Marvel: Father of Superheroes

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Howard was the last to get in the car, settling into the passenger seat.

He glanced at Tony, hesitating to speak.

Tony, keenly noticing Howard's expression, forced a smile and asked, "What's wrong?"

Tony still couldn't accept the fact that his father had a terminal illness. Even though his rational mind told him it was true, he refused to believe it.

"Sorry, kid. I haven't paid enough attention to you all these years. I've ignored your feelings."

The sudden, heartfelt confession caught Tony off guard, and he was unexpectedly moved.

The car slowly started, heading toward New York.

Tony stared at the seemingly endless road ahead, forcing a smile. "No, Dad, I've never held it against you."

After all, his father had given him the most luxurious life and upbringing, and while he hadn't spent much time with him, whenever he could, he did make an effort. That was enough.

Faced with the looming prospect of life and death, the tensions and gaps between them evaporated in an instant.

Howard nodded, his face still heavy with sorrow.

Tony, seeing the grim expression on his father's face, couldn't help but say, "Don't worry, old man. I'll figure something out."

Howard smiled softly, "If there were a way, I wouldn't be making arrangements for my funeral."

After a brief pause, he closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and as if making a decision, said, "Tony, no matter what you do, I'll support you."

Tony felt a surge of emotion.

Then, Howard gritted his teeth and added, "Even if you really don't like women, I'll accept that."

Once he finished speaking, Howard let out a sigh of relief.

Tony slammed on the brakes, his face contorting in shock. "What are you saying? Old man! Has the cancer spread to your brain?"

Realizing his slip, he quickly added, "Wait, I didn't mean it like that. I'm just asking, do you realize what you're saying?"

Howard gave a solemn nod. "Tony, I already know. The assassin was a man. You two... in the hotel... sigh."

Instantly, Tony felt a wave of anger rise within him.

"You... I!" Tony snapped, "He pretended to be a woman to get close to me. I had no idea he was a man. Nothing happened that night!"

Seeing Tony's explosive reaction, Howard stared at him for several seconds.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Suddenly, Howard burst out laughing.

Tony froze.

Howard gave Tony a sly wink. "So, how about that? Surprised?"

Before they left, Charles had told Howard about the assassin being a man and about Tony rushing out of the hotel room. Howard couldn't help but laugh at Charles' petty nature while secretly planning to tease Tony.

After all, the assassin had been handled by S.H.I.E.L.D., and Howard had already known the details of Tony's situation long before.

Tony gritted his teeth. "You crazy old man!"

After a brief pause, both father and son, along with Maria in the backseat, couldn't help but laugh.

As the laughter subsided, Tony turned his head, gripping the steering wheel tightly, his lips trembling slightly. "Dad, is there really no other way? What about getting treatment in the hospital?"

"Heh." Howard laughed nonchalantly. "I don't want to become bald, that's just too ugly."

After a pause, he continued, "I've told you, I'm satisfied. I've had enough time to arrange things for after I'm gone. It's a lot better than last time when I almost got killed."

"Killed?" Tony blinked, surprised. "When did that happen?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Howard asked in return, then added, "Before you took over the company, the night I met Mike, he saved me and your mother."

Tony was stunned. "You never mentioned that before!"

"Would you want me to tell you I got beaten up, with a bloody nose?" Howard shrugged. "Of course, I didn't say that."

So, Mike saved my parents, and his son saved me?

Tony suddenly realized something and sighed helplessly. "Dad, I feel like that 'uncle' wasn't said in vain."

Howard patted Tony on the shoulder. "Let's go, son. Time to head home. I'm starting to make my final travel plans."

Over the years, with his help, Tony had taken over the company. As for S.H.I.E.L.D., Howard had done more than enough over the years. His time was running out. All he wanted now was to be with his family and enjoy the world for what little time he had left.

"I'll go with you."

"Good!"

The small town where Mike lived was about ten kilometers from his farm, with a small river that flowed gently and clearly. Mike's family often came here to fish.

It had been a while since their last visit.

Today happened to be a Sunday, and the weather was great. Mike, in a spontaneous mood, packed up the fishing gear, barbecue tools, and some prepared ingredients. He stored everything in his dimensional pocket, drove with his three children, and headed to the riverbank.

He baited a worm on the hook, casually cast the line, and then didn't worry about it anymore.

"Hey, you three, whatever you catch today, that's what we'll eat."

Mike said with a smile, and the three children grinned confidently, each holding a fishing rod, ready to catch fish.

Fishing, besides talent, really depended on luck.

Before long, Charles shouted joyfully as he caught a fish.

Erik and Clark scoffed.

They were sure they'd catch an even bigger one soon.

"Charles, nice job," Mike praised as he started setting up the barbecue tools.

Before he could even get the setup ready, Charles cheered again, having caught another fish.

Mike raised an eyebrow and gave Charles a thumbs-up.

Clark and Erik shot him a disdainful look and scoffed lightly.

One fish, two fish, three fish...

Charles was catching fish almost as if he were picking them out of the water.

Finally, after another excited cheer from Charles, Erik growled, "Are you ever going to shut up? You're scaring away my fish!"

Clark nodded in agreement.

Charles just smirked, put his fish in his bucket, and muttered, "You didn't catch anything, so you can eat nothing later!"

Clark and Erik gave him cold glares.

Half an hour later, Mike casually reeled in a fish from his rod on the riverbank, but Clark and Erik still hadn't caught anything.

Their faces darkened, especially as they watched Charles catching fish one after another without stopping. The air around them seemed to grow heavy with frustration.

Mike quietly chuckled at the sight.

Suddenly, Clark cheered and cast his line out.

But the next second, his face turned ashen.

It was a brightly colored female item.

He had been careless! He should've checked first!

Clark muttered under his breath.

"Ha ha ha!"

Charles laughed mockingly at Clark, while Erik sighed and shook his head at him.

Mike, watching the whole scene, couldn't help but chuckle as well.

(End of Chapter)