Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mark sat in the red booth of Tony’s Pizza with a soft smile watching as the boys busted out the place in hot pursuit of Le Frog. His heart clenched at the joy he watched spread across Ashe’s face as he tagged along. God knows how much he missed that expression, how fucking much he missed his kid. Even missed how he would come back with the same sparkle in his eyes that he always had after him and the chucklefucks went on some sort of adventure together. For that alone it made everything worth it. Though this time no matter how much he started to worry as Ashe left his sights, he felt a sort of certainty that the Prime Defender’s would keep him safe. They were going to give him and probably Tide (who was still cowering under the table) an aneurysm in the process, but that had all stopped mattering to him the moment Ashe had hugged him in the hospital.

Speaking of Tide, where they sat now after everything was undecided. Metaphorically of course, Tide right now still sat under the damn table acting like a fucking fool. As amusing as it was to watch him since they’d arrived, he was beginning to feel a bit bad for him. He’d spent a lot of time with Tide, and despite initially it being a rivalry he was beginning to grow on him. It’s not that he ever outright hated the man, more an understanding of fundamental differences. Differences that however friendly they were for the boys sake, couldn’t be overlooked without lives Mark cared about being on the line.

Tide!” He kicked at his side from underneath the table. 

“Ow!” Tide jolted, making the table shake. “What?!” he spat “Uh- I mean,  I'm a normal citizen who does not know a Ti-” clunk!  He hit his head against the wooden table as he tried to get out from underneath it. 

“Alright Waterboy, enough of this.” He said, grabbing him up by the arm and off the checkerboard floor. Tide scowled at him but his firm grip on his bicep was met with no resistance. 

Ring Ring Ring

“Oh!” Tide exclaimed, ripping out of Wavelength’s grasp and answering the watch.

Bzzt! it connected, a holograph of Wordsmith popping up the size of a mini figure. 

“Wonderful! You’re together, I assumed as much.” The voice of Wordsmith rang out with a slight tinny edge to it.

“Hello Wordsmith!” Tide nervously grinned.

“Hello Tide! Wavelength,” he gave a friendly nod.

“The fuck do you want with me?” Mark spat.

“Well, as a wanted criminal I would hardly sound so surprised.” The tiny Wordsmith snarked. Eyes narrowing, hand on hip, the per usual of this pretentious fuck.

“What’s going on Wordsmith?” Tide asked before he had a chance to say anymore to the fuckhead.

“I am here to give you two a chance to redeem yourselves.”

“Tsch!” Mark rolled his eyes.

“Listen Wavelength. I would recommend that you hear me out, unless you want to be seeing that kid of yours through bars.”

“Don’t speak of my kid Wordsmith, or else we are gonna have real fucking issues.” he glared at the hologram. 

“Well then! You will have no trouble doing this little mission for us!” Wordsmith said, pulling out a paper. “Tide as you know you’ve broken the law in getting repowered by a one ‘Wavelength’ Mark Winters. And for Wavelength, that list is long so I won’t read it here, but you know what you’ve done.” Mark glared a little harder at the hologram for that comment.

“To redeem yourself in the eyes of WATCH you must complete this mission. This is a low grade punishment for high grade crimes, so, I expect you to take this with grace and professionalism.” he read. “There is a banquet happening, I will send you the details in a moment. This is an illegal organization of supers trying to cause chaos and undermine the order of WATCH. We have infiltrated and have an individual who is expecting two guests with loose ties to WATCH to show under the guise of trying to learn more and participate in the events. In reality you will investigate.” 

“That’s simple.” Tide nodded.

“There is always a fucking catch with guys like these.” Mark commented, leaning his head over Tide’s shoulder.

“Ever cunning Mr. Winters. We initially made this infiltration with a superhero duo in mind.” Wordsmith began, “and well, they are a couple, so, it’s already been established among the few details we gave to the individual before the two backed out, and uh-, well, you two were the only people we can think of with a fuzzy relationship with WATCH and notable relationship with each other at the moment. So, I’m sure you can- yeah” Wordsmith trailed off, an awkwardness hanging in the air. Mark’s glare quickly morphing into one of disbelief.

“You want us to fake date each other for a banquet?” Tide repeated slowly.

“We are all very sure you and Wavelength have worked together successfully in the past, so it shouldn’t be a problem right?” Wordsmith replied with a strained smile.

“Fuck you.”

Wordsmith only chuckled “You're a funny one Wavelength! I will send you two details! Cheers!”

“I- and he's gone.” Tide sighed, his watch lighting up once more with a notification before going dark. 

Chapter Text

“Alright Waterboy, let's set some ground rules.” Wavelength said, walking into his kitchen with a laptop. His hair pinned back into a ponytail with black sweatpants and a T-shirt, sitting down next to him. 

Tide pulled himself up from his doom scrolling with a blank expression. “Good idea, but can’t we just act normal?”

“As much as I would love that Tide, we barely act like friends let alone a fucking couple. And this is our ticket outta all this shit we can’t risk it. On the bright side it’s not like we gotta fucking make out, we just have-ta act like we like eachother for one night.”

“Do you not already enjoy my company?” He snarked back.

“Is that really what you gathered from my fucking statement?” Wavelength glared at him.

“No, no, You’re right.” Tide pouted. “I just don’t usually do reconnaissance, I’m nervous. That’s all.”

“Yeah, I know all about you and your lack of reconnaissance missions. WATCH is too fucking busy sending you to come drench my equipment.” 

“Ah good times! You got really good at waterproofing after the 5th time though.” Tide chuckled.

Wavelength rolled his eyes with a sigh, turning to his laptop. “I figure we just work on gettin’ our stories straight. We are gonna be doin’ a lot of talking with the bastard in charge.”

“Okay.” Tide said simply.

Wavelength just looked at him for a long moment before speaking again. “So? What’s our story Waterboy?”

“I don’t know, you're the one with the kid.” he sassed, resting his head on his hand. “We should just make sure it matches up with real events. I don’t want them to be able to trace back an interaction we’ve had that wouldn't make sense.”

“Right.” Wavelength said, organising tabs on the laptop as Tide just sat there fiddling with his hair. Besides the Trickster fight Tide had been out of commission for awhile, and he hadn't done an undercover mission in even longer. Reasonably he wasn’t very confident in his acting abilities, especially with stuff like this. He was a hero, he never really had time for crushes and whatnot. Now needing to emulate it he kinda wished he’d paid more attention to those romcoms William liked so much.

“How ‘bout we keep everything the same and just say we really got along well when I repowered you? And we are there cause I convinced you to betray WATCH. The only downside of putting it so recent I could see is having to act as if were in some fuckin’ honeymoon phase.”

“Well that stresses me out.” Tide muttered to himself.

“What’d you say?”

“Uh, nothing.” Tide waved off with a coy smile.

“No Tide, If you're uncomfortable we change it.” He said firmly.

“I’m not uncomfortable, it’s pretend. I’m just not very experienced with liking someone to that level.”

“You never dated before Waterboy?”

“I mean, what’d you expect? With the types of jobs we have.”

“I don’t know, you look alright,” he shrugged, “and don’t have anything overtly wrong with you. Normally that’s a good combo.”Wavelength stated.

“Thanks Mark.” Tide said with a scoff.

“What? I was bein’ nice.”

“I have nothing overtly wrong with me?” Tide laughed in disbelief.

“That’s not the fucking point. Point is Waterboy we have to find couple-y shit we’re comfortable with.”

Tide rolled his eyes going back to idly tapping at his cheek. “Holding hands? Hugging? Those are safe I’m assuming?” he suggested, Wavelength nodded, turning to shuffle through a drawer. Pulling out a paper and pen, Tide watched as he wrote in just about legible handwriting.

He hummed, tapping the pen on the paper. “Touching eachother’s waist and shoulders?” 

‘I’m okay with that.” Tide thought for a second. “It’d be awkward but a peck on the cheek? I doubt it would come up, but it might be good if we’re desperate.”

Wavelength scrunched his face up a little, pen tapping away at the table. “Fuck it, why not.” The sound of writing filled the room, “Pet names okay?”

“Sure, I mean you’ve kinda already been doing that for years.”

“No I have not.” he bickered.

“Waterboy?”

“Okay that doesn’t count, that’s a fucking nickname. I mean sappy shit, like honey.”

“Whatever you say, princess.” he teased. Watching with glee at Wavelength’s pouting from the nickname. In his defense, if the shoe fits.

“Just sign the fucking paper.” Wavelength pushed it over with a grumble.

 Tide nodded, suppressing a chuckle as he reviewed the little list and put his name at the bottom next to his. 

If he was to be honest this whole thing had shifted his view of Wavelength ever so slightly. It wasn’t like he was expecting something in particular, but at least a little bit of Tide was surprised how mature he was about this. 

“I don’t know how I’m gonna remember to do any of that.” Tide commented, pushing the paper off to the side. 

“No fucking clue.” he said, flipping back to reviewing the mission documents on the laptop.

“It’s awkward to even think about.”

“If it's weird to think about, just don’t think. Fucking do.”

“Not thinking isn’t going to make it look any less awkward.”

“I’m not doing any extra credit with ya, Tide.”

“I didn’t mean it like that!” Tide sulked, landing a solid punch to Wavelength's shoulder as he laughed at Tide. “We should make it a competition. That way we’ll be less awkward and more apt to remember.” He suggested. Pulling Wavelength's attention once again from his laptop.

“Alright Waterboy, but let's put some money on the line. I bet a 20 that you’ll fuckin’ lose.” he poked at Tide.

“Fine, you’re on.” He grinned.

Chapter Text

Other supervillains and their heroes spent their evenings beating the shit outta’ each other. And some might argue that he’s crazy to be so level-headed for the events that were about to take place. Ready in a suit and tie to take his once rival now forced to be kind of friend on a fake date, so they could collect evidence for the government. At least that was what Ashe was telling him in between teasing before he had managed to shoo him off. 

But Mark didn’t get easily flustered, he was too hardened by the world around him. Too experienced for a reckless heart rate over something so simple. He’d done reconnaissance millions of times before, and it was just Tide, so there was nothing to be flustered about.

If anything he was excited for a return to form, competing against Tide, going undercover. He missed this, life was much simpler when that was all that was expected of him. Ashe oblivious to his work and everything filtered through a thick fog of anger. After everything he was forced to change, pulled by the hair on the nape of his neck by his son’s stupid friends to be better. While he deserved it, it didn’t make doing it any easier. 

He ruffled his hands through his hair, of which he finally tamed the frizzy waves. He wasn’t wearing anything too nice. Just simple black dress pants to match the suit jacket and tie, with a creme button up underneath. A small silver circle lapel pin, pinned to the jacket. Engraved in the circle were a few wavy lines running horizontally across, mimicking one of a sound wave. Turning around from the mirror that hung in the entryway of his home, to Tide who was leaned against the opposite wall drinking out of a water bottle.

He had opted for something more elaborate. A suit jacket and dress pants colored a dusty blue with faint waves embroidered at the bottom. Accented with a white dress shirt, his waist wrapped in a fabric of the same color that hugged his figure contrasting the more flowy fabric of the suit. His hair was up in a bun with two of the locs falling in front to frame his face.

“Right, Waterboy. Here, wear this.” He handed Tide a small silver pin, at the back of the circular pin a small microphone and even smaller black wire, at the front the image of a wave was engraved into it. “Has a microphone in it, and if we attach it to this,” Mark pulled an audio recorder out of his inner pocket and plugged the wire in. “It can record what’s around us so we can send it off to WATCH.”

“So what you're saying is I shouldn’t start listing all the crimes you’ve done they don’t know about.” Tide teased lifting the water bottle to his lips.

Mark sighed, pulling the wire out. “Stop fucking around and let me secure this to you.”

Tide wordlessly set down his drink and stood a little closer letting Mark fuss with the pin. “This is why I told you to not dress so elaborate.” he complained, puncturing a hole wide enough to thread the wire through the jacket. “Bring the map?”

“Yes, That and comm links in case we get split up.” he replied, pointing to the table under the mirror. “Can you help me put mine in while you're at it?”

Mark gave a hum of approval, it was still a little weird to work with Tide instead of against him. But in the short time of prepping for this and all that went into getting them to the Trickster, they were starting to fall into a comfortable rhythm. While the tension related to past relations may have been deposed for the boy's sake. The thoughts of possible betrayal would only fade with time, at the end of the day no matter how comfortable things were getting he still had to stay vigilant of dying embers.

Chapter Text

Pulling up to the venue, held right on the rim of New Haven looking towards Rockfall. It was a pretty indiscriminate building that blended into the background of the city, only a couple stories tall. With nothing too fancy it seemed to Mark a place you would rent out for small company meetings not banquets.

“Ready?” Tide asked as they were about to turn the corner to the entrance.

“Fuck you.” he said punching him in the arm, both done with no real heat.

“What was that for!” Tide huffed his face holding a mix of anger and confusion.

“Takin’ my chance ‘fore I gotta pretend you don’t bother me.”

“You are unbelievable.” he sighed, matching the punch and its strength back onto his chest.

Mark laughed to himself, before taking Tide’s hand in his and pulling them forward. It was best to start from the moment they passed the front in the case of any onlookers. Especially with that being only side with windows on street level.

Inside was a small reception, the man at the front was quick to spot them and point them towards the banquet hall. As they neared the door the nerves he was lacking before were slowly creeping in, but he couldn’t let that shake him. His focus right now was to get this information to WATCH so his record was clean, and in the process get 20 bucks out of Tide.

Entering the banquet hall it was rather basic, a bunch of circular tables set with red tablecloths. Centered at the back wall was a raised platform, on it a podium and projector set up. The sounds of talking and some type of instrumental that grit through speakers filling the room. 

There were far more people than Mark had assumed to be, among them they had to be the most notable persona’s. The other supers here were only vaguely recognizable to him at best and completely foreign for the majority. Which was both concerning and comfortable if anything happened to go wrong, chances were they’re the more powerful of the group. Holding everyone off was most likely do-able, but they had no clue of the power sets or which were the ones to worry about. And those here most likely knew them, or at the very least Tide, which means they would have a good idea of their power sets. Without the Wavelength suit he was confident in that throwing a curveball to what exactly his abilities are to those who would recognize him, even if it did make him a bit weaker. The conclusion Mark eventually drew as he was looking for their exits, is that they really had no way out confidently but to sell this.

“They said there is that guy that knows us right?” he asked, leaning closer to Tide.

“Yes, WATCH fed the rest of the story we made up to the individual that they tricked to get us in here. His name is Kent Französisch.” his breath ghosting on his cheek as they kept their voices between them. He nodded, pulling a bit further from Tide, the awkwardness of being so close was starting to sink in. Hyper aware of Tide’s grip on his hand, shoulders brushing each other’s every now and again. It felt odd for more reasons than just being Tide. Though he shook any further thoughts off, eager to find someone to sucker information out of to distract him. 

Just then a tall heavy set man in a flashy yellow suit approached them. “Hello! Wonderful to finally meet you two in person!” He said giving both of them a firm predator handshake, and more importantly an excuse to stop holding hands. “Mark, is it?”

“Wavelength is fine.” he stated, maybe too harshly judging by the man’s smile faltering slightly.

“Uh- of course!”

“Thank you for letting us come with, I know it was unconventional how we reached out. But we both really appreciate it! Right Wavelength?” Tide stressed sharing a quick look of annoyance.

“Right.” He said, forcing an awkward smile on his face.

“Shall we sit then? The event won’t be in full swing for another couple minutes. Would love to get to know you two face to face.” Kent grinned, leading them to the nearest round table. Setting his phone face down between the placemats and leaning back in his chair. Then began his incessant small talk, his energy was starting to feel like nails on chalkboard. Stuck in some small talk hell about the weather, his divorce, New Haven’s new mayor, and nothing productive towards the mission, yet Tide kept engaging politely.

“So, how are you?” Terrible, Thanks.

“I’m good, quite excited to be here.” Tide replied cheerily. He’s annoying too.

“Ah, yes they are working on quite exciting things. Anyway,” Kent dismissed continuing with minutes more of blabbering before the questions became more pointed. Mark would’ve barely noticed the shift, if it didn’t involve him more in the conversation than absentminded humming and nodding.

“How’d you two meet?” Kent asked him.

Mark sighed, “I was one of Tide’s first real missions.”

“I remember that!” Tide chatted, “It was the first mission I won by a landslide.”

“You didn’t win by a landslide.”

“Yes I did.”

“No! Maybe I’d give you the win, but escaped before the cops showed.”

“Landslide.” Tide said in the sing songy tone he knew Mark hated. 

 “Isn’t the point of you heroes is to get people like me in jail. How’d you win by a landslide then?”

“I was going easy on you.” Tide smiled at him like he knew what he was doing. 

Mark scoffed, it took a lot of focus to stop himself from kicking him from under the table. They needed to act like they like each other, and Tide was making that difficult by sitting there being himself. “Hmm. Okay honey.” Mark said, ever the peacemaker. Noting the funny expression on Tide’s face he tried to bite down after the name, so this is how he gets his revenge.

“Have you been dating since then?” Kent questioned.

“No.” Mark was quick to take the question. “I repowered him, that’s when we started dating. I couldn’t resist, he's just so handsome” he uncharacteristically cooed, making Tide nearly choke on his drink. 

“Ah, my knight in shining armor.” he said through a gritted grin into his glass, shooting Mark a subtle glare after. This was fun, he was going to get 20 dollars and it was at Tide’s expense in more ways than one.

Chapter Text

There were a lot of things running through Tide’s mind at the moment. For one it was quite obvious his teasing had gotten to Wavelength. And if he was willing to play so dirty then he was more than willing to match his energy. For two Tide had never heard the man sound audibly fond of anything, not puppies, not food, not even his own son. It gave him an uncanny valley feeling almost, he couldn’t tell if it was more the sounds or who he was claiming he was fond of. Which was laughable by the way. While they aren’t necessarily enemies, at least not anymore. The idea that Wavelength even enjoyed his company still felt a little foreign. But that was simply who he was, a person who hid their affections for others. While he didn’t show it, he knew he at least liked him a little. Enough to do the occasional favor for him anyway.

As much as Tide disagreed with his methods he was fond of him, a sort of guilty pleasure of his. Was this a man that would ever seriously consider him a friend? Probably not, any act of kindness was one more of convenience than for genuine care. But he’d seen moments of good from Wavelength over the years, seen peaks of why he does what he does. Saw himself in ways he hated, ways he knew a hero such as him probably shouldn’t. But he’d go to the ends of Prime and back for those he deemed his people. Fight tooth and nail for them anytime, anywhere, and the weight of grief wasn’t foreign to him either. He didn’t know exactly how Wavelength felt about it, but could make some educated guesses. One day he’d like to hear it from Wavelength himself, but that was unlikely. For now he’d balance his silent investment in him, scared of all the ways it reflected back, yet couldn’t look away. 

Eventually pulled from his thoughts as the lights dimmed a little lower and people made their way to seats. The projector flicked on, as a man with dark brown hair and a spindly mustache walked up onto the stage. Fussing with the mic for a moment before his voice rang out on the speakers with the same gritty edge the music did.

“Welcome to ACT.ON, a new force! The Prime Force has had it too good for too long!” He chuckled, an applause erupting before being silenced once again. “WATCH has set the rules for supers, the people who should reign over the world limited because of the unpowered. Mrs. G their ringleader.” he boomed. The presentation flipped to a picture of the auburn haired woman with a friendly smile. To the side of the picture was in big red lettering ‘ringleader’ with a giant red arrow pointing towards her. “Has stopped us from using our powers freely, stopped us from pursuing our will, in favor of order. No more! With our organization ACT.ON we will take action against WATCH, by doing what we want! And with our resources, our community we are building today we will have the human mite, the pure power to do what we please, as the superior humanoids.” he declared with another thundering round of applause backing him. Tide looked over to Wavelength exchanging a look of concern as they clapped along a little faster. “Our first steps to freedom!” the man's voice echoed. “Is to work together with those who are here, to achieve your individual goals. No matter how different they are, we must work together to rival WATCH successfully. Soon after we achieve for the individual we will gain notability, the powered of the world will finally see someone who stands for them only. And once we have finally rivaled WATCH’s power we can start eliminating those unnecessary to the world, the unpowered!”

“What the fuck is wrong with this guy” Wavelength leaned closer to be heard over the cheers within the room.

“No clue. But I’m glad we have this recorded, WATCH will be able to stomp out those who are here by knowing their voices. We need to try and record as many of these villains as we can.” Tide whispered back. Wavelength gave a solid nod leaning back in his chair.

Shortly after the presentation the lights flicked back on and the food was rolled out to each of the tables and small talk resumed. Tide picked at his food for a bit feeling a little sick from the general bloodlust that was just demonstrated. Looking around it didn’t seem to impact anyone else's appetite. Figuring there was a better use of his time he nudged Wavelength.

“Think i’m going to walk around, try and pick up as many voices as possible.” he spoke softly, once again in his space to keep their words between them.

“Go for it, Waterboy.” he said with a hand on his shoulder. The exchange caught the attention of the table due to Kent’s staring.

“Everything okay?”

Tide nodded “Just going to the restroom,” he stood looking down at Wavelength “Be right back princess!” He grinned, watching his ears go a little red, as he tried to kill Tide with his eyes. Satisfied with the embarrassment he had caused, he happily took the long route to the bathrooms to record the most voices possible.

—

When Tide had returned the rest of the attendees had left the table, leaving Wavelength there with some women in a red dress. She sounded like she was bragging about something from what Tide could tell as he sat down. 

Wavelength quick to interrupt her, “Back so soon?” he said, Tide could tell by the glint in his eye that this woman clearly didn't keep him busy enough to distract from getting back at him. Jerking forward a bit as the chair was pulled closer and Wavelength’s arms went around him slowly tightening.

“Wavelength.” he uttered, trying his best to sound fond, feeling his face heat up as he could see the woman smiling at them from his peripheral. 

“You two are so cute!”

“Thank you, hear that Tide? We’re cute!” he gave a smile as his grapple continued to tighten.

“Mmhm.” he hummed in agreement, trying his best to look like his ‘partner’ wasn’t trying to compress him.

“Are you two married?” She gestured towards the ring on Wavelength’s finger

“Oh, uh-” he stopped squeezing. Tide took the moment to catch his breath, almost missing how much his face had darkened.

“It’s-” Wavelength started.

“No, we're not.” Tide swooped in, looking at the man who had been so brazen a moment ago slowly sink into himself.

“I’m widowed.” he mumbled moving away from him.

“Oh.” the woman replied with hardly any empathy. “I’d never let my man wear another woman’s ring on his finger.” she scoffed looking over to Tide as she swept her hair. 

Glancing over slightly to Wavelength, whose face twinged for a split second before it was forced into a bit of a pained smile. Now sat fidgeting with the ring. And as much as his lungs appreciated it, he would have rathered he was still squeezing him if it meant letting Wavelength’s mind drift back to playful bickering.

“What helps him grieve is none of my business, nor is it yours.” Tide’s eyes narrowed with a polite smile as he put his hand over Wavelength’s.

The woman rolled her eyes, “Suit yourself.” she dismissed, leaving him and Wavelength alone at the table.

“I had that Waterboy.” Wavelength said, pulling his hands out from under Tide’s.

“You were clearly uncomfortable.”

“You could’ve just blown our cover.” he said through gritted teeth, his voice lowered.

“Plenty of widowers keep their rings on. You told me if it's uncomfortable we change it, and I’m doing the same for you. Okay? Don’t sacrifice something like that. Not for this.”

Wavelength huffed, scooching his chair away. “Fine.” he barked, the rough tone doing nothing to hide the relief on his face.

“Anytime.” He smiled, aware that in his own way that was a thank you.

Chapter Text

It’d been awhile since someone had pointed out his wedding ring. Usually he would just talk about her as if she was still here, avoiding awkward conversations and empty condolences that weren't going to do shit to change his unlucky hand. That wasn't going to give his kid his mother back, or clean up the visions of gore that the night had burned into them. But tonight was different and although it was stupid, he couldn’t get himself to do it. Why was it so hard? It didn’t matter, they didn’t need to risk anything. But saying the item that felt like one of the only ties back to her was someone else’s felt wrong. 

Though bitter, he was grateful Tide swooped in. Ultimately the sore feelings weren’t his fault he knew that. Tide seemed to understand that too, it was unnerving how well the man could read him. Made him want to curl up into a ball right then and there and hide away from everyone. Sit in the grief, the anger for everything ever done to wrong him, to wrong Ashe, a true return to form.

“Shall we go find him?” Tide spoke after a moment, he’d been eyeing him for a while now. The quiet concern driving him a little mad. Using his own words against him to what? Taunt him?  Of course this fucking hero would try and save the day, why he tryed saving Mark’s every now and again was as confusing as unsurprising.

“Alright.” He rose from the table.

—

Eventually he and Tide had located the leader of the organization, Joe Grim. He spent most of his night chatting it up with various supers after his concerning slide show. He couldn’t help but think of Ashe as he was going on and on saying stupid shit about unpowered people. 

Ashe had never developed any powers naturally, only that fucking book finding it’s way into their lives. Part of him wished if Ashe really had to have a powerset it’d be one similar to his through genetics. Would’ve caused a lot less grief that way. Hell maybe he and Ashe would’ve been closer too. 

Ashe has always been tech savvy, much like him as a child always taking shit apart and putting it back together. His mother was always less than thrilled to find the various tech throughout their home being dissected. Despite the attempts at a unified front, it would be a lie to say he wasn’t even a little bit proud of the kid. If it wasn’t so dangerous he would’ve let him toy around with the tools in the basement.

“So nice to finally meet Mr. Grim.” Tide shook his hand with the stupid plastic-y hero smile on his face.

“We’re all friends here, please use first names!” He grinned.

“Of course!” Tide continued, “Your plan there is so,”

“Genius? Not to toot my own horn but, I see quite a good future for us supers.”

Tide gave a nod, leaving the conversation in an awkward pause. As they caught Joe looking Tide up and down for a moment, “Somethings off,” he muttered, tapping his foot against the floor. The nerves rushing over them both as he tapped away looking them over. “So Tide! Why are you interested?” His eyes zeroed in on him.

“Um- I know it may seem suspicious or strange that I be interested. But after Wavelength repowered me, he convinced me that this was the right path. I’ve trained heroes under WATCH and those kids are incredible, I want them to be able to reach their full potential. I think that your plan is the best way of doing that.” He said, Mark reaching over to give him a reassuring pat that seemed to help the smile become more sincere. “WATCH is dead to me, they depowered me, took away my position. I don’t intend on going back, if that’s why you worry.”

“Listen, you can trust Tide. I’d trust him with my life.” Mark started “He’s just a little nervous, okay? His whole life has been under WATCH, and now he’s finally come to his senses. We gotta just give him some time to adjust, after that he’ll be more helpful than anyone. Especially with his connections. Right Tide?”

“Of course!”

Grim seemed to consider it for a moment before accepting the answer.

Chapter Text

With a heavy clunk someone burst through the metal front doors of the house. Tide, alarmed at the sudden sound, looked up to see the boys, looking at him as if they were trying to get something out of him, in William’s hand was some sort of magazine.

“Hello!” Tide said with a hesitant smile. Unsure whether or not it was wise to bite on whatever they were about to pull, 

“Hey Tide! Learn anything new today!” Dakota bounced nervously in the chair he took at the table across from him.

“Uh-” he gave a skeptical look.

“Mark, has he messaged you today?” William asked suddenly, “Maybe I don’t know, tried to burn down a guy’s house or-” he coughed through the last part making it harder to understand. But Tide could have sworn he said government somewhere in there which is frightening to say the least.

“No? Should I be worried?” he spoke cautiously “I swear the man can’t do any good for himself, he just got cleared.” he murmured to himself through a sigh as he picked up his phone.

“No, no! That’s good!” William said, seemingly eyeing Vyncent who snatched the phone out of  Tide’s hand.

“Vyncent! Boys, what's going on?” He finally asked. 

Watching the Prime Defenders exchange looks before Dakota suddenly blurted out “Guys, we can’t just dance around it!” before taking the magazine from Will’s hand and laying it in front of him. 

On the front a picture of him and Mark in the suits they had been wearing the night of the banquet. In big bold letters read Water bending superhero Tide dating supervillain Wavelength?!? Find out the scoop inside! His eyes went a little wide at first before looking back to the boys with a crooked expression. 

“We wanted to tell you because it’s everywhere, like everywhere! But then we were worried that Mark may have killed the guy because Vyncent when coming home with Ashe, Ashe mentioned he saw the article on his phone! Then we went to Mark and he was all suspicious! So then we came here because we didn’t know if you knew, and if Mark committed a crime you’d probably know! But then William said it might upset you like it did Mark!” Dakota said at lightspeed.

“Ah” Tide nodded, his brain lagging behind a bit with all the information set in front of him. “So do you think Wavelength has seen it?” he said finally.

“No, that's what we were worried about.” William answered.

“Boys, I don’t think he’ll be mad, this, it’s just speculation.” He sighed, “You get used to it, eventually.” Tide shifted in his seat slightly. He had dealt with his fair share of press, it was very much a part of the gig. Not much different from celebrities, people liked to gossip on the identities of heroes, villains, and what they got up to in their personal life. Tide especially remembered how many there were made about him and his siblings in the aftermath of The Elementals. He tended to avoid these sorts of things to begin with mainly out of disinterest. But especially after Shockwave’s passing. All the articles and speculation around his family, his feelings, his relationships with the other Elementals. It was a lot, leaving a sour taste in his mouth that made him tend to go out of his way to avoid the press unless necessary. 

“But they have quotes! From both of you!” Dakota exclaimed.

“Oh, god. Lemme see.” He exasperated, flipping through the pages as moments of the night flashed through his head.. “The press lie all the time, I’m sure whatever is in here is explainable.” Tide said calmly, after all it was just one mission where they had to play pretend. They could explain that to people, hopefully.

Sure enough, as Tide feared, it was all quotes and pictures from that night. Talking about the same story they sold to the people at the banquet. A similar feeling to the one he got seeing with himself all over tabloids after Shockwave’s passing washed over him. He felt like he was going to be sick.

“Okay.” Tide said, taking in a breath. “I’m just going to have to make a couple calls.” He pushed a smile onto his face.

“You okay Tide?” Vyncent asked, reaching for his phone again 

“I'm good Vync! Just a little overwhelmed.”

“You sure?” Dakota asked.

He nodded, “Unfortunately boys this is a part of being a hero, I should call Mark so we can get on the same page on what to do about it, and call WATCH so they know, it could put the mission at risk.”

“Let us help!” William said.

“There isn’t much to help with.” he replied, “I promise I will tell you the second there is.”

“Okay but don’t tell Mark unless you’re in front of him! He’ll go and do something fucking stupid again!” Dakota demanded. “And I’m sick of beating sense into that guy!” he crossed his arms.

“Dakota I don’t think-”

“Then we will come with you!”

“No, that is not necessary.”

“Fine.” William spoke. His face having the same glint of mischief in his eyes he always did when he was about to disregard authority, a face Tide had become very familiar with.

“If I make sure Wavelength knows nothing until I’m there, you’ll let me handle this?”

“Deal!” Dakota grinned.

Eventually after some more convincing the boys left, leaving him finally to his own devices. The sick feeling pushed on his stomach as he sat unmoving staring at the article. All the stress and swirl of intrusive questions that left him feeling exposed and vulnerable rushed back in on him. Was this going to stir something? He couldn’t face press like that again, even if this was relatively harmless as he tried to remind himself. Last time had rubbed salt so far into a still exposed wound. He didn’t have enough bandwidth to go through anything even remotely similar to that again. He still would flinch seeing any of the Elementals names on things like this, seeing his, it was best to stay far away from it. Best case scenario was they could just explain it, maybe the story hadn’t gone that far yet. That he still had time to reel it in before anything would resemble the events after The Elementals.

Chapter Text

A couple weeks had passed since the mission, since retirement had officially started. No longer was he hiding from sentences or planning for jobs. Now he spent most of his week trying his best to make it up to Ashe. He was going to be moving the kid across the country nearing the end of the summer, meaning he only had a few months to prove himself. Trying his best to ignore the overwhelming guilt of only now getting around to being less of a fucking deadbeat. 

The hero school had officially been selected and it fucking scared the shit out of him. The last thing he ever wanted was Ashe to follow anywhere close to his footsteps. 

Judging by Ashe’s hesitancy to tell him straight on what he’d decided told him he knew that already. Looking at him like he knew he was gonna disappoint him. Maybe a year ago it would have, now he was just disappointed in himself for hurting Ashe to the point where he would not want to tell him something.

Mark tried to hold on tight to the little comfort he had knowing the Prime Defenders cared about his boy enough to fight for him, that Ashe had a comfy position practically guaranteed when he eventually graduates. Focusing to the best of his abilities on those thoughts instead of the impulse to barrate him when Ashe mentions all the hero shit.

He’d seen firsthand that these heros put their bodies of the line, they retire early and end up picking up the pieces from a job that doesn’t pay enough and leaves you fucked up. God knows no one else needed to help him fuck up Ashe.

The other half of his retirement was spent tinkering in the basement. Even if he knew the likelihood that Wavelength's suits would never see proper use again, he enjoyed messing with them and had thought up plenty of shit that he’d never got the time to make. Sitting at his workstation he messed a bit with the wiring of an old prototype of a glove that helped concentrate the energy beams from his hands to make the blasts more powerful. His phone’s buzzing startled him from his focus, looking down to read the contact Waterboy . Kind of funny for him to be calling, judging from the amount of waterproofing this prototype had, he probably intended to use the weapon on him when he first designed it. Not only that but Tide never really called unless he needed something, everything else between them they usually passed on through one of the boys or a text.

“The fuck do you want?” He answered, sandwiching his phone between his ear and his shoulder as he continued his tinkering.

“Good evening to you too!” Maybe it was just how the phone compressed his voice but it sounded slightly reminiscent to how Tide sounded when he'd fight through an injury.

“You hurt? That what you called for?” 

“Huh? No, the boys mentioned something, and I- could you come to Harttawa?”

“Were the boys bein’ weird with you too?” he asked pointedly ignoring Tide’s request. He made a promise to himself not to step foot on that damned island unless completely necessary.
“Yes, but they're fine now.”

“Great Tide. Is there a point to this call?” he remarked.

 “I want you to come to Harttawa, I need to talk to you.” Tide’s voice wavered a little.

“You’re talking to me right now aren’t you?” He set down his tools, turning his full attention to the call.

“In person.”

“You sure you didn’t hit your head or somethin’ Waterboy?”

…

“Yes, I'm not injured. Are you coming?”

“No, I'm not fucking boating to Harttawa Tide. It’s nearly 8:00pm, by the time I get there and back it’ll be midnight.” he clenched his jaw.

“You can stay he-.”

“Listen Tide, I’m not- I’m not going to that fucking island. If you’re so hellbent to see me in person, come to Rockfall.” he spat out before Tide could finish, great now they're both acting weird.

“Fine, I'll come to Rockfall.” He said his voice sounding a bit more exasperated. “Just don’t go on the internet alright?”

“Okay?” he replied, Tide hanging up the phone the second he got the word out. With a shrug he returned to his tinkering.

Chapter Text

Wasn’t until a couple hours later did he hear the doorbell and dog freaking out upstairs. Drudging his way to the door unsurprisingly there Tide stood in the doorway with some leaflet thingy in hand, it wasn’t terrible to see him again. Not that he’d be caught dead letting anyone, let alone Tide know that. To do so would be eating the cheese in the mouse trap. Even if they were technically both retired now, he couldn’t help but feel as if he was walking into a trap by letting himself relax in Tide’s presence. The very label of hero and villain drew a strict line in the sand that couldn’t be breached without caution.

 “Why are you so goddamn stubborn?” Mark spat looking him up and down.

Tide gave him a glare he clearly wasn’t putting his all into. “Let me in.” he nagged. Mark shuffled to the side with a dramatic eye roll and closed the door behind him with a sigh he made sure Tide could hear.

“Make yourself at home I guess.” he grumbled following the man into his own living room. “What’s with the magazine?” He asked, tapping his foot, watching as Tide practically collapsed on his couch. Something was off, a lack of pleasantries maybe? Not that their meetings were ever really filled with those. Normally Tide kept some plastic-y hero bullshit up for what Mark could only assume was his own ego. Today however the surface cracked under whatever weight that somehow involved him. 

Eventually Tide shifted upwards a little, lazily meeting his scowl. “Do you have any idea why I’m here?”

“No. And you’re wearing out your welcome so make it quick.” Mark jeered. Tide doing nothing in response continued looking up at him unentertained. “The fuck is wrong with you today.” He murmured, kicking at Tide’s foot. 

“It’s been a long day.” He sighed, rubbing his eyes with his thumb and index finger. Before finally giving over the magazine enough for Mark to get a good look at it.

“What the fuck Tide!?”

“I didn’t publish it!” He retorted. 

Mark leafed quickly through the pages before finding the article, ‘Tide and Wavelength former nemeses have seemingly found a way past their differences.’ His eyes scanned over the photo of him with his arms firm around Tide’s waist. Normally he wouldn’t give a shit about what some random fucking tabloid had to say, but this time it felt slightly harder. Heat burning on his cheeks, the lingering silence, had Ashe seen this? He told Ashe it was fake, but what if he didn’t believe him now? Not like he’s done fuck all to earn that trust. 

“Shit.” He muttered, reading on in the article. It continued detailing the story they sold to the dumbasses that WATCH supposedly was dealing with now. 

“I am sure if we just call WATCH they will handle it.” Tide started both of them pointedly not making eye contact.

“When has WATCH ever handled it?”

“Plenty of times.”

“You’re delusional Waterboy.” he threw the magazine back onto Tide’s lap, sitting down at the other end of the couch. “We aren’t doing it the WATCH way. We did it their way and look what fucking happened. We are doing it my way, who’s the bastard that wrote this?”

“God they were right you are gonna burn down their house.” Tide muttered under his breath as he shot his head up to look over at him.

“What?” He spat.

“Uh- nevermind it’s.” Tide said flipping through the pages “A man by the name Kent…Franzosich.”

“Well that’s how it got fucking leaked.” he stated, crossing his arms.

“We gotta call WATCH if he leaked this he could have leaked the event, or maybe did some sort of research or-” Tide rambled fumbling with the watch for a long while before the hologram of Wordsmith emerged.

“Thought you two would eventually call.” The tiny Wordsmith said, setting down a cup of tea on the little table next to him before it poofed out of the hologram. 

“Listen prick, we did you’re fucking job, put you’re ‘in’ on a leash.” Mark glared at the hologram, holding Tide’s wrist up to his face.

“What are you implying Wavelength? You think we planned for this? For everyone to be interested in what you two have going on in your minds?” Wordsmith remarked, rolling his eyes. “It went a little off the rails, yes. But we didn’t know that people would care about what Franzosich wrote. I’m sorry but you’ll be stuck like this until we figure it out.”

“The fuck we won’t.” 

“Don’t get any smart ideas Wavelength. You’ve just gotten cleared.”

“Just, fix it. Please Wordsmith.” Tide said, gently pulling his wrist from Mark’s grasp. Staring back at the hologram looking desperate.

“The best call is for WATCH to play it dumb and let this story distract from what is supposed to be confidential. WATCH plans to send out a statement confirming the rumor tomorrow morning. We will clear up misinformation after.” Wordsmith replied.

“Please Wordsmith.” Tide begged.

“Tide, you’re a big boy. You can deal with press questions while we finish up here.”  He snarked.

“But I really-”

“You will have to. We have no other choices. You are a hero first, Tide, and the Sovereign 5 are doing our best to get it taken care of. You are going to have to face your fear, end of topic.” 

“Alright Wordsmith. Please keep us updated.” Tide resigned, dropping what was left of his persona in favor of looking like a scolded child. WATCH had pushed them into a corner and there was nothing left to do.

By the time the call with Wordsmith ended it was late into the evening, they sat on the couch in total silence. Accepting slowly this was their new and extremely awkward reality. 

The stupid competition was one thing. He could embarrass themselves for a night, push himself into Tide’s space long enough to annoy him. In a way it was the less violent equivalent to what they’d always been doing. But now it felt more permanent, more real, to be stuck together like this till WATCH deems it unnecessary. 

“It’s getting late,” Tide started with a yawn, “I should go.” He said rubbing his eyes sleepily. By the time he got to Harttawa it would be early in the morning, even his place in New Haven would be an hour out. Part of him wanted to give him the invite to stay over. Tide seemed to be losing his mind a bit today, he needed the sleep. And Mark was the one selfish enough to make him travel here. Too fucking weak to face a nonsensical fear. On the other side of the coin, would Tide find it weird to stay over? Was it too close to what a real couple does?

 It shouldn’t fucking matter, this whole thing has gotten outta hand! But now every word on his tongue he’s starting to worry might have a double meaning. 

“By the time you get home it will be midnight Waterboy, don’t be a dumbass, crash here.” He spat before thinking any further. It’s fine, friends stay over all the time. Friends? Is that what they were now? Something about that still felt off, it’s not like they were rivals or acquaintances anymore. And definitely not fucking boyfriends no matter how hard WATCH’ll want them to pretend.

Chapter Text

Tide met Wavelength’s gaze, he was so tired. Being stuck like this drained all of the anxious energy that had been propelling him earlier. Left him now just sitting on Wavelength's couch, who was oddly calm about all this. Maybe it was the nerves on his end that clouded his vision, or just the lack of things they could do about it that pacified Wavelength’s rage. Maybe he’d even changed a bit over the last couple weeks. “Waterboy?” He snapped his fingers in front of his face.

“What?” Tide crossed his arms.

“You’re staying here. You’re being too weird to go home by yourself.”

“I’m just tired, that's all. I’m fine.” Tide got up from the couch with a breath, trying his best to tie himself back to earth somehow. The skeptical stare of Mark burning itself into his back doing him no favors. 

 Wavelength wasn’t one to care either way if Tide sank or swam. The level of concern he decided to wake up with today was almost as un-easing. The overwhelming feeling as if it was some sort of trap. As much as it pulled him to entertain whatever it was. He couldn’t help but be pulled into the impulse, he wasn’t exactly looking forward to going back to the Hall alone. The boys would be back on Harttawa, and the panic climbing up his throat at the thought of going home to a place so easily accessible sounded like hell.

The heavy doors of the Hall weighed against his muscles as if moving through a humid afternoon. The air felt thick in his lungs and in his chest, his eyes stinging and bloodshot, the busy voices of his brothers in the next room. Running a hand down his face, the weight of the world held itself on top of his chest. Compressing his breath as he strained against it.

All he wanted was a walk. Just some time to think, alone. The morning sun rushed in as the doors opened. For a second he could fool himself into thinking it was a hug from Shockwave. Saying it would all be okay, that he’d come back, that he’d help clean up the mess of party decorations that hadn’t been touched for days. 

The peace quickly cut in half on a spike as the loud voices and flashing lights flooded his senses, screaming over each other making the words blur into themselves, the only word that he could make out was the name of his little brother. Another click and a flash and the rush of people behind him and in front of him as he was yanked back by a hand. And the door shut.

 “Sit down.” Wavelength’s rough voice cutting through the memory. He shoved Tide back making him lose his footing and fall onto the couch with a thunk . Standing over him once again, giving a quick up and down as if trying to crack the puzzle. “Y’know you fucking suck at lying.” he mused, or maybe teased, Tide couldn’t quite tell.

“Yeah well..” He tried to search his brain for something to fire back, but he couldn’t find anything.

“ASHE!” Wavelength yelled, making Tide jump in his skin a little.

“WHAT?” Ashe yelled back from across the house, the consistent thumping of music from his room going silent.

“COME’ERE!” Wavelength waited for a second, listening for the door open and close, the rapid approach of footsteps.

“What?” Ashe asked.

“Where’d you put the spare blankets after your friends stayed over?”

“Closet, your bathroom.”

“Thanks kid. Keep him company will ya?” Wavelength gestured to Tide before disappearing up the stairs.

“Um.. sure?” Ashe replied, walking over and plopping down next to Tide. “Hey.” 

“Hi Ashe.” Tide gave him a smile as he watched him play with his silver hair, almost mesmerized with the way the lights reflected against it.

“Mark promised he was going to watch a movie with me.” he mentioned with a soft smile, “You can join us, I’m just going to make popcorn.” 

Tide nodded “Do you need any help?” 

He shook his head getting up off the couch into the kitchen. Ever so often peering through the door at him. A moment passed and Ashe returned with popcorn, turning the lights off on the way in. Wavelength soon after with a pillow and blanket. “Here Tide.” he said, dropping them in his lap.

“I didn’t know you liked sleepovers, Mark.” Ashe smirked, as he fussed with the TV remote.

“Ha ha, Real funny kid.” he scruffed his hair as he sat down next to him.

“Dad!” Ashe complained, running his finger through his hair. Mark laughed, pulling him into a bear hug, Ashe squirming against it despite the big grin on his face.

—

An hour and a half or so went by, Ashe had fallen asleep. His head rested on Wavelength’s lap stealing the blanket meant for Tide. Not like he minded, he was wide awake in spite of his emotional exhaustion. Glancing over at Wavelength every so often, he seemed content enough.

“He asleep?” Wavelength’s whisper broke the silence.

“Mhm.” Tide nodded.

“Good,” he paused the movie before gently picking Ashe up. “Little help with his door?” He grumbled. Tide followed him deeper into the house and opened Ashe’s door. Watching Wavelength with a heavy sigh set him down. “Night kid.” He smiled, softly pulling the blankets up and tucking him in. 

It felt weird to see Wavelength more heart than steel. Standing in the doorway a fluttery awkwardness overtook him for a second blurring the thoughts in his head. 

“Whatcha lookin’ at?” he huffed, closing the door behind them.

“Nothing, you're just-“ Tide quickly fell silent, the words he was trying to reach narrowly escaping him.

“Not being a fuck up?” Wavelength muttered looking back at him, not angry, not even frustrated. Just a pleading kind of guilty look in his eyes. That he'd only seen as he hugged Ashe’s body close to his chest, the Trickster’s mark slowly fading.

“That’s not what I meant.” Tide bit at his cheek.

Wavelength rolled his eyes with a scoff, “Yeah, okay.”

“No, really Wavelength.” Tide trailed him down the hall.

“I told you earlier and I’ll tell you again, you’re a shit liar Tide.”

“I’m not lying.”

“Well you’re not normal either.” Wavelength scoffed sitting back down at the couch. 

He sighed, collapsing down next to him. “Why do you even care?”

“I don’t.” He shrugged, grabbing the bowl of popcorn.

“Okay.” Tide dismissed with a scoff. The silence that followed only drew out the awkwardness that fluttered quietly in his stomach. “If you must know, uhm- after Shockwave’s passing, the Hall got stalked for a while. By the press.” He paused, mind buzzing trying to find the reasons he just spilt his guts out to this man of all people. This isn’t how they do things. “I know it’s stupid to be so worked up about it still.” He mumbled pulling the blanket off the floor and up to his chest.

“I’ve been scared for less.” Wavelength chattered, “it's not stupid.”

Tide smiled softly, letting go of the breath he was holding. A bubbling contentment up his throat.

“The fuckers at WATCH may not give a shit, but if something happens I’ll help you.”

“That’s really kind of you Wavelength. For someone who supposedly doesn’t care.” Tide said with a smirk.

“Shut up.” Wavelength punched him in the arm. “Just don’t want to be stuck listening to your sob stories all day.” 

“Sure, sure. Well I appreciate the companionship nonetheless.”

“Don’t get too used to it.” He grumbled under his breath looking a little flustered. “I-I’m going to bed!” he snapped before storming off upstairs.

“Goodnight!” Tide called after him with no answer back.

Chapter Text

The first month of pretending went by with nothing of note, other than WATCH’s periodic reminders to go “drop hints or something” as Pretender put it. Which usually involved a lunch on WATCH at a busy location, or the request of more bells and whistles to the dumb fucking story they told that got them here in the first place. Passed off to some fuck to write some story for a teen magazine or whatever.

The new normal at the very least seemed to entertain Ashe. Part of him couldn’t help but feel some relief at his willingness to go along with it, if not annoyance at his eagerness. Never missing his chance to tease him for mentioning Tide or being anywhere near ‘em. Wasn’t like he could avoid the man when he was in his fucking house all the damn time! Ashe and his little band of misfits cooing at him like he was sharing a crush in grade school to which he didn’t fucking appreciate. Not to mention the rush of second-hand embarrassment he got from overhearing Ashe once ask William over the phone if “‘Mark’s boyfriend’ was coming over with them tonight”. It was one thing to deal with WATCH’s want to fill up some gossip column, it was another to deal with his teenage son and his friends.

On the other foot, being forced together to sell the act showed him parts of Tide he wasn’t privy to when the bulk of their interactions were beating the shit out of each other. As little as he wanted to admit his curiosity on the subject, he’d be lying to say he preferred the plastic hero version of him. One habit he had noticed was the amount Tide tended to fidget, fussing with jewelry, his hair, the sleeve of his shirt.

It wasn’t just Tide where he started noticing things, press, reporters, etc were all noticeably kinder when speaking of Wavelength. In some ways being thought to be with a hero like Tide was nice, all of a sudden people deemed him worthy of basic human dignity. Finally try to see him as more human than animal, searching for whatever Tide allegedly saw in him. He didn’t think he’d care, never had before. He knew he wasn’t the most morally correct man. What got to him were others acting like they would be so much better in his position. A paycheck is a paycheck at the end of the day, to assume they wouldn’t abandon their morals in favor of protecting their kid. Acting as if they’d be the fucking hero, it grated on his last nerve. Yet still a weight lifted when he wasn’t being talked about like he was an unruly animal, to be tranquilized and subdued.

The current WATCH “mission” he’d received landed him in a flower shop. It didn’t get any less awkward despite the passing weeks at the requests to romance his former rival. A bell chimed as he opened up the green door to Fern’s Flower Shop in Rockfall, the last time he’d walked in here was with Ashe to help him pick out something for Mother’s day. He was surprised to see the old couple was still running it after so fucking long, not that they’d recognize him anymore.

Scanning the section of premade bouquets there were a large variety of flowers. The yellow adonis flowers caught his eye, they were always her favorite. 

When he used to come here it felt so easy, now his heart just felt heavy looking at it all. Was hard to know what Tide would even want anyway. He stood there for a second taking in the sweet aroma that reminded him a bit of her old perfume. Still sat on her vanity right where she’d last left it. 

His mind felt a little too heavy here, he thought he’d be ready to come somewhere she used to enjoy. Couldn’t help but make him feel disappointed on top of the massive heap of feelings that was already weighing against him. Quickly he glanced over the flower reaching for the mini bouquet of white tulips and blue roses. The safest bet was probably something blue anyway.

—

The closer he got to the Hall the more he relaxed, pushing the sorrow to its place in the back corner of his mind. Tide and the boys were already over there because of the increase of activity in New Haven. They’d moved back into the Hall for the time being, or at least that’s what Ashe was saying. It would make sense as to why he’d been forced to see so much of the twerps lately, not that the ocean between them ever really stopped them much.

Mark fussed with the collar of his jacket and his hair before knocking on the grand doors of the Hall, trying his best to postpone whatever was about to conspire. Tide was quick to answer the door, shuffling out to the steps of the Hall. “Hello!” He smiled brightly, the gentle clunk of the door as he closed it behind him.

“Hey Tide, Uhm- for you I guess.” He motioned to the flowers in his hand.

“Oh! T-thank you.” His smile faltered for a moment before shining a bit brighter, doing little to cover the awkward air. “WATCH wants us to go to lunch. Some new place up town.”

“Damnit, I should’ve given you those there.”

“It’s fine. We can just send this in as a story of something later.” he chatted, letting him in. They shuffled into the kitchen, Tide grabbing a vase and filling it up in the sink. “These are pretty.” He commented, cutting the stems.

“Good, cause you’re paying me back.”

“I’ll pay for lunch and you will call it even.” Tide stated.

He scoffed “Whatever, Waterboy.” Mark sat, plopping down at a seat at the island watching Tide quietly move around the kitchen. The Hall was silent and peaceful, seemingly the boys had left for something. Part of him wondered if Tide was okay here alone. All with what he said weeks ago. The uncharacteristic glimpse into Tide’s mind only served to fuel the curiosity he had. Pulling at the seams of a relationship full of open secrets and unsaid implications. He meant what he said, sure it was motivated mainly out of spite for WATCH, but helping Tide wasn’t a negative. Maybe it would finally get it through his thick skull how little WATCH gives a shit about him. He doubts it, but maybe.

Chapter Text

 Wavelength just sat there observing him. Seemingly every time he looked up he was met with the man just idly watching. Something that would have caused him to worry years ago now felt like a cooling relief in the empty Defender’s Hall. He’d go back to Hartatta if that didn’t mean not seeing the boys as much. He’d tell the boys about how much he was losing it here if that didn’t mean them pushing him back to Hartatta.

In the couple weeks he’d been here he’d bide his time with either joining the boys or pestering Wavelength. When neither were an option he’d usually just sit in his room where the blinds were drawn and the lights were off. Trying to get whatever sleep he could when the constant feeling of being watched dulled for but a moment. 

Today was different, it was too short of a time span between the boys leaving and Wavelength arriving. He’d paced up and down the hall for 10 minutes looking over his back and peering into door frames when the Hall creaked in its old age. 

With Wavelength being here it finally felt safe again, the low hum of electricity a consistent reminder of his presence even when Tide’s back was turned. Wavelength wouldn’t let anything happen to him. He knew that, his mind finally at ease as he arranged the bouquet of flowers. 

“But if somethin’ happens I’ll help you.” he’d said a month ago. Together and out of their minds just enough to finally say the quiet bit out loud. The Wavelength he’d known was always busy with a hit to take care of, a job to be done. A Tide there to stop him that he’d be loudly annoyed at and silently fond. Understandable as to why he’d been so top of mind for him lately. 

Tide still couldn’t believe it even came out of Wavelenght’s mouth, hell Tide couldn’t believe what came out of his mouth. He’d been skating around the press for years but he’d never admit that out loud. Even if Magma had seemingly figured this out on his own.

Regardless, the dynamic between him and Wavelength over the last month hadn’t changed. He ran the conversation over and over in his head, asking questions he’d never get an answer to. For these types of things lightning never struck twice, it hadn’t for Tide in years. God knows Wavelength wouldn’t change that for him either.

“Wavelength, you ready?”

“Mh? Uh- yeah sure.” He smiled, before his face hardened suddenly. Brushing his hair back with his hand, speckled with reptilian scales that danced with different shades of green as the light from the window hit them. Wavelength cleared his throat “Quit callin’ me Wavelength. It’s fucking weird.” he said with sudden flippancy.

“What? You want a pet name?” Tide teased resting his weight on the counter.

“Don’t you fucking dare.” Mark threatened, ”Tide.” he scolded, as he watched the smirk on Tide’s face grow.

“Okay, Princess.”

“Since when did that become my fucking nickname?!” he huffed.

“Since you acted like one.” Tide remarked.

“I don’t act like that.”

Tide raised an eyebrow at him, before mustering the sweetest smile he could. “Whatever you say, Princess.”

“I’m gonna kill you.” Mark said, crossing his arms.

Tide shrugged “You couldn’t if you tried, Mark ” He called back as he moved to the front door.

“It’s only fucking weird when you annunciate it like that. Remember that when people ask why your boyfriend calls you by your supervillain name.” He retorted before returning to his sulking. Something about the pouting was cute, as walked forward with his arms crossed. Made him want to squeeze the man till he’d eventually break out of his grasp. Then probably sulk more between the expletives, Tide thought, shaking his head suddenly as if it would push the idea from his mind. He shouldn’t think about Wavele- Mark like that. It’s fine, it’s- he didn’t mean anything by it. He can think people are cute. It’s normal! Besides he’s only overthinking because of this odd situation they’ve gotten themselves into.

—

The restaurant was nice if not a little too loud for him. Tide picked hesitantly at the food, his want to eat clouded by the intense feeling of eyes on him. He should be used to this by now! He patronized himself, pushing the beef stroganoff around his plate. He’s Tide, he’s never known a life outside of the public eye. Still one bad moment from so long ago held him hostage. He was supposed to be strong.

It was right after the event that the anxiety was the worst. He’d spent the weeks the Elementals were being “reconstructed” as WATCH had put it, pushing everyone away and becoming a shut-in. The weight of grief and paranoia being too great to want to leave the Hall.

Slowly but surely life moved on, it had to. They were sent on more and more solo missions, assigned to different boroughs, and moved closer to the individual areas where they were needed. Tide left coping however he may, it didn’t matter there were responsibilities to uphold. A death, a dumb worry, it all had to be put aside. There are people out there that needed a hero to save them from that fate, and Tide was never going to let himself fail to be that hero again.

 That was enough for a while, the boys continued distracting him, the worst of the anxiety fading. It was nice just being in the backseat, any mention of them would quickly outshine him as they were the Prime Force’s predecessors. The mentor of the great Prime Defenders, Tide Lambert. Articles would state before moving on to Dakota’s strength, Vyncent’s versatility, William’s cleverness, or further speculation on who Ashe was. 

However much panic sunk in sitting across from Mark in the middle of this bustling restaurant made him feel. The conversation between them weighed the scale just enough to tip in his favor.

“Ashe mentioned this morning you’re working on things in the basement again.” He’d snuck into the small talk. Evidently not sly enough seeing as Mark went quiet. Wavelength set down his silverware completely and narrowed his eyes at him.

“God dammit Tide.” He rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh. “I’m not doing what you fucking think. I’m clean, stop trying to get shit out of me.”

“I wasn-”

“You're not gonna find anything Waterboy. Not cause I hid it either, ‘fore you fucking ask!”

“Okay, okay, I trust you!” Tide hastily resigned. Mark furrowed his brow “I do, really. I was curious, not trying to incriminate you.” Tide gave a sincere look, it took a moment but Mark’s face softened slowly.

“Ok.” he muttered, looking down at his plate. “Truthfully Tide, I’m fucking bored.” he paused looking up. “I love Ashe don’t get me wrong! I’m happy that I finally have time with the kid, he’s even starting to not hate my guts. But i’ve been workin’ nonstop for years Tide, I-I have too much fuckin’ freetime. I’m losing my mind. Just sat there tinkering.” He sighed, running a hand down his face. “I’m trying to change for Ashe but it’s fucking tough. All this time on my hands and haven’t pulled my shit together enough to be what he deserves.”

“I know you’re trying.” Tide smiled softly watching Mark’s eye peek at him through his fingers. “More importantly, Ashe knows. You know what he said this morning?”

“What Waterboy?” Mark replied, continuing to entertain Tide albeit sounding a little drained.

“He was talking with the boys and they invited him to stay over tomorrow night, he turned it down. Said his Dad was taking him out for ice cream. Ashe loves you and he really hated your guts he wouldn’t have prioritized you like that. It’s going to take time, but the fact you’re even trying to change I’d argue is miles better than most parents.”

“Yeah well, I shoulda fucking done that years ago.” He huffed.

“You still have a chance with him, and you’re taking it. All anyone can ever do is their best. Are you doing your best?”

“You’re so fucking corny.” Mark groaned.

“You’ll feel better after you agree.” He carped

“Tide.” he exasperated, realizing he wasn’t going to drop it until he played along. “Yeah Waterboy.. I am.” Mark eventually gave in.

“Good.” Tide smiled brightly.

Chapter Text

He didn’t know why he opened up to Tide honestly, or why he felt so safe sitting across from the man, as eyes around them lingered a moment too long. Once again sat there to be a fucking freak show for the sake of some bastard incharge. It was much easier to get angry and loud, to tell Tide to go fuck himself for assuming what he was doing was something that he wouldn’t approve of.

Mark shifted in his chair, Tide easily moving on in conversation only amplified how odd he felt after melting into Tide’s hand. His anger sizzling out with each word, it shouldn’t feel as disarming as it did. He shouldn’t feel safe, he should be waiting for the next slash of water to rip him open. But it never came, Tide ever so gentle and deliberate with his words, it made it feel genuine. Discombobulating in a way that felt sickeningly sweet. Mark had to get a fucking grip before things got confusing. After all they were acting, maybe a little too competently right now. 

He knew himself and if he caught feelings it would get far too complicated.

What did the prick in front of him even do to deserve that response anyway? Be a hero that actually tried fucking listening? Pushing his buttons with stupid nicknames? Believed him when he said he was innocent? Looking at him with this sweet look of concern like the words Mark spoke mattered for once. A cry for help not immediately discounted in favor of someone better off than he was. 

Shit! Fuck! It made the feelings in his head blur till the moment left him feeling crazy. Was he really so fucking depraved as for basic attention was making him feel this way? The conversation lulled to a stop as they left the restaurant, allowing the attention to finally get to Tide’s head too. 

The years of Waterboy dodging flashing cameras and reporters made sense now. Mark never minded, he tried his best to work in the shadows. Some capes however always had to make a show of it, he’d respected Tide for not doing that. But he now knew it wasn’t his humility that made him avoid them. 

In a sick twisted way he wanted to be happy about this revelation. Tide finally sank to Mark’s level, every time he failed to best the loyalty programmed into him he was offered the short end of the stick. This situation however lighthearted was not much different. They’d only managed to make it out the other side together, even if WATCH released them, no doubt they’d still be together. A choice he’d made when he agreed to save him, to repower him.

So much of himself wanted to revert back to being scared, to being angry, lash out at Tide for what he was. 

He watched Tide fidgeting nervously with the locs that framed his face, the people around them who snuck pictures. The easy anger that steadily built in his chest shifting. Despite the instinct to bite at the hand that feeds, he took Tide’s hand in his and pulled him away from where the crowd was starting to form. Climbing the stairs of the nearby park, to hopefully lose any person who tried to follow in the winding paths obscured by trees and artsy landscaping.

“I think they’re following.” Tide hummed through a pained smile, his attention pulled to two young women that continued to trail them after they’d crossed the road into the park. 

Mark let out a heavy sigh, “They want a fucking show Tide? C’mere.” he murmured, yanking him into his jacket to block the view of their faces. “There, solved Waterboy, let their imaginations do the work.” He smirked. “They’ll get what they fucking want and then when they’re distracted we’ll dip.”

“Smart.” Tide whispered back. Smiling a genuine smile this time, one he got a split second to adore. The cute little gap in his front teeth, how the smile reached his eyes. It made Mark a little nauseous how easy it was to find Tide pretty. A small part of him even regretted leaving it up for imagination.

Acting. They were fucking acting. A month worth of these little dates was obviously getting to his head. Too practiced as he slid Tide’s hand in his rushing them through a busier part of the park, and over through an alley he knew would eventually lead back to the Hall.

—

The sun slowly started to be eaten up by the Hall in front of it casting heavy shadows on the street below, his hand still firmly gripping Mark’s. He doesn’t want to be here, they could still be following, they could follow them here. He could have sworn he’d heard the sounds of muffled footsteps in the alleyway across the street they’d come from. Yet Defender’s Hall sat as alone as it could for a late afternoon in New Haven.

All he wanted right now was to go home, go to Hartatta. Potentially make some stroganoff and hide in his room, with the lights off, and the blinds closed. A fleeting thought that if maybe the boys can’t come back with him Mark could. Though given the amount of resistance he was met with the last time, he’d probably have better luck getting Harlem Shade from the depths of outer space there than Wavelength. 

“You heading home?” Tide asked, kicking his foot against the sidewalk beneath him.

Mark seemingly hesitated, quick to drop his hand from Tide’s yet stuttered for a moment, as if he was going to grab it again. “I’ll wait for Ashe.” he spoke offish looking up at the Hall. Tide tried his best to stifle his relief with a nod, fore letting him into the building.

The Hall was the same as it had been left, quiet. Footsteps reverberated off the marble floor as they walked. Was that two sets of footsteps or three? Nevermind. Mark sat down on the couch and whipped out his phone, every so often looking up at Tide who allowed himself to pace. Practically hearing his heart rate pick up in his ears, as eyes stared into him from the windows and the walls raising goosebumps on his skin. He wasn’t thinking rationally, he was safe. Well, maybe it didn’t hurt to close the blinds in her-

“Quit pacing! You’re driving me fucking nuts Tide.” Mark snapped.

As much as he was tempted to keep at it, either to annoy Wavelength or calm his own nerves. The fear that Mark would change his mind, leave him here alone until the boys got back. It made him a lot more compliant at Mark’s words than usual, shrinking into the couch beside him. The thought flooded into his mind as his arm brushed Mark’s, of how much he wanted to lean into him, taking in the smell of ozone. Maybe bury his head into Mark’s chest so he could hear the electrical hum louder in his ears, grounding himself in the man next to him. As quickly as the thought came in it stuck itself into the sand, a steady craving now building in his chest. 

 A real hero wouldn’t approve of this, a real hero wouldn't have entertained the thought of working with Wavelength in the first place. Let alone go through with it and get themselves here. But Tide wasn’t a real hero, he wasn’t a hero at all. He was just Tide, anxious and scared and wanting nothing more than some sort of comfort right now. 

The Hall in its old age creaked, plunging him into a small panic. One he’d have to talk himself out of, that he’d have to mask. He couldn’t afford to look weak in front of the boys. 

Then again the boys weren't here, Mark was. He could let some vulnerability slip, afterall Wavelength had seen him beaten and bloody, seen him writhing in pain as he was repowered. Maybe it was okay if he let himself have this, Mark seeing him weak one last time wouldn’t hurt anything, he hoped.

—

Tide hesitantly leaned into him, Mark didn’t flinch, or move, or even comment. It didn’t mean he wanted him there Mark insisted over and over in his head, fighting how nice of a feeling it was. Tide as much as he tried to hide it earlier he knew people following them had gotten him all highstrung. He just wished he had the balls to leave him here, but he couldn’t. Not when he knows he’d be in a panic left here alone.

It was a mistake to stay though, they shouldn’t be doing this in an empty room. They should be hating each other or pretending to do as such. They were here for the boys, for the sake of staying out of trouble. Nothing more, nothing less.

“You can always go, I’ll be fine here alone.” Tide said though neither of them moved, if anything he leaned back into Tide more.

“I’m not busy.” he stated as coldly as he could.

 “Thank you for staying.” Tide mumbled after a long while of silence. Fuck, he hated how much he wanted to squeeze him till he was better. How much he wanted to prove no one would lay a finger on him as long as he was here. 

“No problem Waterboy.” he said, matching Tide’s low volume.

It was a moment before Tide dared to speak again, “I was the last one to move out of the Hall.” he started, his voice absent of much emotion. “I didn’t really wanna leave, I had to though, people kept showing up at the door.” He paused, Mark noticing how he started fiddling with his jacket sleeve. “It was really lonely after, sad, I liked this place. Reminds me of my brothers and being an Elemental. We don’t talk too much now that it's over.”

Mark hummed, letting Tide continue to let things off his chest. He figured he owed him for earlier anyway. At least that’s what he said to the voices in his head telling him how risky it was to be anymore vulnerable.

“It wasn’t all bad, I started fighting one on one, stopped you from doing dumb things on a weekly basis. Got the chance to mentor the boys years after that.”

“You really sucked at that second one.” Mark quipped.

“Yeah, I know.”

…

“Waterboy.”

Tide hummed an acknowledgement.

“Fire back at me! Tell me I’m fucking wrong!” He shrugged Tide up and off his shoulder. “None of this pathetic shit alright? I know for a fact your the best fucking hero WATCH has, its the only reason I let Ashe within a mile from here. So fucking fire back!” he demanded.

“Thank you.” Tide said a with a small smile on his face

“You’re welcome, don’t fuck it up next time.”

Tide chuckled a little, “I won’t, I promise.”

“You better, you're not gonna get rid of me so easily, Waterboy. Might as well make it tolerable for the two of us.”

—

A week later WATCH had called on them to do some stupid art night shit together. It was much more private this time around, the goal to make it seem as if they weren’t trying to rile up tabloids. They’d arrived early upon Tide’s insistence to leave the Hall. Mark obliged but his insistence to live somewhere so stressful for him was getting on his fucking nerves. Especially when he had that damn island. Tide however was stubborn, wanting to stay with the Prime Defenders. He had half the mind to invite him to his again. But the thought of Tide living in his house was too appealing for it to be a safe idea. Mark had to take every chance he could to distance himself from Waterboy or he’d veer off the path with no way back on.

Tide absentmindedly chewed on his nails as they waited for people to arrive. He was going to hurt himself if he didn’t stop this bad habit. Not that Mark cared at all, that’d be weird. Tide’s a grown man, his bad habits are his own. On the other hand if he bites a hangnail and bleeds all over the fucking place.

“Quit it.” Mark reached over, slapping the back of Tide’s hand hard enough it would sting a little. “Your gonna bite your fucking finger off.”

Tide rolled his eyes at this but changed the topic regardless of his obvious annoyance. “How’s Ashe?”

“Fine.”

“Did you two get your ice cream?” A charming little smile crept onto his face. Mark responded with a nod and watched Tide’s pretty little smile get wider now showing off his dimples. “Good man.” He said landing a punch on Mark's shoulder that was much harder than the usual.

“What the fuck Waterboy!” He rubbed his shoulder which was definitely bruising under his sleeve.

“That’s for hitting me earlier.” He stated.

“I was helpin’ you!” he gestured at him. “I don’t deserve getting fucking punched every time you’re too stupid to realize it.” Mark grinned, Tide went to bicker back but seemingly caught something over Mark’s shoulder.

Just like that his demeanor flipped, Tide’s hands landing on either side of his waist.

“Isn’t that right, Princess?” Mark hesitantly returned the touch and hoped to god the confusion wasn’t visible in his face. Looking around as casually as he could to find the person Tide was trying to fool. But the room stayed quiet, it stayed empty. And still despite it Tide looked up at him with adoring eyes awaiting a response.

“Yeah?” he blurted out, focusing too much on looking natural to have coherent dialog with the man in front of him, really close in front of him. Using that stupid fucking nickname he knew pissed him off, feeling him cheeks heat up a little looking down at Tide’s punchable, handsome face.

And just as suddenly as it started Tide slid his hands off his waist as he backed up. “Sorry I thought they were coming this way.” he bit at his cheek slightly, face also heating up a bit with a slight glow that with the warmth of his skin tone and all the blue accents reminded him a bit of a sunrise over a sparkling blue ocean.

“Who?” Mark said, trying his best to pull his gaze away from Waterboy. Tide gestured to look behind him and could see a man walking away from the door. “It’s fine Tide.” he spat bluntly, moving farther away from him. The moment and with it the flash between the confusion in which he almost forgot Tide was acting, burning itself into his brain in the process.

—

Tide laid on the bed of his room, the blinds drawn, listening to the faint sounds of the boys playing video games in the next room. If he was ever going to get sleep at this place it had to be when he could hear someone close to him stirring in the room next to his.

Despite the boys being in the other room it wasn’t who was on his mind. Who was on his mind was presumably in Rockfall right now. If he was really honest with himself he knows why he’s been on his mind so often. He’s heard his brothers talk about crushes before, he never really understood the feeling until now. Laying awake in his bed and all he could think about was how pretty the scales that painted his wrist looked. How the light danced and played leaving iridescent greens nail polish wished it could emulate.

How he was one of the few that could crack Mark, that could get under his skin. He bet he’d have a lot less nightmares here if Mark was cuddled up next to him at night. How handsome he’d look pulled to Tide’s chest, it’d almost feel unfair.

Obviously realism wasn’t top priority right now. As he squeezed the stuffie of a shark that the boys had gotten him to his chest, wishing it was Wavelength instead. Maybe it was for the best. If he was realistic right now he’d be severely disappointed. Mark didn’t like him like that. Plain and simple, they were acting like they were in love or at least Mark was. It felt wrong to rock the boat with real feelings and confess.

Even if he did and it worked out. The world wasn’t built for a relationship like theirs. In the eyes of WATCH he was a villain, recovering but regardless, it didn’t matter. They didn't know Wavelength like he did anyway. Not to mention himself being a clone. 

Though he tried not to, he'd seen the articles and posts online. Talking about how Dr. Lambert made a massive error if his creation was sleeping with a supervillain. Those posts seemed to follow him, reading as they crushed him down to parts and programming. Calling him a fuck up for more things than just who he found attractive. 

Sure, he was facing it now by “dating” Wavelength. But it was a lot easier to make it roll off his back when his feelings weren’t in it. The people online though harsh were right, he was a fuck up. Didn’t mean the words didn’t cut him to his core. That this new crush of his didn’t sometimes feel so shameful.

What about the boys? What would they think if this were real? They had fun teasing them for it when they knew it was fake. Maybe they wouldn’t mind? Tide didn’t know, how could he? This little simulation did nothing but fuel his delusions or crush him with the reality of it all. This only worked because it kept them out of jail, because WATCH defended the position. Would they defend it even if they knew it wasn’t fake? If it wasn’t for their big plans but just for making Tide happy? As much as it hurt him to admit, deep down he knew WATCH’s last concern was his happiness.

Chapter Text

It was another day at the hall, he initially was gonna just drop Ashe off and go run errands. But between both him and Tide trying to get him to play board games with the rest of them Mark ended up staying. “I win!” Dakota yelled, jumping up from the floor in excitement. “In your face Mark!”

Not bothering to justify the kid with a response he just groaned leaning back into Tide by accident. He was going to get up but then Tide trapped him in some sort of hug. The habit of being touchy with Tide was starting to get easy, something that started to stick around even in empty rooms. It was nice having Tide wrap his arms around him, comfortable in a way that almost scared him if it wasn’t for the overwhelming feeling of safety.

Ring Ring Ring

Tide’s communicator went off startling the two away from each other, the boys pausing their bickering over the game to look up at them.

“Hello?”

“Tide!” the voice of Lightspeed coming through the watch. “How’s the mission?”

“Uh- as good it can be?” Tide replied shifting slightly away from Mark with a coy expression.

“Great! So about that!” Lightspeed started, a feeling of dread almost pooling in Mark’s stomach. 

“We have an update on the group, they have built a monster that is reportedly targeting unpowered individuals. There have been two injured by the creature! Luckily they were able to escape and report this, but we need you and Wavelength to go check it out. There shouldn’t be any more civilians in the area we’ve tracked it to.” Lightspeed finished, Mark finally letting out a breath.

“Can we come?” Vyncent asked.

“Oh Vyncent! Tide are PD with you right now?”

“Yes.”

“Hi boys!” Lightspeed cheered, “Absolutely they can go with. The monster is about two stories high, reports say so it will be good to have some back up.”

“Okay, we will get moving as quickly as possible.” Tide replied, the call quickly ended after a document with further details were forwarded to them. Hastily devising the plan they decided that Tide would stay with Ashe at the Hall to show him how to use WATCH’s monitor system. While Wavelength and PD would head to the warehouse yard and confront the creature.

—

“Okay, when Ashe radios in we are free to start.” William briefed them once they reached the roof of the warehouse. Peeking in through the sky lights, there was a figure walking around down there that looked way too similar to Tide for Mark’s liking. His braids pulled back into a low ponytail, the red suit accented with orange flames.

“Fuck” Mark uttered

“Why? What’s happening?!” Dakota jumped into action, dashing over to peer through the same sky light.

“Nothings happening, Magma is her-“

“Magma! Hi!” Dakota yelled, banging on the glass.

“Kid shut up!” he lunged forward to put a hand over his mouth.

“Oh sick! If Magma is down there we could just go and help him.” Vyncent said

“No! Absolutely not.”

“Why? We now easily out number whatever is in here.” William asked.

“Moeah” Dakota agreed before biting down on Wavelength’s hand.

“Ow!” Mark pulled his hand away shaking it. “Cause I don’t know if he thinks I’m dating his fucking brother or not. Come on, another hero is here already, let's just leave.”

“Wavelength!” Magma spat, fuck that doesn’t sound too promising.

“Oooooh he found you!” Vyncent teased, Dakota looking between the two with visible excitement.

That's it! He was going to kill Tide when he got back to Defender’s Hall. Looking down slowly he saw the figure staring daggers at him.

‘Hi Principle Lambert!” Vyncent waved. Mark’s hands tightening into fists as he sat in his anger. He hadn’t even given Magma a proper once over and he already knew he’d have a better day without whatever he’s about to say.

“Boys! Down here!” He commanded, watching as Mark slinked back from the view of the window. “Wavelength! Don’t you fucking dare fly away from me!” his voice boomed.

He leaned back over into view, “Only if you plan to hear me the fuck out! Okay? It isn’t what it looks like.”

“Really! Cause what it looks like is my brother is dating a supervilliain and didn’t fucking tell us shit!”

“Of course he fucking didn’t, I’m gonna kill that man.” Mark groaned to himself before kicking on his thrusters “Meet us down there before he tries to murder me, Will ya?” he glared at the Prime Defenders, flying himself down in front of the bay doors.

“You gonna hear me out? Or are you gonna be a little bitch about this?”

Magma scoffed, his body blurring on the edges in a heat haze. “You corrupted my little brother.” he said, stirring an anger within him. Corrupted Tide? Ha! Fucking ridiculous, he knew Tide way better than this prick. Pretending he knows what Tide wants, he left Tide feeling alone.

“I didn’t do shit Magma.” Unlike you I won’t leave him, he thought before catching himself. This is pretend! They are acting! He once again tried to drill it into him as if it would change something. Acting, at least that’s what they should be doing. “I can’t tell you here, but it isn’t what it looks like.” He tried his best to de-escalate despite the anger beating in his chest. Hearing the Prime Defenders come up from behind him.

Magma starred hard back at Mark, paying the boys little mind “You fuck with Tide and i’m killing you.” he stated.

 “You can hear it from the man himself, he’s fucking in on it.” If anyones heart was being fucked with right now it’s his. Forced to live in a comfort that once again will be ripped away from him.

“Where is Tide anyway?” 

“He’s at Defenders Hall with Ashe.” Dakota said “You can see him later, we have a job to do! Have you seen the monster?”

Magma’s face hardened for a moment before he took a breath “No, I haven’t. Although I haven't been here for very long.”

With William they quickly were able to get closer to what they were looking for. Finding real world confirmation that the creature had been here not too long ago. Some of the crates that lined the walls of the warehouse were crushed, as well as some recent droppings made by the creature. Finding evidence however wasn’t what they were here to do, they knew the thing was real! The goal was to find the fucking freak! It wasn’t exactly something that blended in by what WATCH said, so how they could’ve sent them to the wrong spot was beyond what Mark knew as their usual levels of stupid at WATCH. The fact it wasn’t where it was supposed to be was definitely unnerving. The last way he wanted to go out was by some fucking amalgamation, he’d had way more than enough of those. 

“Will!” Dakota yelled.

“What?” William called out phasing through a crate on the other side of the warehouse.

“Use aliases!” Magma barked from the other end of the warehouse. “Did Tide teach you nothing?” Mark could hear him murmuring under his breath due to the warehouse’s echo. 

He wasn’t wrong, he probably should’ve scolded them earlier for it. Though the difference started to fall on deaf ears as PD would rarely use aliases. 

If it wasn’t so fucking dangerous he would’ve disagreed with Magma. Soley because he was giving him so much of a fucking headache, the prick. He doesn’t even know what he’s talking about. Shit, maybe he really does need to stop being near Waterboy. He swore the man always brought out something so fucking childish in him. Mark was pulled from his thoughts after he heard Vyncent yell as the sizable sword he wore on his back crashed into metal. 

“The fuck are you guys doin’ over there?!” He whipped around to see the boys gathered around some crate.

“Dakota noticed it's the only metal crate in here! There might be something in it!” Vyncent exclaimed before hiking the sword over his head and slamming it into the box.

“No dumbasses there is one over’er!” But before Mark could gesture towards the crate besides him a giant spindly black leg crashed through the roof above them. The debris just nearly missing Wavelength as it flew into the warehouse making a loud bang as metal met concrete.

“Cole style! Found it!” Dakota yelled over the crash, leaping into action and kicking the monster’s leg.

Despite DC’s strength the leg still stood strong, Magma quickly launching a fireball that singed the creature's fur. Meanwhile Wavelength kicked on his thrusters flying out the open door and into the air. William met him in the air phasing through the roof, both finally getting a full view of the creature. Four legs with prickly black hairs that towered over the surrounding warehouses. The leg that crashed into the building rearing up suddenly, the tip of it oozing red as it seemed to be severed.

“Got it!” He heard Vyncent scream from below as he ran out the left-hand door of the warehouse, soon after the sound of it going up echoed against the buildings.

The main body of the creature almost mimicked that of a spider, the eyes of the creature seemingly on both the top and bottom of his body. The only part of its front that broke up all the fucking eyes was this gaping mouth full of razor sharp teeth letting out a shrill screech.

He didn’t have enough time to process it before the sound of his son’s voice came into his ear. “Mark? Tide is on his way over, we’ve detected civilians in the area! He’s asking if you could keep an eye out and deploy a shield for any that can’t evacuate.”

“On it.” Mark stated, slowly scanning the streets below.

“Tide was right? You have a shield!” Ashe exclaimed.

“Yeah course, he’d know a thing or two about my powerset kid.” he said watching as the creature took another heavy hit from Vyncent.

“Why does Tide know so much about your powers?” Ashe asked.

“Don’t you have a fucking job to do right now!” He snapped, force of habit, Mark let out a breath. “Don’t listen to me Ashe. Fuck, I’m sorry. I- I used to fight Tide, he’s where I'd go most days.”

“It’s okay.” Ashe muttered, the long pause giving him all the more time to regret his choices all over again. Ashe was his son, the same little kid that ran from his mother’s arms into his the second he got home after work. That stopped happening soon after he took up working for Overlord. “Do you and Tide get along?” he asked hesitantly.

“We don’t not, more in common than we do different. Sure, Waterboy can be a pain in the ass sometimes but I still lo- withstand. I still withstand him.”

“Hm.” Ashe replied, the line going blank after.

Mark continued to survey the area, seeing William who was ghost shaping some ridiculous boots on the other three legs the creature stood on. He also was able to spot Dakota who had a civilian on his back heading towards where a few more of the what he assumed employees of this yard were. Rocketing forward he landed in front of them, just barely covering Dakota with the yellow forcefield, the sound of static like white noise blocking out the screech of the creature as it was hit square in the eyes with a bout of lava.

“He injured?” Wavelength turned to Dakota who gently let the man off his back.

“No, but I saw a woman over near Vyncent!”

“Vyncent is near the fucking thing!” The slight panic in his voice made the tinny effect put out through his mask stronger.

“Yeah I fucking know that Mark! Let me out!” Dakota sassed hitting the side of the forcefield with his fist.

“You’re gonna leave us with Wavelength!?” A worker behind them voiced, the fear evident in their tone almost made Mark feel a little bad.

“I’m not gonna fucking hurt you, don’t got nothing I want anyway.” he snarked.

“Mark!” DC scolded making him whip back around to look at him

 “Listen, I can get rid of the forcefield for a second just be fast so nothing gets through. That thing is trying to target civilians.” He said, the creature lumbering over Vyncent trying it’s best to move from the ghost boots that gripped its legs.

“Do it!” he shouted rushing out in the split second the forcefield flickered.

—

Tide had arrived a bit later than the police who tapped the area, using the water behind him to propel himself into the sky. The horrifying creature trying it’s best to get over to them, but as another leg was cleaved off the creature started to lose it’s balance. Tide pushing himself further with his momentum he was able to slow the body of the creature from crashing into the warehouses with a blanket of water underneath it.

William quickly joined him, ghost shaping a net for the spindly black body to fall into. “What do I do with it, Tide?” he yelled over the splash of water as the creature crashed into the ghost net.

“Uh? Could we make it smaller? WATCH wants samples.” William shrugged before messing with his in-ear saying something he couldn’t quite hear.

Now that the monster was secured he checked the area making sure everyone was safe, a headcount of the boys showed they were thankfully untouched by the creature. He spotted Magma who’d met him by the police moments ago. Now seemingly messing with the WATCH communicators on his wrist. He seemed mad at him for some reason, though both were more focused on the problem at hand Magma still forced him to promise they’d talk after. Something about Mark? He couldn’t really tell what he said over all the noise. But the more he thought about it the problem was pretty apparent. 

Speaking of Wavelength he’d finally spotted him, surfing down to meet him outside of the forcefield. “You can let this down now.” he spoke, quick to remember it blocked out sound when Mark gave him a look that even though the mask he knew said ‘are you an idiot?’

“You’re a dumbass, you know that?” There it was! The tinny voice of Wavelength spoke as the shield dropped.

“Yeah, yeah, okay” he waved off “love.” he smiled, sticking the pretty word on at the end as he realized they had an audience. “We will guide you all to safety.” he turned to them, leading them securely towards the police. 

As they approached the tape the sounds of yelling and cameras flashing got louder and louder, it made his stomach drop, wanting nothing more but to curl up into a ball and hide. He couldn't, he needed to be a hero right now! This dumb fear was getting the best of him, he needed to talk with Magma, he needed to double check on the boys. He grit his teeth against the overwhelm, pushing the feeling down as his steps got heavier and heavier till he couldn’t help but be frozen in place. Watching Wavelength lead the civilians the rest of the way. This was pathetic, he needed to do it, why couldn’t he? There weren’t even that many! Why was he always letting feeling fail his duties as hero? The thoughts swirled in his head till it gave him a pounding headache.

Chapter Text

When he looked back to Tide he was still, carrying an expression that could almost be mistaken for calm if Mark wasn’t able to read him as well as he could.

“You alright?” He walked closer.

“...Huh?” Tide looked over, his eyes glossy and distant, reminding him a lot of the look Ashe had when talking about the Trickster or what he remembers of it. Mark had done his best to research this type of stuff ever since Ashe had returned, he had shifted to being a lot more spacey. Waking up late from nightmares as panicked and upset as he was confused and distant. 

“You good Waterboy?” he repeated.

“Yeah? Totally! I’m perfectly fine I- uh- I’m.” He rambled, cutting himself off with a smile that was almost robotic. The noise seemed to grate against Tide as his breath became more irregular, “Okay.” he mumbled, staring intently at Magma and the Prime Defenders as they continued talking with the crowd that had gathered at the scene.

“You’re not going over there.” Mark stated reading the intention on his face

“I promised Magma..” he started between deep breaths.

“No. Absolutely not Tide. You’re havin’ a panic attack. We’re leaving.” Mark grabbed onto his wrist tightly, pulling him towards the opposite direction.

Tide dug his heels in turning to face him. “I’m not, I’m okay..” his speech disjointed, forcing himself to relax with another breath. “It’s just press, it’s okay, I’ll be fine.” seemingly more talking to himself than Mark, who stared back at him skeptical. Flinching a bit as a few of the press started to yell questions at him from behind the tape. 

“I’m not gonna let you be fuckin’ stupid Tide. If you wanna be better with this shit we will find you a time and place to. Not throwin’ you in the deep end, especially with all the fuckin’ datin’ shit that bastard got us stuck in.” With a stern hand he grabbed both Tide’s hands in his.

“Okay, fine.” He resigned “But tell them where we are going, As much as I would find it funny to watch Magma hunt you down. God forbid he thinks we ditched him to go mess around.”

“Fine, you fucking owe me for not tellin’ your brother by the way.” Mark huffed and stormed ahead, just far enough from the tape to keep out eavesdroppers “Magma! come ‘ere!” he barked out, watching him whip around with a glare.

“The fuck do you want Wavelength?’ he said approaching.

“I’m takin’ Tide back to the Hall, if you want the full story you’ll meet us there.” Mark glared back. Marching off with Tide before Magma could get a word in, the yells from the crowd getting louder as they walked away. Glancing back at Tide he’d seem to shut down even further. Squeezing his eyes closed and gripping tightly onto Mark.

—

Mark stood silently over Tide with a growing panic, he was starting to grasp at straws a little. It was quiet now but that didn’t seem to help much as Tide just sat with his knees to his chest on the ground, eyes squeezed shut, letting out the occasional wounded hum. He wasn’t fucking good at this, hell he’d only started believing shrinks weren’t a scam couple months ago.

“Tide?” he said cautiously, approaching him as if he were a wounded animal. “You’re okay now. Just- calm down.” Mark stated, starting to pat his back hesitantly until Tide let out another pained humming noise and pulled the hand back. 

Maybe he got hurt in battle and he was reading this wrong, he second guessed himself as he scanned Tide for any injuries. Nothing. Fuck why couldn’t he just be bleeding out? He could fix bleeding out. Mark’s head spun a little just staring at the man for what felt like forever. Before he felt Tide grip onto the hand closest to him, again putting his weight against it like an anchor. It took a minute of frantic looking over at Tide but he eventually thought it seemed to be helping. Awkwardly offering up more and more of his arm to Tide as he held it in a death grip to his chest, feeling his heart rate go a mile a minute under his arm as Tide’s blunt nails pushed into the skin. Finding its purchase digging between the grafted patches of scales. Sitting in the silence as he stared intently unsure if the nerves in his throat Tide was giving him now was worry, or the fact that he was using his arm like a stress ball and it was helping. So besotted with the man in front of him to ignore the pain and think it was cute. God he needs to pick himself off the floor.

Making adjustments little by little to sit a bit more comfortably next to Tide without budging his arm, that was slowly going a little numb. Until Tide lightened up, his heart no longer beating out of his chest as he peeked an eye open.

“Better?” Mark asked immediately, trying to fight the anxiety in his voice.

“Sorry.” Tide whispered, dropping the grip on his arm and setting it in his lap.

“Don’t be.” He whispered back unmoving. Watching Tide as his eyes carefully scanned his arm. A growing concern seeing the blood that blossomed between where skin met scale, his nails digging its way into the already sensitive transition area.

“I’m so sorry.” he whispered, gently tracing around the wounds with his fingers, voice shaky. Mark’s eyes widened a bit in panic as his eye’s met Tide’s wet with tears. 

“Fuck, Tide, don’t cry. Uh- fuck! I mean, it’s okay.” He sputtered, resting a hand on his cheek and gently brushing the tears away with his thumb. “You’re okay now.”

“It’s just people. I’m scared of people with questions, I’m pathetic.” he wallowed.

“No you’re not Tide. They have no right to invade your life. If I had gone through half the shit they fucking did to you, I-” He took a deep breath to quell the anger rising from his chest. “You are not pathetic. They are pathetic for not respecting your privacy.”

“But it’s a part of the job. Nothing was even happening and I froze up.” Tide sniffled, bringing a hand up to Mark’s.

“Tide you’ve been harassed by them, of course it’s gonna fuck with you. They’ve followed you everywhere after your brother’s passing, they’ve pressed you on personal questions, revealed information they shoulda’ kept to themselves. You have every right to tell them to fuck off, I don’t care what WATCH has to say about it and if you won’t I fucking will. Got it?” 

Tide opened his mouth to answer but his voice wasn’t what came out. “Not what it looks like huh?” Magma called out from behind them.

—

Mark jumped back from him, yanking the warmth from his hand, which hurt a little. But that wasn’t the point right now, he had to explain to Magma what desperately needed to be explained to him. It was fake, it was acting, they shouldn't care about each other in the first place, least of all like that.

“God! Could you fuckin’ knock next time!” Mark spat.

“Wouldn’t need to knock if you two weren’t lying through your teeth to me.”

“Magma.” Tide rose from the floor wiping the rest of the tears from his face.

“Tide? Are you okay?” he rushed forward putting his hands on either side of his shoulders. “I swear to you Wavelength, if you fuckin’ did this I-”

“He didn’t, he was- helping.” Magma looked down at him with the same skeptical anger that was so common for him. “Magma, I know what you think is happening, I swear to you it’s not.” Tide said, focusing all his energy on keeping the bitterness from the last bit. As much as he always jumped to conclusions, when it came to Tide or any of The Elementals he usually could read them fairly well. Knowing that Tide kept his focus sharp, trying to defuse the bomb in front of them before he attempted strangling Mark. 

“Then what’s happening Tide? Because evidence seems to point to you dating a fucking supervillain. You know how dangerous that can be? What if he’s trying to pull one over on you? You always give people you care for too much leeway and it’s dangerous!” He reprimanded. “You could get fucking killed Tide! I’m not letting that happen, not with fucking Wavelength, not with anyone. You could do way better! You deserve better.” He continued, Tide sat silent, quelling his frustrations. Knowing Magma wouldn’t be receptive to anything before he’d gotten everything off his chest, so he waited in silence for a moment.

“Are you all done now?” Tide asked.

“No.” he huffed back, “You didn’t tell me anything, not a call? A text even? You let me find out through the fucking internet? A fucking article Tide? That’s how I find out, through an article! ‘WATCH confirms the rumor!’ What has gotten into you Tide? Is he making you do this?” he glared back in Mark’s direction.

“I’m not making Tide do anything. Why can’t you just talk to him like a fucking adult Magma? Coddling a grown man.” he snapped

“Whatever he has over you we can fix, you should’ve come to me in the first place!” he chastised, almost succeeding at ignoring Mark before he let out the frustrated groan Tide so desperately wanted to. “And it’s none of your fucking buisness how I talk to my little brother. Coddling him!” he scoffed.

“It is my fucking buisness.” Tide could’ve sworn he heard Mark grumbled under his breath.

“Magma, WATCH sent us on a mission that involved pretending we are together. There ‘in’ was the CEO of some tabloid that took the information we fed them for fact and released a piece on it. WATCH only confirmed it so they can continue their investigation and act as if they know nothing of us being involved with the organization we were sent to infiltrate. He’s not harming me! He doesn’t have anything over me! We have an agreement. The second WATCH gives us the green light all will go back to normal!”

Magma looked at him, his eyes narrowed for a moment until his face suddenly softened into a small smile. “Wavelength get out of here.” he said lightly

“Didn’t you hear what I just said? It’s fake!”

“I know Tide.” Magma dismissed softly before turning his attention to Mark. “Wavelength out!” He commanded.

Mark looked over, a concerned look in his eyes. With a nod and small smile from Tide, it was enough for him to leave the room with no questions asked. 

They stood in silence for a while until the heavy steps had passed. “I can’t fucking believe you,” he sighed “You have a crush on a man who’s gonna torture you.”

“For the last time he’s not torturing me!” he countered.

“I don’t mean physically Tide.”

“He’s changed Magma.”

“He’s a manchild, get out of the clouds and come back to Prime. Be realistic.”

Tide huffed “I never even said I liked him in the first place, you just walk around assuming things.”

“Really? Then how was he helping with a hand on your cheek?” he prodded.

“He’s just being friendly.”

“Wavelength? friendly?” Magma scoffed. “Do you even hear yourself?”

“I told you Magma, we are acting.”

“All by yourselves?” he said incredulously. “Listen Tide, just be careful. And keep me in the loop will you? At the end of the day I can’t fucking stop you from being stupid, but I’m your big brother and I deserve a warning that it’s about to happen.”

“I am careful Magma. Stop treating me like a child!” Tide snapped.

“Then stop making the decisions a child would! Getting repowered illegally? Getting depowered in the first place! I don’t want to lose you to that path Tide! I don’t want you to end up like Whirlwind, or god forbid Shockwave!” he snapped back.

“Magma, would you just trust my judgement for once! I understand, I know! But Mark won’t kill me.”

“That you know of.”

“Listen, You don’t have to trust him. But you do have to respect my decision to.”

“Fine!” he huffed, "Just don’t be stupid, please.” Magma pleaded.

“I’m not being stupid! He’s had plenty of opportunities and he never does. I don’t know how to convince you, I know me and Wavelength fought each other in the past but it was never like that. You just have to trust me.”

“And I do trust you, I just don’t want to lose another Tide.” Magma trailed off to just above a whisper. “You know I hate arguing with you right? I’m sorry. I trust you and I’ll start acting like it.” He said pulling Tide in for a hug. 

“Thank you. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you anything, I should’ve.”

Magma pat him on the back before pulling away. “Just call once and a while. I’ll try and do the same.”

Tide nodded, giving him another squeeze before letting go.

“Alright then, I should probably go find your little boyfriend and apologize.”.

Tide rolled his eyes, “He’s not my boyfriend! And good luck with that one.”

“If he doesn’t want to talk I’ll just tell him that you like him, maybe then he’ll be interested.” he teased.

“Magma!” he sputtered, feeling his face go a little red.

“Aww does my little brother have a crush?” he cooed, pinching Tide on the cheek.

“Stop!” he whined, pulling away. “I swear Magma, I’m going to go back to being mad at you.” he huffed lightheartedly.

Magma chuckled, letting him go. “Fine, but consider telling him okay? I have a strong feeling it will work out for you.”

“Thought you said that was stupid.” Tide snarked.

“Unfortunately I’m for whatever makes you happy.” Magma sighed, turning around to the exit.

Chapter Text

As much as Magma got on his nerves, he was right. Tide deserved better, and if he tried could easily get better. Even then, he wasn’t about to go and suggest Tide actually go out and do that. No matter how much he insisted it wasn’t like that it didn’t change that Mark was selfish, that he wanted his handsome little hero to himself. 

He couldn’t help that all his better judgement flew out the window in the face of a vulnerable Tide, nothing mattered to him but how to fix it. Even if it meant kissing it better, especially if it meant that.

“Wavelength?” Magma’s stern voice startled him. 

“Fuck do you want?!” Mark whipped around, “I’m gettin’ real sick of talking with you today.”

“I came to apologize.” Magma said standing there in the Hall’s kitchen. His rigid posture untensed for the first time that Mark had ever seen.

“If Tide set you up to this shit, I don’t fucking want it.”

“No, Tide didn’t set me up to this. I’m- sorry, I assumed the worst.”

Mark sighed heavily, leaning his weight onto the counter beside him. “Eh, I don't blame you.” he muttered, an awkward silence hanging in the air for a moment. “Listen, I’m not trying to hurt Tide. He’s-uh..” Mark didn’t feel guilt lying to Magma, but the words he truthfully wanted to use to describe Tide stuck to his tongue. He didn’t want Tide to be his friend, but if anything Magma was further proof that he was right in not pursuing this. 

“We’re friendly.” Wavelength eventually coughed out.

“Hm.” Magma’s eyes narrowed, studying the man in front of him. “I’m not stupid Wavelength.” He finally stated. “I may not understand completely what you have with Tide.” he sighed. “But unfortunately for me, it makes him very happy. Tide can take care of himself, I know but,” Magma shrugged, his demeanor softening all of a sudden. “That strength has gotta come from somewhere.”

“So he’s mentioned.”

“Has he now?” Magma muttered. “Well Wavelength I should get going, please say goodbye to Tide for me.”

“Will do.” Mark gave a nod.

“Oh and before I go” Magma approached with each step closer the temperature of the room increasing. “Be good to him Wavelength, and if you ever so think as to upset him, I will deal with you myself.”

Wavelength was quiet, looking up at Magma who gave him a passive aggressive grin before the prick finally took his leave. Mark knew what he was trying to do, he was trying to scare him. Stood in the now boiling kitchen, regrettably it was kind of working. The sound of footsteps approaching brought his attention upwards to see his son walking into the kitchen.

“Hey Ashe.” he pushed his lips into a smile. “Shouldn’t you be heading out with Tide’s boys?”

Ashe shrugged, pulling up a chair at the island “Waiting for them to pick me up.”

“Hm, don’t let that William kid drive you. I don’t need another fucking accident today.” Mark deflated on the counter in front of Ashe, running his fingers through his hair.

“Magma seemed like he likes you.”

Mark scoffed “You think kid?” he looked up to meet Ashe’s face, wearing the exact same smartass grin Mark wore so often.

Ashe nodded, his expression softening to something genuine, something resembling his mother’s smile. “Yeah, he gave you permission to be with Tide.”

“I told you I don’t fucking like Tide like that, Ashe. We’re pretending.” He grunted.

Ashe sighed tapping his finger on the counter, “Well, I wouldn’t be mad at you if you did.” His smile fading into a frown. “Besides it’s my fault she’s-” he mumbled.

“No kid.” Mark cut him off, reaching over to grab both of his hands with his and squeezed them. “Ashe it isn’t your fault. None of us knew what was gonna to happen, we let you use that fucking book. The last person who’s fault it is, is you Ashe. Don’t you even think for a fucking second that I have ever blamed you for that.”

Ashe sniffed, obviously holding back tears when Tide came through the doorway. “Grab a tissue for me, Waterboy?” Tide nodded, coming back shortly with a box and quietly sliding it next to Mark. “I love you so fucking much Ashe.” he said pulling a tissue from the box and gently wiping the tears that slipped from his son’s face. “It isn’t your fault.” he reassured. “I promise Ashe, it’s not your fault.”

“You really believe that?” Ashe choked out, the occasionally small tears turning into almost full on sobs. 

“Of course, Bubba.” Mark said, the nickname he hadn’t used since Ashe was probably 4 falling easily from his mouth, pushing Ashe’s hair out of his face. “An’ I know for a fact your Mom wouldn’t blame you either.” his voice broke slightly watching as Ashe broke down further in front of him. “I love you, Ashe. I’m so sorry.” Mark sniffed, keeping a hand locked with Ashe’s as he blotted his tears with the other. 

Tide had quietly sat down next to Ashe starting to rub his back once he started to cry. Mark watched as Ashe leaned into him until he was practically sitting on the man's lap. Making a soft smile worm its way through the weight of the situation and onto his face. Tide’s presence didn’t feel foreign or awkward, he fit. Ashe holding onto the both of them as he slowly calmed, the small hiccups from the boy filling a quiet room.

“Been holdin’ that in for a long time huh kid?” Ashe nodded, not moving much against Tide’s shoulder. “I’m here for you okay? You got permission to beat me over the head if I ever forget that again.” He leaned over the counter ruffling his hair. Ashe smiled at the remark and just then did it finally click that they would get through this. It'd take time and probably more afternoons like this one, but they’d be fine. Not thanks to Mark’s parenting prowess, but because Ashe grew to be a genuinely smart, caring, and kind person. All traits that’d make him a great hero someday.

Chapter Text

Tide didn’t quite know if he was supposed to be here, but it was his kitchen and Mark did have him bring in tissues. So eventually he quietly sat next to Ashe rubbing his back. Trying his best not to eavesdrop. To his surprise Ashe leaned into him, he thought the kid may have climbed into his lap if they weren't doing this on stools. So Tide stayed until Ashe had calmed and the boys got back. Waving them off as they left for pizza for a mission well done. 

“Thanks for comforting Ashe” Mark had muttered after the door closed. 

“You know you really didn’t need my help.” He replied cooly, trying his best to not make a fool of himself though he could’ve sworn his heart was exploding in his chest. 

Mark rolled his eyes at Tide’s statement. “Alright then Waterboy I revoke my thank you.”

Tide would have teased him back but his mind was too fixated on how Mark let him be there, how Ashe accepted the comfort, how they both trusted him to see something so personal.

Maybe he was deluded to think this. But after everything today, the hand on his cheek, the letting him in, maybe just maybe Magma was right. That Mark wasn’t being friendly because they were stuck together but because he liked him back. The thought felt almost like a shot of adrenalin.

Tide scoffed in liu of words. Pushing past him into the living room to which Mark followed. Both of them crashing onto the couch, Mark especially seemed to be exhausted. He felt a little bad seeing how tired he was. Most of today’s hardship was accidentally afflicted by his neglect to loop Magma in on this. His mind wandered for a second thinking what Whirlwind or Seismic think of him. Do they approve? He’d only gotten out from under Magma’s hand by the skin of his teeth. He’ll text them later.

“Fuck you looking at Waterboy?” he grabbed a throw pillow off the couch and lobbed it in his direction with a smirk. 

Luckily Tide was able to catch it, shifting to pull it to his chest. “I’m sorry about Magma. I should’ve thought to tell him. It shouldn’t of-”

“It’s fine Tide.” Mark cut him off, he couldn’t quite tell if he really meant it. “Magma told me to tell you goodbye from ‘em by the way.”

“Oh. Did he say anything else?” Tide fished, evidently not too subtly as Mark’s brow furrowed.

“I knew you fucking sent him!” he argued.

“I didn’t send him, Mark. He wanted to on his own and I wasn’t going to stop him. He owed you one anyway.”

“Yeah well, he’s still a prick.”

“Be nice.” Tide demanded trying his best to hide his amusement.

“What? You tell him that too?” Mark smirked, “You’re lucky people fucking like you Waterboy, don’t think we’d play ball otherwise.”

“You like me?” Tide took his chance, hearing his heart in his ears the moment it was already too late to resend.

Mark chuckled, “That’s what you get from that?” He didn’t seem to pick up on what was happening. That or Mark didn’t think he was serious. 

Tide simply shrugged as he weighed his options. Taking a moment before he gained the guts to double down. “I really like you.” He offered, his heart pounding.

Mark froze, the smirk dropping from his face and with that all Tide could feel was dread. “Don’t fucking do this to me Tide.” he whined. 

Tide’s heart sank. He was lost on how to respond, Magma said he liked him. Why didn’t he like him? He thought, slowly taking in a breath in hopes to push down the lump in his throat. 

“Shit! Don’t be sad.” Mark fussed as he pushed into Tide’s personal space. Once again putting a hand on his cheek. Tide could feel his stomach reeling, confusion clouding any coherent emotions that whipped through him.

“I don’t understand.” Tide spoke slowly, hesitant to lean into the touch. If he didn’t like him why is he pushing closer? It was like he was trying to mess with his head.

 “Fuck. I didn’t mean for this.” He pulled his hand away, rubbing at his face. “Why am I so fucking invested in your fucking feelings? This is stupid! We’re supposed to be acting Tide!” He complained, pushing away but still far closer than he was before.

“I’m sad, but I’ll be okay.” Tide sniffed trying to control his expression. He already made Mark’s day harder, he really wasn’t trying to complicate things. He just thought this would go differently.

“Well fucking good for you Tide.” he huffed, crossing his arms. “Why are you even confessing this shit to me? You know it’d fucking go this way.” he accused, his brow furrowed.

Tide cocked his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If I thought you’d react like this I wouldn’t of said anything!”

“Be fucking realistic!” Mark pleaded.

“I don’t feel as if anything that has happened the past month has been realistic. Why start now?” He argued.

“Do you not fucking understand what’s infront of you Tide? How the fuck can we make anything work with WATCH breathing down our necks? What about the boys? Or how I would feel having to fucking turn you down! Of course I fucking like you Tide, but you’re better in your place as a tool to get what the fuck I want!”

Tide sat frozen for a moment, his eyebrows drawn together, eyes narrowing in on him. “What is your problem?” he snapped, crossing his arms. “A man that likes me wouldn’t call me a tool! Especially the same man who I know, knows how that hurts!”

“I’m sorry Tide. I-” Mark started pulling closer again, to which he scooted back. He’s not going to let Mark continue to mess with him. Bury sweet words between hurtful ones, pull closer to rip away again. Though when Mark looked back at him distraught he couldn’t help but stutter for a second.

“You what?” he spat.

—

Mark screwed his eyes shut as he spoke, if he looked Tide in the eyes right now he’d spill his heart out. Tide already knew too fucking much of his feelings. It was right to be harsh, it was saving them from so much pain down the road. Magma is fucking right, he knows he doesn’t deserve the man infront of him, and it hurts so fucking bad. But he- he can’t, they can’t. They were lucky how things ended with Magma, not everyone's gonna be so kind to leave them alone. Last time we got along so well it got them here. Ex-villian and water hero chattin’ it up, WATCH wouldn’t allow that. The only reason they aren’t doing shit to them right now cause they’re a under their fucking thumb.

Mark steeled himself for the worst, for what he deserved. “I meant what I said.” he blurted, immediately feeling as the weight on the couch shifted and footsteps started away. The regret rushed in, what the fuck was he doing? What the fuck was wrong with him? “You didn’t let me fucking finish.” He opened his eyes rising from the couch to follow him as he tried his best to claw back Tide’s charitability.

“Please Tide, listen-” he said once they reached the front door of the Hall.

“No! I’ve heard more than enough Wavelength! I’m not going to stand here and play games with you until the boys get back.” He replied, stuffing his wallet and keys into his pocket and slamming the doors behind him. Leaving Mark listening to how the loud bang echoed through the now silent Hall.

—

Mark Winters

Tide

Tide

Tide

Tide

Come on Waterboy

Just talk to me please

I know I fucked up give me one more chance

Tide

Tide

Tide I know you’re reading these fucking messages

…

Mark felt fucking nauseous. Laying on his couch typing Tide’s name into his phone, for what felt like the thousandth time. This was fucking pathetic. He knew this was fucking pathetic, and yet it didn’t stop him from spamming Tide’s phone like they were fucking teenagers. In his defense Tide started it! He’d completely fucking ghosted him for almost an entire week at this point. According to what he squeezed out of Ashe he’d gone back to Haratta. 

It wasn’t like Mark didn’t understand, he wouldn’t want to talk to the piece of shit that called him a tool to be used either. But an entire week? He’d given Tide his space! Now he was just being fucking petty. Tide Tide Tide he typed over and over, Tide Tide Tide his brain felt stuck in a fucking loop. Everything already fucking reminded him of Tide! Now whenever he reaches for water, what used to be the warm crush feeling now feels like its a punch to the fucking gut. 

He felt nauseous. He felt sick. He felt guilty. No matter how many days he spent trying to distract himself, or try to turn it into anger at Tide. He couldn’t. All he could do was stand by the phone and think about what he’d do if Tide told him he liked him again. If he’d for once in his life get a fucking do-over. 

—

Mark stood in the kitchen unloading dishes, hearing the footsteps of Ashe’s combat boots enter the room. “Hey kid.” he said as he dried one of the tupperware off with a towel before putting it away. Ashe gave him a nod, Mark knew he’d been with the Prime Defenders. He tried to stop himself from looking fucking crazy by immeditly asking about Tide. Not that he really knew how much the boys learned of what was going on. Maybe, just maybe he’d be able to get away with pretending this was normal. He was going to ask about Ashe’s day regardless, so fitting Tide in wouldn’t hurt.

—

Ashe’s rambling about what he did with PD was enough of a distraction to hold him off from immediately asking about Tide. Mark would never get over how much Ashe’s face would light up when he talked about helping people. How much joy it brought him knowing Ashe was happy, even if the guilt managed to press in.

“Oh uh- How’s Tide?” he finally asked. A sense of dread filling him for what Ashe might say next.

“I don’t know, why?”

“You were out with them weren’t you?”

“Yeah…?”

“And did he mention me?”

“...No?” Ashe looked around for a second till staring back at him confused. “You good?”

“He won’t fucking text me back!” he grouched, as he put away the cups into the cupboard.

“Well, what did you do?” 

“Kid, what do you mean ‘what did I do’?” he spat, Ashe just narrowed his eyes a little more at him. “Okay fine! I may have told em’ that I'm just using him for the free ticket outta jail.”

Ashe stood there staring, “Well did you mean it?”

“No it’s just-, it’s whats supposed to be happening.”

“If you like Tide-”

“No! I’m not into Tide. That’s just, it’s,” he huffed, “I just don’t like seeing him upset. That’s all.”

“Sure, Mark.” He waltzed into the pantry.

“Fix your attitude Kid.” he corrected, continuing to put dishes away.

“Hmph, I got it from you.” Ashe murmured to himself, he wasn’t wrong. So Mark bit his tongue, something that never happened a couple months ago. Maybe Tide was right that he was improving, of course he fucking was, he’s Tide. 

“As I was saying you like each other, just go over and apologize. I’m sure he’d forgive you.” Ashe said, walking out the pantry with a bag of chips. 

“I don’t know about that one Ashe, as dumb and forgiving as he is.” Mark sulked.

“At the very least you should go over and try.” Ashe suggested. “Worst he says is no.”

“Worst he tries to fucking stick Magma on me.” Ashe was right that Tide was forgiving, though this wasn’t some simple crime he’d committed years ago. He’d hit enough of a nerve for Tide to ghost him, to storm out of the Hall and return to Harratta. Was it even right to follow him? It wasn’t like he deserved the grace that Tide gives. He was selfish and pushed him to the edge of his kindness. It was his fault

“You know he wouldn’t do that.” Ashe furrowed his brow slightly. “Just think about it.” He gave him a small sympathetic smile.

Mark simply nodded. 

—

Mark needed space, he needed to lie down. Locking himself into his bedroom as if it’d fix his conflicted feelings. Even after what Ashe said he still wasn’t certain that he’d not make Tide miserable by being with him. But he knew that whatever he was doing right now was making them both miserable 

He couldn’t get Tide off his mind, he needed to see him, he needed a response, fucking something from him that showed he didn’t hate him now forever. Unfortunately he was only gonna get that if he went back to that fucking island.

Chapter Text

Tide couldn’t go back to the Hall. Not only was Mark probably still there, if he wasn’t Tide would probably freak out all over again for a different reason. Misery loves company and boy did his miserable brain love the Hall. Plenty of memories to pull, or things it could make up to scare him. He couldn’t deal with that right now. So he left for Harttawa, the only place that he could think of where he could lick his wounds. 

The waves kicked up under his heel, rocketing him towards the shoreline of the island. The sun quickly set on the horizon. As his brain tossed around ideas of what he could say to the boys. He really didn’t want them to worry. The wound was way too fresh for him to want to talk about it anyway. But he couldn’t disappear or say nothing, that’d leave them both worried and suspicious. 

Eventually he landed on the simplest option, just texting the boys that he was really missing Harttawa all of a sudden and that he’d return to the Hall after a little while. Luckily the boys didn’t seem to mind too much, insisting he didn’t have to apologize for the short notice. He still felt bad regardless.

—

Pushing open the metal doors it felt like he could finally breathe. He almost forgot how on edge he always was at the Hall, the relief hitting him like a ton of bricks. Despite that the weight still wasn’t fully off his shoulders. 

You’re better in your place as a tool to get what the fuck I want.

Tide really should’ve expected this, it was dumb to think he wouldn’t get hurt by Mark. It only added insult to injury that Magma had called this not even hours earlier. 

He could withstand being rejected, of course it stung, but anyone could tell you that. Being called a tool by someone he knew had similar experiences though? Mark knows how the world strips them of their humanity, and he turned around to use it as a weapon.

Unfortunately for Tide this wasn’t the first time Wavelength had used a weapon against him, he knew how to cut deep. Tide knew he knew, yet he foolishly trusted he wouldn’t. Sure, Mark had called him a clone in the past, and maybe that should’ve raised a red flag. But Tide never minded, being a clone wasn’t an insult, it was fact.

In a way it felt unforgivable, but Tide was nothing if not a forgiving fool. Even after everything he really still does love Mark. He loves how much he makes him feel understood, he loves all the small ways Mark cares for him. He loves watching his scales reflect in light, and his soft fluffy hair. He loved how safe he felt opening up to him. He loved how much he trusted him.
It just- it wasn’t the same, he needed time, and space, maybe some beef stroganoff. For now he went to get some sleep, the travel here though faster for Tide due to his powers was still long. Rummaging through his drawer for his favorite set of pajamas, a pattern of little red, blue, and purple fish throughout on super soft white fabric. Climbing into bed, he missed the little shark plush the boys got him. Though storming out with Harris under his arm probably wouldn’t have had the same effect. The bed was cold, his room was quickly getting darker. As the island had no street lights or neighboring buildings to shine through the windows. Tide gave a long sigh before closing his eyes. Falling asleep to the sounds of the jungle and calls of the various amalgams.

—

Tide woke up much later than he usually would, staring blankly at the clock that hung above the kitchen table. Despite that, the emotional fatigue from the day before still wore on him. He shuffled around the kitchen making beef stroganoff as absentmindedly as he could. His emotions bubbling to the surface like the pot of water boiling in front of him. He pushed it from his mind, deciding to clear the belongings that he’d dumped on the counter the night before. 

His phone rested on the counter next to his wallet and keys. He almost wanted to leave it there, in fear it’d only upset him further. 

Mark should know better than to bother him right now anyway. Leaving a wall of notifications on his phone for what? To upset him? To play with his feelings a little more? On the other hand if it was silent… It made him feel a little nauseous, the thought Mark wouldn’t even try to really truly fix things. That he’d leave Tide in the cold without closure or a real apology. 

He didn’t deserve that. Hell he didn’t deserve this either. Tide crossed his arms pouting at the phone resting on the counter. Maybe he should call Mark himself, complain until he told him just what he wanted to hear. That or until he gave him enough to be mad about he’d stop torturing himself with this dumb crush of his. Yearning day in and day out for someone who hurt him, someone he knew who’d only make things more complicated. That his family wouldn’t truly approve of.

—

The metal doors bursted open, he ignored the impulsive want for it to be Mark.

“Surprise!” The boys cheered, William coming through the door holding a few games, Ashe and Vyncent holding some snacks.

“Hello!” Tide’s mood brightened, going over to bear hug each of them. “Why are you here? I mean I’m glad but-”

“Le Frog commandeered the New Haven boat tour.” William sighed, dropping the games on the kitchen table.

“Yeah!” Dakota chimed enthusiastically. “We had to save the passengers! and-”

“Don’t forget how me and Ashe had to look for hours for the little life boat he shipped the captain off on!” William complained.

“It was only 20 minutes!” Ashe replied, leading William and him to bicker quietly amongst themselves.

“Anyway Tide! We were in the area so we stopped by!” Kota grinned up at him, wrapping his arms tight around Tide.

“I hope we aren’t interrupting anything.” Vyncent spoke up.

“You guys never interruption Vyncent. This is your home too!” He smiled, eventually letting go of Dakota to pull Vyncent into a hug. Feeling how his tail immediately wrapped around his leg as he pulled him in.

The boys stayed until dinner rolled around, just narrowly avoiding Tide’s attempts to feed them stroganoff. Oh well, more for him! He sat in the kitchen eating, his thoughts finally off Mark for the first time in days. He enjoyed the moment, that evening turning on some music and cleaning up any mess they’d left from earlier on in the day.

Chapter Text

Mark Winters doesn’t grovel or plead, but if he hurt either Ashe or Tide one more fucking time he was going to have to start. Speaking of Tide, he already wasn’t off to a good start if he wanted to win his approval. Revving the engine of a stolen motorboat until it started puttering across the water. This is exactly what he was trying to avoid, no matter what the fuck he did he’d disappoint Tide. If he said what he truly felt, accepted him, he’d only disappoint him more once he was stuck with him. But refusing both of them what they wanted was miserable. The thought that maybe Tide may have missed him too danced in his mind, though unlikely the hope helped him through some of the nausea. He’d blame it on sea sickness if only it was that simple.

Not only was he facing Tide, he was going back to Harttawa. The thought would make his blood run cold if those fucking scientists didn’t already beat him to it. He could still feel the cold metal cuffs that strapped him down rubbing his wrists till they were raw. Painfully ripping his skin down to its deepest fucking layer. Only then to replace it haphazardly with something that was never fucking supposed to be there! How the blood poured out in front of him till he thought he was going to die. That even after everything he did to try and keep Ashe safe, he was going to be another one of Overlords fucked little experiments discarded to a slow and painful death. 

—

The island of Harttawa slowly came into view as the fog wavered. The dread weighed him down enough he was convinced the boat could sink if he sat in it any longer. He’d arrived, hearing the calls of the monsters that littered the jungle. Even more dense with trees than he could remember. Evidently the forest reclaimed more of the island than Tide had. Pulling the boat further onto shore, the massive trees loomed above him. Even the worn path was dark and overgrown. 

He’d kill for Tide to be here right now. Even if it was just to tell him some bullshit about how the freakish creatures aren’t out to get him. Trying foolishly to convince him that this jungle wasn't full of those cut from the same cloth, more than willing to do what they need to survive. 

He’d always envisioned that Tide eventually would get him onto Harttawa. That he’d get tired of Mark running from it and pull it out of him. A quiet understanding running between the two, it was natural that Tide would lead him through the overgrown path. Not judging him for his fear of something long gone just Mark’s hand in his, swearing that nothing would try to hurt him here.

He mourns that possibility now after he’s so thoroughly fucked over his chances. Some of Mark wonders why he’s even trying. He knows Tide fucking hates him anyway. Completely delusional to hope so hard that he missed him as much as Mark did. He dreads the moment Tide turns him away for the first and final time. Chastizing himself for not taking advantage of the chances he was given, for using them to hurt him further with shit he didn’t even fucking believe! He’s so goddamn stupid, he thought as he finally made his way to the entrance to the facility.

A cheap and cheesy doormat lay at the feet of metal push doors, the type you’d see at a school. Lantern light emit from what seemed to be a battery powered lantern bolted to the righthand wall. Letting the door be well lit despite the bits of jungle that encroached on their front doorstep. The window to the left held painted ceramics that lined the windowsill, one of which seemed to be painted by the familiar hand of Ashe.

Mark drew in a breath as he pushed against the cold metal, the door opening with a solid clunk . The inside of the facility looked a lot different now, Tide really had breathed new life into it. It would be comforting for Mark, but even Tide’s kind hand couldn't paint over all the lives this building had already taken.

“Boys?” Tide stumbled out a small hallway leading into the kitchen. “Oh. It’s you.” he said, face falling flat from his once hopeful expression. Mark tried his best not to be so hurt by it.

“Please, Tide just give me one more fucking chance to explain myself. If after you don’t want to see me again, I’ll go.” Mark promised, keeping a careful distance. It felt so weird being so far, it’d been weeks since personal space had even been acknowledged between them.

Tide took a deep breath, wasting no time going into a cabinet and pulling out two mugs and a kettle. Mark sat silent as Tide clicked on the stove, setting the now full kettle onto the stovetop. Mark could hear his heart beat in his chest as he watched him stare at the kettle in silence.

Suddenly turning to face him Tide opened his mouth to speak “I’m really hurt, and conflicted. Part of me really wants you to tell me what I wanna hear and forget about it. The other part realizes that’s not right, and maybe is a sign we should stop being around each other.” He lingered on each of his sentences, in the small silence he could hear how Tide’s breath skipped. “All this to say I like you Wavelength. A lot, even after I probably shouldn’t. Though I’ve lost a lot of trust in you.” He frowned and as if perfectly timed the kettle went off. Tide covered his glum expression by turning to pour water into the mugs, fixing each of them with a teabag. “I don’t wanna be conflicted about this anymore.” He spoke plainly, handing off one of the mugs to Mark. “If you're truly here with good intentions, you’ll use this chance to fix that for me.”

Mark nodded, pulling the mug closer to his chest, feeling how it warmed his hands. “I- I wanna say first of all that i’m sorry, so fucking sorry. Tide I don’t believe any of that shit about using you and there was no reason I should’ve said it. You mean so much fucking more to me than what I can take from you. I’m sorry really fucking sorry, and as much I hate this goddamn island I needed to see you. I know you might not wanna fucking see me and I understand that. But I just needed to make sure you knew how much I fucking regret it.” Tide looked back at him and his rambling with wide eyes saying nothing in response. Fucking nothing, feeding the flames as he paniced further. He was going to turn him away, shit he- he needed to do something!

“Please believe me Tide, I know I fucked up but please. I was, I am so so fucking scared of liking you as much as I do. I know it’s not an excuse but I really really do mean it. I love you a lot Waterboy, I just fucking suck at it. I’m- I- Tide please just, say something.” he whined. He couldn’t help but feel a little bit ashamed of how hard he’s begging this man to forgive him. But if Tide keeps letting him babble apologies without saying anything he’ll go as long as it takes. 

—

A quiet end to something that shouldn’t have been in the first place, is what Tide initially expected when he pictured facing Mark. Though that wasn’t what was in front of him, looking into eyes more sunken than usual, his hair windswept with the faint smell of sea salt. It was apparent on the both of them that emotions were involved in a way that was never to be shown when they fought in the past. The heavy feeling they were breaking some sort of golden rule by letting the enemy know the power he had over you. Mark told him he loved him. And maybe foolishly Tide was right there with him, ready to bare his heart all over again. Between all of the emotions whirring around in his head, he had countless questions, a wound he was still nursing, and a growing hope. Maybe this wouldn’t end with them being strained acquaintances all over again. He really really didn’t want that, and judging by the look on Mark’s face he didn’t either.

“I- I don't really know what to say. I have a lot of questions.”

“I’ll answer all of ‘em.” Mark interrupted with a determination that made him fight a small smile.

Tide drew in a deep breath, asking the question that was running circles around him. “You said you love me?”

Mark cracked a smile, “Yeah I fucking love you.” There it was again, it almost made Tide mad how he said it like it was something obvious.

“It’s so easy now isn’t it?” he muttered, taking a long sip of his tea.

“You’re right, it should’ve gone completely fucking different at the Hall.” he offered.

“I just still can’t understand why you’d say that if you love me. Even if you were scared, scared doesn’t- you-” he paused, trying to collect the right thoughts through his sudden spike of anger. “ I accept your apology. I don’t want you to think I don’t, and I understand being scared! But I know you know how that hurts! Just because we don’t talk about it doesn’t mean I don’t know your history with these types of things. I just really want to trust you again. Know that next time you get scared you’ll tell me instead of try and upset me to run away from it! I would’ve done anything to make you feel comfortable, I still would. Just-” Tide trailed off, the upset too audible for him to comfortably lecture any longer. 

He watched Mark set down his barely touched tea. Hesitantly moving a bit closer he rested his hand on Tide’s arm, gently stroking it with his thumb. “I promise I won’t say fucked shit like that to you again, and I promise you really do mean more to me than what I can take from you. I’ll try to get my fucking shit together, I’ll really try Tide.” Not looking away for a moment as Mark spoke quietly between them.

“Thank you, that means a lot to me.” Tide gave a soft smile back. Gently setting his mug next to Mark’s and offering him a hug, with the same dopey grin. Things finally felt okay again, wrapping his arms around Mark’s waist as he melted into him. Listening to the calls of the amalgams right outside as they pulled each other closer in the silence.

…

“I’m scared.” Mark whispered.

“Hm? Why?” Tide pulled away just enough to see his face.

“I hate this fucking island Tide, really. They- they did this to me, they fucking” Mark pulled in a uneven breath.

“We can fix it, who did something to you? I promise nothing on this islan-”

“We can’t fucking fix it Tide!” he interjected, “It’s already done! This fucking facility was where those fucking monsters turned me into this!” He gestured to the scaled side of his face, full of worry.

“Oh!” Tide exclaimed, guiding Mark’s head back onto his shoulder as he held him a little tighter. “I promise WATCH and I removed anything that resembled what this place was. Okay? I’m sorry I wasn’t the one to walk you here.”

“Why are you apologizing?” Mark moped , “If I wasn’t such a dick to you, you would’ve.”

Tide shook his head, “Regardless.”

“Your so fucking nice to me, Waterboy. I really don’t deserve it.” he grumbled, still not bothering to pull away. He’s so fucking greedy, why can’t he just be here for Tide. He should be fussing over him still, not the other way around.

Tide rolled his eyes, “You’ve done plenty for me. You helped me through that panic attack at the Hall. You stayed late until the boys were there, you repowered me despite the trouble it could’ve landed you in.” He said cupping his cheeks, forcing him to look him in the eye. “You came here to apologize to me even though you hate it here, justifiably. I don’t think those are the actions of someone who doesn’t deserve it.” 

Stupidly pretty Waterboy always having nice fucking things to say and stupid fucking morals. He was supposed to hate him, this is how these types of things work. But no, the ever forgiving hero will continue to rub salt in his wounds by caring, even after he screws up. Mark grumbled a bit more, making Tide chuckle. “I love you too.” He murmured, Mark could feel the human part of face heat up as Tide looked at him with the same adoring smile he’d given him so many times before. A little embarrassed by how red he was probably getting he buried his head in Tide’s neck. Feeling the vibration of him continuing to giggle at him on his cheek.

“Shut up.”

“Only if you agree I’ve won the competition and that you owe me the $20.” Tide teased.

“Fine.” Mark huffed, Tide staying in his arms a bit longer. He missed being so close to him, it felt so nice no longer having to worry about what his feelings were telling him. Taking in the moment before pulling back. Seeing the same adoration still painted on Tide’s face made him melt even more. “Can I kiss you?” Mark blurted before any rational thought caught up to him. “Fuck sorry, we haven’t even talked about that part. I just assumed..” His ears burned red. 

“You can!” Tide beamed, cupping his cheek.

“Are you sure Waterboy? It ain’t on the list.” 

“I’m okay updating the list.” He nodded, cocking his head slightly as Mark leaned in to meet lips much softer than his own. Feeling how his facial hair lightly scratched against Tide’s, as he breathed in the soft smell of the ocean. Basking in the relief his heart felt after so long of this stupid mission messing with his heart, or worrying if Tide would even take him back. It felt like a weight had finally fucking lifted, letting his mind go blank as Tide smiled into him.

Chapter Text

It was evening by the time he got to Harattawa. As little as Mark wanted to stay any longer than he had to, Tide insisted he stay the night. It’d be early morning by the time he’d get home, and Tide seemed skeptical of his ability to get there safely in the dark. It wasn’t as hard of a sell as Mark wanted it to be, Tide’s promises of going back with him in the morning melted off most of the residual stubbornness. Besides he did feel much safer now that Tide was here with him. Though he wished the creatures outside would stop making such creepy fucking noises.

A warm plate of beef stroganoff was eventually set down in front of him. Tide continued to linger in view even when he finished eating before him, acting as if Mark would burst into tears if left alone for too long. It continued as Tide guided him through his nightly routine. It felt strange in a good way being in Tide’s room and bathroom, borrowing his clothes, making a spot for the toothbrush Tide had given him. 

He expected all of this would feel a lot heavier, staring down at the glint of his wedding ring. But he felt oddly at peace, sitting on Tide’s bed as he watched him putter around the room. It all felt so familiar yet so different at the same time. Filled with a sense of home despite being on this horrible island. 

The idea almost was scary, how he was finding purchase in someone else. Fighting against the habit to pull himself down into the familiar feeling of guilt and push away again. Mark wasn’t going to let himself wreak this, he loves Tide. It was unfair to hold it against himself when deep down he knew that she’d want him to move on. That she wouldn’t want him to mourn so much as to block himself from any other happiness life could give him.

Still Mark tried to tell Waterboy he’d be fine alone on the couch, but once again Tide was having none of it. He tried his best to play it cool, not completely melt in the face of Tide insisting he was welcome in his bed. Eventually his heart did settle, laying in the pitch black of his room as Waterboy happily cuddled up against him.

“Tide?” He whispered.

“Hm?”

“When this mission is all over, you say whether or not we correct the tabloids. Whatever the fuck you choose, I’m happy.”

Tide paused, long enough for Mark to wonder if he’d already fallen asleep. “Thank you. I- don’t think I would’ve been okay a lot of the time if it wasn’t for you. As much as I love how this turned out, it stirred up-” he took in an uneven breath. “It stirred up some really bad memories for me.”

“I’ll make fucking sure they keep their distance.” He promised wholeheartedly. Tide chuckled, pulling him closer to his chest. “I’m fucking serious you know?”

“I believe you.”

—

It’d been a quiet couple of weeks, both of them agreeing to not even tell the boys the news until later today. Even if they were already speculating on their own, most likely due to his son. Who had somehow seen right through them the moment he got back from Harattawa. 

Cuddled up on Mark’s couch they were watching some mindless movie that Tide had put on. Seemingly trying his best to outrun his nerves. Mark felt Tide fiddle with the buttons on his sleeve as his arms laid in his lap.

“Don’t be so fucking nervous Waterboy.” he said, suddenly breaking the silence.

“I’m not nervous.” he lied, Tide wasn’t getting any better at hiding something from him.

“Oh yeah?” Mark shifted, pulling up to rest his chin on Tide’s shoulder. “Why are you fidgeting so much then?” he asked before pressing a kiss to his jaw.

He sighed, dropping Mark’s arm back into his lap. “I really don’t know why I'm so nervous. I know they won’t judge.”

“But?”

“But what if they hate it?”

Mark chuckled, “That hasn’t ever stopped me.”

“Be serious.” he whined.

“They won’t hate it, they’ve been fucking livin’ with it for months. They're gonna tease us about it for weeks, but you already know that’s only out of love.”

“I know.” he mumbled, returning to fiddling with his sleeve.

“You’ll feel better when it's over. They love you Tide, don’t worry about it too much.” He spoke gently. It seemed to work a little as Mark could slowly feel him de-tense in his lap. Slipping back into comfortable silence.

Ring Ring Ring

Tide’s watch went off, startling them apart. “Hello?” He answered, using his plastic-ey hero tone to try and smooth over his flustered-ness.

“Hello Tide, Wavelength.” The voice of Wordsmith picked up through the watch’s speakers as the hologram settled into place. “I’ve come to deliver the news that you have officially been freed from your responsibilities on this mission, as the corrupt individuals have been dealt with. Thanks to your work infiltrating their banquet, distracting the public, and dealing with that monster. We have been able to take the proper actions needed to address the threat.” Wordsmith spoke, as if reading off a prompter. “Speaking of that monster, WATCH thanks you again for collecting the proper samples and delivering them in a timely manner. We were able to link it back to ACT.ON, much like we initially suspected as it was going after the unpowered.”

“The samples were all the Prime Defenders doing.” Tide smiled something proud.

“Well be sure to send them our thanks.”

“We will.” He nodded along.

Wordsmith moved on swiftly, the noises of paper shuffling off screen picking up through the microphone. “As you’ve been so cooperative, shall I send out the reports necessary to clarify the tabloid pieces?”

Mark looked over to Tide as the question was finished, giving him a warm smile. It didn’t matter as long as Tide was comfortable, he would play along. “No, I don’t think that will be necessary Wordsmith.” Tide finally spoke, Mark felt a warm feeling spread in his chest. His partner was facing his fear and he couldn’t be more fucking proud of him.

“Oh?” Wordsmith inquired but they both fell silent, unwilling to give WATCH or Wordsmith any inch they could squeeze another mile out of.

“Listen Wordsmith, we’re pretty fucking busy here so if that’s all?” Mark jumped in, eagerly ending the call before Wordsmith could fully attempt to squeeze more out of them after his goodbyes.

Mark gave a toothy grin as he pulled Tide closer to him once again. “Lets get this fucking watch off you, you won’t be needing it anymore.” Sliding his hand over to the buckle and unlatching it from Tide’s wrist with a smirk. Discarding the watch on the table in front of them with one hand as he massaged his wrist with the other. Tide beamed, taking his chance to peck Mark on the cheek while his head was turned. 

“Relieved?” Mark asked, settling back into their prior position.

Tide nodded. “You?”

“Yeah.”