A/N: Sorry, guys. I had an Almost Human fic on AO3 that completely consumed my life for awhile. I've also been hastily rereading some Harry Potter in order to finish a really old fic that someone contacted me about. Anyway, enjoy! (An epilogue will follow, hopefully soon.)
Darkness. Nothing but darkness. He tried to claw his way out of it, but he was so very tired. He'd never known such exhaustion before, not even after his most vigorous workout. The weariness ran straight through to his bones, and doing something as simple as opening his eyes seemed an impossible task.
He wasn't sure how long he stayed there, when he felt...something? Some small burst of energy - not nearly enough, but...
And there it was again, along with the softest pressure. He tried to identify the feeling, but he was still so sleepy.
The pressure continued - against his lips - he realized, like the softest rose petals.
Energy was slowly being pushed into him, filling him, running through his veins and dragging him back further to consciousness.
He breathed deeply through his nose, and a familiar smell met him - sunshine, like the warmest summer day; flowers; sweetness, like the sweetest fruit.
Stephanie? This had to be a dream because he was being kissed, and with every brush of her tongue and lips against his own, he felt bursts energy fill his body, more than any fruit or vegetable had ever been able to give him.
He'd had this dream before, so many times, but it had never felt this real. He raised a hand that still felt so heavy to touch her silken hair.
Suddenly she was pulling back, wide brown eyes staring at him. She looked...scared? Why was she frightened?
"Sportacus? Sportacus, thank goodness! We're trapped, and you had a meltdown - worse than a meltdown. I think it was a sugar coma. Here, you need energy." She held out a half eaten apple in her hand.
He stared at it a moment, but knew it wouldn't be enough. He was still so weak.
"That's not what I need," he said, his voice rough and shaking. Slowly, giving her a chance to change her mind, he brought fingers trembling with fatigue to cup her chin and gently bring her mouth back to his. Energy zinged through his body as her lips parted, and he kissed her desperately, letting her unending energy fill him to the brim, until he felt as though he could move mountains.
She pulled back at last, face flushed and eyes shining. He leaped to his feet, and quickly looked around. It was all coming back to him in a rush - the fake Ziggy, the darkness, and the sudden pain.
He saw the metal garage door and quickly lifted it up, sunlight flooding the space and making him wince. Looking back at Stephanie, she had a hand shielding her eyes, but was getting hastily on her feet and moving out into the sunshine. Stepping out beside her, the door closed behind them with a resounding clang.
After a moment of simply breathing in the fresh air, Stephanie said, "I suppose that was Robbie. We need to find out what he's up to."
"You're right," he agreed, taking in the blush that still colored her cheeks prettily. "I'm sorry that I left you alone in there. Thank you for saving me."
"I didn't mind," she said, before suddenly looking shocked at herself, her blush darkening.
Smiling softly, Sportacus took one of her hands in his, squeezing her fingers gently. Stephanie finally met his gaze, a shy smile on her lips.
"Come on," he said finally. "Let's see what mischief Robbie has been up to while we've been gone."