(A/N: Y'all saw nothing! I totally didn't just upload chapter 267 by mistake and didn't realize until hours later...)
[Third Person's PoV]
In the digital realm of the virtual world, Tony and Melissa found themselves lounging on an elegant, oversized couch adorned with plush cushions and a sleek, futuristic design. The ambient lighting of the simulated room bathed everything in a soft glow, and in front of them stood a colossal television screen, practically spanning the entire wall.
Melissa was draped comfortably over the armrest, her legs casually thrown across Tony's lap as she hugged a fluffy pillow tightly against her chest. Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her feet kicked slightly with anticipation.
"Ooooh, I'm so excited," she squealed, practically vibrating with energy. "I never thought I'd ever get the chance to do a full movie marathon. This is going to be epic! Come on, hit play already! What's the first movie?"
Tony chuckled at her enthusiasm and lazily reached for the remote. "We're watching them in chronological order, not release date. So, the first one is Captain America: The First Avenger."
Melissa settled in deeper, adjusting her pillow and making herself cozy as Tony pressed play. The familiar Marvel intro blared across the screen with orchestral fanfare. Almost immediately, Melissa was absorbed into the film, her eyes wide with wonder—until Skinny Steve Rogers appeared.
"Hahahahaha!!" she burst into uncontrollable laughter, holding her sides. "Oh my god! He looks like a bobblehead on a broomstick!"
Tony laughed under his breath, shaking his head. As Steve went through his training montage, Melissa turned toward Tony with a grin.
"You know," she said, nudging his shoulder, "I just realized—this is the guy you were talking about back on the beach with Uncle Might and Deku. I finally get the lore now."
Tony scratched his cheek and gave a sheepish chuckle. "Yeah… that was him."
When Howard Stark made his appearance on screen, Melissa let out an amused giggle.
"Wait a second! Is that your dad? I didn't know he was a TV star, Tony."
Tony groaned, clearly embarrassed. "Just shut up and keep watching," he muttered, causing Melissa to burst out laughing again.
As the film progressed and the pivotal serum transformation scene unfolded—with bright lights, screaming, and tension—Melissa sat up straighter, eyes locked on the screen. When the chamber opened and revealed a newly transformed Steve Rogers, she gasped, slack-jawed.
"Woah… Just… woah."
Tony side-eyed her, his voice flat. "Seriously? I'm right here."
"I'm sorry, Tony," Melissa replied quickly, holding her hands up in surrender. "But look at him! He looks like a glazed donut! A buff glazed donut. How am I not supposed to react to that?"
Tony groaned and rolled his eyes as the two continued watching. Melissa remained engrossed in the movie, her emotions evident on her face—gasps during tense moments, laughter at witty lines, and quiet awe during battles.
As the climax approached and Steve made the ultimate sacrifice by piloting the plane into the Arctic, Melissa sat upright, her expression solemn. Her lips were pressed tightly together, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.
Having met and interacted with Steve in person, the scene hit her harder than she expected. She wiped her eyes, trying to stifle a sob.
"Tony…" she whimpered, voice trembling. "He owed her a dance… He never got to dance with her…"
Tony reached over and gently rubbed her head, his touch comforting as he tried to soothe her emotional state.
The movie wrapped up with Steve awakening in a strange new world seventy years later, greeted by none other than Nick Fury himself. As the credits began to roll, Melissa sniffled and wiped her eyes, still emotionally raw from the film.
"Alright, next movie, next movie!" she chirped, trying to mask her lingering sadness with forced enthusiasm. Her eyes were still red and slightly puffy. "Is Iron Man next?" she asked with a teasing tone.
Tony shook his head. "Nope. Chronologically, Captain Marvel is next."
Melissa tilted her head. "Captain who? I have no clue who that is. Play it! We can't stop now."
Tony raised a brow. "Alright, but fair warning—don't expect it to hit the same way Captain America did."
As the movie played, Melissa remained attentive but far less emotionally involved. She chuckled at the humorous parts and admired the effects, nodding in appreciation when Carol Danvers displayed her cosmic powers.
"Well, I don't really have much to say about this one," Melissa said as the end credits began to roll. "It was fun—entertaining—but not as emotional. I did really like her powers, though. I think I could totally replicate them with a suit. It'd be so cool." She turned toward Tony, eyes gleaming. "So now can we watch Iron Man?"
Tony sighed in mock exasperation. "Yes. Now we can watch Iron Man."
"Yes!" Melissa threw her fist into the air in triumph as Tony queued up the next movie, ready to continue their Marvel marathon.
Immediately, they were greeted by the extravagant scene of movie Tony Stark living his best life—drifting through casinos, drinking the finest liquor, tossing dice, and doing whatever his heart desired, surrounded by luxury and glamor.
Melissa tilted her head, eyebrows furrowing in confusion as she watched a man walk beside Tony Stark on screen. "Wait a second… That's not the James Rhodes I remember seeing…" she said slowly, turning toward the real-life Tony sitting next to her.
Tony shrugged, unfazed. "Same guy, different actor. The original actor, Terrence Howard, apparently had some… salary disagreements. Plus, from what I heard, he and RDJ—uh, the guy playing me—didn't really get along behind the scenes."
Melissa raised her brows, clearly amused. "Huh… That's so weird. Like multiverse weird."
"Yeah, well… Hollywood drama is just as chaotic as any villain fight," Tony replied, his tone casual.
Melissa continued watching, but her eyes slowly narrowed when the movie showed models clinging onto Tony Stark, brushing against him flirtatiously as he played the charming billionaire playboy with practiced ease.
She slowly turned her head, eyes half-lidded with a blank stare aimed directly at the real Tony.
"…What?" Tony asked, already sensing danger. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Melissa didn't say a word. She just kept staring with that same judgmental expression.
Tony threw up his hands in exasperation. "Oh come on! We've been over this! That guy on screen and me? Not the same person! Completely different!"
"Womanizer," Melissa muttered, turning back to the screen and hugging her pillow tighter.
Tony groaned. "You're literally doing this to yourself right now."
The film transitioned to the scene outside the casino where movie-Tony gave an interview to a reporter, his wit on full display.
"Alright, that Da Vinci line was actually kinda good," Melissa chuckled, but then glanced at Tony suspiciously. "And honestly? I could totally see you being proud of the nickname Merchant of Death. Don't even lie."
Tony opened his mouth to argue, but the movie steamrolled ahead to a much more compromising moment—Tony Stark and the reporter passionately kissing, clothes coming off, and both of them falling into bed in a whirlwind of impulsive indulgence.
Melissa's mouth fell open. She turned to Tony, eyes wide with betrayal. "WHAT the hell, Tony!?" she shouted. "How could you cheat on me like that!? What is WRONG with you?!"
Tony looked at her, slack-jawed in disbelief. "HUH?! Are you seriously mad at me right now?! That's not even me!"
"I don't care! I can't even look at you! You DISGUST me, Tony!" Melissa cried, shoving her legs off his lap and dramatically sitting up, arms crossed, eyes locked on the screen with righteous fury.
Tony sputtered, staring at her as if she had lost her mind. "Okay—no. No. What the actual fuck is happening right now?!"
Melissa refused to answer. She just scoffed and rested her cheek on her hand, a sullen pout overtaking her face as she glared at the TV.
When the scene showed the reporter getting kicked out the following morning, her heels clicking across the floor as she was left behind, Melissa let out a quiet, vindictive heh, satisfied that karma had been served—even if it wasn't real.
Tony slowly turned his head to look at her, now visibly unsettled. 'Seriously, what is wrong with this woman…?' he thought to himself, mildly alarmed by the emotional whiplash.
The film rolled on, shifting to the scene of Tony's visit to Afghanistan. A much more serious atmosphere replaced the carefree debauchery from earlier. The movie version of Tony stood in front of a crowd, addressing soldiers and government officials alike.
"Is it better to be feared or respected?" he asked. "I say, is it too much to ask for both?"
Melissa's eyes widened instantly. She snatched the remote and paused the movie. "Wait… hold on a second. Where have I heard that line before…?" she said aloud, her brows furrowed in concentration.
Tony instantly averted his gaze, his cheeks darkening. "Nowhere. You've never heard that before in your life," he said way too quickly.
But Melissa's memory clicked.
Her eyes lit up as realization dawned. "Oh. My. God." She broke into uncontrollable laughter. "You used that exact line when you got elected class president!! I knew it sounded familiar! You totally ripped that off!"
Tony sank into the couch, burying his face in his hands. "I deeply regret showing you these movies…"
Still giggling, Melissa hit play again, but it wasn't long before another moment set her off.
"No gang signs… I'm kidding, throw them up. Peace. I love peace. I'd be out of business without peace," the movie Tony quipped, throwing up a peace sign.
Melissa shrieked with laughter, immediately pausing again. "THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID AT THE MALL! OH MY GOD, YOU TOTALLY STOLE THAT LINE TOO!! THAT IS HILARIOUS! AHAHAHAHAHA"
She keeled over onto the floor, wheezing with laughter, pounding the ground as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Tony, now beet red, covered his face. "Why are you like this?" he mumbled through his palms.
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