Ty’s head was pounding. The light was far too bright.

“For fuck’s sake, Jack,” he muttered. “Shut the bloody lights off.”

But it was not Jack’s voice who answered him.

“It’s called the sun, dumbass. I don’t exactly have control over that.”

Ty’s eyes flew open. The action, however, only caused his world to grow painfully brighter, and he winced and groaned. He wiggled his fingers and toes as life started to creep in around him. He was lying against a hard surface. He patted around him; the floor was carpeted. He opened his eyes slowly, allowing them to adjust, and pushed himself upright, taking a moment to look around him. Ahead of him was a wall. A dresser. A tv on top. He twisted his torso, following the wall around the room to the window on the other side, the curtains open and the shade pulled up. Sunlight streamed in on top of him.

“Good morning, Sleepyhead.”

He turned completely around until he saw Scorpio seated on the bed, grinning at him.

“Oh, bloody hell,” he muttered. “Did we…?”

“Gods, no,”  said Scorpio.“That would be weird.”

His brows furrowed. “Why are we in a hotel room?”

“Meeting some friends,” she said. “You don’t remember?”

He swallowed. His throat was dry and scratchy and he licked his lips. “No?”

“Well,” she started, getting to her feet. “We were having a grand time drinking and partying. Well, you mostly. I’m space dust, I don’t exactly get drunk. But then I heard from Leo who said he was nearby, and then we got word from Capricorn, and long story short, you decided it was very important that we meet with them right away, so we left and came here. I suspect Leo will be by very shortly.”

“We came to a hotel?”

“Jack was not happy,” she said in an amused tone. “But, yes, I brought your drunk ass here so you could sober up, and here we are.”

He blinked at her. “Why couldn’t you have just left me at home?”

“Well, if I had done that, you wouldn’t be trapped here with me now.”

He swallowed again. “Trapped?”

Scorpio grinned. “Just kidding.” She held a hand out to him. “I didn’t do anything you didn’t want to do.”

He sighed and took her hand, allowing her to help him to his feet. He waited a moment, steadying himself, then took the water and pills she offered him and downed them quickly. 

“I hardly think drunk me was thinking clearly,” he muttered.

“Well, it’s not like I flew you halfway across the world or anything,” she said. She gestured to the door. “If you want to leave, then leave. You have free will, after all. I cannot and will not force you to do anything.”

Ty hesitated and searched her gaze. “Okay,” he started. He lifted his shirt and checked himself over. “Thanks for not slicing me open.”

“I have no use for your organs.”

Ty rolled his eyes, then moved toward the door. He reached for the doorknob, but at that moment, there were three quick knocks, and he heard muffled voices on the other side. He froze, then looked over his shoulder at Scorpio.

“Good timing,” she said with a grin.

Ty opened the door and stared at the two men standing before them. One appeared to be around his age, while the second appeared to be much older, as if his father or grandfather.

“Excellent,” the older man started. “You must be Ty.”

“I don’t think so,” Ty said quickly.

The younger man raised his hands slightly, as if to stop Ty from stepping out the door, and he met his pleading gaze.

“Wait,” he said quickly. “Please don’t leave me alone with them.”

Ty’s brows furrowed. “What?”

“I mean, I’m here willingly. But. You know. I still think it’s weird, too. But if you run and leave me stuck here to save the world by myself, I will definitely find you and kick your ass.”

Ty looked between them, then sighed. “Oh, no.”

Scorpio laughed, almost manically. “Oh, yes.”

The older man looked over Ty’s shoulder at her, his gaze hardening. “Knock it off,” he growled. 

Scorpio came to Ty’s side. “Ty, that’s Leo and Elric. Elric being the human one.”

“You mean he’s not a personification of a Zodiac sign?”

“I like this one,” Scorpio said, patting his head.

“You seriously believe them?” Ty asked Elric.

Elric averted his gaze and his cheeks warmed. “Well, no. I mean, not until I nearly electrocuted myself.”

Ty’s brows furrowed. “How?”

Elric lifted his hand, palm turned up, and Ty watched wide-eyed as lightning danced momentarily in his hand.

“Bloody hell,” Ty muttered. 

“Do you believe me now?” Scorpio asked. 

Ty moved his gaze from Elric, to Leo, then over his shoulder to Scorpio. “Do I have a choice?”

“You do.”

Ty sighed and stepped away from the door, allowing Elric and Leo to enter.

“Okay,” he started, then, to Elric, “But as soon as they’re not looking, we’re cutting loose.”

Elric grinned. “I don’t think that will be so easy,” he said. “They kind of always know where we are.”

Ty frowned. “Of course they do.”

“You can’t get rid of me that easily,” Scorpio said. “Just you wait. We’re gonna have some fun.”