Natalie' stroked Pudding's little head, looked into Pudding's big, innocent eyes, and turned to Watson, saying, "I'll just give it a tiny bit, okay? Just a tiny bit! I promise!"
As Natasha stroked Pudding's head, her mind wasn't as calm as it seemed. She already knew from Coulson that this cat could understand human speech! And it could... set traps?? It was as if this man had a world of monsters at his fingertips.
Watson looked at the fake officer, who was acting like a spoiled child, and internally—he almost burst out laughing. Black Widow, the film industry in this world is missing an Oscar for you!
"—Alright then, just a tiny bit. Pudding, I didn't expect you to not only break the rules yourself but also find a helper to break them with you!" Watson compromised with the two rule-breakers, one big, one small.
"Kids, do you mind if I take a souvenir photo?" Uncle Polk came downstairs from the second floor with a camera and a selfie stick, waving it in front of everyone as he spoke.
"Of course!"
"Uncle Polk, of course! I'm going to hang this in my bedroom when I get back."
"Tony, absolutely not—" Watson quickly interjected, stopping him—In the future, your bedroom will be filled with women; if they all see it, it will damage the reputation of all of us...
"Hahaha, it seems everyone agrees! Come on, let's raise our glasses and stand together!" Polk said, walking to the front of the group. He looked at the positions, placed the camera on the tripod, and pressed the countdown.
In the very center, of course, were Uncle Polk and Aunt Leah, with Pudding in front of them. To the right were Tony and Pepper standing together, and to the left... naturally, only Watson and the fake police officer, 'Natalie,' remained.
Perhaps to enhance the photo's effect, 'Natalie' wrapped both arms around Watson's arm.
Feeling the soft touch on his upper arm, Watson rolled his eyes internally. He absolutely had to figure out which universe this was!
If it was the movie universe, it would be acceptable; she hadn't met Captain America or the Hulk yet, and Hawkeye was a good man with a family. If it was another parallel universe... then forget it—A flash of white light, and a 'family photo' was freshly developed, along with Watson's internal musings.
Afterward, Aunt Leah went upstairs to get a selfie stick, and then the group, 'fueled by alcohol,' began to enjoy themselves.
There were selfies of everyone, even Uncle Polk and Aunt Leah actively participated, a perfect example of two people who were old in age but young at heart.
There was Pudding's mischief, Tony getting wine spilled on him, Pepper's anxiety and laughter, 'Natalie' accidentally having her hair pulled by Pudding, and so on—everyone left behind very precious smiles!
Yes—compared to future events like alien invasions, robots destroying the world, civil war, and so on—these present smiles were truly, truly precious.
From the initial politeness and some people's hidden agendas, to the later joyful revelry, until the dinner party ended perfectly.
Watson took it all in, and he himself blended in, but he knew that he was the only one who knew what would happen in the future.
At this moment, he couldn't help but look at his hands once more, thinking about the power he had gained. If he had the ability to change all of that—"Then I definitely will! I will change this world! At least! Let smiles exist forever."
"Hey, what's wrong? I feel... I don't know if it's my imagination, but you seem a little unhappy?"
'Natalie' walked over, looking at Watson with a puzzled expression.
"Nothing, I'm just a little emotional. I didn't expect it to be so lively here; I thought it might be quiet."
Seeing 'Natalie's' disbelieving expression, Watson smiled, unconcerned.
Ding-a-ling~
Just as everyone began to clean up, Pepper's phone rang.
"Oh, sorry~" Pepper said, putting down the rag in her hand and running to answer the phone.
"Tony? Ah, yes, he's here—"
Just as Tony turned to look at her in confusion, Pepper handed him the phone: "It's Obadiah."
Tony raised an eyebrow and said, "I have a bad feeling." Then he took the call.
"Tony! You left me alone at the cemetery gate, dealing with those reporters who looked like they wanted to eat me alive! And you ran off to have a big dinner? I think your real goal is to just piss me off, then bury me in Greenwood, isn't it? We need to talk! Oh, and bring me a pizza when you come back; that burger wasn't enough to get me through until now!"
Tony hung up the phone and said to everyone, "I knew it—Sorry, ladies and gentlemen, we have to go—Honestly, I haven't seen my parents in a very long time—but today, I really, once again, felt the feeling of family, of families. Truly, even though I've lived with Uncle Obadiah for so long, we've always only talked about company matters, and never had a happy dinner like this. Thank you, Watson, thank you all."
Watson heard Tony's words and felt his jaw drop: "Please, buddy—if you keep this up, I definitely won't be able to sleep tonight!"
"Okay, then we're leaving. Miss 'Natalie,' do you need a ride?" Tony instantly reverted to his old self.
"I think... it's a bit late tonight~ And there's no one else at my place, so I can sleep here tonight~"
"Whoa~ That's a real shame~ Looks like tonight will be another wonderful night." Tony winked at Watson after hearing that: "Good night, everyone~" With that, Tony and Pepper left the Polk's house.
Only Watson, Pudding, 'Natalie,' and the Polks remained in the house.
Then Aunt Leah spoke: "Young people should go play together. We've already cleaned up a lot; let Polk and I handle the rest~ Hmm... Watson, can Pudding stay with me for a bit?"
"Meow~ (o'ω'o)"
"Of course, Aunt Leah... but—"
"Alright, no 'buts,' go on now~"
Watson, who was about to say something else, was directly cut off by Aunt Leah. Looking at Aunt Leah, who was enthusiastically setting him up, he didn't know how to feel. Was this... begging on imperial order? No... a hookup on imperial order?
They walked out of Uncle Polk's house and arrived downstairs at the Roaring Home across the street.
"Want to come up for a bit?" Watson looked at the beautiful woman, whose face was slightly flushed, and made the most cliché invitation possible.
"Sure~"
Click~
"Make yourself at home. Coffee? Never mind, I still have some tea; it'll help with the alcohol. By the way, how do you know Aunt Leah?" Watson asked, seemingly casually, as he poured the tea.