I hadn't thought about my past in a while not until Nat said my full last name reminding me of who I was. My family was wealthy but the bad kind. The kind that didn't pay their workers enough, the problem with America. I never like to think back to my life before Nat. So now I sat on my bed trying to rid my stomach of its twisting sick feeling. I could hear footsteps climbing the stairs not just any footsteps. The kind taken on tip toes like a dancer only with purposes of being quiet. I knew only one person who climbed stairs like that. Nat. Beautiful, smart, kind, strong, skilled Nat. Soon the door cracked open.
"Can I come in," She said softly.
"Yeah," I placed my gun on the floor. When I was thinking I cleaned my gun. She walked in and took off her shirt. Not in a sexy way in a I want to changed way.
"What are you changing into?" I asked. She reappeared in a sports bra and leggings.
"I want to train come with me?" She looked upset
"Sure let me change." I used the time to pack swimsuits. The beach looked amazing from our windows. When I came out of the bathroom. Nat was practically in tears of frustration.
"Nat!" I ran to her.
"We need to talk…" She looked up at me I swallowed hard. What had I done wrong...why was she about to end it…
"Okay,"
"It is about Sterling, Flint there is a really good chance his old school might have brainwashed him." I let him sink that thought in.
"So do you think that was the 'military school' we rescued him from." I thought outloud.
"Yeah, Flint I am so scared," Her eyes looked misty "Sterling is like my little brother and a whole army of super soldiers might be coming after him. Coming after us Flint." She looked so distressed.
"Okay it is official no training get in a bikini we are heading to the beach."
"But it is late…" She protested
"Too bad, we're going…" I laughed
"You guys are going to the beach?" Ashlynn smiled.
"How did you get in here." I was befuddled, Nat and I have pristine eyesight; however, Nat jokes that I am deaf.
"Walked." She smiled
"I'm sorry what?" I was still confused.
"I'll tell the rest of the group… Team bonding will be so much fun!" She pulled out her iStark.
"Actually I was hoping for it to be just Nat and I…" I said softly.
"Psh… Like we'd let you get away with that." Thomas spoke through the doorway.
"Get away with what?" Nat cocked her eyebrow.
"You know…" Thomas smirked
"Thomas, why do you have to make everything about sex?" Ashlyn sighed.
"Because he has never had it," Scarlett laughed
"Alright, is everyone in the room?" I sighed
"You can't prove anything Scarlett… Besides, I basically have it every single time I use my power." Thomas smirked
"First off, Ew!" Ashlyn scrunched her face
"You're just jealous," He smirked.
"Hardly… I don't get diseases" Ashlyn stuck her tongue out
"Hey My mutation can help dispel them so you don't have to worry,"
"Thomas!" Ashlyn yelled.
"Beach Party!" Sam and Amanda ran in the room.
"There goes our night alone," I apologized to Nat.
"Alright Everyone, get into your suits… We're going night swimming" Sam smiled
"I am pretty sure the reef sharks feed at night," Nat said flatly.
"Well, that will make it even more fun." Sam smirked.
"Alright… 3..2…1... Avenger's Assemble!" I yelled realising my attempt for private time hadn't worked
"I'm sure the real avengers would be so disappointed that a beach party was our first use of that phrase." Scarlett sighed
"Nah it is fine," Sam smiled.
"Let's go." I sighed. Nat and I crammed into the bathroom. She got changed behind the shower curtain, like always. Nat had a thing about changing behind curtains.
"Almost done?" I asked.
"Be patient young padawan." Nat giggled. I rolled my eyes.
"We are going to the beach not going to prom," I laughed. Nat shoved aside the curtain and stepped out of the tub. She was wearing a black bathing suit with a knitted look. She looked amazing as usual.
"Can I use your flannel as a cover up?" she said as she pulled in on.
"Why did you even ask…" I laughed
"I don't know, maybe I wanted to be polite" She smiled.
"C'mon let's meet the others." I clasped her hand as we headed downstairs
"Fine, but you still owe me a game of Mario Kart." She smirked
"Always," Our lips brushed once again.
"Now, let's go and socialize," She said facetiously. I laughed.
"Sure you social butterfly." I ruffled her hair.
""Don't call me that," She groaned. I smiled
"Call you what Natty Catty," I smirked
"Francis!" She snapped.
"Hey you call me Francis I can call you Natty Catty" I smiled
"You guys better not be argueing!" Ashlyn yelled from downstairs
"C'mon guys c'mon down!" Amanda added
"We're coming" I sighed
"Woo! Beach Party!" Amanda cheered. Nat managed a small smile. She had buttoned up my flannel and had rolled up the sleeves so you could see her hands. Her feet wore flip flops that made a slap sound each time she took a step. She had slung a beach bag over her shoulder
"Everyone ready?" Scarlet smiled, her swimsuit showing off electric patterns on her pale skin.
"Yep!" Ashlyn smiled, wearing a halter top bikini top, and a short beach skirt.
"Let's head down," Sam whooped. He had a cooler by its handle.
"I rarely agree with you Mckinley but I am excited," Sterling was there bright eyed and bushy tailed
"We're making progress" Amanda smirked, her pink Lace bikini hugging her curves.
"What are you guys doing?" Corey furrowed her brow.
"Nothing, bye Corey!" Maggie sashayed past Corey in her cherry high waisted bikini.
"No What are you doing!" She exclaimed grabbing the cooler from Sam.
"Alright everyone grab onto my arm on 3" Ashlyn ordered.
"1...2…" Ashlyn counted
"3!" Scarlett yelled, the group grabbed onto Ashlyn. Nat followed her lead and I grabbed Nat. So we were on the beach and I felt sick. Nat had fallen on top of me and Sterling on top of Sam. This ought to be good.
"Off me Jones!" Sam growled. Sterling jumped up blushing a little.
"My pleasure Mckinley," He sneered. Nat was leaning forward I held her waist tightly hoping to make sure she didn't attack anyone. Sam was an asshole but deep down he was confused.
"Nat, I love you but killing Sam won't do you any good," I whispered to her she relaxed into my arms.
"that was fun!" Thomas exclaimed
"Hardly…" I sighed
"Aww… You'll get used to it," He shrugged. I let out a deep sigh.
"Come on guys! In the water!" Sam ran in happily and Amanda was close behind.
"Hold… On…" Ashlyn struggled to catch her breath. Dimitri pushed Scarlett toward the wave playfully.
"Dima!" She screamed as he pushed her slowly toward the soft lick of the tide. I laughed. Nat was reclining on a towel flannel still on.
"You know this is kinda what I wanted us to do." I sat down next to her. "The sea breeze brushing across our faces and nothing but the moonlight casting a glow over us. Just pure quiet except for the softness of our whispers and the crash of the waves." I said softly.
"You really are poetic, I bet that drives all the girls insane and melts them into a love sick puddle." She smiled lightly. Those sweet eyes shimmering in the moonlight. Lighting up in the dark. Her skin a radiant glow in the moonlight. She was as beautiful as a twinkling star far above the clouds.
"I know one who likes it," I said softly leaning into kiss her soft lips.
"Ew break it up you guys," Thomas chided. Sterling blushed yet again.
"Hey, leave 'em alone," Mckinley laughed, while they had a water fight.
"I never thought I would say this but, Thank you Mckinley," Nat hissed
"You are very welcome Nat." He smirked, . "I am always here to help my darling," she groaned.
"Don't make me regret it." She snapped
"You can't take it back." He smirked.
"Ugh Flint! Tell him to leave me alone," She whined. I laughed. Nat wasn't helpless, far from it, she just was annoyed with Mckinley.
"Is that anyway to thank your hero!" He put his hands on his hip like he was superman. She rolled her eyes and stood up. Her hands slowly undid the button revealing that little black bikini. That practically paralyzed me when I saw her in it. Amanda reached her arms around Sam's neck pulling him into the wave with her,
"Hey!" Mckinley chuckled.
"Whoopsy," Amanda looked at him sweetly
"Come on gun boy," Nat laughed and walked into the waves hips swaying in a hypnotic motion. I ran after her and tasered her sides. She squealed, never under estimate Nat's ticklishness.
"If I splash you and push you into the water how mad would you get?" I laughed
"Hmm...not mad because," She splashed me in my face and shoved me into the waves. "Because I got you first," She laughed.
"God Nat why do you always beat me to the punchline." I chuckled.
"Because I can,"
"Incoming!" A giant splash of water doused Mckinley.
"Why does everyone pick on me!" Mckinley cried.
"Because it's fun." Scarlett giggled, her beautiful wings reflecting moonlight.
"It was you!" Mckinley jokingly accused.
"Why do you think that?" Scarlett spoke innocently.
"Hm… Maybe because you're flying above me with a huge bucket that was once filled with water." Mckinley huffed
"You kinda deserve it," Sterling laughed
"Shut your big mouth Jones!"
"Sam... " Amanda sighed.
"What? I'm not supposed to be mad that Ms. Birdbrain here decided to dump a gallon of water on me?" Mckinley ranted.
"Sam…" Amanda repeated
"Fine, Fine, Nat never nags Flint!" He pouted
"Flint doesn't rant like you do…" She pecked him on the cheek
"Yeah I have to listen to Nat rant," I laughed
"Hey!" She jumped on my back wrapping her arms around my neck from behind.
"Let me go," I laughed
"No mercy," she screamed.
"Come on Nat," I begged.
"No," She grunted. I pried her arms off me.
"You know Nat I sometimes wonder why you never went solo,"
"What would I do without you?" She gave me a big bear hug. I smiled
"You are crazy about me." I laughed
"I know," She said
"You guys are gross," Thomas moaned
"You are just Jealous," Nat smirked
"No...I" He tried to protest but to no avail.
"Sh… Thomas you'll just make things worse…" Ashlyn smiled weakly still attempting to recover from the trip.
"Fine," He huffed
"So anyone up for some drinks? I brought Ginger ale?" Amanda shrugged gesturing to the cooler.
"I don't like Ginger Ale." Nat shrugged "
"Well, you're no fun." Mckinley laughed.
"Nat is plenty of fun!" I protested
"Biased opinion." Mckinley spoke matter-of-factly.
"If you knew her like I did you would think the same," I smiled reminiscing on all of our good times both as enemies and friends, and well Romantic partners .
"I'm tired…" Ashlyn yawned.
"Well then go up to bed you won't miss anything,"
"Alright bye!" She disappeared.
"Well that was anticlimactic," Sighed Thomas. "I think I will go up too,"
"NO funny business…" Dimitri and Scarlett laughed.
"Haha very funny." Thomas stuck his tongue out.
"You won't hardly get there as fast as Ashlyn…" Amanda smiled.
"Yeah, well I have the will to walk…" Thomas exclaimed.
"You're too scrawny to walk that far…" Dimitri smirked
"It's only like 1 block…" Thomas argued.
"I rest my case." Dimitri chuckled
"Hey!" Thomas frowned.
I brushed Nat''s red curls off her neck.
"Yo! Sam! I'm getting tired, I'll see you later…" Amanda smiled sweetly.
"See you later Manda…" Mckinley smiled happily.
"Shall we depart?" Amanda joked pretending to take Thomas' arm.
"We shall m'lady." He stuck his tongue out at Mckinley.
"Hey Manda see you later," He winked
"Don't get too cocky…" She smiled and winked back.
"Is that a challenge?" He smirked
"You've gone too far with that one… But I'll see you tonight." Amanda kissed him sweetly, before leaning in for a more passionate kiss. Nat looked at me with an annoyed look.
"What? I've got some plans for tonight… Like you don't ever do the same thing Mr. and Mrs. Sleep in the same bedroom." Sam smirked.
"Sam…" Amanda raised an eyebrow.
"Fine… See you tonight." He kissed her one last time. "Okay now this better be fun or else I just passed up a better event," He kicked up sand. Nat groaned in anguish and turned to the fire pit. She dumped some coal into the pick and pulled out some logs. She lit the fire and stood back and watched as the hungry flames licked at the sky.
The yellow and orange flames reflected in her eyes and casted an eerie glow over her.
"I hope Capsicle isn't our babysitter" Sam said to me as I watched Nat sit by the fire.
"Why Not? Captain America is responsible, grounded, humble, and overall a great leader." Sterling walked up and joined us.
"Also Cap has strong morals that would make him a good trainer," Maggie pointed out.
"Cap is also a 90 year old virgin… Maybe you relate to him Sterling." McKinley scoffed.
Scarlett and Dimitri had joined Nat by the fire. My legs started to move toward her. She was staring into the flames just studying them ever so carefully. I sat down next to her softly trying not to startle her as she continued to stare off into the flames. My eyes followed her's to the center of the pit.
"You ever wonder…" She started softly her eyes so focused on the blaze. "What it would be like to be fire?"
"I Can't say that I have," I laughed lightly
"It seems so nice that you can see nights like this all the time be everywhere yet nowhere. Bring joy and sorrow, all at once…" She looked at me "You are my fire…" She set her hand gently on my cheek. "You are warm and so strong resistant and powerful. You are my flames," She leaned into my shoulder.
I paused to take that in. Her fire? What did that mean? I guess every person had a way of describing their best friend or significant other: sun and moon, light and dark, yin and yang, calm, and now I guess fire. She had wrapped her body in a towel and managed to somehow only get sand on her feet. Her wet hair had started to dry in little clumps.
"I think you should be the leader," She said softly. I looked at her in complete disbelief. My brain thought of me leading our new team; me yelling 'Avengers Assemble' staying up late making up strategies. It sounded awesome on paper but...I was a back bone the silent glue that held teams together. I didn't lead.
"No, I don't do leading," I shook my head. The hot tropical air wrapped around us like a thick blanket.
"But you would be so good," I shook my head furiously.
"You did an amazing job leading on our last team Nat…" I pointed out. She let out a short snicker.
"You know me Flint...I don't like leading. I am better at taking orders," She shrugged.
"Huh… but when I say 'Hey Nat can you do…' you never seem to follow through," She shrugged.
"I think Sterling, Sam, Scarlett, or Dimitri will end up leading," I commented.
"Mckinley as a leader! Who would ever in their right minds follow him?" She sneered.
"He isn't too bad." I came to Sam's defense
"Yeah you two and your guy stuff," She ruffled my hair. "What even is guys stuff? Do talk about how hot I am and how I am just the greatest," She tossed hair off her shoulders.
"Kinda not exactly," I blushed hoping she couldn't see. She looked out at the ocean.
"Tonight is beautiful." She looked at me with this glint in her eyes.
"Not as beautiful as you my darling Natty Catty," I kissed her gently.
"But still it is a beautiful night…" I got what she was hinting at.
"Yes very beautiful, a perfect night…" I smirked. She smiled at me.
"Get a room," Sam laughed
"We already have two," Nat retorted holding up two fingers in an attempt to emphasise her point.
"TMI," He cringed
"Really, Sam after that little show with Amanda you are lecturing us and have you noticed that Dimitri and Scarlet have been making out over there for the past five minutes." I raised my eyebrow. Sterling was chatting with Maggie over cans of root beer.
"Come on Scar I think we need to go to bed, you going to be okay on your own?" Dimitri asked
"I am going to hog my blanket and sprawl and drool. Better yet I don't have to care!" She cheered.
"Alright let's go get some sleep," He helped up Scarlet and soon they left the beach. Now it was the five of us. Maggie,Sterling, Sam, Nat and of course me. The majority of us were by the fire pit, but Maggie and Sterling were still chatting. Soon it was just Nat and I on the beach. I had taken it upon myself to clean up the teams' mess. Nat had helped but the proceeded to fall asleep on her towel. I shook my head. The night started to get cooler and clouds had started to roll in. So, naturally dumped the trash and carried Nat into the house and set her on the bed. Where she promptly woke up and then started to kiss me making ture on her implied promise. But, I was not complaining.
Soon we were lying there just looking at the ceiling. Like the time I fell for her. Only she glistened with sweat, her hair clung to her neck, and she was panting heavily. Sometimes before we were a couple I would have dreams about this. Just lying next to her when she was like this, post coutius. It was very weird but sometimes when I slept with other girls, I would have vivid dreams where instead of waking up to the girl I had brought back I would wake up next to her. She looked at me.
"Do you have water?" She shook her empty bottle. I looked at mine also empty after I had downed it,
"Nope…but I can get you another bottle…" I got up and pulled on my t-shirt and sweats.
"Thank you.." She smiled at me happily.
"No problem," I left the room and started to head back down the stairs to the kitchen. The glow of the refrigerator beckoned me. I started to walk toward it when I saw a shadow. I slid my gun from the table...why had I left it there.
"Who is it?" I called into the dark. When people are nervous sometimes there hands shake but mine don't. When I am nervous I bite the inside of my mouth till it bleeds. Nat's legs used to shake we she got nervous, but now she simply bit her lip and held the gun steady. The figure emerged from the shadows. He was about my height but at least fifteen years my senior. He wore his hair spiked in the front. I frowned at him.
"Who are you?" I asked lowering my gun a bit.
"I am Special Agent Clint Barton," He said cooly. I lowered my gun a little further.
"Prove it," I snapped. He chuckled and pulled out his credentials. I studied them carefully in the low lights. It all checked out. "Sorry, I am Flint Rider," I sighed. He looked me over carefully.
"So they called me into babysit seventeen year olds?" He raised an eyebrow at me "No offense but I thought you guys would be a bit younger…"
"Well two of us are sixteen," I shrugged.
"That makes me feel much better," He laughed and I cracked a small smile, then continued toward the fridge to get Nat her water.
"So...Your Hawkeye right, I mean that is your code name?" I asked snatching the dasani bottle.
"Yeah, I guess so," He laughed to himself "What about you kid, you got a code name," He asked sitting down at the counter.
"Nah...just Flint," I sat down for a second hoping Nat would live without water for just a few more minutes.
"So are you the one who can start earthquakes?" He questioned curiously.
"Nope, I don't have powers, all I have is my skills and my wit." I smirked.
"Skills what kind of skills?" He studied me carefully.
"I am a sniper, I can shoot anything with anything you can shoot or I guess throw," I shrugged.
"So you do my job…": He smirked
"Not exactly, I don't use a bow," I stood up and turned to walk up the stairs.
"Alright well see ya' tomorrow kid," He called up as I climbed the stairs to Nat.
Nat sucked down the water.
"Thank you so much…" She sighed. The sweat had dried and now she just laid there.
"Alright time to go to bed…" I yawned
"No I want a rematch at Mario Kart…" She said jumping up.
"I am too tired... " I whined
"Please," she pouted
"Tomorrow after lunch… I promise I will take you on." I pulled up the duvet and climbed up next to her.
"But I want to play you now!" She stammered
"Why it is almost 3:00 am...we need to get a few hours of sleep…" I kissed her gently.
"Come one Flint…" She said sardonically.
"Look Nat, I am really tired won't you just let me sleep…" I laid flat on my back. She came close to me and rested her head on my chest.
"Fine but if you forfeit again…" She said lightly
"Never, by the time I am through with you. You will wish I had forfeited," I sighed her head moved with the sinking and rising of my chest.
"I love you Flint," she whispered gently. Her soft voice filled my heart with rest. The safety I felt with her close was unrivaled. Together relying on her for four years. The soft breaths lulling me to sleep then the light sleep that came. My voice whispering nothings but when I said help she was squeezing my hand in a rhythmic beat. The nightmares tried to pull me down deeper.
"C'mon get up sleepyheads!" Clint yelled from the doorway… I groaned and pulled the blanket over my ears Nat slowly got up, she didn't do mornings.
"Up! Up! Up!..." He yelled through what sounded like a megaphone
"Why," Nat moaned unsticking herself from the sheets and went into the shower.
"Nat and I have breakfast!" He yelled again.
"Nat?" Nat questioned
"We're coming" I sighed, as the group walked downstairs
"Where's breakfast?" I asked, I wanted breakfast.
"No time to talk. Now remember, it's your first day of trainin', so listen to your teachers and no fighting', play nice with the other kids, unless, of course, one of the other kids wanna fight, then you have to kick the other kid's butt." Clint pulled me aside
"But I don't wanna kick the other kid's butt." I sighed
"Doesn't matter! Now let's see your war face!" He stared me directly in the eyes.
"Grrr?" I was so confused.
"My bunny slippers just ran for cover son…" Clint spoke wryly
"Grrr!" I spoke a little more enthusiastically.
"That's it! Now go kick those kids butt…" He smiled. I noticed Black Widow talking to Nat in the same fashion. She knew her? When did they… when she was in bed?
"Alright so you to ready to start your training…?" Clint asked. I notice that no other members of the team where there.
"Where are the others?" I asked
"Ready sir," Nat responded taking her fighting position.
"Well, Mr. Playboy is in the lab, Those mutated fellows are meeting up with some of our people who have similar things going on, and Sterling is with Mr. Perfect himself." Black Widow explained.
"But we're with you." Clint smiled.
"Well then, Natty Catty bring it on,"
"Hit me with your best shot Francis…" She smirked
"No Fighting yet!" Clint smirked.
"C'mon they'll have fun…" Black widow smiled.
"Someone has to be the adult in this situation."
"Yeah, true but who are you referring to?" Natasha smiled
"We're supposed to be on the same team remember." Clint smirked.
"Yeah, yeah, Kick his butt Natalia!" She screamed at Nat who grinned evilly.
"Um… Flint I choose you!" Clint yelled awkwardly
"Really Dude… POKEMON?" I sighed.
"Clint what did we discuss about trying to be hip?" Natasha facepalmed
"I'm hip, I'm groovy, I'm on Fleek, Right Flint… Right?!" Clint tried to defend himself
"I guess man you're pretty cool" I shrugged
"You're definitely 'on fleek' Mr. Barton" Nat laughed.
"See… Natasha, you're totally right" Clint smiled, "I like this kid."
"Thanks, " Nat smirked at me.
"Teacher's pet," I huffed. Her arms raised to fight.
"Well, too bad Clint… I already called her," Widow smiled at Nat with pride.
" Hey come on I am not that bad," I sulked.
"I am not saying that you are bad, kid, but your partner here is quite good…" He laughed. Nat stuck her tongue out at me.
"Oh come on Natty Catty…" I rolled my eyes. Her dyed hair had grown out a bit so she could tie it back in a curled ponytail.
"Francis…" Her lips split into a smirk.
"Alright we are going to start no weapons just one on one. Just so we can get a sense of your fighting style." Natasha said flatly and clicked her stark pad and started to pull up charts.
"Okay you two try not to knock eachother out," Clint winked.
"Fight!" Yelled Widow and the festivities began.
"What are you guys doing?" Sterling sighed walking in with the golden boy.
"We are going to spar," Nat smiled evilly.
"Can you guys restain from ripping each other to pieces for once in your life." Sterling sighed
"No why would I want to tear up Francis over here,"
"Say Francis One more time" I scowled.
"You two are an awful role models…" I heard a handsome voice echo through the room. Cap I thought.
"Well maybe we are but these kids sure think we aren't," Clint smirked
"Can we please just train," Nat pouted
"Fine," I charged at her. She countered with an amazing punch to the chin it hurt but nothing I couldn't take. Then our arms were locked in move and counter moves. Then the kicking started. Which meant I took a stealer roundhouse kick to the cheek. I wasn't the only one taking damage. Nat had several flowering bruises on her body and a bleeding lip. I had bruises all over my body most of them in my face and I had a taken a kick to the stomach. Still we were staying strong and fighting . Nat was getting a little tired and felt like my body might collapse in on myself. Then from there Nat pounded me into the ground and I lost that match. It was okay though she earned it.
"You okay?" She asked and pulled me up.
"Yeah, holy crap Nat when did you get this good I mean you were good before but…" I touched her bruised cheek lightly.
"Lots of sparring with Sterling," She shrugged. Her arms, shins, thighs, and cheeks were bruising. I wanted to make her take a hot shower , hell I wanted to take a hot shower.
"You are almost better than me…" I smirked
"I am better than you," She rolled her eyes.
"I'd say we're equal," I embraced her. She smiled and then winced slightly.
"That we are," I left it that.
After Nat and I had gained back enough strength to walk...they decided it would be okay to have us break for lunch. I sat next to Nat she was eating a sandwich and was starting to look like she might be able to go another round
"Hey guys!" Mckinley skipped in, with Mr. Stark right behind him smirking.
"What happened to him?" Nat moved a small nod toward him.
"Today was AWESOME!" He shrieked.
"Calm down there." I smiled, guess we all found people to look up to.
"Well, I am glad you all had a fun time…" Sterling huffed coming in.
"What Capsicle not your speed?" I asked curiously.
"I told him that I don't think I'm voting this year… I hate both people." He sighed.
"Wait you can vote!" Mckinley exclaimed.
"I'm turning 21 in 2 weeks…" He smiled.
"My guess is that his injections slowed down his aging slightly." Corey added in she was actually super smart.
"Nat turns eighteen in october and I will be eighteen in shit is it already May?" I had stopped keeping track of time these past weeks because of the stress
"Yeah" Sterling said opening a soda
"Than June" I said looking around in shock. I was almost an adult that idea scared the shit out of me.
"I forgot you're older than me Flint." Nat moved up against me cradling my face in her hands.
"Yeah Kid," I ruffled her hair. She smiled up at me, that sweet smile Nat rarely showed.
"Shut it old man," She laughed
"Who are you calling old?" Clint walked into the room.
"Not you sir!" Nat responded like the little suck up she was.
"Thank you, Missy," He smiled at Nat.
"Hey you two, ready for more training." Natasha entered the room. Nat's eyes lit up with a challenging glare.
"Sure do we get to us weapons?" Nat asked her lips forming a smirk.
"Of course what else would we do," Clint smiled. Weapons, op weapons I had never been so excited well other the time I took Nat on our first date. Soon we were back in the training room testing seperate weapons.
Nat had so far shot two different glocks and fought with electric wands but she had settled with wrist blasters. They were pretty sick. It fired different ammo based on situations. Poison, ice, fire, electric shock, and just plain ol' bullets. She looked like a badass fighting with those things. I was picking up skills as the next hawkeye, It was pretty fun and Nat was really good at backing me up. I half expected her to whip around and plant a kiss on me.
"Nat behind you!" I warned and shot the dummy behind her.
"Nice shot," She and I soon stood back to back. Then with a techno whirl the simulation disappeared.
"You guys are real pros at this hmmm?" Clint chuckled
"Five years by each other's sides creates a natural pattern." I felt her hand moved behind me and rub my back. I just hoped they didn't see it. The thought of Clint or Natasha finding out about our relationship made me uncomfortable. I didn't know exactly why the two of them were really chill but I think that because they were strictly platonic and since we're a lot like them, they probably assumed the same for us. The fact that we were in a serious relationship could throw them off.
"So you two happy with your weapon selection?" Sam walked in. "Because I want to show you mine." He pressed his wristwatch and his skin was soon enveloped in a combat suit. "It is my revised take on all of the Avengers suits." He smiled as it covered his face "Meet the Darwin, a suit that can adapt to any battle situation." He announced proudly
"Sick," I smirked. Nat was touching the suit ever so gently in amazement. It made me feel a little tinge of jealousy.
"Oh and I have tech for you two."He pulled out two costumes. "Most the concepts are inspired by designs of Tony and input from mentors, but I put my own twist on it." He pulled out two neat outfits. For Nat a black jumpsuit with red light veins running up it and for me a kevlar vest with a high resistant fabric shirts, It was pretty sick but what was even cooler was the extensions he had added. The fabric could move over one's body and make it so there would be no way in the world you could be seen and could muffle sounds of foot steps and sneezes. It was nothing but an even bigger edge.
"Sweet!" Nat was pumped about the much needed weapons update and I agreed.
"How come, Tony doesn't do this for us?" Clint raised an eyebrow.
"Because Tony, unlike Mckinley, has a life," Nat laughed insulting Sam was one of her favorite pastimes.
"I can just take my tech back…" Mckinley replied snarkily. Nat froze up and shut her mouth. He had found a way to control her.
"Fine you win," She huffed
"Thank you for that!" He smirked.
"Thanks for this stuff Sam talk to you at dinner?" I hinted at him to go away.
"Sure now ten inch distance lovebirds," He snickered back to us. Nat flushed and I shook my head
"Beat it Mckinley," I snapped.
"Fine but if you two start making out after I leave…"
"He said Fuck off Mckinley," Nat growled I softly put my hand on her shoulder.
"Fine,Fine," He retreated from the room and left us to our own devices. Then it was more training in our new suits and using a mix of our natural talents. Still it was hard to get distracted when watching Nat fight in her own "black widow" costume. It was a really good look for her. The fact that it made her body look more than flawless was less than the fact of how graceful she was when she fought. Her kicks and jumps resembled a dancer more than a master fighter. She flew through the air and kicked the last target ending the simulation.
"You guys are really good at this," Natasha said flatly dissecting our faces for any sign of weakness.
"Thank you," My Nat blushed her cheeks turning pink. Nat didn't usually show emotion around new people but she felt comfortable with us.
"I have a great partner," I smiled at Nat as my response.
"Alright you two the team is having a dodgeball match ya' ready." Clint smiled.
"Let's go," I shouted and ran after Nat toward the training center's gym. Sterling and Sam were facing each other on separate sides of the court.
"I pick Nat!" Sam screamed as soon as we entered. Nat groaned and joined his side. I moved to Sterling's side knowing he would probably pick me. Soon the teams were set. On team Mckinley you had: Nat, Scarlet,Dimitri, Amanda, and Corey decided to be their cheer section. Everyone else was on our team.
"So Nat we meet on the battlefield,"I smirked
"So just to be clear you still love me after I crush you into a pulp?" She asked curiously.
"Since when can you crush me into a pulp?" I laughed she smirked. If I hadn't said it enough times before I will never love anyone more than Natalia. I wanted to hold her constantly feel that ever steady heart beat. The smell of roses that lingered in her curls. My daydream was shattered by a bright foam ball being hurled at me at the speed of light. I reached up and got the flying ball of foam.
"Damnit!" Amanda shouted as she stormed off. Nat didn't have a ball but was dodging everything thrown at her. Until well, I was aiming for Scarlet but when I threw they switched places and I hit Nat in the center of her chest. She looked at me with ice cold eyes and my stomach twisted into a knot, I was in such deep shit.
Once the game was over I had lost track of Nat who had disappeared. That was the biggest of my worries Nat could hold a grudge even if it was with me.
"Hey, Francis!" She called and I whirled back Nat was dressed in sweatpants and my t-shirt.
"Natty Catty why do you always steal my shirts," I wanted to slide my hands up through that t-shirt but again Natasha and Clint were sitting right there. It would be like feeling up your girlfriend in front of your cool aunt or uncle.
"Because they smell like you and are really soft." She nuzzled the collar.
"Fine," I rolled my eyes but then smirked at her. I was in love so in love.
"Dodge!" She lobbed at tomato at my face.
"FFF-UUU-CK!" I screamed as I braced for the impact. The tomato hit me square in the face.
"Language," Capsicle just happened to walk in my face was dripping in tomato guts and my hair stuck to my forehead.
" please refrain from throwing produce at your team mates," He stared down Nat who popped her hip in defiance.
"Like this?" She threw a tomato at him and ran smirked. Clint entered laughing loudly.
"Nat your trainee hit mine with a tomato," Clint called back.
"She has better aim than you," She snickered back
"Natty," I sighed
"Francis what did I tell you about calling me Natty?" Natalia growled at me.
"What did I tell you about calling me Francis?" I countered
"I swear if these two get anymore like you…" Cap. shook his head sadly.
"They will be the best team of operatives ever assembled," Natasha managed a dry smirk.
"Hopefully with less of an ego," A new person entered the room. She was our same age maybe just a bit older.
"Who are you?" Sam asked in shock.
"Wanda Maximoff, who are you?" The girl had a lovely accent the kind that Nat always wished she had.
"Sam Mckinley, perhaps you have heard of me," He smiled charmingly.
"So Tony got a clone," She laughed to herself. She looked at us.
"Hello, I am Natalia and this is Flint," She pulled me forward.
"Hello, you two," She smiled between us.
"Hey guys, Scarlet walked out in workout clothing Dimitri not far behind her. I had heard rumors that the two of them were thinking of getting married. I strongly believed they should, Dimitri and I had only been friends a little while but enough to know that he was a freaking amazing. Scarlet was great too, Nat really hit it off with her. The four of us had become fast friends. The thing was Nat and I never talked about getting married. We were too immature to think about stuff like that.
"So this is who you guys have been training with," I raised my eyebrows.
"Not all of them," Dimitri smiled.
"Wanda...oh I was informed you were all on the beach…" A red skinned robot looking guy came out from behind Wanda.
"Vis...you need to meet everyone else eventually,"
"Hey, Flint Ryder nice to meet you," I shook his hand
"Nice to meet you too," He turned back to Wanda.
"I am going back to my room Wanda," He said flatly turned and left.
"Fine Vis," She sighed. Nat looked at me with a small tinge of intrigue in her eyes.
"Well, I am starving!" Nat smiled and sashayed over to the fridge.
"Well you used up the last tomato on my face," I snapped.
"If I want to taste tomato I can just kiss you," she shrugged
"So you two are a couple?" Wanda asked heading to the fridge.
"Yeah but, um just don't tell,"
"The adults no problem." She smiled. I soon joined the fridge party.
"You know what I am going to make?" I looked between the two.
" Enlighten us," Nat pressed up against me
"Southern delicates, some ribs and hush puppies." Nat licked her lips she couldn't resist my hush puppies.
"Sounds good," Wanada smiled. I started on the corn bread.
"Now, grab a snack because I like to cook my ribs and hush puppie perfectly." She brushed my lips.
"I love you," she whispered lightly.
"I love you too,"
"So any of you want to head to the bowling alley?" Amanda asked smiling.
"Actually Sam was gonna show me his lab, I want to check out the tech he is building." Nat smiled eagerly. I nodded and kept pulling out ingredients.
Chapter 5
Dimitri
"I don't understand…" Scarlet let the ball roll off her fingers.
"About what?" Wanda asked picking up her ball.
"This whole mentor system, we are a little old to be baby sat." I sighed as all the pins toppled over. She jumped and the air then turned back to me.
"I guess I can't blame them...Imagine Mckinley unsupervised." Scarlett shrugged and went back to the couch
"True, but…" Ashlyn tried to join the conversation, looking over her shoulder. She was actively trying to avoid her roommate as the sudden addition of two more romances had seemed to have made him a little more active in his years long pursuit.
"Guys this is getting boring," Wanda sighed so far we had all gotten strikes, it was slightly a hearing that we were all using our powers
"Yeah, I wonder if Flint is done with dinner?" I asked
"I hope he makes good barbecue." Ashlyn licked her lips.
"Barbecue is so delicious…" Thomas licked his lips
"No one asked for your opinion Tommy" Ashlyn snapped
"Harsh," winced Amanda
"Thank you Amanda!" He smiled.
I sighed the training center was the cool place. The base consisted of three larger buildings. There was the main building that was on the furthest edge it was a modern three story building. The rooms were upstairs part. The basement held the briefing room and a small loft room that overlooked the entire place. The kitchen and living room were all on the first floor along with the weapon/suit storage. From the basement there was an underground tunnel that you could take on hot days to the training center. The training center was the furthest west building. It resembled a small Avengers tower. Now this was the cool building. It had a gymnasium, locker room, five training simulators, an indoor aquatics facility, a weight room, an agility room, a bowling alley, a digital library, a screening room, a medical facility, a mini aquarium, and multiple sparing rooms. Best of all, all of them were sound proof, which allowed Scarlet to train. Scarlet sat down beside me.
"I am done bowling," She whined and leaned back into her seat. Her hands were rubbing together nervously.
"What's wrong?" I asked her.
"I don't know Dima it is just...I don't know everything is so confusing." She pouted
"Are you okay?" She wheeled around kissed me hard on the lips.
"Much better," Her body relaxed and I pulled her close. The bowling alley smelled like lemon cleaner a pleasant smell to me it reminded me of the halls before we came here where Scar and I first met. The rest of it was all different. Loud jeering and cries of disappointment rang out through the empty room. My the air conditioning vent was right above us blasting my neck. It felt amazing being that the tropical weather outside felt like a three thousand pound weight. Scarlet shivered she felt every temperature more severally.
"You need a jacket Scarlet?" I asked cautiously
"No, but can you walk me back, I am tired." She whined. I stood up and offered up my arm. She gladly took hold and we returned to our rooms. The smell of barbecue filled HQ and my mouth instantly began to water but Scarlett had lost her appetite I was worried she was getting sick or something.
"Hey Flint!" I smiled walking down stairs.
"Hey Dimitri, you ready for food?" He wore a floral apron and had a smile on his face. His cheeks were red from the heat of the kitchen.
"Yes, gimme!" I smiled and allowed him to serve me up some of his delicious smelling BBQ.
"I am glad you are excited," He laughed. I wondered where Nat was. she was usually right beside him. He looked at me carefully. "Nat and I are going to train more later she is preparing and reading mission briefings in the simulators, she already ate." He put the food back into the oven.
"Oh so she takes this really seriously?" I questioned
"We both do." He smiled slightly. I noticed he was dressed in workout entire.
"So Nat likes this training thing?"
"Nat likes being an assassin." he shrugged again.
"What's bugging you?" I asked plainly
"Nat's not eating…" He paused for a second and looked at me. "When we first started working together Nat was about 160-170 pounds. Sarah and Granger our instructors thought it was bad and that to properly add to the team she needed to loose at the least 20 pounds so in short they starved her, it started with taking away one meal then two, then all, soon she was eating pretty close to nothing back then I didn't like Nat we didn't get along so I didn't care. Then she shed about 30 pounds and had reached their desired weight. Ever since then she is really hyper vigilant if she ever gets above 145 she flips out and stops eating again." He sighed "Not like I care about how much she weighs she is still my Nat you know, I just, I don't want her to starve." He muttered. I looked at him carefully. He cared too much about everyone and it was a very a good thing.
"Well, I don't think she'll starve, I agree that it is not healthy but, I think she will be fine," I shrugged what else was I supposed to say.
"Yeah, but hey how was bowling," He shook it off just like that and got back on his feet. It was easy for him.
"Fun but everyone used their powers,"
"Hey, Flint," Nat walked up to him placing her hand gently onto his chest.
"What's up babe?" He looked at her.
"We got a mission!" She said in joy.
"Okay will you please eat a hush puppy." He waved one near her mouth.
"Fine, you win this one," She bit it and pulled out a chair. The night swept by fun and unproductive energy.