Chapter Text
“Now remember, no holding hands while on stage” Ken reminds them for what feels like the fiftieth time while she drives them to the DOS building. Dragon Boy rolls his eyes as he looks out the window watching the tall building they pass by. Is their handholding really such a big deal? He feels his face warm as he remembers all the times Cyan has pulled her hand away when asked if they were dating. So it must be why people assume. She looks really cute when her face is bright red though. Why is the car so warm?
“What are you thinking about?” Cyan asks and when he turns his head to look at her, her face is close their noses bump.
“Nothing” he says quickly as he turns his head. Why is his heart beating so fast?
“I think you’re thinking of something” she lets go of his hand and wraps her arms around his waist. “Come on, tell me” she nuzzles her face into his cheek.
“Just…” his heart beats faster as he softly touches the top of one of her hands. “That you’re really cute.”
“Hum?” She squeaks and lets go of him. “Really?” She asks and when he looks over at her she’s covering her face with her hands. “You think so?”
“I know so” he says as he smiles. “You’re really really cute.”
She pulls her hands away from her bright red face. “I think you’re the really really cute one though” she says as she leans into him.
“Really?” He asks leaning into her. “That so?” He asks as their noses brush. Is something about to happen?
Ken clears her throat and they pull away from each other as fast as they possibly can. “And defiantly none of that in public. I know you already have shippers but we do not need your trust values becoming entangled.” What’s a shipper? He wants to ask, however as he glances to Cyan’s bright red face yet again hidden in her hands, he figures he will ask later.
-Queen POV-
As Queen stands outside Enlighter’s office she looks down at her phone to check the time. He’s late. Her grip tightens on the bottle of wine in her hand. This is only their second meeting so maybe she shouldn’t be so worried, however the longer it takes for him to be in her line of sight the more uneasy she feels. She asked him to look into something someone wants hidden so badly they tampered with security footage. Having enough power to get it done they could easily make a man disappear if they wanted too. Enlighter maybe a hero but he doesn’t seem to have much combat experience and his ability to detect lies will not do much in a fight. She will have to see if Mickey can add this area to her patrol rout so she can be sure he’s safe. Then again, if something already happened to Enlighter, she would be too late.
She is moments away from pushing his contact when she hears the elevator door open. She looks up just as Enlighter steps out and breaths a sigh of relief. “You’re late” she states as if he doesn’t already know. With his hero uniform wrinkled and his hair damp it as if he had recently gotten out of the shower, he must have rushed to get here. He certainly doesn’t need to put in much effort to look good.
“Yeah, I’m sorry” he says as he walks to his office door, glancing at her before looking away with a hint of blush on his cheeks. “I over slept” he fumbles with his keys trying to unlock the door. Without much thought, Queen reaches out to steady his hand and helps him unlock it. “Thanks” he says not looking at her as he opens the door, his face is becoming more red. The display is both pathetic and adorable, it makes her want to shrink him so she can keep him in her pocket and always protect him.
“You’re welcome” she says as she fallows him into his office. “Did you eat today?” She asks, though assumes he didn’t from his current state.
“I ment to pick something up on the way, but I didn’t want to be too late” he admits as he walks over to his window and peeks out between the blinds. Ok this feel off. What’s wrong?
She sets the wine bottle down on his desk then walks up behind him. “What are you looking at?” She asks as she leans into him, one hand on his shoulder. She fallows his gaze to a black car parked across the street.
“It’s nothing…” he says as he glances over at her his face is bright red.
“I’m sorry” she says as she pulls herself away. She walks around his desk, cheeks warming. “Do you think you’re being fallowed?”
“I…” Enlighter looks over at her, his brows pulled together and his lips pressed into a thin line. “I’m not sure” he says looking away as he sits down at his desk. “What’s with that?” He asks pointing to the wine bottle.
“Little Johnny convinced me to bring it” She says sitting across from him. “When did you first notice the car and why didn’t you call me?”
“Why did he do that?” He asks finally making eye contact again as he ignores her questions.
“Not important right now” she crosses her arms. “When did you first notice the car? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” she demands in her hero voice. If something happened to him because of her request… no, she cannot think about this right now. She is a hero, she has to ensure his safety.
He sits up straighter “I noticed it as I was walking home that same day I meet up with you.” He pushes his glasses up and swallows hard. “I didn’t want to say anything until I was certain.”
“But why?” Does he not understand how dangerous that is? “What if something happened to you before you were certain?”
“It wasn’t the first time I considered the possibility I was being fallowed” he sighs, running a hand through his hair and looks away. He must not like talking about this. Has he ever told anyone? “Normally I’m just being paranoid do to lack of sleep so I wouldn’t put much thought into it.” He says all this and yet it doesn’t make the uneasy feeling in her gut go away.
“Regardless, next time please call me if anything else happens” she says as her face warms and she feels her heartbeat pick up pace. “Unless I am actively fighting a villain or saving a civilian I will drop whatever it is I’m doing to answer.” She watches as his eyes widen and his cheeks turn red.
“Really?” He looks down for a moment before looking up to meet her gaze again. “Why…” he asks in a higher pitch before clearing his throat and continuing “why would you do that?”
“I asked you to look into this… so…” why is her heart beating so fast? Why does being around him cause this? “If something happened to you then… it would be all my fault…” is that really the only reason?
“That’s…” he looks taking off his glasses “fair I suppose.” As he cleans off his glasses she realizes he could pass for a woman if he wanted to. He just needs a little makeup, maybe put his hair up, and perhaps a short, tight black dress. He probably has nice legs, long and smooth with one crossed over the other. Of course he would need black heigh heels with that outfit… wait… there are more important things to think about… why is she getting distracted by how hot Enlighter would be if he dressed like a woman?
“Is there anything else you haven’t told me because you lacked certainty?” She asks and as he looks down at his computer she already has her answer.
-Little Johnny POV-
In the middle of getting photos taken Big Johnny jumps out of Little Johnny’s arms and runs off. “Hey! Big J!” Johnny yells as he rushes off the set to go catch Big J. Seriously, what has gotten into that boy? Did he smell something? What is going on? Someone opens a door and Johnny watches as Big J darts out of it. “Son, get back here!” He yells as he fallows after. “Sorry” he says, stopping for a moment to apologize to the worker holding the door.
Big J is small and fast making catching the little butt really hard, especially when he runs under things and people. As Johnny is running after Big J, he does not notice the white clade legs his son rushes past until it is too late to stop. He closes his eyes, his feet skid across the floor in an attempt to slow himself as he braces for impact, however, that impact never comes. Instead, Johnny feels a firm arm around his waist and a hand grip his as he gets spun in a circle then dipped. As he opens his eyes he is greeted by the smiling face of the hot guy from the mattress ad. “Hot” he says, his face warming as he gazes up at the perfect hero, Nice. This feels like a dream come true.
“Thanks, you’re pretty cute yourself” Nice says as he pulls Johnny back to his feet. “You alright?” He asks as his eyes cast down to look at Johnny’s lips.
The hot guy is checking me out! He is still so close and he hasn’t let go. Is he into me? Do I have a chance with him? Johnny thinks as he gets completely lost in the moment. Oh right! He’s talking to me! “I’m fine” he blurts out far too quickly as his face burns. This is why he hasn’t been on a date in years, well that and being a single father.
Nice gives an absolutely musical laugh with pour joy on his face. “You are too adorable” he says as he lets go of Johnny’s hand to wraps his other arm around Johnny’s waist. He hugs Johnny close as he presses his face into Johnny’s shoulder.
“I am so glad you think so” Johnny says as he slowly hugs back feeling like he’s an embarrassing fanboy.
Hearing a man clear his throat, Nice tenses then hides behind Johnny, nuzzling his face into the back of Johnny’s neck. Stunned, Johnny looks up to see the hero Smile standing nearby holding Big J in his arms. “I believe this belongs to you. He was devouring the buffet.”
“Yeah, that is mine” Johnny says as he catches Big J when Big J jumps into his arms. “I am so sorry about him.”
“It’s alright. I don’t think anyone can be too mad at that adorable face.” Smile then looks around Johnny to see Nice “and sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“It’s ok” Nice says as he peeks out from behind Johnny, with a blush dusting his cheeks, admiration in his eyes and the softest smile on his lips. “I’m Nice, I’m actually a really big of your’s” he is the most adorable human being Johnny has ever seen.
I maybe in love Johnny thinks wanting to remember this moment forever. “Hey, then how about we get a picture?” He asks as he takes his phone out of his pocket.
“Could we?” Nice glances to Johnny before turning the full attention of his puppy dog eyes back to Smile.
“Of course, I would be happy to” Smile says. When he holds out his hand, Johnny hands over his phone. Smiles moves to stand next to Nice and holds up Johnny’s phone. As Johnny leans into Nice, Big J jumps up on Nice’s shoulder and licks his face causing him to squeak.
“Ah, Big J don’t do that” Johnny says as he attempts to grab Big J only for Big J to jump into Nice’s arms. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok, I think I got him now” Nice says as his cheeks and the tips of his ears go bright red. He is so cute! Then Johnny looks down at Big J, who is nuzzling his face into Nice’s chest. At least his son seems to approve of his crush.
“Ready to smile?” Smile asks holding up Johnny’s phone once again.
Johnny’s arm goes around Nice’s waist “I’m ready.”
Nice looks over at Johnny and smiles leaning into him. “Ready” he says looking up at the phone.
“Then let’s smile” Smile says as he snaps the photo. Big J coos and looks up at Smile. “Do we need to take another one?” He asks as he hands Johnny back his phone. Nice’s gaze fallows the phone then looks to Johnny’s face expectingly.
“I could just send it to you if you give me your number” Johnny says as he holds out his phone to Nice.
“As long as you promise to use it for more then just that” Nice says as he takes Johnny’s phone.
“Like to see if you would like to go out sometime?” Johnny asks and bites his bottom lip.
“Yes, like that” Nice says then hands back the phone once he’s done.
“Here, a gift for my fans” Smile says handing them a coupon. “I think this would be the perfect place for you to… hang out” he says with a wink.
Johnny takes back his phone and puts it in his pocket. He then looks at the coupon as Nice holds it out to him. It’s a buy one get one free coupon for Smile’s Sundaes, Smile’s ice-cream shop. “Would you want to go after we’re done with this?” Johnny asks looking up at Nice as his heart pounds in his chest.
“I would love to” Nice says. Big J coos and squirms then jumps up and again licks Nice’s face again making him laugh. “I think he’s excitent.”
“It’s not just him” Johnny says as his face burns.
-Cyan POV-
This time when Cyan walks out of her dressing room Dragon Boy is already standing in front of the mirror between the dressing rooms. He looks over at her and a light blush forms on his cheeks. With his hair spiked up and eyes lined with a cat-eye look all that is left is for his harness to be fastened. “Let me know if I make it too tight, ok?” She asks as she takes hold of the straps again.
“Course” Dragon says as the blush on his cheeks darkens. “Thanks for doing this.”
“I’m always happy to help you” she says looking up at him and for a moment remember how close they had been in the car. If they had not gotten interrupted would he have kissed her? She feels her own face warm at the thought of his lips against her own.
“A little tight” He says breaking out of her thoughts.
“I am so sorry” she says quickly loosening the strap. “Are you ok?” She asks quickly looking from the strap to his face then back to the strap hoping she hadn’t hurt him.
“It’s ok” he says cupping her face in his hand making her look into his eyes. “I’m ok” he reassures her and she exhales a breath she hadn’t realized she held.
“I’ll be more careful” she says as she relaxes going back to fastening his straps. With the rest going more easily she wraps her arms around his neck hugging him once she’s done. “Think you’re ready” she asks pressing her face into his shoulder.
“Not yet” he says wrapping his arms around her waist and hold her closer. “It’s going to be hard to not hold your hand” he admits and she feels her face warm again.
“Same” she also admits as she tightens her arms around him. “But we can hold hands as much as we want once we’re off stage again” she says to reassure not just him but herself as well.
“Do you really think they’ll like me?” He asks in a small voice breaking her heart.
“Of course they will” Cyan says as she pulls her face away from his shoulder so she can look him in the eyes. “They would be crazy to not like you” she pulls his head down so she can press her forehead to his.
“Think so?” He asks pressing his nose to her’s.
“I know so” she says with a confident smile. Her heart warming as he smiles to match her’s.
“Thanks” he says. They stay like that for a long moment before Ken clears her throat to interrupt them and let them know it is almost time for the show case.