the strongest avenger (2)

thirty five

Our second therapy—counseling—session was absolutely awful. Bucky and I just spent the whole time arguing and calling each other names.

He's so fucking infuriating.

But now it's Saturday night, and Wanda and I are preparing the dinner to honor Vision. Paprikash is actually a pretty simple dish, chicken with a thick paprika sauce.

I sent James and Steve to set the table, the former still on my bad side. I slip on my oven mitts and take out the large dish, setting it on a trivet on the island. Wanda tosses the cucumber salad she made and brings it into the dining room. I grab the sautéed potatoes and walk into the dining room, placing it on the spare space which happens to be in front of Peter. I lean over and swiftly place it down, and then go back to the kitchen.

I let my telekinesis carry the chicken paprikash to the table, and I set it down in the middle. I then claim my seat next to Tony, on Wanda's left.

The green giant deigned to show up, which was surprising as I haven't seen Bruce in days because he's been in the labs.

Wanda clears her throat, and blushes slightly as everyone turns to her. "Today, we honor Vision."

"To Vision." Tony says as he holds his glass of wine out.

I grab mine full of Brunello and hold it up, I watch as everyone else lifts theirs with cheers for Vis. I turn to Wanda and give her a small smile.

"To Vision." I whisper and then take a nice long sip.

We all start to dig in, idle house music playing lowly.

"Anyone remember when he was made?" Tony suddenly asks.

I smile fondly at the memory. "Pietro pulled his plug," I turn to Wanda and see her smile. "and then I electrocuted the cradle."

"And Thor came in all sad, cause he was gonna do that." Bruce finishes.

Thor was still in New Asgard, leaving us to wonder when he was coming back.

"And he like burst out and sent Thor and I flying." I chuckle while cutting my chicken.

"And Wanda had dark hair." Nat includes.

"Oh! Did I ever tell you all about the time he just walked in on me?" Everyone shakes their heads no.

"I was showering, and you know how he does that thing where he phases through the wall? Well he did it, I was buck-ass naked and he scared the shit out of me." Nat laughs across the table from me. "He couldn't look me in the eye for the rest of the week."

"So, I'm not the only one that got walked in on?" Tony asks.

"It happened to me too." Steve says sheepishly.

"If you think about it..." Nat starts. "He's technically seen everything because he was Jarvis."

"Oh, well that's awkward." Tony mutters from next to me.

We continue to share our fond memories of the synthezoid as we continue through dinner.

Wanda tells us about the time he had lectured someone in Scotland about the mechanics of fixing a car.

"One time," I start, the sweetness from my wine running down my throat. "Ned and Peter slept over and Vis was making breakfast. And I remember being confused, because he doesn't eat. So I was like 'what are you doing?' and he was just like 'i'm practicing' or something like that." I finish the last of my wine and put it down on the table. "Those pancakes were good though."

"They really were." Peter says from the end of the table, which causes me to smile.

"So how many times did you have boys sleep over Lia?"

I roll my eyes as I turn to Sam. "Topic for another day, we're talking about Vis."

Thankfully the rest of the dinner is not focused on me at all, and it ends without a hitch. I feel content, as this was a good way to celebrate him instead of mourning and being sad. Instead we celebrated his life.

"Wands?" I ask as we sit at the island and make our telekinesis wash the dishes.

"Hmm?"

"When I die, there needs to be a big ass party. No funeral, I want everyone to have a fun time and get shitfaced. They have to celebrate my life okay?"

She just chuckles in her seat. "Okay Tal."

I grin and take a sip of my newly filled wine, I had a couple glasses already but this Brunello is so damn good.

"How many have you had?" She eyes my glass.

"Five or six. But alcohol doesn't effect me. I'd have to drink about twenty glasses to feel a buzz."

"Ah. Got it."

"Yeah...I'm gonna head up to bed, I'm kinda tired tonight." I say while standing.

"That strength training that Steve gave us was awful."

"I know right, I can't wait till we can practice together. With powers and not building muscle."

"Same!"

I bid Wanda good night and start to make my way to my room, but I'm stopped when there's a hand on my shoulder. I turn and see Tony.

"Yes?"

"What did you say to Peter?" I can tell by the use of his actual name and the tone of his voice that this a serious question.

"Why?"

"He trashed his room, got upset, looks pissed off."

"Well he's a teenager. I did that not too long ago if we're being honest. Plus he seemed fine at dinner."

He frowns as he glances at me. "You're my daughter Talia, but he's like a son to me." My brows furrow at this. "I feel responsible for him, like I do for you and Morgan. He doesn't have anyone to look after him besides May. So could you cut him some slack?"

I just blink up at Tony, a little shocked and confused. But then I get it. He's replacing me with Peter, I'm older now. I can take care of myself and so I should back off on the kid, regardless of how hard everything's been.

I grit my teeth as a cord inside me snaps.

"Yeah, I see how it is. You want me to be nice? You want me to forget all the shit I went through regarding him? You want me to make up with him? Make out with him to make him happy? Fine. I can do that." I swiftly brush past him and start heading to his room at the end of the hallway.

"Tal! No, that's not what I meant!"

I ignore Tony and speed up, sending wind back at dad to slow him down. I reach Pete's room and open the door, eyes roving over the destroyed furniture and broken glass, landing on his figure that shoots up from where he was laying down.

I stride over and grab the front of his button down shirt, yanking him forward and crashing our lips together. I ignore the slight pain from our teeth banging together as I continue to move my lips.

Peter's frozen for a second, but then he starts to kiss me back.

I pull back after a second and immediately look away from him, to Tony who stands in the doorway looking extremely pissed off.

"Are you happy now?" I ask him, tilting my head to the side.

"Huh?" I hear Peter ask, but I just shove Tony back and walk past him and down the hallway to my bedroom, locking the door behind me.

If Tony wants to replace me, then that's totally fine. I don't need him. I don't need him to feel responsible over me.

I'm an adult and I don't have to have him looking out for me.