Page 2 of The Jorogumo

With a smirk, Dustin turned to me. "Come on, Haruto. Let's go see some superheroes."

While I'd practiced a bit in the Sanctuary, it was still difficult to maneuver a wheelchair around, especially when some humans acted like it was the biggest inconvenience of their lives to have to make space for me.

Somehow, I made it, and I glanced up at the glass storefront and the colorful comics displayed on a case just inside. The board with the store's name—Sanctum for Geeks—was bright red and white, and Dustin held the door open for me as I wheeled in. I sucked in a breath as I took in all the shelves full of comics.

I felt like I'd died and gone to heaven.

Liam

The swoosh of the door opening had me glancing up, and I smiled when I spotted a fairly new regular named Dustin, along with a person in a wheelchair.

Dustin had only started coming to the store a few months ago, but I liked him. He was cheerful, spoke his mind, and, best of all, he wasn't the least bit intimidated by me.

At 6'1" with a muscular body and what some would describe as 'tough' features, people took one look at me and jerked their gazes away, as if worried just looking would make me mad at them. I tried my best to be as calm and gentle as I could, but it was like my appearance erased any other qualities I might have. It was disheartening to say the least, which was why Dustin was so refreshing.

I supposed as a trans man he'd dealt with his share of prejudice, and maybe like me, he'd learned not to make snap judgments. Whatever the reason, he'd struck up a conversationwith me the first time he came here, and I thought of him as a friend now.

"Hey, Dustin. Who's your friend?" I greeted them with a smile, a genuine one and not the one I used to try to put potential customers at ease.

"Liam! This is Haruto! He's a voracious reader, maybe even more than me," Dustin said, grinning at the man beside him.

Haruto gave me a hesitant smile before his eyes slid to the shelves of comics behind me, and I held back a sigh. I supposed I shouldn't expect Dustin's friend to be as friendly as him.

"May I look around?" Haruto asked, and it took me a moment to realize he was talking to me.

"Of course," I said, and he wheeled off instantly, like he couldn't wait to get away. This time, I did sigh.

"It's not about you, you know," Dustin said, a kind note to his voice, and I turned my gaze to him.

"Hmm?"

"He isn't scared of you," he said, reaching out to pat my arm. "Because of...reasons, he doesn't get out much. This is his first time visiting a comic book store, and he's just excited and preoccupied by the shiny comics."

I blinked, then glanced over at Haruto, who'd stopped in front of a shelf showcasing the various versions ofSpider-Man,and was scanning the shelves intently.

"Oh."

"Yep. I'm gonna go look for the issue I came to buy. Maybe you can go see if he needs any help?"

Nodding, I slid out from behind the counter and made my way to Haruto as Dustin moved away to the opposite side of the room.

"A fan ofSpidey, I see," I commented as I reached him, and Haruto smiled up at me.

"Yeah,I am. I find him...relatable."

"That's good. I likeSpider-Manas well. Though I suppose I relate to theHulkmore."

Haruto's brows furrowed, and he tilted his head, his deep brown eyes peering into mine. "WhyHulk?"

I blinked, puzzled.

Waving at myself, I asked, "Isn't it obvious?"

"I don't know you well enough to answer that."

I stared at him, absolutely stupefied by his answer.

"Uh, well, I meant because I'm big and intimidating as well. LikeHulk," I explained, glancing away in discomfort. It didn't sound like the joke I'd intended it as now.

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