The penthouse elevator door slid open, revealing the warm glow of sidekicks housing.
The scent of rosemary and seared steak filled the air, mingling with the faintest hint of burning candle wax.
Vanessa stood infront of the elevator door, her usual poised elegance softened by the rare, unrestrained smile on her lips.
"My darlings," she breathed, arms outstretched.
Duke was the first to step forward, letting Vanessa cup his face in her hands as she inspected his bruised knuckles, "You didn't break anything important, did you?"
"I promise you that I wasn't going to overdo myself," Duke grinned.
After Vanessa finished inspecting his hands and give him a quick hug then immediately moves over to Bruce.
Bruce received a gentler touch—Vanessa's fingers brushing over his temples, checking for psychic fatigue, "No migraines this time?"
"None, I was careful this time." Bruce assured, though his eyes flickered toward the kitchen.
Vanessa lifted him up and gave him a gentle hug before putting him down. Vanessa skips over to Annie.
Annie got a playful hair ruffle, "And how is my brilliant little psychic?"
"Exhausted," Annie admitted, untiring her ponytail, "But the city has their island back so it was worth it."
Vanessa and Annie hug each and playful swing back forth.
Then came Arthur.
Vanessa's she skips over to him and open her arms, "Congratulations on your first mission. There's a rule that I reward everyone free hugs after a successful mission.
Arthur averted his eyes, trying to hide his face, "I'm good thanks-"
To his surprise Vanessa pulled him closer with his head resting against his chest and arms around his back, "Well down son, you truly did your best."
Arthur was frozen but rest his right hand against her back.
Vanessa pulled back with wide smile, "Tomorrow, we debrief. Tonight?" She clapped her hands, "We celebrate."
---
The balcony was bathed in the bright glow of Golden City's skyline.
Annie perched on the railing, a cigarette dangling between her fingers.
Arthur joined her, the night air cool against his skin.
"So," Annie exhaled a stream of smoke, "This is your life now. Are you enjoying yourself?"
Arthur watched the stars, "Better than a prison cell honestly."
"That's not an answer." Annie tilted her head, "Do you like this? The hero gig? The team? The..." She points vaguely towards the kitchen, where Vanessa's laughter mingled with the clatter of pans, "...family?"
Arthur was silent for a long moment. Then, quietly, "When I was a kid, I used to watch Empire Gold on the news. Him saving lives, being interviewed on the daily, and sometimes funny videos of him being a normal guy. It sparked a feeling within me that give me reason to smile even if my life was awful. I wanted everyone else to feel the same feeling I felt when I was younger." His eyes trailed off towards the moon.
"For so long I wanted to hear someone tell me what I did was accident. And that there was still a shred of hope inside me that I could share with others. So to answer your question, yes...I loving every second of this new life." Arthur states as they watch a shooting star flew throughout the night sky.
Annie gently taps his left arm while holding out a cigarette, "You smoke?" She asked.
Arthur didn't hesitated taking it gently from her hands, "I do now." He let's her light it for him. The first drag burned, but the second? He felt warmth.
After a short silence between the two, "We're going to make her Number One," Annie said abruptly.
Arthur coughed, "What?"
"Well Mom, who else." Annie's eyes gleamed with determination, "Bruce has been our guy for interview after our mission. I have been working the media. And Duke is very popular since he actually work much harder than all of us."
Arthur frowned, "Why tell me?"
Annie leaned in, "You see, heroes are rank by their saves, arrests, and popularity. Sidekicks of the hero have fifty percent of their points added to hero. Since we were basically strays with no purpose in life. The least we can do help her achieve her dream of becoming number one."
Arthur stared at her before taking puff.
Annie plucked the cigarette back, "So? In or out?"
Through the glass doors, Vanessa was balancing a tray of roasted vegetables while scolding Duke for stealing bites. Bruce was meticulously arranging silverware, adjusting each fork by millimeters.
Arthur's chest ached, "I'm in," he said.
"ARTHUR! ANNIE! COME HELP SET THE CUPS!" Vanessa called.
Both Annie and Arthur had one more puff before placing their cigarette on the ashtray, "One more thing." Annie walked over to one potted plants and retrieve a can body spray, "Mom doesn't like it when I smell like cigarette so I hope you like lavender."
Arthur smirk, "Doesn't have a strong scent but why not." He said.
After Annie finished spraying the both of them and they walked inside.
---
Dinner was chaos.
Duke nearly set the tablecloth on fire trying to light candles with his bare hands.
Bruce kept teleporting bites of food off Annie's plate when she wasn't looking.
Vanessa told increasingly outrageous stories about her early Hero days, complete with dramatic reenactments.
And Arthur?
He laughed.
Really, truly laughed—the kind that started in his stomach and hurt his cheeks.
When the plates were cleared, Vanessa produced a deck of cards and a shot glass, "Poker rules," she declared, "No powers, no cheating. Whoever lost place, takes a shot."
Despite Annie trying to read everyones mind, she had her powers disable from Arthur which results in her losing most of games.
"Bullsh**" Annie said after taking a shot, "Arthur is cheating if he using his power."
Arthur the only sober one in the room, "It's the gambler luck telling me I won't lose today."
They played anyway. They sang off-key. They danced on chairs. And when the night finally wound down, Bruce insisted on a photo.
"Group selfie," he announced, arm outstretched.
They crowded together—Duke's massive frame nearly crushing Annie, Vanessa's perfectly styled hair now delightfully messy, Arthur still not quite smiling but close, so close.
The flash went off.
A moment frozen in time.
Their first family photo.