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The walls of the unfurnished apartment were painted a pale blue and was chipping and peeling. Water stains spotted the ceiling and the only decent thing about the apartment was the carpet that covered the floor. Light streamed in through the window and traced the floors and the walls with its warmth. Within the two clones leaned back to back as they sat on the floor. The smaller of the two hunched over as he worked to fix his future tech and stripped wire with his teeth. The conditions weren’t the best nor were the materials, but he had to make do with what he had.
The Kryptonian let out an impatient growl from his throat that echoed about the silent room. “Long time said.” Match said in his Bizarro talk as he grabbed at the carpet growing bored and antsy. He didn’t like this. He didn’t like waiting or doing nothing. Silence made him want to smash things and to listen to people scream like old times.
“I know what I said, Match. This wasn’t supposed to take this long, but I didn’t expect the last of my Velocity 9 to peter out like that. So, you’re just going to have to be patient like I’m trying with you.” The blonde snapped slightly as he twisted the wire and as the weight on his back lessened. Thad hadn’t meant to get snippy with Match as he glanced back at him. A clear frown on the Kryptonian clone’s face as he stared back at his friend with wide thought filled eyes causing Thad to look back at his project. He might not have been the same sort of person he had been in his youth, but being the source of disappointment still stung the same. Thad bit at his lip.
He knew Match’s mind may have been wearing down, but he was still thinking, he still understood just as well as before, “Sorry ‘bout that Match.” Thad mutters out with some difficulty. A part of the struggled due to his pride, the speedster hated to be wrong, he hated it even more to simply admit it, but another part of Thad was learning, he knew he needed to, that Match deserved an apology, but the last bit and the most important reason was that he cared about Match. He was his friend. One of the closest people he had in his life.
“Hey…Once Deb gets the rest of my stash back we’ll be out of-guh!” All at once Match’s weight struck him on the back with a clear thud. Chest to knees Thad was pinned beneath the other clones weight as he refused to let up. A raspy sort of giggling laugh filled the empty space of the room. He deserved it. Thad knew he did, but damn if Match did suddenly knock the wind of him with his little joke.
“Oh? Is that funny?” Thad exclaimed with a laugh as he pushed back on Match trying to push him off all the while the Kryptonian was still letting out his raspy laugh amused by Thad’s pained reaction. Words may not have been Match’s forte, but he still had a sense of humor.
Having rolled the Kryptonian off of himself and onto the floor where he sprawled himself out to run his hands through the carpet Thad stood up and popped his back. Maybe Match was right. Maybe they need a break. Each clear crack from his spine released a feeling of relief that ran down his sore back. Thad knew he shouldn’t hunch over that much when he works, but he still did. He had been at it non-stop, simply trying to distract his mind from his lack of speed, holed up in the abandoned apartment for days hoping they would pass faster if he just kept himself focused.
But that wasn’t a way to live. They had wanted things to change hadn't they?
“Hey, Match,” At his name the clone raised his head from the floor, “We’ve been cooped up in here too long. Let’s get something to eat.” Thad tipped his head toward the door and at that Match got up glad to actually get out of this dull and boring confinement.
Once Thad permanently got his speed back the three of them would be back to what they did best and this time they wouldn’t be taking orders from anyone but themselves.
The three of them would finally be in control of their own lives. No one there to control them, to dictate them, to tell them what they worth. They could live life however they liked.
“Once I get my speed back lets race, okay?” Thad looked up to the other clone, hopeful.
And Match in turn nodded in agreement, “Race and lose.”
Thad let out a loud laugh at that and soon enough Match’s own laughter joined in with his own.
“We’ll see if you can beat me, Match. Maybe you’ll give me a run for my money.” He grins as they walked out the door.
Their lives would finally change.
They would finally be all their own.