Infatuated with a God

Chapter One-Hundred and Twenty-Two

Once I had joined everyone in the communal area of the top floor, debates were already occurring between everyone. A singular copy of the Accords currently being read through my Rhodey, but an alert on my watch notifying me of a digital copy being left. I ignored the stares of people who wished to know what happened with Ross, retreating in silence to a corner to pull up the Accords to read through entirely. Whilst everyone talked, argued, and read the Accords for over an hour I thought about the offer made to me. Ultimately, I came to a few conclusions. The first is that I needed to sign. I'd revealed my hand too easily to Ross, and it was read by him too well, by the time it came to ratify the Accords I had no doubt that my loophole would have been sealed. My status as Asgardian wouldn't come into play if they didn't accept it as my status. Elixir or not, they would argue I was born on Earth. No matter how little time I spent on Earth, they could make it impossible for me to see the people I loved or even to be able to return at all and that wasn't leverage I would handle being held over me. I had to be able to visit my family. The second realisation is that there was nothing in the Accords mentioning forced mind control, or the ramifications of it. That needed to be rectified, because as it stood the full weight of responsibility could be placed on Bucky for his actions, and some leniency had to be extended to him. It was the actions of those who controlled him that needed to be punished.

The third and final realisation I had is that Ross was desperate. He had to be to offer me of all people a deal. He knew I wouldn't be on his side, and could never have counted on me to sign, and yet chose me to make a deal with. Of everyone, he chose me. Even if only to be able to make a deal with Asgard, I could use that desperation. And if he was going to exploit my weakness, I was sure going to exploit his. But it meant that I would sign. With that realisation, I finally moved over to the kitchen and poured myself a generous glass of whiskey. Taking off my headphones and re-engaging with the room. At this point, Sam and Rhodey had been arguing for quite some time, unusually being more vocal than Tony and Steve, who instead settled for long questioning glances at each other. Both, I realised, were waiting for the other to finally make their move and announce their opinions. Occasionally, someone else would make a comment, but for the most part people were just solemn. Eventually Vision interrupted their arguing with some speech about how we are the cause of the issues which I wanted to laugh at. I actually rolled my eyes when Rhodey said boom. This whole thing began to get under my skin. I don't think the intention had been to fracture us, but it was happening, nevertheless. Each of us had our own values and opinions, each of us naturally fell on a certain side. I wasn't sure how many were willing to let those opinions go to sign it just because I found myself realising I was.

Nat spoke up next, prying Tony's opinion out of him. He spoke up, sounding tired and entirely pissed off. Steve was right, he had clearly made a decision, one he actively didn't feel comfortable with but chose out of his own vulnerability. It was at that moment I realised he would sign and make us do so too. This vulnerability that had slowly developed following Ultron, and after the reveal that it wasn't Loki's fault for New York but someone else entirely, was dangerous. It seemed to loom over him as his anger festered. Tony pulled up a screen with a guy's face on it, a man who looked not much younger than me. He talked about the dreams and ambitions of a life that was cut far too young in Sokovia. It affected everyone, myself included, but I couldn't help but be somewhat angry that some real issues with the Accords were being ignored in favour of being held accountable.

"There's no decision-making process here. We need to be put in check! Whatever form that takes, I'm game. If we can't accept limitations, if we're boundary-less, we're no better than the bad guys." I flinched at his words, astonished he would dare to go there after what me and Wanda had gone through under Hydra.

"Tony, someone dies on your watch, you don't give up."

"Who said we were giving up?" More arguments were raised, and I just zoned out for the most part. Alliances were already beginning to form, Tony on the side of the accords completely taken in by his insecurities and lack of self-assurance despite his façade. Rhodey clearly on his side, ever the soldier, the proud patriot of the people. Willing to abide by the law regardless of the consequences, despite his pretence of care it was his duty that forced his hand.