The Scumbag's Guide To Heroism

I headed downstairs, changed into comfortable clothes – loose joggers and a plain black t-shirt that wouldn’t make me look like I was trying too hard. The Oracle Feed kept flashing updates about Sloane’s movement patterns around the house, which I mostly ignored. I didn’t need a supernatural system to tell me she was excited. Her footsteps practically bounced off the walls.

The Fitzgerald house had an actual home theater tucked away on the first floor, behind a set of double doors that Diane had installed when business started booming. Not one of those sad little setups with a big TV and some recliners that people call "theater rooms." This was a legitimate mini-cinema with tiered seating, sound panels on the walls, a projector that cost more than most cars, and a concession area with an actual popcorn machine.

Rich people, man.

I found Sloane already in the theater, the lights dimmed to that pre-movie glow. She’d changed too – into grey sweatpants and a loose tank top that hung off one shoulder. Her pink hair was pulled back in a messy bun, a few strands framing her face. She glanced up when I walked in, a smile spreading across her face that hit differently than her usual expressions.

"About time. I thought maybe you fell in the shower. Again."

"Cute. Really cute." I walked down to the concession area where she stood filling a massive bowl with fresh popcorn. "You know what’s not cute? Bringing that up."

"You standing there naked like a deer in headlights was pretty cute."

I felt heat rise in my cheeks. "Can we please move on from my unexpected nudity?"

"Not yet." She tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth with perfect aim. "It’s way too fun watching you squirm."

"I’m not squirming. I’m standing here very normally, like a normal person who normally wears clothes."

"Mhm." She handed me the popcorn bowl. "Hold this while I grab drinks."

I took the bowl while she opened the mini-fridge behind the counter. "What are we watching anyway?"

"Way of the Dragon Fist."

"Seriously? The martial arts movie?"

She emerged with two sodas. "What’s wrong with that?"

"Nothing, except you’re going to spend the whole time complaining about how unrealistic the fights are."

"No I won’t." She closed the fridge with her hip.

"Yes you will. ’That stance would never work.’ ’You can’t generate enough force from that position.’ ’His guard is completely open.’ Sound familiar?"

She pushed my shoulder. Not lightly either – I actually had to catch myself. "I don’t sound like that."

"You absolutely sound like that. Last time we watched an action movie, you threw popcorn at the screen when the hero did a spinning kick."

"Because his pivot foot was all wrong! He would’ve fallen on his ass!"

"See? You’re already doing it and the movie hasn’t even started."

She pushed me again, harder this time, her palm flat against my chest. I stumbled back a step, laughing.

"You want to go another round in the gym?" She raised an eyebrow. "Because I’m still pretty sure I can put you on the mat whenever I want."

"Maybe I let you win."

"Let me—" She stopped, narrowing her eyes. "Is this about your Aspect? You think because you can move a book now, you can take me?"

I shrugged, enjoying the fire in her eyes. "Maybe I’ve been holding back."

"Oh that’s it." She set down the sodas and cracked her knuckles. "We’re testing this theory. Right now."

I put down the popcorn bowl and gave her my best smirk. "Here? In the theater?"

"Why not? Scared?"

"Of you? Always."

Her eyes widened slightly, then crinkled at the edges. Before I could react, she lunged at me. Not with her Aspect – just pure physical speed. Her shoulder connected with my midsection, and I found myself lifted off my feet and thrown over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Hey!" I protested as she carried me toward the seating area.

"Still think you can take me?" I could hear the grin in her voice.

"This isn’t a fair fight. I wasn’t ready."

"Villains don’t give you a countdown, Belmont."

She dropped me onto the loveseat – not the regular theater seats, but the small two-person couch positioned in the center of the front row – and promptly pinned my wrists above my head. Her face hovered inches from mine, eyes gleaming with triumph.

"I win," she whispered.

My heart hammered against my ribs. This was not how I expected movie night to start.

"You cheated," I said, my voice coming out embarrassingly hoarse.

"I used the element of surprise." Her grip on my wrists tightened. "Tactical advantage."

I became acutely aware of her weight on top of me, her thighs straddling my waist. Her tank top had slipped further off her shoulder, revealing the black strap of her sports bra underneath. Her hair was coming loose from the bun, pink strands falling around her face.

〘 Subject Sloane Fitzgerald’s physical contact metrics have increased by 87% compared to previous baseline. Dominant position suggests territorial behavior rather than submission testing. Current Temptation Gauge: 47%. 〙

"You going to let me up?" I asked.

"Do you yield?"

"To what?"

"To the fact that I can still kick your ass, manifested Aspect or not."

I grinned up at her. "Never."

With a move I’d practiced countless times in my head, I bucked my hips and twisted, using momentum rather than strength to flip our positions. Sloane’s eyes widened in genuine shock as she suddenly found herself beneath me, her wrists now pinned by my hands.

"How did you—"

"Maybe I have been paying attention during training."

Her surprise gave way to something else – a flash of heat in her blue eyes that made my mouth go dry. For a moment, neither of us moved or spoke. I could feel her breath against my face, the rise and fall of her chest beneath mine.

"We should start the movie," she finally said, though she made no move to free herself.

"Yeah," I agreed, not moving either.

Another beat passed.

"That means you have to let me go, Lukas."

===

〘Traore’s Thoughts〙

Hey guys, I decided to make a Power Stone Goal for this novel. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Every 200 Power Stones this week = +1 Extra Chapter. (MAX 14 ChapterS)

We can have the normal 2 Daily Chapters + 2 Extra Chapters Every Day, is all up to you ;)