Milk_Is_My_Drug
patreon
Chapter 27: Exposed Secrets
🕑 Added 2025-05-16 18:44:08 +0000 UTCIn the conference room, Victor Fries sat quietly, arms folded, his icy blue gaze fixed on the man standing at the head of the room. Around him, a dozen others leaned forward in their seats, intrigued and confused in equal measure.
Ashborn Black stood before a massive screen, gesturing with animated hands as graphs, chemical structures, and swirling images of ice cream flavors flickered behind him.
"The idea is simple," Ashborn explained with a grin, "Each flavor isn’t just about taste—it’s about chemistry. Different base compounds result in different freezing points. So what if we could calibrate each flavor—each scoop—to have its optimal texture, density, and chill factor? Imagine an ice cream factory that doesn’t mass-produce blandness but perfects each flavor like a unique masterpiece."
The room was silent. Eyes flicked to the screen and then back to Ashborn. It was outlandish. It was complex. It was… compelling.
Ashborn continued, “Think of it as culinary cryogenics. Taste meets temperature—science meets satisfaction.”
Victor’s fingers tightened slightly around his pen. He had once tried to freeze the world for love. Now, he was listening to a man pitch the idea of freezing flavors for joy. And yet, something about it struck a chord.
Ashborn wasn't joking. This wasn’t a vanity project. It was serious.
Soon, a team was assembled. A factory followed—equipped with the best equipment, tailored for the delicate balance of flavor and freeze. Each flavor became a challenge of its own, and Victor found himself obsessing over the precise moment chocolate hazelnut reached its ideal form—soft enough to melt on the tongue, cold enough to refresh the soul.
He looked up at Ashborn, who was watching the group with a calm smile. This man was insane, Victor thought, but also a genius. The ice cream idea was ridiculous… and he would dedicate his life to perfecting it.
Victor’s eyes burned with a cold passion, and he wasn’t alone. Around the room, each member—scientist, chef, engineer—had the same hooked expression. Ashborn saw it and nodded to himself. Good. They were in.
___________
Later, Ashborn walked through the corridors of his facility, returning to his office when Rex, his assistant, stepped in his path.
“You’ve got guests inside, two superheroes in blue and red” Rex said plainly.
Ashborn simply nodded. He already knew that his office had visitors.
He pushed open the door and saw Superman and Supergirl sitting across from his desk. Supergirl offered a friendly wave, while Superman gave him a polite but firm nod.
“My humble office is honored,” Ashborn said smoothly, walking in without breaking stride. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
“Not at all,” Superman replied. “We arrived not long ago.”
Ashborn moved behind his desk and sat, leaning back comfortably. “So, what brings Earth’s mightiest to my humble and simple office?”
Superman’s expression turned serious. “It’s about your visit to Gotham last week.”
Ashborn tilted his head. “What about it?”
“It’s come to our attention,” Superman said, voice steady, “that you discovered Batgirl’s identity.”
Ashborn gave a casual shrug. “She came to me the next morning pretending we’d never met. Introduced herself like we hadn’t spoken the night before. Honestly? That was surprisingly stupid. I figured it out instantly.”
Supergirl bit back a laugh. Superman frowned. “Not everyone can deduce that so easily. You know how important it is that we protect our identities. If the wrong people find out—”
Ashborn’s eyes drifted toward his monitor, clearly bored. “Yeah, yeah. Look, I don’t care about your identities, your secrets, or your missions. I have no reason to expose her. She's not my problem.”
Superman nodded slowly, choosing not to press further. “Good. Because Batman… doesn’t want to see your face in Gotham. Not after what happened.”
Ashborn’s brow arched. “That’s cute. But no can do. In fact, I plan to visit the Joker sometime in the future.”
That made Superman pause. “Why would you want to visit a deranged criminal like the Joker?”
Ashborn smiled. “He has an impressive dagger collection. First, a blade made of kryptonite. Then a 15th-century royal dagger like the ones you see in museums. Who knows what he’ll acquire next? I like collecting, you see.”
Supergirl burst into a laugh, clearly amused.
Superman’s face was a mix of confusion and frustration. “The Joker is dangerous.”
Ashborn opened a drawer and nonchalantly pulled out a small handgun, spinning it lazily. “So am I.”
Superman spoke awkwardly. “Batman won’t be happy to see you with a gun in hand again, especially with the Joker around.”
Ashborn rolled his eyes, the movement slow and exaggerated, as if the conversation was beginning to bore him. He leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled with a relaxed arrogance.
"I don’t answer to him," he said coolly. "And if he doesn’t want to see reason, I can always threaten him. He’s not the only one who knows how to scare people into doing what he wants."
Superman’s demeanor changed instantly. The easy calm in his posture evaporated, replaced with stern intensity.
"Batgirl’s identity remains a secret," he said, his voice low and firm. "You can’t put her in danger for a petty play or a joke."
Ashborn raised a brow, amused.
"When did I say anything about her? She has nothing to do with this." His tone was smooth, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes—he enjoyed poking at their nerves.
Superman narrowed his eyes. "Then how are you going to threaten Batman?"
Ashborn shrugged like it was no big deal.
"I could just say: ‘Hey, step away or the whole world knows you’re Bruce Wayne.’ That should work. Right?"
The words hit like a thunderclap. Superman and Supergirl both froze, stunned.
"How—and since when?" Superman’s voice was tight, demanding.
Ashborn smiled faintly.
"Since I first saw him during the Joker attack," he said. "Honestly, it baffles me how no one figured it out yet. Same body build. Batman is obviously filthy rich. And a quick look at public appearances shows that Bruce Wayne and Batman appeared in Gotham at the same time. You people seriously need better cover stories."
Supergirl’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Superman remained still, absorbing the weight of the revelation.
Ashborn leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the desk.
"Also," he added, "I spent five minutes checking the hostage footage. Bruce Wayne conveniently snuck away instead of leaving the building… and not long after, Batman showed up. Kind of obvious, no? To add another evidence, Bruce Wayne left Metropolis the same night before even completing his public goal from the visit, we didn’t even talk about the project. Obviously, he was here for something else, maybe following his boyfriend?"
Superman’s jaw clenched. Bruce had been exposed for months… and no one knew.
"Who did you tell?" he asked quietly, with the weight of the world in his voice.
Ashborn gave him a flat look.
"Why would I tell anyone?" he said plainly. "I do have other things to do besides ruining the lives of caped people. Contrary to popular stereotypes, I don’t rise on the top of the ruined people nor do I enjoy humiliating the poor."
Then, with another eye roll, he added "Honestly, why do I feel like you want me to join Lex’s club? You barely handle him. Me joining would be... well, unfair."
Superman tensed. The thought lingered. The last thing they needed was another Lex Luthor—or worse, a more capable one, someone they couldn’t predict. Ashborn’s behavior was chaotic, his motives scattered, his smile always present made it impossible to figure out his real emotions.
And that was what made him dangerous.
Supergirl, sensing the tightness in the air, stepped in.
"He’s done nothing wrong," she said gently. "He helped people. He cured Mr. Freeze and his wife. He even confronted the Joker in the first place to keep them safe. He didn’t have to… but he did. He is just…. a little weirdo"
“You were doing well till the last sentence” Ashborn commented but he was ignored by both.
Superman sighed. He looked down for a moment, then back at Ashborn.
"I don’t want us on opposite sides. Please… don’t tell anyone about Batman or Batgirl."
Ashborn gave a simple nod.
"No worries," he said. "My motto is always to make friends, if possible."
Superman stood up, preparing to leave. As he turned toward the window, his eyes flicked toward it for just a second too long.
Ashborn grinned "At least you entered through the door this time." He raised a hand and waved him forward, like inviting a guest into his home.
Superman stood awkwardly for a moment. Supergirl, unable to help herself, laughed.
With a final nod, the two heroes stepped toward the open window and took flight, vanishing into the clouds above.
Ashborn moved behind them, casually shutting the window.
