"Jack Spicer, I challenge you to a Xiaolin Showdown!"
It was the first time they had spoken in two weeks, if you didn't count all the gloating and insulting. It was usually Omi who challenged him, since he was the fastest Dragon to reach the Shen Gong Wu. But this time it was different. It was Raimundo.
In truth, Jack had missed Raimundo talking to him, hugging him, and kissing him, but maybe that was just for that night... that special night that had to be Jack's favorite night ever...
Jack narrowed his eyes at the green-eyed boy. "Name it." Showing that he loved the boy, in front of everyone else, was something the red-haired genius did not want to do. So he decided to put on a little mask while he was at it.
Raimundo, surprisingly caught on, but decided to play along and stood up confidently, still clutching one of the two handles of the cup, the new Shen Gong Wu. "My Falcon's Eye for your Gils of Himatchi. First one to find this Shen Gong Wu wins."
"Easy enough. Let's go! Xiaolin Showdown!" Jack and Raimundo bellowed.
In a blinding flash of light and sudden change of scenery, the two boys, one with fancy ninja armor, were standing on rocks, completely surrounded by water. They stood, glaring at each other, even though both new it was just a cover-up. Just after shouting the words to start the Showdown, Jack activated the Gils of Himatchi and dove underwater, searching frantically for the hiding Shen Gong Wu. Raimundo shouted his Shen Gong Wu's name and scoped underwater, seeking the mystical object as well. His eyes scanned over a pile of rocks, a mound of seaweed, and landed on a certain red-haired, finned, evil boy genius. His heart gave a jolt, and he lowered his Falcon's eye to his side, still looking at the place where Jack was, frowning slightly. He couldn't do it. He just couldn't face Jack anymore. He couldn't fight him anymore. It just felt too uncomfortable. Too weird.
"You can do it, Rai!" The Dragon of the Wind turned to see Kimiko over on the sidelines, cheering the loudest among his friends. Yes, he still loved Kimiko. He loved her with all his heart. He sometimes even when out to places with her; amusement parks, movie theaters, soccer games. But then why was it that he felt so uncomfortable fighting Jack Spicer? Was it because he knew that Jack loved him? Was it because he knew of the dreams Jack had? Shouldn't he face Jack like an enemy and take him down? What kept him from attacking?
Looking through the Falcon's Eye again, he jumped in surprise when he saw that Jack was a mere two meters away from retrieving the Shen Gong Wu. As quick as possible, Raimundo leaped in the air and focused his element on the water below, concentrating on the spot where the Shen Gong Wu was. A gust of wind came out of no where and started spinning in mid-air. The small tornado descended upon the water, driving the water away and revealing the piece of land where the wanted object lay.
And suddenly, Raimundo rocketed downward, hands by his side, eyes straight forward. The wind rushed passed his ears as he targeted for the said object. Jack immediately pulled off the Gils of Himatchi and dove for the Shen Gong Wu. Raimundo yelled and tried to control the wind to move against the force of gravity, but it was too much for him. As much as he hated to admit it, he was the least experienced Dragon out of the four. And now it was all over. He wasn't going to be able to control the wind, and he was going to smack into the earth's surface and die losing to the evil boy genius, Jack Spicer...
Suddenly, he was in a heap, arms out lying on his torso exhaustedly, legs tangled, on some soft surface. He didn't know what was going on. Raimundo peered up and saw Jack's pale, surprised face. It was then that he realized he was in the boy's arms. He had caught the Brazilian boy before he fell to the ground. With a split second to decide, he flung his arms around the boy's neck and dug his nose into his shoulder. He heard Jack gasp but didn't make a move to back away or get out of his arms.
"Thank you..." Raimundo whispered. Tears started to sting his eyes and he cried into Jack's shoulder. What if he had died? What would have happened? What would the Chosen Ones have done if they had lost the Dragon of the Wind? What would Jack have done? What if he would have turned Jack into an empty shell forever, like he said he was without Raimundo? What if...
Jack settled Raimundo down onto the ground, the air still keeping the water from capturing them. Then, with a smile, he reached out and picked up the cup, holding it by his side. Raimundo was so shocked. He had forgotten all about the Showdown and why he had almost died in the first place. The water swirled around them. It brought them back to the surface, where it had all started. With a few bright flashes and another sudden smile from the pale boy, they were back on the two rocks.
The others came over, including Wuya. "Are you all right, Rai?" Kimiko asked, concerned.
"Did you retrieve the new Shen Gong Wu?" Omi said.
"What happened?" Clay questioned, fingering the brim of his hat.
Raimundo glanced up at Jack, who was being congratulated by Wuya. Jack noticed this and glanced back, shooting him a knowing smile. Another smile, thought Raimundo. He didn't know what those meant, but watching him fly away with his ghostly companion, he decided that he'd figure out.
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Jack stumbled into his room, exhausted as hell. He collapsed on his bed, head first into the pillow. His goggles slid off his forehead and his flaming red hair and landed on the floor. Jack groaned and fished his hand out to try and find the missing goggles. When they didn't meet his fingertips, he turned his head and saw that they were lying a couple feet away. He groaned a second time and tumbled out of his bed, rolling over until the goggles were an inch from his head. Sitting up, he fixed them on and looked up, gasping at what he saw.
It was one of his newest robots. He usually kept his robots downstairs in the basement, otherwise known as his "Evil Lair", but this one he kept in his room, in private so no one could see. He had only started it a couple days ago. But he was so determined to finish this one, he worked hard day and night for its completion.
It was a robot of Raimundo.
He had thought of the idea after Raimundo left his bedroom. He realized that he really felt lonely without the tanned boy, so he decided to create a Raimundo for himself. A Rai-bot, he called it. Looking a bit closer, he saw that it was nearly complete. The head was already finished, the young boy's tan face, green eyes staring out into space. Everything else was basically finished as well, just for a few touches here and there. Reaching his hand out, he grabbed an abandoned wrench and started securing a screw.
In just a few minutes, Jack stood up to meet a finished Rai-bot. He beamed at himself and dropped the wrench at his feet. He felt the back of the robot's head for the switch. Brown locks were under his fingertips. Unlike the Chameleon bot, he made Rai-bot's hair real, not metal. And it was real skin, too. Clothes and everything. He had made him as human as possible. And invented the perfect chip for Raimundo's behavior. And then, flicking on the switch, Rai-bot turned to life.
The Raimundo Doppelganger took a couple minutes just looking around the room, as if trying to remember where he was. Then he noticed Jack and almost jumped in surprise. "Jack Spicer?"
"Hey, Raimundo. What's up?" Jack said as friendly as he could be.
"Why am I in your room?"
"You don't remember? The booze must've gotten to you. We were just hanging out, you know, playing some video games, soccer, basketball, all that stuff. We ate chips and soda while we were playing video games at night and you must've gotten knocked out. You were out cold. So I just let you stay over." Jack said, reciting his carefully practiced explanation. Then, with a shy manner, he said, "But you should probably head back to the Temple now."
This was a hoax. When making Rai-bot's personality chip, he made a few adjustments so that he'd stay here forever. So that he'd want to be here with Jack. So that he'd love Jack. Hey, you couldn't blame an evil genius for wanting something, right?
Rai-bot stared at him for a moment, blinking thoughtfully. He seemed to consider Jack's suggestion for a while, then shook his head slowly. "No, I... I want to stay here with you, Jack."
Jack grinned. Then he stepped forward and captured him in his arms. It was a while before Rai-bot hugged him back with just as much vigor, neither one letting go.
"You'll stay with me forever, right, Raimundo? You'll keep me company... you won't make me feel lonely... or leave me, like you do in those dreams..." then he corrected, "nightmares..."
"Yes, Jack... I won't leave you... Why would I leave the one I love?" Rai-bot whispered softly.
Either from happiness of hearing that, or sadness that it would never really happen, Jack started to cry. He cried into Rai-bot's shoulder and Rai-bot walked him over to the bed and they both sat down, Rai-bot rocking him back and forth and reassuring him that everything would be all right.
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Jack spent the next couple days with Rai-bot, playing video games, basketball, and soccer; talking to each other and laughing playfully; lying in bed together while Jack cried himself to sleep yet again with mixed happiness and sorrow.
One day, after a humiliating defeat in a Xiaolin Showdown with Kimiko, the boy genius stumbled into his bedroom, waving off Wuya. Wuya often slept in the basement with his robots, but lately she'd been trying to sleep in Jack's room. Long ago, Jack had told her to never go in his room, so she never did, even though she could have gone through the walls. He didn't want her to see his Rai-bot, so he denied. But he promised her that he'd make a little bed for her, made out of a basket and a couple small blankets. Satisfied for the time being, Wuya floated off downstairs, or out the door, or wherever she was going.
"Hey, Jack. Where'd you go?" Jack looked up to see Rai-bot getting off his bed and starting to move towards him.
"Somewhere in the mountains. I had a Xiaolin Showdown with Kimiko. Race to the bottom of the mountain. Her Third Arm Sash against my Fist of Tebigong. Lost pretty badly." Jack said calmly.
Rai-bot frowned as if he was thinking deeply. He cupped Jack's cheek and leaned in for a kiss. Jack kissed back with as much emotion, moving against the lips upon his. He had missed his robot friend, but he was starting to think this remedy wasn't as good-- not to mention, as clean-- as he thought it would be. He began to think it was a dirty way of trying to get rid of his loneliness, but he couldn't stop. It was like an addictive drug. He just couldn't stop. Partly because he didn't want to be lonely again, and partly because it was Raimundo.
He was still in-love with Raimundo. The real Raimundo. But they had so less time to talk or even fight, that it just seemed like they would never have a chance together. Jack still believed, but he knew there were so many things blocking him from getting Raimundo, that he just lowered himself to dreaming. In very nasty ways.
"Uh, Jack?"
Jack felt Rai-bot break off, and looked to his doorway, seeking out his intruder. If it was Wuya, that was not good. That was not good at all. But maybe then she's stop nagging about sleeping in the evil genius's room.
But with a sinking feeling, he saw that it was not Wuya. Not Wuya at all.
It was Raimundo.
The real Raimundo.
And that was even worse than Wuya.
Raimundo stood still for a second, surprised and confused green eyes darting from his own body to the one who made him. Jack saw that he was wearing the Golden Tiger Claws, and almost smacked himself in the head for not hearing them activate in his room. He had been so wrapped in his own thoughts and the kiss, that he hadn't bothered to listen for intruders.
"Who's that, and why does he look exactly like me?" Raimundo asked in a confused yet strict manner. Jack froze, feeling Rai-bot's own green eyes on him. He hadn't told Rai-bot he was a robot. Rai-bot believed he was the real Raimundo. And now, Rai-bot was going to hate him forever, even with that chip installed. And he'd lose yet another Raimundo, counting all the ones in his dreams.
"And why are you two in that position?" During the kiss, Jack's hands had snaked their way around Rai-bot's neck, and Rai-bot's right hand was stationed on Jack's hip. Raimundo's eyes seemed to linger on Rai-bot's hand, and then a look of understanding dawned on his face. "Oh, Jack, you couldn't..." and then he looked straight into Jack's eyes, a look of disbelief and pity on his face. "Jack..."
"Jack, what's going on?" Jack flinched, and started to pull himself away from their embrace. Rai-bot had finally spoke. But now it was too complicated. Why did Raimundo need to come in? He'd think Jack was a little sissy that couldn't take care of himself. And he'd pity him. Jack hated pity.
Jack started backing away from both of them, looking as terrified as ever. Both Raimundos had their eyes on him, though one's were only filled with confusion and maybe a hint of anger, while the other's had sadness and self-disgust. "Jack?" they both asked, though Rai-bot's voice was demanding, and Raimundo's voice was gentle.
Jack was now down on his knees, eyes fixed on the floor. He just couldn't take it anymore. Confusion, self-hatred, anger, sorrow—too many emotions were going through him at the same time, it hurt. And not having anything else to do, he just sat there and cried. Cried more than he ever did in his dreams, or after he woke up from those nightmares, only to find that he still hadn't managed to win over Raimundo's heart. Cried like there was no tomorrow.
Raimundo was pained to see that he was the one to make Jack cry like that, but moved on to the other problem. He faced Rai-bot, who had already turned away from Jack in that same confusion. Rai-bot frowned at him. "Who are you? Why did you make Jack cry?"
Raimundo flinched at the last question, but kept his ground. "I'm Raimundo. The real Raimundo. You're just a robot. Jack created you to get rid of his loneliness."
Rai-bot looked surprised at first. Then he seemed determined to believe he was the real Raimundo. "No, you're wrong! I'm the real Raimundo! I love soccer, I love video games, I love Jack!"
Raimundo was taken aback. He glanced at Jack's weeping figure, then rolled up his sleeves. "This is for your own good."
Then, with a jump and a kick, Rai-bot was lying in pieces all over the carpeted floor. Jack gave a high-pitched scream and stared at Rai-bot's detached head. He started shaking all over. "When I see a robot get destroyed right in front of my eyes, my heart breaks a little bit more."
"I'm sorry, Jack. I really am." Raimundo said, crouching down in front of Jack, looking back at the machine body of himself. Then he turned back to Jack. "But you can't do this. You can't get away from your loneliness this way. It's not healthy."
"It was the only way!" Jack exclaimed. "I can't have you, Raimundo. You belong to Kimiko. So why can't I just dream? Why can't I just pretend that everything's perfect? It'll make me feel so much better, Rai..."
Raimundo felt a stab of pain in his chest. Why was he the one that Jack loved? Why hadn't it been Clay, or Chase Young, or maybe even Kimiko herself? I guess that's just how love works, isn't it? Raimundo thought bitterly. He picked Jack up from the floor easily and they both sat down on his bed. Jack cried into Raimundo's shoulder and Raimundo frowned sadly in the distance. Why was everything so complicated? Why did love have to bring so much pain? Was that even normal?
"Why didn't you come visit, Raimundo...?" Jack whispered once he had stopped crying enough so that his breath came out in shallow gasps and his words didn't come out in moans.
Raimundo turned sharply at Jack on his shoulder. Why hadn't he visited him? He was too busy, wasn't he? Chores, training, seeking Shen Gong Wu—there simply wasn't enough time. So Raimundo told him that. But Jack said that Raimundo could've visited at night, when everyone else was asleep. And then Raimundo retorted that if he had been gone every night, eventually someone would catch him and he didn't want anyone to suspect anything.
This got Jack to cry again. Raimundo sighed. It sounded as though he was ashamed to be with Jack. And Jack probably thought that, too. Why did he always manage to hurt him? Couldn't he just say one thing without hurting the poor redhead?
And so Raimundo did the one thing he knew would comfort Jack.
He kissed him. On the lips.
Jack gasped and froze. He didn't know what to do. Slowly, Raimundo's hand lifted to rest on Jack's hip, making Jack close his eyes and moan. Wasn't this what he wanted? But it's so wrong, Jack thought. Raimundo belongs to Kimiko. I shouldn't be doing this with him. He shouldn't be doing this to me. But even before he could think about why the brunette was kissing him anyway, he was pushed back into his bed, head landing on his pillow. Raimundo moved his lips against Jack's and kissed him again while they both attempted to get comfortable on the bed. Raimundo ended their kiss and nuzzled Jack's neck with his nose. Jack felt so comfortable like this, so happy and content, he relaxed from his tense position. In truth, Raimundo was comfortable like this, too, but he dare not admit it. So they both lay there on the bed. Together.
"Raimundo," Jack croaked after a couple minutes of relaxed silence.
"Hn," Raimundo murmured into Jack's neck. He gave it a couple kisses, emitting some long-drawn moans from the other boy before Jack spoke again.
"Don't do this to me." Confusion panged inside Raimundo and all he could do was stand there and wait for Jack to continue. "You're just trying to make me feel better... and this will help for a while... but when I wake up and see you that you've left... I'll feel lonelier than before..."
A pause. Then slowly, Raimundo pulled away from Jack's neck (much to Jack's chagrin) and stared at him questioningly. "What will make your loneliness go forever?"
Jack turned his head to look at him. Red eyes met green. "Stay with me."
Green eyes widened. He stood still, shocked. And suddenly, Jack felt like she shouldn't have said that. He tore his gaze from his love's eyes and looked up at the ceiling. Raimundo stared at him for a good three minutes before wrapping his arms around Jack and resting his cheek against his shirt-covered chest.
"I'm sorry..."
Jack flinched. He was afraid of that. But Raimundo never let go. So, feeling happy and the empty space filled inside of him, he fell into a deep sleep. And he didn't have a nightmare. He had a dream with Raimundo, yes, but Raimundo didn't leave. He stayed. And they had fun together. They did things friends would do, but sometimes they did things only lovers would do. Kiss, embrace, hold hands, all those things.
And when Jack woke up to find the brunette nowhere in sight, he felt lost and disheveled, and the emptiness filled him again, even stronger than before, just like he had promised.