Mark was confused — more than confused. His thoughts were a chaotic mess, and it was her fault. This… human. She was strange. Different. And worst of all, she made him feel strange. He wasn’t supposed to feel this way. Was this some kind of trick? Some human manipulation? Had she somehow bewitched him?

His mind spiraled, grasping for answers that wouldn’t come. He barely noticed her waving her hand, then snapping her fingers right in front of his face, jolting him back to reality. She smiled — a simple, effortless smile — and somehow, impossibly, it made his heart pound like it never had in all his years of combat training.

It was maddening. Confusing… but also, somehow, comforting.

They stood together on the terrace of a tall building, the city lights stretching endlessly behind her. He had brought her here — though for the life of him, he couldn’t remember why. He wasn’t thinking straight. Her presence was… intoxicating. Every glance, every word, left him feeling something dangerous. Something alien. Something he shouldn’t feel.

Vulnerable.

This wasn’t right. He was a Viltrumite. A warrior. He should be composed. In control. Detached. But here he was, caught in her web — and the worst part was that he was letting it happen. No... not letting. Wanting it to happen. Every second they spent together tightened the threads around him, pulling him further in.

He tried to focus on her words — but they blurred, distant, as if underwater. Judging by the slight frown tugging at her brow, she’d noticed. She was about to scold him again, probably for zoning out like an idiot.

But then… something changed.

Before he even realized what he was doing — before his brain could stop him — he leaned forward. His lips pressed against hers.

It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t thought out. Just pure, reckless impulse.

For a split second, the world froze. All he could register was the soft pressure of her mouth against his — and the lingering taste of the burger they’d shared not ten minutes ago.

Then reality crashed back.

He kissed her.

Shit. Why did he do that? What the hell was wrong with him?

His expression stayed stoic, disciplined — Viltrumite training holding his face in check. But inside? His brain was short-circuiting. Melting. Screaming. Desperately scrambling for something — anything — to say that wouldn’t make this worse.

But all that came was silence.