Lucius is unresponsive when Blake finds him. He is just sitting in the bar, staring blankly at a half full cup. It takes Blake calling his name a few times for him to even look up.

“Luce, what happened?”

“I… how was I to guess…. The chances of running into another one is so small… I didn't suspect anything, wasn't on guard…”

“Lucius. Tell me what happened.” Blake sits down beside his brother and just patiently listens to him.

“I was finishing up my shift, when this lady walks in. It should have raised some flags since we don't get many young adults without kids, but I figured she just liked the atmosphere or food. Anyways, instead of ordering anything, she starts flirting with me. At some point she grabbed my hand… Then she started talking about going to this bar with her after my shift was over. I finished my shift and got in her car. It wasn't until three or four drinks in before I realized what happened. Blake, she had used persuasion mind control on me. It must have been through the physical contact. Of course I was angry and already drunk when I figured it out. I started cussing her out for doing that to me… I finally told her if she likes playing with men so much, she should go play with this really rough looking group of guys instead of bugging me. I… I think I used my powers when I said it…. I mean, I was looking at her and you know the glasses are useless when I'm drunk. Even if she used her ability first, I shouldn't have done that to her.”

“Luce, look at me.” Luce is scared to meet anyone's eyes, especially his brother's, and Blake knows this. When he refuses, Blake grabs his face and forces him to look at him. “If you're so scared, then just don't say anything yet. I have to check your status. Do you want me to change what happened?”

“Yes…..”

“Is that an order?” Luce sees the spark of pale blue light in his eyes reflect off his glasses before it dims.

“You- We can't….”

“Right, we have to accept what happens. You were thrown into a difficult situation and handled it badly, but that doesn't make you bad. Just make sure to be more aware of others so it doesn't get to this point. Now, one last question before I can take you back to the apartment. How many drinks do you remember?”

“Three beers and some kind of sugary cocktail.”

“Too cheap of a date for you, bro.” Blake proceeds to order a vodka strawberry lemonade for his brother, to calm him before they leave. Twenty minutes later they are on their way home. “I'll drop you off at your job tomorrow so you can pick up your car.”

“Okay…” The car ride and walk up to the apartment is quiet. Luce makes a beeline for his room, thankful to not run into either of the other roommates. He looks towards the mirror over his desk, at his now illuminated eyes. He takes off his glasses as he stares at the pale blue orbs. “Tomorrow will be better, so just get some sleep. You are going to be better in the morning.”

He passes out on his bed only minutes later.

****

Blake doesn't let the events of the night go as easily. He fishes through his stuff until he finds his second journal, the one Luce doesn't know about. He turns to the entry for today. The entry says 'her name is Esma Grimwell.’ He won't let this girl hurt his brother again.

After some research on the name with his computer, Blake starts drafting an email. Fifty years or so ago, people like them worldwide had been given a unique type of citizenship. Technically none of them are citizens of the country they live in. This gives them different rights than their host country, but the rules are also different for citizens of this locationless country of superpowered people. This Esma's actions are unacceptable and he is going to report her for it. His email to the proper authorities details that he has reason to believe she has been knowing abusing her powers to seduce unwilling men. As the email is sent anonymously, it will only get an investigation started on her but Blake is sure they will find enough against her. It's not like he can do much more than this. Afterall, compared to his brother, Blake is practically powerless.

He goes out to grab one of his drinks only to discover that it's already morning. Well, he doesn't have work, so he can just sleep today until he drops off Luce…. Wait, no, he does have plans before then. He said last night he'd hang out with Dewi. He might be passed out all morning if he goes to bed now. The only solution he can think of is resting on the couch in hopes that the others getting up will wake him up if he does fall asleep.

He takes a sip of his drink and grabs a book from his room before sitting down in the living room to read. The protagonist in his book had just revealed his true form to his friend when Satoshi comes out of his room. Dewi leaves his own room soon after and grabs a glass of milk. Neither wants to interrupt Blake in his reading. Finally he marks his place and sets down the book. Satoshi is the first to speak up.

“So, is everything okay from last night? You guys got back after I went to bed.”

“Let's say we shouldn't bother Luce today. Our apartment dad got super drunk last night…” Blake doesn't know how much to share. Most people are at least aware of the presence of power users but it's still pretty rare to knowingly meet one as most keep that they are one a secret. “He… A lady he didn't know used a persuasion ability to force him to join her for drinks. He broke free from the control after quite a few drinks and called me to pick him up.” It's silent for a moment before Dewi speaks up.

“Woah, that's… just woah. That's messed up. Did he send a report to the powers regulation department yet?”

“I sent one for him since he isn't in any condition to do it, but since he didn't know her, there's not much to go on.”

“I am sure the authorities will be able to use what information you were able to give to find her.” Satoshi, sweet Satoshi, is the voice of reason in light of the dim circumstances. “I shall make the meals today. My skills aren't as good as Luce's, but he deserves a break after something like that.” As Satoshi starts on making breakfast, the person of their discussion comes out of his room looking surprisingly good.

“Good morning. What's up everyone?” He has a huge smile on and doesn't seem like someone who had been forced to get drunk the night before. There is silence for a few minutes before Satoshi answers him.

“Blake told us what happened last night. I'll take care of meals today, so don't worry about it. In fact, if you need anything just ask… How are you doing?” There is a flash of blue in his eyes before Lucius replies but only Blake notices.

“I'm fine. I got some sleep. Now I'm better.” His grin seems a bit forced. Blake is suspicious of his actions, he seems too calm about it all. Luce hasn't had a chance to steal any of his medicated drinks, so the only explanation is….

“You sure you're okay, Bro? You seemed really upset about it when I picked you up.” This time Blake focuses his attention on Luce's eyes. They again light up a blend of pale and dark blues right before Luce starts talking.

“Of course. It's morning now and things are better.” That idiot used his powers on himself. Blake should have seen that coming but he was too focused on everything else involved in the incident. Now he is going to have to keep a close eye on Luce until the effects wear off. Until that happens Luce will be overly susceptible to suggests. From what Blake can tell, the troubling keyword is probably 'better’. He should test it out.

“Fine, why don't you go take a shower. It will be better for you to wash away all that filth from last night.” Luce blankly smiles, nods and goes grab some clean clothes to change into after his shower.

Once they hear the water running in the bathroom, Satoshi speaks up. “So, we all agree, he definitely isn't fine.”

“Without a doubt, he's far from fine.”

*****

Since breakfast there has been a wordless agreement between the roommates that they would work together to keep an eye on Luce. Each have their own reasons for doing so, but they all realize how protective they personally are of the older brother/father figure of the apartment. Knowing that his actions had been twisted to somebody else's will disgusted all three of his roommates. No one should have to experience that, but the fact the loving Luce had been the one taken advantage of makes it worse. Satoshi especially notices a fury towards this unknown woman. Maybe this desire to do something, anything is why he volunteers to bring Luce to pick up his car. He can make sure Luce is kept safe, at least until he gets his car.

Lucius himself has been acting like he doesn't know what to do with himself. It's obvious he isn't used to being the one being taken care of, which makes sense with how much he's always caring for others. Blake has been making suggestions to him about what to do, like watch movies instead of helping with lunch. The other two roommates are actually surprised with how willing he is to go along with what his brother is recommending. He keeps insisting that he's fine, but Blake somehow keeps forcing him to relax.

After a whole morning of this, Satoshi and Luce are finally in the car on the way to Luce's workplace. “Thanks again for doing this for me, Satoshi.”

“It is no problem for me as I have to head that way for class anyways. It doesn't make much sense for Blake to make a special trip just for it, so this is better for everyone. Also, you can call me Sato, since we're practically family these days.”

“Oh, okay, Sato.” Luce shoots him a huge grin. This smile starts to slip as they pull into the pizzeria's parking lot and he notices something, only to be awkwardly replanted on his face. Sato follows his line of sight to find out what he's trying to pretend isn't bugging him. What he sees is a black haired girl with green highlights and yellow eyes leaning by the entrance. Sato quickly puts together all the dots.

“She's the one from last night….” Luce smiles wider in that 'if I smile you won't be able to tell how upset I am’ way.

“I can handle it. I wouldn't be affected by her power as long as there isn't any physical contact.” Against his better judgement, Satoshi lets him out to get his car but decides to not leave yet. This turns out to be a good plan as the girl notices Luce unlocking his car and walks over.

“Hey, Cutie. I'm glad I caught you. I just wanted to apologise for abandoning you last night. I guess I was having too much fun and lost track of you.” Luce is a rabbit in front of a lion. He doesn't know how to respond and is visibly making sure to avoid any kind of contact with her. Thankfully Sato is ready and comes to his rescue.

“Hey, Lucie.” He comes up behind Luce, hugging him at the waist and resting his chin on his shoulder. “I almost forgot, I'm going to be home late so could you pick up a pizza for yourself and the boys on your way home? I promise I'll make it up to you when I get home.” He makes a show of acting overly affectionate with Luce. Lucius, to his credit, seems to pick up on what he's doing and acts unfazed. He puts on the fakest pout he can.

“Fine but don't be too late this time, Sato. You're lucky you're so cute or I'd lock you out.” By this time, he has unlocked his car door.

“You're the best, Babe.” Satoshi gives him a peck on the cheek before letting him go to get into his car. The girl has been standing shocked and seemingly ignored until this moment when Sato shoots her a possessive glare. Hopefully she's gotten the message. Luce is 'taken’ so she can't have him. She does walk away so she probably gets it. Sato waves goodbye before getting in his own car and driving to class.