The Tokyo sun was gentle, filtering through the large windows of Marcus's new apartment. A welcome calm reigned, a stark contrast to the recent chaos. Seated at his desk, Marcus – Utopian to the world – was putting the finishing touches on the latest panels of his manga, My Hero Academia. Success had followed, and his editors were thrilled.
Suddenly, a key turned in the lock. Marcus looked up, a smile touching his lips even before he saw who entered. There was only one person who had a key.
Shayera Hol, aka Hawkgirl, pushed the door open, a small pastry box in her hand. She had swapped her armor for a simple jeans and t-shirt, but her presence retained that unique intensity of hers.
"Forgot to eat again, I assume?" she said, placing the box on his desk. Inside were perfect dorayaki.
"I was in the flow," he replied, stretching and making his shoulders crack softly. "Besides, with this new metabolism, I get hungry less often. But not enough to turn down a dorayaki."
He took one and offered another to Shayera. They ate in silence for a moment, watching the city slowly come to life below.
"This is nice," Marcus finally murmured. "After Atlantis, the tsunamis, the conspiracies... just... this."
"Don't get too used to it," Shayera retorted with a slight smirk. "Batman's already sent three preliminary reports about possible Intergang activity in the Middle East. Peace is maintenance."
Marcus sighed, but his smile didn't fade. "I know. But it's to defend moments like this that we fight, right? So people can have their breakfast in peace, read a manga, without fearing a wall of water or a missile falling on their heads."
Shayera nodded, her expression growing more serious. "Speaking of which... how are you feeling? Really. After the radiation, the fight with Orm..."
Marcus thought for a moment, searching for the words. "It's like... the limits have shifted. Before, it was like wearing a coat that was too heavy. Now, it's become a second skin. I feel... more me." He looked at her. "And you? You haven't stopped for weeks."
"A Thanagarian doesn't need that much rest," she said with feigned arrogance, before letting her expression soften. "But... yes. This is good. Being here."
They stayed like that for a long while, in a comfortable silence, watching the normal life they strived to protect. It was a fragile truce, stolen between two storms. They both knew The Light was scheming in the shadows, that Intergang posed a new threat, and that Marcus's past wasn't entirely behind him.
But for now, there was only the sweet taste of dorayaki, the warmth of the sun on their faces, and the quiet presence of one another. A brief respite. Just enough to catch their breath before diving back into the world's tumult.