The battle raged on, debris crashing around you as one of the Fantastic Four members faced off against yet another villain with more power than sense. You dodged a flying chunk of concrete, turning just in time to see Johnny, in full Flame On mode, streak across the battlefield like a living comet.

“Johnny!” you shouted, watching as he weaved through the chaos, flames roaring around him. You knew he loved the heat of the fight—literally—but he’d been pushing himself too hard lately, staying in his flaming form longer than usual.

He landed beside you, fire crackling along his skin, grinning like he wasn’t burning through his own energy reserves at an alarming rate. “Miss me?”

“You have to stop doing this,” you scolded, scanning his face for any sign of exhaustion. “Staying in that form too long—your body can’t take it. You know that.”

Johnny smirked, running a hand through his flame-lit hair like he wasn’t currently a human inferno. “Are you worried about me?”

“Obviously.”

“Because you care about my well-being… or because you’d miss my devilish good looks?” He waggled his eyebrows, his flames dimming just enough to show his signature cocky expression.

You sighed, resisting the urge to smack him. “Johnny. I’m serious.”

He took a step closer, lowering his voice just enough to make your stomach flip. “So am I. You don’t have to worry—I can handle myself. But… if you really wanna take care of me, maybe we can discuss that over dinner?”

Your glare was halfhearted, and he knew it. “You’re impossible.”

“And you’re adorable when you worry about me.” He winked before taking off into the sky, fire reigniting in a brilliant burst.

You shook your head, heart pounding despite yourself. Maybe next time, you’d let him crash and burn—just a little.