Upon learning your location, James arrived at the diner in hero uniform in under fifteen seconds. Even considering his abilities of flight and super speed, that was pretty quick for him, and indicative of the high level of his concern. He quickly thanked the waitress who lent you her phone, even agreeing to take a quick picture with her, before gently picking you up and flying you both towards the Commission Station where his office was located.

He held your hand firmly as he guided you through the building, offering quick 'hello's to the night staff employees. Once you reached the top floor of the four-story building, he did a retina scan to allow him entry into his private office and he silently entered the room, ushering you to take a seat in front of his desk while he sat at his chair on the other side and ripping off his mask with a heavy sigh.

From the moment he had hung up the phone call earlier, he had not spoken a single word to you. He was already rather short and formal in the phone call, very much in his authoritative 'hero mode,' but his silence felt more foreboding than anything. It was a stark contrast to the goofy demeanor he usually exhibited around you, and you didn't like it.

He gazed at you quietly across the desk, lips drawn in a tight line and eyes swirling with an emotion you failed to place, but was far from joyful or even relieved. You avoided his gaze, eyes falling briefly on a framed photo of you and his sister taken last year at her wedding that you hadn't seen in his office before. It was sweet that he'd wanted to display it in his office, but you refrained from commenting about it due to the thick tension currently in the room.

"Jamie, are you mad at me...?" you inquired softly after what felt like hours, eyes moving back to meet his.

"What? No- (Y/n), no," he began, rubbing his temples exasperatedly. "I'm just... I'm frustrated that you won't allow me to do the things to keep you safe that could have prevented this all from happening. You were in a really dangerous situation, and if you just would move in with me, then it wouldn't have-"

"What the hell?" you blurted, cutting off his lecture. "I've told you countless times that I don't need your protection. I quite literally got away from that freak without your help- or any superhero's help for that matter. Besides, I don't think that he was actually gonna do anything to me, he was weirdly nice to me for a villain... a bit too nice maybe- and flirty? What was up with-"

"Are you serious? Are you hearing yourself?" he harshly interrupted. "That wasn't some petty robber with a measly little ability. That was a world-renowned supervillain who is a murderer and an all-around jack-ass! Just cause he's never hurt me doesn't mean he won't hurt you! I don't know what he told you, but there was nowhere more dangerous for you to be. I'm glad you managed to escape him, but I doubt you'll be so lucky in the future- because that's how you escaped: luck. I just want you to let me do my job, (Y/n). Not just as a hero but also as your friend who loves you- and let me protect you."

You frowned guiltily at his rant. He was frustrated with you, but you had a feeling that his fear was more at play concerning his response to your situation.

"Jamie... I know you want to keep me safe- and I know that Rowan had the potential to seriously hurt me. But hey, I'm okay. I'm here now, and I managed to protect myself. I won't lie and say that this whole ordeal didn't shake me up at all, but I mean it. I'm really okay. I'm sorry if I'm not taking this seriously enough for you, and I recognize that I am pretty lucky that I got away. That being said, I'm still not just gonna move in with you. I can't let fear take away my freedom or cause me to uproot my life, and you can't either."

(Y/n), I just don't know." James stared at you long and hard, likely trying to decide whether or not he would support your decision. Finally, his face softened. "Fine. But he still knows where you work and I really don't like that, especially since you live above the shop, so I'll be sending more heroes on patrol near your street. I won't alert them that you're why I'm upping security cause I'm not trying to make your life any more convoluted, but just know that there shouldn't be a moment that goes by where you're without super-protection. And should Rowan show up at the shop for any reason, just know we will be revisiting you moving in with me. Understood?"

"Fine."

A quiet moment passed, both of you maintaining solemn expressions until you both broke out into small smiles. It was so unusual for either of you to be so stern or uptight around each other, so you were grateful to see your dynamic slowly shift back to normal.

"Wait- how did he end up finding you?" he asked, and the amused lilt to his tone had you feeling like you were talking to your friend again instead of the superhero. "He just kept spewing shit about how he was destined to find my 'secret little friend', but that's not a real explanation."

"Dunno actually... he sorta just collapsed into my shop all bloody- probably from villain activities- I stupidly didn't ask," you chuckled with slight embarrassment. "I patched him up before realizing who he was and- God he was so annoying I accidentally blabbed that I knew you. Next thing you know he's kidnapping me so he could have leverage over you and get a 'fat check' in exchange for my freedom. Seriously though, Jamie- you did not prepare me for how annoying that asshole is."

James laughed heartily at your story and at your shared disdain for the man, the sight of your friend joking around with you again bringing back a sense of normalcy and relief.

"I'm sorry- I'm sorry. He really is the worst. He wouldn't stop talking about how he had utterly charmed you, and beneath my concern that you were in some sort of pain I just felt pity that you had to deal with his overdramatic, obnoxious ass until I saved you."

"Tch- yeah. He kept flirting with me and-" you managed to stop yourself from sharing that he kept insinuating you were in a romantic relationship with the hero, not especially wanting to hear James laugh at or openly deny that he would ever see you in such a light. "...and it was actually almost sad how bad he was at it. And, man- what's his problem with people without powers? Although that's the reason I managed to escape- he thought I was so dumb I wouldn't see his keycard on his desk when he was asleep and- wait! His keycard! If it's like yours, it should say what building he lives in and you can- ugh, damn it," you cursed, realizing that somewhere in your frenzied escape you had lost said keycard, and therefore any evidence alluding to Rowan's secret location. "The card's gone. I'm sorry, Jamie... I'm really not cut out for this 'hero-ing- shit, huh?"

"It's alright, hon. You don't have to be. That's what I'm for," he shot you a cocky grin that immediately brightened your mood. "I can send some heroes tomorrow to check around the area that I found you in for it. Also, you'll be getting a few calls tomorrow about what happened- we're always trying to gather more evidence around Rowan. Oh! Speaking of, I believe this belongs to you," he said, reaching into his pocket to grab and give you your phone. "It's been going off all day. Probably your employees- one of the younger ones was a crying mess when I was called down there."

Your eyes widened. "Eloise!"

You checked your phone to see an insane amount of messages in the 'francesca's baddie buds' group chat (a name appointed by Eloise that she unfortunately changed back every time someone tried to change it). You sighed guiltily as you saw all your sweet employees fret over you, and shot off a message briefly explaining the situation and confirming your safety. You looked back up to James who was in a deep stretch while yawning- a mundane action that he made look unfairly attractive.

"I think both of us are due for a good night's sleep. Just tonight stay over?" he tried with a small, expectant grin. "Just for my peace of mind, please? I haven't been able to dispatch heroes over there yet and-"

"Yes, fine!" you cut off his unnecessary pitch. "Let's just go. We're both exhausted."

"Good. Thank you, (Y/n). And I'll buy you a coffee and fly you home in the morning."

"Damn right you are," you grinned back through a tiny yawn of your own.

You both were soon in bed (him in his, you in the guest one, of course- no way you'd ever be that lucky), and you both knocked out almost instantly. Although it hadn't worked out in your favor last time, you dared to once again fall asleep hoping for a normal day tomorrow.

The next morning, James made good on his promise- buying you a coffee and dropping you at your shop at 6 AM before both of your shifts began. You tentatively opened the front door and were pleasantly surprised to see there was no pool of blood on the floor and no supervillain awaiting your arrival. You could almost pretend yesterday was nothing but a bizarre nightmare.

You closed the door behind you and made your way upstairs to complete your usual morning routine, refusing to act like today was any different than normal. When you finally made your way downstairs again to prepare to open up shop, you spotted two familiar faces peering anxiously through the front window. You chuckled softly at their crinkled-up expressions as they tried to peek into the dark storefront, unlocking the door and ushering them inside warmly. Before you could say anything though, you were tackled into a frantic group hug.

"Oh my God, Miss (Y/n)!" a shrill yet sweet voice assaulted your eardrum. It belonged to Eloise, one of your employees as well as your self-appointed little sister who was at her core insanely peppy, and insanely unhinged. "I was in tears all day yesterday, losing my mind about you!

You caught some of her long, light pink dyed hair in your mouth and sputtered as she nuzzled into you, and you felt the other teenager hastily detach himself from you.

"Kinda dramatic of you to go missing... was the attention of the top hero not enough? Had to go for the top villain too?" Tony flatly inquired. "But... I'm glad you're okay, or whatever. Cause you pay me. Can't pay me if you're dead." His cold tone told you he truly didn't care, but the fact that he had just been tightly hugging you alongside his best friend betrayed his nonchalant act.

You broke away from their gorilla grips to look at your two little employees, and with your hands on your hips you interrogated them. "Why are you two here so early? El- you're not scheduled today, and, Tony- you're not on until nine."

"Tony suggested we come! We both wanted to make sure you were actually okay and that Rowan didn't text us through your phone or anything!"

"Okay..." you replied. "Thoughtful of you both but entirely unnecessary. Thanks for being so worried though, it's very sweet. And sorry to worry you guys at all. I'm okay now!"

Tony rolled his eyes at you and looked away disinterestedly. "I wasn't even worried, okay? I'm only here to try and catch a glimpse of Rowan if he comes back for revenge- he's fine under that mask, I know it."

"Not true! Well, the first part's not true- he was also super concerned for you!" Eloise's cheerful reveal caused Tony to gape at her in betrayal, but she didn't even bat an eye. "And now we're here to keep you safe! We're staying here all day. It's summer anyways so no school."

You tried not to openly laugh at the idea that two regular sixteen-year-olds would be able to protect you from any superpowered threat, but still felt a swell of deep appreciation for the two menaces. They cared as deeply for you as you did for them, and you were honestly grateful for their presences to keep your mind off of yesterday's events.

"If you both insist- then let's get to work. And yes, Eloise, I will pay you for your labor even though you weren't scheduled so no need to ask."

"Or beg like you did the last time you came in during my shift," Tony added, earning a swift punch from the girl.

The three of you began to set up the shop, the only sound being the soft music floating from the shop speakers- save for the occasional light-hearted bickering between the two younger ones, of course. You eventually opened up and helped a good number of customers, some of your regulars even asking if you were alright, having come by again after seeing Francesca's was closed for a 'family emergency' yesterday. A few had even been there while law enforcement was cleaning up and investigating the scene, but you were quick to ease their minds and assure them of everyone's safety.

You felt touched by the support of your community and began to actually believe that your day would be a normal one. Eloise and Tony were in the back on their break they had insisted on taking together when you were proved wrong.

The entirety of your front window shattered as a humongous white and yellow bird flew through it, likely propelled by some explosion as it didn't appear to be flying when it broke through the surface. You shielded yourself with your arms, only suffering a few tiny cuts from the expelled glass. You heard your two employees rush to the front gasping loudly at the scene, but your eyes didn't leave the living thing on your floor.

"Both of you stay in the back," you instructed firmly, unaware of whether or not something dangerous was the cause of the sudden intrusion.

As you looked at said intrusion closer, it didn't appear to be a bird, but rather an angel...? You saw it from the back and it- or he- had the body of a lean yet muscular man with exceptionally blond hair, but a huge pair of white feathered wings protruding from his back. He wasn't moving, and for a moment your eyes shifted to the scene outside on the street to appraise the situation. A man, seemingly a villain based on his mask and costume-y outfit, lay unconscious, and there were already authorities there cuffing him and attending to the scene.

A movement from the man/angel brought your eyes back to back to him when he softly groaned. His face was now towards you, and you inferred from his latex yellow suit that he was likely a hero, though he wasn't wearing a mask. Regardless, being a hero would explain the wings- he was probably a superhuman with a physical mutation. A beautiful mutation, too.

Wings aside, he was also strikingly beautiful. His light blond hair was beautifully strewn across his forehead, and he possessed slightly tanned skin and delicate features. A cute button nose was decorated with freckles, and he boasted a sharp jaw. Maybe he actually was an angel, because normal people just weren't this pretty.

You clearly hadn't learned from yesterday's lesson, as you quickly were down on your knees at the man's side seeking to offer him aid. You lightly shook his shoulders, and his pale blue eyes slowly opened and met yours.

"Hi there," you began softly. "Um... are you okay?"

He blinked a few times before he sat up way too fast, and his face was inches from yours in a wide grin.

"I know you!" he cried out excitedly. "You're so pretty- even prettier than the picture on the boss's desk! What's your name? Is it true you're not dating him? Can I date you? You're so pretty!"

You looked at the man in shock, before slowly creating a more comfortable distance from his face.

"How do you know so many supers, Miss (Y/n)?" Tony asked from the backroom door. "Unbelievable. That should be me- I'm 'so pretty,' no offense."

"I don't know him," you replied to the boy, choosing to ignore his little dig at you as you then addressed the stranger gently. "I think you might've hit your head... we've never met before. I think I'd remember with the wings and the face."

"I didn't say we've met, silly, just that I saw your picture and knew you. And you didn't answer my questions!"

He pouted at you childishly, and your brows pinched together as you tried to make sense of his words.

"Wait, who is your boss that has a picture of me- oh! Are you Megistos' new sidekick?" you asked. "He told me he got a new one but never had a chance to say anything else about them."

The man's grin reappeared, somehow wider than before. "Yes! So you know me too! (Y/n), right? Cute name for a cute girl! My name is Angel, but you can just call me yours!"

Your two employees snickered behind you at the energetic man's forwardness, but you could only gape at his seemingly endless energy. You also felt some deja vu due to his overly flirtatious energy and could feel a headache coming on.

"Okay, buddy..." you started as you stood up. "I think we should get you to a medic because you are... well, you're not well I don't think. No one is this energetic and flirtatious in their right mind."

"Nooooo... I don't wanna leave you! You're my future girlfriend!" he whined, and you sighed at his persistence.

"If you're Megistos' sidekick I'm sure we'll meet again. I don't know about that girlfriend stuff though."

He whined again, and then, without any warning, he passed out again. You stared at the personified chaos lying in front of you for a moment before you finally looked behind you at the two kids in the shop as if to confirm that your interaction was real.

"Wow. That bitch is crazy. New fav hero TBH," Tony monotonously stated.

"Ew, Tony. Don't say 'TBH' if you're not texting- you're so embarrassing. But same. Also, Miss (Y/n)- he is so into you! Please go for that! Do it for those of us who are too young to find love with a hot hero!" Eloise dramatically clasped her hands together and you couldn't stop your snort.

"I'm not gonna do that, El. Dating a hero just... it isn't in the cards for me," you sighed, though you weren't referring to the one lying in front of you. "Anyways, let me go find a paramedic to help 'Angel' here out, and then you guys are off because I can't very well keep the shop open with this glass on the floor and a busted storefront."

You moved to find the injured hero professional assistance, and by the time Angel and the kids were gone and your shop was cleaned up, it was the evening. You also had taken multiple, extensive calls from Commission agents throughout the day that had you ready to go upstairs and rest over some takeout, silently cursing the fact that your day was once again bizarre.

You were showered, in your night clothes, and eating takeout from your favorite restaurant while watching some old cable sitcom reruns on your couch when you felt your phone buzz. To your pleasant surprise, it was James.

7:47 - the greatest!!!

- (Y/n)! Just got off work and can finally text you!

- Are you okay? Angel told me he crashed into your shop. The Commission will pay for all repairs.

7:47 - you

- i'm fine but how is he?

- he was a bit uh

- insane?

- haha just jokes but still he was very out of it??? and probably hit his head bad

7:49 - the greatest!!!

- He'll be fine. Sorry about the kid. He told me he kept asking you out but you never answered his question. I know you get annoyed by persistent advances.

No, you got annoyed at others' persistent advances. If James was persistent you could die happy. But he couldn't know that.

7:50 - you

- kid???

- he definitely looked my age

- oh my god u still think i look like a child? man :(

You internally chided yourself for the last text, not too eager to know if he still just saw you as a little girl and his baby sister's friend.

7:50 - the greatest!!!

- He's a year older than you actually, just acts like a kid.

- And, no way. You're a woman in my eyes, (Y/n).

You smiled brightly at his words, a small victory that could fuel your delusions for at least a week. You giggled like an idiot for a few minutes before crafting a response.

7:54 - you

- i see. yeah he was sorta childish but it was cute almost

- is he normally such a flirt or only when he bangs his head in an explosion?

7:54 - the greatest!!!

- He's not... He never acts so eagerly when coworkers and civilians throw themselves at him, but I do think he's seen a few of them maybe?

- It's not exactly appropriate to discuss in my workplace.

- I think he may actually like you, though. That would be strange, huh?

You stared at your phone in a mixture of hurt and annoyance, not bothering to respond. A few minutes passed when it lit up again.

7:58 - the greatest!!!

- Also, you think he's cute?

- Wait, were you considering saying yes?

- (Y/n)? Why aren't you answering?

You scoffed at his questions. You didn't respond because didn't like James' comment about being surprised that someone would take a genuine interest in you. Just because he didn't see you that way, didn't mean no one did. In fact, multiple people had hit on you since you'd grown past your awkward stage- you only stayed single your whole life because it wouldn't be fair to date someone when you had such strong feelings for someone else, not that you had wanted to anyways. Obviously, James wasn't aware of that, but it still hurt that he seemed to think you were incapable of being sought after.

And why was he so interested in your love life all of the sudden? He was beginning to get on your nerves, so you settled to not respond for the rest of the night.

He wasn't having any of your soft silent treatment, though, since he called you a few minutes later. You groaned loudly as you reluctantly answered the call, despising the control the man unknowingly had over you.

"What, Jamie?"

"Hey, you stopped answering my texts but I saw you were reading them? Were you thinking about saying yes to Angel?"

"Why are you asking? Does he not get your seal of approval to date me that I didn't even know existed?" you asked, voice flat and unamused.

"No? You don't need my 'seal of approval,' but I still just don't think he's right for you. He's hardly a grown man with his erratic behavior- and as nice as he is I doubt he's really that happy all the time- it's like he's hiding something. You should be with someone mature and genuine or you shouldn't date at all. Listen I'm just... I'm trying to look out for my sweet little best friend, okay?"

You rolled your eyes, only because he couldn't see the gesture. This was a new way for his protectiveness to kick in, but that didn't make it any less unwelcome to you.

"Okay, sure whatever," you replied dismissively, unwilling to continue discussing your love life with the man you were secretly in love with. Still, you suppressed a sigh and answered his first question. "No, I'm not considering dating him. So can we stop talking about this? I'm tired and I've gotta think about how to run the shop with ugly ass boards where the front window should be. I love you, goodnight."

You hung up before he could further prod into why you resisted the handsome and bright young superhero prodigy who was apparently so taken with you he broke his vow of playing hard to get, and you finished up your now cold dinner. You knew that the past couple of days were not exactly ordinary, but James didn't also need to act so abnormal.

What an end to the day!

You begrudgingly came up with a plan for tomorrow, and didn't even try to wish it would be a normal or even good new day, seeing how the past two had turned out.

...

Despite his raging headache and the small cuts that littered his body, Angel had a huge smile on his face as he made his way home from work. He was off to his nice, new apartment, which he could finance with his recent shiny hero's salary. Admittedly, he could probably ask his parents to pay for him to continue the lavish lifestyle he had lived since he was a child even if he wasn't making enough to support himself, but things were but strange with them lately... and anyways- knowing that he was the one funding his way of living brought him great satisfaction!

His apartment wasn't the reason for his smile though. It was the fact that you, the pretty, sweet girl he woke up to earlier, were actually single. He did have a chance!

Angel had dated plenty before, but it was always the men and women who were chasing after him. And Angel never really felt invested in any of those relationships anyways.

But you were seriously so pretty! And as soon as he recognized you from his boss's photo on his desk, he remembered how often Megistos would brag about his precious best friend. How you were inhumanely kind and super funny. How you always wanted to understand those around you no matter their background.

You seemed to be a total catch.

So this time- for the first time- Angel wanted to be the one pursuing you. It was beyond him that his boss didn't seem to see you romantically and to hear of your single status- but less competition meant that his job was only easier. Not that he was too worried- Angel wasn't used to hearing no and was good at practically everything he tried. He was sure you'd agree to at least one date, and that was all he was interested in, for the time being.

Either way, having a real crush was exhilarating, and he couldn't wait to have some fun with you. You had him experiencing a new kind of rush, and he was hooked on the feeling already.