𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐆𝐀𝐑, COLBY MADDEN

2x17: The Return.

The living room was a mix of chaos and curiosity. Jake and Colby were sprawled on the couch, Eva perched on the armrest, and Y/N and Amy leaned against the coffee table, all of them watching Vic struggle with a set of clunky dumbbells.

"Groans? Seriously, Dad? Don't you want to tell us what's wrong?" Colby asked, trying to hide his amusement.

Vic groaned louder, flopping back onto the couch. "Let me guess. You think I was trying to lift my five-pound dumbbells again?"

"Give it up, Dad," Y/N said, rolling her eyes. "The summer body isn't happening. It's November. Focus on surviving the winter first."

Vic sat up, wincing. "I was moving my barrels of Nuclonium, and I... tweaked my back. So I need you two to finish the job."

Eva tilted her head. "Why is it you only seem injured when you need us to do something for you?"

Amy leaned back, smirking. "To be fair, he also seems injured whenever I need him to do something for me."

"I do not fake injuries to make my life easier!" Vic said, a little too loudly.

"Okay, sometimes," Jake muttered, crossing his arms.

"Not now!" Vic shot back. "This time, it's real!"

Colby squinted at the ominous barrels. "Uh-oh. Let me guess—Nuclonium?"

"Correct," Vic said, nodding seriously. "But don't worry, as long as you don't drink it, touch it, or get anywhere near it, you'll be fine. Totally safe."

The group exchanged looks that said, totally safe my foot.

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Hartley strolled in with her usual confidence. "Hey! Look at all of you gathered together. Saving the world or just watching Dad flail with weights?"

Y/N snorted. "Little of both, I'd say."

Hartley's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Perfect timing! I've been busy helping organize a bunch of good deeds for the Sunshine Club!"

Eva tilted her head. "Hm. And by 'helping,' you mean 'heckling everyone relentlessly,' right?"

Hartley laughed. "Exactly! But it's all for a good cause. Check this out!" She whipped out her phone and tapped furiously. "The school board just approved my 14th request to paint a Sunshine Club mural in the courtyard!"

Amy froze mid-stretch. "Oh... my... gosh."

Hartley grinned. "Come on! Let's grab the paint and get started tonight!"

Y/N raised an eyebrow. "Tonight? We've been going all day. And as much as I love slapping paint on school property, having permission kind of ruins the thrill for me."

Hartley pouted. "Permission is part of being responsible! Come on, you two can help me finish this masterpiece!"

Amy glanced at Vic, who was still groaning by the dumbbells, and muttered under her breath, "Yeah... I really should stay here and help my injured father move these barrels."

Hartley's face fell, just a little. "Okay, fine. But—if you finish early—will you come help me after?"

Amy let out a long, exaggerated sigh. "Do you really have to ask that question when you already know the answer?"

Y/N chuckled, leaning back on the table. "Yeah, Hartley. You're doomed."

Jake snorted. "Doomed, but at least she's enthusiastic. Can't fault her for that."

Colby glanced at Amy, then at Y/N, and whispered, "Do you think we can get out of this without painting anything?"

Y/N smirked. "Not a chance. But maybe we can strategically 'supervise' from the sidelines."