Marvel: Father of Superheroes

Support me and be 20 chapters ahead of webnovel:

patreon.com/Draco_

******

Mike and his kids had brought their own camping gear when they set out, so there was no need to rent anything at the scenic area.

Loaded with bags of equipment and food, the father and his three boys followed Coulson toward the campsite.

As they walked, Mike chatted casually with Coulson, learning a bit about his current situation.

Coulson had just graduated from college and was feeling uncertain about his future.

He longed for a peaceful life and wanted to become a teacher, but his admiration for Captain America also made him consider joining the military.

Torn between these two choices, Coulson decided to take a trip to clear his mind before making a decision.

Eventually, after walking some distance, Mike and Coulson arrived at their destination and met Coulson's friend.

A woman...

"Girlfriend?"

Mike nudged Coulson's arm playfully, giving him a knowing look.

Coulson's face turned bright red, but the woman, a girl with slightly wavy hair, confidently introduced herself. "I'm Millie, Coulson's college classmate... and his girlfriend."

"Oh, wow! He already has a girlfriend!"

Clark muttered softly, shooting his father a look full of silent reproach.

Mike's mouth twitched as he lightly smacked Clark on the head. Eric and Charles couldn't help but stifle their laughter.

"You're such a cute little guy."

Millie bent down, tucking her loose hair behind her ear, and smiled warmly at the three boys.

Eric lifted his chin proudly. "Of course! We're also very handsome!"

Charles covered his face, pretending to be embarrassed, while Clark managed a polite smile.

"Ha-ha!"

Millie laughed cheerfully, playfully tapping Eric on the chin. Then she turned to Mike and said, "You're already the father of three kids? You really don't look it."

Mike offered a modest smile. "We'll head over there. If I'd known Coulson was here with you, we wouldn't have come to be the third wheel."

Coulson scratched the back of his head and gave Mike an awkward grin.

Mike patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry. We'll camp far enough away that we won't hear any... sounds."

Coulson's face turned as red as a tomato, while Millie hugged his arm and laughed. "That's exactly what I love about him. Thank you, Mike!"

"Muah!"

Millie planted a kiss on Coulson's cheek, leaving a bright red lipstick mark behind.

The scent of love… 

Mike gave Coulson a thumbs-up before leading his three boys farther away. When they had walked about fifty meters, Mike finally stopped, took a deep sniff, and frowned.

"Dad, what are you smelling?"

Charles asked curiously, tilting his head.

"The scent of love! It's still lingering here. Let's move farther away."

With that, Mike led them another fifty meters until they were a hundred meters from Coulson and Millie's tent. Only then did he stop and begin setting up their tent.

"Clark, hand me the tent stakes."

Clark nodded, picked up the stakes, and handed them over.

Meanwhile, Eric and Charles were running around, playing nearby, their cheerful energy seemingly uncontainable no matter where they were.

"Don't wander too far!"

Mike called out to the pair before turning to Clark. "Son, keep an eye on those two troublemakers. Make sure they don't bother anyone else."

"Yes, sir!"

Clark saluted with a grin and ran off to corral his younger brothers.

Mike sighed in relief.

Thank goodness he adopted Clark first; having a reliable helper made all the difference.

With a quick glance at the trio, Mike got to work setting up the tent. It was a large one, big enough to accommodate all four of them comfortably.

Humming a tune as he worked, Mike couldn't help but glance in Coulson's direction and shake his head with a chuckle.

He hadn't expected to run into the future "Mr. Nice Guy" on this trip.

"Coulson's so green at this age…"

Mike murmured to himself, a twinge of sadness creeping in as he thought about how much older he was than Coulson. Instinctively, he reached up to touch his hair.

He could only hope that by the time Iron Man made his debut, he wouldn't have gone bald...

Then again, by that time, these kids would have grown up, wouldn't they?

Thinking of the day his children would be all grown up, Mike felt a sense of excitement and anticipation swell in his heart.

Moments Later

With the tent securely set up, Mike checked the time. Under the setting sun, he pulled out pots, pans, and utensils, ready to cook dinner.

Even in the wilderness, Mike insisted on preparing a hearty meal for his kids, ensuring they had enough nutrition to grow strong and healthy.

As the sun gradually dipped into the lake, the serene water transformed into what looked like a dazzling orange gemstone.

"Beautiful!"

Mike lifted his gaze to the lake and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

The scenery here was truly spectacular.

"Hey, boys!"

He waved at the three kids. "Come here! Let's take a photo to remember this moment!"

"Coming!"

"I want to be in the picture!"

"Dad!"

The three little ones ran over eagerly.

Mike set up the camera, and as the boys struck their poses, he quickly joined them. Wrapping his arms around them, he pulled their faces close together.

"Say cheese!"

Click! 

Time froze in that moment.

Against the backdrop of the orange crystal-like lake and lush green grass, the father and his sons beamed with identical, radiant smiles.

As night fell, specks of light began to glow across the field, resembling stars scattered across a verdant sky. It was a surreal and dreamlike scene. But many of the other campers weren't paying attention to the view—they were all staring in the same direction.

Their eyes were full of curiosity, while their mouths watered uncontrollably.

It smelled amazing...

There sat Mike and his kids, gathered around a small grill. They feasted on barbecue and sipped fish soup that Mike had prepared. Their joy was palpable—especially in contrast to the many other campers nibbling on plain sandwiches and bread.

"Dad, I want chicken wings!"

Eric, his mouth already greasy, reached toward the grill for a piece of chicken.

Slap! 

Mike lightly smacked Eric's hand away. "Not yet! It's not ready—be patient!"

Eric nodded obediently, keeping his eyes glued to the chicken wings while eyeing Charles with suspicion.

Charles pouted and, with a dramatic blink, turned to Clark, looking pitiful. "Big brother, I want chicken wings too."

Without hesitation, Clark handed Charles the half-eaten wing in his hand.

Charles accepted it joyfully and stuck his tongue out at Eric in triumph.

Eric rolled his eyes. "All you ever do is act cute. That's not manly at all."

"Well, I am the youngest!" Charles retorted confidently.

"You're only younger by a few minutes!" Eric grumbled. "It's so embarrassing. If I could've, I'd have kicked you back in the womb!"

"Bleh!" Charles teased, sticking his tongue out. "Too bad you couldn't!"

Eric: (▼ヘ▼#).

Mike sighed in exhaustion and handed Eric a freshly cooked chicken wing.

Eric: (ω)!

Food, at least, could bring peace—if only for a little while.

Thankfully, they managed to finish the meal in relative quiet.

Afterward, the kids played nearby while Mike cleaned up the trash. The family sat together for a few minutes, admiring the moonlit lake, before yawning in unison and crawling into their tent for the night.

Time crept on. The lights across the field gradually dimmed until all was dark. As the campers drifted into deep sleep and the moonlight poured over the landscape like liquid silver, even the wind was still. The lake's surface lay undisturbed.

And then, under the eerie silence, a shadowy figure glided into the campsite like a ghost.

(End of Chapter)