MARVEL'S MONSTER HUNTER WORLD

"Huh?" Watson eyed Tony suspiciously.

"I mean... thanks. Yeah, that's it." Tony waved off the moment, immediately turning his attention back to the curvy flight attendant draped over his arm.

Rhodey stared at Watson, wide-eyed. "Shet! Did he just say thank you?! To you?! In that tone?!! I've known him for years, and I've never—NEVER—heard him say thank you. Not unless he was being sarcastic! I must be hallucinating..."

Watson ignored Rhodey's dramatics and turned his focus to the sultry blonde now clinging to him. His hands found their way to her smooth waist, his voice dropping to a husky whisper near her ear.

"Baby~ ever experienced the wrath of a dragon?"

The stewardess shivered under his touch, twisting slightly in response.

"Never~ but I'm looking forward to it~" she purred.

With a smirk, Watson scooped her into his arms and carried her toward his room.

Rhodey was about to say something when another playful voice interrupted him.

"Hey~ Colonel~ I have a special treatment to cure those hallucinations~ Interested?~"

"Ohhh~ of course~ I'm VERY interested~"

One Hour Later…

Tony emerged from his room, casually grabbing a bottle of champagne from the fridge. As he poured himself a glass, he heard an unmistakable, rhythmic rumbling from across the hall. He turned, raising an eyebrow at Rhodey, who looked like he had been through a war and was now permanently molded into the sofa.

Rhodey groaned, rolling over to bury his face in the cushions. "Don't look at me. I hate superhumans..."

Tony rolled his eyes and strolled back to his room, champagne in hand.

Two Hours Later…

Rhodey stood at the door, knocking with a mix of exhaustion and desperation.

"Man, please. You have a job. Aili has a military rank AND a job! When we land, don't send her to the hospital, okay?"

A loud, satisfied exhale came from inside Watson's room, followed by a playful chuckle.

The jet finally landed.

Back on the Ground: A Warm Welcome… and Lightbulb Suggestions

A tall, sharply dressed woman stood at the airport, anxiously shifting from foot to foot as the plane taxied in. She wrung her hands, her usually composed expression betraying how long she had been waiting.

As the hatch opened, Tony strolled out, sunglasses in place, followed by Rhodey in his military uniform and Watson looking way too well-rested for someone who had just escaped a battlefield.

The moment the woman saw Tony, she let out a quiet sigh of relief, her tense hands finally settling. But despite her professional demeanor, her eyes betrayed a sudden redness.

Tony smirked at the stretcher nearby. "Are you serious? Push that thing away." He rolled his eyes, then sniffed, turning toward the waiting woman.

She watched as he approached, the corners of her lips twitching upward into a rare, unguarded smile.

"Your eyes are red," Tony teased. "You miss me that much?"

Trying (and failing) to suppress her emotion, she retorted, "Crying tears of joy… at the thought of having to find a new job."

Watson had been standing back, quietly observing the moment, but…

Why did this feel like some kind of forbidden office romance?

A billionaire playboy who cycled through women like fashion trends… and the 'good secretary' who watched him do it daily? Now playing this weirdly flirtatious, unspoken game?

"Rhodey, I think they need two oversized lightbulbs," Watson muttered, his face twisting in exaggerated disgust. "What do you think?"

"I agree."

Tony glanced at them and shrugged. "Alright, vacation's over. Let's do introductions. Rhodey, you already know. And this slightly-less-handsome-than-me guy? Watson. Just remember, he's a big deal."

"Hey, this is Pepper Potts, Tony's assistant. Here's my number. Call me if you need anything."

Watson smirked, shaking her hand before Tony could. "Nice to meet you, Miss Potts." Then he turned to Rhodey. "Think you can get me a ride home? I doubt their car is my style."

Rhodey chuckled. "Sure. I'll have someone drive you back."

Watson handed Pepper his number and walked off with Rhodey.

Tony's Priorities: Cheeseburgers and… a Funeral?

"Sir, where to?"

"Hospital first," Pepper started, but Tony cut her off.

"Nope. Not going to a hospital. I just spent three months in a cave. I have two—no, three—important things to do right now. First: eat a cheeseburger. Second—"

"Got it," Pepper sighed. "Press conference."

"Nope! Not what you're thinking. Second: I need to hold a press conference. And third: I need a suit. Something formal."

"...Why do you need a suit?"

Tony's voice turned uncharacteristically serious. "I need to attend a funeral."

Pepper blinked. "You should still go to the hospital—"

"No time. Hogan, drive. And get burgers first."

Watson's Homecoming: Surprises Await

Back home, Watson hopped out of the car and stretched. He turned to his oversized cat, Braised Egg.

"Wait at the door, buddy. I've got a surprise for them."

Digging his keys out, he muttered, "Man, I hope I have time for a double cheeseburger…"

Click!

"Uncle Polk! Aunt Liya! I'm home!"

From the kitchen, a warm voice rang out. "Oh! Our Flame Knight is back!"

Aunt Liya rushed out, pulling Watson into a tight hug.

"Hey, Aunt Liya, you doing okay? Also… what do you mean, 'Flame Knight'?" Watson asked, raising an eyebrow.

A hearty laugh echoed from the living room. "Our Flame Knight is back, huh? Good timing! We were about to leave."

"Uncle Polk! Okay, seriously, what's with the 'Flame Knight' thing?"

Polk chuckled. "Kid, after you saved those people last time, your story made it to the New York Times. You're a hero now—'The Knight of Fire'! You're the latest heartthrob among New York girls! Hahaha!"

Watson groaned. "Ugh… that name is so outdated. And really? A 'heartthrob'? You guys are ridiculous. Anyway, Uncle Polk, Aunt Liya—I actually have an important announcement."

The couple exchanged curious looks.

Watson smirked. "Our family might be getting a new member~"

Polk's eyes widened. "Huh? Did our great hero finally find a girlfriend?!"