Power

Happy birthday

It's been 3 weeks. Every night, I sleep on the couch in the living room. And every single night, Nat, Steve, Wanda and Tony sit with me, playing Star Wars and whispering softly until I fall asleep. Then Steve carries me up to my room, where I sleep like a log all night. The nightmares have finally stopped.

I didn't deserve these people.

Today, I woke up at around 8 am and wobbled out of bed. It was my birthday, but I didn't expect anyone to remember. Also, it was Saturday, the others were probably still sleeping.

I took a quick shower and brushed my teeth. I put on an army green t-shirt and some sweatpants and tied my hair into a messy bun. My dark circles were a little bit more faded, since I was getting some sleep, but they were still pretty noticeable. Oh, well.

I ran downstairs in my socks and slid down the railway. When I entered the living room, All of the Avengers jumped up. Well, everyone except Loki, God knows where he is.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!" 

I startled and squealed.

Wanda ran towards me and hugged me, and so did the others, until I was squished in the biggest group hug ever.

"Need...air" I chuckled. They pulled away, smiling.

My eyes filled with happy tears.

"Thank you so much... you didn't have to" I mumbled.

"Come eat your birthday pancakes and shut up" Tony said, ruffling my hair.

"Damn it, Tony, do you always have to do that?" I asked, trying to smooth down my frizzy hair.

Pietro gave me a nudge towards the table, where I saw a big stack of pancakes, covered in thick, glossy syrup and rainbow sprinkles.

My mouth filled with saliva.

I sat at the table and gave them another smile, before digging into the pancakes.

They were soft, fluffy and buttery, and the syrup was perfectly sweet in my mouth.

"They're amazing" I mumbled with my mouth full.

"Best cook ever" said Wanda, doing a little bow.

"You really are" I laughed.

I finished the huge stack of pancakes in about three bites and leaned back in the chair, hands on my stomach.

"Oh my God, they were so good, I think you killed me" I groaned and they laughed.

"Wanna open your presents?" asked Clint.

"OKAY!!!" I squealed in excitement.

When I saw the big pile of nicely wrapped boxes, I felt a little bit overwhelmed.

"Uh... you didn't have to do this..." I mumbled.

"If you're not gonna open your gifts, after I spent so much time wrapping that damn ribbon, I swear to God-" started Bucky, but Sam held him back.

I just laughed.

"Fine. I'll start with yours, dumbass".

Bucky's gift was in a (not so perfectly) wrapped blue box, and I pulled out a beautiful silver necklace.

"Oh..." I was speechless. The necklace was beautiful and delicate, with small silver butterflies attached on it.

"Bucky, this is..."

"There's also a card" he interrupted me.

I searched for it in the box.

"I have no words, this is... wow, It's gorgeous, I mean..." I stuttered.