After training, both of us are sweaty and sore, but smiling.
Turns out, Nat isn't that bad. She has a quick temper about certain things, but once she calms down, she can rationalise the situation. Normally, she assured me, she can keep a lid on her emotions until she's alone. I guess Dr. Banner is a soft spot for her. As soon as we started shooting, she came over to me and apologised, before going on to correct my abysmal aim. She wouldn't let me use my powers, so I kind of sucked at first.
At least I wasn't as bad as Pietro. It took him ages to master it. He was usually the one to catch on to things first, so it was a nice change.
In the Quinjet on the way back to the farm, Pietro says, "So, are you and Romanoff good now?"
"Yeah, we're good," I nod.
"Great." He leans closer and says, "And you and Vision?"
My face goes bright red as I stammer, "Me and- What are you- What do mean?"
He laughs loudly, "You're adorable when you're embarrassed."
I kick him, "You're not that much older than me!"
"But seriously, what's happening with you two?"
"Nothing. We've hardly spoken."
"So, you feel nothing for him?" he pushes.
I bite my lip, "I like him as a person."
"But, Wanda, he's not a person. He's a robot. He's hardly a he!"
"I can read him. That makes him person enough for me."
"So you do like him!" he crows, and I scowl.
"I hate you."
"I know."
When we get back to the farm, Clint's napping upstairs and Laura is picking the kids up.
About ten minutes after we get back, the kids return. They instantly start running around excitedly, grabbing apples from the kitchen and yelling about their day. The way Lila talks about her show-and-tell, you'd think she'd won an Oscar. It's adorable.
As he gets himself a drink, Cooper accidentally drops his glass. Almost before I know what's happening, I reach out my arm and the glass stops in midair and floats back onto the counter, surrounded by a red glow.
Cooper stares at me, and I shrug, "You wanted to see my powers."
He grins, says, "Thanks," and leaves the room. I hear him storming up the stairs, his bag making a thunk sound on every step.
Clint comes in, clearly still half-asleep, pushing his hair back, and Lila runs at him. He wakes up straight away and crouches down to catch her in his arms.
I smile and lean into Pietro as we watch the father-daughter moment. Neither of us want to intrude or ruin the moment, so we stay back and stay quiet.
When Clint sets his daughter down, he walks to us and I'm shocked to find that he wraps his arms around me, then Pietro, saying, "So, how was training?"
For him, it's such a natural movement, like breathing. He already has two kids, with another on the way.
What I don't think he realises is that it's the first time I've been hugged as though by a father in eight years. I don't know how to react, so I tense up, scared of doing the wrong thing.
"It was great," Pietro says, gently squeezing my shoulders to bring me back.
"Yeah," I echo, shaking my head a little, "Great."
Word count: 539
YOU ARE READING
Two New Bartons (completed)
FanfictionWhat if Pietro never died? They've lost their parents. They've lost their country. At least they still have each other. And their new family. Now, all they need to do is get a hang of being the two new Bartons. I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS...