In Marvel With Unique Skill Great Sage (MCU)

Meanwhile, with Pepper and Lemu…

Pepper Potts had already arranged the press conference and was now driving Lemu back to Stark's mansion.

Seated in the passenger seat, Lemu was halfway through his fourth cheeseburger. His cheeks bulged slightly, resembling a squirrel hoarding food for the winter.

Pepper glanced at him, mildly astonished. The kid looked delicate—almost too small to be devouring burgers like he hadn't eaten in weeks. Which, technically, might have been true.

Still, there was something endearing about the sight.

With a gentle smile, Pepper greeted him, careful to keep her tone soft. "Hi, I'm Pepper—Pepper Potts. I'm Tony's personal assistant. And you are?"

Lemu swallowed quickly, brushing crumbs off his shirt before flashing her a cheerful grin. His slightly pointed canines—just sharp enough to stand out—caught her eye.

"Lemu Echeverría," he replied. "I'm the son of a hunter back in Afghanistan. Got kidnapped by terrorists, but Stark and I broke out together."

Pepper studied him for a moment. His bright smile and amber eyes gave him an air of innocence—like sunlight breaking through storm clouds.

There was something unshakably genuine about him, and Pepper found herself believing the story more than she should have.

"What about your family?" she asked gently. "Didn't they come with you to the U.S.?"

For a fraction of a second, Lemu's expression faltered. It was barely noticeable, but Pepper caught it.

Then he smiled again, shrugging lightly. "Nope. It's just me now."

….

"Hmm… they're all dead."

Lemu said it so casually that it took Pepper a moment to process his words.

To him, it was simple logic—humans had short lifespans. He had been trapped in that dark, timeless void for what felt like centuries. 

By now, everyone he once knew was almost certainly long gone. It was just a fact, spoken without emotion.

But Pepper's heart sank.

Her chest tightened, guilt gnawing at her for bringing up such a painful subject. She opened her mouth, searching for the right words, but nothing came out.

I shouldn't have asked…

The story she filled in her head—of a young girl whose family had been slaughtered by terrorists, leaving her the sole survivor—made her heart ache even more.

And yet, here Lemu was, still smiling, still cheerful, despite it all.

Pepper's eyes grew warm, a soft mist blurring her vision. She reached out without thinking, gently ruffling Lemu's pale-blue hair.

It wasn't smooth; grains of sand still clung to the strands, but that only made him seem more fragile—more deserving of care.

Lemu froze mid-bite, clutching the half-eaten burger in his arms like a dragon hoarding treasure. His golden eyes darted up at her, wary. What's with the sudden head-patting?

….

I am Phil Coulson.

I work for the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division.

Yes, that's the actual name. And no, we don't have a shorter version.

I've been with this ridiculously long-named agency for over twenty years now.

Twenty years ago, I was an agent. Today, I'm still an agent.

In those years, I've served under Nick Fury—hardworking, reliable, and completely unshakable. I watched myself go from full, dark hair to thinning patches, while Fury climbed the ranks to become Director.

Time spares no one, huh?

I'd like to think I'm a veteran at this point—calm under pressure, professional to a fault, and just the right amount of charming.

Today's assignment? Investigate the alleged illegal arms trafficking involving Stark Industries—America's largest weapons manufacturer. Oh, and gather intel on how billionaire Tony Stark miraculously escaped Afghanistan.

Simple enough.

Or so I thought.

The thing about billionaires? They're never easy to deal with. And the people around them? Just as difficult.

Take Pepper Potts—Tony's personal assistant. According to the file, she seemed like someone I could approach easily. Friendly, cooperative, and professional.

Except she wasn't here. She had apparently left the building hours ago.

Which left me to deal with Happy Hogan—Tony's chauffeur and part-time bodyguard.

That's how I ended up in this current predicament.

….

Happy Hogan leaned through the driver's-side window, one thick hand grabbing the collar of my suit.

The smell of grease and melted cheese hit me in the face as he yelled—loud enough to rattle my eardrums.

"NO COMMENT!!"

The guy had a burger breath.

I swear, if I survive this interrogation-by-volume, I'm filing for hazard pay.

….

I am Happy Hogan.

Bodyguard first, driver second. And right now? Protector of secrets.

My job isn't just about keeping my employer alive—it's about safeguarding everything tied to his name, including whatever scandal might come knocking.

For example, the fact that Tony Stark may have brought back a secret daughter from Afghanistan? Yeah, that's staying under wraps. No leaks, no rumors—nothing that could cause him trouble.

As his friend, I'm genuinely happy for him. Tony's been drifting through life alone for years. Maybe now, with this girl around, he'll finally settle down.

I could see it in his eyes—Tony's changed. He's steadier, more grounded. Maybe this is what he needed all along.

….

Pepper Potts and Lemu finally arrived at Stark's Malibu beachfront mansion.

It wasn't until Pepper stepped through the front door that the realization hit her—she had forgotten to buy Lemu a change of clothes.

The day had been an emotional rollercoaster. Relief and joy over Tony's safe return, followed by stress and chaos as she scrambled to organize his surprise press conference. Her head felt like it had been squeezed in a vice.

Now, standing in the sleek, modern villa, the oversight felt like the cherry on top of an already hectic day.

Pepper tapped her forehead lightly, berating herself for the lapse. Still, she composed herself quickly, ushering Lemu inside and pointing toward the bathroom.

"You can wash up first," she said softly, trying to mask her lingering frazzled nerves. "There should be some fresh towels in vacuum-sealed packs in there. Just grab one."

It wasn't surprising that Stark's home had an abundance of towels and toiletries. Given his history of bringing women back to the mansion, Pepper had made sure everything was stocked to avoid awkward situations.