He's the real deal

Fury's pov...

I was seating on a chair. While in front of me was Maria. who had just come back from battfield of Harlem. I everything they talked through the transmitter. I was shocked by Maria's behaviour there. I had never thought that she of all people will stutter while talking to someone.

I observe her for while and then signaled her to start her report.

"he's very sharp and knew that news telecast wasn't a mistake and doesn't seem to care or interested in the shield in any way and..." I cut her off and said...

"i heard that all, now tell me what made you stutter while talking." I asked, looking into her straight into the eyes.

"i was...intimidated by him. his word were like a hammer giving the last hit to a nail. His presence alone was turning the Whole atmosphere heavy. Making it hard to approach him. it was hard to even make eye contact with him and his voice... it was like..."

I waited for her to complete the sentence.

"DOMINANCE."

"Pure dominance. that doesn't leaves any possibility of objection."

I frowned at her last words. if this was said by someone else I would have scoffed off immediately. But it was Maria. one of the best agents of shield. Looks like I had to meet him personally to confirm the report.

-------------

Hawkeye's pov...

I returned to HQ after completing my mission of the safeguarding maria from far. while she talks with that black lotus guy.

If I recall the event, I heard her stutter which made me pay more attention to lotus. But suddenly for a second I felt like he was looking straight back at me. As if he knew where exactly I was. Watching my every movement.

I was even about to launch an arrow by instinct but controlled myself in the end. before I can ask maria anything about it. I saw a gust of dust raised in air just to settle down in few seconds later. I saw maria standing there alone. I immediately try to find the other one but didn't even find trash of him anywhere.

After maria finished her report to fury. I went into the office and asked fury about lotus. he said, he also don't know much about him and saw me video of Maria's report. He also talked about the possibility of a mental attack on maria.

To which i replied "i don't think it was a mental attack. it was more likely as what she said. Even I felt his gaze on me for a second before he vanished and i was about to shot an arrow with an instinctual response before calming down. he's the real deal fury."

There was new determination on fury's face as i said those words. But I doubt a guy like that would ever work for anyone else. maybe just a corporation can be possible. well, it's good if someone like him can help sometimes.

I didn't doubt his intentions since I had read his file. at least he wasn't a threat.

______________________

Ethan's pov.....

I reached back to New York and forget about completing the deal for which i had come to newyork in the first place. I spent entire of my day at the hotel after I told the hotel manager to not disturb me for a few days. I wasn't in good condition, I treated my outer wounds but internal damage was more than severe than i had thought.

I had to spend nearly 2 days in hibernation (a technique to stop even the slightest aura from living my body. it conceals my presence and also helps to regain my aura to heal faster) only then did my condition came under control.

After that day I left for queens and reached home. Only then did I gave myself a proper treatment.

I recall the conversation with maria. I think I overdid it a little. but I wasn't able to control my remaining aura properly in dizziness of the moment. I also used aura in my eyes to not let her make eye contact. can't risk her noticing familiarities. Well, it's a good thing if they find it hard to approach me.

For now, all I had to do was focus on my recovery.

It's been four days since the harlem terror incident. I was in my room meditating. I was quite recovered but still far from the best condition. I wasn't able to control the aura properly as the backlash of abusive use again.

I heard the doorbell so I walked to the door and when I opened it I saw a brown purse coming toward my face. I caught obviously And it was a mistake. It would be a longer lecture due to that.

"you...!!" I heard a feminine voice as i saw Gwen glaring at me.

"When the hell did you come back...can't you call to let me know you are back?" Before I can say anything she continued while doing her ideal nose rubs.

"you promised to help me with my final project when you will come back. Don't you dare tell me you forget."

I indeed forgot about it. Seeing me silent, she also realized that and walked into leaving while stomping her foot on the floor.

She seat on the sofa without saying anything and just kept glaring at me. waiting for me to explain myself.

Her stare was getting intense with time. In the end I said "what else can I do to make it up to you ??"

she tried not to smile but I knew that, this was what she wanted from the start. After pretending to think for while she whispered something in my ear.

I stared at her like all of it was ridiculous.