Solace Ch.32

— Samantha Eve Wilkins (Atom Eve) —

The quiet sound of the breeze entering the room woke Eve up for the second time that morning. For a mere moment in time, Eve wondered where she was. The memories of what had happened the past two days filled her. Any sorrow she had from the remembrance of what her dad had done to her was utterly overshadowed by the memory of her first time with her boyfriend.

A crimson blush dusted her cheeks as she turned to her side under the sheets. The soft material briefly brushed against her naked breasts, sending a small hint of pleasure through her body.

Darius… he had been so rough.

All her life, Eve had known Darius as the calm, compassionate, and caring guy, and she knew he was still that… but when she had surrendered herself to him, he had turned into a beast.

Normally she didn’t like it when she saw a change in her boyfriend, mainly because any of those changes tended to remind her of his dad, a man she despised. Yet, last night was different. She liked that different side of Darius she hadn’t seen. He had dominated her and left her wanting more when morning came… though maybe going back for more wasn’t the right thing to do. It had left her incapacitated and she didn’t even know for how long.

The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs made her sit up and stare. The door clicked open and in walked her boyfriend who was wearing a black t-shirt. She knew for a fact he wasn’t wearing that yesterday.

“Good morning, sleeping beauty.” Darius grinned cockily as he walked over to her bed with a plastic bag in hand. His grin stirred something deep within Eve as he stopped in front of her and gave her a long, loving kiss. There was no tongue, and a part of her was thankful for that, she didn't feel like she was good enough with her tongue yet.

“Good morning.” She returned before looking down at the plastic bag. “Did you go somewhere?”

“Yeah.” Darius sat down. “I stopped by my house first because my dumbass tore up my shirt last night.”

The memory graced Eve and she found herself having to hold back laughter. Darius had tried to take his shirt off, but instead he had ripped the poor thing in half and tossed it aside like it meant nothing.

“Where did you get the bag?” Eve eyed the plastic bag he was playing with.

“A store,” he shrugged. “Here, take this.” He reached into the bag and pulled out a box. He handed it to her and Eve inspected it for a moment before her eyes widened.

“Plan B?” She raised a brow.

“What… Do you want a kid?” Darius tilted his head and the moment he said that, shock and fear filled her. She had been so carried away with their passion that she had forgotten about the consequences of sex.

“Do you think…” Eve trailed off and looked down at her belly. Could she have gotten pregnant so easily?

“I don’t know.” Darius admitted. “But it doesn't hurt to be sure.”

Eve nodded slowly and opened the box. Building a family with Darius was something she had dreamed about, long before they had even gotten together… but she wasn’t actually ready to be a mom. Not even close.

As Eve tried to access the pill, Darius’ phone rang. He pulled it out of his pants pocket and eyed it for a moment before letting out a drawn out sigh.

“Your parents?” She asked curiously.

“Titan.” He answered with a frown before picking it up. Eve stayed quiet and held her own disapproval in. She could go on and on about how she didn’t like helping criminals, but she had to admit there was a good reason why Darius was doing it.

“Yo.” Darius spoke and silence filled the room for a moment as he listened. “That’s what’s up, I knew he would come around. So tonight?” Again silence fell as Darius listened to Titan on the other line. “Great, see you then.”

Eve watched as Darius put an end to the call and pocketed his phone. A bad feeling swelled in her chest as she considered if she wanted to get in Darius’ business again. Ultimately she decided she would.

“What was that about?”

“Robot agreed to join us.” Darius smirked. “With the Teen Team, taking down this second-rate gang should be a piece of cake.”

Green eyes met brown as Eve’s expression grew conflicted. On one side, she wanted Darius to have as much help as possible, so taking down the La Familia Gang would be easier… on the other hand, she didn't want Darius near that girl.

Dupli-Kate’s mischievous smirk came to Eve’s mind and filled her chest with unease. Eve was already going through so much, so why the hell did another girl have to come in and threaten her relationship?!

“Is something wrong?” Darius raised a brow and Eve quickly shook her head.

“I’m fine, I just got lost in thought.” She deflected and Darius eyed her for a few seconds before he let it go.

“Shouldn’t you be at school?” Eve asked Darius suddenly. He shook his head and laid down on the bed.

“If you can skip, so can I, plus, I don’t really give a shit about school. I only go because you and the others are there.”

His words made her heart flutter. She knew Darius better than almost anyone, the only exception being Mark, and what she knew for a fact is that Darius doesn’t like school. He had always been incredibly smart, getting near perfect scores in each class, but he didn’t like to apply himself because he saw “no future” in it. To others, that wouldn’t make sense, but to her the reason was clear. Darius only wanted to be a hero. He had briefly expressed some interest in being a doctor in the past, but backed out of that pathway when he realized there were no shortcuts.

The fact that he continued to attend something he hated— solely because it let them spend more time together and with their friends too of course— warmed her heart, and set her mind at ease.

Dupli-Kate couldn’t possibly compare to the bond she and Darius have. She could try to take Darius, but now Eve understood that he was hers and hers alone.

A mischievous smile graced Eve’s lips as her eyes trailed over Darius' chest. Even through his shirt she could see the definition. and she leaned over her boyfriend. Eve crawled on top of her boyfriend and brushed her hair out of her eyes. Darius looked up at her with a raised brow as he laid beneath her. His eyes briefly drifted down to her naked breasts before returning back to her green eyes.

“Do you see something you like?” Darius asked with a curious smile.

“Yes I do~” Eve purred and placed a small kiss on her boyfriend’s lips before pulling back. “But I don’t think I can go another round.” She wondered if she could even walk right after last night and this morning. Darius really went hard, but even still, she knew he had still been holding back.

“Fair enough.” Darius let out a grunt as he sat back up and got to his feet. “We got the whole day to blow… got any ideas?”

Eve pondered for a moment before she shook her head. A date sounded nice, but a part of her still didn’t want to leave her mom’s house after what happened a couple nights before.

“Not really. I’ll probably just stay here and spend time with my mom.” Eve brushed her hair out of her face.

“That sounds nice, both of you could use a day off.” Darius nodded, pleased with her choice.

“What about you?”

Darius eyed her for a moment before he turned away and rubbed the back of his neck.

“I’m gonna visit Mark’s place.”

Eve raised a brow and Darius looked bothered for a moment before he sighed and looked at her.

“He seems upset about something. I called him yesterday and he hung up on me pretty fast. Then I called him again this morning and he denied it after a few rings.”

“That’s… not like Mark at all.” Eve frowned as her hand came to her chin in thought. “Do you know what could be bothering him?”

“I have no idea.” Darius shook his head. “But I’m going to his place and I’m going to talk to him.

“Sounds good.” Eve nodded. “Maybe I should go with you?”

“Nah, it’s fine. No offense to you, but Mark is more open when no girls are present.” Darius held his hand up and Eve took his words like a punch to the gut. She knew Mark wasn’t exactly the most social guy, and that he had his fair share of troubles when dealing with Bethany at first, but still… Eve and Mark had been friends for years! Surely his social awkwardness didn't apply to her! Then again… she hadn’t ever dealt with one of his issues.

“Alright, if you say so. Just tell me how things go.”

Darius’ lips tugged as he took a step forward and placed his hand on her chin, tilting her head up to him.

“I will. I love you, Eve.”

Before she could say anything back, Darius kissed her for the nth time, Eve leaned into the kiss, returning his passion. His tongue slipped in her mouth for a moment and wrestled her tongue before he pulled away with a playful grin.

“You’re an idiot.” She crossed her arms over the sheets covering her naked body as Darius laughed and made his way out of the room. “I love you too, idiot.”

Darius stopped for a moment and looked back at her with a content smile before he continued, closing the door behind him and leaving Eve alone.

Seconds turned to minutes as her eyes remained focused on the door. A sigh escaped her lips as she stood up and made her way to the bathroom.

As the hot shower water hit her delicate skin, her mind filled with thoughts of the impending conflict that would likely take place tonight. Regardless of her feelings concerning Titan and his operations, she wouldn’t leave Darius with people they barely knew, even if the Teen Team had a positive reputation.

Eve closed her eyes and held her head high, letting the water run through the roots of her hair and down her shapely body. She had made up her mind, tonight she would go with Darius and the Teen Team and put an end to the conflict.

— Mark Grayson —

The room was dark, barely illuminated by the little light that managed to shine through the blinded windows. On the bed laid a figure, drowned under his sheets and hidden from the world.

Mark had been like this since he had woken up. Unable to leave his bed, the only place he considered safe at the moment.

Since yesterday, his head had been a mess. Just the day before he had been happy to attend school and talk with his friends and girlfriend as usual, but when he had sat down and listened to his dad’s true feelings regarding his lack of powers, it broke him.

Mark had always wanted his powers, and after the day Darius got them, Mark had wanted them even more. As time passed, he had begun to wonder if they were ever going to awaken, if he’d be forced to sit on the sidelines and watch as Darius and Eve lived his dream.

Even though he felt so upset about not having them, he persisted, living life like it was only a matter of time, but his dad’s words had gotten to him this time.

He and his dad had never gotten into a serious argument, at least nothing like that. When Mark looked at him, he saw disappointment, and it hurt him, but it also made him wonder— Had Darius and Eve looked at him the same way?

They both had powers and went on patrols together, meanwhile Mark would be sitting in a room telling them where to go sometimes. Ever since they got together, there were times where they went dark sometimes, removing their earpieces for extended periods of time before putting them back on minutes later. Until now, Mark had thought they were just doing couple stuff, like flirting and kissing, which they probably wouldn’t want Mark to hear, but now, his mind ran to darker places…

Were they making fun of him? Laughing about his uselessness?

A huge part of him said no, but a small, nasty part of his mind wondered if Darius had never mocked Mark for having no powers.

Mark had known his best friend since they were small children. He knew Darius to be a cocky and competitive guy. His only difference from the jocks at their school was his unwillingness to poke fun at those weaker than him. That being said… Darius had talked trash about Mark in the past, all in the name of fun, and Mark had done the same. Could Darius have laughed behind his back about his weakness, all in the name of a good joke?

When Mark thought about it like that, he was almost certain he had, and that betrayal hurt. When Darius had called him, he had tried to end the calls as soon as possible, not knowing who to trust. If he couldn’t talk to Darius about this, then who could he talk to? No one, and for the time being, Mark was fine with wallowing away in his own self-hatred.

He wondered what had made him so different compared to Darius. His friend had been born a few months prior, and yet, it had been over two years since he got his powers. Their dads had said that they could develop their powers at any time, but Mark had hoped it would be around the same age…

*KNOCK*

Mark’s eyes twitched as the sound of someone knocking on his door filled his ears. He sat up and stared at it for a while before another knock sounded.

“Mark… I made you breakfast, I’ll leave it here, okay.” The voice of his mom sounded from outside the room and filled Mark’s heart with even more sadness.

He didn’t want his mom to feel bad or like she needed to help him, but he knew his mom too well. She wanted to see him back to his usual self, but Mark didn’t know if that could happen if things stayed like this.

Mark didn’t answer as he held his knees to his chest and eyed his bedsheets with a faraway gaze.

“Your friends are worried about you. Your girlfriend even called.”

Mark’s grip tightened as his eyes widened a bit. He had let all of Bethany’s calls ring, never picking them up because he didn’t want her to know how he was feeling. He didn’t want to face her… he didn’t think he could.

“Mark… your father didn’t mean it, you know that, don’t you? We love you very much, powers or not.”

Mark didn’t think his mom knew that those words only hurt him more. He knew them to be false… maybe not for her, but for his dad. Yesterday Mark wasn’t facing his dad, instead he was facing Omni-Man, a hero headstrong about his duty that wanted what was best for his home planet and Earth. If Mark couldn’t awaken his powers and fulfill his duty like his dad could, what use was he?

He remained silent and waited for his mom to go away. The sound of her retreating footsteps panged at his heart. A part of him wanted her to push the door open… to find the key and enter his room despite his self-isolation. He wanted to feel useful, to feel truly loved.

*KNOCK*

A knock sounded at Mark’s bedroom window, causing him to jump up with jittering legs. His eyes locked on his blinded window and he slowly walked toward it. He moved aside the blinds and blinked at the sight of his friend floating in the air with his arms crossed and a goofy smile.

Something had happened… of that Mark was certain.

Mark considered closing the blinds again but knew if he did that Darius would just go through the front door, and if he did that he would sooner pry Mark’s bedroom door from its hinges then let him sulk in his room alone.

Mark let out a long defeated sigh and opened the window, letting Darius float in.

“Took you long enough.” Darius laughed as he flew through the room and suddenly dropped onto his bed, making the springs scream as they caught his weight.

“Sorry… did you need something?” Mark frowned as he walked over to his bed and took a seat on the edge.

“Nah, not really. Just came to talk to you honestly.” Darius admitted as he placed his hands behind his bed and looked over at Mark. “Something wrong? We haven’t seen you in a while.”

“I-I’ve just been sick.” Mark lied slowly and Darius sat up and narrowed his eyes at his friend. Mark had never been a good liar.

“Dude… it’s me.” The black teen placed a hand on his chest. “Whatever’s up you can tell me. I’ll take it to the grave if that’s what you want.”

Mark paused for a moment and closed his eyes. He knew that the feelings weighed heavy on him but he still didn't want to share the burden with anyone else.

What if Darius had truly been laughing at him all this time? Would he laugh now? The thought of such a thing filled him with more anxiety and dread.

“Fine, don’t tell me.” Darius laid back down.

An uncomfortable silence filled the room as Mark waited for Darius to break it. After a minute, Darius flew up suddenly, catching Mark off guard. Darius flew over to the edge of the bed where Mark was sitting and took a seat beside him.

“If you won’t talk then I will.” Darius grinned. “Plus I had sex last night and I gotta tell someone.”

Mark’s eyes widened as he stared at Darius in shock.

“Y-You had sex with Eve?!”

“Crazy right?!” Darius crossed his arms and nodded proudly to himself.

“How did that happen?!”

“Dunno.” Darius scratched the back of his head. “I think my brain may be acting up… maybe if you told me what’s wrong I’d remember…”

“… Really?” Mark deadpanned.

“Really, now talk.”

Mark leaned forward and facepalmed. He really didn’t want to talk about his insecurity, but at the same time the knowledge that his two childhood friends had hooked up clawed at his mind.

At the end of the day he was a teenager, and teenagers crave drama.

Mark let out a long sigh and sat up. He stared off at the empty space in front of his bed, then his eyes drifted over to his desk on the right side of the room.

“It’s… my powers.” Mark lowered his head.

“They came in?!” Darius shot up. “Why is that a bad thing?!”

“The opposite.” Mark shook his head. “They still haven’t come in… and I’m wondering if they ever will.”

“That’s what you’re worried about?” Darius sat down and eyed Mark. The half Asian teen nodded.

Mark clenched his teeth as he felt a jab of pain hit his side. He turned and saw Darius staring at him with a raised brow.

“What the hell was that for?!”

“For being a dumbass. Dude… you’re a Viltrumite.” Darius reminded him. “You’ll get your powers. Maybe not today, maybe not in the next few months, but definitely one day.”

“You don’t know that!” Mark shot up with clenched fists.

“I do though.” Darius answered back with a half-hearted glare.

“No you don’t!” Mark doubled down as he felt his anger manifest. “All my life that’s all anyone’s said! “One day they’ll come.” You got your powers two years ago and I still have yet to get mine! When is one day Darius?!”

Darius stared at his friend with slightly widened eyes as Mark felt his anger cooling down.

“Mark…” Darius trailed off. He rose to his feet and placed a hand on Mark’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t believe it.”

Mark clenched his fists even tighter as Darius’ words began to slip their way through his anger.

“You’re Omni-Man’s son, you’re a Viltrumite, and most of all you’re my friend. You’ll get your powers… and when that day comes, I’ll be ready to guide you through the process. If you’ve lost faith in your biology… have faith in me.”

Mark met Darius’ gaze and saw the sincerity in his brown eyes.

“I…” Mark glanced at the ground.

“I’ll leave you to think about what I said. When you’re up to talk again, just call. I’ll tell you all about last night.” Darius patted Mark’s shoulder before stepping past him.

Mark turned to see Darius open the window again and fly out, leaving him alone in his room once more.

The black-haired teen stared at the open window for a long while, lost in the thoughts that waged war in his head. Eventually he stepped forward and closed the window before making his way back to his bed.

As Mark laid down Darius’ words replayed in his head.

He slowly pushed himself out of bed and walked over to his desk. His eyes were locked on a picture frame with a photo taken over a decade prior. A photo he had looked at every day since he was just a little kid.

He grabbed the photograph as his emptiness began to melt if only for a moment.

The photo was taken during the Christmas party the members of the Guardians had thrown for the families of heroes.

The same party Mark had met Darius.

Years of talking, hanging out, and trust had made them into the friends they are today. Mark knew Darius would die for him, and he knew he’d do the same for his best friend.

“If you’ve lost faith in your biology… have faith in me.” Darius’ words repeated once more in Mark’s mind and he realized the truth.

He had been an insecure asshole.

Darius was never the kind of guy to make fun of others… Why would he make fun of his best friend?

More than that Darius wasn’t the kind of guy to lie in such a serious situation. He wasn’t just telling Mark what he wanted to hear, he was telling Mark what he actually believed.

Mark stared at the younger Darius in the photo and smiled.

If everyone else in the world turned on him, Darius would have his back. So the least he could do was have some faith in his friend.

His powers would awaken one day, he just had to keep his head held high until that day comes.

— Chapter End —

Beta readers: @Dragonboy1, @Forzarismo

Author’s Note: This little gang war won’t last long, hopefully I can get it done by the end of the next chapter