"So, flowers and sauerkraut. You got a big date tonight?"
"My wife's expecting. And, uh– Too much time in the office."
"Congratulations."
"Thanks. Hold this, will you?"
"Yeah, sure. How far along is she?"
"I don't know– Uh– She's at the point where she can't stand the sound of my chewing. I guess I'll be eating dinner in the pantry again."
"I have a little girl."
"A girl would be nice. Less of a chance she'd turn out exactly like me."
"What'd be so awful about that?"
"Let's just say that the greater good has rarely outweighed my own self-interests."
"So, where are you at with names?"
"Well, if it's a boy, my wife likes Almanzo."
"Huh, Might wanna let that stew awhile. You got time."
"Let me ask you a question. When your kid was born– were you nervous?"
"Wildly. Yeah."
"Did you feel qualified? Like you had any idea how to successfully operate that thing?"
"I literally pieced it together as I went along, I thought about what my Dad did, and–"
"My old man, he never met a problem he couldn't solve with a belt."
"I thought my dad was tough on me. And now, looking back, I just remember the good stuff, you know. He did drop the odd pearl."
"Yeah? Like what?"
"No amount of money ever bought a second of time."
"Smart guy."
"He did his best."
"Let me tell you. That kid's not even here yet, and there's nothing I wouldn't do for him. Good to meet you, Potts."
"Yeah, Howard– Everything's gonna be all right. Thank you– for everything– you've done for this country."
Tony sees Steve in the distance and leaves.
"Jarvis, have we ever met that guy?"
"You meet a lot of people, sir."
"Seems very familiar. Weird beard."
————————————————————
"Wow– Under different circumstances, this would be totally awesome."
"I bet the raccoon didn't have to climb a mountain."
"Technically, he's not a raccoon, you know."
"Whatever. He eats garbage."
"Welcome."
Natasha and Clint look up. A dark figure sits in the distance.
"Natasha, daughter of Ivan. Clint, son of Edith."
"Who are you?"
"Consider me a guide. To you, and to all who seek the Soul Stone."
"Oh, good. You tell us where it is. Then we'll be on our way."
YOU ARE READING
It Was Always You (Universe 163,729)
FanficS.H.I.E.L.D really didn't take crap from anyone. Being kidnapped by them was a whole new adventure, but at least getting recruited by the Avengers was good. Carol's life wasn't getting any better. Until she met Thor. He was a little odd, but it was...
