I'm Aquaman in Marvel

Chapter 17: A Night Out and a New Secret

Arthur lounged languidly on a deck chair in the sprawling yard, a newspaper resting idly in his hand, his eyes tracking the slow, golden descent of the sun towards the horizon. "Honestly," he muttered to himself, a heavy sigh escaping his lips, "being a bodyguard is mind-numbingly dull! If I'd known it would be this uneventful, I would've absolutely turned this gig down. Wouldn't it be far better to be out drinking and having fun with the girls from the restaurant right now?"

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Tony's distinct voice cut through the quiet evening air. "Hey, come on. We're heading out."

Arthur's head snapped up, a flicker of genuine interest finally sparking in his eyes. "Where are we off to?" he asked, his previous listlessness instantly evaporating, replaced by a newfound eagerness.

"A high-class party," Tony replied casually, a hint of his characteristic swagger in his tone.

"Well, what on earth are we waiting for then? Let's go!" Arthur declared, suddenly surging with renewed energy.

Tony drove Arthur to the grand Disney Music Auditorium. Tony was, naturally, at the wheel because, to his own slight embarrassment, Arthur didn't actually possess a driver's license nor the practical skill of operating a car.

"You're hardly a professional bodyguard at all, are you?" Tony remarked, casting a teasing glance at Arthur from the driver's seat. "You can't even drive. How on earth did I end up with someone like you guarding me?"

Arthur offered an awkward chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "What can I say? I was practically railroaded into this. It's been tough, you know, being an Atlantean king moonlighting as a human security detail."

"Alright, we're here. Time to get out." With that, Arthur and Tony exited the sleek vehicle and made their way towards the magnificent, brightly lit entrance of the auditorium.

A dense throng of high-society figures in their most elegant attire, alongside numerous celebrities, prominent politicians, and an army of eager reporters, had already converged at the entrance, creating a buzzing spectacle.

Tony's arrival immediately ignited a flurry of excited screams from many of the female stars present. Beautiful actresses openly vied for his attention, eager to exchange even a fleeting word, but Tony, ever the showman, simply ignored the clamor and strode purposefully forward, basking in the adoration.

Arthur, trailing a few paces behind, watched Tony with a distinct hint of envy. "God, it's so damn good to be rich!" he exclaimed under his breath, a wistful sigh following. One day, I'll make an entrance just like Tony, too! Let the girls scream for me, Arthur silently vowed in his heart, a mischievous grin forming.

Tony soon spotted Obadiah Stane amidst the swirling crowd. He veered off to offer a polite greeting, exchanging a few words, and then guided Arthur towards the elaborate bar situated in the main hall of the auditorium.

"Scotch whiskey, two glasses!" Tony ordered from the attentive waiter. At that precise moment, a man standing nearby, who had seemingly been listening, turned around. "We meet again, Mr. Stark," he said, his voice calm and professional.

"You are...?" Tony inquired, a questioning, slightly puzzled look in his eyes, clearly trying to place the face.

"I'm Agent Phil Coulson," Coulson introduced himself, his gaze briefly flicking to Arthur before settling back on Tony.

"Oh, right, I know you. You're with... " Tony started, struggling to recall the agency's full name.

"The Strategic, Homeland, Intervention and Logistics Division," Coulson clarified smoothly, stepping in to finish the sentence. "It's now officially called S.H.I.E.L.D."

"S.H.I.E.L.D., huh? Sounds like a much better name, I'll give you that," Tony commented, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

"We need to discuss something with you," Coulson continued, his tone becoming more serious. "Regarding what you've experienced recently. How about we meet at Stark Tower at midnight on the seventh?"

Tony didn't seem to fully register Coulson's words, his attention already having drifted towards Pepper Potts, who was visible in the bustling crowd. "Okay, sure, that sounds good. Sorry, excuse me," Tony said dismissively, his focus elsewhere as he walked away, already heading towards Pepper.

"I bet he didn't hear a word you said," Arthur remarked to Coulson, a knowing smirk plastered across his face.

"I think you're probably right," Coulson agreed, a weary sigh escaping him. "Any progress on your end, John? Any issues with Stark's senior management?"

"Tony's relationship with the company's top brass is incredibly strained right now," Arthur explained, lowering his voice slightly. "And as for Obadiah Stane, who's effectively running Stark Corporation at the moment… there's definitely something off about that man. He's a significant problem, I'd say."

"Excellent. Continue your investigation, ensure Tony Stark's safety at all costs, and keep me informed immediately if anything changes, no matter how small," Coulson instructed, his gaze firm.

"Will do," Arthur replied, a confident nod. "Oh, by the way, when's my partner arriving? I could use some backup."

"Her assignment is complete, and she's already on her way back. You'll see her soon, very soon," Coulson responded, a hint of something unreadable in his expression.

"That's fantastic! I can't wait," Arthur exclaimed, a genuine excitement in his voice at the prospect of some company.

Coulson gave Arthur a curious look, a fleeting expression that seemed to question if Arthur truly understood who he was talking about. "Alright, I'll leave Tony to your capable hands. I need to go." And with that, Coulson turned and departed, blending back into the crowd.

Arthur walked towards Tony and Pepper, who were standing in the corridor engaged in what appeared to be a rather intense conversation. He observed Tony reach out, almost instinctively, to embrace Pepper and lean in for a kiss. Pepper, clearly caught off guard and not prepared for such a public display, immediately pushed him away, a blush rising on her cheeks.

An awkward silence, thick with unspoken feelings, descended between them.

"Oops, my bad, didn't see a thing! You two carry on, don't mind me!" Arthur announced, stepping forward with a deliberate, theatrical wink to break the palpable tension.

"No, we were just talking, John, you completely misunderstood," Pepper quickly clarified, her face a deeper shade of crimson.

"Yes, we were just talking," Tony echoed, winking back at Arthur, playing along with the humor of the moment.

"This is a gift from Tony, for you," Arthur said, handing Pepper a small, elegantly wrapped gift box, sensing it was the perfect way to diffuse the lingering awkwardness.

Pepper took it, a look of genuine surprise and delight spreading across her face. "When did you get this, Tony?" she asked, a happy smile blooming.

"Didn't you give me a heart last time?" Tony smoothly replied, proving his quick wit even in a slightly embarrassing situation. "Consider this a return gift."

Pepper carefully opened the gift box to reveal a stunning necklace with a delicate blue gemstone pendant, shimmering beautifully. "It's absolutely exquisite! Thank you, Tony, it's truly wonderful!" she said, clearly enamored with the piece.

"As long as you like it," Tony responded, taking the necklace from the box. He walked behind Pepper and, with a tender gesture, fastened it around her neck.

"You look absolutely stunning!" Tony said, gazing at Pepper with genuine affection and admiration. Pepper, in her elegant blue dress, looked perfectly adorned, the necklace completing her captivating ensemble.

Just then, Rhodey, Tony's closest friend, approached, joining their small group. "Tony, what's all this about? You're shutting down the weapons division? What kind of foolishness is this? The whole world is going crazy!" he demanded, his voice laced with concern and frustration.

"I just woke up and realized that everything I've been doing is pointless," Tony replied, his tone serious and reflective. "It's a waste of my time. There are more important things to focus on."

"Tony, what do you mean by 'woke up'?" Rhodey pressed, clearly unconvinced by Tony's vague explanation.

"I've gained a new perspective," Tony answered, his eyes holding a distant look. "What's the point of creating weapons that destroy everything? It's meaningless. I have other, more significant things to pursue."

Rhodey stared at Tony, a mix of disbelief and growing concern on his face. "Are you alright? You're acting… different. This isn't like you."

"I'm perfectly fine," Tony insisted. "In fact, I've never been better."

"You're making a huge mistake, Tony," Rhodey warned, shaking his head. "This decision will ruin the company. The shareholders will never allow it."

"Let them try," Tony retorted, a stubborn glint in his eye. "I'm not changing my mind."

Arthur listened to their exchange, a wry smile playing on his lips. He knew exactly what had led to Tony's sudden change of heart: the terrifying experience in the cave, the arc reactor keeping him alive, and the initial, clunky Iron Man suit. These events had profoundly altered Tony's perspective, setting him on the path to becoming Iron Man.

Tony, seemingly tired of the conversation, leaned closer to Rhodey and whispered something. Rhodey's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly turned to look at Arthur with a newfound intensity. Arthur met his gaze with a casual smile.

Rhodey, still looking amazed, then said to Tony, "Alright, I understand. I'll cover for you, but you owe me big time."

"Always, my friend, always," Tony responded, clapping Rhodey on the shoulder.

Rhodey then departed, leaving Tony, Pepper, and Arthur alone. Tony then began to walk away, making his excuses. "Pepper, Arthur, I'm heading out now. I've got something important to take care of."

"What's so important that you have to leave a party like this?" Pepper asked, her brow furrowed with concern.

Tony just winked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "It's a secret. You'll find out soon enough." And with that, he was gone.

"What's he up to?" Pepper wondered aloud, looking at Arthur.

Arthur shrugged. "Knowing Tony, it could be anything. But don't worry, I'll make sure he stays out of trouble." He knew Tony was likely heading off to continue working on his armor, driven by his new purpose.