Sue Is Irritable Without Regular Sex

"God dammit, Johnny," Sue Storm said, punctuating her words with a finger that stabbed her brother in the chest. "How many times have I told you to keep your cosmic skanks out of the building?"

Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, blanched. Not just because Sue was mad—she seemed to always be mad these days—but the swearing was new.

"I, Sapphiras, am not a skank," the golden-skinned woman next to Johnny said. "I am an Inhuman, a member of the Genetic Council of—"

"Didn't ask, don't care," Sue cut her off. With an effort of will, Sue sighed. She reached out with an invisible **** field and retrieved her purse. "Look. Find a hotel. Wear a condom. I don't want to have to explain the birds, the bees, and terrigenesis to Valeria until she's at LEAST thirteen."

Johnny took the money, and his date, and left. Sue shook her head and went to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine.

"Little hard on the hot-head, aintcha?" Ben Grimm, the everlovin' blue-eyed Thing, said from the doorway to his bedroom. He had a cigar in his mouth. Unlit, thankfully.

Sue bit back a retort.

"You okay, Susie?" he said, honest concern in his voice. "Last week or so, you been—I dunno how to put it—tetchy. Ya ain't yelled at the kids yet, but you've been strict. Jumpin' on Johnny's case like that. Kinda aggressive on missions. And you and Strech haven't been exactly...well, affectionate lately. Normally I see you at least kiss him good night 'fore he heads off to the lab, but this last week—"

Sue sloshed wine into a glass.

"I am irritated," she admitted, and took a sip. "I've been working through some stuff with therapy. Dr. Stone's a wonder, but it's made me realize how much I—well, what I'm missing, when Reed spends all night in the lab."

Her voice lowered.

"He hasn't been much of a husband to me lately, Ben. And I'm feeling pent up."

The Thing's blue eyes went wide.

"Ah, Suzie, that's...you, uh, want me to talk to him? Like, not about this conversation. That's between us. But just in general? See if I can give him a nudge?"

"Thanks, Ben," she said, and leaned over to give him a peck on the cheek. "But I could hit him with a wrecking ball and not get Reed Richards into my bed."

Ben seemed to consider that.

"Maybe, he, uh. Maybe if you dressed up for him? I know Reed was upset about that one costume of yours, but I think he protested a bit too much, if you get my drift."

"Benjamin J. Grimm," Sue said, her mouth twisting into a smile. "You want to see me back in that outfit that shows off my ass and gams and everything else?"

"I, ah, y'know, I'm just throwin' out ideas," the Thing said.

"I'll think about it," Sue said, and took her wine with her to the bedroom.