gift

---

After Henry woke up, he started looking for Eve. It was currently 7 a.m.

He searched for her under the thick blanket but didn't find her.

'Eve?' Henry called out, unsure of where she might be.

He got up, changed clothes into something casual, and left to find her. He walked through the halls of the fortress, glancing around each corner. He wasn't worried about her safety—this place was incredibly secure.

After walking for a bit, Henry finally arrived in the kitchen. This was the area where they stored food. Inside, he found Eve and a hologram of Alura.

Eve was sitting and eating something. She was chatting and laughing with Alura as she ate.

On the table were several snacks that Eve had prepared for both of them.

Henry walked up.

'You hungry? I made some stuff for you to eat. Sit here with me,' Eve said, standing up.

'I was looking for you,' Henry replied as he sat down.

'I know, sorry. I woke up early and couldn't fall back asleep,' she said while bringing over some plates. She set them down and added, 'I made it myself. Didn't have much to work with, so don't judge me if it tastes bad.'

Alura watched the two of them with a smile. She didn't have emotions, but she still felt 'happy' for her son.

Henry took a bite of the food Eve had made—and honestly, he liked it. He was used to eating whatever he could get, so anything different tasted amazing.

After trying it, Henry said, 'It's really good... I think the flavor is—'

Before he could finish, Eve leaned in and kissed him.

'I tried it earlier and it wasn't good, but you said that just to be nice. That was really sweet of you.'

Henry looked away, a bit shy. 'No, seriously, it's actually good… maybe just a little off.'

Eve grabbed his spoon and tried it herself. She made a face and laughed.

'I met your mom. She was really nice to me,' Eve said.

'I'm glad to hear that,' Alura responded.

Henry turned to Eve and said, 'I'm happy she liked you.'

Alura looked at the couple and couldn't help but say, 'I'm really happy for the two of you.'

Henry and Eve exchanged a look and laughed. They finished their breakfast and chatted for a while. They still had some time before they needed to head out.

'Before we go, there's something I need to do,' Henry told Eve.

'What is it?' Eve asked, glancing sideways at him.

Henry took her hand and looked at her ring finger.

'It's a secret,' he said with a smile.

---

Henry was in his workshop—the place where he built things. The room was filled with workbenches, and hanging above them were all kinds of tools: hammers, files, sandpaper, metal bars, tweezers—everything you'd need to build gear. There was even a forge. Henry stood next to it.

He held a Kryptonian crystal between his fingers, then set it down and picked up a piece of silver-colored metal. He heated up the forge and placed the metal inside to warm it.

After some time, when it was hot enough, Henry pulled it out with his bare hands. He used his nail to carefully mold the softened metal into a rounded shape, slowly forming it into a ring.

Once he had the basic form, he quickly quenched it in cold water.

Next, he moved the ring to a nearby workbench. On it sat a lathe, which he used to refine the piece and remove impurities.

He had already measured Eve's finger, but he was still nervous it wouldn't fit.

After some more polishing, his creation was finished: a ring.

This wasn't just any ring—it bore the crest of the House of El. Henry had designed it not just as a symbol, but also as a key to the Fortress. It held Kryptonian crystals inside.

These crystals could track the wearer's location and be monitored directly. Henry would be able to tell if Eve was safe at any time. It also had a built-in communication system.

Satisfied with what he had made, Henry brought the ring to Eve.

She was busy working on one of her devices, still in the testing phase.

Henry had given her permission to explore, but there was one thing he didn't want her touching.

She was fiddling with something dangerous—the Phantom Zone bracelets. They were mostly complete, but the core still had flaws.

When Henry saw them in her hands, he moved fast. In an instant, he had snatched the bracelets away before she even realized. She only felt a gust of wind pass her.

She turned around and saw Henry. This time, he didn't look happy.

'I'm sorry, Eve, but you can't mess with this,' he said.

'Did I do something wrong? I'm sorry,' she asked, worried. Her heart was pounding—Henry looked really upset.

He noticed her anxiety and explained, 'I'm not mad at you. I just got scared.'

'Scared? Why?'

'I told you you could mess with everything, but I forgot to mention—don't touch these.' He showed her the bracelets.

'They're still experimental. A single malfunction could trap either of us in the Phantom Zone forever.'

He explained the risks, and she understood. After clearing things up between them, Henry handed her a small, wrapped package.

'I brought you something,' he said.

'A gift?' she asked, surprised.

'Yeah, I just finished it. I already had a rough idea, so it didn't take long.'

He handed her the package.

Eve took it and began unwrapping it. It looked small, but she didn't think it would be anything simple.

'I hope it's not food,' she joked as she opened it.

Inside was a ring—a beautiful one, with a glowing crystal on top.

Eve turned red the moment she saw it. She definitely had feelings for Henry, but this felt like it was moving too fast.

'I… I can't accept this,' she said, emotional. She thought he was proposing.

Henry saw her reaction—she was almost crying.

'No, no, no! It's not what you think!' he said, waving his hands, his face bright red.

'It's not that kind of ring. It's a key…'

'Not an engagement ring?' Eve asked.

'No…' Henry replied, starting to think maybe giving her a ring was a bad idea. But he had just wanted to make something useful without overstepping.

'Then… I accept it.' Eve took the ring and slid it onto the ring finger of her right hand.

She was too embarrassed to put it on the left—too intimate.

Henry explained all the ring's features to her: communicator, fortress key, tracker.

'Thank you. I really like it,' Eve said, smiling.

After she accepted the gift, Henry and Eve walked toward the exit. Henry called over a robot that brought her winter coat.

Eve put it on, and they headed out.

At the entrance, the cold Arctic air blew against her skin. She hugged Henry to keep warm.

Her leg had fully healed. Henry took her hand, and they flew back home together. He escorted her all the way to her front door.

'I had a great time,' Eve said, walking up the steps.

'Me too,' Henry replied.

Both their hearts were racing, nervous energy in the air.

'Bye, Henry,' Eve said, opening the door. Just as she was about to step inside, Henry said:

'Wait, Eve.'

He climbed the steps and stood right in front of her. Before she could react, he kissed her deeply. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

As they kissed, someone opened the door—interrupting them.

It was Eve's mom. She saw them and cleared her throat.

'Ahem. Ahem.'

They quickly pulled apart.

'Bye, Eve,' Henry said.

'Bye.'

Eve went inside. Her mother didn't say anything about the kiss—but she did notice the ring on her hand and asked:

'That ring, Eve… who gave it to you?'

Eve looked down at the ring and smiled.

---

Henry walked through the streets, enjoying the moment. This time, he wanted to take his time, walking and thinking about all the good things that had happened between him and Eve.

But as he walked, his super hearing picked up cries for help. Someone was in danger—begging for assistance.

It was his duty to act.

He sighed, darted into an alley, and checked to make sure no cameras or people were watching. Then, in a flash, he summoned his suit and shot up into the sky.

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