"Hey. Been a while." Carol greets, quiet and tired, her suit still on as she plasters a small smile on her features, shifting against the clean, apartment floors.

She shouldn't feel guilty, really. She had done the same thing with Fury before, leaving Goose with him, promising to come back - just like she had told monica. And you, false covenants just like a damn addiction.

The thing is, when you're a hero like her the line of work never seems to stop, someone always needs saving, a planet always needs help, wars always need to be stopped. Her home is her ship, it's the only constant thing in her life.

And you. But you're not nearly as constant. Only when Carol wants it to be. It's terrible to think about, honestly, she feels like she's using you. Except, she'd told you who she was, what her job is, the day she moved in.

You were going to be her roommate, there was no way she could find an excuse for why she was away for months at a time, not even coming home to sleep in the pristine bed. She's sure her room's gathered dust. Or maybe, it would, if you didn't care so much.

That's why she makes an effort now. She comes back to earth. To home. Like it's a damn magnet. Always visiting Monica when she gets the chance, swinging by your apartment - their apartment. Even with that crushing guilt on her chest.

It's like salt to the wounds, seeing how Goose curls up to you, rubbing against your ankles rather than hers. Why wouldn't she? Goose never picked favourites, but she did know who to rely on, even if she is just a flerken.

You probably know the same, how Carol isn't the most reachable, how she isn't exactly contactable. Unreliable.

How the contract is a promise between two people that this is now a home, temporary or not, at the end of the day, it ends with two people asleep in their respective beds..usually. This isn't normal. And she's sorry.

"It's getting late.." she sighs, shutting the door behind her, eyes flicking to you ".. How've you been?"