You Look Like Shit
So turns out this USO tour thing is in fact a competition after all. Of course Aubrey is extremely pleased. The problem is, the other performers are bands and the Bellas are…just a group of girls who sing together. Although, they are a group of girls with a lot of self confidence as seen through their riff-off attempt. Yeah, they’ve still never won one of those.
While the other bands went back to prepping themselves, the Bella’s resigned themselves to defeat. Kate, turned to find her Avengers teammates and of course. Of fucking course, Yelena and Pietro are laughing their asses off, a very defeated Wanda standing between the two. How the witch puts up with both of them at the same time, Kate will never understand.
”Oh Kate Bishop, I didn’t know you could sing.” Yelena said between laughs.
”Honestly though Katie, if our training sessions had taught you anything, you’d think you’d know by now that you’re destined for second.” Pietro teased, face red.
Kate rolled her eyes and in one swift movement, swept the two laughing Avengers legs out from under the, her foot pushing Pietro to the ground and her other knee on Yelena’s chest.
The archer smirked. “Funny because look who’s on the ground.”
Pietro grumbled something and Yelena grabbed Kate’s foot, flipping the younger girl off of them. Kate tried to be graceful about it, but ended up landing on her ass.
”Touché.” Kate groaned, moving to her feet. When she turned around she was met with the wide eyes of the Bellas.
”That was badass.” Chloe said in awe. The rest of the group nodding.
”Oh that?” Kate shrugged, kind of proud of herself. “That’s nothing.”
”You should see her with a bow.” Shang-Chi butted it, draping his arm over his friend’s shoulder, five of his ten rings clanking together with the motion. He must have just had a mission.
Kate blushed as her friends continued to hype her up to the Bellas. Eventually she had to hide her face in Shang-Chi’s chest, overwhelmed by the attention.
”-and then she caught me when my webs didn’t work, still dangling by her grappling hook arrow over the Hudson.” Peter finished telling her college friends.
”Not gonna lie, I always thought you were kinda lame Legacy.” Amy admitted after hearing the story. “But damn kid, who’d have thought that you were out there saving the world this whole time.”
Kate’s head perked up. “We’ve never actually saved the world. We handle the small shit.”
”Uh yes we have.” Wanda said, confused. “Thanos. We stopped that purple bitch in Wakanda.”
”Yeah but that was like a whole thing. Wasn’t just us.” Kate shrugged. “Shang-Chi wasn’t even there.”
”Hey I saved the world on my own thank you very much.” The man in question scoffed.
”Damn you guys are cool.” Stacie groaned. “That’s not fair.”
”We can’t help it.” Yelena shrugged, earning her a smack from both Kate and Wanda.
The Bellas continued firing questions at the Young Avengers, all of which we glad to trade battle stories as well as the occasional embarrassing story that comes with living in the same compound.
After about the fourth story detailing Kate’s shenanigans with her golden retriever Lucky and Yelena’s Akita Fanny, the group was called to the medical wing, told that Phillip was awake and doing well.
”I’ll, uh, I’ll meet you at the hotel I guess.” Kate told the Bellas, feeling caught between her two worlds. She didn’t really know what to do. Should she continue to tour, or should she return to her Avenger duties. It was all too confusing.
Chloe smiled warmly, sensing the inner conflict of the youngest Bella. “Go Em-Kate.” She assured her, the new name replacing the fake one. “Get your boy, we’ll see you soon.”
A huge grin spread across Kate’s face and she ran, no sprinted, to the medical wing.
————
In Phillip’s room, the man in question was sitting up and drinking a juice box. May sat next to her nephew, tears in her eyes as she stared in awe, thankful to have the boy in front of her.
”You’re late.” Phillip chuckled, setting his juice box down. Kate’s heart melted and she rushed to his side.
”You look like shit.” She teased, but her eyes were welling up with tears.
Phillip reached up and caught Kate’s tears with the pad of her thumb. “Don’t cry babe, there’s nothing to cry over.”
The archer lost herself in emotion and began to sob. It’s not that she was sad, she was incredibly happy. However, at the same time she couldn’t help but mourn the time they had lost with one another.
”Come here.” Phillip moved over, making room for Kate in the hospital bed. Aunt May took the hint from her nephew and quietly left the room, leaving the couple alone. “Katie I’m okay. Now that the bullets and shrapnel are out, my body is back to its regular super healing.”
And Kate knew this, of course she did, but the thought of him just being hurt continued to sadden her.
”You’re never allowed to leave me again.” She spoke quietly, voice cracking one the tears stopped.
Phillip breathed in a slow breath and sighed. “I never want to.”
He grabbed at his neck, pulling at the necklace that always adorned it. With a hard tug, the chain snapped and it came off his neck.
”You know what this is?” He asked, voice barely above a whisper as he nervously fiddled with the necklace and the ring that hung from it. “It’s my mother’s engagement ring. I’ve worn this around my neck since the day she died, but I think it’s time that it found it’s new wearer.” He slipped the ring off the chain. “I had it sized a year and a half ago. I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Look I know we’re only twenty two, but we’ve been through some real shit together and I love have loved you unconditionally through it all. So, let’s make it official. Will you marry me?”
Kate could barely control herself as she practically launched herself at her now fiancé and embraced him. “Of course Lip! What, did you think I’d say no?”
Phillip finally breathed a sigh of relief as he slipped the small, delicate ring onto her finger. “I know it isn’t much but-“
”It’s perfect.” Kate cut him off, a hand on his chest. “I don’t need flashy stuff, I just need you.”
His lips met hers in an instant, but the kiss was sloppy seeing as neither of them could stop grinning.
”Did she say yes?” Peter’a voice sounded through the room. The happy couple looked up and saw Peter and May standing in the doorway.
”She said no.” Phillip rolled his eyes with a huge grin that betrayed his words. “Of course she said yes idiot.”
Peter rushed in and hugged Kate before gently hugging his older brother. May just stood in the doorway, admiring her family that was now put back together. Ben would be proud.