[Mars]
The pond was still and clear, with slow ripples near the reeds. The line was cast by Tony first, then by Wanda. The hooks with baits sank into the water.
"This feels unfair," Wanda said. "You revamped this planet."
"The fish were not programmed to eat my bait," Tony replied.
They waited. Time passed without pressure. The fire behind them was kept small and steady. Smoke rose in a thin line and faded into the open sky.
Wanda's line tugged.
Her eyes widened a little. She tightened her grip and pulled carefully, excitement breaking through her calm as the rod bent. The fish fought back, splashing water into the air as Wanda laughed and struggled to keep control.
Tony scrambled to his feet. "Easy, easy. Do not let it win. This is a matter of pride now."
"I am trying," she said, breathless but smiling.
With one final pull, she brought the fish out of the water. It flopped briefly before settling, silver and red scales shimmering in the Martian light.
"One to zero," she said with a smirk.
Tony clapped slowly. "Beginner's luck. I am not threatened at all."
His line jerked hard a second later.
"Oh," he said, startled. "Never mind. It is on."
He pulled, slower than planned. The fish was larger and darker, with wide fins that caught the light. It was landed with effort and a small splash. Tony held it up with pride.
"A tie," he said.
"Only if size matters," Wanda replied.
"That is a loaded statement," Tony said.
They ended up with enough fish for dinner. Tony caught one after a dramatic struggle that involved slipping on damp grass and nearly falling into the pond. Wanda caught two more fish than Tony, and well, she kept bragging about her fishing skills.
Back at the campfire, Tony cleaned the fish while Wanda gathered small stones and arranged them around the fire to help distribute the heat evenly. Then she brought some sticks and Tony began to insert the stick from the mouth, through the cavity, and out the tail.
She watched him work, the firelight reflecting in her eyes.
"Something on my face?" He asked.
"You can cook, huh?" Wanda asked with a curious expression.
"Yes, I can cook when needed," Tony said. He used the Space Gem to open a small portal and reached inside, pulling out some spice bottles. Then he began to sprinkle the spices on the fish before handing two sticks to Wanda. "Here you go."
They cooked the fish slowly, turning them over the fire until the skin crisped and the meat flaked easily.
They ate sitting close together, the warmth of the fire cutting through the cool night air. The fish tasted clean and rich, carrying a faint mineral note from the water.
Wanda closed her eyes after the first bite. "This is actually very good."
Tony looked offended. "Actually?"
She smiled. "Better than expected."
When they finished eating, Tony extinguished the fire carefully, leaving only a soft glow from the embers. He stretched and lay back on the grass, hands folded behind his head.
Wanda hesitated only a moment before lying down beside him.
The grass cradled them both, warm from the day and alive beneath their backs. Above them, the Martian sky had deepened into a breathtaking spread of color. Stars burned brighter here, sharper and more numerous than on Earth. The Milky Way stretched across the sky like a luminous scar.
Wanda breathed in slowly. "This is beautiful."
Tony turned his head to look at her. Her face was lit by starlight and reflected colors from the sky, her expression open and unguarded.
"Yes. It is beautiful... I keep thinking I will get used to moments like this," he said. "And I never do."
They lay in silence for a while, listening to the faint sounds of the planet. Wind moving through distant trees. Water shifting gently at the pond's edge. Life, quiet but undeniable.
Wanda reached out, her fingers brushing his hand. He turned his palm upward, and she laced her fingers through his. "I never thought I would feel at home on another world."
Tony looked up at the sky. "Home is not the place. It is who stands with you while the universe spins."
She nodded. Her head was turned toward him. He stayed still.
"I am glad I said yes," she said with a warm smile.
"So am I," Tony replied as he turned and looked into her beautiful eyes.
...
[3 days later] [Stark Tower]
Tony sat behind his desk in his office, the holographic displays casting soft blue light across the room. Lines of data scrolled past in controlled chaos. Pressure anomalies. Energy signatures. Deep-sea movement patterns that did not belong to tectonics, currents, or anything nature liked to explain politely.
He closed the file with a flick of his fingers and leaned back in his chair, rubbing his eyes.
"Fucking Namor," he muttered to himself. "Just when I thought I could enjoy a few quiet days without a headache."
He looked out through the glass wall at the city below, then back at the Atlantic data now minimized in the corner of the display.
Atlantis had taken collateral damage during the Doom and Apocalypse mess. Massive pressure waves, dimensional distortions, magical backlash. Tony had cleaned the oceans afterward, stripped the pollution, stabilized ecosystems, and repaired deep-sea fault damage. He had done everything short of sending a handwritten apology wrapped in coral.
Hopefully, it would be enough to keep Namor from starting a war out of wounded pride.
A knock came at the door.
Tony straightened. "Come in."
The door slid open, and Emma Frost walked in.
She sat down across from his desk, folding her hands in her lap.
He studied her face for a moment, then leaned forward slightly. "You found your sister?"
Emma nodded. A small smile touched her lips, restrained but real. "Yes."
Tony exhaled slowly, some tension leaving his shoulders. "Good. Tell me."
"The Hand was using Sophia as a living surveillance network," Emma said. "Her ability to communicate with animals made her invaluable to them. Birds, rats, insects, and marine life. Anything that moves unnoticed."
Her voice remained calm, but Tony could feel the relief in her voice.
"It is over now," she continued. "The Hand is destroyed. The dragon bones are secured. Without their immortality crutch and without leadership, the remnants will not dare to surface for a long time."
Tony nodded. "Good. That particular nightmare deserved a permanent eviction notice. Is Sophia doing alright?"
Emma nodded. "Sophia is safe. She is resting. She will need time, therapy, and distance from anything remotely cult-shaped, but she will recover."
"That is a win," Tony said gently. "In our line of work, we take those when we can."
She inclined her head in agreement, then hesitated. It was subtle, but Tony caught it.
"There is something else," Emma said.
Tony raised an eyebrow. "That tone usually means paperwork or a god-level threat."
"Neither," Emma replied. "This is personal."
She took a breath. "I know I said I'll do work for you if you help me save my sister but can I get a little break? Just long enough to be present for my sister."
Tony leaned back in his chair and nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Family comes first, especially after what she went through. Take as much time as you need and let me know if you need anything."
Emma nodded with one of her rare smiles. "Thank you."
"By the way, how is Frank doing lately?" He asked.
"Less aggressive but..." Emma thought for a moment. "...I feel like he's lost and needs a goal to move forward."
Tony sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Could you ask him to meet me tonight here? Tell him, I got a surprise for him."
Emma nodded as she stood up. "Will do."
She left after that...
--
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