I'm disappointed in myself for taking this long to come up with this simple chapter title.
Year Four: Sex and the Academy
Three Years Ago - Asgard's Marketplace
On a bright day, Freya and Apollo went on a walk around the marketplaces outside the palace. After the calamity following the Convicting and the tension growing in the palace, Freya decided to take Apollo out for some fresh air. She's been trying to get him out for days, but he's been persistent in sticking around his parents trying to clean up the mess.
Today, he finally said yes.
Apollo didn't bother with a disguise, which was usually a flimsy scarf around his head that still shows his face. Freya never understood how that worked and tried to figure it out as people bowed and greeted Apollo. Once the crowds parted, he joined her side again.
"The people are elated their prince is back," Freya says as she links arms with him.
"I love my people and I love it here," Apollo responds softly, his face distant.
"Doesn't look like it," Freya squeezes his arm. "What is it?"
"I've been having nightmares of the Convicting," he admits. "I don't think Sigyn's thought much of it since. If anything, she temporarily repressed the memory and I wish I could do the same. She's been with Loki recently now that it all came back to her, working on managing her newly acquired power. I don't know if she's thinking of going back to Alfheim."
"I heard."
"Do you - do you feel, I don't know, something towards her killing Amora? You were there."
Freya remembers watching Sigyn step from her row with Thor, Jane, and Apollo to face Amora. Freya was off to the side with the other warriors. She tried to meet Apollo's eye but he was fixated on Sigyn, running towards her once her magic let loose and she killed Amora.
Apollo told her about how the Council wanted to put Sigyn on trial for killing an unarmed criminal about to face her charges and conviction. He remembers his father fighting tooth and nail for Sigyn to remain untouched and it was Apollo's words that shut them up.
"Amora made Sigyn her enemy which she knew was a stupid move. It's Amora's own fault she's dead."
Words that echo in his head from time to time, sometimes keeping him up at night.
Freya sighs. "Sometimes love is so intense that it turns into this grey area that borders on hate. That's what happens when the people you love have that power over you. Her most powerful form is her most vulnerable. To be frank, I don't think we've seen her at that point yet."
Apollo looks at her. "You're implying Sigyn loved Amora. She couldn't have. She didn't. Don't say that, please."
"I'm not saying such, not exactly. Apollo, Sigyn had to have felt something, as you asked, towards Amora for her to do that."
"I asked if you felt something, not if Sigyn did. I'm angry at Amora for everything she's done and I blamed her for her own demise. Sigyn shouldn't have been at the Convicting. We should've let her stay in Alfheim that day."
"You can't blame yourself for that. We all thought it would put her at ease to see her mother finally put away. Do you want to know how I feel?"
Before Freya could answer, a child whips an apple from the nearby booth at them. Freya lightly pushes Apollo back as she grabs a dagger from the weapons booth beside them without looking. Keeping her eyes locked with Apollo's, Freya jabs the dagger, stabbing the fruit. She bites into the apple on the dagger, maintaining eye contact with him and grinning when she holds it out for him to bite.
He doesn't. He's staring at her in full admiration.
"You have every right to be angry," Freya states.
"But how do you feel?" Apollo asks her.
"Like this is just the beginning."
"I can't see it worsening from here."
Freya presses her bitten apple against his lips, her face softening in concern. "Watch what you say."
"As do you about seeing Sigyn's most powerful form. I don't want to see her in that sort of state, ever."
"As do I."
Freya holds out the apple on the dagger again for him to bite and he finally does.
-o-
Present Day - Concrete Beach - 12:29 AM
James has many reasons for being excited about Halloween. All the loud parties, the bright lights and decorations, the drinks, the costumes, the parties — and his girlfriend's coming back from her sleepover with the ladies in Brooklyn. She texted him before they left her house, saying that she had a costume ready and he had to wear a tuxedo to match.
He didn't hesitate to put one on because he looks good in a clean jacket and because he was excited to see what Angela had up her sleeve, but he didn't think much about her costume.
It might be the alcohol in his system, but he now wonders if she'll dress up as a bride and they'll marry.
He's down for that. He jokingly proposed once in England so now it's her turn, even if she doesn't know that detail.
"I'd like a cheeseburger, please, large fries, and a Cosmopolitan!"
Was that the alcohol in his system?
James stops dancing and turns around to see Angela beaming at him, knees bent for a second as she throws her arms in the air. Her hair is in big and poofy curls. She wears a silver dress completely sequinned with white tulle under the skirt, and a rainbow belt with a big red sequinned heart as the buckle. She even has the tacky green and grey cheetah print cardigan and bright red heels.
It all makes sense to him now. His head spins a bit, but not from alcohol this time. Her grin makes it so much worse yet better at the same time. Only she has that effect on him and he wouldn't have it any other way.
She's Carrie Bradshaw and he's Mr. Big.
Fuck a proposal, this was so much better.
"I'm looking for love," Angela continues quoting as she stands in front of him, running her fingers down his suit as he holds her waist. "Real love. Ridiculous, inconvenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love."
"We're getting out of here," James says, holding her hand and looking around for a moment. "My dreams are finally coming true. The things I'll do to you."
Angela bites down on her lips, hiding a grin. "It was this, Buffy, or Sarah Connor."
He loves this woman so much. "You're my real love. My ridiculous, although convenient, consuming, can't-live-without-each-other love. Quit stalling us, we're getting out of here. Tell me about the sleepover on the way."
"You and the mouse first."
-o-
Brody whistles as he watches Angela and James walk out of here, his hand around her waist as she leans in and tells him the gossip from her sleepover. He knows this because Orchid told him the same thing when she returned dressed as a pin-up girl to his sailor. Both are in navy blue but he's in pants and her a short jumper with buttons all the way up. She's in bright red sneakers, lipstick, and a ribbon around her head as a headband. He has a matching ascot tied to a belt loop and a cap over his blond hair.
"Good for him," Brody says, waving James and Angela off into the night like a ship.
"Oh, lord…" Orchid mutters with a smirk. "That woman knows how to work that man."
"Fuck," Merida grumbles, "they're gonna fuck in my dorm."
"Or his," Naomi says.
Victoria scoffs. "Or maybe her car."
They laugh, cheering their drinks. Orchid snaps a photo of the moment since the three of them are dressed as the Chipettes. Victoria as Brittany in pink, Merida as Eleanor in green, and Naomi as Jeanette in purple. They all wear the same chunky cable-knit sweater in their designated colours long enough to be a dress with black nylons and sneakers in their colours.
"I'm surprised you three coordinated on a costume," Keith says.
"It was fun shopping for them," Orchid adds. "We went to the mall while Angela had curlers in. New York was so much fun."
"We lost a bet to Emily on who could down the most vodka without vomiting or giving up," Victoria responds to Keith. "Emily did better than the three of us combined. Where is Emily?"
Merida looks around them. "I thought you were watching her."
"Why would I do that?"
"Because we're gonna lose her to the Sci-Nerds. The goddess is on site."
Victoria rolls her eyes. "They're all too hammered to pay attention to anything. She's probably just finding her Sci-Nerd. Banner's here, isn't he?"
"Yeah," Keith says. When he looks around with no effort, he can't find him. "Somewhere. So, why the Chipettes?"
"Emily suggested it," Naomi says.
"I only know these characters because we only had American television back home," Victoria states.
"And you still look slutty," Merida says, pointing at where Victoria hitched her sweater dress.
"You look like a holiday bush."
Keith grazes Naomi's arm to get her attention. "Well, you look cute."
Naomi looks at him and blushes a bit. "Really?"
"Yeah…" Keith clears his throat. "I mean, Jeanette was my favourite."
Merida cringes. "Ew. Guess we're not going to pass out in Victoria's dorm either."
Keith's face burns as he forces himself to clear his throat again. "How did Merida, Victoria, and Naomi lose that bet? Those first two are almost always inebriated."
Naomi grins. "Emily has a higher tolerance."
"Also," Emily says, approaching them, "my father didn't raise a lightweight."
Merida raises her cup to that one.
Keith looks at Emily, seeing Daniel's fiancée for the first time since he's only heard stories of her in passing. He can't believe his eyes. Emily Stark, the Sci-Tech goddess, is looking at him right in the eyes again, dressed as Han Solo. The Goddess is on site. He should've caught onto that point.
And he's in a Starfleet uniform, Picard's to be exact. Star Wars and Star Trek have been a divide amongst Sci-Tech's costumes for the night but Emily Stark might've dissolved the discussion.
God, and the woman has seen him in his Iron Man pyjamas for the first time two years ago. He's terrible at first impressions, even second chances at them.
"I'll excuse myself. I need to process this," Keith says, scurrying off deep into the party.
"As will I," Naomi adds. "I'll go help him."
"You do that!" Emily exclaims. "Give him another asthma attack."
Naomi's face burns as she runs off after him. Emily laughs before following her.
"Actually, wait, I need to find my fiancée," she side-steps the crowd to catch up to them. "Hi, Keith, Naomi loves a Captain."
Keith chokes on air, worsening his second first impression. Emily traces the four pips on his uniform as Naomi ducks behind her.
"I thought I was giving him the asthma attack," Naomi jokes.
"I'm helping!" Emily argues.
-o-
"Oh my god, we're matching! Pew pew!"
Daniel turns around and sees Emily run up to him, also dressed like Han Solo. The only reason Daniel's dressed like this is because Keith made him and took the spare costume when Keith was deciding what to wear for himself.
He smiles brightly seeing Emily, opening his arms as she jumps right in them. Daniel isn't sure if he's supposed to act surprised since he knew she was at the sleepover and he didn't say anything, but his shock is genuine since he wasn't sure if she was coming here and didn't want to ask.
And now they're in matching costumes.
"I love you," Daniel whispers into her hair as he holds her head by his.
"I know," Emily responds, kissing him. She pauses. "That's from the movie."
"I overheard you at the sleepover before I was watching Xavier cry over a mouse. I think Orchid said you were drunk as a skunk, whatever that means. You also wanted to send a bomb."
Emily nods. "I wanted to surprise you here, not be drunk as a skunk."
"Emily, hi. I wasn't expecting you." Daniel looks over his shoulder and pulls them off to the side away from the crowd. He holds her close and cups her face, unsure when he last got a good look at her face this close but it's been too long. "Are you okay?"
Emily nods. "Yes, absolutely. I told you I had a plan and this was it. I have a surprise for you. That's why I didn't tell you I was in town."
"What?"
"I'm getting my Ph.D. straight after my Master's thesis."
Daniel exhales a gasp before hugging her tightly. Emily bounces on her toes as he kisses the side of her head. Dr. and Dr. A dream of theirs since they started dating.
"You literally said you were taking a break," Daniel tells her. "Emily, are you really doing okay?"
"This mental health break with my girls and you are my break," she smiles a little. "I'm fine. Seriously."
Daniel looks at her skeptically and Emily cups his face as he did with her earlier. She smiles and kisses him as Keith approaches them.
"There were too many jocks where I excused myself and Orchid and Naomi were line-dancing diagonally which made me feel unsafe," Keith says, looking back at the chaos. "I'm assuming this is your math-loving bomb-sending future Mrs."
Daniel wraps an arm around Emily's waist and smiles proudly. "Keith, meet my math-loving bomb-sending future Mrs. Emily, you've met Keith."
Emily points her finger gun at him and makes her pew pew sound effect again. Instinctively, Keith holds up his prop phaser and makes the same sound, laughing to himself.
"Oh my Sci-Tech Goddess," Keith finally says, after holding that in since he saw her and connected the dots.
"In the flesh," Emily responds.
Keith's eyes dart from Emily to Daniel repeatedly. Daniel knows that Keith is probably wondering why Daniel never told him but he can't see Keith caring since he takes out his phone and gives it to him.
"Daniel, take our picture," Keith says.
Daniel laughs to himself as he backs away. Emily puts her arm around Keith and smiles. She does another pose with her finger gun up and he holds up his phaser. For a third photo, Naomi jumps in and hugs him from the side while throwing up a peace sign.
"Xavier!" Emily yells.
Daniel turns around and sees Xavier walking behind him in sweatpants and a hoodie, not in costume but in his everyday wear. He didn't even think Xavier would party but instead sleep through the night since his floor would probably be empty.
"Sup," Xavier responds.
Emily opens her arms. "You wouldn't say hi to me? You're not even dressed."
"Bye."
Xavier leaves, disappearing into the party.
Emily pouts. "The disrespect. Something better be burning."
-o-
Hudson Residence - 1:56 AM
The one night his floor could be out partying, they just had to party at the dorms. Xavier has advised his cadets that if they were to do stupid things, to do them in the dorm so they wouldn't get into as much trouble or danger, but he left them alone for five minutes and he came back to an oven fire.
At least it was out by the time he got back so Xavier could pretend he didn't know about it.
But that was just the start.
Xavier got a call from two floors above since it was a message for all RAs. When he got there, he saw some other RAs, supervisory agents (luckily, not Vander), and the police. The floor was wrecked, reeking of booze and drugs, with holes in the wall.
"What is all this?" Xavier asks, walking to the other RAs.
The other RAs shrug. It's times like this when Xavier wishes he could get drunk.
Brody and Orchid exit the elevator and stare at the sight of the dorms as they walk in.
"Shucks, we should've just partied here!" Orchid exclaims. "Seems like a fun time."