Chapter 2 ~ Geo ~
No home on Autozam was more precious to Eagle than Geo Metro's. It was quaint, calm, and incredibly soothing. He loved to escape the prison-like walls of the castle and run to Geo's shelter. He loved the way the place was a mess; Clothes scattered along the floor, old bags of potato chips and candy lying on the table from weeks ago, Zazu's beer bottles distributed here and there. He loved every part of it.
Geo and Eagle had been friends since they were children. They had met when Eagle, at age 13, had decided to run away from his father's "Reign of Terror" and become a poor boy. On the streets of Autozam, he had met Geo Metro, an orphan boy who was independent, confident, and good with the ladies. The two started out rough, but soon became wonderful friends. Even now, Geo was always around to watch after the clumsy Eagle, and now, Zazu Torque.
Geo was tall, well built, and quite handsome. He had had many lovers when he was younger, but now was content to get by helping Eagle. Eagle had made him Second-In-Command of his beautiful ship, the NSX. This made Geo feel important, and he often told Eagle he'd someday pay him back for all the nice things he'd done.
After Zazu had fallen asleep, Eagle and Geo sat on the couch in the middle of the dark. Eagle thought it best that he not return home tonight. He was scared of his father, and Geo knew this. There was always a place for Eagle in Geo's house. He stayed there frequently.
Tonight, they sat alone, not saying anything but enjoying the company of each other. Geo had his hand on Eagle's shoulder in reassurance while the upset Eagle sobbed a little into his hands.
"Listen, Eagle," Geo whispered. "I don't care what your asshole-father says. If you don't want to marry her, you shouldn't have to."
Eagle nodded and looked at Geo with tearful eyes. "I know, Geo, but I have no idea how to get out of it."
Geo grimaced, knowing exactly what Eagle meant. Vision would pulverize his son, even if he were his son. The thought of Vision beating up Eagle again and again made Geo ill and enraged. Geo remembered when Eagle had returned home long ago from his running away, he had heard him scream bloody murder. The following day, Eagle came out to see Geo with a black eye, swollen cheeks, and broken arm.
If there was not one thing Geo hated more than anything else in the world, it was King Vision. He knew that Vision disapproved of him too. In fact, the two hated each other so deeply that they were both on the verge of killing each other. Eagle also knew this, and that was why he tried to keep Geo in line when visiting his father. If a fight ensued, there was no telling as to what would happen. Geo would tell Eagle he did not mind what happened to him, but he could not go against the pleading look in his friend's eyes.
"All I want is your happiness, Eagle. You mean so much to me. I don't know what I'd do if anything were to happen to you…"
Eagle looked at Geo almost as if he were surprised. Then Geo realized he had said too much. He tried to say something else to cover it up, but Eagle stopped him by touching the hand on his shoulder, removing it from there, and holding it. "I understand, but I can't go against father. He'll kill me."
Geo smiled. "Aw, I wouldn't let him! That big weenie… I'd kick his ass!"
The duo laughed lightly, but not for long. Soon, each pair of eyes was caught in the others and the two just smiled at each other in the darkness.
"Well, I think I'll go to bed, Geo," Eagle said, rising to his feet. Geo nodded and watched him walk down the hall. "Thank you for letting me stay."
"You never need to thank me, Eagle," Geo replied. He heard Eagle laugh a little then stop as he reached his room. Geo remained on the couch for hours, sitting and thinking.
The following morning, Geo woke up to the bright sun hitting his face. He had slept on the couch. His back ached. "Damn," he muttered softly, but then he heard talking coming from the kitchen. Eagle and Zazu. He was happy Eagle was still here. Geo stood up and walked over to the kitchen. He rubbed Zazu's head harshly and laughed. "Out of your hang-over, kid?"
Zazu growled and tried to push Geo's arm away. "Yeah, well, at least I didn't sleep on the couch, loser!"
Geo picked up Zazu and tossed him over his back. "You little idiot! Don't mess with me!" Zazu screamed while Eagle laughed happily.
"I love being here," Eagle said. Geo and Zazu stopped what they were doing and turned to Eagle. He stood there, smiling. Geo was happy that Eagle finally looked like he was at peace. "I love to… To…"
"… Get away?" Geo finished. Eagle smiled fondly at him. Zazu looked from Geo to Eagle and back to Geo again. He blinked.
"I'm hungry."
Eagle and Geo laughed. "I'll make breakfast."
Geo watched as Eagle returned to his home. He desperately wished he could be there to help him fight Vision, but he knew he could not. He also knew Eagle was going to get the crap beaten out of him. He shuddered and prayed his Eagle would be all right.
His Eagle?
He did not just think that, did he? He did. Geo shook the thought from his head. Eagle was his best friend and he wanted to help him any way that he could. He hated Vision. He was probably the one who hated him the most in Autozam. All Vision did was make Eagle and the other inhabitants of Autozam miserable. Geo longed to put a stop to it. He could not wait until Vision died and Eagle was ruler of Autozam. Eagle was so kind and good. Surely he'd bring justice to the planet.
However, if Eagle were to become King, he would have to marry. If not Phoenix, some other lousy girl. Geo did not want this. He knew Eagle did not want that either. But was he really thinking only for Eagle's sake?
No, he was thinking for his own sake. Geo wanted Eagle free. He wanted Eagle to be with…
"Geo Metro…"
There was a pause. Geo knew that voice. He turned around to face a beautiful woman dressed in the usual Autozam color of green. He watched as a hand swept through thick, curly brown hair and saw the glittering green eyes eyeing him up and down. The girl smiled through exceedingly sexy lips and placed her two dainty hands on a thin waist. She cocked her head to one side, looking at him sweetly.
"Colleen Subaru."
The girl laughed and began slinking her way towards him. "That's right, Geo. You remembered me…" She brought one silky, gloved hand up to his chin and grinned. "After all this time, you remember who I am."
Geo pulled away. "I thought you had moved to one of Autozam's moons."
"I did," Colleen replied, her voice smooth and tantalizing. "But I came back. Six years away did nothing good for me."
"Well, I think you look great," Geo said truthfully. "God, I missed you…"
"And I missed you too, Geo."
There was a slight, but not awkward silence as the two gazed at each other, each recalling fond memories from so long ago. Colleen rested her head against Geo's chest, for she was much shorter than he. Geo gulped quietly and put his arms around her in a tender hug.
"After you left, I thought my life was going to end," Geo laughed. Colleen did too, happy he had broken the silence. "But it didn't."
"What have you been up to here on Autozam?" the woman purred. "Did you finally make a name for yourself?"
"I did." She said nothing and waited for him to go on. "I work for Eagle Vision."
That changed everything. Colleen seemed to jerk back in horror, her eyes wide and angry. "Eagle Vision? The Prince? That nerd?"
Geo crossed his arms. "We've been through this before, Colleen. I told you, Eagle's not a nerd. He's a great guy and my best friend."
Colleen glowered at him. She had always hated Eagle, ever since she first met him. He was weak and dumb. He never did anything but sit around and mope. "Is he still the same boy as he was when I left?"
Geo thought her tone was incredibly nasty. "You'd be surprised. He's a lot stronger."
"Pft," Colleen spat. "He'll still be the same weakling to me as he always was."
Without saying a word, Geo turned away and started marching back to his house. Colleen called after him, but he shrugged her off. "Listen, I'm not gonna have anyone make fun of my friends. So, get lost!"
The girl seemed to whimper at the comment. "But, Geo! I came all this way to see you. I thought that maybe we… You… Me…"
Geo stopped and turned to face her. She was near him and had been following him. "…Get back together?" he laughed. "It's been too long, and we're growing in different directions. Besides that, I won't have a girlfriend who picks on Eagle!"
"I…" Colleen murmured. "I don't know what to say…"
"How about saying you'll grow up?" Geo hissed. "You act like you're still 14!"
"Well, fuck you, too!" Colleen snapped back. Geo began walking away again. "That little twerp has you brainwashed! You're too cool, too macho for him!" she yelled as he disappeared into his house and slammed the door.
Geo eyed Colleen as she left from his window. "Good riddance," he grumbled, shutting the blinds. "I can't believe she's back."
He walked to his room and fell back on his bed. It was already dark outside. Eagle had stayed mostly the whole day. Geo sighed happily, remembering how satisfied Eagle was to be at his home.
Geo's home.
That made him feel special. Eagle loved being there, and that was all that mattered.
Colleen was right; Eagle had brainwashed him.