Cosmic Combination [A Superheroine Merging Story] - Issue #7

Tier Reward EB18

Tristan and Lucie couldn’t be more different: he’s a washed-up boxer turned security guard, disillusioned with the world, while she’s a starry-eyed fangirl with a heart set on heroism. But when they both touch a mysterious meteorite, they’re fused into one extraordinary being—Clara, a superheroine as busty and beautiful as she is powerful. With the help of brilliant scientist Dr. Lauren Langstom, Tristan and Lucie must figure out how to navigate their shared body, fight crime, and somehow balance their worlds both merged and apart and discover if they can become something greater…together.

~

Issue #7

Valkyrie’s wings of solid light shimmered, casting sparkles into Bombshell’s eyes as they flew. The pair streaked across the sky, normally it would have been a race but today they had bigger fish to fry. 

“If this villain, whatever they are, is at the press conference, how will we stop ourselves from falling under their control again?” Bombshell yelled over the roar of the wind. 

“I’ve been thinking about that,” Valkyrie replied, “We just need to figure out how they do it. I know it’s going to be hard…but we have to hang back and watch first.”

“And not help?”

Valkyrie nodded. 

“It’s the best way for us to make a plan, if we rush in, we’ll just end up mind-controlled again.”

The idea of standing by while a villain attacked made Bombshell’s stomach clench, but she knew Valkyrie was right. She could only hope they were wrong; they would be sent back to the drawing board, but at least innocent people wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire. That was too good to be true, though. 

Screams of shock reached their ears, and they careened over a large building to see the front of the local Police Headquarters. A stage was out front, complete with a podium and a large crowd. There was a woman in a skin-tight green bodysuit standing there; her long brown hair blew in the wind, and her cape billowed dramatically behind her. She might have been mistaken for another hero, but Bombshell could sense the malice rolling off her in waves even at a distance. 

With a click of her fingers, Silverwind raced around the crowd, preventing anybody from moving or escaping as one by one, they all calmed, seemingly against their will. Thunder Clap stood by and let it happen, as did the line of police officers behind him. 

“They’re being mind-controlled,” Valkyrie whispered.

“But how? Why did the crowd take time?”

“I don’t know, but we have to figure it out quickly, look, the mayor is down there, the chief of police, I even see a congressman!”

Bombshell wracked her brain, trying to think of a plan. She and Valkyrie couldn't fight two of the world's strongest, most well-established heroes alone! Especially not if they flew in there and got mind-controlled themselves. 

‘I think we’re in over our heads.’

‘Absolutely.’

‘So you agree, we should go.’

‘We can't leave these people!’

‘Lucie, we can’t win this fight!’

‘We have Valkyrie!’

“What are those?” 

Valkyrie’s question snapped Bombshell’s mind back together and she blinked. Valkyrie was pointing to the woman in green, atop her head was a strange headband.

“They look like antennas, do you think she’s broadcasting something?”

“No, they look like decoration…they sort of remind me of a bug.”

Bombshell could practically hear the gears whirring in Valkyrie’s mind. 

“Super strength and mind control…do you think she’s an ant?”

“What?”

“Ants have super strength relative to their body size and they communicate through pheromones…and follow a queen.” Valkyrie formed a fist in victory. “That has to be it, so all we need to do is stop the pheromones reaching us!”

“How do we-ah!” 

Bombshell barely held back her scream of surprise as her nose was suddenly blocked. 

“There.” Valkyrie grinned, “I put force fields in your nostrils to stop you smelling anything. If I insulate us both a bit more-”

She was still talking, but Bombshell’s mind drifted away as a shadow fell over them. It was a clear day; what had blocked out the light? She turned and saw a car, flying through the air right at them.

“Move!”

She barely had time to push Valkyrie clear when it smashed into the side of the building where they’d been standing. 

“If that’s your idea of covert observation, you will both make terrible spies.”

It was the caped woman, flanked by Thunder Clap. She stood below them with a cocky smile and reached out her hand to them. 

“Now, come here.”

Bombshell felt…something. A strange fuzziness at the back of her mind; it would be so easy to listen to her, this woman seemed to know what she was doing, she was a natural leader. Then she shook her head free of such thoughts. 

“Looks like your shields are working.” She muttered and Valkyrie nodded. 

“Let’s get her.”

They both rushed down, fists at the ready. The woman dodged at the last moment, and Bombshell’s hand embedded in the wooden stage, sending splinters flying. Valkyrie was already correcting her course, summoning her spear of light and throwing it only for the new villain to dodge again.

“Interesting.” She purred, her voice rich with the sultry confidence of someone who knew exactly how dangerous she was, “It seems you’ve figured out how to avoid my pheromones, clever.”

A flash of silver in the corner of her vision, and Bombshell acted instinctively. Silver Wind pounced, but Bombshell was ready, catching her mid-tackle and driving them both into the asphalt. The impact shattered pavement and knocked the wind from her lungs, giving Silverwind a chance to kick free and disappear in yet another blur of motion. 

Valkyrie clashed with Thunder Clap, spear ringing off his clapping hands just in time to redirect the shockwave upward, away from civilians who were all still blank faced. The force still knocked cars onto their sides and sent a rain of shattered glass from nearby buildings. This wasn't going well, she needed to get the villain off guard and if TV had taught her anything, it was that villains loved to monologue. 

“Who are you?” Bombshell yelled, “Why are you doing this?”

The woman cackled, her beautiful features morphing and twisting for just a moment. Her soft face turned hard, and her womanly figure seemed to lessen momentarily. Bombshell felt her eyes go wide. She’d only glimpsed the Cosmeta thief for a second, but this was all the confirmation she needed. This villain was the one who stole the meteorite and probably gained powers in the process. 

“You heroes, you think you’re so wonderful. You basically run the world, and people love you for it!”

“So what, this is all jealousy?” Valkyrie cried, barely fending off another thunder wave. “How pathetic.”

“No! You’re pathetic!” The woman screeched, “I’m a genius! But where is my power? My celebrity? Nowhere! Now that I have these powers though…”

She walked over to the congressman, who was still standing shocked, mouth slightly agape. She ran her hands over his cheeks almost seductively, no doubt spreading more of her pheromones as she did. 

“I’ll be respected, and I’ll bring a new world order. With these people under my control, I'll build a machine to increase my powers of control tenfold. Then even you two will fall in line under my new world order—the order of Genaro.”

Bombshell launched herself at her, fist cocked, but Genaro sidestepped effortlessly. The villain’s strength matched her own, and their fists collided like thunder. The shock sent a ripple through the air. Silverwind came again. Bombshell spun, caught her by the wrist, and hurled her into a dumpster, praying the hit was more disorienting than damaging. She had no time to be gentle, but no desire to hurt her either.

“Genaro…I know that name.” She whispered to herself.

‘He was a scientist at Cosmeta!’ her Tristan side realised. 

There wasn't time to share that, though. Genaro caught Bombshell off-balance mid-flight, twisted her by the shoulder, and slammed a fist into her gut like a wrecking ball. Bombshell grunted, eyes wide in shock. She didn’t even have time to brace before Genaro spun and punched her square in the chest. The world became sky, then blur, then fire.

She crashed through a billboard, then a water tower, then finally into the alley behind a closed bodega. Bricks crumbled around her as she hit the ground hard enough to crater the concrete.

She lay still for a moment, body aching. Groaning, she pushed up on one elbow, spat blood, and forced herself to her feet. Her vision swam. Her ribs screamed. 

‘We can't do this!’

‘Of course we can! We have to!’

Bombshell gripped her head; her two halves were at war again. She could feel Tristan’s terror and hopelessness, and Lucie’s stubbornness. She watched as Valkyrie tried and failed to reach Genaro, Silverwind, and Thunder Clap kept her at bay with ease, the latter sending her crashing into an office building with a well-timed clap. 

‘It’s no use. We can't win. We can’t!’

Bombshell came apart, Lucie and Tristan suddenly falling to the ground across from one another. Tristan was breathing heavily, his body still aching slightly from the injuries Clara had sustained. Lucie opened and closed her mouth in shock, staring at her own hands before shaking her head.

“Quick! We have to merge again!”

“Are you crazy? We’re going to get ourselves killed!”

“What about Valkyrie! What about all those people?”
Tristan winced in guilt as he watched Valkyrie continue to fight, only to be slammed down again. 

“Her concentration will fail any second now, and Genaro’s pheromones will get her.” He said in defeat. “We should…we should just go. Run.”

“And go where?” Lucie yelled. Genaro is going to control this whole country if we do not stop him, uh, her, oh, whatever. It doesn't matter what she is; we have to stop her!”

“I didn't sign up for this, Lucie!” Tristan snapped, “Bank robberies are one thing, but world domination? Clara can't handle this, and neither can I. I’m done.”

He turned and walked away. Guilt pooled in his stomach, and he squeezed his eyes closed; this was the only way. Who had he been kidding, playing hero like that? There was no way somebody like him could ever save the world, not even as Clara.

“So that’s it? You’re running away?”

Tristan bit his lip and walked faster. 

“You…you selfish coward! And here I thought you’d changed!” Lucie yelled, and Tristan could hear the disappointment in her voice. 

Even though he knew it was a bad idea, he turned back to see her face. Tears were in her eyes, and her cheeks were red. 

“I’m not brave like you, Lucie…”

“You think I’m not scared?” She hissed, “I’m terrified! But I know when to do the right thing. So go on then, get out of here! I’ll stop Genaro myself!”

“Lucie, that’s madness.”

“Maybe, but you haven’t given me much choice, have you?”

She turned and ran back toward the fight, and Tristan watched, frozen in fear. Was she crazy? Genaro would have her mind controlled in two minutes flat. He swallowed and tried to turn around and flee, but his feet refused to move. Going back there would be a stupid thing to do. But…Lucie, he couldn't just leave her. She’d been his first friend in God knows how long, not to mention Jilly would never forgive him. Valkyrie, Thunder Clap, Silverwind…they were all counting on him. 

The pressure made his heart race; what if he did his best and let everybody down? It would be better just to skip the effort and go right to disappointing them. At least, that’s what he used to think, but the more he stood there, the more he remembered Lucie’s kindness and the amazing things they’d done as Bombshell. He couldn’t let her down, not without trying. 

“I can’t believe I’m doing this…”

Tristan ran. He raced across the pavement and out of that alleyway just in time to see Valkyrie crash into the ground at Lucie’s feet. Without hesitation, Lucie offered her a hand, and Valkyrie took it.

“You need to get out of here,” She groaned, “if you stay that villain…”

She was looking around desperately; did she think Bombshell had abandoned her?

“It’s okay, I’m here.” Lucie soothed.

“And so am I!”

Lucie turned, and a smile broke out on her face. Without another word, she opened her arms, and Tristan flew into them, hugging her tightly.

“I’m sorry…” He whispered.

And then, Clara was back, arms wrapped around her own torso in a self-hug. 

“Alright, let’s do this.”

Valkyrie blinked and shook her head in disbelief. 

“You’ve got some explaining to do.”

“After we win.”

Valkyrie nodded, redid the force fields that kept them safe and turned back to face Genaro. She stood up on the ruined stage, grinning down at them with malice as Silverwind and Thunder Clap flanked her on either side. 

“Do you think you could keep her distracted?” Valkyrie asked.

“I can try.”

The pair nodded and moved; Bombshell raced forward while Valkyrie took to the air. Summoning more spears of light and raining them down. Of course, Silverwind dodged effortlessly, taking Genaro with her while Thunder Clap simply destroyed them in a blast of force. Valkyrie redoubled her efforts as Bombshell gave chase. Silverwind placed Genaro down to go and help Thunder Clap, leaving just the mad scientist and Bombshell to square off. 

“I’m just as strong as you.” Genaro grinned, cracking her knuckles. “Stronger even, your powers may be more varied, but I am more powerful.”

“We’ll see.” 

Bombshell threw the first punch, then a second, both of them blocked with Genaro’s arms and sent her skidding backwards. It might not have hurt her much, but her legs dug into the concrete to stop her from flying away. The two kept brawling. Bombshell did her best to dodge, but each hit Genaro got in was like a cinder block being slammed into her. For the first time, she could feel herself getting bruised. 

“I smell your fear.” Genaro hissed.

She turned, too fast for Bombshell to follow and roundhouse kicked the heroine right into the side of a building. 

With a groan of pain, she fell, only just managing to catch herself and fly before hitting the ground. Bombshell glanced at Valkyrie, her face hard and set as Silverwind knocked her into the dumpster a few feet away.

“If I could just get them to stay still, I could block off their nostrils too.” She muttered, “But I need to focus, or I could cut their noses off.”

Despite the severity of the situation, Bombshell couldn’t help but snort in laughter. 

“Thunder Clap would take that so well.” 

Valkyrie took to the sky again, just as Genaro slammed into the dumpster. 

“Keep her off me!”

“On it!”

“Are you?”

Bombshell dodged another punch and quickly returned it, smacking Genaro hard in the back. Finally, that cocky smile was wiped off her face and the two started to brawl once more. Genaro was stronger, but Bombshell had flight and speed on her side. She dodged and weaved, but as the fight went on, she could feel herself tiring, taking more hits. Finally, she grabbed hold of Genaro and zoomed up into the sky.

“Wiggle free and you fall!” Bombshell threatened, but Genaro just smiled. 

“And so do they.”

She nodded at something behind her, and though Clara knew it was a bad idea, she couldn’t help but turn to see. Genaro had a group of her mind-controlled civilians lined up at the side of the building, and Clara’s heart froze. Lauren was there; she must have been at the express conference! 

“Put me down and I’ll let them go.”
Clara grit her teeth, so long as she was keeping Genaro away from Silverwind and Thunder Clap it would be worth it. 

“Fine.”

She set the mad scientist down and braced for another hit, but instead she watched as Genaro waved at the group, and they all stepped forward. 

“No!”

Clara moved faster than she ever had, grabbing each one before they could hit the ground before zooming three streets away to place them down. She held on to Lauren and watched as she groaned and blinked in confusion.

“Cl-Bombshell? What happened?”

“I’m sorry, I don't have time to explain. I need to get back to stop Genaro.”

“Genaro? He’s behind this?”

“Yes, and Valkyrie needs me-”

“Wait! I was hoping to run into you at the press conference; I have something that might help.” 

Lauren reached into her bag and produced a set of white gloves made with a strangely thick, squishy material. 

“It’s force liquid, I made it myself. The softer you are, the softer it is, but if you throw a hard punch, it hardens instantly, like steel knuckles.” 

Clara slipped them on and clenched her fists, feeling the liquid inside the gloves harden against her skin. 

“This is perfect, thank you.”

“I might need to make you a whole new costume at this rate.” Lauren joked, looking at all the rips in Clara’s skin-tight costume, which was threatening to fall off her at any second. “Now go, be a hero, stay safe.”

Lauren pressed her lips quickly to Clara’s, and she had to fight the urge to deepen it. She had bigger things she needed to deal with. With one final look and a gentle touch to Lauren’s cheek, she was flying back to the battlefield. She’d only been gone a minute, but it was a minute Valkyrie might need. She arrived back just in time to see Silverwind holding her head while Valkyrie desperately tried to escape Thunderclap’s grasp. She wiggled and struggled as Genaro approached, hand outstretched to try and get more of the pheromone on her skin. 

“Get away from her!” 

Clara moved like a bullet, slamming into Genaro hard with the new gloves and sending her flying halfway down the block. Silverwind groaned.

“Ugh, my head. What happened? I have a headache, oh my gosh, what’s going on! The villain! Mind control, it must be I-”

“Can you have your thoughts inside your head for once and help!” Bombshell yelled, “Thunder Clap is still under her control!”

Silverwind’s eyes moved so fast her pupils were a blur, and then, she was gone, circling around Thunder Clap in a tornado, still talking to God knows who, probably herself. She whirled around and around, until Thunderclap was clutching at his throat.

“Is she stealing the air from his fucking lungs?” Bombshell baulked.

“Remind me never to piss her off.” Valkyrie muttered, “Woah, watch out!”
They didn’t have time to be distracted by Silverwind now. Genaro was back, and with her pheromones being thwarted, she was focusing on heavy hitting. Valkyrie weaved, using her spears of light to trip the mad scientist up while Bombshell took the brunt. She blocked and dodged, grinning the whole time as Genaro’s focus began to slip. She was glancing around madly, watching as the crowd, the congressmen, all the people she’d been controlling slowly began to wake up. 

“No, no!”

“Without a way to increase your pheromones, you will never be able to control people for long.” Bombshell taunted, “You’re no match for the two of us together.”

Genaro’s response was lost in a loud clap of thunder, and she was knocked from her feet. Thunder Clap landed with a heavy thunk next to Bombshell and grinned.

“Make that four of us! I have no idea what’s going on, but I know a villain when I see one!”

Bombshell nodded and wiped the sweat from her brow. 

“Hell yeah.”

“Let’s throw the book at her, or better yet…”

Thunderclap grabbed Bombshell’s arm roughly, and before she could even prepare, he was flinging her at high speed, right toward Genaro. She had just enough time to form a fist before they slammed against one another, and the force sent Genaro flying. 

“Valkyrie!”
“On it!”

The two of them flew after her, leaving Thunder Clap and Silverwind to look after the civilians. Valkyrie summoned another spear of light, but this time wielded it like a bat.

“Batter up!”

She smacked into Genaro, sending her flying back toward Bombshell, who formed a double fist with her two gloves.

“And stay down!”

Bombshell slammed her into the ground, embedding her into a human-shaped crater. The scientist groaned and for a moment it looked like she’d get up, but instead she closed her eyes and collapsed, allowing Valkyrie to seal her away in a bubble, just to be safe. 

“Holy shit, we did it…We did it!” Bombshell squealed, jumping up and down.

“Yeah, uh, we sure did.” Valkyrie blushed, not meeting her eyes. “Could you stop bouncing, please? Your outfit is barely covering you as it is.”

“Oh,” She suddenly realised just how much extra jiggle her chest had. “Sorry.”

“You did it! Well done, the pair of you!” Thunder Clap slapped them both on the back. “I have no idea what’s going on!”

“Me either, but I think I can figure it out,” Silverwind said, “Based on the information available, it seems we were under the mind control spell again, then these two-”

Valkyrie met Bombshell’s eyes for a moment and shook her head. 

“Yes, can we save the recap until after the villain is restrained, please, I’d really like to stop concentrating.”

“Oh right, yes, of course! I’ll go get the police chief, and a car, and restraints, and maybe some rope, oh and coffee, we all need coffee!”

Bombshell just laughed, her body ached, but she was just so relieved they managed to save the day. The crowd was gathering now, camera phones were suddenly shoved in their faces as reports appeared out of the woodwork. 

“Bombshell, how did you stop yourself from being controlled?”

“Valkyrie, are you a pair now?”

“DO you know this villain?”
“What was her plan?”

“Were any other heroes affected?”

“Are you alright!?”

That last one made her ears prick; she knew that voice. Somebody was pushing through the crowd, holding up a police badge.

“Stand aside, people, official police business!”

Jillian pushed her way to the front of the crowd with a frantic look on her face. Her eyes roamed over the bruises and rips that covered Bombshell’s scantily clad body with concern.

“Are you both alright?” She asked again, more softly this time.

Thanks to her super hearing, Bombshell had no issues hearing her over the crowd. Anybody else would assume Jillian was asking about Valkyrie, but the pair of them knew the truth. Thunder Clap took centre stage and effortlessly directed attention to himself with a booming laugh.

“Let the young ones rest, they may be heroes, but they still need PR training.”

The crowd laughed, the tension slowly dissipating under Thunder Clap’s natural charisma. 

“Come on,” Bombshell whispered, grabbing Jillian’s hand and quickly flying them a few blocks away where nobody could see them.

“I saw you on the news,” Jillian explained once they had some privacy. “I couldn’t bear the thought you might get hurt I…I’m so sorry for what I said the other night, to all of you. All three, God, how does this work?”

Clara felt tears well up behind her eyes, and she surged forward, embracing the other woman fiercely. Jillian returned the hug, Clara could feel wetness on her shoulder. 

“I don’t get it, but I’ll try.” Jillian whispered, “You can be my other sister, that Tristan guy…I suppose we did always want a brother; it’s like three siblings in one.” 

Clara felt warmth flow through her, a kind of familial affection that was familiar to one of her halves but alien to the other. It felt right; it felt like home. Clara didn’t mean to separate, but a few seconds later, she was gone, and instead, there were three people hugging instead of two. 

“Wow, that’s a little weird.” Jillian chuckled. “I have a lot to get used to.”

Tristan grinned.

“Yeah, me too.” 

Lucie’s jaw dropped, and they stared at each other. That voice—it had been his voice, his real voice! Tristan held up a hand, scarred and stiff. There was a familiar ache in his leg, and there was no weight on his chest. He was back in his original body.

“We’re us again!” Lucie gaped. 

“Holy shit.”

A strange, nervous laugh escaped his lips as he ran his hand over his short hair. 

“Lauren is going to have a field day with us.”

“Who’s Lauren?”

“Our girlfriend,” Lucie replied.

“Our girlfriend?” Jillian gaped. “What do you mean, ‘our’? You started dating somebody and didn't tell me?”

“I became a whole different person and didn't tell you!”

“Oh my God, we need a family meeting.” 

Tristan just laughed; there was still so much to sort out, the pair of them still had to explain all this to Valkyrie, the rest of the Guild as well. But for now, all Tristan wanted was to go home with his new family and relax. The hero stuff could wait, at least for one afternoon. 

~

Cape Chasers Forum

Bombshell and Valkyrie

 Posted by BombshellFanguy234 on 11/06/2024

It’s been a year since Bombshell appeared, and still there is nothing on her identity pages here. Most capes at least have a theory or a picture of them in civis. Bombshell has nothing! Her partner Valkyrie has been spotted training up on the cliffs out of costume. IHeartGirlHeros even got that picture of a gym teacher who might be her. But Bombshell is still a total mystery. I’m starting to think she never leaves base. What’s going on?

Comments

PinkShowcase

I think they are just getting better at hiding it, ever since Thunder Clap got unmasked they have been super paranoid.

OP/BombshellFanGuy234 replied:

I dont get why, Thunder Clap was literally just a regular guy. Half the heroes these days don’t even keep an identity a secret unless they have something to hide. 

PinkShowcase

Uh, PRIVACY? The fact that everybody here wants to unmask heroes is so weird. 

Anonymous0001

Nah man, it’s a conspiracy, I’ve seen footage of Bombshell flying over to that Cosmeta lab a bunch. They do all sorts of shady shit in there. I bet she’s like, a government funded experiment, not even a real person. She was grown in a test tube.

OP/BombshellFanGuy234 replied:

No way. Bombshell is too much woman to be fake.

Anonymous0001 replied:

Open your eyes man. It’s all conspiracy. I bet half the heroes aren't even real people. They let people “discover” their real identities to fool us into thinking they are just like us. They made Bombshell that way because rubes like you will be too busy looking at her boobs to see the TRUTH.

OP/BombshellFanGuy234 replied:

Users like you are why Cape Chasers is getting a reputation for being full of weirdos.

Anonymous0001 replied:

I bet you're one of them. Here to drum up support for the most popular current heroine. Just wait, you’ll be found out one day.

HoundLeap

I’m more interested in if Valkyrie and Bombshell are dating. They fight together all the time. God they would be such a hot couple.

OP/BombshellFanGuy234 replied:

I have fan art of that! I made a whole gallery for my hero art here!

Houndleap replied: 

HOT

PinkShowcase replied:

OMG That’s so fucking weird! You can't draw porn of real people like that it’s such an invasion of privacy!

OP/BombshellFanGuy234 replied

It’s self expression, besides, they are like, the most popular ship on this forum. 

PinkShowcase replied:

Shipping real people is so weird. Do you think Bombshell would want to see art of her with some sweaty nerd kissing her and Valkyrie?

OP/BombshellFanGuy

Why are you even here if you don’t like it? Cape Chasers is all about this stuff. Besides, I have actually met Bombshell, I saw her at the press conference three weeks ago and there were sparks. I saw her watching me from the stage. 

LiamBrok

I heard a rumor that Bombshell is actually two people, they fuse into one to become her. 

HoundLeap replied:

OMG I heard that too, apparently one of them might be a dude.

OP/BombshellFanGuy234 replied:

Guys this isn't science fiction. This is supposed to be a serious discussion.

LiamBrok replied:

It’s a real rumour!

OP/BombshellFanGuy234 replied:

A fake one. There is no way Bombshell is actually part dude. I’ve been following her since DAY 1. I’d know. 

~

Clara snickered as she read over the forum. Maybe googling her own name was arrogant, but she couldn’t help it. The internet rumour mill loved her, probably because they could never figure out anything about her life outside of hero work. Lauren stirred, humming contentedly against Clara’s breast where her head was pillowed. 

“Morning, sleepy head.”

“Now this is the perfect way to wake up.” Lauren sighed happily, nuzzling against Clara’s soft skin. 

Clara put down the phone and held her close. 

“I’d take this further, but Jilly is expecting Lucie for breakfast, and Tristan has to be at work soon. 

“Mmmm, asking to make him my assistant was a mistake, if he worked nights I could keep you here a little longer…”

She leaned up and kissed Clara gently. Just as she was about to draw back Clara reached out and held her there, cupping her face firmly to deepen the kiss. 

“Now who’s being tempting?” Lucie whispered, and they both giggled. “Wow, this place is a mess.”

Clara followed Lauren’s gaze over the room. It had been a big week, two massive battles, Lauren’s paper on the meteorite was almost finished and Lucie and Tristan had each had their own things to deal with. When Clara and Lauren finally got a night to themselves, they had taken advantage…all over the apartment. Clothes hung off every surface, and furniture was knocked to the floor. Clara blushed a little. 

“I might have gotten a bit carried away.”

“We got a bit carried away, you mean.” Lauren corrected as she reluctantly got out of bed. “You clean up, I’ll make breakfast.”

“Oh sure, give yourself the easy job.” 

Lauren stuck her tongue out playfully before throwing on her dressing gown and heading to the kitchen. Clara stayed, running her hands over the warm patch in the sheets that Lauren had left before getting to her feet and surveying the room. 

“Well, many hands make light work.” She grinned. 

A second later, Lucie and Tristan were there and hurriedly reaching for their clothes.

“Next time, let’s get dressed before we unmerge.” He groaned. 

“Good plan, quick, let’s clean up. We can't leave Lauren’s house like this.”

Over the past few months, so much had changed for the better. The three of them had found rhythm, a balance between their shared lives. Tristan had friends, family even, and Lucie had the life of a hero she’d always wanted. 

“I wish you could come to breakfast, Jilly has been missing you.”

“She probably wants to talk my ear off about that last fight, critique my form and all that.”

“She only does it because she loves you.”

“I know.”

Affection bloomed in Tristan’s chest; he did know, it felt so strange to have people in his life who loved him. They were almost done straightening things when both their watches beeped. It had taken some finagling to get two Justice Guild watches. Somehow, they had managed to keep their shared identity a secret. Clara had to pretend to break her first one so they could each have one while unmerged. Lucie and Tristan shared a look just as Lauren stuck her head in the room.

“Is that sound what I think it is?”

“Yup, sorry, we’d better go.”

Lauren sighed. 

“Fine, take care of yourselves, don't worry Tristan, I’ll cover for you.”

He gave her a wink and smile.

“You’re the best.”

“I know.”

Lucie held out her hand, and the pair high-fived, instantly forming back into the blonde bombshell. Lauren’s face morphed into that signature mix of pride and concern as she reached up to cup Clara’s face.

“You be careful.”

The heroine pressed her lips to her lover's.

“Always.”

Then, after a quick glance out the window to make sure the coast was clear, she jumped out and took to the sky. The morning air was cool against her exposed skin, but Clara didn't mind; it was invigorating. She flew low through the streets, waving to the passersby and giggling as somebody wolf-whistled before zooming up above the rooftops. The watch’s coordinates were across town, but with her speed, she’d get there in no time. 

A flash of light above her made Clara grin, and she flipped onto her back and put her arms behind her head.

“Morning.”

“Show off.”

Valkyrie grinned down at her as they flew, her light wings glittering in the morning light.

“This position is going to have the fanboys drooling.” She joked, “When we finish this fight, we should check the boards.”

“Wanna add a little twirl for their benefit?”

“Absolutely.”

The pair circled one another, giggling as they finally approached the job. The alarm bells were wailing, and several masked figures were hastily trying to load a truck with electronics from a smashed front window. Valkyrie shrugged.

“This shouldn’t take long.”

“I count seven. That’s an odd number.”

The pair grinned at one another.

“Bet you I catch four to your three.”

“You’re on, loser writes the report for Thunder Clap.”

“Deal.” 

Without another word, they both headed for the robbers. Clara grinned as they looked up, and the blood drained from their faces. They knew they weren’t going to win this one. She landed dramatically, one knee to the ground before standing up to her full height, hands on her hips.

“Surrender now, or face the justice of Bombshell and Valkyrie! We can do this the easy way, or the hard way!” 

The group hesitated momentarily, then rushed forward, knives in hand, and Clara grinned.

“Hard way it is.”