Chapter Text
The car rolled quietly down the empty road while Superfish talked nonstop about potion ingredients, herbs, and something else involving the Core.
DJ wasn’t really listening anymore.
He pulled the car over to the side of the road and rested his hands on the steering wheel, letting Superfish continue. Instead of paying attention, he found himself watching the way Superfish’s eyes lit up when he talked, the way his hands moved as he explained things, and the tiny smile that always appeared whenever he got excited.
(I wish he’d talk about literally anything else… I don’t want to think about the Core right now.)
Superfish stopped mid-sentence.
“…DJ?”
DJ blinked.
“Hm?”
“Were you even listening?”
DJ let out a long groan and gently bumped his forehead against the steering wheel.
“Ugh… yes and no.”
Superfish folded his arms.
“…Explain.”
DJ sighed.
“I just… don’t want to think about the Core right now.”
Superfish looked at him for a second before giving a small shrug.
“…Hmph. Fine.”
Silence settled over the car.
It wasn’t uncomfortable…
Just quiet.
DJ tapped his fingers against the steering wheel before speaking again.
“You know… I’m always asking you random witch questions.”
Superfish looked over.
“Yeah?”
“So why don’t you ask me something for once?”
Superfish blinked in surprise.
“You… actually want me to?”
“Sure.”
“…Hmm.”
DJ smiled.
“Taking your sweet old time?”
“Quiet.”
“I’m thinking.”
“Alright, alright.”
Superfish stared out the passenger window for a moment before asking,
“…What’s your favorite movie?”
DJ laughed.
“Seriously? That’s your first question?”
“…Yes.”
“Well…” DJ smiled. “Probably The Karate Kid.”
“I don’t know what that is.”
“I figured.”
Superfish hummed thoughtfully.
The silence returned, but this time it felt lighter.
Then…
“DJ?”
“Yeah?”
“…What is love?”
DJ turned so fast he nearly hurt his neck.
“W-What?”
“What is love?”
“You… don’t know?”
Superfish simply shook his head.
“No.”
DJ stared at him.
(…He’s serious.)
“…Didn’t you have parents?”
“No.”
Superfish’s voice stayed calm, almost emotionless.
“I was sent to the training camp before I was old enough to know them.”
DJ’s expression softened.
“Oh…”
“There wasn’t much point.”
Superfish looked down at his hands.
“People had children so more witches could be born.”
His tone was so matter-of-fact that it somehow made it hurt even more.
(…That’s awful.)
DJ looked back through the windshield.
“…Love is kind of hard to explain.”
He thought for a moment.
“It’s when someone becomes really important to you.”
Superfish listened carefully.
“You trust them.”
“You want them to be happy.”
“You feel safe around them.”
“You want to protect them… and you know they’d do the same for you.”
He smiled softly.
“And sometimes… your heart starts beating really fast whenever they’re around.”
Superfish tilted his head.
“…Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Sometimes just looking at them can do it.”
DJ chuckled nervously.
“Or if they touch your hand…”
“…Or smile at you.”
Superfish quietly thought about everything he’d said.
“…What if that happens all the time?”
DJ smiled.
“Then… there’s a pretty good chance you’re in love.”
Superfish nodded slowly.
“…Oh.”
Another quiet moment passed.
Then Superfish spoke so casually it almost didn’t register.
“…It always happens when I’m with you.”
DJ froze.
“…What?”
“My heart beats really fast.”
Superfish looked him directly in the eyes.
“I feel safe.”
“I trust you.”
“I always want to be around you.”
He smiled—a small, genuine smile.
“…DJ.”
“I think I’m in love with you.”
DJ forgot how to breathe.
His cheeks instantly burned red.
“I…”
His voice caught.
“I-I…”
He laughed nervously at himself.
“…I love you too.”
For a second, neither of them moved.
Then Superfish smiled wider than DJ had ever seen.
“…Oh.”
“I was worried I misunderstood what love was.”
DJ couldn’t help laughing.
“No… you definitely understood.”
Superfish looked thoughtful again.
“So…”
“…What happens now?”
DJ rubbed the back of his neck.
“Well…”
“If two people love each other…”
“They usually start dating.”
Superfish nodded.
“What else?”
DJ’s face somehow became even redder.
“…Sometimes they kiss.”
“…Then, maybe one day…”
“They get married.”
“And spend the rest of their lives together.”
His eyes became a little watery before he smiled.
“…If that’s what they both want.”
Superfish looked at him with genuine curiosity.
“…What’s kissing?”
DJ almost inhaled his own tongue.
“W-Wha—”
“Can you show me?”
DJ stared at him.
Superfish wasn’t teasing.
He honestly wanted to know.
DJ smiled despite himself.
“…Yeah.”
He slowly reached across the center console, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure Superfish could hear it.
“…I’ll show you.”