not like you → c . barton

[15]

Jeb, Diamond, and their parents took the car and said they'd drive it back home. Hank and I were in the Quinjet, with his arms around me. I was tucked into his side, a little shaken by the previous events. I had just murdered something, and he still kissed me. He still liked me, even after I was covered in black goo, presumably whatever-creature-she-was blood. I looked up at him, and he leaned down, ready to kiss me again, when someone cleared their throat. We both looked up, and my dad was standing there. I looked back down as Steve made his way to my dad, and Sam walked to us.

"That was some crazy shit you two pulled back there. But, we're out because of it. Thanks," he said softly, patting our shoulders gently and getting back up. Hank and I shared another look, and I tucked back into his side, shivering a bit. The weird thing about the blood from Violet was that it stayed warm, and it was just cooling now. So, she wasn't a vampire, thank god. After this whole adventure, I'm ready to believe anything can happen, and anything can exist.

"We're almost home, you two. Hank, we're dropping you off first. And we told your parents what you did today. They should go easy on you," Tony called from the front of the Quinjet, and we both nodded. Sure enough, we began to head down, landing in the Mallard's front yard. Hank and I stood up, and he kissed me gently.

"I would say I'll call you, but..."

"But you sacrificed your phone and saved the day. I know. I was there. Just come by later, assuming we're not both grounded until we're twenty five or something." I smiled, and he chuckled before pecking my forehead.

"See you soon, Barton girl." He waved, and I watched as he left the Quinjet, and how his parents ran to him and hugged him tight, his mom crying as she clutched him like he was her lifeline. I felt my gut twist, knowing that I endangered my friends' lives. If this happy reunion never happened, it would have been because of me. The door to the Quinjet closed, and we were on our way back to the Barton house. I finally peeled off the blood from my arms, because when it hardened, it was a lot easier to break off and give to Tony for analysis. The Quinjet landed in front of the house, and we all walked off. My mom was standing in the front yard, and when she saw me,she ran towards me and engulfed me in a hug.

"Alexandra Nicole Barton! You had me so worried!" she sobbed, and I hugged her back, hoping that my punishment wouldn't be too heavy.

"I'm sorry mom. I really am sorry," I whispered, and she kissed my forehead.

"I'm just so happy you and your father are okay," she whispered back, again kissing my forehead before running off to hug my dad tight, tighter than she hugged me. I went inside the house, and Cooper, along with Lila came running to me.

"Alex! You're home!" They both ran over and hugged me, and I gently hugged them back.

"Yeah guys, I'm home," I said softly, ruffling their hair affectionately. They pulled away and went back to playing, so I went up to my room, as planned. But, I made a short stop to Nathaniel's room, and I looked into his crib. It might have just been me, but I swear I saw his eyes light up a bit, and he reached for me. I smiled and held my hand out to him, and he took my finger gently.

"Hey buddy. I'm home," I said softly, and he let my finger go. I watched him for another minute or so, and he seemed to be more interested in a stuffed bear. I left his room and finally went to mine, shut the door, and locked it. I flopped onto my bed and curled up into a ball, tears in my eyes. This whole experience had been so traumatizing for me, and it was all my fault. My brother and sister knew that I just left. My baby brother didn't understand it at all, and he never would. I only did this because who knew how long it would have taken the Avengers? And what Hank said, about Violet having that weird trance thing when she was in the room, and I was the only one who couldn't hear it. The others were in that trance, I snapped them out of it. Hank and I saved the day. But did we get any thanks? No, we didn't. Because the trained heroes are the ones everyone recognizes. No one recognizes the kids, or the teens, or the people who do smaller things that benefit and help others. No, everyone was just downstairs, making sure Sam, Wanda, and my dad were okay. Not that I didn't want them to check on them and make sure nothing's wrong, and they're not hurt, but did they just kill something for the first time today? Were they being chased down and seemingly hunted in a mall for the first time just a few days ago? Were they detained by a man three heads taller than them for the first time? No, but I had no one to blame but myself. Hell, I didn't care if anyone came to check on me. I didn't care if that black blood was venomous and would kill me in seconds. A knock sounded at my door, and I lifted my head, almost calling out that the door was open, but it was indeed locked. Slowly, I climbed out of bed and went to unlock the door and open it slowly. In the doorway stood my dad, and when the door was open wide enough, he stepped in and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Alex, I'm so glad you're safe," he whispered, and I looked over his shoulder to see Steve, Tony, Sam, and Wanda behind him. I looked back to my dad, my arms still at my side.

"While I'm happy you're okay, I'm also very disappointed in you. You knew how dangerous and stupid this was, especially for someone who has never done this before, let alone had any training. You worried your mother sick, and Hank's-" he started, but I cut him off.

"You think I care anymore? Because I don't. I only did this because it was going to the the Avengers two full days before they could get going to save you. Two days! Who knows what could've happened in two days? My friends and I risked our lives to save the people who matter most to us, isn't that enough? A 'thank you' would have been nice, but no. I went all that way, and even killed something to save you, but instead I got a lecture telling me that I'm not special, and that I wasted my time. So, you know what? You're welcome, for saving you twice in one day!" I shouted, stepping back from him with angry tears in my eyes.

No one said anything, and I blinked back the tears as best as I could. Dad stepped of the room, and he stood in the hallway, facing me. I backed up to my window, opened it, and sat down, crossing my arms.

"Don't you have special children to go be with? I'm sure Cooper and Lila and even Nathaniel can't wait to have all of the attention once again. Who knows, maybe they'll have a special talent, unlike me," I asked softly, not looking at anyone. There was no response. I turned around to look at the hall. No one was there anymore.