Thank you everyone for reviews! I really do appreciate them. Also I've mentioned before but there will be side stories that also go along with this one and will be sub-referenced in this one. I will post the story titles for the sub-stories at the bottom.

Chapter 21

Awkward Moments

Todd had slept on the couch that night. He'd thought about going home but it had been late and due to Candy's urging he'd stayed. His plan was to figure out a way to talk to Nathan without looking or sounding like an idiot. Although he was pretty certain that he was going to sound like it either way. Although the several plans of action he'd devised, including booking it as soon as the sun was up, didn't work out. He woke up early enough but he could already hear someone was awake and in the kitchen and then…

"Morning, Todd," Todd jumped slightly out of his daze as Nathan's voice.

The morning hadn't been as horrible as he thought it might be. In fact Nathan hadn't even said one word and had insisted he stay for breakfast. He was only just starting to relax when Candy had gone to change out of her pajamas, and he took a drink of the orange juice in front of him. Nathan sat down with his fresh cup of coffee in front of him.

"Are you and my sister using protection?" Todd choked on his orange juice and felt a rush of embarrassment blind side him, "Do you stay over every weekend my dad and Raven are gone?"

"What? No," Todd saw Nathan's eyes narrow, "I mean yes, we are… n-no we don't do this every weekend."

"You telling me the truth Todd?" asked Nathan.

"Yeah," said Todd, he saw something flick across Nathan's face but he was pretty sure it was his own nerves, "Yeah, on all accounts, yo."

"I believe you," said Nathan as he calmly drank his coffee, he sighed, "Listen your both adults… barely.. but adults. But, Candy is my little sister and I don't like the idea of her growing up any more than the parents do, so I expect you not to hurt my sister in anyway. I like you Todd, please don't give me a reason not to."

"Right, yeah," Todd felt his insides squirm as Nathan didn't blink or break eye contact once.

"Good….but in order to do that, you both should have a clear vision of where your relationship is going. I feel that is a fair option," said Nathan, "Now, my sister's coming back in… act normal."

"So any plans for today?" asked Candy as she sat back down, Todd tried to look calm, "Nathan…. What did you say?"

"Nothing," said Nathan as he quickly got up, "Nothing at all… just talking."

"Did he harass or threaten you?" asked Candy.

"Uh, it's fine babe… Candy… I'm gonna head back to the house and see how much stuff got destroyed last night, I'll call you later," said Todd giving her a quick kiss, "Love you."

"Love you too… are you sure you don't want a ride?" asked Candy.

"Nah, I'm good… Nice seeing you Nathan," said Todd, eager to leave the awkward morning topic behind.

Although as he headed home, he didn't feel any less embarrassed and a bit agitated. He was confident that had Nathan not taken him off guard, he would have totally played it cool. He nodded to himself, he was a smooth talker after all, Nathan just got the drop on him, that was it. Still… his mind replayed the whole thing in his head. He'd been truthful, perhaps maybe not as clearly as he would have had the whole thing not taken him off guard. He and Candy had made plans for the weekends that her parents were gone, but they had all fallen through for some reason or another… they were gone once a month for work….. Todd froze. Why were they gone once a month for a weekend again? Nathan ran one of the restaurants, but he was here. Todd hopped home quicker so he could call Candy and ask her this. Although he was aware as he approached the door a great while later…. That he had left his armor at Candy's and was only wearing his under suit. He would need to get that back before training on Monday… or before her parents came home. He hopped through the front door expecting to see piles of stuff turned over from the arguments that would have followed.

"Nice of you to grace us with your presence," scoffed Lance as he came out of the kitchen.

After several minutes of being harassed from a majority of his team, Todd had changed and locked himself in the basement. Turned out that after he'd left, the team had broken into their normal post-training argument per the usual. However, with one minor detail. Him. His absence had unknowingly triggered them all to talk about how he'd ditched them for his human girlfriend. Apparently, according to Fred, it had been partially his fault when he'd come in from waking up after his small coma and asked where he was. From that point on, all anger and rage was directed at him. After the brief argument before locking himself down here, he saw their reasoning. Last night he'd been so ego inflated that his girlfriend was bandaging him up while his team were dealing with each other, he'd neglected on thing that never changed. They would always argue and yell, but half the time he and Lance played medic when the tempers cooled down. He sighed and hoped it would all cool down eventually.

"Leave it to me, yo. Finally get a life and the team feels neglected," he rolled his eyes and logged on to his social network, he smirked remembering a time he avoided those like the plague.

He saw a handful of notes, mostly Pietro's and Kurt's online game invites. He deleted them and saw a message from a Zap Girl, he went to delete the spam when he saw his name in the messages and the fact they'd friend requested him. Candy's IM popped up as he clicked on it and soon after so did Nature. Turned out Zap was Zodiac's new account as her message described the change due to a hack. The multiple messages began in a series of different topics, and Todd had to be honest, this was the most people talking to him at once since well…. Actually it normally was only one person if any.

CANDY: "Hey sweetie! What did my brother say to you? If it was anywhere along the lines of the third degree awkward conversation I had to deal with Nature discussing. I'm so sorry!"

TODD: "Nah, it was just really awkward you know babe." He didn't really want to talk about it, "Besides, turns out the hoods turned on me for not being here. Now I'm the bad guy, fml."

*A new message popped up.*

ZAP: "Hey Todd, sorry about the long message. Hey, so Nature and I were talking and were thinking about setting up a surprise party for Candy's birthday when we roll into town. Also, how many passes do you think you'll need for the concert in May. I know it's a while away but I like to plan ahead."

*A new message popped up."

NATURE: "Hey Toddie! Okay so I'm not sure if Zap (lol, she's not losing that name anytime soon from me) already talked to you, but were thinking of throwing a surprise party for Candy in May. Also, how many passes will you need, I remember you talking about the Brotherhood, wouldn't want your friends to get snarky."

Todd stared at the messages for a moment. He responded to Candy about plans they were thinking of making for movie night next Saturday and then stared at the other two. Obviously he was going to the concert, but he wasn't sure of what they needed him for their party. He also wasn't sure he wanted the Brotherhood to come to the concert, not with their current anger at him. But he knew everyone would get over it in a few days if not hours. He supposed he'd need a pass for Kitty so Lance wouldn't whine… and one for Rogue as to actually allow Kitty to escape the X-men for the night….. he had some thinking to do.

TODD (to Nature): "Hey I'm not sure about the passes yet, I'll have to see. Do you have a limit or anything? Also, what's up about the surprise party. Are you just tellin me so I don't forget or do you need help?"

TODD (to Zodiac): "Hey Nature asked me the same thing. I told her I'm not sure. Who hacked you?"

TODD (to Candy): "Hey, your sister and cousin are asking me about the concert. I'm not sure who should come with us, any ideas?"

*Zodiac and Nature combined messages*

ZAP: "Uhg, I have no idea…. But this site needs to update its security or something. Anyways, just let us know. The May concert is just mine. The Wolf Brothers have a concert in Germany that same time. Whoohoo, solo!"

NATURE: "Well Zappy, I could change that, lol. Anyways, no limit hun, just let me know. I mean, why would there be a limit? I'm the manager, duh…. If they did make a fuss I could just say your part of the crew."

ZAP: "Don't call me that! Anyways, about this party, we could use some help. Sinclair is horrible with secrets so were keeping his involvement at a minimum so that makes you our wing man."

CANDY (separate message): "Hey, my sister's not harassing you is she? Also, I'd say tell them you have a VIP pass (you didn't tell them about Z yet, right?) and rub it in for a few days. Tell them if their nice, you might just get them one too… just maybe. Lol! ;) "

Todd smirked at the conversation. It would definitely get under their skin if he brought it up, and it was perfect because at that moment Zodiac was tagging him in some finally updated photos. Apparently her and Nature were on a layover in Dallas for a few days so she was actually able to be online and catch up with some of her friends, as was apparent by the several messages on her wall at the moment.

"Toad! Are you done, I'd like to use the internet," he jumped as Pietro zipped down the stairs.

"Fine, I'm going," sighed Todd as he said his goodbyes.

"Could you take any more time?" grumbled Pietro.

"Take a chill pill, yo," Todd logged off and vacated the chair, "I was just checking my tickets."

"What tickets?" asked Pietro, spinning around in his chair.

"Nothing, just use the computer," said Todd as he hopped up the stairs.

"Hey," said Wanda as he hopped into the kitchen.

"You're not mad at me?" asked Todd as he grabbed a water out of the fridge.

"No. So what, you were out, what's new," said Wanda, as she drank her tea, "They'll get over it."

"You were not looking at tickets, you were only on facebook," Pietro was leaning against the door frame.

"Yes I was, and I was confirming my tickets to a Zodiac concert in May," said Todd, casually smirking as he used Candy's suggestion.

"Not possible, those tickets aren't even available yet," said Tabitha walking in with Lance and Fred, whose stomach was growling.

"I think Kitty wants to go to that…. Or a Dazzler concert… or both," said Lance, "Pietro, I'll probably need your help with that."

"It's possible if your girlfriend has family connections," said Todd as he headed out of the rooms, "Maybe I could ask Zodiac and her manager if I could get you guys backstage passes too."

Todd hopped out the door casually as he heard the awkward silence behind him. They wouldn't believe him at first, but Pietro's curiosity would get the better of him and he would search on facebook where he was going to find pictures of him tagged in the family reunion trip. Sometimes the most awkward of days could turn in your favor if you know how to make them even more so too your favor.

TO BE CONTINUED