"Really? For real? Ah... that time..."
Seeing Deadpool deep in thought, it seemed he had an idea of what happened.
"Why did you do that?"
"Well, I got caught up in the moment, and I was curious, haha."
"This is no laughing matter! Haha!"
I was completely speechless. Deadpool looked puzzled.
"That's weird... Is it that easy to get pregnant? The women I've been with didn't seem to."
"Geez... women know their bodies, so they use contraception and take care of themselves."
"Ah! I see."
Since the deed was done, I had to deal with the aftermath.
"Who's the father?"
"Well... you know... um... I'd rather keep it a secret."
Deadpool hesitated and eventually didn't say. Since he didn't want to say, I didn't press further. Considering Deadpool's recent activities, the possible candidates were Captain America, Sam, Director Fury, or Tony. But even if I knew the truth, it wasn't something I could solve. He had to figure it out himself.
"But what would happen to the baby if I turn you back into a man?"
"I don't know... It's still small, so if you turn back, it would probably be absorbed into your body. If it gets bigger, it might not be absorbed and could remain as a tumor..."
Deadpool thought about this seriously for a moment, then said,
"I think I'll have it."
"What??? You, seriously... are you trying to become a mother now too?"
"I can't help it. I have to have it now. Life is precious."
Just then, Natasha burst into the room, looking angry.
"What's this about a baby!?? Who the hell is this woman!!"
Natasha must have overheard our conversation and misunderstood.
"Natasha, calm down! It's not my baby. I was just counseling her about an unwanted pregnancy."
"Ah... that's what it was?"
"Don't you trust me?"
Natasha, looking apologetic, said,
"Well, my boyfriend is so attractive..."
Natasha, ever the spy, mixed in a compliment. It was obvious, but she was cute, so I let it slide.
"Geez... Anyway, is the hero business handled?"
"Yeah, but not completely. Some of them fled to China."
"I see. That's a long-standing organization, so it can't be helped. Anyway, you worked hard. Get some rest. I'll finish my counseling and we'll talk."
"Okay. I heard Captain America is in the hospital. I'll go see him."
"Wait, I'll go with you."
"I'll wait in the next room."
Natasha went to the next room, and I continued talking with Deadpool.
"So what are you going to do now?"
"What do you mean? You have to give me maternity leave."
Deadpool boldly asked for maternity leave.
"Geez... fine. You worked hard, so I'll deposit a generous bonus into your account. And check the parking lot at your house; there's a BMW i8. Take it."
I handed Deadpool the car keys.
"Oh~ good. See, hard work pays off. And if you're going to the hospital, I'll come too. I fought alongside them, so I should visit. I may be a mess, but I have loyalty."
"Yeah, sure."
Natasha, Deadpool, and I took a Talaria, bought some fruit, and went to the hospital where Captain America was admitted. He was already awake, lying in bed watching TV with Sam.
"Come in, Jin, Natasha, Eleanor. This is Sam. He helped us with the Hydra situation."
"I've heard a lot about you. Former special forces, right? Nice to meet you."
Sam stood up and shook my hand. This was my first time meeting Sam in person.
"Nice to meet a celebrity. Sam Wilson. Just call me Sam."
Sam also greeted Natasha and Deadpool. After introductions, Captain America asked me,
"I heard you took the Helicarriers. What are you going to do with them?"
"I'm stripping them down to only defensive weapons and using them as supply or research bases."
Captain America seemed relieved.
"I see. That's a relief. I was worried they might fall into the wrong hands again."
"You can be sure nothing in my hands will be misused. But Director Fury is taking one after repairs, so I can't vouch for that."
"Nick Fury has been through this, so I'm sure he'll be careful."
We ate fruit and chatted about various things. Then Captain America asked a favor.
"Jin, you know about the Winter Soldier, right?"
"Yes, I do."
"I need you to gather information on him. You're the best in the business."
"Okay."
Natasha, who had been listening, also looked curious.
"I'd like to know too."
"I'll provide the data. We can look at it together."
"Okay."
After visiting the hospital, we returned home. Natasha, tired, went straight to sleep. Deadpool announced she was taking a break and went home.
I went to Gundam Island and sent three Talaria RVs to the Avengers base. I also sent one to Tony as a gift. With more people and various uses, I decided to make a few more. The Talaria was a popular means of transportation.
I also decided to make four more androids to manage the Avengers base. The designs were already done, so production could begin immediately. It wouldn't take as long this time. Then I prepared various things for the quick repair and modification of the Helicarriers.
It seemed like I had done everything I needed to do. I went to Xandar and Knowhere to gather information on Star-Lord, but the only thing new was that he was wanted by the Nova Corps for stealing a vibranium ingot.
Where the hell is he, and what is he doing?
I went to Morag to see if he had taken the Orb, but the Orb was still there. It seemed Guardians of the Galaxy hadn't started yet. I couldn't keep going back and forth forever, so I installed a hidden device that would alert me when the temple door opened, then returned to Earth. The device used spacecraft communication, so receiving the signal on Earth was no problem.
A few days later, I heard that Captain America had been discharged. I prepared the information on the Winter Soldier as promised. I also showed it to Natasha.
"Hydra brainwashing... So the Winter Soldier is a victim too. And Captain America's friend... It's so sad."
"Yes. I'm meeting Cap tomorrow. Want to come?"
"Sure. I have nothing better to do."
The next day, Natasha and I went to the meeting place. It was the grave Director Fury had prepared to fake his death. Besides Captain America, Fury and Sam were also there. Fury saw us and said,
"There are a lot of rats fleeing a sinking ship. I need your help."
Fury wanted to hunt down the remaining Hydra agents, but Captain America declined, citing his search for Bucky.
"I have unfinished business. I'll join you when it's done."
"I see. Then, Jin?"
Fury looked at me and asked.
"I'll provide information and inform my members. But whether they help is their choice. I don't force them."
Fury sighed.
"Sigh... fine."
He silently shook our hands and left. He seemed very disappointed about what happened to S.H.I.E.L.D. I handed the prepared file to Captain America.
"Cap, be careful. There are still many Hydra agents out there."
"I know. Thanks."
"And I've renamed the hero business division to the Avengers. Feel free to join anytime. You too, Sam."
"Okay."
Natasha also wished Captain America and Sam luck.
"Cap, Sam, don't get hurt."
"We won't."
After parting ways with Captain America, Natasha and I returned home. Just then, Deadpool called, saying she was doing prenatal Pilates. I just accepted it. I was past the point of being surprised by Deadpool.
With Hydra purged from S.H.I.E.L.D., I officially renamed the hero business the Avengers, as I had told Captain America. I even ordered a large sign to be made and installed at the Avengers base. But I didn't actively promote it.
After the hero business was settled, we had a party at the base with the members who had gathered after a long time, along with Tony, Rhodes, Thor, Dr. Hansen, Tinkerer, and the newly joined Hawkeye, Sharon Carter and other agents, security guards, and finally Jane and her intern Darcy, who had recently joined.
Jane had pleaded to help protect people, and she was now monitoring for celestial bodies or anomalies that could threaten Earth. Darcy was also helping. But things were still awkward with Thor; they merely greeted each other in passing.
Tony suddenly got up on stage and addressed the partygoers.
"Hey, everyone! Now that we have so many people, how about a 'hazing ritual' for new recruits?"
I thought it sounded fun and agreed.
"Oh~ that sounds fun? What should we do?"
"Hmm... dumping ice water on them... Ah, is that too cliché? Any ideas?"
Everyone buzzed with suggestions. They all seemed serious about tormenting new recruits. Then Natasha raised her hand.
"How about bungee jumping off the Odyssey-class ship?"
"Good one! Other ideas?"
This time, Banner raised his hand.
"When a new recruit enters the main building, we all line up and punch them on the back and head."
"Wow~ wouldn't that kill them?"
Hahahaha~
Everyone laughed. Tony laughed too.
"But if done in moderation, it could be fun. Other ideas?"
The Vulture raised his hand.
"Let's make a box with simple missions written on slips of paper. The new recruit picks one and has to complete it. Like, 'Bring me Tony Stark's panties' or something."
Hahahaha~
Everyone laughed again.
"Oh~ that's good? I think I'll write 'Bring me the Vulture's panties'."
Hahahaha~
Tony, also laughing, retorted wittily. Everyone laughed again. Several more ideas were suggested, but through a vote, the Vulture's hazing ritual was chosen. Hawkeye wiped his chest in relief.
"Phew... good thing I joined early. Tony's panties..."
Beside him, Natasha looked very disappointed.
"Damn! Too bad. I should have suggested a hazing ritual earlier."
The party ended on a warm and lively note.
A few days later, Captain America and Sam visited the Avengers headquarters. They hadn't found any leads on Bucky yet. So they decided to join the Avengers and gather information on Hydra. We welcomed them warmly.
"Welcome, Cap, Sam."
Just then, Tony appeared carrying a black box.
"Time for your hazing! No exceptions, even for Captain America!"
"There's a hazing ritual?"
Captain America and Sam looked flustered.
"Yeah, we decided at the party. It's to test a new recruit's mission performance. They should be easy missions, so don't worry. If you're lucky, that is."
Tony smiled evilly, like a mischievous child up to no good.
"Pick a mission, and you don't have to tell us what it is. We'll check if you completed it at 6 PM. Good luck."
Captain America and Sam each drew a slip of paper and went off to complete their missions. We gathered in the dining room for dinner. Tony stood up and called for Captain America and Sam.
"We have new recruits! Some of you may know them: Captain America and Sam."
Everyone cheered and welcomed them.
Woo~ Clap, clap, clap!
"Welcome, Cap!"
"Welcome, newbie~"
"Welcome, Sam~"
"Everyone, as you know, these two went through their hazing today. Let's see how they did."
Tony took Captain America's mission slip and read it aloud.
"'Bring me Dr. Hansen's bra.' Pffft! Bwahahaha~!"
Tony couldn't stop laughing. Everyone else started laughing too.
"Ah~ whoever wrote this... geez. Anyway, Captain America, do you have the bra?"
"H-here..."
Captain America handed the bra to Tony. Tony held it up and shouted,
"Captain America's mission performance is excellent. You pass!"
"Congratulations, Cap!"
"Impressive, Cap!"
"Okay, next is Sam."
Sam handed his mission slip to Tony.
"'Kiss Sharon on the cheek.' Pffft~"
Tony laughed again.
"Ahem... evidence?"
Tony struggled to contain his laughter. Sam showed his red, swollen cheek.
"Bwahahahaha~! Okay, Sam also passes!"
"Congratulations, Sam~!"
"Let's do well together."
And so, their hazing ended. I heard the details later. Captain America confidently went and asked Dr. Hansen, who was flustered at first but, realizing it was a hazing, handed over her bra. Sam, unsure how to proceed, decided on a surprise kiss but was immediately slapped. He apologized right after.