Spirit - Steve Rogers Story

- 4 -

The next few days flew by, no matter how much Rei wished it wouldn't.

Rei watched Tony and Bruce in their lab, the two were like a well oiled machine. She even managed to get Bruce to mediate with her, convincing him it would help calm him. Though he appreciated the thought, Bruce knew no one could simply talk to Hulk for him. Rei didn't seemed phased, and was willing to work with Bruce to see what else they could do. Bruce chuckled to himself at the thought of it, someone caring for him. Rei was patient and understanding, Bruce couldn't fathom the thought she was born here. 

Tony and Rei managed to have a whole conversation with one another, only being sarcastic to the other. Tony enjoyed the banter, the rest of the team would roll their eyes at him. Though Rei would never insult him, she came up with some pretty good nicknames. Tony mentally put them in his long list for the team. Tony's favorite part about hanging out with Rei was her laugh. It was pure and genuine, like her mind was only focused on what was present before her. Tony appreciated it.

Natasha was surprised when Rei had softly asked about Bruce when the two were alone. Rei was wondering if there was something between the doctor and the assassin. Rei had noticed the long looks Bruce was giving Natasha, and vice versa. How the other didn't sense the long gazes puzzled Rei. That night, the two ended up talking about their feelings and ate a whole tub of ice cream. Natasha smiled to herself, remembering when Thor found them and complained he wasn't invited. 

Thor quickly discovered Rei's enjoyment of cooking. Rei woke up early mornings and cooked the team breakfast. Thor enjoyed watching Rei be in her own element. Sometimes she would dance to some music out of no where, convincing Thor to join her. He didn't know any Midgardian dances, but enjoyed it nevertheless. Usually though, she listened to Thor and his stories. Rei marveled at Thor's story telling, learning about other planets and battles he fought. Thor always knew she was listening, nodding and asking questions. Rei even stopped cooking for a few minutes, allowing a moment of silence for Loki. Rei made Thor look forward to the mornings. 

Clint was annoyed by Rei at first. She was always was wandering the tower, and always managed to find Clint. At first she found him training, watching him practice. Other times it was like playing hide and seek, finding him in vents. But Rei grew on him, slowly. Clint tried to think of better spots to hide or even asked her to help him train setting things up. Eventually, Rei mustered up the courage to ask Clint to show her how to shoot an arrow. Rei was a quick learner, managing to impress Clint. Every time she struggled, Rei took Clints notes and adjusted. She would jump up and down excitedly when she hit the target. Clint would never say this to a soul, but he hoped his daughter might turn out a little bit like Rei. 

Steve, after the movie night, tried to hang out with Rei whenever he could. He had showed Rei Tony's library, and she looked like a kid in a candy store. Rei had went to random shelves to see what Tony had. The library was a benefit to being an employee at the tower, but no one had used it that often. The two spent hours reading random books that they found. Steve would manage to finish a couple pages before his eyes strayed to Rei. Her face would display the feeling she felt when reading each page. Rei would get excited about something that happened, and smile brightly at Steve. She would always ask if it was okay to spoil the book, and once Steve would nod, she would burst into a summary of what happened. Steve was happy he wasn't quizzed, because he wasn't listening to Rei at all. Steve was simply trying to capture the moment, the way Rei's eyes glowed, her little giggles, or how she would push her raven hair behind her ears. 

The team enjoyed Rei's company, and Rei enjoyed theirs even more. Rei didn't feel pressured to be anything special or try hard, she was able to freely be herself. Rei felt connected to each member, despite each have different personalities. The internal debate inside of her was keeping her up at night. Rei wanted to stay because she was selfish, wanting to stay in the Avengers company longer. But she knew, in the end, she would have to leave. If they knew her history or what she was, she would have guns drawn on her. Rei wish she could change the cards the universe delt to her, but it wasn't in her future.