carryon117

[carryon117]

[carryon117]

Chapter 91

Thankfully I don’t have to wait long for Bruce to come and give a final evaluation as well as handing off a clean change of clothes, before dismissing me from the medical wing. It’s only after leaving the room do I truly realize where I am. I should have put two and two together earlier when I was sensing my environment. I originally thought that I was recovering in the same medical wing in the tower where I originally met Bruce and Tony in, but I was wrong. I look out the windows and see the beautiful green grass of the fields around the Avengers compound. The beautiful forest surrounding the fields helps me to relax. Even though I enjoyed the tower in the bustling city, I enjoy the picturesque landscapes of the compound that much more.

I take in a deep breath and practically feel the earth hum around me. She’s welcoming me to this portion of her majestic nature, and I smile. 

“Thank you.” I sigh out loud, eyes focused on the nature surrounding the metal building.

“I don’t know if you should be thanking me yet. But gratitude is always appreciated.” The snarky voice sounds just behind me. I whirl around and throw my hands into a defensive pose.  “Whoa, there Elsa.” Tony flashes his trademark grin. “I’ve already had the pleasure of facing your wrath in one of my buildings, let’s try to keep this one an accident-free workplace.” 

I give him a smile in return before surprising him by throwing my arms around him and hugging him.

“Whoa there, kid.” Tony grunts when I connect with him. For a moment he pats my shoulder awkwardly before tentatively returning the hug. “It’s okay, Elsa. You’re home and safe.”

I’m not sure if he says this for my benefit or for his, but either way, I step back from him and smile. 

“Home.” I echo, looking out the window to the sprawling grounds of the compound. “I think I could get used to that.” 

“Well, good. Because that stunt you pulled gave me enough gray hairs. So, don’t do it again.”

“I don’t know, Tony. I think that Pepper may like the little bits of salt.” I wink at him.

“Argh. At least I know you’re feeling like yourself again, Buttercup.” Tony snarks. 

I freeze momentarily at the nickname, but not long enough for Tony to notice or comment on it. 

“So, now that you are among the living again, it's time for your grand tour.” Tony throws an arm around my shoulder and starts to lead me down the shining hallways. 

“Now, I am sure that you are quite familiar with the medical bay at this point-” Tony begins and I roll my eyes. “Hey don’t give me attitude because you had to go SuperNova on us.”

I hum in response, “SuperNova, eh?” 

Tony fixes me with a slight glare while pulling me with him onto the elevator. The door closes behind us and begins to move. 

“What else am I supposed to call your floating light show?” 

“Fair.”

The elevator doors open to reveal the common room that isn’t unfamiliar. The open space is connected to a large open kitchen and space with a large table. I subtly glare at the table. The same one that Ross lectures the group at in such a short time away. But before I get the chance to commit some light arson, Tony tugs me along. 

“So this is one of the common rooms, it has that small kitchen, but the big one is one floor below us.” He continues to talk about the amenities of the compound while tugging me along. As we pass different doorways, he gestures to each and grants them a small explanation. 

“Movie room. Game room. The gym is down that hallway. Above us are the labs, and the roof will be landing and takeoff for the quinjet.” Tony continues to ramble.

I suddenly stop, pulling him to a stop with me. 

“Tony, not that I don’t love spending time with you. But why are you giving me a tour? Surely you have better use of your time?” I ask, trying not to offend him. But it was too late.

Tony grasps his chest in mock indignation. “Well, if I thought that you wouldn’t appreciate a tour-”

“It’s not that, Tony. I’m sure that FRIDAY would have been able to direct me. But why are you wandering around with me?”

Tony sighs, removing his arm from around my shoulders, and pointedly looks out the window instead of looking towards me. “I- We could have lost you.”

I can feel my heart break as I watch him look out the window.

“Kid, you may be an adult and from another universe. But-” He pauses, thinking over his next words carefully, “you’re family.” 

Even though what he says hits home, I can read the words that he doesn’t say. He thinks of me as his kid. I step up to the window beside him and give him a side hug. “Thank you for the best family I could hope for.” Tony doesn’t respond, choosing to lean over and ruffle my hair before placing a chaste kiss on the crown of my head. I hear movement behind us, but I don’t turn around to check what or who it was, feeling safe in the compound.

After a few more moments of silence, I can feel Tony start to get restless. 

“Okay, Tones. What else do you have to show me?” I ask him.

“Well, I am so glad that you have asked.” There is a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he leads me down a few more hallways before we arrive standing in front of a door, one among a few in this hallway.

Tony backs a few steps away and gestures for me to open the door. With a roll of my eyes, I push open the door.

The sight that greets me almost springs tears to my eyes.

The front room is covered in different flora. Colorful flowers were speckled throughout the greenery of the room, welcoming me with their delicate aromas and graceful petals. In the middle of all of the greenery is a charcoal chair leaning against one of the windows to create a picturesque nook  amid the indoor garden. 

I turn back to Tony, mouth gaping, no words coming to mind to thank him. He gives me his signature grin. 

“You remembered?” I gasp. 

“Of course, I remember what one of my kid’s PhDs is.” Tony looks bewildered that I would even think that. “I will figure out that other one.” He grumbles under his breath and I laugh, joy overtaking me. “Well, are you gonna look at the rest of it?” Tony questions impatiently.

“The rest?”

“This is your living quarters, just thought I would make it, well, you.” I turn from him leaning against the door frame and enter further into the room. Past the greenery is a living space with a kitchenette. I shouldn’t be surprised by the ultra-modern appliances and television adoring the rooms, but it still does. Upon further exploration, I find a small reading room with shelves of books and a desk with a laptop. My eyes skim over the leather-bound titles, fingers skimming over the familiar texture. Exiting the small library I find a large bathroom. There is a large clawfoot tub that I swear could hold three people, same with the shower space. Even with the large tub and shower, there is still room for plant life here. I smile at the greenery in contrast with the silver and black theming. A quick glance at the vanity shows that it is again fully stocked with products, something that I know I will have to thank Pepper for. I step out of the room and cautiously enter the last room.

The bedroom is simple, yet beautiful. The west facing window allows for the afternoon light to illuminate the few pieces within the room. A beautiful four post bed sits at the center of the room with small bedside tables on either side. My hand skims over the soft fabric of the duvet before approaching the closet. I take a deep breath before opening the door, expecting for the genius to have gone overboard and I am not disappointed. Directly to my right is the suit that Tony had created for me, with a backup behind it. I see a post note pinned to the first one. ‘Just because you have a second, doesn’t mean this one should come back in tatters. XOXO your favorite superhero.’ I roll my eyes and look around the rest of the closet. Various items line the space, from a dresser stocked with undergarments and workout attire, to dresses I am sure Nat will pressure me into wearing for the next excuse Tony has to party. But even with that thought my heart swells, I have a family. 

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[carryon117]

Chapter 90

“What exactly did my mother tell you of the markings on your skin?” Loki’s voice floats hesitantly through the air, sending a brief shiver down my spine. 

“Well, she told me that this is Isa.” I drag a finger down the middle line, splitting the other rune in two. “She said that it represents danger and ice. She mentioned that my future may become very frustrating or worse.” I gulp in a breath of air, feeling my lungs expand with it. I’m hesitant to look up at him as I speak. My eyes continuously follow the lazy movements of my fingers. Is my realization of something that he may feel towards me causing the anxiety, or is it something else altogether?

I pause for a moment and begin to trace the two triangles facing each other on either side of the split line. “This is Dagaz. She said that it is for the sun and midsummer. That it can represent both beginnings and ends.” My fingers continue to trace the raised black lines, my eyes fixated on the movements and not watching Loki’s reaction to my words. “Lastly she said that they can act as opposites. Ice and Fire. But the two halves can form together to make a whole.” 

At this, I stop staring at my fingertips sliding over the markings and I finally lift my gaze to look at Loki. “That is all that she told me about them.” Although I have lifted my gaze to try and meet his eyes, his stare is focused on the runes ingrained into my skin. 

Loki nods to himself in thought. “Well, all of that is true. But there is always more.” Loki doesn’t seem to meet my gaze as I look to him for answers. I can see his eyes flicker between his clasped hands and the markings on my wrist, before they settle on his clasped hands. 

“The first one you mentioned, Isa.” Loki’s voice begins. “It can mean Ice and danger, it can be used as an opposite. But that is not its whole story.” He pauses in thought before continuing. “It has other meanings such as patience for good things come with time. It is slow-moving, working at its own speed. It can be used to mark the end of change, bringing stability and strength along with it. But also, in our older tongue, it was used to signify the letter ‘i’.”

I glance at the singular line, just that much more information gives me further clarity into what it could mean. But with so many possible meanings, what could it mean for me? And with that meaning, what is making Loki so shifty?

“The second one, Dagaz.” Loki continues, still staring at his clasped hands. “It can mean sun and midsummer. And while it can mean beginnings as well as endings. Most associate it with the beginning of something. While that could be the dawn of a new day. It can also be a paradigm shift or the process of something becoming realized. It signifies bold changes, it can be hope for some but blind change to others. And again, in our older tongue, it was used to signify the letter ‘d’.” Loki pauses and finally looks up at me. 

His green eyes bore through me and I can tell that he is holding back something. There is something else about these markings that he isn’t telling me. The wheels turn in my mind as I try to piece together what it could all mean. Maybe the letters stand for something? DI? ID? Or maybe it means…

“They are not complete opposites though.” Loki speaks up, interrupting my thoughts. “Although they sound to be opposites, they work together at times. They fit together to create a bond.” Loki freezes momentarily at using the word ‘bond’ before continuing. “Isa may work at its own speed, but it does eventually get there. Dagaz can be the realization at its end. Or Dagaz can signify a bold change or chaos to occur, and Isa signifies its comfortable resolution. Opposites can work as one.” 

I freeze at his last statement. That line,is so similar to one of the lines that I found in the archives. Does he know? 

“But that can be the problem with working with runes, there is not a set answer. One can infer or use divination to divine what their meanings can be. But until it comes to pass, we are ultimately living within an unknown.” 

I nod along, understanding what he was getting at, to a point at least. “So I shouldn’t fret over their meanings as the future is unknown.”

Loki nods.

“Okay. I do have one question though.” I can see Loki tense, anticipating that I might interrogate him about the missing information. 

“Yes?”

“Do you know when I can leave this medical room?”

Loki relaxes and his shoulders shake with repressed laughter.

“Banner wishes you to stay until he is confident that you can at least stand on your own.”

“I’m pretty confident that I can do that.” I say, scrunching up my nose.

“Please. Demonstrate.” Loki gestures for me to get out of bed. 

I shuffle to the edge of the bed and swing my legs over the side. The cold air of the medical room chills my uncovered legs as the hospital gown only hits right over my knees. I place first my left then my right foot against the freezing tiles and rise from the bed.

“Ta-da.” I throw open my arms in a dramatic gesture. Loki pitches forward to grab me but I giggle at his movements. “I’m fine. I promise.” I smirk. The smile falls from my face and Loki looks panicked. 

“What? Are you alright? Should I call Banner?”

“I’m fine.” I wave him off again. “It’s just- I would like some clothes…”

Loki’s face blushes with my statement. The color tinting his cheeks makes an endearing picture and I can’t help but smile. “I’ll- ah- go and get you something.” Loki rushes out of the room, leaving me with more questions than answers. He could have conjured something, but he seemed so flustered that he forgot about that aspect of his seidr.

And what isn’t he telling me about the runes? I trace the markings with my fingers, my eyes following the light touches. There is something that he is keeping from me. With that thought, my gentle movements cease.

Three words. Those three repeated words. Did he start that before or after watching the movie? My mind spins as it tries to come to terms with the thoughts pinging around. Loki couldn’t mean what I think he means, right? This is Loki that I’m talking about. Yeah, he is my best friend and all… Does he mean something by his words? He couldn’t of course. I’m just some mortal from another universe. But he cares about what happens to me. But then again, it seems like the whole team cares. But what was Thor talking about in the hall earlier? What is Loki keeping from me? There has to be some sort of explanation for this, right?

I feel the familiar heat creep into my face and I glance down at the markings before looking to where Loki made his hasty exit just a moment ago. Do I want the words to mean something else?

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[carryon117]

Chapter 89:

My eyes flutter open once more. The lights of the medical room are still dimmed, something that I am incredibly grateful for. The off-white ceilings greet me again and I suck in a deep breath of air and the scents of chemicals and flora fill my senses, mingling in such a way that my nose scrunches at the onslaught. I blink a few times to rid myself of the sleep that had taken over previously. I’m not sure how long I was out this time, but I feel good as new, scratch that, better than new. I feel powerful. I feel my gifts woven together within me, almost like I was holding them back before, and once I finally let them loose and accepted them, they have accepted me in return. I close my eyes and breathe deeply, extending out my senses as I have done before. The different sensations send a shiver up my spine. I can feel each footfall within and around the building. Each footstep is different from the last, some heavier than others, others hold confidence in each step while others seem to be in a hurry. Each breath of air within the building disturbs the atmosphere enough that I can count how many people are currently inside. The water that rushes through the pipes seems to sing to me as it goes about its day. 

I open my eyes again and tilt my head to the side to see the owner of the closest breath. Deep calm and rhythmic breaths shudder out of my current companion. To my surprise, the figure is a sleeping Thor. His limbs are splayed out from the chair, leaving his head at an awkward angle. That cannot be comfortable, even for a god. 

“Ahem” I clear my throat and watch with a smile as Thor startles awake.

He looks around before the sleep clears from his expression as his eyes make contact with me. “Little One!” He bounces up from his position and springs to my side. “You are awake!”

I laugh at his lack of understanding of an inside voice. “Yes, Thor. It seems that I am.” I smile at him. “I wasn’t asleep for another month was I?” I wince while asking.

Thor laughs, “No, little one. This sleep was not even half a day.”

I sigh, relieved that I haven’t lost even more time. “That’s good.” 

“Yes, with you waking earlier I was finally able to convince Loki to leave your side to rest himself.” Thor chuckles, shaking his head.

“What do you mean?”

“He refused to leave your side until you woke up. I asked him to leave to get some rest.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Really? You simply asked and he listened?”

Thor chuckles, “You know my brother fairly well, asking is not something that he listens to from most.”

“Then how did you convince him?” 

“Between agreeing to get him when you woke up and removing him from the room, I think that I was able to get the message across.”

I laugh at the mental image of Thor picking up and carrying Loki outside of the medbay room. “I’m sure that he adored you doing that. But since I am up, we should probably let him know.”

Thor jumps up, “Yes of course.” And he begins to run out of the room.

With a sigh, I open up the connection in my head. 

Loki?

I don’t hear his response in my head, but I do hear Thor’s steps stop just outside the door.

“Brother! I was just coming to retrieve you. Little one has woken up.”

“I am aware of that, it is why I have come back down here.” I can practically hear him roll his eyes from my room.

Thor’s voice quiets down, something that I did not expect to hear from the god. “Have you told her?”

“Keep your voice down, you big oaf.” Loki chastises him.

“Sorry.” His voice lowers further. “Well?”

“No, I have not. Nor do I plan to.” Loki sounds resolved in his statement. What could he possibly have to tell me?

“You must tell her. I am quite surprised that Mother did not.” Thor urges him. I look down at my wrist, the markings stare back at me. I knew that there was something that she was not telling me. But what could they be talking about?

“I cannot do that to her.” Loki’s voice hisses. “As her friend-”

“Yes.” Thor cuts him off. “As her friend.” He hums before continuing, “Wouldn’t her friend be truthful in a matter such as this?”

“I have not lied to her, I would never lie to her.” Loki asserts.

“Ah, but brother, a lie of omission is still a lie at heart.” To that Loki seems to not have an answer. “You must tell her something, or she may find out for herself on her next visit to Asgard.” 

Loki takes a beat, before answering. “I can say some things in regards to it.” 

“Then you better do so.” Thor says, and I can practically hear him clap Loki on the shoulder. Thor’s echoing footsteps walk away from my room and there is a brief moment where I am not sure that Loki will even enter. Even though I have recalled my senses to me, I can feel his breathing on the other side of the door. He sighs deeply, displacing the air around him, and he enters my room. 

“Loki.” I greet him with a smile, finally sitting up in bed. 

He gives me a smile in return, however, his smile does not reach his eyes. “Darling.” He finally breathes out. “It is good to see you not only awake, but bright with life.” 

My nose crinkles. “Thanks.” I briefly glance to the door and back at him. I cannot be sure if he catches my glance, since he seems to want to only stare at the ground. “Loki?” His head snaps up to make eye contact with me as I utter his name again. “You were reading to me before. Could you continue?” I smile, pointing at the book that he had left behind earlier. 

This time the smile that he gifts me is genuine. “Of course, darling.” He turns to pick up the book, but I freeze at his response. Three words. Three words. 

I barely hear him settle in and snark about Tony losing his spot within the novel. He huffs a few moments longer before deciding to just start where he opened to, not caring that it wasn’t where we were. 

“I've been saying it so long to you, you just wouldn't listen. Every time you said 'Farm Boy do this' you thought I was answering 'As you wish' but that's only because you were hearing wrong. 'I love you' was what it was, but you never heard.” 

I clear my throat, “Loki?”

He hums in response.

“You never told me what you thought of the movie.” I say, tracing patterns on the blanket covering my legs. My anxiety causes my heart to race, and the blood pumping through my ears is deafening. 

“Oh, yes. I watched it with my brother and the soldiers.” Loki looks up from the book in his lap. “I can understand why it is one of your favorites, though I still prefer the novel over the moving pictures.”

It’s my turn to hum in response, my brain is moving too slow to catch the thoughts currently pinging around my skull. 

Loki seems to notice that my mind is far away, unable to string words together to respond in turn. He sighs, “I’m guessing that you overheard the conversation with Thor in the hallway.” 

That snaps my attention over to him. He huffs in frustration, “Will that oaf ever learn the basics of being quiet?” He seems to ask the question to himself rather than me, so I don’t respond. He gently closes the book and uses his other hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. “What has my mother told you in regards to the markings on your arm?”

I glance down and lazily trace the lines. “To be honest, a few basics. The names of the runes, what they mean for my gifts, the power of opposites. That sorta thing.”

Loki pales a bit, which for him wipes out most of his remaining color. “Well, ahem,” He clears his throat. “Let’s talk about the runes.”

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[carryon117]

Fight Back

Rage fills your bones as you watch the newscaster speak. Your thoughts are spinning a hundred miles a minute. How could this happen? How could they do this? You’re one of the first to admit that nothing was perfect before this, but now… Now it is different.

You had woken up earlier to start your normal morning routine, a cup of coffee and bowl of cereal in front of the news before beginning your morning workout in the gym while the rest of the team is either out on a run or still asleep. Today, instead of getting up when you finished, you are still staring at the screen hours later.

The team starts to trickle in, the boys back from their run, Wanda and Nat walking through on their way to the kitchen for their morning coffee, but you barely notice the movement around them. All you can focus on is the words on the screen and the pounding in your chest.

You don’t even notice the shaking in your hands until someone else places theirs over yours to still their movements. At the touch you look up into the concerned eyes of Steve.

“Are you okay?” He asks tentatively, his blue eyes searching yours for an answer.

“No.” You don’t care to elaborate. The rage that runs through your mind is quickly turning to shock. How? Why?

“It’s going to be alright-” Steve begins before a glare from you cuts him off.

“No it won’t.” You finally find the strength to stand, allowing for the rage to return. “Nothing about this is alright. Not only did I wake up with less rights than I had yesterday, not only does a gun have more rights than I do, but they have already begun to make their moves against same sex marriage and contraception amongst other things. They didn’t even wait until the smoke had cleared before continuously pulling the trigger.”

You aren’t sure if your shaking is from exhaustion, stress, or rage, and you don’t care. “What is so wrong about letting someone make their own choices? What is so wrong with who people love?” The tears run down your face, and you don’t care to try and stop them.

You finally gain the courage to look your teammates in the eyes. “I’ve already lost friends to this battle, and I’m not ready to lose more.”

The silence in the room is deafening.

“Then don’t.” Nat says, stepping towards you. You look at her with a question on your face. “You said that you don’t want to lose anymore, then don’t. Fight back.”

Your voice is quiet, throat hoarse from silent sobs, “How?”

“I can donate to Planned Parenthood and other organizations.” Tony speaks up. “Throwing money at the problem won’t make it go away, but it can make it harder to fight against.” He says with a wink.

Wanda slides over to you. “I have seen that we can help others by offering them safe camping spots.” She smiles. “I would love to meet and help new people.”

Sam throws an arm around you. “We can all help people get to and from polls and help get people registered to vote. Voting is one of the easiest ways to fight back.”

You start to smile, there are things you can do.

“As far as everything else,” Bucky starts. “Don’t let them do anything behind closed doors. Don’t let anything go without a fight or letting your voice be heard.”

Bruce speaks up. “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government. And when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such a government, and to provide new guards for their future security.”

You look at the scientist with a half smile.

Steve steps in, “In other words, if they don’t listen to the millions of voices yelling. We fight back.”

You feel the shock start to wear off, to be replaced by a sense of duty, of purpose.

Finally Nat speaks again, “We are with you. We are with the people. And if they don’t want to listen…” She smiles, baring her teeth. “An empire lasts 250 years on average, the States have been around for 246 years. It could be time for some change.”

You smile back at her. “Change is coming. They want to burn us, they can burn with us.”

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[carryon117]

I have been writing a few one shots as well as my long WIP, check them out!

[carryon117]

Chapter 87:

When I open my eyes, the sight that greets me is not what I expect. I half expect to see nothing, thinking maybe I died in Sokovia, or the bright white of the medical bay. But instead. I’m greeted with breathtaking purples and blues, splattered across the inky black of space, and dotted with stars as far as I can see. 

“Okay, I definitely died.” I say out loud to myself.

“Actually, not dead. At least not yet. Just mostly dead.” A somewhat familiar voice sounds from behind me. 

I turn around in a panic, hands poised in front of me defensively. The figure steps into view and I lower my hands.

“The Watcher?” I ask, confusion clear in my tone and facial expression. 

“Y/N Y/L/N.” He greets, a smile on his face.

“You know who I am?” 

“Of course I do. I know your whole group of heroes. And I know that you know them too.” He winks.

“What do you mean?”

“You used to be like me, a watcher of sorts, correct?” He starts to pace around me.

“Of sorts.” 

“But then you were given the chance to live among the stories that you so clearly cherished.”

I can’t do much but nod at his statement. 

He smiles, “That is quite the chance that not many get. I know the things that you plan to do, plan to change.” 

My face falls, “Are you going to stop me?”

He laughs, “No, I am not. That isn’t why either of us is here.”

“Why am I here? Why are you?” My questions come out without a problem, and I know that I should be more respectful to such a powerful being, but I can’t help it. After all, I am still the same person who stood up to Odin. 

He laughs, “I am here to give you a warning. And you, you are here to hear it and then return.” He gestures below our feet. 

I follow his gesture to see a scene playing out before me. No, not a scene. This is actually happening as I watch.

It’s Sokovia, back on the ground and I see myself collapse and my eyes close. As my eyes fall shut a jet-black raven lands next to me and a flash of green reveals Loki. His panic is evident and he props up my limp form and cradles my head. His eyes glow with a brighter green than I have ever seen him emit, the light flowing from his fingertips and racing along my skin. That continues for a moment, silent pleas falling from Loki as his seidr attempts to pull me away. The smell of his seidr fills me even from here. The old books, cinnamon, and fresh earth, reminding me of better times. It strengthens in its assault on my senses as his figure pours our seidr over my form. I can feel the tug to return with the power of his seidr, but with a hand on my shoulder from The Watcher, I stay put.

We watch for a few more moments, seeing Thor land next to Loki and my currently empty form. He crouches next to the two of us and reaches to pick me up. Loki doesn’t let him, instead picking me up himself. Loki refuses to look at his brother, but even from where I stand I can see the trail of clean skin that his tears make through his dirt covered face.  I can see Thor speaking, but I can’t hear what he is saying or to whom. There are no sounds to accompany this scene, but even though I cannot hear his words, his expression is enough to give me the gist of what he is trying to convey. Pure panic is written in his features, glancing between Loki and my form that rests in his arms.  I can guess that he was speaking into the comms because not a moment later, Tony and Sam land nearby and run towards the brothers. 

Tony takes one look at my form and pales, all color leaving his face. His lips form words, but from the expression he has, I am not sure he even makes a sound. He looks like he wants to reach out, but snaps his hand away. Sam looks solemn, but starts to speak. It looks like he is telling the others what to do. No doubt having experienced something like that while he was in the service. I sigh, Riley. Sam shouldn’t have to put on a brave face and separate himself from the situation. There shouldn’t even be a situation here. I can’t leave the team behind.

 Loki gently nods at Sam’s silent command, holding my form close as he follows the others into a lone rescue boat, before it rises. It ascends into the air and speeds towards the helicarrier. Loki doesn’t take his hands from me, green seidr still flowing from him and into me. He doesn’t seem to notice when the lifeboat lands on the helicarrier, only noticing when Thor places a hand on his shoulder, gesturing towards the open bay door of the quinjet. I can see the rest of the team scrambling around. The faces of Steve and Bucky look on. Bucky seems frozen, devoid of emotion, almost as if he is hiding behind the front of the soldier to protect himself. While Bucky remains emotionless, Steve stares in disbelief. His mouth moves, forming words that make no sound, but when he reaches out, Bucky holds him back. Nat has a silent hand on Clint’s shoulder as he looks away. Meanwhile, Wanda watches her brother, his mouth moving as fast as he can. The moment that he stops, she turns from him and looks over. She glances between my form and her brother, tears running down her face. Bruce waves them onto the quinjet and a flurry of activity begins to unfold.

I turn away from the scene, unable to watch as my friends continue to react to my unmoving form.

“What is your warning then?” I ask, voice slightly choked from the scene I had just witnessed. 

He raises an eyebrow in question.

“You said that you needed to warn me and then I can return. What is your warning?” 

He gives me a small and patient smile. “You have a careful line that you tread, between the lines of knowing and not knowing. What you choose to share and what you choose to hide may be your downfall. You must be wise in what you disclose.”

“That’s it. That’s the warning? I already know that. I have been stressing about that since I got to this universe. I don’t know what I should and should not tell them. It’s awful not being able to tell them everything.Can you not tell me exactly what I can and cannot tell them? That would be more helpful than some cryptic advice that I already knew.” With each statement my voice rises in rage. 

He nods at my explosion of anger and simply points towards the scene again. I look down reluctantly to see what he could be pointing at.

This time, I can see the team on the quinjet, but my form is on a medical table at the center of the cabin. Tony is speaking to Dr. Cho through a video monitor, and occasionally consulting with Bruce as he works over my figure. The charred remains of my suit look more like torn shorts and a t-shirt than a beautiful tac suit. My eyes widen as I realize what that means. I hadn’t put on makeup or asked for help from the Aether. My mark is fully on display. 

Most of the team doesn’t give the mark a second glance, instead of focusing on the organized chaos that is trying to wake me up. But the Asgardian brothers are a different story. Loki cannot tear his eyes from the mark, his eyes stare unblinking, disbelieving at the black lines. For a moment, it seems that he wants to reach out and touch the lines. Trace the marks as I have done time and time again. But Thor keeps moving his eyes between the mark and Loki, seeming to wait for some sort of reaction. 

They both seem to recognize the symbols, they possibly know the runes more than what Frigga had initially told me. I wonder what it means to them that they are reacting in such a manner.

I gulp, “Is that something that I should have disclosed or something that I should have tried harder to stay hidden?”

Again he simply smiles, “All in good time. But one last warning, do not forget what you have found.”

“What I found- Oh.” I cut myself off, realizing what he is referring to. “That prophecy?”

“Yes, don’t fight it. Or it will become self-fulfilling. It has been written, and so it will be.” He affirms.

“So, I’m guessing that this timeline, this story, has changed with just my mere presence, even before I altered the flow of time.” 

“You are a bright one.” 

“Thanks.” I scrunch up my nose. I cannot tell if he is serious or being condescending in his tone. 

“Nonetheless, it is just about time for you to return.”

“Wait-” I say, before he can reach out to me again. “Will I succeed? Will I save everyone?”

“The measure of success is not always in saving everyone, but in saving as many as you can.” He smiles before reaching a hand out, and pushing me towards the scene below.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #ao3 marvel #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #archive of our own #archive of our own marvel #marvel archive of our own #AO3 fanfic #ao3 #ao3fic #marvel ao3

[carryon117]

Chapter 86:

As we climb up the crest of the hill of rubble I can see the helicarrier and rescue boats loading up the civilians. My eyes quickly scan the ruined buildings, looking for a particular child. I can see Clint stepping onto the rescue boat with a group of civilians, and voices call through the earpieces, confirming the events that are about to transpire. 

“Is this the last of them?”

“Yeah, Everyone else is on the carrier.”

As the statement ends over the comms I can see Clint searching the ruins, until he spots the little boy. My heart leaps into my throat, now or never. Knowing that I can only concentrate on one thing for the moment, I momentarily release my hold on the floating city. The jolt of movement shakes everyone still standing on the piece of earth and voices echo in the comms. 

“Y/N, what’s happening?” “Y/N, are you alright?” “Does anyone have eyes on Y/N?” Y/N, what’s your status?”

I ignore the overlapping voices, and sprint as fast as I can toward Clint and the boy. I know that I cannot outrun the speedster, but if I’m closer I will have better control over my gifts and a greater chance of saving all three of them. There must be a higher power of some sort looking out for me in some form, because I make it to Clint just as he starts rushing the boy to the rescue boats, and right as the quinjet piloted by Ultron comes into view. 

I feel the speedster moving through the air and towards us. I have to act fast, and I’m not sure which of my gifts has the best hope of stopping that kind of weaponry. I feel a tug in the pit of my stomach, as if my powers are trying to act without me. So, I allow for my gifts and instincts to think for themselves. 

I drop to my knees and place my hands on the ground. My vision goes white as a familiar tortured scream fills my ears, protesting what I am doing. 

“No!”

My form hums with power. Violet fire licks over my limbs as the quinjet erupts in flames. The distraction causes Ultron to cease firing the weaponry, and struggle to keep the metal bird in flight. But he quickly loses the fight and the quinjet crashes towards us. But before it can get too close, a strong wind forces it straight down before getting impaled by a spire of earth erupting from the ground. The quinjet and its robotic occupant smash into metal pieces, scattering the shiny confetti in the air. I feel each piece as it slices through the air and lands on the ground. Each impact makes me want to wince in pain, the earth and I are one in the same, I feel her pain.

That present danger is done for, dealt with. I can feel the figures moving behind me, speaking to each other, maybe even to me, but I cannot make out their words. I can feel them turn to me and try to speak to me.

“I did not see that coming.” Pietro says, voice disbelieving.

Clint doesn’t respond to that, but I can feel him scooping up the child and running toward the rescue boat.

I can still feel Pietro behind me and one more figure quickly approaching. The thought of an approaching figure causes the flames that coat my form to increase in size. But the moment that I register that the form is Loki, they return to the small constant purple flame. 

“Darling, they are okay.” Loki reassures me from a distance. The flames keep him from getting too close. “Darling, I need you to quench the fire.”

I search within myself for some sort of off switch, or in the very least the control to rein everything in.

“I-I- Can’t” I manage to stutter out. Giving my powers, my instincts, and control had seemed like a good idea, but not so much now. “I-I- need-”

“Yes, what do you need?” Loki asks. I can still feel Pietro next to him, watching me as my powers win control.

“I-need- you- you” I can feel both Loki and Pietro’s breath catch in their throats. “To-run” I finally finish.

“What?” Loki says, disbelief heavy in his question.

“Princessa, we cannot leave you.” Pietro protests.

“I-I-will be- fine.” I choke out. “You- must-must leave.” 

I can feel Pietro nod and speed off towards the rescue boat, but Loki hesitates.

“Darling, I cannot leave you here alone. I-I” He stammers for a moment. Why would he be unsure in his words? Loki is often referred to as silver-tongue, what can’t he say? “I-”

I cut him off, “Loki- I need- you - to leave. Please, I-I need you to- to be safe. Please-  for me.” 

Loki is silent for a moment before he responds. “For you? Of course, darling.” 

I can feel his figure move away a few feet before shifting. But then I cannot feel him, I cannot sense his form. His essence seemed to shift to something, just out of my reach. But before I can freak out, I hear Tony’s voice through my earpiece.

“Now!” 

And the earth underneath me shatters.

As the city breaks into pieces, my powers extend. The purple flames lick across my form and branch out, extending into a sphere of violet fire around me. And I can feel everything. The gust of air currents flows through the atmosphere. The thumping of feathered wings just above me, its wings working with the winds to keep itself afloat. The water in the lake nearby, crashed against the protesting shores. Each blade of grass as it bends in the wind. Each movement of the people on board the fleeing rescue boats and helicarrier. The anxious heartbeats cause small movements in the air, racing through my teammates as their voices shout through the earpieces, trying to find each other. But I am focused on the falling earth, the hunks of dirt free falling towards the ground. The flames around me spark brighter for a moment before the winds obey and the bits of earth slow their descent. All around the crumbling city begins to meld back together, the earth gluing itself together under my instructions. The gradual descent comes to a stop after a moment once the city rejoins with the earth, back on the ground and relatively in one piece. 

As the city and I touch down, silence echoes throughout. Not a soul in sight or heartbeat within range, not a single bot left but the one Vision is currently confronting. 

That thought causes all adrenaline in me to fade away in an instant and the surge of power along with it. The flames extinguish out of existence and I collapse into the dirt. My back hits the ground and my limbs fall useless at my sides. I blink away the whiteness in my vision to see a clear blue sky and I cannot help the short exhausted laugh that escapes as I heave in the air. The sun warms my skin through the clear atmosphere, the dust settling around me. The light breeze mingles with the warm rays of the sun to create an equilibrium on my skin. It’s such a beautiful day for destruction. But the laugh quickly evaporates as I realize that I can’t feel a single heartbeat, not even mine. I glance at my hands, the sleeves have burned away under the power I had unleashed, and my head falls back. 

I can feel a single tear escape. How did I not notice the darkness ebbing at my vision as the whiteness cleared? My chest holds a stillness that reflects in the emptiness of the city that was pieced back together. Even without it beating, it feels like my heart quenches at the thought of leaving everyone behind, of not being able to do more to help. Gods, I didn’t even tell them what they are truly facing.  But at least I was able to help Bucky. At least I was able to save Loki. 

Loki, I’m sorry. A small black bird spirals out of the air and towards me. I watch its quick descent, content that at least I won’t be alone in my final moments. My vision darkens before I lose it all together. The last thought I have is of emerald green and the smell of old books, and the world slips from my grasp.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #ao3 marvel #marvel reader insert #archive of our own #archive of our own marvel #marvel archive of our own #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #marvel ao3 #ao3fic

[carryon117]

Chapter 85:

The comms become flooded with different people shouting down the line.

“What’s going on?” “Why’s the ground shaking?” “Are we getting higher?” “Anyone knows what’s happening?” 

Tony’s voice cuts through, silencing everyone, “Friday?”

“Sokovia is going for a ride.” 

At that the team is quiet, still trying to group the civilians together, but still listening for any clue as to what may happen next.

Loki appears next to me. I know that it is not one of his doubles as I can feel his hand on my upper arm. I look up at him and he gives me a small smile and a nod. I close my eyes in response and kneel down on the ground. I will not let this get up high enough to do damage. 

I place my open palms, flat on the ground, and extend out my senses. The power of the vibranium machine that Ultron created is strong, but hopefully, I’m stronger. Each particle of the earth being lifted comes to life in my mind as I begin to will it to return to its place below. I can feel their response, their willingness to obey my wishes. But unable to due to the iron fist command of the power being forced upon them. 

My arms shake with the strain, trying to will the earth to obey. I reach out to the winds for assistance, some resistance at least to keep it from getting too high. At least I seem to gain some footing on keeping it from gaining altitude. The earth and wind working together to hover in one place, no longer rising into the atmosphere. 

Slowly I open my eyes to take in my surroundings. Loki is kneeling next to me, hand on my arm glowing his signature green. Lending me strength, no doubt. He opens his eyes and turns to me. 

“Darling, are you alright?” His worry is clear in his tone.

“I am, for now. I think we have been able to stabilize it. We should meet up with the others at the church.” I respond, standing to my feet and brushing off the dirt. As I do, the comms spark to life again.

“Cap, you got incoming.” Tony shoots through the earpiece

“Incoming already came in.” Steve’s voice retorts.

“Stark, you and Y/N work on getting the city down safely. The rest of us have one job, tear these things apart. You get hurt, hurt em back. You get killed, walk it off.” I silently move my mouth in tandem with Steve’s miniature monologue. Loki chuckles at my antics and shakes his head. 

“I’m guessing that the Captain is the Captain across all timelines?” He asks sarcastically.

“Of course.” I smile, jogging in the direction of the church. “Stark, meet me at the church.”

“Already ahead of you, Elsa.” his voice crackles.

I can feel different skirmishes take place across the city, and hear the team’s quips over the comms.

“Never what? You didn’t finish.” Steve’s voice taunts. 

“Keep up old man.” Pietro shoots.

I race up the steps and into the church where Tony is inspecting the gadget. 

“Hey there Elsa. Nice to have you join us.”

“Okay, Tony. What are your thoughts?” I ask him, hoping that we can come up with something besides an explosion.

“Well, we did stop rising, so that’s a plus.” He states.

“That would be because of us.” I gesture to myself and Loki.

“Us?” Tony asks.

“Well, my gifts and some lent strength.” I add. 

Tony nods in acknowledgment of my explanation. “If the city were to fall now, it would still be devastating. Anyway, you can get us back to the ground?” He looks at me hopefully.

“Sorry, Tony. I’ve tried. The machine is too powerful. I can’t force it down. The most I can do right now, is keep it from going higher.”

He sighs, pacing around the machine. “Friday, if I get Thor to hit it…”

“The impact would be devastating.”

“Maybe if we cap the other end.” Tony supplies.

“Keep the atomic action doubling back.”

“It would vaporize the city. And everyone on it.” Tony looks at me, pain and resignation in his eyes. 

The coms spark to life in our ears, “Stark, Y/N, What do you got?”

“Nothing great. Maybe a way to blow up the city. That’ll keep it from impacting the surface, if you guys can get clear.” Tony says the last part while staring at me. I shake my head and kneel back on the ground, powers sparking as I try to get a better grip on the floating rock. 

“I asked for a solution, not an escape plan.” Steve’s voice echoes. 

“We have to make some sort of choice. This rock isn’t going anywhere right now. For now, Y/N can hold it steady, but not forever.  We can’t bring it down another way.” Tony explains looking at me. The look that Tony gives me is filled with thinly veiled concern and panic in his eyes, but the only other indication of emotions is the slight twitch of a smirk to reassure me.  I can feel the sweat beaded on my forehead as I continue to try and push the rock back home. Loki is clearly nearby as I feel some of his strength assist me in keeping the rock steady. 

“What do we do about the civilians?” Sam questions. 

“I’m not leaving this rock with one civilian on it.” Steve’s response comes through strongly, resolved.

“Well, there are worse ways to go. Where else am I gonna get a view like this?” Nat asks.

The comms static grows for a moment before an answer is heard. 

“Glad you like the view, Romanoff. It’s about to get better.” Fury’s smug voice shoots through the coms. “Nice, right? Dusted her off with a couple of friends. She’s rusty, but she’ll do.” I can practically hear his smug grin through the earpiece. 

“Fury, you son of a bitch.” Steve’s tone is incredulous, clearly taking in the sight of the helicarrier.

“Oh. You kiss your mother with that mouth.” He retorts. “Lifeboats deploying.”

I can hear the scramble across the coms as the team coordinates the lifeboats and remaining civilians to evacuate. Tony takes off, coordinating with Rhodes as he soars in with War Machine. 

Tony’s quick departure is replaced by Thor landing nearby, with Ultron close behind him. 

At the sight of the imposing metal figure, I scoot across the ground to hide behind some rubble. I need to continue to hold the rock in place against the machine, and I very much doubt that Ultron would appreciate my gesture. Loki stands, ready to defend me or help his brother.

Even from my hiding place, I can hear the exchange between the god and machine.

“I am Thor, son of Odin, and as long as there is life in my breast… I am running out of things to say. Are you ready?” Thor’s question is answered by Vision flying in with Mjolnir. The sound of metal hitting metal echoes in my ears. 

Ultron goes flying from the impact and lands not ten feet in front of my hiding place. His glowing red eyes inspect me as he gets up from his position. I can’t tell if Loki notices my predicament. 

“Ah, so this is where they hid their precious little flower.” His voice sends a shiver down my spine, my mind immediately thinking of the brief but no less terrifying encounter at the tower. 

I send out a pulse of energy, pleading with the air and earth to hold their positions, and I rise to my feet.

“I am not hiding.” I hope that my voice sounds strong and resolute, and not shaking like it tends to do sometimes.

“It seems that you are here to fight against me, with this band of murderers.” He continues, ignoring my retort. “I would have thought that someone like you would know better.” He chastises.

“Someone like me?” I can't help the question as it tumbles over my lips. 

“Yes. Someone with great power. Someone with a great destiny. Someone who so clearly holds the fates of so many in her hands.” His eyes glow red. “You and I could-”

I don’t let him finish that statement, hurling a gust of wind to force him to retreat from me. The sudden wind gets the others' attention and Loki jogs over to me.

“Darling?” He asks, searching my eyes.

“I’m alright. I promise.” I look into his eyes, conveying the fact that for now I am fine, tired but fine.

He nods, accepting my answer and guides me back to the group in time for the orders from Tony.

“Rhodey, get the rest of the people on that carrier. Avengers, time to work for a living. If Ultron gets a hand on the core, we lose.” Tony adds, looking at the gathered heroes in the church. 

As he finishes his statement, Ultron rises in the air just outside the ruined building, staring our group down. 

“Is that the best you can do?” Thor shouts at him. 

Ultron raises his arms in response, and a horde of his bots appear over the rubble headed in our direction.

“You had to ask.” Steve tells Thor, disbelief on his face. 

Ultron hovers over the ground, just outside the entrance to the church. “This is the best that I can do.” He gestures to the surrounding metal army. “ This is exactly what I wanted. All of you against all of me.” He glances at me. “You still have time to step aside.” And he turns to address the whole group again. “How can you possibly stop me?”

“Well,” Tony begins, stepping forward, “like the old man said. Together.”

While watching the battle from the outside in with the movie, it seemed so graceful, a beautifully choreographed dance. But seeing and experiencing it from this end is far from graceful. I cannot spare a second thought for my friends around me. I am far too focused on keeping myself in one piece while trying to keep the city from rising any higher. The first bot that rushes me is frozen in place, glowing eyes dimming as the circuits fry. The first bot is quickly replaced by a second and third, red eyes determined to take me down. The anger in my heart over what Ultron is doing quickly overpowers my gifts, the ice turning to flame and melting the two to the ground. I don’t have time to recover from the shock of being able to melt the metal figures before the next is upon me. With the flick of a wrist, it slams into the side of the church in a gust of wind, falling to pieces. 

I can feel my limbs shaking as I use one arm to focus on the floating city, and the other to summon my gifts in defense. The clanging of metal rings in my ears from all around me as the battle continues. I can’t spare a glance to help anyone, my focus is already split enough. But the incoming bots seem to lessen in number gradually. It seems hours, but must only be a few minutes before I can hear the exchange that Ultron has with Thor, Tony, and Vision before being thrown off by Hulk. As Ultron is tossed, the bots that remain in one piece, flee the church. I take in a shuddering breath, refocusing all energy into the floating city. 

“Rhodey?” Tony asks across the comms.

“On it.” Rhodes’ response comes through clear as he begins to take down the fleeing bots. “No, I didn't say you could leave. War Machine coming at you-” Rhodes trails off, no doubt in disbelief as Vision soars around destroying the bots with his bare hands.

“Okay, we gotta move out.” Steve commands into the earpiece. “Even I can tell that the air is thin. You guys get to the boats. We’ll sweep for stragglers.” Steve says, gesturing to himself and to Bucky. 

“What about the core?”

“I’ll protect it.” Wanda asserts, confidence flooding through her stance. 

“I’m not going to leave you here.” Pietro starts to argue with her.

“I can handle this. Come back for me when everyone else is off. Not before. You understand?” Her voice is dominant and commanding as she addresses her twin.

“You know, I’m 12 minutes older than you.” Pietro remarks.

“Go.” Wanda commands again.

After watching the exchange between the twins I turn and glance around the near empty church. Outside of myself and Wanda, the only one remaining is Loki. His emerald green eyes bore into me, assessing my current state. 

“Darling?” He asks, walking towards me once he notices me looking his way.

“I’m fine-” I start, knowing that he will see through my lie, but I can at least try.

“Sure you are.” He says, cutting me off as he reaches me. He reaches a hand up and cradles my face. “I know that look. You are clearly on or near your breaking point, but there is something else to be done.” His tone is gentle as he regards me.

I let out a breathy laugh, “You know me so well, Loki.” I glance towards Wanda and then the way that Pietro went. “We have to follow him.” I start to move in that direction, my feet shuffling on autopilot. Loki nods and begins to follow me as I follow the route that Pietro took.

“Loki?” I ask, as we continue our trek towards the rescue boats and towards Pietro. 

“Yes, darling?” His deep voice sounds tired but resolute.

“I am going to need a lot of strength soon.” 

At my statement, Loki pauses in his movements. “Are you saying that the hardest trials for you this day have yet to pass?”

“That is exactly what I am saying. There is one that still needs saving and I need to limit the damage being done, the consequences of this battle could be severe.”

He nods, taking my hand and bringing the back of it to his lips. “Of course, darling.” As his lips make contact with my skin, I can feel some of his strength filling me.

But there is something about the twinkle in his eyes as he says this that I think he may be something else. Three words with another meaning, where do I know that from?

I shake my head from that train of thought and give him a smile. “Thank you, Loki.” I say and continue on the trek towards Pietro.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #ao3 marvel #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #archive of our own #archive of our own marvel #marvel archive of our own #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #ao3fic #marvel ao3

[carryon117]

Chapter 84:

The quinjet is the most packed that I have ever seen. The original members of the Avengers are scattered about but now, there are seven additional players on board, making for a pretty crowded cabin. Everyone is trying to stake a claim on a spot before we take off. With so many individuals that continue to butt heads, it feels a lot smaller. 

Nat and Clint take up residence in the cockpit, as they seem to always claim when on board. That leaves ten seats in the cabin with eleven people. Loki takes one look around the crowded cabin, and I can see that he doesn’t much like the concept of being squished in between people. So, he gives me a quick wink before a flash of green leaves him as a small ball python. He flicks his tongue out at me and I can hear his voice echo through my head. 

Mind if I hitch a ride with you?

I laugh at his antics, and pick up the coiled snake, placing him on my shoulders to hang loosely on my neck like he did during the trial that feels so long ago. The familiar feeling of the cool scales against my skin sends a shiver down my spine, a not unpleasant or unwelcome feeling. Once he settles around my neck, I can occasionally feel his tongue flicker out and tickle my skin, forcing me to suppress laughter. And by the look that Thor is giving me, I am less than successful. 

The heroes take their seats around the cabin, On the left are Tony, Bruce, Vision, and Thor. On the right side is Steve, Bucky, Sam, and the twins. The sides are eerily similar to factions that eventually are made and I can feel my heart rate pick up slightly. I remind myself that we have already rescued Bucky and that if he is with us, he can’t truly be blamed for something like that. And Tony already knows. That will not drive us apart. We will be fine. We will be fine. I continue to repeat the mantra in my head as I make my way to the left side of the cabin. 

The seat in between Thor and Tony remains open, so I head towards the open spot. As I sit down in between the two, I shift uncomfortably. I’m not sure why. I’ve spent so much time with each of them. But sitting in between the two heroic figures has me adjusting the collar of my suit as a nervous twitch. My hands roam from the collar of my suit to petting the angular head of Loki-snake, and from there migrate to in front of me. Once they make their way there, they seem to take on a mind of their own, different gifts sparking to life as the quinjet takes off from its position on the roof of the tower. 

Tiny flakes of snow dance in the air above my outstretched palms, an unknown show choreographed to my anxious heartbeat. The snow melts away as fire sparks to life. The flames grow slightly in size, and images take form. The scenes in the fire flash by quickly, but still slow enough that I am able to pick out different figures in each one. My brother, Peter, drawing delicate leaves. Tony, laughing in the medical bay when I first arrived in this universe. Bruce smiling at the breakfast that I made in thanks. My first time on Asgard, meeting Thor. Saving Loki from Odin. The first instance of calling to Mjolnir. Saving Bucky with Steve. Going shopping with Nat. The playful banter with Sam at the party. The scenes continue to flicker by until the last one, showing Vision joining our ranks. 

My eyes flicker to him on the other side of Thor for a brief moment, and the fire dwindles down to nothing. My hands don’t stay empty for long, the fire is quickly replaced by a flower bud beginning to blossom. At the sight of the flora in my hand, I can feel Loki slither against my skin and my mind supplies the memory. The bud blooms into the delicate dark petals of the flowers from Frigga’s garden. I can feel Loki move to stare at the flower, and I can sense Thor looking over my shoulder to inspect the familiar plant. I stare at the delicate flower, with petals so dark it seems to swallow the light around it. But I’m jolted from the trance as Tony nudges me with an elbow.

“Hey Gaia, I think that you better conserve that energy.” The flower blinks out of existence as he startles me. 

“Thanks, Tony.” I give him a playful shove in return, but my voice is full of sincerity. I’m guessing that his anxiety can feel out mine, if his sympathetic look is anything to go by. 

“Princessa, your powers are truly magnificent.” Pietro’s voice carries across the metal cabin. With each accented syllable I can feel Loki-snake bristle against my skin. 

“Pietro.” Wanda chastises him, her voice tired of his shenanigans. 

I give her a smile and respond in kind to Pietro, “Thank you.”

“So, what’s the plan when we get there?” Bruce asks the group, probably trying to defuse a situation before one even develops. 

Steve and Tony look at each other, and Steve stands from his seat to walk to the center of the cabin. 

“We have to destroy all of them. Each one of the bots that Ultron has created is another way for him to escape.” Tony nods his head in agreement with the statement. “And although we cannot let him escape, our priority upon arrival needs to be to evacuate the city.” Steve looks around the cabin. “We will split into teams for the evacuation. Y/N and Loki. Bruce and Nat. Clint and Sam. Vision, you’ll be with Thor and Tony. Bucky, you’re with me. Maximoffs, you two are together.” Different nods and noises are heard around the cabin from the heroes mumbling their agreements. 

Steve takes this time to look around the room, meeting the eyes of each person and snake. 

“Alright team.” He begins, winding up for a Captain speech. “If even one tin soldier is left standing, we’ve lost. Odds are we’ll be riding into heavy fire. And that’s what we’ve signed up for. But the people of Sokovia, they didn’t. So our priority is getting them out.” In the movie, Steve gives his ‘come to arms’ speech when we’ve already reached the battlefield, but all of my intervening is clearly catching up with the timeline. “All they want is to live their lives in peace. And that’s not gonna happen today. But we can do our best to protect them. And we can get the job done. We find out what Ultron’s been building, and we clear the field. Keep the fight between us. Ultron thinks we’re monsters. That we are what’s wrong with the world. This isn’t just about beating him. It’s about whether he’s right. You know your assignments, it’s time to live up to our titles as heroes.” 

I look around the cabin, at all of the serious faces of the heroes. Not a single clap. Cmon. One of these days I’m going to do it myself, with or without the rest of the group.

“Good timing, Cap.” Nat’s voice comes through the intercom. “We are about to touchdown in Sokovia.”

The moment that the bay doors open, our different teams dispatch quickly to various points of the city to begin the evacuation. I feel the red tendrils of Wanda’s magic drift through the air and Pietro speed around, in efforts to drive the people out. Loki looks at me with a slight grin before summoning his own seidr. Bright flashes of green appear, copies of himself, running in different directions to warn and guide groups of civilians to safety. 

Knowing what will be coming, I refrain from using my gifts. Instead, choosing to use my voice to warn and instruct the panicking population. It seems to be a never-ending stream of people, flooding forward and out of the city. With the extra help, it seems like we may make it through this with minimal casualties. Just as that thought crosses my mind, the ground begins to shake.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #ao3 marvel #archive of our own #archive of our own marvel #marvel archive of our own #reader insert #marvel reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #ao3fic #marvel ao3

[carryon117]

Chapter 83:

My heartbeat echoes in my chest as we run from the quinjet the second the doors open. Steve and Bucky are yards ahead of the rest of us. I shouldn’t be surprised, but Pietro doesn’t speed ahead, instead choosing to stay by Wanda’s side as we make our way through the halls and to the lab. Just outside the lab, we slow to a walk. Steve’s steps transition from his fast ones to his purpose-filled Captain’s walk, stalking into the lab. Inside the lab is a familiar sight. The cradle rests at the center of the room, a multitude of wires running between it and other unknown devices. Tony and Bruce are working on its upload, jogging back and forth between the many machines to check on the progress. 

“I’m gonna say this once.” Steve’s voice rings out, looking between the two scientists and the cradle.

“How about none-ce?” Tony quips back. His words sound joking but his tone is serious. It almost sounds like a challenge. Tony is daring Steve to stop him. 

Steve takes a step forward, his movement a clear indication that he means to meet the challenge. “Shut it down!” Steve’s tone is no longer simply angry, the command is clear.

“Nope, not gonna happen.” Tony snarks back. Steve’s commands don’t seem to bother him as he continues fiddling with the machinery. 

“You don’t know what you’re doing.” Steve’s voice, although commanding, throws the warning toward Tony. 

“And you do? She’s not in your head.” Tony gestures to the sheepish looking Wanda. If I could read minds, I would bet that hers is full of remorse right now for attacking the team. My eyes cut back to Tony, well most of the team.

“I know you’re angry.” Wanda says, hands in a placating gesture.

“We’re way past that. I could choke the life out of you and never change a shade.” Bruce’s voice is full of conviction and I can feel myself grimace. In the movie, I had thought he was angry at Wanda for attacking him. Now, he wasn’t attacked, could it be that he is angry on Nat's behalf?

“Banner, after everything that’s hap-” Steve starts.

“It’s nothing compared to what’s coming.” Tony cuts him off.

“You don’t know what’s in there.” Steve asserts.

“This isn’t a game.” Tony retorts

Pietro takes this moment to blur around the lab, unplugging the various pieces of equipment from the cradle. Once he comes to a stop, his face is smug. “No. No. Go on. You were saying?”

Before he can finish his statement I take a step back, anticipating the bullet coming for the floor at his feet. It smashes through the glass flooring and gravity does its job of pulling the speedster down one floor. 

Clint gives him a smug smile, “What? You didn’t see that coming?”

Before it can escalate any further, I yell, “Wait!” My voice hangs in the air after bouncing off the metallic walls of the lab. Everyone turns their heads to me, just in time for Thor to smash through the window and land on the cradle. 

At Thor’s entrance, Loki is quick to react. His leather armor shimmers into being and he pushes me behind him, scanning for an unknown threat. 

I brace myself as Thor unleashes a barrage of lightning into the cradle and the figure within. The white light flashes around the room and I shield my eyes by pressing my face into the comforting leather of Loki’s back. 

The metal cover of the cradle flies off and a familiar red figure emerges. 

He immediately lunges at Thor, who grapples with him for a moment before being thrown across the room, coming to a stop just near the windows overlooking the city. 

The rest of the team stumbles to their feet, having been knocked off of them by the lightning and blast from the lid of the cradle. 

Before anyone can attack Vision, Thor holds up a hand and says, “Wait.”

The red figure that I know to be Vision, assembles a battle-ready suit, with a billowing cape floating behind him. He descends back towards the floor and towards our group of slightly confused and tense heroes.

“I’m sorry. That was… odd.” He looks around the group before his eyes land on Thor. “Thank you.”

“You helped create this?” Steve asks.

“I’ve had a vision. A whirlpool that sucks in all hope of life, and at its center is that.” Thor points to Vision’s head, to the mind stone. 

As soon as Thor points it out, I can feel the Aether in my mind waking up to greet its sibling. I step around from behind Loki to get a better look. Another infinity stone. Another piece of the final puzzle, right here, right now. My eyes are transfixed on the glowing gem, the golden light shimmering at the center of Vision’s head, luring me in. I can feel Loki’s hand wrap around my wrist to hold me back, and I let him find a grip, but I don’t tear my gaze away.

Sister. The Aether’s voice hisses in my mind. Sister, I am here. 

I don’t hear a response, but it is clear that the Aether did, and that Vision heard his calls. 

Vision turns to me, head slightly tilted in curiosity. “What is this?” 

“What is what?” Tony snarks, but he looks mildly concerned at the attention that I am grabbing from the unknown newcomer. 

“You are different from this group.” Vision says, eyes still fixated. 

I think that he can hear you. I say to the Aether.

Of course, he can. He is part of my sister, he is made from her. He seems delighted by this turn of events. 

Why can’t I hear your sister then? I ask. 

Because I am simply hitching a ride, we are not one in the same. The answer is short and not at all what I was expecting to hear. Don’t worry, he can only hear what I say to her. Not what I say to you, or what you say to me. 

For some reason that is enough to give me relief. What is she saying?

She can sense others made from her here. Aether’s voice is gaining excitement. 

That would be the twins. I want to look towards them, but my gaze is still fixated on the Mind Stone. Its glowing yellow aura threatens to pull me in. 

Yes. She can feel their power. It hisses through my mind. 

I can feel a hand tugging on my wrist and another on my shoulder, trying to wrench my gaze away. Aether? Anyway, I could look away and exit this conversation? I have a feeling that the world around us continued to move as we spoke.

The Aether’s hissing laughter floats in my mind, I apologize for that. Your form is yours again. And the voice goes silent, but the presence is not dormant. I can feel it still awake in the back of my mind. But I can tear my gaze away from the twinkling stone. 

I glance around the room to notice all of the worried eyes set on me. I feel the hand on my shoulder remove itself, and I glance toward the owner. Standing to my side is Bucky, his metal arm lowering from its previous position. The hand on my right wrist remains and I can feel Loki’s seidr wash over me, inspecting for any injuries. 

I smile at the group of heroes, “I’m fine. Just zoned out for a bit.” Most of the group doesn’t look convinced of my excuse but chooses to let it go for now. 

“Quite intriguing.” Vision says looking at me for a moment longer before turning towards the rest of the group. 

Our momentary divergence from the original conversation finds its way back to the pre-written path.

“I looked in your head and saw annihilation.” Wanda says, glaring at Vision. 

“Look again.” He encourages her.

“Her seal of approval means nothing to me.” Tony says, voice sharp.

“Their powers, the horrors in our heads, Ultron himself, they all came from the Mind Stone. And they’re nothing compared to what it can unleash.” Thor supplies. “But with it on our side…”

“Is it? Are you? On our side?” Tony asks, demanding answers.

“I don’t think it’s that simple.” Vision responds carefully.

“Well, it better get simple real soon.”

“I am on the side of life. Ultron isn’t. He will end it all.” Vision says, voice on the slightly sad side of unemotional.

“What’s he waiting for?”

“You.” Vision’s one worded response doesn’t seem to surprise anyone. 

“Where?”

“Sokovia, probably. That’s where this all began.” I supply. This time Nat wasn’t kidnapped so Clint wasn’t able to find her location. I hope that my casual demeanor is enough to keep them from asking too many questions about what I may or may not know. Clearly it is, at least for now as a few nod their heads before turning back to Vision.

“If we’re wrong about you, if you’re the monster Ultron made you to be…” Tony starts.

“What will you do? I don’t want to kill Ultron. He’s unique and he’s in pain.” Vision begins, his face holding an expression of empathy. “But that pain will roll over the Earth. So, he must be destroyed. Every form he’s built, every trace of his presence on the net. We have to act now. And not one of us can do it without the others. Well, maybe one.” His gaze cuts to me quickly but resumes just as fast. “I’m not what you are, and not what you intended. So, there may be no way to make you trust me. But we need to go.” Vision ends his monologue with a slight flourish, picking up Mjolnir and handing it to Thor before leaving towards the quinjet. 

An awkward silence permeates the air at the simple gesture. 

Bucky is the first to break it. “He could beat your speeches.” Bucky says to Steve, jabbing him with an elbow.

“Okay, team. Three minutes. Get what you need.” Steve says to the group, ignoring Bucky’s vocal jab. 

I snicker at the two childhood friends who walk away from the group throwing verbal jabs at the other, each punctuated with a physical jab of an elbow. 

The rest of the group starts to break off. Sam follows after the two other soldiers at a quick pace to try and catch up with them. Tony and Bruce head towards the lab to grab anything else that they may need. Nat and Clint look between me and the twins, having some sort of silent conversation. Nat rolls her eyes and leaves before Clint gestures for the twins to follow him and Nat. Wanda and Pietro look between themselves and cast me a look that I am unable to discern before they take off after the spies. With the groups parting off, it leaves me standing with Thor and Loki.

Loki casts a worried glance toward Thor before returning all his attention in my direction. 

“Darling, what happened?” His voice is filled with concern. I can see Thor out of the corner of my eye wearing a matching expression, but one that is clearly not as deep as his brother’s. 

“I-ah- I am actually not sure how to explain it.” I begin. Thor nods his head like what I say makes perfect sense. But Loki simply responds with a raised eyebrow, clearly saying ‘try me’. 

“Well, you guys remember the Aether?” I ask. At the mention of its title, it squirms in my mind. The two brothers nod, Loki’s worried expression deepening. 

“Of course, darling.” 

“Well, it never actually left.” I mumble. As I say this, I can feel it wake up enough and let a bit of its power shine through. I’m guessing it made my eyes flash red again if their reaction is any indication. Thor jumps slightly, and regains a tense stance. Loki on the other hand, lets his shoulders slump as if the weight of the world was placed upon them in front of my very eyes.

“Darling, why would you not mention this?” Loki asks, voice sounding broken.

“I didn’t think it was that important. It isn’t harming me.” I defend myself and the Aether.

“Clearly it is. You were in some sort of trance, staring at the mind stone.” Loki says, his worry melding with anger.

“There’s a reason for that. Thor, in your vision you saw six stones?” I ask.

“Yes, little one.” Thor doesn’t sound surprised that I know what the vision was.

“Well, the aether is one of those. It was simply conversing with a sibling and forgot that there were others around.” I explain. I can feel the Aether nod in agreement to my explanation. Thor also nods, accepting my answer. However, with one glance at his brother, Thor turns and hustles out of the room. 

I shoot Loki a confused glance. “Why did he leave like that?” 

Loki gives me a smile, “I simply do not have answers for why that oaf does anything.” 

I give him a small smile in return. “But you do love him.” 

“He is my brother.” Loki says.

“Aww.” My voice takes on a sing-song quality. 

Loki rolls his eyes and then looks at me, his face turning quite serious. “Darling, I have a feeling that this battle we are about to enter will not be an easy one. Is there anything that you can tell me?” He faces me head on, shoulders squared with mine, even if he does stand taller. His impossibly green eyes shine with so many emotions, that I know I could get lost in trying to decipher each one. 

I blink a few times to rid myself of that thought. “Loki?” I whisper, unable to trust my voice.

“Yes, darling?” His volume matches mine, unsure of why, but following suit.

“There are a few key moments in this battle, I will need a lot of strength.” I look away from his eyes and down at my hands, turning them over back and forth to inspect them. 

“Strength.” Loki echoes. 

I nod my head in confirmation. “There are a few moments where I need to intervene, and in those moments, I may over-exert my powers.” I finally look up from my hands and into his eyes. They shine with concern and something else. Again, something that is familiar on his face, and emotion that I see in his eyes frequently, but nothing that I can put a name to.

“Just before those moments, call out to me.” Loki says, conviction filling his tone. “I will be there beside you to help.”

“But-”

“No, darling, I will lend you the strength that you need.” He gives me a smile and takes a step back, glancing at my suit. “In fact…” He trails off, seidr flowing from his hands and wrapping around me. I can feel the comforting warmth and smell of his particular brand of magic in the air. I close my eyes and embrace the feeling. The harmonizing scents of aged leather and paper, petrichor, and cinnamon dance around me, I can practically taste it on my tongue. I breathe in deeply, memorizing the smell of his seidr. 

After a moment, the smell fades and I open my eyes again. Loki is looking at me, a genuine smile on his face. His eyes are crinkled in suppressed laughter and something else. Gods, why can’t I put a name to that look, that expression?

“What?” I ask, confused as to the look that he is giving me. 

“Nothing, you just seemed very content with my seidr.” He drawls.

“Well, if you must know, your seidr has a nice scent.” I say defensively. 

“Mother always said it was old books.” Loki whispers, eyes looking far away. 

I take a step towards him and grab his hand. He looks back to me and I smile. “She’s right. It smells like an old bookstore, and the earth after rain, and fresh cinnamon.”

“Is that all?” He jokes.

“Yes, it’s comforting. Like a rainy day with a good book and a hot cup of cider. Comforting.” I defend my position on the smell, wrinkling my nose at his slight laughter. 

“Of course, darling.” Loki glances behind me at something that I cannot see. “It seems we are out of time. Your suit will call to me when your strength dwindles, even if you don’t.” He adds, giving me a side eye as we walk down the halls and towards the waiting team and quinjet.

“Then I’m sure that you will be there when I need you most.” I say to him as we reach the open quinjet door.

“Of course, darling.”

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #ao3 marvel #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #ao3fic #marvel ao3 #archive of our own #marvel archive of our own #archive of our own marvel

[carryon117]

Chapter 82:

This is awkward. That’s the only word that I can even think of when it comes to this situation and atmosphere. The movie jumped from the ending of the confrontation on the train, right back to the tower. Nothing was shown or even mentioned about the travels back. 

So, I now find myself on a quinjet, sitting next to Loki and Sam. Sitting across the way and facing us, are the Maximoff twins. Bucky and Steve had the smart idea of escaping the awkward tension to pilot the jet that doesn’t really require a pilot. But what the twins don’t know can’t hurt them. As my mind continues down this path, I pause. Shit, Wanda could be reading my mind and seeing all of this right now.

I turn a slightly panicked look to Loki. Loki, is there a way to make sure that nobody else can get inside my head?

He gives me a confused frown. Well, no one but those you allow to would be able to. Not with some of the modifications on that suit of yours.

I glance down at the beautiful tac suit and then back up at him. You did that for me?

Of course, darling. He gifts me a smile that warms me up from the inside. 

I settle back into my seat, content in knowing that at least my mind is safe from trespassers. Taking that into account, I study the twins as subtly as I can muster. But clearly, I am about as subtle as a blind porcupine walking through a series of balloon arches, because it is not long before Pietro catches my stare. 

He winks at me, “Princessa, what is on your mind?” 

Loki bristles beside me at the speedster’s behavior. I place a calming hand over his but keep my attention across the cabin.

“Just thinking.” That's all I supply to satisfy his curiosity with me at first.

“Thinking? That can be a dangerous pastime.” He says with a grin.

I give him a subtle tilt to my head, playing dumb, “How so?” 

My question is not what he was expecting, he shakes his head with a wry laugh. “Nothing. Just someone so beautiful should not have to worry about things.”

This time it’s my turn to laugh, “You have no idea about the amount of worry.” Both Loki and Sam shoot a look at my response. Sam looks a bit worried by my response, but not surprised. Loki gives me a tired expression, with undertones of pleading. What could that be about? Probably just wanting me to share the worries, maybe I should share what I found in the archives. But before I can think too much further on that, Wanda interrupts my thought process.

“What are you so worried about?” Her voice is gentle, as if she is trying not to scare away a small animal.

I give her a gentle smile, “I suppose I should clue you two in as to who I am.” 

 My explanation of who I am seems to get shorter every time. This time I simply say, “I am from a different universe where you guys are stories, movies and comics. So I am doing what I can to change some of the endings.” 

Two sentences. I have dwindled down myself and this self-appointed mission into two sentences. But clearly two effective sentences, if the answering silence and wide eyes are any indications. 

Pietro is quicker to pull himself together than his sister, “So does that mean you know our futures? What can you tell me about mine?” His voice is excited and speeds up as he continues. Wanda reaches over and places a hand on his shoulder, and he quiets turning towards her with a question in his eyes.

Wanda gives me a subtle head tilt, echoing my movement from earlier. But instead of the movement meant to play dumb, this time it is clear she is scrutinizing me. 

“She can’t tell us. Nor should she.” Wow. Okay. Not what I was expecting from her, but I’m pleased to have someone on my side. “She shouldn’t tell us what she knows, it would alter too much.” Her eyes flash red for a moment, before her face twists into one of confusion with a slight grimace. “Your mind is dark.”

“What?” Is all I manage to respond.

“Your mind is quiet, there is nothing. How?...” She thinks aloud.

I can see Loki’s smirk out of the corner of my eye. I nod towards the god. “I have Loki to thank. He added some protective enchantments to my tac suit.” 

Loki seems to puff up in pride at the acknowledgement and gratitude. Wanda shifts her gaze to him and I can practically see the wheels turning in her mind. She seems to contemplate him for a moment before shifting her gaze back to me.

“So, we are in your stories, yes?” She asks me.

“Yes, I know you.” I confirm for her.

She nods in confirmation, “Our futures or our histories?” 

That wasn’t the question that I was expecting from her. “To be honest, both.” 

She nods again, but doesn’t say anything else. 

Pietro takes her silence as an opportunity to fill the silence. “So that is why you wished to speak with us? That is why you didn’t truly attack us with the might that you so clearly possess?”

Pietro’s question has Sam whipping his head at me. “You didn’t attack them at the shipyard?”

“Well… Not exactly?” My statement sounds more like a question, even to me. 

“I knew that they were supposed to be on our side. I didn’t want to hurt them.” That seems to be enough to satisfy Sam for now. But it’s clear that this isn’t the end of the discussion with him. 

I can feel the quinjet begin to descend and let out a breath of air that I didn’t realize I was even holding. Loki must sense the tension rolling off of me because the hand on his leg that I had placed mine over to quiet him earlier, turns over to clasp mine. Absent-mindedly, I allow our fingers to intertwine at the same time that Bucky’s voice sounds from the cockpit.

“This is your Sergeant speaking, we have begun our descent towards the tower so please stay in your seats and keep your seatbelts fastened until the punk says otherwise.” An indignant ‘Hey’ can be heard without the use of the intercom from the cockpit. Bucky’s laugh echoes around the metal enclosure, a laugh, a genuine laugh. Hope blossoms in me at that sound. Bucky is healing.

The slight shudder of the jet as it touches down, knocks me from that train of thought and into another, we are about to meet Vision.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #ao3 marvel #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #ao3fic #marvel ao3

[carryon117]

Chapter 81:

Steve shakes me awake, and it feels like I only closed my eyes a moment ago.

“We are just about there.” Steve says with a small smile.

I look around the cabin, and indeed, Tony is no longer on the jet, and the rest of the occupants are in various stages of battle readiness. 

I sit up with a yawn, “Guess I needed to sleep.”

Sam stifles a laugh, “I guess you did.” 

I give him a perplexed look, questions clearly written on my face at his suppressed laughter. 

“It’s nothing.” Sam waves off, walking to the bay doors where Steve is currently waiting for the rest of us to finish getting ready. 

Bucky rolls his eyes and approaches me from across the cabin, “He’s just ragging on yah for the light bit of drooling that you did while you were out.” Instantly, my cheeks heat up and I move to wipe my mouth off with my suit sleeve. “Nothing to be ashamed of.” Bucky assures me, eyes tracking my movements. “Bird brain there snores loud enough to wake the dead.” 

At his comment, Sam glares at him, but Steve happens to place himself in between the two before it can escalate further.

“What Barnes means to say is that it is nice to see you so relaxed.” Loki says, approaching our side of the cabin. Bucky looks at him with a smirk and nods before moving slightly to make room for Loki in front of me. Loki holds out a hand in front of me. Slowly, I grip his hand and he helps me to my feet. Loki gives me a soft smile and I let go of his hand, brushing myself off and righting the collar of my tac suit. 

As I look back up at Loki, the world seems to slow to a stand still. This man, this god, is my best friend. The only other person I have ever truly been this close to was my little brother. So why can’t I figure out what he is thinking lately? He seems so hot and cold. One moment we are having a heartfelt conversation, and the next he avoids me. 

The bay door opening lurches time back to its usual pace. I snap my eyes away from Loki and watch as Steve, Bucky, and Sam dive out the open door. 

I sigh and glance over at Nat, “I’m guessing the two knuckleheads didn’t take a parachute with them?” 

She chuckles at my frustration, “I don’t think Steve even knows what one looks like.” 

Her comment has me rolling my eyes, before crossing my arms. “Mark my words, I’m talking their ears off when we are done here.” The remaining occupants laugh at my frustration.

“Consider it noted.” Clint retorts from the cockpit. 

“How long until they reach Cho?” I shoot my question towards the two spies in the cockpit. 

“Shouldn’t be too long.” Nat says, getting up from her seat and moving towards the back of the cabin to get ready to join the fray. 

As we wait for an update from the soldiers, I nervously begin to toss a ball of flame from hand to hand. The small repetitive motion gives my hands something to do instead of digging the nails into the palms of my hands. Loki gives me a gentle nudge, urging me to quench the flame. I extinguish the sparks of fire and give him a questioning look.

“Everything will be alright, darling.” He reassures me. 

“I know, or at least I hope so.” I glance towards the opening bay door. “Doesn’t mean that I can’t worry.”

Loki gives me a smile, “You wouldn’t be Y/N if you were not worried about it.”

Before I can respond, Nat is jumping onto her motorcycle, “C’mon guys. Cap needs some more backup.” 

With an eye roll, I jump onto the back of her bike and nod at Loki. Nat doesn’t give him a chance to respond before she throws open the accelerator, and we are shooting out the back of the quinjet, speeding towards a semi-truck. 

I can see Steve and Bucky fighting an Ultron bot on top of the truck, while Sam tries to fight off attackers in the air, leaving the trailer of the truck open for Nat and I to move in. 

As we approach, Steve’s shield is flung from his grasp and lands with a clang on the tarmac. 

I can feel Nat take a deep breath and lean over so I can scoop up the metal of freedom as we fly past.

“I’m always cleaning up after you boys.” Nat says into the coms. As we approach, I throw the shield to Steve on top of the truck, using the winds to make sure that it reaches its recipient. 

“Yah, Steve. Keep track of your toy or they won’t give it back next time.” Bucky echoes her sentiment. 

Once we are within reach, the two of us leap from the bike and into the trailer of the semi-truck.

“Y/N, try and stop the truck and I will secure the cradle.” Nat says, rushing around the device.

I give her a nod and get to work. My arms are outstretched in front of me, shaking with the effort as I call upon my gifts. This truck is going 60 mph, and it’s up to me to stop it from further destruction. I summon walls of earth in front of the truck, the first of which the truck plows through. The Ultron bots clearly figure out what I am trying to do and launch the trailer of the truck into the air, with Nat, the cradle, and myself still on board. 

The further in the air we get, the more I shake. But I am unsure whether that is from the strain of my powers, or from the nerves of what could happen next. I can just make out Nat coordinating with Clint over the coms to secure the cradle in the quinjet, before the quinjet swings into view. 

Nat gestures for me to jump onto the cradle and she pushes the three of us out of the trailer and towards the open doors of the jet. We land with a solid clunk of metal on metal, just as we touchdown I can see a bot just about to connect with Nat, and I swing my arm, summoning a large wind to throw it off course. 

Nat stares at me, her face giving me a gentle smile and appreciated nod before climbing off the cradle and joining Clint at the front of the jet. 

I jump off the device and shout, “Open the doors again. I need to go and help Steve.”

“You sure, kid?” Clint yells back.

“Yes, let me do this.” I shout back.

Loki steps from the cockpit and approaches, “Let me assist you.”

I give him a smile, “You may want to shift to something that flies to get down there.” Is all I spare him before jumping out the open door myself.

I can hear the yelling over the coms that I jumped without a parachute, especially after worrying about the soldiers doing it not even an hour ago. But they continue their path, back towards the tower to get the cradle to Tony.

I shake my head in disbelief and summon the winds to take me where I need to go. I can hear the flapping of wings just behind me, as I soar through the open air and towards a speeding train.

Okay, Loki. That’s our destination.

Are you quite sure, darling? His voice sounds worried and hesitant.

I am 100% sure.

Loki doesn’t respond to that, but I can feel him continue his descent next to me.  A few seconds later, my feet connect with the roof of the train and I freeze the soles of my boots to the top so I don’t fly off. Loki lands on my shoulder, claws digging into the fabric of my suit. Clearly, the protections that Tony and Loki put on the suit work because I barely feel him at all. 

I can hear the battle raging in the train, Steve exchanging blows with Ultron, and I feel the pulse of magic in the air, and finally, the air screaming in protest as it gets forced out of the way to make room for the speedster. 

I give Loki a grin and begin to melt a hole in the roof of the train before dropping into the cabin. I make it just in time for the bot to be dispatched and hear Steve ask Wanda to stop the train. Pietro takes off to save pedestrians in the way.

“Loki, help Pietro with any bystanders.” The bird nods and takes off in a shot.

I run over to stand beside Wanda and allow for my gifts to take hold and assist. Walls of earth form barriers in front of the train, winds move against the cars, and ice attempts to freeze the wheels to the track, all in conjunction with the red chaos magic of the young witch beside me. 

With the two of us working together, it takes half the time it would have to get the train to come to a halt. Once I am sure that we have stopped moving, I drop my arms to my sides. 

Wanda disappears from my side, swept out of the train by Pietro. The gust of wind is just enough to knock me off my feet, the exhaustion taking hold after the overexertion. Steve sees me begin to collapse and starts to rush forward, but a pair of pale arms snake their way around me, preventing me from falling.

“Darling, we did agree that you would try not to overexert.” 

“I tried?” I say, not convincing even myself. “But I am officially letting you know that I may have overdone it.”

“You don’t say.” Loki’s teasing tone reaches my ears.

“You did ask me to let you know.”

“That I did, darling.”

I look up and see that Steve is making his way out of the train to where Bucky and Sam are staring at the twins.

“Loki, we need to get out there. They probably feel cornered by those guys.”

“Of course, darling.” As he says this, he scoops me up and gracefully navigates his way out of the cabin of the train. 

“So, now they say that they’re on our side?” Bucky asks no one in particular, gesturing towards the twins. 

“Give them a break, Barnes.” Sam retorts. “They’re just kids.” I can see the twins bristle at the kids comment but hold their tongues.

Shaking from exhaustion, I urge Loki to set me down. For a moment, It seems like he won’t let me go, before he takes a deep breath and gently sets my feet on the ground. I shuffle over and place myself in between the soldiers and the twins.

“Guys, calm down, and hear them out.” I turn my attention to the twins. “Hello again, Pietro. Nice to finally meet you Wanda.”

Wanda tilts her head in confusion and gives her brother a questioning look. He doesn’t acknowledge her question, instead speaking to me with his accented voice. “You were the one that tried to stop me outside the ship.”

I shrug my shoulders, “I wouldn’t say stop, more try to speak with.”

He gives me a small grin, “Like something you see, Princessa?”

“Pietro.” Wanda’s voice cuts through in an accented reprimand. “I apologize for my brother.” 

Her familiar accented voice cuts through to me, reminding me of all the pain that I have watched her suffer through. Not again.

Pietro is still huffing in air, tired after his non-stop running. Steve gives him and Wanda a look that screams apprehension and disapproval along with confusion as to why they helped.

Pietro takes his look as a concern, “I’m fine. I just need a minute.”

Steve’s face darkens at his comment, “I’m very tempted not to give you one.”

“The Cradle.” Wanda starts, redirecting the attention back to her. “Did you get it?”

“Stark will take care of it.” Steve’s response sends a shudder through the twins.

“No, he won’t” Wanda asserts.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. Stark’s not crazy” Steve says, but doesn’t sound sure of his own statements.

“He will do anything to make things right.” Wanda’s comment causes Steve to momentarily freeze before speaking into his earpiece,

“Stark, come in. Stark.” Steve’s voice echoes on a delay in my ears, so I reach up and switch off the coms device. Loki gives me a look to say ‘is that the best idea’, as I do so.

“Ultron can’t tell the difference between saving the world and destroying it. Where do you think he gets that?” Wanda’s question has the whole group frozen for a moment before it truly sets in.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #ao3 marvel #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #archive of our own #archive of our own marvel #marvel archive of our own #ao3 #ao3fic #AO3 fanfic #marvel ao3

[carryon117]

Chapter 80:

The rest of the evening passes quickly. Making plans for the following day and how exactly we plan to divide and conquer our current metallic threat keep us pretty occupied for the most part. Once Steve seems satisfied in the plans, he dismisses each of us for the night. One thing that I had not thought of was how small this house was in the movie for the group of heroes, and this time around, I have added four more people to the group. 

Laura was able to convince Cooper and Lila to sleep in their master room for the night, in order to give up their rooms to a hero or two. So with their rooms vacant, it leaves one guest room, two kids rooms, and a living room to divide between all of us. Nat is quick to claim the guest room, “This is always where I stay when I visit.” She says with a smile. 

“Nat, you gotta have at least one other person in the room with you. There isn’t enough room, otherwise.” I point out, hoping that she would allow me to bunk with her for the night. She nods and gives Bruce a pointed look. His cheeks flash red and he slinks into the room after her. 

“Okay, that leaves the kids rooms and the living room.” Steve breaks it down like a battle plan. “Stark, you can take Cooper’s room. Just don’t destroy anything that belongs to the kid.” Tony gives Steve an incredulous look.

“I would never.” Tony says with a dramatic flourish before sauntering towards the room in question. 

Steve rolls his eyes at the dramatics, “I’m assuming that no one is volunteering to share a room with Tony?” His question is met with silence. “That’s what I figured.” He sighs. “Y/N, you can have Lila’s room.”

I look at him with a tired smile, “Thank you, Steve.” 

“And Loki-”

“I can share the room with Y/N.” Loki finishes for Steve. The corner of Steve’s lips quirk up for a moment.

“Okay, Loki. Y/N, you okay with that?” Steve turns to me with the question. 

“Sure thing.” I start to walk toward Lila’s room, confident that Loki would follow behind. Our retreating footsteps are echoed by the beginning of an argument between Bucky and Sam for the living room couch. 

At the end of the hallway, I push open the bedroom door to reveal Lila’s room, and turned my and Loki’s room for the night. I shuffle into the room and deposit my backpack onto the twin bed.

“You okay if I take a quick shower? I really could wash off today.” I tack the bit on at the end, tugging at the collar of my suit.

“Of course, darling.” He responds with a smile. 

I dig through my backpack to pull out a pair of clean sweats to change into after and shuffle across the hall to the empty bathroom. Stepping into the hot water starts to ease the tension from my limbs, but it is nothing like the water pressure in the tower. Just the memory causes tears to well in my eyes. Gods, I will miss JARVIS. I hope that I can build a friendship with Vision, but I know that it would not be the exact same as he isn’t JARVIS. 

With that thought I speed through the rest of my routine, just wanting to crawl into the twin bed waiting for me across the hall. 

Once I’m content with my cleanliness, I turn off the water and step out. This time forgoing a towel in favor of using a heated wind to dry me off quickly. Gotta admit, that these gifts can be quite handy. I’m sure that there are so many uses for them that I will never even think of. 

I slip on the sweatshirt and shorts and shuffle back across the hall. Pushing open the door, I am met with the darkness of the room, only a bit of light from the hallway shining in.

“Loki?” I whisper into the dark. A shadow moves from one end of the room and stalks in my direction. For a moment I don’t know how to react to the hulking figure, but after a brief moment my eyes adjust to see the outline of a large wolf. 

“Loki, you almost scared me.”

Sorry.

“Are you really?” My question is met with quiet chuckles echoing through my mind. I roll my eyes and climb into the bed. “Good night, my friend.” I whisper into the darkness, my hand draped over the side of the bed to lazily run my fingers through the soft fur.

Good night, darling. 

 Morning comes much too early. The sun peeking through the curtains at the window, hitting the angle just right to nail me in the eyes with its bright morning rays. I sit up with a groan, eyes squinting at the onslaught of light. I hear movement on the ground below the bed before the curtain is pulled to cover the slit of sun peaking through. 

Good morning, darling.

“Good morning, Loki. Thanks for the assistance with the brutal light.”

Of course, darling. I’m glad that I was able to vanquish another foe in your name.

“Your valor does not go unnoticed.” I respond with an elevated voice. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I swing my legs over the side of the bed. “Ready for today?”

Are you? 

“I have to be at this point, right? No other choice.”

There is always a choice. And I have faith that you have been making the correct ones. 

“Thank you for your confidence.” I pat the black fur between his ears. “Time to face the day.” 

Loki-wolf steps back from my hand and lets his green seidr flood over him, reverting him into his form clad in his leather armor. 

“I shall wait for you downstairs with the others.”

“See you in a moment then.”

“Of course, darling.” He says and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him as he exits.

There it is again. Those three words. Three words… I blink the thought away, too early to allow myself to overthink. 

Quickly, I slip my suit back on, knowing that today will be yet another day of action. I step in front of Lila’s short full-length mirror and give myself a once over. Mark hidden? Check. Suit zipped? Check. Anxious energy? Also check. Today is supposed to be the day that the Maximoffs join us, today we gain Vision. Today is going to be just fine. Today is going to be just fine. 

I continue to repeat that phrase to myself as I pick up my backpack and exit the room. It’s clearly early, but I am still one of the last to rise. I make my way through the farmhouse and to the kitchen, following the smell of a promising breakfast. Laura sits at the table, sipping a glass of orange juice, but eyeing the pot of coffee with hunger. 

“Good morning.” I greet her, my voice still a bit gravely from the night.

“Morning, Y/N.” She smiles at me. “Help yourself to anything. Creamer for the coffee is in the fridge door.”

“Thanks, Laura.” I pull out a mug and pour myself a generous mug before turning to the fridge and pulling out the creamer.

“I should be thanking you.” I pause at her statement, before pouring the creamer and set it down to face her.

“Whatever for?” Confusion is clear in my tone. What could she be thanking me for? 

“For everything that you have done for the team. For yesterday with the kids, for what you will do.” She says with a glint in her eye.

“So Clint told you who I am?”

“Yes, he did fill me in on the whole ‘girl from another universe’ thing.” Laura says with a smile. “He also speaks very highly of you.” She adds.

“Even after how we met?”

“Especially after that. You stood up for yourself and your friend. And from what I can see, the man who tried to invade New York is not the same man that made dinner for everyone last night.” 

I give her a gentle smile, “That is all that I have been trying to say this whole time.” 

“I know and I believe you.” She gives me a bright and genuine smile. 

I turn to finish pouring the creamer into my coffee, before turning back to her.

“Thank you, Laura. For opening up your home for us. I know that we can be quite the bunch.”

“You are welcome anytime. Besides, if you don’t visit again, I have a feeling that Lila will go and find you anyhow.” 

I can’t help but laugh at her comment. “I guess I don’t have a choice in the matter do I?” My giggles cease before I continue with a more serious thought. “Laura, I’m not sure how long this will take, but I will try everything in my power to make sure that he comes back safely and swiftly.” 

Laura rises from her spot at the table and waddles over to me. “I know that you will. I trust you.” She glances out the kitchen window. “You better hurry, it looks like the team is meeting by the quinjet.”

“Thanks, Laura.” I raise my mug to my lips and down the rest of the caffeinated elixir. “One last bit before I go. Maybe just hold onto your possessions, like don’t lose your watch.” I say with a wink before strolling out the front door. 

I can hear Laura’s laugh echo in the kitchen behind me as the porch door swings closed. The wooden beams of the porch steps creak under my footsteps as I make my way down and towards the waiting group. As I approach I can hear bits of the conversation drift through the air.

“You know, I really miss the days when the weirdest thing science ever created was me.” Steve retorts, looking exhausted. 

“I’ll drop Banner off at the tower. You mind if I borrow Ms. Hill?” Fury poses the question to Tony, but gives me a knowing wink.

“She’s all yours. Apparently.” Tony responds, a bit miffed that Maria seems to be working from Fury’s pocket. “What are you gonna do?” 

“I don’t know. Something dramatic, I hope.” Fury smirks before turning away. 

“I think that is our cue to depart.” Steve says, authority coloring his tone. “Everyone knows their missions?” 

“Punk, everyone knows everyone’s mission after going over them dozens of times last night and then again this morning.” Bucky retorts with a grin. 

The only response that Steve gives him is a quick jab with his elbow. Sam’s face contorts in laughter, but one look from the ex-assassin has him quieting again.

“Okay, on that note, all aboard the Crazy Train.” Tony says with a smirk before gleefully skipping onto the quinjet. 

Clint opens his mouth to yell after him, but I hold up a hand.

“Just don’t. It isn’t worth the energy right now.” Steve nods at my statement and Clint closes his mouth and silently follows the billionaire onto the jet. Nat rolls her eyes and slinks after the archer, hopefully putting a stop to whatever he may say or do to Tony right now. The others follow suit, leaving just Loki and I outside the open bay door. 

“Darling?” Loki asks, stepping in front of me before I can board the jet. “If we are to engage in conflict today, could you please be careful? Don't push yourself and let me know if you need help.” His emerald green eyes shine with sincerity as he stares into mine. 

I give him a soft smile and, with my right hand, I reach up and cradle his face.

“I will be just fine, I promise. You don’t need to worry about me.” I assure him. 

He leans into my touch, “I have heard those words before.” The look he gives me is incredulous. “And I will always worry about you.”

“And I, you.” With my words he gives me a soft smile, and the heat pools in my cheeks. “You are my best friend after all.”

His smile falters for a moment before he seems to force it back into place. “Of course, darling. As you are mine.” He takes a step back, and I let my hand drop. Green eyes shift between me and the entrance to the quinjet, seemingly contemplating something before coming to a conclusion with the drop of his shoulders. “We should probably join the others before Stark drags us on board.”

I laugh at his statement, even though I am confused by the expressions that were crossing his face just a moment ago. “You’re right. We wouldn’t want that.” Instead of asking him about what just happened, I walk onto the quinjet and begin to switch my mind to battle mode. 

Loki follows up after me, just a few steps behind, but instead of taking the open seat next to me, he takes a seat across the way. I quirk an eyebrow at his choice, but I don’t get an answer from him. Instead the clearing of a throat directs my attention to Steve, standing in full Captain America garb, at the front of the cabin. 

“Okay team, you know your assignments. We will drop off Stark as we get closer to Oslo and then go after Ultron. From what Dr. Banner has said, failure is not an option. So look alive and stay sharp.” Steve gives each of us a once over before nodding to himself, content that we are as ready as we can be.

“Great speech, Captain Spangles. But maybe you should have waited to rally the troops until we got closer to the destination?” Tony asks, humor dancing in his eyes.

“You know what, Stark?” Steve whirls around on him.

The tension between the two begins to build as Tony winds up for another sarcastic comment. Quickly I scramble to place myself in between the two men, hands held in front of each, hoping to placate them. 

“Guys, please. Arguing will not solve anything. We are a team and should act like one.” I can hear Loki’s huff of breath at my wording, but choose to ignore it for now. “Tony, a mistake was made and we are working to solve it, but don’t push his buttons. And Steve,” I whirl around to face the living embodiment of justice, “He’s trying. It was a mistake, and we will get through it together, as you said.” 

Both of the men seem to deflate at my choices of words, giving each other a quick nod before returning to their seats. I let my shoulders drop as they part before turning towards the cockpit with Clint and Nat at the helm. 

“Can you guys give me an ETA? The testosterone is killing me back here.” 

A chorus of ‘hey’s erupt from the cabin behind me but I ignore them in favor of staring straight ahead. Nat gives me a conspiratory grin, “Not soon enough for sure. We are about an hour from Stark’s drop-off. Then a few hours until our destination.” I nod at her. 

“Thanks. I think I’m going to try and get some rest before we get there.”

“Best of luck with that lot back there.” Nat nods her head towards the cabin before returning her attention to the controls. Clint simply shakes his head and echoes her sentiment and I head back into the main cabin.

With Banner and Thor not on board, that leaves the loudest bunch of the group to be the bickering Sam and Bucky. I roll my eyes and cautiously approach, in hopes to quell the argument to get some sort of rest. As I get closer, I can hear the topic of their argument and if I could roll my eyes out of my head, they would be rolling about the metal cabin. 

“How could you say that Gimli is better? Have you seen Legolas?” Bucky asks, bewildered.

“Of course I have seen Legolas, what’s so great about him?” Sam shoots back. 

“Well he’s an elf for starters.” Bucky starts.

“And that is supposed to be a point for him?” Sam questions.

“What do you have against elves?” 

“Well 1. They are racist. 2. They live forever for no good reason-” Sam starts listing his reasons, using his fingers to mark off each one.

“How are they racist?” Bucky’s question cuts him off before he can continue. 

“They think that they are above humans-”

“That makes them speciest, not racist.” Bucky corrects.

“You should like Gimli better, after all you are also a haggard old man-” Sam starts.

“I’ll show you a haggard old man…” Bucky begins. But before anything else can happen, I step in between the two. I like Lord of the Rings as much as the next person, but having a full fledged argument about it is a bit much. I take a deep breath and stare at Steve.

“Were you not going to do anything?” Steve has his head resting against the metal interior with his eyes shut, purposefully not looking in our direction.

“No. I figured they would tire themselves out eventually.”

“Thanks for that, Steve.” I say, sarcasm layering my voice.

“What am I supposed to do? Spray them with a water bottle?” Steve asks, finally opening his eyes and throwing his hands in the air.

“That’s not a bad idea.” Tony’s voice cuts in. I see him look at his wristband and say, “F.R.I.D.A.Y. add that to my list.” 

Her voice filters through the air, “Sure thing, boss.” 

At her voice, my heart clenches and my face contorts with grief. I’m not fast enough to hide it as Bucky places a hand on my shoulder.

“Sorry about that, doll. Go rest. We will keep it down.” He sends a shooting glare to Sam, who chooses to ignore the pointed look and nods at me.

“Sorry, Y/N.” Sam looks at me with sincerity.

“It’s fine, guys. Just keep your banter friendly and quiet, that’s all I ask.” The two nods and Bucky salutes.

“Yes, ma’am.” I chuckle and wave him off. 

“Can someone wake me right before we get there.” 

“Sure thing, doll.” Steve says, eyes shut once more.

Taking that as a cue, I walk back over to my open seat, giving the empty seat next to me a quick glance. Why is Loki sitting across the way from me? His behavior lately is so confusing. In the movies, he seemed to put on an icy front, shielding himself from the outside world. But, he doesn’t put on those airs with me. In fact, I associate heat with him, rather than ice, Frost Giant lineage aside. 

I sneak a quick glance across the cabin. The god in question has his arms folded behind his neck and head reclined to rest on them with his eyes closed. His raven hair frames his pale angular cheeks in a halo of darkness. My eyes trace the rich green color of his armor, outlining his lithe frame. The dark tones truly were made to be worn by this man - no, god, I remind myself. 

I cut my eyes away. My hands start to feel a bit clammy and heat begins to creep up my neck. He isn’t a character in a movie anymore, he is real. 

Anyway, I have other things to focus on, such as keeping everyone alive and safe. With the different ways to intervene dancing through my mind, I drift into a restless sleep.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #ao3 marvel #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #ao3fic #marvel ao3 #archive of our own #archive of our own marvel #marvel archive of our own

[carryon117]

Chapter Seventy Nine:

Stepping out of the treeline, is Fury, with a half-smirk on his face.

“I told you that I would see you again.” Fury reminds me.

“Yeah, I could have told you that.” I remind him with sarcasm.

“True. So is there anything you want to say?” He asks, voice serious.

“Well-ah.”

“Do you know anything about Ultron?”

“Well-” I begin again, taking a step backwards. I reach down and nervously stroke the black fur between Loki-wolf’s ears.

“I’m going to take your reluctance as a yes, and assume that there is a reason that you haven’t told the team.”

“Well, you see-”

“What I see is an enhanced being not helping her team, with an evil god for a sidekick.” Fury glances at Loki who flattens his ears against his head. “What I don’t see is why.”

“Okay. I can explain.” I begin and Fury gestures for me to continue. “I can’t disclose the future willy nilly, it would change things. Then I would be unable to make the smaller changes needed. And he’s not evil, nor is he my sidekick.”

He nods, seemingly to mull something over in his head. “Okay, say that you can’t tell me what is going to happen…”

“That is what I said.”

“... is there anything that you could say?” He finishes his thought, unperturbed by my interruption.

“Well, if I could tell you what was going to happen, I would probably say that you and Hill have some cobwebs to dust off.” Fury raises an eyebrow at the statement. “I would also probably say that you should take the said toy to Sokovia in a few days, there could be plenty of uses for such a toy.” Fury nods, a smirk forming on his face. “But I would also add that you should probably send Carol Danvers to Xandar, a ragtag group could use her. And I would definitely say that Carol should run a few errands to pick up a few stones.” Silence hangs in the air as Fury gives me an eerie smile. “But since I’m not going to tell you what will happen, I will not be telling you those things.”

Fury nods once, “I understand that you are unable to tell me such things. I am also glad to see that your ‘not sidekick’ is rehabilitated.”

“He never was-”

“That stands to reason. If there is anything else you can’t tell me, you have my contact.” Fury finishes our awkward stand-off and brushes past me, strolling towards the house without a care in the world.

I sigh, letting out my frustrations, “That could have gone better.”

I think it went well enough. Neither of us are in handcuffs or injured, and it seems that he is satisfied with your answers.

“I hope it will be enough.”

I do have a question.

I look at him, still stroking the fur subconsciously, “Yes?”

Why? Why did you tell him things, and not…?

“Not you? Not the team?” He nods his head in response. “Because part of it, he would have done no matter what I told him. The other part, I can’t really see anything bad happening from that information. That Doesn’t mean I’m not wrong though.” I add that last bit as my anxious nerves roar to life.

Whether you are right or wrong, whether we lose or win, I will be right there beside you.

I give him a heartfelt smile. “Thank you. That is more than I deserve.”

Loki-wolf lets out a soft growl, I do not think that you are the best judge of what you deserve.

“Look who's talking.”

You have me there.

I laugh at his defeated tone, “C'mon. I’m betting that the others will be gathering soon. Fury has some information for everyone.”

He snorts, Lead the way.

I start the trek back towards the house, but pause and turn to him before continuing. Are you going to stay in that form?

For the time being, I don’t see why not.

I shrug in response and continue towards the farmhouse. As we get closer I can hear the ruckus caused by the team and family interacting within the walls. Stepping onto the porch, I swing open the front door and hold it open for Loki-wolf to enter. The sight that greets us immediately has a smile plastered on my face. Cooper seems to have Tony and Steve trapped in a non-stop storm of questions. Tony seems quite content to have the attention and even happier that a child seems interested in some of his inventions. Steve has the look of a gentle older brother, someone who is happy to answer the questions but is occasionally letting his mind wander off.

While Cooper has Tony and Steve occupied, Lila has her sights set on another target, Bucky. Lila stands in front of Bucky, who looks like a deer in the headlights, her curious questions causing him to answer them with slight apprehension. As her questions continue with no ceasefire insight, he slowly relaxes. His demeanor shifts from an uncomfortable vet to a charming older brother. The sight causes a breath to catch in my throat, Bucky wasn’t able to see his sisters grow up. Hopefully, this second chance with life can give him some sort of reprieve from the sorrows of his past.

I can tell by the way that Lila is inching towards him, and the directions that her questions begin to take, that she wants to know about his metal arm. So I take the final few steps into the room and call out to her to draw her attention away from the ex-assassin.

“Princess Lila,” I say with a smile. “How fare the kingdom?” I give her a curtsy, which just looks odd in my tac suit and not an Asgardian gown. She quickly turns from Bucky and pounces in our direction.

“The kingdom is still really pretty with all the flowers. Momma says I have to say thank you for playing with us and making a castle.” She leans in and whispers, “Thank you for making the slide.” She glances at Clint and puts a finger to her lips. I give her a sly wink, before glancing around the room.

Before I can fully give my attention to anyone's conversation, Lila grabs my hand and pulls me into the kitchen.

“Mom is making dinner and I have to help. You wanna help me, help?”

“It would be my pleasure to assist Princess Lila.” I give her a grin before glancing behind me. Loki-wolf pads into the kitchen behind us, as his snickers, echo in my head by being pulled around by a child. “You know,” I say to Lila, “I heard that Loki can be a huge help too.”

At my suggestion, Loki-wolf’s eyes widen and his ears flatten against his head.

Traitor , his voice is in mock indignation.

“Come on, Mr. Loki.” Lila walks over to him and gives him a pat on the head in between his flattened ears. “Momma always says that part of being a good person is helping others.”

Loki-wolf nods, and takes a few steps back before reverting to himself.

“In that case, Princess Lila,” He bows his head ever so slightly, “it would be my honor to assist you in this task.”

“Fantastic.” Laura’s voice calls from the stove. “Clint said that just the super soldiers alone could eat us out of house and home. We have a lot to prepare.”

“We wouldn’t allow that to happen after you so graciously opened your house to us.” Loki assures her. Instead of approaching the stove, he steps towards the table, “Lady Barton, may I?” He gestures towards the table. Confused, Laura gives a small nod. Loki smiles and extends both hands before green seidr flows around the room. In a blink, the meal that Laura was preparing at the stove is replaced by a fully prepared meal, and the table is slightly larger than it was before.

Laura looks at him with shock. Loki nods to himself before turning to face his audience, “I hope you don’t mind the table extension. I figured that you would be needing a new one once the little one arrives.” Laura nods silently, staring at the table. Lila is the first to break from her surprise.

“Mr. Loki, that was so cool! Can you do magic tricks like Y/N?”

Loki glances over at me with a soft smile. “I can work a different sort of magic.” Lila nods as if she should have known that fact. Laura shakes her head, the last bits of shock melting from her face.

“Loki, Thank you.” His easy smile alters slightly as he turns to look at Laura.

“It is my pleasure, Lady Barton.” She returns his smile before turning towards the living room. Taking a deep breath she yells into the controlled chaos,

“Soup’s on for those who want it.”  Her announcement is answered by the abrupt ending of conversations and heavy footfalls headed our way.

As the first heroes step into the kitchen, Loki steps back to stand next to me.

“Whoa, Lady Bird, did you do all this yourself?” Tony snarks while strolling in.

“Loki did.” Laura responds, gesturing to him.

Tony gives him a calculating gaze before the rest of the group walks in. The team can at least hold themselves back long enough for the kids and Laura to fill up their plates, before they unleash themselves onto the food before them.

Even though Loki had extended the table, there isn’t enough room for everyone to sit around. So Nat is sitting cross-legged on the counter, plate perched in her lap. Bucky stands in the corner of the room with his plate piled high in one hand. Steve, ever the gentleman, pulls out a chair at the table for Laura, before taking up residence next to Bucky, which Sam quickly follows suit. Two more of the chairs at the table are taken up by Cooper and Lila, one on each side of their mother, completely content to eat their dinner surrounded by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Clint looks between an empty chair at the table and an empty spot on the counter next to Nat, flip-flopping between the want to be close to his wife and not wanting to sit in the center of the room. Laura rolls her eyes and gestures for him to take a spot on the counter, which he happily takes. Bruce, hands occupied with his plate, is no match for Tony dragging him into one of the empty chairs at the table beside him.

It’s quite funny to see this group squeezed into a small room to share a meal together. Some sitting at the table, some standing around, and others are quite content to have their higher-up perspective on the whole ordeal. With the majority of the Barton family and scientists, taking up the chairs at the table, there is only one spot left.

I turn to Loki, to tell him to take the spot, but clearly, he is miles ahead of me. He is standing beside the spot, chair pulled out with a raised eyebrow in invitation. I shake my head with a smile and take the chair that he is offering.

“Thank you.”

“Of course, darling.” Loki gives me a brief nod, before going to stand near the fridge for the duration of his meal.

For the most part, the meal is spent in tense silence. Cooper and Lila occasionally egging someone into a conversation, but it is an otherwise quiet affair. After they are done eating, Laura ushers the kids off to bed, not wanting them to experience what may or may not occur in the after-dinner conversation.

Taking that as a cue, Steve begins collecting plates and dishes to be cleaned in the sink. Loki rolls his eyes and with a minute gesture, all evidence that a large meal took place is gone in a flash of green.

Tony rolls his eyes, “Nice trick, Twisted Sister.”

Before Loki can retort, Fury walks into the room. His long black coat trailing behind him.

“Put a lid on it, Stark. We have other things to discuss.” Fury says, command layering his tone. “We need to discuss Ultron.”

“Yes, let’s discuss the homicidal android hellbent on our destruction.” Clint jabs, giving Tony the stink eye.

Fury ignores the jab and continues, “My contacts all say that he’s building something. The amount of vibranium that he made off with, I don’t think it’s just one thing.”

“What about Ultron himself?” Steve questions Fury.

“He’s easy to track. He’s everywhere. The guy is multiplying faster than a Catholic rabbit. It still doesn’t give us an angle on any of his plans, though.” Fury looks around the room.

“Is he still going after launch codes?” Tony asks, absentmindedly while throwing darts across the kitchen.

“Yes, he is. But he isn’t making any headway.” Fury confirms, with a bit of the good news tacked onto the end of his statement.

“I cracked the Pentagon’s firewall in high school on a dare.” Tony supplies casually. Steve gives him a look that is one of no surprise, while I give him a look that clearly spells out, ‘not helping.’

“Well, I contacted our friends at Nexus about that.” Fury continues, seemingly unphased by Tony’s behavior.

“Nexus?” Steve ponders.

“It’s the world internet hub in Oslo. Every byte of data flows through there. Fastest access on Earth.” Bruce clarifies for him.

“So, what did they say?” Clint asks, throwing a perfect bullseye much to Tony’s chagrin.

“He’s fixated on the missiles. But the codes are constantly being changed.” Fury states.

“By whom?” Tony’s question causes everyone to look at Fury.

“Parties unknown.” Fury says with a raised eyebrow.

“Do we have an ally?” Nat’s question sounds hopeful.

“Ultron’s got an enemy. That’s not the same thing. Still, I’d pay folding money to know who it is.” Fury states, glancing between Tony and Bruce.

“I might need to visit Oslo. Find our unknown.” Tony remarks to himself, but loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Well, this is good times, boss. But I was hoping when I saw you, you’d have more than that.” Nat says, looking at Fury with an exhausted expression.

“I do. I have you.” Fury states, looking at each of us in turn, before resting on me. “Back in the day, I had eyes everywhere. Ears, everywhere else. You kids had all the tech you could dream up. Here we all are, back on Earth, with nothing but our wit and our will to save the world. Ultron says the Avengers are the only thing between him and his mission. And whether or not he admits it, his mission is global destruction. All this, laid in a grave. So stand. Outwit the platinum bastard.” Fury’s speech ends in the crescendo with a call to arms for the heroes. All of the wondrous speeches and monologues always get my adrenaline pumping, and I can feel my gifts swirl under my skin in anticipation.

“Steve doesn’t like that talk.” Nat jokes.

“You know what, Romanoff?” Steve’s voice sounds light-hearted but tired as well. Tired of the running joke, or the day, I’m not sure which is winning for him right now.

“So what does he want?” Fury’s question sounds like a test, waiting for the student with the correct answer.

“To become better. Better than us. He keeps building bodies.” Steve answers, glancing around the room for confirmation.

“Person bodies. The human form is inefficient. Biologically speaking, we’re outmoded. But he keeps coming back to it.” Tony ponders aloud.

“When you two programmed him to protect the human race, you amazingly failed.” Nat’s sarcasm is reflected in her facial expression.

“They don’t need to be protected. They need to evolve. Ultron’s going to evolve.” Bruce’s face is horrified as he comes to the conclusion.

“How?” Fury asks, looking at the scientist with concern. “Has anyone been in contact with Helen Cho?” He asks.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #ao3 marvel #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #ao3fic #marvel ao3 #archive of our own #archive of our own marvel #marvel archive of our own

[carryon117]

Chapter Seventy-Eight:

The quinjet doors open to reveal the sprawling greenery and picturesque farmhouse of the Barton family. I take in a deep breath, smelling the woods and the wildflowers that paint the wind.The air floats lazily, in no hurry to reach any destination, just content with existing in such a place. The quiet babbling creek nearby, speaks to the tranquility of the quiet farmland, its voice speaking with the rustling of the trees and the afternoon rays of sun. The earth here is peaceful, content with the little human interaction and footprint, serene in the idea of not being developed. The rustling leaves sing their songs of greeting, welcoming me to their domain. Even with the farmhouse here, the earth’s voice is dominant, but happy to have those that embrace her prowess walking on her untainted grounds. I turn my face from the warm afternoon rays of the sun towards the farmhouse. The quaint wrap-around porch gives the home a postcard feel. Its weather-worn siding shields the inside from the elements and yet it seems that this was meant to be here. The scenery with the picturesque house paints the home as an artistic masterpiece. I know that there are more pressing things, but I can’t help the tug to sit and read with a cup of coffee on that porch. To look out and just witness the sun setting, to sit there and just be. It’s the simple things that can feel so much like home. 

I’m snapped from my daydream by the sounds of confusion and shuffling of the team approaching the open door. Clint and Nat brush by me, exiting the quinjet and strolling towards the front door. I follow their lead, taking long strides out of the bay door, with Loki and the others hot on my heels. 

Looking around as Clint pushes open the door, Tony asks, “What is this place?”

“A safe house.” Clint responds. “Let’s hope.” Clint walks in, Nat still with an arm around his shoulders. “Honey?” Clint calls out. “I’m home.”

A very pregnant Laura walks around the corner and into view.

She gives Clint a kiss on the cheek before turning to the rest of us. “Hi.” She greets with a smile.

“Company. Sorry I didn’t call ahead.” Clint says to her with a slight smile.

“This is an agent of some kind.” Tony says, looking at Laura. 

“Gentlemen, this is Laura.” Clint introduces her.

“I know all of your names,” She says looking around. “Except you, and you two.” She looks at me more than Sam and Bucky. Laura gives a glance towards Loki before quickly turning back towards me.

“This is Y/N. And that’s Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes.” Clint says, pointing at each of us in turn. The sound of quick approaching footsteps prevents him from saying anything further. “Incoming.” Clint laughs when Cooper and Lila come running around a corner. 

“Dad!” Lila shouts.

“Hi, sweetheart! Hey, buddy! How are you guys doing?” Clint asks, giving each of them a hug in turn.

“These are smaller agents.” Tony says, even less sure than he was before. 

“Did you bring Auntie Nat?” Lila asks Clint.

“Why don’t you hug her and find out?” Nat asks with a grin. Lila rushes forward and Nat bends down to greet the girl. 

“Sorry for barging in on you.” Clint apologizes to Laura.

“Yeah, we would have called ahead, but we were busy having no idea that you existed.” Tony says with sarcasm.

“Yeah, well, Fury helped me set this up when I joined.”  Clint gives the excuse offhandedly, a bit preoccupied with the reunion of his wife and kids. “He kept it off of SHIELD’s files. I’d like to keep it that way.” Clint says, completely serious while looking around at the group. “I figure it’s a good place to lie low.” He adds as an afterthought.

“I missed you. How’s little Natasha?” Nat asks Laura, but addresses her belly.

“She’s… Nathaniel.” Laura discloses with a smirk.

“Traitor.” Nat throws in mock seriousness. 

Different small groups break to form different conversations, creating a soothing buzz of voices in the living room. Steve and Thor walk outside to the porch, I can’t be sure what’s going to happen there. In the movie they seem to almost have a heart to heart, using each other as a crutch in the wake of the visions. But here and now, they have their brothers. Steve has Bucky and Sam to fall on, Thor has Loki, even if the latter seems a bit reluctant with the idea.  My question is answered when Thor shoots into the sky to complete his ‘vision quest’. Well, I guess there’s that. 

Steve doesn’t come in right away, causing Bucky to exit the house as well. I’m sure that they are about to have a heart-to-heart about having someone else root around in their heads. I shake off that train of thought and Loki gives me an odd look. 

“It’s nothing.”

“What have I told you?” He asks in a serious voice, “When it comes to you, it is never nothing.” The look that he is giving me is a familiar one, one that he has used with me a lot recently, but I still cannot decipher what he is thinking or feeling by his expression. But even without knowing, it still causes heat to flood to my cheeks. 

I look away from him, not knowing what to say in response. As my eyes shift, they fall on the two kids and an idea sparks in my mind. 

“Hey, Cooper and Lila, want to have some fun while the boring grown-ups talk?” Laura smiles at me and Clint gives me a look, but before he can say anything, the two of them are jumping with excitement.

“Do you work with my dad?” Lila asks.

“Of course she does. Look at her suit! She’s an Avenger!” Cooper cuts in.

I laugh at the two kids who seem to be bursting at the seams. 

“I do work with your dad as an Avenger. I was wondering if you wanted to see my powers outside?” As I say powers I give half-hearted jazz hands.

Both kids turn to their parents, “Can we?”

Laura looks between me and Clint, before her face turns to me again with a smile. “Of course, just don’t go too far from the house.”

The kids don’t even respond to her warning before they are out the front door. 

“Thanks, Y/N.” Laura says as I start to jog after them.

“No problem! I get to practice some tricks and they get to have fun.” I push open the front door and run after the two giggling kids. I can hear Loki right on my heels as I run down the steps. The transformation from his shoes hitting the ground to four paws keeping pace with me, echoes in the earth and up my spine. I give him a grin before coming to a stop near the two children. 

“Okay, who wants to build a snowman?” 

Our laughter echoes in the yard as the kids play in the summer snow. Cooper scoops up a snowball and throws it at his sister. The frozen particles sing in the air before making an impact on the front of her shirt. Lila packs a snowball to return fire, but before she lets it loose, Cooper ducks behind Loki-wolf for cover. The snowflakes explode upon contact with the midnight black fur. He barks out a laugh and feigns a stumble before flopping over with a dramatic flourish. He lets out a pitiful howl and closes his eyes, playing dead for the small girl. Lila rushes over to inspect her latest victim. As she approaches, Loki-wolf jumps to his feet with a bark and bounds away, tail swiping snow in the kids’ faces. 

As I watch the icy chaos with a smile, a thought occurs to me. Loki had told me on Asgard that he used to be just the god of fun and close companionship, before it was altered. This must be what he was, carefree and full of life and laughter. As I watch the scene unfold, my chest seems to tighten. That’s an odd sensation. I’m sure that it will go away in time.

I rise to my feet, time to try something new with these gifts. 

Okay, one step at a time. I create a patch of ice slightly above the ground and step onto it. I stand still for a moment, waiting for it to crack and for me to tumble back to the ground. When it doesn’t, I let out a shaky breath. I can do this. I conjure another patch, even higher this time, and step up again. I’m standing almost two feet above the ground now, and it feels just as solid. With a laugh I start conjuring and running up into the air. I come to a stop about 15 feet in the air and look down at the ground. The kids and Loki-wolf are staring up at me, the kids with awe and Loki with a twinkle in his canine eyes. I give them a smirk before creating a steep decline of ice back to the ground. I glide down the icy slide and, with as much grace as I can muster, land back on solid ground. 

“Whoa!” Both Lila and Cooper seem to say in unison, before erupting in exciting questions.

“How did you do that?” “Can we go down the slide?”

“Hey, now.” I say, putting up my hands in surrender. “One at a time.”

Cooper and Lila look at each other for a second before Lila speaks up, “Can we try?” 

I look between the pleading kids and the farmhouse, trying to see if anyone is in the window. “Okay, but we don’t tell your dad.”

“Deal.” They shout quickly, scrambling to get to the first icy step.

“One at a time please.” I plead, unsure how the ice will react to someone that isn’t me. 

Lila pushes in front of her brother and climbs onto the first step with ease. I wince, anticipating needing to catch her, but the ice doesn’t crack or even give the impression that it will melt away. Still, I stay vigilant and observe her progress up the stairs before she reaches my makeshift slide. 

She slides down with a spark of laughter erupting from her gleeful expression. Once she is back on solid, and not frozen ground, she turns to her brother with a smile.

“Cooper, you have to try!” The boy begins to ascend the icy steps to the summit of the slide. He makes it up there without any trouble or fanfare, before sliding back down to the ground. After planting his feet back on the ground, he runs over to me and Lila. 

“That was so much fun! Dad never lets us do stuff like this.”

“And that’s why we aren’t going to tell him.” I say with a smile, as I melt away the steps and slide.

“What else can you do?” Cooper asks, excited.

“Well, a lot of things really.” I stumble, unsure how to respond or use my other gifts to entertain the kids. I close my eyes and extend my senses, feeling the air above us, the ground beneath us, the forest around us. I open my eyes and the earth bends to my will as I shape it to form a small structure, with castle-like peaks adorning the top of the five-foot tall structure. Rapidly, vines curl around the spires in a race to be the first one to cover the earthen walls. As their growth ends, they sprout blooming flowers, creating a rainbow of petals and scents to decorate their new playhouse. 

The kids stare at it for a moment, not believing their eyes. Taking their silence as a cue, I step forward and bow, gesturing towards the small castle.

“Welcome to your kingdom, Prince Cooper and Princess Lila.” Lila shrieks with delight and runs into the dirt building. 

Cooper strides after her, “This is so cool.” 

Loki-wolf enters the small dwelling after them, seemingly content to play pretend with the kids. 

After a brief moment, Lila comes running out, with a bundle of flowers in her hand. 

“I picked these…” She trails off, looking bashful for a moment. “Can you help me make a crown?” 

I give her a blinding smile, “It would be my pleasure to assist you, Princess Lila.” 

She answers with a giggle and hands over the flowers that had bloomed from the vines. It’s clear that Lila is going for some sort of color scheme as it seems she had only picked the purple orchids and the white carnations. I’m able to quickly fasten them into a flower crown, and I hand it back to her. 

She gives me a smile before she commands, “Please kneel for the princess.”

I can practically hear Loki-wolf’s canine snickering at the request. With a sigh, I kneel before the young girl. 

She gives me a bright smile, “I, Princess Lila, declare you to be Lady Y/N, the bestest hero of the kingdom!” She shouts and places the crown on my head. I bow my head slightly so she can situate the crown on my head to her liking. 

Once I feel her back away, I raise my head and place my right hand over my heart.

“I pledge to protect the Prince and Princess as well as the kingdom.” Lila nods at my dramatic declaration and waves her brother over. 

Cooper hustles over and says, “Rise Lady Knight, protector of the Barton Kingdom.” 

“Since when did we become a kingdom?” A voice from behind me asks. I jump to my feet and spin around to face the newcomer. Laura is standing there, hands planted on her hips as she surveys the earthen kingdom of our creation. 

“Since Y/N used her super awesome powers to create our castle!” Lila exclaims.

I smile sheepishly at Laura, “Sorry about your yard, I can fix it later.”

“No need to be sorry. Besides, every kingdom needs a castle.” She says with a wink. 

Lila and Cooper cheer and rush back into their royal abode. 

“Thank you, Y/N. And you, Loki.” She turns to the wolf. “Clint said that you wouldn’t mind taking a look at some of the veggies in our garden. Would you take a look?” 

Her question sounds suspiciously familiar, but I nod and answer, “Of course, which way?” 

“Just behind the house, near the treeline.” She points in the direction. “Is it alright if I stay with the kids?”

“Of course, I think I can find it just fine.” She gives me a smile and waddles over to the dirt castle. 

I watch them for a moment before I turn and begin my trek to the back of the house, Loki-wolf firmly on my heels. 

“That was fun. I can see why you are the God of Fun and Companionship.” I say over my shoulder to him. Loki-wolf responds with a sharp yip. “Maybe I should experiment with my powers more often. That was enlightening, albeit draining.” As I add the last bit, Loki-wolf nudges my arm with his snout.

Are you alright?

“I think so. Or at least I will be.” I add the latter before he can argue. 

Will you tell me if you aren’t?

“I promise.” My answer seems to satisfy him enough to lull him into silence for the remainder of our quick journey around the house. 

I spot the garden, just outside the forest edge, and wonder over.

“Okay, Laura said that something was wrong with you guys.” I circle the plants for a moment. “This is a quaint little garden, a bit rad, just kinda rad-ish.” Loki-wolf sends me a half-hearted glare at the pun and I roll my eyes but return my focus to the task at hand. I extend my senses out to get a feel for what might be wrong with any of the plants. “Cmon, speak now or forever hold your peas.” 

“You know you sound like Stark.” A deep voice sounds from the tree line.

I spin around to face the new voice.

#marvel #marvel fanfic #marvel fanfiction #marvel reader insert #marvel ao3 #reader insert #ao3 reader insert #ao3 marvel reader insert #ao3 #AO3 fanfic #ao3fic #ao3 writer

[carryon117]

Chapter Seventy-Seven:

“Look at all of them.” Clint whispers to me. “That girl packs a punch.”

“That she does.” I respond. “I’m thinking we may need to lie low for a bit.”

“I’m thinking that you might be right, any ideas?” He asks, eyes still fixated in front of him, directing the jet away from the scene. 

“Just the one idea.” 

“That doesn’t sound good. What’s your idea, kid?” Clint asks, exhaustion clear on his face.

“Fancy a trip to the countryside?” I ask.

Clint turns to me and gives me a slight smile. “Sure, kid. Think it’s time for the families to meet, eh?”

The atmosphere in the quinjet is thick with tension and frustration. The three heroes that experienced a mind-altering terror fueled vision from Wanda, sit around the cabin in various states. 

Nat is sitting silently, not uttering a word, with a concerned Bruce next to her, pointedly looking at anything but the spy. Steve has his jaw clenched and eyes straight ahead, not truly hearing a word uttered by Sam or even Bucky. Lastly Thor, his manic pacing seems to be freaking out even Loki, who looks on at his brother with slight apprehension and anxiety. Lastly, almost directly behind Clint and I, Tony speaks on the phone to Agent Hill.

“Well, for now, I’d stay in stealth mode and stay away from here.” Hill’s voice seems to echo through the cabin. 

“So, run and hide?” Tony asks sarcastically.

“Until we can find Ultron, I don’t have a lot else to offer.” Hill supplies glumly. 

“Neither do we.” With that, Tony clicks off the device and strides over to us in the cockpit. “Hey, you wanna switch out?” Tony questions, gesturing to the controls.

“No, I’m good.” Clint doesn’t spare him a glance, keeping a steady control on the jet. “If you wanna get some kip, now’s a good time because we’re still a few hours out.” 

“Few hours from where?” Tony asks, eyebrow raised.

“A safe house.” Clint responds in a deadpan tone.

With a nod, Tony walks away to an open seat, settling in for the remainder of the flight. 

“You got this?” I ask Clint, gesturing to the controls.

“What, like you would be able to assist in an emergency?” He snarks, an attempt at lightening up the tone of the cabin.

“Touché, bird-man.”

“Sticks and Stones, kid.” 

I huff a laugh at him, it sounds forced even to me. “I will be in the back if you need me.”

“Sure thing.”

I walk away from Clint and enter the cabin of tension. Although there was less damage this go around, my heart aches just the same if not more now seeing it in person and knowing that I could have stopped it. The closest cluster near me is Nat and Bruce. I start to walk towards them but Bruce shakes his head and nods towards the others.

I slump my shoulders but alter my destination. It doesn’t help that the heroes are all ‘emotionally constipated’ and won’t talk about how they’re feeling to anyone. How can I help?

I walk over to the trio of soldiers. Steve sits in the middle with Sam and Bucky flanking him on each side. I know that Steve’s mind is currently stuck in the past, on what could have been. What could cut through to him? 

I wedge myself in between Bucky and Steve, taking up position on Steve’s left.

“On your left.” I joke, half heartedly. 

Steve blinks a few times before turning to look at me, his tired voice responds, “Very funny.”

“Well, I thought so.” I extend a hand and produce a poppy flower before placing it gently on his leg. “I know that the past can be hard. But like we talked about, we can remember, we can mourn and grieve, but we can’t let it weigh us down.”

“Easier said than done, Y/N.” Steve’s voice sounds so broken and tired.

“Yeah, it is. But you have us.” I gesture to myself, Bucky, and the rest of the cabin. “Just like you said, together.”

Steve actually cracks a small smile, “Thanks.”

“No problem, can’t have our resident golden retriever sad.” I joke, elbowing him.

Steve turns an indignant look to Bucky, “I am not some dog.”

“Keep making that face, that will convince us.” Bucky jokes, happy to see his friend holding on to the present a bit more.

I start to stand and place a hand on Sam’s shoulder, “Well, I am going to leave you in charge of the senior citizens, don’t let them break a hip.”

“I don’t know if anyone is up for such a task, Y/N.” Sam smiles.

“Hey now pigeon, if anyone is gonna break something it will be you-” Bucky starts before Steve cuts him off with an eye roll.

“Look what you started.”

“I’m not even a little bit sorry.” I chuckle and turn away from the group.

 With a gentle smile, I head to the two gods, who are currently stuck in what seems to be an intense conversation while sitting on the floor.

“Thor?” I ask, trying to get a feel for his head space.

“Yes, little one?” It’s clear that he is rooted in the present, but his vision definitely set him on edge. 

I kneel next to him on the floor and cup my hands together, rooting through my memories to find what I am looking for. Finally, the image pops into my head. With a smile, I concentrate on the sensation of my gifts running down my arms and gathering in my palms. A vivid indigo bud forms in my palm before slowly blooming outward to reveal what looks like a daisy with delicate petals so dark, they seem to swallow the light around us. Both Thor and Loki gasp at the small plant.

“That’s from Mother’s gardens.” Loki says, awe in his voice. Thor gulps in a breath, and begins to reach out, before snapping his hand back. “You always did want to touch the petals.” Loki whispers with a smile. 

“How are you doing this, little one?” Thor’s question isn’t as booming as I have become accustomed to when speaking with the God of Thunder. His voice is full of wonder and sounds ages younger, a son missing his mother.

“I figured that you could use something to tie you to home, show you what you’re fighting for, what you will succeed for.” I keep the blooming flower in my right hand, and gently place my left on his knee. “Everything will be alright, Thor.”

Thor looks me in the eyes, “I do believe that you are right, little one.” Thor gives me a smile and I remove my hand. I give him a reassuring nod and will the flower to blink out of existence. The moment that it does, I rise to my feet and try to roll the tension from my shoulders. I should know that at this point, the tension is just a part of who I am. With a sigh, I give up on ridding myself of it and glance around the cabin. Before I can move any further, Loki grabs me by the arm and leads me towards the back of the cabin and away from the group. 

Darling, do we have time to resume our previous discussion now? His voice floats through my mind. I didn’t realize that I missed hearing his voice in my head until now.

I think so, as long as we continue to talk like this.

He quirks an eyebrow and gestures for me to continue.

Okay, okay. So I know about Ultron. I know about the twins. I know how this storyline is supposed to end, but there are things that I am aiming to change.

If you wanted to change things, why did you let Stark build that infernal machine?

Because there are portions of the story that need to happen, things that need to occur in order for things to shift our way in the long run. I promise you that I will tell you everything I can after Ultron, but I cannot promise that it will be alot. The more you know, the more things can become out of control, and then I cannot help. I gulp in a breath of air, my nerves quickly building. And that’s all I want, is to help.

That’s all? His question sounds a bit broken.

I mean, that’s what I’m here for, at least I think that’s what I’m here for. I respond, a bit confused by his question. What is he implying? 

Can you at least attempt to keep me in the loop more? I understand that you are unable to disclose everything, but maybe clue me in if something is about to occur?

I give him a soft smile, I can at least attempt. A beat of silence hangs between us before I continue. I am sorry about the last few days. It seems you are always having to bear the brunt of my sour moods. I’m supposed to be your friend, and I don’t feel like I have been doing a great job of that. 

The frustration on Loki’s face melts into a soft smile. You are my friend. You have done nothing to truly drive me away, I would venture the opposite in fact. 

The opposite? You can’t drive me away. I respond, a bit confused by his statement. 

You say that now-

I say that knowing your past and what your future could be.

Loki stares at me for a moment, and gently takes my hand. Thank you, darling.

You shouldn’t be thanking me. I should be doing more. And I snapped at you, what kind of hero or even friend am I?

A great one. Loki’s voice is resolute and steadfast. The tone saying, I dare you to argue with me. 

Say that I believe you, would they? I point over my shoulder to the group in the cabin. You didn’t react well to me keeping things from you, what would they say?

When the time comes, we shall see. But until then, I am at your side. His hand gives mine a gentle squeeze.

Thank you, Loki. For being patient and kind.

Of course, darling. He laughs, I do believe that you are the first to refer to me in such a manner.

But I doubt that I will be the last.

We shall see, darling.

Before we can continue our discussion, the quinjet begins to descend. I pull away from Loki, unlocking our hands and climbing into the main cabin. If I didn’t know any better I would say that Loki tries to hold onto my hand as I pull away. I don’t have time to think about that before Clint’s voice echoes through the cabin,

“This is your pilot speaking. We have begun our descent to our final destination. So please sit back, relax, and stop asking me stupid questions.” 

At the last bit, Tony slinks away from the cockpit and returns to a seat, attempting to look nonchalant. 

I stroll over to the cockpit, taking Tony’s place directly behind Clint. “Are you ready for this?”

“Me? No. The team? Also no. The kids? Lord, help the team.” 

I giggle at his antics. “You’re always telling me to relax and that everything will be fine.”

“Yeah, but you're not the one springing a group of enhanced and otherworldly beings on your wife.”

“Yes, but I don’t have a wife.”

“Touché, kid.”

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