Chapter 19 - A way to get stronger?

Hello, dear readers! Here's Chapter 19! They're finally moving out. Will it go smoothly, though?

I've changed the name of my original novel, and rewrote the synopsis of both of my novels, since I noticed that it didn't really help people know what it's about.

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Enjoy the read! :)

If you wish to read a similar type of novel, I'm writing an original novel in my own created universe: The Knight's Multiverse. The name of the novel is '[The Knight's Multiverse] - A Knight's Journey: A Cultivator's Journey in a Superhuman's Modern World'.

Synopsis:

After Damian Knight sacrificed himself to save a woman and his daughter, he gets reincarnated in a parallel Earth with three Perks by an unknown Entity. Using those Perks to help himself and his loved ones grow stronger, he will have to deal with many threats on his journey, whether the 'Superheroes' in the light or the Underworld in the dark. Fortunately, a few key people will help him on his journey, helping him embark on his cultivation's path in this Universe.

'Choices have consequences.'

[If you want to find all my novels, click on my name (Calm Wanderer) and then Original works.]

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Queens, NYC, USA.

Ben's P.O.V.

After a night of deep bonding, the two fell into a deep sleep, both of them smiling with satisfaction. The two did not however possess the same level of stamina, as Ben only slumbered for around four hours before feeling completely refreshed, while the alluring woman lying naked on his body was still softly snoring away.

Admiring the amazing view in front of him made his lower half stiffen a bit, however, he knew to control his urges, and thus, besides some light caresses on her springy buttocks and smooth back, he behaved himself. Instead, he simply spent the next two hours thinking about random things while lightly training his perception.

As time passed by, the silver-eyed man felt the voluptuous woman laying on his chest stirring awake, with their eyes meeting each other as soon as she lifted her head. "Mmmhh, good morning handsome..." She moaned in a sleepy voice, a content smile on her lovely face. "Good morning beautiful..." He replied with a smile before giving her a brief kiss. 

"Why don't we get into the shower before eating something, Love?" Nodding her head lazily, she retorted. "Okay, but you carry me. I don't feel like walking." Chuckling at her antics, Ben exclaimed. "I see you're turning into a lazy cat. What have you done with my energetic wife?" 

With a small grin, she started stroking his chest nonchalantly. "She took some time off after someone kept her awake for hours without stopping. Plus, being a cat is the best." Cocking his eyebrow, her husband countered. "Remind me again who kept begging me to go hard..." His words were quickly cut off by two dainty hands covering his grinning mouth, while their owner was blushing brightly.

"Not a word, Benjamin Parker... Or I'll! I'll! I'll be mad at you..." Despite both of them knowing that her threat was fake, Ben decided to stop teasing her, despite very much enjoying the adorable look she was currently sporting.

Moving her lethargic body to his side on the bed, he stood up to take some underwear for both of them and one of his football shirts for her to wear afterward before he lifted her in a princess carry and moved toward the bathroom. After around half an hour of a not-so-straightforward shower, the two got back to their bedroom and started dressing themselves.

"You know, I can't believe how strong I became just by... Well, by having fun with you. I look like an Olympic athlete and I never even worked out." Shaking his head

at her words he replied in a playful tone. "Some people would kill for getting that ability." She nodded her head seriously as she put on a casual shirt. "I know and I'm not complaining. I'm just surprised..." 

Pausing for a second, she muttered. "Because of all that muscles, my clothes are too tight..." His lips twitching from the laughter he held inside, Ben gazed at her captivating curves, the latter having gained some... width, since two days ago. 'Right! It's definitely because of the muscles.'

After that interlude, the two finished clothing themselves and went downstairs to eat some breakfast, before watching some random detective shows together. As the morning passed by, Peter, with his usual messy brown hair came down to join them on the sofa, prompting Ben to go whip up something for the kid to eat.

Around 11 a.m., Madeline, Mary-Jane, and Gayle arrived at their house with their hands full of luggage and other belongings. Similar to May, the girls packed A LOT of stuff, which meant that they needed help to move everything to the Parkers. Thanks to Ben's super strength, May's new athletic body, and Peter, who did his best to help, it did not take much time to transfer everything to their place.

Finally done with everything, the group decided to eat lunch, before the adults went to the living room to chat, while the children went upstairs to play. Around 2 p.m., the trio heard the front doorbell ring. At the sound, the feelings of excitement and nervousness simultaneously flared up within his heart but were quickly brought under his control. 

Unfortunately, the two women did not have his self-control, the latter honed through many high-risk situations, as they almost dashed toward the door, only slowing down as they were about to reach it. Looking at them, dumbfounded, Ben was about to make a quip before the words died off at the threatening look they gave him.

Coughing to hide his awkwardness, the silver-eyed man stood up calmly and started walking toward the entrance. While he was on the way, the two women pulled the door wide open, unveiling the two familiar 'unknown' red-haired woman and blond-haired man.

As Ben finally reached them, he heard the voice of Natalia's nano-mask asking a question in a teasing tone. "You guys ready for the big move?" Nodding their heads practically in sync, May replied as she pointed toward the mountain of belongings in the middle of the room. "We've got everything packed and prepared right there." 

Turning their eyes toward that direction, Clint could not help but exclaim. "Damn, that's a lot of stuff. You're aware that you're not gonna live in a bunker in the middle of Siberia, right? There will be malls close by. The safe house is also fully furnished." Patting Barton's shoulder, Ben replied in a deadpan voice. "Don't waste your time, man. I've tried already and they wouldn't budge."

As a look of understanding passed between to two men, Nat rolled her eyes. "Men, I swear... Anyway girls, why don't we start filling up the moving van outside with all your stuff?" She asked the two other women, who both assented to her proposition.

Not wasting time, the group started moving the 'goods' from the house to the van, with the heaviest things carried by Ben and Nat, and the rest by Clint, May, and Madeline. At one point, while the silver-eyed man was holding a heavy box full of random stuff, he heard the youngest redhead ask a question to May in a surprised tone.

"Woaw, May! You're quite strong. Do you go to a gym?" To which the raven-haired woman replied. "Not really. Ben's the one training me. He's very thorough, but the downside is that I'm all spent after our training session." Ben felt both embarrassed and proud at the statement, knowing that she was doing it on purpose to fluster him.

'Thank God no one can guess what she's talking about.' He thought while putting down the package in the truck, his assumption proven correct with the redhead's next words.

"Well, I heard that he was a very good captain and trainer for his men when he was in the special forces, so I'm not that surprised. Although, he's probably going softer on you. Don't get me wrong but I don't think he expects you to have to deal with people shooting at you." May's next words, however, made him ponder a few things.

"I don't know about what he expects... But I don't want to feel powerless like a week ago when the only thing I could help him with was running away while he was alone out there risking his life to save the kids... I... I want to be by his side, even if it's dangerous... Scratch that! Especially if it's dangerous..." In a softer tone, Natalia responded.

"I understand the feeling. Actually, there might be a way for you to improve your strength to his level. You'll probably need to practice a lot, but it's doable if you're talented enough. That's how I crossed the threshold from normal human to superhuman." "Really? What is it?" May asked in a surprised tone.

Since Ben learned of his physiology perk, he started to think of what would be the most efficient way to train his strength. His first choice would be weight training since it was the most available choice around. However, both his logic and intuition warned him that it was the wrong choice to make.

After all, although he had not checked it thoroughly, he knew from the doctor's tests on his muscle density that he should be able to lift around two tons of weight. So, he could find cars or even trucks to lift for now. But what about afterward? Once he would be able to lift fifty tons? A hundred? More?

No! There had to be a better way, and he had been wracking his brain since he woke up from that coma. He needed at least a clue that could lead him to a way. Unfortunately, nothing came to mind. Until now. 'Does Nat... No, SHIELD have a way? I have to know!' He thought while his mind was completely focused on her following words.

"I won't go into details here, but once we arrive at the safe house, you'll get a full set of training methods. With those, you don't have to worry too much about being able to help Ben." Hearing a sigh from his wife, probably from relief, she said in a softer tone. 

"Thanks a lot, Nat." "You're welcome, May. Ben's a dear friend of mine, and if I can help him by helping you, then it's worth it." "A dear friend, uh?" May asked in a doubtful tone. "A dear friend, yes." The other woman replied in a somewhat stiff tone. After that last sentence, the two stopped talking and went back to work.

Feeling a bit conflicted about... everything, Ben decided to act like nothing happened and joined the others in moving everything. After a while, everything was packed up in the truck ready to be moved to their temporary new place. "Now that I think about it, the two cars and one bike you asked for are stored in the temporary safe house. From what I heard, some people in SHIELD even had to pull an all-nighter to get those babies ready for you today."

Clint said while cocking his eyebrow. Feeling surprised at the news, Ben replied. "I didn't ask for everything to be ready today. I didn't mind waiting for a few days. By the way, it wasn't you, was it?" Chuckling at the question, the blond man answered with a voice full of schadenfreude. "Of course not! I'm not that selfless. But I'm sure those people must be pissed at you."

Shaking his head at the childish antics of his friend, the silver-eyed man decided to ignore him and asked Nat who was chatting on the side with the two other women. "Nat? Should we leave now?" Turning her head toward him, she nodded and added. "If everyone's ready, then we can go. I'll call the two bulletproof vans." At those words, she picked up her smartphone and sent a quick message before putting it away. 

Curiosity painted on her face, May asked. "You've got two bulletproof vans for us?" "Of course. The moving truck is too small for the six of you and the two of us. Also, I'd rather not take any risk. Who knows if a lunatic might start shooting at us just for the fun of it?"

Shaking her head in disbelief, the raven-haired woman replied. "I know New York hasn't been as safe as it used to be lately, but that seems a bit exaggerated, don't you think?" With a knowing grin, Natalia retorted. "Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. In any case, we'll be prepared if that happens. As Ben always says: 'Hope for the best and prepare for the worst!'" 

Ben nodded his head and said. "Right. It's always good to be prepared." Noticing the curious gaze of his wife, he added. "I tend to overprepare for every mission. That saved my men's lives and mine many times... Not every time though..." The last sentence being only a whisper full of bitterness.

Shaking his head to remove the gloomy thoughts, he declared. "I've got to get something upstairs, so I'll call the kids while I'm at it." With the two most mature women's assent, he climbed the staircase quickly, calling the children who were watching some YouTube videos on Peter's computer. "Kids! We're leaving. If you've got anything else here, take it and go downstairs."

Not waiting for their response, Ben went to his bedroom and swiftly went to his bedside table. Opening the drawer, he grabbed his modified gun, inspected it briefly, and put it in the holster on his side. Sighing in relief, the muscular man muttered with a small grin. "Much better! Despite my new strength, I really feel naked without a gun."

Having done what he came here to do, Ben left the room, noticing that the three brats had already gone downstairs while he was taking his pistol. He thus did not waste time there and walked to the others on the first floor. Once he arrived, he noticed everyone in front of the house waiting for him. Directing a smile at them, the silver-eyed man crossed the entrance swiftly.

Turning toward the facade, he took the keys that were sitting in his pocket and locked the door. Gazing briefly at the house he spent so many years of his life in, he could not help but be slightly emotional at that moment.

Nonetheless, he understood that the past was the past. 'Now unto the future...' He thought while a childish grin full of wonder shortly appeared on his face before it quickly turned into his usual small but confident smile. Turning toward the others waiting for him, Ben exclaimed. "It's time to go."