Color scheme | Pietro Maximoff

Chapter 19

Natasha had called the team in to inform them on her findings. Elizabeth hoped that she found the HYDRA base that the most recent message came from. Though she wanted to defeat the base along with the new leader, she was secretly terrified to confront them. Eliza was scared that HYDRA would manage to capture her once again, and that she would be unable to escape. The thought of having her new family stripped away from her, along with all of her basic enjoyments of life nearly brought tears to her eyes.

Pietro noticed her discomfort, and slung an arm around her neck. He spoke no words, just pulled her close and planted a kiss on her head. Elizabeth never imagined having someone who truly cared about her every emotion, and she wasn't willing to give that up for anything. Pietro didn't only give her a will to live, but he gave her a reason to live as well.

"I found the base that the message came from, it's the one in Bolivia. Our suspicions have been confirmed," Natasha informed. The base in Bolivia has recently become a huge threat to the Avengers. Not only was their technology rapidly improving, but the Avengers now had evidence that the most threatening HYDRA leader was located there. Though she was afraid, Elizabeth knew the team had to strike first. Waiting to counter an attack would only weaken the Avengers.

     "I think we should attack first, we won't get anywhere just defending," she spoke up.

     "She does have a point," Tony added. Though it took Steve a bit to ponder over the situation, he finally came to a conclusion.

     "Alright, Avengers. Suit up,"

     Since Eliza's room is right next to Pietro's, he swept her up and sprinted towards their rooms. He pulled her into a hug before dashing into his room to get changed.

     Elizabeth entered her room, strolling to her closet. Unfortunately, she still didn't have an official Avengers suit, considering she is not an Avenger. Though, she hoped he could officially become part of the team some day.

     Her eyes landed on one of her training suits, which she grabbed immediately. She began equipping her suit, though a little distracted by her racing thoughts. She stared at her mirror, her vision painted in shades of black and white. Unfortunately, there was no time for the luxury of music.

     She left her room in a hurry, finding her quick boyfriend waiting on her. He must have spotted the doubt on Eliza's face, because his eyes softened.

     "We'll be okay. There is no need to worry, Eliza," he pulled her into a reassuring hug.

     "I know," she smiled into his shoulder, enjoying his embrace. "I'm just a little afraid. Not just about right now, but also the future."

     "Why are you afraid of the future?"

     "What if it's always like this? What if HYDRA is constantly targeting us?" Pietro pushed some hair out of Elizabeth's eyes, calming her down.

     "I am sure that when we take down one of their strongest leaders, that they will be more hesitant in attacking us," Eliza smiled at his response.

     "Thanks, Pietro," she pulled him into another hug, and sighed. "We should probably get going."

     "Probably," and just like before, Pietro picked her up and ran to meet up with the other Avengers.

———

     After boarding the Quinjet, Pietro took a seat next to Elizabeth. Clint offered to fly, making sure to turn on some music for the group. Eliza focused her gaze outside the window, watching as the Quinjet took flight. Pietro intertwined his fingers with hers, and gave her a small smile. She took in a deep breath, feeling her anxiety slowly slip away. Eliza rested her head on Pietro's shoulder, closing her eyelids. She took in her surroundings, listening to her friend's playful banter, along with feeling Pietro's head rest against hers. Though she was heading into a fight, she managed to relax in the temporary peaceful atmosphere. Her once racing thoughts were now calming down as she drifted to sleep.

———

     Elizabeth's eyelids fluttered open as she heard Clint yell that they were close to HYDRA.  She looked out the window and saw the giant HYDRA base at a far distance. Pietro's head rolled onto her shoulder as she looked around at her surroundings. She smiled at the sight of him sleeping, but ended up gently nudging him awake.

     "We're here," she whispered in his ear. He drowsily looked at her, then glanced out the window.

     "Here we go again," Pietro commented, receiving a small laugh from Eliza. However, their moment was cut short by a missile hurling toward's the Quinjet. Clint cursed as he barely dodged the missile.

     "Well, looks like they know we're here," Clint sighed. Another missile targeted the Quinjet, almost hitting one of the wings. Clint steered the jet towards the nearest trees, desperate for anything to block the missiles' path. "We have to fly close to the ground. I'll get us as close as possible, but we'll have to walk there regardless."

     Clint weaved in between trees, trying to get close to the base without being spotted. Meanwhile, Steve was coming up with an invasion plan. Since Pietro had super speed and could carry Eliza, the two would clear out any threats along the outside of the building. Since Wanda, Sam, Rhodey, Vision, and Tony could fly, they are faster than the others and would arrive next. They would help the two find a way into the building. Last would be Natasha, Steve, Bucky, and Clint. They would clear out any new threats ready to strike the team from behind, and would join the team last in infiltrating the building.

     Elizabeth ran the plan through her head as the Quinjet's flight was beginning to slow down. She scanned the room taking in the view of each of her friends' faces. Her eyes locked with Pietro's, who gave her a confident look. As the jet landed, all of her fears were pushed aside. She was with the strongest team on Earth, maybe even the universe. The Avengers had defeated HYDRA in the past, why should this time be any different? Whoever this new HYDRA leader was, she made a huge mistake by taking on the Avengers. There was no doubt in Eliza's mind that her friends would win.

Sorry for another short chapter, but the next one should be longer.
:)