Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Left, left. No, right. Guys, I said left-"

"Chase!" Three voices yelled in sync. 

Skylar carried five giant crates on her shoulders. Kaz held two behind her, and Bree was hauling one. All were full of random nerd junk. 

Chase put his hands up. "Right. Just right."

The line of teammates shuffled backward. 

"Actually-"

"Chase!" 

"I'll buy you double the pizza!"

The protests calmed.

Eventually, the boxes were set down. Chase was reorganizing Mission Command, and naturally roped them into the heavy lifting. Skylar had super strength and was built of muscle mass comparable to Adam’s, Kaz was third strongest -second, negating superstrength-, and of course he wanted to torture his dear sister a bit. The girls he snagged by bribing with food, Kaz by a promise for kisses. He was a bit easier. 

When the work was finished Kaz hovered over, pressing a peck to his lips. 

"Blech, sweaty," Chase wrinkled his nose. Kaz grinned, circling his arms around his middle as he touched down. 

"No!" Chase shrieked, trying to wiggle away. 

Bree rolled her eyes fondly, folding her arms. Skylar rested an elbow on her much shorter shoulder.

“We did that.”

“Oh yeah, all us.”

The whoosh of the hyperlift caught everyone's attention. 

"Oh, I was wondering where all of you were," Oliver walked out, slightly smiling. 

The shift was a little too palpable. Chase developed an interest in the floor. Kaz kept Chase in his hold, glaring flaming daggers. Literally. His hair was smoking. Bree’s glare was even sharper. Skylar scowled at Oliver's presence, pointedly turning her nose up at and ignoring him.

Oliver sighed.

Silently, the others filed out. He stayed in the shadow when the blue light faded.

~*~

"It's seriously like a rat is down there," Chase continued ranting. He was curled into Kaz’s side on one of their couches. There were pizza boxes scattered on the coffee table, joining Kaz's comics and Bree’s magazines. The girls sat on the other side of the table in the massive beanbag Kaz had stolen Davenport’s card to buy, shoveling food into their faces. Kaz was much the same. "Every time I go to Mission Command things are moved around."

"Haunted," Kaz claimed, slurping from his soda can. 

"That's plausible."

"And a rat moving machines is," Kaz shot back. He burped. "Eat something, babe."

"Already did," Chase rested his elbow on Kaz’s leg.

Quiet. 

"It's dairy cheese. And I already got food."

Kaz narrowed his eyes suspiciously. 

"Go look at the trashcan," Chase countered. 

Kaz hovered up, making Chase flop into the armrest. 

"You guys are like an old married couple," Bree complained.

"Chew with your mouth closed."

"Bite me."

Chase sighed exaggeratedly. Kaz flashed a thumbs-up by the trashcan in confirmation of food evidence. 

"Why can't we eat that fourth if you won't?" Bree pointed to the pizza sitting in the box.

Before Chase replied, the whoosh happened again. 

Silence fell.

Oliver didn't look their way, heading up the stairs.

Chase grabbed the box, following.

~*~

Tap Tap

The soft knock startled Oliver. He'd been swaying in his desk chair. "Uh… yeah?"

The door creaked open. 

"Dude, this is your room too."

Chase shrugged, stepping inside. 

He set a pizza box on the desk. Oliver looked at him quizzically. 

"It's your favorite. Light sauce."

Oliver blinked. "How… did you-"

Chase offered a small smile, shrugging again. "I notice a lot." He tapped his right temple, exiting.

Oliver lost his appetite. 

~*~

"He's walking now?" Chase smiled. Bree did the same beside him. "That's great! Yeah, we will. Bye, Mr. Davenport."

The siblings were curled up on one of the sunbathing chairs on their balcony, only managing to fit in it because Bree was as tiny as they get. Apparently, their thirteen-year-old cousin was taller than her.

“That’s awesome,” Kaz draped his arms over their shoulders from behind.

They both grinned at him. 

Kaz was struck again by how similar they looked, both curled under a massive blanket to fight the early January weather.

He warmed himself up for them accordingly, lighting his ear on fire. 

Psss  

Skylar pinched it with her two fingertips to extinguish it, walking further out.

“Okay, kids-”

“I’m older than you,” the siblings said in unison.

“Douglas is walking,” Kaz added.

Skylar blinked. “Oh my Drekk- really?”

They nodded.

“That’s fantastic!” she crouched, squeezing both of their knees.

“Apparently Mr. Davenport and Dr. Diaz keep on having to chase him around the hospital to get him to stop,” Chase snickered.

“You give him an inch and he literally takes a mile,” Bree laughed, elbowing her brother.

The others giggled at that. There was something awfully funny about Douglas Davenport rapidly scooting around a hospital.

“Anyway,” Chase segued. “What’s up, Sky?”

“Oh yeah,” she drawled, flashing her phone screen. “I may or may not have gotten premium tickets to the newest Tecton flick.”

Silence.

“I could kiss you.” Kaz uttered.

“Do not,” Skylar vetoed.

Chase chuckled again, leaning up to peck Kaz’s jaw. Kaz grinned, wrapping him in his arms.

“Ew,” the girls complained.

“Wait, are there only four?” Chase squinted.

Quiet fell, save for the city’s ambiance.

“Uh… yeah,” Skylar tilted her head, still crouched. 

“What about-”

“He’s not gonna want to come. Last time you offered all he did was scoff at you,” Skylar reminded.

“And we don’t want him there,” Bree muttered. She might’ve been the angriest with him. Not for the way he talked to and about her, no, she could more than take that, but the way that he treated her little brother. That was pretty unforgivable. She was the only one allowed to bully him.

“But-” Chase tried.

“Babe,” Kaz exhaled, squeezing him gently. “It’s not worth it. All he’ll do is be cruel to you and make you feel worse.”

Chase sighed.

~*~

“I swear, things keep moving,” Chase murmured.

“Haunted,” Kaz breathed long into his ear. 

“Ew,” Chase held it, giving him a look.

“Took the word out of my mouth,” Bree agreed, straightening her skirt. They’d decided to look decently good that night, as the theater and restaurant they’d head to after was fancy enough to warrant it. That and Bree just liked the excuse to dress up and roped the others into it.

Kaz snickered, gliding after them. The group left Mission Command, heading into the tunnels.

When they got to the parking lot, Skylar opened the back door of a sleek sportsDavencar for Bree. Kaz decided that was a good move, opening the driver’s for Chase. Chase rolled his eyes fondly, kissing his cheek. A win for Kazville. Chase straightened Kaz’s collar, to which Kaz immediately messed up.

He climbed into the passenger, looking in the rearview at the chatting girls.

“Are they fruity?” he stage-whispered.

Chase furrowed his brows in thought.

The question of the ages. When do girl best friends cross the threshold into being actually gay? That was the mystery for their esteemed evening.

Kaz settled his hand on Chase’s thigh, fully missing the fact that it turned him into a tomato. Chase hit a button to open the wall to their secret underground tunnels, driving off.

~*~

Oliver walked down the stairs, rubbing his neck. It had gotten quiet in the main area about an hour ago. Eventually, he got curious enough.

He took note of how empty it was.

A rush of anxiety ran through him.

They were downstairs earlier, right?

He quickly hurried to the hyperlift.

~*~

We’re going out. We should be back around midnight. I left one of my father’s cards for you if you wanted to do something, or if you just want food to enjoy the alone time. They figured you wouldn’t want to go with us. Have a good night.

The scrawly cursive told Oliver it was Chase.

He crinkled the note in his grip. One that probably wouldn’t have been left if the others had it up to them.

Oliver found it very hard to breathe in that instance. 

Alone.

He was alone all night.

He might throw up.

A sharp bang from behind interrupted his spiral.

Chapter Text

Oliver shrieked, just about jumping out of his skin.

He rapidly backed away from the corner, lifting his fists.

“W-Who- who’s there?” he squeaked, not sounding all that heroic.

The right rock wall raised. Oliver yelped again.

~*~

The old Tecton theme played.

Kaz startled, hurriedly hitting the volume key on his phone. There weren’t many people in the theater, but the ones in there looked annoyed.

Bree facepalmed beside him. Chase gave Skylar a wad of cash dug out from his coat pocket like they’d made bets on who would disrupt the general public first.

Oliver.

Kaz rolled his eyes, returning to the screen.

It buzzed again.

“Put your phone on silent,” Bree hissed.

“I don’t know what the hell he wants,” Kaz whispered back.

“Who?” Chase leaned over.

"Oliver."

Skylar frowned. “Why is he calling?”

“I just said I dunno,” Kaz pointed out.

“Shh,” a man behind them hissed.

“You shh,” the two returned.

“He could be in trouble,” Chase muttered.

Kaz gently put a hand on his knee. Thankfully the theater was dark enough to disguise that fact from the people around. The team hadn’t even been recognized. “He’s probably just pissed that we’re gone.”

Chase bit his thumbnail.

Bree reached over Kaz to pull his hand down.

“Dude, it’s more than likely nothing.”

“Shh!”

“Shh!” the other three replied.

Chase began lightly rocking.

There were thirty seconds of movie sounds, Tecton v Megahertz of course.

“I’m going,” Chase started to stand. 

“Woah!” Kaz pulled him back down by the wrists. Chase yanked his right one out of his grip immediately. Okay then. “Chase, he’s a drama queen. It is like seventy-five percent nothing-”

“Why the hell are you being so callous? Are you seriously not concerned?” Chase snapped. Kaz blinked. Chase glanced at Skylar as well. “You’re his best friends. Jeez.”

None of them caught the “no one is going to get hurt because of my error.” under his breath.

He stormed away, flipping off the guy who did a third shh. 

The three remaining exchanged a glance. Kaz rubbed his neck.

~*~

The wall raised again. 

Oliver yelped once more, having been stuck in the same position for what felt like an eternity.

“Oliver!” it was Chase.

Oliver felt an intense relief.

“Are you alright?” Chase walked in, taking in the room. Frost lining the ceiling edges, flakes softly floating.

“Yeah,” Oliver croaked, seeing his breath puff. He was clearly not immune to cold air. 

Chase slid his jacket off, covering his shoulders. Oliver jumped. 

“What happened?”

“I-”

The wall opened again. “That!” Oliver hid behind him. Chase squared.

A pause.

“What happened in here?”

“Kaz!” Oliver stepped forward, a big relieved grin on his face. He stopped, remembering.

“You did show up,” Chase raised a brow at the three crowded in the opening.

“Barely,” Kaz shot him a look. “Someone took the car.”

“Yeah, well,” Chase snorted. “You fly.”

“But I had to carry her,” he jabbed a thumb at Skylar. “She’s heavy.”

Skylar elbowed his stomach.

“Whatever,” Bree sighed, undoing her necklace. “Can we just get food?”

“Yeah,” Chase nodded. “Go up.”

He tossed her Davenport’s card that was left out. She caught it between two fingers.

Once the blue flash faded, Chase turned back.

“What happened?”

“The wall opened,” Oliver shrugged, feeling a little silly about being so worried. “Stuff fell.”

Chase thought for a moment. “Okay. I’ll check the cameras. Let’s get you upstairs.”

“But-”

“It’s winter, in a basement, in an area you frostified,” Chase counted on his fingers. “Cryokinetics means chilly. You need to be warmed up.”

Oliver exhaled, following behind him.

~*~

Kaz was pacing by the hyperlift doors. Bree scrolled on her phone, reading the menu of a new place that had opened up down the street, making sure they had food Chase could eat. Skylar stood behind her stool, waiting to do her part. 

They’d split the arduous task: Bree finding the place, Skylar calling it in, and Kaz flying to pick it up, as Skylar’s powers were far too incomplete (to her detriment, which made Kaz scowl every time he saw her try to use them to no avail. He hated the defeated look on her face. It was one he’d despised since the evil Skylar incident, where it first appeared in its whole.) to fly and Bree lightly bullied him into it because she had a mild sprain from their last mission.

“Chill, dude,” Bree popped her gum. “It’s been fifteen seconds.”

“Kaz, no matter how much of a dick he is, Oliver can’t hurt Chase,” Skylar said a little more gently. She was better at reigning Kaz in. “Like he literally cannot, Chase is way stronger.”

“Bold of you to assume Chase would defend himself,” Kaz muttered, speeding up.

A blue flash. It was incredibly blinding. They should tell Davenport to change that, for Chase’s sake especially. 

"You can dance well?" Chase said. "I guess that makes sense. You're better than Kaz at agility training."

"I… guess?"

Chase seemed to notice the others. "Oh, hey."

"Food choices acquired," Skylar saluted. She took Bree's phone, heading over to the balcony to call.

“Go change your laundry around,” Chase ordered his sister. 

“Go suck a dick,” she replied. 

Kaz waggled his eyebrows.

“Yeah…” Bree gagged. “Gonna pretend I didn’t see that. I’m taking you with me to go furniture shopping tomorrow, nerd. It’s still boring in here.”

“I’d rather die,” Chase said sweetly, batting his lashes. Kaz snickered. Bree rolled her eyes.

She hoisted herself up, heading to the laundry room to protect herself from more of her brother’s oaf being gross.

Chase felt an arm go around his back.

“Hey,” he leaned into the warm chest.

“Hi.”

Kaz looked over his shoulder at Oliver. Oliver said nothing, heading up the stairs. Kaz scratched his cheek, frowning.

~*~

“We’ve got to stop ordering takeout,” Chase pulled his helmet off, back in the parking lot. Kaz had convinced him to motorcycle them to the restaurant. Because he was fundamentally a lazy guy. And his boyfriend looked hot in a leather jacket and gloves.

“You gave your sister the card, baby,” Kaz snorted. “What else would happen?”

“And this makes me miss Douglas,” Chase sighed exaggeratedly. Kaz knew there was a bit of truth to that. He softened, massaging Chase’s neck. Chase leaned against him once more. “Just for food.” he quietly added

“Mhm,” Kaz balanced his palm on the back of the bike to hold them both up. The metal would probably be cold from the weather. Kaz however didn’t really feel cold anymore.

Chase exhaled through his nose.

His eyes were a little too sunken as they slipped shut.  

“You look exhausted,” Kaz murmured. “Hot, but exhausted.”

Chase peeked one open. “Speaking of Douglas, I’ve been covering his share for my dad. It’s a task.”

Kaz bristled. “Why is he having you do that?” 

Chase shrugged nonchalantly, curling further into his warmth. It was definitely cold, Kaz surmised, seeing his breath puff out. He pulled his jacket off, wrapping it around Chase. Chase smiled up at him. Kaz felt a punch in his heart because holy shit was he cute.

Chase giggled, pointing. Kaz realized his nose was on fire. He blew it out quickly.

“You’re subtle.”

“I know.”

They stayed in easy quiet long enough for Kaz to count to forty.

“We goin’ up at any point?”

“Mm, no,” Chase had made himself into a glorified ball. “Do we have to?”

“Little bit. We have your sister’s food. She’s gone for my ankles before when I held her food hostage.”

Chase snorted.

A beat.

“I can carry you, babe.”

“No you can’t,” Chase pointed out. “Too long. You’d drop my ass in the tunnels.”

“I’ve carried you before!” Kaz argued.

“For ten seconds tops,” Chase teased. 

“Like you can carry me.”

“Sure I can.”

“Smarties, I am twice your size.”

“And?” Chase rolled into a standing position. “C’mon.”

“Huh?” Kaz blinked. 

“On the back, now.”

“Uh. Okay?” 

~*~

“...What are you doing?” 

Skylar jumped.

Bree was in their doorway, barely visible over the pile of laundry in her basket.

“Nothing!” she yelped.

Bree plonked the basket down, walking over. She took Skylar’s wrist, revealing a pen.

“Oh no, you’re getting into letter writing?” Bree gasped, sounding so genuine it almost broke Skylar out of her brief angst moment.

She chuckled. 

“No seriously, you can tell me,” Bree interlaced their fingers. Skylar’s cheeks heated.

She sighed, gently undoing the hold. Skylar brought the pen’s point to her palm, pressing it in. Her flesh dipped under the pressure. Bree winced at how long she pushed it for. No blood. No tearing of skin.

“It’s… stupid,” Skylar muttered.

Bree waited, sitting crisscrossed beside her on Skylar’s bed.

“I… without my powers, I was basically a normo. I was able to feel pain. And it’s been so long- …now that they’re slowly returning, how do I… how do I know I won’t lose… all feeling?”

Bree softened. She found Skylar’s hand again. “You don’t.”

Skylar glanced at her before her gaze returned to the floor.

“But,” Bree added. “I don’t think you will. And even if you do, what’s to say things’ll change? You’re still you. Still have people you love. And people who love you.”

She squeezed her hand. It was funny how small hers was in comparison. Both girls met eyes. They reddened, turning away. Bree pulled her hand back, clearing her throat. “Anyway.” 

“Thanks,” Skylar smiled.

“You can help me do my laundry to show appreciation,” Bree raised her eyebrows. 

“Nice try,” Skylar laughed.

~*~

Oliver spun in his desk chair. That was about all he did lately. Spin and pity himself. Feel bad about what a shitty person he was while spinning. Worry he was becoming like… her, with a side of spin.

~*~

Chase could indeed. He let Kaz slide off his back halfway through the trek.

“Told you,” he said smugly. “I’ve carried my older brother before. He’s way bigger than like… anyone ever.”

Kaz put his hands up in surrender. 

Chase took one of them, continuing the trip.

“Can I ask you a favor?”

“Anything,” Kaz hummed.

“Stop being so mean to Oliver.”

Kaz paused, making him do the same. “Babe, he treats you like… dirt. Like lower than dirt. Like as bad as that one Tecton movie-”

“Kaz,” Chase cupped his cheek with his free hand. “I appreciate the thought, really.”

“But?”

“But, it’s between him and I,” Chase continued. “You know I never wanted to be the cause of your friendship being ruined.”

“You weren’t-” Kaz began arguing.

“What I’m saying is that I don’t want you to base everything on how my interactions with him have gone. I don’t want that at all.”

“That isn’t fair!” Kaz huffed. He grabbed Chase’s shoulders. “Are you not upset with how he treats Bree?”

“Of course I am.”

“Then how are you asking me to not be angry for you?”

“I’m not,” Chase sighed. “I just… he’s trying to find a way to reach you two. But you’re too mad to give him a chance.”

“Whatever,” Kaz grunted. He began walking again. His brain was a whole maelstrom of thoughts. Oliver hadn’t tried to reach out. He didn’t have any remorse. Right? He didn’t feel bad at all, right?

Kaz was too wrapped up to notice that Chase was trailing behind him until they made it to Mission Command. He turned over his shoulder in perplexion. Chase jumped when he made eye contact. He was holding his arms, quickly fixating on his shoes.

“...Chase?”

“I’m sorry,” Chase whispered.

Kaz blinked. “Uh. What?” 

“I’m sorry,” he repeated even quieter.

Kaz remained stuck in his position, utterly confused. “Why?”

“You’re mad at me,” Chase rubbed his upper arms. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to m-make you mad.”

“Wh-” Kaz blinked twice more. “Huh? Why would you think I’m mad at you?”

Chase didn’t answer, rubbing harder.

Kaz reached toward him. Chase flinched. Kaz felt ice inject his veins. 

“I- I’m not angry at you,” he lowered his tone. “I’m not- not angry at you, promise.”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“I crossed a line. I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing,” Kaz set the bag of food on the nearest desk. He took a step toward him. This was freaking him out a bit. He didn’t know how to approach. “Why don’t we just… bring the food up.”

“Okay,” Chase answered, still staring down.

Kaz kicked himself mentally.

Fuck. 

He walked to the hyperlift after retrieving the bag. Chase silently followed.

Neither noticed the box in the corner shift.

Chapter Text

Bree had taken one look at her brother when they'd come up. She wordlessly abandoned the food, grabbed his hand, and led him upstairs. 

Kaz had sighed. Before the question could leave Skylar's mouth, a forehead impacted her shoulder. She paused. Her fingers found his hair. 

"Wanna talk about it?" 

What a loaded question. He decided to shake his head, pulling away. "Not to you."

Skylar put a faux affronted palm to her heart. Kaz snickered. He pointed. "Food."

"Very good Kaz," she patted his shorter head proudly. He rolled his eyes, opening the bag. 

~*~

Matchhead: hey

L Doo: yello. how was the movie?

Matchhead: pretty ok lil inacurate aslo i have a weird q

L Doo: go ahead 

Matchhead: is davneprt mean to chase ta all

L Doo: nah dude, never. Chase is literally his favorite lol

L Doo: why?

Matchhead: dw abot it

Kaz set his phone on the nightstand. He glanced at Chase's capsule, gently humming with his shape inside.

~*~

Oliver sniffled, brushing the back of his hand against his nose. His head hurt. His eyes felt warm. He squinted at his alarm clock. Ten am. He groaned, turning over under his covers.

~*~

“Good morning!” Skylar kicked the front door open, making Kaz and Bree jump from where they were arm-wrestling on the island over who got the rest of the orange juice. For hers being a third the width of his, she was strong as hell.

“Ah!” Kaz yelped. Bree shoved his arm down, winning. 

She tossed hers up, whooping in victory.

“Not fair!” Kaz argued. “Sabotage!”

Bree winked, downing the remainder of juice straight from the carton.

“I don’t care!” Skylar declared. She strode into the room, toting a plastic bag. Chase entered after her with a smirk, closing the door. He held a cardboard carrier of drinks.

They juxtaposed each other quite a bit. Skylar wore a hoodie and bike shorts like she’d been working out, whereas Chase had on a button up and trenchcoat.

“And where have you two been?” Bree questioned, crumpling up the container and chucking it into the recycling.

“We went on a run,” Skylar plonked the bag down, counting on her fingers. “Then came back so he could change for a boring Davenport Industries meeting that I went with him for. Grocery shopped, put up the groceries,” she opened the cabinets, showing them that they were restocked and organized. “Stopped a mugging. Then got food,” she unwrapped the box of breakfast pastries.

“Yeesh,” Kaz whistled. “How’d you do all that? The day just started.”

The two leaders stared at them, both of whom were dressed in rumpled pajamas.

“For productive people it didn’t,” Chase shrugged, walking around the counter to press a kiss to Kaz’s cheek. Kaz startled a little, surprised by that. He figured there would be tension from the previous night. He instinctively wrapped an arm around his back. Chase set his cheek on his shoulder.

“I thought you said no more takeout,” Bree teased.

“I thought you were taught to say thank you when someone does something nice,” Chase returned. He leaned out of Kaz’s hold slightly to drag the carrier over with a finger. “Smoothies for you two,” he booped Kaz’s nose, making him go cross-eyed. “Because you don’t like coffee.”

Bree grabbed hers, banging the straw against the counter excessively to open it. “Thanks, but touch me and I bite your finger off.”

Chase snickered. Kaz continued to stare at him. 

“Don’t worry Kaz,” Skylar batted her eyelashes at him. “It’s full of healthy stuff.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Kaz took his, rolling his eyes. “Chase would never do that to me.”

Silence.

Kaz tentatively glanced at his boyfriend. “You wouldn’t, right?” 

Chase smiled unhelpfully.

Joy.

Chase wormed away from Kaz fully, taking one of the hot cups with him as he walked to the stairs.

The other three watched.

“That pisses me off,” Bree muttered. Skylar leaned against the fridge, scratching her head.

Kaz sighed, sipping his smoothie.

~*~

Chase softly knocked on the doorframe. 

He waited.

Nothing.

“Oliver?” he whispered, pushing open the door to the darkened room. There was a lump under the white comforter. Huh. That was strange. Chase was always up before Oliver, but Kaz was never up before him. 

Chase walked further into the room, setting the insulated to-go cup of chamomile, two creams and light sugar, on his nightstand. He waved his hand, summoning sticky notes and a pen from his own desk across the room. 

He quickly scrawled a message down, wishing him good morning and explaining the sudden appearance of the tea. Chase pressed it to the cup, straightening to exit.

The ruffle of sheets caught his ear. He glanced at the bed, seeing miserable and swollen blue eyes looking back at him.

Chase froze.

Oliver weakly coughed.

~*~

The rest of the team perked up when they heard footsteps coming down the elevated hall. Chase skipped half the steps like it was the easiest thing in the world, passing the three of them to get to the medicine cabinet over the stove. He levitated up, opening the doors.

Kaz hovered into the air as well. Skylar did too.

“Show-offs,” Bree accused, stuffing a donut into her mouth.

Chase felt the two crowd at either shoulder. 

“Whatcha-”

“Oliver is sick,” Chase pulled out off-brand Dayquil because Kaz swore up and down that it worked better, touching to the floor. 

“He is?” Skylar demanded.

“Yeah.”

She and Kaz continued after him.

~*~

“What happened?” Skylar’s arms were crossed.

“Like I said,” Chase repeated, lifting Oliver’s head up to place a damp rag beneath his neck. “He stood in a frosted basement for half an hour during winter. His body isn’t used to its temperature sensitivity yet.”

Oliver sneezed pitifully. Chase pulled a chair to his bedside, sitting down to stick a thermometer in his mouth.

Kaz and Skylar exchanged a look, softening.

Oliver glanced at them, honestly flummoxed that they were there in the first place. They hated him, why bother? 

He remembered Kaz’s confrontation. No, they didn’t. Him thinking that was nothing but annoying. How did they feel, then? This was confusing for his muddled brain.

Chase read the temperature, exhaling. “You’ll be fine. Stay resting.”

Oliver nodded, coughing again. He looked awful, pale sweaty skin, red eyes, flushed cheeks.

Skylar closed her eyes, exiting. 

Oliver’s stomach sank.

He burrowed deeper.

“Chase, you need to leave.”

“Why?” Chase snapped, glaring at Kaz.

Kaz rolled his eyes. “Because you could get sick.”

Quiet.

“Oh. Yeah, I guess.” 

He stood, pushing by Kaz.

Kaz stayed a moment longer, gazing at Oliver. Oliver avoided eye contact. Kaz sighed through his nose, shutting the door behind him after he cranked the thermostat in their room up. 

“Babe,” Kaz muttered. Chase paused, halfway down the hall. He glanced over his shoulder.

“Yeah?”

“Are we…” he hesitated, trying to find the best word. “Good?” Nice one, Kazimieras. Real poetic stuff.

“Why wouldn’t we be?” Chase raised a brow, fully facing him now.

“Uh-” Kaz fumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. “With what happened last night?”

“Nothing did,” Chase shrugged. He casually strolled the rest of the way.

Kaz blinked.

~*~

Oliver glanced at his clock again. He was incredibly bored, fundamentally so. He’d already reread all his comics, medical textbooks, and some of his classic books. He’d scrolled on his phone as long as his stinging eyes permitted, passed out for two hours, the works. The only way he could comprehend the passage of time was by his clock because of the blackout curtains that were drawn.

It was nine in the evening.

He was hungry for the first time that day. Which was also an excuse to stretch his legs. 

Oliver clumsily swung said limbs out from under the blankets, setting them on the cold floor. He quickly tiptoed to his slippers, sighing in relief when he got them on.

Oliver rubbed at his swimming eyes, remembering how much he hated being sick. If Chase was right, this would be his reality forever. Yay.  

He pulled open his nightstand drawer, retrieving a surgical mask to slip over his face to keep whatever he had contained if it was contagious.

Oliver yawned, padding to the door. He missed the handle once, grabbing it successfully during the next try.

He swung it open, noticing a shape against the wall to the left. Kaz sat with his back to it, chin against his chest and drool soaking into his t-shirt.

Oliver stopped in perplexion. What was he doing there? Was he… watching over Oliver?

Oliver deflated a little.

He quietly reentered their quarters, hurrying to Kaz’s bed.

He pulled the first blanket he saw off -the one he’d bought Kaz for his thirteenth, one embellished with Mighty Comics’ superheroes. The very fact that he kept it still made Oliver a little too emotional as he made it back to the hall. Oliver knelt, carefully covering him in it. He tucked in the edges, hoisting himself to his feet and giving a second for things to stop spinning.

Oliver’s eyes flicked down at him once more. He heard water running.

Oliver rose a couple of inches off the floor, gliding to the stairs. He seemed to have better control when his brain was boiling. Of course. He turned the corner, righting a vase that was slightly off-kilter on the entrance table. He peeked at the kitchen, seeing Chase at the sink.

“Hey. How do you feel?”

Oliver started. Super ears. He forgot. “Uh…” his voice sounded like he’d been smoking for forty years. Oliver tried to clear his throat. “Hi.”

“Skylar made you soup.”

“She… did?” Oliver blinked again. He wasn’t sure if his sick self could take much more shock.

“Mhm,” Chase set the plate he was washing aside, pointing to the bowl sitting on the stove. It was still hot, steam curling. Chase picked up a cup next. 

“Do… you want help?”

“I’m okay,” Chase shrugged, smiling warmly at him. 

Oliver felt his chest tighten.

“Okay.”  

~*~

“It’s weird,” Chase murmured. He sat on the couch, leaning into Kaz. “Replay.”  The hologram screen in front of them did so, showing the security footage from Mission Command. Bree sat on his other side. Skylar leaned on the back of the couch. 

“There,” he paused it. “You see how the video jump cuts?”

“Uh huh,” Bree nodded. “Weird.”

“Tampered with,” Chase corrected. “It’s late. I’m gonna study this a little more, the rest of you go to bed.”

The girls shrugged. Bree popped up off the couch, stretching. Skylar followed her.

Kaz pecked him on the lips, getting ready to leave. “Oh, thanks for the blanket.”

“What blanket?” Chase wrinkled his nose.

Kaz gestured rather obviously to the one draped on his shoulders. 

“Uh… I didn’t do that.”

“Huh?”

Chapter Text

Chase pulled his helmet off, shaking away the sweat in his hair. Skylar removed her arms from his waist, stretching them.

“Good work, everyone,” she shot finger guns when Kaz touched down and Bree slowed to a stop. 

“The mission went well,” Chase agreed, tucking his helmet under his arm and hopping off of his bike. He popped his back, wincing after.

Kaz unzipped the top of his suit and tugged it off, leaving him in a tank top. “Ugh, why do I always do crowd control?”

Bree reached up to undo her hair. “Why do you always whine?”

Kaz stuck his lip out at her. 

She made a mock face at him, unzipping her suit’s upper half as well. She turned to check her reflection in a nearby car’s window.

Chase reached over to Kaz, wiping a grime smudge from his face. “Well, at least the power plant is safe. Would’ve been easier with another super strength pair of hands.”

Bree scoffed. Skylar sighed. Kaz wisely chose not to react, sliding Chase’s glove off to press his lips to his knuckles.

“He’s sick anyway,” Skylar pointed out.

“Whatever,” Bree waved. She used her super jump, landing on Skylar’s back.

“Tired?” Skylar snickered. Bree grunted, burying into the poof of curls gathered on top of Skylar’s head. Skylar shrugged, starting down the long tunnel to Mission Command.

Kaz and Chase exchanged a look. Kaz flicked his wrist. They gotta be. Chase snorted, interlacing their fingers to follow the girls.

~*~

Was Oliver proud of snooping? No. Was he doing it out of boredom? Yes. He was barred from the power plant mission, due to being sick. 

Oliver stepped out of the hyperlift. “Main console.” his voice was still stuffy. 

Mission Command hummed to life at the vocal recognition. The giant circle in the center of the empty room slid away. A big disk-shaped table with five seats that had backs up to Oliver’s shoulders rose up in its place. Unnecessary money flex. Oliver rolled his eyes. He wasn’t crazy about Davenport. The man was too reminiscent of his mother. Rich, cold, raised messed up kids. Also all-but jumped him when he and Skylar were leaving school on a Wednesday with a proposition. Kaz had stayed home that day to babysit because his parents made him, meaning he got ambushed with two screaming kids on his calves and a crying toddler in his arms.

Speaking of kids, time to get to the meat and bones of his snoopage. He wanted to know about the siblings. He flopped into one of the chairs, spinning a little from the force. Oliver put his hands on the cyberdesk and waited a second. …Yeah, he had no clue how to use this thing. 

“Ah…” his brain felt sluggish. Man, he hated being ill. “Case files. Uh- 2014?”

A holographic screen flickered on the desk. Oh, okay. Oliver scrolled with one finger, scanning over each report. When they were exposed to the public, which had to be terrifying. S-1. He recognized her photo.  

Oliver continued scrolling back. Marcus. Android. Androids were a thing now? The profile had a front-facing picture of a boy that looked about fifteen. He’d given Bree the dark red scar on her right cheek. Deceased.

What the heck? Douglas had a file. He was their enemy. The android’s creator.

Yeesh, this family had a soap opera life.

Oliver swiped his hand to the right, fast forwarding to S-1’s file again. He went to the next one.

Victor Krane. 

The man had circuitry in his skull, and a totally insane look in his eye. Kidnapped their mother and little brother. Attempted a mass genocide. Scary as hell. Deceased. Thank god, Oliver did not want to face a mountain of absolute power. He’d already had to.

He put his chin in his palm, continuing. Factory explosion. Chase and the eldest brother were wounded terribly, third-degree burns. Oliver winced. Bree wasn’t present in the report. 

Oliver got to the Bionic Academy timeline, noting that they were all the Krane guy’s soldiers first. Comforting. There was also a distinct shift in the writing. He figured this was when Chase took over.

S-3. Not much about him. He and two other bionic soldiers betrayed them. A few words were misspelled, strangely. Chase was a stickler about that. Oliver frowned.

He continued on. Giselle Vickers was next, a woman Douglas’s age. Brilliant inventor, abducted Chase to cut his chip out. God. Oliver shook his head. Deceased. Good. 

Returned with Marcus. Then Krane attacked again. Yeesh, he hoped for his sake that these psychos were actually deceased.

Oliver sneezed into his elbow. He sighed after, sitting back. 

Kaz had told him that these two weren’t what he thought. He’d come down here in hopes of understanding. And now he felt he did a little more, for better or worse. 

Creak.

Oliver swore, frantically waving his hands. “Off! Shut off!”

The screen did, bathing the room in darkness. Oliver didn’t know why he panicked. It wasn’t like he was doing something wrong, more like morally ambiguous. 

He wildly looked around anyway.

Nothing. 

A crate shook.

Oliver leaped to his feet.

“Oliver?”

Skylar appeared from the rock wall, carrying Bree on her back. Both girls looked equally perplexed. 

“Yo, what’s this?” Kaz popped out from behind them, looking at the table. 

“Debrief area,” Chase explained as Kaz tugged him toward it by proxy. 

“Pff-” 

“Mature.”

Kaz blew him a kiss, tossing himself into a chair. “Cool. I’m gonna paint my name on it.”

“No, you won’t,” Chase corrected, leaning his elbow on the high back to stop the spinning. He noticed Oliver. “Hi. Are you feeling better?”

Oliver blinked. “There’s someone here.”

The other four paused. Bree slid down. “What do you mean?”

His eyes were blown wide. “I heard the noises again.”

“It’s the building settling,” Skylar reasoned.

Oliver turned to Chase. Chase sighed. “Everyone, quiet.”

Bree rolled her eyes, obliging. Skylar and Kaz didn’t seem any more interested. For all they knew, Oliver was trying to get attention.

Chase tucked hair behind his ear, projecting his hearing.

The silence was loud. All there was was the whir of machinery in the technology hub. 

Thirty seconds passed. 

“See-” Bree started.

“There!” Chase pointed. A tiny shape flew out from behind the clutter piles. Skylar caught it. 

A young boy with curly hair and wide brown eyes. He had a baggy hoodie and a mousy frame that flailed in Skylar’s grip.

Quiet. 

“Well that is unexpected,” Kaz uttered.

Skylar stared at him with her jaw hitting the floor, dangling the kid by his collar like a kitten. She turned to the others. “They grow humans this small?!”

Chapter Text

“What the hell,” Chase uttered.

“Who the hell,” Bree corrected.

“Can ya put me down now?” the boy asked, squirming. His voice sounded nasally. 

“That’s a kid,” Kaz observed.

“Sure is,” Chase agreed, wide-eyed.

“He’s…” Skylar squinted. “Drekk, you humans are tiny.” 

“Put me down!”

Skylar dropped him. He landed on the floor with an “oof!”

“Who are you?” Bree demanded, walking up with her hands on her hips.

“A man of mystery, if you will,” the boy had some teeth missing. He cut the smug tone of that statement, bobbing up and down. “But I know who you are! The Elite Force!”

He struck a pose, fists on his sides.

Silence.

“You’re Bree!” he jabbed a finger into her face, making her go cross-eyed. “Superspeed bionic supermodel!”

“The what?” Kaz snorted.

“You’re Kaz!” the kid turned. “I bet you make good smores!”

“I do,” Kaz seemed proud. 

“Oliver!” Oliver jumped. 

He whipped around excitedly. “You’re Chase! Smartest man in the world, bionic leader-! You answered the door for me!”

“Wha-” Chase blinked.

“When?” Kaz asked.

“Never?”

“Halloween,” he filled in. 

“Whatever,” Kaz interjected, raising his hands. “Skylar, get the kid outta here.”

More silence. 

The other four teammates turned to him.

Kaz returned a confused look. It dawned on him. “Ohhhh, shit-”

“Please,” the boy waved. “I know she’s Skylar Storm.”

Everyone bristled. 

“I live below you. And you guys are really loud, especially on your balcony,” well, great. Keeping the secret perfectly. “And she just said “humans” twice like she isn’t one, duh. Besides, it answers some stuff about the world.” 

“That’s what Leo said.”

“Leo was bullshitting to sound cool, Bree,” Chase nudged his sister, ever adamant that no, comic books existing didn’t make sense. She shrugged her surrender.

“He knows too much!” Kaz exclaimed, lighting his fist. 

“No!” Skylar grabbed him. The boy hid behind Chase, poking his head out. She whapped Kaz upside the head. 

“Ow!”

“Who are you?” Chase glanced down. “I expect a straight answer. Now.”

“I-” he cowered a little. “I’m AJ. Like I said, I live below you- OUCH-!”

Chase’s eye lit up, examining the strand of curl that he’d plucked from his skull. “How’d you get in here?”

“I was…” the boy shifted, wringing his hands. “I…”

“You’re scaring him,” Skylar pointed out.

Chase waved her off, eye going back to the normal hazel.

“I was checking the building’s energy consumption-”

“Why?” Bree asked. 

“The future is green,” AJ shrugged. “Anyway, there was a lot of usage down here. I have a lot of time on my hands.”

“The security is completely encrypted,” Oliver folded his arms, sniffing a little. 

“Yeah, how the heck did a five-year-old-”

“I’m seven.”

“Whatever,” Kaz continued, shoving his head away to address Chase primarily. “Get in here?”

“I hacked in like a week ago,” AJ answered.

“I don’t know,” Chase admitted, sighing. “He’s not one of… the shapeshifters. Uh, DNA doesn’t match.”

They knew he was trying to avoid Reese’s name.

“What do we even know about them, though?” Bree pointed out.

“Drop it,” Chase spat. She put her hands up. His tone subsided a bit, now that he knew that AJ was at least not one of Reese’s siblings there to infiltrate them. He still remained suspicious regardless. “Where are your parents, kid?” 

“A kidless cruise,” AJ stuffed his hands in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels.

“Where’s your sitter, then?”

“Don’t have one.”

Quiet.

“What?” Chase demanded.

“What the fuck?” Kaz bristled. “They left you alone? How long?”

“Been about… nine days, uh huh,” AJ replied, looking over the space casually like that wasn’t horrifying.

Kaz ran a hand through his hair. It was shaking. Fire flickered on his shoulder. 

Oliver’s eyebrows pinched. He had a good idea of what was going through Kaz’s head. He reached forward toward his not-flaming shoulder. Crap, right. He pulled his hand to his side.

“That’s not normal here, right?” Skylar leaned down to whisper that to Bree.

“It shouldn’t be,” Bree shook her head.

Chase knelt. “AJ, right?”

“That’s my name.”

“Are you hungry?”

AJ tapped his chin. “Well… I did run out of grocery money earlier today."

Chase’s eyes softened. “Okay. You can join us for dinner.”

AJ’s eyes lit up like a kid in the candy store. To be fair, Kaz would’ve killed at his age to have dinner with Tecton.

He hurried to the hyperlift. “Open.”

It did.

He received five looks.

“What? You thought I wouldn’t add myself to the identification software?”

~*~

Kaz set a plate before AJ, passing them out around the dining table. They thankfully had six chairs from when Douglas lived with them, two on each side and one at each head.

The girls already occupied one side, with Oliver awkwardly at an end. It was rare that they sat down together like this since Douglas’s injury. They almost always individually ate breakfast when they woke up at different times, and independently got food for lunch whenever they were hungry. Dinner was mostly on the couches, whether it be takeout or leftovers. It had been some time since Kaz had cooked. Apparently, they were putting on a show for their unexpected guest.

Chase carried over the bowl of salad that he’d insisted on adding, hovering cups of water around himself. He plonked it down in the center of the table, jabbing tongs in. "Eat it." He warned Bree. She rolled her eyes. 

Kaz followed behind him with a dish of lasagna fresh out of the oven, carrying it without mitts.

“Sky, portion it out,” Chase handed her a spatula.

“Why?” Bree protested.

“Because you’ll take half of it for you,” Chase raised his eyebrows at his sister.

She grumbled.

He snickered, tousling her hair. Bree bit at his hand.

The couple walked back to the kitchen when the oven timer dinged. 

Skylar cut into the lasagna, plopping a slice on Bree’s plate. She devoured it like she hadn’t eaten in a year. Skylar then got one for AJ, then herself.

“Oli?”

“Huh?” Oliver had been busy, pulling at a thread on his pullover.

Skylar had a hard set in her jaw, obviously not particularly wanting to talk to him. Oliver’s stomach fluttered. “I said do you want any. Are you feeling well enough?”

Oliver quickly averted his gaze to his lap, managing to shake his head. He didn’t really have any appetite yet.

“Thank you,” Chase pressed a kiss to Kaz’s temple when he pulled out the animal product-free lasagna. 

Kaz hooked a finger into Chase’s belt loop before he left, kissing him on the lips.

“There are young eyes, gentlemen,” Skylar called, laughing through it.

Chase pinked. “Skylar!”

"Should you even be doing that in front of him? With you being a secret and all."

"He probably knows."

AJ shuddered. "I've heard them say all kinds of things out there."

"Ew," Bree stuck her tongue out. 

"You're tellin' me."

“How could you? You’re only for me, snookums,” Skylar kissed at Chase.

“Oh yeah?” Kaz pulled the peanut butter cookies out with his bare hands, setting the tray on the stovetop. “I might have to fight you.”

“She wins,” Chase patted his chest.

“I know,” Kaz resigned dramatically.

Chase booped his nose with a sauce-covered finger. Kaz gasped in offense, grabbing his sides to tickle them. Chase shrieked, flailing away. Bree smiled at them, stirring her water. Oliver did the same.

“Food’s getting cold,” Skylar called. She knew those were the fastest words to make Kazimieras haul ass across a room.

“Muah,” Kaz stated, kissing him once more.

The two of them went to the empty side. AJ dove into the second seat before Kaz sat down. Kaz blinked, moving to the other head. He set his hand on Chase’s knee, shoving the whole piece of lasagna in his mouth with one breath.

“Classy,” Chase commented.

“Ew,” Bree repeated, wrinkling her nose.

“Nice,” Skylar said genuinely.

AJ continued smiling up at Chase, swinging his feet that didn't reach the marble floor. Chase noticed. “Hi?”

Bree and Skylar giggled, resting their cheeks in their palms. This was cute.

Kaz fished around his pocket with his free hand to grab his phone and capture this moment.

“Hi. You’re my favorite, y’know.”

Bree, Skylar, and Kaz gave an affronted gasp.

Chase lit up. “I remember you!”

“You do?” AJ grinned.

“Yeah,” Chase returned the smile. “Sorry, my files are a little scrambled in that general time.”

AJ seemed over the moon, uncaring. 

Oliver picked at his salad. “Why?”

He didn’t even notice he’d asked that.

Bree and Kaz glared at him.

“None of your fucking business,” Kaz growled, looking straight at him.

"No reason,” Chase remedied.

Oliver scowled, feeling anger boil in his chest. He set his fork down. “What is your problem?”

“Guess.”

“I’d love to,” Oliver picked it up again. The metal bent in his grip. “You’ve already screamed at me enough. I’m trying to fix this, but you won’t even talk to me-”

“Why should I?” fire started on Kaz’s eyebrow.

“He doesn’t have to,” Skylar agreed.

"I got my reasons not to."

“How am I going to fix it then?” Oliver’s hand shook. “Do you two just never want to be my friends again?”

Skylar and Kaz exchanged a look, hardening their faces. Bree’s hair floated toward Skylar as she began statically charging the space.

AJ’s eyes bounced between them. Chase raised his hands.

“Guys, not right now-”

“Yes, right now!” Oliver yelled, shooting to his feet and cutting Chase off. His chair clattered to the floor. Chase winced from the sudden noise. Kaz took it as Oliver frightening him.

“Hey!” he shouted, standing up and slamming his palms on the table. The dishes rattled. AJ flinched. “Back the fuck off!”

“Or what?” Oliver scoffed. “Yelling is the only way for you to answer me anyway!”

“Boys!” Skylar stood as well. Lighting flashed outside. Rain began drumming against the windows.

“Because I have nothing to say to you!” Kaz ignored her. “You’re basically a monster by now!”

“Wh-” Oliver balked. “What do you mean?”

“Kaz, please-” Chase grabbed his arm. Kaz yanked away.

“Gee, Oliver, I wonder! It’s so normal to dehumanize people and treat them like garbage out of leeching and jealousy.”

“I-” Oliver had frost grow on his cheek.

“Kaz,” Bree was on his other side, tugging his sleeve. “Not now-”

“What do I mean?” Kaz laughed, anger evident in it. The flames burned hotter, charring his shirt. “You almost made my boyfriend kill himself!” the second he said the last syllable, he regretted every word. He put a hand over his mouth.

Silence shot through the room like a bullet.

Bree had frozen, staring at Kaz in shock. 

Oliver’s face was white from pure horror, mouth agape. He turned to Chase.

“He… what?” Skylar asked, creasing her brow in confusion.

Chase was ashen, skin a grayish color. His eyes shifted to Kaz. Kaz couldn’t get the millions of apologies out over the lump in his throat.

Chase pushed his chair out. Wordlessly, he trudged to the stairs, disappearing.

Oliver covered his face. He hovered to the balcony, exiting into the thunderstorm.

Kaz sank into his seat, putting his head in his hands.

Skylar glanced between Bree and Kaz, frown lines etching deeper.

AJ awkwardly cleared his throat. “Uh. Good lasagna.”

~*~

“Hey.”

Chase didn’t reply. He was rocking back and forth on Kaz’s bed, chewing his thumbnail.

“That went well, huh?” Bree quipped. She kicked off her shoes, sitting beside him. She gently pulled his hand away, rolling the pads of her thumbs over his knuckles. She traced some of the scars, splaying her hand against the back of his to compare size. Jeez, he was so big now. Bree interlaced their fingers. “Reminds me of the family dinners back home. Wanna talk about it?”

Chase’s breaths were short and sharp. 

“‘Kay, looks like you can’t. That’s fine. Want some water, buddy?”

He shook his head.

“Okay. Want me to stay?”

He leaned his temple on her shoulder.

“Okay.”

~*~

Oliver paced on the balcony, feeling the rain soak into his skin, hair, and clothes. He didn’t notice, pacing back and forth. He felt sick. Tears burned in the corners of his eyes. What had he done?

Chase didn’t deny it. And he knew Kaz would never make a joke like that anyway.

Oliver was going to be sick.

He hurried to the railing, upheaving the minimal contents of his stomach.

~*~

“I’m letting the kid stay tonight,” Skylar informed as she walked up to Kaz. “Set up a room. I figure Chase would want him to.”

Kaz nodded noncommittally, focused on the shut door to the boys’ room.

Skylar sighed, rubbing her neck. Before she could decide on what to say, it opened. Bree poked out. “He’s okay.”

Both of them deflated from relief.

“He wants to talk to you guys,” she added.

Kaz’s stomach twisted. He looked at Skylar haplessly.

Okay.

She understood, going in first. 

~*~

Chase was still slightly rocking when she entered. Skylar crossed the floor, dodging Kaz’s piles of junk that polluted his third.

She made it to Chase, kneeling in front of him.

“So,” she started, twirling her pink steak on one finger.

He didn’t say anything. 

“Is there a reason you didn’t want me to know?”

Chase shook his head. 

“Okay,” she shrugged. “Did I make you think you couldn’t tell me?”

He shook his head.

“Okay.”

“I… wanted to- to talk to you to t-tell you that,” he held his arms, rocking harder. "I-"

"Woah there, chief. I'm not upset, I swear it."

“Sorry.”

“Look, man,” she held her hands up. “You can always talk to me, alright? But you have no obligation to.”

“O-Okay.”

“If you wanna talk to me about it some time, go ahead. I’m here for you at your pace, capiche?”

He smiled.

“Are you feeling this way anymore?”

He shook his head again.

“That’s all I need to know. I'll somehow manage to live with it,” Skylar sighed heavily. Chase snickered. She opened her arms as an offer. Chase took it, embracing her. Bree smiled at them, leaning against the wall.

~*~

“Kaz.”

Kaz startled. He’d been rehearsing in his head how to apologize for his giant mouth when Skylar and Bree exited.

Kaz patted out the tongues of flame on his chest, going in. “Can you… give us a minute?”

Bree shot him a threatening older sister glare for good measure before letting him in.

Kaz saw a shape on his bed, one that looked much smaller than normal.

His throat filled with bile. “I… I’m sorry.”

Chase looked at him. 

“I was-” Kaz glided across the room. “I- was so angry about him hurting you, and I- god, I hurt you too.”

Chase softened.

“I just-” he got to the point where he was floating in front of him. “I- woah!”

Chase yanked him into a hug. Kaz paused in confusion, patting his back. He touched down, knees on the carpeted floor.

“Babe?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Kaz demanded incredulously, pulling away enough to see him.

“Kaz- I-” he inhaled, collecting himself. “I- I’m not happy that you said what you did. I asked you to not tell anyone.”

Kaz looked at the floor.

“But,” Chase tilted his chin up with his finger. He moved his hands to hold his cheeks. “Kaz, you- it’s fresh in your mind because- I scared you. It traumatized you too. I didn’t notice that it was still hurting you. I’m so sorry.”

Kaz took a shuddering breath. He hadn’t thought about it either. Now that it was verbalized, it felt like a balloon that had been growing in his chest popped. 

“Well, shit,” his voice was thick. Chase half-smiled at him sadly.

Kaz turned away, brushing under his eyes. Chase pulled him in, letting him bury his face in his lap to allow the tears to slip out.

~*~

“I still shouldn’t have said it,” Kaz muttered, tenderly wiping rubbing alcohol on his thumb wound. 

Chase exhaled. “You got heated. Literally,” Kaz peeked up with a smirk, now winding gauze around the tip of his thumb. “I know, I’m proud of that one. Anyway, it’s okay. It was bound to come out eventually anyway. And… I’m okay. I promise.” 

Kaz cleared the emotion from his throat with a super smooth cough. Chase shook his head with a smile. He brought the bandaged thumb to his lips, kissing it.

“Do you wanna… sleep with me tonight?”

Chase turned bright red. “Do I want to what?” he exclaimed.

Kaz buffered.

His cheeks soon matched the Tecton poster on his wall. “Oh, god, not- I- like literally! In the same bed!”

Chase blinked twice. 

The door creaked open. They both glanced at it. Oliver paused, sopping wet. He quickly averted his gaze, pulling out clothes from his dresser with trembling hands.

Chase’s eyebrows pinched. Kaz continued glaring in his direction, following him as he made his way through the room.

The bathroom door shut.

Chapter Text

AJ sighed, turning in his sheets. 

He couldn’t sleep.

Not that the bed wasn’t comfortable. It was even nicer than his parents’.

He pulled the covers up to his nose, glancing around. The shadows bent and wrapped around the walls. He inhaled shakily, shuddering.

~*~

AJ didn’t really know how he found himself here. He was sitting outside the cracked door to another spare room, holding one of the smaller blankets from the bed.

He glanced in every few seconds, seeing Kaz in the bed. His hair looked weird ungelled in AJ’s opinion. It got all soft and swoopy. 

“Baby, c’mon,” Kaz whisper complained.

“Hold your horses, I’m coming,” Chase replied from a spot AJ couldn’t see.

“They aren’t being held, I’ll have you know.”

Chase snickered, coming up to the bed.

They paused awkwardly. AJ turned away, not wanting to intrude on any private moments. He stood up, softly shutting their door. 

~*~

“So…” Kaz began. 

Chase blushed. Kaz probably did too. 

“Uh… you’re sure this is okay for your chip?”

“A night won’t hurt.”

“Okay.”

A beat.

“You gettin’ in?” Kaz asked, patting the space beside him.

They were in a spare room that night. Neither wanted to be around Oliver for different reasons. Chase, because he didn’t want to cause more guilt. Kaz, because he kind of despised Oliver at the moment. He felt like that. He wasn’t sure.

Chase slid into the bed’s outer side. Both boys stayed flat on their backs, looking anywhere but each other. They kept their arms to the side to make sure they didn’t disturb the other. 

It was like that long enough for Kaz to count to forty. 

He glanced to his left, seeing Chase looking at him as well. 

“Why are you wearing a shirt?”

“Huh?”

“You never sleep with one on. It’s not good for you with your pyrokinetics.”

“Uh…”

“It’s okay,” Chase promised. “It doesn’t make me uncomfortable. As long as you’re okay with it too.”

Kaz shrugged helpfully. 

Chase giggled. “That’s sweet.”

“You’re sweet,” Kaz shot back like it was the comeback of a century.

Chase smiled, turning onto his side to face away from Kaz.

Kaz quickly tugged his Tecton tank top off, tossing it over Chase to land on the floor. That made Chase giggle harder. Kaz smiled dopily, flopping back down hard enough to bounce him. 

“Hey!”

“Hey yourself,” Kaz returned, throwing out his arms. One wrapped over Chase’s shoulders. The other wormed under his side, pulling his back to Kaz’s chest. “Is this okay?”

Chase squeaked instead of making a proper word, stiff as a board. He settled for nodding, feeling the blush heat him all over. Or maybe that was Kaz. Still, he couldn’t recall the last time he felt this comfortable. Or safe. He could get used to that. 

He untensed, melting into him a little more. He leaned against his chest, listening to the beat. He could definitely get used to that. He found himself lightly tapping his finger on Kaz’s arm to it, probably confusing him.

Kaz squeezed him lightly. 

“Your arms are going to fall asleep.”

“Nah, they’re too hyped to have you in them,” Chase snorted. Cheesy. “Too adrenalizated.”

“Not a word, Fireboy.”

“Don’t care,” he kissed the back of Chase’s head. “Night.”

“Goodnight, idiot.”

“Your idiot.”

“Don’t remind me.”

~*~

The alarm made Oliver choke on his glass of milk. It went right down the wrong pipe, spilling out of his nose.

“Ooh,” AJ cringed in sympathy. He was sitting crisscross on the couch beside him, reading one of Kaz’s comic books. Was it weird that they just had a seven-year-old in their living room now? Yes. Was it nice to have someone who didn’t look at him funny? Also yes.

“Mission!” Chase identified, putting down his book. He swiped his hand over the kitchen island, activating the holoscreen. Kaz leaned over the other side to see, scooting his cereal bowl out of the way. The girls came in from the balcony when they heard the commotion, out enjoying the morning air. 

“What’s going on?” Bree asked. 

“Villains terrorizing downtown!”

“What villains?” Skylar scowled, leaning over too. 

“It can’t be any of ours,” Kaz added. “They hide from normos.”

Skylar nodded her agreement.

“Well ours are mostly dead,” Bree shook her head.

“Does it matter?” Chase cut them off. “Suit up!”

The others ran upstairs.

“Can I come?” AJ asked, stopping Chase. 

“Absolutely not!” Chase replied. He stuck out his hand. Earpieces flew out from the desk drawer in the nook in the corner into it.

“But-!”

“No! You’re a literal child!” 

AJ frowned. “But I can-!”

Chase whirled around, ignoring him. “Oliver, are you well enough to go?” 

Oliver jumped, seeming surprised that Chase talked to him. “Uh-”

“Yes or no?”

“Yes?”

“Come on, then!” Chase shoved one of the communicators into his hand. “We need all the help we can get!” the floor shook rather ironically from whatever was happening outside.

Oliver nodded, following him as they ran.

AJ stood in the center of the now-empty room. He balled his fists.

~*~

“Move,” Kaz spat, shoving past Oliver as the rock wall at the end of the tunnels raised. Oliver stumbled from it. He rubbed his arm, frowning.

“Kaz,” Chase glared, holding his helmet. 

Kaz muttered something.

“I heard that.”

He muttered more.

“Those weren’t even words.”

“Just checkin’.”

Chase rolled his eyes, pulling his helmet on. He started his motorcycle, allowing Skylar to wrap her arms around him before zipping into the city.

Bree followed, leaving a trail of dust. Kaz and Oliver exchanged a look, taking off.

AJ peeked around the corner. They were gone. He held his scooter, one he’d modified to be as fast as any vehicle. He’d tested it enough in his living room, he supposed. It would have to work.

AJ buckled his helmet straps, starting the motor.

~*~

Skylar rapidly scanned the area as they drove. Trees knocked down- rude, honestly. Cars smashed, stone foundations damaged, windows broken. General chaos.

The air grew a static charge. Skylar recognized and registered it in a split second. “Bail!” she yelled.

She grabbed Chase around the chest, kicking off the bike. She turned to protect him before they rolled onto the pavement. Skylar tucked herself over him, covering his head with her arms. 

Whoosh

The motorcycle flew over them close enough to feel it nick the tip of her pointed ear.

She looked up, seeing it sail into the air from a bright purple lightning blast. “Boys, move!” she screamed into the communicator. She’d apologize to Chase after she could be certain they wouldn’t be hit and splattered on a building wall.

Skylar saw their blurry shapes dodge it, then heard a crunch, closely followed by a car alarm.

A small hand gripped the back of her suit, pulling her up. 

“Are you okay?” Bree shouted over the noise, holding Skylar’s elbows. Skylar nodded. Both girls helped Chase up, grabbing one wrist each. Chase gently covered the ear containing his communicator.

Oliver and Kaz touched down beside them, the latter rubbing Chase’s back to comfort him after she probably almost burst his eardrum.

“Sorry,” Skylar’s ear twitched where it had been scraped. She put her arm around Kaz.

Chase waved her off.

“What was that?” Oliver asked.

A gust of wind sliced into the group. Oliver and Bree stumbled. Chase caught his sister, trying to shield her face. Skylar reached behind herself to grab Oliver’s collar, already holding Kaz to her side.

Chase managed to squint through the hair whipping around his eyes, widening them. Black swarms. He felt his joints lock up.

Skylar clenched her jaw. She stomped, creating a shockwave to combat the swarms away. They split into two equal parts, spiraling like tornados to the cracked asphalt.

They took the shape of two men. Both taller and older by Chase’s eye scan than the team.

The one closer to them was dressed in a scarlet color, with long brown hair pulled back from a half-covered face. Even without seeing the lower part, it was obvious he was smirking. His eyes were coal-black, shaped in a hawkish manner with a coldness that ended any doubt. This man was related to Reese. One of her shapeshifter siblings. He appeared a little older than Adam.

The second one was wearing green, hood and scarf obstructing most of his face. His eyes, same hue and sharpness as his presumably older brother’s, portrayed an indifference. Icy and uncaring.

Chase gripped Bree’s shoulders. “Who are you?”

“You don’t remember, Daddy’s boy?” the red one gasped, putting a gloved hand to his chest. “To think our moonlight encounter wasn’t special! You even fixed your motorcycle! Pfft, that lasted long.” one of the tires was deflated, bent metal protruding. 

Chase inhaled sharply, grabbing Kaz’s arm. 

“There it is,” the man smiled. “Name’s Roman,” he bowed mockingly. “An honor to formally meet the great heroes.” the disdain with which he said that word was chilling. “This here’s Riker. He, uh… doesn’t talk much.”

Riker cut his eyes at him.

“It’s funny,” Roman raised his brows in response. “Anywho, I decided to come downtown and have some fun again,” he jabbed his thumb behind him at the destruction. “Summon you jackasses. I don’t do as long of a con as my sister, but-”

Kaz shoved past Bree and Chase. “You tell that bitch she can take her long con and stick it up her-”

He was interrupted by Skylar wrapping her arms around his mouth from behind him. Kaz made muffled complaints, tugging at them.

“I will,” Roman nodded.

“What do you want?” Skylar demanded, standing in front of her team.

“Well, regrettably, we’re going to see a lot of each other, so I wanted to introduce you kiddos to your future destroyers,” Roman smirked, spreading his arms. “We can start this little playdate now, hm?”

He punched the ground. It broke apart, splitting the team in two and three. Chase gritted his teeth, pushing Oliver back. Riker coldly regarded them. “We’ve trained for this! Get in formation!”

Skylar and Bree squared themselves to Roman, with Kaz behind them. He let flames flicker on his skin. Oliver’s fists shook as he raised them. 

Roman cracked his knuckles, rolling his neck. He beckoned Skylar forward. She charged.

Chapter Text

Skylar aimed a punch. Roman ducked easily, sticking out his foot to trip her and make her crash into the pile of cement. The second she disappeared from view, Bree was there.

She kicked toward Roman’s stomach. He bought the fakeout, grabbing her ankle. Bree twisted up, landing on his shoulders to put him in a headlock. Her arms touched nothing, phasing through a black swarm. Bree fell onto the ground. Before Roman could continue, a searing heat came to his left. He slightly leaned out of the way, allowing the jet of flame to rush by him, blowing stray hair around.

“You’re just as sloppy as you were that night, huh?” Roman taunted. He dodged another. Then another.

“What’s he talking about?” Bree got to her feet, brushing off her sleeves.

“Sick freak that ambushed Chase before your birthday!” Kaz exclaimed, shooting with both hands now to make space between her and Roman. “The jerk from the parking lot!”

“Aw, you got me,” Roman held his cheeks. “Stop it. I’m blushing.”

Kaz and Bree exchanged a look.

“That means I doubly want to take your ass down,” Bree squared.

“Oh, I’m so scared,” Roman swooned. 

Skylar appeared, sending an energy blast straight toward him. He phased away, making it beeline for Kaz. Kaz’s eyes widened.

“Move!” Skylar yelled, even though there wasn’t a chance for him to go fast enough.

Bree zipped over, yanking him out of harm’s way. The beam singed the heel of her boot. 

“Ooh,” Roman winced as he reformed behind her. “Attacking your friend? That’s gotta hurt.”

Skylar wheeled back on him.

Chase waved his arms in an arc. Big blue mailboxes, bent stop signs, and newspaper holders flew toward Riker from the street. Riker sidestepped the first few, punched through a news rack, scattering the contents in a big flourish of paper, and turned back into a swarm to evade the rest. 

Chase took advantage of the confusion, dashing forward with his bo. His eye furiously calculated his timing. Now! Chase swung it the second Riker reformed, slicing the corner of his hood. 

Riker struck back, producing a wave that made the earth beneath them shake. That explained things. Chase’s brain rapidly cataloged the information as he fought. Roman Yun. 6’2”, 189 pounds, lightning, strength, superhuman speed, shapeshifting. 

He flipped to avoid a blast. Riker Yun. 6’1”, 170 pounds, soundwaves, strength, shapeshifting.

BOOM

Okay, some kind of energy beam. Not as strong as Resse’s, based on Douglas’s injuries, but enough to pack a punch.

A soundwave counter would be a speaker of some sort to play the same frequency. He didn’t have one on him in this not-very-useful suit he wore. Nor were there parts around that he could use to make one.

Nothing particularly helpful. 

Riker slashed his glowing hand toward him. Chase leaned back at the last second, feeling it graze the tip of his nose.

He landed in a roll with a sharp pain in his leg, putting a shield up to block Riker’s punch.

“Oliver!” Chase shouted. “A little help-” he winced when he hit again. “Would be great!”

Oliver’s hands shook. He tried to shoot an ice spike. It drifted for a second, splashing into a puddle of water.

“Oliver!” Riker had punched against the shield until Chase was on his knees, barely maintaining it.

Oliver shut his eyes, trying to concentrate. 

It was broken when he felt an unbearable warmth fly past him.

Kaz had flung an entire ball of fire at them, forcing Riker to back off. Chase pulled himself up, re-engaging. 

Kaz was glaring something murderous at Oliver.

“I-” he was probably not audible over the fighting. His hands meekly went to his front. “I wasn’t trying to- look out!”

Kaz snapped back over, somersaulting away from a lightning bolt. He focused his attention, continuing to provide the girls with cover. Like Oliver was supposed to be doing. 

That was the formation they’d decided eons ago, before Reese, before Douglas was attacked. The oldest members, ironically the most experienced ones as well, had decided it was best. While Chase and Skylar were excellent at defense -shields and invulnerability respectively-, the three had come to the conclusion that the best formula, no matter the circumstance, was Kaz and Oliver providing support from behind while they faced whatever threat head-on. It made sense because each of them had incredible skill to keep up with almost any combatant, compared to the two teenagers who had indirect contact with a magic space rock a few months ago. They'd practiced that form as a team over and over with holographic adversaries until it was muscle memory. They'd never had to implement it until now.

Oliver breathed a sigh of relief that Kaz hadn’t been crisped. He turned to face his battle, right in time to be bowled over by Chase being thrown into him. Oliver’s head bounced off the concrete. He blacked out for a moment, evident by the way Chase was now crouching over him, bracing a shield bubble against Riker.

The booms of the blasts and shouts of his teammates were muffled by the ringing in his ears. His vision shifted up. Chase was only using one arm to block him. His other hung awkwardly at his side.

Oliver’s eyes widened.

Roman clasped his hands behind his back, easily dodging every attempt. “Aren’t you guys bored? Embarrassed, maybe?”

He bent backward at an unnatural angle when both girls swung at him. He continued going, casually pausing in a handstand. “Mm, you’re a lot weaker than you’re supposed to be.”

Skylar froze.

“Powers restored my ass,” he snorted, still upside-down. His hair softly fell around his temples, swaying with him as he leisurely did so. “They’re so weak, and not to mention unstable. Damn, I wanted some exercise today. What a loss for me.”

Skylar stayed still, fists trembling. She looked down at them like she was searching for something that she knew wasn’t present.

“Shut up!” Bree yelled, speed-kicking at him.

Roman vanished again. She spun her arms to create miniature cyclones, scattering him around the block.

“Genius!” Kaz grinned, high-fiving her. “We gotta get the other one to-”

“To what?” Roman formed right in front of Kaz, looming over him. “Nice try.”

He cracked his fist across Kaz’s cheek, sending him flying. Bree raced after him.

Skylar clenched both fists, bringing them down on Roman. They smashed into the rubble, sending it flying up between them. Her fists lit up, aiming for him. Roman jumped over the beam.

“What?” he mocked. “You angry that I hit your little buddy? Or that I spoke the truth about your “powers”?”

Skylar’s eyes turned bright pink. She unleashed a plasma blast with a scream.

~*~

AJ’s scooter bumped around as the asphalt beneath it quaked. He hopped off, pulling it behind a rock and peeking out at the carnage, a couple of yards away from the team.

~*~

“Chase!” Oliver flew upright, reaching out. “Your arm-!”

“Wrist,” Chase corrected, flinching against another sound wave. “I think it’s-”

“Broken,” Oliver finished. He instinctively looked around for his med bag. Duh. “Okay, we really need field stuff, y’know-!”

“I know!” Chase yelled. The gravel was cutting into the knees of his pants. His sleeve was burned off, almost to the elbow.

Not the time, yeah.

Oliver unzipped the top of his suit, shrugging it from his shoulders. He crawled up next to Chase, who gave him a confused look. Oliver gently took his elbow and set it in the jacket’s main part, tying the sleeves around Chase’s neck to create a makeshift sling. 

“Thanks,” Chase said, wincing against the blow.

“Yeah. The heck are we supposed to do?” his voice cracked on the second word.

Chase’s nose crinkled as he thought. “We can’t hit them without them turning into swarms.”

Oliver glanced outside the bubble, seeing Skylar hit nothing as Roman toyed with her. That pissed him off. Bree was a stone’s throw away, helping Kaz up. His mouth had some blood at the corner, as well as a forming bruise on his cheek.

He pondered as well, watching Roman closely, timing his timing.

“It takes him a little under a second to react,” Chase noted. 

Oliver nodded. “Do we strike then?”

“Too small a window. Only Bree could do it, and she doesn’t have anything to knock them out for enough time.”

“So, that’s out. Hitting them in their normal forms is out. …What if we hit them in swarm mode?”

“How would we do that?” Chase demanded. He jerked his head, lifting up the road beneath Riker to force him away.

Oliver wilted a little, shrugging.

Chase lit up. “That’s it! If you aim a well-placed ice blast, you should be able to freeze the molecules solid!”

Oliver put his hands up. “Woah, woah, woah, I can’t do that-”

“Well, you’re going to have to,” Chase shut him down.

Oliver’s mind swam with a million ways that he couldn’t. He stopped when he saw Chase looking over his shoulder, pale as a ghost. Oliver followed. The other fight had halted as well, all parties glancing behind them.

AJ lifted a small branch off a cat that was stuck under it, freeing the animal. He was two feet from Chase and Oliver.

He noticed the pause, glancing up. He wore a crudely drawn Elite Force symbol on lined notebook paper, taped to his shirt. His helmet was slightly askew.

Stunned quiet filled the area.

“Who the hell is that supposed to be?” Roman gestured.

AJ stood, fists on his hips. “I- …I’m AJ, part of the Elite Force!”

Silence.

Roman burst into laughter. “Eli- I-” he doubled over. “Riker, are you seeing this?”

Riker rolled his eyes.

Roman held his sides, wiping a tear from his eye. “Well then, hero,” he took a breath, positioning his arms. They crackled. Chase and Bree began moving instinctively. “Time to say goodbye.”

With a deafening shriek, a bolt of purple shot from him, destroying the debris in its way. AJ’s eyes became big as saucers, skin gaining a purple hue from the light coming at him. Bree made it to AJ, snatching him to whisk him to safety. At the same time, Chase ran in front of them, beginning to summon a shield. 

They were too slow. 

It hit Chase first in a split second, then bounced to Bree, striking through their necks. Both cried out, instantly crumpling into heaps with purple sparks flickering on their suits.

AJ’s eyes immediately flooded as Bree slumped against him. He stumbled up, backing away.

Oliver’s mouth went dry.

“No!” Kaz and Skylar screamed in unison.

“Yes,” Roman grinned.

Oliver, still on the ground, was hit by another strike. Roman kept it going, flattening him on the ground. He then hit Kaz as well, then the two already unconscious siblings. Kaz struggled for a second, reaching out in Chase and Oliver’s directions. He collapsed. The last bolt slammed into Skylar. It pushed her backward. She dug her heels into the ground, grinding her teeth and poising her arms against it.

Skylar staggered to her right, toward Bree. Her long curls had sprung from their tie, curtaining her face.

“Man, this is too easy!” Roman laughed, increasing the voltage. Skylar continued to push through her shaking legs, using one hand to absorb the bolt aimed at her. Skylar made it to Bree, using the other to pull the lightning off of her. She looked down at her unmoving body, concern twisting on her scuffed-up face. She then took a fumbling step toward the next closest: Chase, who seemed in a similar terrible condition- despite his bionic durability, struggling to hold all the electricity. 

Roman’s smirk faded. His eyebrow quirked up. Riker gave him a look.

“Not now,” Roman hissed.

A beat. 

“Oh, come on.”

Thwack

Roman’s head pitched forward. The lightning stopped. AJ frantically backed away, holding a fire extinguisher he'd pulled out of a nearby abandoned store's wreckage. “You little-”

The boy tripped on a rock, scrambling faster.

Riker appeared at Roman’s side, grabbing his shoulder. “I know Father summoned us, but I’m not done-!”

Riker slowly shook his head.

Roman clenched his teeth. He spat on the ground near AJ. AJ flinched. 

The brothers turned into swarms, spiraling up into the sky.

AJ gazed over the chaos. The team was tossed around the area, four completely limp. Skylar was on her hands and knees, breathing hard. She glanced beside her, looking at Bree. her hair was frizzy, her makeup smudged, and her body twitching.

“Fuck.”  

Chapter Text

Kaz gently brushed soft hair from Chase’s face. His eyes were shut, dark lashes laying on his slightly paler than usual cheeks.

He took a moment to let the bundle of emotion in his throat tighten. “I’m sorry,” his voice was thick. “And yeah, I know you’d tell me not to apologize. Jokes on you, you’re unconscious.” 

Chase didn’t reply.

Kaz pulled the thin sheet over him further, careful of his wrist, which was now in a cast. They really needed an infirmary. Cots in a cold ass basement weren’t cutting it.

He pressed his lips to his forehead, lingering for a second longer than necessary.

Kaz straightened, stepping over to Bree. he stuck two fingers under her jaw, sighing in relief. He knew they were breathing. But it didn’t hurt to reassure himself.

He’d gotten off the phone with Davenport a few minutes ago, who assured him that their systems would correct themselves. It was therapeutic because Kaz was too stressed to act like he wanted to be civil. He didn’t know what it was, but he did not like that man in the slightest bit.

Kaz tucked Bree in tighter as well. “I’ll be back soon, guys.”

He walked to the hyperlift. With a whoosh and a flash, he was upstairs.

Oliver startled. He closed his book, setting it on the coffee table. There was a trash can with used tissues at his feet. Still sick, it seemed. “How are they?”

Kaz curled his lip, ignoring him. He turned, hovering in the kitchen. He flew a bit higher to get a glass down from the cabinet. Chase liked to keep breakables above Kaz and Bree's height. His socked feet met the tile, plodding over to the refrigerator. The hum of the water dispensing didn’t disguise Oliver making his way over.

“Are they okay?” he prodded. “What did Mr. Davenport say?”

Kaz eyed him from the side. “Knock it off. It’s not funny.”

Oliver blinked. He rubbed his arm. “Kaz, I’m not joking. I’m worried. About them.”

Kaz felt warmth on his shoulder. “Me too. Who else are you going to scapegoat on?”

Oliver blinked again. His eyebrows furrowed. “Kazi-”

“Don’t even dare call me that,” Kaz shot him a seething glare, shouldering past him.

Oliver winced from the shove. He stared at the floor.

Skylar descended the stairs, towel around her neck and hair damp. She was wearing one of Kaz’s Skylar Storm t-shirts. She crossed the room, patting out the small bonfire on Kaz’s sleeve. The hand moved to his hair, pushing it out of his eyes. “How are they?”

Kaz’s demeanor completely flipped. “They’re okay. Basically sleepin’ so their systems recover. Like babies.”

Skylar exhaled her relief in tandem with Oliver, feet away. “Thank goodness.”

“Yeah,” Kaz shrugged, rolling his shoulders. He’d been down there six hours alone, refusing to let Oliver get near either sibling to help. “Good thing, honestly. Chase’s asshole dad has been making him take on Douglas’s company responsibilities.”

Skylar wrinkled her nose.

“I know,” Kaz sighed.

“So you don’t like him either?”

“I’m not crazy about the guy.”

A quiet sneeze caught their attention.

Skylar saw Oliver over Kaz. She squeezed Kaz’s shoulder. “Go check on AJ.”

Kaz pouted.

“What?”

“He’s gonna try to beat my high score again and be mean about it,” Kaz whined. “He almost did. The TV can only “accidentally” turn off so many times.”

Skylar snickered, lovingly acting as a battering ram to force him upstairs.

She made eye contact with Oliver again, nodding to the balcony.

~*~

Oliver shivered from the freezing breeze. For bemoaning his illness so much, he sure was good at exacerbating it. Oliver jumped when a throw blanket was appropriately thrown at him by Skylar. She flopped down on the side of the beach chair it had come from, gesturing to him to sit at the other.

Oliver squeezed the plush fabric, inching over. He awkwardly slid in, trying his best not to brush their knees.

He clumsily sat, keeping himself as small as possible. Skylar in contrast reclined on one hand, casually tilting her head as though she was studying something. He folded further. 

"S-So-"

"Oliver," she sat forward, clasping her hands. Oliver jumped again.

"Yes?"

"Do you know what a hero is?"

Oliver made confused eye contact. He fiddled with the blanket again, unsure of how to answer.

“It’s not a trick question.”

“Uh… yes…?”

“A hero is someone just,” Skylar’s eyes bored into his. The pink Calderan flame was even more noticeable with the sun setting. “Someone righteous. Someone who is willing to give it all for the people they’re meant to protect.”

Oliver squirmed a little.

“A hero… is fair.”

He felt nauseous. Maybe his sickness was getting worse? Or he was absolutely detesting the fact that Skylar was right. And hated that she even had to confront him.

Oliver watched a strand of curl fall from behind her shoulder to her front. 

“You know what I’m going to ask you.”

He shrugged half-heartedly, to act like he didn’t.

“Do you think you’ve been fair?”

Silence.

Cars honked many stories below, heading home from a long day. 

Oliver’s toe traced the marble beneath it. 

“Hey,” the sternness in her voice made him snap back upright. Her expression matched, stony and resolute. He couldn’t figure out how to escape this conversation. “I asked you a question. Do you think you’ve been fair?”

Oliver forced the lump down his throat. He shrugged again.

“Have you been fair to me?” 

He thought about what Kaz had said. He’d been leeching off of her for months now, creating a terrible environment in their otherwise pleasant home, hurting people she loved from his suffocating jealousy, and making their missions much harder than necessary.

Oliver slowly shook his head.

“Have you been fair to Kaz?”

Oliver shook his head again, feeling more and more guilt settle in. He’d been tearing him in two different directions, forcing him to choose which side he was on. In Oliver’s opinion, Kaz had chosen correctly by despising him now.

“Have you been fair to Bree? Chase?”

Oliver gripped his pajama pants legs over the knee. 

They’d taken his friends. Made him feel inadequate. Acted like they could walk all over him. Turned his friends against him. 

But all of that was a lie.

Oliver was bitter. He was mean. He treated them as though they were nothing. He treated them like his mother treated him. What excuse did he have? Sorry, my mom gave me abandonment issues, it’s not my fault. Yeah, not cutting it.

The head shake was slower.

“Oliver, look at me.”

Oliver carefully flicked his eyes up.

“Have you been fair to yourself?”

It felt like his body gained a thousand pounds.

“Why does that matter?” he finally spoke. It was weak.

Skylar exhaled. He felt her breath on his head. 

“Oli, you’re hurt. You’re so hurt.”

Oliver’s hands trembled. The blanket stayed folded on his lap.

“You need to acknowledge what happened to move forward. What she did to you.”

The wedding. Flashes of purple. Screams.

The heroes had caught her just before the team began. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to dispel the image of hers: fractured, teary, wrathful. 

A hand covered his.

Oliver startled back to the present. A gust of wind whistled by.

Skylar’s face had softened. “When you took up the hero title, you took up those promises. I know you keep your promises.”

Oliver stared at his feet. She pulled back.

“And I expect you to follow them. That’s all I ask.”

Her presence moved.

Oliver saw her go to the balcony in the corner of his vision.

“You’re… not angry at me?”

She stuffed her hands into her pockets, shrugging. Her long hair flowed around from the wind. “Well, I’m not crazy about the guy.”

Oliver peeked at her.

“But I know he’s kind under all of that. He’s my friend. And I have faith in my friends.”

Skylar smiled, leaning back to go over the balcony. Oliver saw her fly up. He turned back to the blanket.

~*~

“What’s up?”

Horace glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, Sam.”

“Hi.”

Tecton hovered up beside him. He wasn’t sick, but wanted to come to check up on Blue Tornado and Gamma Girl, both of whom had been injured on their joint mission against a faction of Mr. Terror’s remaining empire a few days ago with Mesmera and Captain Atomic. Horace sat at the main desk of the hospital lobby, balancing his chin in his palm.

Tecton followed his line of sight.

Solar Flare was combing through Snowstorm’s hair on a gurney. They chatted brightly with Gamma Girl and Blue Tornado. The youngest of their friends seemed more comfortable now, swinging her powder blue boots as she smiled up at him.

Gamma Girl touched Blue Tornado’s shoulder, pulling him down. She whispered something.

He flushed redder than Tecton had ever seen, big gray wings ruffling- making the bandage on the left one more obvious.

Gamma Girl burst into laughter. Blue Tornado gave unintelligible protests to whatever she said, voice an octave higher than normal. Solar Flare giggled behind her hand. She signed something.

Gamma Girl doubled over, holding Blue Tornado’s middle to keep from collapsing due to her raucous laughter. The other heroes and staff around gave little smiles at how infectious it was. 

“Shut up!” Blue Tornado demanded.

“What does that sign mean?” Snowstorm asked, still smiling. Solar Flare pulled her to her side with an arm around her shoulders, kissing at Blue Tornado where Snowstorm couldn’t see. Gamma Girl did the same, hanging off of him.

Tecton snickered. He waved to NeoCortex as the man made a mad dash for the ceiling hatch. He held his phone to his ear and a bouquet of flowers in his other hand, waving back quickly as he hurried.

“Missed his anniversary?” Tecton guessed.

“Probably,” Horace smiled.

“What’s up?”

“What d’ya mean?”

“You’re a lot less…” Tecton thought. “Animated than normal.”

“I dunno,” Horace shrugged. “Little quiet around here.”

Tecton ducked under a snot rocket casually, ignoring the big explosion overhead. 

“...You miss the kids?”

“Mmh, probably,” Horace repeated. “Alan’s with Nelson all the time, Skylar and the boys are out of state.”

Tecton frowned. He seemed so downtrodden. Usually, he bounced off the walls. Literally. He enjoyed his spring shoes too much.

“How about we go out tonight?” Tecton nudged him. “Old City. Get wasted and play darts. I’ll go grab Rich. He needs rescuing anyway.”

“He doesn’t like binding his wings to blend in.”

“Oh, dear sir,” Tecton patted Horace’s shoulder. “You underestimate how much that man appreciates a good beer.”

Horace rolled his eyes with a growing smile. “What about the Flames?”

“They’d beat us in everything, not fair,” Tecton pouted. “Just Rich and Brianna, okay? She gets even more southern when she drinks and it’s hilarious.”

Horace smirked. “Violet!”

Solar Flare looked at him across the room.

“You guys wanna go to Old City?”

She bobbed her head, quickly signing to her wife. Gamma Girl turned, shooting Tecton a grinning threat. 

“Damn it, Horace,” Tecton groaned. “I always lose so much money when we go against them!”

Horace chuckled. “How about Megahertz?”

Tecton froze. He rubbed his neck. “Uh… he’s in the …off phase right now.”

Horace frowned. “Ah, I’m sorry-”

“It’s okay,” Tecton sighed. He watched Solar Flare stand, giving Gamma Girl a peck. “I could use a drink tonight too.”

~*~

Bree stared at the ceiling. Her whole body had pins and needles, from head to toe. Joy. 

She glanced to her left. Chase was on the cot beside Bree, back facing her direction.

Her lips were dry and sticking together. She’d kill for water. How long were they supposed to be confined down here? Kaz had popped in an hour ago, telling them that Davenport didn’t take it that seriously and that their systems should be able to repair themselves. She wasn’t a fan of electricity, to put it mildly. Machines continued humming in the room.

Blue flashed in the room. Bree figured it was Kaz.

“I need water, dude,” she rasped.

There was silence for twenty seconds.

She heard him clear his throat above her. Bree tried to sit up. The numbness in her arms made her fall immediately. A palm pressed between her shoulder blades to keep her up. She paused. That didn’t feel like Kaz’s. Cold, thin, shaky. Great.

Bree begrudgingly looked to the right. 

Oliver was there, holding water with the hand that wasn’t currently supporting her. He wasn’t making eye contact. Good thing too, her glare was probably plenty lethal.

Bree took the glass. “You can let go now.”

He did so, stepping away from her to respect her space. 

Bree downed the whole cup. She swiped the back of her hand over her lips. Bree glanced over again. Oliver’s hands were folded in front of him. He didn’t move his eyes from the sleek floor, only cluttered by Kaz’s duffel of medical supplies.

He looked pale. He looked small. Guilty. Quivery. He looked… utterly pathetic.

Bree sighed lowly, fighting a battle in her brain. Before the victor was actually decided, her mouth moved. 

“Hey.”

Oliver startled.

Bree sighed again. She set the empty dish on her lap, folding her arms. Damn it. “I don’t like you.”

Quiet. Machines buzzed and clicked around them. It was getting annoying.

Oliver exhaled what almost sounded like a laugh. Bree raised a brow. Both were well aware that she didn’t. Not only did he act like she was nothing, he did the same to her brother. Most who came in contact with the four siblings understood the cardinal rule: you never mess with one if you wanted to keep your life. Man, if it had gotten any worse, she would have loved to tell Adam about it and see how tough this kid was after that. But Oliver seemed completely defeated every time she saw him lately. It would be like kicking a puppy. 

“Join the club. It’s pretty popular.”

He sniffled. Bree would assume it was from being sick for his sake. 

She remembered Oliver. Oliver had dropped onto their island, turned their world upside down, and helped save it too. He was charming, confident, smart, brave. That was a different person. Long gone. What stood in his place was a broken version.

Bree tucked her hair behind her ear. She squeezed her forearms, squinting her eyes too.

“It… wasn’t your fault. What happened to him.”

Oliver shyly looked again. 

“It wasn’t,” Bree made eye contact. “I’m as brutally honest as they come. And like I said, I don’t like you. So you can trust me or whatever. It wasn’t you. You didn’t help, but.”

Oliver blinked. 

Quiet once more. 

He was the first to speak.

“Are… are you finished with the cup?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay,” she passed it to him. It cracked in his grip. He hurried to the hyperlift, furiously scrubbing under his eyes.

Bree sat back, rolling her neck. 

“I know you’re not asleep.”

Chase giggled. 

“What’s so funny?”

He rolled to face her. “You’re so cute. You can’t stand the thought of anyone suffering.”

Bree turned bright red. “Shut up!”

She tossed her pillow at him as he cackled harder.

~*~

“What are you thinking about, dear?” 

Tasha looked up. Her husband stood in the doorway, looking disheveled. It made sense with him heading across the country to Philidelphia all the time now. 

“Ah, the usual.”

She gestured to the old family photo. Two parents, four kids, all crammed together on the sectional. Chase and Adam were arguing, Donald was mid-sneeze, Bree was shoving Leo out of the way of her good side, and Tasha looked as though she was going to flay them all alive (she thought it was valid to this day. They’d done at least forty takes). Tasha chuckled, lightly rocking their newest addition. Her littlest troublemaker was only five months old. And cute as a button.

Donald walked up to the vanity chair she sat in, booping Naomi’s nose. The baby giggled and cooed, grabbing his finger from her swaddle. Tasha saw the tender smile on his face in her mirror. He looked really frazzled. She pursed her lips.

“Are you alright?”

“Tired,” his free hand rubbed her shoulder. Lips pressed to her temple. “Making my brother new hands.”

She could tell he was staring at the photo too. Tasha couldn’t quite discern the expression he wore.

“I miss them too,” she sighed, rocking Naomi again when she started fussing. “At least Adam is nearby now. Half an hour isn’t bad.” compared to the opposite side of the country and across water for the other kids. Speaking of, two of them were due to be on TV in a couple of hours. Another press conference. It would be nice to see them again, even through a screen.

“I’m not happy about it,” his stare lingered.

“About Adam leaving the island?” she asked, still trying to figure out the look on his face in the reflection. “Or the house being so empty?”

“I’m not happy about it.”

~*~

Oliver paced up and down their main hall. His head was spinning from the jumble in his chest. His fingers threaded into his hair. 

Oliver paused at a picture frame. In it was Kaz, Skylar, Gus, Jordan, and himself. Past him had a huge braces-filled grin and eyes almost invisible from the genuine happiness on his face. That wasn’t what he saw, however. It was the shock of blond in the reflection. Her hair.

His grasp tightened, yanking and yanking, unable to feel the pain in his scalp from the stress on its nerves.

The pacing resumed. Everything in the hallway blurred and smudged together: doors, tables with vases, photos.

The shape where the door to the boys’ room was meant to be shifted. Two more appeared.

“Kaz,” Oliver breathed.

Kaz and AJ froze their debate on whether Skylar was stronger than Tecton and their movements.

“Oliver?” Kaz frowned. He was a couple of yards away, backlit by the living space’s light.

Oliver’s shoulders heaved. He opened his mouth to speak.

Nothing came out. Oliver’s eyes fluttered. He pitched forward.

Kaz dove, sliding on his knees across the distance and catching Oliver’s upper half.

Oliver buried into his chest. He weakly coughed. 

Kaz locked his jaw.  “AJ! Feel his head!”

“Wha-” AJ crossed the hall. “Why?”

“I can’t tell temperature anymore because of my powers!”

“Cool!”

“I know, right?”

Oliver coughed again, ending their joint fanboy moment.

AJ quickly pressed his tiny palm to Oliver’s head, waiting for a second.

“What am I looking for?”

“Is he warm?” Kaz patiently asked. Made sense a kid didn’t know. He only knew because Katie would feel for his temperature that way when he was little.

AJ felt his own head for reference for a beat. “Uh… only a little more than me?”

“...Oh, fuck.”

Kaz shifted his arms to Oliver’s center, ignoring the smoke curling from his biceps. AJ wrung his hands. “Why? Isn’t that a good thing?”

“He should feel way colder than you,” Kaz grunted as he hoisted Oliver onto his shoulder, pulling himself up too. “Powers.”

“Cool!” AJ chirped, following Kaz as he hurried back to their room. 

“I know, right?”

~*~

“He collapsed?” Chase sat up, worry crossing his features.

“Yeah. He’s sick,” Kaz obviously pointed out, packing up his stethoscope a stone’s throw away from the siblings’ cots. “No shit.”

“Why are you being snippy?” 

“I’m not,” Kaz snapped, disproving his point. Chase scowled at him. Kaz returned it.

Bree’s eyes moved between them. “...Okay, as much as I’d normally like to stick around and see what’s about to happen, I’m gonna haul my numb ass to the bathroom. Chasey, don’t kill him.”

Chase stayed staring at Kaz as he messed with something or other in his bag, waiting for the room to flash blue before speaking.

“We need to talk.”

“No, we don’t,” Kaz grunted, lifting his bag.

Chase glared. “I’ve had enough of this, Kaz.”

Kaz slammed the duffel on one of the desks, rattling Chase’s tools that he was teaching AJ about. 

“How about we stop the tantrums and talk like adults?” 

Kaz shot him a look.

Chase rolled his eyes. “Sit.”

“No.”

“Sit.”

Kaz muttered some words under his breath, stalking to the cot opposite him.

He sat down heavily, crossing his arms. “What?” 

“Stop.”

“Stop what?”

“Stop using it as an excuse.”

Kaz scowled. 

Chase’s glare stayed fixed. Same one his sister wore earlier that day. “If you’re angry at him for being a jerk, fine. If you’re angry at him for his jealous behavior, fine.”

Kaz scoffed. “Already got that covered.” 

 “I can understand that that isn’t my business, I suppose. And you two are welcome to figure it out together,” Chase breathed out through his nose. “What is my business is you treating him unfairly over what happened around Halloween.”

Kaz tensed. “Excuse me-?”

“You heard me,” he replied. “You know you aren’t angry at him over that.”

Kaz shot to his feet. “Do you think- do you think you can tell me how I feel?”

Chase sighed again.

“I’m not one of your machines, Chase! Real humans don’t work like that!”

Chase’s eyebrows furrowed. Kaz balked. He sat down. “That’s not what I mean- I-”

“Kaz,” Chase whispered. Kaz looked up. He inhaled sharply. Chase’s face was twisted with pain, enough to be completely indescribable. Other than it making Kaz feel like someone buried hooks in his heart and slowly tore it apart.

He fumbled off the cot, kneeling in front of him and taking his hands, mindful of his cast. “Fuck- I’m so sorry- I-I didn’t mean-”

“Kaz,” Chase said. He brought Kaz’s hands up, clutching them. Kaz shut up, nervously waiting. Chase’s arms were trembling. “You aren’t angry at him. Maybe not even at her. You’re angry… you’re angry at me.”

Kaz stilled.

“And I’m so sorry.”

Kaz wrapped his arms around Chase, pulling him to his chest. 

“It’s not your fault,” Kaz swallowed the emotion in his throat.

“It is,” Chase took a shuddery breath. “It is. It’s not my fault… f-for what led up to it. It’s my fault that you had to be involved. It wasn’t fair- a-and- I told you this already. You haven’t been able to heal. And you’re angry at me. And hurt. It’s okay to be, Kaz. You’ve got every right.”

“We could’ve never had this,” Kaz murmured, sniffling. “I would’ve lost the- I would’ve- god, you’re my world.”

“Well,” Chase tilted his head. “Statistically I can’t be. You have your friends at the hospital too. Leo. My mother also likes you.”

“Okay, ninety percent.”

“I don’t know about that either.”

“Seventy-five.”

“Sold, I’ll take it.”

The two laughed hoarsely. Kaz buried his nose in his hair, inhaling. He smelled like he always did: eucalyptus and some rich person scent in the background. Kaz watched a tear splatter on his scalp, holding him as tightly as he could, like Chase would vanish if he loosened in the slightest. 

“I’m sorry,” Chase repeated. “I’m not going anywhere. I promise. I promise.”

Kaz nodded. That was all he could manage.

~*~

Adam’s phone continued ringing. He tapped the butt of his pencil on his desk.

“Yello?” it was picked up.

Adam cleared his throat. “Uh. Hey.”

“Hey big guy, what’s up?” Leo asked.

“Nothin’.”

Quiet.

“Uh… do you want me to come visit?”

“If you want to,” Leo continued cheerily. That made the pit in Adam’s stomach widen. “Don’t have to, though. We’re going to Centium City later this year anyway. And there’s your birthday too. And Chase’s.”

“Yeah. Bye.”

“See ya.”

Adam set the phone on the desk, which now had an indent in it from his pencil. He smoothed a hand down his face. He knew he was the most rotten older brother in history. No one needed to say it. Donald had already come close. It wasn’t like his father’s fury at him was new.

It wasn’t anyone’s fault but his. That island was nothing but an isolated space filled with anger, guilt, and pain for him. A reminder of everything he never did. A reminder of what he had before it was torn away. So he abandoned his youngest brother.

Selfish, one of the adjectives Donald had yelled at him. 

Adam slid down in his chair with a groan.  

~*~

He’s reaching out to you. Please meet him halfway.

Kaz echoed Chase’s words repeatedly, bickering with himself over actually listening. He lightly thumped his forehead on the upstairs corridor’s wall twice.

There was a rattle of a frame above him.

Kaz glanced up. He and Oliver, about five years old. They sat in a little sandbox, brightly colored pails and shovels in tiny hands.

Kaz remembered that day. Teenaged Katie had walked the two boys to the local park to burn off their energy after picking them up from kindergarten because both sets of parents were too “busy”. Kaz immediately beelined for the playset. Oliver chose the sandbox. He’d spent the next hour carefully crafting a little castle, while Kaz ran around the playground, scraping his knees half a dozen times. 

Eventually, he brought his miniature tornado over to Oliver. He accidentally stepped on his castle while climbing into the box. The poor boy was inconsolable, sobbing and crying over how hard he’d worked on it despite Katie’s many placating offers to go to the ice cream truck. Kaz had casually plopped down, suggesting they rebuild it to be bigger and better. They did, and it was. The picture captured the moment they finished, big smiles and all.

“Aw, come on,” Kaz groaned.

~*~

AJ swung his feet as he sat on the big white couch, humming to himself. He was flipping through an old Tecton issue when the hyperlift whooshed behind him.

“You want me to beat you again?” he called, assuming it was Kaz.

“Oh, please, you could never beat me.”

AJ lit up. He got to his knees, turning to see over the back.

Chase smirked at him.

“Well, I beat your security system. Twice.”

Chase blushed a little. “Hey! That’s low!”

“How?” AJ teased. “We talkin’ your height?”

“You’re four feet tall.”

“And that’s four times as good as your security system.”

“Alright, you little shit, it’s time for a build-off. You better hope you remember how to use those tools.”

AJ grinned. He hopped over the couch, scampering after Chase.

~*~

  The door inched open. 

Oliver glanced up from his book. 

Kaz.

Great.

Kaz shuffled inside with just as much enthusiasm, closing the door behind him. He stood in front of it, arms folded. Oliver stared back at him.

A good half of a minute passed by.

“Chase made me.”

“Huh?”

“He made me come here,” Kaz continued. Oliver felt his stomach drop a bit. “Said to give you a chance. This is your only one. Hurry the heck up.”

Oliver blinked rapidly. “Uh-”

“Well, good try,” Kaz turned around.

“Wait!” Oliver sat up. He groaned, holding his spinning head.

Kaz did not, opening the door.

“Kaz, please!”

He paused. 

Oliver could almost picture the internal back and forth his friend went through.

Kaz let out a long sigh, deflating his shoulders with it.

He faced Oliver once more. 

Oliver’s fingers curled into his covers. “Can… you start?”

Kaz thought for a second. He shoved his hands in his pockets, walking to his part of the room. He flopped onto his bed. 

“Well, let me think,” he dramatically tapped his chin. “You’ve been emotionally abusing my partner, his sister, our friend, and me for months.”

Oliver averted his eyes. 

“You’ve made living here hell, despite how much the rest of us want to. You’ve destroyed any good perception of you I’ve ever had. Ruined any urge I got to be your friend anymore. Do I need to keep going?”

Oliver’s hands began to tremble.

“I’m… sorry.”

“Wow, he’s sorry!” Kaz gasped. His face darkened again. “Do you think sorry is the magic word? I don’t care that it made Chase forgive you. None of the rest of us have.”

“I am…” Oliver squeezed his eyes shut. Frost spread on his hands.

“What, you want a medal?” Kaz snorted. “For a guy who was so worried about being like his mom, you sure don’t try that hard to avoid it.”

The temperature dropped.

Whatever regret Kaz would have for saying that was slowly burned away over the course of half a year of this nonsense. 

“You’re mean. You’re cruel. You’re hateful.”

Oliver winced at each word.

“You’ve changed so much.”

The spite with which Kaz said that was jarring.

Oliver shot him a glare. “I thought change was allowed. I thought we didn’t have to stay the same.”

“You didn’t just change,” Kaz made air quotes, standing up. “You murdered your old self. You killed my best friend.”

Oliver straightened.

“And I hate you for it,” Kaz balled his fists at his side, taking a step toward Oliver. “And I hate myself for letting it happen.”

Oliver’s eyes widened. “What?”

Kaz stopped. He turned away again. “Nothin’.” 

Quiet as heavy as their two hearts fell over the room.

Oliver blinked. “Kaz…”

“Whatever,” Kaz waved. 

“Kaz, it’s… not your fault.”

“Psh, I know that.”

“I know you. And no, you don’t.”

“You don’t know me anymore,” Kaz glowered. “All you know is being a massive jerk with abandonment issues.”

“What could you have done to stop anything?”

“Shut up.”

“Kaz-”

“Shut up!” Kaz yelled, whipping around. Fire exploded on his shoulders. Oliver flinched. “You don’t have any right to criticize me!”

“I-I’m not-”

“You’re a monster now!” Kaz’s flames grew higher. He stepped closer. “One I just watched get made!”

Oliver felt his eyes well up. He leaned away from the heat. 

“I let her take you that day!” Kaz shouted. His eyes were teary too. The carpet began smoking. “I let her take my-”

The flames flickered. 

“I-”  

They dissipated. Kaz pulled out Oliver’s desk chair, slumping into it. He covered his face. “You were my best friend. I knew you started changing after the evil Skylar shit but… god, I can’t even recognize you anymore.”

A knife stabbed right through Oliver’s heart. 

It was dug in deeper and twisted when Kaz breathed out. His shoulders were shaking. He was crying.

Oliver’s lip wobbled. “Kazi-”

“Don’t.”

“Kaz,” he whispered, reaching out. His hand found his knee. “I’m sorry.”

“Are you really?” Kaz wiped his eyes. “Or are you just sorry that we’re not on your side?”

Oliver retracted. He ran that hand through his hair.

“You’re …right. I can’t believe this is what I became. Out of jealousy.”  

Kaz glanced at him.

“They’re really cool, aren’t they?”

Kaz nodded.

Oliver brushed under his own eyes. “I don’t know how to fix this. But I- but I want to.”  

Silence.

“Well, it’s nice that you know you were wrong, at least.”

Oliver nodded absently, not really listening to the last sentence. “I… I need to talk to Chase.”

“Do an actual apology?” Kaz asked with a sniffle as Oliver scrambled out of bed.

Oliver hurried into the hall.

~*~

“Chase!” 

“Yeah?”

Oliver followed the muffled response, pushing the girls’ door open. The warm light blinded him for a minute.

Bree was sitting at her vanity, doing the final touches on her makeup. Chase was by their full-length mirror, tie in hand. Skylar, already fully dressed in a suit was gently bullying AJ, flinging him around by the ankles as he shrieked. All four paused as soon as Oliver appeared. 

“I need to talk to you,” he directed toward Chase rather seriously. 

“...Ooh-kay.” Chase shrugged. 

The girls took the cue. Skylar tossed AJ up to sit on her shoulders, strolling out. Bree gathered her bag, shooting a dangerous look at Oliver as she exited.

“What’s up?” Chase asked, turning back to the mirror.

“I need to talk to you,” Oliver repeated, out of breath.

“Okay.”

Oliver stayed silent for a moment, stumped on what he indeed needed to talk to him about. 

“I… I need to apologize.”

“You already did,” Chase began tying his tie.

“...What are you guys dressed so fancily for?”

“Press conference, remember?”

“Oh.”

Chase smiled at him, returning to his task. It was clumsy with very little use of one of his hands. Chase noticed him staring at the cast.

“Eh, it comes with the line of work,” Chase shrugged again. 

“I need to apologize.”

“You already did.”

Oliver felt like a broken record. “No- I-, I mean properly- I-”

“Look, Oliver,” Chase finished his tie, facing him. Oliver expected anger. There wasn’t any. “I’d say we’ve had a pretty rocky relationship, right?”

Oliver nodded, feeling a little bit like a child being lectured. He wasn’t offended. Chase's calm temperament was refreshing after today.

“What I did to Kaz to activate your powers,” Chase exhaled. Oliver’s mouth tasted sour. “And the whole thing with me and Skylar in the tunnel- I don’t know why I behaved like that. I owe you an apology too.”

Oliver’s eyes traced the colorful rug beneath his feet.

He jumped when a hand touched his shoulder.

“You feel bad for what you did, I feel bad for what I did,” Chase’s smile was a kind of comfort Oliver hadn’t been privy to for a while. “How about we bring back our truce?”

Oliver, a bit dumbfounded, nodded.

“Cool,” Chase extended his other hand. Oliver fumbled when he realized what that meant, reaching out to clasp it back. Chase patted his shoulder. “If you feel well enough, we can finish getting ready for the conference.”

Oliver dumbly nodded again. 

He let Chase pass him, following him to the door. “Word of warning: don’t apologize to my sister. That’ll piss her off more.”

Oliver blinked twice. 

Chase snickered. “She’s a little proud. Davenport genes. Prove you’ve changed and she might forgive you this century. Ooh! Be her pack mule when she goes shopping. That’ll make her like you.”

“O-Okay?” Uh oh.

Chase opened the door, walking down the hall.

“Alright, ten minutes!” he called. “Make sure you’re dressed warmly!”

“Okay, mom!”

“Nah, I’ll freeze to death outta spite actually.”

“Babe, I don’t get cold.”

All replies were yelled from around the hallway.

“If you little shits make us late again there won’t be any cake tonight!”

The protests shouted back made Oliver's lips curve up. He took a step. It felt much lighter than it had for months.

Kaz was standing outside of their room. Chase stopped for a moment. He put his palms on Kaz’s chest, kissing his cheek. “I’m proud of you,” he whispered, pulling back enough to fix Kaz’s collar.

Kaz beamed like an idiot, pecking his lips. He grabbed Chase around the middle, swinging him around. Kaz looked so happy. Happier than in a while. He was so blind. Both times he seriously looked at them, Kaz was clearly over the moon. Oliver’s smile widened. Kaz noticed him. Oliver froze in place.

Kaz looked him up and down, making him feel like he was going to melt into an anxious puddle.

“You’re wearing that to a press conference?”

“What?”

Kaz pointed. Oliver looked down at his pajamas.

“Hurry up, man. We gotta go.”

Oliver brightened. Kaz half-smiled. 

Chase grinned, pulling away.

He walked down the stairs to join Bree and AJ.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” AJ replied. He had a packed up suitcase because his parents were returning. The boy seemed downtrodden like he’d never be able to come back.

Chase sighed through his nose. He put a hand on AJ’s shoulder.

“How would you like to be our Mission Specialist? You showed some real initiative.”

AJ gave a blinding smile. “Does that mean I’m on the team?”

“Kinda.” 

“Do I get to beat up bad guys?”

“No,” Chase said cheerily.

“Do I get to use the simulator?”

“Negative. You can help Kaz and I design new suits though.”

AJ jumped excitedly, beginning to rant about his duties as he ran around the room.

“Reminds me of someone,” Bree nudged Chase’s ribcage.

“A certain other Mission Specialist?” Chase smiled.

“Which is why you’re doing this?”

“Yep. If that kid grows half as much as him, it’s a win.”

Chase wrapped his arm around Bree’s shoulders. She leaned into his side.

Oliver heard a door shut behind him. A big hand ruffled his bedhead. 

“Eesh, you’re wearing that?” Skylar grimaced. “Cool.”

Kaz and Oliver both snickered.

Skylar continued walking, resting her elbow on Kaz’s head. She looked over her shoulder at Oliver. “What are you waiting for, a theme song?”

Kaz lit up, pulling out his phone. A metal twang. “Elite-”

“No!” Bree yelled from the living room.

All three laughed. 

Skylar waved Oliver forward.

Oliver hurried down the dark corridor. He stopped at the square of light, looking over the space just a set of stairs away.

There was laughter hard enough to make sides ache, messy couches, comics strewn about. All of which he’d denied for too long.

And there was warmth. There was happiness. There was love.

Oliver took a step. Then another. It was time.

~*~

Roman knelt in front of his father’s golden throne. 

“You found him?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Excellent,” the man’s face was shadowed in torchlight. “Our new partner will be pleased.”