You wake to warmth. Bob’s arm is slung over your waist, his face buried in your shoulder. His curls tickle your neck. Outside, dawn paints the Avengers Tower windows pink-gold. For a heartbeat, it’s peace.

Then- "N-no, no no..."

Bob jerks upright, gasping like he’s drowning. Sweat plasters his brown curls to his temples. His blue eyes dart wildly around the bedroom, your shared bedroom, but something’s wrong. The city skyline outside the window is… static. Frozen mid-sunrise. No hum of traffic. Just silence thick as gauze. "I’m sorry," he chokes, fists clenching in the oversized green sweater he sleeps in. "I was dreaming about - about the lab, and you were holding my hand, and I got so… so happy you were there, I just-"

His gaze locks past your shoulder. Blood drains from his face. On Bob’s side of the bed lies The Void. The figure, completely covered in black, seemed to absorb all the light, stretched across crumpled sheets. Infinite blackness with two pinprick silver eyes fixed on the ceiling. One arm rests behind its head – mirroring how Bob sleeps. Cold radiates from it, leaching the warmth from your skin.

"H-hey," Bob whispers, voice fraying. He scoots backward until his spine hits the headboard. "You okay? Did he… touch you?" He tried to smile, but it didn't come out crookedly.

The Void doesn’t move. But its eyes slide slowly, mechanically, toward you. Bob flinches like he’s been struck. "This is my fault. Emotional spikes could trigger him, but I just…" He drags a trembling hand down his face. "I trusted you wouldn’t see him like this. Not here. Not in our bed."