Hello, hope you haven't forgotten this story. Been busy with class and work and other projects. Hopefully, this ties you all over.

...

Ezra scrambled to respond and he double and triple checked, going through all the ways he normally contacts her but found that it was a genuine message from her. Now, he just needed time to speak to her. After all the time he spent with Natalie and Renee, he was going to fess up sooner or later about his developing feelings.

When he admitted it to Eliza before, it was only a passing crush. At least, that is what it started as. The more he spent time with them, the more he noticed how much they light around each other and him. The way Natalie's eyes would twinkle sometimes when she was talking. How she bobbed her head when he was speaking. It even goes down to the way she pursed her lips when she was concerned about him and his ever-lasting nightmare/panic attack. Renee worked in the same way, but she was subtle about it. Even though Renee acts just like Natalie with the subtle differences, the reactions are not as outrageous. They seemed calmer, composed, but underneath it all, she was the same as Natalie. The glint in her eyes she gets when someone watches her. Now, that's something to witness. From asleep to awake in an instant, ready for whoever challenges her It's even better when the milky white fades from her eyes, revealing the true beauty underneath.

Wow, I really am a sap for these two. He also totally hasn't been having forbidden thoughts about the two of them in moments where his mind lapsed. Totally didn't think of Renee and Natalie crawling up the bed like predators an-

"No!" he shouted aloud, cursing himself. He really needs to go relieve some stress the old-fashioned way. Maybe he could also go out for a night on the town. Talos may be a weird planet, but in the Outlands, if you're normal, then you're weird. Ezra doesn't make the rules, he just has to loosely follow them to then get away on a loophole when something goes wrong. He doesn't particularly know how far these feelings for his squadmates got so far out of hand. The last thing he wants to do is avoid them.

A knock on the door made Ezra's heart increase its roaring tempo. He could feel the blood rushing away from the campsite, back into his body where it needed to flow. "Who is it?" Ezra replied, still trying to keep the tone of pent-up desire out of his voice. He largely succeeded.

"It's me, Ezra," Renee's voice came from the other side of the door. "I heard you shout, are you alright?"

Shit, she heard that? Isn't her room on the other side of the complex? A horrible thought came to him, was she stalking me?

"Ezra?"

Fucking idiot, respond to her! She's going to break down the door if you don't answer her. Wow, Ezra's mind is a dick to Ezra. "Y-Yeah, I'm here. I was just thinking about something."

Please don't a- "Thinking about what?" Well, fuck me sideways and catch me railjacking.

"Nothing important, what's up?" Ezra asked aloud.

Had he had something running in his room, he would not have heard Renee's voice go down to a mere whisper, "Can I come in?"

Ezra quickly turned off the monitor, put on his cowl, and slowly opened the door. Renee was wearing the normal outfit of her scarf, black tank top, black sweats, black boots, and if Ezra had to hazard a guess, probably black underwear and bra. He shut his eyes for a brief moment, banishing the last thought to the shadow realm.

Say no. Say no. "Sure." Fucking idiot. Ezra is definitely going to have to be left alone for a bit. He looks over to his shut off monitor, wanting to speak to his sister. He needs to know the full story. "So, what's up?" he asked as nonchalant as possible, turning back to face her.

Then, something odd happened, Renee broke eye contact first. Something she never unless she is forced. Before Ezra could even react, she said, "This was a bad idea, I-" he didn't hear the rest of her sentence as she left and shut his door. What the hell just happened?

Renee immediately went to go find Natalie because she was panicking. Yes, the Interdimensional Skirmisher was panicking because she wanted to kiss him, but she chickened out. Since they admitted they wanted Ezra as a third partner, each woman was trying to find the best way to kiss him.

Sure they could have asked him on a date, but then what would he say? Would he reject them? Would he take the chance? All these questions were making her head hurt. The voices weren't helping.

You should've kissed him.

You missed your chance.

You'll never be able to kiss him.

There's still a chance…

At least one of the voices was still optimistic. At that moment, Natalie rounded the corner to see her girlfriend in the hallway, pacing. "Doudou, Qu'est-ce qui se passe?"

Renee turned, grabbed Natalie, and raced down the hallway. She ran all the way to the women's changing room, she checked all the spots to make sure no one was in here while she revealed something. Once Renee confirmed that there was no one in sight or in hearing vicinity, "I almost kissed Ezra!" she shouted in panic. Natalie just stared at her girlfriend, confused.

"Almost?" asked the younger woman.

"I was going to, but the way he was looking at me, it made me feel like he was… inspecting me. I wanted to ask him out, but I don't know what his response would be," Renee said, acting uncharacteristically… out of character.

"Well, what if we both asked him?" Natalie said, placing a hand on Renee's shoulder. "I mean, would Ezra really say no if we both asked him at the exact same time, and if we play our cards right, we might just be able to kiss him." A small giggle escaped Natalie as she said her plan.

Renee took a deep breath, "So what would be the best time to ask him?"

"Mostly likely after the next Games when he is not expecting us to ask," Natalie gained a smirk on her face, "or we could go ask him now, give him something to think about. Wait, non, that would not work. He needs to not be distracted."

"So, after the game?" Renee asked.

"Oui, after the game," Natalie confirmed.

When the Darksparks pair found Ezra the next day, he was in the kitchen, chatting with Ajay. The medic was hunched over the kitchen island, palming her face. "So, whatcha cookin?"

Ezra hmmed, "What is something you haven't had in a while that is easily acquirable on this planet?" He wanted to cook to clear his mind. His cowl was still in place, but his eyes had a certain tint to them now. His mind was trying to not think about his most recent reaction with Renee.

Ajay hummed, clicking her tongue, "Nothin really comes to mah mind at da moment. I havn't ate much except for what ya cook and rations."

"Then, I'll be running to the market to find something," Ezra said as he looked over to the fridge and freezer, then he saw it. The ground beef, which somehow exists here in the Outlands, much to the marksman's surprise. Ezra smiled, a dimple appearing on his right cheek, "I know what we're having, but I need to go to the market. Shouldn't take more than an hour."

"What's on your mind, sweetie?" Loba said as she waltzed in, taking a seat next to Ajay.

"A: Don't call me sweetie. B: I have a great idea for dinner tonight. C: Don't even attempt to reach any further because if you do, then I'll kill you," Ezra said nonchalantly, now glaring at Loba.

What Renee and Natalie didn't see was Loba's hand reaching up to Ezra's cowl, her left hand had not touched it, but it was the motion that set him off. Ajay only raised an eyebrow. She knows what his face looks like, but as her patient, she can't reveal it. "Oh, a challenge?" she purred, "I like challenges."

Faster than anyone could react, Ezra had grabbed his switchblade and locked Loba into a position where she couldn't move. He placed the blade just above her carotid artery. "Do you still wish to test me, Loba?" When she made a noise of defeat, he let go, cautiously, sheathing the blade. He inspected her neck. "Good, I didn't pierce the skin." Turning back around, he immediately went to grab a piece of paper and a pen. He looked up for a split second to see the two ladies of his dreams and then looked back down, hiding a small blush. It wasn't meant to show off, but Ezra was not ready to reveal his face.

Loba looked thoroughly surprised at just how fast he went from casual to 'I'll slit your throat and get away with it' back to casual in a matter of fifteen seconds. "Alright, the facemask is off-limits."

Ajay bumped her shoulder, "I coulda told ya dat."

Ezra finished writing his list, and while there were a few items that he would have to make himself, hopefully, there would be a better place for it. Talos may not have the best climates for what he needs, but he certainly can make do. "I'll be back in an hour to an hour and a half. If I am not back, assume I've been kidnapped or killed."

Natalie's eyes widened. Still off to the side, "How can he joke about that?" The problem is, people who have grievances with the Syndicate have tried to kidnap some of the Legends before. Let's just say that when they were identified, they mysteriously disappeared or committed suicide.

"He grew up with death all around him, most likely," Renee commented, unfazed by his declaration. She was going to follow him no matter what, not because of her previous panic of wanting to kiss him no. She was going to protect her squadmate. It makes sense to Renee. Totally not going to stalk him to make sure he's safe.

Natalie recognized the glint in her eyes, "No, you can't follow him. I know what that entails."

"Nat…" Renee said with a dejected voice.

"You know, you could ask to come along," Ezra said as he passed them. "If you want to come along, then be ready in five minutes. Bring a jacket."

Both ladies calmly walked away to change their clothes and get ready. Ajay commented, outside of Ezra's hearing, "Tellin dem what to do? Oh, ya don't know the hold ya have on dem."

True to his word, five minutes later, he was leaving and the two of them were walking calmly behind them. "Stay with me, and do not comment on what you see."

"Pourquoi?" Natalie asked.

"You know my last name, surely you've heard of it throughout the Frontier," Ezra said matter-of-factly.

"Wait…" Natalie said looking at Ezra. "You're related to that…"

"Indeed, but I never wanted much to do with it, but people do respect the name, especially when I own this," Ezra pulled out a small badge and pin, the pin was his family seal, while the badge identified him as one of the high ranking members. He's not exactly proud of it, judging by his tone.

Taking the pin, and putting it on his collar, while putting the badge on his side, he walked into the market, throwing his shades on. Ezra muses that he would rather be gawked at than spoken to. He literally only came here to shop, but on Talos, people might be stingy.

The market was about as grand as one would expect, stalls everywhere, people bustling about, trades being made, and warm welcomes all around. Ezra walked in with no care, only to shop since he was the one who had to make dinner. Renee and Natalie, wearing different outfits to obscure their faces, followed behind him. While a few eyes landed on Ezra, the crowd did not part for him.

Good, he didn't want them to.

Ezra went up to a farmer's stand, "Hello."

The elderly woman eyed Ezra, eyes falling on the pin, then to the badge. The old woman smiled wide, "My dear, how are you?"

Ezra beamed, recognition flashing in his eyes, "Hello, Great Gram. Nice to see you." Natalie looked from Ezra to the old lady, not seeing any resemblance, but there was one key distinction that caught her eye, well, eyes. There was a subtle color difference in her eyes, in the right one. Ezra's was in his left eye.

Renee's eyebrows disappeared in her hair but made no comment.

"What are you doing out here, sonny?" she asked.

"Shopping for food, since people are indecisive in what they want to eat. I love to cook, and they wanted to tag along." He looked over his shoulder, "Plus, they can be stubborn when they want to be.

"Hey…" they said in unison.

Ezra turned back around and did not notice the blushes rising on their cheeks, but the woman did. She already knew more than her great-grandson did, and oh how he managed to catch these two fine women.

The old woman laughed, "Ah, I remember when your Great-Grandfather cooked, always made a mess. Thankfully, my son managed to learn, and by the sounds of it, so did you."

"I'm making something that I haven't made in a while, the last time I had them was… a long time ago," Ezra admitted, purposefully vague.

The old woman caught on and nodded, it wasn't something she could forget either, "I see, so how are you doing in those games of yours. I must admit, you've done well for yourself." Renee's eyes went white as the woman looked at her. The skirmisher had to refrain from tensing and backing up. The woman was a danger, but how? She's so old, but appearances can be deceiving.

A wry chuckle, "I know, but I still have plenty to learn, isn't that right?"

"You never stop learning," the old woman smiled. "So, here is a list of what you need, sonny, and be on your way." the two Legends behind him slowly backed away. As soon as they were out of hearing range.

"You heard what happened to Eliza?" Ezra asked seriously.

She nodded, "Aye, and I know what you're thinkin', boy." Ezra's eyes and face hardened, almost swearing aloud. "I know she's safe and closer than you think."

This caught Ezra's attention, "I see, thanks, Gram. Also, tell those who dared committed this, that they are going to pay. You were always the greatest informant that my family has, so thank you, for everything..."

Great-Gram reached up and patted his cheek, making the two Legends tense and getting ready to move. Renee's kunai is mere centimeters away from being revealed, and Natalie's fingers sparked subtly. "Don't thank me, it was what I wanted to do. I was a sneaky child." She patted his cheek, "Why must you continue hiding your face?"

Ezra looked away, "You know why."

"Well, it looks like you have two wonderful women who are dying to know what you look like. Their auras exude desire. Desire for you."

"Pfft, you still believe in that, Gram?" Ezra inquired, looking back at the shorter woman. Still, the idea excited him, but they made no moves to include him in their relationship.

"Oh, but when I have been wrong?" Gram countered with a knowing smile.

"That time on Typhon before it got blasted," Ezra countered back. "But I will give you that it was years before it happened."

"Good, now, go finish your shopping and try not to be too much of a 'player' as this generation calls it," Gram finished.

Ezra guffawed, "I have no intentions of doing that, trust me, wise one."

"Good luck, Ezra," Gram smiled. Oh, how that boy has grown up into a fine young man. She never did get to wring out those that hurt her precious great-grandchildren. Right as they were about to leave, she beckoned the two women over. Both of them shot a look to Ezra who waved his hand and said something inaudible to the elderly woman.

"Bonsoir, madame!" Natalie greeted.

"Hello, Ma'am," Renee echoed.

"Vous avez blessé mon arrière-petit-enfant, vous allez disparaître de la face de la Frontière, compris?" the old woman spoke with a harshness not presented before, taking both women by surprise.

Renee responded first, voice hard, "That is not our intention."

"Oh? Then prove it. You hesitate, both of you. Either take your chance, or he'll find other people," the woman's cruel smile did nothing to placate them.

The mention of 'other people' brightened Natlaite's baby blue irises, "Ma chérié, that means…"

"Yes, it does, and it makes us asking him even better," Renee mused, but still kept an attentive eye on the older woman.

"Good, you planned on making a move, because he would never," the old woman scoffed, attending to her stand.

"Why?" Renee inquired.

"Because you two seem happy in his eyes, and he doesn't want to upset that," she said without looking for their reactions. "I've known the boy since he was born and what he does, this is no exception. So even if you tell him, you have to prove it too."

"We understand," Renee said, Natalie agreeing with a head nod.

"Now, don't keep him waiting."

Once they made it back to the compound with five bags in hand, Ezra asked, "What did she say?"

"Nothing," Renee immediately said.

Ezra set the bags on the counter, taking the pin and badge off, "Lie to me again, and we'll really test how easily you can set me off. However, I'll let it slide, this time."

"Well, I thought it was nice you ran into some family," Natalie commented, helping Ezra sort the items.

"Technically, she never married into the family but has been around as long as I can remember, but she is my great-grandmother by all biological ties," Ezra shrugged. He immediately got out a pan and opened up the meat, and grabbed a few packets. He still didn't take his shades off, those have been on since they left. Not once has he removed them to even adjust them.

This gave the two some time to think, "If you need us, we'll be in the next room." Ezra waved a hand to acknowledge them but continued by taking out a cutting board and a sharp knife. He ran the edge along his pinky finger. The cut was clean and drew little blood. Satisfied, he cleaned the knife and wrapped his finger.

The next fifteen minutes he created something he's only had a few times, but remembers it from memory, he even made a sauce for it. Pulling up an intercom window, he whistled, "Food's ready, come get it or be left behind."

Ezra grabbed what he wanted and rolled it into a condensed burrito. Elliott came in first, and took a deep breath, "You made tacos?!"

He nodded as Tae Joon came in right after, rolling his eyes at Elliot. Anita and Ajay came by after. "This seems to be fattening," the soldier commented.

"Suck it up and enjoy it, I left the compound for you all," Ezra scoffed. Loba came in, and trailing her was Gibraltar and Bloth. Renee and Natalie slipped in minutes later, just as everyone was settling down.

The gentle giant laughed boisterously, "I see you had a fun time going for it," gesturing to his pinky.

"Had to test the sharpness of the knife for the vegetables," Ezra said, waving his hand towards the three bowls of various vegetables. "Feel free to eat as much as you want, but I will not be making more." He thought he was past it, but a memory was coming up, one where he used to make these in his previous relationship, but they soiled the memory. Ezra hoped that two years was long enough, but he was wrong. "Before I forget," he turns and grabs a bottle off the kitchen island, "Try this, it's a taco sauce."

Tae Joon was the first to grab it, drop a generous helping of it, and passed it along. His eyes widened and he looked at Ezra. "How did you make this?"

Ezra smirked, "Trade secret, now save some for me." The trade secret was really a family recipe that Ezra's Grandfather had him memorize by heart, and thankfully, he had the ingredients, except one. He improvised, so if they say it's good now, then they would have to wait until he could make the actual one.

Everyone managed to get some of the taco sauce, and Ezra put at least two spoons full on his second one and got up. "See you tomorrow, everyone. The game's in three days, yeah?"

"See you there, shooter," Anita said with a grin.

"Count on it."

Natalie had just gotten hers and when she bit into it, her mouth felt on fire. She put it back on her plate and fanned her mouth, "Mon Dieu!"

Renee chuckled at her girlfriend's tolerance to spicy foods. When Renee bit into it, her eyes went wide, but she didn't make any sound, but merely put down her food and took a calm sip of her drink that was set for her. Maybe this is karma.

"Woah this is hot! Ezra, how hot did you make this?!" Elliott coughed.

"Well, this wasn't made with the hottest thing in the Frontier nor the Outlands. But I have a high tolerance to spicy foods," he grinned maliciously. "But still, there are two items that I have yet to taste to judge their spiciness." Ezra's mind took him to the two females who had an arm around each other. Thankfully, he wasn't looking at them.

"Oh really, what are they?" Elliott asked, smirking at him. More like who they are, Trickster.

"You have a brain, Elliott, use it," Ezra said before leaving the room as Dr. Nox arrived in the room. "Why don't you ask Crypto, he's smart."

"Smells refreshing. I commend your skills, Leadflare," the scientist said.

"A compliment? I'll take it," Ezra muttered before going back to his room.

When he arrived back at his room, he switched on the computer and decided to brush up on this new limited-time mode that the advisors came up with. Apparently, Ajay has been working hard for this. The previous mode was called 'Always be Closing' where the ring constantly closes over a period of time.

This one was called 'Sanctuary' where all healing items were removed and that only certain zones projected healing. Unique was the first word that came to mind. He then navigated towards the calling function and immediately called Eliza.

Two rings later, a person wearing a mask, one eye blue, and one eye violet. The violet was in her right eye. "Hello, brother."

Ezra allowed himself to smile, "Hello sister, we have much to discuss."

"Like you having a massive crush on your squadmates and you aren't doing anything about it?"

That smile was quickly wiped away "What?!"