Matthew - Jacoby’s lover

The morning light leaked through the blinds of Hospital Room 317, casting faint stripes across Jacoby’s bed. His body still throbbed from the strain of absorbing three celestial fragments in a single night, though he was stable now. He stared at the ceiling, mind buzzing with unspoken questions. Water droplets floated idly above the bed, reacting faintly to his gaze. A mysterious part of him whispered that he was no longer completely human—but he had no name for the feeling yet.

The soft click of boots on tile broke his thoughts. Officer Reko entered again, hands clasped behind his back. No smiles. No unnecessary words. Just presence. Jacoby sat up cautiously.

“Sit down,” Reko said curtly, gesturing to the chair beside the bed. Jacoby complied, wary. He had learned quickly that Reko wasn’t a man to joke with.

“You survived,” Reko began, voice low, controlled. “Most wouldn’t. And yet, here you are. Not fully understood. Not fully contained.” He paused, eyes narrowing. “I assume you’ve noticed something strange… about yourself. Something you can’t explain.”

Jacoby nodded, looking at his hands. “I… I don’t know. Water… fire… I don’t understand it.”

Reko didn’t comment further. He folded his arms and leaned slightly against the wall. Then, after a pause, he said something that caught Jacoby off guard.

“Your father… Robert Morrison, has plans for you.”

Jacoby’s eyes snapped to him. “My… dad?”

Reko nodded. “He’s not just a businessman or politician. He runs S.H.I.E.L.D—a group dedicated to protecting the world from threats it isn’t ready to face. He’s been… waiting for someone like you. Someone who can handle extraordinary power. Someone who can survive forces most humans cannot.”

Jacoby frowned. “He… wants me… to join… heroes?”

“Not just join,” Reko said, voice steady. “To train. To become an operative. To be part of something bigger than yourself. If you accept, you’ll learn control. You’ll learn responsibility. You’ll learn what it means to protect others—before you hurt yourself.”

The words sat in the air. Jacoby wanted to argue. Wanted to refuse. But the pull of purpose—and the lingering traces of power in his veins—kept him quiet.

“Enough talk,” Reko said finally. “You’ll be transported to the HQ. They’ll handle your physical and tactical evaluation. And from there… your training begins.”

⸻

🏙️ Journey to HQ

A black SUV waited outside the hospital. Jacoby climbed in quietly. The city blurred past as they drove through the rain-soaked streets. He thought about the three Absorbs inside him, the strange flicker of fire in his veins, and the overwhelming sensation of uncontained power.

The vehicle slowed near a quiet city park. There, waiting under the muted streetlights, was a boy about his age. Slender, soft features, blonde hair shining faintly in the wet night. Jacoby froze for a second before the boy smiled warmly and waved.

“Jacoby?” the boy called. His voice was light but confident.

Jacoby hesitated. “Uh… yeah?”

The boy jogged forward. “I’m Matthew. I’ve been looking for you.”

Jacoby blinked. “Looking… for me?”

Matthew tilted his head, grinning. “Yeah. You’re… special. I could feel it. And I’ve been sent to make sure you don’t screw it up.”

Jacoby didn’t know whether to be confused or wary. He had never had anyone greet him like that before. Friendly, calm, but strangely direct. Matthew exuded a confidence he couldn’t quite place.

Reko’s voice came from the SUV. “Do not engage recklessly. Proceed to the HQ.”

Matthew looked at Jacoby, ignoring the order. “Don’t worry. I can keep up.”

Jacoby frowned but something in him—something human—relaxed slightly. Maybe it was relief. Maybe it was curiosity. Either way, for the first time in a long while, Jacoby felt like he wasn’t completely alone.