Fusion and Iron

6. Heading Back Home

The uproar of celebration nearly deafened Mount Blackhead; aside from the noble volunteers who offered to patrol the top walls, the campsite was full of activity. For once, in a long time, most of the operatives stationed at the site were lounging about. Dozens of hammocks were hung in the trees for relaxation, a large ball game had been held in the very middle, the finer drinks for both kids and adults rationed had been brought up in portions to share and a great feast was held. The chefs put their utmost best with what herbs and spices they had, having prepared a huge barbecue. The aroma of seasoned beef and homemade sauces seized the area, dragging in all who were willing to eat dinner at any time. The sun had hit golden hour, the sky lit up in a beautiful orange, yellow and pink. Golden clouds roamed across the sky, reflecting the rays of light which stretched across the entirety of the Twisted Forest.

Niles sat alone like an old man on one of the provided park benches; his legs were stretched out as his back lay flat on the table post. Most of his upper body had been treated with medicine once again, his open cuts wrapped around with medical bandages. A tiny band-aid was smacked across the bridge of his nose, another under his chin. The pain had subsided for now thanks to painkillers, though he would need some more again tomorrow morning. He ached imagining how he would feel then.

His flip flops had been kicked off, his feet comfortably stretching in the grass underneath him. There was a hole in his shirt, cut by the hornet's stinger which nearly impaled him. He wondered how it was strong enough to even pierce titanium, though the hole was tiny. His shirt had been slightly outstretched and stained in green, forever tainted by the disgusting bile Fuse's minions produced. Despite the bags under his eyes (and overall near dead look), there was a happy grin on his face. He was a bystander, watching the fun and activities all around him. He observed younger recruits run around, getting a chance to be kids again in a challenging world like this one. The football they shared darted through the sky and landed into one's arms, before being dogpiled by nearly five other boys. Something about it was reminiscent, reminding him of his days as a tween when he lived in Pokey Oaks North. Before the fallout, the training and deployment to fight fuse, there was the middle school life. Deep down, he missed it. That normality in life felt like it was nearly gone, turning into a twisted new normality of war.

By the same spot where he had set up a blanket for himself, the dynamo suit stood busted and shut down. The panels had switched over, taking in the last ounces of the sun's rays to recharge the energy from within. Someone had the diligence to clean it up a little on behalf of Niles, although still had a hue of green to it. Whenever he had a lot of free time again, he would have to rinse it all down with cleaning supplies again just to get the green color out. His cape had slightly been cut a little bit but otherwise seemed fine, nothing a little bit of sewing couldn't do.

Several of his metal panels had been cut off or completely ruined by the amount of blunt damage it took; having taken on dozens of creatures single handedly, his armor surely had its fair share of beatings. Several of the titanium plates would need to be replaced in order for it to be the same again, a complicated task which would take a lot of time.
In Niles' hands was a paper plate with some cooked ribs with a little bit of hot sauce on the side. It was hot to the touch, still steaming in the summer breeze as if it were right off the grill. The x-marks on the top of the beef indicated it was tender, almost cartoonishly perfect to say the least. Next to it was a batch of sweet corn, cooked and salted to almost sizzled. Lastly were some mashed potatoes, a small pool of gravy resting in its own little bowl-shape.

He treated himself to this feast, having received the flavor of love once again. His eyes sunk as they shut, taking in every essence of the meal. How he longed to have food like this again and not some microwavable junk. The passion from within brought him a simplistic joy, getting to eat properly cooked food for the first time in a long time. He missed it, a sauce-lipped smile on his face and a low, "Mmmm~"