"Has Sebastian gone to take a shower? I am going to wash up and change too."
Alisha said.
"Sharon hang out here for a bit. I will be quick."
"No problem cousin. Take your time."
Sharon replied.
As Alisha headed to her bedroom Sharon let out a quiet breath. She had gotten to know the layout of their house over the past few months. It had three bedrooms and two living rooms. Alisha's master bedroom had its own small bathroom. While a bigger bathroom was down the hall.
Right now Sebastian was in the big bathroom. Alisha was in her bedroom's bathroom.
That meant no one was around to see what Sharon did. She was free to snoop.
Perfect timing she thought.
Sharon did not waste a second. She stood and tiptoed to Sebastian's room. She paused at the door. He had left it slightly ajar. Glancing around to make sure the coast was clear she gently pushed it open. She slipped inside.
Sebastian's room was super tidy with everything in its place. The vibe was sleek and simple. Cool grays and clean lines. It felt way more grown up than Alisha's room which was bursting with bright colors like a teen's. Honestly Sharon always thought Sebastian acted more mature than his mom. Alisha was the lively one despite being the parent.
She scanned the room then headed to Sebastian's bookshelf. The books were totally normal. School textbooks and some classic novels. Nothing weird. Not even a single book about ghosts or magic.
Sharon's eyes landed on the notebooks and papers spread across Sebastian's desk. Her pulse quickened. If Sebastian was the person SHIELD was after there would likely be clues right there. Especially since he had not hidden them. She took a few steps toward the desk but froze just a couple of feet away.
The notes were within reach. One step and she could flip through them. But Sharon hesitated with her mind racing. If she looked everything would change. Whether Sebastian was that person or not she would never be able to face Alisha or him the same way again. Alisha especially treated her like a real sister. Sharon felt that bond deeply.
Over time Sharon and Alisha had become true friends. Almost family. Betraying that trust would break her heart.
She took a step back thinking it over. The person SHIELD was investigating had not hurt anyone. They were out there stopping bad guys and doing good. Like a real hero. If they had done something awful Sharon would have dug into their connection to Sebastian no matter the cost. But this person had not. Keeping their identity a secret felt more right than exposing them.
And if Sebastian was that person? As Alisha's friend and someone who cared about him Sharon felt a duty to protect him. Especially if he wanted to keep his secret. As long as he was not doing anything wrong she would have his back.
Sharon took a deep breath and turned away from the desk. She slipped out of the room feeling lighter. Like a weight had lifted.
Back in the living room she sank into the cozy couch. She flipped on the TV. Cheesy soap operas played in the background. The nervous jitters from moments ago melted away.
Sharon's phone buzzed. She pulled it out and saw a text from Coulson.
Any updates?
She hesitated for a moment before typing a quick reply.
Nothing unusual.
After sending the message her phone went quiet. Sharon tucked it away and glanced at the TV. She smiled feeling at ease.
She was not just a mindless SHIELD agent. Sharon had her own perspective shaped partly by her aunt Peggy Carter. She thought more like a hero than a spy. Agents obsessed over completing missions. Heroes cared about what was right.
That is why during the Avengers' Civil War she would defy orders to help Captain America. Sure she admired him. But it was not just a crush. If Captain America had been out to wreck the world Sharon would not have backed him no matter how much she liked him. It was about doing what felt right.
While Sharon chilled on the couch watching cheesy soap operas Sebastian sat on the toilet in the big bathroom. The shower was running but he had not started washing. Instead he had been using a Scrying spell to spy on his bedroom through the bathroom mirror. He clearly saw Sharon sneak in and hesitate. She left without touching his notebook.
Sebastian had been ready to cast Obliviate to erase Sharon's memories if she had found proof of his magic. He had even planned to set up an illusion to throw off any suspicion. But Sharon had backed off. Probably because of her bond with Alisha. That outcome was way better than his original plan.
"Not a bad result."
Sebastian muttered.
He tapped his wand on the mirror ending the spell. Then he stripped down and actually started his shower.
The weekend passed quietly. On Monday morning Sebastian left the house with Sharon who had stayed over. They said goodbye and headed their separate ways. Sebastian to school and Sharon to handle her work.
Since Friday night Sharon had been crashing at their place more often. Which was starting to stress Sebastian out. It made sneaking in magic practice at home way harder. He was not clueless. After last night and thinking about Sharon's last name Carter he put it together. Even if he was slow he had figured out who she was. Peggy Carter's niece tied to one of SHIELD's founders and Captain America's old flame.
Sebastian rode his bike to school. As he walked through the gates he noticed everyone glued to their phones. They were watching videos and buzzing about something.
Spotting Sean in the distance Sebastian grinned and waved. They did their usual handshake and shoulder bump before he asked.
"Yo Sean what has got everyone so hyped? Did something big go down?"
Sean sighed and clapped Sebastian on the shoulder.
"Dude sometimes I swear you are from my grandparents' era. You did not check Instagram or TikTok last night? Bet you do not even watch TV! Otherwise you would know about this huge news."
Sebastian had to admit he was not big on phones or computers or TV. Maybe it was a habit from his past life. But he would rather study magic or read books than scroll through feeds. He had gotten used to dodging screens even though he was pretty good with tech when he needed to be.
He shrugged with a smile.
"You know I am more into books man. So what is the deal?"
"Fine I will be your news app from now on. Check out these two videos and you will get it."
Sean handed over his phone. Sebastian watched the first video. A shaky clip of Iron Man battling the Iron Monger filmed from far away. The second was crystal clear. Tony Stark at a press conference. Tony started with a stiff official speech but ditched it fast. He looked straight at the reporters and declared.
"I am Iron Man!"
Sebastian passed the phone back. To most people Tony's speech screamed hero. Some thought it was just a cocky billionaire flexing. But Sebastian knew better. Those words marked the start of a new era. A time when heroes would come together.
Still that was not his fight. His goal was clear. Get stronger and take down Thanos someday. Simple but a long way off for now.
"So pretty wild right? You pumped?"
Sean asked while his eyes sparkled.
Sebastian blinked with his voice flat.
"Uh yeah super pumped."
"Your half hearted tone says it all. Come on this is not exciting?"
Sean groaned.
Sebastian paused then looked at Sean.
"If aliens invade New York and a god with a giant hammer is flying around then I might get hyped."
"Dude Sebastian you are killing me with these jokes!"
Sean laughed while shaking his head.
Sebastian smirked feeling a bit weird. Sometimes the truth was the hardest thing to believe while lies spread like wildfire.
School was chill. Sebastian soaked it up. After classes he biked straight to the New York Sanctum. He needed Kamar Taj's help to finish a potion that could ease Tony Stark's palladium poisoning.
Stepping into the Sanctum Sebastian was thrown off. Daniel who usually greeted him was gone. Instead Kaecilius stood there to welcome him.
"Hey Sebastian good to see you."
Kaecilius greeted.
"Yo Kaecilius been a while. Where is Daniel?"
Sebastian asked.
Kaecilius seemed ready for the question.
"Daniel is off on a mission. So I am covering for him at the New York Sanctum for now."
Sebastian nodded slowly.
"Got it. Could you let the Ancient One know I need to talk to her?"
Kaecilius paused then nodded.
"Funny you mention that. The Ancient One told me to send you to Kamar Taj if you showed up. She wants to see you too."
"She wants to see me? That is a wild coincidence."
Sebastian said while raising an eyebrow.
"You free to meet her now?"
Kaecilius asked.
"Totally. I was planning to see her anyway. Lead the way."
Sebastian replied.
"Follow me."
Kaecilius said.
He guided Sebastian to a portal deep on the second floor of the New York Sanctum. In front of a carved old school door Kaecilius stopped.
"Sebastian just push it open and step through. It will take you straight to Kamar Taj. I will wait here."
"Thanks Kaecilius."
Sebastian said with a nod.
He reached out and pushed the door. He walked in. The space around him warped for a split second. Suddenly he was in a dim ancient looking building. A tall broad shouldered mage stood by the entrance waiting. When he saw Sebastian he gave a small bow.
"Sebastian follow me. The Ancient One is ready for you."
"What is your name?"
Sebastian asked though he had a hunch.
The mage smiled.
"You can call me Wong. That is what everyone at Kamar Taj calls me."
"Cool thanks Wong."
Sebastian said.
"Whoa Wong is fine. Calling me anything else sounds weird."
Wong chuckled.
"Got it. Wong it is."
Sebastian grinned.
"Thanks for getting that."
They walked to a building with a vibe straight out of ancient China. All intricate wood and calm energy. The Ancient One stood in the center. Like she had sensed them coming.
"Ancient One Sebastian is here."
Wong announced.
She turned and nodded to Wong.
"Thank you Wong. You can head out."
"See you."
Wong said before leaving the room.
The Ancient One faced Sebastian.
"Good to see you again Sebastian."
"Same here Ancient One. I figured we would cross paths eventually."
Sebastian said with a small smile.
"I heard you wanted to talk to me?"
She asked.
"Yeah I have got a project I need Kamar Taj's help with."
Sebastian said.
"Perfect timing. I have got something I need your help with too."
The Ancient One replied while her eyes were sharp but warm.
"How about a deal? Like you said before. Equal exchange. We help each other. What do you say?"