TF Story Exchange: Can a Friendship Survive Swapmas?
@thegreatstoryteller I feel extremely greatful to have gotten a chance to write a story for you, this year. I have always loved your work. I wish you the best this holiday season and a great upcoming year. And, I hope I pleased you with this story!
Ned stared at the screen, as minutes passed by. His mind filled with worry. The same worry that always plagued his life. He couldn't help it; it was part of his DNA. Every choice in his life was a never ending debate of possibilities. Even this morning, he spent 30 minutes deciding whether or not he should eat a bowl of cereal. The same breakfast he had for the past 10 years. So, why wouldn't this decision be harder to make? The one that's currently staring right back at him through the screen.
A sense of pride hit was beaming through him. He was able to find it. It took months but he was able to find it. He was able to find a way to give his friend the best Christmas present in the world. A chance to finally be happy. A chance to give his friend a new life ... one that Ned really thought his friend deserved. He searched the dark web and now he was one click away from buying a body transformation serum. A serum that gives the drinker the body of their dreams. A few more moments pass and he weighed the outcomes. And, he clicks to confirm the payment. The page crashed. And, he searched for it again and again. But, nothing showed up. His stomach knotted up, as 10,000 dollars would leave his bank account. And, a part of him instantly became scared that he just got scammed.
Meanwhile, Theodore came walking through the front door of the apartment. His heart was broken once again, as he sulked through the apartment. The events of the night replayed in his head over and over again. Theodore knew that a night like tonight would be another reason, of many, to support the fact that his life sucked. He saw Ned on the computer. Ned's worry died as he saw the hurt in his friend's eyes.
"Hey, how did it go." Ned said with a huge amount of concern. But, Theodore just walked past him and straight into his room. Ned sat in the tense silence again debating if he should go talk to his friend or not. Ned cursed at himself for even having to think about this. Of course the right answer was to go comfort his friend.
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They were more than friends. They were best friends. Ever since grade school they were inseparable. While the other kids played house or sports, the two of them would play make believe. They'd pretend to live in their fantasy world. Where the two of them could be wizards that had magical powers, space agents looking for alien life, or one of the other many possibilities. Of course it wasn't all fun and games. They were constantly picked on a lot for being weak, scrawny, and dorky looking.
And, things just kept getting worse. Once middle school came, it was constantly filled with bullies that would harass them at any given moment. They spent many days eating lunch in their science teachers class room. They spent a lot of time running home after school. Although, they both hated it ... Theodore took it harder.
"I hate myself, Ned. Why are we like this? Why do we play nerdy video games, see baby shows .... Why are we nerds? Why aren't we stronger? Why can't we just be like the other boys..." Theodore would complain.
"Theodore, we don't need to be like them. You're cool like this. You're smart and they don't get that. One day they are gonna be working for us." Ned laughed to cheer up his friend.
But, for Theodore ... Those words didn't make things better. And, as they got to high-school, things would get a lot more complicated. The same guys that would bully them, in elementary and middle school, now became jocks. Their body's transforming due to the effects of puberty and working out. But, both Ned and Theodore stayed their scrawny nerdy selves. The bullying continued and the resentment Theodore had towards himself grew. But, all Ned needed was their friendship in order to survive this period of his life.
"I don't get it Ned, guys like them ... they don't deserve the bodies they have. They're villains. We are good guys. If we had bodies like that ... we'd be heroes." Theodore would constantly say. And, Ned would just listen. He would realize he loved Theodore. He would begin to write in his journal ... about their lives together. At the same time, Theodore was realizing there was more than just jealousy towards the "cool" guys. Watching them in the locker rooms and having their bodies pressed against him, was turning him on. He also was realizing he was gay.
Both of these young men tried to keep it a secret. But, it wouldn't stay so. Ned journal would get taken and copies of the pages would flood the halls of the school. As a result, the two boys would be outed and even more made to be outcast. They also had to work on maintaining their friendship. Theodore was furious at Ned. And, Ned felt a tremendous level of guilt. But, at the end of the day ... all they had were each other. Theodore made it clear that Ned wasn't his type. And, Ned needed to learn to be okay with that. But, despite all the mess, their friendship only grew stronger. And of course being to gay young man ... they still played around together.
Now, they were both roommates sharing an apartment as they tackled college. And, Ned finally saw hope. They had made it through the rough years. The bullying had stopped. They've found people and places that accept the gay nerds they were. So what if they don't get invited to traditional parties? They are a step closer to being the version of themselves Ned always knew they'd be one day.
But, Theodore did not see it that way. He continued to try and be something he wasn't. He'd go to the gym for short sprints of time ... to get that jock body. He'd try and get invited to frat parties. He still held on to the dream that he could change who he was. No matter what his genes or mind said, Theodore had a strong feeling that his life shouldn't be like this. He should be cool; he was born in the wrong body.
Seeing his friend grow more and more depressed as the years went on, Ned knew he had to do something. And, that's what led him down his months-long journey to find the transformation serum. And, all of this was the reason he knew he had to walk into that room and comfort his friend.
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"Hey, so ... um ... what happened?" Ned asked as he poked his head in to comfort his friend.
"I don't want to talk about it." Theodore said as his face laid into his bed.
"Come on ... it can't be that bad. So, he said no? There are other guys out there." Ned tried to reassure his friend.
"No, man ... It's bad. I really thought James was different." Theodore sighed.
"Why, what did he do?" Asked Ned.
"He was just like the rest. Maybe worst. I thought this whole time ... he might actually like me. I know I'm scrawny and weak. But, I thought he'd like a twink like me. But, these gym 'bros' always suck. At least the others were straight up. They'd make a proposition like me doing homework for a chance to touch them. But, James has been tricking me this whole time. Only he didn't have the guts to tell me upfront. Another dumbass jock that wanted his homework done. Worst is that he's straight. He couldn't stop laughing at me for thinking ... I thought he actually liked me." Theodore vented.
"Theodore ... that sucks. But, come on man ... we can't attract jocks. We are the definition of nerdy guys. There are plenty of guys that would like you. But, they aren't gonna be at the gym full of university jocks." Ned tried to help.
"I don't know Ned ... I just hate my life. I love you for always being there. And, I know what you are saying is true. But, this is just not right. I look at myself and feel like I should be ... no ... I need to be something else ... someone else." Theodore sighed.
Ned debated telling Theodore about the serum. He knew he should wait until it actually arrived. "Well it's no use just sitting and crying about it. Come on ... we have dungeons and dragons today. Let's get going ... slaying a dragon will get you in a better mood." Ned smiled. And, Theodore put on a weak smile.
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The days passed as Christmas got closer. And, Ned walked up to the apartment to see a small package sitting at the front door. His heart raced as he picked it up and brought it inside. He opened it up and saw a clear vial glowing with dimmed blue light. The colors were almost hypnotizing and inviting. He slowly picked up the vial and heard a voice telling him to drink it. He instantly knew what this was and was relieved that the 10,000 dollars was scammed out of him.
The sound of the door behind him snapped him back to reality. He turned to see Theodore, still sad with the constant reminder that he would never be happy in his own body. Ned shook his head and remembered who the gift was for, his friend. So, he hid the vial in his hand and walked to Theodore's bedroom door. His heart continued to race, as he took one last gulp and walked through it.
"Theodore ... I have to tell you something." Ned said as his heart raced through his chest.
"Not now, Ned. I don't want to talk." Theodore laid on his bed, as depressed thoughts raced through his head.
Ned raised his voice, not in anger, but in a frustrated excitement. "Theodore! It's important! Please..."
Theodore was shocked to hear his friend. Ned would hardly raise his voice like that Theodore sighed to look over at his friend. "What ... what do you want?"
Ned's heart continued to race and his face was red for giving the small outburst. "Um ... well ... um ... I was gonna wait for Christmas but, seeing you depressed like this ... I don't think I should wait." Ned raised the vial.
Theodore looked at the vial with the same hypnotized look that Ned had only moments ago. He sat up on his bed and slowly moved towards his friend. His hand carefully reached out and he took it from Ned's hand. "What is this..." Theodore said in a trance-like state.
"I know this is gonna sound crazy but ... I promise you this is real. It's ... um ... a potion ... to give you the body of your dreams." Ned's gulped hoping his friend wouldn't think he was crazy. But, Theodore knew it had to be true, as the voices in the vial began to talk to him. "Drink it. Drink it and have your dreams come true." The voices hissed. And, without saying a word Theodore opened the vial and drank it.
Ned looked in shock, as Theodore did it without hesitation. "How do you feel?" He gasped. Theodore just looked blankly. "I don't know ... I don't feel anything." He began to say as he felt a burning sensation growing in his stomach.
Theodore's eyes began to glow in the same dimmed blue light from the vial. Ned looked on in horror, as he saw the veins throughout Theodore's body begin to glow in a similar blue light. And then, Theodore fell onto the floor. He yelled out in pain, as the burning sensation grew and spread throughout his body. "Oh my God, oh my God ..." Ned cried out not knowing what to do. Theodore's body fell flat, as his body began to seize. His body moved as if things were crawling inside of him. His muscles were flexing and relaxing. His bones were breaking and reforming. He screamed for it to stop and fell into unconsciousness.
Ned looked in horror. The thought that he killed his friend began to fill his mind. He rushed down to flip Theodore on his back. He placed his hand on Theodore's chest and felt his heart racing incredibly fast ... as if it was going to explode. His body was still seizing and his skin moving. The sounds of bones breaking could still be heard. But, now there was shifting.
The look of shock began to fade, as Ned saw his friend transforming right in front of his eyes. The heat of the transformation began to tan Theodore's pasty skin. With each flex, Theodore's body inflated like a muscular balloon. His arms and legs flexed with power. His abs became chiseled from the blank canvass of his stomach. His pecs ballooned up. His shoulders become broad and strong. His face lost the nerdy qualities, as it became more chiseled and angular. His hairless body looked good stretched by the new muscle. And, his face was graced with a new beard that added to his new manly charm. He wasn't the same 5'6 lanky freshman nerd. Now he could pass as any of the other 6'4 alpha jocky seniors.
As the transformations ended, the glow in Theodore's body began to fade. But, he still remained unconscious. Ned looked in awe and blushed as he could see his friend's new body, especially since Theodore's clothes have been ripped from the growth of the transformation. An equally impressive cock hung from his exposed pelvis. Ned pushed on his muscular chest. "Hey ... um ... Theodore ... are you okay."
Ned began to awake to the voice of his friend. And, the weak force of being pushed on the chest. He felt his pecs flex as a response to being touched. But, his mind was still recovering from passing out and a fog of confusion clouded his mind. "Fuck! What happened?" He groaned in a deep new baritone. He jumped into a sitting position as he held his new muscular throat. "What's wrong with my voice?" He looked over at Ned. Ned looked back and just smiled "It worked!"
Theodore looked down at his body. He gasped. He began to rub his hands along the curves of his muscles. His cock began to harden, as he took in his new body. He was like a Greek statue that was carved by the gods themselves. He jumped up and ran to the mirror. His cock slapped against his thighs as he did. He felt his heart glow with pure happiness; he could cry. His face was perfect. He looked like the version of himself that he always wished for. This was his dream body.
Ned walked into the restroom after him, now towered by his friend. And, Theodore just turned around to hug him. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you." He cheered as he lifted Ned up. "I don't know how I'll ever pay you back."
"Maybe you can let me play with that cock." Ned laughed as a joke like they'd normally do. Even though there wasn't a chance for a relationship ... They both were young gay men. And, getting dates was hard so it wasn't strange for them to help each other out. But, Theodore felt a pit of disgust in his stomach. "Um ... sure man ... I guess ... it's the least I can do." Theodore said.
Ned smiled as he led Theodore back to the couch. Ned began to rub Theodore's body. He moaned, "Fuck I can't believe I'm actually rubbing the body of a jock."
Theodore felt weirded out. "Um ... yeah ... it feels good." He nervously laughed. His muscles flexed in discomfort, as Ned moved towards his cock. With Ned's hand wrapped around the cock. Theodore's cock began to get limp. There was absolutely no pleasure in having Ned worship him. "What's wrong ... you know I give the best hand jobs." Ned joked just thinking his friend must be tired. "You're probably exhausted from the transformation."
Theodore peps up as he finds a reason to end this. "Yeah, you're right ... I'm feeling really drained and my body is still kinda sore ... I should probably go to sleep." He lies and does a fake yawn. He stood up and walked into his room.
Ned looked disappointed but understood. "Maybe ... I can worship you later. " He weakly smiled. But, Theodore didn't respond. Ned just sighed but was glad his friend was finally happy. He turned on some TV but, moments later he heard deep manly grunting coming from Theodore's room. Part of him felt confused and the other part felt hurt.
Theodore in his room laid in his bed. His mind flooded with images of his new body. He closed his eyes and got hard feeling his new strength. His hand wrapped around his thick long cock. New images began to fill his head. For the first time, the thought of naked women graced his mind. He imagined touching their curvy bodies and sucking on thier breast. He'd imagined shoving his massive cock into their pussies and stretch them out. He pumped faster and faster. His bed creaked under his muscular weight. He couldn't help but groan in pleasure. His cock erupted in a burst of cum. Laying down, he catches his breath. He rubs the cum onto his thighs.
Energy rushed through his body. And, he knew what he needed. He got his gym clothes that were now tight on him and perfect for showing off his body. He rushed out of his room and headed to the gym. Ned tried to call out as he left the door but Theodore was too fast.
Theodore went to the gym and it was the first time he walked in there with confidence. He walked up to different machines and tested the amount of weight he could do with each. Other gym bros looked at him and gave him nods to show they were impressed. He smiled as he nodded back. A few of the frat guys walked up to him. They were impressed and asked for tips to get a body like his. He was shocked as he began to talk about knowledge of working out that he never had. He even joined in when they talked about hot girls, working out at the gym, and other topics he used to have little to no interest in. Finally he felt like one of the guys.
As the night came to an end, a group frat guys, that were keeping an eye on him, invited him out for drinks. He was beyond happy, as he agreed to hang out with them. He walked into the bar and people just came up to him; girls that thought he was hot and guys that were just impressed by him. The frat guys looked at him like he could potentially be a new recruit. And, this new life of meeting and hanging out with people would continue into the following weeks.
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Both men would realize that reality started shifting. The old Theodore never existed. He was always this hunky popular jock. Him being roommates with Ned was a glitch in the computers system. Him hanging out with his nerdy friends was due to bets he lost, with Ned. The only person that remembered the truth were Ned and Theodore.
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Theodore was getting ready to head out to party, as Ned walked into the room. "Where are you going ... it's D&D night. We still have to get the rest of the gang to remember you." Ned said with a worried tone.
"Ned! They don't remember me. They think I just lost bets to you and was forced to play. We can try to get them to remember later. But, I just want to go and party. I want to hit on girls. Those frat guys wanted to talk to me again ... I can't waste this body and not do the things I've always wanted to do."
"What girls? You're gay?" Ned said shocked.
"I'm not any more ... i don't really get it. But, i think my dream body is straight. I always thought it would be easier to live as a straight man ... so I guess thr vial even took that into consideration." Theodore explained.
"You know what? Fine! Just go ... be magically straight and have fun." Ned said annoyed. "But, you are still going with me to get presents for the gang tomorrow right ..."
"Yeah, sure ... just get out of my room" Theodore brushed him off.
Ned went off to play D&D. The thought of losing his friend filled his mind. All the missed lunch dates, not sitting together in class, and Theodore hardly being home ... made Ned regret what he did. He should have never gotten that transformation serum.
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The next day they both went to the mall together. Ned was excited to finally spend time with his friend. But, the whole day, Theodore was distracted on his phone, texting girls and getting details on parties happening tonight. Ned even caught Theodore stealing glances at his reflection. Everytime Ned would ask about a gift, Theodore would respond with "Sure whatever. And, as the time passed, Ned just got more and more annoyed. "Let's just go." He said after having enough.
"Good, I really couldn't stand this nerdy shit." Theodore yawned and stretched, as he was ready to go.
Ned waited until they got to the parking lot. "Your an ass ... you know that" He yelled.
"Bro, what the fuck is your problem. And for the last time ... I go by Theo now!" Theo yelled back.
"Really! BRO? Am I your Bro? Cause you could have fooled me. If you didn't want to come with me and do this nerdy shit! You could have just said so." Ned shouted back.
Theodore realizes what he said. But, it was true ... he didn't care about the things he used to he. He wondered if he even cared about them in the first place. Or was it just a product of looking nerdy and trying to fit in with the people he looked like. All he knew was that he finally be the man he always wanted to be. "Bro, it's nothing like that ... we are just different now. I mean ... it was bound to happen. Look at you and then look at me. We dont exactly fit in each others lives anymore. " Theo explained, poorly.
"What the hell does that mean? You don't want to be my friend anymore ... are you too cool now? Fuck ... THEO ... I guess fine ... you can have your wish. I'll leave you alone. Well just live two separate lives. And, then next year when you graduate ... I'll never see you again. Is that what you want?"
Theo felt bad. He still had these memories with Ned. But, he knew ... no matter how much it sucked ... they had nothing in common anymore. Maybe it was best for them to split ways. "It's okay Ned, I know your angry. I can never repay you for this life you gave me. But, it's true ... I don't think I can be your friend anymore. I was gonna tell you. I got accepted into the frat... I was going to be moving out anyways. You know, being around guys like myself. And, then switching my degree to sports medicine so I can be a trainer. Also, I have this girl I've been seeing. So ... I'll always remember you. But, I don't know were to fit you in my life." He sighed and paused. He didn't want it to end like this. He didn't want to make a scene. But, he knew he wasn't going to change. And, he knew that Ned wasn't going to change. He started again. "And, here take the keys to drive home. I'm going to the bar and I'll Uber back." Theodore sighed ... a bit disheartened that he isn't as sad as he should have been. He's losing his lifelong friend. But, he could see no other path.
Theodore began to walk away. "Fuck you Theo ... Theodore ... whoever the fuck you are." Ned said, as he walked to the car.
Theodore walked back to the edge of the mall and saw his new frat bros. "Yo bro, what the fuck was that about?" One of them ask.
"Oh, it's just some nerd ... you know how they can be ..." He weakly laughed.
"Hey, isn't he that fag ...yeah ... he's that loser. He's always checking you out. And, stalking you. We should teach him a lesson." Another adds.
"No ... guys ... let's just go get a drink. Look at him ... he can't hurt anyone." He tries to stop his bros. But, they ignore him and head towards Ned.
They begin to harass him and call him names. Theo is in the back looking at it all happened. They call him fag. They push him against the car and punch his stomach. Ned looked at Theodore with a sense of being betrayed. Theo looks away and hears Ned's cries of pain. He can't take it ... as his heart races. His hands ball up. Finally, deep emotion reaches his heart. He can't let his best friend go through this. He can't become the bully he always hated. It was his time to be the hero that deserved a body like his.
"Hey, Theo get a punch in ... show this fag you want nothing to do with him." His posse laughed.
Theo released his punch. Ned closed his eyes fearing the punch from his ex friend. But, the punch never came. Instead one of the jocks cried out. Ned opened his eyes to see Theo fighting off the bullies. The surprise attack gave him an advantage. "Hurry up and get to the car." He yelled to Ned. Ned ran.
The tides began to turn as the three guys begin to over power Theo. Theo took. punches to the face and body. But, he didn't know how much more he could take. Then a honk of a horn rang through the parking lot, as Ned charged the car towards the direction of the fight. The frat guys ran off, as Ned stopped in time. "We'll get you fags later." They yelp.
"Get in." Ned yells to Theo.
Theo stumbles to the car. Ned, quickly, drives drives off. And, they sit in silence.
"Thanks for coming back for me." Theo coughs.
"Well, thanks for saving me." Ned tears up.
"I'm sorry it was my fault ... if i never hung out with them ... they wouldn't have done that." Theo says guiltily.
"I mean you couldn't have known ... but, I'm sorry you lost your new friends and chance to be in the frat." Ned also says guiltily
"I mean who needs friends like them ... when I got a life time of memories with you." Theo smiles.
"But, your right we have nothing in common anymore ... heck you're not even gay anymore." Ned frowns.
Theo thinks hard. "We'll why don't we go play video games ... you still like call of duty right." Theo continues to smile.
Ned perks up. "Yeah!? Do you?"
"I mean yeah it got guns and killing shit with your bros ... so I guess we still got video games in common ... and we can work from there. And, yeah I might be straight. But, I've learned a lot of guys at the gym like twinky guys like you. I can hook you up." Theo smiles.
"That would be great ... so what does this mean? Are we are still friends?" Ned shyly says.
Theodore sighs, "If you still want to be ... I'm sorry with how I was acting. I let being cool go to my head. I won't lie our friendship might be a bit different ... but it been one we had for years. I'm still willing to make this work. And, trust I got other peeps I've been hanging out with ... not just those assholes. Some of them are actually really cool and wouldn't mind hanging out with you. I can get us invited to parties and shit." He paused and looked out the windoe. "I'm not like them ... the frat guys. I guess I was just blinded my suddenly being cool. I was excited that people wanted to hangout with me. But, I wasn't asking if they were decent enough to hang out with." Theo apologized.
"I mean ... I guess I understand. And, i forgive you. And, I don't want to give up on our friendship either ... so yeah ... we are still friends. And, Maybe your coolness can rub off on me." Ned laughed.
Theo rolled his eyes, "Yeah, Maybe ... but it would take a miracle." He tussled Ned's hair. As the two friends drove back to their apartment. Their lives and friendship might be different but, they new they'd make it work out some how.
