The party was in full swing.

Jayce wasn’t sure whose house it was but they were going to be doing a hell of a clean up tomorrow. He didn’t envy them that task but it was their own fault for providing such a ridiculous amount of alcohol. Technically half the people weren’t even old enough to drink but that wasn’t stopping any of them from getting completely shitfaced or in the case of two erstwhile teenagers, from getting to second base in full view of the rest of the room. He saluted them with his drink.

Having found himself a place on the couch, one bottle of beer in his hand and his feet propped up on the coffee table, Jayce was watching his fellow partygoers with an increasing sense of annoyance. The truth was, he was bored. This was usually his scene. He loved a good party, he loved talking to people and a few guys and girls had giving him a casual but suggestive once over as they passed by. He should have been having a good time, but he wasn’t and that was really starting to piss him off.

“Wow, did somebody die?” Erin asked as she plopped herself down beside him, cheeks flushed. “Your eyebrows are all like woooah scary.”

“Plenty of people are dead,” he pointed out, probably too casually. “But I’m just bored.”

“Bored,” she repeated incredulously. “But, look,” she waved a hand around at the chaotic drunken scene unfolding in the living room. He could only imagine what the upstairs looked like right now.

“I’m looking and I’m still bored.”

“You must be sick.” She felt his forehead with the back of her hand and frowned. He let her fuss, took another sip of his drink and watched as the couple of the corner went to third base thanks to a sneaky hand.

It was a surprise to him too, this sense of dissatisfaction. He’d been looking forward to it, looking forward to letting loose and forgetting about everything else. But he couldn’t forget and this nonsense was a pale imitation when compared to his other life. He could be out there right now, seeking danger, putting his life on the line. After the Negaspace debacle, he’d thought he would cool off. He thought the knowledge of potential death would slow him down but it hadn’t, not really.

Now he was just more determined. He wanted to get even for everyone cut down that day. He wanted to strike his own blow and become stronger. That wasn't happening here.

“Just find someone to bang then.” Erin retracted her hand and shrugged. “Reggie bagged a pair of twins somehow. He probably wouldn’t care if you joined in.”

Jayce couldn’t help but laugh. “Not in a million years. Besides, shouldn’t you be up there then?”

The look of pain that flashed across her face almost made him regret his words. “He asked... it felt weird. I’m not... into that. It’s fine though. He’s a big boy, he can do what he likes.”

“So you’re speaking to Kate again right?”

“Yeah. We’re good.” She dropped her head onto his shoulder. “You know what? Now I hate this party too.”

“Wanna go home? We’ll grab a burrito on the way.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Jayce grinned and ruffled her hair. It wasn’t late, he was only slightly tipsy and the world was calling. He would be patrolling the streets again within the next few hours and that promise was enough. Okay, so he was probably a little hooked on this senshi thing. Oh well.