𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑, COLBY MADDEN

2x15: Bad Influence.

Y/N groaned loudly, burying her face deeper into the pillow. "Hartley, I cannot believe you woke me up this early on a Saturday. I was in the middle of an amazing dream."

Amy, still half-asleep, rolled over, hair sticking up in every direction. "Yeah, Hartley, what's so urgent that we need to abandon our slumber for this?"

Hartley grinned mischievously, leaning against the doorframe with arms crossed. "Okay, okay, hear me out. You were asleep... in a post-apocalyptic wasteland?"

Y/N threw him a glare over the edge of the blanket. "How is that not amazing? I was still asleep, which means I didn't have to deal with zombies or mutant squirrels or... whatever was chasing me!"

Amy snorted, finally sitting up, rubbing her eyes. "You call that amazing? Sounds terrifying. I've seen enough apocalyptic movies to know it's never amazing."

Hartley held up a finger, interrupting. "Forget zombies and mutant squirrels for a second. Today is Starling's big event. The 'Safe Skies' flyover. She's been flying all over the world greeting fans, and as long as she's in the sky, everyone knows the world is safe!"

Y/N blinked, squinting toward the window. "And you woke us up for... a celebrity flyover?"

Amy groaned. "Oh, please, not Starling. That's just a bird with a cape and some weird goggles."

Hartley leaned closer, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret. "No, you don't get it. She's a legend. And this time... she's supposed to nail it. Perfect flight, flawless greeting, everything. It's historic."

Y/N reluctantly swung her legs out of bed. "Historic, huh? Fine... but if she crashes into a lamppost, I'm blaming you for this wake-up call."

Amy mumbled from her blanket cocoon, "I'm bringing snacks. For comfort. In case she fails."

The three of them hurried to the window just in time. The sky was brightening with the soft glow of morning, and there she was—Starling, gliding elegantly above the city in her signature turquoise cape that fluttered like a banner in the wind.

"Good morning, Valley View!" Starling called, her voice amplified through a hidden speaker on her jetpack.

Y/N and Amy exchanged excited-yet-skeptical glances. Then it happened. A flock of birds appeared out of nowhere, swirling chaotically in her path.

"Uh-oh! Birds!" Starling screamed, flailing wildly to avoid them. Her cape caught a gust of wind, spinning her like a twirling top, and a few of her feathers went flying.

The birds squawked, fans below yelped in surprise, and Amy couldn't help but laugh, pointing at the window. "Oh my gosh... she's failing!"

Y/N laughed, almost falling over the windowsill. "I can't believe it. Starling actually failed! This is amazing!"

Hartley clapped his hands together. "See? Totally worth waking up for! Finally, something doesn't go perfectly for once. The universe is balanced again."

Starling's flailing became more dramatic. A banner from the flyover got caught on her jetpack, spinning her in a dizzying circle before she managed to regain control, landing on a rooftop a little off-target. A few fan cheers mixed with groans filled the streets below.

Amy shook her head, grinning. "She's supposed to inspire us all, and instead... chaos. I love it."

Y/N leaned against the windowsill, smiling. "Honestly... this is way better than a perfect flyover. Finally, Starling's human—or... whatever passes for human under all that costume and jetpack tech."

Hartley laughed, throwing his arms up. "And now we have a story to tell. Saturday mornings will never be boring again!"

As Starling flailed in the distance, trying to wave at her fans without getting tangled in her cape, the three of them collapsed back onto the bed, laughing until tears ran down their cheeks. The world might not be perfectly safe, but it was perfectly ridiculous, and for once, that was just what they needed.