nobody is a hero

The lack of sleep fogged his brain, taking a moment longer than it should’ve to register that it was Manu sat in front of him. 

He blinked before he gave quick glance down to the apron he wore, suddenly all too self-conscious when reason settled in then and soothed his embarrassment, thinking, ‘As if he’d care. It isn’t like he’s looking at me any sort of way, anyway.’ “Water, yeah, got it,” he reiterated his order with a nod just as the other man spoke. “Duckling’s my day job,” Val answered with a half-hearted shrug. “Been workin’ here for the last month on the night shift, and it ain’t all bad.” If he didn’t include the fact that he hardly ever slept these days, emphasized by the dark circles under his eyes. “Got to make ends meet somehow, man,” he said, “guess King Jerk-Off didn’t think of how us VKs would be fucked once we got here, but what the hell’s new?”

He gestured for the other man to give him a second while he went to get him his water, bringing it back and setting it in front of him with a straw. “What’re you doing out so late?” he asked. “And better yet,” Val remembered their run-in wasn’t as casual as he would’ve liked, pulling the notepad and pen from his apron, “what am I getting you to eat? Just a heads-up that the fish isn’t fresh, so I’d steer clear, unless you want a wicked case of food poisoning. Can’t fuckin’ sue my ass if I warned you.” The slightest upward tick of his lips formed his features as he uttered the last part, his tone teasing. 

it made sense. shit wasn’t easy for vks on the mainland. two jobs were almost a given. unless you got lucky enough to get decent money in the first one. then you just worked yourself to the bone and could cover shit. Manu knew he had gotten lucky. found a place that didn’t think twice about having him under cars and out of view in the beginning. once he proved he could take apart and rebuild an engine. good enough for them. still, with that thought in mind, he smiled slightly. a sort of humorless smile when he brought on the king. flexing his knuckles, he heard the cracks from years of breaking people’s faces. probably couldn’t count how many times he broke something but kicking the shit out of the King had been worth it. but he had to admit, he put up a bit of a fight. worth it. “he needs to get his head out of his ass.” was all he offered on the subject. stopping himself from going off on a tangent he had to Sydney and Siren one too many times. 

“just got off work.” he supplied as he leaned back in the booth. his muscles stretching in a strange uncomfortable but also a soothing way.  hearing the fish was terrible, made him inwardly sigh. of course, it was. couldn’t have good fish if it was on the menu. what he wouldn’t give to be back in Seaside. despite being near the family and royal’s that his mother had tried to fucking murder, it at least had good seafood. he would probably kill a man for some good fish. “oh, i don’t know. could still be worth it. obviously, i would have the best legal representation.” the retort was followed by a laugh as he glanced at the menu before nodding. 

“alright, how about a burger and fries. can i trust that?” humor-laced his words as he looked Val over again. everything about him screamed that he was tired. exhausted. like so many of the other vks he saw around the place. if they weren’t exhausted, they probably had nowhere to go home to. matter of fact he had one of those on his couch. “then maybe you can grace me with your presence and sit with me. keep me company.” eyeing the room around them for a minute he looked back at Val. “not like you’re insanely busy or anything,” 

Hook rolled his eyes as he took a drink from his water bottle. He’d been hearing it all night from the other man. Not that it completely bothered him, but it was definitely getting annoying. “I already told you, I had shit on my mind during my fight. Or I would have knocked Gaston the fuck out.” he grumbled a little. To be honest, Hook still didn’t remember much about the fight. He had been so wrapped up in his worry for Willow he wasn’t focused. Which was never a good way to go when someone was trying to fight you. Shaking his head he set his water bottle back down on the ground. “Not all of us can be in such prime fighter headspace all the time.” there was sarcasm laced in every word that fell past his lips. “But you have to admit,” he rolled his shoulders a little as he spoke. “We are getting a bit old for pit fights.” 

there was something about getting Hook feisty that always put a smile on Manu’s face. that was sort of how the two of them had always been. lingering respect. an understanding between them that seeped into the other parts of their lives. it worked pretty nicely, given the fact that on the isle they were both around the docks most days and having two egos like their’s against one another would have gotten pretty tiring pretty quick. “relax. i’m just fucking with you. you’re girl alright?” he questioned as he moved to take a drink of his own water. Willow wasn’t a vk per-say. one by choice rather than blood. which, was still odd to him. although, yeah they were generally more interesting in royals so sure, he got it. but Hook’s next works had him pausing for a minute. he wasn’t wrong. even being the type of person he was.. sometimes it was tiring.  mostly the constant need to defend it. defend who he had always been. somedays he just wanted to lay on the beach and not do shit. “for the record it, yeah. i can agree with that but my ego still has to prove that i can still beat their asses. maybe one day i will grow out of it and be a real boy.”

Val: gentleman? i call bullshit.

Val: out of the city as in to the other kingdoms?

Val: no i haven't. i'm sure mimi would eat that shit up, but i haven't had the chance to. wouldn't even know where to start.

Val: took me a whole ass month to figure out how to get down to belle's without walking around in circles like a moron. eventually figured it out but i gave up a couple more times than i'd like to admit and just settled for coffee at home.

Manu: don't doubt me.

Manu: honestly, that's what did it for me. specifically the ocean. it's fucking everything.

Being in Auradon had certainly changed the dynamics happening between the VKS, that much was clear. Sure, there were things that would never change – Josh would always be friends with Ranger, would probably always hate Smee… but never in a million years did he expect to be sitting on Manu Nautilus’ couch, watching his TV, raiding his fridge, all without the older guy being blackmailed into it. It was weird… great, because sleeping in an abandoned frat house fucking sucked, but weird because Josh was just waiting for the shoe to drop. For him to owe the guy a favor, or do something to fuck it up.

Josh was half watching a movie about some old couple - who fell in love why they were young or someshit. There was war and building houses and stuff in between so he phased in and out, half interested as he scrolled through his phone - amused by the shitstorm going down on twitter. Girls he had had one night stands with freaking out over the King trading in dark blonde chick for platinum blonde chick and all the conspiracy theories about it. He was kinda bummed about missing the ball now, figuring he could have stirred the pot. See how Clara felt about her stoner boyfriend’s old flame being back on the market. See how he could spin it on Mitch for fun. Alas, he wasn’t there and those weren’t options so instead he just watched it go down as Manu set a pizza box down in front of him. “Sick” Josh replied, grabbing a beer. “Thanks.” followed, but quietly and quickly, as to not make a whole thing out of it. “What? It’s a movie.” Josh retorted, immediately defending the remote. Rolling is eyes, he didn’t really care what they watched, his phone was more entertaining anyways. “Fine, take it. You should put on one of those entertainment night shows. Might see all the shit that’s going down tonight.” Josh quipped, before finally taking a slice for himself. “Why didn’t you go? You know you don’t have to keep an eye - if I was gonna trash the place I would have done it on thanksgiving break.” Honestly the fact that any of the isle born would wanna go back to visit was fucking insane to him. 

taking the remote, he idly listened to what Josh had to say about the next thing they could watch and he already pretty much knew what the gossip would be. Manu had run into a drunk as fuck king at five pm in a random bar after all. really it was some royal drama that in the end, he didn’t give two shits about. but it was also probably the most civil conversation he had ever had with the other man. there was something about kicking him when he was obviously already so fucking down. so, he hadn’t. clicking to a channel that would have some sort of report about the ball going down. it confirmed what he already knew of course. he had no interest and they were talking about the newly matched couple rather than anything else. the speculation made him roll his eyes so hard he was fucking afraid they would roll out. 

“i didn’t go because i have no fucking interest in it.” he countered with a shrug. it wasn’t that he didn’t trust the other vk to not be an idiot. which was a wild concept given their history. but he had proven over the break when Manu went to get information from his mother that he could handle the responsibility of not fucking up the apartment just fine. the extra key to the apartment still in his possession. “i’m not here to keep an eye on you. you’re doing fine.” was added as the second half of his statement before taking a bite of his pizza, eyeing the screen. “besides that fact that i barely see you move from this couch outside of the essentials and to seemingly go hang out with Ranger - you’ve been alright.” he paused to take another of his beer as he swallowed down he thought about his words and turned his attention from the tv to the other isle born sitting next to him. “do you have a job?”

putting the pizza on the table he turned to the fridge and pulled out two beers. “pizza. beer.” setting one of the bottles on the table, he gestured to the table. waiting for the other vk to take it, he grabbed a few slices before moving to sit on the couch. eyeing the show on the tv Manu tilted his head for a second, “what the fuck are you watching?” eyeing the screen for second before finally figuring out what it was. nope. absolutely not. what the fuck was with Auradon and the movie marathons of a certain type? ridiculous. poseidon save him. “yeah we are watching something else.” @joshgaston​

His temples pounded almost as much as his feet did, heaving a deep sigh as he wiped off the laminate countertop that was beginning to peel along its edge at the small diner he worked at well after the sun set past the horizon. Night shifts were the fuckin’ worst, and he would’ve much more preferred to work them while at the Snuggly Duckling, but seniority trumped whatever the hell he wanted. Given he had been one of the last to be hired there, he had little say in when he worked or even how often, for that matter. That was why he had to take the second gig when the opportunity presented itself, so he could make enough at the end of the week to afford the apartment he, Mimi, and her little friend shared. He didn’t want Mimi trying to bend over backwards to worry about how they’d afford it all, plus food and utilities and everything else they may need that that good-for-nothing king didn’t think of. 

Seriously, how the hell would he, or any of the VKs, make it in Auradon when everything was so damn expensive? They weren’t born with a silver spoon up their asses like the rest of the royal inbreds, so Val felt the pressure to work twice as hard to be only half as comfortable. He had gotten off his first shift at the Duckling and was well into his shift at the diner now when he heard a familiar chime over the door that signaled to him that someone had come in. The place was relatively empty now after a loud, drunken crowd of AU students had stumbled out after ordering an exasperatedly large amount of food that they only barely touched, topping the whole shitty interaction off with a tip so small he had half the nerve to throw it back in their faces. He didn’t, though. He had to scrounge what he could if he’d ever buy anything his sister would like for the holidays, so if it meant swallowing back the urge to throttle a couple of asshole customers, then so fucking be it. 

“Sit wherever you want,” he said as he kept his eyes downcast, finishing up with what he was doing. Once he was done and cleaned up, he grabbed the menu and approached the customer, wondering just where he could find a couple of pills to pop that’d ease his headache when he settled in front of the table and, in lieu of a greeting, handed them the laminated menu and said, “What do you want?” raising his gaze only then to finally look to see who he was talking to. Okay, perhaps he could’ve said it a little nicer, but he was tired and his head hurt. Sue him. Besides, it was way past an appropriate time to expect to get the cheery, ass-kissing waiter who still somehow had the will to live, so it’s not like they didn’t know what they were getting. “To drink,” he clarified, “what do you want to drink?”

glancing at the clock was a dangerous thing. it was counting down the time til something else finally came to be. it was looking behind a customer when they described their issue and wondering what people were thinking when they decided to measure the day. the longer the day went, the worse it became from Manu. hours of working on cars and hearing bullshit being spewed from people’s mouths made him twitchy. the whining. the complaining. the idiocy. all of it danced around in his brain when he moved from one car to the next. little fixes. big fixes. soon enough he found himself sitting at closing time remembering when he helped open the shop up. tapping his fingers against his leg for a moment, he just sat there. breathing quietly when there was no one else around. sometimes he preferred it that way. for all his social tendencies, people grated on his nerves.

he had been working on that shop since he had only been on the mainland for two months. even though he was a vk, he knew his shit and they needed people. people willing to work ungodly hours and into the night. what option did they have? a full year having to deal with the idiots. the people he worked within the shop weren’t the worst. the clients, however… absolute dipshits. cleaning up much of the muck of the day, the citrus smell clinging to him, he left the shop behind. rolling into the city quietly Manu figured he could head home. eat whatever he had left in the fridge and call it a night. but there was a jittery feeling to his limbs. something he didn’t want to bring home with him, so instead he caught sight of the diner he was looking for and pulled in.

walking into the diner, he sighed a sigh of relief noting the amazing lack of people. still, he did what the voice calling out to him said. before something client in Manu’s mind of why the voice sounded familiar. looking at him at the one working the diner, he didn’t stop the tug of his lips when he noted it was Valentino. watching him, as he came over, he didn’t stop the scoff at the obvious attitude being thrown. he also couldn’t blame him. instead of giving him shit he shrugged, categorizing the tired look to his eyes behind the general ‘fed up’ vibe. “water’s good.” he wasn’t really in the mood for anything else. fuck he wasn’t in the mood for anything. “i thought you worked at the duckling. not here.” his hand gestured to the place around them with a lazy flick of the wrist. “needed a change of scenery?”

Val: oh? and what flavors have you tried, eh?

Val: or are you more of a 'don't fuck and tell'?

Val: on the real, i fucking hate this place and all who inhabit it.

Val: if not for mimi, i would be back on the isle, happy as a gods damn clam. or as happy as you can be there, i guess.

Val: i had to head back home during break just to keep my head on straight.

Val: you've been here longer than me. how the hell are you keeping sane?

Manu: enough to be bored.

Manu: oh, i am a gentleman.

Manu: i don't have to like the people to make it through. they're fucking idiots.

Manu: let me ask you a question..

taking the cash that was sitting on the edge, he offered a small smirk, “better luck next time.” in a rare show they didn’t flip their lid. instead, they walked away with a wave. it was... different than most cases. then again he couldn’t bring himself to taunt them too much. some days Emmanuel just didn’t have it in him. going through the motions really. with that over, he picked up his shit and moved towards the bar. he figured one more drink and he could head out. nothing like walking away with over three hundred dollars. idiots. 

he had barely gotten into his seat before there was someone sliding up to the bar near him. ordering a new beer he rolled his shoulders as he leaned back slightly and caught sight of just who it was that decided to grace him with his presence. not every day he ran into the fucking king in a dark ass bar off the beaten. it made him think of Cori and her saying she would be having an interview with him on-air. he wondered when that would air? Manu’s normal anger at the royal sitting near him simmered lowly but didn’t boil. just stayed as it was.  “gotta say,” he started as he nodded in the bartender’s direction when his drink was set down. a nonchalance to his tone  “i’m a little surprised to find you in this part of town.” @itsmitchroux​

Seeing Ursula after so long apart and away from her scathing insults and critisms was bound to fucking suck, Siren wasn’t naive, she has know – or at least assumed what was to come when she agreed to go back to the isle with her brother for Thanksgiving. And she had never been more thankful to have gotten away from the bitch in the first place. But having Manu have her back? It was new and different and exposed just how much the two had gotten the opportunity to grow outside of the shadows of their mothers cruel pandering and neglect, respectively.

So while, her mother’s cruelity rung in the back of her mind on the travels back home to Auradon, the real takeway from the trip was - despite her own abrasiveness, she was lucky to have her brother around. A sentiment she so wasn’t ready to get all weird about, but one she felt none the less. Along with confusion and curiousity about their mothers damn need to be the vaguest person alive. She was sure dicking her two children around was the only form of entertainment the sea witch had left, so they would have to endure it, take what they could get and follow whatever breadcrumbs they’re were given.

Normally siren wouldn’t work so hard in search for information. She wasn’t the curious type, always on the quest for knowledge or answers like most. but this directly involved her. She know, deep down, something more had to be in her make up apart from just blood and bones. She was reminded of it everytime she saw Manu access his powers, how he was able to flourish in ways she felt like she just couldn’t. So, she remained as determined as her natural personality would allow, and sat at the table across from her brother with little complaint.

“Did we expect anything less? God’s only know she isn’t gonna grow soft in her old age.” Siren finally got a dig in now that she was away. She didn’t know what it was about the woman than could disarm her almost immediately, it was unnerving as hell. At Manu’s declaration, Siren narrower her gaze, almost afraid to ask. “But thanks. I guess. For not embracing it. Or whatever.” It was the most generic form of thanks but the air of appreciation that hung in her gaze proved it to be genuine if nothing else. She wasn’t gonna say anything just to say it, after all. “Okay. Now you’re inheriting Ursula’s vagueness. Elaborate, please. do we have to deep dive? Is it gonna be dangerous? Are your Pikachu powers gonna help us down there?”

quietly, deep down, he loved his sister. he caught that gratitude without a single word being said. Siren’s words were one thing. it was the look in her eyes that really hit somewhere in his heart. he fervently loved her. his loyalty was strong. but some times he wanted to fucking hit her. pikachu powers? he was not a fucking yellow rat. it wasn’t just electricity he could do. instead of words, Manu just looked at her like she was stupid. of course, she wasn’t completely but also, yes she was. pikachu. seriously. the fuck? 

skipping over the comment he took a drink of his beer and nodded. “yeah, i think so.” leaning forward, he thought over the fucking riddle she had given them again. as if she was hoping to try to take over wonderland if she ever got off the damn isle. good fucking luck with that. “the first part was definitely talking about Atlantica.” his words softly switched into spanish as he began to speak lowly, just enough for her to hear. a little comfort knowing people in the world spoke it but the crowd around them didn’t seem the natural speaking type. from there they would have to lean in real close. not exactly inconspicuous. he thought that maybe she was referencing where the kingdom was. somewhere not totally on any map, he could find but he got the general idea of it. she referenced large land areas. a coast. a broken ship. somewhere were only the carnivorous went. “the rest was her pretty much telling us fucking landmarks to look out for. because why would she tells us on an isle.” 

pausing he shrugged. “a sunken ship. stones beneath the ocean pointing in a specific direction. the darkest seas for the bloodthirsty hearts.” he continued with a sigh before taking a drink. “i haven’t found a map with Atalantica on it. yet. but, she uses it as a point of reference and the coast it is off of.” surprisingly it didn’t seem to be right next to dear king eric’s kingdom but he supposed it made sense. it had to be deep enough out there to be hidden. if it wasn’t the main cave they had heard from all the stories, it was a fucking secret one which filled him with more hope than before. he didn’t want to have to fucking take down a kingdom or two just to get his mother’s shit but... there was always a chance. “needless to say i think there will be diving.” again he paused but this time looking Siren over. wondering if she had tested herself like he had. he joined the swim team to have unlimited access to the pool and found out he had to actively not be better than them. the ocean was the perfect tool to test everything else. “have you tried anything? seeing how long you can hold your breath? how long you can swim. how much pressure you can handle without the aid of anything?” 

“look at you.” he commented dryly. a strong dose a humor twisting his words. “i think you’ll finally be able to win a fight.” Manu was, of course, just talking shit. it was what he did while working out with other people. shit, it was what he did in the fighting pits. something about him fucking around with them always got them fired up. like him challenging them was all the needed for the extra push. it was another one of his habits he wasn’t really looking to break himself out of. all in good wholesome fun. or whatever. “but on the real, next fight night, you could be a contender.” the twisted quote fell from his lips in a terrible italian accent but he regretted nothing. @rangr-lefou​

what did matter, however, was that she was also a vk. so, when she texted him talking about needing help learning how to drive or to look into cars. he didn’t just delete it when he read it. Manu paused. it was a simple ask. something he knew enough about with his day job and his hobbies. that very thought was what had him leaning against his car in the parking lof of an abandoned building. thinking. was it like the only abandonded building in the whole fucking place outside of old villains castles. he half wondered if he would see a dilapated sign from one of the more industrious parents. what he didn’t get about some of his fellows was their affinity for finding things that reminded them of the shit hole they all came from. sure, auradon was a lot to swallow. it was bright. it was loud. the rules were aggrevaiting. the people were fucking full of themselves on a good day when it came to who they were born from. many looked at vks like they would start a fight and if they didn’t look at them that way the first time they met... they wouldn’t be surprised if it happened in the end. 

Manu didn’t like most royals. it was no secret. the parents more so than the children. but he could admit, that auradon had access to the one thing he really loved, there was nothing more beautiful than the open sea. nothing more freeing. not a single part of him looked for abandoned spaces hoping to find a home. he knew where it was. all he wanted was fucking freedom. in the end... he knew he would do anything to keep it but as of yet they hadn’t tried to really take it from him.. so no need to get dramatic. “a fucking abandoned building. really?” he questioned as he saw Tatiana walking towards him. her swagger was different. off some how. talk about eyebrow raising.  “i’m half hoping you’re thinking about trying to kill me. i’ve been itching for a fight the last few days.  @tatianabeaufort​

Val: i'm sure you say that to everyone who kicks your ass.

Val: that's all you'll ever get from me, nautilus. cherish it.

Val: hard to believe anyone around here's worth celebrating with in any way, but you do you. or them.

Val: mainland's filled with people too prissy and too uptight. nothing like having someone from back home on the isle who knew how to have some fun.

Manu: see you would think that but these kids got a weird thing for villain kids.

Manu: a kink if you will.

Manu: look at all the main princes and princesses snagging them all up. had to try a flavor or two. i was practically compelled.

Val: it's about damn time you notice, but i can't get all the credit. i gotta bring my a-game if i wanna get in the ring with you.

Val: now that's flattery. and that's the last fuckin time you'll hear of it for as long as you live, so try not to let it get to your head.

Val: and how'd you celebrate?

Manu: trust me. not the first time.

Manu: also, too late.

Manu: i will take that compliment right to my grave.

Manu: oh and i went out and got laid.

Manu: figured it was the best way to celebrate.

taking the bar and setting it up as Hook took a breath, he leaned against the warm metal. “seriously, you could still knock a guy and i feel like that is some solace you should take from it all.” of course this latest venture of them working out together had been because he poked him over losing in the first round of the fights to fucking Gaston of all people. Manu knew he had a good right hook but it wasn’t enough. of course, the other elder decided it was because of being emotionally compromised and Manu still wasn’t.. sure about that. “maybe you could find Josh and knock his ass out for good measure. i happen to know where he is staying as of late.” was added with a chuckle. he didn’t expect the other man to actually go for it. made it easier to joke about. @thejhook​

 instead of doing just that, he grabbed two beers and walked to the table he had convinced his sister to get her happy ass to. a random bar on the other side of town from the university. safe from ears they didn’t want hearing their conversation. the music loud enough and their corner dark enough, it worked in their favor. not to mention, he happened to have Josh at his place and he wasn’t willing to let the other vk on any plan he had up his sleeves just yet. “so, that visit was a fucking shit show.” he finally stated as he sat down. they had been silent on it mostly since they left. or at least he had been. not really knowing what to say when she got cryptic. how they would find true power hidden in the sea. as if he didn’t already fucking know. “but i think we have some shit to work with.” 

it was easy to keep including Siren with his plans. while their mother wasn’t the best in any way. she was still their’s, whether they liked it or not. including her in what he had planned for things that involved the elder Nautilus only made sense. “more specifically i think i know where she was fucking talking about. maybe.” @sirennautilus​