Chapter 88: Lucy

Lucy’s delicate and adorable face had turned pale, her eyes growing increasingly wary as she fixed her gaze on Kyle, who stood outside dressed in a bizarre fashion. Biting her lip, she spoke, “You must have come to the wrong place. I never ordered any door-to-door service.”

“Of course I didn’t come to the wrong place. Isn’t this 199 Highland Street? I even know your name—Lucy Jane.” Kyle shrugged, smiling as he tried to step inside. But as he moved forward, the wooden door snapped shut with a sharp ‘clack,’ swiftly closed from within by Lucy.

“Uh…” Kyle was speechless. From inside, he could hear the sound of the front door being locked, followed by Lucy’s warning, her voice cold and resolute: “My house isn’t far from the police station. If you keep hanging around outside, creepy uncle, the police will come and arrest you!”

Kyle gave a bitter smile and tried to explain, “Lucy, it was just a joke earlier.”

“Jerk, get out!” Lucy snorted frostily.

Kyle, helpless, continued, “It’s me, Kyle. Listen closely. It’s only been a few months—have you really forgotten my voice?”

“Kyle?” Lucy’s voice from inside was startled. After a hurried rattle of unlocking, the door opened a crack, and her amber-blue eyes scanned Kyle once again.

This time, Kyle dropped the act. He had already let the Venom suit dissolve its disguise of hat and sunglasses, revealing his young, handsome face.

“Kyle. It really is you. You’re back?” Lucy’s delight overflowed as she flung the door wide open and, arms outstretched, rushed forward with her skirt billowing, leaping into Kyle’s embrace.

“It’s been months. Are you alright?” Kyle kept his smile, wrapping his arms around Lucy’s slender waist, gazing down at the girl nestled in his arms.

Half a year had passed, and Lucy was now seventeen, more radiant and beautiful than ever. Her golden hair was swept up high, her features exquisitely soft and flawless, especially those amber-blue eyes, sparkling with playful innocence.

Not only had her looks grown lovelier, but her figure had become fuller as well. Indeed, a girl truly blossoms as she grows older…

Kyle sighed inwardly. Without needing to see, he could feel the softness as he held her—no longer the bony, frail girl she once was.

Little wonder she had become so cautious; a beautiful girl living alone during wartime was anything but safe.

“Today’s paper said you returned to the New York military base last night. I wondered if you’d come home, so I made sure the room was clean…” Lucy murmured softly, her head tilted up, her shining eyes locked on Kyle’s, her hands refusing to let go.

She wore a cozy ankle-length skirt, a beige apron pinned over her chest—clearly she’d been cleaning.

“On the German front, I slept in open-air camps. No matter how messy the room is, it’s better than a tent,” Kyle chuckled, blinking. “If we stand here at the door any longer, people will see us. Why don’t we go inside?”

If anyone found out this was his home, the whole street would be crowded every day.

“I’m not letting go. You’ll have to carry me inside,” Lucy said with newfound courage, clutching him like a Persian cat.

“You’re impossible,” Kyle said indulgently, shaking his head. He supported her with one arm under her hips and carried her inside, Lucy burying herself completely in his arms.

The villa was spotless, its walls, floors, and furniture gleaming as if new.

Lucy had redecorated the guest room as her own. Kyle’s original room was still empty but looked meticulously cared for, as if it had never gone unused.

Kyle returned first to his own room, shed the Venom suit that acted as his “third wheel,” and changed into a custom-made leisure outfit. His body, transformed by the super soldier serum, had reached peak human fitness—his old clothes no longer fit.

Downstairs, the fireplace crackled with lively flames. The Christmas tree, adorned with lights, still stood undismantled. Flowers and fruit filled the table; beside it, a small box overflowed with black-and-white newspaper clippings.

Kyle sat on the sofa, surprised as he picked up some clippings. A glance revealed his own photos and articles, carefully cut and preserved in plastic.

“Ah, don’t look at those!” Lucy’s anxious cry echoed from upstairs. She hurried down, now in a simple white dress, her cheeks flushed as she snatched the clippings from Kyle’s hands and tucked them back in the box. “I only read those when I’m bored. It’s the only way I could know about your life on the battlefield.”

Kyle’s heart warmed. He patted the spot beside him, smiling. “Come here. Tell me how life’s been in New York.”

“It’s pretty dull, honestly.” Lucy pouted, boldly settling on Kyle’s lap, her head resting against his broad chest. She began recounting the scattered, trivial details of her months in New York.

“There’s a terrifying big dog next door. Every time I go to the market, it barks at me so fiercely that I’d rather take a detour…”

“Some old men who know I live here often come by to bother me, but thankfully Officer Joseph asked the local police to keep an eye out. The cops patrol regularly and chase away those troublemakers.”

She spoke in detail, her words tinged with youthful innocence and softness, turning even ordinary events into stories of fable-like length.

Kyle never felt impatient; on the contrary, he listened intently, more focused than when generals at the base discussed the front lines.

Since gaining his super soldier abilities, it had been a long time since he’d experienced such common human feelings—fear, worry, vulnerability.

He looked down at the beautiful girl in his arms, her face radiant with happiness, and suddenly realized something.

In this Marvel world, perhaps everyone—Logan, Fury, Steve—his comrades in life-and-death moments, could be left behind if things became desperate. But Lucy, he could never easily let go.

Because only Lucy let him reclaim his former humanity, his emotions, instead of being a cold, ruthless being obsessed with strength and evolution at any cost.

“I’d much prefer kittens over that fierce dog next door…” Lucy continued, rambling.

Kyle drew a deep breath, interrupting her, “Lucy, listen to me for a moment.”

“Hmm?” Lucy turned, surprised, meeting his gaze at close range.

Kyle smiled softly, asking, “Would you be willing to become part of my family?”