Jack shut his eyes, unable to help but feel so suddenly small, weak, and pathetic all over again. His own girlfriend was talking about becoming a super hero and what was he doing? Sitting in his apartment painting. Day in. Day out. What good did he contribute to anyone? He gave them something pretty to look at while people were out there risking their lives to protect the city.
“B-but if… if someone else did… what…” he mumbled. “W-what could I do…”
The hands on his moved up to wrap around his back, pulling him in for a hug. She hated to see him like this, to see that sad expression on his face. And it was her fault. She had to make it right somehow.
“If..if it worries you that much..everything I’ve said..I won’t do it..I won’t try to become a hero..I just want to keep you safe…The first time Psycho came up to me and I learned who he really was, I realized how weak I was. I wanted to become stronger for myself so he couldn’t try that again. And then when he appeared again and you tried to hit him..I was so scared for you. Then I realized it wasn’t just me I wanted to be strong for. I wanted to be strong for you, so you wouldn’t get hurt. You’re the reason I want to do this, so you’ll be safe. You mean so much to me that I couldn’t bear it if you were hurt because I’m too weak to defend myself.”
He hated feeling weak too. But he lifted his arms and carefully wrapped them around her, keeping his eyes still shut as he listened to her. “..I want to look after you, too..” he whispered quietly. “It, it’s just how I want to be. I want.. want to be so strong for you t-that you wouldn’t be afraid of anything but.. but I’m not strong. I’m not.. I’m not super or… smart. I’m just… I’m just a painter. N-nothing fancy, nothing th-that’ll scare them…”
Jack turned his head so his forehead gently pressed against her cheek, being as careful as he could. “B-but I want. I want you to be h-happy too I don’t… I don’t want to stop you f-from doing anything y-you want t-t-to do. Th-that’s not h-how my parents raised m-me. They ta-taught me to re-respect my friends ch-choices even i-if I don’t like them so i…. if you want to do anything you want, I. I’ll be here. I’ll always b-be here and support you… b-because I love you and w-want you happy…”
Jack Maple 