Pinned & Stuck

Chapter 12 - Family's Matter - Aoi

Insert song: Linkin Park - One Step Closer

I was both anxious and relieved when I saw the Avengers' quinjet coming from miles away. It was the best thing I saw after I took a nap. No, the second-best thing. The best thing was when I saw Peter sleeping beside me. Somehow we changed places from me putting my head on his shoulder, to him putting his head at mine. He may be wearing his mask but I could imagine how his sleeping face looked like. I wish he would do this more often, to depend on me. But since I'm not dependable at all, he has to be the one who takes care of the other in this relationship which makes me kinda sad and guilty. I need him more than he needs me. He better be off with someone more reliable than me. Sometimes I wonder what he sees in me. What made me puzzled is he said he fell for me during our first meet, which I acknowledge since I found him used to religiously fill in my diary. At the time I'm a nobody. I was new to my powers and I whined in front of him. The latter should have thrown anyone off. He is the perfect person for me but I'm not a good enough person for him. If only I could get to the same level as him in our relationship, he'd be much in a better situation right now. The sound of the loud engine broke my thoughts and Peter's nap.

"They're here?" Peter said as he woke up, "I didn't realize I dozed off."

"You've been carrying me while marathon running around the island, you shouldn't wake up so soon," I replied.

"Yeah, the distance is no joke, but you're really light. It's like carrying my school backpack," he said.

"Haha. I almost bought your words."

"But it's true! Have you weighed yourself at all?" he argued, which I ignored.

The quinjet was opened from where Nat and Uncle Clint came out from. Feeling sorry for escaping, I didn't say anything, hoping I could somehow turn invisible.

"Are these the last ones?" Nat asked Wanda and Vision.

"The unturned ones," Wanda nodded.

"How many were turned?" Clint followed.

"About twelve," Vision answered while escorting the refugees.

"Let's load them first then discuss the remaining hostages back at the compound," Nat decided.

"It would be the most efficient choice for the time being," Vision agreed.

"We couldn't make it if they didn't buy us time," Wanda referred to Deadpool, Peter, and me, "The Brotherhood was going all out on searching for us. They almost found us until the alarm went off which distracted everybody."

"Also the X-Men are here, trying to halt Magneto's plan," Vision informed, "And to apprehend Aoi."

"Then we should get out of here fast and find a way to solve it later," Clint concluded.

I didn't dare to meet Nat and Uncle Clint directly. While Peter was standing up, I hid behind Peter's shadow. While the rescued prison was loading into the jet, Nat walked to me. Peter noticed I was afraid and turned at me, patting my head.

"No one is angry at you, Aoi. No one blames you," Peter tried to ease my feeling, "We are all worried."

"But I was the one who caused this! It won't make sense if-"

"Hey, kid!" Nat stood near us.

"N-Nat..," I nervously greeted back, "I'm sorry. It's fine if all of you decide to hand me to the authorities."

"Don't talk nonsense!" Nat scolded, "We know what's going on. Wanda explained everything. You are innocent and we'll make sure it stays that way!"

I didn't reply. I knew she meant every word, but I also knew I wasn't completely blameless.