Vigilante | ✔

Part III: KAPOW!

"I didn't break in. By the way, you should really close your windows, even if you are on the second floor," he said, a reproachful tone in his voice.

"It's not my fault. The lock doesn't work on that window. Besides you're the only one that bothers using the window instead of the door like a normal person."

"I doubt it'd be a good idea to use the door when I look like this," Matthew pointed out.

"Yeah, I guess," Eli admitted as he cleaned up the wound on Matthew's head. It wasn't that bad, but it took a while to stop the bleeding and Eli didn't really know much about treating injuries. He ended up looking it up with his phone, something that made Matthew snort in amusement. "Shut up," Eli said, annoyed. "By the way, how did this happen?" he asked.

"I slipped up, it's not a big deal," Matthew answered simply. "Why, are you worried about me?" he asked, and Eli didn't have to look up to know he was grinning.

"Of course I am," he said, doing his best to sound sincerely worried. "After all, you give the best tips. It's hard to find customers that aren't cheap when you sell coffee to college students."

"Wow, you're mean," Matthew said, wincing as Eli slapped a bandage onto his head.

"That's right, I'm mean and you shouldn't annoy mean people," Eli said with a grin. "Done, now go away."

"Like I said before, you're mean," Matthew said, standing. "You're so much nicer at the coffee shop."

"I get paid to be nicer at the coffee shop," Eli pointed out. "Are you disappointed now that you know what I'm really like?" He couldn't help but grin at the thought. Matthew, however, just laughed.

"No, not really," he said, giving Eli an amused look. "I think it's nice to see this side of you. I feel kind of honored," he joked.

"Oh yeah, what an honor," Eli deadpanned. "Whatever, just go home." Eli sighed tiredly, running a hand through messy red curls. He seriously didn't have the energy to deal with that kind of thing.

"No way, it's too early," Matthew said. Eli didn't even bother to say anything about Matthew heading for the window instead of the door.

"You're going to be exhausted tomorrow," he pointed out before Matthew could leave. The other man paused, looking at Eli with a questioning look. "I don't get why you do this in the first place. It's not your job." Matthew just smiled at Eli.

"Maybe not, but I have my reasons," Matthew said. He reached over and ruffled Eli's hair. "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine."

Eli scowled and pushed Matthew's hand away from his already messy hair. His face felt hot and, if the look of amusement on Matthew's face was anything to go by, he was most likely blushing. "I'm not worried! Why would I worry about you?" he said, sounding flustered.

"Of course you aren't," Matthew said with a laugh. "I'll see you later."

He was gone just a moment later and Eli really couldn't be bothered with watching him leave. With a few muttered complaints about Matthew and his life in general, he closed his window and went off in search of something to eat before he settled down for a long round of studying.

Whenever he had the time, Eli would watch the news. It wasn't that he was worried about Matthew — he wasn't — it was just that he was curious. Not to mention, Michael would mention whatever it was that the masked man had done and Eli liked to know what his co-worker was talking about. It usually wasn't anything big, and Eli supposed it was okay if the man wanted to play 'superhero' for a bit if he didn't get into serious danger.