#27 Welcome to Mi Casa!
Knock. Knock.
"She's here! Oh man, Olivia's here," Fred rapidly exclaimed as he stopped the pacing he had been doing for the past 5 minutes in front of the door. After the success of their movie date, the couple had decided on Olivia visiting his place to both see his massive collection of pop-culture memorabilia as well as meet Mini-Max before watching a movie. Now date night had come and while Fred was going back and forth, Heathcliff had arrived a minute before Olivia made her presence known and was quietly watching the comic book fan.
Once she was there however, Fred beat the family butler to the door handle and opened it up with a big smile on his face. "Olivia, hey," he greeted her and making the other give a bashful blush. She currently was wearing her signature wolf hat with pompom balls and pink-lens glasses as well as sky-blue leggings, a white skirt and a pink shirt with some abstract art on it. Fred for his attire was wearing his usual cargo short and kaiju beanie, but decided to switch up his standard red shirt to a green one with a silver flying saucer in the center.
After realizing that they had just been standing there looking at each other, the lizard-based superhero gave a quick cough and with the gesture of his hand said, "Come on it. Let's get tonight started."
She nodded and promptly came inside before Fred shut the door, allowing her to see Heathcliff for the first time. "Oh, who's this?" Olivia politely asked as she extended a hand to shake.
The loyal butler reciprocated and professionally answered, "Heathcliff Winshire at your service ma'am. I am the Frederickson house manager."
Fred proceeded to come over and give him a one-armed hug and added, "Aw, Heathcliff's more than that! He's family and one of the coolest persons you could ever meet. He's totally awesome!"
The eloquent gentleman maintained his composure, but a small smile tugged at the side of his mouth as he responded, "Very good Master Frederickson. Do you or your lady guest require anything else sir?"
"Nah, we're good for now, but we'll keep you in mind if we do," the beanie-clad man replied as he released the other, causing Heathcliff to quickly bow to Olivia before walking off to attend to his household affairs. The two stood there awkwardly for a few seconds until Fred rubbed his arm and said, "So uh, let's head into my room, okay?"
The stud-wearing woman smiled again and nodded as she let her new boyfriend lead her off to the left. Inside the large mansion, their footsteps echoed on the shiny tiled floor as the master staircase rose to her right, splitting off in two directions to the second floor. Although Olivia also came from money as part of being in the Mole legacy family, she still marveled at the chandeliers, old architecture and dozens of portraits on the wall. Fred eventually had them enter the hallway to their destination when Olivia spotted a particular family painting on her right.
"Hey Fred, this is you, isn't it?" the blue-haired woman called to him, making the second one stop and turn towards what she had found. It was a painting from when he was 12yrs old with his mom and dad looking so dignified, although he always felt he looked a little off with having his hair neatly groomed; he also admittedly became a little nervous as he knew the secret that lied behind the picture.
"Oh yeah, that's me. It's nice, but man were we standing for hours to get that done," he remarked with a tone of annoyance as the memory resurfaced.
Olivia gave a little giggle and told him, "Well, I think you look cute. The last time we did photos was like four years ago and we all had to wear dark blue dresses and suits; it wouldn't have been too bad if Richardson hadn't put up a fuss on putting the outfit on."
Fred groaned and replied, "Ugh. Does not surprise me." He then bore a happier expression and urged her to keep following him to his room with a "Come on." She turned back to her left and continued along the now carpeted floor, making the young superhero relax a little as they were walking away from his dad's secret headquarters.
Once in front of the sliding doors to Fred's abode, he gave a cheeky grin and clapped his hands together and made them open with a whoosh. "Ta-da!" The comic book fan couldn't help but announce as he spread his arms out in a grandiose manner.
The duo stepped through the entryway as Olivia's mouth hung agape while scanning the room. She saw the bookshelves filled with comic books, the action figures lining the wall around a giant flat screen TV, the replica suit from "Hero's Duty," and the… "Wait," she suddenly said out loud as her eyes spotted a really…interesting painting over the bed. The blue-haired woman then couldn't help but give a light-hearted snicker at the wall hanging of an overly buff Fred riding a white tiger like some barbarian conqueror.
"What?" Fred asked in confusion with an eyebrow raised until he saw what she was looking at, now blushing a little in embarrassment. "Yeah, I know, but I just couldn't pass up the chance to get a picture of myself drawn and painted by the comic book artist Raul Campos," he tried to explain while he self-consciously rubbed the back of his neck.
Olivia let another giggle out and replied, "It's fine Fred. I just didn't expect to see you like that."
The kaiju fan smiled a little bit more and joked, "I'll have you know that I've been getting my workout on. I'm sure I'll hit my target level of buffness real soon." He proceeded to flex some to demonstrate, making his girlfriend laugh again.
"Now, don't be spending all of your time working out or else you won't have any left for comics or me," she slyly responded with a wink.
Fred made a little excited noise before he coughed, remembering still the biggest surprise to reveal. "Okay, without further ado, I'd like you to meet a special friend of mine."
The glasses-wearing woman proceeded to search around the room in eagerness and curiosity as she didn't see anyone else in the room.
"Introducing…" Dramatic pause. "Mini-Max!" the beanie-clad hero announced with his arms spread again for effect. Nothing seemed to happen after the declaration however as both now gazed around the area, looking for the aforementioned robot. Fred then whispered, "That's your cue buddy."
Suddenly, from out of nowhere, a miniature white robot with a big head and large blue eyes landed on top of Fred, making the other two jump a little in surprise.
With a sweeping right arm wave, the tiny superhero shouted, "Greetings! I am Mini-Max! Defender of Justice and best friend to the one and only Frederick Frederickson the Fourth!" He then said slightly quieter, "I must designate the Fourth or else one might assume I'm speaking of his father." The diminutive robot proceeded to extend a hand for shaking, which Olivia slowly reached up to take as she stared at him in awe.
"Wow! He's so amazing and adorable too," the blue-haired lady complimented before pulling her hand back to her side.
"Thank you for your kind words. This is not the first time I have been told I am adorable and it will likely not be the last," Mini-Max replied as he hopped off Fred's head and sat on his shoulder.
Olivia gave another small laugh at his words and playfully inquired Fred, "So tell me, what exactly is a 'Defender of Justice?' Did you teach him to say that or is he being an ambitious robot and going to go fight crime?"
A flash of nervousness flashed across Fred's face as Mini-Max just blinked, both knowing the importance of secret identities. "Oh, I taught him a few things on the values superheroes instill and have read him many a comic book. He can be pretty impressionable and wants to do as they do; he even has some serious fighting skills," the rich young man answered with a small laugh that he hoped wouldn't come off as suspicious.
Fortunately, Mini-Max caught on to what Fred was doing as he stood up and boldly added, "Indeed! He has shown me the ways of The Human Fist, Captain Fancy and Danger Face to name a few. I aspire to deliver justice to those that wish to do evil's bidding and I can do so with my swift kicks!" He then leaped into the air as he flipped a couple times to land perfectly on the back of the cream-colored couch. The robotic hero proceeded to do a few rapid high kicks and mid-air sweeps of his legs. He soon felt the need to mention, "I also have my fists to punch butt," before he delivered some speedy jabs and uppercuts much to the delight of Olivia.
"He's so precious! How lucky are you that he's your friend?" she gleefully told Fred, who was smiling at his girlfriend's joy.
Fred then changed his expression to a sly grin and replied, "Very lucky, especially considering I've got you in my life too." This elicited a loud "Aww" from Mini-Max while the other monster movie fan looked a bit bashful at his corny comment.
"Keep talking like that and we won't be able to focus on the movie," she cheekily retorted, making for a very endearing sight as the young superhero became flustered and blushed.
Fred let out a cough to try and get things back on track, only to have his diminutive best friend ask, "Do you require a throat lozenge? Baymax is not here but surely there must be some elsewhere in the house."
The two humans each gave a small chuckle and Fred clarified with, "No, I'm good buddy, but Olivia's right. Let's go pick us a movie." While the couple went to sit on the couch now, his robotic companion declared, "I shall ready a bowl of the butter popcorn" before hopping to the ground and rapidly running through the sliding doors.
The stud-wearing woman let out a little snort and gleefully said, "That was awesome! I've never met a robot so sophisticated and bombastic."
Fred nodded and replied, "Yeah, he's the best when it comes to enthusiasm. Oh! That reminds me." The comic book fan then fished his phone out of his pocket, flipped through the photos and landed on a video to show Olivia. They both looked at the screen together as a kaiju-dressed Mini-Max "stomped" through the cheesy, ill drawn picture of the city going "Roar," followed by it falling over onto the tiny bot with Heathcliff appearing in the background.
"That was so cute! Did you make that?" the wolf-hat woman inquired while still giggling.
Looking pretty proud of himself, Fred answered, "Why, yes, I did. It was my attempt at making my friends think a monster was attacking the city."
She followed up with, "Oh, why did you do that?"
"Uh…it was an April Fool's Day prank," the comic book fan responded after quickly thinking up a good cover for the video's true purpose of getting his friend to suit up.
"Well, I certainly enjoyed it, but if you're open to criticism, maybe have some stronger tape for the scenery," Olivia pointed out.
Fred proceeded to scratch the back of his neck and said, "Yeah, it was sort of a last-minute thing, but I'm sure if I do it again, I'll put more effort into it."
His girlfriend smiled and then added with a wink, "Just so you know, I wouldn't mind helping you with that if you want."
Her boyfriend looked flustered again for the briefest moment before blushing and said with a big grin, "That sounds like an amazing idea! We've both watched enough monster movies to get the basics: A giant creature must be present every 5 minutes, humans will both try to protect and fight the monster, they're typically reptilian, massive amounts of city destruction, and the periodic clash of two or more titans. It'll be great." He then put his hand on Olivia's and told her, "You are a certifiably cool person."
The blue-haired woman proceeded to blush before leaning over and planting a kiss on Fred's cheek. "You're pretty cool yourself," she simply informed him as she pulled back. The duo just stared at each other for a few more seconds before the sound of whooshing doors meant someone was entering the room. They turned and found Heathcliff standing there was a tray containing two glasses of root beer.
"I was told you were to begin the theatrical portion of your date soon, so I brought refreshments," the butler eloquently stated as he walked over to them. A moment later, Mini-Mix was seen hopping up onto the couch again, carrying a large blue bowl overflowing with popcorn, which meant some kernels fell onto the cushions when he did so.
"Thanks Heathcliff. Thanks Mini-Max," Fred said to the both of them as the former set the drinks on the red and white table in front of them while the latter shuffled over towards the couple.
Once he was done delivering their beverages, the professional gentleman stood straight again and asked, "Would you be needing more of my services sir?"
"Nah, I think we're good. You go have fun or do whatever you gotta do," the youngest Frederickson answered while the spy in disguise collected the popcorn strewn about by Mini-Max.
"Very good sir. Enjoy your time together. I'll only be a call away if you need anything," Heathcliff stated before turning and leaving the room.
After he was gone, the Defender of Justice jumped over Olivia's lap and settled himself between the two with the bowl balanced on his legs. "I have brought popped corn with its delightful crunchy noise!" he declared as he looked from one to the other in hopes they would take a few pieces. Fred and Olivia obliged and grabbed a few kernels, followed by looking at the diminutive robot and smiling at his adorable antic.
Gazing at one kaiju-movie fan to the other, Mini-Max inquired, "Has a movie been selected or is there a shuffle feature you planned on using?"
"Oh right," Fred remembered as he went to grab the remote off the table and began scrolling through the vast library of films.
"Ooo! I haven't seen 'GianTick' in so long, but then there's 'The Howling Elites.' Man, it's so hard to pick," Olivia remarked with an indecisive groan as the titles went by.
Her boyfriend nodded and went, "Yeah, I'm sure I've seen each a dozen times or more, but there are some you just can't get enough of." He clicked down on the remote a few more times until a movie came up that made the two nerds gasp.
"Inferaur vs. GargantuAnt," they said in unison, making Mini-Max look between the duo again and state, "This shared exclamation must indicate that you have found something to watch."
Fred chuckled and replied, "Yes, it is buddy. Sound good to you?"
"The thought of me saying no to your monster movie selection makes me laugh," the robotic companion proceeded to give a few loud "Ha ha has" before the couple stared at each other, grinned and finally selected the film.
As the title credits began appearing on the screen, Olivia opted to lean on Fred while he put his arm around her. The superhero then remembered something and whispered, "Hey Olivia."
"Hmm?"
"Would you do me the honor of doing some comic book reading after this? I just got the new 'Dr. Slaughter, MD' and 'The Changling' in."
The blue-haired girl turned away from the screen now to look at the other as a small smile appeared again on her face and she sincerely said, "I'd love to."
Fred reciprocated the sentiment and was about to return to the movie when another thing occurred to him. "Oh, and Olivia."
"Yeah?"
"As a heads up, Mini-Max is a messy eater, so sorry if your outfit gets movie butter on it," he warned her.
She lifted an eyebrow up in confusion and asked, "How does he eat without a mouth?"
"He doesn't."
"Oh," she simply replied in realization as she just accepted what may happen as they sat there. So the trio remained on the couch, enjoying the classic movie and each other's company, finding Olivia's visit to be a very nice one and making the other two hope these would become more frequent.
NOTES
Nerd love for the win. ;) They're just so cute together and I wish we had gotten more between them because that would have added more to Fred needing to keep his identity a secret as well as someone for him to relate to about comics and stuff. I'm sure I'll write more about these two in the future, but I don't know when. :/ I hope you enjoyed Mini-Max being adorable in this and would share a lot of Olivia's reactions to seeing this little guy. ^_^
The next story will be about Globby running away in "The Globby Within." (I warned you it would be another sad one). ;_; ;_; ;_;
