Quarantine

Chapter Eighteen

And I thought my mum was bad.

I figured Hero still hadn't eaten so I took it upon myself to make him a sandwich, seeing as he hadn't gotten very far with it.

By the time I had finished making it, he had ended the call and looked up at me.

I had a bit of pickle on my thumb so I licked it off and folded the packet of cheese, ready to put back in the fridge.

I pushed the plate towards him with a smile.

"Thanks." He answered quickly, grabbing it and disappearing out of the kitchen.

What the?

"Okay..?" I frown, watching his silhouette disappear down the hall.

Maybe he's upset after seeing his mum and sister? Yeah, that's probably what it is.

I finished tidying up and putting the cheese and pickle back into the fridge.

Then, I grabbed two glasses and filled them up with juice and headed through to the living room, figuring that that's where he would be.

Sure enough, he was lounging on the sofa, covered in crumbs.

"Naw! Look at you!!" I said kneeling before him and placing the drinks beside me.

"Messy pup." I grinned and tried to sweep up as much as I could from around him.

Now all that was left was the crumbs on his top.

"Do you mind if I..?" I looked at his top and then back to him.

"Go ahead." He tells me without even looking at me. His voice is weird.. Strained even.

"Are you okay?" I frown, placing one hand in front of his top to catch the crumbs and the other down the front of his top to pull it away and guide all the crumbs into my hand.

His body tenses and I'm pretty sure he's not even breathing at this point.

"Hero?" I pause, my hand accidentally grazing against his skin again.

"What are you doing?!" He snaps.

"Nothing?! I'm.." I remove my hand immediately and in my haste I end up making even more of a mess, even spilling some of the crumbs onto my own lap.

I watch silently as he tuts and leans forward over the sofa.

"What are you like." He shakes his head and brushes one hand across my leg, I wouldn't mind but his hand is dangerously high.

I swallow quietly and try to remind myself of all the different techniques that I was taught when I was filming in order to stay calm when being so close to someone else.

Nothing I tried worked. So I closed my eyes and tensed instead, waiting for him to finish.

Wait.

He had been tensing earlier, too. Was he doing that because of me?

"Earth to Jo..?" I opened my eyes and instantly smiled without meaning to.

"I've.. Got you some juice!" I pick up the glass and hold it out to him.

He dumps the crumbs on the plate and sits up before taking the glass from my hand.

"Thanks."

"..Sure." I tuck some hair behind my ear and pick up my own glass.

I set the glass on the coffee table behind me and when I turn back round I'm nose to nose with Hero.

"Whoah.." I exclaim as he straightens up.

"My bad, I was putting the plate on the table when you.." He pointed towards me.

"It's okay." I say a little breathlessly, trying to stand on my feet but struggling due to all the pins and needles.

"Careful!" He reaches out from where he's sat and his hands automatically find my hips.

Ugh, I can't take this..