Misery and Destruction

V

Avenger's Compound, New York- 2023

Nish had been sitting in the dance studio for the past hour facing the window. After the song had finished, she sat down and took her pointes off. She grabbed the selfie of her and Nat. She hugged the photo to her chest and pulled her legs up as close to her chest as she could as she cuddled the photo. She hadn't moved from that position.

Someone then entered the room. They didn't say anything but just sat next to her and looked out to the forest.

"I know I didn't know her as much as you guys did," Nish broke the peaceful silence. "But I felt a connection with her. I think it was because we both went through similar things growing up. Me in HYDRA and her under the Red Room. When Bucky and Raz died, she understood how I felt more than anyone else. She was mourning but she still put effort into comforting me. She showed me that someone with as much blood on their hands as me can change and do good. Her death has made me realise that I haven't just lost a friend, but I've lost a mother." She let the tears yet again wet her cheeks.

"She saw you as a daughter." Steve spoke for the first time since entering the room. "Since meeting you in Germany, she always saw a younger version of her in you. She always looked forward to the weekend trips she went on with you." He smiled at the thought of Nat. "She would come back and tell me everything you two did and her smile would never drop. She wasn't able to have children but she definitely thought of you as her daughter."

Nish leaned against Steve who brought her into his embrace. He kissed the side of her head before pulling away. "Tony has the gauntlet ready. We may not be able to bring Nat back, but we can bring everyone else back. It's what she would have wanted." Nish nodded before standing up she picked up her pointes and walked to the corner where the rest of her stuff was. She slipped into her boots and put her jacket and belt back on and carried her sheath, photo and ballet shoes. Steve followed behind already in his suit once again. 

They stopped by her room so she could grab some ammunition and put her photo back on the bedside table. She unsheathed her sword and carried it with her. She entered the lab where she was met with everyone in their full suits. She gave everyone a sympathetic smile before looking towards the gauntlet that Tony and Rocket were fiddling with. This was what half the universe was relying on.

"Alright the glove's ready." Rocket announced. "Question is, who's gonna snap their freaking fingers?"

"I'll do it." Thor put his hand up and started walking to the gauntlet.

"Excuse me?" Tony didn't know if he was being serious.

"It's okay." Thor reassured him.

"No, no, no, no. Stop. Slow down." Tony stood in front of the gauntlet whilst Steve also told him to stop.

"Wait, wait, wait... Thor, just wait." Steve angled himself to face Thor. "We haven't decided who's gonna put that on yet."

"I'm sorry. What, were you just sitting around waiting for the right opportunity?" Thor asked sarcastically.

"We should at least discuss it." Scott tried to reason with the God.

"Look, us sitting here staring at that thing is not gonna bring everybody back." He took a breath in to calm himself down. "I'm the strongest Avenger, okay?" Nish shook her head at that causing Rhodey to let out a slight chuckle. "So this responsibility falls upon me."

"Normally you're right." Tony interrupted rushing him away but Thor only spoke louder.

"It's my duty."

"It's not about that." Tony continued to push him away.

"It's not that." Thor then shushed Tony.

"Hey, buddy." Tony calmly spoke over him.