Nap Time
A/N: I own nothing of Marvel/Avengers!
Loving all the Pietro fics, wishing someone would write one about the effects his captivity had on him while he bounced around in that cell. 3 This fic is for all the Pietro-centric writers out there, thanks for reading my tumbling thoughts!
"Well that was a royal clusterfuck!" Ironman's VOIP intoned voice rang out over the battlefield, followed by a cackle of laughter from their resident archer.
"You bet your sweet ass it was!" Hawkeye replied.
"Yeah but we taught those Hydra bastards who's boss." Even an extremely wary Bruce chimed in from his spot next to Hawkeye who had an arm slung around the man as they walked, both in a sign of camaraderie as well as physical support.
Sighing out loud Captain America was starting to realize that not only would he never live down the "Watch your language!" comment, but somehow the teasing had morphed into several of the team members cursing obnoxiously in an attempt to elicit the same response Tony had that day.
Refusing to give in he managed to stifle another eye roll as he surveyed the scene. He was glad their team was growing closer, the sight of the scientist and archer grinning together was well worth it, even if it was at his expense. Smiling to himself to avoid giving away his fake 'I am not amused.' look he took a quick visible headcount.
Ironman he could see zooming overhead, performing his after battle regime of sweeping the area atleast 5 times after it had been deemed clear...just incase.
The Captain had been at first annoyed by the genius' insistence on doing so but the leader had quickly realized it gave Ironman peace of mind as well as a moment to calm himself.
Bruce he'd already seen, he'd changed back and while he'd been close to the archer, he was now fully leaning into Clint as they walked, a weary smile on his face.
Natasha who was repairing the battle damaged jet enough to get them home a few miles away where they'd landed.
With Wanda on a mission with Vision somewhere in Peru, that left and the last member Pietro. The teen as Steve inspected him slyly looked beat, flat out exhausted. His crouched position on the asphalt and lightly panting breath a loud testimony to his quick actions earlier.
After this battle Steve couldn't blame him, the youth had been darting around in such a constant state of movement that Steve had hardly actually seen the young Russian in hours.
They were in downtown Tacoma where a small terrorist attack taken place courtesy of some lone standing, broken and beaten down Hydra base in Alaska. The attack had been by air, their enemy raining down small missiles chaotically from aircrafts while soldiers para roped down.
The Avengers; The Captain, Thor, Ironman, Hulk, Hawkeye, Black Widow and Quicksilver were all at the scene in less than 20 minutes of the attack being launched, thanks to the jet, and quickly began to evacuate the University, Theatre and Water District of Tacoma. They were just about done clearing the Hilltop area of enemies when suddenly there was a call from Ironman over the comm.
JARVIS had intercepted a signal from the Hydra base, sensing their defeat they'd decided to launch their last missile directly at the waterfront train station in hopes of either killing as many civilians as possible, or taking out an Averager or two in the process.
The team had been quick, but none so quick to react of course as Pietro.
The teen had called into the comm in Russian, a habit the twins still had when panicked, and told everyone he was going to get those people out of the transit station while the others worked to intercept the missile.
Jarvis had translated and relayed the message to everyone and while the Captain needed to have a serious talk to the teen about backup, he was both extremely proud as well as amazed at the blonde teen. As he'd battled his way over to the area with the others, Quicksilver had gone through every room, train cart, nook and cranny of the transit station. When the Captain got there with Black Window, Clint and Bruce to help, he had everyone evacuating to awaiting local police forces who directed them to safe areas. It looked like thousands of peoples streaming out and onto the streets, and he'd been there for only a few moments.
Overhead Thor and Ironman had managed to muscle the missile towards the Puget Sound just before the it exploded between the Narrows Bridge and Waterfront. The bridge rocked hard setting off car alarms as the packed traffic of fleeing citizens were shaken and several of the train carts tipped over violently, glass windows shattering.
Nothing seriously damaged however, and no one seriously injured thanks to the Russian teen's speed.
"Great job Quicksilver" He told the the teen with a clap to his back as the Russian stood with his head back, trying to catch his breath, "Take a breather and we'll keep them off your back for a moment" Quicksilver had nodded as Steve told the rest of the team to take on the remaining Hydra agents.
All in all they'd finished the battle uneventfully.
Now as Steve stood by his team, waiting for Nat to return with the Jet, he felt rather pleased with their was until a sudden metallic...whining noise that struck through the air. It was followed by a low, ground shaking moaning tone. Turning sharply Steve focused on the noise until he pinpointed its origin.
The Narrows Bridge!
"The Bridge! The blast must've damaged it!" Steve called out frantically, eyes scanning the heavy traffic on the failing structure. There was no way they'd get there in time before it collapsed, let alone get all those people off.
Again for the millionth time that day, a silver blur streaked past Steve and the rest of the team, straight towards the Bridge before anyone else could react. Ironman following the teen, albeit a fraction of his speed. "Hawkeye! Get Black Widow to pick us up on her way over! Sorry Doc, but I think you should sit this one out." Bruce nodded stiffly, knowing his presence wouldn't aid in this situation.
Meanwhile Pietro had just reached the bridge, the burning in his side as intense as the one in his lungs. Each time today that he'd managed to use his speed to save one more person, he thanks the heavens that they'd joined the ranks of the Avengers and vowed to do anything he could to continue doing so. Even now as he surveyed the rush hour traffic stalled on the structure and felt the surface beneath his feet tremor, he swallowed nervously and took a deep breath before lunging forward.
With a burst of speed he ripped open the Drivers door of the first car he reached, spoke quickly telling him to get off the bridge, cleared the car then moved onto the next vehicle. As he worked his way down the packed bridge in a streak of bleached hair and quick words to terrified faces, he noted with a swelling heart that the people he'd helped were in turn helping others.
It had only been a few minutes on the bridge and he was in the middle of panting while trying to convince a father and his 4 kids to leave the safety of their van when suddenly the damaged side of the bridge that had been cleared started to collapse. Chunks of the deck fell into the Sound as cars slowly slid off to join them in the water. The rest of the bridge dropped a few feet, setting off car alarms again as cables snapped overhead before it came to a jerking halt. The father and kids were now more terrified than ever and Pietro was just about to start bodily carrying them out when there was a flash of shining Red and Gold before the van itself was lifted by Ironman.
"I got these guys, keep going!" He called out to the teen, Pietro wasn't pleased with the fact that it was Ironman who'd made it there first to assist, but if he was saving lives Pietro could get over it and nodded sharply before taking off to the next occupied car. He about to pull a disabled elderly woman from her car and into his arms when the Bridge groaned and dropped again. He ended up just scooping the poor elderly woman into his arms and jetting over to the other side where the Fire Department were waiting and helping the evacuation.
As the bridge began to fall into the Sound piece by piece, Quicksilver pushed himself to go faster and faster, snatching people up, kids pets and zipping to the shore before depositing them into someone else's waiting arms and going back for another.
As he was sweeping the bridge for stray people the cables overhead began to snap loudly, one by one as the whole structure began to sink and crumble violently.
He managed to wrestle a dog free from a canopy truck who been abandoned and spotted a lost toddler who was alone, standing between two cars sobbing. He snagged the crying child into his free arm and ran with all his strength where he thrust both into a stranger's hands before doing another sweep and finally coming up clear.
As he ran back to the edge, he barely made it as the bridge completely collapsed sending huge waves of water and sprays. Pietro was drenched and stood watching as the once occupied cars that had plunged into the sound bobbed before sinking. As relief flooded his body and the adrenalin left his whole being seemed to turned to jelly as he sunk to the ground. Shaking he closed his eyes tried to regulate his heaving chest, pounding heart and gasping breaths, drowning out the sound of the citizens, emergency response and sirens.
Ironman had helped by carrying any falling cars and stabilized the bridge as it was evacuated.
In total it took about 5 minutes for Quicksilver to evacuate the bridge in its entirety, finishing just in time as the structure became too unstable for Ironman to hold and he was forced to move aside and watch it collapse like a house of cards into the water, creating large waves and splashes that sprayed everything nearby. Ironman comm'ed in and told the others that everyone was safe and the bridge had been cleared before it collapsed.
'That was crazy...' Tony thought to himself as he flew over to their resident speeder. 'That kid is crazier though, I can't believe he just got that many people off by himself basically. Where the hell are the others anyway?'
He had just landed he walked over to the resting teen and was about to call over the comm again to ask that very question when he actually got a good look at the youth. He looked like a wrung out cat, shaking and sitting with his knees bent, head hung between them as his chest heaved. He didn't even raise his head as Ironman took a knee next to him.
"Hey kid, that was amazing but are you ok? Just take deep breaths road runner." Tony asked while placing a hand on Pietro's shoulder.
Pietro startled violently and there was a look of recognition followed by a wild look of fear in his eyes. Tony stepped back instantly, raising both his faceplate and hands.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's me!" Tony said, as Pietro shot up, taking a few steps back he said.
"I know!...look I-"
At the same time both their comms went off, interrupting Pietro as Nat chimed in.
"Sorry guys, there was an emergency with the Hulk, Banner got upset about the people and not being able to help and then suddenly the Hulk was there. Jet was up but its down again now. Gemme 20 mins and we'll be there."
"Roger" Pietro responded before Tony could before turning back to the genius.
"Look…" Pietro sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "I'm fine. Just go, m'just tired I'll walk back."
"What's your deal kid? Let's just sit here and wait. You can get your breath back cause sorry, but you're not lookin' too hot right now."
TBC