literature

Not Quite So Simple Challenge

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“So, let me get this straight…”

Adrian craned his head to the side, his azure eyes instantly clashing with his older brother’s caramel eyes, watching the seventeen year old lanky boy making himself comfortable by leaning back on the sofa, hands clasped loosely on his stomach. Sean momentarily paused, his awareness increasing as soon as he noticed he got Adrian’s attention – silence dragged on for a full second before he spoke again.

“You lost your virginity to Nicola,” he slowly said, almost as if he was trying to make sense of the revelation that his fifteen year old sibling just sprung on him two minutes ago. Part of Sean was tempted to ask why exactly he was telling him this now when something as important like that should have been kept private. Then again it came as no surprise really. “When did all this happen?”

Adrian hiked up his broad shoulders in a light shrug, casually tapping against his knee socket. This was how he expected Sean to act, asking questions in order to find out more pieces of information. Of course the dark haired teenager didn’t mind being in the so-called proverbial firing line; after all there were scarcely any secrets hidden between the two boys. It had always been that way while growing up in the Mason household.

“You know that holiday we had one and a half month ago in Spain?” he asked to which his brother responded with a firm nod. “Let’s just say Nicola and I snuck out of the hotel one night and we done a lot more than taking a romantic walk on the beach.”

“Bro, don’t tell me you’ve knocked her up. You’re way too young to-“

A sudden rush of anger filled Adrian, a low growl resonating in the back of his throat. He scowled fiercely, instantly shutting Sean up. “Shit, I’m not that stupid, Sean! I used a condom, alright? You satisfied now?”

Sean realised a pent-up sigh of relief. Even though he considered himself to the most level headed  and calm person out of the two, he honestly wouldn’t know how to react if Adrian had gotten his girlfriend of five months pregnant. Oh well, at least he was currently practicing safe sex so no big deal. Sean raised his hands in a mixture of a surrender and an apology, instantly defusing any bad feelings lingering between them.

“Listen, I was just making sure,” he gently reassured as a now composed Adrian swooped up a gamer control from the coffee table. The video games console reeved to life as soon as Adrian pressed the medium sized button in the middle of the controller. “You can’t blame me for simply watching out for you, Adrian. Right?”

“Yeah, yeah.”

He wasn’t being ungrateful or anything like that as deep down he appreciated Sean’s concern for his well-being. However all he wanted to do right now is to play a couple of his favourite games and having a laugh while maybe kicking his brother’s arse in the process. School wasn’t until ten hours away, so he’d much rather spend his time engaging in a bit of fun. What was the harm in that?

As the game’s title screen appeared, featuring the words Blades Of Steel with red trickles of blood running down some of the letters (while two battle hardened, muscled male warriors in the background lunging at one another with swords at the ready), Sean decided to follow suit and take up his own controller. A metallic sound, clanging very quickly, echoed from the TV’s speakers as soon as Adrian flickered through the many modes and options. He soon stopped, selecting Vs Mode and then the screen turned black shortly before going into another screen displaying twenty odd fighters of both genders that they can choose from.

Just then he noticed Adrian sporting a cheeky smirk – something Sean knew all too well, especially when his brother seemed to do it during times of competition. Now what was he up to? Before Sean got the chance to voice that thought aloud, Adrian turned towards him, his eyes ablaze with unrestrained excitement.

“We’re going to play best two out of three matches and whoever wins get fifteen dollars,” he explained, cockiness lacing his voice. “The loser has to pay up and do the washing up for a week.”

Sean’s eyebrows quirked as he fought back a snigger. So, this was his big plan all along. Not very challenging considering the fact they both made bets like that in the past year or so. It was all but a easy walk in the park as far as Sean was concerned. Apparently Adrian had something hidden up his sleeve for he chuckled darkly.

“Only you’re not supposed to use it-“ his controller swayed slightly from side to side as Adrian moved his wrist. “-with your hands. You’ve got to use only your elbows.”

The oldest boy couldn’t disguise his shock at the statement as his mouth parted, no words coming out from it. That sounded so damn impossible, unbelievable even. Before he accepted, he needed to be very clear on one important issue.

“This does apply to both of us, yeah?”

“Of course, man. It’d be more interesting that way.”

“Fine, whatever. Let’s do it.”

“Bring it!”

Once they selected their characters, Adrian choosing a demon possessed knight armed with a massive sword while on the other hand Sean choosing a gladiator wielding a war club with spikes attached, they positioned their controllers in their laps and placed both sets of elbows above the controller’s buttons. It looked like they were fighting in an arena in a desert what with sand cascading down on a huge statue of a beautiful half naked woman that was situated outside of the caged environment. The sultry sound of Middle Eastern music played in the background, adding to the overall atmosphere.

It would have been tranquil if it weren’t for Adrian arrogantly boasting, “You’re going down so hard!”
Day 2 of Flash Fiction Month.

Prompt by :iconjoe-wright: - You're not supposed to use it with your hands.
Word Count: 1,000 words.

When I first seen this prompt, I actually sat there bewildered, asking myself, "What can't you use with your hands?" After having no such luck in finding any answers while googling it, I decided wouldn't it be fun yet challenging to play a video game using your elbows instead of your hands. And that was what inspired the birth of this story :XD:

Besides, it was a good excuse to explore Adrian (otherwise known as Agent Arizona) along with his brother, Sean, during their teenage years. Brotherly love mixed with friendly competition for the win!
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artiste-reveur's avatar
The first and second parts of the story don't really tie together (other than the fact that it's the same characters).  It would be cool if you could pull their initial conversation through to the game bet.  I really like the idea, though.