The Avengers Tower had rarely felt this quiet.
Not peaceful.
Quiet.
There was a difference.
Peace was comfortable.
This silence felt like everyone was waiting for something to break.
The consequences of Lagos had followed the Avengers all the way back to New York. News channels repeated the same footage endlessly. Politicians demanded answers. Families demanded justice. Governments that had once celebrated the Avengers were now asking a much more uncomfortable question.
Who gave them the right to decide?
Tony Stark stood alone in one of the Tower's conference rooms.
A holographic screen floated before him.
Sokovia.
The image changed.
New York.
Then Washington.
Then Lagos.
Tony stared at the final image longer than the others.
On the table before him rested casualty reports, property-damage estimates, international complaints and one document Tony had opened and closed at least six times.
Proposed Framework for the Regulation of Enhanced Individuals.
Tony leaned backward.
"Great. We save the world enough times and eventually somebody invents paperwork capable of killing us."
"Technically, paperwork has been killing human enthusiasm for several centuries."
Tony didn't turn.
"How long have you been standing there?"
KB entered carrying two cups of tea.
Tony glanced at them.
"Two?"
KB stopped.
"Yes."
"Interesting."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Tony's expression became suspiciously innocent.
KB placed one cup on the table.
"The other one is for Wanda."
"Didn't ask."
"You were going to."
"Also didn't ask who it was for."
KB stared at him.
Tony's mouth curved upward.
"You're volunteering information now."
"Do you want the tea?"
"No."
"Then suffer quietly."
Tony looked toward the second cup.
"You know what? I suddenly feel much better."
"Wonderful."
"Not about Lagos."
Tony pointed toward the cup.
"About this."
"There is no 'this.'"
"Sure."
KB ignored him.
Tony's humor soon disappeared as he looked toward Lagos again.
"How is she?"
"Better."
"That's not what I asked."
"It's the answer you're getting."
KB's expression softened.
"Wanda isn't fine. She's carrying guilt. That doesn't disappear because someone tells her everything will be okay."
Tony's jaw tightened.
"People died."
"I know."
"She threw an explosion into a building."
"She moved an explosion away from a crowded street."
"And into a building."
"Yes."
Tony stared at him.
"You always do that."
"Drink tea?"
"Refuse to pick the comfortable answer."
"Comfortable answers are usually expensive."
Tony gestured toward the holograms.
"New York. Washington. Sokovia. Lagos."
His expression hardened.
"At what point do we stop saying, 'We meant well'?"
KB remained silent.
Tony pointed toward Sokovia.
"We created Ultron."
"Tony—"
"No. You, Banner and I were involved."
His voice became quieter.
"We thought we were protecting everybody."
Tony stared at the ruined city.
"And then Sokovia fell out of the sky."
KB looked at him.
"You're right."
Tony froze.
"What?"
"We cannot continue operating across sovereign borders indefinitely without accountability."
Tony stared.
"You agree?"
"With that sentence? Yes."
Tony slowly sat down.
"Who are you, and what did you do with the irritatingly philosophical café owner?"
"I killed him."
Tony blinked.
"Tea dispute."
"There he is."
Tony tapped the proposed Accords.
"Then what's the problem?"
"The difference between accountability and obedience."
KB leaned forward.
"A man with power who answers to no one can become a tyrant."
Tony nodded.
"Exactly."
"But a government with power that answers only to itself can become one just as easily."
Tony's expression changed.
"Governments are made of people, Tony. Giving someone authority doesn't automatically give them wisdom."
"And giving us powers doesn't automatically give us wisdom."
KB smiled.
"Exactly."
Tony sighed.
"I hate talking to you."
"I know."
"Then what's your solution?"
"Accountability."
"That's literally what this is."
"This might become accountability."
KB tapped the document.
"Or it might become obedience."
He continued calmly.
"If the Avengers destroy property unnecessarily, investigate us. If one of us recklessly causes civilian deaths, investigate us. If we misuse our abilities for personal benefit, prosecute us."
"But if tomorrow a committee orders us into another nation because intervention benefits powerful governments..."
KB paused.
"...should we obey?"
Tony didn't answer.
"And if that same committee stops us from saving thousands because intervention is politically inconvenient?"
Silence.
"We can't decide everything ourselves," Tony said.
"I agree."
Tony turned sharply.
"But neither should they."
Before Tony could answer, the doors opened.
Wanda stepped inside.
Her eyes found KB.
Then the second cup.
Tony immediately smiled.
"Nope. I'm staying out of this one."
KB sighed.
"I brought you tea."
Wanda's expression softened.
"You remembered?"
"You complained that Tony's beverages taste like machine oil."
"My coffee machine costs more than most cars."
"That doesn't improve your argument."
Wanda took a sip.
Her eyes brightened.
"You made it the way I like it."
"It isn't difficult."
"Thank you."
Their eyes remained together slightly longer than necessary.
Tony loudly cleared his throat.
"Still here."
Wanda's cheeks colored.
KB looked toward Tony.
"Unfortunately."
Soon Rhodey and Vision arrived, followed by Steve, Natasha, Sam—
and Benjamin.
Benjamin entered without saying much.
Yet the moment he saw KB, his steps slowed.
KB noticed immediately.
Their eyes met.
To everyone else, Benjamin's expression was ordinary.
KB knew better.
There was a question in those eyes.
Last night.
Benjamin had sensed it.
He had not seen what KB had seen.
He hadn't witnessed that moment beyond the River of Time.
He hadn't seen that impossible throne or the wounded figure sitting upon it.
But Benjamin and KB were connected on a level that went beyond ordinary brotherhood.
When that terrifying gaze had fallen upon KB the previous night, something in Benjamin had reacted as well.
He had felt KB's shock.
His caution.
And, most unusually—
his fear.
Benjamin hadn't questioned him then.
Wanda had been present.
Now he wanted an answer.
Benjamin's gaze sharpened.
KB's voice entered his mind.
Later.
Benjamin didn't react outwardly.
His reply came through the same telepathic connection.
You said that last night.
KB almost smiled.
And technically, it is still later.
Benjamin stared at him.
KB.
The humor disappeared.
I know.
Benjamin immediately recognized the seriousness in his brother's mental voice.
KB continued.
I'll tell you afterward. Everything I can explain, I'll explain.
A pause.
Then Benjamin asked:
Was it dangerous?
KB's eyes shifted briefly toward Wanda.
Then toward Tony.
Steve.
Natasha.
The people gathered in the room.
His answer was careful.
I don't know yet.
Benjamin's expression became subtly more serious.
That answer worried him far more than a simple yes would have.
There were very few things KB could not understand.
Fewer still that could frighten him.
Benjamin finally responded:
Fine. After this meeting.
After the meeting.
Benjamin broke eye contact.
To everyone else, perhaps two seconds had passed.
Natasha, however, glanced between them.
She had spent too much of her life reading rooms not to notice that an entire conversation seemed to have happened without either cousin saying a word.
She narrowed her eyes.
Benjamin calmly sat beside her.
Natasha whispered,
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"That."
"Very descriptive."
"You and KB."
Benjamin looked innocent.
"We looked at each other."
"For ten seconds."
"Family bonding."
Natasha stared at him.
Benjamin looked toward the table.
Natasha knew immediately she wasn't getting an answer.
Not yet.
The discussion soon turned toward enhanced individuals and government oversight.
Steve asked,
"What happens when they send us somewhere we shouldn't go?"
Tony immediately answered,
"What happens when we go somewhere we shouldn't?"
Silence.
KB looked between them.
Both questions deserved answers.
Natasha finally looked toward KB.
"You've been quiet."
Tony snorted.
"He already gave me the lecture."
"I believe oversight is necessary," KB said.
Steve's expression changed.
Rhodey nodded.
"And I believe surrendering moral judgment entirely to political authority is dangerous."
Rhodey's approval disappeared.
Sam almost smiled.
Tony pointed toward KB.
"See? That's what he does."
Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"He somehow joins both sides while refusing to join either."
"The Avengers are not above the law," KB said.
He looked toward Steve.
"We cannot expect the world to simply trust us forever."
Then toward Tony.
"But neither should we become weapons deployed whenever a committee decides our abilities are useful."
Wanda watched him carefully.
Benjamin did too.
But unlike Wanda, Benjamin's thoughts weren't focused on the Accords.
He kept remembering the previous night.
Something had looked through time.
Something had reached his brother.
And KB didn't know whether it was dangerous.
That thought refused to leave him.
FRIDAY's voice interrupted.
"Boss, Secretary Ross has arrived."
Tony sighed.
"Showtime."
The atmosphere changed when Secretary Thaddeus Ross entered.
Government representatives followed him.
Everyone took their seats.
Wanda sat down.
There was an empty chair beside her.
KB initially moved toward another seat.
Wanda lightly caught his sleeve.
He stopped.
She glanced toward the empty chair.
KB looked at her.
A faint smile appeared.
He sat beside her.
Natasha saw everything.
Her eyebrow rose.
Tony saw it too.
His expression practically screamed future blackmail.
Benjamin noticed Tony's face and immediately understood.
He sighed.
At least some problems were still normal.
Ross began.
"The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt."
Footage appeared.
New York.
Washington.
Sokovia.
Wanda stiffened.
Then—
Lagos.
Her fingers tightened against the table.
KB's hand moved beneath it.
He didn't grab hers.
He simply placed his hand close enough that she could choose.
Wanda looked down.
Her smallest finger slowly touched his.
KB remained focused on Ross.
Neither moved away.
Across the table, Benjamin saw it.
For the briefest moment, the worry in his expression disappeared.
A tiny smile formed.
Finally.
KB's mental voice immediately reached him.
Don't.
Benjamin's smile widened.
I didn't say anything.
You thought loudly.
That's not a real thing.
With you, unfortunately, it is.
Benjamin almost laughed.
Natasha looked toward him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
She followed his gaze.
Wanda.
KB.
Their hands hidden poorly beneath the table.
Natasha understood.
She looked at Benjamin.
Benjamin looked at her.
For once, both silently agreed not to interfere.
Ross continued.
"The Sokovia Accords."
Copies were distributed.
"Approved by one hundred and seventeen countries."
Eventually Ross looked toward KB.
"Mr. Morgan."
KB raised his eyes.
There was no recognition in Ross's expression.
No suspicion.
To Ross, he was KB Morgan.
Scientist.
Entrepreneur.
Founder of Hope Organisation.
Close associate of the Avengers.
Nothing more.
Aureon remained safely hidden.
"Your Hope Organisation operates internationally."
"It does."
"You understand why sovereign governments might be uncomfortable with private organizations possessing extraordinary technology."
"I do."
"Then you support the Accords?"
"I support what they're trying to accomplish."
"And what is that?"
"Accountability."
Ross nodded.
"Then we agree."
"Not completely."
Tony leaned backward.
There it was.
"I support international oversight," KB continued. "Independent investigations. Compensation for civilians harmed by Avengers operations. Consequences when enhanced individuals knowingly abuse their abilities."
"Then what exactly do you oppose?"
"Accountability should judge our decisions."
KB tapped the Accords.
"Not replace our ability to make them."
Ross's expression cooled.
"Individuals cannot decide which laws apply to them."
"I agree."
Ross paused.
"But committees cannot decide which innocent lives are politically convenient to save."
Silence.
"You don't trust the United Nations?"
"This isn't about trust. It's about designing a system that remains ethical even when the people controlling it aren't."
KB listed his proposed safeguards.
"Emergency intervention provisions. Independent review. Clear restrictions preventing political deployment. Transparency. An appeals mechanism."
Then his voice became firmer.
"And accountability for the people giving the orders as well as those carrying them out."
Ross stared at him.
"One hundred and seventeen countries have approved this agreement."
"Then one hundred and seventeen countries should have no difficulty making it better."
Tony looked almost proud.
Ross wasn't amused.
"This isn't a negotiation."
KB's expression became serious.
"Then that concerns me more than anything you've said today."
Ross closed his folder.
"You have three days."
His gaze swept across the Avengers.
"The world isn't asking whether you have good intentions."
He glanced toward Wanda.
"It's asking whether good intentions are enough."
Wanda's finger tightened against KB's.
This time KB gently covered her hand.
Benjamin noticed.
But he also noticed something else.
For less than a second, KB's eyes became distant.
That same look.
The one from last night.
Benjamin's amusement disappeared.
Their eyes met again.
KB gave the smallest shake of his head.
Not now.
Benjamin reluctantly looked away.
Ross left.
The debate resumed almost immediately.
"One hundred and seventeen countries," Rhodey said.
Sam responded,
"That doesn't automatically make something right."
"No, but it means the world is telling us something."
Steve stood.
"It means they're afraid."
Tony looked at him.
"Maybe they have a reason."
Their eyes met.
KB could almost see the fracture forming.
Tony eventually turned toward him.
"KB."
"Hm?"
"Are you signing?"
Wanda looked toward him.
Steve did too.
Benjamin already suspected the answer.
KB stared at the document.
Then shook his head.
"No."
Steve's expression changed.
Tony's jaw tightened.
"Not this version."
Tony leaned backward.
"So you're with Cap."
"No."
Steve frowned.
"I agree with you that conscience cannot be surrendered."
Then KB looked toward Tony.
"And I agree with you that power cannot regulate itself."
Tony rubbed his forehead.
"Eventually, KB, you have to choose a side."
KB slowly stood.
"No."
He pushed the Accords toward the center of the table.
"Eventually we need to stop pretending there are only two."
Nobody answered.
KB walked toward the exit.
As he passed Benjamin, their eyes met.
Benjamin's voice entered his mind.
Don't disappear.
KB almost smiled.
I won't.
I'm serious.
KB's expression softened.
I know, brother.
Then he left.
Wanda hesitated before following.
Benjamin watched them go.
His expression became complicated.
Natasha noticed.
"You're worried."
Benjamin glanced at her.
"About the Accords?"
"No."
Benjamin said nothing.
Natasha didn't push.
Later, KB stood on the balcony overlooking New York.
Alexa's voice reached him.
"Which side will you choose?"
KB looked through the glass.
Tony remained with the Accords.
Farther away, Steve walked alone.
And beneath everything waited another secret.
December 16, 1991.
"There shouldn't have been sides."
"That does not answer my question."
"I know."
The balcony door opened.
Wanda stepped outside carrying two cups.
"Tea."
KB raised an eyebrow.
"For me?"
"You remembered mine."
He accepted it and took a sip.
Then paused.
Wanda watched him.
"Well?"
"It's terrible."
Her mouth fell open.
KB maintained his expression for two seconds.
Then smiled.
Wanda hit his arm.
"KB!"
He laughed.
"It's good."
"You are horrible."
"I've been informed."
She moved beside him.
After several quiet moments, Wanda whispered,
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Earlier."
She looked toward the city.
"When Ross showed Lagos..."
Her voice weakened slightly.
"I thought I would hear everything again."
KB understood.
The explosion.
The screams.
"But then..."
Her fingers touched his hand.
"...I knew I wasn't alone."
KB looked down.
This time neither pretended it was accidental.
His fingers slowly closed around hers.
"You aren't alone, Wanda."
She looked at him.
"I know."
Her head gently rested against his shoulder.
KB relaxed.
Inside the Tower, Tony walked past the glass doors.
He stopped.
His expression slowly transformed.
Natasha appeared behind him.
"Don't."
"I haven't done anything."
"You were about to."
"I was."
A third voice came from behind them.
"And if you value your continued existence, you won't."
Tony turned.
Benjamin stood there.
Tony pointed through the glass.
"You're seeing this, right?"
Benjamin looked toward his younger cousin and Wanda.
For a moment, the mystery of the previous night was forgotten.
A small smile appeared.
"I see nothing."
Tony stared at him.
"Traitor."
Benjamin walked away.
But his smile disappeared after several steps.
He remembered KB's promise.
After the meeting.
He would collect that answer.
Because while everyone else worried about the Sokovia Accords...
Benjamin knew something else had happened.
Something that had frightened KB.
And whatever was powerful enough to make KB Morgan look into the darkness with uncertainty...
was something Benjamin intended to understand.
Outside, Wanda remained against KB's shoulder.
Their hands stayed joined.
For now, there were no declarations.
No promises.
No certainty about what their relationship was becoming.
Only trust.
Comfort.
And something slowly growing between them.
The Avengers were approaching a fracture.
But as one bond threatened to break...
another was quietly beginning to form.