Hypernova : A Sequel to Supernova

Episode 1.3 - Who Are We Really?

Jade stood in the kitchen, quietly arranging plates on the dining table. The morning sun filtered through the blinds, casting warm stripes across the floor. He bit his bottom lip nervously as he rearranged the dishes for the tenth time, trying to make it perfect.

Swiping his palms down his thighs, Jade glanced toward the hallway, wondering when Avalon would wake up. He'd barely slept himself because he felt so strange. Avalon was finally back after such a long time. Seeing him had flooded his heart with happiness, even if Avalon did seem a little off.

Jade bit the flesh of his thumb, his thoughts circling around the almost-kiss from last night. He'd felt Avalon's breath on his lips, a sensation that had stayed with him through the night like a persistent shadow. Even now, he couldn't shake the desire to...

He shook his head. What were you thinking? he scolded himself. Avalon had clearly looked uncomfortable. Throughout the night, he'd thought of trekking down to Avalon's room to smooth things over, but he had neither the words nor the courage. So he imagined he could at least make up for his mistake this way.

The sound of footsteps drew Jade's attention. Avalon appeared in the doorway, his hair tousled and his face still marked with sleep, wearing black-framed glasses. Jade gasped at the sight but quickly forced his thoughts into order.

"What's all this?" Avalon asked, eyebrows raised in surprise.

Jade grinned, leaning against the counter. "I thought I'd treat you to breakfast since you didn't eat much last night." He folded his arms over his chest. "Or should I have let you starve?" he teased.

Avalon rubbed the back of his neck, looking between the food and Jade. "It's... you didn't have to do all of this."

Jade shrugged casually as he picked up his phone and waved it at Avalon. "Just a few clicks of a button."

"Mn." Avalon held Jade's gaze for a moment. "Thank you."

"No worries." Jade smiled as he stood upright. "Enjoy your breakfast."

"Wait." Avalon looked at him questioningly. "You're leaving?"

"I am," Jade confirmed with a nod, looking at his watch. "I have a meeting in an hour or so, and I still have to go home and get changed."

"A meeting?" Avalon was intrigued as he picked up his fork.

"Oh, right." Jade's eyes lit up. "I didn't tell you."

"Tell me what?" Avalon asked.

"Wait." Jade beamed as he left the kitchen to retrieve something.

When he returned, he placed a card on the table before Avalon.

Avalon looked at the card. "Phoenix Rising. What is that?"

Jade's eyes twinkled. "A charity I started."

Avalon blinked, surprise flickering across his face for just a second before he composed himself. "A charity," he echoed, clearly not expecting that.

"I was thinking about what you said a little before you left," Jade explained. "About finding some direction and doing more..." He looked down at his hands. "I thought about it for a really long time. I didn't know exactly what I wanted to do." Avalon listened wordlessly, watching as the expression in Jade's eyes shifted. "It's new, and I really have no idea what I'm doing, but I want to give it a shot."

"And what does it do?" Avalon asked, still stupefied.

"Oh!" Jade perked up again. "It's for kids—orphans, street kids, runaways—kids who don't have anything or anyone. We provide them with shelter, education, job training. I want to give them a real chance, y'know? A shot at life."