SIX | MY PRACTICE NEPHEW

"Come on, let's go back to the hotel, and we can chill near the bar or something," I offered, following Stanley. "You think you know everything because you're pretty and slightly older than me," Stanley snapped.

"No, but considering I gave you twenty dollars, I hoped you would have a better time with me," I said, catching up to him.

"Wow, twenty whole dollars," Stanley deadpanned as he rolled his eyes. "You don't have to pity me because I'm Diego's child," Stanley muttered, quickening his pace.

"Hey! I know what it feels not to be wanted by the people you love, the feeling of being pushed away, thinking everything is your fault when it really wasn't," I blurted out, causing Stanley to turn around in shock.

"You don't think I'm some screw-up?" Stanley asked, not bothering to mask his feelings. "No, real assholes don't act like this," I disagreed, walking towards Stanley.

"What did you buy?" I asked. "None of your business..." Stanley trailed off. "I'm actually curious, not gonna judge, what's the worst you could do?" I promised.

"I just bought a shit ton of junk food," Stanley mumbled under his breath. "Got any left?" I asked, walking next to him. Stanley revealed a gummy bear packet in his pocket, tearing open the package before handing me a piece.

"Thanks," I said before popping it into my mouth. "You're not lying, right?" Stanley asked. "Why would I?" I turned to face him. "I don't know..." Stanley admitted.

"I guess I just thought that... everyone thought I was some screw up who couldn't do anything right," Stanley's expression softened, a mixture of relief and vulnerability crossing his face. "Because you are a kid," I reminded.

"Gee, thanks, Aunt Red," Stanley answered with a smirk on his face. "Kids are bound to make dumb shit, I remember finding my dad's machine and bumping into it and breaking it," I recalled the harsh memory.

"And what happened?" Stanley asked, becoming curious as he slowed down. "I broke it, I was 5. I still remember Reggie's scowl. He told me I wasn't allowed to enter the study anymore and I had to go to bed with no dinner for a week,"

"That's harsh," Stanley commented. "Yeah, I remember bawling my eyes after four days," I chuckled. "That's so messed up," Stanley's laugh faded, replaced with concern. "I hope you never meet Reggie Hargreeves, my friend," I added.

I lent out my fist, and Stanley returned it, giving me a fist bump. "You're not bad," Stanely commented. "I promise if everyone is dead. I'll take care of you," I reassured. "How did you manage to get through me in five minutes faster than him?"

"Because he's... scared, he's a grown adult, he's trying his best," I reassured, putting my arm around Stanley. "It doesn't take much to get through his cold dead heart, Stan," I reassured.

"Let's go back to the hotel?" I offered. "Race you there," Stanley pushed me before running off. "Oh, you're on!" I yelled back as I chased him to Hotel Oblivion.

"The hell are you doing here? I told you not to be here," Diego stumbled, shocked to see us. "What's a Molotov cocktail?" Stanley asked, chewing a chocolate bar. Diego ignored him as he started walking away.

"Is it a drink?" Stanley questioned, following him. "No," Diego responded, his grip on a crate of drinks tightening. "Can I try one?" Stanley asked. "No," I responded, trying to help Diego. "I've had beer, you know," Stanley informed.

"It's a homemade bomb, okay?" Diego confessed, walking up the steps. "Sweet, I can help," Stanley grinned. "Ever made a pipe bomb? Cause I have," Stanley stated. "I've blown up tons of mailboxes. There are secrets in the mix," Stanley added. Diego acknowledged him, nodding.

"So what's my job here, and how much are you paying?" Stanley offered. Diego set down the crate, pressing the button to the elevator. "Your job is to study the inside of the elevator, okay?" Diego instructed, pulling Stanley inside the elevator.

"Diego..." I watched as Diego walked back. "Alright," Stanley grinned, happy to have a job. "Until I get back," Diego added. "Wait, hey, come back," Stanley watched Diego flee the scene, with a realization of what he was really doing.

"You are sick," I commented. "I'll let you help," Diego offered. "Oh goodie, I can help you make a bomb," I deadpanned as I rolled my eyes, following him.

"Is something up with you and Five?" Diego asked as he stuffed the bottles. "No? Is something wrong with Lila and you? She didn't seem too happy to see you," I retorted the question, putting the bottles into the crate.

"That kid isn't helping," Diego muttered. "Don't push him away, he's a good kid," I informed. "He's ruining my vibe and my plan," Diego said.

"He's a kid who wants to be with his dad, look at Iron Man and Peter Parker," I said as Diego placed the last bottle into the crate. "I can't promise anything," Diego said, picking up the crate.

"Hey," Luther called out in a low whisper, sneaking up from behind us. "Yeah?" Diego asked, setting down a bottle. "This whole uh, Viktor thing," Luther started. "Yeah?" I waited for him to continue. "Well, it's a pretty big deal, right?" Luther asked.

"I guess, for him. It's whatever," Diego said calmly, setting down the last bottle. "Well should we say something?" Luther asked. "You know? I mean make a formal gesture? Welcome him as brothers," Luther suggested.

"God, no! Just roll with it, man. Don't say anything and don't be weird," Diego stopped him, walking down the steps. "Okay, but not saying something feels weird, right? I mean..." Luther asked, feeling new to the whole transition thing.

"Shouldn't we? I don't know... mark the occasion somehow?" Luther asked. "You just wanna throw a party," Diego said. "Why do you hate tiny sandwiches?" Luther asked, displeased with Diego's lack of enthusiasm.

"Hey, what's up?" Viktor asked. "Luther wants to throw a stupid party so you feel loved," Diego told Viktor. Luther awkwardly chuckled, bashful at Diego exposing him. "Oh," Viktor responded.

"Do you feel loved?" Diego asked. "Yeah, I... I do," Viktor answered. "Good, you are," Diego smiled.

"Can we all get back to saving the world?" Diego immediately snapped back to serious mode before walking away as I followed him.

"You guys suck at Mahjong," I commented, pushing away the pieces. "I don't get it, Did I miss it, how did you win again?" Luther asked, checking the pieces.

"Oh, look at those two jabronis getting along, being all sibly," Diego commented with his arms crossed. "That's not a word..." I said as Allison and Viktor approached our table.

"So?" Luther asked. "So that never goes well with us," Diego reminded. Luther nodded, acknowledging Diego's hidden meaning.

"Hey," Viktor greeted, taking a seat next to me. "So, what's the plan?" Luther asked as Allison picked up a piece of mahjong. "What do we do when the sparrows get here?" Luther questioned.

"Just follow our lead," Allison informed. "Uh-uh, nice try. We don't take orders from you," Diego shook his head. Luther nodded along, agreeing with Diego. "I think playing mahjong has messed up your heads and egos,"

"Oh shit, they're early," Luther panicked. We got up from the table and walked face-to-face with them. "Oh well, thanks for coming," Viktor said. "Yeah, super glad to be here," Jayme said in a sarcastic tone.

"Where are the rest of you?" Ben asked. "What? Are you taking attendance?" Diego retorted. "They'll be here," I promised, covering my eyes from the flashing lights people at the side were taking. "Where's my briefcase?" Allison asked.

"Where's our brother?" Ben sneered. "You look like an ugly gang member..." I muttered under my breath. "Maybe we should try this again before I lose my temper," Allison warned, her anger rising.

"Allison..." Viktor sighed. "I got this," Allison snapped. "Hand over the briefcase or no deal," Allison stated. "Yeah, tiny problem," Ben informed. "Deal's off," Ben said, glaring at us.

"Moltov this, bitches!" Stanley yelled as I turned around to see Stanley running towards us. "Stanley, not now," Diego scolded, pointing his blade at Stanley, causing Stanley to drop the flaming bottle.

"Shit!" I screamed, watching a pillar lit up. The guests started panicking as the smoke alarm started blaring. "Power up!" Ben ordered. The Sparrows started getting ready, warming up their powers.

Guests started running back to their rooms as the fire spread. "Go!" Diego grabbed Stanely, pulling his arm before pushing him behind the counter.

I felt a shock of pain in my head, ringing in my ears I tried covering my ears, hoping to soothe the pain.

"I heard... I heard a rumor..." Allison tried calling out her powers but the pain was too much for her as she screamed in pain. "That you're about to die?" Ben taunted.

"Kill 'em," Ben ordered as I closed my eyes, revisiting all the memories I had of Ben before.

A scream was heard, blasting Jayme and Alphonso as Ben and Fei ducked in time. "Pull back! Pull back!" Ben called out as Ben and Fei pushed through the revolving door.

I gently propped myself on my elbow, "Fucking..." I muttered, feeling a headache rising. "Oh my god, Harlan? Is that you?" Viktor asked.