An unconventional trio

Oh good...brain juice

Nova stormed back to her room, her thoughts swirling like a tempest in her mind. Her strides were uneven, a reflection of the chaos within her. With each step, she replayed her interaction with Loki in the kitchen, his words echoing like a haunting melody.

Closing the door behind her with a sharp click, Nova leaned against it, her chest rising and falling with the force of her breaths. She padded across the room, her movements heavy with frustration, until she reached her bed.

Huffing with exasperation, she sank onto the edge of the mattress, her hands curling into fists at her sides. "Aposematism isn't just in the animal kingdom, Nova," she muttered to herself, her voice dripping with the condescension she had heard in Loki's tone.

The words hung in the air, a reminder of the challenge she faced, not just from Loki, but from the world around her. Nova shook her head, trying to dispel the doubts that threatened to consume her. She couldn't let his words undermine her confidence.

Nova sank back onto her bed, the weight of the day finally catching up to her. She curled up beneath the blankets, seeking solace in their warmth as she nestled into the soft pillows. Her mind, which had been racing like a runaway train, began to slow its frantic pace.

As she closed her eyes, Nova felt the exhaustion wash over her like a gentle wave, soothing the tension in her muscles and easing the furrow in her brow. With each breath, she felt herself drifting further and further away from the turmoil of the day, slipping into the welcoming embrace of sleep.

The sounds of the world outside faded into the background, replaced by the gentle rhythm of her own heartbeat. In that moment, there was nothing else but the quiet peace of her room and the comforting cocoon of her blankets.

With a contented sigh, Nova surrendered to the pull of sleep, her mind finally finding the rest it so desperately craved. And as she drifted off into dreams, she knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges, but for now, she allowed herself to simply be.

The next morning, the group gathered in the kitchen, their footsteps echoing softly on the polished floor as they made their way downstairs. The scent of breakfast lingered in the air, promising a delicious start to the day.

As they entered the kitchen, they found Wanda and Sam already hard at work, their sleeves rolled up as they bustled about the room, preparing a feast for the group.

Wanda stood at the stove, a whirlwind of energy as she expertly flipped pancakes and scrambled eggs. Beside her, Sam manned the toaster, a grin spreading across his face as he popped slices of bread into the machine with a flourish.

"Good morning, everyone!" Wanda greeted them with a smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth as she glanced over her shoulder. "Breakfast will be ready in just a few minutes."

Sam nodded in agreement, his attention focused on the task at hand as he deftly buttered a fresh batch of toast. "Yeah, we've got pancakes, eggs, bacon—the whole works," he announced, his voice tinged with excitement.

As the group gathers around the table, the clinking of utensils and murmurs of conversation fill the air. Bucky strides in and heads straight for the counter. With practiced ease, he pours himself a cup of coffee, the rich aroma wafting through the room.

Steve watches him with a fond smile, shifting slightly to make room for his friend beside him. Bucky joins him, settling into his seat with a relaxed sigh.

As plates of steaming food are passed around, Bucky's gaze sweeps across the table, taking in the familiar faces and exchanging nods of acknowledgment. But one seat remains conspicuously empty.

"Where's Nova?" he inquires, breaking the chatter.

"Oh, she got a head start on training," Tony replies between bites, his attention briefly diverted from his food. "She's not big on breakfast." As Tony takes another sip of his coffee, he interjects once more, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "There's a Red Bull in the fridge for her, that's her breakfast. I'll take it to her once I'm done."