The Man Cave is silent.
Ray is still kneeling in front of Christina, fingers finishing the bandage with careful precision—like if he's gentle enough, the past won't scream.
Christina doesn't move.
Doesn't blink.
Just stares at him like she's waiting for him to vanish again.
Ray finally lets go.
He straightens slowly, clearing his throat like that'll fix the lump in it.
"…You should go upstairs," he mutters.
Christina's brow lifts.
"What?"
Ray avoids her eyes.
"To the couches. Sleep. Do literally anything that isn't bleeding in my cave."
Henry scoffs from across the room.
"Oh, now you care?"
Ray's head snaps up.
His gaze turns sharp.
"Hart."
Henry steps forward, arms crossed, irritation boiling over.
"You don't get to act like a dad now. You ignored her for days, you treated her like a stray raccoon, and then—"
Christina mutters, "I am not a raccoon."
Henry doesn't even look at her.
"—and then you suddenly decide you feel guilty?"
Ray's jaw clenches.
Charlotte immediately steps between them.
"Okay. Nope. Not doing this. Not in front of her."
Ray's voice drops, dangerous.
"I'm not doing anything in front of anyone."
Henry laughs humorlessly.
"Yeah, that's kind of your thing."
Ray takes one step closer.
"Watch it."
Henry doesn't back down.
"She's not some villain, Ray. She's your—"
"Don't."
The word is sharp enough to cut.
Christina stiffens.
Ray's eyes flicker to her—just for half a second—then away again.
Henry's voice lowers.
"…You know."
Ray exhales through his nose.
"I know."
That admission makes the air heavier.
Jasper whispers, "Oh my god, he said it."
Charlotte elbows him hard.
Ray turns abruptly.
"Everyone out."
Henry blinks.
"What?"
Ray points toward the elevator.
"Charlotte. Jasper. Schwoz. OUT."
Schwoz squeaks.
"But I live here emotionally—"
"Out."
They scramble.
The elevator doors close.
Now it's just them.
Ray. Henry. Christina.
The cave feels too small.
Ray doesn't look at Christina.
His focus lands on Henry instead.
His voice is low.
"You stay away from her."
Henry's eyes widen.
"…Excuse me?"
Ray steps closer.
"You heard me."
Henry's face twists.
"Are you serious right now?"
Ray's jaw tightens.
"She is unstable."
Christina's head snaps up.
"OH—"
Ray points without looking.
"And you are seventeen and stupid."
Henry sputters.
"Hey!"
Ray keeps going.
"You're not getting involved."
Henry laughs incredulously.
"Getting involved? She's already involved! She literally fell out of your ceiling!"
Christina mutters, "Iconic entrance."
Henry gestures wildly.
"She's here, Ray! Whether you like it or not!"
Ray's voice rises.
"And that's the problem!"
Christina stands slowly.
Her eyes flash.
"No. The problem is you."
Ray freezes.
She steps forward, hands clenched.
"You don't get to tell him to stay away from me when you're the one who left."
Ray's face hardens.
"I didn't leave."
Christina's laugh is sharp, broken.
"Oh my god. Do you hear yourself?"
Her voice trembles now.
"You disappeared when I was five."
Ray's expression flickers.
Pain. Guilt. Something ugly.
"You were taken."
"And you let it happen."
Silence.
Henry's breathing slows.
Ray's fists clench.
"That's not fair."
Christina steps closer.
"Nothing about this is fair."
Ray's voice drops, rough.
"You think I didn't look for you?"
Christina's eyes burn.
"Then why didn't you find me?"
Ray's jaw works.
His voice cracks slightly.
"…Because I was Captain Man."
Henry blinks.
"What?"
Ray looks at Christina like it's the first time he's ever said it out loud.
"I couldn't be weak."
Christina's lips part.
Ray's voice grows bitter.
"I couldn't tell anyone. Couldn't ask for help. Couldn't admit someone could take something from me."
He swallows hard.
"And they took you."
Christina's breath catches.
The anger wavers.
Just for a second.
Henry watches Ray carefully.
Then—
Christina whispers, almost broken:
"…I wanted you."
Ray's face tightens like he's been punched.
"I know."
Her voice cracks.
"I needed you."
Ray steps back.
Like he can't breathe.
Henry's voice is quiet.
"Ray…"
Ray shakes his head fast.
"No."
He points at Henry again.
"Stay away from her."
Then at Christina.
"And you—stop doing this."
Christina's eyes blaze.
"Doing what?"
Ray's voice is sharp, desperate.
"Making me feel like I can fix it!"
Silence.
Christina stares at him.
Then, quietly—
"You can't."
Ray's face twists.
Christina's voice is colder now.
"But you can try."
Ray looks like he might shatter.
Then—
He turns.
Storms toward the elevator.
But before the doors close—
He stops.
His voice is low.
"…Don't leave again."
Christina freezes.
The doors shut.
Gone.
Henry exhales shakily.
Christina doesn't move.
Her hands tremble.
Henry steps closer, softer now.
"…You okay?"
She laughs quietly.
"No."
Henry hesitates.
Then—
"…Do you want to punch something?"
Christina looks at him.
A real look.
Then she whispers—
"…Yes."
Henry nods once.
"Cool."
He gestures toward the training mats.
"Welcome to Cobra Man."
Christina lets out the smallest, brokenest smile.
And follows him.