Once again sorry for the very very delayed update...but here it is!
Wide-eyed and sleep deprived Avengers assembled once again in Romanoff's room, nobody spoke; just the promise of fighting away isolation was satisfying enough. After watching each other being tortured and used there had been the push no one had asked for, the forest of teenagers were a lot closer than they had been; even the Avengers who'd been working together for quite sometime now; even Cap and Widow - who'd been the closest before - had discovered an orchestra of secret truths.
So many things had been unspoken and now shared, things they had been happy to leave hidden. But now...there was nothing they could do to take them back.
Their extraction should be here soon, maybe even 10 minutes, but the thought of leaving this place was scary.
Of course nobody wanted to go back, no one would ever want to go back, however after the night of peace Tasha wasn't nervous to lower the team's morale spirit; it was already crouching. She felt no shame in making it crawl for a little while; but she hadn't needed to share her thoughts.
Overall everybody had at least admired the possibility that Hydra had wanted them to escape, it had been so easy.
Then again, they were making more and more progress with killing Hydra once and for all, so maybe it was just them exceeding and improving?
Natasha knew better though; yes they were the Avengers, though they were all beaten and bloody, desperate and drained, hungry and haunted and energy was tinting their spirits like the tiniest of blushes.
So, if they were barely clinging to the hope of a few more days alive, how had they managed to escape?
Nobody had a solution to that question, they just had to wait until SHIELD's anticipated saviour.
In the silence that followed hungry hearts, a bleep pierced the void of quiet. The team stood, Wanda moving to the front of the group, a force-field camouflaging their injuries.
Thud.
A door hit the ground, out in the corridor, somebody was searching for them.
Old partners shared a calculating glance; SHIELD would be subtler. Clint and Nat had been on many sour missions and requested immediate evac, even then SHIELD had taken its time to alert them of their arrival. Being as quiet and undetected as a lurking door-mouse, but this was...almost careless.
Steve moved to the front, preparing to open the door and as he did so he and Quicksilver leaped, tackling the disoriented pair of heavily armed men.
Thor and Wanda are next out the door, going after the next two who have turned their guns to Rogers' and Pietro's turned backs, quickly Bucky and Widow; without ushering a word, sprint to the end of the corridor and take in the swarm of Hydra soliders flooding the reception.
Soundlessly, they run back to find the Avengers have taken out the ones on this floor "There's thousands down there, all armed...it would be risky." Nat pants whilst kicking a squirming goon in the head.
Stark pestered "So what's our next move?" he was cut off as Romanoff and Barton's eyes danced to the ceiling, a gentle whisper of a whistle ran through the vents. "Get to the roof!" They yelled; SHIELD evac was here.
When they found the roof Nat's cheeks gushed with a red, hot relief of a blush as the wind hit her from behind; a quinjet was hovering above the decaying roof, the bridge open. Without wasting a second everybody climbed in, Romanoff was the last to board, as she did so she turned back to the hotel. Suddenly the Hydra agents took note of the jet on the roof and pounded towards them, aiming their guns.
But they were too late, the doors closed swiftly and Tasha allowed herself to slouch in the acheing feeling of a sudden, defiant bewilderment. Soon all the Avengers rested into their seats and Banner began another thorough check on each member, at the moment he was checking over Pietro. Thor, Barton and Stark were in the corner stuffing their faces with food.
Nat spied Wanda engaging with a grinning Bucky.
The one person who was missing was...
Steve gripped her waist from behind, pulling her to him. Romanoff felt her feet lift above the floor as her weight was pulled easily into his arms. She sunk against him, it was so easy for her to just let him move her; at least it was a lot less painful.
It wasn't long before a screen buzzed to life and the stoic face of Nick Fury appeared, his eyes darting around at the vision playing out before him. Steve made as if to abandon Nat but Tony shoved him playfully aside and walked to the atmosphere dampening fist of Fury.
A vibrating sigh rocked against Romanoff's back and she crawled further into the comfort of his body as he sat down, slowly they began to drift off to sleep. The angry growl of a endless droin from their furious boss was the lullaby Nat had always dreamed of falling asleep to.
"Do you mind telling me what the hell happened out there?" The team were back in SHIELD headquarters, the evac team had wanted to send them all straight to the hopsital but Director Fury had other ideas.
They were all sat around a black, round converance table, preparing for a lay-in.
Usually they'd all be spread as far away from each other as humanly possible, whilst still being sat at the table. But this time, they occupied the seats next to each other.
Nat's hand rested on Steve's thigh under the table and gripped his leg tighter when she felt him exhale, preparing to explain. But Romanoff butted in, explaining everything before Steve could even utter an apology.
After the mildly rushed elaboration Fury began pacing. "So...what you thought we'd just take in the three orphans you picked up along the way? We're not in the recruiting business...especially from Hydra!"
The harshness in his words made Nat grateful Fury had left the three 'orphans' at the hospital, though they should be here.
Barton hissed "Sorry what part of the story didn't you understand? Without them we would have died."
"Without them you wouldn't have been captured in the first place."
Stark retorted "But we would have been ambushed and possibly taken in as hostages anyway."
Thor looked up at Director Fury "Let's forget all of that and move on. The point is they saved us, now if you can't be grateful enough to express some form of gratitude then..."
Fury snapped "Then what?"
Steve spoke for the first time "Sir we understand the inconvenace, but we're not asking for them to join the team. We're not even sure they want to after that incident. We're just asking SHIELD to look out for them."
Fury put his head in his hands and chuckled, actually chuckled. "Fine we'll negotionate with them, but I'm not making any promises."
Natasha folded her arms, her hand moving from Steve's leg, but his rested on hers. "And if they want to join the team they should be able to." The group of men eyed her affectionately, smiling. If any of them could convince Fury of something; it was her.
Nick agreed with a twist of his wrist, the subject changing "Sir, don't you think..." Nat started
"That it was too easy for you to get away? Yes I do, however I'm not sure why."
Stark raised his hand "Might be because Red put Pierce in his place." Fury smiled smugly at the agent.
"I have a theory" Banner began "They may have counted on the fact that James was with us, after all when we were breaking out he'd just finished beating the crap out of Pietro and then all of a sudden he switched out of it and helped us."
Steve shuddered uncomfortably "I don't think that's it. I know it's hard to believe, but when I spoke with him the other night...it felt real."
Nat hummed in agreement and Clint reminded "Plus Wanda would be able to tell."
Fury began "That doesn't matter at the moment."
Steve looked up through his eyelashes "Are you gonna tell us why we were really sent there?"
Nick sat down at the opposing chair, interlacing his fingers as he did so "We did need you to check if there was an infiltration...but we could have easily sent a group of higher agents who'd conduct a better...back story and would settle in quicker"
Stark groaned and rolled his eyes.
"But we sent you, because not only would it challenge you all and give you something to do, but...I was hoping it would bring the team back together. You were falling apart, not listening to each other, ignoring your leader. The best leader I have to offer." Fury turned to Cap as if they were having a private conversation "The pressure I was putting on you...I did it for the team. I knew if I stepped down on you, you'd be even more determined to see your team through it, because as modest as you are I think everyone in this room can agree that nobody would lead the group better than Rogers."
Natasha gulped remembering her first annoyance at not being given the title, but she smiled at Steve, knowing he was watching her. Fury had made the right decision.
"I also knew that no one except you actually had a chance at...taming Stark."
Tony flashed a pearly-white smile "How's that going for you, old man?"
Fury continued, driving over the bitter bump in the road. "I also knew this mission would require you to all work together." His eyes lingered between the intermit couple, making Nat's hand fold over Steve's on her thigh.
"And it would form new loyalties and friendships, I may have lied when I said I didn't want you to recruit anybody. However I never imagined you would...I just wanted you to recruit yourselves. Make you realise why you're here, why you're the ones putting your necks out on the line every single time."
Barton squinted at the older man; Fury not Rogers.
"So basically...you sent us to high school, to stop a possible infiltration. We get side-tracked with old faces, write the plot for one of the most heated love novels in all history, make new alliances, get kidnapped, tortured brutally, break out of one of Hydra's last remaining facilities and finally make it back to SHIELD, several black eyes and bullet wounds latter...all because you wanted us to developed the-not-at-all-cheesy feeling of 'teamwork'?"
Fury stared at the young archer "Basically." They stared at each other for a second longer before Clint said "Well I'm down with that. But if you don't mind, I've got some friends I have to go check on."
Idly the entire team stood to attention, about to leave before Nick yelled "I don't think you realise how brave you actually are." They looked at him confused "The fact that you can all go through that and still want to continue...and at such a young age as well..."
Stark smiled "I get it! We're...astounding. I think I'm gonna throw a party to celebrate." He declared before storming out the door, followed by a whooping Thor, Banner and Barton.
Nat turned to leave but caught Steve, looking hesitant. She took his hand encouragingly and they finally went to leave "Cap I know what you're thinking." Steve looked back and mutters "How can you be proud of us? Of me, the mission was hardly a success."
"Oh on the contrary, you managed to reunite with your best friend, we've shut down the school for good and have Hydra located on our system, you saved two lost twins who have the power to be something brilliant. You brought the team together and you managed to open up Romanoff whilst doing so." Nick winked at Natasha.
Natasha lead Steve to the door, smiling at her modest, self-righteous, gentlemanly goof who never, in his eyes, will do enough to protect the universe. "By the way, if you two aren't busy do you mind watching out for Stark at that party tonight. I doubt he'll hold back." The couple smiled before racing out and heading back to the Avengers tower, where they found the twins and Bucky already stationed as Tony gave a grand tour before rushing off to plan what he exclaimed would be "The best party in the history of all parties!"
After witnessing a slightly hushed conversation, so delicately clumsy it was almost awkward, between James and Steve, Bucky left. He'd told Rogers' that he'd never be gone longer than a month and would regularly check up on him, but at the moment he had to make peace with his past and he had to do that alone. Natasha could tell he was reluctant to let him go, but a shared glance with Wanda gave Steve all the assurance he needed.
Rogers' was walking back with Romanoff to her room, Tony had given them eight hours to freshen up for the party, which to the Avengers meant sleep, but to Stark implied a certain level of pampering.
Natasha jumped on her bed, feeling rather than seeing Steve do the same. "Oh, I feel like I could sleep for 70 years!" Nat sighed, then her eyes froze as she looked at a chuckling Rogers' whose ears turned brighter than her hair. Slowly she turned on her side to face him, her fingers playing with the thin fabric concealing his breathing body.
He smiled as her lips found his, then his cheek and he stiffened as they traced a whisper of affection along his jaw.
Steve groaned as she rolled on top of him and he awakened a wild beast inside of her as Cap's hands lifted layers of pointless material until there was nothing left except a sky of smooth skin.
They spent the remainder of the afternoon wrapped in each others' arms, until Stark yelled down JARVIS' regular line "STOP WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING! The party is in an hour, I REPEAT 1 HOUR. If you are not already dressed you have 45 minutes and then I want you assembled in the lounge OR ELSE!"
After the annoyingly loud voice message a prompt knock on the door pushed them to begin getting ready, Nat answered and smiled at seeing Wanda. Who looked surprisingly unhinged "Wanda...what?"
The girl yelled "Will you help me get ready?" Natasha smiled, Steve quickly redressed and stole a kiss before sneaking past Wanda. Nat suddenly pounced after him hitting his butt on his way out.
"What time do you call this?" Stark's hearty scream was just heard over the roar of music. In the centre of the lounge was a canopy of long legs and short dresses. Grinding body's moulded to each other and a layer of sweat was the most common fashion accessory worn, the two girls strolled into the party that started 5 minutes ago and appeared to have no ending in sight; it had already began a rambling dialogue of bad music, dirty dancing, wavering lights and flirty teenagers.
From the looks of things most people here had no idea what was being celebrated let alone whose party it was, but Natasha didn't care; she was too busy scanning for her special someone.
Next to her Wanda began playing with her hair; unlike the usual curtain of secrecy it provided the brown rug was pulled back - with a few loose strands to frame her face - showing of her piercingly beautiful bewilderment and wonderfully poised features.
She wore a red gown which was fitted around her midsection and finished at her knees, a thin layer of tinted red fabric was loosely worn over the tight dress. She looked beautiful and Natasha was pleased she wouldn't be stealing the show, for once.
"Stop fidgeting!" Romanoff scolded and then smiled "You look beautiful." Suddenly another presence comes to Nat's attention and she turns to see Sam eyeing them adoringly, he's draped in a black leather jacket, black trousers and a black shirt, Romanoff hugs him affectionately "You look colourful!" She chuckles and turns to show off Wanda. "Sam I'd like you to meet my friend Wanda Maximoff. Wanda this is Birdboy number 2."
Falcon scowls before muttering "You and me both know I'm birdboy 1!"
Out of the changing shadows Clint struts and walks over to the trio "Wanna bet birdbrain?"
Natasha quickly left those three talking, she'd have to watch out for them later, otherwise she could miss a pretty interesting fight.
Romanoff scanned the remaining guests, she spies Jane - the girl Thor had begun dating whilst at 'High school' - talking with Banner and Thor. I wonder how Thor explained that one.
Stark is surprisingly not surrounded by dozens of intoxicated girls, instead he's stood next to...
"Pepper!" Natasha squeals and immediately embraces the draped in blue, strawberry blonde. Romanoff's eyes expand and she squirms for sentences to form "What..how...ah..?" The girls begin engaging in conversation and Pepper goes on to say how SHIELD had contacted her. But then Tony coughed "Sorry to interrupt but Red, don't you have a Captain to be watching."
Nat rolled her eyes before hugging Potts, and leaving the clearly riffled Tony to his daring deeds.
Natasha searched everywhere for Rogers' so much so that she rounded back to a tiny-winy tipsy Wanda and a dancing Pietro who managed to steal a few dances from Romanoff. Finally Nat found him on the roof with a beer in hand, the music could still be heard from outside and the only light came from the street lamps and cueing cars below.
"Party too much for your old ears?" She teased, revealing her presence.
Steve turned to her, revealing a navy blue shirt which matched his eyes and a pair of black jeans. He looked charmingly handsome, she wasn't gonna lie. She bite her lip as she walked to him, her hands running up the buttons of his shirt, teasing him with her eyes.
Steve stared down at her, she was wearing a simple black dress which stopped at her mid-thigh. It was very tight around her bosom area and had tiny straps over her shoulders; but expanded into a loose flow, like a fan if she spun it would swirl around her, making her a flower.
For Natasha Romanoff she was dressed down, beautifully natural, just the way Rogers' loved her. Her hair was its usual curly bundle and her make-up was neutral and plain, if she was wearing any at all.
Her bruisers and cuts from their recent battle weren't hidden or concealed with make-up, she was bare to the world.
Steve's hands rested on her waist and without an introduction the pair began swaying slowly, immensely out of time with the speeding music. Going at their own pace and Nat felt the happiest she'd ever been in a while.
They spent the majority of the party on the roof, alone except for the twinkling lights in the sky; the stars cast a spotlight on the dancing duo.
Suddenly, Steve stops laughing and dancing and spins a questioning Nat to see her fellow Avengers; winking, and sharing coy smiles. She smirks before grabbing Wanda and pulling her forwards. The girls immediately begin jumping up and down to the louder, quickening music and after a while of giggling Pietro comes and joins in.
Making Stark and Thor collapse in hysteria.
Pietro and Wanda start dancing crazily and Romanoff turns, pouting and then Wilson steps in and the pair begin dancing frantically.
Soon the remaining Avengers join in, and the music grows louder and louder and the dancing transforms to jagged, rushed motions. They continue for what feels like forever and the one thing that never leaves, no matter how often they stop or how tired they are, or how persuasive the late hours of the evening begging them to stop are; the laughter never dies.
Later that night Clint and Sam test who is the real number 1 birdboy, by a drinking contest, which leads to an embarrassing dance battle. Both result in an achingly close draw which leaves the group with stinging ribs due to the fulfilling feeling of something to smile about.
The team then choose to spend the remainder of the evening doing something they've never done before; being a group of drunk teenagers at a party.
And there we have it! I hope you enjoyed this and I will warn you now for my next story which will be a stinger! Please check it out when it's out, I'm in the process of writing it now so...watch this space! Xx (PLEASE REVIEW)