Her eyes narrowed playfully. “You’ve mentioned that. But I’m starting to think you’re just teasing me.”
He gestured towards a door. “It’s in the storage room.”
“The closet?” Polly climbed off the bed, her departure leaving a noticeable absence.
Erzo felt a pang of longing. He had to remind himself this was temporary. She had plans, ones that didn’t include staying here indefinitely. But he couldn’t help wanting to make her smile.
She slid open the closet. “Where?”
“Black box on the floor,” he directed.
Polly’s eyes lit up. “I saw that! Thought it might be your secret stash of manly things. Didn’t want to discover your underwear collection before it was time.”
“Do you want to see my underwear?” Erzo teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.
She shot him a look. “Honey, I’ve seen the goods. Remember?”
Polly gestured to the bed, where he lay in just his briefs. Erzo chuckled, realizing his current state of undress.
“This doesn’t feel like a box of briefs,” Polly said, turning back to him, the mysterious box in her hands. “So, what’s the big surprise?”
“Just open it,” Erzo urged, his heart racing with anticipation.
“Ooh, it’s got some heft to it,” Polly exclaimed as she moved back to the bed, box in tow. “Let’s see what kind of surprise you’ve conjured up, Erzo.”
His gaze lingered on Polly, his eyes alight with a thrilling blend of eager anticipation and a flutter of nerves coiling in his stomach.
Polly opened the box with a flourish, revealing a metal shaft that fit snugly in her hand. “Ah, just my size!”
“You’ll find it’s quite fitting.”
Polly eyed the object, then shot him a puzzled look. “What in the cosmos is this? A fancy paperweight?”
“It’s a weapon,” Erzo revealed with a hint of pride in his voice.
“A weapon?” Polly scoffed playfully. “What is this, a galaxy version of a lightsaber?”
Erzo’s brow furrowed in confusion. “A what-saber?”
Polly rolled her eyes. “You know, a lightsaber. Laser beam, swoosh-swoosh, all that jazz?”
She gestured with the metal shaft as if it were a sword from an epic space saga. Curious, she pressed a button on the handle. Instantly, the room echoed with a metallic clang as the end of the shaft shot out, transforming into a full-sized bat.
Polly yelped and almost dropped it, the bat bouncing on the bed and grazing his leg. “Yikes, that’s not your average space gadget!”
Erzo couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s okay, it’s just?—”
“Wait a sec,” Polly interjected, her eyes wide as she examined the bat closely. “It’s a baseball bat!”
She ran her fingers along the metal, an awe-filled expression widening her smile.
“You said you missed having something to keep you safe,” Erzo explained, hoping she’d see the thoughtfulness behind the gift.
Polly’s gaze flickered between him and the bat. “You got me a bat. A space bat!”
Erzo hesitated, second-guessing his choice. “I wanted you to feel protected.”
Her skepticism seemed to melt away as she gripped the handle, her eyes lighting up.
