It was five past six when Fergus tiredly stumbled into a small diner that had a large, glowing sign that read Derby House Diner. He blinked his green eyes up at the gold-rimmed menu that hung behind the cashier, eyes landing on the section where prices were the cheapest. He pushed his slightly greasy black hair out of his green orbs, eyes flickering between the menu and curious-looking woman behind the cashier.

He smiled, stepping closer as he roamed the inside of his pocket for the cash he had earned and partially also pickpocketed. He didn't even feel bad about it.

“Hello, could I please get one large black coffee and ham and cheese pancakes with extra cheese.” he said, voice steady as he gazed into the woman's brown eyes who seemed to inch closer seductively. “Of course, that will be $8.50, sir” she said, pressing a button on the expensive-looking coffee machine as it started pouring into a pale blue plastic cup. “So what does a guy got to do to get discount here?” he said with an easy smile, leaning against the counter as she placed the lid on the cup. She glanced up, licking her red lips. “Be a regular customer, would you wish to register?” “I suppose it depends how many days a week I can see you around here.” he winked, satisfied to see the red covering her cheeks and climbing up her neck. 

He ended up getting discount after a couple of minutes of harmless flirting.

Fergus seated himself into a corner, his back against a wall, facing the entrance. He seemed to have gained some sort of paranoid instincts, always needing to know who came and who left and how many were in the room.

He was a bit troubled by the news that seemed to blare in every coffee shop, so he was starting to wonder if it was really a great idea to murder Mr Lennon that day. But as his eyes flickered on his knuckles, the small scars still quite visible he felt anger rise in him. And disappointment at himself for being so weak.

But he couldn't think rationally, the man was keeping four kids under his roof. He would feel terrible knowing he would be at fault if Jo and Leah were to be thrown back into the system because of his hate.

The man was psycho.

But plotting his murder didn't make Fergus any different.

He managed a flirtatious smile on his face as the girl walked towards him, placing his food on the table. He immediately noticed a small, white napkin tucked between the knife and fork, her messily written phone number on it. She walked away, swinging her hips shamelessly.

The diner was mostly empty except the two chatting ladies in the far corner and one old man who seemed to really crave the local bagels.

Fergus dug into the food, snapping his green orbs up as the door opened, being followed by a gust of cold breeze. He kept chewing his food, eyeing the stranger wearing a dark grey cap and Versace sunglasses. He was average height, yet still shorter than Fergus himself. There was an air of friendliness to him as he stepped towards the counter, leaning on it with his right elbow as his body faced Fergus, yet he kept his head turned away. The sunglasses bothered Fergus more than he would have thought.

And suddenly the idea of his yet black hair being in a half bun was not such a good idea.  He wished he had a better way to hide his face. The enchanted teen placed the fork and knife down, making sure he made no sound as he pulled the hood up. He wasn't usually the one to get suspicious of people, but something did not feel right.

And what sort of people wear sunglasses indoors?

The wrong kind, that's who.

His breath suddenly hitched, realising there was a low, thrumming sound vibrating through his chest. He froze, blinking in confusion. He knew exactly what the nature of the growl was, it means he was getting defensive, but it was not normal to be able to do that.

But then again, there was nothing normal anymore.

The sound of radio blaring from the speakers had drowned it out, but it was still startling. He felt frustrated again. It was as if he was starting to spiral out of control and he couldn't seem to turn it off. He bit his lip, frowning as he thought about what had happened and what he had done.

It was freeing, dangerous and disgusting. But he just hadn't found strength in him to stop.

His eyes snapped away from the white salt and pepper cat figurine on the table and up towards the loud laughter from the woman. The man nodded, grabbed the cup with his ordered drink and turned away.

Fergus' shoulders tensed and he gripped the fork harder, oblivious to the fact that it was pending slightly. The hair on the back of his neck rose and he realized he pressed down the urge to growl again. This animalistic instinct made him nearly jump up and dash away from the man who was heading towards him.

He leaned back, looking from under his hood as the man slid into the seat opposite of him. A dark denim jacket on white Armani shirt was a dead giveaway. This man was not sitting with Fergus because he was searching for just company. He said a simple hello, keeping his shoulders back and back straight, even though he leaned slightly into the seat to appear more relaxed than he really was.

“I love this place, they got the best burgers here. You know?” simple talk, but what kind of man sits with a random teenager to discuss burgers?

He tensed, unsure what to do so they wouldn't attract too much attention. The man had dark skin, it reminded Fergus ebony tree and the way the twins back at the orphanage used to sing on top of their lungs a made up song how they had born from the roots of ebony tree. He missed those bastards.

The man removed his Versace  glasses, folding them and placing them on the collar of his dark grey jacket. Unintentionally Fergus sniffed the air, trying to pinpoint the smell.

“The burgers are disgusting here.” he said simply, going to take another bite of his pancakes as he tried to relax his shoulders. He could sense the surprise as the man's dark eyes tried to figure him out. He chuckled, making Fergus almost squirm in his seat. His skin crawled, the blood in his veins almost heating up. “Good enough when some pals are asking to bring them burgers. You take those and I can assure you, they will never ask you to bring burgers again.” he said, taking a sip of his drink as he lazily threw his muscular arm over the back of the seat.

“Excuse me, but my friends will be arriving soon.” Fergus tried to keep all hostility out of his voice, leaning back and placing his left palm on his knee so the man wouldn't see the green mist that had started swirling around his index finger. The man rested his elbows on the table, running a calloused thumb over his shaven jawline. “So more of you are around?”

Fergus' poison green eyes snapped up, meeting the man's dark one's that were as curious as they were accusing. “Of course, there are many students in New York. Are you fine?” he tried to play it cool, come off innocent.

But the innocent days of childhood had ended for Fergus a long time ago.

The man raised an eyebrow, unamused as he took another sip. “I am not sure many students here turn into furry beasts, no?” he asked, like a cat playing with a mouse. Fergus crunched his nose, balling his hands under the table. “Oh you should see everyone before exams, it's like a zoo there.” he said simply, feeling sweat trickle down his neck under the hoodie he was wearing.

Before the dark-skinned man could utter another word, the doors were suddenly pushed open. The fork in Fergus' hand broke into two pieces, startled, the glass he was sitting beside crackled, the cracks turning vivid green for a split second. But since everyone, including Fergus, were surprised by the entrance, no one noticed.

“Get out everyone! I heard they are offering free sushi down the street. You too buttercup, get going and take your pal from back too.” the man said, pointing towards the door with his thumb. For a moment no one moved. The man sighed, rolling his eyes in annoyance as he cleared his throat again, standing straighter as he licked his dry lips briefly.

“It is federal investigation, if you wish no matter in it, get out people, you too older gentleman, that's the spirit, you can even take one of the doughnuts on your way out, my treat.” the perky man said, pointing everyone to leave as one of the two guards that had entered with the man held the door open.

Fergus stood up, pulling his backpack over his shoulder as he heard the dark-skinned man sigh in mild irritation. He crouched slightly, keeping his head down to make a dash for it.

“Sit your criminal ass down.” Tony Stark said sternly, standing in front of Fergus with bemused expression. “You're the federal investigation with free sushi if you didn't get the memo yet.” he muttered, gesturing towards the table with the angry man who did not seem too impressed by Starks presence.

Fergus was stiff, looking down at Tony Stark with icy eyes as he took in the man's short form.

So this man is responsible for Remingtons death?

A pang of hurt clenched his heart, reminding him that he was still alive.

His green eyes flickered up briefly, eyeing the bulky guards standing in front of the door, blocking it. They didn't bother Fergus, he knew he could overpower them easily. It was the earpiece that they would use to give out information about him that unnerved the teen. He slid his eyes back towards Tony who seemed to be getting annoyed. Fergus could make out the soft glow underneath the suit, it would be so easy to reach out, crush it between his nimble fingers.

Drain the life source.

“If you please.” the billionaire gestured towards the table.“Wilson, I'd say its a pleasure but then I'd be lying.” he said with the same bored tone. He smiled, satisfied as Fergus slowly sat back down. “It's a pleasure to see you here, scoot over, it's the part where I sit down as well.” he said, looking away as if the situation was boring him.

Fergus on the other hand was assessing the situation and all possible ways to get out. He knew there were more outside, there had to be. It was Tony Stark.

So Fergus was once again going to play the same game he had been playing with the Lennons.

Play along until they lower their guards.

***

And here it issss
I'm not dead guys 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️