Woohoo! FINALLY I FINISHED THIS CHAPTER! The other chapters should, normally(and I hope), come swiftly after this one, I have like to work the One-shots, the Age of Ultron crossover(Which is almost finished) and review my exams, oh joy! I hope I won't be too much off-tracks with Civil War coming(and I'm not mentally prepared for Steve's death, honestly, and so won't be Harry and Johann). Anyway, hope you will like this one-shot.
PS: Unlike Marvel, I can say the word 'Mutant'! U mad Marvel?
WARNING: Slash, Cussing, Cursing, Violence, Harmful intentions toward children, OC agents, Homophobia, Blood and a bit of Gore
Timeline: James and Lily are 11 years old, Zeke and Cas are 4 months or so
"Harry"called Johann, poking his head—Glamourless—into the kitchen.
"Mmh?"Harry looked up from the carrots he was cutting.
"You really need to see this!"
Holding back the smile that was beginning to blossom on his lips, Harry nodded.
"Give me a second"
Putting down his knife and the carrot, Harry walked into the living room where all the Avengers seemed amused by something. Each of their gazes were turned to Johann, Steve and the—surprisingly— calm twins in his arms.
"So what did you want to show me?"
Steve chuckled silently as Johann's smile widened.
"This"replied the older man before he crouched slightly before the twins, simply looked at them—sometimes making a face— before he put on his necklace and his Glamour activated.
Of all things to expect, Harry didn't expect the kids to start whimpering then cry gently. Johann took off his necklace and the twins immediately calmed and even smiled at him. Johann did it again, putting his necklace back on and the twins whimpered again, making the adults laugh.
"Your kids are weird, Potter"said Tony with a fond smile.
"They're not weird, they're cute and they have taste"replied Harry, crossing the room to kiss Johann on the mouth then Steve's before he started making face at his babies, making them laugh.
"More like bad taste if you ask me"said Bucky with a smirk
"Keep talking Barnes, and I'm putting fridge magnets on your arms"drawled Johann and Bucky glared at him.
"That's something I want to see"said Tony.
"Well, now you're fixed on how Zee and Cas feel toward you"joked Lily from the couch and Johann went to her and lifted her before holding the girl at his hips.
"Indeed"
Johann kissed his daughter's forehead gently. James smirked and jumped on Johann, ensnaring his waist and trying to make him fall. Johann chuckled before he easily passed an arm around the boy's waist and lifted him in his arms.
"You two will have to grow up and put on some more muscles if you want to take me down"
"Doesn't mean I can't try now"replied James, making his Vati laugh.
"That's my boy!"Johann kissed his son's brow.
The alarm sounded and all eyes turned to Johann.
"Why you looking at me? It's not me this time!"—Johann huffed—"I would have warned you anyway…"
"Mister Schmidt is right, it is not HYDRA"piped JARVIS"It seems that Hammer Industry have allied themselves with AIM and are wrecking the county of Essex"
"Are you f-"—Harry, Steve and Johann threw a dark look at Tony—"-Pulling my leg?"
"Not at all sir"—Something appeared on the room's large screen, showing them a zoomed image of some kind of bots with the logo of AIM and Hammer industry.
"How can Justin still pull this kind of thing? He's in prison!"said Tony.
"Maybe he escaped"suggested Natasha, standing up and going to the lift with Clint, Sam and Bruce.
"Still! He could have done this sh- thing someday when we're not close to Christmas!"
Johann snorted, putting James and Lily down.
"Do you think a villain will care about what day it is? If we want to wreck stuff, we wreck stuff"
"Weeeeell…You do"said Sam.
"…That's because I have a family"
"Hush!"said Steve, as he came up to Johann and handed him the twins"Let's talk about this later, Avengers Assemble"
The Avengers nodded and hurried to suit up. Harry snapped his fingers and his clothes changed to his suit.
"Good thing I haven't started much on lunch"noted Harry before he came up to Johann and kissed him"We'll try to be quick, Cas and Zee will be hungry soon a-"
"Harry…"said fondly the sapphire-eyed man"It's not the first time I have to babysit the Gremlins"
"I know but-"
Johann cut the wizard with a kiss.
"Everything will be fine, I promise"said Johann"For Lils and James and for the little angels too…Now, go to the jet, you'll need to leave soon"
Harry nodded, a bit reluctant before he—slowly—stepped back.
"You sure y-"
"I got it, I swear Süßer"said Johann and Harry nodded again.
Harry bit his lips but he still Apparated with an almost soundless crack to the Avenjet and Johann turned to the window. After a few moments, the jet took off and Johann stared at its retracting figure.
"How dire is the situation on a scale from 1 to 10, JARVIS?"
"A solid 6"replied the AI.
"And if the situation were to worsen?"
"Then it would be a 7 or a 7.5 at worse"
Johann nodded, biting his lips.
"If the situation is about to becom want you to c-"
His phone chimed, almost startling him. Gently setting Cas and Zee on the couch, on their back, Johann fished his phone in his pocket and stared at the HYDRA logo on the screen. Hissing a whispered German curse, Johann took the call, his eyes focused on the baby twins as they huffed and squealed gently when they moved either their arms or legs.
"Ja?"
"Sir, this is Agent Louisa"said his PA"Something came up, urgent, we need you here ASAP"
Johann's eyes widened and he tried to control the loud exhale that threatened to escape his lips.
"I'm afraid, I can't, I'm busy w-"
"Nothing, sir"said Louisa, her tone bordering on frantic"This is way more important than anything in the world"
Johann covered the lower part of the phone as Zee let out a huge squeal to have his attention.
"Sir? Sir, where are you?"
Johann's eyes widened and Lily and James stared at each other before they moved away from Johann.
"Mama!"shouted Lily
"Doggy! Doggy!"shouted James writing on something on a Starkpad that was lying around and writing on it.
"I'm in Bryant Park"read Johann out-loud on the pad then gave his kids a thumb up"I wanted some calm and peace before coming back to the base"
"Then enjoy your last moment of it, sir, because peace won't be here for long"said Agent Louisa"It is a matter of life and death for you to be at the base"
Johann bit his lips and stared worriedly at his silent children then at the babies.
"…I'll be here soon"said Johann before he hung up and sat loudly on the ground, rubbing his face with his hands.
"Was tue ich? Was tue ich? Was tue ich?Was tue ich?Was tue ich?"whispered Johann, almost panicking.
He can't leave! He has to take care of kids and babies! He doesn't even want to teach Lily and James how to take care of Cas and Zee, and it's not like he has the time to. One of the babies cries its discontentment and Johann bit his lips. He doesn't know what to do. Or maybe…Immediately, Johann stood up, and went to the Floo and threw some powder inside.
"The Burrow!"
The flames flared and Johann waited. After a few minutes of no answer, Johann concluded the Burrow was empty. Standing shakily, Johann opened and closed his hands spasmodically and Zee cried louder, his legs kicking.
"I'm here, I'm here"said Johann, making his way to the couch and taking the baby in his arms and lying him against his chest as he sat down on the back of the couch"I'm here, I'm here"
"Vati?"called softly Lily, lying her head on his lap and staring up at him worriedly.
James came next to her and Johann eyed each of his kids worriedly. He didn't have any other choice.
"I want you two to listen to me, very carefully…"
—
Sneaking out was, surprisingly, easier to sneak in, especially with children. By chance, Zee and Cas had decided to nap a little but Johann knew he had to act quickly because as soon as they wake up, they'll be screaming for food. To enter, Johann used the parking entrance, beckoning the twins, holding each a baby carrier seat while he held a large bag with baby stuffs, once he saw the way was clear.
'Well, we're in the base'thought Johann'Now, we just need to go to my office'
Johann walked into the corridor, his kids trailing silently behind him. Hearing approaching footsteps, Johann stopped, made a sign for his kids to stop and find somewhere to hide as Johann advanced silently to the end of the corridor. Stopping a few feet away from the end, Johann watched as agents ran past, without noticing him. Johann waited, before he poked his head out and stared at both side before he intimated the twins to come to him.
"Where were they hurrying to?"asked Lily in a whisper.
"Honestly? I don't know, and I don't care"replied Johann, as low as her voice.
Strangely, the way, normally flooding with agents, to his office was empty—Not that it minded him at the moment, but it did make imaginary alarm bells sound in his head. Opening the door, Johann poked his head inside before he opened it wider.
"Get in, now"
James and Lily hurried inside, trying to jostle the sleeping twins in their carrier. Johann went inside quickly before he closed and locked his office then let out a huge sigh, his forehead resting on the door.
"So this is your office, in HYDRA"breathed James, setting the carrier down and sitting in Johann's armchair behind the large desk.
"Ja…"breathed Johann, before he turned around and watched as Lily, also set down the carrier, then went to his desk while James was spinning the chair"You remember what I told you?"
"Yes"said Lily"We are to remain calm and silent, if we are discovered we tell them we're the kids of a random agent"
Johann nodded as he approached his desk.
"And?"
"Our name are Arya and Thomas"piped James, making Johann nod again.
"You do understand it is of the uttermost importance that no one realise you're my kids"said Johann, a hint of franticness in his tone.
'They're in the last of all places I want my kids in! Johann, you're a Dummkopf! Why did you bring them with you!?'
Johann nearly has a heart attack when the doorknob moved then a knocking sounded.
"Sir? Sir, are you in there?"
"Scheiße"hissed Johann, before he intimated his kids to hide under his desk while he took the baby carriers and put them in his room.
Closing the door, Johann held up a finger to his mouth as Lily and James poked their head from under the desk before he went to the door, unbolting and opening it.
"Ja"growled Johann harshly to hide his fear.
Agent June and Louisa stood in front of him, both a bit pale.
"Glad you are here, sir"said Louisa.
"We didn't see you get in, how did you?"asked June.
Johann glared.
"I don't remember being entitled to answer you"
June looked down.
"Sorry sir, it's just…We didn't see you…"June looked away, paling a little.
Johann stared at them, his brows furrowed.
"What's going on here?"demanded Johann
Both girls looked at each other.
"Can we get in, sir?"asked Louisa
Johann wanted to shout 'no' and close the door but he had to. Reluctantly, he stepped away and let them in. Both girls stood before his desk while he went to sit in his chair—his eyes flicking down for a moment to the kids underneath it.
"Start speaking"ordered Johann, glaring at his agents.
Johann watched as the two women bit their lips with worry.
"Ha…Ha…Have you, sir, received anything from…From…From…"began carefully Louisa.
"…Strucker?"finished June.
Johann frowned as he glared at them.
"Are you telling me…"began lowly Johann, a hint of annoyance laced with murder in his tone"…That you called me here, claiming a life and death matter if I recall, to ask if I received anything from that Fotze?"
Both girls nodded slowly and Johann had to refrain from taking a gun and put a bullet in their heads.
"Just answer us, sir, it's really important"replied Louisa
"I didn't receive anything from him, why the sudden question?"
Before the agents could answer him, a cry sounded. A baby's cry. His stomach dropped and he paled while his agents' eyes widened—and was he imagining they paled even more?
"Sir? Was that…"
"Nothing"said curtly Johann, glowering at agent Louisa.
Louisa frowned at him and walked toward where the crying was coming from and Johann had to stand.
"Agent Louisa, if you don't want me to fire you, I'd suggest you get out of here and you do not say anything that happened here"
"But sir, that"—Louisa mentioned for the whimpers that were coming from his bedroom—"Is not 'nothing' as you put it! There is a child here and they can't stay here!"
"There is nothing here!"snarled Johann.
June watched as the two argued and, checking to see if she was being watched, she went to the door to her boss's bedroom and opened it gently. Her eyes widened as she saw two, very much awake, babies that were crying and whimpering.
'What is our boss doing with babies in his bedroom?'
"Hello there"said gently June, crouching down, with a wide smile"What are you little guys doing here, all alone?"
Extending a hand, June brushed her fingers on one of the baby's face while her other hand went to hold another's hand gently and shook it gently. June smiled when the crying and whimpered receded slowly and the babies stared at her.
"Step away"
June tried not to still under the dark and murderous intent in her boss's voice, even Louisa seemed startled by the tone, along with the babies. Slowly and gently taking the baby with light blond hair, June held him and soothed him as she turned to stare at her boss and Louisa. Louisa's eyes were wide with surprise while her boss looked murderous, angry and…was that worry? The baby in her arms whimpered lightly and June soothed it, her eyes fixated on her boss. At first she thought he was zeroing in on her but it was on the baby.
'To quote Sherlock ''on hearing a smoke alarm, a mother would look towards her child, amazing how fire exposes our priorities'''thought June jokingly before her eyes widened as it suddenly dawned on her'Wait?! Surely they can't…?!'
"Sir?"called carefully Louisa—'If those kids are his and we discovered them, we're good as dead!'June thought as she repressed the urge to shush her girlfriend—"Sir? What ar-"
Louisa cut herself as she saw two little red heads poke their head from under the desk and gaped at them. The second baby cried, snapping all the adults back, and June was startled by the chiming of her phone. Trying to balance the baby in her arms—and ignoring the worried yet murderous look of her boss— June took out her phone and looked at it…And felt her face go white again.
'I have to act now!'
Putting her phone back in her pocket, June crossed the room to join Louisa and hand her the baby under her flabbergasted gaze.
"Take the baby and stay here with the kids, he's here and our boss is not ready"hissed lowly June before she went to her boss"Boss, I understand you want to gut me and repaint your office with my blood"—June tried to hold the gaze of her angry, murderous and definitely way stronger boss—"But right now, you need to put on you HYDRA outfit, it is of the utmost importance"
June half expected her boss to punch her and he more than looked like it.
"I swear to you, nothing will happen to-"your babies, your kids, whoever are those kids in your office in a HYDRA base"-them, I promise, if I'm lying you can do anything with me, kill me, gut me, skin me, use me for the next experiment of the R&D, anything but please, please, I beg you, you need to change clothes"
Johann just glared at her and June nearly hyperventilated.
"I-I-I can kneel for more effect if you want, even kiss the ground but please sir, please"
Johann still glared at her.
"…If one hair is out of the place…"hissed threateningly Johann.
"Nothing will happen to them, I promise"
Johann nodded slowly, his eyes fixed on her then on Louisa, who was soothing the baby down before he made his way to his bedroom, taking out the second baby and handing the carrier to June. The door closed and June heaved a huge and relieved sigh. Looking toward the desk and the blue and green eyes that stared at her, June made her way slowly towards it before she crouched near it.
"That's a nice hiding place"noted June"Wouldn't have seen you upon entrance"
The kids stayed silent, looking almost wary and June couldn't blame them.
"I understand you might be a bit afraid but I'm not here to hurt you, I'm more afraid of the boss's anger than anything in the whole world…Although my Mum has one hell of a temper when she's angry"
"Can it be worse than Vati's?"asked the little girl.
'Fatty? What !?'
"Well, I've seen her break a bouncer's foot when he was playing and teasing her and I've also seen her put another bouncer down when he also tried to tease her"said June.
"How did she do that?"asked the little boy and June smiled.
"He bent her over his knees, on her back and she has back problems, then he put her down and put a foot on her while boasting 'I have put down the Scourge!', Scourge being my mother's nickname, and she just extended a hand up and flicked him in the crotch, man was down rather quickly, now he runs away from her whenever he sees her"
The little girl laughed while the boy hissed, holding his bits in a compassionate manner.
"I think your mother's temper equals our Vati's"concluded the girl.
June laughed.
"My name is Cecile June, nice to meet you two"June turned to Louisa who was tending to both babies in their carriers"And this girl behind me is Mary Louisa"
"My name is Arya"replied the little girl
"And I'm Thomas"
June smiled and the door opened before Johann Schmidt walked out, exuding annoyance, haughtiness, anger and worry. June watched as the man eyed them all—and his shoulders uncoiled just for a moment before he squared them—before his gaze settled on her. Nodding slowly, June turned to the kids.
"If you don't mind, I'm taking the boss with me and you'll stay with Mary"informed calmly the raven-haired girl"She's the sweetest girl here and she'll take good care of you while we go do our…job, I think…Which is why you're gonna need to be silent, because I don't remember this day being 'take your kids"—Johann bristled and hissed warningly, sending a shiver running down her spine—"'To work' so…"
The kids nodded and June smiled before standing up. June tried not to slouch under her boss glare as she led him to the door.
"I'll be back"said June in a deep voice and a joking manner as she passed in front of Louisa.
"I would hit you but my arms are busy"deadpanned Louisa, bouncing slightly the baby in her arms and June let out a nervous laugh.
"Lock the office and text me if you need anything"
Louisa nodded and June went to leave but she was suddenly seized by her collar then lips were upon hers. Sighing, June answered her girlfriend's kiss before she broke it.
"I have to go"
Louisa nodded and June and her boss left the office, hearing Louisa lock it before June led her boss away. As they walked into the many corridors, Johann could see his agent was bracing herself for something as her shoulders squared, her back was straight and her whole face hardened.
"You do know you're playing with your life here"drawled Johann.
"I do, sir"replied June, slowly"But sir, if I may speak frankly…"
"Please, do tell me what is going on in your mind"drawled Johann sarcastically.
"Very well, if you had told M-agent Louisa what you were really doing then we would have come with a plan way better than what we have now"
Johann snarled.
"Why the need of a plan?"
"Because-"
"Because I would hate to be displeased by what I would be seeing"said a voice that made Johann's blood ran cold.
Strucker.
Strucker was in his base, still wearing his pretentious monocle like the fucking narcissist, haughty aristocrat Fotze he was, with a handful of his agents, and Johann's stomach and heart dropped.
"Schmidt, what a…pleasure"drawled Strucker.
Johann noted he was wearing a modified Satan's Claw, probably to make up for the one he had broken when the man had tried to 'overthrow' him roughly a year ago. Holding back a snarl, Johann stood straight and saluted the man.
"Herr Strucker"greeted Johann in a slightly venomous tone"I had no idea of your coming"
Strucker gave a dry smirk.
"Surprise…I'm mainly here to check on the base and on you"
Johann hardened his stare.
"How kind of you"drawled Johann.
Strucker tutted.
"Watch your tone, Herr Schmidt, I'd hate to see something…Bad happen to you"soughed Strucker.
June cleared her throat to stop the demented pissing contest that was happening in front of her.
"Sirs, if you would follow me"piped emotionlessly June"I'll show you around"
Strucker glared at her.
"What is your name?"
"June, sir, Agent June"
Before she knew it, Strucker had her by the throat using his Satan Claw.
"It would be best for you, Agent June, to remember your place, you do not interrupt your superiors"
June gasped and nodded, her face pale before Strucker released her. Falling to her knees, June gulped air greedily. Standing up shakily, June rubbed her throat before cleared it then extended a hand toward the corridor.
"If you would…"June croaked, trying not to glare at Strucker.
Strucker nodded curtly and June walked ahead, followed by her boss then Strucker and his men. Johann feared for his children in his office.
'If Strucker finds them…'
A heavy weight settled in his stomach as June gave them all a tour.
—
Mary loved children. Sure, they could be noisy but they were still cute. Her and June wanted to marry and have children after, even if opinions on 'how' were different. Hers through adoption and June's through conception. They may argue over this but it would strengthen their love in a weird way.
"So June and you…"began Thomas, carefully.
"Yes, we're together"said Mary, her face a bit warded"Why, are you against that?"
While Cecile was a proud bisexual woman who had told everything to a narrow-minded-yet-surprisingly-open-minded mother, she was a lesbian through and through and she hadn't revealed anything to her homophobe mother. So yes, she may be a bit touchy but she had her reasons.
"Not at all"replied quickly the boy"I mean, I have three fathers"
Mary nodded then stilled, staring in the distance as she tried to process what she heard.
"Three fathers?"
Arya nodded this time.
"Yup! Dad, Vati and Pop"said the girl.
'Fatty? What a weird word'thought Mary
"You two have three fathers"repeated Mary and the two nodded"And those two are your siblings"
"Yup!"said the two.
"Damn! I didn't know it was this quick to adopt"said Mary, stars in her eyes"Do you know what agency your parents used?"
Arya and Thomas frowned.
"We aren't adopted"stated Arya.
Mary realised she may had made a mistake.
"Sorry, I-I-I would have thought your parents would have told you a-"
The twins rolled their eyes.
"We aren't adopted, our Dad bore and birthed us"said Thomas.
Mary frowned.
"Your Dad, a male, bore you?"—The twins nodded—"…Is he a transgender?"
Arya shook her head.
"No, he wasn't a woman and suddenly changed gender, he just has this ability to bear children"
Mary gaped.
"Shut up!"
"I'm not kidding! I saw him pregnant with Zee and Cas and Vati and Pop were all over him to make sure he was okay and everything!"said Arya.
'Mutant or Hermaphroditism?'thought Mary as she smiled at the little girl.
"Then you're Dad is one lucky guy, have this many men doting over him"—Mary looked up dreamily—"I wonder if Cee is gonna be like this"
Thomas smiled.
"She really loves you, so I'm sure she will"said the little boy.
"Maybe"said Mary"But she's a bit of an idiot! I mean, have you seen her? With the boss even!"
"We did"said Arya"Going up like this to Vati, when he's pissy, she's a bit of an idiot"
'Again with this word'
"Fatty? I don't think my boss is fat"
Arya and Thomas laughed.
"Not Fatty, Vati, with a 'v', 'v' sounds like 'f' in German"explained Thomas.
"German?"
Arya and Thomas nodded.
"One of your fathers is German or what?"asked Mary and the twins nodded again.
A cry sounded and Mary turned to Zee—or was it Cas— as he started whimpering. Immediately going to him, Mary took him in her arms and shushed him gently.
"Hey there, cutie, don't cry, I'm here"Mary kissed the baby's soft blond locks"Shhhh, it's okay Zee, I'm here"
"He's not Zee, he's Cas"said Arya.
"Oh! I didn't know who was who, thanks for telling me"said Mary before she cooed at Cas"It's okay, Cas, I'm here"
But Cas screamed louder, his little arms flailing about and Mary had the misfortune of running her hand over the boy's face to soothe him and Cas had grabbed her hand with both of his and squeezed.
A horrid and loud crack sounded.
—
June could see her boss's patience was being tested as Strucker asked questions after questions on why they haven't already taken out the Avengers or the remaining of the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. with all the weapons and ammos they had were making or why all their prototypes of weapons seemed to malfunction and so on.
"I don't know"replied Johann, surprise evident on his face"I test them myself first hand then I have a random agent test them again and see if it work with them, so far, all of them told me it worked alright"
"Then how come I never received those working weapons?!"
"I do not know"replied Johann, a vein in his left eye twitching"I personally sent them, you can look it up in the Postal Reports! It's not my fault your men cannot receive and give them to you!"
Strucker growled.
"Something big is coming, and I need all of the weapons you can make!" snarled Strucker"I have always been told you were a good weapon manufacturer in your time, seems like those were…the good days"
June saw her boss restrain himself from pouncing and choking the guy.
"I am, I still am a good weapon manufacturer"replied Johann, his voice cold and hard"I would make you more efficient weapons if I had all the tools and workers for it"
"If it's workers you need, I can always stay here"grunted a man behind a metal mask which had a white skull on it.
Johann gauged him haughtily.
"I want scientists and workforce not mindless soldiers"growled Johann"Et toi, quand on appellera 'pot de chambre', tu répondras présent!"
Even through the mask, Johann could see the man was frowning incomprehensively at what he said while Strucker glared at him and June stifled a laugh as she understood what was said. Her phone vibrated in her pocket, startling her. Eyeing the men glaring at each others—looking ready to start arguing at any moment— and making sure nobody was staring at her, June stepped back, hid behind a large machine before taking her phone out.
'HELP'read the text from Mary and June's blood ran cold.
Looking back at the men, June ran silently to her boss's office, ignoring the weird look some of the agents—that weren't cowering from Strucker in the R&D department or on the field— as she made a mad dash to Schmidt's office. When she arrived at the door, she knocked many times.
"Mary, Mary it's me"said June and the door opened.
Arya had opened the door and stepped away to let her in and June stared at her girlfriend, a hand over her mouth and her face pale. Thomas was helping Mary hold an already red and dripping handkerchief to her hand.
"What happened?"breathed June, coming to her girlfriend and holding her at arm length.
Mary stared at her, tears in her eyes.
"I broke my hand"
"How?"June carefully held the broken hand and took off the tissue to peek…And repressed the urge to vomit.
Mary had an open fracture, you know, the gruesome and gory thing with the bones jutting out of the flesh and pissing down blood. Breathing loudly and raspily, June put the handkerchief back.
"I need to take you to the Infirmary"breathed June"You need something for this, right now"
"I-I-I can't"replied the brunette.
June repressed the urge to hit her.
"Mary, this is not like a sprained ankle where you tell me it's nothing, this!"—June gestured to her bleeding hand—"This isn't nothing, this is an open fracture! For fuck's sake, what did you do?
"Cas just grabbed my hand"said Mary, a bit out and shocked.
"You can't tell me this tiny baby just wrecked your hand like it was nothing!"
Mary stared at her and June gaped at her girlfriend as it dawned on her. Looking closely at the older children, June's eyes widened comically as she recognised some features that were her boss's and, when she looked at the calm babies, she saw that one had also those sameish features.
'So, they are really his kids'thougth June.
Gently pulling Mary up, June tried to push her towards the door.
"We still need to take you to the infirmary"
"And I still can't leave"replied Mary, resisting Cecile's pushing"I have the kids to watch, I can't leave them alone"
June tried to quell her erratic breathing, pacing a little before she stared at the door then at Marry.
'The Infirmary isn't that far from here, and those pauvres cons are way too far to worry about them'
"Is there a baby carrier here, other than those seats?"asked June
Arya nodded and went to a large bag and took out a twin carrier.
"That will do?"asked the little girl.
"Yes, thank you"June took the carrier and put it on—with trouble— before she took a baby and put him inside, followed by the other"I have the babies, now I can get you to the infirmary"
"I can't just leave the kids here"hissed Mary.
"Mary, they are way much older than the babies, they can be alright on their own"said June before she turned to the kids"Listen you two, you will go inside the boss's bedroom and lock the door and you let nobody in that is not Mary, the Boss or me, understand?"
Arya and Thomas nodded.
"Good, now go and be silent, I need to get my stubborn girlfriend looked at"
"Idiot"replied Mary.
"Tête de mule!"said June as she pulled on Mary's good hand.
Exiting the office, June looked on both ways—to be sure— before she pulled on Mary's good hand, closed the door and walked hastily toward the infirmary.
"Couldn't you go slower?"
"No, you're bleeding, and we have a putain de connard in the base that wants everybody's skin, so no I'm not slowing down"hissed June.
'Just a few more steps and we're here!'
"…ed to train your agents better!"hissed a voice that made her stomach drop.
Strucker and the others were coming their way.
'No, no, no, no, no!'
June pushed Mary toward the Infirmary as she gaped at the end of the corridor.
"Go"hissed June"Go!"
Mary gaped at her.
"For fuck's sake, GO!"hissed June as the steps and voice grew closer and louder"I'll be fine"
"But, the babies, Cee, hand them to me I-"
"No time!"hissed June as the men appeared and made their way toward her"Just go!"Mary stared worriedly at her then ran to the infirmary.
Inhaling sharply, June turned to Strucker, Johann Schmidt and Strucker's agents as they made their way toward her. Now that her boss was closer, she could see his eyes going wide, afraid and worried with each step he took.
"There you are you idiot girl!"snarled Strucker"Where the hell have y-"
June didn't need to know what Strucker was looking at. Strapped on her chest, the babies had no idea what was going on and were calmly cooing.
"What is that?"
June tensed her jaws, her hand automatically and protectively going to one of the babies' head.
"I asked you a question girl!"
Zee whimpered slightly at the voice.
"You shouldn't raise your voice"replied calmly June"You will make them cry"
Strucker's face distorted with anger and he moved to strike her but she stepped back and her hand went behind her as if she had a gun—which she didn't—, making Strucker halt in his steps.
"I wouldn't do that, kiddo"said the man with a white skull mask, taking out and aiming his gun at her.
June tensed her jaws again, her heartbeat getting out of hand and almost deafening her.
"What is the meaning of this, June!?"snarled Strucker.
Johann was amazingly silent, his eyes focused on the babies worriedly and his back ramrod straight. Slowly taking her hand back in front of her, she put it on at the head of a baby gently.
"I have to apology, sir…"breathed June, trying to find a good that would convince Strucker to let her and the babies live"I couldn't find a babysitter in time and I couldn't let my children at home alone"
Strucker glowered at her.
"Couldn't your husband take care of them?"
June swallowed with trouble.
"I'm afraid not, sir"said carefully the raven"If she could, she would have"
Heavy silence. It took her a moment to ponder what she said and paled.
'Oh fuck, no!'
"She?"hissed Strucker
"He, he, sir"said June, tone almost frantic"I was thinking about my sister a-"
"You don't have a sister, agent"—Strucker stepped toward her and she stepped back—"I know your file and there is no sister"—Strucker took another step and she stepped back two steps this time—"And it seems I have to fire you, agent"
Strucker took out his gun and aiming at her.
Eyes widening, she gaped at the barrel that was glaring at her. When she saw Strucker's finger press slowly the trigger, she turned around and hugged the babies protectively to her chest, knowing that her body could try and stop the bullet from going through her entirely and hurt them.
'Oh fuck, Mary, I'm so sorry, I love you'
BANG!
Something embedded itself painfully in her shoulder and she whimpered while the babies in the carriers cried. She didn't react at first but when she noted she wasn't dead, she turned around…And gaped at the scene before her. Red Skull had grabbed Strucker's arm as the man had fired and pulled it up—making the bullet embed itself in her shoulder rather than her heart. Strucker was glaring at her boss, who glared back.
"What are you doing Schmidt!?"snarled Strucker, trying to take out his arm from Schmidt's strong grip"Have you forgotten the rules of HYDRA!?"
"I haven't, sir"replied Johann in dark and cold voice"I just know that I'm the Head of this base and since this shit happened right here, under my nose, I have the right to kill her, not you"—Johann gripped his boss's arm, making the bone wince—"My base, my authority, my men, my punishments"
The men glared at each other some more and June inhaled sharply when she saw the man with the white skull mask aim at her boss.
"Sir?"said White Skull.
Strucker idly gave a sideway look at the man before he let go of his gun, that hung on his finger.
"Lower your weapon, Crossbones"—the man in the white skull mask obeyed and Red Skull released Strucker—"Very well, Herr Schmidt"—Strucker handed Johann his gun—"Your base, your rules…Fire her, now"
Johann eyed the gun in Strucker's hand, gave June a sideway glance before eyeing Strucker coldly.
"I won't sir"replied Johann"Not now anyway"
"I said now, Schmidt!"
Red Skull was as cool as a cucumber.
"I understand she broke the rules, but you forgot, this is my base, therefor my ru-"
June gaped as Strucker struck her boss with his Satan Claw.
"I said now, Schmidt"
Massaging his jaws, Johann glared at the man.
"I will fire her, sir, but not now, we have an overseeing visit to finish and we're late on schedule so I'll fire her later after we're finished, and if you want a proof of my good faith, I can bring you her head as a trophy once I'm done"
Strucker glared at her and the still crying babies.
"I want her head before I leave, understand?"
Johann nodded slowly.
"I'll take her to my office"
"No, Crossbones, accompany this woman and make sure she doesn't leave until we finish and Schmidt comes back"ordered Strucker and the man in the white skull mask nodded.
June eyed warily the man that was walking toward her. Crossbones grabbed her bad arm and half dragged her to Johann's office. Internally, June prayed that the children had listened to her and had hid themselves in Schmidt's bedroom because there's no way she can make up a story for them if they are discovered. The brute and her stood before the door of Red Skull's office and Crossbones pushed it open—and June let out a soundless and relieved breath as she saw the office empty of anything for children. Letting her go violently, June stumbled slightly, glared over her shoulder at Crossbones and walked to the chair in front of the desk before she sank down on it, her heart trying to get out of her chest.
"Make these things shut up"hissed Crossbones, mentioning to the still crying babies.
"Sorry I can't!"hissed back June, a bit too high on adrenalin to care if the man shot her out of the blue"It's a bit hard to sooth a baby after everything that happened!"
Crossbones took out a gun and took off the security.
"Either you calm them down or I am and you won't like my way"
June tensed her jaws before she shushed gently the babies, humming shakily a song under her breath that seemed to calm them down enough for her to put them in their carrier seat as their weight was starting to kill her bleeding shoulder. Time dragged on and on and, finally, a knock sounded after hours of waiting. Turning her head toward the door as it opened, Mary walked in, a bit pale and shaken and her right hand in a cast up to her mid-forearm.
"Mister Schmidt sent me, he'll be here soon and asked me to relieve you"said Mary, coming next to Crossbones
The man glared at her.
"No need, I have my orders"grunted the man.
Louisa snarled.
"Your orders were that you had to accompany her, not serve as a prison warden!"hissed Louisa, coming up to Crossbones' face "I did not gave the orders, if you want to be angry at the one who did, go be angry with Schmidt, I'm sure he'll like it in his pissy mood!"
Louisa may be way smaller than the man before her but what she lacked in height, she made it up with her temper, and right now, she was damn dead set on Crossbones being out and June knew—from experience— that the taller and broader man WILL be out, one way or another. The two glowered at each other before Crossbones walked out, cursing under his breath before he closed—slammed—the door angrily. Louisa waited a moment before she walked up to June and embraced her girlfriend.
"You're an idiot"hissed Louisa, hitting June upside the head"A fucking idiot! Do you understand you could have died! And you told them you had a girlfriend! A GIRLFRIEND!"—June tried to shush her for the sake of the calm and sleeping babies—"Don't you dare shush me Cécile Émilie June! You could have died! You took a bullet!"
"I know"breathed tiredly June, her face pale from the bloodloss"I'm sorry, but I had to find something so that me or the babies wouldn't be killed and my tongue slipped"—June paused to eye the cast—"What about you? Are you alright?"
"You took a bullet and you ask me if I'm alright?!"
"You broke your hand, I just got stung"
Louisa hit her head again.
"I'm fine, well as fine as an open fracture is"answered Mary, eyeing her cast and flexed her fingers with a small grimace"The bones have been realigned and I'm testing a new product so that I won't have any troubles with my ligaments or nerves afterward but I'll still need some rehabilitation"
June nodded, nose-diving a little as her vision swarm.
"God, Cee, Cee, stay awake"whispered Mary, grabbing her girlfriend's face.
"I'm awake"slurred June"But my shoulder hurts"
"I know…But until Schmidt comes back, I can't take you to the Infirmary"
"I know…"breathed June"I'm sorry, I love you, you know, that's what I was thinking before I was shot, I love you and I don't regret being with you, even if it's what is going to have me executed"
Mary let out a breathy sob, tears dripping down her eyes as she put her forehead against her girlfriend then kissed her slowly on the mouth, treating the kiss as if it were their last one on Earth—and it may as well be. The door opened and they separated, staring wide-eyed at whoever opened the door. Red Skull strutted into the room, tall and mighty in his HYDRA suit.
"One mistake like this didn't serve you as a lesson?"snarled Johann, closing the door then crossing the room toward the babies.
Mary looked away while June, feeble but not undeterred, stared right back at her boss's back.
"I'm sorry for the mess, sir-"breathed June
"Pst!"hissed Johann, taking Zee then Cas in his arms and simply held them close.
Mary looked like she wanted to say something but June took her hand and shook her head slowly.
'Man nearly lost his children, let him relish that they are here, alive and safe'wanted to say Cecile.
"Where are Lily and James?"asked Johann, almost soundlessly.
Mary eyed confusedly her boss while June motioned toward the door.
"In your bedroom, sir"slurred June, vision swimming again"Told them to hide there until one of us went to collect them"
Johann nodded before he whistled. Soon, the kids unbolted the door and ran out, hugging the man's waist.
"What happened to you?"asked Ar-Lily as she saw her.
"Took a bullet"said June, smiling tiredly"Because I was an idiot"
"That you are"hissed Johann, going to his desk and sitting in his armchair—and leaning back on it, his babies still sleeping on his chest—"That was pretty damn stupid"—June and Louisa were sure the man was restraining from shouting because of the babies—"Why did you do that? Why did you take the twins out, knowing there was a dangerous man roaming those halls?"
"Louisa broke her hand"said June and Louisa held up her casted hand helplessly"According to her, it was one of the babies who broke it and I had to take her to the infirmary as the fractures were open ones, Mary didn't want to leave the babies alone so I took them with me while I told the twins to hide in your room, I didn't expect to find you and Strucker going to the infirmary"—June paused then bowed her head, almost hitting the ground—"I'm deeply sorry, sir"
June could feel Red Skull's heavy glare on the back of her head.
"Man was looking for you"replied Johann"To punish you for leaving us like that, I'm just glad he didn't went to my office first"
June nodded slowly as she raised her head.
"…What's going to happen to me now?"asked June"I broke the rules, I have to be 'fired'"
"I know"said Johann.
Mary bit her lips as tears went down her cheeks.
"Please sir, don't"pleaded Louisa"It's my fault, if I hadn't broke my hand, nothing would have happened"
"It's not your fault, love, if anything, it's mine"said June before she stared right into Schmidt's cold and hard sapphire eyes"Sir? I-"—June paused and pondered her next words carefully—"The babies…They're super soldiers, right?"
June saw Johann tense and that was all she needed.
"What? What? Super Soldiers?"said Louisa, staring at them"But only Captain America and him have the serum"
"And the formula is sealed in their genetic code, I read the files"said June slowly and Schmidt stilled, glaring at her"That could be the only explanation on how Louisa's hand broke as if her bones were just twigs…And I noticed Tho-James's features looked like yours, your humans ones I mean, and I can see some of them in Lily's and Zee's ones too but I can't put my fingers on whose other features are Cas's but they aren't y-"
Johann hissed warningly at her and she cut herself while Mary gaped at her boss.
"So that means…The kids, they are…"
"Yes"breathed June"They are our boss's, you haven't noticed?"
Mary shook her head.
"But A-Lily and James told me they had three fathers"—Mary gaped at June—"How can you be sure the kids are his?"
June gaped back at her girlfriend while Johann glared at the sheepish looking James and Lily.
"Mum taught me how to recognise people by using the same technique as cops"—June paused—"And three fathers? Shut up"
"I'm not joking, Lily calls them Dad, Fatty"—"Vati"cut Lily and looked away when Johann glared at her—"And Pop and apparently their Dad bore and birthed them"
June gaped at her before both turned to their boss.
"Sir-"
"Enough!"hissed Johann, almost standing up and the babies in his arms whimpered at his loud tone"My personal life concerns neither of you"—Johann paused to inhale then exhale angrily—"And with the little show you put on with Strucker, you can understand why I don't reveal anything of said personal life"
"We understand, sir, and we know we have to keep our mouth shut on this"—June snorted suddenly—"You won't have to worry about me, sir, Strucker wants my head, literally speaking, so I'll gladly take this secret to my grave"
Mary gaped at her.
"Literally?!"
Cecile shrugged.
"It was the only way for me not to be shot on the spot"informed June.
Louisa suddenly hit June on her bad shoulder—making the raven-haired woman hiss painfully.
"You could have told me!"
"I told you I was to be executed!"
"A little more precision would have been grateful!"
"Girls"hissed their boss, making them stop.
A tense silence settled in the room.
"You understand I promised Strucker your head, right?"—June nodded—"Well…I won't"
June's eyes widened while Mary looked at her boss with starry eyes.
"Really?"breathed Louisa
"But sir, you can't refuse him, not even for me sir"said June"I'm just a random agent, easily expendable"
Louisa hit June again on the head.
"He's letting you live and you ask him to kill you! Are you an idiot!?"
"I'm not! But right now, let's say he lets me live, then we'll be both in trouble for Strucker will stop at nothing to see me dead or worse, the boss, is that what you want? If he succeeds into kiling us himself, then I won't be the one going to the boss's family or kids and tell them 'Sorry, you won't see him anymore, he's dead because I'm a selfish prick'! Is that what you really want?"
"If it keeps you alive then yes!"
"Ladies"
Both women tensed as they heard their boss's voice, forgetting he was listening. Johann stood up and the girls could see him set down reluctantly the babies in their carriers.
"Lily, James, take them into the room"ordered Johann calmly"Stay there until I call for you"
The twins nodded and took the carriers before going into the bedroom and locking the door.
"Sir?"asked Mary.
A knock sounded and Johann glared at the door.
"Just in time"commented drily the German man"Come in"
A woman with black short hair walked in, holding one of their men with her.
"I got who you asked, sir"said the woman, forcing her prisoner to kneel"Our dear pain in the ass's mole"
"Thank you, Agent Aleister"said Johann"You can leave and not a word"
The unsaid threat wasn't unheard by anyone. The woman nodded and left the room as the two agents eyed their boss. The man was glaring up at them and Johann lazily walked to a drawer in a corner and took out a Veil then a gun with its silencer.
"What do you have in mind, sir?"asked June as Johann screwed the silencer on the gun.
Johann silently handed her the Veil, who immediately took on her face before Johann took it back. Going to the kneeling man, Johann put the Veil on him and a doppelganger of June was in the room. Johann then went back to his desk to take the gun and pointed it at the man.
"Miss Cecile June, I fire you"
"Cut off one head, tw-"vociferated the mole in June's voice.
The gun fired and the man dropped dead, a bloody hole in his chest.
—
"Since you've been a pain in my ass today"stated Johann—a cigarette at his lips—glaring at June's back as he was patching her up"I have my own punishment for you"
June winced as she sensed the knife cut her skin deeper then the tweezers fiddling in her shoulder—and no anaesthetics, oh joy!
"Of course, sir"—she winced again before the tweezers retracted and a small clang resonated before they went back into her skin—"For what you did for me, you can punish me any ways you want"
"I'll hold you onto that"growled Johann, taking the last of the fragmented bullet in the woman's shoulder"I should kill you for putting…my children in danger"—June winced before she hissed as alcohol was poured on her wound.
"I know, I'm sorry"
June heard Johann huff.
"You also protected them, if I can call it that"said her boss before he bandaged her shoulder"And that is the only thing that is keeping you alive"
Someone gulped and it wasn't her. Mary was sitting a bit away, watching over the babies as the kids stared at their father and her.
"I understand, sir"—June inhaled—"…What awaits me?"
"Dress up"ordered Johann, standing up and washing his hand in a bowl of water.
Putting the strap of her bra up—and wincing a little— then put back on her shirt—wincing again— June stood up on shaky limbs. Fully turning to her boss, June stared right back into those angry sapphire eyes.
"For the next four months, you are to do most of the paperwork in the base, you will also lay low for a while, who knows how many moles Strucker has put in my base then finally…"Johann paused"Whenever I ask it, no matter what, you and your girlfriend will serve as babysitters should the need arise again and this is a permanent punishment"
June couldn't help it. She gawked and she was sure Mary was gaping at him.
"Sir?"
"Are you contesting me?"
June shook her head.
"No, sir, not at all"replied June"It's just that…I was expecting something…worse"
"Now you're contesting"
"I'm not! I'm stating a fact"
"Cee, shut up!"hissed Mary and June snapped her mouth shut for a moment before she opened it again.
"But, I…"
"Cécile, don't make me come over here and hit you"
"Alright, alright!"June huffed before she turned to her boss"You still could have punished m-"—Something hit her wounded shoulder and she hissed, turning around to glare at Mary who had thrown a children shoe—"Ow! That hurt"
"Good! Maybe that will make you think before talking!"
"Spousal abuse! That's spousal abuse you know!"drawled June and Mary went to grab something else to throw at her—"Okay, okay, sorry!"
Mary huffed angrily while the twins snickered at them and Johann rolled his eyes. Finishing his cigarette, Johann squashed it in the kidney bowl with the fragmented bullet before going to sit behind his desk.
"Now, let's talk about what's going to happen next"said Red Skull and immediately all heads turned toward him"And more importantly what's going to happen to you"—Johann gave a pointed glare at June, who looked away sheepishly—"Strucker thinks you dead, you know what this mean?"
"Yes, sir"said June"Strong low profile"
Johann nodded.
"Exactly"—Johann pulled a drawer from his desk and took out a case with a Veil inside—"Here"—Johann threw the case at June—"You are to change identity, wear this and change your hairdo for an uncertain duration"
June nodded as she eyed the case.
"Which means, sir?"
June didn't like the look her boss was giving her.
"Maybe for the rest of your life"replied the sapphire-eyed man.
Pursing her lips, June nodded slowly.
"…Good thing I planned to bleach my hair, huh Mary?"—June gave a wry smile to Louisa—"Wasn't you that had a thing for redhead or something, like me?"
Louisa's cheeks took on a nice red and June smiled amusedly.
"Don't make me come here and sock you"
The raven-haired woman snickered as she opened the case and started calibrating the Veil inside.
"Hey, you can thank the boss! You will be able to screw with me while I'm wearing the face of your sexual fantasy"
"JUNE/CÉCILE!"
The woman laughed again and Louisa, sick of her, stood and went to hit her girlfriend upside the head.
—
To the other HYDRA base, Cecile June was fired for breaking the rules and her head handed to Strucker—who then impaled it on a stick outside his base once he got back to Sokovia. That was the official version that was circulating in all the HYDRA bases after the incident happened. Officiously, Cecile June was still alive and kicking in New York with her girlfriend, Mary Louisa. While the most trusted agents of his base kept silent on her real fate, they couldn't help be feel secure in the HYDRA base of Johann Schmidt, knowing that their boss may have their back.
'Maybe, this could play in my favour for when I take over'thought idly Johann as he opened the door to their bedroom in the Avenger Tower.
Lily and James were in the Penthouse, watching TV while he had decided to put the other twins to bed, for a quick nap. By chance, they won't remember what happened and Lily and James will keep their mouth shut about what happened.
"JARVIS, where are the Avengers?"asked Johann as he opened the door of their shared bedroom and happily faceplanted on the soft matress.
"They have just come back"informed the AI"Harry and Captain Rogers are on their way to you"
Just as the AI said that, the door opened and Harry waltzed in, Steve in tow. The wizard smiled and made a beeline for the bed.
"Hey love"greeted Harry, jumping on the bed and lying down on Johann's back"How was your day? Babysitting wasn't that bad?"
Johann's answer was to groan in his pillow and Steve laughed, sitting on the bed near the red-skinned man—who raised his head from the pillow so that he won't suffocate himself.
"Surely it wasn't that bad"said the blond.
'If only you knew…'thought idly Johann.
"I've had better day"simply replied the German man and Harry smiled before kissing his worries away.
Translation
Süßer-Honey, sweetheart,…
Ja-Yes
Was tue ich?-What do I do?
Vati-Dad/Daddy
Dummkopf-Idiot/Cretin
Scheiße-Fuck/Shit
Fotze-Cunt
Herr Strucker/Schmidt-Mister Strucker/Schmidt
Et toi, quand on appellera 'pot de chambre', tu répondras présent- Lit. 'And you, when we call for a bedpan, you'll raise your hand', French expression to say 'Mind your own business and shut up your face'
Pauvres cons- Pathetic dumbasses
Tête de mule-Bloody-minded ass
Putain de connard -Fucking fuckwit
Pst!-Shush!/Hush!/Shh!