𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑, COLBY MADDEN

2x11: Hidden Hero

Colby was in the kitchen, carefully balancing three apples in one hand while spinning a small frying pan on the other. "Look what I just learned how to do!" he called, grinning from ear to ear.

Vic leaned against the counter, smirking. "Ah, juggling. That's great, son of a genius with the skills of a seal."

Y/N, leaning against the fridge, rolled her eyes but smiled. "I'll give you points for enthusiasm."

Eva, chopping vegetables nearby, looked up. "Not bad, Colby. But save some of that energy for the pepper challenge, apparently."

Before anyone could respond, the kitchen door swung open, and Celia stomped in, her boots echoing against the tile. "There you are! I've been tearing through this house looking for you!"

Colby froze mid-spin, sending the apples clattering to the counter. "Uh... snooped through our house when we weren't there?"

"I sleep in your house when you're not there. Anyway," Celia said, brushing past them, "I heard you're running the Round-Up's annual Iron Tongue Hot Pepper Eating Contest at the fair this weekend."

"That's right," Vic said, leaning forward, trying to stay casual. "Now I'm the supervisor. I'm in charge of all sorts of stuff."

Celia crossed her arms, a wicked grin spreading across her face. "Did someone say 'prize money'? $300? You're looking at your challenger."

Y/N, Colby, and Eva exchanged uneasy glances.

"How do I win?" Colby asked, already feeling the tension.

"You eat an extremely hot pepper called The Poltergeist," Celia explained, leaning closer. "The hottest pepper known to man. You eat it, no milk allowed, and the last one standing wins."

Colby's eyes widened. "No milk? Are you insane?!"

"I saw a guy eat one online," Celia continued, totally unfazed. "He nearly coughed up a lung. But that's the game."

Vic held up a hand. "Not a problem when your insides are half titanium."

Colby muttered under his breath, "Half titanium, full regret."

Celia smirked. "So, are you ready to lose, Vic?"

Vic straightened. "I accept your challenge. But don't be too sure. I'm not going to make it easy."

"Oh, please," Celia said, rolling her eyes. "You? The guy who says vanilla ice cream has too much bite? You think you can win?"

Colby, who had been hovering nervously, piped up. "Actually... I might be able to help."

Everyone turned toward him. "What do you mean?" Y/N asked.

Colby grinned. "I can genetically modify two peppers. One for Vic, completely normal, no spice. One insanely spicy for Celia... and then, well, you swap them for the contest peppers. Heh, problem solved."

Y/N blinked. "Uh... no. No way. You're the supervisor of the contest. If your boss finds out, you'll get fired."

"Come on," Colby protested. "Celia beats Vic at everything: bull riding, scare contests, even that race to the moon." He paused. "Okay, that last one was a dream. But still, she's relentless. I can't just sit here."

Eva put a hand on his shoulder. "Colby, this is risky. You can't just—"

"I just want to see him win," Colby interrupted. "And maybe not scream his face off when he bites the pepper."

Celia laughed, pacing in front of them. "Oh, sweetie, I won't need genetically modified peppers to make this fun. Your friends here?" She gestured toward Colby, Y/N, and Eva. "Neither of you are going to survive watching me win. Honestly, you don't even care if Vic wins."