Y/N had been working late, sprawled out on one of the couches in the lobby with his comic sketchbook open. The soft glow from the nearby lamp illuminated the unfinished drawings of his latest work, but exhaustion had taken over, and he had fallen asleep, his head resting on the edge of the couch, pencil still loosely held in his hand.

Charlie and Vaggie walked into the lobby, quietly talking about the day's events when they spotted Y/N, peacefully asleep with his comic supplies scattered around him. A gentle smile crossed Charlie's face.

Charlie: (softly) Aww, he's so cute when he's like this.

Vaggie walked over, gently taking the pencil from Y/N's hand and setting it down.

Vaggie: (smiling) He's always pushing himself too hard... but yeah, he's adorable.

Charlie carefully gathered up the comic book and supplies, placing them neatly on a nearby table. She looked down at Y/N, who was still completely out of it.

Charlie: (whispers) We should get him to bed.

Vaggie nodded, and the two of them worked together, lifting their boyfriend as gently as they could. Despite their efforts, Y/N stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent but staying mostly asleep. They quietly giggled as they carried him down the hall toward their shared room.

Once inside, Charlie and Vaggie carefully laid Y/N down on the bed, his body still limp with sleep. Charlie sat beside him, brushing his hair back from his forehead with a gentle touch.

Charlie: (softly) Let's get him changed.

Vaggie grabbed a pair of Y/N's pajamas from the nearby dresser, while Charlie began to undress him, working carefully to avoid waking him. They slipped his shirt off and then his pants, being as delicate as possible. Once he was undressed, Vaggie handed Charlie the pajamas, and together they dressed him in the soft, comfortable clothes.

Y/N stirred slightly, his eyes fluttering open for a second as he groggily registered what was happening. He mumbled something, half-asleep.

Y/N: Mmm... Charlie... Vaggie...

Vaggie: (whispering) Shh, it's okay. We're just getting you ready for bed.

Y/N smiled sleepily before his eyes drifted closed again, fully giving in to the comfort of sleep. Once they had him dressed, Charlie and Vaggie gently pulled the covers up, tucking him in snugly.

Charlie: (whispering) Sweet dreams, Y/N.

Vaggie leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead.

Vaggie: (softly) We love you.

The two of them stayed by his side for a few moments, watching him as he breathed softly, fully lost in sleep.

Vaggie leaned in, kissing Charlie's temple gently.

Charlie closed the comic gently and set it back down by Y/N's side, watching him sleep for a moment longer. Then, she started reading the comic.

Jupiter Prime - Issue #1: "Genesis of Power"

The opening splash shows Jupiter Prime soaring through the skies, breaking through clouds as sunlight bathes his red cape in a radiant glow. His white suit clings to his powerful form as he flies over the sprawling area of Key West City. His face is calm, focused, as the wind rushes past him.

The scene transitions to his secret identity as Noah Whitlock, sitting in a cozy apartment, his double life as a humble High School history teacher becoming apparent. He's wearing glasses and a sweater, flipping through a book. Behind him, the city skyline is visible through a window, but it's peaceful here.

Noah turns to look over his shoulder as his girlfriend, Coco Laurent, enters the room. She's holding two mugs of coffee, her expression soft and affectionate. Coco is vibrant and carefree, with a contagious smile that lights up the room.

Coco: I'm not going to let you get lost in that book all day. Take a break, superhero.

Noah smiles as he stands up, moving to take the coffee from Coco. The two share a brief, intimate moment as they sit down on the couch together. Their connection feels natural and genuine.

Suddenly, Noah's peaceful life is interrupted by a thunderous boom outside. Through the window, the reader sees the towering form of Muscle Mass, a hulking villain whose body swells with massive, bulging muscles, stomping through the downtown area. Crushing and killing people just because he liked it.

Noah, his calm expression replaced with determination, stands up. He rushes to the door, slipping off his glasses as he transforms into Jupiter Prime in a bright flash of energy. His golden cape billows behind him as he takes off into the sky.

Noah (as Jupiter Prime): I'll be back, Coco. Promise.

Coco: Go save the day, hero.

The fight between Jupiter Prime and Muscle Mass erupts in the heart of the city. Panels show the destruction, with Muscle Mass ripping apart concrete pillars and using his enhanced strength to swing at Jupiter Prime. The two clash, with punches shaking the streets, debris flying in every direction.

Muscle Mass (taunting): You think your powers make you invincible? Let's see you take a real hit!

Jupiter Prime (focused): You're going down, Mass. You're a threat to everyone here.

But during the fight, Jupiter Prime starts experiencing flashes—disjointed, eerie memories. They're brief, but vivid. A lab... shadows of unfamiliar scientists, and a young girl calling out to him, her face blurred. The flashbacks cause him to momentarily falter.

In one panel, Muscle Mass takes advantage of Jupiter Prime's momentary lapse and punches him through a building. As Jupiter Prime crashes into the rubble, the flashbacks intensify. Images of the lab continue flooding his mind—machines, wires, and the girl, her desperate voice growing louder.

Voice (flashback): Noah... help me...

Jupiter Prime grips his head, struggling to push the memories back.

Jupiter Prime (thinking, distressed): What... what is this?

Muscle Mass (laughing): What's the matter, hero? Not so tough after all?

Just when it seems Jupiter Prime might lose control entirely, he clenches his fists and rises from the rubble, focusing his energy. He quickly regains control, his eyes glowing with renewed determination.

Jupiter Prime (growling): No. Not today.

With one powerful strike, he sends Muscle Mass flying, ending the fight. The villain crashes through several buildings before lying unconscious, debris raining down. Jupiter Prime breathes heavily, his thoughts still clouded by the strange flashbacks.

Back at the apartment, Noah returns as evening falls. He's more rattled than usual. Coco notices immediately, her concerned gaze settling on him as he sits down on the couch.

Coco: You okay? You seem off.

His mind is still swirling with the flashes of the lab and the girl's haunting voice.

Noah (quietly): Just... a rough day.

He doesn't tell her about the flashbacks. Instead, he forces a smile, leaning into her warmth as they sit together.

That night, as Noah lies in bed, the flashbacks hit him again. This time, they're clearer. The lab. The girl. A voice from one of the scientists:

Scientist (flashback): Activate Subject Zero...

Noah shoots up in bed, sweat dripping down his face.

Noah (whispering, confused): Subject Zero...?

The final panel zooms in on Noah's wide, concerned eyes, as the haunting words echo through his mind.

Charlie and Vaggie sat at the edge of the bed, quietly flipping through the pages of Y/N's comic, Jupiter Prime. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast a soft glow on his sleeping face as he lay curled up beneath the covers, breathing softly. His comic rested gently beside him on the nightstand.

Charlie (whispering, smiling): He looks so cute when he's asleep, doesn't he?

She reached over and gently brushed a strand of hair away from Y/N's face, her eyes filled with warmth. He had such a peaceful expression, so different from the busy day he'd had.

Vaggie (nodding, quietly): I'm not surprised he's this tired. He's been running around all day with Carmilla, Velvette, and Cherri.

Charlie (curious): Oh? What were they up to?

Vaggie (counting on her fingers): Well, first he spent hours with Carmilla, practicing dancing, making weapons, and went with her to a meeting.

Charlie: Dancing? But she's taller than him. His head reaches up to her chest.

Vaggie: After that, he went shopping with Velvette. She dragged him around the entire city to find some rare fabric for one of her projects. Poor guy was carrying bags half his size.

Charlie: Yikes.

Vaggie: And then Cherri Bomb convinced him to help her set up some 'fireworks display' that definitely wasn't approved by anyone.

Charlie: Poor thing. No wonder he's knocked out.

She glances back at Y/N with affection, tucking the blanket around him a little more snugly.

Vaggie: Yeah, he's been running around for everyone. It's kind of sweet, though, how much he cares.

Charlie: Hey, Vaggie... have you told him yet?

She hesitates, glancing down at Y/N, who's still peacefully asleep, his soft snores filling the room.

Vaggie: Told him what?

Vaggie raises an eyebrow, though she knows exactly what Charlie's referring to.

Charlie: That you're pregnant.

Her voice is gentle, but there's an underlying concern.

Vaggie sighs, crossing her arms again as she looks away for a moment, conflicted.

Vaggie: No, not yet.

She glances at Charlie, her expression slightly tense.

Vaggie: I... I've been trying to find the right time, you know? With everything going on, I didn't want to stress him out more.

Charlie: I get that, but... he deserves to know. He's going to be so happy, Vaggie.

She reaches out, placing a hand on Vaggie's shoulder, giving her an encouraging squeeze.

Vaggie: I know, I know. It's just... a lot. He's already juggling so much with the others and his own life. I don't want to overwhelm him. But I'll tell him. Soon

She bites her lip, looking down at Y/N again.

Charlie: You have to. He's going to be a great dad, and he needs to know that.

Vaggie smiles softly at that, nodding in agreement.

Charlie: "You know, I've been meaning to check out his manga... what was it called again? High School Reptiles.

She reaches over and picks up a copy lying nearby

Vaggie: Oh yeah, the one about Tobias, right? The boy with autism and ADHD who goes to a school for anthropomorphic reptiles. It's really personal to him.

She tilts her head, curious as she flips through the pages.

Charlie: Of course it is.

She starts reading aloud, her voice soft to avoid waking Y/N.

Charlie: Tobias Toad, an introverted human boy... attends Reptile Academy, where all the students are reptiles.

Vaggie: And isn't it a harem story too? With those seven girls?

Charlie: Looks like it. The goth girl, the shy girl, the tomboy... it's cute though."

Vaggie: Well, it's more than that. He's pouring his heart into this. Tobias is basically him, you know?

She looks down at the art, seeing the care Y/N has put into the characters and world.

Vaggie: All those themes of acceptance, feeling different... it's his way of expressing himself.

Charlie: Yeah, I can see that.

She smiles fondly as she reads more.

Charlie: I love how Tobias finds himself surrounded by all these girls who care about him despite his differences. It's sweet... and it's nice to see how Tobias is learning to accept himself too.

Vaggie: It's definitely more than just a harem story. It's a reflection of him, his experiences. I'm proud of him for putting himself out there like this.

She traces her fingers over the illustrations.

They continue reading, appreciating the deeper meaning behind the quirky, fun story.

High School Reptiles: Volume 1

Tobias's first day at Reptile Academy is overwhelming. The world around him feels strange as he encounters anthropomorphic reptiles for the first time. Despite his nervousness and sensory overload, he manages to navigate the introduction ceremony, though he quickly becomes the center of attention. It's here that he first meets Sakura Mizuchi (the bubbly girly girl), who is immediately taken by Tobias's cuteness and shows him around the school.

As Tobias adjusts to the school, he meets Natsuki Kurokawa, the goth black mamba, who takes an interest in him for his quiet, introspective nature. Her dark humor and mysterious aura both intimidate and intrigue him. Aiko Tatsumi, the tough Komodo dragon tomboy, bumps into Tobias during gym class, where he struggles to keep up. She teases him but shows a protective side when she sees how fragile he is compared to the reptilian students.

Haruka Ryuzaki, the alligator bully, notices how the girls have started to fawn over Tobias and becomes jealous. She mocks Tobias for being weak and human, bullying him in front of the others. Despite this, Tobias's timid but honest response catches her off-guard. Over time, her feelings toward him start to shift, though she continues to hide it behind tough words and aggressive behavior.

The sexy cobra, Yui Serizawa, begins to playfully tease Tobias, enjoying the way he gets flustered around her seductive behavior. She's fascinated by how different he is from other boys at the academy, and her provocations often leave him embarrassed. At the same time, he's unsure how to respond to her attention but feels a strange pull toward her.

Tobias has a quiet encounter with Chihiro Tsuchiya, the shy gecko girl, who has been watching him from afar. She finds comfort in Tobias's awkwardness, feeling a connection in their shared introversion. Though they speak only briefly, Tobias starts to realize that Chihiro has been subtly helping him adjust to the school in small ways, such as leaving him notes and guiding him when he's lost.

Mai Fukui, the popular velociraptor, finally takes notice of Tobias, seeing him as a curiosity. At first, she's just amused by how the other girls are swarming around him, but as she gets to know him, she becomes genuinely intrigued by his honesty and vulnerability, which is a refreshing change from the attention she usually receives. She invites Tobias to join her at a school event, which leaves the other girls jealous.

Tobias finds himself at the center of attention, not only because he's human but also because the girls have started to develop feelings for him. He struggles with the attention, unsure how to handle it, especially as his Autism and ADHD make social situations overwhelming. Each girl begins to show their affection in different ways—Sakura's bubbly kindness, Natsuki's quiet protectiveness, Yui's playful teasing, and Aiko's tough love.

The academy holds its annual "Festival of Scales," a grand event where students showcase their talents and cultures. Tobias, feeling out of place, is reluctant to participate, but the girls rally around him, encouraging him to join in the festivities. Throughout the festival, Tobias's relationships with each of the girls deepen as they spend time with him and reveal more about themselves.

As the festival comes to a close, one of the girls (Sakura) confesses her feelings to Tobias. Overwhelmed by the situation, Tobias doesn't know how to respond, leading to a moment of introspection where he begins to consider what these relationships mean to him. He then admits that he loves her, and they kiss.

Charlie: He really is amazing, huh?

Vaggie: Yeah, he is.

They both glance back at Y/N, still peacefully asleep.

Charlie: Oh, here's another one.

She picks up I Heart Spectrum, turning to Vaggie. "It's about a girl named Kaori who moves to a new city and meets James, a shy autistic guy."

Vaggie: Sounds like it's got that same personal touch.

She leans in as Charlie flips through the pages.

She pauses at the first illustration of James, capturing him sitting alone with headphones on, looking shy and withdrawn.

Vaggie: I love how he's not afraid to show the struggles of being autistic.

Charlie: Yeah, and Kaori seems like the type to pull him out of his shell.

She smiles at an illustration of Kaori talking excitedly to James, who looks nervous but intrigued.

Charlie: She's so bubbly, and she doesn't seem to care that he's different. She's just... being herself.

Vaggie: That's probably something Y/N wanted for himself. Someone who accepts him for who he is, like Kaori does for James.

She continues reading.

Charlie: Look, Kaori's inviting James to a concert... but he's nervous about the crowd.

She flips the page, where Kaori is gently encouraging James.

Vaggie: It's sweet how Kaori is so supportive. Y/N's probably had experiences where people didn't get it, but this shows that he's imagining what it's like to have someone who really understands.

She glances at Y/N, still sleeping peacefully.

Vaggie: I love how he makes this story so heartfelt.

Charlie: He's really something, isn't he?

She smiles warmly, leaning down to press a soft kiss on Y/N's forehead.

Vaggie: Yeah, he really is.

Vaggie follows suit, gently kissing Y/N's cheek. She watches him stir slightly in his sleep but stay peaceful.

Charlie: After all that work, he deserves this rest.

She carefully climbs into bed beside him, wrapping her arms around him as she snuggles close.

Vaggie: And so do we.

She joins on the other side, pulling the blanket over the three of them. Vaggie nuzzles into Y/N's shoulder, while Charlie rests her head against his chest.

Y/N, still asleep, lets out a quiet sigh, a small smile forming on his lips as he feels the warmth of both girls cuddling close to him.

Charlie: He's so cute when he's sleeping.

Vaggie: He really is... I'm glad we're here with him.

Both girls settle into a comfortable position, holding Y/N gently between them

———

Character art

I Heart Spectrum

Kaori

James

Superhero's

Jupiter Prime

Coco

High School Reptiles

Tobias Toad

Natsuki Kurokawa

Sakura Mizuchi

Aiko Tatsumi

Haruka Ryuzaki

Yui Serizawa

Chihiro Tsuchiya

Mai Fukui