The night air was soft and warm, carrying the scent of salt and the gentle sound of waves lapping against the hull of the small boat. Above, the moon shone with a quiet brilliance, casting silver ripples across the sea. Su Zhan and Blink sat together, the world around them hushed and intimate.
Su Zhan reached out, his hand moving slowly, almost reverently, toward Blink's delicate face. She watched his hand approach, her breath coming a little faster, her heart pounding in her chest. She wanted to look away, to hide her shyness, but she could not. There was something in Su Zhan's gaze that held her, something that made her feel cherished and seen.
At first, Su Zhan had been drawn to Blink by her striking appearance, the unique beauty of her features. But as time passed, it was her spirit, her fierce loyalty, and the way she always called him "Boss" with such earnestness that captured his heart. He realized that his affection had grown deeper than he had ever intended. He was no longer just collecting beautiful women around him. He was falling in love with Blink, truly and completely.
"I am not the kind of person who hides my feelings or pretends to be something I am not," Su Zhan said softly, his thumb brushing her cheek. "I like you, Blink. Whether you like me or not, I will not let you go. Of course, since you like me too, that makes everything even better. You can be sure there will always be a place for you by my side, even if you say you do not want it."
Blink looked up at him, her eyes shining, and she could not help but smile. The tension in her body eased, replaced by a gentle warmth.
"So, go back and rest. Take care of yourself and be ready. You were the first to follow me, and I expect great things from you. Do not let me down when it comes time for action. I have always believed in you," Su Zhan said, his voice encouraging.
Blink hesitated, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "Are we going back already?" she asked, her voice soft. She looked at Su Zhan with a hopeful expression. "I am not tired yet. I promise I will not embarrass you when the time comes. Can we stay a little longer?"
Su Zhan could not resist her pleading gaze. He smiled and patted the seat beside him, inviting her to sit closer. Blink moved to his side, settling onto his lap. Su Zhan wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind. He was surprised by how delicate she felt, yet there was a softness to her that was unexpectedly comforting.
Blink sat on his lap, her body tense at first, but soon she relaxed into his embrace. The sea breeze played with her hair, carrying her fragrance to Su Zhan, who found himself drawn even closer to her. The warmth of her body, the softness of her curves, and the scent of her hair all combined to create a moment that felt suspended in time.
As Su Zhan held her, he felt a stirring within himself, a physical reaction he could not hide. Blink, already nervous, became even more aware of his presence. She did not know what to do. Part of her wanted to get up, but another part wanted to stay right where she was. The memory of Su Zhan's touch before they came out lingered in her mind, and she felt a thrill of anticipation. If she was truly his woman, then she wanted to be close to him, to share this night.
Blink shifted slightly, her face flushed with embarrassment, but she did not move away. Instead, she reached for Su Zhan's hand, guiding it gently. Su Zhan was puzzled for a moment, but then he understood. His hand found something soft, and he realized that Blink, usually so shy, was being bold and vulnerable with him.
He chuckled softly, and his hand moved with confidence. As he caressed her, Blink's body melted against his, her earlier stiffness dissolving into trust and longing. She leaned back, her eyes closed, her lips parted in a silent sigh. The moonlight illuminated her features, her clothes slipping slightly to reveal the delicate lines of her lingerie and the curve of her collarbone.
Su Zhan's fingers deftly unfastened the top button of her blouse, the fabric parting to reveal more of her. Blink gasped, a shiver running through her, but her heart burned hotter than ever.
"I… I want…" Blink whispered, her voice dreamy and uncertain.
"Are you sure?" Su Zhan asked, his voice gentle. "After all, I just came back from Skye. I do not want you to feel like you are second."
"I do not mind," Blink replied, her tone steady and sincere.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Su Zhan smiled, lowering her gently onto the bench in the boat. The night was filled with the sound of the sea and the soft cries of passion. For a brief moment, a sharp gasp echoed across the water, but then the world returned to its peaceful rhythm.
By the time Su Zhan carried Blink back to the spaceship and into her room, dawn was breaking on the horizon. Blink was fast asleep in his arms, her face serene and content. Su Zhan smiled as he tucked her into bed, covering her with a blanket. He thought of the way she had reached for him, the way her eyes had shone with trust and desire, and he felt a deep satisfaction.
"Clearly does not have the ability, yet still acts tough," he murmured with a fond smile.
Leaving Blink to her dreams, Su Zhan quietly slipped out of the room. He did not return to Skye right away. Instead, he made his way to the section of the ship reserved for prisoners.
He stopped first at the cell on the left, where the Winter Soldier was being held. He glanced inside, noting the assassin's stoic posture, then moved to the cell on the right, where Toad was confined.
Toad was crouched in the shadows, his eyes wary and expressionless as he looked up at Su Zhan.
"Still have not figured things out?" Su Zhan asked, sitting down casually on the floor across from him. "Magneto is not your friend. Do you really think he values you? Do you think he cares about you, treats you as an equal? You are wrong. You are only useful to him as long as you have value. Just like this last time, when he sent you to kill Nick Fury, even at Captain America's house. Do you think that was trust? He was using you as bait, as cannon fodder, to draw attention so Callisto could make her move. If Magneto really trusted you, why did he not tell you that Callisto was there too?"
Su Zhan's words hung in the air. "He does not trust you. He does not care about you. You do not need to feel sad for him. If you want to leave, you can go anytime. I never planned to keep you locked up."
Toad looked up, his voice low and uncertain. "Do you look down on me too? Is that why you did not bother to catch me?"
Su Zhan shook his head. "I do pity you, yes. But you are not alone. I do not think much of Magneto either. He is not as impressive as he believes."
Toad was stunned by Su Zhan's blunt honesty. He hesitated, then spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Can I… can I stay here?"
Su Zhan nodded. "Yes. If you want to stay, you are welcome to join the War Alliance."
Toad's eyes widened, a glimmer of hope flickering in their depths. For the first time, he felt the possibility of belonging somewhere, of being valued for more than just his usefulness.
As Su Zhan left the cell, the first rays of morning sunlight spilled through the windows of the spaceship, bathing the corridors in a golden glow. The night had been beautiful, the sea had been beautiful, but most of all, Su Zhan thought, the people he cared about were the most beautiful of all.