A/N: Just a short story idea that came to me while watching the season finale. Not sure if I will add to this or leave it as just a one chapter story. Leaning towards leaving as is — just so you guys don't get your hopes up if you're wanting more

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SPOILERS AHEAD for the final episode of season 2.

thank you for reading!


Longevity


"This is a training drill! Can you at least attempt to control yourself?" Tigress yells through her mask. Metal claws out and gleaming under the sun.

Eleanor grimaces as she flies over the training field. Hand outstretched with her palm out. Pale white energy surrounding her hand through her all white super suit. The boulder stops rolling and begins to float upwards before it can crush her teammates.

"Sorry, guys! I still don't know my own strength yet." Eleanor hollers back. Her brown eyes are pointed down towards the ground. Watching Blackwing barrel roll to avoid being impaled by Arrowette's red spear.

"No shit." Tigress grumbles before she takes a running start.

Eleanor drops the boulder as gently as she can. Making a crater into the ground and shaking the earth around them. Tigress lunges. Kicking her feet off the ground and soaring over the large rock. Over various rubble and destroyed buildings.

Evading every laser and roadblock their programmed training field could come up with. She sliced through every robot "enemy" with such ease and precision it made Eleanor envious. Tigress is definitely leader material. No matter how bad the animosity is between the two of them, Eleanor can't help but have high respect for the hero. She's definitely earned her spot.

Sighing, Eleanor closes her eyes and flies higher in the sky before drawing her padded knees to her chest. Tilting her head back, she reaches up to adjust her half up braided pigtails. Tugging at the dark brown hair on the top of her scalp to fluff it out.

Maybe she wasn't meant for this after all. A year into hero work and she still can't control her own strength. She's nowhere near on the same level as the rest of the Power Pact.

"Get your head out of the sky, Levity!" Sunfire shouts. Coming up behind her with a raised fist engulfed in flames.

Eleanor lets out a string of cuss words. Letting herself drop a few feet down in the air to avoid a fireball to the face. Her dark brown hair whips around her face. Her half white mask protecting her from accidentally choking her own hair.

"Fight back, damn it! You won't have time to hesitate on the field, Levity. Get it together." Sunfire puts his arms down. Palms facing behind him and bursting out flames to give him momentum as he comes towards her.

Eleanor's brown eyes widened. She quickly throws out her hands and flies a few feet back. Legs now outstretched. A pale white force field appears between them. Curling her finger tips, she could feel the shield harden and strengthen.

"Is that all you got?" Sunfire bites out with a smirk. One hand moved away from his side and pulled upwards in a fire engulfed fist. His blonde hair blowing back.

"Big talk for someone who can't break my shields." Eleanor teases, pushing forward. The rectangle of her shield becomes a large wall between the two heros.

"We'll see about that!"

Before Sunfire could attempt to crash through her force field, Eleanor felt a punch to her unprotected side. A yellow glove grabbing at her knee and an elbow in her stomach. Knocking her down towards the ground.

Eleanor tries to scream but she feels like the wind was knocked out of her with how hard she got hit in the stomach. A body lays across her sideways, weighing her down. Her legs flail about as they fall faster to the ground. The boy's face is hidden against her white suit but she could see red start to pool at her waist. A bright contrast against her white suit.

Heaving, Eleanor tries to shove the dense body. Wind lashing at her exposed skin. Hair obscuring her vision. She could hear her heart beating so loudly it was almost the only thing she could hear. Over her teams shouting and over the sharp whistle of the wind.

Eleanor takes a deep breath. Focus.

Her white gloved hands grasp the back of the blue

and black suit. Bright white energy radiating off her. Breathe.

She lets go. Hands hovering inches above the body weighing her down. Flow.

Flexing her fingers, Eleanor let her power flow. white energy lightly humming around her body. Moving her hand up, the multi-colored man starts to float away from her and their hurdling speed starts to slow.

"Ride's over." Eleanor grunts out. The distance between the two now being at least a foot.

"Levity, watch out!" Blackwing yells from the ground.

Eleanor stares down at him with a frown. "A little late for the warning. Thanks for the help by the way."

"Eleanor!"

Turning her head, Eleanor could see Sunfire flying forward. Hand outstretched and green eyes wide with fear.

Green wisps float around the dark haired boy. He finally lifts his head. Slowly and with a pained groan. Nose dripping blood and his face flushed.

"Are you okay?" Eleanor asks hesitantly. She hovers closer. Unsure if she should help him or swat him into the ground.

He reaches a gloved hand towards her but Eleanor flies backwards a few inches. Just out of his grasp. Furrowing her brows, she barely makes out what he's saying. Words are forming but no sound is coming out.

The green wisps get bigger. Rotating around him in a circle.

"Move!" The stranger grounds out. His hand waving as if he's trying to swat away a fly.

"Ellie!" Sunfire screams again. His flames shining brighter over the dark haired boy's head.

Looking into the green void. Eleanor freezes. Her heart crawls up into her throat. A disfigured body towers over them from inside the portal. Green flames highlighting the intense crazed look in his eyes.

"Today is the day you die." His thoughts whisper to her. The quiet intensity of the absolute hatred that came along with his thoughts had her trembling.

The man waves his hand and the portal swallows her whole.

Eleanor's stomach clenches as her body flips against her will in the air. Unable to tell which way was up or down. Lights of all colors blinding her. Arms flailing, moving desperately to slow herself down or at least brace for the inevitable impact. Eleanor's mouth opens in a silent scream.

A hand harshly yanks her by the back of her suit. Flinging her into a wall. A thud echoes as her head snaps back against a solid wall.

Sliding down and falling to her hands and knees, Eleanor winces at the high pitched buzzing in her ears. Her vision blurs at the edges and her head tilts side to side. Too heavy to hold straight but too light to be kept down.

Leaning forward, Eleanor takes a deep breath. Arms wrapped around her sore stomach. She places her forehead against the cool hardwood floor.

When did the floor get here? She was just outside, she thought weakly. Eleanor blinks rapidly to try and regain her focus.

"Let them go and I'll let you take me. I won't even fight back. Just let them go." Someone breathes out. Voice stern but wavering.

Eleanor groans and forcibly lifts her head up. A small woman holding a baby tightly to her chest. Tears stream down her face.

"Not my son. Please."

Eleanor flinches at the women's thoughts. Not meaning to hear her mental cries of desperation. Anguish and rage roar and rattle at her weakened mental barriers. They pierce her brain like invisible knives.

"I will kill all of you. Slowly and painfully." His thoughts are like a punch in the head.

Eleanor falls over, gripping her head in her hands. She could feel a wetness at the bottom of her palms where they cover her ears.

"Mark! Don't do it!" The woman yells over the baby's ear piercing cries.

Her eyes prickled with tears. She couldn't tell if the mother actually yelled her sentence or thought it.

"How about I kill her first? Show you what your family is in for?"

Eleanor watches, wide eyed, as the floor moves from underneath her. Feet dangling high in the air. She lets out a choke gasp and claws at the hand wrapped around her throat. He squeezes and then relaxes his hold slightly.

"Let her go! She has nothing to do with this. She's just an innocent bystander." The man in front of her pleads. Half of his mask is shattered and down. His dark brow furrowed.

The man holding her squeezes again and her body convulses. Her heart beats faster and faster. Ready to burst inside her chest. This isn't how she wanted to die.

"Innocent?" He barks out a laugh before dropping her to the floor.

Eleanor sucks in huge gulps of air. Barely even registering her head took another hit. Cracking open and spilling blood across the floor. She puts a hand to her throat. Trying to massage away the pain and loosen up her airways.

"She," He jams a foot into her back. Forcing her to sprawl out on the floor. Her teeth were clicking against each other. "— is far from innocent. Your wife here has helped you conquer and destroy each and every universe I've come across. Millions of innocent lives are gone because of the Grayson family." The heel of the towering psycho digs into her mid back.

Eleanor bites back a scream. Pushing her forehead into the floor once again. Focus, just focus, she tells herself. Eleanor tries to control her breathing and slow her heart rate.

She refuses to go down like this.

"You all need to be wiped out before this universe falls too."

Eleanor blocks him out. Laying her hands flats against the floor. Taking and forcing any energy she can feel to work with her. Eleanor moves to make eye contact with the hero.

Subtly nodding her head towards the faint white glow to her hands. She stretches out her fingers. Letting the white light slowly engulf the bottom of the villain's shoes. She looks between him and the large monster with the foot on her back.

He nods once.

"Look, I don't know her. She isn't my anything here but let her and my family go. They don't deserve this. Your fight is with me. They haven't done anything in this universe." The hero takes a careful step forward.

"Then count yourself lucky that I'm going to kill her before you get to know her."

Eleanor swipes her hand in the air from one side of her face to the other. Eyes glowing bright. The man that once stood on her soars through the air. She quickly flies to the air. Feet hovering a few off the ground. Hands glowing and ready for another attack.

"Think you can hold him down?." The hero she has now dubbed "Grayson" speeds past her.

Eleanor pops her fingers. One by one. "You got this, Ellie." She tells herself. Fingers fluttering in the air.

The furniture glows white at its edges. Shifting and floating at her command. White energy balls form in her hands. She puts all her anger and frustration and desperation into her energy flow.

Flying forward, Eleanor raises her right hand. Waving in a circle. The furniture rushes forward. Crashing and jabbing into her enemy. Knives from the kitchen embedding in his skin.

Eleanor pulls her left hand back and then quickly swipes it forward again. The knife's pulling back just to insert themselves further into his skin. He falls backwards. Screaming as his blood splashes onto the rug.

Green portions pop up one after the other. All aiming for Grayson. Each one swirling before disappearing every time the hero evades one.

"I'm not flying through any more of your stupid portals!" He shouts.

Their enemy bursts through the furniture. Couch moving at high speeds towards her. Flexing her hand she easily stops its projection. Nodding towards her new teammate she's got it handled.

"I'm warning you. End this now." Grayson commands. Fists ready and aimed. "I'm sorry I don't remember you. And I'm sorry this is the consequence of saving me. But you don't have to do this."

Eleanor motions her hands again. Retreating the couch and armchairs to create a makeshift barricade around the family on the floor. Doing her best to hide them from the gruesome battle.

"Oliver, it's going to be okay." Eleanor hears a whisper and faint crying behind her.

She lowers her hands. Eyes taking in the huddled mother with her son. Eleanor frowns when she notices the bruising around the mothers left eye.

"Is he hurt as well?" Eleanor asks. Heart aching for the child. No baby should ever have to see his blood bath. Her dark brown eyes scan for an escape route. Everything she's ever been taught is kicking into overdrive. Always prioritize the civilians and clear the area before battle.

"Yes, he's okay. We're okay. Everything is going to be okay." The mother repeats. Pressing her child's head closer into her chest and closing her eyes.

"You should really stop lying to your kids."

Eleanor screams as a knife stabs into the back her shoulder blade. She stumbles to her feet. The white light around her flickering.

Another kitchen knife is airborne. Grazing against her tan cheek. Rotating towards the small family. Eleanor shuffles forward. Pushing her light towards the knife to slow down its momentum.

"No!" Grayson grabs her elbow. Roughly shoving her down the ground.

She quickly throws her hands out. Her energy cushioning her blow mere inches before she had her jaw slam into the ground again. Eleanor's hair flies forward as Grayson flies above her head. Barely catching the knife meant for his family before a vortex swallows him whole.

"Just as stupid in every dimension."

Looking up she could see several knives implanted into the wall right where her head was just moments ago.

"Shit." Eleanor groans. Sitting up on her knees. Reaching back to take out the knife in her shoulder. Letting the handle of the knife tumble to the floor. Biting the inside of her cheek as she does so.

"Your son is more resilient than I anticipated."

Eleanor staggers to her feet, hands glowing at her side. "I don't know what's going on or why I'm here but I won't let you hurt them."

"We'll see about that." The man smirks as he stalks towards them.

Raising her hands, Eleanor creates a barrier with her power. Sheiling herself and the two civilians on the floor. Her head throbs with the movement.

"Maybe I should leave you someplace time runs quicker. Learn how long you can last without food!" He brings his hands together in a large fist. Bringing it down with a wide swing.

Eleanor lets out a long grunt as she fights to keep her feet planted on the floor. Arms shaking under the strained pressure to keep her cracked shield in place. She kept Tigress' training in mind. Mind replaying every training drill, every lecture, every moment she's ever had that has prepared her for this.

Grayson's brother lets out a wail from behind her.

"Stop this. Please." The mom begs. Standing to her feet with one hand close to her chest.

"Get back! I don't know if the shield will hold up." Eleanor locks eyes with the women, fear crossing her face.

"You think you're so innocent. The both of you. In so many dimensions, you both join your husbands when they slaughter millions and make the world burn. Your family's legacy is blood and death." He snarks. Punching her shield again and again.

"Die." His thoughts hiss at her. Unable to uphold her mental barricade. Filling her head with images of war and destruction. Watching herself slicing humans in half.

Eleanor levitates. Pushing harder with her eyes squeezed shut. "Stop it!" She screams. Her force field brightens, pushing forward and knocks him back a few feet.

"I raised the boy who defied his father and saved this planet. I know the son I raised and he's no killer." stands taller. Taking a knife from out the wall.

"Are you sure about that?" He stalks forward again. Unbothered by her earlier shove.

Visions of Mark killing a boy. Lighting cities on fire. Eleanor at his side. Holding hostages. Laughing.

Eleanor feels bile try to fight its way up and her stomach twists to knots. She would never. She's never thought of…Why is she doing that? Is that her fate? Is she going to become that? Her body felt numb with terror.

The white light surrounding her begins to flicker.

"—because you turned rotten here and Mark is the hero."

The mom rushes forward. Baby in one arm and the knife in the other. Swiping across their captors chest and dodging underneath his arm. Heading straight to the front door.

"You don't know anything. I'm not the villain! Your son is a monster!" He bellows. Running towards the women.

"I want to break you."

"Stop it!" Eleanor lights up as she lets out a shrill cry. Moving her hands to shove her tattered shield, shards and all, towards the bulky man before he could break the woman's arm. The fragments slices across his forearm and cutting the tip of his fingers off.

Roaring in pain, he takes to the ground with him. Her head smashing into the corner of the coffee table with a resounding crack.

Eleanor's chest heaves. She could taste copper on her lips. "Ma'am?" Eleanor whimpers. Wiping her gloved hand across her nose. Blood smearing across her face and wrists.

"I'm okay." The older woman cries along with her son. Huddling her body over his as they lay on the ground together. The knife the women used to swipe at the man now digging into her side.

"Your attack was for nothing. I'm going to make you hurt." He charges forward towards Eleanor.

Eleanor outstretches her right hand. A force field of white encasing the mother and son.

"I'm going to make your husband hurt."

Eleanor clenches her teeth. Her other hand lights up with energy. She swipes and twists her free hand. Trying her best to get a hold of the monster but he keeps forcing himself through. Tearing through every light shard and shield.

She dreadfully realizes she can't hold a shield and create energy powerful enough blasts at the same time. It was either her or them.

"I'm even going to make this child hurt. All of you will die tonight."

She flies forward. One hand shining brightly and the other holding a small, dimmed ball of energy. Posted and ready to smash into her opponent.

"I don't think so." He sneers. Easily catching her with one hand. Her body crashing against his chest.

Eleanor let out an ear piercing scream that echoed throughout the house. Body withering from the pain and feet hanging above the floor as he holds her high by her wrist. The feeling of blood running out from her bent wrist gushes down her arm and onto her face.

"Let's see you get in the way now you can't use your hand." He taunts her . Whipping and flinging her body across the room.

She could feel her body crash into her shield over the family. Head bouncing off against the dome. Eleanor uses her good arm to weakly push against the shield. Strengthening the walls so she slowly slides down in front of them.

Her breathing comes out in ragged short puffs and her left hand lays uselessly by her side in a pool of her blood. Trying to focus on anything but herself, Eleanor makes sure to keep contact with the shield with her right hand.

Shrinking it to ensure she could at least hold it up against another attack before she blacks out. Forcing her remaining strength to make sure the people inside stay safe.

She didn't become a hero to watch people die. No matter what he unintentionally showed her. She won't allow that to happen this time. She will save these lives.

"I'm sorry." The woman whispers.

Eleanor's mouth the words 'it's okay.' Pressing her good hand flat against the dome. Adding as much pressure as she could muster.

"I thought you were stronger." His foot kicks at her spine. Eleanor whimpers. The baby cries louder. Tiny hands rubbing at his face.

She tries her best to give off a smile to the kid. Tapping a finger against her shield.

The man scoffs and a vortex appears at his side. "I think it's time we check if he made it out alive."

Eleanor's hand trembles against her flickering shield. The light shining brightly before fading. Back and forth. Back and forth the lights go.

"I told you I wasn't in the mood for this!" Grayson flies in.

As her head falls to the side. Unable to keep her eyes on the battle any longer. Flashes of green light up in her peripherals. Spinning and flaring. The shouts and cries sound so muffled she can't make out what anyone is saying.

The room begins to warp and she squeezes her eyes shut. She could feel her hair flutter across her face with every heavy handed move from the fight in the living room. The floor starts shaking beneath her.

Then the only thing she could hear was her only heavy breathing.

"You can put the shield down now. It's okay. Thank you. Thank you."

Eleanor's hand flops to the ground. The shield disappears in a blink of an eye.

"Don't hurt her Cecil. She's the only reason we're alive."

Eleanor stares at the new person standing above her through tears. Taking in his posture and deeming him not a threat, Eleanor tilts her head back and succumbs to exhaustion.


Four Days Later


Eleanor leans back and brings her feet up into the cushioned outdoor armchair that sits in the Grayson's backyard. The fire pit cackling and burning bright under the cloudy night. Holding her cheek with her good hand, Eleanor lets out a low sigh. Her heart felt heavy in her chest.

She misses home. Her friends and her team. Unsure if she would ever be able to go back. The technology of her home is nowhere near what it needs to be to invent a Time Machine any time soon. Cecil is her best bet to leave this universe but even he said it could take years perhaps even decades before they make any headway.

She should be getting smoothies with Sunfire after drills or attending college. Instead she's being hidden away until a proper cover story and fake documents get drawn up. Stuck inside a home with people she doesn't know but risked everything for.

Does that finally make her a qualified hero? She couldn't help but wonder with amusement. She thinks she would have done Tigress proud for holding off on her own as long as she did. Pushing past the injuries and ensuring the safety of a universe that wasn't even her own. She'd actually would have seen that Eleanor was worth keeping around.

That all the pushing and training was worth it — is worth it. Every ache, pain, tear, and scream. She saved someone through her hard work thanks to Tigress' unique way of pushing her team to be better. In a weird way, she actually misses her asshole of a leader.

She had made a difference in someone's life.

"Hey, uh, do you mind if we talk?"

Shifting to sit up straighter, Eleanor adjusts her sling strap. "Yes, of course. It is your home."

Mark Greyson sits in the armchair across from her. Hands held tightly together.

"Thank you, by the way. For letting me stay here." Eleanor breaks the tension awkwardly.

"Oh, yeah, no problem. It's the least we can do since I brought you here." Mark takes a deep breath. Avoiding eye contact. "I'm so sorry about that. I brought you here by accident and now you're stuck here. I didn't mean to force you into this mess."

Eleanor's mouth twists to the side and she nods her head. "Definitely not ideal."

Her eyes roam the boy sitting beside her. His body hunched forward and head downcast. "But," She says. "I think we'll be okay."

"Okay? Were we not at the same battle? Nothing is okay." Mark lets out a bitter laugh, running his fingers through his hair. "Nothing will be the same again. For you or me."

Eleanor glides her fingers up and down her sling strap. The fingers on her broken hand itching to move. "No, it won't. And I won't lie to you. I'm not thrilled about the situation or about my busted arm —" She waves her sling. "But we'll be okay. I know it."

"How do you know that?" Mark quietly asks.

"Because we're making a difference. We turn suffering to hope and that hope into action. It may not always be what we envisioned or planned or even want half the time. Our situation is a prime example of that."

Sighing, Eleanor turns her head to look at Mark with a lopsided grin. "I don't know where this new life will lead me or you but what I do know is we can make it great. We don't have to have it all figured out now or even months from now. Let's just…breathe. Be alive for now."

"I don't…I don't know that I can." His words are shaky. "I killed someone. I ended a life. I know he wasn't going to stop but…but I still…I thought he was stronger. I thought he could take it and I was so, so angry."

Mark throws his head back. Palms digging into his eyes. Eleanor's heart aches for him. She's seen the same look across her own face when looking in the mirror. The heavy burden weighing heavily down on their shoulders. The lack of sleep that reflects deeply in their eyes. Haunted by their own thoughts and nightmares fueled by the blood on their hands.

"I can't forgive myself for the lives I've taken so I don't expect you to forgive yourself either. An unfortunate downside to this profession." Eleanor shifts in her seat again.

"But I don't blame you for doing what you did. Be mad you lost control. Be disappointed it was out of anger and not justice. The loss of control. Not that you did what you had to to protect your mom and brother. You saved their lives. You saved mine. Focus on that and use it. And use it wisely in training. Mediation. Reflection. Use it to propel forward."

"You make it sound easy." Make brings his hands down to his lap. Slumping in his chair and aiming a tired smile at her. "How long did it take you to…move forward?" Mark motions his hand in a circle.

Eleanor couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Oh no. I'm still working on that. Just some days are better than others. Never fully healed but not as broken as before. You never forget and never truly forgive. Just learn to live with your demons."

Eleanor reaches over with her good hand to nudge him on the shoulder. "Sounded profound, didn't I?"

Mark's smile becomes a full on grin. The light in his eyes slowly returned. "You sounded like you had all the answers to life's questions. Really had me going for a minute there."

Eleanor chuckles. Taking her attention back to the night sky. "I wish I did. Would make this a whole lot easier. But the advice still stands. We can move forward. We can heal. Just let time do its job."


Four Weeks Later


Eleanor waves the stuffed bear back and forth. Giving the protruding belly a soft squeeze.

"I love the ABC's!" The bear sings.

Oliver stops in his tracks to clap his hands. Turning to face Eleanor as she sat in the middle of the living room floor. Moments away from reaching the glass cup off the couch side table.

"Come on, Oliver. Let's sing the ABC's together!" Eleanor coos. Pressing on the bear's belly to restart the song. "A, B, C, D, E…"

Oliver stumbles towards her. Arms held high and face beaming. "Bear! Bear!"

"Good job, Oliver!" Eleanor cheers. Her hand, freshly out of its sling, pumps a fist in the air. "You're so smart!"

"I'm losing my mind hearing that bear. I don't know how you're not losing your mind. You're the one stuck in the house until your documents get finalized." Mark groans from the couch. Head resting against the armrest as he flips through the TV channels.

"I did after about maybe the twentieth time." Eleanor hands the bear to Oliver. Allowing him to plop himself down into her lap. "Around the thirty-fifth it became catchy again. Isn't that right, Oliver?"

Oliver waves the bear around above his head. Bubbles spewing from his mouth. Eleanor taps his nose twice and wrinkles her own, causing him to laugh.

"What are your plans today?" Eleanor looks up at Mark. Readjusting the oversized navy shirt that keeps falling off her shoulders with every movement.

"You're looking at it." The chanel changes once again.

"You haven't left the house in four weeks." Eleanor states. Pressing on the bear's stomach once again when Oliver pushes his toy towards her face.

Mark tosses the remote to the side. "You haven't either."

"Yes but I can't leave. I'm supposed to be a secret until things settle. You, however, have a life." She pouts. Having been confined indoors for so long instead of training or even simply soaking up the sun's energy has left her stir crazy.

"Not anymore." Mark scowls and moves his arms across his chest. Eyes never once waver from the tv.

Eleanor rolls her eyes and groans. Rotating her shoulders back. The shirt slips to expose her shoulder once again. "You could do us both a favor and get my clothes from Cecil. No offense but I'm getting tired of wearing your clothes and I'm sure you would like your closet back, plus you'll get much needed fresh air."

"My mom will be back in a few hours with clothes after she gets off work." Mark scowls deepens. Still refusing eye contact. "I don't need fresh air." He adds.

"Well, I could use my clothes. Not new clothes but the clothes and suit I came in." She gives Mark a pointed look. Eyebrows raised.

"Eleanor." Mark groans. Shifting to sit up to stare down at her. "Do you really need them?"

Eleanor takes in his appearance. Clothes crooked and practically falling off his body. Dark circles are very prominent under his eyes.

He really needs to see someone, his friends maybe. Eleanor thinks to herself. Chewing the inside of her cheek, Eleanor leans back on her hands. Faintly remembering a redhead in pink spandex often wandering the halls of their headquarters.

"Please, Mark? It's the only thing I have that's mine." She locks her eyes onto his. Giving him a half smile with fingers crossed.

"Yeah, okay. That's fair. Sorry, Eleanor." Mark stretches his arms above his head. Back popping as he stands from the couch. "I'll be back soon."

"Thank you!" Eleanor hollers at his retreating back.

"Thank you!" Oliver mimics. Flapping his small hands in circles. Eleanor gives him a squeeze. Grinning wide.

With the little knowledge she has of Mark Grayson, she knows he won't be coming back any time soon. Often getting distracted by his own thoughts or the others around him. She hopes he finds someone or something. Ease the burden he's carrying instead of bidding inside the house with it and her.

"Just so you know, that won't work next time." Mark throws back over his shoulder, gripping the sliding back door in his hand.

"Noted. Now go. Shoo. Your presence is no longer needed here." Eleanor lights her hand and gently swipes the air. White energy takes ahold of his feet, nudging Mark forcibly outside.

Mark chokes out a sound that's a mixture of a scoff and a laugh. "I'm going. I'm going. I'll bring some take-out on my way back."

"You're my hero." Eleanor beams. Waving her hand again. This time without the glow of her power.

Mark shoots off. Not bothering with a response. The backyard door slowly slid close behind him with a soft click.

"Well, Oliver, what should we do in the meantime?" Eleanor picks him up from under his arms and floats to her feet. Tossing him up and down in her hands.

"Should we watch Bluey?"

The remote floats to them. Oliver shakes his head no.

"The Wiggles?" She asks again. The remote changes the tv to the home page. Going through the apps before resting on the red and white one.

Oliver wiggles his two pointer fingers up and down. The tips of them getting caught in the navy shirt Mark lent her.

"Wiggles it is!" Eleanor cheers. Placing the toddler in his playpen. "Let me get us some snacks. Something tells me your brother is going to be gone for a while."

A melody plays throughout the house.

Floating down so her feet touch the ground, Eleanor pauses with a tilted head. Sensing who could be on the other side of the door. Looking at the edges of the person's mind. Careful not to dig too deep.

Anger, heartbreak, and confusion cloud the surface. Crackling and ready to be unleashed. No signs of a threat or promise of violence. Shuffling her feet forward, Eleanor adjusts the sweater once again and pulls up the hem of the borrowed sweat pants on the way to the door. Feet swimming in the fabric that pools at her feet.

Carefully swinging the door open, Eleanor kept one hand hidden behind the back of the door. Glowing and ready for any possible threat.

"Hello, can I help you?" Eleanor questions with scrutiny. Watching the woman jolt backwards with confusion across her face.

"Oh, uh, hi? I'm Amber. Sorry, I didn't expect someone else to answer the door."

"Hello." Eleanor says smoothly once again. Mentally reaching out to the surface of Amber's thoughts. Pain ringing out in the forefront. Begging to be heard.

Quickly scanning the stranger's body, she couldn't see any visible wounds. Easing the tension in her body, she drops the glow around her hand. "Is there something I can help you with?"

"I just came to talk to Mark." Amber's eyes drag across Eleanor's body from head to toe before finally meeting her eyes. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

"I'm no one important." Eleanor says flippantly. "I'm just a really good friend of the Grayson's. Just dropping in for a visit."

Amber nods along with her brows furrowed. "I see." A short pause. "When did you get into town? I'm surprised Mark hasn't introduced us yet. I'm a…friend of Mark's."

Eleanor scrunches her face at the hesitation. Unsure how much she should truly reveal. Shifting her weight to one leg, Eleanor gives her a smile. "Not too long ago. It's nice to finally meet one of his friends. Mark isn't home right now. He's running errands but I can be sure to let him know you dropped by."

Hearing a laugh, Eleanor quickly looks behind her to see Oliver standing up to the hot potato song. The Wiggles dancing across the screen in vibrant colors.

"No," Amber takes a step back. One foot near the other door and the other going down the front step. "No, that's okay. Don't worry about it. I'll just text him."

"Are you sure? I can pass on a message to him when he gets home." Eleanor turns to look at her earnestly. Her shirt falling down her shoulders once more.

Images of Mark sulking throughout the house and crying into the night fill her brain. The least she could do here is try and make things better. This world clearly relies on Mark as their power house.

"No…that's alright. I think I found what I was looking for." Amber takes her other foot off the cement porch.

"I don't mind. He could probably really use a friend right now." Eleanor pushes again. Fingers drifting adjust her shirt again.

"I trust him to reach out when he's ready." Amber gives her a crooked grin with tired eyes. "Besides, he has reinforcements from you. That's why you're here, right?"

"Maybe that's why Mark hasn't visited me."

Amber's thoughts unintentionally drift to Amber. Dripping in sadness with a spark of… content? Eleanor takes a step towards her. "Wait, it's not—"

Amber turns her back towards her. Walking down the pavement. "It was nice to meet you." She waves. Walking away down the street.


Four Months Later


Eleanor's dark hair wraps around her face. Her laughter rings through the clouds. Doing a twirl in the air with arms stretched out, she peers over at Mark. Both of the teens donning their hero suits. Flying so high into the sky they can't even make out any distinct buildings or cars beneath them.

"Isn't this therapeutic?" She asks. Twisting her body to flip in a backwards circle. "The sky and the freedom it gives. Away from expectations and prying eyes. Getting to just be…"

"Be ourselves with no one to judge. To be alive." Mark finishes for her. Floating onto his back with his arms crossed underneath his head.

"It's like being a kid with our heads literally in the clouds." Kicking her feet, Eleanor flies over her to her roommate, teammate, and now friend. Hovering her face above his.

"For you maybe. I could fall asleep like this. There's no one asking for help or here to ridicule. It's quiet." The corners of his mouth lifted. His dark hair tousled in the wind.

"Peaceful." Eleanor adds. Staring directly into his goggles with bright eyes.

"Something I rarely get now that you're around." Mark teases. Pushing her shoulder to make her float higher.

Gasping with fake offense, Eleanor uses the tip of her foot to firmly push him down by the shoulder. "How dare you, Grayson!" She laughs.

Mark turns his body. Moving his hands and leg to propel him upward. Face to face with Eleanor with a tilted head. "You know it's true."

"Doesn't mean you have to say it. Some things should stay as inside thoughts." She wags her finger in his face. One hand on her hip.

"What's the point of that when you can read minds?" He takes her wrists in his hand. Grip tight.

"I don't just help myself to people's thoughts." Eleanor rolls her eyes. Yanking her hand from his grip.

"I don't mean —"

"Ten miles west. Bridge collapsing. Get there now." Cecil's voice cuts in through their ear piece.

Eleanor twirls around Mark. Back facing him, she slowly creeps forward. "Race you?" She taunts from over her shoulder.

"Prepare to lose." Mark shoots off. The wind from his movement pushes her backwards.

"Cheater!" Eleanor yells at him. Flying off after him in a blue of white light.

She could get used to this, Eleanor muses. A wide grin growing behind her lower task mask. She's finally found what it truly meant to be a hero.

It just took going to another dimension to find it.


end of longevity

word count 6.641

hope you liked my short story and random jumbled thoughts that hopefully came together well. much love to you for taking the time to read it.