“We really need a Flying Brick,” Nathan said. “Or just invulnerability and flight.”

“I’m working on that, but apparently every other team needs them, too.”

Hermes, Iris, and Rainbright popped back in to the room. “Ugh,” Hermes said, sagging onto the nearest chair. “I might’ve overdone it,” he said.

“You can go and lie down, but I want you to fill out a mission report by tomorrow,” Angelica said. “Nathan, not bad for your first time on Mission Control. You’re dismissed. Iris and Rainbright, I want your reports now.”

Nathan was done now, so he hurried back to his room and called Eric back. “I’m back,” he said.

“What happened?” Eric asked.

“Some idiot triggered the fire alarm. But that’s over with now. So… Coral still away?”

“Yeah. Probably not going to be back for at least a few hours.” Eric smiled. “And your guy’s still at the medical conference?”

“Yeah, until tomorrow.”

“So, how about we continue what we started?”

Nathan grinned. “Exactly what I was thinking.”

***

Coral stumbled into the hotel room the next day, swaying like a limp noodle. “Are you all right?” Eric asked, getting up to help. Before he even got up from his chair, though, Coral had already flopped onto the bed.

“Mrgh,” Coral said. “Flying with your powers is awful. I could’ve been back in half the time with Nightingale’s.”

“Why didn’t you fly with hers, then?”

“Because I needed the heat-control thing to avoid the heat-scanning things. Also, invisible.” Coral pulled a pink bracelet out of her coat and put it on. “Would’ve been easier if you came with.”

“Yeah. If it makes you feel better, I did get Nathan to see Spain out the window. It was perfect.”

Coral grinned. “I got them so good.”

“Yeah, you did. Now scoot. I want to lie down.” Somehow, Coral had managed to spread across the entire bed, but didn’t scoot. “How are you taking up an entire two-person bed by yourself?”

“I am genderfluid. Fluid expands to fill every available surface. I am fluid. I am cat.”

“Ah,” Eric said. “Well, the interesting thing about fluid is that you can lie down in it.” He hopped up on the bed, settling himself on top of Coral.

“Depends on how vicious it is,” Coral said, making no move to stop him.

“Viscous,” Eric corrected.

“Vicious,” Coral said, and took a playful swipe at Eric that didn’t come close to him. “Rawr.”

“Well, rawr means I love you in Dinosaur,” Eric said, planting a kiss on the tip of her pointy nose. “Guess that means you love me.”

“Yeah, I guess,” she said. Before he realized what was happening, she’d flipped him over onto the bed. “I love you,” she said, pulling him in for a deep kiss that took his breath away.

“Love you, too,” Eric said once he’d regained his voice. “Stay with you forever.”

If only he could figure out whether to stay with someone else forever.