[One month later]
The stability serum worked exactly as Tony had predicted. Within days, Rogue's mutation was no longer a curse. Under Tony's direct guidance, she learned how to control it, turning it on and off at will. The first time she touched skin without draining life or power, and without the suppressor, she broke into tears.
Tony still insisted she keep the nanite bracelet. It worked as both a suppressor and a protective suit, a safeguard in case her control slipped. She didn't argue. She just wanted to wear the cool suit again and probably brag about it to Kitty and Jubilee back at school.
When the week ended, Rogue made her decision. She wanted to experience a normal life. She enrolled in college alongside Lorna and Pietro, and for the first time in years, allowed herself to imagine a future that was not defined by fear. She visited Charles' school every now and then, still tied to her friends there, but her home was now with Wanda, Lorna, and Pietro. The house Tony gifted them was more than big enough for them, and for Rogue, it was everything she thought she could never have.
Well, they are now like a happy family.
Meanwhile, the construction of the new Stark Tower pressed forward, thirty percent complete and climbing every day. With the help of his robots and drones, it'd take a couple of months to properly build it. He planned to finally leave Horizon Island and move to NY.
As for the Brotherhood. Except for Magneto and Mystique, the others were either sent to Charles's school or to prison, depending on their crimes. At the school, they would be watched, guided, and restrained when necessary. For now, they were under control.
Tony had a brief meeting with Charles over a holographic call. Charles agreed to guide them and thanked Tony for not taking any drastic action against them. He knew it was the only way forward, the only chance to reshape what once was chaos into something resembling order.
As for Emma, she took over the Hellfire Club and started to pluck out the underworld crime lords, slowly and painfully.
Then, there was Shield. They opened multiple branches all over the world and with the mutants and superhumans joining as agents, the crime rates went down rapidly over the month. This made Tony's job easier. He used his surveillance system to track down the bad guys and the agents would take them down. They destroyed nearly 300 human & mutant experiment facilities around the world. The number might seem small, but it's a start.
Moving on to Tony, he was finally ready to colonize Mars and build a base on the Moon. The technology was ready. As for the space station, it was 94% ready.
Everything was going smoothly.
[Sunday]
Tony decided to take a small vacation with Sue, Natasha, and Yelena. He was really exhausted and just needed a break.
...
[Iceland, Evening]
The jet touched down on the private S.H.I.E.L.D. outpost, skimming through the low mist that clung to the runway. The air outside was crisp and cool. Tony stepped out first.
"Alright, team," He said, stretching his arms wide. "Welcome to Iceland. Land of volcanoes, hot springs, and overpriced sweaters. Try to act impressed."
Sue followed with a small smile. "I already am. This place looks beautiful."
Natasha came down the steps behind her, suitcase in one hand. "I'm impressed if the villa is actually as big as you promised."
Yelena brought up the rear, hands in her pockets. "If it has food, I'm impressed."
They got into a waiting black SUV. The ride into town took them past jagged cliffs, waterfalls tumbling in the distance, and patches of farmland dotted with Icelandic horses. Yelena pressed her forehead to the window, snapping quick pictures with her phone.
"Looks like the desktop background section on Windows," she muttered.
"Correction," Tony said. "This is the premium background section."
The villa sat on the edge of a small town, half-hidden behind a ridge. When they pulled up, it looked exactly as Tony had described: modern, large glass windows, stone walls, perched above the coastline. The ocean stretched out below, waves crashing against black rock. A geothermal pool steamed in the backyard.
"Not bad," Sue said, running her hand along the railing of the deck. "You did good."
"I always do good," Tony said. He dropped his bag by the door and spun around. "So, here's the plan. We're in vacation mode. No missions unless the world is ending or a city is about to blow up. Just normal people stuff. Step one: claim your rooms. Step two: figure out food before we starve."
Natasha raised an eyebrow. "You didn't stock the fridge?"
Tony put a hand over his chest. "Excuse me, do I look like I shop for groceries? I had agents buy the property, not fill it with snacks. Besides, we're in Iceland. We should eat local."
"Pizza is local everywhere," Yelena said.
They went inside and scattered through the villa, each staking out a bedroom. Tony tossed his bag onto the master suite without shame. Yelena called dibs on the one with the ocean view. Natasha picked the one closest to the stairs, habit driving her choice. Sue entered the master bedroom.
"Well, I'm gonna stay with you, unlike those two," She said with a wink before placing her suitcase near the closet.
"Saves me the time to sneak into your room in the middle of the night," Tony said with a sly smirk.
"Oh my, should I be worried?" She said, walking closer to him.
"You should," He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. "Because I'm gonna make love to you like there is no tomorrow."
Both of them leaned forward and began kissing.
Half an hour later, they regrouped in the kitchen, which was spotless and empty. Tony opened the fridge and sighed. "Yeah, that's on me. Nothing but bottled water and butter. Who even sells butter by itself?"
"Someone who thought you could cook," Sue said, amused.
"I can cook," Tony protested. "Technically. I just prefer not to."
Yelena leaned against the counter. "Well, let's go and find a nice restaurant. I'm starving."
...
The town was small, its streets lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants that glowed warmly in the cold night. They parked and started down the main street. Yelena walked ahead, scanning menus taped to windows.
"This one," she said, pointing at a cozy-looking place with wooden beams and a chalkboard out front. "It says lamb stew. That sounds like Iceland."
Inside, the restaurant smelled of bread, herbs, and grilled fish. They found a table by the window. A waitress brought the menu with a smile. Sue leaned over hers, thoughtful. "It all looks good. I'll probably have the lamb chops combo."
"I'm getting the fish," Natasha said, setting hers down.
"Steak," Yelena said immediately. "Extra potatoes... for appetizers."
Tony scanned the options. "I'll try the lamb stew. If it's terrible, I'll buy the restaurant and fire the chef."
The food came quickly, steaming plates that filled the table with the smell of fresh herbs and butter. Yelena ate fast, clearly starving. She ordered an entire fish dish after finishing her steak. Sue savored hers. Natasha ate steadily, not rushing. And Tony loved the food.
After 45 minutes or so...
Tony finally sat back with a satisfied sigh. "Okay. Icelandic food gets the Stark seal of approval. That means something."
"It means you're full," Natasha said dryly.
Then came the dessert... Plates of pastries and thick hot chocolate. Yelena stole bites from everyone else's plate without shame. Sue laughed when she caught her and offered hers anyway.
On the walk back to the car, the northern lights faintly streaking the sky. They stopped in the middle of the street to look up. Green and purple waves shimmered above the rooftops.
"Wow," Sue whispered.
"So beautiful," Yelena muttered in awe.
"Okay, that's worth the price of the villa," Tony said. "Nature finally did something I can't outdo with tech."
"Give it a week," Natasha said.
Back at the villa, they settled in for the night. Tony lit the fireplace, the crackle filling the room as they sprawled across the couches. Sue curled up with a blanket. Natasha sipped tea. Yelena was stretched out on the rug with her phone.
Tony looked around at them, the quiet comfort sinking in. For once, there were no crises, no enemies waiting around the corner. Just warmth, food in their stomachs, and the sound of waves outside.
Yelena looked up from her phone. "So, tomorrow… volcano?"
"Yeah, that's a good idea," He replied, stretching his arms above his head. Then he stood up. "Now, ladies, if you'd excuse me." He began to walk toward the backyard and was already taking off his shirt. "I'm gonna soak in the nice pool."
The three girls looked at each other's faces. They waited for Tony to go out, then quickly ran toward their room.
"The first one to get into the pool gets to ride him first," Yelena said while dashing.
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