Seek {Superhero AU} - Ending 1

26: Have a Good Time Before My Time Is Up

WPOV

Track: Time of our Lives, Ne-Yo & Pitbull

I can't sit still. I haven't been able to sit still at all today, actually. I got dressed in my suit—it has a deep purple jacket and pants, and my tie is black. Nico's is a black suit with a purple tie. This was our compromise—colorful, but not yellow or orange.

I've actually been dressed in my suit for a few hours. I was too excited to wait. My mother laughs quietly at me every time she passes me pacing in the living room. I keep checking out the window every few minutes, hoping that maybe time has passed more quickly than expected and Nico is already waiting for me.

"This excited over hanging out with Lou Ellen and Cecil at homecoming?" she asks. I think there's only about ten minutes now before Nico should be at my door. I straighten my jacket again for about the hundredth time. It's subconscious at this point.

Now I fidget with my sleeves, smiling out the window. "Oh—I mean, yes, I'm excited to see them, but actually...I'm going with a date."

My mother pauses. She had been on her way to the kitchen, probably to grab a snack or a drink, but now she stops and turns to face me. She's smiling a little. "Oh...you have a girlfriend? You didn't tell me."

I swallow. My mother knows I'm bisexual—I told her, half-sobbing, after being attacked in Texas—but sometimes it seems to slip her mind. And technically, it's not wrong of her to ask me about a girlfriend. I've been attracted to girls before, so it's plausible.

"Actually, I have a boyfriend," I correct. "Is that still okay?"

I don't want her to be disappointed that it's a boy. She works so hard to build a good life for me here. I never want her to feel like I don't appreciate it. She's never tried to make me feel bad about being queer, but the fact that it has caused her to have to work so much harder makes me feel awful.

And watching her face, I see fear flash in her eyes for a moment. She forgets about whatever she was going to get from the kitchen; instead, she strides toward me and cups my face in her hands. "William, of course that's okay." She looks nervous now. "If anyone seems to be giving you any dirty looks, or if anyone tries to hurt you, I want you to call me immediately, okay? I will come pick you and your date up immediately, no questions asked."

"No one will hurt me here," I assure. "People are more accepting here than they ever were in Texas—they won't care that I'm at a school dance with a guy. Promise."

She doesn't really look convinced. "I'll worry about you unless you promise you'll call at the first sign that anyone might be targeting you. If they follow you, if they're watching you strangely, if anything seems off, I want you to call me immediately. I don't—" Her voice breaks a little. "I don't want a repeat of what happened in Texas. I love you, Will, and I would do anything to protect you."

My heart warms at her concern. I don't know how Nico was ever concerned that the Viper could be my mom. I mean, clearly she wants what's best for me, and committing a myriad of crimes would most certainly not further that goal.

I nod at her. "Okay. I promise that if anyone tries to target me for being queer, I'll get help and call you."

This is only a minor relief, judging by the way she smiles weakly at me.

There's a knock at the door, and I straighten immediately. "Nico! He's here!"

I pass my mother in a hurry as she says, "What? Nico di Angelo is your date?"

I practically throw open the door to reveal Nico standing nervously on the other side. For a moment, I can't think of anything to say—I'm too busy thinking that he's gorgeous.