Who: Lorna, Match, Scott, and Wrex Where: Urdnot Ranch What: Match needs a place to stay, and Lorna asks around When: 7/4 Warnings/Rating: PG for silliness Status complete
Lorna sat on the roof of the main house of the Ranch watching the fireworks go off. She had a belly full of picnic food and the kids were mostly settled, despite the news that things were only getting worse outside. She was contemplating staying the night, to make sure nothing happened to the kids or the Ranch. She didn’t think Wrex would turn down the help, especially since the zombie things were likely pretty susceptible to magnetic interference.
She felt someone approaching to the right, and she looked up and over, to see if she could recognize who it was. Even in the dim light she could tell it was Match. She wouldn’t be forgetting his face anytime soon.
Match had been out flying around, and fighting things. He had been discovering, since he had returned, that most of his powers were now under his control, and that made him a match for the things, as long as he was fast enough and strong enough to catch them off guard, and he was. He landed on the roof when he saw Lorna and walked toward her, smiling.
“Hello, Lorna. How are you doing?”
She waved and hovered to her feet, hugging him when he was close enough. “I’m okay. How are you? Is Mavis doing okay?” She trusted Match to look after Mavis, especially since she was thinking about staying the night at the Ranch, just in case.
Match was surprised, but hugged her back, bushing. “She is great. She is... Mavis-ey.” He grinned, eyes bright. He liked Mavis, a whole lot. She was incredible. “I’ll be heading back there at the end of my loop tonight. With great power comes great responsibility, or some such thing.”
Lorna giggled and nodded. “That’s true. Want a cupcake before you go?” She motioned to a covered plate she had by her side. “I was going to take them back home for late night snacking, but you’re welcome to them.”
Match licked his lips. “Well, sure. Thanks.” He grinned at her, and took one, nomming it quickly, as hungry as ever. “Wow! These are good!” He managed to be intelligible around the cupcake he had stuffed into his mouth.
Lorna giggled and handed the whole plate over. “Knock yourself out. I had a good time making them, and I think I’ve eaten twelve over the course of the day.”
Match smiled at her, gave her a onesided hug, and dug in, mmmming. “How have you been since Crazy Day in Space?” It had only been a week or less, but it felt like a whole other life.
“Busy.” Lorna said with a laugh. “And scared.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve mostly been busy looking for a place to live, and going to university to withdraw.” Things had gotten real, sadly. Unless he could sell another book fast, or got some really good jobs, he’d be living in motels for awhile.
“We have a place!” Lorna chirped before she thought. She looked sheepish for a second. “Uh, if Mavis doesn’t mind. We have an extra bedroom. Or I could send you to my brother-in-law, he has a spare bedroom, also. Kind of bitchy wife, but not so bad that you’d rather be homeless.”
“I wouldn’t want to put any of you out, really. But thanks.” He smiled gratefully at her. “I’m sure I can find a place.” Maybe
Lorna gave him a glare. “You won’t put anybody out. We all have places to spare.” She pulled out her phone and dialed Scott’s number.
“Hello?” Scott answered.
“Hey Scott, a friend of mine needs a place to stay. He’s all kinds of crazy powerful, and he survived a nuclear explosion at close range. Also, he’s a good cook, quiet, understated, and only takes up half the space Nate does.”
Match facepalmed,. tried to object, then sighed. He was also blushing a great deal.
Scott blinked, then looked at his phone and shook his head. “How long?”
“About 5’7”.” Lorna said with a giggle. “And just until he finds a place he can afford, or a job. I’ll be happy to pay rent on his behalf, I’m picking up a ton of overtime this week anyway.”
Match was just going to melt into the ground now. Dying of embarrassment was possible, right?
“If Wrex doesn’t have room at the ranch, he can stay here for a few weeks,” Scott said. He didn’t really mind. It might be good for Dani to have someone around who was around..more.
“Ooh, I didn’t think to ask Wrex, if you want I’ll go do that.” She looked around the lot for Wrex. She could have gone to ask him in person. Scott too, for that matter. Her phone was just faster.
Wrex was busy fixing one of the anti-husk mortars he’d set up. Because blowing up husks was a lot of fun. Even better than head butting them!
Lorna hovered over, attempting to keep a minimum safe distance from the mortar. Or at least to keep Wrex between her and it. “Hey, I have a question real quick, before more stuff blows up.”
Match watched, and sighed, but he was grateful, really, even if he felt somewhat overwhelmed and embarrassed.
He looked up, smudging grease over his face as he rubbed at his temple. “Yeah?”
"A friend of mine needs a place to stay, and or a job. He’s really easy going and he saved my life less than a week- no, more than a week but less than two weeks ago.” She rubbed her forehead, wishing she’d gotten some sleep the previous night. Her brain was all kinds of fuzzy, and she didn’t want Wrex to think she was flakey or taking drugs while she was working.
Wrex leaned against the mortar, and it went off with a popping sound. The round flew through the air, and landed right into a husk’s mouth, with the appropriate effect. “You look like you need a nap. And if he’s willing to work he can stay.”
“I need about fifty things.” Lorna replied, turning to face the opposite direction when the mortar launched. “He’ll work, I’m sure.” She smiled at him. “Thanks. I’m gonna go tell him.” She grinned at Wrex before zipping back to the roof. “You’re good with kids, right Match?”
Wrex watched her run off, raising an eyebrow. “Who gave that woman sugar?”
Match blinked, then nodded slowly. “So far, I think so, yes. Why?”
“Because he said you could stay if you work.” Lorna said with a grin. “It’s really fun working here, normally. I mean, not super fun, but it helps people and I like to do that, sooooo.” She looked down at her phone and facepalmed. “I hung up on Scott.”
Match chuckled. “Well, I guess I have a new place to stay and work, then. Okay.” He nodded. “Thanks, Lorna.” He hugged her and chuckled. “You are one stubborn woman.”
She laughed and hugged him back. “You saved my life, my husband’s life, and my best friend’s life. I figured I owed you at least this much.”
Match blushed and smiled. “It was a, ah, team effort.” He smiled softly at her. “Need to perfect my mild-mannered-ness.”
“Nope, you’re good as you are.” She pinched his cheek and laughed. “Now go ask the crazy man with the explosives where you’re sleeping.”
“Yes, ma’am!” And he shot off to ask Wrex questions, and to help with whatever he was doing.