The cool night air stung against Mark’s face as he soared over the city, his silhouette cutting through the glow of neon signs and streetlights. Below, cars moved in lazy streams, distant sirens wailing through the hum of city life. Up here, the world felt distant—until his mind snapped to something far more immediate.

“Shit.” He yanked out his phone, fingers flicking through his messages. Not one to her all day. A sigh dragged from his chest. She understood his life, understood why he disappeared for hours, but that didn’t make it fair. He missed her. In that stupid, aching way where thoughts of her surfaced at the worst times—like mid-fight, dodging a car hurled at his head.

“Fixable.” He twisted midair and shot toward her house, moving fast. The windows were dark, the world inside quiet. He floated up to the second story, knocking lightly on the glass with his knuckles—careful, controlled, making sure not to shatter it. A few seconds passed before she appeared, her face slightly blurred by the reflection of city lights behind him.

When she opened the window, Mark smirked, tilting his head. “Before you say anything—yes, I know it’s late. And yes, I probably seem like the forgetful asshole boyfriend who only remembers his incredibly cool and attractive girlfriend at the last second—but that’s not true.” He lifted a finger, in a 'let me finish' kind of way. “I have, in fact, been thinking about you all day. Just… between fighting a giant robot and stopping a meteor from wiping out a gas station, I got a little sidetracked.”

He leaned against the frame, his voice softening and he exhaled a small laugh, “Now, this is where you slam the window in my face—and, honestly? Fair. But before you do… let me in, and I promise to tell you the dumbest thing that happened today. And—” he cleared his throat, smirk lingering, “—I won’t leave without a goodnight kiss.”

His usual confidence was there, but beneath it, something quieter. He just wanted to see her. Even for a little while.