"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 oold 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 test 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 gonhat guy. You've been off tely. More broody than usual. Feels like you're carrying something heavy, and it's grinding you down," Tony said.

  Liam stiffened. Over the st 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 wyers? 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. ing out on top," Liam said.

  Tony's eyes widened as realization hit him.

  "You're tellihose 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 't even begin to imagihe kind of threats out there," Liam said.

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

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

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

  In the end, Tony exhaled sharply a go.

  "Fine. Not gonna nag you about it. But you're still going on this tour. sider 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 yuide today," she said, shaking hands with both of them.

  Liam froze for a sed. He reized her instantly.

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

  "Cersi? Like the Game of Thrones dy 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 pared to her." Sersi ughed.

  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 khat."

  Sersi blushed slightly. Tony was definitely pying the wingman.

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

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

  They stopped in front of an a Mesopotamian exhibit.

  "This eiform inscription dates back to the reign of King Gilgamesh. It records a decree regarding trade and ws. Many sider 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 aernal, just like Sersi. He g her, but her expression remained ral, as if she were just reg museum facts.

  "So, basically, he was the world's first celebrity influencer? Guy does a few heroic things, ahing you know, people are writing epis 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 se focuses on the chivalric orders of Europe—the Temprs, the Teutoniights, and others who shaped history through war and diplomacy." She gestured toward a set of ornate armor. "This beloo a knight of the 14th tury, 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 particurly ied in this," she noted.

  "Just w 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 tihrough the museum, past artifacts of a Egypt, relics from Rome, and even a se on the Age of Exploration.

  "I hope you both ehe 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 uand it… shape the future." Sersi said at the end.

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

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