作为群居动物,人类往往表现出同质性.身处某种环境中,不可避免地会受到它的影响.托尼·斯塔克现在深深地理解了这一点.
彼得每天都完全迷恋他的女朋友格温.自从格温正式成为彼得的女朋友后,他们每周约会两到三次.
还没到见到女友父亲的阶段的蜘蛛侠,最近开心无比.每天,他都会热情地谈论他从女朋友那里收到的礼物或他们在餐厅吃的美味佳肴.
斯塔克不得不承认,尽管彼得的细节可能看起来很幼稚,但他们约会时去的餐厅是像他这样的亿万富翁永远不会来的地方.但每当斯塔克听到彼得的描述时,他都能充分感受到他的幸福.
除了彼得之外,多亏了斯特兰奇的"帮助",席勒和他妻子的故事变得更加详细,也越来越苦乐参半.
最初,这只是库尔森在对斯特兰奇的例行调查中获得的信息.可是,他怎么能把这么多汁的八卦留给自己呢?第二天,娜塔莎和尼克从库尔森的口中听到了一个非常真实和详细的版本.
斯特兰奇的几句话在天才特工库尔森的手中变成了一个故事.自然而然地,这个故事传到了娜塔莎和尼克的耳朵里.娜塔莎作为一个女人,对这种浪漫的爱情故事很感兴趣.女人的感性为故事增添了更多浪漫的细节,让它感觉更加真实.
另一方面,尼克是一个怀疑论者.知道这个事实,他不可避免地开始调查.
在调查过程中,他确实设法发现了一些线索.
他发现神盾局和斯塔克付给席勒的一大笔钱最初是以席勒的名义存入一个美国账户的.然而,最近,这笔钱被转移到瑞士的一个国际账户.尼克无法追踪钱的去向.他推测,这笔钱很可能被席勒用来维持他妻子的生活.
不久前,席勒告诉大家,他将离开一段时间.这时,尼克想跟踪他.然而,尽管神盾局特工像一张网一样展开,他们却找不到他的踪迹.尼克认为席勒最有可能利用他的魔法能力去找他的妻子.
尼克始终认为,要成为一名优秀的特工,除了细致的逻辑思维,还需要足够的想象力.通常,无意的灵感会给行动带来意想不到的变化.
因此,结合多种因素,Nick 得出结论,这种情况极有可能发生.
He believes that Schiller's wife is possibly not an American citizen, as he can't find any record of a missing woman in the files. Schiller might have met her while traveling abroad. After falling in love and getting married, his wife might have developed a disease that can't be cured temporarily but keeps worsening. Combined with Schiller's previous mention of cryogenic technology to Strange, Nick infers that Schiller might have developed a technique to freeze his wife indefinitely, preventing the progression of her illness and constantly searching for a cure.
Through this story, Nick sees more than just a tragic love. He has always wanted to recruit Schiller to work for S.H.I.E.L.D.. If S.H.I.E.L.D. can contribute to the treatment of Schiller's wife, Nick believes that they will soon gain a powerful ally.
Therefore, Nick begins collecting data on various neurology experts to see who has the qualifications to solve this problem.
If Schiller hears Nick's thoughts and knows about the story Nick imagines, he would undoubtedly applaud the Agent of King. Isn't this just the love story of Mister Freeze Victor and his wife?
The story is fine, next is mine.
Later, when this story reaches Stark's ears, he naturally believes that Nick must have solid evidence. Thus, he also believes that Schiller indeed goes through all these struggles for his wife.
This fact is quite shocking for Stark. After all, throughout the many years of his growth, most of the people he encounters are like his father, indulging in debauchery.
However, the fatal blow comes from Captain America, Steve.
A few days ago, Stark notices that Steve stops his morning runs. So he goes to ask Schiller what happens. Schiller says that Steve has been in a bad mood lately.
Stark is overjoyed. If Captain America is feeling down, Iron Man's mood must be great.
When Steve returns, Stark originally wants to mock him. But Steve looks extremely worn-out at the time, and Schiller has a solemn and mournful expression. Peter doesn't dare to make any noise.
During the days without Pepper, Stark wanders around, and he finally learn a bit how to read people. Seeing everyone in such a state, he holds back all the words he has in mind.
Afterwards, he approaches Schiller again to ask what happens to Steve. Schiller just shakes his head and tells him to ask Steve himself.
How can Iron Man willingly go and ask Captain America?
However, Stark's curiosity drives him.And in the end, he finds himself seeking out Steve.
Then he learns from Steve's mouth the epic century-spanning love story between him and Peggy.
As a weak new recruit in the military camp, Steve encounters a charming and caring female officer. And after becoming the famous Captain America, they go through life and death together, becoming each other's perfect soulmates. Even after a century passes, Captain America remains steadfast, and only Peggy is his perfect dance partner.
However, the ending of this romantic story is heartbreaking. A few days ago, Steve sees Peggy, who is bedridden and aging, and is told from the doctor that her time is running out.
He sees his pictures Peggy kept, not as the strong Captain America, but as the weak and bullied Steve when he first joined the recruits. After his transformation, Steve hasn't cried like that in a long time.
He is on the verge of breaking down. He even storms into Nick's office, asking if there is any special serum that can save Peggy's life.
But unfortunately, eventually, Steve can only accept this painful and helpless ending.
This story has a profound impact on Stark. Because, in Steve's words, his father Howard is a part of this entire story, and he and Peggy were once friends.
This makes Stark start to ponder if he is somewhat different.
When it comes to women, Stark certainly has a lot. From magazine models to party girls to Hollywood actresses, Stark changes his partners daily, sometimes even multiple times a day.
But when it comes to love, real love, Stark recalls and realizes that his mind is empty.
Throughout his life, he can't think of a single love experience that he can proudly share with his friends and resonate with them.
First love? It seems like a vague memory. Stark tries hard to remember, but he has to admit that he has almost forgotten.
Peter and Gwen are deeply in love, Schiller and his wife are separated by illness, Steve and Peggy's love is timeless.
And Stark, being surrounded by these people, can't help but use his genius brain to ponder. What makes him so different?
"Lately, Pepper has been looking at me strangely." In the S.H.I.E.L.D. cafeteria, Stark, Schiller, and Peter sit at a table having a meal. After Schiller throws Stark out, Pepper has no choice but to foster him at S.H.I.E.L.D.. Stark is not happy about it. But if he doesn't go, he would have been sleeping on the streets.
"Strangely? What strange?"
"I'm not joking, I'm serious. There's something in her eyes... a mix of concern, relief, and sympathy."
"I should really let you be a psychologist. How can you read so much from someone's eyes?"
Stark waves his hand dismissively, "Come on, I've dated with a thousand women, maybe even more. I can tell what they're thinking just by looking into their eyes. So, what's up with Pepper?"
"It depends on you. Have you been up to something?"
"Me? No issues at all."
Schiller puts down his fork and snaps his fingers. "Jarvis, can you analyze any behavioral changes in your master's recent activities?"
Jarvis responds with a few beeps, and Stark leans back in his chair, waiting for his intelligent butler to answer.
"According to analysis, in the past week, you've declined 18 invitations from the opposite sex. That's the only difference in your usual behavior pattern,sir."
In an instant, Stark sees almost the same expression on Schiller's face as he sees in Pepper's.
"Damn it, I'm not..."
"You don't have to explain, um... if you've come to your senses, then congratulations. If you're struggling..."
Schiller shrugs and says, "...then you can only blame yourself."
Schiller knows, in the comics, this guy is a super stud. Not to mention his failed first love and the disloyal Bain, there's Gamora, Captain Marvel, Wasp, Spider-Woman, She-Hulk, all of them are just one-night stands.
"I'm not..." Stark puts down his utensils and places his hands on the table. "I just feel like they're not good..."
"Then who was it that used to brag about having a yacht full of beauties?"
"Alright." Stark deflates like a punctured balloon. "I've never had a real relationship. You guys are always talking about love, romantic stories."
"I used to think they were everything. Sexy, charming, short but passionate. What's wrong with that?"
"But yesterday, Peter even said that his girlfriend is willing to listen to him talk about how he built those machines. They spent a whole afternoon talking about that one topic!"
"We actually didn't finish our chat. The next day we went to the exhibition, the one by Stark Industries. The machines there were amazing, and we spent the whole day exploring without feeling tired..."
With Stark's intimidating gaze, Peter silently stuffs his mouth with a sandwich.
"...Well, no one has ever been willing to listen to me talk about these things. They prefer to hear all kinds of Hollywood gossip, fashion shows, and the latest clothing trends for winter and spring. How could anyone be interested in hearing me talk about how to build my suits?"
"But deep down, you really want to talk about these things, right? In your opinion, these are much cooler than those fashion."
Stark purses his lips, looking very sour now – almost like a lemon.
"But it's no use you coming to us. You need to talk to Pepper."
"But she doesn't understand suits, and she's already busy enough."
"Like I said, as long as you say it, she will always be willing to listen."