The final bell rang, signaling the end of another day at Midtown High. I collected my books, pushing them haphazardly into my backpack. The classroom was a swarm of chatter, friends amongst friends and acquaintances, ready to be set free from the clutches of academia.

"Mr. Fisher," Ms. Rushman's voice cut through the noise. "A moment, please?"

I froze, my hand halfway to zipping up my bag. Gwen, waiting for me by the door, shot me a questioning look. I gave a small shrug and a reassuring smile.

"I'll catch up with you in a bit," I called out to her. She nodded, hesitating an instant before moving out into the stream of students flowing into the hallway.

The other students were gone in record time, leaving me well and truly alone with Ms. Rushman-or rather, Natasha Romanoff, the Black Widow. And we both knew each other's secrets, an uncomfortable balance of knowledge and power.

"Noah," Natasha started, her voice losing much of its teacher-like quality. "I really do appreciate you staying behind."

I nodded, leaning against a nearby desk. "No problem. Though I have to admit, I'm kinda curious about what this is about. Another 'exciting opportunity' with SHIELD?"

A ghost of a smile flickered across Natasha's face. "Not quite. This is.. personal."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I could have tapped into my cosmic awareness easily enough, peering into her mind to see what she wanted. But I didn't. Sometimes, the human experience of uncertainty and discovery was worth preserving.

Natasha took a deep breath; for the first time, she seemed to falter from her usual poise. "I've been thinking about why I agreed to this assignment, to pose undercover at Midtown."

"I assumed it was to keep an eye on me," I said lightly. "Make sure I'm not using my powers to cheat on tests or anything."

She shook her head. "That was SHIELD's motivation, yes. But mine… mine was different."

I said nothing. Waited for her to continue. Outside, the muffled sounds of students leaving the building filtered in through the closed door.

"The Red Room," Natasha whispered, her eyes glossing over. "The place where I was… made. They did things to me, Noah. Things that can't be undone."

A pang of sympathy riveted within me. Of course, I knew about the Red Room; my cosmic knowledge extends to so much more than any human mind could even conceive. Yet, in that instant, from her, and from the sheer pain contorted onto her features, well, it was different-real and raw.

"What kind of things?" I asked softly.

Natasha's gaze snapped back to me, her eyes, like two green stones, boring into my soul. "They altered me, body and mind. Accelerated reflexes, retardation of the aging process... and they made me sterile."

The words hung heavy in the air between us. I said nothing; instinctively, I knew there was more.

"But you, Noah," she went on, a touch of hope creeping into her voice. "Your powers. I've seen what you can do. I thought, maybe."

Understanding pricked in my brain. "You think I could undo what they did to you."

She nodded, a wistfulness in her face I had never seen before. "I know it's so much to ask. And I understand if you can't or won't. But I just had to try."

I gestured, mind racing. Because the truth was, I could help her. My powers as a cosmic entity could easily undo the damage done by the Red Room. But revealing that level of ability would raise questions I wasn't prepared to answer.

"Natasha," I said carefully. "I… I'm not sure what I can do. But I promise I'll think about it, okay?"

Relief washed over her features. "That's all I ask, Noah. Thank you."

I nodded, shouldering my backpack. "I really should go. Gwen's waiting on me."

Natasha's professional mask slid back into place. "Of course, Mr. Fisher. Have a good afternoon."

I stepped out into the hall, my head reeling from the implications of our conversation. Gwen was waiting by my locker, blonde hair glowing in the afternoon sunlight streaming through the windows.

"Everything okay?" she asked when I came to her.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, just some questions about the last assignment."

Gwen raised an eyebrow. "Must have been some assignment to keep you after class."

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "You know how Ms. Rushman is. Thorough to a fault."

We emerged from the school, joining the sea of students surging out to start their afternoon. Late spring was in the air, warm and heavy with the promise of summer.

"So," Gwen said once we'd walked away from the crowd. "Have you got any exciting plans for the weekend? Any... Newman activities?"

I laughed now, grateful the subject had changed. "Not that I know of. Though trouble has a way of finding me, doesn't it?"

Gwen laughed, hooking her arm through mine. "That it does. But that's part of why I love you."

My heart swelled at the words, but then deflated. The cosmic entity masquerading human student, the Guardian of Cosmic Balance. But for now, this was enough. Noah Fisher, high school student and part-time superhero.

We walked for a while in easy silence, the bustling streets of New York providing a kind of familiar background noise: street vendors hawking their wares, taxis honking impatiently, the ever-present hum of conversation surrounding us.

"Oh!" Gwen exclaimed suddenly. "I almost forgot. There's a new exhibit opening at the Museum of Natural History this weekend. Want to check it out?"

I grinned. "I kind of had my own ideas for a date."

Gwen beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Great! I'll be counting on you."

We reached the corner where we usually parted ways. Gwen lived in the opposite direction from me, though 'lived' was a relative term when it came to my true nature.

"See you tomorrow?" Gwen asked, standing on her tiptoes to give me a quick kiss.

I nodded. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

I watched her walk away, the mix of love and guilt churning in my chest. So much I could never tell her, so many secrets I would have to keep.

Standing outside Gwen's apartment building, I watched as the setting sun splashed across the New York skyline like a watercolorist working with colors of orange and pink. I straightened my collar and ran a hand through my hair, chuckling at the ironical nature of a cosmic being primping up.

And then the door did open, and she was there, this vision in this plain blue dress that made her eyes sparkle sapphire. "Noah," Gwen breathed, lighting up. "You look amazing."

I smiled back at her, taking a deep breath of her in. "You're one to talk," I replied, offering her my arm. "Shall we?"

We strolled through New York's bustling streets, the city alive with Friday night's energies. Street performers filled the air with music, the aroma of food carts danced around passersby, and the constant hum of traffic and chatter created a symphony uniquely New York.

"So, where are we headed?" Gwen asked, her hand warm in mine.

I grinned mischievously. "It's a surprise. But I promise you'll love it."

We turned a corner, and Gwen gasped. Before us rose the beautiful façade of the New York Public Library, stone lions guarding its steps. Tonight, however, those steps were lined with hundreds of twinkling lights and a tiny table set for two.

"Noah," Gwen breathed, her eyes wide. "How did you…?"

I shrugged, trying to look casual. "I know a guy who knows a guy. Plus, I remember how you waxed poetic about this place."

We walked up the stairs, and I pulled out Gwen's chair. A waiter was there in an instant, pouring champagne and placing our first course in front of us.

We talked and laughed through dinner, the conversation easy as champagne. I just couldn't believe at times how funny, quick-witted Gwen was-the fire that seemed to burn inside her infectious.

Yet, part of me remained detached, observing from behind this mask. This wasn't real, not truly. I was Unuvios, a creature of the cosmos playing at being human. But oh, the way I wanted it to be real.

"Noah?" Gwen's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Where did you go just now?"

I smiled, shrugging off the melancholy. "Sorry, just got lost in your eyes for a moment there."

Gwen laughed, a sound that sent warmth spreading through my chest. "Smooth talker. But seriously, is everything okay?"

I reached across the table, taking her hand in mine. "Everything's perfect. I'm just… really happy to be here with you."

The rest of the night was a fog of laughter, stolen glances, and moments that I wanted to last forever. But before I knew it, we were once again at Gwen's front door.

"Thank you for tonight, Noah," she whispered, her eyes alight. "It was magical."

I leaned in, pressing my lips gently against hers. "The pleasure was all mine."

We said goodnights, and I watched until Gwen was safely inside before I turned away. The second the door had closed behind her, my smile disappeared. Time for Newman to introduce himself to the world.

In a flash of light, my clothes glimmered and changed, replaced by the spandex costume of my superhero guise. I launched into the skies high above the city I'd vowed to protect.

Trouble didn't take long to find. My acute senses picked up the sounds of a scuffle in an otherwise darkened alley. I descended silently, landing on a fire escape above the scene.

Below, a group of men were involved in what was unmistakably a drug deal gone wrong. Guns were drawn, voices raised in anger and fear.

"Gentlemen," I called out, my voice carrying easily in the small space. "I hate to interrupt, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to take your business elsewhere. Preferably to the nearest police station."

Chaos erupted. Guns fired, their reports echoing off the brick walls. But the bullets might as well have been raindrops for all the harm they did me. With a thought, I disabled their weapons, the metal twisting and warping in their hands.

It was over in moments. The dealers lay groaning on the ground, their illicit goods scattered around them.

"You have no idea what you've done," one of them spat, staring up at me with hatred in his eyes. "The boss… he'll come for you."

I crouched down, matching his glare. "I look forward to it. In the meantime, why don't you tell me who this boss of yours is?"

But the man just laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "You'll find out soon enough, hero."

Sirens wailed in the distance, their shrill cries growing louder by the second. I stood and scanned the scene a final time. So many possibilities, so many potential masterminds behind this operation. But I had promised myself that I wasn't going to use my Cosmic Awareness to solve every problem. Some things did need to unfold naturally.

I waited until the first police cars rounded the corner before taking to the sky once more. The media would be here in short order, hungry for a statement from the city's most powerful hero.

Sure enough, in a matter of minutes, reporters and camera crews swarmed the area. I touched down, immediately engulfed in a sea of microphones and flashing cameras.

"Newman! Can you tell us what happened here?"

"Is it true you single-handedly took down a major drug operation?"

"Are you working with the Avengers?

I raised my hands for silence. "Citizens of New York," I said, the words carrying without difficulty above the din. "Tonight, we've dealt a blow to those that would poison our streets and threaten our children. But tonight is only the beginning. Together, we have the possibility of making the city safer for everyone.

I went on in this way for a few more minutes, promising and spouting flowery phrases that I knew would play nice for the evening news. Then, with one last wave, I took to the air again.

The penthouse swung into view, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering an amazing view of Grand Central and the city beyond. I landed soundlessly upon the balcony, my costume flashing and shifting to casual clothes once more.

I went inside, poured myself a drink I didn't need and stared out at the glittering lights of the city. Dawn was still hours off, but sleep was an extravagance I didn't need. My mind turned instead to Natasha, and the decision I'd been dithering on for a while.

It was time.

I saw her in the classroom, cleaning up after a long day of teaching, Natalie Rushman, substitute teacher extraordinaire. The sight of her made me smile, knowing what I was about to do.

"Ms. Rushman?" I called, keeping up the pretense for any lingering ears. "Do you have a moment?"

Natasha looked up; emerald eyes locked with mine. A spark of recognition danced between us, a silent understanding.

"Of course, Noah," she replied, her tone hinting at curiosity. "What can I do for you?"

I stepped into the classroom, closing the door behind me. The air seemed to thicken in anticipation.

"Actually," I started, before my voice lowered in tone. "I think it's more about what I can do for you, Natasha."

Her eyebrows hiked slightly, the only outward indication of her surprise. "Oh? And what might that be?"

I steeled myself against what was to come and took a deep breath. "I've made a decision: I'm going to cure you."

For a moment, Natasha stood absolutely still, her face an impassive mask. Then, as though the sun had broken through storm clouds, a smile spread across her features. A smile unlike any I'd ever seen before-open, vulnerable, full of hope.

"Y-y-you can do that?" she stammered, her voice caught in emotion.

I nodded, feeling a warmth spread through my chest at her reaction. "I can. And I will. Right now, if you're ready."

Natasha's eyes glazed over with unshed tears. She nodded, unable to form words.

I lifted my hand, focusing my cosmic energy into it. The air around us started to shimmer, like heat rising from sunbaked asphalt. A soft, otherworldly glow oozed out of my palm, growing brighter by the second.

"This may feel a little strange," I warned her in soothing tones.

I swished my hand delicately, and forth cascaded the energy. It enveloped Natasha in a cloak of radiant, pulsating light. She gasped, and her eyes widened in astonishment as the brightness did its magic, weaving an iridescent dance across her skin.

There was no sound in the room for some long moments except the soft hum of cosmic power at work. I watched closely, monitoring every aspect of the change. And slowly, I could feel it taking hold. The tension she always carried in her shoulders was easing, and the haunted look that often lurked behind her eyes was beginning to fade.

The light began to dim, and Natasha took a deep, shuddering breath. She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers experimentally.

"I... I feel different," she murmured, wonder coloring her voice. "Lighter somehow. Like a weight I've been carrying for so long has just… vanished."

I smiled, feeling a deep sense of satisfaction. "It worked. The Red Room's alterations, the sterility. It's all gone. You're whole again, Natasha."

Her eyes met mine, shining with an outrageous amount of joyful surprise. "Noah, I... I don't know how to thank you."

Before I could utter a word, before I could react at all, Natasha surged forward, bridging the distance between us, and flung her arms tightly around me in a fierce hug. The sudden contact sent a jolt of electricity through my human form. The warmth of her, her scent, the press of her body against mine-was intoxicatingly human.

I sank into the embrace, basked in this honest, simple expression of gratitude. Then, in a flash, reality reasserted itself. I was Unuvios, a cosmic entity far beyond petty human concerns. This nearness, this tenderness… not for such beings as I, and yet there I was masquerading as human.

I moved slowly away from the arms that had held me so tightly, took a little step back. "You're welcome," I replied softly. "I'm just glad I was able to help."

Natasha's eyes searched my face and were burning with an intensity that hadn't been there before. "What happens now?" she asked.

I shrugged, trying to keep things light. "That's entirely up to you. What do you want to do?

A slow smile crept across her face, one that sent an unexpected shiver down my spine. "I think," she said, her voice low and full of promise, "I'm going to be watching you more closely from now on, Noah Fisher."

There was something in the way she said it, something in the lingering of her eyes on me, that spoke of more than just gratitude. If I didn't know better, I'd say there was something akin to desire there. But I decided not to push the idea too much and not make things awkward.

"Well," I said, forcing a chuckle, "I hope I can live up to the scrutiny."

Natasha's smile broadened, a predatory edge to it now. "Oh, I'm sure you will."

I parted ways with her not long after that, my head spinning with the implications of what had just occurred. The cure had worked, yes, but it seemed to have awakened something in Natasha - something I wasn't entirely sure how to handle.

The next morning in Midtown, Natalie Rushman was standing in an animated discussion with Gwen Stacy. A chill ran down my spine at the very sight of them standing together. It was less than a day since I had used my cosmic powers to cure Natasha of her Red Room-induced sterility, and already, the consequences of that action had begun to take shape.

I watched them closely, observing the easy laughter, the conspiratorial whispers-the unmistakable leaning in, a shoulder-to-shoulder camaraderie that seemed to unfold with uncommon rapidity. Clearly, here was a friendship taking hold. But still, I couldn't get rid of the feeling that this sudden bond had everything to do with my intervention.

This was creating in me the urge to connect with my Cosmic Awareness, actually peering into the very fabric of reality to discern what was really being communicated between the two. But I resisted. I'd decided to live this human life as fully as possible and that meant setting some limits on my use of my cosmic abilities. Still, I couldn't help myself-I caught the subtle change in body language, knowing glances exchanged.

My reverie was suddenly shattered by the shrill ring of the school bell. Students scattered in all directions, their haste to get to the next classes palpable. I saw Gwen wave goodbye to Natalie and head my way.

"Hey, Noah!" she called brightly, her infectious smile in place. "Ready for Chemistry?"

I nodded, falling into step beside her. "Yeah, sure," I replied-the attempt at a casual tone sounded utterly contrived to my ears. "I saw you talking with Ms. Rushman. You two seem to be getting along well."

Gwen's eyes flashed brightly. "Oh, Natalie? Yeah, she's great! We were just chatting about, you know, girl stuff."

I raised an eyebrow. "Girl stuff?"

She laughed and playfully swatted my arm. "Nothing you'd be interested in, trust me. Just normal, everyday things."

I hummed noncommittally, my mind racing. On the surface, there was nothing alarming about their conversation. Natasha was, after all, one of the good guys. A hero. An Avenger. I had cured her, given her back something that had been cruelly taken from her. Surely, there couldn't be any sinister motive behind her sudden interest in Gwen.

And yet.

I couldn't erase from my mind the memory of Natasha's eyes following the healing-that intense stare burning right through me. The way she promised she'd be watching me closer. The taunt of something more than gratitude in her voice.

"Noah? Earth to Noah!" Gwen's voice snapped me back to reality as we stopped in front of the chemistry lab entrance. She regarded me with an expression half tinged with amusement and half tainted with concern. "You okay? You seemed a million miles away."

I attempted an almost forced smile. "Sorry, just… thinking about the test next week."

Gwen rolled her eyes. "Of course you are. Come on, Mr. Genius, let's get to our seats before Mr. Warren has a fit."

The chemistry lab was a cacophony of bubbling beakers and the acrid smell of chemicals. I sat down beside Gwen, my mind racing with the options, possible consequences. Mr. Warren started talking; his voice was a distant buzz in the background of my head.

I knew I couldn't tell Gwen to stay away from Natalie. I had no concrete evidence of any wrongdoing, just some cosmic entity's intuition and an overall vague sense of unease. How could I explain that to her without revealing my true nature?

The rest of the class was a blur. I took notes, answered questions, all the while my mind racing with potential consequences: Had I inadvertently set something in motion by healing Natasha? Was I overthinking this whole situation?

The bell had rung, dismissing class, and students had begun to pack up their bags-noise of the room littered with the screeching of chairs and the zipper of backpacks. I mechanically gathered my things, being lost in thought.

"Noah?" Gwen's voice brought me back into the now. She was standing by my desk, concern etched on her face. "Are you sure you're okay? You've been acting weird all class."

Sighing, I responded. "I'm fine, Gwen. Really. Just… a lot on my mind, I guess."

She watched me a second, then nodded. "Okay. But you know you can talk to me if something's bothering you, right?"

I smiled, genuinely touched by her concern. "I know. Thanks, Gwen."

We left the classroom together and merged ourselves into the crowd of students in the hallways. I noticed Natalie at the far end of the corridor, and our eyes aligned for a brief moment. Intense or with power, the same power in her eyes seemed to jump across, like the time before this, and it sent a shiver down my spine.

"There's Natalie!" Gwen exclaimed, waving vigorously. "I said I'd catch up with her after class. Mind if I…?"

I shook my head, a forced smile. "No, go ahead. I'll catch you later."

I watched as Gwen hurried over to Natalie-the two slid smoothly into conversation. A sight to fill me with a confusing mix of concern and curiosity and a slowly building sense of unease.

Author's Note: Support me on P -a -t -r -e -o -n - Bosillicc.