I'm just a mess, really.

She tore through the hallway and into the living room, wasting no time as she yanked open every shelf and drawer in sight. Dressers, tables, even the couch cushions—she searched them all.

Nothing.

“Shit,” she muttered under her breath, patience wearing thin.

Luckily, her girlfriend had a special ability—one that Merida liked to call Moana’s uncanny knack for always knowing when I'm home.

“Merida? Is that you?” Moana’s voice rang out from the bathroom, barely audible over the running shower.

Merida smirked. See? Superpowers. It's too loud for her to hear me coming in. No other explanation works.

But the amusement faded as quickly as it came.

Right—focus Merida, focus!

She groaned as Moana shut off the water. “Car keys. Do you know where they are?” she called out. Asking for help wasn’t usually her thing, but time was against her, and she didn’t have much of a choice.

Not waiting for an answer, she darted toward the bedroom, leaping over a stool in her path.

“They’re on the kitchen cupboard!” Moana shouted, her voice slightly muffled as she toweled off.

Merida skidded to a stop, turned on her heel, and dashed toward the kitchen.

Her eyes practically gleamed when she spotted the keys. “Gotcha!” she whooped triumphantly. This time, she moved at a more relaxed pace, making her way back toward the bathroom.

Moana was peeking out, her damp curls spilling over her towel-clad shoulders, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

“And now, are you ready?” she teased.

Merida grinned. “Nooooot yet,” she drawled, leaning in slightly, trying (and failing) to get a better peek at what the towel was hiding.

Rolling her eyes, Moana placed a warm hand on Merida’s cheek, tilting her face up tenderly.

“Not now, you dummy. You’ll be late,” she said, gently tucking a stray curl behind Merida’s ear—only for it to bounce right back a second later.

Merida titled her head with a pout, but decided that it’s fair. She changed her plans, and just gave Moana a wet smooch on a forehead.

Sighing, she put the lamp back and shuffled over to the window, not bothering to fix her hair or worry about her pajamas. That boy had seen her in worse states. With a blank expression, she pulled the window open.

“I thought you were a rapist,” she deadpanned, watching as Hiro carefully climbed inside.

“Yeah, because rapists totally knock before breaking in,” he shot back, just as monotone.

“Fair point.” She yawned, glancing at the clock. “It’s way too late for thinking. What are you even doing here?”

Hiro didn’t answer right away. Instead, he grabbed her hand and led her to the bed, sitting down with her. Then, leaning in closer—so close she could feel his breath against her ear and neck—he lowered his voice.

Violet suppressed a shiver. Way too early for goosebumps, she thought, praying he didn’t notice. Praying her hormones will shut up.

“I overheard something at the café today,” he murmured. “Someone said they have footage of the Futuristic Four. And not just any footage.”

She barely registered the distant sounds of Dash still playing video games in his room. Her focus was locked on Hiro now. She tilted her head slightly to meet his gaze. “What kind of footage?” she whispered.

“The kind where one of us shows their face.” His voice was serious, his expression even more so.

Her grip on his hand tightened. “Last mission?” Just then she realized he never let go of her hand.

Hiro nodded. Only then did he seem to realize they were still holding hands. He quickly let go, turning away as if suddenly fascinated by the wall.

“Well,” Violet started, just as flustered, “that sucks. Guess we’ll be seeing merch with our faces on it soon.”

Sarcasm was their best defense in situations like this.

“No, we won’t. I have a plan.” Hiro’s tone shifted back to business, as he looked at her again. “Meet me at the old factory at nine. The others know too.”

Violet couldn’t help but admire him for it. Determination, and always having a backup plan. But of course she couldn't have just say it. Wouldn't do that, never. So she didn't, instead, she decided to got back to teasing.

“Fine. But next time you knock on my window at this hour, you better bring snacks. Consider it payment for disturbing my beauty sleep.”

She stood up and extended her hand to him. Without hesitation, Hiro took it and let her pull him up. Just like that, the tension faded, replaced by familiar smiles.

With one last wave, Hiro climbed back out the window and disappeared into the night.

Violet didn’t linger either. She flopped back onto her bed, staring at the ceiling.

The black-haired boy saw the challenge in her eyes and accepted it without the slightest hesitation. He got up from the chair and with a smirk he sat next to her. He was just looking at her face, trying to look as calm as possible. Hiro wasn't stupid. He knew that if he didn't play it right, he would lose. That's why he decided to outsmart her. If she decides that it's over, that I've given up, she'll stop being careful. And that will be my victory, Hiro thought as calmness still reminded on his face.

Violet, on the other hand, didn't think too much about it. The challenge was sudden and quite childish. In the back of her head, she remembered that Hiro was a genius and he wouldn't have given up so easily, but the vision of winning so easily obscured her logical thinking.

How silly of her.

Even so, a victorious smile appeared on her face. “Oh, so you are ready to-pfhahahah” 

She never got to finish her sentence.

Hiro struck, fingers digging into her ribs, tickling her mercilessly. Violet was now laughing her head off, kicking her feet in the air and rolling side to side, trying to somehow push Hiro away from her. It didn’t work. Soon after her failed attempt to throw him off the bed Hiro was leaning more weight onto Violet to keep her in place. “No! Hiro! Stop this a-a-hahaha-already!” Violet’s laughter was now even louder than before and she had tears in her eyes from all that laughing.

Hiro chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Wow. I had no idea you were this ticklish!" His smirk widened at the sight of her curled up beneath him, laughter spilling from her lips. Two victories in one—he won the challenge and made her laugh like this.

But then, something shifted. As if gears in Violet’s head finally started moving.

She suddenly realized what was happening and covered her mouth with her hands, trying to stop herself from laughing. It’s not that she was scared or angry, it’s just that she realized that she was having a lot of fun with him. And also that she lost. He outsmarted her and now she was literally under him.

Moreover, she realized that the blushes on her face weren't there just for how long she was laughing. Hiro was literally on top of her. She could feel the warmth of his body and the way his fingers slide over her ribs, stomach, and armpits. And suddenly, she was blushing because of completely different reason, that’s for sure wasn’t from laughing this hard. 

But these feelings are normal for a teenager, right? It's just hormones, right?

Right?

“Violet?” Hiro stopped tickling her and looked at her with a slight concern. For a moment, all she was doing was staring at him. She wasn't laughing anymore, and as much as the situation had been funny to him before, Hiro didn't want Violet to feel uncomfortable because of him.

And also, it kinda creeped him out, seeing her zoning out on him.

Violet snapped back to reality, her eyes locking onto his. Seeing that his hands were no longer holding her down, she seized her chance—shoving him off with all her strength. Hiro tumbled onto the mattress beside her, blinking in surprise.

Violet lay there, panting. Regaining her breath after that much laughter—and the embarrassment—was no easy feat.

“You good?” Hiro leaned on his elbows and looked at the girl next to him. He wasn't angry at being pushed away. It's his fault he lost his alertness, and anyway, he got worried so it stopped being fun (this does not change the fact that he still felt like a winner). 

“And what do you think?” Violet finally answered, now a little less breathless. 

“That you are a mess- ouch!” She threw one of his own pillows at him. How heartless!

“I’m fine. Fine.” She couldn't deny that she was a little bit annoyed. But not because she lost (maybe a bit), but because of how she felt. It was a new feeling she hadn't felt before when she was in his company. It was something new and she didn't know how to react to it or what she should do now. It was still Hiro, but at the same time, now she couldn’t look at his face and just... not felt things she felt moments before. So, for now, she decided to forget about it. Hiro didn't realize how she felt, and that’s what matters. The blushes could be easily explained by laughter. That much was good.

Violet sighed and looked at the boy. She wasn't sure how long it lasted, how long she was tickled, but looking at his watch she assumed that it lasted a few minutes. Not too long but also not too short. 

Wow, she thought, no wonder that I was so out of breath.

“I will get my revenge for it. Someday.” She only said, yanking the pillow from his hands, and placing it under her head to make herself settle down more comfortably.

“I don't expect anything else” he also stretched out on the bed next to her. “I will wait for it. And I will win again.” He smirked and soon enough Violet's hand hit his chest. Not gently, but not too hard. Violet used only so much force to let him know that next time it won't be so easy. He won’t deceive her that easily again.

Violet huffed and smacked his chest—not hard, but firm enough to let him know he wouldn’t trick her so easily next time. Hiro got the message loud and clear. He grinned, but this time, it wasn’t a cocky smirk. Just a simple, genuine smile. He rarely spent time with Violet like this. Not that she was boring or that they never spent time together just laughing. But it was probably the first time they had been so close, physically, laughing and just enjoying each other's company. Moreover, Violet wasn't angry, it looks like she was having a good time herself. Maybe that laugh was triggered by ticklishness, but Violet doesn't seem to be complaining too much about it. This little challenge was a good idea after all.

Hiro took her hand and placed it in the open space on the bed between their bodies. Still holding her hand, even squeezing hit gently, he said the next sentence.

“I see. You are your dad’s daughter after all, huh? With that strength…”

“Just shut up already.”

Violet let him hold her hand, even though they both knew she could take her hand away with ease.