Page 301 of Shadowman
They’re all here. They’re all… alive.
Dash is with someone I recognize as former Officer Kemper, though I haven’t seen him in a while. But Kemper’s hands are on Dash’s face, and he’s kissing him in between whispering things over his lips that Dash is nodding to.
Felix has Dr. Love wrapped around him, cradling him to his chest.
Luthor and Ren are slumped on a large wooden crate they’re using as a seat, comforting each other, chests jumping in the same sort of recovery I’m feeling.
Even Hancock and Jasper are back together… Jasper has Hancock pressed up against the wall, and it’s almost toointimate. I can’t look at it without feeling a lot of things that are just…toomuch for me right now.
Back at the door, Rook and Joy are setting their weapons down, checking each other for any sign of damage. They look a lot less shaken than the rest of us, considering that they were shooting at people.
Joy sniffs and straightens. “Everyone okay?”
We all nod, murmuring and grunting responses as we look around at each other. And something just… clicks.
Family.
“Holy shit, man,” Luthor croaks, rushing to me. “Are you alright?? I was so scared… You were almost shot!”
I huff, shaking my head. “Psshh. I ain’t afraid of a few bullets.”
“Yea, totally.” Ren trots over. Then Dash and Kemper join, Felix and Lem… They all crowd me. “You’re such aman. Grrr.”
Ren smirks, and I roll my eyes.
“Tell me you didn’t pee your pants just a little.”
“He was on top of me,” Felix chirps. “If he peed, then I’d have pee on me.”
“Do you?” Dash grins.
Felix glances down, feeling himself. “I don’t think so… I might be wet from something else.”
I can’t help the chuckle that bursts out of me.
“Yea, no offense, killer bee, but when’s the last time you showered?” Joy cocks a brow at him.
Felix shrugs. “I took a few ocean baths… Does that count?”
“No, baby. It doesn’t.” Lem kisses his dirty hair. “Get me some hot water and I’ll take care of it.”
“Unfortunately, I don’t see that happening any time soon,” Rook breathes out, exhausted. “We’re gonna be in here for the duration… Unless something pulls their attention elsewhere.”
“They know we’re in here. It’s only a matter of time,” Jasper grunts, lifting Hancock’s hand to press a kiss on it.
“Well, you know what that means,” Joy says, tightening her gauntlets.
“Yea…” Kemper nods. “Fight our way out.”
“Eek… Uh, I don’t know about that.” Luthor shivers. “I’m only good with, like… virtual guns.”
Ren snorts, kissing his cheek. “It’s okay, baby. We’ll protect you and your nerdy ways.”
“Yea, I’d say that device you’ve got there is a win.” Rook nods. “You think you can get into the servers in the prison?”
Luthor’s brows shoot up. “The servers are still working?!”
“They’re on the backup genny, we think,” Hancock says.
