Morning at Stark Mansion
Morning light filled the kitchen.
Alex moved calmly between the counters, cooking as if the mansion were his own.
The smell of fresh food cut through the tension of the previous night.
Tony sat at the table, unusually quiet.
Veronica sat beside him, arms crossed but calmer now.
Breakfast was set.
For once—
Peace.
Then the door opened.
Uninvited Guests
Three people stepped inside.
Two men.
One woman.
Alex glanced up, unfazed.
"Good morning," he said calmly.
"You might as well join us."
Phil Coulson blinked.
Nick Fury raised an eyebrow.
Natasha Romanoff hesitated—then nodded.
They took seats.
Tony stared.
"…Do I charge rent for this?"
Truth Over Breakfast
Fury didn't waste time.
"Natalie Rushman is a SHIELD agent," he said evenly.
"Her real name is Natasha Romanoff."
Tony turned slowly toward her.
"…You're fired."
Alex and Veronica both paused—
Then sighed at the same time.
Tony glanced at them.
"What?"
Veronica shook her head.
"Unbelievable."
Natasha tensed—watching Alex carefully.
Waiting for anger.
It never came.
Alex's expression didn't change.
What SHIELD Did in the Dark
Fury continued.
"Howard Stark was one of SHIELD's founders," he said.
"And we've been protecting you—Tony and Veronica—without you knowing."
Tony stiffened.
"Two incidents," Fury went on.
"One night—a truck nearly hit Veronica's car. Then it vanished."
Veronica nodded slowly.
"I remember," she said quietly.
Tony's face drained of color.
"…She almost died?"
Fury continued.
"Second—assassin teams sent after you disappeared. No trace. No bodies."
Tony swallowed.
"…Who was behind it?"
"Obadiah Stane," Fury answered.
"He's dead now."
Tony leaned back, shaken.
Departures and Requests
Fury stood.
"We should go."
Coulson followed.
As Fury turned, Alex spoke calmly.
"Return what Howard Stark entrusted to you."
Fury paused.
Looked at Alex carefully.
"…Understood."
They left.
A Quiet Moment
Natasha remained.
She looked at Alex—uncertain.
"…Aren't you angry?" she asked softly.
"I lied to you."
Alex met her gaze gently.
"I still see the same princess," he said.
"The one who wanted to learn. To prove herself."
Her breath caught.
"I'm not angry."
Natasha hugged him tightly.
"…Thank you."
Alex kissed her forehead gently.
"Come back after your mission."
She nodded.
And left.
The kitchen fell quiet again.
Tony stared at Alex.
"…Just how many secrets do you have?"
Alex smiled faintly.
"You'll find out soon."
And for the first time—
Tony believed him.