Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

After hours and hours of driving, they finally arrived at the house Annie said they’d stay in.

The door clicked shut and the cold came in with them. The house was all on one floor: a sagging couch, a small TV, an open, half-empty kitchen. The blinds facing the street hung half-closed. Behind each window, a hidden blackout roller and a thin acoustic panel shut out the light.

A sheet of paper was taped to the wall near the kitchen, handwritten.

HOUSE & RESISTANCE RULES

1. No phones.
   
   
2. No one goes out alone.
   
   
3. Three alarms = evacuation.
   
   
4. One walkie per person. Keep it on you at all times.
   
   
5. Max shower time: five minutes.
   
   
6. Clean what you use. Don’t waste supplies.
   
   
7. Missions are group decisions; Annie has final say.
   
   
8. You’re not a problem. This house keeps you safe.
   
   
9. Blinds half-closed by day, blackout at night.

   10. You’re here by choice. Tell us if you want out.

“First things first. You are all here voluntarily. Being part of the resistance is a choice, and you can change your mind at any time. We have people who can get you out to Canada. We have a network there. Safe houses, clean IDs, new starts.”

“Annabeth loves the idea of Canada!” Jordan joked.

She rolled her eyes exactly like her sister would have done. “Was that supposed to be funny?” Annabeth shot back.

Marie didn’t laugh. Much to Jordan’s disappointment, she just ignored them.

Annie continued. “But if you choose to stay, you’re my responsibility here. I’ll be in charge of major decisions. I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe. And Annabeth, you won’t go on any field missions for now. You can report your visions and we’ll work on them. And you’ll have some training.”

“That’s good!” Marie said.

“We’ll see,” her sister added. “But I’ll help with whatever you need from here.”

“A-Train, have you checked the phone situation?”

“Yeah. All gone,” he said.

“Good. No calls here, so we use walkies. They are mandatory,” Annie said. “Think of them as your hand. You don’t leave it behind.”

She opened a cardboard box on the counter. Black hand radios in a neat row.

“Each walkie-talkie has a number on the back; that’s the number you can use to contact each other if necessary.”

Jordan picked up the walkie-talkie with the number one and smirked, then handed it to Marie with a softer smile.

“You’re already our number one.”

Marie picked up the walkie-talkie without looking at Jordan and without saying anything.

“Let’s keep going. Five minutes in the shower isn’t a suggestion. The water heater’s half-dead,” Annie explained.

A-Train lifted a brow. “She’s not kidding. Last guy went over five, and the tank ran dry. Whole house smelled like sweat for two days. You don’t want that.”

Annie rolled her eyes but didn’t disagree. “Anyway, you’ll get used to it. The rest’s just common sense, keep the place clean, don’t waste what we’ve got, and don’t act like heroes inside these walls. That’s it.”

She rested her hand on her hips.

“Our network runs in cells, small groups that handle different things. Intelligence, communications, recruitment, supply runs. It keeps us safe if one gets burned.”

She looked around the room. “You’re joining the field cell, combat and recovery. That means you’ll be trained for missions outside the base, but no one moves alone. Tomorrow we start organizing the training and mapping the first runs.”

Her tone softened a little. “Tonight, you rest. You made it here. That’s already enough work for one day. Now let’s set everyone’s rooms,” she said, and they started down the short hall.

First door on the right. Small, clean, single bed. No external view. The old window had been sealed from the inside with a blackout panel and acoustic foam; a narrow slit vent sat high near the ceiling, baffled. A laminated evac map on the back of the door. Inside the closet, a flush panic hatch into the crawlspace with two bolts.

“This is our support room,” Annie said. “No line of sight from the street, closest to the back exit, and it has a panic hatch. Off-field or recovery stays here. I can reach this door first if the alarms go off. Annabeth stays here. You are not on missions yet.”

Annabeth nodded. “Okay.” She turned to Marie. “If you need anything from me, I’ll be right here.”

“Hey, I’m the older sister. I’m the one who’s here to support you.” Marie brushed her shoulder as she passed and stepped inside her room.

Next door. Colder. A double bed. A street-side window from the original house sat behind slatted blinds; inside, a hidden blackout roller and an acoustic panel sealed it.

“This is the only double bed in the house. We need two people who don’t mind sharing. Who’s okay with that?”

Jordan’s eyes found Marie’s by accident, but both looked away. Heat in Marie’s face, eyes on the floor.

“I can share with Emma.” She turned to her friend. “Do you want to split with me?”

“Yeah,” Emma said. “I’m with you.”

“Good,” Annie said. “You can start settling before dinner.”

Marie and Emma carried their bags in while the others kept walking with Annie to see the rest.

Emma sat on the edge of the double bed. The mattress dipped and stayed there. Marie didn’t sit. She kept one hand on the strap of her bag.

“Do you want to talk or do you want quiet?”

Marie’s jaw locked. She blinked fast. “How do you know? We didn’t tell anyone.”

“I know you,” Emma said. “And I know Jordan. Are you alright?”

Marie looked down. The breath came shaky anyway. “They said they forgave me. I thought that meant we were okay. Then they said we can’t be together.”

The tears hit quick. Emma stood and pulled her in. Marie held on for a few seconds, face in Emma’s shoulder.

A knock at the door.

They let go. Marie wiped her face with her sleeve and tucked a lock behind her ear. “Come in.”

The door opened. Jordan stood there. They froze for a beat when they saw Marie’s face.

“Dinner’s ready,” they said. “It’s actually good tonight. A-Train got pizza. We’re not supposed to get used to that.”

“Thanks,” Marie said.

Jordan’s hand stayed on the doorframe. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

“Sure.”

Emma slipped out to the living room.

“You okay?” Jordan asked.

“Yeah. Just tired.”

Jordan nodded. “You didn’t answer me if you wanna be friends. But no pressure, it’s still up to you, since I’m the one who…”

Dumped her? Broke her heart? Pushed her away?

Neither of them needed to hear that. It’d make it too real.

Marie looked at them. “It’s fine. We can be friends.”

“Good,” Jordan said, before heading to dinner.

But it didn’t feel good.

Emma’s breathing was soft beside her. Marie lay awake, eyes open to the dark. A tiny red LED from the walkie charger blinked slow by the door.

Annabeth was there. And she said everything Marie had wanted to hear for the last decade. For a second, she felt like maybe she hadn’t ruined everything after all.

But the thing is, she thought that when this moment finally came, she’d have Jordan by her side. They’d share it together. They could even be a family.

She thought about what Jordan and Annabeth’s relationship would’ve been like. But that doesn’t matter anymore. 

What is Annabeth to them now? Her friend’s little sister.

That’s not how she pictured this happening. Not like this. Not in this shitty situation.

Her chest pulled tight. She wanted to knock on Jordan’s door and say “Just stay with me a minute so I can breathe”. She didn’t move. House rules. Boundaries. Friends don’t kiss. Friends don’t wake you at two a.m. to hold the pieces together.

Fuck. She needed air. She slipped out of bed carefully, her feet cold against the floor, and went to the living room.

She sat on the couch and pulled the blanket over her legs. Her breaths came uneven, but she tried to steady them.

She didn’t hear Annie until she spoke. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Marie startled a little, wiping her face quickly. “Did I wake you?”

“No,” Annie said softly. “Just heard something. What’s going on?”

Marie took a shaky breath. “Nothing, really.”

Annie walked closer, sat on the arm of a chair nearby. “Doesn’t seem like nothing. But I can just stay here with you if you don’t wanna talk.”

Marie stared at the floor and sighed. “I don’t know if you heard about it or not, but… me and Jordan, we were together.”

Annie tilted her head. “Yeah. And what happened that’s got you crying now?”

Marie swallowed. “We’re not together anymore.” She paused. “I wanted to, but they don’t. They just wanna be friends.”

Her eyes filled again, remembering the moment they said it.  “It was my fault,” Marie said after a pause. “I fucked up. They said they forgave me, but… they still ended it. And I get it, I do. But it was—” She stopped.

“Your first relationship?” Annie asked.

“Yeah. But not only that. It was my first everything. I didn’t have time or space for any of that growing up. And Jordan is… or was… my first love.”

She smiled and rested a hand on Marie’s shoulder. 

“I know it hurts. I’ve been there. And I wish I could tell you there’s a shortcut. It just gets lighter with time. One day you wake up and realize it doesn’t ache the same way anymore. You just have to hold on.”

Marie nodded.

“Wanna hug?”

“I do.”

Annie pulled her in. “It’s okay to stop holding your breath, Marie. Nobody here’s gonna punish you for feeling things.”

Marie’s eyes filled again. “I know,” she said, and her voice broke on the last word.

“Can I make you some tea?”  Annie offered.

“Please.”

Annie kept the lights off. Kettle, two mugs, careful steps. She pressed the warmth into Marie’s hands. The heat helped. The smell helped. Being seen helped more.

“Now let’s try to get some sleep. But if you can’t, or if it spikes again, come get me,” Annie said. “That’s a rule too.”

“Okay,” Marie said. “Thank you.”

Back in the room, she still needed to let the pain out, knowing it would pass someday. She cried quietly until Emma stirred, turned toward her, and wrapped an arm around her waist. Marie let herself lean back into the warmth, her body fitting into the curve Emma made. She finally relaxed and fell asleep.

Light slipped through the blinds. Emma’s arm was around Marie, who was out cold, tear tracks dry on her face.

The door eased open.

Jordan stood in the doorway, unsure. They watched for a beat.

Emma blinked awake. “What time is it?”

“Almost seven.”

She carefully slid her arm back, got up, and they went to the living room.

“What the fuck was that?” Jordan asked.

“What?”

“You were… I don’t know… holding her?”

“Yes. She was crying, Jordan. Why did that bother you?”

A sigh.

“I just wish it was me instead of you.”

“You’re the one who chose not to…”

“I know. That doesn’t make it easier.” They paused. “Is she okay?”

“She cried herself to sleep. So, no.”

“Fuck.” They scrub the back of their neck. “I didn’t sleep either.”

Emma studied them. “Nightmare?”

They nodded. “She died in it. Stupid, I know, but I needed to see she was breathing.”

“It was a dream,” Emma said softly.

“I know. But she’s been through a lot… and I’ve broken her fucking heart…”

Emma’s eyes softened. “Yeah, but hers isn’t the only heart you broke yesterday. What’s going on, Jordan? Do you wanna talk?”

“What? No. It’s not about me. It’s about her. I just wanna make sure she’s okay.” They stopped for a second. “She barely eats when she’s stressed. I’ll make her something.”

“Okay. But if you change your mind, you know you can talk to me, right? I’m on everyone’s side.”

She wrapped her arms around Jordan, and they reluctantly let the hug happen.

“I know,” they said. “I just… I don’t have time for this right now, not with everything going on. And I’ve gotta make her breakfast.”

“Fine. I’ll keep you company.”

They didn’t have much: eggs, bread, cheese, ham. Jordan cooked an omelet, toasted a slice of bread, found a lone packet of strawberry jam in the drawer, and set it on the tray.

“It’s ready. Can you take it?”

“Me? Go yourself.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Just go, Jordan, I know you want to.”

“Okay.”

They knocked.

“What?” Marie mumbled, sleepy.

“It’s me,” Jordan said. “I made you breakfast. Can I come in?”

“Yes.”

Marie was still half asleep when Jordan stepped inside with the tray, the smell of eggs and toast filling the air. She blinked, waking up fully this time, surprised and already smiling as they set it on her lap and sat beside her.

“So… you just woke up in the mood for cooking?”

They raised a brow. “Don’t sound so shocked. I’m not completely useless.”

She laughed a little before taking a bite.

“I know you’re not. It’s good. Really good.”

“Yeah? I was gonna say it looked like shit.”

“Not this time.” She nudged the tray. “Eat too. There’s plenty.”

“I made it for you.”

“Don’t be an ass. Eat.”

“Alright. If you insist.”

They tasted a bite. “Hm. Motherfucker who made this fucked up. Should’ve used more salt.”

“Shut up.”

Jordan grinned, watching her laugh.

She always shines when she laughs.

“Why are you staring at me?”

“Nothing… you just… you look… I don’t know.”

She tilted her head, waiting.

“Beautiful.”

It slipped out before they even understood they were saying it. And before they could think twice, Jordan leaned in slowly, tasting her lips.

Fuck. Why does she taste so good?

Their mouths met, soft at first, then urgent, until…

“Jordan, what the hell are you doing?”

They broke off instantly, hands up, breath unsteady.

“I— fuck, Marie, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”

“You said we can’t be together. You said you wanted to be my friend.”

“I know... I’m trying to do the right thing, but I still don’t know how to be around you like this.”

“Jordan… you broke up with me. You don’t get to kiss me and then act like it’s nothing.”

“I’m not acting like it’s nothing.” Their voice caught. “It’s not nothing. That’s the problem. I shouldn’t have crossed that line.”

She lay back, turning her back to them.

“Since friends don’t kiss, we’re not friends either. We’re just exes.”

They exhaled slow. The worst sentence they could’ve heard.

“If that’s what you want, I’ll respect it. I just need to know.”

She turned again, eyes softer this time.

“No. It’s not. I want us to be good. I want us to stay close. I just… need boundaries.”

“Okay. Name them. I’ll respect anything.”

“Friends don’t kiss. That’s it. We can be close without kissing.”

“Kisses are out. Got it.” 

A beat.

“For clarity, is that only mouth-to-mouth, or is mouth-to-other-body-parts still on the table?”

“Shut up! Or there won’t be any table left.”

She threw a pillow at them. And there it was again, her laugh, that fucking cute laugh, prettiest sound they had ever heard.

Jordan caught the pillow against their chest, smiling too, softer this time.

“Marie… I’m serious now.” Their voice dropped. “I’m really sorry I made you uncomfortable. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I wanted you, that’s the truth. But wanting you doesn’t mean I get to cross that line. I won’t do that again.”

Marie looked at them for a long second, her shoulders nearly dropping.

“Okay,” she said quietly. “Thank you for saying it.”

Jordan nodded once, relieved, then gently took her hand.

“Hey. One more thing. No judgment. I know you’re trying not to hurt yourself anymore. I’m here, if you want me. And if you’d rather talk to Emma, she’s here too. I’m proud of you. You’re not alone.”

Marie’s eyes softened. “Thanks.”

She finished her breakfast and set the tray aside. Jordan was about to say something when the walkie on the nightstand crackled twice, then a third time. Three alarms.

“Evac protocol,” Annie’s voice came through. “No phones. Bag, boots, door.”

They moved fast. The hall filled with muffled steps, zippers, metal clicks. Marie grabbed her jacket, Jordan checked the latch on the window, Emma was already by the door.

Annie stood near the exit, stopwatch in hand. “Two minutes, twenty. Not bad.”

Everyone exhaled. Marie looked at Jordan, pulse still loud in her ears. Jordan offered her a half-smile, breathless.

“Breakfast cardio,” they muttered.

Marie shook her head but almost smiled.

Annie clicked the stopwatch off. “Alright. That’s the evacuation drill. You’ll run it every morning until it’s instinct. Now we start getting you aligned with how this cell actually works.”

Emma lifted a hand, cutting in before the explanation could continue. “Before that—are we getting any kind of mission against Homelander?”

Annie looked around the room, meeting each pair of eyes. “We will have missions, but the first goal is rescue. There are people still trapped, locked away. We can’t keep the people who are currently imprisoned and tortured waiting for the world to change.”

Jordan rolled their eyes. “You don’t have to tell me this. I think I get it.”

“Jordan, don’t be rude,” Marie said.

“It’s okay,” Annie said softly. “Anyway, you’ll get your first rescue mission soon. But first we need to assess who needs rescue the most. There are multiple sites, multiple people, and we can’t hit everything at once. We start by reviewing the priority targets. After that, we sit down together and determine what your first mission will be, and plan it properly. Nothing rushed.”

She paused. “For now: morning drills, afternoon training. Missions only when they’re fully planned. Nights are for rest.”

Everyone nodded. A beat of silence followed.

“Now let’s watch the news. We’ll do it every day. We need to stay informed about whatever Firecracker is fabricating to prop up Homelander’s regime.”

Everyone sat on the couch. Marie and Jordan ended up side by side.

Firecracker’s voice cut through the static. “Homelander visited Elmira today, calling it a safe model community for all citizens. Under his new expansion, non-supes who have committed crimes against supes are now being transferred there as part of the program. Homelander is making the world safer for supes again.”

Images of humans in orange uniforms with shock collars being herded into cells filled the screen.

“Wait… that’s Tess,” Emma said, leaning forward. “The girl from the campus Jitter Bean.”

“That’s so fucked up,” Marie said.

“Why are they using shock collars? They don’t even have fucking powers,” Jordan said.

A-Train frowned. “Wait. Isn’t that the place you guys—”

“Yeah,” Jordan said.

Marie didn’t blink. Same gates. Same logo. Same nightmare. Her hands curled into fists before she noticed.

She kept her eyes on the TV. “If our focus is rescue,” she said to Annie, “why don’t we make Elmira our first target? We empty it and make sure no one ever ends up there again.”

Annie held her gaze. “We cannot just take out a prison. People will die.”

“We do it without hurting anyone,” Marie said. “Staff included. Guards included. We evacuate them first. No casualties.”

Annie exhaled. “How?”

“Elmira has a building-wide PA system,” Marie said. “Cate makes the director trigger the supers-only evacuation protocol. Guards leave because they’re human. I’ve actually stolen all the security protocols to read during my endless hours in solitary. Anyway, after that, Cate sends the director out too. Once the building is cleared of staff, we open cells block by block, shut off the collars, and move everyone to Canada. You said you have that network.”

“Yes,” Annie said. “We do.”

“Before we lock it down, I sweep the whole place for heartbeats,” Marie went on. “If there’s no one left inside, we bring the building down.”

Annie was quiet for a moment, then nodded once.

“We can do this. But only the evacuation. We’ll pass the decommissioning to another cell after you certify it’s empty. For your own safety.”

“Okay. We’ll make sure everyone gets out,” Marie said.

Annie nodded. “It won’t be easy. There are a lot of moving parts, and we’ll need a real plan, not just the outline. Tomorrow we sit down and map everything, timing, entry, exit, contingencies. No rushing it. But let’s do this.”

Jordan’s jaw clenched. “Good,” they said. “I want that fucking hellhole gone. Let’s end Elmira for good this time.”

Chapter Text

Author’s Note:

1. There’s a GIF in this chapter (the one playing on the TV). If you’re reading this as a PDF, the animation probably won’t work. To see the GIF properly, you’ll need to read the chapter online.

2. The image below shows the drawing Annabeth made and taped to the bedroom door she shared with Marie when they were kids. This drawing appears in the chapter.

Showers were supposed to be five minutes. Marie had already blown past it.

She didn’t know if it had been eight, ten, maybe more. The hot water on her sore shoulders had felt too good, and she’d zoned. The steam clinging to the walls was the first reminder she’d stayed too long.

She shut the water off in a hurry, dried herself fast, pulled on her panties, and was reaching for her bra when the door swung open.

“Fuck! I’m so sorry!”

“Get the fuck out, Jordan!”

And they did.

Fuck! She’d forgotten to lock the door, and she’d definitely gone over the five-minute limit they’d agreed on.

She finished dressing, face burning.

When she came to the living room, Jordan was on the couch, pretending to watch TV.

Marie sat as far away as she could.

“Marie, I’m sorry. But it’s fine. It doesn’t have to be weird.”

“It’s just awkward, okay? That’s all.”

Jordan watched her. “If I show you my tits too, would that make you feel better? Less awkward?”

“No! What the fuck, Jordan?”

“It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. And I’ve seen more than just your tits.”

“But it’s different now.”

“Not that different. I have the image saved in my head anyway. I just have to close my eyes.”

“Shut up!”

They closed their eyes. “Look! It’s you! Naked! Right over there!” They pointed to nowhere.

“You can’t do that!”

“Why not? Equal rights. You can do it too if you want.”

She jumped on them, laughing, hands on their cheeks, trying to pull their eyelids open. “Open your eyes!”

“Hey, stop!” Jordan said, eyes squeezed shut.

Jordan cracked one open, snorted, and caught her wrists.

“Let me go!” Marie tried to wiggle free, still laughing, but they held her there, and she didn’t exactly hate it. Their eyes locked, and for a second, neither of them moved.

“Good morning,” Annabeth said from the hall.

Marie froze… still straddling Jordan, their hands locked together. She moved fast.

“Morning.”

“Morning,” Jordan echoed.

“Jordan, didn’t you want to shower?”

“I did! Going now!”

They bolted. Annabeth sat beside Marie, still smiling.

“You still like them, don’t you?”

“No.”

“Sure,” Annabeth said. “You were the exact same with Sophie.”

Marie frowned. “What does Sophie have to do with anything?”

“You were all shy and goofy back then too,” Annabeth went on. “She was your first crush. Don’t even try to deny it.”

“How do you know about that?”

“You wrote her name next to yours all the time,” Annabeth said. “And every time she showed up, you smiled like an idiot and then pretended you weren’t smiling like an idiot.”

Marie covered her face. “I really did, didn’t I?”

“Yeah,” Annabeth laughed.

“I had no idea you knew. I was terrified Mom and Dad would somehow guess, so I didn’t tell anyone.”

“I know. And I wanted to support you. But I didn’t want to push you. That’s why I added that little gay heart to the sign I made for our bedroom door. It was my way of telling you I was on your side.”

“You did that for me?”

“I did. I knew you liked her.”

“That’s sweet.” Marie took a deep breath, a small smile spreading across her face.

“About Mom and Dad… they wouldn’t have cared,” Annabeth murmured.

“Yeah,” Marie said. “I know that now. I just… didn’t back then.”

“Right. But you never acted on it, did you?”

“No.”

“Why didn’t you tell Sophie?”

“I thought she was straight,” Marie said. “And she was my best friend. I didn’t want to lose her.”

“It’s cute that your first crush was your best friend.”

Marie let out a quiet breath. “And now here I am again… in love with my best friend…”

“Is Jordan your best friend?”

“When we were together, they were more than just my partner… they were also my best friend. Emma is my best friend too, just in a different lane. Jordan… it was different. And even if the dating part is over, the feelings are still there. Annie says it’s always like that… and that it’s gonna get easier with time.”

Annabeth just nodded. But then her stomach interrupted the silence, growling loudly. “I’m hungry.”

Marie checked the time. “Yeah… it’s almost lunch. Let’s see what we’ve got and cook something for everyone.”

“Cook?” Emma said, appearing in the doorway before Marie could even stand. “Marie, you can’t cook.”

Annabeth blinked. “She can’t?”

Marie just shrugged, guilty as charged.

“We can do it together,” Annabeth said. “Aunt Pam taught me to make a bunch of easy stuff.”

Emma nodded. “Good. Then I’m helping too. I’m not letting Marie burn the house down on day one.”

Marie rolled her eyes, but she smiled.

They raided the pantry, found spaghetti, tomato sauce, and some ground beef, and made spaghetti bolognese for the whole house.

Lunch was chaotic in a comfortable way. Everyone grabbed a plate, steam rising from the pot in the middle of the table. Sam was already on his second serving, Emma was proudly explaining how she’d chopped the onions, and Annabeth looked like she’d just fed an army for the first time.

Jordan sat beside Marie, twirling the spaghetti with suspicion before taking a bite.

“I can’t believe you cooked this.”

“I had help,” Marie said. “But yeah. Is it good?”

Jordan smirked. “Do you want the gentle answer or the honest one?”

“Fuck you.”

“Okay, honest it is.” They tasted it again, eyebrow up. “Yeah. Fucking great.”

They smiled. Marie felt her face warm but pretended it wasn’t a big deal.

Lunch went better than any of them expected. People talked, argued lightly, stole bites from each other’s bowls. Even Marie relaxed for a bit.

When they finished eating, they cleaned up fast. Supplies were limited, and nobody wanted to waste anything. Annie washed the last plate, dried her hands on a towel, and looked at all of them gathered in the small kitchen.

“Alright,” she said. “Break’s over. We need to plan Elmira.”

Chairs scraped. Voices quieted.

They followed her to the living room, where the coffee table had been pushed aside and covered with everything they had managed to put together: the hand-drawn map, rough notes, time slots, scribbles in different handwriting. Messy, but readable.

In the center lay a sheet with a few key points scrawled across it:

Plan Elmira

1. Cate makes the director trigger the supers-only evacuation protocol through the building-wide PA system.

2. Cate sends the director out too.

3. The building is cleared of staff.

4. We open cells block by block, shut off the collars, and move everyone to Canada.

5. Marie sweeps the whole place for heartbeats to confirm it’s empty.

What we need to make it happen:

1. Organize the Canada rescue network (Annie will take care of that).

2. Plan how Cate will have access to the director in the safest way possible.

3. Organize the building evacuation.

Annie took a breath. “Alright. Let’s organize this properly. We need three things: to get in, to open the cells, and to evacuate. You already know I’ll handle setting up the network with Canada. Now we need to organize the rest. Starting with: how do we get Cate to the director?”

“I can run her there,” A-Train said.

“I don’t know… you don’t know the place, you don’t know the routes, and both of you would be exposed on the way,” Annie answered.

“She doesn’t need to go in,” Marie said. “The director gets there every day at 7:30 and parks right in front of the door. I used to see it from the bathroom window every day. Cate can touch him before he goes into the building and give the command, so she doesn’t have to set foot in Elmira until the place is clear of guards and staff.”

“Brilliant,” Jordan said. “And then Cate already makes him shut down the alarm and all the security systems so we can walk in without any shit going off.”

“I could do that.” Cate smiled.

Annie nodded. “It’s a good idea. But ideally we go in with as much information from there as possible. How many people are imprisoned there? How many guards? What other workers? What security barriers do they have? Where are the cameras? Who has access to the footage? We need the maximum amount of information. What do you remember?”

“A lot, but not all that…” Emma said.

“We can still get that information,” Annie went on. “Maverick.”

“Translucent’s son? What about him?” A-Train asked.

“He can get it for us,” Jordan said. “He’s invisible. He can go into Elmira without being seen and pull this stuff for us.”

“He probably doesn’t give a shit,” A-Train muttered.

“He owes me, like, seven different favors,” Jordan said. “I think I can convince him to help. He goes in first, gathers intel, and takes pictures of everything.”

Annie thought for a second. “If he agrees, that solves half our problems.”

Marie was already writing. “He needs to know exactly where to go.”

“That’s what our map is for,” Jordan said, pulling the sketch closer. “We remember everything. Hallways, blocks, doors, even where I threw up once from stress.”

In that moment, Annabeth went still.

“I think I can help,” she said. “I had a vision months ago and it never made sense. It was Elmira. Back then I didn’t even know what I was looking at, just this shape moving through the corridors, almost invisible but with this glowing outline. Now I’m pretty sure it was Maverick.”

She reached for a pen and started writing as she spoke. “I saw a guard leaving and forgetting to lock the admin door. There was a clock on the wall and one of those big office calendars behind him, so I know it happens in five days, around 2 p.m. The guard leaves the door cracked, and that’s where Maverick slips in. I can draw the route for him.”

“I also saw him picking up a phone someone left in the records room next to a blue poster and using it to take pictures of everything.”

“A phone works,” Annie said.

“There’s more,” Annabeth went on. “He hides behind a metal cabinet while two guards walk past without looking. That gets him close enough to the room where they keep the shock-collar keys.”

“Great,” Marie said. “So he gets: internal maps, prisoner files, total headcount, guard shifts, camera positions, a picture of the collar key and, if he can, the actual key.”

“He better get it,” Jordan said. “He’s stolen worse.”

“If he’s supposed to go in five days from now,” Annie said, “you need to reach him tomorrow or the day after, at the latest.”

Jordan nodded.

Emma lifted a hand. “I have another idea. Maverick can find Tess and leave a long-range walkie with her so we can talk to her. He explains the plan to her, and then we keep her updated. She organizes everyone in there so they’re ready on the day. When the cells open, they already know what to do. No panic, no stampede. They line up at reception. Anyone who can walk helps anyone who can’t.”

“Perfect,” Marie said, marking it down. “So: the director arrives, Cate touches him, he goes in and triggers full evacuation protocol for humans. All guards go out. Then he opens the cells. And leaves.”

“No resistance, no screaming, no bodies,” Annie reinforced.

“After that, we go in,” Emma said. “And we find the humans already organized for evacuation.”

“When everyone is out,” Marie added, “I sweep the whole building for heartbeats.”

Jordan tilted their head, more serious now. “And then… we bring Elmira down. Not us. Another cell. So no one traces that part back to you.”

Annie took a long breath. “Okay. So the recap is: Jordan finds Maverick in the next day or so and recruits him to work with us on that mission.” She paused and turned to look at Jordan. “We still have to figure out the safest way for you to reach him,” she added. “Annabeth gives him the instructions from her vision. Maverick goes in, gets everything. We review it. Cate gets the director. Guards leave. Cells open. Tess organizes the humans. We get everyone out. No blood. No chaos.”

Jordan leaned back in their chair. “And Elmira falls.”

Marie looked at all of them. “And nobody gets left behind.”

Annie tapped the table lightly. “Perfect. That’s the plan.”

It started raining not long after they finished planning. Someone suggested they watch a movie, and they all agreed, except for Annie, who had her own things to do. A-Train pulled a chair closer to the TV, leaving the couch free for the others.

They couldn’t use any streaming accounts; anything online was traceable.

For news, Annie had rigged a pirated signal that barely worked.

For movies, they had one option: a dusty box of DVDs someone had scavenged from an abandoned house.

Jordan grabbed the DVD box from under the TV and dropped it on the floor. They sat down in front of it, and Emma sat next to them to look through the movies.

“Alright,” Emma said, flipping through the cases. “First option: V for Vendetta. I heard it’s good. And it has a lesbian couple.”

“No,” Marie said immediately. “Too dystopian for today.”

Emma shrugged and tossed it back.

Jordan pulled out another. “Hereditary?”

Emma didn’t even let them finish. “Horror? Absolutely not.”

Marie nodded. “Yeah, no thanks.”

Jordan put it away. They dug deeper. Jordan held up a thin black-and-white case.

“The Great Dictator?”

Cate snorted. “Why do you wanna watch that now? Trying to look all smart and artsy?”

“What? No!” Jordan’s face warmed. “It’s Chaplin mocking fascism. It’s a classic.”

“We don’t need anything that reminds us of Homelander today,” she said. “We need something that actually relaxes us.”

Jordan put it back in the box.

Sam, who hadn’t said a word, finally lifted his head.

“Do we have any animation?”

Jordan sifted through the stack again and held up a familiar cover. “Spirited Away.”

Sam’s expression eased. “Studio Ghibli. I like those.”

“I’m always in for Miyazaki,” Jordan said.
Marie glanced at her sister. “We watched it when we were little. Remember?”

Annabeth nodded. “I’d watch it again.”
“Done,” Emma said, already standing to put the DVD in.

“Just wait a second, I’m gonna grab something for us,” Emma added.

Jordan got up from the floor and walked straight to the couch where Marie was sitting.

“Can I sit here?” they asked.

“No,” Marie said. “I’m allergic to bullshit.”

Jordan smirked and sat down anyway. “Then take an antihistamine.”

Marie shot them a look like she was about to complain… but instead she shifted, made a little more room, and couldn’t hide the small smile that escaped.

Jordan noticed. Of course they did. They leaned back, smug, their foot brushing hers.

Emma came back from the kitchen with a bottle of tequila.

“Just a little. It’s only to relax.”

Everyone took a shot. Annabeth skipped.

Marie drank hers and made a face. “It’s strong.”

Jordan laughed under their breath. “Lightweight.”

“I’m not.”

A-Train lit a joint and held it up. “Anyone?”

Emma reached for it. “One hit.”

Marie took it after her, a small drag. She figured it wouldn’t really do anything.

The movie started. The room dimmed, lit only by the TV.

“I’m cold,” Marie said.

Jordan got up, grabbed a blanket, and threw it over the two of them on the couch. Marie let her head fall on Jordan’s shoulder.

The tequila and the smoke settled in her body fast. The colors on the screen looked a little softer. Sound felt further away, but nice.

On the TV, a train slid over flooded tracks. Inside, Chihiro and the spirit with No-Face sat side by side, watching the water go by as everything went quiet.

Jordan leaned closer, mouth near Marie’s ear.

“Wanna know something cool about this scene?” they whispered.

Marie kept her eyes on the screen. “Yeah.”

“Miyazaki likes putting these empty moments in his movies,” Jordan whispered. “Where nothing big happens. It’s not there to move the plot or show off some huge action scene. He just lets you sit there with the characters for a minute so everyone can breathe and think about what’s going on. In Japanese they even have a word for it, ma, which means emptiness, this little pause where the story and the audience catch their breath.”

Marie watched the shot stretch, the carriage gliding over the water.

“It feels… calm,” she murmured. “Like everything finally shut up.”

“Exactly,” Jordan said. “That’s the point.”

She smiled, eyes still on the screen.

The joint came back around. Emma passed it over Marie to Jordan, then to her again. Marie took another small hit.

A few minutes later, she was giggling at lines that weren’t even funny. The room tilted a little. Jordan watched her, amused.

“You okay?” they asked.

“I’m perfect.” Her breathing got slower. Her body softened against theirs. By the time the joint made one more round through the room, Marie was knocked out, heavy on their side.

“Marie?” Jordan tried.

Nothing. Just slow, even breaths.

Emma leaned forward to look at her, blocking a bit of Annabeth’s view in the process.

“She’s out,” Emma whispered, smiling.

Annabeth tried to keep watching the movie, leaning sideways to see around her, but the exchange between Emma and Jordan pulled her attention away again.

Marie slept, quiet, pressed into Jordan like she’d always belonged there.

“Why don’t you take her to bed?” Emma said.

“Jesus, Emma. How do you even say that?”

Emma snorted. “I meant literally. Carry her to bed. You’re the one who made it weird.”

“I did not.”

Annabeth covered her mouth, trying not to laugh, and completely forgot about the movie.

Emma just shook her head and turned back to the TV.

They picked Marie up in their arms. She didn’t wake up, just tucked her face into their neck on reflex.

They carried her to the bedroom and laid her down, then pulled the blanket up to her shoulders. She turned onto her side, still asleep.

Jordan watched her for a moment.

“I wish things were different, that they hadn’t ended the way they did…” they murmured. “I wish you knew how much I…”

They stopped, brushed their thumb over her cheek, and kissed her forehead.

“Sweet dreams, baby.”

They turned off the light and closed the door softly behind them.

Chapter Text

19th of November 2025. Wednesday. 

7 p.m. — Marie’s walkie lit up. Jordan’s voice came through, all smug.

“Mar, do you copy? Just so you know, I’m heading to the bathroom alone.”

Marie frowned.

“Why the hell are you telling me this?”

“What if I get kidnapped? What if I slip? What if I break my neck and die alone on the tile?”

“…Jordan.”

“At least pretend you’d care.”

“Fine, I care about your bathroom visit. Have fun. Over.”

“Thanks. Over.”

Emma snorted. “You two are the worst.”

“Shut up,” Marie muttered, a small smile tugging at her mouth as she lowered the walkie.

The front door opened. Maverick walked in.

“Yo,” he said.

Jordan came from the hallway. “Finally. Did you get it?”

“Yeah, man.” Maverick lifted a cheap paper bag and dropped it on the table. “Everything happened exactly how Annabeth saw it.”

He placed three things on the table:
• a phone
• a flash drive
• a metal key

Marie straightened. Annie and Annabeth joined them.

Maverick pulled out the phone. “Photos of the control panel. Got the alarm system and the collar thingy clear as hell.”

Then, the flash drive. “This is the one she saw. The drawer had three copies. I took the middle one. Left a corrupted flash drive in its place. He’ll think it died. I don’t know what’s inside, though.”

“It’s okay, we’ll find out soon.”

Last was the small metal key. “Master key for the shock collars. Annabeth saw where it was. I swapped it for that other key you guys gave me. Looks close enough that he won’t notice unless he desperately needs it.”

Emma whistled. “That’s insane.”

“It was tense as fuck. Even with the whole thing shot-for-shot in my head, my stomach was doing backflips,” he admitted.

“And Tess?” Emma asked.

“Gave her the walkie in the bathroom. She’s… freaked the hell out. But she’s in. And she wants to talk to Emma.”

“I wanna talk to her too! I’ll talk to her as soon as we finish going through this,” she said.

“Alright, I’m gonna bounce.”

“Thank you, Maverick. For everything,” Annie said gently, her hand resting on his arm for a second.

“So you’re gonna track Sloan?” he asked.

“We’re already on it,” she said. “I can’t promise when, but I’m not dropping this. We’re going to find her.”

“Alright, I’m gone.”

“Don’t forget your walkie. And take care. We’re here if you need anything,” Annie said, giving him a quick pat on the back.

Sloan had been taken weeks earlier, flagged by Homelander’s regime as a “low-value super.” She vanished into the system with no official record, just a gap where her name used to be.

Maverick wasn’t a guy who cared about a lot of things. But he did care about his alpaca partner, so he was all in on joining the Resistance.

Since then, he’d basically become their spy at Godolkin, listening in on the important conversations, watching who went where, and using the hidden walkie to send Annie every piece of information he could.

Maverick had just stepped toward the door when Jordan followed him there.

“Hey,” they said. “Seriously. You did good today.”

“I just did what Annabeth showed me. That’s all.”

“Yeah, well, most people would’ve pissed themselves halfway through,” Jordan replied. “So… you did more than ‘nothing’.”

Jordan smirked. “Still sounds pretty fucking hero to me.”

“So… how are things with you and Marie? I guess my ‘stop being a coward and just ask how she feels’ advice worked, judging by the Safe Space kiss.”

Jordan’s gaze dropped. “It did,” they said quietly. “For a while… But we’re… not together anymore.”

“Shit. Sorry to hear that, man.”

“Yeah, me too,” Jordan said, their voice fading. “But it was good advice. It helped, anyway. Even if it ended, it was… really fucking good while it lasted.”

“Glad to hear that. I’m out.”

8 p.m. — Annie plugged the flash drive into the laptop.

Folders filled the screen.

She clicked the first one: Blueprints – Elmira. Full layout. All floors. All hallways. Panel room. Guard posts. Camera grid.

She kept scrolling and opened the next folder: “Staff and Security Schedules – Elmira.” Itineraries. Director. Guards. Twenty-five guards per shift. Tech staff. Meal hours. Rounds. Everything.

Annie clicked to the next tab: Prisoner Registry – Elmira.

Annie read fast. “Okay. We’ve got eighty prisoners total. All human. Let’s skim the individual profiles.”

The first image popped up:

“Linda Jones. Thirty-two. Search-and-rescue pilot. Human.”

Annie frowned. “Reason for arrest: ‘operational disobedience.’”

She clicked the incident report. “Okay… ‘Pilot diverted a contracted cargo flight without authorization to extract fourteen minors trapped after a supes-related attack.’”

Marie leaned closer. “So she left a supply run to save fourteen human kids.”

Emma let out a dry exhale. “So being a decent person is a crime now.”

Annie clicked the next file.

“Lucas Reed. Sixteen. Human. High school student. Reason for arrest: ‘seditious digital propaganda.’” Annie opened the notes. “He filmed guards beating an elderly man on the street. The video went viral. They took him in at two in the morning.”

“He’s just a kid,” Marie said, her jaw tightening.

“Now we have Ryan Porter. Thirty-five. Independent investigative reporter.”

She scrolled down. “Supe-type classification: hyperperception and cognitive synthesis.” She added, “He sees microscopic details most people miss, and his brain connects them like he’s solving puzzles in real time.”

Reason for arrest: ‘defamation against supes’ and ‘hostile content targeting national order.’

She kept reading. “Here: ‘subject investigating Vought restructuring, unexplained disappearances, and changes in internal policy since Homelander took power.’”

Jordan let out a low whistle. “So he’s Tek Knight if Tek Knight wasn’t disgusting and actually knew what the fuck he was doing.”

“What about Tess?” Emma asked.

“Tess Galloway. Early twenties. Human. Barista at Godolkin’s Jitter Bean. Reason for arrest: ‘assault on one of GodU’s security personnel.’”

“What’s the security guy’s name?” Emma asked.

Annie checked the file. “Jason Miller.”

Emma rolled her eyes. “Oh, that asshole. He uses his x-ray vision to look under girls’ clothes.” She shook her head. “I’m sure she had a fucking excellent reason for hitting him. She shouldn’t be in a prison for that…”

“No one on this list should,” Annie answered. “But we’ll make sure she gets out.”

They went through the rest of the files one by one until all eighty profiles were done. No one spoke much after that; it was too much to hold at once.

23rd of November 2025. Sunday — The day before the Elmira mission. 

5 a.m. — Marie woke up before the alarm. Emma snored softly. For a second Marie just lay there, staring at the ceiling, heart already beating fast like someone had hit a switch.

Elmira.

She gave up on trying to go back to sleep. She headed to the kitchen, filled the kettle and set it on the stove, waiting for it to boil. She kept seeing flashes in her head. The door. The smell. Annabeth lying there.

The kettle whistled. She made instant coffee, took one sip and winced. Too bitter. She drank it anyway.

Emma shuffled in a few minutes later, wrapped in a sweatshirt.

“Morning,” she mumbled. “You look like you slept even worse than me, which is… impressive.”

Marie snorted softly. “Couldn’t shut my brain up.”

Emma grabbed the cereal box and sat beside Marie at the small table.

“Big day tomorrow,” Emma said, quietly.

Marie nodded, eyes on the mug. “Yeah.”

Emma nudged her ankle under the table. “We’ll have backup this time. It’s gonna be fine.”

“I know,” Marie said. But her face said otherwise.

“We’ll handle it.”

Jordan appeared in the doorway a moment later, hair messy, T-shirt half tucked, walkie in one hand.

“You guys started the anxiety party without me,” they said. “Rude.”

Emma patted the chair next to her. “Come sit with us. Join the misery.”

Jordan crossed the room like they were heading for that chair, then veered at the last second and dropped into the seat beside Marie instead.

They poured coffee and took a long sip.

“Perfect,” they said. “Tastes like impending trauma.”

Marie let out a short laugh before she could stop herself, then went quiet again.

She stared down at the knife in her hand like she’d forgotten what she was supposed to do with it.

Emma, across from her, was eating everything in sight in these fast, tense little motions.

Jordan saw both at once. Old habits creeping in at the edges.

“Okay,” Jordan said. “Nope. We’re not doing this today.”

Emma blinked. “Doing what?”

“You know what.” Jordan pointed between the two of them. “Both of you. Get up. We’re training.”

Marie frowned. “Right now?”

“Yeah, right now. Before your brains decide to get cute.”

Emma groaned but stood anyway. Marie hesitated, then put the knife down and followed them out.

The garden behind the safehouse wasn’t much, but someone had dragged out a few old mats, a couple of free weights, and a beat-up punching bag hanging from a metal beam. It looked improvised, but it would do.

Jordan rolled their shoulders, stretching.

“Alright. Hit it.”

Marie raised an eyebrow. “You dragged us outside so we could punch something?”

“Exactly. Ten out of ten for mental health.”

Emma snorted, already looking less tense.

Marie took the first swing.

“Nice,” Jordan said. “Now come here. I’ll show you a new move I invented myself. You’re gonna like it.”

She stepped closer. Jordan nudged her elbow down, then slid one hand to her hip to turn her slightly. The touch was quick, but Marie still felt her stomach flip before she locked back into position.

“Shift your weight. Right there. Try again.”

She punched. The bag jumped back harder.

Jordan smiled. “Told you.”

Emma bounced on her toes. “My turn.”

“Calm down, Rocky.”

After a few rounds, both Marie and Emma were flushed and breathing harder.

Jordan looked straight at Marie. “Okay, new game. I’m gonna show you how to drop someone twice your weight.”

Emma scoffed. “Not useful. I can grow huge. And Marie just…” she made a vague blood-exploding gesture.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Marie?” Jordan tilted their head. “You in? It won’t hurt to learn it.”

Marie rolled her eyes, but she smiled. “Fine.”

Jordan stood with their feet apart on the mat.

“Alright. This one’s easy. I need you to get a little closer.”

Marie stepped in until Jordan’s breath brushed her cheek.

“Good. Now… one leg next to mine. Grab my shoulders. Don’t be gentle.”

Her hands slid over their shoulders, fingers digging in a little to get a good grip. Jordan inhaled a little too sharply and pretended it was just from bracing.

“Okay… now move your leg behind my ankles and push. Hard. Don’t think. Just go.”

Marie did exactly that, stepped, hooked, pushed. The next moment Jordan was on the mat, Marie on top of them, straddling their hips.

For a beat, neither of them moved.

Marie felt the rise and fall of their chest under her hands and the heat rushing up her neck. Jordan looked up at her, suddenly very aware of her knees pinning their sides, of how familiar it felt and how badly they’d missed it.

Jordan smiled at her. “See? Perfect takedown. Terrifying. Truly. I fear for my life.”

Marie’s face went warm. She scrambled off, mumbling something about gravity cheating.

Emma burst out laughing. “My turn to throw you!”

“No. Absolutely not. You said you’re too good for this shit.”

But Emma was already dragging them back to the mat.

Five minutes later, she’d tossed Jordan twice.

By the end, all three were laughing, breathless, shoulders loose, the anxiety of the morning finally loosening enough for air to get in.

8 a.m. — They were still catching their breath, a little lighter than before, when Annie called them from the door.

“Good thing you guys are up so early. Living room. Planning. Now.”

The laughter died down like someone had turned the volume down. Marie exchanged a look with Jordan. Emma wiped her face with her sleeve.

For a little while, they’d had air to breathe. The weight came back. And for the rest of the day, the house felt quieter, but not in a calm way. It was the kind of silence that meant everyone was working.

Sam and A-Train headed out to scout Elmira’s perimeter, marking cameras, guard posts and possible exit routes.

Annie stayed by the radio, updating the rescue network in Canada and confirming which safe houses were ready to take people in.

In the hallway, Emma went over everything they’d take with them: extra walkies, spare batteries, first-aid kits, cuffs for the collars once they were off. She laid it all out on one of the bunks, checking the list twice.

In the bedroom, Annabeth was trying to trigger any vision she could, anything about Elmira, anything about the prisoners, anything that could help. Cate stayed with her, going through all eighty files one by one. She understood pre-cogs better than anyone else in the house. She’d taken the psychic courses at Godolkin, the ones that studied how visions formed, what heightened them, what blocked them.

Whenever Annabeth managed to recall a vision she’d already had, Cate read it directly from her mind, looking for the pattern underneath. It always came back to the same thing: Annabeth saw something when she connected to someone.

So Cate guided her through it. “Pick someone. Learn them. Feel something real,” she said. “Your brain doesn’t react to information. It reacts to people.”

Annabeth tried. She opened one file, a girl who’d also lost her parents, and let the feeling hit her. The grief. The familiarity. The quiet fear of being young and alone in a place like Elmira.

A vision flickered through her: the girl stepping out of her cell, limping, but alive.

Annabeth marked it. Cate nodded. It was a start.

In the living room, Marie and Jordan had taken over the coffee table with the blueprints, the guard schedules, and the notes. They walked through the plan over and over, looking for every point where it could break.

“Okay. Again,” they said. “From the top.”

Marie nodded. Her eyes flicked across the blueprint, but she wasn’t really seeing it. She was seeing her sister, dead, on the floor. Soaked in blood, just like her mom.

Jordan watched her go distant, that half-second blankness, and recognized it instantly.

“Mar,” they said quietly. “Stay here with me.”

She blinked, grounding herself. “Yeah. Sorry.”

“That’s okay. You’re allowed to freak out, you know,” they murmured. “Elmira fucks with both of us.”

Marie’s throat was dry. “My brain keeps pulling me back to… that cell. Annabeth on the floor.” She pressed her thumb into the edge of the paper. “It’s like I’m still there,” she whispered. "It's stupid. She’s alive. She’s okay. And still…”

Her voice shook.

“It’s not stupid. That place took way too much from us… you, me, Emma, Annabeth and…” They exhaled shakily. “Andre…”

Marie looked at them, their jaw tense, their fingers curling against their thigh.

“You okay?” she asked.

Jordan sighed. “No. But we keep going. That’s what we do.”

“Yeah.”

Marie let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

They weren’t just two rebels going into a rescue mission. They were two people going back into the nightmare that broke them.

“And tomorrow we walk back in,” Marie said, her breath catching.

“But this time we walk out with eighty people.”

Marie looked at them, grateful and aching all at once.

1 p.m. — “Okay, we’re done for now,” Annie said. “Let’s eat. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

Everyone was gathered around the table, eating canned beans and questionable sausages from a jar.

“Hughie and I put something together for tonight, try to lighten the mood. Small party, real food, some drinks, music. Just to chill out. It’s at Hughie’s safe house, early, so we’ll head out around 6:30 and be back by around nine. He’s getting everything ready right now. Just one thing: I don’t want anyone sick tomorrow. Don’t overdo it on food or drinks."

“We’ve been eating the same shit for days and no one’s dropped dead yet. Why would tonight be any different?” Jordan asked.

“Because that’s how it works,” Annie said. “You think you’re fine until your body decides it hates you.”

Jordan raised a brow. “That’s… oddly specific.”

Annie laughed. “Hughie once missed a job interview because of bread.”

“Bread?” Emma asked. “Like… normal bread?”

“Olive Garden,” Annie said. “Unlimited breadsticks. He kept going ‘this is so good, I’m still fine, I swear’ and then suddenly he was very much not fine. He ate so much bread that he couldn't even touch the main course. He spent the whole night on the bathroom floor, moaning and saying he was going to die."

“Point is,” Annie continued, "the party’s early, it’s small, it’s next door, and it’s mostly real food and some drinks. Go, relax a little, see some other faces. But if you’re gonna drink, come back hydrated and functional. Tomorrow is Elmira. No one gets to Hughie themselves.”

Marie shifted uncomfortably in her chair before standing.

“I’m gonna go to my room,” she said.

There was something in her expression, but Jordan couldn't tell what it was.

Then it hit them. Olive Garden.

The date they’d actually asked her out on. The one they’d planned together in bed, laughing and kissing and talking about how perfect it was gonna be. The night that never even got to exist, because they ended things first.

They got up and followed her.

“Mar?” Jordan called out softly.

“Yeah.”

“You okay?”

“I’m fine. Just tired.”

Jordan took a step closer. “You sure? You left kinda fast.”

“I said I’m tired.”

A short silence.

“Right… Was it something someone said?” They rubbed the back of their neck. “If something bothered you, you can tell me.”

Marie took a deep breath but didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed on the floor.

“Was it because of…” Jordan paused. “Was it… something about us?”

She finally looked.

“Us?” Her brow tightened. “What are you talking about? There’s no ‘us’ anymore. Not like that. And whatever that was, I’ll deal with it on my own. I just need some space. I’m gonna… go get ready,” she said, then headed to the room.

There’s no more us…

A brick thrown into their face would have hurt less.

“Fuck... I did this.”

“You’re not just realizing that now, are you?”

They almost jumped.

“What the fuck, Emma? What are you doing here? Were you listening?”

“I wasn’t trying to, but you guys weren’t exactly in a private place or keeping your voices down, so… yeah, I heard it. Are you okay?”

“What?”

“Come on.” Emma took Jordan’s hand and dragged them to their room, closed the door and turned the lock.

She sat beside them on the lower bunk they shared with Cate.

“I’m not judging you,” Emma said quickly. “But Jordan… why are you still acting like you’re together? She wanted to stay with you. You’re the one who ended things. What are you doing?”

Jordan looked down. “I don’t know.”

“Yes you do. Why did you break up with her?”

They sighed.

“I felt like we were always ending up in the same place. Everything’s fine, then something happens and she leaves. I lose my shit, she comes back, I say fucked-up things, then I feel like an asshole, and she also feels like an asshole for leaving, she apologizes, we fix it… and then it happens again. But what if one day she doesn’t come back? Or if I blow it so bad there’s no coming back? I was terrified of losing her. I still am.”

They swallowed hard.

“So I wanted to stop repeating the same pattern. I thought that if we weren’t together, maybe I wouldn’t be so pissed all the time and the chance of me pushing her away forever would be smaller. Maybe she’d feel less trapped. That was the version where I don’t lose her. I’d rather have her as a friend than not have her at all. I thought if I ended it, I’d finally break the cycle… and then she’d stay.”

They stopped, trying to catch their breath.

“I told her… that we can’t be together, that it wasn’t gonna work, that we always end up in the same place, and that I didn’t wanna be angry with her. And that I wanted to be her friend. Whatever that means.”

Their eyes were already wet, but now the tears actually fell.

“I thought I was doing the right thing, the mature thing, you know? We weren’t good, we were hurting each other, so I figured maybe it was better to take a step back.”

“But Jordan, that’s not what you did. You didn’t ask for space. You didn’t say ‘we’re not good right now, I need time to think.’ You ended it. Completely. You closed the door yourself. You literally told her you two can’t be together cause it doesn’t work. That’s not maturity. That’s just fear dressed up as maturity.”

“Huh?”

“You tried to break one shitty pattern by leaning on another one. You know you have this thing, right?” She paused. “When something feels too big, you slam the door before anyone else can. ‘We’re cool’ was that. You were freaking out about Marie seeing you as a girl, and instead of asking, you pretended it meant nothing. And now you did the same thing again, just bigger. Before it was ‘let’s not make this weird, we’re cool.’ Now it’s ‘let’s break up but stay friends.’”

Jordan went still. The words sank in.

“So I didn’t fix shit,” they said, hoarse. “I just changed the shape.”

“Pretty much.”

“Fuck! It really fucking hurts.”

“She told me there’s no ‘us’ anymore.” Jordan’s chest tightened.

“Do you think I ruined everything? Like… forever?”

“You did make a mess… But ‘forever’… I don’t know. Marie doesn’t toss people out easily. Especially you,” she said, honestly.

“Hey. Look at me,” Emma squeezed their hand. “You two are some of the best people I know, and you’ve been through horrible things. You both deserve to be happy, Jordan.”

She paused. “But here’s what gets in the way of that happiness. You both built these weird defense moves. Marie runs when she’s overwhelmed. You shut the door before someone else can slam it in your face. Neither of you has ever wanted to hurt the other. If anything, it hurts you both too.”

Her thumb brushed slowly over Jordan’s fingers.

“If you want her back, you’re gonna have to learn another way to deal with all that fear. But for that, you need to know it’s what you want, and actually work on changing that pattern.”

Emma’s voice softened. “And I believe you can do that, because you actually broke that pattern for a while.”

They frowned. “I did? When?”

“When we were at that laundry room, recording the TikTok, you were furious with her. Then, less than twenty-four hours later, when I brought you guys the Odessa files, you two looked like you’d been married for ten years. Soft, couple-y, gross. Something happened in between. What was it?”

They took a breath.

“We talked,” they said. “Like… really talked. She asked why I was treating her like shit. And I told her.” Their voice faltered. “I told her it was easier to stay angry at her than deal with how fucking terrified I was of losing her… So yeah… I didn’t bail on it this time. I let myself be scared and I said it anyway.”

Emma reached out and held Jordan’s arm.

“And she said I wasn’t gonna lose her,” Jordan went on. “That leaving me was a mistake. And then… we kissed.” Their breath shook a little. “It just… happened and…” They stopped, letting themself sink in that memory for a second.

“And after that,” Jordan said, softer, “I asked if she was okay with me like this. You know, actual girl version.”

They let out a shaky breath. “I’ve never asked anyone that in my life. Ever… And she basically just said that everything I do is okay,” they said, smiling at the memory. “Like it was the most obvious thing ever.”

Emma squeezed their hand with a smile.

“Did she tell you I told her that I love her?”

“She didn’t.”

“Yeah. I actually said it,” they confessed. A tiny, proud smile tugged at their mouth. “I’ve never said it to anyone before. It freaked me out so fucking much, but I did it anyway…”

Their hands covered their face. “God, I’m such an idiot. I blew it!”

Jordan closed their eyes again. Tears kept coming, slower but steady.

“I told her we can’t be together. I did that. I said it.”

“Yeah,” Emma said quietly. “You did. And now you know exactly what not to do again.”

They nodded.

Emma pulled them into a proper hug this time. Jordan leaned into her, heavy and exhausted, face pressed to her shoulder.

“Jordan?”

“Yeah.”

“Just wanna say you’re the worst ‘just friends’ I’ve ever seen. You two cuddle just with your eyes.”

6 p.m. — Jordan was the first person to get ready for the party. They were sitting on the sofa in the common area, fiddling with their jacket zippers out of sheer anxiety, when Marie walked in wearing pajama shorts and an old T-shirt.

Jordan looked up. “This is a very bold party look,” they said. “Love the ‘I just escaped from bed’ aesthetic.”

Marie huffed a tiny laugh. “Yeah. Hilarious.” She rubbed her arm. “I’m… not going.”

Jordan sat up a little. “You’re not?”

“I thought I could do it,” she said. “But I’ve been on edge all day and the more I think about tomorrow and Elmira, the worse it gets. I’m exhausted. I just need to stay here, rest a little and try to calm down.”

She hesitated, then added, quieter:

“And I’m sorry for earlier. When you asked if I was okay and I snapped at you. You were just worried and I… took it out on you.” She tried a small smile. “So. Sorry. And… thank you for still being here. For me.”

Jordan’s chest squeezed a little.

“It’s fine,” they said. “You just pulled a Jordan. And I get it.”

That pulled a real laugh out of her. “Guess I did,” Marie said, rubbing her arm.

They shrugged. “If you’re not in the mood for a party, I don’t really care about going either.”

“What?” Marie’s eyes widened. “You don’t have to skip it because of me. You’re all ready. Like… fully dressed and everything.”

“It’s no problem,” they said quickly. “I can just… undress.”

Marie’s eyes widened.

Jordan flushed. “I meant change. Change clothes. You know what I meant.”

“I do.”

They shrugged, flustered. “Anyway… I’ll pass… I’m not gonna have fun there if you’re here losing it. If you were going and actually having fun, then it’d be different.”

“You’re saying you’d go only cause I was going to?”

Jordan’s face heated. “No! I don’t know… maybe?”

Marie’s mouth twitched into a small, shy smile.

“Look, I’m trying to hold myself together, but I’m scared too. If you’re here freaking out, why don’t we freak out together?”

They tilted their head. “If you want company, I can stay here with you. Do you… want me to stay?”

Marie looked down, and the corner of her mouth lifted.

“That would be nice,” she said, now locking eyes with them and smiling.

“Okay then,” Jordan said, like it was settled. “We can raid the kitchen, burn something frozen, put on a movie and pass out early like the responsible traumatized adults we are.”

Marie smiled. “Deal.”

“Any requests?” they asked. “Food, movie, distraction level?”

“Something nice and happy, no prisons, torture or underground facilities,” Marie said.

“Perfect,” Jordan said. “I’ll find the least triggering DVD this house has to offer.”

That pulled another laugh out of her, steadier this time. “Thanks.”

“Always.”

Chapter Text

Marie and Jordan rummaged through the pantry looking for anything that hadn’t expired yet.

“There’s rice, cheese, butter and eggs,” Jordan said. “We can make a wannabe-risotto. Kinda. Sorta.”

“Okay, but I don’t know how to cook rice.”

Jordan blinked. “…you don’t know how to cook rice?”

Marie looked down, a little embarrassed. “…no.”

“Okay. Quick lesson, then. Come here.”

They pulled a pot toward them.

“Can I start?” she asked.

“You have to wash it first. Unless you want sticky regret soup, which… please don’t.”

Marie laughed as Jordan set the pot in the sink, turned on the tap, and cupped some water over the grains.

“Here. Like this,” they said.

She joined them, and Jordan guided her hands under the running water, their fingers brushing lightly as they tilted the pot together. Marie pretended her stomach didn’t flip.

“Okay,” Jordan said softly. “Now drain it. Not all of it, just enough. Perfect. Look at you, domestic icon.”

Marie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. 

“What are you two doing?” Emma walked into the common area, already dressed for the party.

Marie stopped mid-stir. Jordan pointed at the pot. “Emergency rice lesson. Very advanced stuff.”

Emma squinted. “Right… Are you guys not getting ready?”

“We’re not going,” Jordan said.

Emma’s eyebrow went even higher. “You’re not?”

Marie rubbed her arm. “No. I’m staying.”

“And I’m staying with her,” Jordan added, like it was the most obvious thing in the universe.

Emma looked at both of them, then at the pot, then back at their faces. “Uh-huh,” she said. “Sure. Got it.”

Jordan frowned. “Got what?”

“Nothing,” Emma said, backing away. “Have fun. But not too much fun.”

Marie turned bright red. Jordan choked on air.

They got back to the rice. Marie rinsed it, came back, dumped it again, turned on the stove, and immediately started stirring it with a wooden spoon.

Jordan leaned in. “Hey, hey! Don’t stir it.”

“Why?”

“Because it dies. Or something. Just don’t. Trust me.”

Marie tried not to laugh but failed, and Jordan failed even harder.

“Okay, let’s keep going. Grab the butter,” Jordan said.

Marie took a small chunk with the knife and dropped it into the pan.

“More,” Jordan said.

She added another bit.

“More.”

She scraped a bigger piece in.

Jordan leaned over her shoulder. “Not that much! Jesus, Mar, we’re not frying the whole Resistance.”

She snorted. “Make up your mind.”

Jordan leaned in, chin tilted toward the pan. “Egg?”

“Please.”

Jordan cracked it on the rim of the pan, missed the center completely, and half of it slid down the side.

Marie let out a short, real laugh.

“That was the pan’s fault,” Jordan said, grabbing a paper towel. “I’m amazing.”

“Of course you are.”

The smell of hot butter filled the kitchen.

Jordan scrambled the egg while Marie finished the rice, moving the spoon carefully so it wouldn’t stick. 

“It’s gonna be good,” they said.

Jordan looked at her a second too long.

Marie smiled. “Even if it’s not, we’re eating it anyway.”

Their mouth pulled into a smirk. “Yeah. Confidence is our main seasoning.”

They decided to eat in quiet comfort, on the couch. 

“Shit! This is actually good!” Marie said, mixing the rice with the egg.

“Told you! Why so surprised?” Jordan teased.

When they finished, Jordan grabbed the dishes and set them in the sink.

“So… movie?” they asked, trying to sound casual.

“Yeah,” Marie said, even though she wasn’t sure she could focus on anything.

Jordan tried to pretend they were choosing a movie, but kept glancing at her instead. 

“Okay! We have…”

They grabbed a pile of DVDs from the stack.

“What about this one? Freaky Friday. Something about a girl switching lives with her mom.”

Marie shrugged. “Whatever you want.”

Jordan stared at the cover for a long second, then dropped it on the coffee table.

“Okay,” they said. “No movie.”

She huffed a laugh. “Yeah. I don’t think I’m gonna pay attention to anything right now.”

Jordan sat at the far end, then inched closer without noticing.

Marie bit her lip, nervous. Jordan watched her, even more nervous.

“So,” they said. “How are we feeling about tomorrow?”

Marie shrugged without looking up. “Fine.”

Jordan snorted. “You suck at lying.”

That pulled a small, tired smile out of her.

“You wanna know something?” she asked, barely above a whisper.

Jordan turned to her fully. “Yeah.”

“I don’t wanna die tomorrow,” she said. “I think for the first time in a long time, I’m actually scared of dying.”

The words landed between them like something heavy.

“I found a family here. I’m not happy all the time, but I’m doing something that matters. With people I love.” Her fingers dug into the couch cushion.

Jordan smiled. “Good!”

“What about you? How are you feeling about tomorrow?”

“I also don’t wanna die,” they said. “But my life… that’s not the thing I’m really terrified of losing.”

Marie lifted her head slowly. “Then what is?”

They didn’t answer. Their eyes stayed on her face. They didn’t need to say it.

Marie felt her pulse jump. Heat climbed up the back of her neck.

Jordan shifted closer. “But you’re not dying tomorrow, Marie,” they said. “I can promise you that.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. Cause I’m not letting that happen,” they shot back. 

“Right…” She let out an unsteady breath. She instantly visualized them trying to stop her from fighting Godolkin alone. Her stomach flipped.

“I hope you know,” she said finally, “every time I think about what I did the last time you tried to stop me from…I just… hate myself a little more for it. And also for leaving you…”

“Shit, Marie.” Jordan flinched like she’d actually hit them. “I don’t want you to hate yourself.”

Their voice came out rougher than they meant, too loud for how close they were, then softened.

“I’m not gonna pretend it didn’t matter. I’m not doing the ‘it’s fine, whatever’ thing. It fucking hurt.”

She nodded once, eyes shining.

“But I also know you’d never do it again,” they pushed on. “And if you could undo it, you would.”

Marie’s jaw tightened. The first tear slipped out before she could stop it.

Jordan reached up and wiped it away with their thumb, gentle. “And if you hate yourself for that,” they added, quieter, “then I’d have to hate myself too. For letting you sit with it this long. I won’t let you do that.” They took her hand, their fingers lacing together easily.

“Jordan…”

“You’re amazing, Marie.” Their thumb brushed over her knuckles. “You’re so good, smart, and kind. You’re the first person who really made me feel loved and accepted exactly as I am.”

“Thanks,” she said, with a silly grin. “I really appreciate that. And I’m glad you felt loved by me when we were together.”

Jordan tried to smile.

“I really did,” they said. “I hope you felt it too.”

“I did,” she answered. “Maybe not the entire time. But I did.”

“You were.” They held her gaze. “You were loved the entire time.”

Something in her face crumpled at that, just for a second.

“Thanks for saying that,” she whispered.

Jordan’s mouth curved into a softer smile. “You wanna know when I realized it?” 

“What?” Marie raised an eyebrow.

“When I realized that I loved you,” they said.

“Okay.” She sniffed, swiping under one eye with the back of her hand.

They looked down at their joined hands, then back at her. “When Homelander attacked you,” they said. The memory slammed into both of them at once. “It played out in front of me in slow motion. It felt like time slowed down. Like someone was peeling my skin from the inside.” They shook their head, searching for the right words. “I’ve been scared before,” they went on. “But that was different. It wasn’t just fear…”

Marie stared at them, breath caught halfway in her chest.

“That moment, I understood what that fear of losing you really was. It was love.”

They looked at each other. Their hearts kicked up fast, heat running through both their bodies.

Jordan’s whole body tightened for a second, like they couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“Fuck, Marie, I…” They could barely breathe. “I can’t…”

They pulled at each other at the same time, without thinking, without leaving room for any space between them. Their mouths crashed together like they’d been holding back for weeks.

Marie’s hand fisted in the front of Jordan’s shirt, dragging them closer. Jordan’s fingers tightened on her waist, slipping under her shirt just enough to feel warm skin.

The kiss turned hot fast, their mouths parting, tongues sliding together, all teeth and breath and need.

Marie shifted, swinging one leg over their lap without really thinking it through. Jordan’s hands flew to her hips to steady her, fingers digging in just enough for her to feel it, then slid back to grab her ass and pull her down against them. 

She pulled back for half a second, just to breathe.

“Jordan…”

“Yeah?”

“This is… okay, right?”

They cupped her face, thumbs brushing her cheeks. “More than okay,” they said. “Tell me if you want to stop. Anytime.”

“I won’t,” she answered, almost on instinct. “‘Cause I don’t want to stop.”

That was all they needed. They kissed her again, harder, like they were making up for every second they’d stayed apart, before their mouth moved to her jaw, then down her neck, sucking and licking their way down.  She let out a sound she didn’t recognize as hers, and felt them smile against her skin.

Jordan slid their hand up, under the hem of her shorts, fingers tracing the edge of the waistband before stopping.

“Can I?” they asked, breathing hard.

“Yes. Fuck yes,” she said, breathless.

Marie grabbed their shoulder with one hand, the other curling into their hair just as their fingers found her slickness, rubbing it over her clit. Her hips moved before she could stop them.

“You like that?” Jordan asked, voice low, eyes locked on her face.

“Yes,” she managed. “It feels fucking great.”

Jordan smirked. “Good.”

Their fingers delved deeper, parting Marie’s folds to rub her clit slowly.

She gasped when they pumped two fingers inside her, curling them to hit that spot that made her vision spark. Her hips bucked up, chasing the pressure, while Jordan’s mouth returned to hers, swallowing her moans in a deep kiss.

“Jordan… fuck, right there,” she panted, her voice breaking on the words.

Jordan’s thumb pressed her clit harder, matching the rhythm of their thrusts, her walls clenching around them as wetness coated their hand.

She felt the coil tightening low in her belly, her thighs trembling around their wrist.

Marie was shaking in their arms in no time, lips parted, trying to hold on and failing. “Jordan…”

“Come on, baby… you’re doing so well.” They pressed their forehead to hers. “Come for me. I know you want to.”

Her orgasm hit hard, her whole body tightening, then melting against them. She clung to their shirt, legs trembling around them, a broken sound catching in her throat as everything else dropped away for a few seconds.

When it finally eased, she slumped against their chest, breathing like she’d run laps. “This was… like, really, really good,” she said, still a little dazed.

Jordan just smiled, hand smoothing up and down her back. “Yeah,” they said softly. “Kinda the goal.”

She pulled back enough to see their face, cheeks burning. “Should we… uhm… go to my room?” Marie asked, her face on fire the second the question left her mouth.

Jordan’s eyebrows shot up. “Well, if this is an invitation, of course I’ll say yes,” they answered. “I’d love to go to your room and fuck you properly.”

Marie laughed, hiding her face in their shoulder for a second.

“Shut up,” she said, dragging them down to her mouth before leading them to her bed.

They barely made it out of the living room before their mouths crashed together again. Marie hit the hallway wall with a soft thud, laughing against their lips, and Jordan swallowed the sound with their mouth on hers.

They didn’t stop touching, not even for a second, dragging each other toward the bedroom. They fell onto the bed together, a tangle of limbs, breathless and already reaching for more.

“I need to see you,” Jordan murmured, fingers slipping under the hem of Marie’s shirt while they pushed it up, knuckles brushing her skin. “All of you.”

They moved together without thinking, mouths glued to each other, hands everywhere, tugging fabric, pulling it off, dropping shirts somewhere on the floor without even looking. Shorts slid down next, underwear right after, their bodies finally bare again, heat pressing into heat like they’d been starving for this.

They were already dripping, the scent of arousal mixing with the room's musty air.

“Come here,” Marie whispered, pulling them down against her.

Jordan’s breath stuttered. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Jordan kissed her slowly before moving to her jaw. Their mouth trailed down the side of her neck. They sucked lightly, then a little harder when her fingers tightened in their hair. Their tongue brushed her skin just enough to pull one of those helpless moans, the kind she only made for them.

Their mouth closed around her nipple, her back arching the second Jordan’s tongue flicked over it. It hardened instantly, and she gave in completely when they sucked harder.

Marie’s fingers tightened in their hair, pulling them closer as she opened her legs for them without even realizing. 

But Jordan noticed, lowering themself as they settled between her legs, their mouth trailing down her body, nipping her navel and sucking a mark on her hipbone.

Marie's core throbbed, wet heat building again. She wasn’t trying to be loud, but a small, helpless sound slipped through her lips when they got closer. 

“Good,” Jordan whispered, with a smirk, before kissing the inside of her thighs and guiding her legs over their shoulders gently.

Marie gasped, her hand flying to their hair, pulling their mouth straight into her core.

They lifted their face just enough to look at her. They needed to see her reaction the moment they tasted her.

Her eyes flew open for a second, her breath catching like she forgot how to inhale, before they shut again. Such a beautiful thing to watch.

Jordan’s tongue flicked out, tracing Marie’s outer lips and tasting her fresh arousal before diving in fully, lapping her clit and then slipping inside, licking at her walls.

They devoured her, like someone starving, craving her for weeks.  

“Yes! Just like that,” Marie whimpered, hips rocking forward, grinding against their mouth. 

They gripped her ass and pulled her closer, their nose brushing her mound as they sucked harder, teeth grazing just enough to spark electricity. 

Two fingers slid inside Marie's soaked core, curling deep to stroke that inner spot, while Jordan's tongue swirled relentlessly. 

The wet sounds filled the room, mingling with Marie's whimpers. 

She couldn’t last long. Not with the way they knew her body.

Her first orgasm crashed hard, her fingers tangled in their hair pulling them closer, her hips lifting off the bed without control, chasing their mouth like her body couldn’t stop itself anymore.

But Jordan didn't relent, licking through the tremors, sucking softer now, drawing out every aftershock. 

They added a third finger, stretching her, thumb now teasing her clit in firm circles while their tongue dipped lower, lapping at her entrance. 

“Don't stop,” she begged, voice breaking on the edge of another peak.

“Never. Now come again for me, baby,” Jordan urged, eyes locked on Marie's face, drinking in her pleasure. 

Marie's second climax shattered her, thighs quaking around Jordan's head.

A sharp orgasm tore through Jordan at the same time, their whole body tightening for a moment, but they kept going, they stayed between her legs until Marie finally relaxed beneath them.

Jordan rose slowly, lips glistening, crawling up to hold Marie close, their naked bodies entwining on the narrow bed.

Marie pushed Jordan and lay down on them. “Now it’s your turn.”

“Is it?” One eyebrow lifted, a grin pulling at their mouth.

“Yes.”  Marie smiled, dragging her thumb slowly on their clit and inserting two fingers inside them at once.

“Oh my fucking god!” They pulled her into a desperate kiss, trembling from head to toe.

“Do you want me to use my mouth?” she whispered.

“Yes. Fuck. I do.”

“Okay.”

She didn’t waste any time, mouthing their clit, her fingers thrusting inside them. Jordan didn’t like to pull her head, they’d rather be gentle with her, so they just asked.

“I need a little more pressure, please.”

“Anything you need.”

Marie pulled their lips to dive deeper, applying pressure with her tongue and lips at the same time.

“That’s fucking perfect.” She smiled.

It wasn’t long before Jordan started shaking, moaning her name desperately. She pulled back, mouth and chin shining with their slick, the prettiest smile ever on her face.

“Oh my god!” they moaned.

Marie pulled them in, but they’d already shifted, lying over her.

“You did so good for me.”

“I did?”

“Mm-hmm.” They caressed her cheek. “Now it’s your turn again. I’ll do whatever you want me to, name it. Anything.”

“I wanna feel you, on me,” Marie said, a slow smile building.

Jordan swallowed hard and shifted, hooking a leg over Marie’s hip and pulling her closer until their bodies lined up. They brought their centers together, slick heat meeting slick heat in a slow drag that made both of them gasp.

“Like this?” Jordan asked, breath already unsteady.

Marie nodded. “Yeah. Like that.”

Marie’s head fell back with a sharp sound, one hand grabbing Jordan’s waist, the other finding the back of their neck and pulling them down into a kiss that left them both breathless.

Jordan rocked their hips once. Marie’s hips jerked up to meet them. “More.”

They gripped Marie’s thigh and rolled their hips again, harder this time. Their clits pressed together, pulling filthy sounds out of both of them.

“Oh my God…” Marie gasped. “Fuck, you feel… you feel so good!” 

“Look who’s fucking talking.” They dipped their fingers inside her before sucking them clean. “You’re the sweetest, most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.”

For a second, Jordan forgot they weren’t together anymore. They didn’t want to taste anybody else. Much less that somebody else tasted her. But they wouldn’t think about it now, with Marie so delicious and sweet, naked and under them.

“You’re so beautiful, Marie. So fucking special,” they said, caressing her cheeks.

She blushed, and looked away.

“No baby, no need to be shy.” Jordan’s breath kept breaking. “Look at me.”

Marie lifted her head, eyes blown, chest rising fast. She wrapped her leg tighter around Jordan’s hip, pulling them closer, increasing the pressure on them. 

“God, Marie…” Jordan’s voice cracked. “You’re gonna make me come…”

Marie pushed up against them harder. “Good. I want you to.”

Jordan kissed Marie again as they moved together, the friction growing, the pressure building with every rock of their hips.

Marie was shaking first, nails dragging down Jordan’s back.

“I’m close,” she breathed. “Jordan…keep going!”

“I’m right there with you,” Jordan choked out.

They shifted their angle just slightly, and the new pressure hit them both at the same time, perfect.

Marie’s moan broke against Jordan’s mouth. Her hips bucked hard.

Jordan’s entire body tensed above her.

“I still love you, Marie… so fucking much,” they whispered against her ear.

Marie smiled, a little overwhelmed.

They both came messy and loud, bodies locking together, thighs trembling, heat crashing through them in waves. Jordan buried their face in Marie’s neck as it hit, hands gripping Marie like she might disappear.

Marie held them just as tight, letting the aftershocks take both of them.

Jordan collapsed gently on top of her, breathing hard and shaking.

They let out a small, breathless laugh against her collarbone. “Holy shit.”

Marie kissed the side of their head. “Yeah,” she murmured. “Holy shit.”

“You good?” they asked, brushing their nose against Marie’s.

Marie nodded, smiling up at them. “Better than good.”

Jordan pressed their lips to hers, soft and affectionate, nothing like the desperation from before.

They were still tangled together, catching their breath, when they heard the front door bang open. Voices carried down the hallway, loud, overlapping, shoes hitting the floor.

Marie flinched. Jordan froze.

“Shit,” Jordan whispered.

“Yeah…” Marie breathed. “Everyone’s back.”

Jordan sat up fast. “I should… probably go. Before they walk in and see my ass out.”

They both scrambled for clothes, still shaking a little. Marie pulled her shirt over her head. Jordan almost tripped putting on their shorts. They kissed once last time, then Jordan slipped out of the room.

They walked into the living room trying to look normal.

Emma was on the couch, legs crossed, bag of chips beside her. She squinted at them immediately.

“Hey, Jordan.” She pointed. “Look at who has sex hair now.”

Jordan covered their face with both hands. “Emma. Please. Don’t.”

She grinned. “I knew it. I told Sam you two were being weird tonight.”

Jordan groaned. “Can we not do this right now? Please. I’m begging.”

Emma cocked her head, studying them like a rare creature she’d finally confirmed existed. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No.”

“Okay,” she said immediately, softening. Then she added, “So… you wanna sleep with her tonight?”

Jordan blinked hard. “Emma!”

“What?” She shrugged. “You look like someone who wants to sleep with Marie tonight.”

Jordan’s cheeks flushed bright red. “I mean… yeah. But only if she wants. And I wasn’t gonna ask. Because that’s weird. And…”

Emma raised a hand. “Jordan. Breathe.”

Jordan inhaled sharply.

Emma nodded, gentle now. “You can sleep in our room. I’ll take yours. Go ask her.”

Jordan hesitated. “You’re sure?”

“Yeah. And… I’m happy for you,” she added quieter. “Both of you.”

“Thanks.”

They turned and went back to Marie’s room, carefully.

Marie was lying on her back, turned away from the door.

“Emma?” she asked.

Jordan shook their head, cheeks warm. “No. Uh… Jordan.” They scratched the back of their neck. “Emma said I could… stay here. For the night. If you want. Only if you want.”

Marie’s heartbeat spiked. “Oh.”

They looked down at the floor, fingers fidgeting. “Do you want me to stay? Or I can call her back… I can go back to my room. Or Emma can come here. Or… just tell me what you want. I don’t wanna make things weird.”

“Jordan.” They looked up. “I want you to stay.”

Jordan’s shoulders dropped like a weight had slid off them. “Yeah? Okay. Yeah.”

Relief washed over their face so plainly it was almost embarrassing. They climbed into bed beside her, still shy and careful.

Marie curled onto their side. Jordan slid closer, hesitating for one second before draping an arm around her waist.

“Is this okay?” they whispered.

“Yeah,” Marie whispered back, leaning into them. “It’s perfect.”

Jordan exhaled against her shoulder, squeezing her gently like they were afraid she might disappear if they didn’t.

“Goodnight, Marie,” they murmured, voice a little shaky.

She smiled into the pillow. “Goodnight.”

Jordan tucked their face into the curve of her neck, cheeks still burning, and finally let themselves breathe.

Chapter Text

Jordan woke up with a quiet gasp, chest rising fast, eyes unfocused for a second.

Marie felt it immediately. She blinked awake, still half-asleep, turning toward them. “Jordan?” 

They dragged a shaky hand over their face. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” She shifted closer, touching their arm. “You okay?”

Jordan nodded once, but not really. Their breathing was still uneven. 

Marie moved her hand to the back of their neck, her thumb brushing their hair. “Hey… I’m right here.”

Their eyes finally focused on her face like they’d been searching for it in the dream. “You’re real,” they whispered, almost embarrassed to say it. “You’re alright.”

Marie smiled a little. “Yeah. I’m real.”

Jordan swallowed, throat tight. “It was… just stupid shit. Tomorrow. Everything. I saw you on the floor. You weren’t breathing.” They stopped, the words almost choking them.

Marie leaned in, foreheads touching. “I’m safe. You’re safe. We’re here.”

Jordan closed their eyes, breathing her in. Her warmth. Her voice. Her hand on their neck. Marie kept brushing her thumb over their cheek. Jordan opened their eyes again, looking at her like they couldn’t look away… the fear fading, replaced by something warmer. Marie felt that shift immediately. Heat rose under her skin.

“You don’t have to go back to sleep,” she murmured. “We can just stay like this.”

Jordan exhaled. “If we stay like this… I’m definitely not sleeping.”

She smiled. “That’s fine.”

Jordan let out a soft, shaky laugh, already losing the last bit of control. “Marie…”

“Hmm?”

They cupped her face with one hand and kissed her, slowly, like they were grounding themself in her. Marie’s breath caught, fingers sliding up into their hair as she kissed them back. Jordan’s other hand moved to her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss turned warmer. Marie felt the shift in Jordan’s breathing, felt the way their thumb stroked her cheek without thinking. She moved closer instinctively, her leg brushing theirs, and Jordan’s breath broke against her mouth.

“Come here,” they whispered, barely a sound.

Marie didn’t hesitate. She slid over them, settling on their hips as they pulled her into another kiss, deeper and hungrier, all the emotions from the nightmare bleeding straight into need. Jordan’s hands slid up her sides. Marie gasped softly when their fingers traced her spine. Jordan’s lips moved to her jaw, then her neck, kissing slowly but desperate.

“Jordan…” she whispered, shivering.

They exhaled against her skin. “I’m okay. Just…” Their hands tightened on her waist. “Just need you close.”

Marie pushed her forehead to theirs, kissing them again, soft at first, then deeper when Jordan’s fingers dug into her hips. Jordan’s hands slipped under her shirt first, palms sliding up her stomach and over her ribs. Marie gasped into their mouth, grabbed their shirt, and dragged it up, pulling it over their head in one quick breathless motion. Jordan didn’t even pause. They lifted her shirt too, kissing the line of her throat as they stripped it off her shoulders. The second her skin was bare, their hands were on her back, warm, certain, pulling her in until their chests met. Marie couldn’t think straight. She shoved her hands down to their pajama waistband and pushed it down their hips. Jordan sucked in a sharp breath when the fabric slid off, kicking it away without breaking the kiss.

Jordan’s fingers found the waistband of her shorts a heartbeat later. “Let me take these off you,” they murmured, fingers slipping under the waistband. “I need these gone.”

Marie lifted her hips to help, already reaching for their underwear. Jordan hooked their thumbs in hers at the same time, both of them fumbling and laughing under their breath, too desperate to care who moved first. The last pieces of clothing hit the floor almost together. Jordan’s hands were on her immediately, one at her waist, the other on her hip, pulling her close like they needed every inch of her skin against theirs. She slid back over them, settling over their hips, now completely bare, heat meeting heat with nothing left between their bodies.

Jordan’s forehead pressed to her cheek, their breath shaking. “God… Marie,” they whispered, like saying her name was the only thing grounding them.

Marie felt them hard against her thigh. Jordan swallowed hard, hips lifting just a little as she shifted on their lap.

“Marie…” they breathed, like it was a confession.

She kissed the corner of their mouth. “Yeah. I know.” Her hand slid down their stomach, Jordan’s breath stuttered when her fingers wrapped around them, stroking slowly.

“Oh fuck…” They grabbed her waist with both hands, head tipping back for a second before they pulled her mouth back to theirs. Marie kissed them deeply, her hips rolling instinctively.

Jordan’s hand slid between her thighs, guiding her hips down, lining them up with a gentle pressure, breath trembling against her lips. Marie’s slick heat brushed the head of their dick, and both of them gasped quietly. Jordan held her waist steady, eyes locked on hers.

“Marie…” they whispered, asking without words. She nodded, breath catching. “Yeah.”

Jordan guided her down slowly. They pressed the head to her entrance, pushing in, hips angling so the thick base kept grinding over her clit, the pressure making her shudder.

“God!” she gasped, rolling her hips up to chase the grind.

“Quiet, baby… everyone’s asleep,” they whispered against her mouth.

Marie smiled against their lips. “Then keep me quiet.”

They groaned against her neck, circling their hips so the base kept rubbing her, their dick working on her clit. Jordan’s hand slid up, cupping her face, thumb brushing her cheek before they pressed a kiss there.

“You feel so good...” Marie choked out, the words breaking as her hips moved helplessly against them.

“You feel even better.”

They bit her ribs, then latched onto her nipple, sucking hard while their tongue flicked, making her back arch.

“Right there. Fuck, right there,” she gasped, breath stuttering, tugging their hair to sink their mouth deeper on her breast. She cried out, her hips grinding against them, seeking more friction as waves of pleasure coursed through her. Taking her hint, Jordan slid a hand between her legs, their fingers finding her sensitive clit and stroking it in rhythm with their thrusts. 

“So wet for me,” they rasped, teeth catching the swell of her breast before licking over it again.

“Fuck, gonna come…” she sobbed.

They shared a passionate kiss. “Come for me, baby. I need to feel you,” Jordan whispered against her lips. 

Marie cried out, as quiet as she could, body locking around them, pulling them deeper with all her strength. Her walls clenched around them in violent, pulsing waves, every spasm milking them deeper, harder.

“Fuck! Marie!” they gasped as their release spilled hot inside her. 

Jordan buried their face in her neck, moaning into her skin as their body jerked with aftershocks that matched hers. When it finally eased, they collapsed on top of her and kissed her neck softly.

______

In the morning, Jordan padded into the living room, still warm from Marie’s bed. Annabeth was on the couch with a mug in her hands, already watching them. She didn’t say anything at first, just glanced at Jordan over the back of the couch, expression unreadable, except for a tiny, amused flicker in her eyes.

Jordan shifted. “Okay, don’t… look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“That ‘I know exactly what happened in that room’ look. It’s rude.”

Annabeth snorted softly, then went quiet again.

Jordan stared at the floor, jaw tightening. “…so you hate me now?”

“What?”

“You know.” Jordan scratched their palm, avoiding eye contact. “Because I hurt her.”

“Yeah… you did,” Annabeth said. “But you also protected her, you made her feel safe. You loved her, and you made her happy. That matters too.”

Jordan swallowed hard.

“I don’t think you’re bad for her, Jordan. Not then. Not now.”

Jordan’s eyes got a little wet. “Fuck. I hope so...”

“You are.” Annabeth let the silence sit for a second. “You two are gonna find your way back to each other,” she said, steady.

Jordan’s throat worked once. “…is that a vision thing? A precog thing? Did you see something?”

Annabeth shook her head. “No. Nothing precog.” A beat. “I just know you both still love each other. It’s obvious.”

Jordan let out a shaky breath. “God, I hope you’re right.” They finally managed a small smile. “Thanks.”

Marie walked into the common area, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. Jordan looked up the second she appeared.

“Morning,” Marie murmured. Jordan was already getting up.

Annabeth sat cross-legged on the couch with a blanket around her, sipping tea. “Morning,” she echoed, amused.

Jordan stepped toward Marie slowly and wrapped their arms around her waist. Marie melted into the hug, hands fisting the back of their shirt softly. Jordan’s breath slowed against her neck. They pulled her just a little closer.

Annabeth stared at her tea. “I’m not looking,” she said, deadpan.

Marie snorted against Jordan’s shoulder.

“You slept?” Jordan asked quietly.

Marie nodded. “You?”

Jordan huffed a tiny laugh. “Eventually… after the second time we did you know what.”

“We all know. Unfortunately for me,” Annabeth said. “I heard the door. And the floorboard. And the thing that sounded like someone dying.”

Jordan choked. “ANNABETH.”

“What? Thin walls. Trauma for life. Thanks.”

Marie covered her mouth, laughing into Jordan’s shoulder.

“If you’re gonna traumatize me before breakfast, at least make coffee first.”

Jordan groaned, hiding their face in Marie’s neck. “Please stop talking.”

“Oh, I absolutely won’t,” Annabeth said. “You two owe me noise-canceling headphones.”

Marie’s shoulders shook from laughing. Jordan leaned back just enough to see her face.

“You good?” they murmured.

Marie nodded, leaning into their touch. “Yeah.”

Their foreheads touched for half a second. Jordan finally stepped aside enough so Marie could grab a mug. But one of their hands stayed on her waist without even thinking.

Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “So… eggs?”

Marie laughed into her cup. Jordan squeezed her waist once more, gentle and protective.

The front door opened before anyone even knocked. Starlight stepped in first, already suited up, eyes sweeping over Marie and then Jordan.

“Everyone ready?” Annie asked. Behind her, A-Train, Emma, Sam and Cate were crowding the entryway, tension running through all of them.

Marie pushed herself up from the couch. Jordan immediately moved to her side, a hand at her back without thinking, steadying her as she found her balance. She shot them a small look like I’m fine, and Jordan answered it with one that clearly said I’m not letting go.

“We’re ready,” Marie said.

Emma nodded. “Then let’s move. We don’t have much time.”

Annabeth stepped in front of them before anyone could head toward the door. She looked straight at Jordan, arms crossed. “Promise you’ll take care of her.” 

Jordan didn’t blink. “You don’t even have to ask.”

Annabeth searched their face for half a second, making sure she believed it. She did. “Good.”

Marie brushed her fingers against Annabeth’s hand in passing, a quiet reassurance between sisters, and then Jordan guided her toward the door with that subtle, protective touch at her back.

Annie held it open. “Alright. Let’s go.”

And they all stepped out together into the cold air waiting for them.

Chapter Text

The car stopped about fifty meters from Elmira’s side entrance. It was still dark enough that no one could tell who was who.

The director walked alone toward the building, suit and briefcase, tired expression, access card already in his hand.

Cate stepped out from behind the security booth like she was just part of the morning shift. “Good morning, sir,” she said.

The director lifted his head, surprised. “Who?”

Cate touched his wrist. “Trigger the supers-only evacuation protocol. Now. On the PA.” The director turned to the security panel without hesitation. He typed, confirmed, and turned a physical key. The internal siren started wailing. The door unlocked with a beep

An automatic voice echoed through the speakers: “Superhuman containment breach. Evacuate all staff immediately. Proceed to emergency exits. Repeat: all staff evacuate immediately.”

Doors started unlocking by themselves. Red emergency lights came on in the hallway. “Open all prisoner cells,” Cate ordered.

The director hit another command. Deep in the building, dozens of metal locks disengaged in sequence, clack-clack-clack-clack. The automatic voice shifted: “Cell locks disengaged.”

Marie watched from a distance and whispered into the walkie, “She’s got him.”

Jordan let out a small breath of relief. “Thank fuck.”

Marie tightened her hand around the walkie. “Okay. That’s it. They’re free.”

Cate gave the last command.  “You will exit the building now. Walk straight. Do not turn around.”

The director obeyed like a robot.

The buses to Canada were hidden behind the east fence, engines off, blacked-out windows, all of them ready to leave the second the evacuation ended. The dawn air was cold and damp, too quiet for a mass escape.

Marie looked at Elmira, the gray building that always felt like it was breathing. Jordan saw the way her body went rigid and held out their hand without saying anything. Marie took it, and they walked in together. Emma, Starlight, A-Train, and Sam followed right behind.

Inside the lobby, dozens of humans were loose and confused, some shaking, others just trying to understand what was happening. Right in the middle, Tess stood frozen, arms tucked close to her body, eyes wide, like she was ready to run if anyone raised their voice.

Emma recognized her immediately. “Tess?” she called, gentle.

Tess turned slowly, bracing for the worst. When she saw Emma, her eyes filled with tears before she could stop it.

Emma walked closer, hands raised a little, careful. “Hey… it’s okay. It’s me.”

Tess took a shaky breath, her chin trembling. Emma opened her arms, offering the hug, not demanding it. Tess took one step. Then another. Then she threw herself forward. Emma held her tight and warm.

“You’re safe now,” Emma murmured. “We’re getting you out.”

Tess could only nod against her shoulder, breathing fast, her whole body tense like she still expected to be hit.

Starlight came closer, scanning the room, already counting the injured. A-Train was checking routes and exits. Marie and Jordan watched everything, still holding hands, the weight of the place pressing the air down around them.

Jordan looked over at Marie and squeezed her fingers. “I’m with you,” they said, just for her.

Marie nodded and didn’t let go.

Emma pulled a collar device off an older woman’s neck and tossed it aside. “You’re free. Get to the bus, okay?” She smiled to calm her, eyes already shining.

A-Train moved fast, going from person to person, undoing restraints with practiced hands. “Keep moving. Straight line. No panic.”

Sam stayed close to the younger ones, quietly promising it was over now, that no one was going to hurt them.

Annie supervised everything with the walkie clipped to her shoulder. “First group, head to the buses. Stay in order. Don’t run.” She turned to Emma. “Take them all the way to the gate. Don’t come back until the buses are full.”

“Got it,” Emma said.

A-Train lifted a hand. “First thirty ready.”

“Take them,” Annie replied.

Emma, A-Train, and Sam started guiding the first group along the side path toward the hidden buses, shielding each person as they went. The bus doors opened with a mechanical hiss, and the first former prisoner climbed the steps shaking.

Annie watched for a few seconds, making sure the flow was holding. Then she turned to Marie. “Marie, sweep the building. Every floor. We need to be absolutely sure no one’s left behind.” Jordan looked at her immediately. “I’m going with her.”  Annie opened her mouth to answer, but Jordan didn’t give her the chance. “She’s not doing this alone.”

Silence stretched for half a beat.

Annie took a slow breath, weighing them, then nodded. “Alright. Go together. Fast and careful.”

Jordan was already moving to Marie’s side as they answered, “Always.”

Heat rose in Marie’s chest, but she didn’t say anything. She just gave a short, steady nod.

“Let’s go,” Jordan said quietly, staying half a step at her side, their whole body keyed up.

They headed into the main corridor together, moving in sync without even realizing it. At the end of the hall, Marie closed her eyes and swept the building. Dozens of heartbeats outside, piled near the buses. Empty rooms. Empty wings. Then a pulse. Wrong, fast, focused, moving.

Marie’s eyes snapped open. “There’s someone else inside.”

Jordan stopped on a dime. “Where?”

A shadow shifted near the admin wing hallway. Steady footsteps approached.

Radial stepped into view. He wasn’t a prisoner. He wasn’t a guard. Black uniform, tactical panels across his chest, Homelander’s regime insignia stitched at the shoulder. He looked like he had been waiting.

“Well,” Radial said, smiling. “The little rebels really showed up.”

Jordan stepped in front of Marie. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Counter-insurgency,” Radial said simply. “Homelander figured you idiots might try something stupid like this.” He gestured around. “So he sent me to clean up.”

Light flickered under his skin, bright and unstable. Jordan knew that glow. “Shit,” they breathed. “He’s a detonator.”

Radial’s smile widened. “Very good.”

He didn’t waste another word. He lunged straight at Jordan.

“Jordan!” Marie threw herself in front of them without thinking, shoving Radial away from Jordan and taking the full impact of the blast herself.

The explosion tore out from Radial’s own body, a brutal, suicidal detonation. The impact hit Marie square in the chest, burning and ripping her skin like compressed fire. She was hurled several meters down the corridor, leaving a thin, dark trail of blood on the floor. Radial’s body simply came apart. The blast ripped pieces of him in every direction. His torso burst open, an arm hit the wall with a sickening thud, the rest scattered across the hallway. Nothing was left whole. He died instantly, completely destroyed. The corridor shook. Dust rained from the ceiling.

Marie tried to breathe, but only a short, broken sound came out. The burn at her chest was deep, fabric melted into charred skin, blood soaking and darkening everything.

“Mar?!” Jordan shouted, running to her. They pressed their fingers to her neck. Nothing. For a split second, their mind refused to accept it. Then something inside them snapped. “No. No. No.” The word broke on their tongue. Jordan laced their hands together and started compressions over her sternum, arms shaking with each push. “Come on. Come on, Marie,” they gasped. “Please…” No response. They stopped, panting, vision tunneling. Then they leaned down and pressed their forehead to hers, fingers trembling against her jaw. “Don’t do this,” they whispered, voice raw. “Please don’t fucking do this. I can’t lose you. Not you. Anyone but you.”Their throat closed around the words. Tears blurred everything.

“I love you,” they choked out. “I love you so much. I’m sorry I didn’t say it more. I should’ve said it every day. I’m sorry, baby, I’m so fucking sorry…” They pulled her closer, almost folding over her, arms locking around her waist like they could shield her from death itself. “Come back to me,” they breathed, voice barely there. “Please. Come back. I’m right here. I’m right here…”

Footsteps pounded down the corridor. “Jordan?!” Emma’s voice, high and shaking. “Jordan?” She turned the corner and skidded to a stop when she saw them on the floor. “Oh my god… Marie?” She slapped a hand over her mouth.

Annie stopped dead in the doorway, breath punched out of her chest, horror written all over her face.

A-Train came up behind them and froze. “Jesus Christ…”

Jordan didn’t lift their head. They were curled around Marie’s body, shoulders shaking, breath catching in jagged bursts. One hand was fisted in her shirt like they needed something to hold or they’d fall apart.

Emma stepped closer, carefully. “Jordan… what happened?”

They tried to answer. Nothing came out. They swallowed hard, once, twice, pushing the words through a throat that didn’t want to open. “I… I lost her.” The word lost came out shredded, halfway between a sob and a whisper.

Emma’s eyes filled. Annie pressed a hand to her own chest, like she needed to hold herself together. No one moved. Only Jordan’s broken breathing filled the room.

Annie forced herself forward and dropped to a knee beside them. “Jordan,” she said softly. “I need to see her injuries. I won’t move her. I promise. Just let me check.”

Jordan’s grip tightened for a second, then eased the smallest bit. They loosened their hold, just enough for Annie to see Marie’s chest. Annie examined the burns, then the wound, then watched Marie’s unmoving ribs. “Her lungs…” she murmured. “Her blood… she lost too much…”

Jordan’s breath hitched, rough and sharp.

Emma wiped her face with her sleeve. “There has to be something we can do. Annie, there has to—”

“Wait.” A-Train’s voice. Low. Surprised.

Jordan didn’t notice the way the air shifted at first. They didn’t notice the lights above them flicker, or Emma’s small gasp, or the way Annie suddenly looked up.

All they knew was the feel of Marie’s cold skin under their palms. “Marie,” they whispered, pressing their forehead to hers again. “Please. Please…”

Then the air snapped. A static hum rippled through the hallway. The lights overhead flickered twice.

A deep vibration rose from Marie’s chest, like something buried had just woken up.

Emma froze mid-step. “What was that?”

“I don’t… I don’t know,” Annie breathed.

A shockwave burst outward from Marie’s body. It wasn’t violent, but it was strong enough to shove everyone a step back. Jordan’s hair lifted with the static. The floor buzzed under their knees. A faint red glow spread under Marie’s skin, pulsing through her veins like her blood was lighting up from the inside.

“Annie?” Emma whispered, terrified. “Tell me this is normal.”

Annie stared, wide-eyed.“I’ve never seen anything like this.”

Marie’s back arched hard. Her body lifted a few inches off the ground, every muscle taut. Jordan choked on a breath. Her locks rose slowly, suspended as if underwater. The glow deepened, red edged with gold, heat shimmering off her like a mirage. Her chest expanded with a rough, violent inhale. A flare of blood-light exploded from her ribs outward, blooming through the room like a heartbeat turned into a blast.

Everyone shielded their eyes.

Jordan didn’t move. They didn’t even blink or breathe. They stayed right there, hands still cupping her face, letting the light burn their vision.

Then, suddenly, Marie’s body dropped back into Jordan’s arms. She was breathing. Fast. Shallow. But breathing.

Jordan sucked air in so sharply it hurt. “Marie?” Their voice broke wide open. “Baby, look at me. Please…”

Her eyelids fluttered. Her body jerked once, then settled, her breaths slowly finding a rhythm that almost sounded normal. “Jordan…?” Her voice was faint, lost.

The second the sound left her mouth, Jordan shattered.

They pulled her up against their chest, holding her so tightly they almost lifted her off the floor, a sob tearing free before they could stop it. “Oh my god. Marie. Jesus. You… I…” The words tumbled out in pieces, their voice completely wrecked.

Marie blinked, trying to focus on their face. “What… happened?”

Jordan pressed a shaky kiss to her forehead, their breath stuttering against her skin. “You died,” they whispered. “You died in my arms.”

Emma was crying openly now. Annie kept wiping at her face like she couldn’t quite believe this was real. Even A-Train looked shaken to his core.

Marie swallowed, eyes still half-lidded, and brushed her thumb along Jordan’s jaw. “I came back,” she whispered.

Jordan nodded, their forehead resting against hers. “You came back,” they breathed. “Thank god, you came back.”

They pulled in another ragged breath, then forced the words out, clear this time, no hesitation. “I love you,” they said quietly. “I’m not wasting that again. I love you.”

Marie’s mouth curved in the ghost of a tired smile. “I love you too,” she murmured.

Jordan held her like they had no intention of ever letting go. “You came back,” they repeated, their voice breaking again. “I love you. I love you. I’m not going to stop saying it.”

Marie’s breathing started to steady, slow and uneven at first, like her body was relearning how to work. Jordan kept their face pressed against hers for a few more seconds, just to make sure they could feel the air going in and out.

“I’m here,” they murmured, barely aware they were speaking. “I’m not letting go.”

Emma knelt on the other side, her face still wet. She touched Marie’s arm carefully, like she was afraid of breaking something. “Can you hear me?” she asked softly.

Marie blinked a few times until she could hold her focus. “I… I think so.”

Emma let out a shaky breath. A-Train dragged a hand down his face, still trying to understand what he had just seen. “Okay… that was… that was something.”

Annie still had a hand pressed to her chest, trying to steady her own breathing. After a few seconds, she forced her body back into gear, eyes moving quickly, assessing. “Jordan, hold her a little longer. Do not let her get up yet.”

“She’s not getting up,” Jordan answered, eyes never leaving Marie. “I’m not letting her.”

Marie tried to give the smallest smile and didn’t quite manage it. “I’m… okay.”

Jordan shook their head. “Don’t try to say that right now.”

Annie moved closer and crouched beside them. “The burn is deep, but it is not bleeding anymore. Her heart is stable.” She took a breath. “We need to get you out of here. Now.”

Jordan slid one arm under Marie’s shoulders and the other under her legs. “I’ve got her.”

Marie let out a small groan when Jordan lifted her, her body still too weak to hold any weight. Her head dropped onto their shoulder.

“Easy,” Jordan murmured, adjusting their grip. “I’ve got you.”

Emma stood first, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. “We’ll clear the way.”

A-Train nodded and moved ahead, fast enough to check every turn in the corridor before the group followed.

Annie rested a hand on Jordan’s shoulder for a moment. “Stay close to me. If she passes out again, I need to see it.”

“She’s not passing out again,” Jordan said, more instinct than logic.

Marie rested her face against their neck, her voice rough. “I’m… I’m here.”

Jordan pulled her closer like they needed their body to confirm it. “I know,” they murmured. “I know you are.”

The group started walking, slow, all of them too shaken to say much. The corridor felt longer now, like every step was pulling them farther from the place where she had died and come back. When they reached the side exit, they could hear the bus engines finally turning over. Emma pushed the door open with her elbow, keeping one hand free to help if needed. Cold dawn air hit them first, cutting through the smoke and the burnt concrete smell still clinging to their clothes. Marie took a deeper breath and shivered.

Jordan looked at her immediately. “Does it hurt?”

“A little,” she answered, her voice weak. “But… I’m alive.”

“That’s what matters.” Jordan adjusted Marie’s weight in their arms like they were carrying something sacred. She rested her forehead on their shoulder, too tired to answer out loud, but her fingers curled into their shirt, firm.

“Let’s go home,” they said, quiet, meant only for her.

Chapter Text

Hours later, after doctors from the Resistance had cleaned and dressed her wound, Jordan stayed. They dragged a chair to the side of the bed, elbows on their knees, staring at her breathing.

Her skin was warm again. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. She looked impossibly alive.

Jordan covered their face with their hands, letting out a breath that shook. They leaned closer.

“Marie… I don’t know if you can hear me...” Jordan brushed one of her locks away from her cheek. “You almost didn’t come back. And I don’t know who I am without you anymore. I don’t want to be without you.”

Their voice cracked.

“I ended things because I thought I was protecting us. Trying to be strong or smart or whatever lie I told myself. That was bullshit.”

Jordan lowered their forehead to her hand.

“I love you. I’ve loved you through every fight, every mistake, every time I pretended I didn’t care as much as I do. Every time I tried to act like some fake I-don’t-give-a-fuck asshole.”

They squeezed her hand gently. “I’m sorry for breaking up with you. I’m sorry for hurting you. I’m sorry for thinking distance would be the best for us.”

They leaned down and rested their forehead against hers. “If you wake up… I’m choosing you. No fear. No hesitation. I want you. I want us. I want a future.”

Marie’s hand twitched in theirs. Jordan froze. “Mar?” No answer. They kissed her knuckles, soft and trembling. “I love you. Come back.” And they stayed there the whole night.

Marie woke to warm light and the low hum of voices somewhere in the house. Not a hospital. Not Elmira. The Resistance safehouse. She was lying in the double bed she had been sharing with Emma.

A shape sat beside her bed. “Marie?” Annabeth leaned forward, eyes still wet, her hands hovering like she was scared Marie might vanish again.

“You’re awake,” she whispered. “God, Marie… you scared me so much.”

Marie lifted a hand, slow but steady. Annabeth grabbed it and folded herself into a hug that was careful but desperate. Marie held her back.

“I’m okay,” Marie murmured.

“You weren’t,” Annabeth whispered into her shoulder. “You really weren’t.”

When she finally pulled away, she wiped her face, took a breath, then looked toward the corner of the room.

“They didn’t leave,” she said quietly. Marie followed her gaze. Jordan sat in a chair, elbows on their knees, eyes fixed on Marie like they’d been memorizing the rise and fall of her breathing. Their hoodie was wrinkled, hair messy, and they looked like they hadn’t slept in days.

The second Marie looked at them, something in Jordan’s face broke and reformed at the same time.

“Hey,” they said softly.

Annabeth stood. “I’ll give you two a minute. I’ll be right outside.” She squeezed Marie’s arm and slipped out the door.

Silence settled. Jordan stayed seated, like they didn’t want to overwhelm her, but Marie lifted her hand toward them. They were beside her in a heartbeat.

Jordan slid their fingers into hers, lacing them tight, grounding themselves in the fact that she was alive and real and warm under their touch.

“You scared the hell out of me,” they whispered.

Marie gave a tired smile. “You keep saying that.”

“Because it’s true,” Jordan breathed. “I thought… I thought I lost you.”

Marie brushed her thumb over their knuckles. “You didn’t.”

Jordan swallowed hard. “I said things while you were out. I didn’t know if you’d ever hear them.”

“I did,” Marie said. “All of them.”

Jordan’s breath stuttered. “Then you should know I meant every word.”

Marie nodded. “I do.”

They shifted closer, their forehead resting against hers.

“Marie,” Jordan said, voice low and steady now. “I don’t want distance. I don’t want to pretend we’re not together. I don’t want separate rooms. I don’t want this weird half-life where I’m trying to act like I don’t love you enough to break.”

Marie’s eyes softened. “So… what do you want?”

Jordan lifted her hand and pressed it to their chest. “You. As my partner. As my person. I want us together. For real. In this house. In this war. In whatever comes after.”

Marie felt her throat tighten with something warm and solid. “I want that too,” she said.

Jordan let out a breath that was half relief, half disbelief.

“So we’re together?” they asked, a small smile forming.

“We never really stopped,” she said.

Jordan laughed softly and leaned in to kiss her, full of everything they hadn’t said when they were apart. Marie curled a hand into the front of their hoodie and pulled them even closer.

When they broke apart, Jordan pressed their forehead to hers again.

“And when the war’s over… when we’re safe… I want us to have a future. A home. A real life. And maybe… if you still want me…”

Marie touched their jaw, steady. “I will,” she said. “When the time comes.”

Jordan’s eyes softened more than she’d ever seen. “Then it’s settled.”

Marie shifted slightly, making room on the bed. “Come here. You’re not sleeping in that chair.”

Jordan hesitated only long enough to make sure she meant it, then kicked off their shoes and slid onto the mattress beside her. Marie tucked herself against their chest. Jordan wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close like the world had finally stopped spinning.

“So we’re really doing this?” Jordan murmured into her hair.

“Yeah,” Marie whispered. “We’re together.”

Jordan kissed the top of her head.

“And one day,” they said quietly, “when the war ends, we’ll go choose rings.”

Marie smiled against their chest. “One day.”

For now, they just held each other. Alive. Together. Exactly where they chose to be.