Page 30 of Infamous Heart

“No.”

“Human Lightbulb?”

“It’s like you’re not even trying now.”

We cleared the exit of the subway terminal, somewhere near the financial district of Vanguard City. After a day of training, we decided it was time to return to the mundane life. At first, I thought he meant to end our date, but when he suggested a shower at his place, I eagerly accepted.

“You’d think after years of reading comic books I’d be better at this. It’s like all the good names are taken.”

“I know you’re excited about whatever this is,” he held up his hand, flexing his fingers. “But I’m not a hero. I’m a poor kid from Southland, we’re not bred to be heroes. Survivors, maybe, but definitely not heroes.”

Without any fanfare, he reached out, hooking his pinky around mine. We had spent a night together. Hell, I held this massive secret of his, but this was weirdly intimate. The grand gestures might make a statement, but the little ones, they’re what led me to believe this might be a long-term arrangement. Now, if only I could convince him to embrace the hero buried within.

“Switching topics.” I’d revisit his reasons to not gift the world with his abilities. “Based on what I know about you, the bed will be perfectly made.”

“I hope so, or I’m paying the maid too much.”

“Maid? Really?”

I didn’t want to judge, especially since he hadn’t made any indication that there was an income chasm between us. Instead, I judged myself, embarrassed for not getting my act together sooner and switching to a new company.

“Once we’re done with that shower, you can help me prep work for Damien.” I give him a big smile, so he knew what I had planned.

He rattled off a list of things Damien loved and loathed, and I tried to keep a mental ledger. Thankfully, the vibration in my pocket interrupted his tirade about page number placement.

“It’s the HeroApp™, isn’t it?”

“I’m making a bet that somebody is stealing cats and putting them in trees.” I reached for the phone.

“Not around here. We’re in the heart of the city. Plenty of hostages and death. A few weeks ago, somebody blew up a building and Timex had to go back in time to stop it.”

He wasn’t wrong, but I still let out a long sigh when I found out it was Wraith. Cobalt and Zipper had already responded to the call and were in progress of defeating her. Their icons were less than a block away and before I could comment, black X’s crossed out the heroes’ names.

“She defeated Zipper and Cobalt.” It was hard to believe that within the span of seconds, she had beaten the two veteran heroes from the Ward.

Sebastian looked over my shoulder at my phone. “Wait, a second,” he said, plucking the phone from my hand. “That’s my block. I’m two buildings down.”

“Do we wait?” I’ll admit, I didn’t want to. I was standing next to a hero in the making. He might not be ready to take on Wraith, but on-the-job training would be better than shooting cans in an abandoned warehouse.

“I think we can sneak in on the other side of the street.”

Okay, not exactly the rush in and save the day attitude I hoped for, but I’d take it. Part of me was jealous, wishing I had some flashy supernatural ability so I could swoop in. Afterward, I’d be sipping gin with Zipper and Cobalt, as I recounted how I saved the day. If only Sebastian shared my penchant for heroics.

“If you think it’s safe.” I tried to hide my excitement.

If we got close enough to the action, then Sebastian could jump in and reveal his uncanny abilities. He’d be catalogued in the HeroApp™ and in no time, he’d be considered ranked amongst the greats.

“Wipe that grin off your face. We’re not going to have some epic showdown.”

“I didn’t — “

“You’re definitely thinking it.”

“I would never ” I was such a bad liar.

He didn’t move a muscle except for the narrowing of his eyes. With a simple gesture, he went from handsome to downright sinister. I hardly knew him, and already he was reading my mind. Wait, was that one of his superpowers, or was I just that damned transparent?

“Fine.” Yes, I pushed my lip out to pout.

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