J.C. Kidman

Seconds after the upload completed, Issac felt several sharp tugs against his body as he was constricted and forced up against the wall of the building. His eyes widened as they scanned over the several hands that forcibly bound him in place - darting up as the stranger from before casually strolled up to him and swiped the tablet from his grasp. 

“What the hell are you? What are all of these?!” He demanded in a voice that was clearly unnerved. This was Gotham - Issac wasn’t used to dealing with metahumans or any other kind of unnatural abilities. Limbitless. The name made a little more sense to him now. “Handsome, huh?” He tried to mask his nerves with a sharp remark, but his tone couldn’t solidify itself. There was a pause as Issac struggled under the grip of the hands. 

“Alright, fine.” He growled out in frustration. “I uploaded it to a data server back at my apartment…” He explained. “I’ll take you there just… make these go away.” He closed his eyes and released a huffing breath. 

Kid was in no hurry, the other wasn’t going to get away from him anytime soon and he pouted in faux hurt at the other’s demands. “No really, there’s no need to be so rude, I happen to be a mutant and my most special of abilities is to produce my body parts on any surface I please.” To illustrate his last remark, two more arms grew from his shoulders, “You might even say I’m rather handy to have around.”

He chuckled at his own pun, enjoying how unnerved the once cocky man was now; he found people tended to be put off by his power. “Oh indeed, my many eyes watched you closely while you worked, close to impressive but you do need a fair but more training to see yourself through the next few years I fear.” he said idly, noting the other’s struggle but he wasn’t going anywhere. “Excellent, so nice when people see reason.”

“I can take care of myself perfectly fine, thanks.” Issac remarked with sarcasm. “I’ve learned by watching some of the best fighters here in Gotham City. Some pathetic GCPD officers weren’t going to be a threat.” He assured the male before turning to walk off. Issac turned back around as the young man - barely more than a teenager, if that - kept talking. It was a shame someone as good-looking as he was, was ruining the mood demanding what Issac rightfully stole.   

“What? That’s impossible. I canvased the internals of that building multiple times - there wasn’t anyone else there besides myself and those officers.” The hacker’s brow furrowed. “It’s Payload.” He handed him the alias he had been testing the waters with. Grabbing the lid of a nearby trashcan, Issac frowned. “Sorry, you’re not getting whatever this data is. I haven’t even had a chance to pick through it yet.” He remarked, grunting as he sent the lid flying in the male’s direction - and booking it in the opposite.

Issac weaved down the sidewalk, grumbling to himself. What he wouldn’t give for one of those fancy grappling guns he had seen the Bat use in some of the footage he had. Dipping into another alleyway, Issac pressed himself against the building and panted softly; listening for the sounds of a pursuit. Quickly, Issac dug out a small tablet and connected the thumb drive to it - staring at the progress bar as he uploaded the data to a small server hub back at his apartment. “Come on…” He grumbled impatiently as the bar climbed. 

-

“And as we all know a person can only truly learn something by watching.” Kid said with a small smile that managed to convey politeness and sarcasm in equal measure. He’d fought for his life during some practice sessions and while his skills weren’t nearly as advanced as others within Hydra he’s learned how to apply those moves to his extra limbs to negate that weakness. He continued to smile at the man as he looked back but his relaxed posture was only for show.

“Ah, you misunderstand me my friend, I was never inside the building, I don’t need to be near you to see you.” he knew the words sounded threatening, uncomfortable and that was exactly what he wanted. “Payload. Not exactly subtle but then neither is my moniker. Limbitless.” Of course, that all depended on whether or not this Payload got the pun. He sighed as the other threw the lid at him, a hand shooting out of the wall to grab it before it got close. Though his thief missed it since he’d ran away.

Narrowed eyes and a suspicious gaze were all to greet the young man from the moment he began talking to him and so abruptly got the point about whatever information he had managed to obtain. “Of course I did excellent work in there - it was a cakewalk and their security was a complete joke. I didn’t need help from the Falcones to get the job done. I would have figured out a way…” He remarked first and foremost with every ounce of the arrogance being on the cusp between the final years of being a ‘teenager’ and ‘adult’ instilled in him. Issac glanced around for a moment before speaking again.

“Just where the hell did you come from anyway? I didn’t see anyone inside or outside when I left the building… how did you know what I was doing inside?” He questioned sharply. “Who exactly are you supposed to be?” Another question. The man’s choice of attire was respectable - Issac was in his own ensemble of black after all. It really was one of the best colors you could wear and not just because it had a slimming effect on his already slender form. 

.

Kid tilted his head a little, at a guess he’d say this man was about his age, maybe a little older? But he was far too arrogant. If he were another agent, he might’ve already killed him to take what he needed. As it was, Kid was feeling playful. “And if your ‘way’ could’ve involved needing to fight for your freedom and life, just what particular actions would you have taken then, I wonder?” he asked casually, his accent rolling over the words and making them sound more friendly and curious than anything else. “It would be such a shame if your plan had all come apart because someone had clocked you working.”

There was always a need to hunt, but not when there was unwanted company. J.C. Kidman, a Hydra narrative - Lovecraftian horror child. Seriously, the kid was weird as hell, but he had spunk, which Tony could respect - even though he didn’t want to. Still, the pair worked decently well together when they were shoved together for a handful of missions. All successes. All because of him their teamwork.  

Still. That didn’t mean that Tony was excited or even just happy to see the little twerp in a building that had no business for him. Only Tony. Not Kid. So what the hell was he doing here? Tony swore he’d been the only one given the job, promised even, so why was there another pawn sucking up all the oxygen?

“Kid.” He greeted stiffly, but cordially all the same. “What the hell are you doing here? Are you still Hydra’s lapdog?”

Kid hadn’t had much difficulty getting into the building, sadly he had no official business there but rather, was reaching out to a former contact. Though never a true member of Hydra like himself, Kid appreciated Tony’s skill and he was, in his own way, rather comical. Enough so that he’d not minded working with him time to time. Not often, but enough to know money could grease his wheels.  

“Why yes I am,” Kid smiled vaguely, not minding the insult at all, “It’s rather nice, they. give me the most excellent of kibble and the collar’s studded with diamonds.” he added with a deep chuckle, “I take it you are still employed by whomsoever possesses the funds for your services?” he asked, looking down at his hand while a mouth and single eye grew onto the arm of Tony’s armour.

“I happen to have a proposition for you myself.” The disembodied mouth said, grinning up at him as the single eye above it blinked.  

When: A Handful of Years Back - Before Issac Moved to Star City Where: Gotham City

“Hey, just got word the Falcones are causing problems down by the docks again. No word on the Bat or his birds though - think they’d busy dealing with something else downtown.” The gruff voice of an irritated GCPD lieutenant relayed to a couple of his officers. With disgruntled complaints, the men shuffled hastily out of the facility and into their vehicles. As the sounds of their sirens disappeared down the street, Issac dropped down with a soft grunt from the rafters where he had been hanging out. Tugging down the black cloth around his face, he smirked and let out a quiet laughter to himself. “Complete idiots. I swear this City keeps getting worse and worse. Sure, let’s just leave an entire facility unguarded with not even a camera system set up…” He rambled as he maneuvered himself behind a computer desk nearby.

Hooking a thumb drive into a spare slot, Issac kicked back in the chair - pulling the keyboard into his lap as he began working his way into the system. The network in this building was dated, but there weren’t any other access points other than a direct link. He had been wondering how to deal with the officers without drawing attention to himself when the lieutenant solved that problem for him. Thank God for Gotham’s crime families. You could always count on them to be causing problems somewhere. Once Issac had broken through the firewalls, he sat up and focused more directly on the screen in front of him as he sifted through files and copied one every now and again to his thumb drive.

“First rule of thumb, never leave your juicy secrets in a folder literally labeled ‘Top Secret’. Seriously, who the hell does that?” He mumbled to himself as he dragged the folder onto his drive. He would look through the data later and see if there was anything of real interest in it. Satisfied with his haul, Issac disconnected himself and made his way for the door. Looking back over his shoulder he sighed. Maybe he should get some new toys someday - a nice explosive to make sure no one else could access the files would be great at driving up an artificial demand for the information, after all. Alas, he was but a tech-nerd clothed in black with far too many tablets and thumb drives on him for any reasonable person. 

Issac jogged through the building before dipping into a fire escape and following the stair case as he emptied out into an alleyway behind the building. Giving the surroundings a quick survey, he didn’t see anyone that would question him and with that the man slipped into a casual walk down the alleyway; tucking away his devices into various pockets on his person.

It was an easy mission, though not his usual kind; Kid was an expert at assassination, not information gathering. Still, he would never pass up an opportunity to prove to his superiors that he was worthy of their praise. He’d kept the shadows thus far, scoping out the building from a nearby room conjuring his eyes in several strategic locations to get a better look at the building, he’d formed a network of eyes looking at eyes to get him all the way into the building itself. He was scoping out the room when he saw a figure drop in who definitely didn’t belong there. He formed an ear on one of the rafters to listen in on what the man was doing and he struck Kid was someone a little too new to the profession. He was far too talkative.

His eyes backtracked to follow the man as he made his way out of the building and Kid rose to his feet, making his own way down and around to keep track the man insight. He needed that information and he was not about to lose it to a wet behind the ears thief when Hydra had given him a mission. Once the man reached an alley Kid jogged around to the other side of it and waited at the mouth for him to emerge. Kid was dressed in black pants a black t-shirt and a black jacket, he’d pulled his mask off beforehand, and once he caught sight of him spoke in a deep, unhurried tone. “Now I must say you did some excellent work in that there building my friend. Though I would be remiss to say you weren’t helped along by the crimes going on elsewhere in this most chaotic city.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’m getting fucking old,” he replied. “You young punks won’t understand it until you get to my age,” he added dramatically. Floyd rolled his eyes, though his gaze flicked towards the ground for a moment. “Some things, not even the booze can drown out,” he mumbled, though he quickly shook himself out of his small trance. “Oh, I have this absolutely sick contract out right now. I’ve been trying to kill the fucking Hulk.”

“Seems like a thing you can only wish for and hope to achieve but it’s hard, cause you can never fully please everybody.” Lark shrugged, knowing that not everybody was going to like you for whatever reason, and it was best to just live your life the best you could. “Not one that is uncommon for mutants actually. You’ll find a lot of mutant children were nothing more than experiments or things to be weaponized for some secret goverment branch or something. Got nothing to hide actually, I’m just Lark now, the past is just the past. I figure I would know if someone was truly a villain at heart, let’s just say I got something of a hidden power when it comes to people.” Lark teased before scratching behind Mochi’s ears. “Ride into battle next day,” he couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Now that is truly something more people should aspire to I guess, riding your trusted companion into battle. Hmm, why don’t you get a dog then? There’s plenty of shelters around that have dogs of all sizes ready for adoption. Might want to check it out.” 

“Aw, come on. Once you go to the shelter you won’t be able to resist.” agreeing, he offered the man a smile before looking down at his pup. He could agree with that, but he would’ve picked Mochi regardless of anything else. “I did know that about mistletoe although I don’t really know the myth or story behind it. Just that I’m supposed to kiss someone when we’re standing under it together. Which actually gives me an idea about the guy I’m seeing,” he chuckled thinking about how Nathan would be confused about how standing under a plant would make people kiss. He’d be so perplexed by the idea and he couldn’t help how cute he imagined the guy would be cause of it. “Perfect, then let’s go somewhere that will allow Mochi in cause that’s important. There is a catch, from now on, we can just meet as friends instead of just would be strangers. Deal?”

-

“Well, isn’t that just life? Or perhaps the burden of choice.” A burden he rarely had to deal with thankfully. All he was required to do was follow Hydra’s will and all would be well. Sadly, his presence in this city saw him attempting to do the opposite and use RJ to save himself from garnering too much unwanted attention from heroes he had no desire to be on the wrong side of. “My. I consider myself truly lucky to have avoided such an unpleasant fate. One of the boons for growing up in a more rural environment I suppose.” A lie. His ‘rural upbringing’ had only saw him become the prime sacrifice in waiting for the place cult-like religion. Still, he’d escaped from that place and found a new home, now he was doing all he could to ensure he kept it and kept himself as safe as possible. “Sounds like a most useful talent, Lark. I’m more weary with my secrets, call it the businessman in me.” he added with a small smile, “Sadly, I do not think the opportunity will come for me. Perhaps when I am a little older and more settled.”

“I’ve had quite enough excitement, thanks,” he replied, wrinkling his nose and swatting at Kid’s hand as he touched Floyd’s face. “Fair enough. This time, though, you’re buying the booze out of your own pocket. It’s only fair.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I know a place nearby where they won’t ask too many questions,” he added, leading Kid down the street towards a dive-y bar that Floyd had made his haunt as of late. 

-

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” RJ said, the venom already starting to leave his voice. It was probably a bad idea, letting his guard down like this, but things had been so much easier when he had been with HYDRA, in no small part due to Kid. It was too easy to drop back into that familiarity, the comfortable ways in which they used to banter with each other and the ease with which they used to partner up on missions. “It fucking sucks like you wouldn’t believe. They’re constantly playing ABBA.” 

RJ had never thought that Kid was being kind to him out of the goodness of his own heart—he must have been getting something out of their friendship as well, but the feeling of brotherhood he had with the older man was enough to make RJ momentarily forget about whatever ulterior motives that Kid might have had. He just wanted that feeling back. 

He sniffed once, rubbing his nose and pretending like he didn’t when he looked back up at Kid. “Let’s go to the diner,” he said, not quite ready to let anyone into his space yet. It was a bit too close to home, a bit too much all at once. He needed his space where he could be away from the world. Including Kid. 

-

He smiled, knowing the other was already beginning to relax around him, it wouldn’t be all that quick of course, given the most undignified way he’d left the people who gave them purpose, but bringing RJ back into the fold was a greater priority since it could get him out of this city before he starter garnering too much attention. He didn’t like making waves in an ocean this deep. “Well now I’m sure they’re a decent band in their own right. If that’s your most monumental complaint perhaps the rink isn’t so bad after all. Though you won’t be able to convince me such a place isn’t beneath one of your considerable talents RJ.”

The boy was trained to kill, just like he was, and until he returned to what he knew Kid suspected he wouldn’t be happy. And he was just the person to make that clear. He tutted when RJ didn’t extend a home invitation, “Still determined to keep secrets are we?” he smiled, “I’d be annoyed but it just means your training wasn’t entirely wasted.”

“Lead on to this diner and do fill me on what you’ve been doing. It’s been sometime since you left with a certain dead body in your wake.” he let out a small chuckle, “Quite dramatic. Hydra were in a most awful fit for a few days. Luckily I managed to talk them down from any unpleasant choices.”    

“That’s pretty cool though, not ruffle any feathers and just live peacefully. Pretty sweet goal if you ask me actually.” Lark had no idea who this guy was but he seemed more than decent from what he could tell at first glance. Sure he was attractive and his accent was cute, but he didn’t really care about those things when Nathan had already wormed his way into his heart. This one he wanted to get to know though, maybe find out what kind of person he was deeper down. Wouldn’t hurt to make more friends. “Kindness is something I learned growing up, my childhood was a pretty weird one actually. Not many can relate I guess, but let’s just say I was less of a child and more of a science experiment.” he smiled. “Mochi definitely likes the attention though, but he won’t get that big though, he’s like small-medium, or at least his breed is.” he mused. “He’s been sweet and attached to me ever since he was a baby, and well I’ve had him since he was born actually, I know the owner of his mom, and she wanted me to have one of the babies, mochi sorta picked me since he was a bit restless until he was placed in my lap.” he said, retelling the story of how he got his pup. “My favorite plant is the hyacinth I just find it so beautiful, and the myth behind the flower tragically beautiful as well. Hmm, no suit I see. How’s about I treat you to a meal or give some sort of gift, makes sense to start off a friendship with your best foot forward. I used to be a warrior when I was younger, but I was just too good at it, but I didn’t get to be a kid, so I’m just trying to live my life without creating many ripples.”

“I do believe it is an almost unobtainable goal in this current world but I do try my best.” he said with a nod, after all, the benchmark of a true assassin would be to avoid detection before, during and after the job. He blinked slowly, “My, my. That is quite the interesting childhood I gather. You are a most open fellow with a stranger you happened to meet on a park bench. You would be smart to make sure you aren’t talking to some villain in disguise.” he chuckled. Kid didn’t consider himself a villain, not really, he was just a cog in a much larger machine who desired to make the world a more controlled place. “I have always found myself more attracted to larger breeds of dog, as a younger man I desired one I could cuddle at night and then ride into battle the next day.” he smiled slightly the expression rather unreadable.

“Guess it’s what I love doing, making sure strangers dreams come true you know. Not an easy job, but someone has to do it.” Lark mused, flashing the man a smile. “You are though, cute that is, not just your accent, but you.” he was just honest without skipping a beat, listening to the way Kid got his nickname. “Hmm, me too actually, I was always the runt of the group, but I’m all grown up now, sorta.” he laughed. “He’s been with me ever since he was born, so he’s a bit on the attached side, yea.” watching an arm sprout out and scratch his puppy behind the ears. “Now that’s a cool power. Exotic plants, huh? Cool. I actually run a tailoring business, figured it was the best way to use my powers. Fashion designer extraordinare, but I also design suits for people like us. I’ve designed and made things for mutants who needed clothes that could actually handle their powers, and that’s where I come in. It’s not much, but it’s what I can do.”

-

Kid chuckled softly, “I cannot claim to have any such lofty goals myself, I am simply trying my best to move through this world and not make too many big ripples where I step.” Or at least, none that people could detect; hence his reluctance to fulfil his orders in this city. “Well, you are most kind, and indeed complimentary. I would be remiss if I did not return your gesture.” he smiled slightly, “Though I do believe your pup is perhaps the cutest of us here. Much like yourself and I, I suspect he too shall grow up into a bigger fella pretty soon. Though I doubt he’ll be any less attached to your person; dogs are faithful in that respect.” The disembodied hand continued to lavish the puppy with attention, scratching and massaging his head as Kid continued, “I do enjoy it. And yes, I find plants most interesting things to work with, so elegant in their designs. Now,” his brow rose, “That is a talent. Sadly, I have no need of such a suit myself, I do my best to stay away from conflict in general. Mighty important though; a warrior must be dressed for battle after all.”    

“Jesus Christ, I fucking hate you,” RJ said, flailing at the arms that gripped at his head. He hated when Kid did this kind of thing, but he didn’t actually hate Kid himself. Kid had been like an older brother to RJ when the two of them were isolated from the rest of the world, meant to be trained into ultimate assassins and agents for the shadowy organization.      

Even now, it was hard for RJ to separated out those feelings from the need to run, to escape HYDRA’s clutches as best he could. The only real family he felt he ever had was Kid—he was the only one who could truly understand RJ because he had been there through all of it. He was the only one who had ever even been there when RJ had been suffering under HYDRA’s control. He was the only one who ever told RJ he was worth a damn. 

RJ felt his jaw tremble slightly but he kept his steely expression. He needed to be strong now. “You promise you’re not here to kill me?” He narrowed his eyes at Kid. “Seriously. I don’t—I don’t want to get into this with you. I don’t want—” He huffed out a breath. “I don’t want to fight you.” 

“Now I would be most awfully offended if ya happen those nasty words.” he chuckled lowly, “As it so happens my particular insight into your angsty little brain makes me think ya happen to be lashing out. Not that I blame you, I too would find myself most irritated if I had to pass the time in such a hell hole.” he gestured back to the roller rink and shook his head in displeasure.

It was almost too easy. When RJ had arrived he cared little about the boy, more concerned with the Hydra officials noticing him, validating him. But instead he developed a kind of kinship with the boy he hadn’t expected and it turned out those feelings of being needed came from a different source; one he was unwilling to part with.

He sighed, stepped closer again and pulled the boy into a hug, swaying a little from side to side, “Silly boy,” he said gruffly, “Course you don’t wanna be fighting me,” he pulled back after a moment and smiled, “You’d lose. Now c’mon, we’ll go back to your place and you can catch me up properly on what you have been doing.”    

“It’s cute,” Lark mused as he offered the man a smile as Mochi sniffed around. “That’s a pretty cool name, I’m just Lark though, but kid’s a cool nickname.” Taking out a little portable bowl he sat next to JC, and poured water into the bowl for his new pup. “Mochi’s pretty energetic, but he’s nothing if not loving, he also doesn’t like leaving me alone, I can’t even shower alone because he’ll just cry at the door.” he laughed at his puppy’s tendencies. “So what brought you to Star City, cause it sure couldn’t be the breathtaking views or the sightseeing,” he teased. “Still, pretty happy to see another mutant, have you checked out the school?”

-

“Well it’s every young man’s dream to be referred to as cute by a complete stranger.” he said, the smile on his face enigmatic, “Lark it is. I happened to have acquired the nickname in my youth, I was the youngest of my friend group.” Which had actually been a ring of drug dealers but no need to bring that up at present. “What an attached little creature,” he said, an arm sprouting out from the ground to bend forward and scratch the top of the puppy’s head, “One of the benefits of my ability, I’m quite useful at petting animals.” he paused a moment and continued, “Oh I am here on business. I trade in exotic plants and have several clients within this fine city who desire some of my wares. And yourself?”

“Yeah, I’ve noticed,” he said, shaking his head. He sighed. “Miss would be putting it strongly.” It wasn’t that he completely despised Kid, but he certainly hadn’t missed the way that he would use his powers just to freak Floyd out. Floyd wrinkled his nose slightly. “The last time I played cards with you, you cheated me out of a hundred bucks,” he pointed out. “You have no concept of playing fairly.” Not that Floyd did, either.

-

Kid only smiled, he found there was power in fear, in people not knowing where he’d (quite literally) pop up from next. “Aww, come now.” he stepped closer and reached out, cupping Floyd’s chin, “I think we both know your life would be a great deal less exciting without me. And besides, I happened to use that money to buy us both several beverages afterwards, so it didn’t go to waste.” As for playing fair? Losing in their profession often meant dying, not a risk he was willing to take.

“You know how much I fucking hate your creepy hand shit,” he said, his face wrinkling into a scowl as Kid walked towards him. RJ was certain that this was it, that HYDRA was coming after him and he wasn’t going to be able to hold them off any longer. It was only a matter of time, after all, though RJ had been hoping that he’d have more than just a few weeks, but a few weeks of freedom was better than none at all. 

RJ took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “More or less,” he replied, feeling the weight of the gun he kept hidden in his bag and wondering how long it would take for him to grab it—and if he could do so before Kid got to him. He realized he couldn’t, so he’d have to find a way to get it into a more opportune position before he could go on the offensive. 

“Why should I believe you?” he asked, his brow furrowing. Would HYDRA really let him go? He wanted that more than anything. He just wanted to be on his own. His shoulders relaxed slightly when Kid spoke again, and a frown worried at his lips. “Really?” 

-

“I do. Maybe if ya didn’t act up so much when I caught ya out the way I do I wouldn’t find it so funny.” Of course it was difficult for people not to be unnerved by him, Kid was pretty special that way. And skilled. Skilled enough to bring RJ back into the fold and get them both out of this city before he had to act on his orders and start killing more prominent targets, this was a big pond with very big he’d prefer didn’t notice him.

“Silly boy.” he shook his head, “If I was ordered to dispatch of your fine self you’d be dead by now.” to emphasise his point (and creep RJ out again) two arms sprung up from the boy’s shoulder’s and gripped the top and bottom of head, “One lil’twist and pop goes your neck.” he chuckled, letting the arms vanish. “But I have not. And have you ever known me to deny an order?”

He tutted quietly, “Why of course. You’re like a baby brother to me, one who deserves whatever makes him happy. I just didn’t want you leaving me that way after all we’ve been through.” he put his real hand under RJ’s chin and lifted his face up a little, “Ah truly am so pleased you are unharmed RJ.”      

Floyd tried to ignore it at first—the feeling of fingers crawling up his back. He was certain that it was just his mind playing tricks on him, but as the feeling persisted, he was certain: Kid was back in town. “Kidman, I swear to fucking god, if you don’t stop that shit right now I’m going to shoot you,” he said, reaching his hands around to his back to scratch at the trail that the disembodied fingers had traced up his spine, feeling his skin crawl at the feeling. “Jesus-fucking-christ you’re creepy.” 

-

Kid only chuckled when he was rumbled, “Why thank you, I do my best to be just a little bit unnerving, it’s rather enjoyable.” he stepped out from behind the corner and smirked, “I take it you haven’t missed me then Floyd?” he asked coyly, “And after all the fun we’ve had together.” With his real hands behind his back he walked closer, “I thought we could have a little catch up while I’m in town on business. Maybe play a few hands o’cards?” he asked, raising a brow at his own little play on words.  

RJ hated the monotony of his life these days, but he had to keep reminding himself: monotony was safe. Monotony was what would keep him on the straight and narrow and out of HYDRA’s clutches. Monotony was what would keep him alive. RJ slung his skates over his shoulder by their tied laces along with his backpack as he left his closing shift at the roller rink that night, wondering what he was going to do with himself for the rest of the evening now that he had some free time. It wasn’t like he was sleeping that much these days, anyway. 

When he felt the tap on his shoulder, he immediately whirled around, peering into the darkness for whoever had touched him. Then, when the arm suddenly came out of his stomach and gripped at his throat, panic started to rise in his chest, and he shoved the hand off, panting lightly as he looked around for Kid. 

“Fuck you,” he spat. “You know how I hate that shit.” He pressed his lips into a thin line, regulating the frantic pace of his heart. “What do you want?” 

-

“There’s really no need ta use such ugly language RJ, I know Hydra raised you better than that.” he said with a little pout, walking casually towards the other down the alley. “An’ besides, you know I can’t resist playing with you a little bit.” When he was only a few paces away from the other he paused and looked him up and down, assessing, looking for any injuries or changes. “I don’t know why you seemed so worried, Do you think I’m here ya kill you after the most undignified way you left our organisation?” he clicked his tongue, “I can see why you’d be worried about that.”

He let the silence go for a few more moments before smiling, “But, you are important ta me and I would never let something like that happen. In fact I’ve been pleading your case to our superiors these last few months. It was just awful the way you’ve been manipulated and it hurt me ta see you so distressed.”

He came closer still and put a hand on the other’s shoulder, “No one’s gonna after you, I’ve seen to it.” Kid smiled, “I’m so glad to see you’re okay RJ. You had me worried sick.”