I'M YOUR PUPPET; invincible

chapter 3

    "I know, it'll be great."

    "Oliver...Dad did terrible things here. Things people aren't gonna forget anytime soon."

    "But you said he's different now. And when I save people in this costume, they'll get it."

    "It's more complicated than that," Mark explains as his gaze drops. As he focuses on the "O" marking his brother's chest. "It's gonna take a long time and a lot of work for everyone to forgive him. Maybe someday that might happen. But we're not there yet. Not even close. Do you understand?"

    Oliver, crestfallen, murmurs, "I think so."

    Their attention is stolen by Art's voice cutting through the room. "Word on the street is, you cut ties with Cecil."

    Mark stands. "Yeah. It's time for a change."

    With something tucked in his hands, Art says, "In more ways than one."

    "What's this?"

    "A fresh start."

    Five minutes later, Loren is sitting silently, watching as Mark steps out before them. This time, however, he is not dressed in yellow, black and blue, but rather blue and black. She cannot help but allow her eyes to travel the length of his body, the contours of his muscles highlighted by the new suit.

    "You look amazing!" Oliver says, elated.

    "I don't know," Mark mutters, looking down at himself. "Feels a little serious? Lo, what do you think?"

    He turns to her, watching as her cheeks turn red. "Good." She nods, biting back a smile. "You look good—"

    "We interrupt our afternoon classics with breaking news of an attack on Payton Penitentiary. Early reports indicate superpowered individuals are involved."

    "Oh, man, this is perfect!" Oliver shouts, thrusting his arms into the air. "We can try out our new suits."

    "Okay," Mark concedes with a nod. "You can come along, but—"

    "I know, I know. I won't fight. I'll just watch. Let's go already, we're gonna miss it."

    Loren tugs on the back of Oliver's suit, turning his body to face the older man. "Say thank you to Art first."

    "Thank you, Art!"

    The man smiles. "It's a pleasure."

    Oliver pushes from the ground then, the three adults watching him go with small smiles.

    Loren lets out a quiet laugh, patting Mark on the shoulder before following after Oliver.

    Mark, grinning, leans towards Art and mutters, "He has no idea where we're going."

———

    Mark had long since acknowledged that Loren craved control. Perhaps not in every aspect of her life, but in many. Her job, however, was one. She preferred to take the lead, to dive headfirst before entirely recognizing the harm she may be putting herself in, but only because she knew, truly, that she could get herself out of it. Keep herself safe.