Venom // Natasha Romanoff

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"Do I have time to finish my sandwich?"
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Nova sat in hers and Natasha's small kitchen, reading a book called Turtles All The Way Down with tentacles stretched from her body. Venom had decided to make himself a sandwich which Nova had to supervise.

Vision suddenly appeared next to her having come through the wall and she smiled warmly at him which he returned. Technically speaking, Nova was his mum and since his creation, they had become quite close and she answered all the questions he asked to do with emotions.

"What's up, Vis?" Nova questioned.

"Mr. Stark has arrived. You told me you would like to know when he came to the compound." Vision answered.

"Thanks." Nova smiled. "Just a bonus tip, remember to use the door."

"Will do, Miss Black." Vision nodded, moving over to the doorway.

"Just Nova." She replied as Venom finished making his sandwich.

"Oh, and he's apparently, he's brought a guest." Vision continued, halfway out of the doorframe.

"Really? Who's that?" Nova questioned.

"The Secretary of State." Vision stated before leaving the room.

"Do I have time to finish my sandwich?" Venom growled from beside her, head by her face.

"Bring it with you." Nova mumbled but Venom just scoffed it down in one. "Or not. That would be quicker."

Nova made her way downstairs into the meeting room and sat herself down next to Natasha. The Secretary of State walked into the room and so did Tony who sat down behind the rest of the Avengers.

"Five years ago," Ross started with a big sigh, "I had a heart attack —"

"Is that relevant?" Venom growled in Nova's head and she just hummed.

"— and dropped right in the middle of my backswing. Turned out it was the best round of my life because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass, I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me. Perspective. The world owes the Avengers an un-payable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives, but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some who would prefer the word 'vigilantes'." Ross continued.

"What word would you use, Mr Secretary?" Natasha asked.

"How about 'dangerous'? What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind? New York."

Ross made a visual of the Battle of New York pop up on the large screen and it showed the damage down to the buildings. People screamed in fear as the massive alien ships came soaring through. Rhodey glanced back at Natasha who spared him a small one.

"Washington, D.C." Ross continued, making another video pop up.

The helicarriers were falling into the lake below them and people tried to run free of the water that was splashing at them. Sam glanced down while Nova shifted her weight to one arm of the chair.

"Sokovia." Ross went on, another video appearing.

It showed families trying to evacuate followed by part of the city flying high in the air. Buildings fell onto more buildings, crushing them completely.

"Lagos." Ross continued.

Another video appeared of their most recent mission. The building had smoke flying from it in a large cloud, fire visible. People were being wheeled out on stretchers, some people crying with their families on the floor. Sirens wailed and people screamed. Wanda looked down, a gasp escaping her lips which Steve caught onto.

"Okay. That's enough." Steve demanded.

"For the past four years, you e operated with unlimited power and no supervision. That's an arrange to the governments of the world can no longer tolerate. But I think we have a solution." Ross placed a thick file down in front of Wanda. "The Sokovia Accords. Approved by 117 countries, its stated that the Avengers shall no longer be a private organisation. Instead, they'll operate under the supervision of a United Nations panel, only when and if that panel seems it necessary."

"The Avengers were formed to make the world a safer place. I feel we've done that." Steve stated firmly.

"Tell me, Captain, do you know where author and Banner are right now?" Ross asked.

"Thor is searching the realms and Banner is presumed to be in Fiji. We can't force them to come back, sir." Nova glared, the last word said with a sickening snarl. 

"If I misplaced a couple of 30 megaton nukes, you can bet there's be consequences." Ross continued, ignoring the tall woman's point. "Compromise. Reassurance. That's how the world works. Believe me, this is the middle ground."

"So, there are contingencies." Rhodey stated, placing a hand on the thick file.

"Three days from now, the Un meets in Vienna, to ratify the Accords. Talk it over." Ross demanded.

"And if we come to a decision you don't like?" Natasha asked.

"Then you retire." Ross stated flatly.

At those words, Natasha smiled lightly, glancing at Nova who was already staring at her lovingly. They didn't know what would happen in the next few days. Tomorrow wasn't promised but they sure as hell would spend every last second of their lives together.

The thought of a house with Natasha made Nova hold back a smile. Being able to carry her through the doors bridal style, even if they'd already been on a honeymoon, or even if they weren't married at all. A dog, maybe. Waking up in the morning and making her breakfast in bed, if Venom didn't eat it all.

It was the life they wanted. They both knew it deep down. But it was whether they could have it was the issue.

{947}