“Hey, Lia, got a sec?” Vista asked, jogging up behind me.

  “Sure, what’s up Missy?” I said, smiling.

  “Oh, hey Amy,” she said.

  “Hey,” Amy replied.

  “Uh, just like, wanted to know if you were okay?” Vista asked, cocking her head. “I mean, when you called the other night you sounded… I don’t know, terrified.”

  “Oh, um.” Shit. I’d sort of forgotten about that. “You’re not wrong, I had a pretty bad nightmare but it’s okay. Had some help calming down.” I squeezed Amy’s hand. Vista’s eyes flicked down and her cheeks coloured a little.

  “Oh you two are um…”

  “Dating,” Amy said. “Kind of...on a date.”

  “Sorry to worry you Missy,” I said, offering an apologetic smile. “I’m fine.” At least, I would be as soon as I lived longer than a week again…

  “Okay, uh, have fun I guess.” She made a face and turned around, heading back

  “What was that about?” Amy asked as we continued walking up the road.

  “Remember I told you she remembered dying once?” I asked, keeping my voice low. “I called her on Sunday remember?”

  “Oh, I guess, barely,” she shrugged. “I remember...different things.” I smirked and bumped my shoulder against her arm.

  It was a nice day, we didn’t have much homework, so I’d asked Amy out on a walk. She called it a date but like...barely. We were just going to a nearby park, maybe grab something from a food truck if we got hungry. Was it a date just because we were dating now? Probably. I started as Amy let go of my hand and hooked my arm.

  Fuck I was jumpy. Wasn’t like I slept well knowing what was coming, or remembering what had happened. And I couldn’t just sleep with Amy every night, it’d be weird and I’d probably annoy her by waking up every couple hours. Just sometimes, maybe; we’d talk about it or something. I had worse things to worry about than how to hang out with my girlfriend.

  “You’re tense,” Amy said as we stepped onto the park path and under the canopy of trees.

  “Yeah,” I agreed.

  “Something wrong?” she asked. Only we were going to possibly die in a few days.

  “Just worried I guess,” I said instead. “A lot uh, going on you know?”

  “I know,” she said, tightening her grip. “Want to like...talk about it?” I snorted.

  “Not exactly sure what there is to talk about,” I replied, glancing around. The park was practically empty, a bit of a surprise at four on a Tuesday, but a welcome one. “Like, no offense, but I don’t know if you can help me plan to fight Behemoth.” She grimaced and nodded.

  “Sorry,” Amy apologized. “I’m...kind of useless.”

  “Definitely aren’t,” I retorted. “But you’re not a fighter. I respect that honestly, you help a hell of a lot more people than me. Just right now, yeah, have to think about that on top of Tattletale being out for blood, then I’ve got a disciplinary hearing coming up…” Well, that last one would at least wait until after I’d dealt with the monster on the horizon.

  “And you have to deal with me on top of that,” she added glumly. “Sorry, I wish that was—”

  “Amy,” I cut her off, leaning on her as we walked. “That’s… I mean yeah I like, have to figure that out too but believe me that’s what I’d rather be dealing with over all this other crap.”

  “Really?” she asked, and I couldn’t help rolling my eyes.

  “Yes, dumbass,” I answered lightly. “If my only worry was us I’d probably be a lot more relaxed. Hell, as soon as all this is over I hope that’ll be my only problem, you know?” Amy’s cheeks coloured.

  “How do you say embarrassing shit like that?” she grumbled.

  “What’s embarrassing about telling you I want to spend time with you?” I countered. “I mean...maybe if I was telling the Wards and stuff, but you’re my girlfriend. It’s like...normal, right?”

  “I guess,” Amy said. “I just kind of feel...weird about it, I guess.”

  “Sorry, I can stop if you—”

  “It’s not bad,” she interrupted. “I’m just, like, not used to other people wanting to hang out or...or this.”

  “Neither am I,” I said, shrugging. “I wanna be though.”

  “Yeah,” Amy agreed, smiling as she squeezed my arm. “I think that’d be nice.”

  “It’s good to see you again Amaranth,” Yamada said with a smile.

  “Yeah, you too,” I lied, taking off my mask as I sat. I was kind of tired of the same therapy appointment on repeat.

  “Is something the matter?” Apparently I hadn’t hid that as well as I hoped

  “Just tired,” I hedged. “Things have been crazy lately, got a lot on my plate you know?” Like Behemoth, who I still hadn’t figured how to handle. I wasn’t fully convinced Chevalier’s guys would cut it.

  “Times have certainly been hectic,” she agreed. “Has there been anything specifically that comes to mind?” I offered a shrug.

  “Lots of things.” Like stuff I couldn’t mention yet in case it changed again. “Like, um, I’m trying to figure out a problem that I can’t solve, but I don’t really know who can. Like, it’s not my place.”

  “Not your place to solve this problem?” she asked and I nodded. “I see. Can you explain why you feel that way?”

  “I’m not smart, not resourceful, I don’t really have the skills to.”

  “Lia we’ve discussed putting yourself—”

  “Let me finish,” I cut her off, then winced. “Please. Um, so, yeah I don’t have any of what it takes to solve this problem and I can’t get it because I’m on a deadline. How...how do I find someone that even might be able to help?”

  “Well…” Yamada paused, scratching her chin. “I suppose you need to consider what it would take to succeed, then consider if you know anyone who fits those criteria.”

  “It’s not…”

  Was it that simple? Fuck I didn’t really know what someone would need. Creativity, sure, thinking around problems that appeared at the worst times. Had to be someone who’d throw themselves into things because they believed it was the best way forward. And considering Taylor had been involved, I had no doubt that it was dirty work.

  It had to be Taylor really, I was a poor replacement especially here. I could dive in headfirst like an idiot, like her, and maybe some things I could navigate around; but I wasn’t quite as good with people. She wasn’t either, but I’d learned first-hand how damn persuasive that stupid earnestness was. I was a sour bitch and unlike her couldn’t just hide my tone in the drone of bugs.

  I could still try of course but...I couldn’t afford to. I gripped my knees and took a deep breath, trying not to remember what Amy looked like, dying in my arms. I couldn’t let that happen, and that meant staying with her. Maybe I could persuade Chevalier to concentrate the hospital and command center, or at least put it further behind that line. It might mean longer trips but…

  Still had to figure out who’d be dealing with Phir Sē, who could. Well if Taylor wasn’t available and I was preoccupied… She hated my guts and I was pretty sure her team did too. Still, I literally couldn’t think of anyone else I’d trust to handle it. I sighed and leaned back until my head bumped the back of the chair. Fucking Tattletale.

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Can we talk about something else?” I asked, feeling suddenly tired.

  “Are you certain you—”

  “Please,” I cut her off, shutting my eyes. “Um… I started dating someone.” When I opened my eyes I saw her smiling.

  “That’s wonderful to hear. Tell me about them?”

  “Happily.”

  “You know I don’t get you.”

  “Hm?” I turned my gaze from the streets to Autumn Rain. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, like,” Autumn huffed. “I heard about you from Clockblocker and Kid Win and stuff, you sounded like a psycho. But you’re like, I don’t know, you’ve barely said a word to anyone since I met you. Hell you haven’t said a word to me all patrol.”

  “Thinking,” I replied with a shrug.

  “From what I’ve heard that’s a rarity.” I rolled my eyes at her quip. “What about?”

  “Nothing good,” I sighed. “Have to deal with this bitch I know, no way around it I kind of need her. Problem is, we both hate each other and would probably prefer a knife fight to a conversation.”

  “Jesus,” Autumn said, shooting me a look. “The hell is your beef with her?”

  “Fought a few times,” I said. “I kind of hurt her best friend too. Not what I intended but still happened and still on me, you know? And now I’ll probably have to lick her boots or some bullshit. Sucks but...I’ll live.”

  “That’s...damn.” She shook her head. “Sucks to be you.”

  “Don’t I know it,” I muttered. “So yeah, I’ve got a lot on my mind; sorry I’m not talking to the new girl who doesn’t like me and I don’t know.” We continued on our patrol in silence for a minute.

  “Sorry,” Autumn said at last. “I um, I don’t not like you it’s just… I don’t know, from what I’ve heard I just don’t think I will.”

  “Probably right,” I agreed. “But we need to work together. I think we can agree the villains are worse than each other, right?”

  “Right,” she said.

  “Then we’re a team,” I said. “Have to keep it simple. Getting sick of being at everyone’s throat, not helping anything. We don’t agree on how to deal with the villains? Fine. Don’t like how I’ve dealt with them in the past? Fine. Don’t like me? Fine, cool, whatever; we have bigger problems.”

  “You...you really don’t care?”

  “I can’t fucking afford to,” I retorted. “There are scarier things out there than you and your boyfriend, and I have to deal. So be shitty, be nice, be whatever, but don’t work against me.” There was a beat of silence.

  “How did you know?” Autumn asked.

  “Know what?” I shot her a look. “That there are worse things than you and Crucible not liking me? Because I—”

  “That we’re...together.” I blinked.

  “I didn’t.”

  “Oh.” Another beat.

  “Good for you, I guess,” I said with a shrug. “Hope you’re happy or whatever.”

  “Um, thanks.” She smiled, staring at the ground. “He’s a good guy. Strong, brave, always looking out for me. Don’t think I’d be as good of a Ward without him around.”

  “Lucky,” I said, nodding. “Then pass it along that I’m not going to fuck him around, and expect the same.”

  “Oh I don’t know about that one Amaranth!” a smug, cunty voice made my eyes roll as a trio of mutant dogs dashed from a nearby alley and surrounded us. Autumn froze, but I continued walking towards the dog that bitch and Grue had jumped off. Bitch growled as I approached, mounted on her own mutt.

  “Just the bitch I was looking for,” I said, stopping a step away. Grue’s darkness clung to my knees and he glared down at me. Behind me, I could hear Autumn frantically speaking into her radio.

  “That’s not gonna work, but keep trying; maybe if you train your voice people’ll believe you’re a girl!” Tattletale yelled over my shoulder, then grinned at me. “So what—” My open hand cannoned into her cheek, snapping her head to the side. I kept my projection on, but I bet it still stung. Bitch’s dog snarled at me.

  “That’s for being a shitass cunt at my teammate,” I snapped, then took a deep breath and sighed. “And now that we’re even for that, let’s talk about getting even for Taylor; what do you want?”

  “Straight to the point huh?” Tattletale muttered, rubbing her cheek. “Fine, I want you dead. Get it?”

  “That sounds negotiable,” I said, rolling my eyes. “I didn’t read through that novel you gave me in detail, but I got the gist. Preserving capes for Gold Morning?”

  “Gold Morning?” Grue asked, crossing his arms.

  “End of the world, sorry,” I explained, not taking my eyes off Tattletale. “Anyway, that’s what it’s for right? Well I’m here to say give peace a chance. You and me agree to not cut each others’ throats, or send invisible little sisters to do it.” Grue bristled. “We abide all the peace terms, at least with each other. You’re not stupid, and I am but I’ve figured this out at least, so?” I stuck out my hand. Tattletale eyed it, crossing her arms.

  “And how exactly does this even out for what you did to Skitter?” she demanded.

  “You could ‘arrest’ me for a week if it makes you feel better,” I replied sarcastically. “But that was all I did to her. In fact, you know that I fucking helped her before everything went badly. Talk to Forrest?” She glared at me. “Yeah you did, so you know I’m not some fuckabout flunky who’s all onboard with the PRT. You know what, fuck it, don’t even promise that it’ll be forever. One month, one month and then you can try your hardest to kill me, huh?”

  “We’re not gonna kill you,” Grue said gravely. “Much as we might want to, we both know it’s not what she’d want.”

  “Then hold off on outing my background or something,” I said with a shrug. “Whatever retaliation you nutcases are planning, put it on ice for a month. We both know the Endbringers are making another appearance soon and we can all agree that’s worse, right?” Grue stiffened, but nodded once.

  “Sweeten the pot,” Tattletale said, her smug grin finally returning. “What’s ‘Gold Morning’? Sounds pretty important, almost religious. You know something.”

  “I do,” I confirmed. “But not enough to make a difference, not yet. I can give you basically what Dinah can: world ends in two years and Jack Slash is behind it. Closer it gets, the more details I’ll have.” Because I’d learn them and die, probably.

  “Convenient,” she scoffed.

  “For everyone except us,” I countered.

  “And the name?”

  “A name, that’s all.” I shrugged.

  “Names exist for a reason,” Tattletale replied, a little thoughtfully. “Refers to the time and...maybe the culprit?”

  Oh, that actually made sense. I saw her eyes widened and my heart stopped; she’d seen it click. She opened her mouth, but I was fast, clamping a hand over it and squeezing hard. Whatever she’d been about to say only came out as a yelp of pain, drowned out by a practical roar from her dogs. Bitch yelled for them to ‘hold’ and Grue clamped a hand around my wrist.

  “Let go of her,” he growled.

  “Tattletale,” I said, barely recognizing my voice. My heart was racing and my alarm was screaming in my ears. “Take that little tidbit you just figured out and bury it so deep not even your passenger remembers.” Her eyes were like saucers as she nodded frantically against my hand. I let her go, and Grue let me go, then I took a step back. I took a shaky breath and crossed my arms. “A month.”

  “A month,” Tattletale agreed, eyeing me warily. “Grue, Bitch, let’s go.” They hopped aboard their mount, and with a whistle from Bitch they were gone. I walked back to Autumn on shaky legs, patting her shoulder.

  “See?” I said. “Scarier things than me out there.”

  “Fuck,” Autumn swore, her voice low. “Um, what she said—”

  “Tattletale talks,” I interrupted. “That’s her thing. Your voice is fine, don’t sweat it.”

  “About the...girl thing.”

  “The what?” I thought back, then shrugged. “Oh, yeah, whatever.”

  “It’s not whatever,” Autumn hissed. “I’m a girl, okay?”

  “Yes?” I cocked my head. “And I’m the most fucked up Ward you’ve met. We’re just saying obvious shit right now?”

  “You’re not…” She blinked, then huffed. “Whatever, let’s go.” She turned on her heel and started walking back towards headquarters.

  “What’s up your ass?” I asked. “Is this because you’re like, trans or something?” Her head snapped towards me.

  “How do you—”

  “Despite popular accounts, I’m not stupid.” I rolled my eyes. “Shockingly, I don’t really care. My mom would have called you a degenerate but like, hey me too, so it’s whatever.” She stared at me for a moment.

  “You’re tra—”

  “I’m a lesbian, dipshit,” I cut her off, then sighed. “Sorry, tense. Look, can we stop talking about our junk? It’s weird.”

  “Sorry,” Autumn said sheepishly. “Uh, thanks.” I shrugged.

  “Don’t mention it,” I said. “C’mon, let’s get back.”

  “What a fucking day,” I grumbled as I walked into Amy’s place, shedding my mask and hood.

  “Yeah?” Amy said, walking back to the kitchen. I could smell lasagna...again. “Wanna talk about it.”

  “Ran into Tattletale.” I winced as cutlery tinkled, falling to the floor as Amy flinched and whirled. “It’s okay, I’m fine. Autumn Rain was a bit shaken up because Tattletale clocked her but we’re both okay.” She looked me over, then gave a firm nod and retrieved the utensils.

  “Autumn’s transsexual?” Amy asked, setting the table. “Huh. Haven’t fixed her or anything so I didn’t know.”

  “I thought the right term was—”

  “It’s medical,” she explained. “Like, that’s what the doctors who treat it call it.”

  “Okay,” I said, shrugging. “Anyway, that’s it. How was your day?”

  “Uh, less...eventful,” she said. “Spent half of it hashing out what my contract with the PRT is going to look like.”

  “Yeah? You getting your own place?”

  “I didn’t say anything but…” Amy shrugged. “I guess I should, right? Can’t stay cooped up here forever.”

  “Yeah, no reason both of us should be.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Hey, it’s fine.” I smiled and came up behind her, wrapping her up in a brief hug. “I mean it. Plus if you get your own place, it means I won’t always have to be cooped up here.” She giggled as I stepped back.

  “Yeah okay, I’ll bring it up next week,” Amy said, getting the dish out of the oven. “So hey, do you want to maybe watch something with dinner or—” She was interrupted by a knock at the door. I stopped her before she went over.

  “Amy,” I said, taking her hand. “It’s going to be okay.” She gave me a look, then shook me off and headed to the door.

  “Hel— Dad?!”

  “Hey sweetheart,” Flashbang said. I came up behind her, sans mask, and put a hand against her back. “And who is…”

  “My name’s Lia,” I replied with a smile. “You know me as Amaranth. Nice to meet you properly, Mr. Dallon.” He blinked and Amy twisted her head to look at me. “What? Amy I’m your girlfriend, he was going to find out sooner or later.”

  “You’re—” Flashbang sighed and put a forced smile on his face. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  “Um, we were just about to eat,” Amy said sheepishly.

  “Mind if I join you?” he asked. “Smells delicious.”

  “We have plenty, and I don’t mind. Amy?” She sighed and slumped against me.

  “Yeah, sure,” she said glumly, pulling away and turning around. “Let me go get another plate.” I pulled out a chair for Flashbang, then joined her in the kitchen.

  “Hey,” I said quietly, wrapping my arms around her waist before she started dishing out food. “It’s going to be okay, I know it is, I promise.” She sighed and shook her head, putting a hand on mine.

  “Thanks,” Amy said quietly. “I trust you Lia.” I squeezed her tightly, then joined Flashbang at the table, offering a smile.

  “So Mr. Dallon,” I began. “How are you?”