Chapter 121: Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Later In The Kitchen,

Whistle Sounds

Ricky whistled a cheerful tune as he crafted a plate of scrambled eggs so delicious, even he was surprised by the result. 

Cooking was a skill he'd picked up in passing, but thanks to Alina, he'd acquired the Epic Cooking Skill but had underestimated its usefulness until now as these eggs smelled absolutely divine.

"Sh*t, this actually tastes good." Ricky muttered, caught off guard by his own culinary prowess. 

He paused for a moment, the unexpected flavor bringing a flicker of pride to his face before his gaze drifted upward.

It was then that a long-forgotten mission, seemingly buried for the past three years, finally resurfaced. 

Ignored and tucked away in the recesses of his mind, it now demanded his attention, as if waiting for this very moment to reappear.

Moving the eggs with his wooden spatula, Ricky didn't immediately receive the rewards but actually thought about it for more than five seconds.

'Honestly, I'd pick gacha, but Raven's powers seem way too useful.' Ricky mused, weighing his options. 

He already had more than enough X-Genes to manage, but unlike his Barrier ability, this one didn't demand immense skill. 

It was practical and low-maintenance, perfect for those convenient scenarios where it could make all the difference.

'Alright, choose Raven's powers and receive rewards.'

DING

(X-Gene) The Metamorph's X-Gene allows him to psionically alter his biological cells, enabling instant transformation into any human or humanoid form with precise duplication of physical and sensory details, including voice and scent. This advanced ability makes him a gene-shaper, capable of rewriting genomic instructions with unparalleled speed and accuracy.

(Legendary Weapon) Stormcaller's Glaive: This elegant glaive features a blade that crackles with stormy energy, and its haft is adorned with runes of thunder and lightning.

Abilities:

Lightning Strike: The glaive can summon powerful bolts of lightning to strike enemies, dealing electric damage and potentially stunning them.

Storm Shield: The user can create a protective barrier of swirling storm clouds that deflect projectiles and absorb energy attacks.

Tempest Dance: The glaive grants the wielder enhanced speed and agility, allowing them to move with the swiftness of a storm.

(Legendary Skill) Frostborn Resilience: The user's body becomes resistant to cold and ice, reducing the impact of freezing effects and low temperatures.

(Legendary Item) Tracking Ring: A stunningly crafted ring bound to its wearer, granting the ability to pinpoint their exact location at any time, no matter where they are.

(Epic Item) Translation Ring: A ring that allows the wearer to understand and speak any language, facilitating communication with diverse cultures and species.

Ricky's eye twitched suddenly as he set the spatula down, a sharp thrum echoing in the back of his mind.

He'd been actively working on improving his intelligence, and now, he could feel the progress. It wasn't just a notion as he was genuinely getting smarter, the clarity in his thoughts becoming sharper with each passing moment.

Improving intelligence felt like a shift in how Ricky's mind processed the world around him. 

It wasn't just about remembering more facts or solving puzzles faster, it was deeper than that.

His comprehension sharpened, allowing him to grasp complex ideas with ease that would have once taken hours of frustration when learning about them. 

Patterns became clearer, connections between seemingly unrelated things started to click into place. 

Conversations felt different too; sometimes he felt as if he could anticipate where someone's train of thought might lead or recall details that others forgot.

Even his problem-solving improved; not just finding solutions, but recognizing the best and most efficient path forward. 

It was as if his brain had leveled up, rewiring itself to operate on a higher frequency.

Tasks that once felt overwhelming now seemed manageable, and as the fog of mental strain lifted, he could feel a sense of control and clarity that was undeniably empowering.

It was an unfamiliar, almost strange experience for Ricky, but the boost to his intelligence hadn't changed who he was at his core. 

His signature sleazy smile slowly returned, a clear sign that the essence of Ricky Luciano remained untouched.

'I've got just the people for these rings.' Ricky thought, slipping the tracking ring into his inventory before pulling out the translation ring.

"Hey, gorgeous, how are you feeling?" Ricky asked, dumping the eggs onto the plate and turning around as it was then revealed that, all this time, he'd been wearing nothing but an apron.

"Tired," Raven huffed, her face buried in the couch cushion but as Ricky placed the eggs on the table, the delicious scent caught her attention, and she lifted her head.

Reaching out, Ricky held the plate just out of her grasp, teasing her until she sat up and glared at him. He refused to meet her eyes, his focus purposely averted.

"Thank you," Raven said, appreciating Ricky's hard work. Ricky turned to her, his signature sleazy smile spreading across his face.

"You're welcome." Ricky handed her the plate along with a fork and as she began to devour the eggs, Ricky casually slipped his arm around her, watching her intently as she ate.

"How are you feeling-"

"Oh my god, you made this?!" Raven exclaimed, covering her mouth in an attempt to hide the fact she was still chewing as she looked up at Ricky with wide, dazzled eyes, clearly impressed.

Ricky would later realize that, out of all the skills he had acquired from the system, those that made women quiver and others that fed his ego, the one that would prove most valuable was the cooking skill.

Because, in the end, it wasn't lust or even true love that won a woman's heart, it was food.

"Uh, yeah?" Ricky chuckled, caught off guard by her sudden reaction. 

Raven, however, just glanced back at the plate and resumed devouring the scrambled eggs with such intensity that Ricky couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Do you want another serving-"

"Yes, please." Raven interrupted Ricky, abruptly shoving the plate into his chest, as if demanding that he hand over more right then and there.

Ricky simply laughed, sitting back up to serve her seconds, then thirds, feeding Raven until she finally laid contentedly on his lap, her hunger sated.

'This is new.' Ricky thought, effortlessly pulling Raven into his lap as she became like putty in his arms, completely relaxed now that she was full.

"Wow, that was amazing~" Raven murmured in a daze, rubbing her stomach contentedly as Ricky raised an eyebrow, his smile widening at the praise.

"I mean, how did you get the texture-Ricky?" Raven asked, her voice full of enthusiasm about the scrambled eggs. 

But she stopped mid-sentence when she noticed Ricky slipping something onto her middle finger.

"It's nothing, just wanted to give you something, don't mind it," Ricky replied, brushing it off casually as he slid the tracking ring onto her finger as Raven stared at it, wide-eyed, processing what just happened.

To Ricky, it was just a tracker, a simple way to keep this little snake from slipping out of his grasp. 

But to Raven, it was one of the most beautiful rings she had ever seen, its design catching the light in a way that made it seem almost magical.

The ring was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, its band sleek and polished, crafted from a dark, nearly black metal that gleamed with a subtle, mysterious sheen. 

Intricate patterns of delicate silver filigree spiraled around the band, almost like vines, wrapping around a central gemstone. 

The stone itself was a deep, rich blue, glowing softly in the light, with an almost otherworldly aura. 

It wasn't overly flashy, but its elegance and quiet beauty made it stand out, drawing the eye without shouting for attention.

"I-Its beautiful." Raven muttered, her voice soft with awe. Her eyes locked onto the ring as she traced her finger along the delicate grooves, feeling the intricate designs beneath her touch. 

It was then that she realized this was Ricky's first gift to her, and the thought left her momentarily speechless, a mix of surprise and something deeper stirring within her.

"If you don't like it-"

"NO-no, I love it." Raven almost shouted, immediately calming herself while looking back at Ricky and caressing his cheek.

"Thank you, really." Raven couldn't help but give Ricky a warm smile, kissing his lips passionately before his hands slowly slid down his waist.

"Ricky we just-"

"I'll make you dinner-"

"Take me~" Raven jokingly moaned, only for Ricky to immediately take her into a princess carry and head towards the guest bedroom.

"Sweet." 

4 days later,

"You're an animal~" Raven chuckled from under the sheets, playfully pushing Ricky away as he kissed the back of her neck, his lips lingering for a moment before he pulled back with a grin.

"You just bring it out of me~" Ricky whispered playfully, pressing a kiss to her lips before she pulled away.

"Ricky, the trial is tomorrow-"

"Then let's worry about it tomorrow," Ricky whispered, his hands trailing down her stomach. She tensed, her body shivering under his touch as she instinctively contracted her muscles.

Raven had never felt this way with anyone before, the way Ricky seemed to understand and utilize every inch of her body made it feel as if she could never say no, as if he had a way of drawing her in that left her powerless to resist.

"A-Ah~" Raven moaned, feeling Ricky slide inside her once more, clicking into place as if they were always meant to be connected in this way.

"God, everytime you moan it makes me crazy~" Ricky whispered, cupping her perky breasts as his hips slowly rocked against Raven's back as she arched her neck, resting her head on his shoulder.

Ricky took the opportunity to kiss her neck, his touch delicate yet driving her wild as she lost herself to him once again, unable to resist the intensity of his caress.

45 minutes later,

"AH~"

"AH~"

"AH~" 

Raven moaned loudly, gripping the bed frame for dear life as Ricky consumed her every thought, his relentless pace leaving her unable to think of anything but him.

Even after they both came, even after they reveled in the pleasure of each other's lust, Ricky didn't stop as Raven had become a drug to him, and he couldn't get enough.

"Raven, I can't~" Ricky groaned, unable to hold back any longer before pulling his hips back.

Then without a single ounce of hesitation, Ricky slammed his hips back into Raven as her perky blue ass rippled under the force of him unloading another heaping of his cum into her now impregnated womb.

Raven slumped over, her body caught and supported by Ricky as he leaned in to kiss her back once more.

"R-Rest, I need rest~" Raven gasped, her breaths shallow, as Ricky's cum continued to pulse inside her.

Ricky leaned back, their bodies collapsing onto the bed as the air was thick with their mingled scents, a heady blend of sweat and desire. 

Ricky held Raven close, her chest rising and falling rapidly against his, feeling the heat of her skin as he wrapped his arms around her, keeping her pressed to him, reluctant to let go.

Huff

Huff

huff

"The deal's off." Ricky huffed suddenly, his tone nonchalant and calm but it made Raven's exhausted body jolt upright, her eyes wide with a flash of fear.

Ricky suddenly huffed out that suddenly made the tired Raven shoot her head up with a trace of fear in her eyes.

"Wha-" Raven stammered, confusion clouding her thoughts at how he could say all those things to her and simply abandon her.

"I'm just going to keep you, probably lock you in some cage." Ricky teased, hugging her tightly. 

Ricky smirked to himself, silently promising that he was going to make Raven his woman, even if it took every last bit of charm he had.

"Ha~" Raven let out a relieved sigh, only to catch herself when a thought crossed her mind. 

She realized, with a small jolt of fear, that the idea of him throwing her away actually terrified her more than she'd like to admit.

"So what am I, your pet?" Raven raised an eyebrow playfully, her lips curling into a teasing smile. 

Ricky shook his head, his expression softening as he leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead.

"More like the future Raven Luciano." Ricky said, laying it on thick, his smirk widening as Raven couldn't help but be baffled, her mind racing to keep up with his boldness. 

Ricky purposely said it in such a cheesy way that it was hard to tell if he was being serious. 

Raven stared at him, her mind racing, completely taken aback by the unexpected surge of confidence he was throwing her way as she couldn't decide whether to laugh or just process what he'd said.

"And who says I'm taking your last name?' Raven chuckled, tracing her finger on his hest and slightly looking up.

"Fate?" Ricky seemingly asked, his tone playful as Raven laughed softly, shaking her head as she rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear.

Raven didn't want to believe Ricky's words, dismissing his sweet professions as just another one of his cheesy whims. 

But the more he laid it on, the harder it became for her to ignore them as each word seemed to chip away at her walls, and soon, she couldn't help but take them to heart with a warm sincerity.

Ricky, for his part, made sure Raven couldn't sense any doubt in him as he poured out his sincerity with such intensity that it felt like a first for him, something he rarely allowed himself to show.

"How do I know that you don't say this with all the other girls?" Raven asked, her voice laced with suspicion as she looked up at him. 

She absentmindedly ran her fingers through her hair, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, as if searching for some answer in the air above them.

"Because I've never meant the things I've said to anyone else the way I mean them to you," Ricky said softly, his gaze intense as he looked down at Raven. 

Her eyes, usually so steady, trembled slightly at his words before she abruptly stood up, her emotions swirling within her.

"T-This is a bad idea-" Raven, realizing she was actually falling, slightly panicked and pushed away from him.

"No, why?" Ricky asked, sitting up with her as their naked bodies brushed together, and he instinctively wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer as if to shield her from whatever was making her pull away.

"I'm sorry Ricky, I can't-"

"Raven." Ricky's voice softened as he held her close, his arms tightening around her in a comforting embrace. 

The girl almost closed her eyes, surrendering to the moment, but a shake of her head stopped her, her thoughts still racing despite the warmth between them.

"Ricky-"

"Raven, you can't ever convince me that you didn't feel anything, I'm sorry." Ricky said softly, his hands gently cupping her face, tilting it to force her to look at him as her heart raced as she met his gaze.

"And how do you know it's a bad idea without seeing it through." Ricky whispered, his words laced with temptation as he held her close. 

Raven, feeling the pull of his presence, rested her head on his shoulder, her mind torn between the caution she felt and the undeniable allure of him.

"But Irene-"

"Can never give you a loving family," Ricky whispered, his words lingering in the air as his eyes gazed at her system description.

"However, although Irene gives her so much, she can't give her the family you can, and that is your biggest strength." Those were the words the system had described for him, and Ricky, ever the opportunist, was shamelessly ready to use everything at his disposal to ensnare her.

It made Raven tremble, those words cutting deeper than she expected as they were the same ones that had haunted her for so long. 

After living with the weight of her past, she couldn't help but imagine a future; one filled with children and love, a dream she had always longed for but feared would never come to pass.

Deep down, Raven longed for a family of her own, to raise her children with pride, teaching them to embrace their mutant heritage, something no one had done for her.

"Don't do that." Raven's voice broke, her words fragile as she looked up at Ricky as the vulnerability in her eyes revealed that it was a touchy subject, one that struck deep. 

Ricky, sensing the shift, pulled her into a tight embrace, offering her the comfort she hadn't realized she needed.

"Sorry." Ricky muttered awkwardly, realizing that he went too far, his awkward laugh fading as he held her a little tighter, hoping his presence could ease the discomfort he had caused.

"You really like me, like really?" Raven asked suddenly, her tone quirky but cute as Ricky didn't hesitate, pulling her into a long, deep kiss.

"God, yes." Ricky breathed against her lips, a smile of relief spreading across his face. 

Raven couldn't help but smile as well, the moment feeling strangely comforting, and for once, she allowed herself to enjoy the connection they shared.

"Fine, I'll give you the chance to convince me."

'What am I saying.' Raven thought to herself, immediately regretting the words that had almost forced themselves out. 

As she processed her own vulnerability, Ricky's eyes gleaned green as Shadow Broker had unknowingly been standing next to them. 

Without a sound, he slowly and subtly retreated back into the shadows, his presence lingering just long enough to hint at why he intruded in the first place.

"Now tell me more about you, since you wanted to take a break." Ricky said softly, his voice a gentle invitation and as he spoke, he slowly caressed her beautiful, orange hair, his fingers weaving through the strands. 

Raven leaned into his touch, a quiet comfort settling over her as she considered how to open up.

"Well, what do you want to know?" Raven asked with curiosity, her eyes searching his face as Ricky paused for a moment, thinking it over.

"What about other people you were throughout history?" Ricky wondered, actually shocked that Raven could've been other people in history.

"Florence nightingale, I took the identity of this nurse during the crimean war to make sure it played out as predicted." Raven revealed though RIcky had no idea who that was and merely nodded along.

"You have no idea who she is, don't you?" Raven laughed, her tone light and teasing as Ricky gently parted her hair behind her ears, his fingers brushing against her skin.

"Well, do you know who Ricky Freeman is?" Ricky asked, his voice playful yet curious. 

Raven tilted her head, trying to recall if that name held any significance, wondering if it was someone personal in his life.

"That was my name before I was adopted by Lucky." Ricky explained with a laugh, watching as Raven's expression shifted to one of surprise, clearly taken aback by the unexpected revelation.

"You were adopted, I thought-"

"Lucky usually keeps it hush-hush since the orphanage meant a lot to me growing up, even if the caretaker was a total b*tch," Ricky lamented, a hint of bitterness in his voice and Raven smiled softly, but then her expression faltered, and a sad smile appeared on her face as she understood the deeper meaning behind his words.

"I was adopted too, way back by a nun." Raven revealed, her voice quiet but steady as Ricky looked at her, surprised by the sudden confession

"No way, are you religious-"

"No, no, I was abandoned in the woods, and she found me while doing missionary work." Raven sighed, resting her head on his chest as he stroked her hair thoughtfully.

"So, is that where you found God?" Ricky joked, but Raven simply looked down.

"No, I cannot believe in a God who wants to be praised all the time-" Raven's fingers trailed down his chest, but it wasn't Ricky who stopped her.

Growl

Raven's stomach suddenly growled, her face turning red as she tried to mask it with a smile, but it only made Ricky laugh.

"Alright, now it's my turn to wine and dine you." 

15 minutes later,

"Oh my god." Raven covered her mouth after tasting his spaghetti sauce, and Ricky laughed, proud of his cooking.

"Good right, it's my maid's recipe, Isabella." Ricky hovered behind Raven, watching as she got lost in the sauce.

"T-This is the best spaghetti sauce I've ever had."

"Oh come on Raven-"

"No, I'm serious, Tiger." Raven grabbed his cheeks, wiggling them side to side before scooping up some more sauce. 

"Here, have some." Raven smeared the sauce on his face, holding back a laugh as Ricky froze.

"You did not-"

"I did!" Raven cackled at her own actions, while Ricky licked his lips before suddenly lunging forward.

"N-No-HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Raven squealed, running away, only for Ricky to scoop her up with one arm as she squirmed.

"R-RICKY!" Raven screamed with a smile as Ricky playfully smothered her mouth with the sauce, both of them laughing in each other's embrace.

The laughter slowly faded as their eyes met, and they leaned in to kiss, tumbling onto the floor in each other's arms.

20 minutes later,

Now lying in each other's arms, Raven huffed against his chest, both of them covered in sauce, laughing every now and then.

"When you said we were going to eat, I didn't think we'd eat it off of each other." Raven chuckled, looking up at Ricky who showed a sleazy smile.

"But that was the best part?" Ricky kissed Raven, their lips tangling in a small but invigorating dance before releasing.

"You're such a tease~" Raven purred, caressing his chin before leaning back in as Ricky couldn't help but add onto their banter.

"You bring it out of me~"

Kissing him once more, Ricky picked Raven up and gently placed her on the table as she looked up at him.

"Well, the spaghetti is ruined, so how about a sandwich?" Ricky pulled Raven closer, kissing her collarbone as she ran her fingers through his hair.

"I could eat."

5 minutes later,

Naked and eating a meatball sub laced with the leftover sauce that wasn't smeared on them, Raven had no choice but to sit in Ricky's lap as he refused to let her go.

"Mmmmmh~" Raven pressed her hand to her cheek, letting out a delicate squeal as her taste buds danced with delight.

Ricky laughed, a little saddened that he didn't get to eat it off her body as she did a playful little dance in his lap before finishing the sub.

"Are you-"

"Go ahead." Ricky handed her his half-eaten sub, and she took it with a grin, eagerly munching down on it.

Gulp

"Oh my god, Ricky~" Raven suddenly whined, turning back to Ricky who was busy kissing her back.

"Hmmm?"

"The trial, it's in six hours!" Raven covered her mouth, realizing they had already wasted practically the whole day.

Gazing to the side, she noticed it was already midnight, the trail having started at 6 a.m with Ricky shrugging.

"Oh who cares-I mean, oh no." Ricky sighed, wanting to taste more of Raven, but when he saw her face, her gaze downcast, he immediately changed his tune.

"Ricky, you said that you wanted to make a difference and this is how you do it." Raven seriously spoke, squinting her eyes while Ricky held up his hands in surrender.

"I know, I just want to you to be the bun for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich-"

"Ricky~" Raven gasped, slapping his shoulder as he laughed but relented.

"Fine, but I want you there when I totally kick ass." Ricky caressed her cheek as she bit her lip.

"Why are you making that face-"

"Ricky, I-I really want to believe you and I want to see you change the future for mutants but I really have to get back-EPPP!" Raven tried to wiggle her way out, giving her blessing to see if he could alter the future, only for Ricky to scoop her up and place her on the table.

"Ricky, stop~" Raven moaned softly, her body arching as his finger traced along her skin.

"Say you'll stay~" Ricky whispered against her ear, his lips leaving a trail of hickeys down her neck as she moaned again.

"I-Ah~"Raven gasped, wanting to deny him, but Ricky slid into her, his cock filling her completely as she was enveloped by him once more.

"Say you'll stay." Ricky continued to whisper, as Raven held him tightly, her moan escaping once again.

Over and over, Ricky made love to Raven, each movement drawing out a constant stream of moans from her lips.

"I-I'll stay~" Raven huffed out a moan, Ricky hovering over her as he caressed her face, pulling it gently toward his own as they shared a deep kiss.

Five Hours and Forty Nine Minutes Later,

"WHERE IS HE?!" Marshall shouted, pacing back and forth inside the courthouse.

"HOW CAN YOU ALL BE SO CALM?!" Marshall snapped, noticing Jake lighting a cigarette while Ricky's familiars played cards with Asterion.

"He'll turn up. He probably went on a bender or something," Jake muttered, clearly used to this by now.

"GET OUT OF OUR TOWN YOU DIRTY MUTANT!"

"YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE!"

"DIE, DIE, DIE!"

Suddenly, the crowd outside erupted, their anger escalating with a torrent of hateful comments, slurs, and vicious remarks.

"Thank you, thank you, I love you all!" Ricky taunted the hateful crowd outside before bursting through the doors.

"Who's ready to win this case!"