An hour and a half later, Axel finally pulled away, leaving Natasha and Hill catching their breath.
Hill moved slowly toward the bathroom, her steps unsteady as she spoke over her shoulder.
"Axel, Mr. Pierce, the Secretary of Security for the World Security Council, wants to meet you again. He invited you to dinner."
"What?"
Axel paused, his hand idly resting near Natasha as he frowned.
"Why would he invite me to dinner? Is it to thank me for tearing off one of his arms?"
"It is to thank you for what you did in Wakanda," Natasha said, shifting onto her side, her voice calm but amused. "You gave S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Security Council a way to trade vibranium."
She let out a soft laugh.
"But honestly, it is not much different from what you think. It is just them showing goodwill, trying to soften your attitude."
Axel shook his head, unimpressed.
"Tell him I do not have time. I am already busy enough dealing with you two every day. Why would I want to see Pierce?"
He smirked slightly.
"Unless he is willing to wear something ridiculous and dance on Stark Tower, I am not interested. Just pass along exactly what I said."
With that, Axel headed toward the bathroom, joining Hill for a shower.
Afterward, he pressed a small metallic piece near his waist. The nanotech shifted and formed into fitted undergarments before he dressed fully.
Hill watched him, lips pressed together. She had been holding back a question for days. Now that things between them had crossed several lines, she felt she could finally ask.
Turning under the warm water, she spoke carefully.
"Axel, your underwear... is that nanotechnology?"
"Yeah," Axel replied casually while putting on his coat. "You have seen it already. Pretty useful, right?"
Hill inhaled slowly before continuing.
"Back in the Battle of New York, you appeared completely exposed after the fight, then instantly covered yourself with something like that. So you are not working alone, are you? There is a team behind you."
She hesitated, then added,
"I am not asking for anything else. I just want... a technical exchange with your team."
Axel raised an eyebrow, then pointed at her with a teasing smile.
"You are interested in the nanotech?"
He chuckled lightly.
"I told you before, if your bust naturally increases by one size, I will grant you one condition. Are you planning to use that condition on my nano gear?"
Hill rolled her eyes, though a faint smile appeared.
"If I had to use it, I would rather know where you actually come from."
Her tone turned more serious.
"I have been working on meeting that condition, so that is not an issue. Let me advance it. And my request is simple, you are not allowed to lie to me today."
Axel turned back toward her, amused.
"Are you sure?"
"I am," Hill replied firmly. "The deal is clear. And I am only using the first condition."
"Fine," Axel said with a shrug. "Ask whatever you want."
Hill nodded.
"First, is there really a team behind you?"
"You could say that," Axel answered. "But it is loose. No one is forced to stay or leave."
"Is the team centered around you?"
"Of course. Do I look like someone who takes orders?"
Hill hesitated before asking her next question.
"Then how exactly did your team create you?"
Axel's expression shifted slightly.
"I do not like that word," he said flatly. "I am not some experiment. Everything I have is my own talent. Natural and unique."
"I am sorry," Hill said quickly, then pressed on.
"Where are you and your team based?"
"Hiding?" Axel let out a short laugh. "Since when do I hide? I am not like you agents. I do things openly. If I say I will wipe someone out, I do it."
Natasha sighed softly from the bed, clearly used to his attitude.
Hill exhaled, frustrated.
"Then why can I not find anything? I have searched for three days and found nothing. If not for our orbital surveillance, I would think you fell from space. So where are you?"
"In Gotham," Axel replied, watching her reaction with interest.
Hill immediately shook her head.
"That is impossible. I have investigated, there is no such place in any record."
Natasha suddenly laughed, and Hill froze before realizing what she had just said.
"Damn it," Hill muttered, rubbing her temple. "Very funny. Gotham? For a second I almost believed you."
She narrowed her eyes.
"What next, you are going to say you killed Batman and took over the city? Axel, be serious."
"But I do live in Gotham," Axel said calmly.
He pulled out his phone. The moment Hill saw it, her expression tightened. She had tried countless times to break into that device and failed every time.
Axel scrolled through his gallery, then showed them several photos and a video.
He pointed at the screen.
"See that? Gotham's elevated rail system. I took it apart. And that is Doctor Fate, Kent Nelson. I killed him."
He swiped again.
"As for Batman, he is still around. You could say we have an understanding."
He paused briefly after scrolling past something he clearly did not intend to show, then locked the screen.
"That was Selina," he added casually. "And the place behind us in that shot is Downton Manor. That is my home."
Axel looked at Hill with a faint smile.
"You already know I leave every night. You have been investigating this long and still have not figured it out?"
He leaned slightly closer.
"I am not from your world."
===
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