Chapter Text
The walk home is the most awkward walk Zam has ever personally experienced. There is a heavy tense silence in between him and Ro. She wants to ask him if he's okay. She wants to ask what's wrong. Wants to know why he isn't talking to her as much. Wants to ask what the actual fuck that weird staring contest with Pipebomb was.
Actually, speaking of that, Zam is really confused. From her knowledge, Ro has no powers, so he couldn't have done anything telepathic. At least, that's what she thinks happened. It looked like some nonverbal communication. Was that a new power that Pipebomb got or maybe an old one he just hadn't revealed? Should she report that?
No, she's not even certain that's what happened. Besides, if she reports it, she just calls attention to the fact that Zam fucking Prince has active communications with a vigilantee. Plus, that brings attention to her power usage!
She's so screwed, actually. Like, fully fucked. She's definitely getting either fired or jailed. Maybe both!
Hopefully the heroes just… forget? Yeah! Maybe the hero who was in the fight just so happened to have the entire situation slip their mind! Maybe they just didn't see the giant terrestrial wall and the exploding car!
…Who is she kidding? The hero is probably already on their way to report her after their fight with Pipebomb.
Okay! Focus. Current major issue: the entire situation with Ro and Pipebomb. Future Zam can handle the power issues on her own. Currently, she needs to work up her courage to actually commit to an important conversation with Ro. She takes a deep breath and looks at him.
“So…” she starts, her voice cracking immediately. She coughs and clears her throat before starting again, “uh. So. What… was that?
“What was what?” He refuses to look in her direction, choosing instead to stare straight ahead. Oddly enough, Zam still feels as if she's being watched.
“Themat whole… awkwardness. You stood still like you were paralyzed and had a weird staring contest thing with Pipebomb,” Zam isn't yelling, but she has definitely raised her voice more than when they started. Ro is silent for a long moment.
“I can't tell you,” he decides.
“What?” she glances away for a moment before staring back at him.
“Not yet, at least. I can't, Zam. I'm sorry.”
“What do you mean ‘not yet?’ That's crazy! I'm your best friend and you won't even tell me! Is he manipulating you to keep quiet or something? Cause if so, my lips are sealed!” Zam gestures wildly as she walks and talks.
“No I'm not..” Ro cuts himself off with a sigh and rubs his temples. “I'm not being manipulated, Zam. It's just… you work at LoveSend and all…I can't risk that. I'm sorry.”
“Oh. Okay,” Zam practically sinks. She starts dragging her feet as she walks, staring at the ground and not daring to look up at Ro.
Ro is her best friend. And Zam is Ro’s best friend, or, at least, that's what she thought! She doesn't even know anymore! Why can't he tell her? They’ve been through so much, why can't he trust her? What did she do wrong?
They continue walking towards Zam's apartment as she spirals about her interactions with villains–well, technically not villains, but that's what the heroes call anyone who breaks any power related laws–within the last day of her life.
She's somehow involved herself with Pipebomb twice in the last 24 hours. Which is bad, to say the least. There is no way the heroes aren't going to think that she's conspiring against them with Pipebomb.
She used her powers twice. Which, again, isn't allowed. Once to save a vigilante. Once to save herself and… Ro.
Zam doesn't even know what to classify Ro as. Ro isn't a villain. He's not a vigilante. Or maybe he is? She has no clue. All she knows is he's somehow associated with Pipebomb.
…Does she even know that? What if she's imagining everything? What if she's going insane?
After the longest five minute walk of her life, they finally arrive at Zam’s apartment. She stops in front of the door and turns to Ro.
“Are you sure you can’t tell me? I won’t tell anyone,” she shifts nervously. Ro avoids her gaze as he turns around.
“I can’t Zam. I’m sorry,” She scoffs and turns towards the door. Behind her, she hears Ro's deep sigh, as his heeled boots click against the concrete. When she is sure that he’s gone, she rushes inside and up to her apartment.
She falls down onto her bed when she gets inside. She grabs her favorite Mosasaurus plushie and hugs it to her chest. She doesn’t want to be alone right now.
That sounds ridiculous coming from Zam, who – even since childhood – has ‘preferred’ to live alone. In all honesty, she didn’t want to be alone, but it was easier to not make friends. When you have fewer connections in your civilian life, you can focus better on your heroism. Less liabilities.
Ironic how that turned out, huh? She refused to make relationships with anyone just so she could pursue her heroistic dreams. The only relationship she kept was Ro. He seemed like he’d make a good sidekick. That sounds rude, but it’s the truth. Ro was nice and listened to practically anything Zam asked of him. He was perfect sidekick material!
The friendship evolved from there. Zam and Ro became practically glued at the hip, until college at least. Zam wanted to stay in Lifesteal and Ro wanted to go off and explore the rest of the world. They parted ways.
Wait, if Ro moved away… then how the fuck would he even know Pipebomb. Was he lying about moving? Was he lying about college? What truth has Ro told? Is it all a lie?
Zam needs to stop spiralling. She should call someone. Yeah! Someone who can help her out of this mess, and Zam knows just the guy.