Karl replayed the image of Natasha Romanoff in his mind — the striking features, the confident posture, the controlled elegance.
He felt no attraction.
From his understanding of this world's timeline, Natasha had been active for decades through covert operations and cryogenic preservation protocols. Her life had been shaped by espionage, manipulation, and survival. Seduction was simply another tool in her arsenal.
Karl did not judge her for it.
But he had no interest.
She had sacrificed everything for her missions, cared deeply for her teammates, and ultimately gave her life for the Soul Stone. He respected that.
Everyone chose their own way of living.
He neither disliked her nor wished to become entangled with her.
As he sat lost in thought, his phone suddenly rang.
Bzzzt—
Very few people possessed his number.
Without even checking the screen, he knew who it was.
He answered.
"Hello."
"Hi… Karl. It's May."
Her voice carried a faint hesitation.
"I need to run an errand this afternoon… could you come with me, if you have time?"
"I have time," he replied immediately.
"…Thank you, Karl."
"Are you at home? I can come now."
"Yes, I'm home."
"Alright. I'll be there soon."
The call ended.
May stared at her phone, her heart beating fast.
She had acted on impulse — calling Karl, inventing an errand just to see him again.
And he had agreed without hesitation.
She covered her face with her hands.
What had she done?
After a few deep breaths, she stood and hurried to her room, opening her closet.
If he was coming… she needed to get ready.
On the other side
Karl ended the call with a faint smile.
He hadn't expected May to contact him.
He had planned to spend the next few days adjusting to his new life before intervening in the Middle East to rescue Tony Stark.
Helping Stark perfect advanced genetic enhancement research could become a crucial step in strengthening his own body.
May's call had interrupted that plan.
And he didn't mind.
Karl paid for his coffee and left the café.
From behind the counter, Natasha watched him go.
He returned her gaze briefly — cool, unreadable — before walking out.
He mounted his motorcycle and rode away.
"The target did not drink the coffee and has departed," Natasha murmured into her comms.
She removed her apron and exited the café. The remaining staff — all S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel — resumed normal operations.
Outside, a black sedan quietly pulled into traffic behind Karl.
As Karl rode toward Queens, he sensed the tail immediately.
A faint darkness flickered in his eyes.
Scarlet pupils opened within the shadows beneath the pursuing vehicle.
Moments later—
shadow ninjas emerged beneath the chassis.
Blades pierced critical components.
The engine failed.
The ninjas vanished.
Karl considered eliminating the agents entirely.
He decided against it.
Killing S.H.I.E.L.D. operatives would escalate matters unnecessarily. Individually they posed little threat, but the organization's reach was vast. Provoking them now would only create constant interference.
And Nick Fury possessed contingency options — including an emergency contact capable of summoning Captain Marvel from deep space.
Karl had no intention of triggering that level of escalation.
He accelerated, turned into a dark alley, and slipped into shadow.
Moments later, he emerged from another alley several blocks from the Parker residence.
He left the motorcycle within the Shadow Realm. If the bike had been tagged or tracked at the café, abandoning it temporarily eliminated the risk.
He continued on foot.
"Target lost," an agent reported. "Our vehicle appears disabled. He detected us."
Natasha's voice came through their comms, calm and controlled.
"Understood. Pull back. Check nearby surveillance feeds for movement. Do not pursue further today."
She paused.
"Applying pressure too quickly will only backfire."
"Yes, ma'am."
Natasha removed her earpiece, thoughtful.
He had detected them far sooner than expected.
Karl arrived at May's house ten minutes later and knocked.
Knock knock knock.
"Coming! Just a moment!"
The door opened.
"Karl — you're here. Come in."
May stood before him wearing a soft purple dress. The color complemented her gentle temperament and natural warmth, accentuating her mature elegance.
Karl paused for a fraction of a second.
"Oh… May. You look beautiful today."
A faint blush touched her cheeks.
"Thank you. Please sit in the living room. I'll be ready soon."
She poured him a drink and hurried upstairs.
Karl settled onto the sofa.
Twenty minutes later, May descended the stairs wearing a khaki coat and carrying a handbag. Light makeup enhanced her features, and the simple outfit highlighted her graceful figure.
Karl's eyes brightened.
She looked radiant.
Seeing his reaction, a quiet warmth blossomed in her chest.
She didn't know why she wanted to show him her most charming side.
But after standing alone in her room earlier, she had finally admitted the truth to herself:
She felt something.
Perhaps it was loneliness.
Perhaps gratitude.
Perhaps the comfort of feeling safe again after years of carrying everything alone.
Whatever it was…
She wanted to give it a chance.
…