Game in Marvel

"So, I pulled some strings and got us a private tour at the National History Museum," Tony said.

"I thought nostalgia wasn't your thing," Liam asked.

"It's not. But your mom once told me you were a walking history textbook," Tony said.

"That was then. I'm not the same person anymore," Liam said.

"So, what you're saying is... I just wasted a perfectly good opportunity to distract you from your latest brooding session by booking us a guide who happens to be easy on the eyes?" Tony sighed dramatically.

"What do you mean?" Liam asked.

"Look, I don't want to be that guy, but I'm gonna be that guy. You've been off lately. More broody than usual. Feels like you're carrying something heavy, and it's grinding you down," Tony said.

Liam stiffened. Over the last few months, he had kept his distance from Tony—and from most people, really. Moving into his warehouse only made it clearer. To an outsider, it probably looked like he was going through something rough. The exhaustion on his face, the weight on his shoulders—it was all too visible.

After a pause, he finally spoke.

"I've been in a trial."

"Trial? As in, court trial? Why the hell didn't you call your lawyers? You've got the best in New York. Scratch that, if they suck, I'll get you better ones," Tony said.

"Not that kind of trial. This one's about fighting. Surviving. Coming out on top," Liam said.

Tony's eyes widened as realization hit him.

"You're telling me those secret society nutjobs have you running their death matches?" Tony's voice sharpened with anger.

"It's not like that. I chose this. Tony, this world is bigger and deadlier than you think. You can't even begin to imagine the kind of threats out there," Liam said.

Tony opened his mouth, then shut it. He wanted to tell Liam to walk away from whatever madness he was caught up in. But could he? Hadn't he done the same damn thing?

Since Asgard, since the Frost Giants, since realizing aliens were real and Earth wasn't ready, Tony had been preparing. Working. Fighting. His paranoia kept him up at night, pushing him to build more, to be ready for the next attack.

Liam was doing the same thing. Different battlefield, same war.

In the end, Tony exhaled sharply and let it go.

"Fine. Not gonna nag you about it. But you're still going on this tour. Consider it a history lesson and a Tony-mandated day off."

Liam didn't argue. He liked history. The real question was—how much of it was actually real? How much was just a well-crafted lie?

Then he saw their guide.

"Hello, my name is Sersi. I'll be your guide today," she said, shaking hands with both of them.

Liam froze for a second. He recognized her instantly.

Sersi. An Eternal. Sent to watch over Earth until a Celestial was ready to be born.

"Cersi? Like the Game of Thrones lady with the murder-y streak?" Tony quipped.

"I get that a lot. No, Mr. Stark. With an 'S,' not a 'C.' And I'd rather not be compared to her." Sersi laughed.

Liam was still staring at her, lost in thought. Tony nudged him.

"Hey, kid, you in there? My young Padawan here is clearly distracted by your, uh, stunning historical expertise," Tony smirked.

Liam snapped back. "Uh... Right. Sorry. Hi. I'm Liam. But you already knew that."

Sersi blushed slightly. Tony was definitely playing the wingman.

"Welcome to the National History Museum," she said.

Sersi led them through the grand halls, speaking with the confidence of someone who had done this a thousand times before. Even Tony, who had initially been more focused on teasing Liam, found himself paying attention.@@novelbin@@

They stopped in front of an ancient Mesopotamian exhibit.

"This cuneiform inscription dates back to the reign of King Gilgamesh. It records a decree regarding trade and laws. Many consider Gilgamesh a mythical figure, but historical evidence suggests he was a real king, and his legend simply grew over time."

Liam narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew Gilgamesh wasn't just a legend—he was another Eternal, just like Sersi. He glanced at her, but her expression remained neutral, as if she were just reciting museum facts.

"So, basically, he was the world's first celebrity influencer? Guy does a few heroic things, and next thing you know, people are writing epic poems about him" Tony said.

"You could put it that way," Sersi chuckled. "History has a way of turning leaders into legends."

They moved on to another exhibit.

"This section focuses on the chivalric orders of Europe—the Templars, the Teutonic Knights, and others who shaped history through war and diplomacy." She gestured toward a set of ornate armor. "This belonged to a knight of the 14th century, meticulously restored to showcase the craftsmanship of the time."

Liam studied the armor, his mind drifting. Battles fought in shadows. Wars no one remembered. Deaths that never made it into history books. But then, he felt Sersi's gaze on him.

"You seem particularly interested in this," she noted.

"Just wondering how much of history is truth and how much is just… a good story," Liam said.

"A bit of both, I suppose. History is written by those who survive to tell it." Sersi smiled.

"You really know your stuff," Tony said.

"I've studied history for years. It's a passion of mine."

Liam knew better. She hadn't just studied it. She had lived it.

They continued through the museum, past artifacts of ancient Egypt, relics from Rome, and even a section on the Age of Exploration.

"I hope you both enjoyed the tour."

"You know what? I actually did. And I don't say that often." Tony said.

"Yeah. It was… enlightening."

"History has a way of repeating itself. But those who understand it… can shape the future." Sersi said at the end. 

"You are right. But one needs to know history in order to not repeat their previous mistakes. Especially if there were no written records." Liam said. He wanted to hint Sersi about Tiamut but he couldn't do so. It might alert Ikaris and he wasn't powerful enough to confront that beast. Not yet.