Super Secret

Super Secret (Lams)

It's a day like any other one when John pushes open the door to his shared apartment. His roommate, Alexander, is still out. Probably still working in the library on whatever papers his professors had burdened him with this month. They are both still studying, currently tackling their own master course in college. Alexander had chosen for a career in law, while John had chosen to follow the course in medical sciences. It would be nice if he has the chance to become a doctor after graduation. 

The two of them had met in the coffee shop where John has been working since the first year of college. He had needed the money to pay for the lousy flat he lived in and groceries. His dad had already paid for his education. It's a good deal and John doesn't mind the hours brewing coffee for people in need of some caffeine. One day that had been Alex. When handing him the cup, John had managed to trip over his own feet, spilling the beverage all over the fellow student. They had hit it right off after that, becoming best friends and moving in a better flat the second year of college. 

John sighs and drops his backpack near his bedroom door before shuffling into the kitchen to start dinner. He knows Alex will be home in time for the food to be ready. "John, this is delicious once again. You are the best." Alexander will say every time John tries putting together a new dish, making the latter try and hide the blush on his cheeks. John will never admit it out loud, but he lives for these compliments. The fact that he gets to make sure Alexander actually eats at least one meal a day and survives is just another lucky coincidence that comes with the job. 

He opens the fridge and lets his eyes roam over the items inside, only to swear under his breath when he realizes the fridge is almost empty. He had forgotten to go grocery shopping after his shift at the coffee shop ended yesterday. It had been a long day with a lot of pissed of customers and the thought of being able to fall face-down on his bed and sleep the day off had been a lot more attractive to John than the thought of going to a crowded shop. 

Pulling up his hair in a ponytail, John goes to fetch his wallet from his backpack. Nothing else to do than go grocery shopping now. He also takes his phone with him in case Alexander gets home early and wonders where he is. 

Soon John finds himself on the busy streets of New York City on his way to the small supermarket four blocks away from their apartment. He is zigzagging his way through the pedestrians when he hears his phone ding with a notification. Briefly looking at the screen, he sees a news article about the Emerald Guardian, the local superhero. John's mouth turns up in a tiny smile when he reads the man saved another citizen from certain death today,  rolling up a wanted criminal in the process also. The man can control the elemental power of air and John is pretty sure he has seen him conjure up a force field once in a low-quality video shot by a bystander. John has only seen the Emerald Guardian from afar when the hero either was hurrying to or hurrying away from the crime scene. He will have to read the entire article before he goes to bed, but for now, he pockets his phone again. 

Alexander is always teasing him about the Emerald Guardian. It's his own fault really for admitting to his roommate that the hero is his celebrity crush. He damn well knew Alex would never let it go again. Especially since Alexander has openly voiced his aversion to the local hero to all their friends and everyone who asked about it. Alex is a firm believer in the police force and fire department of the city and thinks that no one should interfere with their jobs. The first time they had had that conversation he had let it slip that nothing could top a hero who looked as good as that in a green and silver spandex bodysuit.

"What do you think his face looks like underneath the mask?" Lafayette had asked on one occasion when their friend group of four went out to the bar together, causing Alex to immediately smirk at his roommate.