Avengers Generations

Chapter 25

Fenrir sat down heavily amidst the machines and books in the nerd corner, putting a finger to his pale temple. "I like it not..." He uttered to William, who looked up from his reading.

"What's the matter?" The second boy asked, cautiously quiet.

Fenrir didn't meet his friend's eyes when he spoke. "Einmyria's in danger..." He confided, picking a screw off the ground and turning it agitatedly in his hand.

"Einmyria?" William gasped louder than he should have, and almost dropped his book "How? Why?"

"Her father's long-dead foe has returned with vengeance..." Fenrir growled "And he is to take his revenge by putting Einmyria to death."

William's heart skipped a beat and the color drained from his face in fear. "Are you sure? How did you find out about it?" William asked in a low but urgent whisper.

"I overheard Director Fury discussing it with his agents." Fenrir said, leaving out the fact that he had been eavesdropping on a private meeting.

"What are they going to do about it?" William asked, wide-eyed.

Fenrir gritted his teeth. "They will do as S.H.I.E.L.D. does." He said angrily "Pretend it is nothing until it is too late."

William looked pained and afraid as he put his book down on the pile next to him. "Does she know?" He asked cautiously.

"Not yet." Fenrir replied "I'm hesitant to share the knowledge with her..."

"But you have to!" William piped "She's in danger! She of all people should know."

"Yes, but I know not how she would act upon such information." Fenrir said "I feel as if I should try to escape to Asgard with her, but..."

William waited for a moment. "...But what?"

Fenrir breathed awkwardly. "'Tis nothing..." He said "I merely, um..." He searched for the words, but nothing came, which wasn't like him at all.

After a moment, William spoke. "It's Charity, isn't it?" He guessed quietly "You like her."

Fenrir hesitated, but eventually he nodded slowly. "But it matters not. She loves another."

"Then why do you stay?"

Fenrir's lips turned upward slightly in a sad smile. "For my heart will not listen to reason." He whispered. William contemplated this silently for a few moments before Peggy walked by the nerd corner.

"Well you two certainly look down in the dumps." She said, seeing their grave faces "What's up?"

William looked to Fenrir, who looked up at Peggy with a seemingly genuine smile that showed no sign of the sadness and worry that hid behind his eyes. "I fear we stayed awake far longer than was good for us." Fenrir lied easily "We are simply tired."

Peggy smiled, clearly believing everything he said. "It is hard to sleep on the helicarrier." She agreed "But it's a lot easier now that everyone's safe." She meant Tori and Jake, but the boys knew otherwise.

Fenrir hid his true feelings flawlessly as he spoke with Peggy. "I feel the same way." He said with a friendly smile "Where are you off to?"

Peggy looked suddenly a bit more serious. "I'm going to talk to Jake... He's barely come out of his quarters at all since he came back."

His two roommates nodded, knitting their brows. "Are you allowed in the boys quarters?" William asked hesitantly.

Peggy smiled at the corners of her mouth and tilted her head up. "I'm about to find out." She said rebelliously as she walked off confidently "I'll tell you in a bit."