Prototype : A New Start

A School Trip, and Mercer

Franklin : you guys are going out on a trip? shit, wish we had that.

Damian : School sucks much?

Franklin : damn r8

Franklin : holla me later, lamar is going nuts again

Damian : Oki, catch you later homie

"Here you are, going on your first trip in Detroit, and yet, you're soooo busy with your phone."

"Huh?" Damian turned to look at the girl across his seat, blinking passively. "Yes?"

Maria rolls her eyes, deciding to avert her gaze from him and make herself comfortable in her crampy seat.

"Don't mind Mar-Mar." A certain brunette next to him suddenly embraced him from his side. "Rough morning, you know, the usual!"

Well, the Italian girl does hate rough mornings. Ilya did mention to him god knows how long ago that Maria was always like this.

"What did you guys watch last night?" The evolved, who had gotten much used with physical contacts now, slowly reached for the brunette's cheek. Caressing them with his thumb as the Russian giggled happily at the affectionate gesture.

"Sherlock Holmes, and Watchmen." Ilya purred. "Hey, wanna go out and watch Avatar after school? I happen to have bought some tickets already."

"Eh, sure." The evolved shrugged, no objection to that. Anything for some quality time with your closest friends. "Just the two of us or something?"

The brunette grinned.

"Look at these two lovebirds." Damian looked up to stare at the poking figure of both Valeria and Duke peeking over their seat, both girls being right in front of them. "It makes me sick."

"Huh, I thought you called dibs on Dimy." Without using his sonar, Damian couldn't see exactly what's happening behind the seats. But the sudden Yelp Duke let's out tells him everything he needs. "Auch! What the hell?!"

"Shut up," Valeria hissed, before turning her attention back to the staring pair of blonde and brunette, each with their own respective goofy smile. Her hazel eyes locked on her friends. "I'm totally stalking you guys after school."

"Suit yourself." The evolved fixed his baggy hat. "If you're into voyeurism, then go on. I'm not gonna kink shame you."

Valeria choked almost instantly, with Duke and the others who were eavesdropping suddenly howling in laughter that fills the bus. While the others began to question what happened as Valeria quickly retreated back behind her seat to possibly take out a shotgun and shoot herself with it, the evolved returned his attention back toward his grinning seatmate with a satisfied smile.

"I did well, didn't I?" He asked.

"God, Dimy, you have grown so much." The brunette wistfully sighs, the smile still carved on her face. "I still remember how easily flustered you were."

The Russian girl then leans closer to him, resting her head on his shoulder as he watches his best friend in contemplating silence.

"But now... You just smile at everything, with that calm look on your face..." Ilya softly giggled to herself. "Sometimes, it makes me wonder what's happening inside that head of yours."

Not knowing how to respond, the blonde remained quiet. He gently reached for her hand and interlocked their fingers together, which she returned firmly without a word shared. The evolved felt something warm in his chest, until he reminded his own body that technically he doesn't have a heart.