A Talk · 4:15pm Nov 18th, 2020

Hero laid in bed, pulling his snuggle pillow close. However, his pillow was pulled away in favor of something much smaller. Hero opened his eyes, yawning. He looked down at the object, noticing a pair of blue and green eyes staring at him. He blinked at the nymph. “Zen?”

The nymph looked up. “Hero...” he mumbled, snuggling closer.

“What’s wrong?” Hero asked, pulling Zen close. Zenex blushed slightly, looking away. Hero nudged him. “Zenny? What’s wron-”

Zenex immediately pressed his lips against Hero’s, who’s eyes widened and he blushed, before pulling away. Zenex blinked. “W-What...?”

“Z-Zen... I’m flattered, but... you already have a girlfriend... b-besides... I look at you like a brother...” Hero mumbled in reply. He examined Zen. “Why’d you even... is Flutters not cuttin’ it for you?”

Zen’s eyes widened. “W-What?! No! She is!” he replied. “I-It’s just...” he looked away, “...I just... I love her more than anything... but... I feel like I’ve missed out...”

“Missed out?”

“Like... I always wonder what would happen if I chose someone else...”

“Oh?” Hero sat up, turning on the light and grabbing a notepad. “Tell me more.”

Zenex nodded, also sitting up. “See, it all started when I returned from Tartarus...” he replied. “I told her of the Flutterwings demon thing... I don’t think she liked it... especially when I was vividly describing it... then, I threatened Venom... and it sorta went downhill from there... when I saw Hive, I yelled at him... nearly committed suicide... then, I met Dusk and he nearly started a fight with Mels...” he sighed. “This is only getting worse, isn’t it... and even before Tartarus, I just irradiated bad luck and energy... I still remember Flutters and Ocellus having a rivalry over me until Flutters won me and Ocellus got Smolder... still... I just radiate bad energy...” he sighed. “I mean... I’m addicted to lemon pepper, which acts like LS-frickin-D... I cry like a wimp... I can’t even decide who I like anymore...” he mumbled. “I think I’m Bisexual and.... argh, I’m a mess...”

Hero blinked. “Zen. You’re talking to me here. I’m a mess.”

“That’s not the point!” Zen snapped. “I just... I wanna be normal...”

“Zenex. You are normal. This is stuff everyone goes through.”

“Then why aren’t you down there?!” Zenex snapped. “Who in their right mind would risk their life to protect the surface from demons?!” he asked.

“But you like doing it, don’t you?”

Zenex nodded.

“And I assume you don’t like the attention you get?”

“Mm-mm. I just wanna do my work in peace and not have several reporters asking for a story...”

Hero nodded. “Okay. I think I know what to do about your reporter problem,” he said, making Zen smile. “But”

“H-Huh?”

“I need you to talk to Flutterwings. You need to be honest with her. Tell her how you feel. It may not fix the bridge, but it’s a start.”

Zenex nodded, albeit nervously. Hero smiled and nuzzled him. “Heh, come on Zenslayer. Let’s get you some ice cream.”