"No! Stop!" Doreen yelled as Tippy-Toe squeaked.
Without thinking, Doreen rushed forward and wrapped her arms tightly around Wyatt's waist. But in her frantic bid to prevent what she assumed was a suicide attempt, she inadvertently pushed him off the ledge, dragging her alongside him as her iron-tight grip refused to let him go.
"What the?" Wyatt wondered as he, Doreen, and Tippy-Toe began to fall down to the streets below. "What… just happened?"
"Ah! Don't worry! I'll save you!" Doreen screamed, her voice tinged with panic as she clutched Wyatt, her grip tightening with a surprising strength that made him grunt. Just above the chaos, he could hear the frantic squeaks of Tippy-Toe, who was clearly in distress.
"Me? Who's going to save you?!" Wyatt shot back, incredulity lacing his words as they continued their dizzying descent.
Summoning his powers with a burst of focus, Wyatt activated Infinity and effortlessly detached Doreen's arms from around his waist. She blinked in astonishment as he pivoted skillfully, shifting her weight until she found herself cradled in his arms like a bride—her wide eyes reflecting surprise against the backdrop of the city below as Wyatt flew up into the sky.
As he soared upward, leaving the tumult of the ground behind, a weary stock trader strolling along the sidewalk was jolted by the sudden crash of a pair of headphones that plummeted just in front of him. He jumped back, his heart racing as he scanned the empty sky overhead, bewildered.
"What the hell?!" he yelled, frustration knotting his brow. "Who the hell did that?!"
Meanwhile, high above the clouds, Wyatt furrowed his brow, casting an incredulous glance at Doreen and Tippy-Toe. His gaze flickered down to Doreen's unmistakably large, bushy tail that swayed behind her like an agitated flag. "So… why were you trying to kill me?"
"I wasn't trying to kill you, I was trying to save you! I thought you were going to jump! I didn't know you could fly!" Doreen exclaimed, her voice a blend of panic and exhilaration as she wrapped her arms tightly around Wyatt's neck. They hovered above the sprawling city, where the once-mighty skyscrapers shrank below them, looking like colorful toy blocks scattered across a vast, green carpet. "Whoa… we're so high up. I always wondered how it would feel to be all the way up here," she breathed, her eyes wide with wonder.
Nearby, Tippy-Toe let out an enthusiastic squeak, her little body vibrating with excitement. She gazed up at Wyatt, her small beady eyes sparkling with recognition. Suddenly, she began to squeak in a rapid-fire stream, her tiny voice rising in pitch.
"What?! He's the one who made you all those nuts! Are you sure?" Doreen asked, her brow furrowing in confusion. Tippy-Toe nodded eagerly, her bushy tail flicking animatedly as she continued her frenetic squeaking.
Wyatt, still carrying Doreen while soaring through the sky, could only watch in bewilderment.
Who was this girl with the quirky squirrel tail, and was she truly understanding what the frantic squirrel was saying?
Or was she just insane?
••o••o••o••
"It is you! Atomic! I did it… I finally found you!" Doreen exclaimed, her voice bubbling with excitement as her eyes widened at the sight of Atomic's striking red and white suit. Tippy-Toe, perched on her shoulder, let out a squeaky cheer, clearly mirroring her elation.
In an instant, a flash of crimson enveloped Atomic, causing his sleek suit to vanish, leaving him standing in comfortable casual clothes—a stark contrast to the vibrant superhero attire he usually donned.
The trio had retreated to a secluded corner of Central Park, a hidden gem surrounded by majestic oak trees that towered overhead, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. The tranquility of the setting contrasted sharply with Doreen's exhilaration, as she took a moment to catch her breath and absorb the extraordinary scene before her.
"Outside of the costume, I go by Wyatt. Wyatt Wilkins," Wyatt said as he held up a hand.
Doreen shook as she quickly grabbed Wyatt's hand to shake. "D-Doreen Green! But my hero name is Squirrel Girl! And this is Tippy-Toe! My BFFF, Best Furry Friend Forever! We're huge fans of yours, Mr. Atomic, I mean, Wyatt, sir!"
"Easy, you don't have to talk to me like that," Wyatt said. "Just relax. No need for the whole hero worship stuff."
"What do you mean, relax?! You're Atomic! While I admire Iron Man, you're the world's leading superhero! Whether it's fires raging through cities, earthquakes shaking the ground beneath our feet, or floods cresting over neighborhoods—whatever the disaster, you're always there!" She said, then paused to catch her breath before standing up straight and placing her fists on her hips. "What's this? You're running this incredible evil prison camp? Not on Atomic's watch!" Doreen said in a low, heroic voice, referencing the incident in Nevada.
"I could fill several notebooks with all the people you've saved or helped over the past two and a half years!" She stepped closer to Wyatt, her large grin almost contagious. "And just last week, you took down that evil warlord that multiple governments couldn't handle! How can I not be excited to meet my idol?"
Wyatt chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed by the enthusiastic praise and the palpable excitement radiating from her.
He suddenly realized how rare this moment was; he had never stayed in one place long enough to fully appreciate such accolades. Although he had heard shouts of praise and received applause during fleeting moments, those brief encounters hadn't allowed him to truly absorb the gratitude being expressed.
"Uh, thank you?" He said awkwardly, unsure of what else to say.
"No, thank you!" Doreen grinned. On her shoulder, Tippy-Toe squeaked. "Oh, right. There's something we want to ask you!" She said, her face beaming with excitement. "Please! Can I be your sidekick! Oh, and Tippy, too!"
"Sidekick?" Wyatt asked with confusion. "You want to be my sidekick? Why?"
"Why not? You're one of the greats! Who wouldn't want to be your sidekick?" Doreen said.
"No, I mean... Don't you want to be Squirrel Girl? Don't you want to be your own hero instead of my sidekick? How long have you been doing this?" Wyatt asked as Tippy-Toe climbed onto his shoulder. In a flash, he conjured a few acorns, which Tippy-Toe happily took and began to eat.
Isn't this the squirrel I tried to turn into a chicken all that time ago? Wyatt thought as he rummaged through his memories. Still, what a odd situation to be in. I dont remember someone like her in the MCU. Or in anything, really.
"How long? Well, I guess... two months now? I've been... helping old ladies carry their bags around and giving tourists directions," Doreen said, slightly embarrassed, her tail sagging. "Nothing major like you."
"Hey," Wyatt stepped up and placed a hand on Doreen's shoulder. "That's great, Doreen. Really. You're off to a good start. Being a hero isn't about wearing a colorful costume, or getting into flashy fights, or saving the world. It can be as simple as doing the right thing."
Doreen blinked, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm as a bright smile spread across her face. Tippy-Toe chirped in agreement, her bushy tail flicking with excitement. "Thanks, Wyatt... That means a lot coming from you."
"Don't mention it," Wyatt replied, his voice softening. "Listen, I don't need a sidekick," he added, sensing the glimmer of disappointment in Doreen's eyes. "But I will help you. I can show you the ropes, if that's something you'd like?"
Doreen and Tippy-Toe exchanged wide-eyed glances before erupting into a chorus of gleeful squeals. "Of course! That would be so awesome! You'd be like my mentor! That's even better than being your sidekick!" Her voice rang with unabashed joy, brightening the air around them.
"What? No, I meant—" Wyatt started, but the words fumbled in his mouth.
"It's official! Squirrel Girl! Atomic's first ever protege and future partner!" Doreen proclaimed, her hands flying up dramatically as if she were unfurling an imaginary banner across the sky. "It's got quite the ring to it, don't you think?"
Wyatt blinked, a bemused sigh escaping him as he realized that attempting to temper her enthusiasm would likely fall on deaf ears. "Yeah... Yeah, it does," he conceded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"I knew it! So... where do we start?"
••o••o••o••
The moon hung high in the clear winter night sky, casting a silvery light over the Xavier mansion's winter garden.
"Wait, so this girl, Squirrel Girl, basically made herself your protege?" Kitty asked.
"Pretty much," Wyatt replied, a smile spreading across his face as he recalled the countless hours he had spent mentoring Doreen. "She's got heart. I really believe she's going to grow into a great hero, given some time, at least."
"So her powers let her do anything a squirrel can do?"
"Yup, she has a large tail and everything. She's pretty quick on her feet, too."
"And you're sure she's not a mutant?"
"Yeah, I scanned her biochemistry, and there's no X-Gene in her. She just naturally developed squirrel powers... somehow."
"I see..."
Wyatt and Kitty continued walking along the frost-covered path, their boots crunching softly on the icy ground.
The cool evening air playfully nipped at their cheeks, but the warmth of their laughter and lighthearted banter wrapped around them like a cozy blanket. Moments earlier, they had enjoyed a delightful dinner with their friends, feasting on rich chicken parmesan.
Now, with the moon casting a silvery glow over the garden, they decided to take a leisurely walk, admiring the delicate frost that sparkled on the leaves and branches.
"The garden sure looks beautiful in winter, doesn't it?" Kitty remarked, her breath visible in the chilly air. She pointed toward a cluster of snow-covered evergreens, their branches adorned like delicate, frosted sculptures. "It's like something out of a storybook."
Wyatt smiled. "Yeah, it's really nice," he said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He took a moment to immerse himself in the tranquil scene before him. "I love how peaceful it is out here—just you, me... and the bushes." Kitty giggled at his corny joke.
They walked side by side, the crunch of snow underfoot providing a rhythmic soundtrack to their conversation. As they ventured deeper into the garden, they came across a small gazebo, its frame dusted with snowflakes.
"Want to take a seat?" Kitty suggested, her voice laced with a hint of playfulness. The warmth in her eyes hinted at a desire for a more intimate moment together, as the soft glow of the nearby lamp cast gentle shadows around them.
"Sure," he replied, leading the way. When they reached the gazebo, Wyatt slipped inside first and then turned back to Kitty, extending a hand in invitation. As she stepped inside, she shivered at how cold it was within the structure.
"Brr! Maybe this was a bad idea," she exclaimed, her breath visible in the crisp, cold air as she glanced around at the ornate ironwork adorned with intricate designs, each curve and twist delicately frosted with sparkling ice crystals.
Wyatt grinned and waved his hand, causing the air around them to gradually warm in the chilly embrace of the winter evening. "There, is that better?"
"Yeah, this feels nice," Kitty replied, her face lighting up with relief as she took his hand and gently guided him to the rustic bench nestled in the corner of the gazebo. They settled close together, Kitty leaning against his shoulder, the warmth of their shared contact wrapping around them like a soft blanket. "I missed you."
"Sorry... being Atomic doesn't really leave me a lot of time," Wyatt admitted, a hint of regret coloring his tone as he glanced away.
"No! I didn't mean it that way! I love what you do as Atomic! I just meant that… well, I wouldn't mind seeing you more often than once a week," Kitty said, the blush rising to her cheeks, adding a touch of pink against her porcelain skin.
"I know... but I cherish the time we do have together," Wyatt replied, pulling her in a little closer, making her heart race as her cheeks flushed deeper.
"Me too," Kitty agreed, tilting her head up to meet his gaze, her eyes sparkling like stars against the night sky. "There's something truly magical about moments like these. Just being here with you makes everything else fade away."
He smiled down at her, a warm swell of emotion filling his chest. "You know, you're the best part of my week, Kitty."
With a playful smile dancing on her lips, she nudged him gently, her eyes glinting with mischief. "Even more than fighting bad guys and saving the world?"
Wyatt chuckled, leaning in closer, their foreheads almost touching. "Hmm... that's a tough choice," he mused, only to receive a playful glare from her that made him laugh even more. "Kidding! I'm kidding! Clearly, you're my first choice."
"Good," Kitty said, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
As they sat wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside slipped away, becoming a distant memory. Under the shimmering glow of the moonlight and the gentle rustle of evening leaves, it was just the two of them—lost in the warmth of their closeness, surrounded by the enchanting beauty of a winter night that felt as timeless as the moments they shared.
Kitty reached for his hand, gripping it firmly, their fingers intertwining like twinkling threads of fate. Turning her face up, she and Wyatt locked eyes before they leaned in, closing the distance.
----
AN: Hello! I hope you all enjoyed today's chapter. I wanted to share that I've decided to write a new story set in the world of Chainsaw Man. While I'm not sure if I will continue it seriously, I was inspired after watching the new Reze arc movie. It was absolute cinema. If you're interested in that series or my writing, I'd love for you to check it out!