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Something is different in the Baxter Building this morning. Johnny Storm can feel it in his bones. It's a gift, really — a sixth sense, almost. It is his blessing, and it is his curse.
Also one of the guest apartments is in use.
And so Johnny is on the prowl, hunting around the residence for somebody, anybody, who is awake and willing to fill him in. "Seoooooooo?" Johnny calls, squinting towards the stairway as he comes to a halt in the living room. "Reeeeeeeed? Who ate my waaaaaafflessssss?"
Oh, yeah. And someone ate his waffles.
*
While the living room is, currently, empty, down the hall, Seo's door opens, and the lady of the house peeks out slowly. Her eyes flit in the hall's nearest vicinity, and she very slowly treads through her door, with a now-crumb-littered, sticky-syrupy plate in hand.
There's something apprehensive about her manner as she holds several pieces of paper in one hand, and the plate in another. She's been working on something. In, what can be presumably understood as, solitary confinement.
She freezes, however, as her brother comes into view, and hilariously (especially when considering she can literally turn invisible), she slinks back towards her room.
Nothing to see here.
*
Alas, it is too late. Johnny catches Seo's door opening out of the corner of his eye, perking up — and then he blinks when she begins to retreat. Oh, now he knows something is up.
Joon points towards his sister and starts in her direction, his eyebrows raised. <Seo Hyun, don't you run away from me! Did you eat my waffles?> he asks, his steps coming faster the closer she gets to her door. <Waffle thief! You could have just asked, you know I would share with you if you asked!>
*
The scolding causes Seo's eyebrows to lift and her body to freeze again as she ponders a response to the assertions. Finally at the last her chin lifts, almost sheepishly, as she can't quite find the words to explain the theft. <You weren't exactly easy to find, and I was starved. Like… days without food starved,> because she's been able to stomach nothing but tea and saltines for days. <I'm sorry ate your waffles. I'll make you more.> Her face blanches as even the thought of raw eggs and their imminent smell wafts through her memory. <Later. I'll make you more later.>
A glance is given to the plate. <If it's any comfort, they tasted good.>
*
<It is, actually.> Joon actually looks incredibly amused by the time he comes up next to Seo, his hand dropping back to his side. <I never get to scold you. That was kind of fun. But it's really okay, I can make them myself if you're not feeling well,> he smiles, not missing the change in her expression. <And some extras, if you would like a few more.>
*
<Good.> Seo answers easily before inhaling a sharp breath. <I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.> Her cheeks flush pale pink and her chin drops again as she trails back into the hallway to actually deliver the plate to the sink as planned. <And… that would be appreciated. Although, I'm not sure I could actually eat more. I swear my stomach has shrunk over the course of the last three days.>
She looks over her shoulder as she sets the plate in the sink, and runs the water over it. Slowly she turns to face her brother and issues him a small smile. <It was selfish to have your waffles. Truly. And for that I am sorry.> Her hand rocks, indicating she's not that sorry. Her throat clears and her hands trail to the pockets of her jeans. There's a strange casualness to her dress — normally when this casual, she lives in her Fantastic Four uniform, but evidently, not today.
<I…> her smile falters. <I wanted to tell you that I think I'm heading to LA for a few days. Maybe> her eyebrows draw together. <Haven't quite decided, or made arrangements, but… > she shrugs.
*
Before Seo can get completely past him on the way to the kitchen, Joon leans over to try and peck her on the cheek. He's really not mad, she's just so fun to tease. <When you're hungry, then, let me know,> he offers, falling into step behind her.
He waves the apology off, still smiling as he comes to hitch up on the edge of the kitchen table. <I forgive you~> he says in a sing-song, bowing his head and bringing one hand up to his chest. <We're family, after all. That means sharing even our precious waffles.>
But when her smile falters, Joon's brow furrows, his expression sobering. <Is everything okay?> he asks, sitting up a little straighter. <Should I go with you?>
*
The smile tightens at the first question, and Seo inhales a slow breath as she considers it. <Nothing is wrong,> which is probably not the same as everything being okay. Her lips press together tightly. The last, however, earns Joon a small, fond, but weak smile. <You don't have to.> There's a pause, <I didn't tell Aunt Margay you'd dropped out of school. She'd be… extra alarmed.> As it stands, Seo's assertions she should visit have already set off a few alarm bells.
Her nose wrinkles, <I…> she doesn't quite have a handle on where things are, but she can make a few smaller assertions. She presses her hands to her forehead and manages another smile, <I'm being just a little bit ridiculous.> The cardigan draping over her shoulders is pulled tighter around her body as she hugs herself. <But I need to talk to her. I…> her face reddens and her chin drops. <This is probably a dumb question, but have you ever felt utterly alone?>
*
The note about school does make Joon wince. <Aish. Yes, I suppose she would be. But I can't avoid her forever,> he notes lightly, sliding back to his feet. <And if you want me to come with you, I'll come with you. No questions asked.> Not even why they're going. She's family, that's all he cares about.
Joon makes a quiet noise in his throat as he watches her, finally allowing himself to frown. <It isn't a dumb question,> he says gently, immediately stepping closer to curl one arm around her shoulders. <That was, like. All of middle school. Did something happen?>
*
The assertion has Seo closing the distance between them to plant a soft kiss on her brother's cheek. <You are too good to me, baby brother. But I don't know. I'm not sure there won't be…> the thought isn't finished. Instead, her eyes squeeze shut and she hums quietly and leans into the arm at her shoulders. Did something happen: <Kind of.> Which, in actuality, is a yes of sorts. <I miss eomeonim.> It's an easy enough thing to say, and truth almost universally acknowledged.
<If you're coming,> which she hasn't exactly agreed to, <I desperately need you to be cool-headed. I'm fairly certain I'm in for scolding. Or the cold shoulder. I thought about calling, but the level of…> her head ticks to the side and shakes moments later, <it wouldn't be fair. Besides, I think.. time away would be good. For me.> There's a longer pause before she adds, <For Reed.>
*
Joon helpfully leans down so that Seo can reach his cheek, and he takes it as an invitation to loop his other arm around her shoulders, too. Hugs are always appropriate, but when Seo is seemingly this worried and out of sorts, they are required. They are his job.
<I can keep a cool head,> says the man who regularly becomes a living ball of fire, but he sounds like he means it, at least. Joon frowns down at her, clearly worried. <For Reed? You two didn't have a fight, did you?> he asks, but even as he says it, it's clear his mind is working. Why would Margay scold her over something like that? That makes no sense.
*
The hug is easily returned, and has Seo melting into the touch. She emits a soft sigh and then lets the questions sit for a few moments. Her expression softens some as she's considering what to say — if anything. She takes a single step out of the embrace and looks up at her brother. <I think I'm pregnant. Actually, I'm currently 85.34% certain I am.> She inhales a deep breath following the admission. She can virtually feel the dishonour dropping off of her. <And I need to tell Margay so she doesn't hear it from some tabloid news magazine before…> she presses a hand to her forehead.
*
Joon's mouth forms a small little 'o' at this news, and he gives her shoulders a rather fierce, protective squeeze. <That's pretty certain,> he notes in a light voice, peeking down at the top of her head. Hmmm. <I'll go with you,> he says firmly, his tone one that does not invite disagreement. <It's Aunt Margay, so you'll need backup until she cools off and comes around.> Well. At least he's taking this news in stride, right?
*
Seo collapses into her brother, and his strong embrace. <Thank you. I just need her to hear it in person. That's all.> The hug is returned and she takes a single step backwards. There's obvious relief that Joon seems oddly okay with it. She nods firmly. <I honestly would call but — > she frowns. <It's not fair. And that's the coward's way. I love you baby brother.>
*
<I love you too. I've got your back, big sister,> Joon promises, offering her one of his winning smiles. <And as long as Reed's being cool about it, I've got his, too. Don't worry. Whatever you want to do, I'm here.>
*
Seo actually cringes. <I think I broke Reed's brain,> her lips edge into a small frown. <I've had more time to think about it than he has. More space for that. Because I took it, and, spent the better part of a week processing it.> Her lips twist to the side. <But it's terrifying. I don't know. Our lives are a three-ringed circus. And an unwed mother doesn't exactly escape people's notice. I'm not even sure — > her lips twitch into a near smile. <You don't want to hear any of this. Just. Thank you. For being so good about this.>
*
Joon holds up his hands and actually laughs. <You can talk to me! What kind of brother would I be if I didn't let you vent?> he asks, reaching over to — of all the things to do to Dr. Sue Storm — playfully ruffle her hair. More seriously, he adds, <Try not to think about what the public's gonna think, they don't matter,> with a dismissive wave of his hand. <It's what you think and it's what Reed thinks. Everything else is just noise.>
*
Seo bats at Joon's hands as he ruffles her hair. <Aish!> she smoothes her hair. Seo's cheeks flush and she shakes her head lightly, <The problem is it isn't just us.> Her smile turns wistful, <You've seen what's going on out there. We've put ourselves in a position where people can watch us, so they can see us. So we have to be better than them. And I'm not sure — > her eyes turn upwards. <I also don't…> her cheeks flush brighter <…exactly know… this wasn't in the plan. It really wasn't the plan.>
*
Joon's eyes twinkle as she bats at his hands, and by the time he takes them back, he has an absolutely shit-eating grin. <Better, not perfect,> he replies gently, despite his expression. <Nobody is perfect, Seo, and nothing ever goes entirely according to plan. Nobody knows that better than… you know… everybody.> He shrugs helplessly, casting a glance towards the lab.
*
Sue shifts as Joon glances towards the lab. Her own gaze follows his and she emits a sigh. <You, of all people, should know what a horrible mother I'd make. Heather and I talked about it. She was good. Supportive. I just,> her cheeks puff out with a sharp exhalation of breath, <shouldn't have been able to become…> Her face scrunches <What happened to us — it made our cells hyper irradiated.>
*
<Oh, for — Seo. That isn't fair.> Joon's voice is genuinely pained, and his expression has gone from Playful to Timid in the blink of an eye. He actually seems to have forgotten how to talk, making more than one attempt that he immediately rethinks and abandons about half a syllable in.
Deep breaths, Joon Hyun. He closes his eyes and runs both hands back over his hair. <What happened to us should have killed us. So I guess it stands to reason that if it didn't do that, maybe that's not the only thing that isn't going to turn out like we expected it to.>
*
The change in Joon causes Seo to frown. <I wasn't… it wasn't… I'm trying to explain that I don't understand how I could be good at that whole parenting thing.> She scrubs her face with her hands and chews her bottom lip. <It's not intended as an attack, I've just got a lot to think on. And that, unfortunately, matters. We lost our parents a long time ago. What I learned from them…> she's already used that at length.
Her lips purse at the last, <You're right. But I don't know if my body can sustain this…>
*
<Not an attack, but — Seo, if you're doubting your ability to be a good mother because of something I said…> Joon gives his head a quick shake, loosely folding his arms across his chest. <Just. You wouldn't be doing it alone. Pretty sure Reed would want to help out now and again,> he notes, forcing some levity back into his voice.
*
Much like her brother only moments before, Seo's expression turns pained. <I don't know if…" she cringes. <I mean — > her eyebrows tighten substantially, causing major creases across her forehead. <I broke Reed's brain. I told him and he couldn't come up with an intelligible response.> Her lips press into a serious thin line, <I don't know if… Joon, what if he isn't interested in doing this? I mean, I know I can handle a lot on my own, I just — it wasn't in the plan. That's all.>
"
*
<I'm sure you just surprised him. You were surprised,> Joon points out, raising his eyebrows. <He probably thought it was impossible, too. Just… talk to him. Before we go see Aunt Margay,> he adds, reaching over to give her shoulder a squeeze. <She will want to know what Reed thinks about all of this, so the least we can do is have an answer for her, right?>
*
<If he wants his space I want to respect that,> Seo points out. <I needed my own. I didn't even ask any of you to help with blood samples.> Suddenly the numerous vials of blood she'd been messing with the other day in the lab may be making more sense. Slowly, she slides one of her arms out of the cardigan, and the bruising from taking too many samples on her own, are evident. She slips the arm back into the sleeve. <I finally caved and had Heather help because… I couldn't figure out if I was contaminating samples.> She shrugs. It was a problem.
*
<Then I'll talk to him. It isn't fair to leave you to panic by yourself,> Joon says firmly, shooting another look towards the lab. <You got into this situation together, so you're going to figure it out the same way. That is how it works.> He nods once, firmly.
And then he sees Sue's arm. Joon lets out an uncharacteristically quiet, tired-sounding <Aish.> That does explain some things, doesn't it. <Stop doing everything by yourself.>
*
Seo's eyes widen at Joon's assertion. <That.. doesn't seem like a good idea.> Except she isn't going to object beyond that. Because she is having her own panic, and she's not about to lie about that, it's far to obvious to even try.
<I don't do everything by myself. I needed to figure out… whether it was remotely true without setting into a panic. And then I had to check it again. And again. The tests are notoriously unreliable. So more samples means minimizing the chances of a false reading.>
*
<Well just leaving him to panic by himself while you panic by yourself doesn't seem like a better one,> Joon says with a very slight huff, and — damn it, he tried to resist it, but he actually does roll his eyes. He tried, Seo.
Running a hand over his face, Joon takes a few quick steps over to the refridgerator. He needs a glass of water. <I know, I know. But you could have asked for help before your arms were that raw, Seo,> he says gently. <Even if it was Heather and not one of… you know. Not us. I understand why you went to her. I just wish you'd done it sooner.>
*
Seo pinches the bridge of her nose. The eye roll definitely ins't missed and prompts something that surprises Sue as much as anyone else, <You survive on saltines and tea for a week and then insinuate I'm being ridiculous! Those waffles were the first thing I've managed to keep down in three days that weren't crackers or tea.> Her cheeks puff out again. <Aish!> Because sometimes there isn't something else to say.
<I went to Heather when I was ready to say the possibility aloud. Because when you say things, when you speak things, they become more real.>
*
Water. Just get your glass of water, Joon. <Okay okay okay. I apologize,> he sighs, closing the refridgerator once he's poured his glass. <Really. I do.>
Joon turns and leans back against the counter, cup held loosely in both hands, and purses his lips in thought. Calm. Caaaaaalm. <So… how about I just ask Reed how he's doing,> he suggests. <I promise not to push him in any way. Just ask how he's doing, suggest he come to you if he's up for it.>
*
A few slow breaths have Seo considering the thought while her arms find themselves hugging her body. <Just… check on him. Check in. But… be good, Joon. Please.> Because sometimes it really does need to be said.
*
<I will be good,> Joon promises, holding up one hand. <Even if he doesn't know what to think yet. I promise.> He offers what he hopes is a reassuring smile. <Reed is family too, Seo. And Ben, but.> But Ben hasn't done anything he might be upset about, as far as he knows, anyway.
*
<Alright. Good. Then, please do check on him. I really should ask Ben to do the same,> Seo's eyes roll now. <Of course, Ben put it together on his own. Evidently five days of seeing me toss my cookies begs questions,> she arches a wry eyebrow. <And, you're right, we're a family. This is just… not a situation I expected to encounter.> She shrugs.
*
<We didn't expect to get a chance to go to space,> Joon notes, a playful smile coming to his face as he straightens up. <We didn't expect to get super powers. And I never expected you and Reed to quit mooning over one another from afar and actually make a move.> He wiggles his eyebrows and takes a few steps towards the lab, waving one hand. <We'll make it work, nunim, just like everything else. I promise.>
Before Joon gets all the way to the lab, though, he stops and looks back over his shoulder. "Oh, yeah. Who's in the guest room?"