Silver Superman (Marvel)

Outside the Ballroom

Tony Stark stepped out of the ballroom, placing his half-empty glass on a nearby tray as he took a deep breath of the crisp night air. Loosening his tie, he glanced toward the streetlights flickering across the pavement.

Behind him, footsteps approached.

"Tony, the car's parked—front facing inward, just like you asked," said Happy Hogan, holding up the car keys.

"What are you doing out here?" Happy asked, puzzled.

The party had only been going for a little over an hour. Normally, if Tony left early, he'd have an A-list actress or a supermodel on his arm. But tonight, he was alone.

Tony didn't answer, simply taking the keys and giving Happy a casual wave of dismissal.

"Go back inside. You can drive Pepper home later," Tony said, his voice calm but distant.

"Tell her I left alone. No one else with me."

Happy scratched the back of his head, confused.

At that moment, Tony turned back toward him.

"By the way, Happy… What about that agent from S.H.I.E.L.D.? Haven't seen him all night."

"You mean Phil Coulson?"

"Yeah, him."

"No idea. Haven't seen him since the press conference," Happy replied with a shrug.

Tony tilted his head slightly, considering the possibility that Coulson might've been annoyed with him for going off-script at the conference.

Eh… Not my problem.

Without another word, Tony turned and walked toward his car.

Back Inside the Ballroom

Happy had barely stepped back into the ballroom when Pepper Potts hurried over, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor.

"Happy! Where's Tony?"

"He said he was going home. Asked me to tell you he left alone—no one with him."

Pepper sighed and rubbed her forehead.

What is he up to now?

"Never mind. Let's get back to the event," she said, straightening her shoulders.

Since Tony had left without delivering his scheduled speech, Pepper had no choice but to step in and take charge.

As she and Happy returned to the ballroom, the murmur of conversations and clinking glasses resumed around them.

At the Bar

Ethan glanced at the red-haired woman standing before him and immediately understood why the room had fallen silent when she entered.

Jean Grey.

A Mutant—and one of the most powerful members of the X-Men.

Her presence alone was enough to command attention, though not all of it was welcome.

Most of the guests at tonight's event were well-connected and well-informed—they knew of the X-Men, and many had heard whispers of the Phoenix Force that dwelled within Jean.

After Magneto and the Brotherhood of Mutants had caused chaos during their last confrontation, fear and prejudice against Mutants had only intensified.

Even the X-Men—who fought to protect humanity—were now viewed with suspicion.

As soon as Jean stepped into the ballroom, she became the center of attention. But unlike Ethan, most guests observed her with wary eyes, their conversations dropping to hushed whispers:

"Look, that Mutant's trying to approach Ethan…"

"Who knows what she's planning?"

"I don't get why Stark Industries invited a Mutant to this event."

"Stay away from them. You never know what they're capable of."

Slowly, the space around Jean and Ethan cleared as people instinctively backed away, leaving them in an invisible bubble of isolation.

Jean's telepathic abilities picked up every unspoken thought, every judgmental whisper.

And Ethan, whose enhanced senses surpassed those of ordinary humans, could hear them just as clearly despite the music and chatter.

Jean lowered her gaze slightly, a flicker of sadness crossing her face.

"It seems my presence has caused you trouble, Mr. Ethan… I should probably leave."

Her tone was polite, but there was a hint of resignation beneath the words.

Ordinarily, Jean wouldn't have attended an event like this—filled with people whose outward charm masked their prejudice.

But Professor Charles Xavier had asked her to come, hoping that her presence might help bridge the growing divide between Mutants and society's elite.

Jean had agreed, despite knowing how people would react.

Now, their cold stares and whispered insults had made her question whether this mission of goodwill had been worth it.

The only reason she had approached Ethan was because she admired his work—nothing more.

"It's fine. Stay."

Ethan's calm voice broke through her thoughts.

"Honestly, I was getting bored anyway. Join me for a drink and some conversation."

Jean blinked, surprised.

He's not afraid of me?

"Mr. Ethan… Aren't you afraid of me?"

Ethan chuckled softly.

"Afraid? What, are you going to eat me or something?"

Jean's cheeks flushed faintly.

He's so handsome…

Without hesitation, she took the seat beside him, sitting a bit more stiffly than she intended.

"What do you drink?" Ethan asked.

"Anything is fine, Mr. Ethan."

"Then let's have cocktails."

Soon, the bartender placed two glasses in front of them.

"Cheers," Ethan said, raising his glass.

Jean clinked her glass against his and took a sip.

For the first time that evening, she felt the tension ease from her shoulders.

Unlike the other guests, Ethan's gaze held no fear, no suspicion—just genuine curiosity.

He doesn't see me as a Mutant. Just as… a person.

After a few glasses of wine, the conversation began to flow more freely.

"Mr. Ethan… I really am a fan of your work," Jean confessed, a faint blush warming her cheeks from both the alcohol and nervous excitement.

"My favorite is The Terminator."

Ethan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"You? I thought you'd be more into Harry Potter or something like that."

Jean chuckled softly.

"No, I prefer The Terminator."

"Why's that?"

Jean glanced toward the guests who still kept their distance, their eyes occasionally flicking toward her with thinly veiled wariness.

"In The Terminator, I see a reflection of us Mutants," she said quietly.

"Humans controlled by Skynet… and Mutants, hunted and feared by society. We're both just trying to survive."

Her smile was tinged with sadness.

"But there's a difference," Ethan replied.

"The humans in The Terminator never stop fighting. Even when Skynet dominates everything, they keep searching for a way to break free—to create hope in a hopeless world."

Jean lowered her glass, her eyes searching his face.

"And what about us Mutants?"

Ethan took a slow sip of his drink, considering his words carefully.

"Leaving Magneto aside… under Professor Xavier's leadership, the X-Men are trying to be heroes. But sometimes…" He paused.

"It feels like you're waiting for humans to accept you. Waiting for their approval."

Jean inhaled softly, surprised at how precisely he had captured her feelings.

"You're not wrong," she admitted.

"Professor Xavier believes in coexistence… but sometimes, it feels like we're just begging to be accepted. And when people look at me the way they did tonight, I wonder if coexistence is even possible."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Ethan raised his glass once more.

"To fighting for a future where you don't have to prove your worth—where you can just be."

Jean's eyes softened as she clinked her glass against his.

"To that future," she echoed.

As they drank, Jean thought to herself:

Maybe tonight wasn't a mistake after all.

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