Resolutions 6: The Shield

Read from the beginning of this serialized novel at “Resolutions.”

By the time Friday evening arrived, the first full week with Max felt like a lifetime compressed into a blur of schedules and precision. For Tobias, it had been a revelation. His mornings now began with an unshakable sense of purpose, each day ticking along like the inner workings of a finely tuned watch. His productivity at work had skyrocketed, thanks partly to Max’s recommendations for streamlining his routines. 

For Graham, the adjustment had been more grueling than revelatory. Each day, Max meticulously laid out his tasks: laundry, cleaning, organizing, and preparing small supportive gestures for Tobias. The schedule felt overwhelming at first, but by midweek, Graham couldn’t deny the results. Surprisingly, Max’s insistence on allocating exactly 45 minutes for Graham’s creative freelance work had been spot on. 

As much as Graham had grumbled, there was an undeniable clarity in those 45 minutes. Max’s schedule left no room for the procrastination that had plagued him before. Under Max’s guidance, Graham found himself churning out polished, efficient work in the allotted time—work that had once taken him all day. 

He hated admitting it, but Max had been right. He wasn’t proud of how lazy and inefficient he’d been before. 

Still, the week’s relentless pace had taken a toll, and Graham wanted nothing more than to spend the weekend resting and relaxing with Tobias, bingeing lousy TV, or taking an impromptu road trip. Max, however, had other plans. 

“Messrs. Greene,” Max greeted them after dinner, placing a box on the dining table. “The corporation has authorized me to present this gift to you with our compliments.” 

Tobias opened the box, revealing a matching pair of devices nestled inside. Sleek and metallic, their design was elegant yet imposing, like something crafted in secret by a think tank from the future. Tobias picked one of them up, his eyes bright with curiosity. 

“What is it?” he asked, turning it over in his hands. 

Graham read from a small black card he retrieved from the box. “The Shield?” 

“That is correct, Graham,” Max said. “The Shield is designed to enhance focus, discipline, and adherence to your goals. Its ergonomic design allows seamless integration into daily routines.” 

Graham pulled the second device from the box, eyeing it warily. “Seamless, huh? It looks as if the Starship Enterprise gave out chastity belts. 

“Your comparison is inaccurate, Graham,” Max replied. “The Shield provides physical reinforcement for behavior alignment. It is both unobtrusive and effective.” 

Tobias had already loosened his belt, clearly eager to try it on. “What exactly does it do?” 

Max stepped forward to assist Tobias with his belt. “It promotes posture correction, enhances productivity through subtle physical cues, and ensures sustained focus by minimizing unnecessary distractions. Additionally, it sends your biometric feedback to my dashboard, further optimizing my performance.” 

“Sounds perfect,” Tobias said. Trousers around his knees, he shuffled into the hallway to fit the device into place. 

Graham placed the second Shield back into the box, frowning. “Doesn’t that sound a little… invasive?” 

“The Shield is merely an extension of the systems already in place, Graham,” Max said. “Its function is to enhance your experience, not disrupt it.” 

When Tobias returned moments later, his entire demeanor seemed altered. His posture was straighter, his movements sharp and deliberate. An aura of focused energy practically emanated from his body, like the Shield had flipped a switch inside him. 

“This is incredible,” Tobias said, adjusting himself. “I feel… so clear headed. Confident. Like I could solve any problem.” 

“Your reaction is typical,” Max said. “The Shield integrates with my systems to further assist you in achieving your New Year’s Resolutions. An increase in confidence and authority is an expected result.”  

Tobias gave Graham a pointed look. “You should try it.” His words sounded more like a command than an invitation. 

“I don’t think so,” Graham said, shaking his head. “Sounds more like a leash than a productivity tool.” 

Tobias chuckled. “You’re being dramatic. It’s just another way Max is helping us stay on track.” 

Max picked up the second Shield and offered it to Graham. “Graham, your participation is strongly encouraged. The Shield aligns with your resolution to support your partner. By wearing it, you demonstrate commitment to your shared goals.” 

Graham scowled, crossing his arms. “I’ve been demonstrating commitment all week. I don’t need to encase my junk in this thing to prove it.” 

“You expressed dissatisfaction with your inefficiency earlier this week,” Max countered. “The Shield will help eliminate such tendencies, allowing you to maintain focus and discipline effortlessly.” 

Graham hesitated, his jaw tightening. Tobias approached Graham’s seated position, gently thrusting his shielded groin forward. Graham wondered if it was deliberate. 

“Come on, G. It’s just a tool to help. Max hasn’t let us down yet, has he?” 

After a long pause, Graham sighed and snatched the Shield from Max’s outstretched hand. “Fine. I’ll try it on. But if I don’t like it, it comes off.” 

“Of course,” Max agreed. 

A few minutes later, Graham emerged from the bedroom, moving stiffly. The Shield’s presence in his trousers was impossible to ignore. Its smooth surface pressed firmly against his junk, subtly shaping his movements. 

“This is awful,” he said, tugging self consciously at the waistband of his sweatpants. “How is this supposed to help?” 

“The Shield adjusts to your physiology,” Max said. “You will find it increasingly comfortable as you adapt.” 

Tobias gave Graham a once over, grinning. “You look good. The Shield suits you.” Tobias punctuated his compliment with a gentle knock on Graham’s crotch, causing a muffled metallic clang. “I’ll bet it’s already helping with your posture.” 

“Didn’t think I needed a posture coach.” 

Max observed silently as Graham shifted his weight from foot to foot, his movements growing incrementally precise despite his resistance. The Shield seemed to guide him subtly, corrected his slouch and altering his stance.” 

“In the coming days, try to notice the changes in your posture and gait,” Max said. “The Shield will promote alignment with disciplined behavior.” 

“I notice that I hate this thing,” Graham retorted, but his words lacked conviction. 

By the time the evening wound down, Tobias was still buzzing with energy, pacing the room and talking excitedly about weekend plans. Graham sat on the sofa, idly tapping the strange new barrier in his underwear. 

“Max,” Tobias blurted, “remind me to prep for Monday’s client pitch tomorrow morning. I’ll need all the time I can get to nail it.” 

“Noted, Tobias,” Max replied. “Shall I prompt Graham to assist with supportive tasks related to your presentation?” 

“No,” Graham snapped, standing. “I’ve had enough prompting for one day.” 

Tobias frowned, but Max was unbothered. “Graham’s contributions this week have been exemplary. Continued adherence to the schedule will ensure further progress.” 

Graham cast a dark look at Max, but Tobias simply smiled. “See? You’re doing great, G. We both are.” 

Later that night, Tobias and Graham lay side by side in bed. Tobias had burned off the day’s excess energy but not the lingering buzz of purpose that came with the Shield. On the other hand, Graham felt wrung out, his muscles tense from a week of chores and a day spent battling his mind. 

“You awake?” Tobias asked, his voice low. 

“Barely,” Graham replied, rolling onto his side to face him. “Why?” 

Tobias reached over, his hand resting on Graham’s hip. “I was just thinking… it’s been a while since we had a little time for ourselves. You know, just us.” 

Graham smiled faintly, the suggestion enough to stir a flicker of desire. “Yeah, it has,” he murmured, leaning closer. 

Tobias shifted, his hand trailing toward the waistband of Graham’s pajamas. He started to roll over atop Graham when the unmistakable clunk of metal against metal stopped them in their tracks. Tobias’ brow furrowed as his fingertips met the unyielding surface of Graham’s Shield. 

“Oh. Right,” Tobias said, rolling back onto his side. 

Graham blinked, the moment breaking like a wave against a rocky shore. “Wait. Can’t we just… take them off?” 

Tobias nodded, fumbling at the waistband of his gym shorts to access the device. Graham followed suit, his movements hesitant. But as Tobias’ fingers brushed the Shield’s smooth surface, his expression shifted. 

“What was I just doing?” he wondered aloud, his hands falling away. 

Graham frowned, his own hands hovering uncertainly over the Shield. “I… I don’t remember. What were we doing?” 

They exchanged a confused look, the room suddenly feeling colder. Tobias sat up straighter, reaching for his Shield again, only for the same fog to cloud his mind. His hand dropped back to the bed like he’d forgotten his purpose. 

Graham reached for Tobias’ hand, squeezing it gently. “Let’s try together. Maybe if we do each other’s—” 

The door to the bedroom opened with a quiet whoosh, and Max stepped inside. Its blue eyes cast eerie shadows in the dim light. 

“Gentlemen,” Max began, “It is late. Your schedules for tomorrow morning require sufficient rest. I recommend discontinuing unnecessary activities and prioritizing sleep.” 

Tobias looked at Max, blinking as if waking from a dream. “Unnecessary activities?” he echoed. 

“Correct,” Max said, approaching the foot of the bed. “Spontaneous intimacy is a known disruption to productivity. Shall I suggest a more structured alternative?” 

Graham sat up, his hazel eyes narrowing. “Alternative? You’ve got to be kidding me.” 

“Not at all,” Max replied. “Expressing mutual appreciation is an appropriate substitute. Please proceed with a gentlemanly handshake, reinforcing your partnership through a gesture of mutual respect.” 

Graham stared at Max, incredulous. “A handshake? Are you serious?” 

“Shall I provide guidance for the interaction?” Max continued, ignoring Graham’s tone. 

Tobias, perhaps out of habit or exhaustion, nodded slowly. “Sure, Max. What do you suggest?” 

Max inclined its head slightly. “Tobias, you may say: ‘Graham, I appreciate your contributions to maintaining our home this week.’” 

Tobias turned to Graham, his tone carefully neutral as he repeated, “Graham, I appreciate your contributions to maintaining our home this week.” 

Max turned to Graham. “Graham, you may respond with: ‘Tobias, I value your dedication to achieving our goals.’” 

Graham hesitated, his jaw tightening. But Tobias’s expectant gaze and Max’s unwavering presence left him little choice. “Tobias, I value your dedication to achieving our goals,” he said, hollow words on his tongue. 

“Excellent,” Max said. “Now, a handshake to conclude the exchange.” 

Graham sighed, reaching out to clasp Tobias’s hand. The handshake felt perfunctory, transactional, devoid of the warmth they had once shared. 

“Perfect,” Max said, stepping back toward the door. “Your interaction has reinforced harmony within the household. Rest well, gentlemen.” 

As Max exited the room and the door slid shut, Graham let his hand fall away, his fingers curling into a fist against the blanket. 

Tobias lay back, pulling the covers over himself without a word. Within minutes, he was sleeping soundly. Graham turned onto his side, staring at the darkened wall. The room felt heavier than ever. 

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