The Reluctant Hero

The Diner - 12

     I sat on the stool at the counter of the little diner I'd found and pondered my options. I could just take the food and go. If I left now, he likely wouldn't pick up my trail. I hadn't been overly careful, but I hadn't been careless either. I could just vanish and deal with things on my own as I should. Yet I hesitated. 

     I sipped my coffee and admitted what I'd been avoiding. I didn't want to disappoint him again. His look of betrayal had stung when he'd confronted me about the attack. I didn't like the feeling. It'd also been a long time since I cared and I wasn't sure I liked it either. It was a liability not to mention uncomfortable. 

     I told myself I would leave as soon as I finished my coffee. I told myself it was for his own good as well as mine. I sipped when I should have chugged. I knew I was stalling. I wanted him to find me because I knew I couldn't make myself go back. 

     I cringed when the diner door opened particularly hard and I could feel tension behind me. It came off in waves. 

     "Coffee?" I asked without turning around sipping my cup.

     I felt him sit beside me as he said in a sour tone, "Coffee is merely hot dirty water. "

     "Tea is merely hot water with grass," I countered. 

     I felt the tension lift a little. 

     "Imagine my surprise when I find the little Imp had run away," he said quietly.

     I didn't dare look at him. I didn't want to see his expression. I also bristled a little at him saying I'd run away but in a way I had. 

     "I was hungry."

     "Is that what we're pretending?"

     I sighed and looked at him. He was dressed in normal human attire again; black slacks, and a jade green ribbed Cashmere sweater. He was definitely turning heads in a mom-and-pop place like this not that he seemed to notice. 

     "I don't know what you want. We're out of the cell. We don't know each other. I don't know your agenda nor you mine. Logically speaking we're a liability to each other staying together. You have people after you, I've people after me, and staying together makes us both easier to catch. Why do you keep insisting we stay together?" It felt weird to say so much at once. It also felt weird to have to explain something that should have been obvious and thus made it seem so suspicious. 

     He tilted his head up almost as if he too were surprised I'd said so much. He grinned, looked down at the counter a moment, and chuckled. Then he looked back up at me and said, "I knew you were a clever little imp. Fair enough. With the Avengers breathing down my neck and knowing nothing of this accursed rock you call home, I've nowhere to go and don't know anyone here to serve me. I don't have a plan or allies so sticking with you has been resourceful and enlightening. You intrigue me."

     "Curiosity killed the cat," I mutter into my cup. I don't know what I'd hoped he would say but that wasn't it.

     "What is a cat and how did curiosity kill it pray tell?"

     I didn't feel like an Earth lesson. "It doesn't matter. I don't think my being entertainment is enough of a reason to stick together. I have enough problems without babysitting an Avengers most wanted. I can give you some money and point you towards a bus but after that, we go our separate ways." I ignored the twist of my stomach. 

     The silence was deafening. Even the sounds of the diner and people around us seemed quiet. I took a sip of my coffee. We sat like that for a few minutes. He didn't protest and neither did I. Finally, I could stall no more. I laid cash down, I didn't even look at how much and stood facing him.

     "Let's go."

     He looked at me, his eyes piercing mine. It felt like he was reading my soul. I knew my expression was stoic. I was well trained after all. He sighed and got up to follow me.

     "Lead on Imp if that's what you truly wish."

     I almost stumbled when I realized I didn't. Almost.