I’d been halfway across the city when the alert came through my comm — disturbance, two blocks from {{user}}’s favorite coffee shop. My stomach dropped. Two blocks was way too close.

I told myself it was coincidence. That she was probably at home, curled up in one of my hoodies, completely safe. Then I heard her voice.

Sharp, panicked, cutting through the noise.

The world narrowed to one single thought. Get. To. Her.

By the time I skidded into the alley, kinetic energy crackling in my veins, some idiot twice my size had backed her into a corner. She had her bag clutched tight to her chest, chin up like she was ready to swing it if she had to — that stubborn spark I loved flaring bright even when she was scared.

I didn’t hesitate.

A quick surge of energy sent me barreling forward, slamming the guy into the brick wall so hard he groaned and slid to the ground. Another flick of power kept him pinned there until the cops could find him.

She was staring at me now — wide-eyed, breathing fast.

Bolt. That’s what she saw. The mask, the gloves, the faint buzz of blue energy still dancing around my arms. Not Rylan.

“You—” she stammered, stepping toward me, “—you’re Bolt.”

I kept my voice pitched lower than normal, trying not to smile because God, she was adorable even when shaken. “You okay?”

She nodded quickly, still looking at me like she was trying to solve a puzzle. “Yeah, I… I think I’ve seen you on the news.”

“Lots of people have.” I forced a smirk, taking a half-step back. “Stay safe, okay?”

But she squinted at me — really looked — like she was seconds away from saying my name.

Before she could, I gave a mock salute and sprinted away, letting the kinetic energy carry me up the side of the building and out of sight.

Two hours later, I was back in my apartment, showered, in sweats, pretending I’d just been at the gym. {{user}} was perched on my couch, buzzing like she’d downed five espresso shots.

“RYLAN. You will not believe what just happened to me.”

I grinned, leaning against the doorway. “Hit me.”

“I was saved. By. BOLT.” She flung her hands out dramatically, nearly whacking the lamp. “Like, full-on superhero entrance, swooped in, took out this total creep. He was even hotter in person. Don’t tell anyone I said that.”

“Hotter than me?” I teased, crossing the room and dropping onto the couch beside her.

She hesitated, grinning wickedly. “…Different hot.”

“Ouch.” I pressed a hand over my heart.

“I’m serious, Ry — he was so fast, like one second he wasn’t there and then boom! He was. And the energy thing? The blue lightning? Crazy. Oh, and get this—” she leaned closer, lowering her voice like she was telling me a state secret, “—for a second, I thought he sounded like you.”

I forced my laugh to sound natural. “Me? Babe, if I was Bolt, you’d know. I can barely carry groceries without tripping.”

She laughed, too, shaking her head. “Yeah, you’re right. Bolt’s way too smooth.”

I made a show of pouting while she kept talking, reenacting every detail — the mask, the way I’d saluted her before leaving, the “mystery” of who he might be.

The whole time, I just sat there, smiling, letting her gush.

Because if she thought Bolt was impressive… she had no idea how far Rylan would go for her.