Bubble Boy

Morning – Legion HQ

Orion stretched as he stepped into the grand hall of Legion HQ, taking in the sheer scale of the place. Golden chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the marble floors. Giant statues of past heroes lined the hallway, their eyes carved to look ever-watchful. It was surreal, he had dreamt of this moment since he was a kid, and now, he was finally here.

His boots echoed softly as he walked through the halls, getting a feel for his new home. The Legion was his family now.

As he turned a corner, he saw a massive training room through a glass wall. Inside, Gladiator was mid-swing, her sword slicing through a series of robotic dummies like they were nothing. Her strikes were precise, fluid, graceful, even. But there was something else in the way she fought, a barely contained aggression.

Orion stepped inside, wanting to introduce himself.

"Hey," he called out.

Gladiator stopped mid-swing and turned to him, her sharp eyes scanning him up and down. A smirk tugged at her lips. "Ah, the new golden boy."

Orion chuckled. "Just Orion is fine."

She sheathed her sword and walked toward him, towering over him slightly. "You ever trained with a blade?"

Orion shook his head. "Not really my style."

Gladiator tilted her head. "Shame. A sword teaches respect." She tapped his chest lightly with her fingers, just above his heart. "You should try it sometime. Maybe it'll teach you a thing or two about real battle."

Her words were teasing, but something about them felt like a test. Orion simply nodded. "Maybe I will."

Gladiator gave him one last look before turning back to the dummies, slicing through another one with a single, effortless motion. Orion watched for a moment before stepping out, continuing his exploration.

As Orion wandered through the halls, he caught glimpses of the other Legion members going about their day.

Through an open lounge door, he spotted Void sitting on a sleek black couch, lazily scrolling through her phone. Her dark attire blended into the shadows, her expression as unreadable as ever.

"Yo," Orion greeted.

Void barely looked up. "Mm."

Orion waited, expecting her to say more. She didn't.

"...Right. Good talk."

She didn't even react as he walked away.

Then he saw Mr Mars in the bathroom he was shape shifting while looking at his face in the mirror while trying to show different emotions, this creeped Orion out, so he kept walking.

Down another hallway, he passed a lab where Bolt and Construct were laughing over something. Bolt was messing with a holographic display, his hands moving at super-speed as he reprogrammed something Orion couldn't quite make out.

"What's up, new guy?" Bolt grinned without looking up.

"Just exploring," Orion replied. "What are you two up to?"

Construct leaned back in his chair. "Oh, nothing. Just making a surprise for our dear leader."

Bolt snickered. "Let's just say, if Starman actually has a funny bone, we're about to find out."

Orion decided it was probably best not to ask.

A little further down, he found Seaman standing on a balcony overlooking the city, his trident resting against the railing. The older hero was staring out at the ocean, seemingly lost in thought. Orion considered approaching him but decided against it. He got the feeling Seaman was a man who spoke when he wanted to, not when others did.

The HQ felt less like a team's headquarters and more like a collection of powerful individuals who just happened to work together. Orion frowned. Was this really what being in the Legion was like?

Meanwhile Carter was lying on his bed, grinning like an idiot, kicking his feet in the air as he texted on his phone.

Alexa: So, where are you taking me today?

Carter: Anywhere you want, Princess.

Alexa: Ooo, smooth. You always like this, or is it just because I'm cute?

Carter: Bold of you to assume I'm not always this smooth.

Alexa: Bold of YOU to assume I don't already know that.

Carter covered his face with his pillow, trying not to scream like a little kid. His heart was practically doing backflips.

"Bro, what is wrong with you?"

Carter lifted his head to see his younger brother and sister, Ethan and Lily, standing at his door, watching him with looks of pure judgment.

"I'm in love," Carter announced dramatically.

Lily crossed her arms. "No, you're in cringe."

Ethan smirked. "Who's the victim this time?"

Carter sat up, grinning. "Her name is Alexa. She's..."

"Wait, THE Alexa?" Lily's eyes widened. "Kasey's cousin? The hot one??"

Carter nodded smugly.

Ethan whistled. "Damn. How did YOU pull that off?"

Carter put a hand on his chest. "I am a man of mystery, charm, and undeniable appeal."

Lily snorted. "Nah, she's just into charity work."

Carter gasped, clutching his chest like he had been mortally wounded. "Betrayal! My own blood!"

Ethan smirked. "So where are you taking her?"

"Somewhere nice. Maybe a rooftop dinner, maybe a beach walk. Depends on my mood."

Lily grinned. "Depends on how much money you have."

Carter threw a pillow at her. "OUT. Both of you. My date awaits!"

Laughing, Ethan and Lily left, but not before Ethan called out, "Don't forget to shower, Romeo!"

Carter groaned but couldn't help grinning as he grabbed his best jacket. Today was going to be a good day.

Back at Legion HQ, Orion stood at a window, watching the city below.

He had met the legends. Walked their halls. Seen the truth behind the glamour.

The Legion wasn't what he expected. They weren't a family. They weren't even a team.

And yet, he was supposed to be one of them.

As he stood there, Gladiator's words echoed in his head. Maybe it'll teach you a thing or two about real battle.

Orion clenched his fists.

He would learn.

And when the time came, he would make sure he was ready.

Later Carter stood outside Crescent Café, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He adjusted the collar of his jacket, his fingers tightening around the small velvet box in his pocket.

Nervous? No way.

He had been on dates before, but this felt different. Alexa wasn't just some girl, she was Alexa.

When she finally appeared, Carter felt his heart stop for a second.

She wore a flowing dark green dress that hugged her figure perfectly, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders. The soft streetlights made her brown eyes shimmer. She looked stunning.

Carter let out a low whistle. "Damn. I was expecting beautiful, but you just broke the scale."

Alexa smirked, but a slight pink dusted her cheeks. "Smooth."

"Always." He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box, flipping it open to reveal an emerald necklace. The deep green stone glowed under the light, its silver chain catching every flicker of movement.

Alexa's eyes widened. "Wait—this is for me?"

Carter shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Figured it'd look nice on you."

Alexa bit her lip, touched by the gesture. "Carter, this must have been expensive…"

He grinned. "You're worth every cent."

For the first time, Alexa looked truly flustered. She glanced at the necklace, then at him. "…Would you put it on for me?"

Carter blinked. "Y-Yeah, sure."

As she turned around and lifted her hair, he carefully clasped the necklace around her neck. His fingers accidentally brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down his spine. He quickly pulled back, rubbing the back of his neck. "There. Perfect."

Alexa turned, giving him a warm smile. "Thank you, Carter. I love it."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't expect one every date."

She giggled. "No promises."

Later that day they went bowling.

"So, loser buys dinner?" Carter smirked as he grabbed a bowling ball.

Alexa leaned against the ball return, arms crossed. "You sure you wanna make that bet? I'm kinda a legend at this."

He scoffed. "Oh, please. I was born for this."

Ten minutes later, Carter was sitting with his head in his hands as Alexa celebrated another strike.

"Woo! That's three in a row," she teased, spinning on her heels. "You were saying, Carter?"

Carter groaned. "This is rigged."

"Uh-huh. Keep telling yourself that."

He narrowed his eyes. "Alright, double or nothing, if I win this round, you have to call me 'Master Bowler' for the rest of the night."

Alexa snorted. "And if you lose?"

"…I pay for dinner and karaoke."

Her smirk widened. "Deal."

Carter cracked his knuckles, lined up his shot… and threw the ball straight into the gutter.

Alexa burst out laughing.

Carter turned to her, deadpan. "You cheated."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you need to believe, loser."

After bowling they went to watch a movie.

They grabbed snacks and settled into their seats at the theater. The lights dimmed, and the previews rolled.

Carter stretched his arms, casually draping one over Alexa's shoulders. Classic move.

But instead of leaning in, Alexa smirked. "Oh? Going for the cliché?"

Carter coughed. "Pfft, what? No. I just… my arm needed a place to rest."

Alexa raised an eyebrow. "Right. And I'm just a conveniently placed armrest?"

"…Yes?"

She shook her head, amused. "You're adorable."

"Hey! I'm supposed to be cool!"

Alexa leaned in slightly. "You can be both."

Carter swallowed. He was so in trouble.

Later they went to karaoke.

Carter regretted letting Alexa pick the song.

He stood on stage, microphone in hand, as the opening beats of a popular love song started playing.

"No," he muttered. "Absolutely not."

Alexa, sitting in the audience with her phone recording, grinned. "You lost the bet, Master Bowler. Sing."

Carter groaned but took a deep breath. "Fine. But don't fall in love with me after this."

Then, he butchered the song.

Horribly.

Somewhere between the cracking high notes and dramatic arm movements, Alexa lost it, laughing so hard she almost fell out of her chair.

When the song ended, Carter pointed at her. "Delete that video."

Alexa smirked. "No way. This is gold."

"I hate you."

She smiled sweetly. "No, you don't."

"…Damn it."

After karaoke, they found themselves on a quiet rooftop, gazing at the stars. The city lights flickered below, but up here, it felt like they were in their own little world.

Alexa rested her head on Carter's shoulder. "Tonight was fun."

Carter nodded, feeling strangely at peace. "Yeah. It was."

She tilted her head up at him. "You know… you're different from what I expected."

Carter chuckled. "Lemme guess. You thought I was just some dumb playboy?"

Alexa smiled. "Something like that. But you're… more than that."

Carter glanced at her, his heart doing way too much. "You're not so bad yourself, Princess."

She blushed but didn't move away.

After a moment, Alexa hesitated. "Carter… what do you think about the Legion?"

Carter's jaw clenched.

For the first time all night, his smile faded. He looked out at the skyline, his voice quiet.

"They're nothing but killers."

Alexa stiffened. A shadow passed over her face, but she said nothing.

Carter glanced at her. "What?"

She just shook her head, her expression unreadable. "Nothing."

For a long time, they sat in silence, the warmth of the evening suddenly feeling a little colder.

Then, as if pushing the thoughts away, Alexa suddenly turned toward him. "Hey, Carter?"

"Yeah?"

She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against his lips.

For a moment, the world disappeared.

When they pulled away, Alexa smiled. "Let's not talk about heroes tonight."

Carter exhaled, nodding. "Yeah… let's not."

And just like that, the moment was theirs again.