23
Sep

Always Somebody Better

by Tsukizubon Saruko (月図凡然る子) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/91692.html) The first time he met Austin, River was sitting on the curb on 50th Street just past Radio City Music Hall, trying not to puke or have a freaking breakdown or whatever it was he was about to do. Which was embarrassing enough by itself. He’d been there for […]

23
Sep

The Gentleman Game

by Torino Koji illustrated by chaosraven (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/92152.html) July 4 London felt clean and old and free compared to Heidelberg and the base Patrick Carter had been living on for the past two years. He stepped out of the gate, past security, rucksack over his shoulder, and felt almost adult-like—seventeen and given nearly free reign […]

23
Sep

Quiver

by Izumi (イズミ) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/92188.html) He’d been watching for weeks now, sitting on the sidelines and wasting time before he had to go home. There was no reason he could explain with words, only a pressing desire to be here as the targets were rolled out, the bows strung, and the soft smacking sound made […]

23
Sep

Be Gentle With Me

by Kuruki (来木) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/92460.html) After weeks of unfulfilled need that hours of heavy exercise hadn’t begun to dilute, Ale was finally home. He followed Ethan into the apartment and dropped his gym bag before kicking the door shut. The place smelled of Ethan’s spiced coffee and deodorant, but was lacking the essential ingredients of […]

23
Sep

Of Touch, Taste and Sound

by Moriyama Shinobu (森山荵) (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/92925.html) I felt the seal begin to give as I pulled the tab on the foil, and I could practically see the first tendrils of rich, earthy aroma hitting my nose. I couldn’t, of course, but it was as though I could, the way the scent tickled just at the […]

23
Sep

After I Win

by Critical Strike illustrated by olukemi (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/93135.html) It’s halftime. I can hear my blood pounding in my ears almost loud enough to drown out the screaming crowd and cheerleaders, before the noises dissolve into the halftime show. Coach is patting me on the back, and on some level his words sink into my head, […]

23
Sep

World’s Finest

by Takiguchi Aiko (滝口アイコ) illustrated by calintz (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/93799.html) The first thing Keith Manning had taught him was the workings of the Lair’s database.”You’re the one who wanted to be useful to me,” he had said when Elias had complained. “Utilizing your existing skills, that’s useful.” It had taken months of system administration before Keith […]

23
Sep

After Medals

by Hacy Morris (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/93997.html) Champagne was sloshing out of the glasses in our arms as Steven and I stumbled into the bedroom. I groped for the lights but only managed to switch on the little row of lights by the window, which were hardly bright enough to see by. Before I could find the […]

23
Sep

Walter Farley is Rolling in his Grave

by Nijiiro Sumi (虹色 墨) illustrated by Ramie (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/94538.html) He opened his eyes, flat on his back in a wood. It was too perfect a place, the trees all the same height and color, as if someone had taken a rubber stamp to the world. The smooth, slender trees had no branches anywhere except […]

23
Sep

Suicide Kings

by N. Kaouthia illustrated by iyori (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/94758.html)   Suspend your belief about Las Vegas house odds, ‘cuz baby, I’m up twenty grand at Caesar’s Palace and still winning. I am hitting the big bucks at the high stakes table and no one is busting me just yet. “Thanks, baby,” I tell the dealer, Chris, […]

23
Sep

Strenuous Activity

by Zanni (mirrors http://s2b2.livejournal.com/95114.html) The sun. The grass. The fence. Yes, he even hated the fence. Ben hated all of it. He hated the court, the rackets, the exercise. After three hours of practice, his arms had the consistency of spaghetti noodles made of jello. Ben had only played tennis before for a single week, […]