"So," Natasha grunted, barely missing my fist. "How was Asgard?"
I rolled my eyes, jumping out of her way as she lunged at me. "Do we have to talk about this while sparring?"
She shot me a mischevious grin. "Yes," she announced, and I leaped at her. During our hand-to-hand combat, Clint was practicing archery while blindfolded, announcing that it helped him get used to his surroundings without vision. His words, not mine. "So how was it?" Tasha asked again.
"Asgard is amazing-the most beautiful place I've ever been." I body slammed Natasha, pushing her down and landing atop her. "I win," I declared triumphantly.
As strong as I am, Natasha still has her years of skill and ways of breaking free. She grabbed my arm and twisted, the slight pain distracting me for a moment, and that was all she needed to throw me off of her. She pounced on me as I fought her back, blocking her hits and throwning some of my own. She finally answered.
"Well, you've never been out of the US before, let alone the world. So I can't say I'm surprised it's the 'most beautiful place' you've ever seen." I rolled my eyes again at her words. I held on to her arms, preventing her from hitting me again. She stopped for a second, looked me directly in the eyes-when she does that, I can almost see the horrible things she's been through-and asked me, "Why isn't Thor with you?"
I narrowed my eyes at the thought. I didn't want to have to answer her so soon, so I used her hesitance to flip her off of her feet and onto her back. I pinned her with my arms and pressed a knee to her stomach before sighing. "Odin-the king-banished me," I looked away in shame before realizing that was a mistake; never let your opponent out of your sight.
Too late now. I was thrown aside, punched hard in the gut and put in a headlock. It was obvious I wasn't fighting back, so when she let go, it was definite-our spar was over. "Why were you banished?"
I stepped away from her, tugging on my braid. I didn't answer, but felt her gaze locked on me and the question in the air. "I don't know. He didn't seem to happy about me being there. Maybe he just doesn't like Midgardians..." I was suddenly pouring my heart out, telling Natasha everything; my conversations with Father, how my granparents treated me so differently, meeting Sif, the Warriors Three, and Loki. Once I finished, Natasha watched me with soft green eyes-soft, though filled with so much of her bloody past.
"Well...we do need new recruits. The Avengers Initiative was a great idea 17 years ago, when we had all the power we needed, but ever since Thor left, it hasn't been going to well. We nearly saw Steve for a year after he left. Anyways, we haven't lost a battle yet, but...well. you've seen how they've turned out." She looked at me meaningfully.
"Woah, me? You want me to join the Avengers." I was kind of surprised. "Hell, yes, I want to join. If you need more recruits, I also have a friend with an, um...power." I covered my mouth, unsure if I was suppossed to tell anyone that.
Clint was suddenly by my side. "Who's your 'friend'?" He put quotation marks around "friend".
"His name's Chris." I responded shortly. I was angry at myself for betraying Chris's trust.
"Chris what?" Clint pushed. I froze, realizing that I had never known Chris's name. His parents died a long time ago and never used his last name, so I never knew it.
"Uh..." Clint watched me impatiently. "I...I don't know..."
I heard a familiar ding coming from from my phone. I searched my backpack with no avail before realizing Natasha was holding it in her hands Her face was pale and she didn't seem to be breathing. He stared at her in suspense until she finally gasped. "Agent Coulson didn't have any kids." She slumped down onto the ground.
Clint looked at her, obviously confused. "I know...and?"
Natasha fixed her eyes on me warily."Phil Coulson...had a son. And his name is Chris. Chris Coulson."