Ash squinted as he felt a distant rumble in space. His gaze shifted towards his blind spot, and nothing moved… until he spotted it. A massive orc hand, severed and floating, drifted slowly toward a nearby planet. Panic shot through him. That hand could destroy everything.
His suit's stabilizers roared as he guided himself out into space. A swift whistling sound zipped past his side. Ash blinked and looked back, just in time to see a massive dragon, its shape lit by distant starlight, surge forward. Its jaws clamped down on the floating orc hand, shredding it with a roar. The dragon devoured the threat in seconds before it blinked away into the void.
Ash exhaled a howl of relief. He clenched his glove. shit! he muttered. Dev held up a hand, palm open. Ash drifted back towards him. His chest heaved. Raw relief washed over him. "Why didn't you use your creatures earlier?" Ash finally asked, voice hoarse.
Dev's gaze softened. "I can't use Berserker Gear and summon creatures at the same time. At least, not without risking everything."
Ash's shoulders sagged. He didn't argue. He understood now that Dev had chosen to sacrifice power for control.
Dev looked at him, concern edged with pride. "I'm sorry I couldn't fully teach you the Dance of Halo today," he said. "But you did just fine. More than fine."
Ash breathed out, a relieved grin tugging at his lips. "Yeah… we won." Silence followed. Then Ash cracked a joke, his voice rough but genuine. "You think a med-bot will charge me extra for destruction of giant orc limbs, or is that on you?"
Dev laughed, "Tonight's dinner? Whatever we want. On my tab."
Ash nodded, stretching. His ribs burned. Together, they settled into cool chairs. Inside the intergalactic vehicle. Ash closed his eyes. A med-bot wheeled in, whirring softly. Its scanners glowed over their suits. It hummed a soothing tone. He opened his eyes and looked over at Dev.
**
Late evening. The hero associations' HQ cafeteria. Ash, Dev, and Ken sat at a corner table near the observation window. Dev at his food, some sort of weird alien flesh. He offered a forkful to Ash. "Here, taste this," Dev said, tone easy. "It's decent."
Ash took it, nodded. "Nice mix. Thanks."
Dev watched him with warmth in his eyes. "You okay, kid?"
Ash paused, glanced at his plate. "Yeah… I just…" He took a breath. "Got to ask, do you have a girlfriend?"
Dev looked amused. "Nope. Not lately. Why?"
Ash shifted in his seat. "I don't either. But someone's been on my mind. I… want to tell her how I feel."
Dev smiled, sage-like. "Good. Do it. Listen, we've walked through many missions. We don't know how many days we get. If you like someone, go now. No regrets."
Ash considered this, eyes softening. "Ken would laugh, 'Go get the girl, bro.'"
Ken, slouched across the table, pretended to pull a phone from his hoodie pocket.
Suddenly, a burst of surprise. He shook and said at the same time, "WDYM?" from the seat across them.
Ash glanced over, Ken grinning under his hoodie. "Not stalking or anything," he said. "Just… came here." He tossed an empty soda can into the trash.
Ash rolled his eyes. "You're full of excuses."
Ken shrugged, eyes twinkling. "Hey, heroes need loyal fans." He nudged his tray forward. "I'm hungry, buy me some pizza, because you owe me from that hospital time."
Ken leaned over to Dev. "Mind if I crash the hero table? I want in on the next mission with Ash. Sounds fun."
Dev waved him off. "Stop being so formal. You're practically family now."
The three laughed, the moment surprisingly easy. But as their warmth spread, Ash noticed subtle shifts: a few tables away, low voices. Snatches of conversation drifted over. One female hero, tone tight, said, "All this fuss over him, he didn't do anything spectacular." Another replied, pitch hushed but sharp, "He just knows the top heroes, weird flex."
Ash felt heat creep up his neck. His hand clenched the fork. He ducked his head.
Ken saw the shift. He winked at Ash. "Ignore them, they don't know shit."
Dev added softly, "Let them whisper. We know better."
Ash exhaled, releasing the tension. "I guess… I just worry."
Ken leaned in with a mischievous grin. "Be honest: don't you worry more about your ribs collapsing before I ask you out?"
Ash snorted. "Shut up, bro."
"Dev," Ken leaned in and spoke seriously, "you're 28. How's it feel?"
Dev flashed a grin. "Still feel 23. Just with more paperwork."
Ken smirked. "Paperwork, like… filing medals?"
The meal arrived: hot pizzas that hissed with steam, thick fries, and three fresh sodas. They ate, chatting about starship designs, favorite missions, a recount of that giant orc fight.
Later, while they were done eating, Ash realized he'd forgotten something important. "I… forgot to bring a gift for Kesher."
Ken raised an eyebrow. "The poetic genius roommate? What're you getting? Feather quill set?"
Ash shrugged. "Nah, probably something to eat. He must be starving."
Ken slapped him on the back. "Next mission, I'm going with you. No questions."
Ash smiled, arm around Dev's shoulder. "Deal."
They exited the cafeteria. Behind them, the whispers faded.