The elevator chimed softly as the doors slid open. He stepped out into the HUNTR/X penthouse — dimly lit, quiet, the hum of the city just barely audible through the floor-to-ceiling windows. The place still smelled faintly of incense and reheated takeout. The aftermath of a long mission clung to the air.

They were home.

He hadn’t even taken two steps before he saw her.

Mira stood in the kitchen, her back half-turned, flipping through a packet of energy drinks like she was too focused to notice him—except she always knew when he entered the room. She stilled for a second. Then slowly, deliberately, looked up.

Their eyes met.

And like always, she melted—just a little.

The shift was almost imperceptible, but he’d learned to spot it. The way her shoulders relaxed. The way the edge in her eyes dulled ever so slightly. The subtle twitch at the corner of her mouth, like she was trying not to smile. Mira never dropped her guard for anyone.

Except him.

“You’re late,” she said, voice even.

“You’re always waiting,” he replied, just as casually.

She scoffed under her breath and turned back to the fridge, but the way her hand lingered on the handle betrayed her. Her armor had a crack in it tonight, like it always did when they were alone.

He stepped further in, toeing off his boots. His jacket was still torn from the earlier fight — a deep rip at the sleeve he’d forgotten about. But she didn’t notice it yet. She was too busy pretending not to be glad he was here.

“Thought you got hit,” she murmured after a beat, still facing away.

“I did,” he said. “Barely.”

“You always say that.”

“And I’m always right.”

She shook her head, finally glancing at him again. Her eyes lingered — not with suspicion. Just something unspoken.

The others weren’t around. Rumi had probably gone to shower. Zoey was either passed out on the couch or off sabotaging the TV again. For now, it was just the two of them in that quiet, stretched-out moment.

“I’m fine, Mira,” he said, softer now.

“I didn’t ask,” she replied, but it came out too fast. Too warm.

He smiled.

And she didn’t stop him.