"What's wrong, Banner?"
Natasha noticed the change in his complexion immediately. "Are you feeling unwell?"
"I… I'm not sure." Banner rubbed his temples, brow creasing. "Lately my heart rate's been unstable. That big guy… he's restless."
"You'll be fine."
Natasha stood up and moved beside him, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"If anything happens," she said softly, "I'll sing you a lullaby."
Banner looked up, meeting her calm, reassuring gaze. The tension in his nerves eased just a little.
The air between them seemed to thicken, charged with an unspoken intimacy.
"Heeey—hate to interrupt," Tony's voice cut in at the worst possible moment, "but we're about to enter Sokovian airspace. Could you save the Beauty and the Beast routine for the victory party?"
…
VGD Recovery Center.
Pietro Maximoff finished suiting up in his silver combat uniform.
"All set?"
Antony Starr stood behind him, holding two burgers. He handed one over.
"Eat something. Running on an empty stomach gives you low blood sugar. You won't run as fast."
Pietro accepted the burger and looked at the man in front of him.
Over the past few days, he'd received top-tier treatment at Vought's medical facility—
the best doctors, the best supplements, and even daily visits from Homelander himself.
It only deepened the guilt weighing on his chest.
"Boss…" Pietro took a bite, voice muffled. "If… I mean, if I don't manage to bring it back…"
"Then don't come back."
Antony took a bite of his burger, tone as casual as discussing the weather.
Pietro froze. His heart sank straight to the bottom.
"Hah! Kidding." Antony turned and clapped him on the shoulder, smiling.
"If the thing's lost, it's lost. But there's only one you."
"Listen, Pietro. I'm giving you one order." Antony's expression turned serious as he met Pietro's eyes.
"Leave the item there. Bring yourself back."
"Remember—you're doing this for family. A man who fights for his family doesn't lose."
"Go. Bring Wanda home." He paused, then added lightly,
"I've reserved two connected sea-view apartments for you in Brooklyn Park One. South-facing windows. Great sunlight."
Pietro's nose burned. He nodded hard, stuffing the rest of the burger into his mouth.
"Wait for me, boss!"
He slid the lead-lined case containing the serum into his inner pocket and strode toward the exit, steps firm.
Gained Special Popularity Points: +5000
(Source: Pietro Maximoff)
Antony watched him go, then glanced at an empty recliner nearby.
"Silas?"
"It's me… boss."
"You heard everything?" Antony narrowed his eyes.
"I did!" Silas Lawton instantly raised both hands. "But I swear—I won't tell anyone! Pietro's going to save his sister. That's awesome! I want to help too!"
"You want to help?" Antony looked the eighteen-year-old up and down.
"What are you going to do—perform magic tricks for Hydra?"
"I'm useful!" Silas blurted out, standing up. "I want to prove myself, Mr. Starr."
His eyes were earnest. "This mission's dangerous. If Pietro gets captured… or trapped… at least I can run back with the news. No one can see me."
Antony studied the boy, who was desperate to prove his worth.
As he hesitated, the Popularity System suddenly went wild in his head.
Ding! Gained Popularity Points +10,220 (Source: Pietro Maximoff)
Ding! Gained Popularity Points +11,241 (Source: Pietro Maximoff)
Ding! Gained Popularity Points +15,008 (Source: Pietro Maximoff)
Ding! Gained Popularity Points…
The surge came out of nowhere—and in massive quantities. Tens of thousands poured in within seconds.
Antony made his decision.
"If you want to go, then follow him—if he agrees. He hasn't gone far yet. Once he's outside the base, that window's gone."
"Yes, boss! Thank you, boss!"
"And one more thing—when you're not on a mission, don't run around naked…"
"Yes, boss!"
…
"Ashley."
As Silas's voice faded into the distance, Antony pulled out his phone.
"Did Pietro do anything special today?"
"Pietro?" Ashley sounded excited. "Did you forget? Today's the premiere of Fast & Affection!"
"The indie film he starred in? That action-romance flick?"
"Yes! Rotten Tomatoes hasn't released critic scores yet, but audience reception is exploding—especially among women."
Ashley rattled off data at lightning speed.
"#QuicksilverIsSoHot is trending number one on Twitter. His scenes are being turned into tens of thousands of GIFs."
"So that's it…"
Realization dawned on Antony's face, followed by a satisfied smile.
"Kid's got potential. Keep an eye on him."
…
"Wait! Pietro!"
A voice called out just as Pietro stepped outside the base.
He turned around—saw nothing.
"Down here! Look down!"
A baseball cap floated in midair.
"Silas?" Pietro frowned. "What are you doing here? I don't have time for hide-and-seek."
"I'm not playing."
The voice of Silas Lawton—the Invisible Man—came from the air, tinged with stubborn resolve.
"I want to go with you."
"Go where? If I'm grabbing pizza, you tagging along too?" Pietro brushed him off.
"Stop pretending. I know exactly what you're doing." The cap bobbed.
"I heard you and the boss. You couldn't see me, but I was watching the whole time."
Pietro's expression changed instantly. His hand shot toward his waist.
"Relax, man!" Silas raised his hands—only the sleeves were visible.
"I didn't tell anyone. I just… want to help."
"This is dangerous, Silas," Pietro whispered. "This isn't a reality show. I'm walking into a nest of terrorists who don't blink when they kill. One mistake—you're dead."
"I know."
Silas's voice dropped, heavy with frustration.
"But I don't want to be a background prop anymore, Pietro."
"In the Seven—Homelander's a god. You're an icon. Jessica's the big sister. Even that loudmouth mercenary has fans."
"And me? I don't even have a face on the poster."
"They call me Invisible Man—not just because I can't be seen… but because I barely exist."
"I want to do something. I want to prove I can be a hero too."
The floating cap lifted, as if meeting Pietro's eyes.
"Take me with you. If things go bad… at least someone can run back with the news. And as long as I don't wear clothes, even God can't find me."
Pietro stared at the empty air in silence.
He remembered who he'd been before meeting Antony—
that same hunger for recognition, that same need to prove himself.
"…Alright."
Pietro sighed. "But one rule. Once we're there—stay quiet. No farting. If you disobey orders, I'm dumping you halfway."
"Yesss!!"
The cap bounced excitedly.
…
Deep within the ancient castle—Command Center.
Baron Strucker watched the surveillance feed showing the silver-haired young man at the gates, a cold smile curling on his lips.
"He's here."
"I knew it. For his sister, he'd dare anything."
"Let him in."
Minutes later—
The heavy iron doors creaked open.
Pietro walked in alone, deliberately relaxed, even chewing gum.
"Yo, Baron." He whistled, eyeing the Hydra soldiers armed with high-energy weapons.
"This how you welcome guests? I was expecting a red carpet and champagne."
"If you brought what I want," Strucker said lazily from his high-backed chair, fingers tapping the armrest,
"the champagne will come."
"Where is it?"
Pietro pulled out the lead case, hand resting on the lid.
"I want to see Wanda first."
"Of course." Strucker waved a hand.
The massive wall screen lit up.
On it, Wanda sat inside a white isolation room, a book cradled in her hands.
She didn't look abused—just thinner.
Pietro forced himself to stay calm, studying the feed carefully, making sure it was live.
"She misses you very much," Baron Strucker said with a smile.
"And you miss her too… don't you?"
--------------
T/N:
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