Chapter Eight
Jake woke up to find Michael still holding him close. There wasn’t noise in the hallway anymore. That meant it had to be late enough that most people were winding down for the night or already asleep.
“You’re awake?” Michael whispered.
“Yeah.” Jake whispered too, though he wasn’t sure why. “How’d you know?”
“Your breathing changed.”
“Oh, sorry.” Jake fought the urge to get up and go home. He hated that he’d conked out. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you.”
“Don’t be. I dozed off too. It was nice.”
Jake’s mind relaxed, since it sounded like Michael really meant that.
“I like it too. I’m glad you found me in the park. This was a perfect way to end the day.” He cocked his head to run some kisses along Michael’s arm.
“Totally agree.” Michael hugged Jake closer. “I’m glad I walked into the comic book store, and that you ended up at the party. I wish we’d started talking last year.”
“At least we’re here now.”
“Yeah. You’re pretty amazing, you know. You go from being shy to taking charge. I like that range.”
Jake smiled and felt himself blush. “You’re okay with that? Not everyone likes how I can switch back and forth so fast.”
“It’s all good.”
Jake was quiet for a moment, but then decided to say what went through his brain. “So maybe an actual date sometime?” Jake turned to face Michael as he asked.
“I’d like that. Hockey Player and Geek Boy on the town.”
“That would be an amazing superhero pairing.” Jake dropped a kiss on the tip of Michael’s nose.
“Leave it to Geek Boy to say that.”
“Are you okay with quiet nights in too? Like this?”
“For sure. I mean, sometimes my roomie is here, but he won’t care if you’re hanging out, too.”
“Well, mine stays with his girlfriend a lot since she lives off campus. Although my room isn’t as nice as this one, it’s only me there most of the time.”
“I bet we could spruce up your room. I could hook you up with some custom builds?”
“That’d be cool. I’d love to watch you make something, maybe even help if that’s okay.”
“I’d love that. Although my brother might flip out knowing I’d brought Fire Force home with me.”
“Hey now, you can’t go around telling people my secret identity.” Jake raised an eyebrow in an effort to look stern.
“I think you’ll blow your own secret if he started talking comics with you.”
Jake shrugged, though that wasn’t easy in Michael’s hold. “That’s possible, I suppose.”
“So, uhm, does Fire Force ever have a night out?”
“Mmmm. Are you asking what I think you’re asking?”
Michael’s smile was shy, and Jake caught a hint of red cross his cheeks. “Maybe.” He nodded.
Jake laughed softly. “I can’t take the costume out of the park with me unless I’m doing something official, like the birthday party. But...”
Michael’s eyes widened in anticipation, and Jake let the pause extend for dramatic effect.
“I might have a costume of my own.”
“Really?”
“Yup.” He felt a little guilty dragging Michael along, but it was too fun not to.
“Would it be weird to... sometime... have Fire Force and Hockey Player get together?”
“Geek Boy not good enough for you?”
“That’s not what I... no... you’re...”
Jake quieted Michael with a kiss.
“I’m just messing with you. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to role play like that. Fire Force and Hockey Boy would have a great time, I think.”
The red in Michael’s cheeks flared. It meant a lot to Jake that there was something that Michael could be a little unsure about.
“Cool.” Michael ran his hands over Jake’s back before squeezing him close. “I have to ask. Why do you have a costume?”
“Cosplay. Sometimes I go to cons. I’ve dressed up at the store a couple times too.”
“I look forward to cosplaying with you sometime.” Michael turned his head away from Jake and yawned.
“I should go. It’s late.” Jake tried to get up, but Michael held on to him.
“You could just stay here. I’m comfortable if you are.”
Jake nestled closer. “Cool. Our first date can be breakfast.”
“Perfect.”
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