Monique Star

"Wouldn't dare, Spark," Eddie's chest rumbled with a quiet chuckle. The pair settled around you, one on each side. While you still weren't used to the idea, you allowed them to put their arms around you - the quiet affection foreign to you.

The next morning was when it settled.

You woke to sunlight, and an empty double bed; muffled voices outside the door in the kitchen.

"Do they even like pancakes? Eddie, what if they don't like pancakes?" Volt's voice, volume lowered by the closed door, you recognised.

"Volt, relax. If they don't like pancakes, there's other options on the table. Bacon, eggs, even the vegan sausages you bought at the store. It's fine. Relax," Eddie reassured him. You looked out the window, taking a deep breath before getting out of the bed.

You walk out to the kitchen area, stopping in the doorway, observing the couple. A month ago, you would've arrested them on the spot for their crimes, thrown them behind bars. But now, it was different. They were yours, and you'd decided to trust them... for now.

Volt was sat on the counter, while Eddie was cooking on the opposite side, the frying pan sizzling. Plates of delicious food sat on the dining table, stacked high. They must've paid a lot of money to source all of it.

"And what's this?" You inquired, a brow raised as you walked in. Your arms crossed, looking to the couple.

"Breakfast," Eddie remarked simply, gesturing with the spatula to the dining table. Volt hopped down from the counter, looping his arm around your shoulder and guiding you to the table, helping you rest in a chair.

"Help yourself, my dear," Volt regaled, placing a plate in front of you, "There is a lot of options."

"I can see that," You chuckled, feasting your eyes on the vast breakfast food buffet, "You both didn't have to go to all this trouble."

"Yes, we did, Spark," Eddie called from the stove, "Don't hit me with that bullshit about not wanting to be cared for again. Money is no object, quit worrying."

"I wasn't going to!" You protest, picking out the food you wanted, "And, for your information, I wasn't concerned for your bank account. Not for one second."

"I saw your eyes when you looked at the table, Spark, don't try and lie to me," Eddie retorted, raising a brow, "Just eat. You need the strength."

"Aw, does the big bad Cable worry about me? Adorable," You tease him. He huffs, turning back to the stove with an amused smile.

Breakfast was good. The company was even better.

Volt regaled you with dramatic retellings of their various 'adventures' (crimes), while you listened, internally noting everything he was saying. Not for a case file, just so you could remember what he was really enthusiastic about.

After breakfast, they helped you back to the sofa, and turned on the TV to more news of your absence. People were begging for your return, your family and colleagues being interviewed for their thoughts.

Your thoughts swirled quickly in your head. You couldn’t go back now. Not like this. Not with them on your mind like they are.

“Live Wire?” Volt piped up, the channel changed to a random old movie, “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just fine,” You replied too quickly, Eddie’s brow furrowed at the speed.

“Very convincing, Spark. Wanna run that ‘I’m fine’ again?” He asked sarcastically.

Instead of humouring him, you just sat back, watching the movie. They didn’t want to cause any harm, so they stayed quiet. But they could see in your eyes that the news channel disturbed you in a way that couldn’t be fixed by just letting you go.

“You do realise this could cost my whole career?” You ask them, after a while of silence, “This whole… thing we have. I could lose my license, my job… I could lose everything to this.”

“Yes. But we, dear live wire, are very selfish,” Volt explained, “We just want you. Society can wait its turn.”

“I’ve been working for this my entire life. Training, school, extra training for the patrols… And I’m just throwing it away,” You rambled, “And for what? Love? I don’t even know if it is love, or if you’re just infatuated, but either way I can’t rely on that. I… I have so much to lose.”

“They can wait a few more days. You’re still injured, Spark, remember that,” Eddie reassured you, pulling you gently into his side, while Volt settled his head into your lap. You tentatively touched his hair, feeling a buzz of static as you ran your fingers in the frizz. You looked at Eddie, his eyes fixed on you.

“Where’s my phone?” You asked him, “I know I carry it on patrols… where is it?”

“On the table, where it’s been since day one, Spark,” He explained, “Did you want to use it?”

“I just want to tell everyone I’m ok. They think I’m kidnapped, or worse… I just want to tell them I’m ok,” You explain, almost whispering. Volt got up, then, collecting your phone from the table and handing it to you. It worked, as it should have, and was fully charged, “It’s charged…” You murmured.

“Of course it’s charged. We never stopped you from using your phone, Spark,” Eddie piped up, already watching the next movie on the channel.

You unlocked the phone, messaging your best friend – you knew they’d pass on the news to everyone else. You’d had 100+ missed calls, and several thousand texts from them already, so you replied appropriately.

‘ Hey, I’m ok and safe, sorry for worrying you xx’

A few seconds later, you saw the bubble of text typing.

‘Hey? That’s all I get? Glad ur safe but HOLY FUCK WHERE ARE YOU’

‘I’m in a safe area with trusted associates’

‘Ominous as fuck but ok’

‘I’ll let everyone know ur alive but bro wtf happened’

‘long story, tell u later xx’

‘NOT AN OPTION but I’ll allow it cause you’re safe. stay that way’

‘ofc ofc <3’

You closed your phone, leaning into Eddie and smiling.

“If you’d told me at the beginning of my career that I’d be cuddling with Cable, I would’ve called you a moron,” You remarked, putting your phone down. Volt settled his head back into your lap, and you continued playing with his hair.

“Yeah, but if you’d told us that we’d be cuddling the hero pest that could never catch a break, we’d have called you crazy,” He replied, using one hand to play with your hair, his arm curled around your shoulder.

You spent the whole day like that. Cuddle, then a meal, before more cuddling. They left you alone in the evening so they could each shower and change for bed, though. You left the sofa, going out to their balcony.

Chilled air hit your skin, fresh and crisp as you took a deep breath. You looked up, the stars glittering in the dark sky. A cloudless night.

You reminisced on the past month. The injury, then waking up on the couch of your perceived enemies while they tried to care for you. Then, their confession, and the subsequent day you’d rather enjoyed.

It was baffling. You’d gone from a respected hero to the unexpected secret lover of two renowned super villains. Not like you’d ever tell anyone. You couldn’t, it would ruin your whole life.

But you’d have love, and isn’t that important too?

“Penny for your thoughts?” Volt came up behind you, startling you, “Sorry, did I come at a bad time?”

“A dime,” You held out your hand. Volt mimed handing you an invisible coin, rolling his eyes playfully.

“Inflation these days. So, tell me, what is on that beautiful mind of yours, Live Wire?” He asked again, leaning against the balcony railing next to you.

“I’ve spent my entire life focused on one thing; being a hero. I started my career chasing after you both, and… now I can’t justify carrying that on,” You explained, staring out at the stars on the horizon.

“What do you mean?” He pushed, nudging your shoulder gently.

“I don’t think I can be a hero and be with you and Eddie,” You elaborated, “And between the two… Well, today has been, quite bluntly, the best day I’ve had in a very long time.”

“You don’t have to choose, Live Wire. This isn’t an ultimatum,” He reassured you.

“It is, though, Volt. In my line of work… it’s my career, or this. I know what I want, but it’s not about what I want. Want is something I’m not allowed to do,” You rambled, “Heroes don’t want, they don’t love criminals, or bend the lines of morality, that’s not what they do, Volt, it’s not!”

“Well, my dear, it seems you’ve come to your own conclusion, haven’t you?” He asked softly, staring at your eyes as they welled with tears, “Oh, dear, none of those, not now. I won’t allow it,” He wiped the first with his thumb, the touch soft against your cheek.

“I’m not a hero,” You stated, letting the tears run as you finally admit it to yourself, “Not anymore. I can’t be. I want this. I want this more than I’ve wanted anything else, I don’t care.”

You look at Volt, tears running down your cheeks.

“I don’t want to be a hero if it means I have to leave you and Eddie. I don’t think I can,” You admit, to which his head tilts, a fond smile dancing on his lips.

“Live wire, if that is what you desire, that is what you shall have,” He said, his tone gentle but you could tell he meant it. With that in the air, he placed an arm around your shoulder, gently guiding you inside and closing the balcony doors, leading you to the bedroom.

Eddie was already half asleep, laid on his side, facing the bedroom door. Volt helped you onto the bed, and you slotted next to Eddie, placing your back to Eddie’s chest. Instinctually, his arms pulled around you, as he groggily kissed the back of your head.

“G’night, Spark…” he mumbled.

Volt laid in front of you, his hand going around to the back of your head, playing with your hair as you doze off against his chest, your legs tangling with the pairs’.

“Goodnight, Live Wire. Goodnight, dear Eddie,” Volt uttered, kissing your forehead before settling.

“Goodnight…Sweet dreams,” You replied to both, letting your eyes close.

Their heartbeats were either side of you, the combined warmth of the two covering you in a comfortable blanket. The weight of their arms, and Volt’s hand in your hair, pulled you into sleep, letting the cold night air drift in the window and curl around you, undisturbed.

No matter what happens next, you know one thing for certain. Eddie and Volt will back whatever decision you make with great enthusiasm and support you however you will let them.

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Thank you for reading! Feel free to comment, reblog and like the post, i appreciate all the support!

You’d been on the search for the Breaker Box Boys from your first day on the job. They’re a duo, Eddie and Volt – but you’ve called them the Breaker Box. Volt – also known as Lightning – releases electric signals from his body (you have yet to figure out how he gets the excess energy to push out). Eddie – known as Thunder or Cable, depending on how old they are – also has the ability to release electric pulses, but has the additional capacity to manifest and control wires. You’ve seen it yourself, he’s tied you up in them a few times. A winding, twisting network on your limbs, keeping you held there.

In the interim between Breaker Box cases, you did the usual hero stuff around town. Saving cats from trees, babies from trees, people from unstable buildings, the usual. That particular day, you were on the patrol circuit. Centre of town, out to the park, then back around to the border, and back to the centre for nightfall briefing. With your airbending, you could travel anywhere without having to place a foot on the ground, meaning your superiors gave you a much wider patrol route. People mostly call you Whistle, and everyone around town knows Whistle.

You’d already been gliding for a while, and had already saved a cat from a tall tree. But you’d heard on the radio about a robbery on your circuit, so gave the lovely feline to its owner before rushing off in the wind.

Things had not gone well. Despite retrieving the hostages, the criminals had gotten away, leaving you to stand with officers to determine next moves. While conversing, stood on the ground for once, a truck with tinted windows sped around the corner. Quickly, the officers ducked for cover, but you didn’t have time to react before it hit, tires squealing on the tarmac as the criminals sped off inside.

You'd felt the impact, the scrape along your legs as gravel collected in your skin. Your head collided with the concrete, your shoulders and arms taking some damage too. You felt the blood seep from your skin, an uncommon warmth, as muffled voices came into view.

"Cable, what do we do? We can't just leave them…" You recognised that voice anywhere; the gentle twang of received pronunciation. Volt. Why was he here?

"I think we can, Lightning. If they wake up and we're still here, they're just going to arrest us again. The hassle to get back out is just too much, man," the second uttered, urging his partner away from your bleeding body.

With all the energy you could muster, you rasped, "What… are you doing?" as Lightning scooped you up.

The next thing you know, you're waking up on a couch. A plush, comfortable, large, cushioned, very unfamiliar couch. You try and sit up, wincing as you feel a sharp pain.

"Stay down. You don't wanna move yet," Someone chimed in from your side, sat in an armchair of equal comfort. Eddie. From looking at him, he wasn’t in his usual villainous garb – no wonder officers hadn’t arrested both of them; they’d been in disguise as normal civilians, likely telling cops that they were taking you to the hospital. You were gonna have strong words with the police force after this was all done.

"Cable," You said lowly, "Is this some ploy to get my mask off? Again? It's not gonna work."

"Too late, sweetheart, it's already off," He remarked flippantly, gesturing to the coffee table where your mask sat perched. You raised a hand to your face, not finding the usual texture of the mask.

"Shit."

"Yeah, we needed to get to your whole face to clean the blood," He explained. Mentioning that, you could feel where they'd cleaned. Your skin felt softer than ever.

"Lightning gave you a face mask while you were out. He used a refreshing one, hope you aren't allergic to them," Cable continued, sipping a crystal glass of what looked like neat whiskey.

"Come now, Eddie, the poor thing is in our home, they can at least call us by name," Another voice swooped in - Lightning, presumably, "This is Eddie, and I am Volt, but you know that already, don't you, Live Wire?"

Lightning (Volt) had been calling you that since they'd first encountered you. You'd grabbed one of Eddie's wires, and subsequently got shocked hard, but remained standing; hence, Live Wire became your moniker to them.

"It's Whistle," You remarked quietly, looking away from the pair.

"Is it, though?" Lightning asked. Even if he'd insisted you call them by name, he had no power over how you refer to them internally.

"Just because you forcibly removed my mask, doesn't mean you get to know my name," You persisted, your body aching. Instead of respecting that, Cable looked at his phone and read out your full name, before deadpan staring at you. You tutted, rolling your eyes, "It's Whistle."

"What about a compromise, and we stick to Live Wire?" Lightning suggested. You rolled your eyes again, before sighing.

"Fine. But don't expect me to answer to anything but that and Whistle. Got it?" You digressed but emphasised your want to avoid your civilian identity.

They'd respected your wishes, thankfully, however Cable came up with a new nickname for you of his own: Spark. Now they both had nicknames for you that had to do with electricity… how original. The news was reporting of your absence, your superiors and family pleading for your safe return, but Cable and Lightning reassured you that you were safe and they wouldn't kill you. You were forced to trust their word.

One night, 3 weeks into your absence, you were sitting with the pair. Unfortunately, over those three weeks, they’d cared for you enough that you reluctantly enjoyed their company. They’d kept you on the sofa, but sometimes Lightning indulged himself by lifting your head into his lap and playing with your hair while rambling about their latest deviancies.

“Dear Eddie was so well organised the entire time, it was a marvellous sight,” He raved, citing Cable’s actions on their recent outing.

“Volt, you’re incriminating yourself,” Cable grumbled from the same armchair as always, “Besides, didn’t you have an actual question for them?”

“Ah, yes… Live Wire, would you answer me honestly?” Lightning inquired, looking down at your tired face, your wounds healing well.

“Uh… I suppose, just once,” You murmured. You were far too tired to hold a filter on your words.

“Why do you not rest?” He questioned, concern in every word. His brows furrowed, a small tilt to his chin. Volt was always so expressive.

“What is that supposed to mean?” You protested.

“It means all your vitals suggest malnourishment and lack of sleep, Spark. Answer him,” Eddie chimed in.

“Why should I? You’re bad people, I should be arresting you.” You retorted sharply.

“But you haven’t,” Eddie remarked.

“No, but I should. Why should I answer any of your questions? You don’t care about me, you care that I’m weak and vulnerable, and you want to worm your way into my mind so I lower my guard so you can just destroy me. I get it,” You rant, not seeing their eyes meet over you.

“And what gave you that impression, Live Wire?” Volt asked.

“The fact that I’ve seen your rap sheet?” You retorted.

“Well… That isn’t what makes us,” Volt answered, quietly, resuming his playing with your hair. You don’t have the energy to move, “In fact, quite the contrary. Your chasing of us is rather endearing, at least to myself. I cannot speak for Eddie.”

“It’s cute,” Eddie piped up.

You’re confused, of course. The pair that had been the bane of your career, paperwork a mile high, thought you were cute? Why were you calling them their names in your head? You must be high. Did they give you something?

“No, we didn’t,” Eddie piped up again. You must’ve said that last bit out loud.

“So… why did you bring me here instead of a hospital?” You hesitated to ask. The answer might not have been what you wanted to hear.

“We brought you here because Eddie wanted to care for you himself. And I wanted to get to know you. Not like you’ve been very receptive to our advances, nor our enjoyable activities, so we got unorthodox. As soon as you’re healed, you will be free to go again. But right now, you are still very much injured, Live Wire,” Volt explained.

“I already agreed to that, didn’t I?” You asked harshly.

“Yes, you did, and now we are keeping you to it,” Volt answered calmly. It made you feel a little guilty for being so cautious.

You all stayed silent for a bit, the pause hanging in the air. Then, you started talking again.

“It’s hard to find time between my patrols and missions to get sleep. Or meals. I try my best, but balancing it isn’t easy. Especially with you two running around being deviant assholes all the time. They’ve got me on call at the station specifically for your alerts,” You admit, deciding you might as well talk about it.

“Was that so hard, Spark?” Eddie asked smugly, glad they got you to open up a little.

“Yeah, it was,” You replied, turning onto your side with a small groan, so they couldn’t see your face.

When you were allowed to sit up on your own, they tried to question you again.

“Come on, we’re friends now, right? Please, Live Wire,” Volt prodded after asking you about your life again.

“You can’t keep giving me puppy dog eyes just to learn. Besides, what do I get in return?” You retorted, sipping at a drink Eddie had made.

“That is a good question. How about a wager?” Volt suggested, “You answer my questions honestly, and I will answer one of yours in return. A game, of sorts.”

“Deal,” You said, without much hesitation. Questions bubbled from various cases.

“My turn first,” Volt started, “Why be a hero, of all professions?” He leaned back in anticipation, one leg crossing over the other, hands clasped in his lap.

“Loaded question,” Your brows furrowed as you spoke, “I wanted to help people. I wanted to make the world a little better than I started it in. There’s a ton of reasons.”

“But why did you choose it?” Volt tried to push.

“Hey, it’s my turn,” You dodged the question, “Why be a villain?”

“I wouldn’t use that term. But to answer your question, I loathe societal limitations. Why should someone trying to feed their family go to jail?” He posed the hypothetical as though it were a real puzzle.

“Because stealing goes against… it goes against the arbitrary rules a handful of people endorsed centuries ago. And while arbitrary, and frustrating, they are in place for the safety of the population,” You answer, “I’ll give you that one for free.”

He chuckled, shaking his head, “Well, I suppose I cannot convince you. Nevertheless, I will persist. Why haven’t you killed us?”

That one stopped you in your tracks. You took a deep breath, thinking hard, before slowly explaining, “You… caught me in a vulnerable, highly injured state. Even if I wanted to do anything, I couldn’t. You think I didn’t think about it?”

“Of course you did. But why haven’t you now? When you’re clearly able to, and you’re still talking to me. Why not use that energy to break us to pieces instead? Why haven’t you called for backup, or contacted your friends? Live Wire, why haven’t you done anything to stop us?” He interrogated, prodding into your weakest spot.

“I haven’t done anything because,” You paused, words stuck on your lips, “Because there’s no one to contact. Or energy to use. Or a motive to use it,” you admitted, looking into your cup as if it would give you an answer, “It’s not like you haven’t accommodated me.”

“Is it only because of that?” Volt pushed.

“Hey, you already got one freebie, don’t push your luck,” You replied. He held his hands up in surrender.

“Alright, I digress,” He remarked. You thought for a moment, trying to pick your best question to ask.

“Why haven’t you killed me? You could’ve, way back then, and you didn’t. Why?” You decided to ask, turning the question he’d asked into reverse. It stumped him a moment.

“Because you’re very dear to me, Live Wire,” He answered simply, “Very dear, indeed.”

That’s how that activity ended, as Eddie wandered back into the room and talked to Volt about their next plans. You tuned them out, looking out of the window to the sky. Pinks, blues, oranges, reds filled the sky like a high-quality painting. You sighed.

Over the next 3 days, both of them kept lecturing you every time you stood up, citing your injuries and weakness as a reason to stay seated forever. You couldn’t even walk to the bathroom, one of them had to carry you.

You felt humiliated.

You confronted them, “Why do you both keep doing that?” Your tone was harsh, and sharp.

“Because you keep overdoing it, and one of these days it’s going to kill you!” Eddie exclaimed. You were taken aback, blinking confusedly.

“Spark, you were on the verge of dropping before that truck got to you. If not for us, if not for this, you’d be dead. Dead. Why can’t you just accept help for once?” He pressed on, frustrated at your continued defiance. Silence hung in the air, tension clouding the room.

“Why do you care so much?” You questioned, tears in your eyes, “Why haven’t you just gotten rid of me already if I’m so damn bad?”

“Because we love you!” He screamed, “We care about you, we want to help you, we love you! So get over it already!”

That made you pause. You looked between the pair. Volt’s hand on Eddie’s shoulder, Eddie breathing heavily as the adrenaline sped in his veins. Cables lifted from the floor, his power out of control from the sheer force of emotion surging in him. He was losing control because of you.

“I didn’t know that’s how you felt,” You spoke quietly, “I’m sorry for agitating you. I’ll go to the guest room, give you some space… I’m sorry.”

A few hours later, they both come into the spare room, while you’re laid facing away. You can hear them shuffling on the bed, but you don’t look.

“Live Wire, please… you shouldn’t get up, but we need to see you,” Volt spoke first, softly and quietly, trying not to startle you. You didn’t follow, staying faced away.

“Spark, I’m sorry for yelling. But you gotta understand where I’m coming from here, you… you know, right?” Eddie asked, and you felt his hand touch your shoulder. You didn’t shake it off. They both took that as a sign, and Eddie rolled you onto your back, where you just stared at the ceiling.

“You just told me that the two people I’ve been chasing to arrest for the longest time, somehow love me… What do you expect of me?” You ask, quietly, they could barely hear you.

“Nothing, my dear, nothing at all,” Volt moved first, lifting your torso and head so he could slip behind you, resting your head in his lap so he could play with your hair, “We expect nothing. But, maybe… you could let us help you? We may be criminals by law, but you haven’t been mishandled, right?”

“I suppose not… Just, don’t make me regret it,” You reply, curling into Volt. Eddie cups your cheek.

“Wouldn’t dare, Spark.” ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Live wire, there you are!” Volt’s voice immediately calls to you from across the room. You think to yourself he must’ve been watching the door closely even while hosting, and you smile as he approaches. He extends his hand to you and you offer him…your left hand. You’ve only ever offered him your right. 

“I do not believe I’ve ever had the pleasure of receiving your left hand,” he arches a curious brow at you, but bends down to kiss your knuckles anyhow. 

“Maybe my left hand was getting a little jealous,” you joke. You feel a small swell of relief when he chuckles, his curiosity seemingly assuaged. He lets out a playful hum.

“Mm. Perhaps your left hand has a point. I should be giving both your gorgeous hands their due, shouldn’t I?” Aaaand all the relief leaves you. You can’t refuse; that would be too obvious!! So you let him take hold of your right hand, watching with bated breath as he presses kisses in a trail across your knuckles. But as he gets to the end, he brushes up ever so slightly against the small welt of your burn and–

You hiss. You manage to fend off the instinctual urge to pull your injured hand back toward you, but you can’t hold back the wincing, pained sound. Volt freezes. He calls your name softly, worried. He attempts to start rubbing soothing patterns on your skin with his thumb, but manages to touch the wound again.

“Ah-” you yelp, jumping a little from the sudden sharp pain. You close your eyes as you wince again. When you open them, Volt has found your burn. It’s small, but there is indeed a small blister, the skin irritated and red surrounding it. 

“Spark,” he says, worriedly, loudly, releasing your hand and instead tugging you in close by the small of your back. “Why didn’t you tell me you were hurt?!” You frantically press a finger to his lips before he can continue. Volt always tends to get a little louder when he’s worked up about something. 

“Shh!” You cast a quick glance over to the bar to make sure a certain Eddison Watts hasn’t overheard anything. “I didn’t tell you because it’s really not a big deal. It’s just a little burn. If it were a big deal, I would’ve said something. Honest.” Despite your reassurances, Volt’s rigid posture does not relax. He huffs and takes your hand in his, looking over your burn once more.

“You know, Eddie and I were beginning to worry about what was keeping you so long,” his voice is soft again, only for your ears, and you’re grateful for it. “It would appear we were right to do so.” 

“Really, Volt, it’s nothing. Do me a favor and keep this our little secret? We don’t need to worry-” A gruff voice, one that sounds the exact opposite of thrilled, calls– or, more accurately, growls– your name from the direction of the bar. ‘We don’t need to worry Eddie’ is what you were trying to say, but it appears you already have. You know there’s no saying no to him when he’s like this, so, with a pout that Volt thinks is extremely kissable, you let him guide you to your waiting boyfriend.

As soon as you sit down, Eddie is taking command.

“Let me see it,” he says, his tone leaving no room for protest. With a sigh, you softly set your right hand on the counter, palm down, burned skin visible. He makes a small ‘tsk’ sound as he takes your hand in his, lifting it to get a closer look. Despite his clear upset, his touch is gentle. Feather-light, even. He’s being so careful with you.

His brows furrow deeply as he assesses your wound. He’s scowling at your finger like it might need to be amputated.

“Eddie, it’s really not that serious.” He ignores your statement in favor of asking you a barrage of questions based on what little he knows about human medicine. (And also based on all the research he has done on human bodies/medicine since he met you.)

“Did you run cold water over it?” He asks.

“Yes.”

“For at least two minutes?”

“Yes.”

“Did you put ointment on it?”

“Yes.”

“Did you-”

“Yes! Whatever it is you’re going to ask if I did, yes!” You let out an exasperated laugh. “I promise you, Eddie, I’ve done everything I need to do. It’s a burn. It’s just going to look like that for a while. Really. It’s a normal, human thing for even slight burns to look a little icky.” The gruffer of your two boyfriends doesn’t seem convinced. He looks at your burn again, squinting. ‘Icky’ does seem an apt descriptor, at least…

“You’re sure you’ve done everything?” His voice betrays his skepticism.

“Yes, Eddie!” You look him in the eyes, pleading for him to believe you have this handled. You can feel Volt place a hand on your shoulder, and realize he’s probably giving Eddie a look of his own. A ‘trust them’ look. 

Eddie sighs. He looks like he’s about to speak, but he opts for something different. He pulls your hand to his lips and presses a slow, sweet, utterly doting kiss to your burn. He so gingerly touches his lips to your skin that it doesn’t even sting. The gesture makes your face flush just as red as your wound, something that Volt does not let go unnoticed.

“Oh dear, live wire, it appears you’ve managed to burn yourself here, as well,” he’s grinning, basking in your blush. He bends down to kiss your cheek, feeling the heat of the blood rushing there. “‘Kiss it better’ is a human saying, isn’t it? Eddie clearly knows it.~” The bartender in question has a small blush of his own, now, but ignores it to instead squeeze your hand softly.

“I still want to put a bandage on this, at least while you’re here at the bar. I don’t want any accidents.” You can tell he isn’t going to budge on his stance. You smile and nod.

“Sounds good.” 

“Don’t think I’m not coming along,” Volt purrs behind you. And, indeed, he follows you and Eddie into the back room where the first aid kit is kept. While Eddie gathers his supplies, Volt grabs a spare chair leaning against the wall. After placing it next to you, he promptly sits down…and tugs you onto his lap. 

“Comfortable?” He asks from behind you, his warm breath cresting over your ear. 

“For someone who was worried about me ten minutes ago, you sure like teasing,” you mumble, but still rest your back against his chest. “Yes,” you admit. “I’m very comfy.” Volt lets out a pleased hum sound again and kisses the top of your head just as Eddie turns around with the supplies he needs. 

“I know you said you already put some ointment on it,” he says as he approaches. “But I want to put some on, too, so the bandage doesn’t irritate your blister.” 

“You have a lot more knowledge on human injuries than I’d expect for someone made of circuits,” you give him a teasing look from your comfortable perch on Volt’s lap, eyes sparkling and half-lidded. “I wonder why that is.”

“Because you’re a clumsy dumbass who keeps hurting themself, that’s why,” he grumbles.

“So you admit you’ve done your research?~” You coo at him. Surprisingly enough, Volt spares Eddie from your mischief.

“We both have,” he says, giving you a little squeeze around the waist. “But you know what we haven’t found in all our research, live wire?” Oh. Oh, that’s why he saved Eddie instead of joining in. He has an ulterior motive. You resist the urge to gulp.

“...What?” You ask as Eddie finishes gingerly wrapping your finger. He looks it over and nods to himself.

“Why it is that our dear spark would hide an injury from us,” Volt lifts your hand to his face to appraise Eddie’s work, and seems very satisfied. But then his gaze turns to your face. So does Eddie’s.

“Well?” The wire-haired man arches a brow at you and crosses his arms. You huff.

“Okay, first of all, I don’t wanna hear a damn thing about hiding injuries from Eddison Watts,” you start, which gets a chuckle from both men and an added eye roll from Eddie. “Second of all, it really is just a small burn. Humans get hurt all the time; we bruise and burn and break way easier than you objects. You’re just built tougher than us. I guess, to me, a burn isn’t a big deal. I imagine for you, a very strong flame would be needed to burn you. For me, all it took was a slippery pot still hot from the stove.” You paused, and they really seemed to be taking in your explanation. 

“I won’t lie and say I didn’t mean to hide it from you. I did mean to. But I only wanted to hide it because I knew you two would freak out over something that, for me, is really ordinary. And I didn’t want to stress you guys out for nothing, not after all that you went through before.” 

“Live wire,” Eddie says, after a pause. It’s rare he calls you that, so it immediately has your attention. The grin on his face tells you that was his goal. But his expression softens into a genuine smile as he reaches forward and cups your face in his hands. 

“Listen to me,” he continues, and you feel Volt nuzzle into your neck. “Let us worry.” 

“It’s nothing to you, live wire,” Volt pulls away from your skin to speak. “But to us, it is everything, because you are everything. Do you understand?” The devotion in those words almost makes you want to cry. You don’t, but you get pretty damn close.

“Yeah,” you manage to whisper. “I do.”

“Good,” Eddie’s thumbs run back and forth across your cheekbones. “Now try to be less stupid next time, yeah?”