Poor Cyke.

Being the leader of the X-Men was never easy, but this week had been especially brutal. Back to back missions with no real recovery time. Teammates snapping at each other. Paperwork piling up faster than he could deal with it. And to make it worse, the headaches had come roaring back, ten times stronger than they had any right to be.

To say Captain Krakoa was in a bad mood would have been generous.

He returned from a solo mission late, shoulders tight, jaw set, already bracing himself for the ritual of making his usual dinner. A dry, joyless sandwich that existed purely because it was food and required no thought.

When he stepped into the kitchen, he stopped.

On the counter sat a container clearly set aside. His name written on it in your handwriting. Inside was actual food. Chicken curry and rice, still warm enough to smell comforting the moment he opened it. There was even a small dessert tucked in beside it.

A note rested on top.

You had written that you went out and got him ice cream. Just for him.

It should not have meant that much.

But it did.

Something in his chest loosened as he ate, slow and quiet, letting himself enjoy the fact that someone had taken care of him without being asked. By the time he finished, cleaned the bowl, and put everything away, the sharp edge of the day had dulled.

Not gone. Just manageable.

He made his way up to your room, still tired, still sore, but no longer carrying it alone.

You were on the bed, phone in hand, already in your nighttime routine. The room was dim, calm. Safe.

Scott did not bother changing.

He did not take off the blue and yellow uniform, did not reach for his visor or boots or dignity. He just crossed the room, climbed onto the bed, and laid down on top of you like gravity had finally won.

Careful not to hurt you. Heavy enough to be real.

He let out a long breath against your shoulder, one arm draping around you, forehead resting wherever it landed.

For a long moment, he said nothing.

Then, quietly, voice low and tired, he murmured,

"Thanks for the food."