Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Some Asian kid is throwing around a lot of money for people to race his car," one of the guys in the car next to Robbie said, "I think it was a hundred thousand dollars if they could beat him."

Robbie's ears perked up. That was life-changing money. He wanted to ask the other racer what this kid's deal was.

"There's no way," the guy leaning against his door said, "Who offers that much for a race?"

"He hasn't lost yet. He's got some souped-up whatever. Space age shit. Must have built it himself cuz I've never seen anything like it."

"You raced him?"

"Fuck no, but I watched one. He dusted them. And he only races the best."

"How does he find people to race?"

"Hell if I know. He just shows up."

Someone shouted at them to get ready to race. Robbie wanted to ask for more details, but the race was going to start, and… like they'd tell him anyway.

[You could beat it out of them…]

Robbie ignored Eli and revved his engine.

"Do y'all do body work?"

Robbie glanced up from the engine he was working on at the kid standing at the garage doors. He glanced around at his coworkers, all busy, and tore himself away from his project. He wiped grease on his coveralls.

"We can. What's the damage?"

"Oh, I was in an accident and I got a dent in the bumper," the kid said. He was about Robbie's height, maybe an inch shorter, and Asian. He looked pretty clean-cut for this side of town. His hair was gelled into place like he took care of it and he was wearing dark green shorts and a cream button-up. He had flip-flops on, Robbie noted.

Robbie looked at the car. It was a 1950-something Impala in the classic green color. It had fins and everything. Definitely not what he expected from the teenager. Robbie went to inspect the back bumper. It wasn't all that bad. The dent could easily be fixed. He crossed his arms and then glanced back at the teen.

"Yeah we can do this," Robbie said.

"Oh, sick. I do have like one really weird request. Don't look under the hood. You shouldn't have to cuz it's just a dent."

Robbie hadn't ever wanted to crack open the hood of a car more. "What did you do to it that you don't want anyone to see?"

"Oh, nothing crazy. I just replaced some things."

Robbie frowned. He needed to see under that hood. "I'll need your name and a good number to reach you," he said.

The kid pulled out a business card which was another surprise. The kid was full of surprises, Robbie thought. He expected some corny start-up, but the card read, "Amadeus Cho, CEO of Olympus Group." He’d seen Olympus Group buildings around. They always had big columns and marble. They definitely looked legit. Why was their CEO a teenage boy in flip-flops?

"Oh, wait. Let me add my personal number," Amadeus said, and he snatched the card back and wrote his number on the back, "How long will this take, you figure?"

"We're a little busy. So a couple hours," Robbie replied.

"Alright. I'll probably come by tomorrow to get it then. Call me if anything comes up," Amadeus said.

"Alright. I will see you tomorrow," Robbie said.

Amadeus flashed him the world's brightest smile and walked off. Robbie wondered how he was going to leave, but it looked like he was just going to walk. Weird for a rich kid, but what did he know about rich people? Robbie went back to inspect the dent.

As expected the dent took almost no time to fix. It was pretty much as good as new. He sent Amadeus a text that it was fixed and he replied with a thumbs-up emoji and said he would pick it up the next day.

Robbie went to race later that night. He glanced through the crowd. It was a quiet night. Only a couple of people were out to race. It really wasn't worth it. Robbie almost decided to go home when a silver car, if it could be called that at all, drove up. It was needle-thin with three wheels. Only one in the front and two in the back. It almost looked like a jet. It was so streamlined. Robbie sat up in his seat. This had to be the car that was offering 100,000 dollars if you could beat it.

The car drove up beside him and idled next to him for a moment before driving off. Robbie's temper flared and he followed the other car until it stopped at a light. Robbie tried to look into the window of the other car, but there was a tint so he couldn't see the occupant.

[Just run into him and take his money. He probably got it illegally, and why should you care about some rich bitch who wants some thrills?]

The car pulled into a parking lot, and Robbie followed. He waited for the other driver to get out of the car impatiently. The driver hopped out and walked over to Robbie's window. It was too dark to see him until he was right next to the Hell Charger.

"Well, hello," Amadeus said, leaning into Robbie's window.

"You the guy offering a shit ton of money to race his spaceship?" Robbie asked.

"Yeah," Amadeus said, "but you don't have to race me. I know who's gonna win."

"You don't think I can outrace you?" Robbie snapped.

Amadeus smirked. "No, I know you'll win, La Leyenda."

[He knows what we are. We have to kill him!]

Robbie frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"I'm not in the business of racing with the devil," Amadeus said, "Now I might think about playing the fiddle against you or selling my soul to play guitar real good, but I have no interest in racing."

"Then what were the other races?" Robbie asked.

"Bait," Amadeus said.

[He wants a fight. We should give one to him. He’s shady as hell.]

Robbie started rolling up his window. "Then I don't have any interest talking to you," he said.

"Hey, you know there are other ways of making money than racing."

"I'm not hired muscle," Robbie said.

"You ever thought of being a superhero?" Amadeus asked.

“Not interested,” Robbie said, “I’m just trying to make a better life for my little brother.”

“But no interest in joining a real, legitimate superhero team?” Amadeus asked.

“I don’t care,” Robbie asked, “You’re just some random rich kid who inherited his wealth.”

[Good answer. I don't want to be some goody two shoes saving kittens from trees.]

Amadeus laughed. “I think I said something like that to Angel back in the day. You don’t know who I am, do you?”

Robbie’s brows furrowed. “Obviously not.”

“You read the business card, right? Olympus Group, as in Mount Olympus, as in the Greek Gods,” Amadeus said.

“You’re not a god,” Robbie said.

[Let's kill this cocky sonofabitch.]

“No, but I was and I’m funded by them. I got everything when Herc died and because the law makes no sense at all I've still got it," Amadeus said, “and I’m looking to spend an obscene amount of money to stop kids from ending up like me or you.”

Robbie glared at him. “What the fuck do you mean by that?” He snapped.

[He insulted you. Let's rip him apart.]

“Orphans,” Amadeus said.

Robbie’s stomach dropped. “How did you…?”

“I have a little sister named Maddy. My parents were killed in an explosion meant for me. Maddy wasn’t there, but I spent a long time thinking she was dead. Too long.”

“This team… How much would you pay me?” Robbie asked.

[You're not thinking of working with this fool?]

“How much do you want?” Amadeus asked.

Robbie’s brow furrowed deeper. “I… I don’t know,” he said, “How much do the Avengers pay?”

Amadeus shrugged. “I can hack them and find out,” he said.

“You name the right price and I’ll think about joining your team,” Robbie said, “but I don’t care about saving the world or anything like that. This is all about money.”

“Of course,” Amadeus said, nodding his head.

Robbie rolled up his windows and drove off. He had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.

[What the hell was that about?!]

"If we join his little team we'll be beating up bad guys like you want," Robbie said.

[You're such a pussy.]

The next day Robbie went to work. Amadeus’s Impala was still on the lot. He opened the hood to see what in the world he had done to it and because he wanted to spite him. Instead of a typical engine, there were iridescent liquids going through clear tubing and glittering gold mechanical components that Robbie had never seen before. He stared at it confused for a few moments.

“Told you not to look in there,” Amadeus said, in a sing-song voice. He was wearing flip-flops again. He looked like he just walked back from the beach. He was wearing purple board shorts and a Lakers t-shirt.

“What the fuck did you do to it?” Robbie asked, scandalized.

“I made it run on mythic energy,” Amadeus replied, “It can fly too.”

“God, why? It’s a classic,” Robbie grumbled.

“If you knew the amount of work I put into making this car not only run but fly, you’d be really impressed,” Amadeus said, “Now can we talk about payment?”

“You’d have to talk to…”

“Different payment,” Amadeus said, leaning to one side.

“Not at work you moron,” Robbie said.

“Okay, I’ll see you later then,” Amadeus said, smiling. He walked off to pay for his car and then drove off in it.

Amadeus showed up later that night dressed in joggers and a tank top that was cut way too far on the sides. Robbie wanted to cuss him out because there were already rumors about him, but he held his tongue and just let Amadeus inside. He wasn’t wearing flip-flops now. He had a pair of sneakers on that looked deceptively normal in a soft shade of peach. Amadeus noticed Robbie staring at his shoes.

“They’re Hender Scheme. I can get you a pair,” he said.

Robbie shook his head. If anyone saw him in pink shoes they’d never let him live it down.

“You can’t just show up here,” Robbie said, “especially not in pink shoes.”

“Huh?” He looked confused in a cute way like it never occurred to him that pink shoes were an odd sight.

[He's such a f-]

“Look, you can’t dress like this if you’re gonna show up,” Robbie said.

Amadeus looked down at his clothes. He looked back up at Robbie, still adorably confused.

“You look gay,” Robbie said.

“Oh,” Amadeus said, “Sorry, I’ll dress straight next time.”

“How much are the Avengers paid?” Robbie asked.

“Okay, so they get paid like two thousand to three thousand a week, so about one hundred, one hundred fifty thousand a year, but I can pay more if you need it,” Amadeus said.

Robbie’s jaw dropped. “For a week?!”

“I don’t want to underpay you,” Amadeus said, “How much are you paid now?”

“Not that much,” Robbie said, sighing, “Look I’ll take that much. Hell, I’d take half that much.”

“You’re not going to negotiate?” Amadeus asked, “No benefits or sign-on bonuses or anything like that?”

Robbie shook his head.

“Can I at least pay for your college or something? Obviously life insurance and medical and stuff like that, but I don’t feel right just paying you just as much as the Avengers. This is a private team.”

“You can give me whatever you feel like is fair,” Robbie said, “It’s more money than I’ve seen in my whole life.”

Amadeus crossed his arms. “I thought this was going to be a negotiation,” he said, almost disappointed. "I'll write up a contract in a couple of weeks once I get more heroes together. In the meantime, I want your input on what you'd like for the team too. I can pay-"

"You don't need to pay me until the job starts."

Amadeus's brow furrowed. "Jeez, do you hate money or something?”

Robbie didn’t say anything. He worried that with Amadeus’s generosity, he would end up indebted to him, and that was the last thing he needed. Feeling obligated to some rich kid with a stupid dream to save the world was not a good idea.

“Look, I gotta get Gabe ready for bed. Can you get lost until tomorrow? I should be off. We talk then,” Robbie said.

“Yeah, I’ll see you soon,” Amadeus said, smiling brightly.

Amadeus showed up every day for the next week. Today he was in basketball shorts, a tastefully ripped t-shirt, and slides. Robbie shook his head when he realized that the slides were Dolce & Gabbana. Amadeus was asking to be robbed. He lounged on Robbie’s couch and told him what he was thinking for the team and how he was planning on recruiting some other L.A.-based superheroes, but there weren’t all that many so he might have to find some that were unknown. He was even thinking of recruiting outside of LA and relocating them to California.

Someone was at the door so Robbie got up and answered it while Amadeus kept talking until the door opened. It was Lisa, she was holding brownies. Robbie glanced over at Amadeus and then back at Lisa.

“Oh, hey,” he said, trying to act cool.

“I made these because I thought Gabe might enjoy them,” Lisa said.

“Oh, thanks. He’ll love them,” Robbie said, taking the tupperware. He wanted to invite her in, but Amadeus was obnoxiously good-looking and charming and he knew that they would hit it off and…

[You're gonna make me puke.]

“Hi, my name’s Amadeus.” He stuck his hand out for a handshake and Lisa took it.

“I’m Lisa. I go to school with Robbie,” she said.

“Nice to meet you,” Amadeus said.

Robbie smiled uncomfortably between them. “Do you want to come in?” He asked Lisa to be polite and he hoped that she would turn him down.

“Oh, yeah sure,” Lisa said, “I’ve been wondering what your other friends are like.”

Amadeus grinned and Robbie’s stomach turned. With that smile how could Lisa not fall for him? Robbie wondered. Amadeus took one of the folding chairs and sat in it backward. Robbie and Lisa sat on the couch.

“So, uh, how do you know Robbie?” Lisa asked.

“I got in a wreck and he buffed a dent out for me. I thought his car was sick so I’ve been pestering him ever since,” Amadeus replied.

“Are you from around here?” Lisa asked.

“No, I'm from Arizona,” Amadeus replied, “I moved here a couple weeks ago.”

“Did you move here for school?”

“For work. I work at Olympus Group,” Amadeus replied, hiding the fact that he was the CEO. Hiding the fact that he was made of money.

“They must pay well,” Lisa said, glancing down at his shoes.

“You and Robbie are on about my shoes,” Amadeus laughed, “First day I came over he chewed me out for looking gay because I was wearing pink shoes.”

“It wasn’t just the shoes,” Robbie objected.

Amadeus grinned, and Robbie’s chest tightened. “I can’t help it. At least I didn’t show up at your work dressed like that,” he said.

“You wore flip-flops,” Robbie said.

Amadeus’s brow furrowed.

“That’s a weird thing to notice,” Lisa said.

“Those were Gucci,” Amadeus said.

Lisa’s eyes widened. “God, how much did they cost?”

Amadeus shrugged. “I don’t check prices anymore,” he said, “I used to budget everything, but now I don’t see the point. If I want something I just buy it. You can’t take money with you when you die.”

[He makes me sick… He’s just flaunting his wealth around you. Doesn’t it piss you off?]

Robbie gritted his teeth for a moment and looked at the door.

“I bet you have a lot of friends,” Lisa said.

Amadeus laughed. “I’m the worst at making friends,” he said, “Robbie’s the only one I have around here right now.”

Lisa’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I’m having a party on Saturday. You should come and make some friends!” she exclaimed.

Amadeus glanced at Robbie. “I’m down if Robbie’s coming,” he said.

“I’ll go if I can get a babysitter for Gabe,” Robbie said.

“So put us down as going,” Amadeus said, grinning, “Anything I need to bring?”

Lisa laughed. “Not that kind of party.”

Robbie looked at his phone and it was time for him to start dinner. “I have to start dinner,” he said, standing up.

“I better get going. It was nice to meet you Amadeus, and I’ll see you tomorrow, Robbie.”

Robbie and Amadeus said bye to her, and she left. Robbie went into the kitchen to fix supper for him and Gabe.

Amadeus leaned against the doorway to the kitchen. “Lisa seemed nice,” he said, “Y’all just friends?”

Robbie turned around wielding a spatula. “No, absolutely not. You can’t hit on her,” he said.

Amadeus’s brows furrowed. “What?”

“She’s like my only friend. I don’t want you pushing her away by being weird,” Robbie said.

Amadeus almost doubled over laughing. He held his chest and straightened back up. “You don’t have to worry about me hitting on her. I prefer scary people that can kill me,” he said.

“Good,” Robbie said going back to the stove to keep making dinner.

“Can I stay over? I don’t feel like driving back to my house in this traffic, and I left my teleporter in the lab,” Amadeus asked.

Robbie shrugged. “I can take you back to your place,” he said.

Amadeus wrinkled his nose. “Then I have got to come back tomorrow for my car,” he said.

“You’re always over anyway,” Robbie said.

“Please,” Amadeus said, and he gave Robbie puppy dog eyes.

“People will talk if you spend the night,” Robbie said.

“They’ll talk if I leave my car here,” Amadeus said, “They’ll talk if I look gay when I come over. They’ll talk if I come back tomorrow. People talk, Robbie.”

“I’ve got Gabe to think about,” Robbie said.

“I’ve got Maddy,” Amadeus said.

[He's trying to fuck you. He's such a pervert.]

Robbie concentrated on dinner instead of Amadeus and Eli.

“When I was sixteen there were rumors that me and Hercules were having sex,” Amadeus said, “Nothing came out of people talking.”

[Probably were fucking. Heard Hercules would fuck anything with two legs and a smile, and some things with more than two legs.]

“Not the same,” Robbie said.

Amadeus frowned. “You frustrate me,” he said.

“I know,” Robbie said.

“What are you doing tomorrow?” Amadeus asked.

“It’s a weekday so school,” Robbie replied.

“You want to play hooky and we can go to the mall or something,” Amadeus said.

“You are a bad influence,” Robbie said, shaking his head.

“I can get you into any college you want and pay for it,” Amadeus said, “You don’t have to worry about high school at all.”

[He's trying to buy you. You're just a sugar baby to him. Next thing you know he'll be demanding things of you.]

“We can hang out tomorrow after school,” Robbie said, “but I’m not skipping.”

“Ugh, fine,” Amadeus groaned.

“Gabe will have to come,” Robbie said.

Amadeus smiled. “Nice,” he said.

“Now get lost. I’ve only got enough for me and Gabe,” Robbie said.

“I’m goin’. I’ll see you later,” Amadeus said, and he left for the day.

“Where the fuck are you? We have Lisa’s party today,” Robbie snapped.

“Yeah, sorry. I’m in the lab,” Amadeus replied, “I feel like I’m close to a breakthrough.”

“On what?” Robbie asked.

“Something I’ve been working on for a few years,” Amadeus said. Robbie imagined him over some beakers dropping chemicals into them with his tongue poking through his teeth. His hair tumbling over his forehead, sweat on his brow… Robbie shook his head to get thoughts like that out of his mind.

[You're disgusting.]

“You’re being vague,” Robbie said.

“Yeah, I am,” Amadeus said, “I’m gonna put you on speaker, I need both my hands.”

[I have to share your thoughts, you bastard! I don't want to see what you want him to be doing with his hands.]

Robbie desperately thought of something else. He focused on the sound of Amadeus clacking on a keyboard.

“Hey, Calvin, what amount of radiation can a Hulk absorb?” Amadeus asked.

“Seemingly unlimited,” a voice replied.

“Who’s Calvin?” Robbie asked.

“Oh, my AI,” Amadeus said, “Say hi Calvin.”

“Hello, Mr. Reyes,” Calvin said.

“He’s like a robot?” Robbie asked.

“Without a body,” Amadeus replied, “He lives in one of my Calvin Klein suits.” More clacking on the computer. “Calvin, at what point would a Hulk become a gamma bomb?”

“It is variable,” Calvin replied.

“Why are you doing research on the Hulk?” Robbie asked.

“Me and Bruce are friends,” Amadeus replied, still vaguely, “Okay, I’m tapped out. How much longer ‘til the party? Do I have time to shower?”

“No, I’ll be over in ten minutes,” Robbie said.

“Okay,” Amadeus said, “See you in a few.” He hung up.

Robbie drove to Amadeus’s lab. It didn’t take long because it wasn’t that far from Amadeus’s house. He parked the Hell Charger and went inside the lab because knowing Amadeus he probably had some brilliant idea and was back messing with some science stuff. The lab was deserted. He looked around for Amadeus but couldn’t find him. He groaned.

“Where is he?” he grumbled.

“Amadeus is in the rear of the building. He just stepped out of the shower,” Calvin said.

Robbie jumped out of his skin. “Uh, thank you?” he said, looking around at the roof as if there was going to be some physical manifestation of a bodiless robot. He walked to the rear of the building and sure enough, there was Amadeus, dripping wet, in just a towel. Amadeus smiled at him.

“Sorry, I’m gonna put clothes on,” Amadeus said, “It’s only been seven minutes. I thought I had more time.”

Robbie glared at him, but he couldn’t say anything because his brain was currently shut down. He had abs? What did a scrawny little nerd need with abs? His pecs were nice too. Did he work out? His brain supplied him with the thought of Amadeus all sweaty from working out which was the last thing he needed at the moment.

[You’re such a freak.]

Robbie swallowed the lump in his throat as Amadeus disappeared into another room. He returned dry and in a white t-shirt, a green army jacket, and light brown chinos. His shoes were nondescript hiking boots, but undoubtedly they were more expensive than Robbie’s rent.

“Okay, we can go.”

Robbie held the door of the Hell Charger for Amadeus. He slipped into the passenger seat. “I love hanging out with you. I get to be a passenger princess,” Amadeus said when Robbie sat in the driver's side next to him.

“Buckle up, princess,” Robbie said.

Amadeus buckled his seat belt and smirked at Robbie. “Okay, baby, I’ll be good,” he said.

Robbie flushed down to his toes. “Don’t call me that,” he said.

“You called me princess,” Amadeus said, “Just keeping that energy up.”

Robbie shook his head. “Quit the energy.”

“Boo, why won’t you flirt with me?”

“Quit being weird,” Robbie objected.

“Fine, I’ll save the weirdness for the party,” Amadeus said.

Amadeus and Robbie showed up at Lisa’s party fashionably late. The party was filled with teens drinking and partaking in reckless behavior. Robbie grimaced at the loud music piped in through huge speakers with the bass up too loud. Amadeus brightened up at the beat. He bumped Robbie’s shoulder.

“I love this song,” he said.

Robbie couldn’t find Lisa in the crowd, but Amadeus was already talking with strangers and nodding to the music so that was good. Robbie stayed close to Amadeus and sometimes joined in his conversations, but he mostly didn’t. Amadeus was so good at talking. He had everyone he was talking with laughing, and he dazzled them with his wit. It probably wasn’t that hard to dazzle a bunch of drunk teens though.

Robbie had to go piss and wandered down the halls to find the bathroom. He found it, and it was locked. He waited outside the door for a few minutes until he realized that it was probably not being used for someone taking a piss. He grumbled under his breath and went to find Amadeus again. He stumbled through the party until he found Amadeus about ten minutes later in deep conversation with a guy with shoulder-length curly hair. The other guy’s hand was on Amadeus’s upper thigh. Robbie frowned and walked up behind Amadeus.

[Your little boyfriend is cheating on you.]

“Hey, do you want to go?” he asked.

Amadeus looked over his shoulder. He smiled so sweetly at Robbie. It made his heart flip in his chest. “What did you say?” Amadeus shouted over the music.

“I asked if you want a drink,” Robbie shouted back.

“Do they have Dr. Pepper?” Amadeus asked.

Robbie shrugged. “I saw beer,” he said.

Amadeus wrinkled his nose. “I don’t drink,” he said.

[Fucking loser.]

The other guy leaned closer to Amadeus. “Aw, why not?” he asked. Robbie straightened up. He wanted to grab that guy’s hand and take it off of Amadeus’s thigh.

[You should break his hand or something. I’m getting bored.]

“Alcohol kills brain cells,” Amadeus said.

“I think you’re smart enough to spare a few,” Robbie said.

“I did D.A.R.E. You can’t peer pressure me,” Amadeus said. He sat up. “I’ll go with you to get drinks. You want anything?” He pointed his thumb at the other guy.

He shrugged. “A beer would be fine,” he said.

Amadeus gave him a thumbs up and then followed Robbie towards the kitchen.

“Who was that?” Robbie asked.

“Uh, his name was Theo or something like that. I couldn’t hear him that well,” Amadeus replied.

“He’s cute,” Robbie said.

Amadeus shrugged. “He’s not really my type,” he said.

“You were his,” Robbie said.

Amadeus laughed and shoved Robbie’s shoulder. “I can’t help that I’m incredibly sexy,” he said.

Lisa threw her arms over their shoulders and Robbie jumped. “I saw you talking with Noah,” she said.

Robbie chuckled at how badly Amadeus misheard his name. Amadeus laughed. “Yeah,” he said, “Don’t make it a thing.”

“He’s nice,” Lisa said.

“Amadeus said he wasn’t his type,” Robbie said, “He likes scary people.”

Lisa rolled her eyes. “No one wants wholesome anymore,” she said.

“I’m not looking for anything serious,” Amadeus said, “Who knows when I’m gonna have to pack up and move?”

Robbie’s brow furrowed. “You never said anything about moving.”

“Work keeps me pretty mobile,” Amadeus said.

“You’re staying for a while, right?” Robbie asked.

“Yeah at least a couple months,” Amadeus replied.

“A couple months isn’t that long,” Robbie said. He was blindsided. He thought they were going to be a team together for a long time, but Amadeus said just a couple months…

[He's stringing you along. You didn’t even see it coming.]

Lisa looked between them and frowned. “Amadeus, do you smoke?” she asked.

Amadeus shook his head. “No, I have an addictive personality.”

“Weed, smartypants.” She jabbed his side. “Come out and smoke with me.”

“Okay,” Amadeus said. He looked at Robbie to see if he was coming.

“I can’t risk failing a drug test.”

“Oh, let me get Noah his drink,” Amadeus said, remembering. He grabbed a beer and a soda and left with Lisa.

Robbie found an empty corner and stood alone sipping on a soda. He wanted to go home, but Amadeus looked like he was having fun. He didn’t want to seem like he wasn’t fun. He sighed. He was too old for his age.

[You're not meant for this. You're meant for tasting blood.]

Amadeus came back into the party with Lisa laughing too loud. He found Robbie and grinned at him brightly. “Can you drive us to get tacos?” he asked.

Robbie shook his head. “Why can’t you eat the food here?” he asked.

Amadeus looked at Lisa. “Why can’t we eat the food here?”

“Because we want tacos,” Lisa said.

Amadeus looked back at Robbie. “Because we want tacos.” He was so cutely earnest. A smile crept to Robbie’s face.

Lisa wrinkled her nose and poked Robbie’s side. “Hey, you’re smiling. Does that mean yes?”

Robbie quickly scowled. “No.”

Amadeus leaned his head on Robbie’s shoulder and groaned. He wrapped his arms around Robbie’s waist. “Please, I’m gonna pay.”

Robbie froze when he realized that Amadeus was hugging him. He looked at Lisa with panic in his eyes. “Fine, we can get tacos. Just let go.”

[He's so sick. He's throwing himself at you. He doesn't care how it looks.]

Amadeus straightened up and cheered. He dragged Robbie out of the party and to the Hell Charger. Lisa was close behind. She got in the backseat and pointed Amadeus to the passenger seat. Amadeus stared at the lights and sometimes he would mumble a number. Robbie glanced at the speedometer just as he mumbled forty-one. It was the speed they were going.

“Stop calculating how fast we’re going,” Robbie said.

Amadeus straightened up. “Sorry, I’ll divide the people’s license plates instead,” he said.

“Wait, how did you calculate how fast we’re going?” Lisa asked.

Amadeus shrugged. “My brain just does that sometimes,” he replied.

“You’re such a nerd,” Robbie said.

“I don’t think you’re a nerd, Amadeus. You’re just really smart,” Lisa said.

“I wish people wanted me for my body,” Amadeus sighed.

“Noah wanted your body,” Lisa giggled.

Robbie’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.

[We should go back and tear that Noah kid apart. You want to.]

Robbie pulled into a parking lot. There was a taco truck parked on the edge and a group of people were sitting by their cars laughing and playing music.

“It says cash only,” Amadeus said. He shoved his hand into his pocket and pulled out a hundred and frowned. “This is too much.”

“I’ll pay. You can pay me back,” Lisa said, pulling her wallet out of her skin-tight jeans.

Amadeus handed her the hundred. “Take it. I’ll forget to pay you back.”

“That’s a hundred dollars,” Lisa said, “I can’t take a hundred dollars from you.”

“Why? I won’t even notice it’s gone,” Amadeus said.

[He’s got so much money and doesn’t work for it, and you have to work hard for every dollar…]

“I don’t want a hundred dollars,” Lisa said, “Just pay me back later. I won’t let you forget.”

Amadeus huffed. He turned to Robbie. “Take this,” he said, handing Robbie the hundred, “Buy Gabe some comics for me.”

Robbie stared at the hundred being waved in his face. “I don’t want your money,” he said.

“You two are impossible,” Amadeus said, shoving it back in his chinos.

“What do you want?” Lisa asked.

“God, anything,” Amadeus said, “I could literally eat a whole cow right now. I’m starving.”

“I’ll go order. You can stay here with Robbie,” Lisa said.

Amadeus and Robbie got out of the Hell Charger while Lisa went to get the food. Robbie leaned against the car and watched the other vehicles drive by. Amadeus looked around with wide eyes, taking everything he could in. He looked over at a car that pulled in at about the same time as they did. The man that was driving it hadn’t gone up to the taco truck yet. He was just waiting by his car looking at his phone, pointed vaguely in their direction.

Amadeus gripped Robbie’s shoulder. “Did you see that guy?” he asked.

Robbie looked over his shoulder at the guy. He was in an ill-fitting plaid button-up and baggy boot-cut jeans. Amadeus tugged on his arm. “Don’t look at him,” he hissed.

“What about him?” Robbie asked.

“He’s following us,” Amadeus replied, “He’s trying to put me in prison again.”

[He's crazy. Can't even handle weed. Pathetic. Come on, let’s ditch these idiots and smash some skulls in.]

Robbie shook his head. “He’s not following us,” he said, “Why did you go to prison?”

Amadeus snapped to look at Robbie. “I can’t talk about it,” he said, “Not in public.”

Robbie nodded his head. “Do you want to go home?” he asked, “Are you having a bad trip?”

“It’s not a bad trip. He’s really following us,” Amadeus insisted, “I think he’s S.H.I.E.L.D. I can’t let him know where I live.”

“He’s not S.H.I.E.L.D. He’s just some guy,” Robbie said.

“His shoes are cop shoes,” Amadeus said, “Trust me. I’ve been under surveillance since I was sixteen. I know these things.”

[Hm, he might be onto something. Those are cop shoes.]

“Relax, Amadeus,” Robbie said.

“Can we leave?” Amadeus asked. His fingers were gripping Robbie’s shoulder, and his eyes kept darting to look at all the reflective surfaces to see the plain-clothed cop.

“Okay,” Robbie said.

Amadeus practically bolted to the Hell Charger. Lisa returned holding their tacos just as he disappeared inside. “What’s up with him?”

“He’s having a bad trip,” Robbie replied, “He wants to go home.”

Lisa frowned. “You’re not going to leave him alone with his first bad trip?”

“He’ll be fine.”

“Robbie, don’t be a dick. He’s scared.”

[Who gives a fuck? I know you want to fuck this girl, but she's so fucking annoying.]

“Fine, I’ll let him spend the night,” Robbie grumbled.

[Bad decision. He’ll probably do something gross when he’s alone with you.]

“Hurry up, Robbie,” Amadeus said, peeking out of the car and waving his hand.

Just as Robbie and Lisa got in the car, the plain-clothed officer got in his, which only solidified Amadeus’s fears. He directed them down roads until he was certain that the officer wasn’t following them anymore then Robbie dropped Lisa off at her house. He drove Amadeus back to his apartment.

“Why are we going back to your place?” Amadeus asked.

“Because you’re having a bad trip-” Amadeus protested that he wasn’t. “-and I don’t want you to be on your own.”

“Oh, that’s actually thoughtful, but that guy was a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent. I saw his license plate. It was S.H.I.E.L.D. issued. They always have D.C. plates, and they’re short.”

“Well then we don’t want S.H.I.E.L.D. to know where you live,” Robbie said, playing along because he didn’t think Amadeus was thinking clearly.

“They always find out,” Amadeus said, quietly, “I’m so sick of being watched.”

Robbie looked over at him. He was staring out the window with the most dejected frown on his face. He looked defeated. Robbie wanted to reach out and comfort him, but he couldn’t do that…

[You're down bad.]

Amadeus immediately fell asleep on the couch. Robbie paid his babysitter and then got Amadeus a blanket and pillow. He went to his room to get some sleep. In the morning the smell of breakfast wafted into his bedroom, and he wandered into the kitchen to find the source. Amadeus was at the stove cooking. He looked over his shoulder at Robbie and smiled.

“Good morning. I never ate my tacos so I’m starving,” Amadeus said.

“Yeah, you passed out after freaking out over that S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent,” Robbie said.

“You want a breakfast taco?” Amadeus asked, “I was feeling them.”

Robbie nodded. “I’ll get Gabe,” he said.

“Sweet, ” Amadeus said, scrambling some eggs and preparing to cook some sausage.

By the time Robbie returned with a very groggy Gabe, Amadeus was finished with the tacos, and he was raiding Robbie’s fridge for salsa or any kind of hot sauce. He returned with two different kinds, neither of which were Sriracha.

“Sriracha is the best. How can you not have any?” Amadeus asked, dousing his tacos in one of the hot sauces.

“Be careful with that,” Robbie warned.

“Dude, I’m Korean, and I’m from Arizona,” Amadeus said, taking a bite.

Robbie winced, but Amadeus kept eating. Gabe watched Amadeus, unable to look away as he ate more and more of his breakfast taco. He was starting to sweat and turn red, but he didn’t stop.

“Please take a drink,” Robbie said, shoving his water towards him, “You are so red.”

Amadeus drank the whole glass without coming up for air. He gasped and coughed when he finished the glass. “That stuff sneaks up on you,” Amadeus said.

Gabe started laughing. It was contagious because soon Amadeus and Robbie were laughing with him. Amadeus leaned towards Robbie, laughing so hard he couldn’t breathe. He slapped Robbie’s shoulder.

“I should have listened,” he said.

Robbie snorted which only made Amadeus and Gabe laugh harder.

“You’re so stupid,” Robbie gasped out.

Amadeus rested his forehead on the table, still silently laughing. Robbie finally managed to control himself. He smiled at the way Amadeus was still laughing and kept dissolving into giggles when he thought about what happened.

Gabe pushed the hot sauce he was using to Amadeus. “Try this,” he said.

Amadeus poured it on another taco and shook his head. “Thanks, buddy.”

Robbie answered the door. Amadeus was there like always. He had a handful of comics. “I got Gabe some comics,” he said, “Where’s my best friend?”

Robbie shook his head. “He’s with Lisa for his birthday.”

“Boo, I wanted to hang with him,” Amadeus said.

“You snooze, you lose,” Robbie said.

“He knows I’m coming today, right?” Amadeus asked.

“Yeah. They’re going to be back in like an hour,” Robbie replied.

“Good,” Amadeus said, putting the comics down on the coffee table, “You need help with anything?”

“No, I got all the decorations up, and I already picked up the cake. It’s in the freezer,” Robbie said.

“You’re always on top of everything,” Amadeus said.

Robbie shrugged and went back into the kitchen to watch Gabe’s birthday dinner while it cooked.

"Do you want to go to a movie with me sometime?" Amadeus asked from the other room.

Something about the question put dread in the pit of his stomach. "Why don't you take Gabe?" Robbie suggested.

"Because I want to take you," Amadeus said, leaning against the doorframe.

"There isn't anything I want to see," Robbie said.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Amadeus said, “You’ve got to know.” He was frustrated like he had been trying to tell him something for a while, and he hadn't been listening.

“Don’t say it,” Robbie said, “You’ll fuck everything up if you say it out loud.”

“What will saying it out loud change?” Amadeus asked, “You know and I know.”

“Because I don’t want to hear it,” Robbie said.

“Why are you such a fucking coward?” Amadeus asked, “Either say no or say yes. We don’t have to keep pretending that there isn’t something going on here.”

Robbie whipped around. “Shut up,” he said, “I’m not like you.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Amadeus asked.

Robbie gritted his teeth. “Do you think just because you throw money my way I’m gonna want to date you?” Robbie snapped, “I’m just another purchase to you. If you want something you just buy it, right?”

Amadeus’s eyes widened. “No. That’s not… What the hell, man? You know that’s not what I’m doing!”

“How? I’ve known you for like a month and all you’ve done is offer me money and offer me things. I’m not bought that easy.”

Amadeus squared his jaw. “No one wants to buy you. I just want to make things easier for you because I have the means. You could have just turned me down, no need to be a jackass about it,” he said.

“I don’t even want your money. Get the fuck out of here,” Robbie said.

“Fine, like I want to spend any time with your homophobic ass,” Amadeus said heading for the door. He left, slamming it behind him, and Robbie braced himself against the counter. His chest and whole body were tight and he needed to yell. He wanted to go after Amadeus and hit him. He wanted to go after Amadeus and apologize. He wanted…

[We should go jump him. You know you really want to.]

God, he fucked up. His eyes were starting to burn like he wanted to cry, but he didn’t. He beat his fist against the counter and tried everything to stop the conflicting feelings that were tearing inside him. The door opened, and Robbie raced to the living room hoping it was Amadeus. It was Gabe and Lisa.

“I thought Amadeus was going to be here,” Gabe said.

“He had to cancel,” Robbie said, his stomach turning.

“Oh, that’s a shame,” Lisa said, “He’s gonna miss Gabe’s birthday.”

“Yeah, sorry bud,” Robbie said. He probably wouldn’t see him again… He said such awful things to him. Why would he ever want to see him again…

Gabe looked disappointed. “He promised."

“He brought you a gift,” Robbie said, pointing to the comics.

“I wish he had come instead.”

Chapter Text

Amadeus hadn’t visited in ages. He’d been out of Robbie’s life for longer than he’d been in it. Somehow the time he spent with Robbie felt like so much more than a month, and that only made the time since feel even worse. Robbie tried calling, but Amadeus hadn’t answered. After a few attempts, Robbie got the message that he was unwanted and gave up. He ached because of what he’d done. He didn't know what to do to fix it, and Amadeus made it very clear he didn't want it to be fixed.

Robbie stared out the window, unable to pay attention to what his teacher was writing on the board, Lisa passed him a note. He opened it. “I saw a video I want to show you after class,” it said.

After class, Lisa handed him her phone. It was a news article about Hulk taking down monsters in the San Francisco Bay. At the end of the video, a reporter was interviewing Amadeus.

“Why did you become the Hulk and what happened to Bruce Banner?”

“I’ve always loved Bruce. He saved my life once, and I’ve never forgotten that so I researched taking his burden away for a long time. I figured out how and I save his life.”

“So how do you know you’re in control?”

“I’m not Bruce. There's nothing to lose control of because the Hulk is me one hundred percent."

Robbie’s eyes widened and he looked at Lisa hoping that she wouldn’t connect the dots.

“Did he tell you he was Hulk?” Lisa asked.

Robbie shook his head.

“I googled him after I saw this interview. Did he tell you that he was the CEO of Olympus Group?”

Robbie shook his head.

“I wonder why he was here. It’s so crazy. We know a superhero and he never even said anything. We should kick his ass for keeping us in the dark like this.”

"He's not talking to me anymore,” Robbie said.

Lisa looked at him shocked. “He isn’t?”

“We got into a fight,” Robbie said.

“What about?” Lisa asked, “I thought you two were crazy about each other.”

Robbie crossed his arms. “What?” he asked.

“You just looked at him different. And that time with Noah, you were so jealous it wasn’t even funny. What was the fight about?”

Robbie covered his face. “God, he asked me out or tried to, and I said some things that were really nasty,” he said.

“Like what?” Lisa asked.

“I accused him of trying to buy me.”

Lisa’s face turned red. She hit his shoulder. “What is your problem?!” she exclaimed.

“I don’t know!” Robbie snapped, “It just came out, and I felt like a dick immediately after.”

“How did he even try to buy you?!” Lisa exclaimed, “He was only ever nice to you. You’re such a jerk.”

“I know I’m a jerk!” Robbie said.

“You’ve got to apologize to him!” Lisa exclaimed.

“He won't answer my calls.”

“You have to do something! Friendships like that don’t happen every day, and you’re going to hate yourself if you don’t at least try to fix it!”

“Lisa, I tried. He doesn’t want it fixed,” Robbie said.

“Well, good thing he’s not angry at me,” Lisa said. She dialed his number, but instead of getting anything her phone just told her that the number she called was disconnected. She stared at Robbie with wide eyes. “I’m going to kill him. He still owes me twenty bucks.”

“I guess I just give him space,” Robbie said.

“I’m sorry Robbie. I’d give anything for you to have a chance to make it up to him,” Lisa said.

Robbie shrugged. “It’s what I get,” he said.

Lisa touched his shoulder as the bell rang for their next class. “He’ll come around,” she said as they started walking to their next class.

“Uh, hey.”

Robbie stood up so quickly that he hit his head on the hood of the car he was under. He turned to look at Amadeus, the same as he ever was. He was wearing a green jacket, white shirt, and brown chinos. His shoes were black Converses that looked like they were worn to their limit. He had a girl with him. Dark hair, green eyes… She was pretty which made his stomach turn.

[He moved on quick. Steal his girl, it might make you feel better. Or better yet, let me take her out.]

“What are you doing here?” Robbie asked, harsher than he meant to be.

“Laura’s car is totaled, and there’s something else I need to talk about with you privately.” He hesitated. “Like not the garage.”

Robbie looked at Laura for a moment. He frowned. “You can go ahead and bring your car in any time this week and we can take care of the damages,” Robbie said.

Gabe started crying, and both Robbie and Amadeus zeroed in on him. Robbie raced to his side asking what happened and Amadeus was next to him shortly after. Gabe stopped crying immediately when he realized Amadeus was there too. He wiped his eyes.

“Where have you been?” Gabe asked.

Amadeus smiled and ruffled his hair. “Work. Had to up and move. Help some old friends. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to say bye.”

Robbie glared at Ramon across the room.

“How long until you’re off?” Amadeus asked, “I really need to talk to you.”

“I get off at eight,” Robbie replied.

“I’ll meet you at yours after work then,” Amadeus said.

“Yeah,” Robbie said, swallowing the lump in his throat.

Laura dropped her car off later that day, and Robbie went through all the motions for work until he raced home with Gabe. Gabe wanted to stay up to see Amadeus, but Robbie convinced him that he would see him another time and tucked him in. Robbie was restless in the living room waiting for Amadeus to show up, and when Amadeus knocked Robbie ran to the door and answered it. Amadeus had his back turned like he was about to run away. Laura wasn’t with him this time, which Robbie was happy about even if he wouldn’t have admitted it aloud.

Robbie shoved his hands in his pockets. “How have you been?” he asked.

Amadeus shrugged his shoulders. “Fine. Been fighting monsters,” he said, “Basically a trap and release program to keep people from getting hurt. Like spaying and neutering dogs, but they’re huge and scary.”

“You ever make that team?” Robbie asked.

Amadeus laughed. “No, never found anyone who could tolerate me enough to want to be on one with me,” he said.

“Seemed like Laura tolerated you,” Robbie said.

“For now. I have a habit of pissing people off. Did it the first time me and Laura teamed up,” Amadeus said, “Can I come inside?”

Robbie nodded. Amadeus stepped back inside Robbie’s apartment for the first time in half a year. He was awkward, standing pretty far from Robbie like he didn’t want to get too close. Robbie’s stomach turned when he thought about why.

“I wanted to apologize for what I said to you the last time we saw each other,” Robbie said.

“Which part? The accusing me of trying to buy you or the other bit?” He didn’t sound angry, but his tone was distant and guarded.

Robbie winced. “All of it,” he said, “I was a jerk.”

“Yeah, you were,” Amadeus said.

“I’m sorry. After I said all those things I wanted to run after you and apologize, but I thought you’d probably never want to talk to me again,” Robbie said.

“I didn’t. I was really hurt,” Amadeus said.

“I just… I’ve been battling with those kinds of feelings for so long, and saying them out loud… It still wasn’t right of me to say those things.”

Amadeus shrugged. “I get it, and I’m not mad about it anymore.”

"I tried apologizing before, but you wouldn't answer my calls," Robbie said, "That hurt a lot."

"I was in prison. S.H.I.E.L.D. arrested me for suspected terrorism or some shit because of my research on Gamma radiation," Amadeus replied, “I had to get a new number after I was out.”

“Shit, I just thought you were angry at me,” Robbie said.

Amadeus shrugged. “How could you have known?”

“The S.H.I.E.L.D. agent that was following you,” Robbie said, “He really was, wasn’t he?”

“Yeah,” Amadeus said. He looked down at the floor for a moment then looked back up. He sighed. “That’s not what I’m here to talk about. I need your help, and I need to warn you about something.”

“What?”

“There’s this monster that takes people’s blood and absorbs their powers. It’s gotten my blood, Laura’s blood, and Silk’s blood. If we don’t do something it’s gonna be too powerful and there’s nothing we can do to stop it,” Amadeus said.

“Isn’t that something you call the Avengers for?” Robbie asked.

“You think the Avengers can stop a Hulkverine with Spider powers?” Amadeus asked.

“What can I do?” Robbie asked.

[Rip that monster apart. Right after we end Ramon.]

“I’ve got the Meat Wagon parked a few blocks away. Silk and Laura are there, and we’re going to brainstorm exactly how we need to kill something with all our powers. We need your help so we have something that it doesn’t know how to combat,” Amadeus said.

“I’ve got something I need to do first,” Robbie said.

“Is it about that guy who yelled at Gabe?” Amadeus asked.

“No,” Robbie lied.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Amadeus said. His eyes trailed down Robbie’s body, seeing straight through him. He licked his lips and met Robbie’s eyes. He flashed a small awkward smile.

“Don’t do anything stupid while I deal with this. Don’t need to have to come save your ass,” Robbie said, heading out the door.

Amadeus smiled. “See you later, Robbie,” he said, walking off towards the Meat Wagon.

Robbie got in the Hell Charger to have a word with Ramon.

[Finally, let’s have a little more than words with that bastard.]

“I’m just going to talk with him,” Robbie said.

[That man is a killer. Just talking isn’t going to cut it.]

Robbie just talked with Ramon until there was gunfire then Robbie turned into Ghost Rider and ended it. Then the monster Amadeus warned him about appeared. It was just as dangerous as Amadeus made it out to be, and Robbie held it off alone until Amadeus dropped from the sky and started swinging. Silk and Laura helped the fight. It was chaos, and they were making no progress against it. It grabbed Amadeus and threw him. He hit the ground and didn’t move. Robbie’s whole body burned hotter. The whole world was in flames and all he knew was that whatever that creature was, it didn’t stand a chance.

The monster bit him, but instead of gaining his powers, it burst into flames. Robbie fell to the ground. What is this, Eli?

[This is power, boy. This is your rage. Use it.]

He spit flames at the creature until there was nothing left then collapsed.

Robbie felt like he was hit by a freight train. Amadeus had him in his arms, carrying him back to the Meat Wagon. “What happened?” Robbie asked, his head swimming.

[You got stronger, boy. You should thank me for it.]

“If I had to guess… Your demon side or whatever incinerated the purple people eater,” Amadeus replied, “I’ve got what’s left of him in a little jar which is being delivered to Olympus Group via drone right now.”

“I feel horrible,” Robbie said.

[That’s the feeling of victory, kid. Savor it.]

“I’ll drop you off at yours,” Amadeus said, “You can get some rest and recoup.”

Amadeus dropped him off at his house and helped him to his bedroom. He turned to leave, but Robbie grabbed his hand. It was larger than his right now. Huge and green, big enough to cradle his face in it.

“I’m scared Eli is going to take over again. He’s stronger. I can feel it,” Robbie said.

“Who?” Amadeus asked, sitting on the bed next to him, shrinking as he did.

Robbie almost wished he hadn’t. That he could envelop him in his sheer size. To hold him and to protect him from himself. He was almost small as Amadeus, in his oversized clothes. Robbie never noticed that before. Not that he was much bigger, but at least his clothing fit him. He wondered why Amadeus with all his wealth and power wore clothes that were too big.

“The spirit that gives me my powers,” Robbie replied. He couldn’t fixate on Amadeus’s clothes all night. Not the way they hung off of him, not the way that he had kicked his shoes off at the door even while supporting Robbie, and definitely not the way that his shorts were bunched up while he sat on his bed exposing more of his thighs. Maybe his clothes had to be baggy since he varied so greatly in size. That had to be the reason, not to hide something. Robbie had seen what was under his shirt before.

“Are you asking me to spend the night?” Amadeus asked, cocking his head.

Robbie needed him to spend the night. To comfort him. To keep him safe. To keep him safe from himself. He needed Amadeus.

“Yeah,” Robbie said.

Amadeus looked away from Robbie for a moment, and Robbie wanted him to look back at him. To analyze him. To use his big brain to figure out just what Robbie needed at this moment. Which was him. He needed him.

“I thought that the streets talked in this neighborhood,” Amadeus said.

[You’re an opportunist, kid. Doin’ whatever you can to get him to sleep with you.]

“Please.”

“I’ll sleep on the couch,” Amadeus said.

That wasn’t enough. He wanted to hold him. To listen to him talk and fall asleep next to him. God why was he so desperate right now… The adrenaline, it must be the adrenaline and he was crashing now.

“I’d feel safer if you’d sleep in here with me,” Robbie admitted.

“God, Robbie, stop throwing yourself at me,” Amadeus teased, and for a moment Robbie could pretend that nothing changed and that this was all back before he pushed Amadeus away. That he had never said those awful things. That he hadn’t lashed out.

“Please stay,” Robbie said.

Amadeus licked his lips and looked away, and for a moment Robbie thought he was going to say no and leave. “You got anything I can wear to sleep?”

“In the dresser.”

Amadeus grabbed some clothes and went to the bathroom to change. When he came back he was talking on the phone quietly. Robbie’s mouth fell open for a moment staring at the way his shirt clung to Amadeus’s body. It was at least a size too small, and it emphasized the muscles normally hidden under his baggy shirts. He got bigger. He was much buffer than the last time he saw him this way.

“Yeah, I’m staying with Robbie for the night. Ha ha, very funny, you’re such a comedian. Anyway, I feel fine. I didn’t black out at all. No blanks in my memory. I’m in control. I’m gonna call Maddy and tell her not to worry. I’ll see you tomorrow,” Amadeus said. He hung up.

[Blanks in his memory? Do you think Hulk is taking rides in his body?]

Robbie didn’t want to think about that.

“Who was that?” Robbie asked.

“That was Silk, Captain Nosey,” Amadeus said. He climbed into bed next to Robbie. “She’s been worried about me.”

“Glad you’ve got friends watching out for you,” Robbie said. Not just a little guilty that he pushed him away and not just a little jealous that he wasn’t one of those friends.

“Just a couple. What about you? Make any friends while I was gone?”

Robbie shook his head. “Just Lisa, and I’m always worried she’s gonna run for the hill when she finds out I’m a monster.” Amadeus knew he was a monster from the beginning and he still wanted to know him. And Robbie in his infinite stupidity pushed him away…

“She already knows,” Amadeus said.

“No she doesn’t,” Robbie said. If she knew she would hate him or be afraid of him. So Amadeus had to be wrong. Unless…

“Yes she does,” Amadeus insisted.

“How do you know she knows?”

“That’s not important.”

“Did you tell her?” Robbie was almost hopeful.

“It was on accident. But you wear your symbol on your shirt and drive around in the Hell Charger. I think the whole world knows.”

Robbie couldn’t find any will to be angry at him so he just quietly called him a jerk.

“I was high. We were talking about… Actually, it doesn't matter what we were talking about.”

Robbie shoved him and Amadeus dissolved into laughter. He rested his forehead against Robbie’s shoulder. The closeness was so much. Robbie fought with himself on whether to shy away or draw him closer.

[You two make me sick.]

“Why are you so worried if people know? I’ve been keeping up with you. You take out human traffickers and bad people like that. I just take out monsters and people love me,” Amadeus said.

Robbie’s stomach sunk as he realized he had to divulge what he had done. He didn’t want to get into details. He didn’t want Amadeus to know how badly he fucked up. “I lost control a few times. Hurt Gabe, could have hurt Lisa. Hurt a lot of other people,” Robbie said, “Well, not me, but I gave him the tools to do it.”

“Eli?” Amadeus asked.

Robbie nodded his head. “I’m constantly worried that Eli is going to take over and hurt Gabe again…”

“I won’t let that happen,” Amadeus said.

[God, I hate this guy.]

Robbie’s stomach felt like it dropped out of him. He wanted to kiss Amadeus, but he didn’t. “Does that mean we’re friends again?” Robbie asked.

[You have the worst taste.]

“No, me and Gabe are friends.” Amadeus snickered. “Of course, we’re friends.”

Robbie smiled. He tried to work up some more courage. To get closer to Amadeus and his beautiful smiling face. He just laid still in front of him wishing that he could work up the nerve.

“I need to call my sister,” Amadeus said. He dialed her number and waited for the tone. She didn’t pick up. He sighed and hung up. “Still mad at me, I guess.”

“What’d you do?” Robbie asked.

“After Bruce Banner was killed I went a little crazy. Tried to kill Hawkeye. Almost got arrested again. Well, worse, T’Challa was prepared to send me to the Negative Zone which I think was a bit overkill but S.H.I.E.L.D. always does overkill when it comes to me,” Amadeus said.

“What happened with Bruce? Nothing was clear on the news,” Robbie asked.

Amadeus’s face darkened. “I cured him, but that fucking Inhuman that can see the future said he was going to do something as Hulk. So instead of trusting Bruce, Hawkeye killed him. I keep thinking about the last time I saw him. He was happy, and he was proud of me. I can’t… I won’t believe that he would have hurt anyone. And what gets me is that Hulk always comes back angry. Do they think that this time it won’t be the same?”

“He’s dead, isn’t he?” Robbie asked.

“People die and come back all the time. S.H.I.E.L.D. is stupid if they don’t realize that,” Amadeus said.

“Fuck S.H.I.E.L.D,” Robbie said.

Amadeus nodded his head. “Fuck S.H.I.E.L.D.”

“What’s after this?” Robbie asked. He didn’t feel so hopeful when he asked. He didn’t want him to leave, but he couldn’t keep him.

“More monster hunting, but I have this board thing I’ve got to do in the New York office of Olympus Group tomorrow. I wish that Athena would have taken the company back after the whole Chaos King shit, but I’m stuck with it,” Amadeus said.

“So I won’t see you for a while,” Robbie said. He tried not to be disappointed. Amadeus said he wasn’t even going to stay before he pushed him away. What chance did he have to convince him now?

“It shouldn’t take that long. It’s just quarterlies and dumb shit like that. You can visit me in New York if you want though,” Amadeus said, “You can bring Gabe. Make a whole trip of it.”

“If I can get off at the shop,” Robbie said. He didn’t think he could get off of the shop. He didn’t think he was even going to try.

“Yeah, yeah, of course,” Amadeus said. He yawned. “Robbie, you’re wearing me out. I need sleep.”

Robbie nodded his head. “Goodnight, Amadeus.”

“G’night.”

Amadeus rolled so his back was to Robbie. He stared at it, desperately wanting to wrap his arms around him and tuck himself close. Or better yet for Amadeus to hold him to his chest. Robbie didn’t hold Amadeus and instead fell asleep staring at his back wishing he could reach out.

Visions of fire ripped Robbie from his sleep. He got up quickly, changed into clean clothing, and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. Amadeus walked into the room, rubbing his eyes.

“What’s cookin’ good lookin’?” Amadeus asked, plopping down on one of Robbie’s questionably sturdy folding chairs.

“Eggs and toast,” Robbie said, “You want some?”

“I never say no to a free meal,” Amadeus said.

“Least I can do since I made you stay the night,” Robbie said.

Amadeus leaned against the table, his head in his hand. “I like you cooking for me,” Amadeus said.

“Of course you do,” Robbie said, “I’m not surprised at that at all.”

“I’ll make you a real meal sometime as a thank you one day,” Amadeus said.

Robbie wanted to ask him what a real meal meant, but before he could follow that train of thought the door flew open, and Lisa marched into the kitchen. She pointed at the two of them. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me you were in Los Angeles?” she exclaimed.

Amadeus grinned. He stood up and grabbed her and lifted her in his arms. “It’s so good to see you,” he said, spinning her around. When he put her down Lisa was too disoriented to continue to shout at him. “How have you been?”

“Good. Why didn’t you answer my calls?” she asked.

“Oh, I was in jail for a little bit,” Amadeus replied, “It’s been crazy. I’m so happy to see you.”

“You’re wearing Robbie’s clothes. Does this mean you two are-”

“No,” Robbie said, quickly.

“I hate sleeping in the clothes I wore the day before,” Amadeus said.

“That’s bullshit,” Lisa said, “You must think I’m an idiot.”

Amadeus shrugged. “Think what you want.”

“He’s cooking you breakfast,” Lisa said.

“He’s cooking Gabe breakfast,” Amadeus said, “I’m just over here.”

“You two are impossible,” Lisa groaned, “I can’t stand either of you.”

“You love me,” Amadeus said, grinning.

Lisa crossed her arms and sat at the table next to Amadeus.

“How long until you have to leave?” Robbie asked.

“Couple hours at least,” Amadeus said, “It shouldn’t take long either. It’ll just be a bunch of random Greek Gods telling me how worshiping them is down seven percent, and I’ll blow them off because who cares? Afterwards, probably more monster hunting.”

“You should come visit. Gabe would love that,” Robbie said.

Amadeus shrugged. “I might. I sort of want to move the headquarters again because I hate being in New York. Well, I like being near Silk, but everything else about New York sucks. I sold my house out here though.” He groaned. “I probably need to buy another or rent something.”

Robbie stopped himself from asking why he liked being near Silk. “You can stay here if you want to,” Robbie said.

Lisa raised an eyebrow.

“Sure we can spoon on your tiny ass bed,” Amadeus said, rolling his eyes, “I’ve gotten used to sleeping in a King size bed and I’m never going back.”

“You didn’t complain last night,” Robbie said.

“Did you two bone last night?” Lisa asked.

Amadeus opened his mouth to protest just as Gabe entered the kitchen on his crutches.

“When’d you get here?” Gabe asked.

“Last night. Robbie gave me a place to crash after the big battle,” Amadeus said, “I missed you. What have you been up to?”

Gabe shrugged. “Nothing. Not like you.”

“Read any good comics?” Amadeus asked.

Gabe shook his head then sat at the table and looked at the food Robbie placed him front of him. He pushed around his eggs and then looked up at Amadeus. “Why didn’t you come to my birthday?” he asked.

Amadeus’s face fell. “Oh. Uh.” Amadeus looked at Robbie and then back at Gabe. “Me and Robbie had a fight. I wanted to come, but I didn’t want to make Robbie uncomfortable and I was angry with him. I’m sorry that you got caught in between that. That was wrong of me. I should have thought about you instead of myself.”

“What was the fight about?” Gabe asked, “You were gone for months.”

“I don’t even remember. I was arrested while I was walking to clear my head,” Amadeus replied.

“I thought only bad people get arrested?” Gabe asked.

“No, good people get arrested a lot,” Amadeus said, “I don’t know if I’m totally good, but I’ve been arrested a few times, and most times it was just to intimidate me.” Amadeus’s phone rang. He checked the number, and Lisa craned her neck to see over his hand. “Hold on, I gotta take this.” He left the room and went down the hall.

“Who’s Maddy?” Lisa asked.

“His sister,” Robbie replied.

Amadeus walked back in the kitchen after about a minute. “I’ve got to go,” he said.

“You just got here,” Gabe whined.

“I’m sorry, buddy, but something came up,” Amadeus said, “I promise I’ll come by and visit soon. I’ll take you out to do something fun. Whatever you want.”

Gabe frowned. “You promise?”

Amadeus nodded. “I promise.” He bent down and drew Gabe into his arms, holding him tightly for a moment before letting go.

Lisa shook her head. “Who knew being a superhero was so busy,” she said.

Amadeus laughed. “I knew before I signed up. I’ll see you Lisa. I’ll text you so you’ve got my number,” he said.

“Bye, Amadeus,” Lisa said.

He leaned down to hug her and then turned to look at Robbie. He opened his mouth. Robbie nodded his head to the door. “I’ll walk you out,” he said.

Amadeus smiled slightly, and he and Robbie headed into the entryway. Robbie had a frown etched into his features. He sighed.

“I feel like if I let you leave now I’m not going to see you again for another six months,” he said.

“I promised Gabe,” Amadeus said.

“I know,” Robbie said, “but you promised you’d be at his birthday.”

“I seem to remember someone else being the cause of that,” Amadeus said, “A Hulk never breaks a promise.”

“That sounds like bullshit you just made up,” Robbie said.

“It is, but I’ll try my best,” Amadeus said.

“Bye Amadeus,” Robbie said.

Amadeus smiled slightly then drew Robbie into a hug. Robbie’s arms lay uselessly at his side at first, but he wrapped his arms around Amadeus and drew him in. He leaned his head against Amadeus’s shoulder and breathed in deeply. He smelled faintly like gasoline because of Robbie’s shirt. Amadeus’s laughter rumbled against Robbie’s skin and he pulled him tighter.

“You needed this, didn’t you?” Amadeus asked, rubbing his back gently.

Robbie shook his head but continued to hold onto Amadeus.

“I’ve got to go,” Amadeus said, softly against Robbie’s ear. His lips barely brushed it as he spoke.

Robbie wished he had the courage to kiss him, but he just pulled away from the hug with an aching in his chest. Amadeus slapped his shoulder gently and smiled at him, mumbling another goodbye, and Robbie watched him leave his life again, hoping that this time he would be back sooner.

Robbie and Amadeus texted sporadically for the next few weeks. Robbie wasn’t the best at texting and Amadeus was terminally busy, but they finally started to talk about when the next time Amadeus could come to visit them. While they were texting about plans to see each other in the next couple of days, Lisa threw Robbie’s door open. “I need help!” she exclaimed.

Robbie jumped up from the couch and slid into the entry hallway expecting to see her chased by someone, but she was alone.

“What do you need help with?” he asked.

“My sister’s fiance is abusing her,” she said.

Robbie’s brow furrowed. “How do you know?” he asked.

“She’s just been really distant, and I thought I saw bruises on her the last time we were visiting. He doesn’t let her come over that often anymore, and he forced her to stop working to take care of her kids,” Lisa said.

“Did she tell you he was hurting her?” Robbie asked.

“Well, no, but I just have a feeling,” Lisa said, “but you can’t take feelings to the police so I thought I should ask you…”

“Do you want me to threaten him?” Robbie asked.

Lisa stared at him for a moment. “I don’t know what I want. I want Sara safe.” She looked away and shook. “She only met him a few months ago. Things are moving too fast. I don’t understand why she’s marrying him after four months.”

“Maybe they love each other?” Robbie suggested.

Lisa scoffed. “How can you love someone who’s only ever mean to you and holds how much money he makes over your head?”

“What do you want me to do?” Robbie asked.

“You should ask Amadeus what he would do. He knows more about hero stuff,” Lisa said.

Robbie took his phone out and called Amadeus. It rang quite a few times, and Robbie thought that Amadeus wasn’t going to pick up. He did finally.

“Hey, hot stuff,” Amadeus said.

Robbie thanked god that he didn’t have him on speaker yet. “Lisa wants to know what you would do if you suspected someone of beating their partner,” Robbie asked.

“Does she like know-know or is it a feel-it-in-my-gut sort of thing?” Amadeus asked.

“Gut,” Robbie replied.

“Separate them if I could, and if I couldn’t, I would monitor the situation,” Amadeus replied.

“So a stakeout would be fine?” Robbie asked.

“Yeah, probably. But it would be better to just have someone who’s close to them to spend more time with them. Whoever it is probably won’t do it openly.”

“I can say I want to help her take care of the kids,” Lisa said, “and then when I can’t you can stake out their house.”

“Lisa, I don’t know…”

“Please, it would just make me feel better. Just for a week,” Lisa said.

Robbie nodded his head. “Okay for a week.”

“Sounds serious. Do y’all want me to come by and help?” Amadeus asked.

“No, not yet,” Robbie said. Part of him was scared that if Lisa’s sister was getting abused he would go crazy on the guy. He didn’t want Amadeus to see that. He has so little control now. Eli was always close to taking over. He wasn’t as loud anymore, but there was something desperate about him like he was running out of time.

“Okay, well keep me in the loop,” Amadeus said.

Robbie ended the call with Amadeus and shoved the phone into his back pocket. Lisa scribbled down her sister’s address and handed it to him.

“Robbie, you don’t know what this means to me,” she said.

Robbie shrugged. “You mean a lot to me. I’ll do what I can.”

Robbie had every intention of staking out Lisa’s sister’s house as soon as he got home from a half shift at Canelo’s but two guys called in and Canelo told him that he needed him to stay for the last half of the shift too. Robbie tried to argue, but he couldn’t get out of it so he just angrily stayed under the hood of a car for the next few hours then went home and changed. His whole body was exhausted and he had already worked the last two weeks in a row with school on top of that. He stripped out of his coveralls and melted himself into his street clothes. When he finally made it to Lisa’s sister’s he was spent.

Robbie leaned back in his seat. His eyes were heavy. He was close to falling asleep, but he promised Lisa. He promised Lisa… His eyes drooped down and he thought that he might try to rest his eyes for just a moment.

“Brian, stop!” A woman’s voice shouted as a door slammed.

Robbie jolted up and saw a woman who looked a lot like Lisa standing on the porch while a man in a blue plaid shirt and ill-fitted jeans left the house. Robbie looked down at his feet.

[Cop shoes.]

Robbie’s stomach sank as he realized that it was the same SHIELD agent who had followed Amadeus all those months ago. He burst into flames and threw the door open.

Brian looked at Robbie and pulled a gun out uselessly against Robbie. He shot before Robbie said anything or even got near him. The bullet melted on his flames, and Robbie cocked his head. He threw his chain at Brian and wrapped it around him.

“Why are you h-”

Robbie tightened his chain. “Leave town or else.”

“Stop, don’t hurt him,” Sara said.

Robbie cocked his head. He saw the fresh mark on her face and tightened his chain again. He dragged Brian to him across the rough concrete and then pulled him to his feet. “Leave.”

“Stop,” she said, tears running down her face.

[God, this stupid bitch won’t even let you kill her abusive boyfriend. This is why I don’t deal with domestic abuse. She probably fucking deserves it.]

Robbie unraveled his chain and stepped away from them. Sara sobbed and held her fiance to her chest. Robbie got back in the Hell Charger and called Lisa as he sped home. “Did you find out anything?” Lisa asked almost immediately.

“He was the same SHIELD agent that was tailing Amadeus. I told him to leave town.”

“I didn’t know. Was he hurting her? Could you tell?” Lisa asked.

“She had a mark on her cheek. He’s going to leave or I’m going to hurt him worse,” Robbie said, rubbing his eyes, “I’ll talk to you later. I need sleep. I’m so…”

“You get some rest. I’ll call you if anything happens,” Lisa said.

Robbie drove home, stumbled into his room, and dropped onto his bed. Before he even slept fifteen minutes, Gabe came into his room.

“Robbie, I don’t feel good. I’m cold,” he said. His teeth chatter. Robbie dragged himself to his feet. He went into the kitchen and grabbed the thermometer. Gabe held it under his tongue and he had a low fever. Robbie grabbed him a couple of Tylenol for the fever. He laid a cold rag on Gabe’s forehead to get his temperature down and then he texted Lisa and asked if she could watch Gabe while he was at work. She agreed.

Robbie tried to get another hour of sleep, but it seemed like as soon as his head hit the pillow his alarm went off to get ready for work. He showered and changed and dragged himself to the shop. His head drooped on the way and he almost fell asleep behind the wheel, and only the sound of a loud car horn woke him up and he swerved back into his lane. He drank the burnt coffee at Canelo’s and worked on car after car. The monotony of the same kinds of cars with the same kinds of problems. Nothing new, nothing exciting. Just cars and cars and cars.

Robbie tried to sleep on his break but couldn’t. He drank a Monster to finish the second half of his shift. Canelo told him to go home early because he looked like shit.

Robbie barely got home and dropped onto his bed as soon as he did. He slept thirty minutes when Lisa called him. He almost shouted at her when he picked up, but the way her voice shook and he heard her sobs stopped him from saying anything cruel.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice still full of sleep.

“He rolled the car. The kids were in there. They’re okay. Just minor injuries, but Sara wasn’t buckled in and she was… Robbie, she might die.”

“Where is he?” Robbie asked.

“He took the kids back to the house,” Lisa said.

Robbie didn’t even bother to hang up. He turned his phone off and marched out of his room. Gabe was asleep on the couch.

The drive was barely a drive. He stepped into the car, and he was already there, already stepping out of the car, already Ghost Rider. Brian saw him from the window and tried to block the door. That didn’t even deter Robbie. He ripped the door down and pushed the bookshelf out of his way.

The coward hid himself in the house, and Sara’s children hid behind a couch in the back bedroom. Robbie found Brian under the stairs with his hands over his head, shuddering. Robbie grabbed him by the hair and dragged him out of the house and onto the lawn.

“I told you to leave,” Robbie said, his voice a growl like the thrum of an engine. Otherworldly. Evil.

“I-”

Robbie hit him before he could say anything else. He dragged Brian to his feet.

“I gave you a chance.”

“She was just some bitch. I didn’t know she was protected.”

Robbie hit him again. He fell to the ground on his back. He stared up at Robbie. Robbie could taste his fear.

“This is my town,” Robbie said, “Everyone is protected.”

Brian spit at him. It was mostly blood and it sizzled against the flames around his face. Robbie dragged him back to his feet and hit him again. And again. He kept hitting and hitting and hitting. Robbie felt himself slip away as his metal fists hit against soft skin again and again until skin made way to bone. Blood covered his fists. He hit the ground next to him, crouching over him. He stood up and looked at the bloody pulp he left behind. He wasn’t sure at what point Eli took over. They felt like one as they hit him, but Robbie couldn’t stop even when he realized he had to or he would die.

Robbie dropped back to his knees and listened for breathing and a heartbeat. There was a faint sound of both. He rolled to the side and almost threw up. He grabbed his phone, shaking to call an ambulance then realized that he couldn’t use his phone. He could be tracked. He looked around for anything to call someone, but there wasn’t anything. He beat on someone’s door then the next door and on down trying to get someone to come out and see the body he left. He went down a block in a panic when finally he heard an ambulance coming down the road.

[You should have left him to die. He deserved it. He put her in the hospital, you should have put him in the ground. You might have. He probably won’t recover from those injuries.]

“You made me do that!” Robbie shouted, “I’ve never… There was so much blood.”

[I didn’t make you do shit. You wanted to kill him.]

“I didn’t!”

A car stopped next to Robbie and he whipped to look at the vehicle. It was Lisa’s beetle, and she opened the driver’s side door.

“Get in,” she said.

Robbie climbed into the passenger side door. She ripped the jacket off his shoulder and threw it into the backseat. She grabbed for his shirt to do the same.

“Hey!”

“It’s got his blood on it!” she shouted angrily.

Robbie ripped it off and threw it in the backseat himself. His heart was beating out of his chest, and Lisa covered her eyes for a moment as tears welled in them.

“Fuck,” she said, “You almost killed him.”

“I know.”

Lisa closed her eyes. “I wish you had.”

“Get us out of here,” Robbie said.

Lisa reversed her car and used someone’s driveway to retreat from the scene of the crime. They made it to Robbie’s apartment, and he grabbed his clothing from the back of her car and they went inside both shaken. Lisa took his clothes from him and took them to his room and he followed behind because he didn’t know what else to do.

Lisa wrapped her arms around him and cried into his shoulder. “She’s on a breathing tube. They don’t know if she’s going to make it.”

Robbie wished he had killed him. Lisa pulled away and looked up at him, tears sparkling in her eyes.

“If she dies then nothing happens. He’ll walk free,” she said.

“I’ll kill him,” Robbie said.

[Yes, finally kid.]

“I can’t ask that of you. If you kill someone once then… I can’t live with that,” Lisa said.

Robbie stopped himself from telling her that he had already gone past that point. Would she forgive him if she knew? “Lisa, I’m dangerous. I almost lost control. I don’t know at what point I end and the Rider begins,” Robbie said, “and I can’t ask Amadeus. He’s having his own trouble with the Hulk. What happens to Gabe if I lose control again?”

“You won’t lose control. It was just… It was the anger,” Lisa said, wiping her eyes.

Robbie’s phone started ringing. He grabbed it out of his pocket, and it was Amadeus. His hand shook, scared that somehow Amadeus would know what he had done and hate him for it. Lisa took his phone from him and answered.

“Amadeus, Robbie needs help.”

“What? What’s going on?” Amadeus asked.

“He beat my sister’s fiance. I think some traffic cams caught him and…”

“Did he have his phone with him? Was his location on?” Amadeus asked.

Lisa repeated what he asked her. “Yes and no.”

“Put me on speaker. I’ll delete what footage I can, and I’ll figure something for your phone.”

Robbie listened to the quick sound of Amadeus’s fingers dancing across the keyboard. He sunk down onto his bed and his hands shook.

“I didn’t mean to. I lost control,” Robbie said, “I was just so angry.”

“I’ll fix it,” Amadeus said.

“It wasn’t you,” Lisa said, squeezing his arm gently.

“What if it was?” Robbie asked.

“Then you killed a wife beater,” Amadeus said, “Doesn’t seem like such a bad thing.”

“I thought you had a no-killing rule,” Lisa said. She said what Robbie was thinking like she could read his mind.

“I didn’t always, and some people deserve it,” Amadeus said.

“You wouldn’t hurt anyone,” Robbie said, bitterly. He wanted it to be true. That he was the horrible one and that Amadeus was good. That when he was out of control it was him, but when Amadeus was out of control it was the Hulk… That was wrong… Eli could take control, but Hulk, Hulk was Amadeus.

“I have hurt so many people,” Amadeus said. He was so quiet that Lisa and Robbie strained to hear him. “I still hurt people.”

The sound of the keyboard faded off. Robbie’s stomach sank. Lisa sat beside him and leaned her head on his shoulder.

“I think I fixed it. I’ve obscured any shots of your face.”

“You didn’t delete the footage?” Lisa exclaimed.

“If I deleted the footage they could track it back to me and then back to Robbie. This way they just think they got shitty camera angles,” Amadeus said, “I deleted all the location tracking off your phone and put fake data that you were at home. This will probably be on the news in a few hours. Sorry that I can’t help more.”

“You helped enough,” Robbie said.

“I’m going to leak information to the press that he was a wifebeater that way the Rider seems more sympathetic,” Amadeus said. More clacking. “Shit…”

“What? What Amadeus?” Lisa demanded.

“Lisa, I’m so sorry,” Amadeus said, “I-”

“No.”

She scrambled for her phone. She saw the missed calls. She saw the texts. She threw herself into Robbie’s arms and sobbed. He pulled her close, and she cried into his chest.

“Lisa, you need to go to your family,” Amadeus said, “Her children. Your parents. You need to be there.”

Lisa nodded her head, numbly and wiped her eyes. She stood up and walked to her car. Robbie grabbed a new shirt and followed her.

“I’ll drive you to the hospital,” he said.

Lisa nodded her head and handed him the keys. She tucked into herself. The ride was silent and when Robbie pulled into the hospital parking lot Lisa wiped her eyes.

“You should go. I don’t know how to explain you being here to everyone…”

Robbie nodded his head and handed her her keys. She looked at him with tear-stained eyes and pulled him to her. She pressed her face on his chest.

“I’ll call you later,” Robbie said.

Lisa nodded her head and wiped her eyes. She went up the steps of the hospital, and Robbie watched her until she disappeared inside. He walked aimlessly until he reached the Hell Charger, parked under a tree like it had been there all day. He ducked inside and heard the engine roar to life. He ran his hand on the dash and felt the otherworldly hum of the Charger. Like a growl of some dangerous beast. He was the dangerous beast. He was the Hell Charger, he was the Ghost Rider and he killed today. In the back of his mind, Eli was pleased with his work.

When he pulled up to his parking spot he saw Amadeus sitting in front of his apartment with his knees to his chest and scrolling through his phone. Robbie stepped out of the car. A can crunched under his shoe.

“Why aren’t you already inside?” he asked.

“Didn’t want to scare you when you got home,” Amadeus said, pocketing his phone and standing up.

Robbie unlocked the door and let Amadeus inside. Gabe looked up from his phone.

“Where’d you go?” he asked.

“Had to deal with something,” Robbie said, “How are you feeling?”

“Fine. I’m hungry.”

Robbie headed for the kitchen, but Amadeus got in the way. “You’re about to drop. I’ll make dinner.”

Robbie didn’t argue and took a seat next to Gabe. He tried to play on his phone for a little while to keep himself awake, but even the bright flashes of youtube videos couldn’t keep him up and his head lolled against his chest. He snored quietly, and Amadeus didn’t wake him when dinner was finished. He woke up briefly when Amadeus lifted him into his arms, brought him to his bedroom, and gently tucked him in. His last thoughts before he fell into a deep sleep were that Amadeus could pick him up without Hulking.

Robbie woke up early the following day. His body still felt strung out and exhausted, but he dragged himself onto his feet and into the kitchen. Amadeus was at the kitchen table already. The light streaming in the windows played off his eyelashes and hair. Robbie couldn’t stare all day so he licked his lips and asked, “You stayed the night?”

Amadeus nodded chewing on the end of a pencil as he wrote something lazily on a sheet of paper. Robbie reached for it, and Amadeus yanked it away.

“I hope you’re not going to start with that the streets talk bullshit,” Amadeus said.

Robbie wondered what put him in a bad mood. “I wasn’t going to. What’s your deal?”

Amadeus shrugged and went back to writing. Robbie got behind him to try and read what was on the paper, but Amadeus shielded it more. “Nosey,” he mumbled under his breath.

Robbie couldn’t tell if he was genuinely angry or just joking. “I just-”

Amadeus groaned and flipped the paper over. “Is something up?” he asked.

“Sorry. I’m just curious,” Robbie said.

“The Champions asked me to join them,” Amadeus said.

“The who?”

“Ms. Marvel and new Spider-man and Nova,” Amadeus said.

“Weren’t they on the Avengers?” Robbie asked.

Amadeus nodded. “I know Spidey. Not well, but we fought some monsters together one time.”

“So are you going to join them?” Robbie asked.

“I said no,” Amadeus said.

“I thought you wanted to be on a team,” Robbie said.

“I was going to, but…” Amadeus trailed off. “Nevermind. I just said no.”

“Why did you say no?” Robbie asked.

Amadeus shrugged, but Robbie kept staring at him until he broke down. “I asked if you could be on the team, and Ms. Marvel said that she thought you were too violent or some bullshit,” Amadeus said, “I told her she wouldn’t want me on the team because I’m just as bad.”

“You’re not-”

“I used to drop helicopters out of the sky, and it’s getting hard to deny the fact that my first instinct is destruction when someone I care about is hurt. I mean, I almost killed Hawkeye.”

“He killed your best friend.”

“It’s easy to say that’s why I did it, but I didn’t kill the man who killed my parents. I wanted to hurt someone because I was angry. I just… I’m more destructive than I want to believe, and I need to learn what to do about that.”

“Everything’s been natural human responses.”

“Didn’t you get the message? I’m not human,” Amadeus said.

Robbie crossed his arms. “If you’re not human, what are you?”

Amadeus gritted his teeth. “Used to be a god, but I think now I’m more of a monster now.”

“If you’re a monster, what am I?”

Amadeus shrugged. “Maybe we’re both monsters,” Amadeus said.

Robbie didn’t think he could ever think of Amadeus as a monster no matter what he said.

“Are you hungry?” Robbie asked.

Amadeus shook his head. Robbie stared him down until he mumbled that he could eat, and then Robbie started making something that smelled good enough. They ate together in silence. Amadeus was twitchy. Like he was on something, but Robbie knew that couldn’t be right.

“Is there something else you want to tell me?”

“What if I went away for a little while?” Amadeus asked, “Really far away.”

“Like where?”

Amadeus coughed slightly and stabbed at the eggs that Robbie fixed him.

“Just somewhere I can’t hurt anybody.”

“Who are you hurting?” Robbie asked.

“I can’t control Hulk anymore. It’s like he’s driving more than I am.”

“Hulk is you,” Robbie insisted. But that still didn’t answer Robbie’s question. Who was Amadeus hurting?

“That’s what I worry about. If Hulk is me then why are there gaps in my memory? Why am I blacking out and who’s driving when I’m not?”

“I don’t know,” Robbie said, honestly, “I don’t even know what to do about Eli.”

“He seems quieter lately,” Amadeus said.

“Hulk?”

“No, Eli.”

Robbie’s brow furrowed. “How would you know that?”

“You used to make faces when he would say something particularly nasty,” Amadeus said, “Especially when I’d flirt. At first, I thought it was because you were uncomfortable when I came onto you, but I sorta put it together when you’d make faces around other people too.”

“I hate how observant you are,” Robbie said, putting his head in his hand to hide the flush creeping onto his features. The way Amadeus knew him so intimately… It was so much. Robbie didn’t know what to do about it.

“It’s easy when it’s you,” Amadeus said.

Robbie’s stomach exploded in butterflies. He opened and closed his mouth wanting to say something smart or hot or anything really, but his mind was drawing a blank so he just stared at Amadeus willing him to do something while Robbie’s brain was offline. The tension was cut when Gabe called for Robbie, and Amadeus looked away. Was he flushed too? It was hard to tell.

Robbie helped Gabe up and helped him get dressed, the whole time thinking about Amadeus’s ‘It’s easy when it’s you.’ How? How could it be easy when he was so moody, when he pushed everyone away, when he was mean, and when he hurt Amadeus? Robbie walked into the kitchen with Gabe, and Amadeus was gone. Robbie made Gabe a plate waiting for Amadeus to come back from the bathroom or wherever he disappeared to. Gabe finished breakfast, and Robbie went down the hall to find Amadeus, but he wasn’t in any of the other rooms. Back in the kitchen, he noticed the paper Amadeus was writing on. He picked it up and read it. His stomach sank.

“Sorry, I didn’t say goodbye. I thought that if I told you my plan you would talk me out of it, and you probably would have. It would have been so easy for you to talk me out of it, and it’s something that I have to do until I get control. If I can’t. Well, I guess this is goodbye forever which I’ll always regret.”

Robbie slammed the paper down and threw the door open. Of course, Amadeus was already gone, but his whole body burned. Then he was the rider and he was cruising the streets looking for Amadeus as if he was there somehow. As if he wasn’t halfway across the country now or worse. When he couldn’t find Amadeus he beat the shit out of some drug dealers dealing outside of a school and went home angry.

Robbie woke up, who knows where. He was in the Hell Charger, but how the hell did he get here? Some cop was knocking on his window, but he wasn’t getting out of the car. He hit the gas and sped away from the cop, and quickly outran them. He found a place to park and got out of the car to find anything that would help identify his current location.

“Fuck you, Eli!” he shouted, “Where the hell are we?”

[Fuck if I know. Wasn’t me who did it, kid.]

“Then who was it? Because I didn’t do this in my sleep!”

Robbie sunk to the ground next to the Hell Charger, angry and confused about what was going on. He thought he had this under control that Eli couldn’t just take joy rides in his body, but here he was somewhere he’d never been before. He shivered, realizing that it was cold in just his pajamas. His fucking luck, he didn’t even have his jacket with him.

He transformed into Ghost Rider and got back in the Hell Charger deciding to just drive until he found something that would tell him how to get back to LA. He drove for miles without a clue where he was until he came to a sign.

“Fuck,” he mumbled, “Fuck. Fuck.”

[Cape Town? What are we doing in South Africa?]

“What are we doing in Africa?!” Robbie shouted.

[Your guess is as good as mine.]

Robbie leaned his head against the steering wheel. “God, what the fuck is going on? How did I get across the Ocean…”

[I didn’t do it.]

“You’re not going to gaslight me into thinking I drove across the sea in my sleep.”

[Okay, kid, blame everything on Uncle Eli. Doesn’t help your predicament.]

“Fuck you.” Robbie laid his head on the steering wheel and wished that Amadeus was here to explain everything that was going on. He hit the wheel and leaned his head back groaning.

[The going gets tough and you wish your little boyfriend was here to kiss it better. You’re so pathetic.]

“Shut the fuck up, Eli!”

Before Robbie had any time to react something hit the side of the Hell Charge, lifting it into the air and slamming it into the ground. A man in a glowing red suit smashed Robbie’s window and dragged him out, and Robbie tried telling him that he didn’t know what was going on. He tried telling him that he didn’t know where he was. He tried everything he could to get him to stop. The man told him all kinds of things that Robbie didn’t understand. That he was destined to do something, that this was bigger than him, that they had to protect the world from themselves, but Robbie kept fighting. He kept fighting until they ended up wherever they were supposed to be. Robbie was fighting on instinct, and somehow he knew that he could win the fight even when it felt like he was losing.

Robbie grabbed the man by the collar. The man who called himself Starbrand. He shot him with whatever energy he harnessed, but the pain was fine because any pain that he shot at Robbie, Robbie could send right back. He knew that it was the penance stare even if he never could do that before, even if Eli suddenly seemed so far away and couldn’t tell him what it was.

The Starbrand warned him that he doomed them all, but Robbie was too scared, too desperate to take any heed. He got in the Hell Charger and ran before he learned what the Final Host was.

And all of this was only the beginning, after forcing himself to stay awake for days so that Eli couldn’t take over and drive him around the world, the sky rained bugs. He was forced to save the world, barely made it out alive, and after everything the Avengers had the gall to ask him if he wanted to join. Robbie, exhausted from days without rest, stared at them dumbfounded. Steve Rogers looked at him with a kind smile on his face, which only further infuriated Robbie.

“Not a good fit,” Robbie said, opening the door of the Hell Charger.

“You helped save the world today, son. You’re a good fit,” Steve said.

Robbie leaned his flaming head out of the window. “I’m not your son,” he said.

The engine revved, and he went home leaving the Avengers in the dust. Everything was destroyed, but Gabe was safe. That’s all that matter. Robbie passed out on the couch after making sure Gabe was taken care of.

Robbie woke up screaming after a nightmare that he was stuck inside the Celestial’s body. He got out of bed and made breakfast, hoping that Gabe would wake up soon. He paced the living room, and the kitchen, and kept checking to see that Gabe was alright in his bed.

Robbie settled into a chair finally and scrolled on his phone, the doom scroll. That’s what Lisa told him it was called. He didn’t really know what that meant, but he did know that scrolling on his phone and only reading bad news probably wasn’t that great.

“BREAKING: HULK CRASH LANDS IN CENTRAL PARK! WORLD WAR HULK II?”

Robbie straightened up. Amadeus was back. He thought of texting him, but he wasn’t sure if he had a phone on him. Amadeus always came back to him, Robbie thought. He always did.

Robbie woke up after another nightmare that he was stuck inside the Celestial’s body. He didn’t even get out of bed this time. He rolled to the side and checked his phone.

“HULK DECLARES THAT HIS ENEMIES BEWARE”

Just published.

Robbie jumped out of bed and melted into the Charger. He was in New Jersey before he knew it, and he found Amadeus fighting. 

Robbie rammed the Hell Charger hard into Carol. She grabbed a handful of the grill and struggled to stop him until she threw him.

"Roberto, we're not your enemy," she said.

"Looks like you're his," Robbie said.

"This isn't Amadeus," Carol said.

"How would you know?" Robbie asked, "You don't know him."

Silk stuck to his door and poked her head into the window. “Hi, Ghost Rider,” she said brightly. Robbie roared and opened the door. Cindy stayed stuck on. “I’m sorry GR, but this isn’t Amadeus. He’s not this…”

“This what?” Robbie growled, “Aggressive? Destructive?”

“Well, yeah,” Cindy said.

Robbie swerving to run the Hell Charger into a building. Cindy hopped onto the side of the building as he scraped his paint against it.

“Robbie, it’s Maddy,” her voice came from his car radio. He growled and tried to change the station, but her voice kept coming through every station he changed it to. “We haven’t formally met. He talks about you a lot. You’re the only person who can get through to him when he’s like this. You’ve got to convince him to…”

“Shut up!”

T’Challa landed on the hood of Robbie’s car in his Hulkbuster armor. “Stop. We fought side by side. I don’t want to hurt you, but I will. He is dangerous.”

Robbie’s engine spit white-hot flames. “So am I.”

T’Challa ripped through Robbie’s windshield. “We are trying to help him!”

“Funny way of showing it,” Robbie said, shooting flames into T’Challa’s face. The flames were hotter than hell, and T’Challa’s armor started overheating a short time before he dropped off the hood.

Carol made another pass at Robbie, but before she could reach him Amadeus grabbed her by both legs and hit her into the ground. Thor went after Amadeus so that Carol could get away, but Robbie rammed into Thor. Thor slammed his axe into the Charger and it went through the Windshield and barely missed Robbie.

Amadeus roared and body-slammed Thor. He pinned him down and hit him over and over until Carol, T’Challa, and Silk all strained to get him off. Amadeus threw them away from him, picked up the Hell Charger, and jumped away. When they landed they were in the desert. Robbie didn’t know that Amadeus could teleport something as large as the Hell Charger. He carried the Hell Charger to a bunker and went inside. Robbie followed behind him.

“Are you going to explain what just happened?” Robbie asked.

“Seemed pretty self-explanatory. You were there. I took out the trash, and they didn’t like how I did it,” Amadeus said.

Robbie looked up at Amadeus and crossed his arms. “You can turn back now,” he said, “It’s just me.”

“I like myself this way,” Amadeus said, “I don’t have to be scared, and no one can control me.”

Robbie cocked his head. “Who’s controlling you right now?” he asked.

“No one,” Amadeus said.

“Who’s driving the car?” Robbie asked.

Amadeus didn’t answer. He dropped onto the couch, and it creaked under his weight. He crossed his arms. Robbie stared at him, waiting for some acknowledgment that something was wrong and that Amadeus wanted his help, but that never came, so he sat on the couch next to Amadeus.

“Gabe’s going to wake up soon,” Robbie said.

“Better go get him,” Amadeus said.

“You’re going to be alright without me for a little bit?” Robbie asked.

“I don’t need you to protect me,” Amadeus grumbled.

“Will you still be here when I come back?” Robbie asked.

“Probably not,” Amadeus said.

“You promised Gabe you would visit soon. Why don’t you take him up on that?”

“Gee, why don’t I come visit you while I’m a wanted criminal.”

“You didn’t do anything. If you just explain, turn back into your human form and-”

“They locked me up for researching Gamma Radiation. The next step is to kill me or send me to the Negative Zone. That’s always been the next step as soon as I became Hulk they planned for it. You don’t get it, Robbie.”

“I’m not going to let them hurt you,” Robbie said.

“I’m not going to let them hurt me,” Amadeus said, “I’m taking them out.”

“You’re going to fight Jen?” Robbie asked.

“If I have to.”

“Where does this end, Amadeus?” Robbie asked.

“With my death. That’s how it’s always meant to end,” Amadeus said.

Robbie hit his shoulder. He brought his hand back to his chest and held it there as it throbbed from the hit. “You decided you could abandon me and now you’re telling me you’re going to get yourself killed!”

“Why are you making this about yourself?” Amadeus asked.

Robbie stopped himself from shouting that he loved him. He shoved his shoulder. “Because I care about you, idiot.”

Amadeus rolled his eyes, and that made Robbie even madder.

“Maddy and Silk care about you, and you were fighting them!” Robbie shouted, “Carol and Thor I get. Hell, I even understand fighting T’Challa, but your sister? Silk?”

“They picked the wrong side. I’m not going to hurt them. I’m way too smart for that. They’ll come around.”

“And if they don’t?”

“They can come to my funeral, I guess.”

“None of us want you dead. Can you help me help you?”

“I’m not like you.”

Bile rose in Robbie’s throat. He stupidly lunged at Amadeus. He bounced off his chest, growling. His skin melted away as he transformed into Ghost Rider. Eli, who barely said anything these days, was cheering in his mind. He cheered as Robbie’s fist collided with Amadeus’s cheek. He cheered as Robbie’s fist collided with the side of Amadeus’s head. Robbie stopped himself from hitting Amadeus again when he realized he was just standing there.

“Fight back, bastard,” Robbie growled.

Amadeus just stared at him like he was offline. Robbie shoved him.

“Fight back,” Robbie said, feeling the anger melt away.

The roof of the bunker tore open, and a mech landed in the room. It was T’Challa in his Hulkbuster armor. He dove at Amadeus, and Robbie hit him hard in the side. T’Challa pounded into Robbie, pinning him to the ground hoping to take him out quickly. Amadeus hit T’Challa and almost threw him through the hole in the roof, but T’Challa released something and Amadeus dropped him and roared.

The Hell Charger hit T’Challa, and he was wedged in the corner of the room depowered. Robbie raced to Amadeus's side. “What did you do to him?” Robbie yelled.

“It’s okay, Robbie. We injected him with counter bots that will neutralize the gamma radiation in his body. He won’t be hurt,” Maddy said. Her disembodied voice was eerie like he was listening to a ghost.

“How could you?” Robbie snapped. “He’s your brother! He hadn’t-”

“I did it because he’s my brother. He’s too volatile to have all that power. He’s too dangerous,” she said, “He’s been different since he became Hulk. It changed him.”

“I was dangerous before,” Amadeus mumbled, fighting the pain. He was shrinking and growing repeatedly.

“Not like this,” Maddy said.

“I took down SHIELD,” Amadeus said, “I guess, SHIELD didn’t want to tell you that little tidbit. Pretty embarrassing to get taken down by a sixteen-year-old with a stolen laptop and a drugged-up Hercules.”

“Hercules spoke to you, and you turned your life around after that,” Maddy said.

Amadeus laughed. “He convinced me not to destroy SHIELD, but he never stopped me from being dangerous. If he thought this wasn’t me he would be here right now trying to help me. He’s letting me work this out myself.” Amadeus sat up. “Thor asked me if I thought I was a god. I’ve been a god before. I was a hulk before this too. I do something you people dislike, and you’re all here with guns pointed at me. Even before I was Hulk everyone was always trying to control me. I can’t live like this. I just want to be left alone.”

Robbie used his body to shield him, but Amadeus touched his shoulder.

“Just arrest me. That’s all you’ve ever wanted to do since my parents died,” Amadeus said.

“That's not what we want to do,” Maddy said, “We just want to help.”

“You're not helping me by taking the Hulk away. I am the Hulk. I've always been this angry, this destructive. I guess it was just easier to blame the Hulk. You guys find it easier to blame the Hulk too. Hulk's a good scapegoat, isn't he?”

Amadeus stopped changing size. He was still green, but smaller than he was in his Hulk form. He stood up and let T’Challa take hold of him. Amadeus winked at Robbie as he was escorted away.

“You go get Gabe up. I’m not going to break my promise to him,” Amadeus said.

“You better not,” Robbie said as he watched dozens of SHIELD helicopters and agents show up to make sure Amadeus didn’t do anything crazy. But the crazy part was over, and they took him away.

Robbie was in the kitchen doing dishes. Life was getting back to normal. Amadeus called him from New York earlier that week. He was handling the damage from their fight and getting his affairs in order to move back to LA. He swore it was for the weather, but Robbie knew better than to believe him.

Some revved an engine outside, and Robbie finished drying the dishes and went to the porch to see who was being an obnoxious asshole. Robbie rolled his eyes. It was his obnoxious asshole in his Impala.

Robbie leaned into the driver’s side window. “Why are you acting like your dick is small?” he asked.

“I’m getting your attention,” Amadeus said.

Robbie shook his head. “You’ve got it. What do you want?”

“Do you want to race?”

“What do I get if I win?” Robbie asked.

“Whatever you want,” Amadeus replied.

Robbie smiled and grabbed his keys. They shot out of the parking lot of Robbie’s apartment building like bullets. They weaved through the midday traffic until a cop turned his lights on, and then they both left him and all the other cops behind. They raced out of the city and for miles out until Robbie left Amadeus behind. He parked where he decided the finish line was, a crooked wooden sign falling off a tree, and waited for Amadeus to catch up. He didn’t have to wait long.

Amadeus came to a stop and waited for Robbie to come around the side. He smiled at him, his stupid, hot goofy grin. Robbie leaned against Amadeus’s door.

“I won,” he said.

“You did win,” Amadeus said, “What do you want?”

Robbie opened the driver’s side door and nodded his head for Amadeus to step out. Amadeus dropped down in front of him. God, his new form was hot. Robbie looked up at Amadeus for a long moment, looking him up and down.

“You’re too fucking tall,” Robbie said.

Amadeus laughed. He leaned down some. “Better?”

Robbie wrapped his arms around Amadeus’s shoulders, pulling him closer, and pressed a kiss against his lips. Amadeus grinned and kissed him again when he pulled away.

“I think I’d be okay with losing to you again,” Amadeus said.

Robbie thought that he would be okay with Amadeus losing to him forever and ever.