[Deleted]

 

- TANK -

"I'll see you on the other side, drink in hand, smile on my lips."

"Over and under....theeere we go."

Finally taping the other side of her diaper, he grinned down at Em. Her mother was still in bed recovering, so he'd taken it upon himself to see to the crying child. After leaving her a glass of water, he'd pulled Em from the bed, grabbed a shirt from the drawer in his bedroom and pulled it on before cleaning and dressing the youngest member of their little band. Lifting her up from the couch, he grabbed the shirt and pulled it on over the struggling child. His voice was soft, but stern.

"Stand still."

The small girl looked up at him, wide eyed....but did as she was told. She was clearly a little started as he dressed her but he let her deal through that on her own, Aaron pulling on her pants right after and giving her tiny bottom a soft and quick pat. "Okay. Go nuts." She smiled and jumped forward, skipping in to the guest room where Aaron had left her mother. He'd plant a hand on his knee and push himself to his feet, walking into the kitchen to take some plates out of the cabinet and some bred from the small wheel cupboard down below. Putting hot water in the kettle and sticking it on the stove, he proceeded with taking out the various additions he'd need, and Aaron began fixing the three of them sandwhiches. Pickles, lettuce, tomato's, turkey meat- all the good shit, then put some potato chips on the side, the crunchy flakes a good addition. Moving over to the kitchen table, he set the plates there as the kettle whistled, the large male moving into the kitchen and taking it off the stove before-

"Food's ready!"

He'd call out, giving them both the opportunity to come in for the meal. He brought two cups of tea and a small glass of apple juice, using a knife to cut Em's sammich into smaller bites so she could handle it. He'd look over to the door, waiting for the pair to emerge, smirking.

'Good luck with the walk....'

JUNIER of GS + Adox

[Deleted]

Well, that was… unexpected.

Jules stretched out gingerly in the bed, unable to wipe the satisfied smile off her face if she’d even bothered to try. Aaron had left her to go and check on Em who’d been crying. As any parent would tell you, children had surprisingly specific cries depending on their needs. This particular need was most likely a rather stinky one and so she didn’t even pretend to protest as Aaron took it upon himself to go and sort her out. It meant Jules could stay curled happily in the sheets for a little while longer.

The happiness was tinted with a little concern – maybe his opinion of her had changed now after seeing how easily and unquestioningly she had followed his lead into the bedroom. They barely knew each other and yet, what little they had together, Jules didn’t want to ruin. She wasn’t even sure what it was she wanted, though her head was far too delightfully fuzzy to contemplate such things right now with any coherence.

Em suddenly burst into the room, freshly changed and looking ready to cause new mischief now she’d had a good nap. Grinning up at her from the side of the bed, she reached up with her arms and giggled as Jules hauled her up to subject her daughter to a fearsome barrage of kisses.

“Hello trouble-maker,” she said happily, allowing herself to indulge in the normalcy of the moment for a while. Em buried her face in hers for a second, then made a sudden barking noise and licked Jules from chin to forehead. “Oh no! Gross, gross!” she spluttered, rolling over to avoid Em’s ecstatic onslaught. What a great game, to cover mommy in saliva! Ho ho!

She was saved by the sound of a whistling kettle and Aaron’s call for food. Hey, if the guy was going to be making a habit of making her food while she lay in bed then she could definitely see herself sticking around. And for… other reasons too.

Jules rushed Em out while she hunted for a shirt to wear. She could have just put the dress back on, but she wanted to see Aaron’s face when she emerged in his clothing. She pulled it on – greatly amused at how over-sized it was on her. She found a pair of boxers to throw on as makeshift shorts in a half-arsed attempt at decency and then followed Em as she danced enthusiastically towards the door.

She caught Aaron’s smirk as she entered, looking away with a blush at his comment. “Stop it,” she chided. “Little ears are present.”

Em made a beeline for the sandwich while Jules settled down with the cup of tea Aaron had made for her, enjoying the warmth at her fingertips. The heat was particularly soothing against the wound on her palm – she’d almost forgotten it in the light of everything else that had happened, which she thought was pretty understandable. A lot had happened.

“I guess your dad’s still not back?” she asked, making a not-so-subtle attempt to change the topic. In her head, a little voice murmured, Not that I would have noticed. Great, now her own inner monologue was teasing her too.

@aaron | 538 words

LAIKA OF GS!

[Deleted]

 

- TANK -

"I'll see you on the other side, drink in hand, smile on my lips."

He cocked a brow, his eyes roaming over his form as a small wave of delight rolled up his chest. His smile showed teeth, the elder man clearly delighted at her choice of clothing-wear..

"Like she knows what I'm talking about."

He helped Em up to her seat as they all sat down. He felt a slight tingle in his stomach- the last time they tried to do this, it ended in explosions and deaths. To be able to make them a second one and try this again was much better. As he sat, he looked over at her as he picked up his own sandwich and would address the elephant in the room. "I'd like to go again." No, not that. He smirked. "On a date, I mean." He'd then take a bite of the sandwich, chewing as he watched her reaction. He didn't seem at all bothered that she had a child, nor did he care that she had no where to live. He was going to look after this one, who's life he'd helped saved and who's daughter he'd put to sleep and who had just shared a rather raucous romp in the sheets with him.

He shook his head.

"He'll be gone a while. Possibly all night-"

At that moment, however, he was cut off by the sound of the door opening, and jerking the knife from his belt and the gun from his waist he stood and spun, leveling the gun at- his grandfather! Aaron lowered the weaponry. One might think he over-reacted, but history was not something he repeated. His grandfather looked young, about twenty some odd years of age and handsome as the dickens. Aaron's father came in behind, and the man who'd made the food stepped aside as Geoff walked over, laughing and patting his grandson on the shoulder. "At ease, Soldier." He offered his hand to Jules.

"Why hello, lovely. You must be the stunner my son has told me all about."

Aaron was putting away the weapons as Em continued to chow down, mostly ignoring the adults save for looking between them with a merry excitement and a chin coated in mayo and cheese. Ben came up beside Geoff, and introduced them, hands in his pockets, as he knew Em was going to have....so many questions.

"Geoff, this is Julia and her daughter Emily. Julia, this is my father Geoffrey."

JUNIER of GS + Adox

[Deleted]

His broad smile made her feel shy and delighted at once. Suddenly Jules was very interested in examining the state of Dr. Hunt’s floor, the blush still clear on her cheeks. “Not the point,” she pouted, grinning all the same. A little banter between consenting adults was hardly going to traumatise her daughter – it paled especially in comparison to an attempted kidnapping. She also didn’t want to give Aaron too much satisfaction from his teasing but, unfortunately, she seemed to be failing in that endeavour.

Regrettably for Jules, Aaron wasn’t providing much opportunity for her to succeed, either. As they sat around the table – the parallel to their rather eventful breakfast unmissed by either of them – and tucked into the sandwiches he had prepared, he announced that he’d “like to go again.” Jules’ eyes widened and she nearly choked on her tea before registering the smirk and realising quickly what he’d meant by that.

“Oh!” She laughed softly at the obviousness of where her mind had gone. There went her moral high ground for acting innocent in front of her child- ah, screw it. “I really rocked your world that hard, huh?” Jules winked, giggles swiftly breaking her composure.

She shook her head. “God, sorry. I… yeah, that would be nice. Yeah!”

Just as Aaron began to elaborate on his father’s whereabouts, there was the click of the front door opening and both she and Aaron rose to their feet. The familiarity of the dining situation had obviously put them both ill at ease and Aaron’s immediate rush of action had her quickly on her feet as well. Aaron had been even more prepared for a threat, gun pointing firmly in the direction of the man who’d just entered. Jules froze, relaxing only slightly as Aaron lowered his weapon.

Ben followed through the front door which was reassuring; he didn’t seem remotely tense about this man’s presence in his home. Jules’ mind flickered from high alert to mild confusion. Who was this? Could he be trusted?

Then he was laughing and patting Aaron on the shoulder, and now he was offering his hand to her. She blinked at his words. Stunner? Son? He didn’t even look old enough to have a son old enough to be talking about stunners.

“Hi, I… I guess that’s me?”

She was acutely aware of the clothes she was wearing right now, filled with regret that she hadn’t opted for something rather less obvious at how the two of them had just been spending their time. The ice freckles were beginning to feel like a permanent fixture.

Ben arrived to put her out of her misery with a few swift introductions.

Not that things were entirely cleared up by any means. “You’re telling me this is- what?” She looked over at Em – as though the toddler had any sage advice – and slowly sat herself back at the table while she processed it. “Dude, Geoffrey, no offence, but you look… Has anyone ever told you that you look kinda young for your age?”

Slight understatement.

@aaron | 509 words

LAIKA OF GS!

[Deleted]

 

- TANK -

"I'll see you on the other side, drink in hand, smile on my lips."

He laughed.

"You were alright. I'm not the one who tapped out."

He cocked a brow. That's right, she knew. As his grandfather introduced himself, Aaron frowned and looked to his father, who had a brow cocked of his own, staring right at Aaron. She was wearing his clothes? She already showered and changed, and Ben doubted she just happened to be wearing the same shirt Aaron was wearing earlier. His son did nor seem miffed, however, simply shrugging and looking back to Jules who was obviously in complete shock about the situation. Geoff nodded, looking to Em and waggling a few fingers in hello. She simply raised a piece of her sandwich and shook it a little before shoving it full handed into her gaping maw.

"I haven't heard it before. Don't all 93 year olds look this way?"

He grinned, clearly giving her shit. Removing his jacket, he handed it off to Aaron (who scowled at being made into a human coat rack) and walked into the room. Jules' mind would probably go to the event, and she'd be forced to ask the question about how he could be so old. Rather than wait, he'd head her off, giving the answer before the question. "I was indeed born with my powers, just before the collapse of the stock market in the late 1920's." He turned back to her....and fell back into the cushy chair his son had been using to smoke in.

"And my son, Ben, was born with his abilities. As was my grandson, Aaron. All of us had powers before the event."

He'd kick the chair back and let out a groan, pleased at being able to stretch out his legs.

JUNIER of GS + Adox

[Deleted]

She folded her arms. You were alright. Huh, she’d show him.

Wait, would she? Jules shook the thoughts from her head. She needed to slow down and stop letting her impulsivity get her into situations that she would find rather hard to extract herself from later on. It was so hard to listen to the sensible voice in her brain, though, especially when Aaron kept giving her Looks™ and teasing her and asking her on dates. Under different circumstances, that voice would be entirely inaudible, but it was just present enough to instil a little caution.

A little, but not enough to stop her from giving him a simple wink in response. A wink that certainly seemed to be promising a next time after all.

Much like his son and grandson, Geoff seemed delighted by Emily’s company. Sometimes the kid was just too cute for her own good, but Jules was grateful for her ice-breaking talents. It gave Jules a full second to attempt to compose herself, which she failed at terribly, before Geoff acknowledged her question.

“Ninety-three? Get outta here!” she said in loud disbelief, before quickly slapping a hand over her mouth. Instead of saying anything else and potentially landing herself in an even deeper pit of disapproval, she just stared up at the incredibly youthful nonagenarian with the most apologetic look she could muster. His playful grin suggested he wouldn’t be taken too aback by her outburst, but she didn’t want him to think she was a total idiot.

She supposed old people had powers too. The Event had touched the whole population – a rather small number, but still enough for it to have affected those above the age of thirty. Not that people over thirty were old, Jules reminded herself. People who were ninety? Definitely old. A power was the only reasonable explanation for Geoff’s appearance, unless Dr. Hunt was a particularly excellent plastic surgeon.

Geoff quickly addressed her train of thought, however – perhaps it was so obvious as to be written across her forehead. Born with his powers? That was… a long time before 2017.

“You all did?” Jules looked at each man in turn, her eyes lingering on Aaron a little longer as she updated her mental notes on the man. A Hero comparatively recently in his lifetime, but someone whose powers had been established long before then. She guessed he had quite a few stories to tell. They probably all did.

“I didn’t… How? Was there another Event in, like, the Stone Age?” She couldn’t quite hold back from teasing Geoff. “Surely people would have known about powers before now. I mean, obviously not, ’cause you’re 93 and look like… that.”

Her eyes widened. “I mean that in a good way! Wait, no, like, I mean just not in a bad way.”

She blamed Aaron. She wouldn’t have been nearly so flustered had he not been so enticing and then so charming and teasing afterwards. Jules covered her cheeks with her hands and avoided all eye contact.

“I’m sorry, I swear I’m not usually like this.”

@aaron | 513 words

LAIKA OF GS!

[Deleted]

 

- TANK -

"I'll see you on the other side, drink in hand, smile on my lips."

"She lies. She's always like this. It's adorable."

Aaron winked, then hucked the jacket onto the floor next to the table. Geoff wasn't paying attention and thus didn't care, his son giving him a little nod to continue. They'd decided if this girl was going to be coming around, there were things she was going to hear things and be present for things that would require explaination. Best to fill her in now, instead of making her feel like they were conspiring in some way later. He sat up more in the chair, rolling his shoulders a little to explain.

"There's very limited information I'm...allowed to give you, for obvious reasons. But prior to the event, there was a very small portion of humanity that displayed powers. Today, they are considered some of the strongest of us. I'm one, as is my son. Aaron chose...a different path, as is his right but the basic gist is...we have sorta always been here."

He knew that was a lot to take in, and truly that was about the maximum he was able to give her. He couldn't go into detail about the family, he couldn't talk of their leaders and what they knew of the event. That would likely lead to his entire family getting erased, along with hers. At the thought, his eyes went to the child before coming back to her. Aaron moved around the table, getting a napkin and gently palming the back of Em's head as he would clean her face. She was staring at her mom but did a perfect job of squirming her head just a little, making the big mans job just a little bit harder. Ben would speak up at this point, knowing that Jules probably had more questions.

"Any more information than that, and you put yourself in more danger but...the reason Geoff is even here at all is because we were worried that those men were the ones coming to try and take your daughter."

JUNIER of GS + Adox

[Deleted]

The slight scowl was a gut instinct that didn’t quite take the time to consult Jules’ thought process, but once she had registered Aaron’s words it became tainted by a rather bemused smirk. There was an undeniable fondness to the way he was speaking which had her all wrapped up long before the wink came into play.

Neither Ben nor Geoff seemed remotely interested in concerning themselves with the light flirtation at play. She wondered idly if they were used to such things, but remembered quickly how awkward Aaron had seemed at the prospect of a reunion. Maybe it was less that they were used to his antics and more that they were just used to bypassing him altogether. It certainly wasn’t your typical family dynamic – but not wildly atypical either.

Jules did her best to look as alert and intelligent as possible as she listened to the information about the Families but it was easier said than done for somebody who’s head had been smacked around far more than was comfortable in the last 24 hours.

Still, she could follow the thread of it all. A small portion… a very small portion of the human population, she gathered, had been capable of superhuman feats before even this latest, superhero-triggering boom. There was a whole underground whole hinted at beneath his words that Jules knew better than to pry at, but that she wondered at all the same.

Maybe Aaron could be more easily persuaded to provide her with further details later on when they were alone.

She wasn’t entirely unsurprised by the revelation, even if it was mildly startling to hear it so blatantly stated. If anything, it was comforting to hear that now – in her moment of need – she was surrounded by people who had always known about this strange new world of powers she now inhabited.

She was just about to speak when Em, fresh from having her face cleaned, let out the gentlest of burps. Grateful for the few seconds of composure, she giggled before continuing with her response, eyes fixed on her charming young daughter for ease of communication.

“I… I really appreciate you trusting me with this information. You can trust me,” she added, looking each of the men in turn in the eye. “I’ve gotta ask… do we have any idea who those men were?”

None of them were getting close to touching her daughter again. Her suddenly fierce expression promised that much.

@aaron | 410 words

LAIKA OF GS!

[Deleted]

 

- TANK -

"I'll see you on the other side, drink in hand, smile on my lips."

Aaron set the wiping rag down, Em already going to work undoing the effort by smashing some more grub down her tiny gullet. He let her, standing to lean against the wall behind the chair and fold his arms, eyes on his grandfather as the older/younger man gave her the low down. He didn't need to give her all that background, but he was appreciative of it. Make things easier moving forward without having to keep the secret from her. He'd let Geoff respond despite knowing that even if the man did know, he'd probably not say. Best to keep them from being even more afraid than they already were.

"No, unfortunately. It could be an offshoot of the Family, though, or some other group like them that we never knew about. It would make sense- why the cops are so slow responding, why these attacks haven't been on the news. It would have to be someone with some serious money and power to avoid that stuff."

Geoff gave a sideways glance at Ben, who cleared his throat.

"But look, you're safe here. Even the Family we're a part of would hesitate to attack this place. Even if we didn't have powers, we're all former soldiers capable of-" He glanced at Em. "-of terrible things. Things that they'll hesitate to kick up. That's another reason I brought Geoff here. Best to have as much protection as you can get. If they see it's going to be a lot of trouble, maybe they'll take a hard pass on it."

Aaron sighed, and finally spoke up.

"To be honest, I doubt it. They just threw bodies at us. They didn't seem to care who we killed or who they had to step over. Not to...rain on your parade or nothing, but I-"

Geoff and Ben were glaring at him. Here they were, trying to reassure her, and Aaron came to take a big fat piss on it. Aaron blinked a couple times, then gave a little shrug. Turning to glance out the window. He was just a realist. How could she face what was coming if they lied about the true danger? He didn't want Em hurt. He didn't want Jules hurt. And if they were going to stay happy and healthy, they needed to be ready to fight. He continued, though onto a different topic.

"I think we should train. Fight together, and teach her how better to defend herself."

JUNIER of GS + Adox

[Deleted]

They weren’t exactly filling Jules with the greatest of confidence – their information just as limited as the amount Jules and Aaron had already surmised. Hopefully Sonnet could clue them in with further details once she’d had time to get to work (and, just as importantly, hopefully she would be able to provide Jules and Em with some clothes – not that she particularly minded wearing Aaron’s in the meantime).

She nodded slowly as Ben identified each of them as former soldiers. It explained quite a lot, particularly Aaron’s attitude as a Hero and how engrained that attitude appeared to be. For Jules, she came from a family of pretty peaceful individuals, and in turn she was now far more skilled in defensive combat than offensive – and rarely was she brutal with it.

Still, she wasn’t entirely convinced, pausing to consider his assurances. “Maybe-”

Aaron spoke simultaneously, voicing her own concerns. Ben and Geoff hadn’t been there in the apartment – hadn’t seen the hostility and the unchecked aggression of the assault. They hadn’t held back, even in the face of two pretty well-known Heroes – one of whom was beginning to be known for his ruthless approach on the field.

He was right to rain on the parade. Jules couldn’t afford to overlook the risks when her daughter was at the middle of this shit storm.

Ben and Geoff did not seem to appreciate the (technically) younger man’s words, but Jules joined Aaron in shrugging at them, offering them a grateful smile. They’d tried, at least.

She frowned a little at his next words.

“Hey, I defended myself and yourself just fine.” She fixed him with a glare for approximately two seconds before it broke, shaking it away with a rueful smile. “You’re right. We should train together. With strategy and ideas for back-up plans, ways we can work together better. But don’t act like I’m the weakest link,” Jules added, pouting a little. A layer of ice had begun to cover her arms as spoke, the armour subconsciously kicking in. She glanced down at it, blushing a little as she hurriedly melted it away.

@aaron | 352 words

LAIKA OF GS!

[Deleted]

 

- TANK -

"I'll see you on the other side, drink in hand, smile on my lips."

Aaron looked to Jules. He hadn't meant it like that- she'd killed a man who's strength was mountainous. He meant more hand to hand. If they were all soldiers able to fight without their powers, she needed to know the same. To be able to take care of business without having to let the world know her true identity. He glanced down at the armor, then cocked a brow. He'd never seen her do that before, even earlier, when he was using his belt to- shaking his head, he realized he had no time for that. Best to keep his mind on the conversation at hand.

"I didn't mean it that way- but your abilities manifest most physically. It would be easy to track you by monitoring body temperature, or by attacking an area you're in and looking for the cold spot. I merely meant that we should teach you how to fight without it, how to keep your body temp balanced under pressure and how to defend yourself against much bigger opponents without needing to put an icicle through their eye."

He stared back at her pout, a smooth and small smile coming to him before his eyes went to his father. Ben nodded, obviously in agreement with his son. Geoff groaned, leaning back in the chair. His grandfather was always the lazy ass of the family. The idea of more work just put him in a foul mood. He watched Ben moved to the door and head out to the car, retrieving a small bag from "JC Penny's" and coming back in. He brought it over to Jules and set it down on the chair next to her, blushing a little and scratching his head. This might be an awkward conversation, but unless she planned on staying in Aaron's shirt all day-

"I bought you some clothes."

Inside was a pair of sweats, some shorts, a tanktop, a T shirt and new shoes.

"I judged them from the size of the shoes you removed when you arrived....the others were a guess. I figured you...probably don't want to wear Aarons shirt the entire time you're here."

Aaron smirked, resisting the urge to say he would prefer that. His eyes said it for him, but for now he remained silent. The sound of light snores started issuing from his grandfathers form, causing his smile to fade and his eyes to roll. Em slapped the table with both hands, causing him to look down and notice that she was entirely finished with her meal, plate clean. He moved over and removed it, using a napkin to wipe what was left of the grub off her chin before she'd scoot down from the chair. Aaron took the plate into the kitchen and ran it under some hot water before setting it in the sink. He'd walk back out and look to Ben, who was standing proudly next to Jules and the pack of clothes he brought it.

Like a peacock.

Aaron would give a very small smile, leaning against the entryway and watching them. Despite what he'd said earlier, it felt peaceful here. Like returning to a fond memory. He'd leave them to it for the moment, not bringing up fighting and training again so as to let them just... be people for a little while.

JUNIER of GS + Adox

[Deleted]

It was relieving to see that Aaron didn’t think her (entirely, at least) as the weakest link of the bunch, and she could admit quite happily that he had a point. She’d demonstrated pretty clearly that her power wasn’t always under her conscious control and – though she wasn’t exactly under pressure of combat – she acknowledged with a firm nod that she could do with some further training. It was hard not to rely on the ability that had become her livelihood but she wasn’t totally useless without it, she hoped. Some refinement could only help.

She fixed him with a wry smile at his icicle comment. “I don’t do that a lot but, for the record, it was the big guy’s neck. Although… an eye-cicle attack would have been cool…” A beat of silence, followed immediately by Jules avoiding all eye contact and having the grace to at least look ashamed of herself.

Jules hadn’t missed that raised eyebrow as the ice had started to form on her skin. She wondered which track exactly his thoughts had taken when he’d noticed the armour taking shape – the shake of his head enough to make her smirk in understanding.

She was painfully aware of the man’s father’s and grandfather’s presence in the room, never mind her blissfully naïve toddler. Ben had gone out the door, returning with a bag and an odd look on his face filled with the same awkwardness she was trying to suppress in her own expression.

He pointed out, rather redundantly as she peered inside, that the bag contained some clothes. Jules looked up at him gratefully, the genuine appreciation melting away her awkwardness for a moment. “That’ll definitely tide me over til our friend,” there was a slight strangeness to the way she said it, not exactly sure she could call Sonnet a friend, “Hooks us up with more. This is great, thank you.”

Unfortunately, the awkwardness managed to pry its way back as Ben continued to speak. Was it really necessary to point out her current attire? Really?

She bit her lip, flustered. “I uh, no. No I do not. Thanks again dude.”

On the one hand, Jules was delighted to see the way Aaron cared for her daughter so happily and so easily. On the other, she was annoyed to have been robbed of the perfect excuse to leave the room for a moment and compose herself.

She re-directed attention to the clothes themselves, taking out each individual item and singing their praises as best she could. “These must have cost you guys a lot, right? I mean… I showed up in the finest of thrift store couture and now I’m rocking JC Penney.” She tried not to look too amused by the statement for fear of coming across ungrateful. “I’ll uh… go try it all on.”

Escape plan formulated and executed to perfection. She would be kind of sad to see the shirt go, but it wasn’t worth the awkwardness it was causing the older Hunt men. She caught Aaron’s eye as she headed to the bedroom with her spoils, amused to see him lingering in the entryway. She wondered at the surrealism of the moment to him – a sudden family reunion mixed up with an attempted kidnapping and an almost-stranger wandering around in his clothes.

She got the impression life was always a little like that for him. Certainly, at least, he took it in his stride.

@aaron | 574 words

LAIKA OF GS!