Elemental Mastery (Steve Rogers Love Story)

THE ACCORDS

"Read this" Tony says tossing a packet in front of me

"What is this?" I ask flipping the pages of the thick document

"What we are about to go into a meeting about" he says almost crass

"What's got you grumpy?" I ask trying to make him laugh

"Your boyfriend's mistake in Lagos" He says, turning on his heel walking out of the room. Things here have been tense over the last two weeks. Lagos was a hard hit on all of us. Since coming back Wanda's been in her room more, barely talking to anyone, Steve's been in training more than ever before, I've hardly seen him. Sams has been my only real friend, even Nat has been distant.

I sign to myself and start to read through the packet. Rules and regulations for how the avengers are to conduct themselves going forward, the one that strikes a nerve is one specific rule.

Enhanced individuals that sign the Accords must register with the UN and provide          fingerprints and DNA samples;

    • Those with secret identities must reveal their legal names and true identities to the UN;

  • Individuals are subject to a power analysis and must wear tracking bracelets if they have powers;

How could my father ever think that's a good idea? How could he justify our friends needing to be tagged and tracked like animals, hell how is he ok with me being tagged and tracked like an animal. I think to myself and then look down at my bracelet that he gave me years ago on my birthday Maybe because he's already tracking me

I see Vision go into the conference room first, I see Wanda and Steve walk over next. They both look like they have just had a serious conversation. I know they blame themselves, Steve for becoming distracted over something that he still hasn't told me, and Wanda for not containing more of the explosion.

"Any clue what the meeting is about?" Steve asks as I meet him in the hall. Wanda silently walking ahead into the conference room.

"Nothing good" I say, taking his hand. Secretary Ross is standing at the front of the small conference room. The sight of him alone makes me shiver. I take a seat next to Steve still holding his hand as he rubs circles with his thumb on the side of my hand trying to comfort me after seeing just how tense Ross' presence makes me

"Good everyone's here" Ross says as Tony enters the room and sits in the very back. He looks at me moving his head looking at the document I'm taping my right hand on then back to me. I shake my head no. Instantly his demeanor changes and he looks almost defensive.

"Why are we here?" Steve asks, feeling the tension in the room, its palpable at this point.

"Let's start." Secretary Ross says with a coy smile that causes me to shiver "Five years ago I had a heart attack, and dropped right in the middle of my back swing, turns 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 never taught me. Perspective."

I sigh, maybe louder than I intend to, earning a glare from both my father and Ross. I look at them both unapologetically as Steve gives my hand a comforting squeeze. The squeeze tells me all I need to know, he feels uncomfortable too.

"The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt, you have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives, but while a great many people see you as heroes," Ross Continues looking at everyone in the group individually "There are some, who would prefer the word vigilanties"

"What word would you use, Mr. Secretary?" Natasha quickly asks, I can see the smirk on her face

"How about Dangerous?" Ross quickly quips back, I roll my eyes and feel Steve's grip tighten on my hand, he's becoming more upset now. "What would you call a group of US-based enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will on wherever they choose, and who frankly seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?"