Trauma-Coaster

The sun was high in the sky, casting its golden rays over the Avengers' compound. It was a rare quiet afternoon, and for once, there were no immediate missions, no dire threats, just… peace.

Arthur sat on the grassy lawn outside, a warm breeze brushing against his face. He had found himself here more often lately, taking long, unhurried walks around the compound, enjoying the stillness. There was something about the fresh air that helped clear his mind, quiet the restlessness that had become second nature for so long. It felt like a new chapter—one where he could just be.

He looked down at the book in his lap, a photo album Steve had given him, filled with pictures from past missions, casual moments, and old memories. As Arthur flipped through the pages, he found himself smiling at the faces of people he had come to consider family. Steve and Bucky, Sam, Clint, Natasha, Wanda… They were all so different from what he had known before, yet somehow, they fit together like pieces of a puzzle.

“Mind if I join you?” a voice interrupted his thoughts, and he looked up to find Steve standing there, a half-grin on his face.

“Of course,” Arthur said, scooting over to make room for Steve on the grass beside him.

Steve sat down next to him, stretching out his legs and looking up at the sky. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

Arthur nodded, the light warmth of the sun settling over him like a blanket. It was almost surreal to feel this—this calm, this sense of belonging. He had always felt out of place, like a shadow, but now, he was beginning to understand what it meant to truly be a part of something. And it was because of these moments—moments like this, when everything was peaceful and light, and nothing felt too heavy.

“I’m glad I’m here,” Arthur said, his voice softer than usual. He couldn’t quite find the words to explain it, but Steve seemed to understand.

“I’m glad you’re here too, Arti,” Steve said, his tone quiet but warm. “You’ve come a long way.”

Arthur chuckled softly, glancing over at Steve. “I guess I have. It feels a little crazy, to be honest. Some days clouds today, just a vast expanse of blue that seemed endless. It was peaceful, in a way that almost felt new, and yet so right. He breathed in deeply, feeling a sense of calm settle in his chest. For the first time in as long as he could remember, there was no rush, no urgency.

“You ever think about what you’d do if you didn’t have to fight anymore?” Arthur asked after a long pause, his voice a little quieter than before.

Steve considered the question for a moment, then smiled. “All the time. Honestly, it’s a bit of a running joke in my head. I’d probably just sit somewhere quiet with a cup of coffee and a good book. Maybe go for a long walk. A real one, without having to look over my shoulder every five minutes.”

Arthur laughed softly, the sound surprising him. “That actually sounds… nice.”

Steve looked at him, eyes full of warmth and understanding. “Yeah, it’s nice to dream about. But you know, sometimes you can find bits of that peace, even in the middle of everything. You’ve got to let yourself enjoy the quiet moments when they come.”

Arthur nodded, mulling over Steve’s words. He didn’t have to look far to realize that he’d already found some of those moments. This—this was one of them. Just sitting here, in the sunshine, surrounded by people who cared.

“I think I’m starting to get that,” Arthur said, his smile softening. “The idea of not always being in fight-or-flight mode, I mean. Maybe there’s more to life than just surviving.”

“There’s definitely more,” Steve said with a grin. “A lot more.”

Before Arthur could respond, he heard a familiar voice calling from the distance. “Hey! You two gonna sit around all day, or are you coming to play?”

It was Sam, of course, jogging up the path with a bright smile plastered on his face. Behind him, Clint and Natasha were not far behind, each carrying a set of frisbees and sporting the kind of looks that suggested something fun was about to happen.

“We’re just enjoying the sunshine,” Steve said with a grin, stretching his arms over his head. “What’s up?”

Sam grinned, already in full "let’s do this" mode. “Enjoying the sunshine is all well and good, but it’s time to get active! How about a game of frisbee? You know, just some light competition to keep the blood flowing.”

Arthur raised an eyebrow. “Frisbee?”

“You got a problem with frisbee?” Sam shot back with a playful smirk.

Arthur chuckled, shaking his head. “I just don’t think I’ve ever played before.”

Clint immediately interjected, “Don’t worry. Sam’s terrible at it. You’ll beat him easily.”

“I am not terrible!” Sam protested, hands on his hips in mock indignation. “You’re just sore because I beat you last time!”

The teasing back and forth made Arthur laugh, and he felt his heart lighten even more. The camaraderie, the ease in their voices—it was something he’d never experienced before. It felt normal.

“Alright,” Arthur said, standing up and brushing off his pants. “Let’s see what this frisbee thing is all about.”

The game was ridiculous in the best possible way. Arthur quickly realized that, while he was very good at a lot of things—combat, strategy, tracking—he was terrible at frisbee. The others didn’t seem to mind, though. Every time he missed a throw or fumbled a catch, they’d laugh and cheer him on as if he were the best player out there. They didn’t judge. They just enjoyed the moment with him.

“See? Told you!” Sam said, tossing the frisbee back to Arthur after another missed catch.

Arthur grinned sheepishly. “Hey, give me a break. I’m still figuring this out.”

Bucky, who had been standing off to the side with a bottle of water, walked over and clapped him on the back. “You’re doing great, big guy. At least you’re trying. That’s all that counts.”

Arthur’s grin widened at Bucky’s words, and for the first time in ages, he didn’t feel out of place. He wasn’t the soldier. He wasn’t Death. He was just Arthur, messing around with his friends. He didn’t have to be perfect.

By the time the game wrapped up, everyone was laughing and a little out of breath, but it was the kind of laughter that came from pure joy, not forced or out of nervousness. It was the sound of belonging.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow over the compound, the group gathered together to watch the sky turn shades of orange and pink. It was one of those rare, perfect evenings—where everything felt right, as if the world had briefly paused just for them.

Steve, Bucky, Sam, Clint, and Natasha were all around, their smiles wide and easy, their voices light. Arthur stood with them, feeling a sense of peace he hadn’t thought was possible. There were no burdens, no shadows following him. For the first time in a long time, he wasn’t just surviving. He was living.

“This is what it’s about, right?” Arthur said quietly, mostly to himself, but loud enough that Steve caught his words.

“Yeah,” Steve replied with a smile, “this is it. This is the good stuff.”

Arthur looked around at his friends—the people who had become family in ways he never imagined. They had their flaws, their scars, their history, but in this moment, they were united in something stronger than the past. They were united in the here and now.

And Arthur knew, without a doubt, that for the first time in a long time, he was exactly where he needed to be.

To be continued...