"Thought it through?" Hong Fei asked.
Natasha shook her head. "Whether I've thought it through doesn't matter. I just prefer living like Yelena does now."
Steve observed silently, unclear about what had transpired between Hong Fei and Natasha.
Hong Fei pressed further. "Have you ever actually had a life?"
Natasha froze momentarily before breaking into a smile. "You understand me better than most."
"Don't worry," Hong Fei assured her, extending his hand. "You'll have a life in the future."
Natasha clasped his hand firmly before releasing it.
"Leaving S.H.I.E.L.D. is no big deal," Hong Fei continued. "Just give Fury your resignation letter."
"I already did."
"When?"
"Just now, when I went to find Mr. Stark."
"Fury's going to be furious."
"My apologies." Hong Fei smiled. "Got a place to stay?"
"No."
"Find Yelena—she'll arrange something."
Natasha nodded slightly, acknowledged Steve with a glance, and departed.
Steve watched her leave before speaking. "I thought you'd keep her in S.H.I.E.L.D. Fury trusts her completely."
Hong Fei sighed. "I considered it. But you heard her—she wants a life. There's a difference between living and existing."
"I understand." Steve smiled, slinging an arm around Hong Fei's shoulders as they sat. He popped open a beer can. When he reached for a second, Hong Fei stopped him.
"I don't drink."
"What?" Steve's confusion showed.
"Seriously. Never touch the stuff."
"That's unusual for someone in your line of work." Steve chuckled, setting the unopened can aside. He took a swig from his own before continuing.
"I knew there'd be arguments. Figured Tony would be the one disagreeing with me."
Hong Fei nodded. "No surprise there."
"Any idea what's going through his head?"
"Generally. Short version? He's always trusted himself more."
Steve gave him a silent, questioning look.
"It's how he was raised," Hong Fei explained. "His intellect solves nearly every problem he faces. Even setbacks just mean being stuck for a few days—maybe hours. His track record proves he can handle anything, so why wouldn't he trust himself?"
Steve listened intently before asking, "You know him that well?"
"Of course. I did kidnap him once." Hong Fei's laugh made Steve chuckle along.
"There's more," Hong Fei continued. "Tony's like us. He doesn't oppose things arbitrarily—he's got a clear vision. Do you think he'd ever trust S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Steve pondered before shaking his head. "No. First thing he did on the Helicarrier was hack their secrets. Learning the truth pissed him off."
"Exactly. He's not some socially inept genius. Most people just aren't worth his emotional energy. His knowledge and status are truly enough for him to ignore over ninety percent of the people in this world—though that attitude can rub people the wrong way sometimes."
Steve smirked. "You're not wrong."
Hong Fei added, "He wants to protect the world too. Just prefers using S.H.I.E.L.D. as a tool rather than relying on them."
"Honesty's usually the best policy."
"When?"
"When you haven't sued them yet."
Truth was, those kinds of schemes only worked in movies. Steve considered this, then shook his head.
"If I hadn't met you, I might not have sued at all. All I knew was the war ended and we'd driven off the aliens. That's it."
He rubbed his neck. "Hell, I was just frozen all those years. The propaganda made me out to be some big deal, but I was just another grunt."
Hong Fei slapped his shoulder. "Come on, you've earned every bit of that hype."
"But I'm just one guy," Steve protested. "The way they talk about me makes it sound like I'm some kind of—"
"God?"
"Yeah, exactly."
Hong Fei's mouth quirked. "People need gods. They just don't want them walking around in the flesh. The perfect god's all-knowing, all-powerful, packed with every virtue imaginable—but crucially, either long dead or never real to begin with."
Steve chuckled. "You're not wrong, though I doubt the devout would appreciate that take."
"Wasn't talking to them." Hong Fei took a swig of beer. "Your 'resurrection' must've been someone's worst nightmare—especially now you've switched sides. Bet some folks are kicking themselves raw."
Steve's grin turned wolfish. "I'd pay to see that."
Hong Fei turned serious. "What about you? Any regrets?"
"None." Steve didn't hesitate. "This war's aftermath is too catastrophic. Its causes, how it played out—that deserves scrutiny, not a tidy wrap-up. Like you said, it's a beginning."
He set his jaw. "We can't undo the damage, but we can learn from it. Those responsible need to answer. Plus, it's a clean shot at HYDRA's flank. Can't let them weaponize this against us—Tony gets that now."
Steve met Hong Fei's gaze. "But mostly? It's about the truth."
"The truth..." Hong Fei rolled the word around like fine whiskey, watching Steve until the soldier raised an eyebrow.
"Truth matters, doesn't it?"
"Absolutely."
"To everyone?"
Steve nodded after a beat.
"Good!" Hong Fei sprang up. "Remember every word you just said. They'll determine whether your team keeps charging forward."
Steve stood, smile undimmed. "Got it. I will."
Hong Fei nodded silently. He hoped Steve caught the plural in "your team"—not just himself. More importantly, Hong Fei could finally relax about Steve's commitment. The man wouldn't waver in this fight. As for deeper ideological shaping? That could simmer on the back burner. Eventually, he'd help Steve grasp what being the "People's Captain" truly meant—what ideals were worth fighting for.
Steve walked him to the car, waving as it pulled away.
Five miles down the road, Hong Fei finally spoke.
"You picked my locks?"
A voice piped up from behind. "You left them open."
"Backseat's cramped. Uncomfortable?"
"Little bit."
Fabric rustled as Natasha's head popped into view. Then, she moved to the front seat with contorted movements, her perky buttocks nearly bumping into Hong Fei's face. Once settled, she caught her breath and studied him with open curiosity. Finally, she said, "You don't seem surprised at all?"
Hong Fei kept his eyes fixed on the road, fingers drumming the steering wheel.
"No, I am surprised. I just don't feel the need to perform it like some Broadway audition."
Natasha arched an eyebrow. "Then when do you plan to show surprise? During your eulogy?"
Hong Fei pretended to consider this. "That's difficult."
"I want to try," Natasha shot back.
Silence settled between them like a third passenger. The city lights grew brighter as they crossed into downtown. Without warning, Hong Fei swerved to the curb. Natasha frowned.
"What's wrong?"
"You drive the car back. I've got things to do."
He was out the door before she could protest, vanishing into the night. Natasha slid into the driver's seat. Through the rearview mirror, she watched his retreating figure until it disappeared. A sigh escaped her lips as she gunned the engine.
......
The bookstore's CLOSED sign swayed as Mei struggled with an armful of books while locking up. Hong Fei materialized beside her and plucked the stack away effortlessly. Mei whirled around, glasses slipping down her nose in her shock. She froze mid-motion, then spun back to the stubborn lock like it held the secrets of the universe.
"You're holding the key upside down," Hong Fei observed.
"I've got it!" she insisted, jabbing at the keyhole with renewed determination. After three failed attempts, the key finally clicked home. Snatching her books back, she marched off without a word.
Hong Fei fell into step beside her. They walked in silence past flickering streetlights, the only sound their footsteps on pavement. As they neared her apartment building, Mei stopped abruptly.
"This is far enough. You can go now."
"Never seen your place before," Hong Fei mused.
"No."
"Hmm?"
Mei worried her lower lip between her teeth. Adjusting her glasses, she mumbled, "Peter's home."
Hong Fei's lips twitched. "Perfect. I owe him five bucks from poker night."
Mei's head snapped up, eyes blazing.
"Alright, alright," he conceded, raising his hands. "Not tonight. I'll come tomorrow."
"For what?"
"To collect my five bucks."
Mei's foot connected with his shin. When he didn't flinch, she groaned and crouched to wipe the scuff mark off his shoe with a tissue. As she straightened, she found Hong Fei with his arms slightly open.
A beat passed. Then she stepped into the embrace, her forehead brushing his collarbone. His hand settled at the small of her back, the other combing through her hair.
Just as suddenly, she pulled away and hurried toward the building. Hong Fei waited until her silhouette disappeared behind a closing door before launching skyward.
......
Big Head came bouncing into the manor's foyer like an overexcited pogo stick. Hong Fei eyed the man's wobbling neck with concern.
"Boss! We're trending!"
Big Head waved a tablet wildly. "Look at these articles: 'Superheroes, or Super Destroyers?', 'We Don't Deny Their Achievements, But That Doesn't Mean We Should Ignore Their Mistakes!', 'Heroes Must Also Pay for Their Actions!', 'Do Superheroes Already Have a Hidden License to Kill??'"
Hong Fei scanned the headlines. "These are all negative."
Big Head beamed. "Exactly! Controversy means engagement!"
The positive articles stood out: 'What If There Were No Superheroes in the Battle of New York,' 'They Saved My Entire Family,' 'About the Post-War Emergency Relief Foundation,' and 'Don't Let Heroes Bleed and Then Weep.' Most appeared to be spontaneous uploads from ordinary citizens. The online debate between both sides was heating up fast.
Hong Fei skimmed the headlines before tossing his phone aside. "When you say 'most,' what's the actual percentage?"
Big Head flashed a mischievous grin, pinching his fingers together. "Roughly twenty percent."
Hong Fei's eyebrows shot up. He clapped Big Head's shoulder hard enough to make him stagger. "Damn, kid! You've got potential!"
"I'll make you a New York City Councilman in the future!"
Big Head snapped to attention like a soldier, beaming. "Yes sir! Thank you, Boss!"