Chapter Text
Looking back on it, it’s an origin that people would think would be cute and a bit debauched if he wasn’t a domestic terrorist.
But you didn’t KNOW he was a domestic terrorist at the time. AND to be fair…he didn’t necessarily commit the crime AT THE TIME. He was still at regular crime lord levels.
—🖋️—
It was a mere conincidence when you two met that day. It was raining and dark out. Needless to say, if you two had been normal people, you probably wouldn’t have been there in that moment.
You had been eyeing some actor’s penthouse for a week now. You remember, it was specifically for when there were events in New York. And as for tonight…he would be leaving for LA and leaving his place empty. Which meant things like jewelry and expensive name brand clothes were up for grabs.
Meanwhile, he was overseeing initiations for his organization. He needed numbers. He needed soldiers he could trust for his mission. He didn’t want slouches and he didn’t want common crooks looking for meaningless street cred.
So his recruits would show how they could handle things like waiting for their moment to strike. Meanwhile, he positioned himself not too far. Giving off the appearance of a business man enjoying the night air as he made his way home from work.
And because of what both you were individually getting into that night. You both got caught in the rain.
He was already standing under an crimson red awning when you scuttled along with your jacket as your only means of cover.
Once you were under the awning, you lowered the jacket, letting out a disappointing sigh at it getting wet. You were gonna have to take the train or a cab and you didn’t really want to sit there while being wet. Heat powers would’ve been great to have in this situation.
“Bet Johnny Storm never has to deal with crap like this.” You muttered, a bit louder than you planned to.
You weren’t expecting him to respond. He didn’t have an obligation to but he did.
“Or any mutant with heat powers.” He said casually, his gaze turning to you with a soft smile. “I guess you weren’t expecting the rain?”
“Nope. I spent all week planning this get together with an old friend and didn’t account for the weather.” A good lie. “Its just one of those adulting things I haven’t gotten the hang of yet.”
“Don’t beat yourself up too much. I’ve started just relying on if my bones start to ache.”
“Oh, my grandpa used to say the same thing.” You let out and immediately regretted. “NOT that I’m saying you’re old OR that there’s anything wrong about being older. I’m just saying that my grandpa said the same thing but I know people who are in their, like, 20s that get that same ache they just don’t talk about it as much as my grandpa—you know what? I’m just gonna stop talking.”
He chuckled and you felt your face heat up from embarrassment. “Relax. It’s all right. No offense taken.”
You let out a relieved sigh. “Sorry. I’m not that great at small talk.”
He leaned in towards you. “Between you and me, neither am I.”
A laugh was shared between the both of you.
He then extended a hand. “Martin. Martin Li.”
“(Name) (Last Name).”
That night, the both of you were two people casually using the other as an unplanned contingency in the case of an eye witness.
That night, a restaurant owned by a rival syndicate was robbed by disguised patrons waiting for their moment in order to please their boss.
That night, due to missing their plane, an actor and his girlfriend returned to their NY penthouse to find it robbed with no trace of the thief. Both sadly unaware that their strongest lead is from a fan letter with a noticeable but unassuming blot of ink.