TC Stark: I can't believe the summer is coming to an end! I had a marvelous weekend outside. I hope you guys all enjoyed your Saturday and Sundays! For those who worked, I feel your pain - I didn't always have a 9-5 Monday-Friday job. Thank you again to all my lovely reviewers, you guys are amazing and I'm so glad you are still liking this story. I love it's full of angst and sadness. Like Tilda and Pietro, I wanted to concentrate on the journey, not the destination. I know, that's corny lol Enjoy!

Disclaimer: If anyone has read my "Whatever Time We Have Left" story, I am reusing Tilda. I found with that story that I never developed her properly, so I'm revamping her - giving her a fresh coat of wax and throwing her into this story. Also, as much as I love the Cap, I've realized (in my head) she is much better suited in this AU, as this is a Pietro/OC story (with small parts of Cap/Black Widow because they're my OTP). This story is rated M for mature content, such as sex, violence, death, language, etc. I try not to ever be too vulgar, but also don't believe in censorship. This story deals with the serious issues of a fatal medical condition, so there's that. I do not own anyone, except Tilda and my ideas.

Chapter Twelve

"I know what I want my next tattoo to be."

Looking up from his massive plate of bacon and eggs, Pietro asked, "What?"

"A jade elephant," Tilda smiled, "I just have to figure out where. Maybe on my hip."

"Perhaps the other arm?"

Giving a look to her bare arm, the agent shook her head, "No. I never wanted to touch that one. I always just thought the one sleeve worked. A balance sort of. In some, weird hippie sense."

"I think it works perfectly, beruska."

As the two enjoyed their breakfast, Wanda and Vision stepped into the cafeteria. The Maximoff twin shot her brother a smile, as she walked over to get her morning coffee. The Scarlet Witch was beautiful indeed. Pietro was lucky man to be surrounded by such gorgeous women - many natives of Sokovia would be jealous if they could see the females who resided in the base with him.

After picking up her own breakfast, Wanda guided the Vision and her to the table that her brother was seated at. Pietro moved to sit closer to Tilda, so to give the other couple more room. It was strange how comfortable they felt at the Avengers base. How it had become a way of life; how important and at home they felt with everyone else.

"Is it strange not eating?" Tilda asked, as Wanda stirred her cup of coffee.

The Vision shrugged, emotionlessly looking towards her and explaining, "I don't consider it strange. I am artificial, though not mechanical like Ultron was. I am made up of cells and could be considered a biological android. I could eat if I so wished, though I have no desire. Though, I must admit, I admire the talented chefs and bakers who put so much effort into the presentation of their food."

"Wanda once wanted to be chef," Pietro smiled in memory, "We were seven and mama and papa got Wanda one of those...um…"

"Easy bake ovens?" Tilda asked.

Nodding vigorously, Pietro continued, "Yes! That! Wanda would bake all the time. They never came out good, but I eat anyway."

Wanda flashed her brother a scolding, yet warm smile while shaking her head. It was easy for anyone to see the love radiating between the two. The Vision and Tilda smiled, knowing that even though they were the significant others of the twins, they could never come close to the bond the Maximoffs had with each other. And honestly that was fine - it was a beautiful thing to be a spectator to.

"What are you two doing today?" Pietro decided to ask. Deciding he needed to be more open about his sister's relationship.

"We were going to go into the city today and see the Metropolitan Museum of Art." The Vision explained melodically.

Eyebrows furrowed in, Pietro asked, "Don't you think you will get stares?"

"I can shapeshift to take on the attributes of a normal human."

"Then why do you not look like that always?"

Before Vision was able to respond, Wanda quickly explained, "Because this is his true form," Looking over at the android, the telepathic held his hand, "And I love him for who he is."

Pietro felt like an asshole. Frowning, he quickly nodded and wished, "You two have fun. Bring umbrellas, it is supposed to rain today."

Wanda nodded and kissed her brother's cheek, before getting up. Tilda watched as the Vision shapeshifted into a handsome African American male in a simple tee shirt and jeans. The two walked off after the female twin dropped off her dirty dish. Pietro had almost forgotten about eating, frowning when he realized his food was cold.

"I feel like swimming today." Tilda stated, once Pietro came back with a fresh plate of food.

Head picking up, the runner grinned and nodded, "There is swimming pool here. Do you have bathing suit?"

Tilda shook her head, "No, but SHIELD has a supply closet and there's water tactical gear. I'll grab it and meet you down there?"

Pietro nodded and sped out of the room, the air whooshing against her hair. Tilda smiled, while modestly standing up. As much as it pained her, she didn't want to tell him that water seemed to ease her aching bones. That she was feeling the effects of dying more than she led on. She just didn't want to worry him. He had been so good to her, she just wanted to play pretend a little while longer.

Pietro had already jumped into the pool by the time Tilda arrived, "Couldn't wait for me, huh?"

Grinning ear to ear, the Sokovian dunked the back of his head into the cool water to wet his hair, "I could not help myself. Very nice, beruska."

Tilda rolled her eyes at his hand motions, outlining an hourglass figure as she stepped to the edge of the pool. The tattooed woman wore a black two piece, which as much as SHIELD tried to say was practical for underwater missions; it wasn't. Still, it served a purpose for her, not wanting to be in her bra and underwear where anyone could walk in.

Easing into the water, she stiffened only slightly when Pietro's hands grabbed her waist. Knowing he was only doing so to help her in, Tilda let herself go and fell into his arms. They were in the low end of the pool, but that was still five feet and she was only five inches taller than that. With the Sokovian being almost six feet, he was able to give her better grounding.

That was a fact that Pietro clearly took advantage of, grinning as he dipped further into the water and began drifting backwards into the deeper part. Keeping her arms around his neck, Tilda glared, "You know, I could start a wave pool right now."

"And I could start tornado," Pietro challenged playfully, leaning forward to gently kiss her lips, "Being fast has perks. Do not worry, I will not let you drown."

"I can swim."

Running his hands up and down her sides, Pietro mused, "Stark put lot into this place. It has so much. And he does not even live here."

As the two bobbed up and down in the water, Tilda shrugged and pointed out, "All Tony has in this world is money. I'm sure this didn't even put a dent into his funds. I think he isn't used to really having friends, and he knows he's messed up on things, so he compensates by buying us things. It's very generous."

"He is insecure man. I can tell. Pity. He has lovely woman by his side. And, I like him, despite what he did." Pietro shrugged, reaching to tuck a wet strand of orange hair behind her ear.

"I've never met Pepper before," The agent pulled gently away from Pietro, floating in the cool water, "It's funny...everyone seems to have someone here."

Dipping down to his neck, Pietro began to tally them off, "I have you, Stark has Pepper, Clint has wife, Wanda has The Vision," Trying to remember everyone, he exclaimed, "Thor has lady friend! I do not know about War Machine and I don't think Falcon has anyone. Who am I missing?"

With a smug smirk, Tilda stated, "Natasha and Steve."

Eyes widening to the size of saucers, Pietro splashed slightly while exclaiming, "The Cap and Black Widow!? How you know that?"

"Natasha and I have worked together plenty in the past," Tilda shrugged, still feeling slightly cocky, "I can read her."

"The Captain and Black Widow," Pietro repeated, finally sinking back and nodding, "That is good pairing. Both soldiers. She look like strong woman, and he like inexperienced school boy. He acts like old man - that is good pairing. Much better than her and Banner. He is nice man, but it was no good. Maybe, I pair him up with someone. Though, Stark is already taken."

Confused, Tilda ran some water over her head and asked, "What do you mean? You would pair Tony and Bruce together?"

Pietro nodded, while explaining, "They are like yin and yang. Both geniuses, but one very arrogant and one very humble. Banner needs someone who treats him like equal, but also knows how to calm him down. I think they would be good for each other, but...Bruce would be top and Stark bottom."

Trying to envision it, Tilda nodded once the image was accepted. As she mused over it, Pietro explained, "Sokovia is not like Russia. There are no laws against homosexuality, but marriage is not legal there. Many old traditions, but I never judged. Wanda and I, we were liberal activists. Many by our sides in protest against the government, were also supporters of gay marriage. We learn much from our time beside them."

"I never understood the opposition of gay marriage. Or even disliking homosexuality in the first place. Then again, I don't think I really thought anyone's sex lives were anyone's business," Tilda shrugged, "But, unfortunately, humans are terrible to each other. It's why we're all in the business that we're in. None of us would have jobs if humans stopped trying to destroy each other."

A frown pulled at Pietro's lips, as he softly spoke, "That is sad to hear."

"I know...I'm sorry for bringing the mood down."

While floating amongst the cool water, the Sokovian pulled his lover closer to his body so to press his wet forehead against her, "You did not. These are truths about the world we live in. If we do not recognize them, we cannot change them."

Tilda smiled in Pietro's arms. It was nice that there were people like him in the world. She knew not everyone had the upbringing she did. Some had much better ones. Loving parents. Nice homes. Accepting families. But, there were also children out there with much worse. Abusive, torturous; there were still places in the world that even loving someone was illegal and could result in death.

At least, there were progressive thinkers like Pietro around.

"You guys are the second couple I walked in on today."

Pietro and Tilda were in the middle of a deep, passionate kiss when the remark pulled them from their daze. Turning their attention towards the voice, they saw Sam Wilson sighing. Standing at the edge of the pool, he was wearing only swim trunks and it was clear that he had wanted to do a few laps that day.

Still in his arms, Tilda inquired, "Who was the first couple?"

Jumping at the question, the Falcon quickly shook his head, "Not important. I'll leave you two to have some alone time."

Just as Sam was about to leave, Pietro called out to him, "No, stay. I promise, we won't make love in front of you." He teased, seeing Tilda roll her eyes as she detached from him and Sam dove in.

As Sam went to begin his laps, Tilda gently tugged at Pietro's full locks, "You're bad."

"You love it."