∞ ∞ ∞
Mike walked further into the kitchen. “You guys eat Hot Pockets after your nights out patrolling?”
“Yep,” Frost answered. “I’m taking the pepperoni so you get either the ham or Philly steak and cheese.”
The snacks were a far cry from the protein boxes and energy bars Mike usually ate, but he was fine with it. “The Philly steak and cheese works for me.” Mike stood to the side and watched as Stardust and Frost moved around the kitchen, heating the turnovers and getting drinks. Frost went straight to the correct cabinets and drawers, indicating that they were here often. The two heroes were clearly comfortable with each other. They conversed easily, most of their conversation spent bickering and snarking at each other without any real heat.
As Mike listened to them argue over which fast food place had the better milkshakes, a dull pain began to throb at his temple. “Do you have any painkillers?” he asked. “I have a headache.”
“Sure. Frost do you mind getting them for me?”
Frost opened the cabinet above them and took out a bottle of Tylenol. They tossed it across the counter to Mike.
He caught it, noting that the bottle was already slightly chilled from the few seconds it had been in Frost’s hand. “Thank you.” He shook out two pills and washed them down with a drink from the glass of water Stardust set in front of him. The headache was small as he’d only used his power once tonight. Taking the Tylenol as soon as the pain started should put a stop to it completely.
Once everything was ready, Mike took his plate and glass of water and followed the other two out to the living room, where wine-red, oversized seating was arranged in a sunken conversation pit. Frost and Stardust sat on the couch and Mike settled in a big armchair across from them, balancing his plate on his lap.
“So, Zielinski. What do you do when you’re not helping Stardust stop crime in the Playground?”
“I’m an influencer wrangler for Marin’s Outdoors.”
Frost took a bite of their Hot Pocket, pulling a long string of cheese into their mouth. “What does that mean?”
“I sign influencers to our company to promote our brand on their social media platforms. I also monitor their accounts to make sure the promotion posts look good and that their general posts stay in line with our image.” He took a bite of his own snack before asking, “What about you?”
“I’m a server. Shocking right? A superhero should have something more glamorous going on with their life than waiting tables.”
Mike shook his head. “Not really. It can be to your benefit to have a job that isn’t stressful.”
The corners of Frost’s mouth quirked with amusement. “I wouldn’t say waiting tables is stress free.” They gestured at Stardust. “And he’s a—.”
“He already knows what I do,” Stardust interjected.
“Yes, I saw him at work a couple weeks back.”
Stardust languidly folded his legs beneath him on the couch. “I gave him a lap dance. Did some of my best work,” he said with a wink aimed at Mike.
Mike’s ears burned when Stardust volunteered that information.
“Interesting.” Frost took a sip of water, their blue eyes moving to connect with Stardust’s golden gaze.
The two were silent for a moment and Mike was certain they were having an unspoken conversation. He felt the urge to reassure Frost that there wasn’t anything personal between them. Especially after the look the icy hero had given them when they’d come upon them in the alley. “I didn’t request the dance. My co-workers lead the charge on that. And they didn’t know that I’d already met Stardust in a different capacity. There wasn’t anything personal to it.”
“See?” Stardust said while still staring at Frost. “Nothing personal.” After a prolonged moment, Stardust broke the stare down to grab the laptop on the coffee table and slide it over to the silver haired hero. “Let’s get going on our report.”
Finished eating, Frost accepted the computer and opened it up. Together the three of them recalled everything they’d seen that night for Frost to record and send to Caleb.
“You were definitely right about them ramping up to something bigger,” Mike said while Frost typed. “It looks as if their goal is to cause fear and unrest in the Playground. Tonight’s multiple attacks make that clear.”
Frost paused and looked up from the keyboard. “I wonder what their plans are once they reach peak unrest.”
“Whatever it is, it can’t be good. We need to stop them before it happens.”
“We will,” Stardust said in a hard voice that made it clear he would do whatever it took to stop the white shirts.
They talked about the harassment in the Playground for a while longer before the conversation turned to other things. Mike eased back into his chair, getting more comfortable. It was nice to see Stardust in this setting. The dynamic between him and Frost was interesting. Often when Frost spoke, their voice was so dry it was hard to tell if they were being serious or sarcastic. Stardust was more animated and would verbally poke at his friend until he got a small smile to tilt the corners of their mouth. Frost didn’t seem given to loud expressions of humor. While Stardust practically glowed every time he threw back his head and laughed.
Mike was entranced watching him. Everything about him was beautiful—his low, husky laugh, his pink lips curved in a smile, the elegant way he cradled his head with one hand as he leaned against the back of the couch.