See You in a Minute

E P I L O G U E

❝See you in a minute.❞
- Natasha Romanoff

× × ×

The sky is clear, the clouds are forming shapes of variety, and I can hear the chirping of the birds. It's a fairytale scenario, kind of like those I've read in books, and I know it's too good to be true. But somehow I'm blessed. We're blessed. Because I'm awake and today is real. It's perfect and it's real.

Being an Avenger, it's everything I wanted and everything I didn't at the same time. And I owe everything I am because of this title, this purpose.

There was a time when I reached the point where I felt like being an Avenger was everything that was wrong in my life. It became such a weight on my shoulders and having that title made saving lives become a choice when I never even saw it that way. And now, I'm just glad I was able to survive that phase and that mindset.

It's true that being a hero comes with so many burdens because you'd find yourself sacrificing everything because of what you signed up for and you're gonna realize that this is more than you were ever prepared to bargained for. But it is because you're a hero that you see just how every single thing in existence means a lot. You treasure everything more and everyone matters. You know the worth of every single thing your eyes land on and everything's so much more valuable. And every moment you get to live with these people that has become your family comes with a feeling of pure euphoria. Because of them, every regret and hesitation just disperse into the air and more than that, you appreciate who you are more than you ever had.

This has been a worthwhile journey and I don't think it's a path that leads to an actual end. It has changed us so much—for the better and for the worse—and in every way we can, we'd always try to be there and extend our help. I'm never gonna stop becoming a hero—none of us are. But Clint, Natasha, Thor, Bruce, Tony and I—we've reached the point where we're slowly allowing ourselves the life outside of this work but still having one foot firmly planted on being an Avenger. We're giving other people the chance to be viewed as heroes the way are and it's not a bad way to live.

I found the place where I truly belong—the place I've always been searching for—and it's beautiful.

"So, you and Red, huh?" Tony smirked beside me as the two of us cook the hotdogs. "That's nice."

I glanced at Natasha who was laughing along Hope, Carol, Wanda, Gamora, Okoye, and Shuri and a smile made its way on my lips upon seeing her so happy and carefree. She then glanced at me and waved a little with a beautiful smile of her own.

I can still remember the time she was the only girl in our team. She always stood out but never for the wrong reasons. On the contrary, she was good at fitting in unless she got tired of it. We were only six then. And now, we're too many to count. Life really worked in a funny way sometimes.

I looked back at Tony, "You told me that you thought something was going on between us before—what gave you that idea?" I curiously asked as I turned over the hotdogs.

Tony rolled his eyes, "It started with the teasing—like at Barton's house. When we tease you, you shrug it off like it's nothing and accept the fact that we're just gonna tease you again and again and again. But with Romanoff, there seems to be some sort of familiarity. I'm not saying you enjoy being teased by her but you respond and it seems like she can actually entertain you. Then the new Avengers emerged and you two looked closer than ever. Don't think I didn't know that she took a detour just to see you during the funeral of your dead girlfriend. I mean, she even betrayed me!"

I laughed, "Oh c'mon, Stark."

He only shrugged with a smirk on his face, "Then after Thanos and all that, something just seemed... different between you two. You weren't together but there was no second guessing that you two were just friends as well. I figured by the time we all see each other again, you'd finally be a couple but no, you just had to wait until she and I died, didn't you?"

"Yeah well, I wasn't sure of my feelings."

Tony patted my shoulder, "At least you are now," he smiled at me. "You never looked happier."

I smiled back at him, "I am."

"The hero-picket fence kind of life suits you well, Cap."

"And the same goes for you."

"Hey, boys," Natasha said as she appeared next to me with a huge grin plastered on her face. "What are you talking about? You look like you're enjoying yourselves."

"Oh nothing," Tony said nonchalantly while I put an arm around Natasha's shoulders. "I was just telling Cap about the tale of your love story from an audience point of view. Quite depressing really."

She smirked at him, "Didn't think you'd notice."

"Yeah, but I did," Tony admitted as he crossed his arms. "It may not seem like it but I do pay attention to what I think is important, you know?"

"Tony," I told him with a grin. "that's a lovely way of saying we're important to you."

His eyes widened and his arms dropped to his side, "What? No! I—"

"Well, I better get going," Natasha cut him off with a smirk, "I'm gonna go wind up the kids and you two better stop chit-chatting and serve those hotdogs. They're one step away from becoming burnt."

I nodded after letting out a chuckle, "Yes, ma'am."

Natasha gave me a kiss on the cheek before walking away completely, "See you in a minute."