A/N: Hello faithful readers! I'm sorry if everyone wanted to see the battle planning. I still need to keep a few things secret until it's time. No spoilers! A week from now I actually get to watch Infinity War, and that may help. But to tell you the truth, I've already pre-written the end of the battle, post battle, ending and Epilogue. It's just a matter of how I add elements in the next (insert number here) chapters. Honestly don't know how many until the battle, but I am going to try and give two each week from now on. Try being the key word here. You are guaranteed at least one. But for now, enjoy these four chapters I have for you today.
Disclaimer: I do not own Marvel, Disney, ABC or the Avengers. Just Sera and my own brand of chaos.
Songs used in this chapter are Call Out My Name by The Weeknd, and Heaven in Hiding by Halsey.
After I left the teams to finish hammering out the temporary battle strategies, like who would be focusing on what, I snuck away to start dinner. We let the Wakandan feed go as it was almost 10pm their time, so we would rather fill them later in than keep them up.
Without anything or anyone to bother me, I made my famous casseroles, making sure I had plenty for all my family. And like I suspected, I was found by Clint, when I could clearly still hear the meeting going on down the hall.
"Why didn't you say something?"
"Clinton, you prick!" I yelled, holding my chest in fright.
"No I couldn't, you knucklehead. Those are my godchildren, and I was trying to save them by not screwing up the timeline. Or have you decided to rescind my title?" I sassed, closing the oven door forcefully.
"Sera," He said, a serious tone to his voice.
"No, I talk this time. I have spent almost a year, terrified that any decision I made might kill everyone. I have lived in fear that I might screw things up even further. Everything I have done has been for our family. Not just my children, or my husbands, but my whole family. I do not need your rage that I kept this from you. I kept it from everyone-"
He didn't let me finish, instead wrapping his arms around me. I was so shocked by his actions, that the ire that was building up with my outburst, turned into gut wrenching sobs that I couldn't stop or contain. I collapsed in his arms, and he guided us down to the floor, positioning us so I was tucked into his chest.
"You, are seriously the most stubborn person I know," he said, petting my hair as continued crying my eyes out. It was like a levy broke, and I had no way of fixing it.
"I need you to hear something. You are my sister, not by blood, but by choice. Chosen by my heart, and nothing you have done, now or in the future will change that. What you have done, for our family and for my own, has elevated you in my heart. I can never repay you for saving them. I know I can't say the same."
"Clint, I just want to get past that," I said, still crying.
"But I can't. And I don't think you can either. Despite me causing you to miscarry, you saved my family from an awful fate. You saved my innocent children from horrors unimaginable. You have been strong for so long. Now, you give me some burden. I carry it with you," He said, holding me tighter. We sat there and rocked slightly, releasing ourselves of all the negative emotions of the last two years.
"Can anybody join?" Natasha asked, sitting down beside us silently. She wrapped herself around my other side, and they both rubbed my back as my sobs quieted.
"I'm so tired," I said softly.
"I can imagine why," Nat said wryly. It caused me to chuckle, because I knew the reason too. I had held on to my mission too tightly, causing it to turn to poison, and it had made me weaker. I wouldn't make the mistake of going it alone anymore.
"You know how they say 'the weight on my chest is gone'? It felt like the Hulk was sitting on my chest. Saying it was a relief is too simple of a feeling. It feels like coming up for air, feeling the sun on my face after a hard winter, and floating all at once," I sighed as Natasha dried my eyes.
"Sometimes I forget what that feels like, being at peace… Feeling whole."
"I don't think I've felt like this since before my Mom died. There was always a problem, always a fight or an enemy to deal with. Hydra, Loki, Hydra, Ultron, Hydra, Hydra in the government. Now it's Thanos. It's one of those lives I guess," I shrugged.
"At least we have a head's up on this one," Clint smiled.
"There's that," I laughed, before taking a deep breath and letting it go.
"I'm good now. Thank you. Both of you."
"You are our little sister," Clint smiled, kissing the top of my head and smiling at me.
"Всегда и навсегда, сестра," Natasha said, holding fast to my hand, "We would be awful as family if we didn't help you when you are clearly distressed."
"That's putting it lightly," Clint teased, making Natasha and I both reach up to hit him, but he blocked our hits for once.
"YES! Finally!" He said, getting up and putting distance between himself and our readied hands.
"While you are up, can you see them still in the conference room?" I asked. It was slightly visible from the kitchen doorway, so he peered down.
"Sounds like they just finished," He smirked as a loud rabble sounded.
"I should go find my kids. Not that Elijah will want to, but I want some kid cuddles," I said, grabbing a cool cloth to wash my face off. Steve came in the kitchen, seeing Clint leaning against the table, Nat sitting on the floor against a counter and me drying my face.
"Do I want to know?"
"I can explain it later," Clint said, clapping him once on the shoulder and saying, "I think I will follow your lead sis. Go see Laura and the kids."
"See you in 30 minutes," I warned.
"Of course, like I would miss your famous casserole," He said, rolling his eyes and leaving the room.
"You've got it from here, Rogers," Nat said, getting up and bumping my shoulder lightly, before leaving.
"Seriously, I'm lost."
"We are okay. I just finally broke. It was bound to happen after that. I'm just glad it wasn't in front of everyone."
"You don't always have to be strong," Steve said, pulling me closer by my elbow, wrapping an arm around my waist and kissing my temple.
"I know that. It's just easier for me to put on a front sometimes. I did it for years at SHIELD," I shrugged as we left the kitchen.
"There you two are. Are you okay ангел?" Bucky said, cupping my cheek as we met in the hall.
"I feel better than I have in years," I answered honestly.
"Well, if you really are feeling that good, I hope it lasts till tonight," Bucky said, raising his eyebrow suggestively.
"Horndog," I teased, grabbing his butt. He jumped slightly, as I started walking away.
"Get back here," He growled chasing after me. I shrieked a bit as he caught me, pulling me into his arms in a bridal carry.
"Put me down you crazy man," I laughed.
"No way. I like having you in my arms," He smiled, as I heard the kids come around the corner.
"Mom, you're back!" Elijah said as Callie ran to us.
"I am. And I picked up some new clothes for you in New York. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring them back, so I will get Peter to run back in the Quinjet and pick them up."
"Can we go with him?" Callie asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Dinner will be soon and Grandpa might be going with him, so why not?" I said, looking at Steve and Bucky for approval.
"Yeah, I can go with them to fly us back," Bucky said, having a silent conversation with Steve, who then gave me a sly smile.
"Your Mom and I have something to do, so I don't see why not," He said, and I suddenly understood. Oh, those sneaky men. They just lied to our children so Steve and I could get it on later. I love them.
After dinner, Bucky did take the kids to New York, excited to spend some time with their grandparents. I didn't miss the way Callie had looked at my make up case, as they got ready to leave. I winked at her and she gave me a winning smile.
"Be yourself," I whispered to her as she hugged me goodbye.
"Be good for your Dad," I said to Elijah as he hugged me.
"Of course Mom," He said, giving Steve a hug.
"And, alone at last," Steve said as the door closed. I shook my head laughing at him, as he offered his hand. I slipped mine into it, looking up at him softly as he pulled me to stand. His next move floored me, as I was picked up and my legs wound around his hips naturally, with one of his strong hands holding up my left thigh tenderly.
"What would you like to do?" He asked wryly.
"Hmm, well, I might like a bath…" I said, looking at him from under my lashes.
"Are you feeling okay?" He asked seriously, sending a little glance down at my stomach as he walked us to the bathroom.
"Perfectly fine. I think because I am basically fire proof, it protects the baby too."
He set me down on my feet, moving to fill up the tub, adding some bubble bath and essential oils he knew I liked. He reverently began to peel my clothes from my body, taking care to kiss my stomach whenever he had the chance. My baby bump was hard under my skin, making me show earlier, as it had been with my surrogacy pregnancy. But this time I would be smaller.
"Only another 30 weeks to go," I smiled as the water was stopped. Steve smiled and helped me into the tub, before undressing himself and positioning to sit behind me.
"I know you asked if we wanted to know who the father was, but do you know?"
"No, obviously the twins didn't care, or forgot. It doesn't matter. We know our kids have inherited both kinds of the serum. That was the original reason we wanted to know the twins paternity."
"Did they tell you anything else?" He prompted, holding my belly sweetly.
"I know the gender and the baby's name," I said, looking up at him. He hummed in acknowledgement, studying me carefully.
"If you want to know, Bucky will be there too. It wouldn't be fair for only you to know," I teased.
"So it is a boy," He smiled at me.
"Why do you say that?" I laughed at him.
"That smile. If it was a girl, you would be practically bursting at the seams to tell us, but it's a calmer excitement."
"You are fishing. And I'm not giving you any clues," I said, turning back around.
"I know I'm right," He said, kissing underneath my ear as he moved the hands on my belly up further.
"How are you so sure?" I breathed out.
"If I was wrong, you would have slipped up and said so to prove me wrong," He teased, before teasing my nipples with his finger pads. I shuddered at the sudden sensation. I gently dug my nails into his thighs beside me, and whispered, "Don't give it away before hand. I really wanted to do a gender reveal for the family. Keep up their spirits, you know?"
"You are too good for us."
"A boy," He said, "I just hope this one has your eyes."
"So far only blue eyes, thanks to my men's strong genes," I teased as I turned my head.
"This one might be all Stark," He smiled, before leaning down to kiss me sweetly.
Turning in his arms to kneel in between his legs, I pulled him closer. He lifted me to straddle his thighs, being careful not to splash water over the edge.
"Here?" He asked, confused.
"No, I just want to kiss you, and it's easier on my neck to face you," I smiled, before capturing his lips softly.
He hummed in content as I threaded my fingers through his hair. He pulled me closer, my small bump almost flush to his abs, as we devoured each other.
"I love you," Steve said as I pulled away from him gently.
"And I love you. Always," I promised, "Even in death."
"Don't talk like that, please. We have had so many scares, near death experiences… I just want to focus on right now, on living our lives."
"I only meant that if you or Bucky, or both of you go first, there is no one else for me. My heart, body and soul belong to only you two, forever."
"You know the same goes for Bucky and I."
"Okay, enough foreplay," He said as I shivered from the coolness of the water. Reaching behind me to pull out the plug of the tub, he held me close to his chest to keep me warm.
"A, lovemaking music," I smiled, watching Steve look confused.
"You have a playlist for lovemaking music?" He laughed once he got us out of the tub.
"Of course, it sets the mood. It's nothing cheesy," I said, as I was wrapped in a soft towel. I was dried first, and then he dried himself, before he was kissing me again, and making my knees weak.
"A, lock the door," I said between kisses. Steve carried me back to our bed, placing me gently in the middle as the song came to its chorus.
"I want to take my time with you today," He said, kissing and nipping between my breasts, and over the hardness of my stomach.
"Anything you want, I'm game," I said, before laughing as he hit a ticklish spot.
"Anything?" He smiled, up at my from kissing my bump once more.
"Dirty man," I teased, before I let out a downright embarrassing moan. He had already dived in before I could finish my comment.
Fisting the sheets in my hands, I pressed up into his tongue's ministrations, keening loudly. Thank god I had this place soundproofed, or anyone walking by might overhear something they might not want to. Up and over the edge I went after a minute of Steve's talented tongue thrashing, sinking deep into the mattress. But he wasn't done with me yet.
As he kissed back up my body, one hand tweaking my nipples, I felt him pull one of my legs around his hip, pressing himself against my center.
We found each other
I helped you out of a broken place
You gave me comfort
But falling for you was my mistake
I put you on top, I put you on top
I claimed you so proud and openly
And when times were rough, when times were rough
I made sure I held you close to me
Steve ensured I was a hot mess as he teased me, pushing into my center slowly, slow circles still being drawn on my clit.
"Steve," I breathed.
So call out my name (call out my name)
Call out my name when I kiss you so gently
I want you to stay (want you to stay)
I want you to stay, even though you don't want me
Girl, why can't you wait? (Why can't you wait, baby?)
Girl, why can't you wait 'til I fall out of love?
Won't you call out my name? (Call out my name)
Girl, call out my name, and I'll be on my way and
I'll be on my...
I said I didn't feel nothing, baby but I lied
I almost cut a piece of myself for your life
Guess I was just another pit stop
'Til you made up your mind
You just wasted my time
You're on top, I put you on top
I claimed you so proud and openly, babe
And when times were rough, when times were rough
I made sure I held you close to...
"Don't hold back Angel," Steve said, as the slow and steady thrusting pulled me closer to the edge.
So call out my name (call out my name, baby)
So call out my name when I kiss you
So gently, I want you to stay (I want you to stay)
I want you to stay even though you don't want me
Girl, why can't you wait? (Girl, why can't you wait 'til I?)
Girl, why can't you wait 'til I fall out of loving?
Babe, call out my name (say call out my name, baby)
Just call out my name, and I'll be on my way
Girl, I'll be on my...
"Steve," I moaned louder as I fell, my body taut as I rode the waves.
"That's it Angel, come apart in my arms," He said, a rough sound to his voice.
On my way, all the way
On my way, all the way, ooh
On my way, on my way, on my way
On my way, on my way, on my way
(On my)
"Ready for another?" Steve said, pulling me up so my chest was flush to his as he sat back on his heels. I barely had time to catch my breath before he was thrusting up again, hitting that spot, hard and slow.
"Still not finished with me, Captain?" I teased.
"Not even close," He said, before capturing my lips as he thrust up again.
Sittin' on the counter in your kitchen
Can you hear my heartbeat fucking kickin'?
Your eyes light up 'cause you best believe
That I got something up my sleeve
I walk my talk, no time for wishful thinking
I push up on my toes, you call me "sweet thing"
And breathin' down your neck, your body screaming
And you thought that you were the boss tonight
But I can put up one good fight
I flip the script like I can take a beating
Steve pulled back to lock eyes with me, a burning heat behind them as he kept thrusting.
And when you start to feel the rush
A crimson headache, aching blush
And you surrender to the touch, you'll know
I can put on a show, I can put on a show
Don't you see what you're finding?
This is Heaven in hiding, oh
And when you start to look at me, a physical fatality
And you surrender to the heat, you'll know
I can put on a show, I can put on a show
Don't you see what you're finding?
This is Heaven in hiding
This is Heaven in hiding, oh
"I love you," He said sincerely.
"I love you too Steve," I breathed, before keening. He had reached between us to slowly circle my clit again. This man knew how to drive me to the edge and pull back abruptly. The little shit.
Sittin' on the concrete in your basement
But I don't have no time for conversation
Said this ain't what you usually do
And a girl like me is new for you
And I can tell you mean it cause you're shakin'
And when you start to feel the rush
A crimson headache, aching blush
And you surrender to the touch, you'll know
I can put on a show, I can put on a show
Don't you see what you're finding?
This is Heaven in hiding, oh
And when you start to look at me a physical fatality
And you surrender to the heat, you'll know
I can put on a show, I can put on a show
Don't you see what you're finding?
This is Heaven in hiding
This is Heaven in hiding, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh (ooh)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohh
And when you start to feel the rush
A crimson headache, aching blush
And you surrender to the touch, you'll know
I can put on a show, I can put on a show
Don't you see what you're finding?
This is Heaven in hiding, oh
And when you start to look at me a physical fatality
And you surrender to the heat, you'll know
I can put on a show, I can put on a show
Don't you see what you're finding?
This is Heaven in hiding
This is Heaven in hiding
This is Heaven in hiding, oh
The slow and hard was just what we needed, building slowly till the intensity was too much and the rubber band snapped. Steve crashed over first, shuddering violently as he came, burying himself inside me further. I followed, clinging onto him for dear life. We were a panting, sweating mess, but I had never felt more connected to him than at that moment.
Oh, this is Heaven in hiding
This is Heaven in hiding
'Cause I'm Heaven in hiding
"Oh god, I need a shower now," He laughed, before pulling me closer.
"I was thinking the same thing, and then a nap maybe?" I suggested, resting my head against his shoulder, panting.
"A nap sounds perfect," He said, kissing my forehead, and carrying me back to the bathroom. We washed each other softly, stealing kisses as we did, laughing like a couple of teenagers about to be caught necking. I got into a pair of pyjamas shorts, and a tank top with my maternity bra.
"This is perfect," I sighed as we settled down on the bed, my ear to Steve's chest, listening to his heartbeat.
"The sunset?" Steve asked, as we watched the horizon.
"No, this moment."
"I agree. But I think the perfection I am seeing is the woman in my arms," He smiled, kissing me softly. I winked, "Flatterer."
Looking back out the window, I didn't speak for a moment.
"I'm scared."
"About Thanos?"
"What if I screwed everything up by telling everyone? What if he comes earlier, and I can't help? Or I die again this time? What if I lose this baby?"
"Hey," Steve said, holding me tighter to his chest, "None of that is going to happen."
"Only way we could know that is if Callie comes back from the future and warns us again."
"And if she doesn't, it means we are okay."
"Yeah, I know. I'm stressing myself out," I said, smile before closing my eyes.
"Can I know his name?"
"Steve," I chuckled, shaking my head.
"I'm serious. We let you pick the twin's names. It's weird that you would already know what you named him before even picking it out," He said, and I continued laughing.
"Silly man," I said, crawling up a bit to kiss him sweetly.
"Come on. Please," He said, giving me that little mischievous smirk I loved.
"Ugh, breaking me down. Punk," I smiled.
"Uh, no. That isn't his name," Steve joked, laying a hand on my stomach.
"You know what? For that, I am keeping it to myself until he is born," I said, playfully hitting Steve's chest.
"What if I don't like it?" He laughed as I kept play hitting him.
"Then you will suffer, because it's perfect. Nothing you can say will change my mind."
"Please Angel," Steve said softly, giving me his sad Steve eyes.
"Fine!" I yelled exasperated, "I will tell you."
"Yes," He said, looking at me expectantly.
"Not until Bucky knows it's a boy," I smiled victoriously as his smile fell.
"You play dirty."
"I am a Stark," I teased.
"Don't I know it," He sighed dramatically.
