A life together

Uncovered Secrets

Aren't we too close to New York?" asked Bruce skeptically when he saw the map with the saved route.

Steve looked at the monitor to see what he was talking about and noticed the same thing. The location they were headed to was about thirty minutes away from the tower, which didn't sit well with the Captain.

"Tony, don't you think this is an unnecessary risk? Ultron has access to every security camera, phone and network in the world, and you're taking us near the city where everyone thinks we're most likely to be."

The genius sighed, "Look, Capsicle, I don't care if it seems risky. The quinjet is in cloaking mode, so no one's gonna see us or detect us, and where we're going is not a normal place, so just please calm the f down and stop bothering me."

He was going to reprimand him for being rude but Thor spoke before he got the chance, "Believe me, friend Steve, we are going to one of the safest places on your planet."

"And how do you know?"

The god of thunder only smiled knowingly but he didn't say a word, which only made everyone feel more confused than they already were.

After that short conversation, each of the Avengers fell silent, trying to push away the visions that the Maximoff girl had shown them. Natasha was particularly distressed, so was Bruce, and he was struggling. He couldn't get Peggy out of his head. Sweet, beautiful, and now old, Peggy. God, he should have grown old with her.

It was fifteen minutes later that they felt the quinjet land and when they opened the door and got out, all they found was grass, trees and a lake in the distance.

"Uh, weren't we going to a safe house?" Bruce asked Tony.

He nodded, "Yeah, but I need to confirm something first. Hey, thunder man, I need you to try to get in."

The blonde looked at him confused but started walking towards where the lake was. Suddenly, it was as if Thor had collided with an invisible wall and bounced back, leaving him sprawled on the ground.

Tony laughed, "Just like I imagined. I told you so, I don't wanna you when he sees you, buddy."

"Perhaps it'd be better for me to stay in the quinjet," Thor said nervously, surprising the rest of the team. What could possibly make the god feel so out of his depth? Who were they going to see?

"Alright people," said Tony clapping his hands to get their attention, "I'm gonna need you to touch me."

Barton chuckled, "Yeah, right. I'm not touching you with a ten foot pole."

He rolled his eyes, "Not like that, idiot. Get your mind out of the gutter. Just make sure you're in contact with me, or you won't be able to get in."

That is how they all ended up surrounding Tony and, uncomfortably, taking his hands or grabbing his shoulder. As a unit, they walked forward until at one point they felt as if they had passed through a wall of dense air and, just like that, a beautiful house appeared in front of them. Quickly, everyone released their hold on their friend and were stunned looking around.

Thor patted his back and smiled at him but two seconds later what looked like a potato flew towards them hitting the god on the head.

The avengers got into a defensive position and looked for the attacker with their eyes. "Wow, nonono, put down the weapons. Jeez, it's just Harley. Chill."

Immediately, a boy, not older than eleven, appeared at the door of the house and ran to hug Tony, burying his head in his chest. The genius responded with equal affection and kissed the crown of his head whispering something unintelligible to them.

Steve looked at the others hoping to find answers but he found that they were all as lost as he was. Except for Thor, he was looking at the scene fondly. That was, until his face was drained of every possible color.

Following his gaze, Steve watched as a tall, black-haired man, dressed in green and gold leather and metal, approached them with fire in his eyes.

Tony looked up but didn't let go of the boy, "Don't be too drastic, honey. We still need him."

"Oh, do not worry, Anthony. You will have the god of hammers in perfect condition by dinner time," the man said with extreme seriousness.

Honestly, Steve had no idea what the hell was going on, but he didn't have time to intervene, because a small dagger cut through the air and into Thor's stomach making him groan. He was going to protest, but suddenly, the man began to move his hands and a circle of golden sparks appeared below the god, who fell through the hole. The strangest thing of all was that the hole disappeared leaving Thor out of sight.

Everyone gaped upon hearing Tony and the two strangers laugh.

"Well, that turned out better than I expected. I must thank Wong for lending me the sling ring."

Clint, who was holding Natasha upright, voiced what they were all thinking. "What the fuck just happened?"

"Language, Legolas."

"Harley, love, can you take Dr. Banner and Ms. Romanov inside. Show them the guest room. I need to have a little chat with the Avengers," the boy nodded and did as requested, leaving only Clint, Tony, the stranger and him outside.

As soon as they heard the door closing, Steve and Clint were pushed back by a green mist, "That was for insulting my husband and treating him like crap. Just thank that I am in a good mood after that little scene with the blond doofus." In a flash, the man was dressed as a civilian and holding out his hands to help lift them up. "I am Loki, by the way. Thor's brother and Anthony's husband. A pleasure to meet you."

The memory of the fight in Stuttgart struck him like lightning and he almost froze in his place. He could also see Clint coming to the same realization.

"Uh, yeah, nice to meet you too," he replied cautiously, accepting the frankly stronger than expected handshake.

"Yeah, what he said," the archer added, absently reciprocating the greeting.

"Very well, I see you need a shower, clothes more comfortable than your super suits and food. Follow me."

They were tremendously confused, but a glance from Tony told them that it wasn't a good idea to challenge Loki, so they followed his steps into the house.

The first thing Steve noticed was the warmth of the environment. It looked like a home through and through. There were pictures on the walls, tools lying around, books stacked on the table and blankets on the couch.

"So," he heard Clint say, "What happened to Thor? That was some awesome wiggly woo you did out there."

"Hmn, that oaf is fine. I intend to just leave him there for a few minutes so he can reflect on his actions. Nothing to worry about."

The Captain frowned, "You stabbed him, how can you say he's okay?"

Loki looked at him like he was an idiot and Tony snickered from behind, "That was just a scratch for my brother. Believe me, Captain, I have stabbed him countless times before, even once when we were little."

He looked at him in horror, "Why would you do something like that?"

"He is quite annoying, do you not think so? I needed a way to shut him up. Turns out, a bit of stabbing was the perfect solution. Anyway, Anthony, I think you and I should talk in private. You two, if you need anything talk to JARVIS. I am sure he will be thrilled to help you."

Both avengers gasped, "JARVIS? I thought Ultron killed him," Clint said.

"Oh yes, Agent Barton. Thank you very much for reminding me of that beautiful moment," the AI's voice could be heard making them jump.

Loki and Tony disappeared up the stairs and the two of them stared in their direction, dumbfounded. "What in the world just happened?"

"I don't even know, man."

The only thing Steve did know was that his teammates were keeping important, life changing secrets from him, and he didn't like that one bit.