Or so Jay is told. Personally, he's a bit bad at romance. He's always been a bit too awkward, too nervous, and too dorky to go up and randomly ask someone out. It wasn't helped that he's pretty slow on the uptake when it comes to flirting. Taking everything at face value puts off a lot potential suitors, apparently.

And sure, he's technically had a boyfriend before Gannet, but that didn't end very well. Jay had been young and dumb, and so very willing to justify anything for love. That relationship taught him he needed to keep his common sense intact even when he was in a relationship. It was common sense you didn't treat people you love like that.

That's why this new thing with Gannet is making Jay nervous. It's all so exciting, new, and a little frightening. He has so many things he wants to do with Gannet, and so much that he wants to learn. In particular, after their encounter with Influentia, he has some questions. Luckily, today is his rate day off, and he's invited Gannet to spend it with him. It's the perfect time to settle some of his doubts and spend some time with his boyfriend.

Unfortunately, they can't go anywhere with lots of eyes. The public is aware of who Stygian really is now, so they have to keep a low profile. However, this does highlight a great opportunity to indulge Gannet's interest in plants. As such, they're currently on the road, driving out to the entrance of the Lonestar trail.

"So you made this just for me?" Gannet asks, looking down at the pamphlet. His fingers trace the black and white printed images of weeds and flowers.

"Yeah. When I was a heroscout we learned all about the different plants native to Texas. I thought you might be interested in a scavenger hunt..."

Gannet grins brightly, leaning over from his seat to hug Jay. "Of course! This is so sweet, it's going to be super fun."

"I know—put your seatbelt back on please."

Gannet giggles, snapping his seatbelt back into place. "It feels like we haven't actually got time to ourselves in eternity."

"Tell me about it. The Network slashed my off-time in half. When I'm not on duty I'm training with the team or doing their stupid testing."

"They're not—they're not hurting you are they?"

Jay curses his lack of foresight. He shouldn't have mentioned that. "No, look, I'm fine. It's just boring stuff like checking how fast I'm healing after a fight or taking samples from my chest. It doesn't hurt."

Red eyes shimmer intensely. "You'll tell me if they hurt you, right?"

"I will, I will. C'mon—don't go all villain right now. Let Gannet breathe a little, Stygian. I haven't seen your cute face without the mask in weeks."

Gannet's eyes fade back to brown as he grins. "You think my face is cute?"

"Definitely. Cutest villain in Houston."

Gannet giggles, unleashing a little shadow that coils excitedly in the air before being reabsorbed. "You're cute too."

Jay snorts as he pulls into a parking spot. He leaves the van, walking around the side to open Gannet's door. "I prefer handsome. Don't forget the ice chest."

Gannet steps out of the car, taking a moment to lace up his boots and adjust his clothes. Like Jay, he's wearing a pretty simple ensemble, one perfect for hiking: some black boots, a hoodie, some borrowed flannel, and one perfectly assembled man-bun. Jay is wearing basically the same thing, but with the addition of a cold-weather face mask and actual hiking boots. It's not necessarily needed to wear the mask, since Houston never really dips below 20 degrees, but it's good to have in case someone else is on the trails today. He didn't want to be recognized.

"Are we ready to go?"

Yep, let's go."

They start down the trail together. Jay is immediately studying the surroundings intently.Often, when people think of his state they think of desert bluffs and cowboys on horses. While that was partially true, the state was pretty diverse in terms of habitat. There were many pine forests like this one, as well as beaches, prairies, and swamps.

Jay particularly enjoys the forests. It's a nice change of pace to enjoy crisp air, birdsong, and gentle filtered light peeking through the canopy.

Gannet seems to be enjoying himself too. He's studying the pamphlet Jay made, finger on the "bluebonnet flower," picture.

"They're not blooming right now. But I can take you back in the spring."

Gannet smiles. He interlocks their hands together. "Okay."

They walk like that in silence for a while. Jay enjoys the quiet—he loves listening to Gannet babble, but with his mind so busy lately he appreciates the space to think.

Finally, they reach a secluded little spot. They've walked about a mile now, and come up to the part of this trail that curves around lake Conroe. Morning light dances on the waves, a gentle breeze causing the water to ripple against the shore.

"Wanna stop here?"

Gannet nods. He sets his cooler down In a sunny spot, laying down a red plaid picnic blanket and unpacking several tupperwares of snacks.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

He sets his cooler down In a sunny spot, laying down a red plaid picnic blanket and unpacking several tupperwares of snacks [https://img.wattpad.com/e6bfa11f9c66a5484ac44f61ac0f7e4d3d29447c/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f776b6b34314974374554594469413d3d2d313432353435323532332e313762366137643937303339396530623734383430323938353930392e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]

Jay sits down, grabbing a banana and a can of coffee as Gannet opens a large container of brownies.

"Your diet is so unbalanced," Jay snorts.

"Wha—hey! I'm eating for two over here."

"Is that really why?"

"Yes, exactly. I eat like 6,000 calories a day."

Jay gapes. It did make sense, considering. But he was kinda assuming Stygian's powers broke the laws of thermodynamics, a trait common to supers.

"Holy shit, how do you afford that?"

"When I worked at the food bank they gave me all the stuff that was about to expire. Turns out a lot of people donate soda, poptarts, and other sugary crap that recipients don't want. I used to work out with Sadie to burn It off when I was younger, but now I realize my powers use enough energy that I don't need to."

"About that, why did you date her? I mean, of all the supers, Influentia?"

Gannet sighs. "Before she got big she was a microinfluencer in the superfan scene. Did I ever tell you I used run a Quickwit fanblog when I younger?"

"You mentioned it."

"Well—it's technically still up. Anyway—I was a big fan of hers. We met at a convention and well, I developed a crush. We started dating and I told her my secret that I was a super. But as her followers grew she became more and more insistent that I do a big reveal on her channel as a villain."

"That's horrible."

"Yeah. I hadn't really identified as a villain yet I just—I actually thought of myself as a vigilante at the time. I didn't want to work for the Network I just thought I could be a hero. In my own way."

Jay nods sympathetically, but inside a sour feeling is brewing. So Gannet has a habit of pursuing his idols romantically? What, would he toss Jay aside the moment someone new and more interesting came along?

Jay swallows the acrid thought with a bite of banana. He's definitely letting his insecurities control him.

"You are a hero, Gannet. Of all the supers I've met, you're the one I'm most proud to work with."

"Really? You mean that?"

"Of course. And you're the most awesome."

"You're just trying to butter me up now!"

Jay laughs, sipping his coffee. "Maybe. But it's true."

"You didn't forget you work with Alphaman now, right?"

"You're far superior. I haven't even met him in person once. I mean, he's been in the hero game since, what, 2001? He's got to know by now how teamwork means actually showing up."

"Goddamn, the 2001!? I always forget he's so fucking old!"

"Yep. What do you think he looks like under that helmet?"

"Wrinkly. Ugly. Really wrinkly and ugly."

Jay laughs out loud. "Damn. So shallow."

"It's not shallow! He's an ass, from what I've seen."

"Still, it's a little mean to say he's ugly just because he's got wrinkles. When you have wrinkles you'll still be cute."

"If I get them. Who knows."

"You don't think you'll age?"

"I'll age, but twice the telomeres means I'll age slower. I think. Also, I'm pretty sure I got a lethal dose of radiation from brighteyes once and my genes were like bitch, that tickled."

"You got a lethal dose?!"

"If Amazon sold me an accurate radiation test kit, yah. I'm Class-S, Jay, I'm pretty sure it would take a direct hit from a Tsar-bomba to take me out. Or a direct hit from Alphaman."

"Are you still radioactive...?"

"No. I developed a resistance to it and neutralized it."

Jay flops onto his back. "You're so cool. Why do you want to date me?"

"It's not all sunshine and flowers having chimeric potential. There are some pretty big downsides."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. Like Having a higher cell duplication rate."

Jay pauses. "You mentioned it before. High cell duplication rate, high rates of cell duplication errors, high rates of cancer. You've never needed medication for it, right?"

"No. My healing factor is enough to fight it with no issue. For now, at least. When I get a lot older and my powers slow down, it's probably going to be more of an issue—" Gannet's eyes drift to Jay's chest. "For both of us."

"Don't look at me like that. You extended my lifespan, so it's not like it matters."

"It's still shit to know I'm probably going to be the reason you die."

"I get to live longer with you. I don't really care about what comes after that. I never planned on living forever."

Gannet smiles softly, the morning light making his face look soft and ethereal. "I'm so happy you're with me."

"You mean you're so happy to have a poor sidekick to beat up for the rest of your life."

"Can you blame me? You're so fun to bully!"

Gannet screams as Jay launches a sudden attack. He tries to dodge it, but leaves his brownie vulnerable in the process. He over-corrects and accidentally falls onto his side. He yells bloody murder as Jay wrestles him to the ground with great effort and viciously devours the brownie.

"My brownie! You ass—"

He attempts to kick, but Jay jumps back, stealing another brownie from the Tupperware.

"The brave sidekick is victorious over the evil, malicious villain! He saves the poor hostage brownie from the dastardly, sugar-obsessed fiend!"

"Like hell!"

Jay smirks, stuffing the brownie in his mouth as he makes a come hither motion. Gannet charges, taking the bait. His eyes go red as he reaches for the brownie. Jay ducks, grabs a wrist, twirling around Gannet, and kicks the back of his knee. Down they both go, with Gannet still laughing like a hyena, ending with Jay on top. He grins as he twists Gannet's arm behind his back.

"Say uncle!"

"I could literally evaporate you!"

"Stygian can. Not Gannet. No cheating."

"You're cheating!"

"No I'm not. I'm using all the skill I rightfully acquired by being a hero and a little brother."

"You have a brother!?"

"Two."

"You have a whole super family and you didn't tell me?!"

"I'm adopted. They don't have any powers. They still used to beat me up like everyday though. Now say uncle!"

"Never!"

Gannet wriggles, almost escaping Jay's clutches. Jay pushes him down by the back of his neck, causing a squeak to escape Gannet's mouth as forehead meets picnic blanket. His face goes red as a hand grips him tight by the hip and yanks him backwards, pulling him to fit flush against Jay's body.

"We're outside, Jay!"

"Are we? I didn't notice."

"You're being such a bastard today. Not very heroic at all, Quickwit."

Despite the complaints, Gannet looks anything but upset pinned to the ground. In fact, he's gone lax, compliantly submitting to the hold with a smile. It always makes Jay feel powerful when Gannet acts helpless like this, like Jay's touch is enough to render a S-class as harmless as a kitten.

"You sure protest a lot for someone who's acting so agreeable."

"What are you going to do?"

Jay's grip tightens, feeling a racing pulse in the points of contact between them. He pulls Gannet up into a kneeling position, still pressed against his back tightly. Gannet lets a soft sound out as hands wander from his chest and down until they're gripping him tightly on the thighs.

Jay smirks, lips inches away from a pierced ear. "Nothing you won't love."