Quoted By:
<span class="mu-r">“It’s a tale as old as romcoms, post-2000.”</span> you said. <span class="mu-r">“Business-minded girl meets a goofy, but lovable bad boy…aaand, she blackmails him into becoming her deniable asset to resolve international affairs.”</span>
Richard raises an eyebrow at that. <span class="mu-b">“I don’t think I know that one. Are you sure that’s not from an episode of ‘Who’s the Boss?’”</span>
You sighed and leaned forward in your chair. <span class="mu-r">“She wanted me to steal something for her, and your stunt double just so happened to be in the neighborhood at the time.”</span>
Your brother seemed to relax a bit at hearing that.
<span class="mu-b">“The Director of S.H.I.E.L.D asked you to steal something for her.”</span> he said, more as a statement than a question. <span class="mu-b">“Now, I’m not too caught up on your ‘less-than-legal’ exploits, but I wasn’t aware that you were operating on an international level yet.”</span>
You shrugged. <span class="mu-r">“I guess we’ve both been keeping secrets. Which…brings me to my next topic of conversation.”</span>
Over the next few minutes, you explained a very brief and generalized version of the story that you told Vic. You left out more than a few details, and your brother was, of course, clever enough to pick up on that. That, however, didn’t mean that you were going to spill the beans just yet. If we wanted to know more, he’d have to dig up the information himself.
<span class="mu-b">“How the hell did you become a metahuman?”</span> he asked, clearly struggling to wrap his head around this.
<span class="mu-r">“Would you believe me if I told you that I got bitten by a radioactive spider?”</span> you asked, that very same shit-eating grin on your face when you asked your sister.
Richard frowned. <span class="mu-b">“What does that have to do with-”</span> he said, before trailing off and staring at you intently. You could practically see the gears turning in his mind at this point.
Neither of you said anything for a while, and right when your brother was about to open his mouth again, Vic and Pete reentered the room, looking between both of you expectantly.
The conversation switched gears rather quickly after that, and you went back to your usual light banter. Eventually, though, you had to leave. Your meeting with Hill would be happening soon.
You were a little annoyed at being cut off by your sister, but you could always come back to visit him again later. Or maybe you can buy him a new phone to replace his old one. It’d make having private conversations a lot easier.
Either way, you would definitely be revisiting whatever THAT was about. Your brother knew more than he was letting on, and it might have something to do with this crazy accident that ended up changing your entire life. He just needs some time to think about your proposal.
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(Cont.)
