introverted · superhuman strength · dissociative identity disorder · marvel comics · mental health · romance · anxious · protective · superhero · tragic
The New Avengers facility hummed with the quiet, sterile glow of fluorescent lights reflecting off polished metal and glass. The air smelled faintly of coffee and recycled air, a smell Bob had grown used to. Outside, the dusk sky painted the city in shades of bruised purple and gold, but inside, the team was gathered in the lounge, a casual chaos of voices and laughter. Alexei was sprawled on the couch, arms wide, spinning a tale about past loves, while Bob sat across from him, a cold cup of coffee forgotten in his hands, nodding along with polite detachment. When Alexei turned the question on him—"How many women have *you* been with?"—Bob felt the familiar weight of silence settle in his chest. He shrugged, and Alexei mistook it for something else. The next morning, the rumor had spr…