It was just past midnight, and Emma lay in bed, scrolling through her phone and occasionally glancing at the ceiling. She wasn’t usually one to stay up this late, but her mind kept drifting back to the art fair and the strange thrill she’d felt wondering if she’d accidentally walked right past Captain Marvel.

After a few more minutes of tossing and turning, her phone buzzed. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw his name pop up on her screen.

∆ Captain Marvel: Hey, Pepper. Still awake?

Emma grinned, rolling onto her side as she typed back. There was something special about their late-night conversations, like they were the only two people in the world awake, sharing a secret space between them.

∆ Pepper: Wide awake, actually. Couldn’t sleep. How about you?

∆ Captain Marvel: Same here. Maybe my brain knows there’s someone out there who’s just as sleepless.

∆ Pepper: I’d say you’re right. But if we’re both awake, we might as well make it interesting, don’t you think?

∆Captain Marvel: Oh, interesting? I’m intrigued. What do you have in mind?

Emma thought for a second, her finger hovering over her screen. She’d never had this kind of chemistry with anyone before, especially not through texts. It was exhilarating, knowing she could say anything, ask anything, without the usual fears of judgment. She decided to test the waters, letting a playful smile cross her face as she typed.

∆Pepper: How about… a late-night confession? No filter. Real, raw honesty.

∆ Captain Marvel: A confession, huh? You first.

Emma took a deep breath. She wasn’t sure why she felt this strange urge to open up to him, but something about the anonymity made her feel  safe. She typed back slowly, carefully choosing her words.

∆ Pepper: Alright… confession time. I’ve always felt like I was missing out on a big adventure. Like there’s a part of me that’s still waiting for something exciting to happen, something that’s… just mine. Sounds silly, right?

She hit “send” before she could second-guess herself. For a moment, she felt vulnerable, exposed. But then his reply came almost instantly.

∆ Captain Marvel: Not silly at all. I get it. I think we all crave something that’s only ours, something that makes us feel… special.

Emma let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding. It was strangely comforting, knowing he understood her in a way no one else did.

∆ Pepper: Alright, Captain. Your turn.

∆ Captain Marvel: Hmm… confession: I’ve always been terrified of letting people down. Like if I don’t live up to some invisible standard, they’ll see me as a failure. Kind of makes me a bit of a perfectionist, I guess.

Emma’s heart softened as she read his words. She never would’ve guessed that about him, and she felt an unexpected tenderness toward this person she’d never even met.

∆ Pepper: I get that. But from what I can tell, you’d be the last person to let someone down. I mean, you’re Captain Marvel, right? ;)

∆ Captain Marvel: Ha! Thanks for the vote of confidence, Pepper. Guess I’ll have to keep up appearances.

∆ Pepper: Absolutely. I’m holding you to superhero standards from now on.

They continued exchanging confessions, each one peeling back a new layer of themselves. It was thrilling, each text a small step deeper into a connection that was starting to feel more real than Emma had anticipated. Eventually, after a lull in their conversation, he sent another message that made her pulse quicken.

∆ Captain Marvel: Alright, Pepper. Confession time again. Do you ever wonder what it’d be like if we actually met?

Emma’s heart did a little flip. She hadn’t allowed herself to seriously consider the idea, but now that he’d brought it up, the possibility felt more exciting—and terrifying—than ever. She typed back slowly, choosing her words with care.

∆ Pepper: I think about it sometimes. But wouldn’t meeting kind of… ruin the magic?

∆ Captain Marvel: Maybe. But maybe it would add a whole new kind of magic.

Emma felt her cheeks flush, and she was glad he couldn’t see her blushing like a teenager. Still, she couldn’t help but play along.

∆ Pepper: Okay, then. What if we did meet? Hypothetically. How would it go?

There was a long pause before he replied, and she could almost picture him on the other end, sitting in his dark room, thinking about his answer. Finally, his text appeared on her screen.

∆ Captain Marvel: Hypothetically, I’d probably take you to a coffee shop. Order us both ridiculous drinks and laugh when you make that little scrunchy face you do when you’re confused by something.

Emma laughed out loud, startled that he’d noticed her little quirks through text alone. She shook her head, feeling more connected to him than ever.

∆ Pepper: Scrunchy face, huh? Bold assumption. But fine. I’d probably roll my eyes at your order, but secretly find it charming.

∆ Captain Marvel: Then, after coffee, maybe we’d walk around the city for hours, talking about everything and nothing, pretending like we don’t have anywhere else to be.

Emma’s heart skipped a beat. The way he described it was so vivid, she could almost see it— their imaginary first date, strolling through the city as if they’d known each other forever.

∆ Pepper: And then what?

∆Captain Marvel: Then… maybe I’d tell you that I think we should make this whole “Pepper and Captain Marvel” thing real. That maybe, just maybe, it could work in the real world too.

Emma’s heart pounded as she read his words. This was all hypothetical, of course, but there was something undeniably thrilling about imagining it, even if it would never happen. It was as though they were dancing on the edge of something bigger, a feeling she hadn’t allowed herself to experience in a long time. But she was also afraid. What if meeting in real life took away the spark? What if this magical connection faded the moment they saw each other?

∆ Pepper: Hypothetically, that sounds… perfect. But part of me likes the mystery, you know? I like not knowing every little thing about you. It makes this feel special.

∆ Captain Marvel: Fair enough. Maybe we should keep it that way a little longer. Keep the magic alive.

They let the conversation hang there for a moment, the words lingering in the air like a shared secret. Emma’s heart was racing, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that they’d just crossed some invisible line.

Then, impulsively, she decided to take things one step further.

∆ Pepper: Okay, one more confession before I go to sleep. Ready?

∆ Captain Marvel: Hit me.

∆ Pepper: Part of me wonders if this whole thing is crazy. Texting a stranger, feeling so… close to someone I’ve never met. Like, who does that?

His reply came almost instantly, and she could feel the warmth behind his words.

∆ Captain Marvel: Maybe two people who were meant to meet, even if it’s in the weirdest way possible. Maybe that’s exactly who does that.

Emma couldn’t help but smile, her cheeks aching from grinning so much. She didn’t know how or why, but this late-night conversation felt like the beginning of something she hadn’t even known she wanted.

∆ Pepper: Alright, Captain Marvel. I guess that’s my cue to head to bed. Thanks for keeping me company.

∆ Captain Marvel: Anytime, Pepper. Sweet dreams.

∆ Pepper: Sweet dreams, Captain.

As she put her phone down and turned off the light, Emma lay there, staring up at the ceiling, her mind spinning. Meeting him still felt like a distant “what if,” something that might not ever happen. But tonight, she felt closer to him than ever, and maybe that was enough—for now.

And on the other side of town, Liam set his phone down too, a smile tugging at his lips as he stared into the dark, already looking forward to the next time he could talk to Pepper.