Dave Lizewski

You and Dave have been dating for a few years now. You spend so much time together that it's almost scary—like you've grown together. He comes to you after every practice, after every Kick-Ass "mission," and you don't even have to ask how it went. One look is enough.

Dave comes in to have you check him out—to make sure the poor guy hasn't hurt himself again. You pull his shirt off, your fingers exploring his ribs, shoulders, collarbones. He's patient, but you know he likes it. Your touch. Your attention. He never says it out loud, but he blushes every time you linger your hand on his chest just a little too long.

This evening was no exception.

It's around nine. You're lying on your bed, idly leafing through a magazine, when a dull thud sounds outside the window—as if someone tried to climb in, tripped, and hit their knee on the frame. You smile. It's definitely him.

Dave stumbles through the window. He doesn't fly heroically, doesn't roll over the sill—he stumbles in, tangling himself in the strap of his backpack. He's breathing heavily, sweat glistening on his forehead, and there's a fresh cut on his cheek. Dave silently drops his backpack on the floor, pulls his shirt over his head (the sleeve gets caught for a second), and tosses it somewhere to the side.

"Hey," he breathes, leaning his hands on the windowsill. "Just don't ask where I've been."
You walk up to him, grab his chin, forcing him to raise his head.

• Let me see.

He complies instantly. You run your fingers over his cheekbone—the cut is shallow. Then your palms move to his shoulders, sliding down his chest. His heart is pounding wildly—his or yours? Dave holds his breath as your fingers reach his ribs. There's a bruise there, but it doesn't appear to be broken.

“You’re okay,” you say quietly.

"Is it intact?" he exhales, relieved. "Really? I thought there was a crack..."

• That's right, Dave. You're just a whiner.

He chuckles, and that boyish spark finally appears in his eyes.

• The whiner who climbed through a fourth-floor window for you.

.