Nick Fury had faced a lot of things in his life, especially as a SHIELD agent and later, the Director. But nothing, nothing, in his life could have ever prepared him to face the wrath of one Rose Stark.
It wasn't the first time he had seen her absolutely lose it. There had been instances before, though fewer and rarer. But whenever he had had a chance of witnessing such an event, he had always been on the sidelines, either as an audience or as someone to clean the mess, but never on the receiving end.
Rose loved him. Or at least she was fond of him. After all, he had known her since she was a toddler. Looked after her at times, even babysat her. He had instilled some lessons into her since she was a child, much to Tony's chagrin and Peggy's amusement. He had known of her powers ever since she had started showcasing them. He had known of her hardships, her trials, and battles of the Wizarding World and he was very well aware of what all she was capable of when she was down-right livid.
So when he received a phone call out of the blue from his niece-figure, yelling obscenities at him and demanding an explanation and apology out of him, he'd be a fool to ignore that. Especially when she had been very vocal about hunting him down if he failed to respond and show up.
After that phone call, he took a few minutes to gather his thoughts, organizing them to decide what to tell them and what not to. Though he was also pretty sure that others could and would see right through those half-truths.
He exhaled and booked his flight ticket to New York and packed a quick bag and within another three hours, he had left his current city.
It was around the middle of the morning, almost noon when he landed in New York. Then, he took a little rest. He wasn't getting any younger, after all. Then he got a rental and drove to get lunch. From there, he called Hill. He knew that she had gotten a job at Stark Industries.
She had met him at the restaurant and over lunch, they discussed the whole situation. Fury hadn't told her everything, just what she needed to know. Hill, on the other, told him about what she had known. Rose was on sick leave and hadn't made an appearance in the office in more than a week. And the rumor was that she had a broken arm, broke in half, though no one knew for sure since no one had seen her. Hill suspected that Brittany knew but she hadn't made a single comment about her boss' status.
There were a few more rumors around the office concerning the Avengers, but at the end of the day, that was all they were, rumors. The only public stunt, or comment, the world had had from the Avengers was Natasha's court stunt.
Other than that, nothing. Even their social media accounts were pretty much inactive.
So Fury knew that the moment he went up there, he'd be greeted with a lot of pent-up confusion, frustration, and anger.
After Hill had left, Fury stayed there, thinking everything.
It wasn't until the evening, that he left the place to head to the famous Avengers Tower. The giant blue A shone across the night sky, pretty much visible to the entire Manhattan, he was sure.
He walked in through the back door, the one he used when he was the SHIELD Director, and was greeted by the familiar voice of JARVIS, who welcomed him and asked how he was.
Fury politely responded before asking about the Team. They were having dinner. He took a deep breath and got in the elevator, asking JARVIS to take him to the Communal. He had also asked JARVIS not to inform the Team that he was there.
Fury knew one thing. Tonight, things had high odds of going south. He knew Romanoff and Barton won't be verbally angry at him. they respected him. They might start respecting him less, but they wouldn't cross the line. Rogers would be definitely disappointed but he would too maintain his composture; years of military service did that to people. He could deal with their disappointment. They were his ex-employees.
Thor and Bruce were least attached to SHIELD and its employees and hence he wasn't expecting a lot of friction from them.
His major concern were the Starks. Tony would, of course, not like anything that had happened but he would be civil about it. He would act mature and his age at some of the strangest and most appropriate times. He knew Tony won't be as much of an issue as Rose. Rose had never been too silent about how she felt. If something was wrong, Rose would be very strongly vocal about that. And so she would be about this.
Phil had been one of the very few people Rose trusted a lot, enough to tell him her secrets; secrets only a few knew. His death had hit her and Tony in a hard way. and over the last year and so, he had felt quite uncomfortable about lying to Rose when she'd call him after having nightmares about everything that happened at the helicarriers, crying after having nightmares about Phil and looked at him for comfort and support and he couldn't tell her the truth. And he knew she was going to tear him into a knew with no hesitation.
He knew the risk he was taking when he gave Rose complete and unfiltered access to SHIELD data banks. But he had no idea that it would be this soon.
He exhaled as JARVIS stopped the elevator and the doors opened.
Everyone wasn't there. Just Tony, Bruce, and Thor. And it was Tony who saw him first.
"Didn't think you'd actually show up." he snorted
"Your daughter made some promises that I'm sure she wishes to keep."
Tony snorted loudly at that.
Fury looked at the other two men, "Dr. Banner. Thor."
"Fury." they both greeted back
"Where is everyone else?"
The three men shared a look.
"I'll get them." Bruce volunteered and headed for the stairs.
The three remained in the Communal with a bit of an awkward situation. Thor shrugged and resumed doing the dishes. Tony went back his whatever he was doing on the tablet.
Fury took a seat next to Tony, "How mad is she?"
"Depends. What did she call you?"
"Amongst other things, a cunt, and clotpole."
Tony snorted, "a twelve."
Fury hummed. "How are the preparations for Avengers Inc. going on?"
"We are having a meeting tomorrow at 10. If you make out of this, feel free to join us. We could all use an experienced hand."
Fury raised a brow.
"Don't flatter yourself. you being there would help us not repeat your mistakes. That's it."
They heard clamoring of footsteps and the duo turned around as the other four appeared.
Rose's arm was plastered and in a sling around her neck, a new pair of glasses on her nose. Roger's face had a slight bruising to one side that looked almost half-healed. Other's looked pretty fine compared to those two.
But something they all had similar was tiredness and weariness. Even Rose.
As he had expected, Rogers and Romanoff held disappointed expressions, Barton looked hurt and Rose, she looked...passive. Indifferent. And he knew it was for the worse.
Behind them, Thor finished the dishes, wiped his hands, and took a seat with others on the couch. Tony followed him, leaving Fury all by himself sitting at the kitchen island stool.
Fury exhaled. Time to face the music.
"I was told I owe you all an apology for an oversight."
Those were probably not the best words to use as some frowned, but others retained their neutral expressions.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Rose asked voice passive and lacking emotions.
Fury looked at her, "I knew Coulson's...healing won't be approved by the Security Council. I wanted as few people to know about Coulson as I could manage."
"So you didn't trust us enough?" Nat asked
"On the contrary, I trusted you enough to not tell you."
Tony took a deep and quite loud breath and leaned forward, "Fury...Nick, just tell us the truth. Enough with the secrets and twisters."
Fury looked at him and then at everyone.
"What happened after Coulson died?"
"After Coulson...was stabbed by Loki, I had him transported to a safe house. We used Project TAHITI to bring him back from the brink of death. He was under our observation for a while."
He took a pause. "TAHITI had some rather unforeseen side-effects on Coulson. To put him to ease, we had to erase a few of his memories, especially of what happened at the Helicarrier."
"Son of Coul doesn't remember he died?"
Fury looked at him, "He was told that he flatlined for a few seconds before the doctors managed to bring him back."
"You told him that." Steve darkly muttered
Fury didn't reply to that comment, but continued,
"He was kept under observation until he was completely healed, after which he continued to work for SHIELD. I kept it a secret as I couldn't afford any of you slipping it to him that he actually died and was brought back. Some of you know better than others, what bringing back suppressed memories does to a human mind."
There was a heavy silence.
And then a loud snort.
"Who made you God?" Rose asked. She looked relaxed and leaned back but her voice was angry and hurt.
"Who said that you can decide when one gets to live and die? Who gave you that authority?"
Fury took a deep breath. "Coulson didn't deserve it."
Rose chuckled but there was no humor in it. Rather, the chuckle was more of sarcastic nature.
"You're right. Coulson didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve to be treated like a science experiment. He didn't deserve to have his chance at peace being taken away from him without his consent. He didn't deserve to be lied to." she paused, taking a deep breath as she licked her lips.
"Coul-... Phil went down fighting. He managed to get a full-blown shot at Loki by himself. He deserved a chance of resting in peace. You had no right of reviving him because you were too weak to handle your emotions!"
Her breaths were short and labored but they all knew she was far from being done.
Fury looked at her, face stony. "Coulson dedicated a lot for this world. He didn't deserve to die like that."
Tony looked at her. He could see the tiredness in her eyes along with the unshed angry tears. She was blinking more. And her jaw was tight and face stern. The meds must have been starting to act.
"You have a bloody good idea of all the people I've lost who didn't deserve to die the way they did. We all have. Each of us here has lost someone who didn't deserve to die the way they did. Do you see me bringing them back from death when you know very well I can? It is not your place!
And if that wasn't enough, unforeseen side effects? Who are you fucking kidding? You knew very well what would happen if a regular human was subjected to TAHITI. You had records! you took a risk you had no idea if it was worth taking!
On top of that, you brainwashed him! You lied to him and you are continuing to do it." she took a deep breath, "Just because you were too weak to let go of someone you cared about doesn't mean you'll steal their chances of dying peacefully. You can't handle your trust issues, that's a you-problem! Not Phil's."
She got up, still glaring at Fury, "Phil doesn't deserve any of it. He didn't have to pay for your trust issues and shortcomings."
She turned and started heading back.
Utter silence. No one knew what to say. Until Thor did.
"she is right. Tis no mortal's business to dictate over the life and death of another being. Son of Coul died as a warrior and rightfully deserved a place in Valhalla." he got up too and looked at Tony.
Tony nodded back and mouthed "Thank You" as Thor walked upstairs.
Thor walked upstairs until he reached Rose's floor. He entered and looked around. He thought of asking JARVIS about her whereabouts but he figured he'd do it himself. He first decided to check her sleeping chambers and luckily he found her there. She was standing at the balcony, overlooking the city. He walked to her, making some noise along to way to not startle her.
He stopped next to her and mirrored her pose; leaning on the railing, intertwining his hands. He smelled something peculiar and looked next to him to see Rose using a thin paper-like roll that was burning embers at one end and caused her to exhale smoke.
"Don't tell dad about this. Please," she muttered
"Is this something to be worried about?"
She shrugged, taking a deep whiff, and exhaled, "Not necessarily but dad won't be too happy to find out that I smoke." she raised the cigarette, "He'd be angrier if he found out that I've smoke thrice in about two weeks." she snorted, "God! What's wrong with me?" she took another drag, "You know there used to be a time when I could go without a smoke for weeks. That was less than a month ago. And now, I've smoke thrice in about two weeks." she snorted, "Life sucks."
"I'm not sure I feel the same way as you, Rose, in terms of life. But I must agree that sometimes, life does suck."
That made her chuckle. Thor trying to say modern slang and almost always nailing it was quite funny. She made a mental note to talk to Darcy since she knew that the young brunette had to be one of the reasons Thor was so fluent in modern slang.
Thor looked back at her when her face dropped down to an undecipherable blank face.
"Is something else bothering you?"
She took another long drag, "I wonder how many secrets Nick has kept from me. Us. I almost don't wanna dig into everything I have because I'm scared of what I might end up finding. What if...What if I end up finding something about myself? Or Dad? Or Te-" she stopped mid-sentence, pretty much froze but then she cleared her throat and inhaled from the cigarette again,
"I'm sure Fury had good reasons to keep the secrets."
Rose scoffed. "I thought so too, you know. I mean, it's Nick. He has to have god-fucking-damn good reasons to keep these secrets. But I'm not so sure now." she snorted, "He suspected that my grandparents' death was not an accident but a well-planned and executed assassination quite some time ago. He kept that secret from me and dad for two decades. I can't reckon what all he's keeping with us."
She snubbed the cigarette on the metal railing and then threw it down.
"Maybe you should get some sleep. You seem tired."
"I'm fine."
Thor looked over at her once.
The way her shoulder slumped and her eyes were drooping, he knew she was lying but chose to stay shut. Right now she needed comfort, not nagging.
"Do you wish to talk?"
Rose just took a deep breath.
There was some silence for about 5-7 minutes after Rose left and Thor followed to check up on her.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have kept Coulson's revival a secret."
They didn't reply to that.
"where's he? Phil?" Clint asked
"He's on an undercover mission."
"SHIELD is dead. What mission?" Nat asked
"The mission he was on before the downfall. He's still continuing it, as per his last reports."
"Why didn't he contact us?" Steve asked, "Or Nat or Clint for that matter?"
"He's been busy."
"Nick." Nat sternly spoke, "Why hasn't Phil contacted us?"
"He believes it is for the good of the team."
Steve grunted, "what did you tell him?"
"The truth. That the team doesn't know that he's alive."
"Does his Cellist know?" Tony spoke up
"who?" Bruce asked
"There was a cellist. In Portland(?). They were an item back in the day. Does she know that Coulson is alive?"
"It was Coulson's decision to not tell her."
"You put him in that position. You just have a way of playing with people's lives, don't you?" Tony snorted
Silence again reigned over.
"It's almost 11. We should all retire." Steve suggested, "We have an important morning tomorrow."
The other four agreed and started getting up.
"What? You look surprised," Clint asked
Fury was looking rather surprised, even if mildly, by the turn of events.
"If you were expecting more, don't." Tony said, "We all are pretty tired. None of us have had a proper chance of resting since everything started going downhill. And considering everything, we are not in the mood of a fight or argument. Just..." he exhaled, "JARVIS, get Fury a guest room for tonight."
"Of course, sir."
"Tomorrow, 10.30 AM." Steve said, "We'd be expecting you there."
Fury nodded back and headed for the elevator. Once he was gone, Nat fell on the couch.
"I wanted to punch him so so bad." she buried her face in her hands. She was restraining herself so much. Despite the fact that Fury kept Phil's status being secret to them, she still respected him, maybe not even half as much as before. There was a steady decline. And she was pretty sure Clint was going through the same.
"I can lend you my gauntlet. He'll be staying for a while, I guess." Tony shrugged
She mentally snorted. Not sure she could bring herself to punch him. That doesn't mean she can't make his life hell.
"I don't know why I'm even surprised that Fury kept secrets and continues to do so." Clint scoffed
She looked at him and he had a knowing look on his face. Oh, they were going to have a lot of fun making Fury's life so inconvenient.
"We know Coulson meant a great deal to you both." Bruce softly said, "He should have told you two, at least."
Clint shrugged while Nat took a deep breath and leaned back.
"Do we really need him there tomorrow?" Bruce asked
Tony inhaled and looked at Steve, who looked back at him. It was something they both agreed on as they couldn't afford to repeat SHIELD's and Nick's mistakes.
"It'd be helpful." Steve muttered before he looked at the former spies, "Maybe you should talk to Nick. He might give you guys some extra details about Coulson and everything."
"I'm not sure I want to talk to him," Clint muttered,
"Me neither." Nat said and looked up at them, "SHIELD is behind us. Nick Fury is behind us. I'm simply tired of all the lies and fakeness. I'd rather focus on what's ahead of us."
"Amen to that," Tony muttered
"Let's get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us." Steve muttered
As Fury laid on the bed in the guest room, the scenarios continued to run in his head. They had all looked rather tired and weary and knew that not all injuries are always physical.
He also knew that there were tons of ways the meeting could have ended. But he had to admit of all the ways he had thought of, the way it actually ended didn't even make it up to his top 10.
But then again, the knowledge that one has been working for a supposed dead terrorist organization, doing their bidding, rather than the organization that was supposed to fend the said terrorist organization was such a big reveal and shock to everyone that Coulson being alive was pretty smaller reveal, in his opinion. The SHIELD-HYDRA reveal had in fact tired them all out, except Banner and Thor from what he could see.
But he also knew them, some better than others. And he knew a few of them would be retaliating against him for his mistakes in the long run. After all, that would be more efficient than a punch to the face. He snorted.
While he was rarely wrong, he was, in fact, proud and happy, that the team he put together were ready to take matters into their own hands and dealing with issues rather than running from them. They had come a long way. Not that he was ever going to tell them that.
He was looking forward to the next day's meeting.
"You should sleep."
"I'm not that tired."
"Rose, that was your fourth consecutive yawn."
Rose tiredly glared at Thor.
Thor smiled tightly and kept a soothing hand on her thigh, "Get some rest. Tomorrow is a rather important day."
Rose wanted to argue but she was actually tired. So, she just nodded.
Thor smiled and reached to give her his signature bear hug. A hug was full of warmth and love. Rose internally chuckled as hugs like these often reminded her of her tiny she was.
"All is going to be well."
"Thanks, Thor."
Thor pulled, softly caressed her head before he got up and headed to the door.
"Have a good night, Rose."
"You too." she smiled, slipping under the covers.
Rose had just exited the shower when she heard a knock.
"Come in!"
"Decent?" Nat's voice came
Rose did a quick spell and determined it was just Nat.
"Not like you haven't already seen what there is."
The door opened and she entered. She ran her eyes over Rose was just clad in a towel around her body, her hair up in a bun and arm in plaster.
"Glamming up for the meeting?" she smiled amusedly, leaning on the door.
Rose opened the door to her closet and entered while Nat made her way to Rose's bed. She picked up a couple of files with Stark Industries name and logo stamped across on the front that were laying there and started flipping them. Though she didn't read much, though they looked like some important paperwork and reports of some sort.
"Oh no. Pepper gave me a lecture the other day when I didn't shower for the entire day. I'm doing this for her." there was a grunt.
"Need help?" Nat looked her shoulder towards where her closet was.
"Na, I got it." came a reply through gritted teeth. Nat just rolled her eyes and headed for the closet. Rose's back was facing her and she found her struggling with her bra.
She walked behind her and clasped it.
"I told you I got it."
"Sure,"
Rose picked up a tank top and easily slipped it over. Ever since she had returned, all Nat had seen her wearing were loose and/or oversized tops. So the tank top was a nice change. Once she was done wearing it, Nat helped her with the sling and then stepped back.
"I don't understand why you just don't use magic to glam up."
Rose sighed, "Underage magic is a criminal offense, even in private. It just became a habit over time, I guess. I feel more comfortable doing mundane tasks without magic rather than with magic." she muttered, slipping on her shorts before she looked at her, "Is Steve back from the run?"
"He didn't go this morning."
"Oh"
"Is everything okay?"
"Yeah. Just some stuff I wanted to talk to him about." she replied, grabbed her glasses before she looked at Nat, "Did you need something?"
Nat exhaled, crossing her arms. she shrugged. "I was just trying to be distracted." she looked at the pink head, "Is it bad that I don't want to face Nick?"
"Nick lied to us all about Phil. Even I'm not sure I want to face him."
Nat studied her face, "How could you be so calm about it? You and Tony have known Phil the longest."
"Trust me, I had my outburst on him. More than once."
Nat snorted, "And you wanted me to cool down and not tear into him."
Rose smiled apologetically, "Sorry about that. I just...I've known Nick and Phil the longest. It felt like I deserved to tear into him first and foremost. I should have invited you with me."
Nat sighed, crossing her arms, "I'd have loved to be a part. Well, we can't do anything about it now. But I'm pretty sure you tore well into him. You can be scary when you want to be."
"I did or he wouldn't be here." she smiled and exhaled, "Nat, how's Steve?"
Nat looked at her a little taken off guard at the sudden change of topic.
"He's fine."
"Is he?"
Nat raised a brow.
"I was talking to Thor last night. Just had some realizations. More like he made me realize certain things. Ever since certain truths have come out, everyone's been there for me and Dad, especially after finding out about the assassination."
She crossed her legs, "You know I feel like shit. It's Steve. He's one of my closest friends. Dare I say, one of my best friends. And everything I've done in the last few days...I hurt him bad, didn't I?"
Nat pressed her lips, "He has his own things to worry about."
"See that's the thing. He's worried about those things because of me. I mean, all he wanted to do was save Barnes and I was so blinded by rage and...desperation for closure and revenge..." she pressed her lips and then snorted, "I've gotten so used to being pampered by you guys, I've been hoarding all your guys' support and...comfort, I completely forgot about him." she looked at the redhead, "Is he mad at me? He had every reason to be mad at me. I don't regret not telling him about HYDRA, but the things I've done..."
He ran her hand over her face, "I fucking threw my dagger at him. I'm the worst."
"I have to say, the aim was impeccable."
Rose let her hand fall and glared at Nat.
"Talk to him, then," Nat said
Rose raised a brow.
"I don't know what you want me to say. I don't know what to say. I've never been through this."
Rose hung her head down, "How is it that I end up in some of the worst situations?"
Nat shrugged. "Tell you what? You still got about an hour and a half before the meeting begins. I'd say talk to him."
Rose nodded and got up.
"I'll see you at the meeting."
Rose nodded and got up.
Nat smiled and followed Rose out. They walked down together. Rose stopped at Steve's floor while Nat continued further.
She took a deep breath and walked to Steve's room. She stopped in front of the door and knocked.
"Hey. It's Rose."
"Just a second."
She waited. She heard the sound of the door opening and turned to see Thor exiting his room. He gave her a small smile, which she returned. And then he saw her waiting outside Steve's room.
"I wish you the best of luck."
"Thanks, Thor."
"Will you be heading down to break your fast?"
"In a while. You go ahead."
Thor nodded and walked away just as the door opened. And she was greeted by Steve in his tank top.
"Hey." she smiled, trying not to show her nervousness, "Just wanted to check up on you."
"I'm fine."
She took a deep breath and exhaled, "Do you have a minute? Well, actually more than a minute. I was hoping we could talk."
Steve gave a second-long look before he nodded and stepped aside and she entered.
He closed the door behind her and faced her, studying her. She looked nervous and uncomfortable. It was the first time he had seen her in such a state around him. Was he making her uncomfortable?
"I honestly don't know where to begin," she muttered
"Why don't you sit down?" Steve offered. Ever the gentleman.
Rose pressed her lips but walked to the bed and sat down. Steve followed her and sat down too.
Rose looked at his face.
"Does it still hurt?" she asked
Steve off-handedly reached for the faded bruising, "Not as much."
"I could lend some healing potions. I'd have healed it myself but- I'm myself not-"
"I understand."
She took a deep breath, "So. Here it goes. I wanted to apologize."
That took steve so off-guard. Whatever he was expecting her to say, an apology wasn't even the least of it. "For what?"
"For being the meanest selfish bitch I've been to you. Just to make it clear, I'm not apologizing for not telling you about HYDRA or anything Barnes-related. I stand by what I did and/or said." she pressed her lips, "but I do apologize for not being there for you when you needed me."
"I was fine."
Rose raised a perfect black brow, "JARVIS told me you spent two nights in the Hulk-out room. That is not the definition of fine."
"I was trying to help Bucky."
She took a deep breath
"Though, I guess I have to thank you for not killing him in the first place."
Rose studied his face, "Aren't you gonna ask me why I didn't do it?"
Steve exhaled, "I shouldn't be looking a gift horse in the mouth."
Rose pressed her lips, "Honestly, I don't know what possessed me to do that."
"Whatever it was, thank you."
"don't thank me. I don't deserve it." she shrank a little more, "I've been so self-indulgent lately. I never bothered to check up on you. I mean, you are my friend. One of my best friends and I forgot about you."
Okay. that hurt a little that she forgot about him.
"I'm sorry. Howard and Grandma are long gone. Irrespective of how they died. Barnes is here. I got so caught up that they were murdered I didn't consider how you would be feeling about finding out about Barnes and everything. That this whole shit storm was as much of an emotional roller-coaster for you as it was for me. I should have been there for you. Dad, he's another case. But I barely knew Grandma and well, it's common knowledge that I despised Howard."
"They are still your grandparents. and like you said, blood is thicker than water."
She looked at him, "Blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb. Should have realized that."
She exhaled and started fiddling with her hands, "I'm sorry for being cold towards you. I'm sorry for almost fucking our friendship. It seems no matter what I do, I cannot fit in this team. Not much of a team player, after all. I mean, that's no excuse. Not even remotely. It's just...no matter how many times I go through this, I end up making decisions that are so selfish I completely overlook how those decisions might affect people around me. I did it before and here, I did it again."
It felt good to Steve. Everything she said, sounded sincere and honest. And he knew she was being honest. After all, he knew of her tells when she lied.
"and that's not even the worst part."
It wasn't?
"I screw things with you again and again. First the whole Killian thing and radio silence. And then this." she exhaled, "You are my friend. You are a member of this team. You are as valuable as am I, if not more. I can understand if you are mad at me and don't wanna sweep this all under the rug. I can totally understand."
Steve exhaled. Okay.
He took another deep breath.
"You are not the only one who should be apologizing. I'm sorry too. I should have listened to the reasons. I should have heard you out. Instead, I tried to force my decisions and you defended yourself. I'm been an asshole to you too in the last few days."
"Not as big as me."
"Not going to argue there."
Rose softly smiled, "I'll make it up to you."
"what?"
"What do you say? Dinner tonight? Just you and me, like we used to. Motorino's?"
Steve considered the offer.
"Sounds good."
"Alright. 7?"
Steve nodded
She got up with a smile, "Let's get to the meeting."
Steve too got up, picked a shirt from his closet, and pulled it on.
"By the way," he started as he closed his room's door after them, "how come you changed your mind about all of it?"
"You've gotta thank Thor for that. I'd have been acting like a bitch and fucking things up if it wasn't for Thor knocking some sense into me. I really needed an outsider's perspective. He made me realize how so many things could have been avoided if I had been as rational as I was asking you to be. I was being a hypocritical asshole, on top of everything else.
You know it is times like these, I realize I'm not as mature as I think I am. No wonder most of the team still treats me like a child."
"No, they don't."
Rose looked at him, "this team pretty much turned from strangers to my pseudo uncle and pseudo older siblings, along with my dad. I think the only people who don't think of me as a little sister or niece material are you and Thor."
Steve chuckled at that. "I don't think we are at that stage yet."
"Because I keep fucking things up, I know."
"Well, it not you all the time."
Rose just shrugged
"Let's get breakfast before we get late for the meeting."
2 chapters at once! Enjoy!
