Page 30 of The Not So Super Hero
“Depends.Is breakfast poisoned?”Bailey mumbled.
“Guess you’ll find out.”
The slight teasing eased the atmosphere.Zane approached with breakfast.
Bailey honestly couldn’t believe Zane cooked.He gave a quiet thanks before taking the plate of toast and dippy eggs.He scooted off the bed onto the floor because it was easier to eat on the coffee table, and less likely to result in a mess.
“I’ll be out of your hair soon, I promise,” Bailey said when Zane sat across the table with his own food.Their thighs brushed.Bailey shivered.Zane’s warmth was a comfort he didn’t want to give up.
Zane dipped his toast into his egg.With his mouth full, he responded, “Not like I have plans.”
Not shocking to hear.Bailey couldn’t imagine what would get Zane to make plans.Perhaps winning the lottery since that would make him set for life?Food was probably another option.
The two ate while watching shows that Bailey paid little attention to.It was oddly comfortable, sitting together like it was normal.Bailey couldn’t help but wonder when the last time was that Zane had breakfast with someone.Was Bailey allowed to feel special or did the circumstances change anything?Either way, his heart palpitated at the thought of being one of the few people who likely shared such a memory like that with Zane.
“I’m shocked you even know how to make eggs.You don’t seem like the type to cook anything,” Bailey commented after finishing his meal.
Zane retrieved Bailey’s plate to take them to the sink.However, he sent Bailey a slight glare before doing so.Zane placed the dirty plates into the sink.“I have my moments.”
Zane removed the tie from his hair to let the silver locks dance across his shoulders.He looked good with his hair done.While washing dishes, Zane’s eyes shifted towards Bailey, mouth opening as if to speak, then slamming shut.Then Zane snapped the hair tie around his wrist before returning to the floor next to Bailey.
“Did you sleep well?”Zane asked.
Based on the lack of eye contact, Bailey suspected Zane felt out-of-place asking.Not being social probably made it even more difficult to show any sort of concern.
Bailey nodded.“Yeah.It was just an odd nightmare, I guess.”
Zane hummed, keeping his gaze fixated on the TV.Now Bailey didn’t know what to say.If he got too annoying, by Zane’s standards, he might get kicked out.He didn’t want that, especially when his car hadn’t been fixed.
Right, he could be doing that!
Quickly, Bailey got to making the necessary calls.Zane remained on the floor watching TV, although he got the jerk smirking when he released a few troubled groans.The cost made his insides burst from stress.
“Something wrong?”Zane teased.
“You could at least try a bit not to be an asshole.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
Snorting, Bailey covered his mouth in hopes to act like he didn’t find Zane amusing.Zane’s knowing smirk stated he heard that.Aw well, Bailey tried.
Not long later, Zane drove them back to campus.The car ride wasn’t silent like last time.Instead, Bailey took a chance by putting on the radio.He wasn’t all that shocked to find it was on a rock channel.Bailey had such a broad taste in music that he left it there without issue.It was better to keep it on a channel Zane preferred anyway.With the music playing, it was oddly comfortable even if the ride was short.
Stepping out of the car, Bailey tripped on his own shoelaces, and face planted into the ground.Zane snorted, then chuckled.Bailey remained in shock and so hadn’t moved until his mouth tasted like tar.He pushed himself up to glare back at Zane’s snickering face.
“Please tell me you’re going to trip on a banana peel next.My life will be complete,” Zane said.
“That doesn’t happen in real life!”Bailey exclaimed, though by Zane’s expression that actually spoke, ‘oh but that means it can happen to you, Bailey realized… “If I ever trip on a banana peel I am going to kill you.”
Zane rolled his eyes.He stepped out of the car, walking around to lean against the side.
“Are you not leaving?”Bailey inquired, getting up while brushing his dirtied pants off.
“Do you want me to?”
“No, I mean, I don’t mind, I just thought,” Bailey didn’t know what he was saying, so he stopped talking about that.“Uh, thanks for letting me stay.I really appreciate it.”
Zane shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets.Bailey shut the passenger door and copied Zane, leaning against the car while twiddling with his thumbs.With the sun being up, it made the December air warmer than usual.They hadn’t really gotten another big snowstorm.The weather couldn’t decide if it wanted to be warm or freezing, the norm for December really.
