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Chapter 103 : Shadows of the Past
🕑 Added 2025-07-21 07:56:47 +0000 UTCLogan scratched his head, a rough grin cracking his weathered face. "Hell if I know," he muttered. Time had blurred into a endless haze for him—no birthdays, no milestones, just survival.
Aidan tapped his fingers on the table, eyes lighting up like he'd cracked a code. "If we're talking the War of Independence as a benchmark, you're pushing over 200 years, easy." He counted off on his fingers, quick and precise.
Logan blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah... probably." Surprise flickered in his eyes, but he shook it off with a nod.
Aidan leaned in, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "After those lab rats messed with you, you bolted. Had to be a wild escape. Ever lose someone close because of it? Family? Friends? You've been kicking around forever—it's gotta have happened."
Logan's eyes dropped to his battered leather jacket, the fabric worn thin from too many close calls. "...Yeah," he admitted, voice low and gravelly.
"Spill it, then. Make it quick."
Logan shot him a look, half-amused, half-annoyed. "Why the sudden interrogation? This about me now?"
Aidan flashed a easy smile, genuine warmth cutting through the tension. "Hey, if you've got a story, I'm all ears. Lay it on me."
Logan stared him down for a beat, the diner noise fading around them. Finally, he sighed and dove in. "Alright. I busted out of that hellhole lab stark naked, heart pounding like a war drum. I ran—God, I ran for what felt like days, legs burning, lungs on fire, dodging shadows and spotlights. Ended up collapsing in some dusty warehouse on a farm. This old couple owned the place. They didn't ask questions, just took me in. Gave me clothes that actually fit, and hell, even handed over their beat-up motorcycle. For the first time in forever, I felt... safe. Like I could breathe."
He paused, his face twisting as the memory hit hard. His fists clenched on the table, knuckles white. "But those bastards from the lab—they tracked me down like hounds. Tires screeched up, doors slammed, and before I could blink, gunfire erupted. Bullets ripped through the air, shattering windows, splintering wood. The old man went down first, clutching his chest, blood soaking his shirt. His wife screamed, tried to shield him—bam, another shot, right in front of me. I charged in, claws out, slashing through the chaos, but it was too late. Their house exploded in a fireball, flames roaring sky-high, the blast knocking me back. I barely got out alive." Logan's voice cracked, and he buried his face in his hands, shadows hiding the pain etching his features. He sucked in a breath, fighting to keep it together.
Aidan waited, giving him space until the storm passed. Then, softly: "So, how do you stop something like that from happening again? What's the play?"
Logan went dead silent, the question hanging heavy.
Aidan pressed on, leaning forward with fire in his eyes. "You think I should play it your way? Wait till the bodies hit the floor, then rage out for revenge? Spend the rest of my days drowning in guilt?" His voice rose, edged with defiance. "Nah. They fire first, I hit back harder. Innocents or not, it's survival. Yeah, it feels dirty sometimes, like I'm the hypocrite in the mirror. But I didn't start it—and I'm damn sure not wrong."
He grabbed his sandwich, tearing into it with a crunch that echoed in the quiet booth. Silence stretched, broken only by the rhythmic chew, the weight of unspoken regrets thick as smoke.
Finally, Logan broke it, his eyes meeting Aidan's with real regret. "...Sorry, kid. I had no idea what you were dealing with." He thought about Baymax tying into military muscle like Stark—maybe that kind of backing would keep the wolves at bay.
Aidan shrugged, a helpless grin tugging at his lips. "You get it better than anyone. I just wanted a buddy for grub, y'know? Slim pickings on who I can call these days..."
Logan chuckled, lifting his soda. "Then cheers to you for dragging me out here."
"To friendship," Aidan said, clinking his coffee mug against the can with a satisfying clink.
Logan raised an eyebrow, smirking. "First time toasting with soda and joe. Feels wrong."
Aidan wrinkled his nose. "Tried wine once—tasted like regret. Nasty stuff."
"Blame it on being a kid."
"Maybe. Hey, if you ever need backup—mutants or whatever—hit me up. I got this." Aidan puffed up his chest, bold as brass, like he'd been the one knocking back shots.
Logan just smiled, keeping his thoughts to himself.
As the meal wound down, Logan piped up. "Y'know, there might be some crossed wires with you and the Professor. Worth a sit-down, clear the air."
"Nope," Aidan shot back, flat and final. "Can't stand the guy."
Logan shook his head, chuckling. "Brutal honesty. Alright."
Aidan stood, energy buzzing. "C'mon, let's blow this joint. Fishing? Racing? Pick your poison."
"Rain check," Logan said, standing too. He had recruits to scout—only squeezed this in for Aidan. "I'll hit you up soon."
"Fair enough. I'm bouncing off-planet for a bit anyway. No clue when I'll swing back."
"Off-planet? Like, space?" Logan's curiosity spiked.
"Other worlds, man. Saying bye to Yinsen and the crew, then poof."
Logan blinked, brain scrambling. "Other worlds? For... research?"
"Dead serious," Aidan grinned, eyes sparkling with mischief. "This universe? Packed house. Catch you later—don't be a stranger." They parted with a firm handshake, and Aidan headed home, the city buzzing around him.
Autumn was creeping in, the summer heat giving way to a crisp bite in the air. Back in Queens, May Parker hustled in the kitchen, stacking dishes with practiced ease. A sharp knock rattled the door.
"Aunt May! Let me in!" Aidan's voice boomed from outside, full of cheek.
May rolled her eyes, a fond smile sneaking through. She dried her hands and swung the door open. "You do have a key, you know."
"Lost it in the chaos," he shrugged, stepping inside with a grin. Too much gear, too many pockets—why bother digging? "Finally back! Miss me?"
"Two, three months? Pfft. Try a year, then we'll talk. And with your face plastered in every paper—no repeats—I see you plenty." She turned back to the kitchen, but there was warmth in her step.
Aidan followed, smirking. "Cool. But heads up—this trip's gonna be longer."
May paused, curiosity piqued. "What's the big study this time?"
"Drugs to keep women forever young."
Her eyes lit up. "Wait, really? That sounds—"
"Total fake-out!" Aidan laughed, cutting her off before the hope built.
"Aidan Parker," she growled, teeth gritted but eyes twinkling. "Clearly, I skimped on your childhood beatings."
"Save 'em for Peter—he's the one who needs toughening up!"
May shook her head. "Kid's lucky to have a brother like you... or cursed, depending on the day."
"Damn right," Aidan nodded, dead serious.
"I oughta record this ego trip for him." May chuckled, diving back into the dishes. Aidan snagged a bag of chips, flopped on the couch, and flicked on the TV, legs kicked up. As long as they're good, screw what the world thinks, she mused inwardly. Sure, she played it cool, but she peppered him with questions all afternoon, soaking in every word.
Out of nowhere: "So, how's things with Erica?"
"Erica?" Aidan blinked, thrown.
"She swings by all the time. You two an item or what?" May eyed his confusion.
"...Just pals. And hello, I'm thirteen."
"I had three boyfriends by your age. Thirteen's not baby territory."
"With all the research and studying? No bandwidth for that noise."
"Doesn't mean you can't juggle."
"We're friends, Aunt May. Drop it, yeah?" He sighed, exasperated.
A worry line creased her brow. "You... do like girls, right?" Geniuses and their quirks—America tolerated a lot, but support wasn't universal.
Aidan facepalmed. "Yes, girls. One hundred percent. Chill. Maybe bug me about it in college."
"Fine. Anyone catching your eye now?"
"Nope," he said, mouth twitching in annoyance.
"Alright," she relented. "Even if it's boys, I'd get it."
Peter rolled in from school later, and May whipped up a feast—steaming plates, laughter bouncing off the walls as they dug in around the cozy table. Aidan hung out a bit longer, savoring the normalcy. With the Transformers flick wrapped, it was time to jet—to Asgard, and whatever wild ride waited there.
Comments
KingSpy25i .
Thank you for the chapter 🙏 Also, the world is so going to expect whole lot of new tech after the movie is released. I mean he has been releasing something new after every movie up until now.
