DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS BELONG TO MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE.
The rating of this story has CHANGED from T to M now, due to sexual content. Please bare this warning in mind if you decide to continue reading.
~0~0~0~0~0~
Back arching into an impressive angle, Natasha made no attempt to quieten the moan that sounded from her, powerful enough that it had her entire body shaking. With each flick of her husband's talented tongue, she was being driven closer and closer to that glorious edge, and she wasn't holding back.
Her hands raked through his hair, which had grown so much longer than he usually kept it. She'd made no secret over the past few months about how sexy she found his new look, even though Steve Rogers had always been sexy. The man was pretty much a God, let's be honest, and Natasha relished in the knowledge he was all hers, and that she would be the only woman to ever experience just how good he was in bed.
"Please," She whimpered, her hands fisting into his dark-blonde locks. She squealed as his hands grasped her hips and pulled her further down the bed, so she was pressing against his face without any room between her and his mouth. His answering growl sent shivers up and down her spine, and it was certainly her undoing. With his name falling from her lips, her orgasm hit her like a tsunami, leaving her body panting and writhing with each wonderful wave.
The darkened look on her husband's face when he looked up from her almost made her find a second release only seconds later, and the sight of him between her thighs had her feeling all kinds of excited. Their night had only just begun.
"I fucking love that beard of yours." She whispered, as her lungs fought for oxygen and her body tried to calm itself after such an intense release.
"Not as much as I adore that dirty mouth of yours." Steve told her, kissing her inner thighs before crawling up her body, trailing a path up along her stomach and settling between her breasts. "Oh, I also love these. Have I mentioned that before?"
Natasha's head fell back as Steve's tongue whirled around a perk nipple. "Once or twice," She gasped out, and tugged at his hair again, demanding that he kissed her before she lost herself into a never-ending sea of pleasure. More than happy to comply, Steve's mouth collided with hers in an all-consuming, earth-shattering kiss that did her lungs no favour whatsoever, but she really couldn't care.
When she felt the head of him brush against her still tingling folds, she lifted her hips in another silent demand, and he filled her with one strong thrust. When he was inside her, she felt complete, as their bodies joined along with their entwined souls. No matter how many times they did this, the feeling would never fade, never once would their love and passion for one another be dimmed.
"You feel so good, Nat." He moaned into her ear, his hand coming up to play attention to her breasts again while the other held his weight off her. Her own hands greedily explored the muscles of his broad-shoulders and powerful back, and that almost smug pride of hers returned as she reminded herself yet again that this man was all hers.
"So do you, baby." She told him, urging him onwards as she rose her hips up to meet his. He pressed further inside her, going deeper and deeper, to the point where it was a wonder that he could fit inside her.
Their naked bodies continued to move together, and their faces were a perfect match of ecstasy as they chased their approaching climaxes. Steve's lips dropped down to her neck, sucking hard enough that he was sure to leave behind a mark, but Natasha really didn't mind, she liked it when he left behind proof that she belonged to him. Along his own neck, purplish bruises had appeared, and there were a few already on his thighs from earlier, when she had practically tackled him after a shower. He had laughed at her eagerness, right until her mouth had wrapped around his hardness, and then the only sounds that left him were moans of her name.
"Come with me, sweetheart." Steve's hips increased their pace even more, his heart quickening as he looked to see the expression of bliss and want on her face. Her eyes were closed, her lips parted as she whimpered for him to keep going. She was the most beautiful woman in the whole entire world. "Come for me, Nat."
Natasha's hands clawed into his back, gripping hold of him for support as his relentless thrusts continued, driving her closer and closer to her second orgasm. This one hit her stronger than the first, drawing everything out of her as she practically screamed his name. Steve followed close behind, managing to continue moving in and out after spilling deep inside her, wanting to enjoy the feeling of her clamping around her for as long as possible.
When they were both absolutely spent, Steve kissed her forehead and pulled out slowly, before dropping to her side and wrapping his arms around her. "I love you." He said as he nuzzled into her neck, taking a deep breath of citrus and sex.
"I love you, too." She leaned forward to kiss him slowly, taking her time to map out his mouth with her tongue. When she pulled away, the gleam of satisfaction in her eyes was enough to make him want to pin her down and take her all over again.
He would have done as well, if there wasn't suddenly a knock on the door.
Steve groaned, his head dropping to her shoulder while Natasha snapped, "This better be for a good reason, Sam, because if it's not-"
"Look, I made that mistake once, and I apologised." Sam defended himself, referring to the incident a few months ago when he had interrupted them just to ask what they wanted from the take-away place down the road, and Natasha had looked as if she wanted to kill him. Steve hadn't appreciated their friend's interruption either, but he had been too busy trying to hold Natasha back to be that annoyed.
"Give him a break, Nat. He did say he was sorry, and he brought you chocolate." Steve whispered in her ear.
"Chocolate comes second to sex with my husband, as you know full well." Natasha shot back, but he could tell that she wasn't actually that annoyed with Sam this time. At least, unlike the first time, Sam had timed it for when they had just finished, not whilst they were in the middle of things.
Kissing her temple sweetly, Steve raised his head and called to his friend, "What is it, Sam?"
"You guys really need to come and see the news." That was all Sam said, and probably because he wanted to have enough time to retreat to a safe distance before Natasha left the room.
Giving his wife a look that promised they would resume this later, Steve rolled out of bed and threw on some boxers, joggers and an old shirt. Mumbling under her breath, Natasha also got changed quickly, before they left the room and joined Sam in front of the television. The scene that was being reported on the news was certainly a good reason for Sam interrupting them, but Steve was too horrified by what was happening before his eyes to feel embarrassed.
It was New York, close enough to Stark Towers to make Natasha and Steve's breath catch in their throat. What could only be an alien ship was shown, and the news reader was quickly reporting on what the police had been able to inform them; which was not much, but it was sure enough to cause mass panic.
"Steve," Natasha whispered, and he knew exactly where her mind was taking her. "Perhaps, we ought to call-"
Tony. Neither of them had spoken to the billionnaire in years. Steve had no intention on making amends, and not just because of what had happened between him, Stark and Bucky; but because he couldn't forget what the last words Tony said to Natasha were. They had made her doubt not only Steve's love for her, but made her question her worth, and for that, Steve didn't know if he could ever forgive Tony Stark. Therefore, although he hadn't deleted the number, he hadn't felt inclined to be the one to take the first step and call him.
But, Tony Stark would definitely have been on the scene for that spaceship, and that meant he was potentially in danger.
"Err, Steve?" Sam said, looking over to the small coffee table where Steve had abandoned his phone earlier. Sure enough, it was ringing, and when Steve picked it up, he felt as if he'd been punched in the gut when he realised who was calling him. Tony Stark's caller ID winded him.
Natasha glanced at the screen, her eyes instantly dark with concern.
Accepting the call, Steve answered, "Stark, tell me what's happening there -"
"Er, Cap," Bruce Banner's voice was probably the last voice Steve had expected to hear. No one had heard word of Bruce since the whole mess with Ultron. He'd literally disappeared off the face of the Earth. "It's me."
"Bruce?" Steve didn't even try to hide his disbelief and confusion, and Natasha's face changed instantly from concern to shock. Sam, too, stiffened. If two Avengers had been on the scene...
What the hell was going on over there? "Bruce, I'm putting you on speaker. Natasha and Sam are with me." Quickly, Steve pressed the screen. "Tell us everything."
There was a small pause on the other end. "Alright, but I don't know if you guys are going to believe me."
~0~0~0~0~0~
For a fleeting moment, Steve genuinely believed that they had reached Wanda and Vision just in time. But, as he stood on the other side of the tracks and saw Vision slummed on the ground, clutching at his stomach, his stomach sank with dread.
Bruce Banner had told them everything; about the spaceship appearing in New York and bringing with it two creatures from space which called themselves the 'Children of Thanos'. Banner had warned them that these beings were after the infinity stones, and had succeeded in taking a man named Dr Steven Strange who held the time stone. Tony had gone after them, and Bruce hadn't heard anything from the billionaire. Steve's mind had already jumped to Vision before Bruce had warned them to go to their friend.
Now, as his eyes moved across the train tracks to the creature standing behind Wanda - Proxima Midnight, whose cold gaze was locked on him - Steve replaced that dread with a fierce determination, a protectiveness that consumed him. These creatures did not belong on his planet, and he sure as hell was going to make them regret making their twisted existence known.
In his hand, the spear he had just caught tingled with a darkness that was not of this world.
Using Midnight's moment of foolish distraction to their advantage, Sam struck, following the plan perfectly. Gliding through the air with his wings, he sent her crashing into a nearby shop window, sending thousands of glass shards flying in every direction. The Falcon swooped up, rotating and sending three redwings towards the second attacker, Corvus Glaive. Red smoke collided into him, knocking him off balance, just as a flash of platinum blonde hair signalled Natasha's entry into the fight.
Instantly, Steve threw the spear towards her, which she caught and struck Corvus right through the abdomen. She moved as a swift blur of blonde, skilled and ready for a fight. The beastly man snarled at her, and Natasha flipped her body around the spear, landing on her feet and swinging her leg round, a kick so powerful it sent him crashing to the ground.
But, as Natasha stood straight, the spear in her hand was snatched through the air, landing in Midnight's outstretched hand. Steve jumped over the tracks, rolling across the ground and picking up Corvus's weapon, which he raised to block Midnight from striking Natasha where she stood.
Midnight was strong, and the spears trembled from the pressure that both she and Steve were using on them as they locked, pushing against one another. But, Steve was faster; he ducked to the side, getting out of the way just as Natasha lunged with her electric batons. Jumping to his feet, Steve surged forward with the spear once again.
The two of them fought together as easily as well practised dancers; they knew the routine, they knew exactly what move would be played before it had started. The last several months spent sparring and training certainly paid off; if they had been well-matched soldiers beforehand, now they were simply deadly.
Midnight struggled to keep up with them, her lip curling back in a horrid smile to show her frustration, but the beastly woman still managed to block their blows before Sam crashed into her once again,
Rolling away from then, Midnight crawled over to Corvus, covering his body with hers. "Get up." She growled, her hand pressing down on the wound that Natasha's earlier blow had created. It was gushing out a thick black liquid that made the air around them taste terribly bitter.
"I can't." He gasped out, glaring up at the Avengers as they approached.
Steve didn't even have to look to know that his wife was beside him, matching him stride for powerful stride. It was as if she had an aurora around her that glowed with her determination to put an end to these two creatures right in front of them, and he shared that with her, let it surge through his own body.
Natasha's voice was as quietly deadly as a sheet of ice covering a frozen, never-ending lake. "We don't want to kill you, but we will." It was a promise, just like a fatal bite from the spider which her nickname shared.
Midnight's gaze was just as ice cold as she regarded the blonde assassin. "You'll never get the chance again."
Then, she pressed something on her wrist, and a blue tunnel of light surrounded both of her and Corvus. It sucked them back to their ship, taking the spear with them, practically wrenching it from Steve's hand. The ghastly space ship rolled through the air before raising higher and higher, disappearing into the thick clouds.
Steve's eyes moved from the cloudy sky to his wife beside him, who was panting. "You alright?" He checked softly, his arm on her elbow.
Natasha rolled her eyes at his fussing, but the gleam behind them showed that deep down, she appreciated it all the same. "Please, I was just getting warmed up."
He chuckled, turning to look at Sam, who nodded his confirmation that he too was unscratched from their encounter. As Natasha strapped the batrons to her back once again, she walked beside Steve as they went to their friends.
Wanda, still crouched beside Vision, looked up at them with unblinking eyes. Shock had paled her face, but her body was less tense now.
"Can you stand?" Sam asked, offering a hand out to Vision, who was still holding his stomach. Vision accepted the help, but he winced painfully as he got to his feet. Wanda followed his every movement with her watchful eyes, and the concern on her face proved just how deeply she had fallen for this man over the last few years. Steve felt another stab of sympathy for them; all they had wanted was the chance of a life together, and during their time together, they'd been attacked.
Steve came to a stop directly in front of his friend, assessing the damage himself. Vision's hand was covering the stab wound, but his entire body was flickering, reminding Steve of a dying battery. Vision's energy was draining, slowly but surely.
"Thank you, Captain." Vision choked out. The yellow stone on his forehead stood out against the redness of the suit that covered his body like a second skin.
Steve dipped his head. "Let's get you on the jet." He said, moving to Vision's other side to help support him as he and Sam carried him outside the station. Behind them, he was aware of Natasha checking in on Wanda, who replied back with a hollow voice.
Inside the jet, they gently eased Vision into a seat. Sam headed for the controls, as Natasha raised the ramp.
"Now, I thought we had a deal." Natasha commented, as she strode across the jet to stand at Steve's side. "Stay close, check in, don't take any chances." It had seemed like a lifetime ago that they had all been in the same space together, that safehouse by the woods.
"I'm sorry," Wanda replied, but her tone suggested that she wasn't actually apologetic that she and Vision had kept so quiet all these months. Well, until now. "We just wanted time."
Hearing his wife's unimpressed huff, Steve brushed his hand down Natasha's arm as he looked down at her, her fierce gaze melting slightly when her eyes met his. They both understood better than anyone how important it was to keep a relationship private, how sacred it was, and how badly they had wanted to keep theirs from being tainted by the horrors and threats of the outside world.
As if remembering herself, Natasha softened, only slightly, before heading to the empty seat at the side of the jet, beside the pilot.
"Where to, Cap?" Sam checked, punching in a few buttons on the control pads as he prepared to lock in the co-ordinates.
Steve glanced back to Wanda and Vision, both still shaken from the recent events. "Home," He replied, even though it had been a long time since he had considered the Facility as such a thing. Leaving the two younger Avengers to themselves, Steve stood behind Natasha's chair, his hand resting on her shoulder as the jet powered through the stormy clouds. Without a word, Natasha's hand lifted to cover his and gave it a comforting squeeze.
~0~0~0~0~0~
The only thing stopping Natasha from launching herself at Secretary Ross was the knowledge that it was just a screen-image of the man, so her hands would only wrap around thin air. Which would be a complete waste of her energy, so therefore, she did not bother, even though seeing his stupid grin was enough to make her see red.
But, as she approached the smug-faced man, she couldn't ignore the intense hatred she felt for him as it surged through her veins. This had been the man who had first put a target on Steve's back, had given the okay that as long as his agents brought in the Winter Soldier, it didn't matter what harm had to come to Captain America. This was also the same man who had put a target on both of their backs, ever since Natasha had stood beside Steve and let him escape the airport.
"You've got some nerve." Ross greeted them, taking a few steps closer, only feeling brave because no physical harm could actually come to him. His tone was just as smug as his expression, and Natasha glared at him, hoping it would make him struggle to sleep tonight. "I'll give you that."
She raised her chin. Never, would she cower before this man. He was spineless, and spiteful, and everything that she hated. She had never been afraid of him personally, and that was never going to change. "You could use some of that right now."
Tutting, Ross turned to her husband, whose own gaze was just as unfriendly. "The world's on fire." The Secretary stated, looking absolutely pathetic as he stood before Steve's broad physique. A man who hid behind a position of power, yet had never earned the respect he demanded from people. He would never be half the man that Steve Rogers was. "And you think all is forgiven?"
"I'm not looking for forgiveness." Steve growled lowly. "And I'm way past asking permission." Despite the situation, Natasha allowed herself to feel aroused by the confident, alpha male who stood beside her. Pair that temperament with the roguish beard he was sporting, and it took every shred of self control for her to not pull him to her and demand that he fucked her right there and then, regardless of who was in the room. That would certainly serve as a message to the governments.
"Earth just lost her best defender." Steve went on. "So, we're here to fight. And if you wanna stand in our way, we'll fight you too." He towered over the Secretary, and Ross' throat bobbed slightly.
The Secretary turned to Rhodey, who watched with his arms crossed. "Arrest them." Ross ordered.
"All over it," Rhodey said, before ending the call. Ross's image disappeared, along with the other board members sat around their table in the background. "That's a court-martial. It's great to see you, Cap."
The two men shook hands in greeting, and Natasha moved forward to give their former team-mate a hug.
Rhodey parted her back before they pulled away. "Wow, you guys really look like crap." He commented, taking in their tired expressions, the slumming of their exhausted bodies, and an injured Vision who was resting again Sam. "Must've been a rough couple of years,"
"Hmm, there were definitely good parts." Steve told him, with a meaningful glance at Natasha, who winked.
"Oh, yes." Rhodey said, as he caught up to what Steve was referring to. "I'm sorry that my congratulations are a little overdue, but better late than never right?" He grinned. "Seriously, I'm happy for you guys. Sorry that you've had to spend your first few married years on the run."
Natasha shrugged. "No one promised us a normal marriage."
"The hotels really weren't five stars, though." Sam commented. "I'm going to have to file a complaint to Fury, once this mess is over and done with. I don't think my back will ever be the same again."
A new voice entered the room, belonging to the man they hadn't seen for a very long time, and one they hadn't actually expected to ever see again. "I think you guys look great." Slowly, Banner stepped into the room, looking exactly how he had done all those years ago, apart from perhaps a few new grey hairs. Not a single hint of greenness and rage about him. His smile was warm and genuine as he regarded them. "Yeah, I'm back." He added, chuckling awkwardly.
The entire room was quiet for a few drawn out seconds, but then Natasha crossed the room and hugged their old friend. "You've got some explaining to do." She told him firmly.
Bruce relaxed under the welcome. "Yeah, maybe once we sort out what's happening with Thanos." Pulling out of the hug, Natasha squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. Steve joined them, shaking hands with Banner, who seemed relieved that the Captain wasn't angry at him for going off radar for so long. Knowing Dr Banner, there must be a good reason behind it, and therefore a good story.
"No offense, but I think you guys should change and grab something to eat before we continue." Rhodey pointed out kindly. "You guys look ready to drop at any moment."
No one argued.
~0~0~0~0~0~
Natasha was thankful for a quick shower. Her husband had joined her, but it had been a quick five minutes of washing the dirt and grim from their bodies. They didn't have time for anything else, even though a large part of her feared that they were about to embark on a very dangerous mission, and that their time together shouldn't be wasted. She pushed that thought of her mind, determined that no matter what happened, she would never allow anything to happen to him.
Steve sensed her sudden sadness, he had noticed how quiet she had been during their quick shower together. As they changed into clean gear, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her backwards against his chest. His nose buried into her blonde hair as he breathed in deeply.
"It's going to be okay, Nat." He whispered.
She tilted her head back, as his lips grazed over the area just below her ear. "We are way out of our depths here." She pointed out, teeth sinking into her lip.
Having always hated when she worried her bottom lip like that, Steve turned her around slowly and kissed her. In the kiss, he gave her all his devotion and love, hoping to ease the weight that was pressing down on her. It worked, to some extent.
"As long as I have you at my side, I'm ready." He told her, once they had broke apart.
"I love you." She said, and winced as a small stab of fear entered her heart. They'd had years together, and it still didn't seem as if she had said those words enough, even those they were spoken between them every single day. Right now, their two years of marriage seemed like the smallest speck of time, compared to what they could have. They were entitled to a lifetime together, had earned that over and over again. She was determined to make sure that they would both get that, regardless of what was waiting for them.
He smiled softly, kissing her once again, shorter this time, but just as meaningful. "I love you, too."
Together, they left the room, finding the rest of the team waiting in one of the many, smaller conference rooms of the Facility. It was not the same one where years ago, they had all seated and been given a copy of the Accords, which had driven such a rift between them. Natasha was thankful for the change of scenery, but she had no doubt that Rhodey had done this purposefully, to avoid dragging up old memories.
She remained at Steve's side as they came to a halt by the glass wall. As the room remained silent, Steve dipped his head to Banner, who nodded in return. Then, the doctor told them everything - everything - that had happened in the past few years. Of the planet he had found himself on, where he had been reunited with Thor. How they had worked together with an impressive woman named Valkyrie to save the people of Asgard from Thor's evil sister. Then, how they had been attacked. He told them of Thanos and his blood-thirst hunt for the power, his search for six infinity stones. He told them how he had been sent flying from the ship, leaving Thor behind to face the tyrant by himself. Banner had no idea if the Asgardian was still alive, and that fact caused a look of rage to cross his face momentarily. Clearly, over their adventures of the last few years, the two Avengers had gotten a lot closer, and Banner now felt guilty that he had been sent from that ship against his will, leaving his friend to fend for his life.
Once Banner had finished telling them of Thanos and his army, lurking in outer space, no one said anything at first. Silence had fallen, thick with the reality of the situation facing them. Natasha felt ready to throw up. Only when she felt Steve's hand on the small of her back, did she remember how to breathe. As always, he anchored her, kept her steady when the entire world seemed to be moving far too fast.
"So," Rhodey said, finally breaking the quietness of the room. "We have to assume that they are coming back, right?"
Wanda, who had gone ghostly pale as soon as the stone on Vision's head had been pointed out as a clear target, spoke up, "And they can clearly find us," She hadn't stopped watching Vision, who seemed to be calm about this situation, calmer than Wanda. Natasha just hoped that the girl would be able to hold it together, for her own sake as much as everyone else's.
"We need all hands on deck." Banner declared. He made no secret that he feared Thanos, so clearly the tyrant was one to be feared. "Where's Clint?"
"After the whole Accords situation, he and Scott took a deal. It was too tough on their families. They're on house arrest." Natasha told him, but the firmness of her tone was enough to tell them all of her underlying message, Clint remains out of this.
"Who's Scott?" Banner asked, having not been involved in the mess of what had happened at the airport.
"Ant-Man," Steve answered.
The doctor's eyes widened. "There's an Ant-Man and a Spider-man?" He shook his head, getting back to the important matter at hand. He really had missed quite a lot over the past few years. "Alright, look. Thanos has the biggest army in the universe and he is not going to stop until he gets...Vision's stone."
All eyes went to the stone, which beamed brightly against the low lighting of the room.
Natasha's jaw locked. "Then, we have to protect it."
"No, we have to destroy it." Vision, who had remained quiet throughout the entire meeting so far, declared from his position in the corner. His hand was still attached to his side, but there was a distant look to his eyes as he stared out of the large glass windows. "I've been giving a great deal of thought to this entity in my head. About its nature. But, also, it's composition. I think if it were to be exposed to a sufficiently powerful energy source, something very similar to its own signature, perhaps, it's molecular integrity could fail."
Everyone knew, without having to have it spoken out loud, exactly what Vision was referring to. As he straightened and crossed the room to stand in front of Wanda, taking her hands into his own, it only confirmed it.
Natasha's heart instantly went out to the poor girl, who stared up at Vision with tears glistening in her eyes.
To Wanda's credit, her voice didn't shake as she said, "Yeah, and you with it. We're not having this conversation."
"Eliminating the stone is the only way to be certain that Thanos can't get it." Vision reminded her, his tone considerably softer when he spoke to her, as if he had forgotten that they had company.
"That's too high a price."
Gently, Vision cupped her face between his large hands. "Only you have the power to pay it."
Natasha closed her eyes. How cruel of fate to give them each other, only to then allow this to happen. When she looked back, she saw a single tear roll down Wanda's cheek, highlighted by the glow of a lightbulb from the lamp behind her. Then, she stepped away from Vision, retreating to the other side of the room, her back turned to them all.
With a small sigh, Vision also turned, addressing them, "Thanos threatens half the universe. One life cannot stand in the way of defeating him."
"But it should." Steve's voice was steady, but Natasha could see just how much Vision's plan was tearing him apart. Vision had always been his friend, even when Steve had been the leader of their small team of Avengers, back after Ultron, before the Accords had changed all their lives. Steve had trained with Vision, shared jokes and stories with him. Steve wouldn't allow any of them to sacrifice their lives like this, not when they hadn't exhausted every other possible route around it. "We don't trade lives, Vision."
Clearly over the years, as Vision had adapted to his life, he had developed a sense of stubbornness. "Captain, seventy years ago you laid down your life to save how many millions of people? Tell me, why is this any different?"
Even without Steve's hand resting against her, Natasha would have been able to feel his entire body stiffen slightly. She would have known how he'd react to such a thing. How long had it been since Steve had discussed his war years? She felt suddenly guilty. Did he not want to talk about them at all, or did he not feel as if he could bring them up with her? She tried to push away that sadness, but it stung at her.
As Steve faced his friend, Natasha knew that in his mind, memories were flooding back to him, of war and carnage, of crashing into that ice...All she could do for now, she felt, was to wrap her arm around his waist, so that's exactly what she did. The sadness and guilt inside her eased slightly when she felt Steve soften under her touch. When he looked down at her, there was nothing but love in those blue eyes.
But, it was Banner who answered the question, "Because you might have a choice."
Wanda spun round instantly.
"Your mind is made up of a complex construct of overlays," Banner explained, as Vision and Steve both turned to look at him. "JARVIS, Ultron, Tony, me, the stone, all of them mixed together, all of them learning from one another."
"You're saying Vision isn't just the stone?" Wanda clarified, but she had the sense not to let any scrap of hope she felt at the possible theory show in her voice.
"I'm saying that if we take the stone out, there's still a whole lot of Vision left - perhaps, the best parts." Banner confirmed, his eyes flashing from one expectant face to the other.
"Can we do that?" Natasha asked, exchanging a glance with Steve, who remained silent. Watching. Waiting. Hoping.
"Not me, not here," At Banner's words, Wanda's eyes lost any remaining glow of light left in them, and even Natasha's stomach sunk. She couldn't bare to continue watching the pain on the young woman's face, but when Natasha couldn't imagine being in her position. She remembered all their missions together when Steve had acted impulsively, risking himself to save everyone else, and how her heart had literally stopped in her chest as fear so unimaginably painful had gripped at her. A world without Steve Rogers in it was not a world that she could exist in, and she knew that was how Wanda must be feeling about Vision right now.
Would it be selfish of Wanda to demand that Vision didn't go through with this, that he didn't leave her and give his life to have the stone removed, if that was their only option. Natasha's mouth went dry as she tried not to think how she would act, if Steve was in Vision's position right now. Her stomach twisted.
As he was always so attuned to her, Steve pulled her even closer and brushed a gentle kiss against her temple. Her heart started to steady, to pump at it's usual beat, if slightly forced. Steve was right here, beside her. She reminded herself over and over again, as she waited for the next person to speak, that Steve was with her, and that if they were going into battle, they were going together. She'd go through Hell and back for him, to keep him safe.
Rhodey folded his arms back over his chest, leaning back against the doorway. "Well, you better find someone and somewhere fast. Ross isn't just gonna let you guys have your old rooms back."
Then, Steve spoke at last. Although his statement brought them all a scrap of hope, there was a hint of sadness in his voice as he realised that his idea was about to involve a kingdom that remained hidden from the world for a reason. "I know somewhere."
~0~0~0~0~0~
So, first chapter of the Infinity War part of the story! It's not going to be a lot of chapters around Infinity War, as the movie was stretched between so many different points of view to be able to fit everyone in. I'm going to try to stretch it out a little and put in some hidden scenes, but I can't stray too far away from the storyline of the movie, otherwise things will get too muddled.
However, the next chapter does include the battle scene from the movie, which I absolutely love to watch!
It might take a little longer than normal for the next chapter to be uploaded, as I want to get it as accurate as possible, and I haven't written a draft for it yet. So, please bare with me! I really hope everyone is enjoying the story so far, as I'm loving writing it!
- E x