Page 34 of The Not So Super Hero

Bailey’s nerves were on high alert not only because of the game, though. See, there was a problem with his personal space, and by problem he meant he kind of enjoyed it while wondering what the fuck was happening. Zane forgot he had a personal bubble the size of Texas because he sat awfully close.

The bed had more than enough space for them, but no.

He sat beside Bailey. With their backs against the walls, they sat shoulder to shoulder and thigh to thigh.

However, he didn’t ask Zane to move. In fact, when something made Bailey jump, he would grab Zane’s arm, thigh, shirt, whatever was in reach.

To make things worse, Zane didn’t push him off when he did it, either.

“I don’t want to play anymore. Turn the lights back on!” Bailey hollered after he felt his heart pleading with him to take a break. It was going to shatter from all the work it had been doing, which Zane’s proximity was not helping with!

“No.” Zane was being a total ass, as per usual.

Bailey wasn’t the biggest fan of horror games.

He loved horror movies since Halloween was his favorite holiday, but the idea of controlling a character and trying to survive put him on edge.

By what felt like the hundredth jump scare in the last ten minutes, Bailey hit the pause button and shouted, “I’m done! ”

“But you haven’t made it to the best part,” Zane argued, smiling.

“I don’t care. I can live the rest of my life without getting to the so-called best part.” Bailey crossed his arms, refusing to even look at the controller or the TV screen.

“We can play another game—"

“No.” Bailey glared at Zane, who wore the expression of a man ready to lie about another game. “I will leave immediately if you try to make me play another horror game.”

“Fine.” Zane sighed.

To Bailey’s discomfort, or pleasure, he wasn’t so sure because the brain was still a pile of mush, Zane turned his body towards him. Personal space became nonexistent. Zane leaned forward so close that his face was but an inch away from Bailey’s. Panic coursed through Bailey’s veins.

“What game do you want to play?” Zane asked.

Bailey wondered if he was aware of how husky his voice had gotten or how his eyelids fell half-mast. It felt like they were already playing a game, though, the game of temptation.

Honestly, Zane wasn’t too sure what had gotten into him, either.

At the moment, he didn’t concern himself with the question in his head.

He focused on Bailey. His proximity, his warmth, his vibrant green eyes brimmed with questions, and his lips.

They were so close Zane swore he felt them with every breath.

There was no reason to stop, so he didn’t.

Zane pressed his lips to Bailey’s in an unexpected kiss.

The touch was surprisingly soft. Simple yet intoxicating.

Bailey couldn’t believe Zane was capable of such intimacy.

Their eyes fluttered close, both relishing in the unrivaled heat between them.

Their lips moved against one another in quick and soft kisses, like they weren’t sure if one would be the last.

Zane cradled Bailey’s neck. He gripped the end of Zane’s shirt is if to prove this was real, that this was truly Zane, his scent, the taste of his lips was addicting.

Bailey craved more. Their lips moved hungrily, lips parting and tongues wreaking havoc across the senses.

Bailey groaned. He never realized Zane had a tongue piercing.

The contrast of the metal in his mouth made him moan, attempting to pull Zane closer.

It was that very sound that made Zane ask himself, what the hell am I doing? Feeling his hand moving from Bailey’s neck down his check. Feeling the rapid heartbeat beneath his fingertips made reality come crashing down on him.

Zane suddenly pulled away, leaving Bailey cold. The boy's hand slipped from Zane’s shirt, his fingers flexing to understand they were empty. Panic surged as Bailey watched Zane push himself off the bed in a rush. His back faced Bailey, but his shoulders were tense and it said enough for him.

“Zane?” Bailey called out, his voice soft and full of worry.

“I need some air,” Zane said and bolted out of the apartment.

Zane hadn’t meant to confuse Bailey. However, he couldn’t remain there with his head throbbing the way it was.

The cold air outside helped cool him down, literally, because he didn’t grab a jacket.

His head throbbed and chest ached from his own damn actions.

He kissed Bailey when he knew it was a bad idea.

It was that useless piece of shit organ in his chest called a heart that really needed to speak to the brain before it went off and did dumb shit like that.

Zane couldn’t handle this. It was so much easier to have sex with strangers and drop them afterwards; feelings were so troublesome, especially considering the situation.

All Zane could imagine was what would happen to Bailey.

Zane brought him into this mess; the troublesome one somehow didn’t cause the most trouble, while the mediocre person did.

The closer the two got, the worse the future would be.

Rebirth wouldn’t disappear overnight. How could Zane even consider being anything with Bailey when he was literally putting his life in danger?

Not that he was considering them dating or anything. Nope. No. Just make out buddies. Zane rolled his eyes and thought; I’m a fucking idiot.

He ended up standing out there, berating himself long enough for Bailey to show up.

Zane stared at the boy wrapped up like a burrito in his winter jacket.

With flushed cheeks and sorrowful eyes, Bailey presented Zane’s jacket to him.

Even while upset, he smiled as he said, “I thought you had to be pretty cold.”

Zane didn’t even bother denying that his mind immediately supplied him with the thought of, fuck, he’s too cute. He took his coat from Bailey, tossing it on. Before Zane conjured an apology, Bailey spoke, “I uh, I’m going to head back then.”

“Huh?” Zane’s eyes widened. He immediately conjured an excuse. “The roads are covered.”

“I’ll be careful.”

“With your luck? That’s not going to help.”

Bailey shook his head, looking down at his feet that kicked at the freshly fallen snow. “I’ll be fine.”

Zane understood why Bailey wanted to leave. Why would he want to stay after Zane stormed out of the apartment? However, he didn’t want Bailey to go, even with all the confusing feelings in his gut. He wanted them to be together.

“Just stay,” Zane said, taking Bailey’s hand.

Bailey lost his footing, surprised by Zane’s touch.

He tugged Bailey towards him. Rather than being frozen, Bailey caught fire.

Why he got nervous just from falling into Zane’s chest when they had swapped spit earlier, he wasn’t sure, but he was definitely nervous.

Bailey’s cheeks were so obviously red from the action too that it had Zane smiling.

“I should, um, really head back, though.” Bailey couldn’t come up with a proper reason to leave, especially when Zane made sense.

The roads were covered. No one would plow in the middle of the night.

Bailey had shit luck, so he’d probably die.

Also, maybe, sort of…he kind of liked Zane making excuses for him to stay.

“I promise I won’t make you play any more horror games.” Zane tugged Bailey a little closer to the entrance of the building. When Bailey made no move to leave, Zane led them back inside. They definitely welcomed the warmth as they finally regained the feeling in their faces.

Their hands remained interlocked all the way to Zane’s apartment.

Even when they stepped inside, the two lingered by one another, their coats and shoes still on and hands intertwined between them.

Neither said a word about it, simply stared away from each other nervously.

It was during that awkward silence that Bailey realized he would have to sleep in the very bed they made out in and, well…

they both were in trouble, weren’t they?