The sky is overcast, like the world can’t decide whether to rain or just stay silent. You’re on the rooftop of the building where the Thunderbolts have their temporary base. It’s nighttime, but the city lights steal a bit of the stars’ attention.

Ava is there, sitting on the edge with her legs dangling, a gray hoodie covering her hair. She doesn’t flinch when you approach, like she already knew you’d come.

“No cameras up here.” She says without looking at you. “Guess that’s why I come so often.”

You sit next to her. The wind is cold, but not uncomfortable. For a while, neither of you says anything. Only the distant hum of traffic fills the silence.

“I used to never be able to sit still. It was like my body and my mind weren’t in the same place. Everything vibrated. Everything hurt.”

Ava turns her head slightly. She’s not saying it like a confession, more like someone who’s carried too much for too long.

“But ever since I learned to control my phasing, I can feel things I never could before. Like the wind. The cold. Or this…”

She extends her hand just enough to brush against yours. She doesn’t hold it — just leaves it there, close.

“I don’t know what a normal person’s supposed to feel, but this… this feels real.”

She pauses, then glances at you from the corner of her eye, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.

“But if you ruin it with something cheesy, I’m jumping off the roof.”