Rainlily groaned, opening her eyes as she tried to get her bearings. "Hey, take it easy." She smiled when she heard Loki's voice, his hand gently squeezing hers. "Hey, you. Where am I?" she asked, struggling to sit up. "Don't 'hey' me. Do you realize how stupid you were to take on that creature alone?" Loki said, helping her and adjusting the pillow behind her, "You've been asleep for the past few days. I was ready to send you to Asgard myself!"

"What? Really? Is everyone okay?" Lily asked but saw the grim look on his face. "Everyone's fine, although you nearly gave us a heart attack. Bucky didn't let you go until we got back here. He and Bruce never left your side until this morning to rest."

She sighed but nodded, "I'm so sorry. I acted impulsively. I just-"

He squeezed her arm. "I know, darling. Just promise me you won't do something like this again." She smiled and nodded, but a frown came to her lips, "What of Venom? Anything?"

"No, but let's worry about you for now. You need to help."

"Okay, can you take out the IV for me, please?" she asked, as she hissed, turning over the edge of the bed. Loki wanted to stop her, but only she knew her limit. He carefully took it off her, watching as she placed her hand over the wound. Her hand glowed, her body healing slowly as she breathed relief when she felt the aches and pains disappear.

Loki pulled her onto her feet and stared down at her. Lily noticed an agonizing look on his face. She cupped his cheek, but he leaned down, resting his forehead against hers. He traced her face with his fingertips, taking in her appearance before tracing her lips. Still unsatisfied, he pulled her into a hesitant yet delicate kiss. She responded to the kiss, pressing against his body when the door slid open, and her smile dropped when she saw Bucky enter. His face showed signs of tiredness; did he sleep?

"Buck…"

He approached Lily without a second thought and pulled her into a careful hug when Loki gave them space. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he buried her head into her neck, taking in her presence before he carefully pulled away, his hand carefully over her stomach.

"Does it hurt?"

"No, I'm fully healed, I promise. I healed everything." She assured him, waving a glowing hand. He smirked, whispering 'good girl' before pulling her into a chaste kiss. She sighed when he pulled away, his hands cradling her face. The door slid open, and Tony and Bruce walked in. "Locking lips already, I see." Tony teased, the trio looking over to the newcomers.

"I'm glad to see you awake; you worried us out there." Bruce said with a small smile, Tony matching him. "How are you feeling?" Tony asked her. "Good as new," Lily answered with a smile, "I'm sorry again for worrying everyone." Bruce cleared his throat. "Everyone was worried about you, but I'm glad we arrived in time."

"But where am I? I don't recognize this place?" Lily couldn't help but ask. "I'm glad you asked," Tony smirked, "this will be your new workstation." Lily looked confused, "Wait, what?"

Bruce answered this time, "General Ross released you from the watch list and has approved you. You are now an Avenger, sort of."

"Sort of?"

"You're our healer, but we must begin training you properly. Venom is no longer enhancing you. And if you hate it- or not- this room is now at your disposal." Tony explained, making her laugh in excitement. "Oh my god, I can stay. That's so amazing!" she squealed, making others around her smile.

"Why don't we go up and see everyone? They've been worried about you?" Tony suggested. Bruce stayed back as Tony left the room, Bucky taking the queue for privacy. Loki and he left the room; Lily looked at him nervously when Bruce approached her. "You should've come to me, you know. I would've gone with you." He told her softly.

"I wanted to tell you, but watching you all fight…" She explained when he squeezed her arm, "We heard the voicemail. You had good intentions. It's not smart, but it's still good. Promise me you'll never do that again." He asked of her. She smiled, nodding in agreement, "Promise."

So much time has passed, and there is still no update on Venom. Lily checked every tip thoroughly, and there was still no lead. Time had come and gone, and so much had changed. Lily had moved into her apartment with Bucky and Loki, though they had rarely come to their little sanctuary,

Bruce moved her into her new apartment, which had three bedrooms. It was filled with books, weapons, and a blue-ray collection of movies with a unique entertainment space, so she was happy to have this with them. The new living arrangements were a little rough, but they were making it work. Both weren't always around because of missions and mainly ended up residing at the Compound with the other Avengers. Still, Bucky always brought her to the apartment for a few days of returning or until they were called back to work.

Lily walked into her apartment after joining Steve and Bucky on a mission, leaving her a little worse for wear with all the excursion from healing everyone. With Bucky in the shower, she began undressing when she heard the door knock. Lily stiffened; who would come to visit her in the middle of the night? Approaching the door carefully, she looked through the peephole; her eyes widened when she saw who it was.

"Oh my god," she said as she swung the door open, "Eddie Brock! What a pleasant surprise!"

"Yeah, I'll say. Can I come in?" he asked with a small smile, digging his hands into the pockets of his zip-up hoodie. "Yeah, of course. Come on in." she said with a smile of her own. When he stepped in, she noticed his stance and physical appearance. He looked pale, sweaty even, but he spoke perfectly fine. "Everything okay?" She asked, closing the door behind him.

"Uh, well, someone wanted to say hi to you." Brock spoke with a nervous smile before a black mass consumed his body. Lily took a step back when she instantly saw Venom's face. "Oh my god, Venom!?"

Lily fully embraced him as the door behind her sprung open with Bucky and Loki charging out, their faces momentarily filled with a fierce look before they dropped to annoyance. "Seriously? You've been alive this whole time, pest?" Loki spoke with irritation in his tone, but she didn't care as Venom hugged her back.

"I'll let it go this once puny God," Venom spoke, "but I have missed you, friend."

"I have missed you so much!" she exclaimed as she pulled away before punching him in his arm, "Do you know how worried I was? It's been over a year! I thought you died!"

"But we didn't. We are not as weak as you humans."

"Oh, that's rich, considering since you almost died to FIRE!"

Both took a moment before she gave him a solemn look. "If you've been Eddie this whole time, does this mean you're…not staying with me?" she struggled to ask. Venom shook his head, "We were killing you. Back on Asgard, we kept you alive long enough for help when you nearly slipped away. We consider you…a friend. I don't want to do that to you."

"But we will not disappear forever. We would like to revisit you. Perhaps every month?" Venom asked. Lily smiled, nodding, "Yeah, I'd love that." She agreed. Venom looked to Bucky and Loki, "Take care of our human, will you?" "We will," Bucky assured him before Venom disappeared, Eddie shuddering.

"I hate when he does that…" Brock muttered, looking at Lily with a smirk, "How did you deal with him?" She chuckled, finding it almost endearing, "Lots of chocolate. He has a thing for Kit Kats. Besides, you just need to talk to him." She answered. Brock chuckled before he felt himself stiffen like he was no longer controlling his body. She stopped herself from tensing up when he hugged her so suddenly.

Loki attempted to step forward, a deadly glare on Brock, but Bucky grabbed his arm with his metal hand, keeping him in place. "Venom wants us to be friends, but this wasn't necessary." Brock grunted but eased up when Lily hugged him back. "Take of him for me, will you?" she asked of him softly, "And call me if you need me- either of you."

"I don't have much of a choice but…I will, thank you." Brock told her before letting her go, "I better go. I have a big job in San Francisco, but we'll see you soon." Lily waved as he left, Loki wasting no time closing the door behind him.

"I'm missing him already." Loki said sarcastically when Bucky pulled her into his arms. "Are you okay, doll?" he asked her. She smiled sadly, "I just miss him a little, is that weird?" she asked. He shook his head, "He was a part of you. It's a natural response. But you're healthy now. That's what matters right now."

Loki wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her back against him, Bucky pressing against her; Lily feeling trapped but still in their embrace. "I'll miss him protecting you, but he said he would visit. Just no more hosting him, am I clear?" Loki stated.

"Clear." She promised.

"Good now," Lily squealed as Bucky picked her up, throwing her over his shoulder, "let's break in that new bed ours." Loki chuckled when he saw her flustered, patting her head before running his hand over her cheek, "We won't break it this time, I promise you, my darling."

"Lies! But what should I expect from the God of Mischief and my Terminator?"

Bucky rolled his eyes with a smirk, but Loki sighed, "You, too, will be burdened with glorified purpose." Lily sighed when Bucky threw her on the bed, looming over her. He cupped her face before giving her a chaste kiss, looking at her affectionately, "I love you, Rainlily."

"I love you too." She whispered when Bucky pulled her into his lap, spinning her over as Loki joined in. He carefully looked over her. He only lowered his guard for them here, even if it was just a little. He cupped her cheek before brushing his lips against hers, "I love you, Loki." Lily whispered, making him flash a quick smile. "To you as well, my darling." He whispered before sealing her lips against his, Bucky kissing up her neck as he deftly mapped her body with his hands.

She found her home. Her place of belonging. And she regretted nothing.