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TuHo's Mega Market was Danni's favorite place to shop for food in the area. Filling up an old warehouse, TuHo barely paid enough to have the mandatory equipment in the place: at least one cooler was always broken, the restrooms were poorly maintained, there were sixteen ceiling fans and only one worked, the AC blew hot in the summer and cold in the winter, and the list went on. Thinking about it only made Danni want to look closer so Danni chose not to think because in the year he'd known TuHo's, Danni had never been disappointed in the quality. The seafood was always fresh, meat properly cut and sealed, veggies and fruit were plump and perfect, and if it was an international delicacy, TuHo's was guaranteed to stock it. Danni had his doubts when he was first introduced to it. A stray comment on a video he posted where he had only found old stale Ajwin to work with directed him to TuHo's. A little research and a lot of support from local followers and Danni had braved the certainly roach infested supermarket. 

Now, Danni didn't shop anywhere else if he could avoid it. 

And today was a particularly special trip. Danni's plan to showcase his awesome friends started off with Leah who, without begging Danni would like to state for the record, reached out to him about hanging out in the kitchen. He hadn't expected her to agree when he put out recording a cooking challenge video and when she added spicy to the challenge, Danni could have fallen in love. So, here he was to see if he could get his hands on some of the spiciest peppers on the scale: The Carolina Reaper, The Dragon's Breath, and The Trinidad Scorpion. Danni was practically shaking with excitement when he approached, nearly running into the automatic door before he realized it wasn't working. A shabbily written sign pointed to the regular door next to it. Danni shrugged and opened it. 

As expected, the holiday music over the speakers was tinny and low. The place smelled like produce and burlap bags and grease. Danni could feel his pores clogging but it was worth it. TuHo's hadn't failed him before and it certainly wouldn't fail him now. He beelined it first for produce. It was unlikely they had them fresh since they technically required special handling, but this was TuHo's. They probably didn't care!

Matt had dragged Ben out of the house. This had included a series of requirements and promises in exchange for coming shopping with him. First Ben had to take a damn shower. Second Matt promised that once everything was put away back in the fridge and freezer at home Matt would take Ben to a skate park. Ben was itching to get out and about on his skateboard again. Matt for some reason didn’t think children should be unsupervised. 

Matt, however, was busy comparing ingredients of some canned food. Ben had found that when Matt got distracted in such ways he could slip away. This store was massive and Ben wondered how the heck someone who did not grow up or live in Los Angeles had found this store. Matt and Ben were both from London. Matt had lived in the US for some years, mostly while working with S.H.I.E.L.D. To Ben’s knowledge Matt had spent most of that time in San Francisco. 

They wouldn’t even be living in LA if Matt hadn’t met an ex-coworker of his while at the Contest. Ben, hands in pockets, wandered the isles trying to find anything that looked familiar. All the food in this store was so different from what he was used to. He just wanted some Jammie Dodgers and tea. American tea was unhinged. They overcomplicated it. Just heat up some damn water and put a tea bag in it. Why the heck was there ten ingredients in tea? 

Ben ended up in the produce section. Even that was weird. There were some veggies and fruits he had never heard of. His home store had had plenty of variety but this place had several types of things that Ben hadn’t even been aware had different types. Like what was even a plantain? It looked like a banana. 

Danni frowned at the typical assortment of pepper red and yellow and green to spare. He didn't want dried stuff, he wanted fresh stuff! He didn't want Leah to think he was lame ‘cause he got bad peppers. Danni huffed quietly to himself, continuing on and staring intently at each and every label just in case and only barely caught himself as he nearly ran into someone standing and staring at plantains. Danni went to apologize but stopped short, peering at the kid in question. He seemed familiar, but Danni couldn't quite put his finger on it. Maybe it's because he was looking at the side of his face so Danni leaned in front of the plantains and then beamed. 

[color=E948FC]“‘eeeeeey! You're t'at guy I almost ran into at t'e Contest! Fancy runnin’ inta your ‘ere! It's like you're stalking me!”[/color] Danni laughed. [color=E948FC]“You live ‘round ‘ere t'en? You already know where I'm stayin’ most of t'e year. You t'inkin’ ‘bout doin’ somet'in’ wit’ t'ese? Pretty good all fried up. Not too sweet, a little better t'an a potato chip, t'ough tostones are delicious too. T'ough, if we're talkin’ chips, I prefer beet chips tbh, so pretty and delicious! ‘a you ever ‘ad t'em? They sell a good brand of t'em ‘ere so you should get t'em! My taste is fire so you'll like ‘em, I can tell!”[/color] Danni sneezed softly, a high pitched, soft sound. 

[color=E948FC] “Oh gosh, and let me know if you want some cologne tips. I don't like it too much, but Dee really does so I can get ya some recs so you don't ‘ave ta wear t'at stuff. It's genuinely a terrible product, Axe, but everyone's gotta start somewhere. I'll ‘elp ya get ahead. Say, ‘ave ya seen any Carolina Peppers? Or Dragon's Breath? Or a Trinidad Scorpion? I gotta guest on my channel t'at likes t'e spice and it'd be lame if I got t'e dried stuff and not t'e fresh stuff. I know, I know [i]safety[/i] but I ‘andle fire on a regular so I should be fine wit’ t'is yeah? I t'ink so and even if I'm not immune I'm tough. I won t'e Contest! Oh, ‘ey, did you like it? What did you t'ink? Where you t'ere just ta watch? Oh, do you watch my channel? Oh, are ya gunna come join t'e school too?”[/color]

Ben took half a step back when HotShot leaned into his personal space looking at his face. He did recognize him immediately. He tried to follow what he was saying, and asking him but between the strong accent and talking faster than Ben thought anyone had any right to talk he wasn’t totally sure what happened. 

Ben had attempted to say something at least three times and finally gave up. He didn’t even know where to start with answering any of the questions that HotShot had asked him. Ben wasn’t certain what the guy’s actual name was he just remembered the lineup. And even that had been a vague memory. It was easy to place this guy though because of how he had almost collided with him in the stands. 

[color=cde0e1]”Yeah. That was me. I’ll be honest I don’t know what you’re talking about since you seem to be talking at two times speed. But uh...there were some peppers over there.”[/color] Ben gestures to a few bins he had passed. While near them his eyes had watered. 

[color=cde0e1]”Yeah, I live near here. Just moved here. I knew my Uncle moved us close to the school, but I didn’t realize it was so close you could just come here. I will be starting there next year. ”[/color] Ben shrugs not sure how to explain everything without going into more detail than anyone could actually care about. 

[color=E948FC]“Yeeeees, t'at's exactly what I'm lookin’ for!!!”[/color] Danni cheered, dragging Ben over with him. He donned the gloves provided and started sifting through peppers. [color=E948FC]“Don't worry. You'll get used to it. I know, t'e accent makes it ‘ard for people ta keep up wit’ me so it's chill. And you'll love t'e Institute! Super fun. It was our dream school as kids and t'en once we got in, we knew we ‘ad ta do t'e contest toget’er. We've only ‘ad a villain try ta kill us once and even t'en, we won! And ‘onestly, club accommodations are ten outta ten would in fact, recommend. It's a blast!”[/color] Danni settled on two of each, sealed them away safely, and plopped them into his basket. 

[color=E948FC]“Oh, ya know, idk your name. You know mine, obviously. Danni, ‘otShot, Cutest member of Excelsior, most photogenic, best cook, etc. Its funny runnin’ into ya again.”[/color] Danni chuckled at the joke, elbowing the other gently. 

Ben allowed himself to get dragged along, though he didn’t care for the intense nature of the peppers that he was now standing near. Danni, thank god he finally knew the guy’s actual name and not just the code name. He really hadn’t remembered what it was. Ben didn’t want to come off as rude, aloof sure, but rude wasn’t really what he liked to be. 

[color=cde0e1]”I’m Ben Moss.”[/color] He paused and then looked at Danni really confused. [color=cde0e1]”I’m sorry did you say a villain tried to kill you already? I was supposed to go to Braddock, but because of...moving here I’m obviously not.”[/color] Ben seemed to have changed what he was going to say. 

[color=E948FC]“Oh, yeah, totes. It kinda comes wit’ t'e territory, ya know? Powerful ‘eroes, powerful villains, and t'en everyone t'inks t'at just ‘cause we're kids, we're easy push overs. We got sucked into a virtual trainin’ machine, trapped ina deat’ game, and timey-whimey stuff ‘ad ta ‘appen or we would be dead! And a buncha t'e group got upsetti ‘bout it but we're all briethin’ and t'at's what counts!”[/color] Danni wrapped his arms around Ben's shoulders and steered him to the pasta isle. 

[color=E948FC] “So, what's your deal, Ben. Tell me ‘bout you. Wantcha want for t'e future, whatcha see yourself becomin’, whatcha do in your free time, whatcha t'ink about angel ‘air pasta and standard spaghetti?”[/color]

Ben was confused. Why in the world was this guy who he barely knew dragging him around the store? He glanced around and didn’t see his Uncle Matt anywhere. Hopefully he still hadn’t noticed that Ben had left him alone. Ben didn’t want to admit it but he liked Danni. It wasn’t like when Chase had sort of forced himself into talking with him at the Contest. Danni was nice. Even if he did talk a mile a minute. 

Ben was still processing the whole [i]actually died[/i] part of what Danni had told him. Ben had almost died. Had gotten so close and if he hadn’t gone through terrigenesis he would have. Thinking about the future hadn’t really been something he had considered, even before that. 

He shrugged. [color=cde0e1]”Honestly, before moving here I didn’t have a lot of plans. I was just going to go to Braddock with some of my mates. We were all supposed to go through terrigenesis together. But that didn’t work out. Now I live with my Uncle.”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1]”Free time though.”[/color] Ben smiled. [color=cde0e1]”I’m really into skateboarding, parkour and insects.”[/color] He said the last one a little nervous. [color=cde0e1]”My mates back home, we all skateboarded and did parkour together all the time. London was perfect for it. We sometimes got into trouble because we were in places we weren’t supposed to be, but we didn’t care. We just wanted to have fun. We weren’t trying to mess with anything.”[/color] Ben spoke with a bit of longing. He missed it, missed his friends. 

[color=cde0e1]”Uh...angel hair pasta is good for lighter sauces. If you have a heavy sauce you should use the standard one.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“Oooh, good answer, good answer! Someone knows t'eir stuff!”[/color] Danni booped Ben on the nose. [color=E948FC] “Skateboardin’? T'at's cool! I got good balance in t'e air and on t'e ground, but add wheels inta t'e mix? Yeeeeesh, can't even rollerblade and tbh, bikin’ is also a spooky t'in’ ta me. Thankfully, parkour isn't really a t'in’ I gotta deal wit’ since airtime and all. Barely ‘ad any control at t'e beginning of t'e year and now ‘ere I am, zippin’ ‘round wit'out a care in t'e world. Except in specific airspace. Didn't realize people owned t'e sky, but ‘pparently lots o’ cities don't like it too much when ya fly around over'ead. Or military bases. Or t'eme parks, which I t'ink is wierd. Why can't I fly over and just drop in for photos wit’ a character and t'en blast back out? Disappointing. And little creepy crawlies is your jam? Back ‘ome in New Orleans, we got lost of people who like ta sell pretty beetles, butterflies, moths, and stuff all pinned up, you mean like t'at.”[/color]

Danni grabbed a thing of angel hair and a thing of spaghetti and, just for fun, some penne pasta. [color=E948FC]“Also, I realized ya said Braddock but idk what Braddock is and t'en you said a really big word, Teriogentresis or somet'in’ like t'at. Sounds spooky tbh.”[/color] Danni peered at the different rice bags. [color=E948FC] “Hmmm, big bag or small bag. Do you t'ink a giant will make a big spicy dish or a small spicy dish, Ben?”[/color]

Ben was starting to get used to the flow of how Danni talked. Not just his accent, but also how he bounced around in the conversation. He didn’t always respond in order, but that was okay. Ben realized that he might be responding in the order he thought was most important. He couldn’t be sure. Danni definitely liked food and cooking. The nose boop had been weird and Ben had almost tripped over his own feet when Danni had done that, but he hadn’t and he was proud of himself for that. He considered what order to respond to Danni in and decided he would respond in the order he cared about most.

[color=cde0e1]”I don’t like [i]dead[/i] insects.”[/color] Ben harrumphed. [color=cde0e1]”That’s just sort of cruel. I mean I suppose it can be fine if you find them dead, but if people kill them to do that it is messed up.”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1]”I’ve always been into entomology. But after I went through terrigenesis,”[/color] he said it slowly so that Danni could hear the word right this time. [color=cde0e1]”I could sort of control insects, which is really neat. I can talk to them now. Terrigenesis is how inhumans get their powers. I don’t have an X gene. I’m an alien sort of. I mean my grandparents and their parents were all born in London, so not like actually from another planet, but my grandparents are inhuman and my mom was. So is my uncle. I’m not a mutant. We get exposed to the mists and that causes us to change and get our powers.”[/color] He explained. 

[color=cde0e1]”As for Braddock Academy it is in Wales. Our team was the Knights of X.”[/color] He paused, [color=cde0e1]”Their team... They were in the contest. I never went there so not really ‘our’ team.”[/color] He had spent so long planning on going to Braddock that thinking of it not as his school was something he needed to get used to. 

[color=cde0e1]”Uh, giants like a lot of food right? So a big dish?”[/color] Ben didn’t like spicy food so he was glad he wasn’t going to be eating this dish made by a giant. 

[color=E948FC]“Big bag, big bag, big bag…”[/color] Danni eyed his brand options, picked a familiar one, and threw that in the cart before continuing down the next aisle. [color=E948FC] “‘ow did I make anot'er friend t'at says so many big words? Its wild ‘ow I find y'all. And I don't t'ink we went against an X team. I would ‘ave def remembered an X team. And- Oh, shit, sale on spices yeeeees.”[/color] Danni shook Ben in his excitement as they neared the wall of jars, a [i]Buy 2, Get 1 Free[/i] sign. He grabbed paprika, cumin, thyme, coriander, cumin, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, cayenne, and several more off the shelf. 

[color=E948FC]“Okay spices aside, I never really t'ought ‘bout it. We don't ‘ave any bugs in our ‘ouse at ‘ome and I t'ink most places just bug spray everyt'in’ so much t'at t'e buggies just don't come ‘round. I see your point t'ough. I don't want Dee or Rillie or any of my friends ended up in a picture frame wit’ a big ol’ needle t'in'y t'rough t'em.”[/color] Danni replied thoughtfully. [color=E948FC]“And you can talk wit’ t'e bugs? Gosh, you gotta ‘ave all t'e best gossip. When you spill tea, it's gotta be scaldin’! T'ough, startin’ off wit’ t'e somet'in like t'e alien/not-alien t'in’ is difficult ta top. I just - gettin’ all gassed up is onet'in’ but t'at process sounds scary. You like, good besides your powers stuff?”[/color]

Ben took a moment to parse through what Danni had said. [color=cde0e1]”Well your team didn’t go against them because they were eliminated earlier in the bracket, they were on the other side of the bracket anyway. You basically never would have gone against them unless for some reason Young Avengers hadn’t won their bracket. The Young Avengers beat them in the second round.”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1]”Who are Dee and Rillie? And a lot of people spray for bugs. I get it. But bugs are super important for the environment.”[/color] Ben had gone over the rant a dozen times but he bit it back right now. [color=cde0e1]”Anyway, maybe I’ll start a business where I just ask all the bugs to leave people’s homes. Though it won’t work for spiders because they aren’t insects technically.”[/color] He shivered. [color=cde0e1]”Spiders freak me out. Can’t talk with them. Honestly, bugs are not the best conversationalists. I can get basic things out of them but they don’t like have long memories or remember stuff.”[/color] Finally Ben was at Danni’s last question and he really didn’t totally understand it. 

[color=cde0e1]”I don’t really understand what you’re asking. I mean I was raised here on Earth. Technically my Uncle helped with the moon stuff or something. He almost died during the M-Pox stuff fighting to stop it, but that’s how my parents met so we always tried to be positive about it. And my powers are good. I like being able to talk with bugs and have them do stuff for me. I also can use my parkour skills really well. Like I got a huge boost in doing it after I went through terrigenesis.”[/color] 

Danni's eyes widen at thought of a bug removal business. [color=E948FC]“OMG, t'at's such a great idea I love it! Et'ical bug removal services. Would ya keep all t'e bugs or would ya just like, relocate t'em ‘cause t'en I feel like you'd just ‘ave keep showin’ up but I guess t'at could be a "good" way ta keepin’ doin’ you're t'in’. Feels kinda villiany ya know, so def keep t'em. Or put t'em in t'e woods. Bugs like t'e woods so t'ey can snuggle up and make little bug ‘omes.”[/color] He swung by the meat section, grabbing chicken, some beef, and a chunk of pork belly. He peered into the basket and clicked his tongue disapprovingly before heading back to produce. [color=E948FC] “I didn't know spiders aren't bugs. T'ey look like bugs and t'ey actually like bugs. T'at's kinds wierd.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“T'ey're my siblin's! I mean, obvi we're like ‘dopted and all t'at, but ya know! Dee's been wit’ me since I could t'ink and Rillie joined up a few years later and bamp, power siblin's! Alt'ough, ya did see t'em! Dee was t'e g'osty boy i’ t'e fights! Jumped inta Cassie and t'en made t'e big glowy t'in’ wit’ Billy. Which I ‘ad ta ‘ave a long convo after t'at. T'ere was a lotta flirtin’ before t'at when t'ey poofed away and I needed like, a gallon o’ brain bleach ta get t'at outta my head. Wild stuff, tbh. Need some onions… Should I get…”[/color] Danni grabbed a few, peering at them intently. [color=E948FC]“And t'en Rillie was t'e water girl, who ‘ose down people and made t'e bubbles ta keep everyone up and rockin’. She's was datin’ Joutunn and Amenesia, Leah and Beanie, and seems like ta be gettin’ a little messy wit’ t'em. Idk exactly what's ‘appenin’ but t'ats a poly t'at needs a little less action and a little more yappin’, ya know? And t'en Andy's gettin’ in wit’ t'e YA polys and Gideon. Everyone's gettin’ inta sitches wit’ each other, it's kinda wild. What do ya t'ink, t'is onion or t'is onion?”[/color] Danni offered Ben the two he was considering. 

[color=cde0e1]”This onion.”[/color] Ben pointed to one of them on instinct. It was the one he recognized more. 

[color=cde0e1]”Oh yeah I remember them both from the Contest. Your team was really good. I didn’t think you’d beat the Hex Girls. That last fight against YA though was wild. No one expected any of that to happen. Andy was the girl who broke America’s leg right? They are dating now? That’s a choice I suppose.”[/color] He wasn’t sure how to respond to Danni’s obvious aversion to people dating each other. 

[color=cde0e1]”Are you just against relationships in general, or the ones your siblings are in?”[/color] Ben decided to ask. 

Danni stared a little longer at the onion Ben hadn't picked before putting it back and bagging up the other. [color=E948FC] “Oh god, I know. T'e ‘ex girls were… a lot. And after dealin’ wit’ t'e whole glowy t'reesome t'in'y, I don't really know ‘ow t'ey ‘andle magic all t'e time ‘cause I touched it for like ‘alf a second and it made me feel inside out, for real. I wanted ta nap for as long as I could. And t'at was apparently like five minutes ‘cause t'en t'e show down ‘appened and we beat the YA! And ‘onestly, t'e others were complainin’, but we ‘ad five hours of interviews and photos and all t'is other stuff and I was livin’ for it. What can I say, I like attention and I look good in the spotlight so-”[/color] Danni laughed before turning Ben's question over in his head. 

[color=E948FC]“I mean, I'm not??? I mean yeah, I t'ink t'at just ‘cause you get in a relationship you shouldn't abandon your friends and stuff. Dee's boi has a list of insecurities taller t'an me and Dee flirtin’ wit’ Billy, who is [i]also[/i] taken, is not great. Percy wouldn't stab t'e shit outta someone. He's gotta real nasty axe and I like ‘aving Dee ‘round, even if ‘e did kinda throw me aside for a bit ta ya know, do t'e ‘anky panky wit’ ‘is boyfriend. T'ough, Spicy and me are bestie now so it's all chill!”[/color] Danni pushed the cart with one hand as he talked, gesticulating wildly. [color=E948FC] “And t'en Rillie ‘ooked up wit’ my ot'er friend Beanie, who t'en also got wit’ Leah t'e giant on our team, and t'ey were in a poly for a bit and bot’ of t'em [i]again[/i] didn't ‘ave time for me anymore ‘cause t'ey were too busy canmoolin’ or whatever it is and t'en Rillie tried ta take an early left, ‘ad a grippy sock vaca, and dumped t'en and t'in's got [i]reaaaaaaaal[/i] awkward ‘cause like, wanna be supportive of Rillie and t'eir stuff but like, Beanie is a great friend too so like t'en I was caught in t'e middle and it was a mess. And t'en Rillie made out with Beanie in the stands after Beanie punched Rillie? Idk. Sometimes I just t'ink ta myself, ya t'ose are t'e people I choose and roll wit’ it. And I've dated. T'is girl Momica when I was a freshmen, could see in t'e dark and like thermal images and stuff and really liked photography like me and was like, real energetic and bubbly and fun, but we kinda got into it a few months in an decided ta split. We still hanging out and talk about shoots tho! She's usin’ ‘er t'ermal vision ta do some wicked landscape night shots.”[/color] Danni paused at the coolers in produce, picking up heads of lettuce. 

[color=E948FC]“And t'en in sophomore year, I joined ‘ome econ club ‘cause I was a little overwhelmed wit’ just class and trainin’ and I dated Javier for a few months. Guy spoke French too, so we could ‘ave whole conversations wit'out anyone else listenin’ or buttin’ in. Laid back, a little messy tbh, but real good control over ‘is power. Used electrostuff ta power his own stuff, charge ‘is phone, power ‘is scooter, so one and so fort’. When I was ‘avin’ some trouble perfectin’ my ‘otShot actually, ‘e's t'e one who suggested I try usin’ my powers ta cook instead, ‘old t'e ‘eat of t'e fire and all t'at. Still, fizzled out a bit of t'e way in l. Still friends t'ough. Can't really avoid ‘im at club, so we still chat, just we don't ‘an’ out.”[/color] Danni shrugged as he picked up lettuce, a few bags of spinach, leaks, and green onion. [color=E948FC] “So like, don't get me wron’. I like datin’. Its cute, its fun, its nice ta ‘ave someone, yadda yadda yadda. Kissin’ is fun too, ya know? But why am I gettin’ cut out ‘cause someone else wants ta go roll in t'e ‘aye, ya know?”[/color] Danni sniffled as he felt the feelings from the beginning of the year come back and he stopped, waving his hands to dry hia eyes. 

[color=E948FC]“But t'in's were talked out, we're good, I still get involved, and t'at's what matters!”[/color] Danni looped Ben into a one armed hug. [color=E948FC] “‘as anyone every told you you're a great listener ‘cause you're doin’ a great job so far! Ten outta ten, would recommend Bennie Boy. Sooooooo, I spilled my guts ta you, now ya gotta spill t'em back. Any special friends you're leavin’ back ‘ome ‘cross t'e pond?”[/color] Danni teased, pinching Ben's cheek. 

Ben did not know why he was relieved. He pushed that thought aside. [color=cde0e1]”No, not like that anyway.”[/color] He rubbed his cheek where Danni had pinched it. [color=cde0e1]”I have my mates. There were like six of us, we all lived in a flat complex together. All of us are inhuman too, so we all knew eventually we’d go off to Braddock. We just had to get permission to go through the mists. The change is dangerous. It can kill so officially it is only done in controlled situations.”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1]”I get where you’re coming from though. One of my mates, Ricky, he got a girl friend and we barely saw him for months after that. They broke up though and Ricky came back to skate with us. We told him if he got another girl friend he wasn’t allowed to do that again. He had to skate with us. We wouldn’t let him back if he left us for a girl again. Two of the guys dated each other for a while, and then had a big fight and both almost stopped hanging out with us. For a while they’d switch days who was with the group. We got annoyed with that and told them to get over themselves. They started dating again after a month. At first they tried to hide that from the rest of us but they were really bad at it. We told them that if they wanted to date that was fine, they just couldn’t break up the group. No one wants to be the person that breaks up the group.”[/color] Ben looked at the ground and scuffed his foot at the flooring. [color=cde0e1]”Guess that ended up being me. I barely got to say goodbye. Cause my grandparents took me in at first and I was living with them and they have a house. Not even in London or anything so I wasn’t anywhere near my mates. I couldn’t even visit them; it'd take an hour to get there. Then my Uncle came and they all had a big conversation about me and what to do with me. Gran said she was happy to keep me there, but she wasn’t sure how to deal with all the super power stuff. She had grown up before too many people were out and definitely was afraid after Cardiff got destroyed. Not that she lived there. But she figured if one giant purple guy was willing to destroy Cardiff she had no idea how to help or protect anyone. She said she was too old to deal with it all. So my Uncle who has been active in super power stuff for years said he’d take me, but he needed to live in the US for work.”[/color] Ben shrugged. He realized he had said a lot more than he had planned to. It had just sort of all come out once he started. 

[color=cde0e1]”You’re a good listener too.”[/color] He admitted quietly. He missed his friends and his flat and what he thought his life was going to be. Now he felt adrift. 

Danni came to a full stop as Ben spoke and stared. [color=E948FC] “Omg, t'ats so sad!”[/color] Danni wailed, throwing himself at Ben and wrapping him up tight. [color=E948FC] “I know its not t'e same, but ya can ‘an’ out wit’ our group! All t'e people in Excelsior are real nice. Idk if anyone skates so we can't ‘elp ya wut’ t'at, but we can show ya new stuff! I can't image ‘ow awful it would be if I couldn't see Dee and Rillie and Beanie and Leah and Spicy and Vicky and Andy and everyone! I mean, Pa can just ‘port us around but in t'e event ‘e couldn't, t'at be terrible! Omg, what's your favorite food? I'll make it for you. You ‘ave ta be so ‘omesick! It's okay, we gotchu now. You're gunna love ‘an'in’ out wit’ us if it kills me!”[/color] 

Ben hugged Danni back. He was a little hesitant about it. His friends weren’t the touchy feely type much, but it was nice. [color=cde0e1]”Thanks. Uh, I suppose my favorite would be bangers and mash. Are you sure your friends would be okay with it?[/color]

[color=E948FC] “Yeah, obvi! T'ey'll love ya, it'll be great!”[/color] Danni sniffled, straightening back up and plucking out a few tissues from his pocket. He offered a watery laugh. [color=E948FC] “I'mma bit of a crier, sorry. But bangers and mash are your favorite? Let's see what's goin’ onot'ere.”[/color] Danni wiped his nose and tossed the tissues in the trash, his phone in his hand at light speed and immediately reaching how to make Ben's dish. 

[color=E948FC] “Okay, okay, sausage, gravy, mashed potatoes… Yeah, t'is looks easy enough. Okay, cool yeah, I can totes just come over and make t'is no problem. You got plans for dinner already? My cookin’ is probs better so like, you should just cancel. Unless its a real nice restaurant and that'll I'll understand I guess. I need stock for t'e t'in’ tomorrow anyways and t'en I need ta get more garlic and onion for t'is and t'en I need ta add sausage to the cart and let's see what else do we need…”[/color] Danni started heading back to the onions as he scrolled through the recipe. 

[color=cde0e1]”I think my uncle is making dinner. He is really getting into the single dad thing with me.”[/color] Ben rubs the back of his head. [color=cde0e1]”I can talk to him though and see if there is a day he is alright with that. He’ll probably be happy I made a friend. He’s been going on about how I need to make new friends. He said it is a skill. I don’t think I have that skill, but you do.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“Oh. Okay, we'll reschehule, I guess.”[/color] Danni pouted. He still.kept the ingredients so at least he could do a test on Bangers and Mash. He'd never tried to make it before so it would be a fun experiment. [color=E948FC]“Let me know if t'ere's anyt'in’ different ya like ‘bout it from like a normal recipe so I can add it in. Keep me updated on when ya wanna do it; wanna put your number in my phone?”[/color] Danni offered his phone for Ben to take. 

[color=E948FC] “Eh, I guess it's a skill. Just gotta wanna make friends and t'en you will, super easy! And now t'at you got me, you're gunna get a whole lot more so your Uncle is gunna be cryin’ wit’ joy!”[/color] Danni laughed, circling once more to get potatoes. [color=E948FC] “And you're an easy guy ta talk to! Don't know why ya don't make many friends. Skate parks always seemed like one of t'ose place you make lots of friends like, automatically. T'at's ‘ow t’ey always show t'em in TV and movies. You don't just get inta a skatebattle and t'en t'e bonds of brot'er'ood and friendship just ‘appen?”[/color]

Ben took Danni’s phone and put in his contact information. [color=cde0e1]”I’ll also give you my snikt!.”[/color] Ben said, adding that to the contact page. [color=cde0e1]”I post mostly vids of skateboarding or parkour, and otherwise it is pictures of cool bugs I find.”[/color] He hands Danni his phone back. 

[color=cde0e1]”Yeah, I was sort of hoping to find some people that were into skating too when I went later. But my friends were the best cause we were all inhumans too. It was perfect.”[/color] He shrugs. [color=cde0e1]”I’m sure I’ll meet some people still. But I promise I’ll hang out with you even if I make other friends.”[/color] Danni had expressed how upset he was about being left out of his friendships and Ben didn’t want to start a new friendship by hurting him. 

[color=E948FC]“Aw, see a little sweetheart right ‘ere.”[/color] Danni giggled, pinching his other cheek. Danni immediately took his phone back and started scrolling t'rough Ben's Snikt!. He saw exactly what Ben suggested, skating tricks and parkour. [color=E948FC] “Dan’, t'is is super cool! You're gunna do great in phys practice and combat sims. T'at parkour- omg, ‘ow did ya not die t'ere, t'at's crazy! Damn, you really know you're stuff, ‘u’? So cool! You should check out mine too! It's not as cool as flippin’ off stuff and ‘oppin’ rails, but my cookin’ is pretty good and I got flyin’ stuff on t'ere!”[/color] Danni sent a follow request to Ben on the site and pocketed his phone. 

[color=E948FC]“Okay, well plans on ‘old for now so what ot'er random stuff should I get for t'is video? Got a decent chunk o’ t'e basics, but I kinda wanna get some real funny stuff for Leah ta see if I can shock t'em. What ya t'ink I should add? It's a spice challenge once we vit’ make our dishes, btw. I'll give your account a shout out if ya want one too!”[/color] 

Ben opened his snikt! and accepted Danni’s follow, he followed back and then blinked at the follower number on Danni’s account. Ben had only a little over two-hundred. All of his followers were friends and other skaters or parkour people he had met or were following people he knew. The number of people who followed Danni was wild. 

[color=cde0e1]”I don’t know spicy foods very well to be honest. I don’t really eat it. So I'm not sure what to suggest there. Sorry. And um...you can I suppose. I don’t want you to feel like you have to or anything.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“It's lit no big deal. Takes less t'an two seconds! So, we need some wierd and random stuff… Not t'at its for t'e actual dish, but as like… an option? Like, ha ‘here's whatcha can use in your dish and see if t'ey can get creative wit’ it, ya know? I wonder if t'ey ‘ave Duran. I ‘aven't used it ‘cause it [i]stinks[/i] but its super vers t'e internet says, ya know? Like, some people make ice cream outta it and t'at throws me for a loop. Ooooo, t'at reminds me ta get ginger and ‘eavy cream. Idk if she'll wanna make an Indian dish and t'ey always want a really good cream sauce in t'em.”[/color] Danni muttered to himself before setting off. [color=E948FC] “Oooh, you know what. I def wanna get tamarind and anchovies now t'at I t'ink about it.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“Hm… bugs. You ‘ave any funny prank stories? Dee loves possessin’ objects and stuff to spooky people. T'ough its also real useful when he slides inta me and I just get ta enjoy t'e ride when I'm a little overwhelmed.”[/color] 

Ben’s jaw dropped at the phrasing that Danni used. He coughed and recovered. [color=cde0e1]”Uh, not really. I only started being able to control bugs a few months ago, and it was... after I moved. Well just before I moved in with my grandparents for a bit. So I didn’t really get to mess with my friends with it.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“You need some water? I can get ya some!”[/color] Danni offered when he heard Ben cough, as he inspected the prickly Duran fruit. [color=E948FC]“What a missed opportunity. You'll ‘ave ta prank some people when you get ta t'e Institute! There are some many little ‘idin’ places; t'ough, don't send them after me. I am a reflexive fire starter and I don't wanna burn your bug friends. Oh…”[/color] Danni paused. 

[color=E948FC]“Do you t'ink bugs are afraid of dragons? I don't t'ink I've ever seen Amélie eat a bug, but I don't really know. Can you ‘ear a bug die if it guts munched up? Should I carry around ear plugs for you?”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”Uh, no I’m fine. I don’t need any water. Thanks though. You just... uh... that was some odd phrasing is all. And noted don’t prank you with bugs.”[/color] Ben paused, [color=cde0e1]”Wait dragon?”[/color] The rest of the questions that Danni had asked got lost behind the DRAGON.  

[color=E948FC] “Oh, yeah! Amelié! She's on all my socials! Isn't she adorable? T'e best baby in t'e world.”[/color] Danni, never on to miss an opportunity to gush about her, suddenly had his phone out and was pulling up a folder with almost 3,000 pictures in it. [color=E948FC] “Okay, okay, okay. I'll show you my favorites. T'is is ‘er first time seein’ snow. She really liked t'e idea of snow and t'eeeeen she touched it and I ‘ave never seen a dragon move t'at fast or ‘ave claws t'at cold. She was under my sweater in a ‘eartbeat. And t'is one is us, snuggled up in bed. She likes ta sleep on my chest, under the blankets, and even t'en sometimes she still grumbles if I don't give ‘er a little fire for a bit, just ta make it extra cozy. Man, t'e the first week she slept in my bed t'ough, she tore clothes left and right. I stopped wearin’ a sleep shirt ta bed for a bit ‘cause Pa wasn't always around ta fix ‘em.”[/color] 

Danni swapped to another one and a giggled. [color=E948FC]“‘er first time chasin’ a butterfly. Funniest t'in’ ever. Barely ‘atched and she was stumblin’ all t'rough t'e fields tryin’ ta get t'is t'in’. Was right after I ‘ad a good convo wit’ Andy ‘bout judgin’ ‘er clothes since she's somwt'in’ outta time. She was friends wit’ t'e rents and now she's ‘ere, lookin’ still like a kid and is still a kid. I dunno, t'e timey stuff is confusin’ and it make my ‘ead ‘urt so I don't t'ink ‘bout it!”[/color]

Ben was a bit confused, but it seemed like Danni was so he just listened. He’d ask the others for clarification later. For now he enjoyed the pictures of Amelié. She was in fact an adorable dragon. 

[color=cde0e1]”Okay, that is wicked cool. How did you get a pet dragon?”[/color] Ben accepted the possibility of dragons existing. Why not? Aliens did. Who knew what other things that were supposed to be stories weren’t. He sure didn’t. So he went with the flow. 

[color=E948FC]“Oh, okay, okay, so we ‘ad t'is Professor named Aggie, like Aggie ‘arkness, and she was transferrin’ ta Strange Academy ‘cause magic prof teachin’ at t'e magic school makes a lot sense, riiight? So Aggie was all like [i]”You're all so cool and t'e best students in t'e world and Imma reaaaaally miss ya, so I'mma give you some stuff.[/i] So she sent up a tent and did a whole readin’ for you and she said I was gunna be a knight who charged ahead wit'out t'inkin’ and… ‘u’, yeah t'at sticks tbh. Anyways, t'en she went on ‘bout [i]omega mutant fire burn always and forever and its super important you get a hold of it[/i] and I was like duh, t'at's why I am school right? And t'en she said t'at t'ere was someone equal but opposite and t'ey could ‘elp me and idk what t'at meant so I kept talkin’ and t'en Aggie was like [i]You're t'e best so ‘ave a dragon egg.[/i][/color]” Danni explained, struggling to remember everything in order. Honestly, he was proud of how much he did remember! [color=E948FC] “And t'en I ‘ad t'e egg for a ‘ot minute. I kept it nice and warm and safe and I tried ta do research, but t'e Academy ‘ad like (1) one raggity old book t'at just said go ta a different dimension ta learn more and I was like, I ain't got time for t'at. Like, who ‘as time for a casual cross dimensional jaunt just ta read books? I was busy trainin’ for t'e contest! But t'e I got real upsetti at Dee ‘cause he casually dropped on me and Rillie t'at ‘im and Percy rolled in t'e ‘ay and I maaaaaaay ‘ave set t'e dorm and myself on fire, but I ‘ad t'e egg in my bag and ‘cause it got so ‘ot, Amelié decided ta come out and boom, dragon daddy!”[/color] 

[color=cde0e1]”That is wicked cool.”[/color] Ben was a bit jealous. He wasn’t sure if he even got a pet dragon what he would do with it. His uncle would likely not let him keep it. Not that Matt was against pets, but a pet dragon seemed like a lot. [color=cde0e1]”How do you care for it?”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“Oh! Really easy tbh ya just gotta watch out for t'e teet’ and t'e claws and t'e real ‘ot but not actual fire breat’! So, Amélie likes t'e real savory stuff. Like, just straight, heh, meat ya know? But she likes it wit’ a little charcoal so I'll blast it a little bit too. T'en, we ‘ave ta give ‘er a bat’ like every few days ‘cause she likes ta roll in gross stuff like dirt and mud and roadkill but she doesn't sweat, she just-”[/color] Danni let out a little puff of fire from his mouth and blew it away. [color=E948FC]“Ya know? Super cool, alt'ough she ‘ated t'e cold so you always gotta ‘ave somet'in’ warm for ‘er. T'ankfully, can't get much ‘otter t'an me so she normally just cuddles up wit’ me and if it gets too cold, I just breathe a little fire over ‘er! T'e playtime is a big one. She's got soooo much energy, it's great!!! And she's tryin’ ta get ‘er little wings ta work, bless ‘er ‘eart, so she's constantly hoppin’ off stuff ta get ‘er t'at bit o’ air. Def my favorite wittle menace! Ah! I guess, t'e answer you are lookin’ for young palawan is t'at you take care of a dragon a lot like a vicious, lovin’ puppy! Feed t'em, play wit’ t'em, keep t'em from teet'in’ on t'e furniture, ya know t'e whole nine yards! You wanna meet ‘er when we ‘ang out on campus? She stays wit’ me!”[/color]

[color=cde0e1]”I’d love to. Sounds like she’d be way too much for me to handle. I can’t use fire magic at all. That’s alright, I’ve got basically all the insects in the world as my friends.”[/color] Ben smiled. He was impressed at Danni being able to handle such a creature. Ben was actually starting to look forward to the new school. He would miss his friends no matter what, but at least now he had something to look forward to. 

Danni picked up a duran fruit and turned it back and forth, but snapped back up to look at Ben. [color=E948FC] “‘ey, ‘ey, ‘ey, Mister. You gotta ‘ave some confidence in yourself; ot'erwise, you're just settin’ yourself up ta fail off t'e bat! I believe in ya. If you can ‘andle t'e bugs t'en ya can ‘andle a dragon! ‘owever, I would stay far, far away from magic. Lemme tell ya, waaaaaay too much. T'at was wild.”[/color] Danni advised Ben on before returning to staring at the Duran fruit. [color=E948FC] “‘ow do you tell if one of t'ese are good? I ‘ave never tried ta deal wit’ one, ya know. Like, its so spikey and fleshy. Idk if t'at means its good or bad. I could always just risk t'e biscuit. But I kinda want my biscuit wit’ jam, not duran. Eh, lets not stress I guess! No stressy wit’ my spagetti!”[/color] Danni plopped it into his cart before continuing on. 

[color=E948FC] “Okay, so you're goin’ ta be a ‘ero school so why ya wanna be a ‘ero, my Benny boi?”[/color] 

Ben stared at the Durian. He knew what the fruit was. He had never seen one in person. But he could smell why it was notorious. Not even cut, it smelled intense. He frowned when Danni asked him why he wanted to be a hero. Ben didn’t really have a straight forward answer. Braddock was just always where he was going to go. Once he and the others went through the mists they’d all go to Braddock together. Now he was alone here in California. 

He thought about it. Ben had always looked up to his uncle. He remembered holidays hearing stories about things Matt had done. But it was what his parents had done that had been more important. Their work on the cure for M-Pox had saved lives. It had taken a lot of work and they weren’t the only ones who had worked on it. 

[color=cde0e1]”My parents were scientists.”[/color] He said quietly. [color=cde0e1]”Not heroes. Not like my uncle. I’m never going to be the type of scientist they were. I’m never going to be the type of hero my uncle is. If anything I’ll just work with bugs. It was all I was really interested in doing even before I got powers. I figured no matter what my powers I’d study insects still. I got kind of lucky, I guess, that my powers matched that part of me. But my mom and dad, they were pathologists. They didn’t fight anyone. Dad was human. He was never a super hero, not at all. Not like you’d imagine a super hero to be like. He worked in a lab. But he saved lives. Sure he was just one of hundreds working on cures for all sorts of things. He helped though. I just want to help. I don’t care about being recognized or anything. I just want to know that the things I do make the world a little bit better.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC] “Pat'oltists? What are t'ose? Seems fancy. Did t'ey travel a lot? Did t'ey leave you at ‘ome a lot? Oh, but t'ey made cures! T'at's so cool t'ough ‘cause like sure I could totes like, burn up a tree t'at fell over on t'e road, but someone is sick? I can't really do anyt'in’ ‘bout it. Not like I can go inta someone and just burn out t'e sickness. T'en I'd burn t'e person and t'at would not be great.”[/color] Danni threw his arm around Ben's shoulders again and bonked his head against his. [color=E948FC]“Sorry your ‘rents are gone t'ough. I can't imagine losin’ mine, t'ough technically I'm adopted so I guess I already did, but I was less t'at a year so like idr t'em at all and I'm ‘appy wit’ Pops and Papa and Pa and Appa so like I'm all chill wit’ t'at ya know? But if you're ever real sad, I'm your friend now so give me a ring or just come on over and I'm happy ta make ya laugh or cry wit’ ya. I'm real good at cryin’. And t'en once ya meet everyone else, it'll be just like t'at too! We'll all be t'ere ta ‘elp!”[/color]

Ben leaned into the hug. He hadn’t really talked about his parents. Not since they died. His uncle had tried to get him to talk. But it was weird because Matt missed his sister, it wasn’t the same as losing your parents. Ben was a little surprised to learn that Danni was also adopted. Interesting, but how different was it when you had been your whole life.

[color=cde0e1]”Guess we have that in common then. Both being adopted. I will, call, if I’m sad.”[/color] Ben promised. Maybe Matt would get off his case about making friends now for sure. 

The PA system crackled to life. “THIS IS A CODE ADAM. ATTENTION ALL STAFF THIS IS A CODE ADAM. THE CHILD IS A 14 YEAR OLD MALE, HE IS 5’4”, HIS NAME IS BEN MOSS. THIS IS NOT A DRILL, THIS IS A CODE ADAM.” 

Ben face palmed. [color=cde0e1]”Bloody hell he didn’t even text me. Just went straight for, obviously he has been kidnapped. I gotta go find him. I’ll text you later.”[/color] 

[color=E948FC]“Do you want me ta come? Explain t'at I accidently snatched ya up?”[/color] Danni offered. 

Ben paused mid-step, [color=cde0e1]”Actually, he might go for that. Come on. I’ll introduce you.”[/color]