Author's Note:
It looks like the paragraph got cut off in the previous chapter—sorry about that! I've included the missing part in this chapter.
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The moment he entered his executive cabin then a composed voice greeted him. "Good morning, Dr. Carter."
Lena Luthor stood behind her desk, poised and professional as always. Clad in a tailored navy-blue corporate suit, her dark hair pulled into a sharp ponytail, she carried herself with practiced confidence.
"You're early today," she added, stepping toward him with a tablet in hand. "And—if I may say—you've made quite the impression yesterday."
Ethan offered her a half-smile. "I was just doing what was necessary."
Lena looked up from the tablet before studying him with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "Still, you've saved many lives, sir. You've earned more than just praise."
He accepted her compliment with a gracious nod. "Thank you, Lena. And for keeping things running while I was… away."
She gave a short, almost imperceptible smile. "It's my job, Dr. Carter."
Ethan moved behind his desk and sat down in the plush leather chair, exhaling quietly. Then, without looking up, "Lena… I need you to dig into everything LexCorp has done over the past ten years. Every file. Every project. I want you to compile a complete report—especially anything involving illegal operations or questionable ethics. Include documentation, proof, witness lists if possible."
Lena froze. The request hit her like a gust of cold wind. She blinked twice, almost not believing what she'd just heard.
"…Excuse me?" she said softly before stepping closer to the desk.
Ethan finally looked up, meeting her eyes. "You heard me."
There was a long pause.
Lena swallowed. "I—I mean, I can do it, but… why now?" she asked, her voice careful. "You've never taken an interest in LexCorp before. Is something happening?"
Ethan leaned back slightly, "Let's say… it's for future reference."
Lena didn't respond immediately. Her eyes lowered to the floor for a moment.
The mention of LexCorp stirred up emotions she had buried for years—pain, betrayal, bitterness.
Lex Luthor… her half-brother.
The world knew him as a genius businessman, a philanthropist, and one of the most powerful men alive. But to her? He was a manipulator. A tyrant in a tailored suit.
The truth? She wasn't even a legitimate Luthor. A bastard child, born from their father's affair and treated as a stain on the family's reputation.
Lex had always made sure she remembered it.
Behind their father's back, he had bullied, gaslit, and humiliated her. Then, using lies and forged documents, he had tricked her into signing away all legal rights to the Luthor family fortune. He'd stripped her of everything—her name, her status, her inheritance.
And just days ago, she'd been evicted from her own home.
Out of money. Out of protection. No one in Metropolis dared to hire her—no one wanted to cross Lex.
Except Ethan Carter.
He hadn't judged her by her name. He'd seen her potential. Hired her. Trusted her. Made her the executive secretary of the biotech company. And, in his absence, she had run the upper floors like clockwork.
She owed him everything. Still, this request...
"Dr. Carter," she said quietly, "I'll get you everything I can. But… I just want to be sure. You're not planning something dangerous, are you?"
Ethan's gaze softened. "No, Lena. Not yet. But I believe in being prepared."
Lena stood there for a moment longer, before giving a determined nod. Her posture straightened. "Then I'll start right away."
She turned and moved toward the exit, Just before the doors opened, Ethan called out. "Lena."
She stopped and turned her head.
"For what it's worth… I don't see you as a Luthor. Not in the way the world sees Lex. You're better than that."
She blinked—caught off guard by the sincerity in his voice.
Then, slowly, she smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Carter."
And with that, she walked out of the office, leaving Ethan alone with his thoughts.
....
Later that evening, golden hues of the setting sun bathed the cobbled streets of Athens in a warm glow as the day slipped gently into twilight. Lanterns swayed overhead, casting soft halos of light upon laughing crowds and lovers wandering hand in hand.
At a quiet table in the corner of a terrace restaurant overlooking the Acropolis, two figures sat across from one another, sharing a moment that felt suspended from time itself.
Ethan Carter, dressed in a fitted black button-down and dark jeans, sat comfortably opposite Diana, the Princess of Themyscira—though tonight, she was far from the warrior the world knew.
Diana wore a subtle yet elegant red sleeveless blouse tucked into a black skirt, her raven-black hair flowing over her shoulders. A pair of ordinary-looking glasses sat on her nose, dimming the striking radiance of her identity from the world around them.
"I'm glad you agreed to dinner," he said breaking the silence. "You didn't have to."
Diana glanced at him with a smile tugging at her lips. "I wanted to." She said before gazing at the panoramic view of the city lights twinkling below them. "It's beautiful," she murmured.
"Not as beautiful as the woman before me," Ethan replied with a playful smile.
Diana turned her head slightly with amusement dancing in her eyes. "Do you always start dinner with charming lies?"
"Only when the truth is too overwhelming," he countered.
The restaurant was quiet, its other patrons too engrossed in their own worlds to notice the two powerhouses sitting quietly among them.
After ordering — grilled halloumi, moussaka, fresh olives, and a bottle of red wine — their conversation drifted easily.
"You're sure this isn't magic?" she asked playfully, lifting the frames with a teasing arch of her brow.
Ethan smiled as he cut into his grilled halloumi. "A magician never reveals his tricks," he said casually. "But you're welcome to take a guess."
The glasses? Completely ordinary. There was nothing special about them—he had simply used telepathy on everyone else.
A slight telepathic nudge from him is all it takes—phones switch off, and security feeds get scrambled by the very people meant to monitor them.
Her blue eyes sparkled. "Hmm," she mused before taking a sip of the red wine he recommended. "You always have a trick up your sleeve."
"You know me," Ethan said, eyes locking with hers. "I prefer a gentle touch… unless the moment calls for thunder."
Diana laughed softly, her tone rich and warm like the sun-kissed Mediterranean breeze. It was rare for her to be truly relaxed, but with Ethan, the world felt… simple.
Despite being a man capable of destroying armies with his bare hands or harnessing the fury of storms, he lived humbly—spending his days building a better world and his nights making people smile.
Somehow that simplicity captivated her.
As they ate, their conversation flowed easily—from world politics to favorite desserts, from superhero fatigue to embarrassing childhood stories.
Diana spoke of her latest diplomatic missions, subtly threading in details about Atlantis and political tensions. Ethan listened, occasionally interjecting with dry humor or genuine curiosity, He then shared anecdotes from his work at Aeon Biotech, including his plans to launch an ecological restoration project. He also cracked a few jokes about diplomatic meetings with people who couldn't understand Earth sarcasm.
"You know," Ethan said between bites of food, "I was wondering... would it be possible to set up a research outpost on Themyscira?"
Diana raised an eyebrow. "I'm open to it. But you'd have to get through my mother first. She still sees technology as a threat to tradition."
"Challenge accepted."
After dinner, they left the restaurant and wandered through a quiet park, the sound of cicadas echoing softly in the distance. The night sky stretched above them in a sea of stars, the moon hanging like a silver pendant overhead.
Diana inhaled deeply. "It's beautiful."
"It is," Ethan agreed, not looking at the sky.
Diana glanced sideways, catching his gaze. "Careful, Dr. Carter. That was dangerously smooth."
"I'm just being honest," he replied. "You make the stars look like cheap glitter."
She laughed and that turned heads even through the mental haze Ethan had cloaked around them. He offered his arm, and she took it, walking with him through a small, open-air shopping center.
The lights of the mall glowed softly as they stepped inside. Couples, families, and friends buzzed around in lively harmony. To any outside observer, they looked like two ordinary people on a lovely date.
And for tonight, that's exactly who they wanted to be.
They stepped into a boutique, and Diana's eyes sparkled as she fingered the fabric of a long white dress on display.
"Try it," Ethan said with a grin. "Humor me."
Diana looked at him with mock suspicion. "Do all your dates end in fashion shows?"
"Only when they're with goddesses who look like they stepped out of a Renaissance painting."
She disappeared behind the curtain. Moments later, when she stepped out, Ethan's breath caught.
The dress hugged her figure like it was sculpted just for her. It shimmered slightly under the lights, accentuating every graceful movement.
He whistled low. "You walk out like that, and you'll have to fight off every mortal man with a heartbeat."
She gave him a sly smile. "Only if you don't take care of them first."
"I'd rather fight fate than share this moment," he said.
She tilted her head, impressed. "Smooth again."
"Only with you."
Ethan paid for the dress and handed it to her in a silver gift bag. "A token. For a goddess who makes even mortal nights divine."
"Careful, Ethan," she said, "Keep this up and I might start expecting poetry."
He leaned closer. "Roses are red, themysciran steel is cold, but the fire in your eyes... has my heart on hold."
She laughed again before shaking her head. "You're impossible."
Later, they wandered to the arcade. A stuffed animal machine stood near the corner, lights flashing like a challenge.
Diana pointed at the Pikachu plushie behind the glass. "That one."
Ethan raised a brow. "Feeling lucky?"
She rolled up her imaginary sleeves. "We're not using powers."
"Scout's honor."
Diana went first. Her concentration was deadly serious, tongue poking out slightly as she lined up the claw. The claw descended… grabbed a white bunny plushie and dropped it in the prize chute.
"…That's not Pikachu," she said flatly.
"Still cute," Ethan offered.
She handed it to him. "You try."
Ethan cracked his knuckles. "Watch and learn."
His first try failed. The claw slipped off. Diana arched a brow. "Was that the 'learn' part?"
"Beginner's luck," he murmured. "Or lack thereof."
Second try. The claw descended… paused… and this time latched onto the Pikachu with precise grace.
Ding.
He pulled it out and offered it to her with an exaggerated bow. "For the Amazon who conquers vending machines and hearts alike."
Diana laughed before accepting the toy. "You're on a roll tonight."
"Just don't ask me to sing karaoke. I have limits."
They continued to walk, the plushie under her arm, laughter and warmth between them like an invisible tether.
In a quiet corner of the park, lit only by the pale moonlight and a flickering lamppost nearby, Ethan and Diana stopped and sat on an old wooden bench. The city around them felt like a distant dream. For now, it was just the two of them—and the night.
Diana held a half-melted cone of strawberry ice cream, her favorite. Ethan sat beside her, enjoying a butterscotch swirl, the sweet scent mixing with the faint fragrance of jasmine from the nearby flowerbeds.
She watched a couple nearby share a quiet kiss under the canopy of stars, their world shrinking to just each other. Diana's gaze lingered a little longer than usual. "Sometimes, I wonder what it's like… to fall in love like them."
Ethan glanced sideways, catching the faint vulnerability in her eyes. He didn't say anything at first.
"I've done everything a warrior should. I've fought for peace, protected the world... but I never really understood this kind of love, this simplicity," she said while gaze fixed ahead. "I want to feel that too."
Ethan turned toward her, "Then maybe it's time someone helped you feel it."
As she licked the creamy swirl from her lips, he chuckled. "You've got a little cream right there," he said, pointing. "Here—let me help."
Ethan leaned in slowly with his gaze locked on hers. His hand touched her cheek softly—barely a whisper. And then, before she could react, his lips brushed hers.
It was warm and Sweet.
His tongue flicked softly, playfully tasting the lingering strawberry cream.
Diana froze and her eyes wide for a heartbeat.
He pulled back just slightly with a teasing smile on his lips. "There. All clean."
She stared at him, stunned for a moment—processing the intimacy, the audacity… and the tenderness.
"That… tasted good," she said finally.
Ethan chuckled and held up his own cone. "Butterscotch. Want to switch?"
Diana didn't answer right away. She looked at the cone, then at him. "Oh, I definitely want to try this too," she whispered.
With one swift, smooth motion, she grabbed the collar of his shirt, pulling him toward her with unexpected strength and hunger. Their lips met again—this time, firmer, deeper, filled with emotion and fire that had long been restrained.
Ethan smiled mid-kiss, his free arm wrapping around her waist as something both powerful and heartbreakingly beautiful.
Their ice creams remained in their hands, slowly melting and forgotten, dripping onto the bench and onto their fingers. But neither cared.
The kiss was everything Diana never thought she'd feel. Gentle and electric. Playful and sincere. A taste of something human, something real.
As their lips parted, Diana rested her forehead against his, both of them catching their breath.
She whispered, "That was... unexpected."
"I like surprises like this," Ethan replied.
"Ethan," she said softly, her voice barely louder than a whisper. "What about Anna and Jean?"
Ethan looked up from his melting ice cream and gave her a warm, knowing smile. The park lights shimmered off his eyes, revealing the playfulness and wisdom behind them.
"They already like you," he replied with confidence. "They'd be more than happy to have one more sister. We're... not bound by convention."
Diana's expression softened. Her lips twitched into a smile as she looked at him.
Just as she leaned in closer, their lips nearly brushing—
Suddenly a golden swirl of energy crackled a few feet away, lighting up the park's darkness. A portal burst open—its edges shimmering in arcane energy—and two figures stepped out: Victor Stone, better known as Cyborg, and the unmistakable red figure of Shazam.
"Oh, come on…" Ethan groaned before pulling away as Diana sighed in unison.
Shazam stood frozen like a deer in headlights. His jaw dropped.
"No... no, no, no," he muttered with eyes wide in disbelief. He placed a hand on Victor's shoulder. "Victor, Please tell me this is some kind of joke. Ethan and Diana? No way."
Victor shook his head, "Wake up, kid. You never stood a chance against him in the first place."
Diana is clearly unimpressed by the dramatic entrance. Ethan rubbed his forehead and sighed again. "You seriously had to pick this moment? Out of every possible second today, this one?"
Victor shrugged. "Apologies for interrupting your... moment, but we have urgent matters to attend to. We're gathering everyone. Let's go."
He pointed toward a new boom tube portal. Ethan and Diana exchanged a glance, silently communicating the same frustrated understanding.
Ethan stretched lazily, licking the last of the ice cream from his fingers. "Fine," he muttered. "Date night's over, I guess."
They stepped through together.
.....
The Boom Tube led them to the new base, a sleek, high-tech facility hidden away in an undisclosed location. As they stepped out of the portal, the familiar faces of the Justice League greeted them. Superman stood in the corner, talking with Flash, who was practically bouncing with energy, while Green Lantern hovered near the door, looking impatient.
"Ah, good, you're here," Superman said, smiling as he noticed them entering.
"Clark. Barry," Ethan greeted casually, receiving nods in return.
A flash of green light streaked through the room as Green Lantern flew in. His boots clicked against the floor as he landed with a stern look.
"Where's the Bat?" he asked after looking around while arms crossed tightly over his chest.
Flash looked up with a shrug. "He might be... busy with something. Probably neck-deep in his Gotham drama."
Lantern narrowed his eyes. "If I'm here, he should be here. What could possibly be more important?"
Before anyone could stop him, he turned sharply and flew toward the exit. "I'll go find him."
Flash called after him, "Try not to do anything stupid, Lantern."
Ethan leaned slightly toward Flash. "Ten bucks says he messes it up."
Victor who is standing by the mission console, didn't even look up as he added in his usual dry tone, "Gambling on your teammates is frowned upon, Carter… but I'll make it twenty."
Flash's eyes darted between them, brows raised. "Wait—who's even betting? Is this a thing now?"
Meanwhile, Shazam looked like he'd seen a ghost, shuffled awkwardly in place. "Please, kill me now," he mumbled, staring at the sight of Ethan and Diana sitting side by side, smiling like the world was their oyster.
Superman and Flash exchanged glances, both noting the obvious tension.
"So, did something happen between you two?" Flash asked with his eyes flicking between Ethan and Diana.
Ethan shrugged casually. "You could say that."
Flash tilted his head towards Superman, squinting at the pair. "You think they're… together now?"
Victor, who was watching them all in silence, shook his head slowly and turned his attention back to the console.
...
Roughly fifteen minutes passed in tense anticipation. Eventually, Green Lantern returned… with Batman behind him.
As expected, Lantern had interrupted Bruce mid-investigation—he was trying to interrogate a group of suspects when Lantern interrupted.
Batman glared at him. "You compromised my operation."
Lantern raised his hands. "I was told it was urgent!"
Victor pinched the bridge of his nose. Without further delay, he led the group down into the mission briefing room and the holographic display shifted to show the murky depths of the Marianas Trench.
"This vessel was retrieved from the Mariana Trench. It was attacked last night," Victor began. "We don't know by what yet—but we need answers, and fast."