Marvel: Father of Superheroes

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Throughout breakfast, Clark seemed unusually distracted, as if something had deeply unsettled him. 

In contrast, Erik and Charles were full of curiosity, bombarding Raven with countless questions about mutants. 

Raven was the first mutant they had ever met up close, and in their eyes, she was nothing short of a mutant hero. 

Though Raven didn't know about the boys' own mutant identities, their obvious admiration for her filled her heart with joy. 

As a result, the morning passed in a cheerful and harmonious atmosphere. 

"Auntie, I remember seeing you on TV. You didn't look like this—you were blue!" 

"Yeah, yeah! Is that your special ability?" 

Faced with their eager, curious gazes, Raven hesitated and avoided eye contact. 

Her ability? 

Would they be afraid if they saw it? Just like those other people… 

"Charles! Erik! Don't be rude," Mike reprimanded with a frown. 

"Oh…" 

The boys looked a little disappointed but continued to watch Raven with hopeful eyes. 

After a moment of hesitation, Raven finally said, "Maybe next time." 

At that moment, Charles gave her a quick wink and said, "Auntie Raven, we're not scared!" 

Erik nodded enthusiastically in agreement. 

Raven stared at Charles in surprise, marveling at the boy's perceptiveness. After a brief pause, she said to the two of them, "I hope you won't be frightened." 

"We won't!" 

Charles and Erik shook their heads firmly. 

In the next second, Raven's appearance changed—her skin turned blue. She glanced cautiously at the two boys to gauge their reactions. 

Seeing their eyes filled with amazement rather than fear, Raven finally exhaled in relief, her unease melting away. Encouraged by their excitement, she began to morph into various shapes and forms, ending by transforming into Mike's likeness. 

The two boys were utterly stunned. 

They looked at Mike, then back at Raven, who now appeared identical to him, and gasped in astonishment. Even Clark, who had been quiet the whole time, couldn't help but widen his eyes in disbelief. 

Seeing their awestruck faces, Raven felt a rare sense of pride and joy in her ability for the first time. 

Returning to her original form, she smiled at the boys' enthusiasm, kissed each of them affectionately on the cheek, and turned to Mike. "I should be going now." 

Mike nodded and, noticing the reluctance on Erik and Charles' faces, reassured them, "You'll see her again." 

Raven smiled warmly at the boys before giving Clark, who hadn't said a word, a gentle hug. She ruffled his smooth yet greasy black hair and teased, "Next time, don't use so much hair gel—it's way too oily!" 

As she spoke, she wiped her hands on Mike's shirt. 

"Hey!" Mike protested, clearly annoyed. 

Raven burst into laughter and walked toward the door. 

Mike and the three boys followed her outside to see her off. 

As Raven's figure receded into the distance, Mike suddenly called out, "Raven!" 

"What is it?" 

Raven turned back, her eyes brimming with anticipation. 

Mike walked toward her, his steps deliberate. Raven's heart began to flutter, her anticipation growing with each step. Embarrassed to feel this way in front of the boys, her cheeks flushed slightly. 

Leaning in close, Mike whispered into her ear, "Don't forget to remind your White Queen to send me the money. Or better yet, get it from her and transfer it to me yourself—it'll avoid raising any suspicion." 

Raven froze, completely stunned. 

"That's what you wanted to tell me?" she asked incredulously. 

Mike thought for a moment and added, "You know my account details, right?" 

"Idiot! Go to hell!" Raven snapped, turning sharply on her heel and storming off without a second glance. 

"Oh, and if you're tired, feel free to come… sit for a while," Mike called out teasingly. 

Hearing this, the corners of Raven's lips curled up slightly. With a flash of transformation, she took on a new appearance and disappeared quickly into the distance. 

Mike turned back to see the three boys staring at him in stunned silence. 

"Why are you all staring at me like that?" 

The three boys let out a heavy sigh, turned around, and walked back into the house. 

Mike stood there, momentarily stunned, and then yelled after them, "All of you, wash your hair!" 

--- 

One Year Later. 

To celebrate Clark's graduation from elementary school—and to fulfill the birthday wish he made—the family decided to take a long vacation during the summer break. 

It had been several years since their last long trip. 

Whenever Mike thought about that trip, memories of Jason came flooding back. 

If he hadn't decided to drive, the car wouldn't have broken down halfway. If the car hadn't broken down, he wouldn't have met Coulson. If he hadn't met Coulson, he wouldn't have been dragged into camping at Crystal Lake. And if he hadn't camped there, he wouldn't have encountered Jason… or what came later with Mephisto. 

Luckily, the Ancient One had stepped in back then. Otherwise... 

In the end, Mike blamed it all on that damned Coulson. 

Cursing him silently, Mike resolved that this time the family would travel by plane. 

Their destination: San Francisco. 

Aside from sightseeing, Mike also planned to pick up some hotpot ingredients and local specialties to visit an old friend. 

The last time they talked on the phone, Hank Pym had stubbornly insisted he wasn't craving hotpot. Mike decided to fulfill his "unspoken" wish. 

"Boys! Get your luggage ready! It's time to leave!" 

Standing at the door with his suitcase, Mike called into the house. 

"Coming! Coming!" 

The three boys replied as they came running out, each carrying a small suitcase of their own. 

"Did you pack everything you need?" Mike scanned them critically. 

"Dad, you're so naggy!" Erik grumbled with a pout. 

Mike flicked Erik's forehead lightly. 

"Ow!" 

Charles couldn't help but laugh. "Hehe!" 

"Let's go!" 

Mike put on his sunglasses, and the boys mimicked him by donning their own shades. Together, the family of four grabbed their luggage and headed out to the waiting taxi, which took them to the airport. 

On the plane, Charles and Erik were bursting with excitement. 

The three boys had seats in one row, while Mike sat across the aisle in the seat nearest to them. 

Watching Charles and Erik eagerly pressed against the airplane window, staring at the view below, Mike asked, "What's got you so excited?" 

"Dad, it's their first time flying," Clark replied as he adjusted the hat on his head. Acting like a seasoned traveler, he reclined his seat and glanced at the two boys. Turning back to Mike, he gave a knowing wink. "They'll get bored soon enough—just like I did my first time." 

Mike rubbed his chin, raising an eyebrow. "Funny. I seem to recall you being even more excited than they are." 

Clark's face flushed red. "I was three years old then! They're already ten—totally different!" 

"Oh, really?" Mike teased with a smirk. 

Clark grinned sheepishly and quickly turned his head away. 

As time passed, more passengers boarded the plane, filling the cabin. 

Suddenly, a warm, gentle voice interrupted Mike's thoughts. "Excuse me, sir. Could you let me through? My seat is inside." 

Mike nodded, starting to stand up, but then paused, his brow furrowing slightly. 

That voice… it sounds like someone who's nice… 

The thought nagged at him—it reminded him of something similar he'd thought before. 

And then it hit him. 

A sudden realization made Mike's mouth twitch. 

No way… it can't be… 

"Sir?" 

The voice sounded puzzled, prompting Mike to turn his head. Standing there was a man who looked exactly like someone who would be described as a "good guy," with a slightly receding hairline. He was smiling politely. 

"Coulson?" 

"Mike?" 

(End of Chapter)