Early morning.
The first ray of sunlight slipped through the blinds and scattered across the room.
In the living room, Kai sat lazily on the sofa, photons flickering between his fingers — a dazzling little light show of his own making.
He was experimenting, trying to develop new abilities for his Glint-Glint Fruit powers.
It wasn't easy. Developing new moves always required precision, creativity, and a bit of insanity.
Still, it wasn't a total failure — at least he was starting to get an idea of where to go next.
After washing up, Kai grabbed the breakfast left on the table, wolfed it down, and checked the time.
Right on schedule, he vanished in a flash of light.
Stark Tower
"I knew it! You would never show up early — not even by one damn minute!"
Tony Stark looked at Kai, who appeared exactly on time, not a second off, and felt his blood pressure rise.
Natasha, sipping her coffee nearby, smirked. "You're one to talk. When I came to get you this morning, Pepper said you were still in your pajamas."
Tony raised an eyebrow. "That's because I know this kid. Even if we showed up half an hour early, he'd still materialize right on the dot."
He pointed a thumb at himself. "And besides, I am the boss of Stark Industries. I can come whenever I want."
"Of course you can," Natasha teased, grinning behind her cup.
Tony grumbled something under his breath, then handed a folder to Kai. "Here. Your new assignment."
Kai didn't take it. Instead, he pointed at the empty corner of his office. "Where's my coffee machine?"
"I had it moved," Tony said flatly. "You won't be needing it anymore, so I donated it to someone more productive."
"Now, take the damn file and go with Natasha. She'll brief you on the new task."
Kai opened his mouth to reply, but Tony immediately cut him off.
"Shut up, you little brat. I already know what you're gonna say."
"Your Stark Industries work overlaps with this assignment, and yes — you'll get double bonuses."
He groaned dramatically. "Damn it, look at me — a capitalist bending the rules for an employee. I'm a disgrace to my own kind!"
Natasha almost choked on her coffee.
"Actually," Natasha said, setting her cup down, "this new job is also for your protection, Kai."
"Tony informed me immediately that HYDRA was targeting you. Honestly, it's the first time I've ever seen him care this much about a guy."
She smiled faintly. "This mission is twofold: keep you safe, and use the opportunity to flush HYDRA out."
"So," Kai said dryly, "S.H.I.E.L.D. is using me as bait to catch the big HYDRA fish… and I have to work for this new team at the same time?"
He sighed. "Sounds like a pain. Wouldn't it be easier to just grab Alice and force her to spill HYDRA's location?"
"Kai—"
"Alright, alright," he interrupted, shrugging lazily. "For the sake of those sweet double after-tax bonuses, I'll take the job."
He looked around his office again, then pointed toward the corner.
"But that coffee machine? I want it back. I've got a feeling I'll be returning soon."
"Alright, alright," Natasha said, trying not to laugh. "Don't provoke him any more, or Tony won't sleep tonight."
Seeing Kai agree, Natasha stood, ready to take him away.
The sooner they acted, the sooner they could drag HYDRA's agents out of the shadows.
As Natasha led the perpetually unmotivated Kai out of the office, Tony called after them.
"Hey, kid — be careful. If you run into trouble you can't handle, don't try to play hero. I'll back you up anytime."
"Got it, got it," Kai said, waving lazily as he walked away.
"Also, maybe you should take care of yourself. You're not getting any younger. What's with those dark circles?
Pepper not letting you rest, or are you up late binge-watching again? Your eye bags are bigger than the donut I had yesterday!"
Natasha stifled a laugh, dragging Kai toward the elevator.
"F**K—! That little brat!" Tony exploded, clutching his head. "Jarvis! Be honest — are my dark circles really that bad?"
"Sir," Jarvis replied, "I would strongly recommend you rest immediately."
Tony paused for a long moment, then sighed.
"…Yeah, that's not happening."
In the Car
"Tony's emotions have been kinda off lately," Kai said from the passenger seat, sprawled like a salted fish. "Don't you think he's giving off major anxiety vibes?"
"You noticed too?" Natasha replied, closing the car windows out of pure habit.
Even though their car was secure, her spy instincts never rested.
"This morning when I went to see him," she said, "Pepper told me he hasn't slept for forty-eight hours. Even when she forces him to rest, he sneaks back into the lab after she falls asleep."
"Classic Tony," Kai muttered.
Natasha continued, "Pepper said he's also been waking up from nightmares lately. The last time he was this anxious was back when he was dying from palladium poisoning."
She glanced at Kai. "What do you think's causing it this time?"
Kai leaned back and thought for a moment.
"My guess? The Battle of New York. When he flew that nuke through the wormhole and destroyed the Chitauri ship."
"Tony's got incredible intelligence, creativity, and a massive ego—"
Natasha smirked. "You sound like you're describing yourself."
Kai blinked. "Huh?"
"Nothing," she said with a small laugh. "It's just funny. You two express care in almost the same way."
She turned her eyes back to the road.
"He worries you'll fall for HYDRA's traps. You worry he's burning himself out. It's kinda cute."
Kai looked away, deadpan. "Cute isn't the word I'd use. I just don't want my employer dying before payday."
Natasha chuckled softly. "Sure you don't."
The car sped through the streets, sunlight glinting off its windows — two agents heading into another game between shadows and light.