#fic:vigilante au

[el-gilliath]

I Will Survive

Well damn, who would've thought something like this could happen at 4am (Norwegian time). So beware of any spelling errors, please and thank you.

As always, dedicated to my lovely @lsobelevans. I’m sorry it took me so damn long lol

BE AWARE of violence in this chapter. None graphic, but you do see aftermath

Ao3

He hasn’t stopped thinking about the kiss. Of Cowboy’s lips on his. Of his hands on his skin. Of the gorgeous hazel of his eyes. Of the face he can’t remember.

He realized quickly that Influence is probably the reason he can’t remember, it seems like something that is within her abilities. A part of him is glad, he doesn’t want to remember Cowboy’s face until he knows his name, and he does remember the feel of his gorgeous curls between his fingers. It felt good to run his hands through them, it’ll feel good when he gets to do it again.

After getting Cowboy out of the hands of the Russians, the bond, the connection, between them felt more profound. Kissing him made it even more so. Alex can feel it, in a way, the connection underneath his skin.

He also knows how dangerous it is, how many people who would love to use him as bait for Cowboy, should their tentative thing be known. Everyone and their mother has warned him about it, including Liz (who is very publicly dating Detective Max Evans and not Electrobuzz), Maria (who knows all the shit that happens in the vigilante world), and Kyle (that did not go over well). Even Arturo has given him the worried face and soft spanish proverbs, even though he doesn’t need them. None of them understands that being Jesse Manes’ youngest child has put him in the spotlight and kept him there for years.

No matter how much Jesse hates his son, he wouldn’t stand for anyone giving him the dishonor of taking his son. It’s the one thing he can count on more than anything when it comes to his dad, he doesn’t like dishonor. If nothing else, Alex will appreciate that about his dad, no matter how much shit he gets for it. It also means that he knows Jesse will come for him, even if it’s only for the glory of having rescued his son and not because of Alex himself.

Which is why he’s not afraid when he finds himself being dragged into a car as he leaves the Post on a Wednesday afternoon, Rosa screaming “No!” as his eyes meet hers when they take a hold of his arms and kick his legs out from under him so he can’t really resist. He just lets himself be dragged into the van, giving Rosa as much of a reassuring look as he can. He doesn’t want her to be afraid for him, even if he knows she probably will be.

He’s fairly sure he knows exactly where they’re taking him anyway.

The kidnappers throw him into the back of the way, screaming at him in broken english to sit down and shut up. They scream that if he makes any trouble they’ll kill him. Alex knows that they won’t, but he still nods, curling together like he’s frightened, like he’s cowering. He’s not, fear isn’t something he feels lightly anymore but he has to protect his leg. If they take that then he’s gonna have one hell of a harder time with everything. Thankfully the men only scowl at him behind ski-masks as they drive off. He closes his eyes, counting seconds and minutes to try to find out where they’re going, listening out for the murmuring that’s happening in the van with him.

He knows he’s right when the driver starts talking louder in russian, when they slow down after about 20minutes. They’re in the Russian compound. And he’s probably gonna meet Mr. Serkoff again, after getting the diamonds off of his hands. The diamonds he decidedly did not give his father.

He’s about to be in a bigger heap of trouble than he’s been in a while.

He’s roughly pulled from the car a few minutes after they stop, pushed ahead so quickly he barely has time to put his feet under him. His leg pulls in the wrong side of comfortable and he bites the inside of his cheek not to cry out. Instead he straightens himself, stands tall and walks into the lion's den. He ignores the pushing, he ignores the yelling. He’ll face this on his own terms, not on theirs.

He’s taken to a back office in the Diamond Storage and roughly shoved into a chair in front of a huge oak desk, where Serkoff is sitting watching his men’s rough handling with a bored look on his face. Anyone not good at reading faces wouldn’t see the underlying anger, the fury.

Alex Manes grew up with Jesse Manes. He’s seen more anger than he ever wants too.

“Mr. Manes.”

“Mr. Serkoff,” Alex replies. He makes sure his voice is calm, collected. He needs to stay strong. “I don’t think taking me right outside the Post was the smartest idea you ever had.”

“Perhaps not. But I doubt you are surprised to find yourself back here again.” The anger turns obvious, a snarl on the russians face. “You took my diamonds, Mr. Manes. And you did not deliver them to your father. He was not… pleased. And as a result, I am not pleased.”

Alex just looks at him. He hitches a brow slightly as if to say ‘get on with it’. He might not be the good little cop boy his father wants him to be, but that doesn’t mean he’s not capable. And right now he needs to be a Manes.

“He told me he never sent you to get the diamonds. That he would never.” The chilling grin is the first sign. “He told me to do whatever I wanted to you. He would rather find your corpse, than to find you alive.”

It breaks his heart, just a little, to hear that. But he also knows it’s not true.

“If you hadn’t taken me very publicly that would be true. But you did. My father might hate me, Mr. Serkoff, but he won’t stand for slights on his honor.” Alex’s top lip curls upwards in a parody of a smile. “Taking his son like that? His disabled son which the public thinks he loves? You can’t imagine the outrage.”

Something flickers in the burly Russians eyes. Almost like compassion. Almost like understanding. It disappears fast behind the mask of indifference.

“Give me my diamonds.”

“I don’t have them.”

Serkoff visibly bites his tongue, hard, most likely to stop himself from speaking too early. Alex understands him better than he wants to at that moment.

“Exactly how much does my father have on you, Mr. Serkoff,” Alex asks. The snort in response wasn’t what he expected.

“Your father has nothing on me, Mr. Manes. I deal with him because I want to, not because I have to.” Well shit. “And if you do not have my diamonds, I have no need of you.”

The knowledge that he means exactly what he’s saying churns inside Alex’s stomach. He has nothing to stop this, unless he gives up the diamonds. The problem is that he’s not lying, he doesn’t have them. But he does know where they are.

He also knows that giving them up would be the end.

“What if I could make you a deal?” Alex asks. Giving up the diamonds would be the end, but he can give him something different, something that might be worth more.

“And what kind of a deal would that be?”

“In exchange for me walking out of here, I could give you information. Information my dad probably doesn't want you to have.”

“And how would that benefit me?”

“When I take him down, I’ll keep your name out of it.” Alex takes a deep breath. “And in the end you’ll have your diamonds back.”

Serkoff looks at him in a way Alex is intimately familiar with, having grown up in the Manes household, like he’s a bug he wants to squash. But there’s also interest, a curiosity that Alex can’t help but feel hopeful about. If he can convince this burly russian that he can give him valuable information he might have a chance. It also means that his rig at the Pony will be brushing off the dust in a way he promised he wouldn’t do any more.

“Your offer is interesting,” Serkoff replies. “But you stole my diamonds, Mr. Manes. For that I cannot just let you leave.”

It’s the last thing he remembers as he’s hit in the head with a gun.

———

Pain. Harsh spoken russian words. The glint of a knife. Pain.

------

He wakes up, doesn’t know how much later, alone in a room. He’s on a bed, prosthetic still on. His head is pounding, his stomach is on fire, his hands filled with tiny cuts. It hurts, but he knew this was a possibility. It’s not like he hasn’t suffered worse before.

“Mr. Manes.”

He jumps, his heart hammering in his chest. His spatial awareness comes rushing back, recognizing the fact that the door’s been opened and that Serkoff is now in the room with him. He’s thankfully standing by the door, making no moves to come closer. It makes Alex’s heart settle a litte.

“Mr. Serkoff. Done beating me up?”

“Yes,” the russian replies, simple as that. Maybe it is. “Now tell me about the information you can give me.”

Alex swallows. “Will you let me go if I do?”

“I will. I could not let you go without some retaliation. My own people would think me weak if I did, but now I can. If you give me the information. From what my sources tell me, the youngest Manes is a very good hacker.” Serkoff grimaces. “I was also told hacking was how you lost your leg.”

“Yeah. It was. Doesn’t mean I’m not good at it.”

“On the contrary Mr. Manes, for you to have lost your leg you must have been very good, for someone to want to hurt you that much.”

“My dad is the reason I lost my leg, Mr. Serkoff.” Alex sighs, worn and tired. “Maybe now you understand why I want to stop him.”

Serkoff doesn’t say anything, but Alex recognizes the look in his eyes. It’s the look of someone who does understand, it makes the look in his eyes earlier make all the more sense. He knows exactly what Alex is talking about, probably better than Alex thinks he does.

“And you will keep me and my men out of it.”

“I will. I can’t keep the russian mob out of it completely, but I’ll try.”

“And I will get my diamonds?” Serkoff asks, and Alex just nods. His body is starting to shut down, in pain and aching. Talking is starting to become too much. “Good. I will get you a scapegoat, someone who should be taken down with your father. Now rest, your friend will be here soon.”

Alex opens his mouth to ask who said friend is, but he doesn’t have the chance before Serkoff nods sternly and walks out of the room, closing the door behind him and leaving Alex to his own thoughts. Alone, deep in the diamond storage with the russian mob. A friend coming soon.

He really hopes Cowboy or Influence didn’t get themselves involved.

Still he lays back down and rests. He probably doesn’t have to fight his way out but he still wants to get some strength back. Even if that strength is skin deep, allowing himself to rest so he can walk out on his own is enough. Serkoff and his men are not someone you want to appear weak in front of. Especially if he’s going to have somewhat of a working relationship with them.

He doesn’t know how much time passes as he rests, lost in his own thoughts of where he needs to move his rig (he can’t keep it at the Pony just in case someone traces it back to him), how he’s going to keep Arturo from finding out (he already knows how mad Arturo would be, after how frightened he was the last time) and who’s coming to get him (he’s going to kill whoever it is for walking voluntarily into the compound).

Which is why he startles (spatial awareness, come on) when the door bangs open.

“Hermano, you better be alive on that bed so that I can kill you myself.”

He huffs a laugh, of course it’s Rosa. A spitfire latina would be the only one crazy enough to come get him in the middle of the russian mob and threaten murder.

“I’m fine, Rosa. Just resting,” he answers, smiling in amusement as her glowering only increases. He’s still thankful for the way she stalks over and throws herself down on him, hugging him tightly.

“I was so scared when they took you,” she whispers as he hugs her back, mindful of his aches. “I even called Maria and you know I prefer when she comes to me.”

“I appreciate your sacrifice,” he whispers back. Even though they both know that Rosa’s burgeoning interest in Maria means they’ve called upon each other half a dozen times (if not more) since the night at the Pony. Though he’s pretty sure Rosa actually prefers it when Maria does come to her. And when she doesn’t have to call her to find someone else.

“You better. I’m in Maria’s debt now, I don’t like being in anyone's debt.”

“I know. But you can get a date out of it?”

“Vato, don’t you even-

“Okay! Okay” Alex interrupts her with a laugh that turns into a cough. “Thanks for coming.”

“When the Russian mob calls and tells you to come to their secret base to pick up your best friend, who they just kidnapped you kinda go,” Rosa answers, grumbling into his chest. Alex just holds her tighter, squeezing her in his version of a thanks. Something he knows she understands, none of them are big on talking about their feelings in high strung environments. “Speaking of the Russian mob…”

“Yeah, no, I’m not telling you here. Later, okay?

“Si,” Rosa replies. “But you better tell me.”

“I will. But we need to get going.”

Rosa nods and gets up, pulling Alex with her. Standing is painful, but he can put pressure on the prosthetic without problems, meaning Serkoss left it well enough alone. It helps him move out of his own power. He's grateful for that much at least.

They walk out of the compound easily after that. All the Russian men are gone, vanished from their vicinity. Alex knows, he uses all the tricks in his books to look for them, as they move out to where Rosa’s car is parked. He looks back one more time before he gets in, and catches Serkoff watching them. He nods, a gesture of respect Alex didn’t expect. Still, he nods back and gets into the car.

“Where too?”

He looks over at Rosa. “The Pony. I have some business to take care of.”

He’s never felt more relaxed putting his back to the bad man than he does when they drive out of the parking lot and set course for the Pony.

The car ride is quiet, something Alex is grateful for. It gives him a chance to rest some more, leaning back into the comfy seat of Rosa’s car and closing his eyes. He breathes deeply and evenly as he listens to Rosa’s ever present grumblings about traffic.

He nods off, just a little, waking again as he hears Rosa call Maria and tell them they’re coming. Good, he doesn’t need the hassle of scared Super’s today.

Which proves to be his famous last thought as they walk into the Pony and Cowboy is there. Frantic with worry. Alex watches him with a surprised look as he walks back and forth over the Pony floor, rambling to himself with his mask on, but hat off, not listening to a word Maria says. Maria meets his gaze with an exasperated look on her face, tilting her head slightly to where Influence, Electrobuzz and Kyle are arguing loudly amongst themselves. He watches them with an artificial detachment he wills into being. He can’t afford to care. Especially now that he has a job to do.

“Cowboy.” He speaks the word clearly, a bit louder than he usually would. He needs his attention.

He’s not expecting to get the attention of everyone. Even Liz appears from the back room, cursing up a storm when she sees his bruised face. And Liz cursing starts the rest of them, besides Maria who just watches him and Kyle who walks over to Alex and silently asks permission to check him out. Alex looks at him and Kyle backs away, knowing that it’ll have to wait. Their friendship might not be all good, but their communication still works perfectly.

“Stop!” Maria yells. Miraculously it works. “This is my bar, and this is Alex’s safe space. Let him fucking breathe.”

“DeLuca-”

“No,” Maria interrupts, sending a vicious look Cowboy’s way. Alex can’t help that a tiny particle of him appreciates the way she makes him flinch. “Alex, please let Kyle take you in the back and make sure you’re okay. Please.”

Alex watches her, the way they listen to her speak even as they shoot him glances and he’s so proud. So proud of her and the woman she’s become since her mother died, since she took over the Pony and started protecting the people that might need it the most and the least at the same time. Maria DeLuca is a savior, though he really hopes that one day she will let someone Rosa save her right back. No one deserves it more than her.

He nods at her, shooting Kyle a look as well before he walks towards the backroom. He can feel Cowboy watching him as he moves but he’ll worry about that later. Right now he needs to focus on something else.

“Does it hurt anywhere?” Kyle asks as he closes the door. Alex just shoots him a look. “I mean worse than anywhere else.”

“No.”

“How about your stomach?”

“No.”

“Your leg?”

“No.”

“Damnit, Alex!” Kyle yells, startling both of them. “Just… Just please answer me properly.”

Alex runs a hand through his hair, sighing deeply as he does. Time to treat Kyle like a doctor, and not an enemy. “My leg is fine, they didn’t touch it. Stomach is sore but seems fine. My head is killing me and my face is probably starting to get a real nice shiner. I’m fine, Kyle.”

“Only you would be kidnapped and beat up and say you’re fine,” Kyle mutters angrily and Alex can’t help but huff out a laugh. He has a point.

“You want me to apologize instead?”

“No. I just want you to stay safe.” Kyles gives him a look. “Within the range of safe at least.”

Alex rolls his eyes but doesn’t answer. Kyle knows him well enough to know that the Manes range of safety isn’t the same as everyone else's. Kyle snorts in derision at the eye roll but doesn’t say anything else either, preferring to finish looking Alex over in silence. Alex finds himself grateful for the familiarity and that they don’t need to talk. He might not have completely forgiven Kyle yet, but Kyle knowing what he needs and when to shut up helps. Maybe more than he thought it would, since it was Kyle opening his mouth that destroyed them the first time.

“Thank, Kyle,” he says, as Kyle moves back with a satisfied nod some minutes later.

“Any time,” Kyle replies as he packs away the nicely stocked first aid kit Maria has in the back room. “Want me to send in Cowboy?”

“No. I need to talk to Maria first.”

Kyle gives him a look of slight surprise, but nods before he goes through the door to the front of the pub. Alex waits until Maria joins him a minute later.

“You okay?” She asks, walking over to him and gently cupping his face in her hands. Her eyes are alight with worry, her frame tense in a way she usually isn’t.

“I’m fine, Maria. That was a necessary meeting.”

“Meeting? Alex, they kidnapped you!”

“Yeah,” he agrees. “But now I have an ally against my father.”

“Is that what this is about, your dad?” Maria asks.

“No. It’s about keeping them safe,” he answers, nodding towards the front of the bar. “Kyle, Liz, Rosa. Cowboy, your siblings. You.”

Maria huffs. “My secret siblings out there can take care of themselves, as can Cowboy, the rest of them and me. I’ve been the unofficial Super bar for years Alex, the police can’t take me down for shit.”

“They can if my rig is here. Especially if it’s in use.”

He sees it happen the second it dawns on her, the second she understands just why he’s calling it a meeting.

“You can’t do that. The last time you hacked you lost your leg,” she says with frightening calm. “If you do and your father finds out again you’ll lose your life!”

“I will. But this time I have the Russian mob at my back.”

She just stares at him, eyes wide and wild with indignation and a fair bit of the classical ‘are you crazy’ look. But there’s no question, she knows that he’s serious. She also knows she can’t talk him out of it, like she couldn’t the last time.

“You better be careful,” she says through clenched teeth when she finally does speak, marching over and laying a hard kiss on his forehead before she walks out without a word. Probably best, so neither of them starts to cry. Matia saw him at his worst after he lost his leg, he knows she has a right to be scared but he’ll be more careful this time. He has to be.

“Alex?” Cowboy asks as he walks through the door. He looks worried, scared even. “Can I come on?”

“Yeah, come in,” Alex replies. Cowboy comes in slowly. His hat and mask is on, but Alex doesn’t mind. He never minds, especially now that he has to do what he does.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine,” he replies. “The Russians are pretty pissed, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.

“Is this because-“

“No. It’s got nothing to do with you.”

Cowboy clearly doesn’t believe him, if the way he purses his lips is any indication. “Sure, I get stuck in their compound, you go in and use your name, and not two weeks later you get kidnapped and beaten up!”

“That was because-“

“And now you want to work with them? And hack for them when you lost your leg because of it the first time? How can you be so st-“

“Hey!” Alex interrupts. “You do not get to call me stupid, Cowboy. I got into trouble because of my dad, not because of you. It's my choice, not yours.”

He watches Cowboy bite his tongue, clenching his fists tightly in obvious annoyance. But he doesn’t say anything, breathing deeply for a few minutes before he relaxes his fists, his jaw following. Alex understands how he feels, he does, but Cowboy isn’t his keeper of any kind. He makes his own decisions.

“You don’t get to decide when you run around New York as a vigilante, protecting people left and right with no regards to yourself. You don’t get to tell me what to do.”

He doesn’t expect Cowboy to kiss him. He just walks over, takes Alex’s face in his hands and kisses him. It’s sloppy, this side of too hard and feral, just a little bit painful to Alex’s bruised face. It’s perfect.

“Shit, I’m sorry. You’re hurt,” Cowboy says, pulling away.

Alex shakes his head, keeping him in place. “It’s perfect, please don't stop.”

Cowboy seems sceptical, but Alex doesn’t care. He pulls him back in, though he softens the kiss so it won’t hurt. Instead of hard it’s soft, instead of hurried it’s languid, instead of feral it’s tender. Painful turns way to heat, lazily curling up his spine and settling everywhere from his neck to his stomach. He sighs softly into the kiss, pulling Cowboy infinitely closer.

“Alex. As much as I love having your lips on mine, you’re hurt,” Cowboy says as he pulls back again. “And we both know Maria will kill us if we do anything in this backroom.”

Alex groans. “You pick now to be sensible?”

“I pick now to be scared of your best friend. I’m just… breaking. Not saying no.”

Alex sighs, nodding because he knows Cowboy is right. He also does have to remember that he doesn’t actually know who Cowboy is, yet.

“I need help, moving my rig back home. Will you help me?”

Cowboy gives him a long, hard look. It feels soul searching in many ways, but Alex endures it. For him. He’s admittedly surprised when Cowboy nods, but grateful.

———

He find another piece of paper hidden under his keyboard the next day, with the letter A.

[el-gilliath]

When you ask for a gifset based on a character in an au Lucie hasn’t even read yet and she does this.

Seriously, I’m still all 🤭🤭🤭🤭🤭😭😭😭😭😭😍😍😍😍😍

ALSO I CAN’T BREATHE BECAUSE IT’S PERFECTION OKAY

I’m not just one of your many toys...

Influence (aka Isobel Evans) for @el-gilliath ✨

[el-gilliath]

Vigilante Michael AU

I have no idea what I have or have not shared from Part 7, and my signal at the cabin is shitty so I can’t check, but heres the start I have so far.

He’s unwillingly scared for days after he takes the rig back home, even if he tries to reign it in as best as he can. But the memories of last time he did this, what he lost, surfaces and freaks him the fuck out. Waking up to damp sheets and a t-shirt clinging to his sweat while phantom limb pain wracks through him becomes a new normal, in the following weeks.

He hates it with a burning passion but he’s in this situation for a reason. And he will follow through regardless of how dangerous or difficult it is.

He plays journalist in the days, plays computer vigilante at night. It’s dangerous, insane, fucking mental. It’s the most exhilarating thing Alex has done since before he lost his leg.

Of course that isn’t something he can tell his friends, or anyone, really. The only person who would maybe understand is Cowboy, and even that is a maybe with how attached they are to one another. He feels protective of their bond, doesn’t want to jeopardize it. But Cowboy did give him his phone number for a reason. Maybe he should use it to… vent a bit. And he does have a lead he needs to follow up on and if Cowboy can help him out on both accounts. Well it would be good for his stress levels.

[el-gilliath]

Vigilante!AU part 5, for the anon who said they loved this fic <3 Bit more than six, but cutting it off anywhere would’ve been stupid.

Alex runs a hand through his hair, sighing deeply as he does. Time to treat Kyle like a doctor, and not an enemy. “My leg is fine, they didn’t touch it. Stomach is sore but seems fine. My head is killing me and my face is probably starting to get a real nice shiner. I’m fine, Kyle.”

“Only you would be kidnapped and beat up and say you’re fine,” Kyle mutters angrily and Alex can’t help but huff out a laugh. He has a point.

Darkness chapter 13 because I seriously need to be held accountable and finish it. I’m close though!

“I love you too,” she replied with a smile, before making a slight shooing motion with her hand towards the door. He smiled and gave her a nod as he turned around and walked back out the same way he had come. His heart felt elated, his spirits lifted in a way he previously didn’t think it could be. He knew then why Taker always told them that the day they would tell their one (or two in his case), was the easiest thing they would ever do. When it was over.

And his wasn’t over yet.

[el-gilliath]

Last seven lines I’ve written

I got tagged by at least @andrea-lyn, have some Vigilante AU

He hates it with a burning passion but he’s in this situation for a reason. And he will follow through regardless of how dangerous or difficult it is.

He plays journalist in the days, plays computer vigilante at night. It’s dangerous, insane, fucking mental. It’s the most exhilarating thing Alex has done since before he lost his leg.

Of course that isn’t something he can tell his friends, or anyone, really. The only person who would maybe understand is Cowboy, and even that is a maybe with how attached they are to one another.

I’m tagging YOU if you haven’t done it and want to

[el-gilliath]

First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (aka The first meeting of Cowboy and Alex Manes, reporter.)

As always this is dedicated to @lsobelevans, because this series is her fault and also because she never tells me to shut up when I keep sending her tidbits of it ❤️

Alex isn’t typically a stupid man. He stays away from danger, tries to stay away from his father when he’s drunk, and doesn’t immerse himself in the business of others unless he’s asked to. Which is why he has no idea why he’s hiding behind a corner, spying on someone trying to rob a bank. Succeeding in robbing a bank, really, considering they seem to be getting a load of cash.

The police isn’t even here yet, but he is, having walked by on his way home from work and though he knows he should call the cops... Something is telling him to wait. He doesn’t know what, but there’s a feeling he can’t shake. Maybe he doesn’t want to, either.

He knows why, a minute later, when the city’s newest vigilante shows up; The Cowboy. Stupid name. Not so stupid outfit.

He’s obviously a Super, with the way his hands move and things move along with it. The guns rip out of the perpetrator’s hands, the grin on The Cowboy’s face enough to make the blood rise in Alex. He’s stupidly hot, too hot even with the mask and the cowboy hat that doesn’t show much of his face. Just the grin is visible, that horribly attractive grin.

Alex might be the son of Jesse Manes, Chief officer of the NYPD, and should be above vigilante’s according to his father. But somehow, he doubts he’ll be able to keep away from The Cowboy. Something about him is just too fascinating.

It might be the curls, just barely visible under the edges of the cowboy hat, it might also be said grin. It might also be the way his eyes shine in pride when he successfully disarms the robbers, the way his arms hold them steady as he wraps ropes around them to secure them.

It might be the way Cowboy turns to him and winks as he leaps away when the sirens come closer and closer.

It’s the first time Alex had seen him up close, but he doubts it will be the last.

And he’s not wrong, a week later Cowboy shows up at another robbery where Alex is at. But this time he’s actually in the bank. Thankfully no one has identified him as the son of Jesse Manes yet, though one of the robbers keep stealing glances at him with a furrowed brow. If he actually knows who Alex is and he tells the rest of them, things might become dicey.

“Hey! I know who you are!”

Shit.

“What? What are you talking about?”

“The fuck are you on about, dude?” One of the robbers asks the guy currently pointing at Alex. The pointers face turns gleeful.

“That’s the youngest son of Chief Police Captain Jesse Manes. The reporter, Alex or whatever the fuck his name is.”

Aww hell, they even know he’s a reporter.

“Well, well, well,” the lone female says as she swaggers over to Alex. She’s obviously the boss of them. “What ever should we do with you? Perhaps we should string you up for daddy to find?”

Alex can’t help but snort. “Trust me, he wouldn’t care if you did.”

“Oh? The baby boy of the Manes family, the black sheep that turned reporter instead of cop. Does he hate you that much, Mr. Manes?”

Alex just looks at her. She’s apparently done her research; he doesn’t need to tell her what she seems to already know.

“He might not like you much, Mr. Manes. But he does like his reputation. And his youngest son dying in a bank heist he couldn’t stop?” She laughs. “Oh he will hate that.”

“True,” Alex replies. The game is up so he might as well play along. “But he’ll hunt you to the ends of the earth for anything he perceives as a slight to his reputation.”

“Well then.” She grins widely as she points her gun at him. “I look forward to that.”

In truth, a small part of Alex does too. Even if he won’t be alive to see it.

“God speed,” he tells her and means it. She tilts her head and nods at him in a gesture of gratitude. Alex closes his eyes. Breathes in as he hears the cocking of the gun. Breathes out as she probably squeezes the trigger.

BANG

He’s surprised when he doesn’t feel the pain of a bullet. He’s even more surprised when he opens his eyes and sees a bullet hovering in front of his face.

“Now I don’t know about you, but shooting civilians, especially that one, ain’t exactly smart.”

“Cowboy. Should’ve known you would be here to ruin our fun. Though I am surprised, you’re no fan of Manes yourself,” the woman says, lowering her gun as she turns away from Alex. He really wants to look, but he feels like keeping an eye on the bullet is smarter.

“I’m not. Doesn’t mean shooting his kid is any kind of right.”

“Don’t know what you mean, I like the idea. It has… character.”

The bullet drops to the floor and Alex chances a look at his savior. He has to struggle with himself to just breathe normally. By god Cowboy is hot.

Cowboy glances over at Alex just as Alex is looking at him. Of course their eyes meet. Of course Cowboy winks at him. Of course Alex has to struggle with himself so he won’t die from blushing. And of course Cowboy notices and grins. Alex hates him.

“I see. There’s another reason why you don’t want me to kill Mr. Manes. Interesting.”

Cowboy turns back to her. “What?”

The female smirks at him. “How many bullets do I have to fire before you’re too tired to stop them?”

As she lifts her gun, her crew lifts their machine guns. Alex has a single moment to think ‘Shit’ before they start firing. He watches as the bullets freeze before him. Clip after clip freezing, as the other people in the bank scream in fear.

But every bullet stops.

“Hmm,” the female says as she and her goons stop firing. “You’re better than I thought.”

“Thanks.” Cowboy sounds rough, almost like he’s tired.

“Tired?”

“Don’t you worry about me.” Cowboy smirks. “Oh, and just so you know, the cops are about to bust in.”

“Sure, they are. And how are they getting in here, with the doors all locked down?” She asks. Before her eyes widen and she looks over at the locks on the doors. Which just happen to be open.

“Yeah. Distracting someone while I open the locks telekinetically? Not that hard.”

Seconds later the doors burst open, and a bunch of S.W.A.T swarm into the building just as the robbers guns fly out of their hands. The female yells, an anger filled sound as the Cowboy laughs and hightails it out of there. Police try to stop him, but he’s gone before they can, the robbers safely in custody a minute later. Which is when his father shows up.

“Alex.”

“Dad,” Alex answers to spite him. He hates being called anything but Chief Manes when he’s in uniform. His nostrils flare. It makes Alex feel good, for two seconds until Jesse crouches next to him.

“Why am I not surprised you’re stupid enough to get yourself taken as a hostage, son.” Alex doesn’t say anything, just looks at him defyingly. “You’re a disgrace.”

“Yeah, you’ve said so.”

Jesse snorts. “And flirting with a vigilante. A male on at that. You’re no son of mine.”

Alex hates how much that stings, even now, years after the first time his dad told him that. “Don’t worry, Chief Manes. I didn’t think I was.”

Jesse gets up, shooting him a look of disgust. “Stay here until my men tell you you can go. You’re still a witness.”

“Yes, sir,” he replies. It’s deeply ingrained in him, even now. An order is still an order.

He walks into his apartment about three hours later, limping slightly with his crutch in his hand. All he wants is a few painkillers, some water, and to go to bed. He knows he has to write a story on this tomorrow. Especially when his boss finds out he was at the bank. Arturo Ortecho is a fair boss, but he still wants the news out and the headlines rolling.

“Hey.”

Alex turns around, brandishing his crutch as a weapon. The cowboy is in the kitchen, looking at him. Mask on, hat on. Still looking like a fucking snack. Alex doesn’t have the time for his libido right now.

“What the fuck are you doing in my apartment?”

Cowboy shrugs. “Just wanted to see if you were alright.”

“Well I’m not. You can go now,” he replies. He’s tired, he’s sore, he’s angry at himself for still being disappointed when his dad treats him like shit.

“Look-“

“Don’t.” He takes a deep breath, releases it slowly. “Thank you. For not letting me die.”

“You’re welcome, Alex. It was my genuine pleasure”

“It’s unfair, you know.”

“What is? Cowboy asks with a sly grin. Ugh.

“You know my name; I don’t know yours.”

Cowboy takes a piece of paper out of his pocket. He folds it, and places it on the kitchen island. “My name is Cowboy.”

Alex huffs. “I know, I gave you that name.”

“And I thank you for that, I like it.”

They look at each other. Smiling. Until Cowboy looks away. “I gotta go. But I’m hoping I’ll see you later?”

“You will.” Some part of Alex would love to see all of Cowboy later. By the look on Cowboy’s face, the feeling might be mutual.

“Until then, Reporter Manes.”

“Until then, Cowboy.”

After Cowboy leaves, after Alex has had a shower, after he’s had a stiff drink, he walks over to the kitchen island and unfolds the paper Cowboy left behind.

There’s an M on it.

Alex doesn’t know what that means. But he’s excited to find out.

[el-gilliath]

Cold War (aka the first time Michael gets hurt)

This series is also on Ao3 if anyone prefers to read it there.

Still dedicated to @lsobelevans, my partner in vigilante crime, who makes me gisets (!!!!!) who listens to me whine about Kyle who was NOT supposed to be part of this yet, and who encourages me every day to write more of this.

This part will have a direct follow up, so it ends... abruptly. Because KYLE.

Cowboy continues to baffle Alex as often as he can. He runs around grinning, never once taking the shit perps throw at him. He laughs, he hollers, he fricking whoops. Alex feels tired just looking at him.

Arturo has, of course, noticed the connection between Alex and Cowboy and sends Alex out whenever there’s rumours or talks of him abound. Usually followed by Rosa, Arturo’s daughter and photographer extraordinaire for the Times, who laughs at him whenever he grumbles about it. Probably because she knows how much Alex enjoys writing about Supers, and Cowboy in particular, even if he pretends not too. The fact that she also has a good eye to one icy blonde Super helps. And Influence, who gave herself the name because no other would do according to the note he found one morning on his desk, is just as smitten in return if the way she throws her hair around when Rosa and her camera is around is any indication.

The point is, that by now the vigilante’s of New York, be they Supers or not, know that when Alex Manes arrives you best be on your finest behavior. And if Rosa is with him, well then you better pray your uniform looks good or she will take a picture of it to fuck with you.

It’s also widely known if you’re a vigilante hanging out at the Wild Pony and you don’t want your identity to be known, you scamper when Maria rings the Alex bell. Lovingly referred to as such because Maria rings it when Alex calls her and tells her he’s on his way over. Having Maria as a best friend since childhood gives him an in he didn’t expect, and though he doesn’t quite know why Maria’s bar got to be the vigilante hang out, he certainly doesn’t mind. As long as he adheres to her rules that keep vigilante safe, he’s more than welcome.

The fact that people have started leaving him messages there and not break into his office is also a good thing. Though Cowboy still does whenever he’s bored. Which is pretty much always.

But that doesn’t mean he’s surprised when he walks into the Pony and Influence is right there at the bar. Only she’s not in costume, but he would recognize that hair everywhere.

“Holy shit, I should’ve known it was you.”

Influence smiles, a smile of all teeth he has only seen in the courtroom before. “Why yes, Mr. Manes, you should have.”

He doesn’t know why Isobel Evans has decided to reveal herself to him, but he wouldn’t be surprised if Rosa has a tiny bit to do with it. But no way is that all.

“So, Defence Attorney Isobel Evans is a Super. And not just a Super, but a vigilante that influences people into doing what she wants. Much like you do in everyday life during court.”

“Yes,” Isobel answers. “But in court I do it by being an extremely good lawyer. I don’t need my powers in there, Manes, I just need my god given intelligence and carefully curated female charm.”

Alex huffs. He’s seen Isobel in court, she’s earned her right to be cocky. “So why are you here now? Why prove without a shadow of a doubt that you are Influence? Especially to someone who reports daily on vigilantes.”

Isobel sighs. “Cowboy is in trouble”

Alex will deny to his dying day the timble his heart takes when he hears those words. “Cowboy is always in trouble, he’s too much of a little shit not to be.”

“While this is completely true, this is a bit different.”

“Different, how?”

“Your dad is involved,” Isobel says, looking him straight in the eye. He notices both Maria and Rosa looking at him, but he can’t think. He doesn’t want his dad anywhere near Cowboy. 

“What did he do?”

Isobel turns to Maria for a second, and Maria catches her eyes with a soft smile and a firm nod. Oh. Oh. That explains so much about how Maria always seems to just know things, even though he knew Maria had a long lost sister, a Super she couldn’t tell him about. He just never expected it to be Influence. He turns to Rosa to see what she thinks, but Rosa just looks at Maria, intrigued and very interested. Oh wow. Okay then. 

“Isobel. My dad. What’s going on?” He asks. Mostly to distract himself from the three women and what that might become, but also because. Cowboy. 

“Do you know just how much of a bad man your father is?”

He doesn’t answer, just raises a brow in a clear indication of ‘what do you think.’ Thankfully Isobel accepts it at face value. 

“Cowboy found some intel about a russian mob moving stolen diamonds and decided to go after them on his lonesome. That might have been fine, if your dad wasn’t already involved.” 

“My dad is involved with anything that can give him money, or power. You know that. Cowboy should know that.”

“We do.” Isobel sighs. “But Cowboy overestimated, and now he’s trapped.”

And Alex suddenly understands why he’s there. “You need me to use my father’s connections to get an in with the Russians.”

“Yes.”

He closes his eyes. Remembers another time he used his father’s connections. Remembers what he lost that day. 

“What you’re asking…”

“I know.” He opens his eyes to find Isobel looking at him with sympathy, Maria too. Rosa clasps her hand on his shoulder. They all know, how could they not. “I wouldn’t ask if there was any other way.”

Alex knows she wouldn’t. The reason she’s here unmasked is abundantly clear to him now, she’s making herself vulnerable. To make up for asking him to be vulnerable. To make up for asking him to put himself in a situation he never wanted to be again. 

“I need an hour.”

The way Isobel’s mask slips for a minute tells him everything he needs to know; she loves Cowboy. There’s a relationship there, one he doesn’t know what is yet. But whatever it is, it’s important to them.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he cautions. “Thank me when I can actually get him out.”

“I’ll get you whatever you need.”

“No need. But if I call you and need a lawyer, you better do it pro bono. Cause I can’t afford you otherwise.”

Isobe grins, another one of her smiles that are all teeth. “It would be my honor, Mr. Manes.”

Alex takes a deep breath. And another one. And another one. Before he turns to Maria. 

“You still have my rig?”

“In the back, like always.”

He moves like a man on a mission, which he supposes he is, ignoring Isobel’s questions about what a rig is and Maria’s softly spoken answer. It’s only as he lets himself into the small back room hidden in Maria’s storage area that he completely exhales. And smiles.

The computer setup he has hidden at the Pony is still his pride and joy, still the one thing he misses most in his day to day life. His fingers itch with the need to hack, itches with a longing that he feels deep in his bones every day. He wants to flex his fingers, he wants to hack into the Pentagon just to prove that he can, he wants to show his father that he can topple him from the inside.

He looks down at his leg, remembers what he lost the last time he was itching to prove something to his father. He wanted to truly show his father that he was no longer his son, and that even though he would act like it in public, he was determined to take him down.

Instead he lost his leg, he lost his brothers, he lost his best friend. He survived losing his brothers, they were always standing in his father’s shadow anyway. He survived losing his leg too, the prosthetic he wears gives him almost as much range of motion now, two years later, and he doesn’t completely hate it.

But Kyle. He will never get over Kyle believing his father over him. He will never forgive him, even if losing him felt worse than realizing his father hated him for something he couldn’t control.

He shakes his head slightly, he’s not here for a pity party. He’s here to do something he swore he would never do again after last time. But he’ll do it for Cowboy. And he knows exactly what he needs. 

Project Shepherd is his dad’s most hidden project, his dad’s pride and joy. Created to target Super’s, with it he can topple every vigilante off of their ‘throne’, and make them pay for showing him up. To bad he’s using bad men to fund it. 

Alex knows he doesn’t have time to find everything but he doesn’t have too. He just needs the info on the Russian mob hidden in those files. And then he can go get Cowboy. And tear him a new one for being so stupid. He doesn’t know how Cowboy got whatever information he’s working with, but it’s not the best and now he’s in danger. The stupid idiot.

He gives the rig one last look over before he sits down, shaking off old memories as he does. Maria’s been taking good care of it, as she promised to do, and when he turns on the computer it responds like it always does; quickly and perfectly. The way he remembers.

He smiles as the computer boots, he smiles wider as he logs in and sets the security, he grins as he starts the hack. It’s easy, it’s familiar, it’s home in a way many things in his life isn’t these days. But he leaves that all behind, he doesn’t have time for the feelings of right that settles in his spine as he wades through the information on his father’s server. Though, really, he has a hacker son that got a lot of information the last time he got in. Why the hell the Chief hasn’t updated the security he will never understand. Even though he probably didn’t expect Alex to ever do this again. After last time.

But it does make it easier for him to get through, to subvert the passwords and flimsy security measures on the files to find exactly what he needs. He gets lost in it, the world of code, the strings of zeros and ones. Until he finds it.

When he pulls back from his fugue and shuts down the rig he looks at the clock. 58 minutes. Right on time.

He gives his setup one last fond look, before he shuts the door and walks back into the bar. Isobel is on a barstool fidgeting, with Maria glancing over at her as she deals with other customers. Rosa is next to Isobel, softly talking in what seems to be a distracting effort. It’s not working, as Isobel’s head pops up the minute he gets back, but the squeeze she gives Rosa’s hand still says something.

“Did you-?”

“Yeah,” he answers. “I found what I need.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“No, you’re not.” He can see Isobel’s nostrils flare in irritation and the beginning of anger. “Influence is.”

Isobel narrows her eyes slightly. “Why?”

“I need more than the name of Manes to get me in the door, I need a Super.”

The narrowing of her eyes turns into a slow grin. “Meet me out back.”

Alex inclines his head at her as she walks out of the bar. He looks over at Rosa, but she already know, and nods as she moves closer to where Maria is, who smiles reassuringly at Alex. He smiles back before he turns to walk out after Isobel.

“Alex?” He stops. “Influence will take care of you. Don’t be afraid.”

He nods in Maria’s direction as he walks out.

He’s not expecting Influence to already be standing in full attire besides his car. The white, skin tight costume is paired with white boots today, the black accents gleaming in the light.

“A cape?” He asks, referring to the long, white leather cape attached to Influence’s shoulders.

“What? You told me it would look good.”

“That I did.” He grins. “It looks amazing.””

Influence grins back at him as she gestures to the car. He unlocks it, and gets in on the drivers side. She’s impatient, but he understands. He still has much to learn about Cowboy, and Influence. He knows Isobel Evans from the court cases he’s reported on. He doesn’t know the Super.

He also knows that they don’t have time to learn things now but he knows he wants to eventually. Both as a Super and whoever she is to Cowboy. And Maria. And Rosa.

“What do you need from me?” He also likes how direct an on point she is.

“Influence them. Get me in the door, then you can find Cowboy and get him out. I’ll handle the rest.”

“You want me to leave you there?!?”

“You’re not leaving me. You’re doing what I need you to do. I’ll get myself out.”

“Alex-”

“Don’t worry.” He grips the wheel tighter. “I won’t make the same mistake again.”

He can feel Isobel disapprove, but he doesn’t care. He came there for Cowboy, and Cowboy will be getting out. He has his own exit strategy.

The rest of the ride is spent in silence. He knows exactly where the Russian compound is, which building Cowboy would’ve been stupid enough to break into. The diamond storage is a nickname in the underground, but it’s also exactly what it is. While there might not be all that many stones there, all the information is there. And he has exactly what he needs to get out, provided Influence can get him in.

“We’re here,” he says as they arrive at the storage building the Russians guard with their life if they have to. He parks outside and gets out, already aware of the twelve pairs of eyes following them.

“Showtime,” he murmurs to Influence as she joins him, and walks forward as if he owns the place. And in a way he does, he is a Manes after all.

But no one stops them, and as he looks over to Isobel he can understand why. Her eyes are closed, even as she’s walking forward as if her eyes were open. The guards fall into place, they move aside, they open the door for him as he walks up to it. The commotion inside quiets as he walks in, Influence on his heel. He’s seen her work before. But this, is impressive. It’s even more impressive as she opens her eyes and still people stay where they are.

“What. Is the meaning of this.”

The burliest Russian Alex has ever seen gets up from the table set in the outer part of the building. He gives a subtle nod to Influence who gives him one last long look before she moves off, almost as if no one can see her. As if they’ve forgotten she’s there.

“Mr. Serkoff, I presume. My name is Alex Manes.” He’s delighted to see that everyone freezes when they hear the last name. “I’m here to collect for my father.”

“The drop-off is tomorrow.”

“No. The collect is now. Nasty business with the senator last week, Mr Serkoff, the collect needs to happen now.” Finding the senator that had been accepting donations from the Russian mob was the golden goose. Having his father’s name is the egg. “I was sent her by my father to get the stones. Do you really want to make him wait?”

“I will need to call and check.”

“Okay.” He waits until the phone is up off of Mr. Serkoff’s pocket and he’s started to dial. “If you want to disturb him this late, that’s on you.”

He doesn’t have to wait long after that for the diamonds to be delivered to him. A pouch of eight, perfect diamonds with the serial number taken off. He dreads what his father needs this for.

“Thank you, Mr. Serkoff. I’ll tell my father you co-operated, gracefully,” he says, nodding as the Russian as he turns and begins to walk out.

“Wait.”

He stops. Remembers the last time. Shakes his head minutely and pushes it from his mind. “Yes?”

“What about the cash?”

Alex looks at the russian over his shoulder. “That will be dealt with, keep it here for now.” 

“You won’t take it with you?”

“No. Deliver that as planned tomorrow, I’ll take care off the diamonds.”

Mr. Serkoff narrows his eyes, but nods. And Alex is home free.

He keeps his breathing calm as he exits the building, keeps his breath calm as he gets into his car and starts it, keeps his breath calm as he exits the compound. It’s when he encounters Influence holding a bleeding Cowboy that he panics slightly.

“Is he okay?!?”

“He will be,” Influence says as she dumps a groaning Cowboy into the back of the car. “I need you to take us to the Pony, we have a doctor waiting there.”

“You have a doctor that takes care of Super’s?”

“Yes. We also have a healer but he’s out of town. So Dr. Valenti it is.”

He drives them back as quick as he can, calling Maria when he’s 10 minutes out as he always does so she can ring her Alex bell. It’s not until they’re inside the Pony, putting Cowboy on a table in the back room that he realizes what name Isobel said.

“Here, the idiot on the table asked me to give you this,” Influence says as she shoves a piece of paper in his hands. He sees the E on it before the door bursts open.

“What the hell did the idiot do now?”

And Alex watches as his old best friend, the man who sided with his dad and told him Super’s shouldn’t be allowed to roam the streets, walks into the room. He never expected this to be the way he would see Kyle again.

[el-gilliath]

A Little Reminder That I'll Never Forget This directly follows Cold War. And Alex is very angry at Kyle. Very. Angry. Other than that, Welcome back to the continued adventures of Cowboy and Reporter Manes

Also on Ao3 if someone prefers to read there. And as always is this dedicated to @lsobelevans. Love you <3

He doesn’t have it in him to be mad at Maria, even though he’s fairly sure she knew that Kyle was the doctor Super’s were using when their healer(which by the way is pretty cool) isn’t there. She doesn’t know everything, just that they had a falling out. He never wanted to tell her, so she would keep her friendship with Kyle. 

And she did, by the way he moves around the backroom as if he’s used to being there, fishing out equipment, gauze and plasters as he needs them, moving things easily aside to get to deposits of medical gear Alex wouldn’t know was there if he didn’t see it. 

It’s eerie, watching him. Like a blast from the past he doesn’t know if he’s comfortable with. Especially when it comes to a Super. To Cowboy. 

He still remembers Kyle talking to him in the hospital, about a month after he lost his leg, telling him that his obsession with Super’s was unnatural. That they were unnatural. And here he is patching up one. 

And not just anyone, the one Alex will admit having a rapid pulse for, if he’s being honest. 

“Alex? You okay?”

He feels more than sees Kyle freeze at Isobel’s question. After 25 years of being best friends he doesn’t need to see Kyle’s reactions, he knows them in his core. 

“I’m fine.” He wait until Kyle is looking at him. “Though I’m curious how you found this guy.”

“What?” Maria asks puzzled. “You know how we know Kyle.”

“Yeah, I do. How long have you been working for my dad, Kyle?”

He should’ve expected the commotion that follows that question. Maria gapes at him, Rosa swears in Spanish, and Influence steps in front of Cowboy with a truly impressive flair of her cape, her lips curling up into a snarl. Kyle just stares at him, before he moves his gaze back to what he can see of Cowboy behind Influence. 

“What is he talking about, Valenti?” Influence asks as Kyle takes a step towards Cowboy. She’s in protective mode, something Kyle obviously recognizes. 

“Alex thinks I betrayed him two years ago and sides with his dad, after he lost his leg.”

“Think? You told me Supers and vigilantes shouldn’t be allowed on the streets, that they were blights on the earth and I was stupid for defending them!”

“You lost your leg, Alex. Lost it for a vendetta your dad had against you and everyone else that supported vigilantes. I told you that so you would stop hacking and get out of trouble. Instead you turn around and run head first into it at the Times!”

“Did you really expect me to just give in to my dad, Kyle?” He asks. He knows his voice is low, dangerous, too much like his dad for him to be comfortable with. But he doesn’t care, he’s too mad. 

“Well I hoped, Alex! But can we can this discussion so I can take care of my patient now?!”

Isobel’s eyes slide over to him. He doesn’t know what to tell her, but he also knows Cowboy needs medical attention. He nods, and Influence steps back. Thankfully Kyle wastes no time in moving to Michael and looking him over. 

Alex just watches him, taking in how gentle he is with Cowboy, how he murmurs and explains as he moves along, regardless if Cowboy can hear him or not. Kyle moves like he always does, professionally and quickly, patching Cowboy up where he can and leaving the long gash in his shoulder alone. 

“You need to get Electrobuzz to heal that up, there’s not much more I can do with what I have here,” Kyle tells Isobel as he cleans the gash. It’s obviously made by a knife and explains why Cowboy was trapped, Alex has seen his powers fritz out when he’s been hurt before.

“Wait, Electrobuzz? He’s your healer?”

“He is,” Isobel replies, glaring daggers at Kyle who has the decency to look slightly shamed. “You weren’t exactly supposed to know that.”

“I’m not gonna tell, I still call him Writer, remember?”

“Oh yes, the name he picked himself. To bad Electrobuzz fits better.”

Alex can't refute that, Electrobuzz does fit the lightning based Super better. But he gets all pouty if no one calls him Writer, which is what he wanted to be called, so Alex does him a solid and calls him Writer. He hates when the Super’s are upset, New York usually suffers for it too. 

“Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that Alex didn't know since he seems to know everything. But Cowboy is fine for now, so you should all let him get some rest,” Kyle says, and Alex can’t help but look over at Cowboy. He’s lying on the backroom table, seemingly sleeping peacefully. “I’ll monitor until Electrobuzz gets here.”

“No.” The answer is so quick out of his mouth that he has trouble remembering he said it. “I’m not leaving you alone with him.”

The room quietens, as they all turn to look at him. Everyone besides Kyle. “Alex-“

“You think I’m gonna leave you alone with someone you told me you despise? Not happening, Kyle.”

“I’m a doctor, I wouldn’t hurt him!”

“Maybe not, but I still don’t trust you. I’m not leaving you alone with him.” He sees the hurt bloom in Kyle, in the way his shoulders tighten, in the way his arms tense. He refuses to feel bad for it, even when Kyle’s eyes meet his and he can see just how much Kyle tries to hide that he’s hurt. But that’s the problem, Kyle could never really hide anything from him.

“I’ll stay with him,” Influence says. “The two of you need to have a chat.”

“We don’t.”

“Yes, Alex, you do. Kyle has been the doctor everyone goes to for over a year, and you’re the reporter everyone turns to.” Influence strokes her hand lightly over Cowboy’s curls. “The vigilantes trust both of you equally, do not make me tell them they’re all wrong. I will not like it.”

“Alex, let me explain. Please?”

He doesn’t want to. The thought of being alone with Kyle after the last time makes his skin crawl. It makes his anxiety flare, it makes his insecurities rise, it makes his muscles tense. He’s spent far too much time making everyone believe he doesn’t have anxiety or insecurities or tensing muscles to let Kyle Manuel Valenti get the better of him.

“Fine. But in the bar, right now I don’t want to be alone with you either,” Alex answers, turning to walk out the door before he can change his mind. “Maria, you mind if I take the good tequila?”

“Go ahead honey, you know where to find it,” she says as he walks out the door. He doesn’t check to see if Kyle is behind, he just enters the bar and fishes out the half-full Patrón Añejo Maria keeps hidden away just for him. He knows Maria and Rosa followed him into the bar, but are staying in a booth so he and Kyle can have some privacy while they talk. 

He does get Kyle a glass as well when he sees that he has indeed followed; Kyle’s taste for good tequila is as legendary as his own. 

He might be pissed at Kyle, but he’s not a douchebag. Well. Most of the time anyway.

“Talk, Valenti. You have until the end of this bottle.”

He doesn’t expect Kyle to start talking straight away, and he doesn’t either. Instead Alex watches as he takes a shot, then another. He gets it, he would be nervous too if he was Kyle.

“I’m sorry.”

Alex takes his own shot, and refills both his and Kyle’s glass. “Why?”

“I don’t know Alex, because I hurt you? Because I made you believe I agreed with your father?” Kyle takes a deep breath. “Because I acted like a douchebag and lost my best friend. And now you don’t trust me because of it.”

“Can you blame me? I had just woken up from a coma Kyle, I just lost my leg and here is my best friend, the doctor I needed to support me, telling me that I was a stupid obsessive idiot! I was in pain, I was broken by my father, I didn’t need you fucking me over too!”

“I was trying to protect you, Alex!” Kyle yells back. “You almost died on a crusade to get back at your dad, the only reason I said that was so you wouldn’t go running off again!”

“Fuck you, Kyle. You know nothing about my dad.”

“The fuck I don’t Alex, we grew up together, of course I know.”

“Do you?” Alex asks incredulously. “Do you know he beat me almost every day since I was 12 because he wanted to beat the gay out of me? That he forced me into training scenarios specifically designed to make me puke and bleed whenever I so much as looked at a guy?”

He takes a deep breath. “That he hates the ground I walk on and has told me to my face that he wish I was dead?”

“Alex…”

“I needed my best friend Kyle. Instead you betrayed me.”

“I didn’t-“

“Yes, Kyle,” Alex interrupts. “You did. To me, that is exactly what you did.”

“I was scared, Alex.” Kyle pauses, and Alex has to strain to hear his next words. “At least by pretending to side with your dad, I knew you were going to survive.”

“I didn’t survive. I floundered, I cried, I was so depressed I couldn’t get out of bed. If you call that surviving, then we have two very different meanings of the word.” He takes a shot, then refills his glass and does another one. “I didn’t start surviving again until Arturo gave me the job at the Times. That gave me meaning, hope.”

He looks Kyle directly in the eyes. “You didn’t.”

He knows he’s being harsh, he knows telling Kyle all of this probably hurts him. But Kyle’s motto has always been ‘Do No Harm’. He didn’t keep it so right now Alex is going to say whatever he wants too. Though he is secretly glad Kyle isn’t having any more of the tequila, should something happen. 

“I thought I was doing the right thing.”

“Did you? Or did you let my dad get into your head? You wouldn’t be the first,” Alex replies.

“How the hell can you ask me that?” Kyle asks, eyes finally burning with a responding anger. Good. “I might not know everything that happened in that house and everything he did to you, but I know enough to know that I should never listen to him. I told you, I was scared.”

“So you thought you would use my dad’s tactics to get me to stop.”

“Yeah.” Kyle exhales angrily. “And that was my mistake, I get it. But you didn’t have to just drop me either!”

Alex stills, turning his head slowly and cocking it slightly sideways as he looks at Kyle. He sees the way Kyle freeze, knows he recognizes it. It was a move his mother used to do when she was angry, a move he’s done since he was a teenager. Another reason for his father to hate him.

“Shit, Alex, that was not-”

“Drop you? You think I dropped you?”

“No, that’s-”

“You walked into my room, told me that I should stop whatever I was doing against my father, told me to stop helping vigilantes. Do not tell me I dropped you.”

“I know, Alex. I know. I just...” Kyle pause, takes a deep breath and meets Alex’s eyes straight on. “I thought it would blow over. I figured I would give you some time and then call and talk to you. I didn’t think I had screwed up that badly until I tried to call and my number was blocked. Until I tried to text you on WhatsApp and I couldn’t. Until I noticed you deleted me from Facebook. That’s when I knew how angry you were and that what I said to you might have done more bad than good.”

Alex stays silent. The last of the Patron is in his glass, he can feel the alcohol swimming pleasantly in his belly, his anger still there but sated, for now.

“I’m sorry,” Kyle says. “I’m really sorry, Alex. I didn’t mean to hurt you, and if I thought you wanted me to I would’ve found you and apologized before this. But I’m fairly sure you didn’t.”

“You’re right. I don’t know if I want your apology now,” Alex replies, taking the last shot. “But I will accept it.”

“Thank you. And I… I don’t know if this means anything to you, but I was so proud when you got the job at the Times. Like maybe you finally found a place you could call home, away from your dad. At least I hope you did.”

He inclines his head towards Kyle, more of an acceptance than he wants to vocalize right now before he turns and walks back to the backroom, giving Maria and Rosa a slight smile as he walks past. He knows they’ve been listening from the smiles they direct his way. He just wants to be back in Cowboy’s presence, hurt as he might be. Seeing him still alive will help calm him down, maybe even make him feel better. He hears Influence’s voice as he nears the door, opening it with a flourish of the slightly tipsy in the good way.

He does not expect to be met with 6 feet of Electrobuzz leaning over Cowboy with a glowing hand. His outfit is understated as it always is, blue jeans and a brown leather jacket over his shoulders, his brown mask that matches the jacket on his face. There’s a pen lovingly stitched into the upper arm, the official symbol of The Writer. A smaller lightning bolt is on the collar of the jacket, probably sown in after people started calling him Electrobuzz.

“Alex Manes, meet Electrobuzz. Electrobuzz, Alex Manes,” Influence says, a bored tone in her voice as both men freeze. The glow in Electrobuzz’ hand fizzles out as the man looks over at Alex, his eyes narrowing and posture straightening.

“What is he doing here, Influence? And it’s Writer, please.”

Influence scoffs. “You and I both know the love and adorance these two have for each other, is it really that surprising that he’s here? And I told you, I needed him to get Cowboy out of the warehouse. Besides, he knows who I am.”

“He knows?”

“Don’t get your panties in a twist, we’re not here for that. Now can you please put your glowy, healing hand on Cowboy?”

“Influence-”

“Please.”

Electrobuzz clenches his jaw, but the glow in his hand resumes and Alex takes a step forward but is shortly stopped by Influence.

“He knows what he’s doing.”

Alex swallows hard, but nods, trusting Influence and Electrobuzz with this man that has become so important in his life in a short amount of time. Electrobuzz gives Alex a tight nod in return, as he puts his glowing hand over the wound on Cowboy’s shoulder. It’s a tense few seconds before the glow intensifies, Electrobuzz yelling as the light bulb in Maria’s backroom shorts out. It takes everything Alex has to stay still, a little because he wants to check on Cowboy, a little because the healing is fascinating. He can see the flesh on Cowboy’s shoulder knit together, even through the glow. 

He’s even more fascinated when Electrobuzz moves back, the glow dying in his hand but a glowing handprint stays on Cowboy’s skin, the man gasping awake a few seconds later. Influence has moved over to Electrobuzz, helping him sit down as he breathes hard, a look of nausea on his face. 

“If you could refrain from getting hurt in the future, that would be super, Cowboy.” The dry tone from Electrobuzz makes Alex snort, as Cowboy groans on the table. 

“Come on man, it was an accident.”

“I’m sure it was. But going into that area without backup was still stupid. 

“Stop fucking preaching, man,” Cowboy says. “You’re making me look bad in front of Alex.”

Electrobuzz huffs while Influence just shakes her head. Which is when Liz Ortecho, scientist and little sister of Rosa, bursts through the door and goes over to Electrobuzz as soon as she sees him, running her fingers through his hair. 

Cowboy grumbles about how he’s the one being hurt to which Liz just gives him the stink eye . “We were on vacation and had to come back because you got hurt. I’m allowed to be a little angry.”

Alex just watches them as they bicker back and forth. It’s interesting to watch for many reasons, one is that he never really gets to see Cowboy interact with anyone but criminals. But it’s not what interests him the most. Because if Liz is here, running her hand through Electrobuzz’ hair in that loving way, that means Alex knows who he is too. 

“You know, Writer, it’s a little hypocritical of you to get mad at Cowboy for being where he was when you’re a Super in the NYPD.” He sees the way Electrobuzz freezes, sees Liz turn around and stare at him in shock, sees Influence cough to hide a laugh.  “I should’ve know, if Isobel Evans is a Super then it’s not that strange that her brother is one either. Though I always thought you were such a goody two-shoes, glad to see I was wrong, Max.”

Electrobuzz slowly relaxes, shaking his head as he exhales roughly. He takes off the mask as Liz gets up from the floor, her eyes still wide. Max’s brown eyes looks up at him, his teeth practically grinding together. Alex only raises one single brow at the sight. Which makes Influence snort as she too removes her mask, Isobel’s green eyes meeting his a second later. Only Cowboy still has his mask on, which Alex doesn’t blame him for. It’s not time yet.

“I shouldn’t be surprised, you were always too smart, Alex,” Max says, his jaw unclenching and a wry smile coming upon his lips instead. Alex inclines his head, accepting the compliment. It’s not often anyone besides Liz Ortecho gets a compliment from Max, backhanded or otherwise.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell your secret either.” Alex smiles at him. “But I am gonna leave you alone. It seems you have things to talk about.”

He throws a salute at Max and Isobel, who both huffs at him. Liz just grins and mouths call me. Cowboy watched him with a soft smile on his face, nodding in both a thanks and goodbye as Alex turns around and walks out the door. He grins to himself as he hears Isobel laugh loudly and Max groan as the door closes.

—————

There’s a note on his desk when he gets into work the next morning. It’s a phone number, and written underneath is

Call me ;)

Cowboy

And underneath that is an H.

[el-gilliath]

Day 7: Free Day

One thing I have always wanted to do is make a story based on a photoedit, but I’ve never had the chance. So when the delightful @bidemelza / @lsobelevans posted THIS, I jumped at the chance and said MAY I? Thankfully, she said yes (and I really hope you like it). So here, have some vigilante!Michael AU. Which I will be expanding on at a later date, yes.

“I didn’t think you would show.”

Alex spins around, taking in the masked man standing behind him. The beautiful hazel eyes he dreams of are watching him, taking him in. The curls, normally hidden underneath a black cowboy hat are flying freely, still looking as soft and beautiful as always. He’s wearing the same outfit he’s always in, black jeans and a black denim jacket overtop a white t-shirt, cowboy boots and large belt buckle. A vigilante known as The Cowboy is still hilarious to Alex, but damn if the mystery man doesn’t make it look good.

“You know your mask isn’t really hiding much of your face when you’re not wearing the hat, right?” And it’s not, the strip of leather over his eyes hides almost nothing without the cowboy hat there to throw more shadow on his face.

Cowboy just laughs, shrugging as he does. “It’s okay, I don’t mind if you see my face.”

“Have you forgotten that I’m the son of Chief Jesse Manes?”

“I still know who you are. You planning on turning me in, Alex?” Cowboy asks, his voice taking on a sultrier tone as he slowly moves closer to Alex. Alex feels almost hypnotized, watching Cowboy as he comes closer and closer. Up close, those hazel eyes are even more beautiful, like shining jewels created to torture Alex with the knowledge that he shouldn’t be looking at them this closely.

Cowboy is, after all, a sworn enemy of his family, someone his father and brothers have pledged to catch even if the vigilante has never done anything wrong, only stopped robberies and murders, caught a kidnapper or two. His dad doesn’t like anyone that shows up the police. Even less a vigilante that stopped his son from being murdered like his dad wanted him to be. Being Chief Jesse Manes’ son is never easy, being the son he knows his father hates is even worse. There are fragments of Alex that wonders if his father could love him if he wasn’t gay, but he doubts it. The curse of looking like his mother threw that possibility out the second she ran away with another woman.

“No, I don’t want to turn you in. But I don’t want anyone to see your face either,” Alex whispers in the small space between them, Cowboy now standing as close as he can be.

“Don’t worry, they won’t,” Cowboy whispers back, lifting his hands to cradle Alex’s face. “Your face though. How beautiful you are, darlin’.”

The slight twang in his voice takes Alex by surprise. He’s talked to Cowboy a dozen times by now, the Vigilante hiding his accent every time, only the smallest of snippets coming out. But there it is, in all its drawl-y nature. It makes him smile.

“What’re you smiling for?”

“Your accent. I’ve never really heard it before.”

Cowboy just looks at him, a small smile on his face. “Well that’s a damned shame. I’ll try to bust it out whenever I see you alone like this.”

“You planning on being alone with me a lot?”

“Well you know, as many times as I can.”

Alex snorts, his mind already supplying him with a dozen different comebacks. But he doesn’t get to say any of them, as Cowboy draws him into a kiss. 

It startles him, even though it shouldn’t. How many times has he wished for this, wished to have the Cowboy’s hands on him, their lips touching, their bodies pressed tight together. How many times have they been just this close, looking at each other, both of them wanting to kiss each other but not being able to for some reason or another. To have Cowboy’s lips on his is a sensation he’s been craving since their first chat a month ago, to have it finally happen is a wish come true.

And what a kisser he is, soft, full lips that make kissing a joy, soft brushes of tongue that makes his extremities tingle, quick nips of teeth on his lower lip, that makes him want to stay in his embrace forever. He presses closer, tangling his hands in Cowboy’s curls that are just as soft as they look. Cowboy’s hands move from holding his face, encircling him at his lower back, one hand clutching at the bottom of his shirt as if to ask for permission.

Alex moans into the kiss, one hand curling as he lightly tugs at the curls in his hand. Cowboy grins into the kiss as he slides his hand up Alex’s shirt, slowly touching his skin his palm spreading on Alex’s back. His other hand joins the first up Alex’s shirt, stroking his side softly.

It makes Alex giggle softly before he can stop himself. Cowboy breaks the kiss to look at him in surprise, a huge grin appearing on his face as Alex blushes.

“Are you ticklish?” He asks, his grin growing as Alex blushes even more.

“Shut ut, Cowboy.”

Cowboy laughs, his hazel eyes shining in a way that seems to be out of this earth. Eyes that beautiful shouldn’t be legal.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell,” Cowboy whispers, pressing another soft kiss to Alex’s lips, before he moves back. Alex makes a soft sound of protest, one that makes Cowboy smile again. “We’re not here to make out, Alex.”

“I know. I just-”

“Really like kissing me? Don’t worry darlin’, we can do more of that later.” Cowboy winks, making Alex glower at him. He might be beautiful, but god what a cheesy idiot he can also be. “I wouldn’t stop kissing you if I could, but I really need the intel you have.”

“Okay,” Alex says. “Why do you need intel on Project Shepherd anyway?”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“Not even a little?”

Cowboy shakes his head, sending him a wry smile in apology. “The less you know the better. For now at least.”

Alex searches his eyes, finding nothing but regret and pain in them. Whatever Cowboy needs info on Project Shepherd for, it’s probably something he shouldn’t be involved with. But he did steal the intel from his father, so even if Cowboy is trying to protect him, Alex will be looking into it on his own time. If nothing else, maybe the intel he finds can help protect Cowboy later down the line. Maybe it will protect him enough that one day he will finally get a name.

“I sorted the intel into three piles, one is about the project itself, one is about the people involved, and one is about its backers. At least what I could find, Shepherd is incredibly protected. I can get you more, but it’ll take time,” he says, fishing a USB drive out of his pocket and handing it over to Cowboy, who takes it gingerly and puts it in an inner pocket of his denim jacket.

“Thank you, Alex.”

“Don’t worry about it. Just, if you ever get the chance. Tell me your name?”

Cowboy grins, that smug, shit-eating grin that Alex loves hates. “One day, I will. I’ll take off my mask, show you my entire face, kiss you breathless and tell you my name. My entire, birth given name. Until then, hearing you call me Cowboy ain’t half bad.”

A laugh leaves Alex involuntarily, but he can’t help it. Cheesy, hot, idiot indeed.

He opens his mouth to reply, but sirens interrupt him. They’re not far, though as the sound gets closer it’s apparent that something must be happening. And he knows what that means.

“Guess that’s your clue.”

Cowboy smiles as he picks up the cowboy hat from the crate it was left on and puts on his head. 

“Guess it is. I’ll see you around, Alex,” he says with a wink before he runs off.

Alex smiles to himself, a small smile he knows betray all the crush like feelings he has for the vigilante. “Not if I see you first.”

---------------------

It dawns on him as he walks away, even knowing with absolute certainty that he could see Cowboy’s face since the leather strip he calls a mask hides absolutely nothing, that the only thing he remembers about his face, are his eyes.

[el-gilliath]

Soulmate prompt 9 for any rnm couple that you feel inspired by ❤

9. The first words your soulmate says to you are tattooed somewhere on your body. 

(in which I accidentally au off of my vigilante!au @lsobelevans)

Fuck you and the high horse you rode in on.

Quite frankly he doesn’t mind the rude words tattooed on the inside of his right thigh. They’re interesting, makes him wonder what he does to piss off his soulmate so badly on their first meeting. He showed them to Isobel once, she laughed and told him it seemed on point for him.

She’s not wrong.

He has a knack for attracting trouble, a knack for pissing people off until they either hit him or kiss him. He prefers the kissing (gender not an issue) but he will return the hit too. Maybe that’s why he’s such a good *cough* vigilante.

He tries at least, bumbling around as he does in his cowboy get up, his beloved black hat on his head. He does okay too, stopping some robberies here, helping people out of a fire there, winking, flirting, and generally annoying himself out of tight spots.

It’s what he does.

What he doesn’t expect is for Vigilante Reporter Always-Gets-The-Story Alex Manes to come storming into the Wild Pony (not-so-secret-vigilante hang out and bar) and straight up to him, showing a news paper in his hand. It’s tomorrow’s print, THE COWBOY DOES IT AGAIN the headline, by Alex Manes.

He looks at Alex in confusion. Firstly, how the hell does he know who Michael is, secondly, what has he done now.

“Darlin’, I seem to have pissed you off but I don’t know why. Care to enlighten me?“

Alex’s eyes widen the tiniest fraction, before he snorts angrily, his lips pursing.

“Fuck you and the high horse you rode in on.”

Michael’s mouth drops open in shock, as he stares at the youngest Manes man, who’s nostrils are now flaring in obvious annoyance.

“Of course it’s him. Only you would attract the youngest son of Jesse Manes.“ He turns to his sister, who’s watching them with a wicked grin on her face, her own soulmate and owner of the Pony, Maria, desperately trying to hide a laugh behind the bar.

“Cowboy.“

Michael turns back to Alex again. mouth snapping shut at the fury on his face.

“If you ever try to annoy me into writing a story about you again, I’ll break your leg. And while we’re at it, stop making stupid mistakes. Even I could’ve done a better job today.“

And with that Alex Manes turnes and strides out of the bar. Michael can only watch him go, as Maria loses the battle with her laughter, Isobel cackling as she repeats Only you over and over again.

He looks down at the news paper, and wrinkles his nose. Maybe he shouldn’t have left all those notes around Alex’s office to make him notice him.

But as he reads the article, he notices a tiny comment written in pen at the bottom. It’s a phone number.

He smiles. Maybe Alex didn’t mind the notes that much anyway.

[el-gilliath]

I’m gonna be sharing two snippets today. First up, the vigilante au: “I needed my best friend Kyle. Instead you betrayed me.”

“I didn’t-“

“Yes, Kyle,” Alex interrupts. “You did. To me, that is exactly what you did.”

“I was scared, Alex. You almost died.” Kyle pauses, and Alex has to strain to hear his next words. “At least by pretending to side with your dad, I knew you were going to survive.”

“I didn’t survive. I floundered, I cried, I was so depressed I couldn’t get out of bed. If you call that surviving, then we have two very different meanings of the word.” He takes a shot, then refills his glass and does another one. “I didn’t start surviving again until Arturo gave me the job at the Times. That gave me meaning, hope.”

He looks Kyle directly in the eyes. “You didn’t.”

Secondly, a new vampire au, courtesy of a prompt by @cowboyswagger​ (I did tell you I probably had to write it, especially after your gif set)

Alex doesn’t remember how it happened. He just remembers red eyes, a pain in his wrist, and waking up the next day in a bunk in Bahrain, a full-bird Colonel and his commanding officer sitting by his bed. It made him nervous then. 

It still makes him nervous now. 

“We’ve field-promoted you to Captain, so the only one you have to answer to now is Lieutenant Colonel Samuels. We hope that removes the authority issue, Captain Manes.”

He just looks at Colonel Anderson. The same Colonel that was at his bedside table when he woke up. “With all due respect sir, there’s only one thing that’ll remove that issue and I think we both know what it is.”

He’s been on the verge of starving since he woke up, five months ago. He’s snappy for a reason and authority issues ain’t it. He knows it, Samuels knows it, Anderson knows it. He also knows they’re scared. VBT-01 might be known to the military, but not to Samuels and Anderson and they’re treating him like shit for it. 

It makes his teeth itch.

[el-gilliath]

“So you thought you would use my dad’s tactics to get me to stop.”

“Yeah.” Kyle exhales angrily. “And that was my mistake, I get it. But you didn’t have to just drop me either!”

Alex stills, turning his head slowly and cocking it slightly sideways as he looks at Kyle. He sees the way Kyle freeze, knows he recognizes it. It was a move his mother used to do when she was angry, a move he’s done since he was a teenager. Another reason for his father to hate him.

(I know it’s more than six, hush)

[el-gilliath]

You mean following the meme? 😂

He hasn’t stopped thinking about the kiss. Of Cowboy’s lips on his. Of his hands on his skin. Of the gorgeous hazel of his eyes. Of the face he can’t remember.

There, that’s the first paragraph. Better?

Rules: Post the first line of one of your WIPs and tag as many people as there are words.

I got tagged by @brightloveee, @signoraviolettavalery and @andrea-lyn

He hasn’t stopped thinking about the kiss.

Everyone has probably done this now but I’m gonna tag you anyway @hannah-writes, @michaels-blackhat, @irolltwenties @jumbled-nonsense @nielrian @spaceskam @seeaddywrite