And The Silver Spoon
"I...just meant that I was never saved by The Bolt, and I never interacted with him, really, so, you know, I could only imagine how weird it would feel to not know him."
"Oh," Theo looks down in a cocktail of disappointment and confusion. You're starting to confuse yourself.
"What I'm trying to say here, is...I wish I HAD looked up to The Bolt more when he was around. Someone to call my hero. Someone to...think of, when I was facing down a bully at school for example."
"Right," Theo nods with an understanding smile.
"Because, well, as much as I wish you could look up to me," you say, gesturing pathetically toward yourself, "I'm not that kinda guy."
Theo shoots you a look. "C'mon, you're not all that bad."
You hum. You click your tongue and stand from the bed.
Theo is confused as he watches you go. You go to the freezer and take out a bag of peas, wrapping it in a soft cloth.
You return to Theo's room. He's changed into pajamas now as he unpacks his school bag. You hand him the frozen peas.
"I want that eye iced and healed by morning. Get some rest, kiddo. I'll call your principal in the morning."
"I...actually, I would rather not make this a bigger deal than it already is," Theo says suddenly. "If it's okay, I'd rather you not call."
You hum in understanding. "I meant calling about skipping school tomorrow. You're taking the day off."
Theo smiles gratefully, deflating in relief.
"Thank you."
You send him a kind wink and flip his light switch for the night.