UNKNOWN GUEST

#23 Shawarma and Birthday Bash

As I strolled down the sidewalk, the bustling New York noise faded into the background, replaced by a soft, familiar hum of anticipation. I spotted Uncle Clint from a distance, his unmistakable wave cutting through the evening air. I quickened my pace and met him at the entrance of the restaurant.

We stepped inside, the door chiming lightly as we entered. The place wasn't packed, just the right amount of cozy. I immediately spotted our table in the corner by the window.

There, Tony, Thor, Bruce, and my parents were already seated. Dad looked up from his seat, giving me a small but warm smile that made my heart lift. Thor, ever the enthusiastic giant, was quick to take action. "Come here, little redhead!" he boomed, pulling out a chair with a flourish.

I chuckled, amused by Thor's grandiose gestures, and slid into the seat next to Mom. Uncle Clint settled down beside me, his usual calm presence a reassuring constant. The restaurant's ambiance was just right—soft lighting, a gentle buzz of conversations, and the aroma of delicious food.

Tony, ever the curious one, tilted his head and asked, "How are you feeling, kid?" His tone was casual, masking the underlying concern.

I nodded, trying to brush off any lingering effects from the earlier chaos. "I'm good," I replied. Then, I decided to lighten the mood a bit. "Heard you guys are having a blast with shawarma, huh?"

Tony's face lit up with that trademark smirk of his. "My idea. You're welcome," he said, as if he'd just saved the world with his food choice. It was classic Tony—always ready to take credit for the little victories.

As the food arrived, the table buzzed with the clinking of dishes and the rich aroma of shawarma and other delicious treats. Mom let out a sigh, her eyes catching mine as she glanced over the spread. "Maria told me... you fired a rocket launcher to disable a nuke," she said, her voice a mix of concern and disbelief.

I lowered my gaze, feeling a bit sheepish. "Yeah," I mumbled, nodding. It wasn't exactly how I'd imagined telling her about that particular part of the day.

Bruce, ever the supportive figure, gave me a reassuring smile. "Well, thanks to you, we're alive."

I shook my head, feeling the weight of their heroics more than my own. "No. Thanks to you guys... the world is alive," I said, the words carrying more meaning than I could fully articulate. They'd put their lives on the line to save everyone, including me.

Reaching for a glass of Coke, I poured myself a generous serving, feeling the cold fizz tickle my fingers. "Since I'm not allowed to drink alcohol..." I started, lifting the glass with a grin, "Here's to the Avengers!"

Everyone at the table raised their glasses in unison. It was a simple toast, but it carried the weight of our shared victory and camaraderie.

Uncle Clint took a hearty gulp from his glass, and as the drink hit him, he winced, letting out a dramatic, "Ah, it burns! Son of a bi*ch!"

The table went quiet for a split second, and then...

"Language," Dad and I said simultaneously. The entire group's heads snapped to us, eyes wide with surprise. There was a moment of stunned silence, and then the whole table erupted into laughter.

Seeing Dad chuckle and shake his head, the stress of the day seemed to melt away. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a warm glow from the shared moment. Uncle Clint nudged me gently, a silent reminder to keep it together, but it felt more like a friendly pat on the back than anything serious.

A few months had flown by since Director Fury had asked Dad to join SHIELD, leading the STRIKE team on crucial missions. It was a strange mix of emotions for me: the excitement of knowing Mom and Dad would be working together, and the gnawing fear of accidentally giving away my secret. Still, the thought of them teaming up made me genuinely happy. 

Dad was now in training under the watchful eyes of Agent Hill and Agent Romanoff. While he had his own skills, he needed a bit more finesse to handle SHIELD's operations effectively. The best part? Watching Mom and Dad become friends. It felt like things were falling into place.

One evening, after wrapping up my day at headquarters, I was heading back to the apartment Fury had assigned to me. The night sky over DC was a deep, velvety blue, and the rhythmic hum of vehicles below kept the city alive with its own energy. I exited the elevator, making my way down the corridor toward my door, but something felt off. My door was unlocked.

My instincts kicked in, and I tensed up, ready for anything. I stepped inside cautiously, the living room eerily quiet and dark. My senses were on high alert when suddenly, a sleek movement caught my attention. I tensed, preparing to throw a high kick, but just as I was about to move, the lights blazed on with a burst of brightness.

"Happy Birthday!!"

The sudden shout nearly made me jump out of my skin. My eyes widened in shock as I saw Mom and Dad standing there, beaming with joy, and Uncle Clint was there too, wearing a goofy cone hat. The living room was decked out with colorful streamers, balloons, and a table full of candles and a beautifully decorated cake in the center.

The sight was overwhelming. After all those years, here they were, celebrating my birthday with me. I was at a loss for words, my emotions a tangled mess of surprise and pure happiness. It felt surreal and incredibly special. It was a simple but profound moment of connection, something I'd longed for but never quite dared to hope would happen.

I tried to keep my cool, even though I was bursting with happiness inside. I managed to say, "How did you guys find my address?"

Mom sighed but answered anyway. "Well, since you're a SHIELD agent now, Fury asked us to recommend a place for you to stay. So, naturally, we'd have access to that information. Now, are you not happy or something?"

I shook my head, trying to find my voice. "No, I am. I really am. It's just... I wasn't expecting you all to show up. Thanks."

Dad, always the practical one, chimed in with a grin, "Come on, the chocolate is melting."

Mom and Dad settled onto the couch, and I glanced at Uncle Clint, silently expressing my gratitude. He was the one who made this whole surprise happen. I cut the cake, and we all dug in, celebrating the occasion with as much enthusiasm as we could muster.

We ordered takeout for dinner—nothing fancy, just comfort food. I asked them to crash at my place for the night since it was getting pretty late, and they agreed. Mom took my bedroom, while Dad, Uncle Clint, and I made ourselves comfortable on the three couches in the living room.

As we all sprawled out, I couldn't help but think about how this felt like a piece of the life I'd missed back in my own time. It wasn't exactly how I'd imagined it, but it was close enough. I was surrounded by the people I cared about, and that was more than I could have hoped for. I was grateful, feeling a sense of warmth and belonging that I hadn't experienced in a long while.

The night was filled with easy chatter and laughter, and as I drifted off to sleep on the couch, I felt content. Even if just for tonight, it felt like everything was right in the world.