“Nat, please! You know I want to be with you. I just can’t hang out tomorrow, you have to understand. Why don’t we do something on Thursday instead?” I splutter. I can’t believe I have to do this to her again.

“Yeah, okay. Let’s do Thursday. Then you can stand me up like you always do.” Nat sighs. She holds her hand to the bridge of her nose, “Please, Rafe, please just tell me what you do all the time. Are you seeing another girl?”

“What? No! Please, it’s not like that. I just have to- I have stuff to do, okay?” I know how suspicious it sounds, I just don’t want to put her in danger.

“Look, I just don’t think-“ she starts.

I cut her off, “Nat, we’re not married. I don’t have to be with you _all_ the time.”

“What am I supposed to think, Rafe? You always do stuff without me, and you never tell me where you go or what you do.”

“I… I can’t tell you. Please, it’s for your own safety. Can’t you just trust me?” I stare at her. I want her to believe me. I _need_ her to.

“That’s the thing. I don’t know what to believe with you anymore. I’m sorry, I just need more from you. Or… or… maybe we should-“ Nat says. No! Not now, please. All I want is to keep her safe, why won’t she believe me? I don’t know what else to do. Maybe… maybe I have to say it. I have to tell her.

“Nat, no, don’t say it. I love you so much. If it means this much to you then I guess… I guess I will tell you. Promise me that you will let me carry on though, no matter what it is?” I promised myself I would never change. I need Nat to understand.

“You know I can’t promise to do that, but… I will try.” She looks at me and I pause, steadying myself. I don’t want to stop helping people.

“So, you know that guy that’s been flying around the city, the one that saved that kid in the fire yesterday? Well, I’m-“

“No! You can’t be serious!”

“I’m sorry, I just-“

“Rafe, please! Tell me it isn’t true.”

“You know I can’t do that, Nat. Please try to understand. I’ve got this power and I want to help people.”

“I just can’t stand to see you hurt. I can’t.”

“I won’t. Trust me, please. Trust me that I can handle myself. I will be fine.”

“I… I will trust you and see how it goes. For now, okay? Please, Rafe, no more secrets.”

I put my hand out for her to shake, “No more secrets.”

She laughs and shakes her head, “You’re such a dork.”

I laugh, bringing her into a hug, “I know.”