“Can I just say, that’s really uncool.”
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He watched as the faces around him all bore similar expressions, shock, anger, and his favorite, disappointment.
It was hard to hide his smile, even with Robin and his little friends expressions being so...judgy; He was the worst.
One of the adults looked at him, Wonder Woman. Her expression was dark and reeked of ‘I’m very disappointed in you.’
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“Everyone is excused,”
Eros rose from his seat and started for the door before she continued.
“Except you, Valentine.”
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He was glad his helmet hid his face, and the scowl on it, as the rest of the young justice members left the room.
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It was just Wonder Woman, Superman, Flash, and Aquaman left in the room with him. Diana motioned to a chair and he sat down in it as she spoke.
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“Are you going to explain yourself, young man?”
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“I won.”
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“You endangered countless lives today!”
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He stared at her blankly while Superman placed a hand on her shoulder.
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“Diana… He’s just a kid, go easy on him.”
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“Absolutely not. You saw what he did!”
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“Yes… but,”
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He sat silently as they had an argument amongst themselves. Finally Superman turned to him.
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“Valentine, we need to know you won’t act so rashly again.”
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There was a pause before he spoke.
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“What was rash about it? He was about to kill you and everyone else was busy. I saved you. I should be getting some thanks, not a judgement hearing.”
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Superman only sighed and weakly smiled at him.
“Valentine, none of us are judging…”
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Liar.
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“...But as a part of the next generation of heroes, you need to understand that sometimes you need to take the less risky move.”
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Eros stood up, he was almost eye level with Superman.
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“It was a coordinated assault by the Legend of Doom, what do you want me to do? Let you all die? Because if you crave death that much, I’ll do it myself!”
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There were audible gasps around the room as he walked towards the door.
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“Eros! If you walk out that door, you can’t come back!”
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Wonder woman’s words made him pause. Batman could come and go as he damn well pleased, but he was supposed to accept that the league wanted him to not give a hundred percent?
He stopped, once again happy his helmet was still on. They wouldn’t be able to see the fire behind his eyes; but this is fine, five more months and he would officially be a hero, an adult.
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He turned back towards them and sat back down. He’d be a good attentive little sidekick; and he would use his access to the data banks to learn every and any information they had on all known villains.
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____________
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“Black Manta~ Where are you~?”
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The sound of boot heels clicking across the floor was broken by Valentine’s singsong voice.
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“Manta~ I know you can hear me!”
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He really chose the wrong time to try to attack this warehouse. Eros had been itching to finally tackle a villain all by himself. Even after the three years the Justice League put him on probation.
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His trip down memory lane was cut short as he dodged a laser beam. He followed the beam’s track and saw the glowing ‘eyes’ of Black Manta.
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“Gotcha.”
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He sprinted towards the villain, dodging laser beams as he closed the distance between them. Once he was in range, Black Manta started to speak.
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“What? They sent a sidekick?”
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Eros narrowed his eyes. Really? Sidekick? Well let’s prove him wrong. Dead wrong.
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“Sorry, not a sidekick; but this is.”
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Before Manta could mutter a word, he was sent flying into a canister sending them both to the ground.
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Eros walked over as Black Manta groaned and got to his feet.
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“No.. I definitely remember seeing you working with Superman.”
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“Not anymore.”
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Eros watched as his gloves turned sharp and dodged another laser beam. Manta dropped to his knees, taking deep breaths.
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“Wait! I remember now, you’re LoveBug! That kid that embarrassed the hell outta Luther three years ago!”
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“Sure am. And now to embarrass the hell outta you.”
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All it took was him gripping Manta’s arm and his claws Puncturing through the villain's suit.
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“Relax Manta; it’ll all be over soon.”
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And manta listened, slumping down on the floor in a sleep-like state.
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Eros messed with the suit until he got the helm off. A dark skin man in his mid to late thirties lay under it; however, that didn’t interest Valentine. He opened Manta’s mouth and stared at the teeth inside.
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“To the winner go the spoils.” He noted with a smirk on his face.
He reached into his wing pack and pulled out a pair of pliers. He heard commotion from downstairs; looks like Aquaman finally decided to show up.
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Better late than never, he thought as he picked one of the back teeth and pulled it out.
Black Mantra screamed and began to writhe in agony, just as Aquaman and lad ran up the stairs.
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“LoveBug!? What did you do!?”
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He strolled past the two aquatic men and stowed away his prize.
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“Easy, exactly what I did to Lex Luther.”
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“You, you can’t do that!”
He sounded shocked, panicked, scared.
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He turned around.
“Sure I can. I'm a full fledged hero now. Frankly, you can’t stop me. But hey, he’s still alive, you can tell by the screaming.”
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He directed the last part to Black Manta, who stopped screaming and began to whimper instead. Valentine continued to speak.
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“So, go on and tell everyone what I did. I don’t need the league’s data anymore, I studied all of it. I know some of these villains better than they do. Besides, I want them to fear me.” He turned and started to walk away but paused, “oh, and Aqualad, you’re more than a sidekick, start acting like it.”
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__________
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2 years later…
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Eros tossed his bag onto the couch and looked around at the studio apartment. The furniture was all well loved, but heroes don’t get paid every well… or at all really.
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“Well it’s cozy, that’s for sure.”
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He flopped onto the couch next to his bag and pulled his phone. He’d need to start streaming soon or no more cash flow….
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“Ugh…. just got moved in and I already have to get to work.”
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He stretched out his shoulders, earning a pop on one side, before getting up and getting out his hero costume. He grinned as he looked at the modified helm. Attaching the camera feed to his HUD was the best idea ever! Though the need for a hot spot was slightly annoying, hey, whatever pays; this certainly did.
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He adjusted his suit before slipping some track pants and a loose shirt. He glanced at his helmet before tossing it in his bag.
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Taking one last look around his apartment he grinned before shutting and locking the door behind him. He was almost outside when an old woman called out to him.
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“Mr. Amore! Everything working well in your apartment?”
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With a smile on his face he replied. “Mrs. White, of course~ thank you for giving me all that furniture.”
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“Mrs. White?” Her already wrinkled face was in a glare before Valentine started speaking.
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“Oh, I’m so sorry, I just thought; a woman as lovely as you must be married.”
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She laughed and patted him on the back.
“Flattery will get you everywhere in life, young man. Keep that up and I might let you be Mr. White.”
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“I will keep that in mind.”
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He winked at her before heading out the main door of the building.
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—————
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After walking a few city blocks, he climbed up a random building’s fire escape to the floor access. It was the tallest building around and after a quick look around, Eros grinned.
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“Good. Completely isolated. I should’ve come to Gotham sooner!”
He began to strip outta his baggy clothes and replaced them with his helmet.
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Once it was both on his head and turned on, he began to set up the software for his stream. He sat down on the side of the building before hitting the launch button.
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“Okay… showtime.”
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He watched on his HUD as the viewer counter clicked upwards.
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“Hi guys! What a view, am I right?”
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He read the chat as scrolled across his screen.
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WHAT!? That’s not JumpCity!
He really did go to Gotham! 😱😱😱
Hi Love Bug!!❤️❤️❤️
Love Bug in Gotham!? Gotta go to MoonDoe!!🌙🌙🌙
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“Wow! I knew my fans were smart! Yeah! I’m in Gotham City! Home of the Batman!”
He stood up before continuing to speak.
“And disclaimer as always folks, this stream is first person so you might get motion sick!”
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———
“And that’s why a ravens like a writing desk! Oh but who do we have here? Looks like none other than the Bat himself guys!”
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Valentine watched as Batman landed next to him.
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“Say Hi to the chat, Bats!”
“No. What are you doing in Gotham?”
“No need to be so cold. I’m just here on a little stay-cation.”
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Wow! Batman up and personal!!
I live in Gotham and I’ve never been this close to Batman!!!
Talk about cool!!
“But seriously Batman, you’re all my chat is well, chatting about.”
“Turn that off. It’s unprofessional.”
“Aww… sorry guys. I gotta turn the screen off real quick. Hope you folks don’t mind sitting through a quick ad in the meantime! Those subscribed, you get to look at some really awesome fan art until I get back!”
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After tapping some buttons on his gauntlet, he watched as the signals that he was able to be seen and heard turned off.
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“Alrighty. It’s not off but they can’t hear or see us anymore.”
“I want you out of Gotham Bug.”
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“Absolutely not. You can’t boss me around anymore. Heck I’m not even part of the league.”
“I’m aware. Superman is still looking for you.”
“Eh he’s smart enough if he wanted me found, he’d do it by now. Besides, I’m pretty sure he watches my streams.”
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He rolled his eyes as Batman glared before speaking.
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“Just don’t get into trouble.”
“No promises! Hey! Wait!”
He pleaded with Batman to stop to no avail as he yelled at him. “At least tell me when MoonDoe is!”
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“And…. he’s gone. Thanks Batman.”
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After returning access to his stream he started to talk to them again.
“Hi guys! Sorry for the little break there! Couldn’t get him to sign the forms. ‘Batman works alone.’ Anyway, can anyone get me the address for MoonDoe?”
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In a matter of seconds, multiple accounts had sent him the address, he thanked them and flew to the cafe, commenting on the weather and the overall feel of the city.
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He landed in front of the cafe with multiple people gasping and carrying on around him. He ignored them and opened the door for a guy with cotton candy blue blue and some yellow plastic star shaped sunglasses who muttered a ‘thanks’ on instinct.
He lingered on the guy. He was cute, and a good ass too.
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“Chat, LoveBug has found a reason to live again. Besides you all of course. Now what should I order? Ah never mind, not letting you guys pick after the last time.”
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Eros stood in line as people stared at him, no one was even trying to hide it by the time he got to the counter.
He glanced at the clerk's name before ordering his coffee.
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“Ok Sir, what name would you like it under?”
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👀👀👀Love Bug name reveal?!?
Say something silly!
Use her name!
OMG are we going to learn his name!?
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“LoveBug. Thanks, Lindsey.”
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He waited, casually having a conversation with his chat while he waited for the coffee to be prepared. When his name got called he decided to cut the stream off.
Total run time 5 hours 27 mins viewers in the 3000s
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Just as he was thinking to himself not bad stats for a midday stream; a girl wearing winter clothes looked around the shop before glancing outside with a worried look.
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“Something wrong, miss?”
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“Huh? Oh, yes actually. One of our regulars forgot his laptop.”
“I can return it to him if he just left.”
“Oh you’d really do that? Thank you! You can’t miss him! He has bright blue hair and some star shaped sunglasses on!”
“I know just who you’re talking about.”
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With a smile he took the laptop and went outside to find the guy from earlier. He flew up into the air, his wings keeping him in place as his HUD searched through the faces in the busy streets before finding him.
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Eros landed in front of him, startling a dog being walked by an old man.
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The guy didn’t seem too shocked before he pointed at the laptop then searched his bag.
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“Ah! That’s mine! Thankyouthankyouthankyou!! I totally couldn’t afford to lose that!”
“Hey no problem. That’s what heroes do.”
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With a laugh, the guy replied, “Pfft, you wouldn’t see any of the bat family returning a left behind laptop.”
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“Then it sounds like I got here at just the right time.”
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This close up, Eros could really appreciate the soft features on the man in front of him.
“Well, citizen, I sound get going. Here’s your laptop.”
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The other man took it with a smile, thanking him again before flipping it over and finding a piece of paper with a phone number and a single heart shaped drawing.
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“Oh is this yours?”
“It’s my number if that’s what you’re asking. You should give me a call later. Or if you need a hero.”
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He walked away as the guys shocked face turned red.
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“My-My names Yancey!”
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As he lifted off the ground, LoveBug waved bye to Yancey, heading somewhere closer to his apartment where he could go back to being Eros Amore.
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