A way to a woman's heart is through her stomach...literally(chapter 47)

"What the hell… argh, locked," Kate grunted, attempting to pry open the vines that ensnared her, to no avail. She turned towards her small dragon, still trapped in the net, as Shaw picked it up triumphantly. "These are fast-growing vine pods I found on Kroaka, a place you can't access. But it's not your fault," he gloated, a smug grin on his face as his black yacht approached. "While my yacht arrives, I bid you farewell," he said, tossing the dragon overboard along with Kate herself. Ignoring her struggles as she began to drown, he boarded his own yacht, confident in his escape.

[Scene Change]

On the nearest uninhabited island, where Kate's yacht had sunk, two figures and a small purple dragon emerged from the surf. Kate, still coughing up saltwater, remained silent as she gazed up at the sky. Beside her, Oliver stood, equally quiet. The silence lingered until Kate finally broke it, her voice calm yet inquisitive.

"Alright, as much as I'd like to believe a red-haired angel just happened to rescue me by coincidence, I know that isn't the case. So, tell me, who sent you?" Her tone was more curious than hostile. After all, if Oliver had wanted her dead, he wouldn't have risked swimming with her unconscious body.

"I actually came for you," Oliver answered honestly, the sincerity in his voice evident as they both rose to their feet. They locked eyes, and Kate couldn't help but feel a hint of amusement at his next words.

"And why is that?" she inquired, intrigued.

Oliver chuckled softly, trying to be charming. "Well, my original intention was to seduce you," he admitted, waiting for her reaction. Kate's surprise turned into laughter, genuine and light-hearted. "Wow, okay, you must be a master at this, huh? Is this your first time trying?" she teased, reclining back on the sandy beach.

"Yes, but since I saved your life, there's no need for that now," Oliver replied, a playful smirk dancing on his lips as he glanced around the deserted island.

"Well, handsome stranger, consider me seduced. So, what is it that you want in exchange for saving my life?" Kate asked, rising to her feet and brushing a strand of Oliver's red hair behind his ear. She maintained eye contact, a subtle gesture of familiarity that seemed to come naturally.

"Well, I'll tell you later. But first, aren't you hungry?" Oliver asked, a bit out of character for his initial seduction plan. He scanned the island. "I'm sure we can find something to eat. Or are you not in the mood?" he teased, recalling the old saying that the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach.

"So what are you, a chef?" Kate inquired as she and Oliver ventured further into the island, looking for sustenance.

"Sort of," Oliver replied cryptically, enjoying the banter. Kate seemed to be intrigued by his mysterious persona.

"Mysterious, I see. But as much as I love to keep calling you 'handsome stranger,' I would like to know your name," she purred in a seductive tone, her hazel eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"Oliver, call me Oliver," he responded truthfully, feeling a sense of ease in her company. She already owed him a favor for saving her life, so there was no need to keep up the seduction facade. Yet, he found himself genuinely enjoying her company and the conversation.

"Well, since you came for me, then you must know my name, right?" Kate grinned as they continued their exploration of the island, foraging for food and materials to start a fire.

-scene change-

It was deep into the night, the crackling flames of the fireplace casting dancing shadows across the sandy beach. Oliver sat cross-legged in front of the fire, the warm glow reflecting in his eyes as he watched the flames lick at the logs. Kate, sitting opposite him, also felt the warmth seep into her bones after their harrowing ordeal at sea. They both huddled close to the fire, the only source of light and comfort on the deserted island.

"Is that really your plan for dealing with Shaw?" Oliver's voice cut through the crackling of the fire, his tone casual as he prodded at the fish roasting over the flames. Kate, taking a bite of her fish and swallowing it whole, replied with a thoughtful hum before speaking.

"Hmm... well, enough about me. What is it that you, someone who looks like a fighter, would resort to, you know, seductions?" she asked, her hazel eyes glinting mischievously as she quoted the word 'seductions' with a hint of humor. Oliver chuckled at her playful tone.

"Well, you're right, I am a fighter. The reason I wanted to seduce you is because I need something that only a mutant could get for me," Oliver explained honestly, finding that honesty seemed to work well with Kate . Besides, it was either that or stop talking altogether, which wouldn't help him get what he needed. Kate frowned thoughtfully for a moment, her pupils widening with realization before a smile slowly spread across her face.

"So, you're after Mysterium too?" she asked, her smile growing wider. Oliver simply shrugged in response, not surprised by her deduction. Kate's smile turned mischievous as she leaned closer, standing over him with a playful glint in her eyes.

"Well, handsome, if you want Mysterium, then you're going to have to do more than just rescue me from the depths of the ocean," she said, her voice low and teasing as she emphasized the 'I' in a way that sent a shiver down Oliver's spine. Before he could respond, she smoothly shifted, sitting down on his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck, her lips tantalizingly close to his ear.

"What I need you to do is... well, seduce me," she whispered the last part, her warm breath sending a wave of desire through Oliver as he briefly glanced at his status screen, feeling the heat rising between them.

[Name: Oliver]

[MP: 10.26/10.26 (1 MP lasts for 1 minute, 1 MP can be recovered every minute)]

[Skills:

Option: You can grant one item two options, and depending on either the item's history, production method, use, or significance, it would receive a different option. But it can only receive 2 options, with a 50% chance of failure. Current grade: E, level: 2 (925/2,000) cooldown: 6 hours.]

Option-Remover: You can remove the option from a single item, level: 1 (925/1,000) cooldown: 6 hours.]

[Scene Change]

Laying on the washed-up turf of the island, Oliver and Kate were both covered in sweat, their bodies glistening in the moonlight as if they had just engaged in the most exhilarating of tasks. They lay there, side by side, breathing heavily as they caught their breaths. Kate broke the silence after a few moments.

"You know what?" she began, her voice breathless yet filled with humor, "I take back what I said about your seduction technique." Oliver chuckled softly, a hint of satisfaction in his voice as he replied, "Well, if I'm going to do a mission, I do need to give it my best."

He sat up, stretching his muscles before looking out at the dark expanse of the ocean. The night seemed endless, the waves crashing against the shore in a soothing rhythm. Kate, still lying beside him, turned her head to look at him.

"Anyways, let's get off this island and deal with Shaw," Oliver suggested, ready to move on to their next task. Kate, however, seemed in no hurry to leave their secluded spot.

"Relax, after this, I'm not getting up until sunrise," she replied with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Plus, are you really in that much of a hurry? You're on a stranded island with a beautiful, naked woman by your side. What more could you want?" Her playful tone made Oliver roll his eyes, a small smile playing on his lips.

He got up, scanning the beach for a suitable piece of wood before pulling out a knife from his belt. Kate watched him curiously as he began to carve, the sound of the knife against wood echoing in the stillness of the night.

"You're into carving?" she asked, intrigued by this new discovery about Oliver. He shrugged nonchalantly, his focus on the piece of wood in his hands.

"A skill I picked up," he replied simply, his hands deftly shaping the wood into a makeshift blade. He carved until the first light of dawn began to peek over the horizon, casting a golden hue over the beach. Suddenly, a glimmer caught his eye, a vision of him fighting several armored men that landed on this stranded shore.

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Author's Note: Okay, I might have taken some inspiration from, you know, before and after I wrote this chapter, so do excuse me if it seems a little rushed. Also, this isn't a lasting relationship, so don't expect Kitty Pryde to keep appearing. She's more of a one-night stand, or perhaps a one-island stand. I don't know; the point is, they were kind of stranded on a deserted island, and she had just nearly drowned. Women tend to do random things when they're emotional.

P.S.: If you noticed, Oliver is a lot more expressive with his emotions than usual. That's because of the nature of the mission.

P.S.: When I publish fanfics, I like to have about 10 to 30 chapters in stock, like with my Marvel: Weaver comics. However, with this fanfic, I'm kinda running low, so do excuse me if chapters aren't published every day.