Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Taylor

I felt a tug on my side and let it in. Pain bloomed in that area, like I’d just hit it on the countertop, but magnified. I did the numbers in my head. This was, at most, a fourth of the original pain. Was this from a punch? A stabbing? A disease? I couldn’t tell, so I shrugged it off. The pain didn’t bother me as much as the worrying. It was familiar. Routine. Ever-present.

Like my constant headache. It’s not as bad today, only the beginnings of a migraine at most, nothing like the needles to my brain it sometimes is. Days where I couldn’t even open my eyes without the light searing them like I’ve personally offended it.

The aches and bruises that littered my hands were another. 

They didn’t bother me. It’s only fair I take them, I owe them that, at least–much as I try to avoid the Trio, and ignore their taunts, sometimes I let them get to me. Then I feel guilty, and then I realize that I’m making them feel guilty too. It’s a vicious cycle that leaves me numb, because that’s the only real way to stop it.

I flinch as Sophia shouts into my ear, the ringing pain spiking before quickly subsiding as they take that pain away. I then feel guilt, and that gets halved too. Finally, I feel a measure of anger. Sophia was hurting them. I— 

I stop. I couldn’t do anything. If I used my powers here, the sense of guilt I felt would outweigh any pain I could have saved them.

“Are you fucking deaf, Hebert?!”

I keep my head down. Stay smart. That’s the best thing I can do to protect them. Sophia shakes her head in disgust and starts walking away.

Thank god they’re safe. 

The school bell rings and a mote of anxiety floats in my chest. The anxiety faded, and I was left with excitement. This was it. Today was the day. I was going to start doing something that my soulmates would actually be proud of.

I was going to be a hero.

Brian

“Trust me. Power says to keep back for now.”

Alright, I thought. I’ll trust my soulmate.

Tattletale— Lisa— looked to me for approval. An unspoken request. I nodded.

“Okay. We hold a position here.” 

"If you say so, boss."

A spike of annoyance prickled me as I looked at Alec. He was the odd one out, now. Lazy, belligerent, and to be honest, the person least likely to contribute to the fight.

Still, he's Heartbreaker's kid, and there's something to be said for connections. The Canadian Supervillain has enough firepower to hold a city, and Regent is a bargaining chip that could get him on our side. Just in case.

Regent makes an annoyed groaning sound.

"It's too damn hot out!"

Idiot.

"Quiet, don't reveal our position."

"Oh, my apologies, let's hide in the shadows on our half-a-ton monster rides that smell like wet dog."

Bitch growled at him, and I seriously considered punching him in the face.

"Just… get into formation."

Bitch and Lisa nodded, while Regent rolled his eyes so hard it was audible, then moved to position. Bitch sat on top of Brutus with Lisa behind her. I was on top of Angelica, and Regent on Judas. We fanned out, me in front, ready to emanate darkness in order to cover everyone in case bullets start flying.

A pit of… something was in my stomach. Fear? Anxiety? I didn’t get to identify it before it was taken from me. Regardless, I was fretting over how to keep my Soulmates safe.

Bitch— Rachel— had been the easiest to identify. The first time we met, she overstepped her bounds, and I had to hit her to get her to calm down. The shock I felt was enough to freeze me in place, and while Rachel probably didn’t realize it from my expression, she definitely figured things out once she retaliated, though it took her a couple more hits than my face would’ve liked.

Our powers were complimentary. Her dogs can fight in my darkness. Maybe there’s something to be said about soulmates’ powers being complementary. There were a few cape couples with abilities that were either similar or complementary. Lady Photon’s long range and Manpower’s short range, for an example of complimentary powers, and Assault and Battery’s powers for those that are similar.

Where that theory breaks down, however, is probably Tattletale. Her power relies heavily on her sense, and my darkness obscures that. It took me a bit longer to figure that one out, but a particularly nasty incident with her getting jumped by the ABB led to my discovery.

It also led to this confrontation with Lung, the most powerful villain in Brockton Bay.

Regent

Smoke rose into the air, dispersing like blood in the water. Its swirls were entrancing, circling and spreading in intricate patterns. I had the first of my thralls put the cigarette back to his lips.

“Relax. I’ll let you go soon enough.”

His fear decreased ever so slightly. Hope is a strange thing. It lets men march through hell, heads held high. So many hold their tongues, endure abuse, and live in destitution, in the hope that one day, their children may live a life marginally better. Whether that’s optimism or foolishness, what matters is that my first thrall stopped feeling fear.

I could never really tell whether my soulmates could feel my thrall’s fear through the link. Better safe than sorry, I suppose.

My second thrall was sweltering, baking in the oppressive April heat. She was sweating, and her discomfort bit at the coattails of my consciousness. Had I been in a location less infested with the city’s underbelly, I’d have stripped myself— well, my thrall— bare. As it stood, however, men who passed by stared at me the way a beggar stares at a wealthy merchant.

It’s not hunger, exactly. Not a predatory gaze. It was a mixture of longing, envy, resentment, loneliness and fear. It is a common delusion, self-fed and self-sustained, that the monsters at the edge of our vision are heartless, devoid of reason or mercy. It is far more disturbing to imagine that the shadows are exactly like the hunted, just given a position from which they can relieve their quiet desperation. 

Just like you, but one step removed. One rung up the scale of power. One advantage that separates man and beast.

Better hot than being assaulted.

I had my second thrall wrap the jacket closer to her body despite the heat. 

My third thrall was up on a roof, looking over the city. Brockton Bay. So different from home. Nobody ever truly knows themselves without travelling, I think. Without going somewhere nobody knows your name, your face, or your origin.

If you grew up in a quaint little town, slept with the same people, lived in the same flat, and drank at the same bar you became as much a part of the scenery as the earth you walked on. People grow around you, like vines over a stone, masking its shape, its texture, its identity. 

My fourth thrall…

I stiffened as he died from a knife slash to the neck.

I heard the voice of Tattletale, the girl who knows my secrets.

“Oni Lee! Incoming!”

I heard the grunts and growls of Bitch, my soulmate who doesn't know I exist.

Then came the cold and silent darkness of Grue, my soulmate who refuses to look me in the eye.

When I traveled to Brockton Bay, I knew who I was, beyond the influence of my Father and siblings. But only upon meeting my soulmates did I feel like a monster.

Rachel

The air slapped my hair onto my mask. Annoying. Brutus heard a footstep. I did too. Two whistles, short. Attack. 

I can fight in Grue’s darkness. Oni Lee can’t. He moves places. Fast. Without moving. But he can’t hit us. We can hit him. He’ll lose. I hear a loud sound. It came from Regent. It sounded like lightning. Oni Lee screamed.

Then silence. The darkness fades, and I look at Grue, proud. He looks back at me. I don’t feel any of his relief, but he says he feels it whenever he sees I’m safe. Soulbonds don’t work like that. Annoying. I want him to feel my pride. We make a good team.

I should say that. So he knows. I make the words in my head.

“We—”

Pain. Burns. Fire. Fear. Lung? He’s not here. Brian isn’t hurt.

“Come on, Lung is occupied. We can get the drop on him.” Brian says. I nod. Two whistles. One long, one short. Follow. I leaned forward on Brutus. Well, not really lean. People think it’s hard to tell animals where to go when you’re riding them. It’s not. You just act as if you're moving in that direction, and you’ll become heavier in that direction. 

Brutus understands because I trained him well. He’s a member of the pack. Like Lisa is. She didn’t tell us right away. That’s fucking annoying. But I’ll train her not to do that again in the future. Brian understands. He says that we have to train each other, so we’re not fucking dumbasses.

I moved Brutus forward, and Angelica and Judas followed. We landed on a rooftop.

A girl was on it. Fire surrounded her. She looked up at us. 

I saw her eyes through her mask.

Hm. Another packmate. 

Lisa

Tired. Afraid. Favoring left side. Holding pepper spray in right hand. Left side non-dominant side. Right leg sore. Injuries in line with soulbond pain. Fourth soulmate. 

Finally. That should be all of them.

Costume custom made. New cape. Not a new trigger. 

She’s the cautious type then, Brian would appreciate that.

Brian. Fuck. He’s going to want an explanation and I don’t have one apart from ‘I didn’t want to have to deal with you coddling me or your repressed homophobia towards Alec. Also, my power has made me effectively ace.’

Not a conversation I want to have. Sighing, I turn my focus on the new cape.

Mild burns. Costume took most of the damage. Costume is handmade. Spider silk. Power has something to do with arachnids. Power has something to do with bugs. Power is control over insects and arachnids.

Lung firing blasts of flame at random. Dogs can dodge with ease. Lung is blinded. Lack of blood on armor. Blinded by pepper spray. Non-destructive weapons work on Lung. Pepper spray, tear gas, laxatives—

Yeah, yeah. I get it. I look back at my new Soulmate. Coil said she was an up and coming Hero. That'll be a problem. I look to see whether the others have figured it out.

The others did, Brian was eager to recruit her and there was no spike of anger from Rachel for suggesting it. Alec feigned disinterest, drawing doodles on the singed concrete, but he never strayed far enough to be out of earshot.

Confused. New cape. Posture tense. Hasn’t talked to people her age for some time. Has no friends. 

I frowned, already having inklings about where this was going. Sighing, I loosen my hold on my power. 

I regret not doing so sooner.

I’m going to kill that bitch. Grue stopped in his pitch to glance at me, so did the others, as my anger rose and then fall. I waved them off.

It made sense the random aches and pains always came on school days. I just assumed they were a klutz, but no, she was targeted and harassed for nearly two years. Pushed to the point where she would fight Lung on her first night out. 

Regent spoke up, his voice cutting through my thoughts.

“Lung is getting creamed.  The fuck you do to him?”

“Pepper spray, wasp and bee stings, fire ants and spider bites,” I said, grinning for effect. “He’s not holding up too well.  Gonna feel a helluvalot worse tomorrow.”

Regent shifted.

Spike of concern. Regent's extra senses tipped off. Threat incoming. Empire busy with business expansion. Cape is likely a hero. Assault and Battery are at a function with Miss Militia. Armsmaster most probable responder to Lung. 5 minutes to arrival.

It was Grue's voice that interrupted my thoughts this time.

“Hey, you okay?  You hurt?”

“The reason she’s not introducing herself isn’t because she’s hurt,” I told him, still watching Lung fight the dogs. “It’s because she’s shy.”

I looked back, but made eye contact with Regent. 

Welp, that's our cue. 

“Heads up.  We’ve gotta scram.”

I looked at the girl… if I told her about the soulmate thing… no, it'll take too long.

“Well, Bug, a cape is gonna show up in less than a minute.  You did us a solid by dealing with Lung, so take my advice.  Someone from the Protectorate shows up, finds two bad guys duking it out, they’re not going to let one walk away.  You should get out of here,” 

Spike of fear. Spike of sadness. Realises we're villains. Realises we're her soulmates. Doesn't know what to say. Conflicted.

I notice Grue flinch.

About to protest. Feels protective. Thinks girl is scared of being abandoned.

I pull on his shoulder to stop him asking her to come with us. He looks back at me, nods, and we get on Angelica.

Before we got out of earshot, I couldn't help myself.

“Sorry about the headaches!”

Chapter Text

Taylor

“You really saved us a lot of trouble. You’re new, right?” 

I nodded silently. I didn’t trust my mouth, so I stuck with my policy of not saying anything.

“You took on Lung by yourself. That’s pretty impressive. We’d love to have someone like you on our team. Assuming you’re not with anyone else yet?”

I froze a bit. I didn’t want to join the Wards because I wanted to avoid the socialisation aspect. Being in a team wasn’t my style. I knew I’d eventually have to learn for my soulmates, but being invited into a team so early was…

“Ah—Right. Introductions.” He rubbed the back of his head, well, helmet, apparently embarrassed. I relaxed just a little, the genuineness of the action making him less imposing.

“I’m Brian. Grue in costume. That’s Tattletale,” he pointed to the blonde girl who looked lost in thought. ”The girl with the dogs—” Those are dogs?? “Is Bitch, her preference, though the PRT likes to call her Hellhound.” 

My brain caught up to what he said. Did he just tell me his name?

“Pussies,” the girl apparently called Bitch growled. She stopped giving the monster dogs commands to look at me.

“Rachel.”

What the fuck is going on? Was I supposed to say my name back?

I didn’t know what to say so I just nodded. She seemed to accept that and go back to directing the fight.

“Last and certainly least, we have Regent.”

“Fuck you, Grue,” Regent retorted, with a chuckle and a tone of voice that made it clear he wasn’t really that offended.  

"When we fought Oni Lee—"

I felt a wave of anger, and the man in front of me stopped talking. Everyone on the roof turned to look at the girl in the skintight suit. She gestured and they looked back at me. What the fuck?

"What—"

The guy in the renaissance faire outfit interrupted me. 

“Lung is getting creamed.  The fuck you do to him?”

“Pepper spray, wasp and bee stings, fire ants and spider bites,” the girl who had been oddly quiet for someone named Tattletale said, answering the question for me.  She grinned as she added, “He’s not holding up too well.  Gonna feel a helluvalot worse tomorrow.”

Introductions done, Grue looked at me for several long moments.  After a few seconds, he asked me, “Hey, you okay? You hurt?”

“The reason she’s not introducing herself isn’t because she’s hurt,” Tattletale told him, as she continued to lean over the edge of the roof and watch whatever was going on at the street level, “It’s because she’s shy.”

Tattletale turned around and it looked like she was going to say something else, but she stopped, turning her head.  The smile she’d been wearing faded, “Heads up.  We’ve gotta scram.”

The woman considered me for a second, then spoke.

“Well, Bug, a cape is gonna show up in less than a minute.  You did us a solid by dealing with Lung, so take my advice.  Someone from the Protectorate shows up, finds two bad guys duking it out, they’re not going to let one walk away.  You should get out of here,” 

Bad guys? I wasn’t— 

The pieces connected. The reason I felt the spark of anger at the same time they looked at the blonde girl. The reason they assumed I was a bad guy, but gave me their real names anyway. The reason Lung was going to go so far just to kill a bunch of kids.

My soulmates are villains.

I just saved my soulmates.

I just saved villains that the likes of Lung was willing to use lethal force against, dangerous enough to beat Oni Lee, a teleporter and second-in-command of the ABB.

They were looking at me now, faces etched with concern.

I'm making them worry.

They left before I could make a sound. I wouldn’t know what to say anyway. I stood there, numbly, for half a second. Didn’t I become a hero to make my soulmates, the few I knew who’d be there for me, proud? How do I parse that with the fact that my soulmates are villains?

I heard the cape arrive on a souped-up motorcycle. If you’d asked me just a few hours ago about how I thought I would feel meeting a big-name superhero, I would have used words like excited and giddy. Now, though, I was anxious, and more than a little afraid. 

Most of all though, I felt tired. Exhausted.

It looked as though he flew up onto the roof, but the six-foot-long weapon the man held kind of jerked as he landed.  I was pretty sure I saw the tines of a grappling hook retreating back into the end of the weapon.  So this was what Armsmaster looked like in person , I thought.

Armsmaster. I was meeting the leader of the Protectorate ENE, my childhood hero, but I couldn’t bring myself to care.

“You gonna fight me?” He called out.

“I’m a good guy,” I said.

Stepping closer to me, he tilted his head, “You don’t look like one.”

That stung, especially coming from him.  It was like Michael Jordan saying you sucked at basketball.  “That’s… not intentional,” I responded, not a little defensively, “I was more than halfway done putting the costume together when I realised it was already looking more edgy than I’d intended, and I couldn’t do anything about it by then.”

There was a long pause.  Nervously, I turned my eyes from that opaque visor.  I glanced at his chest emblem, a silhouette of his visor in blue against a silver background, and was struck with the ridiculous thought that I had once owned a pair of underpants with his emblem on the front.

“You’re telling the truth,” he said.  It was a definitive statement, which startled me.  I wanted to ask how he knew, but I wasn’t about to do or say anything that might change his mind. Especially when I wasn’t sure I’d stay a good guy.

Oh god, I’m actually considering becoming a villain.

He approached closer, looking me over as I sat there with my arms around my knees, he asked, “You need a hospital?”

“No,” I said. “Don’t think so.  I’m as surprised as you are.”

“You’re a new face,” he said.

“I haven’t even come up with a name yet.  You know how hard it is to come up with a bug-themed name that doesn’t make me sound like a supervillain or a complete dork?”

He chuckled, and it sounded warm, very normal, “I wouldn’t know.  I got into the game early enough that I didn’t have to worry about missing out on all of the good names.”

He would take my soulmates to the Birdcage, if he could. They’d be stuck there. I’d never get to see them again.

That thought sobered me a little, and I felt the sudden urge to throw up.

“I have to leave.”

“Hang on.” 

I froze. Did he have an idea of what I had just thought? Could he read minds? Is that how he figured out I was telling the truth? I calmed myself down. He couldn’t read minds, or he’d probably have arrested me already.

I waited for him to continue.

“Who gets the credit for Lung?”

“You do.” I blurted out.

He was quiet for a bit, I could practically feel his eyebrow raising beneath his visor.

I don’t know why, but I admitted, “I only did all this to make someone proud of me and—” I swallowed hard. It took me a moment to find my voice. “I… I don’t know if I can keep doing it.”

He was silent for a moment, and I took it to take in the scene in front of me. Armsmaster, who stood farther from the roof’s edge, was outlined in pale moonlight. Despite jumping down and probably having fought Lung, he was more or less pristine. I, on the other hand, was battered and bloody, and backlit by the burning fires below.

“Alright. I’d say that you shouldn’t get into the cape business for someone else’s approval, but the truth is, we need all the help we can get. Still, I respect your choice. I’ll owe you one for this too. If you ever change your mind and decide to come back to the cape scene, give me a call.”

As he said it, he stepped off the building into the night.  

Before I was all the way down the fire escape, I heard the thrum of his motorcycle, presumably carrying Lung towards a life of confinement.  I could hope.

It would take me a half hour to get home.  On the way, I would stop and pull on the sweatshirt and jeans I had hidden.  I knew my dad went to sleep even earlier than I did, and he slept like a log, so I had nothing to worry about as far as wrapping up the night.

All I could think of was how Armsmaster had assumed wrong. I wasn’t leaving the cape scene. 

I was joining the other side—I just hope that the favour he owes me is enough to get both me and my soulmates back across. 

Brian

Jab. Jab. Straight. Lead hook. Rear roundhouse. Jab. Backstep.

“Trust me, she’ll call,” Lisa said. I wasn’t so sure. I remembered how scared she felt when Tattletale told her we were going. How confused. It felt like everything she thought she could depend on was failing her. It was eerily familiar.

Jab. Straight. Lead hook. Rear uppercut. Collar tie. Rear knee. Lead elbow. Rear uppercut. Hook Kick.

Lisa left the moment we got back to base and locked herself in her room. The amount of discomfort I felt whenever I tried to broach the topic of us being soulmates stopped me from knocking. She was on the computer all night, and was still on it until noon.

Teep. Push kick. Question mark kick. I slipped and fell on my ass. 

“Hey, Brian, take a shower. We're meeting the bug girl at three for recruitment.” Lisa called. Fucking finally. We had talked after the fight and unanimously voted to try and recruit her. 

I dashed to my room and got in the shower. Then I put on a nice shirt, a blazer, and a nice pair of slacks. I put on some perfume, and walked out.

“Oooh, someone’s dressed up.” Alec teased.

“Shut it. You’d want to make a good impression too.”

“Hmm, yes, I just remember how nice your first impression with Rachel was.”

“You’re just jealous nobody cares enough about you for you to impress.”

“Oof, low blow, dude.”

I flipped him off as I walked down the stairs.

“You should get ready soon too. I’m not even gonna bother telling you to dress well, but at least try to look decent, however difficult that might be for you.”

“Puh- lease. I could wear a trash bag and make it look good. Like have you seen this beautiful face.” he said, batting his ridiculously long eyelashes for effect. I ignored him.

Half an hour later we were walking to the site where we had fought Lung. The asphalt was still scorched from him throwing fire everywhere. Practically the entire city block was half-melted. Lung wasn’t taken down easily, the damage done to the area made it look like it was in the middle of an active warzone. 

I couldn’t help but be impressed by Bug. Lisa and Rachel were walking behind me. I could feel Rachel stare at my back. Looking to me for directions. She has started doing that ever since we found out about each other. Watching me, like she’s trying to figure out something.

Lisa, on the other hand, I could see in my peripheral vision. She looked left and right, surveying the damage to the area, and occasionally smirking. I wonder what her power tells her? How did Bug fight? She seemed pretty slim in the costume, but I’ve seen gymnasts and parkourists with slender bodies move very quickly. I can almost imagine her dodging Lung’s fire blasts by a hair, her insects burrowing into his armour.

We stood on the rooftop for about fifteen minutes before I heard a footstep behind me. I turned around to find a girl, shorter than Lisa or Rachel, but still definitely tall for a woman. She was thin. Not slim or athletic, but thin. She was wearing a hoodie, but she held one arm close to her, and I swear I could wrap my hand around her bicep without issue.

She had a face that I would describe as mature-dorky. She seemed to give off the same feeling that a librarian would give. She seemed to scan over us, then she made eye contact with me.

Her eyes were strong. They were the eyes of someone who had a goal they set their mind to. I smiled. She was everything I was hoping she was.

“I’m Brian Laborn.” I said, walking ahead of everyone. We shook hands. Her fingers were wiry, but her grip was firm.

“Hey Bug, the name’s Lisa. Just Lisa.”

“Taylor.” She said, as she gave Lisa an awkward smile. “Taylor Hebert.”

“Alec. Charmed.”

“I’m Rachel.”

Half a beat later, I started the pitch. “So, first things first, we really owe you for saving us against Lung. As a thank you, we wanted to give you this.”

Her eyebrows scrunched up and I felt a minor wave of confusion. “In case you missed it, you’re the ones who stopped him from executing me last night. I’m pretty sure I owe you guys.”

Despite the protest, she took the lunch box from my hands.

“Alexandria. She was my favourite member of the Protectorate when I was a kid.  Is the lunchbox collectible?”

I blinked, and realized that it had designs. It was Aisha’s until she turned 10 and became “too cool” for it. I have kept it ever since.

“Open it,” Lisa prompted her, with a roll of her eyes.

“Money.” She breathed.

“Two grand.” Lisa said. Taylor closed the clasps and held the lunch box beside her. She looked at Lisa expectantly. 

“You have two choices,” Lisa explained, “You can take that as a gift.  A thank you for, intentionally or not, saving our ass from Lung last night.  And maybe a bit of incentive to count us among your friends when you’re out in costume and doing dastardly deeds.”

Her grin widened. I bit back a snort. Lisa had always found corny phrases like ‘dastardly deeds’ amusing.  She elaborated, “Between territory disputes, differences in ideology, general power struggles and egos, there are a rare few people in the local villain community who won’t attack us on sight.”

“And the second option?” Taylor asked.

“You can take this as your first installment in the monthly allowance you’re entitled to as a member of the Undersiders,” I said, “As one of us.”

Taylor was silent for half a second. Lisa spoke up. “You don’t have to feel pressured to join just because we’re soul—”

“I’m in.” Taylor said. 

Alec whooped and cheered, Lisa grinned and said “fantabulous!” Rachel made a low whistle, and I grinned so wide my cheeks hurt.

Taylor smiled. It suited her.

“So, two grand a month?”

“No,” I cut in, “That’s just what the boss pays us, to stick together and to stay active.  We make, uh, considerably more than that.”

“Boss?”

“I’ll explain when we get there.”

Alec

After trudging through the filth of the streets, we arrived at our home. The first floor held no beauty, but like the foam of well-made mead, it held something special beyond it. Brian led us up the stairs, but before he could begin touring Taylor around, Lisa said something softly in his ear. A flurry of increasingly less silent whispers later, and Lisa turned back to us and spoke.

“So sorry, Taylor, but Brian and I have something to discuss. I’m sure Alec here will give you a lovely tour.”

Taylor looked a bit disappointed but was otherwise accepting. Lisa and Brian walked up the stairs at a hurried pace. Once they were both gone, I stood before her and bowed, extending my hand to gesture at the space before us. “May I show a pretty girl around?”

Taylor flushed a bit at that, but Rachel scowled at me. I smirked at her in defiance. She looked like she was considering going for a swing, but she backed off.

“I’m gonna go feed my dogs.”

I shrugged, and Taylor waved awkwardly as Rachel walked over to the dogs. A quick whistle and the dogs were all over her. She petted them affectionately.

“Shall we?”

The lanky girl nodded, and we walked upstairs.

Brian/Rachel’s Room

“Welcome to the sex pit.” I said.

I did a dramatic flourish and grabbed the handle. It got stuck, but I succeeded in opening it before looking like a fool. I opened the door to the room. It smelled faintly of sweat, grease, and dog drool. It had a quality of life to it, with messy floors and disorganized countertops and clothes thrown in the general direction of a hamper in the corner.

“I imagine you’ll be spending much of your time here.”

I gestured towards the bed, multiple sheets on it, all furs and cotton. The closet was open, and showcased multiple jackets, many of which were the black and brown the two used as costumes.

Taylor’s nose scrunched. It had the quality of a hamster sneezing—by which I mean it was absolutely adorable.

“It’s a bit… messy for my taste.”

I shot her a lopsided grin, and weighed a jest against a compliment in my mind. 

“My, my, a princess deigns to grace our little abode. Tell me, queen of all that skitters, how may we keep thy nose from upturning?”

Taylor frowned at me. Disapproval? I doubt it, she’s been walking on eggshells the entire time. Her mouth contorted into a wry smile as she said, “Mayhaps you should refrain from the sarcasm, and I shall consider not having my beasties do unto you as they have unto Lung.”

My grin widened.

“Certainly, m’lady.”

Lisa’s room

I heard muffled voices outside the door.

“What’s going on in there?” Taylor asked.

The voices were Brian’s and Lisa’s, but they had the quality of a bound beast. Restrained, though begrudgingly, and barely at that. The volume died down when we approached, no doubt Lisa’s uncanny ability to discern truths bordering on clairvoyance. I’d feel jealous of Thinkers, had I the ability to feel much of anything at all.

“Let’s skip her room for now, yes?”

Taylor nodded, and we moved on.

My room

“Now we approach my sanctuary. Take your shoes off before you enter, keep your hands to yourself, and please, no flash photography.”

Taylor rolled her eyes as she crossed the threshold. My bedroom was reminiscent of that of my childhood—the closest to one I had, anyway. Four-poster, with semi-transparent silk curtains for privacy. 

My dresser had some makeup still lying about in front of the vanity, and a plate of half-eaten pizza in front of where I was sat. Posters of ACDC and Voltaire on the walls, next to my paintings. On an easel stand in the corner was a half-finished sketch. 

Finally, my violin was on the stool I used, I had forgotten to put it back in its case. I felt slight embarrassment. Nobody usually came into my room, and Taylor was probably the first one to see the inside of it since I moved here.

I turned to look at her, but her eyes were fixated on one of my works on the wall. It was a portrait of my mother.

She looked at me, making eye contact for the first time. Her eyes were as bright as the sun, wide as the sky, and deep as the sea.

“It’s beautiful. You’re amazing.”

I most definitely did not blush.

“Thank you. It's my mother.”

Taylor nodded, not prying or asking. Not out of ignorance like Rachel, nor indifference like Brian, but genuine understanding.

I gave her a small smile before we walked out of my room without a word.

Bathroom

The entrance to the bathroom was open, and while it wasn’t cramped, neither of us entered.

“There’s hot water, but Lisa will get annoyed if you take too long inside. Both she and I insist on bathing before big jobs, so if you’re like minded…”

“Don’t worry, I’ll shower at my place.”

“Good, good. Brian and Rachel have a bathroom they share, so the three of us will have to make do with this one.”

Taylor’s Room

I finally gestured to what we were using as a supply closet.

“Well, looks like this’ll be your room.”

Taylor frowned. “I don’t plan on sleeping here.”

“Fair, but when Brian got seriously hurt one time, we had no idea how we were going to bring him home and explain the injuries, so we all decided that we needed beds for everyone, for emergencies, at least.”

She nodded. “Thanks.” 

She checked her phone, then looked back up at me.

“Hey, I have to go.”

Please don’t.

“Sure, I wanna take a nap anyway. See you soon?”

She nodded. “Definitely.”

Then, after half a second of awkwardness, she leaned over and pecked me on the cheek.

“Thanks for showing me around.”

She swiftly started walking away before I could react. It’s a shame, I had something rather clever to say. I stood there in completely natural, non-stunned silence for an appropriate amount of time before walking back to my room.

Rachel

Footsteps. I turned and saw Taylor running down the steps. Her face was red. Anger? Shame? Fuck, faces are hard. It’s probably Regent’s fault. I should kick his ass. Fucker. Shit, no, wait. I remembered Brian’s training. 

Before trying to fix a problem, talk to the packmate first. Alright. I could do that.

“Hey.”

Taylor stopped and turned around.

“Oh. Hey.”

Her face changed, somehow. I can’t quite describe it. Motherfucker.

“You good? Did Alec do something?”

She shook her head. That meant ‘no.’ No to what? How should I ask—

“No, it’s nothing. I just have to go home now. My dad will be looking for me.”

“… I’ll come with you.”

We left. Taylor’s face grew red again. Was that bad? How the fuck do I—

“So, what’s Brian like?”

“He’s good. He trains me well.” I said. She was looking down. I could tell she was a follower. She’d be easy to train. 

“Train you?” Her voice raised. She was getting agitated, I think. I don’t know why. Fuck. I raised a hand at her and slowed my pace.

“Relax.” I said. She stopped and looked at me. She was waiting for something. Explanation?

“Train me. Like. Making sure I don’t be a dumbass.”
Taylor cocked her head in confusion. “You mean… like a dog?”

“Yeah.”

“Ah…”

Thankfully, she didn’t talk again. Eventually, we came to an intersection.

“Okay, here is fine.”

“Cool.” I remembered Brian’s lectures about how important asking permission was, and how I had to say it out loud. I did my best to sound it out in my head before I asked.

“Can I hug you?”

Taylor got red again. What the fuck does that mean? Eventually, she nodded. 

“Yes, you can.”

I hugged her close. She was thin. She should eat more. I felt like… like I was out of words for today, so I’ll make her eat next time. She was shorter than me. Small. Delicate. I had the urge to protect her. Hugging her felt right.

“Thanks.”

“No problem.”

Lisa

“ —is why couldn’t you just fucking tell me? Is honesty really that hard?”

Set-up complete, time to knock the pins down.

“Honesty? Yeah? Tell me, how did your trigger event go again?”

“What the fuck do you me—”

“I mean, were you really just protecting your precious little sister—”

“Stop it.”

“Or did you just wish that you didn’t have to be—”

The door slammed in my face as Brian left in a huff. He chanced a glance back at me, and I met his eyes with a smirk. I blocked out his anger and hurt, and squashed the little guilt that was bubbling up within me. 

Downward spiral initiated. Brian’s cognitive and emotional state will be in flux for approximately 1 week. 

Just in time for the bank robbery, then.

Mental condition compromised. Recovery time: 1 week. After 24 hours, anger will give way to resentment. After 72 hours, resentment will give way to melancholy. After 120 Hours—

Great, so I’ll bring up the bank heist around three days from now, when he won’t have the will to seriously object. My eyes flicker upward.

Regent staring into space, romantic moment established with Taylor. 

Damn, I was going to have to nudge him down a notch. Fortunately, Brian is feeling pretty irate, and he’ll probably take it out on him.

I frowned at myself in the mirror. This was harsh, I knew it was. But for this plan to work, I can’t have us together in any healthy sense. 

I just hope that there’s enough left of us to pick up the pieces once I checkmate Coil.

Chapter Text

Taylor

Lisa came in a sundress. It was a shade of pink that complimented her lipstick, had a light texture to it, and showed off her curves in a classy way. She paired it with brown gladiators and a sun hat that, worn by anyone else, would look like they were trying too hard. She took off her sunglasses as I approached.

“Wow, you need this shopping trip more than I do.” 

I looked down at myself. Baggy hoodie and jeans. 

“It’s comfortable. It hides my taser.”

“Honey, looking like that, you won’t need your taser.”

“That’s… kind of the point.”

Lisa looked at me disapprovingly. We started off with her clothes. From leather pants to cutesy blouses, Lisa looked like a fashion model. Objectively speaking, I know that Lisa is on the cute-ish side of average, but the way she holds herself exudes a confidence I’ve only really seen on Emma.

After posing, her expression turns softer. She comes up next to me and links arms with me.

“What do you think?”

“You look beautiful.”

She flashes me a smile, more genuine than any I’ve seen on her. It’s how she’s different from Emma, I suppose. She’s… real.

“Thank you. Alright, your turn.”

“No thanks.” I said, “I don’t really have the money.”

“Hush, it’s my treat. A pretty girl deserves a few free clothes.”

I rolled my eyes at her, but followed along.

A few outfit changes later, I was walking out in a crop-top and high-waisted white chinos. I looked at myself in the mirror. It looked weird. The bony parts of my body jutted out of the outfit at the wrong angles, being sharp where it should be curvaceous. 

“No.”

“You look pretty!”

“I feel like a cheap dress-up doll.”

“You’re not a dress-up doll, hon. If you were, I’d be the one stripping you down and buttoning you back up.”

I felt my face heat up as I whipped my head around to see Lisa’s smirk.

“Now, try this on.”

She shoved skinny jeans in my hands. They were tight enough that I had trouble shimmying into them, and when I went to open the curtain Lisa was already holding more clothes for me to try. I covered my face with my hands and groaned.

"Careful there, the other patrons might get the wrong idea." She said with a grin that was far too amused at my suffering.

Eventually, we walked to the baggage counter, and I saw an outfit and stopped.

Lisa looked at me and groaned. “Taylor, no.”

“I want it.”

“The point of this trip is to boost your self-confidence.”

“I thought the point of this trip was to have fun?”

“Taylor, it’s bland.”

“It’s perfect! It doesn’t show too much skin, the fabric makes running comfortable, It absorbs sweat well, black is easy to wash—”

“Fine! Fine!”

Walking back to the base, I found my room to have been furnished. It was fairly spartan, with a double bed, a nightstand, and a closet. I filled in the closet with my clothes, then watched as Alec played video games in the ‘Living Room’ section. It was the section that was on the opposite side of the rooms. The couch had cheese and grease stains, there were half-eaten boxes of pizza on the counter, and the TV was bigger than any I’d ever seen. It was… surprisingly nice.

“Hey, Taylor, I need to handle some things really quickly. Why don’t you play some video games with Alec?”

“Oh, sure.”

There was something weird in Lisa’s expression when she told me to play video games with Alec, but I chalked it up to my social battery being kind of drained.

Alec looked at me and smiled. “Hey, wanna get your ass kicked in Mario Kart?”

I remembered all the summer nights I spent with Emma playing the game.

“You’re on.”

Below, I was having the spiders weave all the silk I would need. I expected to spend about a week downstairs, working on under armour for the rest of the Undersiders, since I had to watch the actual construction process in person to make sure all the details were right. I wanted to spend as much time up here as possible. Unfortunately, Brian had something personal to take care of, and Rachel was cleaning out a few ABB remnants in the territory. Honestly, I’d try and visit or help, but my date with Lisa had been sort of exhausting.

“Fuck! How the fuck are you so good at this?”

“You just suck.”

Playing games with Alec felt like the perfect recharge.

Brian

I sat back in my chair with a groan. Catching up on schoolwork was exhausting. Aisha’s welfare agent was very strict about my grades needing to be decent, despite the fact I had a ‘job.’ Aisha still wasn’t home, which annoyed me. Where the hell was she? She had been going out to parties more often, but this was the latest she had been out. I hadn’t had any sleep all night, and I had to rush back to base to make sure our territory was still in place. Lung had been defeated, so we had taken the liberty of claiming the area around our base as our territory. I knew Lisa would call in case of an emergency but… after the last few days, I felt more comfortable checking myself.

One bus ride later, and I arrived back at HQ. I opened the gate and noted that Rachel’s dogs weren’t there, meaning they were probably out patrolling. I ran into Taylor as I was walking up the steps.

“Oh, hey.”

“Hey, sorry about last time. I had just—sorry. I should’ve been the one to give you the tour.”

“It’s no problem, Alec gave me a lovely tour.”

Alec? I thought Rachel had given the tour. I know she’s not as good with words, but better a soulmate than him. I opened my mouth to ask what happened but she cut me off.

“Sorry, I have to go work on something Lisa set up,” she said. What the hell is Lisa making her do? She squeezed past me and went to one of the corners of the warehouse where I saw an assortment of insects had gathered. I scowled to myself. As much as I tried to keep my voice level, I knew that Taylor must’ve heard Lisa and I arguing. What kind of message did that give?

Sighing, I kept walking upstairs. I kept fucking up first impressions. Lisa knew I lied about my trigger event. Taylor heard my fight with Lisa. Hell, Rachel hit me in the face. I just wished I could spend some more time with Taylor to clear things up, and get to know her better. Upon arriving upstairs, I noticed Alec was there, a second game controller on the couch. Hang on, was Taylor playing with Alec? Since when does Alec take interest in people?

“‘Sup dude? Care for a game?”

I crossed my arms.

“How has the territory grab been going?”

“What? I dunno. Bitch has been the one—”

“Are you actually part of this team?” I demanded. It was infuriating. Regent was very clearly the weakest link in the team. I brought battlefield control, Tattletale brought information, Bitch brought firepower, but the only thing he brought was an extra share of cash and a bad attitude. 

Not true. The logical part of me says. We would be filled with bullet holes if it weren’t for him. I can’t listen to logic right now. Not when I have no idea why the ever-lazy bastard is suddenly so interested in someone. The last time he showed this much interest…

I felt a surge of anger, disjointed from afar. It was familiar, the anger Bitch felt whenever one of her dogs got injured. Bitch was fighting out there, risking both her and her dogs’ life, and Alec was playing video games with my soulmate.

“What the fuck do you mean?”

“I know you’re lazy—” I began, softly, not wanting Taylor to hear me raising my voice.

“Well, that is one of my more charming traits—”

“ —but I think you’re forgetting that we started holding territory for you. We got caught with our pants down when your siblings came to town, and we took over the area so that it wouldn’t happen again. Now that we’re expanding, you’re sitting here, doing nothing? Honestly, Alec, I can’t fucking remember the last time you contributed in a fight.”

“Excuse you, I was the one who tased Oni Lee.”

“ —and he got away.” I loomed over him, jabbing a finger at his chest.“ Everything you do is half-assed, ineffective—”

“Is this about you being jealous that I gave Taylor the tour?” 

I froze. He had the gall to smirk. Was he mocking me? Rubbing it in my face how easy it would be for him to seduce my soulmate? To make her his thrall?

I felt my blood boil, but I kept control.

“No,” I began, my voice barely a whisper, “this is about you not respecting the fact that she’s my  soulmate. I know your history. I know what you did , you rapist bastard. There’s nothing to feel jealous of, because that’s what you are to her, to me, and to this goddamn team. Nothing. ”

I stood over him, face inches from his, begging him to take a swing. I felt a pang of pain, deep and chilling. Did something happen to one of Rachel’s dogs? Alec stood up and walked away.

I sat down and took a deep breath. Taylor walked up.

“I felt anger and pain… Is everything okay?”

I stood up and began putting on my costume.

“Bitch is in trouble, I’ll go help her. You stay here, we need someone with firepower at the base at all times, and Regent just left.”

“Why?”

I closed the door without answering her.

A few badly beaten ABB thugs later, and my phone rang. I looked at the caller ID. Aisha.

“Hey big bro.”

“Aisha, where the fuck have you been?”

“Woah. You grue-ing out right now?”

I froze. Damn it, I still had my mask on. I knew that she had known for a while, but she’s never acknowledged it before.

That was sloppy. Fuck. At this rate I’m going to become a liability for the team. I took a deep breath and tried to separate my anger at myself from my frustration with Aisha.

“Why are you calling?”

“I uhhh, just got home. The door is locked. Is there a spare key under the mat or…?”

“The door is locked because you should’ve been home hours ago, and should be in school now.”

“Yeah but I haven’t showered yet and—”

“I don’t care, Aisha. You go to parties, you deal with the consequences. Get your ass to school. Now.”

I hung up. Looking at Bitch, I could see that her eyes were shining with approval. At least I still had somebody on my side.

Alec

My fingers glided across the piano keys. Fur Elise was never meant to be played somberly. I added arpeggio’s to flourish the spaces between the notes. The music painted colours in my head; the ice cold blues of glaciers, the frostbitten white of the snow, the slow, creeping dread of brown, the herald of autumn. Before I knew it, I was playing Vivaldi’s Winter. Relishing in the notes, clean and crisp.

As I played, a small smile crept up on my face. I used to hate playing, used to hate entertaining guests at my father’s behest. I used to hate getting my fingers hit with a ruler whenever I hit a sour note, used to hate being paralyzed with fear if I made any mistakes at parties or when guests were over.

Now, I don’t think I could live without music. I’d have gone insane a hundred times over, were it not for me being able to play. It got me through my mad dash as I escaped Canada, got me through my messy introduction to Brockton Bay.

A glass was set down on the piano. Part of me cringed. A trouper’s instrument was his wife. His treasure and joy. Sullying the wood with a drink was an unthinkable crime, an unforgivable offense. I made a mental note to send the proprietor money for a new piano. You don’t get many bars in Brockton Bay with an open stage, much less one open before sunset.

“Pretty early for a concert, don’t you think?”

My musings were cut short as I turned to see a dark skinned woman raise a glass to me. Her hair was wild, untamed, like the cracks on shattered glass, reaching out in all directions. Her clothes were disheveled, and her eyes intense. She seemed like she belonged in an era long gone, primal and authentic. I gave her a smile as I took the drink off the piano and downed it, careful to wipe the bottom dry of moisture before placing it back.

“Nonsense. There is no proper time for laughter, no limits on when to love— neither can we confine music to an era, nor songs to positions of the sun.”

She snorted at me. “Okay, nerd. Lemme ask you a different question, then. Why that song in particular?”

“Which one?”

“The one you were playing?”

“Beethoven or Vivaldi?”

A look of non-recognition flashed on her face. I couldn’t help but giggle. She scowled at me, and I relented.

“Sorry, nerd-ass question. I was playing it because it felt right. How about you? It’s a bit early to be drinking…” I picked up the glass and sniffed it. “Aviation gin?”

“I dunno, all I know is they don’t card me for the cheap shit. My brother is being an asshole, and I don’t really have anywhere to go.”

I gestured to the piano.

“Do you play?”

She shook her head, her hair batting her in the face. I noticed she had strands dyed violet. She explained how she tried it once before, but couldn’t really commit to it. I raised the glass to her and said, “Well, in exchange for the drink…”

I moved over and made space for her. I patted the portion of the seat next to me.

“You have somewhere to go. I’ll teach you.”

She raised an amused eyebrow. Even sat down next to me, she was a couple inches taller. She smelled like cheap strawberry perfume, cigarettes, and sweat. It may have been the gin talking, but it smelled… right, somehow. Like it fit.

Surprisingly, when she put two hands on the piano, I noticed her fingers were delicate, despite her rough appearance. She hadn’t done much manual labour. 

C-B-A-G-F-G-A C-B-A-G-E

A            D            G            C   

“The only thing you remember is Fly me to the moon?”

“Yeah. Got a problem with that?” She frowned at me.

I smirked before echoing her, copying her accent, “Lemme ask you a different question, then. Why that song in particular?”

Her face went red, then she seemed to stop for a second. “It makes me feel… I dunno, fuckin’ calm.”

She took a second, and then spoke with a light Canadian accent, copying me.

“I guess you could say I was playing it because it felt right.”

I smiled and began accompanying her. 

We played until the moon came out.

Rachel

Serves those ABB fuckers right. Judas agreed with a high-pitched bark. I leaned down to scratch his chin.

We had more territory now. More room for the dogs to play. Brian made that happen. 

In these situations I should smile…right? I turned my head. Brian was still tense, shoulders squared like he’s still looking for a fight. I looked around. There was no threat.

I reached for my packbond. He was angry. Damn. I wanted a good celebratory fuck. Wait, no. I have to ask what’s wrong.

“Why are you angry?”

Brian opens his mouth, fists clenched, sighs, and closes it. That meant he was… thinking?

“I…” He sighed. “I am angry because I feel like I’m powerless.”

That’s fucking dumb, he just beat up like five people. I open my mouth, but he cuts me off.

“I just feel like… Alec is making a move on Taylor. Or manipulating her. I don’t know. I just don’t want them getting too close, but I don’t want to scare Taylor off by forbidding her.”

He was still tense. I didn’t know what to say to comfort him. I got off Judas and walked towards him, then wrapped my arms around him. He tensed up for half a second, then relaxed. I felt the anger from the packbond go away.

We stood there for a minute before he said “thanks” in the crook of my neck. It tickled.

“No problem. Wanna fuck?”

He chuckled, and didn’t answer. No answer meant no, or not right now. Ugh.

I got back on Judas, and we rode back home.

The only one here was Taylor. I walked over to her doing…something with her bugs. I tapped her shoulder and she startled, whirling around like she got caught doing something bad. 

“Yes?” She cocks her head like a curious pup. Cute.

“Do you want to go play Fetch with Judas? He did good today. Deserves a treat.”

She bares her teeth–no. She smiles. “Yeah. I have time, lead the way.”

Lisa

“...so that’s the plan. Any questions?”

Brian and Alec both avoid eye-contact. Video game gambit worked out. Taylor and Rachel leaning towards each other. Intimate moment shared.

I groaned internally. I thought I had drained her energy with the shopping mall-flirting. Taylor’s annoyingly good at bringing them together. I sighed.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, you were saying?”

Taylor asks about the strategy, and I start explaining my cops and robbers theory to her.

Concerned about past crimes. Afraid of separation. Afraid of Birdcage. Intends to steer the group away from serious crime. Intends to convert the group to white hats.

“Okay, but what about pain sharing?”

I flash her a serious look. “No. No pain sharing. Getting distracted means getting caught, or worse. Nobody accepts any soulmate pain, anger, or fear during the heist. Plenty of time for cuddles later.”

I made sure to look at everyone briefly. I let my power do the cold reading.

Brian nods seriously. All-business. Won’t be a problem.

Alec makes eye-contact. He knows I know. Doesn’t want to speak of it. Still hurt from the video game incident.

Rachel grunts. Won’t share pain. Doesn’t like it.

Taylor is silent. Worried. Isn’t used to not accepting pain. Not practiced at not letting it in. May let in pain reflexively.

I smiled and filed that information away for later. Rachel, on the other hand, is getting too close for comfort. Fortunately, I’m one step ahead this time. She, like Brian, doesn’t know Alec is a soulmate, and my instructions for Taylor should pull on the strings perfectly. I’ll have to distract her to make sure she doesn’t finish the others in time…

“Alright, plan made. Taylor, I have a little side job for you concerning our escape route. Can your bugs lift clothes?”

Chapter Text

Taylor

I wish Lisa had given me more of a heads-up. Three days were not enough to make a proper costume. Still, leaving him with some protection was better than nothing.

I picked up the black bodysuit for a final inspection.

It didn’t leave any dye on my hands. Good. I was worried it wouldn’t dry before the heist. I tested its elasticity. It stretched and snapped back just fine. Good. 

I didn’t have Alec’s measurements, but from what I could tell, we were pretty similar in build, except he was a fair bit smaller, so I used my costume as a basis and made allowances where I thought it was necessary. 

“Taylor! Meeting time!” I heard Lisa call out.

I walked to the living area. I had always pictured supervillain meetings happening in back alleys, but seeing everyone relaxing around the couch made me feel a bit dumb for expecting something dramatic. Brian was quiet, flexing his hands and spacing out. Rachel looked bored, and scratched Judas’ ear as she sat on the ottoman, one elbow on her knee. Alec was on the opposite side of the room, texting someone on his phone?

Lisa stood in the middle of the room, hands on her hips. She wore a fashionable blouse and skirt, looking distinctly put together while the rest of us dressed casually. She glanced at me as I walked up the steps. 

“Alec?”

His head raised up. He was balancing on the back legs of the chair, holding both his phone and his head upside down. He glanced at me. 

“Here. It’s made of black widow silk. It’s knife-proof and fire-resistant. Tell me if there are any weird fits, like if the sleeves are too long or if you’d rather have the pants and shirt as a one-piece set. I also wasn’t quite sure about how far your V-neck collar dips so it might be a bit too high. Oh, and if you want armor panels like mine I can–”

He walked across the room and hugged me.

“This is the suit that let you take on Lung? Dude, that’s badass!”

We shared a smile. 

Rachel stood up, and I saw her glaring at Regent. Why? Wait, who was he texting? I– 

Lisa clapped her hands. 

“Alright, no time for words. Heist is today! We’ve been over the routes, so I need everyone to roll into the van! Taylor, got your bugs ready?”

I frowned. “I’ll gather them now.”

I looked back at Alec and Rachel. Oh well, we can always talk about it later.

Brian

I flooded the bank in darkness. Battlefield control became exponentially more powerful the bigger the scale of the battle. Alone, being blind and deaf was a severe disadvantage. In a team? It’s a nightmare. 

I dashed forward along with the civilians we released to make the Wards hesitate to fire. I gunned for Vista. There were two main problems for us. Vista and Clockblocker. A shaker 9 and striker 7. Vista had better control than me, and Clockblocker could incapacitate any of us with a touch. Fortunately, we had an advantage. They were soulmates.

Capes being outed as soulmates was a seriously dangerous thing. Because of the nature of soulbonds, soulmates don’t share strengths— only weaknesses. I couldn’t knock Clockblocker out without him disabling me, but I could knock out Vista and make him ineffective. There were multiple capes that suffered greatly due to being outed as soulmates. Assault and Battery were one example— Lung’s territory grab a couple of years ago made them—

Aegis flew at me, only to be tackled by one of Bitch’s dogs. Kid Win and Gallant were paralyzed, unable to do more than fire at the dogs, to little effect. I began moving towards Vista again until I got socked in the stomach.

Browbeat swung again, and I bobbed and weaved out of the way. He was following me, but swung in wide arcs. He couldn’t see or hear, so how was he doing this? My thoughts got interrupted as his fist slammed into my guard. My arm hurt, and the shot rocked me. He was bigger than me, and even for his size, he was strong.

I changed tactics. I ducked under a haymaker and planted a hook into his body, before backstepping away from the hammer fist counter. I kept moving off of the center line and peppering his body with hits, but he had a brute rating higher than I initially guessed. He grunted, seemingly unaffected.

“Goddamn, what the fuck is happening?!”

He screamed, but it wouldn’t help him in the darkness. No noise could be heard, and Lisa said even electronic signals were blocked. I socked him in the jaw and grit my teeth. I’ve taken hits from my father when I was a brat— I could take his hits too.

My luck ran out when I stumbled a bit, and he managed to grab me. He didn’t move to a better position for a choke, but he started squeezing. I felt the hair leave my lungs as he flexed. He didn’t need technique, his brute strength was more than enough to overwhelm me. I tried to claw out his eyes, but he looked away and squeezed harder. 

Shit, shit, shit! I’m going to pass out!

In a last act of desperation, I banished the darkness around us, hoping that getting blinded by sunlight would shock him enough for him to loosen his grip.

He fell to the floor and started convulsing.

My eyes widened. Crap. Was he having a seizure? Even if it’s accidental, being suspected of killing a Ward could give me a kill order. 

“Not so useless now, huh?”

I whipped my head around to see Alec. I could feel him grinning at me, hand out, palm pointing at Browbeat. His body tick inducement didn’t normally have this large of an effect on people. Was there some kind of weird power interaction, like between Shadow Stalker and I? 

Regent shoved me aside just in time for Browbeat’s wild right to miss me. He stuck the taser into the cape, causing the Ward to collapse. 

I couldn’t help it. I grinned at him. I was out of breath and my entire body throbbed in protest to any movement, but I managed to speak.

“Good job.”

“My pleasure, leader,” he replied with a flourish.

I turned my attention back towards the fight. Insects were swarming Clockblocker, and Vista was running towards him. Bitch was single handedly holding back Gallant, Kid Win, and Aegis, which was damn impressive. Still, I could see some bruises from where Gallant had hit her with his blasts. Damn. I bet she could’ve used that armour Taylor made Regent. I felt a tug near my head—was Lisa having a headache? Did someone manage to hit Taylor in the head? No, I had to trust them.

I shook my head and pointed. 

“That way! Protect Bitch from Kid Win’s blasts!”

Regent nodded, tased Browbeat one more time, and ran.

I dashed towards Vista and screamed, knowing that my darkness distorts voices enough that the difference between voices doesn't matter.

“Help! Get them off of me!”

“Browb—”

I gave her a roundhouse to the head. I didn’t go full power, but I still knocked her out. Sorry kid. I started firing blasts of darkness to distract Aegis, flitting in and out of cover. I tried to randomize when I’d pop out, giving them enough time to focus on me, but not enough time to get a shot off before they were blinded. Insects swarmed the battlefield, there were plenty that were frozen around Clockblocker, and a little pride surged within me. That moment would cost me, however, as Gallant’s blast hit me from behind.

Fear. I was paralyzed by it for a split second. I scrambled back into the darkness. Just before I crossed the threshold I heard my phone go off. In the safety of the darkness, I took a peek at my phone. It was from Tattletale.

GG Here, atk Gallnt.

I grit my teeth. Taylor and Lisa were extra vulnerable around Glory Girl. They weren’t trained for direct combat. I looked back, and Kid Win dropped out of the air, insects streaming into his propulsion pack. That was enough to turn the tide of the battle, as Bitch could hold Aegis down with two dogs, and Regent was harrying Gallant surprisingly well despite the latter’s power suit. 

I stepped back out and shot a cloud of darkness at both Aegis and Gallant before shouting.

“Focus on Gallant!”

Kid Win stood up, but I dashed over towards him before he could get his bearings and decked him. He went down too. Bitch and I spared a look at each other. We nodded. He had on metallic power armour, meaning it’d be dangerous to close the gap, so I grabbed Regent by the waist.

“H-hey! What the fu—”

Angelica leaped up at Gallant, aiming at his head as opposed to his limbs. Reflexively, he rolled below. It brought him just in range as I threw Regent at him. He managed to fire a blast at Regent, but it didn’t matter—Regent’s background had left him resistant to Master powers. Still, I couldn’t help but feel a dull throb of concern as he got hit.

He grabbed onto Gallant and shoved his taser between the armour plates and tased him. As he went down, I could see Tattletale waving through my darkness, a signal meant only for me. It was time to go.

“Alright, everyone, time to move!”

A little part of me smiled. We robbed a bank, like proper, Sunday cartoon villains. It was inefficient and absurd, and I loved every second of it. 

Our escape plan was simple: I rode through the streets, spreading darkness everywhere, doubling back to confuse our pursuers, allowing my teammates to get off one by one, change clothes, and end up looking like nothing but regular civilians. Bitch was the last off, because her face was known. She dropped down into the sewers as I switched into casual work-out clothes. I blended in with similarly large men as I entered my dad’s old boxing gym, with a bag full of cash.

Alec

I collapse onto the couch, panting heavily. My heart is pounding. I feel a dull throb of… something. Excitement? Exhilaration? I smile to myself. I wish I could share this with the others…

Taylor sat down beside me, staring into space.

“First time?”

She looked at me and blinked rapidly, face devoid of any comprehension. I couldn’t help but scoff. That seemed to shake her out of her stupor. She gave me a playful glare that only served to make me laugh.

She hit me in the arm.

“Come on, we should celebrate.”

My phone pinged— a notification.

Dumbass: sup

Pretty Boy: Hey, wanna go out for drinks? I’ll introduce you to a friend of mine.

Dumbass: im down, slong as shes not as big of a nerd as u

Pretty Boy: Same place, fifteen minutes?

Dumbass: yep

I smiled and looked to my right. “I think I know a place.”

An hour later, the music’s bass reverbrated through my body. Aisha banged her head along to the beat, and despite dancing awkwardly, Taylor’s face was red as she laughed.

My finger twitched and I was struck with the sudden urge to paint. To let the brush dance along the canvas stroke after stroke, trying to capture a fraction of the muse in front of me.

Instead, I jump on the table, Taylor and Aisha doubling over in laughter as I make a show of myself. I pour another round for us, downing it first, the shot scratching my throat and leaving a gasoline aftertaste.

Taylor throws her head back and my traitorous eyes trail down before I force them back up, catching her scrunch her nose cutely at the liquid death. Her tongue darts out unconsciously in a way that leaves me wanting to chase it with... no, that'd be wrong. Soulmates weren't necessarily always lovers. Fenja and Menja, of the Empire, were soulmates, yet very strictly only sisterly.

Being so forward with Taylor, it was a dangerous game. The spark of attraction was not the flame of love. The slightest breeze could blow it away, and if I overstepped...

I shook my head and raised a glass, eliciting a cheer from Aisha and Taylor as I downed it.

Rachel

"FUCK!"

I bang my fist against the wall.

Again. She went with him again.

"Damn it." I want to punch something. Someone. Just–

Warm snout. The tickle of fur. Soft whimpering. Angelica. I force myself to calm down.

Breathe. Like Brian taught me. In. One, two, three, four. Out. Five, six, seven, eight. Repeat.

The breathing doesn't really help, but the thought of my pack does. 

I let out a rough sigh and curl down to pet Angelica, who almost shows her tummy. Trust, calming down. Alec is part of the team. Can’t be mad at him. Taylor is happier with him. It’s the pack’s job to keep her happy. Did I do something wrong? Brian doesn’t like Alec, but he’s treating Taylor like territory. You don’t lock a dog in a cage, you give them a reason to stay. What do I do to cheer her up?

I think about it. Taylor isn’t like Brian. She’s not like me. She was more like Lisa, but less… Lisa. What does Lisa do when she’s pissed? I try and remember the times she bared her– Smiled. She smiled after she bought things, didn’t she?

Right. The cash should be at the warehouse by now. I’ll buy Taylor things, and then she’ll stick with me.

Lisa

Only one dog gone. Low threat level task. Rachel went to get the money.

I was running— Alec had brought the truck somewhere with Taylor.

Burst of anger. Twinge of fear. Worry. Rachel attacked, Brian worried. Not for Rachel. Worried about Alec.

I roll my eyes. Brian drives the stolen car faster. 

We arrive at the docks at the same time Regent and Queen of All That Skitters— it’s a work in progress, Gloryhole had notes— get out of their van, provided courtesy of Coil. 

Queen of All That Skitters wobbly. Tire marks indicate swerving. Both Regent and Queen are inebriated. Annoyance. Originates from both self and Brian. Brian suspects Alec. Tattletale jealous that Queen and Regent share name themes.

What in the petty fuck? I shake my own annoyance out of my head and focus on the environment.

Small scratch marks. Angelica's transformation incomplete during attack. Lack of blood— suggests blunt force rather than cutting. Empire: Unlikely, Bitch is white. Merchants: Unlikely, no substance residue. ABB: Unlikely, Oni Lee uses blades. Circus: Unlikely, connected with Coil. Uber and Leet most likely suspects. Most likely vantage point—

“Uber and Leet!” I shout and point at the same time Taylor says “Grenade!” and tackles me to the ground.