Ms.Marvel's Stress

5

Kamala’s POV:

It had been a few days since that conversation with Captain Marvel. Medusa had kept me busy with little tasks—nothing too big, nothing too important. Just enough to keep my mind off the heavy weight pressing down on me. But today, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being... watched.

I was sitting in the living area of the Attilan home, flipping through a book that Medusa had recommended. The words on the page blurred together, and I couldn’t seem to focus. The silence felt stifling. My fingers idly traced the edges of the book cover, and I let my mind wander back to Jersey City, back to the things I hadn’t done, the people I hadn’t saved.

I didn’t even notice Captain Marvel walking into the room until she was right next to me. She paused, studying me for a moment, before gently nudging me with her elbow. “Hey, you’ve been staring at that page for ten minutes. Are you okay?”

I looked up, surprised by the sudden intrusion. My stomach tightened, but I smiled weakly. “Yeah. Just... thinking.”

She raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been thinking a lot. Maybe too much.” She grinned slightly, then walked over to the small table, pulling out a large bowl of what looked like ice cream. My stomach growled, betraying my hunger even though I had barely eaten anything today. “I figured you might need a little distraction.”

I blinked. Ice cream? Now? I hadn’t even realized I wanted some, but the idea suddenly seemed perfect.

“Are you trying to fatten me up?” I joked, but my voice came out more tired than playful.

Captain Marvel chuckled, setting the bowl down in front of me. “Maybe a little. You’ve barely eaten. Come on, at least have a few bites. You need to keep your strength up.”

I hesitated, but, honestly, I was too exhausted to argue. Plus, my body was practically telling me I was hungry. I took the spoon and scooped up some of the creamy dessert, shoveling it into my mouth.

There was something about the way Carol was looking at me that made me feel small and vulnerable. I didn’t like it. She was treating me like... well, like a kid. But, as I swallowed the bite of ice cream, I realized how good it felt to just sit back and let someone take care of me for a change.

As I took another spoonful, she reached over and patted my head—gently, like I was a little kid or a pet. “Good girl,” she said teasingly.

I froze, my spoon halfway to my mouth, and stared at her in disbelief. “Did you just... pat my head?”

She smiled, completely unbothered. “Yup. You looked like you needed a little encouragement, and I figured if you’re not going to listen to us, maybe the old ‘treating you like a child’ thing will work. Besides, I know you’re stubborn.”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I’m not a kid, Carol.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Maybe not. But you’re definitely someone who needs a little pampering right now. So sit back and relax. You deserve it.”

I opened my mouth to argue but realized I didn’t have the energy for it. Instead, I huffed a small laugh. “I hate that you’re right.”

She grinned, knowing I had nothing else to say. “I know you do.”

I was about to take another bite when the door opened, and Medusa stepped in. She immediately noticed the ice cream and the way I was sitting at the table with Carol. Her lips curled into a slight smile. “So, what’s this? Ice cream therapy?”

I looked at Carol, who just shrugged nonchalantly. “She needed some sugar,” Carol said with a grin. “She’s been barely eating anything.”

Medusa raised an eyebrow, walking over and sitting next to me. “I see. Well, Kamala, I suppose you could use a little sugar in your life. Maybe this will help with your mood.”