Chapter 25: Little Spy, Big Mouth
Bright peeked through his fingers, silently wishing for death.
This little brat really just stood there the whole time?
Emily's face was redder than he'd ever seen.
"Elijah, get out."
Elijah grinned wider, leaning against the doorframe like he owned the place.
"Not until he shows me his powers."
Bright groaned. Great.
Now he had two problems:
The world was ending in less than two days.
Emily's little brother was about to blackmail him for life.
Emily pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Elijah. Out. Now."
Elijah didn't budge.
"You've been talking about him for months. And now he's a superhero?" His grin widened. "I'm not going anywhere."
Bright blinked, turning to Emily.
"You've been talking about me?"
Emily's blush deepened. "Shut up."
Elijah snorted.
"Oh, she never shuts up about you. It's always—'Bright's so annoying, Bright's so lazy, Bright's—"
Emily threw a pillow at his head.
"GET OUT!"
Elijah dodged it effortlessly, still grinning like the devil.
Bright couldn't help but chuckle despite everything.
This kid was a menace.
After a few more death glares from Emily, Elijah finally backed off—barely.
But not without leaving one last shot:
"If you don't show me your powers later, I'm telling Mom you were making out with the driver."
Emily's mouth opened, ready to curse him into oblivion—
But he was already gone.
The room settled into awkward silence.
Emily flopped onto the bed, groaning into the pillow.
"I hate him so much."
Bright sat beside her, smirking.
"He's not wrong, though."
Emily lifted her head just enough to glare at him.
"I will fire you."
"You literally kissed me twice this morning."
Emily's face went red again.
"Shut up."
Bright grinned but decided not to push his luck further.
Instead, he leaned back, letting the tension settle.
After a moment, Emily shifted closer, resting her head against his shoulder.
"So… superpowers, huh?"
Bright's smile faded a little.
"Yeah."
He lifted his right hand, focusing on the warmth buried deep inside him.
A flicker of orange danced at his fingertips, very visible.
Emily's eyes widened.
"Holy shit."
"Language."
"Shut up."
Bright let the flames disappear, rubbing his palm.
"It's not much right now. Just fireballs… and I can kind of turn my hand into fire, but it feels weird."
Emily was quiet for a second.
Then she punched his shoulder.
Bright winced.
"OW—what the hell?"
"You went into a portal alone and almost died without telling me?"
Bright opened his mouth—then closed it.
"…Okay, that's fair."
Emily huffed, crossing her arms.
"If you're gonna be a superhero, you're getting a sidekick."
Bright smirked.
"You volunteering?"
Emily tilted her head, eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Maybe."