#*sighs* aou steve is such a sweetie

[meidui]

oh to have steve rogers catch you in his arms and tell you "i got you! just look at me!" and pull you to safety

[maximoffwitch]

Home for the Holidays

pairing: natasha romanoff x reader

warnings: mention of pregnancy

summary: Natasha makes it home to you for christmas…along with some guests (inspired by the trip to clint’s farmhouse in aou)

word count: 1.8k

a/n: ahhh some christmas fluff for you all! i hope you all have a happy holidays if u celebrate :)) and this is for @storiesofsvu’s holiday bingo!

“Looks like the engine’s been compromised,” Tony announced with sigh, collapsing into his seat on the quinjet.

“What? How?” Steve furrowed his brows.

“It’s damn near frozen,” the billionaire explained, as he motioned to the snowy landscape.

The entire team had been on a quick straightforward mission. Get in, take down the HYDRA base, retrieve intel, and get out. After having done just that, nobody was pleased with the news of malfunctioning quinjet, especially this close to Christmas.

“How many miles do we have left?” Clint asked.

“I’d say twenty,” Tony shrugged, “if we’re lucky.”

The archer looked over at Natasha with an amused smirk and a raised eyebrow, as the two of them had a silent conversation, before the redhead relented, rolling her eyes.

“Move,” she got up, pushing Tony out of the pilot’s seat.

As he stumbled out of the chair, barely managing to get to his feet, an offended expression took over his face. “Where are you taking us, Romanoff?”

Instead of answering, Natasha kept her eyes forward, mentally cursing Clint for putting her in this position.

“Alright, fine,” Tony held his hands up and made his way to the back of jet. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you had a secret family of your own.”

His words earned a snort from Clint and caused the assassin to clench her jaw. The rest of the ride was spent silent, as everyone was too tired for anything else.

As the quinjet touched down in a snow laden field, Natasha stood up and announced, “We’re here.”

The team followed her, the frozen wind hurrying them along, as they approached a simple two-story house, decorated with simple Christmas lights strung around the roof.

“Auntie Nat!” A pajama-clad Lila Barton burst out the door, ignoring the snow dusting her slippers.

Natasha grinned and let out a small grunt, as the seven-year old jumped into her arms.

“Hi, honey,” she nuzzled her nose against the girl’s cheek, putting her down so she could greet her father.

“Daddy,” Lila bounced over to the archer, who leaned down to greet his daughter with a tight hug and a kiss on the head.

“What are you doing here, sweetie?” Clint asked, herding her inside so she doesn’t freeze, the rest of the team chasing the heat as well.

“Auntie (Y/N/N) wasn’t feeling well so she asked Mommy to come over,” the young girl explained, “and she said that me, Coop, and Nate could come too and stay for Christmas!”

“Did she?” Clint raised his eyebrow before looking back at everyone. “Well is it okay if some more friends join us?”

Lila shyly nodded, waving at them, her eyes lighting up when she noticed the witch. “Wanda!”

“Hey, munchkin,” Wanda grinned with a soft wave. The Barton kids had become like little siblings to Wanda after Clint had invited her to spend Thanksgiving with them one year.

“Lila, who’s there?” A very concerned and hesitant Laura Barton entered the living room, relaxing when she realized who it was. “Oh, we weren’t expecting you guys.”

“Sorry to always be dropping in unannounced,” Steve joked politely.

“No worries,” Laura smiled assuringly, as she moved to greet her husband, “I’m sure (Y/N) won’t mind at all.”

“Speaking of,” Natasha spoke up, unable to take her mind off of you ever since Lila said you’d been sick, “where is she?”

“Nat?” you appeared in the doorway, a look of disbelief on your face. Natasha rushed over to you, pulling you in for a bone crushing hug. The past couple of months had been hard for you, only seeing her every couple weeks. So to say you were relieved and elated to be in her arms was an understatement.

“Uh, who is that?” Thor asked Clint under his breath, though not very discretely, as everyone heard.

“Guys,” Natasha turned around, her armed still wrapped around your waist, “this is my wife, (Y/N).”

“Your wife?!” Tony exclaimed with wide eyes, the rest of the team echoing the same response.

“Hi,” you sheepishly waved. “It’s so nice to finally meet all of you. Good to see you again, Barton. Wanda.”

You nodded your head at the two Avengers whom you’d already met, earning smiles from them both.

“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Steve shook your hand, introducing himself like the gentleman he was. After the rest of the lot recovered from their initial shock, they were quick to do the same.

“I’m sure you all are hungry,” you said, earning adamant nods. “Nat, why don’t you show everyone where they can shower and sleep? Laura and I will start dinner.”

“Are you sure?” your wife furrowed her brows, as she rested her hands on your shoulders. “Lila said you weren’t feeling well.”

“Don’t worry about it,” you reached up to squeeze her hand comfortingly. “I’m feeling a lot better now that you’re here.”

You pecked her cheek and headed into the kitchen, leaving Natasha to eye you warily, not fully believing you. Truth was you weren’t feeling better, but not for the reasons she thought.

“Laura,” you practically yelled into the phone as soon as your friend picked up, “I need your help!”

“(Y/N), what happened?” Laura Barton’s worried voice came through the speaker. “Are you okay?”

“No…well technically yes, but no,” you rambled before taking a deep breath to calm yourself. “I think I’m pregnant.”

“What?!” she screamed, causing you to pull the phone away from your ear. “Are you sure?”

“I mean I haven’t taken any tests, but I’ve been throwing up all week and I’m late,” you explained, as you ran your hand through your hair. “Can you come over? I don’t think I can do this by myself. You can bring the kids too, and we can do a Christmas since Nat and Clint are both on a mission.”

“(Y/N),” Laura cooed, her motherly instincts coming out, “relax. I’ll be over with the kids in an hour.”

“Thank you so much, Laur.”

After having peed on five pregnancy tests, you anxiously stood in your bathroom with Laura, who was doing her best to distract you as you waited for the timer to sound.

“So how long have you and Nat been trying?”

“We started talking about it at the beginning of the year but didn’t get around to our first round of IVF until the beginning of this month,” you explained, chewing your lip.

As the timer on Laura’s phone goes off, your eyes widen.

“Oh my gosh,” you shake your head. “I can’t look. You do it.”

“Are you sure, (Y/N)?” she asked, hesitantly reaching for one of the test, as you nod in confirmation.

The older woman picked up the stick and scanned the result. As she looked up at you, her face remained neutral for a moment, causing your insides to churn, before a wide grin took over her face.

“Congratulations!”

Your jaw dropped, and you could feel your eyes beginning to sting. “What?”

“You’re pregnant,” she cheered.

“Oh my god,” you laughed, tears finally streaming down your face, as the news registers. You pulled Laura in for a tight hug, the two of you swaying from side to side.

Your bubble of glee is popped when you hear the door open and Lila’s chipper voice.

“Don’t worry,” Laura squeezed your biceps, “I’ll go see what the ruckus is all about.”

As your friend left to go downstairs, you plopped down on the toilet, still trying to wrap your head around the fact that a human was growing inside of you.

“I’m going to be a mom,” you whispered in disbelief, looking down at your stomach. You couldn’t wait to tell your wife.

Once everyone finished their meal, a comfortable conversation fell over the table while Clint and Bruce tended to the dishes.

“Daddy!” Lila came running into the kitchen, Cooper and Nate trailing on her heels. “Can we open presents now?”

“Presents?” Clint exasperated playfully, swinging the towel over his shoulders. “It’s Christmas Eve. You don’t get to open presents yet.”

“But we always open one on Christmas Eve,” the young girl pleaded. “It’s tradition.”

“I guess you’re right,” he conceded with a wide smile, earning an eruption of cheers.

As everyone followed the excited children into the living room, you snuck upstairs to grab the last minute Christmas gift for your wife.

Entering the living room, you laughed as you saw Wanda’s reaction to Lila’s gift. The little girl had been wanting one of the new Scarlet Witch figurines, seeing as she was the girl’s favorite behind Clint.

Your heart warmed at the feeling of a full house, but you couldn’t help but feel nervous as the box in your hand weighed on you. As you took in the room, your eyes landed on Laura, who gave you the encourage smile you needed.

“I’m so glad your home, Nat,” you whispered into her ear, as you wrapped your arms around her from behind the couch. You subtly dropped the present into her lap while placing a kiss onto her cheek.

“Me too, babe,” she sighed contently, leaning into your embrace before noticing the wrapped box in her lap. “You didn’t have to get me anything. Besides, I can wait to open it tomorrow.”

“Of course I did,” you light-heartedly rolled your eyes, as you made your way around the couch to take a seat next to her. “And you may be able to wait but I can’t, so open it!”

Natasha eyed you for a moment before carefully unwrapping the gift. You anxiously watched her and held her breath, as she opened the lid.

She narrowed her brows in confusion when she saw what was inside before her eyes widened with realization.

As Natasha turned to face you, you could see the tears already pooling in her eyes.

“Is this what I think it is?” she asked breathlessly.

Unable to form words, you nodded. “I’m pregnant, my love,” you croaked.

“Oh my god,” Nat whispered. “Oh my god!”

With a wet laugh, she surged forward and connected your lips for a passionate kiss. The two of you could barely hear the cheers and whistles from the other members of the room, as you were wrapped up in your own world.

Once air became a necessity, you pulled apart, leaning your forehead against hers.

“I can’t believe we’re gonna be moms,” she grinned, moving her hand to rest on your stomach.

“I know,” you beamed, your eyes sparkling in the firelight.

“I’m so glad I’m home,” Natasha chastely kissed your temple and pulled you into her side.

“Me too,” you hummed, enjoying the comforting presence of your wife and her family.

Wherever you and Natasha were in the world, your home would always be in each other’s arms.

[pax-2735]

Fanfic: From the Outside

by

Pax_2735

Summary: Five prompts, five days, five stories. Romanogers Week 2018

Notes: Marvel owns everything except the mistakes, so I'd take it as a personal favour if you didn't sue me. There's also a direct quote from an episode of 'The Pretender' - bonus points if you find it.

Day 1: Run Away With Me

Part 1 (post Avengers: AoU)

“So how are you?”

Natasha kept her eyes on her tea mug, only allowing a small smile to lift up the corners of her mouth. Laura Barton was one of very few people on this planet that was able to sneak up on her. Or maybe that was just a testament to her state of mind.

“Fine.”

Laura entered the kitchen and busied herself with pouring a steaming mug of tea, before sitting down in front of Natasha. Her face was smiling even though her eyes were serious as she looked at her. Natasha took that as her cue to elaborate.

“Everyone’s settling down easy enough. We’ve been putting the new recruits through some rough training. We’re still tweaking the new installations a bit, so they’re up to our liking…” Laura’s soft smile stopped her. “What?”

“I wasn’t asking about work and you know it. How are you?”

Natasha allowed herself a soft sigh before taking a sip of her tea, trying to collect her thoughts. She knew what Laura was asking, of course, but it was hard to talk about it when she wasn’t sure herself about what her feelings were on the matter.

“I’m… if I say I’m fine will you drop it?”

Laura shook her head softly before answering. “Clint may let you fly by with that…”

“He doesn’t.”

“Good. That means there’s still hope for him.” Both women shared a laugh before Laura reached across the table to grasp Natasha’s hand. “How are you feeling about things with Bruce?”

Natasha sighed once again. She and Laura may have known each other for years but she was still uncomfortable with this conversation. She wondered, not for the first time, if this ‘girl talk’ stuff was always this awkward or if that was purely on her. “He asked me to run away with him.” She smirked with satisfaction as she felt Laura startle a bit at that.

“I didn’t know things had gone that far.” She squeezed her hand reassuringly. “That has to mean something though, right? That he just needs a little bit of time. That he’ll come back.”

“I told him no.” Natasha squeezed her eyes shut momentarily, remembering the whole conversation. “Not in so many words but… the message got through, I think.” She opened her eyes again, seeing Laura looking back at her deep in thought.

“Why? You obviously like him, why did you turn him down?”

Natasha took another, longer, sip pf her tea. She had been playing with that question for days now, not content with any of the answers so far. Still, she decided to try them on again. Maybe an outside opinion was just what the doctor ordered.

“I couldn’t. I couldn’t walk away from everything. I couldn’t… leave them behind to fend for themselves.” She looked straight into Laura’s eyes, gauging her reaction. “The timing was all off, I guess.”

There was a moment of silence, one that Natasha was sure would stretch on, as they both pondered on the what-ifs of life and choices, but she should have known better. Laura Barton was nothing if not direct. “I call bullshit.”

Natasha was sure the surprise registered on her face as clear as day. “Excuse me?”

“Sorry sweetie, but I call it like I see it and that’s nothing but a bunch of bullshit.” Laura stood up to grab the kettle, refilling Natasha’s cup before settling back down.

“I think you’re spending way too much time with Clint.” The smirk on Natasha’s face was perfectly mirrored by Laura.

“Oh please. The word may be more to his liking, but the sentiment is all mine.” Grabbing Natasha’s hands again, she soldiered on. “There is no right timing. There are no perfect circumstances. When something like that comes up, either you want it or you don’t.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“Because it is.” She sighed before looking back at Natasha. “Look Tasha, I know you never had it easy. I know this looks and feels a lot more complicated to you than it does to most other people but… just ask yourself this. If the circumstances had been different, would you have left everything behind to go with him?”

This time the silence did stretch on. Laura quietly finished her tea before getting up towards the sink to rinse her mug. Her whisper was so quiet the spy almost missed it. “There’s your answer.”

Natasha tried to casually shrug – a move she was sure she was failing like a pro – before replying. “I always said love is for children.”

“Maybe you’re right.” There was a hint of a smile dancing in Laura’s eyes. “Or maybe the problem wasn’t the situation but the one asking.”

To her credit, Natasha stood perfectly still as the words hit her, even though her eyes narrowed. She knew Laura – and that smile - way too well to know that didn’t sound like a casual you’ll-find-the-right-guy-eventually remark. She only had to wait a second.

“If… or perhaps…”

“Spill it Laura. I’m sure your husband won’t be too happy if I have to beat it out of you.”

Laura just casually waved a hand, completely dismissing the assassin’s threat. “I was just wondering if your answer would still have been the same if it was Steve doing the asking.”

She walked back to the kitchen table and pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Natasha’s head, completely ignoring the stunned look on her face. As she reached the door, she turned around to give her friend a gentle look.

“Just think about it ok?”

Part 2 (Post CACW)

A different day, a different kitchen, and Natasha and Laura were once again sitting at the table with mugs. Both had ditched the tea this time though, switching it up to strong coffee with some drops of whatever alcohol was in the bottle Natasha had found inside one of the cupboards. The fallout of the Sokovia Accords had left Clint in a prison and Natasha a fugitive, leading to their current situation – the Barton kids asleep in a bed that wasn’t theirs, as both their mother and Auntie Nat had quickly and efficiently relocated the whole family to one of Clint’s safehouses. The conversation between the two had been scarce, both of them too exhausted and too acutely aware that, come morning, Natasha would have to leave to make sure they remained safe, leaving Laura to fend for herself.

Which is why to say that Natasha was surprised when Laura started talking was an understatement. And even more so at the content of said conversation.

“I still don’t understand why you’re here.”

Natasha couldn’t help it as one of her eyebrows shot up. This was easy, being friends with Laura, and if she was honest with herself it always had been. It was why she was so comfortable just reacting to the other woman instead of checking every little tell, trying not to give anything away. Of course, it was also why Laura Barton could read her like a book – a foreign language book, no doubt, but still. Sometimes being friends with her was a bitch.

“I’m here to help you. But if you’d rather have me gone…”

“Don’t be stupid. You know that’s not what I meant.”

And here we go again, Natasha thought. Girl talk. Goddamit, sometimes she just wished she would have kept Laura Barton at a distance and never become close with the woman. She could be just as infuriating as her husband, although, to his credit and Natasha’s never ending surprise, Clint knew when he should just leave well enough alone. Laura had obviously skipped those classes.

“I don’t understand what happened in Germany.”

She squared her shoulders. “I told you what happened in Germany. Every single detail. Over and over.” Natasha sighed out of sheer exhaustion. “I don’t know what else to tell you.”

“You told me but you didn’t tell me.” Laura was staring intently at her and Natasha couldn’t help it, another eyebrow went up. God, she had to stop doing that.

“Is that supposed to make any sense?”

Laura finished her coffee and stood up, taking both mugs with her to the sink. As she returned to the table, Natasha noticed she had brought the bottle with her and was taking a healthy swig directly from it.

“As much as I appreciate the sentiment, I’m not sure getting drunk would be the wisest course of action right now.”

Laura shrugged before passing her the bottle. “I’m not aiming for drunk but I think we both deserve a little something right now.” Natasha gingerly accepted the bottle. “Can’t argue with that.”

Laura was still watching her with what Natasha normally referred to as her mom look. “Germany.”

“It’s a country in Europe.”

The quick reply was dripping with sarcasm. “Cute. Not funny but cute.” Laura leaned across the table, retrieving the bottle. “You were on Tony’s side. You were the only thing standing between Steve and a clean getaway.”

Despite the alcohol and the weariness in her bones, Natasha was still able to muster up an indignant face. “Hey, I was never on Tony’s side.”

Laura ignored the remark. There was a point to be made here, and if Natasha refused to acknowledge it then she would just have to shove it in her face. “Course not. Because when push came to shove, you chose Steve’s side.” She leaned back in her chair, allowing the silence to stretch on for a few moments before continuing. “Which brings us right back to my earlier question. Why are you here? You knew what would happen when you made that call. You knew they’d come for you. Why didn’t you go with him?”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth Laura regretted them, as she saw Natasha’s shoulders sag slightly and her eyes dart nervously around the dingy kitchen. Vulnerable was not a word one would use to describe Natasha Romanoff but, at that moment, it was the only one at the forefront of Laura’s mind. Her mind wandered to a different conversation, years ago, and she steeled herself for the answer she knew was coming.

“He didn’t ask.”

Part 3 (Post CACW)

She loved Africa.

Maybe it was the heat, unbearable and unforgiving, beating down on her skin and giving it a nice warm glow. Growing up in Russia, God knows she had enough of the cold to last her for the rest of her life. Kenya was probably the most bizarre of all places for her to hide in, which made it absolutely perfect. Who would think to look for a redhead here?

Not that she was still a redhead but still.

She kept her pace relaxed as she watched the rapidly falling twilight. It would be completely dark within the few minutes that would take her to reach her place, a non-descript house in a non-descript neighborhood, where the people were nice and friendly and kept mostly to themselves.

As she approached her front yard, Natasha suddenly stopped. Everything seemed exactly as she had left it, down to the tiny piece of string still hanging from the gate, showing it hadn’t been opened – sometimes the basic tricks were still the best. Still, there was definitely something… off. Maybe it was just a gut reaction.

Or maybe it was the inkling of a shadow by the side of her porch, one that she noticed immediately as she let her eyes do a quick sweep of the place. One that hadn’t been there before. One that she recognized instantly, even as she berated herself for doing so.

She kept her voice deliberately low, knowing that he could hear her just the same. “Stealth isn’t really your thing.”

The shadow moved slightly, before shaking somewhat. Was he laughing? He better not be laughing.

His voice was only slightly higher than hers when he answered. “You’re a hard woman to find.”

“You should see me when I’m really trying.” She could sense he was about to quip back so she raised a hand to stop him. She could see out of the corner of her eye as his shadow moved slightly back as she turned around to greet the couple arriving next door, before slowly making her way across the yard and into the house. It took a mere second before she heard the door closing behind her.

He looked around for a moment, letting the strangeness of the moment ebb by, if only a little. “This is… nice.”

She turned around, giving him a thorough look before answering. “I’m trying out life as an interior decorator.”

He smiled, that warm boyish smile before taking a step towards her. He seemed to hesitate just for a second before wrapping his arms around her. “The world will never know its own loss.”

She laughed before taking a small step back. “How have you been soldier?”

“Good. Surprisingly, given the circumstances but…”

“You look good. I like the beard. Very manly.” She couldn’t help the teasing tone in her voice, and was rewarded when he self-consciently rubbed a hand across his beard before sitting down. He didn’t blush though. Apparently, America’s Golden Boy was finally learning how to take a compliment.

“Yeah, thanks. Noticed you’re not a redhead anymore.”

“It’s harder to notice a brunette when all you’re looking for is red hair. Have you learned nothing from me?” She had missed this, the easy bantering that came between them, even under the direst of circumstances. It was familiar, in a way she was beginning to fear she had lost for good. “Well, you obviously didn’t. Took you long enough to find me, even with all the hints I’ve been sending your way.”

He shrugged casually. “Yeah, I did sort of wander how was it that I was able to find you. So you knew where we were all along?” She arched an eyebrow at him and he nodded. “Of course you did.” He leaned back against the couch, draping an arm over the back of it, looking more relaxed than either of them had the right to in the situation.

“I was beginning to think that I’d have to come to you instead.”

“So why didn’t you?” For all his relaxed posture, his voice was serious, his blue eyes burning into hers and she almost flinched at the sudden change in mood.

“I didn’t think I’d be very welcome in Wakanda.” He kept looking at her, that same intensity in his gaze. She could see he wasn’t entirely buying it, calling her out on it without actually saying anything. Maybe he had learned something from her after all. She decided to try something closer to the truth. “I didn’t know how welcoming everyone would be.”

He was out of the couch and standing right in front of her before she could think about it. “Don’t. Just… don’t.” His voice was strained and his face was stone hard. He took a deep breath before continuing. “You know you’re always welcome. You’ll always have a place with me.”

She could feel a soft smile grazing her lips. It was a slip of the tongue, or maybe not. Either way, the hope it filled her with was real. “So what exactly brings you here Steve?”

He seemed surprised for a moment at the question, although he didn’t shy away from it. “Well… I was wandering – well sort of hoping actually….” His gaze dropped down to his feet momentarily before meeting her eyes again. “I was kind of hoping that I’d be picking you up.”

A flirtatious smirk graced her features almost instantly. “Picking me up soldier? What do you have in mind?” She watched with a strange sort of glee as he rubbed the back of his neck and couldn’t help a small laugh when a faint blush colored his cheeks. There it was. She still had it.

“What I meant was…” He shook his head before giving her a shy, embarrassed little smile. “You know what I meant.”

“Are you asking me to run away with you?” The flirtatious tone was definitely still there, even if she could tell it was joined by something else entirely. Something that felt and sounded a lot like happiness. She wandered if he could hear it too.

He let out a startled laugh at her choice of words, before letting it turn into a slow smile, one that was bright and warming and inviting. One that was entirely seductive. He reached a hand out towards her. “Will you? Run away with me?”

She didn’t hesitate before taking his hand. She knew the answer to that.

“Yeah.” She shrugged casually. “It’ll be fun.”

[bowsie22]

Steve/Tony collection 9

Summary: Tony never thought he’d say this, but thank God for magic.

Tony looked at the body in the Cradle. It was purple, which didn’t surprise him that much. Guess Ultron really did take after dear old dad.

“Are we sure about this?”

“We can’t beat Ultron alone. We need help. And I think JARVIS is the one to give us that help. JARVIS in this very vibrant body that Ultron was making for himself. It’s the ultimate slap in the face. I love it.”

Bruce chuckled as Tony fumbled with his cup of coffee, trying not to spill it over the Cradle.

“You’re right. But I don’t think the team will be too happy about this.”

“I know they won’t. We’ll deal with that when it happens.”

“Tony, I’m only going to say this once.”

Tony sighed, rolling his eyes at the exasperated voice from behind him.

“How about nonce?”

Steve sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Tony approached him, wanting to comfort his husband. He froze when he saw who was standing behind him.

“Steve, what the hell are they doing here?”

Bruce growled at Wanda as she stared at him, Pietro vibrating in place behind her. He couldn’t help but notice the wide berth Clint gave the woman. Wait, where was Natasha? Oh right. The “let Natasha get captured by Ultron so we can track her to his secret base” plan. Man, they were going to owe her so many favours after this.

“I can’t let you do this.”

“Why not? We need something more to defeat Ultron. The Avengers won’t be enough.”

“I know that. Wanda and Pietro have offered to help. She says that we can’t let you finish this, whatever this is, because you’ll just end up making it worse.”

Steve knew that look on Tony’s face, he hated that look. It was Tony’s patented “oh sweetie, you have no idea what you’re doing” look. He hadn’t had seen that since they got engaged.

“Sweetheart let me get this straight. You’re trying to stop me creating something that can stop Ultron on the words of his former right-hand woman. Who was also a member of HYDRA. Is that what you’re telling me?”

When Tony put it like that, it did sound kind of insane.

“It’ll be ok Steve. Maybe she’s in your head. We’ll call Strange to come here and take a look, how about that?”

“That guy, seriously?”

Clint laughed from where he was observing the thing in the Cradle, nudging Bruce in his side. Thor, who had arrived as the couple were talking, chuckled.

“I love jealous Cap. He’s so much fun. Nat is gonna be so pissed she had to get captured by Ultron and missed this.”

“I’m not jealous of Tony’s college boyfriend Clint!”

He sighed at Tony’s raised eyebrow. He knew the other man was right. If there was a chance that he was being compromised, it needed to be dealt with before they fought Ultron.

“Fine. Call him. Let’s get this fixed.”

Steve would never admit it, but he was glad that Stephen was on Sorcerer Supreme business in another realm. Clint may have had a point with that whole jealousy thing. Wong was just easier to deal with. The sorcerer stepped back, his scan complete. Steve moved to sit beside his team, leaning against the lab’s wall. He accepted the smoothie Tony handed him, noting that Pietro and Wanda, isolated in the Hulk containment cell, had their own smoothies. Raising a questioning eyebrow at his husband, Tony shrugged.

“I’m angry, not evil. Anyway, Wong, what’s going on in my husband’s gorgeous head?”

“You were right. He’s being influenced.”

“But I haven’t done anything to him!”

Wanda looked distraught, Pietro glaring at Wong.

“I don’t think it was intentional. It’s not complete control. It’s like Wanda just out some ideas in your head.”

“Like trusting her over Tony?”

“Exactly Captain. Easily fixable. And I can place protection on all your minds to make sure it doesn’t happen again. What it does mean is that Wanda needs more training. With people who know magic and how it works. She’s welcome to come train with Stephen and me. She is incredibly powerful. Properly trained, Wanda can do great things.”

Steve pulled himself up, letting the twins out of the containment cell.

“For now, we need her with us to help with Ultron. If your offer of help still stands?”

The young witch took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come. Pietro placed a steadying hand on her shoulder, reminding her that he was always at her side.

“Yes, he needs to be stopped.”

“Good. After that we’ll have a little chat about what you did to me. And what your next step is. For both of you. Tony, what is this thing in the cradle and how can it help us?”

She and her brother were left on the outside as the Avengers came together. Watching Steve pull Tony into his arms, for a passionate we might die today kiss, as Clint called it, the others joking about parental PDA and pretending to be sick, Wanda realised what a mistake Ultron had made. The Avengers were more than a team, they were a family. They couldn’t be pulled apart. And Ultron would pay dearly for even trying to do so in the first place.

A/N It annoyed me in AOU, how Steve took Wanda’s words over his teammates. She was trying to kill him less than an hour ago, but let’s trust her anyway. And I actually like Wanda, I just think the MCU has been a bit hit and miss with her.