Ron came out of Ava's room.
Why do I feel sad? he wondered.
Was I too cold? he murmured to himself.
He sank onto the couch in the living room, still feeling the weight of unease. Suddenly, his phone rang.
It was Carter. Ron picked up, spoke briefly, and the call ended. Ron sighed in exhaustion.
A moment later, the door opened and Ava stepped out. She sat down on the nearby couch.
This house feels full… but somehow awkward, Ron thought.
This is awkward, Ava thought.
Trying to break the silence, Ron asked, "So, Ava… how was Carter?"
"He's doing okay," she replied softly.
"He's looking out for you and the rest of your family," Ron said. "He trusts and cares more than he lets on."
Ava looked down, pausing for a moment. "Yes… our father died when we were young. Carter… he became like a father to us. He's the best brother. And yes, he cares about us, and he trusts us. And we care and trust him."
Then she looked up at Ron, he was smiling. "He also trusts you a lot. I've heard about you from him from time to time."
Ron smiled. "He actually called me just before you came out."
Ava's eyes widened slightly. "What did he say?"
"He said if I make you cry, he'll break my legs," Ron said with a faint smirk.
Ava chuckled. "He likes to joke around."
"I'd do the same if I had a sister," Ron said earnestly. "If I trusted someone with her, I'd want to make sure he knows the rules."
Ava nodded.
Ron stood and placed his hand gently on her head. "It's getting late. You should get some rest."
Ava nodded once more and left. Ron stood up and walked into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and took out a half-eaten burger. After eating the burger. Ron checked the time it was 1 A.M.
Ron came back to the living room.
Then he stopped. He looked at Ava's room
Guilt pressed down on his chest—the guilt of not being there when Dream needed him most. When she was pregnant. When she had trusted him.
His thoughts slipped into a memory.
"Ron."
Dream's voice was gentle.
"Yes, Dream?"
"I want to tell you something."
He nodded.
"Let's leave Hero Town," she said. "Go somewhere far away. Start a new life. Just us."
Ron rested his hand on her head. "Dream… I need to know my past."
"I'll tell you everything I know—about you and about us," she said softly. "But let's leave this place behind. Make new memories."
Ron stayed silent.
He only patted her hair.
"Just wait a little," he said.
The present returned like a blow.
"I'm the worst," Ron muttered, his fist tightening.
He dropped onto the couch, turned on the TV, and pulled a book from the shelf. The words blurred. Sleep claimed him before he realized it.
The next morning, Ava stepped out to make breakfast.
She froze when she saw Ron on the couch—fast asleep, a book resting on his face.
"He must've passed out," she thought. "I'll come later and make breakfast. He should rest." Ava said slowly.
Quietly, she covered him with a blanket.
In the kitchen, she filled a bottle. Before leaving, she looked back at him.
Carter's words echoed in her mind:
"Ron's a good guy. He's just… complicated when it comes to marriage. Everyone would be acting like that if the same happened to them, what happened to Ron."
"You think about Ron a lot." Ava said
Carter paused for moment. Then smiled, "I don't know but, all my life I had a strange feeling. But, when I first met him I felt like we knew each other."
Ava come back to reality.
Ava turned away and returned to her room.
Ron dreamed.
Training. Endless days. Endless nights.
And Dream—pregnant—waiting.
Time skipped.
Two years later.
A short break.
Ron stood in front of a small child.
Ines.
He smiled.
"You look just like your mother."
The dream shattered.
His phone rang.
Ron jolted awake, heart pounding. Still half-asleep, he grabbed the phone.
Carter.
"Ron," Carter said, tense. "Come to Bruce's base. Now." Ron sat up.