Boundaries

Before The Storm.

I wake with a smile on my face the next morning, feeling more alive right here in this moment than I have in the past week.

Being without Hero was suffocating. He was my air to breathe.

I could only hope things wouldn't go back to the way they were before.

Hero and I have worked to overcome so many obstacles, and I would hate to see all of our hard work go unnoticed because of more secrets.

Hero stirs in his sleep, his arms tightening around me before his eyes flutter open.

He looks down at me with a smile and presses his lips to my forehead. "Good morning, beautiful."

"Morning." I return the smile before nuzzling into his chest.

"Do you work today?" Hero asks me, checking the clock next to his bed.

I nod. "Yeah, I'm supposed to go in at one."

"It's twelve." Hero points out, and I groan in response.

"Can't catch a break." I huff before moving from my comfortable position to begin getting ready.

Hero watches me, disappointment written all over his face.

I wish I could stay with him all day, but I loved my job. It kept my passion alive, and I knew I was only going to continue to grow as an artist.

But my need for Hero also continued to grow every day.

It felt weird to be so dependent on someone else, especially after being independent for so long.

I wonder if Hero felt the same.

I wonder if he thought about me while I was gone.

I wonder if he craved my presence as much as I craved his.

"Hero, what do you do all day while I'm at work?" I ask before I can stop myself, my curiosity getting the best of me like it always does.

Hero frowns for a moment. "Why?"

His sudden defensive tones always worry me , but perhaps he simply thinks I don't trust him.

"I was just wondering." I assure him. "I hate the thought of leaving you here by yourself while I'm at work. I wish I could just stay with you."

Hero's face softens. "Then stay."

"I can't." I laugh. "Seriously though, what do you do to occupy yourself?"

Hero ponders this for a moment. "I think about you mostly. I take some pictures around the neighborhood, I hang out with Hal, I sleep, I think. That's it really."

I can't help the look of uncertainty still written on my face. Part of me felt something was missing. Like I was only getting part of the truth.

"I take walks sometimes. It helps me clear my head. I try to steer clear of certain paths because I know I'd feel tempted to do something I shouldn't." Hero says, looking right into my eyes.

I nod my head slowly. "Has it been hard for you?"

Hero hesitates for a moment then nods. "Yes, but it's worth it. For you."

"That's good to hear." I admit with a smile.

"Good." Hero laughs before standing to join me. He kisses my lips softly before pulling a plain black t-shirt over his head.

"We should get you some more clothes." I point out. Hero was a simple guy, wearing pretty much the same three things every day. Hal supplied him with necessities, but perhaps Hero would benefit from some new clothes. Something that could help him make his own person.