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Jack took his time deliberately.
Helping Alice get dressed alone took nearly ten minutes. It wasn't because it was difficult—far from it—but because he clearly had no intention of rushing. His fingers moved slowly, adjusting her clothes with unnecessary care, occasionally pausing as if he were appreciating his own work. Alice noticed it, of course. She didn't say anything at first, but the faint tightening of her brows gave away her impatience.
"Are you done yet?" she finally asked, her tone calm but edged with warning.
"Almost," Jack replied casually, not speeding up in the slightest. "You should be grateful. Not everyone gets this kind of personal service."
Alice let out a quiet breath, choosing not to argue further. She knew arguing would only make him slower.
When he finally finished with her, he moved on to Ada.
That took another ten minutes.
Ada crossed her arms at first, watching him with narrowed eyes, clearly aware of his intentions. But unlike Alice, she didn't stay silent the whole time.
"Don't push your luck," Ada said flatly when his hand paused again longer than necessary.
Jack only grinned. "I'm just making sure everything's perfect."
Ada clicked her tongue but didn't stop him. There was a strange familiarity in this dynamic—annoyance mixed with reluctant acceptance.
And then—
When it came to himself, Jack finished dressing in less than thirty seconds.
Ada stared at him. "…You're unbelievable."
Jack adjusted his collar lightly, completely unconcerned. "Efficiency where it matters," he said.
"Are you not opening the door?" Ada asked, glancing toward the entrance.
Jack glanced at the clock, then smiled faintly, something slightly malicious in it. "Why rush? Let him wait another twenty minutes."
Ada shook her head, half amused, half helpless. "Running into someone like you is Justin's misfortune."
White Queen, standing nearby, let out a small laugh. "Evil people attract evil consequences," she said.
Jack raised an eyebrow. "That makes me sound like a villain. I'm clearly a good person."
White Queen looked at him as if she'd just heard the most ridiculous thing possible. "If you're a good person," she said calmly, "then this world has no villains. Didn't you call yourself one before?"
Jack shrugged lazily. "People change. One second I'm good, the next second I'm evil. That's perfectly normal. I'm just… flexible."
Ada snorted softly. "Flexible? You really can twist anything to suit yourself."
White Queen waved her hand dismissively. "Talking to you is pointless. If pigs could talk, they'd probably sound like this too."
Jack didn't seem offended at all. "You all have too much time. Let him in already. Someone might start worrying about me."
White Queen's eyes flickered briefly with data. The door unlocked with a soft click.
Justin stepped inside.
He hesitated the moment he saw Jack, the confidence he had prepared instantly crumbling. "Mr. Jack…" he started, but quickly swallowed the rest of his words.
Then, forcing a smile, he straightened his posture. "Mr. Jack! Seeing you again… I'm really excited."
Jack tilted his head slightly, studying him. "Really?" he asked, his tone light but carrying an undercurrent that made Justin's back stiffen.
"Of course!" Justin said quickly. "My loyalty to you… the entire world could witness it."
Jack smiled faintly. "You talk well," he said. "Even if none of it is real, I still enjoy hearing it."
Ada shot Jack a glance, clearly disapproving of the way he was playing with Justin.
Justin, on the other hand, looked like he might collapse at any moment. Sweat formed on his forehead. "Mr. Jack… I'm telling the truth. Please don't misunderstand."
Jack chuckled softly. "Relax. Did I say I was going to kill you?" he said. "Killing you would be a waste. Where else would I find such an obedient dog?"
Justin immediately nodded. "Yes, yes, exactly!"
Jack's smile didn't change. "You should understand something," he continued casually. "I've been gone for over half a year. If you ever think about digging into what I've been doing… don't."
Justin froze.
"Everything you have," Jack went on, "is in my hands. Ending you would only take a second."
The room felt colder.
"Alright," Jack said lightly, as if nothing had happened. "You can leave."
"Yes!" Justin said quickly, wiping the sweat from his forehead as he backed away and left the room almost hurriedly.
Once the door closed, Ada let out a small laugh. "You really scared him."
Jack shrugged. "Fear leaves a deeper impression."
Alice watched him quietly for a moment before speaking. "There's something I forgot to ask," she said.
Jack looked at her. "What?"
"You mentioned Sif before," Alice continued. "Even if it was brief… something felt off. Are you sure nothing happened between you two?"
Jack paused for a fraction of a second.
That alone was enough.
Alice's gaze sharpened. "I knew it."
Jack let out a sigh. "You really can't hide anything from women," he muttered.
"Your tone gave it away," Alice said. "And considering what you did to Asgard… she probably hates you to the core."
Jack smiled faintly. "Hate isn't a problem," he said. "Sometimes… love and hate aren't that far apart."
White Queen shook her head. "Your mindset is seriously twisted," she said. "You make someone hate you first… then try to make them fall for you."
Ada crossed her arms. "That's not just twisted. That's borderline insane."
White Queen continued calmly, almost clinically. "Psychologically, it makes sense," she said. "In your original world, you were betrayed. That created a desire for control… and retaliation."
Alice and Ada both nodded slightly.
"But," White Queen added, "you can't let go of desire either. So you hurt them… then try to claim them. It's contradictory. And destructive."
Jack rubbed his temple lightly. "You're overanalyzing," he said. "Situations create outcomes. That's all."
No one looked convinced.
Jack waved it off. "Forget that," he said. "How long are we staying in this world?"
Alice's expression softened slightly. "I want to go back and see Becky," she said quietly.
Jack shook his head. "Not yet," he said. "This isn't just one world. It's a merged Marvel timeline. Things are about to get interesting."
Ada frowned slightly. "What are you planning?"
Jack's lips curved into a faint, dangerous smile. "A war is coming," he said. "And when it starts… it'll be worth watching."
Ada sighed softly. "We just want you safe," she said. "But you won't stay out of it. You need Villain Points."
Jack's expression turned confident. "Relax," he said. "Nothing will happen to me."
Ada raised an eyebrow. "You've said that many times."
Jack coughed lightly. "That was… unexpected circumstances."
Ada snorted. "Excuses."
Jack stepped closer slightly, his tone firm. "You're my women," he said. "You should trust me."
Alice met his gaze directly. "We do," she said. "That's why you have to stay alive."
---
New Mexico, Puente Antiguo.
The sky split slightly as a red-and-gold figure descended.
Iron Man landed with a heavy thud, dust scattering around him. People nearby stopped, turning to look, whispers spreading quickly.
After months of public appearances—fighting terrorists, helping the poor—Tony Stark had rebuilt his image completely.
Inside a nearby house, Jane Foster and Pepper stepped out.
Jane stared upward, eyes wide. "That's… Iron Man?"
The helmet opened.
Tony's face appeared, filled with emotion the moment he saw Pepper.
"Pepper," he said.
Pepper looked at him quietly. "Tony."
Tony walked forward, his steps quick. "Seeing you again… this feels right," he said. "I've been searching everywhere for you. S.H.I.E.L.D. told me yesterday you were here."
Pepper nodded slightly. "I see."
Tony frowned.
Something was wrong.
This wasn't how he imagined it.
No smile. No relief. No embrace.
"…How are you?" he asked carefully.
Pepper shook her head slightly. "I'm fine," she said. "Very fine."
Tony clenched his jaw. "You're lying," he said. "That guy—Jack—if I find him…"
His voice rose.
"I'll kill him."
The air turned heavy.
And somewhere far away… the storm was already beginning to form.