She's Got a Temper || Wanda Maximoff || Natasha Romanoff ||

Chapter 28

2023- Avengers Compound

"I'm not going to get any weird surprises from Ross am I?" I asked Sam as we pulled up to the compound.

"No, you've been pardoned actually. I forgot to mention that. I was using it as a tactic to get you to come back but you agreed a lot quicker than I thought you would."

I nodded and opened the truck door. I was nervous to see everyone; I didn't know how they felt about me anymore or whether or not they even wanted me here. I was anxious, which was a new feeling for me. I walked into the compound and it was loud, everyone was doing something, it was inspiring to see, everyone banned together to make this happen. Even Clint was here.

"You're drifting left!" I heard Tony's voice first and I looked over to what was being built. I assumed it to be the time machine Sam told me about.

The prospect of time travel sounded ridiculous to me at first but if Thanos could snap his fingers and have half the world disappear then time travel didn't seem like a far reach. Besides, Jean had gone back in time before, it wasn't impossible which is why I didn't jump out of the truck when Sam told me.

"You're drifting left Lebowski." I tried to look at who Tony was talking to but I didn't recognize them.

"Who's Tony yelling at?" I asked and Sam tried not to laugh but I could see the smirk which confused me.

"That's Thor." my eyes widened.

"What... happened?"

"His guilt just ate away at him and this is how he coped." I mean. I understood the guilt, it was poisonous to your mental health that's for sure. 

"I think he may have eaten his guilt." I wasn't joking, I was positive he ate his guilt.

"Julia." I turned around to a smiling Steve which I didn't expect.

"Steve."

"It's good to see you, I'm glad you're here." I went for the handshake but Steve went for the hug and it got awkward fast but I recuperated and gave him a hug.

"You let the silver grow out." Steve pointed out once we pulled apart and I nodded.

"Yeah, it was a reminder of everything I lost so."

"The black suits you better anyway, but it looks like you got some grey." Steve joked, pulling on my hair and I swatted his hand away.

"That's the leftover silver douche." Steve laughed and it felt like nothing had changed over the last 5 years.

"Steve, I just wanted to say-"

"Don't, it's okay Julia, I forgave you a very long time ago." I nodded in appreciation.

"C'mon, let's leave the Brainiac's to the time machine." I followed Steve to the main room and walked in on Natasha talking with Nebula. When I entered they both looked at me. The only one showing some surprise was Natasha, Nebula just looked like Nebula.

"Julia." I smiled and walked towards Natasha.

"Nat."

As I stood in front of her I looked into her eyes and saw the toll the years had taken. She looked tired but that could've been because of this new found hope and she was working tirelessly to make sure it happened. I moved a piece of hair out of her eyes and just let my fingers graze her cheek a little. It had been so long since I was this close to her; I didn't realize how much I missed her until this moment. I felt the tears in the back of my eyes and noticed Natasha's eyes watering too.