[Azazel's POV]
"For 600 years, our heroes have always gotten their own special and unique powers but this generation we somehow have gotten one hero that doesn't have their own unique powers. Well, we decided to make a reward for him. Please welcome Kreo James!"
I woke up from daydreaming when I heard that name. Kreo stood up and I looked at him, the both of us walked to the middle of the ballroom and hero got his weird award.
"Well, this isn't what i expected." Kreo laughed into the microphone.
There was laughter and applause, I stood aside clapping and smiling at my hero.
"Since you said this was a weird award, how about a weird story from you two?" the hostess asked.
Kreo looked at me and he signalled me to stand by him which I did. We didn't know what to say, what weird story could we say?
"Well, we actually met before when we were younger." Kreo lied. "We were both reckless and dumb and we both decided to race together one day."
He suddenly handed me the microphone, I looked at him with hesitation but his eyes told me a different story. I grabbed the mic before continuing the story.
"I think I remember that now," I said. "We were both racing on the sidewalk when I fell and cried and Kreo regretted bringing me out that day. In school, he would pick small flowers as an apology, almost everyday and I hated him for it until we graduated primary school. I hated him for that long."
I joked as Kreo smiled at me. I thought it would be stupid story yet there was applause as we walked back to our seats.
"Imagine having a love-hate love story when just being kids?? Adorable." the host said. "Well let's continue…"
As I glanced at Kreo, a warm feeling washed over me. Despite the unexpected turn of events and the strange story we shared, being with Kreo brought me a sense of comfort and joy. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in a long time, but I didn't know what it was. Was it happiness? Contentment? Or perhaps something more? Whatever it was, I couldn't deny that being with Kreo made me feel more alive and hopeful for the future.
As Kreo received his second award for being among the top ten most handsome heroes, I couldn't quite see it myself, but I smiled proudly nonetheless.
Then came the question from the hostess, prompting each couple to share their love story. Lilith shared how she met Adrian when she was 21, and after a year of talking, they fell in love, got married, and had a daughter.
One by one, the couples shared their stories, leaving us wondering what we could say. Then it was our turn.
"The flower picking story hasn't ended yet," Kreo began. "Even though we went to different middle schools, I would cycle to Aria's to continue giving her flowers."
He passed the microphone to me, and I took it with a newfound confidence. "I was annoyed by this, not gonna lie, but as we got older, I actually fell for him. Somehow, that annoyance became cute," I continued. "And this happened before he became a hero. Yet, I never said a word until a few months ago. Never thought he was waiting for the perfect time to confess too."
As we shared our story, I felt a sense of warmth and comfort, realising that telling stories with Kreo by my side felt just right. I just felt something at the moment standing next to him. Maybe coming here wasn't that bad.
—
The next activities were a bit romantic, with everyone taking photos together or just with their partners. Then having to put locks on a Love Lock Wall, which Azazel personally thought was the weirdest.
He didn't want to walk much as his feet hurt from the heels, but Kreo gave him his shoes and walked with his socks on. Azazel blushed at Kreo's gesture.
"At least let me carry my shoes," Azazel protested.
"You're hurt, I wouldn't let my lover do anything if they're hurt," Kreo replied before running off with Azazel's red heels in his hands.
"Kreo James!" Azazel chased after him in the more comfortable shoes.
"Young love, I guess," Lilith joked to her husband and friends.
"I don't think running that much while being pregnant is good," Sarah said, leaving everyone confused.
"Pregnant?" Everyone asked. "How can you tell?"
"She's told me some things that sound like symptoms." Sarah continued. "She started to feel nauseous sometimes, she's craving food and being more tired."
Everyone looked at each other not believing it before looking at Kreo and Azazel resting on a chair from running.
Azazel's hand covered his mouth before getting up. Kreo's happy expressions turned into worry as they walked away. Everyone followed them quietly to the restroom as Kreo waited outside.