AN: One last chapter after this! I'll get it up soon and thank you to everyone for so far enjoying this story :)
The entire team was rather confused as to what the Maximoff twins could possibly be doing but soon became distracted with the kids, Laura, and Silvia. Seeing as there were over twice as many people in the house as there had been, cooking started right away for what would be undoubtedly many hungry mouths. Besides the games and rather casual conversations that went around, Tony also brought up ideas of a new base.
This one would be in an undisclosed location so that it wouldn't be the looming target that Avengers Tower was. Despite having an idea as to what the building would look like, the kids quickly helped with designs and color schemes. The multiple conversations that were going around, Thor and Silvia were having a grand time, gave Natasha the opportunity to pull Clint aside.
"Alright, what happened with Pietro?"
"Do you always have to be so blunt?" muttered Clint with a shake of his head.
"Well one of us has to be. You skirt around any issue you're unsure of and uncomfortable with. Now, please explain to me what happened with the kid because if you don't, I will come up with a story ten times worse and tell it to the whole team."
"Like they'd believe you."
"I think we both know how persuasive I can be. Do you really want to bet on that?" Natasha asked with a devilish grin.
"I suppose not but hell if I tell you and Pietro finds out he may just kill me himself. I mean, he seemed pretty damn embarrassed."
"That's great and all Clint but right now I want the facts, not what it looked like to you but what you know for sure. Now what happened?"
"Urgh, Pietro kissed me during a training session."
"Really?"
"Now why don't you sound surprised?" he asked with an exasperated sigh.
"Because it really isn't. The kid died for you after all. If that doesn't show some deep connection then I don't know what does."
"Wait, you're not suggesting that he's in…well you know."
"Love with you?" asked Natasha with some amusement. "That's exactly what I think. So what occurred after he kissed you? What did you say?"
"Nothing! I was to in shock. I just kind of stared and then he suddenly zipped off. I've only seen him once more since it happened and that was only a blue streak," Clint replied.
"And have you tried talking to him?"
"Well, no—"
"Clint, you can't just avoid him!"
"He's the one avoiding me!"
"Whatever, the point is you need to get wherever you stand on this straight in that kid's head so that way he knows where you two stand and you're not dancing around each other like ballerinas."
"If anything it would be jazz."
"That's not the point," she said with a shake of her head. "First off, do you even know how you feel about the kid?"
"Well for starters stop calling him kid. It's making me feel like an old perv and—oh! That's probably why he's always hated me calling him that."
"Probably. And seeing as you just referred to that word making you feel like an old pervert, you do like him don't you?"
"He's certainly attractive…"
"And?"
"And what?"
"Well can you see you and him in a relationship?"
"I don't know! Stop being so goddamn blunt. It's making my head hurt Nat!"
Natasha just rolled her eyes in response as she said, "Whatever. So did the kiss feel good then? Come on, it's been a while since your split with Laura so I don't see why you shouldn't start dating. Especially if the feeling of attraction is mutual."
"But what about the age gap?"
"It's not like he's in high school still or some shit. You're both consenting adults so do what makes you happy and what makes Pietro happy."
"Seriously?"
"What? Do you think I prefer you as a hermit?"
"I'm not a hermit and honestly, I'm surprised that you'd support this. I mean the kid was an enemy a while ago and did fuck up a lot of things before getting on our side."
"As did I when I sold American intelligence to the highest bidder. It may be hard to believe but as much as I disliked the twins at the time, I fully understand the regret that can come with making a choice, even if it seemed the best one at the time," replied Natasha. "Doesn't mean I necessarily trust either of them but it's not like I hate them."
"So what should I do?"
"Give me a straight answer and I'll tell you. Do you or do you not like him?"
"I…do…"
"Then go for it. It's about time you tried something that was out of your league," Natasha said with a small smirk.
"Hey! Excuse you but I'm way over his league thank you very much."
Natasha just laughed as she left Clint. She observed the room and everyone seemed to be having an excellent time except Vision. He didn't look uncomfortable or bored necessarily, just out of place and deep in thought. Curious, Natasha made her way to him and stood next to him, waiting to see if he would be the first to talk.
The android definitely peeked Natasha's interest. His understanding yet outside view reminded her of how she had once felt at Shield, a part yet not. However, she was especially curious as to his relationship with Wanda, even if it seemed like nobody else saw it, as kid seemed to be the one person he had truly connected with. From the look on his face, Natasha was positive that it was of her that he was thinking about.
"Do you think the twins will be down soon?"
Natasha internally smiled at being right. However, she kept her carefully neutral face with the android and replied, "It's hard to say. Why don't you socialize while you wait?"
"I'm not sure I could. I have not experienced anything that they currently talk about and could only give a logical response," Vision said. "To talk like this is opinion based and clearly familiar. I have neither of those to communicate with."
"Well you certainly won't get that by just standing here."
"No, you are right about that," he said softly, his face with a look of concentration upon it. He gave a glance around the area and then asked, "Clint Barton was once with Laura Barton but no more, am I correct?"
"Basically, yes," Natasha said.
"So love is not a definite thing," said Vision though it sounded more like a question. "I would think it would be. Now that you say it is not, I am confused as to why someone would partake in it if there is not a certainty of success."
"Because it's not about the success," Natasha responded. "It's about connections, ones that you can't make with others."
"But if they are not sure, why acknowledge them."
"Because of that feeling of being understood, of not being alone anymore," replied Natasha. "Besides, if there wasn't a risk it wouldn't be worth doing like it is today."
"The risk makes it worth more," Vision said, rearranging Natasha's words.
"Exactly."
"Is there such thing as love being rushed?"
"Of course. And it can be slow, take to long, not take long enough. There probably isn't one certainty about love. It just happens and it's your choice to take it or leave it," Natasha said.
Vision was suddenly unable to continue to ask his questions though as a hand was tugging at his cape. He looked down to see one of Clint's kids, Lila.
"Do you want to play Jenga?" she asked eagerly. "It's more fun with four people but for the moment only Thor will play with me and Cooper."
"But I do not know how."
"We'll teach you then," Lila responded. "Just please try?"
Vision glanced to Natasha for any words of wisdom but she just shrugged in a very 'it's your own choice' way and walked off to see what Tony was cackling about.
Rather quickly, Vision thought of the two choices he had: to remain on the sidelines or to actually socialize which was what Wanda was teaching and encouraging him to do. He decided on the second one and finally nodded.
"I will certainly try."
He noted the bright smile that lit across Lila's face and decided that he had defiantly made the right decision. She took his hand and led him away and to the kitchen table in the other room where Thor and the boy Cooper were already sitting.
"So you have decided to join us friend," Thor said in a booming voice full of joy. "It is good to have a player more in line with young Cooper. That way Lila and I can use our full potential and have a proper battle."
"Hey! I'm stronger than Lila!" Cooper cried out though it was obvious from the look on his face that he knew Thor was joking. "Besides, it's you two who need to watch out!"
Vision smiled at their conversation as he sat down and rather quickly learned the rules. The first round he won straight away which the kids cheered him on for but as he had played the game, he'd noticed how Thor had taken some of the stupidest moves. It confused Vision but he mimicked Thor's pattern the second time they played and he quickly realized why Thor had done so.
The kids laughter and joy when they won the game was not only beautiful but clearly boosted the children's confidence. It made Vision realize that sometimes using everything one had was not always the best option. Sometimes, one had to take a step back.
They continued to play and the kids had just seemed to begin getting bored with Jenga that they started looking for a new game when a door opened and the sound of people on the stairs could be heard. For a moment, noise on the bottom floor quieted and then suddenly started up again as if people were trying to hide the fact that they were curious.
Vision did not do this however and made his way to the foot of the staircase. The first thing he noted was how exhausted the brother looked and how proud and accomplished Wanda looked.
"It is very nice to see you again Pietro."
"You too Christmas."
"Pietro!" growled out Wanda as she kicked him in the back of the leg. "Play nice! And go do what I told you to."
Her eyes sparked red as one final warning and Pietro sighed in defeat as he wondered off. Wanda looked on approvingly and then came down the final steps to where Vision stood.
"Sorry for just running off but I needed to knock some sense into my brother."
"Did it stick?"
"I think so," Wanda replied with an easy smile. "What's occurred while we were up there?"
"Nothing but socializing. I learned how to play Jenga."
"I don't think I've ever played that before. How about you show me?"
"I think the children just put it up. Hold on a second," Vision replied. He went and got the game and then the two moved outside. Staying on the front porch they sat on the ground, forgoing the chairs since there was no table, and began to play.