Life with superheroes

Mike and his kids brought along a set of camping equipment, so they didn't have to rent anything at the scenic spot.

Mike and his three sons followed Coulson to the camping area, hauling an assortment of equipment and food in large and small bags.

As they walked, Mike chatted with Coulson and learned about his current situation. Coulson had just graduated from college and was struggling with his future. He longed for a peaceful life as a teacher but, inspired by his admiration for Captain America, also dreamed of joining the army. Torn between these two paths, he decided to travel, relax, and hopefully come to a decision.

After a while, they finally reached the place Coulson's friend had called them to.

A woman was waiting there...

"Girlfriend?" Mike nudged Coulson's arm with a wink.

Coulson blushed, but the girl with curly hair introduced herself to Mike, smiling warmly. "Millie, Phil's college classmate and also his girlfriend."

"Oh my god! He has a girlfriend!" Clark muttered quietly, glancing at his father with mock exasperation.

Mike's mouth twitched, and he patted Clark's head while Eric and Charles snickered.

"You're so cute," Millie said, leaning down with a smile as she tucked back her scattered hair and looked kindly at Clark and the other two.

Eric raised his chin proudly. "Of course, we're very handsome!"

Charles hid his face, as though too embarrassed to look at anyone, while Clark smiled politely.

Millie laughed and reached out to scratch Eric's chin. "You're already the father of three kids, Mike, but you really don't look like it."

Mike smiled and said, "If we'd known Phil was with you, we wouldn't have intruded as a third wheel."

Coulson scratched the back of his head and gave Mike an awkward smile.

Mike patted Coulson's shoulder, reassuring him. "Don't worry, we'll stay far enough away to make sure we can't hear anything!"

Coulson's face reddened, but Millie hugged his arm and, smiling at Mike, said, "I like him like this. Thank you, Mike!" she teased Coulson, leaving a bright red lipstick mark on his cheek.

Ah, the unmistakable scent of love...

Mike gave Coulson a thumbs-up and strolled away with the kids. After walking for some distance, he paused, inhaling deeply.

"Dad, what are you smelling?" Charles asked innocently.

"The scent of love! I can still smell it here. Let's go a bit farther."

They walked until they were about a hundred meters from Coulson and his girlfriend's tent. Only then did Mike stop and start setting up their tent.

"Clark, could you hand me the ground spikes?"

Clark nodded, handing over the stakes, while Eric and Charles frolicked nearby, undeterred by anything.

"Don't wander off!" Mike shouted at them, then turned to Clark. "Keep an eye on those two rascals, son. Make sure they don't disturb anyone else."

"Yes, sir!" Clark saluted and dashed after his two younger brothers.

Mike breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness for his reliable helper, Clark, his first adopted child.

After casting a glance at the three of them, Mike quickly resumed setting up the tent. It was spacious enough for all four of them.

Humming a tune, he glanced in Coulson's direction, smiling as he shook his head. He hadn't expected to meet this future fine young man during his trip.

"Coulson's still so innocent…" Mike muttered, reflecting on his age, which was now much older than Coulson's, and felt a bittersweet pang. Absently, he touched his hair. He hoped that by the time Iron Man showed up, he wouldn't be bald.

By then, these kids would have grown up, wouldn't they? Thinking about the day they'd be adults, Mike couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement.

Soon, the tent was ready. Checking the time, Mike took out the pots and pans and began preparing a meal, cooking as he watched the setting sun. Even in the wilderness, he wanted to ensure his kids had a hearty dinner to nourish their growth.

The sun gradually dipped into the lake, transforming its calm surface into a brilliant orange gem.

"Beautiful," Mike murmured, marvelling at the scene.

The view was truly breathtaking.

"Hey, guys!" Mike called, waving to the three of them. "Come over for a photo!"

"Coming!"

"I want to be in the picture!"

"Dad!"

The three boys ran over.

Mike quickly positioned the camera. Once they'd struck their poses, he rushed over, wrapped his arms around them, and pressed their faces close together. "Say cheese!" he shouted.

Click! The moment was captured, frozen in time.

With the orange crystal lake and the lush green grass as their backdrop, all four of them beamed joyfully.

As night fell, tiny lights began to bloom across the grass, resembling stars scattered in a green sky—a beautiful, dreamlike sight. Yet many campers seemed distracted, their attention drawn toward one direction, their faces curious, as they swallowed involuntarily.

It smelled so good…

There was Mike's family, seated around a small stove, savoring a delicious barbecue and fish soup prepared by Mike. It was a perfect scene, especially in the envious eyes of other campers holding meager bread sandwiches, making it all the more blissful.

"Dad, I want a chicken wing!" Eric said, his face smeared with grease, as he eagerly reached for a wing sizzling on the grill.

Smack!

Mike lightly slapped Eric's hand. "It's not ready yet. Be patient!"

Eric nodded, his gaze glued to the chicken wings, eyeing Charles suspiciously.

Charles pouted, then blinked and looked at Clark with puppy-dog eyes. "Big brother, can I have a chicken wing too?"

Clark handed his half-eaten wing to Charles.

Charles beamed and made a face at Eric.

Eric rolled his eyes, muttering, "You just rely on looking cute. That's not manly at all."

"Hey, being the youngest has its perks!" Charles shot back smugly.

"You're only a few minutes younger than me!" Eric grumbled. "If I'd known, I would've kicked you back in!"

"Lululu!" Charles stuck his tongue out. "Too bad you couldn't!"

Eric glared at him.

Mike sighed and handed Eric a chicken wing to restore peace.

Eric's face lit up as he took the wing.

Only food could quiet them for a while...

Thankfully, they managed to finish the meal without too many interruptions.

After the children finished playing, Mike cleaned up, and the family sat together, gazing at the lake under the moonlight. They spent a few tranquil minutes there, yawning together before crawling into their tent for the night.

Time passed gradually. The little lights on the grass began to dim, growing fainter with each passing moment. Finally, with everyone asleep, the moonlight bathed the lake like liquid silver. It was so quiet that even the wind couldn't ripple the lake's surface.

A ghostly figure appeared at the campsite.

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Thank you for reading, hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Don't forget to vote with power stones.

You can read more chapters on [email protected]/adam001