Intercept

The hospital felt very different today.

Tony parked the car and didn't see a single person all the way to Yinsen's room.

No patients, no family, not even doctors.

"You booked the whole hospital? I like the style."

Back in good spirits, Tony started running his mouth again:

"But what's with no doctors either?"

"I'm all you need."

Oaks shrugged, though even he found Coulson's handling a bit excessive:

"Agent Coulson, aren't you overdoing it? I thought you'd just move the patients to a special ward."

"Dr. Yinsen's relationship with Mr. Stark shouldn't be exposed to the public right now."

Coulson spread his hands innocently:

"You were the one who said so, Consultant Oaks. Besides, the hospital is upgrading the fire system in this building right now. The doctors and patients are in another ward block."

"Fine. Let's make it quick. You've handled this kind of thing before, so I won't say more."

The three entered the room. Tony looked at Dr. Yinsen lying quietly on the bed and sighed softly:

"It's up to you, Oaks. I promised him he'd watch me make good use of this life."

"Don't worry."

Patting Tony on the shoulder, Oaks stepped up to Yinsen's bedside, took a deep breath, and raised his hands, which glowed with two clusters of emerald light.

In an instant, the whole room filled with the scent of nature—Tony and Coulson almost thought they'd stepped into a forest park.

The green light seemed to take on the phantom shapes of leaves, swirling around Dr. Yinsen, while grass and flowers even began to bloom on the bed!

One-click triple... no, three flowers converging at the crown.

Healing, Rejuvenation, Lifebloom.

But since he'd put a bit too much force into it, Oaks also let out Hundred Flowers Bloom, a spell meant for group healing, and the faintly glowing healing flowers carpeted the entire room.

"Too bright."

Tony smirked but covered his face with his hand:

"There should be a beautiful woman lying there, so when she wakes up, she'd see the flower bed I, the prince, laid out for her...

Not like this—an old bald man slowly waking up in a pile of flowers."

"..."

Coulson rubbed his nose and stayed quiet.

He thought the same, but he knew the Consultant seemed a bit petty—the kind even Director Fury didn't bother to cross.

Better not provoke him.

Still, this spectacle? A lab accident? Bullshit!

You might as well call it magic and make it more believable!

This senior agent had seen plenty and could accept some unusual things...

If you were this capable, why bother with all that Tahiti Project nonsense?!

To hell with those Kree—they should be tossed into an incinerator and turned to ash. Earth had plenty of extraordinary people!

"Oh... to hear your voice again, only to have you mock my baldness... how disappointing, Stark."

Bathed in natural energy, the lingering injuries Dr. Yinsen had suffered from delayed treatment were healed without reason, and he finally opened his eyes.

Such wounds couldn't be treated roughly—only gently—and Druids... were best at this kind of healing.

Of course, Oaks could have used a single Healing Touch to bring Yinsen's body back to its peak, but the excess vitality might have interfered with the natural revival of his consciousness.

Having to beat him awake would've been a bit unsightly.

"Welcome back, Yinsen."

Tony walked over and gave the rosy-cheeked Yinsen a big hug:

"And call me Tony."

"Alright, Tony... but can someone explain what's going on?"

Yinsen jumped off the bed, stretched, and looked astonished:

"I feel better than before I was hurt. Does planting flowers in a hospital room have this effect?"

"Let me introduce you. This is Oaks Lin, a... biologist."

Tony introduced Oaks and Yinsen to each other, then remembered Coulson, who was quietly standing to the side:

"If you want to know how we escaped, I can't tell you yet. But I will when the time is right. Please don't try to get information from Yinsen either."

"Of course, Mr. Stark."

Coulson nodded helplessly.

"The Consultant has already reminded me. We're very patient... but I hope that day isn't too far off. After all, news of Dr. Yinsen waking up can't be kept under wraps for long."

"...I understand."

Tony thought seriously for a moment. He understood Coulson's implication. In fact, Tony had initially considered finding someone else to collaborate on the armor research.

But after Colonel Rhodes flatly rejected him before he could even finish the idea, Tony had decided to complete it himself—though Yinsen being awake was an exception.

That suit of armor, strictly speaking, belonged to both of them. Yinsen had given it its reason for being and the mission it was meant to fulfill.

"Yinsen, come help me. Like before."

Tony looked earnestly at the physicist, who had finally accepted that he'd been saved by an unbelievable "biotechnology."

"Uh..."

Before Yinsen could speak, Oaks waved a hand.

"Tony, you're too hasty. Dr. Yinsen has only just woken up. If you don't want lasting side effects, he needs proper rest.

I suggest Dr. Yinsen recuperate at my place for a while. You too, Tony."

"I... I'll pass. Let Yinsen rest. Yes, you really should take it easy. Sorry, I was being presumptuous."

Tony snapped out of it. Oaks was right. But that meant the armor's development would have to be done by himself alone.

"Listen, Tony."

Oaks nodded slightly to Yinsen and Coulson, then pulled Tony out the door.

"I know you're trying to solve Stark Industries' current predicament, and I believe you can do it.

But the problem now is that most of Stark Industries no longer trusts you—

Can you believe Obadiah showed up at the Benevolence Society event without even thinking of bringing you along? You're the shareholder of the Benevolence Society."

"I still stand by my approach, and I'll never regret it."

Tony snorted, unconcerned.

"I'll shut them all up with action. Stark isn't just about making things that explode."

"Of course, you're a genius."

Oaks smiled, glancing discreetly at the reactor on Tony's chest.

"It's just a shame I can't help much. Different field, you know..."

"No, buddy, you've already helped me a lot."

Tony smiled—a rare sight since returning from Afghanistan.

"With your bracelet, my development speed is thirty percent faster.

And with Yinsen awake, I think I can cut the original timeline in half—

But can you make this bracelet smaller? It's too much of a hassle. A necklace or something would work too."

"..."

Oaks twitched at the corner of his mouth, then rubbed his chin.

"It's not impossible... but it'll take some time. Also, I want to stress that you should keep your contact with Yinsen to a minimum for now—

You're Stark, and he's not. Until you truly have the strength to counter any enemy, the lower his profile, the better. Understand?"

"...Got it. I'll leave it to you then."

"Don't worry."