Milk_Is_My_Drug
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Chapter 56: A Casual Promise
🕑 Added 2025-06-04 08:00:07 +0000 UTCThe towering glass of LexCorp shimmered in the mid-morning sun, its sleek steel edges slicing into the Metropolis skyline like a monument to hubris. Inside, Ashborn adjusted his cufflinks as the elevator dinged open, revealing the top-floor conference room. Waiting there, composed and sharp as a blade, was Mercy Graves, the newly appointed CEO after Lex Luthor’s most recent incarceration courtesy of the Justice League. Lex's latest scheme had crumbled just last week, and with little fanfare, Mercy had stepped into the power vacuum.
Ashborn offered a smile as he approached the table. “Quite the impressive jump, Ms. Graves. From chauffeur to CEO. No one can claim to have climbed the ladder faster than you did.”
Mercy’s eyes narrowed. “Are you disrespectful to everyone like this?”
Still smiling, Ashborn seated himself. “Not at all. I’m praising you. After all, everyone knows Lex Luthor only trusts one person in this world. You. You're the only one selfless enough to run his empire and still be willing to return it when he inevitably strolls out of the mess he put himself in. Even when he devalues your work or ignores your loyalty… you remain.”
She didn’t answer immediately. Her posture stiffened, and her gaze sharpened further. “If you’re trying to seed doubt, it won’t work.”
Ashborn chuckled softly. “I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m merely stating what we both know. You can’t bring yourself to betray him, even when you should. He’s everything to you, isn't he?” He tilted his head, voice quieter now. “So tell me, what does Lex want?”
Mercy leaned forward slightly, choosing her words with precision. “He wants your help to pressure Amanda Waller into aiding his early release.”
Ashborn let the idea roll around for a moment, humming thoughtfully. “And why would I do that?”
Her answer came swiftly, like it had been rehearsed. “You help him, and he’ll give you access to every bit of technology Cadmus is currently developing.”
He shook his head, almost amused. “I’ve made it clear from the beginning, I don’t care for Cadmus’s toys. I support their goals, their mission. Not what they can hand me in return.”
Mercy’s tone grew more insistent. “We could owe you a favor. Lex will make sure to repay you in full. Whatever you want, he’ll back it.”
Ashborn leaned back in his chair, arms folding calmly. “So I get a favor from Lex in exchange for burning bridges with Amanda and putting myself at odds with the government? It doesn’t align with my goals, I’m afraid.” He stood, smoothing his jacket. “Give Lex my apologies. Tell him he’ll be out in a year or so. It’s not worth the trouble. Maybe in that time, he should rethink what he wants from his life.”
Mercy rose silently, her expression unreadable but her eyes gleaming with quiet fury. Without another word, she turned on her heel and exited the room.
Left alone, Ashborn looked out over the skyline, a faint shadow of pity crossing his face. [He never understood it—the blind loyalty Mercy had for Lex. The man used her, never truly cared for her… and she knew it. She had repaid him a dozen times over, yet she still stood by him.] He sighed and turned from the window. [Some bonds weren’t chains. They were choices.]
___________
After his uneventful meeting with Mercy Graves, Ashborn drove quietly through the calm streets of Metropolis. The destination was Blue Valley High. Ace had asked him earlier if they could get lunch together, something he was more than happy to oblige. But as he parked and leaned against the car waiting, his daughter approached with a bright glint in her eye and company.
Courtney Whitmore trailed behind with two other girls from their class. Ace beamed. “Dad, I want them to join us for lunch.”
Courtney immediately shook her head, clearly wanting no part of any extended contact with Ashborn. “I really don’t think I—”
But the two girls nudged her playfully. “C’mon, don’t be a mood killer,” one whispered. The other grinned. “It’ll be fun.”
Ace, of course, said nothing. She just stared at Courtney, unblinking and unnervingly patient. After a moment of defeated sighing, Courtney climbed into the car last, reluctantly closing the door behind her.
Ashborn didn’t mind the added company. Glancing at the rearview mirror, he asked, “Where do you girls want to eat? Anything you’d prefer?”
The other two exchanged a look. “Anything’s fine, sir.”
He smiled, then turned slightly to the passenger seat. “Ace, anywhere you’d like to take your friends?”
She took a second before replying, “The smoked meat from last week was nice. Let’s go there.”
Ashborn nodded. “A solid choice.” Then to the girls again: “You’re okay with meat?”
They both eagerly nodded.
The ride wasn’t long, but the surprise on the girls’ faces was priceless when they arrived. The restaurant wasn’t just any smokehouse, it was one of the most renowned fine-dining establishments in Metropolis. The sort of place that featured on international food blogs, with reservations booked months in advance.
Ashborn pulled up smoothly, stepped out, and handed the keys to a sharply dressed valet with the same casualness someone would toss their coat to a coat rack. Without waiting, he made his way toward the grand entrance. Ace followed without hesitation, her expression blank as always, while the other three hurried behind, their eyes wide, jaws slack in awe.
Once seated inside, Ashborn called the waiter and, without blinking, ordered one of everything on the menu.
The girls didn’t hesitate. If there was any initial nervousness about dining in such a fancy place, it melted away with the first bite. Laughter flowed easily among them, except from Ace, of course, who simply observed with that strange comfort she reserved for places where she could be both invisible and seen. Ashborn, for his part, remained mostly quiet, letting them enjoy the moment.
When lunch ended, the group departed full and giddy. Ashborn drove each of the girls home one by one, politely dropping them off with a few kind words. Soon, the only one left was Courtney.
Silence reigned for a few blocks until Ashborn finally spoke, his tone casual, but the words sharp.
“The problem with you heroes is that you have a tribal mentality.”
Courtney blinked, caught off guard. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He glanced at her through the mirror. “I have a feud with the broody bat of the Justice League. He came after me, I paid him back. But suddenly it became everyone’s business. You all turned it into some grand crusade to antagonize me. If that’s not tribal thinking, what is?”
Courtney scoffed. “You talk like you’re some poor victim. You’re not a good person to begin with.”
Ashborn chuckled lightly. “And what crime did I commit, exactly?”
“You threatened me. In my own home.”
“I told you the outcome if you didn’t help Ace. That was a fact and you know it. Do you really think things would’ve gone well for her if she were alone in school?”
Courtney didn’t answer right away. Even she had to admit… he wasn’t wrong. Ace, despite everything, still struggled to fit in. Her eerie calm and blunt demeanor were hard to handle. If she hadn’t stepped in, Ace likely wouldn’t have any friends at all.
“…Fine,” she said softly. “But you provoked Wonder Woman. You shot her. She was paralyzed for a week!”
“I spoke the truth to her,” Ashborn replied smoothly. “She couldn’t accept it and got angry, tried to attack me, and I defended myself. The fact she never came back? Means she knows I was right now.”
Another beat of silence passed.
“…What are you trying to say?” Courtney finally asked, arms crossed.
“That I appreciate what you’ve done for Ace. And that, regardless of what the League thinks of me, I’d like to remain… amicable with you.” He paused. “Ace has nothing to do with our feud. She just needs someone like you around.”
He added, almost as an afterthought, “And if it makes you feel better, I, as the hidden final boss of earth and greatest darkness to ever walk the land, promise that if I ever decide to eradicate the Justice League, I’ll spare you and few of your choice.”
Courtney rolled her eyes. “Sure, whatever,” she muttered.
But then she looked out the window and smiled.
“…Ace is my friend. I won’t turn my back on her. Not now. Not ever.”
“That is all I wish to hear” Ashborn said.
After some time, Ashborn’s car pulled up to Courtney’s house. The girl stepped out, turning to Ace with a small smile. “See you at school.”
Ace gave a subtle nod, her face expressionless as always.
“Bye, Courtney,” Ashborn said from the front.
She hesitated for half a second, then waved curtly and disappeared into the house.
As Ashborn pulled the car back onto the main road, silence filled the vehicle once again, calm and familiar. Minutes passed before Ace finally broke it.
“Would a day come where you eradicate the Justice League?” she asked.
Ashborn answered “There are countless worlds and infinite possibilities. Maybe a day will come when they turn tyrants, or lose their minds, or decide this world needs to burn.”
His eyes glowed “If that day comes, I’ll step in. And it won’t be pretty for them. I can’t let this earth’s existence be threatened. I do live here, after all.”
Ace nodded once, then smiled faintly. “Remember, you made a promise to Courtney.”
Ashborn chuckled, the sound low and dry. “I always keep my word.”
