"Alright, you're good to go. Enjoy."

Alan smiled as he handed over a box of pastries to his latest customer who thanked him profusely before walking to the door and taking a bite out of a cupcake, relishing every bite. At this, the young man just shook his head. Ever since he'd started offering free whipped cream or icing in his baked goods, he tended to see a lot of the same visitors at least twice a week. 

Some might say this was a bit excessive...but he had yet to tell anybody he made sure the fillings were fat free, and he had no intentions of revealing that tidbit anytime soon.

As for why he was here and not home relaxing? Well, the young man wasn't one for staying in a single place for too long. Besides, he and his Mom needed the income this brought, even if she insisted they had more than enough to make ends meet. 

Seeing that he was finally alone in his little shop, he took a seat and sighed with relief before finally paying an ear to the television on the wall. Alan didn't really pay much attention to the news these days as he found it too depressing most times, but after recent events he felt he should at least give it a chance again.

...Needless to say, he was being quickly reminded why he originally dropped it. Just a lot of talking and talking and no real action. Still, at the very least he should perhaps pay a visit to that event today and pay his respects.
 
[i]
2000 people affected....70 percent of them dead...and I was one of the few who made it out alive.[/i] He massaged his temples to relieve the frustration building up. Knowing that you were alive but so many others weren't was quite the burden to bare. 

Thankfully, his Mom had been a big help and had been a real sport about the whole "superpowers" thing. The young man walked to a nearby window and, seeing the state of his face, willed himself so as to appear cleanly-shaven and with his hair in place. He also let his muscles get a bit more toned out. 

A bit of a vain use for said powers, but it made for good practice.

Hearing the bell over the door ringing, Alan turned to address the newcomer only to stop himself, "Mom?"

"Hello sweetie," She greeted with a smile,"Are you ready to go?" He nodded and scooped up the packages of baked goods from the freezer before heading on out. As soon as he set them down in the backseat, she put her hand on his shoulder, "Hey...if you don't feel like going, you don't have to. I can drop these off myself and then we can go do something fun like go to a movie or something."

"Mom, I-" He stopped himself at seeing the serious face she was giving him and decided to bite his tongue,"...I appreciate the offer, Mom, but...I can do this. I got to...if not for myself than...for all those who didn't make it."

"Alan..." His Mom began but instead of lecturing him again about taking the whole world on his shoulders, she just gave him a one-arm hug before ushering him into the vehicle,"I'd advise you to check under the seat. I got something for you."

Curious, the young man did as he was told and found a backpack with what looked to be some sort of mask and a bulletproof vest underneath,"What the??!" He looked to his Mom with his face now white as snow,"M-Mom. I swear I'm not thinking what you're thinki-"

"Alan!" Mom raising her voice was enough to stop him. At seeing this, it was now her turn to compose herself,"I'm...I'm sorry. I just...I know you, Alan. I know that when you see someone in trouble, you're not going to think twice about the consequences!" 

She shook her head,"You're a grown man now, and you're free to do whatever you want. Even so...at the very least this way I can still..." His Mom started to tremble. 

At seeing this, Alan immediately reached over and pulled her into his arms,"Mom...no matter what happens...I will [i][b]always[/b][/i] come back to you. That's a promise...and you know I always keep my promises."

'I know...I know.." She held him back and they stayed like that for a bit. Eventually, his Mom gathered herself and dabbed her face with a tissue,"Ok...let's be on our way." 

With that, she started the car and they were off...