Peter was watching the feed, in awe as he saw the Asgardians fight on the ship as Ezri fought in the ocean. The way Ezri fought was amazing and really hoped to see it for himself, but he saw the struggle she went through.

Ever so grateful for Sam helping her, Tony was just as surprised when the bird creature appeared, but the team was quick to respond to the threat.

"Good thing Thor and Loki handled the ship right, Mr. Stark?" Peter pointed out.

"We'll need to discuss that new threat though, including Sam jumping in. It can cause an issue with that Civil War she mentioned." Tony said, pulling up his screen as he plugged in some data.

Peter had nodded and subconsciously rubbed her gill when Tony saw it. It was barely noticeable, but he saw the glimmer. Peter jumped in alarm when Tony approached him, attempting to grab his arm.

"What is that on your arm, kid?"

"It's nothing, really."

"The hell it is Parker, what did you do?"

Peter took a hard nervous swallow and panicked, but he was more afraid of Tony than Ezri.

"W-Well…"

When they arrived, Thor and the team made their way to the meeting room where Tony and Peter were waiting for them, and Peter flashed a weak smile when Ezri saw the video behind them of what transpired in the ocean.

"You failed to mention something Ezri. Honestly, I'm surprised on several levels here. And it's not the bird I'm referring to." Tony said, pacing but flashing a smirk as he normally did.

Ezri looked over to Peter and saw the nervous look on his face, and she knew instantly what happened.

"What's happened?" Sam asked, noticing the tension between Tony and Ezri.

"Ezri has a clan that she didn't invite everyone to, and I'd like to know why? We are the ones risking ourselves for you yet we weren't included. Are we not good enough or were we just being used?" Tony said, and Ezri felt a pain in her chest from his comment.

She deserved that.

"Is this true?" Steve asked and she closed her eyes, nodding slowly as she bit her lip.

"You've been good morale for the team, but I really want an explanation: one that is acceptable." Tony said, crossing his arms.

"I wasn't planning on keeping it from anyone, I had fully attended to ask others after the Civil War and season was over but it's not a simple task, Tony. You would all be immune to my abilities, and other sirens also- but the risk," Ezri signed,

"If they attack here, they won't target you without the mark. That means I'm keeping you safe the only way I know how. If I give everyone the mark now, they'd attack on sight. One look of the mark, and they'd know." Ezri signed once more.

"That's not your choice to make, kid. You should've asked." Tony told her.

Ezri teared up, Loki and Thor putting a hand on her shoulder when they she bowed her head.

"…This group is the closest thing I have to a real family. You've shown me more love and kindness than my own blood. I…didn't want to risk losing any of you because of me." Ezri signed.

Bucky looked hard at her; he didn't stop to think of that and regretted making her feel worse. Ezri sniffed, her eyes watering as she felt the tears fall down her face; she refused to sob in front of everyone.

"I didn't mean to put everyone at risk; I realize I've become selfish, careless. I apologize for the position I put everyone in…excuse me." Ezri signed before walking out, not giving anyone a chance to speak.

Loki followed her, the team looking at each other, clearly unsure what to do but Ezri needed someone.

When Ezri walked into her room, she took off her clothes and changed into her Asgardian clothing. Her mind was going through a million paces; she regretted coming here. She let herself get comfortable, and make friends- she wouldn't let this happen again.

"Darling…"

She felt Loki wrap his arms around her, his hands over hers.

"We can leave now; I'll go wherever you go." He assured her.

"But the others…"

"You need to care for yourself for a moment, beloved," Loki said, Ezri closed her eyes as she felt his breath against her cheek, craving his warmth at that moment, "no matter what they say, they're coming for you. The enemy will not care who you are."

"Loki…"

He spun her around to face him, cupping her cheek as she stared into his green eyes, "I adore you, my feelings for you never changed. If you are worried about them, let us leave now; I will keep you safe. We won't have to come back; if you wish."

Ezri closed her eyes, and he pulled her into a tight hug as she cried, hating the idea of leaving them. Saying goodbye to Peter, to Sam, Tony…Bucky. Loki felt her pain, but this was the best way to protect her, knowing she had the best of intentions, but the mortals wouldn't understand her.

But he would, as would Thor.

"Okay…" she whispered, feeling him kiss her forehead gently.

"Let's go now while everyone is preoccupied…" Loki told her, offering his hand to her.

Ezri took a hard swallow but nodded, placing her hand gently in his.

Everyone was at a sudden loss; Ezri was gone with Loki and Thor. Thor had left them a message he would be back, but it didn't help that there was no answer about Ezri. No one could talk about it without arguing, but it was clear that Tony's words had struck her hard.

Bucky was as broody as before if not more so, filled with anger and regret. He had cut his hair, but he trimmed his beard, but he would be found staring at her room. He wouldn't admit it, but he was hopeful one day her door would just open and reveal herself.

Even in the living room, he couldn't stay, always reminiscing about their movie nights where she would cuddle up against him as she had her favorite popcorn. God…he missed her like crazy. Every day he thought of Loki's words; he was not the sharing type…but maybe he'd try for her?

Would she even give him a chance?

A month went by, and Tony had finished the construction that he promised her. He could've stopped at any time and although he felt a little guilty, he understood why she left. He wanted to show her though that she was still welcomed back, and a part of their group.

Peter was distraught but he knew she did it for everyone's safety. He would comb through the city looking for any trace of her, but still nothing. He was tempted to reach out to Sam or even Bucky, but he didn't know if they'd rat him out or try to stop him. He knew she'd lay low but that didn't mean he wouldn't stop trying.

July had come and there was still no trace of her, but the team tensed when they landed their Quinjet when the sky suddenly thundered with lightning early in the morning. Bucky and Sam looked at each other; it was as deep as that same night on the ship.

Suddenly, Thor landed with Loki and the team was surprised not to see Ezri with them.

"It's starting, isn't it?" Bucky asked, and Loki nodded.

"She's already gone in. Stay away from the waters, I ask of all of you. You…won't recognize her." Thor pleaded to them.

"But God's isn't she mesmerizing…" Loki whispered, smiling to himself.

"Yeah, Point Break, I'm not going in there but…" Tony walked past him as he headed towards the beach, "that doesn't mean I can't watch at the new observation tunnel."

"Stark- "

"I'm coming too!" Peter exclaimed, and suddenly the whole team went to the observation deck he built. Walking in, it was vast with only three directions, but the team would see it could go for miles; it shows how hard Tony really worked on this.

"Are you sure they're coming this way?" Nat asked.

"Take a look." Thor said, pointing downward.

The team looked around but still saw nothing until they finally saw them. A vast majority of male sirens were coming their way, in various sizes. Most were average but the others were as large as Steve or Thor; it was clear they were agitated and some even were shoving each other. Bucky looked closer and saw their chest and throats glowing golden color, and he realized what Thor meant.

"The glow from their chest is their mating call, biologically, of course. That's how you know it's mating season." Thor explained, but Clint looked concerned when he saw a vast number of them coming up.

"Ezri has to fight all of them alone?" Clint questioned; he couldn't imagine his daughter in this position.

"Most will kill each other, but afraid so. Has been every year since she became of age." Loki answered.

"Well, shit." Nat muttered, clearly impressed by how long Ezri's lasted but felt bad- that was no life.

The male sirens shrieked as they charged at the glass, and the team was ready to bolt, but there was no damage to the structure.

"There's no way they're getting in." Tony said confidently, smirking at his success so far.

They continued to attack the structure until they stopped, looking around when the Avengers heard a sweet melody around them. The male sirens parted and looked back, the Avengers noticing a figure when they finally saw her.

Ezri was in her siren form, Bucky noticing her long hair waving around her majestically. Her tattoos were flashing a white goldish color with a circlet adorned on her forehead, her gills in her beautiful northern light colors once more. Her throat and chest would glow up as the male sirens did, but her eyes were sharp. Her singing was just as mesmerizing, and the team were in a daze when she stopped singing.

The male sirens shrieked and charged right at her, and Ezri took off at high speed. She dipped and dived, using her surroundings to through them off, but she knew this would only last a moment longer before she hid behind a rock. They swam past her, but she grabbed one of the last men, whacking him with her fin before she made a grab for his weapon.

The team watched but also some of the men attacked one another.

"Why not wait until the end to kill each other?" Steve asked.

"Biological, I imagine. That's why they're not messing with the bigger guys yet." Bruce hypothesized.

"And this lasts for how long?" Peter asked.

"A week, most of the time." Loki answered, not happy with the situation.

"Damn…" Sam whispered; he hoped this wasn't how he'd see her again.

"Parker, you might not want to be here…she will kill to survive." Thor warned him as Ezri fended off more of them.

"Wait, she really has to kill them?" Peter asked and he nodded solemnly.

"She hates this season, but female sirens: it's to kill be killed."

"Won't they mate her?"

"…"

"Thor? Loki?" Peter questioned.

"The mating process isn't kind the first time, kid. She might not make it through it…the Civil War is still happening. IF she's mated, she must join the war. If she refuses, they'll kill her." Thor said, Loki looking more agitated as he thought of it.

"That's why we're originally clan with her. To make it doesn't get to that." Loki said, his eyes never shifting from Ezri.

Peter looked back at the ocean, watching Ezri once more. She was quickly getting overwhelmed, cuts visible on her arm, but she fought relentlessly as she stabbed someone in the stomach.

"I'll stay…I'm part of the clan." Peter said, finding his resolve.

Ezri was touched when she saw the observation, to see the team briefly, but she had to focus on survival. Ezri's eyes glowed as she hit the rock wall, hundreds of shards falling around her before she used her water ability to cast them around her enemies.

The men were hit back, and she danced around them, hitting them multiple times as she was able to slay them before more came her way.

"Thanks for letting us see her. We should really go though, she'll be here for a week, and you all will only drive yourselves crazy if you watch her." Thor suggested.

"Why did they come here?" Tony asked.

"That bird siren, someone came with him and followed her here. When we found out, we came straight here; she was worried about everyone's safety." Thor answered.

Bucky smirked; he was glad to hear that.

"I'll stay, if you allow me, Stark?" Loki asked of him, and he looked apprehensive.

"I'll stay with him, of course. It'll only be a moment he's alone while I obtain us food." Thor suggested.

"No, you both stay. I'll bring us some food." Sam offered, and Peter sat down on the floor, settling himself in.

"Well, I'm going inside. Let me know if we need to go in." Nat said, ready to jump in to help Ezri.

"Same, I'll check back in a few days." Clint said he had to check on his own family.

With Bruce and Tony hanging back, Bucky watched out for her. She was able to hold her own, her resolve to survive was evident on her face. Ezri had led them away into the deep depths of the ocean throughout the night but would come out every now and then as more followed her.

Ezri lost track of time; it feels as if she was in here the whole year. She rarely had any time to sleep, let alone eat. It was another night in the ocean and Ezri could hear the water shifting; they were close, but they couldn't find her.

Ezri stayed along the rock wall before slowly making her way up. She needed something to eat and restore her energy, but most of the men were below her. She found herself a hole along the wall, a cave available for her to rest in between.

She had rested her back against the wall, laying her head back as she took in the moment to finally rest. She wasn't sure how long she slept, but she woke up when she heard a buzzing sound. Looking around, she noticed an odd space ball coming towards her when she realized what it was.

Designed with the Avenger logo, Ezri couldn't help but cover her mouth, tearing up when the ball opened. Inside was a stack of dead fish and Ezri sobbed, taking them preciously as she smiled happily.

They still cared.

…?...

Today was the expected last day, Ezri's desire was nearly gone but each wave was just as painful as the next. She reserved her energy for minor healing, her body was still covered with various injuries, but she needed to survive a little longer.

Swimming towards her surface, she felt another wave of desire hit her, her chest glowing when she felt the current shift and she snapped over when she saw a familiar face.

"Beaumont." She signed.

His eyes were nearly feral, as were the few men remaining. He raised his spear to her, and her eyes narrowed as he charged at her. Ezri deflected with her own spear, but he was more significant than the others. He grabbed her by the throat but her eyes glowed, rocks hitting him in the fast before she thrust her spear into his stomach.

He grunted but pulled out her spear. Panic overwhelmed her when he jabbed it into the rock behind her, pushing her up against the wall.

Loki and Bucky panicked when they heard her inhumane shriek, blood pooled around her as the man bit into her neck. The team watched in horror as the remaining male sirens pounced on Beaumont. He looked back victoriously when he fought them back.

Ezri gathered her energy to headbutt him, slipping out from under him as she swam through the ocean. Her tattoos glowed again with her eyes to match, her body fighting another wave of desire as she focused on her abilities.

The team watched in awe as the disposed of spears collected around her, the male sirens undeterred as they approached her. Using the current, Ezri threw them at the sirens.

"Water bending!" Peter exclaimed, watching in amazement as she charged forward; all that remained was Beaumont now.

Beaumont smirked, deflecting her spears but Ezri was relentless. Ezri felt another wave hit her, her throat glowing as she winced. Beaumont took advantage and charged at her but pushed herself back, casting her spears on him as they ran through him.

Peter closed his eyes tightly, not unable to see that but Thor quickly called Heimdall, shots of light going around her as the bodies disappeared. Ezri panted heavily from her chest, swimming towards the surface when she heard a pound from the observation tunnel.

Looking down at them hesitantly, Tony pointed at her at the opening at the end of the hallway; there was a door appearing for her and she nodded. Pushing herself to the door, Ezri sat down as the water slowly drained out of the room, attempting to heal herself but she was barely keeping herself awake.

When the water was gone, Loki and Thor ran into the room, coming to her side as the others came in. Bucky took in the bite mark on her shoulder, her body still covered in various injuries, and his anger raised at those who hurt her.

"S-She can heal herself, right?" Peter asked, but no one answered him as Loki took her into his arms.

"Darling, try to heal yourself." Loki told her, and she rested her head against his chest as she placed a hand on her chest.

Healing herself ever so slowly, Tony brought a blanket over to her. Ezri looked over to him and smiled gratefully to him.

"Thank you, Tony…" Ezri whispered.

"Thank you, for checking on us." Tony told her.

"Where are your spare clothes?" Thor asked, and Tony ushered him to follow.

"I'll notify the team it's over…glad you're safe now." Bruce said before he left the room.

"I'll get you some food, are you hungry?" Sam asked and she nodded.

"Oh, I'll help. Don't move." Peter said, pulling Sam with him.

Loki noticed the look on Bucky's face and Bucky clenched his jaw, nodding to him.

"Bucky…" Ezri whispered, wondering what we wanted when he kneeled beside her.

"I'm right here, doll." Bucky whispered, resting a hand against her cheek.

She leaned against his hand, closing her eyes as she missed him, taking in his presence for what may be one last time. He took her in his arms, hugging her tightly as he finally felt a sense of relief. Ezri could feel his relief, his concern…he missed her.

"I'm sorry. I..with Loki back in the picture..." Bucky struggled with the words.

"You were struggling, and I was selfish to keep this from you. You're a good man." Ezri said softly, cupping his cheek.

"What if you're wrong?"

"What if I'm not?" She challenged.

Bucky rested his forehead against her, smirking down at her. "Let me in."

"Allow me." Loki whispered, taking her arm before he carefully removed a gill from her.

Ezri smiled, taking the gill from him as Bucky took off his leather jacket, revealing his right arm to her before she looked up at him. She hovered it over his wrist, but instead, Bucky brought her hand to his forearm, placing it carefully on him.

Running her thumb over it, her hand glowed white and the shine disappeared as Thor came back in with a set of clothes in his hands for her.

"We must leave Lady Ezri to herself for now, the season is not yet over," Thor spoke, handing the set to Bucky, "Loki and I must return to Asgard for a short time. Can we entrust her to you for the time being?"

"Sure." Bucky answered, standing to give himself space from her.

"Good…don't do anything stupid while we're gone." Loki warned him, but Bucky flashed a small smile.

"I promise to try."