Manhattan, NY
Avengers Tower
"Kid, didn't your aunt teach you not to pick up strangers?"
Peter frowned. "He was bleeding out, Mr. Stark. I couldn't just let him die."
He paused.
"…He also made me feel weird."
Stark raised an eyebrow. "Weird how?"
Peter deadpanned. "…Not like that."
"Shame. Would've explained a lot."
Peter didn't smile. "I'm serious, Mr. Stark."
Tony's expression shifted slightly.
"My spidey sense didn't just go off. It… screamed. Freaked out. It felt like…" he hesitated, jaw tightening, "…if he hadn't collapsed, I could've died."
Tony turned, giving Peter his full attention. "Explain."
"I'm not sure, he just… appeared. Like a portal. In that moment, my instincts were yelling for me to run." Peter thought through what he was trying to convey before continuing. "I went to the hospital after to meet him when he woke up and he was strange. My spidey sense never alerted me. Instead…" Peter's expression changed to one of discomfort. "Instead, he had these moments. Moments where he'd space out and look through me… like I wasn't even there. During those episodes, my spidey sense would alert me. It wasn't like before, where it screamed at me but instead it kept growing. The longer he stared through me, the worse it got."
Tony didn't look at Peter this time. "Name?"
"Caesar Kateb, he sounded French. Or… something like that."
"Jarvis." Jarvis responded after a brief pause. "Caesar Kateb, age 27. The identity appears valid; however, all associated records were created approximately 72 hours ago." Tony's eyes narrowed. "Financial records indicate a current balance of $491,198,500. The source of the funds is untraceable. Recent activity includes the acquisition of a farm property in Hudson Valley." Silence hung for a moment. Tony exhaled quietly. "So… he shows up out of nowhere with half a billion dollars and paperwork to match."
"Jarvis. Get me eyes on him."
"Locating subject via recent financial activity…" A brief pause. "Bringing it up now, Sir."
The satellite feed was grainy, the massive property coming into view. "Jarvis, get me closer." After a brief moment, Jarvis responded. "There are currently no accessible cameras on the property or surrounding area. Would you like to deploy a drone?" Tony nodded once. "Nearest Stark reconnaissance drone is 7 minutes out."
The feed showed Caesar moving through the field methodically. It was routine. Boring. "He's just… farming?" Peter muttered. Tony didn't answer. On-screen, Caesar slowed. Stopped. Just… stood there. "There," Peter said under his breath. Caesar moved again. Like nothing had happened. Peter pointed at the screen. "Look. He's bleeding." They watched in silence as Caesar kept working, the blood running from his nose like it didn't matter. Only after he finished tending to the cattle did he wipe it away with a rag, then climbed up onto a nearby fence. He pulled out a cigarette. They watched Caesar until he finished his cigarette and headed toward his home, out of sight from the drone.
~~~~~
Hudson Valley
Farm House
The door shut behind him with a dull click. The house was quiet. He moved past the kitchen without stopping, the smell of smoke still clinging to him. He brushed at his nose before glancing at his fingers. "…Tch." 'Again.' He made his way to the bathroom. He quickly cleaned himself before making his way back into the kitchen. He began organizing the ingredients. Eggs, tomato, green onions, along with a few others. The smell of warm spices and seared vegetables filled the kitchen. His hands moving instinctively as he handled the knife effortlessly. Adjusting the heat without hesitation. Caesar stared at the pan when he finished. "When the fuck did I learn to cook this? What even is it?" He performed a quick google search. "…Parrot? Whoever named this thing has some serious issues."
He organized the meal onto a plate before carrying it over to the dining table. The first bite hit harder than expected. Rich. Warm. Actually good. His shoulders loosened slightly. A quiet hum left him before he realized he was doing it. Caesar paused mid-bite. "…The fuck?" The tension in his chest felt lighter somehow. Not gone but quieter. Finished with his meal, Caesar cleaned the kitchen and dining room.
Caesar laid in bed staring at the ceiling. Sleep never came. His fingers tapped idly against the back of his phone as he scrolled. Farming equipment, livestock forums, fence layouts. Nothing held his attention for more than a few seconds. His thumb moved again. He scrolled past a couple more sites before he stalled. MaxCar. He clicked onto the website, scrolling with a focus that stilled his fingers. He scrolled past trucks and sports cars that screamed money. Instead, he began searching in earnest for vehicles that had subtle performance. When he saw the selection his scrolling slowed. A Lancia Delta S4, BMW M3's and Porsche Carrera's. These were vehicles that spoke of handling, performance, and modding without screaming money. Without screaming attention. He continued to scroll for a while and at some point, exhaustion won out.
Caesar awoke and headed to the kitchen. Making himself a simple omelette and a cup of coffee, he checked the listings again and settled on two. Caesar finished eating then got ready for his day. Getting into his car, Caesar got the directions settled and took off.
The drive was a comfortable hour and a half. Parking and exiting his car, he was greeted with the sight of open bays with mechanics actively repairing or modding a variety of cars. He entered the lobby and was greeted by a man in mechanics clothing.
"Welcome to MaxCar Tuners and Classic's. Name's Alex, what could I help you with?"
"My name's Caesar, nice to meet you. I was looking to buy a BMW E36 M3 as well as the Lancia Delta I saw on your website."
"The Delta? I'd have to get the owner. Give me a moment." He walked off without even giving Caesar a chance to respond.
Caesar didn't have to wait long before a grizzled old man wearing the same mechanics outfit walked out. The oil stains on his outfit showing exactly where he'd been. "What's a young'n like you want with the Delta? Most folks asking about that car either grew up worshipping Group B… or got something loose in the head."
Caesar looked at the man carefully. "You don't twin-charge a rally car unless something's already wrong with you."
The old man stared at him for a second before snorting. "Fair enough. Follow me, kid. I'll take you out back to see the Delta, just know it ain't gon' be cheap."
Caesar followed the old man out back as he removed a car cover from the vehicle. Caesar stepped closer, taking in the sharp lines of the vehicle and its untouched authenticity. The vehicle still boasted Group B rally stickers and sponsors.
"Stunned aren't ya? She's a beauty even to this day. Cost wise, she'll run ya eight fifty."
Caesar looked at the old man closely. "I expected as much, what's the price on one of your best E36's?"
"Taking into account it's Euro-Spec… forty-five. Eight ninety-five all together. Talk to Alex, he'll get you sorted. Just do me a favor, kid, don't make the Delta a collection piece. A car like that deserves to run wild every now and again."
Caesar looked at the older gentleman's nostalgic expression before nodding once and following him inside.
~~~~~
Two hours later and Caesar was done with the paperwork, payment, and logistics of shipping his cars. Deciding to drive the M3, he got in and started it. Listening to the steady rumble of the exhaust, he took off from the parking lot.
Caesar took his time on his way home. Enjoying the feel of the vehicle during a corner. The way each gear responded during acceleration and the smoothness of its transition. Caesar focused all his attention on the road and the car beneath him. From steering and braking all the way to shifting. Every movement demanded his attention. And for once, his mind gave it willingly.
Arriving home, Caesar eased the car into the garage. Turning off the engine, he sat there. Hands still resting against the steering wheel, listening to the metallic ticking of the engine cooling from its exertion. It took him a moment to realize it. There was no pressure in his chest. No static or noise. Just… quiet.