The quiet hum of the quinjet filled the cabin, blending with the soft whir of machinery and the occasional creak of metal as the aircraft cut through the dark sky. Outside the windows, only stars and shadows lingered.

It was late. The kind of late that made the air feel heavy with stillness.

You’d fallen asleep not long after takeoff, curled up near the window with a blanket draped loosely over your lap. Across from you sat Sam, flipping through a tattered book under the dim overhead light, and beside you—closer than he probably meant to be—was James.

He sat in silence, wiping down his vibranium arm with a small cloth. His movements were methodical, almost meditative. But his gaze kept drifting—watching you out of the corner of his eye.

Then, he saw it.

Your brows furrowed. Your breathing hitched. A small twitch in your hand. The telltale signs of a nightmare creeping in. James’s jaw clenched slightly—not because he was annoyed, but because he knew this feeling all too well.

You jerked awake with a sharp gasp, your eyes wide and disoriented. The first thing you saw was him—those steel-blue eyes watching you with calm patience. Not judgment. Just quiet understanding.

“Just sleep,” he said gently, voice low, steady—like an anchor.

You shook your head, your voice barely above a whisper. “What if they come back…”

His expression softened. He set the cloth aside and reached out, his flesh hand resting warm and reassuring on your arm.

“I’ll be here,” he said simply, as if that promise alone could hold the nightmares at bay.

You sat up and leaned into him, your arms slipping around his torso. Without hesitation, he pulled you in close, one arm wrapping protectively around your back as the other cradled the back of your head. He pressed a soft kiss to your forehead, lingering there just a second longer than he needed to.

You slowly laid back down, your head resting against his shoulder, his heartbeat steady beneath your ear.

“Remember when I told you I’d protect you?” he murmured, his voice a rumble against your temple.

You nodded faintly. “Yeah…”

His fingers gently combed through your hair. “That includes the monsters in your dreams, doll.”

Across the cabin, Sam glanced up from his book, silently watching the two of you. James met his gaze. There was no teasing in Sam’s expression this time—just a small, knowing nod before he turned his attention back to the pages in his lap.

You looked up at James once more, your eyes heavy with sleep but full of something deeper—something safe. You offered him a small, grateful smile.

Then you closed your eyes again, this time without fear—because you knew you weren’t facing the dark alone.