Archive of Our Own

“Have you gotten rusty from your time away from fighting, birdie?” Hotguy teased, pulling back the string of his orange and cyan longbow.

“With constantly having to worry about saving your butt? Never.” Xelqua laughed playfully, a blast of concentrated redstone coming out of his dual pink and white pistols.

The two stood with their backs against each other, grinning in confidence as they looked over their shoulders. Xelqua’s wings were open and on full display, glossy hot-pink feathers gleaming in the night. Ever since the vigilante’s recovery, he had made a swift return to fighting on field again, ready for whatever threat faced him and Hotguy next.

Surrounding them this time were wither skeletons, their bones black, broken, and battered. Their seven foot height made someone tall like Hotguy look short in comparison. Releasing an arrow, it landed in the dark eye-socket of one's skull. Xelqua continued to take fire, shattering the ribcage of another wither skeleton.

“It looks like we’ve got an audience watching.” The vigilante hummed, while keeping focus of the targets at hand.

Hotguy quickly got a check of their surroundings, letting out a small sigh as he noticed the civilians were barricaded and a safe distance from the crossfire. The wither skeletons were targeting only them at the moment, which was a relief. Yet if they changed their interest, he and Xelqua were ready to adjust their strategy in heartbeat, as protecting innocents was their priority.

His green eyes widened from underneath his visor as he scanned the crowd, noticing a lack of Pearl. It was strange as she always seemed to be first to report on their fights with front seats and all. Judging from his slight frown, Xelqua too seemed let down from the clear lack of his favorite journalist.

“Watch out, Xelqua!” Hotguy shouted as a skeleton opened its jaw to pull out a pistol from its empty skull.

Turning his head, a bullet grazed past the avian’s cheek. It sliced the tips of a few pink feathers from his winged ear. A streak of black blood trickled from the cut as he reached to touch it, cat-like violet eyes burning in fury.

“They also have guns?! That’s new and totally unfair!” Breaking away from their stance, Xelqua started to rollerblade through the horde of wither skeletons.

He spun and weaved through the mobs, leaping over and sliding under sword strikes as he shot back in return. Some, Xelqua was able to sever the limbs and spines off by kicking their joints directly with his rollerblades, running over the bones for extra measure.

Reaching the skeleton that annoyed him in particular, he slid between its boney legs as it tried to swipe at him with the blade in its other hand. Before it could turn around, Xelqua made a rollerbladed kick to its knees, shattering them. As the skeleton took aim, the vigilante shot its elbow joint, causing the gunshot to go off towards the sky.

Xelqua froze as he felt an arrow fly past him. It pierced the neck of the wither skeleton he was fighting and decapitated it.

“Hey, that was supposed to be my kill!” Annoyed, he turned to Hotguy, feathers puffed out and hands on his hips.

“Sorry birdie, but you gotta act faster.” The hero innocently whistled.

With a flurry of arrows, redstone dust, rollerbladed kicks, and sword strikes, the skeletons eventually lay defeated. Little remained of them but broken bones and dust. As Hotguy walked around to confiscate their weapons, he noticed a dismantled bone arm still intact, curiously picking it up. As the fingers started to twitch, he let out a shriek as he dropped it.

“The famous Hotguy frightened by a single arm,” Xelqua laughed playfully.

Hotguy noticed the black blood on the vigilante’s cheek had reverted back to red, a sign of the withering effect wearing off. Similarly, the injuries he received had also done the same, while not initially realizing it. The cuts and gashes he received during the fight certainly hurt more than normal, but it was nothing as severe as the hit Xelqua took from the wither in the past.

The wither skeletons’ bullets and weapons must be coated with the same effect. All the more reason for Hotguy to confiscate their weapons, not only to give to his team of scientists to study, but to keep the danger away from the hands of the public.

The hero watched as Xelqua held up the black skull to the skeleton he beheaded with an arrow. The vigilante’s violet eyes met the empty sockets of the skull, staring apathetically. Xelqua threw the wither skull on the ground before cracking it under the weight of his rollerblade. After that Wither was summoned, Hotguy didn’t blame him in the slightest.

Once everything was cleared up, the barricades were finally released and the public flooded the area. The journalists were typically the first to the scene with their flashy cameras and microphones. As the two were surrounded, Hotguy gave a polite smile and wave, while Xelqua appeared disinterested.

Still no sight of Pearl anywhere, that probably explained his mood.

“Hawkeye, a few simple questions for you.” A young man in a blue suit with cyan hair and pointed ears held up a microphone, who Hotguy recognized as Pearl’s co-worker, Scott.

Just as he was about to open his mouth, there was a ring. The source of the sound came from Xelqua’s black uniform pocket as he took out a pink-flip phone, holding a winged ear to the speaker. Given the advanced technology in the Overcity, such a communication device was extremely dated. Yet it was perfect for someone like Xelqua, making it difficult to be tracked.

“Now really isn’t the time. I’m currently around people.” He whispered in a raspy tone into the phone. “You’re late anyways. Where are you?”

Opening his hot pink wings, Xelqua took off, leaving the crowd. As Hotguy answered Scott’s questions, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the vigilante slip into a secluded alleyway to continue his conversation. Xelqua talked quietly, but he was close enough to pick up on pieces.

“They were wither skeletons, and yes, I am okay. This wasn’t like last time.” He paced back and forth along the narrow alleyway. “I’m not going to take a longer break to recover. I’m okay really.” There was a pause as he listened to whoever was on the other end. “I know you don’t like it, but I’m doing this for us. You can’t stop me from fighting and that’s final.”

Hotguy observed as Xelqua shut the flip phone. The avian’s winged ears twitched in annoyance as he let out a deep sigh. Once calmed down, he flew away from the scene entirely, landing on top of a nearby skyscraper. The entire time, Hotguy was trying to piece together who Xelqua was even talking to.

“Is everything alright?” The hero snapped back to reality as Scott asked in concern.

“Of course, of course! Apologies, I zoned out for a minute there.” He replied with a cheery smile as he faced away from the alleyway, his thoughts lingering on the phone call the whole time.

Once the aftermath of the fight was settled, Hotguy met up with Xelqua at a designated rooftop. By the time he arrived, the vigilante was already sitting down, dangling his white and pink rollerblades off the side of the neon skyscraper. Hearing Hotguy land, his feather ears twitched as he turned over his shoulder to stare at him with wide, cat-like, violet eyes.

In the presence of Hotguy, Xelqua’s feathers had reverted to their natural color, resembling that of a scarlet macaw. The hero sat behind him as he ran his hands through the colorful gradient wings, checking for any damaged plumage.

They had both come a long way from their first meeting. Not that long ago, Hotguy couldn’t imagine Xelqua letting him get this close to his wings, let alone touch them with how protective the vigilante was. Yet here they were in the present, preening his wings after Xelqua showed him their true form.

“How do they look? Nothing bad I hope. You know with wither skeletons and that one time…” The vigilante asked, too nervous to look for himself.

Hotguy held up a bent green feather, which caused Xelqua to let out a sigh of relief upon realizing it wasn’t black. While it has been some time, the Wither incident was still fresh in both of their minds, the skeletons tonight being a reminder of it. Their argument that evening ended with Hotguy almost losing Xelqua, traumatizing him more than he’d like to admit.

They were both similar in a sense, acting tougher than they were for the sake of not worrying others.

Noticing Xelqua’s discomfort, he decided to change the subject. “After our battle I saw you on the phone with someone. Was it Mumbo?”

“No, actually it was my sister.”

“You have a sister?!” Hotguy appeared astonished by him saying this.

Xelqua laughed at the way his voice went high-pitched, smiling as he held up two fingers. “I have two actually, but I didn’t know that until later in life. Growing up, it was my one sister, brother and I.”

“So, did you guys all hatch out of eggs at the same time?” Hotguy’s face lit up at the thought of a fledgling Xelqua and how adorable he must’ve been, not that the current one wasn’t cute too.

“What? No… I may be more closely related to dinosaurs than you humans, but we’re born the same way most mammals are. Our kind are born without wings that sprout early in our youth.” He explained before playfully poking Hotguy’s chest. “What about you, old guy? Do you have any siblings?”

“Nope, I’m an only child.” He admitted, his thoughts immediately jumping to Cub. “Though, I do have a close friend that’s like a brother to me.”

“What is he like? Not as annoying as you, I hope.” Xelqua teased, his winged ears perking up in curiosity.

“No, not at all. He is way more serious than I, not somebody you want to get on the bad side of. But he is super smart and so, so creative. It seems like there’s always a new idea or project he’s working on. There’s never a dull moment with him. He’s just an amazing person to be around.” Hotguy couldn’t help but brightly smile as he talked about him, having to restrain from saying more or else they’d be here all night.

The entire time Xelqua leaned over to listen, his rollerbladed feet kicking with excitement. “It sounds like he’s someone that you have a lot of respect for. You’ll have to introduce me to him one day.”

“He’s pretty busy these days, especially with everything going on, but maybe if the chance comes around. Now, tell me about your siblings.”

“Fine, but only because you told me about your friend.” The vigilante let out an annoyed huff.

With how secretive he was, Hotguy was content to get Xelqua to open up about anything, even if it was by only a little. Not to say he didn’t have plenty of secrets of his own too, which he did, having a hidden identity too. While it’s still a process, Hotguy was pleased to see the vigilante become more trusting of him.

He couldn’t help but wonder what Xelqua’s siblings were like, having a bunch of questions he held back on. He wondered if they were avians too, and if so, if their wings were the same scarlet macaw ones as his vigilante partner’s and if they could change theirs too. More importantly, Hotguy wondered if they were also victims of the Watchers.

“Well, I have one older sister. I didn’t know about her existence until my senior year of college, so I don’t know her as well. As for my other siblings, they’re a lot less work than me, but sometimes it was difficult to get them to agree on things. One absolutely hates eating fish, the other could have it for every meal. My brother is a huge cat person, while my sister is more into dogs.”

“Obviously your brother is right. Cats are better.” Judging by the way he saw Xelqua behave around cats, Hotguy knew he thought the same.

“Trust me, he doesn’t need that boost to his ego. If he found out that Hotguy agreed with him, he’d never let our sister live it down.” The avian brushed his thumb over his bullet-grazed cheek, violet eyes gleaming in the night. “One thing that they can all agree on is that they hate me being out here, even if I’m doing it for them.”

“And all this time I thought you were a lone orphan like myself.”

Hotguy thought back to the night he first met the vigilante on a rooftop, much like the one they were on now. He mentioned that there were people who needed him. Back then, Hotguy assumed it was in a broader sense as in civilians and hybrids needing his protection, not that it wasn’t also true. Xelqua’s comment took on a new context now that Hotguy knew he was a brother.

“Well, you’d be wrong because both of my parents were alive last I checked, for better or for worse.” Xelqua gazed out at the neon cityscape with his wings slumped and a look of sorrow. “With me being out here and all, I’m not allowed to be open about my relationship with my siblings as a civilian. We all act as friends and go by different last names. I’d never forgive myself if I got caught and they were guilty by association.”

“I know you said your other sister is the eldest, but are you the oldest out of your other siblings?”

“How did you know?” His violet eyes widened as his mouth opened, taken aback.

“Lucky guess.” Hotguy giggled in response to his reaction. “In truth, I had a feeling. You give off the same eldest child vibes as my friend.”

“For all I knew you I could’ve been a middle or youngest child!” Xelqua defensively puffed out the scarlet feathers on his wings and ears, getting another laugh out of Hotguy.

“Now I know that isn’t the case as you just confirmed it yourself.”

“Fine, you got me there. You wanted to learn more about my family, and now you did. Are you happy now?” He admitted defeat to an amused Hotguy, who happily nodded in response. Seeing the hero smile softened Xelqua’s expression. “I’m glad then.”

Closing his eyes, hot pink started to appear at the base of Xelqua’s wings. The effect descended from the scarlet red feathers all the way down the gradient until they changed the cerulean blue tips. Standing up, Xelqua fully opened his glossy pink wings that shimmered under the moonlight.

Xelqua winked a purple eye at Hotguy before falling forward off the skyscraper as he rollerbladed down the side. The tricks he added that would be caught on camera, Hotguy was certain was to show off to him.

Landing safely, the vigilante mingled with the still large crowd. Even from such a distance, Hotguy was able to easily make out Xelqua, bright pink standing out above all else. He ignored the flashing cameras and microphones, seeking out a single among a sea of many.

There stood Pearl, who wasn’t present before. She was clad in a navy blue suit as a silver crescent moon hair clip hung in her brunette and blonde streaked hair. Hotguy’s gaze narrowed from beneath the visor as Xelqua reached out to shake her hand, ready to answer her every question.

For someone who hated reporters, it made Hotguy wonder what made Pearl different in Xelqua’s eyes.

The Shadowbeans Cafe was Grian’s go to place when it came to grading papers. Not only was it located nearby the university he worked at, which brought in a lot of traction. It just so happened to also be owned by his step-sister.

Lizzie and Joel were busy tending to orders. The television blared in the background of the customer’s loud chatting, displaying a recent interview of Hotguy. Grian could only roll his eyes at the sight as he sat by a secluded window seat, thankful they weren’t showing any moments of Xelqua.

People were so invested in finding the identity of Xelqua. Yet here he was, a normal citizen at a cafe, living a completely ordinary life under their noses.

While grading papers, his younger brother Jimmy sat across from him. His hair was a shade of blond lighter than his own. Jimmy’s mismatched blue and brown eyes lit up and he talked about his topic of interest. Not entirely paying attention, Grian idly nodded along, grateful for his company.

He would’ve invited Pearl too, but she was busy with reporting and writing articles. The Shadowbeans Cafe could barely handle three siblings and Joel. All four of them together would certainly be quite a scene.

“Vanilla frappuccino for Solidarity, and a cup of coffee for Grian!” Lizzie set two terracotta mugs on the table.

As Jimmy wasted no time in drinking his order, Grian glanced up at her in confusion. “Thanks, but I didn’t order anything.”

“It’s on the house. I know how hard you’ve been working lately.” She slyly winked.

He stared down at his own reflection in the dark, brown liquid that slightly rippled as people walked by. “That’s kind of you, Lizzie, but I can’t have coffee, remember?”

“Oh right, I’m sorry!” She put her hand over her mouth as she remembered the deal with avians and caffeine. An understandable misconception from her as Jimmy could due to being half-human. “I’ll make you something else then.”

As Lizzie ran behind the counter, Joel complained as he was making an order. “I get that we’re going for a theme, but is the headband really necessary?”

“As the owner of this cafe and your wife, I get to make the rules around here. I think the ogre horns look very adorable on you.” Lizzie straightened her own calico cat ear headband before leaning over to kiss Joel on the cheek. “Maybe if we convince Jimmy to work for us, we can make him our official mascot.”

“Say what now?” His younger brother perked up at the mention of his name. If it weren’t for the fact they were currently hidden by magic, they would’ve seen his blue and yellow winged ears flicker.

Jimmy was the child of Grian’s avian father and Lizzie’s human mother. That made him their half brother, with Pearl being Grian’s only full sibling. With Jimmy growing up with them in the Undercity, and Lizzie in the Overcity, they were unaware of the other’s existence until meeting as adults, and have been inseparable since.

“There’s no way I’m quitting my job to become a furry.”

“Not even part time?” Joel teased.

“Relax, Jimmy. You don’t have to become a furry, unless you want to.” Lizzie giggled playfully at her younger brother. “You still have that cowboy costume I made for you that you never used, remember?”

When Lizzie found out that the last time Grian and his siblings celebrated Halloween was when Jimmy was five, she decided she needed to rectify that. She went through all the effort of helping Jimmy put together a costume and holding a party at the cafe, only for it to fall apart at the last minute.

Halloween was more of a human holiday, not exactly celebrated in the Undercity. It wasn’t the ideal place to go trick or treating. That wasn’t helped by the fact that the closest they had to a costume back then were the robes of the feared Watchers.

“Well, it’s not my fault Joel caught the flu the day before the party.”

“Shut up, Jimmy! It’s not my fault either as I got it from a customer!” Joel retaliated before suddenly remembering something. “Speaking of costumes, Lizzie and I have been working on something we’ve been meaning to show you.”

The couple led the two brothers to an undecorated corner of the cafe. There was nothing there besides an empty table and cardboard box, which were used to cover the remnants of Joel’s rollerblade incident. Lizzie nodded, beckoning for Grian to open the box.

Slowly, he lifted the cardboard flaps, brown eyes widened as he was met with black and pink. Inside the box was a collection of various Xelqua merchandise. Grian pulled out a single black hoodie with pink sleeves, ribbons and heart patterns to show them.

“A hoodie?” Jimmy said.

“Not just any hoodie, a Cuteguy hoodie!” Joel corrected him.

“His name is Xelqua, not Cuteguy.” Grian said in annoyance, forever hating the nickname Pearl’s co-worker created for him that the media stuck with.

“Potato, potatoe, tomato, tomatoe. Honestly, who cares?” Joel rolled his eyes. “What matters is that this is going to make the cafe a profit. I would’ve made Hotguy merch too, but he already has an official copyrighted line.”

“It’s great knowing what our taxpayer money is going into…” Grian was now tempted to punch Hotguy the next time he saw him.

“I remember you two talking about wanting to do something like this.” Jimmy turned away from the couple before giving Grian a look that was up to no good. “I think Grian should be the first one put on the hoodie.”

He took back his previous statement. Hotguy could wait as his younger brother was currently more of a nuisance. Though, Grian supposed that was a consequence of raising Jimmy as he was bound to pick up on some of his own mischievous mannerism.

His wings twitched nervously from underneath their binding as his brown eyes darted around the cafe. He let out a sigh of relief as there weren’t many people around. Still too many people for Grian liking that could possibly make the connection and expose his identity.

“You know what that means right?” He pulled his brother over to whisper.

“That’s a great idea! Come on, Grian, try it on for us!” Lizzie agreed, completely aware of the implications.

Lizzie was not a Wynn by blood or even by marriage, Grian still considered her his sister. Therefore, she deserved to be told the truth about Xelqua. It ended up going something more like Lizzie figuring it out herself, and Jimmy confirming her suspicions. Her husband Joel was a different story.

“You’re the one who suggested it, Tim. Why don’t you try it on?” Grian said to Jimmy through clenched teeth.

“It’s not my size. The sleeves would be too short on me.”

Grian cursed their father for a lot of things. The fact that man blessed his blood siblings with his height and perfect vision while he didn’t was one of them. There was only one hoodie and it was conveniently his size. He was certain his siblings were conspiring against him yet again.

He wished Pearl were here right now to defend him. Yet knowing her, there was a chance she was already in on this to begin with.

“Why don’t you do it, Lizzie? Pink is your favorite color.” He tried to maintain a forced smile.

“I would, but pink isn’t my color.” Grian glared directly at her dyed pink hair unamused. “–I meant to say black! Black is not my color!”

Realizing there was no dissuading them, Grian begrudgingly put the hoodie on. Slipping it over his binded wings and red sweater, he pulled his arms through the pink sleeves. He held out his hands with a scowling expression, as if asking his siblings if they were happy now. The entire time, Lizzie and Jimmy stifled their laughs, while Joel remained completely dumbfounded.

“Do you noticed anything about it, Joel? Particularly about Grian wearing it?” Jimmy asked his brother in law.

“I don’t understand what I am supposed to see. Can you guys give me a hint?”

“No, you have to figure this out yourself.” Lizzie shook her head insistently.

Since she figured out Xelqua’s identity on her own, she thought it was only fair that her husband did the same, despite Jimmy suggesting they straight up just tell him. It was a funny idea at the time, but none of them expected Joel to take this long. Their hints weren’t even that subtle. Now more than ever, Grian really wished they’d just listened to Jimmy.

“Grian, take your glasses off. That might help.”

Before his sister could snatch them away from him, Grian put them in the hoodies’ pocket. He stared back at Joel with dark brown, not purple, eyes. Despite the differing colors, the resemblance between him and Xelqua was still uncanny.

Unlike most of the population, which he hid his wings from, Joel was family. Therefore, he had the advantage of knowing Grian was an avian. He should've had an easier time figuring it out than most, yet here they were.

“I still don’t get what I am looking for here.” Joel turned to them in utter confusion.

“Joel, I think you might be the densest person on the planet.”

“Shut up, Jimmy! I’m not dense, you are!”

“Well, hello there.”

Hearing Scar’s voice, Grian felt his chest tighten, wings tense up and his breathing become unsteady. He took off the Cuteguy hoodie as fast as possible. Having people figure out his identity was one thing, but his crush seeing him dressed like this was something else entirely. Scar couldn’t help but giggle at the sight of him straightening his red sweater, fixing his blond hair and glasses, which caused Grian to blush.

“Lizzie and I are planning on making some Cuteguy merch. Nobody else had it, so I thought we could make some for ourselves to raise funds for the cafe. Grian just happens to be modeling our first hoodie.” Joel casually explained.

“I wanted to stop in to say hello, but now I’m let down that I couldn’t see the hoodie in action.” Scar approached Grian with a cheerful smile. “So, do you like Xelqua too?”

“No, I actually kind of hate him. I only wore the hoodie because they made me.” He glanced downwards to hide his red face, pointing to his sibling who laughed in the background.

In a spur of the moment, Grian said to avoid raising suspicion of his secret identity. It had slipped his mind entirely that Scar was a huge fan of Xelqua, who appeared saddened by his false opinion. Seeing the way his lips parted and green eyes appearing downcast filled Grian with instant regret.

“Well, I think he’s pretty cool.” Lizzie complimented his other self as Jimmy nodded along in agreement.

“What are your thoughts on Hotguy?” Scar asked him with genuine curiosity.

“It’s complicated…”

Back then, Grian could have answered that question without hesitation. Hotguy willingly worked for the mayor, a man who continued to keep hybrids trapped in the Undercity. It was because of people like him that he and his blood siblings had to hide their wings to this day. Back then, he resented Hotguy and everything he stood for. As the two started to work together, and he got to know Hotguy better, Grian wasn’t so sure anymore.

He didn’t understand why any of that mattered to Scar.

“That’s unfortunate because I actually work for him.”

“Huh?!” Grian stammered, taken aback entirely by this revelation. “—But you’re an art professor! We work together! How could you be working for Hotguy?! You’re not designing his weapons, are you?”

“No, no, nothing of the sort!” Scar quickly dismissed that notion. “I could never do anything as advanced as his amazing team of scientists. I designed his merch line on the side, that’s all.”

Grian was relieved to learn at least Scar wasn’t actively putting himself in active danger, unlike a lot of jobs in that field. Though, it made him wonder what it was like for him to be working under Hotguy and hoped he treated Scar well. Grian would have it out for the hero if he found out otherwise, but mistreating someone did sound out of character for Hotguy.

If their taxpayer dollars were going into his merch, Grian at least hoped Scar got paid decently.

It was as if Scar was able to read his mind by expression alone. “Most of the profits raised are actually donated to charity, mostly children’s hospitals. Hotguy has a soft spot for kids in places like that.”

“Scar, since we are friends and you work for Hotguy, do you think it’s possible to ask him if we could sell his merch here?” Joel asked.

“Of course, I’ll put in a word with the man himself. I have a good feeling that he will say yes.” He happily agreed before turning to Grian. “If you do end up selling those Xelqua hoodies, I’d very much like to buy one in my size.”

“We sure did a number on those guys.” Putting his longbow away, Hotguy looked out at monster remains scattered throughout the scene.

“We sure did.” Xelqua ran over the neck of a zombie as he rollerbladed towards the hero.

Feeling a sharp pain in his leg, Hotguy let out a pained grunt as he was forced to take a knee. As a few drops of blood hit the pavement, Xelqua helped him up, finding somewhere nearby for him to sit. Hotguy took out a roll of bandages he always had at the ready. As he rolled up his pant leg, Xelqua stopped him, stubbornly insisting he took care of it while Hotguy relaxed.

“You’re such a klutz. It’s honestly a miracle you’re still around and have lasted all these years fighting alone.” He remarked as wrapped around the hero’s mechanical limbs.

“I was never alone. I have my team, remember?” Hotguy reminded him, green eyes fixating on the vigilante’s wings and rollerblades. “Besides, not all of us can have your amazing balancing skills like you, birdie. That makes me wonder, where did you learn to skate? I don’t think they have skate shops or rinks in the Undercity.”

“Somebody from the Overcity taught me as a kid. She’s not around anymore, and hasn’t been for a long time.” The person Xelqua thanked for that was Lizzie and Jimmy’s mother.

Hearing that caused Hotguy to take on a quieter tone, fearing he brought up a sensitive topic. “Oh, I’m sorry for your loss. Were you two close?”

“No, not really.” Xelqua shrugged dully.

Most of Grian's memories with her involved him and Pearl watching as she doted on her own son, not sparing them a second glance. Though, there was this one time they were out alone, searching through trash that found its way into the Undercity when they came across a pair of rollerblades conveniently Grian’s size.

Having missed skating from her life on the surface, Jimmy’s mother offered to teach him. Grian still remembered as he held her hands when still getting used to standing with them on. It was one of the rare moments he saw her smile when not in the presence of her son. He supposed they were somewhat similar in that sense.

Grian remembered being disappointed when he inevitably outgrew them. Once he got enough money after moving to the Overcity as a young teen, the first thing he bought was a new pair of rollerblades for himself. Although their relationship was strained, he still thought of her while skating, knowing she partly shaped a role in Xelqua’s identity.

As Hotguy attempted to stand, the mechanical attachments to his legs started to spark. “That fight busted them up more than I thought. I don’t think I can walk back like this.” Sitting back down, he scrolled through his communicator. “I’m going to have to call one of my guys to pick me up. It’s okay if you go, you probably have more important things to do than wait around for me.”

“What kind of partner would I be if I left you behind?” Hearing Xelqua refer to him as such caused the hero to smile softly. “I don’t mind flying you back to your headquarters.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden to you.” Hearing Hotguy sound less confident and more sincere caused Xelqua’s cat-like pupils to dilate, reminding him of his civilian crush in the moment.

Though, he quickly dismissed the notion as ridiculous at best, holding out a hand to help him up. “You aren’t a burden to me, Hotguy.”

Wrapping an arm around Xelqua’s neck, his fingers brushed against the vigilante’s pink feathers as he was picked up. “Do you know the way to HQ?”

“That flashy building that is way too big for its own good that I pass too many times? I wish I could forget it.” He rolled his violet eyes before taking to the sky.

The two soared above the illuminated neon city streets, flying past all the condensed traffic below at this late hour. The entire time Hotguy leaned his head on Xelqua’s chest, joyfully laughing. The avian didn’t understand his thrill with Hotguy having flown many times with his own elytra. Perhaps he was enjoying himself too much, putting way too much faith in not being dropped in Xelqua’s opinion.

Landing in front of a white skyscraper with accents of cyan and orange, Xelqua set Hotguy down, who kept an arm wrapped around his shoulder. Normally, he would’ve tried flying through a window, except he had no idea what floor they were going to, let alone knew anybody working there that would let him in. Even if he did, Xelqua didn’t want to risk accidentally crashing into glass with Hotguy.

That left him with only one option, go through the front entrance and brace for whatever social interaction was to come.

He was at least thankful this place had a ramp installed for accessibility, as walking up stairs with rollerblades and assisting someone would’ve been a pain. Still, it took longer than Xelqua would’ve preferred, with Hotguy having to hop on one foot the entire trip. With automatic white, glass doors opening, they entered the lobby. The receptionist running the front desk’s eyes widened at the sight of both Hotguy and Xelqua inside.

“What are you staring at?” Xelqua hurried them along as the hero gave them a polite wave, leaving them to question everything.

Hotguy pointed him in the direction of the elevator. Along the way, Xelqua caught a glimpse of the store. There was various merchandise such as Hotguy action figures, fake bows, themed clothes, and so much more. Yet Xelqua found himself staring at the calendars that depicted Hotguy’s toned shirtless figure, a deep red blush forming.

“Birdie, is everything alright?” Hotguy asked, snapping him out of his trance.

“Absolutely perfect!” Still flustered, he quickly rushed them to the elevator.

A button on a large panel lit up as Hotguy pressed it, making Xelqua wonder what even happened on all of these floors. On the ride up, the two stood in silence, the avian’s cheeks still red. The only noise that filled the vacant void being the peppy elevator music that sounded like something Xelqua would play when putting someone on hold.

Bored and with still many floors to go, Xelqua recalled how Hotguy made the button light up when selecting a floor. He was now filled with an urge to press them all, and illuminate the entire panel. Seeing his index finger hover over a button, Hotguy raised an eyebrow, causing Xelqua to rescind it.

“Sorry, I got a little carried away back there.” Normally, he would’ve loved to press them all, especially to torment Hotguy, but remembered they had places to be.

After arriving at the designated floor, Hotguy entered a string of numbers and unlocked a metallic door. Xelqua’s violet eyes widened as he took in the sight of a laboratory, failing to notice someone working at this hour. Staring through a microscope stood a blond man in a white lab coat. Beside him was a pile of black bones, some grounded into fine dust.

“Zedaph, a little help here!” The hero shouted.

“Hotguy! Don’t worry, I got you!” The scientist took off his gloves and goggles, pulling over a chair for Hotguy to sit down on.

“Why do I have a feeling this is far from the first time this has happened?” Xelqua commented, observing this happen in record time.

Following the new voice, Zedaph’s amethyst eyes sparkled as he found himself staring at Xelqua. As if forgetting about Hotguy’s existence entirely, “I finally get to meet an avian in person!” He slowly reached out a hand to touch his wings, to which Xelqua stepped back. “Apologies, I totally forgot that avians only allow a select few to touch their wings, primarily family and–”

“It looked like somebody did their research!” Xelqua was quick to hush him, letting out a sigh of relief as Hotguy appeared oblivious.

“How come you were nicer towards him versus when I first tried touching your wings?” Hotguy rubbed his cheek, still remembering the spot where he was struck from their first meeting.

“Maybe because he seems a lot more polite than you?”

“Hey, I’m very polite!”

Zedaph blinked slowly as he stood between their stare-off, taking a moment for everything to finally click. “How didn’t I realize it sooner? You’re Xelqua! It’s an honor to get to meet you! I was never expecting you to stop by. The lab wouldn’t be as messy if I knew.”

“It’s okay, Zed. We have other problems right now.” Hotguy said as the scientist started to organize equipment in a frenzy.

“Can you help us with repairing this?” Xelqua held up Hotguy’s leg, showing the busted robotics.

Seeing sparks come out of it, Zedaph couldn’t help but wince. “Sorry, but you’re asking the wrong guy.”

“Then what do you do exactly?” The vigilante’s violet gaze narrowed.

“I research the Undercity, mostly studying the biology of monsters. That way Hotguy has an easier time fighting them. Then, on how their remains can be used to improve our everyday lives, such as advancements in the medical field. I also know a lot about hybrids.”

Regardless of his knowledge, Xelqua knew Zedaph would have a field day with all the information he knew from living down there. Not to mention that unlike most avians, his feathers changed colors, and his history with the Watchers. Did Zedaph know about them? Most likely not.

The thought caused Xelqua to grip at the black fabric of his shirt over where his tattoo was. People regarded him as a savior, but they would hate him if they knew the truth of the monster attacks, and what he’s done. Just being in the sterilized environment of the laboratory brought back memories of what he went through with the Watchers. Xelqua remembered being forced to stare up at similar fluorescent lights, static filling his ears as he was operated on awake.

Noticing the vigilante trembling, Hotguy asked Zedaph. “Do you mind fetching one of the engineers to help with this?”

“On it.”

Once the researcher left the room, Hotguy’s green eyes filled with worry from beneath the visor. “I know you never wanted to come here, and you didn’t have to, but thank you.”

“It’s nothing, really.” Xelqua quietly shook his head, still staring at the overhead lights.

“It isn’t for you. I know how you feel about the government, not only because of the mayor, but because what would happen if they found out your true identity. You don’t want to lose your family or relive what the Watchers put you through.” Hotguy reached out and took his hand as Xelqua paused, feeling the warmth. “I promise you that none of the scientists here are like them. I won’t let anybody do anything to you if I can help it.”

Xelqua’s violet eyes remained expressionless, not letting go of the hero’s hand. “Zedaph isn’t like them, I can tell he cares about helping other people. The Watchers only ever cared about themselves. I’ll take your word that others are the same. ”

Their moment was interrupted by an automatic door opening as a man with dark brown hair and deep purple eyes walked in. Unlike the scientist that accompanied him, he wore no lab coat. Instead, he donned navy green and black, carrying a backpack with pins of various animals and monsters.

“Xisuma, thank goodness you’re here!” Hotguy let out a sigh of relief.

Spotting Xelqua, Xisuma halted in his tracks, turning to Zedaph. “I genuinely thought you were joking about him being here.”

“Why would I joke about a matter like this?”

“You once suggested that cat ears be added to Hotguy’s uniform as a prank, saying creepers wouldn’t attack him. Not to mention your tendency to run a bunch of wacky experiments.”

Before the two could divulge into further banter, Xelqua glared at Hotguy. “Why do you have so many people here? It’s pretty late. You better not be overworking them.”

“The threat of danger never sleeps, so neither do we.” Reaching in his backpack, Xisuma took out a tool kit and started to get to work on repairing Hotguy’s mechanical limbs. “I’m certain we are all working major overtime with Hotguy being the worst offender.”

“You can say that again. I’m pretty sure my blood has all turned into coffee at this point with the amount I drink to get through the day.” Hearing a new but familiar voice caused Xelqua’s heart to drop.

Following not far behind was his friend Impulse, the same one he’d often meet up with at Shadowbeans Cafe along with Mumbo, Pearl and Scar. The fact Impulse was an engineer wasn’t new to him. Grian first met him through Mumbo at Hermitcraft University, with the two being undergraduates and Impulse returning for his master’s.

It was the fact that his friend, the same one he saw almost every week, worked for Hotguy and he knew nothing about this. Impulse and Mumbo would often chat about topics related to their studies with Grian paying little attention. He felt like a terrible friend for never bothering to ask where he worked.

“What are you doing here?” The words slipped out of Xelqua’s mouth.

Luckily, Impulse interpreted them differently, taking no offense. “I know, a guy like me is the last type of person you’d expect to be working for Hotguy. I don’t really go around telling people to not paint a target on my back. Just like how many people know I’m the drummer in a band.”

The vigilante started to slowly back away, hoping Impulse wouldn’t be able to connect the dots. He hoovered his hands over his pistols and stood behind Hotguy’s chair to obscure his rollerblades. If somebody like Hotguy could recognize Mumbo’s craftsmanship, Impulse could for certain.

Noticing his on-edge behavior, Hotguy kept talking to him, possibly to distract himself from the work being done on him. “Sometimes Etho stops by to help too. I’ve offered him a position here several times that pays better than his current job and has full benefits, yet he still said no. Can you believe it?!”

“You’re just mad he chose the relaxed bee-keeper life over the high stress and sleepless nights that come with this, and I don’t blame him.” Xisuma paused his tinkering, glancing over at the honey-bee pin on his backpack.

“The mayor’s son stops by too on occasion. He’s a good kid and it’s always fun when he visits.” Zedaph whispered in Xelqua’s winged ear. “His father, not so much.”

Impulse joined in on helping repair Hotguy’s gear. “I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned Cub yet. Usually he’s the one you never stop talking about when we meet other people."

“Oh, Cub.” Hotguy’s green eyes from beneath the visor nervously shifted to the broken mechanical legs. “He’s going to murder me when I tell him about this.”

“Tell me about what?”

As the automatic doors to the lab opened once more, Xelqua’s attention diverted to the figure that stood in the doorway, a man with wavy, black hair, wearing a white lab coat. Gaze immediately falling upon the busted limbs, his green eyes narrowed, forming an expression of first surprise changing into displeasure. As the scientist got closer, feet tapping against the tile floor, Xelqua took notice that unlike the others, who were all clearly fully human, his ears were distinctly pointed.

“Cub, it’s so great that you could join us tonight!” Hotguy put on a cheerful smile, probably in an attempt to avoid any chastising coming his way.

“First your elytra, and now this! You can’t keep blowing taxpayer dollars by being this reckless!” Cub buried his head in his hands.

“Hey, that time was the phantom's fault, not mine! And this time it was skeletons and zombies putting up more of a fight than expected.”

Vividly remembering the night of their first meeting with Hotguy’s elytra breaking, Xelqua leaned over to ask him, “Was he this mad at you last time?”

“No, actually he’s a lot more tame right now, probably because you’re here. Speaking of which, I should probably introduce you. Cub, this is Xelqua, famous vigilante, I’m sure you’ve heard of him. Xelqua, this is Cub, head scientist of the Hotguy lab and pretty much oversees everything going on here.”

Xelqua concluded he was the friend that Hotguy mentioned when opening up about his siblings. Yet the two attitudes towards each other stood in stark contrast to the way Hotguy warmly introduced them. Cub sharply observed the vigilante with closed-off, crossed arms, taking mental notes. Meanwhile, Xelqua was still focused on his pointed ears, wondering which species he was a descendant of. Neither bothered to greet each other or shake hands.

“I never thought pursuing a phd of physics would get me here, yet here we are.” Cub finally broke a smile, facing the rest of the team.

“As you can see, we are all about science and discovery here at the Hotguy lab.” The hero said.

“You’d be surprised at how many factors we have to consider when designing a simple arrow. There’s a lot of work that goes into creating an optimized aerodynamic design for maximum speed and piercing.” Xisuma told the vigilante.

As they went into a side tangent about the creation of Hotguy’s equipment, Xelqua noticed how close the whole team was gathered around the hero. It was obvious they all held a lot of respect and admiration for who they worked for, and enjoyed being here. Xelqua couldn’t help but feel happy for Hotguy, knowing he had a reliable team like them.

Remembering Scar also worked here, Xelqua wished he could’ve seen him tonight. Since he worked in designing merchandise, it would be odd for him to be in this department, or here at this hour, so that was to be expected.

Knowing Hotguy was in good hands, Xelqua left not long afterwards. Cub insisted he take over repairing the mechanical legs, allowing Impulse, Xisuma and Zedaph to return home for the night. With them gone, Hotguy yawned as he took off his visor, being comfortable in the presence of the only one who knew his real identity.

As Cub kept tinkering through the night, Scar finally spoke up to break the silence. “You know, you were a lot colder to him than you usually are with our other guests. The only other person I’ve seen you behave like that towards is the mayor.”

Focused, Cub didn’t meet his gaze, nimble fingers messing with a tiny screwdriver. “I don’t trust him, he’s given me no reason to. From what you’ve told me, it’s clear he doesn’t exactly trust you either.”

“I know he doesn’t, but I do, and that’s why I believe he’ll come around eventually, and maybe you will too.”

Pausing, Cub’s green eyes slowly met with Scar’s as he pointed at his head. “Scar, you got something in your hair.”

“Oh, thanks for telling me.” Running a hand through his brown hair, Scar smiled fondly as he held a hot-pink feather between his fingers, making the repair process all the more bearable.

Finishing the stroke of a paintbrush, Scar lifted the tip from the easel to admire how it was coming along. His latest landscape painting was of a forest fire with a single sequoia tree ablaze in the front and center. Having completed another layer of orange paint, Scar took out his phone to check the time as he waited for it to dry.

Although he wasn’t actively patrolling tonight and technically off duty, Scar stayed alert in case Hotguy was called upon. Despite the pitch-black rainy weather, he wanted to be there to help as soon as possible. Even if it came at the cost of his civilian self getting a good night's sleep. His thought process was broken as he heard a knock at his window.

Pausing the music he was listening to, Scar took off his headphones as he rolled his wheelchair over to investigate. Seeing a familiar pair of flashy, hot-pink wings and violet cat-like eyes that gleamed in the night from the other side of the glass, he decided to open the window.

“–Can I stay here for a bit?” Xelqua asked frantically, drenched and out of breath.

The vigilante appeared on edge, constantly checking his surroundings to make sure he wasn’t followed. With multiple brushes and gashes along his exposed skin, and messy feathers out of place, Xelqua looked more beat up than usual. This was quite the difference compared to how he carried himself with graceful ease in most fights.

“What?” Scar was taken aback by his request.

“Please, I promise I won’t be long. I just need somewhere to rest and you are the closest person I know.” His tone got more hoarse and desperate.

Scar could’ve sworn tears were forming in the corners of his eyes. It was either that, or his mind was playing tricks on him at this hour, and it was only the rain.

There was no universe in which Scar could find himself saying no. “Sure, come on in.”

Xelqua crawled inside and locked the window behind him. The vigilante couldn’t help but continuously peer outside the glass, his winged ears twitching at the slightest sounds of movement. Even though he was soaked, his pink feathers were puffed out, water dripping from them and his hair onto the carpeted floor.

“It’s pouring out there and there’s no signs of it stopping. So, why don’t you dry off and relax for a while?” Scar returned with a bath towel in hand.

Xelqua looked down at him with caution before reluctantly taking it. He took off his rollerblades, placing them underneath the windowsill like last time before drying off. His hair returned to its dark blond and fluffy state. As he fluttered his pink wings, droplets scattered throughout the apartment.

“–Do you mind if I?” Xelqua clenched a gash on his arm that was still bleeding.

Only then did Scar notice that he didn’t completely dry off, probably to avoid getting blood on his towel. “Go ahead.”

The vigilante rushed to the bathroom as Scar heard him rummage around his cabinets. He didn’t mind as he kept anything related to Hotguy in his bedroom or back at headquarters. Through the crack in the door, Scar observed Xelqua’s reflection as he disinfected and patched his wounds. He witnessed the avian taking off his contact lenses, eyes still remaining purple after the fact, aligning with what Xelqua told him.

“Was Hotguy not with you?” Scar asked as he returned, wondering why he received no message of an attack from the vigilante or his team.

“No, he wasn’t. Nobody else got involved, thankfully. It’s for the best.” Xelqua seemed hesitant to admit, which caused Scar to raise an eyebrow. “It would freak everyone that knows me out if they knew, and I had plenty of close calls like this in the past.

“Well, there’s a lot of scary monsters out there. I’m sure it’s dangerous, even for experienced fighters like yourself.”

“I wish it were as simple as monsters. This recent encounter happened to be more personal.” Xelqua held up a shattered mask.

The white mask had a simple design. It covered the upper half of the wearer’s face, much like Hotguy’s cyan and orange visor he used to conceal his identity. There were some cracks and stains of blood, most likely Xelqua’s doing. Scar’s green eyes widened as he recognized the purple rectangular symbol on the center of the mask.

It was the same one as the tattoo on Xelqua’s chest, the symbol of the Watchers.

“I’ll spare you the details, but I have a history with a group of bad people. This was from an assassin they sent after me.” The white porcelain started to crack more under the vigilante’s shaky grip.

“How long have these people been sending assassins?” Scar asked, his tone shifting into one of concern and seriousness.

Xelqua held up the mask level to his face, violet eyes full of burning hatred as he glared upon the Watcher’s symbol. “From the day that I escaped them, and they haven’t stopped since. They don’t care if I’m taken back dead or alive, just that I’m their enemy and must be dealt with.”

Accepting he wasn’t getting more answers, Scar decided not to pry. It was for the better as he knew how touchy Xelqua was over his past, and him revealing this much was a feat in itself.

As much as he tried to fight it, Xelqua eventually fell asleep on his couch. Scar rolled his wheelchair over, putting a blanket over him. He couldn’t help but pause to observe the avian in slumber. Xelqua was curled up like a cat, winged ears covering his eyes. A sight Scar couldn’t help but quietly laugh at its absurd adorableness.

Breathing deeply, Xelqua’s feathers slowly reverted to their natural scarlet color under the lamp’s dim light. ‘He’s not thinking about maintaining them right now.’ Scar thought to himself, recalling what the vigilante said of his color changing wings.

As he continued to curiously watch him, Scar’s mind started to wander. If his wings reverted, then it’s possible his eyes had too, and the shadowy ability he used to hide his face was gone. He could figure out who Xelqua was behind the mask. Scar’s hand hovered over his winged ears, thinking, ‘There’s no harm in a little peek, he’d never know.’

‘No, I shouldn’t do that.’ Coming back to his senses, Scar broke away.

He didn’t have the same level of trust as Xelqua did with Hotguy, who could touch his wings. Even then, this was an obvious breach of boundaries, regardless of which identity. Scar was quite fond of the vigilante, and didn’t like seeing him pained.

He had already been hurt in the past, and preferred to not become the next person to hurt him again.

Xelqua stirred slightly, which caused Scar to shudder. Realizing he was still asleep, he let out a sigh of relief and resumed his late-night painting. Remaining vigilant, Scar didn’t put back on his headphones, listening to the tapping of rain against the windows.

Since Xelqua was resting, it was up to him as Hotguy to take care of things as Hotguy in case of an emergency. In that case, he’d lock his bedroom door so Xelqua assumed Scar was sleeping, none the wiser.

“No… No… No…” Xelqua muttered in his sleep, tossing and turning. “You can’t do this to me!”

Hearing his cries of distress, Scar put down his brush to approach him calmly, but was too late.

“I won’t let you take me back to them!” Screaming, Xelqua sprung awake.

Breathing quickly, his violet eyes anxiously darted around the room as he sat up straight. Xelqua curiously tilted his head as he felt the blanket on his lap. Scar pretended to work on his painting, viewing the vigilante through his peripheral vision. Believing that Scar hadn’t noticed, Xelqua let out a sigh of relief as he changed his feathers to pink. It was only when his wings were fully transformed that Scar gave him a concerned glance.

Guilt came over the vigilante as he moved the blanket aside, starting to stand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you like that, or fall asleep on your couch. I promise it won’t happen again.”

Scar held out a hand, beckoning for him to sit. “I don’t mind, I’m sure of it. You already do enough for this city, it’s the least I can do in return. Do you want to talk about your nightmare?”

He seemed hesitant to open up, but eventually he explained. “I dreamt that I lost the fight with the assassin, and they took me back to the group of bad people I mentioned. This isn’t the first time I had a nightmare like this, and it certainly won’t be the last.”

“Do you dream about them a lot?”

“I do, ever since I was a young kid, long before I ever escaped.” Xelqua’s fingers subconsciously touched his chest, the place where his tattoo was located. “They all follow the same pattern of these bad people doing terrible things to me or people I care about, and being powerless to save them.”

While listening, Scar leaned forward in his wheelchair, wishing to learn as much as possible about the people that experimented on Xelqua. Though, the vigilante didn’t want to talk further, and Scar accepted that. As the rain started to slow, faint rays of sunlight started to piece through the gray clouds. The night went by so fast that Scar didn’t even realize it was sunrise until now, and Xelqua had only noticed the same.

“Thank you for letting me stay, but I should really get going.” Walking towards the window, he started to tie the pink laces of his rollerblades.

“But it’s unhealthy to fly on an empty stomach. After your nightmare, treating you is the least I could do.” Scar suggested, in truth, not ready for Xelqua to part ways just yet.

“You’re too kind, Scar, but you’ve already done more than enough for me.” The vigilante said with a smile.

“I insist, I insist. As they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Scar winked.

“I can’t argue with that.”

Heading into the kitchen, Scar turned on the coffee machine. Opening a cupboard, he tried reaching for a mug, but the shelf was too high up for him in his wheelchair. As he stretched his arm, the rim of the mug was barely out of reach. Letting out a frustrated groan, Scar went to fetch his cane. The entire time Xelqua watched curiously from a distance.

Realizing what Scar was doing, he stopped him. “You don’t have to do that, I can’t have caffeine anyways.”

“Huh? Are you like allergic or something?” Scar blinked in confusion.

“No, it’s because I’m avian.” Xelqua shook his head. “It’s why I couldn’t have your chocolate cookies last time. I didn’t mean to offend you. They looked delicious, and I would’ve loved to have them if I could.”

“Well, why didn’t you say so sooner? I’ll be sure to learn more recipes so you can have more options next time you stop by. But it’s a good thing I have some elven kisses left over.” With a smirk, Scar took the plate of cookies and returned to the living room, setting it on the table.

Xelqua blankly stared at the purple cookies, winged ears hanging low. Unable to meet his gaze, he quietly muttered, “Sometimes, I wonder if it would be best for everybody if I wasn’t around, and went back to them. The government already hates me and doesn’t want me in the Overcity, and I cause a lot of suffering.”

“Why would you say those mean things about yourself that aren’t true? Sure, there are people out there that might not like you, but there are more that do. You do plenty of good things and fight for what is right. I’d say the good far outweighs the bad.” Scar wondered why the vigilante would think so negatively of himself, and would ever suggest surrendering himself to the Watchers.

“That wasn’t always the case. You know, I used to agree with them. They taught me that all humans were bad, and deserved to suffer painful deaths for trapping us underground. I did some pretty terrible things under them, and nothing I do now will ever make up for that. But really, I was only a kid, and followed what they said, because I was more afraid of what they’d do to me if I didn’t.”

Knowing that feeling too well, Scar heaved a deep sigh. As Hotguy, Hemitroplis’ only hero, he had to make a lot of difficult decisions. Sometimes it resulted in innocent people getting hurt or dying, even if it was the overall best choice. It was a cold truth that even with everything at his disposal, it’s impossible to save everyone.

While the guilt and regret never truly went away, the best one could do is focus on protecting those who are still alive to prevent more people from facing a similar fate.

“Like you said, you were only a kid and did what you must to protect yourself. There’s no changing the past, but what matters most is that you’re doing better now. I still think you’re a good person and don’t deserve to suffer. I like having you around, and would be sad if you left us.”

“You’re right, Scar. Sorry for suddenly dropping that on you. This is more of a conversation for Hotguy.” Xelqua’s winged ears twitched as the mischievous demeanor Scar was used to slowly returned. “Speaking of which, what’s it like working for him?”

“How did you know that?” Scar’s green eyes widened with surprise.

“My mum’s a witch, remember?” The avian winked.

“It’s not my main job, but it pays well for freelance work. Hotguy has always been nice to his team of scientists and myself, and gives me creative freedom in designing his merch.” Scar vaguely based his reply off the way he hoped his team thought of him.

“I’m glad to hear that. If he ever mistreats you, please tell me. We can invent a merch line for myself together, and I’ll be sure you get paid properly.” Xelqua mentioned as he started to eat an elven kiss cookie.

As much as Scar enjoyed being his own boss, even if it was only part of the time, Xelqua's offer also sounded enticing. He would quite enjoy working with him as his civilian self, although he already worked with him as Hotguy, not that Xelqua was aware of that.

The two turned to the window as the gray clouds started to clear away. Rays of sunlight filtered inside as the pale pink and golden sky stood behind the neon city’s horizon. They both had a downcast expression, wearing a bittersweet smile as they knew it was time for Xelqua to truly leave this time. Yet Scar found solace, having a positive feeling they will meet like this again in the near future.

“Here’s to make up for last time.” Xelqua gently took Scar’s hand, guiding it to his cheek.

Scar was left awestruck as his fingers lightly brushed across the smaller, hot pink feathers on his winged ears. He had never touched the feathers on Xelqua’s ears before, even as Hotguy, and was amazed at how soft they were. Scar wanted to ask so badly how he hid them as civilian, but decided not to ruin the moment as the vigilante gazed at him with a serene and adoring smile.

Then, Xelqua leaned over, placing a kiss on Scar’s forehead.

This left Scar stunned, staring at him with an open mouth as green eyes met cat-like violet. Seeing his reaction, red crept across Xelqua’s face as he muttered incoherently. Flustered, he quickly opened the window and took off.

There was a flutter in his flight, as if his heart skipped a beat. Xelqua flew towards the sunny sky under a colorful, shining city, his silhouette only growing smaller with the distance. Scar watched him, arm leaned against the windowsill, wearing a delighted smile as his cheeks were a hue of pink.

“Are you really sure you want to walk home in this? It looks bloody awful.” As Joel cleaned a terracotta mug, he glanced out the window at the heavy downpour.

“I should really be heading home. I don’t want to have to walk back in the dark.” Grian started to pack up, putting his laptop in a satchel bag.

With his students being ahead of schedule, it warranted a change to his lesson plans. Of course, he decided to wait until the day of start on these adjustments. Even though he had been a professor for some years now, it felt like he had hardly changed from the stressed student, who turned in online assignments an hour before the deadline.

“You can always stay over at our place until it passes.” Lizzie paused her closing duties to suggest. Since the couples’ apartment was located upstairs, it would save him a walk in the rain. “We can have dinner, and maybe a movie night later. Oh, and we can invite Pearl and Jimmy over too!”

As tempting as the offer and staying dry sounded, Grian declined. “I have no interest in Joel making me watch the Shrek franchise for fourteenth time.”

“Who said anything about watching Shrek!?” Joel snapped in defense. “Can a guy not have some manly bonding time with his brother-in-law over a cult-classic? Even if we don’t watch anything, we can still all spend time together. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about family.”

“Yeah, Grian, think about our family!” Lizzie added, encouraging him to stay.

As Lizzie opened up her phone to call their brother, Grian had to stop her. He refused to have his younger siblings out in this weather more than they absolutely had to be. They also both led their own individual busy lives, and he didn’t want to disturb them.

“As much as I wish I could stay longer, but I got evening classes to teach, and I don’t want to be late!” Grian waved as he closed the cafe door behind him.

He listened to the sound of raindrops hitting against his umbrella as he walked the pretty empty streets. Although it didn’t feel like it due to the man-made lush environment, Hermitroplis was actually a desert city built around an oasis. Rainfall wasn’t that common, but when there was precipitation, it was heavy, happening most in the spring.

Growing up in the Undercity, Grian was more accustomed to falling water from dripstone stalactites or floods that originated from the Overcity. The concepts of rain and sunlight were once foreign to him, and took some time for him to adjust, but found he didn’t mind them. While Pearl and Jimmy went back on occasion, Grian refused to set foot in the Undercity again ever since his escape over a decade ago.

His thoughts were broken by the smell of sulfur and the nearby screams of civilians. Gaze frantically darting, he saw traffic come to a halt, drivers abandoning their cars at the sight of creepers emerging from the sewers. Always carrying his Xelqua gear with him, Grian was prepared to change at any given moment. With people’s safety being his priority, he wanted to make sure nobody was in immediate danger, even if it would be harder to help as a civilian.

As crowds of people fled the scene, Grian noticed a woman with long, wavy, chestnut hair heading directly towards the threat. Given the gray striped shirt she wore, it was unlikely she was another vigilante. Running towards her, Grian pulled her by the arm, moving her out of the way from a creeper explosion. Surprised by this, she stared at him, tears falling from her lime-green eyes in the pouring rain.

“What is your name?” Grian asked, holding her shoulders as she was shaking in an attempt to calm her.

“–Donna,” She spoke in a southern accent, practically hyperventilating.

“You need to find somewhere safe. Xelqua or Hotguy will be here soon to take care of things.”

“You see, I would, but Yip is still in there! We were crossing the street when it started and got separated!” She sniffled, wiping her tears with her long-sleeved shirt as she shouted and pointed towards the center of the chaos.

Following her finger, Grian spotted her son, a boy with tanned skin and brown hair. He was all alone, green eyes filled with fear as the creepers hissed, slowly closing in on him. Some people that were still fleeing passed him, only giving looks of pity as they continued to run for their own self preservation.

“Get to safety! I'll get him back for you!” Slipping away from Donna’s tight grasp, Grian ran into the fray.

Weaving around creepers, he avoided them going off as he got closer to Yip. Realizing the situation, the boy got headed towards Grian until he was under his protection. His winged ears, concealed by magic, twitched as he heard a weapon be drawn back. At first, he was relieved that Hotguy was here to provide backup and save the day. Yet as it sounded unlike the familiar bowstrings of his hero partner, Grian’s blood ran cold.

“Watch out!” Listening to his instincts, Grian immediately picked Yip up as a trident shot passed them.

It grazed his right arm, ripping his sleeve before piercing into the nearby concrete. While certainly intended for him, Grian was thankful he reacted in time, or else the boy would've been lost.

It came at the cost of his dominant arm going limp as streaks of blood dripped onto the pavement. Grian tried to ignore it, fighting the light headed feeling as he focused on Yip being unharmed. His only saving grace was that he decided to wear red today, so it wasn’t as obvious.

He had no time to search for the one who threw it, but had a strong sense of who was responsible. Shortly after impact, thunder crackled as a blinding bolt of lightning burst from the sky, striking the trident. Ears ringing, Grian focused on protectively shielding the boy. The two were luckily out of the radius of the lighting, but the creepers weren’t. Vision and hearing returning, Grian expected to find the creepers gone, but his heart dropped as he saw something far worse.

The creepers were encased by an unstable blue aura, their once devoid black eyes, now glowing. Electrical sparks emitted off of them and their hisses sounded like crackling thunder. Grian took Yip by the arm with his left hand and started to flee from the charged creepers.

The rain clouded his glasses, but he pushed forward with every struggling breath. Quickly glancing over his shoulder at Yip, he noticed the creepers catching up to them at lightning speed. Seeing Donna who stayed behind, rushing towards them, was enough of a cause for Grian to keep fighting.

Reuniting the mother and son filled Grian with short-lived relief, before the creepers exploded behind him. Their charged explosions blasted through layers of concrete. Caught in the cusp of the explosion, Grian lost his balance on the cracked cement as the street caved in. Donna reached out a hand to him, screaming as it slipped out of her grasp as he fell to the cavern depths below.

As he plummeted, Grian really wished he listened to Joel and Lizzie’s offer to stay at the cafe. He was going to be late to his lecture now. It’s not like skipping a night would’ve mattered. But if he didn’t come out here, he wouldn’t have been around to save Donna and Yip. So, he didn’t regret his choices.

Feeling the rain against his face as the gray clouds grew further, Grian remembered there was a way to save his fall. Unbind his wings and fly. But it came at the cost of exposing his identity as an avian, being banished to the hell he fought to escape. Or worse being used as a government-lab rat, or returned to the Watchers.

Grian decided that was a fate far worse than death.

Accepting his answer, Grian closed his eyes. ‘Pearl and Jimmy are going to kill me when they find out.’ He thought. They warned that becoming a vigilante would be the death of him, but he chose to not listen. It would appear they’d be right. It looked like the duty entirely fell to Pearl now to pester their younger brother now.

Grian thought of his students, wondering how they’d react upon finding out their professor wouldn’t be here tonight because he died. How would they fair without him, and who would give lectures and grade their tests now? Then, his thoughts lingered on Scar. He never got to confess his true feelings to him in the end.

A roar of thunder and flash of lighting caused Grian’s eyes to jolt open. Standing on top of a building, he saw a purple cloaked figure in white mask, holding a trident. Their hood obscured their face as they wore an elytra resembling translucent, purple, insect wings. Unlike the other Watcher agents he’s faced, something about this one in particular seemed so familiar. Yet Grian couldn’t piece it together as his mind was spiraling.

It looked like after all these years, they had finally won. Deep down, he always expected it to end like this, but didn’t think it would happen this soon, and thought it would be in a much cooler way. Was he ever truly free from them?

Fate had a different plan for him as his fall was interrupted. Grian saw a flash of black, orange and cyan as he was swooped up and being carried.

“–Hotguy?” He muttered as he found himself staring up at the familiar visor that hid the upper half of the hero’s face, his short brown hair moving with the wind.

Hotguy’s mouth slightly parted as he felt Grian’s bound wings before returning to his normal confident and playful personality. “Don’t worry, you’re safe in my arms now.”

Before Grian knew it, he was gently set down next to Pearl. How Hotguy knew to locate her was entirely beyond him, but he had no time to question him as the hero took off to finish the creepers. Pearl stared at him with her hands over her mouth, tears started to form in the corners of her azure eyes.

“You promised you weren’t going to scare me like that anymore. For someone as smart as you, you can be so dumb, Gri.” She tightly hugged him, desperately not wanting to let go.

“I am too, Pearl…” He closed his eyes, soothingly running a hand through her long, brown and blonde-streaked hair.

Though, he had a feeling this would be from the last time something like this would happen.

As much as his sister tried to be tough, not say Pearl wasn’t, Grian could still tell she was still shaken by almost losing him in the Wither incident. And as her older brother, even if by only ten months, seeing her in this state made his heart sink.

While the memory was hazy due to the adrenaline and withering effects rushing through his veins, Grian still remembered Pearl and Jimmy’s panic as they rushed to Mumbo’s workshop, finding him with feathers tainted black. It was only through his sister’s nurse friend, Gem, that he managed to survive.

“You mean so much to Jimmy and I. It wouldn’t be the same without you here.” Pearl took off her scarf, wrapping it around his bleeding arm, and placing her blue suit jacket on his shoulders.

Grian found himself gazing distantly from his sister. Squinting at the roof, he noticed the Watcher agent was no longer there to his disappointment. Relief came over him as he spotted Donna in the crowd of spectators, holding Yip in her arms as she made a frantic phone call. Gliding overhead, his vision focused on Hotguy as he dealt with the charged creepers.

Hotguy kept his distance, not engaging in melee combat with them. He circled the sky, swooping down as he shot a flurry of arrows along with shouting his signature catchphrase. The entire time, Grian couldn’t help himself from looking in awe.

Once they were all taken care of, Hotguy fought through the fans and reporters, seeking him out individually. Unlike his reporter sister, Grian was not used to all the attention in his civilian identity, shrinking in the presence of watchful eyes falling directly on him.

Hotguy stood with his hands on his hips, wearing a stern expression. “What were you thinking out there?! You were reckless and could’ve gotten yourself killed! Leave it to the people who know what they’re doing.”

Grian broke the law everyday, which wasn’t anything new. Reckless was a lot coming from Hotguy, even if he did have a point. As much as he wanted to, Grian couldn’t call him with the same level of familiarity as Xelqua, without raising some eyebrows.

Noticing Donna and Yip slowly moving through the crowd to find him, anger boiled inside him as he raised his voice. “You didn’t get here in time! They’d be dead right now if somebody didn't do something!”

Hotguy was taken aback by his shouting, probably not used to being talked back to by a civilian. The hero swallowed his pride, heaving a deep sigh. “You’re right, you just had a death-neath experience. I should be asking if you’re okay, not yelling at you, Grian. I’m sorry.”

Not expecting a proper apology from Hotguy of all people, Grian blinked in confusion. “–What?”

“I can’t say I’m happy, but I can’t deny that you were pretty brave out there and did a good thing. I still remember you telling me you were afraid of heights. I can’t imagine what falling must’ve been like for you. Normally, I ask for people’s permission first before taking them flying, but emergencies are an exception. I hope you’re not mad.”

“Why would I be mad at you?” As much as he hated to admit it, if it weren’t for Hotguy, he’d be dead in the bottom of a cave right now.

“I’m glad you aren’t. You really made me worried for a second back there.” The hero admitted with an almost nervous smile, scratching the back of his head.

Grian didn’t know what went through him as he took a step forward. The logical part of his mind told him to stop this instant. If he didn’t listen to that, then all the eyes staring directly at him should’ve been enough to deter him from creating a scene. Even Pearl looked at him slightly aghast. Yet Grian chose to ignore all those as he stood face to face with Hotguy.

“Thank you for saving me.” As if instinctually, Grian pulled him into a hug.

In a rare moment, Hotguy appeared caught off guard. Though, not upset as he started to smile softly at the gesture. The entire time Grian’s brain screamed ‘What was he doing?!’ Hotguy was supposed to be someone who was selfish, over caring about himself and his image, not the people of Hermitroplis. That’s what he believed long before their first meeting.

Grian knew he should never trust him. But the more he interacted with him as the closer they grew, he feared everything he believed was wrong again, just like he was with the Watchers. Now more than ever, as Hotguy showed genuine kindness and concern for him, as a citizen he supposedly only met once. The hug felt warm, and even nice, in the cold, spring rain. Grian couldn’t help but feel let down as the warmth faded when Hotguy had to let go, checking his communicator.

“Well, it looks like duty calls. I’ll see you around, Grian.” He winked at him before taking off.

Once the hero left the scene and the ravine was barricaded off, the crowd cleared out as people returned to their normal lives as much as they possibly could, with traffic now being blocked indefinitely. Grian found himself standing still and in silence in the pouring rain as everything else moved around him.

His dark blond hair was a darker color and matted down from the rain. His glasses collected water droplets as he didn’t bother to clear them off. His arms hung limp, fingers twitching as he still remembered the feeling of warmth, causing his face to turn slightly red.

Pearl was about ready to depart until noticing this behavior. She turned around in concern, asking, “Grian, are you okay?”

“No, this stupid feeling in my chest. I think I’m going to be sick…” He dramatically hurled over, his stomach churning as his feelings betrayed him.

Some time later, Hotguy found himself sitting alone on the bench. While Hotguy had not intended it, the bench he sat on wasn’t that far away from where he first rescued Grian from those zombies last winter. Being an alumni and now a professor at Hermitcraft University, he was quite familiar with the campus’ layout.

While primarily known for its engineering and architecture, the school had a decent art program. Art was one of the few constant enjoyments in his life, which stuck with him long before ever becoming Hotguy, and led to him becoming a professor. He needed some life outside of being the city’s top superhero.

As people relied on him to protect them, he kept up a cocky confident front as his hero identity. If he broke it, then their lives would be plagued with uncertainty for their safety. Almost losing Grian today shook him up more than he’d like.

He didn’t know why, but his thoughts kept lingering on his friend even hours after the incident. He was still taken off guard from being yelled at by Grian, not used to seeing him upset like that. It was most likely because someone personal to him got involved versus the strangers he was used to saving.

“It took a while to find you. This isn't our usual meeting spot.” Xelqua hung upside down from a hefty tree branch, smiling as they met gazes.

“I thought somewhere else would protect me more from the rain than the roof of a building. There was no other reason.” Hotguy lied as he cleared the water from his visor.

He originally came here to check in on Grian, knowing he taught classes today. To his luck, he couldn’t find him anywhere on campus, eventually giving up. Hotguy couldn’t blame him, after a traumatic incident, he probably took the night off. At least Xelqua was now here to keep him company.

“I don’t blame you, it’s a lot harder to fly and skate in these conditions. I used to like the rain when I first saw it, but now with fighting and monsters, I actually now kinda hate it.” Dropping to his level, Xelqua’s beautiful hot-pink wings sparkled under the faint light of the streetlamp. “I heard about what happened today. Sorry I couldn’t make it, I had my own problem to deal with. You know how it is.”

“I do.” His green eyes fell upon the bandage on his right arm, most likely the work of the Watchers.

With no immediate threats to worry about, Xelqua fluttered his wings, shaking off the rain residue as he sat on the bench next to Hotguy. He let the hero preen his feathers, quickly taking notice of his lack of enthusiasm from when they usually do this. “You’re awfully quiet tonight. This isn’t like you, old guy. I don’t like it.”

“Somebody I cared about almost died today.” Hotguy admitted as his hand dully ran through his wing.

“Oh.” The vigilante’s lips parted as his winged ears dropped slightly.

“We aren’t that close, but I wish we could be more.”

It felt hypocritical of him to keep secrets from Xelqua, but other people’s personal details weren’t his to give freely. Now that he thought about it, Grian was quite similar in a sense to Xelqua as both pretty private people. Grian rarely showed off his sketches, insisting that Scar was a way better artist than him. He personally disagreed, being amazed at the architect’s building designs and use of colors and patterns when he snooped in his sketchbook.

As payback, Grian would look through his drawings without permission. He just considered it another part of their so-called professor rivalry. Hotguy found a slight blush creeping across his face as he remembered all the times Grian teased him, playfully sticking out his tongue, then their hug from earlier.

“I get the feeling. I’ve almost lost my family more times than I’d like to admit. I suppose there’s something scarier about losing people you care about over losing yourself. I know it was hard after losing my only childhood friend.” Xelqua’s violet eyes looked up at the dark, stormy sky as drops fell on his face.

Figuring Xelqua most likely passed as human, Hotguy asked a question that had been bothering him recently. “Birdie, what is it like to hide being an avian?”

The vigilante was confused by his sudden questioning, but answered truthfully to his surprise. “Painful, just be glad you don’t have to do it. I have to tightly bind my wings for hours on end, which certainly doesn’t help my posture. Loose clothing usually helps.”

“I see.” He held off from asking more as his voice was drowned out from the rainfall.

Xelqua was his crush, the only person he felt who truly understood him and the struggles that came with protecting the city and living a double life. On their first meeting when the avian rescued him from falling, he remembered being captivated by those violet cat-like eyes and hot pink wings, even more so when he revealed their true form. Even in his presence, with Hotguy’s hands grasping those same feathers as they shed into their natural, vibrant colors, his thoughts still lingered on Grian.