Warning: Even when the first few chapters would be relatively light, the subsequent chapters could trigger some people, themes like torture, human experimentation and even SA of a minor, discretion is adviced
Chapter one: The Warmth of Home.
The smell of pancakes wafted through the kitchen as Violet shuffled in, still rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She paused in the doorway, watching her mom glide between the stove and the counter, humming a tune under her breath as she flipped a pancake with practiced ease. Her dad sat at the table, sipping coffee and grinning over the edge of the morning paper. Everything felt warm, normal, like every other Saturday morning in their home.
"Morning, sleepyhead," Bob said, setting the paper down. "If you wait too long, Dash will have eaten your share."
"Hey!" sprawled on the couch, still in his pajamas. "I only ate… three. And a half. So far!"
"Dash!" Helen called, laughing as she flipped another pancake onto a growing stack. "Get in here and set the table. Breakfast is almost ready."
Violet grabbed a glass of orange juice from the fridge and smirked. "Three and a half? You're a vacuum cleaner,"
Dash appeared in the doorway, his hair sticking up at odd angles. "What can I say? High metabolism." He plopped down in a chair, grinning at her. "You'd understand if you weren't so slow."
Violet rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "At least I don't leave crumbs everywhere like a human tornado."
Before he could come up with a comeback, Helen placed a plate of pancakes on the table. "All right, you two, save the banter for later. Eat."
The morning was a blur of laughter and clinking silverware. Bob pretended to be outraged when Dash tried to steal a slice of bacon off his plate, and Jack-Jack, seated in his high chair, let out a giggle covering his face with syrup. It was moments like these that Violet cherished, even if she didn't always say it out loud—the comfort of family, the safety of home.
"I call the remote!" Dash yelled, as he finished His breakfast sprinting to the couch.
"Dash, it's not a race!" Violet shouted, rolling her eyes as she followed at a slower pace. "You don't *always* have to be first."
Dash grinned as he sit on the couch. "Not my fault you're slow, Vi."
"Not my fault you act like a five-year-old," she shot back.
After breakfast, Helen and Bob were planning a routine patrol that day, nothing too serious, just keeping an eye on the city for any minor disturbances. It was a family tradition to get involved whenever they could, even in the small stuff. But today, Violet and Dash had an idea.
"Mom? Dad?" Violet started, stepping back into the kitchen where her parents were gearing up. Dash followed, unusually quiet, which Violet appreciated. "Dash and I were wondering… could we take this one on our own?"
Helen looked up, raising an eyebrow. "On your own?"
Dash jumped in. "Yeah! It's just a patrol, right? We could handle it. A couple of car chases or… I dunno, a robbery or two. Easy stuff."
Bob chuckled, leaning against the counter. "You two sure about that? Not gonna start arguing in the middle of the mission, are you?"
"We can totally handle it," Violet said, her voice steady. "You said we've been improving as a team, right?"
Helen looked between the two of them, her expression softening. "You have." Helen made a pause. "Okay. But I need you both to promise to be careful. And—" she looked at both of them firmly, her gaze softening just a little "—watch each other's backs. You protect each other. Got it?"
"We know," Dash said, exasperated but earnest. "We'll stay safe. I promise."
Helen hesitated, glancing at Bob, who gave a small nod. "All right," she said finally. "But nothing dangerous. If anything seems even remotely out of control, you call us. Understood?"
"Understood!" Dash beamed, practically vibrating with excitement. Violet nodded, a small smile of her own forming.
As they left the house later that day, their parents waved them off, Helen shouting one last reminder to be careful. Violet couldn't shake the warm feeling in her chest, the sense of pride in being trusted. She glanced at Dash, who was practically bouncing as they headed into the city.
It was supposed to be just another ordinary mission. Something simple.
None of them had any idea it would be the last time they'd feel safe together as a family.