(Invincible) Invincible Bond: Chapter 2 - An Emotional Call

Chapter 2 - An Emotional Call

Summary: Eve is dealing with a shitty day and calls to the only person she could think of.

Eve flew as fast as she could toward the tallest building on the horizon. Which wasn't as easy as it sounded. Her vision was getting blurry from the tears that gathered in them; she was having a hard time breathing steadily as she kept pushing down sobs.

Her pink energy was coming out unusually strong, propelling her faster than she would usually fly, but she just had to put as much distance as she could between herself and those bastards she called friends as fast as she could.

The moment her boots touched the floor of the building's roof, she felt all her energy leaving her, and she found herself on her knees a moment later, no longer able to hold back her sobs as she began to cry openly and loudly.

Her vision went completely blurry as her tears filled her eyes even as they began flowing down her cheeks, her throat already began to hurt from the sobs that were tearing it apart, and all she could hear was the sound of that shower.

How could they?! They were supposed to be a family! But then again, this is the usual treatment Eve got used to from her real family. Her dad yelled at her and her mother just taking his side no matter what, and if it ended up hurting her feelings then it was her fault for getting things wrong and twisted.

Kate... she thought they had a special bond; she considered the Asian teen to be the sister she always wished she could have. Sure, they had their fights but as the two female members of Teen Team, they had each other's backs more often than not.

Until now at least. Even if what Rex said to Kate had been true, she still shouldn't have just jumped on his bones the moment she heard he was available. She didn't even try to confirm with Eve if it was true or not, didn't even consider speaking with Eve to check on her after such a drastic change in her life.

Apparently, whatever it was she thought the both of them had, it was just in her head and the dark-haired teen never shared her feelings.

Rex. She wasn't even sure where to start with him. They were childhood friends, met and bonded over their difficult home life or in Rex's case, the lack thereof. She invited him over a few times in the beginning, which her father really hated. He would scream and rave, while her mother as usual kept her mouth shut and allowed her father to do as he pleased.

A few months later, when her parents warmed up to Rex, they allowed him to stay with them for a while so he wouldn't be alone in the streets; that was when her father began 'gently pointing out' that she and Rex would make a great couple as Rex would protect and support her.

During those times Rex had his asshole moments, but he was relatively a good guy, one of the best she got to meet and the only one who knew about her powers and past and didn't judge her for them. So, she was happy to take the leap and start dating the red-haired boy.

The first year together was what most people called the honeymoon period; her parents even began to tune down their yelling and scolding at her. She was shocked when they allowed her to join Teen Team, although they did it only after they heard Rex was part of it already. Nonetheless, life began to stabilize and became much calmer for her.

As their team began to earn more popularity and with that more difficult missions, her parents' old behavior began to come back, and the popularity seemed to go to Rex's head and inflated his ego.

In the beginning, she allowed him to get away with his ego and his assholish remarks because she thought that he only behaved like that due to his difficult past. She hoped that with enough time to get used to his new reality he would calm down and realize that what he was doing was wrong, and the very thing he hated people doing when he was on the other side of the looking glass.

But instead, his behavior just got worse and he became a regular asshole, and each time she considered even for a moment to break things with him, either her father would shut the idea down for her by guilt-tripping her, or she would see a glimpse of the old Rex and let her hope that one day that guy would come back.

And even though she had to admit that at this point there was nothing left of the boy she fell in love with three years ago, that little and scared boy turned into the thing that he was afraid of with the first taste of popularity. Eve is a little ashamed that it took her for Rex to reach so low for her to see it and dump his ass, and she hated herself that for a single, short moment in that locker room she considered forgiving him.

She probably would have if not for... Mark. Or Invincible. The moment her father's voice screamed at her inside her mind to forgive Rex, she heard Mark's voice shouting back that she deserves to have a good partner with her.

Eve will be honest enough with herself to say that the first time she saw Invincible on the field, she wasn't very impressed by him. He looked like he had amazing power and already had an iconic superhero suit, and still he was frozen in place at the first sight of things not going his way.

It was only when he approached her in school to thank her for saving his ass and he mentioned that he only got his powers a few days earlier that she changed her opinion. To have your powers for such a short time and still rush into the middle of a warzone just to try and save lives... That was one of the bravest things she ever heard.

Most heroes she knew would have a glimpse at the destruction the flaxen caused and either turn to run or wait around for backup. To rush alone into what was obviously a suicide mission to protect just one old lady impressed her.

That was why she invited him to meet the team and told him where their secret base was. She trusted him, if nothing else than as a hero at the very least.

Not to say she didn't know Mark out of suit. Well, knowing might be a big word at the time. She heard about him from her friends and the usual school gossip. He was your average high schooler with one friend he always hung with.

She was impressed when she heard through the gossip that he took a beating from the resident bully Todd because the larger boy kept harassing Amber. Sure, Mark needed Amber to bail him out eventually, but still his intention was impressive and very heroic.

Another thing that impressed her was how quickly he connected the dots and figured out she was Atom Eve. It would take quite a perceptive person.

As they flew toward the base, and she performed all kinds of tricks when she glanced back at Mark fumbling in the air, she could feel her heart skip a beat and her lips stretched into the most genuine smile she had in a long time.

The thought of Mark made her want to reach out to him. At this point, he is the only one left for her to trust and turn to. Kate and Rex were obviously out, as were her parents; Robot... well, he is a robot and won't be much help in emotional matters.

Her high school friends might have helped her, but she would have to explain a lot of things to them she really doesn't want for them to know.

Mark, he knows about the two sides of her, he is her friend, albeit a new one but still in the time they knew each other he made her feel happy and relaxed, and somehow, she knew he would be on her side.

Maybe it was the obvious flirting he tried to do during their flight. She wouldn't lie and say she didn't flirt back a little, but the moment she laid her eyes on Rex she demonstrated to both of them that she was taken and who her heart was loyal to.

Was it mean, yes, and she hated that she had to hurt Mark like that, but it was better to let him down like that while it was still a simple crush rather than let him think she was available to him and break his heart when he was too deep in those feelings.

And if what she heard in school is right, Amber was interested in him and even found a way to hand Mark her number. Not that Eve was surprised; Mark was a catch, and anyone would be lucky to have him as their boyfriend.

She shook her head; Mark probably already has a date with Amber, maybe she shouldn't interfere and just deal with her own problems.

That was when Eve heard her father's voice screaming, 'Rex will take care of you, girl. Without him, you will be all alone, and then what?!'

No. She wouldn't be alone, and she would prove to her father that she has more people that will help her out besides Rex.

Eve pulled out her phone; she wiped her eyes from the tears that clouded her vision. She almost broke her phone when she saw Kate's and Rex's contacts but relaxed again when she landed on Mark's.

She didn't allow herself the time to rethink her choice and pressed the screen to call Mark.

It took barely two rings before Mark picked up and his voice filled her ears, "Eve?"

Eve gulped a little to steady her voice before answering, "Hi, Mark."

She flinched when she noticed her voice was still hoarse from all the sobs. Something that Mark seemed to notice as well as his voice immediately turned from curious to worried and alarmed, "Eve, what's wrong? Do you need help?"

Eve took a deep breath and tried again to keep her voice as casual as she could, "Umm... Actually, it's kind of a long story, and I could really use someone to talk with."

There was a short silence on the other line and Eve began to worry she really was interrupting him with something, probably a date with Amber, but then Mark spoke with a confused voice, "Sure Eve. Just tell me where you are; I'll fly over right away."

Oh, so he was free and not with Amber. Eve suddenly noticed a knot that held tightly in her stomach was released slightly.

She considered Mark's offer; maybe she shouldn't fly in her current state of mind, but the conversation she wanted to have would be better in a place that would be comfortable to the both of them and not a roof of a building anyone can exit at any moment.

So, after a moment of consideration, she replied with, "Actually I'd rather meet you around your home, is that okay?"

Again, Eve flinched a little when she heard the vulnerability in her voice. She was both glad and annoyed that Mark caught on as well and replied at once in a reassuring voice, "Sure thing Eve, come around whenever."

Eve nodded, although she knew he wouldn't be able to see it and tried to calculate how long it would take her to get there before answering, "How about we meet on your roof in about ten minutes."

She could hear the reassuring smile through the phone as Mark responded, "See you then Eve."

Eve ended the call and put her phone away. She wiped her face once again to make sure there was no trace of her tears left before she took off in the direction of Mark's home.