The night after Sue's graduation
Sue
It almost all came too much, all at once, what had happened to her. Her graduation turned a new page in life for her, challenging her capabilities as an independent adult and superhero. With great power came great responsibility, a word of advice "With Freedom, Came Control" from the Dark Knight himself, his choice of words still floating around her mind.
What not many people did not realize after Sue's departure of the Academy, she was actually called to, from Professor X. A debriefing was needed, a short almost-introduction of how the game of superhero works. Sure, the Academy taught you how to be a superhero, and though Sue was exceptional for having the heart, mind and power of one, she was still out of the loop when it came to what you needed to do. Police scanners, daily patrols, building relations, alliances, betrayals, and ultimately, the willing to do what is right, for the people, with great consideration of all risks and minimizing losses. Sure, Sue had the heart to do it, but whether she was willing to make sacrifices and losses were something you could never learn in the Academy. That included, putting it in a harsh sense, "removing loose ends." In a positive side, to Sue, it meant protecting your loved ones by not having them involved. She didn't have that many people close with her; her father was a superhero already and he kicked ass, the mother ceased to exist long ago...
All that left... was Anthony...
She loved him... Her man, a Luthor, was still vulnerable, and she could never live with herself if anything ever happened to him... but she knew what she had to do to make sure he was safe.
Anthony
Though Anthony had inferred from various clues that Sue was graduating, it didn't feel real until everyone's favourite redhead mounted the stage to give her graduation speech. Then, it hit him. A wave of emotions, breaking through the mental walls he usually had built up, robbing him of all logic. The emotions? First, indignation, that the staff had deemed anyone more worthy of an early graduation than himself. Secondly, curiosity as he wondered exactly why Sue was graduating so much sooner than the other students near her age. Then, anger as he realizes that Sue would most likely be leaving him to pursue her career as a hero. The last emotion he felt was the one that disappointed him the most. Sadness, as he realizes that Sue would most likely be leaving him to pursue her career as a hero. From early on in his childhood, Anthony had been taught that emotional bonds were dangerous and make you vulnerable. Now, the one time he ignored that rule and listened to his heart, he was being abandoned by the one person he had ever loved, and the pain it caused him was beyond description. To protect himself from the soul-tearing despair, his subconscious causes him to begin producing the emotion cancelling pheromones, but instead of injecting them into the air around him, they simply course through his bloodstream.
What seems to be mere moments later, Sue has disappeared and Anthony is rapidly approaching his home. Just as he pulls into his driveway, Anthony hears a sonic boom. Paranoia takes hold of him, forcing him to rapidly exit his car and turn his eyes to the sky, wondering which of his enemies had finally grown the balls to launch an aerial attack against his home. Instead of an enemy aircraft, however, he is greeted by the familiar form of Sue flying through the air. The pheromones, which had made their way out of his bloodstream, soon return in full force as Echo lands in front of him. A one word, monotone greeting exits Anthony's lips without permission as he looks down at Sue, "Hello."
Sue
God he was beautiful. She could never forget the one night they’d spent together under the moonlight having their picnic. She’d slept with him, and only that. It was all they did, and yet it had then been the first sign of what was going to be the greatest thing the two could ever forge; a relationship so formidable in loyalty and interdependence, that nothing in the world could destroy it.
It hurt to have this place as quite potentially the last place they’d ever be “normal” ever again, that they’d ever quite see each other ever again, that they’d be “alright” from now on.
The light lit his features so well, that handsome face that she’d harassed and had the privilege of having close to her face, to her lips, to her heart and soul, a kiss symbolic of the greatest feeling in the world nothing could ever replicate.
She raised her hands, preparing her speech before her signing began:
”Hello, Luthorboy. I know you’re… emotional… and I’m sorry that I caused it.
Please understand where I am! This is what we all wanted to be, to save the world and its people. Come to think of it, even if you had graduated with me, surely this…
Our love…
We cannot risk it. We’re not indestructible or immortal. Our love may be, but our bodies are not. I can’t live with myself knowing that while I am out there saving the world, villains will be going after you as my weak point.
I’m not tying up loose ends, my dear… I..
I’m going to leave you, because I love you.”
She started to tear up, her eyes pouring with tears, but she refused to cave in for a sublime comfort. No, she had to be strong. She was a hero now, and she had to show the world she could do it. She was doing this for him.
Anthony
Anthony looks at Sue, his gaze as cold as void of space itself, as he replies in a deathly quiet voice, "I'm your weak point? Sue, my dear, If you think I've no enemies, you're gravely mistaken. I have survived no less than seven attempts on my life in less than twenty-two years, yet you call me a weak link? I've seen and done darker, harder things than some people will in their entire, miserable existences. I am far from weak, my love, and though you're right in saying we're neither immortal nor invulnerable, I've no doubt that I can achieve both. Lastly, you don't abandon someone you love. You stick with them for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, until death rips you apart. I love you Sue Cassidy, and although it's obvious my feelings aren't reciprocated, I won't hold that against you. I wish you luck and leave with you a small bit of advice."
Anthony steps forward, cutting off the restricting pheromones, and kisses Sue's forehead. He looks her in the eyes, his gaze pronouncing his love for her more than his words ever could, then whispers, "Don't force me to think of you as an enemy." With that ominous farewell lingering in the air, Anthony turns and walks into his home, leaving Sue behind.
Sue
Just before the clasping of her hands which would propel her to the skies in return to her duties, a quick text message:
”I’ll never be your enemy.
You’ll always be Luthorboy to me”
With no reply message, she flew off, the night sky as cold as ice, but the warmth of his kiss lingered on forever.
(The Collaborated Work of Knight125 and Dioxide)
