"Come on, I need some Cheetos and a mountain dew! You promised, dude!" "Dude! I have a migraine! I'm not driving you to the gas station!" "I'd drive if I knew how!" The sixteen-year-old snapped back at his mentor and friend. "FINE! Tomorrow I'll teach you how to drive, and you can take the Stanza!"
There were no Cheetos that night, but the night after, Gary found himself sitting nervously in the front seat of the Stanza, moving slowly down the highway. 24 sitting next to him looking nervous. 21's hands set at 10 and 2. "Alright, dude, you're doing fine. Give'er some gas already before we get pulled over for going too slow!" "DUDE! I am unlicensed, uninsured and flipping terrified! Ease off!" "Chill, bro, you have a permit, right? Licensed adult, owner of the car. It's fine."
He probably should have admitted he didn't ACTUALLY have a permit, but that was fine, they were professional bad guys. Duh. By the time they reached the nearest 7/11, Gary had been white knuckling so long that he thought he might break the wheel. Twenty four laughing as he patted him on the back. "Come on, Kid. Let's go get some muchies!"
Stepping out and following his friend closely as it truly hit him. "Oh my god, DUDE! I drove, and didn't hit anything!" "You did pretty good, 21." "Dude!" It was all he could yell again as he grabbed the case of Mt Dew, and a few bags of chips. 24 had his own snacks picked out, but they knew they'd share, they always do. "Can I drive back?" "Duh. You're getting as much experience as possible, then we're getting your license." "About that.... Uh, my mom wouldn't sign for it last year... so I don't, actually." "No problem, dude, just ask Dr. Girlfriend to file it with the guild. They can bypass that." "Seriously?" "Probably, just ask her." "I SO will! Should we get her a snack for payment?" "Dude, you don't even know what she likes! And you're gonna, have to get more confident behind the wheel before you bother her. Let's just pay and go!.. You're also paying for gas for these lessons too."
"Sweet, deal!" He called back as he paid for his snacks, heading back to the Stanza. Slipping back in the driver seat, hands back at 10 and 2 he looked too 24 as he got in. "Maybe I can learn to drive a manual soon!" "Dude, I have to ask..." A concerned tone in his voice. "What?" "If your mom wouldn't sign for your permit, how did you get her to sign you out of school?" "Uhhh..." a guilty look crossed his face as 21 started the car and looked back to back the car up to take them home. "Never mind that, just know it was handled."
It was not in fact handled. He was just lucky he had slipped through the cracks, and that for some reason his teachers never reported him missing.
He couldn't believe he got away with it. Dragging Professor Vibration's body down the hill, he heard 24's voice before anyone elses. "Holy shit, it's the kid! Oh my god!" One of the other's started chanting "Wings" with the other. Normally, they might lift the newest official henchman to get their wings, but all of them knew the kid was heavy and none of them wanted to do that again.
He got a lot of pats to the back and congratulations. The other henches taking picture's of little 21 and the body. He had been smart enough to mess his suit up a little, and at least the fear rolling off him was real. He expected to be caught and tortured for lying.
"Hey Boss! The kid killed the douche-hat! Want us to bring the body? Nah? Cool, we'll be there soon! The bot's dropped as soon as he died." He heard 24 speaking into the communicator. He couldn't tell what the Monarch was saying as 24 placed a hand on his shoulder. "Boss says leave the body, let's head back!" It was rare for 24 to take any kind of lead, but he knew if anyone else did, they'd probably try to steal credit from the youngest.
The six months he had been in the fluttering horde, he had never been this close to the Monarch, at least since he was supposed to be gotten rid of anyway. He tried not to look frightened as their leader walked up. "Well, I hear you've earned your wings, henchman 21! Congraduations! We will have the ceremony tomorrow. Dr. Girlfriend is at her mother's tonight." He was patted on the head as the Monarch was walking away with Henchman 44.
"That guy killed Professor Vibrations? He looked like he was scared shitless." "Kid's got the instinct." "If you say so." He sounded skeptical, but went with it.
"Come on, 21, let's go get something to eat." 24 was back by his side, playfully twacking his shoulder as he led him to the lunchroom.
Most of the other Henchmen went off to their rooms or to hang out in the lounge, but 24 and 21 sat at one of the tables, 21 just idly picking at the food on his plate. "I know something's wrong when you don't eat, Staypuft. Spill it." "First off, bite me. Second... nothing's wrong." "Sure, sure, and I'm the Mona Lisa." "Totally knew you were a girl." "Anyone ever tell you that you have a smart mouth, kid?" "Just you, everyday, old man." "Ouch. Like seriously, ouch. I'm not that old!"
21 started to laugh a little then as 24 worked on a fruit roll up he had snagged earlier. "You get used to the killing. I've been at this a long time, dude. First blood's never easy. You have got to remember it's just orders. It's not really your blood on your hands when it's orders."
"That... yeah, I guess that makes sense." "How old are you again?" "Old enough." "So, a kid." "Fucking bite me, dude." "Nah, don't need the cholesterol. Seriously though, dude, you're all nerves. I'll give you a cigarette to take off the edge."
21 looked up surprised, he hadn't considered smoking cool until he joined the Horde, but the coolest henchmen all seemed to smoke. "Cool." "Not cool. It's expensive, and the boss hates it. So, we gotta go outside. If he catches us. I'm leaving you behind and bolting." "Let's go." "You didn't finish eating." "Who care, I'm watching my figure." "Sure, you are. Come on, let's go."
21 felt like he really belonged now, sitting outside the cocoon, where some of the other's hid when they smoked. 24 was playing a game on his flip phone, while 21 coughed a little around his first cigarette. This time tomorrow, he'd have his wings, and everything was looking up. Maybe this was what growing up really felt like.
Gary hadn't let himself worry about what Malcolm or Sheila thought when he had shut his phone off after calling Manolo and Monarch to say he was taking the day off. He had left more than once and been gone for months each time. Of course, there were reasons for his bosses to worry. One more than the other. It was while he was on the train on his way back to Newark that he realized that Malcolm was going to be royally pissed off at him.
He didn't regret the choice, and refused to regret it, nope. He would deal with whatever was waiting at home.
Stepping off the bus, and he saw the drapes in the office shift as he pushed open the recently added butterfly gate, making his way up the steps. Monarch standing at the top of the steps, his arms crossed over his chest, trying to look menacing in his maroon bathrobe and leopard print speedos. "DUDE! What. The. Fuck!"
"Dude, chill. I took a day off." Gary grumbled back, coming to stand before his boss, a step between them, Malcolm's height really on display as he stepped aside. "Go fucking change, Dr. My wife is home! Then we're talking about this shit!" Smacking him hard against the back of his head. Gary was a little hung over again after the second night, but he just grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. Making his way inside.
"Welcome home, Gary!" He heard the deep voice call from somewhere in the living spaces. "Thanks, Dr. Mrs. Monarch!"
He was already hurrying up the stairs before she could see him.
---
Returning downstairs after a shower, a trim of his stubble and a change of clothes, he went into the kitchen. Monarch was grumbling under his breath as Sheila looked up. Her eyes zeroing in on the chipper mood of their singular henchman. Just like that, she knew. Not all the details, but she knew. It made everything make sense.
"Dude, what the fuck, where were you?" Monarch, however, was not so quick on the uptake, just tracking Gary as he made himself a bowl of cereal and sat at the island. Who cared that it was nearly 2pm already?
"Trenton, nice little hotel. You guys didn't even have any work for me, chill dude." He spoke with the wave of his spoon. Sheila had to take the salt from Monarch, who was about to throw it at him for that laid back attitude over it all.
"What he means to say, 21, is we were worried. It's not like you to go radio silent, not unless you were planning to not come back awhile." "YES! That!" Monarch all but yelled. "Perhaps crawling back to the enemy! In TRENTON! Trenton sucks, Newark is so much better!"
Gary shook his head, letting go of the spoon and looking at his best friend. "Dude. I was with a girl. Of course, I shut my phone off, you called like 15 times in two hours after I said I was taking the day off."
Sheila looked a little smug to had guessed so quickly, but Malcolm's jaw dropped like he didn't believe what he was hearing.
"Good for you, sweetie. Is she at least a nice girl?" "Oh yeah, the best." "Are you two together now?" "Nah, we're just friends."
That was not what either of them expected.
"THAT is more like it! Did you spend that long playing your Dungeons and Gremlins!" "Dungeons and Dragons, dingus, and no. That's on every third Thursday of the month. It's on the calendar. I'm too tired for this, call me if we need to arch or if you need something serious."
Taking his bowl, he went to leave the kitchen as Monarch yelled after him. "Don't you DARE leave that in your room again!" "Honey, calm down." Sheila sighed.
---
Later that night, Sheila was off with the council and the two of them were in the Morphocave. The silence was annoying them both, but male stubbornness made neither want to be the loser. However, the Monarch would always claim victory even in the eye of loss.
"TWENTY ONE!" Gary nearly dropped his laptop as he jumped to his feet. An impulse when called for. "As your leader, I DEMAND to know what happened and why you ignored me!" "Dude, I got laid! Why are you making this a big deal!" "...Wait, really? You?" "Thanks dude... really." "Wait, wait. I don't mean it like that!" Monarch's irritation melting away as he leaned on the control panel of the Crime Computer. "You said she's just a friend, you don't strike me as the...." "One-night stand type?" Gary offered. "THAT's the one. So what's the deal?"
It was almost like the night monarch confronted him for torturing the Venture boys all over again. The two talked away, Monarch more shocked the more he heard, though after snatching his phone and seeing the pictures. He did give Gary a high five and a muttering of 'Nice.' It seemed like everything would be good.
"Just don't let this little diligence distract you, my lone Henchman. And DO remember, women can be fickle. Pay attention and don't mess it up." "We're just friends, dude. She can do better than me any day of the week. I'm just happy to talk to her." "DUDE, what the fuck!" Monarch yelled again. Sometimes he just couldn't believe the things that 21 said. "This is why you're single! This RIGHT here!" "YOU wouldn't let me bring anyone home if I wanted too!" "OF COURSE NOT! They could be an OSI Mole! Or worse, this one could bring the Joker in to steal our secrets!" "THEY BROKE UP! And don't talk about her like that, oh my god."
It really was a charming little brownstone, that Gary Fischer found himself standing before. He had to make a good impression, so he was in his brown suit and knocked upon the big oak door. Waiting patiently.
"Horace! Can you get the door!" He heard the sweet sounding voice call out before the door opened. His eyes widened some. Sure, he'd seen Colonial Gentlemen in passing before, but he had never been this close to the man. It was always so cool to meet old team Venture, not that he could admit that to Malcolm. Ever.
"Hello Coloniel Gentlemen, sir. My name's Gary, I'm here to speak to Billy if he is home."
The old man chuckled still standing in the door, blocking Gary's path. "You're the Monarch's boy, aren't'cha?"
"That's right, but, I'm not here on business, I promise I am not here to start problems. I give my word."
"The word of a known villain's henchman isn't worth much, boy."
Gary wanted to argue that he wasn't a kid, but compared to this old man, he was practically a baby. It was then that the kindly looking old woman stepped up and put a hand on the old man's arm. "Oh, leave the boy alone, Horace. You're here to see my Billy?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I wanted to inquire about some of his skills to help someone dear to me."
"Not the Monarch?" Gentlemen cut in.
"No, not the Monarch, sir."
The old man grinned and looked at the woman. "Look at that Rose, manners on a Henchman. What do you think, dear?"
She reached around him and grabbed Gary's arm, pulling him inside. "Don't pay him any mind, sweetheart, come on and sit down. Would you like some tea?"
"Oh, thank you, ma'am only if it's no problem."
"If you feed them, they will never go away, Rose!" Gentleman called back as Rose lead Gary to the table to take a seat.
"I wouldn't ask if it was a issue, sweetie, now sit down. My little Water baby is out right now with that handsome beau of his."
"Pete?" Gary asked, a little shocked, he didn't know they were gay, but that made sense when he thought about it.
Gentlemen took a seat next to Gary as Rose set the water going. Looking at the Henchman with an arched brow, Gary finally spoke up. "Is it true that team Venture fought L. Ron Hubbard?"
"Read the comics, did you boy?" "I collect them all. Those and the Blue Morpho comics." He spoke with pride as Gentleman laughed and started to recount the story. Rose coming out with the tray of tea and some cookies.
Gary should have known that Sheila would be right, he didn't even know why he was shocked each time she was right. At least when it came to things about him. He had every faith in her in every other area. But the moment Billy and Pete came in, Rose called out. "Billy! You have company, sweetie."
Billy looked exhusted, as Pete spoke first. "21? What are you doin' here, Pally?"
They hadn't seen a lot of each other since he left living on the Ventures yard, but his planning had saved them from Zeus.
"I wanted to ask a favor of Billy, one I can totally pay for." "With actual cash money?" Billy asked as he walked over to sit at the table, Pete heading on upstairs as Rose, shushed Horace from the dinning room.
"Dinner will be in an hour boys. You're staying, right, Gary?" "Uhh, if you want, ma'am." "Of course!" And away she went as Billy looked less than impressed.
"Money, 21. Do you have it?" "Look, I don't, well I do, but I have something you want more." Taking out his phone he slid it over.
"Wait! Is that an original Rusty Venture alarm clock?" "It is, it has some minor smoke damage but otherwise it's mint." "What do you want for it?" Billy now willing to play ball as he pushed the phone back.
"You're the best doctor I know, and someone real important to me has a bomb in the back of her head." "You know actual girls?" "Bite me, and yes, I do." He grumbled as Billy arched a brow. "Would I offer a collectable that rare if it wasn't real?" "Fair point, keep going." "I'm told you specialize in brains and, well, it's basically in her brain. I respect you enough to come ask in person and not just shove you in a bag and kidnap you. How often does that happen?" "Also, a fair point. This isn't Dr. Girlfriend is it?" "No, it's not Dr. Mrs. The Monarch. She's fine, but she did tell me I should talk to you first." "Smart woman."
Gary nodded as they talked over the details, finally Billy asking just who the mystery woman was.
"Uhh, no. Harley Quinn? She's like an actual scary villain!" "I'm a villain!" "Hardly! How many times have you come to everyone's rescue?" "Shut up." "My point. You'd be in the OSI if they hadn't rejected you." "You don't know that." "Either way, I'm not having her boyfriend on my ass." "Dude, I'm already here."
Billy started to laugh as Gary glared. Pulling open his texts instead of speaking and sliding them over. Billys eyes going wide as he rolled through them. A few pictures Harley had sent were seen before he blushed and pushed it back.
"I don't even want to know how you pulled that off. Or if you have a death wish... actually, you have to, to work for the Monarch." "Bite me, dude, she's been a friend for years, and I won't have you talking shit about her or my boss. Talk shit about me all you want, I don't care, but will you help her?" "Duh, no problem. I got you, I want the clock first." "Absolutely not, Venture already fucked me like that once. I gave him Marvel #1 to clone 24, and he ruined it."
Billy almost looked sick to his stomach, hearing that. He may not be a comic nerd, but he knew the value of that book. "Fine, once it's out. We can't do it here, though. I'll call you with a place and time." "Let me talk to her first." "Wait, you came all the way here, before you asked her?" "I didnt want to get her hopes up if you said no." "And you weren't going to just kidnap me?"
Gary laughed, a real deep from the gut laugh. "Dude, I saw what your mom did to St. Cloud. No, thanks." Billy looked confused, looking back into the kitchen as Gentlemen watched the both and his mom waved.
"Fair enough. Alright, I have to change. Have fun with the old people. If you try to leave before dinner after telling her yes, she'll drag you back by your ear." "That's cool, dude. I'm fine here."
As Billy walked away, Gentlemen sat back down, looking amused. "Doing this for a girl, huh? A dangerous one I take it?" "Aren't they the best kind, sir?" "That they are laddy, now tell me about your lady. I want to hear this."
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twoton_twentyone) wrote2023-08-17 11:25 pm
The Baby and the Henchman (Paulie-verse)
Back to the Start
Two times Gary Fischer met Doug.
Dropping the baby on the Monarchs
Paulie crawlin'
Aftermath
Finger Paints for Sheila
Driving Lessons with 24
"Dude! I have a migraine! I'm not driving you to the gas station!"
"I'd drive if I knew how!" The sixteen-year-old snapped back at his mentor and friend.
"FINE! Tomorrow I'll teach you how to drive, and you can take the Stanza!"
There were no Cheetos that night, but the night after, Gary found himself sitting nervously in the front seat of the Stanza, moving slowly down the highway. 24 sitting next to him looking nervous. 21's hands set at 10 and 2. "Alright, dude, you're doing fine. Give'er some gas already before we get pulled over for going too slow!"
"DUDE! I am unlicensed, uninsured and flipping terrified! Ease off!"
"Chill, bro, you have a permit, right? Licensed adult, owner of the car. It's fine."
He probably should have admitted he didn't ACTUALLY have a permit, but that was fine, they were professional bad guys. Duh. By the time they reached the nearest 7/11, Gary had been white knuckling so long that he thought he might break the wheel. Twenty four laughing as he patted him on the back. "Come on, Kid. Let's go get some muchies!"
Stepping out and following his friend closely as it truly hit him. "Oh my god, DUDE! I drove, and didn't hit anything!"
"You did pretty good, 21."
"Dude!" It was all he could yell again as he grabbed the case of Mt Dew, and a few bags of chips. 24 had his own snacks picked out, but they knew they'd share, they always do. "Can I drive back?"
"Duh. You're getting as much experience as possible, then we're getting your license."
"About that.... Uh, my mom wouldn't sign for it last year... so I don't, actually."
"No problem, dude, just ask Dr. Girlfriend to file it with the guild. They can bypass that."
"Seriously?"
"Probably, just ask her."
"I SO will! Should we get her a snack for payment?"
"Dude, you don't even know what she likes! And you're gonna, have to get more confident behind the wheel before you bother her. Let's just pay and go!.. You're also paying for gas for these lessons too."
"Sweet, deal!" He called back as he paid for his snacks, heading back to the Stanza. Slipping back in the driver seat, hands back at 10 and 2 he looked too 24 as he got in. "Maybe I can learn to drive a manual soon!"
"Dude, I have to ask..." A concerned tone in his voice.
"What?"
"If your mom wouldn't sign for your permit, how did you get her to sign you out of school?"
"Uhhh..." a guilty look crossed his face as 21 started the car and looked back to back the car up to take them home. "Never mind that, just know it was handled."
It was not in fact handled. He was just lucky he had slipped through the cracks, and that for some reason his teachers never reported him missing.
Earning the wings.
He got a lot of pats to the back and congratulations. The other henches taking picture's of little 21 and the body. He had been smart enough to mess his suit up a little, and at least the fear rolling off him was real. He expected to be caught and tortured for lying.
"Hey Boss! The kid killed the douche-hat! Want us to bring the body? Nah? Cool, we'll be there soon! The bot's dropped as soon as he died." He heard 24 speaking into the communicator. He couldn't tell what the Monarch was saying as 24 placed a hand on his shoulder. "Boss says leave the body, let's head back!" It was rare for 24 to take any kind of lead, but he knew if anyone else did, they'd probably try to steal credit from the youngest.
The six months he had been in the fluttering horde, he had never been this close to the Monarch, at least since he was supposed to be gotten rid of anyway. He tried not to look frightened as their leader walked up. "Well, I hear you've earned your wings, henchman 21! Congraduations! We will have the ceremony tomorrow. Dr. Girlfriend is at her mother's tonight." He was patted on the head as the Monarch was walking away with Henchman 44.
"That guy killed Professor Vibrations? He looked like he was scared shitless."
"Kid's got the instinct."
"If you say so." He sounded skeptical, but went with it.
"Come on, 21, let's go get something to eat." 24 was back by his side, playfully twacking his shoulder as he led him to the lunchroom.
Most of the other Henchmen went off to their rooms or to hang out in the lounge, but 24 and 21 sat at one of the tables, 21 just idly picking at the food on his plate. "I know something's wrong when you don't eat, Staypuft. Spill it."
"First off, bite me. Second... nothing's wrong."
"Sure, sure, and I'm the Mona Lisa."
"Totally knew you were a girl."
"Anyone ever tell you that you have a smart mouth, kid?"
"Just you, everyday, old man."
"Ouch. Like seriously, ouch. I'm not that old!"
21 started to laugh a little then as 24 worked on a fruit roll up he had snagged earlier. "You get used to the killing. I've been at this a long time, dude. First blood's never easy. You have got to remember it's just orders. It's not really your blood on your hands when it's orders."
"That... yeah, I guess that makes sense."
"How old are you again?"
"Old enough."
"So, a kid."
"Fucking bite me, dude."
"Nah, don't need the cholesterol. Seriously though, dude, you're all nerves. I'll give you a cigarette to take off the edge."
21 looked up surprised, he hadn't considered smoking cool until he joined the Horde, but the coolest henchmen all seemed to smoke. "Cool."
"Not cool. It's expensive, and the boss hates it. So, we gotta go outside. If he catches us. I'm leaving you behind and bolting."
"Let's go."
"You didn't finish eating."
"Who care, I'm watching my figure."
"Sure, you are. Come on, let's go."
21 felt like he really belonged now, sitting outside the cocoon, where some of the other's hid when they smoked. 24 was playing a game on his flip phone, while 21 coughed a little around his first cigarette. This time tomorrow, he'd have his wings, and everything was looking up. Maybe this was what growing up really felt like.
Going back to Newark (For Jess)
He didn't regret the choice, and refused to regret it, nope. He would deal with whatever was waiting at home.
Stepping off the bus, and he saw the drapes in the office shift as he pushed open the recently added butterfly gate, making his way up the steps. Monarch standing at the top of the steps, his arms crossed over his chest, trying to look menacing in his maroon bathrobe and leopard print speedos. "DUDE! What. The. Fuck!"
"Dude, chill. I took a day off." Gary grumbled back, coming to stand before his boss, a step between them, Malcolm's height really on display as he stepped aside. "Go fucking change, Dr. My wife is home! Then we're talking about this shit!" Smacking him hard against the back of his head. Gary was a little hung over again after the second night, but he just grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. Making his way inside.
"Welcome home, Gary!" He heard the deep voice call from somewhere in the living spaces.
"Thanks, Dr. Mrs. Monarch!"
He was already hurrying up the stairs before she could see him.
---
Returning downstairs after a shower, a trim of his stubble and a change of clothes, he went into the kitchen. Monarch was grumbling under his breath as Sheila looked up. Her eyes zeroing in on the chipper mood of their singular henchman. Just like that, she knew. Not all the details, but she knew. It made everything make sense.
"Dude, what the fuck, where were you?" Monarch, however, was not so quick on the uptake, just tracking Gary as he made himself a bowl of cereal and sat at the island. Who cared that it was nearly 2pm already?
"Trenton, nice little hotel. You guys didn't even have any work for me, chill dude." He spoke with the wave of his spoon. Sheila had to take the salt from Monarch, who was about to throw it at him for that laid back attitude over it all.
"What he means to say, 21, is we were worried. It's not like you to go radio silent, not unless you were planning to not come back awhile."
"YES! That!" Monarch all but yelled. "Perhaps crawling back to the enemy! In TRENTON! Trenton sucks, Newark is so much better!"
Gary shook his head, letting go of the spoon and looking at his best friend. "Dude. I was with a girl. Of course, I shut my phone off, you called like 15 times in two hours after I said I was taking the day off."
Sheila looked a little smug to had guessed so quickly, but Malcolm's jaw dropped like he didn't believe what he was hearing.
"Good for you, sweetie. Is she at least a nice girl?"
"Oh yeah, the best."
"Are you two together now?"
"Nah, we're just friends."
That was not what either of them expected.
"THAT is more like it! Did you spend that long playing your Dungeons and Gremlins!"
"Dungeons and Dragons, dingus, and no. That's on every third Thursday of the month. It's on the calendar. I'm too tired for this, call me if we need to arch or if you need something serious."
Taking his bowl, he went to leave the kitchen as Monarch yelled after him. "Don't you DARE leave that in your room again!"
"Honey, calm down." Sheila sighed.
---
Later that night, Sheila was off with the council and the two of them were in the Morphocave. The silence was annoying them both, but male stubbornness made neither want to be the loser. However, the Monarch would always claim victory even in the eye of loss.
"TWENTY ONE!" Gary nearly dropped his laptop as he jumped to his feet. An impulse when called for. "As your leader, I DEMAND to know what happened and why you ignored me!"
"Dude, I got laid! Why are you making this a big deal!"
"...Wait, really? You?"
"Thanks dude... really."
"Wait, wait. I don't mean it like that!" Monarch's irritation melting away as he leaned on the control panel of the Crime Computer. "You said she's just a friend, you don't strike me as the...."
"One-night stand type?" Gary offered.
"THAT's the one. So what's the deal?"
It was almost like the night monarch confronted him for torturing the Venture boys all over again. The two talked away, Monarch more shocked the more he heard, though after snatching his phone and seeing the pictures. He did give Gary a high five and a muttering of 'Nice.' It seemed like everything would be good.
"Just don't let this little diligence distract you, my lone Henchman. And DO remember, women can be fickle. Pay attention and don't mess it up."
"We're just friends, dude. She can do better than me any day of the week. I'm just happy to talk to her."
"DUDE, what the fuck!" Monarch yelled again. Sometimes he just couldn't believe the things that 21 said. "This is why you're single! This RIGHT here!"
"YOU wouldn't let me bring anyone home if I wanted too!"
"OF COURSE NOT! They could be an OSI Mole! Or worse, this one could bring the Joker in to steal our secrets!"
"THEY BROKE UP! And don't talk about her like that, oh my god."
(no subject)
(no subject)
Stealing the Mercades
(no subject)
(no subject)
Not kidnapping Billy.
"Horace! Can you get the door!" He heard the sweet sounding voice call out before the door opened. His eyes widened some. Sure, he'd seen Colonial Gentlemen in passing before, but he had never been this close to the man. It was always so cool to meet old team Venture, not that he could admit that to Malcolm. Ever.
"Hello Coloniel Gentlemen, sir. My name's Gary, I'm here to speak to Billy if he is home."
The old man chuckled still standing in the door, blocking Gary's path. "You're the Monarch's boy, aren't'cha?"
"That's right, but, I'm not here on business, I promise I am not here to start problems. I give my word."
"The word of a known villain's henchman isn't worth much, boy."
Gary wanted to argue that he wasn't a kid, but compared to this old man, he was practically a baby. It was then that the kindly looking old woman stepped up and put a hand on the old man's arm. "Oh, leave the boy alone, Horace. You're here to see my Billy?"
"Yes, Ma'am. I wanted to inquire about some of his skills to help someone dear to me."
"Not the Monarch?" Gentlemen cut in.
"No, not the Monarch, sir."
The old man grinned and looked at the woman. "Look at that Rose, manners on a Henchman. What do you think, dear?"
She reached around him and grabbed Gary's arm, pulling him inside. "Don't pay him any mind, sweetheart, come on and sit down. Would you like some tea?"
"Oh, thank you, ma'am only if it's no problem."
"If you feed them, they will never go away, Rose!" Gentleman called back as Rose lead Gary to the table to take a seat.
"I wouldn't ask if it was a issue, sweetie, now sit down. My little Water baby is out right now with that handsome beau of his."
"Pete?" Gary asked, a little shocked, he didn't know they were gay, but that made sense when he thought about it.
Gentlemen took a seat next to Gary as Rose set the water going. Looking at the Henchman with an arched brow, Gary finally spoke up. "Is it true that team Venture fought L. Ron Hubbard?"
"Read the comics, did you boy?"
"I collect them all. Those and the Blue Morpho comics." He spoke with pride as Gentleman laughed and started to recount the story. Rose coming out with the tray of tea and some cookies.
Gary should have known that Sheila would be right, he didn't even know why he was shocked each time she was right. At least when it came to things about him. He had every faith in her in every other area. But the moment Billy and Pete came in, Rose called out. "Billy! You have company, sweetie."
Billy looked exhusted, as Pete spoke first. "21? What are you doin' here, Pally?"
They hadn't seen a lot of each other since he left living on the Ventures yard, but his planning had saved them from Zeus.
"I wanted to ask a favor of Billy, one I can totally pay for."
"With actual cash money?" Billy asked as he walked over to sit at the table, Pete heading on upstairs as Rose, shushed Horace from the dinning room.
"Dinner will be in an hour boys. You're staying, right, Gary?"
"Uhh, if you want, ma'am."
"Of course!" And away she went as Billy looked less than impressed.
"Money, 21. Do you have it?"
"Look, I don't, well I do, but I have something you want more." Taking out his phone he slid it over.
"Wait! Is that an original Rusty Venture alarm clock?"
"It is, it has some minor smoke damage but otherwise it's mint."
"What do you want for it?" Billy now willing to play ball as he pushed the phone back.
"You're the best doctor I know, and someone real important to me has a bomb in the back of her head."
"You know actual girls?"
"Bite me, and yes, I do." He grumbled as Billy arched a brow. "Would I offer a collectable that rare if it wasn't real?"
"Fair point, keep going."
"I'm told you specialize in brains and, well, it's basically in her brain. I respect you enough to come ask in person and not just shove you in a bag and kidnap you. How often does that happen?"
"Also, a fair point. This isn't Dr. Girlfriend is it?"
"No, it's not Dr. Mrs. The Monarch. She's fine, but she did tell me I should talk to you first."
"Smart woman."
Gary nodded as they talked over the details, finally Billy asking just who the mystery woman was.
"Uhh, no. Harley Quinn? She's like an actual scary villain!"
"I'm a villain!"
"Hardly! How many times have you come to everyone's rescue?"
"Shut up."
"My point. You'd be in the OSI if they hadn't rejected you."
"You don't know that."
"Either way, I'm not having her boyfriend on my ass."
"Dude, I'm already here."
Billy started to laugh as Gary glared. Pulling open his texts instead of speaking and sliding them over. Billys eyes going wide as he rolled through them. A few pictures Harley had sent were seen before he blushed and pushed it back.
"I don't even want to know how you pulled that off. Or if you have a death wish... actually, you have to, to work for the Monarch."
"Bite me, dude, she's been a friend for years, and I won't have you talking shit about her or my boss. Talk shit about me all you want, I don't care, but will you help her?"
"Duh, no problem. I got you, I want the clock first."
"Absolutely not, Venture already fucked me like that once. I gave him Marvel #1 to clone 24, and he ruined it."
Billy almost looked sick to his stomach, hearing that. He may not be a comic nerd, but he knew the value of that book. "Fine, once it's out. We can't do it here, though. I'll call you with a place and time."
"Let me talk to her first."
"Wait, you came all the way here, before you asked her?"
"I didnt want to get her hopes up if you said no."
"And you weren't going to just kidnap me?"
Gary laughed, a real deep from the gut laugh. "Dude, I saw what your mom did to St. Cloud. No, thanks." Billy looked confused, looking back into the kitchen as Gentlemen watched the both and his mom waved.
"Fair enough. Alright, I have to change. Have fun with the old people. If you try to leave before dinner after telling her yes, she'll drag you back by your ear."
"That's cool, dude. I'm fine here."
As Billy walked away, Gentlemen sat back down, looking amused. "Doing this for a girl, huh? A dangerous one I take it?"
"Aren't they the best kind, sir?"
"That they are laddy, now tell me about your lady. I want to hear this."