Hello hello! Starry's here with an EARLY update! I will be out of town during the time I usually update and may not have reception! So, just to be sure I don't leave y'all without an update, here is one now! Please enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Marvel Cinematic Universe or their characters, I do own my OC's!
Nova and Natasha returned to the kitchen, where Destiny was showing Clint a video.
Clint seemed slightly uncomfortable, leaning away from the phone a little.
"What are you doing?" Nova asked Destiny.
"Showing Clint your escapade with Loki."
Nova snatched the phone out of Destiny's hand.
"Stop it. You're making him uncomfortable." Nova scolded.
Destiny rolled her eyes. " You weren't in any danger."
Nova remained quiet, not wanting to panic her Soulmates.
Destiny eyed her unusually quiet friend.
"You weren't, were you?" Destiny asked.
"I wasn't." Nova replied coolly.
"They're calling you Galewind." Destiny said.
"Galewind?" Nova questioned.
"It's what the public is calling you." Destiny shrugged.
"I don't know how I feel about that."
"They're still speculating whether or not you're an Avenger." Destiny shrugged, pulling up the latest articles on her phone and handing it to Nova.
A grainy image of Nova flying was a frequent image that appeared, as was her falling down the side of the Tower.
Nova's brows raised as she read the articles.
Unveiling Galewind: Was This Mysterious Hero an Unrecognized Avenger During the Battle of New York?
Unveiling the Mystery: Was Galewind a Secret Avenger in the Battle of New York?
Unveiling the Mystery: Avenger or Vigilante? Deciphering the Role of the Mysterious Heroine in the Aftermath of the Battle of New York.
"Well, Fury is interested." Nat murmured to Clint.
Clint set down the mug he had been drinking from, giving Nat a look, "no way."
The way he said it made Nova think it was an argument that the two had already talked about before.
"What are you talking about that includes me?"
Clint gave Nat a hard stare, which Nat returned.
Relenting, Clint looked away.
"What do you think of becoming an Avenger, Nova?" Nat asked.
"Well, technically I am an unofficial Avenger. What's the harm in making it official?"
" It's going to be very dangerous, Nova. You could die." Clint said.
"Clint," Nova placed a hand on his arm, "I understand your concern, I really do. But you have to understand, my life has never been safe, not since the moment my abilities manifested. My people have been hunted, targeted, and threatened because of who we are. Joining the Avengers isn't about seeking the danger, I'm already in danger. Even before the attack, my life has always been in danger. What it is about is taking control of my own life. My whole life I've lived in the shadows, hiding what I can do. I've been living in fear for so long, constantly looking over my shoulder, never knowing if today would be the day they finally catch up to me." Nova straightened, gaze on Destiny who held a look of understanding.
"I'm tired of hiding. I'm tired of being afraid, Clint. And I'm ready to stand up and fight back. I'm ready to defend myself, to defend my people, and finally live on my own terms. So please, trust me on this. I need to do this, not just for myself, but for everyone."Nova finished, slightly out of breath from her ribs, and from the passion with which she had spoken about her feelings.
Clint remained silent, hand running through his hair as he tried to put his thoughts into words.
Destiny and Nat had explained The Seekers to him hours before, and it had shaken him to the core.
"Joining the Avengers…" Clint paused, "it's not only about facing the danger, it's about being forced into the spotlight in a way you have never experienced before. Hell, it's only been over a week and a lot of information has been discovered about us. They're getting close to finding out about you." Clint's hands squeezed Nova's forearms, trying to emphasize the seriousness of his words, "Tony has been doing a pretty good job at throwing red herrings and deleting information about you in regards to the battle. You're right, you've been hunted, targeted, and threatened because of who you are. But joining us won't make those dangers disappear. If anything, it'll only make them worse. You will be a target, not just for those who want to kill you for who you are, but for every bad guy out there looking to make a name for themselves."
Clint continued, "I'm not saying you shouldn't fight back. I'm not saying that you shouldn't stand up for yourself. But, there are other ways to do that. And those ways don't involve putting yourself directly into harm's way. Those ways allow you to keep some semblance of the life you've been fighting so hard to protect."
"What if I never wanted to protect the life I've been trying to protect?"
"I'll stand by you, Nov," Nova felt a thrill at the nickname, "no matter what. But please think carefully about this decision. It's not one to be taken lightly. Your life, your safety, they're important. Joining the Avengers… it'll change everything. Are you sure you're ready for that?"
Nova looked Clint in the eye, "I'm more than ready."
Clint gave her a dubious look.
Nova had a feeling he would continue to dig in his feet about this unless she did something about it.
"Tell you what," Nova said, taking the now steaming waffles that Nat offered, "I'll be healed in about two days. You both," Nova gestured from Clint to Nat, "and whoever else you wanna throw at me, can put me to the test. See what my limits are, and what I'm capable of. If you deem I'm not up to your standards, I'll step back. But if I'm capable," Nova pressed a manicured finger into Clint's chest, leaning forward and leveled a hard stare, holding his gaze, the unspoken challenge hanging in the air, "I'm joining."
Nova kept Clint's gaze, which he held, worry clear in his eye.
Clint sighed and nodded. "Alright. Alright, I understand."
Nova sat back, satisfied.
Her hunger took over again and she consumed the waffles with renewed vigor.
"How about you, Destiny? We could use someone like you on our team." Nat asked.
"No offense to Nova, but I prefer to remain behind a mask. I'm more content with my life now. If I can keep my identity hidden and offline I wouldn't mind, but my territory is New York. I'd also rather not be burned alive."
Clint blanched at the thought, an image of Nova in his mind.
Nat nodded. "Your secrets are safe with us."
"I won't blab." Nova said.
Nova turned a curious gaze back to Nat and Clint. "So, I already know you two have seen your Marks, when am I seeing mine?" Nova gestured with her fork.
Clint grinned, wordlessly rolling up his sleeve and offering his bicep to Nova.
Nova leaned forward and took in the mark that wrapped around Clint's bicep.
The ink looked faint, taking on a hint of blue and white as if it were made out of air instead of ink.
It appeared as a series of fine lines that seemed to intertwine and dance together, moving and shifting much like the wind itself would.
As Nova moved, the light caught the ink which made it shimmer and gleam with a soft, iridescent glow.
Nova was surprised to feel the wind gathering slightly around the Mark, responding to the Mark which mimicked the air itself.
"Can you feel the wind on the Mark?" Nova asked, hand tangling in the breeze.
"I thought you were doing it." Clint said.
"I've been able to feel it ever since Nova and I Linked." Nat said, "I'm guessing it's because you're a Windspeaker?"
"Many Soulmates that are linked to Speakers are recognized by the Speaker's element. Some non-Speaker Soulmates have been able to control that element to many successful degrees." Destiny explained.
Clint seemed to get an idea, a grin making it's way across his lips as he looked at Nat.
"You wish." Nat said to his unspoken words.
"I'm missing something, aren't I?" Nova asked.
"He thinks it would be awesome if he could use the wind to guide his arrows."
Nova hummed, "from what our folktales say, it's pretty rare to be able to command the wind for a non-Speaker, most only get fragmented images."
Clint deflated slightly.
"I should probably head out." Destiny said, "my Soulmate is a bit nervous with me being out and about lately."
"May your flames guide your path." Nova said, repeating the familiar gesture.
"May your wind guide you home." Destiny said.
Nova gave her a wave as she left.