⋆★⋆
═══════ LAP 16/30 ═══════

🖤💜🖤💜🖤
༻ AND WE'RE BACK!!! ༺
I apologise for the many setbacks, but AT LAST! SEASON 2 IS HEREEE BBY! 🥳
Gosh I'm SO pumped for you guys to see what's in store, it's no joke! Make sure to buckle up, leave a vote & spam as many comments as you want! THANKS FOR RETURNING AND ENJOY THE UPDATE!

& FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, REREADERS STOP SPOILING!!! IT'S DISRESPECTFUL!

◢◤◢◤ ⚙️ ◢◤◢◤

༻ ONE YEAR LATER ༺
— JUNE 2007 —

I circle around the customer's red Ford with two fingers tracing along the metal, inspecting the damaged bumper with pursed lips and a hum of thought.

"Do you think you can fix it by 8? My wife'll blow a fuse if she sees the car like this."

I deliver a reassuring, yet light-hearted chuckle.

"Hey, it'll be okay. It's just a cracked bumper and damaged headlight. I'll have someone fix it by 5."

"Really?! Ugh, you're a lifesaver. I swear this town needed you. I'll be back at 5!"

"Okay!" I wave with laughter. Even when he's gone, a soft smile lingers as I gaze around the pristine storefront around me.

Vehicles of many colors occupy our interior under the rings of spotlights, with dozens more waiting their turn in the warehouse. Employees in navy-black jumpsuits maneuver around with toolboxes while the weather outside kisses our window panels with its warm rays.

Finally... Summer.

I was growing bored of fall and winter. Too much rain, too many leaves... At last, I finally get to watch the residents of Santa Clarita stroll around in bikini tops and basketball shorts. No L.A gang wars, no graffiti... Just peace and quiet.

"Excuse me, are you the manager?"

I snap out of my daze and smile politely. "Yep. Are you picking up a car?"

"Oh no, I actually have a flat tire and saw this place close by. Could you check it out?"

"Of course."

The lady smiles and leads me out towards the parking lot. Pushing my hand against the glass door, my footsteps slow down and smile gently falls from the car's familiar design...

"I know I know, it's overdue a wash or two but you can still work on it, right?"

A Honda S2000, only in grey instead of pink...

Like mine before we—

No Shego, don't go there.

I'm quick to look away from the Honda with awkwardly blinking eyes and a dry swallow. "Don't worry Ma'am, we have plenty of spare tires. Wait right here, I'll get it sorted."

I turn my back instantly, desperate to get away from the car but only to frown from the sudden stroke of memories that hit when I head inside.

It's been a year already... It feels like yesterday, but at the same time, a lifetime ago. One would think moving 49 miles into a wealthy neighborhood would make me forget that life... Still, it's easier to suppress the flashbacks now than back then.

A/N: Instead of Downey, Shego has moved to Santa Clarita. Yes I changed the distance since Y'ALL KEPT CLOWNING ME SHJDGJSKS

After sending an employee to retrieve the spare tire, I sit at my desk and rest my head in my hand exhaustedly until a steamy coffee cup is slammed before me.

"Morning Pumpkin."

"Hey Paps," I chuckle faintly.

"I figured you could use a coffee since you skipped it this morning. What's wrong? You look tired."

"No no. Just... Overthinking as usual."

Dad frowns upon those words before sitting on my desk.

"You're not dwelling over last year, are you? Shego, you shouldn't be thinking about him when—"

"I know, I know. I'm not. At least, I wasn't trying to. It's just, this customer brought a car that... Forget it." I groan with my chin on the table, making me pout when Paps uses the position to pat my head.

"There there Pumpkin, you're living the better life. If you'd stayed in Compton, you would've turned out like those good-for-nothing thugs prancing around in silly tattoos and piercings. Now do you want that?"

I widen my eyes and laugh along awkwardly.
"Haha, of course... Not..."

Even a whole year later, I've never shown Dad my belly ring or waist tattoo. If I did, he'd stitch the hole and remove the ink himself. My hair however, remains a dyed jet-black.

"Alright, come on." Dad pats my desk and hops off.

"...Where are we going?"

"Lunchbreak."

"But we're still open. I usually watch over the store in case—"

"Not if I wanna take my little girl out for lunch you aren't." He holds his hand out.

I mirror his grin and finally stand from my chair to take his hand when suddenly, a familiar face enters my office and heads straight towards us.

He walks with such vibrancy, wearing an oversized jersey-tee with long shorts, socks and sneakers. His hair is slightly shaved down with freckles delicately topping his caramel skin, and my favorite feature of all... The dimples that pop when he smiles at me.

"Keith!"

"Hey honey." He wraps his arms around me. Dad watches us with an untameable beam as I tip-toe to meet his lips and kiss him briefly.

Unlike the thought of any other man, Dad LOVES Keith. He's everything my Dad's envisioned for me. Sweet, selfless, honest, no tattoos or illegal habits, no toxic masculinity... Between working a part-time job and completing his final year in Medical School, Keith is always being a gentleman and treating me like a queen.

A/N: This is what Keith (Powers) looks like btw:

"What are you doing here?"

"I just got off work, thought I'd visit my angel. Where' you guys heading?"

"Lunch. Wanna come—?"

"Of course he's coming Shego! It wouldn't be lunch without him! Let's go Keith. Love you son. Never change." Dad playfully links arms with my boyfriend, as if stealing him from me. We both laugh as I grab him back.

"Get your own Paps, he's all mine."

"All yours." Keith's dimples deepen when he smiles and leans down to kiss me once more.

══════ ⋆★⋆ ══════

Keith, Dad and I sit at an outdoor dining table to enjoy some Popeyes under the sun, with the exception of an umbrella casting shade over us. I continue to laugh on Keith's shoulder and hit him playfully while he tells Paps the story of how we met.

"Babe why are you telling him this!"

"It's funny! Your dad should know the full story."

Dad loudly sips his cola through a straw before locking his fingers, "Tell me what went down boy."

"Please don't..."

"So we were at a Gas station."

"Kill me."

"I was filling up my tank, right? But this wasn't the first time we saw each other. Shego and I had exchanged stares at this gas station like, twice already. In my mind I was like; she's gorgeous... I have to go back. So after a week of trying, I finally bumped into her again. I smiled, walked over and said, "Hey." And you know what she did?"

Keith hitches up his shoulders in a girly fashion and mockingly tucks his imaginary long hair behind one ear with a crooked smirk, resemblant of Debby Ryan. I instantly let out a shriek and cover my cringing face.

"Ugh, I'll never be able to live that down."

"But hey, look at you two now. 10 months later and still going strong. Not many people from the gas station can say that. Before you know it, you'll be married with a mortgage and kids... Don't get any ideas though! You can adopt!"

Keith and I laugh whilst holding hands and gazing at each other.

"I'm all for the marriage part." He smiles charmingly.

I blush under his pecan-brown eyes when suddenly—

*Bzzzzz!*

Tossing another fry in my mouth, I raise my phone and read the text with a gasp.

"What?"

"I-It's cousin J! He says... That he's traveling down to Santa Clarita tomorrow to spend the summer!"

"Really?? That's amazing!"

"Who's cousin J?" Keith asks.

"My only cousin. Despite being so different, we played a lot as kids."

"Yep." Paps munches loudly, "Shego was such a good child but that J? Always up to something wild. Shego and J were inseparable, though around 10 years old, J had to move out of town due to his parents' divorce."

"It's been years since we've seen J. He must be so tall now... I'll text him back."

"Well he sounds like fun. I can't wait to meet him. Looks like I finally get to meet the extended family." Keith beams.

I smile back and hold a fry over his mouth, signaling him to open wide and let me insert it before giggling.

"Trust me, he'll love you."

══════ ⋆★⋆ ══════
— COMPTON, L.A —

Summer's star shines over Compton with sparkles bouncing off of what's going on in Gatti. In the wide but empty backstreet, JK and Offset whirlpool a tornado of smoke as they recklessly doughnut around each other on matching $10,000 custom Aeon Cobra quad bikes, sporting ATV tires and reflections crisp enough to mirror even the lightest spec of dust.

JK in particular laughs with one hand on the bar, his knuckles bandaged from the random drunken fight he'd got into the night prior. He wears an oversized white shirt with chains as well as a silver Rolex and headband beneath his stringy black hair that blows to one side.

The two men continue to laugh and make themselves dizzy until Saweetie shouts,

"Go!"

The two stop and face north before speeding in a straight line despite their spinning focus. Offset's grills twinkle below his waving dreadlocks and shades when he laughs and pulls the steepest wheelie he can hold, making JK do the same as both thugs finish the race dangerously on their two rears.

Sitting on the steps of a trap house, Quavo leans back on one elbow with his other arm around Saweetie who scoffs with crossed legs, flaunting her body in a sexy summery two-piece.

"I swear y'all are crazy. Ain't no way you're getting old."

"That's the way to go out." Offset and JK climb off to slap hands before Offset pulls out a lighter, "Y'all need a hit?"

"Pass it around." Quavo, Saweetie and JK all whip out roll-ups. As each blunt ignites with a smoky tip, Peggy and Mama Lou pass by on their way back from the salon, rocking new wigs and acrylics instead of their usual hair curlers.

"Mm-mmm, look at y'all kids doing this foolery tryna getch'ya selves killed. Only LAWD knows how you ain't dead yet, especially you." Peggy points at JK, "Witcho' lil lightskin self."

"Tch, leave dem boys alone Peggy. You on't know a fun time like they do." Mama Lou fluffs her bob and sways her large hips, giving JK the flirtiest eyes she could muster.

JK, Quavo and Offset each exchange a look of mischief, deciding to play a little game of teasing.

"Oh no. Y'all better leave that woman alone—"

"Shh." Quavo places a finger over Saweetie's lips before hollering;

"Damnnn Mama Lou, you gotcha hair did?"

Mama Lou pokes her tongue against the side of her mouth and lets out broken laughs of flattery. She then pouts whilst giving a hip-bumping twirl and stroking her curled-up Bob.

"I might'a did a little something... Why? You boys like it?"

"Mm..." JK licks his lips with a deep hum, one hand in-pocket and the hollows of his cheeks deep when he sucks his blunt whilst strolling towards her. Mama Lou's face flushes the closer JK gets until he's practically towering over her. Peggy just twists her face in horror, as if witnessing public sex from JK's dominance and stare alone.

Just then, he cracks a devilish smirk that causes smoke to trail his nostrils.

"Why don't you pop on down to see me later and we'll see how good that hair sticks to your head, hm?"

Peggy's jaw drops as does Saweetie's who quickly covers her mouth to stop herself from laughing. Mama Lou fans herself under JK's smirk and readjusts herself.

"D-d-damn RIGHT I'm gone pop awn down tonight! You just let me know when and where baby."

"I gotchu." JK winks.

As the two elder women walk away, Mama Lou can't help but look back and twinkle her fingers flirtatiously. As soon as their gone, Quavo and Offset let out the ugliest snorts of laughter, wheezing from the weed trapped in their throats.

"Nah y'all wrong for that." Saweetie points.

"Wh— How' we wrong??"

"Boy you know DAMN well that woman actually gone come back here with her best draws on. And she more than double yo' age too.

"It's just a bit of fun Shawty." Quavo pinches her chin. Despite rolling her eyes, Saweetie gives into his gaze and lets him plant his lips on hers, the two sharing quick but loving pecks.

"Ain't y'all cute... Mayn I ain't never had anything like that with nunna' my baby mommas. Dem bitches. We just be unlucky, right JK?" Offset nudges him.

JK, on the other hand, watches Quavo and Saweetie's sweet exchange without a smile. He chews on his cheek slightly and looks at the floor as crystal-clear memories creep back into mind...

Taking one last inhale, he tosses his blunt on the ground and steps on it carelessly.

"Damn, you' finished already? —Hey! Where you going??"

"It ain't enough. I'm going home."

"Tch, look at this man wasting my damn... Aight whatever. Yo see you at tonight's races!" Offset calls out, though receives no reply.

Saweetie and Quavo glance at each other with a frown and eyes of guilt, knowing exactly what memories had suddenly dampened JK's mood.

══════ ⋆★⋆ ══════

Thugs sporting green bandanas circle JK's neighborhood on bicycles while kids of brown shades play ball to enjoy the sun. That is until, JK steps into the road and catches their football with one hand.

"Hey what did I tell you guys? No playing in the road, come on."

"Sorry JK." They pout.

"It's cool. Catch." He tosses the ball towards the pavement, making the kids race to catch it with childish giggles. JK delivers a fond grin at the sight before unlocking his front door and stepping inside.

His house is still the same as a year ago. Same furniture, same money, same empty loneliness.

Well, it's not entirely lonely anymore.

JK shuts the door behind him with his foot and runs a hand through his hair upon hearing his new housemate making a ruckus in the kitchen...

"For fucksake..."

"Woof! Woof! Grrrrrr...."

"Easy boy." JK enters the kitchen with a yawn, pulling his dog's collar towards his bowl to calm the hostile barks.

His dog sports short, jet black fur that compliments his beady dark eyes and tall pointy ears. White fur coats his stomach and a spiky collar surrounds his neck that reads "AK." Being an adult Great Dane, he's big in size and short in temper. JK wanted the scariest dog he could buy, and that's exactly what he got.

OCT 2021 A/N: Before y'all start commenting "yayy it's Bam!" —I wrote this longgg before Jungkook for Bam, just like with JK's sleeve tattoos... Motorsport predicting real life events strikes again 😌

JK opens a cabinet and reveals AK's box of food, making the huge dog leap around with deep barks as his owner pours them into a bowl.

*Ring, ringgg...*

JK rolls his eyes and whips out his flip phone from his back pocket, slumping down on the sofa and petting AK while he eats loudly.

"Yo."

"There's my favorite racer! Listen boy, I know I said you only gotta do two races tonight but these bets I been getting? You doing four now. That ain't gone be no problem, right?" Big Joe's southern accent blares through the phone, causing JK the distance it slightly.

"Yeah, sure... No problem."

"You the best, boy! Love—!"

JK cuts the call and tosses his phone across the couch carelessly, brushing his hands down his hair as he bathes in the empty silence of his home. Fed up, he reaches underneath his coffee table and pulls out a bong before lighting the stem and holding the smokey glass pipe to his face.

AK tilts his head at his owner as JK inhales deeply and throws his head back, closing his eyes softly and letting the world distort hypnotically around him.

No memories... No regret... No empty feeling inside.