Atomic Rebooted

30. Stay

CLAIRE

"So there was a new superhero, not from Atomic Energy?" I raised my eyebrows to add to my surprise.

Am I overdoing it?

"Yeah, it's kind of weird, I forgot that there were other weirdos like Renegade running around," Tristan said. "Especially after they stopped for the most part after. . . Well, you know."

"I do," I said somewhat stiffly. Is that what you'd really think of me, if you knew?

"Sorry, I know you probably don't like talking about them," Tristan said. "It's too bad you missed it, though."

"Sounds like it."

"Hey, I just wanted to say, I'm sorry that the festival went up like that," Tristan said as we turned onto my street. "I was wondering, since it kind of got interrupted, if maybe you wanted to just. . . Hang out."

"Alright," I said softly. I then smiled. "I think I'd like that."

He then reached for my hand, and I let him take it.

"You okay?" Tristan asked.

"I guess I'm just in shock, that's all." I'm also exhausted. Then I looked at him as one part of the attack on the festival hit me, all new all over again. "You saved my life back there. Thank you."

And kept me from exposing my powers, especially to you.

He glanced at me before returning his eyes to the road. His dark eyes were filled with earnest sincerity.

"Of course," he said. "I'd die for you."

We then both laughed—it was too grandiose, too intense to be taken seriously.

"Are you doing okay?" I asked.

"I'm fine," he assured me with a smirk. "It's going to take a lot more than that to shake me."

I gently squeezed his hand. "I'm just glad you're okay."

"Are you, now?" It was supposed to be the usual light teasing that was between us. But there was an undercurrent there, or at least that's what I thought.

Was I reading too much into it? Or was there something flirty there?

Did I have it right all along, that this was a date, or—

Thank God we pulled into Holly's driveway right then and there. As soon as we appeared on the front door, I was embraced by Holly.

"I was so worried!" Holly cried. "I was about to call—"

She then let go of me and embraced Tristan. "Thank you, thank you for bringing her back safely!"

"It's no problem, ma'am," Tristan said as he gently extricated himself from her vice-like grip. He had a teasing smile, but it didn't go all the way to his grim, dark eyes. "I'd never forgive myself if I didn't."

"I'm so glad you're okay," Holly said, hugging me again. "I was so worried when I heard— I can't believe it."

"Neither can I."

She then gently pushed me away to look at me. "You look tired, honey."

"I feel tired."

"Do you want me to tell the boy to go away?" Holly asked.

I shook my head. "No, I think I'll be okay. I'll find time for a nap after he leaves and before esports practice."

"Good, I'll make sure to make you an energy shake." Holly patted me on the shoulder. "Just keep the trapdoor open and don't do anything stupid."

"Thanks, Holly." My smile was real this time, if a little sad. "You're the best."

"Aw, thank you." Holly blushed. "I'm just glad you're okay. Too many close calls."

"I agree."

When I got up into the attic, he plopped on my bed, kicking his boots up on it.

"Awfully presumptuous, aren't we?" I said as I threw my messenger bag to the side.

Still, he swung his legs back down to the floor as I approached and flopped face-first into the comforter. The sweet smell of lavender detergent overtook my senses for a blissfully quiet moment.

Then Tristan opened his mouth.

"You okay?" His voice was gentle.

I rolled over onto my back, which seemed to take all of the effort in the world. "Do you want the truth or the societally-acceptable answer?"

"Everything's shit, then."

"Pretty much." My hands covered my face.

"Want to talk about it?"

"Sort of, but also no." I groaned. "It's all complicated."

"I get that, you have the absolute worst luck," he said. "Two encounters with Tenebrous in the span of two weeks."

"Yeah, I still can't wrap my head around it." A part of me was already regretting my commitment to become Psyche. This was the kind of thing that was destined to spiral out of control.

"You won't believe how many times your stepmother was trying to call me, since you weren't picking up for some reason." There was a strange glint in his eye there. "She was really worried about you."

I removed my hands from my face and propped myself up on my elbows to look at him. I hated the vulnerability in my voice, inherent to the question that fell out of my mouth next.

"Did you worry about me?"

"No," he admitted. "Because I think I'd feel it, if you died. And I think you could get yourself out of just about anything."

Except my vigilante responsibilities to the entire city.

"I don't believe in myself that much." I laughed.

"Leave it to me, then."

I smiled back at him, feeling genuinely at ease for the first time all day. I could feel the energy coming back into my bones.

"I guess we should work on the project, then, shouldn't we?"

"I guess so," he agreed. "Or, since we're so close to done, you could teach me to play one of your esports games."

I raised an eyebrow. "You really want me to teach you Mage Sword?"

He shrugged. "Why not? How hard can it be?"

"I'm going to make you eat those words," I declared as I leapt into my gaming chair.

"I wouldn't have it any other way," he said.