stormsinafrica | Entries tagged with prompt(s)

Sigyn stood in the healing chambers of Asgard nervously awaiting her first lesson as a new apprentice. Her mentor was a healer, a woman named Tove who had many, many years of experience and had agreed to teach Sigyn all that she knew of the healing arts. The decision for Sigyn to be her apprentice had come after many hours of discussion regarding why Sigyn wished to become a healer. Tove had wanted to know her heart in the matter, and to be sure she knew her time as an apprentice would be a lengthy one, and that she was prepared to spend all the time required to learn the art

Tove watched her for a moment, then she asked, "Are you ready to begin?

She swallowed, and nodded, "Yes, milady. I'm ready to begin learning."

"Good," Tove said, and motioned for Sigyn to follow her to a nearby table where a variety of herbs as well as potions were already laid out, "We'll start with the basics today. Healing usually begins with understanding the properties of the different plants and their effects on the body, both good and bad. Do you understand?"

"Yes, milady," Sigyn murmured.

As Tove began explaining the healing properties of each of the herbs, and Sigyn listened attentively, scribbling down notes in her journal. She was amazed at how much knowledge was needed to an effective healer. Tove taught her how to identify each herb, when as well as how to harvest them properly, and the appropriate dosages to use for various wounds or ailments.

On their third day together, Tove said, "Now, I think I should show you how to make a poultice. Watch carefully, Sigyn." The healer began to demonstrate the process of crushing and combing specific herbs to create the desired healing mixture.

"Now you, Sigyn."

"Yes, milady."

Sigyn did everything Tove had done, grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle as her mentor watched closely. Sigyn's motions were a bit clumsy at first as she was nervous, but then she gradually found her rhythm and soon after she had a fine powder ready for a poultice.

Tove looked over the powder, and nodded approvingly, praising her, "Excellent work, Sigyn." She gave an encouraging smile before she said, "Now, I will show you how to apply the poultice to the bandage and wrap it on a wound."

Sigyn watched her actions, and when she was prompted, she repeated the healer's actions. She tried her best to mimic the gentle touch she'd seen the healers tend to the wounded. She felt a surge of satisfaction when she completed the task, even if she knew she still had much more to learn. With time, patience, practice, and dedication, Sigyn knew she would achieve her desire to help the sick and wounded by being one of Asgard's healers.

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One day, Pepper was sitting at her desk taking a short break, rifling through a magazine when she came across an article that made her pause. "If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be?"

She looked at the question for a few seconds, and muttered, "I don't who I'd want to meet from history, but I do know one person I definitely should not meet from history, and that is Howard Stark!!"

Thoughts of Tony, her brilliant and wonderful husband, filled her heart. She smiled as she thonks of his mischievous grin and the ways he always pushed the boundaries, whether they were personal, cultural, or just considered to be impossible. But intertwined with those fond memories were the shadows cast by Howard Stark, Tony's father. Pepper's grip on her chair arms tightened as anger clouded her face.

"If I could ever meet a historical figure, it would be a very good idea if I never met Howard Stark." Pepper muttered, "Because if I ever met the man, I would probably give him a piece of my mind over the many times he hurt Tony."

At the moment the words left her lips, the office door opened, and Tony strode into the room. Pepper's heart skipped a beat as her eyes met his sparkling ones.

"Talking to yourself again. Pep?" Tony asked, in a playful tone.

Pepper blinked, stunned for a moment by his unexpected entrance. Her anger vanished like a wisp of smoke, replaced for genuine happiness to see the man she loved. She stood up, and walked over to him, kissing her tenderly as she reached him.

"Mmm, what was that for?" he asked as she pulled away.

"Just because you're here and because my thoughts were taking a dark turn before you walked in."

"They were?"

Pepper nodded, and gestured at her desk, "I was looking through a magazine that had a page asking the question about if you could meet a historical figure who would it be and why? I couldn't think of anyone I'd want to be meet but I thought of one I knew I shouldn't ever meet if I could."

"And who is that?" Tony asked, curious.

She hesitated then answered, "Your father. I know if I were to ever to ever get a face to face moment with him, I would have some very harsh words for him."

The smile disappeared from Tony's face, "Yeah, I bet you would. But my father is in the past, and I would like for him to stay there. I don't want to talk about him. Instead I want to talk about why I came and that's to take my wife out to lunch."

Pepper touched his cheek, and nodded, "Okay, that sounds good. Let me grab my coat."

He nodded, and when she walked away he said, "Pep?"

She looked over her shoulder at him, "Yes?"

"I love you and... thanks."

"I love you too, Tony... and you're welcome."

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Shuri entered her mother's chambers, and she sat down when her mother motioned for her to. Three months had passed since her brother T'Challa had died, and Shuri is not certain what her mother plans on saying to her.

"Shuri," Queen Ramonda began, a heavy sigh escaping her lips, "There is something very important I need to speak to you about."

Shuri looked at her mother, unsure and perhaps a little nervous about what she was about to hear. Finally she asked, "What is it, Mother?"

"Your brother's death has left a great responsibility on our shoulders," her mother said, "For the moment, the majority of it rests on my shoulder since you have not yet come of age. But in a few short years, daughter, you will be. With your brother being gone before he could have a son or daughter of his own, it means that when I step aside, the throne will fall to you next. And as the next in line to the throne, you need to prepare yourself, and start thinking like a Queen."

Shuri's eyes widened as she spoke, and when she finished she protested. "But, Mother, I don't know the first thing about being Queen. I've been a scientist first all of my life."

Ramonda shook her head softly, "But you are also a daughter of King T'Chaka and of Wakanda, and it is your duty to protect and guide our people. We both know that T'Challa would still be here leading us if he could be, but he is gone, and now it is up to you to carry on his legacy and that of your father."

"But, Mother, I do not know where to even begin!" Shuri exclaimed.

Reaching out a comforting hand to her daughter, Ramonda assured her, "That is why I will be here to help and to guide you, Shuri. First, daughter, you to need to spend some time outside of your lab and get to know our people. You need to learn and understand their needs, their problems, and their hopes for the future."

Shuri didn't speak, listening to her mother.

"Second, is something to ask of anyone but you will need to be ready to make difficult decisions and even sacrifices for the same of Wakanda's well-being. You will need to put aside your personal desires and wishes in order to put Wakanda first. I know what I am telling you sounds frightening and overwhelming but if you also allow love inside, it will guide you, and lighten the burden of caring for an entire country."

Shuri nodded her understanding, "I will do my best, Mother."

With a warm, proud smile, the Queen told her daughter, "I do not doubt you will, Shuri, for even when you've buried yourself in your laboratory, you've also been compassionate and strong along with being brilliant. All of those qualities will serve you will when you are Queen."

Shuri nodded, "Thank you, Mother. Bast help me to live up to the legacy that Father and T'Challa left behind."

"You don't have to be exactly like your Father and brother," Ramonda said gently, "You are after all your own person, and being who you are is what will make you a great Queen. Try to learn what you can from their successes and failures alike, but in the end you must forge your own path."

"Yes, Mother," Shuri said with a nod, "I will try my best to be the leader our people need."

"That is all anyone can ask of you, daughter. But remember you will not face this journey alone. I will be with you, as well as the council, and finally our people. We will all give you as much help as we can so that you grow into the Queen you are meant to be."

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They were sitting on their private balcony overlooking the city as they're currently there for a week's visit. The sunset is currently painting the skies magnificent colors as it sinks beneath the horizon. Shades of fiery orange and deep red merged with soft hues of pink and had them mesmerized with the magical atmosphere it was creating.

"You know, minkjære," Loki started, "I used to crave power and all of the pomp that when with it. I wanted to hear the people chanting my name in devotion. To feel the rush of pleasure I would feel when I elevated myself above everyone else. It was a feeling I could never resist.

Eva turned her eyes away from the skies to look at him, "I know, but you don't need those things anymore, the devotion of the masses.

"No, I do not. I don't need the masses or power or devotion of the masses. As long as I have you, I have what I need. You truly are my everything, Eva, and my world."

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Tony and Pepper talked about trying to have one more baby after Eva but then after everything that had happened will Killian, they decided their family was perfect the way it was. So they put the thoughts of having another baby out of their minds and concentrated on raising the two wonderful kids they had.

But one day, when Pepper was feeling a little off, she was sitting on the toilet in the bathroom, thinking about what had been going on with her lately. She had been feeling tired more than usual lately, and then she had started being nauseated a few days ago. As the realization hit her, Pepper opened the medicine cabinet and pulled out a pregnancy test. She took the test, and then sat there on the toilet again by the results.

"Tony?" she said as she entered the living room, "Could you come to the kitchen a moment. We need to talk?"

Tony immediately handed his controller over to Eva, and followed his wife into the kitchen, "What's wrong, Pep?"

"Prepare yourself for something you were not expecting for us at this stage of life but... I'm pregnant."

Tony was shocked, and didn't speak for a moment when he did, he stuttered, "A b-b-baby? Did you just say we're going to have another baby?"

Pepper nodded, "Yes, I did."

Tony hollered, and picked her up, spinning them both around, "A baby! I'm going to be a Daddy again!"

A few months passed, and Pepper went to get the ultrasound to find out if they were be having a boy or girl. Both she and Tony were both jubilant to find out their youngest child would be a little boy. They decided to name him Edward James Rupert Stark and he would be called Teddy for short.

Ethan was ten years old when his baby brother was born, and Eva was going on seven. They couldn't believe how much they loved having a baby in the house again or how much the kids loved helping to take care of their baby brother.

"I can't believe we almost missed out on having such a blessing in our lives like Teddy is!" Tony told Pepper one day when he was burping his youngest son.

Pepper ran her hand over Teddy's dark, soft hair, "I know, he is the perfect addition to our family. I'm so grateful we go this little unexpected surprise!"

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My dearest Pepper,

I hope you are well when you read this letter. I can't believe that I am FINALLY writing this to you, but I've been holding back how I feel for far too long. I can't help the fact that I am completely enamored by you. Each and every day that I am away from you, my mind is consumed with thoughts of how many great things you bring into my life. You make me whole, and dare I say serene (don't laugh), and complete.

I know this may come as something of a shock to you, my sweet Pepper, but my feelings got you are anything but new. It's taken me some time to come to terms with them myself. See, I've tried to convince myself that what I felt was just a crush, a fleeing infatuation. But as the days went by and became weeks then years, I realized that this flame inside of me has only become bigger with every moment that goes by.

Pepper, my Pepper, do you know that you're my world? You are the brightest light in my dark world. You add so much joy and positivity that it's hard to even remember what my life was life before you. I treasure the moment we have spent together just being together laughing, exploring, and just simply being with each other.

It's hard to say why I wrote this letter to you in "disguise", but I hope that hiding behind this "secret admirer persona" will allow me to have the courage to express just how MUCH I really do love you. I hope to see you soon, Pepper, so we can celebrate our love together. Until then, please know you are always in my heart and my thoughts. I love you so much, my one and only Pepper.

Yours always and forever,

I think you know who I am xoxoxox

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Both Clint and Natasha had accepted certain truths about their lives many years ago such as they'd never have ordinary lives as long as they were a part of SHIELD, and then later, the Avengers. That was fine with them, and then they found a little girl in an orphanage in Moscow they wanted to adopt as their own daughter. Soon after they adopted and brought Nadia home, they learned nothing short of a miracle had happened and Natasha was pregnant with their son Franky.

From the moment he was born, they knew that they had to do everything possible to ensure he would have a normal life far away from the dangers and violence that came with being in SHIELD.

That's when they decided that they needed a completely private and uninterrupted chat with the Director of SHIELD.

That's why they decided to break into SHIELD headquarters to talk to Director Coulson face-to-face. They couldn't risk leaks or misunderstandings.

They planned the operation meticulously together, and executed it with as much precision. They disabled cleverly placed security mechanisms and evaded guards without being detected. When they finally reached Coulson's office, he was standing in front of his desk with arms crossed with a stoic expression with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"Director Coulson, we need to have a conversation with you," she said as she locked the door.

Coulson nodded, "I've been expecting this conversation for some time. I know it's a little late but allow me to say congratulations on your son's healthy arrival." Sure Franky was almost seven years old now, but it's never too late to offer sincere congratulations right?

Clint nodded in acknowledgment, then he said. "We're informing you now, Director, that we want you to keep your distance from both of our children. SHIELD is never to have any part of their lives."

"Especially when it comes to Franky," Natasha emphasized.

"I understand your concerns and reasons why you don't want SHIELD anywhere near him, but are you sure that's the best course of action? At some point, if they're not already, other agencies will become aware of the fact that the famous Hawkeye and Black Widow have a biological son together. They might get to him at a moment you're not watching him, and make him into their own tool."

"We've already taken that into account," Clint assured him, "We'll protect him from the others if and when the time comes."

Coulson nodded, "Understood but consider this: As good as you both are, you can't be everywhere or alert all of the time. Now what I am suggesting is that when he's a little older that you allow SHIELD to—"

"No, Coulson!" Natasha snarled, "When we say Franky is not to be touched by SHIELD in any way, it's what we mean. Neither you or any Director who comes after you is to ever touch him in any way!"

"Or they can expect a nice little visit when they're least expecting it," Clint finished.

"Understood, Agent Barton. I'll be sure to note and tell whoever succeeds me as Director that the Romanoff. Barton children are off limits."

Natasha unlocked the door, "That is all we ask."

With that, they slipped out if SHIELD the same way they'd come in, like vanishing shadows in the night.

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Loki's attention was drawn by the snort of a horse, that signaled the arrival of his anticipated guest. Letting go of the fractured twig he held, he managed a smile that failed to reach his eyes, and then he pivoted to greet them, "Greetings, Mother."

Frigga dismounted gracefully from her horse and approached him without hesitation, confident that her steed would remain in place. She accepted both of his outstretched hands, and after exchanging cheek kisses, she gazed at him a moment before she remarked, "Tell me the reason for your fear, Loki."

He tried to keep his voice light as he responded, "What fear, Mother? Perhaps I called you here because I wanted to see you? After all, Eva and I do not—"

Frigga quieted him with a meaningful gaze, one that only a mother could give to her child, "Your message requested secrecy, and I sensed the spells you cast upon this place as I approached," she said. "You wouldn't take such risks without a powerful motivator behind them like fear, my son. So, why have you hidden us from Heimdall's sight and hearing?" The risk she referred to was the fact that when Odin released Loki from prison, Loki had sworn never to shroud himself from Heimdall again. "I'm waiting for an answer, Loki. I want to understand why you're jeopardizing your freedom and the life you have with the woman you love."

Loki turned, and walked away from her, not speaking for some time.

"It is for Eva that I've risked my freedom," he finally said.

"Go on."

He walked around the circle he'd made for them another few steps before he inquired, "Mother, do you remember Rowena of Vanaheim?"

The Queen of Asgard nodded, although he was not looking at her, "Yes, I remember her. She was one of the more powerful wielders of magic the Nine Realms have ever seen. I have not heard her name in almost nine years now. Pray tell me why you are speaking it now, Loki."

Loki continued to pace the boundaries of the protective circle that he had created as he spoke, "The reason you have not heard that name for almost nine now is because soon after I wed Eva, Rowena was becoming a threat to the peace of the Nine Realms, and so the All-Father commanded that the Einherjar put an end to her. Because she was such a sorceress, I was dispatched along with those sent to deal with her."

"The battle did not go well," Frigga stated, not asked.

"No, it did not. Over half of the Einherjar died within minutes of engaging the witch. The only reason I was able to come near her without being slain is because of my own power. I put spells on my daggers and then hurled them at her. Her power was strong, but she was not able to keep my daggers from finding her. She fell to the ground in a heap. I had to be sure she was indeed dead, and when I approached the hag's shell, she grabbed my wrist. She pulled me to her, smeared her blood on me, and told me..." He stopped, closing his eyes.

"She told you what?" Frigga asked, pulling her cloak tightly around her.

"She spoke an incantation, and she told me she had cursed my Eva to die as she had." Loki turned to face his mother at last, "She told me that Eva will bleed to death, in childbirth, when she gives birth to our first child. A daughter, Rowena said."

His words fell into the heavy silence around them as both of them pondered the past.

Frigga walked over to her son, and lifted his head up so he was looking at her, "Hear me, Loki. Her last words were not a prophecy of unavoidable certainty. Yes, they were a curse, but curses are breakable. Eva is not doomed to this fate. I promise you I will make it my personal quest to find a way to shatter Rowena's hateful curse."

Loki's eyes glistened, and he allowed her to pull him into her embrace.

"Thank you, Mother. I can't bear to lose her."

The Queen of Asgard held her youngest son close, "I know this, Loki, and you're not going to lose her." She held him even tighter to her when the dam holding back his emotions begun to break. For several minutes, the only sound in the circle was that of his sobs as he finally released the fear and grief that he had borne alone for so long. When his tears were finally spent, Frigga asked, "Is Rowena's curse the reason you and Eva have not been blessed with a child of your own for these years of your marriage?"

Loki nodded against her, and then he pulled away, wiping his eyes, "Yes, it is. When I returned to Asgard and after I had told Odin everything that had transpired with Rowena, I begun putting spells into place that would prevent Eva from conceiving a child. I've maintained them until only just recently when I could no longer do so. Eva wants a child so much that I believe her heart is breaking at the thought we may never have one. In Midgardian terms, she has less time to conceive a child than she once did. Soon, Mother, I believe she will soon conceive, and I do not know how I will react to the news."

"With joy, Loki. You will react with the great joy all expectant fathers react with. Then when her time comes to be delivered of your child, you will find out in the moment you hold your child, what unconditional love feels like for the first time in your life."

"Pray let it be so, Mother."

"It will be, Loki. It will be everything that you and Eva dream of."

Two months later, when Eva joyfully shared the news with Loki that he would be a father, they wept in joy together.

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Tony was sitting in the living room with Eva nestled in his arms. She is supposed to be asleep like her big brother is down for a nap at the moment in his room. But the two month old baby is wide awake and staring at her father with her eyes filled with wonder.

Tony started talking to her, and as he did, he tickled her little tummy, making silly faces at her well. He was trying to see if he could maker her laugh, and when she suddenly let out a burst of giggles, Tony's heart swelled in contentment.

"Oh, did you like that, princess? Do you want Daddy to do it again?" He asked his baby girl, grinning at her.

Eva giggled again at his question, her tiny hands moving about in excitement, melting Tony's heart at the sound. He knew he was truly the most blessed man in the world right at that moment.

"Do you know how much Daddy love hearing the sound of your laughter, baby girl? It's the best thing Daddy's ever heard in his life!"

Eva's response was more giggles, and this time, Tony joined in. He tickled her tummy again, and started making more silly faces.

"I love you, Eva Alessandra Maria Stark! You're definitely the best birthday present anyone has ever given me or ever will!" he said kissing her face.

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When Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Monica moved out of the tower to live in his childhood home, which had once belonged to his parents, Rhodey made a promise to Ethan and Eva. He assured them that they would be able to spend a couple of weeks there during the summer. After a few years, the time finally came for them to fulfill this promise.

As soon as they arrived, Ethan eagerly ventured into the neighborhood with his cousin Colton, leaving Eva with Aunt Monica since there were no other girls her age to play with. While Monica didn't mind having her niece around, Eva often found herself bored with the grown-up activities they engaged in. Recognizing this, they had a conversation with the boys about including Eva more in their adventures.

Although the boys agreed, they seem to do so somewhat reluctantly. Nevertheless, the morning after their discussion, the boys made plans to explore the neighborhood together again and invited Eva to join them.

"Be careful, kids!" Rhodey called out as the three of them embarked on their bikes.

"We will, Dad!" Colton promised, taking the lead.

They rode down the street and turned onto the next one, prompting Eva to inquire, "Where are we going?"

"You'll see!" Ethan replied, his voice carrying back to her.

Eva shrugged and followed her brother and cousin.

After a series of twists and turns, the boys stopped in front of an old, abandoned house.

Eva swallowed nervously and surveyed her surroundings. "I... I don't think we should be here, Ethan!"

But Colton and Ethan had already left their bikes at the curb and were motioning for her to follow them.

"Come on, Evie!" Ethan yelled.

Eva still had a feeling they shouldn't be doing this even as she abandoned her bike too, and hurried to catch up with them.

"You know, they say this place is cursed," Ethan told his sister.

"There's no such thing, Ethan!" she said, bravely.

"Oh, yes there is!" Colton interjected, "A whole family got murdered here, three of them kids! Now their spirits are trapped in the house's walls!"

Eva stopped a few feet in front of the door, "I don't want to go in!"

Her brother shrugged, "Okay, suit yourself but exploring this house is what we were planning to do today. If you don't want to come with us, you don't have to."

"Okay, I won't!" she said, and she start back for her bike.

"Just don't tell my Mom or Dad what we're doing!" Colton called out. "And don't go back home!"

"But I don't want to stay here!" Eva exclaimed.

The boys shrugged, "Again, you wanted to tag along with us!"

"Why are you being so mean, Ethan?" Eva asked, her voice trembling.

Ethan didn't answer her for a moment, then said, "I'm not trying to be mean. I just wanted me and Colton to be able to hang out and do what we want without anyone else."

"Yeah, we really didn't want a little scaredy cat tagging along with us to begin with!" Colton added.

Eva stared at them, tears welled up in her eyes, and overflowed. She turned and bolted back to her bike, riding off on it before they could stop her.

"Great!" Ethan grumbled, turning to Colton, "You know she's going back to tell on us!"

"Yeah, if she doesn't get lost first!"

At hearing that, it only took Ethan a second to go get on his bike, and take off after his sister.

Colton rolled his eyes, and got on his own bike, knowing if he did't catch them, they'd both get lost.

"Eva! Wait!" Ethan yelled.

Eva looked back when she heard him, and started pedaling faster, "Leave me alone!"

"Eva, stop!" he yelled, increasing his speed.

"No! I hate you! Leave me alone!" she yelled.

Colton huffed as he increased his speed to catch up with Ethan, "We've got to stop her! She's come up to the intersection!"

Ethan nodded, and pedaled as fast as he could go.

Eva saw him and went faster.

Colton pumped harder and passed Ethan.

Eva saw him and tried to increase the gap between them.

He came up beside her, "Stop!"

"No!"

"Stop now!" he ordered again.

She shook her head.

Colton reached up and grabbed her handle bars.

A car's horn was heard blowing.

Colton turned them both to the side of the road where the both crashed.

The driver of the car got out and ran over to them, "Are you kids okay?"

Eva was crying her eyes out, and Colton was cringing.

"Stay there, and don't move. I'll call 9-1-1!" the driver said.

Ethan arrived at that second, stopping then dropping his bike, and ran over to his sister and cousin.

He knelt beside her, "Evie, what's wrong?"

"My arm hurts really bad!" Eva whimpered, clutching it against herself.

"Let me see—"

"No, don't touch her! Her arm might be broken," the driver said, "I've called an ambulance. They'll take care of her arm." He looked at Colton, "Are you okay?"

Colton nodded, "I think so."

"They can look you over too just to be safe. Do you have a phone or do I need to call your parents?"

"Yeah I've got a phone. In my backpack."

"I think you should get it out and call them. Let them know what's happened, and that you're little sister have to go to the hospital."

Colton nodded, and took off his backpack.

"We're going to be in such big trouble for this!" Ethan said.

"Yeah, I know. Man, do I know!" the other boy agreed as he dialed his aunt.

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It's Friday night, and the Stark family is having homemade pizza for dinner. Ethan was in the living room with his mother, showing her had to play some video game he's been obsessed with lately while Eva is in the kitchen with her Daddy helping to make their pizzas.

"Okay, that takes care of Ethan," Tony said putting the last piece of pepperoni on.

"That leaves Mommy," Eva said.

Tony nodded, "Yes, and Mommy wants Spinach Alfredo pizza!"

Eva made a face, and asked, "Why?"

"I don't have a clue, princess. I left the baby spinach in the refrigerator. Would you mind handing it to me, baby girl?"

"Okay, Daddy!" Eva chirped and started for the refrigerator.

Meanwhile, Tony opened the oven to pop Ethan's in when he heard exclaim a loud "Owwwie!" behind him.

"What's wrong, Eva?"

"I stepped on something that hurt my fo— Daddy, my foot is bleeding!"

Tony picked her up, and placed her on the counter so he could look at her foot. Sure enough there was a bit of blood on the bottom of her sole.

"I think you stepped on a piece of broken glass," he said gently probing her foot.

Eva hissed, "That hurts, Daddy!"

"I'm sorry, baby. Here let me get something to clean the blood away with.. I need t check to see if the glass is still in your foot."

The little girl nodded, "Okay."

Tony started to use a wet towel to clean her foot but then he turned on the cold water instead.

"Here, just stick your foot under the water."

Eva nodded, and placed her foot under the water, "Stings."

"I'm sorry, sweetie, but we need to clean it."

After the blood was gone, Tony checked to make sure there was no glass, and he found none.

"J, where's the First Aid kit?"

"Underneath the sink, Sir. In the back on the left."

"Thanks, J. Now, let me just grab the kit, put some ointment on your owie, and a band-aid and it'll be all better!" Tony told Eva.

"No, it won't, Daddy. You forgot to say you'll kiss it."

"Oh of course, how silly of me. Okay, I'll kiss it before I put the ointment on and that'll make it all better. Better?"

Eva nodded, "Yeah, Daddy. All better."

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Ethan was sitting at the desk in the corner of the living room, trying to get the last part of his homework finished when he slumped down in his chair, sighing heavily. He had just found one of the few subjects in school which bored him and that was studying William Shakespeare, specifically his plays. He had much rather be anything than this, like helping his Dad or Mom, or playing games with his cousins!

Pepper heard his sigh, saw his posture in the chair, and got up to go over to him, "What's wrong, Ethan?"

"This!" he said pointing to what was in front of him, "I just don't get how Shakespeare or any of his dumb plays will ever be used in real life!"

"Actually, honey, I think you'd be surprised how still relevant his plays are today," Pepper said, and at his "You've got to be kidding look!" she continued, I'm serious. William Shakespeare's work have influenced countless writers and filmmakers over the centuries, and his insights to humanity can still be applied even today in the 21st century."

Ethan blinked, not believing the passion in his mother's voice. She had never been this excited about anything related to his or Eva's school work before!

"I'm sorry, Mom," he said, still doubting, "It's just all so... well boring."

Pepper gave him a smile, "Well, maybe all we need to do is find a way to make the subject more interesting for you. I know playing games is one thing you like to do with your friends and cousins, right?"

Ethan nodded, "Yeah."

"Okay, so let's try to find some parallels between Shakespeare and video games."

Again, when the look of skepticism appeared on Ethan's face, Pepper chuckled, then pulled a chair over for herself.

"I'm being completely serious when I say let's try to find some parallels. Let's take MacBeth for example. This play of Shakespeare in particular has all the elements of one of those video games you like where a story is told and it's not just a blow everything in sight up. The story is riveting as about a man who after the encouragement of his wife murders the king to become king himself. There are crazy witches making prophecies in the story, more murder and mayhem, and ghosts."

"Wow really?" Ethan asked.

Pepper nodded, "Yes, really."

"What happens to the MacBeth guy? Did ever get caught and have to pay for killing the king?" Ethan asked.

"For that answer, my love, you will have to read the play yourself!"

"Aww, Mom! Shakespeare is so hard to understand! The guy was barely speaking English!" Ethan exclaimed.

"You know I am hear to help you, right? I know his language can be a little hard to understand but I would be willing to help you with what you don't understand, and I know JARVIS would be willing too," Pepper assured him.

"Indeed I will, ma'am," JARVIS added.

"Well, if you'll both help me..." "Are you going to read MacBeth then?"

Ethan nodded, "Yeah, I guess so. I mean I might as well since uh, my teacher wanted us to pick a play to read on our own anyway."

"Perfect! I think we should get started right away! JARVIS, could you please—"

"I've already taken the liberty, ma'am. There is a copy of William Shakespeare's MacBeth on your StarkPad," the AI said.

"Thank you, JARVIS," Pepper said, retrieving the pad.

Ethan turned to MacBeth.

"Let's read it out loud. That way I can help you when you have a problem."

He nodded.

"I'll start," Pepper said, "Act I, Scene I..."

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It was a bright and sunny day as Eva plays with her dolls on the floor of the living room. Tony is sitting nearby, reading the newspaper. Suddenly, Eva puts down her dolls, and runs to her Daddy.

"Daddy, I want to do something new!" she said.

Tony looked over the paper at her, "And what is it that you want to do, princess?"

"I want to build a time machine!" Eva exclaimed.

Although Tony was taken aback, he is also delighted and curious if she knows what she's talking about, so he asked, "What's that?"

"Daddy, you know! It's a special machine that can let you see the dinosaurs! I want to see them, Daddy!"

"Oh, really?" he inquired, smiling.

"A time machine is a great idea! I think we should build one together!"

Eva jumped up and down for joy, clapping her hands. They got started right away on their time machine. The basis, the foundation of their time machine was cardboard boxes that Tony explained were special because they were powered by their imaginations. They used some old wires and buttons to make their time machine as real looking as they could.

Eva climbed into it, all excited and ready to go on their first adventure together. As her Daddy crawled in beside her, she pressed a button, and suddenly the machine took flight. Lights and bright colors surrounded them, making Eva close her eyes. When she opened them, she gasped in amazement.

They were standing in the midst of a vast prehistoric forest, full of all sorts of animals. With a squeal of excitement, Eva pointed as a dinosaur roaring angrily at them.

"Look Daddy, it's a Sharptooth!" she said, awe in her voice.

Tony chuckled, running a hand over her hair, "That's T-Rex, princess."

Tony allowed himself to get lost in the game, and shared her wonder as they explored the forest together, seeing every kind of dinosaur there was to see. Next they moved on to another time period to watch the wheel's invention, then the creation of a house, and then finally saw the Amazon rainforest as it had been in the past.

Time rushed by them, and before they knew it, they were back in the living room with their cardboard box time machine. Eva threw her arms around her daughter's neck.

"I had the bestest adventure ever, Daddy!" she exclaimed.

Tony held her close, laughing, "Me too, princess! You are such a brave and amazing time traveler!"

They went on many more adventures, building more machines to explore different times throughout history, all from the comfort of their own home. Eva loved her Daddy and the incredible things he'd made to help her explore.

And Tony?

Well, he just treasured every second he had to spend making his little girl happy!

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"Maggie sweetie, is something bothering you? You've hardly touched your dinner tonight?" Steve Rogers asked, looking at his daughter's face closely.

Jamie and Alexis listened intently as their sister answered.

"Yes, Daddy. My science project is due in three days, and I don't think I will be able to finish it on time!"

Steve didn't ask her how long she has know the project was coming up due but instead he asked her, "Honey, if you worked on it non-stop for the next three nights after right up until you go to bed, would you be able to finish it?"

Maggie thought about it for a second, "Yeah, maybe."

"How about if I help you with whatever it is you need to finish?" he suggested.

"If it is allowed," Sharon said, joining the conversation, "Maggie, sweetie, are either of us allowed to help you?"

"Yes, Mommy, Daddy can help me as long as I do the work of making my project myself," Maggie said with a nod.

"Good. Let's finish up with dinner, and you and I will go see what we can do tonight to help you meet this deadline."

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One evening, Sam and Alyssa were parked in front of the television. The kids had been in bed for over an hour, and they just wanted to catch up on some of their favorite shows. Of course, marathoning episode after episode put them in a snacking mood. So Sam is the one who got up to go to the kitchen to find them something to snack on.

"What are you in the mood for?" he asked as he headed for the kitchen.

"Surprise me!" Alyssa replied, "Just don't make anything weird!"

"'Don't make anything weird!'" Sam muttered under his breath as he walked into the kitchen.

He looked in the refrigerator, then closed seeing nothing that appealed to him. Next, he opened the cabinets, and looked at what was available there.

"May I suggest you try the new Avengers cereal?" JARVIS suggested quietly.

It is past 8'clock at night, but the moment Sam heard the suggestion, he started looking for the cereal box.

"Top cabinet on the far left."

"Thanks, JARVIS."

"You're very welcome, Mr. Wilson."

Sam rolled his eyes again at the AI's insistence at calling him Mr. Wilson, and got the cereal out of the cabinet. He thought about asking Alyssa if she's like some milk but decided against it. Instead he put two bowls on a tray with spoons, and a small carafe of milk.

"Sam honey, what is... what in the world is that? What did you bring? Is that cereal?" Alyssa asked with a laugh.

"Sure is!" he replied, sitting down beside her, "What?"

"You brought out cereal?" Alyssa said, pointing to the box.

"Well you did say nothing weird, right?" Sam countered.

"Considering it's 8:17 at night..."

With a shrug, Sam opened the box, "Come on, it's the new Avengers cereal we've had in the cabinet for two weeks now without opening it. It's time to try don't you think?"

"I guess."

"Is something wrong, Lees?" He's not looking at her as he pour out a bowl.

"I guess you could say that when the people who made the cereal decide to leave my husband and my brother completely out of the equation!" Alyssa said with a shrug.

"You decided that you don't like it already because they didn't include me and Rhodes in the cereal?" He asked, then poured some milk.

"Yes, I am! You're both as much Avengers as Captain America!"

"Ah, but Cap's a legend!"

"Oh please! Don't bring up your bromance with Steve Rogers again!" she said, rolling her eyes.

"Bromance? All I'm trying to say is, Lees, is that I think the reason we're not include is because I think they were going for the original OG6. You know, the ones who kicked Loki's six from New York all the way back to Asgard!"

"Yeah, I get that but it's still not fair to you or to Jamie. You both deserve to be in the box of cereal too!" Alyssa ranted.

Sam stared at his wife, "Wow our being left off really does bother you, doesn't it?"

"Darn right it does! I'm so proud of you both! You're both heroes too!"

He reached out, squeezed her hand, "Hey, I'm sure they'll add us in time. Just give them time to come around, okay?"

Alyssa sighed, and shook her head, "I'll try, but they need to hurry it up already!"

"And how about we try this before my cereal gets all soggy, huh?" he suggested with a chuckle.

Agreeing to finally try it, Alyssa poured her own bowl of the cereal.

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Loki leaned back in his chair, peering out of the window of their home. watching as the rain continued to pour down. He let out a sigh, and turned to look at his daughter who was sitting on the settee also watching the rain, a pouting frown on her face.

"Is the rain ever going to stop, Father? I'm tired of being stuck inside all day!" Sigyn whined.

"I know, my little snowflake," Loki replied.

Oh how he knew! The rain had gone on for days on end now, bringing more gloom in both the lack of sun and in his daughter's disposition.

"But I'm not sure when it will cease," he added. "The weather is quite unpredictable, even for me."

Sigyn groaned and slumped further into the settee, "I wish there was something to do! I am sick to death of watching the rain!"

Loki looked at the rain again, thinking about the situation, then he turned back to her with a smile, "Perhaps we should play a game?"

"I don't want to play a game!"

"Oh, you would prefer to watch the rain instead? Very well, then, we shall but I know you would have loved the game instead!" Loki said, watching her from the corner of his eye, "It was a very good idea if I do say so myself. Oh well!"

Sigyn straightened on the settee, "What game, Father?"

"You said you don't want to play, so that means you're not interested in hearing about it."

"Yes, I am! Please, Father, tell me!" Sigyn begged.

Loki chuckled, "Oh, I was thinking we could have a foraging hunt. I will hide things all around the cottage and you will have to find them."

Sigyn wasn't sure how much fun that would be, but she really was bored with watching the rain pour down so she decided to go along with the idea, "That sounds like it could be fun, Father! Let's play!"

"Very well. I'll go hide somethings. You stay here and when the game is ready, I'll come fetch you."

The girl nodded, and settled back to wait.

Loki took about twenty minutes to hide some things in each room of the cottage that was not the main room where his daughter awaited him. He didn't use any magic but still hid them well where she would need to look carefully. Finally satisfied once the final object was concealed he went to get her.

Sigyn bolted from the settee the moment her father gave her the signal, and ran to the first room. She looked high and low with her father watching her in amusement as she searched every nook and cranny.

After several minutes, Sigyn held up a previous hidden item, "I found one, Father!"

"Good job, snowflake! See if you can find the others I hid!"

Sigyn continued her search, moving from room to room, leaving no room without finding all the hidden items.

Sigyn was still looking when she walked past a window, and saw something she'd been looking to see for days peering back at her. She pointed to the window, "Look, Father! It's stopped raining and the sun has come out!"

Loki grinned and captured her in his arms, "Yes, my little snowflake, it seems our time of hunting brought the sun out, both inside and outside. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of time spent together and fun to brighten up a gloomy day."

"May I go outside now, Father?" Sigyn asked.

He nodded, "Yes, you may as long as you're clear to stay away from any bodies of water. With all the wain we had in the past few days, I am sure they're swollen."

"I promise, Father!" she said, already grabbing her cloak and hiding outside with a squeal of excitement.

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Peggy finds Steve sitting on an intact bench, staring at well nothing.

"Are you well, Steve?" Peggy asked, sitting down beside him.

He sighed, not looking at her, "I'm okay. I'm just feeling... overwhelmed."

Peggy put a hand on his arm, "You want to talk about it?"

Steve finally looked at her, "Sometimes I feel like I'm not doing enough, Peggy. There is so much that's happening in the world, and there are times I feel like I can't keep up."

She smiled, gently, "It's okay, Steve. You may be Captain America, but you're still human, which means there's only so much you can do. Even so, you're still doing your part to make the world a better place."

After a moment, Steve nodded, "You're right. Thanks, Peggy, I need to hear that."

Peggy moves her hand to grasp his, "Anytime, Steve. I'm here for you, always."

"I know, and I'm grateful for that."

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The sun is shining brightly one morning as the birds sing their happy songs, serenading father and daughter as they sat outside their home, breaking their fast. The aroma of freshly baked bread lingered in the air, and Sigyn's eyes were bright with delight.

"Father, this bread is delectable!" Sigyn exclaimed before taking another bite.

Loki raised his eyebrows, "And where on Midgard did you ever hear that word, my dear?" 

"It wasn't on Midgard I heard it, Father! I heard Uncle Volstagg say it last time we went to see Grandmother and Grandfather!"

Ah yes, the last time they'd visited the Palace, there had been a feast.

"And do you know what delectable means, snowflake?" Loki asked.

Sigyn thought for a moment, "It means it's good right, Father?"

He nodded, "Yes, but more specifically, it means it tastes delicious. And I thank you for saying so, as I made our bread myself."

"Did you use magic to make it, Father?"

Loki laughed, and gave his daughter's vibrant red curls a tousle, "No magic, my snowflake. I just used a bit of love along with a dash of mischief." He winked as he said that last part.

"Well, it is very good, Father! My bread doesn't even need anything upon it!"

Loki smiled at her compliment, and then his eyes wandered a bit until they found their well. The well was quite old having been used by the cottage's former family. The well had served them adequately since he'd first come to live here with his late wife, but of late, Loki had noticed the well was providing less and less water. He knew they would have enough water for two, perhaps three months but they would need to dig a new well soon.

"Sigyn, my love, it seems we have a problem," Loki said, his eyes fixed on the dwindling water supply. "Our well is running dry, and we must dig a new one. Don't worry, little one. We will hire some giants to do the work for us. But first, we must find the perfect spot for the well."

"Sigyn, my little snowflake, it seems that we may have a problem," he said, his eyes locked on their well, "Our well is beginning to run dry, and we will need to dig a new one. But fret not, for as soon as a new fresh water source has been located, we shall ask the giants to dig the well for us."

"Giants, Father?" Sigyn echoed, her eyes wide.

"Yes, my dear, giants."

"I've never seen giants before, Father. Will I get to meet them? the little girl asked.

"Of course, snowflake, you will meet them."

Sigyn cheered and clapped her hands.

Loki felt warmth throughout his being from heart at the sound. Her laughter was the most bright and beautiful he had ever heard in the universe, and he knew he was truly blessed to have it. Still smiling, he rose from the table, "Go fetch your cloak, my little snowflake, and we shall begin the search for the new well."

Sigyn nodded, and hurried back inside of the cottage, and reappeared without delaying her cloak fastened around her shoulders. She grabbed his hand and started tugging his towards the woods, "Come on, Father. Let's go! Let's go!"

With a chuckle, he followed his daughter into the forest.

The search lasted three days, and then Sigyn located a perfect location for their new well. It was a small clearing in a lush, green meadow that sloped gently towards a babbling brook. The little girl danced in celebration when her father declared this was the spot.

The next step was to approach the giants in the right way, something Loki knew what to do.

He'd had many dealings with the giants in the past and he understood their nature as well as their traditions. The key to approaching the giants without offending them right off so they would not help you, was to show them both respect and humility. 

"Listen closely, my snowflake," Loki said, gathering his daughter close to him, "when we meet with the giants, it is very important that we show them not only kindness but respect. They are very powerful beings, but they are also gentle, and they are pleased to help those when they are treated properly."

Sigyn nodded, "But I always try to be respectful and kind to others, Father. You and Grandmother have taught me that."

He kissed the top of her head, "Yes, you do, my snowflake, and I am proud of you. Here, hold onto my hand and keep close."

They walked deeper into the forest, the sound of trees rustling as well as a distant roar of water growing louder. It wasn't long before they came to a large clearing where the massive forms of the giants could be see touching high in the sky. 

With much caution, Loki approached the giants, being ever careful to make sure Sigyn was close to his side. He held his hand out in a gesture of peace, and called to them, making his voice as loud as he could.

"Noble and mighty giants, I, Loki of Asgard, and my daughter Sigyn, have come before you to petition for your assistance. Our well is running dry, and we seek your great strength as well as your great expertise in digging a new one."

The giants gave their attention to the trickster and his daughter, so tiny to them in comparison. The eyes of the giants shone with curiosity and interest. Then one of the giants stepped forward, shaking the ground with his steps. When he spoke, his voice was like a clap of thunder.

"We have heard your petition, Loki of Asgard and Sigyn of both Asgard and Midgard. We will consider what you ask of us, but first, you must prove your worthiness."

Loki nodded, knowing the giants would often test those who seek their help. With confidence, he accepted their test.

"What task do you require of us to prove that we are worthy of your help?" 

The giant pointed to towering tree in the distance, and said, "Bring us a leaf from the highest branch upon the tree. If you succeed, it is then and **only** then, we shall grant our aid."

With a soft bow, Loki looked at his daughter, and he saw a determined look in her eyes. With a nod, they started towards the colossal tree.

Even while they were still walking towards it, Loki used his magic to conjure a staircase that encircled the tree's trunk that reached the highest branches. Sigyn did not hesitate to start climbing towards their prize with her father following close behind her.

They ascended the staircase around tree for minutes until they finally reached its top. Loki lifted his daughter up, and Sigyn reached out to pluck one of the shimmering, vibrant leaves from its branch. After setting her back down on the staircase, father and daughter descended together.

Once they had reached the ground, Loki held aloft the leaf, and he called out to the giants, "We have completed the task that you requested of us. Here is the leaf plucked from the highest branch."

The giants all nodded their approval, their faces showing signs of their respect for the completion of their assigned task. The one who spoke to them earlier stepped forward and said, "You have proven your worthiness, Loki of Asgard, and Sigyn of Asgard and Midgard. In turn, you shall have our help in digging your new well. Show us the spot, and we shall dig for you."

"You have proven your worthiness, Loki of Asgard. We shall assist you in digging your new well. Choose the spot, and we shall make it so."

***
It was evening two days later, and Sigyn sat snuggled into her father's side, listening as the giants labored to fulfill their promise to them.  Soon, they woulf have a replacement for their well that was indeed drying up.

Loki played with her silken locks as he softly told her, "You are so much like your mother, my little snowflake. She could be no prouder of you than am I."

Once more the girl wished she had known her mother, but even so, she is grateful for how much her father loves her.

The giants' continued work digging had been a constant noise in the background. so when the moment they'd been waiting for happened, they almost missed it. But they heard the giants give a shot, and when they did so, Sigyn bolted. She ran towards the meadow, and stopped as she beheld the sight of the new well.

"They did it, Father! We have a new well! See?" she said as her father joined her.

Loko grinned, and nodded, "I see, my snowflake. I see. Come, let us take our first drink of the new cool water."

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Laura Barton sat alone on the porch of her farmhouse, unable to bear being inside a moment longer today as she could see all her husband's unfinished projects. It had been three long and excruciating weeks since Clint's execution, a shocking event that still seemed surreal yet there was no denying it had been all too real. When the order had been given for the shots to be fired, her world and her heart had been shattered along with his. The pain of losing Clint in such a way was almost unbearable, and she wondered if she would ever find solace again.

As she stared out into the distance really seeing nothing, and lost in her thoughts, the glare of an approaching car captured her attention. She sighed, and prayed that the media had not at last found her family's home as she was sure they'd been looking since before Clint's execution. She thought about going inside the house and locking the door before whoever it was got too close, but then she realized she didn't care. If it were the media, then she'd finally have a chance to tell the world about the man she knew and loved. However, when the car stopped, and the occupant got out, she was surprised to see the familiar face of Pepper Potts Stark.

Why was she here? Pepper of all people was only a few feet away from her, and Laura couldn't understand why she would come to see her. But then when Pepper was only a few feet away, Laura could see that her eyes were both red and weary, mirroring the pain she also felt inside. The truth was, their lives had been forever changed by the actions and the loss of the two men they had loved.

Pepper's voice was laden with sorrow when she said, "Mrs. Barton, I am so very sorry for your loss."

Laura nodded in response, tears shining in her eyes, "Thank you for coming, Mrs. Stark—"

"Pepper. Please call me Pepper."

"Then I am Laura. As I was saying, thank you for coming. I... I don't know how to cope with this."

Pepper gestured as the chair to her asking permission to sit, and Laura nodded.

Pepper's smile was a sad. sympathetic one as she seated herself, "I understand, Laura. I know losing Tony was the hardest thing I've ever faced. When he died... after he died,,, the sun didn't just stop shining. There was no sun for me anymore. And, with Clint..."

Her voice trailed off, the unspoken words left hanging heavily between them. Both of them knew just how far Clint had gone during those Five Years in his quest for revenge. SHIELD's decision to actually honor the world's request to execute him had been unexpected, but it seemed even Fury thought he needed to be held accountable.

"Tony's funeral was beautiful... peaceful," Laura said softly, adding when Pepper raised an eyebrow, "I came to the funeral with Clint and our kids. I think you were in the same fog then as the one I've been in since they... oh our kids. Lila and Cooper are old enough to understand what happened to their father but they still can't understand it., Neither can I! I know what Clint did to all those people was wrong, but he wasn't a monster, Pepper! He wasn't! He just got lost in all his anger and pain and he just lashed out!"

Pepper nodded, "And I regret that we didn't do anything to try to help him." She did too, because maybe if they'd tried to help him, he wouldn't have gone on such a bloody crusade, and he would still be here with his family.

Laura laughed sardonically, "Thank you for saying that, but I know you couldn't have helped him if you'd tried. He still had Nat then. And if she couldn't help him, then any attempt you may have made would've been even more hopeless."

"Even so, I am sorry that we didn't at least try to help him."

"Thank you for saying that."

Pepper nodded her eyes were, filled with kinship as she said, "You know you said you don't know how to explain this to your kids in a way they can finally understand what's happened?"

Laura nodded, "Yes?"

"Oh, Laura, there's no easy way to explain or even understand something like this. I wish there were but even after three months, I am still finding myself struggling what to say to Morgan in the moments when all she wants is her Daddy, and that's very often. She and Tony were so close and I'm not sure she still understands that he will never come home again."

"Then what kind of light can there possibly be, Pepper?" Laura asked, wiping away tear, her voice breaking with grief. "Tell me, what's left for us without him? What's left for my kids and me without Clint there with us?"

Pepper took a deep breath, and when she spoke her voice was one of grief and hope, "There is very little, if I am honest. But the sun has started to come out a little for me. I see the sunlight the most when I am looking into my daughter's eyes. I see so much of Tony in her. I see his spirit and his determination. And I am reminded that even in life's darkest times, there's still a flicker of hope. It might be a tiny one, but it is there. You have a daughter and a son right?"

"A daughter and two sons," Laura corrected.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I should have remembered."

"No, don't apologize. There's no way you could have. Not with what you were going through at that time."

Pepper nodded, and continued with what she was going to say, "I have Morgan but you were... blessed to have three children with Clint. They're three chances and places to look for signs of him whenever you're really missing him. Clint lives on through them, just like Tony lives on in Morgan."

She sighed, and went on, "I know this is going to sound like a tired, old cliché but with every day that's passing I am learning it's truth. Time heals all wounds. It may not feel like it right now, but eventually the pain will lessen, and you'll find a way to move on."

"Move on? How can you say that, Pepper? Clint is gone, and my kids will never see their father again!"

"I'm not saying you have to forget him, Laura. But you need to try to focus on the good memories and the life and the love you shared with him. You have to keep going, for both you and your kids. I know I don't know you well yet, but I believe you are a strong woman. You would have to be, to have been married to someone who was an agent a long time before he became an Avenger. So I believe you can do this."

"I'm not feeling particularly strong, Pepper. Instead, I feel like a hollowed out shell of who used to be Laura Barton. Everything, everywhere I look I am reminded of him, and I don't how to make the flood turn off."

"It won't, Laura, or at least not entirely. But with time, and taking it day day, you'll start to feel like yourself again. Or as much as you can with someone you loved so much being gone. And, in the meantime, if I am not too much of a stranger to be saying this... but I want to be here for you, if I can. If you want me too. I know the circumstances of our husbands deaths were not quite the same, but we're in the same boat, and I just want you to know you are not alone in this, okay?"

Tears streamed down her face and Laura wiped them before she reached out to take Pepper's hand, "Thank you, Pepper. I really appreciate you reaching out to me like this. We don't really know each other, but I would like to get to know you. It would be nice to have someone to be able to talk to and cry with when one or both of us need it."

A sad smile graced Pepper's lips, "We'll get through this. Together."

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When Clint's eyes fluttered open, his surroundings were a distortion of blurred shapes and colors. He felt as though someone were banging on his head with Thor's hammer, with every beat of his heart sending a jolt of pain through his temples. He struggled to make sense in his disoriented state, to find his way through the fog that had wrapped itself around his thoughts.

Little by little, tiny fragments of memories pierced through the fog. He recalled the cold, rigid touch of the metal pole against his back, the din of the SHIELD STRIKE team readying their weapons, and the deafening shots that still echoed in his ears.

"What the..." His voice came out as a raspy murmur, barely heard above the muted ache that pulsed through his body when he made an attempt to sit up. He clenched his teeth, then he yielded to the protesting of his enervated form, his muscles refusing to comply.

With a renewal of determination, he forced his eyes to open once more, striving to understand his surroundings. The room, saturated in sterile white, enlightened his blurred vision. The unforgiving glare from the lights overhead penetrated through his fogginess, magnifying the pounding in his head. As he took a deep breath, the sharp of disinfectants seized his nostrils, flooding his senses and leaving an almost metallic taste in his mouth.

At that moment, a door swung open on the other end of the room, revealing Nick Fury, the Director of SHIELD, clad in his customary black attire. Clint's heart, which shouldn't have been beating at all, skipped a beat in his chest. As he watched Fury approach, conflicting emotions swelled within him. This was the man who had betrayed him, the one who had carried out the order for Clint's execution. In the moments leading up to his supposed death by firing squad, Clint had told Fury he had understood why he had to be the one to give the order. But that'd had been a lie. The truth was, he couldn't comprehend how Fury, the Director, could have been the one who ordered his own agents to kill one of their brothers.

Fury's face was as stern as it ever was when he approached Clint, but also he got closer, Clint could also see a tiny bit of kindness. He wasted no time with a preamble but told Clint simply in a low, steady voice, "You're alive now because I arranged for your death to be faked at your execution. There was no way I could let the world take you away from your family forever."

Clint's emotions were a tangled web while his mind raced. All he'd wanted to be with his family again through those five long years they were dead. He'd literally had two weeks with them following Tony's funeral, and then he'd been arrested. He doesn't know how the world learned about what he'd done so quickly because even when he'd been consumed by his rage, he concealed his identity. He doesn't know how the world found out... unless one of the Avengers who had known of his Ronin identity had given the media their anonymous tip.

"How long have I been here, sir? How long since my exe.."

"It's been eighteen hours since you stood in front of the firing squad."

"So the world thinks I'm dead?" Clint asked.

"Yes, they do. We made sure we staged your execution so convincingly that every person who tuned into the broadcast now believes they watched a SHIELD firing squad shoot you through the heart," Fury replied.

"Okay, I'm dead to the world. What now? Am I going to have to spend the rest of my life in some hideout somewhere, where I'll never see my family again? Is that what I've been saved for?" Clint countered, his anger and despair rising with every word.

Fury frowned, as it was his turn to get angry, "You are not listening to me, Barton!"

"I told you he wouldn't be able to listen to you," a new voice contributed.

Clint whipped his head towards the door, "Laura? What the..."

His heart, his perfectly whole not shot through with bullets, heart skipped a beat when he saw his wife standing in the doorway. She looked so weary, her eyes betraying all the anguish and pain she had to endure during this entire ordeal. Her presence was both a comfort and a bewildering mystery.

"Laura, wha... how?" Clint's voice trailed off, as he was unable to form a coherent question.

Laura walked over to his bedside, then instead of answering him with words, she seated herself beside him, and she kissed him like she had in his cell in the SHIELD facility. Fury looked away to allow them a moment of privacy in their reunion, but he finally cleared his throat when Clint's heart rate shot up. Laura pulled away from him but didn't stand up. Instead, she intertwined her fingers with his, and kept her eyes on him as Fury spoke.

"You want to know what is going on, Clint," the older, gruffer man began, "and how it is you're here, not dead, instead of being buried six feet in the ground actually dead?"

Clint nodded, "Yes, sir, I do," Everything had happened so fast that he can't figure out a way the Director had been able to save his life instead of letting the execution actually succeed.

"To begin, I had gotten wind that your identity as Ronin had been exposed a very short time before your arrest. There wasn't enough time to warn you, so I had to settle with ensuring your survival, regardless of whatever happened next or whatever punishment the world deemed to be the right one for your actions.

"Needless to say, convincing the world of your death seemed like the best course of action since they were so thirsty for your blood, and wouldn't settle for anything less. So we orchestrated what the world thought to be your execution to be just that, an execution in which you were shot through the heart by a SHIELD firing squad."

Clint didn't miss he said we, not just him, but he knows it would be pointless to ask who else was involved. Fury would never tell him, and anyway, he could guess that Maria Hill had been one of those involved. In the end it didn't matter, and maybe it was better that he didn't know who else was involved. Instead, he squeezed his wife's hand so she'd look at him.

"You knew?" he asked.

Laura nodded.

"Did you know when you and the kids came to... when you came to see me before the..." Clint couldn't finish the sentence.

Laura nodded once again, "Yes, I knew Nick had arranged to save your life. I knew that you wouldn't actually die when they fired."

He couldn't help but marvel at his wife's acting skills during their goodbye. When he had looked into her eyes during their goodbye, he'd a depth of grief and pain that he'd never seen there before. Laura had looked and acted the part of a woman whose husband was about to be executed and she was helpless to stop it. It'd been over a decade since she'd been an active agent in SHIELD herself, but it seemed it was just like riding a bicycle for her. He marveled until an awful realization dawned on him.

"Lila and Cooper, they... they thought I was going to die."

Tears glistened in Laura's eyes as she nodded, her voice choked with emotion, "Yes, they believed you were going to die, Clint. They're kids and not trained agents. They had to believe you were going to die in order for anyone who might be watching for signs of deception to believe that you were actually executed. Looking my children in the eyes and tell them you were going to die, that they were saying goodbye to you, was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life."

Clint squeezed his eyes shut when he heard this, the weight of the revelation weighing down on him like a ton of bricks. Learning that his oldest two children had suffered such anguish because of the level of deception that had to be used to save his life, hurt him in a way nothing else had before. He hated him too in that moment because Lila and Cooper didn't deserve to know that kind of pain, and now they had, all because of him.

When he felt tears well up in the corner of his closed eyes, Clint squeezed them even more tightly shut. When he spoke, his voice trembled, the words barely finding their way past his lips, "I... I can't... what they've been feeling since... I'm their father, and they were never supposed to know this kind of pain! I was supposed to keep them for it! I will hate myself for putting them through this for the rest of my life!"

Laura reached out and grabbed his chin, turning his face towards hers, "Clint, look at me!"

He opened his eyes, and looked into hers.

"I want you to listen to me, Clint. We can't change what happened or what we had to do to keep you alive. Lila and Cooper, they'll understand all of this, in time. You love them, and they now that. They know how much you love them, and in the end all that will matter is they will have their father with them to still love them."

Fury, who had been silent in the corner, took a step forward to remind them that he was still in the room. "Look, I understand your regrets over the pain you've caused them, but dwelling on the past isn't going to change anything. You've got to find a way to focus on the future because in order for this to work, you've got to have your head completely in the game, Barton."

"In order for what to work, sir?"

"In order for you to have a life with your family."

Clint laughed, without mirth, and when Fury glared at him he said, "A life with my family/ How? I'm supposed to be dead, sir. Dead! The moment I step out of this facility into public, whichever one I'm in, facial recognition will have me made in a split second, and they'll just kill me again. And my kids are not going to live out their lives in SHIELD facilities or safe houses, isolated away from the rest of the world."

"And they're not going to have to do that," Fury in a firm voice, "I will say it again, we have a plan that is going to allow you to be with your family, and you'll all be safe. Unfortunately the plan isn't one that is going to happen over night or even over several nights. It won't be quick because of what we must do to ensure you won't be ID'd the second you step out into public with your family."

"What does that mean exactly?" Clint asked, trying to understand the gravity of the situation.

"What it means is through both surgery and technology we're going to create an entirely new identity for you, that no one on the world is aware of. We are going to give you a completely new face that even the facial recognition scans won't be able to ID you as being Clint Barton. You will have a new name to go with the new face, and a new personal history that you will have memorized frontwards and backwards. Clint Barton is dead in the eyes of the world, and that's exactly how he'll stay. When you are finally ready to step back into the world in general, you'll be someone else completely, and the world will never know you were not, in fact, executed like they wanted you to be."

Laura squeezed his hand in support because she knew what Fury was about to say next would be the most difficult part for her husband to hear.

"Now here is the bad part—"

"You mean besides me being erased from existence, and looking into the mirror to see a stranger staring back?" Clint quipped.

"Clint!" Laura murmured, "This is the only way forward for you to stay alive and be with us at the same time!"

He nodded, and looked at the other man, "Sorry, I know this is going to be a lot of trouble, and already has been. I don't mean to sound ungrateful you did and are doing all of this to keep me alive."

Fury gave a curt nod, then continued, "Fifteen months. Fifteen months is the bare minimum is the estimate as to how long it is going to take to completely change your identity, and get you reintroduced into the world."

"Fifteen months? And I'll have to be away from them the entire time," Clint surmised.

"Correct. I'm sorry that it will take so long after the five years you spent without them but this is a painstaking process, and one we can't afford to make any mistakes on as your life quite literally depends on it. We get one shot to get this right, because if the world learns you didn't die at your execution, then I believe they would simply have you taken out this time. With extreme prejudice."

Extreme prejudice.

Clint knows those two words are just another way of saying that they would come after him without any regard for any innocents that might be around him at the time. His heart sank when in that moment he realized fully the gravity of the situation, and that in order to keep everyone he loves safe, things would have to done this way. They couldn't risk the lives of his wife and children just so he could be with them sooner.

"I understand," Clint finally said aloud, resignation in his voice, "If this is what it takes to keep my family safe, and allow me to be with them, then I will do whatever I have to for it to make it happen." The fifteen months would be a long time, but he could do it because unlike before, he has the hope of knowing they're alive, and well, and that he will be with them again.

"Good," Fury said, nodding in acknowledgement to Clint's commitment to the plan, "We'll start the preparations immediately. I've put together a team of experts who will handle the entire process, from the surgical procedures to the creation of your new identity. When they're done, Clint Barton will truly be dead, and a new man will be in his place."

"How do we know that none of them will tell the world who I really am?" Clint asked, "There's a lot riding on this, sir. and just for me." He looked at his wife, and thought of their children.

"Because I know each of the team members personally, and I know they can be trusted to keep your secret for as long as you live. They will take this with them to their own graves. We need to get started on this ASAP, so I'm afraid you both need to say your farewells now because it is going to be a long time before you're able to see each other again."

"Could we have a—"

Fury walked towards the door, "I'll leave you two alone."

Laura touched his face, her voice steadied as she told him, "We'll be waiting for you, Clint. No matter what name they give you, or the face you are going to have, you are always going to be the man we love."

Clint opened his arms, "Come here, honey. I need to hold you,"

Laura scooted up closer to him, and let him wrap his arms around her as she wrapped her arms around him. They didn't talk, just held onto each other, and finally she laid her head on his chest to listen to the sound of his heart beating.

When the ten minutes were up, Fury returned, but stopped at the door without speaking. There was much they still needed to talk about such as the logistics and the security protocols for the next fifteen months. But looking at them now, he knew what they needed to talk about could wait a little longer, and so he let them have it.

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Morgan was lounging on one end of the couch flipping through some pictures of her parents together while Pepper was on the other end reading a book. She eventually came across a photo of her Dad in his Iron Man armor standing beside her Mom who was in a suit of armor of her own, a suit Morgan knew was called Rescue. Morgan looked at the photo for a long time, then finally said to her mother, "Mom, tell me about the time you and Daddy flew to the moon together please."

Pepper looked up from her book at her daughter and smiled, "Well, it wasn't exactly a real mission, Mo. It was just for fun."

Morgan grinned, and she asked eagerly, "What sort of fun? Did you have to fight aliens? Did you bring back moon rocks?"

Pepper chuckled as she marked her place in her book. and began to remember, "No, Morgan, we didn't fight aliens. We went just to explore the moon and we had fun while we did. Your Dad just had an idea one day to create a modified rocket that could get us there. He spent weeks getting it ready and perfect."

Morgan gasped, "Oh wow! That is too cool, Mom! What did you do there on the moon?"

Laughing as she thought about their adventure, Pepper replied, "Well, we jumped and bounced around for one thing. Even with our suits of armor on we could since the moon's gravity is so much less than it is on Earth. We pretended to be space explorers and your Daddy... even had a Frisbee with him. We spent I don't know how long throwing it back and forth. Tony... your Daddy said it was the best game he'd ever played."

Morgan giggled, "Daddy always loved to play games and make things fun, didn't he?"

Pepper nodded, "Yes, he really did. I'm so glad that we had that time together. It was an adventure I'll always treasure and never forget."

The little girl sighed, feeling sad all of a sudden, "I wish I could have gone with you, Mommy. But maybe someday I can go to the moon too!"

Pepper scooted closer, and hugged her daughter, "Maybe you will someday, sweetheart. The possibilities are endless. Your Daddy always believed that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and don't give up."

"I miss Daddy, but it was nice to hear about the fun you had together. Thanks for telling me about it, Mom."

Pepper kissed her daughter's brow, "Anytime, Mo. Your Daddy and I loved having adventures together, and I love sharing them with you."

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"Tony Stark towered, rose above all the others..." said the history teacher.

As she spoke all eyes kept looking in Morgan's direction. Why oh why hadn't she changed her last name to Potts before she entered high school?

With a sigh, Morgan rolled her eyes. Of course, she was used to the unwanted attention her last name brought but sometimes it was a bit too much to handle. Finally when she knew she couldn't take hearing any more than day, she raised her hand.

"Yes, Morgan?"

"Uh Ms. White, can we please move the lesson along and stop talking about Tony Stark exclusively?" Morgan asked, ignoring the open mouths shocked expressions her classmates had.

Ms. White nodded, "Of course, Morgan. But you have to admit, your dad was pretty cool."

Morgan couldn't help the pride she felt, and she smiled, "Yeah, he was." I just wish I could actually remember him.

The rest of the history class went by, Morgan zoned out and thought about home. Although she could remember very little about him, she missed her dad. She wondered what he'd say if he knew how everyone was still obsessed with him even after twelve years had passed since he died.

Finally, when the bell rang, Morgan gathered up her things and left the classroom. As she walked down the hallway to her locker, she heard someone call out, "Hey, Morgan, wait up!"

Morgan turned around, and smiled when she saw her best friend Jamie hurrying towards her.

Jamie returned her smile as he caught up with her, "So you want to be my partner for the science fair next month or what? I mean with your brains and my building skills, we could make something that would be really cool."

Morgan nodded, her smile becoming a grin, "Yeah, I'm in. Let's make something epic."

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Tony was sitting in his workshop screening at the screen, trying to get rolling on translating his latest ideas to an upgrade for his armor. Rhodey came into the workshop and Tony didn't notice. Finally, Tony made a sound of frustration, and stood up from his desk, nearly jumping out of his skin when he saw his friend standing there. "What the... when did you come in here?"

"Oh, about half an hour ago," Rhodey replied with a shrug.

"And you've been just standing there and watching me the entire time?"

"Yep."

"Enjoying the show?" Tony asked, annoyance in his voice.

"I've seen better," Rhodey quipped back.

Tony rolled his eyes, and went back to what he'd been doing.

It didn't take Rhodey long to see that he was distracted, and getting nowhere fast so he finally blurted, "Come on, Tony! Trust the plan!"

"Plan? What plan?" Tony asked.

Now it was Rhodey's turn to roll his eyes, and shake his head, "The plan to have some fun! Come on! We're going out! Hit some of the clubs and try to relax!"

"Oh really?"

"Yes, really. Now, come on and shut that down so we can get going!"

When Tony acted like he wanted to continue on with what he was trying to do, Rhodey rolled his eyes again, then requested, "A little help, JARVIS?"

"Of course, Colonel," the AI replied.

Tony's screen went blank.

"Hey! JARVIS, what—"

"I saved everything you were working on, Sir, before shutting it down," JARVIS reassured him.

Tony muttered, "Well, thanks for that... Traitor."

"Come on, Tones! We're losing time! Fun time! Let's go!" Rhodey said, tugging his arm.

Tony sighed, and looked at him, "Okay! Okay! I'm coming!"

"Good finally! Trust the plan, Tones! Trust the plan that we're going to have fun tonight!"

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"Am I under a curse or something?" Wanda Maximoff shouted.

Vision gave her a look of concern, "What do you mean, Wanda?"

She paced the room, not looking at him as she answered, "Only all of my attempts to have a normal life end up in complete disaster! First, I lose my parents, then Pietro dies, and now this." Wanda gestured all around her to indicate the chaos and the destruction she always seemed to leave in her wake.

Vision approached her, and took her hand into his own, "Wanda, I think it's important to remember that we are both powerful beings. Our actions have consequences, which means sometimes those consequences can be dire."

Wanda yanked her hand back from him, shook her head, and started pacing again, "But why does it always have to happen to me? Why can't I just have a happy, normal life like everyone else in the world?"

Vision approached her and he put a hand on her shoulder, trying to comfort her, "I don't have the answer to that question, Wanda. Life can be hard and unfair at times. But I know that together, we can face all of the challenges that come our way.

Wanda looked up at him, and smiled weakly, "Thank you, Viz. I needed to hear that. More than you know."

Vision wrapped his arms around her, and Wanda let herself be comforted by being with him. Together they would face whatever the future brought, curses or not.

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The final day of his career as an Olympian is a gorgeous one for Franky. Johannesburg is the host city for the 2048 Summer Games, and once he's finished his final competition of the Olympiad, Franky is looking forward to seeing some of the city with his family. Now while he waited for the event to start, Franky is reflecting back on his career, which began all the way back in 2036 in Melbourne, Australia.

"Are you ready, son?" Clint asked right before the competition was set to start.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Coach," Franky replied with a wink, "I'm just not sure if I am going to be able to win a medal this time."

To say Franky's career as a Olympian had been golden would be an understatement to say the least as he'd taken home a combined 5 gold medals in the previous three Games he'd competed in. Heck, last time in Los Angeles he'd even won a bronze medal too for good measure.

"You've got this, Franky," Clint encouraged him, "Just remember everything I've tried to teach you and everything else you've learned on your own without your old man."

Franky smiled, and hugged his father, "Thanks, Dad. I love you."

"Love you too, Hawkeye. Go get them!" Clint said, patting his back as he pulled away.

"Will everyone please take their positions? The event is about to begin!" an official called out.

"Well, that's my cue," Franky said, and walked to his assigned area.

Clint nodded, and went to stand where all the other coaches would watch from the sidelines.

Three minutes later, Franky was drawing back his bow string, and aiming for the target.

Twang!

The arrow soared through the air, hitting the center of the target with precision.

"Great shot, Franky!" Clint murmured, "Good way to start this thing!"

Franky continued to loose his arrows with precision, hitting the target almost always dead center. The crowd cheered as he completed each round with a high score. Then as he entered the final round for the gold, Franky faltered in some of his final shots. After his opponent from Japan loosed his final arrow in a spectacular shot, Franky let out a low whistle, and immediately offered the man his congratulations.

"That was an amazing closeout to your career, son!" Clint told him, "I'm so proud of you!"

"Thanks, Dad. The silver isn't quite what I hoped to close out my career with, but Kohaku-san was just better than me today. In fact, he was pretty amazing! I think I need to go congratulate him again! Be back in a moment!"

Clint watched his son walk back over to his opponent, beaming with pride at his son's sportmanship as once more he shook the other man's hand.

Jeremy Allen White as Francis "Franky" Barton

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It was almost Christmas day on Earth, and eight year old Sigyn is spending the special day with her Gam Gam and Pop Pop while Loki

"Did you know that one time when your mother was a little girl, she called your Grandfather Odin Santa Claus?" Pepper asked as she clearly placed tinsel on the tree before looking at her granddaughter.

Sigyn's eyes went wide, and she gasped, "Really?"

Pepper nodded, "Really."

"She really said that to Grandfather?"

"She did. And she did it not once but twice!"

Sigyn giggled, "I wish I could have seen the look Grandfather had on his face!"

Pepper smiled remembering how Odin had responded, and then she told her, "And it got even better as your mother, not much younger than you, actually if your grandfather, the King of Asgard, if he were a pirate."

"Oh my stars! How did Grandfather react to that?" Sigyn asked once she stopped laughing.

"He wasn't offended. Actually he laughed, just like your Uncle Thor did. Thor laughed first because none of us could understand what Eva... your mother was asking," Pepper recalled.

"I wish I could've been there!" Sigyn sighed.

"I wish you could've been there too, but that wasn't possible since your mother was only a little girl herself."

Sigyn placed an ornament on the tree, and then looked at her grandmother, "I wish I had known my Mother."

Pepper hugged her, "Oh sweetie, I wish you did too. You would have loved her, and I know she loved you from the moment she knew she would have you. She had wanted a child so much, and she was so excited when she found out ~~she was pregnant~~ about you. You were her dream come true!"

Sigyn's eyes welled up with tears, and the girl was about to cry when the front door opened, and they heard a voice calling out.

"Hey, Mom! Dad! You guys here?"

Without waiting for her grandmother to react, Sigyn put down the ornament in her hand, and ran to the door, "Uncle Ethan!"

Ethan just managed to empty then open his arms as his niece flew at him. "Sigyn! It's so good to see you again!" He pulled back from hugging her, not quite letting go as he looked at his sister's little girl. "Wow, you look more and more like your mother and my sister every time I see you, kiddo!"

Sigyn grinned, "Merry Christmas, Uncle Ethan!"

"Merry Christmas to you too!"

At that moment, Maggie came into the house, her arms loaded with Christmas presents.

"Aunt Maggie!" Sigyn said excited.

"Let me put these down so I can get a hug!" Maggie replied, placing the gifts down, "Come here, sweetie, and give me a hug!"

Sigyn went over to her aunt, and hugged her, "Merry Christmas, Aunt Maggie!"

"And a Merry Christmas to you too!"

Pepper appeared, and hugged her son then her daughter-in-law.

"So, where's Dad?" Ethan asked.

"Where else?" Pepper said.

"Workshop."

"Mmm hmm."

"Pop Pop's working on a surprise!" Sigyn declared.

"A surprise huh?" Ethan mused.

Pepper nodded, "Yes, and before you ask, I don't have a clue. I guess we'll find out when your Dad wants us to know."

"I suppose we will," Ethan agreed.

"Siggy and I were just putting the finishing touches on the tree. Would you like to help so we can get all of the gifts underneath?" Pepper asked.

"Sure!" Maggie said with a smile.

Ethan nodded, "Sounds fun."

Sigyn led the way back to the tree, singing O Christmas Tree as she went.

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Today, Clint Barton would meet his end under a relentless barrage of bullets fired by SHIELD's specially commissioned firing squad.

After Clint had been convicted for his merciless acts of murder in the aftermath of Thanos's snap, the world demanded justice. A trial was held, and when the overwhelming evidence of his crimes had been presented to the world, a firestorm of outrage had quickly built up which had ultimately sealed his fate. As an Avenger, Clint's position carried a weight of responsibility, demanding the highest price for the blood he had spilled. SHIELD, being the organization he once served, reluctantly agreed to carry out the public execution within their fortified facility. Every detail of his death would be broadcast live, ensuring the eyes of the entire world would bear witness.

As he lived out his final hours of life, Clint tried not to pace his cell or show any fear about what was going to happen to him today. But the closer he got to the hour of his death the more restless he became. He had not been allowed to see his family after his arrest and he was afraid he would die without the chance ro tell them how much he loved them.

The loudness of the security buzzer on his cell block sounding off made Clint look up through the bars and the other end of the hallway. Through several gates he could see the people he loved the most in all of the universe making their way towards him.

Clint stood up and as he waited for them to reach him, he looked at each of them.

Lila was openly crying, Cooper was trying to be stoic he was faltering, while Nate was too young it seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. The little boy was smiling as though he were walking into McDonald's for a Happy Meal and some time on the playground. Although Laura was plainly relying on her past training as an agent to hide her emotions, Clint had known his wife far too long, and he did not miss her grief with every step she took.

Finally they were at the last gate, and the lead agent of the guards escorting them swipe his keycard to raise the final gate, and Clint's family entered the large cell he'd called home as he awaited execution. The guards stepped into the cell with weapons pointed at him just to be sure he did not try to bolt, and they allowed his family to pass. Clint made sure not to move a muscle as he did not want to give them reason to call off the only visit he would have with his family.

Laura and the kids didn't move forward towards him until the agents withdrew and the gate had been lowered once more. Then Laura flew at him, momentarily knocking him back as she kissed him like there was no tomorrow. Well there wasn't any tomorrow for him as he would be executed in four hours time. He kissed her back until they were both breathless, and then he clung to her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered into her ear, "I'm sorry!"

Laura said nothing in response, instead she just held onto him as she tried to imprint everything she could also him. The impending loss of him hung over heavily in the air like a funeral shroud, but the brief moment in each others arms, there was solace.

Their solitary embrace last a few more moments, then Clint pulled back, and gestured for their children to joint them. Lila, his first child and only daughter reached him first and she wrapped her arms around him, crying softly into his ear, "Oh, Daddy!"

Clint hugged her back, and did his best comfort her. "Shhh, sweetheart. It's okay, it's okay." He kissed her cheek and combed his fingers through her hair for a few minutes.

Cooper was the next to hug his Dad, and Clint heard his breath hitch as the boy buried his face in Clint's neck. All he could do was hold his holding son tightly as he was at a loss for words to say to Cooper. The moment ended when his youngest squeezed in between his brother and Dad. Cooper reluctantly released his Dad and stepped away to allow his little brother his moment.

Clint knelt and wrapped his arms around the little boy, "What's up, squirt?"

Nate pulled and looked at him, "Mommy said we had to come and see you coz you're going away, Daddy, and we needed to say bye to you. Daddy, where are you going? Can I come with you too?"

Nate's innocent questions hurt him so bad, so the only thing Clint could do was pulled the boy against him again, "I'm going on a little trip, Natty. It's somewhere that you and Mommy and Lila and Coop can't come to yet. But one day you all will and when you do, I have everything ready for you guys and we'll be a family again and never be apart again. How's that sound, bud? Sound good?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Nate said excitedly.

After kissing the side of his head, Clint stood up and looked at Lila, "Come here, sweetheart."

In the meantime, Laura herded Cooper and Nate to the other side of the room where she talked to them quietly, mostly an effort to occupy her youngest.

Clint led his daughter over to the bed, and sat down.

Lila stared at him, her bottom lip trembling, "Why, Dad?" Why did you do what you did to all those people? Why did you hurt them like that?"

Cooper's expression contorted with a mix of anger and sadness. "But Dad, we needed you. We needed our hero."

Tears welled up in Clint's eyes as he caressed Cooper's cheek. "I know, Coop, and I let you down. I'm so sorry, son. I wish I could turn back time and undo everything I've done, but I can't. All I can do now is accept the consequences and hope that one day you can find it in your heart to forgive me."

Clint looked into his daughter's eyes, eyes that were so full of pain and confusion. He took a deep breath before he answered her, "Lila honey, I did what I did, because at the time, I was so very angry that you and your Mom and your brothers got erased like you didn't matter, like you were not worthy of living that I just... got even angrier when I realized that the people who actually didn't deserve to like were still here. I went crazy with my grief and anger. Neither of those excuse what I did though, and it wasn't my place to judge those people unworthy. But I did, and I... and I erased them as a result."

He looked away from her, "I made choices, bad choices that hurt people, and I have to face the consequences of what I did. I wish I could change it, make so those people were still here, but I can't. All I can do now is accept the consequences, even if those consequences mean I pay the highest price for what I did."

Lila was trying to process what her father had said to her, but more tears welled up into her eyes, "But Daddy, you've always been a hero. I still don't understand how you could have done those things? I mean I looked up to you!"

Clint took her hands in his own, and his voice trembled when he told her, "I know, Lila, and that is one reason why this hurts so much. I let everyone down, but especially our family. Even heroes sometimes make horrible mistakes. All you can do is try to learn from them always, and understand the consequences that come with them, and never forget the value of life or compassion."

The teen girl sniffled, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand, "I miss the old you, Daddy. The one who saved people, and fought against the bad people. You did what was right."

"Me too. I miss that version of me too, Li," Clint murmured, his voice remorse-laden, "But I lost my way, and I hurt those people. Now I have to face the consequences of what I've done, and maybe when I do, it'll help people get some of their faith in heroes back."

"I don't want to lose you, Daddy!"

Clint tightened his grip on her hands a little bit, "And I don't want to leave you either, but I have to face what I've done. I know it is a hard thing to ask, but promise me that you'll remember the good times we all had together. That you will remember the lessons I taught you, and you'll carry them in your heart. That you'll do your best to be strong and make the world a better place. I believe in you, honey."

"I promise, Dad." Lila whispered solemnly as tears pour down her face, "I'll make you so proud of me. I love you."

He pulled his daughter into a tight embrace, and he held her for a long moment, "I love you, too, baby. Never ever forget that."

When Clint released her, he looked over where Laura was still talking to Cooper and Nate. His heart ached so badly at the thought he would get to see them grow up that he could almost believe he was having a heart attack. They would have to grow up with their father and it was all because of what he had done. He knew one day they'd realize the truth of why he wasn't here anymore, and he hoped that on that day, they would hate him for leaving them like this. He hoped that they'd forgive him.

Time was beginning to run short, and he caught Laura's eye. He looked at Cooper then back at her, and she nodded. She said something to him, and he got up to come over to where his father and sister were. Clint kissed Lila again, and told her, "I'll always be with you, Lila. I love you, baby."

"I love you too, Daddy," she said, hugging him one last time before she went over to her mother and brother.

Cooper arrived, and immediately he went to his father's arms.

Clint held onto Cooper tightly, savoring the weight of his son against him. He could feel Cooper's tremors against him as the teen tried to contain his sobs. Once more, Clint was at a loss for the words to tell Cooper how much he loved him, how far the depths of his love went. He could on;y hold his son with the hopes that somehow Cooper felt in it what he could not say.

Cooper finally pulled away, his red eyes looking into his father's, "How, Dad? How could this be happening? How could you have done all of what... what they said you did? I mean you always protected people before. You didn't hurt them! What happened?" Cooper's voice went on the rise as he asked his questions and he was almost yelling by the end.

Clint looked over in his wife's direction and saw Laura looking over at him. He shook his head, and she went back to comforting Lila. He turned back to his oldest son.

"Because, Coop, even heroes are not infallible. They make mistakes too, and this one was the worst one I could have ever made. I let my grief and anger consume me, and then I let it lead to do things I can't take back. Horrible things."

Cooper looked puzzled by his words, and angry, "I don't get it, Dad! You let what happened to me and Mom and Lila and Nate make you so made that you went out and and killed all those other people? Dad, you doing something like that goes against everything you and Mom have ever tried to teach us!"

The anger in his eyes aimed at him is almost most than he can bear, so much so that Clint must take a deep breath to steady himself before he tries to respond. Regret, so much regret tainted his voice as he told his son, "You're right, Coop. You are so right. Like I said I let my anger and my grief consume me, I let it burn in my heart like a fire until it was raging, and it clouded my judgment. I didn't want to see what I was doing was wrong, so wrong, and I lost sight of the values I hold dear. I lost sight of all the things I ever tried to teach you and your sister and brother."

Blinking back tears, Clint went on, "I failed, Cooper, both a father and as a hero. I let my anger have control and I let it lead me to make choices that are unforgivable. I hurt people, people who maybe deserved judgment for what they did but it wasn't my place to be their jury, judge, or executioner. I can't ever change what I did but I hope that the three of you will learn from my mistakes, and never let your anger lead you to do something like I did."

Cooper's anger start to soften a little, and was replaced by sadness as he thought about what his Dad's words mean, "How do we move on from this, Dad? From what you did and what they're going to do to you because of it?"

Clint put his hands on his son's shoulders, his gaze as steady and sincere as he could make it, "I'm not going to lie, Coop. Moving on won't be easy for any of you. It's going to take time for all of you to heal from this. But try to remember that we all make mistakes, and how you learn from them and how you strive to become better for what you've learned is what defines you. You're strong, Coop, and have the resilience to overcome what I did and from... from my death. You can be the person you want to be. Don't let my actions or my death define your future, son."

The teen looked down, "I don't think I can ever look at you in the same way again, Dad. And I... and I don't know if I can forgive you."

His broke at his son's words, but he understood why Cooper would feel in such a way because of how his actions had affected their family forever. He swallowed a lump, nodded, then said, "I understand, Cooper, because forgiveness is not that can be demanded or even expected. It's can only be earned by being sorry for what you've done, and actions someone takes moving forward. I can't do anything to earn your forgiveness. All I can do is face the consequences of what I did, and hope one day you might find it in your heart to forgive me."

Cooper looked at him again, his eyes searching his father's face. After a moment of silence, he said, "I don't hate you, Dad. I'm just so... hurt and disappointed."

The tears Clint had been fighting streamed down his face. He pulled Cooper into another tight embrace, "I'm disappointed in myself too, son. I wish I could go back and change everything, but I can't."

After spending a few more minutes talking to Cooper, he spent some with Nate, talking with the little boy about the things of his world that interested him. He knew he should try to impart some words of wisdom to his youngest but in the end he didn't want to shatter his youngest's innocence as that would come soon enough. So they talked, then Clint hugged and kissed him, and then sent him to sit with his siblings.

Then Laura came over to him, and once more they kissed like there was no tomorrow, before they pulled back, and the sitting together wrapped in each other's arms.

They talked in soft tones, allowing themselves to briefly to escape their present by escaping into the past, remembering their life together. They talked about their children, the dreams they'd accomplished, and the challenges they'd faced as a family. 

Clint gently brushed a stray hair away from Laura's face, looking at her with tenderness. He couldn't help but marvel and be grateful for her strength and resilience. He admired how she had always been there for him and for their children. They'd faced so many battles together, on and off the field, and their love have always grown stronger for it.

"Five minutes!" one of the guards yelled out, shattering their quiet time together.

Clint looked into her eyes, nodded, and after one last kiss, they got up. Together, holding onto one another's hands, they walked back over to their children as it was now at last time for their last goodbyes. 

Clint had no final words for his children beyond telling them how much he loved them. Instead, he just held onto them as tight as he could, and let himself believe time had frozen. Then the sound of the guards coming to take his family back out shattered the peace. His heart shattered as he made himself let go before tany orders were issued to him.

He stood against the wall, and watched as they left clinging to each other. He called out, "I love you all so much! Never forget that! I love you!"

Laura looked into his eyes one last time, and told him, "You were a good husband and loving father, Clint Barton, and we will always remember that! We love you!"

With those words, his family was gone.

Just over an hour later, the same guards returned to take him to the execution chamber, They bound his hands behind him, and led him down a hallway his family thankfully hadn't seen. He was led into a room that on one end a screen had been set up to conceal the firing squad's identities, and on the other a metal pole had been placed into the floor. They led him to the pole where the cuff were briefly unlocked so they could secure his hands behind the pole. Finally the fastened his body to the pole with leather straps before a target was pinned to his shirt over his heart. 

"Oh you're not inspiring a lot of confidence from me if these guys need a visual aid to find their target," he quipped.

The guard said nothing but instead stood to the side, coming to attention as a lone figure entered the room. When Clint turned his head to meet the gaze of the man who had entered, one lone eye gazed back. One eye full of all sorts of emotions with the most prominent being sadness.

"Hello, sir," Clint said quietly. "I'd heard rumors you'd be the one to give the order but I didn't really believe it until just now."

Nick Fury nodded, "I'm sorry it came to this, Clint, that it's me. But since we're the ones who agreed to carry out this... entire thing, I have to be the one who gives the order."

"Of course, sir. I wouldn't expect otherwise."

"Three minutes, Director."

Clint swallowed, and dropped his gaze.

"I will look after them you know... from a distance as I don't imagine she'll want anything to do with me after this," Fury murmured.

Clint knew Laura might eventually forgive Fury for his role in this but he didn't think it was wise to say so. Instead, Clint just nodded, and said, "Thank you, sir. That means more to me than you know."

"One minute until we're broadcasting!"

Fury looked at the guard, who took out a black hood, and approached Clint.

"I don't need that. I'm not afraid of dying," Clint said, moving his head away.

"I'm sorry but you have no choice. It's one of the things that's been insisted on," Nick told him.

"I guess they don't want people to see the life leaving my eyes."

"I  guess not."

Clint sighed, and allowed the guard to slip the hood on.

"Twenty seconds."

"Godspeed, Barton," Fury said before he walked over to the side.

"You too, sir," Clint said.

Clint assumed they were live on the airwaves when he heard the sound of the firing squad enter the room. He listened as they positioned themselves opposite of his position without any verbal commands.

"Do you have any final words?" Fury asked him.

"The only thing I want to say is, I am sorry for how I was like Thanos and I thought I had the right to bring balance to the universe. I didn't and I hurt innocents because of it. I hope those who love me can forgive me one day."

Fury waited a moment to see if he would speak again, and when he didn't he yelled out, "Ready your weapons!"

Clint heard the sound of the guns being readied.

"Aim!"

He swallowed, his heart and breathing quickening.

This was it.

"Fire!"

Deafening shots rang out, and Clint felt the bullets pierce his heart.

Then his head rolled forward, and his body went limp.

A medic on standby went forward, and listened for a heartbeat, then looked at Fury.

"The prisoner is dead."

"Time of death, 10:07PM, December 7th."

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Tony, whenever he knew he was going to be out in public any length of time, made sure that he was never seen without a pair of sunglasses on. Whether he was in a meeting or later out saving the world, he always had a pair of shades to complete his look.

But why did Tony have so many sunglasses?

The answer to that question goes back to when Tony was a boy. Tony could look back and he could never remember ever seeing his father Howard without them on when he was in public. When he saw his dad wearing them, the thought they were the coolest thing ever. Howard would often buy him different pairs of sunglasses in hopes that Tony would share his of them too.

As he got older, Tony's love for sunglasses stuck with him. He started collecting them, always on the lookout for the coolest, and the most unique pairs. He would wear them while in the his workshop sometimes, or when he was out on the town, trying to hide that it was him under from the paparazzi.

But it's not only a fashion statement that he loved making with the sunglasses. Tony had sensitive eyes due to all the welding he did when he was creating his Iron Man suits. The sunglasses helped to protect his eyes from harsh lights and harmful rays.

At some point his love for sunglasses became infectious to those around him, and soon it seemed every one of the people close to him were sporting their own pairs. Pepper, who was at first for many years his assistant only and later the love of his life, always had a pair on her desk, ready for him to pick out a new pair to wear.

Even after Tony became Iron Man, and he could look at the world through his helmet, he always still kept up the tradition of wearing sunglasses. They had become a part of who he was, a symbol of his personality and style before the world.

Over the years, Tony's collection grew and rivaled his other collections in its size. He had pairs from every corner of the world, some having personalized touches like his name or Iron Man's emblem on them. But even with all the thousands of pairs he had, he would still go out and buy more. He loved the feeling he got when he found another new pair that he loved.

So don't be surprised when you see Tony Stark, and he's rocking a new and different pair of sunglasses. They're not just a fashion statement for him, they're a symbol of times gone past with his father, and a reminder of his own journey to being who he is now.

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Thor and Jane's twins, Freyja and Freddie, are very excited about their school's upcoming Fall play. They are both going to be playing pilgrims in the play and they can't wait to get on stage to show everyone what they've been practicing for weeks. But when Thor asked who the pilgrims are were, Jane knew it was time to share their story from history.

Jane asked her son to bring her his history book, and after Freddie returned with it, she flipped through the pages until she found the section. She showed him he pages as she said, "The pilgrims were a group of people who left England in the early 1600s in order to escape religious persecution that was going on at the time in England. They sailed to what later became Massachusetts here in the United States."

Thor looked confused, "Why did they leave England?"

"They wanted to be able to worship in their own way instead of being told how to do it by the government of the Church of England."

Thor nodded, "This is very different from what we believe on Asgard. No beliefs or religion is imposed on any of our citizens. although most of our people hold beliefs of the All-Fathers within their hearts. What did these **pilgrims** do in America?"

"Well they had a very hard time after they arrived. They had to make a life for themselves and had to build everything from scratch. They also needed to grow their own food since they didn't have much left from the journey, and the winter they went through after getting here was a very harsh, cold one. Although many of them died during the winter, they didn't give up."

"Yeah, they were very brave!" Freyja said, "Weren't they, Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetie, they were."

In the week leading up to the play, the twins dressed up in their pilgrim costumes and they rehearsed their lines to be sure they knew them. They recited lines about the hardships the pilgrims had faced, along with lines of gratitude for the native peoples who befriended and helped them, along with some about the importance of perseverance and faith.

Both Thor and Jane looked on with pride as they watched their children come onto the stage. Along with their classmates, Freyja and Freddie brought the story of the pilgrims to life, helping the audience to remember the bravery and determination that had helped to shape the foundation of the United States.

The audience applauded when the play ended, and Thor turned to his wife, "That was a very interesting story. I am pleased that our children were able to learn about such an important part of this Midgard's history."

"I'm glad too that they got to share the story with others. I think they made us all very proud!" Jane agreed with a smile.

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Odin and Loki were walking through the halls of the Palace, enjoying the quiet peace that had settled over Asgard.

In the distance from where they are, a group of young maidens are walking together. In the midst of them Loki sees his betrothed is in conversation with another one of the young women. They're laughing together, and Loki is relieved to see her making friends among the Asgardians, for her doesn't want her to be lonely after they've wed.

They are precisely one month away from when they would exchange vows not be all of Asgard but a good portion of it. Eva's family will also be at the ceremony that Odin had agreed to officiate as both the King of Asgard, and as the father of the groom.

Loki had hesitated at the idea of Odin having such a huge role in their wedding, but Eva had thought it would be a good idea as it would help to continue to heal the rift between them.

He'd bowed to her wisdom.

Suddenly, Eva looked in his direction, her face lighting up when she saw him, and she waved.

He returned her wave, and was suddenly aware of the fact Odin was watching him closely.

"Have care, Loki. For while she seems to be strong, vital, and beautiful now, all too soon she will wither, then die. And she will do far sooner than you will."

Loki was taken aback by his words, and then he grew angry, "How can you say such things when we are to soon wed?"

"Mayhap you will not believe me when I say this, but my words are not intended to be cruel. They are a simple reminder of the folly which you are about to enter into with your union with the Midgardian woman. Her people are fragile creatures as they are born, live, and they die after such the blink of an eye for us. It is the way of things concerning them."

"But does a shorter lifespan means she is weak? Eva may not be as powerful as a single warrior of Asgard, but she has qualities that I admire. She is endlessly kind, and an indomitable strength of character that I admire."

With a nod, Odin acknowledged Loki's words, "It is true that that mortals, especially those of Midgard, have some admirable traits. Even so, it is their mortality that makes them weak when compared to us. When compared to them, we have life eternal, and we are far more powerful than they will ever be."

He thought about Odin's words for a moment. He knows there is truth to what Odin said. He knows that mortals are weak in some ways, but that didn't necessarily make them lesser beings than those who dwelt in Asgard. Yet he knows he cannot condemn Odin for perhaps having such thoughts as he himself once thought of humans as being less than the dust on his boot.

"I concede your point, Father," Loki said, "Nevertheless I still see Eva as the remarkable woman she is, despite her mortality."

"I do not doubt that she is a remarkable woman, my son, as she has been able to capture your heart so completely. But you must bear in mind she is also fragile and mortal."

"I will, Father. Now if you will excuse me, I must go seek out Thor."

Odin dismissed him, and as he watched him go, his old battle hardened warrior's heart ached for both of his sons. For they both loved mortal women, and sailed in seas that had a false calm now. He knew that when the two women they loved breathed their last, both of them would find themselves lost in the raging seas of grief, to perhaps perish on the razor sharp rocks of its shores before they returned to shore.

If they ever did.

Odin prayed they would not perish.

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It's a typical Friday evening at Stark Industries, and Tony was very restless. He'd just finished a big deal and he was looking for a way to loosen up and wind down. Naturally not knowing what else to do, he turned to alcohol.

Tony headed back to his lab, and he pulled out a bottle of his favorite whiskey. He took a long swig from the burning drink, and then he made his way to the office of Pepper Potts. He really doesn't know **why**. Perhaps he just wanted some company. Or perhaps he just wanted to confess to something that had been on his mind from the first moment he has met Miss Potts.

Pepper was surprised when she looked up and saw Tony standing in the doorway with a whiskey bottle in his hand.

"Uh why are you here, Tony?" she asked.

"I just wanted someone to talk to is all," he slurred.

Resisting the urge to sigh, Pepper motioned for him to have a seat, since she knew better than to try to argue with him when he's drunk. Tony sat down in the chair across her desk, and he took another swig from his bottle.

"You know what I've been thinking bout a lot lately, Pepper?" Tony asked, his words slurring a bit.

"What have you been thinking about?" she asked, actually curious

"Bout us," Tony answered, actually looking a little embarrassed.

"What about us?" Pepper asked, confused.

"Well, I... I think that I'm in love with you. That's what!"

His words were even more slurred than before, so it took her a moment to figure out what he'd said. Pepper couldn't help her gasp, as her eyes widened in shock. The last thing she'd expect was for Tony Stark, the self-proclaimed notorious playboy as well as commitment-phobe, to confess his love for her. She honestly didn't know what to say, but she had to say something.

"Tony, I don't-" Pepper started to say, but Tony cut her off.

"I know, it's likely just the whiskey doing the talking but I really **do** care about you, Pep. You're they only one who has ever been able to put up with my crap for so long!"

In spite of his drunken state, there was a sincerity in his voice that was rear for her to head from him, and Pepper couldn't help her smile that arose from what he'd said.

"You know, I care about you too, Tony," she admitted, reaching over her desk to touch his hand, "But you have to realize your judgement is being clouded by the alcohol. Why don't we talk about this again after you've slept it off and sober? Hmm?"

Tony nodded, his eyes closing as if he was already drifting off into a drunken slumber. Pepper helped him up from the chair and led him out of her office, making sure he got safely into his car, and that Happy would take him home before she returned to her own work.

When she returned to her desk, Pepper could not help but wonder if it was the alcohol doing all the talking, or had Tony meant what he'd said to her? Maybe the alcohol was to blame but something in her told her Tony's words hadn't been just the ramblings of a drunken man. As she went back to work, she supposed that only time would tell the truth.

As she sat at her desk, Pepper couldn't help but wonder if Tony truly meant what he had said. Maybe the alcohol really was to blame, but she couldn't shake off the feeling that maybe there was some truth to Tony's words. Only time would tell.

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Once in the land of Asgard, Loki was spending some exquisite time with his beloved daughter, Sigyn. They were on their rare visits to the Palace, and were spending some time walking through the gardens. Sigyn loved and was delighted by the colorful flowers and the fragrant smells.

"Father, why do some flowers grow taller than others do?" Sigyn asked, as she craned her little neck to look up at them."

Loki's grin contained mischief as he answered, "Well, little snowflake, it's all a matter of how much they've grown as nature dictates. And nature dictates that some flowers are destined to grow bigger and stronger than others." 

Sigyn wrinkled her nose that was so like her mother's, in thought, "But what does nature have them grow at all??

Loki chuckled, "Well, it is nature's way of ensuring that everything and everyone can survive and thrive. Some things grow to be big and tall, while others will stay small and delicate."

His daughter scowled, deep in thought, "But what about me, Father? Will I grow big and tall like the flowers do?"

Loki knelt down beside her, his expression going soft as he looked up into her eyes, "Of course you will, my little snowflake. You grow up to be very strong and as brave as your mother.

Although she'd never known her mother, Sigyn beamed with pride at the mention of her mother. As they continued to walk, she continued peppering her father with question after question. Loki could not help but marvel at how much his daughter had grown in both physical and intellectual.

"Boy, Father, grown-ups sure so know bunches and bunches of stuff, don't they?" the little girl remarked, her gaze holding adoration for her father.

Loki smiled at her, "Yes, we certainly do. But do not worry, my little snowflake. Even when you all grown-up and a beautiful young woman, I will always be here to teach you new things."

Then with a sigh of contentment, father and daughter continued their walk hand-in-hand, basking not in the warmth of Asgard's sun, but of each other.

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Although Loki and Eva had been together for years now, it wasn't until recently that he had come to realize that she had completely enchanted him. He had always been a mischievous trickster, leaving chaos behind him wherever he went, and apparently Eva was the only one who could keep up with him.

"Eva minkjære, have you ever stopped to consider how you have enchanted me?" Loki asked one day as they worked in their garden together.

Eva raised an eyebrow, and wiped her forehead, surprised by the sudden question, "You find me enchanting?" she asked as she gestured to the dirt in her face. "Looking like this?"

Loki stepped closer to her, "I mean it, minkjære. In the most literal sense. You have cast a spell over me, and I am hopelessly bewitched by the power you hold over me."

Eva laughed, "What makes you think that?"

He smiled, "It is simple, my love. I cannot get enough of you, and every time my eyes behold you, I become all the more entranced. Your unparalleled beauty, your razor sharp wit, and your intelligence are all more than I know how to handle."

Warmth spread throughout Eva, "I never dreamed I would be able to enchant such a notorious trickster."

"And I never dreamed I would fall in love with a woman of Midgard. But I have, and I never ever want to be freed from your spell, minkjære. My heart would stop beating if I ever am. Be mine forever?"

Eva looked into his eyes, "Of course, minkjærlighet. Of course, I will! My heart stop beating too if I were to lose you!"

A bird's nearby call shattered the moment, and Loki said, "Come, we have worked enough for today." He held out a hand towards her.

Eva considered arguing for a moment, then took his hand with her hand covered one, and together they returned to the inside of their cottage.

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Loki had never expected to ever visit Earth in way that wasn't a brief visit to the planet — not after what he did to their city of New York. It did not matter that twenty of their years had gone by or that he himself had spent many of those years imprisoned on Asgard by Odin's orders. Although he'd set foot on the world many times since, those visits had always been fleeting and he knew they must remain always so.

So when he spends two weeks on Midgard, exploring one of its countries with his wife, he cannot help but feel the wonder of being on Earth each and every moment he shared with Eva. They'd been married almost three years when she asked him if it would be possible for them to have a honeymoon together on Earth in England. At first, he'd said no it would be impossible but then he had talked with Frigga about how he could use his limited magic to bring it about.

Frigga had agreed to help him, and after long talks with Odin, the visit on Earth with granted. Loki would be free to disguise himself to those on Midgard, but only if he agreed to allow Heimdall to watch him at all times. At first that seemed an invasion of privacy, but Heimdall swore an oath he would honor Loki's privacy when it came to certain matters.

Now, on this day in the middle of their two week honeymoon in the country of England, they found themselves strolling in the lush, vibrant green countryside. The landscapes were breathtaking he had to admit, and the quaint stone cottages fascinated not only him but Eva. On this day, Eva wanted to see the ruins of an old castle.

As they neared the castle, the air was thick with an air of mystery. Moss covered the walls, and the remnants of the castle's once strong towers stood as testaments of a forgotten era. The sun's fading light filtered through the trees, casting an ethereal glow on the ruins.

Eva, so adventurous and inquisitive like her father, turned to Loki with a playful gleam in her eyes, "I've heard the local says this is a haunted place. Do you believe in ghosts?"

Loki regarded her with a smirk, his eyes twinkling as he answered her, "Oh, my dear Eva, it's a mere matter of perception when it comes to ghosts. As a trickster and conjurer or magic, I've encountered much supernatural phenomena, but ghosts... well I suppose they have their own elusive charm."

Understanding her husband's ever-curious nature, she smiled. She took a hold of his hand, and then led him deeper into the ruins of the castle, with its forgotten grandeur. The wind whistled through the cracks, bearing on it echoes of the past.

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Tony was just finishing up making breakfast for his family when his daughter Eva walked into the kitchen wearing a pair of brightly colored socks. The socks caught Tony's eye, and when he looked down at his own feet, he was surprised to see his socks matched Eva's perfectly. He grinned and lifted her up and they showed off their socks to each other, happy to have matched each other without meaning to.

Pepper walked into the kitchen next, and caught a peek at their matching socks. She shook her head and said with a smile, "Look at you two! Matching socks and everything!"

Later in the day, while Tony and Eva are watching a movie together, Ethan came walking through. He'd spent the night on his Uncle Jimmy's floor, and had yet to see their socks. He stopped, and looked at their matching socks, then asked, "Are you guys seriously wearing the same socks?"

Tony glanced at his daughter, and they burst out laughing. He wrapped his arms around Eva, and informed his son, "You know what they always say - the family that wears matching socks stays together!" Ethan rolled his eyes as they laughed again.

"Oh you guys are so silly!"

It was from that moment on, Tony and Eva always made it a point to wear matching socks whenever they could. It was a small tradition they'd started by accident on Sunday morning, but it was one they are happy that got started as it brought them closer together. They don their matching socks whether they're getting ready for school or just lounging around the penthouse, they always had on a fun pair of colorful socks. And each and every time they wore them, they were reminded of their special bond they had together as father and daughter.

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"Are you ready to go, Sigyn?" Loki asked as he stops outside the closed door of his daughter's room.

"Almost, Father!" Her muffled voice responded.

"Darling, what are you doing?" He asked after hearing a series of slamming going on.

"Nothing!"

"If you are doing nothing, snowflake, then pray why am I hearing such—" The rest of his inquiry was cut off when his daughter's scream was followed by the sound of something of a fair size hitting the floor.

Upon hearing the crash, Loki quickly turned the doorknob and pushed open the door. The scene before him was a whirlwind of chaos. Clothes lay strewn across the floor like a colorful tapestry, with his daughter at the heart of it, half covered with more of her garments.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the disarray even as amusement tugged at the corners of his mouth. Since her head was covered by one of her cloaks, he crossed the room, and lifted it from her face, "Sigyn, what happened here?"

"I...I.." the little girl, then dropped her head.

"You were trying to fetch something off of the top shelf of your wardrobe again, weren't you," He stated without asking.

"Yes, Father, I was," she murmured quietly.

"Stand up please."

His daughter got to her feet.

"What have we discussed about this, Sigyn?" he asked solemnly.

"That... that I'm not to climb on the shelves in my wardrobe because it's dangerous. They could break or I could lose my grip and fall and get hurt," she answered still looking down.

Loki lifts her chin up, and looks her in the eye, "Yes, you mayhap be hurt if either should happen. I do not want you to ever do it again, Sigyn. You are to ask me to help you if there is something that you want and cannot reach. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Now, as for the matter of your disobedience in this, your punishment shall be for you to muck out, on your own, Drifa's stall for an entire week after we return from Høstgudstjeneste. Do you understand this, Sigyn"

Her eyes are bright with tears as she nodded her head, "Yes, sir."

He allowed the decree to sink in for another moment, then he asked, "Now tell please me what you were trying to find when this happened?" He waved his hand over the mess in the room.

"I was trying to find the gloves Gam Gam gave me on Midgard. I want to take them with me."

Ah, the gloves her grandmother the Midgard woman had given her. Sigyn had told him the story of them belonging to her own mother when she was a child the first time he'd seen her playing with them on. He certainly approved her of her having anything that once belonged to his beloved wife, but the fact they were made to resemble the gauntlets of his once enemy were a bit much.

"I am sorry, snowflake, but you will have to leave them here," Loki informed her.

Her lips turned down in a frown, "But why, Father?"

"Well for one thing, you do not know where they are at this moment do you?"

"No, Father."

"Then there is your reason why. Now, come let us—"

"But I want to wear them to the Gratitude Ball, Father!" Sigyn said, crossing her arms, and stomping her foot.

Loki frowned at her now as she was close to a tantrum, and in the most serious tone he replied to her, "Sigyn, I have told you that we do not have time for you to look for them. If you wanted to take them with us, you should have located them before the day and hour of our departure. Now, come with me outside to await our ride to the city."

She opened her mouth.

He held up a finger, "Not another word, Sigyn, or you will be mucking out Drifa's stall for two weeks. Am I understood?"

Sigyn clearly was not happy, but she nodded her understanding.

"Alright, please pick up your bag of the other things you wish to take with you, and let us depart." The mess of her room would have to wait until they came home to be picked up.

With that, father and daughter stepped out of their cottage home to await the skiff that was to take them to the Palace. Loki tried talking with his daughter as they waited, but Sigyn was more interested in moping over her favorite gloves. After they were waiting more than ten minutes, Loki almost gave in and told her she could go look once more for them as he hated to see her unhappy. But he kept his silence as he knew it was better not to let her have her way. He also knew after they were departed for the city, her spirits would brighten, and by the time the' reached their destination, she would be the easygoing child she had always had been.

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With the vast blackness of space stretched out in every direction before them, both Gamora and Nebula who are sisters not by choice by the machinations of Thanos, stood by one another on the deck of the Benatar. Wounds, they had so many open wounds of the past between them that thanks to recent events, they had finally started to close. They were slowly becoming friends instead of adversaries.

As they looked out upon the beauty of space, a somber quiet filled the atmosphere. Finally, when she could take the tense silence no longer, Gamora turned to her sister, "Nebula, we've come a very long way since we were children and warriors under Thanos. We've been through a lot on our own and together. I don't know how you feel but I feel as though we're stronger together than when we are apart."

Nebula nodded, a glint of sadness tempered by resilience in her cybernetic eye, "Yes, Gamora, we have learned that we are more strong joined together than when we're fighting each other or when we are just alone."

With conviction in her voice. Gamora went on, "Alone we can do so little, but when we're together, we can and will be able to accomplish great things. I believe we even have the ability to change the course of the galaxy and make a difference."

Nebula turned away from the port, "You know, I never thought I would find solace in anyone else, especially not you. But through you, I realize that I can make my own choices, follow my own destiny. Thanos does not own me."

Nebula's gaze shifted from the stars to her sister. A flicker of gratitude shone in her eyes. "I never thought I would find solace in another person, especially not in my own sister. But you've shown me that we can choose our own destiny. Let's make a promise to each other that no matter what challenges we face ahead, we will always face them together."

Gamora nodded in agreement, "Yes, let's promise that. Let's also promise to lay down our past forever. Never again will we let it come in between us. Together, we can be a force to be reckoned with. We can be unstoppable."

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Tony was in his workshop with dozens of holographic displays lit up showing various projects he has been working on when Rhodey entered the room. When he took a quick glance over, he noticed that his BFF had on his War Machine armor.

Rhodey took off his armor, leaving it to be a silent sentry with the rest of its metal brothers, and then he walked over to Tony, "Hey, Tony, I don't know why but I've been thinking about our recent victories a lot. It's unbelievable what we've been able to do together."

When Tony glanced up from his work, Rhodey thought his friend looked wearied, and when Tony actually spoke, he confirmed it.

"Yeah, I know we've have some big successes, but you know what they say, Platypus: Success is not final."

Rhodey gave a nod as he understood the sentiment that went behind Tony's words, "You know, you're right about that, Tony. I mean success is just a passing moment in time, right? It's what we do next that actually matters."

Tony leaned back, and stretched out his legs, lacing his fingers behind his head, "You know, we have saved the world so many times, but there will always be a new threat coming down the road in the future. We can't stop to rest on any kind of applause we might have gotten for our heroics. No, we have to keep looking forward, and try to be ready for whatever might come."

Rhodey nodded, and after a few seconds of silence, he motioned for Tony to get up, "Now if we're all done philosophizing, I need you to take a look at my armor. I'm having some issues."

With another stretch, Tony got up, and gestured for him to lead the way, "You started it, you know."

"What? Started what?"" Rhodey said on his way back to his armor.

"The philosophizing!" Tony retorted, making air quotes with his fingers even if Rhodey wasn't looking at him right then.

"I did not!"

"Did too!"

"Yes, you did!"

"No, I didn't!"

Yes, you—"

Rhodey threw up his hands, "Okay, maybe I did! Can we please just get on with looking at the armor?" 

Tony smirked at him, and said, "So tell me, what seems to be the problem?"

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Dearest Pepper,

As I am writing this letter, I hope you are in good health and the highest of spirits. I wish to confess, my dear, that I've been keeping a secret you. Lately, I have found myself so captivated by your radiant presence that there's no hope of escape for me. Not only this but a certain admiration for you has taken hold of my heart. The best I can describe it is if It's a flame that had nearly been snuffed out has suddenly had log thrown onto it, and it has now a new burning bright life to it.

Every day, you take my breath away as I witness your unwavering strength as a woman. Every day, I behold the infinite reasons why I fell in love with you. I love how dedicated you are to the things we want to accomplish together, the light in your eyes when you do something that before looked impossible, and the sheer brilliance to all that you touch which is always nothing short of extraordinary!

For now though, my intentions will remain secret within my secret admirer's heart. I hope you will consider this first letter a microscopic sample of the unspoken feelings that are found deep inside my heart. You should know that my love grows for you with every moment that passes by.

Yours faithfully,

A Secret Admirer

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There is a very special day coming up soon for Natasha and Nadia — it's the annual recital for the eight year old's ballet class. The recital is almost here, so they have spent every moment they can rehearsing their routines. Yes, mother and daughter are going to be dancing together during a very special moment in the recital. Natasha had helped out with Nadia's ballet class over the years, and this year her daughter's teachers insisted that she must perform a dance in the recital. 

The night of the recital finally arrived, and the auditorium quickly filled up with the families of all the school's students. All of them were eager to see the progress their sons and daughters had made over the last year of learning.

Minutes before the recital was scheduled to begin, Natasha and Nadia had spent a few minutes with Clint and Franky, the family talking and laughing together. Then when one of the teachers came through to tell them it was five minutes before the performance started, the family broke up.

Clint took his five year old son's hand, and kissed his wife, "I'd say break a leg, honey, but you're far too graceful for that! So instead, I'll say good luck!"

"Good luck, Mommy, Nadia!" Franky echoed.

"Thank you, boys, " Natasha replied with a smile.

"Thanks, Daddy, Franky!" Nadia said, also smiling.

"Go get 'em, girls! Come on, Franky, we'd better go find our seats!"

As they disappeared, Natasha turned to her daughter, "Ready, Nadyechka?"

"Da," Nadia answered, "Я готов, мама."

With that, they took their places, ready to go on stage and dance together when their moment arrived.

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Sebastian was sitting on the couch in the living room with his father, Steven. His Dad's arm was wrapped around his shoulders and the atmosphere in the room around them was so solemn. Sebastian's great-grandfather Steve Rogers, widely known as Captain America, had recently passed away and his absence hung heavy in their hearts.

"Dad, I miss him," Sebastian said quietly, his voice filled with a mixture of sadness and longing, "I miss Grandpa Steve so much!"

Steven's eyes reflecting his own grief. "I know, son. Your great-grandfather Steve was an incredible man, and we were so very fortunate to have as much time with him that we had."

Sebastian nodded, tears glistening in his eyes. "I'll never forget all  the time I had with him. He taught me a lot, Dad. He was my hero."

Steven gives his son a warm smile, doing this own remembering. "I know, he was mine too. Along with Nonno. Oh, I wish you could have known Nonno too."

"Me too but I am grateful that at least I got to know Grandpa Steve. But I wish I could've had more time with him, Dad."

Steven leaned closer, his eyes filled with understanding. "You know even though he may not be physically here, his spirit lives on in you, Sebastian. I see a lot of him in you."

"You do?"

"Mmmhmm, I do."

Sebastian felt a tear escape, and he swiped it away. But even as sad as he was, his Dad's words stirred up a flicker of hope deep within him. "You really think so, Dad?" he asked one more time.

Steven gave his son an enthusiastic nod. "I really think so Sebastian. I see your determination, your sense of justice, your unwavering belief in doing what's right. I believe all these qualities that you'll carry on Grandpa Steve's legacy in your own way. 

Sebastian's cracked from the mix of gratitude and determination he was feeling. "I'm not going to let fade away, Dad. I'll do everything I can to honor him, along with the legacy of our great-grandparents Tony and Pepper Stark. I want to and I will make a difference, just like they did."

Steven's face lit up with with the pride he could help but feel, "That's my boy. I know you will, Sebastian. You have the intelligence, the heart, and the courage to make a lasting impact on the world."

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Thanos, the Mighty Titan who thought he had the right to murder half of the universe in order to achieve his perfect vision of it, was now dying. One or two more blows from the two Avengers working together in concert to finish him, would end his threat to the universe forever. 

Together, they moved in on Thanos. His eyes blazed as they came closer to him, and knowing his time was about to be ended, he used his last breath to utter a venomous curse that was heard throughout the entire battlefield.

"Stark, you may have defeated me, but my curse shall follow you till the end of your days," Thanos ranted, spitting his final breaths out before he was ended by them, his voice laced with malice. "You are going to die in unrelenting agony, and your death will not come swiftly. No power in the universe will be able to save you from this fate! Not even its greatest wielders of magic!"

With one final, decisive charge, Iron Man and Captain America lunged at Thanos, their combined might sealing his fate. When he fell where he had uttered his vile curse upon Tony, the battlefield became suddenly quiet except for the heaviness of Steve's breaths.

Tony turned to him, fear gripping him as he saw how Steve was barely staying on his feet. Tony's heart raced as he looked around, desperation evident in his eyes. He grabbed Steve's arm, his grip tight and urgent, "We need to get you to a doctor now!"

 When Steve mustered a weak smile, Tony couldn't help but notice the pallor that had overtaken his features. It was a smile tinged with resignation, "Too late, Tony. It's... it's too late."

"No, it can't be too late! We have a doctor who's become a wizard! Where's Strange? Does anyone know where to find him?"

"Tony, I—" 

With those two words, Steve lost his valiant battle to remain on his feet, his body collapsing to the ground, the weight of the moment heavy upon them all.

Tony knelt down beside Steve, his grip on his friend's arm tightening. The pain etched on Steve's face, tore at his heart. "We're not giving up, Steve. We've been through worse. We'll find a way to fix this."

Steve gave another weak smile, his voice weak. "I appreciate the sentiment, Tony. But you know as well as I do that... this... this is different this time. This fight... it's taken everything out of me."

Tony's eyes searched desperately for a solution, for a way to save the man who had been both his friend, and his antithesis. He looked to Doctor Strange again, pleading for his help. "Strange, you've seen things beyond our understanding. Can't you do something? Anything?"

Doctor Strange, his expression grim, shook his head. "Tony, I understand your desperation, but the injuries Steve has sustained... they're too severe. Even my magic can't solve everything, and has its limits. There's no easy fix for this."

Tony's frustration and his determination. "There has to be something we can do. We can't just let him di... fade away like this."

There was acceptance in Steve's voice, "Tony, we've been through battles that we thought we couldn't win, yet we always found a way. But this... this is where the long road ends for me. I'm proud of what we've accomplished together. But it's time for me to rest."

Tears welled up in Tony's eyes, and he started to protest, further urge Steve to hang on and keep fighting but he never got the chance. He never got the chance because before he could say another word, Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson appeared from elsewhere on the battlefield and when they did, Tony knew it was only right that they both get to talk to Steve in his final moments.

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"Hey bud, do you want some cereal for breakfast?" Tony asked around a yawn.

Three-month-old Eva had had a miserable night with colic. She had only passed out a little over an hour ago, and since Pepper was away for a few days on a business trip, Tony had also been awake all night.

"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!" Ethan said, dancing around, "Seeweeal! Seeweeal! Seeweeal!"

Thankfully there was no need to shush the little boy since his baby sister was tucked away in her nursery, and so instead he asked, "What kind of cereal do you want, sport? Cheerios? Frosted flakes or—"

"Bengers! Bengers, Daddy!"

Bengers or rather Avengers is the cereal some cereal company came out with, with the team's blessings of course, a year and a half after Ethan was born. It is made up of rice corn in six different colors with each color representing each Avengers. Each piece was shaped differently, with a red helmet representing Iron Man, a blue shield for Captain America, a green fist for the Hulk, a yellow hammer for Thor, a red spider for Black Widow, and a purple arrow for Hawkeye.

The cereal is a bit on the sugary side, so Pepper prefers that Ethan doesn't have it all too often, but this morning is different. Since she's not with them this morning, and he's not had the cereal in awhile, Tony is more than happy to pour him up a bowl. 

"Please cut up half of a banana if you give Ethan the Avengers cereal while I'm gone on my trip."

It is a simple request, so Tony makes sure to cut up half of banana into small pieces into the cereal. After a splash of milk, he puts the bowl in front of his son.

"Tank you, Daddy!" Ethan said before digging in.

Tony smiles, and kisses the top of Ethan's head, "You're welcome, champ."

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Peter Parker was nervous when he walked into the offices of the Daily Bugle. Why was he nervous? Well because he knew he was already skating on very thin ice with the newspaper's editor-in-chief, J. Jonah Jameson. The editor had already verbally shredded his latest batch of photos of himself as Spider-Man calling them "uninspired" and "bland," and as a result Peter had a sinking feeling that his days as a freelance photographer for the Bugle were numbered.

From the very second he stepped into Jameson's cluttered office, the editor got straight to the point just like he always did. "Listen, Parker, I'll make this quick. I need a new, spectacular picture of Spider-Man and I need it in the next 24 hours. If you can't deliver, you're fired for good."

Peter's stomach did flip flops. He had been struggling to capture a new angle on himself as Spider-Man for weeks now, and he had no idea how he could come up with something truly spectacular in just one day.

Of course he he couldn't let himself get fired. He needed the money, and he needed to keep his connection to the Bugle, even if it meant putting up with putting up with Jameson's not so nice personality.

After taking a couple of deep breaths Peter set out to find new inspiration for his secret identity. He went swinging throughout the city, in the hopes something, anything, might catch his eye.

With most of the day already having gone by, Peter could feel his desperation get bigger and bigger. He took some pictures of himself stopping a few petty crimes here and there but so far he'd captured nothing that was sensational enough for Jameson's standards.

Peter had just nearly given up any hope he had of saving his freelance work with the Bugle when he spotted a group of children trapped in a building that was in flames. He didn't hesitate, swooping into the flames using every bit of his physical enhancements to get them all to safety.

As he rescued each child from the peril, he saw the flashes of cameras, and one time he turned his head to look to see who was taking the pictures. A group of reporters were nearby capturing all of the action. Peter couldn't help but smile to himself as he felt some hope, because perhaps just the sort of shot Jameson would want had been captured.

Sure enough, the next day's edition of the Daily Bugle featured a front-page photo of Spider-Man saving the children from the burning building. Jameson sings the praises of the shot calling it spectacular and iconic and Peter breathed a sigh of relief.

Of course, Peter knows he will never ever be able to satisfy the editor all of the time, but at least for today, he'd managed to keep his job. But best of all, he'd been able to rescue those little kids from an awful fate. That was the best thing of all.

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Sebastian sat at his desk, surrounded by paperwork and case files. It had been case after case after case lately, and he had gotten a little too bad in this aspect of the job. Thankfully, things were a little slower, and he had time to get things all caught up.

Suddenly, he heard a knock at the door, and he looked up. Pride was standing in the doorway, with a curious expression on his face.

"Hey, Sebastian," Pride said. "I think I've found something interesting when I was going over the surveillance footage from our last case. It looks like the suspect was wearing a shirt with stripes."

Hearing this piqued Sebastian's interest, "What kind of stripes?" he asked.

"Vertical stripes," Pride replied. "Thin, navy blue and white stripes."

Sebastian pulled up the surveillance footage on his computer and studied it closely.

"You're right. He is wearing stripes. And you know what? I am pretty sure I've seen a shirt like that one before. Just let me check something."

Pride nodded and waited.

Sebastian pulled up a website on his computer and started searching for the shirt. After a few minutes, he found a match.

"Aha, I knew it," Sebastian said  a triumphant smirk on his face. He pointed to his computer screen, "See? It's a popular brand among college students. They've got a store in the French Quarter."

Pride nodded, "Good work, Sebastian. Let's go pay them a visit, and see if they can't help us ID our suspect."

The visit to the store was not a waste of time. Once they identified themselves as federal agents, the store's employees were only too happy to help. They gave them the information they needed to track the man down, and arrest him.

"Nice work, Sebastian," Pride said,  as they headed back to their office, "You've got a sharp eye for detail, and a good memory, two things very helpful in this job."

Sebastian smiled. "Thanks, boss. I guess you could say the stripes gave him away."

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Tony paused a moment, inspecting his brown, straight out of the 1940's suit one more time before he placed atop of his head the finishing touch to what he had on: a vintage matching fedora.

"You're taking my breath away, Mr. Stark," Pepper said as she stepped beside him at the full length mirror.

Taking several moments to eye her own vintage dress, and with a wink he told her, "You're positively giving me heart palpitation, Mrs. Stark!"

She smiled at his compliment, and thread her hand through his offered arm she asked, "So are you ready to go to the party?" They were hosting a 40s themed costume party for Stark Industries, and they needed to arrive soon if they didn't want to be late.

Tony nodded, "Let's amscray, baby doll!"

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"The sun and water are so beautiful here!"  Pepper said, as she gazed out at the pristine blue waters of Indonesia. The sun beamed down on her skin, warming her to the core of her being. The sound of waves crashing against the shore were filling the air, and the salty scent of the ocean was so pungent that she could almost taste it! 

They had arrived for their honeymoon destination two days ago and since then they'd all been getting over the jet lag while enjoying a little of what the beautiful paradise had to offer.

She smiled as her husband's arms were wrapped around her from behind.

"He's going to be up soon," James murmured into her ear, "Are you ready for Cyclone Morgan this morning?"

Pepper turned around in James' embrace, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I'm glad you're feeling better this morning."

"Me too."

"So Cyclone Morgan?" she asked, her heart filling with warmth at the mention of their son's name.

James grinned. "Yeah, with me down for the count yesterday you know he's going to be keeping me busy this morning. You know how he is - always full of energy."

Pepper chuckled. "That's our little Morgan. I can't wait to spend the day with him."

Just then, a loud crash echoed from their private bungalow on the beach. James tensed, his War Machine instincts still kicking in even after all these years of retirement. "Stay here," he said, moving towards the door.

Pepper's heart raced with fear as she watched him go. "Be careful," she called after him, hoping that everything was okay. She stood there, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios, until James emerged from the bungalow with a sheepish grin on his face.

"Sorry about that," he said, holding up a broken vase. "Looks like Cyclone Morgan got into a bit of mischief while we were out."

Pepper breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that everything was okay. "It's okay," she said, smiling. "We'll just have to keep a closer eye on him from now on." Together, they both went back inside, and thankfully found Morgan where James left him, sitting on the couch.

James knelt down beside Morgan, who was now sitting on the couch. "Hey there, Cyclone. What are you up to?"

Morgan grinned up at James. "Playing with my ball," he said, holding it up for James to see.

James smiled. "Looks like fun. Did you have a good time with Mommy yesterday?"

Morgan nodded vigorously. "Uh-huh! We went swimming in the ocean and saw lots of fish."

"That sounds amazing," James said, ruffling Morgan's hair. "I wish I could have been there with you."

Morgan's face fell for a moment, but then he brightened up again. "But you're here now!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms around James' neck. "I'm so happy you're my daddy."

James' heart swelled with love for his son. "I'm happy too, buddy. And I promise we'll have lots of fun together while we're here."

Morgan beamed up at him. "Can we play catch on the beach later, Daddy?"

"Well, I can't think of a reason why we shouldn't, buddy! But what do you say we get the little mess you made cleaned up, and then have some breakfast Sound good?"

"Yeah!"

"Okay, let's get cracking!"

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It's been a few years since Tony and Pepper had married each other, and needless to say, they were still very much in love. They had been through so much together, from battling supervillains to running Stark Industries. Despite all the challenges they faced, they always managed to come out on top.

One evening, they were out on the balcony, enjoying the sights of the city below. Pepper leaned against Tony, and he wrapped in his arms around her as they also took in the sunset together. 

"Pepper?" Tony said softly.

"Hmm?" Pepper murmured sleepily.

"Never let me go."

All her sleepiness vanished in an instant, and Pepper turned to look at him. When she saw the sincerity in his eyes, it both touched and frightened her.

"I won't, Tony," she replied,  softly caressing his cheek. "I'll never let you go."

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Director Phil Coulson was having a busy week at SHIELD Headquarters, managing multiple operations and fielding countless phone calls from his team. He was grateful for the help of his most trusted agents, Daisy Johnson, who had been working alongside him for years. He never could have dreamed that when they found her in the back of her van tracking to hack her way deeper into SHIELD's mainframe, how much of a part of his life she'd be.

Despite the chaos of their work, Coulson always made sure to take a few moments each day to check in with Daisy and make sure she was doing okay. She'd been through so much in her life, especially with the last few years after learning the truth about her parents and discovering she was Inhuman. He knew how much pressure she was under, with her unique abilities and the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, and he always wanted to be sure she was as okay as she could be.

One day, as they were both taking a breather at the same time in the break room, Coulson noticed that Daisy looked particularly tired. He knows she's been working non-stop on one thing or another for days, and by the weary expression on her face, it was starting to take its toll.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Daisy gave him a look then, shrugged. "Just a very long week, you know? And it's okay like, what, Monday? Or is it Tuesday?"

Coulson nodded, taking a seat beside her, "It's Monday. But yeah, I hear you. But you've been doing great, Daisy. You're making a real difference out there."

Daisy smiled faintly, "Thanks, sir. I appreciate it."

As even more of the week wore on, he continued to check in with Daisy, and they worked together to tackle each challenge every freak, super villain, or HYDRA presented to them. By the end of the week, they had successfully completed several missions, and Coulson knew it was time to give the team a little downtime.

"Hey, how about we grab a drink tonight?" he suggested, grinning at Daisy.

Daisy raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing when she asked, "Are you asking me out on a date, sir?"

Coulson laughed. "No, no, just a friendly drink. I think we've earned it after this week."

Daisy grinned back, "Sounds good to me."

And so, that evening, Coulson and Daisy, along with Mack and Yo-yo headed to a nearby bar to unwind and chat about their week. They laughed and shared stories, forgetting about their crazy world and work for just a little while.

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