Page 33 of The Not So Super Hero

Warmth bubbled in his chest, one that he knew stemmed from the fact that he was proud.

He was proud that he could get Zane to enjoy himself.

He felt happy that he could make Zane feel better.

That sense returned, the one that made Bailey feel special, that he honestly really liked but wasn’t sure he totally deserved.

However, each time he looked to Zane and saw him smile, or heard him laugh, it encouraged hope that his feelings were warranted.

After hours of games, smiles and laughter, the two received their prizes.

Zane got a lava lamp while Bailey purchased an assortment of small toys.

They returned to Bailey’s car after it had gotten dark.

What happened earlier dissipated, leaving Zane at ease.

He relaxed in the car, donning a small smile.

Those bright blue eyes remained warm on the drive.

“Isn’t it nice to get out every now and again?” Bailey asked.

“I got a lava lamp, so I guess it’s not so bad.”

Bailey rolled his eyes. So he really was telling the truth. If he got something out of it, he would participate. That seemed very Zane like, as if he would do anything that didn’t give him something in return.

“You’ve been here before though, haven’t you?” Bailey inquired.

Zane nodded. “With Chris, years ago.”

“So I’m not the only one who forcibly removes you from your apartment?”

“No.”

“I’m sure he does it because he’s worried about you. It’s not good to coop yourself up in your room all day.”

“Thanks for the advice, Mom.” Zane chuckled at Bailey’s immediate scowl.

“Whatever, I’m serious. You are a hermit to the extreme. I would go nuts staying in my room all day, every day.” Bailey shivered.

“It’s easier being alone,” Zane said.

The teasing atmosphere shattered, like they were treading on thin ice. Regardless, Bailey asked, “What makes you say that?”

“People are exhausting.”

Bailey shook his head, feeling disheartened that he received a half-hearted answer. What made people so exhausting? Bailey could think of several reasons that Zane would give. However, there seemed to be a very specific reason, or at least something that kept Zane from really opening up.

As much as Bailey wanted to push, as much as his mind screamed at him to pressure Zane, he knew that was a terrible thing to do. Bailey had to accept that, even if it drove him nuts.

With a nervous breath, he said, “If you ever want to talk about anything, I uh, I’ll listen. You know that, right?”

Bailey was glad he was driving. It gave him an excuse to not look at Zane. He could feel Zane’s gaze on him, a gaze that caused his breath to catch in his throat. After some time passed, Zane responded in a soft voice, “I know.”

Bailey grew a little more confident that they were actually growing closer and, one day, Zane would let him in. The thought of that put a smile on both their faces.

Zane’s phone suddenly went off. Bailey was mildly surprised he had a phone. He didn’t hesitate to answer, though. “What do you want, Chris?”

“Don’t sound so shocked to hear from me. I’m calling to check up on you since you refused to see a doctor,” Chris responded with a tone of annoyance that showed he was not up for Zane’s shit today.

Zane rolled his eyes. “You don’t need to check up on me. I’m not a kid.”

Bailey smirked, which earned him a harsh glare from Zane that was utterly ignored. What? It was cute that Chris checked up on Zane, though he was a full-grown adult. Bailey quickly realized he had no idea how old Zane was, probably around Bailey’s age? He made a mental note to ask.

“You act like one,” Chris snapped back. “I’m guessing that you’re feeling better. You’re acting like your usual self.”

Zane hummed, refusing to admit that he felt a lot better than usual. If Chris found out why, he would never let Zane live it down.

“Are you even home? Sounds like you’re in a car.” Chris asked.

“I’m out,” Zane replied because Chris would interrogate him to discover the truth, so he tried to give a half-lie.

“Out?”

“Yeah, out.”

Bailey took this as an opportunity to shout, “”Hi Chris, it’s Bailey! We met at the police station. Zane and I went to the arcade!"

Zane would have killed Bailey if he weren’t driving.

Chris laughed. “Ohoho, so you’re out, like on a date!”

“No,” Zane argued, giving Bailey the bird. Bailey snorted, then snickered to himself. His life felt a little more complete.

“And by no, you mean yes, because it was definitely a date. It’s ok. You have to find yourself someone eventually and Bailey will definitely do you some good,” Chris said.

Zane was going to kill both Chris and Bailey. He just wasn’t sure how yet. Going to trial would be a pain; he had to get rid of them silently and swiftly.

“I’m hanging up,” Zane stated, ready to do exactly that until he heard Chris’ serious tone that completely altered the atmosphere.

“You’re aware of what that means, though, right? Rebirth has their eye on you. You’re putting Bailey in danger by spending time with him.”

“I know, but it’s a little late for that.”

Especially considering that Leona already knew about Bailey. They saw him as someone who could be used against Zane. Rebirth didn’t care if Zane suddenly no longer gave a damn about Bailey. They would kill the boy off without hesitation because lives did not matter to them. That was how they were.

“Keep an eye on him. The safest place for him now is your side, though you probably like that.“

Zane hung up.

“Something tells me Chris wasn’t done talking.” Bailey chuckled.

“He was being annoying,” Zane spat, ignoring his ringing phone.

He put it on silent and slipped it into his pocket.

If Chris had anything else important to say, he would leave a voicemail or text him.

He was not sitting there listening to Chris badger him about Bailey.

They weren’t on a date. Zane didn’t like that Bailey had to stick around.

Nope, none of that was true, not in the slightest…

Fuck, Zane couldn’t even convince himself of that. Why the hell couldn’t he go back to the mediocre life he had? It was so easy when his heart didn’t do those annoying palpitations every time he thought about Bailey sticking around.

“How has Chris handled this, like, what happened on campus?” Bailey asked.

Zane shrugged. “Fine, I guess.”

“Is he fine, though? You were attacked, could have been killed. I imagine he’s worried about you.”

“He’s always worried. It’s in his nature.”

Ah, yes, always trying to answer with something humorous or sassy to get off topic. Bailey rolled his eyes. He should have figured he wouldn’t get much out of Zane without a fight.

“Why must you make everything so difficult? Can’t you just be an open book that answers all my questions without making it into a joke?” Bailey sent Zane a smile that had him smirking in return.

“Aren’t mysterious guys trendy?”

“Like you want to be trendy.”

“True.”

Bailey always liked to at least try to get Zane to talk.

If he didn’t, then he would learn nothing about Zane.

However, Zane had hit his emotional limit that day, actually he probably far surpassed it after whatever happened with Natalia and Nate.

The only reason he was in a decent mood was because they had got his mind off such serious discussions.

Rather than push his limits anymore, Bailey asked, “How old are you?”

“Twenty-two, why?”

“Just wondering. I’m nineteen!”

“I didn’t ask.”

Bailey pursed his lips; not liking the teasing tone. “I’m going to kick you out of the car and make you walk home.”

“You’d try to kick me out of the car.” Zane corrected him, and their bickering continued all the way back to Zane’s apartment.

It was late by the time they returned. The sun had set, and the temperature continued to drop.

Snow cascaded from the sky, slow at first, then picked up speed.

Neither Zane nor Bailey took notice of the weather.

The atmosphere in the apartment changed drastically from what it was earlier.

The cold air that lingered there had dissipated, replaced with a warmth that made it feel like home.

Bailey hadn’t even been there that often, yet he felt so comfortable.

Zane didn’t seem to mind Bailey’s presence either.

In fact, he made no inclination that he wanted Bailey to leave at all.

The moment they arrived, Zane had suggestions like watching a movie or playing video games.

Bailey was a bit baffled that Zane so quickly made up a reason, or an excuse, to keep him there.

Honestly, he was ecstatic to be wanted, or wanted to be there, or, well, something like that.

Bailey played games while Zane watched. He had long since beaten the horror game but suggested it to Bailey because he “thought Bailey would like it.” Nah, that was a lie. Bailey was probably going to hate it. At least Zane hoped he would, but Zane was going to love it.

“What the fuck is that?!” Bailey screamed. His hands shook as he attempted to flee from the murderous monsters. He jumped at every little thing or screamed at the top of his lungs. “Y-You said this w-would be fun!”

“It is fun. For me.”

Zane sat at Bailey’s side on the bed. While Bailey had his legs crossed and tucked beneath the blankets, Zane had his hanging stretched over the futon, his feet dangling off the bed.

Every now and again, Bailey asked if Zane brought them up because he was scared.

A demon would grab him by the ankles and yank the man under the futon into another dimension.

Zane gave Bailey a compliment that day for having a childish imagination.

It wasn’t stupid! Everyone knew monsters lived under the bed, in closets, attics and basements. That’s how you knew someone was going to die in a horror movie…or if they said I’ll be back because they wouldn’t be back.