R͟u͟t͟h͟l͟e͟s͟s͟ {Q͟u͟i͟c͟k͟s͟i͟l͟v͟e͟r͟/ A͟v͟e͟n͟g͟e͟r͟s͟}

Chapter 44: Anticipation/Depression

I raced up to Clint,frustrated. We'd began walking less than an hour ago, and with every step my exasperation and confusion built up inside of me. Had I done the right thing? I was so used to being completely honest with people, I wasn't a fan of sugar-coating. How long were we going to walk? I could be there by now, if I actually knew where we were going. Should I have told him anything? Where was I going to get a new suit? Now I had a real weakness in my armor.

"Where are we going?" I asked Clint, feeling restless and miserable, "Why can't I run ahead? I could meet the search party, tell them we're coming-"

"I know, you've explained this to me before!" Clint was obviously frustrated with me, too. I guess I had been begging and picking on him a lot as we were walking, "If I wanted that, I could've sent you and Pietro out a long time ago. But I want you to stay here, in case we're attacked. You're our biggest asset, without you we could be completely wiped out."

I groaned. "But if I could just rush back here-"

"How would you know we were in trouble? It's not like you have a radio!"

"I can read minds, Clint, I'll be fine!" I said, discouraged.

"No. I'm not taking any more risks. That's final," He insisted, "Don't ask me anymore. You sound like a seven year old."

I bit my lip and fell back behind him angrily. I hated waiting. When I had asked to be able to actually do something, I didn't mean walking to an unknown destination. I wanted to run, to fight. It was torture enough knowing Wanda had even more time to devise a plan even harder for me- us- to crack. I sighed and looked at the ground bitterly, every inch of me wanting to speed off into the distance.

"You're dragging your feet," Somebody commented from behind me, "The dust is getting in people's eyes."

"So?"

"Well you're in a foul mood," Tony commented from inside his suit, "Is it hot or something, since your suit is ripped? That would put me in a bad mood. Luckily, my Iron Man suit is perfect and insulated."

I said nothing, and didn't bother to look at him. I heard his helmet slide off, and his voice returned to normal.

"So how've you been liking the walk so far? Any blisters?" He asked, "Never mind that, actually, I don't want to know if you have blisters."

I looked up at the sky, annoyed, and rolled my eyes.

"Wow, did you and Pietro break up or something? Both of you are in absolutely sucky moods since you talked to each other."

I made a face. "No."

"And so the dead speaks," Tony commented aloud, "C'mon, everyone here ships you two. Best friends, separated, one trying to kill the other, they reconcile, and boom," He snapped, "Together. Just like that."

I facepalmed. "Do you know how stupid that sounds?"

"It's a ship, no one cares how stupid anything is," He insisted.

"You sound like a teenage girl," I insulted.

"So I've been told," He continued, "But honestly, if you guys don't get together, I may just kill both of you. Before anything got eventful last night, he was literally ranting about how complicated you are-"

"What?" I interrupted, surprised, "So you do remember some of last night."

"No, not really. I mean, I remember us talking and getting the alcohol out and everything, but that's it," He shrugged.

"You suck," I muttered under my breath. Tony ignored me.

"Well, you're boring."

"Aww, thanks!" I said sarcastically, "Now, leave me alone."

"You and Pietro should really get back together. You guys both sound depressed," Tony's helmet slid back on and his metallic footsteps crunched away to bother some other helpless soul. I wished he had someone to talk to who could actually stand listening to his narcissistic, sarcastic comments.

"Everybody!" I looked up to see Clint turned around, addressing the crowd, "In about five minutes or so at this pace, my team will arrive at what we think may be Wakanda. Remember, we're not here for a fight, only espionage. Anybody who did not come on the original mission here needs to stay here and wait for further notice after the original team has done their job. If things do turn to a fight, I'll send someone back to alert you so you can come assist us, probably Pietro, since he's the fastest. Is there anybody who would be willing to possibly step in and keep everyone under control while I'm gone?"

One of the people who helped Pietro and I out of the pipe raised her hand, volunteering. "Is everyone okay with that? Any opposed?"

Nobody disagreed. "Alright, then. Stay here, don't come after us unless you get a signal. I know everyone's probably starving, but don't go looking for food or anything. You have enough for about a day in your packs that Wanda gave you, and it's not poisoned. You guys would all be dead by now, if it was."

Finally. We were going to do something. A small bit of my stress melted away, and I even felt a small smile creep across my face. "Let's do this," I muttered to myself, running up to Clint in a blur of purple.

"Someone's excited," He commented to me briefly.

I half-smiled and said, "Can we go now?"

"The seven year old's coming back," He said, chuckling and looking around as Tony flew up next to us. "And it's still a five minute walk."

"Less than a second of a run then," I insisted, "What direction?"

"East. Southeast, I mean," He corrected himself, "Don't get any ideas-" He looked nervous.

"Please?" I begged him, "I'm tired of doing nothing."

Clint stood thoughtfully for a second, looking at me as if analyzing my capabilities. "Don't be seen, don't get into trouble, and do not get yourself hurt." He sighed, "Take Pietro with you. If you die, I'd like to know about it."

I hesitated, a sinking feeling beginning in my stomach, but I swallowed it. This is what I had been waiting for. Who cares who I took with me? "Pietro!" I yelled, "Get your butt up here, we're gonna run!"

In a flash, he was next to me. I stepped forward lightly and then broke into a dead-on sprint. It felt like I was running completely normally, and the world was slowing down around me. Suddenly, I felt something slow me down. Pietro halted next to me, with the same expression. I looked down and saw the mud halfway up my kneecap and sighed. He seemed to be having the same issue.

"No more running for us," I said quietly.

"How about, no more anything for you?" Someone's voice came from above us, startling me. Wanda's face crinkled into a smile as her feet hovered above the ground, glittering with a red aura and barefoot. I wrinkled my nose. 

"I've been expecting you," She said sweetly, "I've planning this for a long time."

Cliffhanger or nah

Vote and comment what Marvel fanfiction I should do next.... Kinda want to either do Johnny Storm or Spider-Man.

~Emily <3