Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Back and forth, back and forth his body rocked as he darted through the shin high field painted in crescent moon light. Kevin's crimson coat flew on his body as he pierced through the wind and made like hell through the seemingly endless acres of meadow the pair was painted against. Treeline like picket fence against the deep purple and ocean blue gradient of the sky and its white dotted stars while they blazed through the field without a care in the world. 

Looking behind him, Kevin spied the old farm house sitting on top of the hill, comfortably looming in the shadows of the night-time.

McKinley outskirts were beautiful this time of year, an atmospheric pulse raiser of starry autumn nights before the cold winter and darker evenings invaded the plains. McKinley outskirts were also known for its supply of desolate buildings leftover from the last century, old mills and factories left standing from when the population shifted central and took along their business with them. The only thing built there in recent time was the genetics laboratory, a brisk walk from the factory the two were about to enter.

Neither boy was exactly accustomed to these areas despite spending their entire lives in the town - Kevin couldn't read a map if it was his own house plan - but recent whispers of the abandoned factory piqued both of their interests enough to actually do it. Enough to flunk out of that homework they both said they'd do, even if Kevin knew that Ms Lewton would chew him a new one.

After what felt like hours of cardio, Kevin's knees were ready to burst as they spotted the chain link wall that seemed to span a titan's wingspan and had greenery wrapped interlinked like veins. Jason anchored a few feet before the grate as he panted while Kevin smashed against the steel with an echoing resistance and a woa-

Kevin had thrown his body weight into his shoulder like a battering ram and was now paying the price, holding his shoulder as he rocked on the floor gritting his teeth and wincing.

“Battering ram head only gets you so far, hey?” Jason laughed as he extended his arm out.

“Works usually.” taking his arm and standing up, dusting off his jacket and straightening an imaginary tie. “Let's just get ‘er open before some lost soul thinks we’re actually doing something criminal.”

Jason slung his duffel bag off as he bent down onto one knee and zipped open his bag, opening it and thoroughly examining it as his eyes furrowed at the contents. First, a stick of gum he threw to Kevin buried beneath an extra hoodie and then his great remedy - the bolt cutters - as he snagged them out the bag and pulled it closed.

“Heads up.” Jason threw the bolt cutters to Kevin as he caught the rubber ends. “Know what you're doing K-Dawg?” teasing as he stood there, now leaning against the chainlink.

“It's bolt cutters, not exactly rocket science. Besides, where do you even get bolt cutters? I don't even know where my dad keeps ‘em in his treasure chest of tools he calls a shed.”

“Mom keeps forgetting where she puts the greenhouse keys. Saves time and effort in case you ever get your bike stuck at mine again.”

“It was a one time thing man…”

“Plus, just nice to have.”

The bolt cutters sliced through the chain link like butter, a tool so messily elegant in a way Jason thought of Kevin. Reminiscent of him with its dark blue metal and coal rubber handles, Kevin sliced the final chain before he huck the cutters into the grass in front of the bag.

“Makin’ a new door!” winding back his leg and thrusting forward, the chain-link came undone quiet as a mouse as the cut out flew forward as Kevin pulled his foot back. “Pretty pink princesses first, si?”

“Yeah, get in there!”

Laughter and mock shouts filled the air as Jason shoved the boy's shoulders and propelled him through the gap. Kevin slipped out his coat and smacked it against the air as he dusted it off as Jason slid himself through the hole. Once they were past the great barrier, Kevin zipped his coat up as the pair ventured into the great forest greenery which lined the periphery of the old factory.

“Serious heebie jeebies, dude.”

“You're telling me, J-Dawg.”

Sticks and leaves crunched underneath their trudging as they made it through the treeline and into the clearing as they stepped into more tall grass. The old factory caught their eye, its drab brick walls painted with splotches of discolouration and chipped layers that stuck out from afar. Kevin pulled out his flashlight smacking it against his palm a few times till it finally turned on, Jason had taken route already as he brushed through the grass.

Kevin cracked his shoulders and stepped into the grass, squelching under his boot as he looked down to see his shoe planted in an inch of wet land. “Ugh, that's convenient.” pulling his foot out and continuing on behind Jason until they reached a footpath of concrete, faded prints of Jason's trainers already present. Various roots took growth through the cracks of drab grey and flourished upwards curling towards some semblance of light. More visible closer, glass lay low in the grass where it had cracked and busted in the wall lining the long walls.

“So what's actually here to see anyways K-Dawg?”

“To live a little, Jay.” kicking a rock into a wall. “To see the graffiti and… whatever's been left here y'know?”

Right on que, Kevin pointed at a large wall, tags thrown around its lower portions in black and blue and red and purple. Higher portions featured crowns and stick figures, a specially high piece had a spider hanging down from the edge of the chipped bricks.

“It is cool…” Jason admitted as they pressed further into the building, flashlights beaming up every nook and cranny as they walked through into the empty open.

“Echooo!” Kevin's voice bounced wall to with the low ceiling as he chuckled, walking backwards as he smiled at Jason.

“Echoooooo!”

“Jason is gaaay!”

Kevin let the sound reverberate through the building as the two chased each other laughing, launching himself up the stairs as Jason drew close behind him. Murals of spray and tags littered wall to wall as they dashed up the floors of the factory till Kevin sprinted out into an almost empty floor.

A table laid in the middle of the floor, upside down with chairs scattered around from the centre in all sorts of damage and distress. Some simply dented in the back and others with missing and wobbly legs. Kevin panted as he took in the sight, Jason soon following as he dropped to a sitting position and caught his breath. 

“Weird place to hold a board meeting.” Kevin quipped as he moved forwards, a sudden shatter under his foot as his eyes fell down and caught more needles scattered. “Weird place to hold a board meeting.” repeating as he straightened up a chair and picked up another to watch it fall on its missing hind leg.

Kevin opened the drawers, dust as he emptied them until he reached the last one, already open and upside down as he reached his hand in. On the inside, a spider web scattered and splashed as Kevin's hand fumbled around until it found ground on his knuckle and sunk its teeth into his flesh.

“What the fu-” Kevin flew backwards and fell on his ass as he quickly slapped his hand and covered it, panic echoing through the floor. Jason's eyes shot up as he scurried to his feet.

“What's up man?” concern in his voice as he eyed him.

“I found this…” Kevin pulled back his hand to reveal a bird, smirking as he flipped off Jason whose expression soured as he looked fed up.

“Really funny, dude.”

After finishing his fit of laughter, Kevin dropped his antics as they draped their legs off the edge of the open roof and snacked down on whatever they still had in their bags while they talked.

“You ready for senior year, man? What a ride huh?” Kevin licked his fingers clean of chocolate as he threw the wrapper off the building.

“Ready as can be. Gotta make it a good one.” 

“Duh!”

Secretly, Kevin's stomach gnawed at him with anxiety and questions he couldn't answer about final year. He had struggled through the other years and had fallen behind in multiple classes before with his antics. Kevin admired Jason's stoic attitude in his academics and his ability to just get it done even when stacked with homelife and football to balance. Why couldn't he do it right? He was no slouch - or so he thought - but multiple times had he thought of putting all his eggs in the football basket and getting a scholarship that way.

Kent always believed in his children, always telling Kevin he hoped he'd be a better man than he was despite being a successful blue collar man with a shelving company. The pressure was too much, constantly squishing Kevin as he lived with all the expectations of the Fischer household run like a military base on edge. A loving man by all means Kevin thought, but boy did he expect the world and then some of his oldest son.

On a night like this, the world looked larger than ever as he admired the sky and its gradient of purple and blues. It should have been a meditating sight, but all Kevin could do was suffocate below the colours as another face in the crowd.

Kevin buried the thoughts and satisfied the gnawing with another handful of chocolate until Jason picked the conversation back up, his words painting the air again.

“I think I got a real good shot with Wendy this year, like real good man.”

“Still chasing my neighbour? No place like home, huh?” smirking at his own joke.

“She's beautiful and nice and- everything y'know? Smart, really smart. Makes my head spin on a swivel anytime I look at her maths work.”

“How about I put a mattress in the alley between our house and you can cosy up there? The rats are real nice fellas.”

“I'm not joking dude! I think you'd warm up to her if you actually talked to her. Think of it like networking man.”

Kevin laid back, his elbow propping his head up as he played with the words in his head. He had never been close with his neighbour but there was never a better time than the present. Plus, it never hurts to branch out. “I'll talk to her when she eventually has you wrapped around her finger and I gotta go through her to get to you.”

After another half hour of throwing bits of pebble and bricks down below with numerous heart to hearts splashing through the outskirts and into the area. Kevin slung his bag over his shoulder, slightly lightheaded as they retreated the same route and the same art painted all over. Tags thrown up in varying levels of wear, same spider hanging from the chipped bricks of the old factory. Avoiding the mud of the old grass until they pressed through the same chain link hole.

“Hey, thanks for doing this with my man.” Kevin leaned the chain link off to the side slightly as he put it back, letting it stand.

“Never a problem hanging out with my best friend, K-Dawg!” pulling him into a headlock as he ruffled his hair, both laughing.

Both of them put their flashlights away as they trekked back out before breaking into full sprints as they darted across the field, limbs splaying as their bags sploshed. They weren't doing anything particularly illegal, but the wind felt nice in Kevin's face as he imagined himself against a killer soundtrack with his blood pumping.

Kevin's headache reached full throbbing as he broke out into the familiar dim lit streets of Central McKinley again. Towering gates stretching far above gating off the stock car track, its vibrant banners adorned with advertising for an event next month his dad would probably drag him to. All he wanted to do was go home as he clung to his coat with shaky hands and his joints felt like bursting against his knees. Eyes low and tired as he stumbled through splotches of golden spilling from the lights. He has got to get home.

“Dude, you don't look so good.” Jason took off his jacket unprompted, offering it out to him. “Need another layer?”

“Tired… need sleep.” is all he could murmur back as he practically drooped, his eyes lazy and tired as he continued on with less than perfect posture drifting aimlessly as Jason guided him along.

“I’m walking you home, K-Dawg. You’re falling apart at the seams!” Jason grabbed his shoulders and rearranged the boy's efforts and walked him down a different drab street.

“I think I caught something, Jay…” Kevin’s forehead dribbled sweat as he stumbled down the road with his arm over Jason’s shoulder. “Some cold.. I’ll sleep it off.”

“Atta’boy! Can’t start our season without our star line-backer!” Jason joked, but a serious concern brewed in his head as he noted Kevin’s wary form practically clinging to him. “Lets uh… get you home, yeah?”

Right on que, the pair spilled onto Kevin’s familiar street lined with cars and adorned with titbits of chalk on the sidewalks. In the same streets they played football and rode bikes down endlessly when they were younger until the sun settled below the sea, without a real clue of how big the world truly was. Jason eyed Wendy’s house, biting his cheek as he noticed the lights on before he gently lifted Kevin’s arm in his front yard.

“I’m gonna walk home now, can you walk to your front door?” Jason smirked, standing with his hands on his hips as he watched Kevin like he was making him do a breathalyser test. “Alright, goodnight K-Dawg! See ya tomorrow my man!”

Jason took off into the night, eyeing Wendy’s house again before he disappeared down the roads and zig zags back to his own house as Kevin made it through the front door. Instantly he was greeted with the bustling noise of a Fischer household as he could hear his two younger brothers - thirteen year old Ryan and fifteen year old Adam - playfighting in the living room. The sudden smell of candlelight and wood hit his nose as his other senses caught up, his mother - Mary Fischer - footsteps soon following as she pulled him into a tight embrace. 

“Kevin! Where have you been, hanging out with Jason?” Mary straightened out his coat collar as his eyes adjusted to the compact lighting of the house. 

“Mhm…”

“Oh, that boy is so lovely! How is Rita? We need to organise lunch with her again!”

“She’s fine, they all miss you… Betsy too.” Kevin’s smile turned into a full one as his one year younger brother - Hart - walked down the stairs and into the kitchen.

“Awww, isn't he the sweetest? KENT! Let’s organise lunch with Rita and Jason again!”

A small smile ever so slightly pulled at Kevin’s face as he took in the absurdity of it all, hanging his coat up on the rack and turning back to be greeted with his father occupying the hallway as he looked at Kevin.

“Hey kiddo.” His eyes thinned as he took in Kevin’s appearance and deathly pale skin practically sweating buckets. “Something up with you?” 

All of the house seemed to suddenly stop to a grinding halt as Ryan and Adam even put down their pillows to gaze into the foyer with curious eyes. Hart reappeared with a mug in hand as he caught wind of the standdown taking place now.

“Nothin’, nothin’.” Kevin lied through his teeth as his father burned holes through him as his eyes dragged over his appearance. “Just tired.”

“I see tired out there and in here everyday and that, is not tired.” enunciating it as he pointed at him.

“Been a long day, dad…” slapping a hand over his face, drooping his eyes as he staggered to and then up the stairs. “Maybe I caught something. I dunno.”

“First you were tired, now maybe you caught something? Which one is it now?”

“Kent, ease up on the boy. He’s probably exhausted from Jason’s antics. You know how they get together.”

Kent bit his cheek and turned to his wife as Kevin climbed up to the landing, followed by Hart who silently hid in his mug as he entered his own room.

Kevin couldn’t bear to listen to it anymore as his parents voices jumbled downstairs about what was really up with him. All he wanted to do was collapse onto his bed, especially now that his vision was all over the place and blurring. Almost throwing himself against every surface, Kevin threw his clothes into the basket with less than formidable form as he tumbled down onto his mattress. Now his muscles were really pushing, his blood felt acidic in him as he stared at the now peanut sized purple lump on the back of his hand, the house fading into silence as he simply sighed.

“Hey, Kevin..?” his fathers voice sliced the silence as he stood on the other side of his door. “I know I’m harsh on you sometimes but… I want what’s best for you. Senior year is a hell of an achievement, I mean, I didn’t even get to that stage. You got one of the best things a man could ever ask for… Fischer for a last name.” chuckling as he leaned against the door. “I know we don’t agree on everything but you are one of the most brilliant kids in the world when you want to be. I see something great in you. It’s your life and that is the most important thing, don’t live it being the second man on the depth chart. Sleep it off, kiddo. You’re the man.”

Wide eyed, Kevin laid there as his father stood outside the door but he might as well have been a million miles away with how out of it Kevin was.

“Also, I got in contact with the school. Ordered you one of the varsity jackets. Pick it up tomorrow.”

…

“I love ya son.”

Kevin's eyes rolled before they shut, exhaustion encapsulating him whole.

Chapter Text

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

Auspicious sunlight burned through the window slit of Kevin’s bedroom and soaked the foot of his bed as the sun settled in the sky. Face glued to the pillow, arms loose hanging off the side as his arm flew into the air and crashed down on the alarm to- SMASH!

He suddenly shot up before sinking onto the other side of the mattress, his alarm reduced to a smashed mess with greens systemboard pieces sticking out the pristine bottom half. Chuckling to himself, Kevin jumped off the bed and caught a grounding glimpse of himself in the mirror before he stared. Was he getting bigger..? He thought to himself as he unconsciously flexed in the mirror, his hours in the gym finally coming to fruition.

Kevin reached into his wardrobe as he grabbed a shirt and tried to put it on, a jumble of his limbs and shirt as it just wouldn’t go on. Reaching for another shirt, he realised the problem. It was… stuck to his hand? Desperately, he threw his hands about trying to get it off as it just wouldn't budge, it was stuck to both his hands! “What the-” 

RIIIIIP!

Crimson fabric stuck to his hands as he tore it apart at the literal seams, its two sides split as they hung off his fingers now. Ryan had doused glue on his hands while he was sleeping, hadn’t he? But he couldn’t have, he sat down on the edge of his bed as he observed his dry fingers before sighing, trying to calm himself. Kevin stared at the torn fabric as it suddenly fell to the ground and his fingers looked as ordinary as yesterday. 

“Why is this happening to me!?” Kevin whispered to himself as he quickly picked up the pieces and tossed them in the bin before grabbing another shirt, slowly easing into it as he smoothed down the hem. Maybe he was just sweaty, he thought.

The Fischer household bustled with noise - had the mornings always been this loud? - as they rushed past each other, dragged on about who got to use the bathroom first, interrogated the other on who had what where and whose duties were when and how. “Kevin! Pick up Ryan after soccer practice, got it?” Kent shouted up the stairs as Kevin gazed down at him, nodding lazily.

“Soccer practice, yeah, yeah!” sighing the second Kent disappeared out of sight.

“Yeah, stick to that this time dummy!” Ryan shouted behind him as he dashed down the stairs.

“Whatever, little man!” as he sidestepped Adam and into the bathroom.

Messy and unorganised, the other three had gotten to the bathroom before him and it showed as he swiped a towel off the floor and watched it whip to the ceiling. “Woah!”

It landed on him like a hood as he groaned, cautiously placing it back on the rack and letting go with an exaggerated release. 

“To hell with all this…” leaning over the bath and running his hands through his bed head hair.

Kevin licked his thumb and wiped down his locker, checking himself out as he grinned cheesily and straightened his crimp hair in the navy reflection and ran an inventory check on the pockets of his camo cargo jacket. McKinley students had started filtering into the hallways by now, lockers opening and slamming, students hollering and hooting as Kevin opened his slowly.

Inside, the door was lined with his schedule (in case he forgot.) A stock car team poster, Dashnaw, he and his fathers team. Other titbits of junk crudely strewn to the surfaces of the crammed space. Digging through his books randomly strewn about...

The arm on his hair spiked, the back of his head pulsed as his fingers gripped the locker and slammed it shut to reveal Jason, leaning against the lockers with that toothy smile. “Hey, K-Dawg.” before pulling him close and into a bro-hug.

“Hey dude.” Kevin stammered out as his brain tried to process what had just happened, he had known Jason his entire life, but enough to sense him? Something was happening to him. Something new, he was enjoying it.

“Feel any better? I know that headache was totally killin’ you yesterday.” pulling back with concern etched on his face.

“Yeah, I got deep in your mom and it all washed away soon after that.” Kevin smirked as he reopened his locker to grab what he was actually looking for again.

“She wouldn't touch you with a 100 foot pole, hurricane.” giving him a light shove into his locker.

“Not my fault she wanted to ride the best rollercoaster in McKinley.”

“If she wanted the best rollercoaster in McKinley, she'd take us to Blunderbore when it opens.” crossing his arms and leaning on the side Kevin could see.

“Nope. They changed it, they're calling it ‘Devil's Flight.’” Kevin commented, pulling one book out and slipping in another as he squinted dumbfounded at his schedule. “What day is it..?”

“Monday.” shrugging as he leaned next to the other side of Kevin's locker now.

"At least it's better than ‘Blunderbore.’ That just sounds like something I'd drink on a night out.” chuckling as he slowly closed his locker and turned to Jason.

But his attention had switched as Jason stared starstruck down the hallway.

Over the horizon of students scraping through the hallways, a head of earthly brown hair shined over the people as it made its way towards the pair. Closer, a red jacket that practically glinted in the ocean blue of the hallways and a face that could light up a world with a smile that cured disease to go with it. Wendy Christensen, his neighbour.

“Hi Jason.” Wendy strided past Kevin and to Jason as they pulled each other into a hug.

“Hey Wednesday. How'd the weekend treat you?” winking at Kevin as she peeked over her shoulder.

“Fine, just fine. Photography club…” Wendy waved her hands about in a motion.

Photography. How could anyone be into sitting there and waiting hours for a colour, or animals, or light to line up? Kevin loved and lived the moment and couldn't have been more dissimilar to his neighbour if he tried. Neat and practical, every outfit thought out and colour matched to fit and thrive, brightening her and everyone else's every day. 

Serious. Quiet. Self-occupied.

Nothing like Kevin.

“What were you horn dogs doing over the weekend, hm?”

“Ah, nothing-”

“Abandoned. Factory. Exploring!” Kevin interjected, wrapping an arm around Jason's shoulder like a python and laughing heartily as Wendy's face winded into a less than gung ho smile. She had never approved of him, not even since they were 6.

“Badass, wasn't it, Jay?”

“T’was something, alright.” Jason gave a cautious, wary smile at Wendy as Kevin beamed.

“Tsk. What have I told you about dragging him out to these places, Kevin?” looking him up and down as she cradled her folders.

“I didn't shoot him out of a cannon, Wendy. You worry about him too much. He's stronger than all of us, right Jay?” ruffling his hair before slowly removing it so as to not stick to him. “Besides, let him live a little, he's sixteen, seventeen next month!”

“He's not going to reach thirty hanging around you any longer.” shaking her head disapprovingly. “I'm booking him for a tetanus check…” she joked as she looked around, the thin hallways starting to hollow and filter out with kids.

“Where were we, J-Dog?” brushing off Wendy as he turned to Jason.

“Late for Ms Lewton science!” running her free hand through her hair frustrated at his bumbling incompetence. "Hurry up before I kill both of you after she's done with you!"

Wendy strided forward as the pair treaded in footsteps behind, making final adjustments as Jason reached into his bag and pulled out his homework. For science.

“Dude, you told me you didn't do it!” slapping his shoulder, whispering.

“I don't want detention, man! You know how Lewton gets about this stuff!”

“So you're leaving me to do detention on my own!?” Kevin whispered back angrily. “What's happening to you recently!? Bros before hoes and that, dude!”

“What's been happening to you?” Jason enunciated each word as he drilled his finger into Kevin's chest. “You shouldn't have to be told to do everything, man! I'm not your dad who needs to hold your hand for you to do homework, take some damn responsibility!” almost spitting the words out like venom as they turned the corner and met the door to Lewton's lab.

The clock ticked mindlessly and brain numbingly as Kevin slumped against his desk, foot tapping in boredom and agony as detention slugged on. A few other kids had been rounded up, a few lates, an incident, the usual with these types. Kevin was practically a regular.

At the front of the room, a single whiteboard simply stated “DETENTION” with an underline, 4 white concrete walls boarded the room in and gave it an imposing feel. A stark contrast to the jaded and emotionless teacher at the desk, probably not even paid to be here as he droned on clicking at the computer, pencil scratches and pen clicks occupying the other atmosphere in the room as people actually got on with their homework.

Kevin glanced up at the clock, he was late for football training by almost fifteen minutes now, a pout quickly took his lips as he pressed his forehead back against his forearm. “C'mon c'mon…”

Seconds dragged on to what felt like hours as he watched the hand roll around the clock like it was rusted and broken, until finally…

“Alright, if you had a half hour detention you can go.” Mr Nova announced dejected as Kevin almost gave himself whiplash shooting out of his seat, beaten only by a freshman hauling ass to get out. “Hey, Joshua! You had an hour! Get back here mister!”

Back and forth, back and forth Kevin's body sprinted as he launched through the hallway and into the other building as he made his way to the fields across the school. His camo jacket swinging in the motions...

He sidestepped right, almost flinging himself into a locker as a door swung open, one that he otherwise would have smashed straight into at top speed.

“Mr Fischer! Just the man I was looking for! Your jacket!” Ms Renée, the receptionist for the school and a kind, old soul that had worked here as long as he could remember.

“Can't talk right now-” he remarked as he decelerated before stopping himself against a locker. “You- you have it?” 

“Yes! You never picked it up this morning from the office.” shaking her head as she reentered the reception. “Come, come!”

Skittering into the frame of the reception doorway made him realise just how late he was again, the clock now putting him sixteen minutes late as Ms Renée treaded past printer and desk alike. “How is that boy, Adam? Settling in well with the new year?”

“Yeah, yeah, he’s great. Proud of all my brothers.” crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. He just wanted to hurry up and go.

Inside, receptionists blabbered into a phone or smacked away at keyboards as he stood at the doorway like an invisible barrier blocked his path, Ms Renée returned and deposited a clear bag into his hands with a neptune front and cream shoulder lining that bled down to the wrists, a small, deeper blue with the McKinley initials offset to the side and layered in white then deep blue again. “I won’t hold you much longer, lovely, enjoy the rest of your day.”

Kevin smiled huge as he caught himself in the reflection of the bag, a white sticker tagged “FISCHER” on the front of the bag in that lovely handwritten writing school authority usually held. “Thank you so much. I-I’m sorry for not picking it up this morning.” stuttering as he admired it in his hands.

Ms Renée waved the boy off as she smiled and shut the door, Kevin shoved the jacket down his bag as he slung it onto his bag and took off back down the hallway. Pivoting off his foot and into another hallway as he came through hard and swung open the glass door and into the final stretch before the field.

McKinley wasn't a dump, but it wasn't a grandiose and top flight school in the country or the area for that matter. Never heralded for its ability to make athletes or world famous stars, the most famous thing to come from the town was an ale company formed almost a hundred and fifty years ago. It had been a quiet town in recent years, never shocking the world or causing upset victories round the country, for years, McKinley was just plain old McKinley.

The stench of men drowned his senses as he clamored his way into the locker room, completely barren with bags strewn about and lockers hanging empty, swiping a spot on the bench and brushing another bag to the side as he planted his own.

“Fischer! You're late, what excuse have you got this time?”

“Detention, coach!” tugging at his shoulder pads as he walked onto the sidelines, the team was already congesting on the field as they roared and joked about.

“Don't let it happen again, son. If I have to cut your ass from this team, you might see me happy for once with the state of this place!”

“Won't happen again, coach!”

“We're doing some experimentation, team building, we're doing random positions!” pulling out a hat and shoving it in front of Kevin. One piece of paper, crumpled and dormant, sat in the bottom of it as Kevin fixated his eyes into the barrel.

“Coach, there's…”

“Fischer, please, pick a position.”

“Whatever…” reaching in and grabbing one of the pieces, his sizeable fingers swallowing the puny paper as he struggled to unfold it.

“Wide receiver… Coach, I-I can't catch anything. You want me out there-”

“We're walking about practice here, I'm not asking you to go win a threepeat. Now get out there and have some fun, son! I'm gonna grab the playsheet!”

Kevin couldn't bother to argue as he simply smiled and walked onto the field, past the sidelines equipment and into the main huddle of his teammates all jeering at something in the middle. He couldn't quite make it out until he got closer and saw him.

Romero. Holding one of the members by his ankle as they all laughed at the fumbling figure flailing about to try to escape his wrath.

“Lewis, drop him you dick, c'mon.”

“Ohhhh, Fischer! What the fuck are you doing here?” dropping the ankle and letting the teammate flop to the ground. “Glad you could fit us into your busy schedule!” grinning as he inched closer to him.

“I'm on the team, that's what I'm doing here. And so is he.” gesturing his head towards the body on the floor. “We're all just here to play ball and you're out here playing… this.”

“I'll play whatever the hell I want when I come out here and carry this damn defensive line week in, week out!”

An uproar of jeering erupted from Lewis’ and his lackeys as Kevin bit his cheek, noticing Jason off to the side helping the boy off the ground.

“You got jokes to go with that bigass head of yours?”

“With my what!?” Lewis leaned forward as a whistle split the air and the tension, coach running in as he dragged it out breathlessly until it became a faint sputter.

“Alright, y'all warmed up, right? Right?” Coach panted as he put his hands on his knees.

“Yeah, we warmed up alright.” Lewis spat at Kevin’s feet as he leaned backwards.

“Excellent! Positions! Flexbone! Triple!” dawdling at his whiteboard.

Lewis gave one final death stare at Kevin as he walked past him. “Watch yourself before you wreck yourself.”

Kevin brushed past him as he made his way to the outer area of the field, taking post on the line on the complete other side of the play, entirely foreign to his natural positioning. “Damnit, man.” It felt universes away from his team as he saw Jason chewing his mouth guard before smiling at Kevin.

Then he looked forward. Face to face with Lewis. A toothy, wide smirk with villainy plastered on his face as his eyes peeked into his soul.

“Whatcha made of, Fischer? You're nothing to me. Run. I dare you! I dare you!"

FWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET

Instantly, the sound of shuffling and shouting filled the air as Kevin blitzed forward and straight into Lewis with the full brunt force of his forearm, instantly sending him plunging down and into the dirt. Jason studied the play from the safety of his line as he lurched forward and hucked the play in Kevin’s direction, ball splitting through the air as Kevin shot down the line, fists balled with desperation.

He was never gonna make this. He didn’t even have the right catching motions down.

Kevin's eyes fixated on the ball as it swung barely overhead, his body twisting to catch it as he rocketed up into the air and his left arm stretching to the sky.

He was never gonna make this-

THWIIIP!

His heart might have blown up as he smashed into the ground, falling backwards as his eyes adjusted and his hand held high. Pigskin in hand. “Oh my god..”

“You caught that!?” Jason ran over laughing and beaming as he dropped to a knee and shook him. “You caught that!”, holding his helmet in his free hand as he extended a hand out to him. “You caught that, K-Dawg!”

“I caught that!” pulling himself up on Jason as the two jeered in the endzone.

“My, my, Fischer! Where did you learn to catch like that?” Coach shouted out as he stumbled towards them

“My uh, my father, coach!” Kevin lied straight through his teeth as he handed the ball off to him. He didn’t catch that - or at least he didn’t think so - but if you can take credit for a one handed touchdown, you take it and you run with it.

"Kevin!"

“Alright, high fives all around!” Kevin went around, all smiles as he basked in the glory of the moment until that feeling pricked his neck...

"KEVIN!"

But someone was less than happy about that play. A fist gripped and wrapped in the front of Kevin's jersey, wrangling him. “What the hell is your problem, huh?”

“Aww, wiwwle womero got hit too hard?” laughing as he leaned forward mockingly.

“You little shit!

“Come on, I don't really want to hurt you, Lewis-”

The cacophony of a football team at unbalance shattered the air as Lewis pulled back and thwacked the boy from earlier in the face.

 “Ow!”

Kevin's body instinctively swung back left and out the way on the return punch, pivoting on his left foot, followed by another rapid fury of fists he also sidestepped.

By now, the entire team had formed a human blockade of men circling around the pair as Coach shoved and desperately tried to make his way into the sinkhole to break it up.

Another swing, now was his chance!

His left hand caught Lewis’ like a fish in a net, throwing it upwards and out the way as his right arm shot forward and veered into Lewis’ core, sending him tumbling to the ground.

“Enough! Enough!” Coaches whistle dragged on again as he finally made it into the middle. Brokering the two away from one another, Lewis was pulled to his feet by his goons and Jason put a hand on his shoulder as he led Kevin back. “Everyone, take five!”

“You deserve that, you piece of shit!” Kevin shouted back as Jason tried to lead him away.

“Kevin, get over there and quiet down!” eyes wide and furious as Coach pointed away.

Jason finally got Kevin away and off to the tunnel leading onto the field, the rest of the horde all conversing with the coach.

“Dude, between me and you? You totally rocked him! Never liked how he picks on Josh like that.” keeping a hand on his shoulder as he laughed. “Stay here and chill off man, please?”

“Fine, whatever.” biting his cheek as he removed his helmet, discarding it onto the ground carelessly before watching Jason sprint back to the crowd.

His mind wandered back to one thing though, how had he caught that? It was going to miss him, fly overhead and again they would run the play!

Staring at the helmet, Kevin made the same finger gun motion and pulling his ring and middle finger back- 

THWIP!

A white, stringlike tow shot out his wrist and attached to his helmet with a web like grip as he stared at it before pulling, launching his helmet up and into his hands.

"What the fu-"

"KEVIN! GET OVER HERE!"

Kevin looked up, the crowd now disjointed as the coach beckoned him over. One hand on his helmet, Kevin took a deep breath and shuffled back onto the field.

Chapter Text

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Kevin swung his body up again, propelling his legs up like a swing as his body curved upwards and he glided onto the next concrete floor. The thin, string-like web dangled from the wall, abandoned as it collected against the old concrete in a single downward line.

“Yes! God yes! Haha!” fistpumping nothing as he sat back up.

I'm not trying to fake it and I ain't the one- BEEP.

His father. Again. Kevin scoffed before chucking his phone up, aim and THWIP! sticking it to the ceiling as he chuckled.

“Ah shit… how do I get that down?” tilting his head puzzled at the now stuck phone, its jaded screen a dinky flashlight of ambience as his brain racked with ideas.

Cracking his knuckles, Kevin gave his limbs a good stretch before he reached up and tangled his fingers with the viscous webbing before he heaved. Nothing. 

“Hrrrrrmmmmphhh!”

Kevin looked down, his body now awkwardly hanging from the webbing as his feet now dangled off the ground. Clearly, men were stronger when they closed their eyes and gave it a good tug.

“Okay, 3… 2… 1… heave!”

Grunting filled the air as he pulled, and pulled, and pulled at the webbing, its lines digging against his skin as he winced and yanked until-

His hand shot up to catch the phone, his webbing torn and hanging downwards now as he smiled, checking his phone before shoving it back in his pocket. Wait, was the webbing always on the floor?

Kevin looked down, where he had just pulled was now… the floor? His jacket tried to hang off his shoulders, his collar itching his neck as he realised he was standing on the ceiling.

Puzzled, Kevin bent down - or bent up? - and stuck his fingers to the roof as he slowly released the tension in his legs and diverted his body downwards. Hanging from just his finger tips, Kevin released one hand and put it in front of another as he slowly snaked along the ceiling.

“Puberty is one wild child…”

Kevin dropped to the floor, dusting himself off as he checked his phone again and found exactly what he'd been avoiding. Eight missed calls from his dad as he webbed his bag, all the way across the building as he dragged it through the dust.

No, if he was going to face his father, he'd do it in person. Slinging his bag over his shoulder, Kevin peeked over the edge, the second to last story of the factory towered above the drab concrete and its fragments of glass littered around. McKinley seemed so small from here, the entire town beneath him as he stepped backwards slowly, his blood pumping and heart thumping as he steadied himself, his fingers electric and his core ready…

…

…

…

“Nah, no, fuck that.”

Kevin shook off the creeps in his skin as he whipped around and quietly treaded the stairs, whistling to himself as he tightened his bag on his back.

I'm not trying to fake-

“Whatsup?” Kevin's body acted before his mind could, curiosity overtaking as he pressed the phone to his ear.

“Whatsup? Where are you, young man!?”

“I'm… I'm with Jason? We just got to Rita's.”

“Bullshit. Your mom just called that woman and Jason has been home all day.”

What a narc. Kevin pelted a rock at the wall as he paced over the pathway back and forth. “Okay, I've been out. That's it.”

“This is not ‘being out’ son. So where are you?”

“I got distracted, I've been out, that's all there is to it!”

“Distracted getting into fights? So you can leave your brother alone to walk home half an hour in the rain!?”

“You know it's not like that, don't twist it that way! He started that fight!”

“My god, here you go. You don't even care about your brother, I don't care about this fight!”

“He started it! Lewis deserves everything he's got coming!”

“Deserves it is your defense? You decide who ‘deserves it'? Because then guess what, you think a guy who throws a simple insult at you ‘deserves it’ and then you got three brothers, all see you saying people ‘deserve it’ then what? I got four kids under my roof, all running like a stampede at guys who ‘deserve it’. Do you know what happens then? It falls on you, as your responsibility.”

“That's not my responsibility, damnit!”

“You could have done good today, and you didn't! That was your responsibility and you didn’t do it… I know these years are tough, I get that. But you've got to shape yourself into who you want to be and I want you to be the best you can be, son.”

…

“If you ever have the power to do good, to put good into this world… you do it. That's what we do as Fischers and as people!”

“That's awesome... so why didn't you do it?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why don't you pick him up, show him you care about him and his interests?”

“Oh, don't start-”

“No, enough with your lecture.” Kevin sniffled, standing up as his fist balled in his pocket and his mind brewed. “You want to give him a role model? Then show up for him… I'm hanging up, bye.”

“Kevin, please-”

BEEP.

Chilly breath floated away in front of him as he stared out at the jungle between him and the rest of McKinley, his body weak yet his fist gripped his phone with all his might. Moonlight soaked McKinley as Kevin made his way off the factory grounds and into the fire. A fire dazzled in leaves and suffocating trunks as he peered into the seemingly endless void of ambience and trees.

“Just gotta aim for the bushes.”

THWIP!

Kevin's body propelled forward as he tugged at the webbing, the tree branch holding his weight as he picked up off the ground and held it for dear life. Thick stumps and collections of leaves all brushed by him as his jacket flew behind him in the breeze. Like all things in his life, letting go was the hardest part. His momentum dissipated, his eyes refusing to look down as he shot another right, his form yoinked right as he swung again and tucked his feet.

“Just like a swing, just like a swing!” telling himself over and over as he thrust his legs forward and up again, his body swirling as he finally got a good look at his height and realising the forest had ended. Greenery transformed into flat land and striated grass, sand pits dotted around as he looked forward again.

“No, no, no-!”

SPLASH!

Water instantly flooded into his lungs, his eyes burning up as his hands whipped around wildly for leverage. Not a swimmer before, not a swimmer now as he clawed at nothing as he kicked himself up to the surface, finally gathering himself as he scooped his hands and himself to the land desperately. Going under again, his hand fought to the top and broke water as he launched another thick web and tugged himself along it, his body drenched as he carried himself onto shore and sputtered.

“UUUUURRRGGGHHH- HAUCK!” Kevin sputtered as he climbed onto land, his drenched clothes dragging behind him as his hair clung to his forehead. Every part of him out of place, his form painted miniscule against the dazzling canvas of the water surface.

His hand gripped his phone, pulling it out of flooded pockets as it dripped and- nothing. “No, no, no…” pulling his knees up to his chest and burying his head in his sopping hands.

But he couldn't stop. Not now, not for nothing. Picking himself up, he slid his shoes off and drained them before wringing out his socks and shirt back into the golf-course lake. Kevin slid his damp clothes on and kept sprinting.

Mesmerising blues swayed into dull showers of yellow as Kevin's legs eventually gave out, sitting on a curb and panting heavily down the street from the store. Every once in a while, his head perked up to see a car drive by without a care in the world as he fought the idea of going in to get a drink, eventually he caved.

Ding! “Hey Yuri.” 

“You again! Have you got my money since the last time you said you would pay?”

“I'm not in the mood, I can get it to you soon.” brushing the cashier off, wandering down the aisles as he pulled strands from his forehead.

“Said that last time!” pointing an accusatory finger from behind his register, plaid with printed sheets and taped sticky notes to coat the grey of the counter top.

“I mean it this time!” 

He had no intention of ever paying Yuri back, they'd do this dance till the end of time and Kevin was okay with that. Yuri hadn't put his face on a banned poster yet and that meant free game for the establishment. Another ding shot through the air as Kevin closed the fridge, flipping the drink in his hand as he reached the snack aisle.

“Yuri, what's this noise playing?”

“Noise? Not noise, music! John Lennon!” Great, he had launched a conversation about music with an old man. He was going to be here all day. “The greatest band of all time? The Beatles? Those guys are chef's kiss.”

“I'm sure of it…” fumbling the items onto the counter as he dug in his pockets, wrangling the last of his money as he tossed it onto the counter and tapped his fingers impatiently.

“No, no, this is not enough.” shaking his head, almost repulsion plastering his face as he dialed down the music and counted the coins and scrunched up bills. “I will not let you steal from me this time, boy! One or the other. I don’t have all day.”

Kevin buried his face in his hands and stared sad at the counter. Yuri must have been upping his prices, or the economy could have crashed. Either held the same weight to him and neither mattered to him more than just getting the hell to bed.

“C’mon… terrible day today, Yuri. Just one more time, let me off.”

“Every day you don’t pay me back is a terrible day, my wife goes to bed hungry because Kevin does not pay for his drink at my store. My car? It breaks down, the noises it makes are terrible… it says ‘Kevin… Kevin… Kevin..’”

“Funny, real funny Yuri.” Kevin nodded as he bit his lip and furrowed his brow. “How much business do I give you? Without me or the school, you make a good living?”

“A great living, I would make MORE money if you didn’t come around. So what will it be?”

Now he was damp, humiliated and pissed as Yuri beckoned the next customer over and began ringing him up, pushing Kevin’s pathetic currency to the side as Kevin snuck the drink into his pocket and grabbed his change. Never to be counted out, Kevin had one more trick up his sleeve.

One glance at the energy drink stand practically pleaded to be toppled over as Kevin stepped to and gave it a good shove as it gave way with a large clamour and a low fizzing at the impact. “Oops.”

“No! You’re banned, Kevin! Get out of my store now and don’t come back! Damn teenagers…” quickly swooping over to collect the stand, salvaging what he could as he left the register unattended.

“Hey look man, I can pay you back soon or pay you back never. Which one will it be?”

“Shoo, shoo! I don’t need your money anymore!”

Kevin shrugged, another look back at the register as the mysterious customer grabbed fistfuls of cash from the register, shoving them in his pockets as he looked back at Kevin. A curious expression formed on his eyebrows, his eyes cloaked by sunglasses as he quickly tied a rubber band and threw Kevin his bag along with $100.

Maybe today wasn’t so bad, flicking the cash against his palm as the beret wearing man quickly sprinted past Kevin. 

“What the- hey! Stop him!” Yuri panicked, his register empty as he turned to Kevin, practically pleading. “Kevin, please!”

“Hey man, not my money.” smirking as he collected himself, leaving Yuri to his demons as he swaggered out the shop into the McKinley midnight again, looking up and down before he settled watching a scuffle outside a car. “Hey, free entertainme-”

Once, then twice, a flash went off accompanied by an ear splitting echo Kevin watched the beret figure hastily jump into the driver's seat and take off with a loud screech. An all too familiar sleek blue body blazing by, encompassed by a screech.

“Hey, no, no, no…” his jog reloading into a dash as he sprinted. “No, no, no, no!”

It couldn't have been- repeating to himself over and over again as he rushed across the street and dropped to a knee. It was, and the sight alone pricked at his eyes as his hands quivered and settled on top of his fathers calloused knuckle. “Dad, no, no come on, please… SOMEBODY! 911!” 

Kevin fished for his own phone, its screen unresponsive and bright white until it snapped into a black screen and shut off. “No! No, no!” His father's hand, slick with blood yet so soft as his free hand came up to Kevin's shoulder, almost heavenly, cleansing his ears of the loud, static pitch beating on his ears.

“Kevin…”

“Dad, I’m gonna get you help, alright just-”

“Kevin.” a weak squeeze, kneading his shoulder as Kevin slowly gripped his fathers hand, squeezing it as his eyes overwhelmed with tears just like his fathers before him as his fingers weakened and loosened.

“Please, please, please no, god no.”

Kent's fingers slid before crumpling to the floor, his eyes shutting as life subsided from his face. All Kevin could do was sob as he lowered his forehead against his fathers chest, burying his emotion against his jacket.

Chapter Text

“Yo, yo, yo! It's ya boy, Fuh-Fuh-Fuh-Fuh-Franklin Cheeks! This is for all da motha-fuckas and chicks at home who can't be with me right now because I'm on buh-buh-buh-buh-business!”

Not a single light dared to flicker down the alley, the autoshop turned off and its hot-rod banners laid dormant and dull as the garage door click-clacked open.

“Are you fucking filming this right now?” Frankie quickly cowered, turning and shielding his handheld camera in grubby fingers as he avoided Andy's prying hands. “Turn that off. Now.”

“Geez! Take a chill pill, dude!” snapping the camera shut and shoving it in his blazer pocket. “It's for me, I'm a dude who likes to make memories for my lady at home, ya know what I'm saying?”

Andy stared, half sympathetic and half disdain as he watched Frankie adjust his beret and straighten his chain.

“So… we doing this then? This legitimate street bid-ness like two legitimate street hustlers?”

“You got a wire?” Andy crossed his arms, standing in the middle of the garage door as Frankie leaned against a matte black and crimson lined van.

“No, no! I ain't with twelve if that's what you're saying… I hate po-po!”

By now, he looked like he was on the verge of just flying away as Frankie kept doing over the top motions. “Listen, asshole. I ain't up for doing this with your…” Andy’s eyes furrowed against the darkness. “flame printed button down unwashed ass. So, are you legit?”

“Ofcourse I'm legitimate!” Frankie said, looking down at his button up before he reached into his pocket and abducted a wad of cash, his fist knocking his gun out his pocket too as it clamored against the floor, making him spring into the air before tumbling back on his own feet. “Jesus Christ!"

“What is that, concealed carry? You're full of surprises.”

“Mhm. The ladies looooove my barrel…”

…

“My money?”

“Oh- yeah, right.” Crunched up bills and folded corners, all held together by a single rubber band as he beat it against his palm before bringing it up to his nose and inhaling. “Smells as good as it looks…”

“Fuckin’ freak.” Andy stepped forward, snatching the wad out of his hand as he quickly ran the numbers in his head. “Pick your gun up.” 

Frankie's eyes shot down as he quickly gripped the barrel and jammed it down his belt, behind his jacket.

“All here. There might be hope for you. Come on, klootzak.”

“Where we goin’?” Frankie watched Andy slam down the garage door, laying a sheet of darkness over the shop again as he brushed past Frankie. “This not the place?”

“No, follow me.”

“Alright, show me the money!”

Frankie followed behind Andy as they snaked down the side of the shop, the massive and blocky storage unit of the area with its unimpressive cream cladding walls next door. The door of the warehouse whined defiantly, handle frozen as Andy barged into it and bullied it open. “Damn piece of shit door…” 

Reaching a hand in and flipping the light on, row after row of rectangle lights flooding the warehouse with ambient bright white. Deep ocean doors, all lined up excellently in row after row as Andy strutted down the hallway, Frankie whistling behind him.

“Stop doing that shit. It's annoying.”

“Do all people past thirty just hate their lives?”

“No. I just think the less pattycake I have to play with you, the better. The only games me and you are playing is the money you're putting in my pocket.”

Kewzer stopped short of the end of the narrow path, Frankie in tow as he snared his keys from his pocket all jingling and clustered as he eyed and opened the door.

“Your money could be funding a government invasion, kid. You're putting it towards a good cause.” patting Frank on the back as the lights blinked to life, a single cabinet in the middle of the rectangular space, its two metal prods holding up a mysterious briefcase.

“Woah! What's with the friggin’... rhinoceros suit dude!? How much for that one!?” Frankie pointed at a gigantic, hulking suit slouched in the back of the unit and it's staple horn on the front of it.

“Not for sale. Got a buyer up north for it.” brushing him off as the briefcase spoiled it's contents, clicking twice before opening to reveal a pair of gauntlet-like devices.

“Fit like brass knuckles. Sting like a roided lion. You slip ‘em on, you hold down the button and you send those good vibrations at whatever you want. Hold it down, tuck your fingers and get to punching. So simple, a guy like you could figure it out.”

“Yeah, deal.” reaching out to shake his hand as his widened eyes laser focused the gauntlets like a kid in a candy store, almost drooling at the sight of the golden beauties.

“Then it's all yours. I was never here, if anyone asks. If anyone asks if you were here, you were never here. Though I imagine not many come looking for you, huh?” shutting the briefcase and handing it off to him.

“Friggin’ sweet…”

Chapter Text

Kevin sat exhausted and numb at the foot of the sickly coloured, thin pullout mattress that Jason had set up for him. He didn't need to sleep for the nightmares to occur, every blink, a painful sting of the night he sat back and watched, watched with a grin as his father was murdered in cold blood. Unknowingly of course, but hindsight might as well have taken him too, burying his head in trembling hands and sighed.

Not much else of that night came back to him after that, the fading sense of his fathers pulse as his fingers slipped off his shoulder. How he got home and how his father got picked up were all foregone memories, clueless to the events like he wasn't there. But his core ached, rotted like a parasite had taken helm in his nerves and chewed on frayed bundles with one thing constantly plaguing him. 

He could have stopped it. Prevented it if he had listened to Yuri and put aside a petty grudge, if he so much as stuck his foot out and tripped the bastard and his dumb, beret wearing bald head. Lingering on the ‘what ifs’ had done him no good, a desperate need of a change of scenery from the wallowing, weeping echoes that reverberated in every corner of both Fischer home and Fischer mind. Need for change led him to Jason's doorstep after the funeral, still wearing the suit while he flooded rivers into Jason's shoulder from puffy eyes in the middle of the night. Clinging to him like a lifeline until he finally fell asleep in Jason's bed, waking up in the morning on the depressing pullout next to the bed. Jason materialised down the stairs that groaned under his weight, fostering two mugs and a newspaper under his elbow.

“Sorry I moved you, you were totally crushing me when I woke up. Just how you like it, by the way. throwing the newspaper on the table causing the Batman figure to bobble slightly behind it.

“It's fine, I get it.” reaching out and taking the mug from Jason before he set it down between his legs. “Thanks.”

“Figured I'd let you get your beauty sleep.”

“No. Rita would kick me out eventually, grab me by my collar and give me the boot.”

“I'd be right there to catch ya, Hurricane.” sipping from his mug, leaning next to the small window, Saturday morning light flooded the basement and gave it that sunset atmosphere that Jason's face really seemed to shine in. “Hey, all my stuff fits you, right? You want to get out of your two piece, take what you need.”

Kevin looked down at himself, the dusk suit practically sticking to him before he wrestled out of it and placed it at the foot of the pullout. “Man's best friend, you know that? Ol’ reliable.” a small smile tugging at his lips while Jason passed him some basketball shorts, freezing and tilting his head.

“Woah. When did you become Arnold?”

“What?” Kevin asked confused until he stared down at himself. In all his infinite wisdom, his new found ability had hit the back burner, completely forgotten about. His newfound strength, his newfound abilities, his heightened senses had all been the least of his concerns while grief-stricken. They couldn't bring his father back, what use were they to him?

“I've always been like this, dude. Get to knowing.” a smile finally breaking through as he flexed boisterously. “Besides, you keep a record of my abs or something?”

“Ah, if only I had a photographic memory…” both chuckled as they took another sip.

Kevin yoinked a shirt off the floor, a plain white tee with a ketchup stain splattered and dried across the front that made him roll his eyes, fitting into it before laying back down across the pullout. Awkward silence filled the air until Kevin sat back up on the pullout, groaning slinking out under his weight.

“Jay, can I ask you about… your father?” Kevin instantly regretted asking, his eyes half shut as he looked up, not quite at Jason looking longingly out the small window.

“Wow, I mean- sure. Knock yourself out.” hesitating himself and taking another swig.

“After he died, what did you feel? Was it like rage, or, or sadness?”

“Nothing.” calmly, his fingers tapping against the ceramic of the mug. “Because he's not dead.”

“What?” Kevin's eyes jolted at him for a second, eyes scrunched in confusion. “Bullshit. You told me he was.”

“I never told you the truth. He's dead to mom… to me. He up and left us fifteen years ago and Rita insists I don't contact him. So I don't. To me? He's just some scientist who abandoned us because he was too busy with work to notice his fiancè and three-year-old son. Top of the mountain a-hole. You know he held off his own wedding for four years?”

“Wow. Someone was having doubts, huh? That's some heavy shit man, I'm sorry.”

“Bah. It's fine, he's never sent so much as a postcard so… why should I care about him? He doesn't care about me, or mom, or anything that doesn't involve his work. Or so mom says.”

“So that's how you really feel about him, huh? Nothing?”

“Eh. Numb, more than nothing.”

“So you do think about him.” Kevin stated, now standing up.

“I used to sit on the porch sometimes and imagine if he was here from time to time. But you can only sit with your grief for so long, Kevin. You cannot let it control you no matter how hard it is.” taking another swig before looking down into his empty mug. “I haven't sat on that porch in years now.”

“Wow. That's good man, really. I- I don't know what to say. Thank you, Jay. I'm sorry about all of that.”

“Hey, water under the bridge now.” smiling warmly before looking back up the stairs. “I'm gonna run the bases when Wen gets here, you coming? Holding it down with Rita?”

“You guys are going out? I- I would come but… homework. Gotta catch up for Monday.”

“You? Homework?”

“Yeah, homework.”

“And I'm Batman, buddy.” patting Kevin's shoulder before retreating up the stairs.

Kevin watched Jason disappear up the stairs before his gaze fell back to the newspaper laid over the table, its fat, eyesore red headline sticking out at his eyes.

SHOCKER SENDS WAVES THROUGH MCKINLEY! FINANCIAL SHOCK FELT EVERYWHERE! THESE CRIMES WILL SHOCK YOU!

Instantly his face soured, his deep plunge into thought swirling in his head as he scoured around the room and bundled his stuff into his arms. One idea ricocheted around his mind, stuttering at the bottom step before swiping the newspaper and going up to meet Jason.

“Want some more of this? Good stuff.”

“I'm fine, Jay.” swiping a black bag from under the kitchen and dumping his stuff.

“You need a hoodie or anything? For getting back…”

Kevin's scrounging was stopped as he worked back to his feet, a slim figure decorated in a light magenta jacket now strolling through the doorway. “Hello.”

“Oh- hey Wendy.” Kevin stuck his hand out weakly, off guard.

“Wednesday!” Jason's voice rung out, stumbling over and pulled her into a hug. “We still going out..?”

Wendy smirked. “Well, I don't show up here for the coffee.” teasing tone bested by Jason's kiss.

Kevin stood back against the counter, hands firm against it while his eyes avoided the couple. Nothing had changed between him and Wendy despite the new proximity to his best friend, still trying to scrub off everything Kevin had painted on Jason. A few moments eyeballing at each other at the funeral hadn't changed anything either when neither dared to engage with the other.

“Let me get dressed then we'll be out, ‘kay?”

“Is Kevin coming?” Wendy twisted her head to the side, eyes scanning around the room.

“Kevin?”

He stared up at the bungalow one more time, bag hung over his shoulder. Eyes sagged in sadness and something rotten, kicking a pebble continuously down the street.

Emptiness embowered the Fischer household, nothing else as Kevin cushioned the front door shut and his footsteps treaded the wood. From the cold foyer, his mother turned tired, almost purple eyes towards him from her seating at the kitchen island. He ventured closer, tread like glass, the bag having slid from his fingers and forgotten in the hallway as his hands enveloped his mother in a hug.

“Hi Ma.” rubbing her bony shoulder consoling, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “You ate today?”

She shook her head.

He stood back, reaching out to the fridge and inspecting the barren inventory before pulling out the orange juice. No one had gone shopping, that much was clear as he swiped the bread and threw two pieces on a plate before pressing four dots. Two imprinted smiles finished the bread, jamming them in the toaster.

“I stayed at Jason's. In case you were wondering.” pouring out the orange juice into a glass. “Didn't talk to Rita. Didn't get the chance but- she's lovely. Both of them. You should speak to them when you can.”

Kevin slid the glass in front of Mary, the two bathing in stillness until the toast jolted behind him, hot potatoing it in his fingers until he dropped it down onto the plate and dragged his fingers along his jacket. 

“Hey, ma, look. Toasts got little smiley faces on them.” smiling warmly as his eyes drifted to his mother's downturn face.

…

“I'll butter it.” his voice almost a whisper, he nodded defeated, cracking the lid of the butter and gripping the knife. Silence still clutched the air, his brothers presumably asleep. Hs scraped the metal over and over until he slipped the plate in front of her. “I'm going to have a nap or go out again, ‘kay?”

The plate sat untouched in front of her as Kevin backed up towards the doorway, upright against the wooden frame as he watched his mother's stature at the table. One reluctant hand reached out, taking the toast and biting in before Kevin smiled to himself and retreated upstairs.

Nightfall. Darkness blanketed McKinley streets as one spark remained lit in the Fischer house, the low hanging desk light shading him while Kevin popped the lens out of old sunglasses. Low buzzing filled the air as thick hot glue squeezed through the gun and onto the balaclava, one tinted lens completed by the other when he pressed and poked the plastic onto the glue. Slipping it to the side and letting it dry while he thrust his chair to his wardrobe, opening it and purging through jerseys and jackets alike until his hands landed on leather.

Midnight black, cracked leather hanging off one broken hanger, eyes softening and he pulled it down into his lap. Kevin could remember clear as day now, snooping through his fathers wardrobe a few years ago and fixating on the piece until his father begrudgingly let him have it. It never fit him those years ago, long sleeves hanging over his hands and shrouding his barely grown teenage figure. Two kids in a trenchcoat, he recalled his mother joking and chortling about him every time he put it on.

“It didn't fit me either on my first date. You'll grow into it one day, kiddo.” Recollecting his fathers story about his first date with Mary.

Kevin slumped in his chair as his fingers absently tousled with the zipper. Now he was older, larger and more filled out. He slid his arms through it and onto him. Just perfect. Cuffs came right up to the wrists, the rest of the suit scribbled in now and resting on him. His own figure almost symmetrical to his fathers high school self, picture taped to the mirror that he stared into it. “One day…”

The next part of his costume was simple, a black pair of cargos and charcoal combat boots that he pulled on and laced up. Hot glue had dried by now, crusted slightly around the plastic. He lowered the mask onto his face and fitted it to the jacket c, sliding it under his shirt collar. Adorned in his new bleak rags, he topped the costume off with one final grand piece. Knotting the yellow fabric around his neck, letting it drape down his back.

All that remained of him was his bare hands, practically unrecognisable by them made it no worry to him. Kevin aimed and THWIPED at his window, sliding it up before treading closer and dangling his legs out the window into the murky night.

I want you to be the best you can be… son.

Cold air coursed over his body. The Christensen household was almost an ironic parallel to his own house with all its lights and inviting atmosphere. Kevin brushed it off and shoved it out of his mind, pulling the window down and zipping his jacket up. 

THWIP!

Kevin swung from the brick, off the side of the house and into the night.

A loud clamour rang through the McKinley streets. Indisputably a verbal scuffle dangerously close to turning physical any second now. Slim alleys concealed nothing and revealed everything. Kevin leapt over another building, perching himself onto a periphery and gazing down into the backstreet.

“Your money or your life! Don't be dumb, kid!” waving his gun carelessly, more as if he was threatening the air and rain compared to the terrified civilian in front of him.

“Look, I- I don't got much man, just- just take it! Take it!” trembling hands presenting the wallet forward. With a clatter, it slipped through his fingers and smacked against the ground. Its contents launched out as they both stared down at the ground.

“Godamnit, what are you doing!? Pick it up!”

ZIP!

“Leave. Before you do something I'll regret.” Kevin stood upright with his knuckles clenched. His cape flew in the light breeze and swayed. His breathing heavy through the mouthless mask, yellow lens glinting with the streetlights essence.

“What the hell? Halloween is in a month, creep!”

In one sudden move, his lowering gun was intercepted. One viscous web gripped the barrel and launched it into his hand, letting it fall to the ground before webbing it again to trap it there.

“Aarrrggghh!” The thief charged at him, the trembling man behind him forgotten. Kevin easily picked him up, using his momentum against him to turn them both around and smack him hard into the wall. His body drooped down the wall, hands scrounging for anything until coming up with two fistfuls of cape. Pulling them over his head and tugging while trying to slide through his legs.

“Let go, damnit!” Kevin pulled back and fired, his fist meeting face. The thief's body jolted once more before collapsing unconscious. His cape clustered, throwing it back over his shoulders and unknotting it from around his shoulders.

“Thank you, thank you so much!” the man’s shaky voice came from behind, pressed against the wall still.

Kevin turned back to him, intercepting his hands as he ZIP! and inspected his ID.

“Nick?” Kevin looked up at him. Eyes of worry, concern. “Are you alright, Mr O'Bannon?” handing back the wallet and its contents.

“Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. This freak tried to rob me! Just walking home and-... are you police?”

“Would it make you feel safer if I wasn't?”

“Oh thank god, no paper work. Phew…” concern washing away as he smiled with glee. “You should do something before he wakes up, man.”

“You call the police, alright?” Kevin picked his body up, standing it against the wall.

ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP ZIP!

Both of them stood there, observing the man restrained to the wall as Nick finished his call. “They're on the way, thank you.”

“You get home safe, sir. Police will deal with him.” backing up from the alley and nodding at him.

“Wait! Don't you want your cape?”

Kevin's eyes furrowed behind his lens, it had been nothing but hassle. Both in battle and sticking out like a sore thumb. “Keep it. Souvenir, sell it online… whatever.”

Nick picked it out off the ground, taking refuge from the rain under it. “Hey!”

He turned back around once more.

“You got a name? One I can tell the police?”

He halted, staring deep into the alley, into Nick's eyes behind his lens.

“No.”

Kevin zipped away, slinging into the darkness as sirens blared underneath.