1 | Almost Happy ▷ Sam Wilson | ✓

27 - BINDING TRUTH

IT HAD BEEN A WHILE SINCE NICKY HAD CHECKED UP ON THE YOUTHS IN HIS LIFE, AND SINCE RHETT HAD PRACTICALLY KICKED HIM OUT OF THE LOFT, HE FIGURED NOW WOULD BE THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THEM. That was how he ended up going to Midtown High for lunch, complete with a vistor's sticker and everything, texting Harry and asking where he and the others were. He had thought they would be in the cafeteria, but instead, they told him that they were all out on the field, except for Peter and his own friends who stayed inside.

"Hey, kids," he greeted, smiling as he caught sight of Diana who was sprawled out along the table, her adoptive brother Flash sprawled across her, and his ex-girlfriend Gwen across him.

"Hey, Nicky!" Harry chirped, nearly sending an unfamiliar boy sprawling onto the grass as he jumped to his feet.

"What's going on?" he asked, moving to help the unfamiliar boy to his feet, "Hi. I'm Nicky."

"So I've heard," the boy replied, though he immediately caught himself, giving him an awkward, but charming smile, "I'm Phillip. Harry talks about you. A lot. So does Dina, but she doesn't sound as in love with you as he does."

Harry made a sharp noise in the back of his throat, making a swipe at Phillip's leg with his foot, and the boy dodged it easily, smiling.

Nicky had heard of Phillip from both Harry and Diana, as well as Peter who had gone to see him after Valentine's Day with the news of how he had come to know him and the boy's newly acquired girlfriend, whom Diana spoke very highly of despite never interacting much.

"What're you doing here?" Diana asked, and despite her smile, he could see her reaching towards the bracelets around her wrists which, when pressed, transformed into gauntlets; Nicky had to admit, he was very proud of many of the things he designed for her.

"Rhett kicked me out for the day, so I figured I'd see what my favorite kids are up to," he hummed, moving to sit next to Phillip so he could reach over and ruffle Flash's hair, "And trust me, I met this one kid. Real cute, scary observant, but we don't get along."

"I thought everyone liked you," Flash said, sharing a look with the man; he had had a brief time going to sessions with him, though familial differences forced him to stop; it was a pity and Nicky reminded himself to give the boy his card again.

"I try to make sure everyone likes me, I don't like enemies or people disliking me, but I'm working on it," he replied, smiling over at Gwen who was looking at him with barely hidden interest; she had heard much of him from all her friends, but had yet to meet him in person.

"I'm Nicky," he introduced, holding out his hand, and was surprised by the firmness of her grip; a girl smaller than Diana in every way, he didn't expect her to be so forward.

"Gwen Stacy, I think you worked with my dad once on a case," she replied, "I don't know much about it and don't expect you to talk about it, but I figured I'd add it in."

He laughed, because he could, then reached into his bag to pull out the lunch he had brought with him, seeing that the kids were still in the midst of eating their own lunches.

After a few minutes of silence, Diana spoke, "Okay, I'm really sorry if you don't want me to say it, but are you dating Sam yet?"

Harry choked on his food, Phillip hitting his back roughly. The taller boy jumped to his feet, whirling around and grabbing Nicky by his shirt, shaking him lightly.

"Who's Sam and why didn't you tell me!" he shouted, looking over at Diana, "Who's Sam?"

Before Diana could reply, Nicky held up his hand. "How much time do you have before you have to go to class?"