are somehow fused to themselves. Maybe he is just half a being."

"Think about this: Love and desire can be powerful motivators; We don't know the history between them beyond the Wraithsborder. Maybe they had a deeper connection—an intense connection. A connection that still exists. What might you be willing to do if you wanted someone bad enough..." Margot interjected.

"You think L'Ombreteur seduced Wraithskater?"

There was a lull; Margot's suggestion troubled Muscle Blonde.

"Margot, are you suggesting that L'Ombreteur holds the upper hand in this battle?"

"The Dominaura's ineffectiveness isn't a coincidence; it's a deliberate choice. Wraithskater doesn't want to influence L'Ombreteur because," She said the nest words slowly and deliberately. "He. Desires. Them."

"They would seize that power to reshape both worlds according to their twisted vision of Utopia," Muscle Blonde was subtly moving closer to Margot. He couldn't help himself. Women became more attractive when they challenged him.

She continued baiting them, "I think L'Ombreteur's quest for the Dominaura shows that they are willing to do whatever it takes to make a difference. Wraithskater, on the other hand, seems to be content with maintaining the status quo. In many ways, L"Ombreteur is the stronger hero."

Muscle Blonde sipped his coffee then leaned closer to Margot, "So, what does this mean for Wraithskater? Is he just a pawn in L'Ombreteur's game? A weak hero with a tragic past?"

"These characters are more than just heroes and villains. They embody the complexities of human nature, It's up to us to look deeper, to paint their true picture."

Uncertainty rippled through the men's minds.

Muscle Blonde remained unconvinced. "But Margot, Wraithskater has faced countless challenges, overcome obstacles, and protected the innocent. You can't deny that traditionally, a hero is supposed to act altruistically. Subsuming your own desires for the greater good is hard. How can you say he's weak?" he asked.

Wiry Blue was starting to buy in to her argument, "It's a difficult pill to swallow, but we can't dismiss Margot's point. Love can be a powerful source for manipulation. If L'Ombreteur shared a romantic connection with Wraithskater in the Echodom, it adds an entirely new layer to their rivalry. Their seductive influence might have clouded Wraithskater's judgment, leaving him more susceptible to their machinations."

The fanboys didn't notice Margot's mischievous smile as the image of Wraithskater, once an unwavering symbol of strength, now appeared more fragile in their minds.

Muscle Blonde, a stubborn devotee, responded first, "But L'Ombreteur's methods are reckless and dangerous. Wraithskater is more careful with his power, using it when it's truly necessary. We can't ignore the consequences that come with their actions."

Wiry Blue responded, "But, couldn't L'Ombreteur's pursuit of the Dominaura power be seen as a way to push Wraithskater to reach his full potential and make a real difference?"

Was Wiry Blue trying to impress her? She felt herself getting wet from the excitement. She had changed his mind and his friend began to mirror that fragility.

"What if neither is purely good nor evil? Perhaps their actions and motives challenge our preconceived notions of heroism and villainy," she pressed.

They stared at her, trying to comprehend what she was saying.

"Are things really so black and white?" Leaning forward and looking conspiratorially at her friends, her eyes glowed steel blue and impish. "Imagine if the power to manipulate people existed in this world. Just like in the Wraithskater series."

"Think about sex and sexuality. What if desire is the true Dominaura?" She continued, her voice low and seductive. "What would you do if I had such power and asked you to come to my hotel room?"

The friends shifted nervously in their seats.

"Would you do it?"

Silence.

"Think of it this way. We are in the Echodom. The Wraithsgater and his reflectoid are sitting across from me, L'Ombreteur. We invite you to Ombrefell."

The friends stared at her, their eyes widening.

She turned to Muscle Blonde, "You indicated earlier that the Dominaura would certainly affect L'Ombreteur if Wraithskater could ever return to Materdusk and be Wraithsgater once more. Are you still so sure? Materdusk is a world of possibilities; whatever you want is yours. But you have to step beyond the doors of Wraithsbed if you want to explore our sexuality."

She tapped the table to emphasize her point. "I can assure you, desire is stronger than The Dominaura. You could have sex with me, but you risk unintended consequences. Would Wraithskater take that chance?"

As they pondered the implications of Margot's proposal, the debate took on a new dimension. The conversation's intensity fueled the attraction both men felt for Margot, their desire mixed with admiration of her intellect and insight. A new layer of complexity entered their friendship and each imagined what the future might hold.

"So, what do you think?" Her voice offered warmth in the cold silence. "Will you join me in my hotel room? Or will you stay here and debate comic books?"

The two men gazed at her, their eyes full of desire and apprehension. Margot's invitation was a world of unknowns. But they had been drawn to her since her first words, and the thought of what could be tantalized them.

They nodded.

Margot smiled; there had been no doubt. "Excellent. Follow. Let's see what the night has in store for us."

They left the coffee house and started for her nearby hotel. The two men walked with purpose, their eyes furtively glancing from side to side as they considered the implications of Margot's proposal.

Wiry Blue was the first to speak up. "Look Margot, I'm not gonna lie. I want to have sex with you, but I'm not comfortable doing it with my friend in the room."

Muscle Blonde chimed in. "I feel the same way. I mean, I want to explore our sexuality too, but I don't want to do it with him here. Can we make it so it's just you and me?"

"But I want you both. Of course, we could make it so that it's just you and me. But if we did that, you would never know what pleasures I have in store for the both of you." Margot leaned forward, her eyes now sparkling as she continued, "I'm drawn to the L'Ombreteur character because they are always willing to try something new - something not many people get a chance to experience. So, I want you to be prepared to do whatever I say, no matter how strange or unconventional it may be. Do you agree?"

As the two men hesitated, Margot saw and relished their weakening resistance. She wasn't Wraithskater with his moral code, afraid to use the power of the Dominaura; she was L'Ombreteur unleashed and in possession of that precious superpower.

"I only want to show you what pleasure truly means, uninhibited by preconceptions. I want to help you explore and share your sensuality. I want you to open yourselves to experience the freedom of giving and receiving pleasure without judgment or shame, and let go of any stigma or social expectations. Allow yourself to become aroused by witnessing two people connecting passionately, without inhibition. Enjoy every aspect of intimacy; it's liberating."

Margot sighed heavily. She could feel their tension almost crackling in the air.

"I've never done this before," Wiry Blue stated quietly. Almost a whisper. Almost an apology.

"I'm here." Her voice thrummed in anticipation as she nurtured their desire. She could almost believe she had been transported to Materdusk and was now wielding the Dominaura. "I will be with you. I'm not leaving. I'll lead you both into this territory, where pleasure is abundant and nothing is off limits."

She was laying it on heavy, turning the heat up on their desire. It was almost Biblical.

"Imagine the thrill of experiencing something completely new with each other. My body will be a garden that we explore together. You will experience indescribable bliss."

Muscle Blonde replied, "If you are suggesting what I think you're suggesting, then it won't work. We're friends. I don't want it to get weird."

"Friendship is exactly why it won't get weird. Authentic friendship will only be enriched, intensified without guilt or fear ."

Wiry Blue Added "I believe that is true. I just... wouldn't want anyone to know."

She ignored his objection and continued, "I'll introduce you both to something new and wonderful—both your bodies entwined with mine, we will discover all that is possible when two men come together and create something new with a woman."

Electric shivers ran through her. She could feel their resistance breaking.

"Allow yourself to confront what exquisite pleasure lies on the other side; embrace this experience. This Love - beyond all labels or norms can redefine boundaries. It will be beautiful— a reminder of how pleasurable it is just to feel alive in one another's presence."

"That's all good in theory," Muscle Blonde interjected, "but we've never even considered anything like this before."

"Of course not. Beauty on its own terms has no place in a society like ours which also distrusts pleasure. So under what circumstances could you possibly have considered it. Don't fear it, embrace it. I just want you both to experience the joy. Don't be afraid or ashamed of it."

Wiry Blue's eyes began to glaze over.

"But if our friends found out, they'd think..." It was Muscle Blonde starting to break.

"It's not about being gay or straight—it's about experiencing new heights of bliss together with no rules or expectations, just pure pleasure that comes from sharing an intimate connection like never before..."

She paused and appraised the two men tenderly. Nourishingly. "You don't have to decide right this second, but think of it as an opportunity - not a risk."

As they stood outside her hotel, the two men looked at each other nervously. their eyes speaking volumes. What did they have to lose? Finally breaking through their hesitation, they nodded to each other.