The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of the city's shifting seasons as Roy made his way toward the hover bus stop. The gentle hum of neon signs flickered to life as dusk settled, bathing the streets in an ethereal glow. His steps were casual, his hands buried deep in his pockets, but his mind was far from at ease.
It had been days since Denwen's discharge from the hospital, yet Roy hadn't been able to visit him. The house arrest placed on him by the enforcement agency had made that impossible. His friend was now entangled in an investigation, a suspect in a situation that Roy still struggled to fully comprehend.
"I thought of a lot of things," Roy muttered under his breath, running a hand through his blonde hair as he walked, "but I never imagined this year would be the one where you'd be branded a criminal, Den."
A heavy sigh left his lips.
It felt… wrong.
Not being able to see him, to joke around, to just sit in the same room like old times. Even riding his hover bike had lost its appeal. It was wrapped around his wrist now, just a sleek band—its compact form a testament to how little he felt like using it.
The bus stop was just ahead, a small crowd already gathered. A mother struggling to keep her two children under control caught his eye—a little girl darting around excitedly while the exhausted woman juggled a crying infant in her arms.
Roy bent down, his signature smirk creeping onto his lips as he called the little girl over. "Hey, come here for a second."
She hesitated, glancing at her mother for approval. The woman, clearly overwhelmed, gave a tired but cautious nod.
Roy pulled a lollipop from his pocket, twirling it between his fingers. "This one's strawberry-flavored. You like strawberries?"
The girl's eyes lit up, but her small hands remained clenched at her sides, clearly torn between desire and the silent authority of her mother's gaze.
Roy smiled knowingly. "I'll tell you what. If you promise to stop running around and help your mom take care of your little brother, you can have it. Sounds like a fair deal?"
The girl hesitated for just a moment longer before nodding vigorously.
"Good girl," Roy chuckled, handing her the candy. "Now, don't forget—make sure to tell your mom you're sorry for causing trouble, okay?"
She nodded again, gripping the lollipop tightly before turning to her mother with wide, apologetic eyes. "Mommy, I'm sorry. I'll be good now."
The woman's stern features softened as she pulled her daughter into a gentle hug. "Thank you, sweetheart."
Roy watched them with a quiet expression, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
It was a simple scene—one that most wouldn't think twice about.
But for Roy, it meant something more.
Before he could dwell on the thought, the low hum of the approaching hover bus broke through his reverie. The sleek, streamlined vehicle came to a gentle stop in front of the waiting passengers, its doors sliding open with a faint hiss.
Just as Roy was about to step in, a voice rang out from the distance.
"WAIT! WAIT FOR ME!"
His head snapped toward the source of the sound.
A familiar figure was sprinting toward the bus at full speed, one arm clutching a load of groceries while the other flailed wildly in the air.
"Kara?" Roy blinked in disbelief.
Her face was twisted in panic, her breath coming out in ragged gasps as she tried to close the distance.
The bus driver, growing impatient, honked twice before glaring at Roy. "You getting in or not?"
Roy hesitated for a second, glancing between Kara and the bus.
She wasn't going to make it in time.
Sorry about this, he thought.
Without a word, he stepped onto the bus—but as the doors began to slide shut, he casually pressed his foot against the platform and channeled just the slightest bit of his essence.
The bus lurched, its hover systems groaning under the sudden, invisible pressure. The vehicle, despite its state-of-the-art design, couldn't compete with the sheer strength of a Rank 2 warrior.
The driver's furious protests were drowned out by Kara's desperate gasps as she finally reached the doors, stumbling inside with a huff.
She barely managed to keep her groceries from spilling everywhere as she clutched her knees, trying to catch her breath. "Gods… I swear… you two are gonna kill me one of these days…"
Roy smirked, stepping aside to let her pass. "You're welcome."
She shot him a glare between deep breaths.
"I should let you know," the driver grumbled, finally regaining control of the bus, "next time you try something like that, I'm calling the damn enforcers."
Roy only chuckled, waving him off.
As they moved toward the back of the bus, the little girl from earlier turned in her seat, flashing Roy a wide, toothy grin. She held up the lollipop as if showing off a treasure, waving at him enthusiastically.
Roy waved back with an amused chuckle.
Kara, watching the exchange, raised a brow. "I see someone is good with kids."
Roy leaned back in his seat, exuding his usual air of confidence. "What can I say? Being this handsome, I have a natural talent for charming both kids and the ladies."
Kara gave him a long, unreadable stare before deadpanning, "You do realize that girl is also a 'lady,' right?"
Roy's smug expression faltered. "Wait. No—hold on. That's not what I—"
"Should I call the enforcers after all?" Kara asked, leaning away from him dramatically.
"HEY! Don't say it like that!" Roy groaned, running a hand down his face as she chuckled at his misery.
Silence settled between them after that, the rhythmic hum of the hover bus filling the space as the city lights blurred past.
Without a word, Kara pulled out a pair of earbuds, tossing one to him. Roy caught it instinctively, raising a brow as he placed it in his ear.
A soft melody filled his senses.
His eyes widened slightly.
"Wait… this is Xena."
Kara nodded, her expression softening. "It's her latest song. Won the Empire Awards last night for best track of the year and the entire music category. I already sent it to Den."
Roy smiled, leaning back. "He'll appreciate that. Not that he can listen to it right now, though."
A shadow passed over Kara's face. "…You know, sometimes, I wonder what's going on in that idiot's head. I wish I could just sit down and force him to explain it all."
Roy sighed. "Kara—"
"Don't," she interrupted. "I know you knew. You covered for him every single time."
Roy winced, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't think it'd go this far."
"I should be furious at both of you," she muttered, staring out the window. "…But I can't."
Her fingers curled slightly in her lap. "Thanks, by the way. For the artifact. I heard it's the only reason he survived."
Roy exhaled slowly. "I had a feeling something would happen. That's why I asked my uncle Garrick to get something he could use… just in case."
The bus continued forward, its passengers oblivious to the silent weight that had settled over the two.
And as the city lights shimmered outside, Roy found himself gripping the earbud just a little tighter.