Settling In
Alex's mansion was quiet in a way that felt safe.
Not empty—
Just peaceful.
Veronica stood at the balcony that first night, looking out at the city lights.
"It's… beautiful," she said softly.
Alex handed her a cup of tea.
"You don't have to decide anything yet," he said. "Just rest."
She smiled.
"…I think I can do that here."
For the first time since Tony disappeared—
She slept without nightmares.
Cleaning the Mess
Days passed quickly.
Stark Industries was chaos.
Alex, Veronica, Pepper, and Tony worked together—sometimes calmly, sometimes loudly.
Pepper handled the press.
Veronica stabilized the board.
Alex quietly backed everything with Ashborn Holdings.
Tony disappeared often.
Working.
Building.
Not talking about it.
Alex didn't ask.
He already knew.
Obadiah's Move
Obadiah Stane watched from the shadows.
Shares dropped.
Fear spread.
And he moved.
Quietly buying.
One company at a time.
One vote at a time.
He smiled to himself.
"They don't see it yet," he muttered.
He didn't notice—
Every share he bought was being tracked.
Every move recorded.
Red Queen never blinked.
Months of Calm
For a few months—
Life softened.
Alex made time.
For everyone.
Movies.
Late dinners.
Quiet walks.
Shared laughter.
Sometimes with all of them.
Sometimes one by one.
Retsu's calm presence.
Morgan's teasing smiles.
Scáthach's quiet approval.
Hera and Aphrodite watching closely.
And the others—
Gwen laughed more.
Jennifer relaxed around him.
Helen's eyes sparkled when she talked science.
Felicia teased relentlessly.
Skye stopped pretending it didn't matter.
They were close.
Too close to deny.
Just one step away.
Moving In
When Gwen found out Veronica had moved in—
She didn't hesitate.
"I'm not commuting anymore."
Jennifer nodded. "Same."
Helen adjusted her glasses. "…It's efficient."
Felicia smirked. "And fun."
Skye shrugged. "Why not?"
Within a week—
They were all there.
The mansion felt alive.
Iron Man Is Born
One night—
Red Queen spoke softly through Alex's interface.
"Tony Stark has completed a functional powered combat suit."
Alex paused.
His wives looked at him.
"He did it," Hera said.
Alex smiled faintly.
"Yes," he replied. "He did."
The world hadn't noticed yet.
But it would.
Soon.
And somewhere—
The Phoenix Monarch watched.
Waiting.