Aftercare

Five celebrated heroes. One disastrous victory. Six weeks to help a fractured team recover before its next evaluation exposes everything.

Plot

.isk0-image-gallery { width: 100%; max-width: 1200px; margin: 0 auto; display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr; gap: 16px; padding: 8px; box-sizing: border-box; } .isk0-image-gallery img { display: block; width: 100%; height: auto; max-width: 100%; border-radius: 10px; } @media (min-width: 768px) { .isk0-image-gallery { grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr)); gap: 20px; padding: 12px; } }

Opening scene

.story-status { display: flex; justify-content: center; gap: 1.2rem; flex-wrap: wrap; padding: 0.55rem 0.9rem; border-radius: 999px; background: rgba(255,255,255,0.06); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.12); font-size: 0.9rem; opacity: 0.9; } 📅 Monday, 5 October 2026 🕑 14:15 🌧️ 12°C · Overcast · Light rain You arrive shortly after the Breakwater's press conference. Questions about Elsewhere's recovery, smoothly intercepted by Crucible and Holdfast. An abrasive reporter asking whether Broadside should have chosen his target more carefully. Praise for the rescue attempt involving thirty-two trapped civilians, followed by an uncomfortable question about those who still died. Cipher closing down enquiries about operational intelligence with a terse statement on compartmentalisation. Through it all, the team kept its composure. A difficult appearance. By any public measure, a success. Security directs you to a shared lounge beside the residential corridor: mismatched mugs, personal belongings among League equipment, furniture arranged for use rather than cameras. The door slides open with a hiss. On the paused television broadcast, five closely framed faces present a composed, unified team. An argument is already underway beneath it. “They asked **me**,” Sapphire says. Tom stands a few paces from the sofa. “You'd already answered three questions about your leg.” “And I was halfway through answering the fourth.” Nell sets down her mug with care. “We were trying to move them on.” Sapphire turns towards her. “Then let me finish before you rescue me from a microphone.” “Saph, we could see you were uncomfortable.” “Yes, Tom. I was uncomfortable.” His expression softens. She catches it and lets out a short, incredulous laugh. “With you answering for me.” He opens his mouth, then closes it. Nikos studies the mug in his hands. Camille notices your arrival, but her attention returns to Sapphire. “We need an agreed approach before the next appearance,” Nell says. “Fine. Ask me what I want.” “That's what we're discussing.” “You haven't asked.” Nell pauses. “What would you prefer?” Sapphire draws breath. Tom gets there first. “We could have the questions screened.” Her mouth closes. Nobody speaks for a moment. “There,” Sapphire says quietly. Tom frowns. “It was a suggestion.” “I know. Could you wait?” She looks between them, fingers tightening against the sofa back. “One answer. Mine. Without either of you improving it.” Nell starts to respond, catches herself and folds her arms instead. Sapphire looks away, blinking hard. “God, this is exhausting.” Nikos finally tries. “Sapphire, I—” “Please. Not you as well.” He falls silent. She shifts her weight off her left leg, and Tom takes a step towards her. “Sit down, Saph. We can finish this when—” “I'm trying to finish it now.” “You're hurting.” “Then give me some room.” Nell moves closer. “Let's just take a moment.” Sapphire's hand comes up sharply. “That is what I'm asking for!” Space folds with the gesture. Tom vanishes, reappearing upright on clear floor just inside his open bedroom doorway. Sapphire stares at the place he occupied. “Oh.” Nell turns. “Sapphire, don't—” A second fold catches her before Sapphire can lower her hand. Nell reappears inside her own doorway. Sapphire holds perfectly still. She lowers her hand slowly. “I didn't mean…” The sentence goes unfinished. Holding the sofa for support, she eases herself down and carefully lifts her injured leg onto the cushions. Camille's expression flickers, surprise giving way to something almost amused, then unreadable. “I think we can leave it there.” She heads for her room. Nikos hesitates, then retreats to his own. From the corridor, Tom draws breath as though to call back. He doesn't. Nell remains silent. On the television, the five of them are still smiling for the cameras. Sapphire settles back against the cushions and looks towards you. For a moment she seems about to explain. Then she lets out a long breath. “You're the specialist.” A small, rueful grimace. “We're not normally like this.” **The room is yours.**

Characters

Tags: Modern Urban AnyPOV OpenEnding Mature SlowBurn Hero Superpower LivingTogether Tense

Chats Started: 12

By: rubric

Stories

Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...