Chapter 2: It's a Nice Day for a White Wedding

May 16

District Five

Bobbi had arrived ahead of most of the other wedding guests to give her regards to the new couple, and of course, the two of them were nothing but warm to her, seeing as Steve had been there when she'd finally left Hydra, so he knew more or less how she felt about it.

"Come on," Steve said with a crooked smile. "I'll show you around. Take you to Quill's place so you can settle in."

"That would be great, thanks," Bobbi said, with a small smile of her own as Hunter had his arm around her shoulders. "Congratulations, seriously."

"Thanks; it's been a long time coming," Steve replied, his cheer infectious as they kept walking. "So, ah … you two are an actual thing now, huh? Didn't see that coming."

"Well, not everything the Capitol did was based entirely on a lie," Bobbi admitted. "We got along before they forced a relationship on us."

"Might've been something that had happened quicker if we hadn't've been forced into it," Hunter agreed with a shrug. "You know how it is when you try to tell someone what they have to do. Instant brakes."

"Well, you both look happy," Steve said, grinning wider.

"It's nice to see everyone happy," Hunter said. "And not fighting a blinking war."

"I think from here on out, you'll find the war is mostly in the public's eye while Marvel sets up new leadership," Peggy said. "Vying for their attention and their loyalties. To be honest, I think I prefer a straightforward fight."

"Yeah, Charles mentioned that… with everyone trying to choose a leader that won't be like Thanos or Schmitt," Bobbi nodded. "But I have to agree. I don't really care for double-talk these days."

"Then it's a good thing this little affair is upfront," Peggy said just before they arrived at Quill's house. "Nothing subversive here."

"Which we seriously appreciate," Hunter said, nodding.

"We'll let you guys get ready," Steve said. "Relax. We'll see you tomorrow, right?"

"Sam and Peter will be by soon, so enjoy the privacy while you can," Peggy warned. "We were told the victors are all doubling and tripling up in the village."

"Makes sense," Bobbi said. She put a hand on Steve's shoulder. "Congrats again. See you in the morning."

Steve just smiled and put up both of his hands. "Is it okay if I hug you? I know after Hydra, you were understandably touchy about, well, being touched."

Bobbi laughed and closed the distance to hug him herself.

"I'm really glad you're here, Bobbi," Steve said quietly. "Wouldn't be the same without you."

She tightened the hug for just a moment before she took a step back. "Go get married," she said, shooing them with both hands.

"Yes ma'am." Steve grinned before he and Peggy left the two of them behind in the big empty house.

When Sam showed up with Peter and Kitty not long after their exit, the hellos were just as warm, and Bobbi began to build up a little more steam with every smiling face, feeling more like herself around her old friends.

"You're looking much better," she told Quill with a grin.

"Been livin' the good life — away from Marvel, officially," Quill replied with his goofy smile. "Been curled up with this cutie pie more often than anything else. Not a thing to complain about."

"Don't get too involved, or they'll be saying you're next up," Bobbi warned, only half-teasing.

"I've been reliably told that Kurt and Kate are next," Quill pointed out. "And most of the attention after that is focused squarely on the other Peter."

"Has he actually proposed yet?"

"He tried?" Quill said with a shrug. "But it's my understanding the wildlife blew it for him. But don't ask me what that means. Please. Oooh, and after them, my money's on the Creed girl and her … troublemaker."

"Oh, so she's not dating Scott anymore?"

"Ha, no. She is. I just don't know what to call him right now," Quill said. "I was informed that my last nickname for him wasn't … acceptable."

"You could just call him by his name for the time being," Hunter pointed out.

But Quill was shaking his head. "Oh no. That's not ever gonna happen. It's a matter of pride."

"You could always call him Mr. Clara," Hunter offered with a smirk.

"Fitting, but … I have a feeling I'd get corrected again," Quill said.

"By which one?" Kitty teased.

"The scary one," Quill replied.

"But which one?" she asked, the smile widening.

"You know which one," Quill said. "Same one that took issue with the first nickname I gave the kid."

Kitty laughed and squeezed his arm. "I'm just saying: the big blonde is scary too."

"She's not that big," Quill countered.

"She looks bigger when she's facing down her brother."

"Oh, that …" Quill turned to Bobbi with wide eyes and a crooked grin. "That was beautiful. Clara just .. first of all, pushing Creed around? And then she popped him in the nose … just … ah."

"Sounds like you're all set for entertainment," Hunter laughed.

"I'm telling you: the party is in Seven," Quill said. "You gotta come out."

"I'm coming for the wedding," Bobbi said, though she'd lost a significant amount of her smile.

"Great." Quill grinned. "You can stay with us by Groot's place."

"That's got to be the best neighborly arrangement ever," Hunter laughed.

"Real quiet, nice garden view…" Sam agreed.

"Well, it's a little different with Victor in town," Quill had to admit. "But he seems to be trying to catch Logan coming and going. Big meathead."

"It's not like it used to be, is it?" Bobbi said with a small wince.

"I dunno," Quill said. "Probably. He hasn't seen him yet. I'll tell you when they finally meet up. They still hate each other's guts."

"I'd be more concerned if he didn't hate Victor, all things considered."

"Yeah, if that's your litmus test, then he's fine."

"He is fine," Kitty insisted.

"Yeah, same way we're all fine," Sam said with a shrug, which had the victors among them falling silent — until Hunter and Kitty both tried to redirect to talk about the upcoming wedding and lift the mood.

May 17

District Five

The field that Steve had picked out was blooming with wildflowers that time of year, and it was simply picturesque. Of course it was. Steve's mom, Peggy's brother, Bucky… they all looked perfect.

Bobbi, on the other hand, looked downright anxious as she sat in the back on the seat closest to the edge. It had been a while since she'd been around this many people at once. She was doing better, thanks to Charles Xavier's help, but it was still hard to erase so much time spent in survival mode.

"You're doing fine," Hunter said at just over a whisper over her shoulder. "No one is going to bother you."

"Almost wish they would," she whispered back to him. "I keep expecting it."

"They don't hate you, Bob," he replied with a little smirk. "How could they? You're wonderful."

"You're very, very biased," she pointed out.

"Don't mean I'm wrong," he replied, turning to face forward. "I can be biased and right."

"I won't argue with you at a wedding."

Not five minutes before the whole thing started up, Bobbi looked over to see Logan slip into the other side of the back row with Skye, though if he saw her — and he had to have — he didn't acknowledge her at all. Skye, however, gave her an almost strained smile and waved her way with just the tips of her fingers.

Bobbi returned the gesture for a moment before she turned back to Hunter. "Remind me again how no one here hates me."

He looked past her to see the couple at the other end of the aisle. "Oh. Him? He's like that to everyone."

"You don't have to lie, Hunter. We were friendly once. I know the difference."

"He'll get over it," Hunter said with a shrug, though it was clear he didn't really believe it himself. "He's … probably just on edge, seeing as he once killed the groom."

Bobbi paused and then smiled despite herself. "I'm not saying that's the only thing happening here, but you do actually have a point."

"Half the wedding party wants to kick his ass, I'm sure," Hunter continued, glad to have found something to latch on to. "I'll bet he bolts before the party starts."

"I thought we were leaving after the big stuff anyway."

"Well yeah, but he won't even make it that far," Hunter said. "What do you bet?"

Bobbi's smile was steadily widening. "Loser gives a foot massage. I say he toughs it out."

"You're on," he said with a nod. "No way is that bloke going to stick through this."

Bobbi smirked. "Weren't you paying attention in the Capitol? He can fake it."

"Don't look it right now," he pointed out.

Bobbi shook her head at that and squared her shoulders, pointedly paying more attention to the wedding as Peggy made her appearance, all but gliding down the aisle to a clearly elated Steve. "We'll see," she said out of the corner of her mouth.

The wedding was exactly what everyone knew it would be — Steve was emotional all through the vows, and Peggy was practically glowing. And when the ceremony was over and the two of them were presented to their families and friends as husband and wife, the crowd followed them out in an orderly manner to the area that had been set up for the reception.

For a moment, Bobbi and Hunter both lost sight of Logan and Skye — and Hunter was already making a face her direction that was so clearly 'told you so' that it was ridiculous.

"Yeah, don't celebrate just yet," she said, scanning the crowd as everyone watched Steve and Peggy's very sweet first dance. When she spotted Skye and Logan, she smirked and bumped his shoulder. "See?"

"We'll see how long they stick around. It's probably mandatory to stay for the first few dances. Coulson'd have kittens otherwise."

It wasn't long after the first official dances, though, that May did, in fact usher out all of the kids and victors to dance, and it seemed that both Bobbi and Logan had the same idea — to get in a quick dance with the bride and groom before it got too competitive.

Steve looked shocked at first — at least on who had led the charge — but he didn't wait long once Peggy and Logan headed out as Bobbi spun in and snatched Steve up from Skye. "We won't be long," she promised before Hunter chuckled and offered Skye his hand.

"The new sparkles suit you, love," Hunter said with a grin as he spun Skye.

"Yeah? You going to take the plunge any time soon? Ooh, do we even rate an invite when you do?" she shot right back with a broad grin.

"If you're interested, then I don't see why not," Hunter countered, not about to rise to the bait — especially when he and Bobbi had only just started dating and he knew they were perfectly safe.

"Oh, absolutely," she said with a nod.

"We would've been there for yours, but no one told us it was happening, and Bob wanted to stay in the Capitol and celebrate the end of the war the fun way," he said.

"Well, no one knew," Skye pointed out. "Didn't even ask the best man or the maid of honor until like … twenty minutes beforehand."

"Yeah, Peter Quill was telling stories," Hunter laughed.

"Which ones?" Skye asked with a crooked smile. "Because some are better than others."

"We got the basic overview of the surprise wedding, complete with description of the one-eyed minister," Hunter told her.

"Oh," she said, nodding. "Then you missed all the other stuff."

"Then you'd best catch me up," Hunter grinned.

She just started to laugh for a moment before she shook her head. "Well,there was a lot of beating on the groom by his besties. That was entertaining. And Wade knocked him clear off his feet. Also fun."

"Sounds like a party," Hunter laughed.

"Well, that's just the reaction you get when your friends find out about a wedding and a baby in one afternoon."

Hunter blinked. "You did what?"

"Hey. It would have been more in order if he didn't need to get widowed first."

"Yeah. I heard about the first wedding," Hunter said with a small frown. "Also heard about the widowing, though."

"He was pretty ticked," Skye said. "He tried to get her to sign the papers like a civilized person — but then Hydra got her out of Seven … it was a mess."

"Straightforward way's always best, I say," Hunter said. "And more permanent."

"Oh, she was going to die anyhow," Skye said seriously. "We had a line twenty people deep ready to put holes of all kinds in her. He was just … being … honorable. I guess."

"Sounds about right," Hunter said. "I was on that list."

"Well, you can tell Bobbi that it was harsh," Skye said. "You know it was harsh if Logan would even repeat what happened — it's usually just 'she's dead now'."

"Well, that's the important part anyway," Hunter pointed out.

"The report was complete," Skye told him quietly. "He even made note of how many times he stabbed her and that … just doesn't happen. I'll bet she wishes he'd have used poison."

"I dunno about that," Hunter said, one eyebrow raised. "I've heard what half of those poisons do from Bob."

"Yeah," Skye said, sounding a little down for a second. "Probably all the same ones Logan doesn't want to talk about, I'd guess."

"Yeah … she tried half of 'em out in low doses on my Bob. Dunno if you should spread that around, though."

"I'll keep it in mind," Skye said. "I won't … share unless it's in defense of her. For the record, I'm on her side. It's pretty clear she felt like crap about everything for as quick as you guys booked it out of Seven."

"She's still half waiting for anyone in the city block to attack her."

"That won't happen," Skye said. "Not from our group anyhow. Don't know about any hidden Hydra."

"That is actually a problem," Hunter nodded. "I'm sure you've got the same issue."

"What? With Mr. Heavy Paranoia? Why would you say that?"

"Oh yeah. The double-checking the locks, the checking each mug for poison…"

"Yeah, all of that," she agreed. "He barely sleeps, still trains almost constantly …"

"We should make a support group."

"Right. Just have to work around my appointments with Simmons."

"Right. We'll meet at your place then," Hunter said.

"Well .. I'm sure you can tell me where you're staying long-term when you come for Kate and Kurt's wedding, right?"

"Oh, sure," he said, nodding. "We might even host you for tea sometime. It's about the only thing Bob can make."

"If she wasn't so paranoid, you could come over our way," Skye said before she leaned closer. "He can actually cook a decent meal."

"That lines up. I get the scientist who can't cook; you get the lumberjack who can."

The song came to an end, and in a few quick steps, the dancers returned to their partners — and Bobbi found herself back with Hunter. "So. That wasn't terrible... but for the record, he's so sticking it out," she said.

"Yeah, I see that," Hunter said, shaking his head as he took her arm. "What about you?"

"I think I've had about enough," she admitted.

Hunter gave her arm a quick squeeze and nodded. "Fashionable exit, then," he teased.

"As always."

On the way out, though, Hunter had to chuckle a bit. "Looks like we're not the only ones takin' the quick route out." A few paces ahead of them, Logan and Skye were headed for the airstrip. "So … he stuck it out, but he didn't. Where does that leave us, and what do I get for news updates?"

"Hmm." Bobbi tipped her head to the side. "I think that means we both win. And it depends on the update."

"It's pretty good," he said. "We really missed a party."

"Yeah, Quill already caught me up on that front," she pointed out.

"Not all of it," Hunter defended. "He left out something very important."

"I thought the Fury as the minister part was the highlight."

"Nuh-uh," he said shaking his head and slowing to a stop so that he could lean in close and whisper to her all that Skye had told him.

She stared at him for a moment with wide eyes before she had to just… shake her head. "I'll have to come up with something good when we get home," she decided. "That… is definitely news."