“Ah,” Pyro Storm said, turning to face his greatest nemesis. “I see you got my message, Shadow Star.”
“I did,” Shadow Star said, his voice a deep rumble that made Nate shiver. “Though I’m sure the city would appreciate if you sent me a text instead of burning it into the side of the mayor’s office.”
“Had to make sure I’d get your attention,” Pyro Storm said.
“You have it, though I’m not sure you want it.” Shadow Star glanced at Nate. “You all right?”
Nate nodded. “I … I’m fine.”
“I’ll get you down.”
“That’d be nice.”
“I need to talk to you.”
Nate didn’t know if that was good or bad. “O … kay?”
Shadow Star stared intensely at him. Or, at least Nate thought he was staring intensely, given that he couldn’t actually see Shadow Star’s eyes. He wondered if they were blue. He hoped they were. A cerulean blue, like an exotic ocean. They were probably beautiful and hot and full of anguish and pain at the sight of Nate trapped by Pyro Storm.
“Wow,” Pyro Storm said. “You could totally cut the sexual tension out here with a knife. Are you guys soul mates? Because you seem like you’re soul mates.”
Shadow Star turned away, staring off into the distance, full of quiet angst and strength. “I don’t know if I can believe in love. I’ve been … hurt. In the past.”
Pyro Storm nodded. “Oh, I get that. It sucks, right? But sometimes, you have to move on from whatever hurt you in the past. Or whoever.”
“You don’t know what you speak of, villain,” Shadow Star said, clenching his fist. “It’s not as easy as you think it is. Loving someone whether they’re an Extraordinary or not only brings sorrow.”
Oh, the quiet power Shadow Star had. Nate’s stomach twisted painfully. “It’s worth it,” he said. “Because without love, we have nothing.”
Shadow Star glanced at him before looking away. “It’s not you, Nate. You have to know that. I don’t care that you have ADHD that you think makes your brain all screwy, or that you get terrible migraines. Even when you let your dad down last year with bad grades, I know you tried. You try. You try harder than anyone else I’ve ever met. It’s one of things I … I…” He shook his head. “Nate. I have so much to tell you. Things I should have told you long ago. But I’m scared of letting someone in, letting someone get close. To see the man behind the mask.”
“I see you,” Nate said fervently. “All of you, mask or not. Which is why I will do what I must to keep you safe.”
Pyro Storm was distracted as Shadow Star began his hero’s lament, saying that he’d ignored his heart since he’d learned they were made to be broken. Pyro Storm didn’t see that Nate had managed to get one of his arms free. He was up really, really high, but he wasn’t scared. Nothing scared him.
Nate leapt from the bridge spire directly onto Pyro Storm’s back. The villain shouted in anger as Nate wrapped his leg around his waist, reaching between them and pulling the cape up and over the villain’s head. “And that’s why you don’t wear a cape, you dick,” Nate growled awesomely, like a badass.
Pyro Storm cursed as he struggled to find his way out of his cape. Nate tried to hold on as best he could, but Pyro Storm was bigger and stronger. Nate couldn’t avoid the elbow that Pyro Storm threw back at him. It struck the side of Nate’s face. Nate saw stars.
He let go of Pyro Storm.
And began to fall.
“Nate!” Shadow Star screamed.
To be continued …
* * *
Comments:
ExtraordinariesSuperFan 14:45: OMF GOD! This was AMAZING! But why did you have to leave it on ANOTHER CLIFFHANGER???!!! AAAAAAAAAAAA
PyroStarIsLife 15:13: I kno u said u didn’t want to hear about it n e more, but I think Pyro Storm and Shadow Star are in love. They have so much tension!!!! They should kiss and see if they like it. Nate would understand!
MoltenMagma 16:04: How much longer is this going to go on? You’ve been writing this for almost a year. I just want Nate and Shadow Star to finally get together. This is already the longest work in the fandom.
ExtraordinaryGurl 16:14: JLKHGSLKDHT!!!! I LOOOVE IT SO MUCH. THIS IS MY FAVORITE FIC ON THIS ENTIRE SITE GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH
ShadowStarIsBae 16:25: Why does Nate suddenly have ADHD and migraines???? That’s never been brought up before. Noah Fence, but