Aftermath

"Goodness... what a mess!"

Walt nodded at Senko as they straightened up. "Yeah... that's why we usually wait until it's later but Ana jumped the gun a bit. Also why other areas are out of bounds. Wouldn't do to wreck the entire place." He picked up Tony and threw him over his shoulder.

Senko looked down the hill. "Wouldn't they be "out of bounds"?"

Walt nodded watching Hulk, Ilulu and Thor going at it with a few others. "Yeah but they can't get into too much trouble over there. I more meant the food tables, bar and structures like the house and barn. Besides they're having fun." He could see Ilulu's grin even from here.

Senko shook her head. "Unruly children... let me guess. You'll take on the winner?"

Walt chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "In the past but it's been a long day. I actually kinda wanted to skip the brawls and tournaments this time but... well... as long as they're all happy it's fine. I got nothing to prove. I'll happily bow out if I can."

Senko smiled as she grabbed a Bulma and they carried the two of them to the first aid. "That's rather mature of you... suns going down."

Walt nodded and heard a howl. "Human!" He sighed. "Yeah, yeah... okay." He turned to Demona. "Give me a moment alright?" He set Tony down next to Rhodey and Mission started slapping his face lightly. Senko kissed his check. "You know she wants to have fun too, right?"

Walt nodded. "Yeah... I know. That's why I had Friday re-enable her powers temporarily. Figured she'd make her move sooner though." He kissed the top of her head and walked over to stand infront of Demona and said, "drop the disguise. You timed it wrong. Sun's not all the way down yet and she's still down the hill."

Demona shrugged and morphed into Mystique. "She was clearly waiting for sunset. I wasn't sure how quickly she'd be up here "

Walt nodded. "Yeah... I still hadn't gotten to you two on my dance card yet... still I'm tired. I don't really feel like it so how about I just forfeit?"

Mystique spits. "You made it so I can only fight you and now you want out when I have a good opportunity?"

Walt sighed and nodded. "Good point. You're my responsibility and saying "I'm tired" is a pretty weak excuse. Ok, let's do this."

She squared off with him and came at him with a kick which he blocked. She went for a leg sweep which he evaded and when she came up with a punch he caught her hand. He twirled her to the right but didn't let go.

"What do you think you are doing?" She asked.

Walt shrugged. "Dancing."

"Fight me!" Mystique spat.

Walt pulled her into his arms. "I don't want to. I'd rather dance."

Mystique went to knee him in the crotch but her movement was halted by the system. He grabbed her leg lifting it to his waist, noting what a nice leg it was, and Friday started playing them a tango.

"Even now you won't give me the satisfaction?" She hissed. "Damn you! I hate you!"

Walt smiled. "Do you? Well to be honest I can live with that if that's how you need things to be and that's understandable." He danced her about. "But the feeling isn't mutual. I have become rather fond of you."

"You're so full of shit!" She said. "You hate me... I know you do! You must!"

Walt brushed her hair from her face and kissed her cheek very softly. "I don't... and on some level you know that. You're occasionally irritating but mostly I pity you, which is worse and that's why you hate me more than anything else. I pitied you before and I pity you even more now."

"I don't want your pity! I hate you! You disgust me! You're a vile worm!"

"I feel bad that your story has been so consistently awful to you. I'm fond of you. You're a beautiful person and I think there might still be beauty locked up inside of you somewhere."

"You're a festering pile of excrement! You and your bullshit lies! I hate you and I hate it here!"

"You're lovely and sexy and intriguing. I love how you speak your mind. I love how gently you treat the animals. I love seeing you slowly open yourself to Penny and the others."

"You don't! You can't!" She trembled. "I'm... I'm..."

Walt dipped her. "I do. You are mine and I care about you, Mystique. Whether you want me to or not. You're just you. Nothing less than that... and possibly so much more!"

She shook her head. "I-I can't..."

Walt nodded and lifted her up bowing to her. "You can if you want to. You can be what and whoever you decide you want to be. I look forward to seeing it. We're stuck together now. You and I. As much as I'll never let you go, I'll never abandon you either. We're stuck with each other so we may as well make the most of it and I'm already enjoying seeing you grow. I look forward to the rest of our lives together."

Mystique stares at him trembling. The realization that they were bound now for the rest of their lives together hit her fully. This was what he'd done to her... to them! Here in a safe place. Where no one would hurt her... and she couldn't hurt anyone. What would that future look like? Even if their relationship didn't progress any further-

*Unlikely,* her inner voice said. *He's right. Look how much you're slowly starting to change!*

-his relationships with the others were and so was hers with them. How long until there was children in the picture? Even if they weren't hers... she pictured herself walking with the others and children. That fool dog Zwei bouncing along through the meadow.

She realized she was crying as he held her. She should run away! She shouldn't be so weak...

She held onto him instead. Her partner she was- no, they were stuck with each other. What choice did they have? How many years were they going to be stuck like this? She was effectively immortal and Walt? Who knew... people on Prime generally lived extra long lives and they weren't like him.

She gripped his arm. Strong, healthy, virile... she looked into his face... handsome in a way... a good face... a very fine body... she swallowed. This was the man who was going to tend to her... devotedly, patiently caring for her and looking after her and supporting her... believing in her. Despite her many flaws, messed up past and everything else... he believed in her... even when she did not. And what was more... he meant the nice things he'd said... the fool. Stupid, handsome fool.

"That's... so unfair," she said as he handed her his bandana to wipe her eyes. "You're such a... so unfair..."

Walt shrugged and nodded. "That's accurate... sorry."

She shook her head and smiled ruefully. "I... I'm sure some would argue the opposite... that I deserve worse... and you better..."

Walt shrugged. "Opinions are like assholes. Everyone's got one and most stink... a lot!"

Mystique shook her head rolling her eyes. "Oh how droll... and to think I'm stuck with you." She saw him raise an eyebrow. "For the time being..." she added before handing him back the bandana and walking away.

"Human!"

Walt sighed. "Will the real Demona please stand up?"

"What?" Demona asked from behind him.

Walt smiled. "It's nothing." He turned to face her. "What can I do for you, Demona?"

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Nora Valkyrie Yang Xiao Long Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Zwei Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Rachel "Raven" Roth Manami "La Brava" Aiba Tsuyu "Froppy" Asui Haruhime Sanjouno Anastasia "The Baroness" Cisarovna/DeCobray Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress Serana Mission Vao Curie Ada PAM KL-E-O Merida Gwen "Gwenom" Stacy Jubilation "Jubilee" Lee and Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters

Will Return In

TBD

Coming Soon]