Jupiter [Marvel Phase I]

fifteen.

Grindhouse was particularly bustling this afternoon. Looks like Dev and I aren't the only ones prepping for finals, Jenn mused as she watched the busy lobby. Dev was currently in line, picking up warm scones for their walk home. She had spotted his coffee last time and called in a favor, so now he was trapped in a line that stretched almost to the door. Jenn did not envy him.

That left her the sole occupant of their regular booth. Jenn sipped the dregs of her latte and tried to keep herself entertained by reciting the friction coefficients she studied that afternoon. Of course, that lasted about ten seconds before she got distracted again.

When Jenn emptied the remainder of her drink, her jacket sleeve slipped. Her eyes caught the black and green spandex peeking out from under it and a smile rose to her lips. Placing her empty mug on the table, Jenn pushed up the sleeve a little further.

There was something thrilling about wearing her suit in public. About flaunting her secret identity. With her long, winter coat over top of the suit, she looked just like any other person coming from the gym. It was a bit of a strange combo with her choice of combat boots, but it couldn't have been the strangest thing people had seen this side of London.

"Admiring my handiwork?" Dev asked, bringing Jenn out of her thoughts.

She looked up and found her friend smiling down at her, two bags in hand. Jenn stood, taking the one Dev was holding out to her. "Have I mentioned recently how lucky I am to have you as a friend?"

"Only about a dozen times today," Dev shrugged, falling in step with her. "But I could stand to hear it some more. How's the suit holding up, by the way?"

"Still in one piece," Jenn replied, holding the door open for them. She'd been so careful with the suit at first, but a couple of scuff marks were inevitable. But she had yet to put any rips or tears in it, she was proud to report. "How about you? Since you chose to spend the afternoon with me, I'm guessing you haven't asked Alicia out yet."

Dev's answering groan only made her laugh. "Have some pity, alright?" He pouted. "I was so prepared after Theoretical Electrocardiography, but then Dr. Sutton called me out after class."

"Harry called you out after class?" Jenn made a face.

"Um, yeah..." Dev replied, almost hesitant.

Oh, was he not doing well in the class? That seemed unlikely knowing Dev, but whatever the case, he didn't seem particularly comfortable explaining. "No, no, it's okay. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to," Jenn assured him.

The conflict in Dev's eyes only worsened. "No, it's not that," he began, only to stop short. Before Jenn could ask him what the hundred-meter stare was for, he said, "You hear that?"

Hear what? Jenn nearly asked. Thankfully, she held her tongue. The sound was faint, but there was definitely someone crying nearby. If Jenn had to guess, the sound was coming from somewhere down the alley to their left. There was no guarantee something was up, but it never hurt to check.

"Twice in one day, huh? How'd I get so lucky?" Jenn sighed, but it was done with a smile. Sometimes, she loved what she did.

While Jenn scouted ahead, Dev lagged behind. They had enough practice by now that they didn't need to communicate out loud. Usually, Dev didn't join her on these expeditions, but it was always nice to have a lookout - or, forbid, backup if something went wrong.

The alleyway went clear through the street, but there was no one visible. Still, the sounds continued. Halfway down the alley, Jenn spotted it; a bend in the wall to the right. The sounds were louder the closer she got, morphing into intelligible voices.