"No, no, no," You shook your head with a laugh, because this all sounded far too ridiculous, "An astounding, hell no."
"It didn't take long to catch up to you," He explained, getting off the couch to stroll over to the table where he eyed the bag from the shop, but you swiped it away when he reached for it curiously, immediately taking a bagel out and tearing into it with your teeth with your eyes locked on him, "And I know this whole time-stopping thing isn't all that you can do."
"Yeah?" You challenged, your voice slightly muffled, "So, you know I can play a mean piano?"
"I know about your mom," He told you plainly, crossing his arms, and your glare hardened on him, but he couldn't see it behind your sunglasses, "And that your dad still lives in Queens."
"A public record," You shrugged, swallowing the bite, "So, you did a basic background check, am I supposed to be impressed?"
"You've clearly done well for yourself," He ignored the question and took a moment to glance around, "How much does this place go for? Ten grand a month? Fifteen?"
"Twenty."
He whistled with raised eyebrows and you rolled your eyes, getting impatient, but still not ending this because of all he's said so far.
"You can't keep doing what you've been doing," He told you firmly, "I should have you arrested for it."
"And what is it that you're accusing me of, patch?"
"I told you my name," He narrowed his eyes, "And I'm telling you I know about the banks, about the scams, the illegal drugs, the-"
"And you have proof?" You cut him off and when he hesitated, you grinned smugly, "Yeah, didn't think so, but even if I allegedly did all those things, you were accusing me of, why would I bother to help you? Sounds like I'm a pretty busy person to carve out a chunk of my time for a man who broke into my home and keeps dealing out these, pathetic, empty, little threats," A smile quirked up at the edge of your lips, "So, tell me again, director, why would I give you a second of my time?"
"Because the world is in danger."
"From what I've seen, I'll be fine."
You didn't mean for the suggestion to slip out and you clamped your mouth shut after, but he had caught it, snapping his attention back to you after glancing away before and cocking an eyebrow.
"So, that's how you did it."
"Did what?" You asked, playing dumb.
"The betting, gambling, and..."
"How?" You taunted, wanting him to say it, because now that the entire jig was apparently up, you felt like you were playing with your food, and this was the only person you have ever known that knew about your abilities, so you wanted to enjoy the horror of realization that would cross over his face, "How am I doing all that, director?"
"You don't just freeze time," He shook his head with a smile, something you didn't expect, and he started waving an excited finger at you, "You can see the future too."
At first, you were a little disappointed with his reaction, but then you thought it was better than nothing and you were already thinking of how to dispose of his body when the time came soon, so you didn't care all that much. But it was, in a weird way, nice to hear someone say it out loud and not try to go running for the hills.
Plus, you've never really killed anyone on purpose before, so this cover up was going to be interesting.
"Someone give the man his prize!" You shouted with a laugh, picking up your second coffee since the first was gone, and you raised it towards him, "Good job, nice detective work, and also, you're welcome for the nudge."
He eyed you, his smile faltering slightly as he thought this over, and he had an offer on the tip of his tongue. He wanted to say this off the bat, but he needed to coax it all out of you, be completely certain of who he was dealing with, and if he played his cards right, you could be the one to end this mess once and for all.
"No guns, no threats," He promised, unloading the clip from his pistol and placing both pieces on the table slowly before returning his arms to his sides, and you watched the movement before your eyes landed back on his face, "But if you don't mind, I'd like to ask you some questions."
"Is this an interrogation or an exclusive interview with a guy I've never heard of before?" You smirked teasingly, "Because both sound intriguing and even though you're not my type, it could be fun."
He wanted to ease into all this, really get to know you a bit before asking something so heavy, because when he first tried, he got a big fat negative from you, but he was running out of time.
"How'd you get these...abilities?"
"Oooh," You pretended to be intrigued by the suspense, mocking him, "He wants an origin story."
"I want the truth."
"What a rare and beautiful thing that you'll never get from me, Nicky."
"What can you tell me?"
You took off your sunglasses and ignored him, going to the sink to turn on the faucet. You wet some paper towels and started dabbing at your face, wiping away any glitter or excess makeup from the night before that you didn't finish getting off earlier.
He watched your every move closely, you could feel his eyes burning into your skin, and you didn't know if it was because he was afraid you'd turn around and suddenly shoot him in the face or if he was truly just waiting for an answer.
He told you about some avenger business practically the second you guys met, subtly pleading for your help, and you considered it, but you knew it would turn your life upside down. If you exposed yourself to the wrong people, people who could possibly figure out a way to stop you, what would prevent them from doing just that the second they no longer needed you?
But you weren't kidding yourself when you said you were tiring of this repetitive life.
Sure, it had so many perks, the cash, the parties, the comfortability, the stability, the luxury clothes, an expensive car, and plenty of other pleasures, but it was lacking...substance.
It all felt too fake or too fairytale and without someone to share it with, that being family, true friends, or someone you were in love with, it was a lot less meaningful to you after a while.
"What can I tell you..." You trailed off in thought, peering outside the window above your sink into the small yard you spent plenty of time getting just how you liked, and you smiled when you spotted some birds pecking at the feeder you set out even though they probably should've flown south by now, "There is one thing."
He waited patiently, hoping you'd voluntarily offer it up, but when he realized you wouldn't, his patience ran thin, and he finally asked,
"What?"
You spun around to face him, your hands on the edges of the sink behind you, and you sighed with a small smile.
"I'll help you, Nick," You told him honestly and then when you couldn't remember, you asked, "Where am I going again?"
"Germany and I need you there tomorrow."
