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The city glittered from under the apartment balcony leading to the fire escape, cars could be heard zooming on the highway a mile away. Music blared from a few apartments down rattling the fire escape from the base of their speakers.
Scott sighed leaning over the balcony starting down at the cars that whizzed passed. The people that got out of taxis and their own cars scrambling to get inside their homes.
Scott’s wine glass clicked softly with the rusted metal railing as he watched everyone run around like ants scramble out from a destroyed ant hill. He took a sip of the wine, letting the cool drink calm the burning in his throat from a long day at work.
His eyes fluttered closed listening to the bustling city, it wasn’t calming at all, with all the honking and frantic screeches of tires coming to sudden stops. It was home though, something he could never take for granted.
Across the way he could see the other apartment building, dozens of windows illuminated by lights. Some blinds are completely close, and others had their apartment visible. Silhouettes of people living their lives could be seen against the lights.
He clinked the glass against the railing once more as the loud music stopped suddenly leaving him to just listen to the city below.
He blew out a breath as he reached into his pocket pulling out a cigarette lighter. He lit the small candle he always left on the balcony. The flame flickered in the slight night breeze, but the smell of apples and cinnamon came from the wax almost instantly.
This was how he spent his Friday nights tired from work. A glass of wine and a candle to remind him of the simple things around him. It was easy to forget that in a bustling city where everything moved so fast. Deadlines for projects and rent he could pay with enough left to have a day to himself.
A soft squeak of weight being added to the fire escape broke from his thoughts. A field of golden feather fell into his view as the figure jumped off the ladder onto his part of the fire escape.
Scott laughed softly, as he met the warm brown eyes peering out from a golden mask that matched his feathers. “Canary.” He murmured softly, as he watched the way the lights illuminated the gorgeous wings of the hero.
Canary hummed, folding his wings behind his back. “I just finished patrol and thought I smelled a familiar candle.” He replied with a warm voice with affection as he sat on the balcony.
“You’re not here to arrest me for having a flame in an unsafe place are you?” Scott teased.
“Mhm, I could, after all that candle could fall a couple stories and land in a bush.” The hero teased back as he scrutinized the candle. “But then again, the possible arsonist is too cute for jail.”
Scott’s cheeks warmed under the compliment. “You’re right, I wouldn’t last a day in jail. All I’d have to do is bat my eyes and the prison guards would let me out.” He giggled, taking another sip of his wine.
“It’s true.” Canary hummed watching softly. Scott pressed against the balcony more, his arms crossed and hands holding his head as he stared into the distance.
Canary’s breath hitched. Thousands of golden lights sparkled behind him, illuminating Scott’s cyan hair, making it sparkled under the lights. Scott’s blue eyes sparkled from the warm glow of the lights as well.
“You’re beautiful.” He murmured without thinking.
“Hmm?” Scott asked, turning to the hero once more, not having heard him fully.
“Um! Nothing, the view from here is pretty.” The hero stuttered out, rubbing the back of his neck and looked away back to the city below.
“I’m sure you’ve seen it from way above a thousand times considering you have wings.” Scott laughed quietly. “But yes, it’s a pretty view from here.”
“Seeing it alone a thousand times is different than seeing it with someone else a hundred times.” The hero murmured quietly gazing at the other again.
Scott glanced up, meeting his gaze and looked away, cheeks flushing even more than before. “I guess you’re right. Things are always better with company.” He muttered, flustered from the hero’s affectionate gaze.
He knew better than to fall for a hero. Falling for someone he didn’t even know was the perfect way to end up heartbroken. Yet Canary spoke with such conviction and affection it made his heart skip a few too many times.
It wasn’t fair. His heart had always had to betray him and hurt him in ways he never imagined.
He told himself no matter what he wasn’t going to fall for the handsome hero.
Yet Canary always showed up in some way. The hero always said such sweet things, his tone so soft and truthful.
“It’s dangerous.” He muttered to himself. Falling for a hero is dangerous, you know that. He reminded himself silently.
The danger was so enticing though, especially when the hero spoke to him with such softness. It was like a stick of cotton candy awaiting him.
He wouldn’t though, like cotton candy it would become a sticky mess. One that Scott couldn’t afford.
He heard dozens of horror stories of civilians dating heroes, they all end up in heartbreak or even death. Something he couldn’t bear to put on himself again.
Canary’s wings shifted slightly, catching Scott’s attention again and the hero was frowning at him. “Are you alright? You look scared.” He murmured quietly, his tone sounding very concerned.
Scott took a breath and another sip of his wine before placing down the glass on the small plastic table he stuck on the balcony a few nights ago. “You don’t make this easy.”
Canary shifted awkwardly and his voice cracked with nerves “What don’t I make easy?” He stuttered out.
“This! You come here and are so nice and affectionate! People get hurt when they fall for heroes! It’s all over the news. Dead lovers, dead heroes. Heartbreaks that shattered the mental health of civilians! Heroes that cheat on their partners! I know better than to fall for one.” Scott sobbed.
“I know better than to fall for you! I don’t know you outside of this get up and that’s dangerous. It’s one sided. For all I know this is all an act.” Scott took a shuddering gulp of air and wrapped his arms around himself. “Yet every time you visit I want you. I want to be held by you, and hear about your day. Spend every night like this on my fire escape watching the city below.”
Scott spun on his heel away from him, not wanting the hero to see the angry and heartbroken tears that began to pour down his face. “It shouldn’t have been you. It should have been Jimmy. I should be in love with my best friend instead I want you! Someone I don’t even know!”
Canary’s breath hitched. “Jimmy?” he asked, voice sounding oddly hopeful.
“Yes! Jimmy. He’s sweet and kind. He works with my friend Lizzie at her and her husband's bakery. He brings me cupcakes and apple tarts on bad days.”
“Strawberry cupcakes with buttercream filling.” Canary mumbled softly, his eyes softening even more.
Scott spun around, eyes wide. “How do you know that?”
Canary froze, wings shifting anxiously as he reached behind his neck pulling at his own hair anxiously. “I just um- well.”
“Canary.” Scott glared at him. “You have to explain yourself right now? Have you been watching me like a creep! Because I swear if you are I’m running straight to the news station and-”
“I’m not a creep!” Canary stammered out grabbing Scott’s hands and squeezing them. “Just give me a second please. I need to gather my thoughts and explain myself.”
Scott frowned, the leather of the hero’s gloves felt rough against his hands.
The hero took a deep breath and carefully pulled his hands away as he looked at Scott. “Scott, I’m going to do something, but please don’t freak out until I’m done. Then you can yell and scream at me as much as you want.”
“Right because that’s reassuring.” Scott huffed, but waited anyway, already mentally preparing himself for a screaming session.
Canary’s wings shifted nervously as the hero reached up towards his face.
“What are you-” Scott’s words were cut off as canary yanked the bask over his head.
Warm brown eyes, a few freckles and that small nervous smile Scott’s seen for years came into view.”
“Jimmy.” Scott murmured, he took a step forwards, reached out as if to grab his face.
Jimmy leaned in, eyes fluttering closed.
SLAP
Scott pulled away and glared at him.
Jimmy rubbed his red cheek from where Scott slapped him hard. “Ow.” he mumbled, smiling nervously. “Hi.”
“You idiot!” Scott huffed. “Revealing your identity to me? Are you stupid! Now I’ve seen your face and-” Scott’s words faltered.
“It’s you.” He whispered.
“It’s me.” Jimmy giggled softly. “Just Jimmy.”
Scott sighed. “This doesn’t magically fix everything. Even if I know you’re Jimmy. Dating a hero is dangerous, both mentally and physically.” He reminded him, his eyes soft and sad.
“I know.” Jimmy grabbed his hand and pressed a kiss to the palm of it. “But Scott, I-” Jimmy stuttered. “We’ve been friends since freshman year, and I’ve been head over heels for you since senior year.”
Scott stared up at him, cheeks flushing as he stared at the messy blonde hair illuminated by city lights. This is what he wanted. He wanted a life with Jimmy, but this wasn’t the life he imagined.
“That doesn't change that it’s dangerous.” Scott whispered, the fear in his tone more pronounced. “You’re a hero, you risk your life for the city and if something happens-”
“Say the word, and I’ll just be a backup hero.” Jimmy promised. “I’ll go to the sidelines and spend my life taking care of you.”
Scott froze. “No- Don’t promise me something like that. You love flying and being a hero. I’ve seen how free you are up there.”
“You’re more important, the people have Hot-Guy and Cute-Guy. I just help out when they’re busy.” Jimmy insisted.
“But still, you’re not just sacrificing something that you enjoy just for me.” Scott met his eyes and cupped his cheek. “You’re Jimmy, yes, but you’re also Canary. A hero who spends most of time helping civilians instead of fighting villains.”
“You’re right, but I love you, and I don’t want you to worry about me. I-”
Scott stared at him a few moments. “Then we make rules and a way to keep track of the other just in case.” Scott offered.
Jimmy’s wings settled against his back again. “Rules, yes I can do that.”
“Let me know when you’re going on a patrol and where it is so I can keep an eye on the news in case something happens.” Scott asked quietly.
“Of course, I’ll keep you updated on all that.” Jimmy promised, squeezing one of Scott’s hands that held his face.
“And in return I’ll tell you whenever I’m going somewhere that isn’t home and work.” Scott promised as well.
Jimmy’s eyes softened. “I want you to be safe.”
“And I want you to be safe Jimmy.” Scott murmured.
Jimmy moved closer as the fire escapade creaked under his weight, as he melted into the touch. “I’ll be safe, I don’t want to worry you.”
“Too late, I already am worried about you.” Scott giggled, before gently kissing his cheek. “Now come inside the apartment dummy. I have some leftover lasagna in the fridge and another bottle of wine.”
Jimmy turned red, his wings fluttered happily as he followed behind Scott back into the small cozy apartment. Scott drew the curtains closed and pulled him down onto the couch in the living room.
“I still can’t believe it’s you.” He whispered, looking up into those chocolate brown eyes. “Figured I’d fall for two versions of you.”
Jimmy chuckled and kissed his forehead. “I’m glad you did.”
The sounds of the city played behind them as always, but this time Scott was focused on the beat of Jimmy’s heart and the soft feather enveloping him.
This was the life he dreamed of, being with the one he loved, even if that person happened to be a superhero.