Chapter Text
We have a busy day of patrol today. We have to be extra vigilant because there have been rumors of a gang fight scheduled to happen sometime in broad daylight, which doesn’t make sense. But worst case scenario Hank will tell us what to do.
Know the worst case scenario is dying, before Hank joined the team that would’ve been.
Hank, or Groundhog Day, can relive the day he dies. Pretty morbid power, but I can’t believe how many times it has come in clutch. Sure, as team leader it gets uncomfortable to know he died today and has played it back, but at least in whatever timeline he forms for us to be a part of he doesn’t die in front of us.
Yes, I am trying so hard to find a positive outlook to his power, but can you blame me? I get concerned for the dude when he repeats what we say before we say it. That just means this day has happened too many times and I want to leave him at home and reduce trauma. But he’s always so insistent that it will prevent all of us from dying, so I just relent and bring him.
Searcher made breakfast and Shellshock is already here. I walk closer to catch sight of what he’s making and I start bouncing on my heels, “Yes, I love your dog biscuits.” Said two voices. A shiver went up my spine when I recognize the second one from behind.
Searcher blushed and said with his back turned. “It’s not my fault. I can make good biscuits and I just so happen to be a dog. You don’t have to specify you know.”
I couldn’t even come up with what to say back out of exasperation and dread for the fact that Hank just repeated what I said. “ What happened today?” I said to the tired, almost sickly looking guy behind me. He doesn’t get good sleep the day after he dies. He’s gotten used to it and can go three or four days without sleep, but the purple bags under his eyes refused to go away now.
“ if I tell you, it won’t happen.” he said exhausted like he had to say this seven times a day.
“ you realize as team captain I should know any information that will be beneficial to our next task, right?” I said with a hand on my hip, trying to choose between concerned and exasperated by hearing this every time he looks sleep deprived.
He took a long sip of his coffee and the sigh, scratching his oily black hair. “If the information is no longer valid after I say it, then it wouldn’t be beneficial to the mission now would it.” he walks to the weapon station and grabs his staff to go out the door. “Now come on if we get an early start to the station we can reduce the amount of times you get stabbed before the cops come.”
I am tired of being shocked and or disturbed by his comments. I run my hands down my face, tie an extra ribbon of luck and protection around a buntu knot, and go after him. “ Shelley, Search. Grab your masks. We’re going early. Please bag the doggie treats.”
Shell shock with a determined expression, took her domino mask and shell shield off the weapons rack and followed at a quick pace.
Searcher dragged his feet and exasperation. “ one of these days I’ll come up with a shape shifting or chameleon based joke to hold over your head to the end of time.” he tossed me a biscuit and grabbed his helmet off the weapons rack.
“If only you were that creative puppy.” I patted him on the head between his helmet’s ears as I reached past him for my domino mask.