Copper Feather

17

Natasha led Evie and Ella down the street. They rescaled the wall, meeting Clint at the top. Peter was standing behind the archer and Evie had to fight her wings from erupting in happiness. Natasha smiled, hugging Clint. They continued on down the wall, nobody on the streets even glancing up towards the group of people on the wall. They reached the alley that Ella and Evie had climbed up earlier and jumped down. This time, they each landed curling into separate rolls. Clint was in normal-ish clothes, but Evie knew he had at least three compact bows on him, and she could see his compressed quivers outline. They walked down the street, Evie glancing at her watch. Natasha noted to Evie and Ella that there are four malicious agents approaching, but she said it in Japanese.

Ella frowned. "Do whatever my mom says, okay? She's going to keep you safe from my dad, and I'll be helping," said Evie, reassuring her friend. "Hey, if my daughter has deemed you worth keeping alive, you'd best bet I'll fight tooth and nail to keep you safe. Plus, you're family to Evie. She'd do anything to keep you safe, and as her mom, I would, too. Evie finds family in you, and we do in her, therefore you are family, and we keep our family safe." Ella smiled appreciatively as Peter nodded. "Thanks. I'd like to think my parents would do the same for Evie." Natasha smiled, subconsciously doing a border check. "Of course they would. I've been to many a party with your parents, and they've been perfectly polite at every one of them, no matter who I was that particular night. I'm pretty sure your mom even recognised me a few times." Clint frowned. "Though that was all quite nice, we do have a person to save." Evie punched him in the arm. Peter holding her back so she didn't go any further. "Hey! We were having a moment there! You ruined it! We do have a situation to take care of, though. You're right." Clint hugged his arm. "So? What's the plan?" asked Ella. Natasha blinked. "Just act normal. If anyone asks, Clint and I are Evie and Peter's parents. Ella and Evie are best friends. Use actual names, if anyone recognises the significance, we'll already be surrounded." Clint, who had apparently decided to be a little annoying, bugged into the conversation. "And probably dead!" Evie frowned, covering Ella's ears. "There are children in the general vicinity!" Clint smirked while Ella frowned. "I'm older than you, peasant!" Evie faked offence. "Excuse you! Bow down to your queen!" Peter gave Evie a weird look.

"What? I'm proud of her, she's taking this really well. Seriously. Imagine if, like 12 years ago I'd told you there were people trying to kill you, you'd be terrified." Ella smiled. "Nah, I'm really scared. I'm just good at hiding my emotions. Like, scarily good. Really good." Evie frowned. "You know that's not healthy, right?" Ella frowned. "Yeah."

They continued down the street, heading toward a white building that was stark in contrast to the surrounding buildings. Not only because it was a bright white surrounded by dark wood or brick buildings, but also because there was a huge sign on the side of the building that read 'Stark Inc.' Evie giggled at this recognition, making Ella give her a look like 'Are you insane? Shut up!' Evie sobered up as they entered the building. Pepper was standing near the back of the lobby, a clipboard in her hand. She was wearing a black pencil skirt with a white button-down shirt tucked in. Her hair was back in a bun, making her look like a distinguished CEO. Evie had to remind herself that Pepper was a distinguished CEO. Clint walked into a back room.

Tony walked out from behind a column, dark brown eyes peeking out from behind red-tinted sunglasses. He was smiling the kind of smile that simultaneously worried and reassured Evie. It worried her because it meant he was up to something but was reassuring because he was smiling. He didn't smile if anything was below optimal performance, and that included the team. His team. Evie walked across the lobby quickly, hugging Tony close. "I missed you, Tony." The smile on Tony's face lit up the room, releasing the tension. Clint dropped from the vents on the ceiling, trying to scare Evie. It backfired on him, though, when Evie drop-kicked him onto the floor. "Clint, now is not the time." reprimanded Natasha, a disapproving frown on her face. "The blatant disrespect you are displaying is less than acceptable," said Thor, walking out of the elevator.