Unease and tension clung to the air, its presence heavy and thick among everyone, in a suffocating manner that in turn corrupted the camaraderie they had all once shared. In the safe haven that was the Barton residence, they had all dispersed, adhering to the desperate need for space, time and silence. The thrum of unspoken thoughts and opinions had drowned them all, laced with the reminders of the visions they had encountered out on the field, to the point where solitude seemed to be the only remedy.

Natasha had a well founded reputation for being fond of isolation, of the freedom and power that it bestowed, but now she felt a stiffening and sour quality towards its existence. She felt drained, emotionally more so than physically, by the reminders of a time and past she had rather forgotten. Dark shadows resided under her eyes, a refuge for her torment to remain, however it only highlighted further her pale complexion one of which made her appear rather unwell. Her lips too held the cracks and fractures of fatigue, not that she desired to converse at all, silence was equally welcome and disturbing.

The beauty of the countryside that now surrounded them, however seemed oblivious to the chaos and agitation that had settled among its current residents, and for once she was rather glad of it. Walking out onto the veranda she basked in the mellow glow of the early evening sun, its muted rays bestowing a comforting warmth upon her skin. Her eyes closed as she breathed deeply the fresh scent of grass, the smell that always accompanied those warm nights, her ears however found the sounds of not only birds but of a child's gleeful laughter. The edges of her lips crept up in response to the enchanting sound, bestowing upon her a soft smile as she opened her eyes. There among the lush green grass that went on for miles and miles, was the view of a certain Captain playing make believe with the young Cooper Barton.

Steve held his hands before him like claws as he growled animatedly, whilst the younger boy wielded awkwardly Steve's shield, with the other hand occupied by a sturdy stick, no doubt a supposed sword. Cooper's expression was one of a joyful innocence she herself had rarely encountered during her childhood, however she felt no jealousy but instead a feeling of appreciation that he did not have to endure what she did. No child deserved that.

As she watched two of her favourite boys indulge in their game, she felt the icy becoming of a saddening thought that the man before her would have been the perfect father. The expression 'would have been' had become the epitome of all the Avengers, a chance lost; an opportunity taken; and a dream squashed. He never spoke of it, but she imagined that the burgeoning affection he had felt for the infamous Peggy Carter had indeed brought with it the thoughts of a family. It seemed more so than not that the most deserving of people, were left clutching the shards of a future they had once thought they could have. Her reverie was cut short by a small hand pressing into hers, as she glanced down to find the brunette plaits of Lila Barton, as she tugged her towards the boys. Her other hand held a small plastic bow and arrow, a seeming necessity when being a child of one Clint Barton, as she exclaimed excitedly,

"Come on Aunty Nat you can help us fight the dragon." Before she knew it Natasha choked out a dry but haughty laugh, as she allowed herself to be guided along by her niece while she responded,

"It does look like your brother needs back-up."

On approaching the battle Lila let go and joined her brother behind the shield, once in position she loaded her bow with an adorable look of concentration etched upon her petite features. Whilst Cooper continued to swing and jab his 'sword' towards the 'dragon' that was Steve, Lila peeked out from behind their cover before letting her arrow fly. Despite the flimsy design of her weapon of choice, it seemed that she had indeed inherited enough of her father's skill to overturn her poorly designed bow, as the arrow struck Steve on the arm. The plastic did little harm to the muscular man that was Captain America, however clearly he was fully immersed in his current role, as he grasped on to the place where he had been 'wounded'. His chiselled features contorted into one of agony as he cried out in pain, whilst he stumbled towards the children, who giggled, squealed and screamed in glee at their triumph.

It always fascinated her to watch children play, to allow herself to observe the way in which they became so immersed in the makings of their imaginations. The perfect expressions of excitement, joy and exhilaration painted across their fair features, in a manner she had never encountered made her glad they did not have to go through what she did. Her childhood had been very much void of play, empty of the innocent fun and entertainment that a child should be able to have. She had not been meant for that, for she had been given another path in life and that was the beginning and end to it. As if on cue the children beckoned her over from her place of observation, to which she of course adhered, as she placed herself between them, before whispering enthusiastically,

"Okay guys, now he's injured what's the plan?" From where Steve stood all he could see was the tops of their heads where muted mutterings interspersed with giggles flowed from, a sound and sight which in turn induced an amused smirk upon his face. When finally their discussion ceased, Steve eyed them warily in wonderment at what mischief Natasha had passed onto the two animated children before him. It was then that Lila broke free from her cover, sprinting towards Steve in a determined fashion, he soon identified that she was in fact heading towards the location of her fallen arrow. Her little legs spurned her on, in a run of pure intent, her small feet rustling among the grass until she faltered all of a sudden. As she lost her footing she tumbled into the undergrowth in an admittedly graceful manner, which at once incited a pang of concern and apprehension upon Steve. Immediately he discarded the monstrous character he had adopted for make believes sake, and approached his fallen friend. Knelt beside her he aided her to her feet, his hands placed supportively under her arms, before he gently brushed a tendril of brunette hair that had broken free from a braid. His gaze worriedly flitted over the child as he checked for any injuries, as he softly enquired,

"Hey you okay there warrior princess?" The smile etched upon his handsome features was one to warm the heart, heal the aches and dry the tears, however on closer inspection there were none to dispel. Instead he was surprisingly met with a knowing smirk, and a pair of eyes that flickered with the all too familiar glint of mischief and cunning. His realisation that she was in fact fine, was interrupted by the oncoming pitter patter of rapid footsteps behind him, as two small arms wrapped around his neck in an attack from behind. Well played Romanoff was the distinct thought that flitted through his mind, as he allowed himself to be captured by his two small oppressors. Upon landing onto the grass the three of them became entangled in a flurry of exquisite laughter, squirming limbs and a number of avid protests against his capture by the 'dragon' himself. Natasha could not deny the chuckle that reverberated within her chest, as she observed the great and legendary Captain America become incarcerated by two mini Barton's.

Once the children had been called to bed, regretfully retreating from their brilliant game and an equally beloved new friend, Natasha approached the dishevelled figure of Steve. Holding a hand out to him, he took it gladly, as he allowed his hand to slide into hers with an ease that only came from familiarity. Coming to standing Steve brushed his hands vigorously against his thighs, before combing the fingers of one hand through his hair in an effort to tame his unkempt tresses. As he did so Natasha teasingly remarked,

"Looks like I have new competition for favourite Avenger." Casting an endearing gaze upon her he replied within a soft chuckle of disbelief,

"I could never do that they love you..." He found himself all of a sudden captured firmly by the manner in which she bowed her head and smiled in pleasure, at the mere acknowledgement of being beloved of the two children she so clearly cared for. The sight of her in such a manner, caused an enraptured expression to grace his features before he continued on,

"... good strategy by the way, clever distraction." As she glanced towards him, he wondered whether he misread the seemingly warm and affectionate way she regarded him. Her features portrayed a softness that she rarely revealed, her emerald eyes sparkling delicately in a fond manner, before she gently stated,

"Your weakness is your care and concern for others..." However as soon as it became it soon receded, as a shadow of resignation darkened the warmth she had once held him in. Her dry lips pursed in contemplation before she finished,

"... always know your enemy Steve." It was in that moment that the reality of what they were about to face set in, this was no army of men, no power crazed or vengeful human, this was a modern intelligence that could acclimate and upgrade itself. This was beyond anything they had ever encountered before, and for once in all their lives every single Avenger felt a severe lack of optimism. However they were not ones to give up, and despite the damage they had incurred and the savage flaws they had revealed, they all believed in their duty. The duty to protect everyone, to save everyone... but it was certainly no child's play.