A Haunting on His Birthday
Another entry into "A Haunting" series I'm working on to celebrate Halloween! Hope you enjoy!
Cole frowned as he listened to his girlfriend Laura explain the situation on what was supposed to be his special day. "So let me get this straight - instead of celebrating my birthday with just us like we planned, we're spending it with your gay friend TJ who wants to mess around with some occult bullshit to talk to his dead boyfriend?"
Laura gave him a pleading look, placing her hand on his arm. "Please Cole, it would mean so much to TJ. He's still not over losing Lucas and I think this could really help him find some closure. We won't stay super late, I promise. Just humor him for a bit?"
"But why today of all days?" Cole was growing inpatient.
"It's Lucas's birthday too." Laura explained.
With an exaggerated sigh, Cole rolled his eyes, "Fine, fine. I guess I can put my own birthday on hold and play along. It's not like I had anything else important planned," he said sarcastically, his voice dripping with resentment.
"I know, I know." Laura frowned, "You have no idea how much this'll mean to him. And I promise it'll be worth it later." She planted a kiss on his lips and smiled.
He did his best to return the smile. But internally, Cole seethed. Of course Laura would choose to prioritize her friend's grief over his birthday. He had been looking forward to an intimate dinner, maybe a few drinks, and definitely some private time with his girlfriend. Instead, he was going to be a reluctant participant in some kind of occult bullshit for her gay best friend.
_______
A short while later, they arrived at TJ's place. The small apartment was dimly lit, scented candles flickering on every surface. In the center of the living room sat a large Ouija board, its plastic pieces gleaming under the candlelight.
TJ greeted them, his usually cheerful face etched with nervousness and anticipation. "Hey guys, thanks for coming. I really appreciate this." His gaze lingered on Cole a moment longer than necessary before he quickly looked away.
As Laura and TJ began setting up the Ouija board, Cole stood back, arms crossed, his jaw clenched tight. He couldn't believe he was actually doing this. If his buddies from work could see him now, they'd never let him live it down. They'd laugh their asses off, probably call him a pussy whipped bitch.
"Okay, let's begin." TJ said, the group gathering around the board, "Is there anyone there? Can you give us a sign?"
Cole wanted to roll his eyes so hard. This was beyond ridiculous. The planchette suddenly began moving on its own, gliding across the board. TJ's eyes widened.
"Oh my godā¦ Lucas? Is that you?" His voice shook with emotion.
Cole scoffed quietly. Was this dude for fuckin' real? He glanced over at Laura, hoping she'd share his skepticism, only to her looking equally enthralled. There's no fucking wayā¦
"Yes! Yes it is!" TJ cried out joyfully as the board spelled out L-U-C-A-S. He turned to Cole and Laura, tears streaming down his face. "It's really him! Lucas is here!"
Cole felt a twinge of sympathy despite himself. Losing someone you loved must suck. But still, couldn't they have done this some other time? Like maybe not on his actual fucking birthday?
As if reading his mind, Laura elbowed him gently. "Just bear with it, okay? This means a lot to him."
Easy for her to say. She wasn't the one having their special day hijacked. Cole sighed heavily, his patience wearing thin. "Yeah, yeah. Let's justā¦get this over with."
"Happy birthday, babyā¦" TJ cooed, addressing the empty air. "I miss you so much. Do you have any messages for me? Anything at all?" The planchette remained still.
And then, the lights in the room began to flicker erratically, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Cole felt a sudden wave of nausea wash over him, his vision blurring. "Whoaā¦I don't feel so goodā¦" He gripped the edge of the table, trying to steady himself. The room seemed to spin around him, colors blending together in a dizzying kaleidoscope.
"What's happening?" Laura gasped, her hand flying to her mouth in shock. "Cole? Are you alright?"
Before he could respond, darkness enveloped him. The last thing he registered was the sound of his own body hitting the floor with a thud. Then everything went black.
When Cole came to, he found himself staring up at the concerned faces of Laura and TJ looming over him. "Cole? Oh god. What happened?"
Cole tried to speak, to reassure them that he was okay, but found his vocal cords frozen. He attempted to sit up, to reach out to Laura, but his limbs refused to cooperate. Panic rose in his throat as he realized with dawning horror that he couldn't control his own body anymore. This didn't make sense. Why couldn't he move? Why couldn't he say anything? Whyā¦
"Heh sorry about that." Cole heard his voice. Yet it wasn't him speaking, "We should get going though. I'm done sitting around playing with this bullshit." He felt his arm gesture towards to ouija board.
"Butā¦ Lucas. Iā¦" TJ whispered.
"I said we're done. We've already wasted enough time." Cole didn't necessarily disagree with what he was saying- but fuck it wasn't really him saying it, "C'mon Laura."
Laura followed Cole to the car, her brow furrowed in confusion and concern. "What's gotten into you? That was rude, even for you."
Cole felt his lips twist into a smirk, his body turning to face her. "Aw c'mon babe, it's my birthday." He smiled, "Wait right here, I forgot something inside."
With that, he spun on his heel and headed back towards TJ's apartment, leaving a bewildered Laura behind. Internally, Cole screamed from within his own mind. What the hell was happening? Who or what was controlling him now? And why were they taking him back to TJ's place?
As soon as Cole entered the apartment, TJ whirled around, his eyes wide with shock and betrayal. "Cole? What are you doing back here? Did you forget something?" He sniffled, hastily wiping away tears.
"Shhhā¦ it's okay. I'm here now." His voice was soft, almost tender. Inside, Cole recoiled in disgust and horror. This wasn't him. None of this was him!
TJ gazed up at him, searching his face. "Butā¦ but you left. You said you were done with this."
Cole reached out, brushing away the tears that streaked down TJ's cheeks with his thumb. "Shhhā¦it's okay baby. It's me, Lucas." He cupped TJ's face tenderly, his voice low and soothing. "I'm here now. I'm not going anywhere."
TJ's breath hitched, fresh tears spilling forth. "L-Lucas? Is it really you?" He searched Cole's face intently, hardly daring to hope.
In response, Cole leaned in and captured TJ's lips in a passionate kiss. TJ melted into it instantly, his arms winding around Cole's neck as he returned the kiss fervently.
Inside Cole's mind, he screamed and struggled against the foreign presence inhabiting his body. This was wrong, so wrong! He wasn't gay, he didn't want this! But no matter how hard he fought, he remained trapped, forced to watch helplessly as Lucas apparently made up for lost time.
TJ moaned into the kiss, his hands fisting in Cole's hair. "God Lucas, I've missed you so much," he gasped between heated kisses. "I thought I'd never see you again."
Cole's stomach churned with revulsion. He wanted to gag, to push TJ away, but his traitorous body continued to press closer, deepening the kiss.
"I know, I know." Lucas whispered with Cole's voice, "But I need to go. Before Laura gets suspicious." He smiled, "Meet me at our old spot tomorrow afternoon. I love you babe."
------
The next few days passed in a blur for Cole, each one more humiliating and terrifying than the last. He watched helplessly as Lucas, using his body, snuck around with TJ, engaging in increasingly intimate encounters.
They met up at their "old spot", a secluded park bench where they made out passionately, hands roaming and clothes becoming disheveled. Cole cringed at the lewd noises his body produced, the breathy moans and whimpers that sounded nothing like him. This wasn't him! He was straight, he didn't want this!
Back at home, alone in his bedroom, Lucas took full advantage of his borrowed form. He stripped off Cole's clothes, admiring the toned physique in the mirror. Running his hands over the firm chest and abs. Giving his perky ass a tight squeeze. Cole shuddered with revulsion, feeling violated and powerless. This wasn't his body to explore! But he was a mere passenger, unable to stop Lucas's wandering touch.
Worst of all, Lucas sent explicit photos of Cole's body to TJ - tight shots of his ass and crotch, accompanied by flirty captions. "Wish you were inside me", "He's so tight, babe." Cole wanted to die of shame.He begged silently for it to end, but Lucas merely laughed, reveling in his new body.
Worse yet, despite Lucas's efforts to maintain a 'straight bro' facade in public, there were moments where his true nature slipped through. Like when he caught a glimpse of himself in a store window, admiring Cole's physique with a hungry look in his eyes. Or when he accidentally used pet names for TJ in front of Laura, calling him 'baby' and 'sweetheart'.
Internally, Cole screamed, trying to tell them it wasn't him, that something was wrong, but his mouth wouldn't cooperate. Lucas clearly knew jack shit about football, basketball, baseball. Hell, he didn't even understand half the things his bros talked about. All Lucas cared about was getting back to TJ, sinking to his knees and pleasing him- in Cole's body! He wanted to gag at the thought. To add insult to injury, Lucas started dressing Cole in tighter, more revealing clothing - shorts that hugged his ass, shirts that strained across his chest.
The change in Cole's demeanor became more and more apparent. Much to Cole's horror, Lucas was not exactly a pro at rocking the whole "cocky straight bro" vibe. Where once he walked with confident swagger, now he swayed his hips seductively, putting an extra sway in his step. His voice took on a higher pitch, words peppered with giggles and valley girl slang. He couldn't carry on a conversation about sports or cars to save his life.
Cole cringed inwardly, mortified. This wasn't him! He was manly, confident, secure in his heterosexuality. But now, his coworkers and friends eyed him warily, muttering amongst themselves. His circle of friends grew more distant by the day. His buddies at work stopped inviting him to hang out. And all Cole could do was watch. Watch as Lucas ruined his life.
And then it happened. One evening, as Lucas and TJ lay entwined on the couch, a somber mood settled over them. Lucas traced idle patterns on TJ's bare skin, his expression thoughtful.
"TJā¦ I can't stay much longer. My time here is limited." He spoke softly, almost regretfully. Cole's heart leapt at those words. Finally, an end to this nightmare! Soon he'd be back in control of his own body, his own life. No more of this sissy gay bullshit.
TJ propped himself up on an elbow, gazing down at Lucas with worry etched on his handsome features. "What do you mean? Don't say that." He stroked Lucas's cheek tenderly. "Can't we find a way for you to stay? Pleaseā¦"
Lucas sighed, pulling TJ close and nuzzling into his neck. "I wish we could baby. Believe me, I wish we could." He pressed a soft kiss to TJ's pulse point. "But my energy is fading. Being tied to a physical form takes a lot of effort. I can feel myself slipping awayā¦"
Lucas held TJ tighter, his voice low and earnest. "I may not be able to stay with you physically, but I can give you the man you deserve. Someone who loves you, who worships the ground you walk on. Someone who craves your touch, your loveā¦"
He trailed off, pressing a lingering kiss to TJ's lips. Cole's mind reeled. What the fuck was Lucas talking about? He just wanted Lucas to get the fuck out. To leave.
Lucas closed his eyes, focusing inward. Cole felt a sharp, stabbing sensation in his skull, like a thousand needles piercing his brain. He cried out in agony, writhing against the onslaught. His memories, his very identity, began to shift and morph. Straight lines blurred, colors ran together. Images of women he'd been with, replaced by images of TJ. Himself on his knees, servicing TJ. Himself spread open, begging for more. Himself craving cock, desperate for it. Begging for it. Craving it. Needing it. Wanting it. Loving it. Desperate for it. Begging for it. Craving it. Wanting it. Needing it. Loving it. Desperate for it. Begging for it. Craving it. Wanting it.
Cole screamed, thrashing against the invasion in his mind. He saw his high school football team, running drills under the hot sun. The ball, the cheers of the crowd, the camaraderie of his teammates. Suddenly, it shifted. He was in the locker room. On his knees. His teammates surrounding him. Cheers turned to jeers and catcalls. "Suck it, slut!" "Take it like a good little bitch!"
He blinked, and he was in college. At a frat party, beer pong cups scattered across the table. His girlfriend straddling his lap, kissing him deeply. Her blonde hair, her floral perfume. Her breasts, soft against his chest. Now dark hair, cologne, stubble scratching his chin. Firm pecs against his. Hands gripping his hips, pulling him closer. A dick grinding against his ass.
Fishing trips with his buddies morphed into spa days with his besties, pedicures and gossip. Sports outings and tailgating with his buddies shifted into vibrant pride parades. Wild college frat parties warped into pulsing nightclubs, grinding bodies and dancing under flashing lights. Even his dedicated gym routine twisted - no longer pumping iron to build muscle mass, but sculpting his ass for the locker room quickies.
With each memory rewritten, Cole felt a part of himself slipping away, the gay submissive persona solidifying. He could feel his sexual orientation shifting, his desires changing.
"TJā¦" He thought.
Memories of TJ flooded Cole's mind, a kaleidoscope of stolen kisses and groping hands. Lazy Sunday mornings in bed together, cooking breakfast in matching aprons. Couples yoga classes, their sweaty bodies pressed close as they held challenging poses. Intimate conversations about their hopes, dreams, fears. Waking up next to him, tangled in sweat-soaked sheets. Moaning his name in ecstasy. Begging for more, harder, deeper.
The pleasure and intimacy of these memories was tinged with confusion. Why did they feel so wrong, yet so right at the same time? He knew there was something he should remember, something important, but it kept slipping just out of grasp. Lucas's presence faded, his influence diminishing. The final thread of the supernatural connection snapped.
"Goodbye, babe." He could hear Lucas say as he departed, "I know you'll be happy from now on."
Blackness. Then slowly, awareness trickled back. Cole's eyes fluttered open, blinking in the unfamiliar dim lighting of TJ's apartment. His head pounded, his body aching like he'd been run over by a truck.
TJ's eyes widened in fear as Cole stirred awake, his heart pounding. Oh God, what if Cole woke up furious? What if he realized what had happened and blamed him? He prepared himself for anger, for accusations.
But as Cole's bleary eyes focused on him, TJ froze. Cole's gaze was fixed on him, wide and adoring. A small, dreamy smile formed on his lips.
"H-hey there, handsome~" Cole's voice was pitched higher, softer. Almost a lisp. He sat up slowly, drinking in the sight of TJ like he was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. He giggled, a sound completely foreign to his usual gruff tone.
TJ stared in disbelief, hardly daring to breathe. This wasn't Cole. Not the Cole he knew, anyway. This version wasā¦ different. And the way he was looking at him, with such open adoration and desireā¦ it made TJ's heart race.
"God TJ, I want you so badly. I need you inside me."
TJ's eyes bugged out, shock clear on his face. "Cole, what the fuck? What are you saying?" He was cut off as Cole captured his lips in a searing kiss, all tongue and heat.
Pulling back with a breathless giggle, Cole grinned. "Why wouldn't I want my sexy boyfriend to fuck me?"
TJ hesitated only a moment before surrendering to the kiss, to Cole's touch. His hands roaming the curves of Cole's body. Cole moaned into his mouth, grinding down against the growing bulge in TJ's pants.
They broke apart, panting. Cole's pupils were blown wide with lust, his cheeks flushed. "Take me to bed, baby. I need you so fucking bad."
Some time later, Cole and TJ emerged from the bedroom, both disheveled and satisfied. They posed for a quick selfie, capturing the perfect image of a loving couple - TJ's strong hand resting possessively on Cole's pert rear as Cole peppered his neck with soft kisses.
From that day forward, Cole embraced his new identity fully. His relationship with Laura ended. His friends and colleagues barely recognized the changed man - gone was the macho jock, replaced by an out and proud gay man always eager to please his boyfriend.
Sometimes, in quiet moments, Cole would catch a fleeting glimpse of his old self. A stray thought, a phantom memory. But it was always quickly swallowed up by the warm glow of his love for TJ. His desire to be TJ's slutty bottom boyfriend. This was his reality now. His truth. And he wouldn't have it any other way.
