Homelander: New Legacy

[154] : Departure

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Mystique joining Roger's team was the most unexpected development for Jean.

Compared to Tony Stark, who decided to go along with Roger, and Nebula, who stayed for her transactional reasons, Mystique's inclusion left Jean feeling uneasy.

She couldn't pinpoint exactly why, but she guessed it stemmed from the day Mystique appeared in Roger's room and shared an ambiguous moment with him.

Jean knew the feeling: it was jealousy. Although it came out of nowhere, she was certain that was what it was.

She didn't want Mystique around Roger.

But Jean didn't want to interfere with Roger's decisions either. Who to bring along and who to leave behind was solely Roger's choice. As someone also "tagging along," Jean had no right to meddle.

"Sigh..."

Sitting in the villa Tony Stark had arranged for them, Jean let out a soft sigh.

Nearby, Nebula was repairing her arm. Hearing Jean's sigh, she looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I'm fine..." Jean replied reflexively.

Nebula resumed working on her arm and added, "You don't look fine. Is it because of that mutant?"

"...You noticed?"

"You've been acting like this ever since you got back. Anyone with half a brain could figure it out," Nebula replied flatly.

Her voice carried no emotion, as was typical for her interactions with anyone besides her father or sister.

Jean hesitated, instinctively wanting to deny it. "Actually, it's not entirely because of Mystique..."

"Hmm?"

Nebula didn't respond further, only letting out a soft hum.

Jean sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine. It's partly because of her."

"I don't know what happened between you and Roger, but I suggest you sort it out," Nebula said as she stood up, her repairs complete. She approached Jean and continued, "I don't want him getting distracted from killing Thanos over some petty drama."

"...Thanos?"

"My father," Nebula said, her voice sinking into a dark tone.

Jean was momentarily stunned. She had known Nebula for a few days, but Nebula had never mentioned her father. After some hesitation, Jean ventured, "It seems... you don't have a good relationship with your father."

Nebula gestured to her cybernetic body and asked, "Look at me. Do you think I'd have a good relationship with him?"

"..."

Jean looked at Nebula's mechanical body and said nothing.

Up until now, Jean had assumed that many aliens replaced their organic parts with machinery, just as Roger had once jokingly mentioned a philosophy: "Flesh is weak; ascension lies in machinery."

But now, it seemed she had misunderstood.

"Did Roger agree to kill your father?" Jean asked.

"Yes. He gave me his word—four years."

"And after he kills your father?"

Nebula returned to her seat and muttered, "According to our agreement, I'll belong to him."