ButtercupBooBoo's eyes opened wide as he lay horizontal on his bed, on top of the blanket, as usual. Was he woken up, or did he wake up naturally? He looked over at his clock.

6:43AM

"Still time for a snooze."

Buttercup's eyes close again. A loud knock on the door interrupted his attempt at a second rest.

BANG BANG!

"B3. Get up bruv. Today's the day."

Buttercup's eyes dashed back to the clock again.

7:21AM

"Again with this?"

Buttercup had lost minutes before, this wasn't the first time. He shook it off. Maybe he did fall asleep.

BANG BANG!

"The hell are you doing in there, mate? We gotta go. Niko's got the car running." It was @Wasp making sure he wasn't late. Loyal to a fault, a great guy. A terrible alarm clock.

B3 rubbed his eyes and scooted upright, feet to the floor.

"I'm ready. I'll meet you in the car."

BooBoo stood up and walked over to the mirror. He had been sleeping on and off since midnight. He already had his suit on, he put it on when he realized he wouldn't sleep more than a couple hours before he was called on. He stared at himself in the mirror, pinched a piece of fuzz off of his pants, and straightened his tie.

He took another glance back at his empty room. Times were changing. He moved here fresh off the boat under Callisto's care. He wouldn't miss the physical space, but he would miss the times had. As he exited the room, he closed the door and locked it. On his way to the stairs he slid the key under the landlord's door. He glanced back at his old door one more time.

"Unit 125. I'll miss ya."

B3 exited the front doors coming face to face with Wasp, already looking at his watch. Niko hops out of the car to open the door. Wasp and B3 slip in.

"Where to boss?" Niko's booming voice rang through the cabin as he hopped back in.

"Trading Company HQ. I have a meeting with Callisto."

The car pulled around the block and out of sight. A short drive later, the car pulls up in front of an unmarked building. You'd not know it from the outside, but if you were supposed to be there, you knew where you were. Niko hopped out and opened the door for BooBoo and Wasp.

"We'll wait here. See you in a bit." Wasp said, leaning back on the car and lighting a cigarette.

B3 approached the door. There were three people standing outside of it.

"Hi guys. Excuse me."

Buttercup squeezed through the group and inside the door. Callisto's office was upstairs. He glanced up the stairs. There were a handful of people between him and the stairs, a group crowded on the landing, and more at the top.

B3 worked his way toward the office. @Winifred was standing in front of the door. She pushes a couple hangarounds out of the way to let him through.

"Thanks, dear."

The door opens and B3 slips in. Callisto has her head on her desk and waves him in.

"Kiddo, the HQ is packed. There's way too many people here. We have a lot of opportunity for growth in this part of Philly, but we'll never get there if we don't expand. You've been a loyal Left Hand to me, and I really think it's time for you to spread your wings as an extension of the Trading Company."

Callisto looked down to her left, and then to her right. She opened the drawer to her right. Inside was a plate of bacon.

"Wha..?" B3 couldn't help the faint sound of confusion.

"Not there." Callisto cut him off. "Right here."

Callisto pulls out a ring of keys. "Your HQ is down the way. One key for you, and two for your most trusted. Choose wisely."

B3 paused.

"Callisto. Thank you. You know I will make you and the Trading Company prou-" Buttercup was cut off.

"I know you will, kiddo. That's why I made this decision. Get out there and fill up." Callisto interrupted with a smile.

B3 wandered out of the door, down the stairs, past the hangarounds, through the doors and down the steps into the street. Wasp was there waiting.

Wasp looked at his watch.

"It's been ten minutes, Niko... You reckon she's killed him yet?" Wasp laughed, flicking his cigarette and turning to Niko.

"Surely she's givin' him the nod..? We need to get out there and keep on top of things! The place is fuckin' 'eavin' with people! South Philly is just beggin' for us to take the ol' bitch to new heights." The Englishmen broke into a passionate argument. Niko just nodded.

"Anyway... After this, you're gonna take us to the countin' houses. We might as well put all this new blood to work even if we can't offer 'em special benefits yet. Look at all their lit'le faces... They're just desperate to do their bit for our society!" Wasp chuckled. Niko nodded again.

"Enough chatter, Niko... Here he comes. Can't see any cuts or bruises. Hang on... He's smiling. Fuck me, I ain't seen this guy move this fast in years."

B3 bounced towards the car, accepting the sincere apologies from the hangarounds as he strut past them in his return.

"Alright... So I take it you weren't there to get a spanking for what happened at that poker game? Phew... I was sure she'd shoot me if she caught us doing that shit again..." Wasp quickly followed up more candidly, "Seriously though... You getting your own crew yet or what? C'mon man, you've done all the hard work. I'll tell her what you do for her... Then she'll see it."

B3 waved a set of keys in Wasp's face.

"No..?" Something unbelievable had happened... Wasp fell silent.

B3 waved the keys again, "Which key you want? The brass one or the steel one?"

Wasp breaks into laughter, "My fucking guy! Good job, man. About time you got a step up, you been workin' it fuckin' 'ard, bruv!" Wasp threw his arms around B3, embracing him for a moment before patting him on the back and releasing.

"Did you pick a name yet, man? C'mon... Stop teasing me now. You been thinkin' forever!" Wasp made his way towards the door to the backseat.

B3 nods, confident in his decision. "First Watch."

Wasp grins, "First fuckin' Watch, my man. It's beautiful! After you, Bossman..." Wasp opened the door, stepping to the side formally and waving B3 in as if he were his butler. Wasp chuckled as he closed the door behind B3 and gleefully skipped to the other side of the car. Slipping back into the car beside B3, he tapped Niko on the shoulder.

"Fuck the counting houses... Fuck the recruits... Today's for B3. Let's go get fucked up and hustle some poker."

The three men laughed as the car disappeared down the road.