Weekends were always calm in the Grayson household—at least until the two super-powered boys woke up.
_ _ ♛ _ _
"Mommm, please, just let me make breakfast, I'm in a rush!" Mark pleaded, pulling off his best puppy-eyed look. Stephen, still groggy and barely awake, trudged down the stairs, overhearing his brother's exaggerated begging.
"Hmm, since when did we get a dog?" Stephen asked dryly, watching Mark wagging an imaginary tail. Debbie, busy with breakfast, couldn't hold back her laughter.
"Really, dude? You're calling me a dog? Oh, you're gonna pay for that!" Mark laughed, immediately abandoning his urgent morning plans and lunging playfully at Stephen. Within seconds, the living room was filled with the chaotic sounds of two brothers wrestling.
Fresh from the shower, Nolan entered the room, casually dressed in a comfortable brown sweater and jeans, a pair of rarely-seen reading glasses perched on his nose. Spotting the playful scuffle, he couldn't help but smile. Feeling someone watching him, he turned to see Debbie standing by the kitchen, giving him an affectionate smile. Mouthing silently, she teased, "Break…fast…is…ready."
Taking his cue, Nolan vanished in a blur. Before the boys could react, he reappeared, effortlessly holding them both by their collars. They dangled helplessly, resigned as he gently placed them in their dining chairs.
"Come on, boys," Nolan announced cheerfully. "Your mother says breakfast is ready."
All traces of their mock battle vanished instantly, replaced by eager anticipation for the meal ahead.
Breakfast was soon served, the smell of pancakes, sausage, eggs, and an oddly placed plate of gyoza filling the air. The unconventional combination had become a regular occurrence, all thanks to Mark's evolving taste.
"You see this weird stuff we're stuck with now? All your fault," Stephen teased, eyeing Mark with mock annoyance.
Mark grinned mischievously, seizing his opportunity. "Aw, come on, Steve. Maybe if you eat enough, you might actually grow taller."
Stephen, pretending offense, moved with blinding speed, snatching Mark's plate and devouring the food with exaggerated enthusiasm. "HEY! That's mine!" Mark protested.
"Well," Stephen retorted around a mouthful, eyes sparkling mischievously, "I clearly need all the nutrients I can get, dear big brother. Surely you can spare some food for your short little sibling?"
Nolan chuckled softly, shaking his head at the playful scene unfolding. "Stephen, give Mark back his food. If you're still hungry, your mother will gladly refill your plate."
Stephen pouted dramatically, feigning betrayal as he reluctantly handed back the nearly empty plate. Mumbling around his puffed cheeks, he muttered loudly, "And since when did you start wearing glasses, anyway?"
Debbie burst out laughing, and Mark nearly choked on his breakfast. "Yeah, Dad, what's with the glasses?" Mark added between chuckles.
Nolan struggled to maintain his composure, the corners of his lips twitching in a barely concealed smile. "Very funny. And Mark's right, Stephen, eat up—you definitely need it," he teased gently, piling more pancakes onto Stephen's plate.
_ _ ♛ _ _
After breakfast, the family dispersed, each heading out for the day, leaving Stephen alone in the quiet backyard.
Standing there, Stephen took a deep breath. Something had been building within him—something powerful yet controlled by careful practice. He had felt it intensifying lately: his own gravitational field, potent and tangible. Today was the day he would test himself. Today was the day he would fly.
Finding a suitable stance, Stephen knelt low, knuckles pressing firmly into the earth, mirroring Superman's iconic posture. He closed his eyes, sensing a faint but growing pulse as gravity itself seemed to swirl gently around him, an invisible orbit responding to his presence. Gathering every ounce of strength and determination, he released it in a single, powerful leap.
BOOM!
The sound ruptured through the quiet, a shockwave echoing like thunder. Instantly, Stephen shot skyward, piercing through the air with blistering speed. Wind raced around him but curiously failed to slow him; his bio aura shielded him, a seamless barrier that streamlined his ascent. He felt the thrill of wind rushing past his skin yet knew it did not truly touch him, almost as if the very air bent to his command. Higher he soared, the world shrinking rapidly beneath him—clouds scattering as he pierced their misty veil, leaving them far below.
But as his ascent slowed, Earth's gravity reclaimed its grasp. For a fleeting, serene moment, he hovered weightlessly, suspended high above the earth, before reality sank in and his heart jolted with dread. He began to plummet downward, gently at first, before gravity's merciless grip accelerated his fall.
Panic surged fiercely in Stephen's chest—not fear for his own safety, but dread for the innocent lives beneath him. If he crashed at such speed, it would unleash devastation comparable to a barrage of missiles. Desperation tightened around him, a choking fear that he had been reckless, arrogant, and now many would die, families lives lost…and mom...
'NO!' Stephen's thoughts screamed, urgent and frantic. 'If I can just use my bio-electric aura to slow down…' He focused with every fibre of his being, but it was no use; gravity overwhelmed his power. 'SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! WHAT IF I USE MY OWN GRAVITY?' he thought wildly. 'BUT I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO ACTIVATE IT!'
The earth below raced toward him with terrifying speed, buildings growing clearer and larger with each passing second. Refusing defeat, Stephen shut his eyes tight, forcing calmness to quiet his frantic heartbeat. He tuned into the sensation of gravity tugging at his very core, mingling with an unexpected feeling of profound weightlessness. He remembered his strength wasn't instinctual, nor his speed. But flight? Flight was primal, something within him, something natural.
"Trust it," he whispered to himself fiercely. "and MOVE!"
Abruptly, the violent roar of rushing wind ceased entirely. Suspended perfectly in place, Stephen hesitated before cautiously opening one eye. Astonished relief flooded him as he found himself floating mere feet above the rooftops, safely halted midair. Opening both eyes fully, Stephen gazed in awe at the sprawling landscape around him, bathed in the gentle glow of victory.
'I did it," Stephen thought to himself, glancing around, "I DID ITTTTT!!!!" He yelled out loud in pure exhilaration, arms spread out, a casual flip through the air, almost as if cradled by the very skies, movement was so simple and easy, this was instinct, coming to a halt mid movement, he slowly began his ascent once again, this time, it was controlled and much easier, the sensation has stuck with him and he could easily do it whenever he pleases.
_ _ ♛ _ _
Stephen did not know how fast he could fly at this point, and he was not yet ready to test that, but does not mean he wont increase his speed, and increase his speed is exactly what he did, the world behind him became dots, the clouds fast in approach, arms freely spread, he did a big loop ti loop, he truly felt free, as he kept on rising, soon reaching the first layer of earth's atmosphere, only 30 seconds and he was already filled to the brim with the suns energy, anymore and he might explode, so without further ado, he cut off his gravity, and let himself drop, 30 meters and then activated his gravitational force once again to 100% confirm he can do it as much as he wants, and just like he imagined, he could do it again, very easily at that, after confirming once again, he truly let himself drop, this time the drop wasn't causing him to panic, the wind part around him as he drops, his black hair danced wildly against the wind.
_ _ ♛ _ _
Arms crossed as he could see the streets become more visible, he wondered if he could absorb the impact with his bio aura, seeing his thoughts he shooked his head, 'am I stupid? Did I not just learn my lesson?' he thought to himself, maybe he can test that idea in a much safer environment.
End of Chapter 30