The smell of pancakes filled the air.
Sunlight streamed through the apartment windows, casting golden stripes across the hardwood floor. Tyler stood in the kitchen, flipping pancakes onto a plate with a practiced flick of the wrist. He was in a good mood—energized, focused.
"Tyler Two, pass me the eggs."
One of his clones, identical in every way but wearing an apron that said 'Hot Stuff', handed over a carton of eggs with a smirk. "Coming right up, Chef."
Two other clones were setting the table and brewing coffee like an oddly choreographed breakfast brigade.
Everything was going perfectly—until a scream shattered the moment.
"KYAAAAAAAH!"
Tyler froze.
His head whipped back—and there she was.
Tracy.
Hair tousled from sleep, eyes wide in disbelief, holding a blanket around herself as she stared at four copies of Tyler casually making breakfast like it was just a Tuesday.
"Tracy!" he yelped, dropping the ladle. In a blink, he dispelled all the clones—they vanished into vapor-like wisps with soft whoosh sounds.
"I—I can explain this!"
Tracy took a step back, her mouth slightly open. "What... what the hell was that?!"
"I have superpowers!" Tyler blurted.
Silence.
Then, as if to prove it, he raised his hand—and with a shimmer, another Tyler appeared beside him. The clone gave a sheepish wave.
Tracy's jaw dropped. "That's… impossible…"
"I know," Tyler said quickly. "It's insane. But I think… it started after that explosion—the one at the particle accelerator. I was hit by that strange energy and went into a coma. When I woke up... weird stuff started happening."
Tracy stared at the clone for a long moment.
The clone stared back awkwardly.
Finally, she pointed at it and said, "Can you make that thing disappear? It's... creepy."
Tyler nodded, and with a wave of his hand, the clone dissipated.
Tracy blinked.
Then slowly sat on the couch.
"I think I need those pancakes," she muttered.
Tyler scratched the back of his head, nervously smiling. "...Yeah. Uh. Coming right up."
...
Tracy sat cross-legged on the couch, a plate of pancakes in her lap. She took a cautious bite, eyes still darting toward Tyler every few seconds like she wasn't sure if he'd sprout another clone out of nowhere.
"Can you do anything else… other than creating more of you?" she asked between bites, her curiosity getting the better of her.
"Oh…" Tyler smirked, his eyes gleaming mischievously.
In the blink of an eye, he vanished from the kitchen.
A faint white streak whipped past her.
She gasped as Tyler reappeared behind her, leaning casually against the wall.
"I can move at super speed," he said, grinning.
"That's amazi—" Tracy began, but then she paused. The air in the apartment suddenly shifted, growing heavier, warmer, like a storm was building from within the walls.
Tyler raised a hand, and the strange sensation dissipated immediately.
"And," he added, "I can also control the weather."
Tracy stared at him, mouth slightly open.
"Why do you…" she started slowly, setting her plate down, "why do you trust me so much?"
Tyler walked back and sat on the couch across from her, calm and relaxed. "What do you mean?"
"Well…" she hesitated, folding her hands. "Revealing your powers like this. Aren't you afraid I'll tell someone? The government, the media… anyone?"
Tyler gave a slow, thoughtful smile.
Then, suddenly, he leaned forward, his expression shifting. His eyes locked onto hers, intense, cold.
"Because now I'm strong," he said quietly. "And if you dare utter a single word about my powers to anyone else—your head will be flying like an airplane."
Tracy froze.
Her breath hitched, and she shrank back slightly. "T-Tyler… I-I promise I won't t-tell anybody—"
But before she could finish, he burst into laughter.
"Pffft—Hahaha! Look at you! You should've seen your face!" he said, clutching his stomach.
Tracy's eyes narrowed. "It's not funny! You scared me!" she pouted and slapped him on the arm.
"Ow!" Tyler flinched, rubbing his shoulder. "That actually hurt!"
"You deserved it! Think twice before pulling a prank like that again," she grumbled.
Tyler, still smiling, suddenly looked at her with a quiet intensity.
"…What?" she asked, suddenly flustered under his gaze.
"Nothing," he said, voice softer now. "I think I'm falling in love."
"W-What?!" Tracy blinked rapidly, completely caught off guard.
"Yep." Tyler leaned back and smiled like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Tracy was left completely speechless—her heart racing, her mind blank.
The only thing she could do was look down at her now-cold pancakes… and blush.
...
Tracy stood at the front door, ready for work. She wore the familiar Jitters uniform—black jeans, a snug dark-blue T-shirt with the café's logo on the chest, and her apron folded neatly in one hand. Her hair was pulled up into a ponytail, just a little messy but cute all the same.
He stood and walked over, opening the door for her before she could even reach it.
"Thanks," she said with a small smile.
Then she paused, still facing the open doorway. The hallway beyond stretched quietly, yet she didn't step out. Instead, she turned back to him.
"Tyler… can I ask you something?"
"Sure, go ahead," he said, casually leaning against the doorframe.
She hesitated, fiddling with the strap of her bag. "What… is our relationship?"
Tyler blinked. "Our relationship?"
He tilted his head thoughtfully. Then, without warning, he leaned in, brushed her hair gently aside—and kissed her.
It was soft, quick, but undeniably real.
As he pulled back, a grin curved on his lips. "Is that enough of an answer?"
Tracy's cheeks flushed deep red. Her eyes widened, then dropped to the floor. "Y-Yes…" she mumbled. Then she swallowed, smiled awkwardly, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Okay, then… see you later, Tyler…"
"See you, Tracy," he said warmly, watching her as she finally stepped out into the hall and walked away.
As the door clicked shut, Tyler leaned back against it and let out a breathless laugh.
"I even got a girlfriend now," he muttered to himself, grinning like an idiot.
To be continued...
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Okay, I am back. How was the chapter? Liked it?
Also, soon I'll introduce an OC metahuman, so stay tuned!