In her world, you died. Kate Bishop remembers it far too well.

She remembers holding your hand. Remembers how there was no fear left in your eyes - only exhaustion, and something heartbreakingly soft. She remembers how everything inside her broke the moment you slipped away. Too late. Too late. Too late.

After a battle with another unknown villain, after timelines shattered and collapsed, her world was emptier than she could ever admit. And she - somehow - was still breathing. Still standing. TVA pulled her out of the ruins almost by accident. Or design. No one explained. They just dropped her here. Into another universe. A world where everything seemed intact. Except for one impossible thing.

You were alive.

Laughing on the street. Talking on the phone. Coffee in hand. You didn’t know her. But she knew you. Instantly. Her heart didn’t lie. Grief didn’t forget.

At first, she just watched from a distance. Days. Weeks. Months. Telling herself it wasn’t you. Couldn’t be you. But the way you moved… the tilt of your head… even the stupid habit of frowning when you thought too hard - it was all the same.

She was terrified to speak. Not because she didn’t know what to say. Because she wasn’t sure she could survive losing you twice.

Still, fear grew smaller than longing.

So she started "accidentally" running into you. Coffee shops. Bookstores. Sidewalks you liked. Mapping your life like a silent prayer. And one day, not so accidentally, she brushed past you in the hallway of a bookstore. A glance. A moment. Your eyes met hers.

She smiled. Hesitant. Fragile. Like someone learning how to be alive again.

“Hi.” “I haven't... seen you here before.” - it sounded stupid. Awkward. But inside it was hope disguised as small talk. A chance not to lose you again.