porcupine dad

A soft smile appeared before he answered. “That’s great, man. Seriously, you guys deserve all that happy domestic stuff.”

Roger let out a slight exhale of a laugh before his tone turned slightly serious, “Thanks, man. You do too, don’t forget that.”

“I’m not wrong, am I?”

“God, you’re stubborn, you know that?”

His question caught  her off guard and one shoulder automatically shrugged. “Better than I have been, I think. I’m getting used to this mutant shit.”

Roger nodded, giving Lana a hopeful smile, “That’s great. The mutant community can be pretty-- eh, chaotic at times, so that’s great to hear.”

“Yes, thank you. Leave us romantic misers alone.” Not that there weren’t options. There were too many, as it currently stood. Romance: something she and Clint needed to quit on but couldn’t. “Is she? No offense, but I was surprised when she popped one out originally after being all I hate kids, and then I was very concerned because it definitely seemed like Clint’s.”

“I’m not sure,” Roger shrugged, “It hasn't come up yet. And if she is, great. If not, that’s totally cool too. It’s her body. Her choice.” Sure, another child would be a joy. But maybe it wasn’t the best idea for two individuals with lives such as theirs.

“Hey,” Jess shot one back at him with her hands thrown up in surrender. “I’m a realist and therefore obligated to make those statements. Also, shut up. That  was a morbid compliment. Be flattered.” Her boots came off next and were tossed one on top of the other into the corner. The gross white shirt joined them before Jessica gave Roger a thumbs up and ambled down the hall. 

She loved him.

It hadn’t been the plan, but somewhere along the line Jessica had fallen in love with Roger. Before he had been a joke ( unfortunately ) a punny one of kinda crook you put behind bars while warming up for the real show. He was, of course, so much more than that. He was kind and considerate and had become a better person because that was the man Kali needed. By doing so, he became a man that Jessica wanted in her life. 

The water was blissfully warm on aching bones and bruised skin, but Jess knew she had to get out eventually or she would die in there. Wrapping herself in a clean towel she moved back out to where her husband was. “Maybe this is a good time to get a new costume.” She kicked at the discarded one. “A little I didn’t die again gift for myself.”

Roger waited patiently as Jessica ventured down the hall. He could hear the water in the shower start running and took that as his cue to throw the kettle onto the stove and retrieve one of Jessica’s favorite mugs from the cabinet above.

His life before had been nothing but making deals with shady individuals, running from the cops, constantly looking over his shoulder -- not knowing exactly where he’d be sleeping that night -- it was not the kind of life to be proud of. But now, practically a stay at home dad, Roger had found his purpose in life.

Just as Roger was getting lost in his continued train of absentminded thoughts, Jessica returned from her shower. Her comment about the uniform prompted Roger to retrieve the different components and transfer them to a laundry hamper nearby, “Sounds fair to me. You definitely deserve it.”

“Not this soft, Roger.” she laughed. “Maybe it’s a good look.”

“You think? I like to think it’s because of havin’ a kiddo around. It’s just-- imbued me with power. Dad power.”

She had been kidding ( mostly ) but his obvious concern was more funny than the joke. He didn’t look like anyone she’d tortured in Limbo so she was likely clear. “It’s my way of living. Why? What else would I do? Be sad and human like you?”

“Well, I wouldn’t say all humans are sad---” Roger shook his head, “Nevermind that, what kind of stuff do you like to do for fun?” Now he was just morbidly curious at this point.

“You’re welcome. I’m really working on my Yelp review writing skills. Em Jay says I should flag this one place we went to for having frozen meat but I’m a low life. I don’t know if I have it in me.”

“Here’s what I always ask myself, was the service good? Despite the frozen meat? If so, constructive criticism. Best way to go. You tell ‘em what they need to fix, but you’re not mean about it.”

“Revisit?” For half a moment, Felicia’s interest was piqued. “You know, to each their own. I suppose reruns of Judge Judy just don’t do it for everyone.” 

Felicia didn’t prod any further at the story of Roger’s previous stays in prison, and for that, the former petty thief was grateful, “Personally, I’m a Food Channel guy myself, but to each their own.”

“Old news.” Yelena repeated. “You people cling to things until you can jump to the next tragedy.”

“Maybe. But isn’t that just human nature? Or are we specifically talking about Americans? I don’t know if I should be offended yet or not.”

“Probably because we live in a world so messed up kids become heroes because they already know how bad it is.” There was no innocence anymore. They just had to use the gifts they had. “I’m not entirely a pessimist though, and this conversation is veering that way.”

“Alright, alright-- that’s my fault. I’ll change the subject. You’re Riri Williams, right? I’ve heard about you- and the suit you made? That’s badass.”

“I don’t like to complain. Where I grew up, we did not get to talk about our feelings. We dealt with it on our own. Sam almost killed me. I don’t know what to make of that. But others actually died. It makes me think I should just keep my mouth shut.” Her therapist thought otherwise.

“No, absolutely not. I’m no shrink, kid, but you went through some shit, talking about it seems like the least painful of all the options moving forward. But if you don’t know what there is to talk about, or ‘what to make of it’ rather, then you’ve just gotta find yourself a healthy distraction. Easy peasy.”

“I’d almost say that was an optimistic statement. Almost.”

“Hey, I’m working on it. It’s still a new concept to me, but I’ll get there,” Roger joked.

“Can’t be that much if it didn’t kill you. So, little.”

Roger blinked, exasperated by the girl’s stubbornness, “I mean, I guess.”

“I think it helps the workplace.” 

“So does your unwavering optimism,” Roger joked, before his expression turned a bit more sympathetic, “--you doing okay, kid?”

“Better than they ever been? My god, Roger, you’re making the rest of us jealous. Maybe you guys should ruin it and have another kid or something.”

“Fine, I’ll take me and my perpetual honeymoon phase bliss elsewhere,” he replied, pretending to be mildly offended, “--but hey, don’t joke about that. I’m open to the idea.”