{Chapter: 162 - The Blacksmith of Asgard and Blizzard}
"Boss? Wait a second—did you just say you're staying with SHIELD? And—who the hell is this guy?" Blink blinked—true to her name—as she tilted her head with a curious expression, eyes narrowing at the shirtless, rugged man standing beside Aiden.
Aiden stepped in confidently, a calm smile playing at the corner of his lips. He was a little scuffed from the earlier scuffle, but still carried himself with the kind of ease that only came from knowing you're the strongest man in the room. Or maybe the galaxy.
"This here," Aiden said with a casual gesture toward the man beside him, "is Elliott Randolph. Don't be fooled by the beach-bum look. He's a blacksmith. Not just any blacksmith—he's an Asgardian. Immortal-ish. Hammer-swinging, star-metal forging, Odin's-honor kind of blacksmith. If you want gear that survives more than a single Hulk tantrum, he's your guy."
"An Asgardian…?" Marrow raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as bone-like protrusions flexed from her shoulder in reaction.
"Really?" Chan Ho asked.
Elliott simply gave a dry smile and folded his arms, his chiseled physique catching the room's attention whether he wanted it to or not.
Aiden ignored the chuckles. "He's agreed to work with us for now. We're calling him our Head of Equipment. You break it, he'll fix it. Or upgrade it. Probably both."
With snap sets sleek and metallic—Fitz's prototype armor gleamed under the space ship's lights appeared in front of them.
"This—" Aiden held the armored suit high, the chest plate reflecting flickers of ambient light like a promise of war. "This is the standard combat suit for our War Legion. Built for battle. Custom-fitted. Shielded. And yes, it looks sexy."
He threw a wink at Blink. She caught it with a smile that curled wickedly at the corners.
"You sure that's all that's custom-fitted, boss?" she purred playfully, taking a step closer to him, her hips swaying just enough to draw attention. "Cause I can think of a few adjustments I'd like to make… starting with the zipper."
Aiden chuckled, tossing her the suit. "Careful, Clarice. Keep flirting like that and the others might get jealous."
Marrow rolled her eyes. Chan Ho snorted.
"What makes you think we aren't already?" Chan Ho said with mock offense, before elbowing Marrow. "You see the way she looks at him?"
Blink sauntered closer to Aiden, close enough for him to smell the faintest trace of jasmine on her skin. "Then maybe they should look better," she whispered only loud enough for him to hear, letting a finger trail dangerously close to his hand before turning on her heel and calling over her shoulder, "Come on, handsome. I'll take you to Donnie."
Aiden raised an eyebrow as he walked behind her. "That's dangerous, you know."
"What is?" she said sweetly, not looking back.
"Giving me ideas."
Blink giggled, biting her lower lip just briefly before leading him down the corridor.
---
The deeper parts of the ship's facility were less welcoming—sterile hallways, reinforced walls, heavy doors meant to contain what the outside world should never see. Blink stopped in front of one and nodded toward it. "He's inside. Be careful."
"Thanks," Aiden said. As he turned to go, she reached out and tugged his sleeve lightly.
"Hey… I meant what I said earlier," she murmured, her voice lower now, vulnerable beneath the teasing. "You come back from every insane mission like it's just another walk through Central Park… but I still worry."
Aiden looked at her, for a moment saying nothing. Then he gave her that rare, genuine smile of his.
"I'm not that easy to get rid of. You should know that by now."
"Good," she said with a wink. "Because I'm not done flirting with you."
And with that, she vanished with a soft blink! of light.
---
Inside the holding room, Donnie Gill sat slouched in the far corner. The temperature was noticeably colder in here. Frost clung to the edges of the walls despite the heavy insulation. The boy looked up, eyes weary, haunted.
"You again?" Donnie muttered, shivering slightly. "Why'd you bring me here? When are you letting me out?"
Aiden moved to the center of the room and sat down calmly on the cold steel bench, his gaze steady. "I brought you here because you're special. Dangerous, yes—but special."
Donnie's laugh was bitter. "Yeah, that's what people say right before they throw me in a cage."
"I'm not here to cage you. I'm giving you a choice," Aiden said smoothly, voice firm but not unkind. "You've got powers now. Cold. Ice. in your veins. You're not the same guy you were yesterday. You can either join me—join the War Legion—and use your powers to protect people… or I take them away and drop you back in SHIELD's lap."
"You'd… take them away?" Donnie asked, frowning.
Aiden nodded. "Not kill you. I promised that. But I will strip you clean if you decide you're not built for this."
There was silence for a moment. Then Donnie asked, "And if I join…?"
"You train. You fight. You grow stronger. And if one day you want to leave, I let you walk. No questions asked."
"But you'll take my power if I leave," Donnie guessed.
Aiden met his gaze squarely. "Yes. Because I can't let those abilities go unchecked. But I won't hurt you."
Donnie hesitated. His fingers twitched, forming thin layers of frost on the metal table beside him.
"…Then I'll join," he finally said, quietly.
"Good choice." Aiden stood, walking to the door. "Your new suit's already waiting."
He stopped at the threshold and added over his shoulder, "You might find this place isn't so bad. Especially once you meet the rest of the team. Just… don't try hitting on Blink. She'll freeze your heart faster than you can freeze the room."
Donnie looked up, surprised. "…You too?"
Aiden grinned. "She good with everyone. But I think I'm the only one she tries to seduce and stab in the same breath."
---
Back Outside the Cell
Blink stood waiting, arms folded, tapping her foot with mock impatience. "Well? He break into tears or freeze your hair off?"
"He joined." Aiden shrugged. "Didn't even try to kill me. It's a new record."
"You bring out the best in people," she said, stepping close again. This time, she trailed a finger down his chest, watching his face for any flicker of reaction. "Or maybe they're just scared of your bad temper."
Aiden leaned in slightly, just enough that she could feel the heat radiating off his skin. "You sure it's my temper you're interested in, Blink?"
She smiled slowly. "Not even a little."
Marrow called out from across the hallway, "Are you two done flirting or do we need to throw water on you again?"
Blink rolled her eyes. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Marrow."
Chan Ho tossed a towel at Aiden. "Put a shirt on before you turn this place into a romance novel."
Aiden just grinned as he caught the towel and tossed it over his shoulder. "Romance novel? Don't tempt me."
Just as Donnie walked past the others in his newly equipped suit, looking a little awkward in the enhanced fabric and sleek design, Aiden casually raised a hand and called out, stopping him mid-step.
"Right, forgot to mention—your code name and superhero title from now on will be Blizzard," Aiden said with an easy grin, his tone both commanding and playful.
Donnie paused, turned slightly, and raised an eyebrow. "Blizzard, huh? Bit on the nose, don't you think?"
Aiden chuckled, hands sliding into his pockets. "Yeah, well, if you ever feel the name doesn't do your chill justice, feel free to come up with something cooler. Just… not Captain Cold," he added with a wink.
Everyone chuckled, especially Blink, who had been watching from the side with arms crossed, her body language teasing and relaxed. She stepped closer, brushing past Marrow and Chan Ho with a subtle sway of her hips, violet hair shifting like silk over her shoulders.
"Oh, come on. Blizzard fits him," she said, eyeing Donnie up and down like she was appraising a work of art. "But what about you, Boss?" Her voice dipped a little, the edge