| ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ | | ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ | ══════════════════
After a grueling workout alongside the Avengers, you returned to your room, craving a long, luxurious bath.
“Hey Laura, run the usual bath for me, please,” you murmured to your AI companion. She was, in essence, your personalized version of JARVIS. You collapsed onto the bed, hoping time would stand still, if only for a moment of peace.
“It’s already running, (Y/N),” Laura replied calmly. “And it’s 7:15 AM.”
What? No time for sleep? You thought, exasperated. You hurried to the bathroom. The Sherlock marathon last night had kept you up until three. You sank into the steaming water, letting out a sigh as the heat eased your aching muscles.
You dressed in your familiar uniform: black ripped jeans, a grey hoodie, and white sneakers. You adjusted the earpiece/microphone, seamlessly integrated into a stylish earring—your ‘ear-buddy,’ as you called it. Alongside it, the sleek wristwatch on your wrist served a purpose beyond telling time. Combined, they functioned as a portable, albeit miniature, computer.
You rushed downstairs, finding only half of the Avengers present. Tony, Vision, Steve, Bruce, and Thor were gathered in the living room or kitchen.
Pepper and Wanda were preparing breakfast. Nat sat on a stool, reviewing a case file while sipping orange juice. Rhodes and Clint were watching the news, engaged in lively chatter. Sam recounted his adventures with Scott.
You settled beside Nat, and Wanda soon joined you, handing you a plate laden with an omelet and toasted bread. You devoured it, driven by a gnawing hunger.
Wanda was like an older sister, for two reasons. First, she knew everything about you—secrets you’d confided, thoughts you hadn’t even voiced. Either she’d heard them from you or read your mind, then discussed them later. Denying it was futile; she’d know, using her powers. Second, she was close to your age and understood you in ways others didn’t.
“Homecoming dance?” she asked suddenly, causing your fork to clatter against the plate. She’d been reading your mind again. Nat glanced at you, awaiting your response. Pepper continued cooking, but her expression betrayed her interest.
“Uh…yes,” you mumbled, resuming your meal. You tried to avoid eye contact. “Yeah… it’s just next week, you know. Not… Not much interested, not my thing.” You lied, hoping to deflect. Wanda fixed you with a ‘don’t lie to me’ look.
“Anyone asked you out yet?” she inquired further.
“No, not yet. And anyway, who would allow me? Not Pepper. Not Dad. No chance of going,” you responded, almost complaining. You’d been denied permission to attend the last homecoming dance. This one would be your last, and you desperately hoped your dad would let you go this time. Wanda nodded knowingly. She’d read your thoughts, wouldn't she stop?
“I’m sorry,” she apologized softly. You finished your breakfast quickly. As you turned toward the living room, intending to listen to Sam’s Falcon stories, Steve and the remaining Avengers entered the room. Bruce was sipping tea, as he always did after a Hulk transformation.
“Avengers,” Steve announced, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Assemble,” Tony quipped with a mischievous grin. You went to hug your dad as everyone gathered in a group before Steve. He explained that criminals had hijacked a ship and were demanding ransom. Meanwhile, Tony headed to the kitchen for breakfast, and you followed him.
“Dad, I had a new idea for my watch,” you started, as he retrieved toast from the toaster. He gestured for you to continue as Pepper flipped an omelet. “What if it could transform into a laser gun or something? Wouldn’t that be amazing?”
“Of course. Why not? You can—” your dad began, but Pepper cut him off.
“No. Absolutely not,” Pepper said sternly, flipping the omelet onto his plate next to the stove. “No, Tony, you can’t let her carry a fully operational weapon into school!”
“Mom, it’s for protection!” you protested, winking at your dad. Pepper wasn’t technically your mother, but she was the closest thing you had. She didn’t mind you calling her ‘Mom,’ in fact, she loved it. She treated you like her own daughter, and it felt wonderful.
“But it’s a laser gun. It won’t do anything else except burn the thing just a little,” your dad countered, chewing a piece of omelet.
“Burn the thing just a little!” Pepper emphasized, her voice laced with frustration. “Tony, you already know she’s not allowed to have all this high-tech stuff in school. Other kids don’t even bring mobiles, but she has holographic watches and AI in her earphones and—”
“And we all know she’s special,” your dad interrupted, smiling at you. “She’s my daughter and she can have nothing but the best.” Argument won. Pepper sighed in exasperation and settled into a chair, sipping her coffee.
When you and Tony returned to the living room, the Avengers were being dismissed by Cap. An idea struck you.
“THE FLOOR IS LAVA, EVERYONE FIND A SAFE PLACE!” you shouted, watching horrified faces turn toward you. Realization dawned, and chaos erupted as people scrambled for reliable furniture. JARVIS, anticipating your game, shifted the floor tiles from white to burning red.
Nat was the first to react, back-flipping onto the couch and turning on the television. She looked utterly unfazed, as if it were a routine game. You saw her smirk.
Clint reacted next, but finding nothing to stand on, he jumped onto the nearest chair. You needed to find a safe place, and nothing presented itself.
But Steve stood frozen, utterly confused. You instantly yelled, “Cap, catch!” and leaped onto him. He caught you in his arms, and you climbed onto his back, riding piggyback.
“I don’t see any lava, kid!” Thor bellowed, looking at Nat and Clint and rapidly went to sit beside them.
Scott followed suit, climbing onto the chair Clint was already standing on. They had to hug to maintain their balance on the wobbly chair.
Vision lifted Wanda into his arms, bridal-style, and hovered in the air. Sam, closest to him, clutched his leg, wrapping around it like a koala bear. Vision was strong enough to not even flinch when Sam settled on his leg.
Bruce climbed onto the coffee table, continuing to sip his tea. His expression suggested it was perfectly normal to stand on a coffee table.
Tony burst out laughing as his suit assembled around him. Silence descended, broken only by the antics of the Avengers.
Pepper walked toward you and Steve, handing you your school bag and kissing you on the head. She walked away, her heels clicking loudly against the floor tiles. This snapped everyone out of their frozen positions. You started laughing, and soon everyone joined in. The room filled with the sound of cackling and guffawing.
You scrambled down from Steve, Bruce from the coffee table, Sam from Vision, and Scott settled on the chair. Vision landed on the floor and put Wanda on her feet. You could feel him blushing, despite his stoic demeanor.
“That was hilarious,” your dad complimented you, swinging your bag on your shoulders. He kissed you on the forehead, returning the gesture. “Have an amazing day, princess.”
“I always do, Dad,” you said as you headed out into the lobby. ══════════════════