𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐞 𝐈𝐧 𝐀 𝐅𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧?

———————————————

Milo softly snored, burying his face into the pillow as Mel opened the motel door. She held a bag of breakfast in her right hand and struggled with the door with her left, “Son of a bitch.” she muttered, trying to push the door open.

Damn motel doors always had to be so heavy.

Once the door was opened and closed, Mel placed the breakfast bag on the table and caught sight of Phantom. She frowned at the sight of the Supe, “You’re awake? I thought you’d still be asleep.” she said in a hushed whisper, not wanting to wake Milo.

Phantom looked up from her phone, glancing at Milo, “He had a rough day yesterday and I wanted him to have a few extra hours.” she shrugged, her voice just as quiet.

She scooted to the side as Mel sat beside her, “You feeling better? How’s your head?” she questioned, reaching her hand up to touch Mel’s cheek.

Her actions only made Mel smile, nudging her hand away, “Don’t worry, I’m fine, but we gotta get going. We gotta kinda gotta give a shit about them. Only Kimiko and Hughie. Maybe even M.M. and Frenchie.” she smirked, making Phantom chuckle.

“I feel bad,” Phantom soon whispered, “look how comfortable he looks.” The Supe soon smiled, making Mel chuckle, “I know, but duty calls,” she sighed, placing a gentle hand on Milo’s head, “go ahead.” she soon nodded.

Phantom didn’t hesitate to curl her fingers, forcing the duvet off Milo’s body, “Sorry, Milo, we gotta get going.” she called, turning away as Mel leaned down to kiss his lips.

But a smile broke out of Phantom’s lips when Milo groaned into the kiss, “Can’t we just stay here?” he practically begged, his voice exhausted from all the work.

His words made Mel smile as she leaned down to kiss his nose, “I wish we could, sweetheart, but we have shit to do today. We gotta check on everyone and find those people who helped us.” she explained, watching Phantom stand and walk towards the bathroom.

“I’d like a word with them.” the Supe muttered, stepping over Luna when she found the old dog sleeping on the tile floor.

—————————————

The trio walked down the hallway and towards The Boys headquarters. Milo was behind Mel, but he turned when he felt someone squeeze his arms.

He smiled when he saw Kimiko, “Oh, hey, Kimiko.” he signed, wrapping his arms around Kimiko for a quick hug.

The sudden bout of happiness made Phantom turn, smiling when she saw the Supe. Mel and Kimiko shared a nod before Phantom opened the door.

She expected to hear swearing and arguing, but she raised an eyebrow when she heard Hughie’s voice, “Jesus, you’re just telling us now?” he questioned, his voice exasperated, “have you seen any specialists, have you, um…” he trailed off, seeing the group at the doorway and trailing off because of his own thoughts.

Just as Mel opened her mouth to speak, Phantom held her hand up to stop her. She could already sense something was wrong.

She sensed something was wrong, and Mel’s sarcastic words would’ve made matters worse. Even if she didn’t know what the matters were.

“So how long you got?” M.M. questioned, frowning when the question made Butcher snap, “It’s none of your fucking business. I’m not sure why I’m telling you at all. Let’s just say I got an angel on my shoulder.” he spat, not interested in answering any questions.

It was enough for Phantom. She lowered her hand and stepped to the side, letting Mel speak freely, “What the hell is going on?” she questioned, taking hold of Phantom’s shoulder.

Without waiting for any answers, Phantom’s eyes glowed red as she entered the Boys minds with ease. She searched for the answer, her chest tightening when she found the answer.

Butcher’s gonna bite the bullet.

Phantom was quick to relay the message to Mel and Milo, whispering in their minds, “He’s dying.” the Supe whispered, her words echoing in Mel and Milo’s head.

While Mel remained neutral, Milo’s eyes widened with worry. He could feel his stomach drop while his hands began to go numb.

He was quick to try and hide his trembling hands, but he froze when Mel took hold of his left hand. Mel squeezed his hand, knowing his worry and anxiety over the situation.

Mel would always think of Butcher as an asshole and a dick, but that didn’t mean Mel didn’t know how much Milo respected and looked up to Butcher.

She knew Butcher meant a lot to Milo. She knew that he was the reason why Milo had his car in the first place.

Butcher saw potential in Milo and he deserved a car because he was such a “good kid”.

When Butcher would finally die, Mel knew how much it’d impact Milo. The mere thought made Mel squeeze his hand, giving him a reassuring smile.

Phantom continued to listen, tilting her head as she continued to listen, “And she’s a right bloody nag.” Butcher muttered, glaring at Annie when she tried to talk.

“Butcher, I tried to warn you that that shit was poison.” Annie sighed, rolling her eyes when Butcher shook his head, “You ain’t one of us. Neither are you three.” he finally snapped, pointing at the group and Annie.

Milo averted his eyes while Phantom’s eyes continued to glow red. But Mel? All Mel did was smile as she stepped towards Butcher, “And we never wanted to be, numb-nuts,” she began, letting go of Milo’s hand, “it was your friends that fucking begged for us to come back.” she said, sizing up to Butcher.

She soon chuckled as Butcher stepped towards her, “Don’t even try. You gonna try and hit me? You gonna try—” she said, trailing off when Butcher grabbed her shoulders.

“That’s enough!” Milo suddenly shouted while Phantom’s fingers curled, wisps of energy beginning to circle and twirl around her fingers and hand.

Hughie and M.M. tried to grab Butcher, but Mel had a plan of her own. She leaned her head back and suddenly threw herself forward, headbutting Butcher’s face and jaw.

Butcher fell back into M.M.’s arms while Kimiko and Milo held Mel back, “Come on! Come on!” she shouted, her voice deep and filled with aggression.

Mel tried to kick Butcher while M.M. dragged him outside, “Come on, Butcher! Come on! I’m fucking begging for it!” she yelled while Phantom stepped in front of her.

“Hey, hey,” Phantom said, looking into Mel’s eyes, “I need you to calm down. You proved your point. He’s shit and you’re not. Calm down.” The Supe eased, watching Mel struggle against Kimiko and Milo.

Mel took a deep breath, staring at Butcher as M.M. dragged him out to the hallway. She soon sighed, shrugging Milo and Kimiko’s hands off her arms, “Fucking bitch.” she called, walking off to the doorway to listen to their conversation.

It didn’t take long before the group followed after Mel, wanting to listen to the impending argument. Mel crossed her arms over her chest, glancing at Hughie when he nudged her, “You ok?” he questioned, scoffing when Mel smirked, “‘Course I am.” she nudged him back, not wanting Hughie to worry.

But everyone was quick to turn their when M.M. didn’t hesitate to speak, “You’re done.” he suddenly said, his voice gruff and commanding.

His words made Butcher stutter, cupping his nose as some blood dripped onto his mustache and clothes. He stared at M.M. with narrowed eyes, “Fired. Grab your shit and get the fuck out.” M.M. explained, keeping his arms crossed.

Butcher scoffed, “I level with you lot and this is the thanks I get. Fuck me. See what being honest gets you?” he questioned, looking to his left where no one stood.

Mel tilted her eyes, narrowing her eyes, “Who the hell is he talking to?” she muttered, looking back when M.M. shook his head, “Honest? Motherfucker, you’ve been lying to us for the last six months.” he argued while Butcher rolled his eyes, “Not telling ain’t lying. Look, you need all the help you can get, mate.”

“Not from you. You’re a liability, Butcher.” M.M. sighed while Butcher continued to argue, “I ain’t gonna let this stand, then. The Boys is mine.” he said, still trying to get his way.

M.M. looked into Butcher’s eyes, “Says a dying man with one last bluff. Now grab your shit and get the fuck out. Or I’ll throw you out.” he finally declared, eyeing Hughie when the younger man stepped forward, “Just…”

But M.M. was quick to shut him down, shaking his head, “I don’t want to hear it. He’s out. You can join if you don’t like it.” he said, walking back into the apartment.

Mel watched him go before taking hold of Milo and Phantom’s hands, “Come on, we’re leaving.” she said, not stopping to hear the rest of M.M.’s words.

As the group began to walk away, Annie scoffed, “Where the hell are you going now?” she called, tilting her head when Phantom looked over her shoulder, “Places.” the Supe answered, her eyes flashing red.

When Annie didn’t make another move, Phantom turned and followed after the couple. Once she was close enough, she sighed, “Does anyone know where we should start to find our friends?”

Mel shrugged, “I have no idea. Alleyways?” she questioned, watching Phantom nod, “Fun… There’s only a million of those in this fucking city.” she muttered, hearing Milo chuckle as he sipped his coffee.

He was gonna need the extra energy.

—————————————

Phantom stood beside Mel, keeping her arms crossed over her chest while Milo bought himself another coffee. Even if It was his third.

Milo smiled as he took his coffee from the counter, “Thanks.” he told the barista, walking out to his girlfriend and their friend.

He sipped on his coffee, sighing, “Where else can we search? We haven’t found anything.” he frowned, looking around at the busy streets.

Mel shrugged as she grabbed Milo’s cup, stealing a few sips, “I have no idea,” she frowned, turning to Phantom, “can’t you just do some magic shit and find them?” she questioned the Supe.

Phantom shook her head, “I wish I could, but I have no connection to them. If I had a piece of clothing or just something they touched, I’d be able to find them, but—Oh shit!” she suddenly shouted, stepping back when Milo dropped his coffee onto her shoes.

“Son of a bitch, Milo!” she groaned, turning her head when Milo began to point across the street, “I see them! Shit, I saw them!” he shouted, watching the figures step onto a bus that began to go down the street.

Mel watched the bus take off, “Son of a bitch,” she breathed, taking hold of Milo’s hand and running down the sidewalk, “find another way!” she shouted back to Phantom.

“Stop them before they get to the next stop, I’ll find a quicker way to them!” The Supe shouted in return, ignoring the odd looks before she ran in the opposite direction.

Phantom ran through different groups and crowds, “Out of the way! Move!” she shouted, running until she made it to an empty alleyway.

The Supe didn’t hesitate to skyrocket herself into the air, flying through the clouds. She watched the bus, keeping herself hidden as she tried to conjure a plan to get inside the bus without causing any damage.

Phantom soon caught sight of the bus, “Shit, shit, shit.” she mumbled to herself, narrowing her eyes when she noticed Mel and Milo near the bus.

“Oh shit!” Phantom gasped, pushing herself to fly faster when she noticed Mel was reckless enough to try and jump in front of the bus.

Phantom was quick to drop herself into another alleyway, landing on her feet and running back towards the bus. She had no idea what Mel had in mind.

And neither did Milo.

Don’t get hit. Grab the gun and shoot like hell. Mel thought to herself, watching the bus come closer, “All right,” she began, shrugging her jacket off, “hold my jacket.” she said, handing her jacket to Milo.

Milo held her jacket, giving his girlfriend an odd look, “What are you gonna do?” he questioned, his stomach dropping when he saw Mel begin to walk towards the middle of the street.

“Wait! Melanie!” he shouted, trying to grab her arm, but he quickly fell back when cars continued to zoom down the streets.

Mel ignored Milo, rolling her neck before she grabbed her gun. She didn’t expect anyone to stop her. They were all too busy grabbing their phones to film the impending incident.

She stood strong until the bus was close enough, holding her gun towards the bus and firing. She hit the corner of the windshield, staying far from the driver and anyone inside.

The bus stopped in the middle of the street, the driver and passengers running from the bus and towards the buildings. But that didn’t stop Mel.

She continued to shoot the bus, hitting the windshield and headlights. She could hear people screaming and running, “Come on!” she shouted, shooting the tired until there was nothing left.

Mel was about to throw her gun when she suddenly dropped the gun, “What the hell?” she muttered, watching the weapon begin to turn to stone.

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” Milo questioned, finally making it out to Mel. He took hold of her arms before he caught sight of the newly stoned weapon.

The couple stared at the gun until they noticed one of the bus’ windows suddenly cracked open. They looked up and began to run, watching the two figures jump from the window and through the panicked streets.

“Hurry!” Mel shouted, shoving past the crowd while Milo followed behind her, “Move! Move!” he shouted, trying to keep up with the figures.

He didn’t expect them to be so fast… But he never was a fast runner.

As Milo and Mel continued to run, they caught sight of Phantom running towards the figures and themselves, “Watch out!” Milo gasped, grabbing Mel’s arm and pulling her back.

They stumbled, watching Phantom swing her arm and create a barrier of red, chaotic energy. The sudden barrier forced the two figures back towards Milo and Mel.

“Enough.” Phantom frowned, curling her fingers as her eyes glowed red. She walked through the barrier, keeping her fingers curled as she eyed the figures.

The figures eyed the Supe and couple with frowns and slight confusion. They didn’t seem all that menacing without their black clothes and masks. The taller one of the two’s skin was tanned while the shorter one’s skin was paler.

The taller one’s eyes remained neutral while the shorter one’s eyes stood cold and trained on the barrier that surrounded them, reaching up to adjust her thick-framed sunglasses. The lenses were pitch black and stood out against her pale skin.

“Now.” the shorter figure finally said, stepping back as the taller figure smirked and leaned his head back. His body seemed to lose any tension or bones, his body folding like paper and wind.

As his body twisted and folded, it began to morph itself into a new form. It didn’t take long before groans and growls left his lips, appearing to have become a kangaroo.

The sight of the animal made Phantom tilt her head while Mel shook her head, “They’re fucking Supes.” she said, looking down at her gun and understanding why the damn thing turned to stone in the first place.

Milo was quick to grab his own gun, aiming towards the Supes, “Who are you?” he questioned, watching them smirk before he suddenly fell to the ground.

The damn kangaroo punched him across the face.

As Milo fell, Mel went to throw the stoned gun, faltering when the shorter figure went to take her glasses off. But before any damage could be done, both Phantom and the newly reformed taller figure spoke in unison, “Not here.” they both called, their voices strong and stern.

It was enough to make the shorter figure step back. She and the taller figure exchanged a look before they both ran off, leaving the three behind once more.

Once the three were alone, the barrier was dropped and Phantom made her way towards Mel, “Let me see.” she said, holding her hand out for the gun.

Mel handed the Supe the gun, turning to Milo, “You ok?” she questioned, reaching up to touch his red cheek. She offered him a sympathetic smile as she watched Milo rub his aching cheek.

“I’m fine, just a little pissed.” Milo mumbled, watching Phantom examine the stoned gun. She touched the ragged stone before nodding, “This’ll make tracking them much easier.” she smirked.

Mel and Milo shared a look before the group began to walk back towards Milo’s car. As they walked, Milo turned his head towards the two women, “Is it just me or did they sound Australian?” he questioned, making Mel sigh, “When the fuck did Australia get here?” she muttered, interlacing her fingers with Milo.

—————————————

“What the hell? He was eating his own… Oh. Oh, that’s fucking disgusting.” Phantom shook her head, standing from the bed and walking towards the bathroom.

Mel snickered, showing Milo the text message while the Supe leaned down to pat Luna’s head as she slept on the tile floor once more.

“What the fuck?” Milo gagged, turning his head from the phone, “what the fuck did they do today? I thought they went to that shitty conspiracy convention. Not to some orgy where it was a centipede eating itself out.” he groaned, placing his slice of pizza down.

Mel shook her head, picking up Milo’s slice of pizza, “Kimiko thought it’d be funny to send me this while I was eating, and now I’m ruining it for you two.” she nodded, sitting on the bed while Milo handed her a bottle of beer.

While the couple softly bickered, Phantom walked back to the bed, sitting against the headboard, “Everyone, quiet, I need to make sure this works.” she muttered, sitting criss-crossed.

She held the gun in her hands, her eyes falling shut. Her breath grew shallow and steady as her body began to lift itself a few inches above the bed.

Mel and Milo watched before they turned their attention back towards the T.V. Seeing Phantom float and mediate wasn’t anything new. They’ve already seen Phantom do it hundreds of times before.

The weight and rough texture of the stone ran rugged along Phantom’s scarred hands. She held the gun, her abilities flowing through the gun and connecting with the stone.

It was enough to force Phantom’s eyes open, “Found them.” she suddenly said, her grip strong as her hands began to glow with red and chaos.