"So tell us Quantum..." Cameron started, looking at the blonde women sat on the sofa chairs in front of the cameras. "How did you two find each other again?" Athena leant over and grabbed Annies hand, squeezing it as she answered. "Well, as I have said in interviews, all my public life Cam, I was found in a box in an Alleyway by non other than Vought CEO Stan Edgar." the crowd applauded at the mention of the man and his (fake) heroic actions. "But once me and Starlight met, I knew we had a bond stronger than friendship, sisterhood." The audience awed in unison as if rehearsed "Once we confirmed through DNA that we were indeed related, it was easy to figure out that I was Mr and Mrs Januarys lost daughter that was kidnapped by what we assume was an estranged nurse who then left me on the streets."
From the living room sofa back at home, Butcher watched the live interview with a beer in his hand, and Prince curled up next to him. He, of course, knew this was a bunch of scripted bollocks but Athena was lying like it was her second language, just like a regular Supe. As much as that night had been on Athenas mind, it had been on Butchers, but he didn't have a day of photoshoots to distract him, he was left alone with his thoughts, and seeing her up close with the cameras all dolled up to the nines wasn't helping. She was an attractive woman, but he hated supes, all of them, and what they stood for. Corruption. That said, no matter how hard he tried to associate her with that, he just couldn't, which had him battling with the emotions he's had for 8 years and his emotions now.
Athena smiled sweetly as Cameron asked. "Is it true you actually changed your career just to be close to Starlight?" The audience broke out into whispers, this being news to them. "I did indeed. Nothing is going to keep me from my sister now that I've found her." The response brought on another round of cheers and awes from the audience, and Athena could almost sense their points going up in all age groups of women.
"Now, onto a more emotional matter...have you spoken to Mrs January - your mother?" Cameron asked. Both Annie and Athena tensed up. This wasn't in the script. As much as Cameron was on Voughts' payroll, he had a job to do as journalist. "Well-" Athena tried to answer, but her heart was pounding out of her chest, the thought of contacting her real mother had been a thought she had pushed down, in pure fear of simply meeting the woman who decided that she didn't want her and would rather sell her for some experiment than keep her and raise her in a loving home, was sending her head spinning. Her stumbling words gave Annie a chance to jump in, "We have decided it's best for us to work on our bond as sisters before working on the parental side of things- this is all so life changing for Quantum so we want to take it at a steady pace." Cameron smiled at the response and moved onto his next talking points, something about how there's talks of Starlight and Quantum dolls being released as a set, movies about them reuniting ect, but Athena struggled to keep focus.
Butcher watched the television as Athena nodded silently and smiled while Starlight talk about "How much more at home she feels at Vought now" and other Supe bullshit, but he couldn't keep his eyes off her, the tapping of her fingers on her thigh while her eyes darted between Cameron and Starlight. Prince 'meowed' drawing attention to him, Billy looked down, scratching gently behind his ear. "Your mummy will be home soon, lad." He comforted. He hadn't been this affection with an animal, let alone a cat, since he took Terror to his aunts when Becca disappeared.
Once the interview was over, Cam gave the woman a brief hug and bid them farewell while the audience applauded. Ashley ran to them backstage, a look of panic on her face, "Quantum, I had no idea he was going to say that, I'm so so sorry." Quantum gave a concerned look as Ashley twirled her hair harshly between her fingers. The fear in her eyes was alarming. "Ashley, it's fine," she calmed her. "The interview went great. Let's go, Starlight." They waved a goodbye to Ashley and walked off set to the black car that was waiting for them, the PR day wasn't over yet, as Annie received a phone call once the car had set off, informing them that they were being taken to a high end restaurant to dine and chat, paparazzi were already waiting for their arrival. They objective was to dine, chat, and make sure they were all smiles. Athena groaned at the news and picked her phone out of her bra and began messaging, her sister trying to peer over from the seat next to her, "And who are you texting?" she smirked suggestively, and Athena quickly put the phone away, "Just my maid, letting her know to feed Prince since I'm coming home late." The sentence wasn't a complete lie. She did message to feed Prince, but it was Butcher who received it, not a maid.
The restaurant that was booked was definitely on the classier side, Athena herself had never been but she knew it was specifically tailored for Supes, and neither of the women were complaining, Vought paying for them to dine and smile? They couldn't refuse. Right on schedule when the car pulled up cameras started flashing, meaning it was smiles and waves until they got into the restaurant where they were seated at the finest table slap bang in the centre of the room for all the other superheroes to see. There was one familiar face as "Siren!" walked over to them as they were being seated, and Athena got up again to hug her former co-star. The taller man picked her up slightly off the ground as they hugged. "I hear you two are sisters. Congratulations!" he nodded to Annie, who offered him a sweet smile, having only briefly interacting him at the premier of 'Quantum love'.
"Yeah we are- which is why the whole big deal that we are here, Vought is milking the fuck out of all this." She leant in to whisper to him, who knows who might be listening?.
He chuckled, "Yeah I guessed that, well I will leave you ladies too it, have a great night." he took Athenas hands and kissed them lightly, returning to his table. Athena sat back down to see Annies puzzled face, "oh no no no" She shut down quickly, "Jan is a lovely guy but he doesn't much enjoy the company of women." Annies eyes widened as she clocked onto what her sister meant. Complimentary wine was brought to the table and Annie wasted no time in opening it, indicating that something was wrong, Athena knew that Annie would only really go for a drink if something or someone was stressing her out.
"So how long have you been in contact with Hughie again?"
YOU ARE READING
QUANTUM~Billy Butcher
Fanfiction"Well, don't you look absolutely breathtaking, love." "I know you're not planning to take me out, so what are you doing stalking me down a dark alley, Mr Butcher?"
