The World Security Council was uneasy about the raw power displayed by Ethan, yet they still placed their trust in Nick Fury.
If Fury assured them that Ethan was now under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction and fully contained, it was as if a warehouse of stray nuclear warheads had been secured. The Council could rest easy—at least for now.
"This isn't just about keeping Ethan in check," Fury stated firmly. "It's about protecting everyone else, too."
Professor X, seated across from him, interlocked his fingers in thought. "And what's your long-term plan? You can't keep him in S.H.I.E.L.D. indefinitely. He's a person, not a weapon."
Fury smirked, sliding a dossier across the table. "I'm ahead of you on that. Take a look."
Professor X took the file, his curiosity piqued. Embossed on the cover in bold, unmistakable letters were the words: 'Anti-Hulk Defense Initiative.' With a flick of his fingers, the pages turned before him, his mind absorbing the contents in seconds.
"Professor, the Abomination is gone," Fury began. "But the Hulk—who is even more dangerous—still roams free. I know you're familiar with him. A being that conventional weapons can't destroy."
Professor X didn't look up. "Dr. Banner is a good man."
"No argument there," Fury admitted. "But Banner has no control over the Hulk. We don't provoke him, but that doesn't mean others won't. And if he goes on another rampage, S.H.I.E.L.D. needs a contingency plan. That's where Ethan comes in."
Professor X finally closed the file. "You want him to be the core of your emergency response team."
"Exactly," Fury confirmed, his single eye gleaming. "The Hulk is a walking catastrophe, but against Ethan? You saw it yourself—he's the perfect countermeasure."
Professor X exhaled, his gaze steady. "So you believe this is the best course of action."
"It's a win-win," Fury pressed. "We neutralize a threat before it escalates, and the Council sees a powerful mutant actively safeguarding the world instead of being a loose cannon. It'll put their minds at ease."
Fury leaned forward. "What do you think?"
Professor X didn't answer immediately. His expression darkened slightly. "Before I give you an answer, I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"You're an ordinary human," Professor X said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "Aren't you afraid of what Ethan's capable of?" His mental powers discreetly probed Fury's psyche—there was no deceiving him.
Fury chuckled, shaking his head. "Professor, I've been Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for years. I may not be as old as you, but I've seen my fair share of humanity—both its worst and its best.
I've met humans more monstrous than any mutant, and mutants kinder than most humans. Power itself isn't good or bad. It's about how it's used." He tapped the file on the table. "A nuclear bomb can destroy a city, or it can keep the peace. That's my belief."
Professor X studied him for a moment, then gave a small nod. "I see."
He had to admit, Fury had crafted a solid strategy. The World Security Council would approve. But then something clicked in his mind, and his expression changed.
"Wait a moment." His eyes narrowed. "You want Ethan to stay in S.H.I.E.L.D."
Fury remained silent, but his lips twitched ever so slightly in amusement.
Professor X suddenly realized—damn it, this man was trying to poach Ethan from him!
"I don't approve," he stated bluntly.
Fury sighed internally. This was the problem with geniuses—they caught on too fast. Professor X wasn't going to make this easy.
Keeping his face neutral, Fury feigned ignorance. "Why not?"
Professor X almost choked on his response.
'Why not?!'
He wanted to say,
'Because I found him first! Because he belongs with the X-Men!'
But, of course, he wasn't some petulant child. He had to compose himself.
Instead, he leaned back, arms crossed. "Ethan is a mutant. We don't come across Omega-level mutants often—especially ones with his level of control. I have hopes for him, Fury. He could be vital to our cause, to the future of mutantkind."
Fury maintained his poker face, but internally, he grinned. ';So that's your bottom line, huh?'
"I get where you're coming from, Professor," Fury admitted. "But I've made it clear—S.H.I.E.L.D. isn't going to give up on Ethan."
Professor X's expression grew colder. Fury felt an immediate shift in the air—a silent but overwhelming pressure. The director tensed. This was a man who could rewrite minds with a thought.
For all of Fury's confidence, he knew he was toeing the line with one of the world's most powerful telepaths. Push too hard, and this conversation could end very badly for him.
He swallowed discreetly and shifted tactics. "Alright, Professor," he said smoothly. "I have a proposition—a real win-win solution that benefits both of us. Interested?"
Professor X's serious expression melted into an amused smirk. The crushing pressure around Fury disappeared in an instant, as if it had never existed.
"Let's hear it," he said.
Fury exhaled, forcing himself to relax. 'Motherfuckin' telepaths.
...
"Captain of the Anti-Hulk Emergency Squad? That's a weird name." In the S.H.I.E.L.D. office, a young man sat across from Director Fury's desk, absentmindedly spinning in the swivel chair while flipping through a file.
"Correction—Captain of the Anti-Hulk Emergency Response Team," Fury clarified, watching the young man closely.
"Right, right. If you don't like it, I could always call it the Humanoid Anti-Hulk Weapon," the young man smirked.
"Enough with the jokes. This has everything to do with you." Fury leaned forward slightly, his one good eye locked onto the young man.
"This position didn't exist on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s roster until ten hours ago. I'm sure someone as sharp as you has already figured out—it was made just for you."
"A position? You mean a job? Sorry, I'm still in school. No time for work," Ethan waved the file away dismissively.
"Not a problem. I've already discussed this with Professor X. It's been approved. You'll continue attending school as usual. If a mission comes up, I'll inform Professor X, and he'll excuse you."
"What the—wait, you talked to Professor X?" Ethan's expression shifted. That was unexpected.
He knew Professor X valued him greatly and would never let S.H.I.E.L.D. take him without a fight. In his mind, there were only two possible scenarios: either Professor X had enough influence to pull him out of Fury's grasp, or Fury had the power to resist any pressure from Xavier and S.H.I.E.L.D. would double down on keeping him under surveillance.
But here they were—Fury wasn't pushing him away, nor was he restricting him further. Instead, he was offering a job. That meant a deal had been struck, one that even Charles Xavier had agreed to. But how? Professor X never compromised on mutant interests, and Fury wasn't exactly known for giving things away without getting something in return.
Ethan eyed Fury's bald head suspiciously. Had the two of them engaged in some kind of secret agreement? Maybe some deep, hidden Marvel-level conspiracy? Blood alliance? Illuminati nonsense?
"Sorry, I'm a little tired. I'm heading out. Not interested in this whole thing." Ethan stood up. Whatever deal had been made between Fury and Xavier didn't concern him.
"Don't be so hasty," Fury's voice came, smooth and controlled. "You won't be doing this for free. There's a paycheck."
Ethan paused mid-step.
Fury smirked. "S.H.I.E.L.D. pays well. Salary, public trips, benefits—six insurances and a housing fund."
"Wait… six insurances? What's the extra one?" Ethan turned around, skeptical.
"Ah, that would be S.H.I.E.L.D.'s unique coverage—funeral insurance," Fury replied casually.
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Funeral insurance?"
"Agents risk their lives for S.H.I.E.L.D. If they die in action, we cover all funeral expenses.
If their death is deemed 'heroic enough,' we even upgrade their rank posthumously and give them a premium funeral."
Ethan scoffed. "Wow. No wonder S.H.I.E.L.D. has such a high turnover rate."
"Let's move on to salary," Fury said, changing the subject. "How much were you expecting?"
Ethan casually waved his hand, flashing five fingers. "Without this, I'm not even considering it."
Fury frowned slightly but then nodded. "Fifty thousand a month? Fair enough. Consider it done."
"Wait, what?" Ethan's jaw dropped. He stared at his own hand, relieved he hadn't just blurted out 'five thousand' instead. "Uh… just to be clear, I meant dollars."
Fury gave him a flat stare. "This is New York. What else would we pay you in? Yen?"
"Heh… good point." Ethan scratched the back of his head, laughing awkwardly.
As he processed the offer, his view of Fury shifted slightly. Coulson always described him as a miser, yet here he was, throwing fifty grand at him without hesitation.
Could Coulson have been wrong? Maybe Fury wasn't stingy—maybe he was secretly loaded!
"So… uh, about overtime pay…?" Ethan asked cautiously.
Fury's face twisted into a smirk. "According to General Ross' intel, Hulk's been active only twice in the last year, both times because the military provoked him.
That means you'd be on duty for two days a year. You're already getting paid for a full year, and now you want overtime for those two days?"
"Okay, okay, just asking!" Ethan raised his hands in surrender. So much for Fury being generous.
"Forget overtime," Ethan said. "But can I get two months' salary in advance?"
Fury narrowed his eye. "Why?"
"That's my business. Just think of it as me feeling better when the money's in my hands," Ethan replied.
Fury exhaled, waving him off. "Fine. Take it. Not like you'll run off with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s money."
"Much appreciated!" Ethan grinned. "So, can I head back to school now?"
"Not yet. There's one more thing." Fury folded his hands. "I arranged with Professor X—you're no longer a boarding student at Xavier's Institute. You'll be living off-campus."
Ethan's eyes widened. "What? What kind of backdoor deals have you two been making?!"
"Relax. S.H.I.E.L.D. purchased a house for you. The property is in your name. Consider it your reward for saving New York."
Ethan paused, intrigued. "A house, huh? Hope it's at least better than the dorms, or I'm protesting."
"You'll be satisfied," Fury assured him, pulling out a photograph and sliding it across the desk.
Ethan picked it up, and the moment his eyes landed on the image, his grip on the paper tightened. His usual lighthearted demeanor faded, replaced by something else—nostalgia, sadness, confusion.
Staring at the photo, emotions stirred in his chest. "Why did it have to be this house?"
___________________________
Word count: 1818