[ 𝟏 ] 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 | 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐟𝐟

𝟏𝟐.

[ NOVI GRAD, SOKOVIA ]

I tried to sleep for the rest of the flight, but Pietro and Wanda's lively whispers and playful banter in their native language kept pulling me back to consciousness. Each time I drifted off, my dreams carried me far from the looming battle ahead, back to my home in Germany. I saw endless blue skies, heard birds chirping in the crisp morning air, and felt the familiar breeze from my walks to school. Most importantly, my parents were there, their presence a comforting anchor. The contrast between these peaceful visions and the dimly lit jet, where quiet tension settled over the team, was unsettling. Still, I took solace in dreaming of home rather than falling into my usual nightmares.

"We are now approaching Novi Grad, Sokovia," FRIDAY announced, her voice crisp and composed.

As I rose from my seat, I peered through the front window, taking in the sight of a vast, castle-like structure nestled among the mountains and trees. It looked abandoned, save for a few lingering lights in the windows, its silence unsettling. Was this really the Sokovia we had spoken of?

The jet descended smoothly, landing just outside the castle. Behind me, Bruce and Thor stood ready.

"Banner, we think Natasha might be inside. Find her and get her out," Steve instructed, unknowingly answering my unspoken questions. "Thor, figure out what Ultron has been building in there. Any intel could save lives."

Bruce nodded, looking hesitant, as always, while Thor radiated his usual confidence. As the doors lowered, they stepped out into the night.

Once they were safely inside, the jet lifted again, heading toward the city. Through the cockpit window, I watched snowy trees stretch endlessly below us, giving way to the streets and buildings of Novi Grad. Somewhere down there, an unwilling battle awaited, tearing apart lives that had no choice in the matter. The fate of those people rested on all of us—on me, and on the three Avengers we had just left behind. A familiar weight settled in my chest, my mind threatening to spiral into another abyss of doubt.

A hand landed on my shoulder, grounding me.

"Do you remember when you knocked me down?" Steve asked.

I turned to find him wearing a rare, soft expression. Leadership often left his face tense with responsibility, but right now, he looked... warm. The memory he referenced surfaced immediately—one of the few times I had felt truly capable.

"I'd never forget it," I admitted.

Steve smiled, his blue eyes crinkling with something like pride. "I overheard you talking with Pietro earlier."

I smirked. "For an old man, your hearing's pretty sharp."

He chuckled, pressing a hand to his chest. "I appreciate it." Then, his tone shifted, steady and sure. "You doubt yourself more than you should. If we didn't believe in you, you'd still be back in New York. I knew you had what it takes to be an Avenger the moment you knocked me down."