Timid the Symbiote 2 (complete)

    I’m not exactly sure where, to begin with, all of this. For some time now everything has just been chaos all around us. I’ve dragged down almost everyone I care about. My top student, my nephew, my best friend, they’ve all been pulled into this dark web because of me. My research is what started this, my desire to understand the things that existed beyond our world. I let Solomon go down a path I couldn’t save him from. Jack lost his life because I never told him the breadth of my work. Max, my nephew, is now all wrapped up in this because I was careless.

    Now, we’re all on the run, hiding away and trying to escape, so no one else gets hurt. All because of me. Max has had to leave school. Jack and Diane have had to give up their lives and their work. They’re all such good people, and yet they still stand beside me. It’s my fault and all I want to protect them and see them safe. But I feel so useless.

    Without Timid, what am I? It’s all because a Timid I even stand a chance in this fight. But it is also because of Timid I even want to fight. I don’t want them falling into the wrong hands, Solomon and Rabid’s hands. Timid is far too sweet for what they want. He’s innocent in all this. It’s my fault, once again, that Timid is in this mess.

    For the time being, we’re all safe. We’ve found somewhere to hide and live peacefully while we can. Diane’s family had a home near Reepicheep Bay. It’s by the ocean and is absolutely beautiful. It’s been left to pretty much rot, so some of the rooms are full of mold. The place smells like an old lady’s purse, and there’s a layer of sand on everything. But for us, it’s home as long as we can stay still and away from Solomon’s machinations.

    I don’t sleep much, but I pretend to so Timid won’t worry about me. The sound of the ocean reminds me of my childhood and of college. Every summer, back when Solomon and I were close, we would pool all of our money together and rent a crappy motel by the beach. Those were the days. We’d eat, drink, and fuck to our hearts’ content. We were in love then, and part of me still loves Solomon even now.

    “I know you’re not asleep,” Timid says.

    I open my eyes, seeing Timid watching me from the edge of the bed. I smile softly, sitting up as Timid rises from the floor. 

    “You knew huh?” I ask as I put my glasses back on.

    Timid slinks into bed beside me. “You have a tell,” they reply, placing their hands on either side of my face. I love the cool, slick feeling of their body and how it feels like bubbles trailing along my skin. 

    I smile at them. “What gave me away then?”

    “Your eyes don’t move when you’re not asleep,” Timid says, placing their thumbs over my glasses. “You don’t move at all when you’re faking.”

    I smile softly, leaning in to meet Timid’s kiss. They’re tongue licks across my mouth, and I let it inside. They taste sweet, then again, they did eat a copious amount of Diane’s pineapple upside down cake earlier. 

    “Why can’t you sleep, Harlan?” Timid asks me. “Is it because Spite and Max are so loud.”

    I scoff, hating to think of my nephew in any sort of situation like the ones. Spite keeps putting him in. But Timid is correct, the two lovers are quite loud despite what Spite protests. But their lovemaking isn’t what keeps me awake.

    “I’m scared,” I confess to Timid.

    “But you have me!” Timid gasps. 

    I smile at them, touching their cheek and they nuzzle into my palm. “I know that. But you’re part of why I’m scared. Rabid and Solomon know you exist now.”

    “Those bullies don’t scare me,” Timid pouts as they hold my wrist. “Besides, Jack and Spite-”

    I look sadly at Timid and they go quiet.

    “What’s wrong?” Timid murmurs. 

    “Jack and Spite are my responsibility too. Rabid and Solomon aren’t their battle. I can’t ask them to always stand up for me when the going gets tough. They have lives that I don’t want to disrupt.”

    “But, they love you too,” Timid’s voice squeaks. “I mean, Jack and Max do. I don’t know if Spite really has feelings.”

    I chuckle and pull Timid into my arms. “But it isn’t fair of me to use their love like that. Someday, I’m going to have to face my mistakes and meet Solomon face to face again.”

    “He’s not good enough for you,” Timid pouts. “You need someone who is much more good-looking than he is. Someone who will love you without conditions. Like me!” Timid chirps.

    I grin at them. “Are you saying you’d share me with someone?”

    “You can share me,” Timid leans back into a sultry pose on the bed. “I’d like to be the jelly in a great big sandwich.”

    I snort and laugh, trying to keep quiet. But Timid is so funny and cute, I can’t help myself. I pull them in, kissing them hungrily as their arms wrap around me several times.

    “I only want you happy, Harlan,” Timid mewls. 

    “You’re so remarkable, Timid,” I purr. “You do make me happy.”

    There’s a knock on the door. “Hey!” I look up, seeing Spite and Max standing in the doorway.

“Spite, come on, leave them be!” Max whines. Max is wearing Spite like a hoodie, but I can see Max isn’t wearing pants, so he’s tugging Spite down to cover himself. The only other thing he has on is a pair of fluffy bear paw slippers.

“There are other people in this house you know,” Spite growls, rising up as the hood on the jacket. “Keep it down.”

“Then stop fucking twenty-four seven and give us some peace!” Timid snips back.

Spite snickers. “You’re just jealous.”

“Oh please, as if I’d be jealous of some peppermint pervert,” Timid makes a mouth simply to stick their tongue out.

Spite makes a mock offended sound, rising Max’s arm as if to clutch pearls. “You jealous jelly jerk.”

“Please,” Max sighs, “I just want a drink of water and to go back to bed.”

A tendril of Spite’s covers Max’s mouth. “Hush, babe, let me handle this.”

I sigh, pulling Timid back. “You two sound like bickering siblings.”

Spite gasps and the hoodie goes wide. “He’s got Rabid in him if we were on our planet those would be cause enough to declare war!”

Max pulls down the hood and sighs. “Water,” he grumbles as he shuffles away from the door.

“Remind me, why were we trying to keep Spite away from Rabid again?” Timid fumes, the tops of their shoulders and ears bubbling.

I chuckle, pulling Timid back down into bed, so they are on my chest. “Spite has good intentions somewhere in them.”

Timid lays their cheek on my chest and rubs their hands down to my stomach. Their fingers trace along the elastic of my underwear. 

I moan softly, waiting as Timid’s fingers slip underneath. I gasp softly, letting them feel away. Timid giggles, stroking me and coiling their tendril’s around me. They purr to themselves, watching as I start to grow hard.

“I wouldn’t mind watching you,” Timid purrs. “Would you wanna watch me?”

I moan and roll my hips to meet their touch. “What’re you talking about?”

“The sharing idea,” Timid chirps. 

I groan as their tendrils start to prod at my ass. They press at my pucker, lubing it with something slick they excrete.

“Wouldn’t it be fun?” Timid whispers in my ear as they push inside me.

I let out a cry.

“Fucking, being fucked,” Timid mewls. “Sweet kisses coming from everywhere.”

I tremble, and my knees start to curl.

“And all at once,” Timid pants as they move inside me. “All at once we-” they strain and grunt. Their slickness coats my coat as I release. I can feel them pulsing inside me as well.

I fall back onto the bed breathing hard and gulping down the cold air.

Timid giggles. “It got you excited didn’t it?” They dip down, sucking my cock until every drop of mess is cleaned up.

I moan softly, my lashes fluttering as I start to feel tired. 

“Wet dreams, my love,” Timid purrs as we kiss.

I fall into the first hard sleep I’ve had since I started running from Solomon. When I wake up, I can smell breakfast being cooked and the sound of loud chatter. I get up, seeing Timid isn’t by side.

I get dressed and walk to the kitchen where I see everyone gathered.

“Oh, he’s here!” Timid gasps and rushes towards me. They push me back into the hallway, so the kitchen is out of sight. “You can’t go in yet!”

I chuckle. “Oh? Why is that?”

Timid glances back around then looks up at me. “You just gotta wait!”

“Actually, it’s ready,” Diane calls. “You can let him in now, Timid.”

Timid grabs my hands and pulls me along into the kitchen. He sits me down between Jack and Max as Diane delivers me a plate. There are waffle on it as well as bacon. There’s a candle that’s lit on the waffle.

“What is this?” I ask.

“It’s your birthday,” Max says with some surprise. 

I gasp, having forgotten entirely with everything going on.

Timid places a cup of coffee on the table that has a big glob of whipped cream floating on top. “Surprise!”

“Did you honestly forget?” Jack asks.

“Look at him,” Spite says, rising from Max’s shoulder. “Of course he forgot. This is what happens when you get old. Let’s just cut him open and count the rings.”

Max shoves Spite down, rubbing the top of his head, and sighs. “Happy Birthday, Uncle Harlan.”

I smile at him and blow out the candle on the waffle. “Thank you. This was a nice surprise.”

“We also got you something special,” Max says, laying a card before me. 

“You really didn’t have to do this,” I sigh as I open the card. Inside there’s a certificate to the fancy restaurant in town.

“So you can get away from us for a bit,” Jack chuckles.

I chuckle. “You’re not the problem,” I tell them.

“It’ll be fun,” Diane says. “We’ve all noticed you’ve been feeling a bit stressed out lately. Go out, have fun for a bit. And if you need a ride home, you just call us.”

“I was planning on getting groceries today,” I say.

“It’s your day,” Max insists. “Do what you want to do. We’ll find ways to take care of ourselves.” he’s still holding his hand over Spite’s mouth, but Spite’s tongue is sticking through his fingers.

“Come on, it’ll be fun,” Timid says eagerly.

I smile and sigh. “Ok. Why not?”

After breakfast and having a lovely morning with everyone, Timid and I go out for the day. We go into town with Timid taking a page from Spite and forming around me like a hoodie. 

“You know, he’s an asshole, but Spite has some good ideas,” Timid giggles. “Don’t tell him I said that.”

“I won’t,” I chuckle.

We walk along the boardwalk, and I notice a young man run by us.

“Oh, he’s cute,” Timid whispers.

I can feel my cheeks burn. “Now, now, I’m not out here to window shop.”

“Why not?” Timid giggles. “It’s your birthday!”

I sigh, watching the young man as he gets to the end of the pier and stands there looking over the water. His posture and body remind me of Solomon when he was young. Broad of shoulder, narrow waist, and beautiful, thick hair made of tons of curls.

“You’re staring,” Timid whispers with a lot of smugness.

“So are you,” I huff at him. “Come on, let’s go.” 

We head to the restaurant, sitting down and having a nice lunch. Timid and I share our meal, it was hard feeding Timid bites without it looking like I was dropping food down my shirt. We had a good time, it was quiet, but also a little lonesome. We had gotten so used to sharing everything with everyone now.

It was still quite early, so I went to the grocery store afterward.

“This isn’t what we should be doing!” Timid protests. “Let’s find that cute runner and make a sandwich!”

“Timid,” I scoff as I grab a buggy. I then look up, seeing the jogger from earlier looking over the produce. He’s staring at melons with a confused look on his face.

“It’s him, it’s him,” Timid giggles excitedly.

“Hush,” I hiss.

“Excuse me,” the jogger says.

I go a bit stiff and turn, seeing his eyes as such a lovely shade of blue they’re almost violet. He’s pale but covered in so many freckles. 

“I’m sorry to bother you,” he says with a bright smile. “But uhm-” he turns to the melons. “Do you know how to tell if cantaloupes are good?”

“Oh,” I walk over to him. “These are a bit green, so they aren’t ripe yet.” I then pick it up and sniff it. “It should smell sweet too.” I find one and hand it to him. “This one looks just about right.”

“Thanks,” he says with a chuckle. “I’ve really been craving one, but I’ve been having the worst of luck when it comes to picking one out. Last week-” he then hesitates and chuckles. “Sorry, I don’t want to keep you.”

“Keep us, keep us,” Timid whispers.

I touch the lip of the hood to calm Timid down. “It’s alright, really. I’ve had a bit of a lonely afternoon, it’s nice to have the company.”

The jogger looks a bit shocked. “You? Really?” I then notice he’s blushing and he turns slightly. “I don’t mean anything bad by that!” He then gasps. “What I mean is well…” he chuckles. “Sorry, I’m doing it again.”

“I think he likes you,” Timid squeals.

“You’re fine,” I reply. “What were you going to say?”

He clears his throat and stands tall again. “You’re just...good looking,” he says. “Hard to believe someone like you would be alone.”

I started to feel a bit nervous then. I’m not used to being called good looking. 

“I uhm,” he fidgets with the strings of his jacket. “My name is Winston,” he says with a handsome, crooked smile.

“Harlan,” I extend my hand out to him.

As Winston takes my hand, I notice scars and cuts on his knuckles. His grip is, and he feels so warm.

“I’m here for business,” he replies. “Are you from here?”

I shake my head. “I’m visiting my niece and nephew.” I’m not technically lying, but I am. “But I’ve been here for a while now. What sort of business do you do?”

Winston scoffs and shrugs. “Nothing too impressive. At least nothing fun to talk about. What do you do?”

“Retired,” I lie again.

“Bullshit,” Winston grins. “No way you’re even near that old.”

I laugh, feeling my heart start to speed up. “I’m not near that young either.”

Winston and I end up doing all of our shopping together. It felt nice being around him, he was bright and charming. I’ll admit, there was an attraction there and even Timid was excited when Winston would touch us.

“Let me help you with that,” Winston says as I open the trunk of the car.

“No really, you must have somewhere to be,” I say. “A date or something important.”

Winston crooks his brow and scoffs. “Oh, god no,” he says as he places bags into the trunk. “I’ve just got my melon to look forward to.”

“Ask him out! Ask him out! Ask him out!” Timid chants in my ear.

I touch the lip of the hoodie again to calm Timid down. “Such a shame,” I reply.

Winston shrugs. “It’s better than most things,” he replies softly. “Although, it’s been a bit hard at night. The apartment I’m staying at is a little too quiet.”

“Too quiet?” I chuckle. 

Winston nods, shutting the trunk. “I’m used to living with a bunch of people. So all the stillness and emptiness is a bit unsettling.”

“Let us fuck! Lets us fuck!” Timid continues to chant.

“That’s such a shame to hear, Winston,” I reply.

Winston tilts his head, a  few curls falling in his face. “I may be a bit presumptuous asking this but, do you have any plans this evening, Harlan?”

My heart skips a bit, and I have to swallow it back down. “Not really.”

“Then, maybe, you could share my melon with me?” He smiles, and I feel myself falling head first.

“Sure,” the word escapes me.

“Great,” Winston hands me his phone. “I’ll text you the address.”

I put my number into his phone, feeling like a young boy again when I first met Solomon in school. Winston takes the phone back and grins. “I’ll see you later then.” He hesitates as if wanting to linger more but he stiffens his back and walks away.

“Yay!” Timid squeals happily.

I have to hold the hoodie down until I get into the car.

That evening, I sneak from the house again, all of them thinking I’m going to go have my dinner which I used at lunch. I go to Winston’s apartment, it’s a tiny little beach cabin that has a horrible view of a row of dumpsters on the beach.

“Don’t be nervous,” Timid coaxes me. “He’s really nice.”

“I know,” I sigh as I knock on the door.

The door opens, and Winston is there, handsome and wearing only a towel. “Sorry!” He gasps. “Come on in, I just wanted to take a quick shower, but it got away from me.”

My eyes linger on his body, noticing more scars and healing wounds on him. What did this boy do? I can’t help but be concerned. Even still, his body is lovely.

“It’s ok, Winston,” I say as I walk inside.

“Actually,” Winston says as the door closes. “If you’d like to join me that’d be ok.”

My throat tightens, and as I look up at Winston, I start to melt. I laugh nervously. “That’s funny,” I say. “You got me.”

Winston smirks. “Wasn’t a joke, Harlan.” He places both his hands on my face and kisses me. I moan against his lips, melting to his touch as he presses closer. I put my hands around his thin waist and hold him still.

“Is this the only reason you asked me over?” I pant as our lips part.

Winston sighs and kisses my neck and jaw. “You said you were lonely too.”

“Yes but-” I groan as he bites my neck. “Winston, wait.”

Winston touches Timid, or what he thinks is the hoodie. His eyes then narrow and he rubs Timid between his fingers. “What is this material?”

“Boyfriend material,” Timid says as he rises up from my shoulder and opening the hoodie, so my chest is exposed to Winston.

Winston stares and takes a few steps back. “What the hell?”

“Bad timing?” Timid whimpers.

I sigh, touching Timid as he rises around my shoulders. “Winston, there is something I should tell you.”

“Apparently,” Winston stares as Timid coils down my arm and lands onto the floor. His brow furrows more, and he then looks up at me.

“This is Timid,” I start. “They’re my partner.”

“He looks like Rabid,” Winston murmurs.

“Those are words that could start a war,” Timid huffs.

Winston sighs. “I thought something was strange,” he says. “Your jacket kept moving in the store, I thought it was just the fluorescent lighting but-” his voice drifts off.

“I should just go,” I reply. “I didn’t intend on your finding out about Timid. Now that you do, I don’t want you getting into any sort of trouble because of me.”

Winston’s expression is serious and dark. “Trouble?” he asks. “Harlan, what are you talking about?” His eyes then go a bit wider and brighter. “Are you ok?”

I sigh, placing my hand on Timid’s back. “It’s something I don’t want to drag anyone else into,” I reply. “I’ve hurt people I care about with my-” I then shake my head. “You’re a good person, and you don’t deserve someone like me fucking things up.”

Winston looks at Timid and back at me. “Let me get some pants on,” he says. “If I can help you, I want to help you.”

“You could also do that with pants off,” Timid says, and I cup my hand over his mouth.

Winston smiles at me. “Are they always so charming?” He goes off, returning a moment later with clothes on and tugging a tight shirt over his head. 

We sit down, and I don’t want to pull Winston into anything else. I really just want to leave and have him, hopefully, forget me. 

“I’ve seen a lot of weird things,” Winston starts, “in my line of work I mean.” He holds his hand out, letting Timid step close to him. “What are they?”

“I made him,” I reply. 

“Lovely work,” Winston replies.

“Really, we should leave,” I say. “I can’t have you getting in the crossfire that is my life these days.”

“If you need help just tell me,” Winston whispers. “I know I may not look like it, but I am someone who can find you help. I can get you somewhere safe.”

I look him over. “Are you a cop?”

Winston shrugs. “Not exactly.” He then sighs. “I can’t exactly tell you either.” He then frowns. “Well, I guess we’re both in crossfire.” He then scoffs and shakes his head. “To be honest, I only intended tonight to be a one-time thing. I like you, you’re just my type,” he confesses.

“That’s exactly what Timid wanted me to do as well,” I chuckle. “Just a quick fling.”

Winston smiles. “I do really like you. But, I didn’t want you getting caught up in the shit in my life.” He leans over to me, touching my face again as he kisses me. 

Timid wiggles watching as we kiss.

“Wait,” I whisper.

Winston stands up and takes his shirt off. “I need to show you something so you’ll understand.” He starts to change. His skin goes dark blue, and there is a soft fuzz that grows around him. His eyes go completely violet, and his iris’ are sideways slits. A tail swishes from behind him, long and thin and tipped with a tuft of dark curls like his hair. His legs are bent and curved, looking very much like the legs of an animal. His feet and hands are clawed, and his teeth are rows of sharp edges.

“Oh,” Timid gasps in awe.

I furrow my brow, standing to go near Winston. I touch his cheek and look into his eyes. “You’re Spinel,” I whisper. “You’re a superhero.”

Winston takes my hand. “That’s why, if I can help you, I want to.”

“So pretty,” Timid moves up beside Winston, touching his chest and cooing.

Winston chuckles, tilting his head down. “Thanks,” he murmurs and tubs the top of Timid’s head.

I touch down his chest, realizing now why he had so many scars and cuts. It made me feel angry to imagine him fighting and getting hurt. Such a kind and sweet person like him, I didn’t deserve it. I didn’t want him to get hurt any further because of me.

Winston touches my face. “I want to help you,” he whispers. “If I can at all.”

I shake my head. “It wouldn’t be for me, but my family,” he whispers. “I don’t want them in harm’s way anymore.”

“I wouldn’t want you there either,” Winston murmurs.

I smile sadly at him. “Someone like you would be better off without knowing me.”

Winston scowls. “I’ve known real evil in this world, Harlan. You don’t even match up.” He leans in, kissing me again. His lips are soft, and his cheeks are fuzzy. He feels silky and warm all over.

“I’ll say it,” Timid scoffs. “You were right, it is Rabid!”

“Timid!” I hiss.

“No!” Timid snaps. “I love you, and I don’t want you getting hurt. Max and Jack don’t want you getting hurt. You don’t get to say how we feel, Harlan. We want you safe too!”

Winston dips down, giving Timid a soft kiss. Timid shivers and purrs and snuggles up to Winston. 

“So, Rabid,” Winston murmurs. “That is some trouble.” He then grins. “But I’ve fought him before. No big deal.”

I sigh and shake my head. “He’s my fault,” I confess. “Solomon was...is, someone I love,” I tell him. “And because of me, he’s Rabid now.”

I tell Winston everything, about the comets and the symbiotes. How Solomon vanished and how jack nearly died in the lab explosion. I told Winston how Solomona approached me to make a symbiote for his partner and that it became Timid I told him about Max and Spite and how Rabid attacked him. 

At the end of it, Winston pulls me into his arms and holds me. “You’re not to blame for this,” he tells me. “Solomon’s hunger led to all this. You’re just the unlucky pawn to his whims.” He touches my cheek. “Let me help you and your family. Please.”

I hold my hand out to Timid who coils around my body again. “You’re a good man, Winston.” I kiss him, pressing in close as Timid wraps around my body. Our kiss deepened as Timid joins in with it.

“You taste sweet,” Winston pants.

Timid and I chuckle. “Lets us taste you.” We kiss down his body as Winston leans back into the sofa. His fur feels good and has we tug down his pants we see his cock rise amongst a tuft of curls. Timid makes our tongue long, coiling around the dark purple shaft of Winston’s dick.

Winston moans, covering his eyes with his forearm. He reaches down, gently touching the back of our head as we take him into our mouth. Timid and I both moan against him, feeling him grow rigid and thick. It’s a strange shape, slightly curved with ridges along the shaft. The tip is pointed and spear-like. It’s also very warm.

“It’ll feel good inside us,” Timid says to me.

“It will,” I can’t help but agree.

Winston pushes at us, making us sit up. There’s a dark grin on his face, and his sharp teeth chomp into his bottom lip. “You’re really good at that,” he pants.

Our tongue licks along our lips. “Thank you,” we reply.

Winston chuckles. “It’s a bit weird like that,” he says. “Timid, anyway I could see Harlan for a moment?”

“Of course,” Timid peels away from my face, clinging to my body in a way my center and face are exposed.

Winston chuckles. “I understand you’re partners, but I’m not used to the synchronicity yet.”

“Once you do, you’ll be very lucky,” Timid giggles.

 I smirk as we crawl into Winston’s lap. “They’re not wrong.”

Winston puts his hands around my waist. “I’m liking this just fine.”

I moan as I feel him rub his cock against us. Timid grasps hold of him, coiling around the base and guiding him into place. Winston gasps and his expression looks strained. 

“Wait,” he moans. “What about-”

“I prepped him,” Timid giggles. “Don’t worry.”

“I was going to say protection,” Winston chuckles. “But I have a feeling you’re that too.” 

I let out a whimper as I feel Winston’s tip push inside. I bite my lip, feeling both Timid and Winston inside me. Winston’s hands move up and down my chest, touching me as I take him inside. Once he’s fully in place, Winston starts to bounce his hips. Timid is panting in my ear as Winston’s voice begins to pick up.

I feel Timid squeeze around me, their voice sounds elated and pitched. I moan too, letting my voice out for Winston. I plant my palms down on his chest, riding him as his thighs buck me. Winston’s eyes are starting to glow, and his black tongue hangs from his lips.

Timid then wraps around my own cock, squeezing and pumping gently at first before matching the rhythm of Winston’s thrusts. I can barely gasp a warning to them both. I can feel the deep, hot sensation as it flows through me.

Winston sits up, grinding himself inside as he kisses me. I cum and then he cums. We both moan for one another and then Timid slips in, stealing kisses and swirling his tongue into Winston’s mouth.

I wake up as light falls across my eyes. I see Timid laying beside me, their head on Winston’s arm. Winston is awake, wearing glasses as he looks at his phone. I sit up, and he looks over at me.

“Sleep well?” He smirks. He rolls onto his side and Timid snuggles up to his chest.

I smile down at them. “I did.”

Winston curls his finger, and I lean down, meeting his kiss. “I’ve made a few calls already,” he says. “Hephaestus is going to give you safe haven at his academy,” he replies.

I furrow my brow. “You’re kidding?”

Winston chuckles. “That’s usually where I stay. I teach classes now and again, and I help some of the younger students get out there.” He smiles at you. “You can be a teacher if you’d like.” He then smirks. “You’d make a very sexy professor.”

I scoff. “Hephaestus is a big deal,” I murmur.

“He’s a friend, and he owes me a big favor, so I cashed it in,” Winston replies. 

“You shouldn’t have done that for me,” I sigh.

“I’m not worried about it. I’m a hero, it’s what I do.” He touches my face, and I kiss his palm. “I also don’t want this to be a one-time thing.”

I smile at him, leaning down to kiss him again. “It won’t be,” I agree.

“Yay!” Timid giggles sleepily between us.

After breakfast, Winston puts his glamour back on, and we go back to the house. Once I explain the situation to everyone Winston shows himself as Spinel to them.

“You were cute before,” Spite chuckles, “but I’m really digging this blueberry shit.”

Max rolls his eyes. “He’s an asshole, fair warning.”

“You fucking love me, babe,” Spite giggles to Max.

“This is a bit of a relief,” Diane replies. “But won’t having us at the academy cause problems if Rabid does decide to attack there?”

“There’s always threat of that,” Winston replies. “It’s a school made for and by heroes. But that’s what makes it safe as well. There’s so many strong people there willing to do the right thing, a lot of villains are too afraid to attack it.”

“I don’t have to go to school do I?” Spite scoffs and Max pops him.

Winston chuckles. “Actually, it would be nice having some insider information on Rabid. We’d love to have you as an informant. But what you choose to do while at the academy is all up to you.”

“So you’re doing Harlan and Timid ?” Spite asks.

Winston scoffs and grins. “That’s private.” He then looks at me and smiles. 

“Wow, you can hear the humpback whales just screaming,” Spite smarts.