A.N: Fine, I'll do it myself.

Time of Our Lives

A Free Clockblocker Social

Monday, March 14th, 2011.

The Heap, Brockton Bay

Approximately two hours before Casus Belli 16.4…

The past week had been alright for Dennis, also known as Clockblocker of the Wards. Being picked along with Dauntless as the newest guests at Nexus' castle had been both awesome and just a little bit terrifying. After all, the Oathbound were only the most powerful faction in Brockton Bay right now, and their jobs as PRT liaisons meant they both had to coordinate and monitor the group belonging to the most powerful fifteen year old girl in existence.

So, you know, no pressure or anything.

Even discounting Nexus, the Oathbound were made up of some incredibly top-tier parahumans, that by all means shouldn't be anywhere near their demonstrated level of competence. Parian just controlled thread and was supposedly a pacifist, Trainwreck was a tinker for literal scrap metal, hell, he even heard through the grapevine that Huntsman's parahuman ability was supposed to be looking pretty.

But nope, after some training under Nexus and a bunch of magical boons or something, they became a group of parahumans who could take on every gang in the Bay and come out on top.

A team who could take on the fucking Simurgh - and win.

Which is why it was so surprising that the Oathbound lacked any sort of bureaucracy to govern their actions… or proper organization for that matter. Sure Nexus was the leader and Trainwreck was their second in command, but the former never enforced active leadership on her team's daily activities outside of combat. And the latter may have a bunch of loose patrol routes drawn out, but the rest of the team (and the kung-fu girls and pigeons; couldn't forget those) picked whichever route they wanted, whenever they wanted, a-and… okay, that's enough of that train of thought for today.

It was definitely a good thing Nexus almost never patrolled though. As funny as it was for every criminal in the city to start cowering in terror, it also made it more difficult for the other heroes to sniff them out.

The Oathbound themselves were pretty alright people though. Trainwreck had a crude sense of humor that Dennis could appreciate. Parian was very polite - even as she kicked him out of her shop for loitering. He had chatted with Huntsman about video games, although that ended when Valefor turned that Madison girl into a bloody show of affection.

And then… there was Taylor Hebert herself. A bit too much into training, and definitely a source to inspire some appropriate fear in him, but man did she radiate power and beauty. She was also funny, clever, and willing to banter with him unlike most of the other Wards. She was a source of hope to a lot of people in Brockton… and honestly, for himself as well. She was the one who got his father finally healed after all. Some people would argue that it was Panacea who actually healed his dad, but Dennis would argue that it was Nexus who convinced the usually sullen and bitchy healer to treat him in the first place.

Was Clock willing to risk his life around Nexus after that? Yes, absolutely. Did he also have a bit of a crush on her? Also yes. He could be honest to himself, unlike a certain Dallon girl he wouldn't name out loud. Bless Taylor's oblivious little heart.

Currently though, the aforementioned badass teenager was smiling sweetly as she kicked his ass in chess for the twelth time. He had thought it would have been easy for him from the very first game they played when she started putting random restrictions on her own pieces' movements… but apparently not. Supposedly, the Pretty Lady With Scary Eyes that her projection had emulated (Yukari was her name, according to Nexus) had done the same thing against Hebert as a form of training. Tactics? Being chaos incarnate? Whatever the case, it seemed to have worked pretty well for the leader of the Oathbound.

At least she wasn't annoyed like she had been an hour ago. It was why he offered her a game in the first place.

"Dammit. I'm not gonna be beating you anytime soon, are I?" Clockblocker said rhetorically, staring mournfully as his king was cornered by the married couple of queen and knight.

"I'm afraid not. Don't feel too bad though. I went through a lot of games with Emmy myself." Nexus answered, with a tiny bit of satisfaction in her voice. Dennis, having removed his helmet since Nexus knew what he looked like anyways, stuck his tongue out before moving to reset the board.

"... Hey, Dennis? Mind if I ask a question?"

"Sure Taylor. What do you need from the greatest Ward in the Bay~?"

"Vista would probably hit you if she heard that." Taylor snorted in amusement, before becoming serious. "Why are you willing to be around me this much?"

Dennis' mischievous expression didn't change. "What, can't I appreciate a beautiful girl like yourself?"

Taylor raised an eyebrow, causing him to wilt. "Seriously Taylor, I already get this kind of thing from Amy. Please stop."

"Heh." She shook her head. "I'm asking because… well, the other Wards don't really… go out of their way to approach me like you do."

Dennis visibly sobered. "Ah. That kind of question. Well if I had to guess, it would be because they're just a teensy bit scared of you, while also noticing the huge pedestal you're on. So it makes it feel awkward for them to approach you more casually."

Taylor slumped in her seat. "I'm not that bad, am I?"

The redhead snorted. "You're kind of the baddest bitch in Brockton Bay right now, Tay."

She rolled her eyes, but doesn't refute the statement. "Still… I kinda feel a bit bad? I don't want to–"

"And I'm gonna stop you right there Taylor. It's not your fault that they feel that way." Clock said firmly. "You've proven yourself to be a good person many times now. They'll come to terms with their own feelings eventually. Or you could waltz into their personal space like you did with Panacea, which to be fair did work on her."

"...Yeah, alright." Nexus nodded. "Except for Emma."

"Except for the Red-Headed Bitch." Clockblocker agreed, making them both giggle. A comfortable silence passed between the two of them.

"...So, why did you start approaching me on your own?"

Dennis clasped his hands together, staring directly into Taylor's eyes. "Considering you got my dad healed, and kicked out all the gangs? I wouldn't be able to live up to my reputation of being a reckless clown if I didn't try to hang out with you. But hey, I don't think it's been officially declared yet, so…"

The young man stuck his hand out towards Taylor Hebert. "Friends?"

She froze for a moment, then two. Then she smiled, a warm and brilliant smile that made his heart skip a beat. "Friends." She said, grasping his hand with her own and giving it a firm shake.

Yes, all in all, this has been a good week for Clockblocker. And the rest of the day should be smooth sailing too, barring any unforeseen missions involving dangerous supervillains.

Somewhere else in Brockton Bay, Amy Dallon felt like punching a certain wisecracking Ward in the face.