Mark walked out of Reginald Vel Johnson High, stretching slightly as he exhaled. His thoughts were still processing everything that had gone down with his dad, but at least things had settled for now.
The GDA's constant surveillance was annoying, but at least they weren't actively interfering—yet. His company was growing steadily, he had plans in motion for the Viltrumite Empire, and his mother and father were finally talking things through.
For once, things felt… manageable.
That was until he spotted Eve walking ahead, her shoulders tense, her footsteps hurried.
Mark frowned, quickening his pace to catch up.
"Eve!" he called.
She slowed slightly but didn't turn around immediately. When Mark finally reached her side, she sighed.
"Oh… hey, Mark."
Her voice lacked its usual energy, and her normally confident posture seemed off—like she was weighed down by something.
"You okay?" Mark asked, genuinely concerned.
Eve hesitated. "…It's my parents."
Mark already had an idea of what she meant. He remembered how her father had belittled her in the show, treating her like she was incapable of making her own choices.
Still, Mark didn't push. Instead, he simply said, "Wanna talk about it?"
Eve glanced at him, a little surprised by how casual yet sincere he sounded. She hesitated for a moment but then sighed.
"Yeah… but not here."
Mark nodded. "C'mon. Let's go to my place."
XXX
Eve sat on Mark's bed, hugging a pillow to her chest as she vented.
"My dad's being an ass. Again." She scoffed, shaking her head. "He keeps acting like I'm some helpless little girl. Like I can't take care of myself."
Mark leaned against his desk, arms crossed as he listened.
"He told me I should get back together with Rex, just because he thinks I 'need protection.'" Her hands clenched the pillow. "Can you believe that? He actually thinks I need Rex of all people to protect me."
Mark raised a brow. "Did you tell him that we're a team?"
Eve scoffed. "Of course I did. Didn't change anything. If anything he started on a rant about how I should be partners with an actually human not alien."
Mark rolled his eyes. "Wow. That's xenophobic."
"Right? It's like he refuses to accept that I broke up with Rex for a reason! He just wants me to have some macho guy to 'keep me in check.'"
Mark exhaled through his nose. "So, basically… he wants you to be some perfect little housewife."
"Exactly!" Eve threw up her hands. "It's infuriating!"
Mark's gaze softened. "I'm sorry, Eve. That sounds like absolute bullshit."
She sighed, hugging the pillow tighter. "Yeah… but it's nothing new."
They sat in silence for a moment before she continued. "Honestly, I don't even know if I want to keep being a hero."
Mark blinked in surprise. "Wait… what?"
Eve hesitated, chewing her lip. "I just— I feel like I could be doing more. We save people, yeah, but we're always just putting out fires instead of stopping the problems at the root." She looked up at him, expression conflicted. "What if I could actually fix things? The environment, poverty, food shortages—I could literally reshape the world if I put my mind to it."
Mark nodded slowly. "So why not do both?"
Eve raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
Mark smirked. "You already have the power to change the world. You could help run my company with me. We've already been working together as a superhero duo. Why not do something just as important outside of fighting crime?"
Eve's eyes lit up a little. "...You're actually kinda smart sometimes, you know that?"
Mark stared at her and deadpanned. "Don't sound so surprised."
Eve chuckled, shaking her head. But then… her gaze lingered on him.
She had spent so much time with Mark recently—fighting crime, talking about life, supporting each other. He always made her feel heard.
Before she even realized it… she leaned in.
Mark's breath hitched slightly as Eve's lips met his. It was soft, hesitant at first. But then, he melted into it, responding just as eagerly.
Her hands found their way to his shoulders, while Mark's rested gently on her waist.
The kiss deepened—
"Oh wow—"
They jerked apart like two guilty teenagers getting caught by their parents.
Because, well… they were.
Standing in the doorway was Debbie Grayson, arms crossed, an exasperated look on her face.
"I swear, I guess I can't keep you two lovebirds away from each other."
Eve turned bright red, burying her face in her hands. "Just kill me now."
Mark groaned. "Mom—"
Debbie shook her head, fighting a smirk. "Dinner's almost ready. When you're done… whatever this is, come downstairs."
She turned to leave, but Mark—never missing an opportunity—grinned.
"Hope you and Dad are done too," he teased.
Debbie froze mid-step remembering last night.
Her face immediately turned beet red.
Mark smirked.
She turned back, grabbing a slipper from the hallway—and even though Mark could react, she chucked it at his head.
It bounced off him harmlessly.
Mark laughed.
Eve, still covering her burning face, peeked between her fingers—then burst into giggles at the ridiculous sight.
Debbie huffed. "Brat."
Then she stormed off.
Eve tried to compose herself, but the mental image of a slipper bouncing off Mark's unphased head was too much.
She snorted. Then giggled. Then full-on laughed.
Mark grinned at her. "Glad I could entertain."
Eve shook her head, still laughing as she stood up. "Come on, dork. Let's eat before your mom kills you."
Mark chuckled and followed after her.
The table was set. Plates were filled. The three Graysons sat together… plus one extra.
Eve had joined them before, but this time, it felt different.
As they ate, Nolan casually glanced at Eve before looking at Mark.
"I guess we'll be seeing you at dinner more often."
Eve choked on her drink.
Mark sheepishly scratched his head.
Debbie smirked, nudging Eve playfully. "Hope you like home-cooked meals."
Eve, still flustered, nodded quickly. "Y-yeah! I mean—I'd love to—if it's not too much trouble—"
Mark snickered. "Breathe, Eve."
She kicked him under the table hurting her foot in the process.
Debbie and Nolan shared a knowing look, both amused at the red-faced girl sitting across from them.
.
.
.
Author's Notes:
Be sure to check out my p*tr-eon where you get early access to my chapter and you'll be able to talk to me as I'm writing the story. You'll be giving me ideas I can incorporate into the story or feedback as I am a new writer so their make be plot points or mistakes that I haven't thought about. My p*tr-eon name is Bahgoat25.