𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑, COLBY MADDEN

2x06: Vases, Volcanoes & the Green-Eyed Monster

Jake slouched at the edge of the kitchen table, arms crossed, glancing pointedly at Vic, who was tinkering with some gadget and humming to himself.

"Dad," Jake muttered, his voice low but sharp, "no one's gonna wanna eat lunch with me if you're hanging around the table."

"Oh, please," Vic replied without looking up, waving a wrench. "You've been alone here twenty-five minutes. No one's coming. You need company."

Jake groaned, throwing his head back. "That's the problem. You're too much company."

At that moment, the door burst open, and Colby barged in, practically bouncing. Y/N followed close behind, smiling brightly.

"Dad, guess what?" Colby blurted, barely pausing for a breath.

Vic finally looked up, curiosity flickering across his face. "Please tell me a free chair opened up in the teacher's lounge."

"Nope!" Colby shouted triumphantly. "I entered the science fair! I'm gonna build a volcano!"

Vic's eyes narrowed. "A volcano? What is this, 'Baby's First Science Kit'? Don't you think we could come up with something a little... more sophisticated?"

"'We'?" Colby asked, frowning.

"Yes, we," Vic said, his tone smug. "I'm offering guidance."

Colby's jaw tightened. "No. I wanna do this on my own."

Vic leaned forward, hands on his knees, voice dripping with mockery. "And what's wrong with volcanoes? They're... cool."

Jake's eyebrow twitched. "Cool for throwing people into, not building. Any amateur can make one erupt. But you're the son of the school's most brilliant science teacher. Don't you want to aim higher?"

Colby's eyes flashed with determination. "I can handle this myself. I'm not afraid of embarrassing myself!"

Vic chuckled, eyes glinting. "Sounds like you're afraid Colby's gonna embarrass you."

Colby's face heated. "Sounds like you're right!"

Jake groaned, slapping the table. "Listen, Colby. Don't fall for it. The only reason he wants to 'help' is so he can take over your project. That's what he always does."

"I've never done that in my life!" Vic interjected indignantly.

Jake shook his head, voice rising. "During my first villain battle, you put on a strength-boosting exo-suit and fought the heroes for me!"

Vic crossed his arms defensively. "I've only done that once in my life!"

Jake's face was red with frustration. "All the superheroes mocked me, saying I needed my daddy to fight my battles! Which isn't true! I can fight my own battles like a big boy!"

Colby stepped back, shaking his head. "Not wanting... whatever that was to happen to me... I'm gonna build the volcano on my own."

Vic's eyes softened ever so slightly, a sly grin forming. "Okay. But if you come to your senses and realize you can't win this thing without my help, I'll be waiting. Milo!"

A lanky, spectacled boy appeared from the doorway, pushing up his glasses. "Well, if it isn't the second smartest person in the school. I see—"

Colby interrupted, pointing. "The smartest person is me, Milo."

"We know," Milo replied, unbothered, "but hello, Colby. I hear you're entering the science fair. Don't bother, I got that thing on lock."

"Yeah, well, this year, Colby's gonna win," Colby said, puffing out his chest. "So, you better call a locksmith."