Cornelia Street - Avengers

The War Medic

"The world was on fire, and no one could save me, but you"

A Few Days Later

(Wicked Game, Chris Isaak)

...

Lucia and Steve wandered back into the compound's main building, after returning from a dreaded hike and drive home, It was extraordinarily quiet with so many out on missions, but the remaining few were beautiful company. 

Once again the pair knew how to play it so that no one would become suspicious, almost playing a little bet between themselves over who would crack first. Steve, Bruce, Lucia and Beth sat around the common area, surrounded by beers and pizza boxes, and their conversation was light-hearted, with Bruce animatedly explaining what he was working on at his lab whilst the rest of them nodded along pretending to understand.

Well, all except Beth. They turned to hear footsteps and indistinct bickering getting closer to them, and it certainly wasn't hard to guess who that was.

"Hi," Tony yelled loudly, walking up the stairs with a box in his hand. "Don't worry everyone, we're back so you can all relax now."

Natasha strolled behind him, another box in her hand. "We brought dessert," she said happily, taking both boxes and putting them in the kitchen.

"How was the Secretary of State?" Bruce asked Tony, once he sprawled out on the couch behind him.

"Annoying," Tony said as he stretched out his hand for his daughter to hand him a slice. "But placated for now."

"Good," Lucia said, through a mouthful. In between bites of dessert, she nodded knowingly before Natasha rejoined the group. Given the fact that most, besides Bruce, were eating with their hands things were about to become messy, so after finishing the slice of pizza, she ended up with marinara sauce on her fingers, nonchalantly bringing her fingers to her mouth to lick them clean.

Not understanding what she was doing she caught Steve growing visibly flustered, shifting in his seat, and she bit back a smile, realizing she may win their bet sooner than she had thought.

"Alright, I have a question," Nat began, her eyes scanning the room with a mischievous glint, but before she could continue, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. A figure appeared in the space leading to the stairs, a halo of dark hair, hesitant yet determined.

"Wanda!" Lucia exclaimed warmly, her face lighting up with a genuine smile as she beckoned the shy girl to join them. "Come on over."

Wanda hesitated for a moment, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as she stood at the threshold. Her gaze scanned the room, briefly meeting Tony's before Natasha stepped forward, breaking the silence with a gesture of welcome. Nat approached her with a small plate of dessert, her movements deliberate yet gentle.

"Here you go. Welcome back," Natasha said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that eased the tension in the room, and a sea of welcoming went around the common room.

Wanda accepted the plate with a nod of thanks, her posture still guarded as she found a spot on the periphery of the group. The Avengers resumed their conversation, the atmosphere now subtly shifted by Wanda's presence and the unspoken tension that lingered between her and Tony.

"Wands," Beth exclaimed with genuine warmth, her smile widening as she patted the seat next to her. "Come sit here." Her eyes softened with relief and appreciation at her friend's gesture before she moved gracefully towards her friend, grateful for the invitation amidst the unspoken tension that still lingered in the air. Sitting down beside Beth, Wanda couldn't help but notice the subtle disappointment in her friend's face.