INN Center, New York City…


    The Peak had a bright smile on his chiseled face as he leaned back on the couch and reread Be''sst message.


    He couldn''t get the words out of her head.@@novelbin@@


    [NO. Boil that thing in detergent and train it properly. Is that right, my good doggy?]


    He inhaled sharply as his fingers brushed across the screen before sliding down to his thigh.


    『That''s the sexiest thing she''s ever texted me…』


    His hand hesitated for a moment, then shifted to his crotch, rubbing slowly as a heavy breath escaped his lips. The tension melted into a half-smile as he murmured to himself.


    "God, I love when she calls me that…"


    The moment passed quickly.


    He set the phone aside and ran a hand through his thick, blonde hair to collect himself.


    The ambient sound of Konrad Kain''s booming voice drew him back into reality.


    Konrad had shifted his attention.


    "Now, Peak…"


    The host''s voice carried such curiosity as the camera zoomed in.


    "As someone who mentored this menace to society, uh… Nightwatch, how exactly do you feel about this chaos? Surely you must have… thoughts."


    The Peak straightened in his seat.


    His stoic expression could barely hide his difort.


    ???


    Back in LA…


    Be Trevors lounged in her luxurious living room, sprawled on a designer chair.


    The curve of her television disyed Konrad''s face in vivid high definition as she casually adjusted her bathrobe as she patted her damp hair with a towel.


    She let out a scoff, then a sharp sharpughter.


    "Oh, please…"


    She twisted open a fresh bottle of Hennessy.


    "As if Angus could mentor anyone to save his life. If I recall correctly, the man could barely string a sentence together when we were kids. I''m sure the only reason his sorry ass became a hero was to try and impress me."


    Be poured herself a generous ss, then swirled the amber liquid with a smirk.


    "Psssh—what a loser."


    She sipped slowly as her eyes remained on the screen.


    She was half-amused, half-bored.


    ???


    Back on the show, The Peak leaned forward as his massive hands sped tightly in front of him.


    His eyes were focused, his voice low but steady.


    "Well…"


    He paused to collect his thoughts.


    "The truth is… I feel like I''ve failed Nightwatch. More than I ever thought possible."


    The room fell silent.


    Even Jerry Blumberg, whose corporate grin had been a constant fixture, looked genuinely taken aback.


    The Peak spoke with such genuine regret.


    "When I first confronted him, I didn''t know… I didn''t realize this was the young man who had once looked up to me. But when I saw him—when I looked into those red lenses—I knew. I knew this was someone who had been inspired by my heroism… someone who believed in me."


    The camera panned to Konrad, who leaned forward with heavy fascination on his face.


    The live audience held their breath.


    There was such tension.


    "I ced a hand on his shoulder…"


    The Peak even went as far as to make his voice break as he gestured his words.


    "And I told him, ''No… this isn''t you.'' please…"


    A hush fell over the room.


    No one knew the right way to respond.


    ???


    Seated on his couch at home, Scott red at the screen as his jaw tightened.


    "Can you believe this? This is absolutely insane…"


    He shoved another soggy chili fry into his mouth.


    Beside him, Nadia giggled softly, licking a smoothie trail off her hand.


    "Well…"


    She kept her voice light and teasing.


    "They don''t call him The Peak for nothing. With acting skills like this, he could probably put half of Hollywood out of business. No joke…"


    Scott folded his arms as his eyes locked on the television.


    "Uh-huh. Fantastic."


    ???


    On the show…


    Konrad leaned closer with a big frown.


    "Tell me, Peak… how did it feel? To get hit by someone you saw as a student, a friend… maybe even a brother? I mean, we all know your S-tier excellence could''ve put him in his ce. But what made you decide against it? Why did you disappear right after?"


    The Peak dropped his head into his hands, squeezing it as if trying to force the words out.


    Jerry leaned forward and acted sympathetic.


    "You don''t have to answer if it''s too difficult…"


    "NO──!"


    The Peak''s hand shot up, stopping him mid-sentence.


    He looked up with zing eyes.


    "Let me do this. The people deserve the truth. I''ve always been honest with them."


    Jerry nodded silently, retreating into his seat.


    The Peak took a deep breath.


    "When he hit me… I felt vulnerable. Hurt. Insulted. After everything I''ve done to support him, to guide him… to be there for him, I got betrayed like that? It was painful. It still is."


    The audience was silent, hanging onto every word.


    The Peak lowered his gaze as his usually massive shoulders slumped.


    "But that''s life, isn''t it? I may have the strength of a god, but I''m still human. And that punch… it didn''t just bruise me. It broke me."


    ???


    Be rolled her eyes, then let out a sarcasticugh.


    "Oh, for fuck''s sake…"


    She took another sip of her brandy, shaking her head.


    "How dumb do you have to be to believe this crap? And to think this show pulls in three million viewers."


    She paused, raising an eyebrow as she considered the number.


    "Then again…"


    She adjusted in her lounge chair.


    "I only stream on Instaflick once a month and still average two million. And I do it just to humiliate Foxgirl. Imagine shing ass and cleavage for hours, only to be overshadowed by mebing my hair."


    Sheughed softly, then flicked her hair back.


    "God, I''m amazing."


    ???


    Konrad''s voice cut through the tension like a sword.


    "Do you all see that?"


    He shifted his intense gaze to the camera.


    "Nightwatch isn''t a hero. He''s a monster. A heartless, boneless, disgusting creature who dared to hurt one of America''s greatest heroes—and still has the audacity to live among us like he''s human."


    He pped his hand against the desk.


    His voice climbed as high as his anger.


    "If anything, he''s a menace to society!"


    Scott scowled at the screen with clenched fists.


    Sensing his anger, Nadia ced a calming hand on his chest, her touch gentle and soothing.


    "Scott…"


    She murmured softly.


    "Breathe. Don''t let them get to you. You usually don''t even care about these things…"


    Scott exhaled sharply, forcing himself to rx.


    "What a joke…"


    ━ ━ ━ ━


    Konrad Kain leaned back in his swivel chair as he grinned from ear to ear.


    He always made sure to look good on camera.


    After all, he was the king ofte-night TV.


    "Alright, shifting away from that for just a moment. We''ve got to talk about someone who''s been on everyone''s mindstely. Or rather… every man''s mind."


    The audience immediately leaned in.


    "This particr individual has won Sexiest Woman in America two years in a row, starting back in 2041. She''s a massive singer, an award-winning actress, and—get this—she''s single-handedly brought back the whole ''Mean Girls'' trend. Did you miss it? I know I did, haha!"


    The crowd erupted into cheers and apuse.


    Some even started chanting her name, though Konrad hadn''t officially dropped it yet.


    "And, of course…"


    Konrad added with a flourish.


    "… she''s also the daughter of Bernard Trevors, the multi-billionaire behind Trevor Global Corporation. Ladies and gentlemen, you know exactly who I''m talking about!"


    The camera cut to The Peak, who had a knowing grin on his chiseled face. He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled softly as the audience roared.


    Konrad gave The Peak an impish look.


    It was funny… enough to make the audienceugh.


    "Oh,e on now. Don''t pretend you''re clueless, Mr. Peak. We''re obviously talking about the one and only Be Trevors."


    The Peak let out a heartyugh, shaking his head.


    "Of course, of course. Ahahaha, how could I not know? Be Trevors…"


    He trailed off with a smirk, leaning back in his chair.


    Konrad leaned forward with a wide grin.


    "You, my friend, just so happen to be childhood friends with America''s Poisonous Rose. Tell me, Peak—what''s it like knowing a woman as influential, as universally thirsted after, as Be Trevors? And let''s not sugarcoat it—rumor has it, she''s only ever had eyes for you."


    The crowd went wild.


    ???


    Meanwhile, in LA…


    Still wrapped in a silk bathrobe, Be now sat cross-legged in her luxury living room, sipping her brandy.


    Her TV disyed the show in perfect 8K resolution.


    The moment Konrad made his insinuation, her face scrunched in disbelief.


    "Oh, fuck no."


    She took another sip of her brandy, savoring the taste before setting the ss down.


    She muttered to herself, shaking her head.


    "That horndog? Me? In love with that?"


    Be scoffed, leaning back in her chair.


    She picked up her phone, scrolling through Chirper as a sly grin spread across her face.


    "The only reason I ever let him think he had a chance was because it''s hrious to see how long I can string a man along. And Angus?"


    Sheughed softly, swirling her brandy.


    "That loser''s been into me since he was living with his grandma. I''ll say it again – I''m amazing."


    ???


    Back on the show…


    The Peak chuckled along with the audience.


    He raised his hands in phoney surrender.


    "Listen, Konrad, Be and I don''t really make it a habit to talk about our rtionship—orck thereof—on TV."


    The crowd let out teasing noises…


    "Oooooo!" and "Ahhhhh~!"


    Konrad leaned into the yful energy, giving The Peak a knowing side-eye.


    "Oh,e on now. You''ve got to admit, Peak, childhood friends don''t stay that close without some of those… well, sparks flying."


    The Peakughed and shook his head.


    "No, no, really. It''s not like that. I swear."


    Konrad raised a skeptical eyebrow.


    But, he was still grinning.


    "Not like that, huh? Because if it''s not, then what is it? You''ve known her for years, she knows your secrets—she probably knows your real identity—and yet, you''re telling me you two have never dated? C''mon, Peak, don''t be a loser."


    The audience burst intoughter, joined by the host and even Jerry.


    The Peak''s smile faltered just slightly.


    He cleared his throat, trying to mask his frustration.


    "Haha… That''s enough, Konrad!"


    He mmed his fist lightly on the table in a way that was more forceful than intended.


    But theughter didn''t stop.


    "IT''S NOT FUNNY!"


    The Peak screamed with anger.


    Immediately, every chuckle and smirk froze in ce.


    Even Jerry and Konrad, who moments ago had been in stitches, stopped cold. Yet, nobody in the room thought The Peak was genuinely offended.


    That couldn''t be true.


    Why? Because the idea of The Peak—Metro City''s Golden Savior, the apparent pinnacle of charisma and capability—not being romantically involved with his stunning childhood friend, Be Trevors, was preposterous.


    To them, the notion wasughable.


    But they didn''t know the truth.


    As wless as she seemed in their eyes, Be had little to no interest in The Peak.


    Sure, they were childhood friends.


    Sure, there were memories of ying tag and even shared ice creams.


    But those days had long faded into history.


    In fact, thest time The Peak had seen her in person was three years ago at a charity g.


    Since then? Their interactions had been reduced to a one-sided digital rtionship.


    The Peak sent her messages—a lot of messages—on Insaflick, Chirper, and other tforms.


    How many? About 300 a week.


    And Be? She''d respond sporadically as her replies totaled maybe ten per week if he was lucky.


    Finally, Konrad broke the silence.


    "Look, Peak, let''s not kid around. As much as we''re joking about this, there''s one thing we can''t ignore. Be Trevors is your childhood friend, right?"


    "Yes."


    The Peak sighed, already sensing where this was going.


    Konrad leaned forward and lowered his voice.


    "Then… she knows your real identity."


    For a moment, the hero hesitated.


    He nced at the golden medal hanging from his chest.


    "Yes… she does…" he said atst.


    "But…"


    He made his voice firmer, as if he were delivering a speech to an adoring crowd.


    "Can I even say that''s me anymore?"


    He gestured passionately as his hand sliced through the air like a de cutting through doubt.


    "I''ve devoted myself sopletely to this work—to being The Peak—that I barely know what an alter ego is anymore. It''s more than a mask. It''s who I am."


    His words carried a weight that even made Jerry raise an eyebrow.


    The Peak gripped his medal, letting its golden shine catch the light as he stared at it.


    "Maybe that''s why Be likes me so much…"


    ???


    Be''s Living Room…


    Be was in stitches as her legs kicked the air as she clutched her stomach with one hand and held her brandy in the other. Herughter echoed through the room as her pretty face turned red from the effort.


    "Did… did that limp-dick, decrepit loser just say that''s why I like him so much?!"


    She managed between gasps ofughter.


    "Oh, my God, this is gold!"


    She sat up, quickly typing on her phone.


    "I should use my burner ount to mock him a little on Chirper. Oh, they''re gonna love this."


    ???


    [Chirper]


    [Trending Topics ??]


    [1] #BeTrevorsNightwatchCosy


    [2] #BeTrevorsandMissMercuryCatFight


    [3] #ThePeakxBeTrevorsShip


    [4] #KonradKainShow


    [5] #MetroCityMedalCeremony


    [6] #Rhinoman


    [7] #FoxgirlBalloonIntionWithVagina


    Be tilted her head a bit.


    "That''s unexpected... instead of Nightwatch trending, it''s my cosy of him that''s getting all the attention. Honestly, it was just meant to be a casual cosy, nothing too serious. I didn''t even tag him in it—like I''d take that risk and chance being ignored by that mysterious, ck-haired hunk."


    She took a sip of her brandy and scrolled.


    Thements poured in:


    [I''ll say it now for all of you – Be deserves better than The Peak. Like, c''mon, she''s America''s Barbie Girl, not some discount Ken Doll.]


    [Wait, people actually think they''d work together? Bro, Be''s leagues above him.]


    [Not gonna lie, though, Peak''s reaction was hrious. Man really thought he had a shot.]


    [Why do we ze Be Trevors so much. I know guys like the whole mean bitch thing, but she really isn''t all that ?? you guys just have a thing for dumb blondes with fat chests and an ass so fat they''re not getting enough blood to their brain.]


    └  [LMAO, send yo pic let me check you out.]


    └  [She prolly look like a lizard or sum ??]


    └  [I swear these women really think we give a damn about Be''s manners? ?? I would let Be Trevors spit in my mouth and p my cock around with aptop!]


    └  [Bro, I''m sure her spit tastes like strawberry, dayum!]


    [Guys, do you ever look at Be Trevors and think "Damn, she''s gonna give intergctic head." I just know she goes crazy with that mouth and tongue. ??]


    └  [I remember that one video she did on stream where she could fit the whole head of a guitar into her mouth ??]


    └  [We should call her Be Goodhead ??]


    └  [10/10 James Bond reference. ??]


    [Do y''all know the saddest parts of thesements ??]


    └  [These are the future leaders of tomorrow?]


    └  [Nah, @SleazyPen ain''t write one of thosements.]


    └  [Damn, that''s way worse. ??]


    ???


    Be smiled like a mischievous subus.


    "Perfect time to release my album…"


    She was certain she''d be trending for the rest of the year.


    ━ ━ ━ ━


    The studio lights dimmed slightly.


    Konrad Kain was ready for the final portion of the show.


    "So, Mr. Peak, we all know you and Be Trevors are probably America''s cutest lovebirds right now—"


    The Peak immediately raised a hand.


    "Now hold on, I wouldn''t exactly say—"


    "But… what do you think about her love for your student and menace to society, Nightwatch?"


    The Peak blinked, tilting his head like a confused puppy.


    "Nightwatch? What about him?"


    Konrad''s grin widened as he signaled toward the tech crew at the back of the studio.


    "Oh, you don''t know?"


    Immediately, the green screen behind them flickered and transformed into a screenshot from Be Trevors'' Insaflick ount.


    The room erupted in gasps and murmurs from the crew as the image came into full view:


    Facing away from the camera, Be unted her sexy and absolutely jaw-dropping hourss body in a skintight Nightwatch cosy.


    The dark, sleek bodysuit hugged her every curve, her massive ass practically the centerpiece of the shot. She was shing the camera a cheeky peace sign as her caption read:


    [Always had a very hot, wet thing for these dark and broody vigntes. ?? #NightwatchCosy #HeroCrush]


    The Peak''s reaction was instantaneous.


    His jaw dropped so hard it could''ve hit the floor, and a string of saliva visibly pooled at the corner of his mouth.


    "H-, HUH──?!" he spluttered.


    Konrad burst intoughter, pping the table in front of him.


    "Oh, so you didn''t know about this post! What''s the matter, Peak? Cat got your tongue? Or should I say, Nightwatch got your girl?"


    The Peak stumbled over his words, his eyes glued to the screen.


    "T-, That''s not—She wouldn''t—Wait, when did—?!"


    "Three days ago…"


    Konrad supplied helpfully.


    He was even grinning like the Cheshire Cat.


    He gestured toward the image, as if presenting a masterpiece in an art gallery.


    "I mean, look at her dedication. And I have to say, Be Trevors has a massive ass, and I''m a married man. That''s some serious fandom right there. The costume, the pose, again the… ahem, assets. She''s a Nightwatch superfan if I''ve ever seen one."


    The Peak tore his gaze from the screen.


    "This has to be a joke. She wouldn''t—couldn''t—do this!"


    "Oh, it''s no joke!"


    Konrad leaned back in his chair with a smug face.


    "America''s sweetheart, Be Trevors, apparently has a thing for brooding vigntes who don''t y by the rules. Guess that''s not exactly your style, huh?"


    He looked at the golden tights he wore.


    If anything… The Peak was more like a boy scout.


    The audience watching live could practically hear the gears grinding in The Peak''s head as he tried toe up with some sort of response.


    Konrad turned to the camera, addressing the viewers directly with a dramatic ir.


    "Well, folks, it seems we''ve uncovered a little trouble in paradise. Join me after the break, where we''ll dive deeper into this heroic love triangle. Is The Peak losing his edge to Nightwatch? Stay tuned!"


    The screen cut to amercial.