⁀➷

When Marigold recommended a Familiar for Bruce to summon, he was unsure at the thought of a stranger knowing every nook and cranny of him.

"Bruce," murmured Marigold kindly, setting a hand on his large arm, "this may be good for you. Pepper technically summoned me, and while I'm not what she expected, I'm here. Have you noticed there's less bags under her eyes? Not to brag, but I'm helping her. That's what Familiars - I'm quoting that because I'm not a Familiar - help with. She lost someone, and so did you."

Bruce stiffened, taking off his glasses to rub the bridge of his nose. "Mari, I don't know. What if I summon a Demon?"

She giggled, and Bruce could hear the sound of soft bells jingling. "The ritual for summoning a Familiar is very different from a Demon's. Besides, I'll be there with you, all right? What kind of Demon would be dumb enough to attack a Fairy?"

Bruce gave her a look. "Didn't I patch you up last month because a rogue Demon attacked you?"

She pouted. "It's not my fault my blood is enticing. Bruce, will you try? For your sake and for hers?"

His eyes stung at the implication of Natasha's name. He could remember her bright red curls that bounced when she smiled and turned to look at him. When they met up once more to calculate time travel, they hadn't managed to talk about their past. The last time he saw her, she was being whisked away and never came back.

He nodded and rubbed his eyes before putting his glasses back on. "All right, I'll do it."

Marigold smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. I'll get all the materials and we'll do it tonight, all right?"

"Tonight?"

"Of course!" she chirped, unfurling her wings from her back. "I'll be back in a jiffy," she said, opening a portal and stepping through it. The portal closed behind her.

He really didn't know what he was getting into. He was a scientist, and didn't bother much on the mythical creatures that roamed the earth.

A portal appeared, and Bruce recognized it as Marigold's portal due to the pink sparkles that were spread around the circular yellow lining of the portal. Marigold stepped through with a dirty bag around her shoulder.

"I'm ready," she said. "Are you?"

He nodded. "Yeah, I am."