The safe haven glowed under a rare clear sky, its walls patched with Upgrade's liquid metal, turrets humming with enhanced tech. Bill stood in the bunker, Upgrade's black-green form flowing as he repaired a moat pump—Trask's last assault lingered in dented stone and scorched earth, but the comics' grind—Tony's sleepless nights, Wolverine's endless fights—had taught him a new lesson: family came first. Clara and Lily deserved more than a protector; they deserved him.He reverted, human again, the ache of Four Arms and SCP-096 dulled by Upgrade's renewal. Clara called from the kitchen, "Bill, dinner's ready—your favorite." Lily poked her head out, glow bright. "I didn't burn the potatoes!"Bill grinned, washing Sentinel grime from his hands—Upgrade's tech made it quick, merging with the sink to purify water. "Coming," he said, stepping in. The room smelled of roasted vegetables and bread—Clara's magic, Lily's fire a gentle assist. A Steve-crafted table gleamed, Upgrade's touch keeping it warm.They sat, Clara passing plates, her smile soft. "You've been a machine lately—literally. Sit with us.""Yeah, Dad," Lily teased, "no templates tonight—just you."Bill laughed, the sound easing his strain—SCP-173's twitch, Four Arms' creak fading. "Deal. Just Bill Grayson, family man."Dinner stretched into hours—stories flowed, not of battles but memories. Clara recounted their first date—pre-haven, pre-chaos—Bill stumbling over a picnic. Lily giggled, adding her own—Bill teaching her to ride a bike, pre-mutant days. He shared his old life's quirks—video games, bad cooking—comics' weight lifting. Upgrade stayed dormant, the system quiet:
"Host emotional state: Content. Templates on standby. Objective: Family bonding."After, they moved outside—Bill upgraded a Sentinel scrap into a projector, Steve crafting a screen from wood and cloth. They watched stars, Lily's fire warming the air, Clara leaning on him. "This," she whispered, "is worth fighting for."Bill squeezed her hand, Lily's head on his shoulder. "Always was."Night deepened—Bill patrolled briefly, Upgrade merging with turrets to tweak sensors, but returned fast. Clara and Lily slept, the haven's hum a lullaby. Comics' heroes burned out without this—Bill wouldn't. Trask loomed, but tonight, family healed him.