Alrighty, start of second term, here we go.

Year Two: A Lucky Guy

Academy Courtyard - 15:22 PM

Those two weeks went by in a blur and, suddenly, everyone was back on campus. Xavier stands outside in the snow with Orchid, Ashton, and Brody as they watch people slowly pour in from their break just in time for second term. They can't believe that they're halfway through second year. They're three-eighths done with SHIELD Academy, almost half. It's insane. It almost feels like they just got here yesterday but they've lived here for basically a year and a half. Being together makes it feel as if the past two weeks at home never happened.

The boys look away from the people coming back when they hear Orchid rustling through a sandwich bag of homemade cookies without even addressing it or offering them one.

"What are those for?" Xavier finally asks.

"They're from my granny," Orchid responds. "She said that I can only eat them if I memorize my prayers … but I haven't memorized anything."

Orchid smiles proudly as she continues eating her cookies.

"I haven't memorized anything either," Ashton says. He tries to take a cookie but Orchid smacks his hand away.

"I fell in a cactus last week," Brody says.

The other three stare at him. Orchid puts the cookie she was biting into back in the bag. Brody doesn't notice their shocked reactions that expect him to explain more, like how he fell into a cactus, why it happened or how he doesn't look or act physically affected at all. They're not surprised by his casual tone because they're used to it, they just want a story that they don't seem to be getting.

"Ya know," Orchid starts to get them talking again, "my family said my accent got thinner and they're blaming you basic American folk."

"I'm offended," Xavier says. Out of him and Ashton, the only other Americans in this conversation, he's the most basic American folk.

"Because you're basic." Orchid grins at him. "Still love ya though." She blows a kiss his way.

"One of my younger brothers gave me a cheap rabbit's foot for Christmas because they think I'll flunk this term," Ashton says.

"I think Brody needs the luck," Xavier says.

"I survived a cactus fall," Brody argues. "I have all the luck I need."

Xavier can't argue that logic. How did he survive that?

"Orchid, do you want the foot?" Ashton asks her. "I left it in my dorm."

Orchid shakes her head. "I don't need your good luck charms. I have Jesus."

"What else did you get?" Brody asks him.

"I got gift cards for grocery stores," Ashton says. "My family thinks I'm living off of cold-cuts, processed cheese, and boxed wine and enjoying every penniless second of it."

" … minus the boxed wine, you are," Xavier admits.

Orchid whacks Ashton with her bag of cookies. "You stupid boy, we have meal plans."

"I'm banking up that coin for next year so I can claim the credit," Ashton says.

Brody looks at him. "Wow. You're enjoying every penniless second."

"Can we stop roasting me?"

Orchid perks up. "Can we roast Angela and James instead?"

"Can we?" Ashton and Brody add.

The three of them look at Xavier for the gossip and he's annoyed that he had to provide it. He was stuck on Christmas break with his parents, Angela, her ex, and her ex's parents. It wasn't pleasant. For the most part, Christmas was the same but there was this sliver of tension in every room he couldn't escape.

"Weirdest Christmas ever," is all Xavier says.

-o-

Angela walks across campus, searching for Merida who just arrived. She came by earlier with Xavier and got a text asking for help with her stuff. Angela arrives at the curb of the parking lot, looking through the crowds of returning students and their parents for Merida. She shouldn't be that hard to spot with her red curls against the snow but, as luck working against her, she makes eye contact with James.

Does she look away? Does she talk to him? She doesn't know what to do. She isn't prepared for this. Christmas break didn't help because she had to face her parents and talk about it.

"Hi," James says to her.

"Hey," Angela responds.

They look at each other for a moment before going their separate ways. He's probably heading to his dorm. Imagine that conversation for two weeks surrounded by people they've known since birth, and that was her Christmas break. It was unbearable.

Merida waits for Angela to see her before making her comment. Angela knows that Merida has something to say because she always does. She bets that she was just spilling the tea to her parents the moment she got back. Agent Romanoff is her godmother, after all.

"I bet Apollo could feel that awkwardness from Asgard," Merida says as Angela takes one of her bags. Why did Merida pack like she was leaving for half a year when she was really only going home two hours away? "Maybe that's what's keeping him and Britney away."

"You're so supportive," Angela says.

Merida grins. "I try."

-o-

Atlantic Residence - 16:19 PM

Once they arrived at their room, Angela left to go find Xavier and Merida didn't mind. She wanted time alone to see if she could find their new RA, whatever her name is since she ignored the group email. Merida should've asked Angela before she left. She should be walking around to introduce herself or help some girls with their bags, but Merida can't spot her.

Merida still has the blunts from last term, hiding in her cover tampon box that had her darts. The contraband tampon box. She could've brought it home but didn't know what to do with them so they would've ended up back here.

Merida leaves them, hoping they survive the next inspection, whenever that is.

-o-

Edison Residence - 17:29 PM

"Do you think I want to be back in New Jersey?" Daniel asks over the phone. "Please. It's Jersey and it's currently recovering from a blizzard."

Emily: Please yourself, Dr. Banner, if the blizzard was still ongoing, then my flight would've been cancelled.

Daniel smiles, hearing where she's going since she used the Dr. Banner card. "That doesn't sound so bad. I would've stayed home an extra day."

Emily: Or we could've gone back to your dorm.

"No."

Emily: Why not? I love being secretive within the walls where my admirers are living their lives without knowing I'm right there with my mystery fiancé.

"Because I have to obey the rules that I signed an agreement with. According to The Emily Stark Protocol, I have to keep away from you."

He smiles when he hears Emily huff because she's annoyed. It turns into a small laugh that he imagines comes with an eye roll and a smile.

Emily: I knew you wouldn't break the rules, not even for me. I love that about you. In that case, we have a whole ocean doing that for us.

"Yeah…" Daniel looks up and towards the front door of their residence building to see Keith struggling with his bag and the door. He starts walking over. "Em, I'll let you go and catch your flight. Someone needs help."

Emily: Any of ours?

"Not exactly."

Emily: Then go save lives. I love you.

"I love you too," he says as he ends the call. Keith looked up to make sure Daniel wasn't talking to him. Daniel clears his throat as he gets the door.

"Thanks," Keith says as he shoves his bag through. "You still have a girlfriend or fiancée?"

"Yeah," Daniel responds as he closes the door behind them. He tries not to be offended by Keith's shocked face.

"You didn't have to end the call with her to help me."

"She has a plane to catch."

"So, your girlfriend or fiancée doesn't go here?"

Daniel shakes his head. He wishes. "She almost did. We're doing long-distance."

"Have you been together for long?"

"As in side-by-side, yes. Together together, four years give or take."

"Wow." Keith pushes the button to call the elevator. "Four years is a long time."

"Yeah." Daniel smiles. "Best thing to happen to me."

-o-

Wakanda's Royal Gardens - 16:49 PM

Imanu stops at the border of the back patio when he sees Iqadi with his mother and Kili. The three of them are looking at the gardens, observing the plants and talking about them. He doesn't know much about that specific arrangement except that they're there and he knows Iqadi's no botanist but watching her talk so passionately and animatedly as she puts some flowers in Kili's hair. Iqadi must've read up on all these flowers or asked the gardeners just to have this conversation flow smoothly.

Wow. That's his wife.

Iqadi meets his eyes for a second and beams brightly in the sun. Her skin is all rosy and shiny as she holds a few flowers to her face to smell them. She was always beautiful but there's something different about her glow.

Either way, he's lucky to have her.