Kaz and Chase being the only ones to share the theme song card is fucking crazy. They complete each other for reals.

I love how in canon, Megahertz hates both Oliver and Kaz, and he wants to destroy them, but in some fanon we decided no, that's actually Kaz's father figure. They have a familial relationship better than Kaz's actual family, and Tecton is his other dad.

I'm not even criticising our fanon, I love it here.

Y'know, with how much Kaz was helping out the villains inadvertently, it's surprising that Oliver was the one who turned into a supervillain first.

I wrote a new fic at 3 am after finishing Memories by @arand0mdutchgirl

(Pls tell me if this wasn't okay, I'll take it down)

I think I've mentioned this before, but I am of the headcannon that Kaz had a crush on Billy Fowler.

Bro, I am such a sucker for "Kaz and Chase were friends before they met," and bro... Chase is on his phone when he's in the hospital. What if he was texting Kaz? Like, he doesn't know it's Kaz, or at least the same Kaz. I am of the headcannon that FrizzyBizzy, Chase's online friend, is Kaz. Love that headcannon.

I like the idea that when Kaz figures out he's queer, he develops a "crush" on Oliver, but more out of the feeling that he's supposed to. And once he gets over it, he's like "wtf was I thinking smh." Hence his reaction to Bree's crush on him.

I feel like folks who know me exclusively from Instagram would be surprised by my ao3. Like, I only have like maybe 4 pieces of Lab Rats cosplays on my og ig, and 0 on my anime ig because... well its for anime. I just feel like it'd be shocking to learn I have zero interest in writing sokouku and instead I'm focusing on these fucking nerds falling in love

Could someone pretty please write Tasha being a good mother(-in-law) to Kaz to the point where he cries? Because that would happen.

I know there's that fic where Chase dyes his hair blonde and he's anxious Kaz won't like it but then Kaz loves it, but I'm calling for another blonde chase fic.

Chase finds out Kaz likes blondes (read: blonde women, but Chase doesn't know that) and dyes his hair in an attempt to have a better shot with him. And upon learning this, Kaz laughs his ass off. Because he liked Chase before he dyed his hair blonde, and why didn't he just ask him out.

I need a fic where Spark pops off bc Kaz is online friends with Chase and texts him constantly.

Kaz trying to make Chase feel better about the aging thing by eating a 12 year old apple is an underrated FlameBrain moment.

I can't believe Oliver thought of "Tuna Kazerole" before "Kazzmatazz"

I don't remember if I've posted this before, but I love how it's practically cannon/implied that if Kaz was out as a queer person he'd make jokes about other people being homophobic.

"Sorry, I was unaware that you were pigaphobic." C'mon, like, clearly...

Look, I understand that Kaz likes glowing buttons.

But I also think he should have claustrophobia, so I'm giving him claustrophobia.

Episode 2

Read on AO3 or here

Prologue, Ep1

________

“I heard an explosion. What happened? Did we get attacked by shape-shifters again?” Donald asked, rushing down the stairs.

Chase was holding a fire extinguisher, which couldn’t possibly be good. But Donald couldn’t think about that for too long, the way Chase jumped when he turned to look at him.

“Ahh! No, but could you cover up? I'm seeing a few too many shape shifting over there,” Chase grimaced. 

“What happened?”

“I'm guessing a combination of gravity and middle-age.” Great, so the new kids were sassy too. Donald took a breath and motioned to what was once a table. 

“To that.” Kaz nodded.

“Oh, well, um, these dorks were talking about science,” Kaz motioned to Leo, Chase, and Oliver, “I got bored, I yawned, um, something flew out of my mouth, and voila, I set the table on fire.” He chuckled. 

It was nice seeing him mourning the loss of his friends, but did he have to destroy stuff?

“He found another super power. It's a fire grenade,” Oliver said in astonishment. Kaz scoffed.

“Fire grenade? That's lame,” Kaz said. He turned to Chase and Donald. “I'm calling it my yawn bomb.”

“Yeah, 'cause that's much better,” Oliver muttered sarcastically.

“So, wait, you just discovered something you didn't even know you had? How many powers were in that space rock?” Chase asked. 

Donald didn’t understand how a descendant of his could possibly be so averse to superheroes. Sure, he was technically Douglas’s kid, but Douglas was also a huge nerd, and that still made Chase his nephew. 

“That's tough to say,” Kaz said with a shrug. “I mean, it didn't really come with a manual, and even if it did, I probably wouldn't read it.” He looked at them like that was obvious before sitting back down. 

“It’s probably like how Adam, Bree and Chase would unlock new abilities,” Leo said. “It’s not unusual for superheroes. Tecton didn’t know he could fly until he was like. Sixteen.” Kaz pointed at him and nodded in agreement.

“With all due respect, Leo, this isn’t like that,” Chase disagreed. “Our abilities come from a highly advanced infrastructure and theirs… come from a magic witch pebble,” He said, his voice straining in a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. 

“Either way,” Donald started, cutting through the tension Chase was creating, “This is a great opportunity for the team. We can teach them to hone their abilities the way I trained you.”

“Superhero school! That sounds like fun!” Oliver said enthusiastically. 

“School?” Kaz asked. He crossed his arms behind his head. “Boring!” He yawned, and just like before, an explosive flew out of his mouth and crashed into the umbrella stand, setting a new fire.  

Donald wondered if more fires went off at home than he was aware of, because Chase hardly reacted. He just stomped over closer to the fire and sprayed it with the extinguisher. 

“Well, that's the last time that umbrella stand attacks us,” Kaz chuckled. Chase silently sighed. 

“So, when are you thinking of starting the training?” Leo asked. 

“How about right now?” He asked. The boys looked at him. 

“Right now right now?” Chase asked. “You can’t… get changed first?” 

Donald glared at him, but stomped upstairs to change. 

Leo went down to the lab, finding Skylar reading an Experion comic, listening to music.

“Hey!” Leo called, probably a bit louder than necessary. But, to be fair, she didn’t notice him coming down.

“Oh, hey!” She said, pulling her headphones away and draping them around her neck. 

“Big D’s gonna start superhero training in a bit,” Leo said, “Looking to join that, or evade the loud horde of boys.” Skylar rolled her eyes.

“I don’t need superhero training,” She said. Her smile turned bittersweet. “I mean, I’m not a superhero,” She said. She shook her head. “But, aside from that, I’m also qualified in hand-to-hand combat. And knowing Mr Davenport, that’s not what he’ll be focusing on right now.” Leo nodded.

“Yeah, that’ll probably come later,” Leo agreed. 

“Exactly,” Skylar said. “So unless you can get my powers back in the next however-long-till-training, I’m free to go.” Leo nodded. 

“I’d say I could, but I am not confident enough in my skills or knowledge to even begin to try to pull that off.” Skylar laughed gently, just genuine enough to not be a polite laugh. 

“Don’t worry,” She said, shaking her head. “Oliver’s been trying to restore my powers for like three years, and the only time he succeeded, I turned evil.” Leo lit up.

“I remember that!” He exclaimed, sitting next to her. “That was a weird arc.”

“It’s probably weirder in the comics than in real life. We had to change a lot of the smaller details so that we didn’t reveal any secrets. I don’t remember who replaced Kaz and Oliver, but they were a big part of it, and then we had to change the location, since a lot of it was at Mighty Med.” Leo nodded. 

“That explains a little bit,” He said. “I mean, why would the Annihilator have a forestation ray in his lair that he wasn’t aware of,” Leo scoffed. Skylar nodded half-heartedly.

“I’m surprised that ended up in the comics,” She said, “But I guess Rewind’s reversed time is documented too.” She looked up at Leo. “I’m pretty sure they cut it short, but Oliver and Kaz were a lot more annoying in person. And they don’t even remember that argument.

“I’m surprised you do,” Leo said. “I thought heroes didn’t usually remember their time being evil.” 

“They don’t,” Skylar said, “But again. I’m not a hero. Not a super, at least. Losing my powers with my evil let me keep my memories. But I think if I get those exact powers back then I’d forget. I just don’t think that’s possible.” 

“Me neither,” Leo said. “Do you want to forget?” Skylar hesitated.

“I don’t think so,” She said. “It allows me to analyse the way villains think in a way other heroes wouldn’t be able to. And that’s nearly invaluable right now.” Leo nodded.

“That’s a good way of thinking of it,” He said. “Changing the subject now: is it weird to be living with a bunch of guys all of the sudden? If I had known we were gonna out number a girl, I would’ve let Bree come.” Skylar laughed.

“Eh, I’m used to it,” She said. “Plus, I’m not like human girls. Gender means a lot less to me, especially on Earth. Because the roles are mixed up from what it’s like on Caldara.” 

“Makes sense.”

“And aside from that, the girl I met back in Philly were either annoying or mean. Or both,” She said. She bobbed her head. “At first at least. And the other girl friends I made were all heroes, so they’re all over the place.” Leo nodded. 

“In all honesty, I don’t think I’m gonna get used to the ‘superheroes are real’ thing. You’d think I had long enough to process it, but. Nope.” Skylar laughed. “And it’s made worse because I can’t talk to my friends about it.” 

“Oliver and Kaz will understand!” Skylar crowed. “It took a long time for it to get through their heads, I’m sure they’d listen.” Leo nodded.

“Thanks Skylar.” He paused. “Skylar Storm. That’s crazy!” Skylar laughed again. 

The hyperlift flashed. 

“And so begins my first class of superhero school!” Donald announced, marching through the door with a box of water bottles. 

“That’s my cue to leave,” Skylar said, hopping out of her seat. 

“I’ll stick around, but I’m just watching,” Leo clarified.

“I mean,” Donald said, setting the box down, “I figured.” Leo looked at him with an annoyed look. Donald clapped his hands together. ”Okay guys. I will be your instructor and Chase will be my apprentice.”

“What? Why am I the apprentice?” Chase asked, clearly annoyed already. Donald scoffed.

“Because you don't know anything about superheroes.”

“Oh, and you do?” Chase spat back. 

He must’ve not seen Donald’s bedroom— the one he didn’t share with Tasha— filled wall to wall with comics and action figures. 

“Hello, I am Donald Davenport!” Of course that’d be his answer instead. 

“Just because you wear disturbingly tight unitards, does not make you a superhero,” Chase jeered. 

“Have you ever tried fitting into them?” He took one of the bottles out of the box. “Yes it does.” He punctuated his sentence by slamming the bottle onto the table. “Okay, Kaz, let's start your training by giving your fire grenades another go. I want you to use your grenade-”

“Ah, ah,” Leo interrupted from his seat. “Yawn Bomb.” Donald glared at him.

“Yawn Bomb,” Donald corrected begrudgingly, “to hit the bottle in the middle and leave the others untouched.”

“Got it.”

Oliver leaned into Chase’s space. 

“You might wanna back up. When it comes to learning, Kaz doesn’t,” He said. Chase smiled slightly, but shifted uncomfortably. 

Kaz discharged his ability, shooting the centre bottle as instructed perfectly. 

“You did it!” Donald exclaimed. 

“Yeah, I mean, if our enemies are 16 ounces bottles of water, I think I'm ready!” Kaz exclaimed humorously. Chase raised his hand and Kaz hopped on over to high-five it. 

“Hey, don’t leave me out,” Leo said, raising his hand up too. Kaz high-fived him too. 

“Great job. Okay, Oliver, you're up. Now, since you have water and iced based abilities, I want you to use your CryoBlast to freeze the bottle on the left,” Donald said, as if there weren’t two bottles on the left. 

“No problemo, teach,” Oliver said, though he did sound a little nervous. He stuck out his arm, at his hand it swarmed with cold air, and out came…

“Is that an ice cube?”

Oliver couldn’t believe Kaz was doing better than him. He always did better than Kaz in school, and by all means he should be doing at least well at this too. 

He needed help. But he didn’t want to go to Kaz, or Davenport, or Chase. It was all too embarrassing. But 

“Uh, hey, Leo. Uh, can we talk? Smart guy to smart guy?” Leo turned his head up from his phone.

“You’ve come to the right place.” He sat up, giving Oliver his full attention. “Whaddya need?”

“I'm just… not getting this whole superhero thing.”

“Really?” Leo asked, “I thought you and Kaz were supposed to be some sort of superhero experts!” 

“No. I mean, when I used my Cryo Blast to freeze the black swarm, it worked perfectly. But, earlier today, I was-”

“A hail-ure?” Oliver gave him a deadpan look. “Not my best work, but I have like half a second.”

“I was going to say really struggling,” Oliver said. Leo nodded. “It's weird. I mean, in school, I always picked up things quickly, but for some reason, I just– I can't figure out these powers. Something's off.”

“Maybe you’re just stuck in your head about it,” Leo offered. “I mean, this would be the first thing Kaz is better at than you, right?”

“He is not better than me,” He paused. “Despite all the overwhelming evidence that says otherwise.”

“I mean, you’re proving my point in two different ways,” Leo said, “But setting that aside. Maybe you just need more practice.” He stood up, walking a little closer to show off his arm. “I know when I got my bionic arm, I didn’t know how to regulate it. I dislocated my principal's hand,” He said. “Maybe you’re just having the opposite of that. You can only use them out of instinct. Could be an adrenaline thing even. It could help to just focus on one ability at a time.”

“Yes. That– That's a great idea. Ohh, I have another superpower that shoots a water vortex from my hand. I call it… Cyclone Fingers.” Leo gave him a pinched smile. 

“We’ll work on it,” He said, patting his arm and walking off.

“The name or the power?” 

Kaz probably should’ve thought the request through before, but it was too late now. He was almost done. 

“All right. I think just one more should do it.” Kaz launched a last fireball out of his mouth— never thought he’d say that— and complete his piece. “There you go.”

“Wow!” Donald exclaimed in astonishment. Though, that’d probably be the case with anything that even remotely resembled him. “I am smokin' hot!” Kaz cringed.

“You know, I don't think that's gonna come off,” He said, though he hoped it would. 

“Nor should it!” Donald exclaimed, defending it with his hands.

The hyperlift flashed, catching both of their attentions. 

“Hey Kaz, hey Mr Davenport…s,” Chase said. He pointed at the bust. “Was that always there?” 

“No, I just finished it,” Kaz said. “And I already regret it.” Chase smiled with a huff of laughter. 

“Could you make one of me on that wall,” Chase joked, pointing to the other stone door. Kaz shrugged. 

“I don’t see why not.”

“Really?” Donald asked, “I do! If there’s gonna be one there it should be this one, mirrored, so it’s looking at whoever comes out of the hyperlift.” Kaz and Chase stifled their laughter.

“Wanna get something to eat?” Kaz asked, “My mouth tastes like smoke, and it’s stopped being fun.” 

“Sure!” Chase responded, jumping at the chance to hang out with someone who wasn’t his family. They’d never believe it back home!

“Great!” Kaz exclaimed. “Hopefully me not being here will make Oliver training easier.”

“Then, it’ll be just us?” Chase asked to clarify.

“We can invite Leo or Skylar if you want—”

“Nope, no, that’s fine! Let’s go!” 

“I’m gonna be honest, you’re doing a lot better than I thought you would,” Leo said as Oliver’s cyclone dissolved. 

“I know right!” Oliver exclaimed. “I mean, uh…” He cleared his throat. Instead of talking he just started swirling his vortex again. 

“Okay, that's good,” Leo encouraged. It grew stronger. “Okay, we're good. You can stop!” 

“This is amazing. Leo, I–I can't thank you enough,” Oliver praised. Leo nodded.

“Well,” He pat Oliver’s arm again. “There is always money.”

Donald walked out to the terrace. 

“Hey, Leo told me you were trying to train again. How’s it going without me?” 

“Pretty well, I’d say,” Leo said, stepping away from Oliver. He waved a hand, indicating Oliver to begin. 

Oliver nodded and let the cyclone flow. It was going pretty well at first, but it was growing faster than he seemed prepared for. 

“Oliver…” Leo said warningly. 

“I got this,” Oliver exclaimed, somewhat defensive. 

He didn’t, however, got this, as it swiped Donald up off the ground and swiftly off the building. 

“Whoa!” Leo exclaimed, stumbling over to the concrete balustrade. “Big D, are you alright?

“Help!” Donald responded, which wasn’t promising. “I'm hanging on by a hair! My luscious, full bodied hair!

“What’s going on?” Chase asked, dashing onto the balcony, followed by a more confused Kaz. “I heard yelling for help. What happened?” 

“We were working on Oliver’s Hurricane Hand and it launched Big D off the building.” 

Kaz and Chase’s eyes widened concurrently before both pushing past Leo and Oliver to look off the balcony.

“Help me!” Donald called.

“Hang on, Mr. Davenport!” Kaz called back down. He shot back up, realising: “Speaking of which, what is he hanging onto?”

“Uh, that would be a Daven-head,” Chase responded, somehow as if it were normal, annoying, and disappointing to him, all at once. 

“He put a giant bust of his own head on the building?” Oliver asked. 

“No. The Daven-head came first. He built the tower to support it,” Chase responded. Oliver and Kaz exchanged looks, and Kaz shrugged. Neither of them could tell if Chase was joking or not. 

“I knew for a long time he had a big head, but I never thought it would save his life,” Leo said. “Or at least not like this. Sacrificing someone to save himself, sure. But never expected anything like this.” 

“I heard that, Leo!”

“Hey, Oliver, I think that we should change the name of your Hurricane Hand to Irresponsible Wind of Doom.”

“It’s supposed to be Cyclone Fingers, but Leo contested!” 

Chase cringed slightly.

“And he was right to.”

“I hate to interrupt, but could one of you heroes get down here and save me?!”

“Can you pull yourself to the top of the head?” Chase called down. There was a pause, presumably as Donald tried to do just that. 

“I can't get a foothold. It's too slippery. My face is too perfect.”

“Okay, I'll be right down!” Chase called, before sitting up. “Wait, what am I saying? You two can fly. Get down there and save him.” He stiffened. “On second thought, why don't you go?” He asked, clapping his hand onto Kaz’s shoulder. 

“Why not me?” Oliver asked, offended.

“No offence—” too late “—but I don't trust you with your own life. But if Mr. Davenport needs a cold beverage, you'll be the first person I call.”

“I got this,” Kaz said. “Hold this,” Kaz said, handing the take-out drink, which neither Leo nor Oliver had noticed, to Chase. 

“No. I got this,” Oliver said, taking the drink, much to the confusion of everyone in his company, and to himself with delay. He handed it back to Chase. 

“Actually, I can still hear you and my vote's on Kaz!” Donald called. “Or Chase even though he can't fly.”

“Don't worry, Mr. Davenport! I'm coming to save you!” Oliver called.

He landed sloppily, as expected, across from Donald on the Davenhead. 

Skylar couldn’t contact her hero friends anymore, it put them in too much danger. Her civilian friends?

“Connie!” Jordan exclaimed when she picked up. “How’d you get my number?”

“You gave it to me,” Skylar stressed. Jordan seemed to think back. 

“Did I?” Jordan asked, mostly to herself. She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Where have you and the boys been? It’s hard pawning Gus onto someone these days without you.”

“Sure, that’s the only reason you’re asking,” Skylar teased. Jordan rolled her eyes. “We moved.”

“All three of you?” She asked. “Let me guess: You and Oliver finally started dating and Kaz came too because he’s co-dependent?” Skylar laughed, but she wasn’t sure exactly at which part. 

“No,” She said. 

“You and Kaz started dating and Oliver came too because he’s co-dependent?” Jordan tried again, her voice a little higher on that guess. 

“No,” Skylar said, “No, we moved to Centium City.”

“Where’s that?” Jordan asked. “Wait, in Nevada?” 

“I think?” Skylar said, “I’m really not good with the states. I got on a plane and I’m here now.” 

“Why are you guys in Nevada?”

“We…” 

What could she even say? “We’re working with Davenport Industries to help uncover the destruction of a superhero hospital?” “We’re hunting down a couple of shapeshifters bent on killing superheroes?” 

The only alibi that would sound half-true is that they’re working with Davenport Industries on something, but even that would get her slaughtered by Jordan. 

Jordan’s dream was becoming a video game developer, and if she found out Skylar was working with Davenport Industries without her, she’d hate Skylar even more. 

Best to let Kaz or Oliver tell her.

“Actually, it’s more Kaz and Oliver,” She lied with a nervous laugh. “You should ask them.”

“Why would you be there then?”

“I… asked?” She tried. Jordan scoffed, annoyed, and Skylar worried again.

“They told you and not me?” She asked. Skylar sighed silently with relief. The annoyance was targeted at Oliver and Kaz now. 

“They didn’t mean to,” She excused. “It just slipped. I was helping them pack.” Jordan laughed.

“Yeah, that makes sense then,” She said, “I’d never help them move.” Skylar giggled. It was funny because it was true. “Well… I hope you like it there.” She sounded… sad? That couldn’t be right. 

“I’m still getting used to it,” Skylar admitted. It was nice talking to someone about it, even if it was to apathetic Jordan. “I mean, I’m a small town girl at heart.”

“You lived in Philadelphia,” Jordan said, confused. Skylar giggled. 

“I only lived in Philadelphia for a few years,” She said. “But I grew up in a much smaller, rural area.” Jordan nodded, but stopped. 

“Wait, I thought Kaz said you were from Chicago.”

Of course he did. Kaz always made up more about her backstory than she did. 

“Well, my family is, and I was born there, but I wasn’t raised there. So it’s still a big change,” She quickly covered. Jordan looked at her skeptically for a second before nodding again, giving in. 

“I guess I get that,” She said. “I mean, I’ve lived in Philly the majority of my life, but I was born in Lewisburg.” She grimaced at the name, while Skylar bit back her laughter at the name alone. “We only lived there until I was ten, but there are some times where it throws me off still.”

“Right,” Skylar said. “Thanks,” She said softly.

“What?” Jordan asked. She scoffed. “I wasn’t… Moving sucks, that’s all.” 

“Mhm,” Skylar hummed.

“Any chance you could move your hand over a little bit?” Oliver asked, struggling to hang on even with his super strength.

“Oh, yeah…” Donald said, “And right after that, I'll just plummet to my death! You can fly. Why aren't you saving us?”

“I keep messing up!” Oliver defended. “What if I do it again, and one of us dies?”

“Well, if you're talking about me, that would be a tragedy of epic worldwide proportions,” Donald said. Of course he’d say something like that. 

Oliver knew Donald Davenport was pompous, it was something sort of well known. But jesus.

“What about me?” Oliver asked, almost trying to give him a chance to be better.

“If this was about you, we would be hanging onto a giant bust of your head.”

“Why isn't Oliver saving him?” Kaz asked, peering over the balcony again. “All right, well, I better fly down there and get him.”

“Wait, don't!” Leo exclaimed.

“What?” Kaz asked.

“Leo’s right, Kaz, you shouldn’t go down there,” Chase endorsed. Kaz thought for a moment.

“Ah,” He said. “You inherit the old man's building and bank account if he goes ka-ploof? Say no more.” He began walking off, but Chase caught his arm.

“No.” Chase said. “Oliver needs to save Mr. Davenport himself. The reason he's having trouble with his powers is because he's insecure. You're outshining him and it must be getting into his head.” Leo nodded. 

“I mean, he’s in deep denial about it, but that’s definitely the case.”

“Wait,” Kaz said. “Okay, so he's intimidated because I'm so good at it?”

“Yes,” Chase confirmed.

That was new. Usually Kaz was the one who felt intimidated. It was easier to act dumber, or even be dumber, than he knew he could, because it made it easier to talk to Oliver when his expectations were low for him in terms of intelligence. 

Of course, that did backfire once they became literal doctors and Oliver didn’t trust Kaz to save his life, even when no one else was available.

“Oh,” Kaz said. “Well, you know, I hate to say it, but I may need another superpower just to rain in all this awesome.”

“Yeah, I need that too,” Leo said with a nod of agreement. Chase sighed.

“Kaz, the more you succeed, the more it shines a light on the fact that Oliver is struggling. And the only way for him to get over that is to make him feel like he can do it. So we're gonna let him save Mr. Davenport.

“Well, alrighty then!” Kaz exclaimed. “Let's go make some popcorn and see how this trainwreck turns out!” He said, heading back inside. 

Chase’s eyes followed him, but his face expressed confusion.

“Y’know, I’m gonna help him out with that,” Leo said. At Chase’s annoyed face, Leo smiled and jogged inside to join Kaz.

Chase let him walk inside before letting his mind wander.

“‘Ka-ploof’?”

Kaz had already started the microwave when Leo arrived, and he sipped on his take out cup. 

“Where’d that come from by the way?” Leo asked. Kaz looked at it.

“This isn’t mine,” He said. “Just a minute. Keep an eye on the popcorn.” 

Leo watched Kaz shuffle outside. He said something to Chase before taking the cup he was holding and handing Chase the cup he had drank from.

As Kaz headed back inside, Chase took a sip, much to the confusion and mild disgust of Leo. 

“Okay!” Kaz exclaimed with a chuckle. He sipped his own drink. “Ah. Much better.” 

“Okay,” Leo said, “Let me try again. Where did that come from?” Kaz shrugged.

“There’s a diner a couple blocks down,” He said. “Went down for lunch, came back to this mess,” He continued, pulling a popcorn bucket Leo didn’t even know that they had. 

Kaz hovered by the microwave before opening it. He opened the bag and dumped it into the bucket. 

“Oh, great!” Oliver exclaimed, catching Donald’s attention.

“What?”

“I'm starting to get chilly,” Oliver whined. Donald’s concerned look quickly fell to annoyance.

“It's official. You are the worst superhero ever.”

The bust that supported their weight made a sound, drawing Oliver’s attention.

“Ah! Your face is cracking!”

“Forehead or cheekbones?” Donald asked, as if that was the most important thing right now. 

“Not you! The Daven-head! Our weight must be pulling it off the base.”

“No. Your weight is pulling it off the base. I was doing fine until you got here! Would you do something?”

“Oh, I know exactly what to do!” Oliver exclaimed. He looked up. “Kaz! Help!”

Never thought he’d be saying those words. 

Kaz looked away from his conversation with Chase, looking down off the terrace.

“I'm sorry, buddy! There's no way I could carry both of you!” Kaz yelled before shovelling more popcorn into his mouth.

“Nice. That excuse sounds pretty believable,” Chase praised. Kaz laughed, though it was definitely from nerves instead of humour.

“Actually, it's the truth! Yeah, I realised. Oliver's the only one with super strength. I couldn't save him if I wanted to!”

“Wait, so Mr. Davenport's life is really in Oliver's hands?” Chase asked. Kaz nodded once, scooping more popcorn.

“Yep. His wet, slippery, ice cube-y hands,” He said. Chase took the popcorn bucket from Kaz, curling into himself. Leo startled him— not a good thing for someone sitting on a balcony wall— by reaching his hand into the bucket.

“Just keep an eye on the head. If they start falling and don’t start flying, use your molecular kinesis.” Chase scoffed.

“You don’t think I thought of that?”

“Did you?” 

“No,” Chase said, annoyed. 

“Can he even move people though?” Kaz asked Leo.

“Yeah,” Chase responded. “I used it to save Adam from drifting off into space. And that was before I was even trained on it, so it’d probably be even easier now.”

“He also used it to lay me on top of their capsules while I was sleeping,” Leo said, annoyed. Chase chuckled.

“Haha. Yeah,” He said. Kaz stared at him. “What?”

“Nothing!” Kaz sounded.

“What are we gonna do?” Oliver asked, trying not to squirm as it could actually make the situation worse. 

“I'm sure Chase will come up with something,” Donald dismissed.

“And what if he doesn't?

“Well then, I guess we're gonna die!”

His statement was punctuated by the Davenhead cracking once more, sound thundering from the fault. 

“I'm too young to die!” Donald cried.

“I'm too young to die. You're just about the right age.”

The sound cracked through the air again.

“Ohh, we're running out of time! Oliver, you have to do something. You're the only one who can save us.”

“You're right.” Oliver looked down at the street below. And let go.

“Oliver!” Donald called as he fell from the head as well.

They fell for only a moment before cutting up through the air.

“I'm flying! Yeah!” Donald called. He’d probably feel uncomfortable if his body weren’t almost entirely numb.

Oliver landed on the terrace in what was probably his best landing yet, though Donald still ended up on the floor.

“Hey, I did it! I'm a hero!”

“Yeah,” Donald said, pulling himself up. “But, uh, next time you save a guy, pick a better hand hold.”

“Sorry. It was tough to get a grip with all your shifting shapes,” Oliver said, mildly defensive.

“I can't believe he came through!” Oliver heard Kaz say.

“Hey!”

“Oh, sorry. I mean, uh…” Kaz paused. “Yeah, I can't believe you came through.”

“Just out of curiosity, what was your backup plan in case Oliver here didn't save me?” Donald fumed. Kaz and Chase exchanged looks.

“Preserve your real Daven-head in the name of science?” 

“I was, uh,” He paused with a breathy laugh. “I was gonna get a spatula and meet you down at the sidewalk.” His usual chuckles were joined by Chase’s snickers, Leo’s laugh, and lastly Donald’s dramatic laughter.

“Hilarious! I'm leaving everything to Bree,” He said, turning to leave. Leo squinted his eyes.

“Hey, what about your wife?” He yelled, following his step-dad inside. 

“Congrats, bud. I guess we're both good at this superhero thing,” Kaz said. Oliver nodded.

“Yeah.” Kaz shoved a bushel of popcorn in his mouth and Oliver squinted. “Were you eating popcorn while I was hanging off the edge of the building?” Kaz looked at the bucket and back up at Oliver.

“Uh, yeah.”

“Well, did you at least save some for me?” Oliver asked. Kaz scoffed.

“Oliver, there were three of us, sharing it. There’s more in the kitchen!” He said, a bit defensively. Oliver rolled his eyes, but shambled through the door into the apartment. 

Kaz put the popcorn bucket on the table, joining their abandoned take-out cups.

“Good reflexes,” Kaz said. “That’s what I meant before. I didn’t think you couldn’t do it, I was just worried about how fast you could.” Chase shook his head.

“I only did it for a second,” He said. “That second probably saved them from hitting the pavement before Oliver was able to start flying, but he still did it.”

“I know he did,” Kaz said, “But even if he didn’t, you would’ve saved them. And you’re allowed to be proud of that. Or at least relieved.” He pattedpat Chase’s arm before walking inside. 

“I should probably get going,” Skylar said, sounding sad about it. Jordan sighed. 

“Fine,” She said. “Punch Oliver and Kaz in the arm for me? And not just once, regularly. I don’t want their defence calluses going away.” 

Skylar bit herself back from saying that it won’t because of their combat training. 

“I’m not sure it’ll be quite the same, I can’t pull off those gloves you’re always wearing,” She said, “But you got it, Jordan.”

“Good,” She said. “And make sure they call me!”

“I will,” Skylar said. 

“Good,” Jordan said again. “Um. Bye then, Connie.”

The call ended before Skylar could really say goodbye, but honestly she probably preferred it that way. 

She put her tablet down and left her room, skipping down the stairs.

Donald was laying on the couch, looking tired and uncomfortable. Leo was on the couch too, looking annoyed, while Oliver was moping around in the kitchen. Kaz and Chase in from the terrace, Chase looking flushed and Kaz looking smug.

“What happened to you guys?” She asked, crossing her arms.

“Oliver,” All but the culprit responded.

“C’mon guys."