Chapter 2
You and Wanda got back to the tower, freshening up. You regained the strength you'd used during the mission. Thinking back to the mission, you thought about how many people had been hurt and you couldn't but blame yourself for it.
If you had been faster, you couldn't stopped the explosion entirely, but you hesitated. Now people are injured, some even dead.
A month had passed now, you and Wanda hadn't stopped thinking about the mission even after all that time. You both sit on the bed, turning on the news as Pietro ran into the room, sitting down next to you.
"Eleven Wakandans were among those killed during a confrontation between the Avengers and a group of mercenaries in Lagos, Nigeria, last month. The traditionally reclusive Wakandans were on an outreach mission in Lagos when the attack occurred." The news-person said as she showed videos of the aftermath.
You looked at Wanda as she took your hand in hers, squeezing it gently, Pietro leaning in closer to the TV while sitting behind the both of you. It switched to T'Chaka, king of the Wakanda. "Our people's blood is spilled on foreign soil," he spoke, "Not only because of the actions of criminals, but by the indifference of those pledged to stop them. Victory at the expense of the innocent, is no victory at all."
You locked your jaw, the Avengers did everything in their power to keep the innocent safe, but it wasn't enough. You knew you can't save them all, a true you never liked coming to terms with, but you always tried. But it wasn't enough.
None of you had noticed that Steve was at the door, watching. He knew what each other you were thinking. Another person began to speak, "They are operating outside and above the international law. Because that's the reality, if we don't respond to acts like these. What legal authority do enhanced individuals like Wanda Maximoff and Y/N Y/L/N have to operate in Nigeri-"
Suddenly, the TV was turned off. You and the twins turned to meet Steve's eyes. Steve set the remote down and leaned on the door frame. Wanda spoke, "It's my fault."
You turned to her, "It's mine."
Steve spoke up, "That's not true. It's neither of your faults."
"Turn the TV back on." You said.
"They're being very specific." Wanda finished.
"I should've clocked that bomb vest long before you had to deal with it." Steve said as he walked over to sit on the bed with you three. Pietro spoke up for the first time, "I'm the one with the speed. I was closest. I should've done it."
Steve pat Pietro on the back when he said, "Rumlow said 'Bucky' and . . . all of a sudden I was a 16-year-old kid again, in Brooklyn. And people died. It's on me."
Wanda told him, "It's on all of us."
"This job...we try to save as many people as we can. Sometimes that doesn't mean everybody. But if we can't find a way to live with that, next time...maybe nobody gets saved." Steve told you all. You shared a look with each of the twins.
Vision phased through the wall then. You all looked at him. Wanda spoke up, "Vis. We talked about this." You looked at her, then at Vision. You shook your head, listening to what Vision had to say.
He said, "Yes, but the door was open so I assumed that..." He stopped when he gestured at the door. Pietro laughed, "Android doesn't know to knock?" Wanda hit him on the shoulder, "Be nice." You snickered and she turned to you. "You're just as bad as he is." You laughed at this.
Vision ignored the both of you and said, "Captain Rogers wished to know when Mr. Stark was arriving."
Steve nodded, "Thank you. We will be right down."
"I'll...use the door." Vision said. He added, "Oh, and apparently, he's brought a guest."
"We know who it is?" Steve asked.
"Secretary of State." Vision answered. You threw your head back, letting out a long groan. Wanda laughed and Pietro spoke, "Hey, we can make fun of him."
Steve scolded, "No, you can't." You both whined, "Why not?" He shook his head and Wanda pushed you off the bed. You landed on the floor and laughed, pulling her down with you. She landed with a thud and said, "Ow." You both laughed. Pietro laughed as well as he held out a hand to both of you so he could help you up. You only yanked him to the ground with both of you.
Steve rolled his eyes with a little smirked as he said, "Get up. We gotta go down there." You all groaned, you added, "Party pooper." He left the room with Vision. You all got up and you and Wanda got into clothes better suited for company.
-
The Secretary of State, Thaddeus Ross, stood at the head of a table. Rhodey, Natasha, Steve, Tony, Sam, Vision, and Wanda gathered around with you sitting next to Wanda, Pietro behind your chair.
Ross began the meeting, "Five years ago, I had a heart attack. I dropped right in the middle of my back-swing. Turned out it was the best round of my life, because after 13 hours of surgery and a triple bypass...I found something 40 years in the Army had never taught me: Perspective."
You fought the urge to roll your eyes as he continued, "The world owes the Avengers an unpayable debt. You have fought for us, protected us, risked your lives...but while a great many people see you as heroes, there are some...who would prefer the word 'vigilantes'."
Natasha spoke up, "And what word would you use, Mr. Secretary?"
"How about 'dangerous'?" Ross said. You rolled your eyes this time as you asked, "And why is that your word preference, Secretary Ross?" Steve gave you a warning glance and you shrugged your shoulders.
"What would you call a group of US-based, enhanced individuals who routinely ignore sovereign borders and inflict their will wherever they choose and who, frankly, seem unconcerned about what they leave behind?" He explained.
Ross activated a screen behind him. News footage from past Avengers and SHIELD matters flashed on the screen as he spoke, "New York."
A Chitauri leviathan, terrified citizens, a soldier firing a gun; these are the things going on in the scene and you try not to look away. The Hulk smashed into a building and sent a dust cloud to engulf the camera.
You looked to Pietro and Wanda, they look at you before looking back to the screen. "Washington, DC."
The three Insight helicarriers fired on each other. The destroyed Triskelion was displayed on the screen. A helicarrier crashed into the Potomac and threw up a massive wave, engulfing citizens and the camera. There was so much destruction.
"Sokovia." You swallowed thickly. This was your home. This was Pietro and Wanda's home. Terrified citizens ran, the city rose, a building fell over. You looked down at your lap, Wanda placed a hand on yours, Pietro placed a hand on each of your shoulders. The twins continued to stare at the screen and you forced yourself to look back.