FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter XV

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** Mix and Match**

“… know he’s here somewhere!”

Caleb instinctively grasped the edges of the blanket and curled away from the sound of the familiar and hated voice. After so long living with its owner, he would’ve thought he could sleep through it. Maybe it was the edges of the werewolf or the memories of the previous night that still gnawed at him and kept him from drifting off to sleep. Maybe there was a time when he would’ve been able to tune out David Hale’s thunderous roars especially with all the shouting matches against Leon. That was impossible now. It was lupine instincts. A wolf had to sleep lightly in the presence of enemies.

It sickened him that he now saw his own father as his own enemy.

“David,” came Jacob’s calm, even tone just one floor beneath him. “Caleb is not here.”

“Bullshit! I bet you’re hiding him in that fucking ‘second bedroom’ of yours! Let me through!”

Caleb had to perk his ears to hear Jacob’s response.

“The worst thing that can happen to anyone is being called out for being wrong. That worst thing anyone can do is deny it. So here’s what’s going to happen. I’m going to leave. Turn every inch of my apartment into an apocalyptic wasteland. Trash the place. I frankly don’t care. Just get it out of your system. You’ve got a tournament to organise. You’ve got a championship game to co-coach. Just keep it within the boundaries of my apartment. No one else needs to be disturbed over your temper-tantrum.”

“I am not throwing a fucking temper-tantrum.”

There was only silence and Caleb couldn’t help but smile as he imagined Jacob giving David a pointed look. He wasn’t sure what happened next because there was a few minutes of silence. The knock on the door to the bedroom surprised him though.

Lars slowly poked his head in. “Hey bud… I suppose you heard that…”

“I owe Jake…” he mumbled in response.

“About that… He’s here.”

Caleb wasn’t really feeling like being lectured by someone but he did owe Jacob for letting his dad trash his apartment. He stifled a sigh, hoping not to sound rude. Then he rolled back towards the door and sat up, keeping his gaze down. Jacob Reaper peeked over Lars’ broad shoulders at him. He looked more concerned than mad. Then again, this was Jacob Reaper. He probably knew how he felt before he even felt it. Damn omniscience…

“I’m sorry,” Caleb sighed. “I sort of… I don’t know if I should have actually stayed over at your place because maybe my dad wouldn’t be down there destroying all your world possessions.”

“Your dad was actually somewhat restrained,” Jacob answered with an dismissive shrug. “He just broke my door. After I gave him that offer, he huffed at me - as in, really huffed. Like blew air out of his nostrils into my face…” Jacob made a gesture mirroring a gust of wind into his eyes. “… then left. I think some part of him recognised that he was being an idiot.”

“Still…” Caleb sighed, rising to his feet. He was still in his riding jacket and jeans. “… I’m sorry.” He looked to Lars, ears folded back. “You too, Lars. I owe you an explanation…”

He went into detail about what had happened the previous night, explaining how he had watched his father basically try to tear the Connors apart, using his own wife and son as emotional artillery. The tipping point had to be when Leon and David got into a shouting match and he had just had enough.

“My dad has been may things in my life,” he admitted with a shake of his head. “A father figure, my saviour, my hero… but I never thought he’d stoop so low as to try and tear apart the Alpha Pack just to get more influence or coverage for his tournament. It’s just…” He hugged himself, trying to keep his skin from crawling at the mere thought of his dad again. “… makes me sick.”

Lars sat down next to him, wrapping an arm around his shoulder. “Aw, babe… I’m here for you.”

He leaned into his boyfriend’s neck, nuzzling the muscular doberman affectionately. “Thanks, Lars. I appreciate it.”

His boyfriend rested his head on top of his. “Have you thought that maybe this is just the werewolf in your dad messing with his head?”

“Please,” he growled. “That can’t be his go-to-excuse for all the shit that he’s done.”

“Think about it, though. The next step for him to become a werewolf is to ‘dominate’ a pack, right? Samson has him going off into Redneck-Capital-USA to fuck a pack that he probably thinks is way beneath him. So maybe he’s going after the Alpha Pack instead?”

That… that was a surprisingly good point. Maybe he had been a bit harsh towards his dad. There was no way he could understand what David was going through. Well… actually there was. In the back of his mind, he seriously considered getting bitten by his dad or another werewolf so that he could understand why his father was being such an asshole. One look at Jacob’s lifted eyebrow and he knew that was a very stupid idea.

“Even if it was, that doesn’t excuse his behaviour,” Caleb sighed, gently holding Lars against himself. “He’s a goddamn superhero. Being a werewolf shouldn’t weaken him or make him more impulsive. He’s better than that.”

He felt Lars’ chest rise as the doberman took a deep breath and then fall gradually with a protracted exhale. “Caleb… Something I’ve learned is that people expect superheroes to be ‘better’ but really, they’re not. Some villains are better people than most supers. I mean, look at Mattias. If I were to compare him to my parents, I wish he had raised me than my spineless dad and dominatrix of a mom.” He nodded towards Jacob. “Hell, look at Jake. I bet he plays jump rope with the line between good and evil all the time.”

Jacob lifted one paw. “There is light.” Then he lifted his other paw. “There is dark. Then there is the infinite spectrum between. I tend to live in the land of colour and infinite possibilities than the utter void of darkness or the blandness of light.”

“See?” Lars said. “It’s not fair that you’re hating on your dad for something that he barely can help. I mean, okay, he walked right into it by getting Samson to infect him and he can’t be let off the hook but maybe his lycanthropy should be taken into consideration for his judgement?”

Caleb pulled away from Lars and gave him a puzzled look. “Why are you talking like a lawyer now? Are you seriously thinking of making that your career?”

The doberman grinned sheepishly, ducking his head and rubbing the hair between his ears. “Naw. I guess being free out from under my parents’ thumb and not having a plan for the future actually gives me a lot of perspective.” One of his ears perked up as he peeked at Caleb like a pup begging for attention. “What? You think I’d make a good lawyer?”

“The only people that superheroes fear more than their evil twins is lawyers,” Caleb chuckled. “Might be good for you.” He nudged his boyfriend’s shoulder with an elbow. “Thanks. That helped me cool off a little. And thanks for letting my stay the night.” He looked towards Jacob next. “Thanks again for getting my dad off my back.”

Jacob shrugged, a gentle smile on his face. “Trust me, I’ve faced down hormonal werewolves, overprotective werewolves and even been hormonal, overprotective werewolves before. I totally understand where David is coming from. Doesn’t mean I agree. It’s why I didn’t deck him the moment he broke my door.”

Caleb sighed and slumped back into Lars’ surprisingly lumpy bed, paws over his eyes. “Urgh… I don’t want to go to school today.”

“Then don’t,” Lars suggested. “Let’s just stay here today. Just hang out, ya know?”

Tempting as it was, there were a few reasons he could think of that would make that a bad idea. “I don’t feel comfortable with that.” Lifting a finger into the air, he said, “I know you still want your space and I’ve already pushed my luck being here.”

“No you -”

He rested a paw on his boyfriend’s leg. “Yeah, I have. I’ll get out of your hair. Besides, if you played hooky too, my dad would know to come here. He’s a coach on our team too, remember?”

Lars’ eyes darted away and he grimaced lightly. “Good point…”

“How about we hang out?” Jacob suggested.

He gave his best friend a wry smile. “Is this going to come with some cosmic lesson that’ll change my life.”

“Yes.” Jacob winked at him. “Sometimes, you just got to switch your brain off and have some senseless fun.” The Writer of Reality crossed his arms and began tapping his foot. “The only question is what could be considered ‘fun’ at this time of day?” A spark of inspiration hit his eyes and he snapped his fingers. “Ah! I know. I’ve just got the place.” Reaper bowed theatrically towards Lars. “You don’t mind if I borrow your boyfriend for the day, do you?”

Lars waved a paw absently in his direction, a cocky smirk on his muzzle. “Just as long as you keep him away from this place while his dad is out searching for him.” The hunky doberman gave Caleb a light nudge with his shoulder. “I don’t know exactly what you said to him but it must have ticked him off. I got calls from Mary and Ben last night that your dad was out searching for you everywhere. Apparently he tried to break into the Connors’ manor.”

David certainly was on a rampage. It was probably best that they stay away from one another for a little while longer. Really, it was a miracle that his dad hadn’t come in here sooner. Caleb had actually managed to get some sleep - shallow and restless as it was. Maybe after a few more hours, he could work up the courage to go up to his dad and apologise.

No. He wasn’t in the wrong here.

Lars patted Caleb’s back and jumped to his feet. “Alright. I’m gonna head to school.” He pointed a finger and a semi-serious stare at Jacob. “You take care of him, ya hear?”

Only then did Caleb notice that Lars was already dressed and showered. His boyfriend’s shampoo was surprisingly fruity. One look at the clock told him it was already seven-thirty in the morning. Just thirty minutes before morning practice began and another hour after that before the rest of the school day began.

“Yessir,” Jacob replied with a lazy salute.

Lars bent down and gave Caleb a light kiss on the cheek before hurrying out the door.

With a smile, Caleb considered himself lucky to have such an understanding boyfriend. Maybe life wouldn’t be so bad if he were to keep being a superhero while Lars was the househusband. Would it be so bad to come home every day to that hunk with a loving kiss and tender embrace?

Shake his head free of the potential future, he turned towards Jacob. “So, where are we going?”

“To a bar.” Jacob hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “Come on. No need to shower or anything. They’ve got stuff there.”

“A bar? Open at this hour? And one that has a shower?” He tried to pull together a mental image of just what kind of ‘bar’ this would be but he just a wall when he tried to imagine drunken idiots stumbling into shower stalls in the bathroom. “What kind of bar is this?”

“A very special kind,” came the enigmatic reply. “Trust me. You’ll love it.”

With a shrug, Caleb got up and tried to smoothen his fur as much as possible. A mirror in Lars’ bedroom showed his hair was a mess for its usual style but it gave him a rather handsome ‘just-got-out-of-bed’ look. His hairstyle had always been so vanilla before - swept up forward and mostly cropped short. This youthful disarray was refreshing and added to his little rebellion against David.

He grabbed his rider’s jacket and followed Jacob back down to street level. As they passed the third floor, he got a peek at Jacob’s apartment and the busted door. A pang of guilt hit him.

“Sorry again about your door,” he said.

Jacob waved a paw over his shoulder dismissively. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad your dad didn’t burst in while I was actually at the door. Comedic as that may have been, I’d rather not get knocked out by a trope, thanks.”

In his mind, he imagined David bursting through the door only to bounce off Jacob, splinters of wood flying around them and his dad ending up on his ass on the floor. It just showed how much he resented his dad at that moment. Or perhaps he always resented him and recently, there had just been a lull in the hate?

Did he hate his dad?

Even when when the identity of Weapons Master was unknown to David Hale and he was actively fighting against his dad, he never hated David. Merely disagreed with him. He respected his father’s choices and stance even if he didn’t agree with the methods. Now, though…

The possibility left a bitter, terrible feeling in his chest.

They left the apartment complex. There was a soft rustling beneath Jacob’s shirt and the sound of tearing fabric. A sigh left the black-wolf’s muzzle chains burst from underneath his shirt and spread out into those broad, skeletal wings of his. Jacob closed his eyes briefly and spread his arms like he was basking in the sun and cool breeze of the approaching spring.

“You alright?” Caleb asked.

“Huh?” Jacob seemed surprised at the question. “Oh right. Sorry. I was just enjoying stretching out my wings a bit and the sun on them. Keeping them crammed is kind of like constantly sitting on my legs.”

Curious, Caleb poked one of the fingers of the wings. “You can actually feel through these?”

“Of course. They’re not just for show. They’re actual physical limbs.” For emphasis, Jacob curled the wing around Caleb’s shoulders. They were warm like really long fingers made out of metal. “Before you ask, they were originally a… ‘gift’ from someone. A ‘punishment’ of sorts for my stupidity when I was way younger. Over the millennia, I’ve reinforced them with other abilities and what not but as per the agreement with the gods of this world, they’re somewhat limited. I can’t fly with them but they’re still pretty damn hard.”

“Why chains, though?” Caleb asked, peeling one of the fingers away from his shoulder. Taking the hint, Jacob uncurled the rest of the wing from the young wolf.

“As a sign of an eternal debt. No matter what I did or who I became, these wings were meant to remind me of what I had done.” The blonde-haired wolf broke into a bright grin. “Too bad I owned my mistake and made it my own.”

Caleb let out a soft laugh. “Too bad more people can’t be like you.”

His best friend turned back around, lifting a finger in the air to make a point. “If more people were like me, things would get pretty damn boring.”

They strode down the street for a few more minutes, turning corners, crossing blocks until they came to a dark alleyway. There didn’t seem to be anything outstanding about it save for the one blue side door with a lamp flickering on and off on top of it. Two concrete steps marked the entrance. There were no signs or any other distinguishing features.

Jacob merely pressed a paw against the door and grabbed the door handle with his other paw. Caleb followed him one step inside before freezing in surprise.

“What the…?”

He was in a diner. One of those roadside diners one saw that was typical of ‘Americana’. Bright booths sat along windowed walls with a beautiful view of rolling hills and a wide road through the door. The floors were chequered red and white with the smell of pancakes, bacon and coffee in the air. There was a homey feel about it despite the weird assortment of patrons and staff. He had to rub his eyes a little a waitress who looked like an avian but whose feathers shimmered and flickered like flames skated past him on in-line rollerblades. She deposited a tray of wings smelling of buffalo sauce in front of a creature that he could only describe as a gaseous mass made from the cosmos and a huge, red eye. The woman behind the living nebula lifted her head and said something. A salt shaker on the table lifted off the table and hovered towards the woman. A second reptilian head said something else which must have been thanks.

“I have so many questions…” Caleb admitted.

Jacob beckoned him to follow and they found a booth. “You can think of this as a sort of… interdimensional bar that gives you whatever you need whenever you need it on the caveat that any anger, hatred or animosity you may have gets left at the door.” He tilted his head slightly. “Go on. Try mustering that venom you had for your dad a moment ago.”

Frowning, Caleb thought back to how his father had behaved the previous night and the audacity Feral Steel had for breaking down Jacob door.

Nothing.

No boiling blood. No acidic taste in his muzzle. No disgust deep in his belly.

“Huh…” was all he could say.

“See?” Jacob said with a smile. “The owner of this place is a good friend of mine. I gave him his story a long time ago and instead of making his own world, he decided to turn his universe into a sort of… in-between place between realities.” He lifted a paw and gestured towards one of the doors leading out of the diner. “He negotiates with owners of realities to open doors into this place. They’re always out of the way and unassuming and they can’t be opened by normal means. You have to be invited in or have a key. Most reality-owners don’t mind, of course. Sometimes, they need a place to unwind and leave their troubles and responsibilities.”

“Really?”

“Even gods want to forget they’re gods every now and then.”

That fiery waitress came up and said something in a strange chittering language.

“Uh… Sorry, what?” Caleb asked.

She coughed briefly. “Ah, you speak an Earth-dialect, huh? Sorry. Give me a second.” With a flick, the menus in her hands quickly changed to a English text. “Here you go, honey. Just let me know when you’re ready to order. Anything I can get you to drink?”

Having never been into an interdimensional cafe before, Caleb just gave Jacob a blank stare.

“It’s his first time here,” Jacob responded. “Let’s just start off with some Earth-style water and I’ll have some hot-chocolate with a dash of whiskey, whipped cream, chocolate powder and those amazing orange-chocolate wafers you guys have.”

“The Reaper Special,” the woman said with a bright smile. “Coming right up!”

Caleb watched her go before turning back towards his best friend. “I’m curious what other ‘style’ water there could be.”

“Other realities have versions of ‘water’ that aren’t exactly drinkable. Some sustain themselves on saltwater for instance.”

“Oh. And the Reaper Special?”

Jacob shrugged dismissively. “Like I said, I started the owner off on this endeavour. He named a drink after me.” The blonde-haired wolf rested an arm against the backrest of the booth and lay back, regarding the menu. “His motto is that this place is where anyone from anywhere can come in, have a drink, relax and forget who they were. I’ve seen the most hated enemies come here, share a drink and even sleep together in the hotel section.” Reaper glanced off to the left. “There’s some kinky shit in there. You can’t be angry in this place so when people try to have ‘angry sex’ it’s… it’s just weird.”

That was not something he really wanted to imagine. “So there’s a hotel here.”

“There’s everything here. There’s a club. A shopping mall. Paintball arena. Scenic cabins out in the woods overlooking a a crystal clear lake.” Jacob hiked a thumb out the window. “This is a universe made entirely out of what people need.” He snapped his fingers and gestured at Caleb. “It’s an interdimensional Room of Requirement.”

“A what?”

“You know. The Room of Requirement? Hogwarts? That room that will change its shape and contents to anything the person who enters it wants? From Harry Potter?”

He joggled his memory for that reference. “Uh… I can’t say I remember that…”

Jacob looked mortified. “Come on! It’s the series of books that got an entire generation into reading!”

“Books? As in physical books? With paper?”

“You guys have paper books! Why is that so astounding?”

Caleb couldn’t help but laugh at his friend’s distress. “Because most people have tablets these days, Jake. Why carry around books when you can store it all on a tablet for half the weight? Plus it’s better for the environment.”

“Now I feel old.” Jacob slouched forward and rested his muzzle on the bright red table. “Maybe I should switch from handing people their stories in the form of books to just handing them a tablet.” He lifted an eyebrow, seemingly piqued by the idea. “Maybe I should add a tiny little helper or user guide for those that want to start their own universes… Instead of a paperclip, it’ll be a little chain with googly eyes. Or maybe it’s a chibi version of me? Like maybe have different apps for all the various means of manipulating reality? Not a bad idea actually.”

He stared at his friend in wonder as their drinks arrived. “How do you do that?” he asked. “How do you just bounce back after having your whole world shattered like that?”

Reaper straightened and pointed to a menu item, telling the waitress he wanted a ‘number 26’. Caleb ordered the same. “First of all,” he said as the woman left, “I hardly think what I just went through is the same as what’s going on with you and your dad.”

“Isn’t it though?” Caleb challenged. “You must have been handed people books for millennia, right? Countless lifetimes. Doesn’t it hurt or make you feel like you’ve wasted all this time doing something one way when you could have done it another and saved time?”

“Time spent learning isn’t time wasted.” Jacob took a sip from his hot chocolate, leaving a little whipped cream moustache on the top of his muzzle. He licked it off before Caleb could point it out. “There are experiences with books that I can bring to a more virtual platform. Same thing with you. Things with your dad can’t be so bad that you’re willing to discard everything you know about him because of one thing he did.”

Caleb turned his gaze wistfully out the window, arms crossed. Then he remembered the whole ‘crossing-arms-to-drive-a-point-home’ was David’s thing and he immediately untangled them. “What does it matter what he was in the past if he’s going to be like that from now on?”

“Come on, Caleb. You’ve been a hero long enough and seen enough movies to know that it’s completely within the realms of possibility to remind someone of who they used to be and change their minds at a crucial moment.” Reaper reached out and clasped his paw tightly. “Don’t give up on your dad, Caleb. You’re just reeling from all that hate and anger.” The black-furred wolf straightened as their food arrived, not even a minute after they ordered. “Today is about setting that aside and doing something else.”

The smell of food turned his attention away from the conversation and he glanced down at the plate set in front of him. It seemed like a simple eggs benedict only the Hollandaise sauce was a perfect golden colour like someone had melted an ingot and poured it over the impossibly perfect poached egg. There was a single leaf of what he could only suspect was basil sitting atop the two English muffins. A silver of prosciutto sat right beneath the egg, barely visible but still there. From all appearances it looked rather ordinary apart from the colour of the sauce. With a shrug, he picked up a fork and cut into the muffin. He was surprised when he heard a loud crunch as he cut through the sauce like it was a crust. To his surprise, he was hit by a sweet smell instead of savoury.

“What the…?”

“This is the Number 26,” Jacob chuckled. “The Eggs Benedict Arnold. That ‘sauce’ is actually melted white chocolate coloured gold. The ‘egg’ consists of a lemon meringue filled with a light vanilla custard. The prosciutto is a hardened and candied strawberry tuille and the muffin is a light piece of angel food cake. Oh and the leaf on top is a candied mint.”

Now he was salivating and Caleb eagerly bit into treat. It was mostly sweet but the acidity from the meringue and strawberry tuille cut through it in such a way that it was perfectly balanced. The contrasting textures of the hard chocolate and meringue versus the soft, fluffy cake and creamy custard made sure that every bite was a delight. It all ended with a faint whiff of mint that left him refreshed and surprisingly awake.

“Is this where you get your ideas for all the recipes you come up with?” he asked, taking the rest of the dish and tearing into it. Though not a heavy meal, he still felt rather full and brimming with energy after it.

“Sort of. When the owner and I first met, I showed him some of the recipes I knew from my travels. He got inspired and when he built this place, he left it open for people who came here to share their favourite foods from their homes. The cooks here are quite skilled in making their own unique dishes that cater to the infinite realities that this place is connected to. My dishes are nothing compared to the repertoire they have here.”

“Dang,” Caleb chuckled, happily munching on the last piece of cake he had. “Now I’m eager to try the rest of the stuff here.”

“Nothing’s stopping you. We’re here to avoid your dad, right? No better place to avoid him than in a world between worlds where he can’t reach.” Jacob’s eyebrows rose. “Unless he’s somehow discovered a way to travel between realities…”

“If he ever managed that, we’d all be fucked. He’d just get all ambitious, want to take over the world and make a whole fucking ‘superhero alliance’ that travels between different worlds and polices them.”

Jacob pointed a fork at him. “Don’t joke about that. I’ve seen it happen before.” He finished his own meal and set down his fork. “Besides, your dad might be able to traverse the multiverse of your reality but he would never be able to do what I or the owners of this place do.”

Looking at the menu left behind and perusing something else to eat, Caleb asked, “Why’s that?”

“Because your dad doesn’t own his own story. He’s a slave to what other people think of him and what other people do.” Jacob took a drink from his hot chocolate, nearly emptying it. “I think that’s the failing of a superhero in general. They are reactive by nature. They are defined by the evils of others and are never able to create something out of nothing. That’s why, if it were up to me as of this moment, I wouldn’t give your dad the rights to his own tale.”

That brought Caleb’s eyes away from the menu. For all his life, David’s identity did seem to be set by what other people did even if he went in the opposite direction of what they wanted him to do. David’s parents - Caleb’s grandparents - hated supers so David made it his goal to become the best super ever. When he was kicked out of his home, he went to Australia where he was defined by his relationship with Ryan. This carried over to when he made the Elemental Alliance and his outlook on Outsiders. When he met Lillian, their dance between superhero and love defined David’s future and family. He kept wishing for one of his sons to be a super and probably pushed them towards physical sports to build their bodies in preparation for the role. When Caleb came out as Weapons Master, David inserted himself into Arsenal and his views again changed. He was a great superhero and father in many ways but beyond that…?

“I never thought of it that way before,” he admitted. “How are you different though? Aren’t you being reactive?”

Jacob set down his mug, a soft smile on his muzzle but a clear sadness in his eyes. “I’ve got plans of my own, Caleb. Machinations that will take effect well beyond this reality and the people in it. While I do prefer it if people come to me for help, it doesn’t mean I can’t make plans for something beyond what they are doing. Plus, I hold true to my convictions. I don’t flip-flop like your dad.”

“Yeah… he does do that often, doesn’t he?” Caleb pushed aside the menu, suddenly not craving any more. “I guess you know what I’m going to ask, don’t you?”

Jacob shrugged. “It’s inevitable. Why don’t you ask it anyway for clarity’s sake?”

He sighed, afraid of the answer. If there was anything to be said about Caleb Hale; he was brave. “Would you give me my story?”

“Nope.”

The quick answer was far more painful than a long drawn-out explanation. “Why?” he croaked.

“You’ve still got a lot of things to sort out in your head, Caleb,” Jacob said, reaching forward and poking the brawnier wolf’s forehead. “There are pieces of your identity that you’re doubting. There’s this gnawing sensation in the back of your head that keeps telling you that you’re not ready to settle down because there’s still so much of the world to see. There are clear foundations, pillars of stability that you know can sustain you but your home can’t be just a pillar or a foundation. You need a roof. You need walls. Furniture. Utilities. Most of all, you need security. You need to be capable of accepting your decisions and the consequences. Even now, you’re doubting if the way you blew up at your dad and Leon, even your mom, was appropriate.”

Reaper tilted his head to the side. “One of the conditions I have for giving someone their book is if they’re capable of being the best version of themselves. They don’t have to be the best version when I hand them the book but they need to be able to grow into it; to recognise their own flaws, accept the risks and results of their decisions and know how to grow. Nothing worse than a god who becomes stagnant or - like your dad - defined by the people who worship them.” With a shake of his head, Jacob said, “I’m really sorry, Caleb. I can’t give you your book right now.”

Strangely, that left Caleb feeling warm and encouraged. “That’s okay. Now I have something to shoot for.”

His best friend winked at him and tapped the side of his nose. “But who said that’s everything that you need to do to get your book?”

“Fair enough,” Caleb chuckled, leaning back into the chair. A moment of silence passed between them as Jacob finished off his drink. Caleb sipped his water every now and then. “So what now?” he asked at length. “I don’t feel like going back to Lars’ apartment yet.”

“What do you feel like doing? This place has everything so we can do anything you want.”

Caleb crossed his arms behind his head, leaning further into the chair and trying to think what he would do on a day when he was meant to be at school but decided to skip. With his hair between his fingers, he realised he needed a haircut. “Does this place have a barber? I need a trim.”

“Please, Caleb,” Jacob said, rolling his eyes. “You’re basically in an interdimensional shopping mall where everything is free. You’re not just going to get a trim.” The wolf’s sapphire-blue eyes lit up. “Oh! Let’s dye your hair pink!”

He jerked in surprise then turned that into a growl. “Hell no!”

“Blue? White? Fuchsia?” Jacob slammed his paws against the table and then made a finger-gun at Caleb. “Got it! Chartreuse.”

Caleb slammed a fist into the table, making the cutlery jump. “No!”

“How about highlights then?”

“Why do you want to dye my hair!?”

Jacob had this clueless smile on his muzzle and the shrug he offered was equally as dumb. “I dunno. It’s just something that popped into me head.” He gestured towards Caleb. “Today is all about not caring about shit. Forget the consequences. Forget everything on the other side of that door. Just do whatever.”

Caleb rolled his eyes. “Easy to say for an omnipotent immortal. Some of us still have a life to live, remember?”

“And if there’s a lesson in all this, it’s that it’s never too late,” Jacob said, his tone turned solemn. “Even if you dye your hair, you’ll maybe suffer some ridicule and maybe a page in the year book but then it’d be over. You can always rebuild your life or start anew. Vanish from West California Island. Go under the name Gus Noir in the United Kingdom. Become a private investigator. Whatever.” He reached forward and grabbed Caleb’s paws tightly. “The only person that’s holding you back is you.” Then he released his paws, making a big show of spreading his fingers and even shaking them a little like jazz hands. “When you free yourself of the constraints of your own making, you’ll be happier.”

Then Jacob winked at him. “And maybe take one step closer to getting your own story.”

Caleb took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He thought about those words. It wouldn’t be possible to be completely free of responsibility and consequence even if he was in a place without any of that. But it was sound advice. Probably the only reason why he exploded the way he did at his family was because he was holding himself back for so long. It would be slow but he could probably let go of that.

“This place has no concept of space or time, does it?” he suddenly asked. “So even if I mess up my hair, I can just change it back, right?”

Jacob beamed brightly. “Now you’re getting it!”

That made him grin.

“Fuck it. Let’s get me some highlights!”

******

“Wolf Christ!” Caleb exclaimed, biting off another one of the doughnut-like balls on the stick. “I love these! What are they called again?”

Jacob snickered as they headed forward the exit of the Japanese-style restaurant. “Takoyaki. Octopus balls. You can get them in your world too, you know.”

“Maybe,” he mumbled through a muzzle full of the savoury and gooey balls. “But I bet they’re not as good at this. Have you seen how big these octopus bits are? They’re fucking massive!” He bit into another one, gasping a little as the hot semi-cooked batter inside scalded his tongue a little but was quickly soothed by the savoury taste of the filling, octopus chunk. This was followed by the beautiful crunch of the outer coating and it simply melted in his mouth. “There is just so much I want to see. I don’t ever want to leave this place!”

When he didn’t get a response, he turned his head - complete with newly highlighted spiky hair - towards Jacob. His best friend was frozen in place, blue eyes wide and staring straight ahead. Following his gaze, he caught sight of a tall black-furred wolf with a thick, muscular build standing next to the reception. It looked like he was grabbing an order to go. The guy wasn’t as tall as either of them, maybe a few inches short of seven feet tall but he had bright blue eyes and brown hair with a curious golden forelock sitting right above his forehead. Dressed in a long, black coat with white trims, the wolf would have looked rather severe if he wasn’t leaning against the counter and talking to the maitre’d with rather expressive gestures. There was something familiar about him and the easy going smile on his muzzle.

The cogs began turning in Caleb’s head, slowly turning the cranks across his muzzle making him grin.

“Oh this is going to be good,” he said, immediately seizing Jacob’s paw and pulling him towards the counter.

“No! Wait!” Jacob exclaimed as he was yanked away from his seat and brought towards the front of the house. The moment the mysterious wolf saw them approach, his features brightened and recognition registered in his eyes.

“Well, look who it is,” greeted the lupine. “Damn, son. You’re big in this incarnation.”

Caleb immediately held out a paw towards the wolf, grinning from ear to ear. “Hey. I’m Caleb Hale. Jake’s best friend.”

The wolf lifted his brown eyebrows in curiosity and took his paw. “I can tell. He normally doesn’t like people calling him ‘Jake’ unless it’s close family or friends.” The stranger held up his other paw, blocking the side of his muzzle. “He’s pretty broken.”

“I can tell,” Caleb said with a bright grin. “We’ve got a table. Did you want to sit with us?”

The wolf glanced towards the paper bags that was waiting for him. “Actually, I was just going to grab my order and head home…”

“Oh don’t worry about that. This place is outside of Space and Time, right? You can just grab it later and be back as if you never left! Come on! Join us!”

Beaming brightly, the shorter wolf shrugged. “Yeah, okay. Why not?”

Jacob groaned loudly and ran a pawn down his face. “Fuck me…”

An evil glint entered the stranger’s eyes. “I’ll take you up on that.”

Suddenly, without warning, the wolf advanced, sweeping past Caleb in one swoop and immediately wrapping one paw around the back of Jacob’s head and the other reaching down to grope the Writer of Reality’s package. Their lips met in what Caleb could swear was an explosion of passion that could rival the Big Bang. Caleb mentally did a very disrespectful victory dance then reached for his phone. Strangely, it would not switch on. Had he forgotten to charge its batteries? Too bad. He wanted so badly to catch the face of the man whom Jacob Reaper was married to.

Suddenly Jacob pushed the new wolf away. “Dad! Come on!”

And in that moment, Caleb dropped his phone in shock. It clattered to the ground and he was sure its screen cracked. “Wait… Dad?”

Jacob grimaced and gestured towards the stranger who had just molested him. “Caleb, this is Jason Wolfe. He’s my dad.”

“One of his dads,” the newcomer said, waving at Caleb smugly. “He’s got a very fucked up family tree.”

Caleb had to do some processing in his mind. Was there a possibility that he and Jacob were more similar than he first thought? Was Jacob adopted… like him? It was a question he couldn’t keep bottled up. “You… You were adopted?”

Jacob rolled his eyes. “I wish.”

“He’s technically got three fathers,” Jason answered, holding up three fingers. “All of them technically biologically related to him. He’s got a thing for threes.”

Caleb couldn’t help the grin on his face. “Oh, I’ve got to hear this.”

His friend’s shoulders slumped. “Please don’t…” He turned towards his father. “Dad… Come on. Just go back to the Academy. I’m working.”

“Working, huh?” Jason countered. “Seems to me you’re having a nice meal with your best friend here. How is that supposed to be ‘work’?”

“I can eat and work at the same time! People can do other things while they’re working!”

“Oh, you mean like that thing your Pop and I like doing with whipped cream and his nipples…?”

Jacob immediately grabbed both their paws and dragged them towards the table. “_O_kay! Let’s all sit down, please!”

Caleb couldn’t stop grinning. He had never seen Jacob so flustered and he was thoroughly enjoying the fact that he got to see the Writer of Reality so flustered. He was forcefully placed into a seat next to Jacob while Jason parked himself opposite to them on the table.

“Please tell me you have a lot of embarrassing stories about Jake,” he pleaded.

“I do but maybe you should tell me about yourself first, pup.” Jason waved a paw absently through the air and a menu appeared in his paw with a flash. “You’re Caleb Hale?”

How did Jason know his last name? “Uh… Yeah. Do we know each other?”

“Kid, I’m just like my son. I stand outside of Time and Space too. I know you and my son are the best of friends. He comes to you all the time.”

Curious, he glanced towards Jacob who scowled at his own dad. “He does?”

“Dad!” sneered Reaper. “Spoilers!”

Jason lifted a paw and shrugged. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry. But if he’s here that means he must know that no matter what happens, he’ll end up in your jurisdiction and that eventually, you’ll work with him and he’ll get his own reality.”

“Dad! Come on! You’re spoiling the ending!”

“Aren’t you the one that always says it’s not about the destination but the journey?”

Jacob growled and turned away, arms folded. “Damnit…”

Unable to keep himself from smiling, he turned back towards Jason. “So what’s this thing about him having multiple dads? Did he get abandoned by his dad or something or was he cloned from your DNA?”

Jason snickered as a waiter approached. He ordered some sushi and Caleb ordered something called the ‘bento box’ - though it was actually his fifth helping from this place. “Actually, it’s very weird. Jake’s body was born in one reality while his essence, his soul, was born in another. The part I was involved in was the soul part. I’m actually the son of another No One. F6 the Patriarch. People considered me a being of ‘pure light’. I came from a world of superheroes so it was totally something that happened where I was a hero.”

“No shit!” Caleb exclaimed, his heart leaping to his throat. “I’m from a superhero world too! What happened in yours? What was your power?”

The wolf smiled brightly. “Eh, I just regenerated really fast and had super strength. Plus I was in constant contact with the No Ones. Always helps to have the arbiters of all existence backing you up, you know? They gave me all sorts of help. Of course it was sort of their fault as well that my world went to shit. Even had an all-our war against them where they tried to destroy my world but I had to fight them.” He winked briefly at Jacob. “With some help, of course.”

“Whoa…” Caleb couldn’t imagine people fighting against the No Ones themselves let alone mortals. He quickly glanced towards Jacob. “That’s not going to happen to us is it? We’re not going to fight, are we?”

“Nope,” Jacob said, making a slicing gesture through the air. “Definitely not. In all the possibilities I’ve seen that happens in only about 0.05% of them and we’ve already passed the point where that could happen so it’s impossible now.”

“Really? What determined that?”

“If you had a tuna sandwich for lunch when we first met.”

“Huh? Why would that have done anything?”

Jacob gestured off to the right. “Well because Mary would have pointed it out, I wouldn’t mention a thing but she’d read my mind and then she’s blurt it out, we’d get off on the wrong foot and then you’d start hating on me. You’d side with your dad about how we’re trying to steal your thunder and then things would escalate when Arsenal sides with the gods trying to expel us but we keep trying to tell you something is wrong but it only escalates more until we’re eventually fighting one another.”

Caleb reeled. “That can’t be real.”

“Not any more. Your reality only has a single timeline so since you didn’t make those decisions, it can’t happen. Unless you leave this place by specifically tell me to drop you off in the past and then you screw things up so that we’re enemies but that still wouldn’t work because I’d know.”

Even with all the insanity of being a superhero and juggling high school at the same time, Caleb could not wrap his head around all this interdimensional mess. It made him painfully aware of just how much he didn’t know about the world.

“Trust me, kid,” Jason said as their food arrived. “You’ll get used to it. There’s always more to learn. If you’re ever stuck, come visit me at the Advocate Academy. My husband and I will be more than willing to help you reorient yourself. My boy is the kind of guy that works all the angles. Even ones you’ve never been aware of. Brett and I like to remind people how to stay grounded.”

“Even if you’re interdimensional immortals like Jake?”

Jason shrugged absently. “Caleb, you can be the Supreme God of All Existence and Overlord of All That Exists but it doesn’t mean shit to anyone if you’re disconnected from them. Sometimes, we all just need to be reminded we’re mortal.” He smiled wanly at his son. “Doesn’t matter our circumstances, our history, powers or relationships. We’re all mortal.”

Caleb leaned back into his seat, never having noticed until that moment that he had finished his bento box. “I guess that’s kind of easy to say from the perspective of guys like you.”

Jason exchanged glances with his son for a brief moment before turning back to Caleb. “Caleb, dude. Did you know my son is a moaner?”

That was certainly not was Jacob had been expecting with that knowing glance and his muzzle fell open in horror. “Dad!”

“And by that I mean he bitches and moans about his work all day long.”

Caleb smirked as his best friend ran a paw down his face.

“You picked those words on purpose,” growled Reaper.

“Sure did!” Jason answered, ears perked and tail wagging happily. Tone turning grave once more, he regarded Caleb once more. “But you want to know why he goes out and helps people despite all the times everyone does stupid shit despite his advice, all the hate he gets because gods can’t get it through their head that there is always better or the many, many, many times he gets killed for the greater good?”

He could only offer a shake of his head helplessly.

“It’s not because he likes being tortured, murdered or ignored. It’s because he knows that the life he’s got is pretty damn amazing.”

Jacob reached forward and touched his paw. “Look Caleb. I know you’re going through a lot of stuff but when you think about it, you’re life is pretty super. Think about it. You’ve got a psychic demigoddess for a neighbour and friend. Your boyfriend is a superhero that flings fire. You’ve got another friend who is super rich and a werewolf. Your dad is a superhero as is your older brother. Your mother is running for mayor and you’ve got your own superpowers. Do you know how many kids dream about having the life you have?”

Was he being ungrateful? After everything he had been through, would he really trade in his life for something more mundane?

Caleb decided to ignore that and point out that they were both clearly gay as well. “I guess I’m worried about the future. It’s recently been pointed out to me that nothing lasts forever. The friendships I have, the team I have, it might not last forever.” He crossed his arms behind his head and stared absently at the bright, red ceiling. “Maybe I’m being stupid for clinging on to things that are eventually just going to break apart anyway.”

“I’ve never heard anything more stupid in my life,” Jason said suddenly. “Dude, if you love something, you need to fight for it.” He lifted a fist and shook it. “Nothing lasts forever, sure, but if you’ve got a limited time with something and you love it, don’t you want to keep it around for as long as possible?”

“Does the time spent fighting really count?”

“Of course it does!” Jason leaned forward and pointed straight at Caleb. “Do you know why home cooked meals are always the best?”

“Because they’re cheaper? Healthier?”

“No. Because you spend the time to cook it. You’re putting effort into making the meal. Even if it tastes like shit, you’ll enjoy it more than any takeaway or restaurant because you made it.” Jason bobbed his head from side to side. “I know that’s kind of stupid seeing as we’re in a restaurant but you get my point, right?”

Caleb laughed softly. “I suppose.”

“The thing is,” Jacob said, holding up a paw over his head. “I think you’ve been spending way too much time thinking about everything up here. You’re constantly bogged down with the superhero stuff, the Gene Stealers, your dad, everything like that.”

“You might need to spend a little more time thinking about the stuff down here,” Jason continued, slapping his paw against the table. “The mundane stuff. Like…” He cocked his eyebrows slightly as he regarded Caleb. “I’m guessing… football?”

Surprised, Caleb asked. “How’d you know?”

“I’m just spit-balling here. You look like a big, well-built guy so it was either football or wrestling.” He leaned forward and pointed directly at Caleb. “My point is, there’s a lot of stuff going on in your life obviously. Sometimes, you just got to step back and appreciate it. Spend less time in the clouds and put your ear to the ground.”

Maybe he did need to spend more time away from all the things that would make his life so spectacular. Not now, obviously. There were still so many moving parts that if he just up and abandoned them, that would be incredibly irresponsible and he could wind up hurting more people than he helped. No. He needed to take a step back just as Jason suggested.

And he knew exactly how he would do that.

He glanced between Jacob and then Jason. “You two are kind of similar. How’d you get that relationship? How are you not at each other’s throats all the time?”

A puzzled look was thrown at Jacob from his dad and the Writer explained.

“I think Caleb is realising just how similar he and his dad are and that may be the reason why they’re currently going through a rough patch.”

When he looked at it objectively, Caleb had to admit he and his dad’s stories were like a retelling of the same story. Both he and his dad were graced with superpowers and they both had parents that originally opposed their nature. They both played football. Despite the danger, they both went out saving people and helping the community against all advice and logic. Only certain circumstances and their foes could be considered different. Hell, they even had male lovers. The thought of him settling down with a woman left him with a knot in his stomach though he had to admit that he had thought he was straight until his dalliance with Lance.

“I don’t think what my son and I have could be considered a ‘model relationship’,” Jason chuckled. “But if I were to pinpoint anything that that really makes it…” He exchanged glances with his son, offering a lopsided smile. “I’d say it’s honesty. The first few years that I knew him, Jake kept a lot of secrets from me. World-ending ones and I won’t lie, he’s manipulated me before. But after that, we learned just to be honest with one another and things have been golden ever since.”

That look, the affection that was shared between the Writer of Reality and his father was… it was pure. Sure, it was more than just the relationship between father and son but he was also sure that the sex didn’t factor into it at all. These two had a strong, solid relationship that was built on honesty. Perhaps that was where he and his dad differed. David was trying to live through him and maybe even relive his glory days. Maybe he wasn’t doing it consciously but he was fighting to remain relevant.

“If you love something,” Caleb concluded, “you’ll fight to keep it around.”

“Exactly,” Jason said with a grin. “So, Caleb, do you know what you’re fighting for?”

Jacob, however, lifted a finger. “Wait for it…” he warned.

“I do,” Caleb said firmly. “But I got to ask what my dad is fighting for.”

“There it is,” sighed the Writer. He tilted his head at Caleb. “Ready to go home?”

He didn’t have all the answers but he now had a foundation of where he would stand. “Yeah. I do.” With a nod towards Jason, he said, “It was a pleasure meeting you, sir.”

“Now you’re making me feel old,” laughed Jason, with a wave. “Take care, kid. If you’re ever lost or need help, you know who to call.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that."

Together with Jacob, they headed out of the restaurant towards the front door. As with many of the other venues that they had passed through, Jacob normally just opened the door and instead of a street or the outdoors, another restaurant or store was waiting for them on the other side. This time, the Writer of Reality paused and turned to him.

“So, I take it you’re about ready to confront your dad?”

Caleb shook his head, indicating a negative. “Nah. Not really. But I am ready to go home.”

The black-furred wolf shrugged. “Alright. Fair enough. Where and when do you want to be dropped off?”

It took him a second to remember that this place sat outside of space and time so, if he wanted, he could go back in time and maybe even stop some of the disastrous events that had led to this moment. Paradoxes aside, that felt less of a solution and more like a an escape. One that could - and likely would - lead to countless more issues.

“Before I commit to anything, has time travel ever solved any problems?”

Jacob shrugged, a sly smile on his muzzle. “I was born thanks to the fluidity of time. Though that was less time travel and more of the fact that I can access any point in time that I want. Temporal causalities are fun. I wouldn’t try it though. People’s heads tend to explode when that happens and I honestly find time travel a lazy and convenient solution to a complicated problem.”

Caleb wagged a finger absently. “Right. Makes sense. So if I were to ask you to drop me off back at your place after dinner on Thursday before the big game…?”

“You’d have skipped several hours but I don’t think there would be too much impact. Some people would be a bit worried and you can expect Mary to start wailing at you the moment you get within range but it wouldn’t be catastrophic.”

“Let’s do that then.”

With nod, Jacob pushed open the door and they stepped through, emerging into the Writer’s apartment like they had just entered it from the hallway. When he glanced back, he could see the restaurant just beyond the threshold. When Jacob shut the door, the sounds of orders being made, mirthful conversation and oriental music immediately faded. He realised he had been holding his breath, expecting all the rage and hatred for his father to come rushing back in the moment he came back to his world. Strangely… nothing.

“Huh… So do all my negative emotions just… go away?” he wondered.

“They’re still there,” Jacob said, opening the door once more. The hallway of the apartment was revealed, no trace of the restaurant. “It just so happens that given time and the effect of the place, your heart has set it aside. I’m sure the moment you step back into your house, see your dad, those feelings are going to come up again because they’re unresolved.” The blonde-haired wolf gave him a lopsided smile, an almost exact replica of the one Jason had given him even down to the slight tilt of the head and one ear folded back. “I just hope this time away has given you a second to cool off. Decisions made in the heat of the moment rarely turn out well.”

“Really?” he laughed sarcastically. “You seem to be good with spontaneous decisions.”

He got a sarcastic laugh in return. “You think so? Let me remind you of some of my spur-of-the-moment decisions.” He held up a finger. “I used Sturmspalter to launch a portal gate into the stratosphere which cost me my arm.” Then he held up a second finger. “I prematurely used Mugen Kosetsu where it could have easily ended the Gimp had it just gotten closer.” A third went up. “And then I almost decapitated your dad with Luna Crepaucuore. The only reason I look like I’m good under fire is because I tend to have a safety net or the ability to look ahead with my powers. Without that, I can flail about just like everyone. Ask any of the No Ones. I’m one of the slowest to react. H2 or W8 are more impulsive and even my granddad, F6, are far more adaptive than I am. I just end up making plans and contingency plans that makes it look like I’m good at this stuff.”

Caleb was halfway to folding his arms just like his dad when he stopped himself and kept his paws to his sides. “You’d know better than me, I guess. Still, thanks for today. I really appreciate it.”

Jacob rested a paw on his shoulder. “Any time, Caleb.” Then he lifted that same paw and snapped his fingers. “Oh. Almost forgot.” He reached into his pocket and retrieved a silver flask which he handed to Caleb. “Hold onto this.”

The flask seemed fairly normal only that has a chill to it that sent a tingle down his pawpads. As he turned it over, he found the name ‘Hale’ engraved onto the side framed by ornate filigree with the silhouette of wolf heads perched on the corners. “Uh…?” was all he could manage.

“My favourite bartender handed that to me,” Jacob said with a smile. “It’s… I guess you could say ‘enchanted’ to always produce your favourite drink and keep it nice and cool. Or warm depending on what your drink is.”

“But…” He ran a finger over the name. “Jake…?”

Jacob held open the door for him. “I’m not saying anything. Just know that the I’m meant to hand it to you. Whether you’re meant to have it or not is something entirely different.”

Caleb pocketed the flask with a shake of his head. “This cosmic shit is too much for me…”

“You’re a superhero. That’s the kind of ‘shit’ you have to deal with every day.”

That only drove him back to Jason’s point about appreciating what he had and the other side of his double life. After thanking Jacob, he headed back up to the rooftop. He stopped just at the door, his fingers just inches away from the doorknob. Pivoting on his heel, he rushed back down to Lars’ apartment. His boyfriend answered a second later.

“Caleb!” exclaimed the doberman who was dressed in only a singlet and a rather revealing pair of blue shorts. A pair of meaty, vascular arms wrapped around his neck, holding him tight while a warm muzzle nuzzled his cheek ruffs. “I was worried! You were gone for the whole day!”

He could only offer a soft laugh. “Yeah. Went dimension-hopping with Jake. Helps put things in perspective.”

Lars pulled away, a relieved smile on his muzzle. “Guess you can always count on an interdimensional entity to be able to give you a different perspective.

“Or to help me avoid my problems for a bit. What’s been going on while I was gone?”

He entered Lars’ apartment while his boyfriend informed him on how his dad had gone on a rampage looking for him. Not a literal rampage but one where he had jumped from Mary’s house to Ben’s and even started accusing members of the football team for harbouring his wayward son. That wasn’t good for morale amongst the team. The sight of their coach hunting down their newly christened captain was not a good sign especially with the big game just hours away. Nothing Lillian could do calmed David and it didn’t help when Leon further antagonised him by trying to be an advocate for Caleb’s independence. Funny to think that Leon of all people was vouching for him. There was a slight pang of disappointment that Lance, who had been his secret lover at one point, hadn’t actually done anything to advocate his freedom.

“Okay,” Caleb sighed, rising to his feet. “Time to do some damage control. Can you give the other Raptors a call? I want to meet everyone before school tomorrow.” They didn’t have practice before school on game days. That was just asking for their players to be tired and open to injury. It would be the best time to meet.

“You sure you’re up for this?” Lars ventured. “Your dad is going to be at the game tomorrow. He has to be. If you wanted to stay here tonight…”

Tempting as it was and though his mind could easily go into the dirty side of staying over, there were looming issues that he had avoided far too long and if several hours had already passed, that was several hours where his father’s anger had stewed. Just like any wound or cut, if untreated, that fury would fester and become toxic. Burning disinfectant was required. Worst case, full-on amputation.

“I’ve got to deal with this, Lars. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.” A quick kiss on the cheek and he was back out the door and up the steps, heading towards the roof. Ballistic remained parked there, unmolested by the elements or anyone curious about what a gold and black bike was doing on the rooftop of an apartment complex.

Keys in the ignition and he was launching off the rooftop with the hover engines active. The Time-Space Fold Engine allowed him to zoom through the West California Island cityscape without resistance. At these speeds, wind sheer would have whipped his hide raw but with the Engine active, he felt no resistance whatsoever; like flying through the voice of space. After five minutes, he was forced to land as the Engine reached its limit and he was forced to take the roads again. Landing in an alleyway ensured no one saw him take the technologically advanced - and illegal - vehicle from the sky and zoom down onto the roads.

As expected, when he got within range, Mary immediately called. This was not the time to talk to her so he just threw her a quick message to call him again in fifteen minutes. It only took another two before he was rolling up the ramp to the garage door, pushing Ballistic under the opening door to park right next to the family van. The door into the kitchen opened immediately. It was Abby.

“Oh my god,” she breathed in relief. “Caleb! We were so worried about you!” A quick shout back into the house announced that he had returned. Her eyes turned back to him, particularly his hair. “What did you do to your hair?”

Before anyone else could arrive, he offered Abby a faint smile. “Wanted to try something new. Sorry I made you worry. I just needed time to myself.”

“I’ve never heard you raise your voice to dad like that.”

Movement from behind her forced his smile to fade. “You might have to get used to it.”

David Hale marched across the house, ears folded back and fangs bared. It was now or never. “Where have you been, young man!? Do you know how worried we’ve been?”

Venom was already starting to bubble up from his gut. Jake had been right. Those emotions had gone unresolved. They were eager for a resolution and they came bubbling back up. “I’m sorry. I should have at least called.”

“Damn right you should have!” David thrust a finger in his direction, pushing Abby aside while he took front stage. The rest of the family was behind him trying to peek over his bulk at Caleb. “I want you to have your phone’s GPS on at all times so I know exactly where you are! This is not up for negotiation.”

Going on the offensive had only made David angrier. Being complacent and succumbing to his demands had only given him free reign and turned him into a domineering monster. There was only one other way he could think of approaching this situation.

“Sure,” Caleb answered with a dismissive shrug. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. With a flick, he turned on the GPS tracker. No doubt his dad would be able to find him wherever he went now. “Don’t think it’ll do you any good though.”

“And why’s that?”

“I don’t think Verison has coverage in other dimensions.” His dad’s eyes widened in realisation and he decided to take the opening. With his other paw, Caleb reached into his other pocket and retrieved the flask that had been given to him. He casually tossed it towards David who fumbled with it for a second. That moment of floundering allowed Caleb to slip past his hulking father and enter the house. “Jake told me that he got that from his favourite bartender. Who knows, dad, that might be you.”

That bought him another three seconds as his dad took in the name ‘Hale’ etched on the side of the flask. He just about made it to the stairs to the second floor when David recovered.

“I could never be friends with that bastard!”

Caleb glanced over his shoulder, an eyebrow raised. “Why? Don’t like the idea of you serving him?”

“Fuck no!” David lifted the flask and threw it straight at the ground. For a second, Caleb’s heart skipped a beat as the silver container slammed into the ground. Surprisingly, it didn’t shatter. Instead, it bounced straight back up and slammed into David’s chin. He had to stifle a laugh at the comical scene while his father clutched his chin and staggered back. Leon was not so subtle and even added a bit of pointing to his mocking laughter.

“You listen to me, young man,” snarled David, trying to recover some of his menace and dignity. “You do not get to speak to me the way you did and storm out like that!”

“Why not?” he countered, back still to his father. “Do I remind you of someone?” There was a flash of confusion on David’s features. “Don’t make me spell it out for you, dad.”

“What are you talking about?” snarled the bigger wolf.

Caleb sighed in exasperation - and for show - before turning around to face his father. “I’m you, dad.” He let that sink in. The rest of his family began to inch away from him. “I’m you as you were over twenty years ago when you came out as a super to grandpa and grandma.” David’s anger began to subside and his features were awash with realisation. That gave him time to quickly gather his thoughts. Jason and Jacob had been right. He and his dad were very much alike and that was what scared him

“You can’t stand the idea of me being my own wolf,” he continued, pressing forward. “Exactly how grandpa and grandma couldn’t stand the idea of you being anything other than a normal kid. But you still defied them. You went out and trained your powers. You did superhero work. You put yourself in danger despite how you were raised.” One paw in his pocket, he gestured absently around him. “Same thing with me. I spent most of my life trying to live up to your expectations. Trying to be you. Well, it’s happened, dad. I am you. Now we’re where you were when you decided to run away and go to Australia to find Ryan.”

Lillian lifted her paws to her muzzle. “Caleb, you’re not -”

“Maybe,” he interrupted, eyes never leaving his father’s. “It’s up to dad. Whether you’re aware of it or not, dad, you’re stepping all over my life. You took over my team; both Arsenal and the Raptors. You’re tearing apart my friends with that stunt you pulled with Ben’s family. I bet you hate the idea of me hanging out with Jake and you’ve already cooked up some scheme to pull me away from him. Hell, you even took away my first boyfriend when you dragged Lance off to the Elemental Tower.”

Caleb shook his head in clear defiance to his dad. “But that’s where it stops. I’m not going to be you. I’m not going to do what you did and run away from my problems like a coward.”

David’s anger returned. “How dare you!?”

“Don’t deny it, dad,” he said in a low, even voice. “You ran away. You couldn’t confront your parents over who you were and you ran away to the other side of the world to ‘find yourself’. That’s bullshit and we all know that the only reason you went to Australia was to start fresh because you didn’t have the guts to keep fighting here.”

Lance stepped forward. “Caleb, that’s a little harsh.”

“No, it isn’t.” Holding his ground, Caleb lifted his head, staring down his nose at David. “When Ryan died, you ran away again from that painful memory and came back here. It wasn’t to confront your parents either. You didn’t even contact them. You just hoped enough time had passed that everyone forgot about you. You got to ‘start again’ again. And it’s happening again. Instead of confronting the fact that Weapons Master, the guy you’ve been railing about in the media, is your son, you abandoned the Elemental Alliance and latched onto us to try and start again. Now, when Arsenal is floundering, you’re doing it again by trying to take over the Alpha Pack.”

He puffed out his chest. “That’s all you are, dad. A coward.”

David stomped forward, the might of his foot crushing the tiles beneath him. “You ungrateful -”

Leon suddenly stepped in between them but instead of opposing David, he was facing Caleb. “Caleb, bro. Dad is a lot of things. An asshole foremost but he’s a decent super. He’s done great things. He’s provided for us. He raised us and saved you when you were a pup. That’s got to count for something.”

Keeping strangely calm, Caleb said. “It does and it’s those parts that I choose to focus on.” Unrelenting, he added, “You raised me to be brave and to stand up for my ideals, dad. I’m not going to back down just because you were the one that taught me that especially when you’re clearly in the wrong. So I don’t regret what I said. It’s all true. You need to back off. You need to stop interfering in my life. I don’t need your help.”

“You think you can last one second out there without me!?” David snarled, his eyes burning red. “You’d be dead!”

“Dad!” Abby protested.

“Maybe,” Caleb said with a shrug. “Maybe not. But unlike you, I’m not alone.” Those words caused a flash of confusion across his dad’s features. “The difference between you and me, dad, is that you think you’re the only one that can do anything around here. That you have to save everyone. But that’s not me.” He shook his head, solidifying the resolution in his heart. “You grew up with some amazing powers. But me? I had to cope with the randomness of my abilities and the fact that I could barely control them. That taught me how to rely on others. Mary, Bren, Ben, Lars, Jake… All of them. I’ve come to rely on them and I know that even if I’m without you, they’re going to catch me.”

He spread his arms wide, a smile spreading across his face. “They’ve got me in this life and the next. I mean that literally too. I’ve been infected by the Gene Stealers before, remember? That means when I die, Jake’s got my soul and I know he’ll take care of me.” He shrugged, dropping his arms and gesturing towards his dad. “Knowing you, when you’re being judged, you’d probably march right up to Shin-Lazar and demand he abdicate his throne to you or argue with God that you deserve another chance or that you should return as an immortal saint or something.”

Leon dropped his arms from where he was blocking David. “Honestly… that does sound like something he’d do.”

“There’s a difference between accepting my fate and fighting it!” snarled David. “What you just explained was not cowardice! That’s a fighter!”

“That is cowardice,” Caleb said. “That’s someone who’s so afraid of putting their trust in anyone else that they have to micromanage every aspect of their life and others so that they can succeed.” He shook his head at his father. “You can’t keep this up, dad. You’re spreading yourself thin. You’re barely holding it together with Lance’s training, Arsenal, Assault, mom’s campaign, Leon’s…” He glanced at his brother. “… well, just Leon. And of course your lycanthropy. Now, with me standing here, you’re breaking apart. You’ve got to let something give. You’ve got to learn to let people live their lives and trust them to do the right thing.”

“If you’d just fall in line -!”

Caleb sighed and turned his back to his dad. “Sorry. Can’t do that. I’m where you were standing when you ran away from grandma and grandpa but instead of running away, I’m here to stay. Even if it means that you kick me out of this house, I’m going to stay and keep fighting.” He turned towards his dad, a gentle smile on his muzzle.

“I’m going to save you, dad.”

That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

A terrible howl rose from behind him. Instead of running, Caleb took a deep breath as time seemed to slow. He had said what he wanted to say. Whatever happened, he accepted it. This was his own doing.

“I’m putting my life in your paws,” he whispered to himself softly.

He was fairly sure his father had heard his last words when the huge wolf grabbed the side of his head. Caleb shut his eyes as the side of the kitchen counter came slamming towards his head. There was maybe half a second before he reflected on how easily David had smashed the tiles beneath his feet. A sort of… bemusement brushed against his mind as he wondered what his head would look like against such immense strength. Like a smashed watermelon, he guessed. Morbid as the thought was, he hoped at least that the lesson would stick with his dad forever.

… or it would scar his family, tear them apart and turn Feral Steel into a villain.

Either way, he wasn’t scared.

SMASH!

******

The lair was quiet and Alphonse Newman AKA Shark Tamer as quietly tapping away at the keys of his enormous computer. The console was doing countless calculations. Rewriting someone’s genetic structure was no easy task. Chimera made it seem so simple but the scientist of the Gene Stealers was still eager to understand exactly how their mysterious leader could manipulate someone’s body to the point where they could obtain new powers and shift seamlessly between one form or the others. It was simply fascinating and one of the reasons why he joined the group.

Protection from aging was another thing.

Then the quiet was interrupted.

Boom!

The doors to his lab burst open and in came Leon Hale AKA Fenrir.

“Fuck my dad!” he roared. “Fuck that huge, fucking asshole!”

Alphonse rolled his eyes and mentally wondered if that was exactly what their temperamental recruit wanted. “Did something happen, my good Fenrir?”

“Yes!” roared Leon, charging forward and slamming a fist into a nearby medical examination table. “Caleb came back today.”

Now the wolf had his attention. He had always been curious about Caleb Hale especially given his blood somehow could counteract Chimera’s abilities and restore the infected back to their former selves albeit with a few improvements. The fact that he had spontaneously dropped off the map and no amount of scanning could find him had piqued the scientist’s curiosity all the more. Likely had something to do the interdimensional traveller, Jacob Reaper. Another subject that had the shark staying up long nights.

“And?” prompted Alphonse.

“He grew an extra pair of balls.” Not a insult. A genuine expression of respect. “After he blew up at me and my dad yesterday, I was really impressed. But today, after he came back, he did something.”

The scientist had never been too good with interpersonal relationships. Playing to the stereotype of the socially inept nerd was not something he liked but it was just a personal preference. Still, he had always thought that Leon’s confrontational approach to Feral Steel was far from effective. Part of him had been disappointed when Caleb had done exactly the same thing. Friction could do a lot of things; generate heat, slow momentum, smoothen a surface but overall it led to the destruction of an object or at least loss of integrity. He did not want to lose a subject like Caleb, Leon or David.

“Pray tell, what?”

“He…” Leon’s features scrunched up in confusion like he was unsure exactly what he had observed. “He… said he wanted to save my dad.”

That was not what he was expecting and rose from his seat. “He did?”

“I think… I think he saw my dad for what he was. He called him a coward. Even said that if my dad were to die, he’d probably go up to the gods and try to fight them for his right to live or something.”

“The depths of your father’s ambition and arrogance could push him there.” Shark Tamer ran a webbed finger against his chin. “Still, for your normally subservient younger brother to do such a thing…”

“I know, right? I would’ve rolled with that and told him how all the bullshit he’s done is just him trying to cover up for his own weaknesses. You know, trying to bury his failures with more successes and more power so he’ll never be weak like that again. Instead, Caleb tells my dad that he’ll keep fighting. Not for himself but to save my dad…”

Now he understood.

“Your younger brother seems to be growing into a truly selfless ‘hero’,” observed Alphonse.

“Huh?”

“He’s learned the value of self-sacrifice.” Shark Tamer turned back towards his screen, his ever-present grin fading. “That is dangerous.”

Worry marred Leon’s voice. “What do you mean?”

“A hero who has learned the value of self-sacrifice is one who is willing to stop at nothing to defeat a foe. That is dangerous to us as he has more value to us alive than dead. If he realises that he a subject of my curiosity, I am sure he would be prompted to sacrifice himself. More so if another situation were to come up that demands his sacrifice.” He waved a hand absently through the air. “Don’t get me wrong. From what I understand your little brother has a decent head on his shoulders but if, say, he had to go to the sun to stop it from exploding, saving seven billion lives and preventing me from decoding his abilities would be all the push he’d need to make the sacrifice.”

He turned towards Leon. “Be sure not to put more ‘pros’ than ‘cons’ when constructing your schemes. Sacrifice usually has more in the ‘cons’ column but should even one entry slip into the ‘pros’ column, your brother will not hesitate to make that decision.” His sharp, toothy grin returned. “He has overcome the fear of death. Very curious.”

Leon’s features hardened. “Well… I guess he’s not dead yet. Thank Wolf Christ. Dad smashed his face into the kitchen counter. Broke the counter in half. He was conscious and alive but we had to pull off some rubble off him. He’s pretty durable despite not having superpowers.”

“I imagine he didn’t get out of it unscathed? No permanent brain damage?”

“Thankfully, no. He was bleeding everywhere though. We got him to the hospital. He’s got a scar over his right eye.”

“Sounds like your father was holding back somewhat.”

“I think he realised what he was doing just before he slammed Caleb into the counter but it was too late to stop the momentum. He was really freaked out after it though. Can’t even muster the courage to step into Caleb’s room in the hospital.” Leon’s eyes narrowed. “I wonder if I can use that against him…”

“More plans for your endgame?”

Leon snorted derisively. “Always.”

Alphonse smirked to himself and turned back towards the screen. Fenrir in legend was meant to only be unleashed during Ragnarok. Fitting then that Leon Hale took on that alias.

Fenrir would be the end of Arsenal.

******

“Holy shit, son!”

Gerard was the first one to rush forward, unsure how to react. His brown eyes didn’t leave the series of stitches and shaved fur that ran from about halfway up Caleb’s right forehead, cut through his eyebrow, ran over his eyes and drew a curve down his cheek, barely missing his lips. The doctors were fairly efficient and reported that there were no signs of brain damage. Just a concussion. And a scar. Surgery could get rid of the scar but only after it had healed. There had been some damage to his eye but thanks to modern technology, it had been repaired.

“What happened?” asked the defence captain. The rest of the team likely had some grievance over his disappearance the past day or so but seeing him now, those misgivings faded.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Caleb answered, gesturing at his face. He tried to smile but lifting his lips on the right side of his face was painful. The best he could manage was a lopsided smile much like Jacob’s; twisting his left side upwards. “Let’s just say this is the reason I wasn’t around yesterday.”

“You got into a wreck, didn’t you?” Gerard gave him a worried look. “I always knew motorcycles were death traps.”

“Leave Ballistic out of this,” he laughed, giving the moose a light punch. He strode past his co-captain to regard the rest of the team. Behind him, Lars lingered, keeping a respectful distance away and serving the dual purpose of keeping David Hale out. Father and son hadn’t talked at all since David had assaulted Caleb. Even in the hospital though from what he heard from his family, David was horrified by what he had done and was the first to rush Caleb into the wards. The doctors had wanted to keep him for the day but with the big game coming up, Caleb needed to be there for his team. One could argue that more brutal impacts and collisions with equally built furs put him at risk of further injury but he wasn’t going to let more people down.

“Okay team,” he announced, clapping his paws together. “I know it’s was pretty shitty of me to just up and disappear the day before the game but I’m here now. Don’t worry about me.” He gestured at his face. “I got a kickass scar out of it so I’ll consider that a win.”

A nervous laugh rippled throughout the team. This was more than just him disappearing. Football players could be notoriously superstitious. That their new captain came back with frosted tips and a scar likely spooked them. With the championship game just around the corner, they were all on edge. Looking around the locker room, he could see a few of his teammates fondling charms or giving in to their nervous habits. All eyes were on them right now. It was the championship game against their school rivals. This was going to be big!

He needed to defuse the situation; inject some confidence back into them. Advice from Jason told him to focus some of his energy into his normal life and to be grateful for what he had. May people would kill for his life. That inspired his speech.

“Look, I’m not going to tell you all that it’s just a game,” he began. “After all, this is fucking Bridgewood. We’ve hated on them for so long that I bet half of us don’t even know why.” He lifted his paw. “Hands up if anyone knows why we’re rivals in the first place.”

About six people held up their arms.

“We’re representing our school today,” he continued.

“Repre-sent!” hollered Gerard.

He gave the moose a quick glance and he got a shrug in return. Returning to his speech, he said, “But let’s not forget what it took to get here. Let’s be thankful for all the ups and downs that got us here. I’m thankful for that fumble Keith managed to grab when we were against the Cobras. You threw the ball to me and we managed to grab that touchdown. Remember?”

The groundhog and backup quarterback beamed brightly. “We cycled out Lars for a second to throw the other team off our trail. It wasn’t even meant to be a real play. Just there to exhaust them.”

“But we still got a touchdown out of that.” Caleb turned to another member of the team. A cheetah. “Cole, remember when Lars threw the ball to you instead of me and you sprinted forty yards?” He made a slicing gesture with his paw. “We were on the fourth down! That was a fucking spectacular try, man!”

The cheetah blushed beneath his yellowish-tan fur and glanced away. “If he’d thrown it to you, you would’ve made that.”

“Maybe but you got the ball and you gave us all the breathing room we needed to win! I’m thankful for that.” Another example was needed. This time from the defence. “Freddy. Do you remember when you stopped four guys all by yourself? You spread your arms wide and pulled them all down with you! And you held on! You’ve got some serious guns, man!”

The bull lifted his arms, flexing them. “Thems my babies!”

Then he turned to Gerard. “And G. Last game. We were in synch man! And you pushed me to become captain.” He gave the moose’s chest a backhanded slap. “I’m thankful for that.”

“And I’m thankful for you’re craziness, ya wild wolf!” Gerard caught him in a headlock, prompting him to laugh. The rest of the team jumped to their feet and crowded around, cheering and laughing. The stress of the impending game had eased.

The defence captain released him then lifted his arms. “Hey bros! Just so you know, I got us tickets to the West California Island Coalition Tournament tomorrow! Win or lose, we’re gonna see some supers duke it out!”

Again with the name change. Hopefully it stuck this time. Caleb shook the thought free of his mind and cheered with the rest of the team. Already he could tell that the pressure had been lifted. For now, at least.

“Alright guys,” he laughed, pumping a fist into the air. “Let’s make it through today. Then tonight, the Raptors will soar!”

Gerard grinned at him. “Huh.”

He regarded the moose with an eyebrow raised. “What?”

“I don’t think we ever had anything close to a team cry like that. I like it. Raptors soar.”

From behind them, Lars cried, “Soar, Raptors soar!”

The rest of the team, grinning from ear to ear, began mirroring the chant. “Soar, Raptors soar! Soar, Raptors soar!”

All Caleb had to do was to put his paw out in front of him and the rest of the team immediately placed theirs on top of his.

“Soar, Raptors soar!” he cried.

As one, they threw their hands into the air.

The rest of the day went by in a blur. The entire school was a flurry with the idea of the football team heading to the championship match against their rivals. Even if they weren’t enthusiastic about football, it was hard not to get sucked into the energy that flooded the hallways. The chant of ‘Soar, Raptors Soar’ invaded every hour and every corner of the school. The hype was very much real. Add to that the fact that the new captain of the football team was now sporting a new look complete with ‘badass scar’ and the rumour mill was working overtime. No news is bad news and Caleb’s abrupt absence with his reappearance with some extra features made for some hot gossip.

By the time lunch rolled around, he had braced himself for the inevitable onslaught of questions from his friends.

“Okay, first of all,” Rhiannon said, suckling on a suspiciously blood-red lollipop. “Where did you get your hair done? They did a great job.”

Caleb absently ran his fingers through the frosted tips at the ends of his spiked fringe. “Honestly don’t know it’s name. It’s some sort of interdimensional shopping mall that Jake took me to.”

The Hound of Destruction rolled her eyes while setting her bare feet on the table. “Of course it had to be Reaper. How else could you have disappeared like that? You know the gods were really pissed when they couldn’t track you.”

“They can’t track me anyway. Gene Stealer survivor here, right?”

“Yeah but they’ve been getting around that by other means. Like gods of clothes, fashion or textiles can track you based on your clothing. Gods of insects can secretly watch you from a fly or maybe a god of vermin can watch you through a rat’s eyes. It’s not really that accurate but you can’t expect the deities to really just accept that Gene Stealers have them one-upped in this manner.” She scoffed as he lapped at her lollipop. “Guess Reaper is right in that sense. They aren’t gods. Just mortals. Mortals with insecurities.”

It made his skin crawl thinking that the gods were spying on him using his clothes. “I’m not sure how to feel about that.”

“Uncomfortable,” Mary surmised, poking her salad with a little bit more vim than usual. “If the gods are meant to be perfect, why do they have to ‘adjust’ their strategies? Why do they have to keep watch on us at all?” She sighed, breathing out whatever baggage she held before turning her eyes towards him, filled with concern. “What about you? How are you feeling? Did your dad…?”

An unusual tenseness fell upon their table. No doubt someone - likely Mary - had already told the others the origins of his scar. Parental abuse was not a laughing matter and everyone - including himself - was holding their breath. Dancing on a knife’s edge, he was just waiting for the next move. His focus was on the game against Bridgewood and he couldn’t let what had happened the previous night distract him. If no one made the next move before the end of the final quarter, he was going to confront his dad. What would happen then… he wasn’t sure.

“Honestly, I’m actually a little relieved,” he admitted with a faint smile. It still hurt to smile fully. “I got to say what I wanted and I think, for the first time, I actually saw my dad for who he is.”

“And what’s that?” Ben asked, wary about the answer.

Caleb regarded the burger on his plate wistfully. Even with his injury, he had managed to make it this morning. That had led to a rather awkward moment when he was cooking in the kitchen and, attracted by the smell, his dad had entered the kitchen. They stared at one another for a whole two minutes before Caleb realised they would just stare for several more. So he just turned back to his cooking, packed his lunch and then got ready for school.

“Scared,” he answered. “My dad is just scared. He’s scared he’ll lose everything and he feels he has to do something about it. He’s a superhero but the kind of superhero that makes the police and justice system redundant because he’s the one that does everything.” He shrugged in Ben’s direction. “You know, the kind you see in the kid’s shows where the hero does everything and all the police do is arrest people or mess up? He’s that kind.”

“Might be why he barely gets along with Leon who’s training to be a cop,” Lars pointed out.

Mary nodded and chimed in. “It lines up. Leon has felt that he’s been ignored or made redundant ever since the Gnoll incident and being a cop in a world of superheroes isn’t easy.”

“I’m going to confront him after the game,” Caleb said resolutely. “But not before. We’ve got to focus.”

His best female friend gave him a helpless shrug and a shake of her head coupled with an impressed smile. “Honestly I don’t see how you’re taking this so well. If any of my parents ever hit me to the point where I had to be hospitalised, I’d be pressing charges.”

Realistically speaking, he really should be going to the police. Leon was likely itching to report David to child services but so long as Caleb didn’t push for an arrest, there was nothing to be done especially since he wasn’t considered a minor anymore. It was actually a wonder someone from the government hadn’t come knocking on their door already to take him into custody away from David. There would be a mountain of evidence that would be incendiary in a case against David. With Lillian going for mayorship, David’s lack of an official job apart from assistant football coach in the public’s eyes and his shouting matching with Leon that could be heard down the street, being branded as an unfit parent would come very easily. Then there was the less public evidence like being Feral Steel, a werewolf and the events of the past few months and the red flags were out in force.

But that was his point.

David couldn’t control everything. He had to let go and trust his family and friends to do the right thing because if he didn’t then he’d explode.

He would do something rash.

Like hit his own son.

“I think it’s really easy to hate him for what he did,” Caleb answered calmly. “But I goaded him on. I wanted to make a point.”

“You could have died.” Her voice was heavy with emotion. “I don’t know what I’d do if that ever happened.”

One glance around the table and he knew the rest of his friends felt exactly the same thing. She had been right; he was the glue that stuck them together and if he ever went away, Arsenal would dissolve.

He powered through the pain and offered them all a bright smile. “You’ll be fine. I trust you.”

Ben groaned loudly. “Fuck… You’re turning into one of those heroes.”

“Huh?” he asked, ears swivelling towards the werewolf’s direction.

Blood Wolf rolled his eyes and waved absently in his direction, trying to avoid his gaze. “The goody-goody kind that’s all in touch with their emotions. Next thing you know, you’ll be telling us that you’ve ‘touched our hearts’ or something and that there’s a little bit of you living in each of us and that’s helped us become better people. If you ever die, you’ll live on in us or some shit. Then, there’s going to be some big battle where the bad guys try to isolate you from the rest of us and you spout some bullshit about your ‘friends being your power’ and you overcome them somehow.”

Caleb broke into a grin but his right cheek gave him a stabbing pain that quickly ended with a gasp. “Well, when you think about it. You used to be a supervillain and now…”

Ben plugged his ears. “La-la-la-la-la! I’m not listening! La-la-la!”

He snickered, glad for the momentary respite. Even if the topic was still somewhat related to his life as a hero, it was good to have some ‘normal’ interaction. There was no angst about the next Gene Stealer attack. No plotting against superheros seeking to undermine them. No political discourse over military generals that wanted to shackle them. Of course, that would not last. If there was anything he learned from spending time in that interdimensional megamall, he would have to deal with his problems the moment he stepped back into reality.

That came sooner than he would have liked as the lunch bell rang and they hurried back to class and that meant he was closer to the end of the school day. Within a few hours, the final bell rang and the championship game was upon them. Caleb drove Ballistic back home. It would have been presumptuous of him to assume his dad would offer him a ride to the stadium in the family van so after a quick shower - careful to avoid reopening his stitches - he packed his football gear into a duffel bag and then headed back towards the garage.

Abby was waiting patiently for him at the bottom of the stairs.

“You’re not going to ride with us, are you?” she asked softly.

He offered her a small smile. “Probably best that I don’t. Dad wants to feel needed. Relevant. I can’t give him that.”

She nodded softly. “I’m more worried about you.”

“Me?” he asked, surprised by the statement. “What for? The doctors cleared me last night. They said I could play today.”

“It’s not that. Though those doctors were crazy to think you could play football after having a mild concussion.” A look of worry crossed her features, something he wasn’t familiar with receiving from her. “Last night. When you were talking down to dad. You almost seemed… at peace. Like you were ready to throw away your life just to teach dad a lesson.” She held up a paw. “And it was effective. Don’t get me wrong. I think he’s sobered up a little from his power trip but… I just don’t want you thinking that your life is meaningless.”

“Abby…”

“Let me finish,” she said sharply. “Caleb, you’re my little brother. That’ll never change. I…” Her lips twisted like she had a foul taste in her mouth. “… I love you.”

Caleb narrowed his gaze and let out a soft groan. “Wait for it…”

“As a sibling would love another sibling but not in the way you and Lance did.”

“There it is…”

Ignoring him, she continued. “Our family is pretty fucked up. Mom is running for mayor against a decorated general of the military. Dad is a super and a werewolf. Leon is a cop against him and Lance is training under the Elemental Alliance. You’re an Outsider fighting against these crazy weirdos out to transform people through orgasms and I’m moving to Australia. That’s not normal.”

“I’d think ‘normal’ would be boring.”

“Some people would kill for normal and others would kill for our lives.”

Jason’s words rang through his sister. There would be people who would love to have his complicated life. Sacrifice whatever they had just so that they could get a taste of what it meant to live in the world of supers. But the grass is always greener, as they say. That was something Caleb understood.

“All I’m saying is that don’t go being a martyr,” Abby insisted. “I’ve studied law and been to a few court cases as an intern. There is a lot of pain that happens when someone dies.”

Caleb flinched and gave her a startled look. “They let you into murder cases!?”

“What?” she answered. “No! I meant like people contesting wills and stuff. Trust me, people get really petty over something like that.”

He breathed a sigh of relief. “Okay. Phew.” He made a show of wiping his brow with the back of his paw. “You don’t have to worry, Abby. I’m not going to die just to make a point. I’m going to keep fighting.” With a wink, he stepped past her towards the garage. “Dad always said I was a fighter from the moment I was born.”

The players had to be at the stadium well before the game actually started so even though the game itself started at six in the evening, he had to leave almost immediately. It was amazing just how much the energy in West California High could change in the span of an hour. The gold and blue of the Raptors was everywhere as was the opposing orange and black of Bridgewood. Fans from both teams and even casual spectators were already filling the stands. With this being the much delayed championship game, the air was simply charged with football fever. Several hovering bleachers were already full and slowly doing laps around the stadium. The enormous screens were flashing highlights and reels as the commentators - one from each school - were comparing notes about the odds of their teams winning amongst some friendly banter mixed with some competitive jabs.

Towards the opposite end of the stadium, he caught sight of the black and orange bus where the Bridgewood players were just emerging. All of them wore grim features. They wanted this just as much as the Raptors. One of their players in particular, a wolverine, Caleb recognised almost immediately.

Ballard.

A little bit of guilt struck him as he realised he didn’t actually know Ballard’s first name. Something he should have focused on given the guy had been his bane the last time the Raptors and Leviathans had clashed. The cornerback had tailed him and seen through his tactics. It was like fighting his evil twin on the football field. That made him scoff at the possibility before heading towards the Raptor’s locker room.

Some members of the team were already there, likely never having left the school grounds. Several of them were already dressed and going about their rituals to hope for a good game. Caleb got dressed and marvelled that he didn’t have a ritual of his own. Though now that he was captain, he had to wonder if should given how much pressure was on him. With at least two hours to spare, he sat down on one of the benches, pulled out his playbook and began running through the plays and commands he and Gerard and concocted during practice, committing them once more to memory. Compared to the fights against the Gene Stealers, this was so easy and this felt strangely… stress free.

“Nervous?” boomed Gerard. His co-captain sat down next to him, running his fingers through a seashell necklace that looked more like a choker around his thick neck.

“Actually,” Caleb answered, a calm smile touching his features, “not really. Isn’t that weird? It’s the championship game and for some reason, I’m not stressed at all.”

“You’d be the only one,” came the nervous half-laugh, half-snort. “Our whole school is watching, ya know. Whatever happens, it’s going to define the rest of our career in the school. Fuck, dude. If we lose this, I might just move to Australia early!”

Caleb clapped the moose on the shoulder. He hadn’t noticed Gerard had been shaking until his firm paw stopped it. “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. It’s just a game. Besides, if we win this one, there will be even more pressure to perform next season. It might’ve been easier if we had lost and been knocked out.”

Gerard stared at him in shock. “What? You seriously think that!?”

“No,” he answered with a smirk. “But it got you to appreciate that we’re here, right?”

The wide moose grinned at him and gave him a friendly punch to the shoulder. “You and your fucking mind games. Save some of that for Ballard and the fucking Leviathans.”

Just as he said that, a familiar figure came charging at a brusquer pace through the locker rooms.

“We’ll crush them,” Caleb said confidently, snapping his playbook shut. “Hang on a second. I got to talk to my dad.” He rose to his feet and after David who had quickly entered the coaches’ offices, desperately trying not to make eye contact with Caleb. It was obvious that they had seen each other and even more obvious that David was purposefully trying to avoid his son.

Too bad the office was a dead end.

Caleb didn’t bother knocking and pushed open the large, red door and poked his head in. David was the only one there and he attempted to try and look busy with some clearly blank papers.

“Dad. Can we talk?”

David’s voice broke as he quickly said, “Kind of busy here. Last few days I’ve lost a bit of focus so I need to catch up on the latest plays and -”

“Yeah, you’re not going to be coaching us today,” Caleb said, entering the room and shutting the door behind him. David’s eyes boggled as he stared at his son. “From what I hear, you’ve terrorised my team yesterday trying to find me. If you think they’re going to listen to you after this…” He gestured his newly acquired scar. “… you’re either in denial or stupid.”

David didn’t even fight that and ducked his head. “I deserve that…” He lifted a paw. “I got the message, Caleb. After today’s game, I’m going to quit being assistant coach. I just thought that if I quit after the team saw what happened to you, they’d put two and two together and their morale would drop. I don’t want you to lose this game.” Then his lifted his gaze, eyes pleading. “But you should know -”

“Save it, dad,” Caleb interrupted. “I don’t need your apologies. I need you to get better.” He hiked a thumb over his shoulder. “The guys out there are going to get spooked if you’re not around barking orders like you usually are. Let’s put what happened last night on hold until after the game, okay? We don’t need to hurt anyone else because of what we did.”

His dad nodded firmly. “Fine. I’m good with that. Just…” He gulped loudly. “Caleb, I was really mad. I shouldn’t have…”

“Yeah. You shouldn’t have.” A smile tugged at his lips and it was quickly interrupted by the stabbing pain on his right side so he was forced to make the lopsided smile again. “But it just shows that you’re a dad. You’re not a god or some perfect superhero. So take my advice and stop micromanaging us. We can take care of ourselves. Back off Leon. Stop trying to turn Lance into your clone. Stay away from Arsenal and cut that stupid rivalry with Jake. You know he can curb-stomp you if he wanted and even if you won, you’d never be satisfied because you’d always think he’s holding back.”

David’s eyes flared up in fury. “That smarmy son-of-a-bitch -” He cut himself off and lifted his paw. “Okay… Okay, fair enough. I’ll back off. Let me just say I’m sorry.”

“Apology accepted,” Caleb said, turning to leave. “Now come on and stark barking orders again.”

“I’m sorry for smashing your face against the kitchen island,” David continued. “And I’m sorry for interfering with everyone’s lives. But most of all…”

Caleb paused, swivelling his ears back to listen to what his father had to say.

“… I’m sorry for leaking our playbook to Bridgewood.”

His heart immediately plummeted.

“You did what!?”

David grimaced, hunching down like he was a pup that had just been reprimanded. “I… I wasn’t thinking straight last night. I was mad and… I knew you wouldn’t abandon the team. You’d be back before the big game and I was…” A pleading look crossed his dad’s features. “I guess I was scared you’d break away just like I did with my parents. I didn’t want to lose you. I didn’t want to be like my dad who just gave up on me. So I… I thought that if we lost this game…”

Caleb ran a paw down his face, grimacing as he agitated his fresh scar. “… that I’d come running back to you, shaken and begging for forgiveness… Fuck dad…”

The Leviathans knew their playbook. Sure they only had a day to go over it but that was all their tactics. No doubt there was a copy amongst the Bridgewood coaches and if they spotted a particular formation, they would know how to counter. The game hadn’t even started and already they were on the losing end.

Caleb cupped his lower jaw, mind racing.

Then he thought back to how Jacob had dealt with the Gimp. Jake knew that there was a traitor amongst them and he had played that to his advantage. He let them know about how Mugen Kosetsu worked and, in a way, got the Gimp to focus on him unleashing the blade’s stored power but completely ignored the rest of Jacob’s abilities.

“That could work,” he muttered. With great purpose, he charged out of the coach’s office, brought two fingers towards his lips and let out a shrill whistle. That caught the attention of the team even as David emerged from the room, looking worried. “Hey boys! I got news!”

The players, Lars included, watched him, likely expecting an inspiration speech.

“Our playbook has been leaked to the other side.”

There was a second of silence. Then…

“What the fuck!?” Gerard roared. “Who the fuck did it!? Where’s the snitch!?”

This was not the time to start pointing fingers. A quick glance at the clock perched on the locker room revealed they had about two minutes before they were expected out on the field.

“Guys!” he roared, holding up his paws. “This isn’t a bad thing.”

“Of course it is!” bellowed Lars. “They’ll predict our every move!”

Caleb grinned and pointed at his boyfriend, turning his paw into a finger gun.

“Exactly.”

******

The two teams stood on the field facing the northern screen. The national anthem was playing and they all stood, hands or paws to their hearts while a soloist from the West California High choir belted out a beautiful rendition of the song. Mary stood, as was expected, alongside Alex, Ashton and Rhiannon; the members of her team that weren’t part of the football team. When the last notes of the song ended, she sat back down. Their seats were positioned on the Raptors’ side and not on one of the hovering platforms either. She hated those as she could barely ever see anything and had to rely on the screens.

A bit of shuffling and a few ‘excuse mes’ came from her right. Surprise hit her as a blonde-haired wolf came navigated his way through the other onlookers and parked himself next to her, carrying a big white and red bucket of popcorn.

“Popcorn?” Jacob asked, offering it to her. “It’s got cheddar powder all over it.”

She gave him a consolatory look. “Uh… we don’t usually eat popcorn a football games. In fact, where did you get that?”

“Brought it from home. Don’t worry, still hot.” Jacob threw a pawful into his muzzle and munched on it loudly. “Besides, you can’t blame me. I have no idea what kind of food they serve in these kinds of games but I know they’re hellishly expensive.”

A quick roll of her eyes and she turned back to the field where the two teams were forming a scrimmage line. The Leviathans won the toss and they opted to go on the defence first. “Says a lot about our society that I totally agree with that statement.” With a sigh, she said, “You know what? I will have some of that.”

Jacob handed her the bucket and she took a few pieces. There was a ridiculous amount of cheddar powder. “Honestly, I expected you to bring some sort of gourmet meal that would have everyone raving or something. Not this…” She dusted her hands off and handed to Ashton who sat next to her. “… cheesy mess.”

“Sometimes you’ve got to appreciate the simpler things in life.”

“Is that the advice you gave Caleb and that’s why he’s more focused on the game?”

The wolf shrugged as a reply just as the whistle blew and the first play of the game was made. Raptors fans went wild as the ball was snapped to Lars who immediately tossed it towards Caleb. Loud roars erupted from the crowd and even Mary was on her feet, cheering wildly as the ball sailed through the air. Her heart went to her throat, however, when that cornerback - Ballard - came rushing towards her friend like a charging bull.

“He’s not gonna make it!” Alex cried.

“He doesn’t have to,” Mary answered with a grin.

Then, just as the ball was about to land in Caleb’s paws, a cheetah zoomed in front of him. Caleb immediately crouched, cupping both paws together as the cheetah launched at him. He vaulted the cat right into the ball. There was cameras that went off and the screens flashed as the spotted feline snatched the ball out of midair and landed deftly on his feet.

The Raptors cheered -

SLAM!

Only to wince as a boar came charging out of nowhere and downed the cheetah. The ball fumbled out of the cat’s paws and Ballard snatched it up.

“What the fuck!?” Rhiannon cried. “Where the fuck did that boar come from!?”

“Behind Ballard,” Jacob answered, his eyes narrowed. He hadn’t risen to his feet. “The guy was smart. Kept low and behind the wolverine so that all attention was on the star interceptor. No one really paid any attention to him until it was too late.”

Ashton slumped into his seat, looking discouraged. “Not a good way to start off the game, eh? They boys have lost ownership of the ball now, right?”

“Possession, dear,” Mary said, gently tapping the tiger’s arm. “And yes. Now the Raptors are on the defence.” She looked worriedly towards the field. Tempted as she was to reach for Caleb’s mind, her promise not to use her powers unless it was necessary kept her in check.

On the field, the Raptors changed their teams, switching from offense to defence. It was Gerard’s turn on the field. Though they had gained ten yards, that was a pitiful progress for the first play of the game. The excitement in the air didn’t ebb, though. Fans still had faith in their players and even the Leviathan supporters had to begrudgingly admit that the previous play had been spectacular. The Leviathans had just been slightly better.

The whistle blew. Suddenly, Bridgewood’s offensive line broke, scampering back and crowding around their fullback. In the confusion, Gerard did the best he could and barked orders for the Raptors to rush the tight circle of players. Tactically, it would have been foolish as now the Leviathans were surrounded. Alex was already questioning the move when, as the Raptors closed in, the Leviathans exploded outward. Their linemen crashed into their counterparts, taking down one or two of the hulking blue-and-gold Raptors at once.

“Oh no…” Mary breathed.

The quarterback was unharmed while the Leviathans had taken down most of the defence save for one or two stragglers. That allowed their quarterback to leap over the struggling linemen and charge down the field. He got forty yards before someone tackled him to the ground. Mary clutched the sides of her head in dismay.

“This is bad,” she whispered. “This is really bad.”

“Don’t lose faith,” Jacob reassured her. “It’s just the first minute of the game. There’s still more to come.”

Not even sixty seconds into the game and the Raptors had already lost thirty yards! She wasn’t sure if Jacob was familiar with how football was played but that was terrible! Especially for the home team. Still, Raptors fans cheered and urged their players to keep fighting. It wasn’t over.

Even with their tries reset, the next play saw the Leviathans gain just five yards and the one after that had another five. Gerard was panicking out there and reverted to more traditional tactics. None of the showy plays that they had practiced. In less than two minutes of the game, West California High was just at the doorstep of their end zone! Two more tries and either the Leviathans tried for a field goal or rushed for a touchdown. With only ten more yards separating them from the end zone, they had plenty of wiggle room.

Her throat went dry as the whistle blew.

Gerard’s defence splintered down the middle, purposefully letting some members of the Leviathan’s offense to slip by and get into the end zone. With less resistance, two linemen - Gerard included - charged down the middle straight at the quarterback. Raptor’s fans were immediately on their feet and even Mary had to jump up to see what was going on. A loud cry came up from the Leviathan’s side as the quarterback suddenly began retreating, charging back down twenty yards much to everyone’s puzzlement. That was until someone realised that wasn’t the quarterback they were used to.

It was the Leviathan’s kicker.

“No!” Mary cried but her cry was unheard in the cheering of the crowd.

The pseudo-quarterback dropped the ball from shoulder height and immediately kicked it high into the air, sending it soaring well over Gerard’s head and crossing the remaining thirty yards into the end zone…

… where it was immediately caught by the wide receiver of the Leviathans who had been posing as an offensive lineman.

Six points to the Leviathans.

“What’s going on!?” Rhiannon exclaimed. “Our guys are getting creamed out there! And not in the fun way.”

A soft laugh came from Jacob’s lips, catching all of their attention.

“The Leviathans are deploying their tactics too well and are purposefully countering the plays that Gerard and Caleb are throwing down,” concluded the wolf. “They know which plays they’re employing based on their formations. That can only mean one thing.”

“Someone leaked the Raptors’ playbook,” Mary concluded. She grimaced, rolling her head back. “Oh God…”

“David,” Rhiannon scowed, the Hound of Destruction was at her feet. “Where is that pup? I swear I’ll scrub his eyeballs raw with a fucking steel wool sponge!”

Countering the Leviathan’s moves would be difficult but not impossible. If she could get into her heads, she could identify the counters that they had developed for each of their plays. Relaying that information to the Raptors could give them an advantage. But that would break her rule of never using her powers to pry into people’s minds unless it was really important. Was this important enough? It was the championship game.

Her heart was tugging at her to go for it. This was Caleb’s future on the line. There were college scouts in the audience and this could be his chance to impress them and get into college on a football scholarship. On the other hand, what if she lost control? She wasn’t cured from Tibia, the Gimp’s or Migraine’s strains. Only the techniques taught to her by the former henchmen helped her control her bestial state and even now, her heart was pumping and blood racing with adrenaline. If she reached into the minds of the Leviathan players, she could inadvertently turn them into beasts.

“Take it easy, all of you,” Jacob said, exuding an aura of calm.

“And you’re not taking this seriously enough,” snapped Rhiannon.

The black-furred wolf waved her down. “Listen. Caleb and Gerard didn’t work so hard to develop unique plays. They worked hard to develop their adaptability.”

******

The first quarter ended with the Raptors at a miserable 6 points to the commanding lead of the Leviathans of 27. That was four touchdowns to the Leviathans and a field goal. Caleb hadn’t managed a single touchdown and it was only thanks to the rest of the team that they managed to get two field goals. Kicking the ball into the goalposts was not something the Leviathans could counter. Still, the points were definitely not in their favour.

“We are getting owned out there!” bellowed Michael, one of their linemen. The husky threw his helmet into the ground with a shout. “Please tell me you’ve got a plan?”

Caleb watched his opponents sauntering off to their side of the field, confident and slapping one another enthusiastically.

That was exactly what he wanted.

“Yeah,” he answered, grinning from ear to ear. “Now we shake things up. We’re up team.”

“Great,” Lars said, bounding over to him. “What’s the play?”

“The High Rise.” He turned back towards his team, a devilish grin on his muzzle. “Version 2.”

The horn blew and it was time for the second quarter. Caleb marched out onto the field, filled with determination and trying to ignore the scoreboard. As always, he parked himself on the right-hand flank of the scrimmage. Opposite to him, he could see the wolverine, Ballard, half-growling and half-laughing at him.

“How’s it feel to be the captain to lose the championship match, Hale?” challenged his rival on the field.

Caleb snarled back, trying to pretend that he was frustrated. “We haven’t lost yet, Ballard. Still three more quarters to go.”

“You think so?” Ballard tapped the side of his helmet. “We’re in your head. We know your next moves before you even think about them.” He nodded towards the line of scrimmage. “Like right now? You’ve got McLeod parked back to throw to you. Your boys Lane and Pedro are on the sides. You’re going for the High Rise again. You know that’s not going to work right? Didn’t work the first time.”

He scowled. “Says you!”

The short, unimaginative comeback only got a laugh from Ballard.

The whistle blew and Lars shouted the play. Just like the first play of the game, Caleb bolted forward, slipping past Ballard. As much as he hated to admit it, Ballard was just as fast as he was. If his rival wasn’t so intent on disrupting the High Rise, the two of them would have ended on the ground in a tangle of bodies. Caleb looked over his shoulder just as Lars snapped the ball in his direction. Ballard’s features brightened in triumph as another Raptor came rushing towards Caleb. The fans were already slumping into their seats, realising that the same play was being used and already predicting where it would go.

Skidding to a halt, Caleb cupped his paws together, forming a platform as his teammate stomped on his paws. He launched the other player high into the air, right in the direction of the ball. There was another spectacular catch but the cameramen didn’t bother tagging it for the highlight reel. They knew what was coming.

Only they didn’t.

Because, in midair, Keith the backup quarterback, turned back towards the Leviathan’s end zone and before he hit the ground, launched the ball. Ballard’s eyes boggled as he ground to a halt, realising that there would be no ball for him to catch on the fumble. Instead, he turned his head, watching the arch of the ball sail over his head, over the thirty-yard line and right into Caleb’s paws. Raptors fans were immediately on their feet as Caleb charged the last twenty yards to the end zone, spiking the ball hard into the ground. He threw his head back and let out a victorious howl.

“Holy shit!” exclaimed one of the announcers. “Did you see that!? That was a midair pass by backup quarterback Keith Lemmon right into Caleb ‘Halestorm’ Hale’s paws! Was that the same play as before? Was that what was meant to happen?”

Now it was 12 to 27. The gap was closing.

Caleb locked gazes with Ballard and blew him an exaggerated kiss. This was far from over but it also proved his theory. The Leviathans were coming off the high from how they played in the first quarter. Confident that they could disrupt every play the Raptors threw at them, they never expected the Raptors to add little variations to their plays. At least not this early since the playbook still had so many plays that had yet to be employed.

Now it was time to try for an extra point.

Coach Davidson was signalling for a kicker. Right next to the burly, bearded man, David Hale had his ears folded back and was shaking his head slightly. William, their rabbit kicker marched towards the scrimmage. Caleb intercepted him, placing a paw on his shoulder.

“Get me Keith. We’ll try for a 2-point conversion.”

William stared at him in shock. “What? Really?”

“Yeah,” he locked gazes with his dad from across the field. “We’ve got nothing to lose right now. Might as well make the try.”

The rabbit shrugged and bolted back towards the line. Davidson looked annoyed that Caleb was overruling him but thus far, the young wolf had been able to take command of the situation and knew what he was doing.

“What’s the play?” Keith asked, huddling next to him with the others.

“Go rogue,” he answered.

“Seriously?” Lars blurted. “Caleb, this isn’t the time to just ‘wing it’.”

A glance over his shoulder at the Leviathans and he could tell they were on edge. “It’s the perfect time. They expect us to pull off something like the Spearhead or the Ole. So we need to give them something they’re not expecting.”

The Raptors looked dubious but they trusted him.

“You’re the captain,” Keith concluded.

“I’m trusting you guys,” he said with a grin. This was something his dad never did; trust his teammates. Even if it didn’t work out, he would feel proud of his team. Thrusting his paw in front of him, he said, “Soar on three.”

Paws and hands settled on top of his.

“One,” he began.

“Two!” bellowed Lars.

“Three!”

“Soar Raptors, Soar!” they all cried in unison, throwing their arms into the air.

The team scrambled to their scrimmage with Caleb practically butting heads with Ballard.

“You think you’re so clever,” scowled the wolverine through his helmet. “Just because you got one touchdown doesn’t mean you’ll win the game. We’re still on to you.”

“The only time I’ve ever had someone so obsessed with me is with my boyfriend,” he chortled.

Ballard’s eyes widened for a second. “Wait… you’re gay?”

“Tackle me and find out,” he challenged.

The wolverine’s features turned into a frown though it wasn’t one of fury or frustration. It was confusion. That expression was reflected on Caleb as it was not the reaction he was expecting. His train of thought was derailed when Lars shouted ‘hike’ and the ball went racing towards the scrimmage. He quickly bolted backwards, shooting towards where the offense and defence were trying to muscle one another over. Ballard was hot on his tail and he could practically feel the wolverine’s claws on his flanks.

He immediately threw himself at the nearest linebacker, pulling the guy back from his own offensive lineman. Ballard crashed into him a second later and with their combined weight, they were able to bring down the bull much to the lineman’s surprise. His own lineman was suddenly freed and gave a holler. The ball shot towards him and the orca caught it. He leapt clean over the pile of bodies and landed within a few feet of the end zone. Fans were on their feet, shouting. A Safety charged for him but the orca, Vahn, threw himself into the air, diving for the end zone. Caleb grimaced. He would never have made that dive so far off but he put his faith in his teammate.

WHAM!

The safety slammed into the orca and the two went crashing to the ground, just on the line indicating the end zone.

A whistle blew.

A referee came charging over, peering down where the two had landed.

Caleb’s heart froze and he could feel Ballard had gone rigid in anticipation.

The referee threw both arms into the air.

West California High’s score was now 14.

Raptors fans cheered. One the screen, Vahn’s hands, still clutching the ball, had just landed in the end zone. The Leviathans, clearly frustrated, jumped to their feet and marched off the field. Caleb grinned and slipped out of Ballard’s grip. He glanced towards the wolverine to give him a smug smirk but was surprised to find a look of confusion and harsh analysis directed straight at him.

Maybe this switch of tactics wouldn’t last for much longer.

He jogged back to his side of the field, his team cheering him on. Gerard slapped his back and marched onto the field as the defence took over.

“Keep them guessing,” Caleb told his co-captain. “They know our strongest suit is our offense. Give them hell.”

The moose gave him a thumbs up. “You got it, chief.”

He padded over to where David stood. His dad stood rather stiffly while the defence got set up alongside the Leviathan’s offense. There was going to be an awkward silence until the whistle blew so it was up to him to break it.

“I went for it.”

David nodded, keeping his eyes away. “Yeah. Yeah you did.”

“I noticed that you didn’t agree with the head coach on that.”

“It… We had to press our advantage,” replied David gruffly. “They were disoriented. They didn’t know what was happening. Playing conservatively would have lost us the game in the long run.”

“You still think we’ll lose?”

David ducked his head. “If we do, it’s my fault.”

Caleb sighed and crossed his arms behind his head. The whistle blew. The defensive line held firm as the ball was to the right by the opposing quarterback. Two linebackers in the blue and gold of the Raptors were instantly in front of the ball’s trajectory. The stockier of the two, Rottweiler by the name of Steven, hunched forward while his partner, a leaner panther called Gavin, hopped onto his back. The two immediately straightened. It would have been easy to snatch the ball out of the air from where they were but that would push the offensive team back into the field after having just executed an amazing play. Instead, Gavin swatted the ball back in the direction of the quarterback. The stunned lion caught the ball and stared at it for a few seconds before Gerard came crashing into him.

The Leviathans just lost ten yards.

“Yeah, it would be your fault if we lost,” Caleb said. “Yours. Mine. Gerard’s. The entire team.” His dad still didn’t meet his gaze. “Because while you set us up to fail, we would just be at fault if we just sat there and took it. We’re fighting this. Isn’t that what it means to be a superhero? The odds get stacked against you but you still fight?”

Another whistle blew and the Leviathans were at an utter loss of what to do. Gerard was ‘going rogue’. There was no play because their opponents were clearly trying to read their moves and try to counter them. Each individual player was given freedom to do whatever they wanted. Gerard had whipped the defence into such a cohesive unit that when the opposing quarterback snapped the ball, even without a play in mind, the defence still made it look like they did. This time, several linebackers saw exactly where the quarterback was going to send the ball so they charged at the wide receiver, abandoning the scrimmage. The wide receiver caught the ball but seeing the wall of charging muscle turned and ran back towards his line, looking for support. None of the linebackers were nearly as fast as beagle but they could herd him right out of bounds.

They gained only five yards.

“Jake once told me a story,” Caleb said, catching his dad’s attention again. This time, one of David’s ears flicked at the mention of his own rival. “A man told his two sons to meet him. They came across a fork in the road. One went right and ended up dying searching for treasure. The other went left, found a woman that he fell in love with, had a family and died happily every after. No matter how they died, they still met their dad at the same time in the afterlife.”

“That’s needlessly grim.”

“I kind of messed it up. Jake told it better.” That got a growl from his dad. “I think the point he was making was that no matter which road we take, even if we end up in the same place, it’s the journey that matters. We’ve got to keep fighting. Make the story our own. It’s why I’m going to keep fighting dad. It’s why the Raptors are going to keep fighting. Even with everything that’s happened, even with the odds stacked against us, we’re gonna fight.”

The third try and this time, the quarterback didn’t go for a long pass and shot it towards one of the wide receivers at close range. Caleb recognised this as one of the Leviathan’s standard plays; the kind that they had practised against and he had sometimes performed when training with Gerard. The Raptors’ defence saw this, though, and knew exactly how to react. The the cornerback against the wide receiver immediately moved to intercept while the other one on the other side of the field shot past his own wide receiver, confusing the Leviathan. The wide receiver with the ball, upon seeing a tackle coming, turned around and shot the ball back towards the halfback who was already moving towards him. The halfback caught the ball and got one foot forward before -

WHAM!

He was tackled by the Raptors’ cornerback.

Leviathans lost two yards.

Caleb spoke through his grin as the Leviathans were forced to go for a kick now that they were on their fourth and last try. “You get what I’m saying, dad?” he asked. “This is how it’s going to be from now on. You can try to control me but I’m going to fight.”

“And what, Caleb?” snapped David angrily. “You’re going to die trying? I’m not going to see you in the end until you’re dead?” David furiously turned away and rubbed his eyes, pushing away tears. “It’s either you’re the first brother who tries to seek his own fortune and dies trying or you’re the other one that finds happiness without me. I refuse to accept that.”

“Then maybe you should stop trying to tell me to stay in line.”

David balked just as the horn blew, signalling a switch of possession. The Leviathans had gone for a kick and got a good two yards back. Still pretty good. The clock had ticked down as well. There was still a long fight ahead of them but Caleb knew they were clawing their way back.

He crammed his helmet on his head and charged back out onto the field. Once again, he was standing opposite to Ballard.

The whistle blew and Lars threw the ball but this time, it went straight for the opposite wide receiver, Shaun. Caleb collided with Ballard, the two locking arms and going down in a heap. Just a few seconds later, another whistle blew. The Raptors had gained a good eight yards.

Caleb untangled from Ballard but the wolverine held tight on his arm.

“Dude, let go,” he said.

“How are you coping?”

The question distracted him. “Huh? With what?”

“With being… With liking girly stuff?”

He stared at the wolverine’s averted gaze in surprise. “Uh… What?”

Ballard scowled, more at himself than anyone else, and turned away. “Forget it. Let’s play.” The wolverine got up and banged his paws against his helmet before standing in line.

It dawned on Caleb a second later what Ballard meant.

“You’re gay?” he exclaimed in surprise.

Instincts immediately told him to turn and as he did, he snatched the ball from the air seconds before he would have missed it. They were going for the ‘Phalanx’. Ballard grabbed him by the waist, trying to pull him to the ground and just as he fell, he threw the ball at one of his teammates, the fullback who had moved in. Before a linebacker could tackle his teammate, the fullback had tossed it back over the scrimmage to the other wide receiver on the other end. Only then did they crash down in a pile of bodies.

One yard one.

One more and their tries were reset.

“I don’t know okay?” scowled Ballard quietly to his ear.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” Caleb asked, on his belly and with Ballard on top of him. “Do you get hard when you see naked guys?”

“I… Maybe? Sometimes? But… but they have to be kind of skinny… kind of girly. I mean, they’re kind of like girls so I’m not really gay, right?”

Caleb blinked a few times. “Oh boy…”

They untangled and quickly reformed and once again he was facing Ballard. “Have you been with a guy?”

The wolverine growled at him. “Why the fuck do you care? This is probably one of your crazy tactics!”

“What? No!”

Lars threw the ball and this time, Caleb spun completely around, leaping into the air and with his back against Ballard. He caught the ball in midair and collided with the wolverine. The impact and momentum caught Ballard completely by surprise but he still held on tightly. Ideally, the tactic would have seen him roll onto his feet and run unopposed. But the outside linebacker - and perhaps the Leviathan’s coaches - had seen through the play and moved to support Ballard. The three of them went down in a tangle. Caleb’s only goal, however, was to get that last yard.

And he did.

That was ten yards and their tries were reset.

“Get your head in the fucking game, Ballard!” bellowed the linebacker as the three of them got back up.

Caleb watched the burly crocodile slam his tail hard against the grass before moving back into position.

“What’s his problem?” he muttered. “You guys are still winning.”

Ballard spat on the ground. “His name is Maximus. He thinks Sidney is a guy.”

“Sidney?” The wolverine averted his gaze again as Coach Davidson called a timeout. Caleb pointed at Ballard. “To be continued.”

He quick marched to the sidelines where the Raptors regrouped and began to talk tactics once more.

“What’s the play, Coach?” asked Lars. Davidson and David Hale turned to Caleb.

He thought fast. “One of the plays that draws focus away from me,” he answered. “I’m going to keep pinning Ballard.” He snapped his fingers. “Let’s do the Grand Canyon. Except, Lars, instead of running right down the middle, pass it off to someone on your way. Just keep running like you have the ball. Also, everyone lock arms and face inward.”

It was a good thing he was in such synch with his team because such vague instructions would never have worked with anyone else.

“Give me a few seconds,” Caleb said, holding up his fingers. “I got to make a call.”

“Now!?” exclaimed Gerard. “Dude!”

“It’s important.”

******

Jacob jumped when his phone rang and he glanced towards his pocket. When he pulled it out, he got curious looks from Mary and Ashton.

“Uh… It’s Caleb.” He put it to his ear. “Caleb? What’s up?”

“Ballard is gay.”

Exchanging glances with Mary, the telepath whispered the revelation to her boyfriend who merely let out a squeal of excitement.

“O-Okay… And you’re telling me this because…?”

“I think he’s got some major issues. He says he’s only into guys that are kind of girly and I think one of the guys on his team thinks the person he’s seeing is a dude and he’s being bullied for it.”

Mary suddenly snatched the phone from him.

“Caleb, honey,” she said sweetly. “I love you but don’t go thinking you’ll save Ballard. This could be a trick to get your guard down.”

Jacob snatched the phone back. “Caleb, don’t listen to her. It’s just a game. If you could make a life-changing decision that could lead another person down a better path, take it because a high school football game isn’t worth the years of uncertainty and emotional anguish that could come from denied sexuality.”

A white paw stole the phone form him.

“Don’t listen to either of these two,” Rhiannon announced. “Here’s what you should do. Rip off your helmet. Rip off his. Then passionately make out with him on the field. Get naked! Lose your anal virginity to that hunky wolverine and become a real ‘wide receiver’!”

Mary yanked her tail, making her yelp and toss the phone into the air. Jacob caught it and brought it back to his ears.

“I think you already know exactly what you want to do,” he concluded. “But you need something from me. What is it?”

“Thank you,” Caleb sighed. There was a pause and he guessed the young wolf was looking at the timeout clock which was slowly ticking down as they spoke. “Can you tell me if the person Ballard is seeing, Sidney, is actually a guy?”

“One second.” Jacob closed his eyes briefly and when he opened them again, his pupils had transformed into eight-pointed stars. Just one moment was all he needed before he closed his eyes again and his pupils had reverted. “Sidney Winters. He likes to crossdress. He and Ballard have been seeing each other for several months now ever since Bridgewood had that supervillain attack. Sidney told him about his - surprisingly big - penis just a few weeks ago and Ballard has been struggling with the fact that the person he thought he was in love with actually has a dick. They’ve been holding off on sexual relations because of that.”

“Okay. Got it. Thanks, Jake.”

“Wait, Caleb. Before you hang up.”

“Yeah?”

Jacob paused, carefully considering what he as going to say next. “I want you to remember that you aren’t the only protagonist in this story. Everyone has lives and stories outside of yours. Don’t make it all about you. Think about their stories before you start interfering.”

“Like you?”

“Depends on how you look at it. Just promise me you won’t do something straight out of a romcom, get between the two lovers only to make things worse and cause them to break up.”

“Okay. I promise. I won’t.”

Then Caleb hung up.

“Where does this Sidney Winters live?” Rhiannon asked, looming over him with a devious grin.

“I’m not telling you so that you can hold her hostage and display her bound and gagged form on the Jumobtron,” Jacob said, rolling his eyes away from her. “Just sit down and let Caleb handle this.”

“You’re no fun!”

On the field, the Raptors marched onto the field and the whistle blew.

The offense line suddenly spun around and pressed their backs against the defense. Then Lars didn’t throw the ball. Instead, the fullback and halfback joined the scrimmage and began pulling the thick line of bodies off to two sides. The defensive line pushed with all their might, forcing the defensive line to peel apart down the middle and forming a clear path between them for Lars. The doberman immediately charged right down the middle, unopposed as Caleb and his other wide receiver had tackled the cornerbacks, Ballard included. One of the safeties realised what was happening and broke away from the line. He crashed into Lars, causing a gasp from the rest of the crowd.

Only he didn’t have the ball. The moment Lars hit the ground, the fullback disengaged from the scrimmage, bolted down the line and charged down the field towards the end zone. Raptors fans jumped to their feet, cheering wildly.

Even Jacob was leaping up shouting ‘Soar Raptors, Soar!’

The fullback spiked the ball.

20 to 27.

******

“So Sidney is a guy, huh?” Caleb asked, still pinning Ballard to the ground.

“I never said that!” spat the wolverine.

“Dude, think about what we were just talking about. He’s a guy.”

Ballard slammed a paw over his muzzle only to remember there was a face guard that prevented him from actually stopping Caleb from speaking. “Just shut up okay? This is none of your business!”

“Maybe not but you’re the one that brought it up.” He jerked his head towards Lars. “You know our quarterback? He’s my boyfriend. Came out together at Homecoming. He serenaded me in front of everyone.”

His rival’s features softened. “No one… no one called you a sissy or started… bullying you?”

“Why would they? No one here cares that I like dick. Not some girly dick either. I like muscle dick.” For a second, he wondered if that sounded really wrong but he decided he’d stick with it. “I like my guys big and beefy. No question about me being gay. If you were to put me on a scale of guys to girls based on my preference, I’d be on the hard guy side.”

Only then did he pull away from Ballard, offering his paw to help the wolverine to his feet.

“You’re lucky then,” came the growly response. “The guys on my team hate gays.”

“Do they really?” Caleb asked. “Or is it just so ingrained in people’s minds that you need to call a brawny guy like you a queer to insult them?”

Ballard turned away decisively. “I don’t know. I don’t want to find out either.”

Caleb trotted back towards the benches. Gerard’s team was up and like before, it was their job to run down the clock. After a quick discussion with his co-captain, he sat back down on the benches. The Leviathans had called their timeout as Gerard had moved into a particular play that they recognised.

David approached just before the whistle blew.

“I’m sorry.”

He glanced at his dad, one eyebrow raised. “Huh?”

“I’m sorry I’ve been trying to control you and everyone else in the family,” sighed his dad at length. “You’re right. I’m that thick-skulled dad that called his sons to him. Either I get them killed or they end up happy without me and the only time we’ll meet again is on the other side where they’ll call me an asshole. I don’t want that. Not after what happened with me and my dad.”

David held up a paw. “I swear I’m not going to mess with your life anymore, Caleb. I’ll go easy on Leon too. Lilly has her campaign as well and I’ll stop trying to make it about me.”

Caleb nodded with satisfaction. “And all it took was just a little bit of child abuse, huh?”

His dad’s cheeks went bright red and he turned away. Caleb laughed but instantly turned that into a grimace as his scar still hurt.

Seeing his son’s discomfort, David said, “I know a guy that can fix that up for you.”

“Nah. I’m good. It just needs to heal more. Besides, I like it.”

“Just like your highlights?” There was clear disapproval dripping from his dad’s voice.

Caleb puffed out his chest in defiance. “Yes. Yes I do. Makes me look a little more like Jake.” David twisted his lips like he had swallowed something terrible and was trying to force it down. That just made Caleb laugh and he patted the seat next to him. “Sorry. I promise I won’t antagonise you with references to Jake. But he’s part of my life too, dad, so you don’t get a say in that.”

“Fine.” David sat down next to him. “I can deal with that.”

“I’m keeping the highlights though.”

His dad squeezed his eyes shut for a second. “Can I at least give you a compelling argument to change your mind?”

“After the game.” He tilted his head to the side. “Actually. After the wedding.”

“You are not going to show up to the wedding photos with…” David held up his paws, holding himself back. “Okay… okay… Your decision. Just think about the fact that this is your sister’s only wedding and you’re forever going to be immortalised with frosted tips.”

“And a scar.”

His dad groaned. “Fine. I deserve that.”

The horn suddenly blew and both of them looked up.

The second quarter was up. It was halftime. The score was still 20 - 27.

“How are you not scared?” David asked as the defense team began marching back, giving one another high-fives for a job well done.

“What do you mean?”

David ducked his head, looking at his paws. “Only your mother knows this but… when my parents found out that I was a super and had been going out doing superhero stuff, my dad… He hurt me.”

Caleb’s features softened and he immediately placed a paw on his dad’s shoulder, guiding the bigger wolf away from the crowd. “I’m sorry to hear that, dad.”

“It’s a long time ago but when you told me that you and I are the same, it just hit me that I was becoming my dad. When I…” His voice broke. “… hurt you, I realised that is exactly what my dad did to me. Only instead of fighting back like you did, I ran away.”

That was why his dad had run away from home. It wasn’t just because he was a super living under a house where any form of superhero powers were banned. It was because his dad had abused him for just being him. Suddenly, moving all the way to Australia no longer seemed like such an overreaction.

“After you’ve lived under the roof of someone who constantly denounces and threatens violence against supers, you just don’t want to live anywhere near that man,” David sighed. “I was honestly scared my dad would castrate me because he believed supers would only breed more supers.”

“That’s a little extreme don’t you think?” The look his dad gave him a look told him that option had really been on the table. “Oh…”

“I ran away from him,” David sighed. “Ran away to the other side of the world. I only came back years later when another tragedy drove me back.” He locked gazes with his son, blue eyes searching. “So I want to know. How are you standing here right now? Why didn’t you run away like I did? By all rights, you are weaker than I was. You’re not a super. You don’t have the baseline superpowers. You’re not even a werewolf. How are you not scared I might just lose it one day and hurt you really badly?”

Caleb tilted his head to the side, pondering the question. “Maybe it’s because I’ve stopped seeing you as this ‘perfect’ guy that’s always right. Deep down, you’re just another fur like me. I trust you not to hurt me that badly.”

“I could have killed you!”

“But you didn’t,” he answered with a bright smile. “Because I know deep down you still love me. And even if you did kill me, I’m pretty sure you’d charge down to Shin-Lazar’s place, break down the Black Gates, challenge Arcturus himself and even flip off the God of Death just to get me back.” He beamed brightly, fighting through the pain of his scar. “Like I said, dad. I trust you. I know you’ll do the right thing.” He turned back towards the locker rooms. “Eventually.”

David let out a soft laugh. “This doesn’t have anything to do with the fact your best friend just happens to be someone who can defy the laws of reality, does it?”

“Maybe just a little.”

Still wearing his easy smile, he entered the locker rooms as the halftime show unfolded. Though it was just a high school game, there was still a lot of fanfare around it and they had a good thirty minutes to rest and reassess their situation. Alongside Gerard, he gathered with the rest of the coaches and began to plan.

“Bridgewood won’t fall for the same ploy as before,” Gerard said. “They know what we’re up to so they’re going to change up their tactics.”

“We don’t know that,” Coach Davidson said. “Keep doing what you’re doing until they show us otherwise. No need to take unnecessary risks.”

David shook his head in defiance to the head coach. “We’re still seven points behind. This is the time to take risks. Players will always feel the pressure at the very end of the game and they’re going to take risks no matter how well-trained they are. If we play conservatively now, we’ll never get the points we need when they get desperate!”

A cornered wolf was a dangerous one. Caleb could see the logic in that. He could also see the logic in the Head Coach’s plan. There was still another half to go through and if they exhausted all of their options now, they would be left high and dry when it really counted. His instinct was to find a middle ground between the two plans but that felt like a cheap exit.

Ballard kept coming to the forefront of his mind.

“Chaos,” he said suddenly, earning him a startled look from the two coaches and his co-captain. “We have a whole quarter. We’ve got them doubting themselves. I want the team to sow as much chaos as they can.” He clapped his paws together. “Everyone break up into smaller groups. They need to make their own plans. Keep each team in the dark unless it’s necessary to their plays.”

“What?” David demanded. “Why?”

“Because Bridgewood is going to be looking for ways to read our movements and predict our plays. They know they can’t rely on our stolen playbook anymore and they know that we can trick them into thinking we’re doing certain plays but with variations that’ll throw their plans. They’re going to use this next quarter to try and see where we’re going for the last quarter.” He held up a finger. “So we’ll give them a show. We might lose some points and we might end up further behind but it’ll set us up for the next quarter.”

Gerard grimaced. “Dude, that’s really risky. It’s worse than playing conservatively or charging head on.”

“It’s suicide!” Coach Davidson announced. “We need the whole team to be working as one.”

David was silent for a second, getting everyone to turn to him in anticipation of what he was going to say. “No… I think I see what you’re saying. There’s value in making sure every player is autonomous and not just acting like a robot doing the same commands especially if it doesn’t work. But are you sure the team is ready? Can everyone think on their feet like that?”

Caleb rapped a knuckle against the side of his head. “I’m sure. Let’s show the crowd out there that football players aren’t just dumb jocks!”

Though somewhat unnerved by the idea, Coach Davidson relented especially since this ‘chaos’ tactic would only be for the third quarter. The fourth quarter was where they would make their best plays and their last ditch effort to win the championship. Heart racing, Caleb approached the teams and told them what they had planned.

“Just go wild,” he announced. “You see your teammate in trouble, support them. You see an opening, take it. You feel like doing something stupid and cartwheeling down the field, go for it. Our mission is to make Bridgewood think we’re crazy. We might lost some ground but at the same time, we might just get some points in the chaos. We need to make them as disorganised as possible. Get them doubting their own coaches and their own instincts so that in the final quarter, they won’t be sure what’s what.”

There were a few worried exchanges.

Then Lars got to his feet and pumped a fist into the air, holding his helmet. “Come on guys! This is our chance to mess with Bridgewood. Let’s really fuck with them!”

Gerard punched his fist. “Fuck yeah! Make ‘em think we don’t take them seriously enough! Whatever happens, we’ll leave them in the fucking dirt!”

Keith threw both his paws into the air. “Yeah! Let’s do it! Let’s put all catchers on the field! Let’s play keep-away with them!”

Caleb visualised the idea of his teammates throwing the ball back and forth across the field, keeping the Leviathans guessing while the clock was constantly ticking away. It wasn’t a bad idea and it made him grin.

“Let’s get a kicker on the field!” announced Frankie, one of the kickers. As a member of the special teams, he didn’t get much field time unless there were very specific circumstances like if they were going for field goals. No doubt he was eager to change that. “Lars, run the ball all the way back to me, man! I’ll kick it to the fucking end zone!”

“Let’s pick up Gerard and use him like a fucking battering ram!” shouted another team member.

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal,” Caleb laughed. “But good idea. Keep at it.”

After ten more minutes of halftime shows, the horn blew. It was time to get back onto the field.

One of the reasons he wanted the team to be independent was because he had his own plans and it revolved him acting on his own at least for a while. As he took up position, the energy from the Raptors was positively brimming but at the same time, it felt… wild. He noticed a few of his teammates had actually lathered some shaving cream on their faces and were slavering like they had rabies, unnerving the opposing members of the Leviathan defense.

This was going to be fun.

His heart sank, however, when he noticed that the cornerback that he was pitched against wasn’t the very familiar wolverine. It was a rather nimble looking stag. Ballard was on the other side of the field.

There went that plan…

… or did it?

The whistle blew.

Caleb immediately charged at his cornerback and, as expected, the stag came charging at him in return. A second before they collided, he abruptly skidded to a halt and leapt backwards. This cornerback didn’t know him as well as Ballard so the abrupt move had the deer staggering forward and losing his balance. It would’ve been easy to shoot past him and yell for Lars to throw him the ball. A classic play. However, he had other things in mind.

With his opponent off balance, he charged forward again. Just by the way the stag lunged for him, he could tell the guy was right-handed so he swerved towards the guy’s left, slipping past him and shooting towards the opposite side of the scrimmage - towards Ballard.

“Hale!”

Lars had passed the ball over to one of the linemen and just before he was tackled, he tossed it immediately towards Caleb. The guy wasn’t a very good throw but Caleb was fast, it was his key feature on the field. He abruptly changed direction, lunging forward and snatching the ball out of midair before it hit the ground. His shoulder hit the ground and he combat rolled back to his knees. One yard away from the scrimmage and with defenders rushing towards him from both sides, there was no option but to charge forward and make for the end zone.

But he didn’t have to go there right away.

Clutching the ball to his chest, he angled towards his right, towards one of the Leviathans charging straight for him. Ballard was occupying himself with the other wide receiver but his eyes were firmly on Caleb. The Halestorm’s antics got the crowd on their feet and Raptors fans were cheering his nickname. He pumped his legs then, at the last second, dove forward feet first like he was a baseball player going for home plate. He made sure his skid was away from the Leviathan’s legs however. The psychological effect had the Leviathan immediately jerk away from him and jump away from the potentially hazardous cleats. This sent the ram careening towards the other two defenders chasing Caleb, all three of them toppling in a heap.

Suddenly, there was no one to hold him back.

Caleb sprang to his feet, turning around to face Ballard entirely. He gave a shrug and with his free paw, beckoning the wolverine to come at him. The message was clear: only Ballard could stop him.

To drive the point home, he turned and charged unopposed towards the end zone.

Not even a minute into the third quarter, and he had a touchdown.

26-27.

Coach Davidson called for a field goal this time. There would be a greater impact if the scores were tied.

There was no challenge for the Raptors’ kicker who sent the ball sailing clear through the goalposts.

27-27. Scores were tied.

Gerard’s defence embraced the concept of chaos. The moose completely made use of the rule that would reset the number of tries if ten yards were won. His defence held their ground until the third try when they purposefully let the Leviathans push forward at least ten yards before tackling them down. Then, as their tries were reset, the Leviathans found themselves pushed back another five yards. Until the last try when they got another ten yards. With that cycle alone, three whole minutes had expired and the quarter was rapidly draining away.

On the third iteration, the Leviathans had enough and went for a field goal.

27-28.

Caleb jammed on his helmet and trotted onto the field. Again, the Leviathans had opted not to keep Ballard on his side. Or perhaps that was the wolverine’s request.

That needed to change.

Again, he was up against the stag.

When the whistle blew, Caleb turned around and bolted back behind the scrimmage line towards Lars. The doberman saw him and immediately passed the ball to him, the two of them exchanging knowing glances. He ran past his boyfriend while Lars crashed into the stag, stopping the cervine’s advance. Rounding behind the scrimmage line, he shot right past Ballard who was still occupied with the other wide receiver. They exchanged glances, time seeming to slow while he shot past the clearly frustrated wolverine.

To add insult to injury, he winked.

He had to dodge past the remaining defenders but they were no Ballard. Not nearly as fast as him nor as agile. He got all the way to the end zone, spiking the ball to the cheer of Raptors fans.

33-28.

That had to hurt and five and a half minutes down.

Gerard’s team went back onto the field. Instead of wearing down the clock, they pushed back hard. In the first try, the Leviathans lost a good two yards. In the second, they lost three. By the third, they were losing heart and had lost seven whole yards. Seeing no other resort, the Leviathans went for a kick even though they knew that it wouldn’t be enough to get to the end zone. Their kicker was good, though, and it landed in the twenty-yard zone leaving Caleb with a lot to work with.

Still, eight minutes had gone down and there was only another seven left in the quarter.

Caleb padded over to Lars as they hit the field. “Throw to Felix,” was all he said and he took up his position. Again, the stag was opposing him.

When Lars threw the ball, it went sailing over to the cheetah wide receiver on the other side of the field. Ballard’s eyes seemed to light up as he finally found some worth in his position. The wolverine was fast, faster than even the cheetah and as Felix just barely made five yards past the scrimmage, he lunged -

WHAM!

Only to be tackled by the only other person on the field who was just as fast as him - Caleb Hale.

“What the fuck!?” Ballard roared.

Felix only made it another two yards before he was tackled to the ground. But that was still seven yards away from the end zone.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” Caleb accused.

“Of course I have!” spat the wolverine, trying to push him off. Caleb held down doggedly. “You’re trying to get in my fucking head! You’re not gay! You’re just using that to mess with me and make me lose focus!”

“You really think I’d go so far as toy with your emotions just to win a fucking football game!?” he snapped back. Just the look Ballard threw him told him that was exactly what the wolverine thought… or at least convinced himself to avoid dealing with his issues.

He pulled away from the wolverine, offering his paw. Ballard ignored him and got up on his own.

“Look, you see the quarterback?” Caleb said, hiking a thumb over his shoulder. “He’s my boyfriend.”

“Right,” came the sarcastic reply.

“Don’t believe me? Watch.”

Caleb turned and marched all the way back to Lars as they rearranged for the scrimmage. The doberman watched him approach and lifted an eyebrow when he removed his helmet. Lars did the same. Right in front of the whole audience, he wrapped a paw around the back of Lars’ neck and pulled the doberman in for a kiss. Not a light peck either, a full on smooch with tongue.

“Oooh! Looks like there’s some on-field romance going on here!” bellowed the announcer.

“Well, Lawrence, if you’d been paying attention to the student news, Lars McLeod and Caleb Hale are the power couple of the year.”

He pulled away, smiling at Lars in return.

“That was for Ballard, wasn’t it?” asked the doberman with a smirk. “Should I be jealous?”

“Naw. Just needed to prove a point. The guy is struggling with his sexuality.”

“Is that why you’re so obsessed with flaunting your sweet ass in front of him.” For emphasis, Lars seized his rump, making his tail flick excitedly. “Why? He’s the enemy.”

Caleb pursed his lips and twitched his nose. “He’s more than that. He’s a guy from another school that happens to bear a grudge on ours because of some shit people did in the past. I bet the same people who started this rivalry don’t even care about our schools now. Why should we keep carrying that stupid torch especially if it means we’d lose out on the chance to help someone find themselves?”

“Caleb Hale,” Lars sighed with a resigned shake of his head. “Building bridges and ending decade-old grudges.” He gave Caleb’s ass one last smack. “Go on. I’ll throw to Shaun this time and he’ll send it to Felix.”

“Thanks, babe.”

Once again, they formed up. The stag opposite to him was looking absolutely frustrated, like he was being ignored. It was this guy’s chance to make a difference in his team. No doubt the coaches put a lot of emphasis on his importance given that he was going up against the captain of the opposing team. And here Caleb was brushing him off like a fly. Was it right to ignore one person in favour of another?

No.

“Hey,” Caleb said suddenly. “Hope you’re not taking any offense to me going after Ballard.”

The stag’s big, bushy brows furrowed. “Why would I? Just means that you’re leaving your ass open for me.”

That got him a snort of derision. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d take that as an offer.”

A cocky grin crossed the cervine’s lips. “Who’s to say that it isn’t?”

That quip was well delivered at the right time. The whistle blew and Lars snapped the ball. Caleb was distracted for a second and one second was all it took for the stag to ram into him and push him to the ground. Felix didn’t stand a chance and they lost four yards. He wasn’t too mad at himself for falling for the trick. That was twenty seconds off the clock. They were in the lead and getting closer to the fourth and last quarter.

He untangled from the opposing cornerback, patting himself free of loose grass and grinning at the stag. “Don’t suppose there was any truth to what you just said?”

The cornerback, ‘Winters’ by the name on the back of his jersey, held up his hands. “Hey man, who you sleep with is your own business. I’m not here to judge. You seem nice but I don’t know you and I am not going to rape anyone.”

Winters. Sidney Winters. How hadn’t he seen that before?

He was doing exactly what Jacob had warned him not to do - make the story about himself. This wasn’t a tale about him and Ballard. It was a story about Ballard and Winters.

“Not rape if it’s willing,” snickered Caleb. He jerked his head towards the coaches for Bridgewater. “I bet stacking me would’ve gotten you some brownie points from your coaches, huh?”

Winters’ shoulders relaxed a little. “I suppose. That wasn’t a pity play was it?”

“Naw. You got me.” He tilted his head as he jogged back four yards. “Though from what you’re suggesting, this wasn’t their idea for you to switch with Ballard.”

“Nope. That was his.” Winters hiked a thumb over the field at the wolverine. “But keep your focus on me, bro. I’m going to keep knocking your ass down!”

Caleb rolled his eyes. “Don’t count on it. Don’t want to make Ballard or his boyfriend jealous.”

The stag suddenly went rigid. “Wait. How’d you know about that!?”

The whistle blew and Caleb immediately snapped into action. He saw an opening and immediately bolted past Winters, making his way behind the scrimmage line. Lars threw the ball at one of the linemen. Before the guy was caught into a tackle, he threw it towards Felix. Ballard crashed into Felix a second later but just before the cheetah hit the ground, he made a wild toss towards Caleb. Leaping into the air in a near perfect horizontal, Caleb snapped the ball from the air, spinning with the ball’s momentum so that he was facing the end zone. There was no chance of a graceful recovery so he just huddled himself into a ball and hit the grass hard. Winters was on top of him a second later.

They gained two yards on their third try.

“How did you know about me and Ballard?” sneered the stag into his ear.

Caleb gave the opposing cornerback a puzzled look. Then, he imagined days or even months of the poor wolverine poring over all of Caleb’s tactics and behaviours, stressing himself out over the upcoming championship only to be approached by his teammate. The two of them would swap theories, concoct plays and practice on the field together. United in mutual hatred or rivalry over Caleb Hale and the West California High Raptors, the two got close.

Really close.

“Oh…” was all he could manage.

There was no time to pursue the issue as it was time for their fourth try. Coach Davidson was calling for the special teams to go for a kick. It was guaranteed that they could at least win back the yards they lost during the long defence sequence. Caleb had another idea. He lifted his paws, one horizontal over the other; a time out. Then he jogged over to the coaches and the rest of the team gathered.

“Lars, throw to me,” he said. “Everyone else go after everyone else but Ballard and Winters.”

“Who?” Davidson asked.

“Number 86 and 35.”

“The two cornerbacks?” his dad asked. “Caleb, that’s suicide. Ballard is just as fast as you and he is sure to intercept you.”

“I know,” he admitted. It was a risky move. “I’m not going for the end zone on this one. I’ll get us those ten yards and reset our tries. I just need those two to hit me.”

“Why?”

His first instinct was to say ‘trust me’ but that was exactly what his dad would say; just obey him. That was not how he wanted to run this team. “I think those to are an item.”

Davidson growled. “Damnit, Hale. This is not time to be playing matchmaker or toying with their emotions! This is football!”

“And football is played by people, coach,” he insisted. “I want to get a gauge of how those two work together. I get a feeling that in the final quarter, they’re going to put their issues aside and suddenly start working like a team. That’ll catch us off guard. I need to see how well they work together so I know what to expect in the last quarter.”

The head coach sighed. “Why didn’t you lead with that? Fine. Just get us those five yards, Hale.”

With another shout of ‘Soar Raptors, Soar’, the team hit the field once more.

Winters was just staring daggers at him. Not that he expected any conversation at this point. There were only three minutes on the clock let. Then they would enter the endgame.

Lars gave a shout. Caleb’s muscles launched into action and he bolted past Winters. Behind him, the rest of his team brought down the defenders one by one. The moment Lars sent the ball sailing, he bolted past the scrimmage line and crashed into one of the conerbacks. Even Felix dodged past a confused Ballard and collided with another player. Suddenly, on the field, there were only three players who were untangled; Caleb, Winters and Ballard.

Caleb snatched the ball from the air.

Three yards to go.

A glance behind him and he saw the two lovers exchange brief glances before bolting straight after him. Caleb shot down the field.

Two yards.

He could feel Ballard breathing down his neck. The wolverine was hellishly fast!

Just one more yard.

Winters was not far behind. The crowd was on their feet; both sides screaming and yelling.

Caleb shot past the last yard, ensuring that their tries would get reset. But he didn’t stop. He kept running like he was making for the end zone.

“No you don’t!” Ballard roared.

A burst of strength erupted across Caleb’s legs and he jumped forward, lunging as far as he could with arms outstretched and the ball clutched firmly in his paws. Ballard’s paws seized his waist, dragging him to the ground. His momentum stopped, Winters threw himself against Caleb’s back, pulling them all to the grass with a mighty whump.

Twelve yards and just a minute and a half left to go.

“Fuck!” snapped Ballard, rising to his feet.

Caleb rolled onto his back, seeing the worried look on Winters’ face as the Wolverine got up and threw his helmet to the ground in frustration. “You know that you’re the only one that can really catch me,” he said. “Why are you spending your time on the other side of the field while your boyfriend gets humiliated? Is that really what you want?”

Ballard went rigid and turned towards him, eyes flaring in anger. “What did you say? I told you, my boyfriend is -”

“A girly crossdresser with a dick?” Caleb interrupted. He glanced towards Winters. “Yeah, he kind of blurted out that he’s into guys and dicks. So am I. I’m dating the quarterback.”

Winters looked hurt as he rose to his feet. “Yeah. That adds up.” He pointed accusingly at Caleb. “Look, stay out of this okay? You don’t know me. You don’t know us. You don’t know what we’re going through.”

“Well maybe I do!” Caleb scrambled to his feet. “Look, this is the fucking championship game. I want you guys at your best. I want to win knowing that you gave it your all. Any other victory would be hollow.” He held up a paw. “I promise I’ll put aside all talk about your relationship if your agree to a double date with me and Lars.”

That look of hurt turned into one of confusion. “Why do you even want that?”

“Because I think this stupid rivalry between our schools and this game isn’t worth you two being miserable over who you are.” He pressed a paw against his chest. “I’ve fought a long time over who I am. I even had to stand up to my own dad because of it.” He took off his helmet, revealing the scar there. Winters took a step back in surprise and even Ballard took a sharp breath between clenched teeth. “That’s how I got this. I don’t know what you’re going through. I don’t know your situation and you don’t have to share. But I found that if there are at least some people willing to listen, some friends that are willing to help you forget about your problems, it helps you get some perspective.” Caleb nodded towards the rest of the Leviathans who were already starting to assemble at the scrimmage. “The problems are clearly at your school and with your team. Maybe I can help by offering an ear outside that?”

Winters turned towards Ballard. He looked conflicted.

Ballard, on the other hand, continued to stare at Caleb with steely determination.

“Caleb!” Lars shouted from the other side of the field. “Hurry up!”

The wolverine growled and spat on the ground, swiping his helmet up from the ground. “Fine. Let’s end this bullshit.”

A timeout was called, this time by the Leviathans.

Less than twenty seconds later, Caleb found himself facing off against Ballard once more.

“Nice to see you again,” he chuckled.

“Don’t get used to it,” snarled the wolverine. “After this, it’s one double date then that’s it. We go back to being enemies, rivals, whatever you wanna call it.”

Caleb grinned. “We’ll see. I’ve been told I’m pretty friendly.”

“You’re fucking persistent is what you are.”

Lars bellowed and the ball went sailing towards the scrimmage, towards the fullback instead. Caleb bolted and Ballard was just a few seconds behind him. He wasn’t sure where the ball was but his heart felt like it was flying now that Ballard was right on his tail; like a fire had been lit under his feet. As if to emulate that feeling, a black and brown mountain of muscled fur wrapped in the gold and blue of the Raptors launched into the air, vaulting off the back of the fullback. The Raptors’ fullback, suddenly tossed the ball straight upwards, right into Lars’ paws as the doberman sailed into the air getting a commanding view of the entire field.

Caleb couldn’t help but grin at the spectacular sight. Cameras were flashing and the screens were all showing Lars pulling his arm back in midair. He half-expected the ball to go to him but Lars jerked to the right and flung the ball towards the opposite side of the field. There, Felix the cheetah vaulted off the back of a nearby lineman and caught the ball while it was still sailing through the air. Raptors fans were on their feet and cheering wildly. Even if they didn’t make this play, it would be one hell of a spectacle.

Ballard, back to form, never lost his focus from Caleb but he decided to play that to his advantage. He immediately spun around. The wolverine collided with him. Using that momentum, he spun the wolverine around, slipping past his rival’s bulky frame and pressing a knee against the armoured back. He pushed off, throwing Ballard to the ground while gaining some air. Felix saw him and threw the ball. The wide receiver was a catcher not a throwing so it fell a few yards short of his paws. Still, the ball was in his direction and the fumble immediately had the two teams turning. Caleb crashed to the ground right beside Ballard.

They locked gazes and at the same time, turned towards the ball.

On some hidden mark, they jumped to their feet and shot towards the ball. Neck and neck, they raced while both Leviathans and Raptors were on their feet, screaming and waving flags. Somewhere in the stands, Mary was screaming her head off. Alex had jumped onto Ashton’s back and was waving two flags in his hands while the tattooed tiger had both his paws clutching Alex’s thick thighs while his tail was doing loops in excitement. Rhiannon was standing on her seat and had lifted her shirt, showing her breasts. She was screaming for Ballard to look at her ‘jigglies’. Jacob had the bucket of popcorn in his muzzle, biting down on it so hard that his fangs had left indentations in the metal. All the while, he was trying hard not to use his powers to see the future.

Both players dove at nearly the same time for the ball, their paws outstretched and cameras flashing all around them.

WHAM!

They hit the ground, the ball vanishing beneath their tangled bodies.

The stadium went silent.

Referees rushed towards the scene, trying to discern who had grabbed the ball first.

Then… Ballard rolled onto his back, looking up at the night sky.

His paws were empty.

“Raptors keep possession!” screamed the announcer.

And with just twelve seconds left to the third quarter, they all knew it was over.

******

After a hot shower, some friendly banter and one last chant of ‘Soar Raptors, Soar’, Caleb happily left the stadium. He caught sight of the Leviathans’ bus and headed over.

“Hey guys,” he announced, holding up a paw. “Good game.”

Some of the players nodded at him and others repeated the two words.

Knowing why he was there, Ballard peeled away from the rest of the team and approached.

“What do you want?” growled the wolverine.

Caleb gave him a cocky smirk. “We were going to meet up later, remember?”

Ballard rolled his eyes. “Are you going to do that thing where you say ‘this is later’? That’s cliche and lame.”

“No.” He pulled out his phone and wiggled it in front of his rival. “I was going to ask for your number. Can’t meet up again without it, right?”

He got another exhausted eye roll for that but there was the faintest tug of a smile at the corners of his lips. “Fine. Give it here.” Ballard tapped a few keys on Caleb’s phone, then handed it back. “Is that the iME 9? Haven’t upgraded to the 10 yet?”

“That annoying floating ball?” Caleb replied, grinning cockily. “I think I hang around enough balls that I’ve reached my limit of how many I can take at any one time.”

Ballard finally cracked a smile. “Yeah. I prefer the classic interfaces. Besides, I’ve heard when those things run out of batteries, you have to be pretty quick to catch them or they’ll shatter on the fucking ground.”

“I think that’s why they’re moving to a more palm-based interface with the iMe 11. It’s supposed to be like a glove that you dial on or something and the screen is projected from your fingertips.”

“I’ve seen those,” Ballard responded, eyes shining. “Though I’d honestly prefer the Nokia eInfinity. That thing has more RAM, has better graphics and they provide their own network so you don’t have to worry about carrier fees and shit. And because the whole device is your actual screen, it’s really light. It uses the projected electricity technology as well which sends electricity through airwaves. You don’t need a battery anymore. Only thing is you can’t use it if you don’t have connectivity to their network…”

The wolverine paused, seeing Caleb’s blank stare.

“Uh… Sorry,” muttered the wolverine. “I’m a bit of a technophile. I love this shit.”

“No! That’s great!” Caleb laughed, holding out his paw. “I look forward to getting to know you better.”

“Yeah well…” Ballard too his paw and gave it a firm shake. “… nothing says we can’t be rivals on the field and friends outside, right?”

“High school is only four years. This rivalry between West Cali and Bridgewood doesn’t extend past that.”

“I heard that.” With a grin, Ballard let go of his paw and turned back towards his bus. “Catch ya later, Hale.”

Caleb beamed, placing his paws on his hips.

“Yeah, later Ballard.”