Carol heard every twig snap and branch bend in the wind throughout the night. Even though she had passed out in the afternoon, she was still exhausted.
I could literally sleep for a week...if I could...
Thor was beside her snoring softly, and in another pile of blankets, Anthony and Steve were huddled together.
She smiled, so happy for Steve to finally find someone. He was old-fashioned enough, he wanted to find "the one" and always felt guilty sleeping around with anyone they would run into.
She herself, however, did not mind, because she never really connected emotionally enough for it to bother her.
But then Thor had to barge in and ruin everything, and now she found herself falling in love with him.
She jumped a little at another sound, this time budging Thor ever so slightly, but it woke the man up out of a deep sleep.
"What's wrong?" He was alert and ready for another fight.
"I-I...think it was just an animal, or something...I'm so sorry, go back to sleep..." She kissed his head, then sat back up, looking around anxiously.
"Not when you can't..." He sat up and observed their surroundings as well.
"Everything ok?" Steve whispered, not wanting to wake up Anthony.
"Obviously not, beings we're all up and we've taken an afternoon nap and whatnot." Anthony stretched and yawned. "So, where's the party?"
"I'm sorry I woke you guys up..."
"Don't apologize. Can't help we're all a bunch of terrified insomniacs." Anthony waved it off like it was just part of the routine. "And it's a beautiful night, I'm feeling stiff and antsy, so I need to stretch my legs..."
He started to attempt to stand up, but Steve grabbed a hold of him and lifted him up the rest of the way. "Are you sure? I don't want you pushing yourself..."
Anthony thought back to how Thanos always wanted him to push himself, even if it meant more stress mentally and even physically. Funny how he never saw anything wrong with it before he met Steve.
With Steve, everything was questioned and calculated, not in a bad way, but in a worried, motherly type of way that made Anthony love the man even more.
He's so adorable, it hurts.
"Just for a bit, ok? I promise, I'm up for it." He smiled to Steve, who seemed to be satisfied enough with that confident answer.
"Don't wander off too far...I don't think Bucky could survive a day without you if you get lost and I can't find you." Carol teased.
"Bucky's a big boy, and he needs to learn something called boundaries..."
"I heard that!" A call shouted from the other side of the campsite.
They all desperately tried to stifle their laughter.
"I wonder..." Carol turned and faced Thor, sitting cross-legged. "How do you keep your hair so smooth and thick? It shines in the sun, it's just...perfect..."
"Well, it is a long and enduring process that I swore to secrecy..." Thor tossed one side back over his shoulder dramatically, and she laughed.
"Such a shame...because it is absolutely divine..."
"You're hilarious..."
"I've been hanging around these weirdos all my life..."
"Really?" Thor became curious.
"Yeah...they found me when I was little, starving on the streets. I don't remember much before that...they're the only family I ever had."
"Family doesn't always have to be of flesh and blood...I'm happy for you that they found you...so I could finally meet you..."
"Me too...Thor?" She hesitated for a moment. "What are we gonna do about...him? He's still out there, and...I know I keep bringing it up, but I just can't let go..."
"We are going to run across the seas to new worlds he can't even imagine...like you've told me..." He smiled.
But if he dares to show his face again, I will not pause to end his life. He will never touch you again...I swear on my Father...
"This world...this crazy world...it's big, but it is exciting, and yes, Paris is beautiful, but, well..."
"I can't wait..."