"You are free to stay here," Crystal spoke with a smile as she opened the door, revealing a rather large room containing a queen-sized bed and a single loveseat that looked out onto Attilan.
There was also two doors on the left, one leading to a walk-in closet while the other was into a large bathroom when I checked them.
"Really? This is very extravagant for just a regular guy."
"Well, considering that you could potentially become a love to the sister of Shi'ar's empress, we have to treat you accordingly," Crystal replied with a teasing smile and I palmed my face with a groan.
"Don't remind me of my stupidness. I don't know what came over me."
"Nothing did. You just started thinking with the head below," Wanda replied from behind me and I just rolled my eyes. Crystal on the other hand giggled even more at the insult.
"Seriously, sister? You're going to insult me again?"
"Indeed, I am. Now that the panic of death has faded away, what were you thinking?" she asked and I shook my head as I sat down on the bed.
"I wasn't to be truthful. I was more focused on making sure that they couldn't figure out a calculated response."
"So, you let your quick-thinking help you? Use your superspeed to figure things out?"
"No, that was just him thinking on his feet with the head between his legs," Wanda replied and Crystal looked surprised as I gave a thumbs-up.
"That's about right."
"...And you guys let him do the talking? Actually, we didn't even let Thor do the talking."
"That's my fault. In any case, at least I now might have a way of convincing Deathbird to not kill me or destroy the Earth."
"Yes, hopefully," Wanda murmured before I raised my hands in surrender as she stared at me. "You better make sure that she doesn't try to kill us, okay?"
"Of course, but I'm also going to try and make sure they don't try to kill me in turn."
"Yes, that too," she replied with a nod, Crystal following after her and leaving me alone in the room.
Now with myself, I immediately made my way to the bathroom, my confident mask crumbling as I stared at the panic dancing in the eyes of my reflection.
Why in the frozen ass-crack of Jotunheim did I fucking flirt with Deathbird of all things? On top of that, why did I do it when I was specifically told not to?
'Is it parts of Pietro\s confidence, or should I say my old self, bleeding in and mixing with my conscious decisions?'
"Seriously though, what part of me saw the murderous alien warlord and thought, 'Hey, she'd be fun to flirt with'? Fuck, I'm a fucking idiot," I muttered, looking down as Tails poked out his head.
I chuckled as he crawled out of my jacket, dropping down on the ground before hopping towards the bed and jumping onto it.
"Tails, do you think I'm suicidal?" I asked, sitting down next to him. I then rolled my eyes as he nodded with a yip. "Yeah, well, you're not the one who almost got drafted into cosmic slavery."
He just let out another yip, making me sigh as I laid back on the bed.
Okay, ignoring everything, let's look at pros and cons here. The pros are that Earth isn't space dust, Wanda hasn't strangled me and I scored a date.
Cons are that said woman canonically hates Earth or the Milky Way because she's from a galactic emperor and if I mess up at dinner, she's vaporizing Earth and taking me as a slave.
In other words...
'No pressure at all,' I thought, absent-mindedly scratching Tails' head before I turned to the fox. Well, since we're alone, might as well see what he can do.
"Hey, Tails. What can you do?" I asked, watching as the fox blinked before my eyes widened as the air shimmered around it.
The next moment, I raised an eyebrow as Wanda's form shimmered into existence. There was one problem, though.
"You've seen her naked?" I asked, staring at the perky boobs topped by candy-pink nipples and the strip of dark brown hair leading down to a pink slit.
The next moment, he changed into me and back to his original form, letting out a snicker as I rolled my eyes.
"Illusions. Nice. So, did Shang and Xialing help you figure out anything else?" I asked and I watched as Tails nodded. The fox kept his eyes closed as its nine fluffy tails were pointed at one point above its body.
The next moment, sparks of eerie blue flames gathered above his head, making me raise an eyebrow as I didn't feel any heat coming from it.
Then, he turned and blew it to the side, the fireball exploding harmlessly close to the door with a slight pop and a burst of intense heat.
"Huh, not bad there," I muttered, scratching the back of his head. I chuckled as his leg twitched, the Jiu Wei Hu practically melting into the bed like the little fiend he was.
"Okay, so foxfire, illusions and your own sense of humour? That's pretty good overall, especially with how young you are. ...You are young, right?" I asked, the fox giving an affirmative nod. "Right. Well, now that we've tested that out, I am still stuck with my dilemma."
Falling back onto the pillows, I stared at the crystalline ceiling that reflected me staring back up at it.
I should be in New York enjoying a shawarma right now, not going on a date to decide the fate of Earth.
"Tails, you think I got what it takes to persuade her into not destroying us?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as the fox yipped and then transformed into the Ancient One.
"So, because I banged her, you think I got what it takes?" I asked, the spectral illusion nodding before Tails reappeared and flopped down onto my chest with an exhausted expression. "You struggle with keeping it up for long? Well, then if we survive this, we're working on that."
The fox whined at my words, but he knew that I was right as he just curled up and closed his eyes. It was at that moment that the door opened, Wanda opening the door and raising an eyebrow at me.
"Ah, we're at the breakdown stage?"
"Nope, we're now at the thinking stage."
"And what do we have so far?"
"A headache, anxiety and the growing suspicion that I might accidentally a deadly bird-woman?"
"...In other words, you just created new problems for yourself."
"Tails has been helping so far, though not by much. Did you know he can make a perfect illusion of you naked?"
"He can?" she asked, looking more intrigued than surprised as I raised an eyebrow before nodding. "Impressive."
"You're not disturbed by it?"
"Considering that I told him to focus on forms that feel and look familiar, I'm not surprised that he chose me," she replied before I rolled my eyes as I saw the smug smile on her face. "On top of that, he chose me over all the older women he knows of so that is quite a boost to my ego."
"Of course it is. What brings you here anyway, sister?"
"To see if you're not spiralling out of control, which you are. Therefore, want to go grab a cup of coffee?"
"Do they even have coffee on Attilan or whatever this place is?"
"Only one way to find out. Also, Crystal wants you to come so she can pick out an outfit for you for tonight."
"Let me guess, it's made out of Terrigen crystals and made by the best Attilan seamstresses?"
"Nope, just regular clothes and suits," she replied, a cheeky smile on her face as I paused.
"...Wanda, not a word."
"I won't say anything,"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
A knock on my room door made me grimace as I stopped my pacing, Tails looking up with Wanda before I gestured for both of them to relax.
With a deep breath and a slow exhale, I walked forward and unlocked the door with my best smile.
Standing in front of it was the woman that had come with Deathbird, dressed in the same outfit as she was earlier with a black shawl thrown over her shoulder.
She didn't say anything as she looked me up and down with a smirk.
I have to admit that Crystal went all out as I was dressed in an all-black outfit with only one button of the suit jacket done. My shirt had two buttons undone at the top, revealing the silver necklace hanging around my neck and I adjusted my cuffs before gesturing with a smirk.
"Do I look good?"
"You look...adequate, which is much better than most of your planet."
"I'll take an adequate. Where are my manners? Pietro Maximoff, though you already knew that," I introduced myself with a hand raised and she paused for a moment before shaking it with an amused smile.
"Cerise, aide to Lady Deathbird. Charmed."
"Not yet, but you will be," I replied and for the first time, the woman looked impressed by my quips as she nodded before turning.
"Follow, Lady Deathbird does not like to be kept waiting."
"That is to be expected from a woman of her beauty. Wanda, do not wait up for me."
"I won't," she fired back as I closed the door, clearing my throat before following after Cerise. She was a pretty woman, but given how she looked more amused than intrigued by my antics, I decided to not push my flirting too far.
The two of us passed various Kree and Skrulls as we walked through the halls of Attilan's royal castle, approaching the back section of it.
As we did, I narrowed my eyes subtly at the dozens of Shi'ar guards patrolling the area, none of them even acknowledging me as Cerise waved them away.
Still, it did not take us long to stop in front of a large crystalline archway, two Shiar guards standing on either with their stoic gazes focused on me.
Cerise herself didn't say anything as she turned to me, looking me over once more before I raised an eyebrow as she straightened my collar.
"Lady Deathbird has not yet decided whether she wants to stab you, seduce you or both."
"Those are completely different things."
"In Shi'ar culture, those are practically synonymous," she replied and I stared as she giggled. "The odds are in your favour, though. Lady Deathbird adores bold men and despises cowardly ones."
"Ah, then she shall find no bolder man on Earth than I."
"That remains to be seen, Open," she ordered and the guards moved silently, turning to face each to her as the double doors of the archway shimmered before parting.
As it did, a wave of perfumed air impacted my nose, a floral scent to it with sharp notes of something metallic yet sweet afterwards.
'Man, that is one confusing perfume.'
"She is waiting," Cerise knocked me from my thoughts and I took a deep breath to calm my nerves.
"Thank you for the escort, Ms. Cerise," I replied with a smile, the woman giving a nod as I walked through the doors. They closed behind me as I entered a large, open-air dining terrace overlooking the Attilan skyline.
Bioluminescent crystals glowed softly, castling violet and silver hues over everything and at the far end of the singular table on the terrace, there she was.
Instead of her armour, she wore something that looked like a combination between ceremonial robes and battle lingerie, the colours a mixture of deep pruple and blue while her feathers were braided with metallic cords.
'What's with me and liking anthropomorphic alien women?' I thought as Deathbird turned, her gaze narrowing as she looked me over.
I was ready to run as she stayed silent before I relaxed as she gave a slow smile.
"Terran~" the way she purred the word made my spine tingle as I walked closer. "I see you did your best to be presentable."
"Of course. It is not everyday that I receive the opportunity to dine with intergalactic royalty," I replied, bowing in greeting and making her hum.
"We shall see if you are as amusing over dinner as you were earlier when you flirted with me."
"That one was nothing but the truth. Forgive me if I am not as easygoing as I was earlier," she just gave a sharp and hungry smile at my words as we walked to the table, Deathbird raising an eyebrow as I pulled her chair out.
"It is custom on Earth for the man to pull a woman's chair out as a sign of respect and chivalry.'
"A custom I am in agreement with," she replied, sitting down before I moved to sit at the chair on the opposite side. "No, this one."
I blinked as she pointed at the chair right beside her, her piercing stare making me smirk as I simply turned and sat down in the chair she wanted.
"You are not going to fight my decision?"
"Would you want me to?"
"Of course. That is why I allowed this fickle little gathering to happen," she replied and I hummed, but she raised an eyebrow as I stayed seated. "So, you would not fight me, then?"
"No, being seated there would deny me the opportunity to view your beauty up close."
"Many have spoken as boldly as you do now and many of them paid the price for it."
"Were they me?"
"No."
"Then, there's the issue. They saw you as nothing more than a good woman. I see a beautiful dominatrix I can 'persuade' to see my side of the story as the truth," I replied and she narrowed her eyes.
"To do that, you would need quite the persuasive tongue."
"I have been told that I am very good with it," My answer seemed to make her raise an eyebrow before her eyes widened as I opened my mouth ever so slightly and made my tongue vibrate. "Very good."
She just stared at my mouth as I closed it before looking back up into my eyes with a smirk. "Is it simply your tongue or...?"
"Oh, various other places, but we're not here for that. Unfortunately, as we Terrans like to say, business before pleasure."
"And pleasure it shall be," she replied, snapping her fingers and calling forth a pair of waiters with lidded dishes in hand. They placed the plates in front of us before removing the lids, showing off five thin slices of meat on a piece of baked bread and red eggs spread on top of the meat.
"This is Leviathan caviar with Behemoth liver slices atop baked bread made from the finest flour of the Vega-galaxy."
"Looks...intriguing," I tried my best to compliment it as I picked up the small piece of bread, using my superspeed to look it over and make sure there was nothing abnormal about it.
'Well, it's not like I can see poison. Could she poison me? I'll just vibrate the poison out, then. Can I do that? Stupid, only one way to find out,' With my mind made up, I tilted my head back and ate it whole, my eyes widening as a plethora of flavours danced on my tongue.
Deathbird seemed amused by my reaction as her fingers drummed on the table, the sound drawing me back just as she leaned her. The faint scent of her perfume brushed over me once again, much sharper and intoxicating this time.
"Tell me this, Terran," she whispered, her eyes a shimmering gold in the lighting as I held her gaze. "You walk into a room full of my servants, surrounded by enemies...and you choose the most illogical route possible."
"Being flirtatious?"
"Being bold," she corrected with a smirk. "Enough to warrant examination and make me consider other options besides obliterating your world. I might say that your boldness to even flirt with me is unheard of."
"I'm honoured to be considered a potentially planetary plaything," I replied and she chuckled, turning fully in her chair to face me while crossing one leg over the other. I admit that I had to force myself to keep my eyes up as I saw the slit on her robe part just enough to show off a milky white thigh.
"If you would had displeased me, I would have killed you already," she replied before pausing. "If you bore me tonight, I shall kill you anyway."
"That is not as comforting to hear as I expected."
"Do not lie, Pietro Maximoff. The thrill excites you," she replied and I couldn't help my smirk as I leaned forward. Deathbird herself did the same before making a gesture, a metallic sphere the size of a beachball floating towards us.
It hovered above the table before it unfurled, revealing an array of dishes that I could not make head nor tails off as she smirked.
"Shi'ar cuisine. Do not worry. Most Terrans only vomit the first time," she replied, plucking off a violet berry and flicking it into her mouth with an elegant smile.
Copying her motion, I bit down on the berry and instant heat shot down my tongue, travelling up my spine before it vanished and left me sitting there taking heavy breaths.
"Oh..." was all I could get out, but there was no nausea as she smirked.
"Your pupils dilated."
"That tasted like a war crime wrapped in a fruit."
"Good, then?"
"Very good," I nodded, taking another and enjoying the sensation all over again before Deathbird leaned forward again. She raised a clawed finger to my face, softly tracing my jawline with a hum as I raised an eyebrow.
"Tell me something before we continue with business. Did you speak so boldly because you wished to impress me or because you wished to live?"
"Does it matter which urge is stronger?"
"To me? Yes," she replied, waiting for my response as I leaned back in my seat.
"Truthfully, the former more than the latter. Yes, I wished to live, but I wished to impress you enough as to where you were more intrigued by me than by the destruction of Earth as I know it."
"Therefore, you acted out and drew the attention to you. Not bad, Pietro Maximoff. Not bad at all. There's just one question."
"And what's that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as she stood up, walking around behind me and placing her clawed talons on my shoulders.
"What makes you believe that I have not already considered doing away with Earth and everything on it? That way, your attention will be fixed on me and me alone."
"That all depends on one thing. Will you send those ships?" I asked, Deathbird wrapping her arms around my neck as I felt her soft chest pressing against my back.
"That is corrr-," Her words slowed as I sped up, slipping out of her grasp before moving both her and myself to the other side of the table.
I put her down in a seated position before picking up two glasses of wine, stopping beside her while holding a glass out.
To my surprise, Deathbird looked unfazed as she simply hummed, taking the glass of wine with a smirk as I shrugged.
"Before you could get the order out, half of your ships would be in ruins. By the time they carry out the order, the other half would be floating around the moon in ruins.
Unless you believe that any of your men can think, move and perceive the world at the speed of light, I would suggest otherwise."
"I see now. So, you are the abnormal with the sparking cosmic energy and I assume that you are also the one responsible for the explosion?"
"That is correct. Beauty and brains? Ah, if only you were not married."
"What makes you believe I am married?"
"A beautiful woman such as yourself is not married? I refuse to believe it," I replied, hiding my smirk as she paused at my words. She then looked at me, but I caught the flicker of pleased surprise dancing in her eyes.
"You know, I expected a snivelling Terran begging for his people's survival."
"Oh, that was who you were going to get before you told me to be myself. Now, you get the young confident bachelor."
"Hmm, fitting for the bold young bachelor trying to seduce me."
"I thought we were just talking."
"That is seduction," she replied smoothly and I blinked at the response before nodding.
"Fair."
"Tell me this, Pietro Maximoff. If I were to send my ships now, what would you do?"
"Stop them, obviously. Like you've seen, I'm fast and I mean very fast."
"Fast is useful in battle, but not so much in bed."
"Oh, no need to worry. I never rush that," The reply came smoothly just as Cerise opened the door, letting out an audible choke at my brazenness as Deathbird hummed.
"You are unlike any man I have ever met."
"Like I told you earlier, I am one of a kind," I responded and Deathbird nodded with a pleased smile.
"Enjoy the dinner and when you are done, come to my quarters so that we may continue this discussion in private. Cerise will escort you there."
"As you wish, mistress," Cerise nodded, but Deathbird didn't even glance at her as she smirked and walked out the door.
The moment they closed, Cerise and I didn't say anything as we just looked at each other before I shook my head with a sigh.
"I think I survived somewhat."
"You are one lucky man, Pietro Maximoff."
"I know."
A/N: A bit of a loose chapter as we finish off most of what is necessary for this arc and next chapter, it's time for the very first smut!
I don't know if I can even write it, but who knows?
Like always, you can go to my Pat-reon-.-com-/-KingCrimsonNova to read ahead on this as well as many other stories & even some that haven't been released out to this site yet. If you want to, you are free to, but if you don't want, all's good as I will still be uploading here. This is just me trying to get some extra cash.
Anyway, as always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one...
Ba-Bye~!