Marvel: Playing Iron Man, Falling In and Out of Love with Jinx

Bilgewater, Open Waters.

Under the veil of night, everything was shrouded in ambiguity.

Waves rose and fell across the sea, carrying a small boat further and further from Bilgewater.

"Farewell, Bilgewater. I'll miss you!"

A man in a long trench coat stood at the stern, gazing back toward the dark silhouette of Bilgewater beneath the moonlight. He tipped his hat with a slight nod.

"So, where to next?"

Twisted Fate ducked into the cabin, tossed his hat aside, and spread a nautical chart across the table. Time to figure out his next hideout.

"Ionia?"

"Forget it. No good bets there, not thrilling enough."

"Noxus?"

"Old grudges there. Bet they still remember me."

"Piltover?"

"Emmm..." Trist mulled over his chin stubble, remembering the adorably clueless vault guards he and Graves once tricked into helping them load up their loot.

"Rich, clueless, and loaded with gold... Maybe it's time for another visit."

With his next destination settled, Trist folded up the waxed chart and tucked it close to his chest. Hat back on, he took the helm.

As soon as he left the cabin, the secret hatch to the cargo hold creaked open, and one by one, shadows crawled out.

"Damn it, I finally found that slippery bastard!"

Graves stepped out, shotgun in hand, and marched toward the unsuspecting Trist at the helm. Duke opened his mouth, wanting to say something, then chose silence.

Trist, like Duke, was a mage. He could sense magical sources approaching.

And when one got close, a bitter, sour taste filled the mouth.

Graves' weapon was powered by a Hextech core, magical in nature, and the mana it radiated was pungent enough to trigger Trist's instincts.

But this mess was between the two of them. Better to let them sort it out.

Graves' footsteps were soft, but when he got within three paces, Trist already turned around, a red card glowing in his hand.

The violent energy within the card lit the deck in a flash of fire.

Graves' shotgun barrel was pointed right at his chest.

Looking at the familiar muzzle, Trist knew exactly who it was.

"Didn't think we'd reunite like this, old friend."

"Cut the crap," Graves grunted, shotgun still leveled, "Did you imagine this moment when you ditched me back there?"

"I had no choice, buddy!"

Seeing that it was the big lug himself, Trist dismissed his red card. He was confident Graves wouldn't pull the trigger, he could still talk his way out of this.

"We've been partners for so long. You know the bond we've built. Do you really think I'd just abandon you like that?"

"I had to withdraw first to find a way to bust you out of that vault. I was racked with guilt every single night, knowing you were suffering in there alone!"

"My conscience screamed I should've stayed with you, but my reason told me I had to leave if I was going to save you!"

He gently pressed the barrel of the shotgun aside.

"Really?"

Graves frowned. "You were really gonna save me?"

"Of course! We're unbeatable together. Remember when we pulled that stunt on that Noxian noble?"

"Remember his face when we humiliated him?"

Trist's smooth-talking softened the fire in Graves' eyes.

"This dumbass..."

Back in the cabin, Duke facepalmed in frustration. Graves had escaped prison just to get revenge, and now he was already buying Trist's excuses.

How could such a thick-headed guy lose all brainpower when dealing with Trist?

Is this what they called... bromantic loyalty?

"Anyway, I'm heading to Piltover. Thought I'd take you along and earn a few easy scores."

"Funny, I heard you cleaned up real nice recently. Looks like you're just trying to run from Bilgewater's chaos."

Graves wasn't entirely dumb, he raised the shotgun again.

"I needed money to bust you out and smooth things over on the way. You know how it is."

Trist spread his hands. "Old pal, you know how much I care about you!"

"Really?"

Graves' stance wavered a bit. Duke emerged from the cabin, clearing his throat.

"Boss!"

Graves quickly greeted him, respectful as always. "Everything's under control!"

Duke rolled his eyes. Under control?

More like Trist is about to talk you out of your socks.

If Duke hadn't stepped in now, Graves might've confessed the color of his underwear.

"And you are...?"

Trist looked at Duke, still wearing that calm smile. But the sour taste in his mouth made it clear, this kid was a mage, too.

"He's Graves' current boss. The guy who sent him to find you."

Duke sat on the railing, pulled out a square-head cigar, snipped it with care. Everything about his calm demeanor screamed: I've already won.

Trist had no idea what to make of him.

He understood Graves, simple-minded, easy to manipulate. But Duke? This trenchcoat-wearing youth gave off an unsettling sense of control.

"I can't believe Graves would work for someone else. Must be a hell of a benefits package."

Trist lowered his hat slightly, hand creeping behind his back for a card, ready to vanish at any moment.

This was not a friendly visit.

Graves rolled his eyes. Benefits?

Try weekly threats of public nudity if he messed up. What kind of boss was that?

Duke grinned, lit his cigar, and said lightly:

"Five thousand gold a month. Weekends off. Annual leave. Full insurance. Year-end bonus."

He took a puff, eyes glinting.

"Interested?"

"I'll pass," Trist replied, his tone smooth, "Graves knows I don't stay in one place for long."

He stepped back a couple paces, scanning the surroundings. Time to bolt.

He had been excited to see Graves. Thought maybe things could go back to the old days.

But this? This was way off-script.

Graves brought backup.

"Don't bother running. I may not know your teleport range, but I've already arranged someone to block your retreat. Look behind you."

Trist froze. A tingling sensation crawled up his spine.

"You trying that old trick on me?"

He kept his face blank, but peeked back from the corner of his eye,

, and nearly choked.

Two massive eyes floated above the water behind him. Below them, shark-like fins cut through the waves like blades.

"No... way."

"The infamous Tidecaller, you've heard of him, I'm sure?"

"Fizz..." Trist's expression darkened.

There was no one in Bilgewater he feared. If things went south, he'd always had an escape.

But this? With Bilgewater's own urban legend circling the boat?

Duke tapped the ash off his cigar.

"That's right. I'm not letting you go. Graves needs a partner, and I'm not letting him walk."

"He's dumb, but dependable. Still got weaknesses. And you? You're the patch."

"I'm the... patch?"

"That's right." Duke nodded. "I want you working with him. It benefits both of us."

"Doesn't sound like I've got a choice."

Trist's hand touched the hidden card again. Duke noticed but didn't stop him.

"Go ahead and try. See if you can outrun Fizz and his sharks."

Trist could teleport, but Fizz's ability to jump through water almost instantly? No joke.

Run, and Fizz would unleash the sharks.

"Fine," Trist raised his hands, that same damn grin still on his face, "Looks like I'm not escaping tonight."

Suddenly, both he and Duke tasted that same sour tang in their mouths again.

They stared at each other, Was the other using magic?

Trist took a step back, ever cautious. "You casting something?"

"No. Even if I did nothing, you still wouldn't escape," Duke said, shaking his head.

"Then what the hell is this, ?"

Fizz leapt onto the deck, babbling away. Duke looked toward the cabin. Neeko poked her head out and translated:

"Fizz says... someone's riding a really big fish toward us!"

"A big fish?"

Duke frowned and looked out to sea. Something huge swam just beneath the surface.

The monstrous figure loomed closer, and then Duke saw it clearly.

A giant Jaull-fish.

It swam right up to Trist's boat, jaws wide with serrated teeth. And inside that gaping maw,

, a shadowy figure slowly rose.

"The captain told me to kill the fish. The fish told me to kill the captain. That's fair. Time to settle the score…"

The raspy voice echoed across the deck.

Duke's face immediately darkened.

"Shit... it's him!"

End of chapter...

To everyone, we're still in the early chapters!! And those who joined the Patreon, thank you so much! 🙏Your support truly means the world. You're the reason this story keeps growing, chapter by chapter, world by world. Bonus chapters will drop soon in patreon.

🔹 Hexcore Initiate – 15 chapters ahead

🔸 Arc Reactor Elite – 35 chapters + 1 bonus

👉 patreon.com/MrBehringer