settling down

chapter 2

"fuck"

"Language Nat!"
I roll my eyes. It's not the time for that right now.
I quickly pull on a sweater. I think it's Steve's? It smells like lemons. He smells nice.
Steve grabs his shirt and haphazardly pulls it over his head backwards, as he goes to answer the door.
I linger behind, grabbing my batons as I make my way to the doorway, following Steve.
He opens the door.

"miss me?"

Tony. Tony fucking stark is at my door.
"What the-" Starts Steve but is cut off by Tony.
"They brought me back, Cap. I'm here"
I'm still speechless. I dropped my batons, which made a loud crash in the floor. I can hear Thomas wail, but I'm too distracted to go up to him.
Suddenly Tony gives me a hug. I snap back to reality and quickly pull away to get to Thomas.

We're sitting in the living room. Tony on one side of the coffee table, Steve, Thomas, and I on the couch.
Before I open my mouth to speak, Tony blurts two words.
"Time travel."
I flinch. What happened during the last time I tried time travel caused the death of Clint. I'm always reminded that it could've been me.
I lost two important figures in my life that day, but suddenly one of them is back. Standing right in front of me.

Tony starts to talk again.
"It was Scott and Thor. They went back to our final battle with Thanos, and had everyone link hands with me to distribute the power of the infinity stones."
"They pulled me out of that timeline, after I survived, and brought me back. I'm here Natasha. I'm here Steve"
Steve's face takes on a worried look.
"That means that another timeline is living without a Tony Stark." He says thoughtfully
"Correct, but the only thing that matters right now, is that I'm in yours"
"I-" I begin, but cannot find the words to say anything.
"It's alright Nat" says Steve, as he rubs my shoulder.
This is too much for me to take in.