Archive of Our Own ^beta

"We should go to a hospital,” says Hope

They’re all in the dining room, slumped over plates that once held greasy burgers. After the battle, all five of them agreed that their utmost priority was to get food in their stomachs. The ooz for all its usefulness wasn't exactly filling. 

Her words don’t make anybody, including herself, get up, though.

Yeah, the hospital’s a great idea. They’d all love to get some pain medication and just sleep the day away. But it involves getting up and making the walk to the car, which was the last thing on their minds.

They are all different shades of bruises and varying degrees of exhausted.

Cassie is already passed out, head down on the table, after eating a cheese burger topped with oranges. 

Janet has mustered up enough energy to break open the scotch, which she’s now pouring into a glass, while Hank is talking to an ant about the more evolved ants.

Hope is staring at Scott whose face is swollen. He’s pressing his ice cold glass of citrusy drink against his cheek.

“Or at least you should,” Hope revises.

“No,” Scott said, voice coming out a whisper, tender and vulnerable and yet firm at the same time, leaving no room for misinterpretation as to what his thoughts were on the matter. “I’m fine.”

“Your eye is swollen shut.”

“And yet I can still see how beautiful you look.” He winks using his one good eye and he looks absolutely ridiculous.

Across from them, Hank stops his conversation with the ant to stare at them.

Hope tries one more time, though.

“Your breathing is irregular.”

“Not my fault you take my breath away.”

Hank groans. “Not in my house. We have children in here.”

Scott grins. He glances at Cassie, then at Hank. “She’s a heavy sleeper.”

“I’m talking about the ants,” Hank replies.

Hope turns to her dad, temporarily abandoning the hospital idea. She wasn’t all that in to it either. “Now you know how I felt when you and mom were talking about needs.” She shudders.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Scott says, shaking his head. “Needs needs? And when did this happen?”

“When we were separated down there,” Hope replies.

“Having needs is normal, jellybean,” Janet pipes in, handing her glass to Hank. “I mean, I’m certain you and Scott have had needs.”

Hope grimaces. It’s not that she doesn’t understand having needs. It’s hearing about her parents’ needs that makes it the problem.

"Let's not bring our sex life into this."

Scott’s face scrunches up. “Are we talking about what I think we’re talking about? Because while Cassie and I were getting blown up, you two were satisfying needs down there?  Janet, Hank!" Scott berates them, "What—the priorities—”

“No!” Hank half-barks while Janet patiently clarifies it all to Scott.

Hope, who has to hear it all a second time, covers her ears.

“Ohhhh.” Scott says when Janet’s done. “Oh! So does that mean that you and Kang also…?” He trails off, eyebrows dancing suggestively.

Hank resists the urge to throw a sugar cube at him, but is also interested to know the answer to that question. He turns to his wife with an expectant look.

“I mean, he is a little sexy if you get past the whole I-will-destroy-worlds thing," continues Scott. "I can’t really blame you. He’s good looking, but not as good looking as Hank, here of course.”

Scott winks at him (twitches would be a more apt description) while Hank sighs and drinks the scotch, instead.

Janet shakes her head, gesturing at Scott to stop before he says anything more.

Scott stops talking about Kang, but he doesn’t stop talking.

“And you, Hank, I mean, Linda must have been beautiful. But she’s no Janet Van Dyne. Nobody else can be Janet Van Dyne."

Hank turns to his wife, smiling. “He’s right, you know.”

“I’m always right.”

“Nobody else could replace you,” Hank takes Janet’s hand and brings it to his lips. “It’s always been you, baby.”

Contrary to the conversation on needs, this one doesn’t trigger Hope as much. Her parents were lucky to have found each other again and she averts her gaze to give them some privacy. She can only imagine the talk they’re going to have tonight. And the therapy they're all going to need. 

Hope looks at Scott, who’s now chosen the time to share a story about his cellmates in jail all those years ago.

“…it can get very lonely in jail…”

It’s always been Scott for Hope too.

Even if he is an idiot who’s too busy reminiscing to notice her parents need some privacy.

“—and there were these two guys right next cell, they were very noisy—”

Hope grabs his arm and tugs, “Okay, it’s time to go.”

“What? But I haven’t finished my lemonade.”

“I need you—"

“You do?” Scott frowned. “I mean, I’m all for it, usually, but I don’t think I can even perform right now.” He touches his side, “I may have a dislodged rib—”

“—to get Cassie to the car,” Hope finishes.

“Oh. Gotcha.” He gives her a smug grin. “This daughter of yours, Hank, can’t get enough of me.”

This time Hank does throw a sugar cube at him. “Out! Now!”