A/N: Don't forget to review! :)

...

I used to hold my freak back

Now I'm letting go

...

After my talk with Wanda, I felt a lot better.

My moodiness was melting away, and I was becoming more open toward the other Avengers. They were very surprised at my change of attitude, and I can't blame them. Having a girl who had been closed-up and snappy for three days, then suddenly becoming more talkative gives you quite a shock. I was being more friendly to Tony and Peter, Tony reacting like he'd been run over by a truck and Peter smiling like he'd just won the lottery.

Over time, the fear of my powers disappeared as I began to master and embrace them as a part of me.

Which brought me to my first flight.

...

"Nat, are you sure about this?" I nervously asked the redhead assassin on a breezy June morning.

We were standing on top of what used to be Stark Tower. Surrounding it were other buildings dwarfed by its size. I glanced down at the ground which was fifteen stories below us.

"Yep, this is the perfect place. It's high up and half of the buildings are abandoned, so you won't kill anyone if you make a mistake," Natasha answered casually.

I stared at her. "What are we doing again, exactly?"

Nat sighed. "We're teaching you how to fly, Autumn. That's your training lesson for today. I don't understand; I told you about this yesterday and you were absolutely psyched."

"Yeah, well, you didn't tell me that I would be jumping off the roof of Stark Tower," I retorted, looking at the ground again.

Nat shrugged and walked a little ways away to give me some space. "Touché."

I gave her a deadpan look.

Nat rubbed her hands together. "Now, the first thing you do is change into your dragon form."

I did as I was told. My minty green scales sparkled in the sunlight and the fur on the end of my tail lightly rustled in the wind.

Nat smiled. "Good, good. Now, unfurl your wings and stretch them out. Maybe flap them a few times to get the blood flowing."

I extended my wings. Their indigo undersides glittered like a night sky full of stars. I flapped them up and down, faster and faster. Once or twice I was airborne for a moment.

Nat continued to smile. "Great job, Autumn. You're getting the hang of it. Now I want you to look down at the ground. See Peter waving down there?"

I peeked over the edge of the building. Sure enough, there was Peter, grinning and waving enthusiastically. I smiled with amusement.

That was dumb.

I should've been focusing on Nat instead, because before I could contemplate what was happening, I was shoved off the roof in one swift motion, hurdling towards the pavement. Wind tore at my face mercilessly like it was trying to rip it off, and my wings were folded around my body protectively. My tail swished wildly behind me.

Peter stopped waving at stared at my lifeless body with horror. The fast fall was making me nauseous and I was on the verge of passing out. I was too dizzy to scream.

"Autumn!" Nat yelled. "Open your wings! Straighten your tail!"

Using my last bit of consciousnesses, I obliged to Nat's orders and unfurled my wings. I took back control of my tail and used it for balance. I tilted my body upwards and my wings followed the movement.

I went from plummeting directly down to gliding slowly over the New York rooftops. People looked up and pointed, and little kids either cowered behind their mom's legs or grinned excitedly. I let out a gentle, triumphant roar and the suburbans cheered. Flying was amazing!

I flapped my wings and rose higher and higher, the buildings growing even smaller. I entered a small embankment of clouds. The wind was much calmer up here and I easily soared across the sky, my talons skimming through the fluffy white clouds. I roared again, this time louder and more passionate. I felt unstoppable, like I could fly anywhere with ease. My body was filled with power and I was almost wanting to go on the mission to give The Dragon's Eye a piece of me and see how they like it. Because I sure didn't like the piece they gave me.

I gazed fondly at my surroundings one more time before spiraling back down to Peter and Nat.

Peter was up on the roof when I landed with a heavy THUMP. He squealed like a kid on Christmas and ran over to me, checking out my wings. I nudged him with my snout and we began playing a mini game of tag.

Nat just watched the whole ordeal with her arms crossed and a fond smile. "Alright you two," she said, clapping her hands to get our attention.

We both walked over to her. She smiled at me. "Awesome job today, Autumn. You are really starting to get the hang of your powers. That's good. Now, let's go back to the Compound and get some lunch. After an experience like that, you must be hungry."

...

"Hey, Toothless, how was your first flight?" Tony inquired playfully as Nat, Peter, and I entered the kitchen.

I scoffed. "You know, Autumn would work too. Training went good. Thankfully I didn't fall to my death like I would've if I hadn't taken control." I shot a pointed look at Nat who simply smirked at me and scoured through the fridge.

Peter leaned against the countertop and popped open a Coke. "She was pretty amazing."

As much as I tried, I couldn't hide my blush. Tony looked between the two of us, grinned, and left the room.

Nat came over and handed us two slices of cold pizza. "I was too hungry," she explained simply. I rolled my eyes affectionately and took the food. That's just like Nat.

"So, you guys ready for the party tomorrow night?" she suddenly asked.

Peter and I spit out our food in unison.

"What?" I screeched.

Peter burned beet red.

Nat shrugged casually. "Yeah, Tony's throwing an engagement party in celebration of him and Pepper."

I pretended to puke into the sink, Peter watching me with an eyebrow raised. I turned back to Nat. "That's nice, but I would rather not go to a fancy party inspired by romance. You guys have fun; I'll be in my room drawing, reading, or whatever. . ."

I made to leave the kitchen but Nat blocked my path. A malicious grin was on her face. "Oh, no, you're coming too," she said, a glint in her eye. I gulped. That is never a good sign.

"But I don't have anything to wear," I said hopefully. Perhaps I could still get out of this.

Nat's grin stretched wider. "Don't worry, Wanda knew about this party, so she picked up a few varieties of formal dresses before you came to the Compound."

My face fell as I stared at Nat with terror. It will be only a matter of time before I'm forced to dress up, with the aid of Wanda, no doubt.

Kill me now.