Chapter Text
The day was clear and crime seemed to stop for a day, birds singing as the sun neared it's peak. Gazerbeam, Frozone, Mr.Incredible, and Gamma Jack were all chatting in their usual spot at the diner.
"You're absolutely hopeless Gazerbeam, are you sure you don't want set up with one of my admiring ladies?" Gamma Jack teased, though he usually hoarded the attention he was given even if accidental with his ego
"Hey now, be easy on the man Jack, you know the poor guy 'bout lasered one of his partners in the past" Frozone's smooth tone mixed into the atmosphere, cool as a cucumber yet still defensive
"No, it's fine. I'm just on a break from the dating scene, you all know this" Gazerbeam waved his hand dismissively
"Well I've been talking with Elastigal lately" Mr.Incredible proudly spoke up, hoping to take some of the attention off of Gazerbeam since he knew beneath that visor the poor man was likely looking heavily at the ground.
As the men continued their chatter Gazerbeam sipped from his coffe and glanced down the small corridor that separated them from the other customers, his coffee caught in his throat when he felt like he locked eyes with a patron, in his brief coughing fit Gazerbeam covered his mouth whilst the trio with him stopped to laugh first. That was when he felt a firm clap on his back that helped force the coffee from his mouth, followed my a napkin over his mouth as the fluid dripped out followed by a few soft wheezes. Gazerbeam panted whilst turning his head to look at who helped him, the same patron who had been...far across the diner now standing beside him with those small worried brown eyes
"Are you okay Gazerbeam?" The man asked in a voice that felt too deep to match his face.
"Wh...yeah, thank you sir. Do you live around here? I've never seen you before" Gazerbeam answered, naturally adverting his gaze.
"Nope, just visiting from out of town. It's nice to meet you and sorry for interrupting your group's meal" He took on a more sincere tone, he soon walked back towards his own seat again.
Gazerbeam watched, not too intently but enough to just examine the stranger. Frozone checked on if Gazerbeam was okay and soon enough the group dispersed to do their own things. With everyone else gone and paying for their own tabs Gazerbeam was left, he was watching the newcomer as if something felt different but not in a threatening manner.
However he soon left, realizing he had to work in the job that was just as important as hero duty.
Back at the small house Gazerbeam shed his suit and was now just Simon Paladino, he felt over the scars on his chest, the trip to Germany when he was a younger man was worth it but the scars still reminded him that he would still be out of place even at the pool. Simon pulled his clothes on and tidied up his hair before getting the call that would free up his day.
"Yeah the courthouse was damaged because of a supe and villian fight, sorry Mr.Paladino we will resume the case at another day" The younger desk worker announced then clicked to end the call.
Simon sighed, at least the Thrilling Three were not needed anywhere today. But then his thoughts were distracted by a knock at the door, he opened it and was met by a larger man dawning a black and red suit with a silver fire decal on the abdomen, rips accenting some injuries that made Simon's eyes widen yet adverted quickly to avoid focusing too hatd.
"May I come in?" The man asked, that voice...
"Yes, come in quickly now" Simon muttered almosy hastily as he helped the super into his home before making sure no one saw.
As they walked further into the house Simon laid sheets of plastic down over the sofa before letting the super lie down, Simon gimaced softly seeing the feet instinctively kick up onto the coffee table yet he kept his gaze adverted. And yet the silence didn't last too long.
"I'm Fironic by the way, thank you for the hospitality" The super spoke up, holding out his hand
"Simon Paladino" Simon answered simply, shaking the hand firmly whilst avoiding eyecontact
"Simon...that's a good name, are you shy? You keep looking away" Fironic noticed, shakily sitting up to try and make eyecontact as a teasing tone laced into his voice
"Ah- no I'm just...your voice sounds familiar" Simon admitted, he was focusing on the sound but stole a quick glance to the man's facial features again
Fironic simply smiled and laid back down, his wounds seemed to be slowly healing. Simon rose from the chair and walked to the bathroom to get a cloth and soak it, soon returning and kneeling down to start wiping the healed spots
"pfft- ahaha- wait I'm ticklish there!" Fironic's tone softened up slightly as he writhed
"It is you, the guy from the diner" Simon stated then realized his sudden slip-up
Fironic paused, grinning slightly as he removed his eye mask to show off his face to Simon
"So...Gazerbeam? You look like you're going on a date soon, did I stop you?" Fironic pointed out the formal clothing
"Oh this? I was going to get to work but something happened at the courthouse so my case is on hold" Simon answered, seeming flustered about giving away his identity so soon but they both seemed unbothered by the revelation
"Hmm...say, how about you keep those clothes on and we go somewhere for dinner later? My treat" Fironic was bold, maybe a little too bold.
Simon's face heated up slightly, his laser vision suddenly going off from how he stared at the floor too intently...he fidgeted with the cloth, the 1940's was already dangerous enough and-
"As friends or something, not like a date if you don't want that-" Fironic put his hands up in a surrendering motion
"It's fine, I just...you're quiet forward, Fironic" Simon's gaze lingered on where the floor was singed, friends was a good start..
"Please just call me Xander, it's short for Alexander" Fironic soon answered, flashing a small grin of interest, hard to tell if his intrest was genuine or based on having no luck with ladies
The two looked at one another in a light silence that covered the room before Simon resumed cleaning the blood from Fironic's wounds that looked almost fully healed...curious, healing factors always fascinated him.
Before they knew it night came and the two were dressed formally, walking alongside one another an chatting as if they knew eachother forever...Simom felt like things were moving fast, his gaze lingering more than he'd allow it if he were looking at his friends, he was actually laughing whenever a joke was made, and most of all he found Xander's opposite demeanor so endearing.
"I like your laugh Simon, it makes you look more alive" Xander grinned, catching eyecontact with Simon. His affection was clearing up as genuine with every step, a whirlwind romance developing perhaps?
"Well you're the one making me so lively tonight, gee, you're a swell guy Xander, one of a kind" Simon's pupils were glowing red, he was focusing too hard but he caught himself and glanced ahead as his pupils darkened again
"Your eyes look captivating even when you're on the verge of shooting me with lasers" Xander had leaned over, whispering against Simon's ear and watching a blush creep over his face
"Woah, slow down a little we've only just met today Xander" Simon softly nudged Xander with his elbow.
Even with friendly chatter the two were developing chemistry that was more bonded than partners of the past, the conversations were more natural as they talked about their upbringings, however as they sat at the table Simon seemed bothered by something as his smile faltered for the first time in the night
"Is something wrong Simon? Did I say something?" Xanders voice softened, avoiding bringing nearby tables attention
"There's something I haven't told you but I don't want to ruin this night" Simon admitted, his eyes flicking up to Xander's softened gaze
"I...wasn't born a man" Simon's voice was like a wisp, his head lowering until Xander's hand caught his chin to tilt his head back upward
"Oh that doesn't ruin the night Simon, to be frank with you...I don't give a damn what you used to be, what I'm focused on is you in the present. So what if you weren't born this way? You're still quiet the dashing man in my eyes" Xander's boldest move, he didn't know if that was the right move as he noticed tears in Simon's eyes.
He used his thumb to wipe them away tenderly as Simon sniffled quietly, locked in eyecontact that didn't result in dilated red pupils that threatened to shoot Xander. Just a moment of tenderness and care as their eyes remained locked. Xander soon removed his hand to avoid judging eyes as they looked into the menus.