Marvel: Silver Hand

The hallway was quiet as Emma led Alexander through the Massachusetts Academy. Her heels clicked softly against the marble floor, the sound sharp and rhythmic in the stillness. Alexander followed beside her, his molten eyes dimmed to a soft glow as the heat of the sparring session faded from his veins. His mind, however, was still buzzing — with thoughts of the fight, of the Hellions' potential, and of the task ahead.

They stopped in front of a dark wooden door. Emma opened it and gestured for him to enter.

Alexander stepped inside and froze. The room was large, luxurious but tasteful. A king-sized bed sat against the far wall, covered in silk sheets the color of ice. The scent of jasmine and something uniquely Emma hung in the air. His eyes flicked to the vanity, where several pieces of jewelry were laid out neatly, alongside a picture of Emma with a group of young girls — students from years past, maybe.

"Wait," Alexander said, turning to her. "This is your room."

Emma smiled, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. "Yes. It is."

He shifted uncomfortably. "Why am I in your room?"

She took a step closer. "Because this is the last time we'll see each other for a while, and I have a gift for you."

Alexander narrowed his eyes, his instincts prickling. "What kind of gift?"

Emma didn't answer. Instead, she reached for the buttons of her jacket and slowly began to undo them. One by one. The tailored fabric parted, revealing smooth, pale skin and delicate lace beneath. Alexander's brain stalled.

"Emma… what are you doing?"

She let the jacket slide off her shoulders and onto the floor. "Giving you your gift."

Alexander's face heated as she reached behind her back to unclasp her bra. He turned away sharply. "Put your clothes back on."

She stepped closer. He could hear the soft rustle of fabric and the whisper of her bare feet against the rug. A moment later, her hand touched his shoulder. Warm. Firm. "Why?" she asked softly.

He swallowed hard. "Because this is insane. You… me… this…"

Emma moved in front of him. His gaze stayed firmly locked on the wall behind her, though his peripheral vision didn't help much. She placed a hand against his cheek and gently turned his face toward hers. He met her eyes — icy blue, sharp and knowing — as she leaned in and kissed him.

Alexander's breath caught. He hesitated for a fraction of a second before his resolve shattered. He kissed her back, his arms encircling her waist as the heat within him stirred once more. Emma pressed against him, her body cool against his burning skin, like snow meeting fire. The world outside the room blurred into irrelevance as they fell into bed together.

---

The next morning, Alexander woke to the faint scent of jasmine and an empty bed. The sheets were rumpled, the pillows askew. He lay there for a moment, blinking at the sunlight filtering through the curtains. His muscles ached slightly, though it wasn't from combat.

"Did I really…?" he mumbled aloud.

Celebrimbor's voice answered with a dry chuckle. "Yes. Yes, you did."

Alexander groaned and rubbed his hands over his face. "Please tell me you didn't… you know… watch."

"I didn't," Celebrimbor assured him, though his tone was far too amused for Alexander's comfort. "But you didn't exactly keep your… activities subtle."

Alexander sat up, muttering curses under his breath. Before he could stew in embarrassment any longer, the door opened. Emma entered, dressed in her immaculate white suit. She held a small stack of documents in one hand and a steaming cup of coffee in the other.

"Good morning, Alexander," she greeted, eyes twinkling.

Alexander shifted awkwardly. "Morning."

Emma set the coffee down on the bedside table and handed him the documents. "Your new ID and passport. Courtesy of my contacts."

He glanced at the passport. The name read Alexander Athos, with a picture of him in his usual form — black hair, grey eyes, sharp features. The driver's license had the same information.

"Thanks," he said, flipping through them. "This is… impressive."

Emma smirked and sat on the edge of the bed. "I'm very resourceful." Her eyes scanned him lazily. "By the way… you were pretty good."

Alexander choked on air. "Okay," he muttered, cheeks burning.

Emma laughed, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Shower's through that door. Get dressed. I'll walk you out."

He scrambled from the bed and found the bathroom. The shower was luxurious, with water pressure strong enough to massage his sore muscles. He washed quickly, trying to banish the lingering blush from his skin, then dressed in his usual black clothes. When he returned to the room, Emma was waiting by the door.

They walked in silence to the front gates of the academy. The crisp morning air cooled the heat still swirling in Alexander's veins. Emma stopped at the wrought-iron entrance and turned to face him.

"You don't have to go, you know," she said softly.

Alexander hesitated. "I do."

She nodded, though disappointment flickered through her eyes. "Be careful in New York. It's a city full of power and ambition. It might not care about your fire."

"I can handle myself."

Emma smiled faintly. "I know." She stepped forward and hugged him. Alexander hugged her back, the gesture unfamiliar but grounding. When she pulled away, her eyes were guarded again. "Don't make me come after you if you disappear."

"No promises."

She rolled her eyes. "Go on, then. Before I decide to keep you here."

Alexander gave her a final nod, then turned away. Fire ignited in his veins, and he launched himself forward at superhuman speed, the landscape blurring around him. Trees, roads, and towns zipped past as he ran toward New York City.

---

The journey took a few hours. Alexander kept his pace moderate, conserving his energy while letting his mind wander. The night with Emma lingered in his thoughts. The warmth of her skin, the sharpness of her wit, the way she met his power without fear. He hadn't expected that.

"Distracted," Celebrimbor noted.

"Yeah," Alexander admitted. "Last night was… unexpected."

The wraith hummed. "Connections like that can make you stronger. Or weaker."

"I know," Alexander said. "She's not a weakness. I made sure of that."

"You hope."

Alexander didn't respond. The buildings on the horizon grew larger as he neared the outskirts of New York City. The skyline rose into view: the Empire State Building, Stark Tower gleaming like a needle of glass and steel, and, in the distance, the green silhouette of the Statue of Liberty.

He slowed as he reached the edge of the city. The streets were crowded, the sidewalks teeming with people. Cars honked, voices shouted, and the constant hum of activity enveloped him. He ducked into a shadowed alleyway and focused on his ring. The power of the ring shifted beneath his skin as his hair darkened to black and his eyes faded to steel-grey.

"Better?" he asked.

"Less conspicuous," Celebrimbor agreed.

Alexander walked out of the alley and onto the sidewalk. He paused for a moment to take in the view of the Statue of Liberty standing tall in the harbor.

"Beautiful," Celebrimbor murmured. "Your world… it does not lack wonders."

Alexander smiled faintly. "Yeah. It doesn't."

The fire god's inheritance stirred in his veins as he turned toward the heart of the city. The Avengers were somewhere here, and if he wanted to reach Asgard, he needed to find them.