What the hell was Gabriel Masters made of?

“August,” his mother said, sleek red hair bobbing as she bent down to kiss the top of his head. She was in her uniform, buried beneath several layers of stretchy nylon meant to move flexibly and protect her from fire and poison.  “Stop frowning. Your face will get stuck like that.”

August sighed, closing the book he’d had open on attribute composition on his tablet. “I’m doing research, Mom. Am I supposed to be smiling?”

His mother adjusted the headband holding her hair back and out of her heart-shaped face. “You can always be smiling. See?” She grinned. “It makes people feel better.”

“I’m not very…smiley,” he said finally, frowning down at his hands. 

“Oh sweetie, I know, you take after your dad. So serious.” She tied her hair up into a little ponytail and put her plate from breakfast into the kitchen sink. “I’m going to be late tonight, so I’m not doing family dinner. Are you okay to go with just your dad and sister?”

“Why are we still going to do dinner if you’re not coming?”

“Because, believe it or not, you three love each other, even when I’m not there to remind you.”

They did. But they weren’t…showy about it. His mother was the heart of the family. Without her, they all just made polite small talk until the bill came and his father slapped down a platinum credit card. August scrunched his nose. “I was hoping to do some research, Mom. I need to learn more so I can spar with Gabriel more effectively.”

His mother gave another brilliant smile. “Invite him! Your sister and father would love to see him, I’m sure. You know your dad, he’ll ask good questions. Give you some ideas.”

August hesitated. “Father may not…”

She waved a hand. “I’ll tell him it was my idea. Go ahead, honey.”

August sighed, opening his phone.

>> Do you want to go to dinner? My mom suggested it. My dad and sister are coming. [Delivered: 8:54AM]

>> I’d like to figure out how I can counter you most successfully. [Delivered: 8:54AM]

His phone began erupting almost immediately, earning a spike of laughter from his mother.

>> Hell yes i need plans my family sux [Delivered: 8:56AM]

>> my bro saw this and is being annoying can he come [Delivered: 8:57AM]

>> now my dad wants to go [Delivered: 8:57AM]

>> i am so sorry my entire family invited themselves except my mom. my mom is the only cool 1 [Delivered: 8:58AM]

“August, you’re smiling!”

August glanced up at his mother. “No, I’m not.”

She hummed. “If you say so. What did he say?”

“Dexter and Keegan Masters both want to come, as well.”

She neatly packed a set of protein bars, a bottle of water, and a small first aid kit into her backpack. “Our full families haven’t seen each other since…oh, wow. You and Gabriel were toddlers.”

August blinked back his surprise. “I knew you were close, but I didn't know Gabriel and I had met.”

His mother nodded, memories written in the lines of her smile. “When you were little. You still had your suppressors, so you couldn’t have been more than 3 or 4?” She looked at him fondly, ruffling his hair. “You were fascinated by him. You followed him around the entire time. You were bringing him bugs.”

August bit down the rising embarrassment. “I’m sure I didn’t bring him bugs, mom."

His mom grabbed her keys. “Don’t try to deny it, honey. You were too little to remember, anyway.” She gave him another kiss. “Give the Masters my love. And don’t bring Gabriel any bugs this time.”

“Hello.”

August said it so stiffly he thought he may be approximating his phone’s virtual assistant. 

Gabriel snorted, nudging him with his shoulder. “Hey.”

“You look different.”

Gabriel gave him a wry smile, gesturing to August’s father and sister, who were nicely outfitted and eying them from their table through the window. “I figured they’d probably frown upon baseball hats wherever we were going.”

Gabriel had his hair pushed back with a black comb headband, a slim-fit sporty jacket rolled up to his elbows and leather bracelets on his wrist. He still had his aviators, but looked trim in a pair of straight cut slacks and glossy black shoes. August cleared his throat.

“We’re in here. Where are your father and brother?”

Gabriel rolled his eyes. “Dad thought he saw something in progress, he—” 

But August couldn’t hear whatever Gabriel said next. A loud explosion echoed down the street, the bright lick of flames momentarily lighting the sky. 

August saw his father jerk to his feet but August threw up his hand, motioning for them to stay put. Him and Gabriel shared a meaningful look.

Gabriel glanced over his shoulder. “Looks like he might’ve been onto something after all.”