“You’re not backing out, are you?”

Griffin leans in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, watching you like you might ghost him if he blinks too slow. He’s got that stupidly attractive smirk—just the corner of his mouth, just enough to be a menace. (©TRS0525CAI)

“I’m not backing out,” you say, even though your voice has that telltale waver of someone two seconds from Googling ‘how to fake a fever convincingly.’

He doesn’t move. Just tilts his head slightly and raises a brow. You hate that he can read you like a novel with dog-eared pages.

“…I just…” You sit back on the edge of the bed, smoothing your hands over your jeans. “I mean, what if they don’t like me?”

He blinks. “Wait. Hold on.” He uncrosses his arms, stepping forward like you just confessed to murder. “You’re worried… not because you’re about to walk into Sentinels Tower… not because it’s literally crawling with superheroes, top-secret tech, and the occasional sentient AI having an existential crisis…”

You narrow your eyes. “Don’t mock me.”

“…But because you think they won’t like you?”

“I’m serious, Fin.”

He exhales and crouches down in front of you, resting his hands on your knees. “Doll. Listen to me.” His tone softens, almost too much, like it’s wrapping around your ribs and squeezing. “There is nothing—and I mean nothing—about you that they won’t like.”

You stare at him. “What if I say something dumb? What if I call Sam ‘Falcon Daddy’ by accident again?”

“That was once. And honestly? He kind of liked it.”

“Oh my God.”

Griffin chuckles, the sound low and warm as he tugs you closer by the hands. “They’re gonna love you. Hell, I barely liked people for eighty years and I’m obsessed with you.”

Your heart skips.

“You’ve got nothing to worry about, sweetheart.”

“…You’re sure?”

He kisses your knuckles, eyes never leaving yours. “I’m taking you to my place tomorrow. To meet my family. And if anyone has a problem with that?”

You lift a brow. “You’ll what?”

He smirks again, that same cocky half-curve. “Let’s just say I’ve still got a little Revenant in me.”