My pupils seemed to contort in confusion.
"Huh? What sort of question is that-"
"What did you see?"
Paul enunciated and I started to get up but swayed back down into his arms. I forgot how hard this Supe alcohol hits.
"I don't have to tell you shit."
"You don't."
Licking my lips, I gazed down at Paul's. My hair I wouldn't even call curls as the end slid down from my tilt. I leaned in cupping his cheeks with my palms running my upper lip over his stubble.
"You're changing the subject-"
"I didn't say that you did. So if we are changing the subject-"
"Leto. Spit it out."
Groaning loudly, I leaned back into the couch. Combing some hair out of my face.
"I saw my Mom again. Happy?"
"It's been a while huh-"
Rolling my eyes, I got up this time. Wobbling towards the bedroom I wiggled off my gloves, attempting to peel out of my suit on my own with no avail. I fell on my ass and hopped back up getting the upper half off. Sniffing and wiping any loose tears to feel Paul's arms wrap around me. I turned around trying to push him off me. Not using my full strength.
"Get off me! No! I don't need you! I don't need anyone!"
His grip was firm though, kissing my lips before moving to kiss my forehead. The physical contact distracted me for a moment while he lifted me into his arms bridal style.
"...Asshole."
"And she's back."
Glaring at him, Paul chuckled carrying me to the bathroom. He helped strip me down and prepared a bath for me. My pride kicked in to clean myself, but I did let him wash my hair. Changing into a nightgown I slipped into bed and watched him strip down and head into the shower. Flashing me a smirk while he was just in a towel. I think he said something but I don't remember what it was to be fair. I moved to turn the TV on, but the lights flickered above me and the TV glitched.
"Paul!"
I screamed with a wide grin on my face, I heard him laughing and screaming back.
"You can only watch Getting Away with Murder okay?!"
"Fine!"
Grumbling to myself, I waited for the TV to go back to normal. Clicking on the streaming service to watch the latest episode. Paul exited out of the bathroom taking a second for me to take him in with damp hair and perspired skin across his body.
"...Did you hear what I said?"
"This is blackmail by the way."
I said waving to his bodes, which told him no.
"I asked if you want some ice cream."
"Yes."
"Two scoops with brownie melted on top?"
"You got it."
Sucking the ice cream off the spoon, I leaned my head into Paul's shoulder. He pushed some loose hair behind my ear while I watched Viola Davis command every scene she was in. He wasn't saying it but by his heartbeat, he wanted to keep talking about the Mom thing.
"I'm not sure I saw my Mom as I saw myself..."
Paul rested his chin on my forehead moving to cuddle me closer in his arms.
"That could have been me. Dying in a dirt-infested bank that doesn't even pay a fucking cent for a mortgage."
"You're allowed to be human Leto-"
"No, I'm not. That's the whole point. I was made to..."
Clenching my jaw, my bottom lip trembled for a hot second as I swiftly shook my head.
"I can't do that again, okay? I can't lose my composure like that. Especially because I'm a woman and every time I show weakness it always bites me in the ass."
Paul moved to sit up slightly and so did I. We locked eyes for a long moment.
"You need to have tough skin. On and off the cameras. I get that to an extent. I am purely just a human and a man after all so that slices my points down..."
Emitting a chuckle from me, he cupped my face with his hands touching his forehead to mine.
"You don't know how much it means that you chose to be vulnerable with me. I don't take for granted, ever."
"Even when I'm an asshole-"
"Especially when you're an asshole."
I leaned over to kiss him but he placed his index on my lips, moving his head under the bedcovers. Slipping just under my nightgown as I continued to gobble down my ice cream. Humming softly, I tilted my head to the side gripping the spoon just a little tight.
Snap
Flash
Exhaling the hot air from my throat.
Over here!
Thunder!
A good distraction from from uh-
"Thunder! I'm Kira from Real News on Channel 7 can you take a second to talk to us before you head inside the Globe?"
"Sure."
I liked Kira, the other parade of paparazzi would have to wait in a circle as usual. The camera flashes illuminating my skin and suit.
"Last I checked you had a blunder of a robbery yesterday."
"Correct."
"We've got to try harder with dicks too small saying you're a horrible superhero. In the other corner are valid fears behind the victims who were killed by the assailants, and rumors of foul play from military involvement. What's your take?"
"The robbery was shitty on all ends. We all did what we could."
Kira nodded as I went through the mountains of paparazzi. Many ask if I'm still capable of being a superhero, and why I let people die on my watch. That sort of thing. Unironically this was the easiest part since it was predictable. Closing the door behind me, flicking some hair off my face. I recognized that familiar whoosh.
"Mark."
"Hey baby, care to dance-"
"I'll fry your nuts off."
"Okay."
The laugh echoed through the halls, as I gazed up at her hanging upside down.
"Easy on the eyes ma'am."
My pupils sparkled with hues of violet before I blinked them off.
