Irrational

Chapter 53 - Will it Work?

You go to the cabin to warm up and pack your belongings up.

You're packing your suitcase, adding the last bits as you zip it up, you glance around the room. A picture catches your eye.

It was a shot that you took by accident. On one of your rest days from training, you went out around New York to test your reaction to it.

You reached Times Square and you wanted a photo of you both, with Times Square in the background to show you were getting better. To send home. But no shot was going right.

You would take the picture, look at it and instantly went "Nope, do it again". Each time Strange's eyes rolled further back into his head.

After the 20th attempt, Strange got frustrated and it made you laugh.

-Flashback-

"You're sending a picture to Pietro, not the President." Strange lets out in a huff.

You look back and see he is so done with you and your indecisive ways, but you can't help bursting into laughter.

"Stop, st-stop laughing. It's no-its not funny Y/N" Strange says trying his hardest to hold back his smile, but it creeps through.

"Oh but Stephen, it's hilarious. You're such a grumpy old man" you wink.

"Old man? Pretty sure an old man wouldn't have been able to go 5 times lastnight and this morning, in those particular positions, my sweetheart" He spoke seductively as he approached you.

He stood inches from you, making your breath shorten and your cheeks flush. He made you hot and wet just by being near you with innuendos.

"One more time. Please" You beg with a mischievous grin.

"No" He shakes his head.

You lift your phone and he spots you, both had beaming smiles on your faces and you were finding it hilarious. He shakes his head and reaches over you for the phone.

Before he can grab hold of it, you bend forwards, he follows still trying to get a grip on it. He pulls you into a bear hug from behind and reaches for the phone.

His head was buried in your neck, you were laughing uncontrollably and you were completely happy in that moment.

He eventually got hold of your phone and locked it, putting it in a "safe place" as he magics it away.

"Unfair" You pout.

"Necessary" Strange states. "I want my sweetheart to myself. I'm greedy and I'm not sorry for it."

"Good. That's how I like it".

He grins and pulls you into a passionate kiss, cupping your face with one of his hands. As you pull away, he takes your hand and you continue with your day.

-end of flashback-

It wasn't till later that day when you checked your phone you realised you clicked a button on the side of your phone which captured the moment perfectly.

You both wore wide, pure and real smiles. His face was buried in your neck, with yours slightly turned towards him. You look happy, relaxed... in love. It was your fondest memory.

And now it sat on your bedside.

"Y/N, you doing okay?" Clint asks as he leans against your doorframe.

"Ye-yeah, just..." You glance at the picture.

"Re-living that day again huh?" He asks carefully.

"Like I have every day for the past 5 years. Yup. Still re-living the day yous had in the yard having hotdogs and practicing archery and baseball?" You ask.

"Always."

"Do you think it can work?"

"Honestly, I don't know. But I'm willing to give it one more try. For them." Clint says delicately, as he steps inside and places a comforting hand on your shoulder.

"For them." You mutter, placing your hand on top of his.

You pick up the picture and place it in your bag, before turning to Clint with a soft smile, he returns it before putting his arm around you and you walk out into the main room.

"Ready?" Tony asks.

"Ready as we'll ever be" Clint chirps up for you.

Tony looks at you carefully. You were deep in thought, what if it does work and it brings him back from a time he didn't love you, what if you're too traumatised to let him in? What if it doesn't work? Do you have any more hope in you to keep trying and holding on?

"Let's go." Tony announces.

You leave the cabin, having one last look back and head onto the jet.

-a few hours later-

"Welcome home sport"

You walk in and everyone is sat around expecting you. Steve, Nat, Scott, rhodey and a few new faces.

"I'm assuming the Guardians of the Galaxy?" You ask.

"That's right. I'm Gamora, this is my sister Nebula, Rocket and Groot. Drax and Mantis are somewhere too"

You nod as she introduces everyone and you return to Gamora, her eyes were familiar. Empty, broken, lonely. She was the girlfriend of the guy who sacrificed himself for the stone.

"I'm sorry for your loss" you say carefully.

She smiles and pulls you into a hug. "Thank you and I'm sorry for yours" she whispers.

You pull her a little tighter to let her know let her know that you appreciated the sentiment.

"So what exactly do we do now?" Clint asks.

"Well it's simple. All the stones have been retrieved, they're in the gauntlet and I have to put it on and snap" Bruce spoke confidently.

You were amazed. Astonished. Confused. "Are we really not going to explain the Bruce Hulk combo or is this normal?"

"Long story Y/N, will explain after this"

"Okay, fair enough. I have two questions. I don't care about anything else" You say bluntly.

Bruce nods and you clear your throat.

"Will this get everyone back and we will have to fight Thanos again?"

Bruce takes a breathe and replies "yes to both"

"How do you know we won't lose again?"

You watch as Bruce looks at everyone and double takes Tony who gives him a very subtle nod and glances at you.

"Come on, what?!" You get frustrated.

"We won't lose again, because we will have you. You were the difference Y/N"

The world stops. Your mind was racing and then you focus on Tony.

"You stopped me. You and Strange stopped me. If I can make the difference now, I could have prevented 5 years of pain Stark. You happy now?!"

"It had to go like this. This wasn't an error, it was a plan Y/N. Me and Strange will explain once this is over. I promise. He's coming back sport, focus on that."

"And Loki?" Thor asks desperately.

Bruce beams and nods, making Thor ecstatic.

"Laura?" Clint speaks up.

Nat steps forwards and smiles "everyone who was taken away, WILL come back. Bucky. Pietro. Peter. Wanda. Maybe even Vision."

You smile "What are we waiting for?"