ONE

LANCE EVANS HAS daddy issues. Sure, his father is the mayor of the city and with that said, he is definitely better off as compared to his classmates. Like, better off as in richer; more privileged. But that doesn't mean he is a daddy's boy. He likes to think that he's far from it, actually. The thought of being one is cringe-worthy. Anyway, back to the subject at hand. He has daddy issues. Right.

Lance likes to believe that having a more privileged life is, in no way, equivalent to having better relationships. In fact, he is absolutely certain that money spoils relationships. Even if it has the ability to make you happy. It doesn't make him happy, for the record. Money is, in factual (or not) terms, greed and greed is nowhere near good, even if both words start with the same letter.

With Gabriel Evans, the person Lance has daddy issues with, money comes pouring in quickly. Rise of economy? More money. Trades from overseas businessmen? More money. As long as the city prospers, money will come rolling into the pockets of Gabriel Evans. And the citizens' pockets, of course.

If you think that Gabriel Evans, having earned more money, would give Lance more allowance, then you are, sadly, mistaken. Lance, to Gabriel Evans, is a sort of investment. Brutal statement, but it's the truth. Cold, hard truth, if you may.

There's never a time when Gabriel Evans would tell Lance to 'take a break'. Because investments don't ever take breaks. You either rise or you fall. And in Gabriel Evans' dictionary (one that Lance desperately wants to burn away, if he could), you can never find the word 'fall'. A reason why the city is constantly prospering, actually. Rise, rise and rise, but never fall. Falling, to Gabriel Evans, is a sin and, while it is applicable to the city he's in-charge of, it is definitely also applicable to his son, Lance.

The extra income Gabriel Evans has, will be the extra amount of money used to, well, invest in Lance. Invest his hopes and dreams in Lance by signing his son up for more courses, activities and whatever. As if the ones he's already being signed up for aren't enough. To say that Lance's weekly schedules are packed would be the understatement of his entire life. Not that Gabriel Evans would care. He doesn't care about his son's mental well-being.

And, to make matters worse, he's strict when it comes to his son. Afraid that his son would defy him by sneaking away from any courses, activities, or whatever, Gabriel Evans does what every rich person would do – employ a chauffeur and personal assistant for Lance. Lance thinks that he is simply spending away unnecessary money. One would say that he is merely making his son's life easier and ensuring that his son will be protected (from what though?) at all times, but Lance knows better.

The chauffeur and personal assistant are not there to ensure his safety and whatnot. They are there to keep an eye on him and are the people who would control and watch his every move for as long as Gabriel Evans is not around; for as long as he, Lance, is not in the same place as Gabriel Evans. Which is annoying, really, but he can't do anything about it. That doesn't mean he hasn't tried doing anything about it, though.

He has. Numerous times, in fact. But what did Gabriel Evans do? Well, he either 1) goes into the role of Elsa from Frozen and shut Lance out (which, in this case, Lance is literally Anna) or, 2) tells Lance to act his age and stop whining when he has responsibilities to ... what was that term again? Oh, yes, uphold. That also doesn't mean that Lance didn't try and defend himself. Or rather, talk back (as adults love to put it).

Lance's exact words to Gabriel Evans were, quoting him, "Mum wouldn't treat me like that, nor would she allow you to treat me like that!" That, admittedly, is a rather interesting retort, although no one knows whether it is true or not. It was a low move, Lance knew, because topics regarding his mother are generally avoided at all cost, something Lance will never, ever understand why. It's not as though Gabriel Evans has ever talked to Lance about her. Though Lance wished he did.

But it wasn't as though Gabriel Evans gave two damns about what Lance said. Okay, actually, maybe he did, because he was rather affected by it. And by affected, Lance meant that Gabriel Evans got angry and mad at him. Not that it's anything new, of course.

It then led to Gabriel Evans asking Lance's personal assistant, Thea Holland, to escort Lance back to his room. It was a useless command because 1) Lance has been living in this godforsaken mansion (or whatever this huge, stupid place is called) for years and he surely knows where the hell his room is, and is thus able to get there without anyone's help and, 2) totally no offense intended (questionable) but – why not just escort him out of the house so he won't ever have to deal with this nonsense anymore?

So, yes, in case of point, Lance Evans indeed has daddy issues with the one and only insufferable Gabriel escort-him-back-to-his-room Evans.

(He doesn't hate his father).

(Okay, questionable).

(But maybe 'dislike' would suffice because hate is a strong word).

• • •

"Lance? Your favorite father would like to see you in his office."

"Nice," Lance says without taking his eyes off his comic book. "But I'm kind of occupied right now so maybe another time, yeah? Besides, I don't see why there's any need for him to want to see me, especially when I have diligently attended every single class I'm supposed to for the week, even for the ones I hate."

A sigh. Lance finally looks up. "Am I wrong, Elton?"

"He loves you," the youngest hired helper (or whatever Gabriel Evans call them), the one whom Lance is closest to, fires back evenly. "He just doesn't know how to express it."

"Then he should totally work on expressing it in the correct way."

"I'll debate with you on this another day. He really wants to see you right now. Seems rather important, from the looks of it, because he looks a little distraught."

"Now," Lance forms an imaginary rainbow with his two hands in front of him, "say it with me. Kar-ma. Karma."

"Karma?" Elton says cluelessly while dragging Lance out of his room. "Also, are you trying to copy the Spongebob rainbow meme or something?"

"No, you got to say it confidently. Don't say it with a question mark at the end. Either say it with a full stop or, the better option, an exclamation mark. And no, I'm not trying to copy that meme. I'm original."

"You're bullshit, kiddo. Let's go see your dad now."

"You owe me," Lance crosses his arms as he stands outside Gabriel Evans' office. "For dragging me here and for not saying the word 'karma' like how you're supposed to."

Shrugging without a care for what Lance has just said, Elton knocks on the office's door, opens it, then pushes Lance inside. And after he does so, with Lance glaring at him before he closes the door, he mouths 'have fun' to the grumpy-looking boy.

• • •

"Father," Lance greets frostily, "heard you've asked for me."

"Yes, I did. Do take a seat."

"No thanks, I'm comfortable with just standing."

"Sure. I'll cut this meeting as short as I can, because I do have lots of paperwork to deal with."

Lance chokes back a laugh. Even if Gabriel Evans having tons of paperwork to settle is a true thing, Lance knows it is only a coverage. A coverage for the actual reason as to why Gabriel Evans wants to end this discussion as soon as possible. Because the tension in this room is unbearable. Because nothing feels right and normal when the both of them are confined in the very same space, breathing the very same air. Because when the both of them engage in a conversation, it's only formal communication. Like, a businessman to a businessman kind of talk.

"So, Lance, I'm sure you do know that the crime rates these days are getting higher and higher because it's becoming more frequent."

"Yes." Lance wonders briefly if Gabriel Evans is actually going to ask him to be a cop.

"And I'm certain you know who's the cause of this."

"Yes. Estelle Granger. Estelle Quinn Granger, for full name purposes. Commits crimes, including murders, without the need of an alter-ego. She, along with her crew, are criminals whom the cops have difficulty tracking till now. Am I correct, Father?"

"Yes," Gabriel Evans stands up and gazes at the city through the clear glass windows, looking slightly distracted for a moment. "And because there's absolutely no way we can stop them, I have resorted to the final solution."

"Cool. That's great to hear. Although, I still don't understand my purpose of being here."

"I believe you know who Alex Walker is. The renowned scientist in the city. Recently, I have approached him with hopes that he would be able to help assist in this ... mission, as I would refer it, and I was certainly pleased when he presented his time machine to me. His best creation yet."

"Exciting," Lance deadpans.

"He has allowed me to use the time machine after much persuasion and I've decided to use the time machine to stop Estelle Quinn Granger and her crew. Actually, just Estelle Quinn Granger. You will go all the way back to the past, to the day Estelle Quinn Granger is planning to become a villain again, and stop her from considering that option of becoming one."

"Wait, I'm sorry, but did you just say that I will be the one time-traveling back in time?"

"Yes."

"Wait, what? You can't just send me back in time! I refuse to go back in time just to stop Estelle Quinn Granger from choosing the villain path. Are you insane? Look, I- I have classes to attend. I still have school-"

"You're homeschooled. Classes can be rearranged."

"You seriously cannot do this to me," Lance increases his voice in desperation. "Why do I not have a say in this? Why can't you be the one doing so? I barely know Estelle Quinn Granger. She's of the same age as you, if I remembered correctly, so why can't you be the one going back in time?"

"As the mayor of the city, I have responsibilities to take care of."

"You can't just blatantly disregard my opinion on this. I should have a say in this, Father. Don't you think it's wrong of you to just decide this for me?"

"No, not really. Before I dismiss you-"

"You are not dismissing me from this discussion. Don't you realize how unreasonable you are being right now? When have you ever, for a second, considered my feelings and opinions? I can let the previous matters slide but this? I can't bring myself to."

"Lance Evans," Gabriel Evans snaps at last, eyes narrowing as Lance glares at him fiercely. "You have zero say in this. Take this proposal along with you and leave my office this instant."

Lance storms to the mahogany desk, eyes blazing as he snatches the proposal from Gabriel Evans' hands. "With fucking pleasure," he curses, earning a shock expression from Gabriel Evans, before leaving the office and, of course, making sure to slam the door loudly on his way out.

"Well," Elton chuckles next to the fuming Lance as the two walked back to Lance's room, "I assumed you've had fun."

"Wouldn't fault you for your assumption. In fact, it's probably the most fun I've had in a long time," Lance retorts sullenly, crumpling the side of the proposal.

• • •

status: unedited

this is like the story i've posted up before guardians but have only just posted the first chapter bc writer's block. listen..,, i'm honestly so happy bc the first chapter is finally up?? like heck yeah congrats to myself.

but. there's always a but. i hope this chapter is okay cause it's the first time i'm writing third pov from a guy's perspective (even tho it's not first pov). and there's dialogues. terrifying stuffs, the dialogues. i really hope everything in this chapter sounds ok for a guy based on lance's speech, actions and others???

anyway, pls comment down ur thoughts (+ vote) regarding this chapter (u can even predict the next chapter, i don't mind) but just know that u are not obliged to do so!! if u are still reading this, i want to thank u for being patient w me, despite my hella sporadic updates. ilu x