Capítulo 44: Chapter 44: Strange Conversation with the Captain
[Third Person's PoV]
Yami stood just outside the base, his figure cloaked in the cool evening air. A cigarette dangled from his lips, its tip glowing softly as he inhaled, releasing a cloud of smoke into the sky. His posture was casual, one hand stuffed into his pocket, while his eyes stayed focused on the horizon. The soft crunch of footsteps on gravel made him glance to his side as Stephen walked up to join him.
"What is it?" Stephen asked, raising an eyebrow as he regarded the dark-clad warrior.
Yami didn't turn to face him. "Never figured you for the hero type, gramps," he said, exhaling a plume of smoke that drifted lazily in the air.
Stephen shifted uncomfortably, his hands slipping into the pockets of his pants. "Hero's a strong word," he muttered. "I just did what felt right at the time."
A smirk tugged at Yami's lips, though he still didn't bother to look directly at Stephen. "Right... And breaking a girl out of a crystal that's been sealed for five hundred years, without knowing why she was sealed in the first place? Yeah, that's just your typical 'feels right' kind of day, huh?"
Yami flicked the ash from his cigarette, finally casting a sidelong glance at Stephen, his eyes sharp and observant.
Stephen sighed deeply and ran a hand through his silver-streaked hair. "I could see she wasn't dangerous," he explained, his voice quiet but firm. "I used the Eye of Agamotto. It lets me see things most people can't. Truths hidden behind illusions. Wanda wasn't a threat—just someone who'd been wronged."
Yami's expression remained unreadable as he took another slow drag from his cigarette, letting the smoke roll out in a long breath. "That Eye of yours is useful, I'll give you that. But just because you saw something doesn't mean you got the full picture. People don't get sealed away for centuries for no reason."
Stephen crossed his arms, his frown deepening. "You think I made a mistake?"
Yami's eyes narrowed slightly, but there was no malice in his gaze—just a cool, steady caution. "I think you didn't think it all the way through. We have no idea who locked her in that crystal, or what for. And even if you've got your reasons, you're still taking a big risk."
Stephen hesitated, then nodded. "I know... It might have something to do with me," he admitted quietly before explaining Wanda's story—what she had told him about her imprisonment and how it had led to their fateful meeting.
Yami listened in silence, his cigarette slowly burning down between his fingers. When Stephen finished, Yami let out a long breath and stubbed out the cigarette on the ground. "You're playing with fire, old man. It wasn't just reckless. It was damn near suicidal. You didn't just put yourself at risk—you put everyone in that base in danger. Every. Single. One. You're not some lone mage wandering around anymore. You've got people who trust you, people who rely on you. And you brought a walking bomb into their home."
"I'll take full responsibility if it comes to that," Stephen said, his voice steady. "I'll handle it."
Yami gave a soft snort, a faint smirk appearing on his face. "I don't like it, but I can't say I wouldn't have done the same thing. If I were in your shoes, I probably wouldn't have hesitated either." He turned to look directly at Stephen, his expression serious. "But next time, you report it to me. I'm still your captain, right?"
Stephen gave a small, two-fingered salute, his mouth quirking into a lopsided grin. "Yes, sir."
Yami nodded and gestured toward the base, in a dismissive manner signaling the end of the their conversation
Stephen turned to leave, but before he could take more than a few steps, Yami grabbed his shoulder. "Wait a second."
Stephen stopped and turned, eyebrow raised in confusion. "What is it?"
Yami looked at him deadpan. "I heard you know transmutation magic, right? We're out of toilet paper. I need you to make some."
Stephen blinked in disbelief. "Are... Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking, grandpa? Hurry up, or I'll use that red cloak of yours instead." Yami's forehead was damp with sweat, and his face betrayed the urgency of his request.
"There is something seriously wrong with you," Stephen muttered. But with a sigh, he waved his hand, telekinetically lifting a few blades of grass from the ground. A quick spell from the Hoary Hosts of Hoggoth turned them into a neat roll of toilet paper.
Yami snatched the roll from the air and sprinted back inside the base without another word. Stephen stood there for a moment, shaking his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable..." he muttered, before heading back inside himself.
As he walked into the base, Stephen was greeted by the sight of his Cloak of Levitation floating towards him, dripping wet with steam rising from its surface.
Stephen furrowed his brow. "Why the hell are you wet?"
The Cloak swayed side to side, mimicking the motions of someone scrubbing and washing.
"So, Noelle washed you as a thank you for covering her, huh?" Stephen asked, crossing his arms.
The Cloak nodded smugly, puffing itself up with pride.
"You seem pretty pleased with yourself," Stephen chuckled.
The Cloak gave an exaggerated nod before Magna's voice rang out from down the hall. "Stephen! It's your time of the week to do the chores!"
"Yeah, yeah, I'm on it!" Stephen called back, snapping his fingers to dry the Cloak before draping it back over his shoulders.
…
Later, in the kitchen, Stephen used his magic to wash dishes, lazily waving his hands as the plates scrubbed themselves in the sink. The Cloak hovered nearby, drying and stacking them. Wanda poked her head into the room, hesitating before stepping inside.
"Hey, um, can we talk?" she asked, her voice uncertain.
"Hm?" Stephen glanced over, still directing the floating dishes.
"I... I hope I didn't get you in trouble with your captain," Wanda said, nervously fidgeting with her fingers. "I saw you two talking outside."
"Nah, don't worry about it," Stephen replied with a shrug. "I got scolded, sure, but I kind of deserved it. Which is... weird, now that I think about it. I don't usually get scolded."
Wanda bit her lip, unsure how to respond. "It seems like I've brought nothing but trouble–"
Stephen interrupted her by raising his hand, middle finger under his thumb, and holding it towards her direction, giving her a warning look
Wanda blinked in surprise. "Okay, okay, I'll stop talking," she muttered, rubbing her forehead with a sigh.
Stephen smirked. "Look at you, getting smarter already."
Wanda glared, her lips pursing in a pout. "Are you calling me dumb?"
"Did I say that?" he teased, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Wanda let out a huff but soon broke into a smile. She stepped forward and gave Stephen a long grateful hug. "Thank you, Stephen. For everything."
"Yeah, yeah, now go join the others. I'll be there soon."
…
As Stephen finished with his chores he joined the others and found Noelle sitting with everyone, her arms crossed and glaring directed at Stephen.
"What now?" Stephen groaned, throwing his hands in the air.
Noelle huffed. "First, you get engaged to my cousin Mimosa, and now you bring home another gorgeous woman. You... you... gigolo!"
"WHAAAAAT" The rest of the room erupted in gasps, all eyes turning to him, shocked to find out he was engaged. Vanessa dramatically clasped her chest and wailed, "No, not my Stephen! You told me I was the only one for you! That i was the only one you needed! Was it all a lie!? Was it!?"
Wanda's eyes widened in disbelief, looking at Stephen as though she had never truly known him.
Stephen held up his hands defensively. "First of all, I never agreed to that engagement! Your weirdo aunt forced it on me!
"Don't talk about my Aunty that way!"
"And second—" he pointed at Vanessa, ignoring Noelle "I never said anything remotely like that to you! Stop making things up!"
Vanessa winked playfully. "Teehee, your reactions are just too funny. I can't help myself."
Wanda sighed in relief, her smile returning as she realized Stephen wasn't the player she had feared.
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