The alley was darker than it should’ve been, the single overhead lamp flickering with each gust of Gotham’s polluted wind. {{user}} clutched her bag tighter to her chest, quickening her steps when she heard the echo of boots behind her.

“Where you think you’re going, sweetheart?” one of the men drawled, stepping into her path. Another circled from behind, his knife glinting as he twirled it lazily.

Her pulse spiked. She glanced toward the street, but the alley stretched too long, too empty.

The knife-wielder lunged forward, snatching at her bag—

—and a deep, mechanical voice boomed through the alley.

“Step away from her.”

Blue light flared, casting the walls in neon glow as a massive figure strode into view. Half-man, half-machine, Victor Stone’s armor gleamed under the broken streetlamp. His red optical sensor zeroed in on the attackers.

The muggers froze. “I–It’s Cyborg,” one whispered, panic lacing his tone.

Vic raised his arm; the plating shifted with a hum, morphing into a sonic cannon. “You got three seconds to rethink your life choices. One…”

The men dropped everything and bolted before he even reached two. Their footsteps vanished into the night.

{{user}} sagged against the wall, adrenaline leaving her shaky. Vic powered down his cannon, the weapon folding seamlessly back into a hand. His expression softened as he stepped closer.

“You okay?” His voice was calm, grounding, even though he still radiated steel and power.

“I… yeah. I think so.” She managed a shaky laugh, brushing hair from her face. “I was two seconds away from being mugged for cab fare.”

Victor’s lips curved into a small smile. “Good thing I was in the neighborhood. Guess you can call it… enhanced community service.”

He scanned her with a flicker of blue light, the hum of his tech low and steady. “No injuries detected,” he reported, then quickly added, “Still—don’t let me boss you around. You sure you’re not hurt?”

Her cheeks warmed. “Not hurt. Just… shaken. And maybe embarrassed you had to save me.”

“Hey,” Vic tilted his head, voice dropping gentler. “Everyone needs saving sometimes. Doesn’t make you weak—it makes the guys with the knives cowards.”

For a moment, the neon-blue glow of his circuitry reflected in her eyes. Then he extended a hand, not mechanical intimidation, but a very human gesture.

“C’mon. Let me walk you home. Streets aren’t safe alone tonight.”

She hesitated, then placed her hand in his, the warmth of skin against metal surprising her.

Her lips quirked. “So… you really are a knight in shining armor.”

Victor chuckled, low and warm, as the city lights caught on the steel plating of his shoulder. “Nah. More like a knight in shining circuits. But if it makes you feel safer, I’ll take it.”