When it came to deciding who should lead the Avengers, Aetheris didn't care in the slightest. To him, it was nothing more than a title. Being called the leader didn't guarantee that anyone would actually follow your orders.
Think about it: one was a World War II veteran frozen since 1943, asleep for more than seventy years. Another was the heir to Asgard. Then there was a green giant who lost all sense of reason the moment he was provoked, and a Scarlet Witch who couldn't fully control her powers. The rest—Black Widow, Hawkeye, Falcon, and War Machine were all seasoned agents deeply tied to S.H.I.E.L.D.
Would any of them truly obey orders?Of course not. They were all unruly, undisciplined, and eccentric. Truth be told, when it came to teamwork, the Avengers were inferior to the X-Men.
The only reason the X-Men hadn't appeared yet was because of the storyline. Aetheris figured they were hiding somewhere, given how chaotic their timeline was.
But even he couldn't pull them back onto the proper track of the Marvel timeline.
After eating his fill, Nick Fury patted his round belly with satisfaction and said,
"Thanks for the hospitality today. Tomorrow I'll have Agent Hill pick you up, and we'll go meet an old friend together."
Aetheris nodded and winked at Hill, who maintained a perfectly straight face.
To his embarrassment, she treated him as if he were invisible, not even glancing his way.
Who could blame her? His reputation preceded him. The number of women he had been with could fill a platoon.
Even after crossing into this world, he hadn't stopped. And with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s constant surveillance, Hill and the others knew all about his escapades.
Hill was a traditional woman. She longed for a faithful marriage, for holding hands and growing old together. Naturally, someone like Aetheris was the last man she'd consider.
But Aetheris had one redeeming quality persistence. It was his last bit of stubborn pride as a self-proclaimed slacker. Even after taking over Tony Stark's body, he hadn't lost it.
Back when he was a poor nobody, he hadn't dared pursue the girls he liked. But now that he had the means, he could finally rise above his past. The harder the challenge, the more determined he became to win.
He wouldn't stop until he achieved his goal.Hill wanted to act cold?
Fine. He would chip away at her icy shell, little by little, until he uncovered the warmth beneath.
So when he saw Hill's indifference, he didn't mind. But he also wouldn't stoop to behaving like some desperate puppy. Staying calm and composed, he bid them goodbye and drove off.
Back at the company, Aetheris called Pepper. He didn't feel comfortable leaving the construction of his secret base to anyone else. Only Pepper, his most trusted partner, could handle it.
The thought of having her by his side for the next three or four months filled him with nothing but joy.
After all, Pepper had been staying at his house these past few days, which made Victor avoid him like the plague. Even trying to hold her hand made her shrink back, afraid Pepper would chase her away.
Although Aetheris never showed it, he knew deep down how much Pepper had given. While he was away, she had poured her heart into Stark Industries, working tirelessly. Honestly, even he couldn't claim he'd have done better.
She had no official title, yet followed him with unwavering devotion. Why?Because over the years, they had shared everything and treated each other with honesty.
Though they hadn't gone all the way, holding hands and kissing had long since become a regular thing. In truth, aside from the final step, they were already at the point of discussing marriage.
Although Aetheris had crossed into this world, a heart was still flesh and blood. Back when he'd watched the movies, he already admired Pepper her competence, decisiveness, and wholehearted devotion to Tony Stark. Of course, Aetheris also coveted her body.
Ahem. That was getting a bit off track.
Bang, bang, bang.
Knocks sounded at the door. Aetheris sat with his legs crossed on the desk, his big smelly feet clad only in socks. His office was in one of the tallest buildings around, so no one could peek in.
"Come in."
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, drowsy after lunch.
Pepper swept in like a gust of wind. Seeing him lounging lazily, the corners of her lips curved."Tony, you were looking for me?"
Aetheris opened his bleary eyes, and instantly they lit up.
Although he saw her at home every day, there was still a unique charm about Pepper in her professional attire.
"Why are you standing so far away? Do you think I'm going to eat you?"
He stood up with mock irritation, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her onto the leather sofa.
That sofa was one Aetheris had personally chosen after arriving it was so soft that the moment someone sat down, they sank deep into its embrace.
Pepper hadn't expected him to pull such a bold move. Startled, she only managed to hold down her blouse and skirt to keep from being exposed.
Aetheris chuckled."There's no one else here. Why are you covering up so tightly?"
Pepper rolled her eyes, glanced nervously at the door, and, seeing no movement, finally exhaled. She scolded softly,"You're impossible! What if someone walks in?"
Though she said that, she made no move to get up. People say lust is a man's nature, but when it comes to desire, women are in no way inferior.
They were, after all, just ordinary men and women. Desire was inevitable.
Even philosophers had said that only when opposites combine can life flourish. And in the West, Eve herself was said to have been made from Adam's rib.
At the company, Pepper was busy with business. At home, the presence of the maid left her too embarrassed to be intimate.
So lately, Pepper had been restless, like dry wood waiting for a spark. Today, with just a little teasing from Aetheris, she ignited instantly.
Aetheris growled,"Whoever dares to walk in, I'll skin them alive! Then I'll burn them to ashes and scatter them into the sea."
(End of Chapter)
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