Work Text:
**** passing time between days/months
--- passing time in the same day
Chapter 1 "Boom,boom,boom,boom"
"If you’re alone and need a friend, someone to make you forget your problems… just take my hand.” ("Boom,boom,boom,boom"by Vengaboys)
From the moment Tabitha, a.k.a. Boom Boom, moved in, she gave the Brotherhood boys a run for their money — literally. Quick-handed, quick-witted, and a force to be reckoned with, she flipped the house dynamic on its head.
Being the only girl had its perks: bigger closet space, guys to go to for advice, a car to “borrow” whenever she felt like it, muscle to have her back, and a built-in crew to party with. She still kept close ties with a few of the X-Men, but they weren’t exactly the wild type.
The Brotherhood house itself was a dream and a disaster rolled into one. No rules. No adults. Unlimited beer. Unlimited weed. No curfew. And no interrogation whenever someone dragged home a hookup.
The downside to being the only girl? Having to use her powers to make sure the boys cleaned up, showered, and occasionally acted human. Oh, and constantly rejecting Pietro whenever he tried to hook up — which was often.
He wasn’t forceful, but he was relentless. Sweet-talking her, offering to steal things, trying when they were high, and flat-out begging. She still laughs remembering the night he begged for hours to eat her out just to prove he wasn’t gay after she teased him about being a pretty boy. Her reply had been brutal:
“Sorry, P. I can’t fuck a dude who takes longer to get ready than I do.”
But Her personal favorite dis towards him was
“If I wanted to be disappointed by your speedster powers, I’d go start a fight with the X-Men.”
Pietro wasn’t used to rejection, unless it was from the X-Men girls, which he wrote off as them being “prude ass bitches.” He’d fume, then try again, grabbing her by the waist with that smug grin.
“Come on, Booms. I can make you see stars. Trust me, that’s the one time I take reeaaal slow. I’ll leave you begging for me.”
She’d smile sweetly wrapping her arms around his neck, letting him think he was winning, then cut him off with the kill shot:
“I live in the room next to you, genius. I’ve heard you pumping away for five minutes before walking the girls out. I’d be begging for more from anyone because you couldn’t finish the job.”
On nights like that, Pietro would storm off and pick up some girl, determined to “prove her wrong.” But no matter how hard he tried, ten minutes later at most the front door opened, another girl left disappointed, and Boom Boom would shout from her room:
“Ladies and gentlemen, he broke a record!”
Tabitha wasn’t blind to her flaws. She was sarcastic, had no filter, often didn’t read the room, and lacked boundaries. But the one thing she couldn’t stand? Ignorant assholes who brag about getting laid or tried to push.
She vented often to Rogue, Amara, and Kitty. She always made sure to compliment Kitty on Lance:
“That’s not something you gotta worry about, Kit-Kat. Lance is a gentleman. Even after we’ve heard the two of you going at it, when Pietro tries to compare notes, Lance tells him to fuck off.”
That always left Kitty blushing, especially when their girl talk got a little too real.
Boom Boom had a reputation, but she didn’t care.
“They either want a turn and can’t, or they’re mad they can’t be as free as me.”
She admitted she was “very spirited” in that department, but she had her own rules. With girls, she liked them wild like herself. With boys, she preferred them innocent.
So the night she decided to climb the staircase to the third-floor bedroom and seduce Todd would shock a few people — except herself.
She’d been watching him for a while. She admired the strength in his legs, wondered what the muscles looked like from all that jumping. Lance and Pietro were naturally muscular and kept in shape with regular workouts. As the Brotherhood’s unofficial big brother, Lance had started forcing Freddy and Todd to train too.
“Be in shape when we go into battle,” he told them. “Plus, I can’t have you fucks stroking out before you even hit eighteen.”
Tabitha joined their sessions, not because she needed it, but because it gave her a better view of Todd. She watched his body change from lanky to lean, wiry muscle forming in his shoulders, arms, and legs. He wasn’t built like Lance or Pietro, but she was digging the thickness in his thighs, the definition sneaking into his frame.
She’d been barging in on him in the shower since day one. By month three, she peeked out of curiosity. By a year, after he started working out and showering more, she peeked for what she jokingly called “fantasy material” to the girls — and Freddy.
She’d figured out Freddy was gay and promised to keep his secret from Pietro and Lance. Not out of fear they'd bash him but more because he wasnt ready for them to joke about him wanting them. Her friends never understood how she thought Todd the Toad was worth checking out in the nude. But she openly flirted with him anyway, even if he seemed oblivious.
Lance caught on and warned her: “Don’t mess with him. You’ll hurt him.”
Freddy always teased her with, “You won’t,” whenever she said she wanted to “boom boom his world.”
And Pietro? Too conceited to notice, convinced she only joined the workouts to admire his “fine ass body.”
Boom Boom stood on the second floor landing with her mind made up she started up the stairs.
Todd was stretched out across his bed, shirtless, blunt dangling from his lips, radio humming low with static and guitars. He was mid-drag when the door flew open and
Tabitha strolled in — oversized T-shirt hanging low, flip-flops smacking against the floor, “Stop jerkin’ off,” she said flatly.
Todd nearly swallowed the smoke. “Wh—what? I’m not!” he croaked, sitting up so fast the mattress squeaked.
Tabitha smirked, sauntered right over, and leaned down to pluck the blunt from his lips. Her shirt gaped just enough for him to catch a flash of cleavage, and his brain blue-screened.
“Damn,” she said casually, taking a drag. “That’s too bad.”
Todd just stared at her, dumbfounded. Wait—what did she just say?
Without missing a beat, Tabitha dropped herself onto the bed, right between his legs like it was her seat. Her bare thighs dangled over his right leg, and when the oversized shirt slid up just a little, she caught his eyes darting down.
She grinned wickedly. “What, you thinkin’ about what’s under this shirt?”
Todd’s whole face went scarlet. He jerked his head away so fast it almost cracked his neck. “N-no! I wasn’t—! I didn’t—!”
Tabitha cackled, leaning back on her palms, blowing smoke at the ceiling. “Relax, Toad-boy. You’re twitchier than Rogue on espresso.” Todd went crimson, sputtering nonsense. Tabitha laughed and leaned back, passing the blunt back to him.
When he pulled in a drag, he tasted her watermelon lip gloss- still warm. His chest tightened, and a small, crooked smile broke across his face before he could stop it. "Fuck, I love when she leaves that flavor on the blunts", he thought, dazed.
Tabitha caught the smile, and in her own hazy, buzzed head she thought, Score 1.
Todd exhaled the smoke slow, that little smile still tugging at his lips.
Tabitha noticed. She tipped her head, eyes sparkling. “What’s that look for, huh?”
He blinked fast, panicked. “N-nothin’. Just—radio’s good tonight.”
“Uh-huh.” She smirked, leaning closer, close enough that he could smell the mix of weed and watermelon gloss on her breath. “You like that flavor, don’t ya?”
Todd’s throat bobbed. “I-I mean… it’s alright" Nervous that she knew he liked the flavor of her lips.
“Mm.” Tabitha grinned wider, letting him stew, stretching her legs out so the shirt rode a little higher on her thighs. he blew smoke rings toward the ceiling trying to ignore her eyes. “Cute how you try to hide it. You’re such a terrible liar, Toad-boy.”
Todd stared at the blunt, face blazing, refusing to meet her eyes. His head was spinning — from the weed, from her closeness, from the way every word felt like she was pushing buttons he didn’t even know he had.
Tabitha, of course, loved it. Watching him twist in knots was better than any high.
“Don’t worry,” she added sweetly, mock-innocent. “Your secret’s safe with me.”
Todd took another drag, the taste of watermelon still buzzing on his lips, and let the smoke slip out slow. His face was red, his chest tight, but he forced himself to lean back like nothing was happening.
“So…” he said, voice low, surprisingly steady for once. “What brings you up to my room, Booms?”
Tabitha’s eyes flicked to his, her grin widening. “Ohhh, look at you. All calm. Acting like you’re not two seconds from combusting.”
He didn’t answer, just stared at the ceiling, jaw tight, blunt glowing in his hand.
That’s when she shifted closer. One leg brushed higher against his, her presence heavy and deliberate. Her fingers started at her own thigh, then slid smoothly over to his — gliding up his leg, slow enough to make his whole body stiffen.
Up his thigh.
Up his stomach.
Across his chest.
By the time her hand reached his collarbone, she was practically stretched across him, her long T-shirt slipping forward, the fabric hanging loose over his pelvis like one wrong move would pull it right off.
Todd’s breath hitched, eyes wide, frozen in place.
She let her hand trail back down, then casually plucked the blunt from his trembling fingers. This time, instead of a quick drag, she brought it to her lips with exaggerated slowness, keeping her gaze locked with his the entire time.
She inhaled, lips glossy, smoke curling in the low light between them. Todd swallowed hard, and he stuttered out, voice breaking:
“W-why… why are you really here?”
Tabitha exhaled slowly, a sly smirk tugging at her mouth as she leaned in just a fraction closer.
Tabitha drew in another slow drag, lips curling around the blunt, then exhaled a thin ribbon of smoke toward the ceiling. She tapped her chin with her finger, feigning deep thought, her expression mischievously curious.
“I’m trying to figure something out,” she said lightly, eyes never leaving his. “And maybe you can help me.”
Todd’s stomach knotted. He took a deep breath, trying to sound calm but already tense. “Uh… what?”
She tilted her head, watching him like a cat watching a cornered mouse. “I’m trying to figure out…” Her smirk grew wider. “…if you’re a virgin who’s too scared to make the first move… or if you’re just not interested in girls.”
Todd nearly choked. His eyes went wide, and he scrambled upright, stuttering, voice cracking: “Wh—listen, no dis to gay people, but I’m into chicks, aight!”
Tabitha leaned back on her hands, enjoying every second of his meltdown. “Soooo…” she drew the word out, playful and sharp. “Then you’re a virgin?”
His face went crimson. “N-nah, dawg, nah. I been with… with plenty of chicks.”
She arched a brow, clearly not buying a word, but kept the game going, lips quirking into a dangerous smile. “Mhm. Sure you have.” She leaned in just a little closer, eyes glinting. “So what then… I’m not your type?”
And before he could stammer out another excuse, she hooked her fingers under the hem of her oversized shirt and tugged it off in one smooth motion, tossing it aside.
Todd’s jaw dropped. His words sputtered out in broken fragments, his face burning hotter than ever. “Y-yeah—yeah, you are.”
Tabitha laughed, low and triumphant, as she put the blunt to his lips where he took a nervous drsg with frozen lips. Score 2.
Her shirt hit the floor, and while Todd’s mind scrambled to catch up, Tabitha shifted forward and settled herself right onto his lap. The weight of her pressed against him snapped him halfway out of his daze—only enough to realize the rush building low in his stomach, the thrum of excitement he couldn’t hide. Something he normally only felt when he was attending to his own needs.
His wide eyes dragged up and down her body, slowly, helplessly. He already knew about her tongue ring, had seen the glint of her belly piercing plenty of times… but this close, this bare, his brain tripped over the revelation of two more silver shimmer bars he hadn’t known about....right through her nipples. His mouth went dry.
Swallowing hard, he managed, voice cracking, “Wh-what are you doing, Booms?”
She leaned closer, lips curling like she’d been waiting for that question. “Do you really need me to spell it out?”
Her eyes locked on his, unflinching. “I’ve been watching you for months, Todd. What did you think all those shower barges were about?” She smirked, then leaned into his ear, her voice dropping into a sultry whisper. “And if you need me to spell it out further…”
Her lips brushed his earlobe, stealing his breath. One hand slid into his messy hair, the other traced a teasing path down his chest. “I wanna fu—”
But before she could finish, Todd snapped, hands shooting up to grab hers, holding them still against him. His voice came out strangled but firm: “Why me?”
She froze, just a beat, then tilted her head, eyes narrowing in curiosity.
“Why not you?” she countered easily.
“I’m not like the others....i dont look like them,” he blurted, heart hammering, words tumbling out before he could stop them.
Tabitha’s expression softened, just a little, but her grin never left. She leaned back enough to look him dead in the eye.
“Exactly,” she said simply. “You don’t treat girls like trophies. You don’t spend every second talking about yourself. You make me laugh. You’re a real homie. And you don’t even know how damn good you look when you’re not trying. You're single. You're straight."
Her hand broke free from his grip, resting it against his chest again. “So yeah, Todd. That’s why you.”
Tabitha stayed in his lap, her weight warm against him, her fingers still tracing idle patterns on his chest. She tilted her head, eyes glinting with something between mischief and sincerity.
“I don’t do anything or anyone I don’t really want, Todd,” she said quietly, her voice losing some of its usual edge. “And I really want you. Or…” her eyebrow arched, teasing creeping back in, “…is my reputation a problem?”
He stared at her, heart pounding, the praise she’d given him still echoing in his head. For a second, he couldn’t speak. Then, almost in a whisper, he admitted, “I haven’t kissed a girl since I was twelve. And only because she was dared..” He dropped his gaze, ashamed. “I… I have no idea what I’m doing.”
Tabitha’s expression softened completely. “I know,” she murmured, leaning in to kiss one of his cheeks, slow and warm. “And that’s okay,” she added, kissing the other.
Then she reached up, fingers sliding beneath his chin, gently tilting his face up until his eyes met hers.
“And I’ll happily teach you,” she said softly, the words like a promise.
Before he could stammer another word, she leaned in and kissed him — deep, slow, unhurried, her lips moving against his in a way that made his whole body go still and his heart drum louder than a drumline out of his chest. His hands hesitated, then found their way to her waist, fingers tightening just enough to let her know he was there.
Tabitha smiled against his mouth. Score 3, she thought. He’s all mine now.
The kiss was clumsy at first — Todd’s lips stiff, unsure of what to do. Tabitha felt him hold his breath like he was afraid of messing up. She smiled against his mouth and pulled back just enough to whisper, “Breathe, Toddy-boy. It’s just me.”
He exhaled shakily, eyes wide, and she kissed him again — slower this time, pressing her lips to his in a rhythm he could follow. When his mouth parted slightly, she let her tongue brush teasingly against his bottom lip, testing him. The feel of her tongue ring in his mouth felt odd but he quickly got over the shock.
Todd froze, then mimicked her, uncertain but eager.
“That’s it,” she murmured, rewarding him with another kiss. One hand stayed tangled in his messy hair while the other guided his hands higher on her waist. “Don’t be scared to touch me. I want you to touch me all over. I'm here because I want your touch. I’ll tell you if you’re doing it wrong.”
His fingers flexed, gripping her waist more firmly this time. Encouraged, she deepened the kiss, tilting her head, letting him feel the way she moved against him. He followed clumsily but earnestly, making her grin.
When she finally pulled back for air, the gloss on her lips stripped , she tapped his chin lightly with her finger. “See? Not so hard. You’re pretty fast learner."
Todd swallowed, still red-faced but with a faint, dazed smile creeping in. “You… you really think so?”
Tabitha leaned in close, lips brushing his ear as she whispered, “I've never been so turned on from a kiss before."
The blunt had long since gone out, forgotten on the nightstand. The only smoke left between them was heat.
Todd’s hands had began to move. Slowly climbing up her rib cage and then stopping on the edge of her right tit. It rested there for what felt like forever before finally cupping her breast like he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to move, but the tiny gasp Tabitha gave him was all the green light he needed. His thumb brushed tentatively over her piercing, and when she shivered against him, his confidence spiked in a way he’d never felt before. And at the same time he started feeling the pressure building in his jeans. Nature took over causing him to press her down on to his hips. Causing her heart beat to speed up as she stuttered out "OH, fuck." He stopped to stare at her for a moment. She went on,
“Damn, baby” she whispered, eyes half-lidded, “you really are full of surprises.”
Her hips rolled against him again, slow but deliberate, and his breath hitched, every nerve sparking. His hands roamed again, one clutching her waist, the other sliding up and down her side, until he pulled her flush against him, chest to chest. The press of her piercings against his skin made his head swim.
He kissed her harder this time — less clumsy, more sure — and she rewarded him by tangling her fingers deeper in his hair, tugging just enough to draw a groan out of him.
For a dizzy moment, everything blurred. Her legs bracketing his hips as they pressed together. Todd wasn’t even aware of how much he was grinding back until she smirked against his lips.
“Careful, Froggy,” she teased, biting his lower lip before sucking it lightly. “Keep that up and we’ll skip a few chapters.”
His face flamed, but he didn’t pull back. If anything, he kissed her harder, hands gripping her like he was afraid she’d disappear.
Tabitha laughed softly into his mouth. “Oh yeah. I like this side of you. Definitely need to see it more often. "
She slowed the kiss, grounding them, brushing her lips gently over his before pulling back just enough to look him in the eye. “Relax. We’ve got time. No rush.”
Her thumb traced his cheek, and though her body still hummed with heat, her voice softened. “Just… let me teach you. One step at a time.” He nodded with swollen lips and eyes wide. His brain and body still trying to catch up. Although she had more experience than him in this moment she found herself needed to brace herself. She was use to teaching,leading, and rushing. But this was the first time she didn't want to rush.
Todd nodded, breathless, his forehead resting against hers. “Yeah,” he whispered. “One step at a time.”
And then she kissed him again — slower, deeper — keeping the fire alive, but not letting it consume them. Not yet.
Tabitha shifted in his lap, grinding slow and deliberate, and Todd’s whole body reacted before his brain caught up. By this point, both his hands had moved to the brim of her boy shorts. He hadn’t slipped his hands inside yet, but she could tell he was working up the courage. His fingers teased the waistband, squeezing at her hips almost desperately, pulling her closer like gravity itself was against him.
She broke the kiss just long enough to smirk down at him, chest rising and falling fast.
“See, this is the part where most guys get cocky and ruin it.”
Todd’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. “Y-you mean I’m… not ruining it?”
Her grin widened, wicked and genuine all at once. She leaned in until their noses brushed, whispering against his lips, “Baby, you’re making it hard for ME to slow down. But normally, guys go straight for the reward. They lose control of the build-up. And the build up is what makes it better."
That flipped something in him. The stammering, shy hesitation melted into a raw, hungry need. His hands slid up her back again, strong despite their trembling, and he kissed her harder, biting at her shoulders and chest in a way that made her gasp. One hand tangled in her hair, the other dragging his nails across her shoulder.
“Whoa,” she cried out, breathy with excitement, breaking the kiss for only a second, “look who’s got claws and teeth.”
Her teasing cut off when his hand in her hair moved up right up to the crown and he fisted her hair tight in his hand. When he squeezed and pulled the hair , she gasped, arching against him and digging her nails into his shoulder. Panting “Ohhh god" has she felt a sudden rush between her legs. Her mind went blank for a minute as she gasp again making low moaning sounds. NO ONE EVER FOUND THAT SPOT WITHOUT HER TELLING THEM. The one spot that could make her drip without being touched anywhere else.
She tangled her fingers deeper in his messy hair with a groan. " Did you just.." traveled off as he asked out loaf
“Damn it, I did not see this side coming,” she muttered, half to herself, half to him..."look at you, making me cum without even getting in between. She needed a minute to catch her breath. He didn't ask questions but as soon as she kissed him again the vibe had changed.
Their bodies rocked together, heat sparking with every grind, every touch. She felt the unmistakable press of him through his jeans and pulled back just enough to meet his eyes. They were wild, dark, and pleading in a way that made her chest tighten.
Tabitha softened, brushing a thumb across his cheek as she steadied her breathing. “Listen… I know I came here planning to fuck, but we don’t gotta go all the way tonight if you don’t wanna. I wanna make sure I’m not pushing you,” she said, her voice husky but full of care.
Todd blinked up at her, dazed, lips red and swollen. He nodded quickly, words fumbling out. “I— I just—” He stopped, exhaling hard, then admitted with brutal honesty, “I don’t wanna stop. I’m still convinced I’m dreaming. Like maybe that blunt was laced. But if you want me… then I don’t ever want to stop. No one’s ever been interested in me like this.”
Her heart skipped, because for once, it wasn’t a guy just trying to get laid or trying to con her. It wasn’t some dude who thought he could make her beg. It was him. Raw, unpolished, and exactly what she wanted.
She kissed him again, deep and messy.
At this point she slid off his lap, and he let out a little whimper—until he realized she was tugging her boy shorts down. Perched on her knees, she revealed all of herself.
All Todd could manage to say was, “Holy fuck.”
She began to lay back, pulling him on top of her, and as her hand slipped for his zipper, he suddenly froze. His whole body stiffened.
“STORY OF MY FUCKING MY LIFE. OF COURSE!” he yelped, slamming his palms over his face.
Tabitha sat up, brows furrowed. “What’s up, babe? Why the freak-out?”
He peeked at her through his fingers, face crimson. “No one’s ever been interested in fucking me. I couldn’t even get laid with a bag over my head. So… uh… I never had the need to buy… you know. Rubbers.”
Tabitha blinked, then let out a slow breath. It had never crossed her mind. Everyone knew mutants couldn’t catch STDs or most diseases — but pregnancy was still very much a thing. And that, right now, was a no-go.
Tabitha laid there beneath him, completely naked, while he was freaking out over condoms. For a second, she was actually taken aback at the awareness he had to stop. Other guys wouldn’t have said a word—they would’ve tried to slide in raw, swearing they’d pull out like that fixed everything.
And yeah, she’d been on the pill since she was thirteen, but she’d had one pregnancy scare already and that was enough to make her cautious. Normally this would’ve been the point where she shut it down and told the guy, “Well, homeboy, better luck next time.”
But with Todd? She decided maybe—just this once—she’d take the risk and trust him.
She reached up, grabbed his hands to pull them from his face, and gave him a slow, sweet smile.
“I never fuck bare.”
He let out a breath, shoulders slumping, and nodded quickly. “Yeah, I don’t blame you. I guess we can, uh, try again another time?” His voice was hopeful, almost apologetic.
She tilted her head, grin curling sly. “Or… we can continue now.”
His brow furrowed in confusion until she added, “I’ve been on the pill for, like, four or five years. I’ve never let a guy hit it raw before, but if you swear to pull out—like really swear—you can trust yourself… then we can keep going.”
It was like flipping a switch. Suddenly Todd had all the confidence in the world. His whole face lit up with something wild and desperate, and before she could blink he practically threw himself at her, kissing her deep and messy while both of them fumbled at his jeans.
As they struggled with undoing his jeans, everything felt like it was moving in slow motion mixed with bursts of rapid speed. His heart pounded in his chest as jeans and boxers came off. He tossed them to the floor, but the new-found confidence disappeared in a flash. He perched on his knees, fully exposed, while Tabitha stared him up and down with wide, hungry eyes.
She ran her hand over his bare skin, tracing slowly, her fingers threading through the fine hair along his chest and stomach that lead to down below. " I'm pretty positive green hair is now the sexiest thing ive ever seen." Her lips locked with his as her eyes roamed his body, and her hand drifted lower.
The moment her fingers wrapped the most tender part of him, his brain short-circuited. He began hyperventilating, chest rising and falling too fast. He thought to himself "Fuck, I’m such a loser. The hottest girl I know wants to bone, and I’m having a fucking panic attack."
Tabitha immediately noticed the distress on his face and broke off, concern softening her expression.
“Hey… panic attack?” she asked gently.
Todd could only nod, breathing hard. She helped him lie down, easing him back against the bed and placing her hand lightly on his heart and the other caress his hair. “It’s okay,” she murmured, counting and guiding him through deep, slow breaths. “In… and out… in… and out…”
Gradually, the panic ebbed, his body relaxing under her careful touch, and for the first time that night, Todd could finally meet her gaze with an admiration he couldn't explain.
Ten, fifteen minutes went by, and Todd finally called down, voice sheepish and low. “Hey… uh… Tabitha? I… I’m sorry. I’m such a loser.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she sat up straighter, hands on her hips. “Stop that shit, Todd.”
He blinked at her, confused.
“The more you dog on yourself,” she continued, voice firm but steady, “the more everyone else will too. It’s okay to be nervous, okay to be scared, and it’s okay to have a panic attack. Everyone has them. I did my first time.”
Todd’s eyes widened. “You… did?” he asked, shocked “But… you seem so confident.”
She leaned back against the headboard, arms crossed, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, I am now. But not back then. Wyatt, the guy who popped my cherry he wasn’t as nice. When he realized I was having a panic attack, he laughed and told me not to worry, said it was ‘part of it,’ and kept going.”
Todd swallowed, face tightening.
“I was terrified of sex for a year after that,” she admitted softly, voice losing its teasing edge. “Until I met Hales. She helped me reclaim the experience that asshole ruined. Made me feel like… like it could actually be good, like I could actually enjoy it.”
Todd looked at her, stunned, a quiet respect and understanding building in his eyes. He shifted slightly, still flushed from earlier, and she softened, reaching over to rest a hand on his arm.
“You’re doing fine, Todd,” she said gently, thumb brushing over his skin. “Being nervous doesn’t make you a loser. It makes you human. And the fact that you care about doing it right? That’s… rare. That’s good.”
For the first time that night, Todd felt some of the tightness in his chest ease. He gave a small, grateful smile, voice quieter than before. “Thanks… really.”
Todd shifted slightly, still flushed, and asked hesitantly, “Wait… what did Hales do that made you… comfortable enough to try again?”
Tabitha leaned back, thoughtful for a moment, a small smile playing on her lips. “She didn’t rush me. She didn’t assume anything about what I wanted or how I’d feel. Every time we… tried something new, she checked in, made sure I was okay. She made me feel like my body, my comfort, my pace mattered. Not just her own pleasure.”
Todd nodded slowly, absorbing every word. “So… she actually listened?”
“Exactly,” Tabitha said, her voice soft but firm. “She didn’t mock me, didn’t push me past my limit, didn’t make me feel like my feelings were stupid. She… made me feel safe. And she encouraged me to tell her what i wanted. Well, more like what i demanded. And whatever it was she would do it. It gave me a sense of power.”
Todd asked Cautiously "do you want to talk about your first time?" She softened at his concern but smiled and said "maybe another time. I'm not gonna let him ruin another big moment. Right now I was want to make sure you feel safe."
He swallowed, gaze flicking down at their intertwined hands. “I am."
Her lips curved into a gentle smile. “Then tell me what you want."
Todd let out a shaky breath, and spoke " I want you to kiss down my chest. " the blonde girl smiled and did just that starting at his ear, down to his lips, down his neck, stopping to bite his nipples, and kept going.
Tabitha’s mouth hovered just above his pelvis, lips brushing his skin in teasing little kisses that made Todd twitch every time. She let her tongue trace a slow line along the inside of his thigh, grinning at the way his legs tensed around her. His breath hitched sharp when her hand finally slipped higher between his thighs, brushing against the part of him he was most desperate to hide and most desperate to have touched all at once.
She spit in her hand and curled her fingers around him, slow and deliberate, watching how his whole body stiffened like a frog struck by lightning. Then she glanced up at him, hair falling across one eye, her grin softening into something almost tender. She began to slide her hand up and down his dick as she watched him slowly cover his face.
“Relax,” she murmured, giving him a squeeze that made his hips jolt. “You’re allowed to want this. And you’re allowed to get what you want.”
“F-fuck, Tabs—” Todd gasped, the word dragging out of him like it hurt.
Before he could even catch his breath, her lips replaced her hand at the tip as her hand moved lowered down and continued to stroke his length. The sudden heat of her mouth around him made his mind blank completely. His vision fuzzed at the edges as every nerve ending fired at once.
And then—his brain betrayed him. Memory after memory tumbled forward, vivid and electric: every time he’d watched her with a lollipop in her mouth, twirling it between her teeth. The way she’d devour popsicles in the summer, lips slick and glistening. How she’d bite into fruit, juice dripping down her chin, before sucking it clean with a smirk. And every time they smoked together, how he couldn’t stop staring when she pulled the blunt from her lips, smoke curling out in a slow, lazy stream.
Now all of those moments were crashing together, alive in real time, with her lips sliding and and down, her tongue ring tracing every inch like she knew exactly what he’d been imagining all along. Her right hand and mouth worked together as her left curled up caressing his balls gently.
Todd’s head thudded back against the pillow, his fingers clawing at the sheets as he mumbled, “Holy shhhhit—” over and over again. He realized this was better than porn, better than anything his brain had ever conjured up. And suddenly it made sense—all those times he’d caught Pietro, Lance, even Kurt getting head, why they’d looked and sounded absolutely deranged. Now it was him.
She moved faster, wet slurping sounds mixing with the heat of her throat, and the room spinning around him. The pressure built so fast he could barely hold it off, his body desperate to let go. Then—her mouth left him, her hand taking over in quick strokes, and when he looked down, she was licking and sucking at his balls. He practically cried out "mouth-back." His broken sentence was enough for her to deep throat him again. This time her tongue and throat working in tandem until Todd finally shattered. His whole body jerked and arched off the bed, legs tightening, vision blurring as the release tore through him in hot, desperate floods of jizz down her throat. She kept sucking until there was not one single drop left. And slowly lifted her head taking her time at his tip. Softly messaging it with her tongue before finally breaking contact and looking back up at him and saying you "taste like hubba bubba sour apple squeeze pop...my fucking favorite."
Todd could only stare at her, dazed, chest heaving.
She crawled up and he grabbed her to kiss her tenderly and deep, not caring about the mess or taste of himself on her tongue. When he let go she collapsed beside him, her hand smoothing over his chest as his breathing finally slowed.
“You good, babe?” she asked softly, watching him with both mischief and genuine care.
His laugh came out shaky, half-choked, but real. “Good? Tabs, I think you just rewired my brain. Nothing is ever going to feel good to Me again cause this broke the mold.
Her smirk softened, eyes searching his. “Yeah?”
“Yeah,” he said honestly. Then his smile faltered, a nervous twitch tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I’m probably shooting myself in the foot here, but… I don’t think I’ve got the energy for, like, actual sex tonight.” He swallowed, forcing himself to keep eye contact. “But I do want to make you feel good. I don’t wanna just… take.”
Tabitha’s chest tightened. She’d been with plenty of guys who acted like giving was some chore or some brag, not something they genuinely wanted. And here Todd was, red-faced, exhausted, still buzzing from panic and release from his first ever blow job—and the first words out of his mouth were about her.
She kissed his cheek, then his jaw. “Baby… no sex is fine. Seriously. " She laughed softly, easing the tension, then tipped his chin so their eyes locked. “But if you wanna try? If you really wanna make me feel good… I’m not saying no.”
Todd’s throat bobbed. His fingers hesitated at her hip, then slid down over the curve of her thigh. “Just… tell me what you like. I don’t wanna guess and screw it up.”
Her grin turned slow and sly, the kind of grin that made his pulse kick up again. She guided his hand lower, resting it on her inner thigh. . “Start here. Nice and slow.”
He nodded, swallowing hard, determination cutting through the nerves.
And with her gentle coaching—her hand over his at first, then letting him take the lead—Todd began exploring gently touching he noticed she was already wet. His eyes widened, and before he could second-guess himself, she smirked and whispered, "that's the effect you had from me blowing you. " That spurred him on. With his left hand teasing, pushing one finger inside, his other hand traveled back up to that spot in her hair and began to slowly tug. He discovered quickly which touches made her gasp, which circles of his thumb drew a cry from her throat, which pushes made her hips chase his hand.
For once, Todd wasn’t panicking, wasn’t overthinking. He was focused only on her—on the way she trembled when he brushed her sweet spot just right, the way her breath stuttered when he pressed another figure deeper, the way she moaned his name like it belonged in her mouth with sighs and cries.
When she finally came apart under his touch, back arching, hands flying to his chest and forearm scratching him she cried out, Todd’s jaw dropped in shock and wonder as he felt her squeezing around his fingers. He stared at her, sweaty and glowing, until she finally collapsed against the bed, laughing breathlessly.
“You,” she whispered, still panting, “are way too good for a rookie.”
Todd blushed, eyes wide. “I just… listened.” His fingers still slowly moving in and out.
“Exactly,” Tabitha murmured, “That’s all it takes. Listening.”
He carefully slipped his fingers out, eyes catching on the fluids coating them. Curiosity overtook him, and before he could stop himself, he brought them to his mouth. His eyes fluttered shut, head tipping back as he groaned at the taste.
Tabitha bit her lip, heat spreading all over again just watching him.
When he finally opened his eyes, dazed and wrecked, he whispered hoarsely, “You’re the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”
Her grin sharpened, wicked and hungry. “Then… do you want more?”
Todd’s pulse spiked. He didn’t even answer right away—just nodded, eyes dark and intent. “Yeah. I… I wanna taste all of you.”
That made her laugh, low and delighted. “Oh, baby.”
He kissed her again, rougher this time, before nudging her onto her back. His lips wandered down her throat, over her collarbone, lingering on the rise of her chest. Every brush of his mouth drew a sigh from her, every pause a shiver. When he reached her stomach, he glanced up—waiting for permission.
She propped herself up on her elbows, watching him with flushed cheeks and glittering eyes. “Keep going. Don’t you dare stop now.”
That was all he needed. He kissed the soft skin of her hips, her thighs, working his way down in reverent, almost clumsy devotion. His nerves were buzzing, but the way she shifted, spreading herself open for him, drowned out every doubt.
He grabbed one her legs bringing it over his shoulder and readied himself. His first lick was tentative—testing, tasting—and Tabitha’s head dropped back with a curse. The sound bolted through him like lightning.
“Holy shit…” Todd muttered against her, then tried again, firmer, slower, dragging his tongue through her folds. Her thighs trembled, and when he glanced up, she was biting her lip so hard he thought she’d draw blood.
“That’s it,” she whispered. “Right there. Keep doing that.”
He obeyed instantly, one hand splayed on her outter thigh over his shoulder to steady her, the other pressing down on her hip as she writhed. He experimented—sucking gently, flicking his tongue against her clit—and every gasp, every arch of her back taught him something new.
It wasn’t long before her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging him closer. “God, Todd, you’re good at this.”
He groaned in response, vibrations making her cry out. Emboldened, he slipped two fingers back inside her, curling them as he matched the rhythm of his mouth.
Tabitha’s breath hitched, her thighs tightening around his ears. “F-fuck, don’t stop, don’t you dare—”
He didn’t. He was lost in it, lost in the taste of her, the way she shook and gasped, the thrill of knowing he was doing this to her.
When she finally shattered, clenching around his fingers, crying out his name in a broken scream, Todd held on, lapping at her through every wave until she sagged against the sheets.
He finally pulled back, mouth glistening, panting harder than she was. His eyes were glazed, almost drunk. “Tabs… you’re—” He laughed breathlessly, dropping beside her, his hand finding hers. “You’re my new favorite fucking obsession.”
She turned her head, still flushed and wrecked, and kissed him deep, uncaring of the taste. When she pulled back, she smirked, her smirk curved wicked again. “Good. Because I want more.”
Todd blinked, chest still heaving. “More?”
“Mm-hmm.” She rolled onto her side, tracing a finger down his jaw. “I’ve seen you stretch your tongue out to grab things. Even use it like a rope to swing or hold pipes so you don’t fall.” Her eyes glittered, daring. “What else can it do?”
His ears went hot. “Uh—uh, well… I mean… I can, uh, make it thicker. Stronger. Like… way stronger.”
Her brows shot up, and then she grinned like Christmas had come early. “Oh, baby. Why didn’t you start with that?”
He laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “I dunno, Tabs. Kinda feels like… cheatin’ or something.”
Leaning over, she whispered against his lips, “There’s no cheating if it’s me asking.” Her hand slid up into his messy hair, tugging just enough to make him groan. “So show me, Toad. Show me what that tongue can really do.”
Her grin only widened when his tongue thickened and stretched a few extra inches, flexing in a way no normal tongue could.
“Well damn,” she whispered, pupils blown wide as she tugged his hair back. “Guess I picked the right freak.”
Todd barked a nervous laugh, but his chest swelled at the look on her face—like he was some miracle she’d been waiting to unwrap.
“Y-you really want me to—”
“Want?” she cut him off, voice sultry and sure. “Baby, I need it. Lay back.”
He obeyed without hesitation, dropping against the pillows. She climbed over him slowly, deliberate, every inch of bare skin grazing his until she finally swung a leg over his shoulders. His hands found her thighs instinctively, squeezing as if to anchor himself in the reality of this moment.
Tabitha hovered above his face, smirking down at him. “Hold me,” she ordered softly.
“Fuck yeah,” he muttered, gripping her thighs tighter, the heat of her slickness brushing over his lips.
His tongue stretched, curling up to tease her folds in a long, slow lick that made her gasp and throw her head back.
“Holy shit—” she moaned, grinding down harder. “Oh, baby, you really are built different.”
Encouraged, Todd worked her with everything he had—his tongue circling, flattening, then pushing deeper with a thickness she hadn’t expected. His fingers dug into her thighs as he held her steady, drinking in every sound she made, every twitch of her hips against his mouth.
She rocked above him, riding his face, her nails scratching through his hair while his tongue moved with precision that shocked even him. He remembered every gasp, every twitch from when his fingers were inside her, and he mimicked those rhythms now, but deeper, wetter, relentless.
Tabitha’s moans turned ragged, her smirk dissolving into raw pleasure.
“Fuck, Todd—don’t stop—don’t you dare stop.”
His chest rumbled with a groan against her, the vibration making her cry out as she rode harder. He tightened his grip, holding her there as his tongue worked in and out, curling thick and strong against the spot that made her fall apart.
Her hips matched the pace of his tongue as she rode it through. Thinking to herself that he was hitting places inside her that no one has ever reached.
Unbeknownst to them, downstairs the bouncing of the bed had already caught their housemates’ attention. They mumbled theories to each other—maybe he was jumping on his bed, maybe he was watching porn too loud.
Finally Freddy said, “Maybe he’s getting laid.”
The other two boys looked at each other and shook their heads in unison. “Nah.”
Meanwhile upstairs, between Tabitha’s bouncing and Todd’s relentless tongue, she was getting louder.
“Shiiit—yes, yes, just like that—”
Her thighs trembled around his head, her whole body shuddering as the climax ripped through her. Her fluids spilled down his tongue as he kept pressing deeper. She gasped his name again and again, her body shaking through every aftershock.
Without meaning to, her powers went off—tiny bombs popping around the room as she collapsed against the headboard, still gasping. They didn’t notice that one of her bombs started a small fire.
“That was the greatest orgasm of my life,” she panted—just as their housemates rushed through the door, thinking Toad was under attack. Pietro ran in seeing the fire and stomping it out. He heard the other two boys gasp. He asked " why's it smell like sex and weed in here. " He looked up seeing Boom Boom sitting on Todd’s head. He stumbled out of the room being stopped by Freddy.
The hallway light filled the barely lit room. The boys stared, jaws dropped, as Todd slowly withdrew his tongue with a plop sound and Tabitha slid down his chest into his lap, her bare back and ass on full display. Still repeating "GREATEST ORGASM OF MY LIFE!" This time the three heard her.
She looked over her shoulder while Todd peeked around her, dazed but grinning. He couldn’t help himself—he stretched his tongue out, snagged her shirt and underwear from the floor, and handed them up. Pietro felt sure what to feel realizing he was rejected for Todd. He went to scream " what the fu" but was grabbed by Freddy. Freddy pressed him to his large body with a hand over his mouth so he couldn't run in and ruin what was obviously a great night.
Boom-Boom pulled the shirt over her head, still breathless, repeating “That was the best head I’ve ever gotten… and the way you taste? I can’t wait to blow you again.”
By then Todd had already pulled his pants back on, fumbling but glowing with pride.
He relit the blunt and Tabitha took a drag when offered, kissed him on the lips, and stood to slide her underwear back on. The three others were still frozen in the doorway.
“You wanna see what’s open? Let’s grab dinner. Head like that deserves a reward. Can I borrow these?” she asked speaking at rabbit pace, pulling on a pair of his shorts.
As she passed, Freddy and her exchanged all-knowing looks—"how was it? Fucking amazing!" As she passed the boys she blurted out " definitely isn't a 5 minute man."
She paused to glance back at Todd. “You coming? You need to get your energy up before round four.”
She sauntered out, still bragging loudly: “That was the best sexual experience of my life!”
Todd stumbled after her, tugging his shirt on. Lance and Pietro both clocked the scratches down his arms and the bite marks blooming on his collarbone as he passed. He silently handed Lance the blunt, as he gave Todd a nod that said "well fuck, you're a man." Todd headed down the stairs.
The night air was thick and warm. Tabitha was waiting, leaning against the porch rail in his shorts, smirk still plastered on her face.
Todd cleared his throat. “Hey… you probably just got me years of cred with the guys. But Pietro looks like he wants to snap my neck.”
He grabbed her by the hips, eyes earnest. “This has been the best night of my life. I’m afraid to eat or drink anything in case you wake up tomorrow and regret it. I never wanna lose your taste.”
Tabitha wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, reassuring. “Relax, Froggy. You’re gonna taste me daily.”
When she pulled back, she grinned and held up Lance’s keys in one hand and Pietro’s wallet in the other.
“Now let’s get the fuck out of here.”
****
Chapter 2 — “I Want You in My Room”
"I want you in my room. Let's spend the night together… From now until…" (“Boom, boom, boom, boom” by the Vengaboys)
The Bayville nightlife was full of clubs, bars, 24-hour hole-in-the-wall diners, and one open-all-night arcade.
They got burgers and hit the 24-hour arcade before driving around for the last two hours. Tabitha realized that what started as an after-hookup munchies run had morphed into an impromptu date. They even got to know a little about each other’s past—things the Brotherhood never talked about, like how old they were when their mutations manifested.
Tabitha said, “I was in foster care for, like, the third time. My dad had robbed a jewelry store and forced my mom to be his accomplice. I was in the car. So, that round of foster care, my foster dad tried to hit me, and I put my hands up and accidentally bombed his car. You?”
He stated, “I was born green. When I was four or five, I started jumping and sticking to things. Then, around eleven, my tongue started stretching. I nearly choked on it the first time.”
They both learned they were the only mutants in their families. Then they talked about how they came to the Brotherhood. Todd admitted he was homeless and Mystique offered him a home and safety. He didn’t question it but admitted, “I really don’t have a stomach for the violence.”
“After my fifth or sixth foster home, when I was about twelve, my dad was in jail and my mom was trying to keep a roof over our heads. My dad got out of jail. He used me to help him with a robbery. I was in and out of juvie and foster care for a while after. The last home and last juvie stint didn’t want a mutant there, but no one would take me. Charles contacted my mom and child protective services and took custody of me. But there were too many rules at the Institute. I’ve bounced around my whole life. They were too straight-edge for me. So I left and showed up at the house.”
As the night went on, Tabitha even learned Todd had never learned to drive after being kicked out at twelve, so she showed him.
“My dad was always putting hands on us. Especially me and my mom. He blamed her for me. One day, he started beating on her… she was pregnant. I used my tongue to grab his wrist. He flipped shit and put me out. Sometimes I would sleep on the fire escape until they moved.”
Tabitha’s heart broke for him. She offered words of empathy and sympathy and asked about his siblings, adding she was an only child.
“Well, I’m the oldest. Then there was Tommy, Tonya, and Trina. My mom was pregnant, but I never met that one,” he said, pain on his face.
They talked about how they weren’t sure what to do with their lives now that Mystique was dead and Magneto was in prison, but both agreed everyone stayed together out of a weird loyalty. She taught him how to drive, praying out loud they didn’t crash Lance’s jeep.
Todd made a joke, “Wow, this is the second time tonight you’re teaching me something.”
It made her blush before she kissed him in a more innocent way compared to earlier.
By the time they got home, the sun was rising. Tabitha leaned against the porch rail, smoking the last of the joint they had lit on the way home, while Todd stood awkwardly beside her, still glowing from the night. She flicked the roach into the grass and turned to him.
“C’mon, Froggy. Watch this rise with me,” she mumbled. “I’ve always loved sunrises.”
She pulled him up behind her, wrapping his arms around herself so she could lean back on him until the sky bled into full morning.
They both climbed the stairs quietly, and when they got to the second-floor landing, Todd shifted, scratching the back of his neck. Nervous, he stuttered out, “So… um, thanks for everything tonight. Dinner, driving, and um… you know… the greatest night of my life.”
He kept shifting on his feet before pushing on, “Later today, if you haven’t come to your senses yet… do you maybe wanna walk down to the park with me?”
Tabitha smiled big. She couldn’t remember the last time someone genuinely asked her out. She knew he wasn’t asking just to score because he could have tried now. She answered, “I’d love to.”
He nearly stopped breathing before answering, “Gr-gr-great. Guess I should… uh, crash.” He leaned in, pressed a simple pop-kiss against her lips, then mumbled again, “Thanks for the best night of my life. Sweet dreams.”
He started for the third floor, but Tabitha caught his hand before he took two steps.
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
He blinked. “Uh—bed?”
“It’s Saturday,” she smirked, tugging him toward her room. “No school, no bosses sending us on missions, and unless the Sentinel project was revived and they’re knocking down the door, we’re sleeping in. And maybe… y’know… my room is right here… with a bigger bed.”
He didn’t get a chance to argue. She dragged him into her room, shoved him onto the bed, and climbed in right after. Tabitha never invited people to sleep over. To her, if all they wanted was sex, she’d rather keep her bed to herself. But deep down, she wanted him just to nap with her.
The second his head hit the pillow, she pulled his arm over her waist like she was locking him down. He didn’t try anything, and neither did she. She sighed almost in disbelief and relief.
Tabitha fell asleep facing him, one leg slung lazily over his waist, breath warm against his chest. Todd didn’t move. He just lay there, wide-eyed, staring at her like she was something he wasn’t supposed to have. He stayed like that for a couple of hours before finally passing out himself.
---
They slept half the day away. Round four never came.
The room was dark when Todd finally stirred, the blinds barely letting in the dying light of late evening. He blinked groggily, confused for a second, until he felt the weight on his chest—Tabitha sprawled half across him, drooling a little into his shirt.
“Shit, Tabs… wake up,” he muttered, brushing hair away from her face, voice scratchy. “We slept the whole damn day.”
Her eyes cracked open, still heavy with sleep. “Mm. Worth it.” She stretched like a cat, leg sliding further up his torso before she rolled onto her back with a groan.
“I’m starving.”
“Yeah, me too,” Todd admitted, his stomach growling loud enough to make her laugh.
She sat up, hair wild, deep purple hickies on her exposed shoulders and neck, and looked him over with that same wicked grin from the night before.
“Shower first. You smell like—”
“I smell like you,” he interrupted, giving her a crooked grin.
Smiling big and blushing again, she grabbed him, tugging him off the bed by his wrist. They stumbled into the bathroom together, steam already clouding the mirror by the time the water heated. She stripped without hesitation, tossing clothes into a heap, and stepped under the spray with a sigh.
Todd hesitated—still not used to seeing her like this when the world wasn’t spinning from weed or adrenaline.
“Don’t stand there gawking. Get your ass in,” she said, flicking a handful of water at him.
He peeled off his shirt, then the rest, and standing in front of the mirror he saw the evidence of Tabitha’s conquest all over him. A sense of boyish pride and shock washed over him. He slid in behind her, looking over the marks he had left on her body as the water rushed down her skin. He looked her up and down slowly, memorizing every freckle, scar, and dimple. There wasn’t anything frantic about it. No biting, no wild energy. Just quiet.
Tabitha grabbed a bottle of shampoo and turned to him, smirking softer this time. “Come here. I’m washing your hair.”
Todd leaned into the stream as her fingers worked through the suds, massaging his scalp. His eyes half-closed, head tilting back with a groan.
“Damn, Tabs… that feels so fucking good. No one’s ever done that.”
Her grin widened, but she kept her hands steady, rinsing the soap out before running her fingers through again, slower this time.
“Yeah? Guess I’ve got the magic touch everywhere, huh?”
“Not even gonna argue with that,” he muttered, watching her with a look that made her chest tighten for just a second.
By the time they stepped out, both wrapped in towels, Todd couldn’t resist. He slid his arms around her waist, tugging her in close, pressing his mouth against hers. The kiss was soft at first, then deeper, water dripping onto the tiles beneath their feet.
That’s when a voice cut in.
“Well, isn’t this fucking precious.”
They both turned, dripping and half-naked, to find Pietro leaning against the bathroom doorframe, smirk razor-sharp.
“Fuck off, Speedster,” Tabitha said, flicking a tiny bomb at his sneakers. The pop was loud enough to make him yelp and dart back down the hall, cursing. Todd broke into laughter, forehead pressed against hers. She tugged the towel tighter around her chest, smirking.
“C’mon. Before someone else decides to get a show.”
---
Todd sat slouched on the couch, bouncing a rubber ball against the far wall, catching it on the rebound. The rhythm was steady, mindless—something to do while he waited for Tabitha to finish upstairs. A sudden gust blew through the room. The ball vanished midair.
“Yoink.” Pietro lounged back in a chair across from him, spinning the ball casually in his palm. “What’s up, lover boy?”
Before Todd could answer, Lance and Freddy trailed in behind him. Lance dropped onto the couch beside Todd with a smirk, Freddy taking the armchair opposite.
“Well, if it ain’t the man of the hour,” Lance said, elbow nudging him in the ribs. Todd’s cheeks burned green. He tried to play it cool, shrugging, but Pietro was already grinning like a shark.
“So tell us—how’d it start? What was it like? Is this, like, a one-time pity hook-up, or are you actually in the big leagues now?” The silver-haired jackass bombarded him with questions.
Lance snorted, half-amused, but Todd just hunched further into his hoodie. He didn’t brag, didn’t joke, just muttered,
“She started it… and right now, I’m just following her lead.”
The quiet, honest tone made Lance grin wider.
“Good. About time something went your way, man. I’m happy for you.”
“Happy for him?” Pietro cut in, snorting. “Come on. You know she’s just messing around ’cause she’s bored. Tabitha plays with bombs, bed-hops, and doesn’t catch feelings. Soon as something better comes along, she’ll forget about Frogger here.”
The words hit, sharp and heavy, and Todd shifted uneasily in his seat, picking at a loose thread on his jeans.
“Fuck off, Pietro.”
Freddy’s voice was calm but sharp, his stare steady.
“You’re just salty ’cause hot-shot speedster over here couldn’t even get a look from her. She’s into him. For real. She’s told me before.”
Pietro blinked, then shoved forward in his seat. “The hell you said to me, she—”
A loud pop cracked between them, smoke curling from the carpet. Both boys jolted back, coughing.
When it cleared, Tabitha stood at the base of the stairs, one hand still smoking from the medium-sized bomb she’d tossed. She was wearing ripped jeans and a fitted green shirt, with matching eyeshadow—the exact shade of Todd’s skin.
She walked straight past Pietro’s glare, past Freddy’s knowing smirk, right up to Todd. Without a word, she leaned down and kissed him full on the mouth, hand hooked at his jaw.
“Where we eating?” Tabitha asked, lips still curved from kissing Todd.
“Pizza,” Freddy said immediately, leaning back like he’d just solved the world’s problems. Lance rolled his eyes but smirked.
“Fine. Everyone, the jeep.”
Minutes later, they piled into Lance’s car. Freddy called dibs on the passenger seat with a smug grin, leaving Pietro to fume in the back. Tabitha slid in right after Todd, but instead of taking the window, she plopped herself squarely in the middle seat, grabbing his arm and pulling it snugly around her shoulders like she owned it. Todd sat stiff for a second, then relaxed into her, warmth climbing up his neck. She leaned against him the whole ride, unconcerned with the stares from the others.
The rest of the night passed in a blur of greasy boxes, cheap soda, and laughter Todd couldn’t quite believe he was part of.
Later, back at the boarding house, he crashed in her room again. Still no fourth round—but he didn’t care. Instead, they lay tangled in her bed, trading more stories about childhoods. At some point, her fingers found his scalp. She absentmindedly scratched and combed through his hair, nails featherlight, and it lulled him under faster than he expected. This time, he was the one who drifted first, breaths evening out against her chest. She stayed awake, watching him with a softness no one else ever got to see.
After a while, she leaned in and kissed him—just a gentle press of lips against his temple—before wrapping an arm around him and pulling him closer. For the first time in a long time, Tabitha didn’t feel restless. She started to think to herself, maybe this is more than just a hookup.
Chapter 3 coming soon