A Well-Deserved Break
For the first time in what felt like forever, the team was given a day off. No missions, no strategy sessions, no equipment checks—just a much-needed break from the whirlwind of their lives as Avengers. After weeks of high-stakes operations, Tony had insisted on the importance of taking a step back, getting some rest, and recharging their batteries.
Arthur had never been great at taking breaks. His mind was always racing, thinking of a million things he could be doing, missions he could be preparing for, or ways he could contribute. But something about the way Tony had insisted, the rare tone of seriousness in his voice, made it clear that this wasn’t an option. This was a team-wide plan.
And so, the Avengers found themselves at a beach resort—a far cry from their usual high-tech compound or dangerous missions. There were no weapons, no armor—just sand, sun, and the sea.
Arthur stood on the balcony of their shared villa, his eyes scanning the horizon as the waves rolled in, the salty air tugging at his hair. His leg bounced absentmindedly, but this time, it didn’t feel like a restlessness he had to hide. It felt natural, almost in sync with the rhythm of the ocean, calming in its own way.
“Arti! You comin' or what?” Peter’s voice called out from behind him. Arthur turned, catching sight of the younger man, already dressed in his swimsuit and looking far more energetic than anyone should be at this hour.
“I’ll be there in a minute,” Arthur called back with a smile, adjusting his sunglasses and running a hand through his messy hair. He wasn’t usually one for crowds, and this kind of downtime was foreign to him. But there was something appealing about just... existing. About not having to worry about everything all the time.
As he headed downstairs, he met Bucky in the kitchen, who was leaning against the counter, casually sipping on coffee.
“Ready for this?” Bucky asked with a grin, pushing off from the counter and giving Arthur a nod toward the door.
“I guess so,” Arthur said, laughing lightly. “It’s weird, you know? Not having anything to do.”
Bucky chuckled. “Yeah, I hear ya. But trust me, you’ll enjoy it once you get into it. It's just us, no suits, no missions. Just the ocean, the sun, and a whole lot of food.”
Arthur’s stomach rumbled at the mention of food. "Alright, let's go."
Outside, the rest of the team was already gathering by the beach. Clint and Natasha were chatting, both of them looking surprisingly relaxed in their beachwear. Natasha was seated in the sand, legs crossed, enjoying the warm sunlight on her skin, while Clint was trying to teach Thor how to properly throw a frisbee.
“You have to release it like this,” Clint demonstrated, tossing the frisbee toward Thor, who watched it sail through the air, only to miss completely and hit Tony in the back of the head.
“Thor! You were supposed to catch it, not destroy it!” Tony called out, rubbing his neck and grinning. “But hey, nice try.”
Thor, looking unfazed by his failure, picked up the frisbee and tried again, this time launching it into the air with impressive force, only for it to land in the ocean. He grinned sheepishly. “I will learn this game, yes? But it may take time.”
Arthur laughed softly, stepping onto the sand. The sun was warm, but not oppressive. It was the kind of day where everything seemed to slow down, and the only things that mattered were the people around you.
“Don’t worry, Thor,” Arthur said, nudging him with a smile. “You’ll get it. Eventually.”
“Ah, you too?” Thor exclaimed, pointing at Arthur with a wink. “I see you enjoy the sand and sea, yes?”
Arthur nodded. “I do. It’s... nice. A little quieter than usual.”
“Ah, yes, the peace of the earth,” Thor said, looking out at the horizon. “I miss it sometimes. Though, I have to admit, the battles are quite thrilling as well.”
Arthur chuckled. “You and your battle talk.”
The sound of footsteps drew his attention to the rest of the team—Steve and Banner walking up, carrying a cooler between them. Steve had a wide grin on his face, his shield nowhere to be seen, and Banner looked surprisingly content as he lifted a towel to shake out the sand.
“Looks like everyone’s already started the fun,” Steve said, offering Arthur a friendly punch on the shoulder.
“Couldn’t wait for you guys,” Arthur teased, “I’m just here to soak up the sun.”
“Don’t get too comfy,” Clint called out from the beach. “There’s volleyball later.”
Arthur raised an eyebrow, but the idea of a competitive game didn’t seem so bad today. There were no stakes, no pressure—just fun. Something that had felt out of reach for so long.
The group settled onto the beach, a small collection of towels and chairs arranged around a sun umbrella. The conversations flowed easily, the sound of waves crashing in the background a gentle rhythm to the afternoon.
Banner, who had often kept to himself at the compound, was talking to Tony about something science-related, but this time, it didn’t feel like work. There was laughter in his voice, and for once, there was no hint of worry behind his words. It was refreshing, and Arthur couldn’t help but feel grateful for it.
Peter and Steve had already started a game of frisbee—Peter clearly outmatched Steve, but Steve was a good sport, laughing at his own misses. Meanwhile, Natasha and Clint had taken up beach volleyball with Thor, who was definitely over-enthusiastic about the idea of a challenge.
Arthur felt lighter just watching them. His thoughts weren’t racing, his mind wasn’t filled with worries about his past or the future. For once, he didn’t have to be "Death" or "the reaper." He was just Arti, part of a team that had taken him in, understood him, and accepted him for who he was.
And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.
As the day wore on, they enjoyed each other’s company, talking, laughing, playing games, and just being in the moment. The usual weight of responsibility, the endless tension that hovered over them as Avengers, was nowhere to be found. For a few hours, there was nothing more pressing than whether or not Clint could make the next volleyball serve, or if Peter was going to land an epic dive to save a frisbee.
Later that evening, after a group dinner by the beach—complete with fresh seafood and a ridiculous amount of ice cream—Arthur found himself feeling something he hadn’t in a long time: content.
For the first time in what felt like forever, there were no shadows of his past creeping in, no weight on his chest. He was just Arthur, sitting with his team, watching the sunset over the ocean.
And in that moment, that was more than enough.